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Danni Roan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Christian author with over fifty books published. I started writing in 2015 after the loss of my oldest sister to cancer. Her life and death made me wonder what I was waiting for and so I wrote that first book.
I write sweet, clean, Christian romance, both historical and contemporary. My books are full of faith, fun, heritage, and heart.
I currently live and work in a thirty-six foot RV with my every-day-hero, my husband of nearly thirty years. We determined in 2018 that it was time to see our country after years of working overseas as teachers. Our son, an only child, is attending college and it seemed like the perfect time to hit the road.
We love nature, hiking, and exploring the national parks of this great nation. We lovingly refer to our life as rollingandwriting.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, a contemporary Christian western romance, is Remembering Rainy. This book was inspired by my belief that we can all change, grow, and meet the challenges that life throws at us with faith and love. In this book, one young man must face the mistakes of the past to learn how to have his best future.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Every author has their own style and writing habits some are odder than others. I don’t think my writing habits are unusual but I do have my own process. I usually start by sketching out the basics of my story, sometimes on paper. This usually only consists of character names, settling, and a couple of plot points. It keeps me focused moving forward without limiting my freedom to create. I then write the story straight through. Once the initial draft is finished I go back and do a complete read-through and re-write, tweaking details and points until I am happy. After that, it is off to the editor for their input and polish.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are several authors who have influenced me. My dear friend Kirsten Osbourne was a huge encouragement to me when I first started writing. Since then I have developed wonderful relationships with the authors in various series we have written together. I think as an author you are always learning and growing so many things can influence you and help you develop your writing.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a fun, fantasy, romance story with Kirsten Osbourne and some of our friends. These light hearted, multi-author and multi-genre books will bring a smile to readers of all sorts. Sometimes it is fun to just step out and do something different, lighthearted, and not too serious.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used a number of ad sites to help promote my books, including Awesome Gang which delivers steady and predictable results. Along with these sites Facebook and social media sites that cater to specific reading tastes are also a great way to connect with readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! You won’t learn anything until you start. I always say that you need to be prepared to fail because you’ll learn more about who you are as an author that way than any other. It doesn’t matter if you think you are great or terrible, write and learn as you go.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can’t edit a blank page.” I think we have all heard that one before and it is true. Maybe your first, second, or even third draft isn’t very good but you’ll grow as you write. We all have to start somewhere.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the newest Georgia Peaches series story, A New Heart by Lisa Prysock. I also write in this series and have loved every single book. It was nice to mix up my writing with a bit of mystery in this series and I’m looking forward to the next book when I finish this special treat.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope that as a writer, I will always be learning and honing my skills as a storyteller. I love a good story and want to be even better at sharing my vision with my readers. I want to continue to develop my writing and get better and better.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island with only a few books I would want my Bible and books by Louis L’Amore. I read all of those books as a teen and would love a chance to revisit them. I’m a huge western fan and love a good story.

Author Websites and Profiles
Danni Roan Website
Danni Roan Amazon Profile

Danni Roan’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jay Mistry 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Around a decade ago, a friend shared a book with me that changed my life. Before that, I had never read anything other than what was required to get through school. That book looked like a thick school textbook, but the information in it opened my eyes to what a massive impact a book could have on a persons mind.

Before that, I just thought books were used to bore kids and teach them about irrelevant things that hold no value in real day-to-day life. Also, I thought they were used to help prop up furniture that had become rickety over time. No way did I think books could hold the life’s work of geniuses that came before me. That they could capture their ways of thinking, and that I could read them and become inspired out of it.

When I realised this was possible, I read. And I mean I read a tonne. I read books I paid for, books I found for free, eBooks, audiobooks, heck, if I saw a pamphlet and it looked like I could gain some knowledge from reading it, we’ll I’d go ahead and read that too!

For purely selfish reasons I made notes on everything I read so I could be better, be sharper, be knowledgeable, and to understand more about myself and others. I captured these notes on journals and on my phone. To date I have 5,000+ individual notes on my iPhone. Plus many more on journals I’ve bought over the years.

Unknowingly I was building a database of incredible thoughts, ideas, and concepts that have the power to create revelations in the mind and transform lives. I find it incredible that one great idea can completely change the direction of a persons life.

So, after much collating of ideas for selfish reasons, I figured it would be good to share these ideas and any others I collect in the future with others. Hence, my author career. So far I have released the one book: How To Become Fearless: A Practical Guide for Destroying Fear and Living With Freedom.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
How To Become Fearless: A Practical Guide for Destroying Fear and Living With Freedom.

We all suffer from fear every now and then. I certainly did for 2 decades. Then like a rubber band that had been pulled past breaking point, I snapped!

I looked into fear, I researched and applied, I tested everything. I figured out what works for me and realised I was gathering important life skills that has helped me to go into new ventures fearlessly.

I know millions of people struggle with fear. It limits them, it cripples them. It’s a debilitating emotion. So my hope is that this book will help those people and give them a path to eradicate their fears.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must have a cat and a coffee nearby. Both help to put me in the writing mood.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Greene – The 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, The 50th Law.
Mark Manson.
Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now

What are you working on now?
Freshly released the How To Become Fearless: A Practical Guide for Destroying Fear and Living With Freedom book, so promoting this and will soon be working on another book project. I’m currently in the process of combining ideas, but I have a general topic which I’ll disclose as time goes on.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still figuring this one out myself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start typing. It could be absolute rubbish to begin with. Talk about what you ate for breakfast, what you plan to do today. The simple act of typing about anything will get you in the zone. Well it does for me. Once the hands are in action, the words will come.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
People overcomplicate things too much. If you want to do something, do it. If you don’t, don’t.

What are you reading now?
Robert Greene’s work is always on my list.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Will disclose this later, but just know it’ll be an excellent read. It’s something I’m really excited about!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I think it would have to be my science textbooks from high school. 4 of them. Simply so I could hollow them out and stuff them with food and knives. And possible one that could teach me how to get off a desert island and get back to my family and friends.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jay Mistry Website

Jay Mistry’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Michael Trimble 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a developer by trade and write in my spare time. I’ve written 2 books so far and have 2 others in various states of completeness. I was only ever average at English at school but the books I’ve written seem to have been enjoyed so decided the next step was to add them to Amazon to see if anyone else would like to read them. I’ve really enjoyed the process of making up stories (having been told the fantasy land I kept escaping to at school whilst day dreaming would never amount to anything).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book was Sam & Kevin: Mysterious times which is the second book in the Bum Face Chronicles. This was a bedtime story I made up with my youngest and together we made up the story. It was also a way to pay tribute to my grandad who always told the best stories when I was a child and to Sam’s great grandmother (both of whom have characters based on them in the book)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to try and think of things to entertain myself, stories and scenarios which I think are funny then to incorporate them into the narrative. Sometimes I like to just make up little tales which I send to my friends and these often end up in there.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved books since I was a child. Roald Dahl was the main author I still adore to this day, then Enid Blighton. I read David Walliams with my kids now and he’s brilliant. For my reading, I do like a good crime novel so Harlan Coben is up there, Lee Child. George Orwell has always fascinated me and some of the classics such as Of Mice And Men, To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. I’ve always said if a child reads one of my books then reads more, I’ll be happy. If a child decides to write their own having read mine, I’ll have achieved what I wanted

