Category: Author Interview

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Interview with author Jonathan Fiero

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

Hi! I’m Jonathan, and this is my first novel. I’ve also been published in a collaborative photography book “A Picture is Worth 1000 Words” by Thomas Brath, so check that out! I’ve always had a love for writing, journaling, or just simply putting my random thoughts down on paper. Eventually my thoughts began to stretch out an become more cohesive to the point where I felt comfortable to share what I wrote with a close friend; she encouraged me to push further.

As for me as a person, I grew up in New York City and Central New Jersey, 9 years in each place. My college days were spent in Philadelphia. Twice I’ve lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, both times fleeing from there in a frantic cross-country trek to the west coast. Southern California for the first 7 years, and I’ve been in the Pacific Northwest for the past 5 years. I mostly just wander around my neighborhood with my dog Moab and work when I have to.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Be Prepared to Die”?

Finding the proper tone and mood often proved difficult. Like any writer, I take from what I know, what I’ve lived. But I need to be in a somewhat cheerful mood if I’m sitting down to write. The challenge with this was the need to essentially “get into character” since I was writing the story from a first-person perspective.

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

I’ve read a fair amount of varying philosophy throughout my life, and that has always influenced what I write, and to a certain extent, how I write. But as I’ve developed my writing from incomplete thoughts to a published book, several books and others have served me well with their inspiration. The first was probably Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’, a bit cliche I’m sure, but reading that book over a decade ago was what reignited my passion for reading fictional literature. It’ll be overtly apparent to any reader of my book; Albert Camus is immensely influential, almost to a comically nauseating level. Reading John Muir while I was working on this book also encouraged and directed much of what and how I wrote.

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

Of all my travels around the United States, it would be hard to decide on one specific location, so I would have to say the deserts of California. I say deserts, plural, because there are so many varying types of deserts there, and that is what makes it so special. If there is one singular location though, that can optimize life in California away from its crowded cities and shorelines, the desert entrance into Yosemite’s alpine region that sits above Mono Lake. But not just the entrance, the descent out of that Valley Wonderland is really quite the unique experience.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Be Prepared to Die’?

I had begun writing a different book, in which the main character of ‘Be Prepared to Die’ plays a large roll in. A friend recommended I discuss more about their backstories in that first book I was writing. I didn’t think short descriptions of their histories would do the depth of their characters justice, so I began constructing a prequel storyboard.

Before all this, another friend had come up with the idea that I should write and publish a raw, unfiltered journal. So, I wrote that, and honestly, it was wonderful, and I wish I hadn’t let my emotions destroy it. But it was also very personal. This is not to say I was opposed to putting my personal life on public display this way, it just seemed, for comparison, like I would be trying to sell a self-portrait.

So, I decided to lend my life off to a fictional character. I wrote a few short stories. They’ll still be utilized one way or another. But for this book, what actually sent me down the path toward publication, it was the words I wrote after ordering an Old-Fashioned Roulette cocktail from the whiskey bar near my house. The ‘roulette’ was just the bartender’s choice on the whiskey used. She picked the cheapest whiskey they had. This was the raw quote, the one I wrote the moment I sat down that day, with the intent to write a novel, as I tasted the sharp astringency of a cheap liquor…

“She basically loaded the bullet into the chamber that would be the first shot to fire when the trigger was pulled. There was no spinning of the cylinder, no blind chance, it was murder. Sure, I knew the chance of death was one in six, but no one ever talks of those five chances at life. In this case though, my chances were more like one in a hundred. They say to not waste good liquor on mixers. Sure, I agree. But I’d add, don’t waste a good cocktail on cheap liquor. This hangover tomorrow will be the death of me…”

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Be Prepared to Die’?

That sort of depends on whether the question is this book or a book. I wrote that first paragraph sometime in the Spring of 2021 and had a complete manuscript by early Autumn in 2022. But it was the Summer of 2018 when the idea to write something that resembled a personal journal of my life was born.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

All of the large online retailers will have my book available in paperback ($16.99) and eBook ($7.49) formats. It can also be purchased by author direct from my Etsy page, shop name “TheBottleRocketPress” ($16.24), shipping included.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Be Prepared to Die’?

For the longest time the book was going to be titled ‘The White Curtain’, named for the quasi-inanimate antagonist of the story. But upon seeing the first cover from the publisher I used, I realized that regardless of the tone I had in my mind for what “The White Curtain” represents, others would read it as ‘flighty and airy’.

One day I was walking to work, listening to a band, Streetlight Manifesto. It was a long instrumental part of the song, but the rhythm matched the chorus, and though I had heard that song likely well over a hundred times, the chorus lyrics escaped me “you’ll be left behind” and in my mind I resolutely sang “be prepared to die”.

As for the cover, my initial intent was a white curtain or cloth of some kind that looked tattered and ominous, somewhat covering the image of a sailboat trailing off toward the setting Sun. After a few discussions with the design team, I provided a few images, the two being used for the cover being my first choice for each part of the cover design. The dingy room is meant to represent the Room in the Underground and all of the reality of my life that was placed into the book, while the illustrated sailboats represent carrying the story off into the fictious waters of literature and the protagonist’s search for freedom.

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

I find it’s best to write my thoughts by hand, out at bars or restaurants, or in a park. After having spent so much time with this book, transcribing my handwritten journals, I’ve started to alter my process, where now I’ll write a few starting paragraphs, but continue on with the thoughts at home.

Constantly reading while I’m writing also helps the flow of my stories to not become stagnant. I’m a big believer in the concept that all ideas come from other ideas. Sometimes it’s tone, sometimes it’s structure or something else, but other novels are an excellent source of fuel to ensure readers aren’t stranded in a monotonous book.

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

I think most of the advice carried over from my years of art training and photography. But I think that advice rings just as true for writing and any other art. Create for yourself sure, I think that is an important part of art. But also, create for others, not with the intent to sell, but with the intent to share. I think any good piece of art, novels included, should allow the audience to see themselves in the artwork, and not just the creator.

Buy Be Prepared to Die on Amazon

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Interview with author Sarah Mirza

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

I am an author who lives in South London with my  teenage daughter, my long suffering boyfriend and our dog called Peppa. I am also a part time criminal lawyer.  I juggle my time between my career, writing and looking after my family. I feel very blessed.

I was born and brought up in Essex but have been living in London for the past 25 years.  I am currently writing a series of short stories with positive messages in them, aimed at the 2 to 7 year old age bracket. I was inspired to do this by my love of Aesop’s fables which my father read to me when I was young.

2. What is your inspiration behind your book “Little Bird”?

The main message of the book is about self-belief and what you can achieve if you have it. For me a bird’s first steps to taking flight was a good way to convey that message to a young audience.

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

I always loved writing and would often dream of writing books. When I was growing up  though, it always seemed a little out of reach. Today, things are very achievable if you put your mind to it.  I decided to make that dream a reality in 2022 and wrote my first book The Cat and The Dog.

4. Please tell us something about your book “Little Bird”?

This is a short and simple story following Little Bird through the days of the week while he develops his 5 senses and then takes his step towards flight. The cycle follows that of many small birds who are in the gestation period between 7 – 15 days, and then develop the same 5 senses we have. It is hopefully fun, inspiring and educational.

5. For which age group is your book “Little Bird” suitable for?

2 – 6 year olds

6. What is your favorite Quote?

If you mean from the book then it is the note from Little Bird to the reader at the end of the story, but you will need to read that for yourself.

If you mean generally, it would be ” I am the master of my ship, I am the captain of my soul, ” by Ernest Henley. It’s very powerful!

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

That there are so many opportunities and you can be whoever you want to be. Freedom to choose your own path is so important.

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

I  would say read as often as you can to your child. Definitely read bedtime stories. Encourage your child to pick the books they like. Find books you enjoy to read aloud. Make up your own stories. Have fun with it!

9. What does literary success look like to you?

To write books that I am proud to call mine. To inspire young children into a positive way of thinking and to have a loyal following.

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

Without a doubt, it was my dad. He was the most positive and brilliant person I have ever known. He had a never ending supply of determination, strength and humanity. He was a GP who saved many lives, helped many people and had the most amazing adventurous life.  His name Karamat means Miracle.

Buy Little Bird on Amazon

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Interview with author Jeff Campos

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

Hello Everyone. My name is Jeff Campos. I’m 63 years old and I have been working on a sci-fi/fantasy book since 1999. I am also a mechanical pencil artist that draws storyboard outlines as well as a first time author.

The idea for the book came about back in 1999 when I was working 3rd shift at a now-defunct electronics company in Salem, New Hampshire as an electronics incoming / in process / final inspector.

A co-worker, who was also a D&D Dungeon Master at the time insisted that I join his online Dungeons and Dragons game once he noticed some of my drawings I had brought into work to work on during break times and lunch times. He then asked me to create two D&D characters with a backstory for each in order to join the game. For the first character, I chose to draw a warrior drow elf named Bathryck who spat at horses most of the time for his persona profile. As for the second character, I chose to draw a priest-like character named Cardinal Rigor Mortis whose bio was as an anthropomorphic half hawk, half human-like avian wearing robes and such coming from a strange kingdom.

My co-worker loved both characters and their personas so much that he wanted both for his online game. But I told him that he could only have the drow elf, Bathryck, for his online game. Disappointed, he then asked why I wouldn’t let him have the other character? That’s when an ‘epiphany’ of sorts came to me that I told him I liked the avian character so much at the time that I was going to write a book about Cardinal Rigor Mortis and where his origins came from.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Grythwood Chronicles – Book One”?

Never having been a writer before, I sought out an editor who would help make the necessary changes needed to make the book ‘readable and understandable’ to those who chose to read my work about my characters.

BTW, the 30 something count of characters, human and anthropomorphic, came from the one character I saved from becoming an online D&D game sensation, Cardinal Rigor Mortis. It almost seemed to me that the other characters in the book flowed out of him as well as the lands they lived in. There are also several backstories I have written on each of the 30 plus characters in the book that I am saving for the next book. I will leave it on that note before it becomes a spoiler.

I still face challenges financially and in what direction I want to go with the book(s) in as publishing and the necessary feedback I need, good and bad, to inspire me to keep writing. People inspire me as I go along with whatever my creativity level is at during the day. Not to say what I won’t write at all but my mind wanders with the many ideas that come across during my moments of inspiration.

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

Kipling, Dumas, Tolkien and believe it or not, the book Treasure Island. I guess it was because I had to write a book report in junior high school about it because the instructor I had at the time was a major history buff.

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

I guess where I grew up in Massachusetts at times I tend to take road trips across the state to the Berkshires and surrounding places of interest. Car shows and antique shows / swaps meet my interest as well. Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts is one place I’ve visited many times since a school trip there back in the 1970’s. It has a mystique when one walks through its corridors and rooms where the inventor John Hammond and his wife lived until he passed on in 1965.

There are other places in the world I would like to visit as well, England and Switzerland are two of them.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Grythwood Chronicles – Book One’?

See the above answers to the questions Q1 through Q5.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Grythwood Chronicles – Book One’?

Since 1999 (see Q1). And I’m still working on it. It was named ‘CandleJack’ at one time ( and I owned the domain for 24 years) but the name actually belongs to a Warner Brothers Freakazoid cartoon character that’s copyrighted.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

At the moment, none. But I hope to resolve that as soon as I can.

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

The person who did the artwork for the cover for the book committed suicide a couple years ago due to his deteriorating health. He came up with the concept art of each of the characters that are described in the book using his own artistic license. His name was Bill Blankenship and he was an amazing 3D and 2D artist as well as a friend. I still miss him.

Grythwood comes from the mountain range on the island of Ornathys in the book. The editor I had at the time mentioned that as a book title to replace the ‘CandleJack’ title of the book.

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

Just reading subjects from certain books that pique my interest such as gothic architecture or medieval history as an example.

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

Keep reading and writing when you can. Budget your down time during life’s shortcomings to invest in your mind for both. And if a review is a bad review on your book, remember…it’s only just a review. There are positive points within the feedback. You just have to look closer at it to find the positive within.

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Interview with author Don Owens

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

Don Owens is president of The Port Royal Society, a U.S.-based non-profit organization promoting the reading and application of ancient books. He travels, speaking about his passion for books, people and business at conferences for different companies, churches, and seminaries. He is also a CEO of an insurance group with offices in Fort Worth, Texas; Campeche and Merida, Mexico; San Pedro Sula, Honduras; and Managua, Nicaragua; he has served within this group for twenty-five years.

An avid outdoorsman, Don enjoys hiking, kayaking, and mountain and gravel biking. He spends a quarter of the year in Leadville, Colorado. He and David Rutherford cofounded The May Club, a men’s fraternity focused on building friendships and sustaining relationships throughout life. The club is in its thirtieth year.

Don has been married to Danae Owens for thirty years. They have two children and one grandchild.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Ancient Friendship for Modern Men”?

The book covers a 20 year process of building friendship and discovering and reading ancient writings. Over this period of time I discovered the value of ancient thought in the application of our relationships today. It was difficult to get men to talk in detail about the deep meaning of friendship in their lives as men are taught to not show too much emotion. Over time I was able to have great conversations and gain insight as the barriers fell and men offered more thoughts on their experiences and feelings.

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

The ancient writers are the key ingredient. Seneca, Aristotle, Homer, Xenophon, Cicero and Plato. Their works are just as important today as they were 2000 years and more ago.

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

Leadville, Colorado. I discovered Leadville in 1996 while traveling through Colorado. The town is mentioned in a Jimmy Buffett song called, “Incommunicado” so I felt I needed to see the town. I returned many times each year for over two decades and eventually bought a home there. The mountains, lakes and seasons are joy. I am an avid hiker and paddler and love the area and the people of Leadville.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Ancient Friendship for Modern Men’?

I had a need in my own life to cultivate friendship and I learned a great pattern for developing friendship. Like me, I’ve watched men lose friendships or struggle to develop new friendships in the business of life. I wanted to share a simple process for building friendship built for ancient wisdom.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Ancient Friendship for Modern Men’?

I spent a year putting the book together and re-reading important material related to the project.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Amazon.com / Ingramspark.com

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Ancient Friendship for Modern Men’?

The book is designed to introduce people to ancient writings and ideas and show their relevance to our lives today. The cover is the philosopher Aristotle on a motorcycle. Imagine an ancient individual living an adventurous life in modern times.

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

The book spends time on the different influences from the past and talks about the many types of relationships to cultivate in our lives. Friends in proximity, casual meetings, spouses, co-workers and others.

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

A quote often attributed to Ernest Hemingway taught me how to get started with writing, “You simply sit down at the typewriter, open your veins, and bleed.”

Buy Ancient Friendship for Modern Men on Amazon

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Interview with author Peter B. Cotton

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

I am a retired Professor of Medicine/Gastroenterology, living on Dewees Island, next to Charleston, South Carolina. I grew up, trained and worked in England until my late 40s, then moved to join the faculty at Duke University and later to the Medical University of South Carolina, to set up the Digestive Disease Center.

My specialty was the development, evaluation, and use of flexible instruments (endoscopes) to examine the GI track. My teaching contributions included 9 books, almost 1000 medical papers and lectures in more than 50 countries. My wife and I are proud of our 4 “children”, 8 grandkids and 2 great grandkids. They are spread around the country and world, but love to join us on the beach on Dewees, an eco-sensitive supportive community designed to “live in harmony with nature”. I am a poor golfer and worse fisherman…..but an OK Dad.

  1. What is your inspiration behind your book “When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA East”?

This is the 7th of my books for young children about Fred the friendly snake. It all started a very long time ago as a bedtime story for my then young kids about how (not) to cross the road. When they had their own kids they asked, “what happened to Fred-Fred?”. They called him that because Fred forgot his crossing code, was in an accident and temporarily bisected. Anyway, I found the old text, edited it a bit, discovered a marvelous illustrator (in Canada) and published the first book “When Fred the Snake got Squished and Mended” about 10 years ago. It seemed popular and got good reviews and some awards, so we continued the series. Fred went to school, invited Jungle Jim to visit with other animal friends, explored the city of Charleston (where I live), went camping, and then to the beach. Now, we are exploring the USA.

Incidentally I chose a snake because my kids thought it resembled the medical instruments that I was using, flexible endoscopes for examining the guts.
And, I will also mention that I was not called after a rabbit. I grew up in England, where the famous author Beatriz Potter wrote about Peter Rabbit and Flopsy and Mopsy and Benjamin bunny and others, but not Peter Cottontail, which is a fun American invention. It happens that my middle name is Benjamin…….

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

I am a Professor of Medicine, writing medical articles and books from an early age

  1. Please tell us something about your book “?

This book “When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA- East” is the first of 3 in which Jungle Jim flies the kids Perdy and Jack, Fred and his animal friends around the sights and cities of the USA. Reviewers say that it is both fun and educational.

  1. For which age group is your book “When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA East” suitable for?

3-8

  1. What is your favorite Quote?

From the book:
Washington, DC Past the Monuments and Mall, Jim landed gently by The Wall, the memorial for all those felled, in Vietnam. Each name is spelled.

See the Capitol, behind those doors, our leaders sit to make the laws.
Check the White House resident, our Commander and our President.
Wouldn’t it be a lot of fun, to take a ride in Air Force One?

From life:
Everything comes to those who waiteth, provided they work like hell while they waiteth.

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

I moved from the UK to the USA because the opportunities to practice and improve my profession were (and are) considerably better.

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

Make it fun and at a regular time

  1. What does literary success look like to you?

Happy kids and break even on sales

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

My wife, Princess Marion

Buy When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA East on Amazon

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Interview with author Dr. Wendy M. Schauer

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

A1. Hello there! I’m Dr. Wendy Schauer, D.C.

I’ve been a Doctor of Chiropractic for over 30 years. In those 30 years I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs
in the healthcare industry.

To be better able to help my patients on their journey of health, healing, and wellness, I’ve dived deep into becoming a kettlebell trainer and a TRX instructor, and I even became a RockTape practitioner over the past decade.

I’m always trying to add more tools to my toolbox to not only help my patients but also add more learning, education, and skills for myself.

When I’m not at my clinic, Community Chiropractic, P.S., I’m probably doing research on conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or possibly penning
another book.

In fact, “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!”, is my attempt to break down health, fitness, and nutrition into simple, relatable terms for everyone.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m absolutely passionate about empowering each individual to achieve their wellness goals.

It’s a thrilling journey, and I’m excited to have you join me!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!”?

A2. One of the most significant challenges I encountered was simply finding the time. Balancing my responsibilities as a chiropractor with my passion for writing often felt like a tightrope walk. Another hurdle was organizing my myriad of thoughts. I’d be deep into discussing hydration in the water chapter, and suddenly, my mind would leap to insights about sleep!

I found myself surrounded by scattered pieces of paper, as I’m someone who resonates with the tactile process of writing by hand rather than typing.

It’s the kinesthetic side of me coming through! 🙂

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

A3. While many might point to specific authors or texts as their muses, my inspiration was quite unique.

I’m an avid reader and have immersed myself in countless books over the years. However, the driving force behind my writing was my personal quest for healing. I was grappling with a condition that seemed to baffle many.

Through my journey, I unearthed information that was both elemental and revelatory. The insights were so groundbreaking, yet so foundational, that I felt a deep responsibility to share them with others. My book, in essence, is a reflection of that personal pilgrimage towards wellness.

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

A4. My top spot in the U.S. has to be Mount Rainier in Washington state. It’s conveniently close, just about two hours from my home. I’m a big fan of snowshoeing, and Mount Rainier has plenty of groomed trails that are perfect for it. Walking through the woods with snow all around is genuinely refreshing. There’s something about being in nature, especially in a place as scenic as Mount Rainier, that just resets my mood.

It’s peaceful, grounding, and always leaves me feeling better than when I arrived.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!’?

A5. The genesis of “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!” was born out of both personal adversity and professional observations. I experienced a debilitating health issue that manifested in severe hives across my body, at times
so severe that my eyes would swell shut or my lips would triple in size. Despite consulting numerous medical professionals, no one could pinpoint the root of my ailment. This drove me to embark on my own research journey.

Simultaneously, in my chiropractic practice, I found myself discussing the same foundational health principles with my patients daily. I realized that these recurring conversations were essential, time-tested truths about health that everyone should know. So, I
thought, why not encapsulate these lessons and my personal journey into a resource that can be easily accessed and revisited?
That’s how “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!” came to be, a guide born out of a deep personal and professional need to share the wisdom of holistic health.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!’?

A6. Crafting “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!” took me about six months. Balancing my responsibilities as a chiropractor with writing didn’t always provide the luxury of extended, uninterrupted writing sessions. Moreover, interweaving research into the process extended the timeline slightly. Had it been purely about writing, I suspect it would have been completed much sooner. However, the real challenge arose in the editing phase and the hunt for the right person to format it. Every step was a labor of love and commitment to the message I was eager to share.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Great question! Right now, readers can grab ‘The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!’ in both paperback and Kindle formats directly on Amazon.

But there’s more exciting news: a hardcover edition is just around the corner and should be hitting Amazon’s shelves in a few short weeks!

For those who prefer a digital touch, a PDF version is up for grabs on my clinic’s website at http://www.CommunityChiropracticPS.com. And keep an eye out — I’m brewing something special with a dedicated website solely for the book, coming soon at http://www.7StepsToAmazingHealth.com.Be sure to bookmark it!

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!’?

A8. Ah, the journey of settling on that title and the book cover was quite a memorable one! When I began writing the book, I had a clear vision: I wanted to distill health into manageable steps that everyone could understand and implement. As I wrote, it became
evident that there were seven pivotal elements that acted as cornerstones for achieving optimal health.

That’s how the title, ‘The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!’ was born. It was concise, indicative, and straightforward – I wanted readers to know instantly that the book was both actionable and transformative.

As for the cover, I worked closely with a talented graphic designer. We went through numerous iterations. I wanted the cover to be eye-catching but also to evoke a sense of wellness and positivity. We finally landed on the current design, which I think beautifully encapsulates the essence of the book. It’s simple, clean, and to the point, just like the steps inside!

The process was collaborative and a lot of fun, but it also made me appreciate the importance of every little detail that goes into publishing a book. And let me tell you, choosing a cover is like choosing an outfit for a first date—you want to put your best foot forward!

It’s been heartening to hear feedback from readers who felt drawn to the book because of its cover and title. After all, they say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest, we all do sometimes!

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

A9. For me, maintaining freshness throughout the book was quite organic because of my genuine passion for research.

At times, this very enthusiasm made the writing process a tad longer, as I’d find myself delving deep into intriguing research tangents. It wasn’t about achieving perfection in the information but more about indulging in my love for gaining knowledge.

However, I was conscious about not overloading the readers with jargon or overly detailed research. My aim was to keep the content light, yet informative, ensuring it resonated with readers.

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

A10. The most profound piece of advice I’ve ever received about writing is, “Write from the heart, and the right people will resonate with it.” That resonated with me deeply because when you’re genuine in your intentions and you genuinely want to help and inform people, it transcends the words on the page. It becomes a bridge between the reader and the writer, forming a deep connection.

I genuinely believe in the transformative power of “The 7 Steps to Amazing Health!”. Not just because I wrote it, but because of the lives I’ve seen it touch. Don’t just take my word for it though:

Stefani Marchesi, Actress / Model said about my book, “I was extremely grateful to receive a copy of ‘The Seven Steps to Amazing Health’ before I began training for an upcoming film. The results exceeded my expectations. I would
recommend this book to anyone.”

Similarly, the talented Adrienne Janic, Actress/Host/Model shared her insights, saying, “Not only is, ‘The 7 Steps To Amazing Health’ motivating, but I realized that simple changes in the way we live can dramatically change our health and happiness for the better. This book is a must-read. I was hooked from page one. I wish it was around years ago!”

I’ve poured my heart, soul, and a lifetime of research and practice into this book. It’s not just about guiding readers to better health but showing them the profound difference that these seven steps can make in their lives. If you’re on the fence about picking it up, let the experiences of others guide you. I hope to inspire and accompany you on your journey to unparalleled wellness.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me today and for allowing me to share my book and work with your readers.

Buy The 7 Steps to Amazing Health on Amazon

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Interview with author Winsor Smith

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

My name is Winsor Smith, I’m a union construction worker and have lived in New England my entire life. I’m a true New Englander, I love our teams, I take pride in my work, and have plenty of sarcasm to go around.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Joe 6 Pack Straightens Out”?

The biggest challenges were allowing myself to be completely transparent and vulnerable. My goal was to be relatable and approachable without sounding condescending or as if I had all the answers.

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

For me the most relatable people were comedians and musicians, not so much true authors. A lot of what I’ve read are memoirs or accounts from celebrities, like Dave Grohl and Tom Segura.

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

I love the southwest part of the country, Utah and Colorado in particular. I love the diversity of the landscape out there. You can be in snowcapped mountains then drive 6 hours and be surrounded by buttes in the barren red desert.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Joe 6 Pack Straightens Out’?

What inspired me to write the book were the amount of conversations I had with people who were in a similar position as I was in – habitually drinking and in need to regain control of their vices. I hadn’t realized how many people found themselves stuck in a rut like I was without any advice.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Joe 6 Pack Straightens Out’?

Writing my notes took me a month – the duration of the sober challenge, but it took me probably 3 months to put something together I was willing to present to someone.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Readers can buy my paperback and E book on Amazon.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Joe 6 Pack Straightens Out’?

I wanted the cover to represent my blue collar construction background, hence the welder. I wanted some reference to drinking, so I thought the neon lights was a clever way to do that.

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

This is my first book, so I hope it’s fresh! I did want the book to have an arc to the journey, as well as a positive outlook.

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

An author friend of mine encouraged me to write using my voice, or in other words just be myself. If I was to try and come off as an expert or something I’m not, the message will be lost.

Buy Joe 6 Pack Straightens Out on Amazon

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Interview with author Theresa Gage

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

I am Theresa Gage and I live in Washington state with my spouse and our two dogs, Joey, (a Chihuahua) and Luke, (a min-pin). When I’m not engrossed in my writing or reading a good book, you’ll find me working in my flower and vegetable garden. I’ve written articles for Working Writer and ezine.com and had short stories published through Art Ascent Magazine and Rumpus Magazine. I recently retired as a nurse.

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

My key challenge was to slow down and think of scenes instead of chapters. I knew what I wanted to write, but trying to keep the pacing just right and continue with the storyline was the challenge. I took some classes from the writing coach and podcast host, Kevin T. Johns, which really helped me.

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

Terry Brooks influenced my fantasy writing with his Shannara series, but there are newer authors that I love their writing style too, such as Emma Hamm, Stephanie Mayer, A. G. Howard, and Brigid Kemmerer. A. G. Howard’s different world of Alice in Wonderland is amazing.

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

I like to travel, but nothing compares to Mt. Rainer’s beauty in Washington state.

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

What inspired me to write the book “Tangle with Fire” was the disrespect my younger daughter showed to her grandmothers when they lived with us. They both had Alzheimer’s. Everyone deserves respect. Then I thought back to my childhood and how I was always the responsible one, while my brother lied and played pranks. Ideas started flowing and I came up with this story.

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

It took me two years to get it the way I wanted it. I had joined a critique group which helped to see my mistakes and what worked and what didn’t.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

My book is available in softcover print and eBook by Book baby. Soon it is coming out on audible as well. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/tangle-with-fire. Amazon and Barnes & Nobles have it on eBook. In print come October.

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

I wanted something with fire for the book cover and the designer did a great job. My main character, Aidan, has magical abilities using fire.

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

I try to make things exciting or intriguing.

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

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to see things through my character’s eyes. How would they feel if something happened. Everyone is different and sees and feels things differently from others.

Buy Tangle With Fire on Amazon

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Interview with author Michael A. Cimino

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

My name is Michael Cimino. No… not the famous movie director of The Deer Hunter fame, or the handsome young actor from Las Vegas (laughs).

I’m an ex-radio announcer and music journalist from New Jersey who happens to earn a living as a sommelier in upstate New York’s wine country. Oh, and by the way, I am the author of three books; Music Head – A Memoir of Purpose, Badfinger and Beyond – The Biography of Joey Molland, and A Beginner’s Guide to Wine.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Music Head – A Memoir of Purpose”?

Probably, the biggest challenge was going through the hundreds of hours of tape recordings that much of the book is based upon. When I was working in the music business I had the opportunity to interview, many famous musicians and I captured all of the interviews on cassette tapes.

Transferring many of the old tapes to the digital format took a lot of time, and then, of course, picking which interviews and what parts of the interviews to use in the book was a challenge as I wanted them to have a cohesive flow in order to not only tell the musicians’ stories but the story of music history as well.

Several of the stars I spoke with were instrumental in the founding of Rock and Roll, and are still stars today; like Roger McGuinn, who founded the very influential group The Byrds in the 1960’s, Gregg Rolie from Journey and Santana, and Pete Best, who was The Beatles’ original drummer.

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

The books that influenced me throughout my life are actually listed in the bibliography of Music Head, but it is hard to tell if any of those authors actually influenced my personal writing style.

I think, the person who did influence the way I write was one of the people who was invited to teach the class on Australian wines when I was studying at the Sommelier Society of America. After his presentation I asked him a very simple question about Australia’s climate and he went off on this tangent for, like, twenty minutes and by the time he was done I was so confused that I don’t think he actually answered my question.

So from that time on I told myself that whenever I was communicating, whether it was educating someone about a wine, or writing about a musician, I would never ‘speak over people’s heads.’

I think reading and writing should be fun and educational, not some academic chore that one needs to complete. I also think that song lyrics have influenced me just as much as poetry and prose.

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

Most definitely, the Finger Lakes wine district in upstate New York. Honestly, I didn’t even know the Finger Lakes existed until I started studying wine. When I first visited the area it was to learn about winemaking and the growing grapes. Then I fell in love with the area and New York wines.

Whenever I was in the Finger Lakes I felt a part of something much bigger. A community of people working within an industry that brings us all together. Wine can do that. So can music. It feels a bit different now that I live here full time, but it is still my favorite place.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Music Head – A Memoir of Purpose’?

They say, and I don’t know who ‘they’ are, but it has been said that everyone should leave something behind for the rest of the world to remember them by after they’re gone. Some people have children who carry their lineage forward, some create art. I wrote a book that contains music history but it also contains my legacy. I touched upon this subject in the early part of the book.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Music Head – A Memoir of Purpose’?

All of my life, practically! The idea has been floating around in my head for decades. When I was younger I was a scrap booker, and had all of these binders full of photos and concert ticket stubs and other memorabilia from my life. I always thought it would be cool to put together a definitive scrap book for my family.

Then, after I started seriously writing in the 1990’s, I thought to put together an autobiography of some sort. After editing the 10 year anniversary edition of my wine book in 2019 I began to compile the stories that make up Music Head, and then on winter break last January I completed it for the most part.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

All of my books are available on Amazon.com. Other than that, there are a very small handful of shops in the Finger Lakes area that have supported my books.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Music Head – A Memoir of Purpose’?

Originally the book was going to be called Casual Conversations about Rock and Roll, but as it evolved I discovered that the book was really as much about me as it was about the musicians I was writing about, and that changed everything.

Throughout the book, and my life, I have continuously questioned ‘what is my purpose in this world?’ And, ‘who am I?’ Well, music has been the driving force throughout my whole life, so I am a ‘music head,’ and it seems I have found my purpose. It’s all in the book, of course.

As for the cover, my fiancée Debbie always loved the picture she took of me one winter day while I was sitting at my desk working on something. I had a full beard at the time, which is not my norm, and she suggested we use that. She said I looked like a writer! I guess it was my Finding Forester period!

I had the idea to use shiny black as the background in homage to The Beatles’ early singles on the Apple Records label and do the back cover print in the same color of green that The Beatles used. The green didn’t really work out that great so we changed it to gold. Deb used to work in magazine design. We worked on the cover together.

Q9. What would you say is your strength as a writer?

I think this harkens back to what I said about ‘who influenced my writing.’ I like to keep things simple and not try to impress anyone with overly flamboyant statements, or overly wordy passages.

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

I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten any advice about writing. I certainly can’t recall anyone giving me any advice, but there are two things that spring to mind.

One is a line in the screenplay of The Last Emperor by Bernardo Betolucci. In the movie version he has Peter O’Toole say the line ‘words are important because they say what you mean, and a gentleman should always mean what he says.’ I have always found that statement to be very profound.

The other thing is; I’ve always believed that the universe has a plan. Why I wound up being a writer, I really don’t know, but surely everything happens for a reason.

Buy Music Head: A Memoir of Purpose on Amazon

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Interview with author Nigel and Laura Bloomfield

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourselves? Readers would love to know more about the two of you.

Nigel- Absolutely! Thank you for speaking with us! I’m Nigel. My wife and I wrote The Happy Giraffe Budget which talks about our experience of creating a completely new way to budget and manage money. I’m sure we’ll talk more about that later though.

We have 3 kids and it seems like most of our time is spent just trying to keep up with them!

Laura- I feel like we are pretty boring people… Nigel has a 9-5 job, I’m a stay at home mom, we live in Utah, we play board games for fun… but then I think about our 19 years of marriage as a whole and we’ve had some exciting and challenging experiences along the way. We’ve lived in 15 homes, Nigel graduated from 2 different universities, we had miscarriages and a stillborn, traveled, filed bankruptcy, owned a restaurant, wrote a book, created a non-profit, we drive an electric fiat that looks like a coke zero car… that definitely makes us sound more exciting than we really are.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Happy Giraffe Budget”?

Nigel- Well I’m pretty sure I was Laura’s biggest challenge! I wrote a lot of the guts of the book. My writing style is really boring though. So she had her work cut out for her, to turn what I wrote into something people would want to read.

The other big challenge was that neither of us are really writers. I deal with spreadsheets and finances for work. So just getting this all written down and organized was a big task. I would go to local writing classes to learn, but it was obvious that I didn’t fit in. Everyone else was in love with writing. I just wanted to write this one book. But we worked through it. Laura’s work is really what made the book amazing.

Laura- I’d say my biggest challenge was just finding time to do it! When we started this project, I had three little kids and a thousand responsibilities. It was hard to find time that I wanted to spend on editing a book. But we had this idea that we really felt like it could help others, so we wanted to share it. That and seeing Nigel work so hard and have this dream encouraged me to eventually make the time to write it.

Q3. What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Laura- My parents are amazing teachers. They didn’t teach school, but they taught us in our home and taught us at church. My dad taught seminars at certain points in his career, too. I remember that my dad was going to be teaching a seminar in Las Vegas on my 12th birthday, so my parents took me with them on the trip. As the 6th of 8 children, it was exciting to get my parents to myself, even if it was to sit through business meetings all day! But I watched my dad captivate a room full of businessmen/women and professionals. He was entertaining and exciting, and yet informative and helpful. Even I was interested in what he was saying! I realized that using words could be powerful, and that I wanted to do that, too. To be able to change lives with my words.

Nigel- For me it was high school english with Mr. Lyons. He made reading and writing so incredibly interesting. Well written works had so much meaning and…power, as you put it. We analyzed poems and books of all kinds. I’m always grateful that he taught in a way that opened up a whole world of thinking differently.

Q4. What inspired you to write the book “The Happy Giraffe Budget”?

Nigel- I’ll let Laura talk about how we came up with the Happy Giraffe name! In the book we tell our story about how we failed at budgeting many times until we had this idea that ended up working really well for us.

As we talked to other people and looked around, we realized that we had come up with something very unique. I couldn’t find anyone who managed their money or did a budget like we did. We also realized that a lot of people struggle with budgeting. It’s hard to figure out! So we started to feel like it was really important to write this book and help others learn from our experience.

Laura- Like Nigel said, we just really want to help people. We felt like we had experiences that helped us overcome the battle of budgeting and we wanted to share that with others. My grandpa would say “leave people better than how you found them” and I try to do that in my life. Finances are so hard, and I was once so terrible at them. I know how this one aspect of your life can affect everything! If I can help even one person figure that out and live a better life, then it was all worth it.

In processing through how to do that in the most interesting way (because let’s face it… budgeting is not interesting!), we were drawn to the format of “Who Moved My Cheese,” where it’s an almost childlike story and then you pull principles from it. Being that giraffes are born awesome, it seemed like the best animal to use as a main character, and the rest fell in place after that.

Q5. I understand the book is linked to a nonprofit? Tell me how that came about.

Nigel- Yeah! That’s a little different! As we got close to finishing the book we were talking about how to get this out into the world. How do we publish the book and how do we follow it up with teaching and helping people?

We found that most people who teach about budgeting actually charge a lot of money to do it! That felt really wrong to us. These are people who are already having financial troubles. They need help, but it seems like the wrong time to take more money from them.

So we decided to create a nonprofit and help as volunteers. Which has been such a great decision. The hardest part has been convincing people that the help really is free! We have free spreadsheets and everything else people need on HappyGiraffe.org.

Laura- It’s true… we’ve had friends encourage us to charge for our spreadsheets or our services, but that just doesn’t seem right to us. Plus, there’s this cool feeling when you find out how many thousands of people have downloaded your spreadsheet or how someone has been affected by reading your book, that makes you want to keep working and keep helping. Those rewards wouldn’t seem so empowering if they had a dollar sign attached to them.

Q6. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Laura- This is not a good question for me… I actually hate self help books! Actually, I think the only one I’ve made it all the way through was by Brene Brown, so let’s go with her. John Bytheway and Hank Smith are also authors/teachers that have greatly influenced my teaching style, and therefore my writing style.

Nigel- Apparently college text books have had the most influence on how I write! I just want to get the facts all out there. No fluff. I liked school that way. You just study and memorize!

Q7 What’s your favorite spot to visit? And what makes it so special to you?

Nigel- I love Reno and Carson City, Nevada. That’s where I met Laura. I was working a summer job and I installed the satellite dish for her and her roommates. Best summer of my life! I came home broke and married!

Laura- I love Carson City/Reno/Tahoe as well. But not because I’m a romantic like Nigel… I just love going to my favorite childhood hangouts and restaurants, and seeing my favorite people.

Q8. On what platforms can readers buy your book?

Nigel- The physical and ebook versions are on Amazon. We just released the audiobook version too! We did that one a little differently so it is also available on Barnes and Noble, I was really excited about that one, and lots of other places.

Ask your local library to get it! We made it cheap for them so more people could have access to it.

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

Laura- I don’t know if it was advice as much as reprimanding, but when I was in 6th grade my best friend ended up going to a different middle school than me. This was back in the 90s, and sagging your pants had just become a thing, and trying to fit in as an awkward 12 year old, I made an effort to sag my corduroy pants and show off a bit of my plaid boxers. The next time I hung out with my friend I told her about what I had done. She simply looked at me and said “why?” That simple question to my simple mind threw me that day, and I’ve tried to consider it with everything I do since. Why am I doing something or acting a certain way or living a certain way? And if there’s not a good, healthy, answer that involves respecting me and respecting those around me, then I try not to do that thing. Obviously I’m not perfect at it, but I do try to govern my life by the simple question of “why?”

Nigel- That’s a hard question. I like what Laura said! A big change in my life was when I realized that money wasn’t going to fix everything and it isn’t the measure of success. A lot of people have told me that, but I’m glad it eventually sunk in just how true that is.

Q10. What’s next for you? Are you writing more books?

Nigel- I think this was our one book! At least for me! I’ll keep my day job. But I’m hoping to keep growing the nonprofit and help people budget happier! I’m ok that it doesn’t make us any money at all. It’s nice to have something to work on that feels meaningful.

Laura- I agree, maybe not more books… unless we do some type of kids book version. I’d love to help kids understand money better, too. But next is starting up our classes for the non-profit and just moving forward with our crazy lives!

Buy The Happy Giraffe Budget on Amazon

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