Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 4 books. 2 short horror stories, 1 sci-fi novella titled: Earth is under attack and 1 sci-fi novel titled: T- o ( humans new home)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jeep man and Scarecrow… My child hood inspired me to write my latest book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
mice and man

What are you working on now?
nothing just promoting my latest book and my new release Earth is under attack

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
im still looking for the best method to promote my book… but at the moment I promote online and word to mouth method works great.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
keep writting, keep writting, keep writting. you will get their.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
believe in your self and you can do anything.

What are you reading now?
not at the moment.

What’s next for you as a writer?
to write book, books and more books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1.how to survive in a island.
2. any harry potter book
3. games of thrones
4. and Dc comic books.

Author Websites and Profiles
alex utu Amazon Profile

alex utu’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Victoria Ravenwood. I love all things fantasy – books, games, movies etc and I’m the author of a young adult fantasy series, the Water-Folk Saga. I live in the UK, and my other mega hobby alongside writing is birdwatching. I record all the birds I see, keep a life list and my lifetime goal is to see half the species of birds in the world! I’m currently only at 10% though. Some people say that is a bit dorky, but to them I say – get outside and find the joy in birdwatching!

I’ve written and published one book…so far! It’s called Jade and Tar. I am currently nearing the end of first draft of my second book, Copper and Smoke. Then it’s onto book three!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jade and Tar is my first book, a young adult fantasy adventure that’s currently out on Amazon. In my non-author job, I’m the head of a primary school and in Jade and Tar, the main character (Cali) is stuck in ‘the Academy’, which she is desperate to escape. So I guess you could say that I took some inspiration from real life there!

I also adore the Monkey Island games and Guybrush Threepwood. I love how he is a bumbling fool at times but still ends up OK in the end. I took lots of inspiration from him for Dagwood, one of the key characters. It’s also set on a tropical island with pirates and sea voyages – escapism? Yes please!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
There are key scenes that I know I want to write that I play over and over in my head. Then when I get to the actual writing and finish the scene, I get really disappointed that it’s over and have to leave the book for about a week before I write the next chapter! I might be a tad too invested!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Robin Hobb’s books. I adored the Farseer Trilogy when I first read it when I was seventeen. There is a key moment in that book for me, which I won’t share here because of the massive spoiler, and I vividly remember reading it to this day. I would love for my writing to have that type of impact on someone.

The Liveship Traders trilogy is also a big influence for my current series.

What are you working on now?
I’m on Chapter 21 of Copper and Smoke – it’s a slog, because I’ve just written a scene that I had planned out for such a long time. However, I find when I come back to the chapter and re-read it, it’s not as bad as I thought, and it’s only the first draft still.

I am also slowly planning book 3, which doesn’t have a name yet. I have key scenes mapped out but the bits in-between aren’t quite there yet. I need to get thinking and invest in some ‘dream time’ as the great Michael Morpurgo calls it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If only I knew! I find social media like Instagram is great to connect with readers and other authors & bloggers. I’ve just got to remember that I am not a professional bookstagrammer and there’s a reason my book pictures don’t look like theirs!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, read books on the craft of writing. Everyone says to read a lot and in your genre, which is definitely true, but craft is also important. One of my favourites is Save the Cat by Jessica Brody. It helped me to see which parts of my novel worked (the bits that came naturally from reading a lot) and which parts could be tweaked.

I’d also say just go for it. If only one person in the entire world reads your story, it’s one more than if you hadn’t written it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not sure if this is a piece of advice or just something I’ve picked up from spending my working life in the education sector but the way we talk to people is so important. For example, a teacher would never (I hope!) tell a child in their class that their work is all wrong, they’ll never get any better and they’re rubbish, even if deep down they think it. So why does this stop when we become adults, both in the world of work and in our personal lives? It’s too easy to put others down and be negative. Find a way to say something constructively without crushing someone.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Sabriel by Garth Nix. I’ve only just started it but I am loving it so far!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Release Copper and Smoke in January, get Book 3 planned out and write, write, write!
Also, to escape that blasted Academy I mentioned earlier!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take:
1. The Lord of the Rings – all 3 books in one (hopefully that’s not cheating!)
2. The NEW Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations – I had to Google this one and figured it would help me last more than a few days.
3. Jade and Tar – I know that sounds cheesy but I think it’s good to celebrate achievements and plus it’s set on a tropical island, so the content should be relatable!
4. 1984 by George Orwell – it is an all-time favourite of mine!

Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Ravenwood Website
Victoria Ravenwood Amazon Profile

Victoria Ravenwood’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Tilly and I love collecting tea pots. I am a part time author and a full time Technical Support Agent. I have 3 books published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Wrong Side of the Pack, released Nov 1, 2021. The inspiration behind the series was how much I admired the Mexican-American community and I wanted to write a super hero fantasy series about them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call it unusual, but I have a tendency to revise my first draft as I write it which makes finishing the book way longer then it needs to be. I think it takes me a year to finish a book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Darren Shan, author of the Cirque Du Freak series is one.
Alana Ash, author of Lost Fate and Dormant Soul is the other.

