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Victor Torvich 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in a center of Silicon Valley, in California. Victor Torvich is my pen name. As a writer, I’m very young. I started to write just about a year ago, when I retired from my last job. Before that, I did not have time for writing a book. I wrote academic papers and patents, but not books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote “Subsurface History of Humanity”. This is my first book. It is a nonfiction history book, which covers the last 44 thousand years in the history of mankind. I was born shortly after the end of WWII. Looking back and into all the history of the 20th and 21st centuries, I wondered if the history of humanity is just a chain of unrelated, chaotic events or not? I was not able to find out an objective direction of humankind development in any books or scientific publications. I started to write about it. And I found an objective direction in which mankind is moving. Answers to many other big questions about humankind are also presented in my book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would not call it a habit. Typical advice to authors is to separate – separate research phase from the writing phase and to separate the writing phase from the editing phase. I was not able to always follow this advice. My book is oriented towards the general public, who are 13-14 years or older. At the same time, there are over 200 references in the book. I had to do a lot of research. Sometimes scientific publications, which I found made me rethink what I was writing. My writing phase and research phase intersected pretty often.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Kurzweil “Singularity is Near” book was an inspiration for me. This book revealed a lot of long-term trends in mankind history. However, those trends are dedicated mostly to technology.

What are you working on now?
I finished writing and editing “Subsurface History of Humanity”. Most of my work now is dedicated to the growth of my author’s platform.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There is no single best method or website for me. Publishers and literary agents require authors of nonfiction books to have several channels for their book’s promotions. I’m mostly active on my website/blog, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to start working on your author’s platform as yearly as possible. Better to start it before the writing. You could set up your goals in writing, like 250 words every day. And you are mostly in control here. You could and should also set up your goals in expanding your Internet presence. However, your control in this area is very limited.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”. Winston Churchill

What are you reading now?
Max Tegmark “Life 3.0”. The subtitle is “Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
It looks that, at least for a year, I would be busy with a promotion of my last 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 first book should be about how to get out of this island. If that is not possible, then I would like to have a book on how to communicate to the world that I’m here. The second book should be about how to survive on this island. The third one should not be a book at all. Instead, it should be a notebook with blank pages. That will allow me to write.

Author Websites and Profiles
Victor Torvich Websit

Victor Torvich’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Michelle Perry 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 1 book thus far and looking forward to writing many more!

My Bio:

As a bi-racial woman growing up without a father, Michelle Perry struggled with identity and self-worth issues. Poor choices led her down a path leading to academic failure and a lack of purpose. Until January 2, 1992, when one experience changed her life forever, propelling her into purpose and service to others.

Michelle established herself as a subject matter expert over the course of her career as a clinical social worker that spanned over 20 years. She then transitioned into the corporate world where her leadership and coaching skills were refined, producing results in all that she works with. As an Empowerment Coach, podcast host, speaker, and online course creator, Michelle contributes to the journey of others by supporting them to see results and experience an increase in confidence and momentum in their lives.

Learn more about Michelle Perry on her site https://www.successfuldiligence.com/

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Pebble in My Shoe: Live in the Power of Attention, Take Back Your Power & Live in a Better Way is my book and was inspired by the day/event that changed my life forever back in January 2, 1992. That day began my journey into purpose and so many life lessons that need to be shared.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write super late at night while half of the world is asleep. The quiet brings focus and I need silence to access the deep well within.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have influenced me are many, but to name a few: Napoleon Hill, John Maxwell, Tony Robbins, Shel Silverstein, Maya Angelou and so many more.

Two books that have influenced me, and that I read again and again, are As A Man Thinketh by James Allen and Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.

What are you working on now?
The audiobook version of my book and an online conference.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Best method for promoting my books is ME! My excitement and sharing with my network as well as scheduling promotions (free and paid) help to spread the word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Advice for new authors is to move through the fear and doubts and do it!

Practically speaking a few things that got me to actually write and publish my book:
1. Begin!
2. Schedule time, even if only 10 min a day, to write
3. Support: join online groups, sign up for a challenge, take a course, get a mentor. Not doing this alone was the PRIMARY thing that got me over the finish line.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep Walking.

What are you reading now?
My Book! I am also finishing up a few books from the online group that I joined with newly published authors… another reason to get support is a built in additional network to promote your book to!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next I will be recording and promoting my audiobook and then on to book #2!

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?
Bible
As a Man Thinketh
Hind Feet on High Places

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Perry Website
Michelle Perry Amazon Profile

Michelle Perry’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tasha Ryan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an authority in economics, finance management, and efficiency in the workplace. I’m also an author of The Keto Diet for Beginners that center around healthy diets and living.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Unhappy with the weight I had steadily gained over the years, I finally made a decision that I was going to lose at least some of it and began thorough research into what might work best. My journey ended when I discovered the ketogenic diet and immediately knew that it was what I had been looking for.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
So far, I have not noticed such unusual habits. Perhaps they will appear in the near future. When I work on a book, I am totally dedicated to it. Therefore, my family and my cat, too, sometimes get angry at me.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book about keto meal prep for beginners. In this book, I want to talk about how cooking can be fun and exciting and share my knowledge and experience. Especially I want to give a lot of useful information for beginners.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have just started promoting my books, but I think that Awesome Gang will help me a lot in this. And it will be my best method of promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I can only advise what I have understood for myself. Stop worrying and worrying, just do what you think is necessary for yourself – write books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just do it!

What are you reading now?
Now I am researching all the possible information that may be useful for my new book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
In my free time, I enjoy researching healthy living and dieting, creating amazing new recipes, and removing food addiction from the lives of my readers.

In the future, I plan to share my experiences of losing weight, healing her body, and increasing efficiency to as many people as possible, improving my life through simple recipes and great food.

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 those books that I could write and share my experience of being on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tasha Ryan Amazon Profile

Paul Amess 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the north of England with my family and I am lucky to live in an area that is outstandingly beautiful. This is my second book, which I decided to write after seeing my first one sell pretty well. That was 54 Degrees North, which was a humerous account of my walk across the country in a straight line at that latitude with two friends, just to see what we encountered along the way. Every day was mystery, but everywhere we went, we found a wealth of interesting people, beautiful landscapes, and amazing histories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rambling On is a comic account of me and my mate Rob walking the Cleveland Way, a national trail that follows the top end of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. I knew that this area was incredibly beautiful and I also knew that there was a wealth of history to be encountered along the way, so I wanted to tie the two together in a book. The result is light hearted romp around the countryside where we also find out all the history of the places that we passed through and the people that used to live there.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to actually do the travelling first, making notes along the way as I go, and then I lock myself into the man cave at the bottom of the garden to put the whole thing together. I say lock myself away, because since the era of lockdowns began, my house is often full of my family who are either working from home of schooling from home, which makes working in there very distracting. This is not necessarily unusual, but just a habit. I do, however, tend to take my cat with me wherever I end up writing, just for a bit of company and as a reminder not to spend too long at it. When the cat wants to leave, I tend to leave.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A tough one. When I was younger, I read a lot of Daniel Defoe, then I matured into reading George Orwell. Defoe influence me more than I knew. When I found out that Robinson Crusoe sailed from my home town of Kingston-upon-Hull, it made me re-evaluate my own city. In my writings now, I always look for links that take me back to Hull, of which I find many.

