Awesome Author Interviews

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

Don MacMannis, Ph.D.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Don and Debra are a team both at home and at the office. Husband and wife for over thirty years, they have simultaneously served as directors of the Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara, a nonprofit organization. In this capacity they oversee the clinical work of fourteen therapists providing help to hundreds of clients each year.

They are authors or coauthors of numerous articles on parenting and clinical issues. They previously wrote a book, How’s Your family Really Doing? 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family. It won two major awards. In 2009, Don won the title of “Best Family Therapist” in a poll taken by SBParent.com. In 2010, Debra was honored with an Award for Service to the Community by local therapists and the Mayor of Santa Barbara “for 30 years of inspiration, leadership, and training provided to thousands of clinicians, and the devotion exemplified with consistent visionary work for the community.”

Don has a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth, a masters in school-child psychology from University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. Also a musician, he was songwriter and music director for the animated PBS hit, Jay Jay the Jet Plane. His public education efforts have culminated in the writing and production of Happy Kids Songs, a series of songs and activities that help young children with social and emotional learning. His music has won over ten major awards.

Debra received her undergraduate degree in psychology with distinction from Stanford University and her masters in social welfare from University of California at Berkeley with a specialty in family therapy and community mental health. Prior to founding the Institute in 1979, she was the Executive Director of Social Advocates for Youth in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with runaway teens and children at risk. She has taught marriage and family therapy at Antioch University, Pacifica Graduate Institute, numerous local agencies, schools and mental health facilities. She finds respite from her busy life through painting, hiking and being with her much loved dog, Shammy.

Don and Debra have lived in Santa Barbara, Ca., for the past thirty-two years. They have two fine sons who have left the nest but still live in California. They share a love of games, music, movies, biking, hiking, travel, and art.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Who’s the Boss? The Win-Win Way to Parent Your Defiant, Strong-Willed Child was completed this past January. It was inspired by the hundreds of families who used the help of this method to turn things around with their children.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

What are you working on now?
Children’s music in a series called Happy Kids Songs.

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

HappyKidsSongs.com

HowsYourFamily.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Develop and open heart and a quiet mind.

What are you reading now?

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing a children’s play.

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?

Author Websites and Profiles
Don MacMannis, Ph.D. Website
Don MacMannis, Ph.D. Amazon Profile

Don MacMannis, Ph.D.’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

J.S. Watts

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a UK writer, based in Cambridgeshire in England. I’ve written and published three books: two of poetry, “Cats and Other Myths” and the multi-award nominated “Songs of Steelyard Sue”, and a dark fiction novel, “A Darker Moon”. My second novel, “Witchlight”, comes out from Vagabondage Press in May 2015

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
That’ll be the new novel, “Witchlight”, which comes out in May 2015. It’s a tale of witchcraft and love and what can happen when you suddenly discover the world is not as you once thought it was.

Specifically its about Holly, who has been mortal all her life. Now at thirty-eight, her fairy godfather arrives to tell her she’s a witch, and suddenly she’s having to come to terms with the uncertainties of an alarmingly magic-fuelled world. Magic is not like it is in the books and films, and Holly starts to doubt whether her fairy godfather, Partridge Mayflower, is the fey, avuncular charmer he appears.

When appearances are magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Accidents start to happen, people die, Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, just who is the feline and who is the rodent?

From March until May special e-preview copies are available.

As for the inspiration? I guess it’s years of reading and loving tales of myth and magic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think they are unusual, because I do them, but I write all my first drafts long hand, which in this modern computer age is, I guess, a but unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name, but if pushed I would quote Ray Bradbury, Alan Garner, Rosemary Sutcliffe and Sylvia Plath.

What are you working on now?
An unnamed sequel to “Witchlight”. It started off with a title, but I’ve since realised it doesn’t work, so I’m looking for a new one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Mt website is at www.jswatts.co.uk. I’ve also got a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Watts.page

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep reading, writing and submitting. Just don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It takes a lot of rejections to get published.

What are you reading now?
“Alias Grace” by the wonderful Margaret Atwood.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the sequel to “Witchlight” would be a good thing. I’m also hoping to put together a new poetry collection in the next twelve months or so.

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 Shakespeare, The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath, The Complete Works of Ray Bradbury (if there isn’t one, there ought to be) and Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliffe.

Author Websites and Profiles
J.S. Watts Website
J.S. Watts Amazon Profile

J.S. Watts’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Matthew Barnes

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an avid lover of learning. From early on I tended to develop interests in a wide variety of subjects and spend an unusual amount of time trying to learn about them. I usually tend to look at those topics from a point of view that is slightly off the beaten path. I seem to have trouble doing anything exactly the way other people do them, but at the same time, I am not usually to the opposite extreme either. The main topics that have stuck with me throughout my life includes: health and healing, religion and philosophy (especially the more eastern forms), exercise and longevity, little known investing methods for early retirement (who doesn’t want that?) and self defense for the nice person. So far, The Wisdom and Peace of the Teachings of the Tao Te Ching is my first book, but I have others on the way. I think my investing book will come out next, and soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My current book is The Wisdom and Peace of the Teachings of the Tao Te Ching. When I was in college I went through a rough patch emotionally. I went from being in a small town where I was known to a big college where I was a number. I had been good at sports, but I really wasn’t all that special compared to the people around me in college. My friends were mostly engineers, and I wasn’t, so when they all started working on projects I felt left out and alone. I ended up spending most of my time at a used book store across the street from the apartment complex I was living at. I bought enough books on religion and eastern philosophy to make my own book store. I eventually came across the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. It was my favorite of all the books I had read, yet it was so short and simple and to the point. I read every version I could find. The book was written thousands of years ago, so some of the wording was hard to digest, and each writer interpreted each short chapter just slightly differently. Eventually, I had friends going through rough times and I would recommend this book to them. But each time they would complain that they couldn’t understand a lot of it, so I would sit down and tell them what each chapter meant. Eventually, I started writing down these interpretations. Recently, a friend mentioned that I should publish my book. I had tried to publish a few things years ago, but the industry was different then, and publishing a book was harder and expensive. Now, things are easier, and I decided to give it a try.If my book helped even one other person it would be worth my effort. And now when I suggest the Tao Te Ching I can give out my version.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have odd writing habits, other than reading my words over and over and over. Especially with my Tao Te Ching version, I wanted the book to be plain and simple, but I still wanted to retain a certain poetic rhythm to the readings at the same time. I wanted a specific cadence. I am that way quite a bit when I write. I want the writings to express meaning, but I am picky about the words and the rhythm. I’m not like this here, in this interview, but when I am writing I am ultra picky.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching is an obvious influence. The works of other eastern philosophers as well- Bankei Zen was a big influence. It is a very straight forward system of Zen. I like authors and books that cut to the chase, take out all the fluff and get right to the point. Buddhism and Zen in general are influences. All of the religions are really- I believe they all have a common core teaching that runs through them. They all teach love, and they all teach that there is an Intelligence back of all we know that runs the show. That there is more to this world, and what is beyond, than we can comprehend at this point. Each religion also seems to have other teachings that are added to this core, big picture. But those added teachings tend to be “how not to kill each other until you mature enough to understand the big picture” kind of things. The lesser teachings are cultural, and teachings related to the time period of that religion- hygiene and things like that. These lesser teachings of “don’t kill each other” and “don’t have lots of unprotected sex with a lot of different people” tend to be what the masses concentrate on and argue and fight over, while missing the big picture entirely. They will argue over whether a woman should be able to talk in church or not, or teach, while missing the big picture.

