Awesome Author Interviews

Here are some of the awesome authors that have submitted books for you to enjoy. Get to know them and discover their awesome books.

CHRIS BAUM

Interview With Author CHRIS BAUM

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a writer in rural Ohio and am a native Ohioan. I have 4 books, all of which are fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is called WHERE THE JOURNEY TAKES US and it was inspired by my college days when I had taken a poetry class. Thus, I included works from when I was younger (edited and revived) and added more poems in their many stylistic forms (traditional, Haiku, rhyme, etc.). I also added many flash fiction stories. I think the two compliment each other quite well as short fiction.

This is book 2 of what I call my Riveting Short Fiction series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual, just methodical…one word at a time with what time allows.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Raymond Carver
Stephen King
Lee Child
Justin Alcala

What are you working on now?
I'm delving into more of a dark humor, noir supernatural thriller that I might even publish episodically via Kindle Vella (I've never written in this format or on this platform, and so I may just try it).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media, Amazon, and Awesome Gang (of course!).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write often, in the genre that most interests you, as that's how you'll excel the most.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write is human, but to edit is divine.

What are you reading now?
I'm almost finished with ALL OF US (the collected poems by Raymond Carver).

What’s next for you as a writer?
To make it on the NY Times Best Seller list.

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 Survive on an Island for Dummies
The Bible (so I can pray with scripture often)
Wild Fruits & Berries That Are Safe to Eat
Cast Away

*All titles made up except the last one.

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Guillaume McMartin

Interview With Author Guillaume McMartin

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
5 years ago, I almost killed myself because I thought I was a failure after letting people bully me all my life. It's at that moment that a voice in my heart told me I had a purpose and I was meant to find it!

I went on a journey from being a firefighter to law school, investing, social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public speaking, writing and content creating to inspire people to take care of Mother Nature and the people around them!

I have been on a journey across Canada for Love, Harmony and Peace for the past year that has given me the inspiration to write my very first novel! Total nomadic living 🙂

I have written 3 books so far, the last one being my novel. There will be many more to come in this novel series and I am excited to write them! (and maybe turn it into a TV series!!?)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Messenger – The Untold Journey.

Last year, with less than $18 left in my bank account, I went on a journey across Canada on my mountain bike with an 80-lbs trailer for Love, Harmony and Peace between all nations and found my heart had a great connection with the Native peoples.

This journey has brought me even closer to Mother Earth than the previous 2 summers where I was cleaning trash and litter from creeks and forests to give gratitude from saving me when I wanted to kill myself.

This journey I took led me to ceremonies, prayers, teachings, visions and dreams that inspired this novel that tells the journey of Jesus in his 20's that led him to his 3-year journey we know about from the Bible.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Of course haha!

I write outside in the forest for as long as my laptop batteries can last! I write at the farm, at the small town cafe. I write and the words flow through my fingers on the keyboard without thinking of what I am writing.

I've started writing in the winter while I was keeping a fire in Sault-Ste-Marie and after a few days the app I was using to write my book erased all my manuscript and I could not retrieve it. Fortunately, I had just written a couple chapters, and had the first one saved because I had started to write it on Word. I did lose my inspiration then, until I accepted a couple months later that I was not bringing the story where it needed to go.

The words started flowing again in the Spring and within about a month or two, I had written the last words.

By the way, when I write I am totally ADHD and look around and play games on the computer or my phone or think about a project, luckily the visions I have eventually come back and I get hyperfocused and the words start flowing!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author is Paulo Coelho, especially The Alchemist. A girl I had a crush on when I was 18 told me to read it and I did and fell in love with the book. By the way, that girl totally friend zoned me haha!

This book ended up on my night table about 2 years ago with a message my deceased grandparents had left to my mom on Christmas after she had divorced their son, my dad. I read it in one afternoon sitting on a rock in the creek at one of the forests I had cleaned many times near where I lived. The book made me laugh, cry, love… I realized when I had read it about 16 years earlier, I had understood about 3% of the book, now that my spiritual connection was stronger, I could grasp so much more.

The next summer, while spending time at my dad's cottage, I borrowed many more Paulo Coelho's books from the library and devoured them. I also read my late grandparent's travel journal from 1986-87 to Mexico in their Westfalia to spend 4 months with their friend Pierre, a priest working with the native communities in a small village there.

They lived an adventure and the van life way before it was popular on social media!

A couple days later, I was on my mountain bike starting a long journey across Canada!

What are you working on now?
I'm working on multiple projects, that's the gift of having ADHD and brain damage through a severe ski accident that almost killed me back in 2016 haha! Forgive the laugh, I'm a really happy and positive person and I think it's a gift 🙂

Working on a project with the Native communities to create a wildlife sanctuary to protect all of Creation, the animals and the land from deforestation and the mining that is hurting the land in Northern Ontario, Canada.

Also working on a project to bring children in wheelchairs and with special needs to a pond to fish in an animal refuge with horses, a donkey and rescue dogs!

Naturally working on promoting my just published first novel and will be starting writing the next one in the series very soon!

Appart from that, I'll continue living my nomadic life, going to ceremonies and connecting with the people and the animals from the land.

Ohhh and one last thing, I need to finish my journey across Canada on my bike as I only made it from Quebec to half of Ontario in 3 months last year when I thought I'd be in Vancouver within 2 months haha! So finish that, and then I met a friend at a pow wow this summer who dreams of biking from Vancouver to the southernest point in Argentina all the way down Turtle Island so I'm totally in for that too! I'll essentially be on the road biking and meeting the people for the next couple years.

After that, no idea, yet I kinda want to travel across Africa, Tibet, the Middle East… The journey is only starting!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea haha! First book I published a couple years ago I started writing a blog post one morning and after 3 days writing non-stop it became a book! I did not promote that one, just published it on Amazon and didn't talk about it much. Essentially made no sales except maybe my Mom haha! Not even sure she got it.

I ended up giving it for free for people who signed up for my newsletter back then. Was trying a bunch of different businesses, loved creating them, but then when it was time to operate them I was bored so I shelfed them and created a new one. Let's say I spent a lot of money, and didn't make much haha!

Now that I just published my first novel, I will promote it, so far 1 social media post got my book #54 in the category where my favorite book The Alchemist is ranked #1, this is so awesome!!

I'm thinking of doing a press release, social media ads, videos, posts, book launch, signing, travels and the like to promote the book. The only thing is I live with almost no money so I've got to sell a few to do that!

I have faith 🙂

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Like Richard Branson says, who was a bit too much my entrepreneur idol haha, "Screw It, Let's Do It!"

Just stop thinking about it and write!

If nothing comes, just pray for purpose, to serve humanity. God/Creator/Allah/Whatever you believe in will put you on a journey you wouldn't even imagine and that's got to give you the inspiration for your biography, at minimum haha!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Humm this will sound strange to some, yet while I was fasting at Thunder Mountain last month, I traveled very far to the Universe and God, Creator showed me what we needed to do to bring peace between all nations and bring people to live in harmony with all of creation. I can't really explain it, God doesn't speak that way. It felt quite overwhelming, yet I was shown that the Divine plan is already in place and we're all a piece of the puzzle so no pressure haha!

Of and second bit of advice I got on the second day of my journey from a very wise man from India who became my guru for 2 days, "If you want to travel far, travel light." My bike's trailer was too full and heavy, I eventually dropped some stuff haha!

What are you reading now?
Right now there's a book that jumped at me while I was talking to the librarian that was in the new books section. It's called Life In The City Of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller. It's amazing because when I picked it up I read his biography and he's Cree from Pukatagawan in Northern Manitoba and I traveled with the Chief from there in 2017 when I was still looking for my purpose and was a bit of a hot-headed investor. I had good intentions, yet my ego was strong, "look at me" as I was finally successful or so I thought after having felt like a failure all my life. Well needless to say those projects didn't work out haha! The Chief became the Grand Chief so really cool for him!

Anyways, Thomas who wrote this book relates a very rough childhood that led him to drugs, crime, jail and gangs. He turned his life around when he was 19 to activism, protecting the native communities and the environment. I am halfway through and this is a really inspiring read!

Thomas reminds me of my friend Wayne Mouland who passed away last year shortly after we cleaned the Hamilton Beach together before Winter. He had also been a violent criminal and drug dealer and in jail he discovered meditation and turned his life around. He then created the Echo Movement and inspired people to come together and clean parks and beaches around Toronto every week for 4 years. Bless your spirit Wayne, I know you are with us. I never got to read your book as I lost all my possessions, yet I know it will come to me one day 🙂

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write the other 5 or 6 books in The Messenger series I will travel and live with the different Native peoples around the world, I am so excited about it! A seer/friend suggested I get a horse because traveling on my bike in the Winter is hard and horses don't require gazoline!

So when Creator brings me a horse, I'll start traveling 🙂

Oh and I know The Messenger series of books will become a TV series so will be working on that when the time comes!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring The Alchemist as I've already read it 3 times. The 3rd time was 2 months ago, all the library had from Paulo Coelho was a graphic novel of The Alchemist and it was an awesome read! I told them to get a bunch of his books, yet I'm not sure they're on it, I will ask again 🙂

Second book would be my friend Wayne Mouland's book about his journey form violent criminal to environmental activism as I've never got to read it and lost it when all my things disappeared as I had said that after being bankrupt, I had learned that if I would lose everything I had left, which was very minimal, I'd still be okay. Well God made it happen within 48 hours haha!

The 3rd book I guess would be the Bible as I have never read it, yet I suppose one day I'll finally do it. I'd like if I could find a version of the Bible, the Coran, essentialy all religious/spiritual texts from all nations in 1 book. That would be a cool read to see all the connections between all beliefs! And for all my Native friends, I know all your teachings, beliefs and prophecies are not written as you are of oral tradition so I could not find them in such a book, yet they would travel with me in my heart to this desert island!

With Love,
Guillaume McMartin,
One Who Walks With A Strong Heart

Author Websites and Profiles

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Laurent Cousineau

Interview With Author Laurent Cousineau

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Canadian environmentalist and founder of the website Climate Change Guide, which I have worked on since 2011. I am interested in mental health, climate change, politics, technology, and film.

I have written one novel so far but I am planning on writing more novels in the future.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called "The Angel of Death Origins: OCD, Bullying and Questioning Reality"

A large portion of my novel is based on my own personal experiences. As the subtitle suggests, the main topics are OCD, bullying and questioning reality (the simulation hypothesis). Like the main character of my novel (Laurent Casino), I suffered from OCD as well as post-traumatic stress from years of severe bullying in my youth. Like my main character. I was bullied by students and teachers in high school for several years. Also like my main character, I believed in the simulation hypothesis since 2017.

My main goal is to spread awareness about many issues and share my personal story through a novel (my novel is like a mixture of fiction and my autobiography).

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None in particular

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The book "1984" influenced me for my second novel. In my second novel that I am working on, a nation is turning into an extreme dystopia.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my second novel which is a dark comedy political satire.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Amazon

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For my second novel, I did a lot of brainstorming on a file on my smartphone. I kept adding more and more ideas to that "Samsung Notes" document and I send it to my own email occasionally for a backup. I think this method could be useful for new authors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try to only keep the interesting parts of the story, remove what is unnecessary

What are you reading now?
Currently, I am reading a lot of news articles instead of novels. I try to get news from several different sources.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on writing my second novel which is political satire. This second novel of mine is inspired by the book "1984" and by movies such as "Don't Look Up," "The Great Dictator," and "Idiocracy"

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
"1984," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "The Simulation Hypothesis: An MIT Computer Scientist Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics, and Eastern Mystics All Agree We Are in a Video Game"

Author Websites and Profiles

Laurent Cousineau Website

Laurent Cousineau Amazon Profile

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Cherie A Marquez

Interview With Author Cherie A Marquez

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My mission is to help families worldwide keep their dogs in their FOREVER home by teaching them how to train their dog without treats. I want to help as many animals and people as possible.

I have accomplished 1 book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote my book, HAPPY DOGS = HAPPY HOMES, PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES WITHOUT USING TREATS because I have been training dogs for over 22 years and while dogs need to be trained, people have much to learn about connecting with their dog. Too many people do not have the patience to deal with an unruly dog and they give the dog away. This book is for those who know there is a better way.

Happy Dogs = Happy Homes is a question and answer reference book that has problem solving techniques and exercises to be deeply in tune with your dog on the soul level and enjoy them so much more.

You will learn about how dogs learn, problems that dogs have and how to solve them, stories about how dogs have forgiven and learned to trust again and dog mystic exercises to enjoy the here and now just like your dogs do. There are QR codes that direct you to videos that go along with the problem solving techniques.

I want people to learn that dogs are Angels placed on this Earth to get us out of our minds worrying about the future and ruminating on the past and bring us into the present moment.

We are all one interconnected in the circle of life!

My love for animals began when I was born and I am so grateful that I knew that I wanted to work with animals since I was a little girl and never gave up.

What is the difference between The Dog Whisperer and The Dog Mystic?
Great question! The Dog Whisperer teaches problem solving techniques and how to rehabilitate dogs from abuse, fearfulness, aggression, and other issues; The Dog Mystic teaches about dog behavior, problem solving, and gives you easy practical exercises to create that ever lasting bond with your dog on the soul level.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Garth Stein, “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” I loved the story and flow of this book. It is told from a dog's point of view. I could not stop reading it until it was done.

I also loved the book Marley and Me because of the flow and the story. I can relate as a dog trainer with the story of all the destruction Marley did to the house and the stress the dog caused the family. My book has stories but problem solving techniques to help bring peace to the family.

What are you working on now?
I am so grateful I wrote this amazing book!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
amazon.com/author/thedogmystic

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not give up. There is a reason why they say writing a book is like your baby because it is a long time in the making and you want it to be as perfect as possible.

It is truly the BEST feeling to hit publish and get the book in hand.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE, SO LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO!

What are you reading now?
Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza

What’s next for you as a writer?
As of right now, I am grateful that I finished 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?
Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza

The Lord of the Rings

Author Websites and Profiles

Cherie A Marquez Website

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Maggie Tideswell

Interview With Author Maggie Tideswell

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a bestselling international author of paranormal spooky romance and one vampire. I live in South Africa, and my books are mostly set in and around Cape Town, South Africa. So far, I have 11 books published, another coming out on 16 December 2022. There are many more just waiting to be finalized and published. I must work faster.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last title published is A Vmpire's Pantry. It is my only vampire, and I wanted to see if I could do it without beating a dead donkey. The vampire genre is saturated, and I wanted my vampire to be totally different to what you find in other books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think my only quirk is that I often work on more than one book at the same time. I have to be in love with my hero or the book just won't work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everything I have read in the past, and I read very wide. But if I have to name specific authors who influenced me, I'd say Dan Brown, Ken Follet, Philippa Gregory, Barbara Erskine to name but a few.

What are you working on now?
I'm adding the final touches to the second book in my vampire duology called A Vampire's Girl.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Twitter quite extensively, I blog sporadically and my mailerlite newsletter goes out every week on a Friday. If you would like to sign up for it, go here: https://app.mailerlite.com/sites/preview/5554913

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oh yes. My advice is two-fold: write every day and grow a thick skin. Being an author and developing your own unique style takes hard work and dedication. Only by practicing daily can one become any good at it. And lets face it, not everyone is going to like what you write. Readers become quite vociferous about what they don't like about your work. Don't let it pull you down, and never, ever become embroiled in an argument with a reader. What you should aim for is to please some readers some of the time, because you won't ever please everyone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To keep it simple and to write what you know.

What are you reading now?
I love Autumn Archer's work and am steadily reading all her published books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To find my readers and expand my fan base. I also need to bring out my books faster and complete the two series that got pushed aside along the way: the last 2 books in my steamy, ghostly Bridesmaids, Weddings & Honeymoons series, and the next two books in my almost Gothic Frontier Tales trilogy.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I'd bring Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth, Barbara Erskine's Daughters of Fire, and Autumn Archer's Jungle Fortress trilogy

Author Websites and Profiles

Maggie Tideswell Website

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SA Soule

Interview With Author SA Soule

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I enjoy sharing some of the wisdom that I’ve gleamed from various workshops and online courses, along with the savvy advice from other bestselling novelists and professional editors with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with in the publishing world.

I have over fifteen years of experience on all sides of the industry. I'm a former acquisitions editor for Crescent Moon Press and senior editor for Disenchanted Publishing, where I edited several award-winning and bestselling novels. I was a Creative Writing major, and I previously owned an indie eBook publishing company. And in the last nine years, I’ve even had the honor of freelance editing books for a number of successful authors.

Also, I have been traditionally published, published by an independent publisher, and now I am a proud indie author. To date, I have published 15 fiction novels (under various pen names), and ten nonfiction titles in the bestselling Fiction Writing Tools series. Many of my books continually spend time on the top 100 Amazon bestseller lists and some of my fiction has been chosen as top picks at several prominent review sites.

I also have ten years of experience designing custom books covers and premade cover designs for self-published writers, independent publishers, and hybrid authors at THE COVER COVEN

So, I consider myself a long-time industry veteran.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
"The Writer's Guide to Character Emotion" is the first book in my Fiction Writing Tools series and I wanted to help other writers struggling with the “Deep Point-of-View” technique, which can transform any novel from mediocre storytelling into riveting prose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I love to hone my skills as a writer and learn new ways to constantly improve my craft.

What are you working on now?
I'm currently writing several writer resource guides, and the first one is "The Cozy Mystery Resource Guide." This handbook will save writers time and energy searching for resources to hone their craft and attract their ideal audience. This guide includes lists of tropes, themes, crimes, settings, jobs, recommended mystery writing books, and more.

I plan to write a romance resource guide for writers next.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My blog: https://fictionwritingtools.blogspot.com is my way of sharing some of the wisdom that I’ve gleamed from various workshops and online courses, along with the savvy advice from other bestselling novelists and professional editors with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with in the publishing world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never stop studying the craft and read at least 20 to 50 books in the genre that you plan to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whenever possible, I encourage writers to revise introspection (also known as internal exposition, interior monologue, inner-thoughts, etc.) into actual dialogue when there are more than two characters in a scene. I feel that dialogue is naturally faster paced and much more interesting to readers than long blocks of narrative.

