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Malia Williams Amazon Profile

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Radii Sivak

Interview With Author Radii Sivak

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When night falls on the planet and it slows down, when new stars are born in the depths of space, when the noise of cities fades and crickets fall asleep – magic begins. My imagination calls and invites me on a fantastic journey into a colourful world flooded with love and joy. Obeying the call, I travel through space and time, visiting other planets. Magical worlds with fantastic visions appear before me. It is a true miracle. Displaying this world in my books, I want you to believe in miracles as much as I do.

The artist whose paintings are used in this book received American awards as the best paintings of 2021.
Radiy Bohem became famous not only for his realistic images for puzzles and books, but also became a fashionable author of paintings for home decoration and room design. His paintings on canvas and metal are considered a valuable gift and a good investment. The paintings can be seen here:
– ArtPal.com/souvenir9w9
– pictorem.com/profile/Radiy.Bohem
– Radiant.imagekind.com
– displate.com/radiy
– for Europe artmajeur.com/souvenir9w9

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am proud to present my first book. I’ve put the best of my head, soul, and crazy imagination into it.
I’m against rubbish content that is a series of silly situations that the main characters keep getting themselves into. Or standard plot development schemes where the only ways to solve problems are through the use of magic or superpowers. This is the easy way to write books for the undemanding reader. With my book, I want to show what a 21st century made-up story should be to enthuse, to be remembered and loved. And to do this, you don’t have to be a professional writer who writes dozens of $0.99 books that leave no trace in your soul or memory.
The story I wrote is called “How We Saved the Galaxy”. The reason for writing it was that amazon was refusing to accept my photo-realistic picture books for sale to look at, enjoy, search for items, and complete tasks. Amazon has a requirement for books to have at least 60 pages of text. That’s when I decided to write my book. I love the films “Valerian and the 1000 Planets”, “Defenders of the Galaxy”. But it’s easy to write stories in which all problems can be solved with magic or superpowers. I didn’t want my story to be like a fairy tale. I want my story to be believed and taken seriously. And really, truly live all the events described. When my characters are sad, so that the reader sincerely, truly sad and sympathise with them. If my characters are happy, so that the reader’s joy was just as huge and burst out in the form of screams or tears of joy. If my characters die, so that the reader also feels all the pain, horror and despair. If my characters are wacky and joking, so that the reader’s laughter can be heard throughout the house. I don’t want my book to be just another escape from boredom for a few hours. I want my book to sink into the soul of every reader, to be remembered for a lifetime, and to become a favorite book.
To that end, I’ve put my soul, my best fantasies and my dreams into it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, of course. I write sober, without stimulating myself with cigarettes, drugs or large amounts of coffee.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Herbert Wells, Conan Doyle, Geoffrey Chaucer,

What are you working on now?
I’m working on four books:
New Adventures in the Galaxy.
A book about raising a child and building a happy destiny.
A book about maintaining and improving good family relationships.
A World Without Conflict (Why People Fight and When Will It End)
I continue to create beautiful aesthetically pleasing paintings.
– ArtPal.com/souvenir9w9
– pictorem.com/profile/Radiy.Bohem
– Radiant.imagekind.com
– displate.com/radiy
– for Europe artmajeur.com/souvenir9w9

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

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s my father’s advice: If you’re gonna do something, do it well. If you do it badly, you’ll have to redo it. If you can’t do it well, don’t do it at all.
The second clever piece of advice was given to me by the head of the Italian drug mafia: If you want something done well, do it yourself.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll buy a house in the south of Spain and a cool car.

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?
Kenteberian Tales, How we saved the galaxy, A collection of anecdotes, a notebook.

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Malia Williams

Interview With Author Malia Williams

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Malia Williams, a passionate author and culinary enthusiast. To date, I have written two books, a cookbook filled with delicious recipes and culinary experiences. I’m currently working on my third book, which is another exciting venture into the world of food and flavors. Cooking and writing have always been my dual passions, and I’m thrilled to share them with my readers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Savor the Flavors: A Culinary Odyssey of Mediterranean Delights”. It was inspired by a deep love for Mediterranean diet, which has been a significant part of my culinary journey. This book reflects the incredible flavors, techniques, and stories that have shaped my passion for cooking, and I’m excited to share this with my readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While I don’t have any particularly unusual writing habits, I do have some unique routines that help me in my creative process. For instance, I find that I’m most productive when i write in complete silence early in the morning or immerse myself in a cozy coffee shop environment. Additionally, I often keep a journal to jot down cooking ideas, which helps me stay organized and inspired. These practices keep me focused and in the creative flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Numerous authors and books have left a lasting influence on my writing journey. Some of the authors who have inspired and shaped my writing style include Jennifer Segal, Kathy Siegel, Robin Donovan whose works introduced me to themes, writing Styles, or literary Techniques.

What are you working on now?
At present, I’m deeply engrossed in the creation of my third book. This project is another culinary adventure. It’s a thrilling and challenging endeavor, and I’m wholeheartedly dedicated to crafting a book that will not only satisfy the taste buds but also tell a unique culinary story. I can’t wait to share this exciting journey with my readers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting my books, I’ve found that a multi-faceted approach works best. I utilize a combination of methods and platforms to reach a broader audience. Social media, including platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, allows me to connect with readers directly and share updates about my books. Maintaining a personal author website has proven invaluable, providing a central hub for readers to learn more about my work and access exclusive content.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make writing a habit. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for your writing. The more you write, the better you’ll become. Reading exposes you to different writing styles and ideas. It can be a major source of inspiration and help you improve your writing. Don’t be discouraged by your first drafts. Writing is rewriting. Edit and revise your work multiple times to make it better. Share your work with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement. Set achievable writing goals. Whether it’s a word count per day or finishing a chapter, having goals can keep you motivated. Rejections and setbacks are part of the writing journey. Don’t give up. Keep submitting your work and keep writing. Understand the publishing industry. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, knowing the business side is essential. Develop an online presence through a website and social media. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your readers and promote your work. Attend writing conferences, join writing groups, and connect with other authors. Networking can open up opportunities and provide valuable support. Writing can be challenging, and self-doubt is common. Believe in your voice and your stories. Your unique perspective matters. Remember that every author’s journey is unique, and success may take time. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep believing in your passion for storytelling.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve come across is:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

This quote encourages authenticity and embracing one’s unique qualities. It reminds us that we shouldn’t try to imitate others or conform to someone else’s idea of who we should be. Instead, we should celebrate our individuality and express ourselves genuinely. This advice resonates with many aspects of life, including creativity, writing, and personal growth.

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?
“Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe: A classic survival tale, which might provide some inspiration and survival tips.
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”: A collection of timeless plays and poetry for entertainment and reflection.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas: A captivating adventure story that can keep you engaged for a long time.
“The Complete Guide to Wilderness Survival”: A practical book that could be incredibly useful in a survival situation.
These selections offer a mix of entertainment, practical knowledge, and potential survival tips for a desert island scenario.

