Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Anthony Whitt lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Cathy where they raised two children, and currently enjoy their Lhasa Apso, a perpetual puppy. He is a native Austinite that has spent a lifetime studying the rich historical heritage of the American West. He has traveled extensively in the Rocky Mountains with frequent visits to sites of historic interest and tragic conflict. The scene of Custer’s final stand has drawn him back to wander the enigmatic battlefield on numerous trips. Closer to Austin, he spends much of his time searching out and exploring sites from this fascinating era that defines who we are today.

An avid reader, he has always been a student learning from history and the interplay of dynamic personalities that shaped our diverse heritage. His writing style seeks to portray the inherent drama of difficult times with an authentic story telling depiction. Characters speak with a voice meant to convey an understanding of human nature as men and women struggle in their efforts to survive in a demanding environment. His goal is to weave a convincing narrative of unforgettable characters that come alive in the reader’s imagination and leave them regretting having reached the end of the trail.

He has published the first novel of a trilogy set in the Texas Hill Country after the Civil War. This work of fiction introduces a dynamic gathering of characters caught up in the struggle to survive in a demanding time period. It is story of faded love and forbidden temptations where adventure and death follow the characters attempting to cope in the unforgiving hills west of Austin. Rugged frontiersmen and pompous commanders are part of an unforgettable cast including jaded wives and an enticing seductress, Texas Rangers and Comanche warriors as they engage in deadly hostilities. Written in a rich, authentic voice, this story will keep you captivated from page to page and make you regret the long hard ride had to come to an end. The second edition in the trilogy is anticipated to be released in the summer of 2014.

When unshackled from the keyboard, Anthony enjoys the outdoor activities that abound in the wild lands of Texas. Hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting have been a lifetime passion he pursues whenever possible. He also spends his time engaged in photography whether he is out beating the trails in the Rocky Mountains or closer to home in the Hill Country of Central Texas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Hard Land to Rule” is a short story that grew into a full-length novel. The story is based upon a real life incident that occurred on my great-great grandfather’s homestead. Indians had been stealing food from neighboring ranches and the settlers posted a night guard to protect their valuable food supply in the smokehouse. A conflict erupts in the early dark hours of the morning that sent several of my ancestors on a futile attempt to track down the raiders. The original short story was to be based upon a fictionalized version of this true account passed down in family oral history.

Positive feedback on the short story convinced me to work the tale into a full-length novel splitting off into several captivating story lines. The book has received many excellent reviews that have validated the long hours required to turn out a high quality and professionally edited book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would not call my habits unusual, but my writing comes in spurts. Dealing with the demands of everyday life can frequently get in the way of time scheduled for writing. Distractions are a constant challenge to overcome. As a result, I must deal with the frustration of not writing when I thought the time would allow. Occasionally I have to leave the house to clear my head and get away from the always-present responsibilities. I will seek out a little visited park and sit at a table to pound out paragraphs. On a good day, I have been able to write two chapters before returning to the house. These days of high production bring a great sense of achievement making up for the difficulties of finding the time and creativity to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tom Bodett influenced me with his book “The Big Garage on Clear Shot.” His ability to get the reader to engage with his characters produced a big influence. I felt sad to reach the end of the story. The characters had become my friends.

Elmer Kelton is a master storyteller. His book “The Day the Cowboys Quit” read like I was watching a movie. I had never read Kelton before and was shocked at how well he could suck the reader into his well-crafted story.

James Lee Burke is a prolific writer that has unequaled descriptive talents. Reading his books is like witnessing a painting forming with words. He writes fiction as if it were poetry.

These three writers are the biggest influence out of my lifetime of avid reading. I am happy to report that reviewers have made similar comparisons to my work on “Hard land to Rule.” I have been humbled by the positive response.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working to wrap up the second edition in the trilogy that opened up with “Hard Land to Rule.” I am about two chapters from the conclusion of the manuscript as of today. Editing and rewrites will follow the completion. I am anticipating a release date of summer 2014.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being a self-published author is a daunting task. Getting the word out to enough people to make the process self supporting is a hard task. Facebook has connected me with a decent fan base that I can grow with time. It is a challenge to come up with material that will keep the interest of followers and I am lucky to have a nice collection of photographs that relate to my writing. The same conditions apply to Twitter and Goodreads. It is a time consuming endeavor, but the interaction with some interesting people has made it all worthwhile.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to write every day. Stay in the groove. Do not let the off days get you down. Get out and take a walk or do some physical exercise to keep you fresh. Stay engaged with your fans. They are why you are writing. Sharing your work with others provides the greatest reward for your efforts.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My father always said “Can’t never did anything.” I always thought it was hokey. He has been gone a long time and I wish he were still around to repeat his simple advice.

What are you reading now?
James Lee Burke’s “Light of the World.”

“Crazy Horse” by Bill Moeller.

“Historic Austin” by Mike Cox.

I usually have several new books around the house to read at one time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the trilogy and pick up as many fans as possible along the way. Keep the fans engaged and satisfied.

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?
Reading would be the last of my worries. I would need a bible for support.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony Whitt Website
Anthony Whitt Amazon Profile

Anthony Whitt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an American ghostwriter from New Brunswick, New Jersey. I graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in English. I has been a ghostwriter for over 15 years. This is my first book that I wrote under my own name.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself is the name of my book. Love inspired my book. The love of my life, Lynn passed away the summer before Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey. Lynn and I had a summer romance in the early 90’s. We were a part of the NYC rave scene and the NJ punk scene. We both wrote and I would get published. The poems and stories were all for other girls I liked. She would be upset. She would cry, “No one will ever write anything for me. Why doesn’t anyone write something beautiful for me?” Well, I wrote a book for the girl who thought no one would every write something for her.

No one actually commits suicide in the book. The book does not condone or promote suicide. The title refers to giving yourself over to love. We both fell into addiction and were victims of abuse. We wanted to kill off the people we were. Our relationship was the most honest and beautiful relationships I have ever experienced. We did not care what anyone else thought about us. We expressed ourselves through sex, kink, and fetish. We became empowered. We became enlightened.

When Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, I had to use a generator to power my laptop. Her story… our story had to be told. The story is filled with hard drugs, kinky sex, and many music references. It is an unconventional romance that few are fortunate enough to experience. This is a New Jersey love story that spans more than two decades. It is a story of redemption. Love and sexual expression helped us overcome addiction, abuse, poverty, and depression.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I have many.

I need music playing in the background. While writing this book, I listened to many records. Some of the bands included My Bloody Valentine, Roxy Music, Withered Hand, ex wife, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The House Of Love, Tiny Teeth, The Dandy Warhols, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pale Saints, Elbow, Pixies, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Beta Band, and many more.

I like to get into a zone. I have the music playing and the door locked. My dog, Mokey is usually by my side. The cover of my book is me in front of my laptop with my dog, Mokey in my lap. Lynn’s picture is looking at me. Melissa Blair (who also edited the book) did the cover that way because a major aspect of this book is me writing the book. That is why anyone who loves writing should appreciate this book. The power of writing and being creative is a major theme.

My main style is to get the ideas on the page. I get it out of my head and onto the page. Then, proofred, edit, proofread, edit, over and over again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hunter S. Thompson, Anais Nin, Henry Miller, Pauline Reage, Charles Bukowski, Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, J.D. Salinger, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Steven King, Clive Barker, and many more.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a prequel to The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself. I originally met Lynn in 1992/1993. I had more confidence and was able to be romantic with girls while I was in high school. Before that, I met a very wild and mysterious punk rock girl in 1989. I was going to high school in the fall. This woman took me to my first punk rock and indie rock shows. She was a very wild woman who changed my life, opened my mind, and inspired me. Right now, the working title is Chipped Black Nail Polish. New Jersey had a very cool independent punk rock / hardcore / indie rock / ska scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s. This book captures that era.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
http://thecoolestway.com

Facebook:

http://facebook.com/thecoolestway

Amazon:

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18673607-the-coolest-way-to-kill-yourself

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write.

What are you reading now?
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

How to Talk Dirty and Influence People by Lenny Bruce

Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt

Attempting Normal by Marc Maron

A Bad Idea I’m About to Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure by Chris Gethard

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to promote my current book, The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself. Then, I want to help edit and produce a book that my editor wrote. Melissa Blair is writing a book titled Tell Me Everything. It is a fascinating true memoir about growing up in New Jersey with some emotional issues, surviving a horrible marriage, and find love. Tell Me Everything by Melissa Blair is a book that definitely gets kinky and explores some unique fetishes in a very heartfelt and non-exploitative way. Then, I want to publish Chipped Black Nail Polish, which is the prequel to The Coolest Way To Kill Yourself.

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?
Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

The Iliad & The Odyssey by Homer

and maybe… The Bible, but NOT for religious or spiritual reasons.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nicholas Tanek Website
Nicholas Tanek Amazon Profile

Nicholas Tanek’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First of all, I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel and aviator. Since leaving the service, I have worked at Dell, Inc. and also as a probation officer in Jefferson County, Texas. THE TERRORIST MIND is the third book that I have written and the second one that is published. I spend most of my time writing, researching and reading. I am an avid baseball fan and since Houston is my team, times have not been good for the last three years. Oh well, there’s aways next year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is entitled THE TERRORIST MIND. My inspiration for the book began when I was a probation officer and the department considered hiring a consultant who had a program that he claimed could change the recollection of childhood in our probationers. Since I have a cynical nature, I wondered if this could be used to implant false recollections that could provide the basis for violent behavior. For me, the interesting thing about this book is that I actually wrote it almost 20 years ago and could not let go of it through all that time. With the concern of homegrown terrorism in the United States today, I reworked the book and published it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it is unusual or not, but I seem to see the last scene in the book and then write to make the plot come out to that scene. I consider this very important because the last scene is what the reader will remember about the book and any feelings that stick with them. When I lay a book down, I feel like have left the environment of the hero and I want my readers to enjoy that environment and moment.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like a number of authors for different reasons. PRINCE OF TIDES by Pat Conroy because of the ease and fluidity of the description of the South Carolina coastal marshes; HARLOT’S GHOST by Norman Mailer because Mailer has the nerve to write and describe things that I can’t bring myself to write, yet. I love John LeCarre because of the setting and language he uses that brings out the little details of life in imperfect people. I appreciate Joel C. Rosenberg because he makes God and Jesus the basis for his work. I like BLOOD MERIDIAN by Cormac McCarthy because I could not put it down. Kind of like seeing a car wreak coming but you can’t look away. I loved RED SPARROW by Jason Matthews because he displayed a layered world of intrigue that almost leaves you helpless. I love everything by Daniel Silva. I want to grow up to be Gabriel Allon.

What are you working on now?
I am writing the sequel to THE BORISOV DILEMMA and I don’t have a title yet. I have a difficult time with titles but at the present time, it is entitled SLAVCHEV’S SECRET. I am not sure it will last past the editor. When I wrote BORISOV, I brought in Vasil Slavchev, a Russian assassin, for just a quick murder or two and basically became intrigued with the character he became and just couldn’t kill him off.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing is hard. Marketing is very hard. My best results have probably come from my blog which features current world situations and different items that affect Christianity. The blog has been steadily growing and my readers seem to like it. If you are interested, it’s http//:www.tedstrahanauthor.blogspot.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am still a new author and my advice should be taken as such, but the only thing I would suggest, and this may be the scariest thing you do, but get someone to critique your writing who is not your friend or relative. After I wrote my first book, which did not get published, I innocently sent it off to Scott Meredith in New York. Mr. Meredith has since past away, but at the time he was among the biggest agents in New York (Norman Mailer’s agent). He sent me back a two page, single-spaced letter and told me my manuscript was not salable and exactly why. But the most important thing he told me was that I wrote well enough to get published. From that point on, I had the confidence to believe I could pen a story in a professional manner.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Other than “don’t get involved in a land war in Asia”, it has to be “don’t promise anything you can’t deliver”. It requires that you know yourself and your own capabilities.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading THE ENGLISH ASSASSIN by Daniel Silva and JERUSALEM: A BIOGRAPHY by Simon Sebag Montefiore.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am thinking about taking a break from the thriller side of the house to write a literary novel about a Texas family from the 1830’s through the present. But I’ve been thinking about this for three years. It kind of depends on the sales of my current books to be truthful about it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
THE BIBLE, any book by Daniel Silva (probably THE ENGLISH GIRL), THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL MANUAL from Outdoor Life, and a cookbook.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ted Strahan Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am originally from England and have lived in the US for two-thirds of my life, mostly on the west coast. When not capitalizing on my immense imagination and writing it down, I enjoy parenthood, history, travelling and wine, besides cooking.

Frontiers is my first published novel and am working on my second novel to be published by Spring, 2014.

I’ve had many articles relating to English football, wine, aviation and business published in a few periodicals and websites.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Frontiers is my recently-published novel that takes place mostly in Russia.

It was inspired by my love of aviation, and life-long interest in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Given my love of history, when I happen upon a key geographical setting or event in the novel-whether historical, topical, political or otherwise- I spend two-to-three paragraphs outlining the background or significance.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing a normal OCD, over-achieving writer wouldn’t partake.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tom Clancy’s early geo-political thrillers, Herman Wouk, as well as some of the autobiographies of Kim Philby (his second one following “My Silent War”), Yuri Modin and Mitrokhin given my interest in that period and subject.

What are you working on now?
I am trying my hand at a Sci-Fi thriller that is not as involved as Frontiers (717 pages), ergo my second novel will be half the page count as my first published novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter for social media and am now researching and investing in more online book review sites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up, finish your work (novel), and get it published. Your first work’s publishing will truly be a wonderful journey and learning experience. Mine was. And still is for the promotion aspect.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Get it (novel) out there!”

What are you reading now?
I digest alot of print daily and weekly. I enjoy reading autobiographies now, which was how I cheated when I had the mantra of “I will never read another’s work of fiction until mine is published.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing my second novel by mid-Spring, 2014 then working on a few other novel ideas I currently have orbiting my head.

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?
Aviation, wine, foreign language and an autobiography book.

Author Websites and Profiles
R. Simon Anderson Author Profile on Smashwords

R. Simon Anderson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
They call me Rachel Kelly…probably because that’s what my parents put on my birth certificate back in New Bern, NC back in the early ’80s. I grew up the child of two Marine Core parents in Eastern North Carolina. I went to College as FAR away from my hometown as I could get in a little known place called Cullowhee. It’s an unincorporated town…not even a real town. The “barber” is the unofficial mayor.

I fell in love with a guy while teaching how to count down his cash drawer at the end of the night while working at Walmart. After finally convincing him to ask me out, he tells me to choose between marriage and breaking up a week later. I say, “Sure, lets do it,” and we have made 4 really good looking children.

I was whisked away by my true love to California where I had two of my kids as he got a Masters of Divinity and started a Financial Services Company (exotic, I know). The stock market crashed and we left California about as broke as a family of 4 could be and moved back to North Carolina.

After 2 years in NC, the stock market crashed again. But we still had 2 more kids (Can’t stop true love).

Tired of being broke and having the stock market wreak havoc on our lives, Brad moved out to the Oil Mecca of Williston, ND. After nearly 3 months I decided being a single Mom of 4 was waaaaaay overrated and I packed up the family, threw 1/2 our stuff in storage, rented out the house, and headed for the Great White North.

With no one to call a great friend (just yet) I hunkered down to write my fingers off in ND. The scenery inspired me and I got VERY serious about Colorworld. I fell in love with the rolling plains, the bitter cold, and the amazing people coming from all over the world to change their fortunes forever.

So, as I mentioned, Colorworld is the name of the series and Book 1 is now out in print and ebook:

http://colorworldbooks.com/

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Colorworld Book 1: Colorworld is the 1st Book in the series.

The initial idea came to me in a dream. The rest of my inspiration comes out of philosophical texts and religious lore. Religious lore isn’t quite scripture, but it’s part of the tradition.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I have writers block I do one of two things:

1) Lock myself in the closet with the lights off.

OR

2) I trot myself upstairs to take a nap. I keep my notebook under my pillow and ponder whatever plot element is bugging me as I start to drift off. In the place between asleep and awake, my brain stops obsessing and starts testing ideas outside the box. I wake up to jot them down and repeat the same process. I pretty much get no sleep at all, but I am rewarded with fantastic scenarios and new directions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
LOVE C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce. Love Albert Camus. I am a huge fan of post apocalyptic, dystopian, and paranormal stuff.

My style is influenced by non-fiction creative essays. I took a non-fiction class as part of some coursework for a Masters I was working on. Since then, when I want to get inspired, I read creative non-fiction. The Touchstone Anthology is my current go-to work at the moment.

What are you working on now?
Editing, editing, and more editing. Specifically, over-used words in Colorworld Book 2: Teleworld. It has an April release date so it’s game on right now to meet all my deadlines. Book 1 is also in audiobook production right now. Book 3 is up on the block right after Book 2 is done. All 3 will be out by the end of the year, as well as Audiobooks for Book 1 and 2.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads is probably the premier website for authors and readers. I have been impressed by how active our Colorworld Fans are on our Facebook page as well. I really like being able to target certain posts to demographics or geographies with Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself, not for the audience. When you write to an audience, you write inauthentically. Write for yourself. Loyal fans will find you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write a lot. Read a lot. Publish lots of content to build a loyal fan-base. Having several works out there makes it so that authors have a greater chance being found by great fans and fans can trust that you will be consistent enough to meet their demands.

What are you reading now?
I am Malala

Touchstone Anthology

What’s next for you as a writer?
Books 2-7 of the Colorworld Series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Considering I’d have a lot of time on my hands:

Critique of Pure Reason by Immanual Kant

Process and Reality by Alfred North Whitehead

(Because in order to fully-grasp these books I would need a LOT of time to re-read them)

And then to cool my brain down, I’d probably have a couple books by Kim Harrison. Because her stuff never fails to make me laugh.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Kelly Website
Rachel Kelly Amazon Profile

Rachel Kelly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have the heart of a gypsy, the verve of a circus performer, and the style of a Manhattan socialite. The many parts of me include working as an actress, teacher, visual artist, baker, and workshop leader. Magikal Molly Day is my second novel and certainly it is my most personal. I am thrilled it was awarded 1st place from the DragonFly book award contest. Thank you awesomegang for having this generous and helpful site.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Magikal Molly Day is my latest book. The inspiration was actually a terrible heat wave one summer. (I know that is hardly riveting, but work with me here.) Tossing about in my sweat stained pajamas I awoke at 4:00 a.m. and sat at the computer, which sat in the coolest part of my apartment. The day before I had finished an unusual book about Wiccan studies and something started to piece together inside me for a story. A name came, an idea, and I was off typing my sweaty little fingers off till noon. I felt moved to write something uplifting and something that offered hope, but craft it in a way that was buoyant and lively, rather than clinical. How many ways can we talk about repairing broken self esteems? How many books already existed? Ah ha- but mine was fiction and in a magical setting and very different. I felt I had something worth writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I have an unusual life. My mind never operates well with too much structure. Bravo to the author that has the discipline of writing from eight to eleven every day or following some preordained schedule. I write till it is done. Now, when there has been a deadline, such as a personal essay show, and I have to complete a ten minute piece and be performance ready, I absolutely work backwards and make sure I pace myself so the piece is finished at least a week early, giving me plenty of time to practice and polish. I do not do well with last minute anything.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carolyn Myss, Mary Karr, Alice Sebold, Sue Monk Kidd, David Sedaris, Rainer Maria Rilke to name a few.

What are you working on now?
My second book, which is a sequel to Magikal Molly Day. Tough going, the ebb and flow of it all, but my mantra remains: show up at the page and the page shows up for me. Writing something, even a paragraph of crap ( “paracrap”)still works a muscle and coaxes my imagination to keep searching, keep conjuring for the story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I may not be totally equipped to answer this question confidently as I am new to this promoting. I will say do research, see what other authors you like are doing, and take every advantage and opening that comes. I am so happy to see the large number of websites for authors to share their work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Do not be swayed by what you think you should write. Write what you WANT to write. From the ocean of ideas inside you listen attentively to the one that sings the softest and presses the hardest on your heart. Write that story. For you. YOU. Please yourself first and the rest takes care of itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Elizabeth Gilbert ( Eat,Pray, Love) She spoke beautifully about the need to re-direct what propels you to write. Do not try to please the masses- you will fail. Write the book that please you, tell it as truthfully as you can, and the masses will see your story as their own. By exploring our own uniqueness we actually shine a light on our sameness.

What are you reading now?
Graham Greene- The Heart Of the Matter. It is for a fabulous book club here.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I co-wrote and co-acted in a webseries- “Sheila and Sherry save the World from Solar Flares.” It is a silly, irreverent piece that satisfies my comedy chops and certainly a departure from my book. It will be available on YouTube beginning of February. Please watch it.

I have lined up another short film project to be done, as well as continuing with the development of my sequel.

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?
e.e.cummings. ( a collection)

Bukowski -Pulp.

W.H. Auden ( collection)

The Lovely Bones- Sebold

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Lloyd Website
Amy Lloyd Amazon Profile

Amy Lloyd’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Thad Anton Crosbarn. I always had an inside passion to write. I use to write poems and songs. Did get the grade in School and College from English class and like how I can spot my own errors when I write. But some always seem to remain, or go without detection. I decided to write since I learned that we can do that no-a-days and publish on our own online. It is the same with music for that matter. I wrote a small number of books 10 to be exact. The books are all commentary on the Bible, until I decided to try some fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am releasing People in the Walls on February 21st 2014. I had some paranormal things happen to me in the past and it inspired me to create this weird and freaky story. I suppose some people will hate it and hammer it with ruthlessness like sophisticated readers with gigantic egos tend to do when a book is not to their academic expectations, but I think their will be a grand audience ultimately for this story. In fact I really think this would make a very cool movie.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! I just write and who cares!! Of course that could cause you to not sell many books but at that same time it could very well work. Just being me and writing. It’s kind of like artistry, you can’t be concerned if you are accepted or not, just do it. And to the community that is unusual. Not conforming to the guild is so not cool. But I do sometimes 😉

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say some of the most popular well known authors. But I spent so much time reading time in religion that it hard for me to read secular sometimes. But I do get influence from screen writing. I love to follow along to the writing to certain situation comedies and movies. That kind of writer.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the concept of another fiction novel. I haven’t began writing it yet still working out plot. It may end up being a time travel type fantasy story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You know, we’re kind of at the mercy of social networks with the biggest names, and being engaged, but Goodreads is great place to get established.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged and be open minded.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well Solomon who wrote Proverbs has written the best advice I have ever heard, but for a quick answer…Look at what successful people have done and do that!

What are you reading now?
Rushed, by Brian Harmon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to create a concept that is not so done already. Learn how to be more like the pros and evolve into the craft.

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 probably read “Survival for Dummies” and “The Holy Bible” most of the time but then I would want to read: “How to Beacon a Ship without Technology” and “Wild Plants Healthy to Eat”.

Author Websites and Profiles
T.A. Crosbarn Website
T.A. Crosbarn Amazon Profile

T.A. Crosbarn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Q: How many books have you written?

I’ve written 8 (all in various stages of publication at this time) although I’ve only started publishing them for sale. I have another 4 that are partially written and a dozen or so that are in the concept stage.

Q: Why should someone buy your work?

Because it’s awesome. (laugh) I also donate a portion of the profit to charity.

Q: Why the name SeaMonkey Ink?

Why not? (grin) What’s not to love? I mean it’s Ink squirting out of a Seamonkey. I mean sure no one has ever witnessed such a phenomenon but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. (laugh)

Q: Seriously?

No. When I was in school (high school and beyond) I used to play pranks under various code names – one of which was Seamonkey. I also have always enjoyed writing and back when I started to do so, I used to write everything by hand (which requires either lead or Ink) even long after I got my first word processor and computer. After I finally started typing directly, it still took ink to print.

Hence SeaMonkey Ink.

Q: Have you ever actually owned Seamonkeys?

Actually I have and I’m pretty well convinced that there is a wanted poster with my name and likeness up somewhere in the SIA (Seamonkey Intelligence Agency) headquarters for mass genocide. (laugh) I try but I fail.

Q: Are any of your characters based on people you know/knew in real life?

Not really. Most are composites. However, I will say that more than a little of my own personality/thoughts/expressions pop up in my stories and among my characters.

For instance, in Rebellion Book I: Book of Quay, Phong Quay makes a statement that one day he is changing his name and not telling anyone what he changed it to. I’ve said that to people since I was like 5 – particularly when I get agitated at being disturbed.

So if any real life person is used as a template for some of my dialogue and character behaviors it would be myself.

Q: You write some historical novels. How accurate are they?

Accurate enough. (laugh) I always say I do just enough research to be dangerous.

I enjoy history and find some of the portraits of these figures, times and places to be fascinating. I actually do put in quite a nice chunk of time trying to make the story as historically accurate as possible though I would like to think my work is more character driven then driven by the time, places and figures that inspired it.

Q: Why don’t you include your photo?

Because I’m incredibly homely. (laugh)

Q: You don’t look homely to me.

For my personal safety. (laugh) I’m always raising someone’s hackles for some reason or another whether it’s intentional or not. I’m also very private person and I would prefer to gain readers/admirers based on my work rather than my appearance. My appearance is just a bonus. (wink)

Q: Is there anything you would like to add in closing?

Yes! Buy my books. (laugh)

By contributing to my income through a purchase, you make it possible for me to spend more time writing new novels for you to enjoy. As a portion of the profits of my sales do go to charity, you are also placing yourself 2 degrees of separation from being a philanthropist!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rebellion Book I: Book of Quay. I used to love Kung Fu theatre – especially Alexander Fu Sheng – when I was a kid. (laugh) I also am a history buff and found Qing Dynasty interesting.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I don’t ever get writer’s block though I can be a TERRIBLE procrastinator.

What are you working on now?

One of my horror stories: Cabello. It’s a supernatural horror piece. It’s great fun for me to switch it up every now and again.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on that. I’m very guitly of not marketing. (laugh) This is the first year I’ve actually started putting any time, effort or money into the marketing aspect of self-publishing. Trust me, my sales tell the tale. (laugh)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

Do what works for you.

What are you reading now?
This screen. (laugh) Cabello. I’m in the editing stages…in theory. (laugh)

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m probably going to start work on M. This is another one of my horror books and then I’m going to start editing on Rebellion Book II. That’s if the people waiting on the Amarna Book II don’t kill me first. (laugh)

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 actually bring my own! I’m not being just being cheeky or arrogant in saying that either…ok, so maybe just a little. (wink)

Seriously, I’m one of those people who tinkers and tinkers and tinkers with their work over and over again. Not only would I have something to read if I brought my own work, I could occupy my mind with perfecting my work.

If for some reason I couldn’t bring my own books I would bring weird fact books. Strangely enough, I personally read more nonfiction than fiction. One of my favorite books of all time is An Underground Education by Richard Zacks.

Author Websites and Profiles
Grea Alexander Website
Grea Alexander Amazon Profile
Grea Alexander Author Profile on Smashwords

Grea Alexander’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“….Yes ! I Matter” is a vivid and a very realistic depiction of the life, times and dilemmas of a typical middle-class Indian Housewife. The Plot revolves around the love, the pain, the surrender and most of the time, call of duty, that forms the core of a housewife.

The Indian society is certainly in a transitionary mode. The economic well-being has brought its fair share of individual liberations, vulnerabilities, aspirations and a substantial change in outlook towards life.

The plot of this novel is neatly weaved around three generations of very strong, thinking and ever giving Indian women.

Lead by the protagonist Savitri, it revolves around the life of five women and their families.

These women who, have been wishfully happy in their own respective lives. Until at some point, when each of them in their own different way realize the latent vulnerabilities, miseries and the not so happy life they have been into.

The book witnesses the process rediscovery, going the various phases of realization, actualization and the subsequent changes.

Set in the backdrop of rural Rajasthan, where women are not supposed to have a mindset of their own. Marriages are arranged for social gratification. Personal likes and dislikes do not have a place. With the advent of social media the constrained and restricted environment takes a leap over physical proximity.

The book tells the tale of Savitri who used to be a flamboyant girl but marriage contains her to a simple housewife. The conflict in her heart is brought out in simple, heartfelt story.

She is surrounded by her family, mother and friends; each having their own stories. Their problems are beyond the basic needs of ‘roti, kapda, makaan*”

In totality, eternal love and happiness being the basis of every human being. Each person begins their quest of personal satisfaction, in their own way. Some succeed, some fail.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Yes! I matter” is the answer to the question dismayed Savitri, the protagonist asked. When she feels that she no more mattered to anyone. After the dedicated time-span of seventeen years, of life revolving around children and husband.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not an avid reader, infact I must confess I hardly read. All I can say that I’m gifted with vivid imagination , I almost visualize the scene in my mind. Hoping that works for me;)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jane Austen, Toru Dutt, Sarojini Naidu, Rabindranath Tagore, Robert Browning..the list is endless

What are you working on now?
The sequel to “Yes! I matter”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media is all I’m banking on.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know only the language of the heart.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You are good, just hang in there.”

What are you reading now?
Toru Dutt and Aurobindo’s Savitri

What’s next for you as a writer?
The sequel to “Yes! I matter”. It is a youthful story..a must read.

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?
“Yes! I matter”

“Yes! I matter”

“Yes! I matter”:)

Author Websites and Profiles
Aakaanksha Singh Website
Aakaanksha Singh Amazon Profile

Aakaanksha Singh’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired college professor of English (24 years), and I also worked at Caltech in Pasadena as the Supervisor of Management Development at the Industrial Relations Center. I also worked as an editor, TV news writer, and freelance journalist. I now devote my time to my fiction and to an editing business, English Majors Publishers and Editors, LLC. I am married to Ellen, who is also a retired college professor, and we live in San Diego.

Forevermore: A Pat O’Malley Historical Mystery

Disappearance at Mount Sinai: A Pat O’Malley Historical Mystery

Jane the Grabber: A Pat O’Malley Historical Steampunk Mystery

The Digital Scribe: A Writer’s Guide to Electronic Media

Lucifer’s Wedding

Sins of Darkness

Russian Wolves

Iron Maiden an Alternate History

The Necromancers or Love Zombies of San Diego

Freak Story: 1967-1969

The President’s Parasite and Other Stories

The Mayan Magician and Other Stories

Catalina Ghost Stories

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Steam City Pirates

I read Writing Steampunk by Beth Daniels

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a clear focus for the plot, but I write each chapter to “surprise myself.” If I am not interested, then I imagine my reader will follow suit. Therefore, I need to include surprises that happen to the characters and cause them to react/think/plan.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Camus’ The Stranger. All of Franz Kafka’s work (he should be read like history). Mark Twain’s work (humans are funny).

What are you working on now?
Another Pat O’Malley Steampunk Adventure: “Manifest Trickery”

The Steam City Pirates are sending young “pioneers” out West (so they believe). Instead, these people are being sent to other universes to repopulate the strange environments they find there.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I hired the Adwords Guy. He gets me to the top of the Amazon book searches.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you believe in yourself, then get somebody who is a “really good” writer (and not a relative or friend) to verify that belief. I did this with one Jacob M. Appel, a writer I met online who has recently won the prestigious Dundee (Scotland) International Literary Novel Award. Jacob also teaches writing in New York City, and he has won more story contests than any writer I have ever known. When he said my writing was “superb” and he compared me to guys like T. C. Boyle, Tom Wolfe, George Saunders and Steven Millhauser, I really started taking myself seriously! Unless you get accolades from other writers, then I would not consider fiction writing as a profession. There are too many scam artist publishers and vanity presses out there to “fly by the seat of your pants.” Besides, it gives us indie authors a bad name when too much crap is published to muddy the readers’ waters. Their time is too precious to be wasted on “wannabes.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
First, learn the craft from professionals and not from a writers’ critique group or a college MFA program. Second, get a really, really, really good editor. Third, keep up with what’s trending and go for it!

What are you reading now?
Eric Schlosser’s non-fiction book “Command and Control.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Having written the trilogy, I am now plunging into the next four plots: All of the mysteries to come will have elements of steampunk, including: time travel, mazikeen supernatural abilities, steam-powered inventions, and the usual Edgar Allan Poe-type Gothic evil that lurks in all Pat O’Malley mysteries. Here are the plots for the next four mysteries in the series:

1. O’Malley and his “crew” must face-off with a steam-powered submarine that’s pirating commercial shipping off the coast of New York City.

2. Tammany Hall is backing a new venture called “Go West!” Winners of the lottery are supposed to be paid to become pioneers in the Wild West. Instead, O’Malley discovers these “winners” are being sent on much more dangerous pioneering missions into the future.

3. Mazikeen (half-angel, half-human) Seth Mergenthaler says his father has returned from the dead. O’Malley must find out whether Doctor Arthur Mergenthaler is real or if he is a clone created by the mysterious “steam city pirates” who live beneath New York City.

4. There’s a new steam-powered “sex machine” that is taking over Madame Becky Charming’s business. However, when this machine starts killing its customers, Pat O’Malley must step in to solve the case.

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?
Forevermore: A Pat O’Malley Historical Mystery

Disappearance at Mount Sinai: A Pat O’Malley Historical Mystery

Jane the Grabber: A Pat O’Malley Historical Steampunk Mystery

Author Websites and Profiles
Jim Musgrave Website
Jim Musgrave Amazon Profile

Jim Musgrave’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Books? I’ve mostly written short stuff, even the fantasy I’ve published have been short stories and novellas.

Got a bunch of drafts that need to be revised and polished, maybe four or five books of Far Isle Half-Elven stories, the trilogy which is the main part of my Far Isle Half-Elven. The first part of the trilogy Dark Solstice is finished but I’m not marketing it at this time.

Also have four non-Elven fantasies completed, one of which — There Be Demons — is scheduled for publication by The Grumpy Dragon in 2014.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published novella is Taking Vengeance. The whole Far Isle Half-Elven appeared in my mind one morning when I was petting Wiggles, my cat. Both of us were half asleep — when this image of a woman standing on cliff with the winds blowing her unbound hair behind her. Wind? Mariah? What can I say? Anyway I wondered what she was doing there, and Mariah got a telepathic message from her daughter about being ambushed. The story and the Far Isle Half-Elven developed from that image.

500,000 words later, I decided to do something with the saga. Did excise one book out of the mess … of which Taking Vengeance was an extended prologue. An agent, who still wasn’t interested in the rest of it, suggested I turn the prologue into a novella. Taking Vengeance first sold to WolfSinger Press, but rights have now reverted to me and I self-published it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to resist playing Mahjong and write first thing in the morning. Sometimes I jump right into creating, but all too often I play with email … even though I know it’ll wait.

Walking around a lot is another distraction. If I sit too long, my hip ossifies.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Any thing and everything I read. Comics and the early Oz books hooked me on fantasy. I discovered used Ace Doubles in an used hardware store and authors like Leigh Brackett, Andre Norton, Fritz Leiber, C. L. Moore and A. L. Merritt among others. Still am reading fantasy and love it when I discover a new writer who gives the same- old, same-old at new twist.

What are you working on now?
Two things — when new ideas don’t intrude.

First, I’m writing about the origins of Far Isle Half-Elven with the arrival of Teemon in the Far Isles and his meeting with the two psychic sisters who had escaped persecution of magic workers in the Suderlands. It’ll probably be two novellas, but I might turn them into a novel.

Second, I’m waiting for edits for There Be Demons and taking plot notes for a possible sequel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a clue about promoting my books or anything else. I tend to be impervious to advertising. I try to follow the directions … but … *shrug*

Do you have any advice for new authors?
In the vein of “do as I say” rather than “do what I do” — write until you get and ending on your story before you start revising.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The above

What are you reading now?
A YA historical “Cleopatra” about Cleopatra Selene, the daughter of Cleopatra VII and Mark Anthony.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got a middle grade novel set in 1950s Sacramento Valley about a girl who begins to see ghosts — Voices of Ghost Creek. I want to go back and revise it …

The Grumpy Dragon says they want a sequel to There Be Demons, but I’m still thinking about it.

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

1. A comprehensive collection of the best poetry in the history of the world — translated into English.

2. A bound volume of all Tamora Pierce’s Rebecca Cooper books.

3. A bound volume of Tolkien’s Ring Trilogy.

4. A bound volume of Nora Loft’s Lonely Furrow trilogy or her House at Old Vine series.

You just reminded me I should dig out my Nora Loft books from my books shelves and re-read them.

Author Websites and Profiles
M. K. Theodoratus Website
M. K. Theodoratus Amazon Profile
M. K. Theodoratus Author Profile on Smashwords

M. K. Theodoratus’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Freda Mooncotch. I’m a fitness fanatic. I’ve been working out since I was in diapers. However I was absolutely uncoordinated, basically a bid klutz and no matter how hard I tried I just wasn’t very good at sports. Mom had high hopes and put my in ballet, tap and dance which I absolutely loved in-spite of my lack of grace. I tried out for cheerleading and again I made the squad but just couldn’t get my body to cooperate with me.

I tried out for all the numerous sports teams in grade school and by some stroke of luck I managed to make the teams, year after year, but at best I was the teams official bench warmer (every team has to have them). Then it all came together and the magic happened, I gave birth to my son at 19 and everything that I couldn’t get to work before came together like a well oiled machine and my coordination arrived.

As the saying goes… “The rest is history.” I became one of the top step instructors at Bally’s Chicago Health Club, and spin instructors at another club. All those tap, dance and ballet classes finally paid off. From there I studied Ortho-Bionomy, Jin Shin Do, Reflexology, massage therapy and nutrition and have been obsessed with fat loss, metabolism, and nutrition for the past 20 years. I love n=1 experiments where I can take theories and play them out into real life experience rather than spout off a bunch of research papers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Defying Age With Food: It’s What You Eat, Not How Much You Exercise! Reclaim Your Health, Energy & Vitality. Came from deep within my soul after being sick and not understanding why. I was doing everything the doctors told me to and I was the picture of health and at the age of 39 my world just started falling to pieces. I felt as if I were stuck in a pin the tale on the donkey game where my team of doctors were blindly trying to guess what was wrong with me. Out of complete frustration I opted out and decided to seek alternative therapies and heal myself.

My book is about my journey and how I was able to overcome and heal adrenal burnout, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue and chronic stress.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That is a fantastic question. When I wrote Defying Age with Food, I did it in less than 2 months. It was like an obsession and once I got into the writing “trance” you couldn’t move me. And as any one who writes knows, you’ve got to be in the “flow” to really write a story that is worth reading. The worst thing a writers book can be is BORING! That is my nightmare. I didn’t want a boring story so I had to go deep within my soul and let the feelings, emotions speak to me and translate them into a story that many could relate to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t own a TV so I spend a great deal of my free time reading. So many authors have influenced me like Jimmy Moore and Dr. Eric Westman of Cholesterol Clarity, Dr. William Davis of Wheat Belly, Gary Taubes of Why We Get Fat, Pam Killeen of Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic, Dr. David Perlmutter of Grain Brain, Dr. Michael Eades of Protein Power, William Lagakos Ph.D., author of The Poor Misunderstood Calorie, and Mark Sisson’s work and too many more to mention.

Other books and authors that have had a profound influence on my life are Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr. Weston A. Price, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, Good Meat by Deborah Krasner, and Folks This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salatin.

Dr. Peter Attia’s work fascinates me as well as Dr. Nannette Yount, Dr. Dominic D’ Agostino, Ellen Davis and others on The Ketogenic Diet and Cancer.

I’ve read every book by Malcolm Gladwell and am currently reading AntiFragile by Nassim Taleb and plan on reading all of his books too. I love book on history and war too.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my Functional Diagnostic Nutrition certification as well as going back to school for exercise physiology an nutrition. I also just started my second book Shut Up & Keto ™ which is basically part 2 of my miracle. The Ketogenic Diet literally changed my life over night. What started out as a fun n=1 experiment turned out to be the best thing I’ve “accidentally” done, but then again I don’t believe in accidents.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method of promotion is writing a story that sells itself. A story that evokes an emotional response from the reader. Whether it is controversial, hate, erotic, sad, whatever the case maybe, you want to tap into those deep emotions. Someone who hates your work with a passion will, unwittingly, sell far more copies than someone who likes it, largely due to the passion they put behind knocking you and your work.

If you are self-published, the second method is having your own website for the book and creating a following and buzz through social media. There is no shame in self-promotion and cross-promotion with other authors.

Amazon.com is also a great place.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oh wow! Being so new myself I feel like I shouldn’t be offering any advice. As a new author I can tell you what not to do in writing a book. I learned the hard way and made a ton of mistakes. Don’t give up if you are really passionate about your subject. Spend some time with other authors and pick their brain.

People make writing a book look easy. Trust me it’s not as easy as it looks!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The more you try to protect your reputation the more you lose it. People who are self-employed, like many authors, must not worry about protecting their reputation. In order to get noticed in a very loud world, you need to be interesting and fearless.

Comfort stifles creativity and innovation. When you get too comfortable you stop dreaming, you tend to get complacent. If you have goals and want to achieve those goals being uncomfortable helps you become incredibly innovative and think outside the box.

Be flexible, adaptable, Antifragile and ready to recreate yourself when the time calls for it. When you make a mistake or “fail” tear it apart, reflect, dissect it, and learn from it. Every thing we do in life is a lesson to teach us and guide us. Failure is not something to be afraid or ashamed of but a tool to learn from. In fact, allow yourself to experience “post traumatic growth” instead of post traumatic stress. Which means you thrive when life hands you your butt. It pushes you to the next level. One of my favorite movies that really drives this idea home is RUSH.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Antifragile by Nassim Taleb, David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell and almost finished with The Diary Of A Young Girl by Anne Frank

What’s next for you as a writer?
I LOVE learning. The more I learn the less I know and I just could be a life long student. My brain seeks out knowledge like a moth to a flame. I’ve been this curious ever since coming out of the womb. I look out my eyeballs and just want to know what makes things tick, what makes things work, if I do this what will happen…

I’m self-employed and work with clients from skype and have the freedom to do this from anywhere in the world. With that in mind, I’ve set my heart on returning to school in Seattle, Washington Fall of 2014.

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?
Anything by Malcolm Gladwell, history books focused on some of the greatest wars both wins and loses. Survival books. Yeah, I’m totally into that stuff. Definitely NOT any self-help books!

Author Websites and Profiles
Freda Mooncotch Website
Freda Mooncotch Amazon Profile

Freda Mooncotch’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Oh, good question! I don’t keep a running count, but according to my site, I currently have 16 fantasy/paranormals, 11 contemporaries, and 5 historicals, ranging from short story to novel length. My stories have been published with small and online presses including Book Strand, Lyrical Press, Decadent Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, Eternal Press, and Wild Child Publishing/Freya’s Bower and web zines such as A Long Story Short, Dark Sky Magazine, Cezanne’s Carrot, The Harrow, Flesh from Ashes, Quality Women’s Fiction, and The Writer’s online edition.

Though I now live with my family in beautiful central Pennsylvania, I grew up in the wilds of New Jersey and am a lifelong dreamer and story lover. I also write mainstream and speculative fiction as C.A. Masterson.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Decadent Publishing released my contemporary, A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe. It’s the second in my Blue Moon series. A blue moon signifies a rare event, and new opportunities. After reading an article about Marfa, a funky little town in the west Texas plains, I fell in love with it. One of the great things about being a writer is that I can immerse myself in research and virtually visit places I’d love to travel to. It’s home to cowboys and artists alike. A place where your soul can say ‘ahhh’ and your heart can soar to the stars—which, in Marfa, appear much closer and so much brighter that they hold Star Parties. Plus glider competitions, play festivals, arts festivals, and another festival to celebrate their Mystery Lights. A great background for a story about two lost souls who find a home there, and in each other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call them unusual. Hot tea is a necessity to keep me going. I tend to start too many projects at once. At this writing, I have 23 stories in various stages, from sketchy idea to outlines to a few chapters done, plus an idea for a series of related stories that don’t even appear on the WIP spreadsheet. Maddening! lol Do I concentrate on only one at a time? These days, mostly yes, although if I hit a wall in one, I switch to another. Rather than diluting the focus on each, it actually sharpens it because I have to return to it fresh each time, especially if the stories were different genres.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! I read any story that grabs me, regardless of genre. Growing up, favorites included Ray Bradbury and J.R.R. Tolkien. Then I found Margaret Atwood, Alice Hoffman, Michael Chabon, T.C. Boyle and fell in love with their writing.

What are you working on now?
I just put the finishing touches on the third Blue Moon novella, Twice in a Blue Moon. The characters don’t carry over from story to story, but the theme and tone are the same. With that one done, I’ve returned, at long last, to the third Goddess Connection novel. In each of these stories, the heroine discovers she’s descended from a goddess, and her quirks become strengths. I love the tag line for this series too – Every woman should embrace her inner goddess. And be treated like one! 🙂

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s so difficult to gauge what works and what doesn’t. I just love connecting with readers however possible – Facebook, my blog, chats, or live events such as signings. I love hearing from readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find tough, honest, caring critique partners. They are worth their weight in gold.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
At a book signing, I once asked literary author Ian McEwan for writing advice, and he answered in two words: Keep writing. And it’s true. The more you write, the better a writer you will be.

What are you reading now?
Richelle Mead’s The Gameboard of the Gods, a futuristic scifi thriller.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Wish I had a crystal ball to answer that! I’m going to keep doing what I love best – 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?
Could I exchange it for an ereader connected to a satellite? And solar-powered?

Okay then, a collection of Ray Bradbury stories, a book of the best poetry ever written and Robert McKee’s Story to help me become a better writer.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cate Masters Website
Cate Masters Amazon Profile
Cate Masters Author Profile on Smashwords

Cate Masters’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love anything crime fiction: books, movies, TV and video games. I was originally a big horror and science fiction reader before tripping over crime thrillers. I was inspired to write after a five-year obsession of crime fiction reading. Bourbon & Blood is my first crime fiction novel, but I have plans for several more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel Bourbon & Blood is tribute to the 70s and 80s action movies I grew up on. I’ve loved crime fiction since I was a child and my Parents brought me to see Sean Connery as Ian Fleming’s James Bond in Goldfinger. I use to pretend that I was James Bond and run all over the house shooting the bad guys. When I was a little older I sat with my Dad and we watched action movies like: Steve McQueen’s Bullet, The Getaway, Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry film series and the French Connection with Gene Hackman. When The Godfather came out it had a huge impact on me and I tried to gather up my friends to make our own movies mimicking the gangsters. As an adult I always loved reading and listened to horror, fantasy and sci-fi for years. Then one day I discovered crime fiction novels by Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Dennis Lehane, Adrian McKinty and Stuart Neville. After five years of non-stop crime genre activities like: reading, audio books, movies and TV, I was overcome with a desire to write. I wanted to start painting since I’m a traditionally trained fine artist but my wife did want me messing up her house. Anyway, so I started painting with words and that led me to write Bourbon & Blood.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My favorite way to write is to put on some classic rock, make a fresh pot of coffee and sip bourbon. I find that with the right ratio of those three elements my character’s voices and action come to me and the book writes itself. Took much of any of these elements may end in a disastrous writing session. I could become, intoxicated, anxiety ridden or just plain pissed off. So I always tread lightly with my muse. It’s a delicate balance, but it does work for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Authors that have influenced me the most are: Ken Bruen, James Lee Burke, Adrian McKinty, Dennis Lehane and Stuart Neville. Whenever I read their novels, I am amazed but their work. They are my professors of fiction. I can only hope to follow along in their shadows and learn from their success.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing the sequel to Bourbon & Blood. It’s been a blast to write and I think reader will enjoy another action packed adventure. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m extremely active on Twitter, Facebook, Kboards.com and awesomegang.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as much as you write. Reading is the fuel and writing is the exercise to build up those muscles. I usually listen to one book and read another, switching between them depending on my mood. I set reachable goals of 500-1000 words a day. Some days it’s more and some days it’s less. It’s kind of like saving pennies. After a while you have a whole lot saved up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
80 percent of success is showing up.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Ian Fleming’s Casino Royal and listening to Adrian McKinty’s The Bloomsday Dead.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m feverishly trying to get bloggers to give Bourbon & Blood a chance. I’m the new kid on the block and I plan to keep writing. I can only get better over time and I certainly have my role models and know what I like to read.

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?
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty, Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville, Feast Day for Fools by James Lee Burke and American Skin by Ken Bruen. I’ll gladly fight it out and take a bloody nose for the fifth book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Garrard Hayes Website
Garrard Hayes Amazon Profile

Garrard Hayes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am in my early twenties with a degree in Graphic and Multimedia Design, I’m an avid gamer, and I’m new to the published writer scene with only having one published book that was released this past December.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, the first in its Urban Science Fantasy series is Experimental Heart: Pieces. The idea for the series came from a project we had to do in my Science fiction and Fantasy themed English class which was to create our own Hero’s Journey. The project required us to create a hero, helper, and monster (typical for a hero’s journey) and then we had to flesh them out with back story and even a picture. This process ended up getting me attached to my three characters and want to flesh them out into a real world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I need my oldest cat to be sitting on my lap to think. Sounds weird, but it relaxes me and that helps me clear my head enough to think right.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s hard to pick out just a few. I’ve loved science fiction and fantasy since I was young (I swoon over dragons and squeal over Star Wars) and like a typical women I’ve had a fondness for romance but if I had to pick someone (or some people), I’d say Garth Nix, Vivian Vande Velde, Lora Leigh, and Deborah Cooke have had the largest influences on me when it comes to my current published book and the planned ones.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the sequel to Experimental Heart: Pieces and a paranormal romance that has just begun taking shape.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, Goodreads has been a major help with getting people interested. Once I joined that and started getting involved I’ve made connections and conversations that have lead to exposure. I’ve also popped in on some blogs that I think have been helpful. Other than that, I’ve been using word of mouth which has been the most powerful method.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure your cover is good. Even though we say “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” we (readers) still do so take the time/money to hire a good artist. If you’re serious about being a writer, hire an editor or even two. I’m not kidding. I hired an editor and he found a lot of mistakes and we went back and forth and back and forth to the point I thought I was going to be okay. Well, had I brought in one last beta reader, I would have found out I wasn’t as fine as I thought and wouldn’t have had to do some mad scrambling to fix errors after releasing the book and selling a dozen copies.

Also, don’t give up. It’s not easy getting noticed. It’s actually really hard. So you’re going to get to the point where you don’t feel like you’re going anywhere. You’ll get t the point where you think you’re a failure. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. Just keep trying and put out more than one book. The more good books you have, the more likely someone will notice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Failure isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning. I was told this once, not in those exact words, but close, and it’s so true it hurts sometimes. We are going to fail. It’s just how it is. And you can either take that failure to learn from it or you can give up but if you give up, you’ll never know what you could have achieved had you just chosen to learn.

What are you reading now?
I just started reading Exodus Conflict and on my list to read is the Eragon series because I’m late to that party. I’m also struggling with picking back up Darkfire Kiss. It was a book I couldn’t wait to read from this series, and it’s been just one major letdown for me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I’m trying to plot out a bunch of new stories as I work on my current series and I’m just basically going to try to get noticed more. No clearer path than that really.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d bring Kiss of Fury, Dragon’s Bait, Shade’s Children and Sabriel. I’m pretty sure I could live with just those four books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Shannon Pemrick Website
Shannon Pemrick Amazon Profile

Shannon Pemrick’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. This is my first ever book so I’m hoping it will be the beginning of many future books. I love reading and writing and spend a fortune on books. I’m a lawyer qualified in England. Since I married and moved to the States 9 years ago, I decided to work from home to spend quality time with my 2 daughters. My hobbies are reading, writing, painting, going to the theatre and travelling.

I hope you enjoy my book as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Happy reading!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is: “Paleo Quick & Easy: Brunches, Lunches & Dinners. What inspired me to write this book is that I love the Paleo diet and wanted to create dishes which were fun, healthy and easy to do for the busy moms like myself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to be more creative after midnight so I work best very late at night to avoid any distractions.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a Paleo dessert cookbook. I love desserts and wanted to create another “Quick & Easy” Paleo book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are hundreds of websites. However one of the best ones is www. Awesomegang.com as it provides readers with more information on the author as well as valuable newsletters.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just go for it! Start writing your book and put it onto action.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing a good book is not as important as marketing it. If people don’t know about your book, you won’t be able to sell it.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading” The Law Of Success” by Napoleons Hill.

What’s next for you as a writer?
This is the beginning of my new journey, so the sky is the limit.

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 my Kindle and hope to keep reading tons of books which I have downloaded.

If I had to pick actual physical books, I would pick:

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

2. The Power of the Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

3. any book on Monet, my favourite artist of all time.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Andrew Chapin, and I’m a middle school English teacher in New Rochelle, NY. I recently co-authored my first book FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH – I was inspired by the subject of the piece John Tartaglio. Amputated up to his hipbones and told he would never walk again when he was 17 years old, John would not give up on life. Instead, he rose to do what others said he could not. Walking, running, competing, but most importantly living, he proved to them what he had always known – his disability did not define him; he defined his disability.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Outside of smoking too many cigarettes if I’m writing outside, no. I go through spells of non-stop writing and spells of inactivity to devote myself to other initiatives. However, I would like to implement a more set routine at some point.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Philip Roth – Portnoy’s Complaint; Bret Easton Ellis – Less Than Zero; S.E. Hinton – The Outsiders; Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit 451; Robert Cormier – The Chocolate War.

What are you working on now?
KNOWING WHEN YOU’RE TOO YOUNG TO GROW UP – This is the coming-of-age story of a teenage protagonist who unknowingly sets out on a journey towards self-discovery when he travels abroad with his high school. Unbeknownst to him, this trip will indelibly change his life when he is confronted with situations that force him to question his worldview and reevaluate himself, his friends, and his overall conception of humanity.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon; Facebook; Huffington Post; Twitter

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not ever underestimate the value of hard work. Writing is an arduous, thankless journey, but so is any goal worth realizing. Keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Patience is a virtue.

What are you reading now?
Killing Kennedy; too many student papers

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH and then returning to my fiction writing after a (too) long hiatus.

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?
As I Lay Dying – William Faulkner; Strange Interlude – Eugene O’Neill; American Psycho – Bret Easton Ellis; Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Chapin Amazon Profile

Andrew Chapin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account