Awesome Author Interviews

Interview With Author Breanna Churchill

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello,
My name is Breanna Churchill. I am a wife to one wonderful husband, mommy to two adventurous boys, an early childhood author, and educator. One of my missions in life is to empower, educate, encourage, and inspire parents/guardians and educators of young children. In addition to creating lesson plans and early childhood content, I have written three children’s books “My First ABC Transportation Book”, “Whoosh! It’s the Weather Book for Young Children”, and ” The Little Bird Who Wanted to Fly”.

Breanna Churchill is the wife of Fabian Churchill. Together they have two adventurous boys. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood with a concentration in Child and Family Services. Her professional experience includes working as a teacher, child-care director, tutor, and family/community service worker.

Breanna is now a full-time home educator, Sunday school teacher, author of children’s books, and founder of The Brown Bear Book Club. The club empowers parents/guardians and educators with book ideas, activities, tools, and tips for young children.

Parents/guardians and educators can stay connected with her latest book releases, early childhood resources, or YouTube videos by joining the club for free at www.brownbearbookclub.com.

Breanna believes wholeheartedly in the scripture, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is called “The Little Bird Who Wanted to Fly”. It is a modern-day classic that teaches young children about patience and perseverance.
It was originally inspired by a field trip I took with my children to a pet store. While we were there, I noticed a little bird who was flapping profusely. I asked the worker, what was going on with him. Why was he is flapping like that? And she told me that they trim their feathers so they cannot fly. Afterward, I was inspired. I thought “how frustrating it must be to be born to do something and not be able to do it.
It is story that takes young readers on a journey of learning how to keep trying, persevere through challenges, and trust that everything has a right time (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I never really now when the inspiration will hit but when it does, I grab the quickest pen and sometimes napkin to jot it down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my favorite authors are Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, God (Bible), Denise Fleming.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on a rough draft of a story called: Joshua and The Great Balloon Party”. It is still in the idea stage.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
YouTube and email list

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Pray, write, take a walk. Don’t force let the inspiration come naturally. Also, think about what key concepts does your reader want or need.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Worrying will not change anything, prayer can change everything.

What are you reading now?
A Mom After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

What’s next for you as a writer?
Scheduling readings, interviews, and consultations

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?
Bible, Some type of survival guide, Good Morning Holy Spirit

Author Websites and Profiles

Breanna Churchill Website

Breanna Churchill Amazon Profile

Breanna Churchill’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Cherie Burbach

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an artist and writer. I worked for over a decade as a freelance writer for various publications and now I work as a full-time artist, selling my artsy goods at shops and galleries throughout the Midwest. I’ve written over a dozen nonfiction and poetry books, and just recently released my first fiction work.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called “The Space Between Dreaming” about two women who are holding on so tightly to a certain vision of their future that they’re missing out on happiness in their life. Despite their different ages and the circumstances they are each struggling with, they become friends. A painting created by the husband of one of the women also plays a key role in helping them see their own version of a new future.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope. I devote an hour here and there most days. It’s part of my overall creative practice and is an important part of my life. “Habit” is the key word in that question. You need to do it regularly if you’re going to be a writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m most influenced by poets (Mary Oliver and Maya Angelou especially) but I also adore Elinor Lipman, Lawrence Block, Pearl Buck, and Willa Cather. I read widely and appreciate a variety of works.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got another novel in the works and a couple nonfiction works.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve always found social media to be the best to communicate new releases and info about my books. I send a regular newsletter that talks about exhibits I’m in or new products I’ve designed.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story only you can write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Neil Gaiman, who basically said on some days the writing will flow easily and on some it won’t, but when you sit down to read it later you aren’t going to remember which words came from which days. The point being, it’s the discipline of doing the work that makes you a writer.

What are you reading now?
Lawrence Block’s “The Burglar Who Met Fredric Brown” and “How to Inhabit Time” by James K. A. Smith.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I write whether I publish or not, so just writing regularly is enough of a blessing for me.

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, Devotions (Mary Oliver), and The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran).

Author Websites and Profiles

Cherie Burbach Website

Cherie Burbach Amazon Profile

Cherie Burbach’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Pinterest Account

Interview With Author Mark Rayner

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Human-shaped, monkey-loving, robot-fighting, pirate-hearted, storytelling junkie, Mark is an award-winning author of satire and speculative fiction. He’s published five novels and a collection of short fiction, though like many writers, he’s written a lot more than that.

The awards? The Fatness won an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Humor (silver) and an IRDC Discovery Award for Best Humor. The Fridgularity also won an IRDC Discovery Award for Best Humor, and his most recent novel, Alpha Max, won an IRDC Discovery Award for Best Cover (Fiction).

He writes in the genres of science fiction, humorous SF and dark comedy. When not working on the next novel, he pens short stories, squibs and other drivel. (Some pure, and some quite tainted with meaning.)

He does all of these thing while being Canadian and owning cats.

When not being snarky, he teaches at Western University, in several programs offered by the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Alpha Max: An Existential Romp through an Absurd Multiverse

Maximilian Tundra — the titular Max — is a recurring character in four of my books, and I wanted to focus a book on him. And then it occurred to me, that Max is always slightly different in each book and I needed to explain why. That’s how it became a multiverse book. I should note that I wrote this, and published it, long before Everything Everywhere All at Once was released.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does pantsing it in the garden count?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Here’s a short list: Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, Tom Robbins, Tom Stoppard, Douglas Adams, Christopher Moore, Shakespeare, Chuck Palahniuk, Robertson Davies, Terry Pratchett, Ursula K. Le Guin.

Vonnegut is my literary hero, though I also love a lot of what Douglas Adams did in his career!

What are you working on now?
A new direction, really. I’m working on a set of trilogies (yes, you read that right, I said said because I’m not sure if it’s more than three trilogies yet) that looks at themes of climate change, colonialism & existentialism (I guess that last one’s not new). They’re set on Earth, but in this version, humans have genetically goosed mental powers, called talents. Mostly, my hope is they’re just ripping good adventure stories, but there’s a point to them too.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think newsletters are key.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do it! Seriously, becoming a writer is like having homework until you die. But if you must, then I recommend reading EVERYTHING!

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

What are you reading now?
Ooo. I’ve just started a book called The Color of Light by William Goldman. The author of The Princess Bride, and a number of my fave movies, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Launching the new series of books, using a pen name. I’m excited to see how a restart like that is going to go!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I know this isn’t the spirit of the thing, but I’d definitely take some survival manuals and probably something about bush medicine, so that being stranded is less likely to end in my demise. There’s actually a chapter about this in my new book, Alpha Max, so I have given it some thought. In terms of reading material, something long that I like to reread, such as The Lord of the Rings, the HHGTG series (one book in an omnibus), and so on!

Author Websites and Profiles

Mark Rayner Website

Mark Rayner Amazon Profile

Mark Rayner Author Profile on Smashwords

Mark Rayner’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Roxana C

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a self publisher. This is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
ADHD and Emotional Intelligence: Positive Parenting Techniques to Use When Raising an Explosive Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
My experience.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Self Help books

What are you working on now?
My audiobook

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on finding out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not really, I consider myself one.

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

What are you reading now?
Some research about my topic.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Second book

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I am not the type of person that limits myself to a number.

Author Websites and Profiles

Roxana C Amazon Profile

Roxana C’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author Laura DeNooyer

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Midwestern gal, born and raised in Michigan, now in Wisconsin with my husband. But my spirit of adventure has taken me on some wild rides elsewhere: bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, white water rafting in Tennessee, hiking the Appalachian trail, and snorkeling with stingrays in Belize.

After decades of parenting, teaching, and tutoring, I now enjoy visiting my four adult children who are spread all over. Thus, I indulge in a road trip once or twice a year. Karaoke works best when driving alone and singing to an audience of one. Constantly seeking story inspirations and learning something new, I stay with friends along the way.

Writing stories has always been a passion of mine. It had to take a back burner during decades of teaching and raising a family. But now I’m going full steam ahead with various novel manuscripts that are ready to find a publishing home. “All That Is Hidden” is my first published novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
During college decades ago, my professor took a group of education majors to southern Appalachia, close to the Smokies. As we met people and explored the area, I was struck by the number of people who created meaningful lives by a route much different from those seeking the prosperity of “The American Dream” that I’d grown up with as the granddaughter of a self-made businessman. Even with humble surroundings, meager possessions, and simple goals, these people enjoyed rich lives, and missed out on nothing.

Moved by this experience, I wrote an award-winning story about it when I returned home. Then, over the next fifteen years of researching and revising (between working and parenting), I expanded it into a novel.

“All That Is Hidden” was born with the help of my writers critique group. I consider it my fifth child.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably nothing unusual, but I drink a lot of fruity tea with lemon while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“To Kill A Mockingbird” (Harper Lee) is my all-time favorite and encompasses everything I love about good fiction: a multi-layered story with depth, complex characters and family dynamics, and complicated relationships. I love stories that address tough issues, but also embrace hope.

What are you working on now?
I usually have several projects happening all at once. That includes brainstorming new ideas by composing a rough draft, revising other drafts at various stages, working on new blog posts that feature authors and their novels, marketing, networking, and exploring publishing options.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website showcases my books, but my blog features novels from a variety of authors. Check it out here: https://lauradenooyer-author.com.
Sign up for my monthly newsletter for writing updates, freebies, giveaways, and more. I’ll send you a free prequel to my novel: www.StandoutStoriesNewsletter.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Join a writers group that will both stretch and encourage you. Improvement is in the revising, accountability, and teachability.

Attend writers conferences to learn and to meet other writers. Make connections. We need each other. And we have much to learn.

Read, read, read! Read books in your genre. Read like a writer, not just a reader. Dissect each novel. What makes it tick? What techniques does the author use? What works? What doesn’t?

If you’re drawn to writing like bees to nectar, then persevere. Even if your road to publication is long and rocky, keep writing. If God has given you that desire and some raw talent, cultivate the gift, for it pleases Him. He’s the ultimate Creator and Storyteller, and He made us in His image. He delights in our creativity.

The joy is in the journey. Perseverance and passion are everything, and will get you through the rough patches.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As far as writing advice goes, write according to your passion without comparing your success (or lack of it) to other writers. Every writer has her own journey. Comparisons and envy only weigh you down.

What are you reading now?
I usually have 2 or 3 books going at a time—a non-fiction plus 1 or 2 novels. I’m currently reading “The Body Keeps the Score” (non-fiction), “Pride and Prejudice” (an old classic), and “Whose Waves These Are” (historical fiction by Amanda Dykes).

What’s next for you as a writer?
Plenty! I have many irons in the fire, including finished manuscripts. Some have won awards. My time is split between writing, marketing, and seeking the right publisher. Sign up for my monthly newsletter for writing updates, freebies, giveaways, and more. I’ll send you a free prequel to my novel: www.StandoutStoriesNewsletter.com.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I’m only allowed a few books, I would pick really long ones! Besides the Bible, I’d take old classics, like Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Great Expectations.

Author Websites and Profiles

Laura DeNooyer Website

Laura DeNooyer Amazon Profile

Laura DeNooyer’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author Will Astrike

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m retired, living in Oregon with my wife who’s also retired. We have two grown children who have careers of their own, and we are finally pursuing our avocations and hobbies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is titled AMOS GETTING, A Life on the American Frontier, and it tells the story of a man born in 1819 of a French Trapper and his mother Canadian Cree. He is raised for thirteen years as a Brule and the story is about the times of his life, the events he encountered and battles he survived throughout his time in the nineteenth century.

It was certainly a labor of love creating Amos and living with him, the research for the book in general was exhaustive. The details make the story, in my opinion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write usually early in the morning and late at night, curiously enough. But I have no real set schedule. Most of my writing requires a good deal of historical research but that’s one of the aspects of creative writing that I enjoy most.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
McMurtry, Elmer Kelton, Elmore Leonard’s work, the westerns of course but he is a master of written dialog. I also enjoy Robert B. Parkers western series and his mysteries in general.
I’ve read Louie Lamour and Zane Gray of course, but the more recent writers are my favorites. I also love the seafaring stories of Patrick O’Brien, though they have little to do with my particular focus group…I try to work him in here and there when it fits.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the fifth book in the Frank Bass series, called slaughter. The basis of the story is rooted in the Annihilator killings in Austin in 1886, though my story varies considerably in detail…the story is fiction after all.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I sell everything through Amazon’s Kindle Publishing and frankly I’m quite happy with their marketing programs. The finished product is every bit as good as any “imprint publisher” and I don’t have to worry about sacrificing the rights to my work.

At some point I’d like to write a screenplay of one of the Bass stories but that’s a ways down the line.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay true to your interests and you’ll improve a little with each effort. And also the old one “If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life”

What are you reading now?
James Fenimore Cooper, I love the language. Though when I’m writing I usually don’t read. I suppose the research for the story is my reading. For example, I read Uncle Tom’s Cabin for some background when writing Amos Getting. It’s an amazing book, I think I read it was second in sales only to the bible in the the 1850’s, and was very influential in the Emancipation Movement in the north that led to the Civil War.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably Larry McMurtry and Elmore Leonard…anything. The Berrybender Narratives jumps to mind. It’s been several years since I read any of them.

Author Websites and Profiles

Will Astrike Amazon Profile

Will Astrike’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

 

Interview With Author C. R. BUCHANAN

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date, I have written eight novels, though, I only started releasing them recently. I wanted to ensure continual releasing for the 20 books I have planned before going public with them.
My fascination with writing was piqued in middle school after I won a writing contest for a 10-page story entitled, “Attack of the killer croutons from a planet somewhere near Mars!” Later in life, I plunged myself headfirst into the world of acting but never put the pen down. I have since penned multiple feature films, budded into a novelist, and won Best Supporting Actor at The International Film Festival in Madrid, Spain.

On another note: I’m also a seasoned script editor, story editor, former professional fighter, and a bit of a goofball.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Tower was my latest release. It was inspired by a John Lewis story that is now in early pre-production to be a feature film. It’s initial inception, I think, came from John Lewis’ background as a professional fighter and love of Sci-Fi.

The forward in that one was actually written by a Hollywood director. So, that’s pretty cool. At least, to me it is.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in 15 to 30min spurts and distract myself for a short period. Averaging about 2,000 words per hours, this keeps me focused for 2,000 to 5,000 words a day. Though, I do have lows of 800 and highs of 7,000+, depending on how busy or motivated I am.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t think anyone influenced me. I like many authors from King, to Koontz, to Rowling, to Cline and everyone in between. As long as it’s done well withing its genre, I am on board.
Honestly, I have read more nonfiction than I have anything else.

What are you working on now?
My current work in progress is a stack of books making up a single storyline entitled, The Uncharted Horizon’s Serial. This story was inspired by its original premise, on in which my writing partner, Jason Diamond, initially laid the groundwork for. We simply expanded it off his initial idea and concept.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a stacked promo being implemented in Feb. for The Tower and Binary, and it will involve many sources.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, grow thick skin, follow your instinct, and follow my blog on GoodReads… where there will be a ton about the craft and how to make it.
Also, practice your typing. Get faster. Period.

How to juggle multiple writing projects at the same time.
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/23330174-1-how-to-juggle-writing-multiple-projects-at-the-same-time

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The First Draft of Anything Is Shit.”
~:Ernest Hemingway:~

Believe it. Accept it. Live by it.

What are you reading now?
Adrian Tchaikovshy’s “Shards of Earth”

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on putting out 6+ novels a year. At least, that’s the goal.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island, my perspective might change, and I’d answer along the lines of…
Well, I’d have to research, but most likely books about surviving on your own in the wildreweness.

Author Websites and Profiles

C. R. BUCHANAN Website

C. R. BUCHANAN Amazon Profile

C. R. BUCHANAN’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Twitter Account

Interview With Author John Wells III

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is John Wells III. I love long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners— Okay, I am only joking—Well, not about the long walks on the beach… Or the dinners, actually.

I am the award-winning Author of The Last Angel Warrior (Feathered Quill Award; Best Books Award), The Heir of Ambrose (Global E-book Award, Gold Medalist), and The Invisible City (Coming this spring). I have also written two short stories, The Forbidden World and They Call Him Destroyer. I am a San Diego Native, so naturally, I love the beach and would probably go to questionable lengths for a taco.

I am a self-proclaimed nerd with a wild imagination. I love fantasy and the supernatural. And telling stories in all formats: books, plays, movies, etc. I have been obsessed with fantasy since grade school when I had a difficult conversation with my parents about dreams and expectations. They told me that becoming a superhero when I grow up is not an obtainable goal (I’m still not convinced).

Since graduating college, I have worked full-time in live theatre, public speaking, and education. And when I am not writing, I speak in school assemblies, visit writing conventions, and try to resist eating too many sweets. I have not been successful, but one can hope.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the third of the Kalib Andrews Chronicles, The Invisible City, expected this spring.

Considering it is the third in the series, the inspiration came from the proceeding books. However, I am especially excited about this book; I believe it will be the book that defines the series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
An unusual writing habit that I have recently adopted is a simple one. Just keep writing. I know that is something that people say often, but now I have forced myself, during my first draft, not to stop to think. Just type, and if I get stuck on a technical aspect, I summarize what I think should happen in the scene, but I will not stop to work it out. Not during the first draft, this helps me get the draft on the page, and when I go back during my second re-write, I know where the story is going and what the scene needs in order to push the story toward the end.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Loaded question alert. There are two tiers to this question. First authors that have influenced me. Then the people in my personal life who have influenced me. As a kid, I was influenced by J.K. Rowling, as were many who are of my age group. Then I discovered Rick Riordan, and with Rick, who is now my favorite author, it was a slow burn. It wasn’t until I started to see how he truly tried to represent everyone in his writing that I really started to respect the guy, don’t get me wrong, I always liked his books, but this added element brought him over the top for me. I was also influenced by Sherlynn Kenyon and her Chronicles of Nick Series. And a few honorable mentions: K.A. Applegate, without whom I would never have started reading. C.S. Lewis, Ted Dekker, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

There are also people in my personal life that have influenced my love of writing. Let’s start from the very beginning. My mother! She used to read stories to me, and I always loved how she acted out the characters. I remember specifically reading George Orwells Animal Farm with her and having intense intellectual debates after each chapter.

An English Major herself, my mother always had very high standards for me and my sister. I always joked that she was trying to raise a genius and failed. When I was in high school, she forced me to take these extracurricular classes that no one had to take, like logic and foundations of government, and this one class called Inklings. The original Inklings was an informal literary discussion group composed of literary enthusiasts who praised the value of narrative in fiction and encouraged fantasy writing. The most notable members of this group were C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams.

My mother made me take THIS course. I am uncertain what she wanted to get out of it, but she forced me to take it, and I was expected to read a different book a week and write a five-hundred-word reflection paper due on the teacher’s desk at the top of each week. Well, one day, my teacher, Mr. Anderson, pulled me aside and asked me if I had actually done the reading. I hadn’t. I used Sparknotes and wrote my reflection paper on that.

“I don’t want to spend my time reading someone else’s work,” I complained. “I just want to write my own!”

And his response was the impetus that sent me on my writing journey; he said, “John, you will never be a good author if, at first, you don’t read.”

Something so simple. Something so obvious. But his admonishment changed my life. Anyway, that was a long-winded way to say a lot of authors have influenced me for different reasons. But Rick Riordan has influenced my style the most. Also, I recently discovered Adam Silvera and have much respect for his writing.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the final drafts and rewrites of the Invisible City. And then I might push out another Short Story before diving into Book 4.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still discovering this. Right now, I have a Facebook ad. And TikTok has been great for getting exposure. I am excited to try Awesome Gang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Let go of perfection and just keep writing! It is the most basic advice you can receive but the easiest to forget. Don’t edit while you are writing. Let go of the need for the first draft to be “good” it doesn’t have to be good; that’s not the purpose of the first draft. The purpose of the first draft is to get the story out of your head and onto paper. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. So just get the story out of you. True magic is made during the rewrite, but before you can uncover those hidden jewels, you must first write the story. So write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That’s a good question! I am not sure. I have received so much advice in the past four years that I think most of what I do is based on the advice that I’ve received. I guess the most prevalent one for me was what I said above. Just keep writing. When I was able to let go of perfectionism, I found a freedom that I hadn’t known before.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Spare, by Prince Harry. It was a book that I really enjoyed.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I believe that I will be in the Kalibverse for a very long time. I have so many stories to tell in this world. And I can’t wait to share them all with you.

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 take the New Nico Di’Angelo series Rick Riordan just released. I am very interested in seeing how those stories develop.

Probably the Heroes of Olympus

Infinity Reaper by Adam Silvera

And Spare by Prince Harry, (I just want to read it again.)

Author Websites and Profiles

John Wells III Website

John Wells III Amazon Profile

John Wells III’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

 

Interview With Author Jo Williams

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author that comes from a very small town I’m hoping to write my way out of. So, this is my first attempt at doing so.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first) book is called “The Bright Colors of Despair.” It is a compilation of poems inspired by my life, how I view it, and the consequences of my dismal outlook on life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual thing that happens while I write is that when I get inspired- I get entire poems in my head as if I’m some kind of printer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am very influenced by folks like Edgar Allan Poe, and Dante Alighieri.

What are you working on now?
Uhhh-well, I’m kind of trying to see if this first book goes anywhere at all before I start on a new project; as the writing process was kind of a lot.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know. I have a fresh Twitter and a Fresh Reddit (sort of.) I don’t particularly know what I’m doing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
While it new myself-I can say that the biggest thing I can say from this fresh experience is that it’s important to set expectations accordingly. If you want your book to be finished in 4 weeks, know that that means it’ll problaby be done in eight to ten.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That if something is not working. Don’t dwell on it-change it. This helped me a lot while editing. I think when things don’t go as planned it’s really easy to lose sight of the goal in the midst of struggle.

What are you reading now?
Well, nothing. I’ve just been proofing for weeks. Kind of burnt out.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully a series of poetry compilations following this first one. Or maybe even a plot based book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My own book; I think as I lost my mind from being stranded having my own poetry book could help Me remember myself. As for the other two…a work from each of the author’s I mentioned as my influence. For the same reason.

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Interview With Author Angelica R. Jackson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Southern California but wanted to experience seasons, so at nineteen I packed up and headed to Oregon. I only made it as far as Sacramento before I found an enticing bookstore job, complete with a dark-haired guy who would later become my silver-haired husband. We bought our first house on the edge of the valley before moving up in elevation in search of even more seasons, but stopped at 1500 feet because an occasional dusting of snow in winter is easier to live with.

Gardening is better at 1500 feet too, and our current home features an acre of ornamental edibles and drought-tolerant lovelies. I was even featured in the Sacramento Bee for the sweet potato I grew that was larger than my own head (and had more charisma). We share our home with an adorable Miniature Pinscher/Nibblonian mix, and if you need pictures there are approximately one billion of them on my Facebook and Instagram.

I started writing for publication when I finished high school, but unfortunately the publications were not interested in the derivative science fiction stories I was producing at the time. I tackled my first novel some ten years later and published my debut, Crow’s Rest, with a small press before later getting her rights back and re-releasing the book under my own Crow & Pitcher Press. I followed that up with the sequel, Merlin’s Stronghold, and the final book in the series, Spellmeet.

I also keep busy with my Charming Corby Jewelry line and visual art, like the photographs collected in my book Capturing the Castle: Images of Preston Castle (2006-2016). I previously served the SCBWI CA North/Central region as Illustrator Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, and in various other volunteer positions at their Spring Spirit Conferences.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is Spellmeet: Faerie Crossed Book 3 and concludes my urban fantasy series. The setting was inspired by a trip to Ireland, England, and Scotland, as well as beloved urban fantasy titles I read as a teen. Life experiences I am, um, experiencing also make it in, so there are themes of recognizing toxic family patterns, and building/finding the true family you need instead.

My current work-in-progress is a departure from urban fantasy and is called Stay, Girl. It’s about a dog and her girl and was inspired by a pair of formerly-feral hounds we adopted. They have now passed away and I wanted to write this book as a tribute to their resilience and willingness to love, even after abuse and neglect.

The first book I wrote, Spirits from the Vasty Deep, remains unpublished.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to myself a lot while I’m drafting or editing, and will even get up and act out a scene if I’m trying to get the blocking correct. My characters also occasionally surprise me by taking the plot in a different direction, and although I am a plotter by nature I can be flexible if the characters make a convincing argument.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Charles de Lint, Charlaine Harris, Gail Carriger, Lloyd Alexander, Marissa Meyer, and others. I love the books where setting is as important as the characters and plotline; the right world-building can absolutely transport a reader.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is easy to get caught up in a belief that a single book’s success or failure can make or break your career, but it’s not true. I have had two separate cancers and they coincided with the release of two out of my three books; I was afraid I would lose momentum if I didn’t keep up with a rapid release schedule. But I failed to take into account that there are always new readers hearing about your book or series, and you will still be able to build an audience. Your path is not like anyone else’s and comparing will only make you more anxious.

Author Websites and Profiles

Angelica R. Jackson Website

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Interview With Author Tina McLachlan Brassington

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi,
I’m Tina and I write cosy mysteries, featuring Connie McKinnon the sailing detective and her cat, Ava. My first book, The Case of the Unlucky Gardener came out at the end of 2022 and is available on Amazon. Book two is in the works – coming in Spring 2023!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Case of the Unlucky gardener was inspired by my current travels, sailing around the Med and my love of cosy mysteries.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, I like to do a rough plan then knock out a few thousand words every morning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to mention…I’m a great fan of Dickens. I enjoy contemporary fiction, thrillers and mysteries.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 in my sailing detective series, as yet untitled.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Too early to tell right now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep going and ignore that imposter syndrome!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do it and then it is done!

What are you reading now?
James Herriot re-reads

What’s next for you as a writer?
Carry on marketing my current book and keep writing!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A poetry anthology, A Christmas Carol, a Jo Nesbo box set.

Author Websites and Profiles

Tina McLachlan Brassington Website

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Interview With Author Courtney Roberts

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is Courtney Roberts and I have been writing for as long as I can remember but only started publishing in 2019. Since then, I have self-published ten books, three illustrated children’s books, and several short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Unlikely Mate is my newest book. What started as a brother’s best friend rom-com soon “shifted” into a werewolf fantasy and as nervous as I was to branch into this new genre, I decided to let the characters run the show. I am so pleased with the story and hope readers connect with it too!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I never outline my stories ahead of time. Instead, I let the story happen organically as I write each chapter. It’s a wild ride!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts-I love how she writes in so many genres.
Nicholas Sparks has always been a favorite of mine for that small town/coastal romance that tugs at your heart.
Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series will always be at the top of my list! It’s a story where love survives any boundary of time or space.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on the sequel to Unlikely Mate that will take place in the future. The title is, Unlikely Alpha.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love talking about my books in my Facebook group, Romance Books by Courtney. It’s a fun space where we have discussions about all things romance! I also love making promo videos for other social media apps such as tiktok and instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t force yourself to write what is trendy or popular at the moment. Write the story in your heart and others will connect. You are writing someone’s next favorite book. Keep going!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry about what others will think. Do what scares you.

What are you reading now?
Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping to connect with more readers this year and continue my writing journey with creating more stories.

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?
Lots of survival guides!

Author Websites and Profiles

Courtney Roberts Website

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Interview With Author Lindsey Blick

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book. I had kind of a rough childhood. My mom jumped off a bridge when I was 15 and then I ran away from home. I’ve had over 100 jobs, I couldn’t get access to the care or resources I needed in many ways, and our society’s conventional systems failed both myself and my family numerous times. I started the Moneyless Society website and movement ten years ago to explore alternative economic systems and ways of life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is titled Moneyless Society: The Next Economic Evolution. It was inspired by Jacque Fresco/The Venus Project, Peter Joseph, and many other people and organizations working to create new social systems and structures for a better, more sustainable world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Unless it’s unusual for it to take 5 years to write a book, two and a half of which were an editor tearing it apart and helping me rewrite it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Peter Joseph/The New Human Rights Movement, Jacque Fresco, Noam Chomsky, Murray Bookchin, Buckminster Fuller, Yanis Varoufakis, Karl Marx, Hadas Their, Bhaskar Sunkura, Daniel Pinchbeck.

What are you working on now?
Creating a series of articles and videos to help clarify and promote many of the ideas and topics in the book. Also starting a regenerative farm, a home-mycology project, and releasing a song.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best website is my website you can find at the link below.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Plan on it taking a lot longer and being a lot more work than you think it will be, but don’t let that stop you from starting, or from writing every day. Consistency is key. Large projects get done one day and one step at a time. Sometimes they seem like they will never end. But they do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t take things personally. Everybody has their own story and their own reasons for everything they do. It’s not about you, it’s about them. Our job is to respond to everything we experience with love and understanding as often as we can, because this is all fleeting, and love is all that really matters in the end.

What are you reading now?
Dare to Lead by Renee Brown, Primal Body Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas, and Breath by James Nestor

What’s next for you as a writer?
Lots of articles and videos for now, then likely another book in a year or two. The topic is still undecided. Possibly on human potential and regeneration, community, and cooperation.

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 Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein
Karl Marx, Capital
Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer
Man’s Search For Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl

Author Websites and Profiles

Lindsey Blick Website

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Interview With Author Alvin Hayes

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m retired and discovered late in life I enjoyed writing stories. I started in 2015 sending emails to my family with my thoughts on politics and race. From there I decided to branch out and challenge myself to author a story that merged: race, politics and history. This turned into the African American Historical Fiction whileBlack Series.

The first book in the series “If Cotton Could Talk” begins pre civil war on a cotton plantation in Mississippi. It’s not a book about slavery. Its about the people who were enslaved and the relationships they formed with each other as they prepared for freedom.

The second book, “If The Elders Call” highlights the next generation and what happened after the Compromise of 1877 when the President agreed to remove the troops from the South to get elected. This generation fought back against the violence and with the help of a gang of outlaws survived the Ku Klux Klan by relocating to New Orleans.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Third book in the whileBlack series, “The Black Lady With Blue Eyes” will be published in February. I authored this book to focus on the lives of African Americans in 1900s’ and why six million left the South.
This book begins in 1905 under the umbrella of legal segregation where laws were written to tell African Americans where they could live, eat, go to school, and walk. Basically no rights a white person had to honor. This generation led by the youngest daughter wanted to build a business. But first she had to find a white ally and force a white supremist to resign his position in disgrace. When her cousin is murdered while in jail, her family vows to revenge the killing no matter the risk. Helping her was the Black Lady With Blues Eyes who had a special gift.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would describe my writing style as “by-the-seat-of-your-pants” I’ll research the period and events, place my fictional family in the middle and begin to write. I don’t use outlines before writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Walter Mosley Ta-Nehisi Coates

What are you working on now?
Preparing to launch The Black Lady With Blue Eyes in February

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Instagram and word of mouth. I always have a card with my website to give out when I meet someone new and they ask what do you do? I’m not using all the resources available to market a book

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s hard work for little return at the beginning so you better love to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everybody is not going to like your book

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to write stories that focus on living in America while-black.

 

Author Websites and Profiles

Alvin Hayes Website

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Interview With Author Becky Cymbaluk

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Super Kena is the only book I’ve written so far. I never guessed that I would be a children’s book author! When my first granddaughter was born with hearing loss, I searched for books with HOH characters but unfortunately most of the books had animals with hearing aids. So I decided to create my book for her. I have worked for a local non-profit for 20 plus years and my husband and I farm in Northern MN.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Super Kena – A Girl Made Fierce with Hearing Aids.” My granddaughter, Kena, inspired the book. The other characters were inspired by what my kids dealt with in their childhood or they now have patients/students dealing with.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do my best writing when I wake up early in the morning and then it just seems to pour out!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved Beverly Cleary books as a child. As an adult, I love reading Debbie Macomber, Carly Phillips, Glennon Doyle and anything by Brene’ Brown.

What are you working on now?
I am working on another children’s book about my grandson’s hunch that if he got hurt and had lots of appointments, he’d finally get his parent’s undivided attention.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have sold a lot of books through my website: www.superkena.com and also through Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep pushing through. You will finally get that book published and all of the endless details will fall into place.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just because you’re in pain, doesn’t mean you have to be one. (I suffer with fibromyalgia and arthritis)

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Just Another Spark by Carly Phillips.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Besides having two other jobs, I will keep selling my Super Kena books while I begin writing my next book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Dare Greatly” by Brene’ Brown, “Atlas of The Heart” by Brene’ Brown, “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle and “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

Author Websites and Profiles

Becky Cymbaluk Website

 

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