What are you working on now?
I am currently doing revisions for Wrong Side of the Coven, book 2 of the Hunted Blood series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found Voracious Reader is one and Facebook because of the groups you can create.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, do not force yourself to finish and do not let alpha readers make finale decisions for your book. You will end up hating your book, but also take their opinions into consideration.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If someone hates your book but 10 others love it, are you still going to quit writing because of one person?

What are you reading now?
Wild Sign by Patrica Briggs

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on giveaways and book boxes for my new release, Wrong Side of the Pack

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?
Mexican Gothic, Maze Runner, and Creepy Carrots because it’s my sons favorite Halloween book and if I was stranded, I would want to remember him

Author Websites and Profiles
Tilly Tiason Website
Tilly Tiason Amazon Profile

Tilly Tiason’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British author of 15 novels, 7 novellas, 20 short stories, and 1 memoir. I prefer to write Women’s Fiction (family dramas), Romantic Suspense, Humorous novels, and Paranormal tales. My latest LGBTQ family drama ‘His Ladyship’ reached the finals and Longlist of the 2021 Page Turner Awards.

I live in the East of England with my husband Sam. We have 2 sons and 5 grandchildren.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘His Ladyship’ is my latest book. Part of it was loosely based on a real life ‘Norman Wicks’ who hid his real persona for over 50 years.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can only write in complete silence. As soon as I can hear a radio or TV in the background, then my concentration flies out the window.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like reading Mark Edwards’ psychological thrillers, which inspired me to base my stories on the sometimes unusual lives of ordinary people, just like Mr. Edwards does.

What are you working on now?
‘Falling’, which is another family drama tinged with a little romance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best websites I have found for book promotion are ‘Twitter’ and ‘Book Funnel’.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up when you receive a one-star review. This is merely one person’s opinion of your book. Carry on, take on any constructive criticism, and focus on improving your writing.

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

What are you reading now?
When Force Meets Fate, by Jamison Hill.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Carry on writing ‘Falling’ and promoting my other 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?
My favourite… ‘The Go-Between’ by L P Hartley. Also ‘The Magpies’ by Mark Edwards, and anything by Cathy Glass. ‘Stand by Me’ by Stephen King is also a good one. I also like reading autobiographies.

Author Websites and Profiles
Stevie Turner Website
Stevie Turner Amazon Profile
Stevie Turner Author Profile on Smashwords

Stevie Turner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
All in all, with all my Pen names and those books that have been pulled from previous publishers, I would have to say 6 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Hidden. It was inspired by my fascination with magic and witches. I am a major Charmed fan (the original though) and love anything that has to do with magic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My life can be seen as unusual right now, trying to balance my writing with driving my kids everywhere, but I tend to write best when I’m sitting on the couch and a movie is playing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many. R.L Stine got me into reading as a kid, and after reading books (no names mentioned) that I thought how was these published, I thought to myself that I am sure I can do a better job than some of these ridiculously famous books that I can’t even read a chapter.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on two projects. Unveiled which is the second instalment of the Descendant Series, (Hidden is book 1), and a Fantasy story called Starlight that will be released as part of a Boxset in October 2022

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are so many but I must say that I do love what Awesome Gang has to offer especially as an Indie Author.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never stop believing in yourself. There will be so many naysayers that will want to bring you down, some of them might even be friends and family, but being able to craft a story and bring it to life is something that they won’t be able to do, so always keep writing and never stop believing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Anyone can die, but it takes courage to live! So live the life that you dream of!

What are you reading now?
There’s a few actually. I have some audiobooks running, one for me and one for my kids, and then I have the last two books of the Vampire Pirate Saga that I’m starting out now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep on writing! I have so many stories to tell that I sometimes wish I could clone myself so that each version of me can write a 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?
Now that’s just being mean!! How can we just choose 3-4?
If I had to choose, it would be Dead Poet Society, Vampire Academy, Anything Rebecca Hamilton and Joanne Macgregor.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lea Cherry Website
Lea Cherry Amazon Profile

Lea Cherry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 28 years old and recently moved to Saquarema, Brazil with my wife. I have written 7 children’s books but only published the one so far. I worked in real estate back in Seattle before moving to Brazil. I try to spend as much time outside as possible and surf at least 5 days a week. I love spreading positivity and want to be able to give kids books that they will remember for years to come.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tales of Tiago & Tippy: Adventure in Gnomlandia. My inspiration for this book was my childhood dog Tippy. She was a chow, just like in the story, and was a part of my family from the time I was in diapers until I was 15. I was a pretty active kid and was always playing outside. Tippy went with me everywhere and was the best dog a boy could have. I had a vivid imagination as a child and this book was just me channeling my 6 year old self.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A lot of the writing that goes into my books comes right after I went on a new ‘adventure’. Whether it be a new trail I discovered or a fun beach that my wife and I found. I love getting home and putting those ideas down on paper. I generally write first thing in the morning right after brewing coffee and then when I get back from surfing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Seuss, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was the coolest book in the world when I was a kid.

What are you working on now?
Putting together the first five books for the series Tales of Tiago & Tippy. I plan on releasing more but at the moment I am just going back and editing and working with my illustrator to make these stories as fun and magical as possible.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a website in the works but have not yet published. I used bookbub to run one of my ads but amazon ads has been my most successful so far. I am only 6 days into being a published author so I am discovering new methods every day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never let a great idea pass you by. No matter when or where if you have a great idea write it down. I use Notes on my phone all the time. I don’t carry around paper and pen but my phone is often by my side and I’ve had my best ideas come to me at the strangest times.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I actually got it from a book I recently read called Mastery by Robert Greene. He talks about how many of the ‘masters’ found their calling at a young age. He tells the reader to think back to our early years and think about what drove us or what gave us that awe-inspired feeling. For me it was always stories. I have always loved telling stories but it wasn’t until I read this book at 28 years old that I realized this.

What are you reading now?
The Simarillion and Nas Aguas De Desterro. I haven’t read a Tolkien book in a long while and my wife encouraged me to start with the Simarillion. Tolkien’s writing is phenomenal and I love it. The second is a book about Florianopolis, Brazil and my first book to read in Portuguese. I have to look up some words here and there but it has helped me a lot.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep on writing. I would like to put out at least a dozen children’s books every year. I started writing some short stories that I will try and put out in the next few months.

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 Wim Hof Method, The Lost City of Z, The Fear Project, and The Hero’s Journey

Author Websites and Profiles
Tucker Fahling Amazon Profile

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Assistant Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the author of “Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story” – my first novel dedicated to the youngest Readers aged 5-14, but also to the Readers of all ages who feel young at heart! I enjoy the nineteenth-century British literature, especially everything written by Anthony Trollope and Wilkie Collins. In my free time, I love reading, gardening and baking pizza and cakes (especially the chocolate cake from the recipe that always works)! I love little tea parties with my Dear Ones and, just like the protagonist of my novel, I adore autumn and I love Christmas and the atmosphere of a welcoming kitchen and a cosy living room. One of my favourite literary characters is the Cheshire Cat. Without a doubt, Bunky, the hero of “Bunky and the Walms”, is also my favourite literary character!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is entitled “Bunky and the Walms: The Christmas Story”. It is a magical tale inspired by… reality! I wanted to recreate in the novel the Christmas world which is so close to my heart: the world filled with colours, scents, peace, warmth, hot chocolate and the comforting presence of family and friends. The world which is safe and inviting and welcomes one with stunningly beautiful winter landscapes, the sky filled with a thousand glimmering stars and surprising yet friendly creatures hiding behind every snowdrift; the place where streets are covered with glistening snow and dreams come true if only one believes… At the heart of “Bunky and the Walms” my Readers will encounter Bunky – the protagonist of the novel inspired by my plush mascot – the blue hippo. When I saw the blue hippo for the first time, I realised that his face expression was quite unique: it was the expression balancing somewhere between joy and slight grumpiness. I immediately fell in love with the hippo because of his face expression. “How truthful and how natural – just like us!” I thought. After all, our emotions are a mixture of delight, love, happiness, grumpiness, disappointment and even anger – thankfully, there is no one who would be perfect! …And this is how Bunky Hippo came to live, with all his human-like imperfections and his noble and loving heart. While writing the novel about Bunky, I was also illustrating his adventures and when this wasn’t enough – I took a thread and a needle and sewed Bunky. You can meet him on my webpage: aleksandratryniecka.com While writing, at some point I realised that Bunky became very similar to me. Probably this is what happens to almost every writer… I would like to invite my Readers to meet the protagonist of my novel – Bunky, who is perfectly imperfect, yet always striving to be noble at heart and faithful to his values. After all, I believe that staying faithful to one’s values despite personal imperfections is what the true heroism is all about. I am worried that children and teenagers are often facing the world in which they are being told that the heroes are those who possess supernatural abilities or those who are perfectly beautiful or, even worse, those who never make any mistakes. I think that it is a very harmful theory and I decided to subvert it while creating Bunky Hippo – someone just like my Readers – someone who proves that the greatest heroes fight their biggest battles within themselves in daily life. Bunky will not only strive to save this year’s Christmas, but also he will transform himself during his travel and learn how to appreciate the little things in life which make it truly worth living. Sometimes we don’t notice these little things and Bunky will find them out at last, inviting the Readers to do the same. At the same time, Bunky is writing his own novel and, eventually, falls in love with the character from the novel, the Bunky Princess from Bunkyland. Thus, my Readers are also invited to find out whether it is possible to merge one’s reality with the literary world… Another very important inspiration for the novel originated during my trip to London. Chris and I travelled together for the conference and, while we were taking a walk around Brent, we discovered Walm Lane. We kept wondering about the meaning of “Walm Lane” and this is how the entire world of the Walms family came into existence!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh yes! I decided to become a writer at the age of 4 and immediately wrote my first novel entitled “The Fate of the Hedgehog” (it had a good ending!). I was writing this novel in many strange places: once sitting at the piano and once on a tree. These habits were to stay with me for a long time. It is still delightful to write poetry while sitting on a tree but, when it comes to my novel “Bunky and the Walms”, I sought a more comfortable environment and kept writing either in my room or outside, in the vicinity of my favourite flowers. A part of the novel was written during the summertime and I found it especially refreshing to write very early in the morning after a night in my tent. Mornings are wonderful for writers, since it is still possible to “have the world to oneself”: everyone is still asleep and there is no hurry, there are no worries… at last, the world is as it should have always been! One day in August, I began writing after a night spent in a lawn chair just underneath amazing, glimmering stars. I remember gazing in wonder at the stars and thinking that the universe is such a vast space which allows one to feel fearless and grateful at the same time. Looking at the stars felt like taking a deep breath. The profound beauty of the stars inspired me to write the chapter in which Bunky and his friends travel through the Milky Way. Whoever saw these glimmering stars must have seen the example of ultimate perfection and absolute beauty – something which Bunky experienced in the novel as well.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am influenced by the beloved authors from my childhood. Tove Jansson is definitely among them, but also A. A, Milne, C. S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll have a constant influence on my life as a reader and writer.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on Bunky’s new adventures and on the book about the Victorian female characters – quite different genres, yet both fascinating!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method is: “tell your Readers the truth”! This is what I was hoping to do and what I did in this interview. My author’s website (and Bunky’s website) is: aleksandratryniecka.com
Dear Readers, you are All invited to join us there on our special literary adventure during this winter and Christmas!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Immerse yourself in your story. Let it resonate within you and make your story and your writing an actual part of your life. Perhaps you don’t want the story to completely take over your life but, at the same time, don’t allow it to become a mere form of writing activity. Don’t remind yourself that you need to write because it’s a task. Writing is not a job – it’s a purely magical experience – you bring everything into existence by means of words. Just think about it- you have the power to change the world in a profound and meaningful way!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Try it and don’t be afraid to be judged” – if you believe deeply in something, you simply should not be afraid to try and you should not be afraid if you are judged. This is pefectly applicable in the conext of writing. Also, another great advice which I once heard is not to expect too much – on the surface, it might sound depressive but, actually, it is not! On the contrary, this advice points to the fact that the fruit of hard work are usually gathered after a very, very, very, very long time of persistent hard work and dedication. But, certainly, the fruit will be there – it is just all about patient, time and true dedication – doing everything in one’s life from the heart.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a variety of texts and it comes as a surprise to find them together: “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott (this is some of my Students’ favourite novel and I really wanted to reach for it too), Doris Lessing’s and Muriel Spark’s short stories and Johnny Cash’s autobiography, as well as the Kopp Sisters’ series by Amy Stewart. Once in a while, I am also reaching for the adventures of Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” – the last one is a must, because I really enjoy a good tea party! 🙂

What’s next for you as a writer?
This is the question for my characters, including Bunky. They always lead me somewhere where I can find them and where I can discover their new adventures and stories. I am sure that whatever is coming next, my characters already have it planned and it will be fascinating! To tell the truth, I would love to keep writing for the rest of my 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?
Perhaps the correct answer should be: (1) “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe, so that I could learn how to construct my new abode, make wicker baskets and regret all my guilty behaviour from the happy times when my improvement was still possible (before being stranded on a desert island). Moreover, I cannot imagine going anywhere and staying there forever without (2) C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” – it is a beloved novel from my childhood. (3) There is also a book by Lech Abłażej which is so adorable – “The Tales about Princesses” dedicated to the youngest Readers. I desperately need to take (4) a cookbook too and, if I would like to obtain some good life advice (it might be necessary on a desert island), I would reach for (5) Johnny Cash’s last biographical work which I absolutely love.

Author Websites and Profiles
Aleksandra Tryniecka Website
Aleksandra Tryniecka Amazon Profile

Aleksandra Tryniecka’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book that I have published. I work as a clinical researcher and focus on studies that contribute to medical advancements. Music is another interest of mine and I am currently playing the ukulele and singing along with that. I spend time volunteering at a local farm that provides food for the homeless.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Distorted Purposes is the title of my novel. One day in college I was attending a final discussion in place of an exam. All of the students including myself were sitting at desks arranged in a circle around the room. I had stayed up all night leading up to this because I was at the hospital. I was so tired that either I fell asleep briefly in class or I had a daydream. The main focus of my book is around shapeshifted humans and I visualized a shapeshifter sitting at a desk. From there I developed a story based on that odd observation.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will write on little sticky notes here and there at work in between projects. Then I place them in a bag I always bring with me or my purse. I don’t do this often anymore but I used to have a shot of whisky in a glass on a tray table next to where I was sitting and typing every once in a while. For the most part, now it is just tea or coffee. Sometimes I will get up early and write before I get ready for work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book is The Other Side of Dark and it has shown me how to write a compelling story. When it comes to stories that are bizarre as mine is I have found books by Stephen King to be influential.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a sequel for the novel I just self-published. In addition, I have been writing a novella but have put that on hold for the current series I am working on.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a blog where I post about my writing and progress. My Facebook page is where I promote my books the most and I use Instagram to post images related to writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To bring yourself to write as often as possible, even if it is just a paragraph. Start promoting your book early, that is something I made the mistake of not doing. Make a list of all of the information you need to publish and promote your book. Research everything pertaining to your book and websites that help you along the way with advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That you are more worthy than you think.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading The Lost Apothecary.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep chugging along with writing my sequel and thinking about what other stories I want to explore.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith, Rose Madder by Stephen King, and The Great Gatsby.

Author Websites and Profiles
Morgan Douglas Website

Morgan Douglas’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi my name is Cal. I’m an actor, filmmaker, and author from LA. I’ve written two novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is called ‘Son of Neverland.’ I’ve always loved J.M Barrie’s original novels. My chief aim was to do justice by the original works, while at the same time building, growing, and evolving the original ideas I saw planted there.

I was inspired by the eternal aspect to Neverland, with the main idea being that the greatest enemy to eternity would be time itself, a powerful, ancient force, and something far beyond anything Peter and Neverland had ever faced. An epic, spiritual battle of light versus darkness. For the first time ever, Peter would meet his match, and he would have to dig down deep within himself and evolve to become something greater to stand against it. Peter Pan would no longer just merely exist, he would have to choose to live…

I also wanted to add more dimension to my two favorite female protagonists in Neverland, Tinker Bell and Tiger Lily. They are both excellent characters, but I felt they were underdeveloped. Although they both love Peter dearly and traditionally support him on his journey, Tink has her own side journey of managing her affections for Peter with her own self-acceptance and self-worth, and Tiger Lily has to deal with weighing her desire for freedom against her sense of duty, while at the same time dealing with the pressures of representing an entire tribe and culture. They both have a lot to take on in the story, and they are both completely formidable warriors in their own right, really second only to Peter in their world. I think it’s awesome to watch them grow and excel as character alongside him.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m by nature a binge writer and a streaky writer, meaning ideas usually come in hot and fast and I’ll ride the inspiration day and night for 12-16 hours a day until the idea is written or until I run out of steam. On normal days, I write for 1-2 hours in the morning with a large French press of black coffee, and then depending on how much work I have to do I’ll write for 2-4 hours at night when the rest of the world is sleeping.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.M Barrie of course for his original inception of Peter Pan. The queen of fantasy, J.K. Rowling — that goes without saying — and F. Scott Fitzgerald for his prose and grasp of the American English language.

What are you working on now?
Aside from releasing a novel (the work never ends). I’m working on finishing my feature film directorial debut, ‘The Astrid Experience’, which I also wrote and star in, and I’ll be gearing up to produce and audiobook for ‘Son of Neverland’. My ultimate goal is to create enough demand for the story to turn ‘Son of Neverland’ in feature film. In terms story, size, and scope I believe it’s all there… we’ll see what readers have to say in the next few months.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
SonofNeverland.com, CalBarnes.com, IG: @CalBarnes

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is tough because the landscape has changed so much in the last 5 years. With the democratization of technology, more people are doing it than ever before. I wish I could say just write a great book or make a great film, and that’s enough. I think that was true at one point in history, but not sure anymore — although that’s definitely the baseline requirement — learn marketing. See if there is any pre-existing source material in the public domain that has an audience that you can riff off and create a brand new story. Just make sure you read and re-read and really get to know that world before trying to write on another authors idea. This is where I see most writers go wrong who try and build off of pre-existing stories — there work fails to live up to the source material or do it justice. You must grow the original authors idea, not kill it. If you do that, you just might find yourself with an audience.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take the action, stay out of the result. Write regardless of the outcome. If you truly love it, the writing, storytelling, and world-building is the greatest reward in itself.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading some Harry Potter again while publishing. I also want to find time to read The Hobbit.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to rewrite the screenplay of ‘Son of Neverland’ to match the final novel, then I likely be moving on to the next installment in the series when the time comes.

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?
J.M. Barrie’s original Peter and Wendy, so I could become the Pan of the island and rule it, and remember that it would be up to me to make the most of it. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (probably my favorite HP book). I’d probably need a spiritual book as well to meditate on and keep my sanity, maybe The Alchemist or The Prophet.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cal Barnes Website
Cal Barnes Amazon Profile

Cal Barnes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Rob. I’m a fan of all things paranormal and supernatural. So, naturally, that’s the kind of stories I like to tell. My debut novel, “In Your Dreams – League of the Moon, Book 1”, was released in July of 2020. It took a while to write it and would have probably taken a lot longer if my wife and sister hadn’t kicked my ass to get it done – for which I am eternally grateful.
The sequel to “In Your Dreams” is due out in January 2022 and is tentatively titled “The Red Witch – League of the Moon, Book 2.” The audiobook for “In Your Dreams” is scheduled to be released in November of 2021 and features Timothy Howard Jackson as the narrator. I don’t mind telling you the guy did a fantastic job!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Red Witch – League of the Moon, Book 2”
Due for release in January of 2022.
It was inspired by the absolute blast I had writing book one and the urgings of those who read “In Your Dreams” for the characters they love to continue on in a new story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I write, I have a second monitor screen open to YouTube and usually have a simulated writing area. Sometimes a cabin with a fire going and a raging snowstorm outside, sometimes a serene night setting with rain, frogs, and crickets. It keeps me from being distracted by things going on in the house.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, especially The Stand. It’s my all-time fave!
Jules Verne, Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under The Sea – first novel I ever read.
Dean Koontz – Odd Thomas Series. If you haven’t read these, you’re missing out. So much fun.
Jonathan Kellerman. Every book he writes is fantastic.

What are you working on now?
A Prequel to In Your Dreams that I will be giving away free to newsletter subscribers.
League of the Moon, Book 3. I’ve already finished 3 chapters and about 7k words at the writing of this.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had good success with Bargain Booksy and Bookraid. Facebook ads and Amazon ads have helped a lot too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow the same advice I follow. An interviewer asked Eddie Van Halen what the secret to success was. Eddie replied, “Don’t Stop.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For writing, it’s a quote from Stephen King. Hopefully, this is accurate.
“Imagination starts in the writer’s mind and finishes in the reader’s.”

What are you reading now?
I read several books at once. Right now I’m reading:
Night Shift by Stephen King (again, it’s been years)
Real Magic by Dean Radin
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just want to keep the League of the Moon Series going because people seem to love it and want more of it. I love the characters and it’s a blast to write!
I have another book started where a courier delivering drugs to a mental institution ends up trapped inside by accident (maybe).

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 was going to say The Stand, but I’ve read it three times.
I would take Odd Thomas: Brother Odd – loved the atmosphere and setting of that book.
I Know This Much Is True – Wally Lamb – unexpectedly loved this book.
Lord of the Rings. There is so much to rediscover in this book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Sanborn Website
Robert Sanborn Amazon Profile

Robert Sanborn’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
While I have several novels that will not see the light of day, Leah’s Perfect Christmas is my first published novella. Previous work has appeared under the name R. Rozakis in Cast of Wonders, Daily Science Fiction, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, Allegory, Liquid Imagination, Bards & Sages, Weirdbook, Every Day Fiction, and the anthologies Substitution Cipher, Clockwork Chaos, and Baker Street Irregulars II. I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won LUMINA’s 2018 Speculative Fiction contest.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Leah’s Perfect Christmas came from irritation at “Hanukkah” themed holiday specials that end with the Jewish character learning to appreciate Christmas. I wanted a character who dealt with Christmas (and romance) on her own terms, and learned a very special lesson that sometimes, Christmas can kind of suck. And that there’s something to be said for your own traditions.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Like a lot of working parent writers, I cram in bits here and there wherever I can make them fit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I actually usually write more fantasy, but I read a fair amount of romance. I love Courtney Milan and Alyssa Cole, and on the more fantastic side, Lois McMaster Bujold, Mercedes Lackey, and Gail Carriger are all huge influences.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got a fantasy farce my agent is shopping around at the moment. A guy wakes up in what’s very obviously an evil wizard’s lair, with no eyebrows and no memory. It only gradually dawns on him that he is, in fact, the evil wizard. He has a castle, minions, a kidnapped princess, and absolutely NO IDEA what his own evil plan used to be.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to this, so bring it on!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Last book sucked? Keep writing. Story was rejected? Keep writing. Waiting to hear back from someone? Keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be kind.

What are you reading now?
Just finished Naomi Novik’s The Last Graduate. And now I have to wait for her to finish the trilogy!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got another novel in progress I’m not ready to talk about. Remember the advice about keeping writing?

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d like to bring some cozy favorites, but I’m too practical. Flora and fauna guides, and a survival manual.

Author Websites and Profiles
Catherine Beck Website
Catherine Beck Amazon Profile

Catherine Beck’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for more years than I care to remember, short stories and poetry to begin with. But I always wanted to write ‘the big novel’ and to explore the history and landscape of Scotland through my writing. I’ve self-published a short historical story set in dark-age Scotland (Song of a Red Morning), a collection of short stories (The Man who Loved Landscape and other stories) and a collection of poetry (The Ghost in the Machine). I’ve been researching, writing and re-writing my current Trilogy, The Trystan Trilogy for 21 years now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Wolf in Winter is the first volume of The Trystan Trilogy, a retelling of the Arthurian story of Tristan and Isolde. I’ve always loved Arthurian tales and I was keen, not only to have a go at re-telling it myself, but relocating the setting to the country I know and love – Scotland.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Even in this technological age, I write my first drafts in pencil.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rosemary Sutcliff, Bernard Cornwell, Guy Gavriel Kay, JRR Tolkien, Brenda Jagger

What are you working on now?
I’m editing Books 2 and 3 of The Trystan Trilogy, The Swan in Summer and The Serpent in Spring.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books on Instagram. I have a lot to learn about promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Research, research, research, and edit, edit, edit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Set your writing aside for long enough that you can come back to it as a reader.

What are you reading now?
On Raven’s Wing, by Morgan Llywelyn, a retelling of the Irish legend of Cuchulain.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I’ve completed my Trilogy, I intend to write a novel set in 1st century Roman Scotland. Lots of lovely research!

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?
Lord of the Rings, The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay, Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff and Shadow of the Moon by Brenda Jagger

Author Websites and Profiles
Barbara Lennox Website
Barbara Lennox Amazon Profile

Barbara Lennox’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It’s my debut poetry collection about appreciating the small pleasures and noticing the subtleties in our daily lives. It serves as a reminder to use poetry to uplift our souls and heal our minds, discover everyday inspiration, and let our light shine bright to inspire and empower others to do the same.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Feed me a poem is the title of my book and Nature’s colours and sounds, the smell and taste of your food, the history of the countries and places you’ve visited, the stories of your friends and people you’ve met, the buildings you see while strolling, and the pets you caress is my daily source of inspiration!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I usually write when I have spare time and daydream about travel, people I’ve met, and memories of odours or vivid pictures that occur to me at the moment.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every author has something unique to offer and will magnificently inspire you.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a project that will incorporate both art and poetry.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I started promoting my book via my personal social media profiles.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to trust in themselves and their skill, and if they want to publish a book, they should do it anyway!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life is precious, and one should live in the present moment, enjoying every little pleasure of life.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Poesie by Cesare Pavese

What’s next for you as a writer?
To be able to use my poetry to make art and to inspire others.

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 Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Libro de poemas, Federico García Lorca
Love in the time of cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

Author Websites and Profiles
Photini Mina Amazon Profile

Photini Mina’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi guys! I’m 17 and a senior in high school. At the start of 2022, I’ll be starting community college and working toward the degrees I need to become a high school civics teacher.

Among my many passions are writing and storytelling, and after years of writing to get published, it’s so great to be able to call myself a published author. It has been my lifelong dream to publish a book, and having accomplished that (in high school, no less) is still unbelievable to me. That said, I have written one book with a couple more in the works.

I also love coffee. I have been a Starbucks barista for the past year and I love my job. I was hired at Starbucks because I wanted to work for the company, but I have learned to love coffee and am very passionate now about it. Ask me anything about coffee or Starbucks and I would be happy to answer!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first and latest book is a short story collection called Yet Another Frog Croaks. The theme of the collection is death and how people generally perceive and deal with it.

The tagline for the book is, “When frogs croak, they seek to create new life. When humans croak, that once-new life ceases. In both cases, no matter what happens, the world continues to turn.” I chose that for the tagline because it sums up the collection’s theme and explains the title. People often use “croak” in place of “die” as a lighter, perhaps more humorous way of approaching the subject; the title, therefore, is simple wordplay.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote sporadically and mostly late at night. I often find that I will become really interested in writing very randomly and then go on a “writing spree” that will last about a month or two. For example, I went to Barnes and Noble in mid-August, and that trip inspired a renewed interest in writing from which four short stories were born.

I also cannot let ideas go. If I think of something, I have to drop everything and write it out immediately or else I will forget the idea completely. This is kind of embarrassing, but one time I came up with an idea for a story while sitting on the toilet and ran to my laptop immediately after I finished; the first draft was finished a few hours later.

Oh, and I cannot for the life of me write in public. Starbucks, local library, bookstore cafe, school. I don’t care. I cannot write unless I’m sitting in my bedroom with the door closed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mitch Albom, John Steinbeck, and Kurt Vonnegut are probably my favorite authors.

If we’re talking about books, there’s a whole list. Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Albert Camus’ The Stranger, Emma Donoghue’s Room, George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Joe Biden’s Promise Me Dad, and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 are my favorites.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novel about a suicide cult and a second short story collection that juxtaposes natural conditions and human emotion.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m relatively new to book promotions, but I’ve found that searching book promotion sites and promoting your book through them seem to work just fine. That said, if marketing just isn’t your thing or if you’re not seeing the results you’d like to see, I would suggest finding some freelance marketers on Fiverr or Reedsy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want. Whether the elements of your story are completely unrealistic nonsense or meticulously based on real-world events, just write what you want. If you’re into worldbuilding, do that. If you’d prefer to sit on a bench and watch people, do that. But write what you want, and when you do, write it from the heart.

Also, perseverance is key. Writing is tough and publishing is even tougher. You will face your fair share of rejection and that’s okay. You will be told your writing just isn’t good enough and that’s okay. You will be ghosted and that’s okay. You just have to keep going, take all the advice you can get (while staying true to yourself and your stories), and at some point, you will be successful. There are 8 billion people on the planet, so don’t doubt that at least one of them would want to read your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My dad told me to only present what I loved in my heart. That advice made me take a good look at my collection and take out the stories that I didn’t think were fit for it. It slimmed down the collection a lot, but I’m incredibly proud of the final product.

What are you reading now?
I’m working through Bob Woodward’s Peril, a journalistic account about the 2020 election.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just going to keep writing. Maybe I’ll get my work published again, maybe not. But all I can do is keep writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably 3 or 4 books from the list I mentioned in another question. If we’re making a specific list, though, then probably Albert Camus’ The Stranger, George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie, and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

Author Websites and Profiles
Hayden Sidun Website
Hayden Sidun Amazon Profile

Hayden Sidun’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve just published my first book for *sale*, but the first book I wrote and published was a life-sized fairy tale telling how my husband and I met: we wore it as a Halloween costume. He was the front cover, and I was the back. I’m in the middle of my second project, so I guess I’ve written about 1 3/4 books so far. My husband and I live in the rainy northwest with our two children, a teen and an almost-tween, both of whom wish to be treated as fully grown adults. We treat them as a teen and an almost-tween, much to their frequent and vocal dismay.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Daze of Isolation: Diary of a Stuck at Home Mom was inspired by the recent pandemic, when I kept an online journal of the lighter side of Covid-19. Our school district was the first in the nation to shut the schools down, and I began writing with “Day 1 of Isolation,” but pretty soon those days turned into a daze, a 384-day-long daze!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not at all. I’m sure everyone uses Google speech-to-text while on their morning walks, edits on their tablet while taking a bubble bath, and proofreads on a sunny patio at the local McDonald’s. And when late-night inspiration strikes, doesn’t everyone hunch over their laptops in bed, typing oh-so-quietly because their loving husband is asleep on the other side of the bed?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Good mysteries are my favorite for stress relief and escapism, but I treasure the vulnerability and humor of authors such as Kristina Kuzmič, Jen Hatmaker, and Melissa Fay Greene. It’s so easy to feel like everyone “else” is living a Pinterest-perfect, Instagram-worthy life every day, but we need to hear that others struggle just like we do. If we can laugh a little in the process, so much the better.

What are you working on now?
Like most people, I was in the middle of something when the pandemic exploded on the scene: my first book, which will now be my second book, called Domestic Tradecraft. Domestic Tradecraft is based on the observation that children can be tiny terrorists, and in order to survive, we need to develop elite, espionage-like skills, i.e. hone our tradecraft. In the same way that Daze of Isolation is a tongue-in-cheek history of the pandemic, Domestic Tradecraft is a flippant instruction book for parents. I like to think of it as the “un-manual” for parenting.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found that promoting my book requires the same level of persistence and creativity that it took to write the book: maybe more! I have a few go-to resources I keep coming back to, such as thebookdesigner.com and kindlepreneur.com. Then, sites like this one (awesomegang.com) are so valuable to get the word out about new books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Krista Overly, www.kristaoverlycoaching.com, cautions against “micro-quitting” – those little choices we make to do something else instead of taking the steps we need to take today to reach our dreams. For example, I might avoid doing some market research and justify it to myself by doing a little more re-writing on my book or touching up the formatting. Sometimes, I used my other responsibilities to micro-quit on writing. I had to say to myself, “Yes, I have to make dinner for my kids, but I do not have to make the bread from scratch, and the broth from scratch, and grow the vegetables in my garden…” As if I could grow enough vegetables to feed a human anyway. And sometimes, I can order pizza.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice that keeps coming back to me when you ask that is something my mom always said about parenting: don’t make the consequences for kids’ bad behavior so bad that it punishes the parents. For example, if you get really angry and ground your child for a month, you are going to suffer as much or more than the child! I can’t tell you how often that has saved me from torturing myself and my kids!

What are you reading now?
I’m catching up on the latest from some of my favorite series (Robert B. Parker’s Spenser, now written by Ace Atkins; the latest Jack Reacher by Lee Child) alternating with real-life memoirs, such as Kristina Kuzmič’s Hold On, but Don’t Hold Still and The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting, by Ilana Wiles.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The next thing on my to-do list is to find a rhythm in which I can make progress on my next book while still keeping the marketing momentum for my existing book. It’s a little bit like trying to adjust to parenting your second child: when you finally get one kid settled down, but you can’t take a breather, because the other kid is just ramping up.

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 have to dedicate a couple of choices to practicality, such as The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, which I’ve always been meaning to read. Then the Bible, because I’m sure I’ll need some comfort. After that, probably anything by Parker or Child. For my final choice, I’d bring my Kindle, fully loaded with the 234 books on my “to-read” list right now. Because surely the last person who was stranded on that island will have come up with a solar-powered USB charger.

I mentioned this question to my husband, calling it a “deserted” island, which sounded to him like I said “dessert” island. I think he’s on to something. I’m putting in my request now to be stranded on Dessert Island, with donuts growing on trees and meadows full of plants that bloom cupcakes and muffins. I’m guessing there will be natural springs flowing with salted-caramel mochas and waterfalls of Diet Coke. When it snows on Dessert Island, delicate flakes of Pringles float down from the sky, because after all that sugar, everyone knows you’d need a salt fix.

Author Websites and Profiles
Krista Ehlers Website
Krista Ehlers Amazon Profile

Krista Ehlers’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Cheshire, England with my husband and two rehomed greyhounds.
I started writing children’s books in February 2021 as a lockdown project and have just published my 5th one.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Parrot Adventures: Pobble Goes To School.
My husband was given a parrot for his retirement and he completely took over our lives for 13 years. Writing stories about him reminds me of all the fun times we had together, along with some challenging moments!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on a diet of Beatrix Potter, C.S Lewis, Rudyard Kipling, Jack London, Sheila Burnford, Percy Fitzpatrick, Rider Haggard, and J Tolkien.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on book 6 with my illustrator and thinking about a new series based on the story of the fall and God’s plan of salvation.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a complete novice and I’m currently learning how to use Amazon Ads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If I can do it, anyone can!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
90% of the work is starting!

What are you reading now?
Thinking: Fast and Slowly

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get out and start promoting my series at fares and book festivals.

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 in a few different translations- KJV, Amplified, The Pasion translation;
Life of Fire by Reinhard Bonnke,
Spirit, Soul and Body by Andrew Wommack

Author Websites and Profiles
Joanna Trelawny Amazon Profile

Joanna Trelawny’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile