Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since the early 1990s and published my first book in 1996 with Kensington Publishing. I’ve since published thirty-two books, with four more coming out before the end of 2020. I’ve published for five different publishers over the years and, just recently, stepping into the fascinating world of self-publishing.

My author tagline reads: Nancy Fraser–jumping across romance genres with gleeful abandon. I definitely live up to that motto. My muse is fickle and, in order to keep her working, I have to give her variety.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
D*mn Near Perfect is up for pre-order now, with delivery on August 28, 2020. It’s an ultra-steamy romantic comedy with a cougar heroine and an artist cub hero. I was inspired by a previous upstairs neighbor who, like my hero, was in desperate need of some WD40 for his bedsprings.

Right after D*mn Near Perfect, I’m releasing a contemporary romance titled, Return of the Wolfe, the first book in my Love of the Land Series. It’s also up for pre-order and releases on September 11, 2020.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably my most unusual is the fact i create my cover before I write my book. I may see a nice stock photo, or a beautiful background and it inspires me with an idea for a book. I give it a working title, create a beautiful cover, and then outline the book.

Equally unusual, I suppose, is that I write two or three books at a time, jumping from one to the other. When I’m stalled on a plot point or scene, I’ll close down the book, switch to the next. Usually, after twenty minutes or so, the first book is screaming at me to come back.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My romance influences are earlier on in my writing career, namely Elizabeth Lowell, Jude Devereaux, and — of course — Nora Roberts. I appreciated their crisp style, their sensuous love scenes, and they way I learned something (a fact, not a skill) from every book.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a paranormal romance titled, The Secrets of Gable House. I’m in the galley edit stage, which mean I have to force myself not to make changes. The release date is set on October 2nd, so I have to keep that pesky muse focused. I’m also about halfway through a steamy holiday book, His Sexy Secret Santa, which comes out November 6th.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a variety. I do appreciate the newsletter blasts, like that from Awesome Gang. I also do BookBub ads and, occasionally an Amazon ad. I don’t do Facebook ads because my results have never been significant. And, because my books tend to be steamy, my ads often get rejected for going against their standards.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The most important advice is don’t give your book to your mom, your cousin, your best friend for evaluation. They are going to tell you “it’s great”, even when it needs work. If you’re self-publishing, find yourself a good editor. It costs but, in the long run, it’s worth it.

Also, set yourself goals. Short goals, easily attainable, longer goals for six months, and a five year plan. Then, work toward the goals. Write something every day, even if it’s only a page or two that you eventually trash.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Too many to count. The advice on setting goals came from the late Kate Duffy, undoubtably one of the best book editors to have touched a romance author’s life.

BUT…if I’m being honest, the one piece of advice that will stick with me forever came from the goddess herself, Nora Roberts, and it was: Put your butt in the chair and write!

What are you reading now?
At the moment, research books mostly. I start a new book series in January and I want to make sure I have the location and heroine’s job down pat.

I’m also determine to finish the rest of the stories in Last Chance Beach: Summer End box set. I was lucky enough to be one of the 14 featured authors. The rest of the ladies are fabulous, I just need to find time to read their stories.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, doing book tours after each release, learning more efficient ways to promote, and then … more writing. I am planning to take the month of December to sit back and chill with my sons, their wives, and my five grandchildren. However, I don’t see that lasting for long before I’m anxious to get back to my computer.

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 first two are easy:

Chain Lightning by Elizabeth Lowell — the book that hooked me on romance and probably the most perfect contemporary romance I’ve ever read (including my own).

Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux — the first romantic time travel I ever read.

Both books I re-read at least once per year.

And, probably, a survival book on how to build a hut from tree fronds and fifty ways to serve coconut.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nancy Fraser Website
Nancy Fraser Amazon Profile

Nancy Fraser’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
J. T. Kelly gained a love for the European continent while living in Rome, Italy, for a year and traveling extensively. Prior to developing his first novel, he honed his writing skills as an award-winning communications professional. An avid reader himself, the author has enjoyed numerous works in the mystery, thriller, and suspense category. As a result, those who sample his first book will experience the fast-paced excitement that rival many of the most captivating and addictive on the market today.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Fair Ways and Foul Plays” is an explosive, fictional thriller that taps Into pandemic, terrorism, and global warming fears.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy listening to classical music while I write. It puts me in just the right mood to imagine my characters action and situation.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have recently captured my attention include Dan Brown, Mark Dawson, and Jack Arbor.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am half way through a follow up book titled “Deadly Defiance.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been using social media, mostly Facebook, and Amazon advertising. I also have a website at https://www.kellyfairways.us.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay with it and write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Edit, edit, edit.

