Category: Author Interview

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Interview with author Dani Besnard

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

My name is Dani Besnard, and I’m a 23 year old writer, oil painter, animal lover, and an apprentice funeral director and embalmer.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Shattered Ice And Fury’ book?

Making sure that I kept writing what I wanted to write, without getting too caught up in what others might think or like. Writing what you want to read isn’t always easy when you plan on sharing it with the world.

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

Sarah. J. Mass and Jennifer L. Armentrout are huge influencers of mine. I also love any and all fantasy movies and animes. Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and the Last Avatar have always been big influences on my love for the themes in my writing of this series of mine.

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

Probably the mountains, so west Alberta and British Columbia. There’s something close to magical about the mountains for me. It’s going to be a huge influence in the later books in this series. I also love the east coast, so Nova Scotia. I’ve lived there in the past, and the ocean has always been a huge part of my life. It touches my soul. Maybe that’s why the ocean waters and its mysterious depth were a huge part of Shattered Ice and Fury.

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

I try and plan out my villain first, that way I can shape the world around it. It’s a lot easier to customize a character when it’s one that has to be a problem for the villain. The other way around has always seemed harder to me.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Shattered Ice And Fury’ book?

I wrote it in about a year, due to life getting in the way. I took another year to edit and create the final draft.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Shattered Ice And Fury’ book to buy?

Amazon. Google Book. Soon it will also be on Barnes and Noble.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Shattered Ice And Fury’?

Rage, anger, and anxiety is a theme in my novel, and they are things I have battled with personally. Ice is a more obvious part of the book once you get about a quarter of the way through or so. I would lay in bed and play with these themes in my head to come up with a good title. That one popped up and it simply stuck.

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

I think I would get bored of writing from a single person’s perspective for an entire book. I get bored easily, and adapt much too quickly. Giving myself the perspective of four characters to play with was a lot of fun, and I can only hope my readers enjoy it. I also have a hard time getting into books if they take too long to get going with the plot, which is why the plot goes off from the very beginning. You start off in one setting, and do a 360 by the end of the first chapter!

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Well first of all, it’s only the first book of a series. It’s not obvious on the cover, so expect more to come! There isn’t much else I can say beyond that without giving too much away from the book.

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Interview with author Diane Merrill Wigginton

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

Hello to everyone,

I am an Author/Publisher who started writing late in life.

I was nearly 50 when I wrote my first novel, Angelina’s Secret. A mix of romance, suspense, and adventure. That of course led to Isabella’s Heart, and Olivia’s Promise, the three books in my Jeweled Dagger Series.

I was born in Riverside, California but moved to San Diego, California when I was seven. I moved to Sacramento with my husband and kids in 2001 where we spent seventeen years on a 5 ½ acre ranch.

In 2018 my husband and I moved to Kalispell, Montana when we retired from our full-time jobs.

I love it here and it feels like a vacation every day. A really great vacation with a view.

My husband and I have a his-mine-and-ours blended family thing going on. I had 2 kids, a daughter, and a son when we met, he had 3 sons and then we had 1 son together. It was kismet.

I have written 5 novels, the 5th one is being released on December 6th. It is a contemporary romance called, “A Compromising Position.” I am also working on a 6th novel and a 7th simultaneously because I’m a little nuts like that, and I have been working to get my children’s book illustrated, and hope to release it next year in 2023. It will be released in English and Spanish.

I moved my 82-year-old mother in with us 2 1/2 years ago, because of some health issues she has. She recently fell and broke her hip. So, she needs a lot of hand-holding as we get past this hurdle, but I only have one mother and she’s worth it.

That is just a small glimpse into my busy, crazy life. I hope you reach out to me and follow me on Goodreads.

Here is my shameless promotion, I am looking for readers who are interested in reviewing my new book, A Compromising Position, and any of the other wonderful novels in my collection.

