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Byron Gifford 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve worked in the Financial Banking industry for over 25 years with an itch that I never scratched; to achieve my life-long dream of writing book. I have two children and I love to make all children laugh. I always promote using imagination to make the world a better place. I create characters for all of my kids stuffed animals and I honed in a favorite, Graffy, as the main character in my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Life With Graffy: Discovering Bravery is my new book. I am the author and the illustrator. Graffy is my son’s favorite stuffed animal and always talks to him before bed. Through our nightly rituals it became clear that he thought Graffy was alive and leaned on him as a guide. I was inspired to use this character in my first story. The story is personal and one our family lived. I feel it will connect with millions of children that face these similar challenges with fun along the way!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Listening to original movie scores on repeat. I listened to the same score during all writing sessions for this book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ryan T Higgins and his Bruce series is a favorite. Anything R.L. Stine is always fun.

What are you working on now?
I will be continuing the Life With Graffy story into a series of books, continuing to illustrate as well. New characters are being developed to join the family as well!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon and my own website currently.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Advice that I read in Stephen King’s “On Writing” and that is “write for only one person” and if that person connects with it and loves it, you’ve got something. You can’t write trying to please the world because that’s not possible. That advice pushed me through the roadblock I had holding me back and it launched me to finish faster than I ever imagined.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Relative to what I stated above. It was a real motivation and became my solid focus. If my wife enjoyed the story and my son, Evan (also in the Life With Graffy book), that was all that mattered to me.

What are you reading now?
We visit the library every two weeks to grab another stack of children’s books. I read adult fiction every evening; B.A. Paris is wonderful and diving into Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Developing the next book and creating new characters for the illustrations.

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 Time Traveler’s Wife, Possession by A.S. Byatt and my book Life With Graffy: Discovering Bravery (because we all need to be reminded to be brave)

Author Websites and Profiles
Byron Gifford Website
Byron Gifford Amazon Profile

Byron Gifford’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tilly Tiason 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love collecting teapots, visiting antique shops, and drinking tea. I was prior military when I realized, yes I can write and serve my country, but I would happier putting that aside and pursuing my dream. I am a full time mom, full time worker, and a published indie author. I have 2 books published and 3rd on the way as of January 2021.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Faction of Time, and it was inspired by an ex-boyfriend in middle school at the time who came up with the entire plot and I wrote it. He told me to try regardless. Even if I couldn’t write well back then. It took me 1 month to write it and for 7 years I have been editing and doing revisions. When I hit 20, I realized maybe it’s time I stop editing and see where it goes. Come to find out, I edited again and changed the entire plot. The inspiration for the new change was my audience. Once I knew who I wanted to target, it was easier to plot it out. I kept the characters and the idea, but I executed it differently and I don’t regret it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes!
I hate this about myself, but I don’t plan my stories. I find that when it’s not planned and you wing it, it’s more realistic because life isn’t planned and it’s unpredictable. And if you have the same measures in your story, it correlates with one another.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As always my heart and soul goes to Darren Shan. Author of the Cirque Du Freak series. He’s the reason I write.
Beck Michaels of Divine Blood for her writing style, and Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey for why I love Fantasy.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a Trilogy called Crossed. The first book is The Silverback. It is about a young mexican woman who finds out she is a werewolf hunter, but that’s not all. She wasn’t destined for that life. She’s got bigger problems than werewolves.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram all day!
Err-day!

It is a great marketing tool to find readers through the bookstagram side of Instagram. If they can find you, it opens so many doors for authors to be reviewed by them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a platform you can remain engaged in. Like Facebook, IG, Pinterest, Youtube. Stuff like that. As well as try not to spend so much money on advertising your first book. I learned from other successful indie authors most readers do not want to hear from a one time, one published author. They want an author who is engaged in writing and always putting something new out there. I am not saying do not do it, but highly recommend saving that money for when other books are published.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you’ve never read it then you must write it.”

What are you reading now?
I am reading several books. I am in a book club and we are reading ZZ Packer, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. I am also reading Arise to Fall by Jason Hein.

What’s next for you as a writer?
School, actually. I want to major in English. Being an author will always be my part-time job. I don’t want to ruin my love for writing by always trying to put something out there and stressing over plots and advertising.

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 first three books of Darren Shan, Cirque Du Freak series. Since I can’t take all 12. I will suffice and take 3!

Author Websites and Profiles
Tilly Tiason Website
Tilly Tiason Amazon Profile

Tilly Tiason’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Bella Dean Joyner 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two full-length novels and one novella as part of a stand alone series. The books have similar characters and places but entirely independent storylines. I plan to publish one more book in this series before the end of the year and an entirely new horror series in 2021.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Whispering. I currently live in South Korea where my husband is stationed because of the military. Outside of our villa is a large field lined with trees. No one uses it for anything, which is a little surprising because the Koreans in our area grow fruits and vegetables even in the spaces between buildings. They really maximize space and their natural resources. Yet, this field is entirely empty and unused. There is an old abandoned chair at the far edge of this empty field. It gave me the inspiration for this novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m very much a planner. Perhaps that’s why I like writing in the horror genre so much. It’s chaotic and unplanned. However, on my end, it’s very much planned. I’ll outline the entire novel, every single chapter, prior to even writing the first sentence. I even have the blurb and cover art chosen before I write the novel. It helps keep me focused.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think every horror author says Stephen King here. And yes, some of the first horror stories I read when I was younger were written by King. However, now that I’m published myself, I’ve looked more towards fellow authors who focus on putting out quality self-published stories for their readers. I look to the likes of Ambrose Ibsen and Darcy Coates, though I believe Coates just accepted a traditional publishing deal. Amazing for her! I’m also quite fond of authors like Flint Maxwell, Carrie Bates, Christopher Coleman, Scott Dyson, Jeff Strand, etc.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the planning stages for the third full-length novel of my Hushed Horror Thrillers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try to give value to my readers. There’s a certain level of trust built up between an author and audience. They have to trust that I’m going to give them a good story with minimal errors. To do that, I like to give away what is known in the industry as a reader magnet. It’s usually a novella or a short story that relates to whatever series I’m focusing on at the time. It lets new readers get to know me and the type of style of writing that makes me who I am as an author. It also helps my more loyal readers see what my new series is about.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. It’s hard. It’s an uphill climb. You have to “go to work” literally every day and put words on paper on that second novel even while you’re trying to figure out how to market the first. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t start to doubt yourself. Your story is worth sharing, and we all can’t wait to read it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ignore reviews. Don’t focus on them. It sounded counter-intuitive to me, too, at first. They are very important; don’t get me wrong. I wish more readers did leave them! Some of them are fantastic and can give you great insight into what your readers want to see from you. But others are simply people being negative for the sake of it. Don’t take them to heart.

What are you reading now?
I just got done reading Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. Great book. I’m not sure why it took me so long to pick it up. Next on my list is actually Echoes by Amy Caplan.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I recently completed my copyeditor certification and have signed up for developmental editing classes for early next year. Along with continuing to self-publish, I’m going to see how I can help other authors in the industry.

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?
Anything I haven’t read yet! I’ve never been a fan of rereading stories.

Author Websites and Profiles
Bella Dean Joyner Website
Bella Dean Joyner Amazon Profile

Bella Dean Joyner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Robert Daley 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is the first serious attempt at creating a lasting piece of work. I have been writing since I was a young boy, mainly poetry, but after joining the Scribophile writing group, I discovered I liked writing very short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shorts That Grab Attention!

I wanted to name my book Short shorts, but there is a book out there with that name already. I figured this title would generate interest.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I stare at the blank screen for about an hour, then decide to go on a walk along the canal. It is usually when I am walking or shopping or at the gym when ideas come to me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Raymond Carver, Haruki Murakami and Lydia Davis are my favourite authors. Raymond Carver’s ‘Little things’ is the sort of story I would love to be able to write someday.

What are you working on now?
Marketing this book. I’m writing the odd little story and putting it on instagram and facebook to help promote this book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used The Fussy Librarian and Bookrunes. But I have to find a more cost effective way of promoting my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be creative. Be patient. Be thick-skinned.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Perservere..perservere..persevere.

My dad told me these words when I was about 7 or 8 and I didn’t know then or until recently what he meant. When you are writing a book, you’ve got to stick with it.

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished Lydia Davis’ ‘Can’t and won’t.’ It was fantastic.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to write a novella. I just have to think of a good plot.

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?
One book I would bring would be the book my brother bought me for my 40th. It was entitled something like ‘How to get out of worst case scenarios!’

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Daley Website

Robert Daley’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Troy Horne 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Troy Horne. I have written four books so far. Basically I am a dad who wants to help all of my kids achieve their dreams and they have super big dreams. One wants to play in the NBA, one wants to be a pro gamer and the other one wants to be a professional musician like Alicia Keys.

Basically I say to our kids you can do it, but you have to work at it. Then I do crazy amounts of research to find out how to help them reach their goals. These books are a way of making sure that parents coming behind me don’t have to struggle like we did.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called, “Mental Toughness For Young Athletes – Eight Proven 5-Minute Mindset Exercises For Kids And Teens Who Play Competitive Sports” I wrote it because of the struggles that we went through with our son and his journey through the world of youth sports.

Adults can make a fun game very stressful for kids. They almost ruined it for him. Luckily we caught it early and went on a search of exercises that the greats used to stay confident, happy and calm. What we found was amazing. We used the exercises used by many of the greats and it changed our lives. Just wanted to share this with any parent of a young athlete who might be struggling with the pressures of youth sports.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hope not. No, umm I don’t think so. I guess the readers will let me know. HA! Oh wait… I guess the one thing that I do that not a lot of other authors do is write with hashtags. #THEYSAYSOMUCH

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I listen to a lot of self help which is why I guess we live the “You Can Do Anything” mantra. So the books that influence me are pretty much all self help. I like, Think And Grow Rich, I like Relentless by Tim Grover, I like UnFu*K Yourself by Gary John Bishop. I LOVE Les Browns Book You’ve Got to Be HUNGRY : The GREATNESS Within to Win. That book is UH–MAZING!

What are you working on now?
I am actually working on a mental toughness book for parents. So many of the parents that bought the book for their kids liked the parent’s version of the book, but realized that they had some mental fortifying work to do on themselves. So I am writing that book that is for parents by a parent.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have to say AWESOME GANG of course! Aside from that email lists and Amazon Ads have been great! I also post things on my social media, but that’s about it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Write what you love and find your audience based on that. If you love it there are at least 1,000 true fans that love it too and according to Seth Godin that’s all you need.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something. That advice led me to follow my dreams of being a musician. I was blessed to be able to star on Broadway in the show R.E.N.T., be on Ed McMahon’s Star Search in High School (Just dated myself), and tour the USA with Steve Miller. I also was able to tour the world with stops in Japan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and The Netherlands. Believing in yourself is essential.

What are you reading now?
Nothing right now. I am writing like a madman. I have a stack of books on my night stand so hopefully soon I will be able to enjoy reading boos again soon!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m pretty focused on finishing this book. I don’t really have much in my mind besides that.

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 – Napoleon Hill
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Live Your Dreams – Les Brown

I wouldn’t bring stay hungry for obvious reasons.

Author Websites and Profiles
Troy Horne Amazon Profile

Troy Horne’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Sherrinda Ketchersid 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love writing romance with happy-ever-afters. When I’m not writing, I love to read, work in my flower beds, play with my dog, Phineas, and paint in my Bible. I’ve written two medieval romances, with more on the way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
His to Keep is my latest book, featuring Ian McGowan, the head guardsman from my first book, Lord of Her Heart. I fell in love with Ian and his easy-going nature and thought he needed his own story and forever love. With his easy-going nature, I had to throw in a feisty woman to test how easy-going he really was. I think Ian proved he is definitely hero material.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing too unusual. I’m one of those writers who likes to light a candle and have a delicious cup of coffee by my side. Not weird at all!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I adore Lynn Kurland’s books. She writes with humor, which I love. While she has a “closed door” policy on intimacy in her books, she writes fantastic chemistry.

What are you working on now?
My next book is about Ian McGowan’s sister, Fiona. She makes an appearance in His to Keep, and I am going to take her through the Highlands where she will meet her forever love.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Email usually is best, and email blasts like this service! Book tours help spread the word too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy the journey. Writing shouldn’t be a chore. Yes, it is hard work, but just enjoy every step of the process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write. Write 1000 words every day and you will have a book in 3 months. It’s doable!

What are you reading now?
She Walks in Tears by Marylu Tyndall

What’s next for you as a writer?
More medieval romances. It’s a fun genre and era to write, so I’ll keep writing it until the stories quit flowing.

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?
A Dance Through Time by Lynn Kurland, The Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers, and The Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sherrinda Ketchersid Website
Sherrinda Ketchersid Amazon Profile

Sherrinda Ketchersid’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Harrison J. Lamb 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing since I was about 14 years old and have always been drawn to dystopian and post-apocalyptic worlds. So far (as of November 2020), I have written one novel. It is a serial novel, however, so I initially published it in five separate parts.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘Thrive: Season One’, a novel comprising the first five episodes of my zombie serial. The story starts off with a group of friends on a camping trip in the British countryside whilst, unbeknownst to them, a zombie outbreak ravages the nation. When they emerge from the woods and find the world in chaos, they must quickly adapt in order to survive.

The idea for Thrive came when I went camping with my family in a local woodland. I couldn’t stop marvelling at the peace and solitude we experienced while we were there, especially at night when it was so dark and quiet. My mind wandered and I thought, if we turned off our phones, anything could happen back home and we would have absolutely no idea about it. Because I’m a sucker for a good zombie book, my mind went in that direction and I imagined what it would be like if a zombie apocalypse happened while we were there, how it would feel to emerge from the woods and find our home town overrun by the undead. It was the seed of a story, and sure enough, that became the opening of Thrive.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The only thing I can think of – though I don’t think it’s that unusual – is my habit of compiling soundtracks on Spotify for each of my books. The songs I put in them are ones I can imagine playing in specific scenes if the book ever became a film or TV show.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My writing has probably been most influenced by thriller writers – namely, Lee Child and Blake Crouch. I consumed a lot of thrillers when I first started seriously writing, and I feel like I emulated my writing style on what I was reading. It would be hard to pinpoint which specific books influenced me the most, though.

What are you working on now?
I am currently outlining a dystopian thriller project that I’m really excited about, and that’s all the info I’ll give on that because I think the idea is quite unique and I don’t want anyone to steal it, haha.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring that out myself. I have found free promotions (making your book free for a limited time or permanently) to be helpful, and I always encourage readers to leave reviews in the back matter of my books as the more reviews you have, the more Amazon and other online retailers will drive traffic to it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to experiment and take creative risks in your writing. And keep reading widely.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” – Stephen King

What are you reading now?
I am slogging my way through ‘Sandworms of Dune’ by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. I have really enjoyed most of the Dune series, but I am not loving this one very much. However, it’s the last book in the series and I just want to see how it all ends.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not yet sure whether I will write this new dystopian thriller project I am currently outlining or continue writing Thrive instead.

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) Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – One of my all-time favourite books. If I ended up starving to death on this island, I would want to read it one last time.
2) Dune by Frank Herbert – Another one of my all-time faves. And it has great re-readability because the story is packed with so many little intricate details that, even after several re-reads, you are still finding out new things.
3) The Ultimate Desert Island Survival Guide by The Ultimate Desert Island Survivalist.

Author Websites and Profiles
Harrison J. Lamb Website
Harrison J. Lamb Amazon Profile

Harrison J. Lamb’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Mani The Highest 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a sexy stoner that loves to tell a great story. Even more so make a great story. I love to say yes and encourage everyone to be higher. Be better than the old you.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Stories of a Succubus was inspired by years of great sexual connections being requested to train others openly. I’m no teacher but I gladly share what happened.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to smoke a jay and watch/listen to the 85 south show before or during my writing hours

What are you working on now?
I’m working on two more intimate love stories with co authors

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write it your way use your words be yourself don’t worry about anyone else invest in yourself

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to the four agreements

What’s next for you as a writer?
Co write a movie for black women

 

Majd Eddin Habbal 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Biography…
Just a man trying to find himself in this mist of the world.

I was born and raised in Damascus, Syria in 1/1/1995. All of my life I felt this weird repulsion from society, I didn’t fit in with what is norm and I always wanted to do more, to achieve more. I knew the ends, but I didn’t know the means. I always had a special connection to writing, literature and poetry and maybe this is my purpose in life and maybe not.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A second to none: the beginning
I was inspired by a friend of mine and her struggles in life.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Majd Eddin Habbal Website

Majd Eddin Habbal’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Teresa Tysinger 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina now living in North Texas. When not working as a communications/graphic design professional, I write charming Southern romances inspired by grace. So far, I have written two novels (Someplace Familiar and Suddenly Forever) as well as a novella (Somehow, This Christmas in the Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection).

I am proud a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications. I’m blessed to have spent over a decade telling stories of faith through written word.

Now to the important stuff… I love Jesus, coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Suddenly Forever is my latest novel and the second in my Laurel Cove Romance Series (released October 2020). I was inspired to write this book one night lying in bed and unable to sleep. The characters and their stories just came to me so clearly…from beginning to end! It was wild. I really feel as though God gifted me this story and why it feels so tender and personal to me. Though I’ve not dealt with personal grief like the characters in the book, I’m so glad I wrote it!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, except that I simply cannot force myself to write when I’m not in the mood or inspired. I do often decide on a certain type of music, whether a genre or Pandora station, and listen to that while I write each story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been a reader since an early age and was highly influenced by L.M. Montgomery and Jane Austen. But contemporary authors who inspire me often include Lauren K. Denton, Courtney Walsh, Melissa Tagg, and Toni Shiloh.

What are you working on now?
I am currently wrapping up a novella set in Southport, NC for a collection coming out in the summer of 2021. Up next is to begin the third novel in my Laurel Cove Romance series, also due out in 2021!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I absolutely love the community over at Reading Is My Superpower (https://readingismysuperpower.org/).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell new authors to 1) read a lot in your genre, and 2) find critique partners who will kindly but constructively give you feedback and advice while you write! My partners have proven priceless over and over!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t doubt your own abilities even if others are doing it different!

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Just Like Home by Courtney Walsh.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next year (2021), I have a novel and three novellas scheduled to release. It’s a big year for me because I also work full-time so it’s a big writing commitment. But, I’m so excited!

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, this is nearly impossible to answer. But if I HAVE to choose, I’d say Pride & Prejudice (Jane Austen), whatever is the latest release from Lauren K. Denton, and my Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Teresa Tysinger Website
Teresa Tysinger Amazon Profile

Teresa Tysinger’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Brooke Nelson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a debut young adult novelist and full-time college student. I live in the upper Midwestern United States. I enjoy spending time with my pets, family, and friends. I am currently working on the second installment in The Half Theft duology.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Half Theft, a young adult suspense novel, is my first ever published book, and the first chapter of The Half Theft duology. For my characters, I mainly drew inspiration from the people around me. Small bits of my friends’, family’s, and strangers’ personalities, likes, fears were sewn into each character to create something entirely new. I drew some setting inspiration from my favorite television series, Gotham, to build my very own dark, corrupt city for my characters to navigate.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would venture to say my most unusual writing habit is my lack of a plan. I may vaguely map out a story, in terms of where I am starting, where I want to end up, and what information is necessary to reveal along the way. However, I do not have a chapter by chapter plan, nor anything of the sort.

Rather than dictating what I want my characters to say and do, I let them play out each scene for themselves. This way, they say and do what makes sense for them, not what is convenient for me. It makes for a much more realistic story in my eyes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It would be incredibly difficult for me to pinpoint individual authors or books that have influenced me. I strongly believe that everything a person reads exerts some sort of impact on them and their writing.

The one concept where I truly drew ideas from other books is the crafting of my main character, Charlie Riverson. In fiction, particularly young adult fiction, I find that the main character almost always possesses desirable traits that the reader wishes they had, whether that be magic, knowing their destiny, or even admirable bravery.

Charlie possesses none of these. And, to me, that’s what makes him so special. He doesn’t want to be the hero, and he isn’t expected to be. He exudes the energy of a person who wants to lock himself away in his house and talk to no one except his cat. Charlie is truly, entirely, and uniquely his own kind of social outcast. Any main character can be a hero. It takes a special kind of main character to pull off being a nobody.

What are you working on now?
I am currently writing my thus-far-untitled sequel to The Half Theft. This will be the second and final installment, since The Half Theft is a duology. The story picks up right where the last left off. No time jumps for the residents of Collinswood. Every minute of their lives is an essential piece of the puzzle.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since this is my debut novel, I have minimal experience with book promotion. I have posted the book to a few websites and talked about it on my blog, as well as across social media.

Honestly, the reason I write has nothing to do with selling thousands of books and making money. My real goal in putting it out there is to find individuals who will love reading the story as much as I loved writing it. I hope I can find some of those people on this website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
While I have been writing for years, I still consider myself a new author, since I just published for the first time. However, I do have a bit of advice nonetheless.

Do not give up on your story. Change it, rewrite it, delete and add in chapters. But do not throw it to the side and forget about it. I had many times during the writing process where I was so scared of what people might think or say about my work, that I was ready to trash it all and give up writing. Please heed my advice and don’t do that. Somebody out there is waiting to read your story. You have to believe that it will mean something to somebody, because it will. I know that now.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.

I know this to be true. I know that if I hadn’t written and published my work, I wouldn’t get the occasional sweet messages I do from readers who adore The Half Theft. I wouldn’t have built a supportive group of fellow writers that I can rely on for kind words and gentle nudges.

You cannot give in to fear and let it stop you from doing what you love. Have hope, have courage, and amaze yourself with what you can accomplish.

What are you reading now?
I am currently working my way through a few series I have started and not finished. I truly have the worst time making my way through an entire series once it gets longer than three books. That’s my ultimate weakness. I am on the fifth Harry Potter book, the fourth Percy Jackson book, and the third Dune book. I simply adore them all in their own way.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned before, I am working on writing the second Half Theft book. Once I am done with that, I plan to begin writing a standalone young adult novel. Whether it will be a spinoff or contain only new characters, I haven’t yet decided.

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 first Dune book. That would get me the most for my money, since it’s about a gazillion pages long. I would also take The Prisoner of Azkaban, since I could undoubtedly read that book a hundred times and never tire of the story. The third I would choose is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This is another book that I could read again and again. It’s so simple, yet so beautiful.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brooke Nelson Website
Brooke Nelson Amazon Profile

Brooke Nelson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Melissa Nash 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Melissa, I’ve spent the last 5 years travelling the world in my Volkswagen van. I’m also passionate about the environment and have incorporated this and my other interests into my first fantasy book series, ‘The Guardians of magic’.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Winter. This is the second book in my ‘Guardians of Magic’ series. The first is called Autumn and it’s insured by my love of all things fantasy and my passion for the natural world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve written most of my first series as it is now from the back of my Volkswagen. I find it much easier to write when parked up in a beautiful location.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Garth Nix and his Old Kingdom series have influenced me a lot. And LOTR of course, but I feel that goes without saying for fantasy authors.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third book in my Guardians of Magic series, called Spring. There will be four in total and I’m hoping to have the final book published by the end of 2022

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a variety of paid and free methods. Anything from my Facebook and instagram accounts to services like Bookbub.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a fairly new author myself. one thing id say is be prewired to spend ten times longer marketing the book than you did writing it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do it for love, not money… Please don’t do it for money.

What are you reading now?
I’m about to start reading ‘Words of Radiance’ by Brandon Sanderson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing on with my four-book series for the near future. After that… who knows.

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?
Lirael by Garth Nix

Author Websites and Profiles
Melissa Nash Website
Melissa Nash Amazon Profile

James Goddard 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I work in an office during the day, so like to be fairly active in my spare time.

I have a broad taste in films and books. I enjoy watching films on the television and reading. I like eating out and going to the cinema.

I listen to all types of music – there’s a whole variety out there on the internet!

I’ve been practicing martial arts for a number of years.

I enjoy walking, cycling, exploring different places, ballroom dancing and modern jive (Ceroc). I’m also interested in Shiatsu and complementary therapies.

I have written one book.

I am currently working on a second book called the Goddard Method of Judo. This will explain how to do judo in a similar style to the way I approached Ballroom and Latin.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called “The Goddard Method of Ballroom and Latin Dancing”.

The reason I wrote this book is that people can get overwhelmed with the level of detail in lessons, books and YouTube videos. I want to get across to readers an executive summary level of detail; so I have written instructions that break down dances into bite-size chunks to help you better understand what you are doing when taking lessons, looking at reference guides or perhaps learning new moves with a partner.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a visual person. My dance book started out as a series of infographics (information graphics) that I transformed into a book over time as the the number of guides grew. I had published a selection of these on my WordPress website.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
W E Johns. Frank Hampson. Jim Butcher. Robert Jordan. Bill Waterson.

What are you working on now?
One non-fiction book and I have a number of ideas written down for some fiction books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon/Kindle is the best website for promoting my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a book > Talk to friends on how to publish it (I got advice from a work colleague who had self-published) > Look for deals on e-book creation and front cover design on sites like Fiverr or Gumtree (your front cover is an important selling tool) > Publish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let anger rule you. Put the energy into doing something. (Not that I have anger management issues you understand ;0).

Or if you want to be more positive…..don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, if you enjoyed doing it today, you can do it again tomorrow.

What are you reading now?
Three books concurrently by W E Johns, Jim Butcher and Bill Waterson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Still working on my second book and trying to promote the first. I timed the launch of a book about dancing (a social activity) at the start of a global pandemic that prohibits social activities………..

Still ‘lockdown’ could be a good time to try new hobbies or practice an old one with your other half.

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?
One book by the following authors as I keep re-reading them:
W E Johns.
David Gemmell.
Terry Pratchett.
Agatha Christie.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Goddard Website
James Goddard Amazon Profile

James Goddard’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

JA Angelo 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Originally from Ohio, I currently reside in the DC area with my family. I am also studying political science and international relations. I have written six children’s picture books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Oliver, the Naughty Elf. It is scheduled to hit the market after Thanksgiving.

All through the year, at the North Pole, Santa’s elves are busy preparing for Christmas, when toys will be delivered to all the good little boys and girls.
But there is a problem with one of the elves.

Oliver doesn’t show many of the qualities that Santa demands of his helpers. He is rude and unhelpful, blames others for his mistakes and doesn’t help out when it’s needed most.

In short, Oliver is not a good elf and Santa has seen it for himself and tells Mrs. Claus that he intends to get rid of him.

Luckily for Oliver he has one last remaining friend. Olivia is an elf who has a all the right qualities. Kind-hearted, considerate and helpful to others, she offers to help Oliver change but tells him he has to work hard to do it.

Can Oliver change his ways and transform into a good elf? Or will he fail and be banished from the North Pole forever?

This lovely children’s book is a great read in the lead up to Christmas and carries an important message that it is important to be kind to others and considerate of their feelings in order to be the best you can be.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I use the method taught to me since elementary school while also incorporating a personal touch based on my life. I found that this method helps me immerse myself into the book while bringing my books to life for young readers.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is too exhaustive. My favorite authors include Dean Koontz, John Grisham, and Iris Johansson.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Oliver, the Naughty Elf scheduled to be released the day after Thanksgiving.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is also not a get rich quick method. At first, it takes a considerable amount of money for picture books unless you know someone able to draw.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You never know until you try!!! The most anyone can say is no.

What are you reading now?
International Relations of the Middle East

What’s next for you as a writer?
Probably a St. Patrick Day’s or Easter book.

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 Holy Bible, any book on wilderness survival, and any Iris Johansson novel

Author Websites and Profiles
JA Angelo Website

JA Angelo’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Ahlia Rose 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I am Ahlia!
I am a published author who enjoys writing about self-love & self-improvement. I think we are all here to learn and evolve our souls as well as share our wisdom with one another.
The first series of books I have written were based on my experience as an empath. I have also written a few pocket guide books for help with anxiety as well as a self-love poetry guide. Currently, I have published 6 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called mindfulness, Thoughts & Words. It will be out very shortly. It is a compilation of encouraging words to inspire personal power, love & question yourself on your thoughts & words. It was inspired by everything that is happening in the world today & how we need to reach out to each other more in times of isolation.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh.. definitely, mainly ones I am trying to stop doing though. LOL.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. I love Louise Hay’s inner child work in ‘You can heal your life’ as well as ‘The power of intention by Wayne Dyer..

What are you working on now?
I am taking a breather right now, but I will be working on another poetry book very soon!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Mmm.. I would say networking is good, platforms like this one and trying to get exposure via social media can help.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick it out, especially if you really enjoy the writing process. Practice every day and use all the tools available to you to learn.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Rome wasn’t built in a day! Slow and steady will take you there the same but with less stress.

What are you reading now?
Looking for a new read..

What’s next for you as a writer?
Currently, I am writing articles for a website called Planet Intuition & that has been fun. I wrote about some of my travel experiences previously, (if you read awaken to your truth, you’ll know) but as travel is off the cards for a while, I will continue to work on positive 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?
Cleo Wade Heart Talk

Author Websites and Profiles
Ahlia Rose Website
Ahlia Rose Amazon Profile

Ahlia Rose’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account

Ellen Pleasant 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in the suburbs of a city and spent my vacations in a small Midwestern town. My love of writing began as a child during those long, summer car rides. I’d pack a bag full of books, blank journals and assorted colors of pens. I rediscovered writing as an outlet for the stresses of day-to-day life. Through it, I revisited those magical summers as a child.

I’ve published one book and have drafts for five more. I’m looking forward to getting more of my work out there. Whether I am writing or reading, books have always been an escape for me and I love that idea that my works can do the same for others.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Chachkis and Chicken Wings: The Case of the Oakton Falls Burglar
My best friend suggested writing about a medium for one of my books. I love to write fantasy and supernatural stories, so it was right up my alley. The setting is based on the small town my mom grew up in and that I love dearly. As for the plot and the characters, I couldn’t say what inspired me. The real ideas happen when I start putting words to the page.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It’s not unusual, but I almost always have tea handy. I also like to take my laptop and move around. It helps me keep things fresh.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are too many to name!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a steampunk novel. I love trying new genres and styles. For me, writing is all about growth and exploration. I always have styles, genres, and places that I come back to, but it’s important to set aside time to challenge myself.

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 Complete Works of Jane Austen, a Stephanie Plum book for a good laugh, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and whatever mystery was next on my list.

 

Lisa Macallen 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a background in human behavior science and have worked as a qualified Professional in mental health for fifteen years assisting many people with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

My idea for co-creating a book with Dr. Bob Lipton was in order to expand our knowledge to a larger audience, who could benefit from the techniques both professionals provide.

Dr. Bob Lipton, has over 30 years of clinical, scientific knowledge & experience in human behavior.

Together we create a yin & yang balance of modern and effective teachings.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stop Overthinking. My patients inspired me and my co-author Dr. Bob Lipton.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write with my desk looking out the window and burning some scented candles in the background. It helps me concentrate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many of my Favourite books are based on mental health studies and modern science.

What are you working on now?
We are taking a break, but may possibly team up for another series collection.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Amazon, but I am sure there are many other platforms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have the wisdom to share with others from your profession or talent, pursue it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything can be changed or can change, change is inevitable.

What are you reading now?
Zero Waste- Bea Johnson

What’s next for you as a writer?
TBC still not sure.

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 Secret
Man’s search for Meaning- Viktor Frankl
Some of my treasured materials

Martin Bodek 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing freelance for over two decades, mostly on Jewish interest topics. I am the co-creator of a popular Jewish news satire website called TheKnish.com. My work has been published in The Huffington Post, The Denver Post, The Washington Times, The Jewish Press, Country Yossi Magazine, Modern Magazine, The Jewish Link of NJ, The Jewish Book Council, bangitout.com, scoogiespin.com, jewcentral.com, and israelinsider.com. My work has also been translated for Germany’s only weekly Jewish newspaper, The Judische Allgemeine. I have served as the beat reporter for JRunnersClub.org and as the surname columnist for jewishworldreview.com.

I have authored eight books, available on lulu.com and amazon.com.The Emoji Haggadah, The Festivus Haggadah, and The Coronavirus Haggadah, generated much praise and media attention, and were covered in The Jewish Week, The Jewish Link of NJ, Jewish Vues, Vos Iz Neias, Jewish Book Council, NorthJersey.com, The Forward, Jewish Journal, J-Wire, Vox, The Jewish Press, The Jewish Fund, The Judische Allgemeine, various blogs, eater.com, and The New York Times.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Donald J. Trump Will You Please Go Now!

Once upon a time, when George W. Bush was president, I read an article that said that, at any given time, fully 30% of the populace believes their president deserves to be impeached. The first thing that came to mind was “Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!” At the time, I hadn’t yet written my first book, but was tinkering with dozens of ideas. I actually put a text together, using pictures of Dubya acting goofy and all, and consulted with the lawyers in the law firm I was then working for. I was told I couldn’t publish it. I had no rights to the pictures, and I wouldn’t be able to do it. Into the dustbin that went, but out of that idea my first book was indeed about George W. Bush (http://tinyurl.com/BushIIBookI).

Several years later, I was tinkering with further ideas, Barack H. Obama was president, and I was working at a university. I mocked up “Barack H. Obama Will You Please Go Now!” and consulted with some professors about the legality of it. Ixnay, but I had published four books and was getting to know the industry a lot better. This idea was going to see the light of day at some point. However, I did publish a Seussian essay concerning Obama (https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/06/mean-regs-and-scam/).

“Donald J. Trump Will You Please Go Now!” was obviously the next idea. I had published eight books, and now I was working for a publishing firm, so I had a lot of experts with whom I could consult, including lawyers, permissions specialists, artists, editors, and so forth.

I had several problems, however:
The cost of hiring artists was more than I could afford. I do not have $y 15/s × 3.6 km/h1 m/s = 72 km/h/50 per picture at hand.
The cost of securing rights to photographs was even more exorbitant: anywhere from $x 30/1.6 s = 12.5 m/s = 45 km/h/36 per picture. I don’t have that kind of bread.
I couldn’t publish the book until a very specific moment, because, if you know the original punchline of the Seuss book, I could only release it once Trump conceded.
If Trump never actually conceded, I’d completely miss the boat.
Here’s how I worked around the issues:
I didn’t hire an artist, I used pictures I found on the interwebs and ran them through a photo-to-cartoon filter to make it all artsy-fartsy.
Because I can’t afford to pay the photo agencies, I am absolutely forbidden from monetizing the book in any way, including printing them and selling them at exact cost, or even taking a loss! It must be absolutely free.
I obviously couldn’t wait until January 20th. Once both CNN *and* FOX (and Alec Baldwin) called it for Biden, that was the signal for launch. The punchline works.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t write notes as I go along with any idea that’s stuck in my head. Instead, I put words on paper only when I have so many thoughts around an idea, that I simply can’t remember them all. Then I have trouble remembering everything, which is stupid of me, but hey, that’s the way I work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Mary Roach, Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Ariely, Deen Koontz, Michael Lewis, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Laurence Gonzales, Victor Hugo, Jane Austen, Mitchell Zuckoff, A.J. Jacobs

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Yosl Rakover Talks to God, Don Quixote

What are you working on now?
My grandfather’s WW2 memoirs. He was conscripted into 4 different armies, and that’s just the beginning of his story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
lulu.com, amazon.com, creativeindie.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write your head off, read your head off. There is no guarantee of success, but you won’t know until you try. Knock on every door.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to what everyone has to say, then decide on your own.

What are you reading now?
Moby Dick, The Uninhabitable Earth, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Full Dark No Star

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to publish enough books so that a stack of them reaches my own height. I’m now just above my ankle, approaching the calf.

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?
Paradise Lost, The Stand, The Odyssey, Infinite Jest

Author Websites and Profiles
Martin Bodek Website
Martin Bodek Amazon Profile

Martin Bodek’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Danni Roan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Along with being a published author since 2015, I am a wife, a mother, and a former school teacher. I have always been a storyteller and when a friend encouraged me to turn some short stories into a book I took the chance and started. Since 2015 I have published sixty-four books and don’t see myself stopping any time soon.
I truly love writing and sharing my stories with others. I also love hiking, cooking, and traveling. Actually, my husband and I live and work out of a thirty-six-foot motor home and have been traveling all over the USA for the past few years. We have been to many National Parks and other beautiful places in this amazing nation. Everywhere we roll I find inspiration that colors my writing, giving me a first-hand experience of the places I write into each book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is The Belated Bride a Book Club time travel romance. This book is a little different than what I usually write but when a friend asked me to join the group the concept really made me smile.
It is a bit of fun and fits in perfectly with my Tales from Biders Clump series. In a recent book in that series, a man inherits an abandoned house. This new story explains how the house ended up being right there waiting in his hour of need.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if any of my writing habits are unusual, but I do work sitting in a recliner instead of a desk. I also tend to have to adjust my writing schedule every time we move. I like a good five thousand word day on a writing day but sometimes I don’t get there. For me, the pacing is very important. Since we travel full-time, when we get to a new place we want to explore so I put the writing aside and go see things then take a few days just sitting still, usually in a free boondocking site, and writing to catch up again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My dear friend Kirsten Osbourne has definitely encouraged and helped me understand the publishing process. I found her books after I finished my Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language. I was exhausted between study and my full-time teaching job and her books were a wonderful escape from all the tedious technicality of study.
I also have an amazing crew of authors that I work with regularly in series like Whispers in Wyoming, Georgia Peaches, and The Ornamental Match Maker series. These ladies really get me and the books are loosely connected so that it makes it easy to write and truly your own work.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a Christmas story for Brides of Needful Texas. This series is set in a tiny cowtown in Texas that has a need for mail-order brides. The new book, Adele, is one young woman’s journey toward true love. She’ll have to navigate through many twists and turns to get there though. It is fun to weave the holiday season into this beloved series. I’ve even come up with a Christmas decorating committee for the tiny town.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book promotion is a finicky thing. I have to say much of it depends on your readers and for me, Facebook is where I connect first with those who follow me. I also have a website and newsletter that keeps everyone up to date on my writing and travel. That being said, I have found Awesome Gang to be a great resource for promoting my books. The platform is very helpful, user friendly, and truly dedicated to bringing great books to readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write. New authors can let themselves get discouraged so easily by trying to do too much. Write the book, get it edited, publish it, deal with the negatives, and move on. Writing and publishing is not for the faint-of-heart. It is hard work, long hours, and constant learning. Not everyone will like your book. That’s okay. They don’t have to. Just keep going and learn as you go. You learn more by doing than from all you will ever read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never stop learning. My grandmother always said this and it is always true. No matter how long you are doing anything, including writing, you can always learn. Things are constantly changing in the publishing world and you can always find something new. Every author is different and what one needs may not be what others are looking for. So keep learning.

What are you reading now?
I actually have a couple of books in my reading mix. Having taught middle and high school for over fifteen years, I have developed a taste for Young Adult books. I am reading a book called Hiss by Amaya Ash as well as keeping up with the multi-author projects I’m in. I have Heart of Home from the Georgia Peaches series going as well as

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing is what comes next. I am working hard to find a nice balance between work and life as I continue to write. I have several new and different projects in mind that I would love to get to in 2021. I still plan on writing in my Whispers in Wyoming, Tales from Biders Clump, and Brides of Needful Texas series as well. I love writing both Sweet Historical and Contemporary Christian books so you can plan on seeing more of that in the future.

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 could only have three or four books I would have to say the Bible first. No matter how many times you read it you gain new understanding. After that, the collected works of Shakespeare. I would probably wear out the comedies first. After that, it gets harder. If I could have the whole Harry Potter series in one tome that would be my other pick.
Book four would probably be The Outlaw of Thorn a book that had a huge impact on my thinking as a teen.

Author Websites and Profiles
Danni Roan Website
Danni Roan Amazon Profile

Danni Roan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tamika M Murray 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello everyone! My name is Tamika or Mika as friends and family call me. I’ve written 3 books but have only published one, so far. I’m a writer, Etsy Shop owner, and certified Social Worker. In my free time, I enjoy watching films, listening to music, going on road trips, trying new restaurants, learning about Astrology, spending time with my three kitties, and planning a future with my boyfriend.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Crying, Learning, and Laughing: Why Students Visit the Teen Center. It was inspired by my time as a high school case manager working for a School-based Youth Services Program.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write whenever I get the urge. However, as I’ve grown older, I try to write more during the daytime hours. If I’m writing something personal then I listen to music from that particular era or time in my life. It helps to trigger memories. If what I’m writing isn’t personal then I stick with instrumental and classical music so the lyrics don’t distract me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Joanna Penn. Her non-fiction books are well-written, informative, and interesting.
But I’ve read so many fiction novels that it would take me forever to name all my favorites. I am a HUGE Harry Potter/J.K. Rowling fan though.

What are you working on now?
My upcoming release in May of 2021 is a book about the Law of Attraction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still somewhat of an author “newbie” so I’m trying different platforms to see how they work for me. I hope Awesome Gang works out as well as I’ve read it does.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Just write! Stop making excuses or allowing your fear to stop you. Write and keep writing. Don’t be afraid that you aren’t a good writer.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve heard so much good advice over the years. Right now I watch Ralph Smart on YouTube. He drops truth bombs and wisdom in every video. One of my favorite quotes goes something like this “You didn’t come here to be perfect. You came here, to tell the truth.” I might have mucked it up but you get the gist.

What are you reading now?
I read articles and memes every day. I read Peyton Place over the summer. It made me love the movie even though much of it was censored in the film. I also have the Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, Outliers The Story of Success, and Black Fortunes The Story of Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires on deck for when I get some time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to expand my freelance writing business. I am available for blog posts and articles. But writing and publishing more books is my overall goal as a writer. In fact, I will be outlining another book once my current draft is off to the editor.

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?
Pride and Prejudice
Catcher in the Rye
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Peyton Place (because it was really good)

Author Websites and Profiles
Tamika M Murray Website
Tamika M Murray Amazon Profile

Tamika M Murray’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Bobby Nash 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. I’m Bobby Nash. I am an award-winning author, an artist, and an occasional actor. At last count, I have 149 published stories and there are more in the pipeline for 2021 and beyond. Here’s my bio with a few titles sprinkled in for good measure.

Bobby Nash Author Bio:
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Mama Tried, Domino Lady, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, The Avenger), and the odd short screenplay (Starship Farragut “Conspiracy of Innocence, Hospital Ship Marie Curie “Under Fire”). Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. He occasionally appears in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind your favorite actor and sometimes they let him act. Recently, he was seen in Creepshow, Joe Stryker, Doom Patrol, The Outsider, Ozark, Lodge 49, Slutty Teenage Bounty Hunters, and more. He also draws from time to time.

He was named Best Author in the 2013 Pulp Ark Awards. Rick Ruby, a character co-created by Bobby & Sean Taylor also snagged Best New Pulp Character of 2013. Bobby has been nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Awards and Pulp Factory Awards for his work. Bobby’s novel, Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt won a Paranormal Literary Award in the 2015 Paranormal Awards. The Bobby Nash penned episode of Starship Farragut “Conspiracy of Innocence” won the Silver Award in the 2015 DC Film Festival. Bobby’s novel, Snow Drive was nominated for Best Novel in the 2018 Pulp Factory Awards. Bobby’s story in The Ruby Files Vol. 2 “Takedown” won the 2018 Pulp Factory Award for Best Short Story. Bobby was part of Moonstone’s Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, which won a 2020 Pulp Factory Award for Best Pulp Anthology. Bobby’s novel, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity was also named Best Pulp Novel in the 2020 Pulp Factory Awards.

For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com, www.ben-books.com, and across social media.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is called IN THE WIND – A Tom Myers Mystery. Tom Myers is the sheriff of Sommersville County, Georgia. Although this is the first book in the series, Tom Myers and his deputies have appeared in two published novels, EVIL WAYS and DEADLY GAMES! and will also appear in the upcoming EVIL INTENT novel in 2021. Myers solo adventures will continue in 2021. I’ve already started plotting book 2. Fans of Justified and Longmire will probably enjoy Tom Myers series.

Here’s the retail book synopsis:
A safehouse ablaze.
4 dead federal agents.
A missing federal witness.
2 wounded agents clinging to life.
Another day at the office for Sheriff Tom Myers.
When a secret joint FBI/US Marshal safehouse in Sommersville, Georgia is attacked, federal witness Bates Hewell flees custody in the confusion and heads for the hills. The authorities descend on the county in search of their prize witness, convinced that he is hiding out in the wilds of Sommersville County. Can local sheriff, Tom Myers find him and bring him in before a band of hired killers do? Tom Myers’ story began in EVIL WAYS and continued in DEADLY GAMES! but the Sommersville sheriff’s adventures are far from over. Sheriff Tom Myers returns in IN THE WIND, the first in a new series of mystery thrillers from award-winning author Bobby Nash and BEN Books. Fans of Justified and Longmire will find a lot to love in this series.

You can find In The Wind – A Tom Myers Mystery here: https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Tom-Myers-Mystery/dp/B08DPQZZH9
Available in paperback and ebook. Audio in production.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits are probably pretty normal. I start my day doing everything I can to keep myself from getting started, procrastinating like a champ until I make myself get started. My average day gets broken up into sections. I do promotion work, writing, admin work, then back to writing, and then more promotion. Then I get up the next day and do it all again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, there are so many. I have learned a lot from other authors, not just in terms of writing and crafting story, but in character creation, promotion ideas, social media do’s and don’ts, and how to interact with readers, other authors, publishers, and media. I have often been inspired by the kindness, the generosity, and the attitude of other authors. I won’t name names because that would become a very lengthy list.

What are you working on now?
I’m always juggling multiple projects and today is no different. As I type this on November 10th, I am currently working on SNOW DOWN, book 6 in the Snow series for BEN Books, working on HUNTER HOUSTN: HORROR HUNTER book 3 (of 4) for Falstaff Books, prepping a short story for Flinch Books, working on EVIL INTENT’s second draft for BEN Books, and doing two serialized novels on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bobbynash). Plus, the usual promotional odds ‘n ends and doing plots for upcoming stories.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s hard to say because it seems to change from book to book. Sometimes social media connects, other times it’s paid ads, other times it depends on how the wind blows. I try different avenues to see what works for me and what doesn’t. I just bought my first ad here on this site. We’ll see how it goes. Fingers crossed.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
New authors, take a moment and decide what you want to achieve with your writing. Make goals, both short and long term. Work to those goals and celebrate them when you accomplish them. There are many different paths in writing. You can write as your career or as a hobby, fulltime or part time. No one way is right for everyone. Decide which path works best for you and tailor your plan accordingly.

As an aside, if you want to write as a career then you have to treat writing as a job. That means you are working every day, whether you feel like it or not. You can’t wait for the muse to strike as a fulltime professional author.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever received was to learn how to promote my own work. As it was told to me, “Who cares about your book more than you?” That advice stuck with me and I started learning all I could about promotion.

What are you reading now?
I just started The Head of Mimir by Richard Lee Byers. It’s a tale of Heimdall and Sif from the Thor books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing. There’s always more writing to do. For 2021, I have plans for more Snow books, including something we’re calling Snow Shorts. More on that in January. There will also be more Tom Myers mysteries, more Lance Star: Sky Ranger adventures, and more tales of The Freelancer. In addition, Evil Intent will debut as will the Hunter Houston: Horror Hunter series (4 books). There’s also plans for a sequel to Deadly Games! called Deadly Deals! Beyond that, I have some ideas and am talking with some publishers about projects.

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?
Now that’s tough. The John Byrne Fantastic Four omnibus, one of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels, Robinson Crusoe (for advice on how to survive on said island), and a book on boat building.

Author Websites and Profiles
Bobby Nash Website
Bobby Nash Amazon Profile
Bobby Nash Author Profile on Smashwords

Bobby Nash’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Nadine Damo 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written my first book, with more to come in Spring 2021. I have a great desire to learn: from how to connect with readers and navigate Goodreads, to learning one of the major languages in India, Telegu.
I love children and has spent over twenty years putting my education degree to good use. My passion for children has led to help start two orphanages in Nakrekal, India.
All proceeds of my first book, Will You Always Be Here?, go to those children.

Follow, friend, and connect with me as I start this amazing new journey.
Website: nadinedamo.com
Goodreads: goodreads.com/nadinedamo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nadinedamo

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Will You Always Be Here?
My husband and I began an orphanage almost two years ago. We found out that there were many children in Nakrekal, India who had lost their parents and now needed daily care to survive. With a live-in family to care for 10 boys and with financial help to provide school fees, books, food, clothes, shelter, the upbringing of God and of course, lots of love. Later on, one more boy was added to the group!

In 2020, we began to work on creating another orphanage for girls. And in September, 10 precious young girls came to start a new life. But with 21 kids, and possibly more in the future, there is a lot to do. God will provide! And so, all the proceeds from little Peek-a-Hoot’s book will go to the children. That is how God works. Write a book about how God is always there for us and to prove it, God provides an avenue to ensure 21 gifted, wonderful souls see His love and care through the hands of people like you!
If you would like to help, then please consider purchasing Will You Always Be Here?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually get ideas in a flood and just hope I have a pen and paper or a computer close by to write all the ideas down before I forget… Because I quickly forget!
Once the major outline is done, then I can come back to it and work on making it a complete story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My son grew up being read Sam McBratney’s book Guess How Much I Love You, over and over again. We loved it. That sweet, curl-up-with-your-little-one, heart-touching book is the kind I enjoy most.

What are you working on now?
After just finishing Will You Always Be Here? I am planning to pack up and move to begin missionary work. Once I settle in I am going to take the other books I had written down out of the drawer and begin to work on them in the next month or two.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found Goodreads and Amazon the most helpful. I have just started reaching out to great sites like Awesome Gang to promote my book, so we will see how that goes!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time, enjoy the process, and expect to loose some sleep from the stress and hard work it takes to share your labour of love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read your Bible and pray everyday!

What are you reading now?
The Bible – as much as I am able everyday. In fact, my Bible was so worn out I had to get it completely redone as there was no way I wanted to part with the one I have used for years.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Possibly writing another book featuring Peek-a-Hoot the little owl and his Father. Then a series of children’s books of forest critters that focus on overcoming different issues such as accepting ourselves for who were are, etc. I’m really excited about them!

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, and then any book by Richard Rogers or Ed Wharton.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nadine Damo Website
Nadine Damo Amazon Profile

Nadine Damo’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Desmond Knipe 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Invercargill New Zealand on August the 8th 1967, the 9th child in a large family that would eventually grow to eleven children in total.
I have gained vast life experience through travel, different and varied work environments and international friendships.
My first book that I published was a book on meditation and more “The Pocketbook of Life”.
I have written but not yet published 5 children’s books and another that I have just published.
I have another that I am working on at the moment, not to give too much away, the story follows the story of five different “super hero’s”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Happy Larry and Angry Harry is a short story in rhyme that explores how we view the world and our ability to change how we feel.
The idea for this book came about over a decade ago when I needed to explain the difference between a positive and negative view’s to one of my children.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Seuss and J.R.R. Tolkien are my two favourite Authors.

What are you working on now?
I’m learning the marketing side of publishing at the moment as to become a best selling Author I understand that I must get good at this.
I have a children’s book series based on our family dog, that I have just started artwork for, I have written 5 books so far with 4 more to go.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want, how you want.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” – William Edward Hickson.

What are you reading now?
The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing, publishing and promoting.

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?
A good survival book, The Hobbit and Who moved my cheese.

Author Websites and Profiles
Desmond Knipe Amazon Profile