Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Adams, MA with two educators for parents. My mother was a paraprofessional and my father was a high school English teacher who I had for honors English my junior year. I continued my schooling at Marist College in New York where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English, concentration in writing, and a minor in Psychology. I combined both subjects in my first and only self-published novel. Currently, I live in the middle of my home state with my boyfriend, not far from my two sisters and their families. And while writing is my passion, my current profession is a newspaper paginator at GateHouse Media.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The novel I have out right now is called Letting Go and Holding On. It was inspired by 4 mass suicide shootings that happened between 2007 and 2008. The ages of the shooters in those 4 incidents (one of which was the shooting at Virginia Tech) were 20s or teens. And not all of the shootings were at schools- one was at a church and one was at a mall. It seemed to me that these types of shootings, with younger assailants, were happening more and more. Suddenly it wasn’t a disgruntled employee or an angry ex-husband. It was that neighborhood kid down the street, reminiscent of the shooters at Columbine, only with different targets.

And as I read the media reports about these shootings, they seemed to offer little answers to the questions I was asking. Is this becoming a trend? Has something changed in the world to cause it? And is there anything we can do about it? I researched the topic of teen violence for two years, reading numerous books and reports from the FBI, Department of Justice, the Secret Service, and the CDC. I created fictional characters and fictional shootings that mirrored some of the events I read about, and my reporter character goes through the same extensive research that I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I didn’t think I did, until I began telling other authors that I’ll write for 7 or 8 hours at a time. I’m not good at writing every day, especially having a full-time job. But on the weekends I’ll write straight out for a good chunk of time. And I’ve had many people tell me they don’t have the discipline to write for that long. I think it’s because my thoughts build up throughout the week, and when I know I have the time to put them all down, I do.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Honestly, I think most of the books I’ve read in my life have influenced me in some way, whether I liked the author’s style, or characters, or dialogue. And the same goes for books I did not enjoy. They made me more cognizant of the way I write my books. Nothing in particular stands out in either regard- I think it’s a more self-conscious thing.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a science fiction novel about scientific theory versus religious belief. My boyfriend is a physicist who specializes in quantum theory, and he is my consultant on this one. My book includes genetic manipulation, a many worlds theory, and quantum teleportation. But since I’m new to the genre, all of that sounds way more extensive than the book actually is! Those are concepts I discuss, but I always focus on the characters as much as possible. The fact the book takes place 50 years in the future is only a backdrop. The social issue of religion in politics combined with conservative thinking is the real story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve done pretty well using Amazon’s free service, where they promote your book for free if you offer it for free for five days. I’ve gotten the most exposure that way. Other than that, I’m sort of new to the whole promotion thing. I’m doing a lot more on the local scene right now, with book signings and joining anything that features local authors. And Facebook has always been a great way to get the word out to those I know about any events happening.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start writing and stick with it. The beginning is always hard, and if you haven’t figured out your writing process yet it’s even harder. But you’ll never figure it out if you don’t sit down and write something.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read everything you can. As I said before, I always find something useful in reading other people’s work, whether it’s things I like or don’t like. And try to use as many active words as possible. It sounds simple, but it’s so true!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book of George R. R. Martin’s series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully I’ll continue producing more books! I’ve also thought about branching out from writing novels to maybe writing a play or a screenplay. It’s good to keep challenging yourself.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I’ve never been able to answer this question. I also don’t have a favorite author. There’s just too much out there to narrow it down to one.

Author Websites and Profiles
D.M. Roberts Website
D.M. Roberts Amazon Profile

D.M. Roberts’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A lover of superheroes and all things fantasy it was only natural to find a home within the Contemporary Fantasy genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Retribution, book one of The Dagger of Aita series. I guess inspiration comes in different forms. First a character appeared to me. Then a scene on a roof top in the middle of the night. Once I’d written the scene I knew there was a story to be told. Which lead to an extensive amount of research and world building.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write the book in order, beginning to end. Each scene is written three times. The first time through is a very rough draft. By the second time through I have a better idea of how the scene must be written. Then, the third time around it is merely cleaning a tightening up the scene. At the end of the process the scene is finished and placed in a master file.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was very young Winnie the Pooh followed by years of Nancy Drew. As I got older other classics were introduced to me and I read them all. The Bard is a long time favorite. In contemporary fiction Sidney Sheldon captured my heart and I read every book he wrote. And then…J.R.R. Tolkien made an appearance in my life. I read The Hobbit so many times I had to tape the cover back on. I also enjoyed the humor of Robert Aspirin (his Mything series) and Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy). Other influences – Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, the quintessential Star Wars.

What are you working on now?
Book Two of The Dagger of Aita

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be true to who you are. Don’t censor yourself just because the people in your life may not approve of what you’re writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No matter how far down the wrong road you’ve gone, you can always turn back.

What are you reading now?
A Game of Thrones – George R.R. Martin

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion, promotion, promotion!

What is your favorite book of all time?
I think I may have already inadvertently answered this question. The Hobbit.

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

S.J. Wolff’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write SF/fantasy with my co-author and brother, David W Small. We have been writing together since 2006 and make our partnership work through the use of email, Instant Messaging and Skype. Our newest release is THE SILVER CROSS, Book 1 in the Vampire Nightlife series.

We have written three other novels, ASSASSIN’S CURSE, Book 1 in the Witch Stone Prophecy, QUEST FOR NOBILITY and THE CRYSTAL FACADE in the RULE OF OTHARIA series and three novellas in the DARK FUTURE series to-date.

We are currently working on WITCH’S CURSE, Book 2 in the Witch Stone Prophecy. It’s the exciting conclusion to the storyline and we hope to publish it in October/November 2013.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our latest book is THE SILVER CROSS. I’ve always had a love of vampires. Seeing as I live near Boston, MA, I thought it would be awesome to have Detective Lacey Gardner a part of the Boston Police Dept. I’ve included lots of landmarks in the book and I’ve been told by fans that they loved seeing that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing with a co-author is unusual in itself, but Dave and I make it work. It took us awhile to gain our stride, but now even we have trouble remembering who wrote what scene or chapter. I think that’s the best testament to our writing style. The last thing we want is choppy scenes that don’t blend well together.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My first love is fantasy so I’ve read all the greats in that field – George RR Martin, Orson Scott Card, Richard Jordan, Tad Williams and Stephen R Donaldson. I also enjoy thrillers and reading Brad Thor and Vince Flynn has helped me create suspense in our books.

What are you working on now?
We are currently working on “Witch’s Curse” which is the sequel and final volume in The Witch Stone Prophecy. This book will reveal what role twins Kara and Kala play in the ancient prophecy. Jeda will uncover some surprising things about himself as well. Of course, Elizabeth Berkshire, a strong elemental witch, is in the book. Readers love to hate her. We have a few new characters – Raz and Ranker – and we think readers will enjoy them as well.

We’re hoping for a November 2013 publication date, but that depends on our writing timeline. Dave and I both work full-time and some weeks are more productive with writing than others, but we’re working hard to finish this book on time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My blog, Two Ends of the Pen, is my best social media site. All of my books are listed on the site. I also feature author interviews, panel discussions, guest posts and book reviews. There’s lot to read there and I hope a little something for everyone. I also tweet and use Facebook to spread the word about our books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hire a professional editor!!! I can’t tell you how many books I’ve read that didn’t have this step. Typos, wrong words, POV changes kill the enjoyment for me of an otherwise unique and inventive story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Patience – have the patience to get the book in the best shape it can be before you hit the publish button. That means having beta readers, a graphic artist for the cover, and an editor. Without the patience to do each step, you may not be putting out the best product you can.

What are you reading now?
I just finished THE WHITE QUEEN by Philippa Gregory and WINDS OF SALEM by Melissa de la Cruz. I have a stack of books in my “review” pile as well that I need to read in the next month or so. That’s one thing about being a book reviewer, you’re never without something new to read. I’ve had to close to new submissions because of my overwhelming “to-be-reviewed” pile.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I also write romance under my pen name, Debra Elizabeth. I’m working on the book 2 in the Age of Innocence trilogy, LOVE BY DECEPTION. I hope to release this book in the fall as well.

What is your favorite book of all time?
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen followed closely by “The Mists of Avalon” by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Of course, if George RR Martin would finish his own Fire and Ice books, I’d be a happy girl.

Author Websites and Profiles
Debra L Martin Website
Debra L Martin Amazon Profile
Debra L Martin Author Profile on Smashwords

Debra L Martin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written and illustrated 5 children’s books (well, 3 really as 2 are Spanish translations). I’m from New Zealand but currently live in Andalusia, Spain. I publish in all ebook formats and in print. Each book has a different illustration style but generally I like to use a lot of colour and a range of textures. So far all my stories are told in rhyme or at least alliteration.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
ALPHABETI-COOL, inspired my the intrinsic coolness of the letters of our alphabet.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope, I guess I’m pretty normal, although because of a lack of quality writing time and space, sometimes I have to write while cooking.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many books that have made an impression on me, but each for different reasons. I like the classics eg. Dr Seuss – meaningful nonsense, timeless and perfect. More recently I have been blown away by Katz Cowley’s illustrations, especially in THE FIDGETY ITCH.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a series of educational books about the natural world for very young children. Loads of colour, tiny little nature lessons, all told in rhyme. I’m very excited about it but I have a lot of work to do.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The jury is still out as I am still trying a number of avenues but I think you can’t just do one thing, you have to make yourself omnipresent (I’m not quite there yet). Using image links inside your ebooks of your other titles that link directly to where they are available is a must and can attract a lot of interest especially if you can make one of your titles free and get them in the hands of many interested readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sometimes the desire to get your book out there is overwhelming, but take your time, don’t publish until your book is ready. Writing/illustrating your masterpiece is only the beginning, then the real work begins. Fortunately there are loads of great people and resources to help you achieve your goals.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nelly – Nick Sharratt

What are you reading now?
If I’m honest I only really read children’s books with my kids but I love reading them. Adult literature makes be sleepy. Right now we are into DOWN BY THE COOL OF THE POOL by TONY MITTON and GUY PARKER-REES.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, drawing, painting, editing…promoting,promoting,promoting.

I really like the path I’m on (except that promoting is very hard work). I want to publish all the books that I have in my “to be finished” folder and that will keep me busy for quite a while. In the future I would love to do pop-up books or something interactive and really special for kids.

What is your favorite book of all time?
As all kiwi kids will probably say BAD JELLY THE WITCH by SPIKE MILLIGAN. I just checked the book to see if it was still awesome after so many years, and it was!

Author Websites and Profiles
Rebecca Bielawski Website
Rebecca Bielawski Amazon Profile
Rebecca Bielawski Author Profile on Smashwords

Rebecca Bielawski’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I didn’t begin writing fiction until I retired a couple of years ago, but I’ve been writing all my life as either a journalist and freelancer or in corporate communications.

Death on a Dig is my first mystery novel. It’s set around the disappearance of a young woman from an archaeological dig in Mexico. Gwen Madden goes looking for her on behalf of the girl’s distraught mother — and discovers a kidnapping, a tale about a trove of stolen artifacts and — oh, yes — a dead body.

I’ve finished one short story — Murder in the Clubhouse, which is available for free on Smashwords.com — and I’m wrapping up another. Neither features Gwen Madden, but I have both a short story and a novella in the works with Madden as the main character. Both should be available before the end of the year.

Girls of Summer: In Their Own League is my only non-fiction book. Unlike my mystery fiction, which is self-published, Girls of Summer was published by HarperCollins. It has long been out of print, but I recently gave it new life as an ebook on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COMHB04.

I’ve travelled in the UK, continental Europe, India, Mexico and Central America. Before apartheid was defeated in South Africa, I spent five years in Mozambique as an international volunteer, and I recently volunteered again for six months to work with a small social agency in northern India.
I retired a couple of years ago and am focusing on writing and epublishing mystery fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote Death on a Dig, which is set in Mexico, because I always wanted to write a mystery. It’s by far my favourite genre. I consider that finishing the book has been a great accomplishment for me and has kept me continuing to write. Death on a Dig combines two of my favourite subjects — travel and archaeology.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m always looking for some place to write in public. I have a very comfortable office in my home, but I like the buzz of public spaces. Coffee shops are my favourite and there are a bunch of them in my neighbourhood. Unfortunately, finding a place that other people aren’t trying to turn into their own private phone booth is getting more and more difficult, so I’m having to try to make writing at home a habit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the classics. I grew up on Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes (one of the few fictional detectives who is actually better known than his creator), Dorothy Sayers, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Raymond Chandler and Ngaio Marsh. I discovered Rex Stout a little later and to this day Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are my favourite detectives.

Another very good mystery writer, who I think is greatly underrated, is Georgette Heyer. She’s best known for her historical romances, but she also wrote a number of very good detective stories.

A couple of other favourite writers — neither of them writers of crime fiction — I must mention. One is P.G. Wodehouse, author of the Bertie Wooster and Jeeves stories. He is unsurpassed. He may not influence me as a mystery writer, but in terms of excellence, he has been a very important role model. The other writer is Jane Austen who is probably the first writer I read, enjoyed and appreciated for the quality of her writing.

What are you working on now?
After spending two years on a novel, I’ve decided I want to concentrate on short stories and novellas. I understand the value of delayed gratification, but full-length novels are too much.

Murder in the Clubhouse: A Diamond Girls Mystery is a short story about young girl ballplayers who solve a murder. It’s set in the same world as the pro ball players of WWII that I wrote about in Girls of Summer: In Their Own League. Murder in the Clubhouse is now available for free at Smashwords. I’m just finishing Amends for the Dead (that’s a working title), with a completely different protagonist and different ambience. Think Raymond Chandler.

I also have mapped out a short story and a novella with Gwen Madden as the main character.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think my web sites are the foundation of my promotion efforts, although I like Twitter a lot and it seems to work fairly well for me as a way of shepherding people towards my online books. When I look at where my traffic comes from, Facebook seems to play a significant role, which is a shame because I don’t much like it. However, I am trying to learn to use it more effectively and enjoy it more.

One web site is devoted to Girls of Summer (http://intheirownleague.wordpress.com). I blog items from my original research and am using it to help get the word out about Murder in the Clubhouse.

My mystery web site is http://www.loisbrowne.com. I have written blog posts about my experiences self-publishing, but I want to ensure that I write about things that interest readers too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice parrots what every other writer says, most of them much more experienced than I am. Write every day; read every day. I would add that authors should avoid daydreaming about the three-month plan that will make them famous and develop a long-term plan that is much more likely to build a loyal readership.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t put your greatest efforts into promoting your first book. Wait until you have something more for people to go to once they’ve discovered you.

What are you reading now?
Wired for Story by Lisa Cron

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m starting to do local promotion. I have a reading booked in the fall. I’ve joined a writer’s group. I’m trying to track down a couple of local softball stars of the 1940s who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for a couple of years and then disappeared. That’s research for one of my blogs, which I am really enjoying. I also need to do some thinking and planning around my main web site devoted to my mystery fiction.

What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s a difficult question because I reread favourite books on a regular basis. But if I had to name one, it would be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lois Browne Website
Lois Browne Amazon Profile
Lois Browne Author Profile on Smashwords

Lois Browne’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I enjoy weaving together Inspirational Suspense and Mystery Novels blended with romance.

I live in North Carolina. I love the outdoors, there is so much creativity to look at, I’m always amazed at the vast world the Lord gave us.

Escape to Big Fork Lake is my debut novel published in March 2012. Stone of Destiny, also published by Prism Book Group, scheduled for release in Sept. 2013. I’m also a contributor to a devotional eBook, 21 Stories of Faith which is published by Body & Soul publishing.

Check out The Writers Handbook of Online Promotion a non-fiction eBook with ideas for beginning authors. All these novels are available on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Stone of Destiny. My grandson is fascinated with novels about magic. Seeing him read them sparked a desire in me to write about a spiritual kind of enchantment that only happens with faith and prayer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to go out on the porch with my laptop and a cup of coffee. There’s something inspiring about being among nature.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nicholas Sparks, Terri Reed and Karen Ball.

What are you working on now?
My work in progress is called Redemption in Big Fork Lake. It has a few returning characters from Escape to Big Fork Lake, but is a stand-alone book. This novel shows us all we can have the strength to overcome an addition.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I believe promoting novels online is helped a great deal by the readers who enjoy blogging about books. Reviews and interviews go a long way toward fitting booklovers with novels in their genre.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persistence is the only way to grow. One day at a time, you have to devote as must time promoting as writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself.

What are you reading now?

What’s next for you as a writer?
Outside of my works in progress. I strive to discover all I can about online promotions.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Message in a Bottle. I know it’s not a classic. I should have said Gone with the Wind or something written by Mark Twain, but the truth is- I don’t really enjoy classics that much.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mary L. Ball Website
Mary L. Ball Amazon Profile

Mary L. Ball’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born into a politically divided Europe and the series of these short love/satires are somewhat drawn from my experiences there…long ago.

So far, I have completed two “Inter-” stories with more in the offing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Intermezzo” plays out in 1963 spy-laden Vienna.

I thought I’d have some fun for a change and write some short satires under this pen name. My other (6) books are full-blown literary sagas ranging from historical fiction to thrillers to poetry.

So, with the short “Inter-” series, I hope to amuse the sophisticated reader who wants something more titillating, if you will (yet without explicit scenes).

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a glass of wine here and there when I do need a “steamy” scene…that gets edited the next morning to make sure there is something left to the reader’s imagination.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None in this particular genre.

What are you working on now?
“Intercourse” (as defined in the dicitionary).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working on that enigma.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you love to write, keep writing. Success may or may not come, but at least you are doing somthing you love (and hopefully are good at).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

It was actually a rather elegant man who said that to me.

What are you reading now?
Writing. So, not much time spent reading.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Back to completing Book 3 of my other genre.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Writers of dramatic family sagas:

Thomas Mann, James A. Mitchener, James Clavell.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ida Tornovski Website
Ida Tornovski Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I went directly from high school to marriage and sales. I remained in the sales industry until I was 45 when I left the corporate world and entered into private enterprise in real estate sales and management, then on to office building maintenance.

In 1999 I lost my wife and part of my life and did not regain the latter notation until three years later when I met my new wife who has inspired me to write poetry and novels.

I have published 12 books to date.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a mystery, “Deavereau and the Napoleon Clock Incident.” I became engrossed in the excitement of becoming the lead character in my last book and it just evolved into the second “Incident” Book and my new character, Deavereau (who preferred not to use the normal spelling of his name ending with an “x”)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, but then how would I know? I used to write all day, but that became a bit of a problem when my back recognized reality along with my chiropractor. Now, I write a few hours, wander about the house, take the dog for a walk, enjoy a short scotch in the afternoon and then write some more.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by several authors. The most recent have been Koontz, Balducci, and Marshall Franks. Earlier were Patrick M. McMannus, Gary Wells and Edgar Allen Poe.

What are you working on now?
I am in the thought stages of my next Deavereau novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my own website, facebook, twitter and Author.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time, re-read, re-write, re-think, and then do them all again as many times as it takes to make your book as perfect as you can…don’t take advice from your friends and relatives because they will flatter you and what you think is great because of that will cause you to fail.

Don’t give up!!!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t take yourself for granted. View your work as though someone else wrote it and do what you have to do.

What are you reading now?
The Bible, The Whole Truth by Balducci

What’s next for you as a writer?
Enjoy life, take some good photos of the world around me, and soak up as much knowledge as I can. Then write about it in my next book.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible, Todays English Version

Author Websites and Profiles
Thomas Ault Website
Thomas Ault Author Profile on Smashwords

Thomas Ault’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Medium7: Evidence of the Afterlife and Predictions is my first book written (July, 2013). Since 1996 I have published several articles and reports in the area of health and criminology evaluation research but of course publishing reports is different than writing a book.

I am a mother of two children who works full-time with the government of Canada overseeing scientific evaluation research studies that will help non-governmental organizations develop effective crime prevention programs. So of course you would think as a criminology researcher, I would probably be writing non-fiction crime-related novels. Not a chance! While that would be very exciting, I have not written any non-fiction books to date.

I am very passionate about the area of study related to the afterlife as I believe we are all on the cutting edge of understanding who we were, who we are now, and who we will be after we leave the physical world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was inspired to write the book Medium7 after realizing that I could use my twenty years of research and data analysis skills and apply them to answering the question, is there life after death. I was really inspired to start my own research with psychic mediums and their clients after a few spiritual experiences. In particular, during a reading when a psychic medium provided my grandmother’s very unique name (Beryl) and stated exactly how she died, I began to realize that perhaps there was more to this universe than what we have been taught in school. I was really inspired to write about mediumship, near death experiences, out of body experiences and any event that related to the afterlife as my personal experiences and literature reviewed demonstrated that people could enjoy their journey and optimize their lives by having a better understanding about the truth behind their existence.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if this is an unusual writing habit but I find that my ideas spontaneously come to me while I am not writing. So everywhere I go I carry a journal with me so I can write down ideas, resources and concepts that have come to me spontaneously. I build on these small ideas which usually end up becoming full chapters. For example, I was speaking at a conference , and a panel member asked how the “thought creates reality” movement could be used to help youth at risk develop productive lives. Right after the discussion, I jotted down the idea so I could later ponder how this concept of creating one’s reality could be linked with the discussion of psychic mediums and their ability or limitations on being able to produce accurate predictions consistently. This thought helped me develop a whole new way of understanding the nature of predictions which was subsequently developed into a full chapter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ester Hicks, and Jane Roberts are just a few of the great authors that have influenced me over the years. Many don’t know that the famous author who wrote several detective stories about Sherlock Holmes was an established Scottish physician who during his later years rigorously studied the afterlife. Sir A. Doyle’s writings about his scientific studies of life after death greatly influenced me.

What are you working on now?
My books are all going to be a combination of my own research studies and complementary studies conducted by from other scholars. So before I start writing I am currently working out a research design to study the authenticity of alternative healing methods. The book will review the science behind alternative healing methods, provide engaging case studies and look at the implications for humankind if traditional healthcare institutions were to integrate and support these alternative healing methods. My research will take at least a year and then it will take another six months to write so I don’t anticipate releasing another book until early 2015.

I have also been asked by many to produce Medium7: Evidence of the Afterlife and Predictions into an audio CD as the afterlife information is important for the aging community who are more likely to listen to a CD than read a book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I must say that I am very much in the discovery process of learning about what works for giving your book exposure but I will share a few things that have worked for me since releasing my book two months ago. I put out three videos of my research experiments with psychic mediums and non-believers one year prior to my book being released. One of the videos has almost 87,000 hits and I have at least five people each day dropping questions in my personal e-mail (medium7research@gmail.com) each day wanting to understand various aspects of the reading or other questions about the authenticity of the afterlife in general. About 20% of these contacts have shared that they purchased the book to learn more about the evidence related to the afterlife. I also make it habit to check in and respond directly to the comments on the Youtube video so I can build a relationship with the viewers. To see my question and answer method you can view the following YouTube video under my name: Life After Death: A Medium Conducts a Reading with a Non-Believer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g74znWzyRTU

I will also be joining a media portal in Canada (www.sources.ca) that will allow my book to gain exposure through radio, TV and print media. The counterpart in the U.S.A is the RTIR(http://www.rtir.com/index.html). I have not started the program in Canada yet, but my understanding from other authors who have used RTIR is that they did get a few radio shows with small markets. These sources are a start to getting exposure for your book via the media.

As for websites, my Youtube video has been embedded in about fifty websites but I have not directly written for any except for this awesome gang website which I have found very useful.

I also submitted my book (paid advertising) in the www.leadingedgereview.com as my understanding is this magazine is circulated to bookstores worldwide. The magazine is for titles and products focussing on spirituality, parapsychology, mind, body and spirit. This ad will run for three months in their fall issue in the gifts section.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice for new authors is to write at least fifteen minutes five times a week. I work full-time and have two children but once I promised myself that I would write at least fifteen minutes after work, I found that fifteen minutes often escalated to writing three hours per day. So maintain this habit and the other perceived barriers will diminish. If you can’t write for some reason, keep reading or watching documentaries and programs that will stimulate innovative thinking.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is to believe in yourself and after that anything is possible.

What are you reading now?
I am not currently reading right now as I am focussing on preparing an event to launch my book and will begin my new research study.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to use my writing to help me produce documentaries about the evidence of an afterlife to inspire people, given them hope and help them enjoy life to its fullest.

What is your favorite book of all time?
“Ask and It is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires” written by New York Times best selling authors, Esther and Jerry Hicks was my favorite book of all time and its contents influenced me significantly. They teach that you can manifest anything you want and they provide a scientific explanation for how this may be possible. Once you understand that traditional barriers such as finding a literary agent or getting published with a traditional publisher are only perceived barriers, as long as you allow yourself to thrive by ignoring negative thoughts you can achieve anything. This book has helped me live my life with confidence. The techniques have given me the ability to write a book and continue writing books for the rest of my life.

Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Smith-Moncrieffe Website
Donna Smith-Moncrieffe Amazon Profile

Donna Smith-Moncrieffe’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, and am enjoying raising a family here myself. I have a wonderful significant other and two amazing boys, a 14 year old and a 3 year old. I live in a house full of boys, and that is just the way I want it as I am not a girly girl myself. I also have a black lab puppy, who just turned 1 and 2 cats who are both 6, all of which are male. The only other female in our house is our guinea pig. I have one younger brother, who is a genius, and my parents and grandparents live near and are all important in our lives.

My whole life, or at least since I was able to read, I have been an avid reader. I have read so many books and am that person that will re-read a book 50 times and still enjoy it. I read all types of books, but mainly horror, thriller, suspense, mystery, supernatural and psychological thrillers. However, I have read other books outside of these categories and enjoyed them. I try not to limit myself and to keep an open mind because that is where the adventure begins.

After high school, I decided to go to college. I had always wanted to be a nurse, from the time I was a little girl, and it was still an interesting career field for me. So, I did attend nursing school and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Nursing and currently work as a Registered Nurse. I have always wanted to help people, and no matter where I find myself, or what I am doing, I always want to be able to find a way to help people.

I have always had a passion for writing, and remember filling a couple of notebooks with a vampire story I wrote in middle school. The notebooks have long since gone missing, which is a bummer because I really would like to look back on it now and see in detail what that first book was about. I have also written several poems which I have compiled into a book titled The Darkest Light and it is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats.

My recently released novel, Rabbit’s Feet is available on paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com. This book is the first in The Tempie Rosenthal Series, which is a horror fiction series involving the supernatural. I have just completed the first draft of the second book in this series and am working on the final edits before submitting it to my copy editor.

I have plans for a couple of other series and stand alone books and have notes all over in my notebooks. When I have an idea, I write it down, and as the idea progresses, I keep adding to it. I am excited and can’t wait to get some of these other series started, but for now, my focus is The Tempie Rosenthal Series. However, when I need a mental break from the current novel that I am writing, I work on some of my other writing projects.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Rabbit’s Feet, and is the first in my new horror fiction series, The Tempie Rosenthal Series. This book opens up the gateway to a whole new supernatural world that began developing in my head several years ago. I had an idea, and I talked to a good friend about it. This one thought quickly turned into a whole world with characters and places and I knew I had to get it out.

I decided that I would write a novel. It took on a life of its own and is much different today that it had originally been planned, but I am much happier with the end product. This world has led to ideas for at least a few more books in the series, and I am excited to put them on paper for everyone to enjoy.

To be honest, I am not sure that I can pinpoint exactly what inspired me, other than that I have always loved to read, and get lost in the world I was reading about, so when an idea and world began to develop in my head, I decided to do something with it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I typically write on my couch, laptop in my lap with my family playing video games or watching TV in the background. Unless, I am lucky enough to be writing after the children have gone to bed, then I write in silence. Probably the most unusual habit I have is while I have the laptop in my lap, usually there is also a 15lb cat in my lap between me and my laptop. It is a compromise, because it is that or he will lay on my laptop. So, most of the time I am reaching over the cat to type. Also, there are times when I just want to write, not type, so I will take a notebook and write out parts of my book, and then of course have to type them up.

I also do not like to edit on the computer. I like to see it on paper and feel that I catch more spelling errors and what not if I edit on paper vs. computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Not to be vague, but I think that every book I have ever read has provided influence in some manner. To see the creations of others, and the worlds that are developed into the detail and realistic nature that many books have, gives inspiration for the creation of your own world.

I have read everything from The Bell Jar, to RL Stine, Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton and 50 Shades of Grey, so I have a pretty vast pool of inspiration and admiration.

What are you working on now?
Right now I am editing the second book in The Tempie Rosenthal Series, and making the final tweaks to that manuscript before sending it to my copy editor. At the same time, I am also working on a short story series to release monthly on my blog. Also, I am always working on new ideas and updating ideas. I always have a notebook and pen with me…just in case. I am also working on promoting Rabbit’s Feet by hosting a giveaway for it on Goodreads.com, and just trying to connect with other people on social media sites.

It’s also summer, so I am trying to spend as much time outdoors with my family as I can before it becomes to cold to enjoy the outdoors.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
An effective brand and marketing campaign is the best when promoting your books. But, it is expensive, so I have found twitter, facebook and goodreads to be the most helpful. Goodreads has so many opportunities for authors that I am still learning all that they have to offer. You can do giveaways, sign up to have your book reviewed in it’s genre etc. There are so many resources it is merely a matter of finding them.

Finding websites such as this that will host author interviews or others such as the Independent Author Network, there are just so many out there. You will spend a lot of time on the computer searching, reading, researching, but there again, that is all part of the struggle of getting yourself and your novel out there, and in the hand of readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. I am sure that is what everyone says, but honestly writing is the most rewarding thing to do, but that does not come without a price of hard work, tired hands and arms, and frustrations. If something is frustrating you, put it aside for a night and return to it when you are calm. You will see so many rejection letters, you may begin to feel like your work sucks…but it doesn’t. Keep your head up and if you like your work…chances are that there are several other people out there that will too, you just haven’t found them yet.

Research online for the many resources that are available to the independent author and put aside money for marketing and design. In order to reach people, and to get your product known, you need an effective marketing campaign and a great brand. Marketing is expensive, so if you can put money aside for it, do it. Otherwise, look for free promotions, social media and other ways to try and reach people.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whether you are writing, creating, or designing, do it for you. Don’t write something that you think other people would want. Don’t write to fit in with the crowd. Write what you would like, and write about what you want to. If you always write for you and never worry about all those around you, you will never fail. Oh, and there is no such thing as bad publicity. Sometimes the worst review, or most negative comment will make the interest in your product soar. Thank you Andy S. Banks for the great advice.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I am not currently reading anything as most of my free time has been devoted to editing and writing. I have a few books on my waiting list, and when I am not too tired, I try to read for at least a few minutes before bed. I am a book lover though, not a huge fan of reading on an electronic device, but I am learning to adapt because my bookcase has been overflowing for a decade now. I have run out of storage! Those that I have already started the series in paperback though, I will have to finish out the series with paperbacks and not convert to electronic…at least not yet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I finish up the final stages of my second book, the next step will be to publish and release it on amazon. Once I have released my second book, I will begin writing the third book as I already have a rough outline started for it. I am also in the process of putting together a short story blog to publish on my website monthly. So many exciting things in the future and I enjoy every bit of it!

What is your favorite book of all time?
My favorite book of all time? This is really a difficult one to answer as I have so many. There are two series that really stand out for me from my childhood though, The Vampire Twins series by Janice Harrell and The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith. Those are two of my most favorite series which I have read a countless number of times.

Author Websites and Profiles
Trista Borgwardt Website
Trista Borgwardt Amazon Profile

Trista Borgwardt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve lived in the Boston area since 1979. When I first arrived, it was a rough transition for a young teen raised in the Midwest. That experience helped awaken my imagination and writing became an outlet. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I entered a writing contest and won second place.

Over the following years, writing became more of a hobby because I never had a lot of time to dedicate to it. I was much more interested in film directing and producing. I did some amateur film-shorts and dreamed of someday getting a call from Hollywood. That call never came (no surprise). Writing, on the other hand, was something I could always do without worrying about things like budgets, actors, or securing locations. There’s never any limit in my imagination. It’s like directing a movie with infinite resources.

My writing efforts intensified since I got laid-off from a company I worked at for over twenty years. While it’s been rough trying to find another job in this sour economy, I’ve had plenty of time to devote to writing. I’ve written and published three books so far: “Chasing Redemption,” “Dover Park,” & “The Juncture.” More are in the pipeline.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I released “The Juncture” in February 2013. The story is inspired by a couple of things. First, it’s loosely based on a high school I attended. My wife and I attended the same school, but not at the same time. She had already graduated by the time I transferred in as a junior. I’ve always wondered what it would’ve been like if we were in the same high school class together (let’s just say I’m quite happy we met years afterward instead).

Second, the notion of being able to travel back in time and change the future is something that has become a primary theme in many time travel stories/productions (particularly since “Back to the Future” in 1985). That’s one theme I wanted to explore with this book. Hint: My views run counter-culture.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sorry, but I’m probably a boring author when it comes to writing habits. Nothing unusual. All I need is my laptop and a cup of coffee.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I first got inspired to write a book after reading “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy.

There is also a quote from author CS Lewis that drives my writing: “The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature.” As a Christian, I understand how heavy-handed and preachy Christian authors can get. I’m personally not out to beat people over the head with my beliefs, but I just strive to write good stories that have a wide appeal. I like to weave virtuous principles and themes into my stories, but not in a way that’s overly moralizing. Hopefully, just a bit thought-provoking.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a couple of projects. One is a new thriller book series. The other is a follow-up to “Chasing Redemption.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t rely on only one method or website. It’s always best to adopt several.

For instance, book promo sites are everywhere and it’s easy to go crazy signing up for as many as you can find. However, I’ve found that maintaining them on an ongoing basis can be cumbersome. So, I try to pick out the sites with the best reach. Goodreads, Bookgoodies, Awesome Gang have been good. I recently discovered another great new site called “Hunt to Read,” which offers reader analytics (among other things). I’m always on the lookout for more, but not too many so I don’t lose track of them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This might sound a bit contentious, but I’d advise new authors to be careful how much time you spend around other authors. There’s certainly things to learn from experienced authors, but I’ve come to find it can quickly bring on a “fire-hose” effect of too much information. In fact, all things considered, other authors aren’t part of my target audience anyway. I’d rather spend more time interacting with readers. They’re the one who buy books, so they’re the ones we authors need to get feedback from.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing and stay away from imitating what other authors are doing. Try to be the author everyone else wants to copy.

What are you reading now?
I suppose this is the point where I should dazzle everyone with an impressive list of books I’m supposedly reading. To be honest, I’ve been way too busy writing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
That’s up to readers. If I can continue to build an audience, I have a future as an author.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I don’t have a single favorite, or haven’t found it yet.

Author Websites and Profiles
Bruce Fottler Website
Bruce Fottler Amazon Profile
Bruce Fottler Author Profile on Smashwords

Bruce Fottler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in an old Victorian home in Illinois, complete with a coach house, the same house I used as inspiration for my first two books. I earned my master’s degree from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and have obtained more than three decades of experience in corporate America. I am currently retired and reside in Chicago where I am working on my next novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, “Daughters” and is the sequel to my first book, “The Coach House.” Years before I started writing novels, I jotted down anything and everything I thought I could use in a storyline. It could have been from a conversation I overheard on an elevator, a line from a movie, something a co-worker said to me…anything. Then when I was ready to write, I retrieved those hundreds of scraps of paper, categorized them, and put them in piles. During this process, a story emerged.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual or not, but I can’t get into writing unless I have at least two hours of time to devote to it, and then after four hours, I need a break from it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I look up to Dennis Lehane and Nicholas Sparks–Lehane for his amazing ability to tell a compelling story and Sparks for his expert character development.

What are you working on now?
My current project, “Red Clover,” is a story of how a young man deals with weaknesses, frustrations and feelings of inadequacy, but more importantly, it bespeaks differing views on what defines success.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books on a variety of book promotion sites, in author interviews, on my own website, on Amazon.com, and BarnesandNobel.com. I also write articles, conduct free book promotions, participate in many on-line discussion groups for authors, and have an active Facebook author page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I devote most of my website to new authors–offering advice I wish I had received before I got started. But the most basic advice I have for aspiring writers is to read, read, and then read some more. Read books in your genre and keep notes on what made the book a good read or a not-so-good read. How well did you relate to the characters? Did the story keep you turning pages, and if so why? Is it a book you’ll remember reading a year from now? Learn from other author’s successes and failures.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If your passion is to write, don’t let anything stop you.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading “Raised by Committee” by Carollyne Haynes, a fellow indie author.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope what’s next for me as a writer is to publish more books. It’s my passion, and I will continue doing it as long as I can.

What is your favorite book of all time?
“The Same Kind of Different As Me” by Ron Hall and Denver Moore may be my all-time favorite book for the rest of my life. Based on true events, it is the story of a modern-day slave and an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who brought them together.

Author Websites and Profiles
Florence Osmund Website
Florence Osmund Amazon Profile

Florence Osmund’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a teacher of the Western Mystery Traditions and have been writing pieces most of my life, some published in alternative magazines.
I’m always studying something and at the moment am learning about the Druid Bards. I write poetry that is featured in my books.
It’s only now that I have found the confidence to put myself ‘out there’, in a serious way. I’m working toward self-sufficiency on a small farm and between work at my bookshop, reading and teaching centre, the farm and most important to me now, my writing, I keep busy. I have written three books in a series in the contemporary fantasy genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Silver’s Threads Book 3, Warp and Weft is the latest offering, shortly to be released. Inspired by Celtic mythology and from thoughts about ‘everything is now’ and so I began to see life as a huge tapestry, the threads linking all lives and all things as one.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I brew a story for a long time before putting pen to paper or fingers to key board and I dream a lot of the stories …it’s like watching a movie!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles de Lint has been my absolute inspiration. Josephine Pennicott, Juliette Marillier and Marion Zimmer-Bradley.

What are you working on now?
The last edit of Book 3 and the fourth in the Silver’s Threads series, Silken Web. I also have a non-fiction in the ‘cauldron’ too.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found my blog and facebook to be the most productive and am really keen to work more with my author page on Goodreads. I also have an author page with Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
…write, write, write …never give up and never let anyone change your voice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
…the above!

What are you reading now?
The Sword and the Kestrel by Shawna Reppert, a new author for me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As we all dream …to find a publisher to take on some of the heavy work. distribution, sales etc., although I guess I do love the autonomy of being an ‘Indie’ author.
I’m off to the UK in February next year and hope to find a readership there too.
I would love to run a workshop based on the philosophies of my books and I’m excited by some new ideas for a series. I want writing to be my full time job!

What is your favorite book of all time?
Hard question …I’m torn between Charles de Lint’s Greenmantle, Yarrow or Some Place to be flying! Don’t make me choose please!

Author Websites and Profiles
Penny Reilly Website
Penny Reilly Amazon Profile

Penny Reilly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a native of the Great Plains, having grown up on a farm in the Platte River Valley of western Nebraska. I love the wild beauty of the Plains and nearby Rocky Mountains–the too hot, too cold, too empty, too full of life extremes. Typically, the awesomely diverse and the awesomely stark are much the same, even as they are different. Although I have lived in Michigan, North Carolina, and British Columbia, the western plains, mountains, and desert are in my heart.

As my day job, for over thirty years I have been a faculty member and administrator in higher education. Teaching broadly in the liberal arts, including creative writing, my professional publications include educational materials, poems, and 29 short stories for young readers. I have been a member of SCBWI since 2003. The Wood Cow Chronicles, a series of middle-grade fantasy novels, is my first full-length novel.

As an author, I’m drawn to eccentric, unexpected characters: those who surprise because they hear a distant galaxy, see a different music, create their own fragrance rather than get hooked on a soundtrack; the child who has her own ideas about how the emperor is dressed; the lunatics and rebels who tell stories on the boundaries.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Helga: Out of Hedgelands, Volume One, of the Wood Cow Chronicles is my latest book.

One of the most important reasons I started writing children’s fantasy is that Virginia Hamilton’s fine collection of African-American folktales – The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985) – brought the meaning and power of fantasy alive for me in ways I had not previously appreciated.

The title story (which concludes the book) imagines slaves escaping the brutality of slavery by magical flight—soaring away over the heads of the Master and his Overseers. It is important to know, however, that what is really occurring in the story is that some of the slaves are remembering and recovering the magical ability to fly that had been theirs in Africa. The wings on which they had flown in Africa were lost during the Middle Passage and slavery ground that memory out of the people’s minds. It is the recovery of the magic that was always inside, but forgotten, that brings freedom to the “people who could fly.”

For me, this stimulated an important insight into the meaning and power of fantasy. Imagination is often the only tool we have in breaking through the barriers or chains that limit our possibilities. The main point of fantasy, I would suggest, is its liberating influence. When we rely on imagination to enter worlds or experiences that are not otherwise available to us, we gain access to an infinite range of degrees of freedom. Running on imagination, our minds and hearts are no longer bound by such “obvious” constraints as common sense, the speed of light, or prejudices of mind. Fantasy enables us to experiment with the infinite frontiers of what is possible and impossible, believable and unbelievable.

In the opening to her brief epilogue to the title story, Hamilton puts it this way:

“The People Could Fly” is one of the most extraordinary, moving tales in black folklore. It almost makes us believe that people could fly.

Ah! The story allows us to experiment with the possibility that people (slaves) who are seen by the Master to have no capacity for anything other than labor, may actually possess wondrous powers! In almost believing that people could fly, we open the door to seeing these same people in a very different perspective. Experimentation in the realm of imagination is dangerous business—tell the tales to enough people, and some folks may come to actually, truly believe the ‘impossible” is possible. What happens when folks forced to till the land under the crack of a whip begin to experiment with the idea that they might be able to fly? What happens when the Master’s own minions begin to experiment with the same idea? These are pathways that fantasy opens up for us.

Hamilton finishes the epilogue to “The People Could Fly” by expanding on the idea with which she began:

“The People Could Fly” is a detailed fantasy tale of suffering, of magic power exerted against the so-called Master and his underlings. Finally, it is a powerful testament to the millions of slaves who never had the opportunity to “fly” away. They remained slaves, as did their children. “The People Could Fly” was first told and retold by people who had only their imaginations to set them free.”

I take Hamilton’s central point to be that the most memorable and extraordinary fantasy tales are not merely entertaining flights of fancy or slight journeys into magical realms for the sake of passing time. The tales that leave a mark on us affect the way we look at the world so drastically that we never quite return to the way we used to see things. We gain new perspectives without which we can no longer explain the world.

Marston Bates once observed that, “The outstanding peculiarity of man is the great control of custom, of culture, over behavior.” His argument—the compelling argument of anthropologists and social scientists for generations—is that custom, learned habit, and cultural parameters typically set the limits of what we believe to be good, possible, true, lovely, beautiful, and believable. In most cases, throughout human history, progress has been possible—indeed, empowered by, the capacity to imagine worlds beyond what most people considered normal, natural, or consistent with common sense.

Fantasy, especially children’s fantasy, including the idea that cows should, indeed, be allowed to talk—and think—perhaps encourages us to wonder about many other creatures, people, and dimensions of thought that “common sense” keeps us from hearing and seeing. Possibly, we may even discover that there are cows within ourselves waiting to speak. Our capacity to hear things that are, in our “common sense” world, unheard and unheard of, is one of the degrees of freedom we can preserve for ourselves and offer to others. And, for children—kids of all ages—these degrees of freedom are precious and worth nurturing. That is why I write.

A natural relative of fantasy, and close collaborator, is the sense of humor and need to play that are part of human nature. Common sources of humor playfully set up situations, or create images, that strike us as absurd or unexpected. In this way, humor, like fantasy, encourages flexibility of mind. As we set up situations that are incongruous in light of the “givens” in our experience, we both laugh and have the opportunity to see things in fresh perspective.

When this humorous sensibility turns to symbols of power and authority, or highlights injustices or idiocies of leadership, a subversive possibility arises amidst the fun. Perhaps the given order of things is not “just so for always”—but might even be improved upon?

Essentially, humor is a matter of how we look, and re-look, at things we normally take for granted. When something we think we well understand is shown from an absurd angle, we often find it funny. In my own writing, I am drawn to the exuberant and boisterously absurd images that, in my experience, make a child laugh themselves silly.

All of the problems that haunt us today were created by people with a passionate desire to live in the world as they know it to be. In such a world, some laughter and fantasy may help us be a little less certain about what we know to be impossible. Simply put, Wood Cows think differently.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing space is actually in a small closet in our house–under a stairway, yes, like Harry Potter, but much smaller. The closet has just enough space for my portable laptop computer stand, my comfortable writing chair, and a collection of books and keepsakes I keep on a couple of shelves. The virtue of this somewhat unusual writing space is that I write with the closet door open and sit so that I have a wonderful view of the mountains. This arrangement allows me the pleasure of a fine view of the mountains, without having my writing clutter spread about in the main rooms of the house!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some genre writers I have most enjoyed include JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling, Roald Dahl, Cathrynne Valente, Susanna Clarke, and Brian Jacques. In the background, behind those apparent influences, lies the fact that I cut my teeth on Dr. Seuss and other silly picture books and later became a great fan of Calvin and Hobbes and the Far Side comics. Those influences emphasized the power of humor and taught me the importance of imagery and visual absurdity as part of storytelling. Additional influences include writers whose works taught me to appreciate the power of the absurd in storytelling. These include some classics like Don Quixote, as well as the works of Dickens, Dostoyevsky, Kurt Vonnegut, and Art Spiegelman.

Beyond authors, my writing draws energy from the music of the US Civil Rights Era. I also rely on some places that offer compelling natural or social settings that inspire the strong imagry of my stories. Some of those places can be found on my blog at the following link: http://blog.woodcowbooks.com/2012/11/16/places-that-inspire-the-wood-cow-chronicles/

What are you working on now?
I am currently completing Volume Two of the Wood Cow Chronicles series, which will be released in Fall 2013.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The Amazon KDP Select program has been a very useful piece of my promotion strategy. The Free Days offered through KDP Select have been an essential, but not sufficient means of introducing new readers to my work. I have reached the Top 10 on the Kindle Free list every time my book has been free, and have reached #1 twice and #2 once in the last three Free Day segments. It’s hard to imagine how I would have made as much promotional progress as I have without participating in KDP Select.

Beyond that, it should also be said that simply scheduling KDP Select Free Days is not sufficient. You must also post to as many Free Day listing sites as possible, especially those with wide followings; develop a credible social media presence on at least a few of the key platforms (I especially like Twitter as a place to start); and develop a clear, do-able long-term promotional strategy, with associated actions, that takes you month-by-month through the year. A new author needs to have an absolute minimum of one promotional action/event each month. Thinking strategically over at least a year helps an author to plan the workload and manage costs most efficiently. Obviously, the author is monitoring the results of the plan as it is implemented and making adjustments based on what is being learned. However, although adjustments to a plan are always needed in light of results, having a basic plan which provides an overall framework of action is much more effective than throwing a series of promotional actions at the wall to see what sticks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is work. Results come from that work. There is no shortcut. Start writing and calibrate your writing to the amount of ADDITIONAL work you can handle in your life. Don’t expect to be able to simply begin writing, and then promoting your work, within the normal flow of your life. If you already have a full-time job and a family, as I did when I began, and do now, think of writing as a second job you have taken on. That is really what it is. It may be a great and wonderful second job, as I think it is, but, nonetheless, it is a second job. I think it’s good to frame writing in this way because, just as I must structure my life to effectively complete my other responsibilities, realizing I have a second job also helps me to attend to my duties with that. All of this is just to repeat my opening thought: Writing is work. Results come from that work. There is no shortcut.

The other piece of advice I would offer is to keep the focus on continuing to learn daily. Most of what I have learned about writing, that has really helped me to progress, I have learned from others. Much of that learning has come from the myriad of amazing writers and bloggers who now populate the internet. One of the reasons I have found Twitter so helpful is that you can identify some key bloggers or other creative professionals who serve up helpful information every day. It is easy to set up a list of people who have strong track records or perspectives that keep my thinking fresh, and quickly scroll through the combined Twitter feeds of these folks each day. Pick out the gems as you scroll to investigate more deeply, and you have a constant stream of new ideas, perspectives, tips, and advice to keep you learning. There are other ways to get such input, but I’ve found that drinking a cup of coffee while I scroll through the posts from my selected list of Tweeters usually puts at least a few new ideas in my head each day.

Of course, the other reason to use Twitter is that it provides a great way to build relationships and connections that helps me get the word out about my writing. That is important and I do put a lot of effort into that part as well. But, in my view, as a writer, I’m only as good and successful as my capacity to keep learning at the cutting edge of whatever I’m working on. In this day and age, finding my own personalized way to reliably sift gems out of the general stream of internet chatter has been an invaluable tool.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My mother, who grew up in the depths of the Great Depression, always told me, “Get a good education. It’s the one thing that no one can ever take away from you. You can lose everything else in life, but education stays with you forever.” That was the best advice I ever heard. Education has been the doorway to so many wonders in my life, including writing.

What are you reading now?
I am both a creative writer and a social scientist. So, my reading is wide-ranging, spanning novels and graphic novels, classic literature, children’s stories and novels, as well as history and scholarly works.

I just this morning finished Freedom Papers: An Atlantic Odyssey in the Age of Emancipation, by Rebecca Scott and Jean Hebrard. Freedom Papers is the wonderfully written, moving, and altogether engrossing story of a single family’s odyssey over nearly 250 years. The story begins with Rosalie, an African woman sold into slavery, through successive movements of her and the later family through Haiti, Cuba, New Orleans, Mexico, France, and Belgium.

This astonishing story of one family’s unending commitment and struggle, over two centuries, to gain security, freedom, social standing, and dignity will help you see the issues of race and freedom in a much richer, deeper, and entirely human way. The book is simply a tour de force. Highly recommended.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be releasing Volume Two of the Wood Cow Chronicles this Fall. Fans can look forward to seeing some of their favorite characters from Volume One return and, also, they will be surprised to see how some minor characters and subplots from Volume One turn out to have immense significance to the story that unfolds in the new novel.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I like books in the way I like colors. I really, honestly don’t have a particular favorite. In a flower garden, if all the flowers are alike in shape, species, and color, my eye finds that much less interesting and delightful than if the flowers are many-colored and diverse. The variety lends greater interest. Just as I find a flower garden, with a variety of the diverse colors and types mingling together, a delightful experience, I approach books in a similar way. Many types, genres, perspectives, and styles of story-telling give me the greatest enjoyment.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rick Johnson Website
Rick Johnson Amazon Profile

Rick Johnson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just hit the publish button yesterday on a horror anthology, “Midnight Guests and Other Weird Stories”. My first two books were poetry books. They total 151 poems and I can’t believe that number when I hear it. But somehow, I cranked them out. The only other book I wrote was an Arabic guidebook. I live in sunny Arizona, love to go hiking and am interested in herbals.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Midnight Guests and Other Weird Stories” was inspired by my love of Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. Rod Serling is underrated in today’s crappy television world. Some of his stories were cautionary tales, much like fables. I wrote two cautionary tales for my book, however, they are thoroughly modern. One is about texting and driving, the other is about the power of our harsh words.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yea, I write in the nude. It’s so comfortable. When you start doing it, you’re inclined to walk around nude more often plus it’s freakin’ hot here.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Before I started this horror anthology, I read a lot of Lovecraft for inspiration. Everybody points out The Call of Cthulu but I couldn’t get into that story. I seem to like the overlooked stories, like The Music of Eric Zahn, Dagon and The White Ship. I like them because they’re so different, I guess. Also, I couldn’t finish Herbert West: Reanimator because the length took away from his art of storytelling. But all his short stuff packed a punch.

What are you working on now?
Everytime I hit publish, I take a vacation for three months. I guess it’s like being a teacher. Oh, but I have plans. I want to read “Weirder than Weird”, an indie book by Francis Burger. It sounds really good. I want to go hiking (when it cools down), watch some new movies, go to some restaurants I’ve never been to like the Haji-Baba and return to my research on the Voynich Manuscript.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My free website through Weebly rocks and gets a lot of traffic. I have a YouTube account and my website is found on my channel page. This is going to sound strange but I also have a Yelp account with about 100 reviews and on the sidebar, I included my website (why the heck not?) and I used the picture collage to put in a thumbnail of all 4 of my books. Yelp has a view count so I know over 1,000 people have looked at my profile.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Ignore all the cynical people. Before you pick up a pen, have a complete vision of your book. Don’t waste time with traditional publishers. And PLEASE help the rest of us indie authors by completely editing your book. It makes the rest of us look better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read. Figure out what you like or don’t like about what you read. Set aside dedicated space in your living quarters for writing.

What are you reading now?
The Arabian Nights translated by Sir Richard Burton.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I have an idea for something that’s fits squarely in the ambiguous literary fiction genre. Having said that, I don’t really want to let on too much.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Shining

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Michelle Mosier Website
Amy Michelle Mosier Amazon Profile

Amy Michelle Mosier’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 11 books so far, and am currently working on another one. I love writing because it’s a way to communicate the things that are really important to me without being “preachy.” I also love to read, hike, and bike, which adds balance to all the time I spend sitting in my chair writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a mystery called Summerville. It’s about a woman who wakes up unconscious in an abandoned house next to a man she’s never met – and so begins her quest to unravel the mysteries of Summerville. It’s very different than my usual books, but hopefully conveys the same passion and characterization.

I’ve always wanted to write a mystery, since that’s my favorite thing to read. Researching and working on it was the most work I’ve ever done, but it was very satisfying.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My best writing time is right away in the morning when I’m still in my pajamas. I sit in a big easy chair with my laptop and type away as I drink large volumes of tea. It’s the best job ever!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A 19th-century author named George MacDonald was a huge influence on me. I loved the way he modeled a good life through his books. And his characters were so vivid that I felt I knew them. I’ve had many favorite books over the years, but his were the most powerful to me.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to my children’s fantasy, The Crumbling Brick. Fantasies are such fun to write. I can say important things that would sound silly in a contemporary novel. It’s also great to let my imagination run wild.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This one! I also use bookbub.com and the author marketing network.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make your book free as often as possible. It’s one of the few ways we have of making ourselves known.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing! Having more than one book is the best way to continue to sell books.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading an 11th-century Welsh mystery by Sarah Woodbury. I love her books – such fun! I’m working my way through all of them.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I love to challenge myself to try genres I haven’t yet tackled. I may do a time travel next!

What is your favorite book of all time?
I have to choose one? That’s very hard, but I guess I’ll have to choose the one that made me want to be a writer: A Quiet Neighborhood by George MacDonald.

Author Websites and Profiles
JoHannah Reardon Website
JoHannah Reardon Amazon Profile

JoHannah Reardon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Sydney, Australia in an apartment my partner named ‘Sabrina’. This is not too unusual. We’ve had a vacuum cleaner named Zsa Zsa and various cars named, Darko, Dillon and Dallas.

We also have a passion for community media, producing a weekly music and talk show called ‘The Rhythm Divine’ for Koori Radio. Our show has been on air since 2004, originally on Saturday evenings but moving to Fridays in 2012 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rhythm-Divine/267773806939)

At the moment I’m still working on my second book, but my first is out through Cambridge Press US (http://www.cambridgepress.us/drama_queens.html). It’s called ‘Drama Queens with Love Scenes’ and was originally self-published for three months before my new publisher asked for three months of rewrites.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Drama Queens with Love Scenes’

About ten years ago I started writing a story about actors in the Afterlife, putting on plays that mirrored situations that they left unresolved in real life. Back then I called it ‘Staging Life’ and was probably inspired by programs like ‘Six Feet Under’ at the time.

But after my first assessment I changed the title (on my assessor’s advice) as well as the plot line.

There are still themes of unfinished business, but it turned into a comic tale of lost romance and self-growth. Or as I call it ‘a fun tale of desire and dead people’.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I wrote the first novel, I burned an orange scented candle. Someone told me it was good for freeing up the imagination. I’ll let my readers judge whether it was successful or not.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are books I’ve loved such as ‘1984’ by George Orwell or some of Patricia Highsmith’s Mr Ripley series. But as for influences, I’d say Jonathan Tropper and Joe Keenan.

My assessor put me on to Joe Keenan after my first draft, because the main character in his three novels to date is sometimes inappropriate. She wanted me to ‘turn up the ‘tude’ on my main character as well. If you haven’t read his novels (but love the his writing on the third season of Desperate Housewives), do yourself a favour and read them. They’re pure magic.

My other influence is Jonathan Tropper. He usually writes in first person with main characters who deal with unrequited love and grieving. But his style is comedic with very honest observations about the human condition.

What are you working on now?
At the moment I’m working on ‘Drama Queens with Adult Themes’.

Eventually I’ll finish ‘Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes’ of which several chapters have been written and there’s plenty of notes written down.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning about promotion, even though I’ve done plenty of it.

My website is http://kevinklehr.com – Take a look and offer suggestions for promoting.

It also helps to have the time to promote and reach people personally (not spamming them). But real life can get in the way. Still trying to balance both.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Something odd happens to me when I leave my laptop during a writing day. I’ll go and hang out the laundry or make lunch, and my head will fill with new plot twists or great dialogue.

Don’t ask me why, but leaving my writing momentarily puts me in a different mindset, allowing other ideas to surface.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you think your manuscript is ready to send out to publishers, put it away for three months.

After three months, print it out in a different font and read it somewhere you wouldn’t normally read it (at the beach, a park etc)

You will see instantly what works and what needs to be fixed. I can’t stress this enough.

What are you reading now?
‘How Fiction Works’ by James Wood.

Next I want to read ‘Adventures in Correspondantland’ by Nick Bryant which I picked up for two dollars at a book sale. My partner who isn’t really a reader, couldn’t put it down. That’s a sign of a good book.

I also have to finish Jonathan Tropper’s ‘One Last Thing Before I Go’.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m up to the final chapters of my second novel (which will have to be reviewed by me later down the track before I send it out)

I also have to finish a short story about Guy the Angel, of which the first part is free from my website – http://kevinklehr.com/free-stuff/

What is your favorite book of all time?
‘Jasper Jones’ by Clive Silvey.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kevin Klehr Website
Kevin Klehr Amazon Profile

Kevin Klehr’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account