Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an actress living in Duesseldorf Germany and Los Angeles.
“Keep Smiling” is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Keep Smiling” – it’s the English version of “Der kleine Modelguide”. I wrote about my life as a model and the business. What inspired me were the same questions. So, at some point, I thought I should just write everything down.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I generally work very structurally. I always make a precise plan, which I then work through.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In the end, everyone I read.

What are you working on now?
I always have multiple projects going on in different areas of life.
When I get stuck on one, I switch to another until I accidentally finish something.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I guess I’m about to find out especially in the United States. The best book site in Germany is LovelyBooks, but we don’t have that much choice in general. I also regret that my book’s coming out is during the COVID crisis, so bookstore appearances and such aren’t possible.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get started and trust the process. And have fun!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Mindfulness strives for nothing; she sees what is already there.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a great book called Presence by Patsy Rodenburg. It’s about how to use positive energy for success.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am an actor and not an author, but I can imagine writing a book again in a few years. But that would certainly be a guide again.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Die Mathematik der Nina Gluckstein by Esther Vilar.
And How to Use the Laws of Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tiana Pongs Website
Tiana Pongs Amazon Profile

Tiana Pongs’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Indian-English Author, Educator and Painter.After a six years of teaching career(In India and abroad),I have penned my first book -“Mon Amour”(A Collection of Romantic Poems) in 2020.
I was born in Kerala,India and attended high school in Kerala.I have earned my degrees in Travel and Tourism Studies, PGDC, Diplomas and Certificates in Education too.Currently I am living with my father,mother, brother and my pet dog in Kerala.
I was a University Topper in Tourism Studies and I was appropriated for volunteering work for UN and Government of India by UN, Government of India and Government of Andra Pradesh.Right now,I am an active volunteer of TGF India(www.tgfindia) founded by Afsal Ahammed(Instagram:captainafsalahammed).So far,I have published one book “Mon Amour”(A Collection of Romantic Poems).One novel titled “Yasin Mubarak” and an Academic(Early Childhood Education) book’s writing is in progress.And,I love to dance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Mon Amour”-(A Collection of Romantic Poems).My own imagination and my life experiences inspired me to write this poems.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know my writing habits are usual or unusual.Whatever,I love my writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer(Indian, Malayalam Writer) and William Shakespeare.

What are you working on now?
I am in the workshop of my first novel “Yasin Mubarak” and an academic book in Early Childhood Education.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Now I am promoting my book through Social Media Platforms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write whatever you feel to write.Get
in connect with Multicultural Writers.There are going to be many ups and downs in your journey.But,never-ever give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A simple advice by my mother,”Never-Ever give up”.

What are you reading now?
I am reading William Shakespeare’s great works now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A Novel titled “Yasin Mubarak” and An academic(Early Childhood Education) book is in progress.A Publishing Company is about to establish along seven other writers.

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.”Wings of Fire”(Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam)
2.”Balyakalasakhi”(Vaikom Muhammad Basheer)
3.”Mon Amour”(Aswathy Vadakel)

Author Websites and Profiles
Aswathy Vadakel Amazon Profile

Aswathy Vadakel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a retired US Coast Guard captain and former assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. I have written two books. Graduating from the Coast Guard Academy in 1957, I embarked on a twenty-eight-year career that gave me a lot of fodder for stories. I like stories. I like to hear them––and I like to tell them.
My daughter, who had heard them for years, now married with children, kept after me, “Dad, you have to start writing those stories down for your grandchildren.” Following a college memoir-writing course, I embarked on a six-year learning curve of self-study. I published my memoirs in 2016, “The View from the Rigging: Memoirs of a Coast Guard Career.” I’m very pleased that it received a 2017 silver medal award in memoir category from the Military Writers Society of America.
My daughter publicly touted my accomplishment, “I’m so proud of my dad who just published his first book at age 81.” First book? That did it! Now I was committed to a second.
Intrigued by the creative non-fiction style I learned writing my memoirs and encouraged by people who told me that it read like a novel––I had to give novel writing a try. I published “It’s My Turn,” in 2019. My second book, first novel, at age eighty-five.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“It’s My Turn,” is my latest book. I had a good story based on the experiences of a friend who was surprised to discover she had the strength to bounce back from a difficult marriage. I made her the star and her changes and emotional development the subject. That theme put it in the women’s fiction genre.
To help my book stand out, I avoided a cliched marriage conflict like husband runs around, wife has an affair with the pool boy, husband commits a crime, etc. I made the primary conflict, but not the only one, the husband’s cross-dressing. It is not a book about cross-dressing except as a source of conflict in her marriage.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. My creative juices seem to flow best in late afternoon so that’s when I try to actually write. I do outline, scene plotting, research, etc. in the morning. I run a quick review/edit of the previous day’s work as a warm-up that also helps me keep continuity before I start the new writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My early favorites were A.J. Cronin, and Somerset Maughan who I felt were great story tellers. I admire the writing style of Pat Conroy, who I’d have to say is my favorite. Some of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short stories. Beryl Markham’s “West with the Night” is a classic. Anything by Ken Follett, particularly his Century Trilogy. For writing craft, I like Jane Friedman and K.M. Weiland

What are you working on now?
I’m trying my hand with historical fiction. Probably a short story or novella at the most. I had two great-uncles who worked on building the Panama Canal, and I have visited cousins who lived there, so I’ve always had an interest in the canal history. I plan to fictionalize their experience but in the historically accurate setting, building experience, and atmosphere of the major building period from 1910 to 1914. I’m still researching. David McCullough’s book “Path Between the Seas” has been a big help in that regard.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think my experience is different than what I read is the norm. All e-book versions, of course, happen, for me through Amazon KDP, where the paperback is also available. But launch party, personal appearance, readings, guest speaker at service clubs, concessions at small bookstores, and what I call out-of-car sales, by far, account for most of my sales.
I need marketing help, particularly for my novel. Unknown author, first novel, eighty-five years old. I need to strengthen my on-line presence. Hopefully, my re-designed author website and sites like Awesome Gang can kick the exposure and sales into high gear. I have high hopes for Goodread’s authors & readers group, and of course the Awesome Gang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think my experience is different than what I read is the norm. All e-book versions, of course, happen, for me through Amazon KDP, where the paperback is also available. But launch party, personal appearance, readings, guest speaker at service clubs, concessions at small bookstores, and what I call out-of-car sales, by far, account for most of my sales.
I need marketing help, particularly for my novel. Unknown author, first novel, eighty-five years old. I need to strengthen my on-line presence. Hopefully, my re-designed author website and sites like Awesome Gang can kick the exposure and sales into high gear. I have high hopes for Goodread’s authors & readers group, and of course the Awesome Gang.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Maybe it’s because of my age and appetite for new experiences, but Mark Twain said it best for me.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you did not do, than by the things you did do.
So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor,
catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, Dream, Discourse.”
––Mark Twain

What are you reading now?
Most of my reading now involves research for my Panama Canal piece, but I always have a book to turn to when I just want to relax and read for myself. I just finished “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Lately I’ve been revisiting old favorites. Right now, I’m reading Pat Conroy’s “Beach Music.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
My top priority is to get more exposure, and more of my books into the hands of readers. After the Panama piece, want to work on short stories, memoirs of early childhood experiences of growing up in the war years in a small town. One at a time, with the potential for bundling them into an anthology, mine, or as part of a theme anthology.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Richard Marcott Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Brian Savage has written several times for the travel industry, including articles for UK national magazines and the centrepiece for the NEC motorhome show magazine. His other works include writing technical manuals, together with his wife, who is also an author in her own right.
The Pandemic Virus series is his first work of fiction.
He is retired and lives in Shropshire, where the series is based.

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL is the first book in the series.
Anyone getting this free book on Kindle, can get a FREE short story, which is a prequel and tells what some of the characters were doing prior to the Virus.
This is called BEFORE THE VIRUS (Catchy title, I thought !).

Brian has already written the second part, THE END OF HUMANITY.
He has also written a short story about Annette, one of the lead characters in the Pandemic Virus series. This is called THE MAN WHO LIVED IN HIS CAR, and is set five years before the virus.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Latest book published on Kindle is THE END OF HUMANITY (Pandemic Virus series book 2)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hav estarted to try writing by didtating the first draft.
It seems to be working out OK so far. I can write at least twice as fast as I can type (with less spelling mistakes!)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was inspired bt THE SURVIVORS a 1975 UK TV series. This was written by Terry Nation (who wrote some of the DOCTOR WHO episodes).
Another one was THE MACHINE STOPS, written in 1909 by E M Forster. This is about a machine, such as the internet, that stops working.

Others Include :
WOOL by Hugh Howey
The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver
Qualify by Vera Nazarian

But too many to mention, as I am a voracious reader.

What are you working on now?
Book THREE in the Pandemic Virus series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL achieved #1 BESTSELLER in the Kindle free eBooks list within one month of publication.
Nobody was more surprised than me. Kindle must be doing a good job of promoting me.

I find lots of good advise from KINDLEPRENEUR and NICK STEVENSON.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Mask esure you have a good story.
You MUST spell check it several times. (Use Microsoft 365 and Immersive Reader and get it to read the story to you.)

Have a good cover.
Think hard about your description.
Set your keywords, and re-visit them if they don’t work

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Check your book for spelling and punctuation.

Nothing annoys readers more then errors.

What are you reading now?
Interesting Times by Matthew Storm

What’s next for you as a writer?
More in the series.
Getting back to writing, rather than promoting 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?
I’d love to say the ARGOS catalogue book, but they have just stopped printing it!

I would cheat and have a Kindkle with a solar panel to charge it. Then I couild have lots of books to read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brian J Savage Website
Brian J Savage Amazon Profile

Brian J Savage’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an international speaker, author, poet and an HR leader. I currently serve as Vice President, HR at Reliance Jio and hold 2 patents in the field of Human Resources.

I have written only one book. However I have been featured in another, called “Heroes Amongst Us”, an inspirational book by Dr. Amit Nagpal, which depicts real life stories of ordinary people who achieved extraordinary success.

I have been writing stories and poems since childhood. My works have been published in many books including Chicken Soup for an IITian’s soul, Touched by Parkinson’s (A poetry book).

I am also a contributing writer for several magazines including People Matters, Business Manager, SightsinPlus, Education Post, Human Factor, IT Next, and People and Management.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My recent book is a story book. It has 99 short stories from daily life that make business sense. Book is called “Nothing about Business”.

Stories in the book are from our day to day life. The only thing I have done is that I have seen them from the lens of business. I used to post them on LinkedIn. Millions of people liked them. People around me encouraged me to publish them as a book. I picked up the most popular stories, arranged them in relevant sections, added fact file and the book was ready.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. If I get a story idea even when I am sleeping, I will get up and write it somewhere. You can think of the weirdest places and imagine how I would have managed that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am influenced by the legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, whose depiction of the common man to drive home important messages was something that I always wanted to emulate in my writing. Books which influenced me include “Whale Done” by Ken Blanchard, “The One Minute Manager” again by Ken Blanchard, “Maverick” by Ricardo Semler and “The Goal” by Eli Goldratt

What are you working on now?
Making sure that book reaches the right audience. And there are a few ideas, which keep running all the time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Your own social networks, Good Reads, Awesome Gang

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do write something every day. Make it a habit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write to be happy. Write to spread happiness.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the reviews I am receiving from my readers. I am also reading “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have another book ready for the editor’s desk. This one’s also a collection of business stories. These stories are slightly longer than the ones in “Nothing About Business”.

