Awesome Author Interviews

Lianis Salum Amazon Profile

Sevvrin E

Interview With Author Sevvrin E

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a four time published author currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Liberal arts with a minor in Criminal Justice. I love all things music, art, gender studies, and health. I’m also a recording artist and specialize in alt and indie music. I’m self-taught with 4 instruments, and have been songwriting before I even thought about being an author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Tall Scarves, and it was inspired by short story I wrote about mother and son with a bond later turned sour due to abuse.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bang! by Sharon G. Flake
Jerk, Calfornia by Jonathan Friesen
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Bloomability by Sharon Creech

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on an album named “Juno: Wife of Jupiter”. I want to talk about relationships and feeling reborn within them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to network with those who create book reviews for their own individual websites and platforms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write like you have nothing to lose and then you’ll realize you have so much more than you thought.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That I’ve taken care of everyone else for a lifetime and now I need to care for myself.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to explore stories involving multiple, alternating perspectives.

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?
Refer to the books listed that have influenced me.

Author Websites and Profiles

Sevvrin E Amazon Profile

CT Magus

Interview With Author CT Magus

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired educator and attorney. I live with my wife with the prettiest blue eyes ever (boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife for 59 years). We live with my basset hound named Hubert (after St. Hubertus who, long ago, bred the basset and Hubert Davis of UNC basketball fame), my wife’s cuddly little Maltipoo named Bruiser, and two cats, one of whom sleeps beside my computer while I am working, and a jet black cat named Merlin, of whom everyone is terrified, except me. I have run 50 marathons, but now that I am retired, I’m too busy to invest that kind of time in training, so now I only do halfs. When I can get Merlin out of my lap, I try to read, write, raise roses (only with partial success), and spend time mowing grass and gardening in the summer and carrying wood for the fire in the winter.
There will ultimately be four books (and maybe more if I can get to them) in this series. I have also written a memoir of my days in the Peace Corps in Iran (I did a lot of good, didn’t I?) and have done enough genealogical research to write a history of my children’s families after finding my side is descended from Knights of Arthur’s Round Table (if there was such a thing). Then I found my wife is a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce. She now insists I address her as “your majesty.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My current book is Journey to Camelot. There were a couple of inspirations. One was a trip to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, rich in Arthurian tradition. It is magnificently beautiful and historically important—though traditional stories are lost in a fog of time. The second was listening to Le Morte d’Arthur while running (from Librivox.org). I listened to these wonderful stories and one day had the thought, wouldn’t it be great if I could introduce my grandchildren to these people? Then I came up with the idea of writing them into the stories so that they became participants and active members of that far-off world. So it began.
Underlying all these “inspirations” is my dismay at the disconnect between us (humans) and each other, all sentient creatures, and the earth herself. My dogs bark; my cats purr and make themselves understood. The earth speaks too if only we listen and try to understand. As a species, we seem not to be listening or understanding her language. In fact, we hardly even seem to know that she is speaking. So, I have tried to put things in the mouth of Merlin, or the kids themselves, that might someday help them understand a more holistic relationship between them and the web of life and their responsibilities within it. Once I started, there was nothing to do but complete the series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do have unusual writing habits. My regular daily run is four miles. It is there that thoughts emerge. They rise like bubbles in a carbonated drink. Somewhere in mile one, pain pries my mental fingers loose from the reins of my intellect. Along about mile two, ideas emerge. Somewhere around mile three, ideas grow and flourish. After mile four, I stumble into the house, hot and sweaty, and make a few notes. The next morning, I write what I thought about on the run. Mile after mile, day after day, books emerge. There is no magic, only slow, plodding persistence.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Tony Hillerman and would love to be as good at telling a tale as he. Dan Brown can spin a pretty good yarn as well. Of course, I owe a great debt of gratitude to Sir Thomas Malory for pulling together all these old stories as he sat molding in an English prison. Flannery O’Conner is the best, most precise writer I have experienced. Then there is Victor Hugo. I try to emulate them all as circumstances dictate.

What are you working on now?
I have three more books in this series, written but not yet polished and published. Each of them is very different. The second weaves the characters into the fabric of Le Morte d’Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail. In the third book, they find the Grail and describe their experiences and how they make meaning of them. Lastly, another book concerns Merlin’s initiation of the kids into their roles as shamans.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know. Awesome Gang is my first effort at promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to write a lot of trash to get to something good. The only way to become a good writer is to sit down and write. And, of course, the ultimate truth is, “there is no good writing. There is only good rewriting.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Happy wife, happy life.

What are you reading now?
Wailing Woman by Tony Hillerman, Merlin, Priest of Nature by Jean Markale, The Fairy Gates of Avalon by Gareth Knight, Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, and everything I can find by Rollo May and Joseph Campbell.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A sequel to the series came to me while running a half marathon. I don’t know if I will get to 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?
Le Morte d’Arthur (Winchester manuscript),
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe,
A Tale of Two Cities, and
Beloved, 81 Poems of Hafez.

Lianis Salum

Interview With Author Lianis Salum

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey there!

I'm a young author who has read at least a thousand books and always wanted to write. After a while, I decided the best way to do things was to simply start.
Outside of writing, I'm an archer, a baker, and I enjoy studying ancient history and myths.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called "The Emperor's Hand." I was inspired by a lot of things, from the Hunger games to LotR and ancient Rome. Elements of all of those show through my writing pretty clearly.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I spend a lot of time sitting and staring at my computer without actually writing, then I'll write in bursts of 500-1000 words suddenly. It's not efficient, but it works.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkien has been one of my biggest influences and inspirations. I like to think I take partial influence from literally everything I read, and it all comes together into what I write.

What are you working on now?
I'm currently starting off on a new novel. I'd prefer not to reveal the contents of it yet, but it's likely to be even better than my first book.

I am also thinking about a prequel to The Emperor's Hand, which will possibly be released within 2 years.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tend to look for several websites to promote my books for free on. I use the KDP program to offer by book as a free download for short periods of time to boost visibility as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You just have to sit down and write. It's hard and takes a lot of effort, but it's going to pay off. Planning is good, but don't plan too much or you'll have a stale book that nobody wants to read. You have to let creativity take control.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nobody I know personally is an author, and I've not been given any advice on the subject of writing. Outside of that, it was probably to simply never give up, which applies to just about everything.

What are you reading now?
I'm reading books of instruction on publishing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I'm not entirely sure what's next, but hopefully something unexpected. It's possible my currently published book will do well, and then everything will change.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I'd bring The Hobbit, Frankenstein, and Eragon without hesitation.

Author Websites and Profiles

Matthew Harrison

Interview With Author Matthew Harrison

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a first-time author and quite honestly never dreamed I would ever write a book in my lifetime. But that changed when I was arrested, found guilty, and incarcerated for a crime that I did not commit. From the moment of my arrest, I felt as if I were treated guilty until proven innocent, instead of innocent until proven guilty. This entire experience inspired me to share my story of what really happened, what led up to it, and how I functioned in the judicial system. I wanted my children, family, and friends to know the truth. I also wanted to share my story with others, hoping it would help them to avoid my mistakes and to learn from my experiences. To me if even one person were helped by reading my book, it would be worth the time and effort.

A little personal knowledge about me: I am a father of three beautiful children. I maintain a strong bond with them, even though I am not physically with them. I enjoy reading books that inspire and encourage, which is what I hope my book will be to those who read it. My faith is very important to me, and my belief in God drives my decisions and direction in life. I have a wonderful and mostly supportive family who help provide the things I need while I am here. It is my hope that my book will bring the truth to light and bring about a change in my circumstances one day soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My inspiration came from the events of the past 8 years. Being accused of a crime I did not commit ruined my life and devastated my family. During the legal process, my side of the story was never able to be told for several reasons. Because of the false narratives and lies told in the media and on the internet, and my children and family hearing and reading these things, the truth needed to be told. I also wanted to share the experiences I had and the changes that took place in my life as a result of turning to God for help. I needed to share these truths with my children and family and any who would read my book so that my side of the story could finally be told.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Because I had to author my book while in prison, I had access to only emails. This made it challenging to author a book as each email to my family member agent and editor had to be copied and pasted into a Word document and then formatted into a book, proofread numerous times, and finally submitted to a self-publishing company for printing and distribution. If I had access to Microsoft Word or other writing tools, the process would have been much easier and less time consuming. It took three years to complete my book using this process. It was a very unusual way to write a book, but it was the only option I had; and I was determined to succeed!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by many spiritual books such as The Bible, The Book of Mormon, C.S. Lewis books, Tolkien Lord of the Rings, books by religious leaders, self-help books such as Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Outside the Box, historical fiction and nonfiction, and classics from authors such as Hemingway, Daniel Keyes, Harper Lee, and John Steinbeck. I have always enjoyed reading and find I learn so much about life from those who are willing to share their talent and experiences.

What are you working on now?
The next book I am working on is also based on the last eight years of being in prison. I am writing it to help other people who are arrested navigate the judicial process and learn how to protect their rights in jail and in prison. There is so much that people do not tell you until you are there; and once you are there, the experience can be so overwhelming that you do not think clearly and can be taken advantage of by lawyers, inmates, jail and prison staff, and even the system itself. My book can help people understand what to expect in each stage of the process, how to choose a competent attorney, costs and fees in jail and prison, and all the necessary steps from beginning to end. Most importantly it shows how to survive and even thrive your time in county jail or prison. I use firsthand experiences and those of unnamed inmates to help others know what things to do and what to avoid. Because I was not familiar with the system when I was arrested, many of my rights and opportunities were missed because I did not know what to do or what to expect. I want to help others, particularly those who are innocent, not make those same mistakes and avoid prison time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing for most newbie writers is the biggest pitfall of all. You can spend thousands and not know if your promotions are working., One big problem with self-publishing companies is that many do not report earnings except quarterly, which leaves a new author for as much as six months wondering if their promotions are working. So my agent and I have found that you have to try a variety of sites and promotions—a broad range is best to begin with. Sites like Goodreads are worthwhile but be careful not to fall into the trap of giving away books without any kind of reader contact as your reward. One of the best sites is LinkedIn where both readers and authors “hang out” to exchange ideas and ask questions. I encourage new authors to set up accounts on key social websites and post promotions. We have done our own and have learned a lot from what see on these sites and apply insights to ours.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not get discouraged. Marketing has a learning curve and experience will be your best teacher. Hang in for the long haul and do not expect instant fame. Focus on your main goal; if you are achieving that goal, then you are not a failure. Money comes slowly, but if you apply what you learn, your book will be successful—at least in your eyes. One of the main reasons I wrote was to heal fractures with my family and friends because they did not know the truth. After reading my story, several have written and apologized for not believing me and asking me to forgive their lack of trust and support. All of my children have read my book, and we are once again strengthening our bonds.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One author I met on a social media website posted that authors should not worry if they find errors in their book. He said that he had several proofreaders look over his book and there were still errors that came through. I echo that statement. Do the best you can. Many readers will not notice what you noticed and be forgiving if they do.

What are you reading now?
I enjoy all genres, along with scripture reading. For pleasure, I am rereading J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books because Tolkien was heavily influenced by C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors. I have also started reading the Harry Potter books again, as I enjoyed them when I was younger and find I still enjoy them now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to work with local and national judicial improvement organizations to influence effective change in the judicial system. So many laws are local laws and different from one state to the next. However, I am contacting some national organizations who have branches in states. Few leaders of those organizations have actual knowledge about prison life.

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, I would take my Bible and Book of Mormon. Next, I would take a couple of C.S. Lewis books. Maybe take along something from Vince Flynn to really keep me alert during difficult times.

Author Websites and Profiles

Matthew Harrison Website

Matthew Harrison Amazon Profile

Matthew Harrison’s Social Media Links

LoversIn Literature Amazon Profile

LoversIn Literature

Interview With Author LoversIn Literature

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
📖We are a couple devoted to exploring diverse child development methods for many years. 👫 Children hold a special place in our hearts, inspiring us to provide them with the very best.
🌍 Through extensive learning and countless interactions with experts, including preschool development psychologists as well, we've gathered toghether in our books the most effective child development techniques, drawing from the experiences of scientists, teachers, and psychologists.🌠
📚 The best tecniques and approaches we reveled in our books. At the moment we have a series of enlightening encyclopedias and tracing books based on neurogymnastic and pre-writing exercises, for children. Each book is written in a child way of world perception style, providing trustworthy facts in a very simple kid's language. All of this is illustrated as a fantastic journey destined to give them unforgettable adventurous emotions and foster imagination development. 🌈

💖 Sharing Our Love for Kids!

Dear, deeply in love with children, parents!! We're eager to share our knowledge with you. Witness the incredible transformations of your kids offering them an effortless way to discover and empower their unique talents! Let's make children's lives easier, more interesting, and more fantastic. Being based on real facts and knowledge we help them successfully join society and feel comfortable anywhere. We give them the pleasure of success, as their abilities and knowledge will place them much higher than their opponents.
They will always be authorities, having special abilities and fascinating information and games to share. Let us give them a HAPPY life. Join us on this fulfilling journey of child development. 🎉

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
"Interactive Letter Tracing Book: Innovative approach"
This is not just any tracebook; it's a carefully created cource developed by top pedagogues and psychologists using the latest methodologies. Child receives a multitude of benefits and achieves remarkable results in the following areas:
1. Fine Motor Skills
2. Optical Control
3. Attention and Concentration
4. Accuracy and Perseverance
5. Memory Enhancement
6. Preparation for Writing
7. Handwriting Improvement
8. Cognitive Development
9. Neural Connections Development
10. Comprehensive Education
11. Imagination Development

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, everything we do, we do for the benefit of the child's interesting and exciting development.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jean Piaget – A Swiss psychologist known for his pioneering work in child development and cognitive theory.
Maria Montessori – An Italian physician and educator who developed the Montessori method, focusing on child-centered learning and independence.
Howard Gardner – An American psychologist known for his theory of multiple intelligences, which recognizes diverse abilities in children.
Urie Bronfenbrenner – An American psychologist known for his ecological systems theory, which examines the influence of the environment on child development.
Lawrence Kohlberg – An American psychologist known for his theory of moral development in children.
Albert Bandura – A Canadian-American psychologist known for his social learning theory and the concept of self-efficacy.
John Dewey – An American philosopher and educator who emphasized experiential learning and child-centered education.

What are you working on now?
Working on a series of encyclopedias. We tell about the world around us through the language of a child: Easy. Simple. And Incredibly Engaging. In the realm of imagination, we discuss real-world concepts and make them relatable for young minds.
Pedagogical techniques applied:
Visualization
Montessori system
Analogies and metaphors
Illustrated stories
Associative chains
All materials used in this video are created by educators and licensed.
Our beautifully illustrated book captures the hearts of young readers and allows them to acquire real knowledge effortlessly.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still don't know, I'm on the road on…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Every person is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Maybe you just have to do what you love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I'll be close by, no matter the result.” It usually helps a lot.