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing book three of the Bum Face Chronicles and a story of Francois the Duck which is based on the ducks that live next to my house.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m quite new to this so just have books on Amazon but found Awesome Gang through a search so have added my book here as well

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get on and do it. I am my own worst critic but people like stories so if you have one to tell, tell it. Chances are, someone will like it

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s never too late, it’s just late. A friend of mine said this to me years ago and it stuck. Might as well give it a go then you know rather than wondering what if

What are you reading now?
I’m just finishing off a Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to complete the books I have on the go and see what else I can dream up

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It’s always a difficult question as I like to read new books so my favourites change but I think the BFG, The Life of Pi, The Half Blood Prince and then something long that I’ve never had the time to read like War and Peace or The Stand

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Trimble Website
Michael Trimble Amazon Profile

 

Niladri Mitra 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an independent writer from Kolkata, India. I started writing very early at the age of twelve and though initially I only wrote poems and songs, I later expanded my repertoire as I got older and now I write in several forms. I have written five books so far and they include two novels, one novella, a collection of poems and a collection of short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is a collection of short stories called Beyond The Grey Line: The Illusions Of Time. As one can probably guess from the title, the book plays around with the concept of time as well as elements of the supernatural and psychology. I have always been fascinated with these topics and the subjective nature of each of them and as a storyteller I always strive to write stories that are fresh and which engage the reader on a very intellectual level. Writing this book with the central theme of time and the supernatural gave me the chance to do just that and I’m hoping that my readers will not be disappointed with the effort I’ve made to bring them stories that are not only experimental but also a little challenging.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unusual or not but I can’t write too much in one sitting. Although, I tend to finish a substantial word count everyday when I’m writing but that’s always achieved in sort of small laps throughout the day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sidney Sheldon has had a huge influence on me. I love his work and I’m a huge fan of his storytelling abilities. My favourite book of all time is a Sheldon book called If Tomorrow Comes. Then there are others also from both classic and contemporary literature who have greatly influenced me like Charles Dickens, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, John Grisham, Rabindranath Tagore, etc. I’ve learned a lot by reading each of their works.

What are you working on now?
When it comes to my writing, I’m not a multitasker at all. I take it one project at a time. I’ve just released my book and I’m pretty sure my next will be a novel. I have the outline of it in my head and will most probably start work on it from next month.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has been immensely helpful when it comes to marketing and promotions. I’m fortunate enough to have a decent following and I try to interact with people as much as possible and as honestly as possible, so that has definitely helped me get a few readers. I’ve also become quite active on Instagram since last year and that’s helpful too. Other than that I’m also collaborating with a couple of book bloggers as well and I want to take this opportunity to get the word out that if you’re a book blogger then do get in touch with me and hopefully we can collaborate too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what comes naturally to you. Don’t look at what’s selling in the market or what kind of genres are trending because if you go against your own instincts and write only for the market then chances are that you’ll end up with a product that’ll come across as disconnected because you’re heart was never in it. Also, don’t run after deadlines. It’s good to set goals for yourself but don’t despair if you can’t meet them. Writing is an internal process and sometimes it just doesn’t click. Be patient and trust your ability.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To keep the language simple so that it connects with everybody. It’s really a myth that using fancy words is a sign of good writing and I did commit the mistake of believing it once but then someone told me to ease up on my language and I can safely say that my writing has become much better and fluid after that.

What are you reading now?
The Girl Before by JP Delaney.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m trying my best to get published traditionally because that’s a dream of mine. If all goes well then my next book will a traditionally published one. I’m also venturing into editing and proofreading. So let’s see how that goes.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If Tomorrow Comes.
The entire Sherlock Holmes collection.
Piccadilly Jim.
A Tale Of Two Cities.

Author Websites and Profiles
Niladri Mitra Website
Niladri Mitra Amazon Profile

Niladri Mitra’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Diane McGyver 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write stories, some long, some short. Regardless of genre, each story contains a bit of adventure, romance, survival and humour. I love writing stories with a fantastical theme, but my current release “Northern Survival” is all about surviving in the wilderness after a plane crash. The novel gave me the chance to share my love of nature, camping, fishing and hiking. It also allowed me to implant my sarcasm on the two main characters as they emotionally battle each other and fight to survive.

I’ve been writing a long time, and the journey has taught me to not squander words. Each new story is more concise with less clutter than the previous. To date, I have 5 fantasy, 1 humorous and 2 romance novels released, along with numerous short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Northern Survival”. It was inspired by a video created by the pilot who recorded the crash of his small plane in Northern Quebec. The only reason he survived was because the plane had a parachute.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I sit and write. When I’m completely absorbed in the story, my genius takes over the writing. I’m just a bystander watching the words appear on the screen and drinking tea.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s not so much that authors have influenced me as much as particular books have, though I do appreciate Jack London’s writing. “M for Mischief” by Richard Parker, “The Places You Will Go” by Dr. Seuss, “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London, “Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown and “Mage Winds Trilogy” by Mercedes Lackey have inspired and influenced me.

What are you working on now?
That’s a loaded question. I’m working on three projects: “Gathered Stones” book 5 in the Castle Keepers fantasy series, “Within the Myst” book 2 in the Mystical fantasy series and “The Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes” a stand-alone romance (of sorts).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really haven’t found one yet outside my own website (https://dianelynnmcgyver.com). I’m still finding my way around promoting my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the books you want to read. You’ll enjoy the process more, and you will always find readers who will want to read them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. Turn it into a habit.

What are you reading now?
“Impact to Contact” – The Shag Harbour Incident by Chris Styles & Graham Simms

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on completing the 10-book Castle Keepers series. I plan to have it done within the next seven years. I have six books to complete.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Survival Books: one with information on the plants growing on that island, one on first aid, one with star charts and forecasting the weather, and one book with blank pages so I can write my own book while I’m there.

Author Websites and Profiles
Diane McGyver Website
Diane McGyver Amazon Profile
Diane McGyver Author Profile on Smashwords

Diane McGyver’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Colin Dobson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a 52 year old writer from Melbourne, Australia. I have written my first novel. I work in and around criminals, cops and lawyers so I write under a pseudonym.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Miss Pretty’s Little Secret was inspired by a couple of author’s I have read. One being Robert G. Barrett and the other being Carl Hiaasen. I was inspired by the dark humor aspect of their characters in the crime genre.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote the first 17,000 words on my phone before I got around to using a desk top!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert G. Barrett & Carl Hiassen.

What are you working on now?
I have another book coming out in January 2021. A number of the characters including the hero Len Dunning will be involved in that one as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This one of course. I’m new to the caper so I cannot comment on others until I see how it all works.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it and edit hard!!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get to work early!

What are you reading now?
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiassen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I will write a third book and sit back and assess from there!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. How to build rudimentary shelter and furniture.
2. How to build fire and find food.
3. Anything in the crime/humor genre.