Author Websites and Profiles

Malia Williams Website

Malia Williams’s Social Media Links

Amy Friedl Amazon Profile

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Amy Friedl

Interview With Author Amy Friedl

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’m a runaway 7th grade teacher working on a personal rebrand. Having taught off & on for the last 22 years, I got to a point where I needed a new story for myself. I needed to put my time and energy into things I valued and brought me joy, rather than chasing a state test and being professionally gaslit by 12-year-olds.

I’ve written a couple of books in my rebranding efforts but am the most excited about my upcoming children’s book series, Strong Girls Travel. You can find my Adventure Tracker on Amazon if you’re a list maker and working to define your own adventure. You can also find my personal memoir and workbook (Refocus: A Story of Growth & Self-Discovery) if you’re looking for some support in redefining yourself.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Strong Girls Travel is a book series showcasing a young girl’s adventures in America’s National Parks. Each book finds her learning something new about herself, her world, and her part in it all.

In my own mental & physical journey to get healthy again after a bout with depression, I learned how fulfilling time spent in nature can be and how much I still have to learn about myself and the world around me. Strong Girls Travel came from that desire to help young girls learn the same thing but at an earlier age. I want any girl to be inspired to explore and learn in our national parks!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to be the most productive when I feel like I’m surrounded by life. That could be nature or ambient social noise. So you’ll find me writing and making progress on my balcony listening to birds, at a coffee shop listening to steamed milk, or at our local brewery patio listening to laughter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author is Lewis Carroll. I was always inspired by his seamless way of making the ridiculous believable and engaging. As an adult, I appreciate any book that can create mental pictures easily. If I have to work hard to keep the characters straight, I’ll usually abandon the book.
I’m also smitten with books by Dan Gemeinhart. He writes engaging characters in such a way that I can only hear the character’s voice – I have no idea what Dan’s author voice sounds like.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working to promote the first Strong Girls Travel series book, AJ’s Adventures at Indiana Dunes. But I’m also getting ready to start the second book which will take place in Mammoth Caves National Park, Kentucky.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your goals and break them down into manageable steps. And then every week, work time into your schedule to complete those steps. Goals are only accomplished if we keep moving forward; otherwise, they are just dreams.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You either WANT to do something or NEED to do something. Don’t waste time SHOULDing on yourself.

What are you reading now?
Feral by Emily Pennington – what a fantastic journey through her adventure and America’s national park landscapes!

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next steps are to continue building Strong Girls Travel as a children’s book series. There is also an online energy, interviewing inspiring women doing brave, intimidating things, that I will continue to pursue. After I interview women, I write up articles about their story and hope that it helps other women start to craft their own life 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?
1. The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll – so I have plenty to read.
2. Any book from the Little House on the Prairie series – so I could connect to my childhood and potentially find survival tricks.
3. The Complete Oxford English Dictionary – so I have plenty of kindling.

Author Websites and Profiles

Amy Friedl Website

Amy Friedl’s Social Media Links

Amber Grosjean Amazon Profile

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Jayme Severance

Interview With Author Jayme Severance

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jayme Severance, and I am a debut author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my latest book is The Hayden Diary: Chasing The Prom From A Hospital Bed. It’s a YA memoir about the length of time immediately following a terrible car accident.

The subtitle of the book is Stranger Than Fiction—It’s Non-Fiction.

Amazon and Goodreads got the bright idea that the title and subtitle belonged on the same line. Resulting, you just see a super-long title, which is:

The Hayden Diary: Chasing The Prom From A Hospital Bed: Stranger Than Fiction—It’s Non-Fiction.

That’s totally not the title, but I would need a new ISBN to change it. As those are $125 a pop at Bowker, I’m not touching it with a ten-foot pole. Once was enough.

But anyway, my latest book is The Hayden Diary, and I was inspired by the camaraderie and dedication of the nursing staff of the rehabilitation hospital in the book.

Another reason I wrote it is because there is a whole romantic subplot in the book. See, I had just turned 17 at the time of the accident in October 2006.

And because I was an inpatient at the hospital due to the extent of my injuries, I was in a race with time to heal well enough to attend the prom with my then-girlfriend by my side.

This was a time in my life that where I lived through a lot of trauma. I mean that literally, I had sustained what’s called a traumatic brain injury.

But I also lived through emotional trauma. Suddenly being ripped away from your family, friends, and school as you rehabilitate alone, uncertain if you’ll ever make it back, is very jarring psychologically.

And so, I also wrote the book as a way to process what happened to me—to make a coherent narrative from the experience. After all, writing is a common way to process trauma.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None to speak of. I do have to isolate myself to get anything done, much like Thoreau did when he wrote Walden.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Before James Frey’s memoir, A Million Little Pieces, was discredited, I had read it and observed the techniques he used to tell his story. That had a big influence in how I told the story of The Hayden Diary.

Another book that influenced mine was a book set in the extended universe of Aliens vs. Predator. In particular, I’m talking about Aliens vs. Predator: Prey, by S. D. Perry and Steve Perry.

The way they weaved a character’s thoughts into the story influenced how I wrote The Hayden Diary in a substantial way.

What are you working on now?
Because I wrote the book when I was 18— started it when I was 17—I had a lot of free time that I don’t have as much of anymore. Because of that, when you reconcile it with the lifelong effects of my brain damage, it’s all I can do to hold down a job—never mind additional writing projects.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I plan to make a big product announcement on LinkedIn on October 29th, 2023. That’s the day of my accident.

But yes, it’s being made on LinkedIn because I want to collaborate with organizations to use my book to advance their goals. I’m not using TikTok or Instagram, even though many young adults frequent these platforms.

I want my book to actually mean something, as opposed to being a commodity sold for money. While the narrative is largely written to entertain, I’m trying to demonstrate the reality of living with brain damage and the adverse effects they cause in young people.

This is an interesting angle for a memoir about traumatic brain injury, because memoirs are usually written later in life, not when you’re 18.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There’s no shame in self-publishing. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. In fact, due to the growing popularity of self-published titles, self-publishing is a legitimate way to attract an agent’s attention.

But to be noticed from agents and literary agencies, your self-published book does need to demonstrate that it can sell. I’m talking about thousands of copies and/or downloads.

These are numbers you can use to demonstrate proof of your book’s viability on the market in the query letters you send.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t tell you the single best piece of advice I ever got without referring you to the entire book, because it’s jam-packed with actionable tips.

The book I’m talking about is The AdWeek Copywriting Handbook, by the legendary mail-order copywriter, Joseph Sugarman.

If I absolutely had to pick one lesson from the book, it would be the concept of the slippery slide—to make your content so compelling, readers can’t stop reading.

There are techniques and examples of how to use the concept of the slippery slide in the book.

What are you reading now?
Since the injury, I no longer desire to read for fun. This means a lot of the fiction out there doesn’t appeal to me.

I do like to read about things I can use in real-life, which means I value non-fiction books that teach me skills.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The Hayden Diary was something I wanted to publish shortly after writing it.

Now that it will be published on October 29, 2023, my hope is to use my book to generate as much attention as I can about traumatic brain injuries.

Whatever the next step looks for me as a writer depends on how much attention my announcement on LinkedIn can generate. I don’t anticipate writing any more books for the foreseeable future.

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?
Who has time to read if you’re stranded? Regardless, if I were stranded on a desert island with the chances of rescue imminent, I would bring:

* Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’Dell;
* Shoeless Joe, by W. P. Kinsella, and;
* Tuck Everlasting, by Natlie Babbitt.

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Amber Grosjean

Interview With Author Amber Grosjean

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far, I have 23 books published under various genres. I’ve been writing since I was eleven years old, so thirty-seven years now. I am married with three grown children and five grandchildren who call me Nana. I love adventure and the freedom of writing more than two genres so I do write fantasy, romance, science fiction, mystery, thriller, paranormal, and will be writing horror soon. All under one pen name–A.R. Grosjean

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Alien Taskforce. My husband shared his dream about being chased by aliens. He doesn’t believe they exist so I thought it was cool that aliens were chasing him. I added in a few details and came up with the standalone book. By the time I was finished, there was more story waiting so I came up with a series based on the book (to be written later).

It is science fiction with shapeshifters. The MC flees to Earth after being sentenced for his guilty verdict. After losing his memory, he meets the nurse Natalie Baker who helps him recover what was lost and their adventure begins. Azula must stop his leader from taking over Earth and making humans his new toys.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King is my favorite author and I always wanted to write horror like he does. My first attempt turned out becoming paranormal romance with a horror twist, but it wasn’t bad. I kept having this recurring dream about a house and decided it would be my first horror story. I admire King because he was in his 40s when he started writing and takes a lot from his real life. I’m inspired by that fact and it encourages me every day. I’m in my 40s now so there’s time to hit that mark.

What are you working on now?
I am writing about a mother who is struggling. She’s pushed away from her family and loses her children in the process. But she doesn’t give up. Her pain becomes her strength and she fights for her children. The book is called A Mother’s Pain. It will be released in February 2024.

I am using a few real-life events in this story and adding some fiction to it. This story is meant to be an inspirational piece to help mothers get through their pain.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is https://argrosjeanauthor.wixsite.com/home

I have a bi-weekly newsletter (people can sign up on the website). I also post on Instagram, Facebook, and a little on Twitter. Instagram is the biggest social network for me. I’m on there all the time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t give up. Write one word at a time and don’t worry about how long it takes. Each word down is one word closer to the end. Be true to who you are. Read a lot. Have thick skin so you can handle critics. You can’t please everyone. Write for yourself first. But you do need to know who your audience is. Begin spreading the word about your book before it’s published.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work with what you have. I watched one of those seminar things and when the lady said that, I was like “I can do that”. It doesn’t matter where you are in your writing progress, you have something–use it. This goes toward marketing. I have family members, friends, a website, newsletter–those are the things I can use. Makes sense and I love it.

What are you reading now?
I am between books at the moment.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing because that’s what I love to do. I have one book coming out in December (Hidden Agenda) and will finish writing A Mother’s Pain. Then I’m going to dig in and write a science fiction thriller called Nanobytes. The MC keeps visiting my dreams so I’m excited to tackle that story. I’m also planning on releasing my autobiography next year which covers bullies and homelessness. I’m nervous about that book.

I write and publish five books a year and have a lot of stories on my list waiting to be written. Some of those stories have already been started (some of them were written when I was a kid). And the list keeps growing as new ideas emerge. I may not have time to get to all of them but I’m hoping I get through most.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a tough decision. If I can only take three or four books, I’m going to be screwed lol. Instead, I’d have to take notebooks so I can record my adventures while being on the island. Is that allowed?

Author Websites and Profiles

Amber Grosjean Website

Amber Grosjean’s Social Media Links

Manikantan Sekhar Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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Manikantan Sekhar

Interview With Author Manikantan Sekhar

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of 3 books – “Breeze Past any Interview” , “The Atheist Handbook – A Search Beyond GOD” & “Learn English Grammar through Harry Potter”. I am data analyst by profession. I can found as “Data Science for the Lazy” on YouTube and Facebook. I am a TEFL certified English Trainer.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Learn English Grammar through Harry Potter” is my latest book. I have always prided myself on being able to explain difficult concepts in a simple manner. My experience of learning grammar has always been a drab affair and I am yet to see a Grammar book which one can really classify as ‘interesting’. Hence i decided to take the plunge. ‘Idiot’s guide to Statistics’ by Robert Donnelly was an inspiration in the way he made a dull subject like Statistics a fun and interesting read.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t actually write using pen and paper. I type on my laptop, if you can call that unusual. Since i know, most writers prefer the traditional pen & paper route.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Harry Potter” by J.K.Rowling, “Sherlock Holmes Series” by Arthur Conan Doyle, the works of R.k.Narayan and James Allen.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a book on Data Science to help a layman understand the concepts of data science easily.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take the plunge quickly. You can refine your writings continuously.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you can explain it to a six year old, you have not understood it yourself – Albert Einstein

What are you reading now?
The Indigo Story – A story of rise of Indigo Airline.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of books planned, including one on data science. I will also have to look at the best ways to market my books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Shiva Trilogy by Amish.

Author Websites and Profiles

Manikantan Sekhar’s Social Media Links

Mars G. Everson Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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

Rez Rez

Interview With Author Rez Rez

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written and published more than a dozen books, all of which were non-fiction. “The Bullied Girl’s Boxing Club” is my first published novel, although I’m planning to add to that number (I have two others in the works). When I’m not writing, I’m either in the boxing gym or on my motorcycle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Bullied Girl’s Boxing Club” (formerly The Bullied Girl’s Boxing Lesson). It was inspired by the classic idea of a bullying victim rising up against their tormentor. The twist: the victim and the bully are both girls, something that happens in real life but is rarely, if ever, talked about in fiction. Female bullying is real, and I wanted to create a story where a girl suffers from bullying and overcomes it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write several books at once, and work on them simultaneously until one clearly shows more promise than the others. Then, I’ll go back to the others and see if there’s anything there I can use.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to count. Neal Stephenson’s Snowcrash was a huge influence. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Three Days of Happiness by Sugaru Miaki may be the best light novel ever written. And Robert Heinlein is an absolute master of the art form.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on Devil Blade, about a kunoichi (female ninja) who makes a deal with a devil in order to save her sister.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Sites like Awesome Gang give you amazing bang for your buck when you’re promoting a book. If you don’t believe me, just try it: create a free book promo, then post it here and watch the download numbers go up.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day. Writing is a skill, just like drawing, and it needs to be practiced in order to be honed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The only difference between Navy SEALs and everyone else is that we were brave for just five minutes longer”. I don’t remember the name of the SEAL who said this, but I’ve never forgotten the advice.

What are you reading now?
Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger. One of the most motivating books I’ve ever read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish Devil Blade and move on to the next script. Never stop writing.

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’ll have to get back to you on that one. That’s a long list to pare down to just three books.

Author Interview Series

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Mars G. Everson

Interview With Author Mars G. Everson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m a fantasy and sci-fi author with three novels and a short-story already published, and many more in the pipeline. I just wish I had unlimited time to put to paper (or screen) all the books in my head!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the second part of a grimdark fantasy trilogy, The God Engine, with book 1 “Thralls of a Tyrant God” and book 2 “Pawns of a Cruel God” published earlier this year. Book 3 is coming out in December!

This trilogy has no clear-cut inspiration but has a million subtle references and specific things that inspired it, from the Stormlight Archive and the Malazan Book of the Fallen to Mad Max and Fallout, with a sprinkle of Batman and X-Men references, and a splash of Weiss&Hickman’s fantasy novels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I mostly write late at night after I put the kids to bed, so it means I usually fall asleep with my laptop open. Thank the gods for auto-save!
I used to write early in the morning before going to work, but that’s not doable with school-age kids. I’d have to get up at 5 am to get any writing done, and that’s a no-no.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is tricky because every book influences you and sets you on a path of approaching or going away from certain things. But I love all kinds of genres, not only fantasy and sci-fi, so I’m heavily influenced by literary fiction. It doesn’t mean I imitate or take things from them, but there are some subtle flavors of David Mitchell, Kazuo Ishiguro, Vonnegut, Pynchon and Murakami in my books, but also lots of comic-books and manga, with standouts like Grant Morrison, Alan Moore, Naoki Urasawa, Takehiko Inoue and many others having a huge impact on my style. And then of course: Tolkien first and foremost, with LeGuin, Asimov, Bradbury, Guy Gavriel Kay, Weiss&Hickman, Sanderson, Erikson, Cook, Wolfe… too many to mention, really.

What are you working on now?
I’m finishing my grimdark trilogy as I mentioned before, while plotting the next few books in my head and deciding which one I’m most excited about, which is awful because you have all these little book ideas and you have to choose one and push the rest months or years down the line. That sucks.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There’s not one method, but connecting with people on Twitter used to work before it god X’ed and now it’s kind of wasteland. So I’m looking for the next place that allows me to connect to readers and the writing community in general. I’m on bluesky for now, plus TIktok.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep swimming.

Really. Like Macklemore says “If I did it for the money I’d a been a f*cking lawyer”

And after five books or so (written, not necessarily published, I have a lot of them in drawers) you’ll gain confidence in your ability to write yourself out of whatever hole you’re in. Literary and in life.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not sure. Like Gildor says in LOTR: “Seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill”. Which is in itself advice on not giving advice 🙂

What are you reading now?
*looks at his bedside table in shame*.. I’m reading Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond and Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys on the manga side of things, while going very slowly through Elantris and the Hail Mary Project on the scifi/fantasy niche, and when I have a couple minutes to spare I read indie authors on my kindle or phone.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books! And mostly connecting with my readers. It’s a very lonely task and there’s very little outside gratification, so each new reader, review, or comment is really necessary as fuel to keep you going.
Also, keep switching gears and try out different styles and genres. I have a cozy fantasy in the back of my mind and a samurai fantasy itching to get out on the page.

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?
But if I had to take just one printed book it would be The Lord of the Rings, bar none. If I could take two books, the other one would be The Silmarillion. That’s because they fulfill every need for me. Book 3 would probably be The Bone Clocks or The Thousand Autumns of Jacob deZoet by David Mitchell. And the fourth would be a tie between Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski.

Author Websites and Profiles

Mars G. Everson Website

Mars G. Everson’s Social Media Links

Cygnus Stine Amazon Profile

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Cygnus Stine

Interview With Author Cygnus Stine

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Cygnus Stine, Akila Gberen.
I write books in the Sci-Fi series, Thrillers, Horror, Fantasy and Action and Adventure. I also write Non-fiction, and Self help books.
I am a graduate of HIPDET University Cameroon, and a Lecturer of Computer Programming in British American Polytechnic, Nigeria.
I hide in my writing cave day and night, creating an atmosphere to enable me make sure I teleport through my day dream, get into different dimensions but the one i took interest most was the Alpha dimension to get you those Sci-Fi books plus, getting information about different universes, Creatures and the X-Species. But i didn’t want to remain so long in the F-Dimension otherwise i could grow older than my mother could recognize me anymore.
I Jump from the world of computing and programming into Business Administration and Management which enabled me earned distinct certificates of Fellow as a fellow of The British American Business School (FBABS), Chartered Institute of Finance and Management CIFMA LLC USA (FCIFMA), American Institute of Management and Finance United Kingdom (FAIMFIN UK).
If you really think like i do sometimes, you don’t care about my certifications and achievements more eminently than the bottom-line results i can deliver.
Check my works starting on the Home Page of www.csakila.com or type my name on Amazon.com, Rekutan Kobo, Nook and other 55+ Market places in the world, which one you prefer I’m still there, and if I’m not yet there, give me a message on my Author Contact page or my website or email to csakila.author@gmail.com and you’ll see my books on your door step as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
AI Territory: I am a Mother – Age of the Corrector
Was inspired by the Ultron

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nick Stephenson of YourFirst10kreaders is the the key influencer to my soul. Then i was thrilled by Bryan Cohen of Best Page Forward, and then Derek Doapker of Bestseller Secrets, and Dave Cheson of kindlepreneur.com.
Though i believe i was going to be an Author one day as i was coming up from Secondary school, it never occured to me i was going to write more than two or three books in life until i encountered these guys.

What are you working on now?
I am currently on the AI Territory, to complete the series and then i discovered the Characters; Sophroon, Karoon, Thamaroon and Sataroon etc are created in the Alpha Dimension and F-Dimension are growing beyond my control. Maybe i will jump into writing some books that talks more about them than humans.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am a new Author, I haven’t promote my books in any of the Promotion site yet, this is my first time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When it storm and twirled, it happens only to uproot the wrong trees.
But the indomitable stands unshakable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Better to start and make mistakes than to wait for perfectionism and never make it at all.

Author Websites and Profiles

Cygnus Stine’s Social Media Links

Karen E. Osborne Amazon Profile

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Karen E. Osborne

Interview With Author Karen E. Osborne

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an award-winning and Amazon Kindle best-selling author of four women’s fiction/suspense novels–Reckonings (award-winning family saga/suspense), Tangled Lies (award-winning murder mystery), Getting It Right (suspense women’s fiction recognized by Essence Magazine as a Best Read), and True Grace, my latest and first historical fiction set in 1924 Harlem, NY, launched on September 7, 2023.

My author life followed a career traveling the world as a consultant, trainer, university adjunct faculty member, and motivational speaker.

I believe in generosity and giving back. I hosts a weekly video podcast What Are You Reading? What Are You Writing? supporting fellow authors and readers. I chair the board of directors for Easterseals Florida, helping the differently abled, and serve on the board of my local church.

Native New Yorkers living in Florida, my husband Robert and I have two grown children and three grandsons.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
True Grace was inspired by my extraordinary paternal grandmother. The premise of the book is true, as are many of the details. However, because she isn’t alive to fill in the blanks, I had to research the era as well as make lots of things up — which I love to do. That’s why I write fiction.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I’m unusual. Characters have conversations in my head. I meet someone or hear something and immediately see how their looks, or mannerisms, or clever remarks could find their way into one of my stories. I try to write at least 20 pages a week, hang out with writer-friends, read all the time. Don’t outline but constantly thinking through plot lines and twists. Pretty typical, I’d guess.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Kristen Hannah. The Four Winds influenced by latest book. I read a lot of Michael Connelly, and other writers in his genre. All my books have short chapters and a page-turning pace that I enjoy in his work. I’m a William Shakespeare nut. The five acts of his plays and the arc of the stories taught me a lot. S. A. Cosby, Maya Angelou, Tony Morrison, Jane Austin, Nora Roberts, Walter Mosely, James Baldwin, and an absolute favorite — August Wilson, all taught me a lot.

What are you working on now?
Justice for Emerson will be published November 21, 2024. It’s a genre-blending, contemporary murder mystery, romance, with a touch of historical fiction because many of the scenes take place in 1968 in Viet Nam, and Bangkok.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m delighted to be introduced to Awesome Gang and look forward to meeting your followers. I post most days on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus I have a YouTube Channel and video podcast. I’m on BookBub and belong to the NovelNetwork. Always looking for new ways to meet readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Writers write. You have to carve out the time.
2. Study your craft. Always. Continually.
3. Writers read. Read lots in the genre you’re writing, but also other genres. To learn and grow.
4. Join a writer’s group. Make writer friends. Find beta readers
5. Edit, polish, edit, and polish some more.
6. Believe.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My son, who is an award-winning short story writer, told me to believe in my novel and not give up. Keep sending it out no matter how many rejections you receive. It was the best advice. Once you land that first contract, more come. I’m grateful.

What are you reading now?
The new Robert Galbraith — The Running Grave. Loving it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have quite a few engagements coming up. I try to keep my website up to date and I’m always happy to be invited to book clubs.

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 complete works of William Shakespeare
The complete works of August Wilson
The latest (and unread by me) S. A. Cosby and Nora Roberts

Author Websites and Profiles

Karen E. Osborne Website

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Jeremiah Beck Amazon Profile

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Jeremiah Beck

Interview With Author Jeremiah Beck

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from Wisconsin. Living the cliché, I grew up on a dairy farm after a short stint in the suburbs. 25-years-ago, I got a job in radio broadcasting and have worked in that field ever since, traveling the world, meeting incredible people, and having the time of my life on the air. In 2019, I began work on a book idea that I’ve had for years, and finally published this year, fulfilling a childhood dream! I live in New Orleans now, which is the greatest city I’ve ever called home, despite my love for Madison, Wisconsin.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is entitled “Recollection.” It’s about a radio DJ with highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) or “hyperthymesia,” a condition that causes you to remember every single detail of your life, and the emotions attached to those memories never fade. When considering a title, I found the dictionary definition of recollection to fit the themes of my novel, as well as the hook, so I went with it.

The inspiration came after reading an article about someone with this syndrome, and the difficulties that faced in life after witnessing a tragedy they could never forget or get over. This was the catalyst for creating my main character, Jeremy Peoples, as a school shooting survivor with hyperthymesia, and a habit of making terrible decisions to avoid his unavoidable memories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know what constitutes unusual. I’m a pantser through and through, so I find it hard to write and follow an outline. I come up with a premise, the beginning, the main characters, and then an ending, and that is what I need to begin the journey of how “those characters” will get to “that ending” from “that beginning.”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Irving’s book “A Prayer for Owen Meany” was the book that most influenced “Recollection.” I wanted to create something that dealt with spiritual themes and life struggles, while at the same time operating within a plot that was an interesting journey, with tension and genuinely high stakes.

I’ve also loved Dennis Lehane, JD Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemmingway, (yes) Stephen King and John Kennedy Poole’s book “A Confederacy of Dunces” remains an all-time favorite. “Columbine” was a fascinating exploration of the Littleton, CO school shooting.

What are you working on now?
A novel about grace… and how to unkill someone. If you like “Recollection,” then I think the themes, characters and storyline will be exactly what you’d expect from my follow-up.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve used several book promo sites, and continue to try and master Amazon Ads and Facebook ads, but if I’m honest, I’m still learning how best to promote my book, and can’t say that I’ve “mastered it.” I’m on a “direct-to-reader sales path” currently, so many of my efforts are in that direction, currently, as I build my platform and community.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Publishing the book is Day 1 of your career as an author, not Day Final. Once you hit submit, you go from “I’m writing” to “I’m an author.” One is a hobby. The other is a career. Treat it as such and work accordingly… but if the writing becomes a chore, then reevaluate. Being a business-owner (author) can be a chore, but try hard to keep it from robbing the joy of writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’re not publishing a book, you’re starting a business. Do not expect some publishing company is going to offer you $100,000 for your book while you sit back and write the next one. Publishing a book is either a hobby or a career change, so define your goals early.

What are you reading now?
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be at the 19th Annual Louisiana Book Fest in Baton Rouge on October 28, and then taking the month of November for NaNoWriMo. By December 1st, I’ll have at least 50,000 words toward my next book, in hopes of publishing in 2025.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
The Stand by Stephen King
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger

Author Websites and Profiles

Jeremiah Beck Website

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Robert J Bruton Amazon Profile

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Robert J Bruton

Interview With Author Robert J Bruton

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Robert Bruton, American author of a three-book fictional series on legendary hero General Belisarius.

Robert was born in Detroit but left with his parents after the riots of 1968 drove them to Minnesota. He grew up and spent his childhood days playing ice hockey, collecting stamps, and running cross-country. Robert was active in politics at a young age, and he recalls playing the role of Jimmy Carter during a mock debate before the 1976 presidential election. His dad was the mayor of his town.

After graduating from high school, Robert went to a liberal arts school where he studied Greek and Roman history. He spent his junior year at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, where he studied philosophy and classical languages.

After graduating, Robert went to a major seminary where he began studies in Sacred Scripture and theology. After leaving the seminary, he became an intelligence officer with the CIA and developed a fascination with political intrigue. Robert got married and recently celebrated his thirtieth wedding anniversary. He served in several overseas assignments, including one country that was once part of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was there that he gained a love for the region’s hospitality and tradition of toasting.

He has traveled extensively throughout the countries that once constituted the Roman Empire and spent a great deal of time in Rome and Istanbul, where his three-part historical fiction series takes place.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Empire in Apocalypse
Two things: first, the story of Belisarius and Antonina is one of the great love stories of the Roman era, and today, when adultery is often justification for an immediate divorce, Belisarius’s unconditional love for his wife offers an inspirational challenge. Second, when I finished my Master’s thesis on the role of climate change in the decline of the Roman Empire, I wanted to find a way to show this story to people who are concerned about this issue in our times but wouldn’t make it through the first chapter of a history book. This novel tells the personal story of the impact from a man whose life ambitions were ruined by cold summers and the world’s first pandemic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t think of any

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Count Belisarius

What are you working on now?
I am currently taking a break from writing additional books, and am focusing on promoting the three that are in the process of being published.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still discovering new methods and approaches, this being my first book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Even if it takes years and years to write and publish a book, it is well worth it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am thinking of writing a ficitional series set in the Mayan era.

Author Websites and Profiles

Robert J Bruton Website

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Robert Walker Amazon Profile

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Robert Walker

Interview With Author Robert Walker

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was a kid–mostly short stories. I remember writing “Tips, a Dog and Cuddles, A Cat” which my second-grade teacher proudly read to my class when it was finished. My father was a professional editor and wordsmith, and he fanned the flames of writing in me throughout my youth. Mostly I wrote stories, but I did start a western novel after digesting most of Zane Grey’s works in my teens. After college, I got “a real job” and started a family. No more time for writing. Now I’m an old man in an empty nest, with plenty of time on my hands. So the love of writing has blossomed again, and seems to have taken root.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Six Moons, Seven Gods is my latest (and first) novel. I wish I could say exactly what inspired it. Following retirement, and faced with an empty nest, I finally found the time to devote to serious writing, and Six Moons is what came out of me. I will say, however, that the movie Camelot made a big impression on me as a kid, as did the Dune trilogy when my father read it to me. Later in life, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Gentleman Bastard series to my son before bedtime–a few chapters each night. So I suppose a bit of all that helped to inspire Six Moons.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I doubt it’s that unusual, but I find I do my best thinking and imagining while I am lying on my back in a place where I feel comfortable. Don’t ask me why.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Zane Grey, Scott Lynch, Frank Herbert

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Six Moons, Seven Gods.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I new. I’m fairly new to the world of marketing and promotion, so I’m still trying to figure out what works the best!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
We’re all different, and I think each of us works best in a different environment, so I’d encourage new authors to experiment and find that environment that makes them most productive. For me, that’s when I am all alone, left to my thoughts in some darkened space. A light background of music that I love is also very helpful.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve been given a lot of good advice over the years. One of the best pieces came from my father, who once told me that I would benefit immensely by reading my work back to myself–out loud, and slowly. He said that was one of the best ways to catch my own mistakes. And he was right.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been procrastinating (writing seems to take up all my spare time!), but a newly-purchased Game Of Thrones bookset continues to stare at me from my bookshelf .

What’s next for you as a writer?
My mind is gearing up for the sequel to Six Moons, Seven Gods.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
How to Build a Boat by Elaine Feeney
How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate Survival Guide by Bear Grylls
And of course, Scott Lynch’s The Gentleman Bastard Series

Author Websites and Profiles

Robert Walker Website

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Aurelia Everly Amazon Profile

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Aurelia Everly

Interview With Author Aurelia Everly

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Am a passionate advocate for empowerment through creativity and literature. As a professional in the world of crafts, i channel my love for artistic expression into my work, inspiring others to find solace and joy through creative endeavors.

My journey to this point has been marked by formidable challenges, including a tumultuous upbringing riddled with low self-esteem and family discord. Overcoming these hurdles, i discovered the transformative power of self-expression and storytelling. Driven by my own experiences, i dedicated myself to writing impactful books for women, sharing my story and insights to help others navigate their own paths to healing and self-discovery.
So far i have written four books, one has been published and the others are undoing publication process

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Navigating the Twenties. What inspired it was my struggles as a teenager, coming up from a background that my family never saw accord, i found it hard in life navigating my path. there were struggles, fights and lots of cast down but i came to realized that life has a meaning for me, and it was for my story to inspire people and help them in life journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
yes, i write also on my profession about crafts. I also write on devotionals, books for woman power

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oprah Winfrey really inspired me, Robert T. Kiyosaki, Robert Greene

What are you working on now?
The Woman Power. Mostly about how to gain woman power, how to be in control, how to be independent, how to be a beacon and icon to young women and boss among men

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up, always strive for more. Don’t accept crumbs and when told no, prove them wrong and stand your guard.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never say Never

What are you reading now?
48 Laws of Power

What’s next for you as a writer?
venturing to discover more about myself and create an audience for everyone

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Think and Grow Rich
Build the life you want
Affirmative Badass

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Gwendolyn Rowens

Interview With Author Gwendolyn Rowens

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, Gwendolyn Rowens is a “pen name,” as I am not quite brave enough to reveal my identity at this time. I can reveal I am 27 years old and live in the Memphis, TN area. I have five cats, I have a day job as a social worker, and I someday dream of being a wonderful mom who lives in North Carolina. I have only written one book to date.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first and only book would be my latest as well. It all came from healing through my journey of discovering what I wanted and didn’t want in life and getting through trauma during a difficult time in my life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often use my phone’s notes app to jot down the words when they first come to me. It is most convenient. I also do not think there is a plane ride in which I have not received some form of inspiration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, goodness. Too many to say. Out of the classics, absolutely Emily Dickinson. I had no idea how alike we were in styles and personalities until doing further research on her myself. I came to like her before I ever liked her writing. Other than that, modern day poets such as Lang Leav, Amanda Lovelace, and Courtney Peppernell.

What are you working on now?
I always have something in the works- whether or not it will make it to print all depends on the success of my first book, of course.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say building a genuine connection with other authors through Instagram has been my biggest asset.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Marketing matters more than you think it does. Especially if you write under a pen name. I highly encourage you to start marketing way before your book releases.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It came from a coworker’s mother. She said, “don’t choose the one you love the most- he will know that and exploit that. Choose the one that loves you the most.”

What are you reading now?
I love going to Mckay’s (a used bookstore) and picking up poetry that looks interesting. At this moment, I am in the middle of “Reaching the Sun” by April Green.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another book in my poetry series, hopefully! I have it ready to edit and illustrate- but the when is a big question mark.

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 always been bad at this sort of thing. I suppose the Bible would be a given considering my faith and how many stories it contains. Otherwise, probably books with collections of stories in them.

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Gwendolyn Rowens Amazon Profile

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Bryon Ehlmann Amazon Profile

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Bryon Ehlmann

Interview With Author Bryon Ehlmann

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
All my academic degrees are in computer science—BS, MS, and PhD. I’m a very tenacious, mathematical, logical, and analytical person. (Too rational, according to my sisters!) I was a software engineer for a computer company for twelve years and a computer science professor for thirty years.

In 2012, at age 62, I grew tired of keeping up with the ever-changing idiosyncrasies of computer software systems. After all, I’m also a more theoretical person. Instead, I wanted to apply my talents, skills, and an open mind to the Big Questions in life, which meant studying the more established fields of philosophy, religion, and psychology. So, I retired early.

I’ve written two books. My first book was related to my specific expertise in computer science. It was published in 2009 by Springer. Its title is Object Relationship Notation (ORN) for Database Applications: Enhancing the Modeling and Implementation of Associations.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Natural Afterlife Discovered: The Newfound, Psychological Reality That Awaits Us at Death.

Soon after I retired, I woke up from a dream and, for the first time in my life, thought, “Suppose I never had woken up. How would I ever know the dream was over?” My thought was, “I wouldn’t. How could I?” I also thought, “Why hadn’t I or others asked this question before?” I had to investigate.

Essentially, what I had carried out was a thought experiment. It led to others, like “When being given general anesthesia, when do I know I’m not on the operating table?” My answer: “Only when I wake up in the recovery room.” But then, “suppose I never do?” My response: “Then I’ll forever believe I’m on that operating table. Reading articles about near-death experiences (NDEs) made me think: “Suppose I’m having an NDE, where I believe I’m in heaven like many survivors do. When do I know I’m not? Only when I recover. But suppose I never do? How will I ever know I’m not in heaven?” I won’t!

These thought experiments led to ten years of research and analysis. My efforts revealed a new reality about death and the afterlife based on human experience and cognitive science. As my understanding of this reality evolved, I wrote articles, including three published in psychology journals. I eventually expressed the reality as the theory of a natural eternal consciousness.

Then, I felt obligated to write a book. It would allow me to make the content of my journal articles more accessible to the public, tell of the challenge I had faced in trying to publicize a newfound reality that upsets current orthodoxy, discuss the potential philosophical and religious significance of this reality, and most importantly, make as many people aware of it ASAP. The more people who know about it, the better the world will be.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I suffer from being a better editor than a writer. I often read what I’ve written, don’t like it, and have to change it. Unfortunately, this often occurs after it’s already been published.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
These are three nonfiction books that made me look at the world with new insight:
Biocentrism by Robert Lanza, MD Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.

What are you working on now?
I’m not working on another book. I’m a 75-year-old retiree and too busy with my new hobby: marketing my book and responding to comments and questions from readers. I have to call it a hobby since my wife accuses me of still working too much on my book.

I’ve found that writing a book is half the job. Marketing it is the other half when you self-publish. While doing so has many advantages, a disadvantage is that you don’t have a publisher with the incentive and means to market it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for me is my website https://bryonehlmann.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My book presents a theory that upends the current orthodoxy about death and an afterlife. It’s radical, “outside the box,” and provocative to many. As such, I believe many journal editors and book agents think, “It’s too hot to handle.” In the book, I tell of my travails in getting my journal articles and book published–eighteen rejections for one of my journal articles and seventy rejections by book agents.

So, my advice to new authors: Be persistent! If you believe in the value of your idea or story, don’t give up despite many submissions and rejections. When I finally found the right journal after those eighteen rejections, the editor exclaimed in response to my submission: “Wow! I’m a bit speechless. … my “wow” pertained to the writing and topic, everything.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Regarding my book, that would be “Consider self-publishing.” This advice was especially good for a nonfiction author like me who had a clear message to impart, wished to retain control over how it was delivered, and wanted it to be delivered ASAP. Also, royalties are generally higher with self-publishing. Given a publisher’s posted printing costs, you can determine your book’s price and thus royalty. And you can make revisions more quickly and cheaply before and after the book is published.

What are you reading now?
Interesting articles on politics, history, science, and especially those relevant to my book. My book reading has been put on temporary hold. As I previously mentioned, a disadvantage of self-publishing is that marketing is your responsibility. I’ve contracted for help on this, but it still involves much time and effort on my part.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Interviews, presentations, book signings, and continuing to respond to readers’ questions.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
First the practical, then books to ponder:

· Outdoor Life: Ultimate Bushcraft Survival Manual: 272 Wilderness Skills | Survival Handbook by Tim MacWelch

· History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day by Smithsonian Institution (Nigel Ritchie and Adam Hart-Davis)

· An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, 4th Edition by Brian Davies

· The Bible

Author Websites and Profiles

Bryon Ehlmann Website

Bryon Ehlmann’s Social Media Links

Barb and Park Lien-Cooper//Cooper Website

Pinterest Account

Author Interview Series

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

Barb and Park Lien-Cooper//Cooper

Interview With Author Barb and Park Lien-Cooper//Cooper

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, Barb here. Park and I write fiction (and graphic novels and other things) under the studio name of Wicker Man Studios. Our tagline is: “Wicker Man Studios: Relationship Dramas in Spooky Worlds”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book I’d like to talk about is entitled SONG TO THE SIREN. My books are never inspired by just one thing. For instance, Song to the Siren (STTS) was inspired by reading punk rock poet Patti Smith’s memoir, Just Kids, about her time as a young woman in New York. But it was also inspired by reading a biography of a musician I like. I wanted to write about a musician of a mythical cult rock band, but I didn’t have a plot yet. But STTS was also inspired by when I wrote a sequel to Turn of the Screw. And STTS was also inspired by re-reading Oliver Onions’ classic novella, “The Beckoning Fair One.” And I’d just re-read The Haunting of Hill House yet again. Hill House, Turn of the Screw, and “The Beckoning Fair One” are all examples of what is known as the “ambiguous ghost story.” I’d always wanted to do one of those, so Song to the Siren came to be.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write when I have a good idea. I think that authors who say, “Don’t wait to be inspired,” end up writing a lot of uninspired novels based on weak ideas.

Also, I write in sudden bursts of energy instead of doing a little bit of work daily/steadily.

Finally, I have my husband read our work out loud while I make breakfast, so I can hear if the dialog and narrative voices flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Park’s list is: Roger Zelazny’s Nine Princes in Amber and its next two sequels. A Princess of Mars. Ringworld. Ray Bradbury’s Death is a Lonely Business.

What are you working on now?
Working on adding to my Song to the Siren series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We aren’t really sure yet! We mostly just ask people for reviews, and we post things like trailers on our website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There’s LOTS of it on our website! Our publisher urged me to write some articles about it because he felt everyone wants to read about writing advice. So, I wrote a lot about it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you’re not doing something different, you’re not doing anything.”

–Sam Phillips (owner of Sun Records, Godfather of Rockabilly)

What are you reading now?
I haven’t decided yet. I’m thinking about re-reading Stir of Echoes, but I also like history, so I’m thinking about reading Wolf Hall. But I also have The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole on my list, as well as the ghost stories of Ada Buisson. Like many readers, I have a pile of books I really should read.

The last two novels I (re)-read were Rebecca, and The Secret History. I have a special fondness for that last book, because my husband gave me a copy when we first got together. He thought it would be on my wavelength.

Also, right now, Park and I are reading over a draft of one of our novels, to make sure it’s error-free (including possible continuity errors). The novel is part of The Talking Cure novel series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As mentioned above, I’m working on the STTS series. Park is working on writing some small role-playing games…

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 last four rough drafts I’d been working on, most likely.

But there are four novels that are my go-to books in terms of inspiration, so I’d probably bring Jane Eyre, Turn of the Screw, Dracula, and The Haunting of Hill House.

I suspect that my husband will bring his big book of Zelazny’s Amber series, maybe some Robert E. Howard, and some Tolkien.

Author Websites and Profiles

Barb and Park Lien-Cooper//Cooper Amazon Profile

Barb and Park Lien-Cooper//Cooper’s Social Media Links

Author Interview Series

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

Malia Williams

Interview With Author Malia Williams

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Malia Williams, and I’m a young author. I’ve written one cookbook and am currently working on my second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “The Heart Healthy Cookbook for Two: Delicious Recipes for a Healthy Heart and Lasting Love”. Enveloped in the rich tapestry of our culinary journey, I drew inspiration to craft this cookbook from my dearest companion and friend, Liam. Our bond, a profound and unbreakable connection, led us to embark on a shared voyage. Together, we chose to unveil the essence of our experiences, offering readers a delightful tapestry of culinary artistry through our carefully curated recipes.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While I don’t possess any truly unusual writing habits, I do have some unique practices that help me in my creative process. For instance, I find that I am most inspired to write in the early morning when the world is still, and my thoughts are fresh. Additionally, I often enjoy a cup of herbal tea or soft instrumental music to create a tranquil writing environment. These routines help me focus and tap into my creativity more effectively.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors and books have had a profound influence on my writing. Some of the authors who have inspired me include Robin Donovan, Anne Danahy, Mila Davis whose works have taught me about it. Some of the aspects and themes that have greatly influenced my approach to cooking and writing in my cookbook are a deep appreciation for regional cuisine, a focus on using locally sourced ingredients, and an emphasis on creating dishes that are not only delicious but also sustainable and environmentally conscious. These elements have played a significant role in shaping the recipes and the overall philosophy of my cookbook. These influences have shaped my writing style and the themes I explore in my own work.”

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I am fully immersed in the creation of my second book, which is “The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: Meal Plans, Expert Guidance, and 200 Recipes to Get You Started”. I’m dedicated to exploring new culinary horizons and sharing more of my passion for food and cooking with my readers. It’s an exciting journey, and I’m looking forward to unveiling the delicious stories and recipes that await in this upcoming project.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting my books, I’ve found that a combination of methods works best for me. First and foremost, I leverage the power of social media platforms like Facebook to connect with my audience and share updates about my books. Additionally, I maintain a personal author website where readers can find more information about my works, access exclusive content, and contact me directly. Collaborating with book bloggers, participating in book events, and reaching out to book clubs have also proven to be effective strategies in spreading the word about my books. It’s essential to have a well-rounded approach, both online and offline, to reach a broader audience and build a community of passionate readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write Regularly: Make writing a habit. The more you write, the better you’ll become. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for your writing.

Read Widely: Reading exposes you to different writing styles and ideas. It can be a great source of inspiration and help you improve your writing.

Edit and Revise: Don’t be discouraged by your first drafts. Writing is rewriting. Edit and revise your work multiple times to make it better.

Seek Feedback: Don’t be afraid to share your work with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement.

Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable writing goals. Whether it’s a word count per day or finishing a chapter, having goals can keep you motivated.

Stay Persistent: Rejections and setbacks are part of the writing journey. Don’t give up. Keep submitting your work and keep writing.

Learn the Business: Understand the publishing industry. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, knowing the business side is essential.

Build an Author Platform: Develop an online presence through a website and social media. It’s a great way to connect with your readers and promote your work.

Network: Attend writing conferences, join writing groups, and connect with other authors. Networking can open up opportunities and provide valuable support.

Believe in Yourself: Writing can be challenging, and self-doubt is common. Believe in your voice and your stories. Your unique perspective matters.

Remember that every author’s journey is unique, and success may take time. Keep writing, keep learning, and keep believing in your passion for storytelling.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Believe in yourself, and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

This advice underscores the importance of self-belief and resilience. It reminds us that we have the potential to overcome challenges and obstacles, no matter how daunting they may seem. Self-confidence and a strong belief in one’s abilities can be powerful motivators for achieving personal and professional goals.

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am engrossed in reading non-fiction literature about housekeeping and marriage. Understanding the intricacies of maintaining a household and building a life together is a pivotal step in one’s journey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my journey is an ever-evolving one. I’m currently focused on completing my second book and bringing it to readers. Beyond that, I aspire to continue exploring new writing opportunities, potentially branching into different genres, and always striving to grow and refine my craft. Writing is a lifelong endeavor, and I’m excited to see where my creativity takes me in the future.

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?
Selecting just a few books for a desert island is a challenging task, but I would choose the following:

‘Robinson Crusoe’ by Daniel Defoe: This classic survival tale would provide me with valuable insights into how to make the most of my time on the island.

‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare’: With the richness of Shakespeare’s writing, I’d have endless entertainment and profound insights.

‘The Ultimate Survival Guide’: This practical book would offer essential knowledge for thriving in a challenging environment.

‘The Art of Cooking’: Since I have a passion for cooking, a comprehensive cookbook would help me create delicious meals from whatever resources are available on the island.”

These selections offer a mix of entertainment, practical knowledge, and the ability to nourish the body and mind while stranded on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles

Malia Williams Website

Malia Williams Amazon Profile

Malia Williams’s Social Media Links

Andrew Pacholyk Amazon Profile

Author Interview Series

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

Andrew Pacholyk

Interview With Author Andrew Pacholyk

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Andrew Pacholyk is a licensed acupuncturist (NY, FL), board certified herbalist, and master healer with over 20 years of experience in the field of alternative medicine. I have written three books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pearls of Light: passion, poetry & positive affirmations. This book came out of a demand from my patients who were looking for a handy little reference guide filled with positive affirmations and little life remedies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It really depends on the book. Sometimes, I write in sequence of chapters, but usually I piece everything together.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Louise Haye, Wayne Dyer, Andrew Weil.

What are you working on now?
A psychological thriller series. In ways It’s a departure from my genre, but in someway it also takes a look at how the mind works, which intrigues me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Going broad, seems to work best. Amazon is important for the sheer amount of readers but reaching out to as many options as possible finds you a variety of other new connections.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about what you love and have a passion for. Learn your craft. Be open to all possibilities.
What works for one author or genre may not work for another. Be persistent!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are a unique individual with yoir own set of stories and experiences. People can learn from your passions and insights. Don’t be afraid to share.

What are you reading now?
The Pit and the Pendulum.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am fully engrossed in writing the second book in my new 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?
You Can Heal Your Life
A Survival Guide To Island Life
War and Peace

Author Websites and Profiles

Andrew Pacholyk Website

Andrew Pacholyk’s Social Media Links