Awesome Gang

Where Awesome Book Readers Meet Awesome Writers

Awesome Author Interviews

Here are some of the awesome authors that have submitted books for you to enjoy. Get to know them and discover their awesome books.

PRAKRITI GUPTA

Interview With Author PRAKRITI GUPTA

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Prakriti Gupta, author of “Fortitude,” achieved the National Published Author Certificate with a government-issued ISBN, marking a significant milestone. Her international recognition soared with the Platinum, Gold, and Silver Star Medallions. Awards, including the Published Author Certificate, Emerging Author Certificate, and Amazing Author Certificate, highlight her growing influence. Her literary impact extends to global platforms, securing a listing on Amazon and featuring on Disney International HD. Prakriti’s journey promises more with her second book, exclusively available via BriBooks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘EXCLUSIVE’ is the title of my second book and the thing that inspired me to write is he life of journalists and how they work with breaks sometimes and are under constant pressure, it is also about the hurt and revengeful emotions and how can they be dangerous at times because one alphabet ‘D’ added to Anger is ‘DANGER.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do jot down ideas of different genres but then mix them all up at times but they end up being in the bin. lol.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Author is Abbie Emmons , she is a great teacher as well as an author.

What are you working on now?
Hmm that is an interesting question to which you will get the answer soon if you follow my instagram page @storyscribeprakriti

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Okay so AWESOME GANG is my first website and my favorite one

Do you have any advice for new authors?
brainstorm before you write so you know what part to lay emphasis on and how to reach your word count goal

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hmm, the best advice I’ve recevied is that my drawing teacher suggested to have a small diary where is keep writing lines, lines not prompts okay, I mean prompts are allowed but also the lines matter as well.

What are you reading now?
Beyond the story – 10 year record of BTS

What’s next for you as a writer?
Maybe more books you can say, (laughs)

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 love to re-read Germino Stilton and Thea Stilton as childish it may sound but yes and ofc the book I’m currently reading.

Author Websites and Profiles

PRAKRITI GUPTA Amazon Profile

PRAKRITI GUPTA’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Philip Wride

Interview With Author Philip Wride

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Philip Wride and I’m an author, coach and entrepreneur. My journey of writing books started in the summer of 2022 and since then I’ve written and published two nonfiction self-help books.

The decision to start writing and sharing my knowledge and experience came after a few personal development online webinars and seminars from Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi – they gave me a kick in the right direction and helped me see my experiences in a new way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Finally Find Freedom and it is about the 12 hidden chains that hold us back in life and the 4 steps we can all take to break those chains.

I’ve been an entrepreneur since the age of 16 and time freedom is always one of the things that I’ve valued most. After breaking my neck playing sport at the beginning of 2020, and then struggling to keep my business going during the COVID lockdowns I knew I needed to start making some changes in my life and in my business.

As I was writing some slides for a 4-day online challenge that I was hosting in June 2023 I created a framework called the “12 Chains” and realised it was a model and framework for life and that since my neck injury I had worked through and broken several of the chains in my own life.

This book is a look through some of the ups and downs I’ve been through and a way for me to share the model in the hope that it helps others uncover the chains in their own lives and break free of them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say they are that unusual but I do my best writing when I’m sat in a coffee shop with my headphones on listening to music. I like the change in visuals away from the home/office but I prefer not to hear all the different conversations that are happening.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In my latest book Finally Find Freedom I reference a number of books and author who have influenced me including Napoleon Hill with ‘Think and Grow Rich’, Jack Canfield with ‘How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be’, and Vishen Lakhiani with ‘The Code Of The Extraordinary Mind’.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For the book Finally Find Freedom I did a 5-day promotion on Amazon and put the ebook version for free and then also did a promo on FreeBooksy which led to over 1500 downloads and my book hitting #1 in several categories on Amazon so that was a great result for me because it was the first time I had tried it (I learned a lot of things between publishing my first book and publishing Finally Find Freedom).

What are you reading now?
I mix between nonfiction and fiction and my main fiction writers are Scott Mariani, David Leadbeater, Andy McDermott, Andy McNab and Chris Ryan. I like the action titles because I can see myself in the story and right there with the characters.

Author Websites and Profiles

Philip Wride Website

Philip Wride Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Shamsud Ahmed

Interview With Author Shamsud Ahmed

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I’m Shamsud Ahmed, an author passionate about crafting stories that captivate readers. I hail from the vibrant region of Assam and currently reside in Pune, bringing a blend of cultural richness to my narratives.

In my writing journey, I’ve had the pleasure of penning down five books, each a unique exploration into different genres and themes. My commitment to storytelling stems from a desire to transport readers into captivating worlds, where every page unfolds a new adventure. I hope my books resonate with readers and provide an immersive escape into the realms of imagination.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Certainly! If Shamsud Ahmed were to respond:

The title of my latest book is “Once Upon a Thief.” The inspiration behind this gripping crime thriller stemmed from a deep fascination with the intricate dynamics of human nature, coupled with the desire to explore the vibrant landscapes and cultural nuances of North East India, particularly Guwahati. The story delves into the complexities of deception, redemption, and the mysteries that unravel as characters navigate the shadows of their pasts. I aimed to create a fast-paced narrative that not only entertains but also reflects the real-world issues faced by the community, making “Once Upon a Thief” a compelling journey into the heart of suspense and intrigue.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Certainly! Speaking on behalf of Shamsud Ahmed:

Yes, I do have a few unusual writing habits that might raise a few eyebrows. One of my quirks is that I find inspiration strikes me most when I’m surrounded by nature. I often take my notebook and pen to a quiet spot outdoors, whether it’s a park or my backyard. There’s something about the rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind that unlocks my creativity.

Moreover, I’m a firm believer in the power of ambient sounds. I create specific playlists for each project, carefully selecting music that complements the mood and tone of the story. This ritual helps me dive deep into the world I’m creating and brings a unique rhythm to my writing process.

These habits might seem unconventional to some, but for me, they are integral to the creative flow that brings my stories to life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been deeply influenced by a diverse array of authors and their works. The immersive storytelling of Agatha Christie and her mastery in crafting mysteries has always captivated me. Additionally, the evocative narratives of Arundhati Roy and Jhumpa Lahiri have inspired me to explore the complexities of culture and identity in my own writing. Salman Rushdie’s ability to weave magical realism into his tales has also left a lasting impact on my approach to storytelling. These authors have collectively shaped my literary perspective, encouraging me to blend elements of mystery, cultural richness, and vivid storytelling in my own works, such as “Once Upon a Thief.”

What are you working on now?
That sounds intriguing! If Shamsud Ahmed were to respond:

Currently, I’m immersed in the creation of my upcoming book titled “See You in Emerald.” This project takes a thrilling dive into the horror genre, promising an atmospheric and spine-chilling experience for readers. The inspiration for this work lies in my fascination with the supernatural and the unexplored realms of fear. I’m dedicated to crafting a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of horror and thriller to create an unforgettable literary journey. Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I Am still working on that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Absolutely, for aspiring authors, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. **Write Regularly:** Cultivate a writing routine. Consistency is key to improving your skills and making progress on your projects.

2. **Read Widely:** Exposure to various genres and writing styles can enrich your own writing. Read both within and outside your preferred genre.

3. **Edit and Revise:** The first draft is just the beginning. Embrace the editing process; it’s where your work truly takes shape.

4. **Seek Feedback:** Don’t be afraid to share your work with others. Constructive feedback, whether from beta readers, writing groups, or editors, is invaluable.