What are you working on now?
I’m already onto book number three. I walked the Coast to Coast walk a while back, as made famous by Alfred Wainwright, and I am aware that this is one of the most popular walks in the world. There was quite a big group of us doing the walk together and it will go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Having this walk more or less on my doorstep makes me realize how lucky I am to live where I do, and I am hoping that I might be able to sell a copy or two.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found that facebook is ineffective and that you really do need to not be afraid and reach out to others. For the kind of books I write, local and regional newspapers tend to take an interest, and this can help spread the word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. I spent far too long wanting to write a book but never dared to for fear of failure. It is best just to write something, even if you are not entirely sure about it, because it is so easy nowadays to go back and change and edit whatever doesn’t work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, ever, give in. Sometimes you may not feel that those around you believe in you or what you are doing, but don’t let this stop you. You will meet resistance from others at some point, and things will not always go your way, but once you start something, hold onto it for all its worth, and see it through to the end. You might just be pleasantly surprised.

What are you reading now?
I’m still reading The Body, by Bill Bryson. I am reading this book so incredibly slowly, it is ridiculous. It was a christmas present, and look, it’s going to be christmas again soon. I am really enjoying it, but I just don’t have time to read at the moment.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After my next travel diary, I am moving on to a novel that I have been thinking about for some time now. It is going to be sort of sci-fi, sort of thriller, with a mighty twist at the end.

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, The Body by Bill Bryson, just so I could finally finish it. I think I would also take 12 Rules for life, by Jordan Peterson. In an age where mental-illness is finally being recognized for the pandemic that it is, there is a lot in there that could help us all, and which could also help us to help others. Lastly, The Gulag Archipelago for two reasons. One, I have never read it, and two, it is a really long book and I would imagine if I were to be stranded on a desert island, it would be for a long time.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Amess Amazon Profile

Paul Amess’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Yanee Brinks 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife and mother to four children. I take my home responsibilities serious like all moms so a lot of my energy went to that but when my youngest child started school it gave me time to do something for me. I started a blog in 2010 and I loved it. But the feedback made me want to start writing a book. From there I crafted Sip, Read, & Fantasize: Short Reads for the Adult Minds. I got hooked. Now I have eleven books available for purchase on Amazon with more to come.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book would be Monae & Renee: Love and Betrayal. It’s actually part two in a series. It really came out of nowhere. To be honest I had a little trouble writing this book. I think maybe because it portrayed a life that was to unbelievable to be real.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not write in the normal quiet atmosphere. I often write with music or television on or on the telephone. Those are my motivations to get typing and once I do then I disconnect.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There have been so many famous names that inspired me but more recently I have taken inspiration from some of my smaller authors. I love reading and reviewing work for my fellow authors because it’s what we all need. We need more authors to help us grow so that we too can become a famous name one day. So Zane, E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, Candylickherr, and Mia Black to name a few authors I love reading books from.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on three titles because I love them all! But more the one closest to being completed is Bedtime Stories for Adults. It’s a slight erotic novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram all the way. I promote through Instagram and Amazon more than other platforms. But I’m also on Facebook and my website (www.YaneeBrinks.net) promoting as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do what you’re passionate about. If writing moves you then by all means do it. Just take the time to do your research and editing. Proof read, have a friend read it, a friend of a friend, and even then take your time submitting your work. Never be afraid to do what you love. If you don’t have friends there are people out there willing to proof read just research your options before hitting submit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Honestly, no one has given me any outstanding advice. Sorry folks! But I do hear that I should do it. I hear a lot “Go for it!”. I guess that means a lot of folks have faith in my work.

What are you reading now?
Betrayal by Aleatha Romig

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently working on trying a suspense/thriller novel. I want to branch out to multiple genres. I have urban fiction already under my belt. I’ve fallen under erotica for some scenes in my books but I want all the way into that category as well. With children or young adult next.

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?
That’s a hard question to answer. I would have to say a couple of Stephen King novels and maybe a couple of my fellow authors book titles.

Author Websites and Profiles
Yanee Brinks Website
Yanee Brinks Amazon Profile

Yanee Brinks’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Robert W Fisk 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The W is important because of a name clash. There is a famous journalist of the same name. I have now written ten books. I started in 2017. I had always wanted to write but I knew I had to find a market. I chose Thriller novels. I thought a series would drive more sales so I created a hero, Richard West. He had to be an ordinary honest guy with high moral values who comes across situations that need his help. I made him a high school deputy principal (YouTalk You Die) and then a university lecturer (Passport to Power). He ended up as a contracted advisor to the New Zealand Education Department (Fern Valley Conspiracy, Farm Kill, Entrenched Beliefs and Pregnant Virgin). As I became established as an independent author I left Richard for a while. My Richard West Series had some serious social themes but one I wanted to write about (sexual predation in schools) did not fit into his genre so I wrote The Stalking of Louise Copperfield, which is also published as a paperback by Pegasus Press. Then I wanted to write a trilogy. Boy, that was harder than I thought. It took me a whole year to produce the three books that link a family history from 1801 with a present crime.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The trilogy is the latest, about the Simpson Family. An old lady is not sure if she owns nothing, twenty million or two hundred million. Her husband used the black market during and after the Second World War but he disappeared. She is also a descendant of two families, the Blydes and the Pajaris, who made fortunes. She sends her great grandaughter Kalle (like alley) to find out the truth about why her bank account has been sequesterd. This uncovers a White Supremacist plot, murders, kidnapping… and a final surprise. Sorry to be wordy but a trilogy is three books long and the modern plot runs from beginning to end.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My wife would say yes but I don’t believe so. I get an idea, probably go broody for a while, start sketching out plot(s), characters and add in a theme. I usually wake at five and in the broody phase I think. And think. Then in the writing phase I go to my study at five, emerge at seven for breakfast, go back and write till ten.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
An old-time writer, Neville Shute. I read extensively. I think my ‘uncovering’ style is reminesacent of Bryce Courtney, but Ken Follett with books like Code to Zero and Whiteout springs to mind. Thinking about this question, Robert Ryan has definitely influenced my style.