What are you working on now?
I am finishing up my book on investing. One of the underlying themes of my life is freedom. For me, the Tao Te Ching is trying to deliver freedom from the bondage of being attached to this world. Attached to our bodies and what happens to them, and attached to having to have “stuff” to make us happy. In my work, I also want to be free. I tried working for other people and it just didn’t stick. I am attracted to investing because I don’t feel that the way society works is the way it is meant to be. I feel that the human race has cornered ourselves into having to work hard, often husband and wife both working, and sometimes having to work multiple jobs each, just to live. I don’t think this is how it is supposed to be. If you look at native peoples that have not yet “civilized”, there are obvious drawbacks, but at the same time, as long as they have shelter, hygiene and a good water and food supply, they are very happy and healthy. They tend to work 2-4 hours per day to secure the things needed to live, then they rest, socialize and play the rest of the time. I think this is how we are meant to be. By becoming financially independent, we can get back to that way of living. My new book is a guide to help people get to that point. I am not quite there myself, but close. And I have found a method that makes that idea a reality fairly quickly.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea. I am a horrible salesman. I like learning, testing what I learned, and passing it along. I don’t like trying to figure out how to market or sale that information.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I really don’t, as of yet. I don’t like to teach anything I don’t know. I know how to learn, and how to put what I have learned into book form, but we’ll have to see if I can sell it. If I do, then I’ll give advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To only take advice from someone who has what you want. EVERYBODY wants to give you advice, and they mean well. But people can only give you what they have in them. If you want to open a gym, find a gym like the one you want to have and ask that person for advice. If you take advice from a gym owner that only has 5 customers, that person is giving you advice that is only good for getting 5 customers. If you take advice from someone that has never run a gym, they may have good ideas, but remember that they don’t know what is really going on. When you take advice from someone who has what you want, that’s when you really listen.

What are you reading now?
A few Zen books, Master Yunmen right now. I’m also rereading Bankai Zen books and a few others. I’m also reading A LOT of books on publishing books for Kindle 🙂

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to get my investment book out, and then start on a Self Defense for Beginners series, maybe one for women specifically. Then a few health books- diet and thyroid gland issues. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis specifically. I have a few other ideas, but I’m going to get those out first.

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?
My Tao Te Ching version- I just love that book. And two blank books to write in. I like to create more than I like to read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Barnes Amazon Profile

Edward V’Kanty

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, but “Testament” is only my second published work. I also work as a staff writer for Inquisitr.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Testament” is my most recent published work. It’s based on the 17th century witch trials of New Yorke and gives a history for my next book, “Dark Heritage,” due out later this year.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual, but I listening to music is essential to my writing. It really helps me to get lost in the creative process. Most times, hits from the 80s do the job for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Edgar Allan Poe’s works, Dracula by Bram Stoker, William Shakespeare, Clive Barker, Franz Kafka

What are you working on now?
I’m just getting started on “Dark Heritage.” I have already created an outline, which is detailed enough to be a first draft, and I’m all ready to jump in and start writing.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new to marketing and learning as I go, so I can’t really say at this point. It’s a trial and error process at this point.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take the opinions of others with a grain of salt and remember the old adage about wolves in sheep’s clothes. Listen to your own instincts.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“My philosophy is: It’s none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.” ― Anthony Hopkins

While it’s not really advice per se, I think it’s a healthy way of looking at life in general, so I try to follow it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Thomas Harris’ series on Hannibal Lecter. The last book, “Hannibal Rising” was quite different and compelling.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The best sellers list! We all have our dreams.

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?
Edgar Allan Poe’s Collected Works, The Plays of William Shakespeare, Clive Barker’s Books of Blood, and Stephen King’s The Shining.

Author Websites and Profiles
Edward V’Kanty Website
Edward V’Kanty Amazon Profile

Edward V’Kanty’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Freya Barrington

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I am Freya Barrington. I have written one book to date.

I grew up in Lancashire, England with an overriding passion for animals, specifically horses. After attending a girl’s grammar school, where English was my strongest subject, the only desire I held was to work with my beloved horses. To the dismay of my parents, I went to work in a racing yard.

Realising that this was not a passing phase, my parents eventually encouraged me in my chosen career and I went on to work with event horses, show jumpers and hunters, gaining several British Horse Society qualifications along the way – namely, the BHSAI, BHSII and BHSI (SM). All this enabled me to work as a riding instructress and trainer, which I did on a freelance basis. I continued working in the equestrian field for many years, eventually running my own yard.

A chance conversation with a friend, however, brought about a change of career and I moved away from my life with horses, into the unknown world of residential childcare. To my surprise, I found that I enjoyed this line of work and progressed to being a full-time foster carer for the local authority. It was during this time that I first put pen to paper in a creative way, writing poems about the children with whom I came into contact. A short book of poetry was published and the proceeds were used to raise money for a local youth group.

It was also during my time as a foster carer that I came into contact with social workers. Their dedication and expertise inspired me to train as a social worker, gaining the Diploma in Social Work in 2001 from the University of Derby with an award for excellence in practice. I also gained the Post-Qualifying Award in 2007. I am a registered member in good standing with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

My main area of expertise was as a senior child protection social worker. I have been the principal social worker and mentor on a number of teams. I have also worked as a foster carer’s support social worker, a court advisor and hospital social worker. Since 2006, I have worked exclusively as an agency social worker, with specific focus on working for local authorities that require experienced social workers to offer support where there were staff shortages.

In 2010, I moved with my husband, Steve, to the island of Gozo in the Maltese Islands. I continued working in England as an agency social worker, flying back and forth on a fortnightly basis. This attracted comments from colleagues who said that they would never again complain about their commute to work! It was during this particular time that the idea for the book starting taking shape, so with the full support of my husband, I took a year’s sabbatical to concentrate on writing the book.

I continue to live in Gozo with my husband, but have plans to travel around Europe, looking for a peaceful spot to continue writing the sequel to Known to Social Services.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called, Known to Social Services. It is published by Faraxa Books and was released on 26th February. I am thrilled to report that it is currently the number one social work book on Amazon UK.

My job as a child protection social worker was the inspiration for my writing, along with my husband who is so encouraging. Social work is one of the most negatively portrayed professions, and I wanted to raise awareness of the very complex and difficult job, which social workers do.

All those who aspire to make social work their chosen profession need a solid foundation of skills, knowledge, and experience. This is born out of evidence-based research coupled with practical expertise. Students will read countless texts, journals and books, all of which will add to their proficiency and understanding. Within this theoretical learning process, I believe that students also need to develop their emotional intelligence; gathering information from their peers who have gone before them and who can offer a rich insight into the role they strive to achieve. I believe that this book can offer a valuable addition to any reading undertaken by students of social work, psychology and any of the caring professions.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to do most of my writing between midnight and 6.00 am. I find that there are no distractions at this time, and it is quiet and peaceful.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been personally influenced by American author James Morgan Ayres whose support and encouragement have been invaluable. Books by Torey Hayden have also been inspirational.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to Known to Social Services. The book is mainly set outside the UK, but I’m not going to give too much away at this stage!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been extremely fortunate in securing the support of Faraxa Publishing without the use of a literary agent. I have worked extremely hard alongside Faraxa, in promoting my own work. A Goodreads profile was essential, as was a Facebook Page, Twitter account, personal blog, Smashwords, Flickr, Pinterest and an Amazon Author’s profile.

I find that I use Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and my personal blog more than any other medium.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It has been said so many times, but …. never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have faith in your own ability and accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

What are you reading now?
I have just finished reading Dan Brown’s Digital Fortress. I haven’t decided what to read next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
This is an exciting and busy time for me. My husband and I are off to the UK next week on a week of book promotion. I have 2 radio interviews and 3 speaking engagements and book signings at Universities so far.

We leave Gozo at the end of April to do some traveling in France and also to find a quiet spot to write the sequel to Known to Social Services.

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 God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy – my all time favourite book

When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith – my oldest favourite for regular visits

Wideacre by Phillipa Gregory – a book I most recently enjoyed and would like to read again

The Tent the Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy – the funniest book I have ever read

Author Websites and Profiles
Freya Barrington Website
Freya Barrington Amazon Profile
Freya Barrington Author Profile on Smashwords

Freya Barrington’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Dan Van Oss

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up reading just about everything I could borrow from the town library, although admittedly sometimes just to get the sticker segments so I could complete the Reading Centipede for each book he finished. I’m a Midwest guy, having spent time in Michigan and Kentucky, but mostly Iowa, where I now live. I started writing during college, where I enjoyed getting red lines drawn through my Creative Writing projects, and where I also penned a weekly column in the school paper under the pseudonym “Fletcher Ford”. I’ve written two books, “Shopping Survival Guide for Men” and “Dubious Knowledge”, a collection of humor columns. You can catch that weekly humor column, the “Dubious Knowledge Institute,” at my author site, danvanoss.com. I also plays piano, Hammond organ and anything else with keys; you can check out some of my recordings at Reverbnation.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Shopping Survival Guide for Men”, inspired by having a wife and three daughters who are intractably drawn to The Mall, and seeing all of the other lonely, borderline catatonic guys hoping for the end to come soon.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Aside from using only unicorn blood as ink, no.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dave Barry the most, also James Lileks and his incredibly funny historical pop culture insights. And the Douglas Adams Hitchiker’s Guide series, especially the original radio version. And Monty Python.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a Survival Guide for Men series, which will also include books on Home Improvement, and Sports.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m just starting out, I’m still figuring that one out, but I’m planning on developing an email list as my main source of connection.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be patient; it’s a long game. Expect to work for months-years to see if it is working for you. Do your homework, be smart with your marketing and what are the latest trends in self-publishing. Listen to self-publishing podcasts.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“So, I think the successful self-published author builds connection and thus trust by consistently delivering just a little more than what’s expected.” – Seth Godin

What are you reading now?
The report from doctor about my physical. It’s pretty depressing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing – let’s see what happens.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, the complete works of Calvin and Hobbes, Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner

Author Websites and Profiles
Dan Van Oss Website
Dan Van Oss Amazon Profile
Dan Van Oss Author Profile on Smashwords

Dan Van Oss’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Dan Marchese

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This book is my first.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
This book is called The Cerulean Collection. I associate the color blue with memories, and cerulean is the boldest blue, so this book is filled, for better or for worse, with some of my most dynamic memories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can only write when my mind is tired and not bouncing phantasmagorical from thing to thing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Count of Monte Cristo is, in my opinion, the best novel ever written. I tend not to read anything from the same genre back to back. I think that’s boring. If I read, for instance, a classic literary work, I’ll read a book on chess next. It prevents the brain from saying, “oh boy, here we go again.”

Growing up, my biggest influence was RA Salvatore. He did things that nobody else was doing, and his imagination and just the depths of the worlds he created were awe-inspiring. To contradict myself, I could read a dozen Salvatore books in a row.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing short stories in an effort to build up my publication resume a bit so that my next novel can hopefully be an even bigger deal. I have the idea all mapped out in my head, but the time isn’t right. That’s the thing about lengthy works. It takes someone 8 months because they find 30 or so manic hours during that time period to get it down on paper. People think it’s a continuous creative process for all that time, and maybe it is, but very little of that is pen-to-paper time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for promoting your book is to make it something people want to read in the first place. Commence the marketing bombardment however you want after that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you put your stuff down the first time you hit a block or if you stop sending your work out the moment you get a rejection letter, this business isn’t for you. Literature is an art form, and you’re going to have to suffer for your craft. Part of that is feeling stupid and questioning your own voice all along the way.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It wasn’t necessarily advice, but one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard that influenced me as a writer is a bit from Patton Oswalt, where he talks about sexual fantasies that people think are so dark and so dangerous, but somewhere in Europe, there’s a whole magazine devoted entirely to that thing. The takeaway from that is not to be afraid to get to the bare, unsettling honesty that a weak writer would change to have some phony payoff. The payoff is capturing real life, and if your audience misses that, then maybe you won’t make a million dollars as an author, but at least you’ll be true to your craft.

What are you reading now?
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book is already outlined, and it’s called Tough Guy.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring An Orgy of George, the three George Carlin books rolled up into one, even though that’s kind of cheating. I’d bring The Count of Monte Cristo, of course. Would it be too hokey to pick another classic and say Nicholas Nickleby? It’s the best.

For a fourth book I’d pick the biggest book of brain teasers and/or crossword puzzles I could find for entertainment. Wait, damn it, I don’t have a pen! Why is my desert island abandonment so carefully planned out, anyway? These would probably all be burned for warmth within hours.

Kenny Miller

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an advertising guy, turned professional pilot, turned writer and who knows what is next! I grew up in Nebraska and living there inspired me to write my first book, A Visit to Hartington which is a story collection about life in a small Nebraska town during the 1950-1960 period. It’s been a popular book because it reminds people about life in a time that was much more simple and yet, the start of a number of major changes in the country.

And speaking of change, how about a career change? Well I did that all right. I went from advertising copywriter to professional pilot. In just a couple of years, I left my IBM typewriter for the controls of a Lear Jet–a camera-equipped snooper if you will. We took pictures of the St. Helen’s Explosion, the Teton Dam collapse and we hunted for polluters from 40,000 above the ground. Then, it was off to Africa and the Middle and Far East to hunt for other things. What an adventure!

After being on the other side of the world for six months, we finally came home. We cleared customs in Bangor, Maine. They never looked in the plane. Humm…I thought. What if there was a bomb on that plane? That was the motivation behind book #2, The Last Flight of KIlo Mike.

I designed the cover for Kilo Mike. Take a look at it on amazon. It came out in January, 2001. See the jet flying behind those two box buildings? Nine months later, 9/11 happened. I freaked. The route I have my pilots fly in the book was identical to the American flight from Boston. There were a few folks who wondered what I knew and when I knew it but I was just as shocked as everyone else.

I thought there was more to the Kilo Mike story but I wanted to join the Kindle revolution so I re-wrote it and re-titled it to The Co-pilot. I wanted to create a series of books based on the co-pilot character, Chance Mikelson.

Chance landed in Lincoln and wasn’t flying anymore. (I won’t spoil the ending of the first book by telling you why he wasn’t flying.} He was at the bottom and got a room in a rooming house which was managed by a very strange dude. Chance didn’t like the guy very much but he did like a toothless, over=weight, under educated old man living in the building. He also fell in love with a waitress at the grocery store cafe. Life was pretty good for Chance until he found himself in the middle of a mess and a murder. Book number 2: The Rooming House Murder. It’s a five-star Kindle book.

I also interviewed 12 former Nebraska football stars to find out what it was like to play college football for a powerhouse like Nebraska. Those were interesting stories and I decided to create a Kindle book for those stories. That book is How To Be A College Football Player.

I also had a bunch of stories laying around which had been published in magazines and well, never made it out of the file boxes and desk drawers. Those stories became my latest book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Do you remember Charles Kuralt, the wonderful CBS journalist who traveled American in a motor home and did stories about ordinary people? I loved that show, “On The Road With Charles Kuralt.” That was my inspiration for a story collection along those lines. Short American Stories was born and is a Kindle book. It too, will be a series of books as I write my way along life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
They say, good writers write every day. Well, you can be the judge of “good” because I write when I am inspired. When I am inspired, I find a coffee shop and adopt a table for about 60 days and “get ‘er done.” After that, I fly, or camp, or play with my dog, or shoot my guns.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hemingway. Steinbeck, and Jack London. If you plan on writing, you should read London’s “To Build a Fire.” That is the perfect short story. I liked Hemingway’s Africa stuff because I lived there for a while and I loved Steinbeck’s simplicity.

What are you working on now?
Nothing. But I do feel a need for a new coffee place and I would like to finish two projects. Chance #3 will be the final in that series. I may also take a crack at something funny.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like services like Awesomegang. I have advertised on Facebook and Google but haven’t had much luck.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you love to write. Write because you need to write. If you write to get rich, you probably won’t get rich. People don’t read as much. They are tuned in to phone screens and short blurbs of stupidity services/

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I flew for Willie Nelson and one day, when it was just he and I at the airport, I asked him how he came up with those block-buster hit songs. He told me he would get the idea in his mind but he never did something with the idea right away. “But,” he said, “if that idea is still rattling around in your head after a while, you’d better do something with it.”

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Killing Patton. That was a very interesting book. I have read all of those books and I enjoyed them. Hopefully, Killing Kenny is not the next one!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Let’s see. I have two screenplays done and that would be great if those got considered by the movie makers. The odds are pretty high, like 100000:1 but I have been battling big odds forever. Hell, when I was three I got polio before the shot was around and at age four I escaped the baby sitter and got run over by a 1946 Packard.

I just turned 69 and am very involved in storm spotting and teaching emergency first aid and survival and training a search and rescue dog. Plus, I am looking at some new stories, two new books, and maybe a third movie script if the Good Lord gives me the time to write them.

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 sail.

How to build a sailboat on a desert island.

The complete guide to desert island cooking.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kenny Miller Website

Kenny Miller’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Steven Abernathy

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have four published novels and a fifth recently submitted to my editors, who will doubtless slash every page with their red pencils, causing a massive rewrite. Oh well, it could be worse. I picked cotton, harvested bales of hay, and performed other farm labor as a youngster. Editors are not quite as rustic with their language as were farm overseers, and they seldom make me throw hundred-pound bales of hay in August heat. On a more personal level, I have been married to the same wonderful lady for 42 years. We have two sons, one of whom is a children’s book writer/publisher and the other a nanoengineer. Michele and I divide our time between Destin, Florida and Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is the real talent in the family, a designer of beautiful and unique woven crystal jewelry. We can be found many evenings on our balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico as she artfully strings Swarovski crystals into a new design while I stare at the ocean trying to think of the perfect phrase to express a thought in my latest story.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Unspoken Valor” is a tribute to past heroes who never received recognition for their acts of valor. My father was one of the many WWII veterans who would never speak of their military service after they returned home from the war. In 1998 I was flying Dad to Florida for a fishing trip on his 75th birthday when the single engine of my airplane failed and we crash landed into a wooded area on the Florida/Alabama state line. After the dust settled and we crawled from the wreck to find our injuries were insignificant, Dad surveyed the sky for a long time before saying, “Well, at least there aren’t any Germans up there this time.”

“This time?” I thought. He would never answer the obvious question, but it gave me the idea for what I hoped would be a great book. When Dad died a few years ago, mourners at his graveside service were stunned when a U.S. Air Force honor guard and a Scottish bagpiper showed up to honor him at the service. Why the professional honor guard rather than the group from the local VFW who usually came to veterans’ funerals? I have no idea. I researched as much as I could find about Dad’s military service and filled in the rest with supposition and unabashed fiction. If I did my job well, the reader will never know where I crossed the lines. I was lucky to grow up with a hero in my house. Is there one in yours? It is my hope that “Unspoken Valor” is a fitting tribute to all of the unknown heroes we meet every day.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I choose never to write unless I am wearing underwear. Of course, I almost always have on other clothes as well. I remember reading somewhere that Agatha Christie had the same requirement when she wrote. On a more believable train of thought, while I live in both Florida and Arkansas, I do most of my writing in Florida. I love to sit on the balcony and watch the gulf as I write. It’s peaceful to the point of being idyllic, causing words to flow onto the keyboard. If there is a better place to write, I haven’t yet found it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have many ‘favorite’ authors, but if you held a gun to my head and made me choose only two, I really enjoy reading Bill Bryson for his precise use of language in all of his books and Louis L’Amour for his great storytelling ability. John Grisham is from the same part of the country where I grew up, and I always feel humbled when some book reviewer or fan says my writing reminds them of Grisham. I suspect I may not reach his talent level, but we speak a similar language. My reading interest is pretty eclectic. Currently on my nightstand are “Fields of Color,” a kind of consumers guide to quantum theory, “Seeing Further,” a Bill Bryson tome on the history of scientific thought, and “The Thief,” a Clive Cussler adventure novel. I suspect all of the above, as well as many others, have influenced my writing style.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a ghost story based on the “Siege of Savannah,” a Revolutionary War battle fought in 1779. My protagonist/ghost was killed while a combatant in the battle and returns in modern times to take care of unfinished business. In keeping with my preference to write historical fiction, I have spent many hours in Savannah, GA recently in an effort to accurately depict the battle and overlay the 1779 action onto a map of modern-day Savannah.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My favorite method of promotion is the old-fashioned, tried and true, book signing event venue. I really enjoy meeting people and much prefer signing events and/or public speaking over the anonymous digital publicity.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Somerset Maugham once said, “There are three rules to writing fiction. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” I don’ t think there is a better way to put it. If you are a storyteller, which is what I endeavor to be, my best advice is to write the story just the way you would tell it if speaking to another person or a group. When you think you are finished, hire a good editor. He or she will likely rip your manuscript to shreds, but in the end will help you make it a better story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Somerset Maugham also said, “Write the damn thing!” Most wannabe writers just never get the job done. Before you can ever throw your hat into the ring of agents, publishers, publicity, and the business of selling books, you have to write the damn thing.

What are you reading now?
As I mentioned before, “Fields of Color,” “Seeing Further,” and “The Thief.” I recently finished a couple Bernard Cornwell novels. I think he is my hero for writing historical fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I recently met with a group called the Crispy Warriors. They are retired military pilots from every war back to WWII, and had reviewed “Unspoken Valor” at one of their weekly breakfast meetings. I found them to be such a fascinating group that I am considering basing my next book on them.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, a collection of Shakespeare’s works, The Walking Drum (Louis L’Amour), and a dictionary (since it has all the other books in it)

Author Websites and Profiles
Steven Abernathy Website
Steven Abernathy Amazon Profile
Steven Abernathy Author Profile on Smashwords

Steven Abernathy’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

A C Burch

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a long-time resident of Provincetown Mass., who has been writing for approximately 10 years. I’ve written three books, the first of which will be released in mid-March. My interests include sailing, art, photography and, of course writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The HomePort Journals was inspired by a mansion on Commercial Street in Provincetown that had been disfigured by a malformed addition. Traces of grandeur remained, and I constantly found myself wondering, “what if….” Eventually, the story unfolded in my head. I moved the house to a different location, created a family lineage that ensured it was well cared for, and left traces of a mysterious scandal that drove its current owner into seclusion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I trained as a classical musician, performing anywhere a trumpet was called for. Now, I write to music. I choose a composer whose works suit the prevailing mood I am trying to capture, create a playlist on ITunes, and write exclusively to the works of that composer. When I’m done for the day, I pause the music. The next day, I start the piece that was playing from the beginning, and my mind eases right back to where it was the day before.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m greatly influenced by Jane Austen, Armistead Maupin, Alan Hollinghurst, and Andrew Holleran. So many books have influenced me, but perhaps most of all Maupin’s Tales of the City Series. I also look to Walter Mosley for the music of speech.

What are you working on now?
A book about a relationship devastated by suicide. Two lovers recount their experiences–one from the hereafter. I call it a “speculative” memoir, because there are many gaps in comprehension and recollection.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter seems to be doing the heavy lifting these days. Facebook seems more of a landing place than an active “buzz-generator.”

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to really love writing and be doing it for that reason alone. The best part of the experience is the creative part. Savor the joy in that, and let the rest take care of itself

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“There was a time in my life I thought I’d die if I didn’t own an electric waffle iron.” An elderly friend told me this when I was in my early twenties, and as she did, I saw the foibles of youth and the wisdom of age converge in her eyes. From that time on, I’ve always tried to care only about what really matters and let the rest go.

What are you reading now?
How To Be A Victorian by Ruth Goodman, Thomas Mann: Eros and Literature by Anthony Hielbut.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A sequel to The HomePort Journals is in the planning stages.

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 Saki, the complete works of Jane Austen, and Tales of the City. (I know I’m cheating by using the complete works, but without them I’d be insane in a week.)

Author Websites and Profiles
A C Burch Website
A C Burch Amazon Profile

A C Burch’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Annie Wood

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a lifelong actress/writer born and raised in Hollywood. I’ve written five books, two of them are collections of comedic scenes. I also had one of my plays published and I have a few monologues in a collection.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Just a Theory: a quantum love adventure.

I was watching a documentary about wormholes and parallel lives and that made me think, “what if someone went to a parallel life and it was better than the one they were living?”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote a short film in a very crowded, dive bar where a loud rock band was playing. Some people might find that distracting, but, I apparently don’t.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carrie Fisher, Nora Ephron. I also loved Tina Fey’s autobiography.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a YA novel, “The Traveler’s Tree.” I’m also working on another TV pilot and my memoir book of comedic essays – but I think that’s a long way from being made public.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tweet, facebook, instagram and i use pinterest to make boards pertaining to my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My motto for life is the motto that fits for writers as well.

Keep Creating.

Keep Positive.

Keep Showing Up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
keep moving forward.

What are you reading now?
Dan Gilvezan’s latest book, “Soul.” It’s very interesting!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to be staffed on a TV show, sell a pilot, have more of my plays produced. Until all of that happens, I will just keep 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?
A collection of Neil Simon plays.

A Collection of Christopher Durang plays.

The Little Prince.

My journal. 🙂

Author Websites and Profiles
Annie Wood Website
Annie Wood Amazon Profile

Annie Wood’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Jim Newton

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am sixty four years of age, and stand six feet four inches tall. I took early retirement from the insurance business as an agent to pursue writing fulltime. I turned from the secular genre of writing during my college years to write solely in the Christian genre. This change of heart was due to the gift of faith in God that was given to me by Jesus Christ.

I grew up in a well-to-do family in Bethany, Oklahoma. My father was what one would refer to as a businessman. He had a tremendous influence on my thinking. Some saw him as hard and demanding, but I saw and knew him as an extremely honest, good-hearted, and forward-thinking man. My father gave me my drive and ambition. Though he was always respectful of Christians and their beliefs, he never judged nor condemned them for he was a non-believer till shortly before his death. I was given a religious introduction and example of a Christ-led life by my Aunt Johanna Mae Oliver, whom I respected and loved. She was a minister and devout follower of Christ. She could walk into a saloon filled with drunks, and in a non-judgmental way talk with those people and have them on their knees praying to God before she walked out.

The town in which I grew up in was founded by protestant Nazarenes. They built a Nazarene college there. The town had strict laws based on Biblical laws, but never was it a problem for the non-Nazarenes living there. Contrary to media sensation-seeking, the majority of the citizens of the United States live in great harmony with the many assorted religions that abound in this country. A person can gain such a diverse education in religion and tolerance if that is what they choose. I attended many different churches while growing up; from Catholic to Protestant to Jewish. I was never cast out or rejected. I suppose that is why I am outspoken on Christian unity.

I served four years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War years, and served inside Vietnam. I view all the different aspects of my life as God’s schooling me. As a young man who had grown up in a very conservative family with the values that upbringing provides, I thought it my duty to fight in Vietnam. The difference in my conservative values and training was that my father drilled into my head to assess any situation and draw independent conclusions from the crowd around me; think for yourself. When I told my father after Vietnam that wars are not glorious and a duty of mankind, he never flinched. He told me that he agreed as that was the very same conclusion he had drawn from his time spent in the Korean War. My life changed from that time on. I battled the conservative notion of God. What I did not realize was that Jesus was the greatest revolutionary to ever walk upon this earth. As I studied the Bible to denounce and condemn it, God showed me love, love, and more love. I was defeated. I gave my writing to him. I found the God of my Aunt Johanna Mae Oliver.

I am not the picture of perfection. My Lord has sent me into some of the toughest situations and places that a man can go, but he always stood right beside me giving advice and courage. I was involved in a situation in war where I was expected to kill many human beings, but thanks to my Lord, he guided me onto a path that saved the lives of the men on both sides. I have walked into the toughest bars and drank with those inside, and whenever I brought up the subject of God, I try never to miss an opportunity, the place was always brought to a reverent and introspective silence. It will make you shudder to witness the respect given by these so-called outcasts of society. As Christians, I feel we have an obligation to go into the very depths of Hell to spread the word if God asks. My Lord has made my life a great adventure.

The aforementioned aspects of my life have brought about two books for my Lord’s glory: WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE and 365 DAYS OF POSITIVE LIVING, co-authored with Rita Pam Tarachi.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE. Through a class in my church, I found my spiritual gift is faith. As a service to my Lord, I began a mission I call the Faith Project. Part of that project is to write books about faith to help newly converted or longtime Christians with their journey of faith building. WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE is a series of snapshots of faith. The first chapter is a true story revolving around my Mother’s family, the Carr family. The other nineteen stories are about my journey to faith, The Journey, or the stories of other people’s journeys or experiences with faith. My goal was to show faith in a different way through stories that are based on true life stories. I am not a theologian or member of the clergy, just a layman.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ohhhh, maybe that I love to write in the wee hours of the morning when all the world is quiet and God can be heard so clearly. I listen to classical music while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Besides the Bible, of course, Moses, by Edmond Fleg. I love his poetic prose, and who better to have a deep feeling for Moses than a person of Jewish decent.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m doing research on a book about a relatively unknown but great servant of our Lord, C. Ray and his Straight Shooters. C. Ray was a man that took on a mission to bring really poor boys to Christ. He drove the poor neighborhoods of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Sunday mornings picking up young boys to transport them to his church and God. He was a local sign painter that spent all of his extra time and money to bring poor boys to God. He had the idea that the best way to bring the word of God to these boys was to do it in not only a structured church setting but also in an atmosphere that they felt comfortable in; the outdoors. When a person complains, what can one man do? He needs to see this example of what one man can do. C. Ray brought thousands of lost boys to God through what he called the Straight Shooters Club. A man in my Sunday School class was in the Straight Shooters and it changed his life. His testimony in church one Sunday morning prompted our coming together to write this story. God always directs my path. Since beginning this project, many people are coming forward with stories and encouragement connected with this project.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

Advice? I would probably say, write for the love of writing, not the quest for money. If your quest is money, your writing will reflect that and the statistics prove most writers never make a living writing just books. If you are writing for the love of writing and expressing yourself, you cannot be disappointed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In Matthew 22:37, when asked what is the greatest Commandment of God, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” That is the best advice for any person to ever have lived.

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

The Bible, Moses by Edmond Fleg, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

Author Websites and Profiles
Jim Newton Website
Jim Newton Author Profile on Smashwords

Jim Newton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Crystal Gauthier

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Crystal Lynn Miles Gauthier and I have written four books, two time travel romance, one cookbook, on psychig thriller short story and one co-wrote a children’s book in the last six months. I have been busy. I live in Lansing, Michigan with my husband Joe, 2 cats and 1 dog. We love to travel and I like to review books and crochet in my free time.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Diana’s Magic is part of the Time Travel Society Series it is book #2 in a series of five. Troianne is book #1

I was inspired by time travel and history. I always read my mothers historical romance novels as a young girl and then into adulthood.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can only write with the Televsision on, sitting in my recliner with something to drink usually ice tea or Coca Cola. All the animals must be resting or sleeping so I can concentrate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Author Melanie Corona is my Australian mentor. I read her book Friendships Love and I knew that I wanted to write my own book. I also love Sandra Shrewsbury, Sandra Love, Neil Orr, SC Clarke and many more.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Book #3 in my time travel society series called Rheanon’s Heart.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter, Facebook, Tsu, Bubblews and Tumblr

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop no matter how many bad reviews you get. The people who are negative about your reading are negative to your life. I was told by a professional that writing is a form of your self and inner thoughts. Never stop writing no matter how bad you think it is.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t get to high on your horse. You are an author, but you are not Jesus. Stay humble.

What are you reading now?
Wilderness Trail of Love by Dorothy Wiley.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to write some thrillers. First I have to finsish my series of time travel. But I would like to get into nitty gritty, bloody thrills.

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?
Author Susan Stokers Books

there are 4 in the Seal Series

Author Websites and Profiles
Crystal Gauthier Website
Crystal Gauthier Amazon Profile

Crystal Gauthier’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Krista Tibbs

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two novels, “The Neurology of Angels” and “Uncertainty Principles”, and an illustrated book of short stories, “Reflections and Tails”. Just to be clear, the illustrations were done by artist Clint Sattler, not by me. The only book I could illustrate would be something entitled “Stick Figures and Pointy Heads R Us”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Uncertainty Principles” is my latest book. It was originally inspired by thinking about the thankless jobs of people who prevent catastrophes that no one else wanted to acknowledge or even had the capability to envision. Then a group of characters appeared who wanted to save the day but spent five years developing themselves and their relationships with each other inside my head until I found them a story they wanted to tell.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I type with a cat draped over my right arm. Of course, that’s not so much my habit as it is Spunk’s preferred sleeping arrangement.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Madeleine L’Engle — Her books had scientists in them and girl characters who had deep and interesting thoughts at the same time as they liked boys and hung out with their friends. They weren’t stereotypes, but they also weren’t intentionally counter-culture; they were just real in the way that they needed to be to star in their story.

Ayn Rand — I just loved that her books were challenging and concept-driven but contained a people so memorable and plots so compelling that I couldn’t put them down and wanted to read them again five years later and again five years after that.

What are you working on now?
I don’t like to talk about what I’m working on, because when I say it out loud before it’s ready, I pick apart how it sounds and want to throw it out the window before it ever has a chance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I knew! For me, Goodreads giveaways were measurably great for reaching readers and getting reviews in 2008 and 2009, but it seems that fewer people have been following through on their commitment to post reviews in the past few years. IndiesUnlimited.com is a great resource and has current promotion opportunities and ideas. I suspect in the end that it’s a confluence of sites and not just one that makes the difference (unless it’s Oprah’s). What is the adage? People have to hear about you 7 different times before they start to pay attention…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take frequent breaks from reading advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For the season of Lent, try giving up discouragement.

What are you reading now?
11/23/63 by Stephen King

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a book idea that I’m excited about and I’m going to just let it go where it wants to when it wants to and try not to push it. On the logistical side, I’m also going to finally figure out how to have a day job and write and promote and have a life all at the same time. At least until the million-seller comes to fruition!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence, and Spirit by Brenda Ueland
A blank notebook
The last book of the Harry Potter series

Author Websites and Profiles
Krista Tibbs Website
Krista Tibbs Amazon Profile
Krista Tibbs Author Profile on Smashwords

Krista Tibbs’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Selah J Tay-Song

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Selah and I’m a writoholic! I love writing epic fantasy and reading it, although I do read and write other things occasionally too. I’ve written three books. Dream of a Vast Blue Cavern is my first book, available now, Dream of a City of Ruin is my second book and will release on March 20th, and Shattered Dreams is my third book, still in draft stage. All are part of the Dreams of QaiMaj Series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dream of a City of Ruin is my latest book, and it is largely inspired by the state of the world today. I see how divided people are by ideology, and how so many problems could be solved if people could overcome their differences and work together. This is a strong theme in DCR. Of course, the characters are facing unbelievable odds, so they have no choice–it’s cooperate and survive or be divided and die.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
You mean, other than spending most of my time in fantasy worlds as an adult? Probably my weirdest writing thing is that I write better when I walk. I have a treadmill desk for this purpose, so I can walk and write at the same time! The oxygen flow to my brain seems to help, although it could all be an illusion : )

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to count! I love so many books in all genres. Probably my very biggest influence has been epic fantasy author Robin Hobb. I gobble up everything she’s ever written. Reading her taught me that epic fantasy can be character driven but still transport the reader to another world and sweep them up in adventure. I strive to write as well as she does.

What are you working on now?
Right now I am tying together some loose plot ends in my draft of Shattered Dreams, Dreams of QaiMaj Book II. I drafted the whole thing in one month during Nanowrimo, so it’s very different from books I’ve drafted over the course of years. It is fun and challenging. My worst fear is that I will mess it up while trying to improve it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads giveaways, by far. Nothing else has gotten me as much visibility, reviews, and loyal fans for as low a price (the cost of books plus shipping).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t compromise your ideals. Remember why you started doing this in the first place. Was it because you love writing with a passion? Yes. Was it to torture yourself with self-hatred when you don’t sell as many copies as you wanted to? No. Don’t panic, keep writing, and be patient!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This has turned out to be true every single time.

What are you reading now?
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, Dreams of QaiMaj will be four books, so I’m a little over half-way there. After I finish this series, I’ll be exploring some other projects that have been in the back of my mind for awhile. Still epic fantasy, but a new cast of characters and a whole different storyworld.

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?
Can all of Robin Hobbs books count as one? No? Darn. Well, I just read The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams, so I would probably take Stone of Farewell and To Green Angel Tower. That should keep me busy for awhile. For my other two, I’d bring Kushiel’s Dart (I can’t die not knowing what will happen to Phedre) and a blank journal–plenty of time to write on a desert island!

Author Websites and Profiles
Selah J Tay-Song Website
Selah J Tay-Song Amazon Profile
Selah J Tay-Song Author Profile on Smashwords

Selah J Tay-Song’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Dale L. Roberts

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a full-time self-published author and business owner with 5 titles in my publishing company, 4 of them I wrote. I’m married, have a cat and enjoy reading, wrestling and working out.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest publication is “Your Goals & Your Dreams: 108 Inspirational Quotes to Uplift, Motivate & Empower You.” I’m a huge fan of self-help books and motivational speakers. When I find a great quote, I will clip it and save it. While I’m reading or researching or even in conversation, I get hundreds of awesome quotes that make me think, get inspired and want to learn more about becoming a more successful person. I felt it was high time I provided some of my absolute favorite quotes and put some of my personal insight to them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to stand up and type, because otherwise my writing becomes boring and formulaic. When I’m sitting down, I tend to get sleepy and distracted easily. Typically, I’ll put on my head phones, crank some music and type away.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King was an early influence for me and the man that made me want to become a writer. Wayne Dyer was the author that really turned me onto self-help books. He has such a basic way of sharing inspiration and motivation.

What are you working on now?
I’m still compiling 3 other books to be complement my latest publication. “Your Motivation & Your Purpose”, “Your Courage & Your Strength”, and “Your Failure & Your Success” are the subsequent titles. I have work that I’m doing under a pen name that is a completely different niche of humor/satire, but I only focus on that a few hours per week.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, Twitter and Google+ seem to be helping me with promoting right now, but I’m relatively new to publishing and it would be to early to tell what has been successful. I’ll better answer this in one year.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get a good editor. I thought my work was solid until I obtained an editor and that made a HUGE difference.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Chase your dreams.

What are you reading now?
Wow! What am I not reading right now? Since jumping into this career, I have found a ton of good self-published authors. In the process I get a ton of free ebooks to read for review swaps. I’m trying my best to read the hard copy to “8,789 Words of Wisdom” by Barbara Ann Kipfer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m looking to wrap up the process on the 3 follow up books to my latest release and my pen name’s book on farts by the end of March.

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?
Mick Foley’s “Have a Nice Day”
A family picture book
A Survival Guide
A Notebook to write in (however crude a fashion I’d have to do it)

Author Websites and Profiles
Dale L. Roberts Website
Dale L. Roberts Amazon Profile
Dale L. Roberts Author Profile on Smashwords

Dale L. Roberts’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Michele De Winton

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, thanks for having me! My first romance novel was accepted for publication three months after my first son was born. And from then on, it’s been a mad crazy ride writing while he (and now his brother) are asleep or when I should be sleeping! I have five romance books out in the world, and another couple of literary titles under another name. I love female characters who have a sense of humor and usually don’t mince words – girls can do anything right? I think so. And dont worry, I’m never afraid to kiss and tell 😉

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Caught with the Captain’s Daughter is the last in my three book Love on Deck Series. I started this series after I had been a guest writer on a cruise ship. Yes. Really. That is a dream job right?! The characters all just wanted to be written, and I couldn’t turn them down!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes move about when I’m writing. Walking is a fairly common theme for helping to get the words flowing, but I mean sitting in my chair flailing my hands about – somehow I can squeeze the words that way, or find the one I was looking for in the air just above the keyboard!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Nalini Singh – her early contemporary stuff and the stuff she’s been putting out lately (as well as her paranormal writing of course). I love Sarah Mayberry, and Ruthie Knox. Women who aren’t afraid to call a shade a shovel…

What are you working on now?
I have a Hot Hotel series coming out next – the first chapter is a freebie with my latest release. The Burning To Ride series has hot heroes, heroines with dirty mouths and is a bit darker than my previous work, but its till loads of fun and has plenty of steam as well as smirk worthy dialogue.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I usually have a facebook party with a bunch of fellow authors – and I have one this time too – https://www.facebook.com/events/1392708497709562
And then I make sure there is plenty of word of mouth getting the books out there! This is my first time using Awesomgang and I’m looking forward to seeing the response.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. Write. Revise. Repeat. Seriously. The more you read, the more you hone your craft and then you gotta just write. Too many people tell me all about the books they are GOING to write. Write it! Now. You can do it 😉

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Dont take yourself too seriously.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Talia Hunter’s How to Master a Millionaire – and it’s fab.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More! I have so many category romance series on the go and I really want to start on a full length two book series I’ve had in my head for ages. Fingers crossed I get to it now the boys are starting to get a little older!

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 Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood), The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver, Polo (by Jilly Cooper) and Pastures of Heavan (John Steinbeck)

Author Websites and Profiles
Michele De Winton Website
Michele De Winton Amazon Profile

Michele De Winton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Frankie Johnnie

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Along with my writing partner Johnnie, I’ve written about a dozen short & sweet eBooks.

About me, I’m a writer’s writer – whatever that means.

I am the eBook Queen!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
HOW TO WRITE YOUR NONFICTION BOOK FAST

AND MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS CALLING CARD

WRITE YOUR BOOK IN 10 DAYS OR LESS

Grow your business

Teach people how to do something

Evangelize your cause

Position yourself as an authority

Land clients in any industry

Get leads and product sales

Be your best resume ever

Create wealth and fame

Write a Bestseller

I was inspired to write because I saw there was a need to show entrepreneurs and small business owners, how they could write a book and use it to crack open the door of opportunities to scale their business.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hang upside like a bat and write. Kidding. I tend to keep a very low key when writing. Essentially, I pause and/or limit all leisure activities. Leisure activities aren’t the same as doing essential things. However, I limit social media, don’t do any chit chatting on the phone, no socializing with friends, not a big TV watcher, but no TV, limit Netflix, and limit podcast until bedtime.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m totally influenced by many internet authors. One person who stands out to me is author Steve Scott because he’s writing affordable and helpful eBooks for readers and making a killing while doing it.

The book I’m reading now and it’s having an influence on me is Who is Killing the great authors of Amazon. It’s freaking hilarious.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on an eBook about book marketing. In the book, I’ll share simple and inexpensive ways to market.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Start with a great book cover and book description and half of your marketing battle is won. If the first book cover and description does not get you the results, then it’s OK to change the cover and tinker with the book description until it’s a winning combination. As far as the best websites to promote books; I suggest that you start with sites like this one that let you promote for free or a small fee. Another thing to keep in mind is to do something to market your book each day, and at the very least, as often as you can. Marketing your book should be ongoing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Put just as much effort into your marketing strategies as you do writing. So many really outstanding books languish in no man’s land, while mediocre books rise like cream to the top, simply because the author is a master marketer or has paid someone for marketing services. Marketing is the key to Book success.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is the best advice I’ve heard lately and it comes from Bruce Lee.

If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading like 10 eBooks, seriously. I have this habit of buying or downloading eBooks every single day. Then I start reading all of them and usually some of them can’t hold my attention for one reason or another. However, one or two usually stand out from the pack.

Today, that book is The Art of Book Marketing by Harshajyoti Das. He’s better known as Harsh.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on an eBook about book marketing in which I bring the readers along on my marketing journey and share what is and is not working and why. I’m also gearing up to teach my writing boot camp in the summer of 2015.

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?
James Baldwin’s Go tell it on the mountain (I love all things Baldwin). Jeff Walker’s Launch (probably because I really need to read a book like that at this point in my life). Soulful Vagina (just to mix things up, I’d bring that book for the humor and erotica, hell if I’m stranded, I’m going to need a good reason to laugh).

Author Websites and Profiles
Frankie Johnnie Website
Frankie Johnnie Amazon Profile

Frankie Johnnie’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Bethany Bull

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
BETHANY BULL WILL BE AT LONDON BOOK FAIR

We take a look at this emerging author, whose Children’s Books are now ﬁnding the limelight…
Like all overnight successes, Bethany Bull has worked hard to earn the plaudits that now surround her name.

With three books already on Amazon, a publisher at Wollywagon – and a fourth book about to be launched – Bethany has already given thousands of children a ﬁrst glimpse of love of stories – not just a love of reading per se. it is this capturing of imagination, that is probably the unique aspect that children love, and who buy her books in their thousands. It is probably because the stories themselves, of animals that talk, or danger, of horror – but in a way that children can handle – treat children as equal partners, and the graphics are fanciful and inspirational.

Bethany herself was born and raised in South Africa. Her family did not have television until 1976, so her imagination was her main …source of entertainment. She had a love of animals and magical creatures and a vast country with big open spaces where she imagined they lived. She would make up stories for her siblings in the evenings.

This is the pedigree that Bethany brings to her market, and what she says about her work, displays an understanding of the minds of children that have no limits:

“They have no doubt an ant can talk. Their imaginations are free to believe.”

We interviewed Bethany at our ofﬁces, and her modest way of describing herself overlays a real passion for communicating with her market. She lives modestly in the West of Cornwall, and there is this “back to nature” understanding that resonates throughout her work.

Bethany will be at the London Book Fair, at the Greene Media stand and is available for meetings, which will be held though the auspices of her publisher, Robin Wolstenholm at WollyWagon. Contact; bethanybrooks75@hotmail.com. Her books can be ordered direct – or through amazon.com.

Advance copies of her new book – can be ordered direct to Bethany and her publisher, prior to general release. Educational discounts are available for recognised schools.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have just finished book four of my chapter books, but as yet it has no name!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if it is unusual but I write from one word. I put pen to paper and the story will just flow, I do not think of a story or a plot beforehand.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I can’t really say influenced but I read from an early age, Nancy Drew, Robinson Crusoe and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, then teenage years until the present day I read Dean Koontz, (love his descriptive wording) Stephen King, Tess Gerritsen, Tami Hoag, James Patterson

What are you working on now?
I have started book five in the chapter books, and I am working on two teenage novellas and a mini series

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Truthfully?…… None but today social media is the way, so I am on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pin interest, LinkedIn, Google+.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your heart and write with love. Enjoy your work!

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

What are you reading now?
Private L.A by James Patterson

What’s next for you as a writer?
To carry on writing and have my mini series out and on CBBIEs TV for children

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Three books from my favourite authors, and one of ‘ how to survive on a desert island’, of course!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Bethany Bull Website
Bethany Bull Amazon Profile

Bethany Bull’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Jason Black

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Bristol in the United Kingdom, where I still live with my wife of twenty one years, Sara. I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy, and love getting up early and having a quiet morning to write, with a mug of Earl Grey tea beside me. I enjoy gardening, hiking and movies. I also enjoy travel, and finding new places to get lost. My favourite destination is Italy.

My first book, Titan Fleet: The Invictus is available on Amazon and I am currently working on Book II of the Titan Fleet series, entitled Titan Fleet: The Robur.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is Titan Fleet: The Invictus. I began this book after the sad passing of my mother, Jean Black in 2013, which drove me to achieve my dream of having a published novel. My mother always encouraged me to do the best I could, and I promised her that one day I would finish something.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write early in the morning, and starting at around 5am on a Saturday and Sunday is when I tend to do my best writing. I have to have cup of Earl Grey tea to get me started. When I write, I see the story unfold in my mind as a film, and I write to describe what is happening. I do write single words down in my sparks book, and can remember whole chapters of work that I want to include from that one word.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors are Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, James Herbert, Jules Verne. My favourite books as child, which kept me interested in books were Swallows and Amazons, Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the second in the Titan Fleet series, Titan Fleet: The Robur. I also have several projects in the planning stage, a horror book, a fantasy book and joint book with my wife, Sara.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Twitter a good place to not only promote my book, but also to meet new friends and link with other authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t make excuses – just write it! It’s easier than you think, and such an awesome sense of achievement when you do finish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry about your word count. You will get to the end when you get to the end. You when know this when it happens.

What are you reading now?
Hollowland by Amanda Hocking.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue to promote my first book, and try to get my name and work known, while writing my second and third books. Being able to connect with other people in the world through my words.

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 SAS Survival Guide 🙂
Lord of the Rings
Swallows and Amazons
Around the World in 80 Days

Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Black Amazon Profile

Jason Black’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account