Awesome Author Interviews

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I am newly published author E.J. Norris. I love to express myself through words. I’ve written a lot over quite a few years. I wrote two novellas and two novels and a few shorter stories all inspired by this or that. But my third novel, the only one to be published so far, is very, very, different.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first published novel is entitled The Mirror and The Sword. Its an exciting and suspenseful fantasy novel that I hope will be enjoyed by one and all.

Its inspiration goes back to the summer of 2011, which was the summer before my junior year of high school. Not only was I concentrating on my education and the looming question of what I was going to do with myself, I was also dealing with a strange medical condition that I’d been coping with since I was ten.

Summer was always filled with lots of fun and I always wrote a lot. However that summer I was seeking new inspiration. I was craving a new and more meaningful story to tell. Now, anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a Christian and as such I believe that the good Lord puts each of us on earth for a unique purpose and we can find it if we just let him into our lives. I hadn’t let God in on my writing, as if I were trying to hide the interest from him. Yes, I was trying to hide from almighty God, creator of the universe who knows me better than I know myself. He knew it all and was just waiting for the day when I prayed saying, “Lord, the pen is yours. What do you want me to do?” Within a week or so an idea began forming, the basic skeleton of a plot and after several try’s at a beginning if took off and the story has been going ever since.

I paired it quite harmoniously with my school work and when the time for more surgeries came it was among the greatest of comforts. When going through a long term condition it can seem so endless; every sensation is remembered and amplified. But as I sat in that waiting room dreading the what was to be done, I could take out my journal and, for a time, find relief in another world where characters overcame challenges bigger than themselves and strove for a better life beyond the lies they were made to believe. Then, after the surgery, I really had something special to look forward to when I was well. As I waited for the anesthesia cloud to clear (this always a few days) and the pain to go away I’d find myself waking up each morning and asking, “Will I be able to write today?”

Now that it is published, I’m doing all that I can to share it with those around me and it is my deepest hope that the story will bring others hope and happiness where they feel there can be none.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual habits. Hmmm. I don’t think I have anything really bizarre like wearing pink, fluffy bunny slippers on the wrong feet and spinning around exactly three and a quarter times before writing. I just have a pretty firm method that I stick to, but these days maybe not a whole lot of people hand write the whole novel then type it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve gotten great influence from the following authors: Brian Jacques, C.S. Lewis, Christopher Paolini, and Kathryn Lasky. This list could definitely grow because I don’t read just for entertainment. I read to learn knew techniques and further shape my own style.

What are you working on now?
The Mirror and The Sword was never meant to stand alone. Therefore I am working on the two novels that follow it. The second is a typed draft at its revision point and the third is at its rough draft stage. I’m really enjoying working on them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since this is my very first novel I’m still exploring the world of promotion. But I certainly have no intention of underestimating the power of the internet and I’m always looking for places to share my story. This site look very, very good and I intend to submit The Mirror and The Sword when its ebook version becomes more available, just to give people more options.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well, if anyone asked me for advice on writing I would recommend these few things.

1. Read, a lot

2. Create your own method for writing. Ask yourself, what really makes the words come for me?

3. Practice. Much like everything else, nobody is perfect on the first try.

4. Always look for ways to better yourself and don’t be afraid to stretch your mind with new challenges.

5. And finally, be confident, but don’t go nuts with it. Pride can most assuredly come before a fall.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice on writing I ever heard is this short and beautifully simple statement by the author I learned the most from.

“Learn to paint pictures with words.” Brian Jacques.

What are you reading now?
Since I get into books so deeply I am actually quite a picky reader. My mother always taught me to be careful what I let into my mind. I also don’t care for one sided novels, novels without a satisfying balance of elements. So if a book doesn’t resonate just right with me or I find something offensive I don’t read it. But these days I find the Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series by John Flanagan very, very enjoyable. I’d highly recommend them because they’re clean and just plain fun.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Stories, lots and lots of stories. I am also planning on the pursuit of journalism.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh I can’t pick! One of them would certainly be a Bible though.

E.J. Norris’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written four books and one novella, but as of yet only the novella and one of the books has been published. My second book is with publishers for consideration now, so hoping to release that one in 2015.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My upcoming title, COME, THE DARK, is the second book in The Forever Girl series. Much of the inspiration comes from the Forever Girl world itself, but this particular book focuses on Morts (the ghosts of supernatural creatures) and Ankou (think fae grim reapers). The Morts were inspired by those shadows we all see in the corners of our eyes after seeing a scary movie (or is that just me?). Sometimes I would think I saw something walk past my bedroom door, but when I looked up, nothing was there. From that experience came the inspiration for the Morts.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a few writing quirks, I suppose. One is the incessant note-taking I do while while writing. I’m always copying notes to the chapter i’m working on and then deleting them when I’m satisfied. Also, sometimes when I’m writing I get stuck on a word. I know what I want to say but I can’t seem to grasp that one perfect word, and it drives me nuts. When that happens, I put the word in brackets. Like [this]. I finish writing the scene and go back to obsess over it later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nancy Pickard inspires me in terms of foreshadowing and suspense, and Marisa de los Santos inspires me with the way she breaks the rules in a way that makes her writing fun instead of weak. I’m a huge fan of Anne Rice (both as a person and as an author) and her books.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on Book 3 in the Forever Girl series, however, I’ve also brought an older manuscript of mine out of the closet as my agent believes publishers will be interested in it. It’s a literary fiction novel and deals with issues close to my heart (autism) and the main problem I have with that title is it’s never good enough for me and I can’t seem to let it go. I want to do the characters justice. Maybe a better answer to what I’m working on right now is self doubt 😛

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting work is tough. Say too little, and no one knows it exists. Say to much, and people get angry at you for talking about your work. I spend most of my promotion time promoting other titles. I do the grunt work for promoting my own books, too, but I never spend more time promoting than I do connecting. What is the point of writing if you don’t connect with people? For this reason, talking to people and building new friendships and relationships takes precedence over promoting my own work, though I do still continue to do both. The best advice I can give to people is to remember that the people you are promoting too are as valuable as a person as you, the promoter. If not more so. Show some humility.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t try to do it alone! Get connected and stay connected and remember that this isn’t a “give me, give me, give me” world. You have to play the role of the giver sometimes, too. Karma is a real thing. Focus on what you put in and eventually it will come back to you. Support bloggers. Don’t send them your book, demand they read it, and then nag them until they do, then dump them as soon as they have done what you want. You’ll end up burning bridges that you might want to cross again one day. And, more importantly, you’ll miss out on connecting with some really amazing people who share the same passion as you: books. Other than that, don’t give up. Persevere. No matter how great of a writer you are, always work to improve. And hire an editor! If you are going to sell something, it only fair to the consumer that they get a quality product in exchange for their hard-earned cash. I guess I went on for a bit there 🙂 Bottom line, never stop trying your best and remember that the people in this world don’t exist just to buy your book 🙂

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The producer for the Forever Girl film told me that when you are making a decision about something, ask if it will change your life. That really resonated with me.

What are you reading now?
I’m between books! I just finished Siren’s Secret by Debbie Herbert which helped me get over some of my PBD (post book depression) from reading Summoned by Rainy Kaye. I’m actually planning to go through my to-read list today and figure out which story to immerse myself in next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll continue to work on The Forever Girl series and then I’m contemplating starting a YA series or writing a few standalone novels. Some of my literary fiction projects, however, might move to the forefront somewhere along the way.

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?
Summoned by Rainy Kaye

The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Author Websites and Profiles
Rebecca Hamilton Website
Rebecca Hamilton Amazon Profile

Rebecca Hamilton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I dreamed of writing since childhood. I finished my first romance novel in high school, and I was so crushed when I received a rejection letter I put aside my dream to write, changed my major in college, and got a “real” job. I buried my dream to write for many years in a high stress career as a government social worker. A few years ago I had an epiphany, and I decided to chase my dream no matter what. Replace “older and wiser” with “sassy with life experiences” and it’s a fair description of me. I completed my first novel, WOLF EYE SLY, in December 2013. It is now a quarter finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. These days I write for the joy of writing, and for me that has made all the difference.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
WOLF EYE SLY is a romantic comedy centered around a lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Although Wolf Eye is a fictional town, I became inspired with the story when I visited Munising Michigan on a hiking trip with my college age daughter. I laid eyes on the East Channel Lighthouse and I became intrigued, and later when I researched the history of the lighthouse and read about the community restoration project I was suddenly inspired to write. A town full of eccentric characters and a mysterious treasure rounded out my inspiration. Here is the pitch to my story.

Did someone whisper buried treasure? Secrets were taken to the lighthouse keeper’s grave, literally; but no one thinks to search the cemetery. Wolf Eye, a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is full of eccentric characters playing con games, and there’s a lot more at stake than just a real estate deal.

For Annie Matthews, growing up as the lighthouse keeper’s granddaughter meant she was bullied and teased in school. Her grandfather’s long-running feud with Wolf Eye’s wealthiest citizen made him the town laughing stock.

As an adult, Annie is forced to return to Wolf Eye to settle her grandfather’s affairs, but finds herself pulled into old politics. In an ironic turn of events, she poses as fiancée to Jamie Lord, the handsome heir of her grandfather’s fiercest enemy. Jamie is a charismatic charmer, but can he be trusted?

Jamie rescues Annie with flair; whether it’s a cabin fire, a band of thieving raccoons, or a heckling mob at Lillie’s Café. From their first kiss Annie’s pulse is dancing the Rumba.

The lines of their sham engagement blur, but happiness is short-lived. Enemies throw a surprise wedding and everyone in town shows up. Everyone, that is, except the groom. Annie flees Wolf Eye, but the story isn’t over, for she has some tricks of her own to be played.

WOLF EYE SLY is a contemporary romance with laugh out loud plot twists along the journey to happily ever after.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Coffee and chocolate get me through. I am laughing. I guess those two food groups are essentials for many of us.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are three authors that have influenced me greatly.

Judith McNaught and her lovable characters are big favorites of mine. I especially admire “Whitney My Love” and “Paradise.” The hero Matthew Farrell in “Paradise” is my all time favorite hero in a contemporary romance.

Janet Evanovich and her unique brand of humor in her Stephanie Plum series has been a big influence on me. Ms. Evanovich states she took improv classes to learn to write her witty one line zingers and hilarious situations. I learned to loosen up and practice my own style of humor.

Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series has been complete inspiration for me, and I owe it to Diana for changing my life. After reading “Dragonfly in Amber” I was so captivated I revisited my own dream to write. Her character Jamie Fraiser is so incredibly lovable he feels like an old friend, and he is by far my favorite hero in any historical romance. I view Diana as a role model, and I am very excited to have a ticket to see her speak in Traverse City Michigan on July 7, 2014.

What are you working on now?
I am finishing up WOLF EYE ALIBI, the second in my Wolf Eye Lighthouse Series. Here is the opening of Chapter One.

The wedding ceremony came to an abrupt halt when the bride and groom were arrested.
Just before the “I do’s,” two deputies marched up to the gazebo and pulled out handcuffs. Wedding guests burst into shouts that resembled spectators at a sporting event. Exclamations of surprise and protest mingled with laughter and glee. Some guests threw hats into the air and cheered.
My jaw dropped. Weddings aren’t like this where I come from.
Cameras popped like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The crowd abandoned the white lawn chairs and surged across Lord Estate toward center stage, trampling elegant gardens as they clamored to witness justice in action. Pushing and shoving gave way to cussing and swearing, and someone grabbed a handful of the ten tier wedding cake standing in magnificent splendor under a catering tent and smashed it into someone’s face. The recipient of the cake snatched a punch bowl and tossed it into the air over the crowd. I held my breath and watched the red contents in the crystal bowl spin round and round, suspended for a long second, before raining down over the wedding guests. Think wet t-shirt contest meets Jell-o wrestling.
It was an all out food fight after that, and every guest seemed eager to participate. Townsfolk gave new meaning to the term tossed salad. Little old ladies dumped condiments into the laps of their spouses. The suspendered little old men heaved finger sandwiches toward the ladies in response to their gifts of mayonnaise and mustard.
White uniformed household staff stood in shocked disbelief as a banquet table full of covered chafing dishes was overturned. Shrimp Scampi and Lobster Thermidor became flying projectiles. A gray haired woman wearing a chef’s hat wailed upon the shoulder of an elderly butler. The white gloved gentleman tried to comfort the cook until a lobster tail smacked him in the face and knocked off his glasses.
A mustached man wearing snakeskin cowboy boots laughed with particular satisfaction until something hit him in the chest. He looked down to discover he’d caught the bridal bouquet.
All this was happening and more, but I wasn’t paying much attention for I was sputtering with outrage as my best friend was handcuffed and charged like she was one of America’s Most Wanted.
“Anne Matthews, you are under arrest for the murder of Francine Stouffer,” one of the deputies spat at the bride. He proceeded to read her rights.
Annie only had time to gasp before the next blow came.
“James Lord, you are under arrest for the murder of Francine Stouffer,” the second deputy charged as he jerked the groom’s arms behind his back and locked cuffs with enthusiasm.
From my stand point beside the bride I had an unobstructed view of Jamie’s gaze locked upon Annie’s face. Shock, denial, and outrage were all communicated in that glance.
The deputies pulled the bride and groom apart with unnecessary force. The minister clutched his Bible to his chest and jumped back out of the way. I remained rooted to the spot.
“I love you Jamie,” Annie cried.
“I love you Annie,” Jamie called after her. “Say I do! Say I do!”
“No you don’t,” the first deputy said. He gripped Annie’s forehead and forcibly turned her face away. Her bridal veil tore and her auburn hair slipped from the pins of her elegant quaff. The representative of the law jerked the bride down the gazebo steps. The train of her exquisite Vera Wang wedding dress trailed limply behind.
“I do, Jamie! I do!” Annie sobbed.
“It doesn’t count unless I pronounce you man and wife,” the minister muttered. “Under the circumstances I don’t think it would be appropriate…”
Jamie’s face contorted in fury. “Get your hands off her!” he shouted at the departing deputy.
“Come along peacefully,” the deputy beside Jamie said. “It’ll look better for you if you cooperate.”
Jamie bellowed with rage and took a step toward Annie. He dropped to his knees when Taser rays struck his back. I flinched, feeling his pain.
I’d known Annie’s fiancé for only twenty four hours but already I understood why she loved him. Jamie was lethally handsome, but it was more than that. He was genuine. A charmer. A charismatic singer and a savvy businessman. And most of all Jamie loved Annie with all his heart.
I heard Annie whimper as she was dragged away. That’s when my city girl street smarts kicked in.
Who am I? I’m the bridesmaid.
“Officer! Wait!” I tossed my bouquet over my shoulder and rushed down the gazebo steps, teetering on my blue satin stilettos that were dyed to match the blue satin of my bridesmaid dress. I grabbed the deputy’s arm. “You’ve forgotten something.”
He turned an impatient gaze my way. From close range his eyes looked like steely pellets floating in yellow custard. He made a move to shrug from my grasp and I fluttered my eyelashes at him in a grand show of feminine distress. He paused.
“Forgot something?” he repeated. “Who are you?”
I resisted rolling my eyes. Didn’t my bridesmaid getup give the guy a clue? Instantly I figured I may have a chance to outwit him if I talked fast.
“Mia! Help!” Annie pleaded. Tears streamed down her face. Moments earlier she had radiated with happiness, about to marry the love of her life. Now she was charged with murder. My heart wrenched in sympathy. I had to do something.
Nearby the food fight was gaining momentum. In my peripheral vision I caught sight of something hurling our way at high speed. I ducked. A caviar stuffed mushroom cap struck the deputy on the cheek and he broke eye contact with me. I clutched his arm to gain it back.
“I’m Mia Savantini,” I said as I batted my eyes like hummingbird wings. “I’m sure you’ve heard of Senator Savantini.”
The deputy’s brows narrowed. “Never heard of him.”
Okay, it was a stretch. The senator was my cousin twice removed on my father’s side, and he wasn’t from Michigan. I thought fast. “Of course you know Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Savantini,” I said in a confident tone.
The deputy scowled. “No.” His lips pressed into a thin line.
I had to come up with someone or I would lose him. In desperation I pulled a name out of the air.
“Joe Savantini?” I squeaked, barely recognizing my own voice. I sounded like a whining school girl.
The deputy did a double take. “Joe Savantini, the boxer?”
My eyes lit up. The oaf had heard of my brother!
“That’s right,” I purred. “My uncle the prosecuting attorney was just telling my brother the boxer there is something important that must be declared at the moment of arrest if you plan to convict in a trial.”
Annie’s teary eyes locked on mine, shouting volumes. She knew me well and knew I was making this up as I went along. I gazed back at her with calm reassurance.
“Something must be declared?” The lawman’s eyes shifted uneasily as he wondered what he had forgotten.
“That’s right. Just because women will be all over you like you are a rock star for making this big arrest doesn’t mean you should get hasty. When you can’t convict you’ll be slammed in the press and made a fool.” I stroked his arm as though admiring his muscles.
He glanced at my hand, and then looked into my eyes and blinked. “Rock star?”
“What’s your name?” I cooed.
“Gordon,” he said sheepishly.
“Gordon, you know how women are. They’ll be following you like groupies when news gets out of this big arrest.” I flashed him a dazzling smile and batted my eyelashes some more. Annie rolled her eyes.
“They will?” He sounded doubtful, yet pleased.
“Sure they will,” I said. “Lots of women.” I glanced toward Annie. She might have been inclined to laugh if she wasn’t sniffling back tears.
“I don’t really know many women,” he confessed. “What was it your uncle was telling Joe Savantini? Damn, he’s a great boxer.”
I smiled. I had the fish on the hook now. All I had to do was reel him in.
“My uncle was saying it’s especially important when it comes to murder charges that you declare all the facts that led up to the arrest.”
The deputy frowned. “That’s what the trial is for.” He pulled Annie’s arm and we all stepped aside a foot to avoid two wedding guests smearing each other with cake frosting.
“But this is a murder trial, Gordon.” I gave a pretty pout. “This is big, and women will be watching you. Make sure you do everything by the book and you’ll be better off.” I paused for effect. “You may even end up with a promotion when this is all over.”
He nodded in agreement. “I better get a promotion outa this.”
“Tell me all the facts, Gordon,” I wheedled. “What led up to you arresting Annie?”
He thought a moment. “She has motive. And so does he.” Gordon jerked his thumb in the direction of Jamie being led away.
“When did the murder occur, Gordon?” I squeezed his bicep once more.
He beamed. “That one’s easy. Last night.”
Annie choked out a gasp. I did a double take and then smiled.
“Gordon, I know without a doubt Annie is innocent,” I declared happily.
He swallowed in confusion. “Why do you say that?”
“Because I was with Annie all last night,” I said, so relieved there would be an easy solution to this whole ridiculous mistake. “It was Annie’s bachelorette party. I’m her alibi.”
His eyes narrowed. “Then maybe I oughta arrest you too.”
I was so intent on forming my response I didn’t notice the silver platter slicing through the air like a Frisbee until it was too late. I glanced toward it just as it cracked into my forehead. And then everything went black.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very impressed by Awesomegang.com, and I am not just saying that because it is your website! I was very pleased with the well organised and highly detailed email communication I received from you. Thank you for this opportunity to do an interview!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen to feedback. The best writing occurs during re-writing. Loosen up and find your own voice. All writers are readers first, so read every day.

And most of all, never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice on writing I have ever heard is a quote from Stephen Kind in his book, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.”

“There is a muse, but he’s not going to come fluttering down into your writing room and scatter creative fairy-dust all over your typewriter or computer. He lives in the ground. He’s a basement kind of guy. You have to descend to his level, and once you get down there you have to furnish an apartment for him to live in. You have to do all the grunt labor, in other words, while the muse sits and smokes cigars and admires his bowling trophies and pretends to ignore you. Do you think it’s fair? I think it’s fair. He may not be much to look at, that muse-guy, and he may not be much of a conversationalist, but he’s got inspiration. It’s right that you should do all the work and burn all the mid-night oil, because the guy with the cigar and the little wings has got a bag of magic. There’s stuff in there that can change your life. Believe me, I know.”

This is what I extrapolated from Mr. King’s statement: writing is work. Writer’s often whine about writer’s block, but the muse doesn’t just fall into your lap without some effort on your part. You have to do the grunt work, and dig deep, because ‘The muse is a basement kind of guy.”

What are you reading now?
I just finished “The Bronze Horseman” series by Paullina Simons, which is ‘The Bronze Horseman,” “Tatiana and Alexander,” and ‘The Summer Garden.” It is a sweeping historical romance that begins in Russia during World War II. If you like compelling characters, nail biting suspense, detailed history, and achingly tender love scenes, you will love these books! I give them all five stars. I know I really love a book when I want to read it slowly because I am enjoying it so much, and yet I stay up all night reading because I can’t put the book down.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have more ideas in mind for future books in the Wolf Eye Lighthouse series., and then I plan to visit my first love, which is historical romance. My daughter and I are planning a trip to Ireland, Scotland, and the UK next year and I shall be gathering plot ideas.

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?
That’s a tough one! Please, please, may I keep my Kindle?

Author Websites and Profiles
Terri Lyndie Website
Terri Lyndie Amazon Profile

Terri Lyndie’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have a Ph.D. in English literature from New York University and have published over 20 academic essays, mainly in the fields of nineteenth-century fiction and feminist literary theory. THE LOST CATACOMB is my debut novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel, THE LOST CATACOMB, is the fruit of a lifelong fascination with Italy–its rich culture, archaeological heritage, and even its cuisine–and I blended this with my interest in the Holocaust, specifically with respect to what happened to the Jewish community of Rome during World War II.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a full-time academic position which leaves me lots of time to write, especially on the days when I don’t teach. I don’t write during specific hours of the day, but rather, when I am feeling inspired.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love all sorts of fiction, and in my spare time read anything that is well-written with a good plot. I love THE ORACLE OF STAMBOUL–which I even reread a few times– THE PARIS ARCHITECT, Q & A, THE RELUCTANT APPRENTICE, and I adore P. D. James’ mysteries.

What are you working on now?
I’m now writing an historical novel set in France.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll be pitching my novel at the Jewish Book Council’s “Meet the Author” event at the end of May (2014). I am also setting up a website for the novel, and my publisher–Kitty Bullard at GMTA’s Enigma Press–is also working hard to publicize THE LOST CATACOMB.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in your writing and be persistent.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
LOVE AND TREASURE by Ayelet Waldman.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the novel that I’m currently 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?
JANE EYRE, THE ORACLE OF STAMBOUL, and FUGITIVE NOTES (Anne Michaels).

Author Websites and Profiles
Shifra Hochberg Website
Shifra Hochberg Amazon Profile

Shifra Hochberg’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in North Dakota and migrated to Florida via New York City many years ago. I completed my education in Florida colleges and universities and embarked on a varied career in clinical, administrative, and academic nursing.

My stories of mystery and suspense feature strong, creative, clever nurses who use all of their skills to help others, confront danger, and stay alive.

Writing pulled at me as a teenager, resulting in pages of sappy poetry. In the mid-nineties, I bought a how-to book about writing a mystery and committed the story burning in my head to paper. It was incredibly bad—a fact that my well-read friends shared with me. After the pain subsided (authors own their words and criticism, while necessary, is painful), I put it in THE DRAWER, joined Mystery Writers of America, and actively pursued the craft.

I’ve written nine manuscripts, eight of which are finished. The ninth one is still in the critique process with my awesome critique group.

My second effort is in THE DRAWER, where it will remain. The third one isn’t as bad, but by the time I had the skills to edit it, the backstory was dated. It is in THE DRAWER.

The first title I published was Illegally Dead. Pendulum Press, Inc. accepted it as an eBook in 2004. At the time, I had no idea that the editor/publisher was contemplating closing the site. She was gracious enough to return my rights along with all the materials she had contributed. I self-published Illegally Dead on Amazon in 2010 and created the CreateSpace paper version 15 months later, firmly logging myself into the ranks of the self-published—which may or may not be a good thing depending on who you ask.

I published Imperfect Contract in 2012 and Imperfect Daddy in 2013. These are the first two titles in my Imperfect Series featuring Sophia Burgess and Ray Stone. the lord, a standalone, went live in January, 2014.

Next up is She Learned to Die, which is a standalone, academic mystery—at least it is set in a college of nursing. It is in its final editing stages, then I’ll begin the conversions for CreateSpace and Kindle. I’ll decide about a publication date after the cover is complete. It will be later this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
the lord (no caps are intended) in a story about Miki Murphy’s struggle to save her friends and herself from a disturbed killer who stalks his victims in the recesses of the hospital. Miki is the night shift nursing supervisor and is on-duty when the killings occur. The killer, who thinks of himself as the lord, has a list, and Miki is on it.

To me, our culture seems obsessed with the notion that someone is to blame when anything goes wrong. Then that someone needs to be confronted and pay in some fashion for the wrong. When you read the warning labels on just about everything, you can see the depth of the issue. Before the blood dries on the bandage or the body cools in the grave, and the injured party or their family consults a lawyer. Personal responsibility is forgotten, as is the concept the sometimes “stuff” happens.

The media reports horrific events that seem to be the result of the same kind of thinking. A kid is ignored or insulted in school, so he gets a gun and blows other children away. Someone is fired from their job and then returns to the workplace to get even with the boss and former co-workers. You get the point.

I thought: What if something bad happens? What is a disturbed or angry person is effected by the event? What if he then decides healthcare workers are responsible and deserve to pay the price? It’s a dark story, so I decided to set much of it on the night shift.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a plastic desk attached to my treadmill. Sometimes I walk while I write or edit. I’ve discovered I can go about 1.8 mph and still type. Sometimes I step off for a few moments to work on a particular edit.

The practice has nothing to do with writing and everything to do with staying healthy and moving.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first mystery writer I met was Barbara Parker. Though she has since died, she is still the epitome of what a writer should be in my humble opinion.

When I was struggling to find my way in writing, I met her at the Mystery Writers of America booth at the Miami Book Fair. She sold me an autographed copy of one of her books, gave me an MWA brochure, and invited me to the meetings.

I read all of Barbara’s books in the order written. The character development over time made a huge impression on me. I learned that mysteries are not about crime so much as about life, community, and people. The mystery is the vehicle the real story is wrapped in.

Barbara was especially welcoming to new writers, giving of her time and talents to help us evolve.

Other authors who continue to unselfishly help other writers and who have influenced me both by their writing and their mentoring include Elaine Viets, Nancy Cohen, PJ Parrish, Chris Kling, Randy Rawls, Neil Plakcy, Dirk Wyle, Deborah Sharp, and Jeremiah Healy.

What are you working on now?
The first mystery writer I met was Barbara Parker. Though she has since died, she is still the epitome of what a writer should be in my humble opinion.

When I was struggling to find my way in writing, I met her at the Mystery Writers of America booth at the Miami Book Fair. She sold me an autographed copy of one of her books, gave me an MWA brochure, and invited me to the meetings.

I read all of Barbara’s books in the order written. The character development over time made a huge impression on me. I learned that mysteries are not about crime so much as about life, community, and people. The mystery is the vehicle the real story is wrapped in.

Barbara was especially welcoming to new writers, giving of her time and talents to help us evolve.

Other authors who continue to unselfishly help other writers and who have influenced me both by their writing and their mentoring include Elaine Viets, Nancy Cohen, PJ Parrish, Chris Kling, Randy Rawls, Neil Plakcy, Dirk Wyle, Deborah Sharp, and Jeremiah Healy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I so wish I could answer that. I have a website and a blog, which I’m keeping up as faithfully as possible.

To market the lord I’m trying one web-based service at a time, some paid, some free. I’ll be scheduling Kindle Countdown events as well.

It’s a tough uphill battle for the “little names”. I’ll keep plugging away at it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Three things:

1. Put your butt in the chair and write every day.

2. While you’re figuring out the marketing piece on one book, be working on the next.

3. Have a good, critical critique group. Works toward constructive criticism and leave the accolades for the reviews.

AND,

Don’t quit your day job.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Three things:

1. Put your butt in the chair and write every day.

2. While you’re figuring out the marketing piece on one book, be working on the next.

3. Have a good, critical critique group. Works toward constructive criticism and leave the accolades for the reviews.

AND,

Don’t quit your day job.

What are you reading now?
I read in several genres. Today I’m reading Dying Light by Stuart MacBride. He’s a Scottish author and uses his local dialect. It’s fun to figure out what he means with some of the words.

When the mystery/suspense feels like it is darkening my mood, I switch it up with what I told my son were silly romances—I prefer the historic variety. I also like contemporary/main stream fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My intention is to keep writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. I plan to focus on my Imperfect Series and, maybe, do another standalone or two.

There is an ad on television that says, essentially, retirement is when you pay yourself to do what you want. I want to write.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I’d take the whole series if I could.

Then I’d pick the newest title by P.J. Parrish, Lee Child, Robert Craise, Janet Evanovich, and William Kent Krueger. I love following series characters.

That’s way more than I’m allowed. Can I take my iPad and a really long cord for the charger?

Author Websites and Profiles
Gregg E Brickman Website
Gregg E Brickman Amazon Profile
Gregg E Brickman Author Profile on Smashwords

Gregg E Brickman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been writing ever since being a kid, however I didn’t really finish completing books since I got new ideas before reaching the end. In 2012 I finally did finish my first book and it feels amazing to have finally completed a book. It is called “A callers journey” and is a young adult book. Currently I am working on my second book so lets see how that goes.”
Besides writing I love to read and can be totally obsessed about it reading every free minute I can spare.

Apart from all the reading and writing I like to work out, hang out with friends and just relax.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “A callers journey”. I am inspired by all things magical and mythical. I like to spice up life and give my characters powers that do not exsist in the real world. Ever since being young I would’ve loved to have special powers and be responsible for the worlds safety. Of course I cannot do that in real life so I incorporate that in my stories.
My real inspiration came from a book series by Amanda Hocking (Trylle) and the ease with which she wrote the books, becoming one with the characters as a reader is what I want to accomplish as well.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just go with the flow and get a little too obsessed sometimes, reacting grumpy but I guess that is sort of normal. Apart from that I don’t think I have any unusual writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Amanda Hocking, H.M. Ward, Alyson Noel and P.C. & Kristen Cast are the main authors that inspired me to write the genre I am writing now.
Though I also must admit that the Longaliers from Stephen King is and will remain the best book ever written, but I figured out I am not one for suspense writing.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a dreamwalkers book. It is still in the early stages so I cannot comment too much about it, but it is a new type of magical power that will have a complete war fought out in other peoples dreams. Can’t wait to finish it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads, but I just stared so I am still looking into finding the right way to promote my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing. Don’t start out wanting to get your sentences on the paper in perfection. Write, get into the zone you can always alter parts later but if you cannot get into the zone your book will never reach completion. So my advice is just keep writing until it feels right.
And above all write for yourself, not to become a famous author but because it fullfils a need for yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write for yourself not because you want to become a millionair.

What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading Demon Kissed by H.M. War so far I am loving every bit of it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully a new book coming out this year and that many will enjoy reading my stories. Either way I will continue to write stories and try to express myself through books and keep promoting my work through various channels.

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 Longaliers by Stephen King
And the Trylle series by Amanda Hocking. (3 books)

MH Deven’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was about eleven or twelve. I’ve always been a creative person, and very talkative, so I just started writing as I could talk to myself for HOURS and no one could tell me to stop (:P). My day job is as a consultant doing stuff that sounds cool but is quite boring, and I’ve run 2 marathons and rescue homeless dogs in my spare time. I also had an entirely secret life as a writer which nobody really knew about until four months ago when I, to borrow a phrase, “came out” as a science fiction and fantasy author. Now I’m in the process of selling my first book so that I can lose the day job.

There are tons of books that are half written, sketched out, or written when I was 10 years younger. The only book that is in any shape to be published is Double Life, the first in the Razia series. There are obviously the other four books (in varying degrees of completion), and three or four other multi-book series up in the ol’ mind palace and scattered amongst my files.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Double Life is the first book in the Razia series. It was actually the last book that I “thought up,” so to speak (or rather, developed the world for). I was inspired by Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider; I thought she was so incredibly powerful and badass – and unflappable, that I wanted to write a character like that.

What has emerged instead is more a reflection of me – someone who has the seeds to be a take-no-prisoners-gal, but is held back by her own baggage. As I was putting the finishing touches on this book, I was going through some therapy to deal with some baggage of my own, and was astonished to see a lot of my own emotional issues being displayed through my writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Long story short (if you want the whole story, check out my blog), there is a writer that lives in my head and her name is Suni (hence the S. in my nom de plume). She lives in tepid peace with the other half of me – the consultant. The two of them argue a lot about how to spend our time, amongst other things.

Suni does what she wants, basically, which usually means that when I have nothing to do, she’s uninterested in doing work on her book, but when we have tons to do and scheduled, she suddenly wants to blow everything off and stay home.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hands down, J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. But actually more because it allowed me to hone my craft in fanfiction in-between working on original stuff. I was interested in exploring his parents’ lives, and wrote this great four book series called “Deer to Me” and so on. it was fairly popular for a while.

To be honest, for a while, I wasn’t reading any fantasy books (aah!). I would get about four pages in and I would start thinking about my books, and how much work needed to be done, and so on and so forth. There are a lot of half-read books littered about my iPad.

What are you working on now?
I’m always daydreaming about my books, so whatever Suni decides we’re going to work on today. I’ve been playing around with the sequencing of Book 2 of the Razia Series. There’s a lot that has changed in the Book 1 that has changed the story in Book 2. But I’m really excited to delve more into some of the new characters, and explore more of the ones you already know.

Well, you *will* know them when the book comes out next month!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The more that I play around with Goodreads, the more it seems to pay me back. I’ve been heavily promoting my Facebook page and in the three months that’s been up, I’ve only amassed 117 likes – most of those coming from either strong-arming friends and one week of Facebook ads (~$35). Whereas my free giveaway has over 120 entries and my book is on the to-read shelf of 57 people – after just three days. I’m stil active with the other stuff, but I feel like Goodreads is going to be my marketing method of choice.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Besides the writing stuff, which I’ll get to later, you are your brand. Invest the money, get a headshot, a domain name, professional hosting. Use the same picture across every-single-outlet, and don’t vary your story. Some users may see the same information twice, but most will only see it once – if that. Also, use your network to find like-minded folks.

As for the writing – you know how to do it. Just shut up and write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything happens for a reason. You are where you are because of the life events that have transpired to this point, and you will be where you will be thanks to other life events. There’s no need to regret any decision you’ve made, or dwell on the past or worry about the future. Wherever you end up, there you are.

What are you reading now?
A lovely friend heard my rant about not being able to read any books without getting sidetracked and sent over some recommendations – including the Dresden files. Let me tell you – 23 pages in and I was hooked! I’m trying to read at least 25 books before the year is out so I can broaden my horizons in my chosen genre and whatnot. Send me your recs!!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am actually doing the unthinkable and quitting my job as a lovely and high-powered consultant to become a full-time novelist (and if that doesn’t pay the bills, I’ll think of something else). It’s terrifying and liberating all at the same time, but I feel very confident and secure in my decision. (So buy my 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?
“How to build a raft?” (No that was shamelessly pulled from a pinterest photo of the actor who plays Fred Weasley)

To be honest, I would just beg for unlimited source of paper so I would have somewhere to write down all the thoughts in my head.

Author Websites and Profiles
S. Usher Evans Website
S. Usher Evans Author Profile on Smashwords

S. Usher Evans’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for as long as I have been able to hold a pencil and writing professionally since college. My first novel came out in 2010, followed by another in 2012, and my most recent in March of 2014 (joke is I’m working on a two year cycle). That will break, however, since I have another book coming out this year. Book 2 of the Broken Line Series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Copper Witch came out in March of this year. The original inspiration actually came from a boring weekend and a free trial of ancestry.com. I’ve always been rather interested in genealogy and lucky for me my maternal great-grandparents were both from huge families meaning there has already been a lot of research done into that side of the family that is available online. Following one line way, way back, I ended up running into some British nobility and a direct ancestor with the name “Adela”. For some reason, the name stuck with me and it got me to thinking what had happened to all these generations of people. Especially the ones where family connections were everything, but you ended up as the seventh son or were so far removed from the “important” line of your family that all you really had was your pride. From there, Adela just stuck around and everything began to take shape.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Apparently I make really funny faces sometimes when I’m working out emotional bits of dialogue. I won’t realize it, but all of a sudden someone in the room will look over at me and ask what’s wrong (or even just what I’m doing). It’s involuntary I swear!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d have to say my biggest influence for this series was probably Philippa Gregory. I can’t say I much care for her having switched to present tense in her writing, but I was a huge fan growing up, and I think that has come through in my own writing.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on more Broken Line books at the moment (Book 2, The Porcelain Child, comes out later this year, and Book 3 is currently in rough draft more or less). Other than that I have a fantasy novella that I’m working on when I need a break and a Historical Fantasy Series I plan on getting back to one of these days.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think I’m still working that bit out. Goodreads has been a godsend, however, being able to connect with readers and host giveaways through a book-centric social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t compare your writing to others, especially not early on. I see a lot of new writers who get discouraged because their rough draft doesn’t sound as good as whatever they’re reading at the time. First, you should never ever compare a rough draft to something that’s already in print. Rough drafts are meant to be, well, rough. Published books are meant to have been edited about five-thousand times by the author, beta readers, and professional editors before it goes to print. Second, every book you write should be a little better, but you’re only going to get better by practicing. So what if your first novel sounds awful? I think most successful authors have an awful first story they keep buried in the depths of their desk/hard drive, only digging it out to see how far they’ve come. Lord knows I do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing a novel is more like a marriage than a romance. You won’t have the shiny butterflies in your stomach throughout the entire process, but as long as you’re willing to put work into it you’ll end up with something you love.

What are you reading now?
I’m actually re-reading The China Garden by Liz Berry. It was one of my favorite novels as a teenager so I’m giving in to the nostalgia factor.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keeping on writing and hoping people enjoy what I have to say. It would of course be nice to go best seller and get a movie deal and all that jazz, but mostly I just love writing. I’d do it even if I were only sharing novels with friends.

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?
Don’t make me choose…I would likely grab my copy of The China Garden since I’m in the middle at the moment and have been able to read it probably a dozen times without getting sick of it already. Perhaps also a collection of fairy tales because it’s nice to have a compilation of some sort/they’re great for inspiration/writing prompts. The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory would likely also make a strong showing. Then, after all that, I would likely pick up one of the George R. R. Martin books simply because they’re huge and take me forever to get through. It likely would hold me over until I was able to flag down a passing ship.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jessica Dall Website
Jessica Dall Amazon Profile

Jessica Dall’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been in the IT/Software sector for over twenty years but my first love was always books. I also enjoy rock climbing, boxing, fishing, and chess. I was once a certified personal trainer but now most of my free time is spent with my daughters and chauffeuring them to their myriad of sports and musical activities. My favorite genre to read is Classical closely followed by Fantasy. I chose to write in the Sci-Fi genre because I was at one time a comic-book geek, (especially Marvel) and I liked how comic books leveraged science to explain extraordinary abilities ie mutants and I wanted to explore and expand upon that. I chose my characters because not a lot of protagonist in pop culture look like my daughters and my first novel is my attempt towards remedying.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest and only book is Sins Of The Father and the primary inspiration was my daughters. I also wanted to explore how decisions Corporations make in their board meetings affect the day to day lives of the middle class sometimes tragically. Also being a fan of the late series X-Files motivated to thing on a big scale and how either implicitly or complicity big business and government work together in not always honest ways.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I usually like it quiet but when I’m in the zone a bomb can go off next to me and it wouldn’t affect me at all.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow! I guess my primary influence is Toni Morrison. “The Bluest Eye” was such a profound piece of literature that it stayed with me long after I completed it. JRR Tolkien is a big influence as well. His books read like classics, he basically invented the fantasy genre and he wrote with an unerring since of balance. As far as modern day writers you can’t mention YA without mentioning JK Rowling. She is truly a great writer and her personal story is an inspiration. And last but not least George RR Martin. I love his books and his style of rotating POV’s is how I attempted to write my book

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m marketing my first book. I hope to start writing on my next book soon and complete over the summer so I can begin the editing process this fall.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads has been awesome! It is by far away the best site for self-published authors to get their name out there. After that I would have to say twitter and a distant third has been facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t procrastinate.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write even when you don’t feel like writing

What are you reading now?
Among the Veil by Alexander Sweet

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing up book two of my trilogy and I have some new ideas I want to start such as set of dystopian stories and stand alone detective stories similar to Walter Mosley

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?
Arg! Do I have to answer this? I guess “Of Mice and Men” by Steinbeck. “Lord Of the Rings”. Anything by Toni Morrison, and “Hue and Cry” by James McPherson.

Author Websites and Profiles
Thelonious Legend Website
Thelonious Legend Amazon Profile
Thelonious Legend Author Profile on Smashwords

Thelonious Legend’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in 1979 in Augusta, GA, where I still reside, and have been writing on and off since the age of four. Yes, four. I would use crayons and my sister’s bond paper to write out my own comics stories. At 15, I started writing more seriously and taught myself to type at 16, after which I quickly finished my first-and as yet unpublished-novel. I still revisit it on occasion and admit it needs a lot of work. Since then, I have written about a dozen novels, three of which have been published as ebooks (one of which is also available in paperback), as well as a short story collection on Smashwords.com called Halloween Tales.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The most recently published novel, courtesy of Firefly & Wisp, is called Relic. It was inspired by a trip to Los Angeles, CA, where I saw Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical version of The Phantom of the Opera on stage. The setting, as well as the plot of the show, inspired a novel about an actor who is disfigured in an accident and learns to love again amid a descent into madness.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need music when I write… and sometimes ice cream.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As mentioned before, I began writing comics and cartoons at an early age, but when I was 12 or so, I read a Michael Crichton novel, The Terminal Man, that made me shift gears toward being a novelist. Other influences include Stephen King, Konstantinos, Ray Bradbury, and Edgar Allan Poe.

What are you working on now?
I’ve been editing a novella for publication on Amazon. My publisher mentioned that short works sell better on Amazon than novels, so I figured I’d give it a shot.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have my own website, www.royhudson.com, but I haven’t been keeping up with it. The same goes for my Facebook author page and twitter. I’ve done a few signings in the past, but my favorite method of promoting my books is to hand out bookmarks with all my info on them. A lot of hardcore readers are always in need of more bookmarks, and if they have one with a constant reminder of an indie author and his work, all the better for the self-promoting writer!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay positive. If you fall victim to creative block so that you can’t think of anything new to write, revisit another work for editing. It never hurts to keep editing until everything is perfect.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve read numerous books on writing, and the one consistent piece of advice is, READ. It helps to know what’s out there, what sells, and the type of stories that spark your own imagination into a new direction.

What are you reading now?
I’m actually reading The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, by Chuck Norris. I know, I’m late joining the party when it comes to reading books about pop culture… but I always have been.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As mentioned before, I’m editing for self-publication on Amazon again, and I’ll most likely be ordering copies of Relic for the next local signing event soon.

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?
Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes and From the Dust Returned, the hardbound collection of three Bunnicula books by James Howe, and Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot… probably. My answers change with the tides!

Author Websites and Profiles
Roy Hudson Website
Roy Hudson Amazon Profile
Roy Hudson Author Profile on Smashwords

Roy Hudson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a native to Arizona, though I’m counting down the days until I move to Washington where I’ll hopefully never see the sun again. I’m a huge lover of pretty much all animals (except for monkeys, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and I’m deathly afraid of crickets). Besides my love of reading and writing, I also enjoy the outdoors—that is, when I travel to a place I can step outside without igniting into flames.

I’ve published one book so far and have drafts of three others for the Keepers of Arden series. I also have about six other series waiting in the wings, all of which are in competition to be written next.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Keepers of Arden: The Brothers Volume 1 has been out just shy of a year. I started it after I read a book (the first of the Dragonlance series) involving two brothers who had a very rocky relationship. One brother has held the title of my favorite character since I first picked up the books when I was in high school. Much to my disappointment, the brothers never had the close relationship I longed for them to have. Frustrated after I read them again years ago, I decided to write a book about two brothers who were inseparable. Thus, the Laybryth brothers were born.

Now that I knew the relationship of my two main characters, I needed a story. To me, I find the human mind as fascinating as it is frightening. I think it can play some crazy tricks on us. I believe what we experience in our childhood has massive influence over our perceptions and character. I also think every person is as capable of good as they are evil. With Keepers of Arden, I developed a character whose evil is an actual force within him, one that persuades and manipulates him, one he doesn’t know is evil. I’ve got enough going on in this poor character’s mind that I actually feel a little bad for the guy, but I really wanted to not only explore how he handles this evil force, but how others perceive him.

However, the heart of this book is the journey of two brothers who will face trials and tribulations that will test their bond and internal fortitude.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to my characters when I’m in the shower and when I wake up. Matter of fact, the whole cast of them can carry on conversations. I’m not sure that’s very unusual, but it feels like it is when I catch myself talking aloud.

I can’t write when there’s music on with words or the TV is on. I need silence or classical music. For some reason, spoken words are always distracting when I’m writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think the Dragonlance books and Edgar Allan Poe were the most prominent influences in my youth. I tend to like characters who suffer from some kind of inner turmoil or tragic past (thus Rasitlin is near impossible to top as my favorite character. However, Royce from the Riyria series has come to a very close second place). Since I’ve been writing, I’ve discovered tons of books I love and authors who have my undying loyalty. Patrick Rothfuss. Michael J Sullivan. Anthony Ryan. Zachary Jernigan. Zichao Deng. What they all have in common is an amazing ability to develop exceptionally interesting characters and I consider them indispensable teachers.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on promoting my first book in the Keepers of Arden series (just added print purchasing options), I’m trying to figure out a short story for an anthology, and I’m editing book two of Keepers of Arden. Good news is that I only have one more pass of edits to do on book 2 before I turn it over to a copy editor. I’m very excited to get it out there!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found Goodreads to be a very informative site. After joining quite a few groups, I’ve read posts from readers on what annoys them about authors and promotions, I’ve read challenges other authors have faced, and have found some great friends and book recommendations. It’s a massive community, so not everyone is loving and supportive, but I must say my experiences have been pleasant.

Not only is it a great learning experience, but you can reach a lot of readers and get some reviews. I admit, I’ve been focused on book 2 all year and haven’t been promoting book 1 until just this past week. I’m finding it a little difficult to balance marketing time vs. writing time. That said, I’ve recently dropped some money to promote my book on a few sites, so we’ll see.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oh, that’s easy. First, never proofread your own work. I found that out the hard way. Secondly, read read read read. You can never read enough. And diversify your reading. Don’t stick to all Indie authors and definitely don’t stick to all traditional published authors. Mix it up and you’ll find your writing is easier, your vocabulary grows, and you can pick out weaknesses in your own book by paying close attention to what you don’t like in the books you’re reading. Thirdly, write reviews for every book you’ve read. You’d be amazed at what you can learn from your own reviews. You’ll be picking apart or raving about that other book and it’ll make you think about your own; what you love and what you hate.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read read read read. I wish I would have taken it sooner. I was so worried I would lose my “voice” or be influenced by other stories that I didn’t read the entire time it took me to write book 1. Sure, it’s a risk if you’re not careful, but the benefits are invaluable. I learned so much when I started reading regularly while I was writing book 2. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people. Who doesn’t like talking about books?

What are you reading now?
Resurrection Man by Sean Stewart. I discovered it from a couple of my friends who have read it, so I though I’d give it a try. I’m not far enough into it to decide if I love it yet, but the writing is nice and the story has me asking some questions. Unfortunately, epic fantasy tends to be my favorite and other genres are challenged to hold my attention.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Goodness knows! Hopefully, I can continue writing until my fingers fall off. I’ve found it to be a wonderful escape, better therapy than I could ever hope for, and when someone says they like something I’ve written, I can’t begin to tell you the joy it gives me.

Since I have several series ideas awaiting my attention, I’m hoping to be around for some time. I can guarantee my readers will always have a character striving to overcome internal demons. In the future, I plan on doing a purely quest type series and another series focused more on political intrigue. I want to test my writing and story abilities and will venture into first person for one series. For another, I’ll have a series that has both first and third person POV’s in it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s just cruel, but if I must:

Test of the Twins by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Purely because of Raistlin. I cry every time I read this book and I’ve been reading them since high school.

Heir of Novron by Michael J Sullivan
Ummm… let me just say: Royce. Loved him and found myself sleep deprived while I read the entire Riyria Revelations. It also took me weeks to get over these books.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this story, how much I cried, and how engaging I found Kvothe. Rothfuss’s writing is simply beautiful.

No Return by Zachary Jernigan
This book was smarter than me, and I would love a chance to sit down without any interruptions and force my little brain to imagine some of the stuff Jernigan described. The guy’s imagination is off the charts.

Author Websites and Profiles
L.K. Evans Website
L.K. Evans Amazon Profile
L.K. Evans Author Profile on Smashwords

L.K. Evans’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi everyone.I am Delilah.
I love fiction.I am addicted to stories in any form and genre.
My only criterion is that a story should be well composed.It needs to be beautiful,even if I donot see the truth in its beauty.
I am an author because I have a story that needs to be told. My mind keeps spinning unending tales in my head and I turn the yarns to words.
You can say I’m a spinner of tales.
Hi, I have two ebooks.
One is a short story(Rose: crime story) and the other is a novel(Random Memories: YA Romance).
I’m offering FREE pdf copies to anyone willing to review/rate/shelf it on Goodreads and amazon.
If you’re interested in helping out please send me a direct message on goodreads, or email me on chamukan@yahoo.com.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Random Memories

I can’t pinpoint one inspiration. The book sort of evolved in me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on paper and later type on computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.K Rowling,Ayn Rand,Shakespeare,James Joyce.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on my first dystopian Romance.But the romance is a little wierd and also the world.Hope it entertains you.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Giving books for free worked for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The real game begins when you start marketing. Goodluck!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Self publishing is not easy.

What are you reading now?
Buddhist literature:)

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books and more marketing!

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?
Fountainhead,Ulysses,Hamlet,Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
Delilah Canaan Amazon Profile

Delilah Canaan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an active duty Navy guy with ten years in, ten years to go! I’ve been stationed all across the U.S. and in Japan and am heading back to Japan (this time with a family) at the end of the summer. I’m pretty excited to be going back and hoping to get some great inspiration for my writing while I’m there (and a lingering influence for years to come after we leave).

I currently have two novels written (one published, one revising) and a scattering of short stories and collections out now. I like to dabble in various genres, but all my work has some fantastic or speculative elements to them. These range from adventure fantasy to crime-noir to space-faring science fiction. I also have a few oddball ideas for some weird west/steampunk stories and novels, as well as a few that would be very hard to classify. While there are many best-selling authors who make careers (and millions) from writing series that never end, I prefer to never write the same thing twice. (Or at least not a dozen times, no matter the sales numbers that might go along with that.)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My biggest work published to date is Tarnish, a coming of age fantasy novel of sword and sorcery. What makes Tarnish different, though, is that there are no elves, dwarves, secretly gifted orphans, etc. I try to do things differently from everyone else. It’s also not for kids. I think of it as “mature YA” to new adult (and just plain adult). It’s certainly compatible with a young adult audience, but it’s not written for one. (When I was in 6th grade I was reading Stephen King and those were simpler times, so I know there are teenagers out there who can handle more mature stuff than Harry Potter.)

As for what inspired it, I’m not sure. The story is litterally at least twelve years old, having evolved from a short story idea to a 400-page novel, so… After so many years of development and evolution, I don’t know where it all started.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unfortuneatly I don’t have much for writing habits at all! Which sounds terrible, I know. What I mean is, between full-time military and full-time family, I don’t get much time for writing. I suppose a few things I could mention, though, would be that I can’t write at home (too many distractions) and that I usually go through three, four, or more drafts on something before I start to feel confident that it’s ready for anyone else to see.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have a wide range of interests. I think every writer should have a good foundation in classic and contemporary literature, even if they’re writing genre stuff. Some of my favorites are 1984, Lord of the Flies, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, anything by Kurt Vonnegut or Chuck Palahniuk, A Clockwork Orange, Dracula, Fahrenheit 451, and the Iliad and Odyessey. (Okay, admittedly, many of these have a genre-tinge to them.)

What are you working on now?
Promotional planning has been all-consuming for me these past few weeks. But when I do start writing again (hopefully next week), it will be on one or more of a short list of projects. I have a hard time nailing down which I should seriously pursue next, but I know I’ll need to focus in order to get it done. Right now I’m debating the reworking of my SF-murder mystery, my superhero series, or a collection of space opera adventure stories.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m just getting started on the promotion track. In fact, this weekend (May 2-4, 2014) is my first big Amazon countdown promotion, so we’ll see how that turns out very soon. Up to now, though, Goodreads seems to me to be a great place to talk about books and to hopefully get people talking about your own books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be like me. 🙂 Actually, I’ve had some mild success and have been published in some magazines and online. So I guess my advice would be, “Don’t give up.” As well as, “Don’t trust your own eyes.” Always have someone else read your work too before you put it out into the world, because you will never catch all your own mistakes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Probably for me, it’s, “the best way to sell more books is to write more books.” But I haven’t gotten there yet. 🙂

What are you reading now?
I just finished a great non-fiction book called SUPERHEROES!, which chronicles the real history of the superhero and comic book industries from the 30s to now. Very interesting. Ever wonder why DC and Marvel “feel” different? Read this book and you’ll know why!

I’m also reading Caliban’s War by Corey. I really liked the first book of this SF series, though this second book, so far, isn’t quite as cool. But I’m not very deep into it yet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing! I continue to submit short stories to magazines and contests because I believe self-publishing isn’t the best way to get yourself out there. But I’ve pretty much given up on trying to get a novel “published-published”. With the self-publishing boom, I think the big wig publishing companies are going to have a difficult time convincing authors that they need their services anymore. And I have at least 20 books in mind. (Which will take me 50 years to write at my current pace, but they’re coming, slowly but surely.)

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?
Ugh. That’s a good question. I’d have to do some deep meditation and research on that! But I’d probably go for some thick compendiums and complete works editions if I can only bring three or four…

Author Websites and Profiles
J. D. Brink Website
J. D. Brink Amazon Profile
J. D. Brink Author Profile on Smashwords

J. D. Brink’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a vintage (1952) Fantasy & SF fan, and a hybrid author since 2012. I have 3 fantasy books trade published in Dutch in the Netherlands and 5 in English through my own label published on Amazon, Smashwords and many online bookstores.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest title is Ordelanden, #3 of the Shadow of the Revenaunt-series. It is light epic fantasy for both Y.A. and Adults. The name comes from the medieval military orders like the Teutonic knights.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

The authors that top my (rather long) list are David Eddings (Belgariad/Malloreon & Elenium/Tamuli), Raymond Feist (Riftwar, Empire, Serpentwar), Anne McCaffrey (Dragonriders), Ellis Peters (the Brother Cadfael whodunits), Tolkien (for his use of the old legends), the whole Dungeons & Dragons universe.

Computer games are inspirations, too. I’ve played Warcraft, Everquest II, and others, games like Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Gothic, the Elder Scrolls, DragonAge.

What are you working on now?
Three books:

My main W.i.P. has the working title of ‘Warlocky’, a light fantasy adventure with a colorful cast and gender. You can follow my progress on my website: www.paulhorsman-author.com.

The final book of my Shardheld trilogy is in the beta read stage and scheduled for Summer 2014.

The fourth book in my Revenaunt-series, ‘Grimoires’.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still seeking. In my case, as I am not writing ‘with the stream’, it’s a matter of finding the right audience. I use book tour operators, that gives me some Amazon reviews and I post my books in as many places as I can reach.

But I’ve little time and, in all honesty, less ambition in promotion; I need my energy for writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Unless it’s your publisher’s editor, use all advice with a grain of salt.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There are no rules in writing, only suggestions.

This took away a lot of uncertainty.

What are you reading now?
I have very little time for reading, these days. I just got the final Feist book (Magician’s End), and I have a little stack of others waiting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After the three books I already mentioned, I have at least two more Revenaunt books to do.

Then I’ve been working on a dystopian fantasy, but I’m not happy about parts of the plot, so I have that one on simmer at the moment.

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?
Lord of the Rings, and I’ve some survivor books from my scouting days.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul E. Horsman Website
Paul E. Horsman Amazon Profile
Paul E. Horsman Author Profile on Smashwords

Paul E. Horsman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from South Korea. I was adopted when I was four months old and raised in the small upstate New York town of Groton, near Ithaca, New York. I went to college at Binghamton University and earned a degree in History.

I have written one book, Black Wolf: A World at War Novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is my first, Black Wolf: A World at War Novel.

I came up with the idea while watching the show Log Horizon, an anime set in a virtual world MMO. I had seen other shows set in a virtual world MMO as well, most notably .//hack sign and Sword Art Online, and I had noticed that the majority of them were set in a swords and sorcery fantasy world. I decided I would try my hand at creating a similar story based in a somewhat futuristic first-person shooter, and the rest is history.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to make things up as I go. I have a basic idea of what I want to write, but at most they’re no more than a set of stops along the way, and I have to invent how the characters get there. Speaking of characters, I also have a tendency to have minor roles develop a life of their own and become much more prominent.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read most of Tom Clancy’s novels when I was a teen, so they have had an influence on my writing. There’s also a good deal of influence from Dan Abnett’s Gaunt’s Ghosts series.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a short story collection set in the World at War universe which tells side stories of secondary characters from Black Wolf. It will also contain parts that will serve as the bridge between Black Wolf and the next novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth. You can be constantly bombarded by an author trying to sell you their book, but having a friend tell you a book as good versus having an author telling you a book is good makes a world of difference.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You are an AUTHOR, not just a WRITER. Marketing plays a significant role in being an author; I estimate I spend over half my time promoting instead of writing. You can have the greatest book in the world, but if no one reads it, what good is it?

Being an author is hard work. Many times I’ve put in 14 hours a day into writing and promotion. At the same time, it’s also extremely rewarding.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Seven times down, eight times up. It was a slogan that my karate sensei had tattooed to his arm, and it stuck with me. No matter how many times or how hard you fall, get back up and keep fighting.

What are you reading now?
Gah, I don’t have time to read, I have too much writing to do!

In all seriousness, though, I’m, trying to read through A Dance With Dragons, but I keep getting distracted by work/life/shiny objects…

What’s next for you as a writer?
A lot of writing. There’s a lot of ground I can cover in the World at War series, and I think I’ve only scratched the surface.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete Lord of the Rings

A Canticle for Leibowitz

Survival Skills for Dummies (does that even exist?)

Author Websites and Profiles
Mitchell Jacobs Website
Mitchell Jacobs Amazon Profile
Mitchell Jacobs Author Profile on Smashwords

Mitchell Jacobs’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written at least five books, two of which have been published by Ecanus Publishing. I started writing when I was fourteen, a long time ago, when someone gave me an old, out of date diary that had blank pages. I filled it with stories and pictures, I’d written and drawn myself.

I think the reason I wanted to write, was because all my family were avid readers, and on my birthday I would receive all kinds of books, which I absolutely devoured.

As I grew older, I joined various writing groups, which encouraged me to step up from short stories, to full novels. I made a few failed attempts at this, because I wasn’t sure what genre I wanted to write in. Then one day someone gave the first book in the Harry Dresden series, by Jim Butcher, and I was hooked; urban fantasy became my niche.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Through the Gloaming, and is book two in The Silver Flute Trilogy. Originally I was only going to write the first novel, Land of Midnight Days, as a stand alone, but then decided the characters were too good to mothball, and so I continued their adventures in book two, and am currently writing the third, and final novel, Dawn Horizon.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I write a lot sitting in bed with my laptop, and a huge bar of chocolate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, as I said above, Jim Butcher was a huge influence, closely followed by Robin Hobb, also known as Megan Lindholme. Then there’s David Gemmell, Jack Vance, and of course, Sir Terry Pratchett. All these authors’ books gave me the inspiration to write my own, From The Drsden Files, The Assasins series, right up to the Disc World Novels.

What are you working on now?
I’m about halfway to completing Dawn Horizon, the third in The Silver Flute Trilogy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve promoted on Facebook, Goodreads, and my own website, but the best exposure I’ve had are on sites like yours; they’re an absolute God send.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, and they’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating. Never, ever give up on your writing dreams, and make sure you’re work is to a very high standard.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To believe in myself and my writing. If I don’t, then no one else will.

What are you reading now?
The Firelord’s crown, by Dee Harrison. It’s the first in a series of high fantasy novels, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, once I’ve finished Dawn Horizon, I’m contemplating my next novel, called Horizon. It’s a mixture of high and urban fantasy.

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?
It would have to be Jim Butcher’s Dresden files, and some of the Disc World novels by Sir Terry Pratchett.

Author Websites and Profiles
Katrina Jack Website
Katrina Jack Amazon Profile

Katrina Jack’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written. Hi there, thanks for having me here today,. My name is Laura Iding and I’ve written almost 40 books, mostly for Harlequin under a few names, although I have recently published a few indie books as well. I’m a critical care nurse by day and an author by night. I love writing and reading romantic suspense. My hubby and I are celebrating 30 years together and we make our home in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it? My book is Target For Terror written under L. A. Iding and it’s a fast paced romantic suspense dealing with the Russian mafia and a potential terrorist attack on the US. The story mostly takes place in Washington DC, one of my favorite cities. The heroine of this story is a critical care nurse and her patient tells her he knows who shot him. This exact same scenario happened several times in our ICU since we’re a level one trauma center we get all the gunshot wounds, stabbings and car/motorcycle crashes. I used this scenario as a way to open this story, although certainly Natalia gets into far more trouble than I ever did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits? Hmm, not that I’m aware of (she says with a grin)! Since I still work a full time job, I have to be very disciplined with my writing and I always try to write at least 30 pages per week. Sometimes it’s more if the story is humming along, other times not so much. But I do treat my writing as a part time job and force myself to write even when I don’t want to. Having deadlines to meet makes it easier for me to keep on track. My day job is always interesting and I often get ideas from real life incidents in the hospital.

What authors, or books have influenced you? I loved Suzanne Brockmann’s earlier books where she had a secondary story line that intersected with the main story line and that was the influence for my new release, Target For Terror. I also love Laura Griffin’s suspense books, she really knows how to tell a great story. Other favorite authors are Kay Hooper, and J. D. Robb.

What are you working on now? I’m working on a three book contract for Harlequin but at the same time, I’m also working on Jordan’s story, Target For Blackmail which is the next book in my Security Specialists, Inc. Series. I have a rough idea for the third book as well, Target For Revenge. I have so many ideas that I want to write about, it’s just a matter of time and money. Right now, Harlequin is paying more than my indie books, but I’m hoping that will change at some point.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books? I am the worst promoter on the planet, I would much rather be writing the next story. I do have a website, www.lauraiding.com, but it needs to be updated. I am on Facebook but my best advertising is word of mouth and I often hear from my readers who claim to love my stories.

Do you have any advice for new authors? My advice is that success is 85% determination and 15% talent. I believe that successful authors don’t give up and keep writing and perfecting their craft. I hear lots of people say, “oh I’ve always wanted to write a book” and my response is “Why haven’t you?” There isn’t ever a good reason. Everyone has family issues, job responsibilities and other commitments but if that stops you, then you haven’t made writing a priority. So plop your butt in a chair, power up your computer and get writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard? See above, LOL. Seriously, I have always written stories from the time I was a kid, so for me it was all about being determined to learn my craft and to get my books out there. It is so much easier now than it was ten years ago when I first became published. Authors have so many options to get their work out to readers and many are hugely successful. The only thing stopping you is yourself. What are you reading now? I am currently reading Far Gone by Laura Griffin. I really enjoy her books. I love to read, but I also need to do a lot of writing so finding the balance is difficult! What’s next for you as a writer? I hope to keep on writing the Security Specialists, Inc. series. In the meantime I will continue to write for Harlequin as well to help pay the bills for conferences, etc. Maybe one day I’ll be able to retire from the hospital (since I’ve already been there for 32 years) and write full time. That’s my dream and my 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? I hate this question, because I’d much rather bring three blank notebooks with me so I could write! But okay, I would take a Laura Griffin book, probably the first one in her Tracer’s series and probably the first book in the J. D. Robb series and probably Kay Hooper’s first Bishop series book. But just know that I’d probably be writing my own stories in between the lines of these books.

Author Websites and Profiles

Laura Iding Website

 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written. This is my first book. I was born in 1964, and grew up in Northport, NY. I’ll never forget those days when we would walk to school, ride bikes to the beach, play stick ball in the street, and hang out under the street lights until well past dark. Life was simpler then and I learned something really important (although it took me many years to understand it). Every day of your life is what you make of it. I’ve had my share of good and bad days. No matter what we face in life, how we face it is just as important as the outcome. I like the current phrase “Be Present”, but I would take it one step further. Make the most out of every moment, so that if anyone is your last you can look back in pride at not having wasted it. How we touch the lives of those around us is far more important than what we’ve accomplished. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and three sons who fill my life with purpose every day. Having traveled around the world for work (more places than some and a lot less than others) I have been blessed with friends all over the globe. I only hope that in some small way I have touched their lives as much as they have touched mine. I found my faith late in life. For a long time I didn’t believe. Then one day, I knew without a doubt that God existed. I knew that he was working in my life in ways I can’t always see, but that he was there. How I knew is one of the things I can’t put into words. It would be like trying to explain how I use the muscles in my hand. It is something that is beyond words. Onto the topic at hand, writing. My sincerest thanks to anyone who reads my work. Writing is my passion, it always has been. My college professor Judith Johnson wrote a poem, “the gift”. what have i got for you? only what i am, and you are not. More than thirty years later her words still resonate and inspire me. What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it? Seal of the King is the result of a few different ideas I had come up with over the years. I had decided I wanted to write a fantasy story that had a compelling love story as part of it. Then the idea of pulling these other elements into it helped it all fall into place. Do you have any unusual writing habits? I tend to write late at night mostly when everyone else is asleep so I can unwind. I see the story play out in my mind as if watching a movie so I often go back to the beginning to re-read it and get the thread and check for continuity. What authors, or books have influenced you? There are a number of authors I really like, but most recently I read all the Harry Potter and Sword of Truth series. JK Rowling did such a masterful job of bringing the characters to life and created an emotional connection to them that every challenge they faced felt so real and compelling. Terry Goodkind also did a fantastic job with his characters and I really enjoyed the relationship between Richard and Kahlan. I particularly liked the fact that we didn’t have to suffer through the will she won’t she, will he won’t he angst. There are plenty of other ways to create meaningful conflict for your hero and heroine. What are you working on now? I am currently working on the sequel Seal of the King into the Heart of Darkness. What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books? In my experience so far I have found a lot of success through all the social media channels and independent book sites. But it requires dedication and consistency. You have to work on it every day. Do you have any advice for new authors? You make your own destiny. It doesn’t matter if you self publish or publish through a publishing house. You have to get out there to get the word out. What is the best advice you have ever heard? Your goal needs to be getting people to read your book, not making money. If you can get people to read it and it is good then it will sell. What are you reading now? I just finished reading a draft manuscript for an author friend of mine so I am focusing now on wrapping up my next book What’s next for you as a writer? As soon as I have the draft of my next book complete I have another book to finish while it is being edited. If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring? Books 1, 2 and 7 of the Harry potter series, The wizards First Rule and probably a book on how to survive on a dessert island.

 

Author Websites and Profiles

Ralph Smith Website Ralph Smith Amazon Profile

 

Ralph Smith’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently contracted with Write Integrity Press for three series. Stalking Willow and Better than Revenge, the first two novels in the Amazing Grace romantic suspense series are currently available for purchase, as are Charisse and Libby, the first two releases in her The Ties That Bind contemporary romance series. Serenity is the third series contracted, and Storms in Serenity is slated for release summer 2014.
I’m a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. I served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For my volunteer efforts for ACFW, I received the Service Members Award in 2010. I was influential in the creation of the Central Florida ACFW Chapter known as Sonshine Scribes, and I’m a past-president and will serve as secretary in 2014.
I reside reside in Florida with my husband, Marc, where multi-generations of our families have lived. The legacy continues with our two married sons and six grandchildren.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Libby is my newest release, which is the second novel in my The Ties that Bind series. Libby jumped into the pages of Charisse’s story, and she won my heart. I didn’t realize until I’d written her tale that Libby is a lot like me, only better. Though Libby can’t see that about herself. Her lack of self-esteem is where I was several years ago. A poor image our herself keeps her from experiencing life to its fullest, and that’s what Libby’s story is about.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not habits really. I write. I love to write. Story world is where I go to get away from my every day problems. However, I’m also an editor for a well-known Christian publisher, and that keeps me busy and out of my story world more than I would like. However, I love working with authors. It’s a passion of mine.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been a James A. Michener fan since the tenth grade of high school when my history teacher assigned me Centennial for a book report. I shrugged it off, read off of the tome, and did my report. I aced it, but the book, and Michener’s writing remained with me, and I again took up Centennial, read it completely and then advanced to reading every one of Michener’s novel. His novel, The Drifters, has a great influence on a novel that I’m writing in which the backdrop of the story is professional surfing. Other writers who have influenced me are Sharyn McCrumb, John Grisham, and Margaret Daley.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on the third book in my romantic suspense series, Amazing Grace. The book is entitled Everybody’s Broken, the story of four individuals completely undone by the death of someone they love. His death leaves them at the whim of a psychotic killer. They must discover not only who the murderer is but what he wants from them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find that I’m most comfortable with interviews. I love them. I’m able to be myself, and I can share about my writing journey and the journeys of my characters with ease. As I mentioned, I love working with writers, but I also love connecting with readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As cliche as they sound: 1) Don’t let anyone steal your dreams, but on the other hand, remember that not everyone who offers constructive criticism is trying to steal your dreams. That person might just be trying to hand you your dreams on a silver platter; and 2) Don’t every give up. No matter what. Take the criticism you receive, evaluate it, and move on accordingly. As an editor, when I send a rejection letter, I always try to provide a reason for the rejection. Editors want authors to succeed. They’re the reason we’re in this business.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I complained once about networking. I didn’t like the concept of siding up to someone because they had something to offer me. A wonderful mentor told me I was looking at the concept all wrong. I should be looking for people that I could side up to who needed me, and I should give without thinking of what I could get out of the scenario. This opened up so many doors for me, doors of service, doors of friendship, and also doors of opportunity that had I been seeking something specifically from an individual, I would have missed altogether.

What are you reading now?
Well, I’m always reading. That’s my job. I also read for contests and for my blog, Inner Source, in which I interview authors and characters and help authors promote their work. The last story I read was a novel by Christine Lindsay entitled Captured by Moonlight. Christine takes the reader into 1920’s India, and the image is fascinating.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m awaiting the release of the first book in my third series, Serenity Key. Storms in Serenity is the novel that literally took my lifetime to write. I started it nearly thirty-five years ago. The story is a modern-day retelling of the aftermath of David’s sin with Bathsheba. When I began the novel, I realized that our sexual relationships, when improper, aren’t just personal sins. As David’s story shows, there are far-reaching consequences. Storms in Serenity takes the adultery of one man, thirty years before the story begins, and shows how it can affect generations of family, even friends, into the future. Since they tell you that most first novels are never published, I’m excited to prove that theory wrong.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh, wow. I’m not sure. Surprisingly, I think they would be how-to books on the craft of story writing. The elements of storytelling fascinate me. I believe that there are key elements that every author most learn and relearn in order to tell a great story. That’s the reason I wrote my non-fiction tutorial, The Art of Characterization, which shows authors, by example, how to craft unforgettable characters by using all of the elements of storytelling.

Author Websites and Profiles
Fay Lamb Website
Fay Lamb Amazon Profile

Fay Lamb’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a singer-songwriter and a vocal coach from West London. I’m married with two sons. I released my second album in September 2013 and I will be releasing a single soon too.
Writing is relatively new for me but I’ve come to love it as much as I love my music. In fact I’m in the middle of writing my second novel and loving every minute of it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Holding Paradise’. I would say it was inspired by the stories my mother told me about her life in the Caribbean and what life was like for them when they first came to London. There were a lot of ups and downs and it was not easy for them. The idea for a female character created a spark in my mind and I invented a lot of obstacles for her to overcome or try to cope with. I tried to contrast her life with a second character from London who had quite different problems of her own to deal with.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual as such but I do like to write in different rooms in my flat. I don’t know why it is. Sometimes I’ll write in my office, sometimes it just feels right to write in bed. I write in front of the television and I’ve even brought my laptop into the kitchen. I haven’t tried the bathroom – maybe for obvious reasons. Yes, I don’t want to get shampoo in the laptop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m influenced by authors whose styles and genres are very different from mine. They influence me because they all really know how to tell a story and transport you to a different world with great effect. My favourites are Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Maya Angelou and Alice Walker.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m half way through novel number two. It’s working title is ‘When Skies are Grey’. It’s about a woman with a secret. It’s brimming with lies, jazz music and an unlikely love triangle.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well they say there’s nothing better than word of mouth so I’ve tried to get my friends and family to act as my megaphone to shout about Holding Paradise to everyone they know. But the truth is, this is my first book so I don’t have a tried and tested method. I’d love to know the secret of some authors’ success stories.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say to write the story you want to write and don’t try to follow trends. Readers will know when a writer is faking it and they also know when you clearly believe in what you write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My best piece of advice came from writer Stephen King in his book called ‘On Writing’. It’s actually a memoir and a very interesting read. In it he tells writers to write their first draft with the office door closed. Meaning keep your head down and don’t discuss your book until you really know what you’re trying to say. Get it finished. He goes on to say write the subsequent drafts with the office door open. In other words, this is the time to take advice, have people read your book and give you feedback. It’s amazing the things you don’t spot when left to your own devices!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a book of poems by a young writer called Warsan Shire. Very inspiring for one so young and I’m not really a fan of poetry.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well I’m hoping to finish writing the second novel this year and I will then try to find an agent. It’s a tough road to take on your own. I’m not the best at promoting myself and could do with the support and guidance of an expert on my side.

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 think it would have to be Maya Angelou’s autobiography which is a bit of a cheat as that is actually six books. But that is such a difficult question to answer, I’ve got too many favourites. I think I might have to smuggle a couple of others I’ve just remembered – sorry I’d need Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel and Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Wait – I can bring chocolate too, right?

Author Websites and Profiles
Fran Clark Website
Fran Clark Amazon Profile

Fran Clark’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account