Awesome Author Interviews

Ashley Baker Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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Ashley Baker

Interview With Author Ashley Baker

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Ashley Baker. I’m a writer and a psychologist with a debut novel, The Furious Others, which is available wherever books are sold.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Furious Others is so unique- it is a serial killer book where the murderer is NOT the main character. Instead, the victims take center stage! It’s progressive and timely but also so sad and scary. All of these people were living full lives before they met HIM.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to be in a specific mindset to write, and I hate being interrupted. Normally that’s not the case but when I’m in the “zone” it really matters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! The GOAT is a Prayer for Owen Meany. I also love Stephen King and Chris Whittiker novels. I read widely and often and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are you working on now?
Book number 3! A book about Appalachia and the ties that bind us!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have my own website plus all the socials, and just getting out there and promoting it. I’m proud of the work!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! I find the writing is the easy part. Getting out there and trying to market is much harder but it’s worth it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When someone shows you who they are, believe them!

What are you reading now?
I am reading a quick book called Foster. It’s simple but poignant. I just finished a haunting novella called Bloom. I typically read 100 books per year so I love talking about books 🙂

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write and publish and market.

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 prayer for owen meany
A bad book to write notes in (if a journal is not allowed)
Gilead
The Bible

Author Websites and Profiles

Ashley Baker Website

Ashley Baker’s Social Media Links

Shelby Hailstone Law Amazon Profile

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Shelby Hailstone Law

Interview With Author Shelby Hailstone Law

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing books since I was a kid! Ask anyone who knew me growing up, and they’ll tell you I’d carry around notebooks and scribble stories in them. In fact, my first published book was one I wrote at age 14 during Biology. Since then, I’ve published 16 books, and I’m proud of every single one of them. I feel like I’m only getting better and better!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is called “Death Flirts Back,” and it came directly out of a dream I had about a girl falling in love with the physical embodiment of a family curse.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a little neuro-spicy, so my writing process involves writing a paragraph or two and then doing a dish or two, then writing a bit and then sweeping a room, etc. It gets the house clean AND the writing done!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a huge fan of Agatha Christie. I love that her stories are rooted in understanding people. I also grew up reading the Alex Rider spy series, and I think that style of adventure story speaks to a lot of the fast-paced adventures I like to write now.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next book in my “Scaleshifter” series, which is about two kids who were forcibly turned into dragons trying to navigate new bodies and new worlds. That should come out in August 2025. I’m also trying my hand at scifi, writing a story called “The Mermaids of Europa” about a fictional NASA mission to make first contact with intelligent life on one of Jupiter’s moons. I’m SO excited about both of these!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love to do local author events, and I’ve gone to schools and libraries to teach aspiring writers about the publishing world. I’ve tried Facebook and Amazon ads, but really, nothing beats word of mouth!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t talk yourself into giving up! No one can write the book you can. Even if you don’t find immediate financial success (it took me about five years of publishing before I got real traction), your art is out there. Your soul is bared. That’s worth it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you’ve got a made up language, always check to make sure you aren’t accidentally pushing letters together to make up a word that exists in a real language. You might be insulting without meaning to be!

What are you reading now?
I’m rereading the Alex Rider series and reading American Girl books with my daughter, who is learning to pay attention to longer books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep creating and chasing plot bunnies wherever they take me. Once my kids are both in school, I plan to get out in the community even more, too!

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 Lord of the Rings combination book, my Agatha Christie Hercules Poirot short story collection, and my scriptures.

Author Websites and Profiles

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Elton Young

Interview With Author Elton Young

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Elton L. Young and this is actually my first published book, but not the first time I’ve written for publication. For five years, I wrote for the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc as a Sunday School Commentary Writer for national publication. Writing Sunday School lessons is an experience I’ll always treasure and never forget. I’ve also written many sermons as a local pastor-teacher, and in collaboration with two (2) former partners that worked with me as conflict resolution trainers, we wrote a conflict resolution training manual that we successfully used to train others in conflict resolution and conflict management several years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m often asked, what led me to write my book “Conflicts Within: A Journey through Real and Lasting Change”? My answer to that question is always the same. It was the death of my beautiful wife Brenda. Breanda and I shared twenty-two (22) years together before her cancer diagnosis and eventual death (2016). After grieving over her death for more than two (2) years, trying to fill that void in my life unsuccessfully, and carrying that grief with me into the pandemic, I was spiritually confronted by God when he asked me what I planned to do with my pain? I answered God’s question by putting pen to paper while the pandemic isolated the world and separated people from each other in profound ways. During that time, I was moved by God’s Spirit to review the conflict resolution and conflict management training manual I had a hand in writing a little over twenty (20) years ago along with articles and training curriculums I’ve written on the subject matter. I asked myself, how can I take important pieces from training materials I’ve written, combine that information with practical, skill-building knowledge, real-life experiences learned from my wife’s death, and produce a reader-friendly product that will challenge the hearts and minds of people while increasing their knowledge base and spiritual growth at the same time. Combining all of those factors together resulted in the birth of my book “Conflicts Within: A Journey through Real and Lasting Change”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write when I’m moved and inspired to write. Like preparing a sermon, my writing style often begin with entertaining thoughts in my mind, exploring those thoughts, and then putting those thoughts on paper.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by many authors, but to name just a few, books like C.H. Spurgeon “Lectures To My Students”, Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life”, J. Oswald Sanders “Spiritual Discipleship” and numerous writings by Thom S. Rainer.

