Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a horror-obsessed Midwestern wife & mother who writes scary stories and atmospheric suspense/mysteries. I’ve loved Halloween and the horror genre since I was a little girl, and I grew up watching British mystery shows. I wrote short stories as a kid but fell away from it as I got into my teens. After starting a career as a lawyer, I realized I missed it and got back into writing in my mid-twenties. Since then, I’ve written and published 5 books, and I won an award for my debut book in 2014.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Hollow Spring: A Detective Cal Brennan Novel” was inspired by my fascination with cold cases and dark, atmospheric mystery/suspense series. There are a handful of cold cases I follow closely that provided inspiration, but not in the way you’d probably think. What I most wanted to write about was how the family members of the victims manage to get on with their lives without ever getting any answers. Of course, the details of the crime are important but the human cost is what most interests me.

The setting is small-town Indiana, something I know well from my work as a “country lawyer.” The protagonist is a detective whose family member was a victim of a cold crime in the eighties. Now an adult still haunted by those events, his life’s work is to solve crimes before they become cold cases, to prevent anyone from suffering the way he and his family did. This will be a series with at least four books in it, and I hope to have even more.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write during my toddler’s nap time, usually with a cup of microwaved coffee by my side and some kind of “ambient cafe music” playing on Youtube. I try to cram in as much as I can during that two-hour window. I prefer to be facing a window, as our lot is wooded and the woods have always inspired me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My first writing influence was Edgar Allan Poe. My mom got me an antique book of his stories, and I was hooked. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also come to love Shirley Jackson, Washington Irving, Susan Hill, Edgar Lee Masters, Ernest Hemingway, Emily Dickinson, and Vladimir Nabokov. Poe and Jackson are my horror idols, and Susan Hill is my mystery idol. I’d love to have a career like Hill, as she writes both horror and mysteries. My dialogue idol is Hemingway. He really understood how people talk to each other.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third installment in my “Walking After Midnight: Tales for Halloween” series. Ten more tales of horror and suspense, set on or around Halloween. Perfect to get in the spirit of the holiday, or any time you need a creepy fix.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love the members of my newsletter/mailing list. They are my biggest fans and their word-of-mouth promotions are most effective. I truly appreciate them! I also love Instagram, I’m a visual person and it is the most fun for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to write badly in the beginning. You have to be bad before you can be good. Just get the words on the page!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“This too shall pass.”–originally from the Bible but my Grandma said it a lot.

Also: “Write hard and clear about what hurts.” –Ernest Hemingway

What are you reading now?
“The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Becoming a mother in 2021 really gave me the focus and confidence to start promoting myself more. I am building my platform and working on new books as well as fun content for my Patreon audience.

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?
So hard to choose!

“Lolita,” “The Exorcist,” the Bible, and (this is cheating a bit) but my compendium of Edgar Allan Poe works. (If I could take a 5th, and I WOULD find a way, I’d sneak in “The Haunting of Hill House.” ….Also, my Hemingway collection. Sorry! No way I could only choose 3 or 4.)

Author Websites and Profiles
Evan Camby Website
Evan Camby Amazon Profile

Evan Camby’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am originally from Wisconsin, but traveled around the Midwest with my husband for school and am currently in Nebraska. I earned both my B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies and began writing shortly after. The Dark Angel series is my first adventure as an author. I currently have three books published, Book One: The Shadow’s Grasp, Book Two: The Guardian’s Deception, and Book Three: The Puppet’s Blight, which released this month.

I am currently writing the sixth book of this series and plan to publish them all over the next two years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
On February 22nd, I published The Puppet’s Blight. It is the continuation of The Dark Angel series and follows a mage as she loses her magic and follows a demon and its creatures around the country to get it back.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write in the mornings when I wake up since that is usually when I’m more active. Other than that, I can sit down and write for hours straight when the story is figured out. In order to make that happen, I spend time listening to certain music that sets the tone for that point in the story. That’s usually how I come up with specific plot points or action scenes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds of Valdemar series is probably my favorite when it comes to fantasy because it was my first encounter with the genre. I also enjoy classics like Jurassic Park and A Tale of Two Cities.

I find a lot of inspiration outside of books as well, including in fantasy and action/adventure movies and JRPG video games, such as the Final Fantasy series.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am at the beginning of the sixth book in The Dark Angel series. There may or may not end up being a seventh, but once this is complete I would like to start on something new that I’ve had in mind to write for a while. I’m also learning how to get online ads and market myself as an author since nowadays that’s what you sort of have to do.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This year, I began a newsletter with updates, behind the scenes information, and featured authors. You can sign up at lillardbooks.com and get access to a free short story. I also created a brand logo to use so my social media and website are consistent.
I believe the best way to market yourself is by continuing to write and publish. One or two books from an author doesn’t spark up much traction, so it’s important to establish yourself through a website and social media, continue to write and publish, and then focus on paid ads, bloggers, events, etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself, first and foremost. In any art form, there will be people who don’t like or don’t understand your work. That’s okay! If everybody liked everything, there wouldn’t be any variety. Because of this, it’s important for authors to know who they are and what they want to create. You’re not going to please anybody and you only have control over yourself. Write the story that you want to write above all else instead of caving into what’s popular, what gets readers, and what pleases the majority of people.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Motivation is sparked by action. If you want to write, write. Once you get started, you’ll find it easier to continue than if you remain lying down wondering how productive you could be later.

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 favorite book is Jurassic Park, followed by A Tale of Two Cities, then Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey. It’s a weird trio, but I have fond memories associated with each.

Author Websites and Profiles
Courtney Lillard Website
Courtney Lillard Amazon Profile

Courtney Lillard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Societally unacceptable—with no plans to change!

