Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mom, a grandmother, a former biker, a singer, song-writer, carpenter, quilter, and a busy homemaker. I have travelled to many parts of the world on short-term mission trips and play the piano to relax. Gardening is a pleasure and reading and writing are a joy. Helping others is the main focus in her life and there is never a dull moment. Creating and reciting poetry is a favorite activity. She says that we all have a story to tell. Be brave. Tell it!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is titled Learning To Live Lightly: the ABCs of How To Get There. I was inspired to write it when Covid-19 came on the scene and shut down normal routines. Since I like to write and have stories to tell, it seemed like the best opportunity to spend time in this way. It was an ad on the internet about Self-Publishing School that caught my attention. I signed up and embraced the journey, the learning curve, the technology, and the coaching that made it all possible. And here I am promoting my first book. What a thrill!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everything out by hand as if I am talking to someone, then organize and reorganize it to be typed up in a document. Making a mind map is the best way to begin. Get all the ideas on a page and keep it for your reference for the whole project.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everything I read is non-fiction. Paul Tournier, Deitrich Bonhoffer, Elton Trueblood, John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Sarah Young, EllenG.White,

What are you working on now?
Completing the promotions for this first book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Just starting out. I don’t know.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get at it! Stay at it! Get it done!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Prov. 3: 5,6.

What are you reading now?
Teach Your Children About Racism by Uchenna L. Umeh, MD/MBA

What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning How to grow my business with the continuing help of Self-Publishing School

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
Ellen G. White’s writings
My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers

Author Websites and Profiles
Jane Holmes Website
Jane Holmes Amazon Profile

Jane Holmes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Italian, I have 28 years old and I live in a small mountain town in North Italy. I have started to write in the spring of 2017, and from then I wrote so much – complete books, essays, short stories, simple notes. I have self published five books here in Italy, and have just published my first book translated in English, which is a long literary essay about F. Scott Fitzgerald – my favorite author! The name of the book is “F. Scott Fitzgerald: Some sort of epic grandeur.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last published work is a travel book about a trip I took in New York in 2016. I share thoughts and most of all anecdotes that defined that wonderful experience, which was my first trip ever. The Italian title is “Tutta la potenza della vita.” It come from the words that author Thomas Wolfe wrote to editor Max Perkins about the life in New York – “All the power of life.”
In the fall of 2020 I will publish a novella about and set in London. It’s pretty much autobiographical. This is another city that in many ways changed my life in better.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Actually not. I am pretty regimented when I write. I try to write every day – every morning to be fair. I try to write a few pages, or at least edit some chapters with some new writing in it. I always try to do my best job. But as you know, writing is pretty hard in the long period, so sometimes I take some time off (could just be a couple of weeks) to recharge and start better than ever.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I previously said, surely F. Scott Fitzgerald changed my views on books and literature. His words and prose were so deep, intense and vivid in their expressivity that should be studied in writing schools or in book clubs. And also, I love the story of his life, his relationship with Zelda. It is all so fascinating.
I also love modern writers too. I am a fan of Richard Paul Evans books, both about Christmas and those about the meaning of life itself. They really can change your whole perspective about things.
I always try to assimilate something (even a little bit) from every writer I love or appreciate.

What are you working on now?
On so much things! I have always two, three or more projects on the computer or desk at the same time. Of course, I try to organize everything at best as I can, so the work is less chaotic as possible.
At this moment I’m working on an autobiography about my childhood in my hometown. It’s very touching writing it. Even painful sometimes for some memories I’m putting in it. But I love writing my story and I can’t wait to see published. Also, I’m editing a new collection of short stories dedicated to the different character and way of life of American people.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
From my first book published, I tried so many ways to promote my work. Facebook ads in my case didn’t work very well. I always try to write a few articles on my personal blog, share behind the scene of the writing of that book, or share some photos on social media. A good method that I’m trying and seems to work are the ads on Amazon. They works better than those on the social media. And of course, last but not least, just talk. Spread the voice to friends, talk about the book during a coffee at the local bar, etc…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know that could be sound like something heard a million times, but read as much as you can, even when you are not in the mood, and write as much as you can, even when the words don’t come naturally to you. Try to write a little bit every day. And of course, don’t give up. It will be a long and difficult road for much of the time, but in the end, will be a wonderful journey.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m finishing the wonderful and deep collection of essays about life in a Wyoming ranch titled “Where rivers change direction” by Mark Spragg. In the next days I will start “Norwich”, the olympic (literally) story of a small and rural Vermont town by Karen Crouse.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tiziano Brignoli Website
Tiziano Brignoli Amazon Profile

