Category: Author Interview

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Interview with author Mark Bolton

Q1. PLEASE can you introduce yourself to readers who would love to know more about you?

I’m Mark Bolton. I’m 55, married and live in Tampa, Florida USA. I was born and raised in the north of England in modest circumstances and worked hard to escape my rural upbringing and get an education in London where I graduated from City University in 1990. I spent most of the next 30 years working in investment banking and consulting in New York, London, Hong Kong and Mexico City.

Along the way, I took a five-year career break in the movie industry and that’s what brought me to Los Angeles in 2005 where I met my third (and best) wife, Jody. I’ve been resident in the US pretty much ever since. Jody came with a stepson and a stepdaughter a darling cat called Ozzy. My stepson was already a grown man when I first met him, but my stepdaughter was 11 and so she has been a huge part of my life and I have hers for the last 17 years.

Q2. What were the key challenges you face while writing your book?

The Gen Z money manual mastering our new economy.
One challenge was ensuring that I was addressing the top issues that mattered to Gen Z. I undertook extensive research both online and talking with my own family and others from Gen Z, millennials and their parents’ generation and my own – Gen X. In my last consulting job, I was deeply involved with helping companies better understand Gen Z to design products and services that would appeal to them. There are many organizations that publish good Gen Z research and I read voraciously the output of banks, consulting firms, marketing agencies and others synthesizing this research to give me what I believe to be the top challenges for Gen Z. I then tested this theory on social media by analyzing popular hashtags around Gen Z related financial issues to come up with my hit list of topics for the book.

The second challenge was that as a first-time author, although having written many hundreds of documents, and probably thousands of pages in my corporate life I never had to sit down and turn out a 200-page book in one sitting. As I like to make use of the very latest technologies, I made an early decision to dictate the book (on otter.ai – which, by the way, I also used for this interview) and then edit it. This turned out to be a disaster because the quality of the ramblings that poured from my mouth while sitting in the car or on a hike or at home was simply not good enough to be committed to print. So, the next stage that was supposed to be the edit therefore effectively became an entire rewrite of the book.

The third challenge was that at a point in my life when I was taking a career break, there was still the need to earn an income for family and home. And there were times when I was concerned over how long it was taking to write the book and how difficult it might prove to earn a return on that time. The phrase “vanity project” flickered into my head and it’s one that I’m deeply sensitive to avoid. Indeed, I hope I have avoided it by delivering a book that while certainly not Shakespeare does the job of addressing the key challenges and provides multiple practical solutions, tools, analytical approaches and links to useful websites and applications.

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

I’m a lifelong avid reader and have amassed a collection of several thousand books over my lifetime. So having read everything from Charlotte Bronte to Ralph Waldo Emerson to Shakespeare to Jeffrey Archer and back it’s tricky for me to pinpoint specific books or writers. However, Martin Amis comes to mind as a writer, whose novels and semi-autobiographical books I comprehensively enjoyed throughout my 30s and 40s. While I do still try to read fiction, sadly, much of my reading today is confined to practical nonfiction and in that respect a handful of publications, books and authors stand out. Mark Manson’s is a lot of fun to read and in an irreverent, challenging style that I very much enjoy. There is also a writer from the UK called Colin Turner who wrote Born to Succeed, a book that was immensely influential on me in my 30s and positioned me for a great deal of success in my career and business – he’s an inspiration that I mention in my book. More regularly, I’m an avid reader of the Economist magazine as I love the style of crisp, informative facts based but witty writing that is all too rare. I have tried my best to replicate some of that in my book. Though I declare in my defense that it’s my first effort and I’m certain I can do better next time!

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

I’m both a US and the UK citizen and consider both countries home.
So, in the US my answer has to be Los Angeles and in particular, my favorite restaurant, which is called Geoffrey’s in Malibu. It has beautiful views over the rooftops south to the Pacific, is always comfortable with a gentle breeze, good service and good food. I love driving on the Pacific Coast Highway and I owned only convertible cars when I lived in Los Angeles. I miss the ability to have the roof down almost every day of the year. I’m very much an outside lifestyle person. I like to exercise outside – cycling, hiking, tennis – Los Angeles is extremely conducive to that lifestyle due to its delightful climate, low levels of humidity and rain and an absence of extreme weather.