What are you reading now?
"How to Write Dazzling Dialogue" by James Scott Bell because it literally took my writing skills to the next level. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is the best guide I’ve ever read on writing dialogue.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Crafting more resource guidebooks for authors and updating my current publications.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Anything by V.C. Andrews

Author Websites and Profiles

SA Soule Website

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Kennedy Germain

Interview With Author Kennedy Germain

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, hello. I immigrated to the USA for college from the nature island of Dominica. I earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Tuskegee University. Upon graduation, I joined Procter & Gamble and gained extensive leadership experience. I retired as an executive, after a successful career of 32 years with P&G. My real leadership experiences at Procter & Gamble demonstrate how anyone can find God’s favor in any situation and leverage challenging experiences in life to shape their approach to people, relationships, and organizations. How to Demonstrate Effective Leadership: 24 Real-Life Examples of Grace in Action is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
How to Demonstrate Effective Leadership is my first book. Considering my life revolves around developing others, I was inspired to share from my wealth of leadership experiences with others by my many mentees who asked me to continue mentoring them after I retired. It provides a way for me to continue doing what I love: helping others develop to their full potential.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know what “usual” writing habits are but I have read many suggestions to write at a dedicated time. This does not work for me. My life is so integrated that I find it more effective to write at various times versus “forcing” a particular time of day or night. This won’t work for everyone but works great for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Black Manager by Floyd Dickens and Jacqueline Dickens
The Path by Laurie Beth Jones
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
When God Says Go by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

What are you working on now?
I'm currently working on a project involving unwritten rules.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a new author, it has been an upward climb to learn the marketing aspect of the business. For now, I am learning how to leverage my blog, Social Media sites (FB, Instagram and LinkedIn), Goodreads, Awesomegang and of course Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. You will have lots of obstacles and speedbumps. Don’t give up. The tougher the battle, the sweeter the victory.

Take time to define success. It’s not about numbers. It’s about accomplishing your mission.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
People need to know that you care before they care what you know.

What are you reading now?
New Thinking New Future by Sam Chand

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing on my blog, Germain Empowerment, as well as working on my new publishing project.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
A how-to survival book
Map of the island
My family photo album

Author Websites and Profiles

Kennedy Germain Website

Kennedy Germain Amazon Profile

Kennedy Germain’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

If you are an author and you want to find new readers come submit your book to our Awesome Book Promotion service.

Sue Tabashnik

Interview With Author Sue Tabashnik

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a young girl, I dreamed of being a Broadway writer and I was an avid reader. At one point, I had read all of the books in the children’s section of my library in Detroit, Michigan. I dabbled in writing in college. I received a master’s degree in Social Work in 1977. I never took any formal classes in writing. I worked as a master’s level social worker from July 1977-May 2022, including specializing in ER psychiatric social work for over thirty-six years.

I have written four books:
Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance (2022)

PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer (2017)

The Fans’ Love Story ENCORE: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (2013)

The Fans’ Love Story: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (2010)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance (July 2022)

I became an avid fan of Patrick Swayze in 1988 after the release of the movie Dirty Dancing. Little did I know that I would end up meeting Patrick four times at benefit and movie events (from 2002-2004). I was a member of the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club. After meeting Patrick the first time in Detroit at a benefit for Complexions Contemporary Ballet, I was asked to write a story for the club’s quarterly magazine which Patrick and his wife Lisa read. I ended up writing numerous articles for the magazine. I was ultimately inspired to write my first book after I met Patrick in Houston, Texas in 2003 at the premiere of One Last Dance which is a movie done by Patrick and Lisa that focuses on people making their dreams come true.

Patrick was such a passionate person and really believed in people following their dreams, which is the theme of my third book PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer. As Patrick said, “I think we all need to remember that dreams are the fabric of the future and if you believe in those dreams, you can make them happen or re-discover an old dream.” “You’re only on this planet for so long. Go for it now.” So after my smashing, inspiring encounter with Patrick in Houston, I decided to write my first book and go for it!

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Patsy Swayze, mother of Patrick (known as Buddy to family and friends) at that same event in Houston in 2002. When I met Patsy and spoke to her briefly at the reception for One Last Dance, I was really impressed by her. She just had this charisma and was very welcoming. And to top it off, when Patsy and Patrick came on the tour bus to meet with us fans for about an hour to answer our questions, I was just amazed at the fun-filled and easy banter between Patsy and Patrick and their concern for the fans. I knew that Patsy was a dance teacher (including being Patrick’s first teacher), a choreographer, and a member of the Silver Foxes (parents of celebrities who promote senior fitness). I wanted to learn more about her. I searched the internet, but sad to say, I did not find that much information.

The years passed and I wrote my two unique tribute books on the movie Dirty Dancing: The Fans’ Love Story: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (2010) and The Fans’ Love Story ENCORE: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of MIllions! (2013). Then I wrote the biography PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer (2017).

It seemed only fitting to write a book on Patsy Swayze. I really wanted to find out from the people who knew her: former students, colleagues, friends, and family what Patsy was all about in terms of her career and her relationship with others, including her beloved son Patrick. I was just bowled over to have so many people grant interviews (twenty-nine) and to find so many photos (sixty-four) that had rarely been seen. I had the opportunity to interview quite a variety of people including Jaclyn Smith (former student of Patsy and known for “Charlie’s Angels”), Patrick’s bodyguard, Broadway performers, an actress from the film Urban Cowboy, ballet dancers, and on and on.

The end result is that this book Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance honors and celebrates Patsy Swayze. It is the only place that you will find detailed information about Patsy’s life; which includes that she was an icon in the dance and performing arts world for decades as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and choreographer. There are many exclusive stories about Patsy and Patrick. With all of her dance accomplishments, Patsy valued family and thought her greatest achievement was being the mother of her five children.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I like to write late at night and into the next day. I find it very peaceful and I can concentrate really well.

What are you working on now?
I am marketing my latest book. I am exploring ideas for a new book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon: Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance: Sue Tabashnik: 9780989408660: Amazon.com: Books

Author website: https://www.likedirtydancing.com

I have two facebook pages and I am an active member on the SWAYZE facebook page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find something you are passionate about. Spend time researching and networking to learn about publishing.

What are you reading now?
The Wind at My Back by Misty Copeland with Susan Fales-Hill

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am exploring ideas for a new 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?

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Rachael Hohf

Interview With Author Rachael Hohf

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Missouri then spent nearly 15 years out west in Colorado before returning to my roots.

I've written 7 books for kids, an interactive series where they get to choose what to do next, and 4 books for adults in several different genres.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called, "What Happened to Jade?" and I was inspired, honestly, by some of my favorite spooky kids' authors – Betty Wren Wright & Mary Downing Hahn. I loved how they were able to create tension without gore and tried to capture that aura for this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…well, I DO like to design the book cover first before I really get too deep into writing, and sometimes write the last chapter before the rest of the book is finished. (Keeps me on track that way – knowing where I'm going to end up with the story.)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Betty Wren Wright, Mary Downing Hahn, Ray Bradbury, Jane Austen, so many! I also love mysterious, atmospheric books, too!

What are you working on now?
Now I'm working on a funny book about a writer trying to get over writer's block – but that may change if other ideas come my way and I feel like I just have to get those done first. (My work in progress was supposed to be finished before my new book was!)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I've found the most success lately with tweeting about my books, though I do use amazon ads, as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, even when it doesn't seem worth it. Having that published book in your hands is worth all the trials it took to get there! Don't give up, accept feedback, and keep improving.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Wow, that's a tough one! I think not to trust in your feelings too much. It can be easy to get out of things by saying, "I don't feel like…" For example, "I don't feel like writing today – I'll do it tomorrow." And then tomorrow comes and you still don't feel like writing.

Sometimes you need to do what you DON'T feel like doing. So, don't let your feelings boss you around.

What are you reading now?
I'm re-reading "The Haunting of Hill House," by Shirley Jackson for Halloween. I just finished Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, and will probably re-read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hoo boy…a lot, I hope! I want to keep exploring mildly spooky, morally complex stories with interesting characters. Maybe I'll turn that comedy I've been trying to finish into something with a few dark shadows.

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?
Whoa – I don't think I could be satisfied with only 3 or 4 books, but if I were forced to choose, I guess the Bible, The Hollow (by Agatha Christie), Mansfield Park (a new favorite), and The Hunger Games (by Suzanne Collins). Shoot, that's 4 already.

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Jillian Shiflett

Interview With Author Jillian Shiflett

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a fourth-generation Atlanta native, and a new grandmother, and have been professionally writing since 2018. I first wrote as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and discovered that I could write an entire romance novel in less than thirty days. I was exhausted but hooked. Since that first crappy copy, I've written four books. Two are my WIPs and the first two in my Southern Series are published. I've also written for an anthology to raise money for refugees in Ukraine. I write under the pen name Maribelle McCrea.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Tallulah Gets Hitched, is the second in the Southern Series inspired by my relationship with my feisty daughter, and our crazy Southern family. In book two, Tallulah deals with planning her wedding amidst cousins who want to sabotage the whole affair, a groom who doesn't want to decide any of the details, and warring pets that are about to push her over the edge. Most everything is based on a true story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a full-fledged pantser. Outlines are a distraction for me since my characters never behave and stay on whatever track I plan anyway! I write at odd times – also rarely planned. I listen to Ludovico Einaudi exclusively when I write and it helps me focus and tune out the multiple distractions in my busy household. I need snacks and sparkling mineral water to write for more than about ten minutes. Most times, I write for word count rather than for time. I average about 25k words a sitting.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am in awe of Diana Gabaldon. She's the writer that got me back into reading after my babies were born and I came up for air. I am inspired by authors that write romance but with a reality of circumstance and character. Other mentors and examples are Jane Austin with Sense and Sensibility a top favorite, as well as Alexandra Ripley with From Fields of Gold. I like flawed, real characters and strive to show that in my writing.

What are you working on now?
I have two WIPs so my brain is very busy keeping up with all the loose threads. I am writing For the Love of Rhett, the third in the Southern Series. Readers will get all the details about the side characters, Rhett and Kailey, from books one and two in the series. I am also working on a project with another author called, As Luck Would Have It. I am writing from Joire's POV in a small Alabama town and Maris Parker, my co-author is writing from Gunner's POV from a ranch in Wyoming. I'm having a blast!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing and promotion are my least favorite parts of the author business, but I am an Instagram poster, and Facebook stalker – I post some but not often, and I am diving into ads on Amazon and Facebook with the release of For the Love of Rhett in January of 2023. I found Awesome Gang through Dave Chesson and I am so excited to include the site in my toolbox of strategy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Don't try to do it all. Take your time writing a great book. Refine it, let it rest, and then refine it some more. Then write at least two more books in the same fashion before you publish the first book. Trust me, you will be glad you did. It's much more difficult to learn how these steps are done and get a series written and released at the same time. Once you think your first book is ready, find an editor. Trust that $0.08 per word is a good rate and let someone who specializes in developmental editing read your work. Best investment I ever made. Finally, don't give up. Made a mistake? It's okay, you can change it. Don't like your cover? Switch it out for what is selling better. Just don't quit. Readers deserve your best and you will be all the better for the journey.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
"If you are never scared, or embarrassed, or hurt, it means you never take any chances." Julia Sorel ~ author of Rocky

What are you reading now?
Writing Killer Cover Copy (Indie Inspiration for Self-Publishers Book 2) by Elana Johnson and for fun, No Ordinary Hate by Whitney Dineen. Listening to Confessions of a Crappy Christian on Audible too. What can I say, I love books!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Other than writing my face off for the rest of 2022? I plan on writing another series of six books in 2023, dipping my toe into the Kindle Vella world with two short stories series, and one more co-author adventure with Maris Parker in 2023 as well.

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?
Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber; Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, and the Bible.

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Anita Polly

Interview With Author Anita Polly

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A bibliophile from a very young age, books are a great joy to me. I love being outdoors, have huge respect for our environment, and am totally in awe of nature. A passionate runner, I spend a lot of time out on the road and trails wherever I am. Running helps me think, clears the cobwebs from my brain, and brings peace to my soul. Fascinated and interested in bees, such magnificent creatures, they have been included in all of my books, and I hope to raise awareness among children in terms of the crucial role they play in keeping our planet alive. Love a good coffee, chocolate cake, and peanut butter! Travel whenever I can but also love being at home with my family and animals. Love people who are kind, is my favorite characteristic in a person. I have written five books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book, Hero Learns about Kindness, was inspired by many observations and interactions I have had over the years. I believe that kind children become kind adults and the world needs a whole lot more of those. Technology has changed our world completely, nothing we don't all know, but what I have seen too often around me is children so absorbed in tablets and phones that they are never truly present. My opinion is that children's social skills and development is being negatively influenced by this. Their communication skills are regressing and their mindfulness of their behavior in some cases is marginal. It is a challenging world that children are growing up in and I hope that my books will help them navigate these waters more confidently, kindly and ultimately happier.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I snack all the time! Not sure which I do better, writing or snacking…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up, I loved Dr. Seuss, doesn't everybody? The Secret Seven, The Famous Five, The Secret Garden, Madeline, off the top of my head. Absolutely LOVE The Boy, the Mole the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Think it should be compulsory readying!

What are you working on now?
I am working on the following five books in my Hero series and also pottering with some ideas on novels in a different genre.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Difficult one to answer. I think it depends on the book to a large degree. What I am sure about is that your approach on any medium has to be personal and authentic.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have faith in yourself, work hard, use friends and family as bouncing boards, spread the word about what you are doing, and never give up! If you have strongly considered writing a book and don't do it, you may always regret it,

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your instincts. Do your research. Don't write about something you don't feel passionate about. Enjoy the process, even on the tough days; that is part of the process!

What are you reading now?
I usually read 2 to 3 books at a time. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel and The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (2nd read). I also always need a 'hamburger for my brain', Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling,

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing and more writing, and did I mention more writing? Exploring different genres. I am seriously considering finishing a memoir I started many years ago.

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 noooo, only 3 or 4… Trust I will be rescued soon! All the Light we Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, White Oleander by Janet Fitch and Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett,

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Krish Chitroda

Interview With Author Krish Chitroda

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Krish is the author of "The Secrets of Atlantis" and "95 Story Writing Prompts," and he is constantly interested in learning about new topics and sharing his knowledge with others.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is 95 Story Writing Prompts. Many people who are willing to write and publish are facing problems in developing a story. This book contains several prompts which they can use to write a good story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Acting out dialogues

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Chetan Bhagat is a great author and his way of thinking and applying them to stories have inspired me a lot!

What are you working on now?
A teenage story

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Sharing my books on social media as much as possible.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write on a regular basis, at least five days a week even if it's just for half an hour or less. Creating a rigorous practice for writing will help you write more efficiently.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
Wuthering Heights which is also an amazon bestselling fiction book by Emily Bronte.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more and more stuff that most of the readers like get positive reviews for my work which will encourage me to write more.

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?
1. Oh the Glory of It All by Sean Wilsey
2. Sita: Warrior Of Mithila by Amish Tripathi
3. The Girl In Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat

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Tava Baird

Interview With Author Tava Baird

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books in the series (which will probably have 8-9 books in it total) and am working on the fourth. I write FAST…the first three were all completed this year. I’ve been a playwright for fifteen years and have worked as an archaeologist, among other things. The audio book of the first book will be out next year, and as I am also a painter an Oracle Deck based on the series is in development.

Also, I’ve been a practicing Witch for over thirty-five years, so when my characters say they’re Pagan, I have firsthand knowledge of that community.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Deck of Crows came out in September. Without giving anything away, I developed a completely new (as far as I know) structure for the Faerie realms in my series, and several of the main characters are in the family tree of The Morrigan. There’s a lot of raven-crow-corvid symbolism in the books, and book three is where we really start to have the structure of Faerie explained. A “Deck” in the world of the Spiral Pathways Series is a royal house. So, The Deck of Crows is about the Morrigan’s family.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t really plan anything out. I’ve written plays for so long that I come up with the characters and toss them on an empty stage in my head and then just write down what they say and do. I will frequently be COMPLETELY surprised by the turn a story took. I have little notebooks now to jot down names, dates, etc. so I can keep the whole web straight.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, gosh, I think Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon was my first influence. It was the first time I ever saw a Pagan character as a central character in a book. I like how it sort of…reaches across to people who don’t have experience with belief systems far outside of their own and lets people see how we’re all still just people. And she did it DECADES ago, when things were not as open as they are now. She sort of…encouraged me to come out of the broom closet with her writing, so to speak.

What are you working on now?
A LOT, it feels like! I got asked to start a prequel to the current series, so I’ve started that. I’m trying to get Book 4 out in December, and I’m working on 50+ paintings for the Oracle Deck to go with the series. And I have to get final notes on Book 1 together for my lovely audio book narrator by the end of the month, and I need to finish the cover art for Book 4. I am so, so grateful for the wonderful, positive responses I have gotten on the series, so now I want to keep those readers happy as we continue forward together!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love awesome gang and have used Fussy Librarian as well. I also run ads on Pinterest and on Amazon…just started doing that, actually.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to self-publish. I went to a writer’s conference a few weekends ago and there were all these writers who had written five novels and they’re just sitting in a drawer. Your readers ARE out there, but you’ll never get to meet them if you don’t put the book out. I was shocked at the incredible response I got when I just DID IT.
You are someone’s favorite author. You are. They are looking for you. Put yourself out there so they can find you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Act like you already have the job you want, and others will start to see you in that role.

Act like you’re a writer. And write. Before you know it, you are.

What are you reading now?
I review books for Cannonballread.com, and I am currently reviewing a slew of divination books. I read one, test out the method described, and share my results with readers. I’m getting into tea leaf reading now!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am just learning the publishing and promotion business. While I’m writing I am trying out every suggestion I come across to get my books into reader’s hands. It takes more time than writing! I have to keep a balance.

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’m just going to bring three blank sketchbooks and Watership Down, I think. Because I need somewhere to write.

I’d like to reread A Prayer for Owen Meany, so maybe that.

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Fay Bloor

Interview With Author Fay Bloor

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 27 and work for a funeral directors in Derby, running bereavement support groups, programmes and counselling sessions, as well as training for professionals. I’ve written two books so far, both about grief.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Missing You, and is the grown-up version of my first book, Missing Someone Special.

Missing You is a grief activity book, focused on helping readers to understand their loss and the feelings around it, containing prompts and information to encourage the processing of their grief.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, if I get ‘stuck’ on how to word something I tend to lose 15 minutes or more daydreaming out of the window, but I imagine that’s pretty common.

I’m definitely a fidget when I write, always switching how I’m sat and sitting on my legs.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr Bill Webster has definitely been an influence in my work, I love his straight forward and honest approach to grief and loss.

I thought the Harry Potter books covered the various emotions of grief very well, the sudden upsurges of anger and bitterness towards others that aren’t grieving are elements not often talked about, so I was impressed that these were included.

What are you working on now?
Missing You comes out (hopefully) in November, so I’m currently just running through final proofs and making sure it’s all ready to go. I’ve also recently written a 30 day online grief programme, so that’s currently being proofed and we’re trying to work out the technical aspects of that. It’s a busy but exciting time!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve honestly found that word of mouth has worked wonders for book sales, but LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook are also really important tools.

I’ve also found that writing articles for magazines relevant to your target audience helpful to get word out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going with it all, keep pushing it even if it’s a bit soul destroying at times. Facebook forums for authors are great to join as you can help support each other through everything.

Also, the internet is your best friend for finding out various ways to market your book and free ‘how to’ guides for pretty much everything.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Trust the process’ it may sound wishy washy, but keep believing it will eventually happen and working towards that aim and it will.

What are you reading now?
My reading habits really do not reflect my writing, I like to be lost in a fantasy or a classic.

I’m currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien, I’ve loved the films since I was quite young but have never gotten around to reading it before. I’m not far in, they’re only just leaving the Shire, but already there have been some exciting moments!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve yet to decide what’s next, I have a couple of ideas for new activity books and a vague idea for a ‘normal’ book so it all depends which I can find most inspiration for next.

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?
What a tricky question!

The first would definitely have to be Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It’s a comfort blanket to me as I remember being taken to see the film when I was about 6 and loving the magic. I find the nostalgia comforting and to this day if I can’t sleep or I’m stressed I’ll put the audio book on, or disappear behind the pages.

The second book I’d take would have to be a Daphne Du Maurier novel, but choosing which one would be tricky. Maybe Frenchman’s Creek as it’s a lovely, light hearted adventure.

The third book I’d take would be The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. It’s gripping, so easy to get lost in and always leaves me feeling somewhat cosy.

The final book would have to be Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, just to make being stranded on the desert island feel all the more interesting.

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John McNally

Interview With Author John McNally

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in Belfast in 1969 I was more interested in throwing petrol bombs and stones than my homework. Something I do regret. This is my first attempt at a book although I have several writing pads at home blotted with decent ideas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Devine Intervention. I like stories with a good start, a good middle and a good ending. I selfishly wrote this for myself because I loath getting to the end of a great book only to find the protagonist just died of V.D. or something else as mundane.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everything free-hand first and before going near my laptop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read Dickens under duress from my Mum and ended up being addicted to the man's work! Would read a RSVP card if it was written by either Roddy Doyle or Stephen King and vehemently believe failure to read Deloris Claiborne should incur an immediate custodial sentence!

What are you working on now?
An Irish zombie apocalypse story centring around a group of kids coming back from an island music festival to find the mainland in tatters. It's a romantic comedy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven't worked that one out yet, but will keep you updated.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, keep working hard and keep believing in yourself! If anybody tells you you cant, or you're not good enough… f*@k 'em… they've got bad taste.

What are you reading now?
Devine Intervention by this Irish guy called J.M. McNally. I cannot put it down and I heard he's really good looking too.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting into a physical fight with executives from Netflix and Prime over my book rights.

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?
David Copperfield, Papillion, Deloris Claiborne & Hustler.

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Daniel Ogbonna

Interview With Author Daniel Ogbonna

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Daniel Ogbonna is a prolific Historian and Biographer , who has written many mind blowing history materials that have transformed so many lives by giving them a new look into the events of the past. Through his adaptive writing skill suitable and woven into our present day issues and situations. He keeps improving every day to ensure his works are even more better.

I have written 27 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Ethiopian Bible. It was inspired by the lack of concrete information about the History of the Ethiopian Bible.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I most times find writing so interesting. Which makes me write almost everything down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I've been influenced by Authors like Brian Tracy, Myles Munroe and Mike Murdock

What are you working on now?
I'm working on a Biographic History of Nelson Mandela. Its a great book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome gang has been my first and best try. Its seamless I must tell

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and improving on your skill

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have heard is to never give up. Its so evergreen.

What are you reading now?
I'm currently reading, GOALS by Brain Tracy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Start up a Publishing Company.

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?
GOALs by Brian Tracy
Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiosaki

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Kevin M. Mansoor

Interview With Author Kevin M. Mansoor

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a storyteller. I always have been. Pretty sure I inherited the skill from my father although he was more of a short-form storyteller and I am more of a long-form storyteller.

I wrote my first book about 100 times, so does that count as 100 books? Huh, probably not so officially, I have written 2 books that are currently available and also a novella. The third book of my trilogy is 50% done and should be released in early 2023 at the latest.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am completing my first trilogy right now. The first two books were just published in Oct 2022. They are Avenging Love and The Deception of Fear. The third in the trilogy is Buried Within and should be out in 2023.

I have no idea what originally inspired the story. It was about 15 years ago and started as a story I told my kids. That story evolved into what became book one. The rest of the trilogy just followed.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Screaming. I scream a lot. Then I walk in circles and talk to the ceiling. When it answers, I am having a good day. This is all because I am definitely a "pantser" and my characters often make me quite mad. Once I wrote a chapter and took a break. When I came back into the room I realized I couldn't really remember what I wrote. So I read it. I got so mad and upset that slammed my laptop shut and didn't open it for a week.

When I went back a week later, I realized my character did exactly what they should have done. I still didn't like it and it completely changed the story. Looking back at that change, I love it and where everything went.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the quote from Robert Frost. "No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader. No tears for the writer, no tears for the reader."

I think of those words a lot when I write and think they dovetail very well with a lot of what Stephen King often says about being a pantser. He has said he never really knows where his stories are going and that he just follows his characters.

I think of that concept when I write. To be honest, I am not a huge Stephen KIng fan as he isn't normally my genre but I have great respect for him as a writer. He and Robert Frost have definitely influenced me.

What are you working on now?
Book number 3! The characters are in my head yelling at me to let them out. I need to finish my trilogy, the Trinitarian Knights Collection.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hmm…I wish I knew. I am to young on that side of the business to answer that. Right now I am marketing my trilogy and I suppose I am doing everything I can. From social media to blogging to blogger outreach to advertising. I am trying to click on all cylinders fo the marketing machine.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day but also market every day. There is a lot of competition and marketing from day one can be a huge boost to your success. I was late on that front and am playing marketing catch up now.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
"There is a lot of important stuff to do but only some of it is vital. There will never be enough time for everything so only worry about the vital and ignore the important. When the important becomes vital, it will get taken care of."

The tricky part is figuring out what it the vital. . .

What are you reading now?
Angel and Demons by Dan Brown

What’s next for you as a writer?
That is an argument currently playing out in my head. I am not sure what the outcome will be. I have a full-length prequel novel in my head for the trilogy. It would look at the relationship between two of the characters long before when the trilogy takes place. They really want their story told. However, I have a lead character of an epic fantasy having long conversations with me as well.

At this time, I am not sure which story will demand to be told first.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably the four top titles in the genre "surviving alone on a desert island"

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Joan Havelange

Interview With Author Joan Havelange

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a Canadian and a published author with BWL Inc. publishing.
I've had five cozy mysteries/ whodunits published. And listed on the ten bestselling authors for 2021 by my publisher

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Murder Exit Stage Right.
I was a director of little theatre for many years. So I have a lot of experiences to draw from. I do find writing a lot like directing, except all my characters show up on time. And know their lines. although sometimes they go off in a direction which surprises me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In the summer I tend to write in the afternoon or evening. I love to golf, I'm not a great golfer but I love it. In the winter I write in the morning right after I come home from the gym.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lynwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen and Agatha Cristie

What are you working on now?
Moving is Murder. this will not be a cozy mystery, but more of a thriller.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome gang, of course. Facebook. and book clubs

Do you have any advice for new authors?
never give up, you have a story to tell. and edit, edit and edit again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
the first draft is a story your telling yourself. Get the story first. then show don't tell.

What are you reading now?
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have been commissioned to write and historical mystery.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
anything by Lynwood Barclay and Richard Osman

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Marley Steele

Interview With Author Marley Steele

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One book and countless blogs. I wrote about my life story in a full-length novel because it's part tragedy, part comedy, and complete reality.

It reads like a transcript from Jerry Springer.

The craziness that comes with the struggles of trauma and addiction cause destruction. The tragedies and triumphs depicted throughout this book highlight the devastation of dysfunctional family systems, codependency, and severe abuse. If one person can make it through, so can you.

I want to spread this message for all trauma survivors: no matter where you have been or what you have done, you are worth fighting for. Do not give up the fight.

I am a mother, author, highly trained and sought-after trauma therapist. I also found out I have Asperger's, or high-functioning autism. This discovery in my later years explained everything.

It's not a disability. It's my superpower.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Contrary-

was inspired by a conversation with my spectacularly talented therapist who helped tie the loose endings of my story. I found out I was autistic in my 40's. The trauma of my past kept me very limited until I broke free of those betrayal bonds. The chains of the past will hold you back as long as you let them.

When I broke through this and finished the story, it all made sense. The insights born out of that relationship with Anne have transformed my life. It transformed how I see myself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I am autistic. "High functioning" autism used to be referred to as Asperger's. I write what I am passionate about. I am allergic to bullcrap, and so I find it very hard to fluff up stuff.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Body Keeps the Score- Bessel van der Kolk
Out of the Shadows- Patrick Carnes
The Betrayal Bond- Patrick Carnes
Facing Codependency- Pia Mellody

What are you working on now?
Helping people overcome addiction, trauma, and shame.

Also finishing my own story 🙂 Part II.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have more confidence in yourself. It's about the process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

What are you reading now?
Peter Levine- Waking the Tiger

What’s next for you as a writer?
Compliance- Part II of Contrary

Marley is a mother.

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?
All the ones I mentioned before.

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Steve Reilly

Interview With Author Steve Reilly

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a reader and writer of science fiction and fantasy, children's stories and poetry, anything really. I have written technical documents and football newsletters.
I now have four books published, the first three being a YA trilogy about witches and auchs, and now begun my new series. I have trouble writing short stories, they always seem to grow of their own accord.
I live in Australia on the east coast and enjoy fishing, kayaking and all things aquatic. I relax in my garden and growing orchids.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is 'Dragonfang'. It is the first in the series 'The Telling of the Maal'.
The Maal are the oral histories of the people, and they are being documented by Sumulat, the storyteller.
The idea came to me after visiting the Tower of London to tell the stories of the people living in such a place, but it soon grew to be much more than that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the morning. I find a quiet place and begin. My first draft is ALWAYS with pen and paper. I go through a lot of exercise books.
Why mornings? I feel refreshed and inspired in the morning. As the day progresses, I find life infringes on my world.
Transferring my notes to the computer is when I do my first edit. They say no one is meant to read your first draft, and that is easy. My handwriting is that bad, sometimes even I can't read it. My excuse is that my hand can't keep up with my mind.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many. Let me see … authors, Tolkein of course, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, Stephen Donaldson, and my Matthew Reilly (no relation). As far as books, anything by these authors and anything else I can lay my hands on.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book 2 of 'The Telling of the Maal'. The working title is 'Assassin, Lord and Dragon'. Each book in the series is a story in itself, being about the lives of a people, but the flow of the stories continues through the series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am only learning about promoting my books, but I have been impressed by Awesome Gang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Anyone can become an author. I trick is to stay an author. It takes practice, and more practice. We are all apprentices of a craft where no one becomes a master.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I would offer a quote by Robert Lipsyte. Writing is really rewriting – making the story better, clearer, truer.

What are you reading now?
I have just completed Matthew Reilly's 'The Secret Runners of New York' and not sure which will be my next book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I said, I am working on Book 2 of this series, with 2 more books to come. I am also drafting an alternative history of Earth 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?
Only 4? I would want 'The Wheel of Time' series, "Battlefield Earth' series, all the Thomas Covenant books, …. As you can see, I like my stories to be long and engaging.

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