What are you reading now?
The John Milton series by Mark Dawson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Planning to continue writing as long as I can.

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?
Not sure how long I would be stranded but would need the Bible for sure. I would also have to take several classic adventures such as Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, and The Swiss Family Robinson to stay in the moment.

Author Websites and Profiles
J.T. Kelly Website
J.T. Kelly Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up surrounded by books. My mother was an avid reader and taught me to love books from a very young age. I started journal writing when I was around five or six years old and have been writing ever since. Throughout college I loved to write, and I even applied to journalism school but opted for law school instead. While working as a young litigator and writing tons of legal briefs, I missed the creative writing outlet that my college days afforded me. As a means of satisfying that desire, I started a blog back in 2005, back in the early days of blogging. It mostly focused on my dating misadventures and was a really fun outlet for me, but that naturally ended when I met my husband. In 2014, I wrote an article about my struggles with infertility, which was published on a parenting website. Outside of legal briefs and blogging, it was my first time experiencing other peoples’ reactions to something I had written. Since then, I have written several short stories, none of which I have attempted to publish. I am in the midst of writing a novel, and I have now published Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug, which I hope is the first of many children’s books that I will publish.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In mid-March, my kids’ school suddenly closed due to the pandemic. They were aware at that point that there was a virus, but the sudden closure of the school resulted in a lot of questions. Like most parents, I was trying to navigate explaining to my kids what was going on without saying anything that might scare them or make them feel sad. In late March, I read an article about kids putting up rainbow art in their windows. I decided we should do the same, so we made a huge rainbow poster and put it in our window. I thought my kids would find it fun, but what I didn’t anticipate was how much creating the art would affect my kids, particularly my daughter. I explained to her that while people were out walking, it might make them feel less lonely if they saw rainbow art in peoples’ windows. It was a way for us to say to our neighbors, “We’re here with you.” I then explained that stress could affect one’s immune system and make people more vulnerable to illness. However, when people are happy, they are less stressed and their bodies are stronger. In a nutshell, I helped her understand that by making art and placing it in our window, she was helping to combat Covid-19. Since then, we’ve decorated our window several times, and we’ve done other things to make people feel happy throughout the pandemic: sending gifts to friends, dropping off cookies, delivering groceries to people, donating money to various COVID-related charities, etc. It’s really helped my kids feel okay during the pandemic. I wrote Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug with my kids in mind and initially just read it to them to help them see how powerful their actions had been. After seeing their reaction to it, I decided to put the story out into the world with the hope that other kids might feel the same.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This mostly applies to my novel because it’s a big project and requires daily attention. However, when I write, I put my phone on airplane mode, I disconnect the Wi-Fi on my computer, I light a candle, and I write. I try to hit 500 words a day, and once I reach that goal, unless I’m mid-paragraph, I blow the candle out and am done for the day. I made the mistake once of going back and editing my novel, and it set me back for months. I am now just writing and moving forward. As soon as I finish the first draft, I will go back and dissect the piece.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For the most part, I’ve been posting on social media and getting the word out to friends about Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug. I’ve also been doing Zoom readings, which has been a great way to engage with kids and give parents a preview of the book. While the book is available on numerous websites, I am very grateful that it’s available on Amazon in many different countries. Since most people shop on Amazon, it’s a very easy way for people to buy my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This might sound cliché, but my best advice is to just do it. If you have always wanted to write a book, sit down, write something you love, and put it out into the world. You won’t regret it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is seemingly obvious, but the best advice I have ever received was to approach large projects by making lists. If you break down anything into small steps, even the most daunting of tasks becomes manageable. And next thing you know, you’re a published author!

What are you reading now?
I just started reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. I wanted to read it before I watch the miniseries and now I can’t put it down.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am still busy with my novel but I am already thinking about the next Bailey Bloom installment. The idea is starting to form and I’m very excited about.

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 Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, and A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jill Rosensweig Website
Jill Rosensweig Amazon Profile

Jill Rosensweig’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been creating lyrics and poems for as long as I can remember. As a teenager, I would write poetry as a means of escapism. “Life in Old Thoughts,” is my first published works with poems I wrote from my early teenage years to a couple I wrote recently in 2020. Writing was always such an intimate endeavor to me and while I was ecstatic to share my works with close family and friends when I wrote them, I am beyond touched to have the opportunity to share these works with anyone willing to venture inside my world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Life in Old Thoughts” came to me as I was creating the manuscript for my book. Working with so many of these poems I had written nearly two decades ago, truly proved to me that there was still life in the old thoughts I had onced forged on paper so long ago.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My most unusual writing habit is the spontaneity of it all. I can be focused on a task and have a thought that I just need to write down and it takes on a life of it’s own.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Going through the publishing process, anyone brave enough to follow their dream and create their own masterpiece is a huge influence to me. It is daunting and beautiful, just like life is. More specifically, I’ve always been drawn to the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

What are you working on now?
Due to my spontaneous writing nature, my work is always ongoing. But I am excited for what the future holds and look forward to add more to world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, word of mouth has the been the best method. I have been blessed to have a strong support system around me and if even one person can take any solace or hope from my works, then that’s all that matters to me in the end.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Push forward. No matter what life throws your way, there is always something greater to be had. And never be ashamed of your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For this I turn to one of my favorite songs written and performed by Mariah Carey. There is a lyric that goes, “If you believe in yourself enough / And know what you want / You’re gonna make it happen.” It also feeds into my long held belief that energy follows thought. Just believe you can do it and make it happen!

What are you reading now?
Currently I have gone back to “To Selena With Love“ by Chris Perez. I have read it before and just love the casualness of it. Almost as though you are having a conversation with an old friend.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next is to forge ahead. It’s easy to get caught up in life, being a full time mom, wife and dispatcher. But as long as I can keep writing spontaneously, there will always be life in old thoughts.

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?
“Artemis Fowl” by Eoin Colfer
“The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown
“Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems” by Edgar Allan Poe
“The Mists of Avalon” by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Helen Trujillo Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started to write in 2018. I released my first book and then didn’t write much until this year. So, I’m a new author two books published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is entitled Unlove You. It’s a story about a clean romance author who wants to write more sexy books. She falls in love with her editor.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure it qualifies as unusual, but when I start a new book, I write the summary and chapter outline first, and then I take a day off and live with the story in my head for a day. I let the idea become etched in my mind and my heart before I begin writing it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many to count, but within my genre I would say Hope Ford and Frankie Love. I read a tremendous amount of non-fiction as well.

What are you working on now?
My next book is entitled, Wild and Blue. It’s another short steamy romance. A friends to lovers police book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, being new, I’m only beginning to promote, but I do use Amazon Ads, and Social Media platforms, for now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I can’t stress this enough. Never, ever give up on your dreams. If you want to write, then write, make it happen. The other advice I would offer is to never feel you’ve “arrived.” You should always learn your writing craft. I can’t wait to see what kind of writer I become in five years.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do it afraid.

What are you reading now?
Kendal Ryan’s, How To Date a Younger Man.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m lucky that I can do this work full time if I choose. So, the plan is to write like crazy and release one to two short reads a month.

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?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Author Websites and Profiles
Callie Cole Website
Callie Cole Amazon Profile

Callie Cole’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a history teacher and a Kung Fu master. I came up with the story “I call him – HIM” when I was a teenager but I failed miserably to put pen to paper. It took me nearly forty years to make a second attempt. This time the words flowed unrestrained. I live in Harlingen Texas with the love of my life Diana and our four children.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“I call him HIM” is the first book I’ve published but it’s part of a trilogy. As a child I went to Catholic school and attended church every day. Hearing about the struggle between good and evil inspired me to come up with the story I’ve written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Edgar Rice Burroughs was the first author I read as a child, and I devoured all of his books. As I got older I started to read Stephen King, Tom Clancy, and R.A. Salvatore. I’ve read other authors but those are the main ones that influenced me.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the last book of the “I call him HIM” trilogy. Hopefully, the second book “The Angel of Death” will be out by the end of the year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t had much luck with promoting my book on any platforms. So far, the best method has been word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn about marketing and build up a following before you publish. You can be the greatest author in the world and not make a dime without marketing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That came from my father. He said to never give up and always work hard.

What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m reading “They came from Up” It’s pretty good.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After the trilogy is finished, I would like to create some solo novels with some of the side characters from the books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would want some books on survival, farming, fishing etc. Otherwise I’ll end up dead.

Author Websites and Profiles
Scott Kimak Website
Scott Kimak Amazon Profile

Scott Kimak’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a syndicated humor columnist living in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. I’m also the author of three books of humorous essays: “I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better,” “I Didn’t Know You Could Make Birthday Cake from Scratch, Parenting Blunders from Cradle to Empty Nest,” and my latest, “Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About: Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time” I’m currently working on my fourth and hoping to give it a shorter title—something like Wow or Best Seller.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About: Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time” wasn’t inspired as much as it was provoked. It’s a book of humorous essays on some of the things we have to deal with just because we’re alive now–intrusive technology, spammers and scammers, uncivil behavior, materialism and clutter, uncivil political discourse and others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Pretty boring here. For me, it’s all about putting my butt in the chair first thing almost every morning. The one weird things is that ten minutes before every hour my Fitbit reminds me that I ought to move, so I get up and do something physical for a few minutes–load the dishwasher, put in a load of laundry, get a snack, get another snack.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading Erma Bombeck and I’m sure she was an influence. But a bigger one would be growing up in a large family. I’m number 9 of 10 children. That meant 12 people in a house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. You need tools to survive that and wit is a weapon in a big family. My father had a great sense of humor though I didn’t think so when I was a teenager. But humor was important to him and making him laugh was a way of standing out in the crowd.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my fourth book, a book of humorous essays on holidays and other special events we get all worked up about.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Based on the fact that I’m STILL not a bestselling author, I guess I’m still looking for it. 🙂 Seriously though, I use many websites with varying levels of success, and am so grateful for the service they provide. (Thank you Awesome Gang!) My email list remains my most effective marketing tool.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in yourself. You will get many rejections, and if you don’t I hate you. I’m kidding! What I meant to say is, if you don’t get rejections, you’re probably not submitting enough. Some readers may even say very cruel things about your work. The way I see it, there are two kinds of people in the world: those who do something with their life and those who criticize those who do something with there life. That’s easier. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn from criticism. You definitely should. But you have to have a nearly unshakable belief that you are good and getting better at what you do no matter who tells you otherwise. You can pout now and then. You can even fall into despair for a day or so. But you can never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Some variation of the above. And I never get tired of hearing it from other writers.

What are you reading now?
Tommy Tomlinson’s memoir “The Elephant in the Room.” It’s a wonderful book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Plowing ahead on book 4 and staying ahead of my regular humor column deadlines is all I have time for.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Three mystery novels and one empty journal to write about my experiences. I’m a writer, you know.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dorothy Rosby Website
Dorothy Rosby Amazon Profile

Dorothy Rosby’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a certified massage therapist with 15 years of experience and I finally decided to write by first e-book about fascia therapy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my e-book is Connect: A Practical Guide to Fascia. I was writing an article for my blog about fascia therapy when I realized how much content I had, it had to be a book!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write about the human body and mind, I always include benefits about the topic in question so that people may be able to make healthy choices every day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love anatomy books by John E. Upledger, Deane Juhan, Erik Dalton, Ida Rolf, Moishe Feldenkrais. I also love self-help books from Don Miguel Ruiz, Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer.

What are you working on now?
Articles for my blog.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Articles on my blog, email campaigns and social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research- from what ISBN number you need for your book to the steps on how to self-publish it. Also, write everything in Word and not some fancy e-book generator program as you don’t even need the formats they promise because Amazon, Google Play and your own blog accepts Word and PDF files.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My own mantra: If you tie your goals to being healthy, you will always be happy.

What are you reading now?
Job’s Body by Deane Juhan

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing articles on my blog about health, possibly expanding on my current e-book and a second book idea might be brewing already 🙂

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Four Agreements, Job’s Body, The Bhagavad Gita and my own book- Connect: A Practical Guide to Fascia.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tania Cucciniello Website
Tania Cucciniello Amazon Profile

Tania Cucciniello’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Anuki Saak is Georgian Author with many years experience in human-related fields such as psychology, sociology and world history. Thanks to her experience she can predict the future actions of human beings. She has spent many years learning human characters.

Per 10 years of her psychology career, she made unbelievable discoveries in human beings and exactly that fact let her think to start writing books.

For 12 years, Anuki taught history at public and private high schools and universities. She was medaled several times for different reasons for her research in human history.

Today’s situation let her decide to write a book and share all the facts with readers. ,, Pandemic The Next Wave How To Not Die” Describes all the details from the very beginning to the ongoing situation. Everyone who will read this book will find the answers and not only the answers, but everything that everyone has to know.

She for right now have the only one book which is new released
Pandemic The Next Wave How To Not Die

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pandemic The Next Wave How To Not Die
Inspiration to write this book came from current global situation I did big research to bring exactly the true that everyone is looking for

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes I do

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A. Curtie
D. Carnegie

What are you working on now?
Vegetarian recipes

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To be careful with what to write

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To wake up

What are you reading now?
Nothing

What’s next for you as a writer?
Upcoming 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?
The Lord of the Rings, The Magic Skin, The Amazing Mukator

Author Websites and Profiles
Anuki Saak Amazon Profile

Anuki Saak’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written a handful of what could be considered books over the past five years but never published until peer pressure was properly applied by friends and family.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Pandemic Life of a Midwesterner. The book is a comical recounting of daily life in rural South Dakota during the covid19 pandemic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’d wager all my writing habits are unusual but none worth mentioning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I wasn’t much of a reader but one series of books I couldn’t put down growing up was The Wheel of Time books by Robert Jordan.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently looking for my next project while also creating occasional updates to our facebook group for fans of The Pandemic Life of a Midwesterner.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have never promoted one before so I’ll let you know how it goes!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author but I guess my advice to myself would be… find a proof reader, then find another.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Duck!

What are you reading now?
nothing

What’s next for you as a writer?
Notes and journals until I find my next interesting project.

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 thickest ones I could get my hands on. If this year taught us anything, it’s that toilet paper shortages are no joke.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cory Eckert Amazon Profile

Cory Eckert’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Nicole Townsend, I’m a writer from Jamaica. I discovered my love for writing in high school at the age of 14, my teacher assigned poetry assignments and after writing my first poem I fell in love with the craft of it all. I have written and self-published two book to date and looking forward to working on more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Thoughts Of Me: Self-Helping Yourself. It was inspired by personal situations, losses, lessons and gains that I have experienced over time.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes actually, I tend to write on the date of a deadline and those always tend to be my best work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been inspired by many including Atticus and Maya Angelou but I was influenced at a very young age by a book of poetry by various poets titled “The Journey Begins”.

What are you working on now?
At the moment I am working on a series of Children’s stories as well as some new poetry.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for me is hashtagging on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Hashtags are really very important as they allow you to be discovered more widely.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up, I know it’s cliche but it is a fact. The day you give up on writing is the day you allow a door to close that someone is looking for to walk through. Even if it seems hopeless keep writing, keep submitting, I can’t tell you how many times my work has been declined but I still am trying, even today.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be upset when someone rejects you, nice things get rejected all the time by people who can’t afford them.

What are you reading now?
I am currently re-reading and writing some works of mine actually.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me as a writer is becoming a household name, getting more books sold and hoping that something I’ve written can help and inspire someone, somewhere.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d have to choose The Journey Begins, any book on greek mythology, The curse of the singles table by Suzanne Schlosberg and Love Her Wild by Atticus.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nicole Townsend Amazon Profile

Nicole Townsend’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing about 13 years ago during a difficult time in my life, and I haven’t stopped since! I have 6 published books with another one coming out in April, 2021. I enjoy writing in multiple genres (even though I’ve been told that’s against the rules — but I feel like the rules are more like guidelines 🙂 ). Five Out of the Dark (the first book in the Quinae Presidia trilogy) was my first published work, then came Five Out of the Pit, and Five Out of the Ashes to go along with it. I’ve also published an adult romantic thriller under the name H.L. Anderson called Saved, a YA superhero/dystopian titled Myrikal, and a Middle Grade contemporary titled The Specials. Another adult romantic thriller will be released in April, 2021 under H.L. Anderson, titled Under the Viaduct.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m going to go with The Specials, since it was just recently released. The Specials is an MG book about a group of amazing kids in a Special Education class who find their own super powers through teamwork and friendship. It was inspired by a panel discussion I attended at a writer’s conference about the lack of special needs kids in literature.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write whenever and wherever I can — that includes while I’m at my day job… And, when my boys were still in school, I was known to put in my ear phones and write during the lulls between bouts at their wrestling tournaments.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So, so many, it’s hard to narrow it down. Brandon Sanderson, Madeleine L’Engle, Beverly Cleary, Pete Fanning, J.K. Rowling… the list is nearly endless.