My other quick answer will be the north coast of Cornwall, England – which by the way, looks much like the north coast of California. It has towering cliffs, spectacular sandy beaches, huge surf, mile after mile of stunning vistas and the cleanest blue water I’ve ever seen. It’s also complemented by great places to stay and many fabulous restaurants serving some of the best seafood in the world.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book the Gen Z money manual mastering our new economy?

I had the opportunity to take another career break this year and I wanted to do something important and worthwhile and potentially pivot towards ultimately becoming a full-time author. So, I wrote this book from what I’d seen and learned in my own family to help Gen Z kids around the country and around the world. Navigate is a complicated and confusing part of moving from teen hood to adulthood.

Q6. How long did it take you to write the book?

As I mentioned before, I made the error of dictating my book and it took me around six weeks to dictate the entire book. However, it took another six weeks to completely rewrite the book. So really, it should have taken six weeks in total to write the book to the point of the first edit but it actually took 12.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Besides being an author I’m also a businessman. So, I own my own publishing company Transform Media. We have a couple of books published including the one that I’ve just authored and they’re all available on Amazon in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy. Spain, and also in Australia and New Zealand. All my books are also part of the Amazon Expanded Distribution program so are available through wholesale channels for distribution to books stores, libraries and others throughout the world.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title.

I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to do something fairly big and fairly creative and I thought it might be a book. I threw around hundreds of ideas given my broad and deep career across financial services, entertainment consulting and elsewhere.

I wrote these up onto the whiteboard in my office and spent hours looking and thinking at each one to determine if that was something that I really felt that the world needed more information on that particular topic and I would be adding value to the pool of human knowledge. Of the few ideas that did, only a handful had the power to help large numbers of people. So, once I’d worked through all of those ideas that remained, I was fairly certain that writing a book to help Gen Z was the way to go. There are many broad areas in life that young people need help and support with health and wellness, relationships, career management as well as financial management. Given my professional background and deep knowledge of the financial sector – I’m having experienced or have family members experience many of the challenges that Gen Z faced. It was the most obvious first book to write in what will become a series under the umbrella ‘Don’t F*ck It Up’ (“DFIU”). The original title of the book was just ‘Money’ but I worked with a marketing consultant to select a title and subtitle to be both clear and appealing to the people that will most benefit from the book. ‘Mastering Our New Economy’ is a phrase that I hope resonates. In a very short period, we’ve moved to an almost all digital economy accelerated of course by the pandemic. Over the last 15 years, unknown to most of the public Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has been growing in use deep in the bowels of business processes – virtually invisible to the end customer. But chat GPT and Bard, in particular, have changed this and there has been an explosion of end user AI tools, applications services business models. That is a key part of our new economy.

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

I learned in writing this book that timely anecdotes are a great way to illustrate a point, especially if they are prescient and witty. I can’t guarantee it but as much as I possibly can my future books will take this on board using more stories that illustrate points far more visually than just the plain advice on a page. It’s also a lot more fun to write witty anecdotes than bland text about credit scores or something dry like that!

Q 10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

I think it’s the guidance to keep your writing short funny and on point.
There’s a great temptation to show how much effort went into the production of a book by writing an immense amount of text – this particularly applies to self-help nonfiction books. Now I’m not talking about fiction here, where the arc of the story is important. But what I think matters is the value of the information contained within and frankly that doesn’t have to make it a 400-page book. However, there is a balance to be struck because readers need explanation. And bluntly when you’re paying $6 or $7 for a Kindle book and $15 to $25 for soft back to hardback then readers tend to expect a minimum number of pages. They expect the writer to have done some work in articulating clearly their ideas and expanding upon them. So, 30 pages isn’t going to cut it. Yet striking that balance between brevity/clarity and value measured by page count is a balancing trick that every writer and every editor has to perform every time they write.

Buy The Gen Z Money Manual on Amazon

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Interview with author Mary Pat Ferron Canes

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

I am the eldest of six children, the oldest of 36 Ferron cousins and the oldest girl of the forty six cousins who are descendants of the O’Donnell Clan written about in the book, Dark Queen of Donegal. So,I have 80 first cousins. I love being from a big family and the closeness to Grandparents , cousins and joy of many family reunions, Baptisms, holidays, birthday parties and much more.

I love my husband, my children and my wonderful grandchildren many of whom have gone to Ireland and visited Donegal Castle.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dark Queen of Donegal”?

One The most significant challenges I dealt with related to “Dark Queen of Donegal”, Ineen, who is more and more a warrior queen. Her husband, the king, became senile which left the kingship in her hands, especially after their prophesied son was kidnapped and held hostage by Elizabeth 1. These are true facts found in writings from 16th century Ireland, State Papers of Elizabeth l and Scotland.

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

Mary Pat Kelly inspired me very strongly, especially her best seller
“ Gallway Bay”. Others are Morgan Llywelyn, “Lion of Ireland”, a best seller, Annals of the Four Masters, C S Lewis, “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”, James Joyce, “The Dubliners”, Margret Mitchell, “Gone With the Wind”, Sigret Undest , “ Kristin Lavranstratter, “ and many more.

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

There are three most important places. The first is my present home of 45 years where we raised our children and have had many grandchildren visits and two other places, important growing up – where I was born in Minnesota and my Grandmother’s farm in Painsville Ohio where so many happy times occurred.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dark Queen of Donegal’?

The most significant reasons are the tales my Grandmother of the O’Donnell Clan told about our family heritage going back to when I was six years old. Writing my graduate degree in Ireland inspired me and later I realized that Ineen, the Dark Queen, was not acclaimed down the ages in her role in saving her heroic son.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book “Dark Queen of Donegal‘“

In many ways, I was writing about it for years in my head from the time my Grandmother, born in 1888, told about her royal blood. Later and after graduate school, I began writing about Ineen’s heroic son. Only in more recent years did I realized the significance of the mother’s role in saving her son from Elizabeth l.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Masters Book Store in Donegal, Ireland, Kenney ‘s in Ireland and Book Stores In UK. I have learned that books have been bought in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Canada, and the USA. So the book can reach most countries.

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

I worked with two artists for the book cover and they worked together and sent me various options so that the cover would represent 16th century Ireland and a dramatic view of “The Dark Daughter”. The title came about because I wanted to have the word “Dark “ in it. Dark is important for those who viewed Ineen , dark, and for me because Ineen’s father nicknamed her“Dark Daughter”.

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

To keep things fresh, I continue to read about Irish Books and Magazines, play Irish movies and I keep in touch with people in Ireland and those Irish in the United States. I especially look for new information, hoping this book becomes a Screen Play.

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

Keep going and don’t give up.

Buy Dark Queen of Donegal on Amazon

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Interview with author Perry Quayle

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

I’m Perry, the artist and writer behind the “Floof n’ Feathers” webcomic series, as well as the creator behind the series’ self-published book of cartoons,”Floof n’ Feathers: Misadventures of Mischievous Pets.”

  1. What is your inspiration behind your book “Floof n’ Feathers: Misadventures of Mischievous Pets”?

I’ve been publishing my internet comic series for several years now. The comics follow the misadventures of three pet siblings – a pair of dogs named Finnegan and Pippin, and their cockatoo sister Oliva. The series is heavily inspired by our real-life pets, with varying degrees of exaggeration of course for comedic effect. After writing and drawing the series for several years, I recently decided to go about self publishing a collection of comics from the series so far and hopefully reach an even wider audience of new readers.

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

I’d like to think I’ve always had a desire to create and tell stories. I’ve been drawing and using visual storytelling most of my life. I can’t even count how many times when I was young that I would spend my time coming up with yet another new original, short comic book instead of doing my homework, and would use the printer at my mom’s office to run off copies for my friends at school. I was probably responsible for my that office department going over-budget on supplies on more than one occasion with all of their copier paper I must have used up over the years.

  1. Please tell us something about your book “Floof n’ Feathers: Misadventures of Mischievous Pets”?

If you’re someone who has pets of your own and have ever wondered what might be going through their mind, or if you’re even just someone who loves animals like I do and all of their goofy, everyday antics, I think you’ll enjoy “Misadventures of Mischievous Pets” very much.

  1. For which age group is your book “Floof n’ Feathers: Misadventures of Mischievous Pets” suitable for?

My book is suitable for all ages.

  1. What is your favorite Quote?

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” – Douglas Adams

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

I grew up taking long road trips with my family to the western and southwestern U.S. I’ll always have a nostalgic place in my heart for mountains, national parks, and all the unique geological oddities scattered around the country.

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

Speaking from my own childhood experience, one of the best ways to help nurture a strong reading habit at a young age is to surround kids with easy access to a variety of books they’ll find interesting. Give them the kinds of books they’ll want to read. My first “novel” I ever read was the first in Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series way back when I was just six years old, and I can tell you it 100% paved the way for not only my lifelong love of reading, but was also a huge spark for my own creative spirit throughout my life.

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

There’s the old cliché of “ write what you know,” but I think that piece of advice has been around for so long because of how true it is. Almost every story line for my comics are inspired somehow by recent real-life events involving our pets at home. I would like to think one of my strenghts is being able to see the unique humor in those kinds of mundane, everyday occurrences and turning them into something entertaining and memorable.

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

Along with the real-life counterparts of the “Floof n’ Feathers” cast, I’d like to thank my wife Nicole for being my biggest inspiration. These cartoons, and by extension this book, truly would not exist without her continued support and insight.

Buy Floof n’ Feathers: Misadventures of Mischievious Pets on Amazon

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Interview with author Jeanette Perez Hernandez

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

My name is Jeanette Perez Hernandez and I recently became a published author. I am excited to see where this adventure takes me. I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ and I graduated from Cholla High School, joined Marines immediately after, I then went on to graduate from Pima Community College with a liberal Arts degree and also from Pima Medical Institute, where I earned an AS in Radiological Sciences. I have been a Radiologic Technologist for 18 years now at the Tucson VA, serving our nations heroes. I am also an extremely proud momma, veteran, and Latter Day Saint and a follower of Christ. I love to read and I am working on a Theology Bachelor’s degree through Grand Canyon University. I hope to serve as a chaplain someday.

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

Challenges to writing my book was trying to figure out how to engage reader and not have my story be too wordy, lengthy, and or boring!

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

I love to read all kinds of books, but for sure lately, “Blessed and Unstoppable, Your Blueprint For Success,” by Dr. Billy Alsbrooks, his words made my dreaming of publishing a book to actually bringing and manifesting it into reality. Shout out to Dr. Billy Alsbrooks!

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

Favorite place to visit, the Grand Canyon, it is so immense, beautiful, and takes your breath away. When I saw it for the first time, I literally gasped. It is the most spiritual and awe-inspiring place in the entire world in my opinion. I am reminded of how small in the grand scheme of things are and how large and God is; he in charge and not us.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘An Everlasting Truth’?

I started writing the book as a way of healing all the trials, traumas, and tribulations that life had thrown at me. Then slowly but surely, it became a healing process for my soul and I realized that it may help someone else who had similar story or needed a push to share their own story. I realized how I had healed through the process and was hoping someone else may be liberated from a painful past through my story or perhaps, inspire someone to share their own.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘An Everlasting Truth’?

I began writing my personal thoughts at around the age of 28, I finally put thoughts together in one single form at 43, took total from beginning to end 15 years I suppose.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Readers can buy my book on all sites: Amazon, Christian Reads, my site, http://www.jeanettephernandez.com, through publishing house, TrilogyChristianPublishing.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Wal-Mart.com.

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

I love the color blue, particularly the shade of a Robin’s egg; it is my absolute favorite, and I wanted to express that on to my cover, which publishing house did an amazing job of creating my wish into reality. I also love the golden wisdom of the Word of God, that is why I chose gold letters, and I wanted feathers in the cover as well, reminds me not to take myself so seriously and also as a tribute to the angels that God sends to us for guidance, protection, and that surround us daily.

An Everlasting Truth was inspired by Jesus Christ because he is they way, the truth and the life and His Word is endless, everlasting.

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

I am inspired to help others daily; I put down on paper my thoughts and I want others to understand how my thought process and God allow me to be inspired on a daily basis. A healthy mindset is very important. I like to think that I may be able to simplify for others what I once thought was super complicated and can now easily discern. I hope and like to think my readers appreciate that.

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

Never give up on your dream book! Keep it in the forefront of your mind until it manifests itself into reality!

Buy An Everlasting Truth on Amazon

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Interview with author N.H. King

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

Yes, sure. My name is Neil and I grew up in Penzance, where the book is set. I’ve lived all over the UK, but my home is currently in Torquay, Devon. I live with my long-term girlfriend, two teenage children (one boy, one girl) and two black cats!

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

The main challenge was fitting in writing with all the demands of working and raising a family. In fact, I started writing the Imagining Wall decades ago and the manuscript has been heavily edited since those early days.

In terms of writing itself, the biggest challenge has been dealing with pov changes. It is tough to switch pov within a scene, and I try to do it as little as possible. I’ve had to learn how to achieve this without disorienting the reader. I hope I’ve managed it!

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

That’s a tough question because I am a really eclectic reader. I can read absolutely anything and enjoy it. I also like to think that life and the creative energy of the universe influence me more than anything I’ve read.

Having said that, the way the ‘Celestine Prophecy’, by James Redfield, straddled the boundary between the mundane world and spiritual reality had a powerful influence. However, the Imagining Wall is definitely more plot-driven and covers more diverse traditions than many Visionary Fiction titles. Another influence would be Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy. Again, it’s that blending of the familiar world with something much bigger. Will’s Oxford is similar to Amber’s Penzance in that way.

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

Anywhere remote where the connection with the spiritual is most tangible. The Imagining Wall is set in West Penwith which includes magical places like Lamorna and St. Buryan. Further north you have Bodmin Moor, Boscastle and other places where the veil between the worlds seems thin.

Aside from Cornwall, the Yorkshire Dales are beautiful, and then there’s North Wales and the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. I’ve been to Ireland once, another place steeped in Celtic history, and I really must get to Scotland one day!

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Imagining Wall’?

I have always been fascinated with the intersection of belief systems. Having grown up in a place with a rich folklore, and having had so many numinous experiences throughout my life, paganism, witchcraft and shamanism have always fascinated me. On the other hand, I studied science and achieved a Psychology degree, so I understand the workings of the mind and how we experience the world around us from a scientific angle too. Then we have the patriarchal religions, occult traditions, etc., all with their own angles. I wanted to write a story that could make sense through any of the characters’ unique lenses. I also wanted to inspire readers to explore different traditions, so there are hints of all sorts of belief systems scattered throughout it.

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

Put it this way: if I knew how long it would take me to get it published, I would never have picked up the pen! I started the Imagining Wall before my eldest was born, so that’s over 18 years at least.

I joined a peer review group after finishing my first draft and it was an eye-opener. Some people loved the story as it was, which was a great confidence booster! But most had constructive criticism. The amazing thing about peer review groups is that they pick up on the same issues. For me, it was a tendency to over-describe and to flit between pov. I then spent many years squeezing editing into a very busy life. Two years ago, I decided to knuckle down and finally get the book finished.

Readers shouldn’t worry though. The second book won’t take nearly as long to create. It’s called ‘Eight’ and I’m really excited to get my teeth into it.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

That’s easy – Amazon! At the moment, I’m exclusively selling via Amazon. You can get the Imagining Wall in paperback format or on Kindle. It’s also available via Kindle Unlimited for readers familiar with that programme.

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

Readers will have to get the book to understand where the title comes from. Suffice to say, it’s a central part of the story. The cover was designed by Kate Turner, a fantastic artist with lots of experience in cover design and typesetting. I wanted to represent the kingfisher – which plays an important part in the trilogy – as an energetic field while still making it recognisable. That’s where the mirror image concept came from. I also love what Kate’s done with the pillars on the back cover and the colour scheme itself is amazing. The concept was a pure collaboration but the execution is all Kate’s work!

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

Great question! My main source of inspiration is the creative source that comes directly from the universe, so I’m always tapping into fresh ideas. I structure the plot as I go, so I’m never tied into a formulaic pattern. I treat the characters as real people and think about how they would react to a situation, and I even ask them as if they were real people. Sometimes their answers surprise me, so I hope the reader feels that ‘aliveness’ too.

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

Be consistent with pov. If you jump from one character’s head into another’s without somehow indicating that switch, you will confuse them and that will break their engagement with the story. I’ve learned how to use ‘anchor objects’ and other literary devices to subtly say, ‘Hey, we’re moving from Amber’s headspace to Michael’s now, OK?’ Staying in pov also helps you to ‘method act’ your characters a lot better because you’re no longer half in one perspective and half in another.

Buy The Imagining Wall on Amazon

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Interview with author Thomas Lubben

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

My name is Tom Lubben.  I am a man in my 80s who has been married three times, twice to the same woman.   I have an extended family of 31 people living in 6 states.  I am beginning my 60th year in Education- and continue teaching in college.  I swallow 19 vitamins, in 4 gulps, every morning before my morning devotion.  Between the age of 60 and 75, I opened 4 Artistic Focused charter schools that today serve a combined 2,000 students and employ over 200 employees.  I began seriously writing in my 70’s and published three books (fiction and non-fiction) over the past three months.  My mystery series features amateur detective, BJ Gleeson.  Two have been published (Death on the Pines- 2022) (Death on the Bayou) with three more yet to come … and God’s not finished with me just yet.  My non-fiction, spiritual works include “A Year’s Journey” (A journal) and “The Eyewitnesses”, (An account of 10 major miracles of Jesus as observed by Bystanders and Eyewitnesses.)

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

None really, my faith in the Lord helped me through the process.

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

Actually, the Holy Bible was the major influence on my newest book.  Michael Connelly and David Baldacci are my favorite Mystery writers.  I also love the classics, Agatha Christie, and Sherlock Holmes.

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

I love visiting “water”, particularly the Jersey Shore.  I sense God’s power there.

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

I was inspired to lead more people to reading about Jesus.  People today are falling away from that belief.

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

From start to finish took about 6 months.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

It is available on Amazon, Lighthouse Christian Publishing, and will soon be available in multiple book stores.

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

The title was easy, Jesus didn’t just do his miracles alone, he was always around “regular people”.  These are their views of his miracles.  The cover was developed by the publisher.  I like it because is makes you wonder, “what is that person eye witnessing?

Also, a unique part of this particular book, I sent the preliminary chapters out to a wide variety of people for comments and suggestions.  They were members of my Friday morning bible group, several area pastors, and family members.   I utilized many of their suggestions in the final version.

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

At 82 I am still a lifelong learner, I am always reading, watching tv, and meeting with others.  This keeps me fresh.  I also enjoy public speaking.  I make myself available to a variety of community groups.

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

Writing can keep your mind engaged; it allows you to capture memories for others to see.  Also, just keep writing, even now, with 5 books published and three more ready to go, I am simultaneously working on three additional writing projects:  another mystery for my series (#6), another spiritual book, and a semi-autobiographical work.

Tom Lubben’s website: https://www.authors-lehigh-valley.com/   

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Interview with author Ryan McKinney

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

As you know, my name is Ryan. I went to undergrad for English Literature and Language, and completed my master’s degree in Cybersecurity earlier this year. I am married to a beautiful and supportive wife, Abigail, and have two cats that I would love to say are angels, but cats do be cats.

I’ve been writing essentially ever since I was able to comprehend a basic story structure. I was six when I wrote Finbur and the Lilly, a tight ten pages with full illustration about a scientist whose family was abducted so he used a flower to make a smoke bomb so he could save them. Riveting, really. After that, I wrote The Black Samurai and the Alien Invasion. I was a prodigy. If the sarcasm wasn’t evident, I will say that I have come a long way since my early attempts, but I lost the goal that I had back then: to enjoy what I wrote.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Neon Nothing”?

The primary challenge I faced was the impostor syndrome. Every writer faces it for different reasons; my reason was writing in the Cyberpunk genre.

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

I don’t think that there is a Cyberpunk author that can say they didn’t draw from Neuromancer – indirectly or not.

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

My favorite spot is, unfortunately, one I don’t get to visit often anymore, the Shakespeare Garden in Central Park West, right around 83rd street. From my little spot, I could see Belvedere Castle and the Turtle Pond. I had this very romantic notion of being a boy in Ireland, looking over the fields of my ancestors, and those things they built. So, having a place, in the middle of New York City, where I could sit and stare across a field at a castle was the greatest thing ever to me.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Neon Nothing’?

Dogs: Bullets and Carnage. In the manga, one of the main characters has a collar that is part of a “Spine of Kerberos”. I latched onto the concept and, over time, took that campaign and turned it into a story. That story went through three iterations before I arrived at something I can actually refer to as Neon Nothing.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Neon Nothing’?

I can give three different answers to this question that I feel are all true, however, I think the truest answer is twenty-one years. I was not born able to write like this. I was not this good of a writer when I was six, thirteen, or even twenty. I had to develop my skills over the course of a lifetime. So, in order for Neon Nothing – in order for anything I write from here forward – to come into being, those years were a part of that process.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Some others may come up, but those are the primary two that my publisher, Acorn, partners with.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Neon Nothing’?

I took inspiration for my cover from the likes of Akira, Altered Carbon, and the falling up scene from Into the Spiderverse. What brought this particular cover into being was the two main characters of the story, Key and Shio. On the cover, it is Key that is facing away. You can’t see his face because he can’t. He doesn’t know who he is, so we can’t see him. Shio, meanwhile, knows who he is, but is coming to be someone else over the course of the narrative. We can see his face, we know him, but he’s moving away – he’s moving into something new.

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

Plagiarism. I joke, but only kind of. I spent a lot of time trying to be “original” before I realized that it’s much more important to write the story your way. I didn’t invent Cyberpunk. I didn’t invent a lot of the core concepts my book deals with. What is completely me – and always fresh – is how I put those things together and progress a narrative. The perspective I have and the story I choose to tell is all my own.

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

Write. Just write.

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Interview with author Joe Woodley

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

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to your audience and my new book, The Great Christmas Heist, which is illustrated by Syd Hutchison. My name is Joe Woodley. I am a husband and a father. I was a single-dad for nearly twenty years and my wife and I have five children in common. I have been a public speaker for nearly fifteen years and authored more than sixteen books for children and adults on topics that promote positive messages on character, family, faith and community. I am passionate about inspiring and equipping people to reach their fullest potential.

  1. What is your inspiration behind your book “The Great Christmas Heist”?

I wrote the draft for The Great Christmas Heist nearly ten years ago and felt strongly that this was the time to partner with an illustrator and publish this story. The themes interwoven throughout this book are more relevant than ever. There is a massive hope deficit in the world today. Our children and families are fearful, confused and more anxious about the challenges they face in the world that exists today. At the center of this story is a message about the value, hope and love that comes from family. The stories I read as a young child from authors like Dr. Seuss, and Roald Dahl celebrated those themes in unique ways. This book honors the great authors of the past in a colorful and joy filled way, It is inspired by what family was, is and can be. I believe the world is increasingly hungry for these sorts of messages.

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

I wrote my first book in my late 20s. I am not sure if I ever considered myself an author. My high school English teacher, Mr. Valenti encouraged me to look into writing as a career. I am highly observant and I love to inspire people, regardless of their age, race or economic status to dream bigger, live a little bit more, and fulfill their God-given potential. I share my experiences and what I see in the world and about the world using various genres to speak to diverse groups. Someway and somehow along the way it impacts people’s lives for the better.

  1. Please tell us something about your book “The Great Christmas Heist”?

“Thomas and Claire devise a diabolical scheme that leads to a fantastical adventure discovering the Christmas spirit.” In the story, the spoiled children come to believe that Christmas is all about what they can get because their parents never say “no” to their ever increasing requests. They value things over family and relationships. They believe that the more they have the happier they will be. So, they come up with a plan to get more and end up on a fantastical journey. This book has a great message for the entire family, any time of the year.

The book can be found at http://www.agreatchristmasbook.com and Barnes and Nobles.

  1. For which age group is your book “The Great Christmas Heist” suitable for?

The Great Christmas Heist is written primarily for children ages 3 -11, although there have been many adults who read the story and loved it as well.

  1. What is your favorite Quote?

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
― Frederick Douglass

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

The freedom to express our thoughts, feelings and beliefs is what I value most about the United States. Without that freedom every other right in the Constitution falls.

