Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love to canoe and raft the Colorado and Green Rivers (and others) where I can get far into the backcountry. I also fly a small Cessna and love gliding over and along the Rocky Mountains where I live. Readers’ Favorite has awarded 5 Stars to each of my novels, calling Raptor Canyon “a hoot of an adventure novel… most highly recommended” and describing Wings Over Ghost Creek as “a beautifully written thriller.” Raptor Canyon received the 2019 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award, established by New York Times best selling author, Clive Cussler and was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Contest 2019-2020. Wings Over Ghost Creek received the 2020 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award. Broken Inn received the 2021 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award and awards from Global Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, Books Shelf Writing Awards for Fiction, and Independent Press Awards.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Antidote. The possibility that plants could be genetically modified to absorb higher rates of CO2 and provide an antidote to climate change. What kind of plant would that be? What would it be worth? What would some people be willing to do to get their hands on it?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think they’re unusual, but then, most people don’t think of their habits as being weird.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Clive Cussler, Edward Abbey, and Craig Johnson are among those who have influenced me.

What are you working on now?
My sixth “Relic” novel, featuring a moonshining hermit in Canyonlands National Park.

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

The Author

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you love it! If you happen to make any money doing it, that’s purely a bonus. The market is flooded with books and authors these days, so making money is a long shot and you should plan accordingly. Write to improve your craft – that’s a major source of satisfaction!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A tough question. I think often of a quote from Ghandi: “A long life may or may not be good enough, but a good life is always long enough.” Or words to that effect.

What are you reading now?
Wait for Signs by Craig Johnson

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my sixth “Relic” novel, featuring the moonshining hermit of Canyonlands National Park

What is your favorite book of all time?
Probably Monkey Wrench Gang, but ask me on a different day and I might give you a different answer. But it’s one of my top ten, for sure.

Author Websites and Profiles
A.W. Baldwin Website
A.W. Baldwin Amazon Profile

A.W. Baldwin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have released one book. I am currently editing the second in The French Connection Series whilst writing the third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book I have just finished writing is called Diving Into Her. My love of the ocean and Scuba Diving were my inspiration for the the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Honestly I just write as I go. I’m not the type of writer that plans everything out. It can be frustrating at times but then again I can be struck with three or four chapters in one go.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a massive amount of Lesbian Romance. Georgia Beers, Melissa Brayden, Clare Lyons and Melissa Terez are just a few of the authors i follow.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the third book of The French Connection Series. It’s early days yet though.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try and use as many platforms as possible. It’s not easy though. Instagram; Twitter and Facebook are my favorites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You will get periods of Impostor syndrome and you will get stuck. Don’t panic though. Keep writing. Remember that writing should be fun and enjoyable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be scared to revisit your plot. If it doesn’t mesh you can change it.

What are you reading now?
I have just finished Blend by Georgia Beers. I’m now reading On The Record by Raven J Spencer

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a list of books ready to be written. I will of course keep sending my manuscripts to Literary Agents and Publication houses. I will keep self publishing in the meant time.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. It’s hilarious.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alyson Root Website

Alyson Root’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I work part time as a library assistant, where I can share my love for books and reading with others. I also share many hobbies such as fishing and boating, camping and gardening, to name a few. So far I have published three books in total: two e-books and a paperback novel. I have a further twenty five unpublished books that I have been in the process of revising, before I publish them at a later date.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published novel is called ‘Evil’, and it came from an idea I had brewing up after I sat and watched the classic Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later, on DVD one morning. It struck me that in my near ten years of writing scary stories, I had yet to write a home invasion story. I found the idea of an intruder who doesn’t speak, such as the character of Michael Myers from Halloween H20, to be more frightening than one who does speak. My reason being, if someone talks, you are able to reason with them easier than someone who doesn’t speak. So I wanted to write a home invasion story, with a strong villain who keeps their intentions silent, thus causing more tension and fear among the main characters who are victims of the home invasion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I don’t tend to write in a more traditional style i.e. structuring each chapter from a particular characters view point. When I write, I visualize the story in my head, much like I’m watching a movie or show play on the television. So when I write, the view point is written from the point of someone who is watching the story unfold much like someone watching a movie unfold. So much of the story is more so written in the third person, or at least heavily contains third person tropes. While this is how I have always, for the most part, written every one of my books, I have since been told that it’s a little different than the norm, when it comes to technique.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read wide, in that I don’t discriminate against genres. Even though I write mainly Horror, I do read all kinds of genres and I enjoy reading books from a wide range of authors. Stephen King and Dean Koontz are two big influences on me, and I do adore the writing of Nora Roberts and I have found her writing to be inspirational.

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I have a multi-character story I have been working on. This one is going to split the chapters up to show and tell the story from a different individual characters view point, making it different to anything else I have written yet. While I have yet to settle on a name for this particular horror story, the short synopsis is: a group of people from different backgrounds, find themselves trapped within an abandoned building, where their every moves are being broadcasted in a live stream on the dark web. They are trapped within a murder game, where only one person must walk free and alive at the end of it. For those who are feeling unsure, or who are unscrupulous, the large cash sum prize for the sole survivor might not help them escape the horrors of the murder game, but it might help them try to live with the terrors of what will occur.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I have been using Twitter to help promote my books and writing. I find it helpful in how there are quite a few groups for writers on Twitter, so I’m able to engage with some friendly people who also enjoy reading and writing. I have also used Instagram once or twice to advertise my writing, and to share some progress with some people I know.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, write what you love, don’t let anyone stop you from working towards your dream, and never give up. If you find yourself struggling to get published traditionally, don’t be scared to look into self publishing. It pays off and works. Something I do believe in strongly is that it doesn’t matter what you write, your skills and talents as a writer can always improve and if you work hard enough, they will improve. Just like everything else, with writing it’s a case of practice makes perfect.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read and write a lot and never give up.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading a Dean Koontz novel called ‘Intensity’. It’s a scary, thrilling novel that is keeping me on the edge of my seat.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to finish off the book I’m currently working on writing, than I might take a little break and focus on editing a few stories that I have yet to revisit. After I finish a few rounds of editing and polishing, I’ll start to publish some of my works again.

What is your favorite book of all time?
‘It’ by Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
Joshua Berlin Amazon Profile
Joshua Berlin Author Profile Other Bookseller

Joshua Berlin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Emilia Ramos Samper and I am one of the youngest people to ever publish a novel. I wrote my first book, “Crown of Scales and Wonder” when I was ten and my second book is coming out this year. I’ve won 1st and 3rd place in the LaPlume Young Writer’s Contest. My hobbies include theatre, voice, and playwriting!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Crown of Scales and Wonder” is my debut novel. Inspired by crazy trips and mystical creatures, it tells the story of two teens locked on separate sides of a timeless war.

In a kingdom torn apart by dark magic and a million year war, Princess Naomi Elistaire searches for answers amidst the facade of her palace imprisonment. With an irreversible gift ready to destroy her and a martyred father buried in a web of lies, who’s to say which way fate will turn?

Deep underground, Agent Ez Shores trains everyday at the dragon base, waiting for the revolution, the day to kill the Queen. But as dangerous bloodlines reveal themselves and a seemingly suicidal mission is handed to him, Ez finds himself locked in the palace dungeons, facing the daughter of his worst enemy.

Lies.
Love.
Revolution.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often have a strike of midnight inspiration, which doesn’t let me sleep until I capture every detail of the characters and world it is shouting at me to write (even if I have school). I love the feeling of a midnight writing session because just like your characters, you’re breaking the rules!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of my favorite authors is Christopher Paolini, because I love the way he writes mythical creatures with such grace and depth. I also love Leigh Bardugo for her intriguing character work. In her novel, “Six of Crows” the characters have so much depth and backstory, something I try to include in my own work. As can probably be seen from my favorite authors, I am a fantasy junkie. Beasts, dark magic, and all things fantasy inspire the world of my books. However, I also take aspects of trips and people I’ve met on them into my books.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on editing my second novel, “Heir of Time”, which is to come out next year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promoting my books, I love in-person marketing. Book readings and fairs are methods that I feel help me truly connect with my readers, something I really adore!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors would be that no age is too young to start writing (heck, I published at ten!), no matter what anyone says. Also, whenever you get caught up in the world of promotion and marketing and sales tactics and all the difficult things, remember who you write for and why you love to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is probably from Abbie Emmons. On her YouTube channel, she talks about how internal conflict and character goals are what really drive the story forward.

What are you reading now?
Now, I am reading “Girls at the Edge of the World” by Laura Brooke Robson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, the next step for me is publishing my second novel, “Heir of Time”, so keep posted on my Instagram (@emiramsa) for updates!

What is your favorite book of all time?
I’d have to say it’s tied between Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” and Merissa Meyers’ “Heartless”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Emilia Ramos Samper Website
Emilia Ramos Samper Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have survived a severe car crash that almost killed me. I have a heart for others so I wrote a story about my recovery to inspire reader’s to persist and not give up.

I only have the one book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Reclaiming life after Brain Injury.

I was inspired to write it due to my servant heart.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Marsden.

What are you working on now?
Trying to promote my book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still trying to find one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying and don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Can’t remember any at the moment as my memory is not very good.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Not sure but I may write a children’s book about living with a parent who has suffered a brain injury.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Can’t really remember any but one comes to mind if I think about it. When I was going to school, I used to love Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden, so seeing as though I can’t really remember any others, I guess that is My favourite book.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Paton Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m M. S. Selo and I’m the author of “The Man That I Married.” The Man That I Married is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what inspired my thriller, “The Man That I Married”. Thrillers are my favourite genre and I always fancied writing my own. I especially enjoy domestic and psychological thrillers. My novel was also influenced on a past relationship though the characters and the story are largely fictionalised. I don’t want to say too much about my relationship or the story in order not to spoil it for readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It depends on what you define as “unusual.” I do enjoy writing on the train and the tube. It’s strange as my ideas come pouring out and I have more of an urge to write. When I’m at home or in a coffee shop, I really have to motivate myself to write.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on another thriller but it’s a top secret.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself but for me I think of the analogy of getting my shoulders wet when I go swimming. When I go swimming, the idea of immersing myself fully in the cold water is daunting, but once I do it and the cold feeling fades and I start to feel warm, I feel great. It’s the same with writing. Getting started can feel daunting but once start doing it, the feeling is amazing and I can’t stop writing.

What are you reading now?
I’m now reading “Married to a Stranger” by Patricia McDonald.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I have loads of favourite books so it’s hard to choose. I love classics from childhood like Matilda and Jacqueline Wilson books, and modern classics such as The Great Gatsby and The Bell Jar. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing, Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson, and The Last Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine are my favourite thrillers.

M. S Selo’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an ex-software engineer who took far too long to realise that writing fiction for humans is much more satisfying than making up stuff for computers. My short stories have appeared in places such as Short Édition’s ‘Short Circuit’ and the ‘Horrifying Tales of Wonder’ podcast, as well as a number of anthologies, and ‘The Feather and the Lamp’ is my first novel. There have also been papers in the IEEE ‘Transactions on Neural Networks,’ which are probably somewhat less relevant and definitely less fun. When not writing, I unwind in a disorganised home in rural Cambridgeshire, UK, along with two cats and a soulmate.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Feather and the Lamp’ was less an inspiration from but a reaction to so many serious YA fantasy novels, and is a light-hearted romp through a humorous fantasy world, where the main character isn’t battling evil, but merely trying to get on with her life, and – but if I say more, I might be guilty of giving spoilers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
We all work differently, so I wonder what’s ‘unusual.’ One thing I do do is review my material on a different device than the one I use to write (it used to be on paper, but I treated myself to a nice e-ink tablet recently). That way, I approach the story as more a reader and I’m not tempted to edit as I read.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My absolute favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, and the influences they’ve had in ‘The Feather and the Lamp’ are definitely evident. I’m also a fan of British comedy such as Monty Python, and that probably shows throughout my writing.

What are you working on now?
Right at the moment, I’m concentrating on getting the word out about ‘The Feather and the Lamp,’ but I’m also gestating a couple of short stories, and I’ll soon be getting stuck into a sequel to the novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If only I knew…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find some people to critique your work, since it’s too easy to read the words you have in your mind and not the ones on the paper.

Persevere! Be prepared for rejection – heck, even in the face of rejection, keep writing and keep submitting. An awful lot of luck is involved in finding a home for your stories, whether novels or short stories, so a rejection doesn’t mean the work’s bad.

Oh, and do check grammar and spelling before submitting. Even when people say they don’t care, obvious errors are still distracting.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t stare at the page, waiting for the perfect words before starting. Just write *something* – anything!

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished ‘A Decade in Tory’ by Russell Jones – a shocking but hilarious look at recent British politics, which should be essential reading for all potential voters before the next UK general election!

The next books on my heap are Stephen King’ ‘Fairy Tale’ and T. Kingfisher’s ‘The Twisted Ones.’

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book 2 of Imperceptibility’s adventures!

What is your favorite book of all time?
It’s a toss-up between Pratchett Gaiman’s ‘Good Omens’ and Terry Pratchett’s ‘Pyramids’ – the latter because it features the world’s smartest mathematician, a camel who uses his skills to direct his spit to always hit its target,

Author Websites and Profiles
L.N. Hunter Amazon Profile

L.N. Hunter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Scotland but grew up in Bath in the south-west of England. For twenty years I was director of English language teaching at the University of Westminster in London. I have written seven grammar books, most of them for Oxford University Press. The Story of the Cloth is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel, The Story of the Cloth, was inspired by a visit to Cordoba in Spain, where I learnt about the Islamic occupation of the country. It is likely that for a brief period, a golden age, people of the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths lived harmoniously together. The ‘cloth’ in my novel is a relic from that period.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I shout for joy when I write something that seems to that capture in prose the view from my mind’s eye.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many, but a book and a film provided the emotional inspiration for my novel: ‘Lost Horizon’ by James Hilton and ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ by directors Powell and Pressburger.

What are you working on now?
A novel featuring a retired astrophysicist.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! Keep writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your own instincts.

What are you reading now?
‘The Axe Woman’ by Hakan Nesser, translated by Sarah Death.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More novels.

What is your favorite book of all time?
‘Tales of Sevastopol’ by Leo Tolstoy. No translator is credited in my edition.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ken Paterson Website
Ken Paterson Amazon Profile

Ken Paterson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Durban, South Africa. My education has taken me around South Africa. I fell in love with books at a young age. I have written well over 5 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled ‘Nightmare Destinations’ and it features six tales of horror. The book was inspired by my love for short stories and the horror genre.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I keep a pen and pencil near my bed for those times when I have to jot down that idea that often leads me to my next book or tale.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, W. Somerset Maugham and Shakespeare have influenced me and the books of Ayn Rand as well. My favorite books include ‘The Stand’ and ‘The Dark Tower Series’ both by Stephen King.

What are you working on now?
At present I am working on a new collection of short stories.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find that social media sites like Twitter and Facebook work well and of course Pretty-Hot.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If it is your intention to write a story or write a book then get busy. That book will not write itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Read a lot and write a lot’ by Stephen King.

What are you reading now?
At present I am reading ‘The Sandman’ graphic novel.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next step is to develop some of my writings into a series for television.

What is your favorite book of all time?
‘The Stand’ by Stephen King. It’s a classic.

Author Websites and Profiles
Fred Felton Amazon Profile

Fred Felton’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer and director from Atlanta, GA. Though I have written several screenplays, one of which has been turned into an award-winning feature film, CHIVAL is my first book. I am now working on my first novel, based on one of my screenplays.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
CHIVAL was inspired by my relationship with my son. As he was growing up, I would tell him to be chivalrous and let someone go before him, open a door, things like that… Then he would do something kind and say, “Dad, was that chival?” So, when it came time to write a book to boys in order to help them become better men… CHIVAL was the “word” that became the title.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write late at night. Sometimes with the tv on. I have a hard time with rough drafts, and will stew on a page until it’s perfect.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The author that most inspired the way I wrote CHIVAL is Bob Goff. His ability to jump right in to a story, hit the beats and move on was a real inspiration.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the novelization of my award-winning screenplay Pieces of Eight. It’s a 16th-century high-seas adventure set within the backdrop of piracy, the Inquisition and the Spanish Armada. It’s a little bit Gladiator… and a little bit Zorro.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first book. So, I don’t know. Ha ha

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from your heart, even if your mama wouldn’t like it. You can always erase and retool what you said to craft the message to the largest audience.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid of shitty first drafts. That’s from Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont.

What are you reading now?
I am reading about 5 book, but I need to pick one. I plan to finish Birthright by Timothy Alberino first.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a screenplay I am trying to get funded, but I also have some other self-help short guidebook-style books similar to CHIVAL that I would like to get finished.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I can’t pick one. I am actually not an avid reader, but the books that have meant the most to me are typically non-fiction stories that help me better understand the human existence.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tommy Wood Website
Tommy Wood Amazon Profile

Tommy Wood’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m married with 4 adult children. I have a background in Math and Computer Science and have been an avid reader for more than 60 years (mostly SciFi and Fantasy novels)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book (Enimnori:Discovery) is the sequel to my first (Enimnori:Arrival). I was inspired by people telling me “you’ve read all this crzy stuff, maybe you should write someting”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I am a “seat of the pants” writer rather than someone who meticulously plans things out. I tend to work linearly, and have at times been hung up for quite a while deciding what happens next.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Quite a few; including Andre Norton, Robert Heinlein, Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey

What are you working on now?
I have just about finished book 3 (Enimnori:Challenge) and am working on #4 (Enimnori:Crisis)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have had very little luck so far, so there is no “best” for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to do SOMETHING every day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you have an idea…write it down and save it, you never know what else it may trigger.

What are you reading now?
I am Rereading Vincetn Trigili’s Mage Hunter and Jack Campbell’s Lost Stars series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
publishing #3, finishing #4, and trying to find some ideas for book 5.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I don’t really have one.

Author Websites and Profiles
jeff webber Amazon Profile

jeff webber’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Entrepreneur, author, father, hospitality professional, DJ/Producer and business owner, not in any order of importance. My book, Why The Customer is NOT Always Right, takes a different perspective on dealing with bad customers from my experience of more than 20 years in the industry.

Adam P Evans is an entrepreneur and author who has been employed in hospitality for over 20 years. He is the owner of Bar Almighty LLC a bar, restaurant and nightclub staffing, training and consultant agency based in Florida. He uses his unparalleled access to over 20,000 hospitality employees across Florida to provide quality staff for major concerts and events across the state.

Added to his job in hospitality, Adam has embarked on a writing career with his first book, Why The Customer is NOT Always Right, which takes a different perspective on dealing with bad customers from his experience of more than 20 years in the industry.

Currently, Adam resides in Tampa, Florida, where he is an accomplished DJ and Producer and runs a YouTube channel with his son.

Author Websites and Profiles
Adam Evans Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired registered nurse and have written my first book. I love this author’s journey and have learned so much! I have learned – and keep telling people – we all have a story to tell! I am a first-time retiree-failure and am retiring soon for the second time only because I love this author journey and plan to write more books. I am an avid reader and am a member of local book clubs

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is titled Paws, Purpose and Possibilties: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart. I wrote this book for my sister, Karen. I stayed with her at the end of her too-short life, cut short by colon cancer. The book is about my journey with therapy dogs as my gift to Karen, in an attempt to find meaning in her suffering and in my loss. I tell about how our love for dogs started in our childhood and it stayed with us both as we grew up. I started my initial work with therapy dogs through my church as a part of a ministry called Pets Are Working Saints (P.A.W.S.) Years later I started a therapy dog group at the hospital where I worked, and named it “Karing Partners” in memory of Karen. As I wrote this book, I found a need to reflect on my faith. and I do that in my book at the end of chapter, in a section I call Paws for Reflection.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I pray before each time I write! Then I sit at my computer and type away, often keeping my eyes closed as I place my thoughts on the “page”. LOL – I often find as I go back I hardly know what I wrote as I have so many spelling errors! I also find I write best with my faithful companion, my dog Sadie, near my feet. She hears about all of my joyful as well as my not-so-joyful moments as I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite books as a child were books about animals. The Disney books about dogs: 101 Dalmatians and Lady and the Tramp and others; then the classic dog books of the 1960s: Old Yeller, Call of the Wild, Lassie, and Where the Red Fern Grows. I was also inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder as I like stories about strong girls/women. As an adult, I have read every book ever written by James Herriot! In my later years and recent times, my favorite author and presenter is Max Lucado.

What are you working on now?
I am working on 2 books, with a third way in the background. My first is a children’s 3-book series as told by a little girl and her dog. The first in the series is called “Crazy Sadie”, where the little girl is teaching her new dog Sadie to learn to be calm. The next is ” Lady Sadie”, where the girl sees her grown-up, calm dog become a therapy dog. The final in the series is “Maybe Sadie”, where the girl watches her dog become old and wonders if her dog will go to heaven. The other book I am working on is an inspirational fiction account of a girl trying to find her way out of a destroyed town to locate her family far away and is befriended by a dog on her journey. The book way in the background will be a sequel to Paws, Purpose and Possibilities, but it will be stories from others about their “paws, purpose and possibilities.” So for this book to become a reality I have created a page on my website for others to provide me with information about their experiences, joys, and stories of working with their therapy dogs.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my challenge, but I am proud to say I am meeting it head-on! I am nearing the age of 70, and my mantra is “If I can do it, you can do it, too!” I encourage my counterparts to step out and try something new! I have much to learn in this particular arena, as I don’t have much experience with social media and advertising. But I am a willing and able learner. I have used book promotion sites with some success, and I have participated in on-site book signings and oral presentations of my writing experience. I am finding new author friends as I reach out and am enlarging my circle of resources. I also have a website that provides some contacts and I hope to do more with this.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As Nike says, “Just Do It!! We are all capable of thinking and dreaming, but how often do we make a dream a reality? At my age, I doubt I will become a continual Best Seller like Danielle Steele, but I WAS a Best Seller in 4 separate categories on Amazon for 11 consecutive days!!! My book was up on Amazon next to Cesar Milan and for 2 days I sold more books than he did! So yes, JUST DO IT!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My best advice came from my mother in two particular ways. As a child, she told me I could be whatever I wanted to be and she would support me. Her other advice was “this, too, shall pass” to remind me when I failed or did not reach my goal, I could pick up and start again. She was also my best role model. I saw her step out in so many ways: how she cared for our family with no extended family around us, how she worked full time to put my dad through school, how she lived out her faith every day and truly practiced what she preached.

What are you reading now?
I am reading books by Max Lucado, Christian fiction, inspirational and devotional material, and books about finding purpose as we age. I am also reading books in a wide variety of genres as part of an author’s group that I am part of such as children’s books, inspirational books, historical fiction, poetry, self-help and self-improvement, and others. I am enjoying reading this variety and it has opened new avenues of learning and interest I have not before experienced!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on writing more books, with a goal to publish my children’s series in the late spring. I continue to participate in many online classes and in my author Facebook group. I have recently become part of a local writer’s group. My other goal for 2023 is to find more venues where I can talk about my journey as a writer and encourage others to pursue their dream of writing a book!

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible. I have many books I read for leisure and entertainment, but I have read the Bible since I was a child, and each time I read it I come away with something new I learned. The Bible is the #1 Best Seller of all time! I was exceedingly excited to sit in on a fiction book writing class recently where the writer giving the class encouraged us to look at the numerous stories within the Bible to get creative ideas in putting our personal “take or edge” on Biblical stories. I cannot think of a better place for me to get my inspiration!

Author Websites and Profiles
Gail Scoates Website
Gail Scoates Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Kevin Heaton lives and writes in Yucca Valley, Ca. He is an avid runner, hiker, author, and retired state park ranger. His work has appeared in over 400 print and online journals including: Guernica, Beloit Poetry Journal, Rattle, The Adroit Journal, and Raleigh Review, (search: Kevin Heaton Poems) and has been selected as Best of the net. He has five published poetry chapbooks.

He is a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and is listed as notable among published Kansas poets.

Where’s Chuckawalla Bill’s Cabin? is his first Nonfiction narrative offering.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Where’s Chuckawalla Bill’s Cabin?”: A True Tale of Being Lost in the Hi-Desert.
It was inspired by the actual event.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a very recognizable tongue-in-cheek, Midwestern/Southern hook line style.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Frost, Jack London, & John Grisham.

What are you working on now?
A long break

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon & social media

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Get used to rejections.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If it ain’t broke; don’t fix it.

What are you reading now?
The Bible

What’s next for you as a writer?
Perhaps a biographical narrative?

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Red Badge of Courage

Author Websites and Profiles
Kevin Heaton Amazon Profile
Kevin Heaton Author Profile Other Bookseller

Kevin Heaton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in southern Illinois where I work at a non-profit youth shelter. At one time, I played in various bands that you likely haven’t heard of, and even if you had, you probably didn’t like them. The Futile is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Futile is my debut novel. The pitch goes like this:

“In a near future world, where critics of the authoritarian leader are imprisoned and media has become a state sponsored tool for repression, one punk rock band goes on the road to start a revolution with their music.

But the members of The Futile are fighting more than just the upcoming (and likely rigged) re-election of J. R. Rankin—the man who decides what art, music, books and news can be consumed by the public. When one of their own secretly brings The Futile to the attention of state media and causes them to be a target for Rankin himself, the band—and some of their family members—find themselves on the run. The Futile won’t be silent. They will stick with their very public and very dangerous plan to take down Rankin—even if they might not make it out of this final act of rebellion and revolution alive.

Written with plenty of humor and heart, The Futile is ultimately a book about how people have the power to change themselves—and their world—even in the darkest of times.”

As far as the inspiration goes, I played in middling emo/punk/rock bands through most of my late 20s and early 30s, so a lot of The Futile is pulled from those experiences, just those feelings of self-doubt, exhaustion, and “Am I delusional?” humiliation mixed with the best times of your life, riding around in a smelly van with your least/most favorite people in the world who you are so annoyed with one moment, but the next, you find yourself so filled with love for them that it could make you cry. That’s where The Futile started, but then as I learned more about the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, and saw the continual escalation towards fascism in my own country, the world of The Futile began to take shape a bit more. Despite the heavy themes at times, I believe The Futile is cathartic and hopeful. Plus, there are a lot of run-on jokes like any good band should have and plenty of subtle (not always so subtle) references to punk/emo bands I love like Colour Revolt, Death Cab for Cutie, Foxing, Now, Now, mewithoutYou, Pussy Riot (of course), The Copyrights, and a bunch more.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My worst writing habit is to easily get distracted by my phone while I’m looking for the “perfect” album to play while I write.

My next worst writing habit is to eat handful after handful of Sour Patch Kids while writing.

My best writing habit is to write freely for several months, updating my outline as I go, and then edit/revise thoroughly over and over and over for several more months until it starts to resemble something like a story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, Emily St. John Mandel, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Jesmyn Ward are the writers I look up to the most, so their influence is definitely there. My favorite songwriters/lyricists like David Bazan, John Darnielle, Phoebe Bridgers, John K. Samson, Lucy Dacus, and so many more, have also had just as much if not more of an influence on my writing, I’d say.

What are you working on now?
I’m putting the finishing touches on my next novel, Our Extended Universe, which will be out next Spring. Our Extended Universe is the story of two teens dealing with anxiety and failure, who find themselves on an unlikely summer adventure after inexplicably matching as siblings through a DNA site. It’s loosely based on close family experiences.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Getting a sponsorship on the music website, Chorus.FM was the best for my book sales. I suspect this was mainly due to the crossover of niche emo/punk music influences in The Futile. Having The Futile featured on Chorus.FM and their weekly newsletter led to me selling numerous copies overseas and far across the United States that I hadn’t previously reached. Beyond that, the old standbys like Facebook, Instagram, and (sigh) Twitter have been effective so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for yourself first. Make yourself happy with the work and the story you created, because the world can be cold, fickle, and apathetic, easily swayed by trends and fads. Trying to make the world universally happy with your work, when it literally isn’t universally happy with anything, will lead you to madness. So write for yourself first. If you love what you’ve made, congrats! You created something out of nothing. That’s incredible and no one can ever take that from you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Jeff Zentner, the incredible author of The Serpent King (and so many other wonderful books! Dang, I should’ve listed him as an influence) said: “Voice is choice.” Meaning (among other things) instead of just saying a bland cliche like, I don’t know, “I need this job like I need an extra hole in my head” etc, say that phrase instead in a way that’s unique to your characters, make a CHOICE rather than relying on cliches and things that have already been said so many times before that they no longer mean anything.

What are you reading now?
Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next up is Our Extended Universe coming out next spring and the subsequent promotion of it. Then, I plan to start working on a nonfiction book about the southern Illinois punk music and DIY culture, focusing primarily on Carbondale staples like the rich history of the Lost Cross punk house and the famed punk band The Copyrights.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Tenth of December by George Saunders / Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer / Meet Me in the Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman

Author Websites and Profiles
Dane Johns Website
Dane Johns Amazon Profile

Dane Johns’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised on the WestSide of Chicago in the Ogden Courts Projects. Growing up, I wanted to become a professional volleyball player, a great painter, or maybe even one of the greatest hair stylists in the world. I have an amazing husband and an amazing son. My faith in Christ Jesus is what keeps me going. I love meeting new people and learning new things.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is The Lee’s (another love story). My husband, and how I met him is what inspired me to write this book. I just thought that our story would be a humorous and loving, hopeful story to share with the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not any unusual writing habits, none that I know of at least 😂.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
You know what’s so amazing, I am honestly not a reader, I have no favorite authors, that’s why I can’t believe that God called me to write a book.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on journals. Different 30 day challenge journals that can challenge us to become our better selves.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method for promoting my book is using YouTube and watching videos on how to promote my book, and always fiverr.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Omg, ummmm, patience, patience, patience because it is very much needed. It’s ok to feel frustrated and it’s ok to give up, but once you have gone through those motions and feelings, get back up and keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard was to not care what others think of you, just be yourself because what you eat don’t make them poop 😂 I live by that everyday.

What are you reading now?
I am currently not reading anything right now. As I stated before, I am not much of a reader, but I will get in tuned with reading soon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am honestly not sure what is next for me as a writer. I am simply waiting for Jesus to tell me my next move because He called me to do this.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Well, of course the one that I have written.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lashonda Lee Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a creative director and game designer for many years. Went through a long list of startups in the gaming, VR, and AR worlds (some were mine, some weren’t).
I had the privilege of writing a lot for games and a lot of other creative projects, but this was my first time writing a novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Let the Earth open” was inspired by a south-Korean show that I saw, which reunited people with a VR version of their departed loved ones. And since I’ve always worked with cutting-edge interactive technologies, I wondered what it would look like If an AI gathered all of our data and created these kinds of scenes for us. Where would that lead us? Where would it lead the AI? That was when I decided to incorporate AI into my writing so that whenever the AI character in the book spoke, it was a real natural language algorithm writing its lines, thus creating a dialogue between myself and the machine.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I like to get up early and start writing as soon as my wife goes to work, and my kid goes to school. I find that momentum and a quiet, tidy space help my concentration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A lot of them, recently, I think that Andy Weir really helped me feel comfortable whenever I spice up my writing with interesting trivia and scientific facts that I know would excite my geeky/nerdy readers.

What are you working on now?
Since “Let the Earth open” is a trilogy, I am currently working on book No. 2

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the thing that helped me most was getting hundreds of people to join my mailing list by finding relevant social media groups that deal with the future of tech and updating them during development.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be stronger than your biggest excuse and more stubborn than your biggest obstacle (and have it printed, so you see this quote daily).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always make sure to get some distance and perspective from what you’re writing. Let it sit for a while, then get back to it and read it aloud from a printed paper. It’ll give you a more objective take on things.

What are you reading now?
Just started “The Postman,” by David Brin.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Growing my audience as much as I can while writing book No. 2 and outlining the plot progression for the entire trilogy.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Probably Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer. It’s a book that moved me like no other.

Author Websites and Profiles
Oren Shved Website
Oren Shved Amazon Profile

Oren Shved’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account