What are you reading now?
I'm reading a variety of different encyclopedias to collect the most interesting facts and then simplify everything to the level of understanding for five-year-olds and more.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A few books about our hobby.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
"How to Survive on an Inhabited Island"
"How to Find Food on an Inhabited Island"
"How to Build a House on an Inhabited Island"
"How to Get Attention to Get Rescue When You're Stuck on an Inhabited Island" – because everything else you can find out when you are at home))

Author Websites and Profiles

Featured Author Lady Warfield

Interview With Author Lady Warfield

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer, hat maker (www.marineanddeerfield.com), Yoga Teacher (www.sueleewah.com), and Web Production & Design, and book interior design (www.punkgoddesspress.com). I'm going to be releasing a podcast called Bedtime Stories with LadyWarfield, come this fall.

Although I only have one book published, I have been writing most of my life. I just never even thought of publishing, until this one was halfway through. Then I had this ah ha moment of, heck. I'm a writer too!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pocket of Pain. It's a memoir so what inspired it was first the need to go back into that period of time and explore it. I was intrigued by who this young girl was and what made make the decisions she did. And of course, as I was writing it I wished I could go back in time and give her a hug, and tell her she didn't have to be where she didn't want to be. That there was so much out there just waiting for her. But then, I release even with that thought, that that girl wouldn't be this woman I am today if I didn't have those experiences. And I'm truly happy with who I am.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I was working on the book, I'd get up at 5:00 am, and do my yoga practice. After, I'd get a nice cup a coffee, and snuggle up into my cushy chair, and write for 2 hours. I probably only did this at the most 4 times a week. That's why it took me 15 years to write this baby.

When I write, I close my eyes, and just imagine the scene before me, then I go for it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book that I read over and over again was Milan Kundera's Unbearable lightness of Being. It literally fell apart from the notes and love that I had for it. Then there was Anaïs Nins Delta of Venus, Henry and June and the Diaries. Dorthy Parker. Portrait of a Lady, House of Mirth. All very tragic, but huge influences. I read all these in my late 20's. But I actually began with Fantasy and sci-fi, between 16 and 25 years of age, starting with Tolkien, obviously, and Terry Brooks. They were my beginners in the world of Fantasy, Fairy and Elves. Then I moved to Anne Rice, Mary Shelly, and then Tim Power's The Anubis Gates, followed by all his books, and then dove deep into William Gibons' Neuromancer, then later Mona Lisa Overdrive and well, of course Isaac Asimov's work and Philip K. Dick's Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep.

Back to my late 20's I was more into women's stories of pain and suffering and poetics. As I mentioned above. Jeanette Winterson's poetic and mysterious stories, flooded me as a young woman. I have her latest right now sitting on my TO BE READ shelf.

And Memoirs from Mary Karr and Jeannette Walls have heavily influenced me to tell my own story.

I am fairly open to any drama from fantasy, fiction, non-fiction, romance, vampire romance, you name it.

What are you working on now?
As I just published my book, my biggest project is terribly boring… publicizing it. But I'm also working on what might be a book of short essays, that will be loosely or not so loosely based on some personal experiences. Check back for more.

I recently got into doing audiobook narration, so I'm hoping to do some more of that, and of course, I'll be doing Pocket of Pain. Along with that, I'm hosting the upcoming Podcast: Bedtime Stories with LadyWarfield, once I move into my new studio.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I've been using Instagram, email, and a little bit of Facebook. I'm just at the beginning of this stage, so I'm still learning. I don't do Twitter, even though I know for authors it's big. But honestly, all these things takes time away from actually doing the work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There is so much advice out there. I would just say, stay true to yourself. Do what you instinctually want to do. Everyone will have an opinion on how to publish, how to publisize. Well, I had to look at tutorial after tutorial on how to do it. And even then, 50% of it didn't apply because it was for fantasy writers. But it was fun. So I would say, make sure you have fun when it comes to the publishing end. And if your going to publish on your own, I can help you get your book designed. I really love doing the interior design of books. And depending on the subject matter the cover. But there are amazing designers out there who can do covers.

As for writing. Listen to what your copy editors suggest. Then decide on your own. Not everything they say is right for you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My Development Editor just kept telling me to stop asking my friends their opinion. That's pretty sound.

What are you reading now?
I'm reading 3 things at once.
At night I read allowed to my husband: Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine.
After he falls asleep I read: A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
During the day when I have time: We Arrive Uninvited, by Jen Knox

What’s next for you as a writer?
See above. Write more. Do the Podcast. Write more. Do some audiobooks.

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 might go back into some of those earlier books: On stranger Shores, Neuromancer, Valley of the Dolls, and that Jeanette Winterson book I have yet to read.

Author Websites and Profiles

Lady Warfield Website

Lady Warfield Amazon Profile

Lady Warfield’s Social Media Links

Ari Mendelson Amazon Profile

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Ari Mendelson

Interview With Author Ari Mendelson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an attorney and father living in Tampa, Florida. In 2011 I wrote Bias Incident, a humorous standalone satire. This year I completed the Kingmaker Series, which is a trilogy of thriller novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Kingmaker Series is my latest work. It was inspired by the insight that computers are far better than humans at games such as checkers, chess, and go. Further, persuasion is a ‘game’ that has rules just like a board game. I wondered what would happen if computers could master the game so well that they could convince anyone to do nearly anything.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I based my entire writing style on a deep understanding of human emotions and how those emotions motivated my characters. I depended on this understanding to construct the plot for me rather than coming up with a plot and building characters to fit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Crichton, Will Jordan, and a large number of courses from the Great Courses series.