Author Websites and Profiles
Colin Dobson Website
Colin Dobson Amazon Profile

Colin Dobson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

C.S. Kading 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
poet, playwright, and a storyteller, my love for writing began in 3rd grade when I won a district writing contest. My love for fantastical forces motivates me to create stories of heroes, villains, gods and monsters that often have a foundation in Old World mythology and legends.
While I have written many books and stories, Sanctum: Sands of Setesh is the first to ever cross the publication finish line.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’ve always enjoyed stories involving modern mythos, but… not. Sands of Setesh was born (honestly) out of a need to find a creative outlet during a time of seclusion. Tony and I just began writing a little short story back and forth to keep ourselves busy, and soon a book was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Define unusual? Gotta have music pumping through my headcans to generate words.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joel Rosenberg’s “Guardian’s of the Flame” series, The Belgariad, Sword of Shanara…

What are you working on now?
Working on the next installment of the World of Sanctum Series. The working title is “Sanctum: Forests of Avalon”

Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE!
It doesn’t matter what it is. If you decide at 3am in the morning that you have an idea chewing on your brain, get up and write it down. Seriously.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King wrote : First write for yourself, and then worry about the audience. “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story. Your stuff starts out being just for you, but then it goes out.”

I think this is the best thing I have ever read where writing is concerned. We are here to tell stories, and while I would LOVE for others to find them engaging…if *I* don’t enjoy them, how on earth will you?

What are you reading now?
I am just now picking up the “Harrow The Ninth” series. I have always been fascinated with underworld mythos and I am curious to see what this is all about.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to continue to bring a little magic back to the world with the stories I create.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh gosh… such a hard question. Gotta have Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”. The Mother of Science Fiction was a true inspiration. Margaret Atwood’s “Handmaid’s Tale” is something that touched a nerve in me when it was originally released. I have read it multiple times and never tire of it. I think maybe “Phantom” by Susan Kay. There was something about how she took Gaston Leroux’s original story and fleshed out the character based on the snippets of information that Leroux gave us that I have always loved.

Author Websites and Profiles
C.S. Kading Website
C.S. Kading Amazon Profile

C.S. Kading’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Timothy Warren 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the Atlanta suburbs with my husband and our pets. When I am not writing, I am writing in my head… which often leads to strange looks from my spouse.

I have written three books total… SECRET (Tales of the Circle Book 2) is my second m/m romance novel (TRUE was first). I have also written a horror novel (THE DEAD NEXT DOOR) featuring a gay protagonist under the pen name T.W. Smith.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SECRET (Tales of the Circle Book 2) was inspired by the popularity of a side character from the first novel. Demarco Alford is a witty man who also happens to be a high-profile escort in Washington, DC–a city filled with closeted politicians that would require his services.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suspect many do this, but when re-writing and polishing, I read the novel aloud so I can hear the cadence and flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A lot. Armistead Maupin immediately comes to mind. His TALES OF THE CITY books sing to me. Stephen King is an immense talent. I am jealous of Anne Rice’s prose. Also David Sedaris, Stephen McCauley, Jay Quinn, Edmund White, Michael Cunningham, Flanner O’ Connor, James Baldwin, Truman Capote, and Tennessee Williams. Really, it’s countless… this is just the top layer.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the third book to the Tales of the Circle series mentioned above.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been overwhelmed with the positive support of several folks I have met via Facebook in m/m romance groups. So, I will probably promote on Facebook for sure.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what YOU like… what YOU want to read. You will find that there are many others out there who will want to read it too. Fall in love with your characters and others will too. The story will evolve from your characters, you can plot a little… but once your characters come to life, they’re going to tell you where to go.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write with the door closed. Rewrite with the door open. –Stephen King

What are you reading now?
I just finished “Rule Breaker” by Lily Morton. I plan to read the Elton John bio next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I write under 2 pen names, Timothy Warren (m/m romance) and T.W. Smith (horror). I have published the second novel in a romance series, and the first in horror series. I am currently working on continuations for both.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
THE STAND by Stephen King. I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson. TALES OF THE CITY by Armistead Maupin. INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE by Anne Rice. GIOVANNI’S ROOM by James Baldwin. If I could take a series of books, I would take TALES OF THE CITY (Maupin) and THE DARK TOWER (King). Wait! What about OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS (Capote) and A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND (O’Connor)? This is impossible!

Author Websites and Profiles
Timothy Warren Website
Timothy Warren Amazon Profile

Timothy Warren’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

M Henningham 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written over 40 crime thriller short stories to date, primarily because I started a short story workshop (11 years ago) and pretty much had to make sure I had one to workshop if no one bought anything. I started releasing them as single ebooks on Amazon, and then I thought I’d make them into a collection, hence Behaving Badly.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Behaving Badly is the first short story collection I have released so far. It’s a collection of edgy crime thrillers that are inspired by a ripe imagination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My friend calls me nocturnal. I can feel sluggish throughout the day, but at night time I am alive and can write well into the early hours!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up in a house with books. Furthermore, at school, we had a regular subscription to books, and my parents allowed me to have as many as I wanted.
In those days, libraries were respected fixtures, unlike today. I would do anything to hold onto libraries as I can’t imagine a childhood without them.
As a child, I gravitated to Rosa Guy, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, David Herbert, Terri Macmillan, etc.
My library is stacked with books!

What are you working on now?
Well, I’ve experimented with a five-story collection, so I think I’m going to create another one. It’ll be interesting to see how the next one is received.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method so far for promoting is Amazon, Facebook, and my website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write whatever you want, as long as it makes sense. Be sure to pour everything into your writing, as they say to dancers, leave nothing on the floor.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write like your life depends on it!

What are you reading now?
I am not reading anything at the moment because I’m engrossed in my next collection. I’m working out the order of stories, if there are links, etc.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I shall carry on writing short stories and see what else my imagination can deliver!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would definitely take Toni Morrison, Stephen King, Terri MacMillan, and James Herbert, and Charles Bukowski.

Author Websites and Profiles
M Henningham Website
M Henningham Amazon Profile
M Henningham Author Profile on Smashwords

M Henningham’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Terry Tucker 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been an NCAA Division I college basketball player, a Citadel cadet, and undercover narcotics investigator, a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, a high school basketball coach, a business owner, and most recently, a cancer warrior. Our family currently resides in Colorado with their daughter and Wheaten Terrier, Maggie. In 2019, I started the website, Motivational Check to help others find and lead their uncommon and extraordinary lives.
I’ve written four other books, but none of them have been published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles to Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life. I was inspired to write the book based on a LinkedIn connection I had from a recent college graduate. He wanted to know what I thought were the most important things he should spend his time on in order to live his best life. After giving it some thought, I started to list the things I felt were important. Eventually, I had a list of ten principles and I was able to use my diverse background to give examples of how those principles played out in my life. I believe this book would be beneficial for any young person trying to determine their purpose in the world or anyone who is at a crossroads where to head next with their life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write at night. It is a time when the world (and the house) is quiet. The peace of those calm quiet nights really inspires my creative juices.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading non-fiction, mostly biographies. I enjoy trying to understand what makes famous people tick. I have enjoyed David McCullough’s biographies of Harry Truman and John Adams. I also enjoyed Walter Isaacson’s biography of Henry Kissinger. Probably the book that has most influenced my life was a book I read in eighth grade titled, They Call Me Coach by John Wooden.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to Sustainable Excellence. Right now it is titled Sustainable Excellence II.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

+127 of the Top Free and Paid Book Promotion Sites

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Lead with your heart. Listen more than you talk and try to listen from a position of understanding instead of responding. Be curious. I love trying to understand and get to know people of differing backgrounds. People fascinate me. Take the time to get out of your way and learn about others. It is the only way you can grow as a person.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There is a reason God gave you two ears and one mouth.

