Category: Author Interview

Book: Searching for Sarah

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

I’ve has always been a storyteller, but never put pen to paper until a few years ago. Suddenly, I had a publishing contract, and in the midst of the vortex of marketing, analytics, refining, and continuing to write, I discovered what I define as my true calling, my passion. I am now fully and happily immersed in the whirlwind that is the publishing industry, even as I diligently continue my work in enterprise software sales.
I am a Long Islander with Hispanic roots, now living in Florida, and it is from those memories of summers on Long Island, New York that I crafted my first book, Last Exit to Montauk. The Captain & the Queen soon followed, and I recently released my third novel, Searching for Sarah, the 2021 Book Excellence Awards, Winner, LGBTQ/Fiction.
Comfortable in a room full of people or one on one, I welcome opportunities for guest appearances, interviews, and book signings–and even more importantly, engaging with my fans.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Searching For Sarah’ book?

Time is always my greatest challenge. When writing, the story arc plays in my mind, almost like a YouTube video. Each chapter plays as I put thought to paper. My greatest challenge is finding the time to sit and write.

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

There are many books and authors that influenced me over the years, and they range in genre. As I look at the bookcase in my office, I see a lot of Lee Childs, Timothy Zahn, Tom Clancy, Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, to name a few.

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

I am a beach-lover. I could spend all day lounging at the beach, watching the waves caress the crystal white shore, as people splash about the water, and build castles in the sand. There is a peace to beach, especially at sunset. A quietness that everyone seems to respect.

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

I’d love to say yes, but for me, since starting this career, the ideas flood my mind. Unlike some of my contemporaries, I do not create an outline for my stories. I get an idea, sit at my keyboard, turn on my music, and start writing.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Searching For Sarah’ book?

It took me approximately six weeks to write. That is typically how long it takes me to write a new manuscript. Of course, it takes longer to edit, and re-edit, before releasing it to the marketplace. Fortunately, I work with a great editor, Janet Fix, of thewordverve.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Searching For Sarah’ book to buy?

Currently, all my novels are available in paperback, and digital platforms from all the major retailers.

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

I do not know which came first, the title for the story, or the story itself. The title for this and my other novels, Last Exit to Montauk, and The Captain & the Queen, all came to me as I sat down and began the writing process.
Book covers, on the other hand, takes time. My send my editor ideas, and she, along with her staff, search for the right cover that evokes the overall theme of the novel. She usually sends me a few to choose from, and eventually select the one cover we all love.

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

Keeping things fresh can be challenging, which is why my novels aren’t repeats of one another. Interestingly, they all take place in the same universe, think Marvel Universe, where each character has a standalone story, but fits into an overall universe. And like that universe, all my novels are standalone, which periodically feature…spoiler alert…crossovers or easter eggs from previous, or future novels.
I try to keep things fresh by delivering new themes. For example, my award-winning first novel, Last Exit to Montauk, was an interracial coming-of-age tragic love story, set in the mid-80s summer of Long Island.
My Second, the award-winning, The Captain & the Queen, while similar, tells the comedic story of a(n) Hispanic teen who falls for his uber-rich Greek classmate.
The Book Excellence Awards, Winner, LGBTQ/Fiction, 2021, Searching for Sarah is adult-themed. It is the story of a man who sets out to fulfil his older sister’s dying wish. As he begins to look for clues through his sister’s diary, he is startled by the fact that he never even knew her at all, because she had a life partner named Sarah, that he did not know.
One reviewer wrote that finding Sarah becomes an adventure that reveals a lot about family dynamics, prejudices, and a love so pure it is inspiring. Searching for Sarah is a profoundly emotional story that will touch readers at deep and personal levels; it is a story of the triumph of love and its beauty, and fans of LGBTQ will find it irresistible.

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

Absolutely. This story contains strong Hispanic protagonists, and strong female protagonists, a common theme in all my novels. As one reviewer wrote, Searching for Sarah is not simply a novel about love and not about sex, though both have their place. It’s about an idea. About ingrained prejudices, missed opportunities and events beyond our control. It’s about not letting life slip through our fingers.

If you’re looking for a book that delivers on adult themes, crossing boundaries, and love, then pick up a copy of Searching for Sarah.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Searching for Sarah

Book: You

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

Hello!! Yes, my name is Bria, often times I will go by Bria Unique, that is actually my middle name- a lot of people think of it as a stage name, but it’s not. I am a book junky! I enjoy books! I always said I want to have a library in my house, so I just go out and buy so many books at a time. It excites me to see a bookshelf full of books. I’m a fake vegan, lol. I can go months without eating meat then boom one day I’m ordering chicken nuggets and cheesesteaks.

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

Key challenges that I faced… I actually didn’t have any. The process was really easy. I wrote the book. I didn’t really care to have it edited. I have my BA in English, so I just felt I didn’t need an editor and plus, it’s a children’s book. It’s very short. As long as my words were spelt correctly, that was all I needed. I actually feel challenges now though- between working with the same illustrator, working with a completely new illustrator where the characters will be completely different, and also my main scare is publishing a poetry book.

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

Books and authors that inspired me the most- I love love loveeee Maya Angelou. I can read her poetry or even watch her reciting poetry or just talking about life in general on a weekly basis. I literally would have her playing all the time. I listen to her on a regular. I can’t even lie, I actually was also inspired by Dr. Seuss. That was another reason I didn’t care to have an editor. When I think about children’s books, words are always made up or exaggerated in the stories.

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

I love nature! Being outside is really my go to. I enjoy being by water the most, preferably surrounded by trees, I’m not much of a beach person.

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

It’s not. I try not to force myself to write. I rather it just naturally come and I will be like, hmm this is a good time to write. I take a lot of notes though, in my phone. Like if I am not in a writing mood or have something else going on and ideas come to me, I will quickly jot it down and when I am free to work on a project, it all just comes to me. I can go days without writing and I am actually okay with that because when I do write, I end up either writing more than one story in a day or I am writing something every day back to back.

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

Honestly, it took me a day. What is really crazy though, is how quickly I got to work on having it illustrated and published. There was literally no time of me procrastinating. I wrote the book, found the illustrator, did the research on who to publish with and once the illustrator sent me the final file, I literally uploaded it the same day. I even advertised it, before I had a hardcopy myself. I look back at that now like, wow that was crazy, other people had my book before I even had it!

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

As of right now, it is only on Amazon. I do have a few copies myself that I can of course sign and mail out. I am working towards setting up a website so I will be mailing them out myself. The website is actually created it is just not live yet, because I am still working on it.

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

The story behind the title. The book itself, I had someone in mind when writing this book. But I definitely can relate to it. Needing the affirmation and assurance, both as a child and now. I decided the cover with the teacher hugging the little girl, because I just felt that was a great picture to use. Holding her close, giving her warm feels, eye contact, I wanted to show the self-love. Fun fact about the characters- I actually submitted pictures of myself for the illustrator to use as a reference. When I seen the sketches though, I didn’t feel they actually looked like me, so that is why I made the melanin different shades, but overall, I love how they turned out. So honestly, it is like me, at the age of 26, talking to myself, at the age of 5, or whatever age I was in the picture I used.

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

How do I keep things fresh… my goal is to keep the stories in a way where anyone can relate to them at any time. Decades from now, anyone will be able to pick up my book and be like hmmm… I can relate to that. The Leave a Smile poem, is a poem that I will include in all of my children’s book and the goal is to really have that poem be worldwide well known. That is what I see for the poem and the stories as well. A hundred years from now I want all of these stories, well everything that I have written be popular, relevant, and a discussion in classrooms, homes and even theaters! This is me leaving a legacy, this is my purpose.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

You

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

Hello! I’m an award-winning novelist of the Journals from the Heart series as well as two stand-alone novels, IN GOD WE TRUST and CALL IT KISMET (May 17, 2021).

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Whispers from the Heart’ book?

I was a high school English teacher at the time of writing the novel, so some of the challenges involved tapping into the emotions of my classroom students while creating original characters for the novel.

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

I love Nicholas Sparks. WHISPERS FROM THE HEART has been referenced as being similar to his writing, which was a huge compliment to me!

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

I have driven across the United States ten times, so every bit of this country is special to me. But, I grew up in Connecticut and just moved back to New England (for the summer season), and I spend my winters in Florida.

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

For me, it all comes to me while I’m writing. When I wrote WHISPERS FROM THE HEART, and my other novels, the characters told me how they wanted to be written. I honestly didn’t know the endings until I was writing them.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Creating What’s Next: Gracefully’ book?

I co-wrote it with my mother, Valerie Ramsey, and we spent about six months writing it.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Mostly on Amazon right now so that they can take advantage of Kindle Unlimited.

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Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

Titles are always the hardest for me. I can write a book, but coming up with a few words for a title is always a struggle. The key is to not make it about what you want, but about what serves the book and your readers. The cover design phase I love because I’m also a photographer, so I love the visual aspect of it.

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

WHISPERS FROM THE HEART alternates chapters between Madison, the protagonist, being in her classroom and in her personal life. Much like my forthcoming novel, CALL IT KISMET, it’s like there are two parallel stories for the protagonist in alternating chapters.

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

Readers either LOVE or HATE the ending!! But, that’s honestly the response I expected.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

In God We Trust

Call It Kismet
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Book: The Royal Bond

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

 Hello! I am so honored to be here to introduce myself a little. My name is Keylee Hargis, author of The Bond Series. I am from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and I love reading and writing! When I’m not doing either, I love photography and videography. I’m still in college and I plan to major in English with a creative writing focus. I love writing stories that give my readers a new world to escape into.

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘ The Royal Bond ’ book?

My key challenges in writing The Royal Bond would have to be the restructuring from the original version. I wrote The Royal Bond on Wattpad as a freshman in high school and never thought this would become a career for me. When I went to publish The Royal Bond, I had to restructure and pretty much re-write the book to make is more… me, since I am older now!

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

. An author that has influenced me the most is Sarah J. Maas. Her books are so amazing and was one of the first authors that really made me enjoy reading. She produced a book that gave me an escape from reality and made me feel as if I was there witnessing the whole story play out, which I loved.

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 in my country would be going to the beach in Florida. What makes it special to me is giving me a new setting to escape in and kick back on the beach with my book reading, or my laptop writing. It’s so peaceful and I am able to do so much in the new atmosphere!

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

Before I start writing a book, so much goes into it that many people wouldn’t expect. My brain storming process is long and well thought out. I like to take a lot of time creating a plot before I create my characters and then I fit them into the plot accordingly. I love to take time with my characters to create something that makes them rememberable to my readers!

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘ The Royal Bond ’ book?

 It took me about a year to write The Royal Bond. Then before publishing, it took me about five months or so to get it ready. I put my heart and all my time into the process of The Royal Bond, which I am so proud of.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

You can buy The Royal Bond (paperback or e-book) on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many other stores!

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

The book cover was a long process to me because I really wanted something to wow my readers. I had a photoshoot with my friend, Elizabeth, who did such an amazing job modeling Scarlett Madison (from the book). I talked with the photographer about my ideas and we came to an agreement to do a powerful move of her crowning herself. It’s a small detail, but if you look closely you can see the person crowning her is actually her because of the same sleeves/dress etc. (this is super important to the plot). Then Maja, my cover editor, heard all the ideas I had and mashed them all together to create an amazing cover! As for the title, I created it from the mate bond in the book and since Scarlett becomes a royal, The Royal Bond stuck.

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

 I try to keep things fresh by creating new characters and scenarios that won’t bore my readers and make them feel as if you’re reading the same thing over and over again. I also love doing huge climax events that no one would expect and other things like that!

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

There are a few secrets in the book, but a big one is the small details in which the books of The Bond Series intertwines. So look for the small details that may seem irrelevant when mentioned, because it will pop up in another book and give you a good laugh 😉

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Royal Bond

Book: Treason Flight

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

My name is T.R. Matson and I am the author of ‘Treason Flight.’ I am finishing up my 20 year career in the U.S. Navy where I served flying the E-2C Hawkeye and F/A-18C Hornet during four combat deployments. Between deployments I served multiple tours as a T-45C Instructor pilot. When I left active duty I stayed in the reserves and got hired by a Legacy U.S. Airline. I have an amazing wife that supports all my crazy goals and I have a young son.

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

My biggest challenge was time. Working a full time job, having a young son and still being in the Navy Reserves leaves little time to actually get in front of the computer and write. The key is to set aside time the best you can and stick to it. Every time I sat down to write I was transported to another place and soon that became my escape from the day to day. Once I embraced that, the story came much easier.

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

I have been influenced by Stephen Coonts, specifically with ‘Flight of the Intruder’, but also C.W. Lemoine, Jack Carr, Richard Marcinko and Marcus Luttrell.

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

This is going to sound very odd but my favourite spot or time is when I am driving to work. My current commute involves a lot of back country road driving and it gives me time to organize my thoughts and come up with a plan for the next phase of writing.

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

Surprisingly little. I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions of writing. All it takes is a piece of paper or at most opening up a black document on your computer. We often make things more complex then they need to be. If you have a story to tell and that story is in your head all you have to do is allow yourself to have a means to get it on paper.

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

This is an interesting question that I get asked a lot. The first words of ‘Treason Flight’ hit my computer in 2017. By April of 2020 I probably only had about a ¼ of the book written. I was not really focused on it and did not make it a priority. Then 2020 happened and between lock downs and everything that came with that year I spent a lot more time with my son. When I looked at him I realized that he would learn about 2020 when he was older and I wanted to show him that no matter what is going on in the world, or how hard things may seem if you have a goal you can achieve it. In April 2020 I set the goal to have the first draft finished by the end of the year and I reached that goal in November 2020.

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

‘Treason Flight’ will be available on all eBook platforms as well as paperback on Amazon. Additionally hard copies can be purchased as well but the first step would be to go to http://www.trmatson.com and decide if you would like the electronic, paperback or maybe even a signed hard cover. I also have plans to have a special edition hard cover in the future. Additionally, the audio book is currently being recorded so stay tuned to my website and social media for a big announcement on that. Audio book lovers will not be disappointed.

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

I worked with the company eBook launch for the cover art and from the feedback I am getting they really did a professional job. I wanted to capture the reader’s attention when they saw the cover in the book store or on Amazon and I think between the title and the cover art I have succeeded. As far as the title that is also interesting. I used to think that you named your book then wrote it but ‘Treason Flight’ actually was called something completely different for about 95% of the time that I was writing it. It was the writing itself that created the title one morning while I was driving to work in my truck.

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

In the case of ‘Treason Flight’ I have to take myself back to a time in my past. While I am not Jack “Rattler” Owen, I have walked in his shoes and understand what he is going through. I have many friends that have continued that journey and staying in touch is the key to staying relevant. In an action packed triller, I think it is important to keep the pace of things moving but also give more to the reader. We have all read books or watched movies that are non-stop action and you end up exhausted at the end. With ‘Treason Flight’ I wanted the reader to sit on the edge of being engaged with the book just enough to not be able to put it down. I believe I have achieved that goal.

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

A lot of times books, especially military thrillers, follow a pretty standard path. A path that if you read a lot of them you can almost predict about half of the way through the book. ‘Treason Flight’ does not follow that path, while you may think you know how it is going to end I assure you that until you read every last word the story is evolving.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Treason Flight

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

 I’m Victoria Day-Joel, 42 from Gloucestershire, England. A published Poet and Author through Olympia Publishers London. Poetry Inspired by Oliver 2018 and New Beginnings 2020. 

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘ Poetry Inspired by Oliver ’ book?

My challenges came after the writing of Poetry Inspired by Oliver. The writing was very secretive as I wrote poems to share my innermost feelings to Oliver, my friend and muse.  I didn’t set out to write a book, but it became one! Nobody knew I could write including myself so it was all about following the moment, a hidden talent discovered in my late 30’s brought about by the situation I was in.It felt like I was sharing my private journals to the world, it felt so powerful I felt compelled to send off my manuscript.But also I wanted to give a book as a gesture of love to my friend.Olympia Publishers were the only publishers I sent it to and It was accepted. 

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

 I write from the heart and only started reading poetry after I had written my first book. I’ve had no training or study, so I’m not technical in any way. I’ve discovered Anais Nin as my writing was compared to hers, but I love discovering new poets too. So many talented people who are unknown

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

 I live near Lakes and Parks. In Cirencester my hometown we are privileged to have ancient parkland which continually inspires me, I’ve written in New Beginnings, the poem ‘Corinium’ in Cirencester Park and ‘Lake Story’ by the Cotswold Lake whilst drinking coffee. Cirencester will always hold a special place in my heart wherever I am.

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

With Poetry it’s all about capturing the moment, the mood, the inspiration, the thought, the desire before it leaves. I will write lines on the go on my mobile phone and come back to them and piece together later. So far, It is pretty much chronological.

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

New Beginnings was written over a two year period. Life has to happen to record it! It all came together in that time span. Early 2018 to early 2020 before the pandemic. 

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

 Worldwide; Amazon. Olympia Publishers. Hive. Blackwell. Wordery. Book Depository. Books etc. Waterstones. World of Books. Booktopia. WHSmith. Bokus. Foyles. 

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Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

Book Covers;  it’s a collaboration between the design team and I, My vision for Poetry Inspired by Oliver was a male and female silhouette, Olympia came up with the rest. I didn’t have any colour ideas but as soon as I saw the hot pink it fit perfectly with the passion and romance. For New Beginnings, I wanted the continuity as it follows on chronologically even though they can read in a separate order. I knew I wanted the blue colour, a female silhouette and sunshine to fit perfectly with the narrative. I’m perhaps half way through writing my next book but can already visualise the front cover! Book Names; They both fit perfectlyto describe the narrative.

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

As life evolves I write my personal experiences, since New Beginnings, we’ve entered a pandemic and the whole world has suffered sadness, fear and a shake up. This is documented in my next book but balanced with stories of happy memories so it is not too macabre, it is more political and provides other views I’m not expressed in my first two books. 

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

Both books have a Whitesnake song mentioned within a poems. It wasn’t intentional. Rock is my favourite genre of music.
Poetry inspired by Oliver in the poem ‘Our Harmony’ the original line was ‘If Saturday was my only memory, I could hold forever in your company’, the addition has double meaning as it was a song I chose to play on an evening with Oliver where the poem was inspired from. So the line became ‘Forevermore’ in your company to incorporate the song.Then ‘Mother Moon’ poem from New Beginnings mentions ‘In the still of the night’ it is now customary to add a new song title in each book.  I have written the next one already in book three. Maybe my readers can find it! 

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

New Beginnings

Oliver Fantasy and Friendship

Book: Tessa Tidies Up!

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

Hi there, my name is Olivia and I live in Yorkshire with my husband Jamie, our dog Ronnie and Pearl, our three-legged cat aka Tripod. I moved back home to Yorkshire about 5 years ago. Prior to that, I lived in New York City for 16 years and Los Angeles for 7 years where I’ve had careers in both the animation and film industry. My time spent in the USA was amazing and I loved every minute in both NYC and LA, even the rough times, and there were definitely a few of those! However, my move home was a long time coming as I missed England and my parents so much. I tried to visit as much as I could but there came a time when I just couldn’t take the goodbyes anymore. I will never forget the customs officer at Manchester airport who stamped my passport when I returned to England. He looked at me and said, “Welcome home.” It brought tears to my eyes.
“Tessa Tidies Up!” is a true story. As a little girl I used to collect litter on my walks to and from school. It might sound strange but in my mind If litter was in a bin it was safely home but if it was on the ground it needed help to get home and join all the other pieces at the “party” in the bin. It was a story I’d always hoped to share.
I now own a little gift shop in my local Halifax Borough Market. I’ve labelled my shop, “The smallest most beautiful gift shop in England,” and I’m so proud of it.
It’s a mixture of Vintage, handmade, and quirky gifts for any occasion.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Tessa Tidies Up! ’ book?

I think when anyone embarks on a creative project the biggest challenge is discipline and any artist will tell you (if they’re honest) that self doubt is a constant battle.
At times, the amount of work and organisation to get a project done can be overwhelming and setting time aside to focus is key. But it’s not just setting the time aside. Belief in your vision, confidence to keep going and the support from friends and family is for me priceless.

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

Roger Hargreaves wrote the ”Mr Men,” book series and as a child I loved them.
My favourite children’s book author has always been Roald Dahl. I’ve also read all of his adult books. He has a wonderful way of telling a fantastical story yet relating to the human condition.

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

I was born in London and grew up in Yorkshire. Having lived away for 23 years in two big, crazy cities, I adore being home in Yorkshire and I see and appreciate the beauty in the surroundings everyday both in the architecture and the landscape. I’m so happy surrounded by our Yorkshire Moors and throw in a dry stone wall and some sheep or cows grazing…that’s the cherry on the cake.
I also love to visit my parents home, just over the hill, for a lamb supper.

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

Yes, there is so much to do, but I’m lucky in that I worked in animation for years so I’m familiar with the script/storyboard process which really helped me. It allows you to rough out and plan each illustration in the book whilst telling the story. Using this technique helps to streamline and map out the flow of a story.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Tessa Tidies Up!’ book?

I think it was about 9 months to put it on paper but Tessa has been in my head for years.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Tessa Tidies Up!’ book to buy?

Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tessa-Tidies-Up-Olivia-Ward/dp/1398431842/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37ED664MPX0QT&dchild=1&keywords=tessa+tidies+up&qid=1617471422&sprefix=tessa+tidi%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1
Unit E11even- My Gift Shop
https://www.instagram.com/unit_e11even/
https://www.facebook.com/Unite11even
Direct from the publisher-Austin Macauley
https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/tessa-tidies

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Tessa Tidies Up!’?

I wanted the cover design to be simple, bold and eye catching for children. It definitely has a shout out to Roger Hargreaves’, “Mr Men” series. I had two versions of the cover so I sent both options to some friends to get their children’s opinion. They all voted unanimously for the option that ultimately made the cover.
As far as the title, I wanted something catchy and memorable and I’ve always loved the name Tessa. It brings back memories of my father reading to me as a child and one of my favourites he read was titled, “Tilly and Tessa.”

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

I think it’s important that the audience care and relate to both the characters and the story and it’s important to me that the illustrations be visually rich. I mixed old and new techniques when I illustrated my book. I think the different design techniques compliment each other and add a touch of magic.

Tessa’s character design and the village of Patchworth, where she lives, were the first sketches I drew for the project. Tessa’s design was based on my own struggle to dress myself as a little girl. Tessa is a bit messy and she struggles with buttons and keeping her socks up. I think every child can relate to that. She has a humble quality and she’s very caring. She has more important things on her mind than her outward appearance.
The village of Patchworth is based on where I walked to and from school as a child picking up litter. The idea of having the surrounding hills made up of various floral quilt patch designs just came to me one day. I happen to love vintage quilts and I have a small collection of them. I hope the village of Patchworth feels like a place the readers would like to visit.

Tessa’s story happens to be very relevant regarding our environment, however that wasn’t the intention when I started the project. It was just a little tale I wanted to tell about myself as a child but on completion it happened to have a relevant message that hopefully all of us, children and adults alike, can care about.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Tessa Tidies Up!

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

Hi – So my name is Nadia Bruce-Rawlings. I was born in Canada and lived in Texas, Cairo, Egypt, Norway and Denver before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 21. I also lived in the Bahamas and in London. I worked in the film industry for about 30 years. I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic with 23 years sober, I was a homeless crack-head and shoplifter before I got sober thanks to a 6-month stay in rehab, a place called Alcoholism Center for Women. Once I got sober, I had my daughter Sophia as a single-mom, and when she was 10 I re-met an old boyfriend, Brian Rawlings. We ended up getting married, and I gained 5 more kids! In 2011, just after we married, we moved to Nashville, where I ended up writing both of my books.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Driving In The Rain’ book?

It was my second book, and I was having a difficult time writing after finishing Scars. I wasn’t sure what to write about or where to begin again. My publisher, Iris Berry of Punk Hostage Press, worked hard with me into the wee hours of the morning on my stories and poetry and the direction the book should take. I couldn’t have done it without her.

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

I love Hemingway and Kerouac, who both influenced my early writing a tremendous amount, as did Sandra Cisneros and her groundbreaking book House on Mango Street. I even have a poem in Driving in the Rain, called Linoleum Roses, which was inspired by her book.

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

The ocean, whether on the West Coast or the East Coast. The ocean is my “higher power,” it is where I find true spirituality and inspiration. It’s the one thing I miss about living in Los Angeles – well that and my best friend.

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

For me, not really, because my books have all been short stories and poetry collections. I don’t have to keep track of a plot or various characters. I just write when inspired! Sometimes that is while driving – a sentence will come to me, or a paragraph, and I’ll have to write it down as soon as I can so I don’t forget it. I often use my phone to make voice-notes. Then I find them ages later and don’t recall what they were for!

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

It took some time! Some of the stories were written years before others, but they fit in when it came time to publish. What happened was that I had a story I really liked (“Fire”), which I sent to a woman who turned out to be my mentor and idol. I’d heard of Iris Berry as she was famous in Los Angeles for her writing and music and performance art. I’d seen her over the years and knew her well enough to say hello, but that was it. I took a chance and sent a copy of Fire to her to get her feedback, fully not expecting to hear back. About 6 months later, she called me and said they wanted to publish a book of my short stories! I was blown-away! I put together all the stories I had sitting on a back-burner and wrote a few more. It took some time to edit, but we published it in November of that year (2014).

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

My books are both available on Amazon or on my website, http://www.nadiabrucerawlings.com

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Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

My first book, Scars, I used a photo by my brother, Geoff Cordner. I knew I wanted to use one of his photos on this book, as his images are very haunting. Iris ended up choosing just the right image. On Driving in the Rain, again, Iris chose! I was sending her a couple images by my sister, Denise Cordner, and told her to ignore the one with the rain. She immediately said, No! That’s the one!! And it’s going to be called Driving in the Rain! So…I wrote a poem that day by the same title, and it all worked out great.

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

I’m not sure, to be honest! I was worried my second book would be too similar to Scars, but it turned out ok. I know my third book will have to take a different turn. I don’t even know where to begin – I don’t want to bore my readers!

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

One of the challenges of Scars was that most of the stories are true, so that when people read Fire they thought it was a true story as well. It is not! It is, however, based on a news article that I read about a woman who burned her father to death in her house one day. After I read the article, I wanted to get inside her head to see why she would do that! I wrote it late one afternoon in our big house in Nashville.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Driving In The Rain

Scars

Book: Bloodlines

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

Hi I’m Marcus Abston. I’m the author of Bloodlines (A Dying Truth Exposed, Book One). I’m from the south-side suburbs of Chicago, and an alumni of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

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

The key challenges I had was deciding on an editor. Editing can be very expensive, and then you have to look at the editor’s past work. Also advertising is difficult because it’s the only way people know your book has been released.

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

I have to say C.S. Lewis, Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Maya Angelou, and J.J. R. Token are some of my favorite authors. I haven’t actually been influenced by any.

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

Going to certain parks in the city of Chicago are meaningful to me. There’s a lot of good memories in the city of Chicago.

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

Not for me. The stories really come from the heart.

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

It took me about three years because I was also balancing school at the time.

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

My book will be in the ebook form and as a paperback.

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

Looking at the over topic of the storyline and discussing with my editor with the suggestion of a friend.

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

I always have to remember everyone is my story has a different personality, and that helps keep the story fresh.

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

The secret I can tell is that Annabelle and Judy Mays will meet again.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Bloodlines

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

Absolutely. I’m a husband and father of 5 (Mae-11, Elsie-9, Charlie-7, Sam-3, and Henry-9 months), and I work at a local middle school as the assistant principal. I grew up on the east coast, moving with my parents and two sisters from Chicago, Illinois to Jacksonville, Florida to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Winchester, Virginia. We moved around a lot, but I loved every place we lived more than the last. I went to Clemson University for college and when I graduated, I became a teacher. I’ve taught everything from 3rd grade to 8th grade, the majority of my time spent in middle school. I met my wife Shannon while we were teaching in the same school. We got married, I became an assistant principal and we started our family soon afterward. I had always enjoyed telling stories to my students and coming up with creative outlets as a teacher. Once my wife and I started having children, I found it even more fun making up stories for them. Eventually I realized writing some of these stories down might be a fun way to preserve some of the ones my children liked best. That’s why I started publishing and why I wrote York the Yowie and Mr. Plopper.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘York The Yowie And His New Recepies’ book?

I think the most challenging thing about writing ‘York the Yowie and his New Recipes’ was deciding on which story to tell for that second York the Yowie book. I had a lot of ideas, and even more input from my kids. But once I decided that the challenge for York was coming up with something new (just like the challenge I was having in real life), it became the natural next story for York the Yowie.

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

I grew up and still absolutely love books by P. D. Eastman and the books he illustrated. Books such as ‘A Fish Out of Water’, ‘Are You My Mother’, ‘Go, Dog, Go’ and others are the ones I remember most fondly as a child, and I love to read to my kids as a dad.

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

I haven’t travelled to many of the places I know I’d love to see in this country (and the world), but as far as the places I’ve been, I love the north eastern area of the United States like Maine and Vermont. I also love the beaches on the east coast, like Hilton Head, SC.

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

Absolutely. It takes me a long time to figure out how to start a book and how I want it to make its readers feel. The York the Yowie books took a long time to revise and make just right, and even now when I read them I’d love to be able to make changes. The Mr. Plopper book was easier because I had been telling that story to my children for a long time before deciding to make it a book.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘York The Yowie And His New Recepies’ book?

To actually write the book, it took me about three months to get it right from start to finish. But it took me about 6 months to arrive at the final idea before writing it.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘York The Yowie And His New Recepies’ book to buy?

I believe all my books can be found on Amazon as paperback books or e-books. They can also be found on google to download or order as paperback.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘York The Yowie And His New Recepies ’?

Luckily I’ve been very fortunate to work with two very talented and helpful illustrators on my books. The covers have come together with their collaboration and ideas. The idea for the cover of ‘York the Yowie and his New Recipes’ came from the illustrator and I working together to imagine what way to best show what the book was about inside. We wanted York to be standing at a table with new foods and we decided to have the illustration wrap around to the back of the book.

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

That’s one of the toughest parts about writing, but I’m lucky to have children who like to share their ideas with me as well. Keeping things fresh and exciting, especially for yourself isn’t easy, but when you have help, that makes it fun.

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

York The Yowie And His New  Recepies

York The Yowie And His Very Big Dream