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Book: It Haunts Me

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Q1. Hello Maám, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

My name is Zulaikha Jallow and I’m from London, England and still currently living there. I’m a debut, internationally published author. I’m currently at sixth-form (the 2 years post GCSE academic education where students prepare for their A level examinations heading into university) opting for A level history, Sociology and English Literature. I wrote “It Haunts me” at the age of 15 although the publication process allowed it to coincide with my 17th birthday.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘It Haunts Me’ book?

Although the publication period was quite a while, it was quite an easy process. I wrote “It Haunts Me” in approximately 3-4 weeks and had discussions with the publishers and my managers. Yet i was very worried so as to not make my poems generic as i wanted them to be unique.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

From a young age I’ve always had an irresistible impulse and endearment towards Arabic poems and love stories. I grew a very intriguing attachment to the 7th century tragic Persian love story of “Layla and Majnun” by Nizami Ganjavi which has an abundance of everyday themes such as separation, sorrow etc. Additionally, the story of prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in Quran contains problems and solutions in every possible aspect of life. Both these heavily influenced my style of writing and my love for old texts, stories and books.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I’m a big reader and I like quiet spaces such as libraries and cafes & any other spaces that I can peacefully read books, articles and research.

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Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

I’d say there is a lot to do before writing a book to an extent this is because I personally had no idea where to start there was a lot of research that took place all this is time consuming but fun at the same time. Furthermore, as a writer you need to be aware of ethical issues, what could be offensive to readers and avoid them meaning asides from the publisher’s proof reading you’d also have to read over your work a lot.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘It Haunts Me’ book?

Writing the manuscript itself took me approximately 3-4 weeks.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘It Haunts Me’ book to buy?

Amazon, WHSmith’s website, hive, Blackwell’s, waterstones, Target. Just type “It Haunts Me” on google and there’ll be a variety of websites and stores to get it from.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘It Haunts Me’ ?

The book cover was from a picture I had drawn a while back and once I started writing the book, I saw there was great correlation between the poems, title and the drawing.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I read other books for inspiration as these triggered new ideas, I also went out to parks and libraries just to change atmosphere.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

The book is supposed to offer a solution to everyday problems experienced by the readers, it was written for readers to connect their lives to what is written in this way the collection of poems become moral lessons rather than regular poems.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

It Haunts Me

Book: Healed

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Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Dean Skinner: Artist, author, believer. “Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.” – Andre Gide

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Healed’ book?

There were some very personal moments in Healed that are still hard to read aloud without getting emotional or choked up. I knew this when writing Healed and I knew it was going to be darker than my other works but as an artist, I feel that makes for a great piece…putting your heart, soul, and sometimes even your pain into your work. It can be very healing.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Easy…The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a must for any soul trying to kindle their creative flame. My other “go to” that I try to read every morning and continues to amaze me is of course, The Bible…many authors 😉

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

Wow, this is a tough one. I’ve been to so many beautiful places on God’s great earth. So, I’ll list my “go to”…my patio, in the morning, with my journal, my Bible, and giant fluffy Sheepadoodle, Toby (yes, just like Toby in Healed).

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Not really. I just start writing. In fact, for all three of my books (Broken, Paths, and Healed) I just start writing and don’t even know if I have materials for a book. That’s part of the enjoyment for me with both writing and in art…just start doing the work and see how it all comes together.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Healed’ book?

Off and on, about a year, from the first word typed to first draft.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Healed’ book to buy?

Right now, Healed is e-book only but I will likely get an audiobook made (like I did for my first book, Broken) and am considering a print version of all three of my first books into one book since they’re all short stories.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Healed’?

Well, as a graphic design major and an artist, I sketch out what I’m thinking first and then work with a designer to finalize the finish product. Like my writing, I like leaving an “Easter Egg” or two in my cover design to see if the reader can eventually discover them after reading my books.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I really don’t think about it. I just write what’s in my heart.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Oh wow, so many…like all my books, I leave “Easter Eggs” throughout the book that once you finish, I’ve had readers “reread” to see if they can find all the subtle clues and “breadcrumbs” scattered throughout. I really love doing this and love the excitement when a reader shares with me what they’ve discovered.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Healed

Book: Hearts Amongst Stars

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Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Hi everyone! I’m K. Soriano. I live in New Jersey and have my entire life. Writing is a passion of mine, that hopefully, one day, will be turned into a career, instead of only for fun. I dabble in multiple different genres from poetry, to dark fiction, to romance, to heart-warming, and I’m also dipping my toe in the water with a book about my struggles with anxiety and panic disorder from a non-clinical point of view. Currently, I have four different books I am working on because different ideas come to me, and I think “well, that won’t work in this book, so let’s write another.” It keeps me busy and I love it.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Hearts Amongst Stars’ book?

The organization of the book itself. I actually took it out of publication for a month so I could rework on the layout and rewrite some of the pieces in this book. I published it pretty quick, and even before publishing it, I wasn’t fully content with the flow of the pieces. After I went through it page by page and changed placement of some of the writings, I was happier with the finished product and published it again.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I’ve always been one of those people who looks up cute quotes. When Atticus first started popping up on my searches, I looked into his writing more, bought his books, and was inspired. I thought “Wow, this is someone who makes magic.” R.H. Sin is another author who has influenced me. I wish one day, I’ll be able to write as well and eloquently as they do. Then, of course, there are the classics such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, who once wrote, “The reason one writes isn’t the fact he wants to say something. He writes because he has something to say.” That resonates with my writing; having something to say, to put out into the world. Also, Hemingway is a big inspiration. He once wrote something similar, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” I take that advice in all of my writings, along with a few other pieces he’s written. Each one are true artists, and it’s interesting to see the differences of writing styles through generations, as well as how little has actually changed.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

Lake George in New York. It’s so beautiful and peaceful there. It is also very inspiring. With the beautiful views and the quaint town, it’s hard not to feel inspired there.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Not really. There are times when I won’t write anything for months, but once I get inspiration, I can’t stop writing. A fun fact though… I hand write all of my writings before typing them up. For me, it’s easier to physically write, cross out, edit, and make notes if I’m not 100% confident with a piece. So there is a notebook and pen in every room of my house, in my car, in my purse, because I just never know when the smallest thing will inspire me. Eventually, each book gets its own notebook.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Surviving Love Life & Her’ book?

About 4 ½ months, including edits. That book just poured right out of me!!

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Currently, my books are only available on Amazon, no matter what country you live in. Hopefully, that will change one day, and readers can head to bookstores to find my books!

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

I am a very simple person, so when I was creating the covers for the books, I knew I wanted to keep them simple, but use subtle designs and backgrounds. Surviving Love Life & Her was the hardest cover to make; did I want to include the images from the chapter pages on the cover? Would that be too much? Eventually, I decided against using the images and went with a black, grain background. Choosing the title was easy though. It was what I was living through at the time.
I had the complete opposite problem with Hearts Amongst Stars. The title took a little longer to choose, though I knew I wanted to write a book about love and the night sky. There truly is something magical about the night sky, in my opinion. Being in love and spending nights outside, is so intimate. But once settled on the title, I knew what the cover art needed to be. But, again, because there is heartbreak included in this book as well, I wanted to keep the main cover color black. Plus, it’s a continuous of Surviving Love Life & Her. I like to stay on theme.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

It’s all about what inspires me at the time. With SLL&H, I was inspired by my emotions and didn’t hold anything back. With Hearts Amongst Stars, I was inspired by the stars and the moon, and still had more to say after SLL&H. Midway through writing Hearts Amongst Stars, I decided these books were going to be the process of eventually moving on from a bad relationship and finding yourself again. That will be more apparent in my next book coming out, hopefully, at the end of August.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Great question!! Hm. I’m not sure if this is much of a secret, but every dialogue, or scene portrayed in both books, is real. Both Surviving Love Life & Her and Hearts Amongst Stars were not just inspired by events, but they every page was written off of an actual experience. I just turned them from an experience into art. All the writing I do (which is a lot!!) I like to base off of reality. Reality is what I know, given I’ve lived it, or dreamed it. These poetry collections, however, is the only writing I’ve done that is 100% real.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Hearts Amongst Stars

Book: Walking the Wrack Line – Where it Mattered Not

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Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

I’m Buck Rish MD retired neurosurgeon and Navy Capt USN/ret.I now live in Columbia SC where i continue to write mostly Southern FIction.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Walking the Wrack Line – Where it Mattered Not’ book?

Walking The Wrack Line was a real challenge as it is based on a true medical record of a case which I had lived andwas intimately involved in for 50 years.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I have read most of the more prominent southern authors and enjoy the ones that write about their life’s experiences in the South–Welty, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, and more current- Chrisham, Conroy, Cassandra King, Rick Bragg, .

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I love to visit the Outer Banks of NC and VA. That’s nature at it’s best reflecting the tides of time.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Yes, I research a subject in depth and the draw on my own experience before going with a new book.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Class Act’ book?

A Class Act tok two years to organize as it covered the actual history of a medical school class thru 50 years.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Books by buckrishmd web site

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

Cover selection has to represent the guts of the story and titling is very difficult and requires a progressive elimination from a long list. I do better titling other peoples’ books and have as an editor promoted many excellent titles, but I struggle for the duration of the a book’s birthing to get just the right title.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Know your subject and stick to your experience base. Use a story board to keep the time lint accurate and relevant.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

All of my work is experientially based, so I just have to be true to my own memory.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Walking the Wrack Line – Where it Mattered Not