We’ve published three books in the last year: Butch & Louie’s Book of Stress-Relieving Humor: Feel Better Fast, Butch & Louie’s Book of Poetry, and Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories.
All of our books are free on Amazon, B&N, Apple, and Smashwords.

All of them are, or have been, number 1 in multiple categories on Amazon, and we expect to end the year as category leaders.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our last book is Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories. Our inspiration was poverty. Writing when we were hungry made the stories turn out really, really odd.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, we only write with words we can spell.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mrs. Blanchard, our tenth grade English teacher, encouraged our study of etymology, which looks at the origin of words and how they’ve changed over time.

One day, she asked us to stay after class to discuss some specific things she thought we could do to improve ourselves. As we were taking notes on everything she said, she used the word incorrigible in a reference to us. We raised our hands and asked her if she could spell that, and maybe use it in sentence to put it into context for us.

She said, “Of course. You two are incorrigible idiots who can’t spell sh*t!” She suggested we hang around for the summer and take a remedial class in etymology which might help us learn to string two words together that make some kind of sense.

At first, we thought etymology might be a cooking class, but thanks to Mrs. Blanchard, we got our first real lessons in understanding and using words. However, she was wrong about us not being able to spell the word “sh*t.” If she had looked around the school, she would have credited us with using it in several places, both in context and out of context.

Mrs. Blanchard would be surprised to know we overcame being idiots and wrote three books with all the words spelled correctly. Unfortunately, she has dementia now and lives in a home with other people who can’t remember who lives next door. However, we’ve been told that every time our names are mentioned, she gets very animated and needs a few tranquilizers to calm down, so we know she still remembers us. Why wouldn’t she? We’re Butch & Louie.

What are you working on now?
Lately, we’ve been thinking about a plan to spring Mrs. Blanchard from the home and take her for ride on our Harleys, but first we’ve got to adjust our cam chain tensioners. If the cam chain tensioners are too tight, we’ll have inner bearing problems. Then we’ll have to buy hydraulic tension cam plates, and won’t be able to take anyone for a ride for awhile..

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We did a marketing survey of 5000 people who showed signs of being able to read, and when asked what their favorite genre was, they said FREE. So we jumped in and wrote the books they want.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Of course we do. Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it! That’s what we did in our area of business, selling used motorcycle parts. We quickly learned that if we got the parts for free, then we made more money on them when we sold them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it!

What are you reading now?
We’re reading the instruction manual for adjusting our cam chain tensioners. Friday is date night! We’ve got to get it done.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We’re just waiting to hear from the Pulitzer Board.

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?
What! No streaming services?

Author Websites and Profiles
Butch & Louie Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Societally unacceptable—with no plans to change!

We’ve published three books in the last year: Butch & Louie’s Book of Stress-Relieving Humor: Feel Better Fast, Butch & Louie’s Book of Poetry, and Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories.

The only thing they have in common is us, Butch & Louie. We’re identical twin brothers who do everything together.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our latest book is Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories. Our inspiration was poverty, and we like to write weird stories!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, we only write with words we can spell.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mrs. Blanchard, our tenth grade English teacher, encouraged our study of etymology, which looks at the origin of words and how they’ve changed over time.

One day, she asked us to stay after class to discuss some specific things she thought we could do to improve ourselves. As we were taking notes on everything she said, she used the word incorrigible in a reference to us. We raised our hands and asked her if she could spell that, and maybe use it in sentence to put it into context for us.

She said, “Of course. You two are incorrigible idiots who can’t spell sh*t!” She suggested we hang around for the summer and take a class in etymology, which might help us learn to string two words together that made some kind of sense.

At first, we thought etymology might be a cooking class, but thanks to Mrs. Blanchard, we got our first real lessons in understanding and using words. However, she was wrong about us not being able to spell the word “sh*t.” If she had looked around the school, she would have credited us with using it in several places, both in context and out of context.

Mrs. Blanchard would be surprised to know we overcame being idiots and wrote three books with all the words spelled correctly. Unfortunately, she has dementia now and lives in a home with other people who can’t remember who’s next door. However, we’ve been told that every time our names are mentioned, she gets very animated and needs a few tranquilizers to calm down, so we know she still remembers us. Why wouldn’t she? We’re Butch & Louie.

What are you working on now?
Lately, we’ve been thinking about a plan to spring Mrs. Blanchard from the home and take her for ride. That’s a lot better than taking tranquilizers. But first, we’ve got to adjust our cam chain tensioners. If the cam chain tensioners are too tight, we’ll have inner bearing problems, and then we’ll have to buy hydraulic tension cam plates and won’t be able to take anyone for a ride.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We did a marketing survey of 5000 people who showed signs of being able to read. They said their favorite genre was free books, so we immediately shifted to where the demand is, and now, all Butch & Louie’s books are free. That works for us because we’re not married.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Before becoming a first time author, a prospective writer should get a high paying job where they can make lots and lots of money because they’re going to need it. We suggest the used motorcycle parts business, and if they can get the parts for free, they’ll make even more money when they sell them. That was our funding source for our career as writers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Before becoming a first time author, a prospective writer should get a high paying job where they can make lots and lots of money because they’re going to need it.

What are you reading now?
We’re reading the instruction manual for adjusting our cam chain tensioners. Friday is date night! We’ve got to get it done.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We’re just waiting to here from the Pulitizer Board.

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?
What! No streaming services?

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired school teacher who studied history at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge. I also have a doctorate from Cardiff University. I live on the Isle of Skye with my wife Helen and our Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Sophie. I am climbing all the Scottish peaks over 3000 feet and love all kinds of skiing.
I have written more books than I like to admit but most of them remain where they belong, hidden in a cupboard! However, I have completed three instalments of The Richard Davey Chronicles and am close to the end of a stand alone fictional biography set in the late eighteenth century.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Serving Shaka. The clue is in the title. The book is inspired by the life of Shaka Zulu, founder of the Zulu nation. I have been fascinated by his life ever since I read a biography of his life by E.A. Ritter in the early 1970s. He rose, despite the odds, to forge an empire that threatened British dominance of southern Africa.
Two coincidences also drew me to his story. Firstly, he was rising to power just as Napoleon Bonaparte was dying on St Helena. But in my book, Needing Napoleon, the former emperor escapes! Secondly, although it has yet to feature in one of my books, a direct descendant of Napoleon died fighting for the British against the Zulus in 1879.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually play rock music while I work. People think it must be distracting but I never really hear it, it just protects me from the silence!
I also enjoy editing my first draft more than the initial writing process!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a write of historical fiction I must credit Bernard Cornwell, particularly his Sharpe series, and Conn Iggulden’s Emperor series. As Needing Napoleon has a time travel element, I must also acknowledge Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.
As an aspiring fantasy writer, I am a big fan of almost anything by Raymond E Feist. I was captivated by Stephen Donaldson’s The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, particularly the first three books.
Finally, I must admit to a penchant for science fiction, where Isaac Asimov and Iain M Banks are my favourites.

What are you working on now?
I am editing the third instalment of The Richard Davey Chronicles, which has yet to be named. I am currently writing a fictionalised biography of a real individual who led a controversial life straddling cultures and continents between 1763 and 1805.
The book deals with issues of cultural appropriation, racism and the challenges of confronting the past from a twenty-first-century perspective.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Nothing beats meeting people in person whether speaking at a school or visiting a book club. Thanks to technology, some of this can be achieved virtually when geography gets in the way!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Despite the temptation to launch in full of enthusiasm (doubtless driven by a shortage of time), plan first. I spent years rushing new ideas onto the page and inevitably, within a hundred pages, I had tied myself in knots. In contrast, my first published novel, Needing Napoleon, only took three months to write, with barely a misstep, thanks to a similar length of time planning and plotting, developing characters and considering their interplay.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you write in the evening, edit in the morning,

What are you reading now?
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am planning the fourth instalment of The Richard Davey Chronicles and a fantasy novel, tentatively entitled The Mountain Kingdom, partly inspired by my home on the Isle of Skye.

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 Collected Works by William Shakespeare (my grandmother’s leather-bound copy won as a school prize in 1911)
Collected Poems by Clive James (no apologies, he is my favourite poet)
The Old Man and the Sea by John Steinbeck (to remind me how simple words can convey powerful stories)
The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien (the paperback compendium first published in 1968 which I read under the covers as a child)

Author Websites and Profiles
Gareth Williams Website
Gareth Williams Amazon Profile

Gareth Williams’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a solo slow traveler since retiring from my professional life in 2014. From Fall 2014 to Summer 2017 I travelled to every country in Central and South America except one. I worked out the kinks in my approach to solo travel during this time. In Fall 2017 until the start of the pandemic I traveled to all the regions of Africa.
During this period l have written two books on my travels in Wedt Africa with more books to follow.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book, A New Day Dawns, shares my travels in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. I wrote this book to help people in the West to look at these parts from another perspective beyond that given by the mainstream media. To date l think l have succeeded with my intent.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing is done in two stages. Having experienced the day of travel, l post to my personal fb page for family and friends. When l am ready to write the book l confirm the accuracy of what I am attesting to and do further research before writing the story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have from boyhood enjoyed the classic work of Mark Twain. In more recent times it has been the work of writers such as Paul Theroux who have influenced my approach to my writing.

What are you working on now?
Currently l am focussed on marketing my books for the next two months then l will start the third book in my series . The next book will focus on Gabon, Cameroon and Namibia. These are very interesting countries that do not get the attention that the leading East African countries do so there is a story to be told.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have promoted my books by Amazon adverts and selected promotion sites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think authors should be veryclear of why they are writing and how they will measure success. Once this is worked out their activities can be geared up to achieve those goals. One should not write just to write as upon completion there is no clarity in promoting the work,etc.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write another book! When given this advice l did not understand it. Now l fully understand and would give the same advice in short form and then explain what it really means and how it plays out.

What are you reading now?
Presently I am in several fb groups with book trains. I am doing this is increase the reviews my books have some I read what’s up for reading when l go to the trains. So very random and not any particular genre.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to have my books become popular …not to make lots of money but to have my readers have a broader view of the countries l write about. So my success will not be measured in book sales but it the response that books create measured by reviews and articles about the 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?
One travel book, one mystery book and one historical book. These are where my interests lie.

Author Websites and Profiles
Terry Lister Amazon Profile

Terry Lister’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
We’ve published three books in the last year: Butch & Louie’s Book of Stress-Relieving Humor: Feel Better Fast, Butch & Louie’s Book of Poetry, and Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories.

The only thing they have in common is us, Butch & Louie.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our last book is Butch & Louie’s Book of Odd Short Stories. Our inspiration was poverty.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, we only write with words we can spell.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mrs. Blanchard, our tenth grade English teacher, encouraged our study of etymology, which looks at the origin of words and how they’ve changed over time.

One day, she asked us to stay after class to discuss some specific things she thought we could do to improve ourselves. As we were taking notes on everything she said, she used the word incorrigible in a reference to us. We raised our hands and asked her if she could spell that, and maybe use it in sentence to put it into context for us.

She said, “Of course. You two are incorrigible idiots who can’t spell sh*t!” She suggested we hang around for the summer and take a class in etymology which might help us learn to string two words together that make some kind of sense.

At first, we thought etymology might be a cooking class, but thanks to Mrs. Blanchard, we got our first real lessons in understanding and using words. However, she was wrong about us not being able to spell the word “sh*t.” If she had looked around the school, she would have credited us with using it in several places, both in context and out of context.

Mrs. Blanchard would probably be surprised to know we over came being idiots and wrote three books with all the words spelled correctly. Unfortunately, she has dementia now and lives in a home with other people who can’t remember who lives next door. However, we’ve been told that every time our names are mentioned, she gets very animated and needs tranquilizers to calm down, so we know she still remembers us. Why wouldn’t she? We’re Butch & Louie.

What are you working on now?
Lately, we’ve been thinking about a plan to spring Mrs. Blanchard from the home and take her for ride, but first we’ve got to adjust our cam chain tensioners. If the cam chain tensioners are too tight, we’ll have inner bearing problems. Then we’ll have to buy hydraulic tension cam plates, and won’t be able to take anyone for a ride.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We give them away. In our marketing survey of 5000 people who showed signs of being able to read, they said they preferred books that didn’t cost anything. That did it for us, so all of Butch & Louie’s books are free.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Of course we do. Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make sure you are very successful and make lots and lots of money before you start publishing books because you’re going to need it!

What are you reading now?
We’re reading the instruction manual for adjusting our cam chain tensioners. Friday is date night! We’ve got to get it done.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We’re just waiting to the back from the Pulitizer Board.

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?
What! No streaming services?

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write under the pen name is Sanzaki Kojika. I have been writing since a child and always immersing myself in the fantasy world. It only made sense that I would become a writer myself. I currently have 12 novels completed and published, 2 artbooks, and 17 graphic novels. I am always writing and creating.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Zos Kias vol 14 as of Feb 2022. I am also already working on the next volume as well as Hanif, the long awaited sequel to Altier. I find inspiration all around me, but with Zos Kias specifically, it draws heavy inspiration from gothic literature, manga, and Aleister Crowley, the Ordo Templi Orientis, and Zos Kia.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to get a lot of writing done in weird place. I sometimes find it easier to write when out than home. The majority of Hanif has been written in the waiting rooms at doctors’ offices.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Brooks and Barbara Hambly were the two big authors that influenced me as a writer at the beginning. Since then, a lot of others have come into play. I have a huge library of books and love to read, so I’m constantly learning new things.

What are you working on now?
My big project right now is Hanif, the very long awaited sequel to Altier. Altier was intended to be a oneshot, but thanks to fans “pursuading” me, I finally decided to write what happens after. I always had the idea in my head, but never planned to do much with it. It’s been a lot of fun working with the story, especially some of the new characters.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Haven’t found it yet, but I’m still learning.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. It’s good to make good habits and get in the practice of just sitting down to write, even if it’s only a little bit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
An English teacher in highschool gave me the best advice, so I’ll repeat it here: “All that stuff you’ve learned in English growing up? Forget it. Writing fiction isn’t like that.”

What are you reading now?
Reading the latest Dresden Files book!

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, haha. I’m also working hard to promote myself more as a writer. I am hoping to do an in-person book tour in the next year or two. I had started getting it planned and locations when COVID hit, so things have been strange.

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?
Oh man, that’s a tough one! Honestly, a notebook and a sketchbook might be enough for me though…

Author Websites and Profiles
Sanzaki Kojika Website
Sanzaki Kojika Amazon Profile

Sanzaki Kojika’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Terrice Thomas is a graduate of Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) where she received a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Keller School of Management (Oak Brook, IL). Throughout her professional career, she has served in various positions in the non-profit sector including fundraising and development, volunteer management, special event planning, and community engagement. Ms. Thomas also spent years writing grants, creating strategic plans and other professional documents for community development corporations, churches and starter non-profits. She has helped residents with career development and life skills classes.

Ms. Thomas worked in local government, managing a library branch and providing innovative programming and resources for the community. She also partnered with local schools, neighborhood associations, and businesses for outreach events, speaking engagements and trainings.

Thomas is currently the Director of Memphis Programs for Project Transformation Tennessee. When she is not working & volunteering, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

You can visit TerriceThomas.com for more information.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In Mentor Coaching, author Terrice Thomas addresses the unfortunate truth that high school graduates, college students, and college graduates commonly feel under prepared for the real world. Thomas, presents a how-to guide for mentors to help prepare young adults for the future. Topics she touches on include:

What makes a good mentor vs. a bad mentor
How to set goals and why it’s important
How to build relationships

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to instrumental music to help with concentration and writers block.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, Write, Write!! Worry about the critics and edits after you get it all down.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.

What are you reading now?
Diversity in the Workplace by Bari Williams

What’s next for you as a writer?
Thinking about the subject of my next 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?
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

Author Websites and Profiles
Terrice Thomas Website
Terrice Thomas Amazon Profile

Terrice Thomas’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For the past 29-years, I made the choice to become a journeywoman electrician by trade. My first taste of electrical work was as a U.S. Navy Seabee Constructionman Apprentice. A few years later, I joined the union and began my career within the construction industry. After quite a few years in the trench with the tools, I made the transition into the office side of my trade. After earning some office experience, I studied and earned various safety credentials. I now work on projects as a Site Safety Manager throughout the boroughs of New York City. Back in 2008, I endured massive unemployment during the Great Recession. I needed a focus to distract myself from the stress of no work. I then thought about how unique my story is and how it should be told. Over the years, I was often the single solitary woman on the entire jobsite. There are not many stories out there about women in construction. Since I have many years of stories, I decided to create the #ConstructionTales series. With my new batch of free time, I started writing. For Volume I, I covered my 5-1/2-year apprenticeship once I joined the union. This first book of the series is entitled, Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman’s Journey To Become An Electrician. I was concerned about young teens reading my uncensored content. Therefore, I have a censored version that is entitled, Construction Tales: A Young Person’s Guide To Accomplish Anything In Life. The message of chasing your dreams despite facing negative people along your path is quite valuable for young people to receive. These books are available in audio, e-book, and paperback on Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I opted to create my first children’s book that is entitled, Not All Girls Play With Dolls. This book is intended to inspire young boys and girls to follow their passion even if it is not considered traditional within society. This book is loosely based upon my own childhood and teen years and my relationship with my father. My father was the person in my life who told me that, since I’m smart and strong, I’m capable of doing anything in life that I set my mind to do. I joined the military right after high school with the motivation to do exactly what I want to do. This motivation was regardless of whether or not I received push back from people who doubted my place. This book’s goal is to empower young people to push through and past life’s mishaps and hurdles. My illustrator, Anastasia from Tad_Art, is in the final stages of creating the front and back covers and final edits. I anticipate this children’s book to be released by May 2022 the latest.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I started writing short stories for Kindle Vella since carving time to write an entire book front to back has not been feasible. My Kindle Vella Library is entitled, Construction Tales: Told By A Woman. I’m killing a few birds with one stone by writing out short stories for Kindle Vella while building the stories to morph into Construction Tales: Volume II: My Illuminated Path Continues.. and later volumes in the future. Additionally, I use my short stories and create #VerballyDisastrous podcast episodes as well. I opted to launch The Verbally Disastrous Podcast With Leslie M. Jasper and Melissa Polito back in February 2021. This podcast shares some of my stories as a chick in construction as well as discussing topics with my best friend. Perhaps this writing style is unusual since I’m sure not all people consider doing this form of writing and multi-tasking.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sadly, I read far more books as a kid than an adult. My favorite authors who opened my mind to the imagination that stems from the wonders of a book include: V.C. Andrews, Steven King, Ann Frank, Ayn Rand, Richard Connell, and the Bible. As an adult, I finished, “Atlas Shrugged” and enjoyed it thoroughly as well as books from Malcolm Gladwell such as, “Blink: The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking” and “The Tipping Point”. I read Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In” on a whim while on vacation. I currently have a fellow Twitter connection’s book that I’m trying to read entitled, “Turning Point” by Melissa Sak. I need to just make myself read each night in sections. I absolutely love reading. My problem is that I allow the day-to-day functions to impact my capacity to read during my down time.

What are you working on now?
When I first released by book back in 2013, I learned that I needed every social media imaginable to promote it. I also opened up my first blog on Blogger back in 2013. As of now, I have (4) blogs that I share content with readers on a regular basis from around the globe. My WordPress www.ConstructionTales.com blog is considered my main blog. I created a book trailer, courtesy of the Combined Book Exhibit. I have (2) YouTube channels either under my name Leslie Jasper and Verbally Disastrous where I promote book content on occasion. My use of my #ConstructionTales hashtag is my favorite mode of sharing my book. I remind myself in my calendar of upcoming book festivals throughout the year. Once the date arrives, I will find the book festival hashtag and put my hashtag in promo tweets on Twitter. I got some people frustrated so I had to back off with that marketing strategy. I’ve signed up for blog write-ups and even given away books as promos. I’ve reached out to fellow indie authors and have sought out cross promoting each other on each other’s blogs. Sadly, very few authors share an abundance mindset with me. It’s almost as if they put another author’s book on their blog, it’s competition and not alluring. I’m open to cross promoting if an author is interested.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I first released by book back in 2013, I learned that I needed every social media imaginable to promote it. I also opened up my first blog on Blogger back in 2013. As of now, I have (4) blogs that I share content with readers on a regular basis from around the globe. My WordPress www.ConstructionTales.com blog is considered my main blog. I created a book trailer, courtesy of the Combined Book Exhibit. I have (2) YouTube channels either under my name Leslie Jasper and Verbally Disastrous where I promote book content on occasion. My use of my #ConstructionTales hashtag is my favorite mode of sharing my book. I remind myself in my calendar of upcoming book festivals throughout the year. Once the date arrives, I will find the book festival hashtag and put my hashtag in promo tweets on Twitter. I got some people frustrated so I had to back off with that marketing strategy. I’ve signed up for blog write-ups and even given away books as promos. I’ve reached out to fellow indie authors and have sought out cross promoting each other on each other’s blogs. Sadly, very few authors share an abundance mindset with me. It’s almost as if they put another author’s book on their blog, it’s competition and not alluring. I’m open to cross promoting if an author is interested.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I personally believe that you can’t sell a book, in a sea of much internet content, without having every social media out there, a blog, a book trailer, YouTube channel, podcast, and a book hashtag. You have to be willing to pound the pavement to promote your book or hire someone to do it for you. Promote your book on your social media each and every time you stand in line waiting for food, on the bus, finished with lunch, or waiting for any reason. Instead of consuming other people’s content, use that time to promote your content since time is money.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I received was to open up every social media available and build your brand and network with people in the same situation as yourself.

What are you reading now?
As mentioned before, I’m trying to get myself to read, “Turning Point” by Melissa Sak. Melissa runs the Brook Reading podcast on Spotify and other platforms.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to teach myself how to craft and write out a #ConstructionTales play and see if there is a market for it in the future. This is a goal of mine to create once I finish my first children’s book. I’d like to write another empowering book for women in the near future or even another children’s 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?
I’d like to pack up and read pretty much any Stephen King novel or real stories about paranormal experiences. Creepy paranormal experiences in historic locations are even more fascinating.

Author Websites and Profiles
Leslie Jasper Website
Leslie Jasper Amazon Profile

Leslie Jasper’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written six books – Four in my Men of Honor Series and Three in a new Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series that releases in Spring 2022.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Controlling the Game – I just loved this book. It’s about some of the younger members in my series, and their love of computer gaming. Sophie, the heroine is kick-ass in both her gaming life and also as a data nerd! She goes for a wild weekend in Vegas and comes home to a few surprises!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so – but then, they wouldn’t be unusual to me, right? I can’t spell – and I don’t see grammatical mistakes – so that’s a big problem for me. I write really fast – but have to spend a lot of time editing before it even goes to the editors!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loooove Julie Garwood and Jude Deveraux, Suzanne Brockmann, Cherry Adair, Emma Holly, Sarah J Mass, Karen Marie Moning – more recently – I like L.J. Shen, Brittney Sahin – I’m all over the place. I like most genre fiction. I’ve been reading a really long time! LOL

What are you working on now?
I am working on the edits for my Eve of Fae Series which will have three books releasing back to back starting in March 2022.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really like BookFunnel – and Goodreads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it and tell the story that you want to tell! You will hear a lot about writing for the market – but if you like your characters and enjoy your story – then I’m sure there is someone else (or many someones!) that will also like it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get thick skin and don’t take reviews personally. It’s hard – but you just have to push through and keep writing.

What are you reading now?
I just finished L.J. Shen’s new book, and also Shannon McKenna’s series. I was thinking of reading a new book (to me) of Ilona Andrews.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m excited about switching over to Sci-Fi/Fantasy for awhile – but then I have to get back and write Nico and Drago’s story!

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?
Anything by Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Suzanne Brockmann and Linda Howard – the Grand Dames of Romance for me!

Author Websites and Profiles
Jane O’Roarke Website
Jane O’Roarke Amazon Profile

Jane O’Roarke’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My husband and I raised seven, yes, I said seven, children on a cattle ranch in west-central Idaho. After eight blissful years of public school, we lost our minds and decided to homeschool them ALL! We survived with all our limbs intact, but we now own the east wing of St. Alphonsus Hospital. Seven active children left to run wild in the Rocky Mountains. What were we thinking?

I came by my insanity honestly. I am number eight of nine children. My parents’ insanity led them to name us Jerry, Terry, Sherry, Merry, Kerry, Cherry, Perry, Zerry, and Berry… all our middle names start with an L.

Welcome to my loud, crazy, wonderful life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Replacement Order
The book wrote itself, I sat down to write a comedy, but this book of pain and struggle came out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I ever read inspires me.

What are you working on now?
A comedy in this same series, called Unsolicited Mail. Miriam Tanner is not the brightest crayon in the box, but she will light up the streets of Idaho City. Her sights are set on Colton Fuller, the uptight manager of the local haberdashery, whose only desire is to take her snipe hunting and go back to his quiet life. Will Mariam secure herself a husband or find herself frozen in a snowbank.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never go to bed angry, settle your life daily.

What are you reading now?
Editing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Editing and writing a new series called Reasons Two. A series of second chances at romance.

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, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and The Taming of Lady Lorinda.

Author Websites and Profiles
Zerry Greenwood Website
Zerry Greenwood Amazon Profile

Zerry Greenwood’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written about 10 books in my lifetime, not all of which are published. I am a stray cat feeding, introvert empath energy sensitive person who enjoys writing, music, movies, painting and nature.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Heal & integrate Shadow Workbook: Trauma Toolkit” is the name of one of my latest books. Wanting to get to know myself on a deeper level and wanting to heal from my past is what inspired me to write this book. Wanting to heal the world ultimately made me do it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like writing in dark mode. I,also, write more at night time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many good authors and books out there! It’s hard to just choose a few. Stephen King and Cassandra Clare are two of my favorite authors.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on four different books at the same time right now to avoid burn out. One is a book on angels, I’m writing the second book to “Heal & Integrate Shadow Workbook: Trauma Toolkit”. I’m writing an empath guide to the world. And I’m writing a book on how to write a book and get published.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just now starting out so I haven’t really found a Best Way yet. But I’m advertising on Amazon and Google right now. I’m also selling on selling apps.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work hard, follow through, have a great marketing plan, network.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Let it go.

What are you reading now?
Since I just published a few books, I haven’t had much time to read anything other than learning how to do what I’m supposed to be doing after polishing a book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have no clue and that’s the fun part. There is no telling where this path can take 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?
Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet” and a few books by Edgar Allen Poe.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ashley Poole Website
Ashley Poole Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my debut book. It is only about 140 pages but it took years to complete. I lost count of how many.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Lords of Invention. I must have been inspired by the steampunk subgenre and the amazing story of Nikola Tesla.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I feel like my writing is getting too technical and rigid I will drink an alcoholic beverage and loosen things up! haha.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was a big Clive Barker fan when I was younger. I appreciate Cormac Maccarthy’s writing style these days. Alan Moore was primarily the one who got me into graphic novels.

What are you working on now?
I am working on two novellas. One is historical fiction that takes place in ancient Greece that is based on a true story. The second is both dystopian and utopian science fiction. It is going to be good. I promise.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still trying to figure that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start with self-publishing. It is not only very educational but it helps to build your platform, which is what you will need if you want to work with companies in the future.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It was from the mythologist Joseph Campbell. It was something along the lines of “Follow your bliss.”

What are you reading now?
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. So far so good. My editor recommended it to me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Didn’t you already ask me that question?

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 would be books about how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Trenor Rapkins Website
Trenor Rapkins Amazon Profile

Trenor Rapkins’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the West Midlands, recently widowed from a wonderful husband of 40 years.

I have always written on and off, but wrote two novels in the early 2000’s, one being a fanfic, which was what drew me to writing more prolifically. I’ve written another romance novel now, but my main focus moving forward as an author is to help promote work in the environment, especially fostering a love of wildlife in children.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Billy the Badger is Sad! as part of the Tales from Prickly Hedge series.

I live in the West Midlands in my very own Prickly Hedge – a beautiful garden that is home to all manner of wildlife, including badgers.

This gave me the idea to create Bubble and Squeek, two hedgehogs who have fun and adventures in the garden they call their own, namely Prickly Hedge. Through the stories and their adventures, they learn how best to help all their wildlife friends. It is hoped that this will inspire young readers to engage more with wildlife and hopefully begin to not only help preserve it but create habitats in which it can thrive.

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

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t think anyone has influenced me per se in terms of writing. I read a lot of Danielle Steele before writing my romance novels.

In terms of personal development though, Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I first heard it on audio cassette in the early 90’s and haven’t looked back since.

What are you working on now?
The third book in the Tales from Prickly Hedge book series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, AwesomeGang.com is, well, AWESOME.

I haven’t got into the swing of things with marketing yet, so I can’t really answer this one. I suppose if you pay for advertising, it has to be Amazon, which is where your books are.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Spend AS MUCH time looking at making marketing connections as you do writing – and never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Two actually:

Measure twice, cut once and Be present in the moment.

Says it all, think before you act, research before you jump and actively enjoy every moment you get to be alive on our glorious planet.

What are you reading now?
I have a lot of books TO read, but I just don’t get the time nowadays to read, sadly.

They mainly range from personal development to Tudor history to UK politics to spiritualism. Bit eclectic.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping to move into helping children’s reading charities to improve reading standards and literature in countries where facilities are lacking.

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 suppose my Kindle is out of the question?! LOL.

7 Habits by Stephen Covey – you can always be better even if alone
Flip It by Michael Heppell – I think you’d need to flip your mindset if you were stranded on a desert island
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling – I’d feel like I had the complete set by reading the last one – lol
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran – beautiful story book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Yvonne Richards Website
Yvonne Richards Amazon Profile
Yvonne Richards Author Profile on Smashwords

Yvonne Richards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
David Rich began practicing law in Phoenix and was then recruited as a law professor at ASU College of Law. He then tried private practice but found the cushy job of assistant attorney general more to his liking. He retired in his 40s to become a sailing captain, pilot, and full-time traveler, living in almost every country on the planet while writing dozens of travel stories and six books: Myths of the Tribe, When Religion and Ethics Diverge (Prometheus Books 1993) examined the influence of organized religion on ethics, 2nd ed. 2019. RV the World, 2nd ed., 2018, combines his seventeen-years RVing the world with his wife Mary insisting anyone can do it. In 2019 David wrote The ISIS Affair, a satire on religion and nationalism in Syria subtitled Putting the Fun Back in Fundamentalism, and Scribes of the Tribe, Our greatest Thinkers on Religion and Ethics. He published Antelopes, A Modern Gulliver’s Travels, in 2020 and Sail the World?, the prequel to RV the World, in October 2021. Six books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Latest book was Sail the World?, Prequel to RV the World. Sail the World was inspired by having tried to circumnavigate, the colorful characters and many scrapes along the way, from almost sinking in the Pacific Ocean to vicious storms at sea resulting in complicated repairs, and the many new friendships and adventures along the way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, now spending time marketing!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Way too many to list comprehensively: Hawking, Feynman, John Gardner, Paul Theroux, and dozens of others.

What are you working on now?
RVing South America and the second is RVing OZ and NZ.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is rewriting.

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

What are you reading now?
Ian Rankin, Andrea Camilleri, and Phillip Wylie

What’s next for you as a writer?
Books on continents we’ve RVed: South America and OZ/NZ

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That would definitely not be enough books! My wife reads a book a day, and has for 40 years. I can’t keep up with her but usually read maybe one out of five that she reads! No time for more.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Rich Website
David Rich Amazon Profile
David Rich Author Profile on Smashwords

David Rich’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Fantasy and Science Fiction author born and raised in Southern California, eventually pursuing a degree in Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and migrating to the middle of the country to Texas. He now calls Colorado Springs home, along with my wife, two daughters and son.
One of my earliest literary memories is of Frodo and Sam outside the gate at Bree. The wall was bigger, the night darker, and the thunder louder, but reading J.R.R. Tolkien sparked a lifetime love of reading fantasy that later expanded to include science fiction.
Currently published, I have the complete Eligium series available both individually and as a box set on Amazon. You can also find The Geneva Factor under the pen name Jacob Allen.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a Kindle Vella project titled A Shot in the Dark. The idea came from a science fiction series I’m working on and was originally intended as a spin-off. The published episodes are Part 1 of a five part journey for the protagonist.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My wife will never understand it, but I enjoy listening to classic rock while I’m writing. There’s something about the energy of the music that provides momentum. I’ve also got a candle with a “Lanai” scent. The island vibe keeps me relaxed and fluid.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Where to begin? In no particular order…Tolkien, Arthur C. Clarke, C. S. Lewis, J.D. Robb, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Michael Anderle, A.G. Riddle to name a few.

What are you working on now?
My current project is a science fiction series I plan to launch later this year. The first two books are drafted and I’m about a quarter of the way through an initial draft of the third book. Set in Earth’s far future, it has some of my favorite scifi elements; including science-y concepts, strategy, and political conspiracies. There’s a mystery at the heart of the plot that required a long-game in plotting, which has been a lot of fun.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on this one!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Write. You can take a hundred online classes and hear all sorts of noise, but nothing builds your skill as a writer like the act of putting pen to paper. Even thirty minutes a day adds up to thousands of words.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Establish a set of annual goals and then focus that down to no more than three per quarter. More than that is overwhelm. Each week set objectives that progress your big three.

What are you reading now?
I’m in the middle of a re-read of The Wheel of Time. Currently on Winter’s Heart and looking forward to the Big Event at the end. (If you know, you know.)

What’s next for you as a writer?
I really want to be intentional about the launch of this next series so will be spending time establishing my brand in the market and helping readers find my books. I have a backlog of other ideas ready to start plotting, but I am focusing on a quality experience for my readers.

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 really want to be intentional about the launch of this next series so will be spending time establishing my brand in the market and helping readers find my books. I have a backlog of other ideas ready to start plotting, but I am focusing on a quality experience for my readers.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jake Allen Coleman Amazon Profile

Jake Allen Coleman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Awesome to be here. I am a veteran freelance writer, award-winning blogger and award-winning poet. I’m also a senior editor of a regional publication in the Midwest.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
ODE TO TONI MORRISON–It’s a book of poetry on an array of topics, fun themes and timely events, inspired by Ms. Morrison’s impressive body of work and her legacy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually start on the computer very early (when most folks are sleep) with a cup of hot tea.
I also dig listening to music sometimes as I create. Typically Jazz or something upbeat and loud.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
YOUR NEXT LEVEL LIFE–KAREN ARRINGTON
THE BIBLE

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on expanding my client base, my writer’s income, and getting more poetry published in literary journals.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Typically my blog (Pen and Prosper) and email blasts. Good reads is also a good site for visibility.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make excellence your brand. Study successful authors in your genre of interest. Get trusted feedback.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Go where you are celebrated, not just tolerated.” Joel Osteen

What are you reading now?
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW FANTASY-JENNIFER DOTSON (POETRY)
TAME YOUR TONGUE-DEBORAH SMITH PEGUES

What’s next for you as a writer?
Conducting book tours for busy authors and promoting my new poetry book.
I also hope to land a traditional book contract in 2022/2023.

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 PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE- RICK WARREN
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF-RICK WARREN
AND THE PHOTOGRAPHY/POETRY OF GORDON PARKS

Author Websites and Profiles
JENNIFER BROWN-BANKS Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Robin Joker is a remarkable individual and a skilled author specializing in writing jokes and text fails books. His achievements in the industry have made him a rib-cracker with amazing contributions. Joker’s journey creating books and text fails started with a funny text from his wife that got him laughing, and he hasn’t looked back since!

When you meet Joker, you will be thrilled by his personal and professional skills. He is a friendly and easy to get along with kind of person, an attribute that has contributed greatly to his writing career. With deep industry knowledge, coupled with an analytical and detail-oriented approach, Joker is equipped to understand the needs of the most discerning audiences, delivering an experience rooted in entertainment, creativity, and vibe. His strong writing and performing skills make him a keen advocate of his name, proactively seeking out new ways to enhance his services and to continually attain excellence, with customer satisfaction the ultimate objective.

Outside writing, the 30-year-old man loves spending time with his friends and family. He also loves engaging in self-developing activities like traveling and watching comic movies, with the belief that fun and excitement are the root and foundation of a happy life, and to build strong lives, we must fortify the root! This is Joker’s motivation towards using his skills and expertise to entertain those whose lives would be enriched by it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Text fails, I started making books about text fails, from a message I received from my wife that made me laugh for hours … she had typos in the text of the message

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to create my books at night

What authors, or books have influenced you?
More than influenced, I can say that I like to laugh a lot, and it amuses me to read jokes, funny short stories and everything related to comedy.

What are you working on now?
To the next book in my chain of TEXT FAILS!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My favorite distribution platform is amazon now. I am expanding marketing using promotion sites and I think yours is one of the best in the world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be yourself and follow your emotions

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know your audience. This is perhaps the fundamental rule: you must know, always, especially if you want to make them laugh, who are the people you are addressing

What are you reading now?
Tre uomini in barca di Jerome K Jerome

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to make my readers laugh

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?
Text fails, Guida Galattica per gli Autostoppisti (1979), Douglas Adams, Rich Dad Poor Dad Robert T. Kiyosaki,

Author Websites and Profiles
Robin Joker Website
Robin Joker Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Stewart Kouba is a pastor, educator, and beekeeper, who resides in the piney woods of East Texas. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University and a Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife and children playing games, writing stories, and building dreams. The Land of Grand is Stewart’s first children’s book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Land of Grand; There’s something special about Grandmothers. Actually Grandparents, in general, are quite wonderful. I don’t know if it’s the way they captivate you or how they charm their way through life, but magic seems to follow them wherever they go. One day I caught a glimpse of that magic and had to pen the truth of The Land of Grand! The secret is out…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing, in general, is unusual when you have three kids under the age of 3. I’ll take what I can get!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevsky
The Book of James
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
A Severe Mercy by Vanauken
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Silverstein
The Hobbit by Tolkien
Phantastes by MacDonald

What are you working on now?
The second installment in the Land of Grand series. This one focuses on grandfathers and is due out this Summer.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of Mouth!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s ok that most of what you write will end up in the garbage. Keep writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Being on time covers a multitude of sins.

What are you reading now?
Atomic Habits by James Clear

What’s next for you as a writer?
A few articles this week for the local paper:)

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 Gospel of Luke
Abolition of Man
SAS Survival Handbook
Me Talk Pretty One Day