What are you working on now?
Book promotion and the audiobook for Consent.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m searching for that every day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Check out The Critical Drinker’s video on setup and payoff. You can build an entire approach to writing from the method of setup and payoff.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read Strunk and White.

What are you reading now?
Victor Davis Hanson’s book on the second world wars.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know, I’m taking it as it comes.

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 Hebrew Bible, The Works of Shakespeare, and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Author Websites and Profiles

Ari Mendelson Website

Ari Mendelson’s Social Media Links

Lisa Story Amazon Profile

Lisa Story

Interview With Author Lisa Story

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a public relations professional, I’ve written thousands of articles and newsletters. I have started half a dozen books over my lifetime and finally published the first one. I have another manuscript I’ve been working on for a decade and now plan to revise it and publish it in the next year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Pardon Me, Father” is the mostly-true story of my uncle Walt Reca’s diamond mining adventures in Sierra Leone in the 1980s. He smuggled the diamonds out of Africa dressed as a priest. His life-long friend, Carl Laurin, wrote the first draft and Carl’s wife gave me permission to finalize it and publish the book. I wanted Walt’s adventures to be known. He was an amazing individual.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My desk faces the window and I write in natural light with candles and wax burners. I just need a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere to disappear into the story. I also need snacks. Lots of water with citrus, Diet cola and pretzels and Swedish Fish.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been moved by the words, plots and/or characters of Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Chalaine Harris and Karin Slaughter.

What are you working on now?
“Better Dead Than Poor: Stories and Letters From D.B. Cooper” is my memoir about my relationship with my uncle, who told me he was the infamous hijacker and a paid mercenary. Before he died, he directed me to a secret compartment in his desk to pull out some documents that included a KGB ID (he spoke fluent Russian and Polish and worked for a paramilitary organization in the Eastern Bloc and Middle East in the 70’s and 80s). I’m hoping that I can hone my story so it doesn’t matter whether or not you believe he was the infamous hijacker, our relationship and my journey in this story is interesting and hilarious.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just beginning to promote my book, so I don’t currently know what works well. I’m trying several outlets that are not that expensive and doing a lot of online research into the effectiveness of the more pricey options. The Podcast “Fully Booked” has featured guests with helpful information.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep working. Don’t give in to self-doubt. I only have a few hours every weekend to write and because I set a schedule and keep to it as much as possible, I have completed two books (though one needs an overhaul, and I’m doing that now). Also, find a copy editor you can afford because you cannot effectively proofread your own work. It’s impossible. The challenge is finding someone who is good and won’t use your entire savings account.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, ever give up. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Believe in yourself and never give in.”

What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I’m also re-reading many of Karin Slaughter’s “Will Trent” series now that it’s a television show. I just downloaded some new authors’ books, but I haven’t started them yet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I absolutely have to finish “Better Dead Than Poor” but after that I am considering either a blue-collar “James Bond” storyline loosely based on my uncle’s adventures OR a romance/mystery based out at the old Nevada Test Site. Both my husband and I worked out at the nuclear test site and there is a history that could be woven into a novel or two.

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?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee; “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett; “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” anthology; and “Pieces of Her” by Karin Slaughter

Author Websites and Profiles

Lisa Story’s Social Media Links

Robert Hobdy Amazon Profile

Adrian Roditis

Interview With Author Adrian Roditis

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Introducing a prolific and captivating writer, the mastermind behind two thought-provoking books that have touched the hearts and minds of readers around the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dear fellow seekers of happiness,

I am thrilled to introduce my book, “Unlocking Happiness,” a profound exploration of the science behind cultivating joy, resilience, and lasting fulfillment in our lives. In this transformative journey, I invite you to discover the keys to unlocking the true essence of happiness and how to integrate it into every aspect of your existence.

Drawing on extensive research from the fields of positive psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness, “Unlocking Happiness” offers a holistic approach to achieving genuine and sustainable happiness. Throughout the pages of this book, you will find practical strategies, inspirational stories, and evidence-based insights that will empower you to create a life filled with purpose, meaning, and joy.

Happiness is not a fleeting emotion but a state of being that we can nurture and grow. Together, we will delve into the power of gratitude, the art of letting go, the strength of resilience, and the joy of living authentically. As you immerse yourself in these life-changing concepts, you will find yourself equipped with the tools to navigate life’s challenges and embrace its beauty with open arms.

But I cannot do this alone. I need your support to spread the message of happiness to as many hearts as possible. By backing this project, you’ll not only help me bring this book to life but also contribute to a world where happiness becomes a shared experience.

Here’s how you can support “Unlocking Happiness: The Science of Cultivating Joy, Resilience, and Lasting Fulfillment”:

Pre-order a copy of the book and share the link with friends and family.
Spread the word about the project on social media, using the hashtag #UnlockingHappinessBook.
Join our community of happiness enthusiasts to stay updated and engage in meaningful discussions.
Write reviews and share your thoughts once you’ve read the book, helping others discover its life-changing potential.
Your support means the world to me, and together, we can create a ripple effect of happiness that extends far beyond the pages of this book. Let’s embark on this journey together and unlock the doors to a happier and more fulfilling life.