What are you working on now?
Another non Richard West (I’ll return to him at some stage).
The Simpson Trilogy struck a raw nerve when I was researching rest home care. What I found did not fit the flow of the trilogy so I am brooding about an old lady who befriends a young solicitor and (possibly accidentally) sets him up for a charge of murder.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am constantly disappointed with websites and methods that are meant to promote sales. I am currently using Goodreads but have used several other avenues, including talks and visits, Facebook and website pages.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and sales will come. There are people out there for every book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write for yourself.”
Tell the world each time you publish.

What are you reading now?
Felix Francis ‘Gamble -a Dick Francis novel’

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. I want to write some non-fiction – perhaps a record of my adventures in Brunei and then the Gulf States.

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?
Dirk Bogarde ‘Snakes and Ladders’; Bryce Courtney, ‘The Power of One’; Apsley Cherry-Garrard, ‘The Worst Journey in the World’

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert W Fisk Website

Andrew Pankratz 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a novelist from rural North Carolina. I first got interested in writing novels when I read that Louis Lamour made up his stories as he went along. I thought I could try my hand at that, and I found it easy and fun.
So far, I have published only two books- one novel and a short novella. But more are on the way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest publication is a novella named “The Ghost of Shanaghy Jones.” The initial inspiration (believe it or not!) came from a Bonita Granville Nancy Drew movie. The main plot was a neighbor trying to make two elderly sisters believe their house was haunted so he steal it from them, by making them violate some legal technicalities in their father’s will.
I changed it into a rustler and his two sons getting caught in the act one night. There was some shooting and at least the father, Shanaghy Jones, was killed. The one son fell over a cliff in making his escape and the other left the county. But ten years later, a man who looked and talked just like Shanaghy Jones started stealing cows. The couple people who were unfortunate enough to run into him described him as Shanaghy Jones- a dead man! And the rustler would just disappear with his herds into thin air. The trail just stopped.
A master troubleshooter named Smoky Walker came after the ghost rustler. He could track an Apache Indian across a rock, but can even he track a ghost rustler through the air?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write when I have time here and there, so I often think ahead and plan out the next couple pages so that when I sit down, I can start typing 100 mph.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite western author is Louis Lamour. I have read many of his books, and continue to like them. I also like to read Robert Ballantyne’s historical novels.
My list of all-time favorite books would be “The Spanish Brothers”, “The Scarlett Pimpernel”, and “The Pirate City.”
Non-fiction books have influenced me more than fiction. Philosopher Gordan Clark has been a heavy influence on my thinking, as has John Calvin.

What are you working on now?
My upcoming novel is called “The Sons of Thunder”. It is a sprawling tale of intrigue, dust and bullets. I plan to publish it sometime next summer.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell new authors to read every article Dave Chesson has on Kindleprenuer. Start building an email list and a blog at least six months in advance of releasing your book. Figure out what your book is worth. If you can’t give a definitive statement of what makes your book worth buying, then it will be next to impossible to market it or find an audience.
If you know why your book is worth reading, then you can figure out the people who would like reading it (your audience) and then market it to them. And finally, don’t expect your first book to be a bestseller. First books just aren’t like that. People that have best-selling first novels are selling their best novel so far. They have developed their writing style for a long time, and they probably have rejected manuscripts at the house. If yours becomes one, that’s awesome. But don’t go into publishing expecting to be featured in the New York Times a week later. That being said, if you do your homework and keep writing novels, each one should generate higher and higher sales- to the point that you may get a bestseller at some point.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
At a man’s 100th birthday, his children asked him what advice he would give. He picked up his Bible and said, “In here is all the wisdom we need. Never cease to study it.”

What are you reading now?
One book I am currently reading is “The Lovat Scouts”, which is the story an amazing group of Highland soldiers in the British army. Another is “A Christian View of Men and Things.” I am also reading “The Adventures of Big Foot Wallace”, the true story of a Texas Ranger.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on finishing up a novel, “The Sons of Thunder.” I have not yet decided on the plot of the book after 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?
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island, I would bring the Bible, “The Master Backwoodsman,” “The Pirate City,” and “The Scarlett Pimpernel.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Pankratz Website
Andrew Pankratz Amazon Profile

Andrew Pankratz’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Emma Palova 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former journalist for print media. I started writing as a columnist for the “Czechoslovak Newsweek” based in NYC and “Prague Reporter” based in Prague, Czech Republic. That was the only time I wrote in Czech in 1990-1993.

Later, I worked for both daily and weekly newspapers covering hard news and human- interest stories in West Michigan. This included photography. While working for the Ionia Sentinel-Standard daily newspaper in Ionia in the early 2000s many of my stories were syndicated by the Associated Press (AP.)

Human interest stories like the story about a guy who used to work in the Belding silk mills inspired my fiction short stories such as historical fiction“Silk Nora” in the “Shifting Sands Short Stories collection, Book no. 2 “Shifting Sands: Secrets.”

Hard news stories inspired my fiction as well. I covered extensively the ousting of the Otisco Township supervisor in a conflict with a local pig farmer due to the stench from the large capacity operation that impacted the supervisor’s recreation ranch on the Flat River. The opposition was led by the herdsman’s wife Deb. Drawing on this experience, I penned the story “Iron Horse” in the book no. 1 “Shifting Sands: Short Stories.”

In 2012, I switched to digital journalism on the WordPress platform which resulted in creating my blog “EW Emma’s Writings.”

Throughout all my stints, I freelanced for the “Grand Rapids Magazine,” “The Lowell Ledger,” the “Grand Rapids Press” and “Advance Newspapers.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my new book is “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” with the subtitle “Where East meets West.” Our family immigration saga from former Czechoslovakia to the U.S. spanning two generations inspired the memoir.

What actually made me sit down and write the memoir was a flashback to my naturalization on Aug. 18, 1999, at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. The Ionia Sentinel-Standard ran a story about the naturalization, which was syndicated by the AP and I received congratulatory phone calls and cards from all over Michigan. I thought if all these readers are interested in our immigration story, I could write a book about it. However, it wasn’t until the Lowell Ledger proof-editor actually asked me to write it sometime in mid-2000s, that the idea finally got embedded in my mind. The actual “butt in chair” time behind the computer screen goes back to 12-12-2012 and I had to quit my job to get serious with this challenging project. The memoir encapsulates five decades of our lives traveling across three continents: Africa, Europe, and North America.

The major challenge was to overcome the emotional impact of diving into the past, that hasn’t always been pleasant. I had to use all sorts of tools to bring back the memories such as souvenirs from our travels, documents, postcards, and mom’s album.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When the idea for a story is fusing in my head, I have to be by water outdoors like a lake. There’s something about both the flow and the resilience of water that brings all the story elements together. Whatever I come up with I write down on mom’s iPad.

I also have to meditate, do yoga, and walk on the treadmill to achieve balance on all fronts. Sometimes ideas come to me on the treadmill.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his “100 Years of Solitude”, Paulo Coelho with “The Alchemist,” Earnest Hemingway with “The Old Man and the Sea,” Tennessee Williams with “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Mario Puzzo with “The Godfather”, Vaclav Havel with “Letni Premitani” and Romanian poet Valeriu Barbu with his collection of poems “Heretical Soliloquy.”

What are you working on now?
Starting on Nov. 1st I will participate in the annual National Novel Writing Month known as NaNoWriMo with my brand-new project “Shifting Sands: Steel Jewels.” This will be the third book in the Shifting Sands Short Stories collections. My goal is to write 12 to 15 short stories depicting charismatic and egoistical characters. All my short stories are considered mainstream magic realism genre.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for promoting I have is my own website. You can visit me at emmapalova.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Explore and get to know yourself. Consider what you like to read and what kind of movies you like. Start out small with short writing exercises-outbursts of writing. Figure out your genre.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You need to write daily.” Editor-in-chief Peter Bisek of the Czechoslovak Newsweek advised me.

What are you reading now?
“Heretical Soliloqui” by Romanian poet Valeriu Barbu.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will write a screenplay based on the forthcoming book “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” slated for Nov. 12 publication on Amazon.

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?
Poetry and short stories. Poetry by Charles Baudelaire “Les Fleurs du Mal,” “Sudden Fiction,” Emily Dickinson’s poems, and “The Alchemist.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Emma Palova Website
Emma Palova Amazon Profile
Emma Palova Author Profile on Smashwords

Emma Palova’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Jenny Olsen 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing romances since my 20’s but I’ve only published this one so far

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Passions Reignited. I was inspired by the thought of how important it is that someone believes in you – especially your significant other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write late at night and I have no outline – I just write and it comes out and I develop it as I go along

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele

What are you working on now?
Next novel – title in progress about “Trusting isn’t easy” – a girl who’s been hurt and her father got shot and he was a police officer and now she’s falling for a man who’s a cop

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just to keep writing and don’t give up

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just people believing in me & telling me to keep going

What are you reading now?
Other inspiring authors & their novels

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting this book and writing the next 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?
2 by Sandra Brown (romances) and 2 by Danielle Steele

Author Websites and Profiles
Jenny Olsen Website

Jenny Olsen’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Senka Besirevic 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
‘Where Do Cats Go?’ is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Where Do Cats Go?’ was inspired by amazing cats, captivating nature and lovely people who I met on the road less travelled.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, no matter how much I try to write in the morning, I end up writing late at night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It is hard to say as I do not have a favourite genre.

What are you working on now?
As my first book was just published, I am working on marketing ‘Where Do Cats Go?’

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I will see what works best, as it is still early days. However, I like Facebook and Instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, keep going, set goals and believe in yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No rules in art. I paint, play piano accordion and sing.

What are you reading now?
I am now reading several books: Whistler (John Grisham), Death Row (Michelle Lyons), The Girl Behind the Gate (Brenda Davies), …

What’s next for you as a writer?
My second book called Less Ordinary King.

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?
Hard to say …..

Author Websites and Profiles
Senka Besirevic Website
Senka Besirevic Amazon Profile

Senka Besirevic’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Ari Gunzburg 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am trying to change the world!! Ha! Now that I have the cliché part of that done, let’s get into the real part of it. I am trying to change the world, but the real question is how. I help people rediscover the magic within themselves and others, and I do it through speaking, coaching, and writing. I have written 4 children’s books to date, and 1 self-help book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Little Book Of Greatness. I actually meant to write another book! I took a job where I drove 9000 miles in 2 months, during which time I was going to write my other book. But I didn’t have the time to do any writing, and I had a lot of time to think while driving all those miles. I came up with the concept of the 5 Keys To Greatness, and as soon as I had that, I knew I needed to write that book first. Boom! The Little Book Of Greatness is that book – and now I’m working on my next one.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ha! Great question. My writing habit does best when I feed it every day. Kind of like drugs. But I have unusual working habits in that I tend to be a night owl – as an example, I’m doing this interview late at night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by a number of authors and books. I read a lot of Stephen King when I was younger – after moving through Goosebumps and then Fear Street as a kid, Stephen King was the next step. His writing I don’t think influenced me too much – his book On Writing (called On Writing) influenced me tremendously. I don’t think I would have come across that book without having discovered his novels beforehand. My absolute favorite books to this day include To Kill A Mockingbird, Grapes of Wrath, The Last Dragon, The Worthing Saga, and The Alchemist.

What are you working on now?
I am working on getting my book out there while building my business! I have a speaking and coaching business.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet, I’m pretty new at this and haven’t yet found anything to work spectacularly. I’m guessing that a bunch of small efforts will combine into a huge win. I have a virtual book tour happening in December 2020 though, I’m excited about that!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Every day. Believe in yourself. Edit, edit, edit. No matter how good you think you are, edit. A lot. Cut it down, tighten it up, make it better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Regarding writing? Write every day. From Stephen King’s On Writing. Currently not listening to it but shh! that will be our little secret.

What are you reading now?
A historical fiction about Katherine of Aragon, Henry the VIII’s first wife. I’m enjoying parts of it immensely because I just went to the Tower of London for the first time (after wanting to go for many years) in January of this past year (right before coronavirus blew up).

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, mwahahahaha!!!! Joking. Well, mostly. Writing – I have tons of notes of books I want to write. Speaking – I love talking to people and making a difference in people’s lives. Coaching – ditto to above, but one-on-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?
A Kindle. Ha I don’t even like reading electronically. I do it when there is nothing else. But definitely not preferred. Grapes of Wrath. Hunchback of Notre Dame. Atlas Shrugged. Pillars of the Earth.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ari Gunzburg Website
Ari Gunzburg Amazon Profile

Ari Gunzburg’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marlene Bierworth 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Christian, wife, mother of two, grandmother of five, who loves to write historical and contemporary sweet romance. I’ve written over 40 books and enjoy interacting with fans. Show me picture, give me a one-liner, a situation or a conversation, and, sure enough, the story buzzer goes off in my head, and up and running to pen another great love story. I love what I do and it shows in my published work.
I also like to hang out with family and friends, walk and enjoy nature, paint, and read. I’ve worn many hats during my life-time, but am thrilled with being an author for this leg of the journey; serving God and readers to the best of my ability.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Blaire’s Ambushed Heart is my latest release – October 24/20. I enjoy mail-order-bride books and the journey so many of these women made to find happiness but oftentimes hardships and misery. Life is unpredictable, but the pioneers that left family and home, for adventure or a new start, captured my heart.
Blaire is running from being jilted at the altar and thinks she finds the perfect match, until disappointment and heartbreak comes knocking at the door one day. Marriage is full of ups and downs, some fixable and others tragically not. Love and commitment are key factors as couples face the difficult trials. Blaire wants to be strong and survive to live their happily-ever-after–if only things were that easy. You’ll have to read the book to see how it ends. No spoilers here.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sit in a chair, not an organized desk area, and I can watch TV, or talk to my husband while I write my next great romance. I write from a spontaneous word, action, picture, situation; it doesn’t take much to get my pen started with only a one-liner to pave the way. My characters like to rule the roost, and often take me down paths that I least expected. I suppose that’s why readers rave about the twists and turns in my plots. Nothing too ‘usual’ about me. Give me a cozy blanket, a fireplace a rocking chair and my computer and I am off to the races, writing my next best seller.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many online have been so gracious in sharing their expertise. Love Danni Roan, Marie Higgins, Lisa Prysock, Heather Frey and other Indie authors who write in my genre. Before I started writing I read anything and everything, but mostly enjoyed pioneer stories: Little House on the Prairie, Love Comes Softly series. These books inspired me to write in the historic romance genre – my books focus on the romance aspect – for me, history is simply the setting that makes love happen.

What are you working on now?
I just typed THE END to a Christmas story. I am involved in many multi-author groups, who each write stand-alone titles but there is some unique link that makes them a series. The Ornamental Match Maker series is fun, read while you roast the Christmas turkey kind of stories. Mrs. Claus, who unites lonely hearts with the use of an ornament is the glue that binds this series. They are considered short-reads.
I have published 8 in that series, and #9 A Polar Bear Christmas will release on November 20/20. An estranged couple, one in Nebraska and one in the Arctic, both eager to save the planet and animals who are threatened to be extinct. Lisa and Chet have a ten-year old son who will just about anything to get his parents back under the same roof, but alas, there is a woman chasing Dad which tightens his time line. Christmas is a time for miracles. Join the struggling family in the Arctic and see if first love is enough to conquer the tides of change.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is my go-to. Most of my readers congregate there. We comment and post on my fan page and often attend parties online for fun, new releases, sales, and prizes. I also have twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Instagram, but these are not where I hang out the most, just visit occasionally.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, publish, promote. Repeat. One book is not enough to retire on, but its a great start. Develop friendships with your ideal audience and authors who write in your genre. They will provide the support you need to keep going when the going gets tough. Find our where your audience hangs out and penetrate, build relationships and most of all, have fun.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing worth anything comes easy. Don’t give up. A steady pace wins the race. Don’t forget to have fun. Laughing at yourself brings healing to the soul.

What are you reading now?
Christine Sterlings, Blizzard Brides, Book #1 in a brand new series (of which I am a writer). Love that we have turned the phrase around and now the ladies are in charge and will pick their mail-order groom.
A unexpected blizzard takes out most of the men in Last Chance, Nebraska who are on a hunting trip to get the winter meat for the community. They perish and the mourning women (in some cases) need men to see their families through the winter months. The ad goes out and the men come running to find their bride.
I love this angle and am enjoy Christine’s introduction story to the series. Highly recommend it. Readers are loving the concept.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next year is booked with multi-author projects. I write in OMMS (which I already mentioned), Keepers of the Light, Georgia Peaches, Billionaires & Debutantes, Blizzard Brides, Marianne’s Mail-Order Brides, Brides of Pelican Rapids, Broad Street Boarding House, Mail-Order Mama, & Westward Home and Hearts. That’s in 2021. ( 3 MAPS that I wrote in last year have closed but the books are still available.)

I also write for my own series – The Jones Star Series – small town Aspen Glen, Montana, and the man Patrick Jones who started the clan which unfolds in the 10 book series. Loved writing these adventures in love as aristocrats and cowboys couple up for their happy ever after. I’ve written a Book 11 in 2020, which starts the next generation, so, I should squeeze a book into that series for sure. Also I have a War Time Romance Collection going – with only one book so far – Oregon Bride – but book 2 (Vermont Bride) should come out in 2021.

So it’s looking wonderfully busy and the characters in my head are lining up to take teir place in 2021.

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. Gone with the Wind. A Survivor’s Manual (lol) and my memoirs to remind me of who I am.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marlene Bierworth Website
Marlene Bierworth Amazon Profile

Marlene Bierworth’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Alexandra Peel 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a middle-aged woman (in body only!) living in a corner of the UK. I’ve transferred my inner monologue from the visual to the written word, in the vain hope someone might find it interesting. I have a few short stories, horror, published in anthologies and a couple of other self-published items. I’m not committed to any one genre and have written steampunk, children’s, sci-fi, horror, speculative fiction, literary fiction, a smidgen of comedy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Beneath the Skin is a Steampunk adventure, which began in a writing workshop run by Sam Stone at the annual Steampunk Asylum, about 6 years ago. It began as a response to write an opening scene. Everyone went for the ‘flash, bang, explosive’ opening, but all I could see was this guy, sitting alone outside a cafe in Paris, watching the girls go by. I knew instantly what he was. It was meant to be his story, but it was too ‘samey’, then along came Shakti, as his opposite.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m either thoroughly engrossed or extremely fidgety. When engrossed, I come away with my head still in my world, I have been told that I suddenly look up blank faced and stare at family members, I grind my teeth too. When fidgety, I get up and down, smoke between scenes, do chores between chapters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tim Powers’ book The Anubis Gates did it for me. The imagining of an alternative London with magic and history interwoven was enchanting. I

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the second part of Beneath the Skin, The Song of the Nightingale. Also a sci-fi novel and a fantasy adventure set in the 17th century. Plus a couple of short stories for competitions.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know. To be frank, I’m bone idle when it comes to promotion. I tweet on Twitter and posted on my own blog.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write!
That’s it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It was about reading one’s dialogue out loud to hear it and ensure it sounds natural.
John Steinbeck said it

What are you reading now?
Powers Secret Histories: a bibliography.
Alternate Routes by Tom Powers.
Poisoned Lives by Katherine Watson.
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Get part two of Beneath the Skin out. Focus on next story. Keep writing.
My head’s full. It needs emptying!

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 ask hubby and friends to recommend something I hadn’t read before.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alexandra Peel Website
Alexandra Peel Amazon Profile

Alexandra Peel’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Amanda Schwantes 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the Midwest, and I love mining the humor in the culture of the region. Three of my books have been published, and I’m gearing up to start writing my fourth.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Christmas at Cherry Bounce Inn is my latest book. It’s the third book in a series of romantic comedies set in a little historic village in Wisconsin. I was inspired to write in the romance genre during the tumult of 2020. I’m a big fan of the hopefulness of a good happily ever after.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always write in the same place and, when I’m on a roll, I can write non-stop all day. I also crack myself up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Jane Austen and get particular enjoyment from her colorful supporting cast of characters. Anne Tyler is a modern favorite for the same reason. Terry Pratchett and PG Wodehouse are British masters of humor, and I come back to them often as well.

What are you working on now?
I’m outlining the fourth Demeter Society book. All of the books follow the antics of a group of women in agriculture. I never stick to the outline, but I like to have a framework to start with before my characters take over!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m excited about trying Awesome gang because of your reputation for engaging with authors. I’ve also had great success with Freebooksy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start writing. There are endless numbers of resources to help you learn the craft, and it’s valuable to find the ones that speak to you, but the best way to learn to write is to write a lot, get honest feedback, and write some more.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be brave and bold. Writing is not for the faint of heart. Write because you love it.

What are you reading now?
Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep going with my series until there’s nothing left to write about the lovely funny inhabitants of Namur, Wisconsin. I want to see what happens to 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 Hobbit
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
The Code of the Woosters

 

Amanda Schwantes’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Jason Hein 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jason Hein, and I am a self published author of medieval fantasy. I have a total of nine books published, two of which are poetry, one that is short stories and poetry, and the others full length fantasy novels.

I live in the central US and enjoy living in the country, writing my books, drinking coffee (perhaps too much) and traveling when I get the chance. I would love to visit Ireland some day, though so far I have been unable to make that happen.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is title, The Axion, A Varsian Kingdom Adventure. It was inspired by a scene in my four book saga that sparked a new story idea while I was writing. One of the characters had died and spent some time in the afterlife. While there they were able to see a great deal of things that mortals were unaware of. New lands, new realms, new species, and entirely new planets. I realized, once I opened that possibility up, I had to explore it with a new stand alone novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
my writing habits are pretty simple, really. I like to lock myself away in a dark room with all the lights out, accompanied by total silence and a warm cup of coffee. Occasionally I switch out my coffee for a cup of tea and sometimes I’ll actually take a break to get something to eat.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien and C.S Lewis are by far the greatest influences on me. I grew up with them and loved their worlds and books. Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga is an amazing set of books as well that really inspired me.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on an all new project, yet to be announced. It’s a special one, though, as it is the first book I’ve written that is not set in my fantasy world of Varsia. This book will fall more into the Paranormal/Urban fantasy genre and I’m a bit anxious to see how it turns out since I’ve never done anything quite like that before. If it goes well, however, I’ve got several other book ideas to set in that same world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning a lot on the promotion side of writing. I’ve had decent luck with a few paid adds at places such as freebooksy and the fussy librarian, and limited success with some free options as well. The best results I’ve ever got, however, are honestly just from joining and interacting in writing or reading communities online. Mostly on Instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If I could stress one thing it would be, Just Keep Writing. I can’t count the number of books I started and never finished before I finally wrote those two magic words, “The End.” After that I started and abandoned a dozen more before finishing another one. Slowly, I progressed to where I could finish the books I started, even if they were only 80 pages long. The more I wrote the better I got, and the easier it was to finish a full length book of 300 + pages.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s easy to edit a bad page, but impossible to edit an empty page. Again, Just Keep Writing. It doesn’t even have to be good. It’s practice, and editing is what makes the writing good… not writing. (As odd as that sounds) The first draft is called a “rough” draft for a reason. It needs lots of work still.

What are you reading now?
Oddly enough, I rarely read. Every time I read I feel like I am cheating on my writing. (I know, doesn’t make any sense)

I did sit down and start a book by a fellow indie author, Faction of Time by by Tilly Tiason, but have been working so much on my latest project that I have not got very far.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have more plots and plans than I’ll probably ever be able to get around to completing. I have my urban fantasy set I’d like to write, a science-fantasy series I would love to get to that will probably be accompanied by several stand alone novels, as well as another handful of books in The Varsian Kingdom I would like to write some day.

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 Silmarillion, a Star Wars book, and some of the Narnia books by C.S Lewis.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Hein Website
Jason Hein Amazon Profile

Jason Hein’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

James Heritage 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings! I grew up in Washington State, and had the run of the whole Pacific Northwest as my playground for many years. After over twenty years of turning wrenches and managing repair shops for a living, I went to work for GM, moved to the Midwest, and spent nineteen years doing a variety of work for them including technical training, catalog development, and many IT projects as SME and Business Advisor.
I also read prolifically in numerous genres, and about fifteen years ago read one novel so horribly written that I was amazed it could ever have been published. That challenged me, as I thought even I could write a better book than that! So, I opened my word processor and began.
Since that time, I have written four fantasy novels, eight science fiction novels, one suspense novel, five thrillers, and five westerns – for a total of twenty-three completed novels. I am currently working on numbers twenty-four and twenty-five,
I have only published one science-fiction novel thus far, and I chose to self-publish. I definitely want to publish more, but publishing carries cost for professional editing and for good cover art. I am hoping to engender enough sales to provide support financing to publish more.
When I first started, I was writing for my own enjoyment as a hobby. Turns out, I loved writing and became addicted to it. So, I would finish one, have more ideas, and begin another. Years later, several of my beta-readers implored me to publish. I eventually warmed up to the idea, and published my first one on Amazon, Google, and Barnes & Noble.
Look for more, soon!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest completed novel is tentatively called “SKY WARRIOR.” It is a fantasy novel, about a small group of friends struggling to survive after a world-wide high-altitude EMP blast series completely destroys all integrated circuit based electronics and sends the Earth back nearly to the Stone Age.

Here is the teaser text for SKY WARRIOR:
Aliens, high-altitude nuclear explosion, a comet striking the atmosphere, or even God finally turning His back on human apostasy, something caused the EMP effects which took out all electronics in what is now called The Blast.
Over the last twenty-odd years, the ozone has been depleting at an ever-increasing rate, producing mutations as plant and animal life tries to adapt. Sunburn and increased exposure to radiation is the greatest enemy, even greater than Warlord Joshua, whose small army controls the area around Flagstaff, Arizona.
Kat Manklin and her small band of friends use their mutant psychic powers to escape that hell, and the man who raped, tortured, and murdered her own mother. Kat leads them to the LA area and JPL, where she hopes to contact any remaining scientists who can tell her more about the Blast, and why the Earth is dying.
Then the military springs a bit of shocking news. Kat and her friends may be the last, best hope for the survival of mankind, of all life on Earth. All they have to do is travel fifteen hundred miles to reach the scientists who have a theory of how to stop the decline of the ozone, and maybe even reverse it. They will have to battle much worse than mutant animals along the way, and the dark secret Kat carries which will haunt them, and hunt them.

This novel was inspired by two things. First, is that few such novels feature minorities and females as lead characters . . . until recently, anyway. Second, there is much concern and debate recently about the increasing heat levels of our home planet, and a very real concern about lowering survivability in the future.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None of which I am aware. I mean, I don’t habitually write while naked sitting in a tree under the moonlight or anything.
I have used careful planning with numerous detailed lists and lengthy character studies, evolving each detail and plot twist. I have also used the stream of consciousness writing style, and found it to be quite effective for me.
I research what I need to in order to sound more believe-able, and to provide acceptable levels of detail or solid basis for hypotheses. Fortunately, the Internet provides wonderful research abilities these days.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, that list is lengthy, indeed! Begin with Andre Norton and Edgar Rice Burroughs, then progress to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Ringo, and so many, many, many others.
I do not believe for one second that I am competing with any of them, as they are obviously masters of their craft. I am just a guy who loves to write, loves to tell stories, and desires to share some of my stories with others.

What are you working on now?
I currently have two novels under construction. One is a sequel to SKY WARRIOR, and the other is a new subject. I wondered what the world might look like if Texas was never annexed by the U.S. after they declared their independence from Mexico. I thought I would explore that idea as an alternate history novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet, honestly. I am actively working on the promotions thing. The trouble is, I have never honestly liked anything to do with marketing or sales or promotions. Blatant commercialism makes me gag. So, promoting my own books for sales seems to be a friction point for me and I struggle with that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
READ massively, non-stop! Write! Write! Write!
You are most definitely going to experience emotional turbulence in a big way concerning your writing efforts. Do the best you can and learn constantly. Buy several books on style, primarily the Chicago Style which seems to be currently in vogue – but don’t let that rule your life. Publishers and agents claim they will not even look at anything pitched if it is not in the current vogue style, but that is a crock. Just look at what is being published now, and you will see many styles.
Make every effort to learn and to get better at your chosen craft. Take classes and courses, and join writing sites and clubs.
DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!
Learn marketing early!
Writer sites and groups are nice, but my experience with them has been quite negative so I am not sure I can provide the best advice for those. I have read over a hundred novels for other writers as a beta reader, and provided what I considered my best to them in terms of review and advice while always trying very hard to be nice and considerate at all times. In return, I have had only eight other writers from those sites even offer to beta read my stuff, and one of those people was actually cruel in their response.
There seems to be quite a bit of competition underlying most interaction with people from those sites – in my humble opinion and experience. That said, these types of groups and activities can be very instructive and useful if approached with a bit of caution and a very thick skin.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Remain true to yourself and your own beliefs and principals.

What are you reading now?
Dean Koontz, Lee Child, Stephen King, and Jim Butcher.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know. Hopefully, struggling with new fame and fortune!

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 cannot even imagine being able to consider such a question, much less being able to answer it.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Heritage Website
James Heritage Amazon Profile

James Heritage’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Star Singletary 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I’m 22 years old and I’m from Fairmont, NC. I’ve always wanted to write Books since the 4th grade. As I got older I started getting more into movies and books. My 7th grade year I develop the love for films, thanks to the movie “SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE” I’m huge fan of Jack Nicholson. Tyler Perry inspired me to write stage plays. After watching the movie “SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE” I wrote my first romance story but didn’t finish the book until my 11th grade year. After graduating high school I wrote and directed my first stage play “LOVE OR HATE” on August, 13 2016. In 2017 I wrote and directed another play called “CHRISTMAS LOVE” which did awesome. I made sure all the proceeds went to my actors. I recently just wrote and directed my thriller film called “THE CALL” you can go on YouTube and watch it @ STAR FILM PRODUCTIONS “THE CALL” on YouTube. Writing is something I enjoy. Every character that I create is apart of the pain I feel, the happiness I feel, and the Smiles I show. I love what I do and I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift he has blessed me with.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
His Battle, Her Love and what inspired me to write was the idea of everyday life. We all fall in love and at some point we have to choose between careers or love. I wrote it because of the choices we have to make as humans. But we have to realize with every choice we make we have to make those choices with no regrets.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of my habits is staying up until 7am in the morning writing. People say “you need to sleep” I look at them and say “WRITERS DON’T SLEEP” at least not me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Zane, Stephen King, and Eric Thomas. They inspire me to keep writing and to never give up.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on part 2 to “HIS BATTLE, HER LOVE” and I’m also working on this action book called “BACK IN ACTION” which I know folks will love.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I utilize social media a lot and I call local newspaper companies to see if they could feature my book in the newspapers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Whatever you do never give up! Don’t let anyone tell you to change something in your book. Remember this “WHAT THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND OTHER FOLKS WILL” there’s tons of people out there who will try to make you think that your book isn’t good enough. THAT’S NOT TRUE YOUR BOOK IS GOOD ENOUGH, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND YOUR AUDIENCE. Remember to put God first, he’ll never lead you wrong.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is from three powerful black women. My mother, she told me to keep pushing and don’t give up, my grandmother she told me to pray and be patient, and my auntie Iola who told me where there’s a lot of no’s you’re bound to find a yes. My aunties and uncles they encouraged me as well. I love y’all.

What are you reading now?
Well, I’m actually reading a Stephen King book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get my book into the hands of readers and bookstores. I’m planning to turn my book into a web series so I’m trying to get funds 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?
1.) His Battle, Her Love- My Book

2.) Eric Thomas – Greatness Is Upon You

3.) Stephen King IT

Author Websites and Profiles
Star Singletary Amazon Profile

Star Singletary’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Robert Lloyd Russell 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My writing genre is exclusively Christian non-fiction and I have won 11 book awards. My writing mission is to help readers develop a “Living Theology and Dynamic Discipleship.”
My first four published books were published between 2008 and 2012 and were all trade paper. Beginning in late 2019 I started a program of releasing four eBooks per year. To date I have maintained that schedule with five released so far.
My released eBooks to date include three in my “Christian Concepts Series” dealing with The Church, The Christ, and The Christian. They are “GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl,” GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight,” and GOD’S CHILD: Like a Tree.” Also, a book which I edited entitled “JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages.” The first of my “Christian Growth Series” has been released entitled: “GOD’S DESIRE: How To Please God.” All of my books contain Think and Grow sections which are ideal for both small group and individual study.
My writing has been praised by a wide variety of readers – well-known theologians, Women’s Ministries leaders, full-time homemakers, and prisoners.
Short version bio: Robert Lloyd Russell holds a Master of Christian Leadership Degree from Western Seminary and is a popular Bible teacher and seminar leader. New and mature Christians of many different backgrounds and denominations have appreciated his writing.
His daily inspirational blog, Abundant Life Now, has been read in over 200 countries and in over 100 languages. His author website http://booksrlr.com/ provides a free gift when you sign up for his occasional Newsletter.
In his career as a professionally certified management consultant, Bob is acclaimed for reducing complex topics into easy-to-understand concepts, ideas, and actions. He has served over 100 manufacturing, service, government, and non-profit organizations, ranging in size from very small to Fortune 500 firms. In his professional career he has published technical and professional articles and has contributed chapters to books.
He has served on several boards including non-profit organizations.
In summary, Mr. Russell refers to himself as a simple A-B-C kind of guy. Christian Author, Christian Blogger, and Christian Consultant and Coach.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Instead of my latest book I will mention my most unusual. Rather than being the author I was the editor. Jim Elliot is a well-known Christian martyr and I have been able to transcribe six of his messages which he spoke before leaving for the mission field. They were made on old wire recordings and the available recorder did not work. It’s a long story, and many hours of love went into this project – the result has been well received.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My books take decades to develop. For example, my books on how science and Scripture align with regard to Sonlight and sunlight was initially handwritten in the late 1970s. I always have several book projects underway. One benefit is that I never experience writer’s block. When I start to slow or lose effort on one I switch to a different project.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
By far the most is The Holy Bible. I enjoy the writings of the old-timers such a Charles H. Spurgeon. Regarding the newer writers I especially appreciate the writings of Dr. Paul Brand and Phillip Keller regarding their books which use analogies to teach truth.

What are you working on now?
The first in my “Christian Growth Series” entitled “GOD’S DESIRE: How To Please God” was recently released. The next two in that series are “GOD’S LIGHT: How To Respond” and “CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong.” And there are more in process.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still trying to figure this one out. Christian non-fiction is a relatively small niche market with sensitivity to well-known authors. To date word of mouth and Facebook have been the most successful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Understand that writing the book is the easy part. Finding appropriate readers and marketing is much harder.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My own writing goal states: “I’d rather write what the Spirit guides and have no readers, than to appeal to more readers without the Spirit’s guidance.”

What are you reading now?
I always spend the majority of my time in the Bible. Additional reading varies a lot from month to month.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on keeping on. Trying to improve in both writing and sales.

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 66 books contained in the Holy Bible would be more than sufficient.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Lloyd Russell Website
Robert Lloyd Russell Amazon Profile

Robert Lloyd Russell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

E Jean Simpson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA, is the author of A & J PEI Treasures which is located on Prince Edward Island, Canada. We’ve written 6 books and I’m working on a 7th and 8th at this time. My husband is my proofreader and second photography source. A & J PEI Treasures are a husband and wife team and our companion animals. There are a number of things that drew us to the Island…one of which was the natural beauty of the area. Somewhat retiring and reclusive, we enjoy constructing things and renovating our home, upcycling, fashion upcycling, photography, writing, and a simpler lifestyle. You can join us on the following sites:
Home
https://www.facebook.com/AandJPEITreasures/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5zpCudGThZpEC92ZgHm13A?
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20155854.E_Jean_Simpson/blog
http://www.pinterest.ca/ej2466/
https://amazon.com/author/ejeansimpson_a-jpeitreasures
https://books2read.com/ap/nBkAM9/E-Jean-Simpson
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/e-jean-simpson-eab163aa-3938-4609-9afc-7a65b8b9ed21?follow=true
https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-j-s-151a2219/

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Big Kid’s Magical Path to Numbers has come about because I have noticed that most children’s books and baby books tend to use stylized pictures or drawn images. I thought, since most children want to feel older (grown up) that they might find it quite exciting to have a book just like their adult parents/family. It can also be enjoyed on a variety of levels as it has photographs of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Some of the pictures were edited to show the number required for the page, but all the pictures are of animals, insects etc. common to Prince Edward Island, Canada. It’s a beautiful Province and I have been enjoying finding different ways to share it with the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just write about things that I know, experience or see. That’s not unusual, I guess. What is unusual is that I have a low budget and that means that I need to wear more hats than your regular author. I have had to write, edit (along with some help from my Husband), set up, make the book cover and now am working on doing some of my own EPUBs. Most people have a budget. I don’t … I am on a limited budget. So, the unusual thing is that I have to take responsibility for my work from start to finish. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a fan of historical fiction. The aspect of historical fiction that inspired me is showing people a life far different from our own. This has inspired me to show people the beauty around me. I’m a fan of seeing the beauty around me. These things influence my work.

What are you working on now?
I am working on making another volume in The Big Kid’s Magical Path book to add to the series. I’m also working on a photography/poetry book. The second will be slow going as I have to write a lot more to it. Don’t expect to see it soon. It does take a lot of time to write poetry volumes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t found the perfect method yet. If anyone has suggestions, I’m open to listening. However, having $0 budget, it’s rather difficult. I’m very happy with Awesome Gang. Thanks for all you do, Awesome Gang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do what you love and love what you do. If you do that, you’ll never work a day in your life and you’ll have the work of a lifetime. The other thing you need to do is proof read or get someone to proof read your work. Remember it is a work of art and you need to treat it with respect so that you get respect. Be realistically unrealistic and expect the most you can do for your art work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself. Be all you can be. Remember that disability doesn’t mean inability. Do what ever you do with 100% of yourself. I have medical issues…and some other issues. I try not to let that stop me from being the best I can be.

What are you reading now?
Checkout: The Step-by-Step, 7C Method to Build a Dominant Ecommerce Brand by Neil Verma, Ren Moulton I have to admit it is a little further ahead than I need…but there is a lot of nice information and examples for people who want to build a larger business. I’d recommend it for a medium to large business looking to grow or to improve their impact.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep perfecting my art and grow as a writer. Maybe even become multi selling author. I have spent my life beating the odds and doing things by thinking outside the box. I’m a late bloomer. Hoping that this will be my final career and that it works out

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?
Kennilworth
Alice in Wonderland
Something by Anne Rice
Something by Christian Jacq

Author Websites and Profiles
E Jean Simpson Website
E Jean Simpson Amazon Profile

E Jean Simpson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Tenisha Collins 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an accountant turned best selling author, speaker and marriage coach. I’m extremely passionate about marriage and family so I write books, speak & coach to help build relationships. To date, I’ve written & published three books and one journal.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is entitled, Marriage 101: The Basics of Sexy. I founded a virtual Christian marriage support group and I spend a lot of time answering, what I call basic, questions regarding the inner workings of relationships. I also noticed that the things society calls sexy, in regards to relationships, doesn’t line up with godly standards. I wanted to fix that and decided to “kill two birds with one stone,” thus the birth of my latest book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think it’s unusual to be working on one project and get two other ideas and then try to do all three! Lol! I’m learning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite books are The Love Dare by the Kendrick brothers, His Needs Her Needs: Building An Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard F. Harley, JR., and You Talk Too Much: A Wife’s Guide To Becoming A Silent Warrior by Tanya DeFreitas. Some authors I frequently read are Joyce Meyer, Apostle Frederick K. C. Price and Stormie Omartian.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a companion course for my second published book, The Sex Dare: A Married Couples’ 21 Day Guide to Great Sex.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you are passionate about and will help your reader.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is therapy.

What are you reading now?
The Bible

What’s next for you as a writer?
A companion course that will help more of my readers to enjoy great sex!

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, the latest anthology by Ayanna Gallow and one of the books in The Jack Reacher series. Lol

Author Websites and Profiles
Tenisha Collins Website
Tenisha Collins Amazon Profile

Tenisha Collins’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account