  1. What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success looks like the people that come up to me and share how one of my books positively impacted their lives. Make no mistake about it, I would love for this book to become an international best-seller. But what is most important to me is that someone is a bit more hopeful, a bit more gracious, giving, loving and caring. It is important that someone is inspired to pursue greats and their life is changed for the better.

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

Parents inspire me. They face a lot of challenges raising children in a very unpredictable world. Children inspire me. They still have hope.

Buy The Great Christmas Heist on BarnesandNoble.com and www.agreatchristmasbook.com

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Interview with author Sara Ann Key

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

I was born in Hendon, London. An Author, writer, armchair psychologist, Reiki practitioner self taught healer and professional nanny.

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

I was working full time as a nanny doing a 60 hour working week when I wrote” The Journey” but when lockdown hit due to the corona virus I took furlough for two months which helped me find more time. I was obsessed with editing and revisiting to improve the overall quality of my writing.

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

Louise Hay – You can Heal your Life

Scott Peck – The Road less Travelled

Elkhart Tolle- The Power of Now

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

I love walking in the East Sussex countryside amongst nature and there is an place I visit regularly called Mayfield which is located in The High Weald Area of the UK which has a lovely atmosphere of woods and open fields set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.I go there regularly to think and process my thoughts.

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

I wanted to tell my story so that it would help others, especially supporting women going through the same challenges as I had.

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

It took me about a year. 

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Amazon UK

WHSmith

Foyles 

Thrift Books 

Bol.com

Buchhaus

eBook.de

product.kyobobook.co.kr

Bookline.hu

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

I wanted two roads diverging in a wood as a metaphor as to our choice in which route we choose to take in life. I took the route less traveled and my story is a depictions this. The title “The Journey” came about because it is my journey through this life .

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

By surprising the reader by incorporating plots and twists that keep them guessing. My book is certainly a page turner. The characters have depth, flaws and evolving motivations.Varying and pacing of high tension moments and slower introspection. There is a rhythm that keeps the story engaging.

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

Stay connected to your passion and remember why you started writing in the first place ☺

Buy The Journey on Amazon

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Interview with author P.D. Blackwell

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

My early years were chaotic. We moved to many places, and had to deal with difficult situations. Things settled down by my early teens, and life became more normal. My relatives were always close, and that was a welcome support. I studied theology and physics. My first two books, Chaos Rising, and The Rhysu Alternative, are in The Erstallius Chronicles, the sci-fi series I began in 2015. I enjoy hiking, playing the guitar, and a good game of chess.

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

I have never found writing to be a challenge. Writing is hard work, but I have always enjoyed the process, and the joy that comes from a phrase well stated.

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

I read mostly Science Fiction in grade school; Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, with an occasional foray into Early American literature; Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage is still fresh in my memory. In the Non-fiction arena, Paul A. Laviolette’s, Genesis of the Cosmos, and Secrets of Anti-gravity Propulsion, pulled me into the deep investigation of things not commonly known.

My journey through the Bible has been mostly academic, but I found the popular works of Michael S. Heiser and Gary DeMar very insightful. Two books that helped change my path in life were The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications, by John C. Whitcomb and Henry M. Morris, and Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, by Dr. Michael Denton.

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

Any place less traveled, surrounded by trees, where birds sing, and grizzly bears prefer not to visit.

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

When a man is unjustly slandered, loyal friends who know the reality of the situation defend him. The Almighty God is the best friend anyone could ever have. I found it necessary to do more than just stand by his side.

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

I began February 4th, 2023

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

Currently, worldwide on Amazon. Lawless Tradition will be published later this August.

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

I had created the cloud scene in Vue for another project a few years ago, and thought it would fit well on the cover. The title was influenced by the premise of the book. The muck of lawlessness that has overwhelmed Christendom throughout its turbulent history has polluted the traditions established by Jesus and the Apostles.

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

With fiction, the key is to create an intriguing plot, with enough well-defined characters to keep each chapter engaging. With non-fiction, the key is evidence; always support your premise with hard facts; facts that may not be clear to your readers.

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

Keep writing. The result may differ from what you expected, but will be better than you ever thought possible.

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