Category: Author Interview

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Interview with author Kim Lengling

Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. If you happen to spot someone walking through a field with a cup of coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other, there’s a good chance it’s me. I’m a author, podcast host, dog lover, nature walker, and someone who genuinely believes kindness still matters in this world.

I didn’t set out to become a writer. In many ways, writing found me through life experiences, conversations, heartbreak, hope, and the stories people carry with them every day. Over time, those stories turned into books, a podcast, and opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life.

I host a podcast called Let Fear Bounce, where I chat with guests who’ve faced hard things, found their footing again, and chose courage anyway. Around here, we call it “tossing nuggets of hope.” Some days those nuggets come through serious conversations, and other days they come from a sunrise walk, a good song on the radio, or something funny my rescue dog Dexter does.

I love real conversations. The kind where people can admit life gets messy, but still find reasons to laugh, keep going, and look for the good. I’m passionate about mental health, veterans, animals, kindness, and reminding people they’re not walking through life alone.

Most of my days are pretty simple and honestly, I like it that way. Coffee refills, long walks in nature, writing notes for future projects, recording podcast episodes, and finding inspiration in everyday moments. I think some of the best parts of life are the little things we rush past too quickly.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone trying to leave my small slice of the world a little better than I found it. If my words, books, podcast, or even one conversation can help someone feel seen, encouraged, or hopeful, then I’d say that’s a pretty good day.

Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?

A2. Those two words are often used interchangeably. I look at the difference between the two pretty simply. A writer is one who writes letters, journals, short stories, articles, and more. I look at an author as one who has been published. 

Q3. Which part of your book “Nuggets of Hope” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?

A3.  I felt a responsibility to make the stories relatable and genuine and to do justice to a person’s moment in time. I didn’t want the book to sound preachy or unrealistic. Life is messy. We all struggle. We all have moments where we feel tired, discouraged, or uncertain. I wanted readers to feel like they were sitting down with a friend over coffee, having a real conversation about life, kindness, and the small moments that matter.

Ironically, some of the simplest stories were the hardest to write because they carried the most meaning. A smile from a stranger, a quiet conversation, a small gesture of compassion — those moments may seem small on the surface, but they leave a lasting mark on a heart. Capturing those moments in words was both challenging and rewarding.

Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?

A4. I don’t celebrate per se, but I do feel a sense of satisfaction, and then the real work begins. Editing, formatting, publishing and all that goes with it. 

Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?

A5. I do post on social platforms regularly, but to be honest, I don’t care to spend personal time on social media. It’s too easy to get sucked in to rabbit holes or doom-scrolling.  I use social media as a means to keep the word out about my books and what I’m up to, including my dog Dexter. 

Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?

A6. I don’t keep to a specific schedule. If I have an idea that pops up, I need to get to my laptop and get that idea down, or if I am out on a walk with my dog Dexter and inspiration hits, I’ll record my thoughts because I know I’ll forget that brilliant idea before I get home!  LOL 

So, short answer, I write when inspiration hits. I believe if I were to keep to a schedule, I would eventually feel stressed and I’d eventually not want to write.

Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?

A7.  I have always been an avid reader, 2 – 3 books per week. As a child I remember loving the Nancy Drew series and the Little House on the Prairie series. As I got into my teen years, I remember reading Steven King, but also I think I read some Sweet Valley High books.

Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?

A8. I typically write non-fiction, and funnily enough, I don’t read much non-fiction. When I do read, I read fiction for pleasure.

Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book “Nuggets of Hope” influenced your perception of yourself?

A9. It was interesting while writing the book, which included some research and delving into my memory, how much I realized we as humans take for granted. It’s the little things that are often overlooked or the people you pass on the street or in a store, you don’t “see” them.

Writing Nuggets of Hope was a lesson to myself, or a reminder if you will, to keep my eyes and heart open to my small slice of the world and try to make it a better place, if even for a moment for one person.

Q10. If you had to describe yourself using just three words, which would you choose?

A10. Compassionate, resilient, hopeful.

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Interview with author Michael Stephen Daigle

Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

I’m Michael Stephen Daigle. I grew up in the Northeast U.S.. I live in New Jersey, and have lived in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. I don’t recall when I started writing, but it feels like I’ve been doing it forever. I wrote two books when I got out of college, one of which became part of the 6-book Frank Nagler Mystery  series. I’m a life-long Boston sports fan, and was at the game in 1975 when Tony Conigliaro hit his last-ever home run.

Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?

Semantics. Whatever you call yourself, the task of creating written works requires imagination, discipline, attention to detail, and hard work. I’m not a suffering artist type. I’ve  been doing this a long time and have written in many forms, including a long career as a journalist. To be productive, which can lead to success, requires the ability to stay on task and manage your time.

Q3. Which part of your book “Nagler’s Secret” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?

Parts of the  story take place in different decades, so making sure all elements of the story and characters stay in order took planning. The challenge for any story, and for any mystery, is to make sure you get it right, the right pacing, the characters in the right place, saying the right things so the reader feels satisfied when they are done reading.

Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?

Actually, start the next one. Which is hot as hard as I seem,. Because, especially with the Nagler mysteries, one story flows into the other. The satisfaction of finishing one is knowing that you’ve given the readers a worthy reading experience.

Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?

That is all under review. After Facebook was hacked two years ago, I had to rebuild  the social network. I’m planning to explore Tik Tok and Substack and start over with other mediums. In the meantime I rely on my website, www.michaelstephendaigle.com.

Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?

Four to five, and more if I’m on a journalism deadline. It’s a job.

Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?

Very young, I read sports books and newspapers daily, I later moved into historical fiction then literature.

Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?

For mysteries, Walter Mosley, who writes exquisite fiction. For literature, Markus Zusak, whose stories border on magic. I’d add Kristin Barr, who writes ferociously and fearlessly about women.

Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book “Nagler’s Secret” influenced your perception of yourself?

The writing of Nagler’s Secret was taking place while I was republishing the other five books in the series. There was a lot of learning going on.

Q10. How would you sum yourself up in just three words?

I’m a storyteller.

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Interview with authors Annette Marie Griffin and Franella Smith

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better. 

A1. I’m Annette Marie Griffin. I enjoy books and kiddos. So I’m thrilled to be able to write for an audience I truly care about. My passion is to help little ones find the God who loves them and to help them discover who He made them to be. 

Annette Marie Griffin

Franella: I’m Franella Smith. I am from a military family so we moved a lot, but I grew up mostly in Connecticut. I have been a registered dietitian for more than 25 years and enjoy my work. I have 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and one very adorable miniature Schnauzer named Winston. 

Franella Smith

2. What is the inspiration behind your book “The God Hunter”? 

A2. My co-author Franella Smith and I have a deep desire for children to know they can run to God in times of trouble. 

Franella: Annette introduced me to the character in a critique group and I immediately fell in love with him. When she asked me to help develop the story and his character, I was excited, and absolutely elated when she said she liked what I had done. It is such an important story to help children understand that God is not a far-away being looking down on us harshly, but a good and loving father who wants to be part of our everyday lives.

3. When did you realize you want to be an author? 

A3. I began writing curriculum for our children’s church program when I was a ministry director–many years ago. But I never really considered myself an author back them. Several years ago my dream of becoming an author was born when God gave me a story that would not go away until I put it on paper. When my husband saw me using all my free to time write, he gifted me a writer’s conference registration for Christmas. The rest is history. That conference put me in community with other aspiring authors, gave me access to valuable teaching, and launched my writing career in a million other ways too awesome to describe in this limited space.

Franella: I was a very introverted and shy youngster. My sister and I both were avid readers from a young age. In writing, I found a voice to say and dream things I had never dared before. I started making up short stories in middle school as an escape, to cope, to understand the world. I wanted to study creative writing and photography in college, but well-meaning family members encouraged job-security in the medical field. I am grateful for that background, but when I had a chance at graduate school, I chose to follow my dream to pursue an MFA in creative writing.

4. Please tell us something about your book “The God Hunter”.

A4. The God Hunter is a adventure-driven book filled with vivid illustrations kids will love. Eight-year-old Simi is angry with God when His grandmother dies, so he uses his hunting skills to search for God and make him answer for the tragedy. Simi narrowly escapes danger in the deep, dark jungle. When he reaches the end of His journey, Simi discovers that the same God he was hunting was actually with him all along—closing the mouths of lions and guiding his every step. 

Franella: The God Hunter shows how personal God is. Simi has heard about God from his parents, grandparents, and fellow villagers, but the loss of his father then grandmother lead him on a quest to meet God for himself. It shows that our God is not just a rule giver, but a personal God that we can have a relationship with. One who is always near, just waiting for us to seek Him and invite Him into our lives.

5. For which age group is your book “The God Hunter”?

A5. The God Hunter is written for children ages 4-8.

Franella: Yes, it’s written for ages 4-8 years of age, though I believe younger and older may enjoy the story, also.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

A6. “A good hunter claims his prize. And He has. I hunted God. But he also hunted me … until I was found.”

Franella: “Their words about God burn in my hunter’s heart. I cannot escape them.”

7. What do you like the most about your country?

A7. I am so grateful we live in a country where we have the freedom to worship God and share His love with those who need Him. 

Franella: I am grateful that we live in a country with a goal to do better. Our constitution is written to ensure that all persons are treated fairly, equally, and justly. That’s a high goal, but we need that accountability to remind us that, just as Jesus taught us to love one another, we are all created in the image of God.

8. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit? 

A8. Pull your little ones onto your lap,  open a book like it’s a big event, then READ to them. It doesn’t matter what you read. Just do it often. That will cause them to love reading, even before they can recognize their letters. 

Franella: I cannot agree with Annette more. Cuddle those precious babies and read to them. You will create memories for them that last a lifetime and memories for yourself for when they are no longer able to curl up in your lap. Time flies so fast, savor those moments while you have them.

9. What does literary success look like to you?

A9. Literary success to me is reaching the heart of the reader with truth that helps ground them, excite them, and empower them. 

Franella: Oh, I’d say creating a story that impacts someone’s heart for good. A story that will be remembered long after the book is put away. A story that sows seeds in its reader to want to make the world a little bit better. 

10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

A10. I realize this answer may come across as trite, but the only genuine answer I have for this question is Jesus. In today’s world Christianity has been given a bad rap. Trust me, I understand why—especially in this weird political climate. But oh, how I wish people could know the REAL God of all creation and His Son, who died to save us. He is my inspiration for my life and my writing. 

Franella: I’d have to say my grandmother. I saw her as strong and confident and protective of us when we would visit her in Chicago. I am proud to have inherited a little bit of her fierceness, and blessed to be able to pair that with the love of Christ so that I can go boldly to serve others. A scripture quote that frequently crosses my mind is “seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with our God.” I want to walk in that more each day.

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Interview with author Alan R. Warren

Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. Hi, my name is Alan R Warren and i have had 39 books published from three different publishers and some self-published. I write in non-fiction including True crime, Cults, and History. I have also hosted the ‘House of Mystery’ heard on several radio stations including KCAA 106.5 F.M. Los Angeles which we interview authors, producers, and film makers of all genres.

Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?

A2. I personally never think about them as being much different. Technically they both write anything from article to books. Only i believe the official difference is authors have published their writing, put it out to the public to read. 

Q3. Which part of your book “Peace Love & Murder” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?

A3. Well with any non-fiction book, it’s always hardest trying to find the truth. Not just what people think or that have heard, but the facts. When you have several witnesses to a crime such as what happened with Manson, who is telling the truth? Especially when several of the witnesses are those that were accused of the crimes. So, they all tend to make themselves be in a good light, or in the position where they had to go along with what was happening because they felt threatened or scared by the others they were with during the crimes. 

Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?

A4. I really don’t. I mean there’s always different feelings about each book upon completion. There are times when you feel insecure or not sure about your book. While other times you feel completely satisfied and confident that it was a good book. There’s also a lag time from completing the book and having it published, especially by a publisher. So, by the time the book is actually going to be released, you have already been deeply involved in a new project probably about a year. 

Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?

A5. I usually post things daily and about writing or radio shows. Keeping followers up to date in what’s going on in my professional life.  It’s also a great place to tell readers about book shows or signing events that you are going to be at, so that you can come out and meet them. 

Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?

A6. I really don’t dedicate or line up certain hours per day to writing. It happens more spur of the moment. A lot of my initial work is finding information. Going out and meeting witnesses, victims and the police who were involved. Then there’s also trying to set up meeting the criminal in the prison. There’s also several hours of going through the newspapers and learning about the setting where the crime took place. This all helps the story take shape. When i have most of the information and i am ready to write the story i still don’t plan dates and times to do it. I must be in the right mood. The feeling has to come over me, then i write. 

Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?

A7. Actually, i usually listened to crime or detective shows on radio most nights or read comic books usually in the ghost, strange stories, or detective categories. 

Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?

A8. There are quite a few great writers out there in the true crime field. I think it changes over time with me. I also find that each writer usually has something special that they give to their books, and often they are different from other writers and even myself. So, i really don’t ever choose one when interviewers ask me. 

Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book “Peace Love & Murder” influenced your perception of yourself?

A9. I don’t know that it has? At least not yet. Maybe over the next few years it will? That’s not to say that each book that i write doesn’t make some change in me, because they all do. Sometimes it’s not always the change that i wanted, but it’s there. So far, with Peace, Love & Murder, the main thing which i have noticed is that it’s the first book that i have written that i feel good about in a way that i don’t care who else likes it. Ido, and that’s enough. 

Q10. If you had to describe yourself using just three words, which would you choose?

A10. Structured, Supportive, Satire

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Interview with author Patti Lee

Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. Hi! I’m Patti Lee and I started writing women’s fiction in my 50’s. I love to write about things that can happen to anyone while also taking the experience up a notch or two. 

Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?

A2. So interesting that this is one your questions – when I first started writing, I wondered the same thing. I think a writer is someone who writes, journals, creates. An author writes with the intention of publishing.

Q3. Which part of your book “Tanya, We Have a Problem” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?

A3. I thoroughly enjoyed writing just about every aspect of Tanya, We Have a Problem. The most challenging part was getting inside Tanya’s head to try and figure out how her character would act and respond to situations. I’m a very focused, organized, and thoughtful person who relies on lists and routines, where Tanya is more of a fly by the seat of her pants kind of girl.  

Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?

A4. That’s kind of a trick question for an author and really depends on what ‘completed a book’ really means because there are so many phases in the process. I celebrate completing a book’s first draft by putting it away, not writing for a day or two, and basking in the relief that the first draft is finished. Completing a book after several drafts, edits, and rewrites calls for more celebration and I usually share with my circle of friends, and they send me congratulatory memes. 

Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?

A5. I see social media as a way to connect authentically with readers and fellow book lovers. I tend to share moments from my writing journey, reflections on books and stories that have influenced me, and occasional personal experiences that connect back to storytelling and family.

For example, I recently shared about seeing The Outsiders on Broadway with my daughter and grandson, reflecting on how powerful it is that S.E. Hinton wrote a story at sixteen that still resonates generations later. Those are the kinds of conversations I enjoy having online, not just about promoting a book, but about the lasting impact stories can have.

While I’m naturally more reserved on social media, one of my favorite ways to connect is participating as “Author of the Day” with the Global Girls Online Book Club. I enjoy the opportunity to interact directly with readers and fellow writers in a more personal and meaningful way. For me, those conversations are the most rewarding part of being online as an author.

Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?

A6. My day job is full-time and pretty demanding and there are times where I just don’t want to look at a computer screen. Writing by hand is completely out of the question because I often write so quickly that the letters are incomplete, the words flow together, and two paragraphs later I have no idea what I wrote. Though I used to write for hours every day, now I tend to write in spurts. I love to dedicate a few hours at a time when the creativity is flowing. 

Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?

A7. I loved reading as a child. There was something magical about reading and imagining oneself in the relatable world of Judy Blume’s, Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret, or Louisa May Alcott’s, Little House on the Prairie for the feel-good family moments.

Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?

A8. There are a ton of authors I admire but Jennifer Weiner is probably my top pick. She has a way of writing that weaves relatable emotional truth with wit and humor that just lands with readers. 

Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book ” Tanya, We Have a Problem” influenced your perception of yourself? 

A9. Writing and publishing Tanya, We Have a Problem has changed my perception of myself in ways I’m still processing. Like many writers, I carry some imposter syndrome, and I’ve learned it doesn’t necessarily go away just because you’ve published before. “Author” often feels like something other people are, not me. 

What this experience has reinforced is that writing isn’t really about feeling fully qualified. It’s about persistence, vulnerability, and showing up for the story even when doubt shows up too.

Q10. If you had to describe yourself using just three words, which would you choose?

A10. Observant. Driven. Curious.

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Interview with author Deborah Wilde

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. Hi! I’m Deborah Wilde. I’m a bestselling author of funny, sexy urban fantasy. I’m also a proud Vancouverite, which is where I set my books, an avid traveller, and a former screenwriter.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. My years writing for television taught me the importance of creating a hook before a commercial break, so that people would tune back in. I’ve applied that to chapter endings. Another strength is my witty banter. It’s my happy place to write and, thankfully, readers enjoy it.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Made in the Shade’?

A3. Since this is the second book in the series, my MC, Miri, isn’t dealing with the newness of her situation. She’s chosen to step full-on into the magic community and it’s great seeing how she brings all her life experiences—as a mom, as a librarian, and as a woman in her forties—to solve this murder case.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. I take all feedback from my editor and ARC team seriously. Even if I disagree with them, there’s a reason why they are reacting a certain way, so my job is to figure out how I can win them over to my POV. Can I make the story beat clearer? Funnier? Am I missing tension or stakes? That said, sometimes, I need to go off and have a pity party for a couple of days first if something I love really isn’t landing. Then I roll up my sleeves and dig into it.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. They’re an immersive experience in an entirely different way from ebooks or paperbacks. It’s great when I’m driving and can be surrounded by the story, especially if there’s heavy traffic. It takes my stress levels down.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. I have 25 books out now and it’s taught me that I can and will persevere, even when things get tough. It’s also taught me (though I still struggle with this part) that I have to protect my writing time because the million details involved in publishing can eat up all my time and energy.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. Strong characters, solid structure, and delivering on what I’m promising my readers, from humor to spiciness to twisty, clever mysteries.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. Back to the “protect my writing time,” I write in the morning. Nothing else happens until I’ve made my word count for the day. However, I don’t write every day. Thinking about the story also counts.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘’Made in the Shade’?

A9. That’s actually a riddle posed to Miri in the book that she has to figure out the answer to. So you’ll have to read it to learn what that is. ☺

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. I wanted to be an ambassador and work at the United Nations.

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Interview with author Charlie Lord

Q1 Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?

My full name Charles Winslow Lord II is after my great grandfather who settled in Salina, Kansas in 1880. He and his brother came by train from PA. My great grandfather was an early baseball pitcher – one of the few who could throw a new pitch called the curve ball. He would get hired out by local semi-pro baseball teams. He learned the milling business from a new friend in Salina and soon started the “Lord Grain Mill Company” that lasted until 1950.

Q2 What is your favorite part from your book ‘A Love Story Between 2 Worlds’?

Remembering Peggy and how value oriented she was. Everything she did had a positive value attached to it! She would even critique my batting swing, suggest that I write more, study hard, and have fun in a constructive way.

Q3 How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?

This is a book in progress because of my inexperience and because of the nature and rhythm of Peggy’s sad murder investigation. There have been 2 editions already and I anticipate the 3rd and final edition at the end of 2028.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

I am going through a process currently with the “On Line Book Club” (6 million members) where 20 experienced authors critique and review the second edition of my book for me. Then they promote my book to their readers and to many of the 6 million members of the “On Line Book Club”. I have received 15 of their critiques and reviews so far! My reviews have included 4 – “5” ratings of which I am very proud. Still – I have received incredibly helpful suggestions and critique from the 3 who gave me only a “3”rating. I really appreciate any and all critique and suggestions and I have learned a lot.

Q5 What would you say is your strength as an author?

I have received much positive feedback about my open and honest writing style and take that as a huge compliment from these well established authors!

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

I think writing in and of itself is so healing – for me even more than reading. It is almost like putting a Strategic Plan together for my book and for myself!

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Truthful and passionate, imaginative Creativity is what I think makes a good and great book!

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are not writing?

I am 72 and retired and keep busy attempting to keep my brain going in a way that can contribute and support the generation and world that we are living in.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘A Love Story Between 2 Worlds’?

Peggy was my fiancé in College at Washburn University in the 1970’s. After graduation we lost each other to our worlds and the world. It was Deja Vue all over again after my older brother (but 10 years) disappeared in 1970 immediately after graduation from Harvard Divinity School. After years of heart-ache Peggy suddenly came back to me on April 28, 2020 from the Spiritual side. As a believer that our Spirit lives forever it has been gratifying since this date to realize 100% that we do live forever. My real Spiritual Education really began on this date as did real daily communication with Peggy! This book tries to explain my own Spiritual and Psychic and Metaphysical story in hopefully a personal way that many have been teaching us already.

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A baseball player – pure and simple! I love everything about the game of baseball and most importantly the lessons we learn from the game are never ending!

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Interview with author Ivy Maria Elmore-Hickman

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

A1. Before embarking on my writing journey, I earned a B.A. in Speech and Drama and pursued a career in the entertainment industry. Guided by my “DIY” spirit, I created, wrote, illustrated, and self-published The Adventures of the Popcorn Kids. I am a proud native of New Orleans and a former certified early childhood educator. Despite my struggle with severe narcolepsy, I have worn many hats as a Flight Attendant, On-Air Radio Personality, Paralegal, and Attorney in-Fact. Although my career path has been diverse, I believe that every opportunity was essential to my personal growth and creativity.

2. What is the inspiration behind your book “The Adventures of The Popcorn Kids”?

A2. When I began teaching, I was offered a position at my old grammar school which was located in a low income area. I was inspired to write this book, because I wanted my students to know that the “Hood” was not the entire world. I knew that I could not take the students out of the hood to see this “great big world”. So, I created THE ADVENTURES OF THE POPCORN KIDS to bring the “great big world” to the hood.

In this culturally diverse society, it is imperative that our young children are educated at an early age about the vast number of cultures and ethnicities that exist around the world and in our community. Teaching young children to respect other cultures and identities is essential to the progress of our communities and nation as a whole.

3. When did you realize you want to be an author?

A3. When I was in 5th grade, my mom gave me a Holly Hobby diary and I wrote in it every day. I loved to write and I was fascinated with books. The Book Mobile would come once a month and I just could not wait to check out the new book from Judy Blume. Because of my vivid imagination and love for the theatre, I knew that I wanted to be an author.

By the time I graduated from college, I had written dozens of unpublished songs, poems, short plays and movie scripts. But finding a publisher back when there was no high speed internet, was nearly impossible. It was not until Self Publishing became popular, that I realized that my dreams of becoming a “published” author was possible.

4. Please tell us something about your book “The Adventures of The Popcorn Kids”.

A4. The Popcorn Kids is an Early Childhood Value Book that gives a subtle introduction to five important social constructs: 1.) Anti-bullying  2.) Cultural Diversity  3.) Teamwork  4.) Acceptance and  5.) Positive Thinking. The (8) bright neon colored characters are the personification of little children from all around the world ages (5) to (7).

Each character has a distinct place of origin, ethnicity, personality and talent. However, the one thing that they do share in common, is that they were all “popped”(born) in America!  Through acceptance, respect and teamwork, the Popcorn Kids develop a great friendship.  Together they experience fun-filled adventures, while fighting bullies along the way. The book is now available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9FRJV7X

5. For which age group is your book “The Adventures of The Popcorn Kids?

A5. When I created The Popcorn Kids, my main focus was writing for Pre-K and Kindergarten students.  Although the reading skills level of the manuscript would be categorized as a Level 1, the  cognitive thinking concept and message can typically be appropriate for toddlers to third graders.  

The Popcorn Kids were meant to be loved by children of all ages. Therefore, I created an animation film for small children who aren’t able to read and those who struggle to read. The animation film is entitled: THE OFFICIAL ADVENTURES OF THE  POPCORN KIDS. The (3) minute film brings the Popcorn Kids story to life. It is currently available on Youtube:

THE OFFICIALS ADVENTURES OF THE POPCORN KIDS.
https://youtu.be/FAR0j9LOsZw?si=1S4Wfe-THvK4tAw6

6. What is your favorite Quote?

A6. When I was in second grade, my favorite teacher posted several sayings throughout the classroom. But there is one quote that still resonates with me today. That quote is “Failling To Prepare .. Is Preparing To Fail.” The reason it is my favorite is because it can literally be applied to any one of life’s situations. It is self explanatory and simple. But yet so meaningful.

7. What do you like the most about your country?

A7. What I love most about America is that it is the only country in the world that permits  people of all races, genders, religions, creeds and cultures, the opportunity to apply for legal citizenship.  It is the land of milk & honey, freedom of speech and the home of the brave. My family has been here for hundreds of years. America is home to the most fluential and successful people that ever lived. I could never imagine living anywhere else.

8. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?

A8. One of the greatest gifts a parent can give to a child is a “good reading habit”. In general, children typically have a low attention span based on their age bracket.  Therefore, I would suggest the following: First, designate a quiet reading space. Second, choose a specific time and stick to it! Good habits are derived from repetition and routines. Next, keep your reading time under (15) minutes. Try to provide visuals that coincide with the storybook whenever possible. For example: If the story is about a bunny, then allow the child to hold a stuffed bunny during story time. You may reflect on teaching moments at the end. But always remember to make it fun!  

9. What does literary success look like to you?

A9. Literary success to me is achieving my goal of making The Popcorn Kids a household name.  Let’s face it, every author dreams of the day when their book gets listed on The New York Times Best Sellers Lists. Or better yet, get offered a major distribution or movie deal. Until my ultimate vision of literary success becomes my reality, I will continue “Doing what I love and loving what I do”. While eating a great big bag of POPCORN.

10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

A10. My greatest inspiration in life comes from my very own little Popcorn Kid, my daughter Melody Joi!  Everything I do in life is in preparation of securing a bright prosperous future for her. Children are our most precious gifts and we should treat them that way. My parents instilled  values worth more than gold within me and my (8) siblings. If I succeed in instilling those same inspirational values into my daughter, then I have achieved one of life’s greatest accomplishments.

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Interview with author Jenna Greene

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. My name is Jenna Greene and I am a children’s/ middle grade/ young adult author. (What are adults? Ew). I have been writing for 25 + years, which is odd because certainly I can’t be that old! I raise two stubborn and sassy ‘tweens and teach full time in Southern Alberta. I’m a dedicated dragonboat coach and semi-clumsy dancer.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. I think my world-building is fairly strong. Even if I write in a contemporary setting, there is likely a fantastical twist. I love dystopian literature and people who are pulled through portals. The empowerment of youth through literature, as the characters rise to challenges they never thought they could endure, is fascinating to write, especially when I get to thrown magic and creatures and foreign societies at them. It’s invigorating.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Broken Realm’?

A3. I think I like the fact that these two characters, Briggs and Keely, grow and learn together. While disparate in personality and ability, they reflect the opposites attract and opposites empower vibe that comes when someone recognizes your difference and is proud of it, instead of threatened by it. They grow from strangers to enemies to partners and saviors… and eventually fall in love. (Although that love is threatened, of course)

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. Stephen King’s writing isn’t my cup of tea, but I doubt he’s crying into his coffee every morning, wondering why I won’t read Misery. Art is subjective. It is personal. It is open to interpretation and digestion. People are allowed to like/ dislike a genre, a narrative, or a character. It’s not the end of the world if someone doesn’t like my writing style or topic because, as a reader, I don’t like every book I encounter. Writers, like dancers and actors, need to develop a thick skin. Criticism is necessary to improve art. Writers need an audience, who are allowed an opinion.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. I drive for a long period of time each day, so they are nice to fit into my schedule. And hearing a voice narrate a tale, instead of the one in my head, is enjoyable, as it is another layer of interpretation of the story.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. I think I’ve gained some confidence, which has allowed me to take more risks with my writing and become a more ruthless editor. I trust my ideas and process more, allowing for better quality of work.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. A good plot is a must, with dimensions of conflict. There needs to be a variety of internal and external conflict, with the impact of decisions having repercussions. Characters need to feel natural, with as many flaws as strengths, just like true people. It takes a while for writers to find their niche, whether that be poetry, short story, genre, age group.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. I spend most of my time daydreaming, which means staring into space or going for a walk. The actual writing of the scene at my computer is the lesser part of the process. I go scene-by-scene for the most part, though I have over-arching themes and plot that guide me. I am not quite a plotter and not quite a pantser. I guess I’m a planser? Honestly, each book goes on its own journey, with each process being a bit different for each tale. Some I’ve written in 2-3 weeks. Others have taken years.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Broken Realm’?

A9. The idea that a reality has been shattered is found all over literature. In the case of Keely and Briggs, this is both figurative and literal, as their innocence is stripped and so is their physical home. They have to endure great shifts and trials while they help to heal an unfamiliar realm.

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. I wanted to be a fairy princess. I think a writer is a fine back-up.

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Interview with author Joann Howeth

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better. 

I was born and raised in Montana. I moved away for a while but returned in my early twenties and have been here ever since.  I received my BA in English Literature fully expecting to teach high school upon graduation, but jobs were scarce, so I changed direction and found employment in the jewelry industry.  This led to 20 years of designing and goldsmithing. Simultaneously, I married, raised children, took care of my elderly parents, and became a grandmother. I’m an avid reader and enjoy books about the natural world, mysteries, biographies, art and artists, and the classics. I like to walk and be out in nature as much as possible. And I enjoy a well-shaken martini.

2. What is the inspiration behind your book “The Mollys B.”?

It started with an incident in which a heifer made her grand escape from a slaughterhouse in Great Falls, Montana in 2006. She ran around town for six hours before being contained and returned to the meat packing plant. Upon her recovery, the manager didn’t have the heart to send her back to the slaughter pens. Her gumption to overcome her fate spoke to him. He secured her freedom and humorously named her “Molly” after the original unsinkable “Molly” – Margaret Tobin Brown – famous for having survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. He saw that the two females shared a natural buoyancy:  not only had Molly the heifer survived encounters with moving objects (cars, trucks, and a train), like Margaret she had also survived an ordeal with water – a fast-moving and nearly fatal ride down the Missouri River. 

I was amused by this incident but was also inspired by this bovine’s determination and pleased when her efforts to save her life were rewarded with clemency. I cut it out of the newspaper, added it to a folder about animals I’d been keeping for years, and then forgot about it.

Eight years later this heifer made the news again. The article provided a recap of her escapade (hilarious again in its retelling) and proceeded to inform readers about what she’d been doing in the intervening years. Having evaded slaughter, she had been a resident of two large animal sanctuaries. When both of those operations had to close, a third home was found for her at The Last Best Place for Animals, a farm animal sanctuary located in my hometown. The story once again tickled my funny bone, so I cut the article out of the newspaper, filed it away, and proceeded to forget about it. 

By this time, I was now seriously engaged in learning the craft of writing children’s books and despite having entertained the idea of attempting to document her story, I kept getting hung up on how to position it. A cow escaping from a slaughterhouse? For children?

Fast forward another eight years: it was November. My husband and I were flying home from New York City, and I was as sick as sick could be—the kind of embarrassing sick that had me using the motion sickness bag. And in that weird, brain-fogged, “please let me die” place, I was touched by magic, and THE MOLLYS B. landed in my lap. 

In my flulike stupor, I envisioned these two, indomitable gals side-by-side. The text started unfurling and with racing thoughts, I dictated it to my husband, who patiently let me interrupt his reading each time I leaned over with a fresh line. I wrote the first draft of THE MOLLYS B. in four brain-addled hours, but it’s evident that the desire to tell this story had been germinating a long time—sixteen years! Success? Yes and no. I had found my way into the story. I had words down on paper, but I still had a sticky problem. How does one explain a slaughterhouse to little children? What was my responsibility here? I really wanted to tell Molly’s story; her gumption inspired me. I wanted to celebrate that. But how? Finally, I decided I could tell the story by focusing on one single, shared experience, and how both females, from places of determination and inner strength, fought to save their lives.

Fast forward another two years: after a year of conducting interviews, obtaining testimonials from experts, purchasing licenses for photographs, rewriting, and revising, and then another year of working with a publisher and illustrator, the dual story of the Mollys was at last ready for its audience. It had been a long journey, demanding an amount of patience for which no synonym exists, but it has been fun and immensely gratifying.

3. When did you realize you want to be an author?

My desire to tell stories began when I was still in elementary school and grew stronger when I reached middle school. My eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Cummings, recognized some ability and gave me tons of encouragement. My mother was also a huge supporter of me, and when I had to take a break between high-school and college, enrolled me in The Institute for Children’s Literature correspondence courses. From there I began to think about a career as an author although it took me five decades to make it a reality. Life commitments and detours, and probably a little self-doubt, got in my way.

4. Please tell us something about your book “The Mollys B.”.

Written in parallel storytelling format, THE MOLLYS B. is a picture book biography about Margaret Tobin Brown of Titanic notoriety and a brockle-face heifer of Montana renown who share an experience of a singular day that forced them to fight for their lives. Margaret’s life is threatened while sailing across the Atlantic Ocean on the famous RMS Titanic. Number 469’s life is perilously close to being over as she awaits slaughter in a Montana abattoir. Filled with fear and anxiety, they each fight to escape their harrowing circumstances. Despite increasing uncertainty and calamitous encounters, these remarkable females face their individual situations with resourcefulness and courage and in the end, are graced with rescue and the endearing nickname “Molly.”  This book documents their brave reactions, telling side-by-side stories of hope and resilience.

5. For which age group is your book “The Mollys B.”?

It’s written for ages 5-11.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

“Molly didn’t want to be anybody’s hamburger!”

7. What do you like the most about your country?

I’ve never lived in any other country, but I’m convinced that the USA is one of the finest industrialized countries in existence. Being born and raised here I have gotten to enjoy many freedoms and privileges and have been afforded opportunities that I suspect may not be so easily obtained in other countries. I’ve been able to pursue my dreams with relative ease from attending college and obtaining my BA to becoming a goldsmith and operating my own jewelry studio. Now I get to pursue the life of a published author. I have been so very lucky!

8. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit? 

I think children should be read to every day and that a home should be filled with books.  Also, I think that it can be a case of “monkey see, monkey do.” If children observe their parents reading, they are more inclined to try out this activity. Making a weekly habit of going to the library is invaluable beginning with story time for toddlers. And helping children when they encounter reading difficulties is imperative. So often when reading becomes difficult, kids think they’re stupid when they are so absolutely not! They just need encouragement and a little help getting over the hurdle. I firmly believe that if a child can read, he can do anything he sets his mind to.

9. What does literary success look like to you?

Success? I think at this stage of my life, success will translate into getting my books into kids’ hands. I will never be rich or famous, but I have already been validated by being informed by parents that their youngster likes my book and asks for it to be read to them— sometimes every day!

10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

That would be my mom.  She grew up very poor but managed to work her way through college as a housekeeper for a wealthy family. She graduated as an RN just as WWII was ending. She was never without a job and worked very hard all her life.  She was blessed with an optimistic personality and a wry, Scandinavian sense of humor. She was quietly spiritual, very loving and empathetic, and tremendously talented. She supported me through thick and thin. And she was a superb grandmother to my daughters.

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