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Megan Speece 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an avid reader. I spent a lot of time alone as a kid, because I was the youngest in the family by about a decade. My play dates were with book characters. I loved it when I would finish my work in a class and my teachers would let me read while everyone else was still working. The love for reading translated into a love for writing, though it wasn’t something I seriously considered until this year. I wrote fanfiction when I was younger. I think I had formed really strong attachments with these fictional worlds and characters, so I just spent a ton of time imagining myself with those people. And that turned into writing about being with those characters and in those worlds.

I don’t read as much as I used to. I think that’s part of being an adult with more responsibilities. I still love to read, and I’ll go through phases where I’ll say no to going to do something in favor of staying home to read. But I have a really tight circle of friends who I do everything with. So I’m often on the go. My husband and I lead a group of medieval reenactors. That eats up a lot of time, but it’s so worth it. And really, it’s just another way of getting lost in a different world for me. I guess that’s the big theme of who I am and the things I do, I’m always looking for a way to escape into a more enjoyable reality.

I’ve written one very short and sweet non-fiction book about finding joy, and I’ve written one novel. I can’t tell you how many carcasses of started and abandoned books are living in my computer, though.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called Tranquil Heights. Honestly, I’m not even really sure what inspired it. I was working on something pretty boring, with music playing in the background, and suddenly I had this idea. I can only assume that something in the music triggered it, but I’m not even sure what song was playing. I just had this idea, this story, unfurling in my head and I knew I had to do something about it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yeah, I do what I think of as “pre-writing”. It’s where, while I’m supposed to be doing something else, I’m writing in my head. No pad or paper, or keyboard. Just kind of a jumble of words clanging around in my brain. By the time I sit down at my desk to actually type it out, it’s pretty well cemented.

I’ve done this for as long as I can remember, with any style of writing. I’d think about academic papers in my sleep, on my commute, during a walk from one side of campus to the other and by the time I was ready to actually write it, I pretty much had it complete.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Simone St. James has had a profound influence. I think The Broken Girls was the first book I read with the dual timelines, and I loved it. Plus she’s got a real knack for kind of spooky suspense that I try really hard to emulate. When I read, I want to be guessing, I want to be turning to the next page at 2am because I have to know what’s going to happen. She does that for me, and it’s something I hope I’m doing.

What are you working on now?
Now, I’m working on a sequel to Tranquil Heights. It’s called Damned Souls, and it features some characters from Tranquil Heights. It’ll be another spooky suspense, and I think the stakes will be a little higher with Damned Souls, not that the stakes were particularly low with Tranquil Heights. I’m really looking forward to exploring more of what, in my universe, makes ghosts stick around.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have an author website, and that’s probably the easiest way to access everything you need to know at once. It’s: https://www.meganspeecewrites.com/. But honestly, I think what got me the most traction when I first started writing was TikTok, where I’m @meganspeecewrites. I found a really great community of fellow indie authors and readers who are really supportive of indies. Plus, the content is kind of fun, if the algorithm is a bit confusing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oh yeah. Ignore that little voice in your head that says “I can’t.” Flip it and respond to it “Can’t I?”. This is a philosophy I try really hard to live by: “Can’t I?”

I’m a highly competitive person, so when someone tells me I can’t do something, I tend to do it out of pure spite just to prove them wrong. It’s not always the same with myself, though. I’m really hard on myself. We’re all our own worst critics right? So when I find myself telling me that I can’t do something, I try to back away and say “But, can’t I, though?” It’s way easier said than done, but if you make this a ritual, it does help.

Also, get a support system in place early on. Whether that’s a fellow author as a cheerleader/critique partner, or your best friend, or your partner. That support system is super important. Tranquil Heights stalled more than once until I could have a rousing conversation with my husband and he’d help clear out my mental cobwebs. He also says “The only thing Megan can’t do is what she tells herself she can’t.” So yeah, having a person who believes in you 100%, backs you up, and picks you up when you’re down is imperative. Not just to your success as an author, but your success as a human.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For an author: leave yourself room to surprise yourself. I learned the hard way that I’m a plotter. I tried really hard to pants some work (those carcasses in my computer), but if I didn’t plan out, at minimum, the major plot points, I’d get lost somewhere around chapter 7, have no idea what I was doing, and throw the whole thing out. But even though I’m a pretty hardcore plotter, I have to keep my mind open to changes. As you write, new themes show up, new character traits work their way to the surface, you have to give yourself the room to follow those things. It makes your work more organic.

For general life: just do the thing. I’m a chronic worrier and over-thinker. I plan vacations over a year in advance. I make lists and itineraries. All of this leads to a lot of analysis paralysis on my end. My husband has a saying: “that’s a future me problem”. It allows him to live a little more in the moment and just jump up and do the thing. I’ve spent a lot of the past few years learning to let go of my intense need to plan, and just take the leap. Obviously, this is advice to take within reason. Actions have consequences, and we shouldn’t forget that. But when we’re talking about doing something fun, or enjoyable, if even a little bit risky, sometimes we should just do it.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar. I picked it up in the “horror” section of a bookstore, and it’s a pretty interesting premise. It marries true crime and horror fiction, and that certainly scratches the itch for a generation that loves serial killer documentaries and true-crime podcasts. I’ve loved horror since I was probably about five years old, so I’m looking forward to delving into this metafiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep going. I pick up and abandon hobbies with a disturbing quickness. I’m trying really hard not to let being an author become one of those abandoned hobbies. I’m working on my sequel, I have plans and a semi-plotted idea for the third in the trilogy. I’ve got a pretty epic horror fantasy idea on the back burner for when the Tranquil Heights universe comes to a close. I’m just going to keep putting one foot in front of the other, one letter after another, and hope that other people love reading my stuff as much as I love writing 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?
This might be the hardest question ever.

The Harry Potter series had a tremendous impact on my life, and a lot of who I am as an adult is based on things I learned through the lens of Harry and friends. My favorite of those books is Order of the Phoenix, so I’ll pick that.

Next comes, IT by Stephen King. I was obsessed with the Tim Curry version of the movie when I was a kid. I was super small and had no business watching it, and I blame it for my general unease around clowns to this day. But it’s also probably one of the most profound and beautiful stories I’ve ever read.

And last comes House of Leaves. That book changed me. It sounds corny, but it seriously is a reality bending work. It makes you question a lot. Plus, the brilliant formatting is a point of fascination that I wouldn’t tire of.

Author Websites and Profiles
Megan Speece Website
Megan Speece Amazon Profile

Megan Speece’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Christy Piper 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first published book, but I’ve started a few drafts I’m still adding to.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Girl, You Deserve More: How to Break His Spell over You, Escape Your Toxic Partner, and Become Independent. Going through this difficult situation myself more than once, and seeing other women (and men) struggle with it made me want to write a motivational and practical guide.

It addresses a lot of their emotional struggles that mental health professionals who haven’t been through it before may not fully understand. This book is actually more for the people who want to help those in the situation, because the ones in the situation are so blocked right now, they wouldn’t even know to search for this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to go to bed early, so I can wake up naturally between 4-6am. This is when I get my best writing done, when I’m well rested and my mind is clear. I try to get as much writing done in the morning as possible. When inspiration hits me throughout the day, I write the ideas down in the notes app of my phone. That way I can incorporate it into my books later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced most by those who’ve overcome a lot of adversity to share their (or their character’s) story of resilience to inspire others. I like Robert Greene (48 Laws of Power, Laws of Human Nature), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter), Veronica Roth (Divergent), Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games), Chris Voss (Never Split the Difference), David Goggins (Can’t Hurt Me), Meredith Miller (Inner Integration), Seth Godin, Napoleon Hill, Neville Goddard.

Books on personality types like Myers Briggs and Enneagram have influenced me, because they helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses, and my mission in life. Books on narcissism and healing from those characters; they helped me realize why I have these characters in my life, and how to heal myself from attracting these types.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on material (books, podcast, videos) that will help those who’ve been in a narcissist or toxic person’s grip. They will gain their confidence, and be able to repel these people in the future. Whether the toxic person is a partner, “friend,” family member, coworker, or boss, I’m passionate about helping you become toxic proof. To inspire you to change your role in life– You can be whatever you choose to be! Just decide today

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Start with those you already know. Ask them to buy or recommend your book to their friends who may like it. Ask to be on a a guest on their podcast. Start your own podcast or Youtube channel. That’s how you get warm leads who actually want your book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work hard to get sales and reviews your first week. Ask friends and other authors who you’ve helped out. They will have a more vested interest in your success. Temporarily lower your book price to make it easy for people to support you. Don’t just blast your links everywhere and spam people. Don’t beg or try to convince people to buy your book. It will make you feel dirty and desperate in the end.

If they can’t see the value and won’t support you for $1, they aren’t your true friend, don’t want you to succeed, aren’t your customer, or just don’t know value when they see it. Try not to take it personal. The average person is not a reader and does not want to work to improve themselves, which is why they are mediocre.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” ~ Henry Kissinger

“If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I want to warn you that you’ll be deeply unhappy the rest of your life.” ~ Abraham Maslow

“Make time for planning: Wars are won in the general’s tent.” ~ Stephen Covey

“Do or don’t do. There is no try.” ~ Yoda

“You can’t expect the benefits without taking the risks.” ~ Christy Piper

“Anyone can be nice to a stranger. When you get comfortable with someone, that’s when their true self comes out.” ~ Christy Piper

What are you reading now?
I am reading old time authors like Joseph Murphy, Neville Goddard, Napoleon Hill, and Florence Shovel Shinn on the power of the subconscious mind. These are authors and topics I read a little bit at a time, so I can always keep these ideas top of mind to inspire my life.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be working on more follow up books on how to disarm, defeat, and rid yourself of the toxic people in your life.

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?
Harry Potter, the Zohar, the Bible, a comprehensive book on how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christy Piper Website
Christy Piper Amazon Profile

Christy Piper’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Mike Mollman 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written three books, but only published one. The second book in the Protectors of Pretanni, “To Speak With Elders” will come out in the summer. Recently I’ve gone back to the first book I ever wrote, a coming-of-age SciFi set on Mars in the future. This book means a lot to me because it’s how I’ve learned to write. I’ve dusted off the cyberdust from my hard drive and I’m going to try and publish it early next year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“To Speak With Elders” is the second book in my Protectors of Pretanni series. Like the first, it is roughly set in the British Isles in 100BC. The first book introduced my world, but this book expands it greatly. In total, there will be four books in the series growing to a clash between civilizations. So there are a lot of people to meet and places on the map to explore.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I get stuck, I like to go walking and let mind wander. It inevitably goes to the root cause of my problem. By the time I get back home, I have a path forward.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Of course Tolkien and Asimov are up there, but the series that I loved while growing up are “The Belgariad” by David Eddings and “The Book of Swords” series by Fred Saberhagen. Eddings made his character come to life and I would laugh out loud while reading their banter. Saberhagen’s concept for the swords was amazing, but I always feel cheated reading his books. His world is big and the storylines abound, yet he only wrote 240 page books and left most of the world undiscovered.

What are you working on now?
I’m getting the first book I wrote, “The Halley Traveler” rewritten and ready for professional editing. I hope to have it out Q1 of 2022.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have literally just begun. I would love to have a definitive answer to this question.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Three pieces of advice:
1. You can’t edit a blank page, so write and then write some more. Then look at rule 2.
2. No one can write 100000 words down in perfect order on their first try. First drafts are meant to be terrible. You are just getting ideas down on paper. The editing is what makes or breaks stories.
3. I got this off the internet, write what you like rather than what you think will sell. You will end up reading it 79 times, so you better like it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When writing a first draft, do not keep going back and making what you wrote better. You will get in an endless loop of perfecting a small number of chapters and the rest will never be written. Write it all straight through. Leave the editing for when you have a (mostly) coherent story.

What are you reading now?
I’ve just started “Magic’s Genesis, The Grey” by Rosaire Bushey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning the business side. I feel like I have a handle on writing. It was quite the surprise to discover that the business side must be learned as well. I’ve started my guerilla marketing and I enjoy it. Now balancing the writing with the business and my full time job, that’s the conundrum.

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 have a soft spot for epics, as in the really old epics. So I’d bring Gilgamesh, Beowulf, The Iliad and The Odyssey. It’s my island, and you can’t stop me, so I would also take the Aeneid (which needs to become a movie!) and Dante’s Inferno.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mike Mollman Website
Mike Mollman Amazon Profile

Mike Mollman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Jacob Harris 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new Christian author from North Carolina. At the writing of this interview I am pursuing a religion major at Southern Wesleyan University and running a Christian blog. With this blog, I have created a platform to reach other people for Christ through short devotional writing. With 1 book under my belt, I plan to write many more!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a short commentary/Bible study titled, “Enriching Grace Commentary of Ephesians: Understanding the Faith. It is inspired and compiled by Bible studies posted on the enrichinggrace.com. Prior to publishing it was revised and formatted to book format. The book explores some of my absolutely favorite Scripture that has formed me as a young Christian.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not know if unusual writing is a way to describe some of my lesser known writing habits; however, I am very particular. I have places such as the local coffee shop that I often need to be in for any good work to result. My surroundings profoundly affect the quality of my writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been inspired by a plethora of writers. Some are much lesser known (David O’steen) than others (C.S. Lewis) but regardless, there impact has been immense. My greatest inspiration and resource however is the Bible.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next study resource and the continuation of the series, “Understanding the Faith.” This next work will be based out of the Biblical epistle of 1 Timothy and explore doctrine.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being so new this business, I can not say for sure which book promotion site is the best. Nonetheless, Amazon has been an amazing tool and conceptually, Awesome Gang, has is an outstanding resource to have in your corner when it comes to book advertising.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice may not be worth anything with me being so new of an author, but I do know that authors need to be active in their niche outside of book writing as well. Gaining life experience beyond our current understanding of our topics will improve your writing in more ways than one.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Before writing, specify your audience. Narrow down who you would most like to write to and then write to them. The audience will naturally widen but this strategy keeps your writing pure.

What are you reading now?
At the moment I am reading a book about Southern Gothic classic works and it is very fascinating.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, I want to continue to write Christian non-fiction that will be supplementary material for Bible studies within my church. Writing is also a wonderful support vein for ministry opportunities.

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?
– Holy Bible
– Imitation of Christ`~ Thomas Aquinas
– Pilgrim’s Progress~ John Bunyan
– Mere Christianity~ C.S. Lewis

Author Websites and Profiles
Jacob Harris Website
Jacob Harris Amazon Profile

Jacob Harris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

David Bain 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of Gray Lake, Death Sight (the Will Castleton psychic detective series) and several other supernatural thrillers. Many are straight-forward, but every now and then I like to go humorously B-movie over the top! (Think the 2021 “Suicide Squad” or old Troma Studio movies.) I’m an award-winning journalist, I’ve taught English to thousands of college students, and I have an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. My shorter work has appeared in many publications, including Weird Tales and Strange Horizons, and in several anthologies alongside my heroes like Ray Bradbury, Joe R. Lansdale, RamseyCampbell, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, and many others, with honorable mentions in The Year’s Best Horror and Fantasy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Although I write in many genres, including everything from science fiction serial killer thrillers, I just released the third book my Riders of the Weird West series – RIDERS THROUGH THE MISTS OF TIME! I’ve planned several more books in this sprawling, far-out series, but this particular book introduces larger than life, fiendish new villains with immense powers that challenge all the newfound powers of the main characters – and all my powers as a writer!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not believe in writer’s block. I do believe in procrastination or having a bad case of “the don’t wannas” but I also believe any writing problem can be solved by opening a blank document and writing about what you’re writing about. I wrote a little book about this, if you’re interested….

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve got a huge blog post ranking Stephen King’s books in order, if you’re interested…. When my students ask me what they should be reading, my answer is, “Widely.”

What are you working on now?
I am working on a book called KILLER CHASE. And the next book in several series. I have ideas for books to keep me going should I live another fifty years, easy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know that there is a best promotional practice. I am always learning, pivoting, open to new ideas. My current website is http://www.AuthorDavidBain.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take the time to learn every sort of writing, from poetry to drama to journalism to screenwriting, plus. Try to learn from the best. But make sure to find an hour to shut the door – and don’t let anyone tell you what to write during that hour.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Why don’t you go take a short nap and then look at it again?

What are you reading now?
Paperbacks from Hell – Grady Hendrix
Sandman Part II (audiobook)
working my way through Stark (Westlake)’s Parker novels
various Joyce Carol Oates short stories
poetry by Stephen Dobyns and Albert Goldbarth

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books in various series. There are a couple stand-alones I’d like to get to in the next couple years. We’ll see….

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?
Probably Joyce Carol Oates’ HIGH LONESOME or her novel BELLEFLEUR; there’s nothing she can’t do with words and there’s an encyclopedia of genre in those two books. Probably Hendrix’s PAPERBACKS FROM HELL because that’s such a fun overview of the grue I grew up on. My own novel GRAY LAKE because it sums up the first thirty years of my life. And there’s a tiny little book by Tai Sheridan called BUDDHA IN BLUE JEANS that’s about as nifty a reminder as one needs that this too shall pass.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Bain Website
David Bain Amazon Profile

Sayda Hope 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a simple person who loves writing escapism for myself and others to enjoy.
My first self-published novel “Das Herz” or “The Heart” is the first edition to a series.
Like Das Herz, I have many books that will have a set series of sequels and can’t wait to share them with you!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Das Herz was written because I was tired of hero-type main characters that wanted to save the day. The General Eber Soldat is far from a hero and is honestly a lote4 more fun to write for.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Voodoo dolls, need I say more?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m more influenced by movies and therefore write more descriptive scenes and places in my books that immerse you into the worlds.

What are you working on now?
My next self-published book is in the proofreading stage.
It is an otherworldly fantasy about the King of Demons, Shah’Hall having to wage war with Angels to save his world.
It has a bit more levity to it than the Das Herz series I feel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter definitely has a wonderful community of authors and readers who have been very supportive!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Honestly, never stop being “new”. New talent is some of the best, with new views and new ideas. Learning the ropes is part of the fun, so don’t sweat it, enjoy the climb to the peak!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Eat more greens.

What are you reading now?
My last will and testament.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Buying a better pencil sharpener. My last one exploded…

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?
“Dump Dinners”, “Dump Bake” and “Raft Building For Dummies”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sayda Hope Website
Sayda Hope Amazon Profile

Sayda Hope’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account