What are you working on now?
An adult mystery called Dr. Graves: Medical Examiner

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It changes so fast in this industry, so I try to stay active on multiple sites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Remember that rejections are part of the process and don’t give up. Most importantly — learn your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Uuummm… Let’s go with these wise words from Albus Dumbledore — “Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”

What are you reading now?
Granted by Rachel Huffmire — Which will be available to the public on 1/26/2021.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just plan to keep telling the stories that continuously travel around in my head.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, The Book of Mormon, The Way of Kings, and another Harry Potter book, probably The Goblet of Fire.

Author Websites and Profiles
Holli Anderson Website
Holli Anderson Amazon Profile

Holli Anderson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there, I am Lydia L. Chen, an IT software professional from the San Francisco Bay Area. Writing is always on my heart, and it comes naturally to me. Whenever I have some thoughts on my mind, writing is an excellent tool to reflect upon them. Moreover, I am passionate about storytelling. However, it does take a lot of time and imagination to create specific scenes and how to carry the plot forward.

“My Beloved Son 2nd Edition: Courage Triumphs All” is my second time to publish a novel I co-wrote with my real-life son, Joshua. I have also published a revised edition of my first Christian devotional book entitled “Within the Veil: How to Prepare Yourself to be His Brides.”

Lastly, I hold two Bachelor degrees: a BA in Journalism from Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan; and a BS in Computer Science.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Beloved Son 2nd Edition: Courage Triumphs All is my latest work. I was inspired to write it because I’ve wanted to document my own personal experiences of raising my son, who has cerebral palsy — and mixed with fictional scenes, of course. However, the most important reason why I wrote this book is to tell people how precious and valuable children with physical disabilities really are and how we as a society ought to treat them with fairness and respect. For far too long, the educational system has failed to support them and their families. In short, I want to address these and other injustices by telling my story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I do love to write in the cool summer breeze. It’s the best time of year that helps to keeps my mind alert my and thoughts clear.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The story of Helen Keller has been a large influence on this book, because like in her own autobiography, the audience gets to understand and appreciate her as an actual living, breathing figure, despite the hardships she has had to face in her own lifetime.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on “Spot’s Adventure,” a children’s book which will inspire young school age children to be the best they can possibly be, especially when they are facing life challenges.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My top favorite websites to promote my book would have to be Amazon.com, as well as Awesomegang.com and Bookgoodies.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never be afraid to achieve your dreams. Yes, you will face challenges, but the truth of matter is that we all do. Live one day at a time and be the best person you can possibly be. Lastly, never be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Because failures are just lessons to make you grow stronger.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always be kind and patient when someone is coming from a completely different or even opposite background than you. Value and support someone when the right time comes, and you will be valued and recognized too.

What are you reading now?
The Bible is always my go-to spiritual book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Currently, I am continuing my first children’s book. In a few years, I will be writing on more controversial subjects like the times when my family has had to deal with Animal Control; plus, more adventure books. If the revised edition of “My Beloved Son” ends up gaining a lot of media attention, I will plan to write a series on the story.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring along a Bible, a journal to write my thoughts in, a copy of The Notebook, and a comedy book of some sort.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lydia Chen Amazon Profile

Lydia Chen’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A few years ago I decided to try my hand at fiction. I wanted to create my own characters and place them in entertaining situations. All of my stories are written with an element of truth and realism. It is fiction not fantasy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just released a crime drama entitled The Hard Place. All of my prior work has been PG rated. Then one day I was reading a book by another author that specialized in dark drama. I wasn’t happy with the characters and felt I could do better. So I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to listen to music when I write. It inspires me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A really like the old classics. Tolstoy, George Orwell, C.S. Lewis. When people are still reading your work 100 years later, you must be doing something right.