What are you working on now?
That’s something I’m praying about. I have different projects in mind, but I haven’t quite decided which one will be next. I’m looking at possibly writing a book about the most influential sermons I’ve preached and many life-experiences I encountered that led to the birth of those sermons. I’m also exploring expanding my writing with my current book Conflicts Within. You will just have to wait and see.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book%3Dconflicts-within&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3oh3TKnSc0lK7uxJMnMh0T

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice and encouragement to new autors is to read daily, write often, welcome and encourage feedback, know your audience, be clear and concise, and don’t forget to smile 🙂

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Some of the best advice I’ve ever heard came from my dad who often said, “Trust is something you earn not something you give away.” My seminary professor Dr. Dana Stoddard often said, “Young, discipleship is a free gift, but discipleship always cost something.”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a book entitled Motivational Counseling, Concepts, Approached, and Assessment by John Wiley & Sons, LTD

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am now working hard with marketing my current book and getting the word out. I have not made a firm decision on my next writing project, but I have some good ideals and I’m looking forward to putting those ideals on paper.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Holy Bible
Positives from the Black Corner by Stephen C. Nash, Ph. D.
Who Moved My Pulpit? by Thom S. Rainer
Good to Great in God’s Eyes by Chip Ingram

Author Websites and Profiles

Elton Young Website

Elton Young’s Social Media Links

Ashley Baker Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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

Ashley Baker

Interview With Author Ashley Baker

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a psychologist by day, and a writer in all the moments in between. I have a traditionally published novel, The Furious Others, that is out and making waves. It is unique because it involves a serial killer who is NOT the main character.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I had finished yet another serial killer focused thriller and I thought, “This misses the point. The scariest part is the victims who were living their life; going to the gym, worrying about dinner, doing all the mundane things until HE changed the trajectory of their life.” That thought turned into this novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to be in the right headspace to write. It’s focused but also creative and I know when I’m in it or when I’m not. Perhaps that’s what people call “the zone” but it doesn’t happen in other facets of life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read! I read 100 books a year usually. I love Stephen King of course! I also adore John Irving and Travis McGee novels. I read and love a wide variety of books and am always active on Goodreads! It’s hard to get 5 stars from me though 😉

What are you working on now?
I have another book, A Father’s Sin, that will be published in April but that’s ones done and awaiting more edits. The next book after that is an Appalachian novel that’s NOT about meth. Being from that region, I hate being reduced to the lowest sum of our parts. I am going to write it beautiful, I promise you that.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram or Tik Tok traditionally get the most views.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get comfortable with marketing. Yes, even if you’re an introvert. It doesn’t come naturally to me either. As a psychologist I love keeping the focus on everyone but me. But I’ve learned to be proud of the work I created.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.

What are you reading now?
Bloom! It’s short but it’s creepy and the best part is- I have NO idea where it’s going to go.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write, publish, and most importantly, grow an audience. I’ve never met a reader I didn’t like so that’s the best part is hearing that other readers like my work. That’s a core memory for 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?
A prayer for Owen meany
Gilead
A one-star book that I could write my own thoughts on or else I’d go crazy.

Author Websites and Profiles

Ashley Baker Website

Ashley Baker’s Social Media Links

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Kristin Busco Shipley

Interview With Author Kristin Busco Shipley

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Kristin Busco Shipley is a mom, wife, social worker experienced with working with children, business owner of Lighthouse Clinical Services, PLLC, and children’s book author who loves the water, sealife, and of course mermaids!
Kristin’s book is inspired by her own relationship with her sister and the relationship of her young daughters growing closer together as they get older, and highlights the sisterhood relationship, experiencing new obstacles together, and embracing confidence and courage.
Kristin has always loved reading from a young age and dreamed about publishing her own book someday. She lives in the Chicagoland area where she and her husband raise their two small daughters.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is Sister Adventures: Mermaid Quest for the Legendary Rainbow Shell and it was inspired by the relationship with my sister, Julia, and watching my two daughters grow up together. The sister relationship and bond is so special and I have enjoyed watching my girls love one another.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really loved reading the Rainbow Fish books growing up as a child and have always had a love for the ocean, sea life, and mermaids.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my second children’s book that will be added to the Sister Adventures Series.

Kristin Busco Shipley’s Social Media Links

Deon Ashleigh Amazon Profile

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Deon Ashleigh

Interview With Author Deon Ashleigh

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a sci-fi writer who envisions a world where love is as plentiful as insects and science fiction books fall from the sky. Bran Flakes are my favorite cereal, and I’m a spreadsheet nerd. I was birthed in Michigan but moved away when the cold became too much.

So far, I’ve written six books, published one of them, a short story collection, and contributed to a dystopian anthology.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My sci-fi debut is The Price of a Beating Heart. It’s the first book in The Price of a Heart series. There will be eight books after this one, all set in the same far-future, dystopian world.

I wrote The Price of a Beating Heart because I was heartbroken over Trayvon Martin’s murder. And in a rage. And feeling somewhat helpless. There have been many murders of Black people, but Trayvon’s prompted me to start writing this book in 2016. I needed to bleed out my feelings so I could start conversations about the world and how we choose to treat each other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know. Humans do many unusual things. Maybe.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Orwell (1984)
N.K. Jemisin (The Fifth Season)
Neal Shusterman (Unwind and Bruiser)
Octavia Butler (Various stories)
Hannah Moskowitz (Break)
Daniel Keyes (Flowers for Algernon)

George Orwell started my road to sci-fi. These other authors finished that road.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing a non-fiction book called 100 Ways To Save 1,000 Hours Self-Publishing Your Book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I will do a lot of promotion on my YouTube channel, The Sci-fi Space. I’m going to interview sci-fi readers and read my new writing aloud.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Don’t tie your worth to your book, writing, or sales. None of these are related.

2. Write the story your soul’s telling you to write. Don’t compromise on your story.

3. Don’t chase someone else’s voice. With more writing and time, your voice will emerge.

4. Know that you’re born a writer. It’s a calling. You don’t have to prove you’re a writer to anyone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Leave your book above the ground. No one can read it when it’s six feet under with you.”

I made this up while reading this question.

What are you reading now?
Gap Selling by Keenan. I’m learning how to market. It’s a different skill than writing and editing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After finishing my non-fiction book, I’ll begin editing the second book of The Price of a Heart series.

The second book’s called The Price of a Broken Heart.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d bring empty books so I can write new stories in them.

Author Websites and Profiles

Deon Ashleigh Website

Deon Ashleigh’s Social Media Links

ghislain labrie Amazon Profile

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ghislain labrie

Interview With Author ghislain labrie

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Ghislain, i’m from Canada and I’m new to the world of writing. I’m a happy and positive person who loves life and is deeply connected to my family. I have a wonderful wife, two grown daughters whom I adore, and now, I am a proud grandfather to a little granddaughter who has inspired me to start writing children’s stories.
I have writen 3 children book for now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Curious little bird is the last one i wrote and like the other two books my granddaughter is the inspiration behind it. Although she’s only a year old yet, she has filled my life with indescribable joy and wonder. The idea of her growing up, discovering the world of imagination, and experiencing the beauty of stories motivated me to create this tale. While she may be too young to understand it now, I wrote those stories with the hope that one day, she will find joy in reading them and connect with the lessons and values within it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. My writing process usually starts with a brainstorming session where I jot down ideas. I then create an outline and draft the story, often revising multiple times.
At work I have often time to work on my books so strangely this is the place where I mostly do it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was an early reader, my parents used to buy all the walt Disney story books. So I grow up reading those great story for kids who taught me about imagination and creativity and are also a part of my inspiration for writing books. I used to also read teddy ruxpin adventures and Mr. Men & Little Miss books. These books influence my work today in many ways. They taught me how powerful a simple but meaningful story can be, and how much young readers connect with characters who feel genuine and familiar. When I write, I strive to blend imaginative adventures with themes that are close to home for kids, just like those books did for me. They’ve shown me the importance of balance—keeping a story entertaining while embedding a lesson that resonates. It’s a lasting influence that helps me create stories that both delight and teach, making them memorable for young readers.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a new children book which the main character is a cute snail. The story’s values are curiosity, friendship, teamwork, persistence, and appreciating life’s simple joys. It should be out just in time for Christmas.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well for now i mostly promote my books on many Facebook groups and Instagram. I’ve just started working with a publishing house in San Diego called Reader’s Magnet for the promoting and marketing of my books. There’s many things they wanna Do so i’ll see how it goes in the following weeks

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not really since i’m a pretty new author myself

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Didn’t have any advice for now

What are you reading now?
The Mortal engine book series

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now friday we’re gonna do a virtual author interview and later they want to schedule a radio interview on a radio show called America tonight wich has 3 millions listeners in the USA. They will also promote my books on all social media worldwide since my books are in french and english .

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 3-4 last Stephen King books cause i didn’t had Time to read them

Author Websites and Profiles

ghislain labrie Website

ghislain labrie’s Social Media Links

Dan Handel Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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Dan Handel

Interview With Author Dan Handel

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I studied architecture for my bachelor’s degree and then continued to study the field for my master’s degree. So formally, it was always about architecture. But I found myself early on migrating toward everything that was happening beyond buildings. I was always drawn to the larger story, the underexplored figures and ideas that shaped contemporary built environments. This led me out of cities and into landscapes and places not investigated by architects and planners. Forests had become the subject of my new book which is also my first book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called Designed Forests: A Cultural History. It started with an experience I had when I was researching the subject of industrial forests. I visiting a forest in the Pacific Northwest, I noticed there was something eerie about the trees because they all looked exactly the same, like clones. I learned by looking into it that these thousands of trees were produced from the same genetic material and planted on the same date to grow together. It’s part of this practice of industrial forests. This experience led me to look further into it, and what is happening to our forests and cities and eventually write this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know some very prolific writers who can write anywhere: they just switch on a mental button and can work in a busy café or a cramped room. I do not possess these abilities and came to notice that the space I am working in has a profound effect. Being an architect by training, I developed a special obsession with ultra-modernist spaces, and wrote most of this book in a huge, dead-quiet library space designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ursula K. LeGuin’s novella, “The Word for World is Forest” really opened my eyes in her portrayal of the forest as an enmeshed environment of human and non-human voices. Andrea Wulf’s work, especially “The Invention of Nature”, was demonstrative in her ability to unpack complex scientific and philosophical discussions in accessible and fluent writing. Michael Pollan’s books, especially his first one “Second Nature”, were instructive for his developing of personal readings of vast subjects and owning it.

What are you working on now?
As an offshoot from the current book, I am now working on writing a global environmental history of wind and forest. Focusing on grand afforestation projects planted to slow down the wind, combat desertification, and control the movement of people, this work ventures into various parts of the world in different times, including Imperial China, India, the United States during the New Deal, Communist Russia, and Sahelian Africa, to redraw narratives of a world shaped by the meeting points between wind regimes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is the best website when it comes to promoting my books.
www.handandel.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing a book is not a straight line. It took me more than a decade of research to get to the point where I could envision a clear structure, in which each chapter follows one forest metaphor through time and space. During this time, the project developed and acquired more depth. So I would suggest to not hesitate to take on the route that is more interesting to you, rather than the one you “should” take, because this is how you get interesting books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Michael Pollan wrote that the first book is like a point, and only with the second book a line is drawn between two points that begins to define you as a writer. So we all need patience.

What are you reading now?
William Dalrymple’s “The Golden Road”, a fantastic sweeping narrative about ancient India’s influence on the world through religion, philosophy, and science. Dalrymple’s writing style is accessible as it is well-researched, and is masterful in focusing on historical figures as a way of challenging our current worldviews.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on the proposal for the next book!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Money and Class in America” by Lewis Lapham will give you a hilarious account of the follies you left behind. Benjamin Labatut’s “When we Cease to Understand the World” will assist in acquiring a higher state of observation. And Annie Dillard’s “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” may help you see your island landscapes in a new way.

Author Websites and Profiles

Dan Handel Website

Dan Handel’s Social Media Links

Author Interview Series

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

J Kuber Singh

Interview With Author J Kuber Singh

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hola…. I’m J Kuber Singh from India and currently a Post Grad Student in the field of Pharmacy, expertise in Pharm.Quality Assurance.
THE QUANTUM PATH : A JOURNEY BEYOND THE STARS is my debut book and very existed of the response i am receiving.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE QUANTUM PATH : A JOURNEY BEYOND THE STARS

J Kuber Singh’s Social Media Links

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Tammy Aiken

Interview With Author Tammy Aiken

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. I have lived in South Deerfield Massachusetts most of my life before moving to Montague. I love nature I love walking, love horses and love singing my favorite Holiday is Christmas. I am a farm girl hung around on my grandparent’s farm growing up loved everything about farming. I have written 12 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kids Gluten Free Christmas Cookbook I was inspired when seeing kids, I know not being able to enjoy their desserts and specially their Holidays. I want to put a smile on their faces.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Must have my water on the right my phone on the left. I do get emotional sometimes when writing my cookbooks knowing I am helping someone to have safe desserts.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alex Guarnaschelli, I love the way she puts herself out there and she fits right in with everyone. She is a great author and chef.

What are you working on now?
I will always be creating and writing cookbooks.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Any website or platforms, social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be careful of the scams there are so many that look so real.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Before my mom passed, she said to me do not ever give up on your cookbooks.

What are you reading now?
Old cookbooks that I have love the older recipes

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will keep publishing my cookbooks and working toward my dream being featured on Food Network.

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 old cookbooks and one of Alex Guarnaschelli cookbooks.
Old cookbooks that I have love the older recipes

Tammy Aiken’s Social Media Links

Irene H. Kim Amazon Profile

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Irene H. Kim

Interview With Author Irene H. Kim

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello!
I’m a first-generation Korean American, Mother, Author, and Medical Therapist. I practice in the rehabilitation and management of complicated neurological injuries in the beautiful mountain state of Colorado. I’m passionate about my patients, fueled by promoting their recoveries and watching their family’s love. The unknown of our brains is fascinating and I love presenting nationally about neurological injuries and their challenges.

I just released my first memoir/autobiography and have two (or more!) book ideas involving patient stories and love.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Korea Reunited is my first book in which I reveal more of my life passions: The universal language of love and uncovering the deeper parts within us: our ancestors and their choices. Meaning, appreciation, observing nature and striving for internal happiness are my daily practices I seeks to present them in the written word. I sought to capture my parents’ stories of our country of origin, their survival of the war, meeting each other and their lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a collector of many different things to compile my stories: Tons of notes written on everything from napkins to random pieces of paper, letters, photos, objects, folders files, bins. I don’t have an exact process but am guided by my emotions to promote the furthest reach and to touch hearts and minds.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Into the Gray Zone by Adrian Owen, Korea’s Divided Families by James a Foley, Oliver Sachs, The Memory Keeper by Kim Edwards, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, Everything You Need You Have by Gerad Kite, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Mind and Medicine by Dr. Lissa Rankin…I could go on and on!

What are you working on now?
Promoting my new release and learning this industry!!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m trying to figure this out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be mindful of the marketing aspect AFTER publication. This has been an overwhelming, HUGE learning curve!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust yourself

What are you reading now?
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to navigate this book marketing world and keep my future works in mind. Continue to compile my thoughts in my many ways!

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?
Into the Gray Zone by Adrian Owen, The Memory Keeper by Kim Edwards, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Everything You Need You Have by Gerad Kite

Author Websites and Profiles

Irene H. Kim Website

Irene H. Kim’s Social Media Links

Author Interview Series

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

Sophy Smythe

Interview With Author Sophy Smythe

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Sophy Smythe is the pen name of an author and medical doctor, currently living in Antwerp. After closing her practice she now pursues her dream to write fact-based mystery-thrillers about what she knows best: the pharma industry and medical world.
THE MEDICAL CODE, the first book in the Charlie Martens, MD series, is her debut in this genre. The second book in this series is in the making and will be published in 2025.
The latest book is a bundle of short Christmas stories told by 13 mystery and crime writers: A RIGHT COZY CHRISTMAS CRIME.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is a bundle of short Christmas stories told by 13 mystery and crime writers: A RIGHT COZY CHRISTMAS CRIME. Sophy Smythe’s story, THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT is about a woman who discovered that she had married a serial killer and is sure she will be next.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In the morning I walk my dogs and after that the three of us do yoga. It’s the time I think about and meditate on new ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love fiction books based on facts. So Dan Brown is one of them. Daniel Silva does the same.
I also love non-fiction like Wastelands by Corbin Addison, Putin’s People by Catherine Belton and Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. These are an out-cry against empires, governments and people and try to make readers conscious about what is going on.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book in the Charlie Martens, MD series.
Embarking on a quest to unravel the mysteries behind a meningitis outbreak, Dr. Charlie Martens uncovers unsettling ties to a pharmaceutical giant. However, seeking clarification becomes a perilous endeavor as her life unravels—her boyfriend murdered, her daughter abducted, and her medical license threatened. In a desperate race against time, Dr. Martens joins forces with an underworld-connected lawyer, striving to save her child and unveil the sinister forces at play.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a mix of interviews, Instagram, newsletters, my own website, Facebook, Goodreads. And of course I talk to everybody who wants to listen.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When you have a story to tell, it’s like a volcano. It can’t be stopped. So sit down and write.
When you have honed and polished it, publish.
Just do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.

What are you reading now?
I’m always reading four or five books at the same time. Right now it’s ‘Un Hipster En España Vacia’ by Daniel Gascón, ‘Revenge of the Tipping Point’ by Malcolm Gladwell, ‘A Right Cozy Christmas Crime’ compiled by Wendy Jones (I love to read what the other crime writers have written) and ‘The new Girl’ by Daniel Silva.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got nine more ideas for my Charlie Martens, MD series, so I’m good, thank you.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a difficult one.
I would bring ‘Plague of Corruption’ by Judy Mikovits and Kent Heckenlively, ‘Divided’ by Tim Marshall and of course I’d like to read again ‘Identity Reboot’ by Arwen Smit.

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Sophy Smythe Website

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Ghenrietta Von Bloome Amazon Profile

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Ghenrietta Von Bloome

Interview With Author Ghenrietta Von Bloome

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love writing. It has been my true passion for a number of years. Love writing and reading Gothic novels- about vampires, witches, and ghosts. Also love Victorian time stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Wilted Rose. Always wanted to write a love story, especially the one of a love triangle- this one has a very unexpected story turn.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing horror novels, mostly. I only write in the mornings. This is my most productive time. I usually aim for 10-15 pages each time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of my most favorite authors is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and his book The Hound of the Baskervilles. Love Stephen King, Bram Stoker, Allan Edgar Poe and many others.

What are you working on now?
I am contemplating a story called The Haunting of Sarah Blackwood. It will be a horror novel with a very intriguing plot.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes I do, and that would be to never give up on your dream.
Writing has been my escape through some of the hard times, and I am grateful to have made it through because of my writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Watch and guard your heart (your emotions) above all.

What are you reading now?
I have been reading some satire by Jerome K. Jerome

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to option one of the film scripts to a film production company.
I am also a screenwriter. I love writing horror scripts inspired by actual events.
Submitting one of them to Screamfest in November.

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?
Jane Eyre, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sense and Sensibility, Dracula

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Deborah Fox

Interview With Author Deborah Fox

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Doncaster a City in the North East of the UK with my partner Paul.
I work in a busy distribution warehouse in between writing and promoting books.
Hobbies include gardening, walking, travelling, cinema.
I have written 2 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Where is all the Grass Going.
Inspired by by late dog Jake and my friends late dog Sammy are are the main characters and heroes of the story.
Jake was also one of the main characters of my first book Second Hand Rose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if its unusual as I am still in the early stages of my writing but on the 2 books I have written so far I have wrote the ending first and worked the rest of story around this.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My 2nd book is a children’s my 1st a horror so different influences but in if truth be told I don’t read a lot of books myself. I will mention AA Milne as I grew up with Winnie the Pooh and still have my original copy on the house now. Horror then I have enjoyed Anne Rice stories in my earlier days. Probably more now I spend my time in the cinema for influence and inspiration but I do possess a good imagination and hope my stories have originality.

What are you working on now?
I have a few ideas about a crime novel which will make it another genre switch.
My work at the moment is concentrated on promoting my books so not started writing yet.
Id love to reduce my working hours to allocate more time to the books past, present and future but at the moment it is still very much a hobby rather than a career.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I didn’t use social media until after the 1st book then I had to learn quickly as I understood the importance of this tool for getting my story out there. (I pretty much use all platforms now and have developed my own website, have my own You Tube Channel). I have also done interviews, podcasts, book reads (all very much out of my comfort zone) but I have done well over double figures now and really enjoy all these new experiences.
I do also do ‘Old school’ promoting by printing promotional posters and handing them out to local businesses’, libraries, schools, coffee shops, etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well as a new author myself and found that social media is basically one massive book community and there are so many helpful fellow authors, reviewers, book people generally that are so friendly and helpful. I would suggest take on advice, use free reviewers, ARC’s when you can and learn from the comments good or bad. I learned so much from my first book that i took into my second book and now feel I have improved a lot as an author.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Its never too old to start. I was 50 when I started my first book and only wrote I to deal with the passing of my dog Jake and for a present for my mum.
She loved it as did some of my friends who suggested I try a publisher. After much searching I did find Blossom Spring and to me surprise they not only loved the story but offered me a contract and so the journey started.

What are you reading now?
Nothing which may seem weird that a writer doesn’t read but that is the truth.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I mentioned a crime thriller which may be the next but I do also have plans for a prequal and sequel to Second Hand Rose (The publishers did express an interest in a book series). Also there is plenty of scope for the dogs I used for Where is all the Grass Going? to evolve other adventures for this pair. Its exciting to have all these ideas and cant wait to get started again.

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?
Winnie the Pooh, Interview with a Vampire, Dr Sleep and kidnapped

Author Websites and Profiles

Deborah Fox Website

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Mandy Webster Amazon Profile

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Tina Ferguson

Interview With Author Tina Ferguson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tina M. Ferguson is a dedicated teacher, author, and family woman who lives along the beautiful Ohio River in the historic town of New Richmond, Ohio. She has been married for 31 years and is a proud mother to two children, Bradley and Olivia. Tina’s family continues to grow, with her grandson Caleb and another grandson on the way. She also shares her home with a loyal dog, Ollie, and a playful cat, Simba.
She began creating journals after the passing of her son, Bradley. She has created approximately 20 books that are listed on Amazon.

With a passion for education, Tina teaches at Lockland Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she gathers inspiration from her students and colleagues to create her reflective journals. These journals encourage gratitude, mindfulness, and self-discovery, offering readers a way to cultivate a balanced and purposeful life. When she’s not teaching or writing, Tina enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and finding new ways to inspire those around her.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest journal that I wrote and designed is a Gratitude Journal for Teens. I have them for adults, as well. I was inspired to create this journal for my students as a bell ringer in the mornings. Then, I wanted to share with others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy getting up very early (3:00a.m.) and lighting a candle to write and desin my journals and current book I am writing. It will be titled Silent Harmony.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
This classic encourages readers to tap into their creativity through journaling. The book’s emphasis on morning pages and self-reflection can inspire journal prompts that help users express themselves and break through creative or emotional blocks.

The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan
In this book, Kaplan shares her year-long journey of practicing gratitude. Her personal stories and research-based insights illustrate how a consistent gratitude practice can improve happiness and well-being. It’s a great resource for designing gratitude exercises that help readers focus on life’s positives.

The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams
Through the lens of friendship, compassion, and faith, this book explores joy and resilience. It provides a strong foundation for creating journals focused on personal joy, reflection, and connection to higher ideals or spirituality.

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Niequist’s reflections on simplifying life and focusing on what matters most can inspire a journal that encourages introspection and letting go of perfectionism. The book’s emphasis on presence and intentionality resonates well with mindfulness and self-care themes.

Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner
This book explores the deep, healing aspects of journaling as a spiritual practice. It could inspire prayer and reflective journal sections that help readers access inner wisdom and find clarity in their lives.

What are you working on now?
At the present time, I am writing a book about my son and his obstacles in life and how he handled them. It is based on a true narrative of the life he lived and how his family loved him all the while.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the present time, I am promoting my books on Amazon and in small coffee shops in the area. I want to reach a larger audience now because I truly believe in the power of self help and acceptance. Awesome Gang is a wonderful site to also share my creations.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The advice that I have for new authors is to start small, maybe with low-content journals as I have. Devote time in the details of writing, adverting and marketing your book. Also, don’t get discouraged. Focus on the pleasure writing brings you and everything will fall into place with persistence and clear intentions.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have gotten is your children will repay you a thousand times over for raising them in God’s light.

What are you reading now?
At the present time I am reading devotional books with scripture. One such book is God Calling.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I successfully market my journals and books, I would like to do a few podcasts. I am in the process of creating my own website.

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 my Bible, Prayer journal, and Reflection journals. These books guide my path in life and I feel a sense of well being when I utilize these books.

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Mandy Webster

Interview With Author Mandy Webster

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in a very rural area of South Central Illinois where playing outside and reading books were really the only source of entertainment. In the great outdoors, I would develop elaborate stories and act them out with my siblings, cousins, and the daycare kids my mom took care of. Honestly, I’ve spent more time in my imagination than in the real world! I’ve been writing since I was a child, but it took me many years and a creative writing degree to learn how to finish writing a complete story. I have since written and published seven novels, and the ideas keep coming!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It Had to Happen. Everyone always wants to know what inspired my stories. I can remember the specifics of a couple of them, but not this one. I’m racking my brain now trying to think where this idea came from, but nothing comes to mind. Usually my stories come out of wondering, “what if?” It was probably something like that– some germ of a question that worked its way through my subconscious mind until it bubbled to the top, demanding to be written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have the terrible habit of not being very consistent until I realize that if I don’t start my next book soon, I won’t have anything to publish next year. Then I throw away everything I have going on and block out every free second for several weeks and do nothing but write. I can usually write a solid first draft in about six to eight weeks. Then I set it aside and let it simmer for a couple of months before I start revising. I try to start on another project in the meantime, but like I said, I’m terribly inconsistent!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon series was a huge influence for me back in the day. Then I learned about her terrible past, and– ew. Some other influences from my younger years include The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and both The Lottery and We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. More recently, after having spent many many years in school pursuing two separate masters degrees, I just want to read for the sheer pleasure of it. I tend to gravitate toward thriller/suspense novels by authors like Lisa Jewell and the occasional horror-ish novel (as long as there’s not *too much* gore).

What are you working on now?
I am currently outlining two novel projects. One is a thriller about a young woman whose wealthy father sends her off to find her missing brother at the cult compound where he was last seen. The other is more of an adult contemporary novel about a young woman who ends up on a long road trip with the mother she’s seen little of while growing up and the step-mother who raised her.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As much as I hate to admit it, meeting potential readers in person has thus far been my most successful way to promote my books. The more events I attend, the more I sell. I’ve also been branching out and networking with other authors to promote their books on my website in order to drive more traffic to my site. But honestly, my mom probably sells more books to her network of friends and acquaintances than I’ve ever sold through my own efforts!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Ignore the inner editor and write what you want. Also, learn to outline. I thought I was a pantser until I learned to outline. Now, I am so much more efficient than I ever was before.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t spit into the wind? Or did you mean writing advice? I don’t know. I’ve heard so much advice over the years, it all kind of blends together. I enjoyed Stephen King’s memoir, “On Writing” and remember it having good advice in it, but I couldn’t tell you anything specific. At this point, I’ve settled into what works for me, and that’s what counts.

What are you reading now?
I am about to start reading a novel called Sentient by Jay Vanlandingham. It’s not a typical read for me, but I met Jay at the Louisville Book Festival a while back, and he sold me on it. I’m excited to start reading it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books, hopefully. I’ve also been expanding my website and posting more often, so there’s a lot more content to read there. And I guess I’ll keep getting out and meeting people if that’s what I have to do to sell my 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?
What a terrible question. It would have to be books I’ve never read before because I can’t stand to re-read books. But then, what if I choose 3 or 4 terrible books? I would never forgive myself. I guess I’ll just pick a few from my TBR pile and hope for the best.

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Mandy Webster Website

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Aly Layne

Interview With Author Aly Layne

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently left the corporate world and decided to pursue my passion of helping others. This was a way for me to do that and this is my first book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DIVORCE-The One Where Sh*t Hits The Fan: A Humorous Guide for Women on Surviving, Thriving, and Laughing Through Divorce. I have been through several divorces and know how hard it can be to come out on the other side feeling whole. I wanted this book to take a different approach than most of the other serious divorce books out there. I like to see the positive side of things and I think I was able to capture some humor here while still providing a relatable and useful guide for women navigating divorce.

What are you working on now?
I am currently finishing up the complementary materials for this book. Included is a journal, a workbook, and also an adult coloring book. These will all help put into practice the lessons and tips in the book and provide an outlet for emotional release as well.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am looking into writing a children’s book 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?
I would bring one feel-good romance book, one legal crime/detective novel, one motivational/self-help book, and The Bible.

Aly Layne’s Social Media Links

M. Jacqueline Murray Website

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M. Jacqueline Murray

Interview With Author M. Jacqueline Murray

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write stories about relationships that spring from the confluence of two of my favorite big ideas: that every possible reality is simultaneously occurring but we’re only experiencing the one we’re observing, and, we all have a soulmate.

My breadth of passions results from my curiosity, fearlessness and open mind which fuel my desire to experience new things, explore new places and be constantly learning. I embody the Renaissance ideal of the multi-faceted intellectual, blending scientific expertise, business acumen, and creative artistry. My unique career path spans environmental science (as a geochemist and hydrogeologist), medical innovation (bringing cutting-edge devices and diagnostics to market), and strategic marketing (developing compelling narratives for complex biotech and medical products).

With advanced degrees in science and an MBA, I bring rare insight into both technical complexity and human storytelling. Through my career, I honed my ability to translate complex technical concepts into engaging narratives – a skill that now enriches my fiction writing. My education and experience combined with artistic pursuits in photography and music, fluency in multiple languages, and homes in the USA, Italy, and Canada, give my writing a distinct depth and global perspective.

I have published one non-fiction book (a guide to interpreting Gypsy Oracle Cards) and two women’s fiction novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Next Time – the second in the Maddie and Nate series. The inspiration for this novel is part of the larger inspiration for the series. The Maddie & Nate Series challenges traditional romance conventions by exploring a single destined connection across different timelines and choices. Set against the backdrop of decades of transformation from the 1950s to the new millennium, the series follows brilliant engineer Maddie Cole and principled lawyer Nate Jacobs as they navigate the complexities of love, duty, and timing across parallel realities. Using the lens of quantum physics’ multiple realities theory, each book presents a different iteration of their love story, examining how timing and circumstances shape not just relationships, but the very essence of who we become.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe not that unusual, but I get into my writing flow best when writing outside, longhand in a hardcover notebook. I have a favourite type of notebook and pens that I like to use.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a genre hopping reader, thriller, mystery, crime, science, family saga, literature ….. and non-fiction. I can’t give a single influence – because it’s all in the mix.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the third book of the Maddie and Nate Series – Our Time. In this iteration of Maddie and Nate’s story, ambition and destiny collide when career advancement competes with the undeniable gravity of a soul’s perfect match.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still looking for it 🙂

When I tell people about my books in person – they almost always want to buy it on the spot but the reach is limited. I’ve not done enough advertising (paid or organic) to know definitively what is best. Amazon is my largest sales channel.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be fearless. Even if you’ve never imagined you could or would write a book – if you get an idea – go for it. There’s really no downside – so what if it’s not a commercial success – you’ve left the world enriched by the something you’ve created.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you write something you want to read – certainly there will be someone else who wants to read it too.

What are you reading now?
The book for my local bookclub.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will complete the Maddie and Nate series, but I’m also working on a companion cookbook for the series because there’s a lot of food in my 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?
A thesaurus – because I’d certainly find something to write on
Dante’s Inferno
The Chronicles of Narnia

Author Websites and Profiles

M. Jacqueline Murray Amazon Profile

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