Category: Author Interview

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Interview with author Susannah Marren

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

A. I write both fiction and nonfiction books, focusing on how diverse women are positioned in society, what they long for and how they navigate a path in a patriarchal culture. I am interested in what women feel as mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, exes, friends, rivals, and lovers.

I have published thirteen nonfiction books under my real name, Susan Shapiro Barash. These titles include: Tripping the Prom Queen, The Nine Phases of Marriage and A Passion for More: Affairs that Make or Break Us. I have published four novels under my pen name, Susannah Marren. These titles are: Between the Tides, A Palm Beach Wife, A Palm Beach Scandal and my new novel, Maribelle’s Shadow.

I have been featured in newspapers, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Post and Chicago Tribune, and I’ve been a guest on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS, CNN and MSNBC. For over twenty years I taught in the Writing Department at Marymount Manhattan College and have guest taught creative nonfiction at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College.

I served as a literary panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts, as a judge for the International Emmys, and as Vice Chair of the Mentoring Committee of the Women’s Leadership Board at the JFK School of Government, Harvard.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Maribelle’s Shadow”?

A. Maribelle’s Shadow is a story that has been with me for a long while. I’ve written several different versions over the years, always knowing the beginning and the end. This is a story of three adult sisters and their mother and so my ongoing research on sisters (having written a book called Sisters: Devoted or Divided and my study/book about mothers and daughters called You’re Grounded Forever but First Let’s Go Shopping), resonated with this narrative. While writing this latest version, I knew it should be told through the three sisters’ eyes, in their three voices. Thus the book alternates between Maribelle, Caroline and Raleigh. It is a suspense story and I wanted it to move quickly. I was conscious of what constitutes a page turner.

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

A. I love to read different styles of fiction and nonfiction, from different eras. I am influenced by dramatic stories about women. Among this group for the classics, I admire the work of the Bronte sisters, Edith Wharton, Jane Austen, Thomas Mann’s novel, Buddenbrooks, Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, Contemporary fiction that has influenced me includes novels by Isabel Allende, Margaret Atwood, Amy Bloom, Marion Keyes, Jo Jo Moyes, Joanna Trollope and Bruce Wagner. For nonfiction, I have admired the work of Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert.

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

A. There are a few places that are special to me. I love New York City. It is the energy and the amount of culture that is offered, the diversity and constant curiosity that one always senses. It is a large and vibrant place in every way. The museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, the Frick, Guggenheim and Whitney, make it memorable. I also love South Florida—the Palm Beach/ West Palm Beach/ Lake Worth area. They are beautiful and inviting. I grew up on a barrier island on the Jersey Shore called Long Beach Island. The beaches and ocean there are pristine and wide, it is an exquisite place.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Maribelle’s Shadow’?

A. I was inspired by watching sisters and wondering what lurks beneath. This includes my mother and her two older sisters and friends who have sisters. The sister bond is so strong and striking that when it goes wrong it is haunting and profound. What can come between sisters, what can drive a wedge, where does the mother fit into these scenarios? I applied this to Maribelle’s Shadow, asking what loyalty is, what is betrayal, why the lies and at what price. How could sisters who were once so close be at odds? Why would a mother play favorites? I had written a book/study on why women keep secrets and lie for the cause, titled Little White Lies, Deep Dark Secrets: the Truth about Why Women Lie, and what I uncovered was stunning. I knew it could apply to the Barrows sisters, who are the characters in Maribelle’s Shadow.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Maribelle’s Shadow’?

A. All in, for the final published version, it took two years.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A. Readers can buy my book in trade paperback, ebook, and kindle.

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

A. This is the third book in my Palm Beach novels trilogy. The first two are A Palm Beach Wife and A Palm Beach Scandal. Originally this book had ‘Palm Beach’ in the title too and then the publisher, my agent and I discussed it. We thought maybe a departure in terms of the title and the jacket design was in order. Since what happened to Maribelle’s young handsome husband, Samuel, is at the center of the book, we chose the jacket design for its mysterious elements and decided her name would work well for a title. Btw, each of these three novels is a stand alone book. They do not need to be read in any order.

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

A. When I write fiction I feel as if I’m in a movie in my own mind.The story is mine to tell and feels original and fresh for that reason. As I write I consider the reader and her/his takeaway. I favor surprise endings because despite that we are all raised as ‘good girls’, meaning we are encouraged to believe if we do the right thing, we’ll get the right result, life is messy, especially for women. My characters have some unpredictable challenges ahead, and they learn that there are no guarantees. How each sister and their mother approach the fall out of Samuel’s unexpected death is what drives the story.

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

A. I have been given sound advice by my mentors and it is the same advice that I would give an aspiring writer. To write no matter what, to make time for it and to believe in yourself and the books you are writing. Never give up.

Buy Maribelle’s Shadow on Amazon

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Interview with author Destiny De Jesus

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

A diagnosed Retinoblastoma that was atypical for her age magnified the then 11-year-old Destiny Flood-DeJesus’s challenge of being a preteen. Now an adult and cancer-free for 20 years, Destiny didn’t want other kids in similar situations to look far to read about someone who looked or came from similar backgrounds as them.

  1. What is your inspiration behind your book “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer”?

When Destiny, a mixed-race Latina, was treated for cancer, her parents couldn’t find books or websites that would explain her illness to her in language a young person could understand. There was no one at home to tell her what to expect or live with the limitations of being a sick kid.

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

In a way, Destiny still feels like that little girl and hopes with her story – her book – that other kids know it’s ok to be afraid if they’re sick. It’s ok to be silly and dance one minute and be scared the next.

  1. Please tell us something about your book “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer”?

“A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” is a deeply personal book that chronicles my own journey of battling cancer at the tender age of 11. In this heartfelt children’s book, I share my story of resilience, strength, and hope, aiming to inspire and support other children who may be facing similar challenges.

Through the eyes of a little superhero, readers are taken on a courageous adventure, witnessing the ups and downs of a cancer battle. The book emphasizes the importance of bravery, determination, and the unwavering support of loved ones throughout the healing process.

By sharing my personal experience, I aim to provide comfort and encouragement to young readers who may be undergoing their own cancer treatments or supporting someone they care about. The book serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we all possess a superhero within us, capable of fighting against the toughest challenges life throws our way.

  1. For which age group is your book “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” suitable for?

“A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” is a book that caters to a wide range of audiences and is suitable for various age groups. It offers something for everyone.

For young readers who are able to read independently, the book provides an empowering and relatable story of a little superhero facing and overcoming the challenges of cancer. It is written in a language that is accessible and engaging for children, allowing them to connect with the protagonist’s journey and find inspiration in their own lives.

For parents or caregivers, the book serves as a valuable tool to read and discuss with their children. It opens up conversations about cancer, illness, and resilience, fostering understanding and empathy in young minds. By reading together, parents can support and comfort their children, addressing any questions or concerns that may arise.

Moreover, “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” can also be a resource for adults seeking information, support, and resources related to cancer. It offers insights into the emotional and physical challenges faced by those battling cancer, providing a source of comfort, hope, and encouragement for individuals on their own cancer journey or those supporting someone they care about.

By encompassing multiple perspectives and addressing various age groups, the book aims to create a shared experience that unites readers of different backgrounds and ages. It emphasizes the importance of community, understanding, and compassion in the face of adversity.

In summary, “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” is a book that transcends age boundaries and speaks to the hearts of young readers, parents, and adults alike. It provides a platform for learning, healing, and finding solace in the midst of life’s challenges.

  1. What is your favorite Quote?

The quote “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” may indeed come across as cheesy or cliché, but it carries a profound and true significance. While its origins can be traced back to Friedrich Nietzsche, its essence resonates with the human experience of overcoming adversity and growing stronger in the process.

At first glance, the quote suggests that surviving difficult or challenging experiences can lead to personal growth and resilience. It acknowledges that life can present us with hardships, obstacles, and even traumatic events that test our strength and resilience. These trials may range from physical illness to emotional struggles, from setbacks in our careers to personal losses.

When we encounter such challenges and manage to endure them, we often find ourselves transformed in some way. We tap into our inner reservoirs of strength, courage, and determination that we may not have realized were within us. We learn valuable lessons about our own capabilities and discover untapped potential, which ultimately enables us to face future difficulties with greater resolve.

Moreover, these experiences can shape our character, building empathy, compassion, and understanding. They offer an opportunity for personal reflection and growth, allowing us to reevaluate our priorities, values, and goals. The adversity we face becomes a catalyst for self-discovery and personal development.

While the quote may not guarantee that every difficult experience will result in immediate and evident growth, it reminds us to find meaning in our struggles. It urges us to view challenges not as insurmountable barriers but as opportunities for growth, learning, and self-improvement.

However, it is important to note that the quote should not undermine or dismiss the genuine pain, suffering, or trauma that individuals may endure. It is not meant to diminish the gravity of difficult experiences but rather to emphasize the potential for personal growth and strength that can arise from them.

(Fun Fact) I also have this as a tattoo on me. 🙂

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

I appreciate the diversity and cultural richness that exists in America.

  1. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
    Developing a reading habit in children is a wonderful way to foster their imagination, curiosity, and language skills. Maybe Create a Reading-Friendly Environment. By designating a cozy reading corner or a special reading nook in their home where their child can retreat to immerse themselves in books. Make sure it’s well-stocked with a variety of age-appropriate books that cater to their interests and reading level.
  2. What does literary success look like to you?
    Literary success, to me, transcends traditional measures of fame or fortune. It resides in the profound impact a book can have on a person’s life, even if it touches just one individual. For me, true success lies in making a genuine difference in someone’s heart, mind, or soul through the power of storytelling.

As an author, my deepest hope is that my book touches the lives of many readers, inviting them into a world where they find solace, inspiration, or a renewed sense of hope. If my words can evoke emotions, spark introspection, or provide comfort to even a single person, I consider that a triumph.

Literary success means forging a connection, reaching beyond the pages to touch the depths of a reader’s being. It’s about creating a profound impact that lingers long after the book is closed, stirring conversations, sparking newfound perspectives, or even encouraging personal growth.

Whether my words provide an escape from reality, shed light on unexplored truths, or offer a fresh perspective on life’s challenges, I aspire to make a positive difference in someone’s life. Knowing that my book has resonated with even a solitary reader and touched their heart is a testament to the power of storytelling, and to me, it signifies true success.

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

My inspiration in life is deeply rooted in my own personal journey as a young cancer survivor. When I reflect on my childhood battle with a rare form of cancer, I realize that I lacked the resources and support that would have helped me navigate the emotional and confusing aspects of my illness. It is from this perspective, the little me who longed for guidance and understanding, that my inspiration stems.

Writing “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” became my way of giving back to all the other brave young souls like me, who faced the ugliness and messiness of cancer. I wanted to create something that would provide comfort, guidance, and hope to these little superheroes going through their own difficult times. The inspiration for my book comes from the desire to be the big me that the little me needed back then.

Cancer is a formidable opponent, and its impact on a child can be particularly overwhelming. Through my book, I aim to offer a resource that can help young readers navigate the emotional complexities of their own battles. By sharing my personal story, I hope to provide them with a sense of understanding, resilience, and the knowledge that they are not alone.

The true inspiration behind my work lies in the countless Destinys, Jacobs, and Emilys out there—children who confront the harsh realities of cancer. They are the reason I poured my heart into this book. My aspiration is that “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer” serves as a guiding light, a companion, and a source of strength for all those young superheroes who need something to help them through their difficult times.

My inspiration is firmly grounded in the belief that every child facing cancer deserves support, understanding, and the reassurance that they possess an inner strength capable of overcoming even the toughest challenges. It is for them that I wrote this book, hoping to make their journey a little brighter and their burdens a little lighter.

Buy book on Amazon

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Interview with author Lakota Meyer

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

A1. My name is Lakota Meyer, I’m an artist / illustrator from Missouri about and hour south from St Louis.

I’ve spent the last decade doing freelance art and design for individuals, businesses, bands and galleries. I’m married to a wonderful woman and we’ve got three artistic children.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Liverwurst Tree and Other Stories”?

A2. The 2 key challenges I faced with this book was procrastinating on the publication process and making sure the poems were evergreen.

There were a handful of poems that I had to cut from the book simply because the humored relied too much on todays pop culture and I’m hoping that what I wrote will be something people 20 years from now can pick up and chuckle at.
As far as the procrastination; I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to add more stuff to it or not. The book was finished 2 years before I published it finally I had to accept that if there was something to add I would have done it by now…a lot of it was just nerves due to it being my first book I think.

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

This book was absolutely inspired by books like Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein and The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy by Tim Burton.

Other authors that inspire me are Neil Gaiman, Stephen King and Robert McCammon.

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

I’m torn between Estes Park Colorado and Marquette Michigan. I love the Mountains but there’s just something about the vibe of Michigan’s upper peninsula that felt like home.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Liverwurst Tree and Other Stories’?

The book itself started as a silly illustration I did in 2016. It was the illustration from the titular poem and I jokingly posted it online saying, “hey look, it’s the title of my first kids book.”

But the more I looked at the picture the more I actually wanted to write a book with similar art and stupid titles and poems. Problem was I had never written poetry so it kind of died right there until 2018 during a long business meeting for the company I was working for I started just writing lines for the Liverwurst Tree Poem and it was coming out alright and I found out I really enjoyed the process. It was like a brain game.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Liverwurst Tree and Other Stories’?

I think I’m total it only took me a couple months to write the book and the handful of poems that didn’t make the cut. It took another couple months to draw and redraw the illustrations. Formatting the book took the longest. Trying to figure out where to put the pictures and how many pages I wanted each poem to take up, where to place each poem in the book. Then after that I just sat on it for waaay too long.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Right now the book is only available on Amazon. I will have copies available in book stores soon and a website as well.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Liverwurst Tree and Other Stories’?

The Title of the book I chose just because that poem was the catalyst for the rest of the book. The cover of the book was inspired by old children’s book covers like Whinnie the Pooh. I wanted it to be a bit jarring when you saw the cutesy cover of the book and then opened it to see the real illustrations inside.

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

I had a lot of fun writing each piece of the book and I think as long as I’m having fun that will come through for the reader.

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

Stop thinking about it and just do it. That goes with anything. Just start doing it.

Buy The Liverwurst Tree and Other Stories on Amazon

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Interview with author Craig Weidhuner

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

My name is Craig Weidhuner, I’m from Toronto, Canada. I’ve always been gifted with imagination since I was a child. I inherited from my father a love of science fiction and fantasy. Everything from Star Trek, to Star Wars, to Godzilla as well as comic books (just to name a few). I would often play a fantasy role as a child and I was fortunate that I never grew out of that. I’ve been writing for years, creating my own fictional worlds as a way to escape the real world. After years of working in various warehouse jobs, I began worrying about my finances and how I would support myself. One night in my dreams I saw what they call “angel numbers” telling me not to worry about my finances but to follow my dreams, or “do what you love and the money will follow”. Also around this time I read a book called “Conversations with God” and I remember one line in the book which said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Having been held back by fear for far too long, I finally decided to take that leap and actually write Mystical Force. Ironically I originally planned it as an anime series, or even a manga. However, having limited finances, not to mention artistic (drawing) talent, I decided it was easier to start by writing a book, those adaptations may come at a later date. The advantage of spending years writing synopses of my various stories for leisure means that I already have a vast back catalogue of material from which to draw from. That’s how I write so prolifically. I’ve written basic plot synopses (like the kind you’d find by looking up a book or movie on Wikipedia), so I just take those and modify/expand them into a full fledged manuscript.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Mystical Force: Vol. 1 Stranger in a Strange Land”?

Having never written a novella before, I was in unfamiliar waters. The hardest part was letting go of my ego when I first got back the notes from my editor. As the author, I know why my characters think and do what they do but you as the reader don’t. Thus when I get notes back asking me to better explain things/actions or pointing out basic plot holes/inconsistencies (“Why does Bob have blond hair and blue eyes in chapter 1 but dark hair and brown eyes in chapter 3?” for example). As such I had to remind myself this wasn’t criticism of my writing but my editor helping to make my story the best it was. Now I am extremely grateful for my editor Tereza who has done a fabulous job of turning my work from a rough manuscript into the book you’re enjoying right now. In fact, when I got back my notes for Mystical Force Vol.5: Shadows and Darkness, she said she was becoming emotionally invested in these characters. What greater compliment could an author receive that that?

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

Honestly, it’s not so much other books or authors that have influenced my writing but more movies and television. My two biggest inspirations were:

  1. Shinichi Sekizawa, screenwriter of many of the classic Godzilla movies (such as my personal favourite “Mothra vs. Godzilla”) for the way he turned the Toho kaiju (giant monster) genre into a genre of its own. I like the fact that he made the monsters flesh and blood characters rather than the typical plot devices/obstacles for the human characters to defeat. As someone once said “In monster movies, monsters threaten people and people resolve the problem. In Toho monster movies, people threaten people and monsters resolve the problem.” I also love how in the movies “Mothra”, “King Kong vs. Godzilla” and “Mothra vs. Godzilla” not only are the real villains of these movies people, but they tackle the theme of self destructive greed and this was decades before issues of wealth inequality became popular talking points in society.
  2. Star Trek. I’ve always loved how Star Trek uses sci-fi as a way to explore deeper themes of humanity such as poverty, war, racism and such. I love using my work to tackle such issues. Especially the theme of conformity vs. individuality. Are you one of the types of people who thinks for yourself or are you the type to simply blindly follow the crowd and let others do the thinking for you.

Though if I must choose a book which influenced my writing it would have to be “Conversations with God”. It was that book which confirmed what I already believed to be true, that we don’t need religion or anything/anyone else in life to tell us what to do. That fate and free will are NOT polar opposites but fate is simply God/the universe (call it whatever you like) providing us the means to choose our own destiny. But most importantly, it showed me that “Hell” is something we create ourselves by our negative thoughts and actions toward each other and ourselves. We can either surrender to fear and live our lives in misery and anger, blaming fate/others for everything bad in our lives, or we can embrace love, choose our own fate in life and live according to the principles of our higher self. Your thoughts determine your reality, so you can either dwell in negativity and see the world as a terrible hostile place, or you can be grateful for your blessing and see the wonder and beauty in life, thus you’ll no longer see life as a constant struggle for survival. This is the highest truth in life, this is what I try to convey through my writing.

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

The banks of the Saugeen River in Walkerton, Ontario (where my mother grew up). We used to go up there all the time to visit Oma (my grandmother). My brother and I would often go for walks beside the river. Away from the cities/towns, away from other people. Just being alone with nature, alone with my thoughts. These were the moments in my life when I truly felt at peace, when I truly felt at one with nature, with mother Earth. Moments like these bring me closer to God than the church ever did.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Mystical Force: Vol. 1 Stranger in a Strange Land’?

It was a character who will be introduced later in the series, so I don’t want to give away too many spoilers. Though if you’re specifically referring to other works like “what tv show/movie/character inspired this work?” Then I would have to say there were many. It’s one of those cases where I had the basic premise of the series kicking around in my head probably since I was in my 20’s (I’m 40 as of writing this), so I honestly can’t say I remember what exactly inspired this series; that and the fact that like any story, it evolves in the writing process. In this case, the original idea I came up with decades ago is vastly different from what the series is now.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Mystical Force: Vol. 1 Stranger in a Strange Land’?

I believe I first started writing around October of 2019. I think I finished around the spring (April or May) of 2020. I debated writing a full fledged novel but I decided to break up the various story arcs I had come up with into various short novels or novellas and they’re called. I look at it like a TV series, each book is an episode in the series. Honestly I was so excited to publish my first book I didn’t want to wait until it was a 400 page novel. The great thing about novellas is that you can churn them out more quickly, thus readers are left waiting years for “when will the next book in the series come out?”

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Chapter/Indigo, Rakuten kobo, Smashwords, Walmart (online) just to name a few. And waaaaaaaay too many regional/local book retailers to list here. 😉

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Mystical Force: Vol. 1 Stranger in a Strange Land’?

My publisher Tellwell has a team of great illustrators under contract. I just came up with a cover image in my mind, then wrote down in detail what the characters would look like, what they’d be doing, the mood and feelings I’d wanted to convey then gave that description over to the illustrator (in my case a wonderfully talented artist named Shen Li) who came up with the great cover that adorns my book, not to mention all my other books.

As for the title, “Mystical Force” came from my brother. Originally I called it “Mystical Three” referring to my characters Shi-ria, Mystic and the mysterious “descendant of the darkness” hinted at in the book. As the series progressed and other characters were added, the “three” part was no longer accurate, thus my brother suggested changing it to “Mystical Force”. That’s where the whole idea of “All beings radiate a life force, but some have an additional ‘Mystical Force’ – a force that grants them special gifts, be it magical essence, demonic aura or spiritual power.” came into being. It was one of those cases where changing that one little word caused all the pieces to fall into place.

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

Honestly, I don’t think about that. I don’t really focus on such things. I just do my own thing, and let my story flow naturally and organically. I think it helps that the themes of my writing like conformity vs individuality, fate vs free will, spirituality, philosophy and exploring humans nature are ideas that stand the test of time. These are themes that people will still be debating long after we’re all dead and gone. I’d rather write something that will withstand the test of time and still be enjoyed long after my time in this world has expired, instead of just churning out something based on whatever the current trend du jour is. As my old high school English teacher Mr. Sulman once said, there’s no story out there that hasn’t already been told, but it hasn’t been told from YOUR perspective.

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

It would have to be the words of my late Screen writing professor Michael Monty, when I studied film and television at Seneca college. He said what makes a story work are interesting characters. If you don’t have interesting or relatable characters, then no amount of action, sex, violence (or in the case of movies/TV) special effects are gonna save your story. For me, one of the problems with a lot of blockbuster movies is that it’s all about the spectacle. With CGI today, you can create action scenes, alien threats, monsters, alien worlds just as realistic as anything out there. Everyone seems to focus so much on this that the characters seem unimportant, or at the very least they’re created simply for cool stuff to happen to. Going back to earlier about how Godzilla and Star Trek influenced my writing; sure the monster may have looked like a guy in a rubber suit. The space ship may have looked like a model on a string over a ping pong ball painted to look like a planet, but what they may have lacked in special effects budget/technology they made up for in writing with their themes about the horrors of nuclear war or humanity learning to overcome our prejudices and working to better ourselves. For me, I love to go into my characters heads. I’d rather ask “What are they thinking? Why do they feel this way? Why do they do what they do? Say what they say? Believe what they believe?” That’s more important than “What kind of powers do they have? Can they fly? Can they shoot lasers from their eyes? Can they bench press a dump truck?”

Amazon Author Page

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Interview with author Nicola Elise O’Shea-Korbut

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

Hi everyone, my name is Nicola and I’m the author and illustrator of Pengu & The Fox. I’m from a beachside town in Melbourne, Australia. Until 2021, I had been on the pursuit to become a doctor, gaining my undergraduate degree in Biomedicine. During my studies I took an elective in poetry – something very different to my usual science subjects . It was then that I  truly fell in love with the power of words and writing. Since then I’ve swapped career paths and am in my final year of a masters in education. Pengu & The Fox is my first published book, but I have many more ready to go. 

2. What is your inspiration behind your book “Pengu & The Fox”?

My inspiration for Pengu & The Fox really stemmed from my own personal experiences. I struggled to find my people, and in the pursuit, felt so much loneliness, fear and worry. I never changed myself to fit in with others. And I did find my people, and my own fox. I wanted to let children know, all over the world that it’s ok to struggle, it’s ok to be scared. But never let your fear let your world grow small – and always be yourself.

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

Since my final years in high school I have always used writing as an outlet to express and process my emotions. The more I wrote, the better I became at it. I never really thought I’d be an author, but as I grew older and entered the adult world, I decided happiness is following your passion, and inspiring others as you do so. So I was brave and submitted a draft to AM publishers and the rest is history

4. Please tell us something about your book “Pengu & The Fox”?

Pengu & The Fox is a story of friendship, hope, love and loneliness. It aims to encourage us all to be ourselves, follow our hearts and step boldly. People assume penguins and foxes cannot be friends. But I re wrote the story, and predator and prey became an unbreakable bond of love and friendship

5. For which age group is your book “Pengu & The Fox” suitable for?

With the help of a parent many children, even younger years can get something out of Pengu & The Fox. It’s a rhythmic read, with poetry embedded throughout the whole story. Therefore, older years ages 9-12 were my intended audience.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

Favourite quote: Good friendships have no bias,instead they see your soul.See not body, size or colour.Because your soul is so much more.

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

What I like most about my country is where I live. A small town called Williamstown , nestled in port Phillip Bay. My home brings me happiness. I love exploring the beaches, walking my doggos and being in beautiful nature around me.

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

Reading habits suggestions for parents: : As a youngster, I didn’t have the best reading habits. But it was only because I hadn’t found the books that I LOVED. We all have different tastes in books. As a child mine, ended up being dragons and the fantasy world. I encourage parents to expose their children to a range of genres and see what inspires them to read more.

9. What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success: to me literary success is having a love of reading. Finding books that speak to you is most important.

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

My inspiration in life: this is a hard one . My family always inspire me and support me. I couldn’t be here without them. But Pengu & The Fox wouldn’t be here without my partner, Cameron. He inspires me to be myself, and always be courageous. He is the fox of my dreams.

Buy Pengu & The Fox on Amazon

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Interview with author Shelley Jinks Johnson

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

I am a poet, creator, performer, and brand builder from Alexandria, LA. Any number of creative projects keep me busy at any given time, and I stay actively engaged in our local arts scene. From organizing poetry readings and workshops to performing spoken word, community theatre, or with my band. As a side hustle I freelance logo designs and help build marketing plans for small businesses, non-profits, and local campaigns. My most passionate calling is speaking to groups on living with grief and re-building a life of meaning and purpose after devastating loss. I live amongst the lush greenery of central Louisiana with my somewhat neurotic dog Jackson.

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

I wrote the poems for “Pretty Little Widow” in the span of the last days of my husband’s battle with brain cancer and the 2 years after his death. So the struggles were less about the act of writing and more about the challenges of learning to live with the ever-present grief. In truth, writing was my life-line. It was therapy for me. 

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

Anne Sexton was an early favorite poet of mine, and her raw confessional style of poetry influenced my own writing. And then I discovered the beautiful hopefulness of Mary Oliver and the fierce honesty of Brene Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert. 

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

Kisatchie is a national forest that stretches through most of the center part of Louisiana. Filled with blooming azaleas and dogwoods in the spring, it is my favorite place to hike or do some trail running. And Kincaid Lake, nestled in the midst of the forest, is the tranquil place for paddle boarding in summers oppressive heat. I have spent many of my years here, marking the passage of time by the changing of the seasons.  

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Pretty Little Widow’?

I did not set out to write a book, actually. Instead, as I mentioned already, I was using writing as a coping mechanism or therapy tool to figure out how to live with the grief of losing my husband. After I had written several poems (mostly dealing with grief as the subject matter), a couple friends suggested that compiled together, they may be helpful to others going through a similar ordeal. So I began pulling the poems together and grouping them into common themes. And at that point I could see a cohesion in what I had been writing. And I thought “maybe this could be helpful to others.”

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Pretty Little Widow’?

I wrote the poems over the course of a couple years. I compiled them and organized them into a collection and gave them to a few friends to read and critique. Then I set it aside for about a year. I attended writing workshops where other writers critiqued some of the poems, and I would take the workshop notes and make more edits. Finally, after a little over 3 years from the time I wrote the earliest poems in this collection, I organized them into the current form and published them. It was truly a learning experience and a process to get it to the book that it is today. A book I am very proud to have my name on.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Currently, “Pretty Little Widow” is available as an ebook on Kindle and as a paperback on Amazon.

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

This is one of my favorite stories. I have a friend (who was barely an acquaintance at the time) who is an artist. A painter. I had been following her work on social media for a few months and liked her style, but nothing had really grabbed my attention yet. One day she posted a picture of a painting she had just completed, and it was unlike any of her other work I had seen up to that point. I was immediately transfixed by it! It was as though she had seen into my mind, into my very soul and painted what she saw there. There was an instant, electric connection for me to that painting! I had to have it. So I messaged her and ultimately ended up with painting, which now hangs on my bedroom wall. (See poem “Lost Wanderings” pg 75, “PLW”) But even after all that (falling in love with the painting and writing a poem about it), it wasn’t until I had the book compiled and ready to publish that I realized I had the perfect cover for it. That painting. Once I could visualize the physical manifestation of the book, cover and all, the process of finishing the book and publishing it all happen very quickly.  

The title “Pretty Little Widow” comes from a poem within the book that I wrote shortly after my husband passed. It is a poem about feeling pitied and pandered to as new widow. How people who did not understand the loss of spouse grew impatient with my ongoing grief and just expected me to “get over it.” 

Q9. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Keep writing. Even if you think you have nothing to say. Even when you aren’t motivated or feeling inspired. Sometimes you have to write a lot of throw-away pages before you get to the stuff worth keeping. Just keep writing. Develop a discipline, a habit. That discipline will carry you through when motivation and inspiration fail you.  

Buy Pretty Little Widow on Amazon

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Interview with author Patrick E. Horrigan

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

1. I taught literature for 30 years at the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University. Though I have a PhD in English, I never did what you might call “academic writing.” My work has always been narrative, whether fiction or non-fiction. I was born and raised in Reading, PA but have lived for most of my adult life in New York City. I love the energy, diversity, and cultural richness of New York.

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

2. The key challenge I faced when writing American Scholar was finding the critical distance needed from the subject matter to writer about it with lucidity. The book is based on personal experience, and that both fueled my creative energy but also made it difficult, sometimes, to stay focused on the essential story I was trying to tell. At times I had to alter the facts of what actually happened in order to get at the higher truth I was searching for.

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

3. The author that has most influenced my writing is Virginia Woolf. Her novels are puzzles that I love to solve, though they are so poetic and profound that they can never be totally solved. Woolf minimizes plot in favor of character. She mines the consciousness and unconsciousness of her characters even as she shows them going about their daily business. She creates characters who are engaged in the lifelong struggle to find meaning in existence, and she often depicts people who are disappointed with their lives. All of this I find enormously interesting, and it has influenced the way I write fiction. Perhaps the novel that is most important to me is Woolf’s 1925 masterpiece Mrs. Dalloway, about one day in the life of an upper-class wife and mother and, parallel to her story, the life of a shell-shocked war veteran.

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

4. My favorite spot to visit in the US might be The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Met is an encyclopedic museum with more than 1.5 million objects spanning over 5000 years of art and culture. It contains the whole world. I particularly love looking at painting, and the Met has a stupendous collection of paintings from the Middle Ages up to the present. I feel sane and safe and free in the Met.

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

5. Before I dive in and start composing a book, I do a lot of reading and outlining. I write in my diary about my ideas for the project. I create mini biographies of my characters, which help me get to know them. I make timelines of characters’ lives, which also help me flesh out their stories in my mind before I start composing. Sometimes I travel to places that are relevant to the book I’m working on, taking photos to help me capture the spirit of the place.

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

6. American Scholar started out as a memoir. I began working on it in the late 1990s. But I wasn’t entirely satisfied with it as a memoir, so I put it aside and turned to writing fiction. Then about eight years ago, I decided to tackle the project again, but this time as fiction. I completely reconceived and rewrote the book. So all totaled, I’ve been working on this book on and off for about 25 years.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

7. Readers can buy my books on Amazon and through my website, www.patrickehorrigan.com. You can also ask your local bookstore to order it.

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

8. The title “American Scholar” was inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous 1837 essay “The American Scholar,” which is referenced a couple of times in the novel. It’s often been called America’s “declaration of cultural independence” from Europe and the Old World. A brilliant, stirring essay. The title also refers to the novel’s protagonist, who is a professor and writer; it refers to the subject of the protagonist’s latest book, the real-life Harvard professor and American literature scholar F.O. Matthiessen (1902-1950); and it refers to the primary love interest of the protagonist, who is a budding scholar himself. So it works on multiple levels. As for the book’s cover: I supplied the book’s designer with a detailed description of the book along with some ideas for images (men reading books, brains, marginalia). He came up with a handful of designs, and I and the published made our choice. We then asked the designer to tweak it—to try it in different colors, to adjust the image, and so on. I’m really happy with the design we finally came up with!

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

9. I keep things fresh for me as a writer and, I hope, for my readers by choosing subjects that I find challenging to understand. I hope by writing about them, I will reach a better understanding, and this intellectual and creative endeavor will communicate itself to readers and appeal to them. I try never to stay on the surface of things but to dig down deep into my subject. I create characters who on some crucial level do not know themselves, a psychological phenomenon that interests me and, I hope, my readers. Also, each of my books revolves around a specific artistic medium (film, painting, architecture, literature), and I do research on that medium as part of the composing process. I think this also communicates itself to readers. I am pushing myself up to and beyond my cutting edge.

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

10. This isn’t exactly a piece of advice, but one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a writer is that revision is always possible and it can really improve a piece of writing. Sometimes we fall in love with our words, with the way we write something on the first draft, but usually that’s not and cannot be the end of the story. There is usually a lot more work to be done. That work can be daunting, and you do have to cut things, get rid of things, change things, rethink things, but doing so almost always leads to a better outcome. I’ve come to love the process of revision. For me, that’s when the real pleasure kicks in.

Buy American Scholar on Amazon

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Interview with author Amelia Cole

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

Hello! I’m Amelia Cole, and I’m an award-winning fantasy author. My stories have been featured in magazines and in a soon-to-be-published anthology. I’m a huge history nerd, and so I always try and incorporate mythology or ancient stories into my own writing (with a personal twist, of course). When not writing or reading, I play TTRPG games, hike and camp in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, and binge-watch CW shows.

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

One of the most obvious challenges of writing Bridge of Eternity was describing places in the world that were and still are too dangerous to actually visit. And while in popular tourist areas, there are great resources available online, in conflicted regions, I was lucky to find photos newer than five years old. I also worked actively to incorporate and accurately represent the Arabic culture and language with some very generous forum posters that were from the Middle East with whom I could bounce questions.

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

This is so tough, but I’m a big fan of Madeline Miller’s delicious prose (Circe has a million highlights), I love Raven Kennedy’s world-building and writing love interests with the Plated Prisoner series, and I love all of Patricia Briggs’ stories, she really has figured out the sweet spot of urban fantasy.

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

I’m obsessed with a lakeside campground next to Mt Adams in Washington state. It’s like a postcard, and the looming mountain is breathtaking. Some of my best writing was done there as I sat at a picnic table under the watchful gaze of the snow-covered peak.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Bridge of Eternity’?

I’ve always had an interest in human civilization through technology and culture. I can’t pinpoint exactly, but I was watching a History channel program or a Youtube about Mesopotamia and came across the Vela supernova. Instantly it fascinated me that the people alive back then were able to witness a real live supernova. A star so bright that they could see it during the day and lasted for months. I can only imagine what they assumed it was, sign from gods, prophecies, literally anything. And then, the real fun is that shortly after, like a handful of years, the Sumerian technology exploded. Writing, metalworking, medicine, all of it seemingly overnight, evolved. While it’s all speculation about a connection, I found this mystery a great inspiration for my story.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Bridge of Eternity’?

Two years total.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Its available on Kindle as an ebook, paperback through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, and other online retailers. Also, an audiobook is currently in production and will be available soon on Audible.

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

I knew I wanted Ella, my main character on the front of the book and there was an earlier where I had Jason, but decided it really should focus on her. My illustrator was so experienced and made some great suggestions like showing Ella’s magic and dramatic color scheme. She truly was amazing to work with and the cover turned out better than I’d envisioned.

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

I used to outline heavily when I first started writing, but have switched to lighter outlines, letting more organic and creativity slip in. I also have a habit of writing down specific scenes when I’m inspired, that are out of order for the story, but I know I’ll add in later. It’s an awesome motivator to have say, chapter 16 and 19 mostly finished and encourages me to fill in the rest.

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

Oh this is a tough one! I think the biggest hurdle most writers face is self doubt. Doubting if you’re good enough, doubting if the scene should be longer, shorter, or altogether cut. And so I’ve found the best way to overcome this is to connect with other writers. They’ll be your sounding boards, your first beta readers, your cheerleaders, and your shoulders to cry on. They keep you grounded and give you perspective. I’m very fortunate to have a writing tribe (love you, llamasquad!) and wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Buy Bridge of Eternity on Amazon

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Interview with Dr. Avril Bingue

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

Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better. I am an Army Veteran, having served ten years and reaching the rank of Captain in Military Intelligence. I have been teaching for over 20 years, from elementary to university level. My discipline has been Special Education and English. I have one son, whom I’m very proud of, and who is currently serving this country in the Army. I absolutely love gardening and have a happy, although very overrun garden, which I enjoy watching grow. I am a Trekie and enjoy going to the annual Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, NV each year. I have two dogs, both named after Star Trek characters – Data and Saru.

2. What is your inspiration behind your book “Tempus Fugit! Time Flies”?

During my youth, I would often hear Latin phrases as a way to pass on wisdom to me. Once such a phrase was tempus fugit – time flies. Children of all ages seem to struggle with the concept of putting first-things-first. They usually believe there is always time to get things done, but in truth, time flies and oftentimes, there is not enough time to complete all tasks, such as homework and chores. My son is my inspiration for this book, EJ. He was a carefree child, who was so happy and believed he could get his homework and chores done after play. Oftentimes, his response to me when I would remind him of tasks to be completed was, “No problem. I got this!” He eventually learned that this was not always the case and the need to put first things first became evident.

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

As a child, I loved reading and entertaining the imagined worlds the words took me, and understood the power of the written word. I have been writing stories and poems from early childhood. My dream continues to be able to touch many hearts with my words, and perhaps, pass on life lessons.

4. Please tell us something about your book “Tempus Fugit! Time Flies”?

EJ looked stunned. He had put off completing his project and had forgotten that he still had the presentation to do, and it was due tomorrow! He knew if he didn’t complete the assignment, he would not have the grade he was hoping for, and his mother would be very disappointed. The reader will see that it is better to put first things first as the main character, EJ, eventually learns this important lesson. EJ always feels that he will have time to get things done…later. Even after missing the bus, forgetting to do chores, and letting down his best friend, Juan, EJ does not learn his lesson. Finally, after feeling that he let his mother down, EJ learns that time does indeed fly and it is better to have a plan and complete tasks as they come along, rather than wait until the last minute to get things done.This is a book that I hope sibling will pass on to sibling as they learn the importance of not procrastinating.

5. For which age group is your book “Tempus Fugit! Time Flies” suitable for?

I wrote this book for elementary-aged students to help teach them this valuable lesson at a young age, so that they may realize early on that Tempus Fugit! -time flies, so put first things first!

6. What is your favorite Quote?

To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. Benjamin Franklin.

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

I like that no matter who you are, the country still offers an idealist possibility that one can achieve their dream.

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

As a parent and educator, it is vital to have books and reading material available to children. I was always saddened when students would tell me they had no books at home. I used to have my son read everything he saw when driving to the store. Reading must be part of children’s daily life. Remember, children should learn to read by the third grade; then they read to learn for the rest of their education.

9. What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success would be for my books to be on bookshelves when I walk into a book store. I want my name to be synonymous with children’s book author, kind of like Dr. Seuss!

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

All that I do is for my son. I want to show him through my own actions that he should always pursue his dreams… no matter how long it may take.

Buy Tempus Fugit! Time Flies on Amazon

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Interview with author Randy Richardson

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

I’m an attorney, former journalist, and a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. I’m also a founding member and president of the nonprofit Chicago Writers Association. I’m the first male recipient of the National Federation of Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement Award and was named to NewCity’s 2019 and 2022 ‘Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago’ list. My essays have been published in the anthologies ‘Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul’, ‘Humor for a Boomer’s Heart’, ‘The Big Book of Christmas Joy’, ‘Storytellers’ True Stories About Love’, and ‘Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting Till Next Year’, as well as in numerous literary journals including Hypertext and Memory House. I’m the author of three novels, ‘Havana Hangover’, ‘Cheeseland’ and ‘Lost in the Ivy’, and coauthor of ‘Cubsessions: Famous Fans of Chicago’s North Side Baseball Team’. To learn more about me, visit my website: randyrichardson.co. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Havana Hangover’?

Perhaps the biggest challenge was writing during the pandemic. I started writing the novel in 2019, after my fourth November visit in as many years to Havana, Cuba. It’s a thriller/adventure inspired by events and people I encountered on that island nation. In many ways, it’s my love letter to the country and its people. There is so much beauty and history to be found there, but what kept bringing me back was the people I met. 

When I started writing the novel, I had every intention of returning to Havana. But then COVID-19, the inspiration-killer, struck. The pandemic and the US embargo and political changes in Cuba all came together like a perfect storm to close the doors to Cuba yet again. My plans for traveling there in November 2020 were put on hold. At the time, I told myself, as well as my friends there: Next year. 

Life became even more turbulent in Cuba, forcing some of my best friends there to move to other countries – in some cases, separating themselves from their loved ones just so they could make money to send back home.

Like many a writer, I had a tough time finding the inspiration to write during the pandemic. My home office used to be the place where I did the kind of writing that was an escape from the writing I did for my day job. But during the pandemic, it also became the office of my day job. It no longer seemed like an escape.

What I came to discover, however, was that it wasn’t the home office space that was the escape. It had nothing to do with the walls around me or the computer in front of me. The escape was all in my head. 

While writing this novel, stuck at home, I was traveling to Cuba, this place that I love but could no longer visit. The inspiration was within me to go there whenever I wanted to. 

When I wrote The End on the final draft, it came with a lot of joy. I’d crossed that finish line after a marathon like none I’d ever run before. But it also came with a little sadness. Because I was saying goodbye to the place that had helped me get through all of this. 

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

Anyone who reads ‘Havana Hangover’ will see that Ernest Hemingway has been my biggest influence. I’m 100 percent a Hemingway fanboy. I’ve read just about anything he wrote, have all of his books and Life magazine covers, and followed his footsteps to just about anywhere he lived and wrote about. My favorite book of all-time is Hemingway’s ‘The Sun Also Rises’, which, to me, is literary perfection.

Other authors who have had a profound influence on me include: Larry McMurtry, Nicholson Baker, Jay McInerney and Scott Turow.

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

That’s an easy one: Wrigley Field, the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. As I previously noted, I’m a die-hard Cubs fan and there’s no place like the bleachers of Wrigley Field on a hot summer day in Chicago. I love the history, the smell of the steamed hot dogs, the energy of the crowd. It’s my second home.

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

All of my writing is, to some extent, inspired by pieces of my life. For ‘Havana Hangover’, that piece begins in November 2016, the first time I traveled to Cuba. Two historic events collided during the time of my travels. On the same morning I left for Cuba, my favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, won their first World Series in 108 years. On the same morning that I returned to the states, the U.S. presidential election results had just been decided. Those two events served as a springboard for the story that becomes a runaway adventure with many twists and turns where little is as it seems. The characters behind it were mostly inspired by real-life people, including me and my travel companion, a friend whom I’ve known since law school, and our tour operator and tour guide. But the real seed for the story was planted on our second trip to Cuba, the following November. It was on that trip that my friend and I had been out on the town and, at some point, we were separated. I went back to our casa particular, a Cuban bed-and-breakfast, and went to bed. The following morning, I woke to a string of text messages from my friend. The last of those messages said: “Help Me!” I won’t go into what actually happened – it’s a long story – but as you can imagine I sprung out of bed and fortunately found my friend asleep in the other room. But that little jolt became the starting point for my story of a disoriented narrator. From there, the story is all fiction, including the back story of the complicated history between the protagonist, Tanner, and his missing friend, Jackson, who, it turns out, might not be his friend at all.

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

It took about three years to write. Most of that time was during the pandemic. After the first draft, I worked with a developmental editor, Katherine Don, who saw things that I couldn’t see and helped me fill in all of the plot holes and get the story back on course whenever it veered. There were, I think, four drafts in all before Katherine told me that she thought it was ready to be released into the world.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

‘Havana Hangover’ is available on Amazon.com in Kindle and in Trade Paperback.

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

The credit for the book cover goes mostly to my publisher, Dan Davies at Renegade Press. I love the little details: the mojito on top of the classic car; the Cuban flag for the license plate; and the publisher for the bumper sticker. As for the title, it fit the story where the characters consume way too much rum.

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

My books are written organically. I don’t work from an outline, and I don’t think that I could. That’s not how my mind works. For me, that keeps the writing fresh. Like the reader, I don’t know where the story is going or even how it will end. That’s what makes writing fun for me. I plant a seed and watch it grow. 

Most of the characters I write are inspired by real-life characters from my own world. I think that helps to make them feel authentic. But then of course, I put them into situations that ordinary people would not typically find themselves in. It’s fun to play with them, to see how they react. 

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

Don’t think about publication. Just write. Write the best damned book you can write. Then start thinking about publication. If the book is good, really good, they will come.

Buy Havana Hangover on Amazon

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