Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Originating in Brooklyn New York, I’m the author of three novels, Leaky Faucet, Children of Lebanon, and What Up, Blood?, all currently available on amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, What Up, Blood? My inspiration for the novel was my past life, and the lives of my friends. I felt like telling a piece of my story in the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say, I write when I’m in the mood. When I get started, though, I find it difficult to stop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Patterson is one of my major influences. His consistent work ethic has drawn me into web.

What are you working on now?
I just completed another novel, and am working on the final entry to the Leaky Faucet and Children of Lebanon saga.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon ads, Facebook and Instagram ads, and by word of mouth. I also sell physical copies of my book on the street.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be consistent. If James Patterson, maybe the most success author of our time, can put out, at least, 10 books a year, who are you to only put out one? Keep writing and releasing material.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To keep writing.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading over my novel Leaky Faucet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To release, at least, five more books before the end of the year.

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?
Leaky Faucet, Children of Lebanon, and What Up, Blood?

Author Websites and Profiles
N.E. Nugent Amazon Profile

N.E. Nugent’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Litigation Lawyer with over ten years litigation experience. I live in the centre of England and found writing to be enjoyable. In my spare time, I enjoy reading thriller novels and playing the piano. I have written two books and have found the experience to be wonderful, challenging and rewarding.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Walsbury Justice: Sanctuary is the latest and is the first in a crime series that I plan on writing. I love reading thriller books and a lot of effort in many books goes into all the events of the crime and how they catch the criminal; however, not many, if any, books go through all of the events and then show if they actually manage to lock the criminal up. This inspired me to write a book that covers both.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think many writers have at least something unusual in their writing habits and mine would be creating multiple lists of how the characters are connected to each other and writing a back story for each.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me in my life. Most recently would be John Grisham and Harlan Coben.

What are you working on now?
I’m plotting the second book in the Walsbury Justice series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a specific method. I tend to use different options that are available at the time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop and keep going. Also, edit, edit and once more edit. It is best to re-read your book many times to ensure that you are happy with it and that you have ironed out any errors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep learning and you’ll learn something new every day.

What are you reading now?
John Grisham Runaway Jury

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue writing the series Walsbury Justice

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 stay alive, the ultimate survival guide from Bear Grylls. That’s because if I’m stuck on an island, his advice could save me.
Runaway Jury by John Grisham because that is the book I’m currently reading and I’d want to know how it ended.
The Stranger by Harlan Coben and the Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Carl Raybould Amazon Profile

Carl Raybould’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an African-American author/writer of Cameroonian descent. As a career Social worker, I had a deep passion for history and creative arts. I tapped into film writing and acting with films like “The Rize & Fall of Tephlon Ent.”, “Bug Love”, and “The First Purge”. In more recent years, I turned my focus to embracing my African lineage. Upon deep study and research of great African kingdoms, I set his heart on Ancient Egypt as his first project as an author. As of 2017, I began my campaign tours in which I gave educational seminars, conferences, and lectures in the USA, spreading the awareness of Ancient African Mysteries.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power” is my first and latest novel. I questioned the validity of prior novel and film depictions of the imagery of the ancient Egyptians, who were in fact, African people. I wanted to tell the story from a African perspective.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I tend to wake up in the middle of the night and start writing. My thoughts flow after I dream a bit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alex Haley, Stephen King, and JK Rowlings.

What are you working on now?
I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power the Golden Age Edition and Children’s Book.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what is dear to you heart. By this, you will not loose the passion to finish the project.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Do what you love, and love what you do”

What are you reading now?
“The African Presence in America: They Came before Columbus” By Ivan Van Sertima

What’s next for you as a writer?
I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power the Golden Age Edition and Children’s Book. I believe this is important for youth and society to see great history along with diversity. The world is becoming more and more diverse, and we must eliminate the Eurocentric/western idea that Africans were primitive and insignificant in the historical record. In fact, we all originate from Africa, because Africa is where all civilization began.

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?
NWT Bible, Roots, Shaka Zulu, I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power

Author Websites and Profiles
Emmanuel Kulu Website
Emmanuel Kulu Amazon Profile

Emmanuel Kulu’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Craig Rainey I am an American film actor, author, screenwriter, and musician. I was born in San Angelo, Texas and I now live in Austin. My Texas roots hail back to the original Impresario settlers of Coahuila y Tejas under Stephen F. Austin. I cowboyed professionally in south Texas. My published novels include Massacre at Agua Caliente, Stolen Valor, a Carson Brand Novel, and Dark Motive is set for release Summer 2020. As a screenwriter, my scripts have won numerous awards at film festivals including: Best Narrative Period Piece, Most Likely to be Produced as a Movie, and was Official Selection for many more. I won Best Breakout Writer for the script Massacre at Agua Caliente.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Stolen Valor, A Carson Brand Novel. I have always been a fan of spy novels but I always find that the hero tends to be kind of a social dork. He is always a baddass, I’ll admit, but he seems to be written by someone who has never been on a date. We are authors, right? How cool can we be? Carson Brand is an everyman who winds up in a very tough position when his best friend is murdered. The book is the pilot novel in a series. The second book, Dark Motive, A Carson Brand Novel is nearly complete and should hit book stores mid Summer 2020. Stolen Valor was inspired by many of the experiences I had in my own life. Many of the characters are based upon personalities I have encountered in my life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I travel a lot so I tend to write at my desk in my office at home when I am in town (Austin, TX) but I use my IPad with a full-sized keyboard when I am elsewhere. Every book begins in handwriting on my MoleSkin notepad which is always with me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a youth, I started reading the usual children’s books for the time. But as I matured, I developed a love for westerns. It likely had to do with my west Texas roots. I loved Max Brand. He was the master of western dialogue. His prose were exquisite turns of phrase, seasoned with a genuine delivery as only denizens of the old west could achieve. Zane Gray soon entered my worn paperback collection. My first Zane Gray novel was “Man of the Wilderness.” His descriptions were palpable and compelling. If he described cold and wet misery, I reached for a blanket. Hot desert scenes had me on my feet desperate for a glass of water. As I have gotten older I am a huge fan of Mark Helprin’s Soldier of the Great War.

What are you working on now?
I am 250 pages and 52,000 words into the sequel to Stolen Valor. It is titled Dark Motive, A Carson Brand Novel. It ties up some loose ends from the first book and begins a new harrowing obstacle for which Brand will risk his life to overcome.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am regularly reviewed favorably by OnLineBookClub.org. I create biblets through Bowker. I create landing pages for each book. I optimize the Meta Keywords and headers to climb the search engines as much as possible. I, of course, am on Amazon. My two novels are in Barnes and Noble’s throughout Texas. I try to visit as many as I can in person. I also gift author’s copies to reviewers when I can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The key to the author business is the business. Pay the money for professional cover art. Invest in an interior template for your books. Study the available self-help books available. Edit your work before anyone sees it. Create characters that are believable and flawed. Above all, make sure your work is interesting, compelling, and creative.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
James J Kirkpatrick who wrote “The Writers Art” said if you write one book you are an author. If you write several you are a writer. Be prolific. The more you work the writing muscle, the better you will be at it.

What are you reading now?
I am re-reading Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. HIs process is reasonable in its concept and practice. However, it is very detailed. Story structure is everything. I am a student, even at my age.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Dark Motive is published, I plan to write a SciFi novel. I have a great concept and it needs a good hook, which I am working on.

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 Larry McMurtry or Zane Gray.

Author Websites and Profiles
Craig Rainey Website
Craig Rainey Amazon Profile

Craig Rainey’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have ten books published. Officially I have written sixteen books. Some are in that holding queue waiting for a publication yes or no. And some, well the early ones were part of the learning curve and really weren’t ready to be published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Tears We Never Cried was inspired by my father’s battle with Alzheimer’s. While the inspiration was real life, the book is completely fiction. I never had to act as a full-time caregiver but I wondered what it might be like if it was only you and your parent. What if you had to move home and take care of them as they slid into the darkness of dementia? What if you were fighting a mid-life crisis and the possibility of romance appears at the bleakest point of your life? What if your parent wasn’t exactly who you’d thought them to be all these years – what if they had secrets – secrets that affect who you think you are as a person?

It was that list of questions that got things going and the story was one of the easiest to write. And, of course, I couldn’t resist – the boy you went to high school with – he’s all grown up and not such a geek anymore.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a pair of bunny slippers – courtesy of a friend. She would always tease me about wearing bunny slippers to write and presented me with a pair a few years ago. Other than that, I have a writing sweater and my classical music that often plays in the background. If not classical, Etta James. Otherwise – I don’t think I have any quirks.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lavryle Spencer, Stephen King, Taylor Caldwell. That’s only three and there are so, so many more. I read across the board – fiction, non-fiction, romance to literary to horror to whatever book is sitting on that shelf. I’m just a bookworm, always have been.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a series of suspense with six former members of the female engagement team that last served in Afghanistan. They are all working privately now and each of them will have their own story. The first begins in Afghanistan where two of them are trying to bring down a human trafficking ring.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are so many ways. a) Talk about them, hit up the local media. Get them out there on your own blog and website. Connect with other authors – they’re readers too. Connect with book bloggers. And then, of course, are the online promotion sites – there’s too many to list. But, one of the methods I like best lately is newsletter swaps.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a writers group and join. Learn everything you can. Pick a genre and schedule time. Write every day. If you have trouble with what to write about – grab one of those great interactive writing books that ask daily questions and give prompts on what to write about.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As Nora Roberts famously said – butt in chair. I’m not sure if that was the exact quote but truly you do have to put in the work.

What are you reading now?
Stephen King – If It Bleeds

What’s next for you as a writer?
A series – suspense with a hint of romance or romantic suspense, my characters haven’t decided.

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?
Gone With the Wind, The Stand, a survival guide

Author Websites and Profiles
Ryshia Kennie Website
Ryshia Kennie Amazon Profile

Ryshia Kennie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A over protective parent! First child.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MarDale is a combination of two middle names. The first is an abbreviated version of my wife’s Marie hence “Mar”. Naturally the “Dale” is rather obvious being mine. I wanted to honor all the woman who have inspired, guided, lifted, and put me in my place over the last fifty-nine years. None has done more in molding me into an upright man than my beloved best friend and wife of thirty-five years. Geneva

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I have a an aversion to reveling my unusual writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Namely, Ray Bradbury, Truman Capote, Mark Twain, H. G. Wells, Jack London, and Charles Dickens. All of which had no formal education. None had so much as a high school diploma. It is in my opinion passion and discipline equals liberty.

What are you working on now?
Try to get this sucker off the ground and flying! If I can receive at least twenty positive reviews, then a sequel to “MarDale” will be worth working on. Bringing to the reader’s attention, “MarDale” was a combination of three years of blood, sweat, tears and lunatic fringe laughter. I have a difficult time justifying returning to the “thunder-dome” without some positive feedback

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It always pays to research book promotion methods. If an author any author believes writing your cherished masterpiece and placing it on the web, expecting instant acclaim and notoriety. Then one is either severely naive or deluded. Plan to work and study at least twice as much promoting your book as it did writing

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, take notes of “eureka” thoughts the instant they happen. Most times if lost in the short-term memory file, they’re gone forever. Remember your life experiences will be the sub-conscious influences. Do your best to destroy any filters and express on paper first then consider later. Always lay out a structured direction for your first draft. I know sounds contrary to what I just previously stated. Nevertheless, without a formulated wide range plan. Your art dies. It’s a marriage of innermost expression married with discipline.

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

What are you reading now?
The oldest surviving and most intriguing manuscripts known to mankind. These ancient scripts have influence every major philosophy, religion, political landscape(s), and human endeavors for the last ten thousand years. Currently, eight of the ten most intelligent people on the face of the earth believe these incredibly old writings. They are so contentious those who profess or deny their validity, can never walk away after reading them, and not be changed!
I’m now studying a section written about the first Roman soldier this ancient Jewish founder of script has persuaded:
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m leaning towards some non-fiction work. “Truth indeed is stranger than fiction.”

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 Survive on a Deserted Island.” “Make a G.P.S distress signal out of coconuts!” “Isolation, the upside to loneliness.” and the Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
JD Lightner Author Profile on Smashwords

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Rym from algeria I wanted to share my real life love tragedy story to the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stolen love

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Helen Oyeyemi

What are you working on now?
not working

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
no

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Dream bigger

What are you reading now?
The Farm, Joanne Ramos

What’s next for you as a writer?
this my first and final work

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring a book how to survive on a desert island

Author Websites and Profiles
BOULAKOUAS Rym Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is the first of three books that I’ve published so far, all covering the same period, the mid-19th-century in England and Australia. I’ve always had a strong interest in history, particularly mediaeval Scottish history and the 19th-century British Empire, when so much was happening that affects our lives today. I like to paint a picture with words, I’ve been told that, at times, my style is quite Dickensian with its atmospheric portrayal of foggy days and the dangerous London streets and slums. If so, I’ve achieved one of my aims.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘Bushranger Gold’. It’s about a notorious event that received a lot of coverage at the time although it is forgotten today – the hold-up of a gold escort near Melbourne in the mid-19th-century. It was, in some ways, the Great Train Robbery of its day and there are many twists and turns to the story which is what makes it so fascinating. While Ned Kelly is the archetype of the bushranger and he is known the world over, Frank Gardiner preceded him. He was probably the first “celebrity” bushranger and part of the story covers his early life. I first came across this event when researching my series, “The Helots’ Tale” which is all about the lives of my wife’s great great great grandparents who were transported to Australia in the 1830s –now that’s a real story of triumph over adversity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know how you would describe unusual in that every author probably has their own way of going about things but I find that once I start writing the story – after having done my research – it tends to take on a life of its own. Sometimes it goes places I never imagined when I started and it can be quite exciting and even thrilling to follow the story along. I write when the muse catches me rather than dedicating a specific time to write but I find that once I get started, a few hours can pass very quickly.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was quite young, Charles Dickens was undoubtedly the greatest influence. His storytelling and the way he created three-dimensional pictures has never left me as it has never left the world at large of course. Arthur Conan Doyle with his Sherlock Holmes stories were a staple as I grew up and more recently, Nigel Tranter with his stories about Scottish mediaeval history has been an influence – particularly his Robert the Bruce trilogy. I also thoroughly enjoy the works of CJ Sansom.

What are you working on now?
I’m staying in the mid-to late 19th century in Australia. Melbourne this time, where I’m creating a detective story that will weave fact with fiction. I have the plot developed but it’s early days at the moment as I start building the characters. I’m looking forward to where the story is going to lead me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Most of my life I have spent working as a business executive or serving on not-for-profit boards. So promotions have been things done on behalf of others not myself. Ask me any year or two and I’ll have a better answer!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start! There are always a thousand reasons why you don’t write and a thousand other things that you need to be doing. But if you have a book in you, you owe it to yourself (and your potential readers) to put pen to paper or, these days, finger to keyboard, or perhaps voice to microphone. If it is to be, you will find that, magically, the pages begin to grow and the book begins to grow on you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have benefited many times over from the advice of others but perhaps the single thing that has stuck is ‘do what you say you will do’. My family motto stretching back through the centuries is “Semper Fidelis’ – the US marines have adopted it too, but we were there first! It means ‘Always Faithful’ and that, too has been a watchword that dovetails well with that advice.

What are you reading now?
Currently reading “Lord of the Isles” by Nigel Tranter – the story of Somerled, founder of the Scottish clans, MacDonald, MacDougall, McDonnell and McAllister. As somebody once said, you can take the boy out of Scotland but you can’t take Scotland out of the boy!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m really looking forward to writing my next book. It will be a change of pace in that the “hero” will be a work of fiction unlike the three books I’ve already written which are based on real lives. It will still require research because I’m going to weave historical events and real people into the story but it will provide much more room for my imagination!

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 Christmas Carol by Dickens because Christmas will always be a special time, a Sherlock Holmes anthology (cheating here as that covers all the stories), the Bruce trilogy (another multi-book selection I’m afraid) and a thick self-help book of some kind because I’m sure I would need it!

Author Websites and Profiles
David Cairns of Finavon Amazon Profile

David Cairns of Finavon’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a mother and homemaker, currently living in the American U.S., though in the past I’ve lived in the Mid East and Asia as well. I enjoy lots of creative activities, and while I’ve been writing my whole life, this is my first published book. I’ve got more planned, though, so stay tuned.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is a short romance called “Wrong Place, Right Time.” It was inspired, at least in part, by my own relationship with my husband. Some of the other themes it deals with are inspired by the years spent in some of our world’s less happy places. So yes, this romance is not all sunshine and fun, but I believe the story it tells is important.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to drink tea when I write. I often write early in the morning or at night (active boys.) But I couldn’t say I thought either of those things was terribly unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely the classics! Homer, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Austen, etc. And the Bible.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a suspense story, set in the same “world” as this romance, but with (mostly) different characters. Hoping to have it published before the end of next year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very new to this business, so I’ve only got promotions on a few sites. More to come, if all goes well. I’m sure Awesome Gang is going to be great promotion, though.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hmmm, I am a new author, so I think I should be the one asking for advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hard question, for sure. But if I had to boil it all down I think it would have to be, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

What are you reading now?
I’ve got more writing than reading going on at the moment. With the exception of kids’ books, of course.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to complete the (loosely connected) five book series I’ve begun and get them all published! This may take a while…

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Besides some kind of “Desert Island Survival Guide for Idiots,” I’d bring my Bible, a volume of G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown mystery stories, and The Brothers Karamazov.

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, my real name is Emanuel Lira and my pen name is Seth Clay. I have written 4 books so far, but only one has been published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My very first Children’s Book is called “The Careless Kitty”. It’s a tribute to my family cat “Calvin”, but due to Calvin and Hobbes copyrights, I changed his name to Rascal. It’s a beautiful tribute book and it was launched last July.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write after midnight ( I’m a night owl) when my writing flows better.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
C.S. Lewis, J.K.Rowling, Brazilian comic book artist Mauricio de Sousa, among many others.

What are you working on now?
Nothing specific, just promoting my first book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media works fine, but I have been looking at blogs and websites to find better strategies to make my book more visible to other audiences.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up on your book. If you believe it will work out, keep working hard and it will eventually get the deserved credit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Silence is true wisdom’s best reply” – Euripedes

What are you reading now?
I read a lot of Children’s books. The last one I read was “Why is Grandma wearing a mask?”. A very interesting one about the coronavirus situation.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to build a good audience and a good number of readers before I launch my next book, titled “Joshuaaaa!”

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Batman Comic Books and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Author Websites and Profiles
Seth Clay Amazon Profile

Seth Clay’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I`ve written the following books: “The City of Masks”, “The Gordian Knot”, “Saraburi”, “Crime Won`t Happen Again”, “Where is the Letter from My Friend”, “Main Colors”, “The Road to nowhere…”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is: “The Road to nowhere”. It`s an adventurous story based on true events.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like walking alone because it gives you more opportunity to think. Muses and ideas come up unexpectedly.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many. Often I can`t single out who is my favorite author, I love the authors who express the depths of human nature, both bad and good sides. Fedor Dostoyevsky, Emil Zola, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and many Georgian writers.

What are you working on now?
I`m translating my detective stories from Georgian into English.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method is to spread the info about the book and author.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Life is full of obstacles, you`ll bump into many difficulties but never give up, believe in your dreams and future and work!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself and work. Every single day will bring something new.

What are you reading now?
For the fourth and fifth time “The Ladies Paradise” by Emile Zola.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I`m going to write a new science fiction 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?
First the Bible, then it`s difficult to say, there are so many. I think the book which would help me to survive on the island, books about wildlife. And definitely a lot of paper to write.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maka Sepashvili Amazon Profile

Maka Sepashvili’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a medical doctor who works to help people through continuous quality improvement initiatives. I received his master’s degree in public health from the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal. I have worked as a medical doctor, consultant, public health specialist, professor, and researcher. His work has taken him to Africa and Haiti. I also nurture my spiritual side and helps others on their spiritual journeys. I believe in social justice, health care for all, and solidarity for a better world. I like to travel the world, discover new cultures, meet new people, and expand awareness and light around the globe.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
COVID-19. UN ROMAN GLOBAL DANS UN MONDE GLOBAL.
The Title in English:
COVID-19. A Global Novel in A Global Village

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I slip with a pen, a notepad and a flashlight under my pillow so that I could write any idea that pop up in my mind while i am in my bed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A purpose-driven life (Rick Warren).
Claude Sicotte (University of Montreal).
Francois Champagne (University of Montreal)
Lambert Farand (University of Montreal).

What are you working on now?
Now I am focusing on finalizing my Ph.D. dissertation (Ph.D. research) with the University of Montreal, Canada.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely, Awesome Gang is the best. I really fall in love with this site. I really appreciate their professionalism and dedication to help the author.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Perseverance. Perseverance. Don’t give up. Keep moving. Keep believing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love you God and love your neighbors.

What are you reading now?
A New Earth. Ekkart Tolle.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am focusing now on promoting my new novel.

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 purpose-drive life.
A New Earth.
How to improve the quality of your life.
COVID-19. UN ROMAN GLOBAL DANS UN MONDE GLOBAL.

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello there, my name is Jessi Brooklyn!

I have been writing since I can remember. That sounds cliche but it’s true. As a child, I loved reading encyclopedias and history books. During my teen years, I wrote fanfiction for the Bonanza show running from 1959-1973. When I had practiced sufficiently for five years, my attention was turned to becoming a novelist. I am a romantic so when my first book was in question, the romance genre seemed the best place to start. I’ve written two books so far but have three more in the works. Still early days but I have faith that my break will happen soon. I’ve worked hard and received good reviews for my work.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book, “White Fir Lodge: A Holiday Tale”, is a novella I wrote to research a novel. Adam and Victoria, the two main characters worked very well together and I was pleased. Their colorful pasts will be explained in the longer prequel novel. Their mountain horse ranch, White Fir, is based outside Carson City, Nevada. Adam built a great lodge to host horsebreeders from around the world and then his wife some time later.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say unusual exactly but I do love a bowl of ice cream while I’m writing throughout the night. Not a healthy habit but it helps my brain think up better scenes. At times, I’ll drive to a park and sit for a few hours, writing in a journal. I find the physical act of writing is a historic and ancient form of communication. I’m a history buff so the activity gives me a nerdy thrill.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up, I adore Janette Oke’s work along with Jane Austen. “Pride and Prejudice” is my favorite still. Of course, I must confess a guilty pleasure in The Hunger Games, Twilight and Divergent series.

What are you working on now?
Two books are currently in progress. A Western historical prequel novel for “White Fir Lodge: A Holiday Tale”. This one will be entitled “White Fir Lodge: The Origin Story”.

The second book will be entitled “Praetorian Angel”. This historical fantasy book’s main character is an ex-prostitute making a new life in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the 1860s.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I am still finding my way and constantly learning. I have a website, www.jessibrooklyn.org, which I think is vital for my books to have a home. The greatest marketing tool in my arsenal so far would be business cards. I hand out those often and they have provided sales.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not that I’m qualified enough but I would say that if one is serious about writing, don’t push your career. Do things in your own time. Don’t be pushed or discouraged by family, friends, etc. Life and writing a book are both marathons, not sprint races. When in doubt, make sure that you’re taking a step forward for your career at all times, not backwards.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best I have heard was the advice I gave for new authors. Honestly, I can’t remember where I heard those tidbits but they stuck with me. A main realization I have come across throughout the writing community is that authors are a highstrung lot. We are prone to mood swings, drama and tears. Every blog post has confirmed my worst fears. Creative, imaginative people do have their drawbacks.

What are you reading now?
Unfortunately, I don’t have the time for heavy fiction reading but I keep up with historical and medical texts for new book ideas. I love researching!

What’s next for you as a writer?
For starters, I’d love my work to be known nationwide and not just local though I appreciate every sale. I would like to quit my full-time job eventually and devote my time to cranking out books. And if one of my books were turned into a movie eventually, I wouldn’t object!

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?
Off the top of my head?

Book 1: The Preppers Survival Handbook: The Essential Long Term Step-By-Step Survival Guide to the Worst Case Scenario for Surviving Anywhere—by Buck Collins

Book 2: The Survival Medicine Handbook: A Guide for When Help is Not on the Way—by Joseph and Amy Alton

Book 3: Outdoor Survival: The Ultimate Outdoor Survival Guide for Staying Alive and Surviving In The Wilderness—by Gavin Williams

Book 4: Pride and Prejudice—by Jane Austen

Author Websites and Profiles
Jessi Brooklyn Website
Jessi Brooklyn Amazon Profile

Jessi Brooklyn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account