Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To stay out of trouble and keep busy, I began writing after I retired and moved to beautiful southeast Arizona. My two grown children still live in the Midwest. My daily companion is my cat named “Machiatto” who I acquired from the animal shelter. It took weeks for her to warm up and adopt me. I am an active member of several writing groups and have read some of my work at a local open mic night. I belong to my local library’s friends group and a healthy community group. In my spare time (what’s that?!), I do genealogy on WikiTree and also enjoy crafting.

I’ve published one book, and I’m working on a sequel. Trana Mathews is the pen name I sue.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Mathews Family: Mathews Family Saga Book 1” was inspired by a diary I read as a teenager. My third great-grandfather wrote this diary during his 1798 journey from Massachusetts to the Northwest Territory. Through research, I found there were personal letters between family members held as part of the Special Collections at Marietta College. Transcripts of many of these letters are included in my first novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Besides writing dressed in a robe from the time I get up until about noon? I’m always embarrassed when someone knocks at my door around 10 or 11 in the morning and I’m dressed in my big, long, green corduroy robe!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Really too many to list here. I’ve been a confirmed “bookaholic” since I was in the fifth grade and got hooked on Nancy Drew. I enjoy reading many genres. Fantasy, historical, horror, and sci-fi are the ones I read most often. I do NOT read romance novels. I’ve shared my love of reading with both of my children.

What are you working on now?
I’m revising the sequel to my family saga. This will probably be titled “Dr. Increase Mathews.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a new indie author, I’m unsure and am currently researching how to promote my work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it and listen to your beta readers!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My beta readers told me to keep writing 🙂

What are you reading now?
I just started Kandi J. Wyatt’s “Dragon’s Future”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Completion and publication of my sequel.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Tough decision for me because I love so many books by so many authors. If I have to narrow it to just one, I would have to say Stephen King’s “The Stand” which I read when it was originally published through Doubleday.

Author Websites and Profiles
Diane Hildebrandt Amazon Profile

Diane Hildebrandt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After a 21 year career in the Navy, I returned home to my native state of New Jersey. Following my passion for the open waters, I started a second career in the recreational marine parts business. After ten years of dealing with the dense population of New Jersey and its high cost of living, we had had enough. My wife, Cheryl, and I sought to find a peaceful, friendly environment for our second retirement.
We now happily reside in Spink County, South Dakota.

I reveal my love for South Dakota and appreciation of its people through my third career as an author of six books centering around the fictional town of Helen, South Dakota. All my novels and stories tell a tale of middle America and the rural lifestyle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is River Of Destiny. It, like all my books, is inspired by the culture of small-town America.
I love writing about the ways of Middle America and the rural communities. This story tells the tale of a young man raised on a South Dakota farm. How will he handle college life in the big eastern city? It is a story of culture shock, twists and turns, and a new acquaintance who helps him adjust.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My wife and I are both retired and therefor are home with each other 2/7. We have adjusted our schedules to each have private time.
I am up around six each morning while my wife prefers to sleep in to ten or eleven. In the evening I am in bed before eleven and she stays up until one or two AM. We each get time to ourselves.
I use my quiet mornings to write. I get my morning coffee, chose the door to my den and start to type. I am a “seat of the pants” writer so I have no idea where the story is going to take me when I sit down each morning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was young, it was all about science fiction. Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov were my favorites. Later in life, I tended toward action books by James Michener, Clive Cussler, and Dale Brown. I even did short side trip into fantasy with Hitchhiker’s Guide by Douglas Adams.
Recently I am more into stories in my genre, Rural America and small towns. Debbie Macomber, Carol Cox, and Jillian Hart top my list. They are all wonderful storytellers. I can get lost in the worlds they create.

What are you working on now?
I currently have three stories playing in my head and thus out my fingers. All are part of the Flyover County series. I have one very aggressive project where I am writing two books inside one main story. I think it will be fun, although it might take some time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a website and a Facebook page. I keep an e-mail list as well for my “insiders”. The e-mail list is the best promotion tool. I am learning to work the algorithms of Amazon and a starting to have some success there too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Don’t get discouraged. That big break could be just around the next corner. If you quit now, you will never see it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you lock the car with the key, you will never lock your key in the car.” Of course, today that hardly applies.
For the independent author, it is all about growing your presence. Build a strong mail list and us it to keep in touch with fans. Don’t overkill it, just touch base every now and then to keep them in the loop.

What are you reading now?
A rose Blooms Twice by Vicki Kistell. No Shade in South Dakota by Andrea Nardi, and Amazon Decoded by David Gaughran

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned I am trying something new. I want to write a story about two writers. Inside that story, I want to include snippets and pieces from the stories they are writing. I want the flow of the story to include the work they do. I have to have enough of each story to let my readers follow, but not so much that I create a zillion page mega novel. The trick will be to keep a main story going while telling the two sub tales and keep it reasonable in length.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Flying Sorcerers By Larry Nivin and David Gerrold.

Author Websites and Profiles
Richard Skorupski Website
Richard Skorupski Amazon Profile

Richard Skorupski’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a brand new author! Having spent the last 17 years teaching sixth grade, I resigned from the classroom a year ago to pursue my dream of becoming an author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Reckoning: A Time Travel Thriller is my debut novel and it was inspired by the passing of my mom from a painful loss to brain cancer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I spend most of my writing time sitting in my car waiting for one of my children in order to chauffeur each one somewhere else.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I feel like I gain experience and am influenced by every writer I read works of. Everyone has something to teach us.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 in The Reckoning Series

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am so new to being an author, I’m still figuring this part out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up when it seems like all the next steps are unclear. Instead, find the best place to learn how to move forward. For me it was self publishing and learning through modules offered through Self Publishing School.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sometimes, holding on makes you strong. Sometimes it’s letting go. It depends, is there hope? Hold on. Is there none? Let go.

What are you reading now?
Nightingale

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am learning the marketing side of self publishing and working on finishing the series that follows The Reckoning.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Author Websites and Profiles
D.M. Taylor Amazon Profile

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Linda O’Connor, and I’m super excited to be stopping by. I’m the author of twelve books: The Perfectly Series, contemporary romantic comedies; a new medical hockey romance series, In the Game Hockey Romance; and a new series, Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor. I balance writing with my work as a physician in an Urgent Care Clinic and weave the best parts of medicine into romance. All my stories are stand-alone stories with love and laughter – so indulge yourself, relax, and escape into fun. It’s what the doctor ordered. 😀

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I originally had the idea for this story two years ago. I frequently see patients with infectious illnesses and advise them to stay home from school or work until they’re no longer contagious. Sometimes it’s difficult for working parents to find care for their sick children – often they just can’t take a day off, and it’s nearly impossible to find a caregiver willing to look after a child who is ill. It also isn’t easy for someone living on their own to cope when they don’t feel well.

I thought caring for the sick when they are temporarily ill would make a great job for a retired doctor, since a doctor wouldn’t be daunted by the illness. That’s how Dr. Brogan Corkie’s character was born. Initially, I was going to have her look after the sick in their homes and then bring two people together in that context. But when I started writing, I ended up giving Brogan a hobby – she enjoys cooking and catering for people – and that became her second career. I “upgraded” her M.D. from Medical Doctor to Matchmaking Doctor. Brogan became the romantic catalyst – she brings couples together and then through good advice and a warm heart, she uses her cooking, medical – and matchmaking – skills to weave love and romance into their lives. And throughout the series, Brogan’s own heart gets tangled up in romance, too! Medicine – it truly is a work of heart.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write outside. And I need silence to write – I get too distracted with music and would sing along or get up and dance.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the romance novels I’ve ever written have influenced me especially ones by Nora Roberts. I also love reading cozy mysteries. Recently I’ve enjoyed the Andy Carpenter Mystery series. I love his sense of humor. It inspired me to keep writing romantic comedies!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a new series -Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor. Don’t Drop the Baby was released in early February. I’ve written the next 2 stories and will be releasing them in May and August, 2020. And I’ll be working on writing the fourth one – a Christmas story with a planned release date of November 4, 2020. Can’t wait!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love to share promotion with other authors and frequently write guest posts on other author’s blogs. I’m busy on my website, too – https://www.lindaoconnor.net. I love to welcome new readers and other authors!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are writing a series, my advice to authors would be: finish writing at least 3 books in the series and release them fairly close together. It keeps them in front of the readers and helps with promotion.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a mystery series by Peter Mayle. Set in France, they are deliciously descriptive, funny, and exciting to read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing! 😀 I’ll finish the next book and decide whether to start a new series or keep writing new stories in the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series. I’m always trying to improve my skills at marketing and promotion.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Gosh that’s a hard one to answer. I enjoy a wide variety of books, but my favourite stories are ones with humor. I read for relaxation and would rather laugh than cry.

Author Websites and Profiles
Linda O’Connor Website
Linda O’Connor Amazon Profile
Linda O’Connor Author Profile Other Bookseller

Linda O’Connor’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mark B. Gilgam is the author of the Wandering Blacksmith series. In a world where magic is another force of nature, a young master blacksmith reads about stark and beautiful lands and glittering cities and sets out to see these wonders for himself. Larger than life, he faces steep odds and powerful evil and hits hard wherever innocent creatures suffer. For that is what heroes do. There are currently four books in the series.
Wandering Blacksmith 1 Hardening the Steel
Wandering Blacksmith 2 Heavy Metals
Wandering Blacksmith 3 The Bloody Hand
Wandering Blacksmith 4 The Star Song

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Star Song, fourth book in the Wandering Blacksmith Series is not the last. Action movies, my books are inspired them. Before you judge me harshly remember that in actioners there is always a good reason for hitting out and it is goodness that prevails in the end! Highly moral, if you think about it. “The 13th Warrior”. “Bladerunner”. “Two Hands. “Hombre”, “Appaloosa”, “Silent Trigger”, “Predator”, “Red Scorpion”, “American Yakuza”, “Ghost Dog”, “Die Hard”, specially the first. The last two “Batman” specially the very last – for the Joker – he had a way to ask questions that were not answered at all. And the new James Bond, that’s one mean sonofabitch – “Do I look like I give a damn?” Phantastically romantic actioners like “Desperado”, “Crying Freeman”, “Ladyhawke”, “Flesh&Blood” “The Blood of Heroes” “A Knight’s Tale” “Bridge of Dragons” “Starship Troopers”. “Forest Gump”, yep I’m also a bit of a sap.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in bed like Mark Twain.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Russians, Aitmatov (he was Kyrgys), Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita (basically he wrote just this one book for which superb is a pale term), Garcia Marquez who makes you forget where and when you are, R.E.Howard (Conan!) and Heroic Fantasy in general, H.P.Lovecraft of the Ctulhu universe, Michael Moorcock of the Multiverse, Barbara Hambly of Darwath, Cherryh of the infuriating heroes, ultra-tough Raymond Chandler, dear Douglas Adams, The Princess Bride (“As you wish”)- just to name a few or I’d be all day – I’m a compulsive reader. Bookshelves all full and bending in the knees, storing books on the floor now, but does that keep me from getting in more? Nope. I built a small but sturdy hut to accommodate my books. After I moved them out there the main house came out of the groundwater about half a meter, and the floors have straightened out by now.

What are you working on now?
The fifth and sixth book of the Wandering Blacksmith Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is the million $ question all Indie authors ask. I hope, this website is going to give my blacksmith a boost.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author myself, so I can only say : Finish what you start. Beware of plot holes. The craziest premise is no license to dispense with logic.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fear has never helped a man.

What are you reading now?
I often re-read the original Conan stories by Robert E. Howard.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The Wandering Blacksmith Series is not ended by a long stretch of magical adventures.

What is your favorite book of all time?
About one metric ton of books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark B. Gilgam Amazon Profile

Mark B. Gilgam’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have two published books available, with my third being released March 10.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is called Forever My Always. It is the third stand alone in my Laurel Creek series. It’s taken me almost three years to complete it, mainly because it’s difficult to write a romance novel when you’re in the midst of a divorce. However, love has prevailed! Falling in love with my best friend was all the inspiration I needed to complete it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unless you count half listening to my children when they’re trying to tell me something important that I will later insist they most certainly did NOT tell me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Abbi Glines! I love her writing style of alternating first person POV. A main character in one of her books who was a self published author inspired me to publish my first book.

What are you working on now?
In addition to marketing Forever My Always, I have another unrelated romantic comedy in the works. I also have a novella started. That one may turn into a full novel, though.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve used several websites and promotors in the past. I’ve placed a lot of my proverbial eggs in the Books and the Bear promo site for Forever My Always.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. And then write some more. And then promote the heck out of your work. I was convinced my first book would be an instant best seller with little promotional effort on my part. Hahahahahahaha! How wrong I was!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to get discouraged if not everyone likes your writing style. I’ve read thousands of romance novels and have hated some of them because of the writing style and loved others with minimally enthralling content because I enjoyed the author’s style.

What are you reading now?
Nothing, unfortunately. Between mandatory overtime at my day job and working on my own projects, I’ve barely had time to sleep, let alone read. I’ll be taking a two week vacation next month and am looking forward to catching up on some of the titles in my to be read pile.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be pouring most of my energy into the new romantic comedy I’ve started and exploring a children’s series I’ve created. That will be published under a different pen name for obvious reasons. Can’t have anyone under 18 accidentally reading my Laurel Creek series!

What is your favorite book of all time?
Hmmm. I’ve enjoyed so many, it’s hard to choose just one. I know it might sound cheesy, but I read VC Andrews’ Heaven series four or five times when I was a teenager. I’m sure I should give a more pretentious sounding answer, legitimizing my author status, but I like reading novels that make me feel invested in the characters. Like I said, I also love anything by Abbi Glines!

Author Websites and Profiles
WS Carmichael Website
WS Carmichael Amazon Profile

WS Carmichael’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two books of poetry with a third in the works. I am also trying my hand at screen writing, wanting to tell the story of an ancestor that was a passivist but then fought in the revolutionary war.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have always written, poetry off and on, but never felt I should release any of it. I have been working on my environmental start-up which was going along slowly. With that uphill battle I found myself needing an artistic outlet as something different from my day to day…the book came together as a result. In fact I put together two books in the time frame.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not terribly…maybe I can be a bit rude when I am clamoring to write down a thought before I forget it. I feel like that could be a common thing though.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Corso, Nietzsche, Bukowski, Wallace, Rossetti, Aurelius, and many more…but those are the wise old men and woman I go back to time and time again…

What are you working on now?
A third collection of poems and a few screenplays mulling around. I have other screenplays in mind beyond the one mentioned in the previous question. I find the film script timing can be a form of poetry when read actually.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m only getting started, so I feel I have no real answer for this. I am enjoying this experience so far though.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I feel as though I am not qualified to answer this…but here is a life though that may be applicable to some. Write and share…give your voice room to breathe. Don’t be afraid to touch on subjects that are tough… Prejudice, persecution, and privilege are always in a constant state of context.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be kind be safe be human…lend a hand and smile.

What are you reading now?
The Universal Guide to the Cosmos by Brian Cox

What’s next for you as a writer?
Always observe…and speak truth to power. I am not one to suffer fools, but I will engage in almost any conversation that holds merit or my curiosity. Even if I don’t always understand the merit my curiosity may hold fast.

What is your favorite book of all time?
1. Camping & Woodcraft by Horace Kephart
2. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
3. Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (because I have never read it)

Author Websites and Profiles
Owen D Hill Website
Owen D Hill Amazon Profile

Owen D Hill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a 20-year-old gal from a small town–super small town!–who is just in love with the idea of love. I guess that’s why I’m always writing romances! I’ve written a few books, but I’ve only published one so far.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR? and it really came from a different idea I’d had in the past. That idea was a friends-to-lovers, like this one, but with more of a fantasy element. A little fact about me is that I write fantasy *horribly*, so switching it over to contemporary romance made everything just click together!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t necessarily call this “unusual”, but I always have to outline my books with pen and paper. I have to feel the words flow from my pen because that’s really the only way I can *see* my story unfold. I guess that is pretty weird!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some major authors that have influenced me are Kasie West, J. L. Armentrout, and Cassandra Clare. It’s kind of funny that the last two are more fantasy world writers and I write strictly contemporary, but their writing style is so inspiring to me. Every time I read any books by those authors, I get all the creative writing vibes!

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on another YA Romance (shocker!) titled Out of My League about a fake relationship. It’s set to release June 16th, so very, very soon!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting on Instagram has been a huge thing for me, at least interaction-wise. I absolutely adore making promotional images, so I find it fun to mix and match images and lines and that sort of thing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let people’s negativity get you down. You’re doing what you love–writing books–and don’t forget that! And don’t lose sight of that, because that passion will keep you going when the world tries to stop you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one.”
Love, love, LOVE this. It totally inspires me to keep going in the drafting period, which is the hardest part for me!

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Maybe This Time by Kasie West as well as Kiss & Consume by Lynelle Barrett. Both are very good so far!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, right now I’m in the final editing stages for Out of My League, but after this, I’m going to be working on a Halloween-themed YA Romance. Think the Christmas romances, but during Halloween time!

What is your favorite book of all time?
Oh, hands down it’s Nevermore by Kelly Creagh! A goth, a cheerleader, and Edgar Allan Poe? Yes, please!

Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Sutton Website
Sarah Sutton Amazon Profile

Sarah Sutton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was raised an Army brat and traveled extensively with my family while growing up. i am married to my high school sweetheart and had a long career in Financial Aid, which is ironic considering I hate numbers. I have two adult children one in the Marines and one earning her Masters in Sex Psychology. After many years in the corporate rat race I finally embraced her love of writing.
I have completed 3 books. Two Romance novels completely different from each other. Plus a my Migraine Memoir that covers a particularly horrible event that gives some insight into my Hemoplegic Migraines.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Sabastian’s Curse, is an mystery romance that crosses timelines. I have always been interested in the past and have wondered many times what it would be like to live and love in another time period. This book allowed my to really use my imagination and put some true events into the story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find it easiest to write in public places. Something about a noisy coffee shop or restaurant that helps me stay focused on my story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Carly Phillips and Lexi Timms are some of the many authors that inspire me. The humor and romance in Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is what I strive for. I have read that book several times and have the CD version. LOL

What are you working on now?
Currently I am all over the place. I have four books that i am working on. However I try to focus most of my writing on The Target, book two in The friends Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Currently I promote by word of mouth (Face Book) and Amazon/kindle.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it! Don’t get to caught up on perfection otherwise you will be like me and take 6 years to complete one book. I was stuck in a revisions and update cycle for way too long.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Some of the best advice I got was, “Write without censoring yourself. That is what rough drafts and editors are for.” That was something that really helped me to stop trying to make sense of what I was typing and organizing as I went along. When you allow yourself to ramble with abandon it might be some of the best writing you do. So just write!

What are you reading now?
Fearless by Annie Jacoby

What’s next for you as a writer?
This year I will be working on my marketing efforts and expanding my writing genre. I would love to write a children’s book.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Jennifer Rickard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been an ordained Buddhist minister and mindfulness teacher for 32 years. I am the founder and director of the Dragonfly Sangha and the Blue Lotus School of Mindfulness Arts. I have contributed to numerous journals and have written six books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Three Principles of Oneness: How Embodying the Cosmic Perspective Can Liberate Your Life

I was inspired by my decades of working with folks who are seeking a spiritual practice that is evidence based and scientifically sound.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write after midnight and usually accompanied by the music of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The works of Alan Watts and Jack Spong.

What are you working on now?
I am currently creating episodes for my brand new podcast/YouTube channel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Please go to: asksenseitony.com. For all the information on my books and teachings.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to yourself.

What are you reading now?
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

What’s next for you as a writer?
Will begin work on new titles as soon as my book touring in support of Three Principles of Oneness is complete.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke

Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony Stultz Website
Anthony Stultz Amazon Profile
Anthony Stultz Author Profile Other Bookseller

Anthony Stultz’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a stay at home mom of three kids and married to an awesome man. I’ve been an author since 2017 and have grown so much since then. I’ve written over thirteen books so far and have many more in the works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Of Dragons and Storms. It is a co-write with Rae Hendricks. This book started out as a short story in an anthology. The idea came to me as I was pondering what would happen if I lived near the ocean and had to face my fear.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to drink coffee and listen to music. Not sure how unusual that is. I find that sprinting with fellow authors helps keep me motivated.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many! Rae Hendricks, Iris Sweetwater, Wendy Knight, Lianne Willowmoon, Lilly Rayman. I could go on.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on The Retribution of Lilly: Zombie Whisperer Chronicles Book Two.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I myself tend to promote my books on Facebook and Twitter. I have found that promo groups are the best method.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
First and foremost I say- Go For It! You will learn and grow along the way. Will it be hard? Yes! Will it be worth it? Yes!
The next thing I suggest is surrounding yourself with other authors who will help encourage and support you along the way. People that will help you grow (please be mindful that there are toxic people to be wary of)
Never let naysayers bring you down. Rise above them and pursue your dream!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stop trying to be like others. Be yourself and shine.

What are you reading now?
I haven’t really had much time to read as of late. I’ve been so busy writing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to become a USA Today Best-Selling Author

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Falcon and the Serpent by Cheryl A. Smith

Author Websites and Profiles
Chandra Fry Website
Chandra Fry Amazon Profile

Chandra Fry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a freelance photographer based in Japan. To date, 3 photo essay books have been published: World Heritage Japan, River Books 2019, Hidden Gardens of Japan 2018, Offbeat Japan 2018

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
World Heritage Japan – as my specialty is Japanese gardens, I travel all around Japan – a lot. When I happened to be in area with UNESCO site, I made it a point to visit the sight and photograph it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am more of a photographer than a writer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

What are you working on now?
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! Don’t take rejections personally – keep going!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The very best job is work that you would ordinarily do for free, rendering the effort painless.

What are you reading now?
Plain of Snakes, Paul Theroux

What’s next for you as a writer?

What is your favorite book of all time?
Kafka by the Shore, Murakami

Author Websites and Profiles
John Lander Website
John Lander Amazon Profile

John Lander’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m just a God-loving and social justice obsessed chica originally from Puerto Rico. I also have an undergraduate degree in English Writing and a graduate degree in Social Work. My main goal is to write to inspire others and give a voice to issues I’m passionate about. I’ve currently written two books: “Rise in Love: A Poetry Chapbook” and “Social Justice Advocacy 101: How to Become a Social Justice Advocate from A to Z”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Rise in Love: A Poetry Chapbook”. It was originally inspired by my romantic relationship, but then led to a book of poetry about different kinds of love in my world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ll stop anywhere to write. It doesn’t matter if I’m at work, a family member’s house, on a date, hanging out with friends, or in the car. I’m always writing down my thoughts, ideas, and lines on my work notebook, random pieces of scrap paper I beg from my family, on my phone even though I’m with people, or dictating to Siri.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many! Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, and Esmeralda Santiago are some of my biggest influences. However, my favorite book is “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott.

What are you working on now?
I am currently preparing for a blog post requested by Orange Blossom Publishing.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Surprisingly enough, Facebook and Twitter have been my best friends.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say to write for the sake of writing itself. If you write while thinking about literary criticism, you’ll find yourself freezing up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My writing philosophy stems from a famous Benjamin Franklin quote: “If you’re not writing things worth reading, do things worth writing.”

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading “Royal Holiday” by Jasmine Guillory and “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Author Within” by Natalie Goldberg.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to publish my first novel.

What is your favorite book of all time?
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, of course!

Author Websites and Profiles
Selys Rivera Website
Selys Rivera Amazon Profile

Selys Rivera’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I had an unusual path to becoming an author. I have a degree in Criminology and after graduating, I took a job as a federal Correctional Officer in a maximum-security penitentiary. I eventually became a federal Parole Officer. One of the major aspects of the job is assessing risk and writing reports. When I retired from Corrections, I missed putting ink to paper. It’s rather ironic because as a Parole Officer I was inundated with paperwork and hated being stuck behind a desk.
After a couple of months of enjoying the good life, I began writing. Only this time, I created fictional stories with happy endings.

I have two published novels both in the romance genre and I’ve got two more in the works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Braking Hard is about a mechanic with ADHD who tries to navigate life after the death of a loved one. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is something a lot of people associate with children, however, there is a large percentage of adults whose symptoms follow them into adulthood. I wanted to create a main character who struggles with ADHD but also has many successes in his life due to the upside of ADHD. My inspiration came from the people in my life, both friends and associates, who have ADHD.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have an office in my house where I can write. It has a sturdy desk and a comfortable chair. But my favorite place to write is on our pontoon boat in the middle of the lake. There’s something inspirational about floating on crystal clear water.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love books with complex characters and quirky love stories. There’s such a great selection out there and some of my favorite authors are Jay Crownover, JoJo Moyes, Penny Reid and Frederik Backman. Backman’s Beartown and Us Against You are brilliant in so many ways.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next stand-alone novel in the Storm Harbor Series. This one is about Cole who appears in Braking Hard. I’m also polishing up my manuscript for a novel called Escaping Circumstances. This one follows Scorp who appears in Beyond Circumstances.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning in this department. I utilize a variety of promotional techniques ranging from book signings, social media, and websites. Goodreads is a must for both readers and authors. I love the face to face interactions with readers, but to reach a large number of people I go on Twitter and Facebook. I’ve also started doing a monthly newsletter for my loyal readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Surround yourself with good people. This works in almost every aspect of a person’s life. You want people who encourage you but who can also provide constructive criticism. The writing community, for the most part, is filled with people who are supportive and who are willing to share their knowledge. It’s important to become part of this group.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Use beta readers to find the flaws in your story. Authors are too close to their work to see what is apparent to others. I love my beta readers.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading JoJo Moyes’ Still Me. I love the character of Louisa Clark.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on learning and writing.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Fredrik Backman’s Us Against You. It speaks volumes about the world we live in. I recommend you read Beartown first. Although the setting is a hockey community this book is about so much more than sports. It’s an emotional read with an incredible story.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gloria Joynt-Lang Website
Gloria Joynt-Lang Amazon Profile

Gloria Joynt-Lang’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After 50 years, finally finding my biological family, coincidentally on the exact same day I was adopted 50 years before. Many things came together to cause me to see that life is full of apparent coincidences and patterns, such as repeated numbers, letters, words, colors and such that indicate a communication from the Universe. It is a proto religion before humans decided to create gods out of wood, stone, and out of thin air.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
How to Overthrow a Government — inspired by chaos in Hong Kong, Yellow Vests in Europe and impeachment efforts in USA. This book is relevant to current events.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to writing in what I call flex-tense which allows for past-present-future tense to sometimes be obscured.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Isaac Asimov

What are you working on now?
2 book; Excel for Everyone and The History and Future of Black People.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Presently trying all forms of social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Consider writing smaller “test” books that you plan to never make any money on that will allow you to practice format and presentation.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ignore most advice

What are you reading now?
I’m a writer so who has time to read. I like my work to come from me, not from other influences.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am trying to produce books for the 21st century. This means style and format must change. No more “endnotes” or “footnotes”. The reference links should be right where the reader can quickly access.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Viking Sagas from Iceland

Author Websites and Profiles
Roderick Edwards Website
Roderick Edwards Amazon Profile
Roderick Edwards Author Profile Other Bookseller

Roderick Edwards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was brought up in the Highlands of Scotland. I studied law at Aberdeen University and practiced as a solicitor for twelve years, specializing in criminal defense. I then moved to South West France where I have an estate agency business selling dream properties.
I initially started writing romance books and have written three in the style of Harlequin Blaze, Mills and Boon Modern or Historical. I have a really passion for history and have written two further books which are fiction but are based on fact and relate to the Second World War.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Josephine, singer, dancer, soldier, spy and it is inspired by the life of Josephine Baker and her life as a spy for the French resistance during World War Two.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I take my laptop virtually everywhere so I can sit down and write if I have a moment of inspiration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. I developed a passion for reading with Enid Blyton when I was a child. J.K. Rowling is for me an inspirational author. The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin is one of my favorite books. I loved His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnett. At the moment I have been reading books set during WW2- Gardens of Stone-my boyhood in the French Resistance and Alone in Berlin are particular favorites and I am going to read them both again.

What are you working on now?
A trilogy set in France during WW2- which is about a group of young people who are drawn into the French resistance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love when my books is recommended by readers. That’s what really matters.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think from my grandfather- he used to say life is not easy. A direction to carry on and make the best of things no matter what.

What are you reading now?
Alone in Berlin

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on a screenplay based on The Cypher Bureau which I am really enjoying.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Wizard of Earthsea

Author Websites and Profiles
Eilidh McGinness Website
Eilidh McGinness Amazon Profile

Eilidh McGinness’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
We’re a writing team who live in different states and write using google docs. We literally finish each other’s sentences! We couldn’t be more different, but that is what makes us such a good team. We’ve written more than 8 books together and have plenty more in the planning stages. The Locke Brothers Series is our first attempt at publishing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Obsessed, Devoted and Beloved comprise the Locke Brothers Trilogy. We took inspiration from a favorite band to start out but the story quickly built itself into so much more than we were expecting.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
We don’t really outline. We brain dump and then rewrite those ideas and delete what we’ve used as we go. Many times we get to the end of a book and have enough brain dump leftover to start a new one right away!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
We have to give credit where it is due, to the many authors of fan fiction who crossed into the world of publishing before us. We started out writing fic together and that writing style evolved over the years into more. Without these other women who published, we wouldn’t have had the courage to make the leap. My favorites include Helena Hunting, J.M. Darhower, and Jiffy Kate.

What are you working on now?
We’ve got a standalone novel in the works for the end of this year, and a series we’re completing while the standalone is in editing. We hope to continue publishing one of our series and one standalone each year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We love newsletters! I think people take a recommendation in a newsletter more seriously than a mention on a website because it seems more personal.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find your tribe. Without a group of people who have helped us learn and adapt we wouldn’t have made it to publishing day. Having someone you can bounce questions and ideas off of is invaluable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t read the comments!! As people-pleasers, our first instinct was to change what people said they didn’t like, but every reader will have a different personal preference! You will get conflicting reviews and you literally can’t please them all. So write the book you want to write and don’t look at the comment section after.

What are you reading now?
Thiers for the night by Katee Robert

What’s next for you as a writer?
We just want to keep writing and getting better at it.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Twi always answers this one, because it is very special to her: Twilight.

Author Websites and Profiles
Twi J. Bryant Website
Twi J. Bryant Amazon Profile

Twi J. Bryant’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live with my family in a suburb of Washington, DC and I’ve been writing since 2013. My 10th novel will be coming out October 2020. It is a Karina Cardinal mystery called Pharaoh’s Forgery. It’s another action-packed mystery adventure with Karina, her pal Rodrigo, and the Silverthorne gang all collecting in sunny Cancun, Mexico. My love of mystery capers such as The Thomas Crowne Affair and the Ocean’s movies inspired the Karina Cardinal series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent novel is Diamonds & Deception, a Karina Cardinal mystery, book 3. Karina and Jillian dig into a diamond theft, but they unearth trouble—the kind that could make their next designer label a toe tag. The diamond theft takes place at a well-known shopping mall outside of DC called Tyson’s Corner and delves into organized crime, gangs, and a gambling ring.
It was inspired by a visit to the FBI museum in DC, in particular the section on organized crime and human trafficking.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. When I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing. Work never goes away.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have influenced me include: Elizabeth Peters, Janet Evanovich, Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, Dan Brown, and Clive Cussler.

What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished the fourth Karina Cardinal novel, Pharaoh’s Forgery, which will be coming out in October 2020. Meanwhile, I’m working on a Karina Cardinal short story which I hoped to get published in a mystery magazine or an anthology.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I can’t say there is a “best” method. I use a number of avenues to get the word out. Ads on social media, newsletter promotions, and media articles are just a few ways I use to promote my novels.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1) This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s going to take a while to develop an audience, and maybe even your own voice. Pace yourself.
2) Be ready to handle rejection because you’ll get it from agents, editors and readers. Remember, your book will not be for everyone. 1 and 2 star reviews may sting, but also provide legitimacy. Go look at your favorite authors, even NY Times bestsellers will have 1 and 2 stars in there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Run your own race. Don’t compare yourself to other authors who, you think, may be doing better. Your career is not in competition with them. There will always be lesser and greater authors than yourself, if you continually compare yourself to them, you may become vain or bitter.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment. I tend to stay away from books while I’m in the midst of writing a story. I don’t wish to be influenced by another’s writing style or voice. I need to stay focused on my characters and plot line. Once I’m finished, I have a Is Murder Past Due, by Miranda James to read for my book club.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I may be returning to historical fiction with Lily St. James who is an OSS spy during WWII.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Whoa! Too … many … books … overload … overload.
Seriously, I can’t answer this question. There are far too many dog eared books in my collection to pick a favorite. But, I will say, JK Rowling is brilliant. I love the Harry Potter series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ellen Butler Website
Ellen Butler Amazon Profile

Ellen Butler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account