What are you working on now?
I am working on two. One is going to be comedy based on a true story. The other is a romance which I will publish under a pen name.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Offering free copies when your book is newly released helps drive readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read your favorite author and try and mimic them. But do your own thing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t volunteer for anything.”

What are you reading now?
The Last Move by Mary Burton.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Tomorrow.

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 Death of Ivan Illyich, How to win friends and Influence People, The Devil in The White City.

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a virtual assistant, VA coach, and author from the Philippines. My passion in writing self-help, how-tos, skill enhancement books begun when I started to blog on my website www.paulhafalla.com mid last year. I’ve been working from since 2010. After working from home, I spend my time at Starbucks, getting fit at the gym, or enjoy driving on the street.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Notes from a VA is my latest book. It took awhile for me to finish writing this book as I was on a state of depression when I started writing it mid-last year caused by the death of my mom and pet.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I begun to love writing when I was in a state of depression mid last year. I write very well when I feel sad or lonely.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books that I love are Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon and The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss. I kept a paperback copies of these at home.

What are you working on now?
After writing two books, I’m working on creating online courses for wanna-be virtual assistants while continuing my passion in virtual assisting and writing books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon KDP has always been my go-to self-publishing website since I begun writing books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get inspiration from people you loved most and who influences you in your career.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life must go on… despite of all the struggles and advertisites of life, you should continue moving forward no matter what. It is by moving forward you’ll find contentment and happiness.

What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading my favorite books from Austin and Tim. 🙂

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m planning to write more self-help, how-to’s, skill enhancement books that will help people want to be a virtual assistant or want to work from home.

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. The Bible for hope, guidance, inspiration. It’s the food for the soul.
2. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon because he opened my thoughts on unlimited possibilities in creating art and writen materials.
3. The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss because it was the first book that enlighted me to shift my career from office-based to work-from-home.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Hafalla Website
Paul Hafalla Amazon Profile

Paul Hafalla’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve only written the three in my trilogy so far, although I’m polishing the outline for a fourth.

I ten to describe myself as a “general enthusiast.” I love music (playing both guitar and keyboard), and I enjoy cars, sports, puzzles, the outdoors, food and martial arts. I’m a huge fan of reading and puzzles (the latter led me to Mensa, a community whose members tend to share these passions).

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always listen to music when I write. Usually rock or blues. I just find the flow of the music carries my along so I can find my rhythm.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on Heinlein and Tolkien. Lately, though, I find I can’t put down Brian McClellan and Pierce Brown. Amazing stuff.

What are you working on now?
The book I’m working on now is called Earthmaker. I’ve always been a little in awe of sword smiths, which came out in my magus character early in the trilogy. It’s almost like watching someone perform alchemy…take iron, add carbon and heat and out comes steel.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be intimidated by how big the project looks at first. Just take it a step at a time. But definitely try to limit your distractions.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s not a failure unless you accept it and stop trying. If you keep pushing through, the problem becomes the story of how you did that.

What are you reading now?
Rereading the third Stormlight Archive novel (by Brandon Sanderson). The next book comes out soon and I want a running start at it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think the next couple of books will be in the same world as my trilogy, but will be stand alone novels.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ready Player One, Starship Troopers, and Wild at Heart by John Eldridge.

Author Websites and Profiles
Peter Rogers Stark Website
Peter Rogers Stark Amazon Profile

Peter Rogers Stark’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an acupuncturist and have recently finished my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Swipe to the Altar. I was the previous Miss Ultimate Single. I went on 42 blind dates, got my heart broken multiple times, and learned the keys to online dating the hard way. I know what works and what doesn’t. I wrote this book so other ladies looking for their Mr. Right with the help of online dating don’t have to navigate it through trial and error.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I keep a journal that I write every day

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Matthew Hussey, the life and dating coach I’ve been following since 2013 when my journey looking for true love began. Thank you for the seminars, videos, and the book, How to Talk to Guys, that have helped me tremendously and made me become who I am today.

What are you working on now?
Making the audio book version

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Have a email list of people interested in the topic

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t overthink – just start writing!

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

What are you reading now?
Materia Medica: Chinese Herbal Medicine

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book will be in the medicine field.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Harry Potter 1, 2, 3, 4

Author Websites and Profiles
Qianlei Li Amazon Profile

Qianlei Li’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile