Category: Author Interview

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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By the time I graduated from college, I had written dozens of unpublished songs, poems, short plays and movie scripts.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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Interview with author Alison McBain

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

A1. Hello! I’m Alison McBain, and I’m an author, editor, and ghostwriter. I have four books published under my own name, and about two dozen ghostwritten for clients. I enjoy penning novels in all genres from fantasy to historical fiction, literary stories to poetry.

On a more personal front, I’m a mom of three girls aged 10-16 and draw a webcomic called Toddler Times from my home in Alberta, Canada. I have 2 black-and-white cats who keep me company when I’m writing (or stand on my keyboard, depending on their mood).

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The New Empire”?

A2. Research! The New Empire is an alternate history set in the 1700s, and the story mixes multiple cultures together, including the Amah Mutsun, the Haudenosaunee, and Chinese, so it required a ton of research to try to get the cultures, the languages, and the details of the time period correct. Even though my story changes how history unfolded at that time, almost all the details you’ll find in the book, from what the characters ate, their houses, legends, and the like, were as accurate as I could make them.

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

A3. There are so many authors who’ve created amazing writing that it’s hard to pick just a few. I’m a big fan of Ray Bradbury for his imaginative stories that have stood the test of time, Margaret Atwood for… everything, Langston Hughes for his lyrical poetry, as well as Tanith Lee for telling stories decades ahead of her time… and the list goes on.

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

A4. I don’t know if I have a favourite spot, to be honest. I’m more about the people I visit those places with—my friends and family. But if I have to choose, I’d say Lake Louise in Alberta. It’s the most beautiful spot I’ve ever been in my life. It looks like AI created photos of it because it’s just too darn perfect. If you ever have a chance to visit, please do. But a word of warning—the water is very, very cold all year round.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The New Empire’?

A5. About a decade ago, I read an article that mentioned some evidence had been found that indicated the Chinese Empire could have sent ships to the coast of South America sometime in the 1400s. Others have further explored this concept from a nonfiction perspective (example: https://nacfocus.substack.com/p/tracing-the-admirals-forgotten-voyage), but I wanted to imagine that this could have actually happened and could have changed the way history unfolded. What if the voyages of Zheng He led to permanent contact between China, the greatest empire in the world at the time, and the Americas? That’s the background for my book.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The New Empire’?

A6. That’s a complicated answer. The first half of the book was written during one November as part of NaNoWriMo – that’s short for “National Novel Writing Month,” which was a worldwide phenomenon where writers around the globe challenged themselves to write 50,000 words in one month. After I completed the first 50,000 words, I set the draft aside with the idea of eventually getting back to it. But it wasn’t until a book pitch contest hit my radar that I ended up finishing the book within another month, with edits taking a bit longer, in order to compete. So, technically it took only a couple months to write—in reality, though, it took years before it was actually completed, with a big break in the middle.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Pretty much anywhere books are sold online. It’s also available in select libraries and bookstores in North America.

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

A8. I wanted a cover that represented the contrasts inherent in the main character, Jiangxi, who is the son of a former Chinese Emperor sold into slavery in the Americas. The cover’s colours are primarily red, white, and black—red is the colour of good luck in most Asian cultures, and some of the ways Jiangxi survives and thrives in his new environment can be attributed to luck and favour. The ouroboros serves a dual purpose: it represents both life and death, as well as representing the imperial house of China, whose symbol is a dragon. At the same time, it circles a boy who looks sad and without many material goods to his name.

As to the title, it highlights the change in history that is the omnipresent background of Jiangxi’s tale—a new empire where he is not at the top anymore, but on the bottom as a slave.

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

A9. I’m a big fan of using cliffhangers in chapters—cliffhangers help keep the reader turning the page (and the writer jumping eagerly into the next chapter). I also write quickly, so I tend not to have time to get bored with a book. On top of that, writing in multiple genres helps each story stay fresh—if I’m not in the mood to write a romance, I might pen something apocalyptic or dystopian. Or vice versa. And readers seem to enjoy variety as well—each new book tackles new territory.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Many years ago, I was attending a one-day writer’s conference at a university in Connecticut, and one of the professors said something that stuck with me. I don’t think it was original to him, but advice that he himself received from his own creative writing professor even more years ago: “Write towards the fear.” I’ve carried that advice with me ever since, and it helps me look at a scene or a character or a story and ask: how can I twist this? I’ve delved into the darkest parts of my psyche and written about things that are unpleasant, unsavoury, and terrible, and it’s created some amazing fiction simply because it begins from a personal place of discovery. What do I fear? Well, I’ll put it into a book. Fear is a commonality that we all have because we’re only human, and so it’s helped me create 3D characters who are as complex as real people.

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Interview with author Sandy Malone

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

A1. My name is Sandy Malone and I live on Jekyll Island, just off the coast of Georgia. I’ve written a five-book fiction series about a young wedding planner who loses her job in a storm and has to start over. The Gem of the Golden Isles series is based on my experiences planning more than 500 destination weddings in the Caribbean. It’s a combination of romcom and mystery/suspense. Although the series isn’t autobiographical, it’s based on all the real crazy I saw with brides and grooms and fictionalized it to protect the guilty.

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

A2. I am a fantastic storyteller, and I’ve had lots of interesting life experiences that make me a subject matter-expert in weddings, law enforcement, and politics. There’s a whole lot of you can’t make that up in wedding planning. Also, I worked as a news reporter and editor for years and so I write really quickly. I could write a book every two weeks if I didn’t have to do all the pesky promotion and marketing to sell them, too.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Escape to Jekyll Island’?

A3. I giggled through writing all five of the books in the series – my favorite part is telling stories about real weddings we’ve done through the eyes on my main character. You just can’t make up the crazy things that people do. Or the mean and nasty things. I think In Bloom on Jekyll – Gem of the Golden Isles Book Two – is the funniest book in the series. The bride who asked us to hold her wedding date while she found a new groom is a true story.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. Criticism hurts because my books are like my babies, but I value every bit of it that I get and I try to use it constructively to become a better writer. Honestly, it’s a lot easier than the mean tweets I received when I starred in the TLC reality TV show “Wedding Island” about my wedding business.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. Audiobooks let me do my favorite thing (reading!) while I’m doing something else. I’m a multitasker. Reading is a guilty pleasure and I don’t feel badly if I consume books while I’m also cleaning or driving.

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

A6. It’s helped me re-evaluate a lot of things in my life. It’s made me reconsider how I did things when I was younger. Writing characters that are loosely based on myself has been eye-opening. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s also the most terrifying kind of writing I’ve ever done – and I wrote the Politics.Net column at the Wall Street Journal when I was 24. But finally seeing my name on the cover of books makes me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to do.

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

A7. My first five books are a series, and I think it’s critically important that a reader could pick up any book in the series and start there, without having read the ones that came before it. I’ve always been a voracious reader and there’s nothing worse than picking up a book and realizing that you missed the first book and don’t know what’s going on.

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

A8. I began writing fiction full-time almost two years ago. I prefer to write for hours, uninterrupted, when possible. When I’m working on a book, my husband has to fend for his own meals. I start with an outline but once I get going, I only refer to it to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. Sadly, I have to admit that I spend about 10 percent of my time writing, and 90 percent of my time promoting on social media or trying to get bookstores to carry my series. I wish it were the other way around. Maybe someday it can be!

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Escape to Jekyll Island’?

A9. The main character, Tally Davis, lost everything in Hurricane Maria – her house, her boyfriend, and her job. When she’s evacuated off Vieques Island, she goes home to Jekyll Island to lick her wounds and work on her resume. Instead, she ends up launching her own wedding planning company and falling in love.

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

A10. I have always wanted to be a writer. I got my degree in print journalism and won awards writing and editing for my high school and college newspapers. I went into political reporting straight out of school. I’ve been paid to write my entire professional career. The first books I wrote were traditionally published, but they were non-fiction and a few were ghost-writing gigs. This is the first time that I’ve ever gotten to write what I wanted to write instead of something I was hired to do.

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Interview with author Pat Daily

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

A1. Pat Daily here. I’m a former USAF Test Pilot and engineer who worked on NASA’s Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. These days, I devote most of my professional time to writing and consulting on new aviation projects, such as hydrogen-powered aircraft. I’m a proud husband, father, and grandpa. In whatever free time is left, I love gaming, mostly on consoles. My favorites are role-playing games with expansive worlds where your choices have in-game consequences.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Fire”?

A2. When I started the series, I thought Spark would be a stand-alone novel. It wasn’t until I was writing the last paragraph that I realized there was much more to the story. That realization opened so many possible pathways for Fire that I had to spend a good deal of time deciding what would and wouldn’t be in the book. Later, while the book was in editing, I faced another challenge familiar to many writers: the book had grown too large. Something had to go.

It’s always hard to cut out things you are proud of in your writing. I agonized for a week or two before making the call. In the end, I cut about sixty pages. That decision triggered the third book, OrcLand.

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

A3. Robert Heinlein’s Glory Road, Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End, and Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Series were strong early influences. Later, Neal Stephenson’s Diamond Age and William Gibson’s Neuromancer gave me new energy.

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

A4. Yosemite National Park is visually stunning with it’s craggy faces and waterfalls. It’s a joy to hike.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Fire’?

A5. The Spark Chronicles were inspired by the game Pokemon Go. My daughters were playing, and I wanted to see what it was all about. The technical aspect – virtual constructs superimposed over a real-world background – got me thinking. What if we could build a theme park based on a world where the virtual and the real existed side by side and could interact? How could we control it all? That led me to introduce an AI with a personality. Her story and evolution became central to Fire and continued through the final book, Embers.

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

A6. First idea to final draft took just over one year. Editing, covers, and publication added another six months, but gave me time to work on OrcLand.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. All of the books are on Amazon in both print and eBook formats. They are also available on audio via Audible.

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

A8. Great question. As soon as I knew there would be a second book, I saw it as a trilogy: Spark, Fire, and Ash. I started publishing Ash on a platform called Kindle Vella, which allowed authors to serialize their work. The platform didn’t take off, and Amazon shut it down in 2025. To avoid confusion (and because I was changing it significantly), I renamed it to Embers.

Jesh Art Studios did the cover for Spark. I connected with them through 99Designs. When it was time for Fire, I tried to find them again, but they had left that platform and I was unable to find where they had gone. So, I ran a contest for a new cover artist and selected The Busy Dee. She kept the theme consistent and also did the cover for OrcLand. By the time Embers came around, she was no longer in the business, but happily, I found Jesh again and they did the final cover.

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

A9. I try to stay current on the sci-fi market and what’s trending. Then, mostly, I avoid that. If I pay too much attention to it, the ideas become blurred – what’s mine and what did I read elsewhere? It’s okay for books to have some similarities, but not too many.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Write fast, bad, and wrong. That sentence is a great example. “Bad” should actually be “badly.” It’s important to get the story out first, then go back and make it clean and proper in later drafts.

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Interview with author A-M Mawhiney

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

A1. Hello and thank you for providing me with the opportunity of talking about “Spelldrifts,” my second novel.

My name is A-M Mawhiney. I grew up in mainly single-industry mining and farming communities in Northeastern Ontario leaving only to complete my post-secondary education at three different universities.

When I was a child I declared I wanted to be a writer but instead became a social worker and then a professor at a small university in Northern Ontario Canada. When I retired in 2018 I never imagined that I would realize my childhood dream of writing. In March 2020, overwhelmed during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic, I opened my laptop and started to write. What escaped from my fingers became the first sentence in my debut novel, “Spindrifts.” I am now a self-published author of three books: “Spindrifts” (2021), “Spelldrifts’ (2023), and “Fugitive Rifts’ (2025), all supported with services by FriesenPress. 

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

A2. This is a very good question because, for me, there is a blurry distinction between the two. It is up to the individual, of course, to identify themself as either a writer or an author.

Some will likely disagree with my answer. Many outstanding writers choose never to publish. They might journal or write diaries, create poetry or prose for a variety of reasons other than a desire to publish. I would call them writers: people who spend time regularly writing, whether non-fiction or fiction, for the love of writing and, perhaps, for sharing what they have written to a select audience. For example, I know of a local group of writers who challenged each other to write poems and then read them to each other at regular gatherings. One published her poem, and the rest were happy to write and share their poetry with the group.

Authors, in my opinion, are writers who decide to seek publication of their writing and therefore also become immersed other activities related to being an author, including, for example, engaging technical support for editing, design, and other activities leading to publication. They are also active in pre- and post-publication activities like book promotions, writing articles, speaking at literary festivals and community forums, being on or hosting podcasts, and attending public events.

In my opinion, there is no hierarchy between a writer and an author. Both write and some publish what they write. There is creative excellence in both groups, but one may be more private and the other more public about where their writing is found.

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

A3. There were two writing challenges with “Spelldrifts”.
Because this is a stand-alone sequel to “Spindrifts” I had to shift my world-building because the stories are twenty years apart and the world transformed in significant ways between the two stories. I also had a request from two pre-teens to include a dragon and a wolf in “Spelldrifts.” That required a lot of creative thought to develop a backstory that could explain how a dragon appeared in a future version of Earth, when there was no hint of such a creature in the first book. Developing the character of the dragon was initially daunting but, to my surprise, Chiyo emerged clearly as I was writing.

The second challenge was writing the climax to the story, which involved a battle between factions, in a world that valued working together with mutual respect and inclusion for everyone. A battle seemed the very antithesis of the ways of living in the world I created for “Spelldrifts,” but it became necessary to defend all that was good in that world.

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

A4. It is a quiet moment for me. I tell family and friends and then enjoy a rich hot cocoa and start to plan the launch, which is the public celebration to send out word that I have a new book.

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

A5. I spend dedicated time almost daily on social media. I have accounts with Twitter/X, SubStack, Instagram, Blue Sky and Threads. I have stepped back recently to think about new social media strategies and will be back in full force soon on all these platforms.

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

A6. Times vary. I seldom take a day away from some aspect of writing, publicity, and promotions. I spend anywhere from 3-14 hours a day. When I am immersed in my story I rarely am away from my desk and, even when I am, my mind is most often engaged in thinking about what comes next. When I am focussed only on promotions and publicity, between publications, I spend fewer hours each day and take more breaks.

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

A7. Even as a child I was a voracious reader and read every day since I was six years old. I read mysteries like Trixie Belden, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew. Polly Anna and Anne of Green Gables were difficult reads for me because I felt sorry for Anne and Polly Anna. I adored Maggie Muggins. Then there was the infamous moment when I was eight years old and my mother discovered me reading a racy adult novel, because I had read all the children’s books. My parents decided to let me finish it.

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

A8. I have been enjoying a trio of books by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak, The Taggak Series, and also P.L. Stuart’s Drowned Kingdom Saga. These are great fantasy books by emerging Canadian authors.

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

A9. Writing “Spelldrifts” opened up hidden talents when it came to writing my own version of fantasy. It turns out I have a vivid imagination! Normally perceived as quiet and straightforward, I now feel much more confident about my ability as a writer to dig deep and write something way out of what used to be my comfort zone.  More than the other two books, “Spelldrifts” relied on my ability to formulate my own vision of characters and magical powers when it came to the fantasy elements.

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

A10. Thinker. Dreamer. Hopeful.

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Interview with author Seth Voorhees

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

A1. I’m Seth Voorhees. I live in South Dakota. I’m a dark fiction author with four published novels.

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

A2. My strength is my openness to criticism, my willingness to learn from others, and my continual improvement of my craft. That includes working with fellow authors, reading books on the craft, and doing the one thing all authors must do: write a lot and read a lot.

Q3 What is your favourite part from your book ‘Immune’?

A3. The part of Immune that I love most is near the end of the book, where the clash between Helen Olsen and the President takes place in his office. When they argue over their next course of action regarding how to “take care of the Immune,” it becomes a very emotionally charged moment for her, allowing her character to be unencumbered for the first time in her journey.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. For me, I try to take all criticism with an open mind. What can I learn from it? Can I apply it to my next story? Will it be helpful? Criticism is part of the process. I think the most important thing is not to take it personally and to move on if it’s something you cannot learn from or grow from.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. They make my car rides easier. For my job, I travel frequently across the state, and it’s always good to have a book to pass the time. I love stories, and I don’t need a car ride to enjoy them. I enjoy listening to a story while doing chores around the house, when I’m busy with tasks and can’t sit down to read, or at the end of the day when I’m tired and just want to lie down, shut my eyes, and zone out.

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

A6. Yes. When I was younger, in elementary and middle school, I had an IEP and was told that I would never be able to understand how grammar works, that I was consonant deaf, and that I would never be able to grow in that area. But through a lot of hard work, practice, learning the art of editing, and picking up as many resources as I could, I have proven many of those people wrong, which, of course, feels great.

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

A7. One of the most important elements is learning to balance how much of your story to show versus how much to explain. I have a tendency to narrate too much and have gotten better at recognizing it when I’m reviewing. I ask myself, is this something I should be showing? Too much narrating bores the reader and takes them out of the story.

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

A8. I’m an early bird when it comes to writing. On weekends, I stick to the mornings and the mid-afternoon. I complete my daily word count first, then edit a project, and tackle whatever task I have at that time. On weekdays, it’s the early hours before I go to work, and sometimes I’ll pick up and do some work in the evening when I get home, depending on the day.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Immune’?

A9. One of the sparks of inspiration came during the Swine Flu. While on a walk, I thought about what it would be like to be completely immune to a virus that was wiping out everyone and destroying everything around you. How would it feel to know you were safe, and how would that knowledge affect your psyche and your life? That was part of the premise, with more added as the story unfolded. The story is not only about how the group “Immune,” one of two in the book, interacts with the other group, “The Inflicted,” but also about how they interact with each other. Throughout the book, the dominance and submission between the groups shift, altering how the Immune must live their lives and move forward.

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

A10. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had a clear idea of what I wanted to be or pictured what my life would be like as an adult. I started reading and loving books when I was young, but I didn’t take it seriously until later in life. In college, I switched majors a few times, starting with History, then Mass Communication, and finally Sociology and Psychology. At this point, I’ve been a cook, a server, a dishwasher, an HVAC tech, a youth supervisor, a youth counselor, an educator, a CNA, and an author. I feel like I’m still trying to answer that question.

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Interview with author Deborah Wilde

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

A1. Hello! I’m Deborah Wilde, a former screenwriter who jumped ship to write funny, sexy urban fantasy books and never looked back. I’m a self-professed geek, pop culture lover, and I never say no to a good chocolate chip cookie.
Most of my books are set in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada and I take a lot of pride in the fact that I’ve convinced readers to check out my beautiful city. Only don’t come in the winter. A lot of rain.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Throwing Shade”?

A2. My biggest challenge wasn’t really with Throwing Shade, which was book one of the seven book series, Magic After Midlife. It was actually with the final book, Ace of Shades, because the big bad that Miriam had to take down was so formidable, it took me a bit to figure out how she could possibly emerge triumphant.

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

A3. One of the books that had the biggest impact on me as an author, even though I read it as a kid, was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Even back then, I loved books that would transport me to other worlds—but they didn’t tend to be funny. Then I saw a cover with “Don’t Panic” written on it, and my mind was blown by all the humour, while the characters were still having these amazing adventures in outer space.

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

A4. Osoyoos, BC. It’s a pocket desert and that’s crazy to me that we have those here in Canada. It’s absolutely stunning there, totally different from the lush vegetation in Vancouver. Plus, the lake is warm and there are lots of wonderful wineries in the area.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Throwing Shade’?

A5. There was this one day, back when I was still teaching screenwriting, when a group of my film school students had an argument about whether a female character in her forties would still have any sexual desire or be seen sexually. Most were arguing that the male character would go for a younger woman.

Intellectually, I understood about the invisibility of middle-aged women—just look at the roles older actresses are offered versus those given to men of a similar age. But I remember sitting there thinking “you’re kidding me, right? Am I supposed to just be some sexless crone now?”

I’d been so happy to turn forty because I’d gotten rid of a lot of negative thinking, especially around my body image, and worrying about how other people saw me, and yet I kept feeling like even though I’d broken out of this box, there were a lot of others trying to keep me inside it.

That got me thinking about invisibility as a strength, and the idea that if you’re invisible, no one sees you coming, which led me to Miriam’s powers.

Ultimately, it’s a story of empowerment.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Throwing Shade’?

A6. I spent about a month figuring out the magic system and what Miriam’s journey was going to be. Probably another 3 months writing it and 3 months through the extensive editing process I do.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. The best place to buy my books is direct from me at deborahwildebooks.com. I sell ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks. We’ve made it really easy to download ebooks to a Kindle or Kobo or most popular ereaders. But my books are also available online at all the major retailers, so readers can pick their favourite store.

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

A8. One of the things I love to do across different series, is have my designer come up with a symbol to brand it. We knew that we were going to feature different accessories as the main object on each cover in the series and that for Throwing Shade it would be this high heel. Once he added the sparkly gold skull that was the series symbol, it gave the book a dash of cheeky fun.

I don’t remember when I came up with the title. I feel like it was pretty early on in the idea generation stage. Throwing Shade was perfect because it worked on two levels: one, society’s tendency to dismiss older women, and two, Miriam’s shadow magic. From there, it was a matter of roping my husband, kid, and friends into helping me find all the fun plays on the phrases with “shade” for the rest of the books.

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

A9. That’s a great question. It comes down to refilling my creative well, so dinners with friends, traveling when I can, taking in a cool exhibit, or losing myself in a book or television series. Plus, the more I engage with the world and other people, the more snippets of conversations or something I’ve seen translates into an idea for my own story.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Finish your first draft. ☺

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Interview with author Jay Setchell

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

A1-raised on a working farm that taught me a lot about responsibility, sense of urgency, and the importance of the cycle of life. U. S. Marine, serial entrepreneur, corporate problem solver, multi time death, and near death survivor, over 70 surgeries. 76 years old and mostly paralyzed and get around in a power wheelchair. Still very involved as an entrepreneur and a partner in a company that’s national and now international, author, and speak to groups when the situation arises about perseverance mindset, resilience and faith other things.

Q2. What inspired you to finally share your life story in this book?

A2-I had been asked to write a book for many years by many people because of all the horrific medical issues I have been through, dozens of surgeries, starting companies and just not letting anything keep me down. When I was 74, I was encouraged to move forward with it, as the person that help encourage me had heard me speak to some folks and they were very inspired and kept asking questions. I thought well maybe it’s time I buckle in and take this challenge on.

Q3. Your journey includes multiple near-death experiences, how did those moments reshape your perspective on life?

A3-They reshaped the direction of my life as well as my perspective. The reshaping was such that I couldn’t do what I thought I would do with my life and had to change it several times due to ongoing major medical issues, as well as multiples of surgeries. My perspective is simple, I have overcome so much, there’s nothing that I can’t conquer. It’s simply mind over matter.

Q4. What was the most difficult part of writing this book and revisiting painful memories?

A4-I dictated the book and let someone else and assemble it, though the most difficult part was thinking back about things I’ve been trying to forget for 55 years and longer. They were very traumatic and involved life and death more than once. Memories I didn’t need to remember.

Q5. What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck or overwhelmed by life’s challenges?

A5-Think about the times and things that you didn’t think you could overcome, that you ended up being a champion over, or at least made some change in it and what it was that brought you through that, and use that to move forward. We all have strengths within us, whether that’s your DNA, resilience, attitude, frustration, irritation, even pain, that you can draw off of and use as a strength to help you push through those adversities and detours in front of you. Don’t let anything stop you. You need the attitude and faith that you can do it, and you will.

It’s always too soon to quit.

Q6. Was there a specific turning point where you decided you would never give up, no matter what?

A6- I don’t believe I’ve ever had a point that I decided I would never give up no matter what. I was raised with that attitude and outlook, and it’s been in me my whole life and everything that I’ve gone through and everybody that’s tried to stop me or hold me back, just continues to strengthen my will and determination. It’s like drip, drip, drip, and finding the glass is full. I let the small things I have ever been through has strengthen me. Especially the times that I’ve had to fight for my life and fight back against the odds as you are told, you physically will never be able to move part of your body again, or this is going be too tough for you, considering your physical condition. I don’t listen to that, I move forward with a faith and a vision, or as some people call it a dream, and don’t let anything stop me.

Q7. What would you say is your strength as an author?

A7-I don’t recognize that I have any strength as an author. I simply dictated for my thoughts and memories, in simple terms, it makes sense, and did it in sections. It took over a year for me just to be able to think about a lot of terrible things. I tried to pull out those things I went through the positives that can help others find the strength within themselves to persevere through the adversities that they are going to face at different times in their life.

Q8. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?

A8-I’ve left that up to the publisher at this point to be on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. I also have a webpage that probably needs to be updated some as things continue to grow rapidly.

Q9. What is the significance of the title ‘The Strength Within You’?

A9-I believe we all have strengths within us. Not just inside of us, but within us. Within us means all that we’ve gathered, including information from beyond ourselves, from experiences with other people or other projects, whether they were successful or failures, or maybe in-between. People need to look back and draw upon those to move forward. The strength in you may be as I mentioned before, in your DNA, maybe your family upbringing, faith, teachers, circumstances you went through whether they were physical or otherwise, or just being irritated or mad as hell, but you can accomplish things by reaching back into yourself and what you’ve experienced, to attain goals, dreams and the vision that you never thought was possible.
You can just never ever ever give up.

Q10. You talk a lot about mindset, how can someone begin developing a stronger mindset in their daily life?

A10-Mindset used to be called attitude. They just changed the name. But it’s positioning your thoughts that you can achieve something and move forward to get the desired results so in my opinion, and the facts seemed to show, that if you do a little bit at a time, step-by-step, you can achieve those desires. Don’t try to do more than you can handle or you’ll end up failing which is detrimental to your objective. So think of it like the dripping of water into a glass. I have an old saying that says inch by inch, it’s a cinch. Yard by yard it’s very hard. So just keep thinking about your vision, dreams or desires and work at them a little bit at a time with calculated risks so you don’t falter and if you go a little bit at a time and catch yourself going in the wrong direction, or not one you are happy about it, it’s easy to change right then and there.

It’s all in your head. It’s simply mind over matter!

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