Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Between acting and other creative exercises, I have written twelve books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Ridiculous Adventures of Herman and Melvin. It was inspired by my brother, who challenged me to write the stupidest story possible. I accepted the challenge, wrote the first story, and submitted it to a magazine. Much to my surprise, it was accepted for publication. Since I like people reading my work, I wrote more stories about these characters.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing itself is a strange and unusual habit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
MAD Magazine and Monty Python were a large influence on this book.

What are you working on now?
I’ll probably work on another script.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website at www.kelvinbueckert.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and write some more. When you aren’t writing, read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The more honest you are, the more people will connect with you.

What are you reading now?
Just finished Empire by Orson Scott Card.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More scripts I’m sure.

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?
Hmm. Lord of the Flies, The Bible, and, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kelvin Bueckert Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an attorney, I’ve written countless piles of documents that are best suited to putting you to sleep. As a novelist, though, Forbidden Woman is my first publication, released in 2020. I am currently working on two more books in this series and have outlined stories for two more books, which are not part of the series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Forbidden Woman. I initially planned to write a book loosely based on my father, who became a 13 year old runaway when he discovered his brother had been murdered. He was also a career Army man and WWII and Korean War veteran. In short, his story alone would make a great adventure. But when I started writing, the story grew into a family saga spanning four generations, with Forbidden Woman telling the matriarch’s side of things.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Being an attorney (and engineer) taught me to REMOVE all emotion from my writing, but emotion is exactly what is needed for a novel, so, to draw myself in, I drink a glass of wine and spend time in the hot tub or bath tub visioning myself in the place of the character or scene I’m currently writing. Doing this helps me feel what the character feels, and once I feel it, I can write it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always been a fan of the old Russians, like Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. I like to think that my writing tackles many of the societal problems that they address – but in a faster-paced story.

What are you working on now?
Running Bull is the second in the current trilogy. Running Bull tells the story of Russell, who is the grandson of the main character in Forbidden Woman.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Constantly talking about my work, whether that’s online or in person.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be persistent and keep your eye on the prize. And pay a LOT of attention to dialogue and editing. I’ve started many Indie books that have promise, but are so poorly edited that I can’t finish them. Most recently, I gave up on page 7 of a book because the author messed up his timeline.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Paraphrasing Neil Gaimon: You need to have a certain audacity to believe your story is one that must be told, but humble enough to accept the criticisms that come with it.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently researching a lot of articles about the Vietnam war, which takes a prominent role in Running Bull. It is important to really understand the nuances of those days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The plan is to turn writing into a full-time job in 2027!

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?
Being stranded like that means I will need something that will entertain for years. As a result, even though I’m not religious, I would take the Bible and the Koran with me. These are collections of stories possibly told by unreliable characters, which I love. And the conflicting accounts of the same events make it even better. These books could entertain me for many years.
I would also take a dictionary so I could write my own epic work while stuck on an island, which would place me at risk of forgetting the difference between “complement” and “compliment”…

Author Websites and Profiles
Blair Bronwyn Website
Blair Bronwyn Amazon Profile

Blair Bronwyn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, it all started when my daddy met my mommy in the back seat of a stationary car in high school in 1962….

I’ve written so many books that I’ve lost count. Two or three, at least.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Welcome to D*ck n B*lls Tower!

This book was inspired by my … well, you know, it’s right there in the title, I guess.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I do. Thanks for asking!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
MAD Magazine. Does that count?

What are you working on now?
This really thought-provoking author’s questionnaire that I fear will come back to haunt me some day.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh, I don’t believe in methods or websites or promotion. Or books even, really.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never, ever, ever, never stop … buying lottery tickets.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Never, ever, ever, never stop … buying lottery tickets.” And also, “Just keep buying lottery tickets, ya lazy oaf!” That one I should have put first because it really affected me deeply.

What are you reading now?
The ingredients on this Cheez Whiz label. You know, I really shouldn’t be eating this sh*t.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I’ll write a letter to the makers of Cheez Whiz thanking them for their years of service.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A book on how to make tasty cookies from sand. A book on how to make toilet paper out of sand. And a book on how to make long-lasting sand castles that a human can reside in. Question: is there any sand on this desert island?

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeff Pearson Website
Jeff Pearson Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an British author who has written best-known works being the novels ‘In Praise of Older Women’ (1965) and ‘An Innocent Millionaire’ (1983).

I have also written two books of literary, philosophical and political essays: ‘The Rules of Chaos’ (1969) and ‘Truth and Lies in Literature’ (1985).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘3 Wishes’

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes stay up late at night writing. I am not so much of a writer as a rewriter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stendhal, Balzac, Kleist, Fyodor Dostoevsky and many more which I have mentioned in ‘Truth and Lies in Literature’ (1985), plus also in my YouTube channel book reviews.

What are you working on now?
I plan to working on my new story Martha Ross, a girl who thinks well of everyone but falls in love with a psychopath in his normal state.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and re-read great books.

What are you reading now?
Mark Twain

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to work on my story “Martha Ross.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Stephen Vizinczey Website
Stephen Vizinczey Amazon Profile

Stephen Vizinczey’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written over thirty novels, most of them crime fiction. Of those, roughly half have been collaborations with other authors (true, 50/50 projects).

I was a linguist in military intelligence for five years. After that, I spent a twenty year career as a police officer in the Pacific Northwest, retiring as a captain. During that time, I worked in patrol, investigations, K-9, SWAT, volunteer services, and command staff.

Although I have several stand alone titles, the bulk of my work falls under one series or another.

River City: My flagship series of police procedurals, featuring an ensemble cast of officers and detectives.

Stefan Kopriva Mysteries: an ex-cop turned amateur PI.

SpoCompton: views from the “other” side – that is, the criminal element

Charlie-316: A procedural thriller series of 4 books that begins with a controversial officer-involved shooting.

Cam & Bricks Jobs: A trilogy featuring a pair of hit men (one is a woman) that is both action and, at times, dark comedy.

The Ania series: A trilogy (plus a prequel) with a femme-fatale as the through-thread, though the stories are told from the point of view of her victims.

Jack McCrae mysteries: A retired detective doing amateur investigations as favors.

Sandy Banks thrillers: Former soldier-turned-cop-turned vigilante.

In addition to my writing, I love hockey and am a tortured guitarist.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
CODE FOUR, the final book in the Charlie-316 series.

This entire series was inspired by the eroding relationships between police and the communities they serve, and how my co-author and I both felt that the issues surrounding this trend were far more complicated and gray than most people are willing to admit, much less tackle.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write in spurts, rather than in a disciplined, every day manner. I can EDIT that way, but the creative stage is different.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Early on, it was science fiction and fantasy authors such as Tolkien, Philip K. Dick, Piers Anthony, and the like. As I got into crime fiction while I was still working as a police officer, the obvious influence was Joseph Wambaugh. Also W.E.B. Griffin’s Badge of Honor series. After that, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake, Dennis Lehane, and, of course, Stephen King.

What are you working on now?
A yet-untitled novella set in my SpoCompton universe, featuring a small female burglar as the protagonist.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method is a concerted and coordinated effort of advertising sale prices, coupled with having a genuine ‘net presence. I believe readers fall in love with characters, and they come to trust authors. You can’t accomplish either unless you’re entirely genuine.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Believe in yourself
2. Read, read, read
3. Write, write, write
4. Revise, revise, revise
5. See rules 1-4

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To find another writer (or a few) to support and be supported by, because “sometimes another writer will understand what the rest of the world will not.” (Gary Provost, Make Every Word Count).

What are you reading now?
Jim Butcher’s First Law series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Soon, I’ll be tackling a difficult police novel, but one I think needs to be written.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Get Off a Desert Island,” obviously.

Stephen King’s “On Writing,” to make use of any down time.

A Song of Ice and Fire, to read for escape once I realize the first book I listed was written by a hack.

Author Websites and Profiles
Frank Zafiro Website
Frank Zafiro Amazon Profile

Frank Zafiro’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Janine Vance and I’ve written twelve books. I was adopted from South Korea and have since been writing on the evolutionary journey many of us go through when adopted from overseas or internationally. My curiosity was triggered by my first trip to the “motherland” in 2004 and shared in the book called “The Search for Mother Missing: A Peek Inside International Adoption.” But, my first memoir was (now updated since its initial publishing in 2003, is retitled “Americanized ’72: A Generation-X Coming-of-Age (and Identity) Narrative.” Yes, I’m adopted, but the theme of that memoir had to do with who do we honor when parents disagree? And how my dad’s accident triggered exploration outside of the religious upbringing we had been brought up in. Although, many who’ve read it do say that there are adoption-related undertones to it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rise from the Dread: How to Escape from Stress, Worry, and Anxiety is the book I’ve always wanted to write, but didn’t get the chance to because of all the difficult work that went into my memoirs and then digging further into the realm of adoption after my first trip back to Korea. Finally, after digging up all I could muster on the topic, I was able to refocus my attention on something I love—which is just simple Eastern Philosophy. I wrote two ebooks: “Going Back to Zen” and “The Power of Isolation,” and recently packaged both books into a paperback book called “Rise from the Dread.” My twin works for Life Care’s sister building in Washington State. The book is inspired by all the frontline workers who were initially hit. My sister continues to believe that it’s her duty to work with the elders—especially during the most difficult times.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve been writing nonstop since 1997 but this does not mean I’ve enjoyed the process. I wrote because I felt the need to get something out of my system and I have an insatiable curiosity. I typically get up very early and just write down my thoughts—any thought—whatever is on my mind at the moment. Then, I do a lot of research on the topic to compare my thoughts with whatever might be out there on the topic. After that, I’ll edit and refine, tone down, or up in certain areas, until a chapter forms.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book that got me thinking outside of the box was Journey of Souls in 1998. From there, I read more books on Eastern Philosophy and it got me seeing from a different angle. I like learning about different people and different belief systems. I love the stories from self-published unconventional authors—just ordinary folk like myself.

What are you working on now?
I feel like I’m done with all my own stories and musings–the thoughts my soul needed to tell. Now I’d like to assist others with the process. So I’m creating a writing sabbatical for non-writers. I think everyone has a unique story to share and assisting with the process would give me joy. It’s also fun to design covers for self-published authors.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Once things get back to normal again, my sister and I would like to host writing sabbaticals for non-writers and busy people. We also have a special place in our hearts for people like our dad who was injured in a hang-gliding accident in 1984. In fact, I just published his diary called “Falling Out of Normal: How I Became Me.” He just turned 90 years old. We never thought he would survive and thrive after all these years.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If my dad can wait to be published at the age of 90, it’s never too late or too early to start your own writing journey. Don’t judge yourself too harshly. Don’t waste time disliking yourself or your writings of this or that. Most likely you’ve been trying your best and that’s enough. No one is perfect. You could write the most profound passage, but many times the public will rate your book according to their mood or their fiercely held beliefs. Try not to take too personally and if you get caught in a windstorm of negativity, just try to give yourself (and others) the benefit of the doubt.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As my husband has watched me research and write and struggle along the way, He would often tell me to enjoy the process and not think about the end result. Any potential success is just the icing on the top of the cake. In other words, don’t put yourself out there for the accolades, or you’ll be disappointed. “If you’re not enough without it. You’ll never be enough with it.” Don’t try to be “successful,” just enjoy the doing–the process. There are undertones of his work ethic in my writing, I think and I rarely give him the credit he deserves. And, while our raising two daughters, they would give me constant encouragement. My twin’s favorite saying is “Keep on Going, Never Stop Growing,” and her family would give constant support. All this together, I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes it takes a village for the writer to emerge.

What are you reading now?
I’m actually editing my dad’s book. He has been a supporter throughout my exploration and the writing process overall. In 1984, he survived a 100-foot hang-gliding fall. Even though the book wouldn’t be considered a commercial megahit, I believe that all of us as human beings have unique and engaging stories to share, and even raw books by novice writers are of great value. As I mentioned before, I love true stories, and I have great regard for stories written by ordinary everyday people—people who might not seem so special are typically the most fascinating, in my honest opinion. In order to pull the story out, we just need to ask ourselves the right questions.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think it would be fun to host writing sabbaticals for non-writers as soon as circumstances are back to normal. I actually wanted to be an interior designer when I was growing up. Designing covers and formatting books are two things that are probably as close as I can get to that feeling of excitement and accomplishment.

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 “Journey of Souls” by Michael Newton, Ph.D. This book really puts life into perspective. I love the idea of the great after—and the great before. I believe we plan our life circumstances in the soul’s effort to evolve and grow –to be better (or the best) souls we can be. Whatever we dish out, we sometimes get back tenfold. When we look back at our lives and see how our attitudes and actions influenced others, I believe that we actually look forward to trying again until the lesson learned, whether that is in this life or the next, or the next. Who knows? And so, I continue to look, listen and learn.

Author Websites and Profiles
Janine Vance Website
Janine Vance Amazon Profile

Janine Vance’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Winchester, Massachusetts and I’ll always be a New England girl at heart. I miss the towering trees of Maine, the mountains of New Hampshire, Cape Cod and the Boston skyline. I especially miss the four season of New England — especially the Fall. But I guess I’ve never had a problem making “home” whoever I happen to be living. And I visit New England as often as I can. I called Los Angeles home for twenty-five years but now I live in the high desert in southern Nevada.

I’ve written and published seven books and I’m working on three more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m write science fiction primarily, but my most recent publication was a short book of biographical poetry called, Nothing at All. It became a #1 best seller in its category on Amazon before it was released. It was inspired by the death of my mother who passed away a few years ago. She loved reading and when I took up writing ten years ago, she was proud to finally have a writer in the family. She always claimed to be my #1 fan. She would have enjoyed my poetry. I wrote it all for her, really.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I think I get too emotionally involved with my characters. For example, I’m wrapping up the fourth book in my science fiction series and there is one chapter in the second book that I still can not read without crying. And recently had to review my earlier books in the series, and there are conversations between characters that still make me laugh out loud. I guess that might sound weird to readers, but after talking to other author friends I discovered that I”m not the only one who reacts emotionally to my own writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve found inspiration from many authors and books. I admire the beauty and emotion of Hemingway, the eloquence and human insight of Shakespeare, the quintessential crime detective stories of the famous Bostonian, Robert B. Parker, the exquisitely vivid writings of Suzanne Collins and so many more.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing a four-part series called the INTWINE series. Interested readers should start with INTWINE: Star-Crossed DNA. In addition to wrapping up the last book in the series: INVIRAL: The Phage, I’m nearly done with a book for authors that contains publishing tips. It will be offered for free on my website. Also, a book of fairy tales based on my science fiction series is half done.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Mainly, I stay in touch with my readers via newsletters, emails and social media. When I’m ready to launch a new title review advertising avenues and re-assess the value of each. As any indy author knows, it’s an ever changing field in terms of marketing and sales potential.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would advise new authors to read Stephen King’s, On Writing and The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. I extend my sincere congratulations to new authors and I welcome them to the industry.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A wise person once said, art, including writing, is a blank canvas waiting for your creative voice. Otherwise, there are no rules.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading, POTSHOT by Robert B. Parker.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m having my series made into audiobooks while I continue 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?
The four books in my INTWINE series to refer back to, so I could keep writing more volumes to add to the science fiction universe I created.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christina Moss Website
Christina Moss Amazon Profile

Christina Moss’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 18, currently a student.
Stumbling through High School it has its ups and downs but overall I’m enjoying it until exams obviously, hahaha.

I started writing when I was seventeen.
My first novel “STUMBLING IN THE DEBRIS”, started as a joke.

I was at school with my best friend, during a study period- ‘we were not studying’.
And I had this random idea.
I’m the sort of person who gets random ideas in their head and I put them on paper and start a novel or write a song or a story, anything.

Anyway, I basically explained the novel idea to her. She is the inspiration for my main character in the novel, the character ‘Hiba Ghulam in STUMBLING IN TEH DEBRIS’ is based on her. She would probably go crazy if she knew I wrote this.
We spoke about the novel and she was like, “You know what, you should do it, I’d read it”. So I did and the rest is history.

I have one published novel so far and I can’t wait to publish more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE TITLE:
My latest and debut novel is “STUMBLING IN THE DEBRIS”. And the title is actually from the hit song by the Eurythmics-Love is a stranger. I love their music.

I know people interpret songs and music differently for example one song can make someone sad and make someone else happy.
Personally, the song gives me heartbroken vibes.
Whenever i listen to it, I get the picture of someone who’s a slave to love and wants to be free but they can’t because their heart is programmed to love; it’s an obsession, an addiction.

The lyric “it’s guilt-edged glamorous and sleek by design you know it’s jealous by nature. false and unkind it’s hard and restrained, and it’s totally cool, it touches, and it teases as you stumble in the debris”. Which is also the foreword for the novel.

Is where the message is; it links to both main characters in the novel, they are going through this ‘phase’ of loving and being hurt, but they keep loving despite the pain.

THE BOOK:
The idea of ‘Hiba and Bradley’ just came to me during a study at school and I knew I had to write the story. I enjoy reading romance novels, I can read at least two novels in a week. At this point in my life I was trying to find myself and I paid attention to the little things I enjoyed. I have always wanted to share stories and help people and I wanted to do that through writing. Although this is a romance novel, both characters go through difficult times, I wanted to show that even at such a young age, young people can have a lot to deal with and it is an exceedingly difficult and confusing time for them. When I writing I could relate to ‘Hiba’ a lot and ‘Bradley’ too, it was difficult at first to write as somebody else and I usually found myself writing the characters in my own words instead of what they would actually say.

I enjoyed creating Hiba and Bradley because they are so unique and their relationship is very toxic , and this was one of the issues I wanted to touch on because I felt I is something people may not even realise. I also wanted to talk about other topics that are in my heart: child abuse, domestic violence, sexism, honour crime, religion, white-collar crime, feminism, racism and the best part is I was able to include all of those sensitive topics in the novel. I felt like it was a novel for teens who are at their lowest point and trying to find themselves and many can relate to Bradley, he’s not your typical 18year old, obviously he’s father is a multi-millionaire but he doesn’t care about all that, he craves maternal support which he finds Maria but she betrays him. I love this plot because, I think there’s a time when the people close to you leave or let you down and you’re at your lowest, but this can sometimes help us. I think this part marks Bradley’s growth and maturity, we see him take charge and not lash or use humour as a coping mechanism but instead he’s civil and sensible although we know he’s pissed off. Another side I love of Bradley is his softer side, when he opens up to Hiba, this is a beautiful moment because there’s a stereotype of boys not crying but he lets it all out.

Hiba is my favourite character because she’s a feminist in an anti-feminist household. She stands up against all the abuse although we could argue she gave up in the end she did try, Bradley’s betrayal didn’t help but she stood her ground when it came to the abortion, she was determined to keep her baby and when she took off her hijab, that was a sign of her freedom and bravery. I created her to inspire all women, especially those under patriarchy authorities giving them hope and encouragement to stand up for themselves. She also takes the first step in their sexual relationship: she drops her towel and makes the first move; this showed her brave side and her following her body and needs for once. We know her parents are against what she is about to do but she does it anyway. I felt like this point represented a time you throw caution to the wind and do something even though you are certain you should not be doing it, when you give in your desires and all your beliefs or morals fly out the window. She’s fearless and independent although Bradley has a great influence on her, I tried to make her the dominant one in the relationship but it was a little difficult because he’s very patient with her, and she has no choice but to let him take charge sometimes. Hiba can also be judgemental as we’ve seen the exchanges between her and her inner voice. This is quite challenging for Bradley because he wants her to let him in completely but she still has barriers up because of the abuse she suffers from her father and brother , it’s a little difficult for her to let men in her life however Bradley is different and they fall in love too quickly and they move fast and it ends a disaster.

I don’t think age played a massive part in the story, decided to make the characters because I felt I could relate to them more and it won’t be as difficult to write about them than, for example people in their thirties as I can’t really make them from scratch. It felt right to make them teenagers because I feel like the struggles, they go through especially nowadays are really difficult and I believe sometimes that can be overlooked and teens can be really affected. This is why Hiba has an abusive father and Bradley doesn’t have his mother. They both lacked that full maternal care and they find solace in each other and this also led to the end of their relationship because they had to find themselves first and forgive before involving other people in their lives. They were not ready because I believe to fully love someone else you have to love yourself first, and they both needed to do that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
And I cannot write without music, it just doesn’t work. Music is my greatest inspiration and motivation. I have to feel what I’m writing and listening to music helps me channel my feelings from the music to the story I want to share.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the Twilight books, they are my guilty pleasure, so I’d say Stephenie Meyer is one of my heroines. And Siobhan Davis: I love her work, I’m a big fan too.

In terms of influences. The books that have influenced me the most would have to be mostly teen interracial romance novels. I love the idea of bringing people of different backgrounds together in a love story; I try to have the same in my novels. I think it’s my selling point.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my second novel, “LOVE AND HATE HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS”, it’s a continuation from my debut novel: “STUMBLING IN THE DEBRIS”.
I’m trying to stay motivated because I have to balance it with my online classes #depression #I can’t believe I’m saying this but I actually miss school.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’d say Instagram. A lot of people use it so I think its the best platform to reach a wider audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Wow, that’s a hard one.

I’d say never give up and never criticize yourself. I believe that we’re our worst critics and we’re also our greatest fan.
So you have to encourage yourself and even if you think your manuscript is crap, edit and edit until you love it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I always refer to this quote by Michele Ruiz. “If people are doubting how far you’ll go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.”

I think that’s the best advice I’ve ever heard because it drives me to keep going and ignore all the hate.

What are you reading now?
Trying to finish Siobhan Davis’ Kennedy Boys Series. I’m currently reading ‘Seducing Kaden’.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would really love to co-author with Siobhan Davis, it’ll be an honour.

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 they all have to be romance, so I’ll definitely take:
1. Twilight
2. Finding Kyler and
3. Twilight: New Moon

Author Websites and Profiles
Carly Jane Garner Amazon Profile

Carly Jane Garner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

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

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tom Sawyer Returns. It’s part of my New Adventures series featuring Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Tom’s new adventure brings him home after many years to solve a deadly mystery involving his childhood sweetheart. I’ve always loved Mark Twain’s stories and wondered what had happened to the boys when they grew up. Twain never told us. Figuring out their stories became something of an obsession, which took me eight years to bring to fruition in two full length novels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The fact that I have become a publish author is unusual enough, I suppose. Many people talk about writing books and never get around to it. I’ve spent ten years working hard to establish myself and continue to improve, and every day presents its own unusual challenge. This past year has been especially difficult with the lock-downs amidst a pandemic. Our writing group has managed to keep in touch via Zoom, which has been a real life-saver for me! I miss interacting with readers, so I hope some of the ones who read this will reach out to me via email or social media.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mark Twain. His work inspired my love for the written word and story well told.
Jill Marie Landis and LaVyrle Spencer taught me how to put emotion into my writing.
Mary Oliver touched my soul with her poetry.
Paulette Jiles showed me how to tell compelling historical stories.
Anne LaMott inspired me to keep going.
Many other authors have influenced me in so many ways it’s difficult to list them all here.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a historical novel about a single woman who immigrates from the east to Kansas to claim land under the Homestead Act, and has to battle nature, threats, societal constraints, and her own heart, to follow her dream.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My email newsletter is the best way of staying in touch with fans, as well as my Facebook page and a couple Facebook groups: Pioneers Hearts and American Historical Romance Lovers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write everyday.
Learn the craft.
Seek wise counsel.
Find your own path.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to yourself.

What are you reading now?
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to stretch my writing muscles and expand my repertoire from primarily historical romance into mainstream historical fiction and mystery.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Survival Guide
Shakespeare’s complete works
A Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
E.E. Burke Website
E.E. Burke Amazon Profile

E.E. Burke’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 a Cambridge Phd in Mathematics by training, but I have always loved writing and had a keen interest in history (I had a minor in history along with my Math degree). I have authored several technical texts and one other novel, a scifi, “How Noble in Reason.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Beyond the Dragonhead.” I’ve always had a fascination for Vikings. My DNA test says I am 75% Scandinavian. I wanted to portray the Vikings as real people, like my Swedish family on my mother’s side, and I also wanted to tell the story of the trade and settlements of Vikings in the East, a story that gets short script in modern literature.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure how unusual it is, but I study the history and environment of the story, think about my characters, and then wait for scenes to appear in my mind. I see the book like a movie and just start writing down what I see. I used to think it was a little strange, but I have heard that others do this as well. In my scifi, which was a murder mystery, I did not know who had committed the murder until I was halfway through writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Chrichton’s Eaters of the Dead (13th Warrior as a movie),
J.R.R. Tolkien
Umberto Eco
Irving Stone
James Michner
Phillip Dicke
HG Wells

What are you working on now?
The sequel, and another scifi

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads has been pretty effective, though it does pick up readers who have no business reading a serious historical fiction (mostly steamy romance types).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Orwell’s six rules:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The difference between a writer and an author is that authors are read. Get your manuscript into the hands of as many readers as you can, get there critiques! J. Michael Stracynzski

What are you reading now?
Istanbul, A Tale of Three Cities.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The sequel!

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’ve never been able to answer this question. Arrgh!

 

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

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name: “Beyond the Dragonhead – Viking Refugees Book #1”
What Inspired?
1) Insanity
2) I loved reading YA historical fiction aloud to my kids when they were young, and Vikings were a topic of interest with few books already written.
3) Alyn, who was already published, asked me to co-author with him (see #1)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Binge writing. If I don’t have at least a three hour chunk of uninterrupted time, not much is going to get written.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name, but a few that come to mind are:
Crispin and the Cross of Lead by Avi
Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
Alphabet of Dreams by Deborah Ellis
Friends and Fears: The Two Lives of a Wolf Dog by Annie Costrini (age 12)

What are you working on now?
Viking Refugees Book #2

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know about the “best”, but I enjoy trading reviews with other Indie authors and encouraging them. I have met some wonderful people this way, including a teen author who was twelve when she published her first novel (see above).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have a backup career plan.
I’m thankful I don’t need to rely on writing fiction to earn a living.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is difficult to answer, because it changes with different days, weeks, months, stages of life, etc
Lately, I’ve been thinking about some advice my son, Aaron, wrote in his blog, “The Well Lived Life” about creating pieces that are timeless over ones that are timely (fads).

What are you reading now?
The Mazzard Tree by Marcia Clayton
Very realistic historical fiction, it has me captured so far.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Wrapping up this series and focusing on what I do best, teaching youth. I hope the experience with make me a better teacher and advocate for my students.

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
How to Survive on a Desert Island
How to Get Rescued From a Desert Island

Author Websites and Profiles
Kelly Nichols Website
Kelly Nichols Amazon Profile

Kelly Nichols’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in England with my husband and two dogs. We’re in full lockdown at the moment, two of my three grown-up children are living with us again — so a full house! I’m not into housework and a terrible cook but luckily my husband’s a foodie and loves cooking!

I’ve only one published novel, the first book of “The Shorten Chronicles.” It was published in October 2020 but at least five more books in the series are planned.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It was a ‘who’ that inspired me to write. My mother. She was a published author in the 1980s when it was much tougher to get published. I was a teenager, terribly self-obsessed, and thought being a published author was no big deal. My mother has dementia now so it’s really horrible that I can’t tell her how proud I am of her.

“Stranded” was inspired by a dream and a TV show. I know … crazy. I dreamed I was back at university (a concrete-ugly 1960s campus here in England). So, in the dream, I got into a lift in a tower block but stepped out into a deserted country lane. And then I work up and thought, ‘this is the start of a story.’ A while later, I was watching Downton and thought, ‘How would a modern girl cope in the real Downton?’ And then I thought, what would it be like to be torn between two boys, one a millennial and one born in 1904? It went from there!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Eccentric working hours. I wake up at 4.30 am to make the most of the quiet time before the household wakes up. Recently, I’ve been busy with marketing “Stranded,” but I want to get back into the habit of writing and editing in the morning, then doing admin/marketing in the afternoons. I also have a day job, doing the accounts for my husband’s company, so I have to make time for that too. OK, bit of a workaholic…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the classic fantasy novels, like “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Lord of the Rings.” But I also like modern fantasy books: “The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher, “A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness, and “Fortune’s Fool” by Angela Boord (won the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off last year). These books completely take you out of reality. Wonderful.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 of “The Shorten Chronicles.” “Escape” will be published in October this year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Apart from Awesome Gang … that’s easy: BookBub. But it’s very difficult to get featured in their emails. I’ve been incredibly lucky and “Stranded” is a Featured Deal on Valentine’s Day. Really excited!

My own website (www.rosalindtate.com) showcases “The Shorten Chronicles,” but it will take time for people to discover it.

The same goes for my Readers Club. Readers who join via my website or a link in the books, get a short story, exclusive to the Club. It’s a prequel to the series and once readers have read it, they see Hugo in a completely different light! I email everyone once a month with bookish news, but also with fun facts I think they’ll enjoy. Oh, and cute pics of Bella — Charlotte’s inspiration. What I hadn’t expected is that readers see “Stranded” in different ways and remember some aspects over others. Some enjoy the historical aspects, the clothes and etiquette, others love the love triangle and support Team Hugo or Team Freddy. Others are more interested in parallel universes and the science behind the portal.

I’m going to invite a few readers to join Team Charlotte. These are the most enthusiastic (and pedantic!) readers. They’ll get a free copy of “Escape” well before publication, and will come back at me with typos (there are always some) and comments and suggestions. I take these very seriously. For example, if they really hate a plot twist or scene, I’ll go back and change it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not sure I’m qualified to answer this — I’m a new author myself!

But for authors out there who are still working on their first novel, I’d say, ‘Keep Going.’ There’s a wealth of help online if you know where to look. Places like Jericho Writers; and you can find a good editor through them too. Editors are like princes. You have to kiss quite a few frogs before you find The One. And a professional editor is a must. You want the first book to be as good as it can be.

When you’re a year or so off publishing, do Mark Dawson’s 101 course (Indie publishing is tricksy) and read every word on self-publishing David Gaughran has written.

If you write literary fiction, then it may be worth finding an agent and traditional publisher, but bear in mind, traditionally published authors get 14% of the royalties (Indie’s get 70%) and if you go Trad, you’re handing over the rights to your books and characters to someone else. You’ll have no control over branding, the cover or marketing.

And once this pandemic is over (and it will be soon I hope), enjoy meeting other authors at conferences and training days. Indie authors are a supportive bunch. In fact, the thing I have second most enjoyed is meeting other authors (virtually). But the best thing is talking to readers (via email: rosalind@rosalindtate.com). Their enthusiasm motivates me to finish “Escape” and buoys me up, and it will do the same for you when you publish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Never give up. Never surrender.” Galaxy Quest.

What are you reading now?
“Gate of Shadows” by Mark Wells. It’s a portal fantasy/mystery set in a beautiful Cambridge college. I loved his first book, so had to read the second one!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the final edit of “Escape,” and after that, I’ll be researching Book 3, “Exile.” I’m hoping it will involve travelling somewhere exotic…

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 might be there for a while, so I’ll take some doorstops that have passed the test of time. “Lord of the Rings,” “The Shannara Chronicles,” and “Middlemarch” for some non-fantasy. Oh, and “The Vampire Diaries,” for lighter reading.

Am I allowed a luxury? If so, I’d like a computer so I can write. Desert Island Discs allow that if it can’t connect with the internet…

Author Websites and Profiles
Rosalind Tate Website
Rosalind Tate Amazon Profile

Rosalind Tate’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Best Selling Author, Blogger and Entrepreneur.
My books have been translated in Spanish and Portuguese and created
into audio books. My 8 books have reached International notoriety as I use my
time to create original content for my 32K followers and write weekly emails to my readers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “The Characters Within.” The story is set in a fictitious theme park “Cheddar and Such” where guests can have a “delicious” time eating cheese samples, riding Gouda Falls and watching the show Fun at the Parm featuring animatronics Patty the Pretzel and Peter the Breadstick. The main character, Brittany works at Fun at the Parm and is writing a novel while also stuck in a love triangle between her best friend and one of the managers at the attraction. This story was inspired by my time working at a theme park in Orlando Florida.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I am notorious for using my friends as characters in my books. In my 8 books, I have used 45+ real life people as characters on the text. Each person has to sign a permission form for me to use their name and likeness and fill out a questionaire of personal information about themselves so I can further develop their character on the pages. And of course, I always use my husband, Travis as a reoccuring character in all of my books.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My all-time favorite author is John Eldredge! I’ve bought every book he’s ever written! His writing is so passionate and so real…I feel like I know him. And of course, C.S. Lewis who just amazes me by his words and the inspiring messages on the text. How I wish I could just sit down and have a cup of coffee with C.S. Lewis!

What are you working on now?
I am writing another fiction piece – Book #10 – potentially called “Andrew’s First Act.” It’s about a young man who attempts to be a stand up comedian in New York City with his Agent ,Sunnie. Though Andrew is talented in comedy, there is one problem…he can’t handle the hecklers. When someone boo’s him from the audience, he tenses up and can’t seem to remember his jokes. He fires Sunnie and quits the life of a comedian only to rediscover his passion in a new way. This story is about overcoming the critics and finding your true purpose in life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Website: sunshinerodgers.com
Blog: http://sunshinerodgersblog.simplesite.com/433966135

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors would be to have patience. My first book came out 6 years ago and I just became a full time author last year! If you’re passionate about storytelling, keep writing! Give yourself a personal deadline…like for me, I write 4 books in one year. Set aside time just to storyboard and write pages. And remember WHY you started writing. Like for me, I started writing because I love it. Period. All the rest…the money, the fans, the reviews are all just extra.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be too hard on yourself. I have an inner critic that plays in my mind all the time where I doubt my work… I’ll even look back at my older books and roll my eyes at my amateur writing. But you have to be patient with yourself and allow yourself time to grow and mature as a professional author.

What are you reading now?
I am reading “Intentional Living” by John Maxwell AND “Acres of Diamonds” by Jentezen Franklin. I usually read about 2-3 books at a time. I can’t seem to get enough! I already have 3 filled bookshelves full of books in my personal library at home and I need to buy an extra one since I am running out of room. I always ask for more books for birthdays and holidays.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing. In 2020, for obvious reasons, I stopped traveling and attending book signings. So now I am focusing more on reaching an international audience on social media as my books have landed on Amazon Best Seller lists in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. And my next book “The Roland Sisters & The Spirit Program” is the next one to launch in a 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 Bible
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge (my favorite book!)
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Author Websites and Profiles
Sunshine Rodgers Website
Sunshine Rodgers Amazon Profile

Sunshine Rodgers’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time writer, working from home, with a constant desire to be at the beach or as close to a combination of: water, sand, and sunshine as I can.
My gravitational pull to science fiction, developed throughout my teacher training; where I concentrated on science education. Graduating from Michigan Tech with an Applied Science Master’s Degree jumpstarted my geeky interests. An obsession of time travel pushed through my romantic notions of the world and the easy fear I hold of anything frightening. Together, these elements created a writer of: sci-fi thrillers who sprinkles in a bit of slow burn.
Accruing in my head is a checklist of places to travel, items to accomplish, and book ideas to write.
I regenerates from deep conversation, laughter, and dancing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Endemic is book two in The Reckoning series. It was inspired by the forces that can separate loved ones throughout time and the lengths to which people might be willing to be reunited or reconcile regrets.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I’m not writing in my tiny cottage by the lake, then it’s not summer. The rest of the year, I’m writing on my couch under blankets near a giant bay window. On the less romantic days of writing, and let’s be real–most of them, my pages come together while waiting in a car for one of my kids–as part of my chauffeur/mom gig.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by Anne of Green Gables, many books in the dystopian genres, and books that focus on the discovery or loss of close personal connections between family, friendships or great loves.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the third and final book in The Reckoning Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My most used interaction with my readers is on Instagram @authordmtaylor

Do you have any advice for new authors?
New author advice would be to write regularly, write with honesty, and write what you think about most.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Surround yourself with a community of people who will support your journey.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Pines by Blake Crouch

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a brand new series that I’m outlining and looking forward to plunging into as I wrap up my current series.

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 three books would include; Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and a book of crossword puzzles.

Author Websites and Profiles
D.M. Taylor Website
D.M. Taylor Amazon Profile

D.M. Taylor’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Greek writer and I have -to date- published my work in some of the most important Greek publishing houses.Two novels, a collection of short stories, a poetry collection, a poetic composition dedicated to the great Greek poet Giannis Ritsos, a political essay and many educational books. My profession, after all, is a teacher of the Greek language in public education.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a novel entitled “The Chip of Knowledge”. Its central conception is what the title suggests, the existence of a tiny device that will implant in the minds of people all the existing knowledge, in a version completely free from any ideological charge. What prompted me to write this is the tendency of modern people to believe that somethingclearly false is true. For example, being convinced that they live in a democratic society, when in fact what they are experiencing is an oligarchy. So I wrote a science fiction novel with strong doses of political realism.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Something that characterizes the way I write is that I prepare my material for a long time and, only when I am absolutely sure of the structure and the final form of my work, then I start writing it. That is why the writing period is rarely longer than nine months.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many. First of all, all the great ancient Greek writers, with Homer first, who is the father of literature. Also, all the great philosophers and the political science of the modern great Greek professor George Kontogeorgis. If I have to dwell on three writers who defined the way I see my works, they are the Portuguese José Saramago, the Italian Italo Kalvino and the Greek Pavlos Matessis.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a biography, a textual genre that I am dealing with for the first time and that has excited me. This is the biography of the first female astrophysicist in Greece, who also became the first female Vice President of the European Astronomical Society (EAS), the European NASA, while she also worked at NASA itself.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the Amazon platform is currently unbeatable.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not keep in mind the potential readers and their supposed requirements when writing, because that way it is certain that they will never meet them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn to subtract instead of add.

What are you reading now?
The book “The theory of revolutions in Aristotle” by George Kontogeorgis.

What’s next for you as a writer?
With the publication of my latest novel “The Chip of Knowledge” in English by the London publishing house Ontime Books and its distribution throughout the English-speaking world, my goal is to get to know the international public.

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?
Sigmund Freud’s “Culture as a Source of Suffering”, Epikouros’ “Opinions” and Edward Wilson’s “The Meaning of Human Existence”

Author Websites and Profiles
Vaggelis Kaliosis Website
Vaggelis Kaliosis Amazon Profile

Vaggelis Kaliosis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Andrew Sacks comes forward with one of the most brilliant ideas to display his love and journey in photography. The book is a collection of his best pictures. The transition he had to make from 35 millimeters to digital media was traumatic but enabled him to take many shots to choose from and erase the bad ones instead of just one at a time. The book is in three parts. The first part consists of Andrew’s photos that span decades. The titles under the images are meant to explain why he liked the pictures enough to put them in a book. The titles also highlight what he saw in the photo. Humor is added to make light of a few images. The second part of this book is the puff part of the book. We all have pictures of sunset in our collections. Andrew has been taking sunset pictures for decades and has included some of his most dramatic ones in this book. The third part of the book is a continuing project as the telephone and electric poles have always been an interesting subject for him. The complexity of the staples, papers, the commotion, and noise on every pole fascinate him. More images are featured on the website, andrewspictures.com, which will also be on sale.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Sacks Website
Andrew Sacks Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Greek writer and I have -to date- published my work in some of the most important Greek publishing houses.Two novels, a collection of short stories, a poetry collection, a poetic composition dedicated to the great Greek poet Giannis Ritsos, a political essay and many educational books. My profession, after all, is a teacher of the Greek language in public education.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a novel entitled “The Chip of Knowledge”. Its central conception is what the title suggests, the existence of a tiny device that will implant in the minds of people all the existing knowledge, in a version completely free from any ideological charge. What prompted me to write this is the tendency of modern people to believe that somethingclearly false is true. For example, being convinced that they live in a democratic society, when in fact what they are experiencing is an oligarchy. So I wrote a science fiction novel with strong doses of political realism.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Something that characterizes the way I write is that I prepare my material for a long time and, only when I am absolutely sure of the structure and the final form of my work, then I start writing it. That is why the writing period is rarely longer than nine months.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many. First of all, all the great ancient Greek writers, with Homer first, who is the father of literature. Also, all the great philosophers and the political science of the modern great Greek professor George Kontogeorgis. If I have to dwell on three writers who defined the way I see my works, they are the Portuguese José Saramago, the Italian Italo Kalvino and the Greek Pavlos Matessis.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a biography, a textual genre that I am dealing with for the first time and that has excited me. This is the biography of the first female astrophysicist in Greece, who also became the first female Vice President of the European Astronomical Society (EAS), the European NASA, while she also worked at NASA itself.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the Amazon platform is currently unbeatable.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not keep in mind the potential readers and their supposed requirements when writing, because that way it is certain that they will never meet them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn to subtract instead of add.

What are you reading now?
The book “The theory of revolutions in Aristotle” by George Kontogeorgis.

What’s next for you as a writer?
With the publication of my latest novel “The Chip of Knowledge” in English by the London publishing house Ontime Books and its distribution throughout the English-speaking world, my goal is to get to know the international public.

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?
Sigmund Freud’s “Culture as a Source of Suffering”, Epikouros’ “Opinions” and Edward Wilson’s “The Meaning of Human Existence”

Author Websites and Profiles
Vaggelis Kaliosis Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing since 2016. That was the year when I decided to change
the direction of my professional activities. Until that point, I had a group of
companies dealing with real estate services, insurance agencies, mobile
telephone services, as well as the radio station trust-radio. Thus, in 2016 I
decided that the time had come for me to do what I really loved.
That year I wrote my first book called “The secret to eternal life”. The following
year I wrote my second book “The diary that will change your life forever”, and
in 2018 I wrote my third book “Live the life you did not live”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Live the Life You Did Not Live” and is actually a sequel to my
previous book. The diary is based on a specific tactic with the aim of gradually
changing our subconscious and to live a life without the fears and anxieties
with which we grew up. The final book is the sequel aimed at those who
managed to achieve this change.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Whenever I make the decision to write a book, I try to maintain specific
consistent patterns. The starting point of my daily writing, as well as the
amount of time that I devote writing everyday for this purpose. Until I finish
writing, I try to avoid straying away from this schedule.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really enjoy reading books and different book genres. I cannot say that I have
been influenced by a particular genre or author. I believe that there is
something to take from everything, but that it does not stretch any further.
The topics and everything that I cover in my books are product of my own
experimentation and introspection.

What are you working on now?
As I have promised at the end of my first book, I will return later with more
revelations on the secret to eternal life.
That time has come and I reveal the sequel by including a kind of fiction for
obvious reasons because I have pledged to never reveal the source of
whatever I cover in this book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use fb and instagram to promote my books. Through my profiles and page all these years there are enough people that we have developed a beautiful relationship through my daily posts.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice will not be only for new authors but also for those that love
something and are hesitant to move forward. To persist on what they are
doing and to dream constantly about what they desire. This is the only recipe
to success. Certain frustrations are sure to occur, however, that should act as
the vehicle which will make them stubborn, so they take the next step and
then so they can take another step until they learn how to walk so no obstacle
can ever stop them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To look at writing as a career and not merely as a hobby. To work 8 hours
every day and always be my best possible self. Moreover, that I should feel
blessed for being able to have a career I adore.

What are you reading now?
I am reaching the end of One hundred years of solitude by Gabriel García
Márquez.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think that is what every Greek writer is seeking. To be able to make a living
through writing. The truth is that I feel blessed that I was one of the first who
instinctively chose to work with on time books. It is a publishing house with the
goal of featuring the work of Greek writers in the world market. I believe that
mister Dimitris Christodoulou and his entire team’s passion and love for what
they do will quickly also make our dreams come true. The first messages are
already impressive.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is the most difficult question that you have asked me. I love books so
much that truly it is too difficult a task to choose. However, if I had to choose
no matter what, I would pick the trilogy of Nikos Themelis The Quest, The
Reversal, and The Flash. The fourth book would definitely be the The diary that
will change your life forever.

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My first book is called “Oi perileipomenoi” (“The Included”) (web site: https://24grammata.com) and is an e-book and my second is the one published by OnTime Books “The story of a father and a son.” At the same time, whenever I have inspiration, I write short stories in Greek at my personal blog https://istories-mikres.blogspot.com/.
Usually I’m not talking about me, but I’ll try to go overboard! Moreover, in the Proverbs, Solomon says ” « Let another praise you, and not your own mouth — a stranger, and not your own lips.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I mentioned before, my last book is “The story of a father and a son”. That’s exactly what the title says! Partly biographical, partly literary, I believe that each of us will see in this piece of his personal history.
It is an effort to memorize facts and advice from my own father and I thought the short text was a good opportunity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say I have no habits at all! It is the inspiration of the moment that will make me write or work for a long time an idea in my mind before it is imprinted on paper.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
If one excludes the Bible, I would not say that there is another book that affects me. from authors, lately I make sure to study classical Greek and foreign literature, without excluding new authors, as, after all, I am.

What are you working on now?
There are indeed a couple of ideas in my mind, but they must first be well fermented in it before they come out, like hot bread! Because I have not started anything yet, I cannot talk more.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Certainly, the great spread of the internet, with websites and social networks. The best; The reader’s point of view!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To love what they do and to do what they love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice is written by Nikos Kazantzakis: “Reach where you can’t!”

What are you reading now?
In addition to the daily study of the Book, books on modern Greek history or World War II.

What’s next for you as a writer?
One of the both ideas I have on mind.

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, perhaps the Homeric epics or a medieval Cretan poem, Erotokritos.

Author Websites and Profiles
John K. Lambakis Website
John K. Lambakis Amazon Profile

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