Tiziano Brignoli’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
An American abroad for years and years who has lived or worked in six countries on three continents, the longest in Germany, where I currently live. I’m a communications professional with 25 years of expertise in a variety of corporate roles, including a broad range of communications disciplines, technical writing and translation, and corporate strategy. Reading and writing are my passions, when I’m not hiking one of the amazing trails in Germany or elsewhere. My motto is “fight the hype” and I enjoy taking a unique, perhaps unorthodox, view of the current topics and trends.

I published my first (business) book this year in June “The Accidental Change Agent” on Amazon in paperback and ebook. I still can’t believe I’m an author!

I’ve also written a LGBT+ historical fiction novel (ready for pitching), a detective story (editing), a thriller/horror screenplay (editing) and numerous short stories. Some of the short stories have been published on Reedsy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book that is in editing mode is a detective story set in the Ozarks in Arkansas. I love reading detective stories and decided to write my own! I chose the location because I was there in 2015 and just loved it. For me it was a mysterious area with a delicious small-town feeling.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. When writing a novel, I always set myself a daily goal of 1-3 pages. It may not seem like a lot, but you really make progress when you work this way. When I was in the process of writing the first draft of my detective story, I was really surprised when one day, only about a month after I started, I was done (well done with the first draft)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors are W. Somerset Maugham, David Leavitt, Agatha Christie, Gladys Mitchell and many others. I love reading all kinds of books, thought usually they are historic fiction, non-fiction biographies, or detective stories.

What are you working on now?
I’m taking a deep look at my screenplay and will be starting a complete rework soon. Otherwise, I’ve been doing a detailed marketing plan for my business book “The Accidental Change Agent” and been trying to write a short story once a week. I also just started a blog on Living Abroad (https://erikmey.wordpress.com/), which has gotten so much great feedback and questions.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just starting promoting my business book and just trying channels and content out. I’ve been focusing on Twitter and LinkedIn for the moment because they are more business-focused channels, but there’s lots more to do!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My first goal in writing was always to be able to show that I could complete a work (even if just a first draft). Don’t make your goal to become a bestselling author or who you will be gravely disappointed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry what other people think. Be yourself!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading “Deep Work” by Cal Newport, “Fascism” by Madeleine Albright, and “Death in White Pyjamas” by John Bude.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be starting the editing process for my detective story soon and let’s see where that takes me. I’m going to continue writing short stories. And when I’ve revamped the screenplay, I’ll be in touch with Hollywood to pitch it. Lots going on for me at the moment and it’s wonderful!

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?
Agatha Christie “4:50 from Paddington”; an Atlas; The Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author Websites and Profiles
Erik Meyers Amazon Profile

Erik Meyers’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Ermelinda Makkimane has recently published her debut book, “Her Story” –  a feminist poetic retelling of Mary’s story from the Bible. Ms Makkimane’s poems have appeared in anthologies. She is working on a series giving voice to some of the marginalized women characters in the Bible.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book “Her Story” was partly inspired by the long walk of migrants traveling along highways back home during the Covid-induced lockdown in India. Several harrowing stories emerged. Some were of women birthing babies by the roadside and resting for a few hours before resuming their walk, baby in tow.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually “write” on my mobile.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The books of the New Testament

What are you working on now?
The second book in the “Her Story” series on the woman healed of chronic hemorrhage.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still a novice in this.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Alongwith writing your book, be ready to promote it as well.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your voice is unique.