Universal link https://books2read.com/u/md1yQWAmazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMJSCP4J

Book-Blip https://www.book-blip.com/product-page/a-compromising-position-pre-order

I really look forward to hearing from you and building a wonderful, lasting friendship. These are just a few links I can be found at;

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/diane-merrill-wigginton?follow=true

Bookfunnel landing page  https://BookHip.com/FFJRKAT

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/or6i6xwf99

https://www.amazon.com/author/dianemerrillwigginton

https://www.facebook.com/AngelinasSecretBook/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8355606.Diane_Merrill_Wigginton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-merrill-wigginton

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘A Compromising Position’?

I think the most challenging thing was to write a book that reflected the story I wanted to write. I had multiple edits and even up to the end I had the manuscript edited three more times to check for any last-minute mistakes. You know how that goes. There are always missed corrections and I hate it when I read my own books and find a mistake. So, I went the extra mile with this one and I hope no one finds any mistakes.

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

I think that everyone is influenced by what they read. The reason I began to write is that every romance I read started to seem, like the same storyline. I was bored and wanted an epic romance with adventure, suspense and something unexpected. That was my first book, Angelina’s Secret. I won a Benjamin Franklin Award for that book. And an International Writers Inspiring Change Award for the 3 book Series, Jeweled Dagger Series.

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

I love where I live because I can look out my office window at home and see deer or elk walking through my backyard. I also like to go to Glacier National Forest and hike around to see the amazing scenery and views of waterfalls and lakes.

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

There is always research, but sometimes I just start writing down an idea and come back to it later when I’m ready to get serious about that particular project.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Compromising Position’ book?

Well it took me longer than usual because I began to write the story then I had to go down to Sacramento to pack up my mother’s house and sell the property. It took me 6 weeks to clean everything up and get it ready to sell. Then I moved her into my house, and there were so many doctor’s appointments. Then life stepped into the middle of everything and well, to tell you the truth, I would say that it took a year and a half to write the manuscript. then another year’s worth of editing and design. It’s really hard to say.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMJSCP4J Book-blip https://www.book-blip.com/product-page/a-compromising-position-pre-orderBookfunnel https://read.bookfunnel.com/read/go3mpbhfce

This is a universal link https://books2read.com/u/md1yQW

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

I hire people that give me several options and then we go back and forth until it looks like what I have in my head. It really is a fun process. Then I will ask several close friends their opinions. I like to see what others think too.

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

I don’t outline, I write from the seat of my pants so that I am just as surprised at times and hope that that will translate to an exciting read for others as well.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Well, I could but then it would take the fun out of the surprise ending for everyone. I hope that you get the book and enjoy how the book ends. Sometimes it is hard not to be a cliche when ending a book so I always try to come up with something that is fun, and happy. I just love a Happily Every After, don’t you?

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Interview with author Tom Speicher

Q1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you.

I’m an award-winning writer and video producer at Pennsylvania College of Technology, a special-mission affiliate of Penn State located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In addition to “A Week with Waffles,” I’m the co-author of the 2021 young adult novel “Bucky Deacon’s Dilemma,” which chronicles the experiences of a young man and his eighth-grade football team in a small Pennsylvania town. I’ve written for publications and websites devoted to the Minnesota Vikings and have served as “The Man in the Crowd” for the Little League Baseball World Series Radio Network since 1998. Besides world peace, my greatest wish is for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl!

Q2. What is your inspiration behind your book “A Week with Waffles”?

Waffles, my real guinea pig, was the inspiration for “A Week with Waffles.” The idea came to me after I wrote a press release/feature story on a Pennsylvania College of Technology employee who authored an illustrated children’s book about her courageous son who is blind. Her work inspired me to create a book for young children. Everybody loved Waffles (Sadly, she passed away a few months after the book’s release.), so I decided to make her the focus. I wanted to use Waffles and her adventures to serve as a tool to teach kids the days of the week and encourage creative thought. I wrote the manuscript and contacted the illustrator my work colleague used, Marina Saumell. Marina, who lives in Argentina, loved the content and did a great job with the illustrations based on the photos I sent her of Waffles and all the people (and pets) featured in the book. The book has proven to be a hit with kids and parents!

Q3. When did you realize you want to be an author of Children’s Book?

A couple years ago, I got the idea to finish the unpublished manuscript of a story geared to middle-school readers that one of my mentors, Bill Byham, wrote in the 1980s. Bill had passed away, and it always bugged him that “Bucky Deacon’s Dilemma” was never published. I contacted the family who turned over to me the original type-written manuscript. I spent over a year rewriting and updating the story before finally publishing it in 2021. That experience hooked me on writing children’s books. I should point out that a portion of proceeds from both of my books benefit the Emergency Scholarship Fund at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Q4. Are you planning to release your next book soon?

I can’t provide specific details at this time, but the plan is for there to be at least another “Waffles” book within the year. Marina will once again be the illustrator.

Q5. For which age group your book is suitable?

“A Week with Waffles” is perfect for preschoolers through early elementary readers. “Bucky Deacon’s Dilemma” targets middle school readers. 

Q6. What is your favorite Quote?

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky, or if you prefer, Michael Scott. 

Q7. What do you like the most about your country?

The rich diversity of people, cultures and traditions. 

Q8. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?

Consistency is key. Set aside a dedicated time for reading (bedtime is great for this) and then follow through day after day.

Q9. What does literary success look like to you?

A child smiling while reading one of my books. 

Q10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

I can’t narrow my “inspiration” to one individual. I can say that I’ve always been inspired by folks who accept their inherent flaws and strive to do their best no matter the circumstances. 

Tom Speicher on Amazon

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Interview with author Patrick Greenwood

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

Fictional writer drawing from life’s experiences and adventures into a blend of storytelling with a deep connection to the emotional side of the human heart. With a mix of 25 years of technology sales, marketing, and content creating, I enjoy sharing my experiences with the world. Being a cybersecurity expert, this background has become a nucleus for my fictional writing and short essays.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Sunrise in Saigon’?

The book is a blend of a non-fictional and fictional storyline. Many of the plots began with an element of non-fiction and ended with some creative storytelling fiction. The challenge in writing this story was around how to maintain a balance between the two writing styles.

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

Tom Clancy – The Hunt for Red October – Clancy provided extraordinary detail in his novels. He, too, also flirted with the balance between non-fiction facts and fictional storytelling. I loved all his books.

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

I live in Carlsbad, California, 4 Km from the beach. I love to cycle in California, and pretty much anywhere in the world, I can take my bike.

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

That depends on the book you are writing. “Sunrise in Saigon” was influenced by my trip to Vietnam in 2012 and 2013. I started writing the book in 2019 based on many events from those trips.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Sunrise in Saigon’?

Great question. I wrote the draft edit in 3 months. Due to Covid-19, my publisher- Austin Macauley, like everyone else, struggled with the remote work challenges. In the end, they helped bring the book to market, and I love to write for them.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

Amazon.com, BarneandNoble.com, Walmart.com, Austinmacauley.com, Abebooks.com, Blackwells.co.uk, and bookshop.org.

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

I shot this photo on the morning of 12-12-2012 from the 18th floor inside the Renaissance hotel in Saigon(Ho Chi Minh City). The river is very symbolic. You will need to read the book to understand better 🙂

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

Always remember that every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. How you get the end is based on well you tell your story from the beginning and use the middle to “big the plot” in hopefully creating a wonderful ending. The ending in “Sunrise in Saigon” took almost two weeks to write. Once you read the book, hopefully, you will know why 🙂

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Oh.. well yes. Lots of non-fiction to fiction and back to non-fiction again. You will just need to read the book and discovery which parts are fictional and non-fictional 🙂

Patrick Greenwood on Amazon

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Interview with author Anthony Waldren

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

My name is Anthony Waldren. I’m a husband, father, internationally award winning author, and an entrepreneur. I have a graphic design firm, called Starvin’ Artist Graphic Design.

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

I started writing my book in 2019. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I faced challenges with staying focused on writing and completing the book during the pandemic. Also, this is my first book, so I had a lot to learn this go around.

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

I was inspired by many authors and their work. I’ve read and was influenced by many authors, like Kiese Laymon, Damon Young, Cathy Park Hong, Booker T. Washington, Malcolm Gladwell, Robert Greene, MK Asante, Jesmyn Ward, and Carol Dweck to name a few.

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

My favorite spot to visit is home. After a long day of work, I love to be home where it’s peaceful. Home is my safe haven. My family is home. Other than that, anywhere my family is, is a great place to be. We’ve visited the Grand Canyon and that was a beautiful site to see.

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

Before diving into writing a book, I like to start the process with research and reading other books for inspiration.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Starvin’ Artist’ book?

It took 2 and a half years to write Starvin’ Artist: Hunger for Success.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

Readers can buy my book on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Audible, Apple Books, Walmart, and more!

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

I came up with the cover myself. I’m a graphic designer by trade, so I designed it. The title is named after my graphic design firm.

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

I keep things fresh by staying current with today’s media.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

I tell readers what “Starvin’ Artist” means and why it’s spelled the way it is.

Starvin’ Artist on Amazon

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Interview with author Patrick Riccards

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

I’m an advocate, a dreamer, an agitator, a co-conspirator, and a father. For four years, I coached my daughter’s competition cheerleading squad, working with 19 tween girls as we competed and won at both Nationals and Globals. I began coaching knowing nothing at all about coaching. I did it because my daughter asked if I would. The experience not only gave me 18 more daughters, but it changed my life and changed how I lead at work. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’?

My experience as a coach was so personal and so challenging. I honestly never thought that others would care about my journey and the lessons I learned. But when people heard about my experiences, they loved asking questions. They didn’t believe me at first. As I thought more about it, I wanted to tell the story. But I was never sure I could do it justice. 

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

My father is a presidential historian, so I spent my whole life watching him research and write and edit. So he is my greatest writing influence. I see myself as a storyteller in life, so I’m constantly looking for inspiration from those who can bring stories to life. McCullough, Amanda Ripley, and even recent authors like Jay Glazer and even Khloe Kardashian all inspire me. I love a great story!

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

There is nothing like NYC to watch people, listen to conversations, and observe lives. I can sit in a train station or an airport or a pizza joint and just soak it all in. As I work on a novel, it is a great way to understand dialogue. And the food just can’t be beat!

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

Dad in a Cheer Bow is my third book (Why Kids Can”t Read, an education book was my first. Dadprovement, a memoir, was second). I start by just writing. I skip over the intro of the book or of the chapter and just dive in. I write a few chapters and then show it to my wife. I’m a horrible editor and a worse judge of my work. So everything goes through my wife, Jennifer. She tells me if it is worth continuing, needs work, or needs a lot of work. She’s my guide through it all. 

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’ book?

I started writing the book during Covid. All told, it was written and edited in about eight months. 

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

It’s currently available in print or ebook on Amazon. It is also available as a print book on Barnes & Noble. We are conducting an audio version now. 

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’?

The cover choice was an easy one. That is me and my daughter at Eastern Regionals, The competition that won us a bid to Nationals. At cheer competitions, I was a unicorn as a male cheer coach. I had some competitor coaches who told me I had no business coaching cheer as I was a boy. So I leaned into. I first got a tutu from the mom of one of athletes. Two other moms gave me the feather boa. I had one cheerleader ask me if I would wear the same cheer bow all my athletes wore at competition. With my shaved head, my only choice was attaching it to a fedora. 

Thus the title. I am a dad in a cheer bow. I only coached because of my daughter and my wanting to be a more involved father. I wear the title with honor. 

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

The big thing in competitive cheer is working to compete at Nationals, which was hosted at Disney World (before covid). So I spent quite some time finding the right Disney quotes to start each of the chapters, quotes that would foreshadow what the reader would discover. I wrote chronologically, which can be boring as an author. So I had to really think about the life lessons I wanted to communicate at the end. Ultimately, the final section of the book (the first four sections are the four seasons) is what I would hope each of my athletes would one day read. 

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Most tweens are embarrassed by their parents, particularly their dads in a tutu. While my daughter would get embarrassed when I would be stopped for photos at competitions, the experience made us incredibly close. Even at 15, she still considers me one of her closest friends. 

At a national conference for cheer coaches in Las Vegas, I was one of only a handful of men, in a group of more than a thousand. I actually had another coach slip me her hotel room key that week. 

I never thought it, but I miss coaching terribly. During the middle of COVID, my daughter and I both retired from cheer. She tried to come out of retirement last year, but we were in a gym where racism was a problem, and with a Latino daughter, we felt we needed to quit the gym and make a statement (I ended up writing about it on Medium). This year, my daughter came out of retirement for a second time, cheering for her high school and its competition cheer team. For the first time in eight years, I can now go to competitions and just watch and enjoy my daughter and her effort. 

A Dad in a Cheer Bow on Amazon

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Interview with author Brian Parsons

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

A1. Absolutely! Thank you for speaking with me! My name is Brian Parsons. I am the author of the Don’t Bee a Prick series, which is a collection of literary works I have developed over twenty years of serving in a multitude of leadership roles to include serving as a U.S. Marine, peace officer, teacher, public speaker, drill instructor, CEO, curriculum and programs developer, parent, and non-profit manager. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A2. Great question! Don’t Bee a Prick was not only in no way challenging, it was so much fun to write! Aside from the contributing challenges every leader experiences over the course of their tenure working with people that assist us in our growth and development, this book series has been an absolute pleasure to work on and I’m so excited to share it with leaders at all levels!

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

A3. I don’t know where I would be without Dale Carnegie’s books! How to Win Friends and Influence People is my earliest exposure to leadership and effective communication. Stylistically, my books resemble Shel Silverstein’s work; and that is no accident. I am a songwriter first and foremost, so transposing my leadership philosophy into short and memorable poems and including my own bee illustrations was not only where I felt the most comfortable but was also definitely a nod to him for all of the enrichment he added to my childhood. I also love absorbing new and interesting perspectives from brilliant leaders like Simon Sinek, David Groggins, and Steven Covey.

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

A4. This is such a beautiful country and every place I’ve been holds sentiment with me. No place quite compares or inspires me more than the Oregon coast. Perhaps it’s because I look like a sea captain, but if I have the ocean air in my face, the sand in my toes, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore I am completely at peace.  

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

A5. Excellent question! For me and my process, it really depends on the book. The first installment of Don’t Bee a Prick was conceptualized, written, illustrated, designed, and published all over the course of three days. The second installment wasn’t much different. Perhaps that is a result of the time I spent gaining the experiential base and credibility to write the books. They were subjects I have spent over two decades gaining an expertise in. My current installment is requiring quite a bit more research and subject matter expert consultation. 

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A6. The first installment was written and illustrated in three days. 

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book?

A7. Thank you! The Don’t Bee a Prick series is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com, and DontBeeaPrick.com. 

It is available in paperback, hardcover, on Kindle as an eReader (most economical option), and it will be available as an audiobook on Audible in 2023.

They will also be available in individual prints on Etsy if a certain page or principle stands out to you enough to make you want to hang it in your office, classroom, or home in a frame.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A8. I love this question because the book title and cover have garnered a lot of attention! I really just wanted to write a leadership book using a familiar phrase of mine that I’ve used for years and present it like a children’s book for adults. I wanted to hone in on the simplicity of the basic leadership principles that I would be outlining as the main content for the book. The bee illustrations were used not only to draw the parallel between the two definitions of “prick” I was alluding to, but also as an illustration of the leadership structure inherent in bee colonies. This was the book and title that I was most intrigued by, and I wanted to write the leadership book that I wanted to read.  

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

A9. Great question! This was a primary focus of this book. I always say that I’ve never read a bad leadership book, but I have read some long ones! I have accumulated so many books on leadership over the years I feel like I can furnish a whole library with them. One of the adjustments I wanted to make when I published Don’t Bee a Prick was trimming out any of the author’s unnecessary and self-aggrandizing narrative that would occupy the first thirty pages or so of most of the leadership books in my library. 

This book is organized into short memorable poems as mnemonic devices to assist the leader in recalling the most important foundations of the leadership applications and principles that are outlined in the book. Getting right to the point was a paramount focus. 

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

A10. Yes! There is also a book in the series for parents and children, and teachers and students, to read together that cultivates early leadership principles during early developmental stages through play activity and storytelling called Don’t Bee a Little Prick also available on Amazon. I would love for you to visit my website containing regular blog posts, book deals, and updates on the Don’t Bee a Prick series and I would love to connect with you all on LinkedIn, Instagram @BrianParsonsAuthor, and Facebook at Facebook.com/DontBeeAPrick. 

Thank you very much for speaking with me!

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Interview with author Katherine Meier

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

Katherine Meier is a trend setter and trail blazer. Many will be helped by her life, her discoveries, and her contentions as well as Holy Spirit inspired aspirations. Dave Pedersen

I am the Katherine Meier referred to above… I need to pinch myself to reconnect my brain to the fact that THIS IS ME being spoken of. I am a wife to my husband of 16 years and a mom of 5 biological boys and we are currently in the adoption process of two wonderful little girls.

I am also a lover of Jesus that walks very closely in intimacy with Him. I have a seer anointing that has opened up the realms of visions and dreams. The call over my life is intimacy with Him. I am an activator that activates people into a deeper relationship and intimacy with the Trinity. I am also an author and I write blogs.

I am very adventurous, and I love connection with people and nature. I am real, honest and authentic.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Fight’ book?

There was a lot of spiritual warfare that my family had to go through in releasing this book but even though it was very hard, we have come out stronger and more committed to the call over our family.

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

There are too many to mention but some of my favorite influences are: Nate Johnston, Lana Vawser, Patricia King, Ian Clayton, Bill Johnson, Sarah-Jane Biggart, James Maloney’s accounts of the golden candlestick ladies, Candice Smithyman, Brian Simmons, Jeremiah Johnson, Roland Buck, Jodie Hudges, Dutch Sheets, Justin Paul Abraham, Lou Engle, Gary Oats, Paul Keith Davis, Dr Bill Hamon, Troy Brewer and Leif Hetland.

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

My favorite place is Riet River. It is a small little seaside village in the Easter Cape. It has been my place of retreat once a year for two weeks. I sit on the sand dunes in the night hours and enjoy the stillness around me and the clarity of His voice. It is a yearly time of rest in Him and where He fill my cup to overflow and where I receive my blueprints for the year ahead. It is also a time of great fun and family connection that fills me with so much joy.

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

Honestly, for me, I felt like I was set up by the Holy Spirit. I started filling up journal after journal since 2016 and that ended up being a lot of my preparation for this book. I prayed about the chapters and wrote that down first and then just started writing in the different chapters as I was led. I did not write in order; I wrote as He said, and it all ended up in this beautiful step by step journey of how I went from being broken to live in freedom in Him.

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

I heard the call to write the book in 2019 from the Holy Spirit and started to get all my visions and dreams from many years together. I officially started in January 2020 and sent it of to my editor on the 23rd of December 2020. I then waited until the Holy Spirit gave me the go ahead to release it and that call came in March of 2022.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Fight’ book to buy?

You can order through my linktree (linktr.ee/Kat_Meier) under ‘order form’ and I have a courier that sends it to places in South Africa. It is also available on Kindle. You will find the link on my linktree. It’s also on the website: achosengeneration.co.za.

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

I wrote the book and then handed it over to my editor who read through it, and she said that the overwhelming message in the book to her was in one simple word ‘Fight’ and when I heard it, I knew that was it. I wanted a simple yet impactful name that summed up my life up until now. I then handed it over to my publishing team and gave them a vision that I wanted as the front cover. They took the vision and came up with three possibilities. When I saw this cover, I was so overcome with emotion as it depicts the book so beautifully.

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

This book was written and inspired through the breath of Holy Spirit. That is how I write all my blogs as well. I listen and write an account of what I hear in the secret place. I have never tried to write in another way and that is how I know it will stay fresh because the words come from my intimacy and relationship with the Trinity.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

I want to encourage anyone who has a message inside of them but feel inadequate, to just start. I had no understanding of writing or languages and had no desire to turn my accounts of His voice into a book but as I wrote, the Holy Spirit opened door after door after door. My editor is a close friend, and this was her last book before she started as a full-time teacher. My second editor is my closest friend who happens to be excellent at languages and as I watched her pick up all the errors in different blogs she read, I felt the Holy Spirit breathe on the connection and when I asked her, she said yes. We started a publishing company based on a word spoken to both my husband and I at the same time by the Holy Spirit even though we were in separate rooms. Over and over, the doors just opened. All that was required of me were obedience and a yes even though I had no idea what He was going to do with this.

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Interview with author Dr. Joy Green

Book: Goal Get’em Girls!

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

As a Washingtonian and 2x HBCU Alum, Dr. Joy Green is an SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) earning her Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University. From her Doctorate Research Project, she was stimulated to create this guided journal to inspire women to continue to accomplish heir goals and to strive for anything they want to achieve regardless of the hurdles that may lie ahead. In her spare time, Dr. Joy loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, go to amusement parks, and take on new adventures. If you’d like to find out more about Dr. Joy, visit her on her social media pages https://linktr.ee/fromgoalstoreality, where Dr. Joy uses her platform to empower women to reach their goals while maximizing their full potential

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Goal Get’em Girls!: Guided Journal’ book?

Goal Get’em Girls! is a quick read that touches on eight barriers that could stop you dead in your tracks from goal achievement. The challenge for me was narrowing down what barriers I wanted to shed light on, as we all know there are many reasons we can be held back from reaching our goals. I chose these eight barriers because I felt readers would be able to relate and with the wisdom I share, the knowledge could benefit helping readers in closing the gap between their goals and them becoming a reality.

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

During Covid, with much more time on my hands, I spent time reading self-help books to better myself personally. To name a few, I’ve read “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life”, “Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life”, and “The Little Book of Big Lies: A Journey into Inner Fitness”. With the joy, I felt and the inspiration I received to better myself, I sought to provide that same emotion to others but towards goal attainment.

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

I have visited many places in the United States, but my favorite spot will always be Washington, DC because that is home. In DC, you will never be at a loss for things to do in this city. Whatever scene you’re looking for, we have it. The city is diverse with great culture and history.

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

Before I started working on my book, I made sure I was first in the mood to write. I created dedicated writing spaces around the house. I produced small attainable writing goals for myself to keep me on track. I always wrote in silence, to be able to hear the thoughts in my head.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Goal Get’em Girls!: Guided Journal’ book?

Goal Get’em Girls! took me two months to write.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Goal Get’em Girls!: Guided Journal’ book to buy?

Currently, readers can enjoy Goal Get’em Girls! as a paperback bought through Amazon.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Goal Get’em Girls!: Guided Journal’?

When coming up with the book cover, I knew I wanted to use bright colors but I had many envisions of how I thought the cover should be. I was torn between using stock images or keeping the cover clean and simple. As you can see, I chose to keep it simple adding glitter for pizazz and using the explosion shape to represent the energy you’ll have after reading the guided journal to conquer your goals. When creating the title Goal Get’em Girls!, I knew I wanted the title to be catchy, intrigue my target audience, and provide a glimpse of what readers can expect from my guided journal. I came up with Goal Get’em Girls! as a chant to all of my goal-achieving women as a motivator to persevere through their goal journey. My guided journal is about encouraging women to continue to go after their goals no matter what barriers they face. Any barrier can be shattered, as long as you believe in yourself and you have a plan. As the author, I’m rooting for you to become that woman you’ve always dreamed of becoming, so I say Goal Get’em Girls!. Chase after your goals and crush them.

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

I’m very active on social media, where I keep up with what is trending but also I follow like- minded people who are passionate about things I’m into. I use my experiences through my own life to create stories I believe are worth writing about. When talking to my inner circle about various topics about how we are feeling, or have experienced, or things that we’ve reacted to, I become intrigued in our conversation which makes me want to write about that. I continue to read other self-help books and watch videos that give me a spark.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Three critical takeaways readers will receive from this book are:
 This journal will open your eyes toward goal-getting and not just goal-setting.
 This journal is not just meant to be read but readers should reflect on what they are reading. That way they could get the maximum benefit from this journal.
 This book wasn’t written to give you the answers to achieving your goals; it was written to provide the accountability you need to keep going

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Goal Get’em Girls!

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Interview with author Nicole Verrone

Book: Nest Of Stars

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

My name is Nicole Verrone and I’m a native of North Carolina. There, I spent time on a dairy farm as a child, on the roof of my parent’s house writing poetry in notebooks as an adolescent, in the Black Mountains during college on a quaker farm and have been trying to escape to see the world since I felt stuck on a plot of land in Union County as a child. I’ve been married for 25 years to a shy fly fisherman who is the best dad and partner and friend a girl could ever want. I have four daughters, all thriving in their spaces.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Nest of Stars’ book?

I have difficulty leaving these beloved humans to hide and write. My husband and I have so much fun together and my girls are wonderful companions, full of empathy and compassion and intelligent both emotionally and intellectually. Because I give so much, always making sure everyone is fed and content, taking time to do what I was created to do was hard, and I waited twenty years until I felt they were secure and happy to sneak away and listen to the words that I’d kept at bay. My life is more beautiful outside than in, and its sometimes easier to be in the present than diving internally to listen. It can feel pretty deep and isolating there.

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

Circe by Madeleine Miller, Mary Oliver’s
poetry, Whitman, Tennyson, Frost, Angelo, Marquez, Thoreau, Bishop, Bob Dylan,
Melville

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

I love Boston because of the history and warm memories of walking the cobbled streets as a 17-year-old. It was the first city I visited that convinced me I belonged
in New England. It was a space of the brilliant, it was romantic, it was delicious, it was steeped in stories, it was intriguing and mysterious and everything I wanted in a city. I still feel I belong there; through I reside in the south.

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

Only lots of listening and unplugging, reading and musing. All time well spent that gives itself to creation the way the darkness called for light and put order to the chaos of the mind.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Nest of Stars’ book?

About six months of writing.

Q7. On what all platforms’ readers can find ‘Nest of Stars’ book to buy?

Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any Indie bookstores.

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

My friend Sarah Helser is an artist and we have shared life for almost 20 years. She
shared her art with me for the cover, and it meant everything to me.

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

If I write that which I hear echo in my mind, I can only assume others have experienced a glimpse of the experience. But we can never know, can we, what others truly feel and think. Art is an expression of the deepest wounds and the resolution of their injury by way of beauty for ash. It isn’t fresh or new, but to me, it’s real, and it’s my way of climbing out of the deep so I can be a part of the waking world. I’m always relieved when I finish a piece, like I conquered the dream internal battle and turned its weapons into a sculpture.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

No way.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Nest Of Stars

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