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Travis Tougaw

Interview With Author Travis Tougaw

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer and editor from Denver, Colorado. I’m an Air Force veteran, and I’ve worked in a number of roles, including education, communications/PR, and health care administration. I have one book out currently, with two more books in the series coming later this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is Foxholes. It was inspired by my time in Afghanistan while I was on active duty. I combined military/combat action with political intrigue and a murder mystery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write a lot in my head before I sit down to put it on the page. When I’m walking the dog or swimming laps in the pool, I’m thinking about my plot and characters, trying to figure out what comes next. Then, when I do sit down to write, I’ve already worked out the plot holes and can be a lot more productive.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book I read that made me want to be a writer was Son of Interflux, by Gordon Korman, when I was in the 6th grade. His characters were so memorable, I still find myself quoting them many years later. Currently, I read a lot of Harlan Coben, Ruth Ware, Lee Child, and Robert Galbraith.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on an adventure/thriller set on a remote island in the Caribbean. It involves a pair of brothers, a cult, and a daring escape plan.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found word of mouth is very important. I see more impact from reviews and from people posting about my book on social media than if I post myself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep grinding! Writing a book can be a daunting task, but it’s the best education for a writer. The more you write, the more you’ll develop your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I went to a writing seminar featuring Andrew Peterson years ago, and he talked about the importance of community. Writing is a solitary task, but it’s essential to have a community of supporters you can lean on during the work.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading a lot of advanced review copies for other authors, but I’m also mixing that up by going old school…The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing and keep working with my agent and publisher to sell books, develop a community of readers, and keep trying to make each book better than the last.

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?
Given my current writing about a remote island, this question makes me nervous! Seriously, though, I’d bring Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, and The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard.

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Bob Freeman

Interview With Author Bob Freeman

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 4 volumes of the H2LiftShip series (total of 1100 pages) and published 4 short SciFi stories.
The H2LiftShip series is designed from the ground up in contrast to the standard modern tropes in the Star Wars/Trek series.
No flaming swords, no blasters, no exploding computers, and no aliens, if you don’t count the octopuses. Solar Sail cargo ships ply the heliosphere without the use of M-FTL (Magical Faster Than Light) rockets which only exist in movies and TeeVee shows.
We had three goals in the books:
1) use the word ‘dogarrhea’ in a sentence.
2) modify Einstein’s seminal equation as any good SciFi story should.
3) Design a space launch system that didn’t require rockets or magic to leave Mother Earth.
The series has been compared to “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” and “The Expanse” by various reviewers.

The author is a retired Public Health Microbiologist/Lab Director/LIMS Software designer and a confirmed science geek.
The Author has taken a long path to publication of his SciFi H2LiftShips SpaceOpera.
A graduate of Humboldt State University, receiving a BA in 1972 and completing a 2 year Master’s program in four short years.
We started our college career at UCLA, lasting two quarters before being asked to leave. On the positive side, weekends climbing in Yosemite and its environs was just as educational as book learning.

With expertise in anaerobic microbiology and writing an exorbitant number of tech manuals and protocols, the only logical path going forward was to write SciFi.

The author builds complex worlds, adds a few interesting characters, and lets them have at it.
The author began writing SciFi in 2021 at the tender age of 70 and has published four volumes of the H2LiftShip saga as well as short stories to date in various magazines.

Continuing our academic philosophy at Humboldt State University (now called Cal-Poly Humboldt), we explored the Trinity Alps while completing our coursework. We received a master’s degree while working on anaerobic bacteria digesting pulp mill wastes on a Department of Commerce grant.
Forced to work for a living, the author ran the pathogenic microbiology lab at Humboldt State until graduation, then ended up working as a microbiologist at the Imperial County Public Health Lab in El Centro, California.
The author spent 18 years in Public Health on the bench and as the Lab Director dealing with all the nasty bugs infecting humans. We spent our spare time writing a Laboratory Information system, which is still used in one State Laboratory.

Our H2LiftShip series and links to published short stories can be found at
https://www.h2liftship.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
H2LiftShips – Vol 4 – BosonsWave^2 was published in December 2023

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Catch as catch can

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Zelazny

What are you working on now?
We’re shopping around a short story (10k words) called ‘Time Slinky’ which has a novel approach to time travel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If I knew that, I wouldn’t have to fill out these surveys.
My website: https://www.h2liftship.com has all our information including purchase links to e-copies and paperbacks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t listen to advice

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t listen to advice

What are you reading now?
Too old, too tired for reading. All my time is spent writing and pushing my books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing short SciFi stories, unless something else catches my interest.

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 don’t take cruises and can’t afford a sailboat, so this question is moot.

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Selvan Srinivasan

Interview With Author Selvan Srinivasan

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Author Selvan Srinivasan, lives in Hyderabad with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of Hyderabad’s leading mental health services providing organisation, PFP Psychological Services Private Limited. He is a mentor guiding participants through an online program called Awareness Journey. He also teaches a course in Alternative Therapies to post graduate psychology students in a college in Hyderabad. He is a practitioner of energy medicine and a writer.

He has written and published three books so far and is on the pathway to write and publish the entire series “Tales from the Awareness Journey Series” which would have six fiction novels, each accompanied by a self help workbook over the next two years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When the idea of “Inner Alchemy” first took shape in my mind, I was conscious of the challenge that self-help books often face – the unconscious resistance that readers may experience when faced with a slew of instructions. It’s a natural response; we’ve all grown up with elders telling us what to do and what not to do all our lives. I wanted to circumvent this resistance by presenting the guidance in a different, more palatable form.

“Inner Alchemy” is a not your typical self-help book; it’s a light, entertaining story. I recognized that in the modern urban setting, people might be put off by a book that feels like another set of instructions. So, I chose to tell a story that almost everyone in such a setting could instantly relate to. Ayushi, the protagonist, represents the struggles and experiences that many individuals face in their day-to-day lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually travel to some faraway destination while writing my first draft and return for the more cumbersome and time-consuming process of editing and rewriting. For this book, I went on a four-month sojourn to some of the most breath-taking places in the US. These included the banks of Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, the Potomac River in Maryland, Tybee Island on the East coast, and San Diego on the west coast. Since it was a long trip, I managed to write the first draft of not only this book but also my next book.

I was away from my home in Hyderabad and, therefore, free from all my daily routines. I used to be a meticulous planner during my corporate years, but now, although I make plans in my mind and sometimes even write it down, I allow intuition to carry me through and do not have any rigid timelines or disciplines.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I continued on my journey, I met numerous spiritual mentors who profoundly impacted my personal evolution. My initial guide was Rishi Prabhakar, the creator of SSY, but I didn’t stop there. I immersed myself in a variety of spiritual teachings, including The Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Reiki (3rd Degree) in the Mikao Usui tradition, as well as courses in Duality and Transcendence by Jeffery Allen, Creative Manifestation by Eckhart Tolle, and Energy Medicine by Donna Eden. These experiences enriched my spiritual quest.

My reading choices also reflect the wide range of my spiritual influences. The works of Paramahamsa Yogananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and various Indian authors deeply resonated with me, while Western writers like Barbara Ann Brennan, Louise Hay, Stephen Covey, and James Redfield added more dimensions to my journey. This blend of Eastern and Western spiritual philosophies highlights my eclectic approach to embracing and understanding diverse spiritual perspectives.

What are you working on now?
“Inner Alchemy” is the inaugural piece of a series I’ve titled “Tales from the Awareness Journey series.” The narrative unfolds in the bustling city of Hyderabad, India, against the backdrop of the challenging year 2021. Ayushi, a young software professional, grapples with the complexities of urban existence when her life takes an unexpected turn.

The pivotal moment occurs when Ayushi encounters Ranjan, the architect of an online transformative experience known as the Awareness Journey. Intrigued by the promise of profound change, Ayushi decides to enrol in this mentoring program, setting the stage for a significant shift in her life’s trajectory. Ayushi, a character inspired by numerous real-life students from my mentoring program, meets Ranjan, also known as Oogway in the tales. Oogway, a fictional version of myself, becomes a guiding force in Ayushi’s life.

The Awareness Journey comprises six modules, each spanning a month of daily online mentoring, including guided meditation audios, training videos, texting, and video calls. Each novel in the series corresponds to a specific module, and “Inner Alchemy” is associated with the first one, “The Happy Place Module.”

Over the next two years, I plan to publish the remaining five novels in this series, each continuing the transformative journey that begins with “Inner Alchemy.” The unfolding narrative promises readers not just a story but a holistic experience that blends entertainment, wisdom, and self-discovery.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am a very introverted person mostly focussed on writing, individual mentoring and energy healing. I am still searching for ways to promote my books and am not happy with my own efforts or outcome so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a mentor, my advice is the same for everyone. Learn to be aware of your state of mind and come back to your “Happy Place Within” before doing anything important. Everything else will fall into place with ease when you operate from a grounded and present state of mind. Read my book to find out how to do this with utmost ease.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life can be smooth, easy, peaceful, and joyful despite the chaos and turmoil surrounding us. You only need to learn a few skilful things, as Ayushi did in the book, to transform your life. In fact, you need not learn too many things; you need not even embark on a journey into Awareness as Ayushi did. You can just enjoy reading a nice storybook, and while you are at it, you may find at least one easy tool that you can try out then and there and adopt it in your life.

This alone can bring about unimaginable improvements in your life situation, inspiring you to venture deeper. “Inner Alchemy” is not just a book; it’s a companion on your journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. So, I encourage you to seize the opportunity and order the book on Amazon. Its pages hold not only entertainment but also valuable guidance, offering a path toward a holistic, well-rounded life that many seek.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the PhD thesis of my daughter Aarathi Selvan on Mindfulness in Psychological counselling practice.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My task for the next two years is clear as I have already mentioned before. After that I have no idea what I would continue writing about but I am sure something will come up. It always comes up from the realm of my intuitive mind. One year ago, I had no clue that I am going to write and publish three books, it just happened!

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 will choose from the books written by Eckhart Tolle, Barbara Ann Brennon, Donna Eden and Luise L Hay.

Author Websites and Profiles

Selvan Srinivasan Amazon Profile

Selvan Srinivasan’s Social Media Links

Vanitha Vaidialingam Website

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Vanitha Vaidialingam

Interview With Author Vanitha Vaidialingam

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am now 65 years of age. I am a retired civil servant with 23 years of dedicated service to the Government of India in various managerial roles. Following my government tenure, I engaged in contractual collaborations with several private firms to assist the Indian Government in building their technological framework.
Currently, I spend my time writing books for Young Adults and children. I was awarded the Golden Book Award by Wings Publication International for my book “Close Encounters of the Mystical Kind”—an autobiographical work detailing my personal mystical experiences.
My husband, also a retired civil servant since 2017, shares my commitment to public service. He too, has contributed to the literary world with published collections of poems in Tamil.
Our two accomplished daughters have established themselves in their respective lives and are very successful in their careers. Currently, we revel in the joy of being grandparents to a delightful grandson, with another grandchild on the way.
Beyond our personal pursuits, we actively invest our time in imparting valuable life skills to underprivileged children from nearby slums. My writing is an extension of this. Over the years, we have successfully taught more than 100 children Spoken English and Basics of Computers. Our emphasis has been on teaching these children moral values and instilling in them the self-confidence necessary for their societal ascent. Our dedication extends beyond our individual achievements, as we strive to shape a brighter future for the younger generation.
I have written 13 books to date. I engage in diverse writing genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and technical works. My audience ranges from young adults to little children. Among my literary creations, you’ll find “The War Within,” a compilation of short stories, and “Close Encounters of the Mystical Kind,” an autobiographical piece. Catering specifically to children, I’ve penned fiction titles such as “Toby Finds a Home,” “The Brave Rabbit,” “The Adventures of Obe and Elwin,” and “Playing in the Rain.”
In addition to narrative works, I’ve ventured into creating activity books and coloring books tailored for children. On the technical front, I’ve authored two books on computer software: “MS Word Practice Exercises” and “Excel Practice Exercises,” with the latter gaining significant popularity in the United States.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a children’s book titled “Playing in the Rain”. It was inspired by my grandson, who loves playing in rain puddles with his friends. The character Tommy is modelled closely on my grandson. Like him, Tommy asks endless questions!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I consider myself a spontaneous writer, lacking a systematic approach. I don’t engage in making notes, outlining plots, or defining characters in advance. When inspiration strikes, I dive right into writing, allowing the book to organically take shape over a few hours or a day. The story, characters, and even illustrations seem to effortlessly materialize onto the paper.
Following this burst of creativity, a significant amount of time is dedicated to the editing process. I meticulously refine the pictures, tweak the story and characters, working to give the manuscript a cohesive form. This refining stage typically spans about a month, sometimes longer. I choose to publish when I sense that no further improvements can be made.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot, but I cannot specifically say that any single author influenced me the most in the creation of most of my books. The case is different with my autobiographical book. In that book I consciously tried hard to keep the narration flowing and simple in the style of Paramahamsa Yogananda’s book “Autobiography of an Yogi”.

What are you working on now?
As I said, I work on a number of books in parallel.
Non-fiction: “Practical Hinduism” and “Secret of the Upanishads”–these require intense attention, research and a specific elevated mood.
Fiction–“Cofee Bytes–a Collection of short stories”. I look around me to find the most suitable characters and events and weave them into my stories.
Children’s Book–“Tina and Tony go camping”–I like to illustrate them myself so it takes time.
Tech books–Practice Exercises for Web development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not been promoting my books at all. I assumed that I can just write them and put them out there and readers will find them. I have slowly come to realize that it does not work that way. I must direct my readers attention toward them. In January 2004, I entered the social media with an intent to market and promote my books. I am not very good at it yet. I am still finding my way. But surprisingly, the moment I entered the market to promote my books, organic sales picked up. I am impressed and excited!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Market and promote your books. Readers will not find them otherwise.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In one of the YouTube videos, the anchor said joining Facebook groups that help you promote your books, is one of the best things you can do. I think that was a wonderful tip. I have joined several now. I am not sure how much it is going to help my conversion rate yet, but I enjoy interacting with like-minded people. It is a pleasure to work with these groups. I am learning so much from them and they are helping me as much as, I feel, I am helping them.

What are you reading now?
Girin Babu, Some Tea? by A.K. Sharma

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing and more writing and of course lots of marketing, promoting and all that hard work. I would like to have my readers leave me reviews as it will help me grow as a writer and correct all the newbie mistakes that I am making.

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?
As many of the Harry Potter volumes that I can lay my hands on! I love J.K. Rowlings writing. It is fluid, smooth, attention riveting and the plots are well thought out and has perfectly welded parts.

Author Websites and Profiles

Vanitha Vaidialingam Amazon Profile

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Veneeta Singha Amazon Profile

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Veneeta Singha

Interview With Author Veneeta Singha

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer and communications consultant from Kathmandu, Nepal. As of now, I have written and published nine ebooks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book/novel is called ‘Persuasion and Silk’. The inspiration for the book, as with my other novels, is the social change paradigm that was wrested from the Nepali people over the last hundred years. Paradoxically, the changes we assumed to be important for our nation and societies were denied or disregarded and, concomitantly, unrest and socio-economic collapse were the projected norms. Amidst the throes of revolution and resistance, there were vital stories about everyday life in the country that have not been recounted and which merit more than just casual scrutiny.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Amartya Sen, Milan Kundera, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Vikram Seth and the authors in my literature studies curricula

What are you working on now?
I am working on my new novel as well as my photography project on post-quake heritage reconstruction in Kathmandu Valley.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
BOOKS2READ via Draft2Digital

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is a gift to be able to write well. They must learn to hone their craft while they write and rewrite.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Either we shall find what it is we are seeking or at least we shall free ourselves from the persuasion that we know what we do not know.”
― Plato, The Republic

What are you reading now?
I am reading a few news articles via digital media.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write better every day.

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?
Milton’s Paradise Lost, Dante’s Divine Comedy, T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, Thomas Bell’s Kathmandu

Author Websites and Profiles

Veneeta Singha Website

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Debbie Hightower Amazon Profile

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Debbie Hightower

Interview With Author Debbie Hightower

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired newspaper reporter who discovered that I couldn’t stop writing. Plus I always had a dream to go into outer space. Since there is no possibility of getting there any time soon, I create fictional characters to send on extra planetary adventures!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kon-Tiki. I had written a series of science-fiction novels about the colonization of a nearby exoplanet. Readers were curious about the nuts and bolts of that process. How did engineers discover and refine faster-than-light propulsion? And once they reach their new home, how are they going to get down to the planet from their super-colossal starship?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have an office in the traditional sense. I have a well-used laptop which I can take anywhere, including on camping trips. With my last novel, I didn’t use a dedicated outline. Instead, I wrote chapters in random order using the seat-of-the-pants method.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I cut my reader teeth on all of the classic science fiction authors. Lately, I have been enjoying a steady diet of action/adventure writers. Clive Cussler, Lee Child, David Baldacci. And some astronaut/ engineer memoirs as well. Jim Lovell, Neil Armstrong, Gene Kranz.

What are you working on now?
Studying about how Kindle Vella stories work. I think it would mesh well with the seat-of-the-pants method.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have had the greatest success publishing and promoting on Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a newspaper reporter, I am comfortable with research into various unfamiliar topics. If that isn’t your forte, write what you know. And being a prolific reader probably goes without saying. Read books in multiple genres. Read the bad stuff as well as New York Times and Washington Post bestsellers. In this manner an author will learn to differentiate between what truly resonates with readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Failure is not an option. And in Arnold Schwartzeneggar’s book he said there is no substitute for working your tail off.

What are you reading now?
Storm Prey by John Standford

What’s next for you as a writer?
Probably dive right into the world of Kindle Vella stories. Who knows where the next one will go!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh dear. I have a few bestsellers that I saving for a vacation or snowstorm. Only 3 or 4, huh? I may starve, because I would eat through that many in the first week. Let’s hope for a speedy rescue.

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Debbie Hightower’s Social Media Links

Mindy Killgrove Amazon Profile

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Mindy Killgrove

Interview With Author Mindy Killgrove

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mindy Killgrove is the author of the KATE KELLNER TRILOGY, the MISSY LAWRENCE TRILOGY, the novel ROYALLY ENGAGED, and is the creator of the RILEY ROUNDTREE SOCIAL STORY LEARNING ADVENTURE SERIES.

In 2013, shortly after its publication, MEET ME AT THE POND, the first book in the Missy Lawrence trilogy, was selected as the Reader’s Choice Award winner for “Chick Lit./ Romance” by the Blogger Book Fair group.

Most notably, Killgrove is a professional ghostwriter. She has penned one play, forty-one short stories, and thirty-six novels all while working as a freelance author.

In addition to crafting romance stories, Killgrove has devoted decades to creating classroom resources that can be used in grades K-12. More than 250 educational resources are available through her TeachersPayTeachers Store. Her work with the RILEY ROUNDTREE SOCIAL STORY LEARNING ADVENTURE SERIES is currently featured on her popular YouTube channel under the heading: THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE PRODUCTIONS.

Her past writing credits include working for the New London Record as a sports reporter and the Heidelberg University newspaper, the Kilikilik. Her work was also published in Heidelberg University’s Morpheus Literary Magazine.

She passed on her love of literature and athletics to her students for more than fifteen years as a teacher. In that time, she served as the advisor for a high school newsmagazine, the drama director, and the coach of various sports teams, including softball, girls basketball, dance, and cross country.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg University and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Killgrove is a member of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (ASGO), the Philalethean Society, and the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA). She lives in Orlando, Florida with her adoring husband and three rambunctious, but beautiful children. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s exploring local theme parks, lounging on the beach, or aiming to bake the very best chocolate chip cookies in the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m set to publish another book this week. It is entitled Meet Me at Blessed Creek and is the third book in the Missy Lawrence Trilogy. I began writing Missy’s story almost twenty years ago and have done a lot of work in the interim. When I moved away from ghostwriting and stepped back into my life as an indie author, I knew I needed to give Missy the ending she deserved. So, I hope readers will be pleased with the conclusion. I was inspired to write this series because I wanted to pay homage to the friendships that were so important to me when I was a new adult. It was during that time when I thought my pals were the most amazing group of people–and I still think they’re pretty fantastic. So, I wanted to create a character, Missy Lawrence, who is dedicated to her friends and loyal through thick and thin.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm. That’s such a good question. I suppose one thing I do that could be considered unusual is that I do my best writing early in the morning. I get up at four or five a.m. to begin my day. I like to spend time with my children and husband when they’re around, so I try to do my work in the morning, leaving the afternoons and evenings available for family time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors are Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, William Shakespeare, Lianne Moriarty, Sarah Henning, Julia Quinn, Gilbert Morris, and Jenny Hann.

What are you working on now?
Now that I’ve completed the Kate Kellner and Missy Lawrence Trilogies, I’m aiming to complete the Kanedy Production Trilogy. The first book, Royally Engaged, is currently available, but I’d like to have the follow-ups, Majestically Married and The Princely Prize, on the market before long. This new series is a contemporary romance that features the wealthy Kane family, who are a bit like American royalty. Each book features one of the siblings in the family, Finnegan, Jossalyn, and Jasen.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m mostly using BookFunnel right now, but I’m experimenting with BookBub. I’d love to find other outlets as well, but the testing process is slow-going.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’d encourage new authors to write what they know. And, if they wish to write about a topic they haven’t necessarily experienced for themselves, but find intriguing, try to do some research. When I was ghostwriting, I spent countless hours pouring over documents so I could write knowledgably about events and characters who lived hundreds of years ago. I won’t pretend that my writing was perfect, but I have a genuine respect for authors who do the research and try to match reality.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not sure where I got this advice, but I have accepted it as truth for as long as I can remember: Read your work aloud…to yourself. If you don’t like the way it sounds, change it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Happiness Falls by Angie Kim so I’m going to turn my attention to the past and explore works by the Bronte sisters. I’m a follower of and guest blogger for the Jane Austen Summer Program. We actively support Jane Austen & Co. Coming soon–in March of 2024, those groups are going to focus on Jane Austen and the Bronte Sisters books, so I’d like to be ready to full engage with those conversations. I’m thinking I’ll start by re-reading Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, then I’ll turn to The Professor.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m bouncing around the idea of trying my hand at becoming a screenwriter. I’d love to see some of my books converted so they could be shown on the Hallmark Channel or Netflix. We’ll see what happens with that notion. 😉

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 probably snag the most enormous tomes in my collection: Jane Austen’s Six Novels (Plus her unfinished works), the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, and the Complete Works of Charles Dickens.

Author Websites and Profiles

Mindy Killgrove Website

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Mike Sherer

Interview With Author Mike Sherer

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have had a screenplay produced and released direct to DVD. It is currently available on Amazon Prime. I have had 4 novels and 7 novellas released by indie publishers. Also, over 30 short stories published in magazines & anthologies. I have a new science fiction novel, ‘Flatlanders’ being released by WolfSinger on March 20. Another new science fiction novel, ‘World Tour’ is to be released later in the spring by Ink & Quill.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am currently working on a science fiction novel ‘A.R. – After Rafferty’. I may shorten the title to ‘After Rafferty’. It was inspired by Elon Musk’s statement that there are only a billion-to-one odds that we are living in a base reality (an actual world that is not a simulation). The likeliness that our world is a computer simulation is a scary thought.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best early in the morning alone in the silence of my basement while staring at a brick wall.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neal Stephenson (I’ve read all of his books), Thomas Pynchon (all of his, too), John Updike (especially like his Rabbit Trilogy), the entire Robert Jordan ‘Wheel of Time’ series.

What are you working on now?
‘A.R. – After Rafferty’. Lance is contacted by old childhood friend he hasn’t seen since high school in a curious manner. This draws him into the mystery of his friend Rafferty’s disappearance. Has he died? Been kidnapped? In hiding? Lost his mind? Turned traitor? Stolen secrets to sell to the highest bidder? Lance meets Rafferty’s boss Ethan, wife Bo, co-workers Tennessee and Oona, FBI agent Waneta, and private investigator Chase. And Lance’s sometime girlfriend Gladys also becomes involved. But learning the fate of Rafferty is only the beginning of this wild ride. The fate of mankind hangs in the balance of Rafferty’s unbalanced mind. And only Lance can persuade his friend not to destroy the world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook groups & Twitter (X), and also my WordPress site: https://mikesherer.org/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop. Keep writing. No matter what.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One yes is worth a thousand no’s.

What are you reading now?
‘Giving Up Your Ghosts’, by Jackson Arthur. I am always on the lookout for hidden gems. I read and review books written by indie writers I encounter in Facebook writing groups. The best sellers get enough publicity. I want to promote the new struggling indie writers. There is a lot of good stuff out there, you just have to search for it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Some short stories, in the science fiction & horror & fantasy genres. I’ve written 3 novels in a row, I’d like to do some shorter tales.

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?
John Updike’s Rabbit Trilogy & all the works of Thomas Pynchon, especially ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’.

Author Websites and Profiles

Mike Sherer Website

Mike Sherer’s Social Media Links

J S Aldridge Amazon Profile

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J S Aldridge

Interview With Author J S Aldridge

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have just finished and self-published my first book. I have always been creative, I love to entertain and after thirty years of being averagely successful in financial services I thought I would try and concentrate of what makes me happy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is Order of Draic; we used to live in a beautiful house in a small English village and we had a well in the back garden. My daughter was an infant at the time and I started to write a children’s story about a dragon that lived in the well. Over time the idea bubbled away until it had formed into a more adult, rounded story which I am telling. I am mid-way through the next installment and I think that perhaps there is a third book to finish everything off nicely.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am pretty unextraordinary in most aspects and the same is true of my writing habits. In my “day job” I can spend an unbelievable amount of time sitting on hold, waiting to speak to financial institutions being told “your call is important to us, please hold” so I use this time to make notes and come up with ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have tried to read a broad range of authors and genres, from James Herbert, Donna Tartt, Joseph Heller, John Irving, Irvine Welsh, to Edgar Rice Burroughs or Oscar Wilde. The book that impacted me the most was Diceman by George Cockcroft (Luke Rhinehart) – it made me laugh and cry and I carried a dice in my pocket for more than a decade afterwards.

What are you working on now?
I am still telling the story that I started in Order of Draic and the next installment is called “The Draco Grimoire” and hopefully will be out and available by July.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning this, so, ask me in a few years.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am still a newbie, but I would say be careful who you pay to “help” you; the world is full of people that will take your money and deliver nothing of value in return. Be patient if you are going to publish, the the process of editing and reviewing takes way longer than it appears. Finally, take a breath and set your work free – creativity is personal, not everyone will like your work, but, if enough people see it you will find those that will. Dont take any negative comments personally – listen to them as they could be valid but always remember it is easier to destroy than create.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Dont crew wasps

What are you reading now?
Peanut Butter Memoirs by David Wilson. We had a chat via facebook and it compelled me to read his work.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish this story off and get on with the next idea, which will be more sci-fi. Hopefully sell enough so that this will become my full time gig.

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?
Diceman – Luke Rinehart
Monkey Planet – Pierre Boulle
Wildness Survival for Dummies – Haslett

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J S Aldridge’s Social Media Links

Bonnie Stratton Amazon Profile

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Bonnie Stratton

Interview With Author Bonnie Stratton

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a young adult-fantasy-romance-writer based in Colorado. Alongside my husband and two sons, I enjoy many hobbies, including graphic design, skiing, camping, and baking with the kids.

I grew up in Long Island, New York, where I spent many years in a Special Ed classroom. Kids were so mean, always calling me stupid or illiterate. And, if it’s said to you enough times, you start to believe it. In my twenties, I got better at hiding my learning disabilities by being outgoing and funny. But adults can be crueler than kids. I once had a boss tell me I can’t get a raise until I learn to spell better, when he knew I had dyslexia.

Today I am a proud dyslexic. With the help of my family, I found the courage to embrace my learning disabilities, letting my imagination run free.

It took me over 13 years to write my first book… But I did it!!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just published my first book, My Forever Midnight, in the Forever Midnight series.

In 2008, my husband took me to see the movie Twilight. Who knew, after walking out of that theater, my life would dramatically change. I was dying to know what happened next, so the following day, I faced my fear of reading and bought my first book, New Moon. A week later, I was done with the series and wanted to read more. So, I did. Years later, after reading hundreds of fantasy books, I wanted to write my own book. But the fear of being called stupid again kept me from writing. That is, until one day, I was watching the movie Tangled with my oldest, when my mind birthed the world of Dragovin. From there, this storyline grew, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, with the support of my loving husband and two amazing boys, I found the courage and opened a new file in Word.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of… But I’ll keep trying to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Twilight by Stephanie Meyers.

What are you working on now?
Aside from marketing my new novel, My Forever Midnight, and designing all of the book adverts, I’m now editing book 2.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I guess I would have to say Facebook has helped me. But since I’m a newbie, I’m still learning.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up on your dream.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Always accept yourself the way you are.” Which I got from a fortune cookie. I have it taped right next to my laptop.

What are you reading now?
Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish up book 2 so readers can continue their journey with Andie and Lark.

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 Discovery of Witches
Lord of the Rings
Sookie Stackhouse – book 4 – Dead to the World.
Once Burned – Night Prince #1

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Bonnie Stratton Website

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Dee Martin

Interview With Author Dee Martin

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Jesus Freak follower of Yeshua who believes that there are good angels, bad angels and demons. The choices we make in life have consequences. I have one book published and one in progress.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Memoir of a vampire from a born again teenager. Inspired by my youthful inquisition of the unseen realm.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I am aware of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dean Koontz, when I was young loved his book called Watchers (which, interesting enough, is a classic of angels)

What are you working on now?
Book about werewolves

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
?

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have fun, write for love of writing not fame or fortune

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Talk less , say more

What are you reading now?
Where the crawdads sing

What’s next for you as a writer?
Street ministry

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?
Bible, the apocryphal, and one of the many books out there on edible wild plants (lol)

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Ashton Scholl

Interview With Author Ashton Scholl

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a creator, lover of life and all it has to offer, and passionate about skateboarding, and my faith. I have written and published two books so far. My first book is more youth mystery and black magic. The second book is a children’s book and a mixture of my story and the art of youth skateboarding.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cement Dreams: A Skaters Journal is my latest book. I was inspired by where I am in life right now, and how far I’ve grown as a teenager and in skateboarding. I wrote this book to draw more attention to the sport with the younger generation.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ha, that it takes me forever! Not really. Most of the time I am on my board so my books come from thoughts I have that I jot down or stem from an idea I have and when I get time I sit down, write it out, and work with my mom to piece it all together.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tony Hawk, Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder inspired me to put the idea for Cement Dreams: A Skaters Journal together.

What are you working on now?
Focusing on skateboarding and getting ready for competitions. I would like to put out a comic book eventually.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neoskittlez/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do it for a paycheck do it because you love to write and connect with other readers around the globe.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That normal is just a word that does a lot of damage.

What are you reading now?
The Hunger Games

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just going to continue to push my creativity and run towards the book rather than away from it.

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 don’t have favorites. I truly love reading anyone’s work.

Author Websites and Profiles

Ashton Scholl Website

Ashton Scholl’s Social Media Links

Brian Bensching Amazon Profile

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Brian Bensching

Interview With Author Brian Bensching

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY in 1976. I moved to South Carolina in 2012. I have been a born again Christian since 1997. I am CEO of Hope For The World Ministries a Christian nonprofit that I started in 2014. This is my first book that I have written but I have also written articles about poverty and hunger.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book is The Love Of God: How We Should Love. It is based on 1 Corinthians chapter 13. This book was written about how we should love our neighbor. With all the stuff going on in this world today this was the perfect time to write about this subject.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I am aware of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Jeremiah and Adrian Rogers.

What are you working on now?
I am currently in the process of writing my second book title Love One Anther.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
None right now but I am just learning about promoting books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Continu on and never give up.

What are you reading now?
Working on promoting my first book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish my second book.Oh this is a hard one

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh this is a hard one. The first one I know I would bring is the Bible. Other than that I can’t be too sure which ones they would be but it would either be from David Jeremiah and Adrian Rogers.

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Brian Bensching’s Social Media Links

V.Ophelia Rigault Website

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V.Ophelia Rigault

Interview With Author V.Ophelia Rigault

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a highly accomplished professional with a Master’s degree in Education specializing in Educational Leadership. With over 20+ years of experience in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion, I am a sought-after Speaker and Trainer. I am also the owner of Real Talk Solutions, a company dedicated to providing training in equity and diversity to inclusive leaders and organizations.

I am passionate about creating communities of belonging, and I am committed to partnering with inclusive leaders and organizations to foster equitable and inclusive work cultures and communities.

Through my engaging keynote speeches, impactful training sessions, community-building initiatives, and media appearances, I actively promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Having personally experienced exclusion based on gender and race, I bring a deep understanding and empathy to my work. Drawing on my extensive background as a business consultant, entrepreneur, educator, and mindset coach spanning over 20 years, I possess a unique ability to engage diverse groups of people across various sectors.

My expertise lies in facilitating difficult conversations about race, gender, privilege, mental health awareness, and equity. I empower HR managers, business owners, and community leaders to develop their equity-building skills and create spaces where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.

Approaching my work with empathy, compassion, and encouragement, I am dedicated to forging a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was inspired to write my first book, The CAREING Leader, because, during my time completing my masters in education, I noticed the challenges faced by full-time students and business owners in balancing their responsibilities. I wanted to create a book that would provide research-based insights on leadership, equity, and diversity in a digestible format, emphasizing the importance of caring and seeing people as human beings to be truly inclusive leaders.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have any unusual writing habits; I simply need to be in the right mood, have some solitude, and create a peaceful and calm environment to write.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Through my website, showing up on social media and by doing in-person book readings. I find my friends, family and strategic partners are really my biggest supporters. I have also found a lot of great connections and support through a local women-identifying entrepreneurial group. https://www.vopheliarigault.com/the-careing-leader-book

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to writers is to take it step by step, not feeling pressured to write the entire book at once. Start with smaller pieces and gradually bring them together.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve received, from my mother, is to never let anyone, not even myself, steal my joy. This advice has helped me navigate tough times and appreciate both the good and bad experiences in my life.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently engrossed in “The Two Lives of Sarah” by Katherine Adele West, the author of “Saving Ruby King.” The book is set in 1960s Memphis, portraying a young mother finding solace in a boarding house where family extends beyond blood ties, capturing the essence of being Black in that era.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The next step for me as a writer is to focus on promoting my current book and developing it into a training tool for creating courses on caring leadership. I believe the future of my leadership book lies in collaborating with real-life leaders to incorporate self-care and resilience, as their ability to lead impacts the realization of equity.

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?
Some of my favorite authors include romance novelists like Danielle Steel and Barbara Cartland from my teenage years. Later on, I delved into horror, crime stories, and classics by authors such as Stephen King, John Grisham, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, bell hooks, and James Baldwin.

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V.Ophelia Rigault Amazon Profile

V.Ophelia Rigault’s Social Media Links

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Ray Sandhu

Interview With Author Ray Sandhu

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Ray Sandhu. Every writer breathes in their imagination, so do I. A phenomenal storyteller who has chosen my imagination to turn my vision of what a story can be into reality through novels and books to represent my tremendous talent that most people, prized to read. I have always been fond of tales I used to hear in my childhood from my grandparents. When the tales used to conclude, my curiosity used to arise about what would happen next, and this led me to create the stories afterward.
Later, in my early teenage years, I never really was interested in any other study than English literature in which I used to stick to different lessons, always understood the central idea of the chapter, and answered all the questions without even giving that chapter another glance. With the teacher’s each sentence, I used to imagine each and every scene of that particular story.
After going through several jobs and professions, I realized that my actual talent was none other than writing stories. This happened when I lost my father when I was just twenty years old. My father’s demise has broken me emotionally and practically, that I was not able to see any hope of proceeding in my life further. Being the only son, I tried several workings in my life and got a little successful but was still not satisfied with the professions I was in, I did not get that joy spot in there.
This was the turning point of my life. The heartbroken me of my Father’s departure finally started getting a light of doing something extraordinary in my life through my writing. Then I wrote different short stories, further used to tell my friends and the majority of people interested. My friends used to freak out and really loved the way I told the stories, especially the horror ones. I finally chose it as a lifetime career and got ready to reach out this time to the whole world to entertain through my novels and stories.

This novel “Mystery & Horror: of Dead lady, Ghosts and The Witches in Mitilyn.” is one of the finest works of mine. In this book, you would witness the suspense in each chapter way more than the previous. All the characters in the story are fictional, not real. They are just for entertainment. So, enjoy this fabulous scary tale and experience one of the most suspenseful thrillers in history. Further, I am coming with a lot of brilliant novels and thrillers. My vision is to create history through novels, books, and movies in my lifetime. So, stay tuned. Let’s do this together.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Absolutely, the title “Mystery & Horror: of Dead Lady, Ghosts, and The Witches in Mitilyn” not only suggests a captivating blend of mystery and horror but also hints at the exploration of old witchcraft, adding an extra layer of intrigue for readers interested in supernatural themes and historical elements. It’s a title that draws readers in and promises an immersive journey into the world of Mitilyn and its mysterious past.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Your unusual writing habit of immersing yourself fully into your stories, to the point where it feels real as you write, is quite remarkable. This deep level of engagement likely contributes to the authenticity and immersive nature of your storytelling, allowing you to deliver exceptional suspenseful experiences on every page of your book. It’s a testament to your dedication and passion for crafting compelling narratives.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I find inspiration in the works of authors such as Stephen King, Dennis Lehane, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and J.K. Rowling. Their writing has always resonated with me, and for my latest novel, I drew particular inspiration from Stephen King’s “The Shining” and Dennis Lehane’s “Shutter Island.” These captivating stories have deeply influenced my own writing, guiding me as I craft my own suspenseful tale.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m immersed in crafting my second novel, a science fiction odyssey delving into the enigmatic realms of space and black holes. Within its pages, I aim to unravel the breathtaking beauty and hidden mysteries of the cosmos, while also exploring themes of love and the profound distances that separate us. It’s a journey that blends adventure with introspection, promising readers an unforgettable exploration of the universe’s wonders and complexities.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I utilize marketing strategies and collaborate with Awesome Gang to promote my books effectively.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
An advice for new authors: Keep working diligently on your craft. Never sacrifice the quality of your creativity for the sake of rushing. If you possess that spark within you, rest assured that you will eventually seize your opportunity to shine.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice “Anything the mind of a man can conceive, it can achieve” is incredibly powerful and resonant. It speaks to the limitless potential of human imagination and determination. With belief in oneself and dedication to one’s goals, there are truly no limits to what can be accomplished. It’s a reminder to embrace creativity, dream big, and persevere in pursuit of our aspirations.

What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m indulging in the pages of my own creation, “Mystery and Horror of the Dead Lady, Ghosts, and the Witches in Mitilyn,” alongside the timeless adventures penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the iconic Sherlock Holmes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As an author and writer, I am poised to ignite a revolution in the writing industry in the upcoming years. With a plethora of ideas and novels at my disposal, I am committed to delivering works that will stand the test of time and make history. My ultimate goal is to adapt my stories into captivating movies and even take on roles in some of them, bringing my narratives to life on the big screen in a truly immersive way.

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?
On a deserted island, I would bring along two non-fiction books and two fiction books. For fiction, I’d choose my own novels and Dennis Lehane’s “Shutter Island.” As for non-fiction, I’d opt for “Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay and “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Dr. Joseph Murphy.

Author Websites and Profiles

Ray Sandhu Website

Ray Sandhu Amazon Profile

Ray Sandhu’s Social Media Links

April Tompkins Amazon Profile

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April Tompkins

Interview With Author April Tompkins

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write women’s fiction, with two full novels and seven novellas in my collection so far.

I used to write and record songs with my band (we’re on Spotify!), but now I concentrate on writing prose.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest, released on February 19, is called Lies and Love. My stories are all set in small towns and I wanted to use the Black Hills of South Dakota as a setting this time, so I plopped my main character down in a fictional tourist town there and watched her life unfold.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t plan out my books. I develop a main character, a setting, and usually the main character’s occupation and then things happen to her. I never know what’s going to occur, but my characters have found themselves in some unusual situations.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think I draw from all the authors I read, and I love discovering great writing styles.

What are you working on now?
The second novel I wrote (as quite a novice) didn’t turn out well, so I’ve decided to condense it into a novella. I still like the storyline, and now that I’m a much better writer, I believe I can make something out of it. That said, I’m itching to begin a new story as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve used many. I do like Goodreads, because I can usually find a few ARC readers by posting in a few of the groups there. As an unknown author, I try to take advantage of as many opportunities as I can find to promote my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a book that you would like to read. Don’t try to please someone else before you please yourself. In other words, be genuine.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t overthink it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Matthew Perry’s memoir.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll soon be ready to begin a new novella. I think this time my main character is going to buy and refurbish an old roadside motel.

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’m partial to true crime and great true crime writers, so In Cold Blood for sure, probably Executioner’s Song. I might take Stephen King’s “On Writing” with me as well.

Author Websites and Profiles

April Tompkins Website

April Tompkins’s Social Media Links

Joan Havelange Amazon Profile

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Joan Havelange

Interview With Author Joan Havelange

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Canadian author, a world traveller and an enthusiastic golfer. I’ve acted in little theatre, and I have directed. I have found that writing is a lot like directing, except all my characters show up on time. And all know their lines. Although sometimes they do go off in a direction I hadn’t anticipated. Travelling to over 50 countries also helps with my writing. I have written two cozy mysteries that take place in countries I have visited. The biggest challenge to writing travel cozies is not to make them a travel log. And I have succeeded. My readers tell me that they see the country through my protagonist’s eyes. But it doesn’t take away from the mystery.
I have written four cozy mysteries. One thriller and a historical mystery. My Cozy mysteries are Wayward Shot, Death and Denial, The Trouble with Funerals, The Suspects, Murder Exit Stage Right. The thriller Moving is Murder was published in September of last year. My Historical mystery is The Séance Murders. The launch date is April.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Moving is Murder was published in September of last year. Writing cozy mysteries is great fun. And my readers enjoy them. My thriller, Moving is Murder, starts out like a cozy, then takes a 90-degree turn. My inspiration was what would happen if my protagonist’s instincts were off the mark and she trusted the wrong person.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to write every day for at least two hours. In the winter, I write in the morning after going to the gym. In the summer I write in the afternoon. I golf in the morning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Yvonne Rediger, Linwood Barclay, MC Beaton, Richard Osman, Mick Herron.

What are you working on now?
The Blonde Widow

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book clubs on Facebook and Twitter, now renamed X. And book newsletters like Awesome Gang. And guest blogs.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. Keep writing. There are many books published every year. But none from your point of view.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The first draft is a story you’re telling yourself. Then edit, edit and then edit again.

What are you reading now?
Bad Actors by Mich Herron.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going back to the cozy mystery genre with The Blonde Widow. But I have fallen in love with writing thrillers. So stay tuned.

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?
Anything by Richard Osman, Mich Herron or Yvonne Rediger.

Author Websites and Profiles

Joan Havelange’s Social Media Links

Priscilla Savage Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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Priscilla Savage

Interview With Author Priscilla Savage

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer at heart. Writing has always been a part of me for as long as I can remember; and Romance Fiction tops the list of things I like to write about. I am passionate about crafting captivating stories that transport readers to a world of forbidden, spicy, feel-good romance, and paranormal adventures. I currently reside in Georgia, US, with my husband, where we enjoy communicating with people, traveling, and building our business together – just to mention a few.
I’ve currently written five books – two are published on Amazon and three more will be published soon. I am also planning a sequel to a standalone book in a series.
You can find more about me by searching ‘lewascrom’ on Instagram, Tiktok, and Patreon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Under the Lesser Light is the book I published a few days ago. It’s a paranormal-romance book that is very dear to my heart. One of the things that inspired me to write it was my love for this KDrama called My Love From The Stars.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I guess you could call writing while listening to authors on YouTube talk and vlog a habit. Also, I love writing while listening to music that just keeps me in the mood and vibe of the story/scene that I am working on. And sometimes, I change positions where I write, and I sometimes move from writing on my laptop to writing on my phone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter Family series and A Voice In The Wind by Francine Rivers.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on drafting a Nigerian romance book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now I use Wattpad because I have a audience there. My Wattpad is @lewascrom if you want to check it out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, keep writing and truly enjoy the process. First of, write what you want to read. Your audience will follow. Also, if you are not on any free writing platforms, join one like Wattpad where you can start building your audience.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Enjoy writing first.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a non-fiction book called Read To Lead.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Building a strong email list on my website is something I am definitely looking to do.

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 Voice In The Wind by Francine Rivers
Awelewa (Most Beautiful) by Yours truly
Fame by Karen Kingsbury

Author Websites and Profiles

Priscilla Savage Website

Priscilla Savage’s Social Media Links