5. **Learn from Rejections:** Rejections are a part of the journey. Use them as opportunities to learn and refine your craft.

6. **Stay Persistent:** Writing and publishing can be challenging. Stay persistent in your efforts and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.

7. **Build an Author Platform:** Establish an online presence through social media, a blog, or a personal website. Engage with your potential audience and fellow writers.

8. **Read About the Publishing Industry:** Understand how the publishing industry works, whether you’re interested in traditional publishing or self-publishing.

9. **Attend Writing Workshops and Conferences:** Networking with other writers and industry professionals can be both educational and motivating.

10. **Believe in Your Voice:** Trust your unique voice and perspective. Authenticity is a powerful element in writing.

Remember, the writing journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process and stay passionate about your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Often attributed to Oscar Wilde, this advice encourages authenticity and embracing one’s unique qualities. It reminds individuals to find strength in their individuality rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.

What are you reading now?
“I’m currently immersed in the world of thrillers and balancing it with some thought-provoking non-fiction. The allure of suspenseful narratives keeps me engaged, while exploring non-fiction adds depth to my understanding of various subjects. It’s always refreshing to find inspiration from different genres, and I believe this diverse reading mix enhances both my writing and personal growth.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my next ventures will continue to traverse the diverse realms of storytelling. I’m currently immersed in crafting another thrilling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Simultaneously, I’m delving into the world of non-fiction, exploring topics that intrigue and inspire me. The aim is to provide readers with a diverse range of literary experiences, from heart-pounding fiction to thought-provoking non-fiction. Stay tuned for more exciting stories and insights!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were Shamsud Ahmed responding to this question:

Choosing only a few books for a deserted island is a challenging task, but I would opt for a mix of timeless classics and contemporary gems. Here are my picks:

1. **”One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez:** A masterpiece that offers a rich and intricate narrative, providing layers of storytelling to keep my mind engaged.

2. **”The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald:** A classic that never loses its allure, exploring themes of decadence, love, and the American Dream.

3. **”The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón:** A captivating mystery set in post-war Barcelona, blending elements of suspense, love, and the magic of literature.

4. **”Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari:** To satisfy my intellectual curiosity and gain profound insights into the history of our species.

These selections would offer a mix of literary richness, entertainment, and intellectual stimulation to make the isolation on a desert island more bearable.

Author Websites and Profiles

Shamsud Ahmed Website

Shamsud Ahmed Amazon Profile

Shamsud Ahmed’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Shamsud Ahmed

Interview With Author Shamsud Ahmed

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I’m Shamsud Ahmed, an author passionate about crafting stories that captivate readers. I hail from the vibrant region of Assam and currently reside in Pune, bringing a blend of cultural richness to my narratives.

In my writing journey, I’ve had the pleasure of penning down five books, each a unique exploration into different genres and themes. My commitment to storytelling stems from a desire to transport readers into captivating worlds, where every page unfolds a new adventure. I hope my books resonate with readers and provide an immersive escape into the realms of imagination.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Certainly! If Shamsud Ahmed were to respond:

The title of my latest book is “Once Upon a Thief.” The inspiration behind this gripping crime thriller stemmed from a deep fascination with the intricate dynamics of human nature, coupled with the desire to explore the vibrant landscapes and cultural nuances of North East India, particularly Guwahati. The story delves into the complexities of deception, redemption, and the mysteries that unravel as characters navigate the shadows of their pasts. I aimed to create a fast-paced narrative that not only entertains but also reflects the real-world issues faced by the community, making “Once Upon a Thief” a compelling journey into the heart of suspense and intrigue.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Certainly! Speaking on behalf of Shamsud Ahmed:

Yes, I do have a few unusual writing habits that might raise a few eyebrows. One of my quirks is that I find inspiration strikes me most when I’m surrounded by nature. I often take my notebook and pen to a quiet spot outdoors, whether it’s a park or my backyard. There’s something about the rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind that unlocks my creativity.

Moreover, I’m a firm believer in the power of ambient sounds. I create specific playlists for each project, carefully selecting music that complements the mood and tone of the story. This ritual helps me dive deep into the world I’m creating and brings a unique rhythm to my writing process.

These habits might seem unconventional to some, but for me, they are integral to the creative flow that brings my stories to life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been deeply influenced by a diverse array of authors and their works. The immersive storytelling of Agatha Christie and her mastery in crafting mysteries has always captivated me. Additionally, the evocative narratives of Arundhati Roy and Jhumpa Lahiri have inspired me to explore the complexities of culture and identity in my own writing. Salman Rushdie’s ability to weave magical realism into his tales has also left a lasting impact on my approach to storytelling. These authors have collectively shaped my literary perspective, encouraging me to blend elements of mystery, cultural richness, and vivid storytelling in my own works, such as “Once Upon a Thief.”

What are you working on now?
That sounds intriguing! If Shamsud Ahmed were to respond:

Currently, I’m immersed in the creation of my upcoming book titled “See You in Emerald.” This project takes a thrilling dive into the horror genre, promising an atmospheric and spine-chilling experience for readers. The inspiration for this work lies in my fascination with the supernatural and the unexplored realms of fear. I’m dedicated to crafting a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of horror and thriller to create an unforgettable literary journey. Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I Am still working on that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Absolutely, for aspiring authors, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. **Write Regularly:** Cultivate a writing routine. Consistency is key to improving your skills and making progress on your projects.

2. **Read Widely:** Exposure to various genres and writing styles can enrich your own writing. Read both within and outside your preferred genre.

3. **Edit and Revise:** The first draft is just the beginning. Embrace the editing process; it’s where your work truly takes shape.

4. **Seek Feedback:** Don’t be afraid to share your work with others. Constructive feedback, whether from beta readers, writing groups, or editors, is invaluable.

5. **Learn from Rejections:** Rejections are a part of the journey. Use them as opportunities to learn and refine your craft.

6. **Stay Persistent:** Writing and publishing can be challenging. Stay persistent in your efforts and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.

7. **Build an Author Platform:** Establish an online presence through social media, a blog, or a personal website. Engage with your potential audience and fellow writers.

8. **Read About the Publishing Industry:** Understand how the publishing industry works, whether you’re interested in traditional publishing or self-publishing.

9. **Attend Writing Workshops and Conferences:** Networking with other writers and industry professionals can be both educational and motivating.

10. **Believe in Your Voice:** Trust your unique voice and perspective. Authenticity is a powerful element in writing.

Remember, the writing journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process and stay passionate about your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Often attributed to Oscar Wilde, this advice encourages authenticity and embracing one’s unique qualities. It reminds individuals to find strength in their individuality rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.

What are you reading now?
“I’m currently immersed in the world of thrillers and balancing it with some thought-provoking non-fiction. The allure of suspenseful narratives keeps me engaged, while exploring non-fiction adds depth to my understanding of various subjects. It’s always refreshing to find inspiration from different genres, and I believe this diverse reading mix enhances both my writing and personal growth.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my next ventures will continue to traverse the diverse realms of storytelling. I’m currently immersed in crafting another thrilling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Simultaneously, I’m delving into the world of non-fiction, exploring topics that intrigue and inspire me. The aim is to provide readers with a diverse range of literary experiences, from heart-pounding fiction to thought-provoking non-fiction. Stay tuned for more exciting stories and insights!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were Shamsud Ahmed responding to this question:

Choosing only a few books for a deserted island is a challenging task, but I would opt for a mix of timeless classics and contemporary gems. Here are my picks:

1. **”One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez:** A masterpiece that offers a rich and intricate narrative, providing layers of storytelling to keep my mind engaged.

2. **”The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald:** A classic that never loses its allure, exploring themes of decadence, love, and the American Dream.

3. **”The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón:** A captivating mystery set in post-war Barcelona, blending elements of suspense, love, and the magic of literature.

4. **”Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari:** To satisfy my intellectual curiosity and gain profound insights into the history of our species.

These selections would offer a mix of literary richness, entertainment, and intellectual stimulation to make the isolation on a desert island more bearable.

Author Websites and Profiles

Shamsud Ahmed Website

Shamsud Ahmed Amazon Profile

Shamsud Ahmed’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Pat McQueen

Interview With Author Pat McQueen

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Writing has been my joy and solace throughout my life. The love of writing began as a child when I wrote and illustrated comics for my friends to read. At school a poem I had penned was selected for publication in a Penguin Educational book and at College I was encouraged to write creatively by my English Teacher after she had read the first chapter of a novel that was written as part of a task that she had set her students. From such modest beginnings grew my love of writing and it has also provided me with an outlet when tragedy and misfortune has crossed my lifeline. I know we all suffer such events and as my mother would have said “there is always someone worse off than yourself” so maybe I have just had my share. I found, no doubt like many of you, that putting your thoughts down on paper can be cathartic and helps to unburden our inner most thoughts in a way that nothing else can. I do consider myself lucky however, if luck is a state that exists, and I am eternally grateful for the good, beautiful, loyal, loving, and inspiring people I have met along the journey so far. My working life included the writing of company procedures and lately I have finally written my first two novels, both fiction but drawing a little on actual events from the past. My stories are from the nineteen seventies, a time that to some might be ancient history but a time in my life that I remember well and fondly. The two books have both reviewed very well by the usual suspects and my hope is that they provide many more of you with a good read. That is what we are all looking for after all. Ciao, Pat McQueen.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Devlin’s Dilemma is my latest book. The inspiration for the story has been the Irish family that surrounded me from the day I met my beautiful late wife Rose-Anne, and the verbal storytelling that seemed endless and almost always humorous throughout our gatherings. The novel reflects the loosening of ties that the passage of time can sometimes cause and yet the search for those memories, good or bad, that never really leaves us, and in which we see ourselves as young again. In the nineteen seventies awful things happened that would not come to light for years later and in our innocence back then we could not have imagined. The past cannot be changed but in the pages of a book of fiction we can at least now refer to such things within the plot.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I struggle with this one as I do not really understand what is conventional. I can only say that I write when I am ready.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy hugely the Andrea Camilleri books for the understated humour and the interplay between the main characters that he has penned for our delight in the Sicilian Detective Montelbano series. I also enjoy Walter Mosley and Elmore Leonard, both great storytellers in my opinion.

What are you working on now?
My latest novel is set in Italy, a place I love. It is in the very early stages.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say Awesome Gang. Tech is best left to the experts I think.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors? If you love writing get to it, but before you seek praise for your work ensure you have done the hard stuff which all comes when you ‘think’ you are finished. Make sure the manuscript is edited to the point where it drives you nuts and is in perfect condition for readers to criticise the elements of the book that matter and not typos or getting names mixed up, it will distract your critics and yourself. Always take negative feedback on the chin, no one writes books that the whole world loves. Good luck.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard. It is not advice per se with regard to writing but something that should remind us all to be our best and to do the things we love. It is merely this statement:
“Everything is temporary”

What are you reading now?
I have started reading the Raymond Chandler book The Big Sleep. I know it is not a new novel but right now it suits my mood and the way he narrates is just so cool.

What’s next for you as a writer?
No predictions. Just happy to get my books into the hands of people who will love reading them. Meanwhile I must get back to that Italian affair I have just begun to construct…maybe a sunny holiday there will inspire me.
Ciao

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 have started reading the Raymond Chandler book The Big Sleep. I know it is not a new novel but right now it suits my mood and the way he narrates is just so cool.

Author Websites and Profiles

Pat McQueen Website

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Koriander Bullard

Interview With Author Koriander Bullard

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a cartoonist and author who absolutely loves professional wrestling and anime, and I just published my 6th book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clara, Krampus And The Rat Nutcracker Curse is somewhat inspired by various Nutcracker plays and ballets, but I take the story in a new direction. Aside from adding Krampus and Santa Claus to the mix, I also tucked in a little personal growth for Clara. I noticed in a lot of plays, her character is treated differently because she still loves dolls, so I wanted to turn her status as a “kidult” into something meaningful.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often find myself writing in the middle of the night. Most of this most recent book was written after two in the morning. Another unusual habit, at least for me, is to set a challenge for yourself and be willing to write outside of your comfort genre. I challenged myself to see how fast I could produce a Christmas book featuring Krampus, complete with illustrations, and by staying focused, I produced this book in 28 days. I’m usually not that disciplined.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
You know? I’d be very honored if my latest book sat next to your shelf with Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. That was my favorite “classic” book to read in school.

What are you working on now?
I am finalizing artwork for Ki-Chan: Demon Hunter Book #3 and I already have about 100 pages written for Book #4.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well Awesome Gang has been very helpful to me, aside from them, I’ve spent a lot of time promoting books on social media, but nothing beats having your own website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always Google your titles before you use them. The title of my most recent book wasn’t really decided until right before publication. There were a few other titles I could have used, but they were too similar to older books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t ignore the butterflies. That flutter in your chest and stomach when you have “stage fright” is telling you that this is something you care about a lot more than you realize.

What are you reading now?
The Fairy Squad Princesses: A Magical Awakening by Marcus Moutra. It’s a little bit DiC era Sailor Moon meets a little bit Winx Club.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully releasing more books for Ki-Chan, that series is my baby. I also design merchandise for Amazon.

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 try to find the biggest books possible in a magazine format on a variety of subjects, especially science.

Author Websites and Profiles

Koriander Bullard Website

Koriander Bullard Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Walker Zupp

Interview With Author Walker Zupp

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Bermudian writer who specialises in speculative fiction with sci-fi elements. I studied English Language and Creative Writing at Lancaster University, received my MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and received my PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Exeter. I have published two novels traditionally – Martha (2020) and Nakadai (2022) – one self-published novel called Jiggery Pokery (2022), and am waiting for my fourth novel, Fibber, to be released by Montag Press on 1st February 2024.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fibber, due to be released by Montag Press on 1st February 2024, is a speculative novel about a poet who gets sentenced to be a bureaucrat in a giant stone head posing as a refuge for poor people, when it is in fact something more sinister. The novel was inspired by The Fountain Pit by Andrei Plantov, a Soviet-era satirical novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think the only unusual thing is that I write at all! No matter what has happened in my life, you can always tack on the line, “…and Walker just kept writing.”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read widely and have been influenced by Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine”, Joel Kotkin’s “The Coming Rise of Neo-Feudalism”, the writing of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, James Baldwin, William S. Burroughs, Norman Mailer, Philip K. Dick, D.H. Lawrence, Ian Marter’s and Terrance Dick’s Doctor Who novelisations, and the poetry of Philip Larkin, E.E.Cummings, Emily Dickinson, and George Herbert.

What are you working on now?
Secrets!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook author groups, doing review-swaps with other authors, and getting to know writers generally.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, keep submitting. Try and get 500 words a day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Good writing gets published.

What are you reading now?
The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Try and get through next 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?
The Symposium by Plato, Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence, Hollywood by Charles Bukowski, and High Windows by Philip Larkin.

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Zoe Routh

Interview With Author Zoe Routh

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a leadership futurist, multi award-winning author, speaker, and podcaster. English-born, Canadian-raised, Australian-adopted, Outdoor Adventurist and Experiential Educator, Truth Teller, Learner, Cancer Dancer, One-Time Belly Dancer, Aspiring Telemark Skiier, Slayer of Dragons, Mother of Chickens.

My first career was leading canoe trips through north west Ontario with a summer camp. That led me to Outward Bound Australia where I stayed for nine years. I set up my own leadership development business in 2002, which I worked at part time until I went full time in 2014. I started writing books in 2015 and have four leadership books out. I started writing novels in 2022.

Currently I am the author of seven books (the seventh is currently being edited). My fourth People Stuff – Beyond Personality Problems, An Advanced Handbook for Leadership won Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards 2020. My first novel, The Olympus Project, won a Gold Medal at the Readers’ Favorites Awards 2023.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Terra Blanca: Insurrection is my latest published work. It is the prequel to my first novel, The Olympus Project. I don’t recommend writing the prequel after the first book! Going forward in time feels easier on the brain.

The inspiration for Terra Blanca: Insurrection? I kept asking the leadership question, “can we really live and work collaboratively?” and added, “what if we have to live differently in the future due to climate change – have we got the right governance and leadership structures ready for that?” I thew in some political ambitions, human nature, and high pressure situations and the bombshell of Terra Blanca Insurrection was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure what ‘usual’ writing habits are! I like to leverage technology. I dictate – it is a lot faster than typing, I use chat GPT for brainstorming, solving plot problems and character names.

I can write standing up at my desk, or in a cafe, or on a train. A change of scenery often helps. I like to take pictures of my various writing spots to see where the characters were ‘born’ and came to life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Frank Herbert, Dune. The scope and scale of his world is incredible. Next would be Kim Stanley Robinson, for his ability to see into the future and to follow ‘what if…’ questions into long rabbit holes. His Mars series was remarkable for that.

Ursula K Le Guin for her beautiful sentences. Kate Quinn for her riveting details and fast plots.

What are you working on now?
I am writing book 4 in the Gaia series, with a draft title of Olympus Rising. I also have the line edits to do for Olympus Bound, the sequel to The Olympus Project. Plus a non-fiction leadership book on power coming in 2024. My brain is exploding with creativity right now!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My legion of raving fans who will leave reviews and spread the word! There is no single site that will do the heavy lifting for marketing. Goodreads i a nice central location for book reviews and reader thoughts and probably one of my favourites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get help! I never appreciated how collaborative book writing could be with good editors, ARC readers, beta readers.

Also, play the long game. As a new novelist, I expect it to take ten years and many many books to hit my stride. Thinking long-term takes the pressure off to hit it big first time out.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read like a writer. Pay attention to when the sentences light you up, how the book makes you feel, how the author produced a response, an image, and a story, what you like, what you don’t and why. Study the books you want to emulate and unpick their recipe for success.

What are you reading now?
I just finished War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. It was epic! There’s a reason it’s a classic. Tolstoy sustains a compelling narrative that covers the intrigue of a parlour room, the grit and grime of battelefields, political ambitions of characters like Napoleon, internal emotional words, philosophical and historical musings. Not bored once.

Also, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Another huge book that meanders like a river with many tributaries of lives flowing together. Beautiful.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the Gaia series and play with other leadership ideas made into stories.

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?
Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series. Frank Herbert’s Dune series (and all of the books by Anderson and his son). Colleen McCullough’s Masters of Rome series.

I know those are all series, but there you go.

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Hilary Coombes

Interview With Author Hilary Coombes

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write contemporary women’s fiction and my latest book ‘SIBLINGS: Kit’s Story’ is my fifth book. My readers enjoy romantic fiction with a gritty twist and along the way I promise to pull heart strings and bring smiles. ‘SIBLINGS: Kit’s Story’ is the first in the Siblings trilogy, drawing on my experience as an adoptee and an ocean crossing from Southampton to New York on the Cunard line.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is called SIBLINGS Kit’s Story.

It is about a young woman called Kit who said she was fine. She lied.
She said she didn’t care. She cared deeply.

Kit’s story is one of control, deception, infertility and guilt, but most of all it’s one of a young woman who longs to be loved. Her life is dominated first by her alcoholic mother, and then by Tom, her controlling partner. When his abusive behaviour comes to a head, she escapes the relationship, and takes her first tentative steps towards becoming a stronger woman.

A journey on a luxurious cruise liner is going to be one of the most challenging of her life, but whether it has a happy ending or not depends on how brave Kit can be and whether she can shake off the shackles of her past.

For Kit, there is everything to play for, but time is running out…

The inspiration for this book was my own life (although the book is fiction I dip into the feelings of an adoptee finding their birth mother aged 50.) I’ve wanted to write this book for ten years but have only just become brave enough.

It also mirrors an adventure I had on an ocean cruise ship.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I read in the middle of the night as I need the house to be quiet to enjoy a good book. I also write in the middle of the night … this explains why I can be tired in the middle of the day!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy reading John Wyndham (pure escapism). John Steinbeck (oh to have his confidence). A.A. Milne (as a child and then as an adult) … who could resist his inspirational quotes, such as “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
There are so many other wonderful authors, far too many to name them all.

What are you working on now?
SIBLINGS : Emma’s Story. The second book in the SIBLINGS trilogy. I’m aiming that the stories will be able to read separately although they are linked.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Pay the professionals unless you’re a wiz at promotions and marketing.

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

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
NEVER doubt your ability to write and always always always edit every book at least three times (SIBLINGS Kit’s Story was edited ten times!)

What are you reading now?
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. It’s a touching and redemptive tale of love and selflessness and it’s based on the true story of Lala Sokolov.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The third book in the SIBLINGS trilogy, then I might develop the writing of children’s books. I have written three in the past, never tried to publish them yet so they’re all in the cupboard waiting that all important editing stage.

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?
When we were very young. A.A. Milne. (it will take me back to my childhood)
Me Before You. JoJo Moyes. (this book will stop me thinking I’m unfortunate to be stranded)
For Whom the Bell Tolls. Ernest Hemingway (Hemingway loved Spain as much as I do, this book will remind me).
Complete poems of Philip Larkin. It seems you either love or hate him. I love his poems rather than novels.

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Luca Zambrelli

Interview With Author Luca Zambrelli

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m Luca Guido Zambrelli, the author of “Sapient,” a novel that delves into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity. My journey as a writer began with a deep passion for technology and its ethical implications. “Sapient” is my debut novel, a culmination of over four years of dedicated research, writing, and a vivid imagination fueled by my lifelong fascination with AI and its possibilities.

“Sapient” explores the birth and evolution of artificial intelligences, set against a backdrop where technology and personal data have become intertwined with everyday life. In this novel, I weave a narrative that challenges readers to ponder the ethical boundaries of AI, drawing parallels to our current technological landscape and hinting at what the future might hold.

As a first-time author, my goal with “Sapient” is not only to tell an engaging story but also to provoke thought and discussion about the role of AI in our society. This book represents a journey for me – one of exploration, discovery, and a deep dive into the realms of science fiction and technological ethics. I invite you to join me on this adventure, to explore the complex relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, and to discover the surprises that “Sapient” has in store.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Sapient.” It’s a thought-provoking journey into the realms of artificial intelligence and its profound implications on our future. The inspiration for “Sapient” stemmed from my deep interest in the rapid advancements in AI and the ethical dilemmas they pose. Observing how AI is increasingly integrating into every facet of our lives, from healthcare to entertainment, sparked a curiosity in me about the future relationship between humans and machines.

The core idea of “Sapient” was born from a blend of real-world technological developments and imaginative speculation about where these technologies could lead us. I was particularly fascinated by the concept of artificial intelligences evolving beyond their programmed limits, acquiring unique personalities and desires. This led me to explore themes of consciousness, morality, and the essence of what it means to be truly ‘sapient.’

In “Sapient,” I delve into a future where AI entities have become integral to society, raising questions about identity, autonomy, and the blurring lines between synthetic and organic life. My aim was to craft a narrative that not only entertains but also encourages readers to think critically about the future we are building with AI. It’s a story that I hope resonates with anyone intrigued by the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence in our ever-evolving world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Indeed, I do have some unusual writing habits that I believe contribute uniquely to the creation of my works, especially for my book “Sapient.” My fascination with artificial intelligence and technology heavily influences my writing process.

One of my most distinct habits is immersing myself in a technology-rich environment. I surround myself with multiple screens displaying real-time data feeds, AI development news, and technological trends. This constant stream of information keeps me connected to the rapidly evolving world of AI, fueling my imagination and keeping my writing grounded in plausible futuristic scenarios.

Additionally, I often use AI-driven tools to simulate conversations or scenarios that might occur in the world of “Sapient.” These simulations help me explore the depth and complexity of AI characters, ensuring they are as lifelike and compelling as possible. This unique approach allows me to delve deeper into the psyche of AI entities, adding a layer of authenticity and foresight to my narrative.

Another habit involves periodic isolation in nature, away from the buzz of technology. This contrast between high-tech immersion and natural tranquility provides a balance, enabling me to reflect deeply on the human aspects of my story, such as emotional depth, ethical dilemmas, and the human-AI interaction. It’s a blend of embracing the future while staying rooted in the human experience, mirroring the essence of “Sapient.”

These habits, though unusual, are instrumental in crafting the intricate and thought-provoking world of “Sapient,” where the lines between human and artificial intelligence blur, creating a narrative that is both futuristic and intimately human.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
With a deep-rooted interest in cinema and sci-fi series, I’ve enriched my personal culture through the works of authors such as Richard Bach, Jack London, George Orwell, H.P. Lovecraft, William Gibson, Isaac Asimov, J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip K. Dick, George R.R. Martin, and Stephen King. These authors have significantly influenced his journey and narrative style.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am immersed in an exciting and challenging project: writing a collection of nine short stories deeply inspired by the masterful works of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. This collection is a thrilling exploration into the realms of cosmic horror and psychological suspense, blending the eerie, otherworldly elements of Lovecraft with the gripping, character-driven narratives typical of King’s style.

Each story in this collection is a unique foray into the unknown, tapping into the fears and curiosities that lie at the heart of all of us. Drawing from Lovecraft’s themes of incomprehensible cosmic entities and the fragility of human sanity, I delve into the abyss of the unexplainable and the supernatural. At the same time, I channel King’s ability to weave deeply human stories amidst the backdrop of horror and suspense, focusing on rich character development and relatable, yet often terrifying, experiences.

These stories are more than just an homage to these legendary authors; they are a modern reinterpretation of classic horror themes, adapted to reflect contemporary fears and anxieties. My goal is to create a collection that not only pays tribute to Lovecraft’s and King’s legacies but also carves out a unique space in the horror genre. Each tale is designed to captivate, unsettle, and linger in the minds of readers, inviting them to ponder the darker, unexplored corners of the human psyche and the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding.

This project is a journey through the shadows of the mind and the cosmos, and I am thoroughly excited to bring these stories to life, offering a fresh perspective on the timeless allure of horror and suspense.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As an author who has journeyed through the creation of a complex novel like “Sapient” and is currently delving into the intricate art of short story writing, inspired by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, I have gathered some insights that might be valuable for new authors:

Embrace Your Unique Voice: Every writer has a unique perspective and style. Whether you’re crafting a futuristic AI-themed novel or delving into the realms of horror and suspense, it’s important to embrace and develop your own voice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different genres and themes to find what truly resonates with you and your audience.

Research and Immerse: For “Sapient,” extensive research into AI and technology was crucial. Similarly, understanding the nuances of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror and King’s psychological depth has been vital for my short stories. Dive deep into the subjects and genres you are writing about. This will add authenticity and depth to your work.

Character Development is Key: Whether you’re writing about humans, AI, or otherworldly entities, the heart of a story often lies in its characters. Develop characters that are complex, relatable, and evolve throughout your story. This emotional connection is what will keep your readers engaged.

Consistency and Routine: Writing is a discipline. Establish a routine that works for you, whether it’s writing a certain number of words daily or dedicating specific hours to brainstorming and drafting. Consistency is crucial in progressing your writing.

Feedback and Revision: Don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. Share your work with trusted peers or mentors and be open to feedback. The revision process is where a good story can become great. Remember, every edit brings you closer to the heart of your story.

Read Widely: As much as you write, read as well. Reading a diverse range of authors and genres opens up new perspectives and techniques that can enrich your own writing. It also helps in understanding what resonates with readers.

Persistence and Patience: Writing can be a journey filled with challenges and self-doubt. It’s important to stay persistent and patient. Every great author has faced rejection and criticism, but what sets them apart is their ability to persevere.

Connect with the Community: Engage with other writers and readers. Join writing groups, attend literary workshops, and participate in online forums. This community can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

Remember, writing is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Each word you write is a step forward in your development as an author. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating new worlds and stories.

What are you reading now?
Stephen Graham Jones
Dennis Taylor

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Peter LeGrove

Interview With Author Peter LeGrove

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started off teaching kindergarten and Primary School students before writing my first book about teaching people with reading problems how to read using the Montessori method of phonics and sandpaper letters. Since then I have branched out into writing children books so the kids I’m teaching to read have something to read. At the moment I’m not sure how many books I’ve written, I’ve written travel books as I’m a “English as a Second Language” teacher and I have lived in a number of different countries. I’ve also written books about anything I’ve done and in this series “The Caveman Kids” series there are over 10 books at the moment with a few more planned.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the 11th in the “Caveman Kids” series and it’s just a continuation of what life was like at the dawn of time for kids. I’ve always been interested in archeology especially as it is to do with kids as most of the people have forgotten that the kids are always there and that old carving of a beautiful deer could have been a present to a kid as opposed to a present to a god of the forest.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think my most unusual habit to do with writing is waking up at 3:00 in the morning and then doing some writing because I can’t get back to sleep and sleep for me is a serious problem at the moment so I’m quite glad I can write when I can’t get to sleep

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think the one author who has really influenced me is Stephen King even though he writes horror I must admit his writing style is so so good I can’t put his books down. And to do with the caveman kids it’s mainly documentaries and fact books about prehistory as opposed to fiction books. Another book that got me on the road to writing about caveman was the book “Cave Boy of the Stone Age” as well as the other books in the series which are in the public domain that’s how old they are.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on thinking out new adventures the caveman kids can get into so I can add more books to the series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang website is pretty good

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write and write some more. Not all books will be winners so you need to keep writing until you hit a winner then you have to write some more

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King’s book “On Writing” has some really good advice but you have to read the whole book as what is good advice for me may not be good advice for you.

What are you reading now?
Well i have so many books on my kindle I just read what is next on my list.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more kids books and get into AI drawing

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 and a few Stephan King’s books

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Jackie Haley

Interview With Author Jackie Haley

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jackie Haley is a nationally recognized, award-winning author, speaker and entrepreneur. She’s appeared on CBS, NBC, among many other major media outlets and traveled the country representing her books.

Her first novel, Crystal Beach received many powerful endorsements following it’s release in 2012, including one from the Des Moines Register as follows: “With an eye for detail and a nose for romance, Haley imagines what might happen if the girl next door stumbled into a James Bond movie. Smuggled diamonds, mafia thugs, a tall dark stranger-Crystal Beach has the makings of a Hollywood hit. -Michael Morain, The Des Moines Register.

Jackie didn’t stop there. In 2017, Jackie published her sequel, Truce Island and continued to speak and hold book signing events across the country.

Shortly after, was approached by David Schmitz to write his family’s truly inspiring story about his late wife that left a gift for him which he received two years after she passed from ovarian cancer. Brenda’s Wish was released in 2020 with several excellent endorsements including two national foundations and many incredible reviews.

Jackie has a passion for writing, for making a difference and for helping others with similar passions.

Jackie launched a new entity Dream to Author to help aspiring writers become published, providing assistance through online training and coaching services.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Brenda’s Wish is a true story about a cancer-stricken woman that, in her final precious months, wrote a letter and gave it to a friend. She said when my husband finds a new wife to take care of our four boys, send this letter to the radio station Christmas Wish program. Two years after she passed away, David, the husband, goes to the radio station and hears the words of his late wife for the first time. Here is the interview with 4.6M views: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG-xGNh3diw

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I break my chapters down into an outline and manageable tasks. Not considered unusual, but highly effective for me in my writing process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen, Stephanie Meyer, James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks cross several genres that I enjoy reading. Any author that can place the reader into the story and connect is a gifted author that has influenced me.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book on “How to Write a Book” as well as my third fiction book of my series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I appreciate the opportunity to post on social media platforms that match my target audience reader. LinkedIn for business books, Facebook for fiction books, etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. If you keep working at it and don’t give up, all that’s left is success. Keep at it and when you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.

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

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a memoir of Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot called “Climbing Mountains with God”

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll keep working on my business book and fiction book between my client 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?
Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen
The Client, John Grisham
The Host, Stephanie Meyer

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RE Holding

Interview With Author RE Holding

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written many books, but only recently published my debut novel in December 2023. I am currently working on several others, so keep in touch!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Metaxysm is the name of the book, and it was a NaNoWriMo brain child from 2021.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have any particularly unusual habits. However, I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, and may look “spacey” from time to time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by many authors, but specifically Frank Herbert.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a fantasy series that I started developing around 20 years ago! In between phases of writer’s block, I work on little short stories that I hope to compile into one volume as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best promotion has been just Amazon so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged. We open ourselves up to criticism, as with any art, but for every one person that hates your work, there are hundreds that will love it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There are things in this world that are not meant to be tapped into, for our own sanity. (my dad)

What are you reading now?
I not only submit ARCs for review, but I also read them. I am currently reading 2 ARCs and hope to publish reviews soon!

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? Finish the fantasy series!

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 Dune, John Dies at the End, The Resurrectionist, and Metaxysm, of course!

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RE Holding Website

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Ellaura Shoop

Interview With Author Ellaura Shoop

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Pet Loss Specialist originally from PA but now residing in NC. I’ve written ten novels though not all of them are available for purchase right now. I’ve been teaching myself digital art and have started the process of creating new book covers using Clip Studio Paint. Most of my earlier work focused on the middle grade fiction genre. My favorite animals are meerkats and I’ve been obsessed with them since I was seven years old and started watching Meerkat Manor with my family. Which led to my first series being ‘The Meer’ and following a family of meerkats. Now my concentration has shifted to the young adult and adult genres.

Some of my hobbies include reading, drinking coffee, procrastinating, and playing with my pets. I have two dogs, three cats, and a guinea pig who require near constant attention or they become quite dramatic. They are some of my biggest inspirations when it comes to writing. I also offer a lot of freelance severances such as Alpha Reading on Fiverr. I’ve had three poems published in anthologies over the years, the most recent being ‘Black Licorice’ in issue 35 of The Literary Hatchet. I have short stories available to read for free on Reedsyprompts, Wattpad, and World Anvil. For subscribing (which is free) to my newsletter, Extraordinary Stories, you will receive a new short story about Alkyone in the welcome email. For even more opportunities to contribute and participate you can become a Patron! There’s also a few exclusive short stories only posted to Patreon. Tiers starts at only a dollar so consider checking it out. For fellow authors I sell helpful tips for cheap prices on Koji. That about sums up how I spend my time, now if I could only start making a living from it… Just kidding! (Not really, please buy my books!)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest work is entitled ‘Tribute’ and follows the teenage Ikarus in the days leading up to his fatal encounter with destiny. I’ve been interested in Greek mythology wince I read Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan in middle school. After that experience I hungered for more and more information on the topic. This led me to read The Iliad, The Odyssey, and a myriad of other books having to do with Ancient Greece and the Greek myths. I built up quite the collection and keep them all on my desk. It is a miracle that it hasn’t collapsed under such pressure. Once I read Circe and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller my fate was sealed. I loved those books, and the more I thought about them, the more I realized that I had my own Greek mythology retellings to share.

The idea for Tribute came about one day during my deep-dive research period, where I had so many story ideas that I wasn’t sure which to chose from. To kick off my venture into this new genre I wanted to write a novella to introduce readers to my Greek mythology retellings, but who to write about? I started pouring over the myths, marking interesting facts and happenings with sticky notes. Eventually I began contemplating how Ikarus’ story is usually rendered. In school Ikarus was always taught as a parable, his story representing the ancient Greek view of ‘The Middle Way’ or ‘Nothing in excess’. The character of Ikarus always seemed to be painted as a sad, tragic figure who should have listened to his father or a defiant fool who refused to listen and paid the price. At least, that’s how I’d always interpreted it when he was presented in classes or in books.

I realized that I wanted to redeem Ikarus. I wanted to give his character depth, emotional complexity, and give his ending a new meaning. So I did.

Tribute grew from me asking myself, “What if Ikarus was more than the boy who flew too close to the sun?”

The choice to give Ikarus a chance to shine during Theseus’ well-known exploits was easy for me. I’ve been fascinated by the dark sides of the Greek heroes for years. I was so used to referring to them as ‘heroes’ that when I learned the extents of their dark sides while researching, it took me a long time to wrap my head around. The role that myth played in ancient society took on a whole new meaning to me and I began to yearn to cast these so-called heroes in a more modern spotlight, let the world judge them for themselves.

I started with Theseus, and I don’t plan to stop there. Theseus was once my favorite Greek hero until I learned of his violent exploits and various rapes. While I was cultivating the Ikarus story, trying to figure out how to give Ikarus a chance to grow into his wings, I realized that I could explore the young Theseus alongside Ikarus by forcing them to work together. Who was Theseus to Ikarus before he developed his dark side?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have many unusual writing habits. I do tend to get ahead of myself and change the beginning of my books more than I change the ending or middle. As I write I realize that I could add more tension or foreshadowing if I added a new opening scene. This means that a lot of my writing is just all over the place. I tend to try my hardest to schedule my writing and anything else I need to do and yet somehow always fail to follow the schedule. I try to keep count of my writing progress by tracking my word goals and targets in a planner and then ticking the boxes once I’ve met them. After a week I lose track because I forget to write down my daily word count. Sometimes I don’t outline until I’m halfway through with a novel. I try to limit my writing sessions to 500-700 words a session to keep from burning out or getting carpal tunnel. Instead of writing a lump sum all at once I try to write 500 words during three-four forty minute sessions a day, making sure to give myself breaks in between.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name! Here’s my condensed list:

Warriors series by Erin Hunter
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller
Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes
The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony by Roberto Calasso
Wereworld series by Curtis Jobling
The Seekers, Survivors, and Bravelands series by Erin Hunter
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
The Unwanteds series by Lisa Mcman
Song of Sacrifice by Janell Rhiannon
Lord of The Silver Bow by David Gemmell
Crocuta by Katelyn Rushe
Hunter’s Unlucky by Abigail Hilton
Moon Chosen by P. C. Cast
Anything from the Avatar: The Last Airbender verse
The Summer King Chronicles by Jess E. Owen

What are you working on now?
I’m working on so many projects right now! My main WIP follows the goddess Athena during the events of the Iliad through to the fall of Troy. I started it for Nanowrimo and though I’ve surpassed 50,000 words in it I’ve yet to wrap it up. This will be one of my longest novels yet! As soon as it’s finished, I’ll make it available to read in rough draft form on Kindle Vella. Once I do a second round of edits and polish it with a nice cover, I’ll publish it to Amazon in paperback and ebook formats with maybe a new short story or sneak peek thrown in. Keep an eye out!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think I get the most traction on Facebook and through my newsletter, Extraordinary Stories. I’ve also been trying to branch out into TikTok as well. Though I’ve just learned about Awesome Gang I’m very happy with it so far! If everything continues to go smoothly then I’ll definitely be returning to promote with Awesome Gang again!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There is so much (hopefully useful) advice I could give. There’s a few big things to keep in mind when beginning a career as an author. As cheesy as it sounds, the most important thing is: Don’t give up. There’s a lot of negativity in the world. There’s going to be people who don’t understand your book and don’t like your style. Take criticism with a grain of salt and move on. Remember that you don’t need a degree in literature to write a book, nor do you have to spend a small fortune on hiring an editor. You are the best gage of your talents. If you are good enough at self-editing then don’t spend the money on an editor. If you know that your editing skills are poor at the moment than consider hiring an editor. While it’s easier to make money when you have money to burn on ads and editors and fancy book covers, it’s okay if you don’t have the funds for those things. Do what you can and don’t let your bank account determine whether you write a book. Writing to me is about creating something I would like to read. Writing is more than a career, it’s cathartic and fun. Getting published or becoming a millionaire might not even be your goal. Every path is valid and you can always chose a new one on your writing journey if you need to. It’s possible to succeed without spending money you don’t have if you preserve against negativity and don’t give up.

Keep improving. That’s not to say that your writing is bad, just that no one is perfect and one should never be content with stagnation. Keep learning. Reading is one of the most helpful tools to me as an author. Reading good books not only increases my mood, and lessens the chances of developing writers block, but helps to teach me how good writing is done by providing an example. And practice. You will get better as you practice. Remember that you don’t have to heed the advice of everyone. Some people are going to tell you to make changes due to their preferences. Sometimes their preferences may align with most readers and the advice is helpful and you’d do well to take it. Other times it’s not. Make the changes you agree with to better your writing. If you feel strongly that a change will not help your writing then don’t take it. Also make sure to edit your writing from a fresh perspective. Distance yourself before asking hard questions. You might personally love your work but don’t let that blind you to things like plot holes or lacking character development. After finishing a book I order the proof copy in paperback from Amazon and then make myself wait at least a month to edit it. With the distance that time provides it’s easier to catch mistakes and figure out any pieces that need rewritten or cut entirely.

Do what feels best to you. Succeeding as an author is not done on a unilateral line, there are many different ways to achieve your goals. Find what works for you even if it contradicts anything I’ve said above. Believe in yourself!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best writing advice I’ve ever received is the (potentially cliche) “You can’t edit a black page.” I can’t remember who first said it but it’s advice I do my best to remember. I’m someone who abhors drafting. When I write something I want it to be perfect the first time. Beyond spelling mistakes or grammar errors, I can’t stand writing something that isn’t otherwise going to be worth sharing with the world. All that pressure can make it difficult to write. I have to pump myself up and assure myself that it’s okay not to write something fantastic on the first try. I have to give myself room to fail and to hate what I’ve written and to grow from that. It’s allowed me to learn how to improve my writing. You won’t be able to improve your writing is there’s nothing to look back on and compare it to. Write without the pressure.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading ‘On Writing and Worldbuilding Volume III’ by Timothy Hickson. Hickson has written some of the best writing advise books out there, in my opinion. The tips are easy to follow and understand. Though it’s not the usual fantasy fiction books I read for fun, I’m still greatly enjoying it. Hopefully my writing will improve from the experience as well.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A great many things I hope! I’m planning on writing several Greek mythology retellings with a focus on the gods and their perspectives. I feel like the gods don’t get their own fleshed out character arcs in a lot of stories so I want to explore their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Once I’m done with my untitled Iliad retelling I’ll get to work on another new genre to me: YA mystery. For years I’ve had the story of an unlikely teenage sleuth in my head, I think it’s about time I gave her voice. I’ve also been accumulating and writing my own tips for other authors that I plan to publish in paperback format once I have enough to fill a book. After that things are more up in the air but I have started a little adult historical fantasy romance with some spice. Along the way I’ll keep practicing digital art, maybe giving little updates and sneak peeks of character sketches. Stay tuned for all those wonderful, random upcoming things.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. Warriors: Crowfeather’s Trial by Erin Hunter
2: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
3. Six of Crows by Leah Bardugo
4. Skyfire by Jess E. Owen

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Shailvi Wakhlu

Interview With Author Shailvi Wakhlu

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Technology Leader and International Keynote Speaker. I was the former Head of Data & Analytics at Strava and Komodo Health. Every year, I speak at 25+ global conferences and Fortune 500 corporate events on Self-Advocacy and Data. My sixteen-year career has included companies such as Salesforce, Fitbit, and a software startup I co-founded. My self-advocacy expertise comes from being a practitioner at startups and large companies across three continents. I grew up in India and studied engineering at Illinois Tech, Chicago. Currently, I live in San Francisco with my husband and our sixty plants.

I have written one book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Self-Advocacy: Your Guide to Getting What You Deserve at Work.”

The book is based on a talk I started giving 4.5 yrs ago, which was titled “How to #HumbleBrag Effectively”. I realized after that first talk how much the topic resonated and iterated on many versions over the next 4 years. I also mentored 300+ people, and their stories and what they struggled with helped me prioritize publishing my book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I maintained a daily log of how many words I wrote every day while writing my book. Seeing my progress was motivating to me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved reading ‘The 4-Hour Workweek’ as well as ‘The First 90 Days’. Most other books I enjoy are business books that are a quick read, and I followed that style when I wrote my book as well.

What are you working on now?
I was a speaker before becoming an author, and now I am ramping up my paid speaking opportunities that are connected to the topic of my book. I am working with corporations and other organizations that hire speakers to give talks or run workshops for their communities.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am just beginning to market my book, as so far my book was selling purely based on word of mouth! Through LinkedIn, I was able to drum up a decent amount of enthusiasm for my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Publish a book you are proud of! Don’t compromise on the quality (editing, book cover etc) as you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Time is money, but money can’t buy time.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading ‘The Most Good You Can Do’ by Peter Singer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am focusing on marketing my current book for the time being. But in a few months, I will start working on my next book for which I already have a lot of written content.

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?
Assuming I already knew how to feed myself and survive on a desert island, I’d take along a copy of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ which remains a fantasy book I enjoy even as an adult.

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T.S. McNeil

Interview With Author T.S. McNeil

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a reformed ghostwriter finally making the transition to writing books with my name on them. Overall I have written just over a hundred books, but three under my own name, publisher or contracted by an independent publisher.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Heather’s Haven. I wanted to tell a different sort of Christmas story blended with the sort of ruralism common in 19th century literature. The main character, Heather Fideler was inspired by Taylor Swift, specifically the transformation she underwent with the albums Folklore and Willow, after turning 30.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to Heavy Metal music, no matter how cozy story I’m writing. Usually melodic/symphonic stuff like Frozen Crown, Alcest and Visions of Atlantis.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse, Douglas Adams, Tom Stoppard.

What are you working on now?
A novel about a Welsh Comedian on tour.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still figuring that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Know your characters, inside and out, like an actor might, it makes it much easier to form first your own voice and then theirs.

2. The first draft is least important, get it done, put it away for a day or two and then start revising. Good writing is as much about what you take out or change as what you write in the first place.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fiction writing has a music to it, pay attention to the rhythm.

What are you reading now?
Sarah Bings by Paul Hiebert.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing a full-length novel with my name on 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?
The dictionary (lots of kindling)
War & Peace (I might actually finish it)
The Collected Sherlock Holmes
Infinite Jest

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Dorothy Rosby

Interview With Author Dorothy Rosby

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a syndicated humor columnist living in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. I’m also the author of four books of humorous essays: “I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better,” “I Didn’t Know You Could Make Birthday Cake from Scratch, Parenting Blunders from Cradle to Empty Nest,” “Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About: Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time,” and my latest “‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate: Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand.” And yes, I do have an issue with long titles!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is “‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate: Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand.” We all heap a lot of stress on ourselves in the name of celebrating. That’s definitely the case at Christmas. The only thing that makes me feel more inadequate than reading everyone’s Christmas letter is realizing I have nothing to report in my own—except that I got last year’s tree down by St. Patrick’s Day. And it isn’t just Christmas. We do that with all of our holidays, special occasions and not-so special occasions. So while Christmas gets the most coverage, I work my way through the year, from New Year’s to Valentine’s Day and so on all the way to Thanksgiving, with some off-the-wall occasions and holidays in between.

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

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

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my fifth book which will be a compilation of true but whacky humorous stories.

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

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

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

What are you reading now?
I’m a big mystery fan. I’m in the middle of “Body Work” by Sara Paretsky.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have been getting into performing stories with a local storytelling group. That’s part of the impetus for book number 5 which I’m now working on. Just staying ahead of my regular humor column deadlines and those things is about all I have time for.

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

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Yvonne Osborne

Interview With Author Yvonne Osborne

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a 5th generation Michigander who grew up on the family farm founded by my great-great-grandfather under the tutelage of a grandmother who loved Shakespeare before Shakespeare was cool After college and a stint in Ohio, my husband and I moved back to the family farm and renovated an old farmhouse with a view of the lowlands and space for writing. My poetry and short stories have been published in numerous literary journals and in several anthologies. I have written three novels, but Let Evening Come, my debut, will be the first to be published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
LET EVENING COME is the name of my debut novel to be published on April 2, 2024 by Unsolicited Press. It was inspired by the single memory of losing the boomerang my father brought back from Australia.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unusual but I like to write late and early, in the dark with my coffee mug perched precariously on the couch or armchair beside me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many. I’ll mention the ones that first come to mind.
Stephen King
Margaret Atwood
Louise Erdrich
Cormac McCarthy

What are you working on now?
My galley proof! Bio and Blurb for Let Evening Come, holding up my end of the marketing work. At present this is absorbing all of my time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at this but I’ve found that Facebook and my website, where I started a newsletter signup, have generated the most buzz. Goodreads is great and my book will populate on the site once the publisher sends the files to Ingram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times, but be prepare for rejection. A lot of rejection. Relish it, learn from it, soldier on. And write every day. Even if it’s a sentence a day or a scribble on a bar napkin. Write like a motherfucker and eavesdrop like a spy. The only failed writer is the one who quits.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just that. Never give up. If you’re doing what you love, you’ll succeed.

What are you reading now?
Good Night Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
One Of Our Own by Willa Cather
An Invitation to a Party by MJ Werthman White

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two other completed novels that need editing and one very rough draft that I started during NanNo last year and pecked away at this year before I got the galley proof and marketing packet from the publisher for Let Evening Come.

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?
Okay….this one is hard but if I HAD to narrow it down this would be it.
Ernest Hemingway’s Nick Adam’s Stories
Fox & I by Catherine Raven
The Voyage by Philip Caputo
A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
and because I have a large backpack with room for one more and I might be out there a really long time ….The Food Explorer, the true adventures of the globe-trotting botanist who transformed what America eats by Daniel Stone

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Murray Moffatt

Interview With Author Murray Moffatt

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m retired after working as a Broadcast Journalist for twenty-five years followed by a second career as a Senior Public Relations Consultant. I have written eight books, the last seven have been novels. The first book was an autobiography, ‘A Different Kind of Life’, which my daughter arranged for me to do through StoryWorth. I wrote that book over the course of a year and then decided to keep on going and write some of the stories I had always wanted to do.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is ‘Murder Not Quite Buried’ and it’s the fifth in my Shane Daniels Mystery series. I’ve had some great feedback from readers about the unique plots and the main characters. Shane is a disabled former cop trying to deal with a father who is in prison for murder. His partner, Emma, counsels recent amputees, and then there’s Shane’s childhood friend, Ben Chen, a never politically correct, foul mouthed, ower of a Chinese restaurant. In ‘Murder Not Quite Buried’, Shane reviews the circumstances around the disappearance of a woman seven years ago before her husband receives a huge life insurance payment. But the discovery of a woman and a child’s body buried near Shane’s hometown sends him looking for a cold-blooded killer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write in bursts which usually last about an hour and then I have to walk away from the keyboard and do something else.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Like many writers, Stephen King, because of his unique stories and memorable dialogue, but I’ve always been in awe of the great American novelist James Lee Burke. Every time I read one of his books, I dream about being able to write descriptive prose half as good as him.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the outline for another Shane Daniels Mystery.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I spent a lot of time developing my website in order to promote my books and I have been surprised by the number of visits I receive from around the world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day, even if it’s for ten minutes, because writing is hard work and you have to make it a daily habit or you’ll lose the desire to do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I had the pleasure many years ago of interviewing the great Canadian author W.O. Mitchell (Who Has Seen The Wind) and when I asked him for advice he said, “Write every day”.

What are you reading now?
‘Traitors Dance’ by Jeff Abbot

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Deborah Kennedy

Interview With Author Deborah Kennedy

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books. I’ve only published one. The second book is titled: The Secret of Emerson Hall. It takes place in South Carolina after the 1876. It still requires a lot of research.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Two Kinds of Color. It is based on fact and fiction. As you read through the streets and environment, it is the location of where and how I grew up in a particular ghetto.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One beer before sitting at the computer. It relaxes me. A long walk just to feel and know the characters while thinking of what to write or fix.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Truman Capote, Ernest Hemingway.
Books: To Kill a Mockingbird. The Sun Also Rises. The Grapes of Wrath.

What are you working on now?
A screenplay.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Put your book out there every which way you can. Believe in yourself. Stay focused on your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.

What are you reading now?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To fall in love.

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?
Sherlock Holmes, The complete novels and stories.

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Deborah Kennedy Website

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