What are you reading now?
The Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

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 Brief History of Humankind, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
The Norton Anthology of Poetry
Collected short stories (miscellaneous)

Author Websites and Profiles
Ermelinda Makkimane Website
Ermelinda Makkimane Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer for quite a few TV shows in the UK including a well-known comedy series called Horrible Histories. But September 2020 sees the launch of my debut novel – it’s pretty exciting! I have two kids, and the birthday cards they just gave me showed my front cover, with some blurb on the back about what a great dad I am. Clearly I’m not though, and they just want me to get off my computer!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book’s called DON’T WORRY, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE AMAZING and it’s a mystery inspired by a couple of my big obsessions – self-help culture, male mental health, and my experiences in the 90s rave scene.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Start early – drink caffeine – total silence – finish early – drink wine – noisy music – bed – read – sleep – repeat!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A pivotal experience for me was discovering Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl. Since then, so many authors have inspired me, but the ones who stand out are Gail Honeyman, Agatha Christie, Jennifer Egan, Ian Rankin, John Steinbeck, Donna Tartt, Matt Haig, Irvine Welsh, Ben Aaronovitch, RJ Palacio, Dave Eggers, Sally Rooney, John Niven, John Kennedy Toole, Belinda Bauer, Joseph Heller and Harland Miller.

What are you working on now?
I’m really busy promoting DON’T WORRY and plotting its follow-up – it’s the first in a series called the FRIENDS ON BENEFITS MYSTERIES.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s going to be Awesome Gang – I can just tell! I have a Book Bub new release promo coming up. And in the past I’ve used Facebook a lot with some gift books I’ve written.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a bit every day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write a bit every day.

What are you reading now?
The Salt Path.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The follow up to DON’T WORRY, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE AMAZING, as it’s the first in a series called the FRIENDS ON BENEFITS MYSTERIES.

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?
Trainspotting – best book ever, will learn it off by heart, although I think I might already have done that.
The Rattle Bag – nothing like memorising poems to kill some time!
A quiz book – to stop my brain from dying.
A phone book – so I could make some prank calls to entertain myself.

Author Websites and Profiles
BILLY MORAN Website
BILLY MORAN Amazon Profile

BILLY MORAN’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing sci-fi, fantasy, and horror for nearly 25 years. “To Hell and Back, Book One: Survival” is my first adult SFF story. Also my first published novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“To Hell and Back, Book One: Survival”

It was inspired by a single question and challenge that I asked of myself. “Can erotica be a legitimate story element in a “serious” novel?

Too often, anything erotic is treated as either an excuse for portraying mindless, unrealistic, and frankly boring, sexual encounters – or it is white-washed with a “fade to black” hand wave as if it were something shameful. Both extremes miss the point. Sex is much more than just a physical act. At its best, it is intensely emotional and heartfelt. It is also nothing to be ashamed of. We should celebrate our sexuality, not hide from it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am an ADD writer. After a few months, I have to switch gears to an entirely different genre for a while to keep my creative energy levels topped off.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first books I ever read at the tender age of 11 was all seven books in “The Chronicles of Narnia” series by CS Lewis. I followed that up with a copy of “Cujo” by Stephen King that I stole from my mother. It’s been downhill ever since!

I love reading the works of the titans of speculative fiction such as Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, Roger Zelazny, and George Martin.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 in the “To Hell and Back” series as well as a half-finished traditional fantasy novel and a barely started space opera.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Too soon to say. This one I hope!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read the authors you admire. Then go back to the parts that moved you and then read them again, one word at a time. Study the words they use and the precise sentence, paragraph, and chapter structure that they use. Only by studying the best can you hope to become the best.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” Mark Twain.

What are you reading now?
“On Writing” by Stephen King to learn something new. I am also proofreading a 2nd draft for a young, hopeful writer in hopes of being able to teach something new. What goes around comes around.

What’s next for you as a writer?
“To Hell and Back, Book 2: Rebellion” begins a new adventure for me in crafting a social media presence to work in conjunction with a brand new Patreon page.

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?
“Armor” by John Steakley.
“Chronicles of Amber” by Roger Zelazny
“Robinson Caruso” by Daniel Defoe
“How to Survive on a Deserted Island” by anybody

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Gage Website
Michael Gage Amazon Profile

Michael Gage’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired policeman, and I have published one book, Miracle at Del Norte. I have written 9 Lives of Badge 656-A Policeman’s Memoir and I am writing the second book in the trilogy. I have another book called The Fender, which I am having edited. I wrote my first story when I was in grammar school and it was published in a national magazine, The Saint Anthony Messenger. Later, I became Editor-in-Chief of my high school newspaper, then Sports Editor of my college newspaper. I worked one summer as a cub-reporter for my home town newspaper, the El Monte Herald. I also worked briefly for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner as a reporter. I have a B.S. in Law Degree and a Juris Doctor Degree from SoCal College of Law. Now that I am retired, writing is my daily hobby. I also do oil paintings. I am married with 6 children, 17 grandchildren and one great grandson.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is 9 Lives of Badge 656 – A Policeman’s Memoir. It was inspired by my first 10 years as a street cop in the LAPD.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I have a bad habit of working on 3 or 4 novels at the same time, all different genres.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joe Wambaugh, Michael Connelly, and Charles W. Colson.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 in the Trilogy: The Adventures of Super Trick – A Vice Cop’s Memoir. It’s about my time in Hollywood Vice during the time of the Hillside Stranglers in the late 1970s.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s hard to beat running ads on Amazon, Google and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write. Edit, edit, edit. And, then write some more. Do that for a minimum of 2 hours a day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t ever give up.

What are you reading now?
L.A. Noir by John Buntin. In a nutshell, it’s about LAPD’s Chief Parker versus the mob’s Mickey Cohen for the city of Los Angeles.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to publish another book in November and another one before my birthday in February. Then turn a murder mystery script I wrote into a novel. It’s a true story and still unsolved after 50 years.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. How to find food on a desert island. 2. How to build a raft on a desert island. 3. The bible. 4. A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Brunelle Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 55, from the UK, and my day job is something dull in IT. Although I did once save the Swedish Stock Exchange.
I’m primarily a lyricist and spoken word artist, so although I’ve contributed to something like twenty or thirty albums, I’ve only written the one book so far. The catch is that it’s taken me thirty years and is basically my life’s work, away from music.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called ‘The Engineering of Coincidence: a scientific explanation of magic” and it is the culmination of my twin lifelong interests of science, and things that current science can’t explain, normally mischaracterised as “supernatural” and “paranormal”. I wanted to explain some of these unexplained things without going on about “vibrations in the ether” and “the gypsies coming from Atlantis” and all that rubbish.
It turns out that current science actually has a few tricks up its sleeve that can make things much more straightforward.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m very, very, lazy. This does, however, dovetail nicely with the fact that I need a long time to think about things before coming to any definite conclusions. Which is why this book has taken thirty years to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, loads. Sean Carroll, Peter Carroll, Lewis Caroll…
The first books I bought when I started researching this subject were Arthur Koestler’s “The Roots of Coincidence” and Nick Herbert’s “Quantum Reality”. The book that really blew me away though is David Deutsch’s “The Fabric of Reality”. Amazing book.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my second album. Very, very, slowly. So far, I have a few sketches, an album cover and a title. My first album is called “Confound and Disturb” and this one is going to be called “Press to Exist”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping this one!
So far, I’ve had the best results with Facebook advertising. Amazon is great, but people normally come to Amazon looking for something, and I think they are less open to adverts because of that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write first. Edit later. It’s much easier to rearrange and nip and tuck what you’ve already written than it is to write it in the first place. So try and turn off any internal criticism and worry that would normally go through your brain and get the words down. If it turns out to be rubbish, you will have plenty of time to get rid of it. And then write something better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”. Especially if you can follow it up with “…but I’m going to try and find out!”

What are you reading now?
Tom Siegfried’s “The Bit and the Pendulum”. It’s about whether information can be considered to be a physical thing. I feel sure I’ve missed something vital about the nature of information, so I’m reading this book to give me an overview that I can start thinking about.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a few short stories buried here and there. Maybe I will complete some of the uinfinished ones and put them all together into a 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?
“The Wall of Years” by Andrew Stephenson. An obscure science fiction book about parallel universes, and the Saxons.
“The Fabric of Reality” by David Deutsch, for reasons mentioned earlier.
“The Book of the Ler” by M.A. Foster. Another obscure science fiction (trilogy this time) about a parallel race of humans.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Ramsay Amazon Profile

Robert Ramsay’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey there! I’m Alexa.
Author, wife, mommy to two adorable fur babies and big-time hopeless romantic. When I’m not writing I love spending time with my amazing husband (my real-life bad boy), growing gorgeous flowers in my garden and finding inspiration for my next book literally everywhere I look. Love is all around us and it brings me so much joy to bring that love to life in each story I write.
I love bad boys and a good sweet and dirty romance and have around 16 romance novels available on Kindle right now and about 8 more in the works (in the form of 2 new romance collections that I’m so excited to bring to my readers).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Accidental Hubby Next Door (released Aug. 20, 2020)
I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance so I had a lot of fun writing this one for my readers. I love a “love of a lifetime” story with a lovable male lead who just won’t give up until he makes his lady-love his again. Don’t we all just love a determined and committed guy?! Anyway, you’ll love Ryker. He’s a gem. 🙂

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Of course not.;)
Does eating excessively while writing count??

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen all day, everyday. I read my first Jane Austen book as pre-teen and have been in love ever since.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a really exciting Billionaire series that follows 4 brothers as they each find their special gals. Loving developing these characters and tying each of their stories together. This series will have it all… excitement, danger, unexpected twists and turns… you name it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had some luck with Facebook ads, but nothing beats the loyal followers on my newsletter list. We have so much fun over on my email list and I really get to connect with my readers and find out what they want more of. That’s the best.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persist.
I have to remind myself of this nearly everyday, but if you have a dream don’t stop. If writing brings you joy – don’t stop.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you change your thinking, you’ll change your life.

What are you reading now?
A ton of books by other romance authors like Ali Parker, Lucy Score, Penelope Ward, Jane Henry and Ilsa Madden-Mills, just to name a few. I having a blast! I actually like to read a lot of non-fiction, but every now and then I love to get lost in some hot and lovey romance.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, getting my books in front of more readers who are just as in love with romance as I am. I love sharing my writing and I’m just so honored and thrilled that people actually read 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?
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. How to Survive on a Deserted Island by Tim O’Shei

Author Websites and Profiles
Alexa Hart Website
Alexa Hart Amazon Profile

Alexa Hart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey! My name is Mohd Nesar Ashraf, I live in the United Arab Emirates and have won the National bond young poets award in 2009. I’ve written for various magazines over the years and have started writing children’s books under the pseudonym Abu Ibraheem’s Tales which in English would mean Ibraheem’s Dad’s Tales.
So far I have four books uploaded on amazon kindle, and hope to release many more teaching children family values I have grown up with, including respect for parents, the need to stay away from strangers, the bond between siblings etc etc.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the very first book I wrote and just promoted through awesome gang is called Ibraheem learns about corona safety!

I have a child approximately 18 months of age and in these hard times it is tough to explain to an infant why he suddenly needs to wear a mask, thus I thought there should be a fun and colorful way for kids to learn the why and how of safety against any pandemic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Describe ‘unusual’, one man’s unusual is another’s pretty usual.

As of now I cannot afford noise cancelling headphones, so i tie a cloth around my headset and play you tube videos to zone out and really get into my work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As cliche as it may sound, when it comes to children’s books I’ve always felt no one did it better than Dr. Seuss.

What are you working on now?
As I said, I would love my children’s books to always instill family values, currently I am releasing a book about prayers, and by October a book about entitled ‘Mama loves Ibraheem’ (the title is self explanatory)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am pretty new to this but by the sheer ease with which I was able to do this, I would say most definitely awesome gang has been….awesome . which coincidentally happens to be my favorite word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author myself, but if I were to pass on a word of advice , it would be this.

If you’ve been dreaming about writing but haven’t because you fear you might not be good at it, I say…find out. perhaps you can fix yourself and one day achieve your dreams!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
1st draft always sucks, second draft is where you make the book into what you want and always work with an editor for the final draft.

What are you reading now?
Hand of Fatima by Illdefonso Falcones

What’s next for you as a writer?
Adults books , currently working on a war drama.

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?
Cathedral of the Sea, The Sicilian, Dracula, Lord of the rings series

Author Websites and Profiles
Abu Ibraheem Ashraf Website

Abu Ibraheem Ashraf’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Victoria Ellis and I have written seven books and two poetry collections. I am a multigenre author that writes Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thrillers, and Poetry!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest work is Blurred Lines (although my next book, According to Plan comes out 9.17.20!) The inspiration behind Blurred Lines runs very deep in my own personal life. The book is mocked off of a record album, with Side A and Side B, all of the chapters are song names, and the main male character is a musician.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I cannot listen to music while I write! All of my author friends have playlists and go to jams while they are working on their projects and I cannot have any distractions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitley Agatha Christie!

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book four of a romance series (According to Plan is book two!).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is word of mouth. I love sharing on social media, I have an ARC Team who is wonderful about sharing all of my up and coming work as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged when you don’t become Stephen King overnight. It doesn’t happen quickly. It takes literal blood, sweat, tears, and years.

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

AND…

Your first draft is going to suck. Embrace it and make it better.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading His & Hers by Alice Feeney

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish this romance series with my friend (she is writing books one, three, and five, I am writing books two, four, and six….they are also all stand-alones in the same world!) I will be working on a rockstar romance duet.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
OH MY GOD. Okay. So…

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Mudvein by Tarryn Fisher
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Ellis Website
Victoria Ellis Amazon Profile

Victoria Ellis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, my name is D. L. Akosua. This is my debut novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hushed Invaders was inspired by my love of the fantasy genre. I grew up reading all kinds of books but my favorite was those that dealt with magic, action and romance. Hushed Invaders has a combination of all those factors.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to snack as I write, perhaps too much so. I find that I use a lot of mental energy so I need the fuel. I also enjoy going out for walks, but I nearly ever writer is a walker.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say the Bourne Triology by Robert Ludlum and of course the Harry Potter series by J. K Rolwing.

What are you working on now?
I am currently researching for my next novel, a seven part mega fantasy series set in the lost continent of Atlantis.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my debut novel so I’m still evaluating what works. I’m currently trying to build up my mailing list so most of my efforts have been centred around that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write and never give up. The more you write, the better you’ll become. As a writer you need to write and share your work so you can have feedback to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have heard a lot of people say you need to analyze trends in the market and write to your target audience. I think that is a lot of nonsense. As a writer, you need to write to fulfil your creativity otherwise you’ll end up hating what you do.

What are you reading now?
At the moment I’m reading a lot of myths about Atlantis, the lost continent, as research material for the next series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
At the moment I’m reading a lot of myths about Atlantis, the lost continent, as research material for the next 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?
Haha love this question. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Cinderalla and The Bourne Identity.

Author Websites and Profiles
D. L. Akosua Website
D. L. Akosua Amazon Profile

D. L. Akosua’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profil

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Christ-follower passionate about small groups and helping fellow-travelers on their spiritual journey. I retired from the United States Postal Service and the full-time pastoral ministry during the last decade. I am the husband of one, father of four and grandfather of eight. Love being a grampa!
I’ve written two books. “Cornered in Shallow Water: One Man’s Journey from Crippling Fear to Faith and Freedom,” and “Do It Scared: 20 Devotional Readings to Turn Scaredy-Cats into Warriors.”
The first was a novel about a pastor who struggles with fear. It keeps him in the safe end of the pool where he can touch bottom, and in his comfort zone. The book tells the story of his struggle and how he was able to do what God wanted him to do. It’s a story readers have found inspiring and helpful.
The second book is a devotional highlighting 20 of the Bible verses the pastor in “Cornered” discovered which led him to his victory over fear. My hope is that readers will be encouraged by these devotionals and add the Bible verses to their arsenal against fear.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Do It Scared: 20 Devotional Readings to Turn Scaredy-Cats into Warriors.” Being a lifelong scaredy-cat, the devotionals explain several Bible verses that have helped me on my journey to not let fear keep me on the sidelines. And even when I’m afraid, to do it scared.
I run into people all the time who struggle with fear like I do. They tell me they know they’re missing out on everything God has for them. They hate it that fears holds them back from taking risks, but they don’t know how to deal with fear and the regrets that arise from it.
By no means do I proclaim myself free of fear. But these verses have helped me grow as a reforming scaredy-cat. I believe these devotionals will inspire and guide others to jog further down the road on their journey to beat back fear.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find that I get a lot of ideas for a chapter or devotional I’m working on as I relax on my porch swing. I lost many of those sentences, phrases, and ideas, so I take notepaper with me when I head to the swing just in case.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tedd Dekker’s books and John Eldredge’s books. Just about any of their books. Recently “The Cure” by Bill Thrall, et al has had a profound effect on me.

What are you working on now?
I never imagined I’d write a novel—that’s not my writing expertise. I write to teach and explain biblical truth and character’s experiences with God. That’s my sweet spot. For over a decade, I’ve written a weekly column in two area newspapers called “Pastor’s Ponderings” where I share the Word of God.
That said, I found it was fun to write the novel, even though it was out of my comfort zone.
Right now, I’m working on a couple of books. Another novel about a mother who was verbally abused in her childhood and teens and how that abuse has effected her life. The battles she has with acceptance and compliments and worth. At the same time, it chronicles the story of her prodigal son and all the mother goes through to cope with his absence and ruined potential while trying everything she can think of to bring him home.
The other one I’m working on is a collection of the best of Pastor’s Ponderings. Choosing which ones to include, how many, revision and editing are required, and that’s where I am now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I used Amazon exclusively for “Cornered.” With “Do It Scared,” I’m using Amazon for the e-book and Ingram Spark for the paperback. I also have a website where I write a blog that offers encouragement each week to fellow-travelers on our individual journey of faith. The website includes info about me, past books, what I’m up to now, and discount offers. Anyone interested can go to https://stevewilmotauthor.com to check it out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Write something everyday, even if it’s only a sentence or two. Starting is usually one of the hardest things to do, but once you make yourself sit down a write something you most often keep on writing.

2. Don’t give up. If you’ve got a book in your soul that will benefit others in some critical area of their lives, you’ve got to write it. Fight off the common fears of no one will read it, no one will buy it, it’s terrible, I’m a terrible writer, and who do I think I am to write a book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Concerning writing, it’s to write for my kids, grandkids and future generations of my family. Don’t worry if anyone else reads it or buys it. Write so those generations will know about my love for Jesus, what I stood for, and how I progressed through my journey of faith.

What are you reading now?
I just finished “Epic” by John Eldredge and am nearly done with “I Declare War” by Levi Lusko.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing as quickly and carefully as I can. I’m a first-time author at the age of 67 and I don’t have a lot of years to get what I believe God has taught me that will encourage fellow-travelers on paper. The clock is ticking and I don’t want to leave a book I should write unwritten.

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 Cure, by Bill Thrall and others
How’s Your Soul? by Judah Smith
Finishing Strong, by Steve Farrar
and my Bible, of course

Author Websites and Profiles
Steve WILMOT Website
Steve WILMOT Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Ben has over 10 years of acting and improv experience. He has over 15 years of personal growth experience, personal coaching, and has owned several businesses, including Success Improv. His books bring this experience to a written form that will help others grow.

Ben has written 6 books to date and is working on two more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“What to Expect when having Expectations”

One day I figured out that the only reason anyone ever gets upset is because an expectation hasn’t been met. From there I built out a flow chart on how to get over being upset and using the upset as a trigger to find peace. From there is was an easy transition to getting the book written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write the book in my head and sort it first and then just start writing. It never comes out correctly the first time,but it is a pretty amazing way to start.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oddly enough, sci-fi writers are my favorite. I have a hard time reading other self-help books because I feel like the other authors make it too hard. So, I guess other self-help authors influced me to make it quick and easy.

What are you working on now?
Procrastination (TM)
It is about the magic created where procrasinating and patience meet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon first and foremost. Then my book site (havingexpectations.com)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Get your book out there. Even if one or two people buy it, you have created something that will last for centuries.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just start. (pretty much every great person ever)

What are you reading now?
Sci-fi books when I can. Been reading so many that I am now just waiting on new releases.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promote, promote, promote

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 Silo trilogy by Hugh Howey. I’ve already read it twice. Would probably enjoy it again and again.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ben Winter Website
Ben Winter Amazon Profile
Ben Winter Author Profile on Smashwords

Ben Winter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Piyush Goel Mirror Image Writer and Writer of World First Hand Write Needle Book Madhushala and as well as Writer of 16 Mirror Image Books with Hand, Mech Engg, Motivator and Three Mathematics Papers Published in International Research Journal. My four books have been published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sochna to Padega Hi. I am very much fond of writing.In the book you’ll find 110 thoughts of my own. I will be grateful if any of my thoughts can change someone’s life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No … Not really.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books by Prem Chand have always been an inspiration for me. Bhagwad Gita is my all time favourite. There are some other autobiographies and biographies which I like.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my next book which is a Fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Mostly I use Social Media for promoting my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Being a writer I would say keep Pen and Papers always with you, even near your pillow at nights, nobody knows when and where can an idea strike into your mind.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work is Worship.

What are you reading now?
Sai Satcharitra and working on my books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on my Two upcoming 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?
Bhagwad Gita… Brief Story of Time, You can Win…

Author Websites and Profiles
Piyush Goel Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
PRAVEEN KUMAR is a 38 years young and passionate highly skilled and certified Data Analytics professional having expertise in Analytics using R, Python, and various business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Advanced Microsoft Excel.
and For Beginners Analyst (Entry-level) and students I published my first book “Data Visualization with TABLEAU”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Data Visualization with TABLEAU – is my first book published on Amazon Kindle and can be accessed from all Amazon websites using KindleUnlimited. Paperback is also underprint.

During pandemic COVID-19; It was a lockdown in my country INDIA and I introspected into myself during those days and realized there is something that I can return to the world and this is how a thought of writing a book on Tableau software evolved into the mind. And now it’s available for you readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a habitual user of computer and have been engaged in reporting and business process creator for organizations including policies, procedures, reports, presentations and data analysis that has tuned me into a habitual writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors of 4 Hour Workweek, Unlock It, The Secret, Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad and many more has made a great impact on my mndset.

What are you working on now?
I am creating an advanced version of my latest book which will teach advanced methods of Data Visualization for experts and those who are at a higher level Tableau Users.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon.com and Facebook Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Consistency and Self commitment is the most crucial things to consider for writing a book. There are many instances writers get distracted because of so much fatigue and stress due to painful writing process. Be consistent and make records of your each day progress.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Imperfect Actions Make You Rich.

What are you reading now?
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a Writer I want to be #1 Bestseller in my niche

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?
Think and Grow Rich, Unlock It, Happy Money- The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Author Websites and Profiles
Praveen Kumar Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
PRAVEEN KUMAR is a 38 years young and passionate highly skilled and certified Data Analytics professional having expertise in Analytics using R, Python, and various business intelligence tools such as Tableau and Advanced Microsoft Excel.
and For Beginners Analyst (Entry-level) and students I published my first book “Data Visualization with TABLEAU”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Data Visualization with TABLEAU – is my first book published on Amazon Kindle and can be accessed from all Amazon websites using KindleUnlimited. Paperback is also underprint.

During pandemic COVID-19; It was a lockdown in my country INDIA and I introspected into myself during those days and realized there is something that I can return to the world and this is how a thought of writing a book on Tableau software evolved into the mind. And now it’s available for you readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a habitual user of computer and have been engaged in reporting and business process creator for organizations including policies, procedures, reports, presentations and data analysis that has tuned me into a habitual writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors of 4 Hour Workweek, Unlock It, The Secret, Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad and many more has made a great impact on my mndset.

What are you working on now?
I am creating an advanced version of my latest book which will teach advanced methods of Data Visualization for experts and those who are at a higher level Tableau Users.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon.com and Facebook Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Consistency and Self commitment is the most crucial things to consider for writing a book. There are many instances writers get distracted because of so much fatigue and stress due to painful writing process. Be consistent and make records of your each day progress.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Imperfect Actions Make You Rich.

What are you reading now?
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a Writer I want to be #1 Bestseller in my niche

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?
Think and Grow Rich, Unlock It, Happy Money- The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money

Author Websites and Profiles
Praveen Kumar Amazon Profile