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Brandon Phillips 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Every job I have had has been related to boats: from fishing boats, to drillships, to submarines. My professional background is used heavily in my writing. The first thing I remember trying to write was a choose your own adventure book in grade school, but I didn’t start writing seriously until about ten years ago when I was traveling for weeks at a time.
I have only written (self-published) one book so far. Although it is part of a planned series, and, I already have the outlines for the next two done.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first novel is called Foreign & Domestic. The main storyline is fictional, but many of the scenes are inspired by actual real-life events. It is also a story that I want to read. The kind I have been reading since I was young.
Recently I have discovered indie space operas and mil sci-fi. I only touched on them in Foreign & Domestic, but the future books will be laden much more heavily on speculative technologies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have notebooks, and notepads, and stickies all over the place, waiting to jot down any idea that comes to mind. Although, maybe that’s not that uncommon.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, man. What is my character limit here? Tom Clancy, of course. Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series; Stephen Coonts’ Charlie Dean series, David Weber’s 1632 series, Jim DeFelice, Andy Weir to name a few.

What are you working on now?
My next project will be the second novel in the Texian Armada saga. It will feature the same main characters as Foreign & Domestic, with the storyline growing along with their assets, and their capabilities.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As of this writing, it has been Facebook. I have a website, but most of that traffic seems to stem from ‘friends and ‘friends of friends.’ Although, LinkedIn has had much greater visibility from what I can only assume is the difference in algorithms. I am also on Goodreads, and would like to build a following there.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Write. Write. Write. Editing and formatting come later: much later. Plus, there are many tools available to you to greatly assist with both editing and formatting quickly, for yourself. Get your story out. Worry about production after.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That would probably have to deal with character development. Characters are flawed like the rest of us. It is all about how you deal with the shortcomings that can lead you down the path to failure or victory.

What are you reading now?
I have steered clear other techno-thrillers for a while now. So I have been almost solely invested in Terry Mixon, JR Handley, Jamie McFarlane, and Glenn Stewart.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For the time being my focus will be on the series. Although another love of mine is Westerns. And I have an idea for a sport-based LitRPG: but those would be at least a couple of years from now.
Plus, I get the writing bug from my Dad. Seeing me publish has finally given him the push to do the same, so I will be helping him with his endeavor also.

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?
David Weber and Tom Clancy. Or all the Tolkien books I have not gotten to yet. They are long, and enjoyable.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brandon Phillips Website

Brandon Phillips’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

E.A. Rice 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written:

1535 A Time Travel Novel
After The Flood
Asteroid: A Collection of Ten Stories
Elegiac

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Elegiac

The nature of alien life, should we ever discover it, is going to hold a mirror up to ourselves. What if we discover alien life but all that we see is ourselves?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I reread and reedit all the time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a big fan of popular science, literary fiction and cookery books.

What are you working on now?
Myself.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Trying to inch forward and find out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Go for it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To thine own self, be true

What are you reading now?
The Twyborn Affair by Patrick Voss

What’s next for you as a writer?
A break

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 mathematics book to work through. Einstein’s Relativity, just to try. And Shakespeare’s complete works.

 

E.A. Rice’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

John Smistad 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a multi-published author of short stories, essays, poetry and movie reviews. I live with my beautiful family in The Great American Pacific Northwest. You can read my eclectic film critiques at “The Quick Flick Critic”, https://thequickflickcritic.blogspot.com/

“Sliced Lives”, an original collection of short stories, is my first book, self-published and available on amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Sliced Lives” is inspired by people and events over the course of my life, amped up for fables of fiction. Way up. Kinna.

But mostly by my dear, late mom. My muse.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than the fact that I am unusual, no.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None really.

What are you working on now?
My second volume of short stories.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write.

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

What are you reading now?
“You Will Know Me” by Megan Abbott

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuously blogging on “The Quick Flick Critic”, https://thequickflickcritic.blogspot.com/

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.

That’s about it.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Smistad Website
John Smistad Amazon Profile

John Smistad’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Julie Michel 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Julie Michel, I am a new author who has just published the first in a series of books based on Hunny, the Golden Retriever.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hunny Finds a Family was inspired by my own pet dog who is named Hunny. My family and I adopted Hunny when she was 1 year old, she is about to turn 13 and we absolutely love her, we can’t imagine our lives without her. This is my way of honoring her and all the unconditional love she’s given. With this series Hunny will live forever and not just with us but with everyone who buys a book and gets to know her!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing process begins with me locking myself up in my office, turning on some soothing instrumental music, reviewing my notes and just getting started!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The main influence for my Hunny series came from Norman Birdwell and his series of Clifford the Big Red Dog books.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the 2nd book in the Hunny series which is titled Hunny goes to School.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My primary method of promotion for my book is my website but I have also been blessed to have my book promoted and endorsed by an actor in Hollywood.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For children’s book writers:
Write from your heart! Children are very open, they see things for what they truly are and are drawn to truth and honesty.
When sitting down to write make sure you’re in the right mindset, get out of your adult body, take yourself back to when you were a child and remember what you loved to do, the kind of stories you like to listen to and the feelings you had when you played make-belief!
Then let your fingers move, the ideas will flow and before you know it you’ll have an amazing book in front of you!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” ― Jim Carrey

What are you reading now?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I’ve finished the Hunny series I have another series of children’s books that I will be working on which will include magic and time travel!

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 Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Author Websites and Profiles
Julie Michel Website

Julie Michel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Pinterest Account

Mary Elizabeth Jackson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife, mother of three, award winning children’s author, special needs and disability advocate. I co-founded and co-host the Writers Corner Live TV Show and Special Needs TV Show on Facebook, Amazon Live, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. I am also a ghostwriter and I did the voice over for the Sports2Gether App. I am from Orlando, Florida and my first job I danced at Disney World. We could see the fireworks from our house every night. I have written about ten books and my fourth one will be released this coming September. I am passionate about writing things that inspire, help heal, and empower others. I love writing from the viewpoint of a child and being in the wonder of their world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just released my third book in my children’s series June 2, 2021 called Poohlicious Oh the Wonder of Me. My very late in life son and God were the inspiration for this series. My sons birth and my recovery were very difficult and in a healing space came the first book. It is written from the view of a child and designed to help them accept themselves however they come into this world. All three books have I AM statements in them to help children and families get started using that empowering language.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure how unusual my habits are but being a mom of three and one of my kids being young I have learned to write with pretty much a three ring circus going on. I squeeze all I can into short bits of time if that’s all I have. Sitting in a car rider line, at practices, rehearsals, games, and anywhere in between. With a busy life I have to be creative lol I always have a notebook or something to write on with me in case inspiration comes. If not I use my voice recorder on my phone. I have used that many times. Especially in the middle of the night if I am too tired to get up and write it down. But if you don’t write or record it in the moment it never comes back or sounds the same.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Being a children’s writer I have been influenced by of course authors like Dr. Seuss ( I love making up silly words and rhyming too), Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne, Judy Blume, J.K. Rowling. I love their creativity, story telling, and running wild with their imaginations. My latest favorite right now is Natalie Reeves Billings. She is very creative in her writing and loves to write in rhyme as well.

What are you working on now?
I am working on getting my middle grade reader ready for release this coming September as well as getting an adult motivational book ready. I am finishing up on a children’s educational journal and starting a screen play for television.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use all of my social media sites as well as groups I am in. I also ask my friends and supporters to share.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t wait for the perfect time to write. You will never get started. Take it from me. If you want to, then do it. You are never too old to start this career. Always write down your idea or thought right then or it never sounds the same. And if you want to be a published author go into this with a five year plan. It takes about that long to get your success going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t go into writing expecting to make money right away. This profession is a labor of love. The money will come it just might take some time. And don’t give up. Anything worth doing takes time.

What are you reading now?
On my show I get to interview lots of authors. Right now I am reading 77 Letters by Susan P. Hunter. She is a new author who wrote a true story about her mother’s journey and experience writing letters to soldiers during the Vietnam War. She is working on the play for this book. It is great!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be starting a script for a television show. Working on a line of sensory toys for children with my son and several other things. I also have the next book in my middle grade series to start.

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 my Bible, the best survival guide book there is, a comedy to keep me laughing, and a mystery just for the fun of it.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Elizabeth Jackson Website
Mary Elizabeth Jackson Amazon Profile

Mary Elizabeth Jackson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Brian Thompson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been teaching high school for 15 years, and The Nuclear Winter: A Reject High Legacy novel, is my eighth novel. The others are (in descending order) Champion Immortal (Reject High Book 4), Forgotten (Reject High Book 3), Sophomore Freak (Reject High Book 2), Reject High, The Anarchists, The Revelation Gate, and The Lost Testament. Originally, I started out in historical fiction, and then I transitioned into my current genre and first love, science fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Nuclear Winter: A Reject High Legacy novel. I felt I just was not finished with the Reject High world and so, I took a time jump (the Reject High series ends around 2016 and the Nuclear Winter starts at the end of 2029) and began writing with that in mind. WHat unusual things could have happened to these characters over 13-14 years?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I just go with the flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I take my inspiration from science fiction writers such as Octavia Butler, Philip K. Dick, and Ray Bradbury.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the last (I think!) novel in the Reject High universe which takes place after another time jump — this one is in 2068.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do my best to gravitate to what works best for that novel. For one book, I had a launch party and multiple in-person book signings. For the second, I did a virtual book tour and an interview on a local TV station. I have done a t-shirt promotion, Kirkus review…really, just anything to get my name out there and sustain staying power.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and don’t stop. If you get a hit, the first thing readers are going to want is more, and you have to have some. It’s taken me ten years, but I’ve built up a backlist, and it is invaluable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start writing by rewriting the last thing you wrote. It sounds crazy and counterproductive, but it works.

What are you reading now?
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write my current Work-In-Progress!

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 Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, The Collected Works of William Shakespeare, and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brian Thompson Website
Brian Thompson Amazon Profile

Brian Thompson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

O.E. Tearmann 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
O.E. Tearmann is a pen name for a writing duo: Olivia Wylie and E.S. Argentum. Together, we’ve written the six books of the ‘Aces High Jokers Wild’ series.
So, why are we writing under a pen name? When we decided that we were going to work together, we adopted this name. It has a special meaning for us; both Olivia and E.S. study the Irish language. In Irish, ‘tearmann’ is defined as: noun. A refuge, place of asylum, home or sanctuary. When these two authors decided to write a series centering healthy social bonds as the best way to deal with traumatic events, and giving agency to marginalized characters, it seemed only fitting to use a name that means ‘a sanctuary’.

The O. in O.E. Tearmann, Olivia Wylie (she/her), is a professional horticulturist and business owner who specializes in the restoration of neglected gardens. When the weather keeps her indoors, she enjoys researching and writing about the plant world, the future, and the complexities of being human. Her solo work is in illustrated non-fiction works of ethnobotany, intended to make the intersection of human history and plant evolution accessible to a wider audience. Born in the deep woods of upper Wisconsin, she lives in Colorado these days with a very patient husband and a rather impatient cat. Her solo works can be viewed at www.leafingoutgardening.com

As the “E” in the O.E. Tearmann writing duo, E.S. Argentum (they/them) brings to a life a cast of eccentric, loveable characters. They bring the same passion for diverse, character-driven stories seen in Aces High, Jokers Wild to their solo work. E.S Argentum’s fantasy and scifi romances center on GLBTQ+ relationships with the emotional comfort of your favorite puff piece, layered with rich, unique twists. They have short stories published in multiple anthologies under the pseudonym of Emily Singer, including Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Crossing Colfax and Ultimate Power, from Northwest press. When they’re not writing, they’re generally found playing video games, having existential crises, or napping with their cat. Their solo work can be viewed at https://argentumbooks.weebly.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our most recent book, ‘Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 5: Draw Dead’ is the newest installment in the Aces High, Jokers Wild series. A lot of things have gone into the book: the seed of it was the chance to show our world through the eyes of one of our favorite side-characters. She’s helped the other characters so much that it was definitely her turn to shine. We also used this book as our way to cope during the darkest days of Lockdown; focusing on a world with problems we could fix was really healthy for us both, and using our tangled emotions for writing fuel instead of letting them go around and around in our heads was really good for us both.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, our writing style is pretty unusual! We wrote the first drafts for all 8 books in the series in one long, two-year fun-filled creative jaunt. Now we have a routine for cleaning up these drafts. Admittedly, it usually begins with Olivia, the optimist of the team, saying ‘oh this one is almost perfect, it won’t take much work!’ And then E.S. snickers at her.
Olivia starts by going through the draft, cleaning it up where it’s needed and adding details, as well as filling in plotholes and language to made the first draft into the second. Then Nonir takes it and polishes it up into our third draft. After that, it goes out to our first round of readers, then the expert readers, followed by the sensitivity readers. Finally it goes off to Amphibian Press for its final edit and formatting.
Olivia does have a writing trick: she has two tattoos based in Irish myth. One is an otter chasing the Salmon of Knowledge. The Salmon is placed so that, when she looks down at her write arm during a moment of irritation with the writing, she finds herself looking the Salmon of Knowledge right in the eye. That always kickstarts her writing and gets her focused again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
E.S. has always adored Tamora Pierce, Neil Gaiman, and Gail Carson Levine. They share a love of Terry Pratchett’s work with Olivia, who also adores Anne Block, Charles DeLint, and was definitely influenced by watching far, far too many episodes of the TV show MASH 4077 as a child.

What are you working on now?
Currently, we work together on the Aces High, Jokers Wild series. This project began a number of years ago, as the proverbial crap was hitting the fan. So many people in 2016 were saying ‘we’re screwed’ that we started to feel hopeless, more and more isolated and powerless. So we said ‘okay, fine. Let’s posit ‘we’re screwed’. Let’s write the darkest version of America we can imagine. And then let’s write our way out of it and into a better world. This way, we prove to ourselves and others that no matter how dark it gets, we really can turn it around.’
This is how the Wildcards and their world came to be imagined.
A little bit about this series:
seven corporations run the City Grids for a profit on the land that was the United States of America. You are indentured to your Corporation the day you’re born, and your life is dictated by the hand that holds your Corporate Citizen Contract. Freedom is just a word in the news vids.
But off the Grids, there are people fighting for a change.
This series revolves around one unit in the fight to return representative democracy to America. Officially Democratic State Force Base 1407, they are known as the Wildcards. They are dreamers and fighters. They are a family. They fight for one another, and a future worth living in.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We’ve had the amazing luck to be placed with Creative Edge Publicity by our press, and they’ve introduced us to some really great people. Beyond that, we’ve had good results with StoryOrigin as a place to connect with reviewers. Our real lifesaver is Buffer; since Olivia is a landscaper by trade, she works between 12 and 14 hours a day in April, May and June. Since E.S. also has a day job, that makes it hard to keep up, so we sit down together in January and use the social-media scheduling app to plan all the years’ social media posts. It’s a lifesaver.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is this: keep a consistent schedule. It doesn’t matter what it is. Just keep it. Keep writing. And don’t compare yourself to anyone else; you’re on your path, not theirs.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

What are you reading now?
Olivia is currently bouncing between two books: Go Big: How To Fix Our World, by Ed Miliband, and While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams. She usually has a fiction and a nonfiction book going at the same time.
E.S. hasn’t been reading much lately, but they’ve been bingeing Hilda and Steven Universe.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Oh, we’ve got all kinds of things going! This fall, E.S.’s first solo novel, Heart Trick, will be coming out. Olivia will be releasing an illustrated collection of Old Irish poetry. In the spring the sixth Aces High, Jokers Wild book will come out, along with the audiobook for the fourth book. We’re excited!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Olivia would bring Tapping The Dream Tree by Charles DeLint, Welcome To Bordertown, Sherlock Holmes and Good Omens.
E.S. wouldn’t limit themselves to four. They’d stuff as many books as they could in.

Author Websites and Profiles
O.E. Tearmann Website
O.E. Tearmann Amazon Profile

O.E. Tearmann’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Clint Terry 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a pretty regular midwestern guy, sitting here thinking how much that sounds like the beginning of a terrible personal ad, instead of just an awkward self-interview.

I’ve studied a weird blend of things: theology, Eng Lit, editing, German, philosophy, Indonesian, ASD therapy, Afrikaans, magic, Russian. Y’know, the typical ones.

So with a background like that, what could one do *but* write? I’ve published off and on over the years, most of which is one Amazon. So if you’d like to feel like you’ve known me for 20 years, start at the first book and work your way through. (If you wanna skip the angsty stuff, I recommend starting with Rephrame or Kirsten Anonymous.)

Books and stories are always on the horizon, so stay in touch, you never know when something new might pop out. Or just stay in touch because I get bored sometimes.

And I love sunsets and long walks on the beach.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called “Kirsten Anonymous.” Like most things, it’s about 20% inspired by people I’ve known, 20% stories I’ve heard, and 60% things even I didn’t expect until they popped out on the page. It’s the most I’ve played with format in anything so far, though by Danielewski standards, for instance, it’s pretty tame. But, if you want a clue, follow the arrows.

I can’t promise you this, but it’s looking like K might be the beginning of some kind of series. I’m not sure exactly how (or why) yet, but there seem to be some paths I didn’t walk down that are calling my name. I can tell you it won’t be a typical “Secret of the Ooze” or “Bogus Journey” type sequel, but… it sure feels like there will be something.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so? Or are we supposed to say that we are all a little unusual. I just read a Vonnegut bio where he talks about being a “basher” and perfecting every sentence before going to the next. I’m definitely not that. I’m more the “really curious, then annoyed, then excited, then hesitant, banging out the last 50 pages at 4 am because I’m excited and forgot time exits” type.

I do like to put post-its on the wall. But that might be because I don’t have many pictures.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh gosh. All the stereotypical ones.

Kerouac, Capote, Dumas, Salinger. Vonnegut. Danielewski. Coupland. And that one Dave Eggers book, “Heartbreaking Work…” that one is pretty dang great.

Aristophanes, believe it or not.

And I know this is so elitist 1990s, but I swear I actually did like David Foster Wallace before I realized I was supposed to.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m trying to come up with some kind of mental outline of what’s going to happen next with this Kirsten chica. A trilogy of these characters? An off-shoot? A collection of three novels followed by another novel? It could really be anything.

Or maybe I’ll just do something else entirely and give these guys a rest for a minute. Hard telling.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have the slightest idea.

Oh, wait! I mean Awesome Gang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get too wound up about it. Whether you think you’re amazing or terrible, someone will agree. And someone will disagree. The best thing about writing is it’s yours. No one knows how many drafts you go through. No one knows how many pieces you’ve started at once. You get to pick what to show the world; take full advantage of that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just act like you’ve got some sense in your head and you’ll be fine.

What are you reading now?
“Adventures in Unhistory” by Avram Davidson. Yes, I judged this book by its cover. Then by its title. Then by its table of contents. And it’s awesome.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I really sincerely hope I can someday finagle some way to make this a full-time deal. Even if I’m freelancing some and writing some. I’m just ready to focus on writing in all the ways that are available to me.

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 guess that “how to build a boat” joke is pretty old by now. Let’s see…

“Infinite Jest” because it’s long and weird and fun and more accessible than like, Joyce.
“House of Leaves” because it’s also long and weird and fun.
“A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” because it’s good and there’s this pretty amazing girl I know that likes it. So she’d be bummed if she visited and I didn’t have it.

And, um….I don’t know. I exercise my right to reserve spot #4 until I’m actually on the island, then I will make a request right before they drop me off and they will have to come back. And *then* I can sneak on their boat and escape.

Who needs the “how to build a boat book” now?

Author Websites and Profiles
Clint Terry Amazon Profile

Clint Terry’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Miriam Vaughn 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve telling stories since I was 4 and printed out my first book from the family word processor (I just dated myself here) when I was 8. Since 2009, I’ve written over 35 books in various genres and have a graveyard of partially finished novels that is probably just as lengthy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Slide into You is my debut under this name and my most recent book under the editing chopping block. I have an intense love for baseball.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I typically struggle to write when things are quiet. I have three kids and have been writing professionally since they were all young enough to cling to my legs while I worked. I’m so accustomed to working in chaos that I get creeped out when it’s quiet

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gregory Maguire and William Goldman are the two who brought the biggest change to my life. They taught me how expansive and creative and limitless stories can be.

What are you working on now?
Slide into You is the first in a series! I’m working on the next book, featuring Kemper’s best friend

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a best method yet because I’m still learning

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The difference between a published and unpublished author is simply whether or not they gave up. Keep at it. Keep pushing. Keep writing. Keep reading. You’ll get there; we don’t all work at the same speed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Writing is 10% drafting and 90% editing”. Drafting is really hard for me and I have to remember, often, it’s only the smallest part instead of the largest part. It’s not the monster I sometimes build it up to be.

What are you reading now?
I’m working my way through Tana French’s Murder Squad novels and I love them more than I love my children.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a few books lined up for the baseball series that is about to launch, but my most exciting upcoming work is a quirky thriller set in a quirky town and I’m so excited about it I could scream.

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?
Wicked by Gregory Maguire, Princess Bride by William Goldman, Night Circus by Emily Morgenstern, and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Author Websites and Profiles
Miriam Vaughn Website
Miriam Vaughn Amazon Profile

Miriam Vaughn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

John Gorman 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the second of my Nebilon Series. In Quest For the Hope Box, a large blue egg is found in Archmage Harberk’s castle. When it hatches, a baby dragon pops out. The Archmage calls upon Luma to help raise it. She is sent on a special mission. Over the course of this quest, she will need to bond quickly with the mischievous dragon.
But there is trouble around the corner. The thieves who stole the egg in the first place want it back and start following Luma and her crew.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess you might call my habit of writing by hand fairly unusual. I like to mix it up. I don’t like to look at screens all day long, so I spend part of the day writing longhand. I feel that I think differently when I sit down with pen and paper. Deleting sections makes you feel like you are killing your darlings, but when you cross something out on paper you can push it to the other side of your desk and come back to it later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kurt Vonnegut, J.R.R Tolkien, Haruki Murakami, Franz Kafka

What are you working on now?
As we speak, I am wrapping up Book 3 of my Nebilon Series. This one is very dear to me. I’ve thrown a lot into it. There is some time travel and other goodies in it that I think you will enjoy. Quest For the Hope Box was quite whimsical and I think its follow up will be as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll admit that I am not the bets when it comes to promoting my work, but I believe that I had some very nice success last year with Awesome Gang so I have come back. I have also enjoyed doing guest blogs and I will be doing some more in the near future.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Don’t give up. Everything you write will not best the best, nor will it all get published, but you will improve with each story you write. Keep reading and writing. They go hand and hand. Explore new authors all the time. There is so much to learn.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make your character be brave. In other words, have him/her face the toughest scenes. You will learn a lot from them and their true character will come out when he/she is challenged.

What are you reading now?
Rick Rioran’s 2nd book for the Percy Jackson Series The Sea of Monsters

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have begun to write a middle grade series. I am very excited about it, but at the same time, I also have the idea for Book 4 of my Nebilon Series. I will be working on both simultaneously.

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?
Moby Dick, The Hobbit, Welcome to the Monkey House, The Light Fantastic

Author Websites and Profiles
John Gorman Website
John Gorman Amazon Profile

John Gorman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Santosh Chauhan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I mainly love writing poems and stories in both Hindi and English language. I have written more than 1000 poems and 120 long and short stories so far.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
No, The Divine wedding is my first book as a published work at Smashwords.com

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like writing on incest relationship very much.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Munshi Premchand and Maithilisharan Gupt are my ideal writers. The book named “Hunkar” is the best poetic work in hindi as I think.

What are you working on now?
I have completed 2 parts of “The Divine Wedding” and working on the 3rd part of it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am promoting first time to my ebook so have no experience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is not a simple job, be patient, consistent and sensitive towards the world.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Perseverance prevails.

What are you reading now?
Nothing but thinking only about the 3rd part of my story.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to become world famous and financially strong by my writings.

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?
Bhagwadgeeta and nothing else.

 

Santosh Chauhan’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

James Bat Wilkinson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written a full-length novel. I have an interview book. And I have two short books that introduce new characters which will become series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is Deep Space Seed And How To Be A Bounty Hunter. It’s two short books combined into one book.
I want to have a book series similar to John Carter.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to sit down and start writing whatever I write. At some point, I write something good.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert Bloch.

What are you working on now?
I am writing stories for Amazon Vella.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have a plan for marketing your book. Don’t figure it out as you go like I am doing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.

What are you reading now?
Riders of the Purple Sage.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to begin writing Deep Space Seed 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?
The bible. The complete Tarzan collection.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Bat Wilkinson Website

James Bat Wilkinson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

N. L. Blandford 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and am just starting out in my author journey. I have always dreamed of writing but followed the all to typical path of finding a more ‘profitable’ profession. I investigate bank fraud during the day and really started to focus on my fiction writing in the last three years. I am currently a one book author, however I have notebooks full of ideas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In May 2021, The Perilous Road to Her was published and explores the dark and dangerous world of human trafficking. The idea for Olivia and Claire’s journey came to me in 2013. To be honest, I cannot recall the inciting incident but I knew the world it involved.
I have always been drawn to the stories of trafficking victims, as they are often voices unheard. One of my goals with my writing is to bring awareness to social issues through fictional stories. I hope this book will be one of many that allows me to do so.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say one unusual habit I have is to have Celtic music, particularly from Cape Breton, on as I write. The fact it has little to no lyrics keeps me focused. The upbeat music fuels my energy, especially as I write darker stories. I find it helps keep my mental health stable as so many of my characters’ deteriorate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always wondered what it would be like to live the lives of the characters I read. From having Anne with an E’s imagination, determination and strong will as she navigated her way through a new family, friends and life at Green Gables, to time traveling with Simon Morley to watch a letter being mailed in 1882 in Jack Finney’s Time & Again. I learned about the intricacies of relationships all while wishing I could just close my eyes and wake up in another year.
Ami McKay is one author whom I will wait with anticipation for any new writing. Although not a thriller writer, the way she forms her prose is inspirational.

What are you working on now?
Without giving too much away, I am working on the next leg of Olivia’s journey. As a pantser, I am about halfway through figuring out where she will go next. However, that changes with every day so I am excited to see where she will take me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Currently, it is word of mouth. However, I am in the process of using Instagram and podcasts to help promote my work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1) The advice I like to give is, write for you and no one else. The moment you start trying to live in other people’s heads is the moment mountains of self-doubt seeps in.

2) Revisions are wonderful, not scary. This is where you can dig deep in your work and really understand the world and it’s characters.

3) Research is your best friend. Research the market of your genre, writing/marketing tips and join Facebook groups for authors and readers. Build a community around writing, not just your own work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The shoes you dream of filling have already been worn ragged through their soles. You’ve gotta step into your own kicks and just do you.” Alicia Keys

Whatever your dream, make it your own. Trying to be the next **insert famous person** could only lead to disappointment and a niche that has been filled. Make your own lane and just do you!

What are you reading now?
I am reading Bath Haus, by fellow Calgarian resident P.J. Vernon. I have only just started however it is already full of sticky notes to remind me of examples of excellent writing. Very intriguing and I cannot wait until I can take the weekend to read it cover to cover!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Outside of exploring Olivia’s story more, I think I am going to tackle the social issue of PTSD next. I also want to work on incorporating more of the sense of smell in my writing. It was unknowingly used sparingly in The Perilous Road to Her and I would like to learn more about writing with this sense.

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, Time & Again by Jack Finney, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery and The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. None of them thrillers, odd I know.

Author Websites and Profiles
N. L. Blandford Website
N. L. Blandford Amazon Profile

N. L. Blandford’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account