Awesome Author Interviews

Interview With Author Gail Villanueva

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired “rocket scientist” who worked for NASA for 26 years. I was also real estate investor juggling investments and rehabs. My project management, scheduling, and procurement experience came in handy while doing rehabs. After I retired, in addition to investing, I began coaching others who wanted to learn about real estate investing.

I have written this one book and am developing self-paced online courses based on my book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is “Real Estate—What’s Your Best Fit? 5 Proven Careers To Create Massive Wealth and How You Can Achieve Financial Freedom”

I wrote this book because I realized there wasn’t an existing book that explained the pros, cons, and personality characteristics for those that are successful in each of these careers. There was no book available to provide insight into what it is like to work in each of these careers and I help my readers manage expectations about daily routines and projected income. This has been very enlightening for my readers and coaching students.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have an unusual writing habits other than I have a ton of content I want to provide to others about real estate careers. I have a bunch of real estate related information I want to share, I just can’t seem to get it all on paper!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors that have most influenced me are Gary Keller, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ray Dalio, Tony Robbins, Hal Elrod, John Maxwell, and Grant Cardone,

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Chandler Bolt, founder of Self Publishing School (now known as Self Publishing). Chandler wrote the book “Published” whereas he teaches others to write best selling books and publish them.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on relaunching my book. Based on the positive reviews, I am excited that my book is adding value to people’s lives! I have added additional content and have provided what my readers can do immediately to set themselves up as a real estate agent, a wholesaler, a buy and hold investor, a rehabber, and a note investor.

I’ve also had my readers and colleagues suggest I create online courses to help people get started, without the fluff, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to set yourself up for success.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found social media and word of mouth advertising has been really great for promoting my book.

For Version 2, I am promoting my book on websites during my $0.99 book promotions. My fellow non-fiction authors with Self Publishing School have given me good suggestions on how to get my book into as many hands as I can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If I can do it, so can you! I once read that 80% of people have a book inside of them but only 2% actually write their books. So, if you are a published author, or are nearing your release date, you can be proud of yourself for going through the process of writing your book!

Think about where your readers hang out and then connect with them. Make sure you create an author’s website so people get to know you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have heard is “never give up!” If you find your passion, you will be excited to wake up everyday to share your knowledge and passion with those that can benefit from your message.

What are you reading now?
I listen to audiobooks all of the time now. I am listening to “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once my book is relaunched, I will promote my online courses based on my book. I want to incorporate my book and my courses into my current career of real estate investing, particularly note investing! I will be blogging on the latest and greatest news and information about the state of the current real estate market and trends.

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 Camping & Wilderness Survival, The Purpose Driven Life, a humorous book because it would probably be needed to make me laugh and forget I am stranded on a desert island, and my Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles

Gail Villanueva Website

Gail Villanueva Amazon Profile

Gail Villanueva’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

 

Interview With Author Crystal Thomas

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always loved writing as it has always been my way of coping with my feelings. I have written one book that was recently published which is a memoir of my life and currently working on the second. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and have been in the medical field for 21 years. I have lived a life of struggle, hardship, and feeling alone in a world so big.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Unforgivable: If the Walls Could Talk Would You Listen?
This is my life story. I have always written in journals to help handle my feelings. It was those journals that built the foundation for my story. My inspiration to write my story was to increase the awareness of abuse that goes on in small towns and the corruption that occurs within them. Imagine going through life never feeling loved or being able to trust anyone. Your past does not define your future and I wanted my readers to see that no matter how grim your future may look or feel there is nothing in the world that you can not accomplish or achieve if you put effort into it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Child Called It was my inspiration years ago. It was that book that helped me see that the life I was living really was not normal. It gave me the strength to fight back and never give up.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the second part of my memoir. I have not decided on a title yet, but will have one as soon as I get closer to the end and tie it all together.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I currently use Facebook, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, All Author, and Amazon Author Central.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No matter what anyone tells you, keep striving forward. When you have an intuition to write then do it. Always keep a pen and paper with you or jot down on a notepad any ideas as they come to mind as those random thoughts are typically the best. Never give up or get discouraged.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You must love yourself before you can accept the love of someone else and appreciate it. If you don’t love your self first you will simply be looking for someone or something to fill a void.

What are you reading now?
I am currently in the process of picking my next book to read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will finish the second part of my memoir.

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?
Women’s Devotional Bible (To keep myself mentally prepared for what is next)
The Unforgivable (To remind me of where I have been, so this isn’t so bad)
Medical Dictionary (To keep my mind sharp)

Author Websites and Profiles

Crystal Thomas Website

Crystal Thomas Amazon Profile

Crystal Thomas’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author Jim Landwehr

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jim Landwehr and by day I am an Land Information Systems Supervisor for Waukesha County, near Milwaukee. I recently had my fourth memoir, At the Lake, published in addition to my five books of poetry. I got started writing seriously about 13 years ago and have had some success with it, at least in the small press niche.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
At the Lake is a book about 15 different cabin experiences over the past 50 years. Inspiration comes from the whole up-north experience and culture. It’s where we go to rest, recharge and restore.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
At the Lake was unusual in that I wrote it entirely in longhand first, with transcription to the computer afterward. I found that process gives me a different thought stream and I tend to look at the transcription as a first edit. The only other unusual habit is I tend to start a story with no idea where it will go. It’s just an idea that takes life in real time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a big fan of Bill Bryson and Michael Crichton. On the poetry side, I love Richard Brautigan and Billy Collins, among others. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut was very influential as was Brave New World, (Huxley) and Trout Fishing in America (Brautigan).

What are you working on now?
For the first time, I am delving into fiction. I am working on a short story collection and having a lot of fun with it. Way outside my comfort zone, but I am loving the freedom it gives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tend to use a combination of social media and my author website. I also have a blog but it has been dark for a while and I’m having a hard time getting back into it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
BIC. Butt in chair. The story won’t write itself, no matter how great your idea is.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
An author I heard speak once talked about “anchor time.” He said that he carved out 3 hours a week devoted to writing and, if nothing else got written, he had that 3 hours every week. I live by my anchor time!

What are you reading now?
Bill Bryson’s book, One Summer. I just finished his book titled The Body: a guide for occupants that was fascinating.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of entries in contests that I am hoping to win, as one of them has a getaway writing retreat at a local art campus.

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?
Trout Fishing in America, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Overstory, Slaughterhouse Five.

Author Websites and Profiles

Jim Landwehr Website

Jim Landwehr Amazon Profile

Jim Landwehr Author Profile on Smashwords

Jim Landwehr’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Interview With Author Debbie Schrack

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started out writing later in life after my kids were grown. I didn’t publish a novel until I was 63. My debut novel Saving Sophie, a YA contemporary romance, was published in April 2022. I have a new book, a YA drama/suspense called Over the Fence coming out in 2023. They are both published by Fire and Ice.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Saving Sophie is about a seventeen boy named Gabe whose half-brother Josh causes a serious drunk driving accident that kills four family members and leaves a 16 year old girl named Sophie an orphan. Gabe ends up tutoring her to try and make amends for what his brother has done, while not revealing who he is. Sophie has a brain injury, amnesia, and epilepsy. Her character is inspired by many of the learning disabled children I taught during my teaching career.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write every day in short spurts and I have the really bad habit of going back over everything I’ve written and editing it before I go further. I get a lot of great ideas for my writing while I’m in the shower.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Dick Francis and Robert B. Parker. They don’t write in my genre, but I love the way they say so much with so little words. In YA, I love Jason Reynolds. He really inspires me to write about things that matter.

What are you working on now?
I am going through the final editing stages with my new novel Over the Fence. It’s about a seventeen-year girl who was abducted when she was six years old and is being held captive in a suburban home in Minnesota. She forms a bond through her backyard fence with another seventeen-year old girl whose older sister is a victim of domestic violence.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used Book Marketing pro a lot. I have also used Tweet your Books, Voracious Readers, Book Reader Magazine and Pretty Hot Books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Since I just published a book at age 63, I feel like I am the poster child for the old adage “Never give up!”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Jason Reynolds: “Excellence is a habit. The way you live your life is the way you approach your novels…If you work to be great at every part of your life, writing a novel will feel natural to you. Excellence can’t be turned on and off.”

What are you reading now?
An old John Grisham book I found in a free bin at the library. I thought I had read them all!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have just started a new YA novel, and I will be doing a lot of marketing for Over the Fence.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Edge by Dick Francis
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Author Websites and Profiles

Debbie Schrack Website

Debbie Schrack Amazon Profile

Debbie Schrack Author Profile on Smashwords

Debbie Schrack’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Robert Reid

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a passionate writer who has dedicated my career to helping teenagers and young adults prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

I aim to empower young readers to develop the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need to become competent, confident, and, most importantly, happy individuals.

With a keen understanding of today’s youth’s unique needs and experiences, I offer practical advice and actionable strategies that resonate with readers.

From navigating school, college, and their future profession to relationships, managing stress, setting goals, and improving overall health (both mental and physical), my books provide valuable insights and guidance on a wide range of topics essential for success in today’s fast-paced world.

My writing style is approachable and relatable, making my books accessible to readers of all backgrounds and experiences. Whether you’re a teenager starting high school, a college student navigating your first job, or a young adult embarking on a new career path, my books offer invaluable wisdom and encouragement to help you achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life.
If you’re looking for a trusted guide to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of young adulthood, look no further. My books are a must-read for anyone looking to build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in today’s world.

I currently have one book published on Amazon under the publishing company “The Young Investor” and many more in the works. Consider reading and reviewing my work as reviews are essential to any aspiring author.

For free review copies of my work, please email admin@younginvestorbob.com and just let me know the book you would like to review and where you seen my post. I.E what platform? Awesome Gang.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stock Market Investing For Teens Made Easy: In 5 Steps You Will Discover The Secret Path to Becoming a Millionaire Investor. The Ultimate Teenagers Guide To Making Money And Uncovering Riches.

Inspiration: Growing up, I wasn’t born into a rich household. My family and I had to work extremely hard for everything we had in life. For the longest time, I assumed that you are either born rich or poor, and there is no way to change your situation. Thankfully during one of my trips to the local library, I stumbled across a business and investing book that gave me the confidence that anyone, no matter their background, can change their current financial situation. Since the age of 15, I have been investing and consistently researching and studying the topic. After a decade-long journey, I find myself in a situation I could only dream of as a young boy. I now have the opportunity to run a publishing company called The Young Investor and try to help the next generation of teenagers achieve the financial success that investing has given me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy writing early in the mornings, but also really late at night. I know it’s not the healthiest habit but I feel so creative as the night draws on and I become more sleepy.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ben Graham : The Intelligent Investor

Robert Kiyosak: Rich Dad Poor Dad

John C. Bogle: Little Book of Common Sense Investing

What are you working on now?
My parent company to The Young Investor is called Teen Life skills. This is my main publishing company that focuses on all of the things teenagers need to learn, manage and master to ensure they are prepared for anything life throws at them.

I’m currently working on a book designed to help teenage boys fully prepare themselves for a successful life by mastering the necessary skills during there teenage years.

Also, mental health is more important today that ever before and especially for the teenage generation. To help teenagers manage their mental health and reduce the staggering 33% of teenagers who suffer from anxiety, I am producing a book regarding CBT for teenagers to combat anxiety and poor mental health.

To become an advanced reader and get early copy of any of my upcoming books or request a copy of my current books, please email admin@younginvestorbob.com and just say where you have seen my message, thank you.

Also, if you would be kind enough to review my books on Amazon once you have finished I’d really appreciate it.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Congratulations on pursuing your dream of becoming an author! Writing is a rewarding and challenging journey, but you can achieve your goals with persistence and dedication.

Here is some inspirational advice for aspiring authors:

Write every day: Writing is a craft; like any craft, it requires practice. Commit to writing every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Over time, your writing skills will improve, and you’ll develop a writing habit.

Read widely: Reading is essential for writers. Read books in your genre and outside of it to broaden your understanding of storytelling techniques and writing styles. Analyze what works and what doesn’t and apply it to your writing.

Embrace failure: Writing is a journey of trial and error. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or receive criticism. Every failed attempt is a step closer to success. Learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward.

Find your voice: As a writer, your unique voice sets you apart from other authors. Experiment with different styles and find the one that feels most authentic. Don’t imitate other writers’ styles; be true to yourself.

Set achievable goals: Setting achievable goals is essential for any writer. Break your writing project into manageable chunks and set deadlines for each milestone. Celebrate your achievements along the way to stay motivated.

Surround yourself with support: Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join writing groups, attend workshops or conferences, and connect with other writers. Having a support network can make all the difference.

Keep learning: Writing is a continuous learning process. Attend writing courses, workshops, and conferences to improve your craft. Read books on writing, and stay updated with industry trends and changes.

Becoming an author may not be easy, but it is worth it. Keep writing, stay dedicated, and believe in yourself. You have what it takes to succeed!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Set goals: Identify what you want to achieve and make a plan to reach those goals. Write them down, make them specific, and break them into smaller, manageable steps.

What are you reading now?
Influence by Robert Cialdini

What’s next for you as a writer?
Produce more books that will help the next generation become more successful than any who came before 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?
“1984” by George Orwell

Lord of the Flies William Golding

How to Survive on a Deserted Island

Robert Reid’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author Anthony Cross

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Anthony was born and bred in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and went on to obtain his medical degree at Monash University. He had ‘always’ wanted to be a doctor and a psychologist but Year 10 work experience at Box Hill Hospital Emergency Department convinced him that emergency medicine was the ideal career. Throughout subsequent training, he kept an eye out for other possible careers but none seemed to provide the variety, satisfaction, or interest of emergency medicine. He subsequently found intensive care to provide variety and severity of illness so trained in that discipline. He now works as a staff specialist half-time in each specialty, back at Box Hill. Anthony sees College activity as a way of fulfilling a doctor’s broad professional responsibilities and giving something back to the specialty he loves. When not engaged in work or College activity he loves to spend time with his family, on a bike, or, preferably, and I have written over 6 books on Amazon

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Within: a journey through womb cancer and cancer diet for kids

It can help patient beat this disease and live full, healthy lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tony Evans books

What are you working on now?
Starting up my own business

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been using Facebook group to promote my books

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Consistency matters

What are you reading now?
Bible

What’s next for you as a writer?
Cooking made easy

How the world will end

Who will cry when you die

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?
Rich dad poor Dad

Who will cry when you die

How the world will end

Author Websites and Profiles

Anthony Cross Amazon Profile

Anthony Cross’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Pinterest Account

Interview With Author Kerrie Biehl

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi readers! I’m Kerrie Biehl, a paranormal romance author from the Pacific Northwest. I love to write stories about strong, sassy heroines and smoking hot heroes. If you like, Death by Blood, you can also delve into more paranormal romances under my pen name, Serena Zane.
I’m lucky enough to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, surrounded by beautiful evergreens, with my husband Gary, our queen bee cat Bounce, and our big lap dog Strider. When I’m not writing, I’m also a member of a band called Twisted Knickers, and I’m a huge fan of crime dramas, and reading. I’m so excited to share my stories with you all!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shawna and Eric’s journey is full of unexpected twists and turns, and their chemistry is undeniable. As they work together to uncover the truth, Shawna and Eric must put their lives on the line and lean on each other for strength. As secrets are revealed and conflicts arise, the two realize that love is worth the risk. They must fight to protect their newfound love, as well as the people they care about.
The idea for Death by Blood came from a variety of influences, from my college studies to my love for strong heroes and independent heroines. I also take my frustrations from reality and put them in my books creating scenarios and obstacles for my characters to overcome. I wanted to create a character like Kate Beckett from Castle and show how she might handle a paranormal world. This is how Shawna, the narcotics detective in Death by Blood, came to life. I’m sure readers will love her as she solves the case while striving to keep her relationship with Eric alive. With plenty of action, drama, and suspense, Death by Blood is an exciting and passionate story that will keep you turning pages until the very end.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a passionate writer who loves to let the story take them where it will. I’ve come to realize that having strong characters and a loose story arc allows them to solve the plot in their own individual ways. In order to write my best work, I need a distraction-free zone. I always have a glass of red wine, preferably Menage a Trois Midnight, and some beef sticks or trail mix to snack on. And of course, I put on my noise-canceling headphones and turn up my Vampire Radio Station on Pandora to get in the zone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many authors I’ve read and adore. The top three that come to mind are Christine Feehan, Jayne Castle (also known as Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick), and JR Ward. They inspire me with their dark paranormal romances with smoking hot characters that grow and evolve through their stories. Plus, the sexual tension is off the charts!

What are you working on now?
Working on my next book in the South Beach Series, Death by Fire, is nothing short of exciting. Jessica Houser, Shawna’s best friend and homicide detective, and Jose Lyro, a strong-willed shifter who she can’t seem to stay away from, are back for more! I’m also continuing the Delia Calhoun novella series under the pen name Serena Zane. This series is set in Thurston County in a future world where magic and the paranormal reign supreme. Tempt Me is the fifth novella in the series, and I’m ready to take on the challenge with a fun, snarky, and confident attitude!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have an extensive knowledge of marketing platforms. Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are my current accounts where I post frequently. My website is connected to my social media and drives people to purchase from Amazon. The KDP Select program has been the most profitable tool for me so far. I offer the first book in a series for free, encouraging readers to pick up the rest of the series.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is the key to unlocking your creativity and imagination, so don’t forget to make time for it! Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, it will help you build a habit and keep you motivated. And remember, it’s okay if not everyone likes your work. Write for yourself, and make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. Have fun and enjoy the process!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Years ago, I had the good fortune of attending a workshop for aspiring authors. Jayne Ann Krentz, the speaker, shared her advice on how to beat writer’s block and stay inspired. She suggested taking a break and trying something new, which is why she has so many different pen names. I was having trouble with this myself, having just finished my contemporary suspense romance series, The Jewel Series. I needed to figure out what to write next. She then suggested that I look to my own bookshelf for inspiration. What genre dominated my own reading material? I didn’t have to think too hard – paranormal romance books were everywhere! Taking her advice, I now have a plethora of fun, engaging ideas, and have been writing paranormal romance for over a decade.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently diving into the world of Annabelle Chase’s Midnight Empire series. This post-apocalyptic universe is full of fun and engaging adventures that will keep you hooked until the end. With three separate stories, each with its own hero and heroine, the series culminates in an epic finale that’ll leave you wanting more. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it for you – you’ll have to read it to find out!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a ton of fun plans! I’m writing five books for the South Beach series, and I’m also producing lots of short novellas for the Delia Calhoun series. To engage with my readers, I’m heading out on a book tour in the Pac NW this summer – and I can’t wait to meet everyone!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh, this one is easy. Dark Fire by Christine Feehan, Unbound by JR Ward, and The Hot Zone by Jayne Castle, aka Jayne Ann Krentz. They will keep me entertained and far from lonely.

Author Websites and Profiles

Kerrie Biehl Website

Kerrie Biehl Amazon Profile

Kerrie Biehl’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Duncan Robb

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have, after many years, written one book. I’m halfway into the second and I have plans and ideas for a series that will run and run.
I’m a former pro photographer and got my inspiration for the plot of book one from my work. I’ve also been a triathlete for over 35 years and that’s influenced the book as well.
I live in rural Derbyshire in the UK with my wife and several four-legged friends.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sharp Focus – inspired by my work at major conferences and the nefarious goings on that I imagined while shooting important people.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Like I imagine all writers, I wish I could get into the habit of writing regularly, but life gets in the way – that and six grown up children and nine grand children!
I have a standing desk and find it’s the best way to stop me nodding off after a spell of concentrated typing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the usual best selling suspects, Lee Child, John Grisham, Stephen King etc but also many indie authors whose books have popped up on Amazon and found their way onto my Kindle.

What are you working on now?
I working on Book two and plotting books three, four, five etc

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I had lots of success with well targeted ads on Facebook to generate a mailing list and have used FreeBooksey and Hello Books to get 4,000 downloads and a bunch of 5 star reviews.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick at it – It took me years to get book one finished and then several more years before I felt ready to publish.
Accept the fact that there are some people out there who may not like your book, but there will be plenty that do – think of them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Stephen King’s book “Writing, a memoir”, take it seriously, if you want to be a writer, then write and don’t let anything else get in your way.

What are you reading now?
Harlan Coben’s Deal Breaker (paperback) and Robert Galbraith’s Ink Black Heart (audiobook)

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books – my aim is to get three a year published on Amazon.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
His Dark Materials (Phillip Pulman)

Author Websites and Profiles

Duncan Robb Website

Duncan Robb Amazon Profile

Duncan Robb’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Dr Muyiwa Ajao

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Dr Muyiwa Ajao, a Nigerian currently living in Nigeria. I am a pharmacist, self-care advocate and motivator. I have over 20 years of experience in self-care research, education and practice. I have presently written 4 books but have published only 2 of these.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Look Younger, Feel Better, Everyday. I was inspired to write this book because of my practice experience in self-care, especially in the clinical settings where I carry out most of my self-care research, training and education. Over the years, I discovered that most people visiting the hospital for one ailment or another usually neglect some of the fundamentals of health and wellness. In today’s world, self-care is the new health-care. Up to 50% of hospital visits would have been unnecessary if more people realise this. So, to get this awareness out there into the minds of more people, I came up with the idea of this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. Nothing unusual, at least, not in my own reckoning. I just discipline myself to put something down daily in form of ideas or notes. When I start writing a book, I set goals for myself. For example, if not completing a chapter a fortnightly, at least add to an on-going chapter daily.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Two secular books have greatly influenced my life more than others. These books are RICH DAD, POOR DAD & SELL LIKE CRAZY. Others include 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE, STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING. These are just a few of them.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a book on improving productivity for career professionals and entrepreneurs. I have previously made a video course on this subject, but I understand that having it in a book form will appeal to people who love reading. It is going to be an update to the video course.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not yet made up my mind about that. But I believe this platform will live up to and probably exceed my expectations.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is that they should not give up, even if the beginning is rough (and it usually is). They should go for training on how to improve their writing skills and market or promote their books. It usually makes the journey to success shorter and less stressful.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Discover your passion, hone it and sell it.

What are you reading now?
Saving Time by Jenny Odell

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more impactful books, and reach more people.

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 will definitely bring THE BIBLE, STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING & THE KIND WORTH SAVING.

Author Websites and Profiles

Dr Muyiwa Ajao Website

Dr Muyiwa Ajao Amazon Profile

Dr Muyiwa Ajao’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Thyme Lewis

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Acclaimed actor Thyme Lewis turns his talents to the pen with the recent release of his debut novel, A Week’s Worth. This intriguing first installment of a planned series subverts the archetype of the tough thriller hero by incorporating elements of mystery, strained family dynamics, and the jarring experience of unexpectedly going home.
A Week’s Worth follows the life of Jack “Mac” MacGuffin, an intrepid FEMA responder with an elite skill set worthy of the world’s most deadly gangs. After years of helping disaster survivors put their lives back together, Mac suddenly finds his own falling apart. His mother’s health is failing, and he can’t do anything about it except return to her side in California to right the wrongs of the past. But when people start dying around them under dubious circumstances, Mac discovers that maybe what his mother needs to feel alive again is finding out why death seems just next door.
Fans of Ann Cleeves and Vince Flynn will appreciate the precarious balance between Mac’s professional devotion and personal family ties. In a glowing review, professor Heidi Kozlowski of San Jose City College describes A Week’s Worth as an “uproariously funny and fast-paced action mystery story of an unlikely mother-son duo.”
With a twisty plot, an unforgettable cast, and standout writing that brings the Southern California setting to life, Lewis has made an impressive transition from screen to page. Future MacGuffin novels will continue to highlight the juxtaposition between Mac’s dark capabilities and the inner light that guides him to defend those who can’t protect themselves.
A Week’s Worth is available for purchase on Amazon.com, Audible, or wherever books are sold.
Thyme Lewis is an American author, actor, stuntman, and humanitarian. As the son of writer and painter Heidi McGurrin and the late jazz drummer Art Lewis, he grew up with a strong appreciation for the arts. He starred as Jonah Carver on Days of Our Lives before traveling with FEMA on deployments that would later inspire the MacGuffin series of novels. Lewis lives and writes in Carmel-by-the-Sea. He is of Norwegian, Scottish, Irish, Haitian, and Choctaw Indian descent. Visit him online at www.thymelewisbooks.com.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-weeks-worth-thyme-lewis/1142951825

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Week’s Worth inspired by deployments with FEMA.
And parents decline in health.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write daily, usually starting around 4am.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Miguel Ruiz, James Allen, Lee Child, Ernest Hemingway, Vince Flynn, Ann Cleeves

What are you working on now?
Blood and Bones, MacGuffin’s deployment to Puerto Rico after the countries most catastrophic hurricane…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Www.thymelewisbooks.com and word of mouth from readers to everyone they know.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
10,000 hours. If you know, then you make time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From my mom: You can do whatever you want in life. Just do your best.
From my dad: Take it light. Do what’s right.

What are you reading now?
Four Agreements, As You Think, and anything Lee Child are on rotation.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A book and year for the MacGuffin Series. Although, just acted on Bosch-Legacy and had a blast.

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?
Treasure Island, As You Think, Four Agreements, and anything involving staying positive stranded on desert island. Last book, a recipe book for delicacies to survive on while stranded on desert island

Author Websites and Profiles

Thyme Lewis Website

Thyme Lewis Amazon Profile

Thyme Lewis Author Profile on Smashwords

Thyme Lewis’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author Anna Lundberg

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Ten years ago, I started a personal blog which became a foundation for my business website, and it continues to be a key medium for attracting an audience. I’ve also written two books, Leaving the Corporate 9 to 5 – a collection of stories, interviews with people who quit their 9 to 5 like me to explore another version of success – and, more recently, Outside of the 9 to 5 – a consolidation of all the practical strategies and frameworks that I’ve developed in that decade of exploring and working for myself.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
For my latest book, Outside of the 9 to 5, I was both structured and strategic. I have a framework called the 5 pillars of building a life and business outside of the 9 to 5, and each of those pillars consists of 4 steps. This gave me a robust skeleton on which I could build out the meat of the book, adding an introduction and conclusion, along with book recommendations and next steps. In fact, I even used the AI-generated transcripts of my course videos on these 5 pillars as a starting point for my writing.

The book fills an important gap in my brand ecosystem and it will serve both as a kind of business card to boost my credibility in this space and as a first step into my business and the other products and services that I offer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe not so unusual… but I relied heavily on cake and oat cappuccinos to complete this book last year. Highly recommended!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s so hard to say, I think, when it comes to non-fiction.

I always fancied myself as a novelist when I was younger – we’re talking Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High in those days! A little more high-brow, I did love Sophie’s World (and, in fact, studied philosophy at university). Jane Austen was a favourite in later years. Now, though, I devour business and personal development books and so it’s these, if any, that influence my writing.

What are you working on now?
I just ‘soft launched’ this book at the end of last year and so a big focus now is increasing exposure. I have quite a few podcast guest interviews lined up, while also pitching print and online publications with article ideas.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I haven’t figured this out. In my case, my books are part of my business and brand ‘ecosystem’ and so they fit into my content on social media, in my emails, and on my podcast. I’m looking to do more ‘PR’ like these interviews to increase my exposure.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write!

When I was younger, as many of you I imagine, I dreamed of being “a bestselling author”. I had a vague idea of what this would entail – mainly, sitting at a beautiful old wooden desk, looking out from my lakehouse, with a pile of books to my name.

For years, I thought about, and talked about, wanting to write and be An Author. I even did endless creative writing courses as well as a diploma in magazine journalism. Did I write anything, though? Nope.

So my advice is: take that dusty old dream down from off the shelf, break it apart, examine it, keep the bits that you really want, get rid of the rest, and then start the real work of making it happen.

For me, this started with my personal blog; which evolved into my business blog; which sprouted out into published articles, online and offline; and, in recent years, has finally led to several books.

Write. It won’t be perfect, but it does nobody any good sitting there in your drafts on your computer. Get something out there – and then keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In life? There is no right answer.

Having grown up in a school system where I was always chasing the top grade, the gold star, and the ‘good girl’ from the teacher (and my parents), it is a pretty rude awakening to enter the real world and discover that there are no grades in life.

Stay open-minded, keep learning, and listen to others… but know that, ultimately, it’s your life, your business, your book, and you must make your own decisions.

What are you reading now?
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The next book, of course. I’m going to pull out individual sections of the book and turn them into more focused books. For example, the next one will be How to build an authentic personal brand.

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?
Oof that’s a hard one.

Lord of the Rings (does the trilogy count as one??)
Cheating again but I’d have to go with The Complete Works of Shakespeare
And… a big empty notebook!

Author Websites and Profiles

Anna Lundberg Website

Anna Lundberg Amazon Profile

Anna Lundberg’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Hilary Walker

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Originally from England, I am now a U.S. citizen living in South Carolina with my American husband and my British Bulldog, Bertie Wooster’s Jeeves.

I have three big passions – my Catholic faith, writing and horses – and the brilliant thing is that I can combine all of them with my books! While entertaining my readers, I always hope to strengthen their faith in God.

Over the years I have owned many horses. But now I have one gelding, Cruz Bay, my millennium baby, who will turn 23 this year. He and I have been through many adventures; we started out at one day events and are now competing in dressage shows.

So far, I have written 21 books, including a four part autobiography about my checkered riding career and frequently abysmal choice of horses!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, “A Divine Truth,” is the second novel of a trilogy and follows on from “A Truthful Man.” The third book will be published by the middle of 2023.

The books are inspired by the current crisis of good and holy Catholic priests being ‘canceled’ because of their forthright preaching of God’s Truth. I understand from non-Catholic readers that this problem is not confined to the Catholic Church.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure whether this counts as unusual, but I like to write my first broad plot outline by hand. Somehow this makes me feel closer to the characters and action.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love books by C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, St. John Henry Newman, Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

Also, I enjoy reading books on stoicism, which are great for encouraging self-discipline – something we writers are always in need of! Ryan Holiday’s books, including “Ego Is the Enemy” and “Discipline Is Destiny” are valuable reads.

What are you working on now?
The third book of the Truth Trilogy is currently in progress.

However, the trilogy doesn’t include horses, which my readers prefer my plots to include. So I am also busy drafting the outline of my next equestrian novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
1. Promoting to my email list.
2. Being promoted by other authors in my genre to their email lists.
3. Faithreads
4. EReader News Today
5. And here’s hoping that I can add Awesome Gang to this list! 😉

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have faith in yourself.

Whenever you are tempted not to take yourself seriously as an author, put your posterior in that seat and get writing. Every day, without fail. Doesn’t have to be a lot of words, but just do it.

When you take your craft seriously, you become a real writer. That’s how you complete books. That’s what a serious writer does.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing. You will get better.

What are you reading now?
It’s now Lent, so I’m reading two non-fiction books about Jesus: “No Greater Love” by Edward Sri, and “Jesus: the Way, the Truth and the Life” by Marcellino d’Ambrosio. Both of which I highly recommend.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A good question! When I write a standalone book, I tend to get asked “What happens next?” and before I know it, I’m committed to writing a trilogy.

“Riding Out the Devil” was supposed to be just one book, but it turned into the Riding Out series, now three trilogies. “A Truthful Man” was also supposed to be a one-off, but the same question was asked of me, “What happens next?” So here I am, finding out by writing books 2 and 3.

I’m not complaining: I’m grateful that readers are that invested in my characters!

Let’s see if the same thing happens after I’ve written that new equestrian novel. 😉

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Holy Bible
“The Forsyte Saga” by John Galsworthy
The Collected Writings of C. S. Lewis

Author Websites and Profiles

Hilary Walker Website

Hilary Walker Amazon Profile

Hilary Walker’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

 

Interview With Author Lola Usupova

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an illustrator of children’s books. I made illustrations for six books by other authors. This is my first book and I am both an author and an illustrator.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book is “Hamster Tim: The Little Hamster’s Big Adventure”. My beloved husband inspired this book. In a computer game, he played a hamster character, so my character is a hamster.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the stories and illustrations in Benji Davies’ books.

What are you working on now?
I finished the story about plastic bags in the sea. I finished the story about plastic bags in the sea. Now I will draw colorful illustrations for this book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just starting with children’s books and learning this area.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The most important thing is to start and do a little bit daily for your book. I was sure I had a lot of work and would never be able to publish my book. But I wrote the text and drew illustrations only in the subway on the way from home to work and home from work.

In small steps, I realized that my children’s book was published and available for purchase on Amazon.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life is too short to be wasted.

What are you reading now?
The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz

What’s next for you as a writer?
Learn to market my books

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

Author Websites and Profiles

Lola Usupova Website

Lola Usupova Amazon Profile

Interview With Author Blaize Nolynne

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Thirteen under three pennames

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Racing the Golden Hour: Flame and Cancer

Racing the Golden Hour: Flame and Fire is based upon an experience inspired by the author’s grandmother. Her grandmother battled many different cancers, ending in her brain. A year later, in February, the doctors found that the cancer had returned and was given one year to live.
During the time the author was given with her grandmother, there were many deep conversations, including her grandmother asking, ‘What would you do with one year to live?’ a question that inspired the whole book. The answer in the book was based on the author’s own list of she was given a year to live. Her grandmother spent her year much differently and spent it with her family. However, just like the main character, Steven Williams, the author’s grandmother did not end up with the whole year. She was diagnosed in February 2013 and passed away in July of the same year.
Blaize was, at the time, twenty-five years old and life seemed to pass by fast. She had seen breast and lung cancer, ended up with brain cancer, and then returned the following year. However, one thing that Blaize in her grandmother had done since the original brain cancer diagnosis was to make cancer baskets and chemo baskets for the cancer centers. Blaize states that was an inspiration which she continues to do each year.
Blaize obviously couldn’t fit twenty-five years’ worth of memories into what she was trying to capture or her grandmother’s memory into a fictional story. So instead, she put a ‘firefighter’ twist on it since her firefighter series ‘District One Stand By’ was one of her grandmother’s favorite books. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that when the book was initially published as ‘The Captain’s Last Year,’ her grandmother would not see it published.
Devastated by what cancer took, Blaize continued to write the manuscript into a book. She tried hard to put in the lessons her grandmother tried to install into family members and what kind of impact she held in the community.
Blaize recalled a conversation she had with her grandmother asking her ‘What she would do with one year to live?’ which inspired a lot of what the main character, Steven Williams, does in the book. She stated she wanted to change the community and leave it a better place before departing. Blaize would like to bring it back to people talking to one another and knowing their neighbors. That heart would want to give back, no matter how sick she was. Inspired by hearing about ‘barn raisings,’ she was inspired to incorporate that piece of the older stories of her community back into the book.
Although her grandmother’s journey with cancer stretched out for twelve long years beginning with cancer, it also was twelve life-changing years. The last portion of that journey went way too fast. Even if it were watching someone you love have cancer and trying hard to take the pain away, it would change you for life.

In 2013 Blaize decided to go into the medical profession to help others, as she didn’t want them to suffer and endure what her grandmother had to take. She continued as an author as she began facing what patients struggled with and holding the hands of strangers.
Blaize continued in the medical field for nine years and then returned to being an author full-time. She has been blessed to have such memories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I get up around 2 am and start to write. I usually start writing way before breakfast. I also keep a notebook near my bed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nick Vuijick, Life without limbs. He inspired me with the fact you can do anything, even with the situation is not favorable.
Dan Brown, James Paterson and many more.

What are you working on now?
Rereleasing my firefighter series as well as ‘Shades of Pink, Shades of Hope’ a fictional story about the journey with cancer.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do social media, websites, ads and interviews

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! No matter how bad the first draft is KEEP WRITING!!! You can always readjust!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Stop and smell the roses’ as funny as it is, my husband often tells me to stop and slow down and enjoy life.

What are you reading now?
Life without limits by Nick Vuijick

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write

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?
Dr. Vincent Peale ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’
Nick Vuijick ‘Life without Limits’
Nicholas Sparks ‘The Notebook’

Author Websites and Profiles

Blaize Nolynne Amazon Profile

Blaize Nolynne’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

Pinterest Account

Interview With Author Alexis karpouzos

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m philosopher and author, founder of the international center of learning, research and culture in Greece. I have studied philosophy, social sciences and psychoanalysis. I have published 8 books in English (1. Cosmology, philosophy and physics, 2. The self criticism of science, 3. Universal consciousness, 4. Non-duality, 5. The 4th dimension in art and science, 6. The dream of the universe. 7. The end of certainty, 8. An ocean of souls) and 15 books in Greek. I have also published many essays and articles in scientific magazines and newspapers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
”The dream of the Universe” is the latest book. Is a philosophical essay. As i say in the preface of the book, inspiration is life itself and the awareness of connectivity. So, i think that I am part of nature, and nature is part of me. I am what I am in my communication and communion with all living things. I am an irreducible and coherent whole with the web of life on the planet. Nature, the human community and the universe is connected with the Cosmos. We recognize the deep truth that I am the other. This expresses the concept from contemporary physics of “entanglement”, which is a quantum phenomenon. All atoms, all cells are connected, deeply.” The friendship is the connection we feel for each other, wherever he is, other people, animals, plants, stars. I am part of society, and society is part of me. I am what I am in my communication and communion with my fellow humans.I am an irreducible and coherent whole with the community of humans on the planet. The separate identity I attach to other humans and other things is but a convenient convention that facilitates my interaction with them. My family and my community are just as much “me” as the organs of my body. My body and mind, my family and my community, are interacting and interpenetrating, variously prevalent elements in the network of relations that encompasses all things in nature and the human world. The whole gamut of concepts and ideas that separates my identity, or the identity of any person or community, from the identity of other persons and communities are manifestations of this convenient but arbitrary convention. There are only gradients distinguishing individuals from each other and from their environment and no real divisions and boundaries. There are no “others” in the world: We are all living systems and we are all part of each other. Attempting to maintain the system I know as “me” through ruthless competition with the system I know as “you” is a grave mistake: It could damage the integrity of the embracing whole that frames both your life and mine. I cannot preserve my own life and wholeness by damaging that whole, even if damaging a part of it seems to bring me short-term advantage. When I harm you, or anyone else around me, I harm myself. Collaboration, not competition, is the royal road to the wholeness that hallmarks healthy systems in the world. Collaboration calls for empathy and solidarity, and ultimately for love. I do not and cannot love myself if I do not love you and others around me: We are part of the same whole and so are part of each other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The usual, nothing special. I will always jot down things, little ideas. I may never go back to them. I may never see them again. But once they’re jotted down, they’re become sections of my imagination. Brainstorming can be a response to a half-formed thought i have hwhile riding the subway, or to a writing assignment like a prompt that kick-starts my writing one day. Either way, the writing process often looks very much like an iceberg: thinking about characters and plot, daydreaming about the world where my story is set takes up more time than most people realize. Some stories take years to coalesce.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors are, Walt Whitman , Ralph Emerson, Henry Thoreau, Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, James Joyce, Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The books that have inspired me are ” The song of Myslef” of Walt Whitman, ” A season of hell” of Arthur Rimbaud, ”The waste land” of Thomas Eliot, ”Ulysses” of James Joyce, ”Crime and punishment” Fyodor Dostoevsky.

What are you working on now?
Ima working on my new book, the theme is post-ontological philosophy, the relationship between ancient metaphysics and new science. I use Pre-Socratics philosophy and generally the ancient Greek philosophy, as well as the pre-philosophical thinking of The Upanishads, the Vedas and Buddhism in India, of Lao Tzu, of Zen Buddhism and the Taoist tradition in China, of the Arab mystics and poets, with their metaphysical religiosity as the metaphysical basis for the interpretation and understanding of the world and existence. At the same time the ancient metaphysics is connect with Hegel’s dialectical ontology and with the modern thinking of Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Heidegger, and others as the interpretive context for understanding the central problems of the technical and scientific world during his time. Novalis, Hölderlin, Rimbaud, Whitman, Eliot and others show the dreamy nature of existence, the transcendence of the empirical Cosmos.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method is to offer. Offer a free sample to customers to get them to try your product. Nothing shows confidence in your product like letting your customer sample it for free before buying. Additionally, a customer is more likely to buy something if they have just experienced its benefits.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, and don’t lose your stubborn belief that you have a story worth telling. I’ve had so many people tell me over so many years that I didn’t have the qualities needed to be a writer. All of my writer friends and I have one thing in common: We didn’t listen to the naysayers. We kept writing. And eventually we have all been published.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you love — life is really short, if you don’t love the work you’re doing or isn’t leading to the work that you‘ll enjoy, then it’s not worth doing. Also, listen more, always seek to understand before having an opinion.

What are you reading now?
Now iam reading a comparative studies about the relationship between Dickens, Kafka, Camus and Orwell: A mutal interpretation, which brings together the unlikely pairing of the modernist Kafka with the most popular of all Victorian authors. Although this may strike us as a surprising comparison at first, these two ostensibly very different writers actually share a great deal: their comic approach to the absurdities of life (even the tragedies of life), their childlike way of viewing the world’s injustices, and – perhaps more importantly for The Trial – their skewering of the endless and nonsensical bureaucratic processes that fill the corridors of law.

Kafka finds humour in the most tragic and unpromising situations, such as the sinister arrest of a man who has apparently done nothing wrong, and his subsequent execution. In a sense, the English title by which Kafka’s novel is known, The Trial, conveys something of the double meaning of the original German title, Der Process: Josef K. is on trial for some unspecified crime, but Kafka’s novel exposes the absurd ways in which all life is a continual trial, ‘trying’ us by testing and challenging us, tempting us to commit things we shouldn’t and making us feel guilty even when we’re not sure precisely what we have done to feel such guilt.

All of this is tragic and hopeless, anticipating the dystopian futures of people like George Orwell but also the absurdist and existentialist writing of someone like Albert Camus, whose 1942 essay ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ is an important text about the absurdity of modern life.

For Camus, Sisyphus is the poster-boy for Absurdism, because he values life over death and wishes to enjoy his existence as much as possible, but is instead thwarted in his aims by being condemned to carry out a repetitive and pointless task. Such is the life of modern man: condemned to perform the same futile daily rituals every day, working without fulfilment, with no point or purpose to much of what he does. This might describe any of Kafka’s protagonists, whether Gregor Samsa of ‘The Metamorphosis’, Josef K. of The Trial, or K. from The Castle.

However, for Camus, there is something positive in Sisyphus’ condition, or rather his approach to his rather gloomy fate. When Sisyphus sees the stone rolling back down the hill and has to march back down after it, knowing he will have to begin the same process all over again, Camus suggests that Sisyphus would come to realise the absurd truth of his plight, and treat it with appropriate scorn. He has liberated his own mind by confronting the absurdity of his situation, and can view it with the appropriate contempt and good humour.

Although for many people Camus is all posing in overcoats and looking world-weary and miserable, this is a fundamental misunderstanding of the grim comedy and stoicism that underscores his reading of the myth of Sisyphus. Similarly, many people who have never read Kafka believe that The Trial is a dark dystopian work, but that reveals only part of what the novel is about. It is also a comedy, albeit a bleak one: Kafka’s friends reported that he laughed out loud while reading from the novel when he was working on it. Although the plot of the novel is pessimistic overall, the smaller situations we find within it, such as the numerous seductions of Josef K. by the women in the novel, are treated comically, bordering almost on farce.

Although Kafka’s Josef K. is less amused by his hopeless situation, it would be a mistake to overlook the absurd humour of The Trial, which could easily be dramatised as a sort of black comedy in which the protagonist is similarly thwarted as he seeks to clear his name. And like Dickens’s Circumlocution Office from Little Dorrit or the never-ending court case of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce from Bleak House, the individual is helpless against the faceless and hidden forces that work within the great beast that is the legal system.

But if Kafka has affinities with Dickens, he can also claim descent from Dostoevsky, whose influence on The Trial he readily acknowledged. Dostoevsky’s understanding of the psychology of crime, punishment, and guilt feeds into Josef K. in Kafka’s novel, as does the Hasidic Jewish tradition of examining the nature of guilt and judgment. Indeed, Kafka is often analysed as a deeply religious writer, even though the settings for his work are normally secular.

Here, the significance of the cathedral, and Josef K.’s final conversation with the priest, become apparent. Although the priest is powerless to save Josef K. from his fate on earth, he can provide a more metaphysical and spiritual context for his understanding of guilt and acceptance. (It is arguably of deeply symbolic importance that Josef K. had previously sought help from both a lawyer and an artist, neither of whom could ultimately help him; perhaps religion may succeed where law and art fail,

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue writing and publishing books and especially young people to continue to be interested in what i write.

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 never know how to answer a question like this. Therec are so many amazing books.
”100 years of Solitude” of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The book follows the fortunes and misfortunes of The Buendia family through seven generations. It is not an easy book to read, but it is profoundly rewarding. It including topics such as: Intense romance. Civil war. Political injury. Globe-trotting adventures. And by showing the past, the present, and the future simultaneously. This book became one of the most famous examples of magical realism. For those of you who don’t know what magical realism is: It’s when supernatural events are described in a realistic and matter of fact tone, while the real events of human life and history reveal themselves to be a radical absurdity.
“Where no one would be able to decide for others how they die, where love would prove true, and happiness is possible, and where the races condemned to one hundred years of solitude will have at and forever a second chance on earth.”

”Crime and Punishment” of Dostoevsky. Suffering is like a double-edged sword for Dostoevsky. It redeems or destroys depending on the circumstances. “Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.”

Ulysses of James Joyce. What makes Ulysses, the innovative masterpiece that it is has more to do with Joyce’s conception of history and humanity than any other concept. The novel is one of the greatest masterpieces of modernist literature. But, Ulysses is also sometimes seen as so experimental that it is completely unreadable. Ulysses is endlessly inventive, and labyrinthine in its construction. The novel is both a mythical adventure of the every day and a stunning portrait of internal psychological processes–rendered through high art. Brilliant and sparkling, the novel is difficult to read but offers rewards tenfold the effort and attention that willing readers give it.

Author Websites and Profiles

Alexis karpouzos Website

Alexis karpouzos Amazon Profile

Alexis karpouzos Author Profile on Smashwords

Alexis karpouzos’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Twitter Account

Pinterest Account

Interview With Author Dr. Aashna Gill

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an endodontist (dental specialist) by profession. I have written two books, the second being a massive global success especially loved by United Kingdom where it has been an Amazon bestseller five times so far, since it’s publication about a year back.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SANDS: Love-themed contemporary fairytales, illustrated poems & prose. It is a daydream about love.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I use the books I am reading as writing prompts.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series finds it’s nerdy tributes in my books. Most recently, The Great Gatsby, sent me on a writing frenzy.

What are you working on now?
I write daily. How it shapes into a book will amaze me in time. Also, I am working on a question-answer book for MDS Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram, Amazon ads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. Develop a thick skin.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What is the use of writing if you don’t put it out into the world !

What are you reading now?
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich teach their Kids about Money that the Poor and the Middle Class do not By Robert T. Kiyosaki.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson.
Love, Freedom and Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships by Osho.

What’s next for you as a writer?
So far, my book has been on display at Sharjah International Book Fair and Goa Book fair. Currently it is on display at World Book Fair, Delhi. In October , it will be displayed at Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany. I hope to make my book a commercial success.

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?
Books on how to build a boat. 😀

Author Websites and Profiles

Dr. Aashna Gill Amazon Profile

Dr. Aashna Gill’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

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