What are you reading now?
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To market Sustainable Excellence as it nears its launch date in late October 2020 and to continue writing Sustainable Excellence II.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, as many biographies as I could carry and a book on how to use native island vegetation to make a seaworthy raft.

Author Websites and Profiles
Terry Tucker Website
Terry Tucker Amazon Profile

Terry Tucker’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

River J. Hopkins 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have two books under my belt now; SOMETIME AFTER MIDNIGHT: A COLLECTION OF POETRY & SHORT STORIES, and my debut novel—the first installment of THE OUTCROSSED SERIES—INTO THE FORGOTTEN FOREST. I’m a giant sci=fi and fantasy nerd, especially if there’s a dash of horror involved. I’m a gamer, a reader, an artist, a musician, and a whole lot of other things. A Jill of All Trades, I suppose. I became disabled about six years ago, so that’s been an interesting and oftentimes difficult journey.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just released INTO THE FORGOTTEN FOREST recently. I kept seeing all these stories where young women fall in love with vampires, and there are werewolves lurking somewhere in the background. I wanted to change the trope around a bit. So my main character is a young woman, yes, but her struggle is with turning into a monster, herself. And instead of being mainly a romance, the themes are more about family, friendship, and the duality Oli’s own nature. There are hints of romances to come…but readers will have to wait a book or two for that!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always have to listen to music when I’m writing. It fuels my fire! Also, lately, I’ve needed to use a stopwatch to make sure I don’t work for too long. I often get so focused, I don’t realize how much pain I’m in. It can be frustrating figuring out how to do things with a disability, but you eventually find a flow that works.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So so many! To name a few authors, though; Susan Cooper, Ray Bradbury, Clive Barker, Melissa Marr, Holly Black, Anne Rice, Stephen King, C.S. Lewis, L. Frank Baum, J.R.R. Tolkien, T.H. White, Terry Brooks, and Orson Scott Card.

What are you working on now?
I’m about eleven chapters into outlining the second book in THE OUTCROSSED SERIES—UNDER THE WOLF MOON. On the side, I’m about half that far into outlining the first book in a series that goes more in depth into the magic—or Arcane—part of the universe I’m building. The first book in that series will be called WYLDE & STRANGE.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m on Twitter quite often, so that’s the best place to find me! Other than that, Instagram and my website are good places to watch.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Damn the naysayers! Follow your dreams, and never give up. And don’t let anyone tell you whether you should go indie or traditional; that choice is yours and yours alone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never to mistake kindness for weakness.

What are you reading now?
I just started Holly Black’s THE CRUEL PRINCE. It’s been on my TBR list for forever, and I’m finally getting on it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to have UNDER THE WOLF MOON ready to publish by January, and WYLDE & STRANGE not long after. Other than that, I have several other series’ planned in the same universe. Without spoilers, these will include a space opera, an Arthurian retelling, a dystopian society, some fairytale retellings, and a prequel to THE OUTCROSSED SERIES that takes place in the 1990s.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d cheat and take an omnibus of THE DARK IS RISING SEQUENCE by Susan Cooper, THE THIEF OF ALWAYS by Clive Barker, and THE HALLOWEEN TREE by Ray Bradbury.

Author Websites and Profiles
River J. Hopkins Website
River J. Hopkins Amazon Profile

River J. Hopkins’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Philip Spires 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published five novels, all available as ebooks, Eileen McHugh, One On One, A Search For Donald Cottee, Mission and A Fool’s Knot, and a set of travel stories, Voyagers. Mission and A Fool’s Knot are set in Kenya and look at cultural difference and similarity. A Search For Donald Cottee is a parody of Don Quixote set in a Benidorm caravan park and One On One describes an encounter between old friends whose life paths diverged, one into the media and one to become a billionaire recluse. I have also ghost-written a sports book based on rugby league, a sport known in the north of England, Australia, New Zealand and just a few other places. There are details on my website http://www.philipspires.co.uk

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Eileen McHugh – a life remade – is a novel about a sculptor whose creative life ended in the 1970s. She left no work, but now an archive of her notes and sketches has come into the possession of Mary Reynolds, who is determined to resurrect the artist’s life and reconstruct her work. She contacts people who knew Eileen as a child and as a student in London. Via these partial memories, she recreates the artist and her work and follows her on a hippie trip to Thailand that proved significant.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need a pen or pencil in my hand. Even when I am writing directly onto my PC, I have a pencil through my fingers as I type. Everything is written longhand on scrappy paper and then typed. A lot gets changed in this process, so it’s really a first edit as well. It feels like doing things twice, but I think things are refined in the process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Usually the strongest influence I the last book I read. Ngugi wa Thiong’o is always there. As is Lawrence Durrell, for some reason. But there are so many… Atwood, McEwan, Rushdie, Tremain, Evaristo, Grass. I am always looking for something that is much more far reaching than mere plot. Bill Warren’s Imperialism: Pioneer of Capitalism changed the way I think.

What are you working on now?
Currently, my time is being spent on promotion. I have just finished Eileen McHugh, a life remade, and because of the book’s theme, it has to be free. I have another idea bubbling away, as it has been for some years. I would like to imagine the composer Leos Janacek awaiting his death and confronted by all the females, real and fictitious in his life. I also have a Spanish edition of Eileen McHugh almost ready to go. Until one tries to translate, one simply does not realise how much of what we say or write is idiomatic.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If I could answer that one, I would not be spending most of my time on promotion. I would already have it taped. I think we all are condemned to dribble away at whatever we can find. My own website at http://www.philipspires.co.uk is the most convenient, but how to break out on one’s own contact base… I keep trying. Eileen McHugh was published a month ago and it’s free. It’s been downloaded about 1000 times thus far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you want to write, to communicate and, crucially, to express yourself. Fame, money, market, genre and popularity will all take care of themselves by passing you by. Just get on with it. Build another shelf.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Communicate. And reject anything formulaic. What’s the point of repeating the already mass produced?

What are you reading now?
Susan Sontag’s essays on criticism from the 1960s, Against Interpretation. I have just finished Mary Beard’s history of Rome, SPQR, which was magnificent. I wish I could write like that.

What’s next for you as a writer?
In theory, it’s the Janacek described above. I cannot wait to pitch the composer’s wife against Elena Makropoulos, who is bored after 337 years of life, Olga Janacek, the composer’s daughter, who died of pneumonia in her early 20s, Katya Kabanova, with her guilt-ridden religion and Bystroushka Sharp Ears, who is a vixen, shot by a gamekeeper but for ever proud of her brood, though she delighted in killing chickens for fun.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Several large encyclopaedias. If it really is a desert island, I can rip them up to build shelter and find a way of burning the rest.

Author Websites and Profiles
Philip Spires Website
Philip Spires Amazon Profile
Philip Spires Author Profile on Smashwords

Philip Spires’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Niaby Codd 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an ex stock broker who saw the light in the darkest hour of poor health and recognised the call of my soul to walk a different path.

That path has led me to be of service to spirit as I gently bring through words of wisdom from a higher source. Both a healer and a spiritual medium, I hope to inspire people to find the power to heal themselves, so in turn, they too can inspire others to do the same.

