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Daniele Kasper 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My travels have taken me around the world and back again, but my favorite adventures will always be found between the covers of a good book. From rescuing dolphins in the Florida Keys, to getting chased by grizzly bears in Alaska, I have taken my adventures and used them as inspiration for my writing. Eventually, I married a horse trainer and settled down in central Michigan. I am now a farm girl with my husband, The Cowboy. We have four rescue dogs, a multitude of cats and chickens and a couple of cowponies. I love reading and writing fantasy and science fiction. I also love all things Outlander and Disney, can’t grow a garden to save my life and occasionally moonlights as a teacher.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cut Her Out In Little Stars is my upcoming novel. I was reading Outlander for the thousandth time and I wondered what a similar story would be like in space. The idea just took shape after that, so thanks Diana for the inspiration! At that time I was struggling finding books I really enjoyed. There is a famous Toni Morrison quote that was shared with me that if there is a book you want to read but hasn’t been published then you have to be the one to write it. I wanted a time travel story to the future, so I wrote it. I am a firm believer that you have to be interested in reading your own book if you happened upon it on the shelves one day. This book was a thirteen year labor of love. I started writing it back in college and then life got in the way. I went to grad school, moved several times and started working. Life got busy and writing got put on the back burner. About three years ago I decided it was time to finally finish it and publish it. My first attempt at publishing did not go well. I signed a contract with a publishing company that turned out to be a massive scam. Lawyers had to get involved and it almost turned me off from publishing it altogether but I found a new publisher and the rest is history. I always hear author’s talk about how their characters speak to them and that is completely true. In a way, authors hear voices in their heads. As soon as the idea came to me for this book I immediately could hear my two main characters talking to each other and the scenes developed from there.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get all my best ideas in the shower. Why? I have no idea. I am most definitely not a planner, although I usually force myself to at least complete an outline otherwise I am all over the place with my ideas. As ideas come to me I will research them extensively throughout the writing process. Cut Her Out In Little Stars required a lot of research into science because I had a lot of things to consider when worldbuilding. I wanted the science to be believable and realistic with a little bit of flair. I tried to imagine how the world would really be in a thousand years based on the reality of the world we live in today, from population breakdowns to theoretical technology. I also like having background noise as I write, so I will usually write with a movie or television show on quietly. I don’t like listening to music for some reason while I write, which I don’t understand. Music is too distracting to me but the quiet dialogue of a movie or show really helps.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Diana Gabaldon, the author of Outlander, has influenced me in a huge way because she was the inspiration for C.H.O.I.L.S. I love her character development. Her stories are so rich with characters that are so realistic and you learn so much about them that they feel like your friends. I also love C.S. Lewis. He was an amazing worldbuilder. He crafted the entire world of Narnia and as child, those books were what made me fall in love with reading and led to me start writing. I think authors need to have both pieces to be a great story teller so I try to emulate both of them to write my books.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel for C.H.O.I.L.S and also a young adult fantasy novel with a little futuristic dystopian flair. I don’t want to give too many details about either, especially the sequel. I am hoping to get the sequel published in a year or two. I don’t want that to take me another thirteen years to finish. I have a couple fans who would be very angry if I made them wait that long.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Instagram because you can connect with so many readers. I do not have the hang of Twitter yet. There is definitely a learning curve, even for a millennial. I only started using Twitter this year for the book so I am a whole decade behind the times with that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up!!! It can be so frustrating to get rejections, bad reviews or writer’s block. Just keep going. Especially with writer’s block. Write. Just write. Even if you have writer’s block about a plot point, just write around that spot or write anything and then you can always go back and edit it later. Your first draft does not have to be perfect. I changed my ending multiple times and revised major plot points several times before the final draft was complete. The biggest thing is people get stuck at a spot and stop writing. Even if you write something totally nonsensical, it is better to write and hopefully the creative juices will start flowing again instead of just giving up and walking away until inspiration strikes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you want to read. I think as an author that is brilliant advice. You have to like your own book. It should be something you would see on a shelf and want to pick up because if you wouldn’t read it, why would anyone else want to? Also, I heard this a lot from an amazing friend Robert during my dolphin rescue years, “if you’re going to be stupid, you better be tough” and that still sticks with me today.

What are you reading now?
I am finally starting Sarah Maas’s Throne of Glass series. Again, several years late on that train but I’ve been busy writing !!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my upcoming books and hopefully some amazing things will come of it. I cannot wait to see how Caine and Cara’s story is received and where it will go. Putting your brainchild book baby out into the world is a terrifying thing to do. Ultimately, I’d love to make a bestsellers list or win an award, I think that is every authors biggest dream and goal, but if I have a bunch of readers who love what I write then I will be more than content with 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?
Outlander, hands down, must be in my bag. Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind will also be in there. Those are my two all time favorite books ever. I probably would also bring the first Wheel of Time book by Robert Jordan because I have tried reading that book a half dozen times and can never get past the fifth or sixth chapter so if I am stuck on an island I will have plenty of time to finish it without any distractions.

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniele Kasper Website

Daniele Kasper’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

R.L. Cherry 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing short stories since high school, but just started writing books about 20 years ago. I wrote a weekly column on hot rods and classic cars for a newspaper, The Union in Grass Valley, CA, for 13 years, until I moved to Nevada. To date, I have published 7 books and am working on my next one. I have written one Celtic historical fiction, one general fiction cop story, and 5 mystery/detective books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest finished book is Greek Week, my third Morg Mahoney mystery. She is a female detective, inspired by tough, wise-cracking women I have known. She takes a cruise with a friend who is having a sorority reunion onboard. Having been on cruises and known “Greeks,” I drew upon those experiences in the setting and the characters.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I read the dialogue I write out loud to make sure it sounds natural.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There is a saying that writers are readers and I definitely match that description. I read Sherlock Holmes when I was in junior high and fell in love with mysteries, Dashiell Hammett is also a favorite. Hemingway also influenced me, although I am not nearly as terse. There are so many that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few.

What are you working on now?
I am working on an adaptation of a true story, a woman who was married for over 50 years to ma man who was abusive, first physically and later verbally, She overcame it and even found love with a kind and gentle man after her first husband died. She hopes other like women will read it and find a solution to their situation.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not be discouraged. Although you want others to read your work, always remember that you are writing primarily for yourself.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing.

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 William Shakespeare, the complete Sherlock Holmes, and the Holy Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
R.L. Cherry Website
R.L. Cherry Amazon Profile

R.L. Cherry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Rued Riis 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Rued Riis – a 6’8″ tall guy from Copenhagen, Denmark. I consider myself an entrepreneur and have started and grown multiple projects over the last 10 years. One of them is Tallsome.com, which is a blog for tall people. The book, I’ve written is for the readers of Tallsome and revolves around physical training. Growing up, I was extremely skinny. It was not until my older brother taught me to train right that I started to gain weight. My learnings on how to do this in a simple and efficient way is now gathered in a small e-book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s an easy-to-read e-book called “Beginner’s Bodybuilding Exercise Guide: How to Cut Through to the Basics of Bodybuilding”. It was my simplification of all the chaotic information on how to build strength. In my view, you only need a handful of good tips to get started and start growing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write when I wait, have a break or commute. It’s great to fill these small spaces with getting some sentences down as elaboration on small ideas I’ve written down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love self-development books and have been formed by books like “The Way to Love” and all the biographies on Ben Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci and Steve Jobs.

What are you working on now?
I’m scaling my course business on RuedRiis.com, where I teach animation to non-technical content creators.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Google Search is a great place to captured people’s attention, but it requires a lot of hard work to rank. Youtube is another great channel, if you like to be on camera on know how to shoot and edit.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get started. My first book wasn’t the most complex and elaborate piece of work, but it got me started and that’s the hardest part.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Done is better than Perfect.

What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading Paolo Colho’s The Alchymist.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m blogging a lot these days, so getting into the habit of consistent blogging instead of long-form 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?
How to Survive on a Desert Island.
How to Come to Piece with Yourself before The End.
The Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rued Riis Website
Rued Riis Amazon Profile

Rued Riis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Bunye Ngene 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books. The first is a non-fiction in German that deals with the self-labelling of Black people living in Germany. It covers themes such as racism and self-identification.
My second book (The Bodies That Move) is a novel tells the fictional story of a young Nigerian who embarks on a challenging journey in search for a better life in Europe.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “The Bodies That Move”. It was inspired by refugees and other migrants whom I’ve had the privilege to come in contact with over the years.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, not really. But I enjoy listening to Jazz or Bossa Nova while writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A lot.

What are you working on now?
Some short stories.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Read. Write

What are you reading now?
The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more stories and market my book “The Bodies That Move”.

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 Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Adichie
The Concubine by Elechi Amadi
Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon

Author Websites and Profiles
Bunye Ngene Amazon Profile

Bunye Ngene’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Michael Allen 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I never know where to start when it comes to talking about myself. So to brief over a few things about me, I was moved around as a child. I went to four different high schools in my high school career. I finally graduated from James Monroe in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and then went straight into the Marine Corps. Seriously, I didn’t even have a summer. I was on the yellow footprints four days after graduating.

I was honorably discharged five years later because of a few contract extensions. Then, I put myself through college. I graduated from Frostburg State University with a B.S. in English. Since then, I have written three novels and a children’s book.

“A River in the Ocean” and “The Deeper Dark” are novels that I plan on converting to screenplays. “When You Miss Me” is the children’s book for kids who are missing a parent, whether through divorce or if a parent is in the military and currently on assignment overseas. No matter what the situation is, this book can help them get through it.

“A Danger to Society” was my first published book. It’s raw with a lot of philosophy as it tells a story. But it was my first try and you have to always be proud of your achievements, no matter what they are.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Deeper Dark” came to me one night after I had spent all day working on converting a screenplay I had written into a book. As soon as my eyes went closed that night, my mind started to think up this entirely different book idea. The thoughts were so strong, I had to struggle to get back up and start writing notes. I couldn’t stop myself. The next day, I looked at those notes and thought about the book conversion I was in the middle of doing. That’s when I knew, I had to bump “The Deeper Dark” up and start working on it immediately. The story was burning in my brain and nothing was going to put it out, but to get that book written first.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about writing habits, but my life gets turned upside down. When I’m involved in a book or a screenplay, I get lost on time. My eating schedule is whenever my stomach is screaming at me. I sleep when I absolutely can’t keep my eyes open anymore. It’s a crazy time. But I love the journey.

As far as writing itself, I have a building process where I write what I know about the story. I get the details. Then, those details grow as I write each of the parts. When I feel I’m finished with the first draft, I put the book through three or four rewrites. I go through the book page by page, rewriting what needs more detail, taking notes where gaps in the story might be, this is a very critical look that I take at my book. Then, it’s ready to be edited.

At this point, I know enough about myself to let go. As writers, we often question ourselves, especially when we’re doing it all on our own and we don’t have a huge team going through the process with us. So, we can tend to stand in our own way. I’ve learned enough now about myself and my ability to write to let go at this point. I’m no longer critical of my own writing. I’m supportive of it because I know after putting it through all that, it’s ready.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” is one. “Clear and Present Danger” by Tom Clancy is another. Edgar Allan Poe’s works were very influential in my early years. They were so entertaining, I remember hoping one day that I could write like that.

What are you working on now?
Well, “The Deeper Dark” was just published. So, I’m working on promotions right now. But, 2020 has really done a number on us. It has changed the way I have to do things. I used to setup book signings and now, I’m working on an online book tour. So, the same amount of work, but trying to accomplish it differently.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is to do book signings or book readings. I have set them up at children’s wards and even at a children’s hospital where I read a few chapters to terminally ill children. Doing things like that gets the book talked about. But, that’s a challenge now because that option won’t be available again for quite some time. So, I’ll have to find out post-2020 what my new favorite method is.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t question your work. I have heard some writers talk about editing the first chapter a hundred times and even the first paragraph over and over. Get out of your own way. Of course, you have to rewrite and edit. But, get it down first. Then, rewrite and edit. Then, there comes a time to let go and let the world see it. Don’t be afraid to do that. That’s what you’ve been doing this whole time, to get to that point. Don’t be afraid to take that step.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A college professor was walking around the classroom and just dropping gold pieces of knowledge all over the place. I couldn’t write fast enough. But I loved it when he said, “I like a book to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. And I prefer them in that order.”

It sunk in with me because I looked at a few of the pieces that I had written in the past and I noticed I didn’t have those parts in the right order. I had the tendency to ramble on or go off on some tangent and it has made all the difference in the world.

What are you reading now?
To be honest, I’m reading notes from a director who wants me to write a screenplay based on her idea. I get very little time to read outside of the projects I’m working on. I should read more books and hopefully one day, I’ll get that luxury of time back.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a screenplay I wrote a few years ago that I would like to convert into a book. That will be my 2021 book project. It’s another thriller, but this one is about an internet stalker and it explores how social media can be used against the very people who are so happily enjoying it.

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 Separate Peace” by John Knowles would be one. Two would be “The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe” or is that cheating? And three would be “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky as I mentioned earlier.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Allen Website
Michael Allen Amazon Profile

Michael Allen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

A. H. Leigh 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author who started reading and writing fanfiction almost a decade ago. After many short stories and a few novel-length works, I’ve decided to start my journey into self-publishing original fiction. Game Changer is my debut novel and is actually a fanfiction reworked to be original fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Game Changer was inspired by a few other stories I had read and the want for a love story with an unexpected twist

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I either write a lot in one session or go long periods of time not putting a single word on paper.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts seeing as she is the romance novelist god of our generation. I also enjoy Stephen King and his ability to write multiple genres while having the same distinct voice.

What are you working on now?
I’m plotting a boss and employee romance novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write the damn thing and publish it, then use all those mistakes as experience for publishing your next book

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Enjoy the moment.

What are you reading now?
I actually have been listening to a lot of the Read Me Romance podcast. I like listening to audiobooks more than reading them these days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing my next novel and publishing it

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?
Stephen King’s On Writing. Anna Karenina (my favorite novel of all time), the newest Alexa Riley novella and After by Anna Todd (I still haven’t read it lol)

Author Websites and Profiles
A. H. Leigh Amazon Profile

A. H. Leigh’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile