Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Written and published six so far. I currently have three on pre-order with two more coming this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Whiskey & Orange Slices is my newest upcoming release. As for what inspired me, I was just watching an old television show and thought that it would be cool if the senator was a vampire. And well that just took off.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have earbuds in my ears. Music or sound doesn’t even have to come out of them, I just need them in my ears.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R. Ward has been a big inspiration for me to actually get my books going. I love her Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on book four the final book in my Hunting the Night series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook so far. It’s where I spend most of my time when I’m not writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. So many people say that, but it’s true. I’ve been writing since I was young, and it’s taken a while, but once you publish that first book, you will want more.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t edit while writing. I never understood that until I was on a deadline! Lol.

What are you reading now?
I JUST got Drumroll for Dallas by Erin Lee. So I’m starting that.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books! I also plan to attend some book signings in the next year or so. And tons of travel! I bring some of my books and they travel the world getting a photo in different Caribbean ports!

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 Warrior’s Soul – My book.
Lover Eternal – J.R. Ward
The Wednesday Letters – Jason F. Wright
Doppelgangers – Erin Lee & Lorah Jaiyn

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Edwards Website
Michelle Edwards Amazon Profile

Michelle Edwards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date, I am the author of 17 novels and short stories that are currently available for purchase. Over the course of my life, I have written more than 30 novels and some 50 short stories.
I am 53 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to one, and wife to my husband, Roy, for the last 34 years. I live and write in my hometown of New London, CT.

I began my writing career in the 4th grade when the class was given its first-ever Creative Writing assignment. I put pencil to paper and was instantly transported to a place I knew that I would never want to leave. I have been publishing my works since 7th grade.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening and photography as well as cooking and baking. I also enjoy helping other authors bring their works to the world stage.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last published book of mine is “Prodigal Son” the last installment in the Sister Christian series. As to inspiration, it doesn’t come from me, it comes from The Muse. When he taps me on the shoulder, no matter what he’s got in mind for a story, it’s time to get to work.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to have my ritual items around me; coffee, incense, candles, and classic rock on the old iTunes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, VC Andrews, Mary Higgins Clark, Shana Carroll, Harold Robins, and Jacqueline Susann were my big influences. My writing style is a big mash-up of all of them.

What are you working on now?
My upcoming book is entitled “South of Eden”. It’s a love story between Lucifer and Eve….yes, from the Bible but it’s my take on it. In the book Eden is dying and it’s up to Lucifer to take his ‘old job back’ in an attempt to save it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I took a two year break from promotion as it was taking up all of my time and the act of selling quickly made the act of writing no longer enjoyable. Now that I’m writing again it’s time to get my name and my books out there so people can find them. I wish I could say there was magick site out there for this but there isn’t, not even paid sites. I just keep trying, that’s all.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love. Write what you know. Write for yourself. Write for the love of writing. Most of all, don’t give up on yourself. The goal shouldn’t be sales it should be personal fulfillment.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you love it keep doing it no matter who tries to tell you otherwise.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just getting all of my ducks in a row again, sprucing up my website, pulling all of my books out of Kindle Unlimited and getting back up on Nook, Kobo, Google, and the like. I’m trying to get active on social media, which I don’t really like. I love Facebook and my personal blog. While I have Twitter and a new Instagram account I’m not very good at them. So I’ll just keep on doing what I do until Lucifer and Eve are ready to be revealed to the world.

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 Stand”-Stephen King. “Flowers in the Attic”-VC Andrews. “Where Are the Children”-Mary Higgins Clark

Author Websites and Profiles
Lisa Beth Darling Website
Lisa Beth Darling Amazon Profile

Lisa Beth Darling’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written and illustrated 3 children’s picture books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kookie Koala and the Problem – A hilarious rhyming children’s picture book about taking responsibility and problem solving

It was inspired by the thought, “What if the word PROBLEM, was auto-logical and was really a problem. Problems can be overwhelming at any age, with people choosing to ignore them, hide them, or blame other people.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most exciting aspect to me is writing the story and making the rhyming fit in with the narrative. I often sit and write them in a single day. I challenged a friend to give me 3 words and I would make them into a story. They gave me bully, lion and hospital water jug (I’m not sure they actually like me 🙂 ). This story took me 6 hours to write and became Wild Woolly.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because I like to complete the writing and illustrating aspects quickly, I use a simple style for the images. I am influenced by Dr Seuss style of writing and Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) for the illustrating.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Kookie Koala and the Problem. entitled Kookie Koala and the Pack of Lies, another auto-logical adventure where this time Kookie tells a lie, which manifests itself as the word “LIE” and how when you tell one it leads to another and then another until you have a whole pack of them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment I am building my social media presence which I believe is the most effective method of promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You can’t fail if you don’t give up!

What are you reading now?
My favourite children’s book on wordplay – The Phantom Tollbooth.by Norton Juster

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have published 3 books since August last year, (while also working full time). I am continuing to be a prolific children’s writer and promote myself as a brand in the hope that one day I will be recognised as a household name. – Even if it’s in my household or maybe even street 😉

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 Phantom Tollbooth
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author Websites and Profiles
Phillip Reed Amazon Profile

Phillip Reed’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former lawyer who managed to escape to write. I have two published books now with more on the way.
Born in the UK, I have worked and lived in the UK, The Philippines and Hong Kong, but I currently live in the UK with my wife and young son. I have an M.A. in creative writing which was an amazing course – thoroughly enjoyed it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Latest Book is Deadly Election, a crime thriller based on events in the Philippines. It is a lawless country with unbridled corruption. Living in the Philippines for a foreigner is a bit like living in the ‘Wild West’.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the popular novels, and read Dan Brown, John Grisham, and Stephen King. My interest in writing was sparked when I was young and read the Tales of Narnia series, by C.S.Lewis – it was spellbinding – I recommend these books to all children learning to read and appreciate books.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to Deadly Election, it’s called Final Vengeance and also set in the Philippines – we meet Paul McCain again – a retired US Marine who gets into many tight corners, but again comes out on top.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub and Amazon Marketing Service seem to work best, but my own website is getting busier also.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s difficult to earn a living at writing – it’s taken me six years. Write for love. If you start to earn money – good for you. Take lot’s of advice from successful peers – you’re going to need it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”
― Stephen King.

What are you reading now?
In one sitting, by Dan Brown

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, more marketing, turning my books into Audio 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?
Lord of the Rings, Tale of two Cities, Les Miserable – all books I want to read but have not yet got around to.

Author Websites and Profiles
Arthur Crandon Website
Arthur Crandon Amazon Profile

Arthur Crandon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent 40 years in the advertising and market communications sector, happily writing anything that I was given; brochure copy, advertisements, press releases, speeches for other people, scripts for industrial films, videos, and copy for websites. In 1988 I started my own media company until retiring a few years ago.
My only venture into fiction was in my early twenties writing teen romance stories for DC Thomson’s Jackie magazine. It was just a part-time addition to my real work, but it taught me how to build characters in as few words as possible and just how enjoyable writing fiction was. I always promised myself that when I had the time, I would return to fiction again.
Just over two years ago, I started on my first novel, Murders of Consequence, which was followed by Murders of Necessity and Murders of Misfortune. Then I wrote The Croxton Project J293, a cold war thriller set mainly In Cambridge, UK, the university town about 20 minutes drive from where I live. All these are available in eBook and paperback versions on Amazon.
All three books are set in the nineteen-sixties when the UK and the USA were going through a significant transformation of social outlook. Young people were making their views known through fashion, music, attitudes, and public protests about the many different causes that concerned them. The reasons were not frivolous; all they were asking for was nuclear disarmament and world peace. For me, the 40s, 50s, and 60s were decades that changed people’s lives and attitudes just as much as the tech revolution of the 80s and 90s.
I live in Peterborough, UK, with my wife Sheilah, who acts as editor, proof-reader, and critic of my work. We are both avid readers, enjoying mainly thrillers.
I also love music, particularly jazz. When I was young, I played tenor sax in a rock/blues band, and more recently, Sheilah and I formed a Jazz duo to raise money for charity. We both enjoy traveling, watching cricket, and football.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book, The Night Drop, is a story of two British agents working with a French Resistance cell in the marshlands of Northern France. Their heroic work helped the Allied forces to drive the Nazi army out of France and onward to ‘Victory in Europe.’ The inspiration for the book was a visit a few years ago to the La Coupole (The Dome) museum in St Omer, in the Pas de Calais, France. The museum has been created in a vast dome that, during WW2, was used to house and launch V1 and V2 rockets. These were Hitler’s last-ditch secret weapons that he thought would turn the tide of the war against the Allies, leading to the final great Nazi success. The main targets for the rockets were London, because of its importance and proximity to the French coast, and Antwerp, the large Dutch port that had, in the late summer of 1944, become the main supply port for the Allied forces fighting to bring freedom to the rest of Europe. The devastating rocket attacks had resulted in 6,000 people killed and 32,000 houses destroyed. Allied leaders needed to know if their massive bombing campaign had managed to stop the rocket attacks. The La Coupole museum is well worth a visit and brings home to us why a united Europe is so important today. St Omer is surrounded by many beautiful lakes, rivers, and canals. It is a landscape dominated by huge trees and small villages and is extremely quiet and remote. In addition to La Coupole, many other things that feature in the book are real. The tiny war cemetery on the top of a hill, the cottage, and chain ferry where Jack and Sophia lived and the cottage where Steve and Emily stayed are all real; the rest is imagination. I read many civilian recollections of the war, in and around St Omer, and hope that it showed the resilience and bravery required by ordinary people to survive in a country that was occupied by a ruthless army.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, being retired means that I have plenty of time for writing, Also, working so many years in marketing and advertising taught me that deadlines have to be met, no matter what time of day or night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Graham Green, Eric Ambler, Len Deighton, John le Carrie, Raymond Chandler, Lee Child, and many more.

What are you working on now?
I am just finishing my next book. It is a historical adventure thriller set in the UK, North Dakota, and the Florida Keys. It should be nearing publishing in about six months. For some reason, I feel uncomfortable if I don’t have a book nearing its first draft when I’ve just published my current book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a great deal of expertise in Book marketing yet. I have read a lot about it and tried several different things but can’t say that I know the answer to this question at the moment.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to be a good writer, read good books. I read that advice somewhere, and I have generally followed it. The big selling authors who go on getting best-sellers would seem to be the ones to learn from.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t really think of any single thing. I’ve had so much good advice. I just wish I had acted on some of it!

What are you reading now?
I am 80% through the complete works of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It has taken me over three months but has been worth it. It is surprising that the English language has changed so little in one hundred years. You come across words that have dropped out of use, but it’s enjoyable finding out their meanings and sometimes how much these have changed.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write another historical thriller.

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?
It’s too late for me now, but the complete works of Sherlock Holmes would have been ideal!

Author Websites and Profiles
Ian Wright Amazon Profile

Ian Wright’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 7 books, 6 still in print. I have been a secretary/typist most of my life and that did help when it came to typing my stories and editing my own work (which is always very difficult to do). My first books was a children’s story, The Stolen Christmas, Blue Angel (not in print) then The Silver Cross Trilogy, The Mystery on the Miniature Railway and finally (so far), Escape to the Orchard.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Escape to the Orchard is my latest book, inspired by my attempts to grow truffle trees in deepest Devon, UK. Not everything went to plan, but in the book it kind of does. It’s a light hearted and humorous story for the most part but with a bit of added drama, of course.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One hour of writing in the morning is worth two in the afternoon, or so I’ve found. Much more lively and entertaining in the morning, whereas more serious and heavier going after lunch. Probably a bit like myself!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles Dickens, Stephen King, Margaret Attwood. I like stories where the baddies get their just desserts and the goodies always have to win. I sulk if I read a book where that doesn’t happen.

What are you working on now?
The Corona virus thing – what is that all about? True life really is stranger than fiction.
Sometimes I think it’s the end of the world, what’s the point? I was going to give up on writing and try some art instead, as I enjoy being creative. But I have started to write poetry again, so that’s a good sign.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been with Amazon right from the start. A self-published author has to go with them first, other places second. I’ve never managed to get a promotion on Bookbub sadly, although I’ve done a couple of adverts. It’s really trial and error and I’m definitely no expert.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just to keep going. Don’t give up halfway through your story, believe in yourself. Somebody will want to read it. Give yourself a six month deadline, I always feel that’s a good timeframe to write 50,000 words. I tend to keep to around 50,000 as that is what qualifies as a “novel”. If I write more than that, it’s book 2. Names though – I often get my minor characters mixed up. Write them down on a list, and refer to that list!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Every dog has its day? I’m joking, but seriously I’m hoping one day it will be my turn.

What are you reading now?
I’m the expert on Corona virus.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Maybe release a book of poetry.

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?
Something by Bear Grylls.
Encyclopeadia of Poisonous and Edible Plants
Bird Watching

JUNE WINTON’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m actually a business management professional and founder of a blockchain technology start-up. Over the years my roles have allowed me, and I’ve been very privileged to, travel to many different countries and work with people from very different backgrounds.

I’ve only written two books. The first was the first part of a trilogy called “When the World Becomes Braille: One Night in the 90’s. It’s a “paranormal”, urban adventure / romantic comedy. How’s that for diverse? I’ve yet to write part 2.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called, “But I’ve Never Been to Italy: Tales From a Frequent Traveller… Before COVID-19”.

I love Bill Bryson’s books, especially his travel memoirs, like “A Walk in the Woods” and “I’m a Stranger Here Myself”. As someone who’s travelled for business for over twenty years, I thought I’d put some of the interesting and comical experiences I’ve had in these countries over the years, down on paper. But having travelled to all corners of the world, from Bogota to New York to Kuala Lumpur, I’ve never ever been to Italy… Hence the title.

I started writing it a couple of years ago, before launching my start-up. This year, the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns obviously meant things came to a standstill, so I took the opportunity to complete what I’d started.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure what the frame of reference for “unusual” would be. What would be considered unusual? I do prefer writing by hand, and wrote “When the World Becomes Braille” by hand first, before typing it up on my laptop. But obviously that takes twice as long. So with this one it was straight onto Word.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was (am) a huge Stephen King fan, up until his accident, after which his stories kind of lost their way – with me at least. He’s been back to his best since “Under the Dome”, and “22/11/63”.

As I mentioned I also love most books by Bryson. Carl Hiaasen; very funny stories.

Other than that I love reading (auto)biographies; Mike Tyson, Phil Knight, John Gotti, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Slash, Nikki Sixx, Kevin Hart… All have stunningly hard hitting and inspirational stories.

What are you working on now?
I’ve started the first chapter for Part 2 of “When the World Becomes Braille”. But it all depends on what happens on the start-up front. Writing’s a hobby which I try and make time for.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not nearly qualified to talk about this. For what it’s worth, I share content on LinkedIn and Twitter. Amazon’s marketing tools are obviously useful if you have a budget for that.
Ah! “Braille” is still on KDP Select. “But I’ve Never Been to Italy” I’ve not done that and put in a wide range of platforms.

I’m hoping Awesome Gang will provide a boost, so maybe we can talk about this in a few weeks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Again, I’m not going to pretend I know anywhere near enough. I’m a “noob”. But what I can say is, write. Just write. Even if you don’t believe you have the talent, but you have the passion; write.
Write, and it will come.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
About writing a book? To write a book! I’d write copy and content at work; blogs etc. Friends and colleagues would tell me I should write a book, because apparently I have a way with words.

What are you reading now?
“The Body”, by Bill Bryson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to some day finish the “When the World Becomes Braille” trilogy.
I’m also considering a second travel book. We’ll see…

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Build a Model Yacht” by Herb Fisher
“How to Survive on Land and Sea” by Jr. Craighead
“But I’ve Never Been to Italy” by M Ozalcin

Author Websites and Profiles
Mustafa Ozalcin Website
Mustafa Ozalcin Amazon Profile

Mustafa Ozalcin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author and screenwriter of both horror and suspense. All Hallows Eve is my first novel but my films have screened in numerous international film festivals across North America and Europe. When I’m not writing, I enjoy adventure travel, photography, and brewing beer. I’m happily married and the new father of a tough and curious baby girl.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
All Hallows Eve is an historical thriller about a single mother racing against time to rescue her daughter from the vengeful spirit of a woman hanged during the Salem witch trials. I’ve always been a big fan of Halloween and I wanted to write a book that explored some of the ancient customs and traditions of the holiday while also providing some entertaining thrills and chills. I’ve also been semi-obsessed with the witch trials ever since reading The Crucible and visiting Salem in high school.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unsual but there always has to be a cup of coffee or tea nearby. It often goes untouched and cold but for some reason it still has to be there. I also tend to stay in my pajamas all day while writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King for my understanding of character development; Shirley Jackson for mood and atmosphere; Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for structure and pacing. I was also really big fan of “monster-of-the-week” TV shows like The X-Files and Supernatural, especially the development of overarching plots over the course of the series.

What are you working on now?
All Hallows Eve is the first volume in my Book of Shadows series of historical thrillers that follow a family of 19th-century women who use unique talents to hunt ghosts and monsters. I’m currently working on the second volume in the series, The Suicide Lake. While the War of 1812 rages across New England, a young woman with a tragic past must use her knowledge of the occult to save a remote logging camp from an ancient evil that is driving the villagers to take their own lives. Right now I’m in the polishing phase and the book will be released later this year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
After years of working in film, All Hallows Eve is my first experience promoting a book so I’m still learning the moves in this dance. So far, free book offers promotions on sites like Pretty-Hot definitely seems to be an effective way of attracting new readers in the crowded book market. I’m also really trying to build my mailing list on my website, www.michaelpenning.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write everyday and don’t take rejection personally.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Some of the best advice comes from Stephen King. Not personally, of course (how awesome would that be?), but from his book On Writing. It’s a great read for any author, not just horror writers. The best piece of advice I’ve received personally would be to not be afraid to explore and embrace flawed characters.

What are you reading now?
The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates. After that it will be Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts. And then Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. So many books, so little time…

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep promoting All Hallows Eve while I finish polishing the second volume in the Book of Shadows series. Then I’m going to get right into research for the third book. After that, I might step away from the realm of historical fiction for a minute to explore a couple other ideas that I’ve had kicking around 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?
Touch one! Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. It might be an old classic, but it still resonates. I’d also bring one of the original Dragonlance Chronicles (or all three if I could cheat), because they were my favorite books growing up. If I could squeeze in one more, it would probably something by Bear Grills on how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Penning Website
Michael Penning Amazon Profile

Michael Penning’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just finished my very first book, Not all you need is love.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The love story of my sister inspired my first book.

What are you working on now?
I am fully working on the exposure of my first book. I want to first see if my type of writing and story is liked by romance readers. I am also exploring new ideas for my next book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I give readers 2 chapters for free by signing up to my email list.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always think big.

What are you reading now?
This could be our future

What’s next for you as a writer?
Try to reach more people with my love story and give a great message about what love really means and about the timing of love.

 

D.R. Morassutti’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an engineer with a life-long interest in books and writing. Originally from England, I’ve lived with my family near Toronto, Canada, for many years and where I walk, run and take wildlife photos whenever the weather will let me. In my writing, I like to capture the humorous side of life even when sometimes the world doesn’t seem to warrant it — as can be seen in my first book, Diary of a Canadian Nobody.

My present series, The Modest Proposal Institute, is a return to one of my earliest literary loves — science fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is the final volume of The Modest Proposal Institute series. The first three books of the series, An Old Path to a New Future, No More Empires, and Rival Institutes are available on Amazon now (May 2020). The latest, and final, book, War of the Institutes, will be published on June 3, 2020.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I think procrastination and being lost throughout the writing process is quite common. At least, I hope it isn’t just me who works this way.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Science fiction authors I liked were people like Ray Bradbury and John Wyndham. For writing in general, Jane Austen, Douglas Adams and Bill Bryson.

What are you working on now?
It may sound odd but I’m writing a cozy mystery right now. It’s a form of therapy after The Modest Proposal Institute series, which consumed my writing life for the past two years.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still very new at the marketing side of writing so I haven’t found one I like best. I used Awesome Gang for the first three books and that seemed to go well so yours is one I’ll keep returning to.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Only the advice everyone gives, read a lot, write every day, and keep at it. Perseverance is the key to the writing life, even when sometime you wonder if you’ll ever achieve that breakthrough.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn and practice the marketing side of the business. Sadly, I’m still at the start of that lesson and can’t yet confirm it is good advice.

What are you reading now?
I read more non-fiction these days but, at present, I’m working my way through an omnibus of Dorothy L. Sayers books, hence my cozy mystery novel.

What’s next for you as a writer?
If I find the cozy mystery genre continues to appeal, I’ll turn my present standalone novel into a series. If not, and at some time anyway, I will pick up the Modest Proposal story where I’ve left off.

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?
Northanger Abbey, Vanity Fair, Notes from a Small Island, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul James Website
Paul James Amazon Profile

Paul James’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a teacher in a correctional facility and love working with youth trying to better themselves. I love writing gritty stories in both fantasy and science fiction settings. I’ve written several books, but Godless Lands is the first novel that I felt was up to snuff. However, I will have several projects coming out within a year from my first release.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Godless Lands was inspired by the artist Tomas Duchek. Something about his work gets my mind racing. I wrote several short stories for his work and a friendship began. After a while I approached him about writing a novel based off of his work and he was all for it. He even did the cover. It has been a great journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing crazy really. I like coffee, background tunes, and a room to myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Gemmell has probably had the biggest impact on my work. I never really got into writing until I got grounded for like 3 months when I was fourteen. I couldn’t see friends, watch tv, go out, I was pretty limited. I was sitting on the couch when my dad tosses me the The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend. From that moment I was hooked.

What are you working on now?
Currently I have a few irons in the fire. I have an illustrated novella coming out around July or August titled “Valhalla Steel”. It’s based in a cyberpunk world and follows the conflict between gun running Vikings and chem dealing Fae. I’m also about a quarter of the way through a full novel that takes place after the events of the novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and Instagram have been great ways to reach out to the reading a writing community. I’m pretty good about getting back to people on either of those.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research and be willing to listen to those who have done it all before. I have found that the writing community has been extremely helpful and is generally willing to give advice. Also, seek out straight forward people who will tell you what they really think about your work. If everyone says they love what you write and they can’t find any issues, you’re surrounding yourself with the wrong people. There is always room to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There has been too much to list, but in regards to writing I would say the best advice I’ve been given is to start small. If you haven’t written a short story, you’re not going to write a novel. Work on your craft, refine the small stuff, and learn how to tell a story. Win a few skirmishes before you start a five year campaign.

What are you reading now?
I have been Beta Reading for a few people lately, but I just picked up the last book in the Powder Mage series by Brian McClellan. Solid stuff.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned before, I’ve been working on the cyberpunk world, but I also have a second Godless Lands novel that will likely come out next year. It takes place about twenty years after the events of the first 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?
That’s tough! I’d have to go with my two favorite Gemmell books: Winter Warriors and Legend. The third choice would have to be Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Crow Website

Sean Crow’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an executive coach, trainer and management consultant. I’ve been working with companies and developing leaders and managers for over 20 years. I’m always fascinated with what makes people tick, how that shows up in the workplace and impacts business performance.

I wrote my first book in 2012 and have taken a very long break since then, for a variety of reasons. I’ve gotten my writing mojo back and I’m in the middle of writing my second book, called SMART Objective Setting for Managers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called SMART Objective Setting for Managers and what inspired it is how often I work with managers that struggle with objective setting and usually they’re using SMART. They struggle with framing the objective and what the real objective outcome is.
They don’t really understand the power of a well-designed SMART objective, the quality of the conversation that can happen, the alignment and engagement with the objective. Doing all of this well increases the likelihood of the objective being achieved and the individual’s, the team’s and the manager’s performance increasing, as a result.
This book sets all of this out, told through stories and excerpts of sample conversations I regularly end up having with managers participating in my training workshops.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do, but I don’t really know. With both books, I’ve found it pretty easy to get the ideas down on the page, which makes me wonder if I’m doing something wrong!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Business books that have influenced me are The Leadership Pipeline, Leadership and Self-Deception.

I love reading Michael Connelly books and anything by Marian Keyes. I love her wit.

What are you working on now?
Finishing the second draft of my SMART Objective Setting for Managers book and creating a launch and marketing plan for it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I self-published my first book, so Amazon has been very good. My original book launch was also very good. A more unusual method has been through a medical doctor and herbalist who works with patients. She often recommends that they buy my book, as a way for them to understand the impact of mismatched personal values and the conflict they generate and the stress that puts on the body.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, learn as much as you can about marketing and promoting your book. It won’t just happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed for life.

What are you reading now?
Just finished a book called Making Sense of the Troubles by David McKittrick and David McVey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Now that I’ve gotten my mojo back, I have identified several books that I would like to write. So, once I’ve gotten the current book up and running, I’ll start to focus on writing one of them.

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 Harry Potter series and the Lord of the Rings series (I’ll slip the Hobbit in with that one). Am I allowed any more?

Author Websites and Profiles
Irial O’Farrell Website
Irial O’Farrell Amazon Profile
Irial O’Farrell Author Profile on Smashwords

Irial O’Farrell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have one collection of poetry published, one fantasy novel finishing the final stages of editing, and its sequel and following novels are in production.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Zubare: Liberation is inspired by a tabletop RPGS game I played with my brother and friend set in my fictional world. The story took many exciting twists and turns, even an ending I didn’t expect either! It was so fun to write and play that I just had to write it all down and share it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual, but I like to let the ideas come to me naturally. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a task and stop to write something down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A lot of different fantasy books have influenced me, most notably the Hobbit, the Charlie Bone series, Shogun, and Arthur by Kevin Crossley-Holland.

What are you working on now?
Zubare: Liberation, which is in the final stages of editing. After that I’ll work on its direct sequel and then another novel that occurs 5 years after.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media has helped, as well as getting shootouts on blogs and radio shows.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, even if it’s using the apostrophe in a text. Hone your skill and keep trying. It’ll happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s always the time to act, you must simply choose to.

What are you reading now?
Merlin by T.A. Baron

What’s next for you as a writer?
More fantasy 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?
Mythology 1 & 2
Kybalion
How to survive

Author Websites and Profiles
Paolo Ruggirello Website

Paolo Ruggirello’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book in my “How to Algorithm” series. After the book promotion phase, I will
beginning writing the second book in the series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my first book is “Discovering Your Human Algorithm | How to live with meaning and purpose.”

Much of my life I have been an interloper of other worlds and while passing through various worlds, I began to return to similar themes that brought me the most satisfaction. I’ve lived in 7 states, 5 countries, and growing up I attended 6 schools. In my personal and professional life, I’ve experienced wealth and poverty, marriage and divorce, the thrill of the Silicon Valley, the excitement of Hollywood, and the joys of travel. The themes that emerged had to do with athletics (college soccer player), adventure (traveler, 25 countries), academics (doctorate from colleges of humanities and science), art (Hollywood actor, 10 imdb.com credits), advocacy (Trustee for World Transplant Games Federation, wtgf.org), and a generalist. These ideas eventually coalesced into the 6As.

I’ve been inspired by many self-help authors in my life such as Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow), Scott H. Young (Ultralearning), Deborah Tannen (You Just Don’t Understand), and many many more. My Dad once said “being positive is the only practical way to live” so I wrote a guide, then a book in order to put that principle into practice. That guide became “Discovering Your Human Algorithm.”
During my PhD studies, the ideas began to galvanize into an identity. What

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual habit I have is finding the last page in an article or book and reading it first. I’m fascinated with structure (or lack of it) and design thinking. Much of our life is guided by design so design, algorithm, structure, and incentives are the operations that advance us from A to B and so on. Mastering these paths serves us because we have control over them and they keep us focused in the moment.

Like many people, I have had to become more creative during the quarantine to keep myself happy and sane and for me focusing on the details of structure helps.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow), Scott H. Young (Ultralearning), Deborah Tannen (You Just Don’t Understand)

What are you working on now?
I produce 9 podcasts ranging from decision making (part of my doctoral research), to organ transplant stories, to “how human algorithms” which I define are successful strategies for 21st living.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang is strong. James Mayfield is too. Ask me again in a few months and I’ll tell you more.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Advice is the easiest thing to give, the hardest to take, and the weirdest to measure. But here is one piece of advice.

While beating yourself up, balance you’re thinking with positive self-talk.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is the last line in my book and it came from my father “Being positive is the only practical way to live.”

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading blogs and how to articles on how to self-publish. I also read some academic articles on decision making, language, and spectrometers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m ready to write a few more book for the “How to Algorithm” series to explore methods to live well now. In the next book, I plan to start by reading it out loud. It makes a Huge difference in readability.

My goals are to also explore structures that work for human cognition and design in the 21st century.

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?
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Gone with the Wind
Man’s Search for Meaning
Some Poetry books

Author Websites and Profiles
Zachary Brooks Website
Zachary Brooks Amazon Profile

Zachary Brooks’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I have oversight of a small non-profit organization that supports lower income people in Brooklyn, NY. I have a strong desire to help people improve thier quality of life.
I’ve learned that this is more than a job or financial literacy classes. People could stand to benefit from the two topics I cover, which are Leadership and Relationships

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is: The Seven Epaulettes of Leadership. Most people will ell you they are a leader, but few can define what it is. How can you recognize something if you can’t define it? How can you teach it to others? I’ll belabor the point by saying this: before you lead others, you must lead yourself. Again, if we can’t define leadership, how can you do it effectively?!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure this is unusual writing habits, but when I write I listen to a lot more music, and I have to walk. There’s something about movement that helps me to think

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The KJV of the Bible and Sun Tzu the Art of War

What are you working on now?
My latest project is scheduled for release in Jan of 2021
It’s in my niche, which is leadership and relationships. I have a better understanding of what writing is. I’m so much better at it now. And, more importantly, I have fun doing it. The first book was fraught with timelines.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh, I learned so much about promoting books. I use Awesome Gang, Amazon, Twitter, and an assortment of book clubs. I use twitter and my blog (abrams index) to test/introduce new ideas constantly. I’ve been know to leak some of my upcoming material into these platforms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Come up with a title and chapters, if you can.
Keep a journal handy to jot down your thoughts – they will come at any time.
I use talk to text apps on my phone to record thoughts when I’m mobile.
Determine when and how you will move the reader through your narrative. Plan out when you want them to feel something, when you want them to recover/recoil, introduce a sub-topic, etc.

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

What are you reading now?
My own stuff. I don’t want to be influenced by anyone else’s work. I’m in a bubble right now

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m promoting The Seven Epaulettes of Leadership and planning out my 3rd 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 KJV of the Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
shawn abrams Website
shawn abrams Amazon Profile

shawn abrams’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a curator and historian for over 30 years, I have worked in many museums in Derbyshire and later in London. Over the years I specialised in everything from Victorian toys and memorabilia, to Royal Crown Derby and Militaria. I also worked free-lance for the History Channel USA as researcher, co-ordinator and interviewer on the award winning production ‘Secrets of War.’ However, my personal passion since a very early age has been the study of the Tudors, particularly Anne Boleyn and the court of King Henry VIII.
I did not begin writing seriously until around 2008, and originally wanted to write about Anne Boleyn at the English court. However, a great deal had already been written about this period, and I began to look at her earlier life from around 1500 to 1521. Since research as a curator has always been my passion, I wanted to write as factual a novel as I could and spent years visiting sites such as Blickling in Norfolk, Hever Castle, Rochford Manor and the palace of Margaret of Austria, in Mechelen, just outside Brussels. It was here that Anne was sent as a young maid-of-honour, and I was honoured to gain access to rooms not normally open to the public. The result of my research was ‘The Falcon’s Rise,’ my first book. I have followed it up with part two ‘The Falcon’s Flight’ published 19 May 2020. This second book covers Anne’s time spent at the French court, and ends as she is about to return to England. I had a wonderful time in France researching this book and seeing the places Anne herself knew. I hope you enjoy reading about these place, too.

In my spare time, I love travelling, rambling and visiting historic houses, as well as constantly reading and researching the Tudor period.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Falcon’s Flight and it is part two of my first book, The Falcon’s Rise. I wanted to write something that other authors hadn’t concentrated on, which is Anne Boleyn’s early life, and I felt inspired to tell her little known story of the years before she met King Henry VIII.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I tend to start writing at the end of the afternoon, when my other jobs are done and I’m physically tired. My endless energy makes me want to get out and about during the day, as I find it impossible to sit still!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Jean Plaidy, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, and Alison Weir. They ignited my love of history most certainly.

What are you working on now?
I am researching and mulling over the thought of writing book three, The Falcon’s Fall, just to complete the trilogy. But I need a new angle for the very well known story of Anne Boleyn meeting King Henry and becoming Queen of England. And, of course, her grisly end.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Twitter is amazing, but also all the fantastic Tudor and Anne Boleyn websites and FaceBook pages out there. It’s really great having an interested audience in all things Anne Boleyn!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, but only what I’ve learnt through making mistakes. So, here goes:
Firstly, get hold of a copy of The Writers and Artists Yearbook for publishing advice etc. It is incredibly useful, with lots of contact addresses and practical tips for new writers.

Next, I would advise that you write because you just have to tell your story, not in the hope of making money. There are no shortcuts and you cannot short change your readers by trying to get a book out there quickly. It might take you years, but just go at your own pace and don’t rush it.

Write about what you know about, or are familiar with. This will give your book authenticity, so read and research at every opportunity.

Think about who is going to read your book and where it will sit in the market. Be very clear who your audience will be.

Write every day. Even if it’s just a description of something, or writing out a favourite piece of prose. It keeps your mind trained on the art of writing and using words, and I found it important. Don’t worry if you have a bad writing day, do something else, but don’t leave it too long before returning to your book. I found it much harder to pick up where I’d left off after a few weeks’ break. It’s really easy to slip out of a routine.

Edit, edit, and edit again. If you are planning on sending your manuscript to a publisher, your work must be as near perfect as possible. Nothing puts people off more than shoddy punctuation, spelling, and grammar. I had the annoying habit of spelling people’s names and places differently, and I hadn’t even noticed. Make sure you keep everything consistent.
You can, of course, pay for professional editing, but there are also good grammar/spelling programmes on the internet to run your work through. Some mistakes will slip through, but just make it as good as you can get.

Network. Social media and the internet are full of lots of writers groups where you can get support and advice. They are always happy to advise and help new writers if possible. If you don’t like online groups, try your local community. Ask if your local book club would mind reading your book. Don’t be afraid, just ask!

Finally, try not to get discouraged. Your writing will not be like anyone else’s, because it is unique to you, so don’t compare yourself to other authors. They all started somewhere. And if you give it your very best shot, the effort will pay off.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write in your own style. Don’t worry about other authors, just write in a way that is unique to you.

What are you reading now?
The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. I love her work.

What’s next for you as a writer?
If book two is well received, it will encourage me to write book three. After that, I’m not sure, but again I’d want to write about someone not written about very much.

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?
If we say that the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare are a given, my must have books would be:
We Speak No Treason, by Rosemary Hawley Jarman, The Oxford Anthology of Great English Poetry, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Author Websites and Profiles
Natalia Richards Website
Natalia Richards Amazon Profile

Natalia Richards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account