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?
“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. If you’re stranded on an island, might as well make a murder mystery out of it. I will also take a sack of Ved Prakash Sharma (Indian Agatha Christie) books with me, because they’re a treat to read, even when you’re on a deserted island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Harjeet Khanduja Website
Harjeet Khanduja Amazon Profile
Harjeet Khanduja Author Profile on Smashwords

Harjeet Khanduja’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Flowell the poet, the artist, the musician, the athlete. I have only written one book thus far but I have at least twelve that I have in the pipeline. I’m a young millennial with an old soul.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called 100 Poems that you’ll never read and it was inspired by the fact that most of my friends and family claimed that they have not heard me do any poems for a long stretch of time. It was about 5 years and I refused to do invited performances in any capacity. These poems were a collection of poetry that probably no one would ever read so I decided to publish it for the world to read since I will not be making anymore. Since I have published I have never wrote another poem.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write when I am inspired so when those moments of inspiration come I will literally stop whatever I am doing (even pull over if I am driving) to write down my ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Edgar Allan Poe is the GOAT to me. I always love Shell Silversteing, Maya Angelou, Dav Pilkey, and Rick Rodian

What are you working on now?
I am working on a thriller. It is amazing trust me. It is my pride and joy right now. I am so so excited for everyone to read it. The story is fast-paced. Has some interesting elements that touch on action, adventure, and mystery.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to use Instagram and Twitter. I am active on these platforms so it allows me to interact with people more often.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Love what you do and just do it. Put your energy and effort into it. Make it the best and then share it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Maya Angelou herself “Don’t let any pain discourage you”

What are you reading now?
All non-fiction I am building myself up. Working on optimizing good habits and sharpening my mind.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Plan Stanza Tour and hopefully grow it into a brand and platform that many Poets, Artists, and Writers can be apart of. I would love to give them a way to showcase their talent.

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
The Magic of thinking big
The Power of Positive Thinking

Author Websites and Profiles
Claudius Taylor Amazon Profile

Claudius Taylor’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I mostly write Sci-fi and Fantasy. I’ve published 4 novels. Currently, I am working on the 3rd book in my Nebilon Series, which is kind of a weird blend of humorous fantasy and old school sci-fi adventure.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest release is Quest For The Hope Box (Book 2 of the Nebilon Series). Originally, I wanted to write a story with a gargoyle as a lead character. He was both a snoop and snitch and he shares a juicy bit of information with the Archmage of the castle. At the same time, I was also very interested in writing a story about a dragon hatching, so decided to combine both. It seemed to fit nicely together, and the more I write, the deeper I got into the characters.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write longhand, whenever I can. Yes, with pen and paper. Pencils, too. I love the the tactile experience of writing out the scenes. I really think it helps me with my creative process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a huge Kurt Vonnegut and Haruki Murakami fan. I also love Terry Pratchett’s books. I also enjoy Christopher Paolini, Ursula Le Guin. I’d be remiss if I didn’t include J.R.R. Tolkien. Recently, I’ve gotten into Anne Zoelle’s Ren Crown Series. Very engaging.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the third book of my Nebilon Series, but I have also begun a new project a Middle-grade/YA book. Not sure if I want to go series with it, though, you never know. It is going to involve and Alien abduction. That’s all I will say at this point.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In the past, I used a lot of blogposts. I think that has its merits, but I am starting up a newsletter. I know I should have done this long ago. What can I say? Marketing is not my strong suit.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Don’t stop. Also, go back and look through stuff you wrote before that I forgot about. A little distance goes a long way. It’s worked for me. In fact, with my Nebilon Series I stopped and picked it up a year later, and I was surprised at how much momentum I gained. I was hungry to build out that world.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t just revise– re-envision. Get the words down, then shape it till it’s smooth.

What are you reading now?
“Death By Black Hole” by Neil deGrasse Tyson

What’s next for you as a writer?
Iron out my website and work on my newsletter.

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” Trilogy J.R.R. Tolkien, “Collected Fictions” J.L Borges, “The Complete Stories” Franz Kafka, “The Color of Magic” Sir Terry Pratchett

Author Websites and Profiles
John Gorman Website
John Gorman Amazon Profile

John Gorman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

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

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘The Noelle Situation’ and is due for release on August 10th 2020. This will be my second book to be published, and my first fiction book.

It was largely inspired simply by my experiences of having been a teenage girl, having met a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds, and having observed how different people’s life experiences shape who they are and how they interact with one another. I have generally found that a lot of us have more in common, and fit together better, than we first realize.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on turning an old screenplay of mine into a novel manuscript. And although the story is technically complete, I feel the conversion between styles may well take me another two years!

 

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am very almost finished ‘The Emigrants’ by WG Sebald, and am simultaneously reading ‘South Sea Tales’ by Robert Louis Stevenson, which I absolutely adore!

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Iona Stuart Website

Iona Stuart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former journalist who is now living in a small town bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa, where I write full-time. I have written one book, and just co-authored another.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Rhino Crash has just been released in July, which is a co-authored memoir about my friend Nick Newman’s incredible experiences while monitoring and protecting endangered black rhinos in South Africa. Nick was also diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s shortly after leaving this position, at the age of 41.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to the same one-hour playlist of piano music on repeat while writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s quite difficult to answer this, as I usually feel inspired after reading fiction books, yet I’ve only written non-fiction books. I do however in particular appreciate the writing of Khaled Hosseini (A thousand splendid suns) and Harry Middleton (The earth is enough).

What are you working on now?
I’m currently still working on the launch campaign of The Rhino Crash, but the next book is in the pipeline – which will be another co-authored book for a local safari field guide in the area.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
BookBub is of course said to be the holy grail – we’re still waiting to hear whether our book will be accepted (fingers crossed).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t fret about the layout and the formatting and all those things that create cobwebs in your head when you need to start writing. It’s so much simpler once you’ve been through all of it though to tell new authors not to worry about it, but it honestly doesn’t matter one bit. The only thing you need to do is to write. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Just keep going and keep believing in yourself and the story you’re writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s actually a quote I saw during a very challenging time in my life. I lifted my coffee mug at a restaurant and the paper coaster under it had David Allen’s wise words on it: “You can do anything but not everything”

What are you reading now?
I’m busy with Paulo Coelho’s “The Pilgrimage”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another co-authored 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 Earth is Enough by Harry Middleton
Ivory, Apes & Peacocks by Alan Root
Any of the Harry Potter books

Author Websites and Profiles
Karin Mitchell Website
Karin Mitchell Amazon Profile

Karin Mitchell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings, Mortals! I’m Stephanie Mirro, author of urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, retellings — pretty much anything fantasy goes. I grew up in the desert of Southern Arizona, but now I call the outskirts of DC home. I live in VA with my husband, two young kids, a cat, a dog, and mother-in-law. (Not listed in any preference of order. HA!)

I’ve published 3 books in the Immortal Relics urban fantasy series with 2 more to come, and I have another 7 book urban fantasy with a splash of romance series coming January 2021 (all 7 will be published in 2021).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
CURSE OF THE VAMPIRE is the 1st in my Immortal Relics urban fantasy series, and started as a daydream while attending mythology classes in college. I loved the idea of creating my own vampire origin story using Roman mythology, so that’s exactly what I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but now I feel like I need to get one. What do you recommend? You can email your ideas to stephanie@stephaniemirro.com or contact me on social media! 🙂

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh gosh, talk about too many to count. But the one that always comes to mind first is Neil Gaiman. All his books are amazing, but American Gods introduced me to the genre of contemporary/urban fantasy. I read everything and anything he writes, and I’ve seen him speak live twice.

What are you working on now?
I’m on book 3 of The Last Phoenix, a 7 book urban fantasy with a splash of romance series. Books 1 and 2 are written and going through the editing process. The 1st will be published in January 2021, and each book after that will be published a month apart.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring that out, but I hear great things about Awesome Gang. 😀

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. First drafts should be messy and ugly. The beauty comes through editing and revising.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can’t edit a blank page.

What are you reading now?
I’m devouring books by Debbie Cassidy, Ilona Andrews, and Shannon Mayer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After The Last Phoenix series, I have 2 more series already in the works. The 1st is a dystopian/post-apocalyptical urban fantasy (tentatively titled the Chronicles of Fred), and the 2nd will be an urban fantasy series (tentatively titled the Fight Night Society).

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?
American Gods, Kushiel’s Dart, and Polgara the Sorceress.

Author Websites and Profiles
Stephanie Mirro Website
Stephanie Mirro Amazon Profile

Stephanie Mirro’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been a teacher in the UK for the last 15 years and have always made stories up, but mostly just for the children that I have taught. Writing a novel myself has been a life long ambition, but I just couldn’t quite seem to get started.

This is my debut novel and it took me a year and a half to write.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Sick Teacher’s Cook Book has been inspired by every single day of the last 15 years of my career. Although it is fictional, the school and the characters are all a figment of my imagination – they all reflect a piece of me at some level – the situations, emotions and feelings are all real. The stresses, pressures and responsibilities that teachers in the UK are confronted by every day are real.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to take my dog, Jet – a working Cocker Spaniel – for a walk. It lets me meditate I guess. I let my mind go blank and then the characters just start talking and arguing with each other. Sometimes I just think about the last couple of pages that I have written and then let my mind wander, and the next pat of the story just evolves.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been hugely influenced by Harper Lee, George Orwell and Jack Kerouac.

What are you working on now?
My next novel. It is also revolving around a community linked to a school, but it deals with the responsibility each generation has to the next and the notion of lost love and moving on.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I guess I am finding that out now!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Things don’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

What are you reading now?
A short history of tractors in Ukrainian.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting and marketing as an Indie Author and learning how best to sell 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?
War and Peace – Tolstoy. It takes so long to read and there are lots of pages that you can use as toilet roll.

Coming up for Air – George Orwell
The stories of Anton Chekov

Author Websites and Profiles
James Huck Amazon Profile

James Huck’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a social innovator and humanitarian. I’ve used creatvity for the last 25 years to reach hundreds of millions of people. I explore the transformational impact of creative thinking, presenting a wealth of thought-provoking takeaways for harnessing the power of this amazing gift.
This is my first book in modern times. I wrote two books about 40 years ago!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life is a profound, insightful book created to help readers tap their creativity as a tool for professional success and personal happiness. With a dash of humor, I cite creative ideas, images, and examples that have shaped the way the world thinks, providing easy tips for opening your mind to the power of creativity and manifesting your desires.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I make complex issues easy to read and understand. My book is in a conversational style.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Desmond Tutu is my hero and has supported my work. He’s mentioned in my book.

What are you working on now?
Trying to market my self-published book. I’ve discovered writing it was the easy part!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take a deep breath and plow on.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Figuring out how to sell my book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d take the longest three books ever written – to stave off boredom since I’d be alone.

Author Websites and Profiles
Firdaus Kharas Website
Firdaus Kharas Amazon Profile

Firdaus Kharas’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My debut Young Adult Fantasy novel; Jag in the Turn, was published in the summer of 2019. The second part of the trilogy; Jag and the Three Widows is in the pipeline. I am working on a third (unrelated) novel called The Wickham Bell.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jag in the Turn was inspired by an old abandoned railway tunnel that my friends and I used to visit. It was long and very dark and had a haunted feel about it. I had this idea that you might walk its length and on exit find yourself in a different time/place/world and when you turn to look at the exit it has vanished.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m an insomniac so I have to write when my body clock allows. Most of Jag was written between 2 and 4 a.m.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Far from the Madding Crowd; David Copperfield; The Hunger Games; Lord of the Rings; the Narnia chronicles; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; All the Light we Cannot See; Stranger in a Strange World; Zen and the Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance (no I didn’t finish it); Sarum; Paddington at Large.

What are you working on now?
A novel called The Wickham Bell. It’s the story of a young boy, Tom, whose life is ruled by his monstrous step-father. Tom and his mother attempt to leave him repeatedly, but he seems to have control of everything they do and their attempts end in failure. Tom is packed off to a draconian prep school where he faces a whole new set of challenges. He takes on the bullies on one front and tries to out whit his step-father on the other. But when he attempts to solve the forty year old school mystery of the theft of an iconic ship’s bell he starts finding much more than he was looking for.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Find out all things Jag and all things Tom at my website; chrisdavy.net

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When you are working on your first draft don’t get hung up on distractions like spelling and grammar. Just write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t eat the yellow snow.

What are you reading now?
Nothing – I’m too busy writing. Next on my read list is Pride and Prejudice.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the Jag trilogy. That’ll keep me out of mischief for a while.

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?
Zen and the Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance (so I can finally finish it)
A Brief History of Time (as above)
David Copperfield (the book that has everything)
Lord of the Rings (of course)

Author Websites and Profiles
Chris Davy Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Justin Mooi and I am an online entrepreneur and marketer, and also the founder of www.ProspectofFreedom.com – a website and brand dedicated to self-development, and inspiring others to discover freedom within their life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Calm Your Sh*t: Anxiety Relief Guide to Control Your Panic and Stress

I am very excited to announce that this is my first ever book I have written and published. I am excited to share my work and help people not only manage their negative emotions but master them to work as their advantage, as well as develop their mindsets so that they are not held back in life by any negative emotions.

I am a big advocate for self-development as it is a skill that is very under-looked in our education systems and in life in general. With mental health being a big topic in our modern day, it is evident to see that there needs to be more of an influence on self development in our societies – as I believe it can save lives, and also create the best lifestyle for us as well.

Since I am very influence by self-help, it inspired me to create the brand Prospect of Freedom, which is my website (prospectoffreedom.com) which will share blogs about my journey, more books I have written and other self-help content. This along with my love for self-help books, inspired me to create my first book – Calm Your Sh*t: Anxiety Relief Guide to Control Your Panic and Stress.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write in the morning – as this is where I have the most focus and the best attention span!

When I am also working hard at something, I often lock my phone away in a draw to stop me from procrastinating – it works wonders!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
To name a few, Pursuit of Happyness, The Secret, The Hero, As a Man Thinketh, Good Vibes Good Life.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on building my brand with Prospect Of Freedom and producing more and more quality content, working toward other platforms as well such as YouTube.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The general method I use is too try and get as much exposure as I can – to the right audience of course 🙂

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be patient yet consistent – it is a long-term process. Master your procrastination, set goals, use affirmations and create a morning ritual routine to put you in the right mindset everyday.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago – the next best time is now” is a quote from a Chinese proverb that really changed my life.

To me that means that no matter who you are, how old you are, where your from, it is never too late, and it is your actions now that will create your future.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Think and Grow Rich – By Napoleon Hill.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on continue to grow my online brand – Prospect of Freedom, and create as much quality and valuable content as I possibly can. I want to also create another book within the same niche at the same time.

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 Power, The Magic and As a Man Thinketh

Author Websites and Profiles
Justin Mooi Website
Justin Mooi Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is Cady Hammer, and I am the author of Chasing Fae, a young adult fantasy novel that is just about to be released (end of July 2020)! I have always been a writer. I wrote my first novel at the age of eleven between classes. Although that text will never see the light of day, I continued experimenting with stories throughout my school years. I was often teased for being off in my own world a bit, but I have never hesitated to invite others along on the adventure I was weaving. My college studies of history and anthropology play a major role in the worldbuilding in my stories, particularly this debut novel. It is always my goal to create a world that readers want to step into, a world where they can breathe in the air and feel the wind on their skin as they stroll through a market or a city center. I also run the internationally-read website, Fluff About Fantasy, a place for young writers to learn the genre-specific craft of writing fantasy and be inspired by what they can accomplish. It is important to me to get more young people writing and creating. I know that there are a lot of talented middle school, high school, and college students who just need a little push to get them started.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called Chasing Fae. It follows the story of a young mortal woman, Grace Richardson, who travels into the Fae’s world to avenge her older brother’s mysterious death. I came up with the idea for this story during one of the lowest points of my life. A friend who I had considered like a brother to me abandoned me without so much as a word. It was at a time where I was dealing with a lot of stress and grief due to bullying at school and complications in my parents’ divorce. I was heartbroken. After a while, I didn’t want to be angry or upset anymore, so I took that pain and pushed myself to create something beautiful from it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm… unusual habits? I guess something interesting is that I prefer to work from a laptop in my lap rather than at a desk. I like sitting in the living room or the dorm lounge with more open space around me. It doesn’t usually bother me if there are other people in the room; I just like something about having more space than being confined to a desk in my room or at the library. I love to listen to music while I write as well, either out loud or with earbuds in.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sarah J. Maas is my absolute favorite author of all time, and both her Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series inspired me to tackle my own fantasy book. I listened to a book talk of hers when A Court of Thorns and Roses first came out, and it was amazing. She listens to music when she writes to inspire different sections or scenes just like I do, and hearing her process and her laughter when she spoke made me feel like I could be an author someday just like her. I am a huge Rick Riordan fan; his Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series were a big part of my childhood. The Harry Potter series and the Mortal Instruments series are also two of my favorites; the former was my introduction to fantasy, and the latter was my favorite series for the longest time. Cassandra Clare writes some of the best characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I could just go on and on.

What are you working on now?
I have just started the first draft to the sequel to Chasing Fae, Chasing War. I hope to make more progress on it after the first few days of my launch pass.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found Twitter to be the best social media so far for promoting my books. I have been on Twitter for about a year and a half now, and I am just blown away by the #WritingCommunity that is present. The writers invited me into their circle practically right away and really spent time to getting to know me and to encourage me as a young writer. Quite a few of my followers preordered my book during my presale campaign, and many others have let me know they intend to purchase once the book comes out. I met some of my best writing companions on Twitter, and I think all writers should take the time to cultivate a presence on the site.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start. The hardest part of writing your first draft is starting. A blank page is intimidating. Doubts often begin creeping back into your head. Is this the right idea? Do I know enough about what I want to write to start writing? Am I a good enough writer to start a novel on a whim? What am I doing? I promise you, you are good enough. The most important thing is to just start. Once you start, there’s no telling how far you can go.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best writing advice that I have ever heard came from Neil Gaiman in the preview for his MasterClass on writing. It is one of the few pieces of advice that has really stuck with me throughout my publishing journey. Gaiman says that the second draft of a book is where the writer makes the first draft look like they knew what they were doing all along. That was such a powerful message for me because in the past, I tended to try to edit myself as I was drafting. Once I understood this quote, I was able to recognize that I needed to just write straight through and try not to go back even if there were things I wanted to fix. Everything could be addressed in revisions. The first draft was about getting the words and ideas out of my head and onto the page.

What are you reading now?
I am about to start reading Circe by Madeline Miller. One of my friends recommended it to me, and I am finally going to get around to reading it in the coming month.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on working on two books during the academic year: the sequel to Chasing Fae and a nonfiction book about teaching history in new, fun, and interactive ways for all ages.

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 Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
* Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
* Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
* The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Author Websites and Profiles
Cady Hammer Website
Cady Hammer Amazon Profile

Cady Hammer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account