Thank you for being a part of this endeavor.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots

What are you working on now?
a new book

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
no idea

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not sure

What are you reading now?
Nothing

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write a new book

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch.

“The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien: This epic fantasy trilogy follows the quest to destroy the One Ring and is known for its rich world-building and memorable characters.

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: A classic romantic novel that delves into themes of love, class, and societal expectations in the Regency era.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: A humorous and imaginative science fiction novel that follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent as he travels through space.

Rachelle Berry

Interview With Author Rachelle Berry

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Rachelle Berry and this is my first published book. I have dedicated over 30 years of my life researching parental and child development. After getting my Bachelor’s, I immediately began working in the field of family services, where I strived to bridge the many gaps in the available parental support systems.
As a Mother and Grandmother myself, I am well aware and have first-hand experience in navigating the stressful challenges that come with raising children. I understand the impacts that parenting struggles can have on children, and want to use my expertise to extend a helping hand to any and every parent that needs a little push in the right direction.
And now, I continue to tirelessly and passionately create resources that aim to help struggling parents become the best parents they can possibly be. The positive impacts that my work have made on the lives of families is my main driving factor and my only hope to continue to spread happiness among families.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Parenting with Patience & Understanding. How to parent Effectively from Frustration to Fulfillment.

What are you working on now?
Have not started yet on my second book but planning to publish a second Parenting book.

Robert Hobdy

Interview With Author Robert Hobdy

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a new Auther I have written two books in the series Shadows of Redemption

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadows of Redemption Shadowed Malice is my newest title was inspired by watching my children chase their shadows one day in our backyard.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual thing I do when I write is I write my best work while on the toilet.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence is James Patterson, I remember reading about Alex Cross chasing a serial killer named the Mastermind, the plot twist was so juicy how he was chasing a person who was closer to him than he could ever.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the next book in the Shadows of Redemption series Echos of Shadows where Detective Ethan Richards continues the hunt for a mysterious killer seeking redemption in the shadows.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever received was: You’re never too old to learn something new. It inspires me daily to chase my dreams and to never give up.

Author Websites and Profiles

K E Garland

Interview With Author K E Garland

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published four books: The Unhappy Wife, Daddy: Reflections of Father-Daughter Relationships, and Kwoted. I’ve also won two writing awards as a nonfiction author through the Florida Writers Association.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In Search of a Salve: Memoir of a Sex Addict is my latest and debut full-length memoir. It was inspired by my need to heal and to show others how trauma and addiction work together to form a cycle of behavior. Sex addiction isn’t a mainstream addiction, and neither is being a female sex addict, so I knew this would be a unique story for readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must have total quiet when I write, so I have a pair of noice-cancelling headphones, in case my family is home and making noise. I also can only write creatively via my laptop, not a desktop or with pen and paper.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many authors who have influenced me, mostly memoirists: Erica D. Garza, Kerry Cohen, Jesmyn Ward, Maya Shanbhag Lang, and Brian Broome, to name a few.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a memoir centered on my educational experiences as a Black woman in the United States.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I maintain a personal blog called Kwoted on WordPress, which has helped me to not only develop relationships with other writers, but also to find a supportive community, where I don’t feel as if I’m “selling” or “promoting” a book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn to use your authentic voice when writing; that’s what readers want to hear and feel.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”
― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

What are you reading now?
No Stones by Marnie C. Ferree

What’s next for you as a writer?
My hope is to publish my next memoir, Academia: A Memoir in Black and White.

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?
Richard Wright’s Black Boy
Jesmyn Ward’s Men We Reaped
Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements
Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower

Author Websites and Profiles

K E Garland Website

K E Garland Amazon Profile

K E Garland’s Social Media Links

Diana Howell Amazon Profile

Diana Howell

Interview With Author Diana Howell

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Diana still has the copy of MADELINE awarded to her in the second grade. Reading Period was always her favorite part of the school day, and spelling bees, which she usually won unless Frankie Doetsch was present that day. Then they were the last two standing, and if she didn’t choke, Diana won.

Diana waited until her fifties to act on a lifelong dream of becoming a writer. She knew this is what she was meant to do. Her poems, essays, and short stories have been published in online and print journals. She has been a regular contributor to Northwest Prime Time Magazine for fourteen years.

Her first novel, Wishes Are Free, is strong on feel-good warmth and humor, healthy family relationships, and moments readers tell her gave them goosebumps. Joyful goosebumps, the kind you get when you experience something beautiful.

Diana drew on her experiences growing up in the Santa Clara Valley south of San Francisco. It was known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight then and now we know it as The Silicon Valley.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wishes Are Free began life as a bunch of short stories. When I began writing fiction, I saw that I enjoyed writing for children.

I would read my children’s short stories aloud to my next-door neighbor and BFF, April. She is a high-functioning developmentally disabled, and loved the stories.

I thought I might have something here. I added more stories and strung them into a novel. It takes place in 1959 and draws on my childhood experiences, funny and goofy, and sad and touching.

Grandpa, however, is made-up, except to say, he is a lot like me. Life experience has made him wise and gentle. My main character, Rose, turns to him in times of trouble.

I have rewritten my childhood as I would have liked it to be. My hope is that children, whether they have a healthy home life or not, will see themselves in how Rose navigates life as a ten-year-old.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write slowly. I don’t know if that is unusual.

I begin with dialogue and add the setting, and the physical and mental reactions of the characters later, adding layer upon layer.

If I don’t have an emotional reaction to what I’ve written, or if my mind wanders as I read, I know it needs work. It needs life. It needs humor. It needs conflict or drama.

Or maybe, it needs to be deleted. But usually, multiple rewrites will bring a scene to life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Barbara O’Connor Wonderland
Kate DiCamillo and Because of Winn Dixie
Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird
Flanner O’Connor
Truman Capote
John Steinbeck

What are you working on now?
I am writing the sequel to Wishes Are Free entitled Be Careful What You Wish
Wishes Are Free is set in the spring of 1959. The next book is summer.
I hope to write four books in the series…we’ll see. Four books is a huge investment of time.
I am also putting my poems together for a collection.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m so new to this. I don’t know yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For me, writing poetry taught me the power of words. In poems, you are limited by space. Every word has to count. Finding just the right word strengthens your vocabulary, your understanding of words, and their power.

Poetry also teaches you rhythm. We don’t often talk about the rhythm of sentences or paragraphs. But I think the rhythm of prose is just as important as the rhythm of poems.

I am a lyricist also, and that practice helps me to create, hopefully, rhythmical prose that flows nicely.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Good question.

Never be satisfied. Strive for the best you are capable of. You probably won’t be Capote, Bronte, or Eliot, but be the best version of you.

What are you reading now?
Black Elk Speaks
Hattie Big Sky
Turtle Island

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the sequel to Wishes Are Free. Parts I and II are completed.

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 Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
The Power of Now
In Cold Blood
The Ultimate Peter Rabbit

Author Websites and Profiles

Diana Howell Website

Diana Howell’s Social Media Links

Maisie Young Amazon Profile

Pinterest Account

Maisie Young

Interview With Author Maisie Young

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up on the west coast in a small town where nobody locked their doors. Everyone knew everyone. I wonder if I dislike small talk because I had no need for practice growing up.

Later I studied a wide variety of subjects, such as art, finance, psychology, life coaching and tax law. Nothing I learned in school can compare to what I’ve learned and experienced from being a mom. I tried to infuse my first book, The Joy and Love of Childhood, with every bit of my understanding, experience and my deep appreciation for the gifts and responsibilities children bring to life.

I live in the south, and I love BBQ, hot sauce and the massive lack of snow. A few of my adventures, in order of difficulty, have been exploring the French countryside while potty-training a toddler, snorkeling with barracuda and riding a dolphin.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Joy and Love of Childhood was inspired by many things, looking back.

1) I recall a lunch with my Grandfather, who prophetically said, “Some things are not taught in life, but should be.”

2) My own experience of being blindsided by the realities of having a child.

3) I didn’t start out to publish a book. I was journaling for many years as a way to get out my thoughts and feelings, and it occurred to me how much of it I wish I’d known long before having a family. I intended to compile my writing for my daughter to read when she finished high school, so she could be 100 steps ahead by the time she is my age, so she’d never have to choose between raising her child and paying the bills. Then I thought, why not publish it, even if it helps only one other woman, I’d be happy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m in the zone, I sometimes can’t shut it off, and the perfect sentence or word will suddenly appear at the most inopportune moments, such as while driving or in the shower. I’ve learned to always keep pen and paper nearby to take notes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Love, Pray was influential. My story mirrored hers, as I read her book, and I found her voice authentic and sensible. Not only was her story inspiring, but also her bravery in putting it out there.

What are you working on now?
I just published, so nothing new yet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m trying to share it in as many ways as my introvert heart will allow! Websites, maybe podcasts. Dabbling in social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start now, even if you do just a little bit each day. One year from today, you could be a published author!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.

What are you reading now?
The Trouble Begins at 8. A Life of Mark Twain, in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman. I’m reading it to my 8 year old.

What’s next for you as a writer?
TBD

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?
Emma by Jane Austin
Going Solo by Roald Dahl
Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
A book about island survival

Author Websites and Profiles

Maisie Young Website

Maisie Young’s Social Media Links

Marisa Mangani Amazon Profile

Marisa Mangani

Interview With Author Marisa Mangani

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former award-winning chef who, wisely, got out of the kitchen when that life was consuming me, and have landed successfully in my role as commercial current kitchen designer and writer. I cooked in my home of Hawaii and cooking allowed me to travel and work in Portland, New Orleans, Vancouver, Brisbane, and finally Florida. I have written 1 book, and many essays about food and life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Mise en Place: Memoir of a Girl Chef. My inspiration was my writing of many essays about food, life and struggling as a shy girl in the kitchen, finally finding my way into success and then out of it, in order to start again in another male-dominated career.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
May be not unusual, but I throw everything in my head and heart onto the paper, and then I sort it out to make sense of it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anthony Bourdain (RIP)
May Karr
Augusten Bourroughs
John D MacDonald
Ernest Hemingway
(I know, an odd mix)

What are you working on now?
Book marketing! And the odd essay here and there.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I am finding some success at Amazon Ads. I love to learn and it gives me something to bury my brain into. I know, I should be writing though.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep on doing it never stop until you find your voice and never stop. (Until it comes time to market, of course)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write every day.”
“Write for yourself”-Anthony Bourdain told me this in the quick seconds I got to talk to him at a book signing in Chicago.

What are you reading now?
Print book: The Yellow House by Sarah Broom
Audio Book: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to retire home to Hawaii in a few years. At that time, I’d like to start a writing group and focus on Hawaii stories. Hawaii is where I started as a shy young observer of life and I’d like to explore that some more.

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?
Cherry by Mary Karr
The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
Born to Run
I’d also grab an old paperback or two by Carl Hiaasen to keep my humor flowing, just in case things get scarey

Author Websites and Profiles

Marisa Mangani Website

Marisa Mangani’s Social Media Links

Hayley Mitchell

Interview With Author Hayley Mitchell

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing children’s books back in 2012 when my first child was born. Three boys later and I know have almost a dozen picture books, a handful of poetry books, two verse novels and my first novel for adults under my belt (along with a lot of stress related chocolate consumption).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tragedy of Medusa is my latest book. I’ve always been fascinated by Greek mythology and the many variations of the myth of Medusa particularly intrigued me. I wanted to write something that explained how she could be both a mortal beauty attacked by Poseidon and yet have two gorgon sisters. I hope this book goes some way to drawing those two narratives together.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in very shorts bursts when my three boys are distracted. There are no unusual habits per sey but I did write this entire novel on my Freewrite typewriter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have a wide range of favourite genres and authors but I love the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the lyrical retellings of Madeline Miller, the tear jerking ability of Nicholas Sparks and the story weaving of Stephen King! An odd combination but certainly inspiring!

What are you working on now?
I have just started work on my next Greek myth retelling, that will be a dual POV love story/tragedy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still very new to promotion and am learning each and every day. I’m still hoping to find the formula that works for me!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. I think you have to remember that you are writing a first draft, a first book etc. don’t expect every line to be a masterpiece or you’ll never finish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the book you want to see on the shelves.

What are you reading now?
The Stand by Stephen King

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to build my name in ,mythology retellings but first I need to learn how to promote and possible master TikTok! I also fancy writing something based on local history too…

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?
Romeo and Juliet
Jane Eyre
Green Mile
Fight Club
And of course Tragedy of Medusa

Author Websites and Profiles

Hayley Mitchell Website

Hayley Mitchell Amazon Profile

Hayley Mitchell’s Social Media Links

Andrea Buck Amazon Profile

Andrea Buck

Interview With Author Andrea Buck

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a drawer full of unfinished books and one published. I love animals, and I’ve lived in six different countries, so my stories usually include travel and dogs.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I started writing Off Schedule during one cold Canadian winter, and the idea came to me in the car on my way to the grocery store. It started with the thought, what if I just kept driving until I saw the sun …

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often write late at night. The peace and quiet lets me hear the characters in my head.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Even though I write (romantic) women’s fiction, I love reading comedy, like Dan Zevin, David Sedaris, Jerry Seinfeld, Nora Ephron, Tina Fey. Also, I stay up all night for anything Paulo Coelho and John le Carré have ever written.

What are you working on now?
The story I’m presently working on is about a single mother in her thirties who sets out to find her father.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mostly enjoy meeting readers in person.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
NaNoWriMo is a great way to get started. Especially for people who work best with a deadline (= me.)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Just tell the damn story.”

What are you reading now?
Dan gets a Minivan, by Dan Zevin. I’m re-reading it once a year and I can’t stop laughing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my drawer of manuscripts.

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?
Dan gets a Minivan by Dan Zevin
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Big Magic by Elisabeth Gilbert
(and probably something on edible plants)

Author Websites and Profiles

Andrea Buck Website

Andrea Buck’s Social Media Links

Anthony Norman Amazon Profile

Anthony Norman

Interview With Author Anthony Norman

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
i write books, which is why you’re probably reading this. My life is a full life of experience from, gangs, to college, division 1 basketball, to father, brother, business owner, to being a Prince Hall FA&M. I survived Regan’s “War on Drugs” survivor in the Hill-Top neighborhood in Tacoma, Washington. He enjoys basketball, movies, and sardines, scifi, and drawing as all proper thinking people.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The King Manual Vol.1 is my latest work that I created to give back to my community and help men be the best version of themselves to assist in being fathers, sons, brother, husbands, and leaders.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write ideas and thoughts late at nights when I wake up. When I am out eating every time a idea will come to me, I write on napkin or text myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
H.P. Lovecraft
Micheal Eric Dyson
Frank Herbert

What are you working on now?
A SciFi epic, The King Manual Vol.2, and Coloring book…..yikes!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t figured it out, please email me if you have. SERIOUSLY

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love write what you know, as much and as fast as you can, then let a editor edit.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know thy Self

What are you reading now?
Ruthless Alliance by Luc Storm

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finnish at least one of the five projects I have going now/

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?
Dune
The Prince
Epic of Gilgamesh

Author Websites and Profiles

Anthony Norman’s Social Media Links