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R.J. Goldman 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer, artist, and maker of GIFs. I’ve been writing since elementary school, but I’ve only published one book so far: NOTHING, self-published on Amazon in September 2020. When I’m not writing or working my day job, I’m probably on Instagram, where I run two official fan accounts for artists you should be listening to (@teamfeidtx & @nohemyupdates).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Nothing” was inspired by a music video. When I saw the video for “Nada” by Cazzu, Rauw Alejandro, Lyanno, and Dalex, I knew I wanted to write the story behind it: in the video, each of the four singers has an elemental power. I’ve never tried writing sci-fi before, but I almost immediately “saw” the story in my head.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to do NaNoWriMo, and my favorite technique I learned from that was to… just write. “Draft zero” of the climax of “Nothing” was basically a stream-of-consciousness, thousand-word paragraph with minimal punctuation. It’s so much easier to edit that into something readable than it is to write from scratch! My favorite phrase is “better than zero” — if you just wrote one word today, that’s one more word than you had yesterday.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read everything. A few of my works-in-progress are romances, and I’m a big fan of Jasmine Guillory, Alyssa Cole, and Talia Hibbert. I’m currently working on reading everything Chuck Palahniuk has ever written, and I used to describe my religion as “Gaimanism.” Elizabeth Acevedo is a genius. I auto-buy anything by Patrick Ness. The Dark Tower series is currently blowing my mind. My last five-star read was “The Belles” by Dhonielle Clayton.

What are you working on now?
Book two! “Nowhere” has a rich and full life in my head, but I’m currently working on getting it into a format that y’all can consume. I’m also patching a plot hole in my 2018 NaNo project and considering starting a graphic novel with an artist friend. That’s my secret, Cap: I’m always working.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
R.J. Goldman Amazon Profile

R.J. Goldman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Stephan Attia 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in the Holy Land (Haifa 1971) It is a big mystery that I became an author. I started really writing stories and poetry first when I first traveled abroad, (China 1994), thereupon in exile ever since. This is my 27th year in exile. I’ve published more than 100 books, some of which I’ve decided to unpublish later on in life. As a child I dreamed about being a top scorer in soccer, but after I broke my leg at the age of 16 my dream has been shattered. Being an author was not something I dreamed about, it happened because it was my divine call.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Parables III,
Inspired by angels

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, my I’m a capricious writer. Yet my writings serve me as a great form of therapy. Most of the times I write the inspirations I get on notes of paper. I do not always finish stories I start. I have many unfinished stories from more than two decades ago. Not all seeds bud out, I reckon. I admit it, I’m an eccentric writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was younger I’ve been influenced by Pinchas Sadeh , Edgar Allan Poe, J.D. Salinger and Stephen Vincent Benet

What are you working on now?
Parables

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been trying to promote myself through Goodreads.com in the past but it didn’t work out for me. I don’t have any website or any facebook account or any twitter or things like that. I live ascetic life in exile; like a hermit pretty much.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, life is not about getting rich and famous, life is about conveying a message. The best gift in life is giving to others. We were born to serve not to be served.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t ever flog a dead horse

What are you reading now?
Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know. I’m dreaming about being a shepherd of goats instead of being a shepherd of men. But since the divine messages are still coming daily, I must continue with my quest to help mankind.

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 Canterbury Tales
The Untold of Adam and Eve
The Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
Stephan Attia Amazon Profile

Stephan Attia’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Len Varley 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Having a lifelong love of the ocean and marine life, I was drawn to the world of marine conservation and activism in my latter years. Having made 3 trips to the infamous “Cove” in Taiji, Japan; I bore witness to, and documented the annual dolphin drive hunts.
This provided the impetus for two books – “Salt Water Tears” and “Deeper Water” as well as the fictional work “Home”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m currently awaiting publication of a comprehensive work entitled “Taiji”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Only if you count wearing silly hats and drinking copious amounts of really average coffee unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a commercial pilot, I was inspired by wartime works by authors like Paul Brickhill.
I also enjoy the historical fiction works of Len Deighton.

What are you working on now?
“Taiji – The story of the Cove and the Japan Dolphins”

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write widely and write often.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t eat yellow snow.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently involved in a number of TV and film scripts – mainly in the comedy genre.

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?
“Reach For The Sky” – Paul Brickhill
“Enemy Coast Ahead” – Guy Gibson
“Papillon” – Henri Charriere

Author Websites and Profiles
Len Varley Website
Len Varley Amazon Profile
Len Varley Author Profile on Smashwords

Len Varley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Samuel Sanders 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Author of “Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving” (2021)

So, what makes me someone to learn about the creation of ideas from?

Throughout my career, I have seen how the idea process works in all different sized companies.

I have started multiple startups both as part of a team and by myself. One of the companies I was a co-founder of was Wundershirt, which at its peak sold athletic training clothing to Olympic athletes prepping for the 2016 Olympics. During the startup growth process, I have been part of multiple incubators and have watched and observed how many startups came to be.

I also have worked for a company that was part of the INC 5000 fastest growing companies. Here I was selected to be a part of the R&D team to help work towards developing new products. Working at a fast-growing company you can see how the ideas come to be and problems are handled by members of a successful small business team.

Finally, I have worked on business development for a company part of Fortune’s Future 50 list and Fortune’s Fortune 500 list.

In my career, I have been watching and creating ideas for all levels of business from the startup phase, to the high-growth phase, and even for large companies.

This has allowed me to have a unique perspective on the idea process and allowed me to look at the whole idea of creativity, problem-solving, ideation and innovativeness from an angle that most people have not seen.

While most of the time I am at work when I am not working though you probably can find me at an amusement park, playing board games or drinking coffee from a local coffee shop.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving

Your Next Big Idea tackles the question, “How do entrepreneurs, inventors, and creatives come up with “big ideas?””

When we teach about entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, we look at the successes. We talk about the “startup unicorns” or companies like Amazon, Apple, or Google. This does us a disservice because we don’t talk about the garage where the business was formed, the backyard where the idea came to be, or how the innovation process works. We don’t bridge the connection to help people understand how those businesses and inventions were created; we don’t teach them how to find their own “big ideas.”

After realizing this I began to write Your Next Big Idea to bridge that education gap.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As an author, I wanted to create a work that resonated with the most amount of people. When crafting Your Next Big Idea, there were two specific challenges I was trying to overcome.

1) Everyone learns in different ways. How do I craft a book that can hit as many learning styles as possible to allow readers to learn in a way that is suitable for them?
2) How do I write something so people with all different levels of experience can come in, read the book, and feel like they gained new skills or refined their skills while leaving as many people as possible satisfied?

When I was brainstorming and outlining the book, I came to the realization that I needed to change my communication entirely. I decided to include 54 “exercises.” These exercises are meant to reinforce what you are reading in the text. For some people, the stories or information may be enough, but for others, having the option to learn by doing will help them understand and reinforce the information at an even higher level. Becoming more creative, a better problem-solver, better at ideation and more innovative are such critical skills. I did not want to shortchange the reader to leave them unfulfilled. That is why I concluded that it was essential I provide unique and innovative ways to learn within the book itself, so those with different learning styles can get the most out of it.

The second challenge required me to look at both how I structured the book and the examples I provided. In the book, I offered an area after the first section, where you can stop. Depending on how confident you felt in the information, I suggested two different chapters to read next. After putting myself in the mind of the reader, I decided this was necessary. Section 2 is significantly more challenging to grasp, and depending on your grasp of Section 1, it might make sense to move to a different chapter next to reinforce some of the information.

Later, in Section 4, the book is split into two sections. Each section caters to two different types of readers. The first is for the heavy business reader looking at how to come up with a business idea, and the second is catered to the casual reader who is just looking to come up with new ideas for their everyday life. This isn’t necessarily a one or the other situation. Both sections may apply to the same reader, but mixing the two sets of information would be confusing, so it was necessary to separate them. Also, in the book’s text, I tell people to skip a section if they don’t think it applies to them. My goal is to give the reader the best user experience, and I write with them in mind. I know many writers are attached to everything they create, but what is more important to me is that the reader gets the most out of the book that they can.

Additionally, I was meticulous about what kind of examples I provided. For each example I provided, I asked myself, “how would the different types of readers interpret this?” It was imperative that I provided a balance of examples that would cater to different people. Sometimes that meant twisting examples together, like using business exercises with a non-business twist or taking more free-flowing creativity exercises and giving them a business twist. The balance of examples was really important. When I was using each example, I wanted to make sure that it both built on the information provided, and that it would provide the most value to the most amount of people.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I take inspiration from business authors like Seth Godin, Adam Grant, and Eric Reiss as well as creativity authors like Austin Kleon and Keri Smith! I basically combine those two styles in creating Your Next Big Idea.

What are you working on now?
To be completely honest, marketing. As a self-published author, you are both a writer and a marketer, so anytime I have a new release I need to spend time getting it out there and spreading the word as best as I can.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting books the strategy I have found the most successful is to build credibility through reviews. Especially for new authors. If you don’t have a following the media will look at what other people say about your book. Reviews can be professional companies like Kirkus, BlueInk, or IndieReader, or can be from other better-known authors and celebrities (or specialists in what you write about). Then on top of that, it also is important to get reader reviews as well. Many people (and also the algorithms), will look for reader reviews to decide whether to purchase a book. Therefore driving reviews of both professionals and readers will help you build the credibility you need to move books and get featured in the media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It really depends on how far in the process you are. If you are in the marketing phase see above, if you are in the writing phase I would say give yourself a little time to write each week. It can be a couple of hours on weekends or 30 minutes on weekdays, just make sure you keep pushing your work forward. Finishing the first draft, even if it is not perfect is one of the hardest parts of publishing a book. Once you are in the editing process I would say to remember that nothing is perfect, there are bound to be one or two small errors in every book, and that is ok. Don’t let it paralyze you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I really love this quote from civil rights activist, poet, memoirist, Maya Angelou, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a bit of nonfiction on book marketing currently for work-related aspects. However, for fun, I am reading some books on board game design (I am a big board game fan), and on lucid dreaming. Both topics I find interesting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think it is to really further develop my marketing skills, as a self-published writer you could write a fantastic book, but if you don’t have great marketing skills it will be hard for people to see it.

Then once, I feel I have done that I probably will go back to 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?
Wreck this Journal – Keri Smith
The Happiness Hypothesis – Jonathan Haidt
Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin

Author Websites and Profiles
Samuel Sanders Website
Samuel Sanders Amazon Profile

Samuel Sanders’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Langley Gray 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello!
After ghostwriting dozens of books for other people/publishers, I finally decided to try it for myself!

So far, I’ve written a holiday novella, and four books to complete my first series: The Socialites.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Say Everything” is the last book of the series. It’s inspired by the cult-classic “Say Anything” – a rom-com from the ’80s.

Though the cover and some references in the book pay homage to the film, you’ll appreciate the inside jokes without having seen it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Just a lot of daydreaming and procrastinating!

I also like to smell things while I write for inspiration. Strange? Most likely. Some like visual inspiration, I like #aromaticinspo.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors who originally hooked me on books were Robert Munsch and Gordan Korman. Both Canadian heroes!

What are you working on now?
I’m writing a book centered around – you guessed it – smells. It’s the first in a cozy-romantic-mystery series. The characters are so fun they have me rushing back to my desk every day!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotional websites like this one have provided great exposure for me. I also love my loyal mailing list recipients and Instagram!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and enjoy the process!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Any advice I receive about not comparing myself to others!

What are you reading now?
The People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, I keep getting the honor of writing to provide entertainment and an escape!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d probably choose all of the impossibly long classics I have yet to make it through: Anna Karenina, War and Peace, Ulysses.

Author Websites and Profiles
Langley Gray Website
Langley Gray Amazon Profile

Langley Gray’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Rachel Griffin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a up and coming author who’s released my first book. I’ve written poetry since I was in middle school, but writing an actual book was something I had given up on until a year and a half ago. That was when I began taking story writing a lot more seriously. I’m currently working on a poetry book that I hope to release either the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength is my first and latest book. I was inspired to write it because of my husband and also I had an idea that I wanted to write something that was entertaining, appropriate for most age groups and also have a valuable lesson by the end f the story. I like stories that grab my attention but also allow me to gain knowledge in some form. This was my way of doing so myself.

The message is that, in order to protect yourself, your people and your home, you have to be brave enough to stand up to the foe. Not just brave, but be wise enough to come up with a plan and have the means to carry it out. Also, never harm someone who’s innocent. You’ll feel like you’re winning, but Karma hits twice as hard.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ll begin writing multiple poems at once. Then I’ll complete them in the order I began writing or complete them in random order. I get multiple ideas at once and don’t want to lose any of them. Novels are a little different. For each novel, I’ll figure out what the title and storyline are going to be. Then I’ll begin coming up with character names, personalities and roles in the story. Afterwards, I’ll pick one story ad focus on that until complete and published. The I’ll slowly begin the next project.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Maya Angelou inspired me to write poetry. That inspiration to write poems soon turned into multiple notebooks full of them. Once I grew up, I felt that it would be an awesome idea if I attempted to compile some of them and publish. I just put that on the backburner to put majority of my focus on Photography.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a poetry book. It’s going to be the first in a trilogy. It’ll be titled Traumas Behind: Heartbreak. All of the poems included will be about some of the traumas I’ve faced during and after some horrible relationships: boyfriends, family, friends, etc. Until I met my husband and certain others in my group, I’ve never really talked about any of those things or shared these poems with anyone. As the last step in healing from this, I’ve chosen to stop holding onto to those negative thoughts/emotions and share my talent with those who love to read.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote them on all my social media platforms, on social media groups and in person. I also have a website that showcases everything I’ve written, links to where they can be purchased and more. I mostly promote in person, but social media helps out a huge deal because I can reach people who aren’t close enough for me to travel to regularly.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are how we acquire knowledge. No one is born knowing how to do everything. Therefore, never be afraid to attempt something new, ask questions, make mistakes or be a student. Just never be afraid and tell yourself you can’t do anything. That was ne of many mistakes I learned from along with the many questions I’ve had. A lot of trial, error, mistakes and fixes, but it’s all worth it when you’re finished and doing so much better than you lied to yourself about. Your story will never be heard or read if you keep it for yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’ll never accomplish anything if you let fear dictate your life. You’re brave, tough and intelligent, so be that and more. Because people will have opinions regardless.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently rereading a lot of my old poems. I’m also rereading one of my favorite books: The Secret Life of Bees.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next step is to get a cover made for my next book, do some editing over the next few moths (at least) and have it out by this upcoming Winter or Spring.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Survival/camping book, book on foods to eat/avoid in that area and a book on how to get back home. I’ll never allow myself to be stuck somewhere.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Griffin Website

Rachel Griffin’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Q Rigal 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in South America, Venezuela. Since a child, I feel like having somebody available teaching me whatever I want to know; obeying this “invisible advisor” self-learning, discipline, and responsibilities have been easy skills in my life. I worked in Venezuela in many places, but I had the feeling that I would live in another land. In December 2000, after a tragic flood in Vargas State where I lived with my family and suffered devastation, I decided to come to the United States. I passed through many challenges, but I became a legal USA Permanent Resident, and after five arriving in the US, I became USA Citizen. I was living and working as a slave, being unconsciously part of the Matrix. However, all the time, That Great Presence that I call Y’Shua (Jesus) has been with me telling me everything that I must do. When I started to disobey that Inner Voice in all the ways, my life became chaotic at the point that in 2006, I started working in a Real Estate company where I was falsely indicted and accused of a crime I didn’t commit. I paid more than 8 1/2 long years in a Federal Prison, and the initially proposed sentence was 30 years because I took the case to trial. I started my self-studies of the human race, the minds, behaviors, vibrations, frequencies, and the law of attraction. Also, I studied federal, international, and commercial regulations and English as a second language. All studies learn by myself with The Creator’s Help. I thanks The Creator for The Power of The Vibrations because I could transcend the Matrix and got sentence reduction miraculously and, after that, an “unexpected” release. This is enough information about me; now, let’s focus on you because now the most crucial person is you. I am doing what the Creator is telling me to do; share the techniques and wisdom with you. Here I am to serve you and help you make this journey called life the best experience ever.
I have one book written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
VIBRATIONS: Transcending The Matrix, I was inspired by my personal experience getting freedom and the pandemic global situation.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Translate everything into Spanish to verify that I wrote everything as I want.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible and The Zohar.

What are you working on now?
My second book, it’s an amazing project that I will finish soon.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be unique and write as come to the mind.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be Still!

What are you reading now?
Nothing, I am writing focus in my second book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my second book and start the third 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?
The Bible, Neville Goddard, The Zohar, and my book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Q Rigal Website
Q Rigal Amazon Profile

Q Rigal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Pinterest Account

Swit La Pound 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a fairly new author who started writing in February 2020 and have five published books available and two more ongoing. I am passionate about Women and Children’s issues, especially around rape and abuse, being a victim and survivor myself. My first two FLOWER IN FLAMES:It’s a men’s world#1, and, EMOTIONS, DIARY OF A VICTIM: It’s a men’s world #2, focus solely on the struggles faced by women especially in partriachal societies, exhibiting mainly, the mental and behavioral changes resultant, utilising personal encounters as well as those of others, to elaborate and bring clarity.
I do write other genres from time to time too. My third is WHAT IFAbsurd Short Stories is a short stories collection which celebrates my African heritage through tales, myths and superstious beliefs.
After that, comes RUGGED RICHES, My love, My Billionaire- a romance fiction with a different storyline, studded with murder, Jealousy, hidden secrets and more. The last of my available books is a unique, no genre piece that is currently ongoing on Booknet (published chapters available for free reads), RANDOMNESS OVERLOAD. It has poetry, entries, poetry, thoughts….. All the creativity and all the chaos as it brews in the authors head.
I am currently working on another soon to be available , I AM SHE. Another one that focuses in women’s issues, as well as a children’s book, co-author Ed by my 7year old DAUGHTER-FLILLY’S ADVENTURES that follows my daughter’s unicorn on an educational, yet fun read for kids.
In the pipeline is also a poetry compilation, yet to be STARTED-STACKED CARDS.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I AM SHE.
This piece was inspired by theoppressions and abuse of Women since generations past, and the need for a change, a voice for the weak and down trodden.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ii have been told my writing is unconventional, yet artistic, poetic and deep with emotion. I write as if talking to the reader directly, it is, after all, the actual words and yearnings of my heart. The emotion flows.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always found Buchi Emecheta, Stephen King and Tsitsi Dangarembga quite intruiging.

What are you working on now?
Three projects
1.I AM SHE (women’s Fiction)
2 RANDOMNESS OVERLOAD(no genre/mixed)
3.FLILLY’S ADVENTURES (children’s book)
4.STACKED Card (poetry)

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No matter what, write the story in you, not for anyone, but for you. Let not your light be dimmed, it’s your way of expression, let if fly!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are strong for facing all this and standing and still manage to write such powerful stories… Do not ever stop.. Your voice is not only for you, but for all those abused who have been rendered voiceless.

What are you reading now?
Josephine Wrightson’s JUDGEMENT’S DESTINY

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more and hoping to make a difference

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
One of Josephine’s Wrightson’s books(I love them all)
And a notepad to do some writing(Island seems serene and perfect for writing)

Author Websites and Profiles
Swit La Pound Website
Swit La Pound Amazon Profile

Swit La Pound’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Dr. Stuart Knott 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Stuart Knott, I am a PhD graduate from the United Kingdom. I grew up watching action, horror, and science-fiction movies and playing too many videogames and I have always had a love of writing.

So far, I have written six short stories (which have been collected into one volume) and a full-length novel. Like a lot of my stories and books, I worked on these over a period of about eighteen years while I was busy studying.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is called “Nightshade: The Inception”. It’s something of a coming-of-age story about a troubled teenage boy who, after suffering a break-up, lashes out and end sup adopting a vigilante person in his increasingly-violent home town.

Like a lot of my stories, this is largely based on my time as a troubled, angst-ridden teenager as well as pulling from influences of the media (movies and comic books, mostly) that I have absorbed over my life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing massively unusual. I sometimes jot down story ideas (especially from nightmares or dreams) in a notebook in my bedside cabinet, as well as in a comprehensive Word document. Consistency and continuity are a major emphasis for me so I have put together an Excel document listing all of my characters, locations, and stories so I can map out their relationships and progress.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Primarily Stephen King; I am a big King fan and enjoy his blending of the normal and mundane with the fantastical and horrific. I’ve also been influenced by the likes of Bret Easton Ellis and Douglas Adams, especially the way they combine humour (often dark humour) and portray characters through dialogue.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a novella based more around horror and featuring some younger characters uncovering an age-old conspiracy in their quiet home town.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do a lot of promotion through Twitter, mainly, using writer’s lifts and such, but I am also quite active on Instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Mainly just stay focused. Even if you hit a wall or have a bad day, it’s better to write something than nothing as you could potentially salvage something that you’re not proud of. Don’t let the blank sheet intimidate you; just be productive and work towards your goal. Also, be prepared to network and plug your work as hard as possible.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve had a lot of advice over the years but it mainly boils down to staying on track and making the best use of your time. You have to give yourself a break because writing can be hard; if you’re not feeling it, take a break but always try to write something down, even if it’s a character synopsis or ideas for a future chapter or book.

What are you reading now?
I just started reading “Insomnia” by Stephen King, which is one of my favourites of his.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of other potential ideas for short stories at the back of my mind and even some longer books that I might develop depending on feedback from this 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?
It by Stephen King
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers by Grant Naylor

Author Websites and Profiles
Dr. Stuart Knott Website
Dr. Stuart Knott Amazon Profile

Dr. Stuart Knott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Colleen K. Buchanan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Colleen K. Buchanan, but I go by Lee. I recently published my Memoir “Don’t Forget To Remember…” detailing my experiences of being a black baby adopted into an all-white family and all-white environment, as well as other traumatic events throughout my life.

Recently, Dr. Bruce Perry, MD, PhD, and Oprah Winfrey published their book “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, And Healing”.

It wasn’t until I was 48 years old that I found the courage and strength to stop living a life of lies and unhappiness. I decided to understand why I didn’t love myself, but more importantly, why I’d never been shown unconditional love. I went on an incredible journey of self-discovery and realized I am perfect, whole and complete. I am enough.
It’s an extremely challenging and difficult process to be with all of your Self, but whatever happened to you, doesn’t mean you’re unloveable. The love you seek, is within you and you alone.

I hope you can find the strength within you to be heard too. It’s never too late to fall in love with the incredible, powerful, beautiful person that you truly are!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
This is my first book and it’s called “Don’t Forget To Remember…”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write everything down that I’m thinking and feeling at the time. Once it’s on the page, I go back over what’s written and work on rephrasing etc. It’s quite time-consuming, but seems to work for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Deepak Chopra, Ekhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Michael Singer, Oprah Winfrey, Brene Brown.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my second memoir called “Remembering…How to Create”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is all new to me as I was never one for social media. I’m currently on Linkedin, Facebook and Goodreads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author and am learning as I go. All I can say is, never give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
By writing about my experiences and traumas, I can heal myself and help others on their journey.

What are you reading now?
The Institute by Stephen King

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing my second memoir, as well as promoting my first.

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. The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
2. Power, Freedom and Grace by Deepak Chopra
3. The Searcher by Tana French
4. The Complete Farside by Gary Larson

Author Websites and Profiles
Colleen K. Buchanan Amazon Profile

Colleen K. Buchanan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Amy Oliveira 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey there! I’m Amy, a Brazilian born and Irish-based full-time author of feminist romance.
I have five books out and one for pre-order! My motto is simple; I write what I’d like to read.
And that’s strong female leads, diverse characters and kind, wonderful heros.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote Letters from Clara when I was just nineteen. I printed the manuscript and carried with me for eleven years. Finally, I decided to re-read, change it, and it’s ready to see the light of day.
I could say many things about the plot itself, but I’m mostly proud about the way my characters got to mature as I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I pick a new notebook each time I start plotting! And I may or may not have the habit of sticking post-its to the wall when I have a breakthrough. I’m sure it adds personality to the house…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always loved to read, but it was when I got obsessed about The Princess Diaries, I knew I wanted to write romance. And of course, Marian Keyes, Rachel’s Holiday changed my life.

What are you working on now?
Right now on a Summer Novella due to release in June! Am I late or what?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely Instagram. And I’ve been around, but still that’s the platform I invest the most.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is work and sacrifice. If you know in your heart that’s what you want to do, go for it.
You got to read and write every single day. Understand it comes first, because your dreams come first.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Remember when you wanted everything you have now.”
It’s a long and not linear road, it’s easy to feel sad when things aren’t going as fast as you wish. I keep that one framed in my office.

What are you reading now?
Reading Everything Girl by Emil Mayer
Listening to Keeping Up Appearances by Elizabeth Stevens.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m looking forward to finishing my small-town series (one book to go!) and I’m starting on a very exciting project for next semester!

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?
My comfort reads for sure:
Wait for It by Mariana Zapata
Ball Peen Hammer by Lauren Rowe
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Oliveira Website
Amy Oliveira Amazon Profile
Amy Oliveira Author Profile on Smashwords

Amy Oliveira’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Rod Butler 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a self employed Karate instructor based in Essex, England. I have always written songs and had some of them released. I have written just two books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘War Baby’ is my biography, just published on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback forms. I was inspired to write as I had so many tales to tell, usually after a few glasses of wine. On one occasion ten years ago, my Sister suggested I have enough stories to write a book, and so that’s how the book started. Ten years later after so many edits, rewrites and re-designs, it is finally finished and let loose onto the World

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Inspiration often comes at night before or even during sleeping; another sentence, paragraph or even chapter, will leap forward and I will have to get paper and pencil to record the moment.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like all of the Dan Brown Books. I also enjoyed the early Joanne Harris adult books. Very inspirational were the Elena Ferrante series, fabulous. I like female writers and biographies of musicians and entertainers.

What are you working on now?
After finishing and publishing War Baby it’s time for a break from writing. When self publishing it’s not just the writing, it’s the layout and making sure that the correct text goes with the appropriate picture. That is the most difficult part for me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I honestly don’t know. I have little experience of promotion. I put some stills onto Facebook, Instagram and Twitter etc, but not sure that this kind of promotion works.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy writing and write as much as you can. You can always throw out or edit later what you don’t like, but sometimes those throwaway lines actually work when you re-read a couple of days later

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’ll never publish a book! Give me a challenge and I’ll take it.

What are you reading now?
William Boyd – ‘Waiting for the Sunrise’. He’s a wonderful author.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will write about the many years and experiences I have had in the world of Karate and maybe try to find a publisher so that I don’t have to do 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?
Elena Ferrante – ‘My Brilliant Friend’.
Frank Skinner – ‘My Autobiography’
Joanne Harris – ‘Chocolat’

Author Websites and Profiles
Rod Butler Amazon Profile

Rod Butler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Peter Topside 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an accomplished chef and baker, movie fanatic, a proud father and husband, and a Clinical Exercise Physiologist by trade. My books are the culmination of my own personal, life-changing journey of triumphing over the PTSD of my traumatic upbringing. I hope to inspire readers to bravely fight their own battles with anxiety and depression.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have always had a passion for writing and publishing my stories has been a lifelong goal. I spent my entire life being a fan of horror, and through my own personal experiences, developed characters and a story that were a really unique blend.

Preternatural Evolution is the exciting sequel to the original sleeper hit—Preternatural!
It’s been fifteen years since the vampire Blackheart was defeated, leaving Meadowsville desolate and broken.
Alexandra has returned to take over her father’s church but is struggling to find her true purpose. Torn by her shaky loyalty to Christian Reed—the unstable town antihero who vanquished Blackheart years ago—and increasing efforts at seduction and manipulation from Blackheart himself, she is forced to face all her deepest traumas and insecurities.
As the town’s only hope, Alexandra must gather her strength and transcend her terror in order to battle these adversitiesor risk losing the very soul of Meadowsville.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I develop a playlist of songs that help embody the characters and overall feel to the story. I listen to it when I have cases of writer’s block or just need to think and develop the story further.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really feel that HG Well’s works like The Invisible Man and The Island of Dr Moreau mirror my style of writing. I always Stephen King’s content and depth, too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Connect with your fellow authors and develop a solid network of resources. Goodreads is a gold mine of free resources and has so many talented people that you can find on there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up on your dreams! It took me 25 years to publish my first book and it was well worth the effort and time!

What are you reading now?
I’m between books right now, but may start Mouse Trap by Carlton Mellick. His books are just scary, insane and fun!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to complete my work on the Preternatural trilogy (The third and final book due out in Spring of 2022) and then reevaluate what I want to do next as an author. I may take a break or even retire from writing, but if there enough of a demand for it, I will proceed with more 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?
IT by Stephen King, Ring Shout by P Djeli Clark, and The HG Wells Collection.

Author Websites and Profiles
Peter Topside Website
Peter Topside Amazon Profile

Peter Topside’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

priscilla boafo 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Ghana, West Africa, and currently, I live in the U.S with her family. I grew up in a very large family full of creatives and began writing poems in six grade. I’m the author of Aquila the Eagle; Aquila learns to fly, Aquila the Eagle, To Ghana We Go!, and Be Best Club. I also have numerous short stories and novels in the works be published.

I’m a child of God, a wife, a homeschooling mother of three, and a homemaker. I graduated with honors from Liberty University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2020 and my desire is to write content for and about children that’s educational and also teaches important lessons and values.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Be Best Club

It was inspired by Melania Trump’s Be Best initiative.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Enid Blyton
Judy Blume
Ama Ata Aidoo
Karen Kingsbury
Jocko Willink
Ann M. Martin
Bible

What are you working on now?
An African short stories collection

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, you never know which of your works will be the ‘it’ factor.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write everyday, even if it’s just a few minutes.

What are you reading now?
David Diga Hernandez’s Carriers of the Glory: Becoming a Friend of the Holy Spirit

What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing even more children;s 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?
Bible
Bible
Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
priscilla boafo Website
priscilla boafo Amazon Profile