I am the author of the channelled book ‘The spirit of Life’ and am also the host of ‘The Spirit of Life in Ibiza’ podcast.

Through writing, singing and inspirational speaking, I channel the higher source of spirit to bring through messages from the divine.

I have only written one book, so far, although I know there are many more books just waiting to be channelled through me.

It has been an interesting journey of self discovery for me since I left my 12 year career as a stockbroker. Once a self-proclaimed party girl and career girl, I hid away from my true self and true identity.

It took 6 years of ill health to finally push me over the edge and force me to walk away from my career. A career that my identity was held in. For who was I if I wasn’t a stockbroker and party girl? Who was I if I were to finally come out from behind the self imposed mask that I had worn for so long?

But that journey of self discovery, brought me to the very place that I now stand. A place from which I can now shine my light of love on the world, having finally found that love in myself. A place from which I can now share natural gifts and talents that I didn’t even know I had back then. A place from which I can now help to guide the way for others to heal, in the way that I have now healed, from all that society has told us we should be.

And that now brings me to my book – for without this book, it would have taken me much longer to heal. It would have taken me much longer to see all that I can be and all that I already was. It would have taken me much longer to step into the power of me!

Through my connection to spirit, I channel words of wisdom from this higher source as he seeks to guide us to reconnect with the true essence of who we are.

‘Every one of us has a gift, a gift that will help to heal the rift’ by reconnecting to our natural gifts and passions and walking the path that our soul carves for us, instead of the one that society deems, we naturally start to heal ourselves and in turn, can then shine that light of love on the world in order to help to heal it too.

The Spirit of Life seeks to empower people to step back into the true essence of who they are. The Revolution of Consciousness is upon us, now is the time to embody that higher level of consciousness by connecting to our own divine wisdom, our own divine knowledge and our own divine truth.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called ‘The Spirit of Life’ and inspired by the very spirit that I channel in it.

I always knew that I would write a book but I had no idea that I was even writing a book as the first pages started to flow through me. As I sat and wrote and ‘The Spirit of Life’ introduced himself to me (the powerful identity of which will be revealed in the book) I was blown away by the powerful words of wisdom that were becoming manifest through me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say that I have any unusual writing habits but my current aim is to move to a place in nature so that I can chill on my sofa, cup of herbal tea in one hand, lap top in the other, whilst being inspired by the beautiful call of nature.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neale Donald Walsch, author of ‘The Conversations with God’ books has been hugely inspiring to me.

My book is very much of the same ilk and it continues to blow me away at the similarities that come through in my book to his – although it shouldn’t be that surprising seeing as we are both channelling divine source. Truth is truth – it may be written in a different way but it’s still truth.

What are you working on now?
I am now very much working on getting my book out there. The words of wisdom that come through in this book need to be heard, especially at this time. The Spirit of Life was channelled for this very time in history so now is the time for my book to be recognised.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am currently spending a lot of time writing for other blogs, websites and magazines, as well as my own website, to get my voice heard. I am also doing a lot of competition writing so that I can become an award winning writer and have my work published in high level publications.

I have found Reedsy to be invaluable in helping me to work out where to focus my efforts and am also super grateful to Awesome Gang for allowing me this space to introduce my work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick at it! It is a slow and arduous process, working your way through the world of publishing and marketing and I am still at the early stages myself, but trust that if you are passionate about something, if you are coming from your heart and expressing the yearnings of your soul through your work, then the universe will move mountains to get you to where you need to be.

The mountains may well move slowly – but till they will move in time…

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
TRUST! Trust in who you were born to be!

It is the most basic and simple advice yet the toughest to follow but when we start to trust in who we were born to be, we start to see new avenues open to us as we come more and more into alignment with the divine.

We are the divine, we are the creator, we hold the power in our hands to be exactly who we wish to be. Trust in this and the rest shall follow…

What are you reading now?
At the moment I am so busy promoting my book and podcast and building my brand that I do not have time to read. It is unfortunate that my free time is so limited right not but I am also incredibly grateful that so many amazing things are coming together at once.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My main aim for now is to build my brand, to be seen and heard and to continue to grow humanity’s consciousness through the work that I am doing.

There is no doubt that many more books are on the horizon for me, but first this one must be discovered in order for the next one to come into creation.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Conversations with God part 1, 2 and 3 plus one of the Abraham Hicks Law of Attraction books. Books to keep you inspired for sure!

Author Websites and Profiles
Niaby Codd Website
Niaby Codd Amazon Profile

Niaby Codd’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Chris Philippe Hemingway 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a background as a voice actor, and a stage actor. After 15 years of working in show business, I started a new life in the UK as an engineer. “That’s Life” is my 8th book, but the fist one written in English.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is called “That’s Life” and we can think of it as the 20 most embarrassing chapters from my diary – if I had one. Things, my wife asked me not to share with our friends, as some of them are just way too humiliating, so I decided to share them with the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual aspect of my writing might be my unfiltered honesty, which some might argue that would require some editing. With non-fiction books however, I do believe honesty should come first.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a non-fictional impact, I would say the unfiltered manner of Ricky Gervais, and the openness of Trevor Noah. They definitely had a huge influence on how I tell stories.

What are you working on now?
My next book is going to be a thriller, it’s gonna be quite the opposite of “That’s Life”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am an old timer, in terms of book promotion. I usually rely on the good words spread by my readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I always say that to everyone; just write. Make mistakes. And then write again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you’ve been, ever, for any reason whatsoever.” – Michael Scott

What are you reading now?
Dan Brown – Origin

What’s next for you as a writer?
My biggest hit is yet to be written, it’s going to be something completely different from what I used to write, but I am already enjoying the preparation.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to survive on a desert island”
“How build a boat”
“Raw vegan cookbook”
“That’s Life” – something to reminisce about

Author Websites and Profiles
Chris Philippe Hemingway Amazon Profile

Chris Philippe Hemingway’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Praveen Kumar 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
PRAVEEN KUMAR is a 38 years young and passionate highly skilled and certified Data Analytics professional having expertise in Analytics using R, Python, and various business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Advanced Microsoft Excel.
and For Beginners Analyst (Entry-level) and students I published my first book “Data Visualization with TABLEAU”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Data Visualization with TABLEAU – is my first book published on Amazon Kindle and can be accessed from all Amazon websites using KindleUnlimited. Paperback is also underprint.

During pandemic COVID-19; It was a lockdown in my country INDIA and I introspected into myself during those days and realized there is something that I can return to the world and this is how a thought of writing a book on Tableau software evolved into the mind. And now it’s available for you readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a habitual user of computer and have been engaged in reporting and business process creator for organizations including policies, procedures, reports, presentations and data analysis that has tuned me into a habitual writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors of 4 Hour Workweek, Unlock It, The Secret, Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad and many more has made a great impact on my mndset.

What are you working on now?
I am creating an advanced version of my latest book which will teach advanced methods of Data Visualization for experts and those who are at a higher level Tableau Users.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon.com and Facebook Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Consistency and Self commitment is the most crucial things to consider for writing a book. There are many instances writers get distracted because of so much fatigue and stress due to painful writing process. Be consistent and make records of your each day progress.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Imperfect Actions Make You Rich.

What are you reading now?
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a Writer I want to be #1 Bestseller in my niche

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Think and Grow Rich, Unlock It, Happy Money- The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Author Websites and Profiles
Praveen Kumar Amazon Profile

Praveen Kumar 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
PRAVEEN KUMAR is a 38 years young and passionate highly skilled and certified Data Analytics professional having expertise in Analytics using R, Python, and various business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Advanced Microsoft Excel.
and For Beginners Analyst (Entry-level) and students I published my first book “Data Visualization with TABLEAU”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Data Visualization with TABLEAU – is my first book published on Amazon Kindle and can be accessed from all Amazon websites using KindleUnlimited. Paperback is also underprint.

During pandemic COVID-19; It was a lockdown in my country INDIA and I introspected into myself during those days and realized there is something that I can return to the world and this is how a thought of writing a book on Tableau software evolved into the mind. And now it’s available for you readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a habitual user of computer and have been engaged in reporting and business process creator for organizations including policies, procedures, reports, presentations and data analysis that has tuned me into a habitual writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors of 4 Hour Workweek, Unlock It, The Secret, Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad and many more has made a great impact on my mndset.

What are you working on now?
I am creating an advanced version of my latest book which will teach advanced methods of Data Visualization for experts and those who are at a higher level Tableau Users.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon.com and Facebook Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Consistency and Self commitment is the most crucial things to consider for writing a book. There are many instances writers get distracted because of so much fatigue and stress due to painful writing process. Be consistent and make records of your each day progress.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Imperfect Actions Make You Rich.

What are you reading now?
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a Writer I want to be #1 Bestseller in my niche

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Think and Grow Rich, Unlock It, Happy Money- The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Author Websites and Profiles
Praveen Kumar Amazon Profile

Piyush Goel 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Piyush Goel Mirror Image Writer and Writer of World First Hand Write Needle Book Madhushala and as well as Writer of 16 Mirror Image Books with Hand, Mech Engg, Motivator and Three Mathematics Papers Published in International Research Journal. My four books have been published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sochna to Padega Hi. I am very much fond of writing.In the book you’ll find 110 thoughts of my own. I will be grateful if any of my thoughts can change someone’s life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No … Not really.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books by Prem Chand have always been an inspiration for me. Bhagwad Gita is my all time favourite. There are some other autobiographies and biographies which I like.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my next book which is a Fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Mostly I use Social Media for promoting my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Being a writer I would say keep Pen and Papers always with you, even near your pillow at nights, nobody knows when and where can an idea strike into your mind.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work is Worship.

What are you reading now?
Sai Satcharitra and working on my books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on my Two upcoming Books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bhagwad Gita… Brief Story of Time, You can Win…

Author Websites and Profiles
Piyush Goel Website

Ben Winter 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Ben has over 10 years of acting and improv experience. He has over 15 years of personal growth experience, personal coaching, and has owned several businesses, including Success Improv. His books bring this experience to a written form that will help others grow.

Ben has written 6 books to date and is working on two more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“What to Expect when having Expectations”

One day I figured out that the only reason anyone ever gets upset is because an expectation hasn’t been met. From there I built out a flow chart on how to get over being upset and using the upset as a trigger to find peace. From there is was an easy transition to getting the book written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write the book in my head and sort it first and then just start writing. It never comes out correctly the first time,but it is a pretty amazing way to start.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oddly enough, sci-fi writers are my favorite. I have a hard time reading other self-help books because I feel like the other authors make it too hard. So, I guess other self-help authors influced me to make it quick and easy.

What are you working on now?
Procrastination (TM)
It is about the magic created where procrasinating and patience meet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon first and foremost. Then my book site (havingexpectations.com)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Get your book out there. Even if one or two people buy it, you have created something that will last for centuries.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just start. (pretty much every great person ever)

What are you reading now?
Sci-fi books when I can. Been reading so many that I am now just waiting on new releases.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promote, promote, promote

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Silo trilogy by Hugh Howey. I’ve already read it twice. Would probably enjoy it again and again.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ben Winter Website
Ben Winter Amazon Profile
Ben Winter Author Profile on Smashwords

Ben Winter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Steve WILMOT 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Christ-follower passionate about small groups and helping fellow-travelers on their spiritual journey. I retired from the United States Postal Service and the full-time pastoral ministry during the last decade. I am the husband of one, father of four and grandfather of eight. Love being a grampa!
I’ve written two books. “Cornered in Shallow Water: One Man’s Journey from Crippling Fear to Faith and Freedom,” and “Do It Scared: 20 Devotional Readings to Turn Scaredy-Cats into Warriors.”
The first was a novel about a pastor who struggles with fear. It keeps him in the safe end of the pool where he can touch bottom, and in his comfort zone. The book tells the story of his struggle and how he was able to do what God wanted him to do. It’s a story readers have found inspiring and helpful.
The second book is a devotional highlighting 20 of the Bible verses the pastor in “Cornered” discovered which led him to his victory over fear. My hope is that readers will be encouraged by these devotionals and add the Bible verses to their arsenal against fear.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Do It Scared: 20 Devotional Readings to Turn Scaredy-Cats into Warriors.” Being a lifelong scaredy-cat, the devotionals explain several Bible verses that have helped me on my journey to not let fear keep me on the sidelines. And even when I’m afraid, to do it scared.
I run into people all the time who struggle with fear like I do. They tell me they know they’re missing out on everything God has for them. They hate it that fears holds them back from taking risks, but they don’t know how to deal with fear and the regrets that arise from it.
By no means do I proclaim myself free of fear. But these verses have helped me grow as a reforming scaredy-cat. I believe these devotionals will inspire and guide others to jog further down the road on their journey to beat back fear.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find that I get a lot of ideas for a chapter or devotional I’m working on as I relax on my porch swing. I lost many of those sentences, phrases, and ideas, so I take notepaper with me when I head to the swing just in case.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tedd Dekker’s books and John Eldredge’s books. Just about any of their books. Recently “The Cure” by Bill Thrall, et al has had a profound effect on me.

What are you working on now?
I never imagined I’d write a novel—that’s not my writing expertise. I write to teach and explain biblical truth and character’s experiences with God. That’s my sweet spot. For over a decade, I’ve written a weekly column in two area newspapers called “Pastor’s Ponderings” where I share the Word of God.
That said, I found it was fun to write the novel, even though it was out of my comfort zone.
Right now, I’m working on a couple of books. Another novel about a mother who was verbally abused in her childhood and teens and how that abuse has effected her life. The battles she has with acceptance and compliments and worth. At the same time, it chronicles the story of her prodigal son and all the mother goes through to cope with his absence and ruined potential while trying everything she can think of to bring him home.
The other one I’m working on is a collection of the best of Pastor’s Ponderings. Choosing which ones to include, how many, revision and editing are required, and that’s where I am now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I used Amazon exclusively for “Cornered.” With “Do It Scared,” I’m using Amazon for the e-book and Ingram Spark for the paperback. I also have a website where I write a blog that offers encouragement each week to fellow-travelers on our individual journey of faith. The website includes info about me, past books, what I’m up to now, and discount offers. Anyone interested can go to https://stevewilmotauthor.com to check it out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Write something everyday, even if it’s only a sentence or two. Starting is usually one of the hardest things to do, but once you make yourself sit down a write something you most often keep on writing.

2. Don’t give up. If you’ve got a book in your soul that will benefit others in some critical area of their lives, you’ve got to write it. Fight off the common fears of no one will read it, no one will buy it, it’s terrible, I’m a terrible writer, and who do I think I am to write a book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Concerning writing, it’s to write for my kids, grandkids and future generations of my family. Don’t worry if anyone else reads it or buys it. Write so those generations will know about my love for Jesus, what I stood for, and how I progressed through my journey of faith.

What are you reading now?
I just finished “Epic” by John Eldredge and am nearly done with “I Declare War” by Levi Lusko.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing as quickly and carefully as I can. I’m a first-time author at the age of 67 and I don’t have a lot of years to get what I believe God has taught me that will encourage fellow-travelers on paper. The clock is ticking and I don’t want to leave a book I should write unwritten.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Cure, by Bill Thrall and others
How’s Your Soul? by Judah Smith
Finishing Strong, by Steve Farrar
and my Bible, of course

Author Websites and Profiles
Steve WILMOT Website
Steve WILMOT Amazon Profile

D. L. Akosua 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, my name is D. L. Akosua. This is my debut novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hushed Invaders was inspired by my love of the fantasy genre. I grew up reading all kinds of books but my favorite was those that dealt with magic, action and romance. Hushed Invaders has a combination of all those factors.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to snack as I write, perhaps too much so. I find that I use a lot of mental energy so I need the fuel. I also enjoy going out for walks, but I nearly ever writer is a walker.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say the Bourne Triology by Robert Ludlum and of course the Harry Potter series by J. K Rolwing.

What are you working on now?
I am currently researching for my next novel, a seven part mega fantasy series set in the lost continent of Atlantis.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my debut novel so I’m still evaluating what works. I’m currently trying to build up my mailing list so most of my efforts have been centred around that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write and never give up. The more you write, the better you’ll become. As a writer you need to write and share your work so you can have feedback to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have heard a lot of people say you need to analyze trends in the market and write to your target audience. I think that is a lot of nonsense. As a writer, you need to write to fulfil your creativity otherwise you’ll end up hating what you do.

What are you reading now?
At the moment I’m reading a lot of myths about Atlantis, the lost continent, as research material for the next series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
At the moment I’m reading a lot of myths about Atlantis, the lost continent, as research material for the next series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Haha love this question. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Cinderalla and The Bourne Identity.

Author Websites and Profiles
D. L. Akosua Website
D. L. Akosua Amazon Profile

D. L. Akosua’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profil

Victoria Ellis 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Victoria Ellis and I have written seven books and two poetry collections. I am a multigenre author that writes Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thrillers, and Poetry!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest work is Blurred Lines (although my next book, According to Plan comes out 9.17.20!) The inspiration behind Blurred Lines runs very deep in my own personal life. The book is mocked off of a record album, with Side A and Side B, all of the chapters are song names, and the main male character is a musician.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I cannot listen to music while I write! All of my author friends have playlists and go to jams while they are working on their projects and I cannot have any distractions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitley Agatha Christie!

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book four of a romance series (According to Plan is book two!).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is word of mouth. I love sharing on social media, I have an ARC Team who is wonderful about sharing all of my up and coming work as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged when you don’t become Stephen King overnight. It doesn’t happen quickly. It takes literal blood, sweat, tears, and years.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you know.

AND…

Your first draft is going to suck. Embrace it and make it better.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading His & Hers by Alice Feeney

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish this romance series with my friend (she is writing books one, three, and five, I am writing books two, four, and six….they are also all stand-alones in the same world!) I will be working on a rockstar romance duet.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
OH MY GOD. Okay. So…

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Mudvein by Tarryn Fisher
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Ellis Website
Victoria Ellis Amazon Profile

Victoria Ellis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Abu Ibraheem Ashraf 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey! My name is Mohd Nesar Ashraf, I live in the United Arab Emirates and have won the National bond young poets award in 2009. I’ve written for various magazines over the years and have started writing children’s books under the pseudonym Abu Ibraheem’s Tales which in English would mean Ibraheem’s Dad’s Tales.
So far I have four books uploaded on amazon kindle, and hope to release many more teaching children family values I have grown up with, including respect for parents, the need to stay away from strangers, the bond between siblings etc etc.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the very first book I wrote and just promoted through awesome gang is called Ibraheem learns about corona safety!

I have a child approximately 18 months of age and in these hard times it is tough to explain to an infant why he suddenly needs to wear a mask, thus I thought there should be a fun and colorful way for kids to learn the why and how of safety against any pandemic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Describe ‘unusual’, one man’s unusual is another’s pretty usual.

As of now I cannot afford noise cancelling headphones, so i tie a cloth around my headset and play you tube videos to zone out and really get into my work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As cliche as it may sound, when it comes to children’s books I’ve always felt no one did it better than Dr. Seuss.

What are you working on now?
As I said, I would love my children’s books to always instill family values, currently I am releasing a book about prayers, and by October a book about entitled ‘Mama loves Ibraheem’ (the title is self explanatory)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am pretty new to this but by the sheer ease with which I was able to do this, I would say most definitely awesome gang has been….awesome . which coincidentally happens to be my favorite word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author myself, but if I were to pass on a word of advice , it would be this.

If you’ve been dreaming about writing but haven’t because you fear you might not be good at it, I say…find out. perhaps you can fix yourself and one day achieve your dreams!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
1st draft always sucks, second draft is where you make the book into what you want and always work with an editor for the final draft.

What are you reading now?
Hand of Fatima by Illdefonso Falcones

What’s next for you as a writer?
Adults books , currently working on a war drama.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Cathedral of the Sea, The Sicilian, Dracula, Lord of the rings series

Author Websites and Profiles
Abu Ibraheem Ashraf Website

Abu Ibraheem Ashraf’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Donna Nieri 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 18 books on my life and experiences in prose
And poetry, dedicating my writings to help others who can
Relate to the story of neglect and a child forsaken in remote
Mining towns in Nevada. Stories of deliverance from fear
And doubt to trust and forgiveness.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘God’s Story Book‘
Sharing inspirations of heroic men and women of biblical
Times when faced with trials and sufferings. Applying their
Insights relevant to our modern day needs of courage and
Faith. How these stories changed my life and committed
To sharing them with others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a compulsive writer, who has begun a life of writing
In order to work through traumatic times as a child.
Writing as a cathartic means of healing and acceptance,
Turning a difficult life of suffering And sorrow into one,
By the grace of God, to deliverance.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many
Emily Dickinson
Sylvia Plath
Robert Frost
Edgar Allan Poe
John Keats
William Keats
Alfred Tennyson
Henry Wadsworth

What are you working on now?
Having just completed my last book ‘God’s Story Book’
This year, I am devoting my time to my websites and blogging
To gain exposure to the stories I have written.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
donnaspoetry.blog
Facebook.comdonnasinspiratiins

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read other inspirational materials. Keep writing whether
You feel like it or not, write what motivates you,
Determine your motive for writing. If using writing
As a cathartic for working through Life issues read
What others have shared about their struggles.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No matter what you are faced with, don’t
Give up, know whatever befalls you, there
Is a lesson to learn, turning our sorrows
And sufferings into stories that can help
Others and help lift their burden as well.

What are you reading now?
Biblical inspirations and how to apply
Their stories of faith and courage into
Everyday life.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Using God’s word in everyday experiences,
Using metaphors expounding truths that
Helps survive this life of sorrow and pain.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
Histories of favorite poets
My own books that are inspirational to me

Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Nieri Website
Donna Nieri Author Profile on Smashwords

Donna Nieri’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Jose Cruz Medina 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Ventura County, California and with the nice sunny weather we get year round, I love doing any outdoor activities. Grace is my first book and it took a while before I decided it was ready to be published. As a writer, you always want to keep improving the book until you get to a point and realize that it will never be perfect.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Grace is my latest book and it was inspired by the hard decisions that we face on a daily basis. My style is ethic based fiction, something which I haver never seen done on a big scale. I like to write strong emotional stories where the characters must face important decisions.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say that I have any unusual writing habits. Some writers prefer it peaceful and quiet when they want to focus on their work. I’m the opposite, I don’t mind hearing some noise in the background.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The master of horror himself, Stephen King, introduced me to the beauty of reading a book and feeling like you were watching a movie. I remember reading It as a child and loving the book. The movie didn’t let me down either. Besides Stephen King, I can recall reading pieces by Gary Soto and Gabriel Garcia Marquez and saying to myself that I wanted to be like them. On the other side of the spectrum, I also enjoy books by John Green and Nicholas Sparks.

What are you working on now?
I am focusing on promoting my book, but I do have a second book that’s been started.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am just starting to promote my book so I can’t make a good judgement right now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advise to new authors is to keep on writing and don’t let negative criticism affect your mood. You will not please everyone and if writing makes you happy, the rest doesn’t matter. On the other hand, if it’s constructive criticism, pay attention and learn from it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I once read that you are a lousy editor when it comes to editing your own work and its true. Writers love their work so much that it is difficult to find the flaws that exists within the paragraphs, and trust me, they are there. We just tend not to see them or prefer not to see them.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Becoming by Michelle Obama.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m only starting my career and I hope that it becomes a successful one.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take the thickest books available; The fire would last longer. I’m just kidding, I wouldn’t burn the books. I would take a book by Stephen King, maybe Carrie or The Shining. I would also take one of the Harry Potter books. The Great Gatsby, Snow Falling on Cedars, and The Giver.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jose Cruz Medina Website

Michelle O’Healy 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my very first self-published picture book! I have a number of manuscripts sitting in my “children’s books” folder, though, and I continue to write more. It just felt like I should start doing something with them. With everything as crazy as it’s been, I thought this would be something fun and positive to put some time into.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book is “What Happens When Unicorns Fart?”. It’s a picture book geared towards children ages 2-6, but I’ve had some fun feedback from adults. Based on that, I would say it’s for everyone with a sense of humor.

When you are a Homeschool Mom with small children, you learn ways to cope. I had to keep my kids entertained in places like the line at the post office or awaiting security at airports. Stories were my go to. My kids were at a point where just the word “fart” made them laugh, and they were newly into unicorns. It seemed like a good fit.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Usually, I don’t write standing on my head or anything, but I do LOVE Haribo Gummies and dark chocolate. They are frequently nearby when I am writing. I also have a much too large cozy blue sweatshirt I like to wear, as I get cold easily. Truth be told, frequently I laugh as I write. That can be embarrassing when I am writing in public.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The classics are very much an influence on me. Dr Seuss and Shel Silverstein are particular favorites. But I would also say the Original Brother’s Grimm, fairy tales, and Mother Goose would be noteworthy. These are books and stories I grew up with, and sparked my imagination. While he was not an author, Jim Henson’s work is a huge inspiration.

What are you working on now?
Well, I actually have a few things in the works. There is an app on the way for Unicorn Farts, along with a possible YouTube channel to teach children. (can you believe this is a book about nutrition????)
There are a couple of books I am trying to get published traditionally, so we’ll see what happens there.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
With the pandemic, and this being my first published picture book, I’ve mainly relied on Facebook. Being an unknown author, it’s a little harder to promote, but I am learning!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If this is your dream, keep at it. Life can change on a dime.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do your work, the rest will follow.

What are you reading now?
Les Six. It’s about a group of composers in Paris in the 20’s. I love classical music, and my favorite composer, Eric Satie, brought this group together. It’s intriguing to me to think they hung out with people like Picasso and Charlie Chaplin, and ushered in a whole new sound into the classical world.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just keep going. Keep pursuing publishing, and keep writing. I have a lot of stories for children, and they won’t do any good to anyone sitting on my computer!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Well,
1: my current book, Les Six, as I dislike leaving books half read.
2: The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, so I can be prepared to hitch a ride out of there if a spaceship passes by. You never know.
3: Celestial Navigation: A practical guide to knowing where you are. I never did master it, and if I’m stuck on an island, I’ll have plenty of time to devote to the topic, with no light pollution. It would be an ideal local to learn.
4: World History from the dawn of civilization to the present day. Because I LOVE history.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle O’Healy Amazon Profile

Michelle O’Healy’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Alexa Hart 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey there! I’m Alexa.
Author, wife, mommy to two adorable fur babies and big-time hopeless romantic. When I’m not writing I love spending time with my amazing husband (my real-life bad boy), growing gorgeous flowers in my garden and finding inspiration for my next book literally everywhere I look. Love is all around us and it brings me so much joy to bring that love to life in each story I write.
I love bad boys and a good sweet and dirty romance and have around 16 romance novels available on Kindle right now and about 8 more in the works (in the form of 2 new romance collections that I’m so excited to bring to my readers).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Accidental Hubby Next Door (released Aug. 20, 2020)
I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance so I had a lot of fun writing this one for my readers. I love a “love of a lifetime” story with a lovable male lead who just won’t give up until he makes his lady-love his again. Don’t we all just love a determined and committed guy?! Anyway, you’ll love Ryker. He’s a gem.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Of course not.;)
Does eating excessively while writing count??

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen all day, everyday. I read my first Jane Austen book as pre-teen and have been in love ever since.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a really exciting Billionaire series that follows 4 brothers as they each find their special gals. Loving developing these characters and tying each of their stories together. This series will have it all… excitement, danger, unexpected twists and turns… you name it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had some luck with Facebook ads, but nothing beats the loyal followers on my newsletter list. We have so much fun over on my email list and I really get to connect with my readers and find out what they want more of. That’s the best.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persist.
I have to remind myself of this nearly everyday, but if you have a dream don’t stop. If writing brings you joy – don’t stop.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you change your thinking, you’ll change your life.

What are you reading now?
A ton of books by other romance authors like Ali Parker, Lucy Score, Penelope Ward, Jane Henry and Ilsa Madden-Mills, just to name a few. I having a blast! I actually like to read a lot of non-fiction, but every now and then I love to get lost in some hot and lovey romance.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, getting my books in front of more readers who are just as in love with romance as I am. I love sharing my writing and I’m just so honored and thrilled that people actually read my books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. How to Survive on a Deserted Island by Tim O’Shei

Author Websites and Profiles
Alexa Hart Website
Alexa Hart Amazon Profile

Alexa Hart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile