Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Berks County, Pennsylvania (about an hour outside of Philadelphia). Living so close to the Poconos, I grew up with a deep love of the outdoors, which turned into an unquenchable wanderlust as I got older. I went to Pitt (H2P!) and lived in Pittsburgh for several years before escaping the gloom for the sunny south.

I now live in Raleigh, NC, with my very tolerant husband. By day I’m the COO of a small digital marketing agency downtown where I focus primarily on content marketing and consulting but still spend every spare moment I can outside. When Chris and I aren’t traveling, hiking, paddling, or otherwise exploring, I’m writing (or reading). I’ve been a content marketing specialist and freelance writer for years, but only recently completed my first fiction novel – Daughter of the Antediluvial World: An Atlantis Origin Story (available on Amazon now!)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut action-adventure sci-fi novel is titled Daughter of the Antediluvian World: An Atlantis Origin Story.

The concept for the book originally came to me in college. I was taking an Introduction to Mythology course as part of a communications minor, and it reignited a long-time love I had for Greek Mythology growing up. So, this story started brewing and – of course – changed quite a bit over time. (Spoiler Alert: There are no Greek gods in DOAW.)

As I started writing I just couldn’t seem to get the fantasy aspects of the story to jive with what I knew about the world – I tend to be a very logical thinker – so magic became science. (Because really, aren’t they the same thing?) The concept of an action-adventure story really developed as I got a bit older and started doing more traveling. I’ve mentioned that U have a severe case of Wanderlust – I want to see the world. The places in the book are a few at the top of my list, so getting to research them and visit them through the process of writing the story was thrilling.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m definitely a “plotter.” My first step in every writing project is to start with research and then to develop a detailed outline. I think outlining this story actually took longer than writing the rough draft, but writing to outline allows me to stop thinking about plot and focus on really getting into the story as I work through building out worlds and characters.

I also learned early in the writing process that repeating the same activities before I sat down to write put me in “writing mode.” I started writing the book in the evenings over the winter, (eventually, I became a dedicated morning writer) so before I sat down to write I would always change into comfortable clothes and make myself a cup of blueberry tea with honey. One day I did that and didn’t plan to sit down to write, but found that my brain immediately went into writing mode. So that kind of became my process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, this question is always tricky. I’m a bit of an agnostic reader; I’ll dig into any from hard science fiction and technothrillers to fantasy, thrillers, and mysteries. Daughter of the Antediluvian World is a bit of a nod to my unwillingness to commit to one genre – it’s primarily an action-adventure sci-fi story, but there are elements of mystery, mythology, and yes, even a little romance weaved through.

Some of my favorite writers, who have inspired me over the years to pursue my love of fiction, all seem to live in this “in-between space” with me. Michael Crichton, A.G. Riddle, Dan Brown, and James Rollins are likely all partially responsible for my writing style. Still, I also love a good laugh with Christopher Moore, a little darkness and intrigue from Neil Gaiman, and stories to quench my wanderlust by travel writer J. Maartin Troost.

What are you working on now?
Daughter of the Antediluvian World just hit shelves in September 2021, so right now I’m in marketing mode to get the word out. During my launch I was humbled to receive a number of requests for a sequel – which I wasn’t originally planning to write – so I’m already working out a few new storylines and hope to revisit the lost city of Atlantis very soon!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still early in the process – so I’ll have to get back to you on this one! I’ve received incredible feedback on my social media pages (@alhookebooks on Facebook and Insta!) so I’m planning to test a few social ads as well as AMS ads and – of course – promo sites like the incredible Awesome Gang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it and own your process. There are so many “gurus” and courses out there that all claim to have the best process for writing and self-publishing a book and most of them are peddling programs to get you published in a ridiculously short amount of time. I joined one of them and initially, I really felt the pressure to get my book out in three months or less. I had so many people telling me that “done is better than perfect.”

All the pressure was taking the joy out of the project so eventually, I just tuned it all out. I poured my heart and soul into my first novel, and I eventually took control of the process and did it my way. The people behind the course I had paid very good money for abandoned me and I ultimately ended up figuring out the entire publishing process on my own. Did it take me more than a year to finish? Yes. But am I thrilled with the results and proud of myself for doing it my way? Absolutely yes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Win the day by 9 a.m.! Before I established a set schedule for writing my progress was very slow. Once I started prioritizing writing and accomplishing what was most important to me in the day before my work started, my progress just exploded. I am by no means one of those people who exist on 4 hours of sleep and start work by 5 a.m., people, but learning to prioritize and developing a writing habit is absolutely what allowed me to finish writing this book.

What are you reading now?
Marketing DOAW is the priority right now so my TBR list is suffering a bit, but of course, I always find at least a little time to get lost in a good book! Right now I’m reading Departure by A.G. Riddle. No spoilers!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I originally planned for DOAW to be a standalone novel, a passion project that I had to try. But now that I’ve taken my first step into the world of fiction I’m absolutely hooked, and my next story (or two) is already starting to swirl around in my mind. It won’t be long before you see my name on bookshelves again! In addition to daydreaming about new adventures and marketing Daughter of the Antediluvian World, I am currently working on an online course to help others learn how to write persuasively for their businesses – How To Write Like a Copywriter.

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?
Well, this is an impossible question. I know for sure I would take my proof copy of Daughter of the Antediluvian World so I had it to use to start drafting book number two!

Author Websites and Profiles
A.L. Hooke Website
A.L. Hooke Amazon Profile

A.L. Hooke’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mark Robijn (also Robyn) lives in Tacoma Washington where he loves to hike Mt. Rainier and enjoy the beautiful scenery. A lifelong lover of adventure stories and science fiction, he grew up reading Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Issac Asimov. In addition to his children’s picture book Moogy and the Peach Tree Dragon, he has written a series of young adult science fiction books called Johnny Apocalypse and the Nuclear Wasteland, available on Amazon. He has also written a romantic thriller e-book called Dead by Midnight, available on most e-book platforms.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Moogy and the Peach Tree Dragon is my latest book. It was a story I told to my own children and sprang from my love of dragons and fantasy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to show tunes on the TV while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jack London, The Call of the Wild
Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island
Issac Asimov, I Robot
Fred Saberhagen, the Berserker Series
Harry Harrison, The Stainless Steel Rat Wants You!

What are you working on now?
Another sequel to my Johnny Apocalypse series, as well as another children’s picture book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say Facebook and Reedy are two great places to start.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you love it first. Then be proud of what you’ve written and don’t be afraid to share it with the world.

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

What are you reading now?
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue to write more books for my series and more picture 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?
Something really big so it would take a long time. Stephen King’s The Stand, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, The Lord of the Rings, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Robyn Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Two and working on the third!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When I wrote Snake Charm of the Oracle, I wanted to create a fantasy adventure that was different from everything else out there. Something that left the reader introspective on closing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I create different playlists for different books. Within Temptation and Tommee Proffit took up most of the playlist for Snake Charm of the Oracle.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sir Terry Pratchett, and the Bartimaeus trilogy by J Stroud.

What are you working on now?
Upon a Murder, the second in the Darkwell anthology.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep learning, keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live.

What are you reading now?
We free men by Sir Terry Pratchett.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Back to the keyboard…

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 bartimaeus trilogy, and The art of Zen

Author Websites and Profiles
Kal Locksley Website
Kal Locksley Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Manjithe Senanayake, a 14 years old Sri Lankan writer and a poet. The Kite : Face Challenges strongly is my only published book. The Trio And The Ghost Boy, 15 Years On Earth are some books that I’m hoping to publish in future.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Kite : Face Challenges Strongly. I had an opportunity to fly kites for first time this year. That certain thing inspired me to write this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I write only by black pen when I’m writing books. Usually I write my story 4 times. First time I write a plot. Then a bit developed plot, then I write it more developed another time. After that I keep it away for about 2 weeks. After that 2 weeks, I read the book myself as a reader. I correct mistakes and prepare it for publication. For me, it is a bit unusual writing habit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read books in all the genres. So when I write, they are very helpful for me.
David Walliams, Roald Dahl, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, J.K.Rowling are some authors who influenced me

What are you working on now?
These days I’m writing a middle grade book series about friendship.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method is using Instagram and promotional websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author too. Try to write your own book. It can be something imaginary or a real life event. It doesn’t matter. All you have to do is keep trying. Also don’t read books in only one genre. Read books that are in different genres. It will give you tips for writing and help you to find your passion.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
”If I have the belief that I an do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

– Mahatma Gandhi –

What are you reading now?
These days I’m reading a memoir by Sonali Deraniyagala ‘ The Wave’

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book will be published in December or January

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’ll take,
1. Mythil’s secret by Prashani Rambukwella
2. Bringing Tony Home by Tissa Abeysekara
3. The Witches by Roald Dahl
4. Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Author Websites and Profiles
Manjithe Senanayake Amazon Profile

Manjithe Senanayake’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

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Author Interview Series

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Mahmoud Suleiman Abdi Dualeh. I come from Somalia, which is in East Africa. I have written six stories and have three collections, featuring a number of those tales, out. My story titles are as follows: Family Day; Karen, the Misbehaved Girl; Mersa’s Surge of Energy; The Archaeologists Secret; Souhail and the Realm of Super Beings; Muhsen Ilyes: Deciphering Terrorism and Three, Four and Six Short Stories on Fate/Very Different Short Stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is actually a short story collection with all my published stories. The eBook version is called Six Short Stories on Fate and the paperback one is titled Six Very Different Short Stories. I was inspired by the social issue of family separation (in Family Day), fantasy blockbusters like Harry Potter (in Mersa’s Surge of Energy) and other classics and pressing topics.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write in a blur, but, having written many essays in university, I learned to edit well and maintain a good standard of quality.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I idolize J.K. Rowling, Dan Brown, George Orwell, William Shakespeare, John Milton, Jane Austen, Arthur Miller and many more incredible authors and people. I like The Giver, The Catcher in the Rye, Angela’s Ashes, the Harry Potter series, the Robert Langdon series (featuring the Da Vinci Code) and more great books.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a business fiction book called Savanna Drama. It is based in the Congo, an African country, and features the struggles of doing business in impoverished, lawless societies.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like Awesome Gang because they do book promotions and host author interviews. I also appreciate KDP’s promo tools and I’m trying to connect more with potential readers by putting myself out there on YouTube channels, the radio and podcasts. I’ve actually been on the radio once, which was a load of fun. I want to do that again soon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
What I have learned from publishing six stories and collection is that value-for-money offers are great. If you want to write a novel, then that’s great (as long as you set it at a reasonable price). For those of you like me that have written short stories, try to compile as many stories as you can into a novella/novel-length book. That way, you can also benefit from better sales.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have heard is to connect with readers through the media. That is why I am so adamant to do that. Try to get on YouTube by talking with people on their channels, be heard on the radio and get on podcasts.

What are you reading now?
I’m actually reading a nonfiction book called Principles, by Ray Dalio.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope what’s next for me as a writer are bigger and better things. I do not know what the future holds but I’m working to be more successful. The main goal is to get as many people as possible to read my books and, hopefully, improve as an author.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mahmoud Suleiman Abdi Dualeh Amazon Profile

Mahmoud Suleiman Abdi Dualeh’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Canadian prairie boy. I spent 40 years of my life as a musician, travelling across Canada and the US playing nightclubs and honky-tonks. It’s a great way to make a living.
I drifted into writing out of that. A song I wrote put me there. The song came from loneliness, the books came from the song. That song was “I Call Your Name” (Music From Soup,soupsyz.com). Back in 2001, we were the house band at The St. Louis Hotel in Calgary. One night after hours, I sat on my bed, picked up my acoustic, and out came the song. I played it through a few times, decided I liked it, jotted down the lyrics and turned out the lights. Later, I bolted upright from my sleep in a sweat, jumped up to my computer and began typing. I kept typing until I collapsed. When I woke, I read what I had (47 pages), and got right back to writing. I was in the fire. I never looked back. That book became the first in the One Song series. There are now four. “I Call Your Name” started the process.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our latest book is called “Soup: The Future Is Past and Present.” The inspiration was everywhere. My niece, Candy Haugen had a lot to do with finishing “Soup” back in late 2018. She is working with me now on our new book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know. Probably. I don’t know enough authors to compare notes. I do most of my ‘writing’ while doing something else, such as riding my bike, or hiking. Or yardwork. It seems to be a subliminal process, churning around in the background waiting to come out. And when it does, big chunks are there, so I sit down at a keyboard of choice and make it real. Trying to force something doesn’t work for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Pretty much every book I’ve read has influenced me in one way or another. Stephen King, Neville Shute, James Michener, Herman Wouk etc., etc. I read pretty much the entire collection of Louis L’ amour in my younger days on the road. I quite enjoyed those.

What are you working on now?
My niece, Candy Haugen and I, are working on book five of the series, “What Happened Really?”, and the accompanying music.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.travishaugen.com is my author website, which takes you to “Soup”: The Future Is Past And Present. Search soupsyz in YouTube to get the Soupsyz channel, www.facebook.com/travishaugenauthor/ will get you to our Facebook page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep an open mind on opinions offered; but go with your gut.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Wake up with a plan and execute it while remaining flexible to changing environments.

What are you reading now?
“In the Shadow of the Gods”: The Memoirs of a Led Zeppelin Tribute Singer, by Jean Violet and Aaron Joy, and “What Was Said to Me” – The Life of Sti’tum’atul’wut, a Cowichan Woman, by Ruby Peter.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing songs and stories, and getting back to book presentations, which involves live music , and readings from 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?
Three books I haven’t read by Authors I admire, and “The Book of Joy” by The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. That should get me through anything.

Author Websites and Profiles
Travis Haugen Website
Travis Haugen Amazon Profile

Travis Haugen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I married my high school sweetheart. We have been married 35 years. We have three grown sons. Our oldest son CJ passed this past year. Still adjusting to that. Our middle son, Caleb will be getting married October 9 we are excited. I am blessed to be able to officiate at my sons wedding.
Our youngest son Jake continues to pursue a career in theology. He teaches at a Catholic High School. He is looking to start his masters and would like to go onto a Phd. His goal is to be a college professor teaching theology. Not bad for someone born with a brain hemorrhage and was supposed to die at birth.
I have been pastoring for 25 years. I started with the established church. Then I became a church planter. Out of the church plant we started the first biker church in Massachusetts.
I moved to Florida started a consulting business to pastors. Then was called back to the pastorate. Hopefully, ending my ministry where I began with an established church.
My calling has been to small struggling churches or planting a church. I have been offered larger churches but I continue to turn them down. God has made a good team with my wife Kristin and myself.
Kristin has had great success as a Research Engineer in the medical field with over 10 patents to her name. That made it possible for me to either plant churches or work with small struggling churches. She recently left the medical field is the Senior Vice President Global Technology Development. She builds teams and implements new processes to help make the company more effective and productive.
Called to Battle is my first book. This isn’t the first time I published. Guide Post did publish one of my articles.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is Called to Battle. A Supernatural Thriller. It deals with spiritual warfare. It was inspired by my life.
I came to Christ when I was 8 years old and I have never left Jesus. I started a bible study for athletes in High School. I was an accomplished athlete so that was where my influence was. I had the typical warfare in high school. Some kids taunting me for my faith. Access to drugs and so forth.
It was my first pastorate that spiritual warfare became real. I took a church of 25 that was getting ready to close. We grew to 100 in a year. The more we grew the more fights that occurred. There were a group in the church that had influence who couldn’t really describe themselves as Christians. When I asked them to tell me of their faith walk they couldn’t. One man told me he was going to do everything he could to get rid of me. When I asked what my sin issue was they said there is none they just wanted me gone.
The long term members started to complain there were too many young people coming into the church. I was preaching too much from the bible. We were having too many baptisms every month. People were talking about bringing praise music into the church.
That ended in a huge battle.
While this was going on Kristin became pregnant. The attacks were so intense she went into distress. I resigned on Dec. 23rd. We had no savings. Kristin was pregnant and working 2 days a week as a consultant. God did multiple miracles. Kristin was hired full time within two weeks of leaving.
Five months later our son was born. He had a brain hemorrhage and was supposed to die. God intervened there and saved his life
I would plant a church a few months after that. During the plant we met at the local Junior High. We had a signed contract. The acting Superintendent one Sunday locked us our. Our lawyer got involved and with much prayer we were let back in.
Another time we were going to hold a prayer service on the town Park on Good Friday. The Selectman told me if I did they would arrest me. I told them they knew where to find me at noon on Good Friday. At that meeting every newspaper and TV station from MA and RI showed up.
I have stories about God changing the weather to help a block party happen.
My most recent battle our son being killed by a hit and run driver who had a revoked license because of a DUI. His car was unregistered and uninsured.
I was a pastor of a small church. Not a mega church pastor. I hadn’t written any books. I realized I am like a thousand other pastors. If these spiritual battles were happening to me they were happening to everyone. So I decided to write a novel and incorporate some of my stories. In the process encourage people to let them they are not alone and how to have victory.
Kristin and I had to learn how to weather these battle. How to build ourselves up. We realized When God Call You Need to Be Ready for Battle.
This inspired my book. 95% of what happens in the book actually happened to me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I don’t make an outline. I don’t recommend that. I know how the book starts and I know how it ends. I have to start writing the book to figure out how I am going to get from the beginning to the end.
An editor informed me that 80% of fictions writers don’t have an ending when they begin a book so they never finish their book. So I was ahead of the game.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible.
This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti had a big impact on me.
Robert Whitlow who is a lawyer who writes book with courtroom scenes. He is also a Christian.
I read biographies: Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan.

What are you working on now?
I have three books that I have going right now.
1. The sequel to Called to Battle
2. A Christmas Book. I am a Christmas fanatic. I am one of those lunatics who puts thousands of lights on his house.
3. A Non-Fiction Book. It is about me and my sons. All three of my sons went through life altering times. My oldest had cerebral palsy and obsessive compulsive disorder that haunted him. When he was 18 he got into drugs and became a drug dealer. At 24 God turned his life around. He found a wonderful woman and married her. Then was killed at the age of 29 by a hit and run driver.
Our second son was the child who did well and had a million friends. He is the type parents think I don’t have to worry about him. He went to college and became an alcoholic. He had a car accident where he should have died and God saved his life. He still didn’t stop drinking. Eventually God got hold of him turned him around and he is doing great.
My youngest one went through a life choice moment turning away from God. His lasted only a few years before he turned back to God. At 24 he reads the bible and prays 1 to 2 hours everyday.
In this book it is about how I as a dad held onto my faith when I watched my sons go down these roads. I thought I did everything right. We sent them to Christian Schools. We homeschooled them. I was actively involved with their life. Everyday Kristin and I prayed with them. I discipled them. When serious issues came up we went to Christian counselors. We try to do everything right and everything went wrong. Keeping your faith when God doesn’t seem to be listening.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.jhenrywatson.com or www.called2battle.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a self-publisher who received help. I learned if you are not passionate, disciplined and driven don’t bother. I didn’t realize writing the book was the easy part. I worked with Donna Partow who told me you have a choice. You can write a book or you can write a book people will buy. If you want them to buy it the work is extensive.
A couple of weeks before we launched the book I was getting contacted from Donna a number of times a day. It came to a point I would see her message and cringe. I would think what miserable thing does she want me to do now.
Everything she had me do was important and valuable. If you are working with someone who knows what they are doing trust them.
There is one thing we can’t control. Will our book resonate. We know our books can help people. Believe in your book and pray it resonates.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This was a phrase I read from “Raising a Modern Day Knight.” I taught it to my boys and to the men I serve.
A Man Rejects Passivity, Accepts Responsibility, Lead Courageously and Expects the Greater Reward – God’s Reward.

What are you reading now?
Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado
Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff – It is about a dad who gets that awful phone call that his son is dead. He died in a climbing accident.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will try to continue to write one book a year. It is tough being a pastor and a writer. I don’t know how other pastors do it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
This Present Darkness Frank Peretti
Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig. It will take solitude and years to fully understand that book.
Called to Battle

Author Websites and Profiles
James Watson Website
James Watson Amazon Profile

James Watson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mystery and thriller fiction writer. I have written two books that are published. They are titled – Zoey’s Memory and Everything Led Me to You,
While I am not writing, I enjoy being at the beach, reading, rollerblading, and modeling professionally.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Everything Led Me to You is my latest published novel. My inspiration came from wanting to write another mystery but with more thrill to it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual or not, but I like to highlight the sentences that I have written and am not so sure about in bold during my writing process. That way, while I am going through my manuscript the next time, it is easier for me to fix or re-write those sentences to fit into the story better.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sandra Brown, Jodi Picoult, R.L Stine, and Ned Vizzini.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a stalker-themed thriller. It is not titled as I just started the writing process so I cannot give out much detail about it just yet!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, my best method for promoting my books has consisted of Instagram and word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’ve published two books, so I am relatively new myself. The only advice I can give is to just do your research before going straight into the publishing process. There is tons of content out on the internet that helps with learning how to write and publish. Utilize as many resources as you want and can.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice that I have been given is life is short. If you have something that you want to accomplish and you have the means to accomplish it, then why wait?

What are you reading now?
I am about to dive into One of Us is Lying by Karen M.Mcanus

What’s next for you as a writer?
While I keep writing standalone novels in the mystery/thriller categories, I intend to write a young adult mystery three-book series as well.

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 – Mean streak by Sandra brown, Defending Jacob by William Landy, Eye Candy by R.L Stine, and a Jodi Picoult book!

Author Websites and Profiles
Sara Kate Website
Sara Kate Amazon Profile

Sara Kate’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I come from the suburbs of a communist country. I grew up playing marbles on a dirt road and playing Bad Dudes vs DragonNinja in the local arcade. I used to be a metalhead, a b0gger, a pothead, a gamer, a nerd… I still am some of those things, but also a father, a teacher and a writer. This is my first book as Nash Knight, but I wrote and published plenty before.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is, as you can see, Salvation on Peril Island. It was inspired by many things, novels like Robinson Crusoe, Ready Player One, 1Q84, Mogworld, TV-shows like Lost and Black Mirror, comic-books like Love and Rockets, and of course, my own life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’ know how unusual it is, but I only write Friday nights while drinking four craft beers, different ones every time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J. R. R. Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, Howard Lovecraft, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Stephen R. Donaldson, Michael Moorcock, Michel Houellebecq, David Foster Wallace…

What are you working on now?
I am working on a fantasy novel with adult themes. I won’t reveal anything more.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If I knew I wouldn’t be here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for the love and joy of writing, not to get rich and famous. Chances are you won’t, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have mad fun.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Prepare for every eventuality.

What are you reading now?
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card. It’s pretty great, even though it could’ve used some trimming.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting someone to actually read my 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?
Infinite Jest by D. F. Wallace, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

 

Nash Knight’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written eight novels and eight collection of short stories. I have also wrtten two plays and several poems.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘The Hardest Way Out of Love’. I normally write a novel or short based on sme incident but can’t honestly tell what inspired me to write that novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Right now I’m writing about five novels sumultaneously. I always do an outline of the story before I write it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoyed reading Western stories by Zane Grey and Louis Lamour. I also enjoy stories written by African and Caribbean writers.

What are you working on now?
I am working on about five novels

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would like to promote my books, but so far I don’t know which website to use.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is really tough to make a living as a fiction writer.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not give up your regular job to become a fiction writer

What are you reading now?
I read mostly newspapers on current news.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue writing, but only novels.

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 Godfather by Mario Puzo, and any book w`ritten by Louis Lamour.

 

Austin Mitchell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Erin Thorp, an Author, Speaker, and Coach for leaders who struggle with conflict, communication, and performance during high-stress times. I support leaders in navigating difficult conversations, building powerful teams, and communicating with empathy so that they can lead confidently.

I have written and published one book – Inside Out Empathy and have three others in various stages of completeness right now. I found that once I had the first one done, SO many other ideas came flooding in, it’s sometimes overwhelming.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Inside Out Empathy was inspired by my career and parent journey over the past 2 decades. I found that my superpower as a leader and parent are my empathy skills and then I began to see and recognize them in others.

I used to be called ‘emotional’ and I’ve come to learn that it was my inability to deal with my own emotions and triggers that lead to my seemingly volatile outward expression of emotion … hence the “inside” part of the book title. Once I had my inner self tended too, I could then better tend to the emotions of those I was leading and working with … hence the “outside” part of the book title.

Empathy is a family and workplace value yet very few of us know how to practice empathy in everyday behavior. It is the precursor to engagement, compassion and inspiration.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do most of my ‘writing’ when I’m walking and use voice to text apps on my phone. It makes for some pretty unusual editing and also makes my writing read as more conversational.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
SO MANY! I’m an avid reader. On average I listen to or read at least a book at week, sometimes I’ll have even more on the go. Some people binge Netflix, I binge on books. I can take them anywhere and they never bother anyone else. In the professional space I would say that I’ve been most influenced by Simon Sinek, Brene Brown, Tara Mohr, Ken Blanchard and most recently Adam Grant. Honestly though, I do like to read a lot and there are so many great thought leaders out there, it’s so difficult for me to narrow down the list!

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a non-fiction leadership book about navigating new circumstances and a fiction novel which is still taking shape. I enjoy bouncing back and forth between the two as it’s stretching my skills as a writer.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t cracked this nut yet and am continuously trying new website, apps and social media campaigns. The pandemic has turned the book marketing world upside down and the way people are finding and consuming books is so rapidly changing that we as authors need to remain agile and adaptable.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep going! I thought that writing the book was a hard part when I first started out and after 4 years can tell you that it’s the easier part of being an author. The hardest part is the marketing marathon no one tells you about that is never-ending. Take it slow and steady. Focus on consistency over anything else when it comes to promoting and marketing your books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I grew up with parents in Alcoholics Anonymous so I think the serenity prayer has had the biggest influence on my life. Wisdom is knowing the difference between what you can change and what you can’t.

Also from the program is “one day at a time”. As a working mom it is very easy to get overwhelmed by all the things there are to do. Being able to bring myself back to the moment and focus on what’s here and now, helps keep me grounded and able to keep moving forward.

What are you reading now?
Think Again by Adam Grant (for the 2nd time), Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski and Anxious People by Fredrick Backman.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Oh I wish I knew! I’m going to focus on writing as that’s the only thing I can control and see where this lifetime takes me!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take Rock Chicks by Kristen Ashley, The Sovereignty Knot by Marisa Goudy and the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Author Websites and Profiles
Erin Thorp Website
Erin Thorp Amazon Profile

Erin Thorp’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Debra Leigh. I was born in Columbus, Ohio and spent most of my childhood travelling with my family, playing sports, getting very nice dresses quite dirty, and impulse buying every crayon, marker, and paintbrush I could find.

In addition to writing, I am passionate about coaching volleyball, painting, and of course, reading. I have always been an animal lover and currently live with my two dogs, Kaiser (German Shepard) and Chance ( Papillion).

In 2021, I published my first romance novel, Nauti by Nature to Amazon and Kindle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Nauti by Nature”. My family loves going on cruises and traveling in general. On our last vacation, I noted how awesome of a setting it would be for a book, so I wrote one.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if it’s unusual, but I drink a lot of coffee and get a lot of my best work done at night. Many nights, I have found myself deep into a chapter at two or three in the morning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a huge Meghan March fan. Her Mount and Savage trilogies have been a big influence on my writing style and character development.

What are you working on now?
I have a few manuscripts in the works. I recently completed my YA novel “Falling”, which I am hoping to release sometime in December. I am also working on the second “Nauti by Nature” novel of course, which I plan to release in 2022. And my most recent project is a Crime Fiction novel titled “Victim of Opportunity”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mostly promote on Instagram, but I also have a Facebook page I have recently started building.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time. If you need a day off, take it. Be proud of the act, even if it doesn’t accumulate the praise you’d hoped for.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Meghan March made a post about her first novel she ever wrote. It was a posy-apocalyptic ménage à trois that almost no one read. She even did a giveaway for three books and only two people signed up. She has now sold millions of books. Her advice, which pushed me forward on my journey, was to just keep writing, because it only matters that you’ve started. And we all start somewhere.

What are you reading now?
I am currently re-reading David Baldacci’s The Finisher, the first novel in his Vega Jane series. I first read the series in 2015 before the sequels were published and wanted to start from the beginning.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next published book will be my YA novel, “Falling”. It holds a special place in my heart and I am very excited for its release.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Ruthless King, The Hunger Games, and any of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Debra Leigh Website
Debra Leigh Amazon Profile

Debra Leigh’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My warm-up to writing was to produce five non-fiction books, as well as co-write and edit a book of Christmas stories. All of these contained short, true stories of people who 1) had triumphed over a major crisis in their lives, 2) had used their talents to benefit others, and 3) had experienced adventures most of us will never have the opportunity to have. This past year, I plunged into fiction to write my first novella.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first fictional book is That Gentile Girl. The story idea had been circulating in my head for years. But writing it stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. I found I loved the creativity of fiction, even when I was stuck on how to write the next chapter.

The book is an historical fiction set in the early 1850’s, and the basic premise revolves around young Emma Peterson, who leaves frontier Missouri after witnessing the murder of her parents. She hitches a ride aboard a wagon train bound for California, but her circuitous route leads her directly into the paths of the three brutal killers, as well as a young English widower determined to reach the Salt Lake Basin. Emma must decide if her revenge is more important than romance, and survive long enough to make that choice.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My best plot ideas seem to come just as I am lying down to sleep and my mind relaxes. If I don’t get up and jot them down, they will keep me awake for hours.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love almost anything with an historical background. My favorite authors are James Herriot and Richard Paul Evans. I have just finished my first book by Paulette Jiles, and definitely want to read more of her books.

What are you working on now?
I am editing the sequel to That Gentile Girl, another novella that I call A Test of Faith. I have also begun writing a book about one of my husband’s ancestors, who was expelled from Scotland after finding himself on the wrong side of a royal battle. He was subsequently sent to America as an indentured servant, where the possibilities for plot are endless.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a website, a Facebook page, and an Amazon author page. But I am constantly looking for new ways to market my books. As someone who would rather write than market, that’s a huge challenge for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for your own enjoyment first. I call writing my sanity keeper. Then write for the people who enjoy what you write – whether that is ten or ten thousand.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I love this quote by Junot Diaz: A writer is a writer not because she writes well or easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.

What are you reading now?
I like to read a few magazines between books, and right now I am reading an edition of the Smithsonian Magazine. This one has some amazing historical facts about Yellowstone National Park and the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to have A Test of Faith ready to publish by October, and at least the first draft of my next book finished shortly thereafter. Since that will be the first in a series of books, my next goal will be to do a storyline board of each of sequels.

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 scriptures to bring me comfort and my collection of Herriott books to remind me that life, however hard, is also worthwhile.

Author Websites and Profiles
Linda Chism Website
Linda Chism Amazon Profile

Linda Chism’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m a martial arts instructor and author. I run my own school, Jade Mountain Martial Arts, in Katy, TX. I’ve written eleven books so far, and I’m working on others. Five of them are epic fantasy, three are urban fantasy, and I also have three exercise books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Grim Obligations: Book 3 in the GrimFaerie Chronicles. It’s an Urban Fantasy story set in Katy and West Houston, Tx. It’s the third book with these characters, a Fae assassin who’s a surly good guy, a tough Texas witch who loves firearms, and a mysterious detective who has far more magick in her than she should. I’m having a ton of fun seeing what kind of trouble they get into and how they kick the necessary asses to handle that trouble. 🙂

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As a small business owner, I have to squeeze my writing in between all my other duties, so I don’t have consistent writing times. I’ve written chapters on my phone during physical therapy (riding the stationary bike) as well as dictating notes while I run errands.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dennis L McKiernan’s an amazing fantasy author. I’d love to be like him when I grow up, but I’ll settle for being myself, lol. I love Raymond E Feist and Robert E Howard’s fantasy and swords and sorcery tales, respectively. Jim Butcher’s my favorite urban fantasy author, and I love Dean Koontz and Stephen King as well.

What are you working on now?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by my fans’ enthusiastic response to my GrimFaerie Chronicles, so I’ve got book 4 in the works at the moment along with a standalone story from that same universe as well. In addition, I have a prequel to my Epic Fantasy trilogy on the back burner.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to figure out the best way to promote my books! I try to stay active on Social Media, I’ve got a newsletter that I occasionally send out, and I have ads at most of the usual places. I’m always learning and trying new ways to let people know about my books. And I admit, I LOVE having a booth at fantasy conventions!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Shut up and write. Don’t edit anything, just write. Write a ton. Write badly, write well, whatever, just write. You can’t edit an empty page, so allow yourself to sit down and write whatever comes into your mind without censoring yourself. You can always go back and change it later.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you think you’re finished editing, go back and read every single word out loud. You’ll catch mistakes, I guarantee it.

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I’m reading ‘Breaker’ by Amy Campbell. It’s a western fantasy, and I’m enjoying it immensely!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to keep writing stories in the two worlds I have right now. There are so many characters to explore in both the modern stories and the epic fantasy tales, I really want to see how things progress. I have enough material for quite a few books, so I just need to keep moving forward. Alternatively, I’d like to see my books reach a wider audience, but I think any writer wants that. 😉

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?
Let’s see, stranded on a desert island…how about a book on Desert Island Survival as the first choice, followed by Attracting Attention That Will Get You Rescued…? Kidding, sorry. I’d need at least one of those books to be blank so I could get some writing done, but I’d have a hard time picking so few others to take with me. Probably DragondDoom by Dennis L McKiernan, Lightning by Dean Koontz, and maybe Pet Sematary by Stephen King. All favorites.

Author Websites and Profiles
Whit McClendon Website
Whit McClendon Amazon Profile

Whit McClendon’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Timothy Peak. I am a 7 year old male that lives in western Pennsylvania. I had an amazing journey to Heaven during brain surgery and spoke with Angels there and here. It is a story that everyone should read.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The priests at my church thought that a book would be a great way to get my story out to the people that are interested how God uses his Angels to work very hard for him in todays times.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote this book very quickly because I actually think these Angels helped me the entire time

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

What are you working on now?
Marketing my book so many people will read this amazing true story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes&Noble and many book stores.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell them to write from their heart.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never to be influenced by other peoples negativity or judgments.

What are you reading now?
I am actually to busy right now to read a book but as soon as my book gets off the ground, I will be reading many others.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am speaking with movie producers that are interested in making a movie from my 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?
Well, I did enjoy the book titled Heaven is real. and I would bring a couple survival books. Ha Ha!

Author Websites and Profiles
Timothy Peak Amazon Profile

Timothy Peak’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Heather Hausenblas, PhD, believes we can all have healthy and happy lives – and we can get there through our behaviors. She is a health psychology expert, award winning researcher, and author. When Heather’s not walking the family dog, cooking with natural ingredients, watching her sons play sports, and exercising outdoors with friends she’s researching wellness. She’s a health and science nut – it’s her career, hobby, and passion. She resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and three boys.

I have written several nonfiction textbooks in the areas of health and exercise psychology.

I have also co-authored a book on Exercise Addiction titled: The Truth About Exercise Addiction: Understanding the Dark Side of Thinspiration

More recently I have written several science-based prompted journals to guide people on their health wellness journeys. Visit www.healthymovesjournaling.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Her most recent book Invisible Illness is the inspiring account of her journey with an autoimmune disease. Overwhelmed and all-consumed with grief at the thought of her son suffering with a chronic “incurable” disease this began her journey into understanding Crohn’s disease, healing her son, and ultimately discovering what true health means. Integrating personal experiences and struggles with hundreds of research studies, Hausenblas reveals that we have the power to regain and maintain a vibrate, healthy, and happy life. She offers hard-earned wisdom, science-backed health solutions, and simple tips and recipes for health and happiness.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a nonfiction book titled: Fidget: How Small Things Can Make a Big Difference. This book focuses on how fidgeting is a health behaviors.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Eat Dirt by Josh Axe

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to develop health-wellness journals. Good health is hard and I’m trying to make it easier for people.

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 Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Author Websites and Profiles
Heather Hausenblas Website
Heather Hausenblas Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a comedian, respected by people who have worked with me, but largely unknown to the masses. I was born in Peoria, Illinois and I currently live in southern California. I graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2001 with a B.A. in Mass Communications. I’ve had work as a radio show talking head, a writer and song-writer. I released a book of poetry that I had in a drawer for 17 years back in June and I just released my debut novel as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is titled “Memoir of an Immortal”. I have had the idea since around college and decided to start researching things and writing it in 2008. It was inspired by most of my friends being women and the stories they would tell me about their personal issues, family problems and hopes for the future. I wanted a way to represent them, while also telling the story of a fictional woman, living through time that has gone largely unnoticed on purpose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits are sporadic. I usually have a random thought, write it down, then have to determine if that thought was related to my stand-up comedy, a screenplay, a song idea, or the novel. If it relates to book writing, then I sit down with whatever sentence I wrote down and expand on it as much as I can for whatever chapter I think it belongs in. I also write in uncomfortable positions and usually into a notebook before transferring everything to computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m largely influenced by comic book authors like Peter David. But I try not to read many other books outside of comic books because I don’t want much outside influence in my book writing unless it is to correct something that is historically or scientifically inaccurate. I am a huge reader of comic books like The Incredible Hulk or anything involving the character Blink. I love the books Firestarter and Where the Red Fern Grows. I read a ton of books as a youth due to the summer reading contests. Science. Philosophy. History. Peer Reviews. I’ve read anything that I deemed interesting and in need of knowing.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the follow-up to my debut novel, Memoir of an Immortal. Which is the first in a series. It’ll take place over a much shorter amount of time but have dueling points of view, with a twist. I’m also trying to get more shows to perform comedy across this country while also promoting my debut novel in various ways.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found that buying ads on peoples blogs, combined with posting on tiktok and other social media sites has not worked terribly well. I’m always looking for ways to sell this book that took me 13 years to finish. I’ve been watching all of the indie authors and their youtube pages and their suggestions led me here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book you want to write and if you can’t find a literary agent that will give you the time of day because you aren’t famous, then self publish the work you completed. But also, keep a list of every literary agent that turned you down or flat out didn’t respond and publish their names as “thank you’s” in your next book if your first book is popular.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never stop writing and keep your pants up.

What are you reading now?
I’m beta reading a friends new mystery book. Can’t give the title away, but it is really good.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me is to finish the second book so I can get started on the third in the series. I’ve finished 2 chapters thus far and it is a lot of work to get the continuity correct. Besides that, I am also trying to rewrite and update my jokes for stand-up. Need more shows. Gotta make a living.

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?
Planet Hulk, in hardback. Wolverine Origins in hardback. Meriam Websters Dictionary edition 7.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeremy Paul Website
Jeremy Paul Amazon Profile

Jeremy Paul’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Deborah Roe is a first-time book author. Though in a former life, she was for a short time a dictionary editor. She is also a program manager for a clean energy non-profit, a podcaster, a veteran librarian, and former Camp Fire Girl. Her greatest joys in life are learning and exploring the outdoors. With a background in environmental science, she tries never to stray too far from these roots. Her website https://PlanetEandMe.com and Planet E and Me Podcast focus on how every day people can make a difference for the planet. When Deb is not reading, writing, or hiking, she can often be found in her local community garden.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my book is Always Pass Uphill of a Yak: And Other Lessons from Nepal.
To be honest, finding a name was one of the most difficult parts of writing the book. The working title for a while was “Where Tigers Snore.” I thought people might get confused a bit because most people don’t associate tigers with Nepal even though the Bengal tiger can be found in the Terai region. So I switched to yaks as they are in many ways the iconic animal of the Himalayan region. The final title comes from a warning that I had read in a travel book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have any unusual writing habits but I do keep a journal on trips. My husband and I usually turn our travels into a funny Christmas card for friends and relatives, called the “Not-So-Newlywed Chronicles.”

But after the trip to Nepal, I just kept writing. Eventually it became clear that I had the makings for a book and so I continued trying to write 2000 words a day until the story was complete.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read mostly non-fiction and have always enjoyed a good travel story. “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson, “Under the Tuscan Sun” by Frances Mayes, “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayel are a few that come to mind. I also enjoy the work of writers like Erik Larson, Nathaniel Philbrick, and John McPhee.

When I was working on my book, I studied “A Walk in the Woods” to see how Bryson transitioned from one topic to another and also wrote a list of the adjectives and verbs that he used. More than anything else it was to put myself in the frame of mind of an author.

What are you working on now?
I’m planning a trip to Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Not sure what the journey will hold given the fires, flash floods, and Covid restrictions going on out there right now. To prepare for the possibility of a book, I’ve been researching various related topics … things like the brine shrimp of the Great Salt Lake. True confessions — most of my brine shrimp info was gathered during a podcast that I was trying to use to put myself to sleep during a bout of insomnia but it turns out they’re pretty interesting little critters and I never really did sleep that night.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Most of my book promotion knowledge has come from David Gaughran, Reedsy, and Kindlepreneur. I think as many indie authors will tell you, book promotion is every bit as difficult as writing the book. I’m still waiting for my big break.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
New indie authors will probably spend more time and more money to publish their book than they ever planned on. When I started out, I thought I would just have some friends take a look at the book and give suggestions but in the end I hired a developmental editor, a copy editor, a proofreader, and a formatter. I need to sell quite a few books before I make this money back. To make my husband feel better about this financial outlay, I’ve told him to think of it as a PhD in writing without the expense of tuition.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not just for writing but for any type of goal setting, I think you can’t beat the advice of Jack Canfield. I listened to a series of his programs, back in the days of cassette tapes, and the lessons learned are always lurking in the corners of my memory. Envision the goal that you want to achieve, be very specific about that goal and how you are going to accomplish it. Every day imagine yourself as having achieved that goal and take steps to get there. When you put yourself in this mindset, you’ll see new opportunities present themselves. The times in my life when I’ve followed this advice, it’s worked out well.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading a book called “Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time” by Mark Adams. I’m envisioning myself on this journey and wondering how I would hold up—probably not so well these days. I’d like a redo on my twenties please.

What’s next for you as a writer?
When I started writing my book, I was working two part-time jobs and then with the pandemic, just one job. But soon after publishing, I was offered a full-time job that I tried to refuse but in the end accepted. I’m finding it hard to have enough creative energy for writing. So I’ve concluded that I need some type of 5-year plan. Once I figure it out myself, I’ll let you know.

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 good Lord … what a question. It reminds me of a disastrous college interview that I had at Bowdoin College when they asked me, “If you could call anyone dead or living who would you call?” Honestly, that’s a lot of pressure.

I think I’d bring the “Oxford English Dictionary” for endless entertainment. Then, of course, I need some kind of “How To” book on getting yourself off a desert island and something on edible plants of the world.

Author Websites and Profiles
Deborah Roe Website
Deborah Roe Amazon Profile