Category: Author Interview

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

I’m Lanie Mores, author of the science fiction and fantasy book series, Father of Contention. I reside in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada with my husband and son. I have two little, feisty dogs, Petri and Batman, who are a constant source of entertainment and distraction. Besides writing, I also run my own personal training business in-home and online. My interests involve music, baking, watching movies and television shows, fitness, reading, and writing. I’m currently busy working on the fourth book in my series, Gatekeepers of Eden, which should be available this summer.

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

Father of Contention was the first novel I wrote, and so I struggled with “imposter syndrome”. Feelings of doubt and inadequacy constantly led to procrastination, and I almost quit the process more than once. Not only was I faced with insecurity around my writing abilities, but I was a newbie to the entire publication process. Editing my manuscript, writing queries, synopses, back cover blurbs, creating social media pages…it was a steep learning curve, but worth it all in the end.

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

Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Margaret Atwood, and Stephenie Meyer have all influenced my writing. They inspired me to write in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal genres, and their writing styles are much to be emulated. I’m impressed by their effective use of poetic description, the impact that their characters’ internal dialogue has on their readers to make them feel a part of the story, and the inclusion of tragic storylines that don’t always have a happy ending. Although I could never say that I write as well as them, they inspire me to keep improving my skills and aspire to be a better author.

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

My all-time favourite spot to visit is the Indigo/Chapters bookstore in my hometown of Thunder Bay. It has a Starbucks attached, so it’s always filled with the glorious aroma of fresh brewed coffee. Coffee and books together…it’s my little slice of paradise! I worked there when I was in University, and more recently I got into the habit of dropping in every Sunday after church with my mom and son. It was the perfect escape, but we haven’t been able to go since Covid-19 hit, so I sorely miss our little dates.

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

As far as being a “Plotter or a Pantser”, I would say I’m more of a plotter. I always start with an idea or a group of concepts I want to write about, and then I research those concepts to death, literally burying myself in articles, books, periodicals…whatever I can get my hands on pertaining to the subject, until I feel like I’m an expert. Next, I create an outline of how my chapters and storyline will evolve; when different characters will be introduced and what they will be like, creating the scenery, developing bits of dialogue. During this process there are times I’m simply staring off into space, daydreaming, creating the scenes in my head before I write them down on paper. Finally, when I feel the story is mapped out from beginning to end, I start to write.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Sea of Forgetfulness’ book?

Sea of Forgetfulness took me approximately three years to write, from conception to completion, but I was working on other projects simultaneously. I began writing the first draft during NaNoWriMo 2016. Then I put it on the backburner until I finished it during NaNoWriMo 2019, followed by months of edits.

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

My website http://www.laniemores.com has direct links to most of the platforms where my books are available. That being said, you can find them on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo/Chapters, Kindle, Kobo, Smashwords, and Goodreads.

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

When I’m planning my covers, I picture in my mind what I would like the cover to look like, and then I search through hundreds of stock photos until I find the closest picture to match my vision. For my current book series, I wanted a character picture on both the front and back cover, so I needed to find the perfect fit for both. After I narrowed it down to a few choices, I had my friends vote on their favourites. The winners got sent off to Tellwell Talent’s book cover designers, who then created the final, polished graphics.
For title selection, my first book was easy since the devil serves as the books’ narrator, so I called it Father of Contention, which is one the devil’s many names. He also becomes the father of a new race of human, and so it was fitting. My second book, Guardian of Angel is a play on words. The main character’s nickname is Angel, and she gets linked to her guardian angel after a near-death-experience. Sea of Forgetfulness is taken from the Bible, a special place where people go that is somewhere between life and death…the main theme for that storyline. And the final book, Gatekeepers of Eden literally is about a selected group of individuals meant to protect the entrance to the Garden of Eden.

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

There are times I ignore the rules of writing and go off on my own tangent. It’s a risk, and can go either way, by being effective or an epic failure. I’m pleased how it’s turned out so far. For example, in the Father of Contention series, I have the devil using free-style poetry to narrate the story during the opening, midway and closing of the story in each book. He speaks directly to his audience, to you as reader and as the humans he loathes. I feel this addition gives the story a unique feel.

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 I can share from my latest book Sea of Forgetfulness that aren’t considered spoilers. For instance, Anthony and Ang, two of the main characters, get married in a quiet, understated affair. I also take the concept of “kill your darlings” a little too far by knocking off some major characters, while other characters thought to be dead and gone, resurface. Things aren’t always as they seem in my stories.

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

Father of Contention

Sea of Forgetfulness

Guardian of Angel

Book: The Power Of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic

Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself?

I am a proud mom of 3 amazing young adults. For the past
30 years, I have owned and operated a licensed Family In-home Daycare/Preschool. In addition, I am a certified parent-relationship coach. Through my extensive hands-on experiences and raising my own three children, I have learned a lot about children and how children think and react to different situations. Using positive mindsets, I help family members build strong meaningful partnerships filled with better understanding, more joy, and the ability to work through problems.
I have always had a dream of writing children’s books. My book The Power of Positivity, The ABC’s of a Pandemic, was inspired by my daycare children. One of the many things unique about the book is that each character in the book is a likeness of my children and past or
present daycare children. I believe that as much as I have taught them over the years, I have learned so much from them. It was my way of honoring them and letting them know how special they are to me.
My other passions include traveling with my family. We love to go on adventures and discover places off the beaten track. In my younger years, I was blessed to have worked as a tour guide, traveling with 40-50 people for two weeks at a time. It was such a great
experience, and as my children grew, it was vital for me to instill the adventure of travel in them. We have experienced some amazing adventures over time.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Power of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic’ book?

I think the biggest challenge was time. Just when you think you will make a deadline, something happens, causing delays. I worked with incredible professional people, so there was always a way to fix it. It was frustrating when delays happened because I knew I wanted the book out as soon as possible. After the first few delays I took on the mindset that there must be a good reason. I had faith that my book would be published exactly at the right time and that everything would fall into place. And it did, and things are still falling into place.

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

As a pre-school teacher, I have shared thousands and thousands of books with my children. I admire so many authors, too many too list. I love books that teach something, that help children see a problem they might have, and help them find solutions. That’s why I wrote my book. There was so much uncertainty around this pandemic. The uncertainty was causing children to be anxious and they were struggling with the right vocabulary to ask the questions to their concerns. I remember a book I read called Ruby Finds A Worry. Written by Tom Percival. In this book, Tom helps children who feel anxious, notice their worry and explains that it grows bigger and bigger if they keep it bottles up. When you share your fears and talk about them, they can go away. I believe children can learn so much through books and songs. My book has helped many children open up and talk about their fears of the pandemic and since my book focuses on the positive, reading and rereading my book helps them “rewire” their brains to look for the silver lining during this time.

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

I love the beauty of the great outdoors. When I was a tour guide in the mid 80’s One of my series was Alaska and the Yukon. Alaska and the Yukon have the most majestic mountains, glaciers and vast wild spaces. The wildlife is fascinating, and there is so much to learn about the history of the areas. The aurora borealis (northern lights) is breath taking, I have seen it many times, and each time it is unique and spectacular. For as long as I can remember, I always dreamed of sharing that area with my children. We were very blessed a few years back to take a vacation there and make unforgettable memories.

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

My process of writing a book may be very different from any other authors. Since the majority of my life has been surrounded by children, I am very in tune with their need. My children are always sharing things with me, so I get many of my children’s topics from them. I then do a lot of research. I sleep with a notebook by my bed, so if I think of something even during the middle of the night, I can jot it down. I do my best thinking just before bed and first thing in the morning because my mind seems clear and more open to creativity.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Power of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic’ book?

Writing the book only took a few weeks. The idea for the book came one day on the zoom during our state shut down. One of my daycare children looked sad and lost. He was missing his normal routine and his friends. I opened up a conversation so that the children could share what they were feeling and what I found was that most of them were feeling the same way, sad, lonely and confused. They were focused on the terrible situations they heard about the covid-19 virus.
I tend to be a very positive person, Not to say I have not had my share of ups and downs and challenging times, but I always try to look at the glass half full. So I started to brainstorm all the good that has come out of this difficult time. Everywhere I looked, I could find nuggets of kindness, love and compassion for others. I began researching to see more examples to use in my book, and that is when The Power of Positivity, The ABC’S of a Pandemic, was born. The part that took the longest was the illustrations; those took about eight weeks. Harry Aveira is such a talented illustrator. He had incredible ideas and was so patient with the things I asked for. The illustrations are so important because they continue to tell my story, so it is essential to take the time to get them just right.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Power of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic’ book to buy?

My books are currently located on Amazon, Good reads, Barns and Noble, and any Independent Bookstores. They are also available on my website https://www.ruthmaille-author.com/ “The Power of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic’ is also available in Spanish, El poder de la positividad EL: ABC de una pandemia. I have also published 2 companion books, The Power of Positivity Coloring book for children ages 3-5 yrs old and The Power of Positivity Activity book ages 5-8. My website has more information as to where you can buy local and valuable information on what is happening.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Power of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic’?

My project manager and mentor, April Cox, my graphic designer Praise Salfor, and myself worked on the cover idea. I wanted something that would encompass the entire book. People in the world were trying to cling to hope and be as optimistic as possible. So one night on zoom, we decided that the page “O is for Optimistic” was a picture of the earth; later named Orbit, with a band-aid on his head and a little girl hugging it, trying to make it feel better seemed to be the perfect cover. We also thought that the book should be neutral, so both boys and girls could love the book and its message. We decided to add a little boy. A friend of mine, Diane, suggested he be fist-pumping the earth since that was what boys were doing these days. The colors, font, and placement were also important. It took two weeks of tweaking to create what you see.

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

I think the secret is just being me. I write from my heart, and my intention is to help children develop into confident, happy, respectful, well-adjusted, and resilient human beings. I do this every day in my business, and writing children’s books is one more way I can make a difference. I don’t concentrate on “Is this what will sell my book?” I focus on how my message can make a difference in even one child’s life. I hope that when children read my book, they feel empowered to be the best they can be.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. If you have any clarification questions or need more information please reach out.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Power Of Positivity: The ABC’s Of A Pandemic

Book: Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam The Day Sam Gets Fired

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

Hi! I’m Lillie Sandstrom. I’m a wife, mother of 5, sister, and friend. I’m a grandmother of 4 with 1 on the way. I teach piano lessons. I love to read, bake, craft, and most recently, write books!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam The Day Sam Gets Fired’ book?

The challenges were getting the story to flow, be easy to read, and make sense. Then it was what are the fairies to look like? I wanted an illustrator, but found that making the fairies and taking photos was a better way to go. Then I worked with @FriesenPress, self publishing. They were amazing! The editing comments were the best help of all. The challenge now is getting the word out. The pandemic hasn’t helped, but social media is the key.

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

I love JK Rowling and the Harry Potter series. I love Shel Silverstein. “The Giving Tree” is my all-time fav book. Sandra Boynton and Dr. Seuss are among my favorite authors as well. I love a good detective-type novel. Trying to figure out whodunit is something I enjoy. Because I had 5 children, I had a lot of practice reading books to children. Some books we read over and over and I just thought about what made them so popular with our kids.

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

The beach. I live in So. California. The beach is one place I can go and just sit, watch the waves and people, and think. I find peace there.

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

Well, first you need a story. Take from your own experiences. Then you need to just get it on paper. Revisions, revisions, revisions. Just keep at it!! I had all my kids and my husband read my story and make comments. It was helpful.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam: The Day Sam Gets Fired’ book?

I was on a long road trip (a 12 hr drive!), alone, and wrote the story on the drive home. When I would take a break for food and gas, I would jot down what I had thought about. I wrote it up when I got home and revised it several times, over a few months. Actually, it came together pretty quickly. And it’s a children’s story, 30 pages, so it didn’t take too long.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam: The Day Sam Gets Fired’ book to buy?

You can purchase a book at Amazon; Bookstore.FriesenPress.com; BarnesandNoble.com; books.com; bol.com; powells.com; to name a few.
You can purchase a digital copy at Google Play Books and Kindle Store.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam: The Day Sam Gets Fired’?

I knew I wanted a story of three fairy friends. As the story was coming together, I thought about fairies and they flutter around. That sparked the name of the first fairy, Flutter. Then I wanted another name that, when spoken, flowed together. The fairies are made from flowers and plants, so the name, Flax, worked nicely. My husband suggested that! Then I wanted a single syllable name to end the threesome. I just liked the name Sam. Because of our own experience, I wanted Sam to be the distracted one and it also comes from experience that our tooth fairy was fired. So it’s a story of how the firing of our fairy came to be.
Trying to find an illustrator was difficult, so I made the fairies and my husband, Stan, is the photographer/illustrator. We thought having real photos would make for a nice book. It’s a bit different than other cartoon-type tooth fairy books. I wanted to be just a little different.
I made several fairies and we had a photo shoot one day. The cover photo, with some added sparkles, was a photo both my husband and I liked, and it stuck.

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

Recalling your own experiences keeps things fresh I think. It’s always fun to reminisce. But making it a story for all to read, well, you need fun characters and a good plot or message. Having the three fairies and basically a community of fairies, all with different personalities, allows me to create lots of stories. The Day Sam Gets Fired is just the beginning of stories about Flutter, Flax, and Sam!!

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Three Tooth Fairies Flutter, Flax And Sam The Day Sam Gets Fired

Book: Hungry Hearts

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

My name is Julie Hoag. I’m an author of Young Adult books and a Family and Lifestyle blogger/influencer. I write contemporary romance and middle grade novels. My debut novel is “Hungry Hearts” and my next book “Out of Control” is scheduled to release in 2021 with Swoon Romance. I blog about family life, topics for kids and moms/women, pets, recipes, and travel, with some DIY added in here and there. I am also published across the internet in nonfiction. I am a wife and mom of three boys, two dogs, and a guinea pig.

Q2. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Hungry Hearts’?

The book cover was fully created by Month9Books/Swoon Romance, the publisher of the book. I loved the cover instantly when I first saw it. They did an amazing job, it’s just so gorgeous. The title fits because the book is about anorexia, food, and being hungry both for food and for love. Landra’s heart is starving for love and attention almost as much, if not more, than her stomach is for food. She severely lacks emotional support and evidence of love at the beginning of the book, only receiving it from her two best friends. So, her heart is very hungry. The title was originally longer but upon collaboration with the publisher, we thought the shorter version was better.

Q3. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I wrote this book as a part of the Twitter writing challenge NaNoWriMo. This is a writing challenge for writers/authors to attempt to write at least 30,000 words in a month. It was in the month of November and I exceeded the goal and made it to 45,000 words in the month. I took two more weeks of intense writing and I finished the book in a total of just six weeks. I had beta readers read it, I revised it and shipped it off and I was offered a book contract in January. For me, keeping it fresh means writing manically. I feel I’m in the zone of a book when I write on it constantly, so I keep that intensity going because I feel I’m living in the book. This helps me remember who is doing what, who is saying what, and helps keep me in the flow of the story better than when I take large breaks. So, I guess I tend to write books in chunks of time rather than over a long period of time.

Q4. What does success mean to you?

I have already met my goal of becoming a published author. That is a dream I’ve had since I was a very young girl in the fourth grade. Of course, I want to sell more books and move people emotionally and mentally with more books, but to me, I am already successful no matter what happens next. I’ve written seven manuscripts/books, two of which I have contracts for, and that is a huge accomplishment in and of itself.

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

I usually start with characters and a basic premise for the book, a set of themes I wish to touch on in the story. It’s been different for each manuscript. I often need to research something about a storyline, to make it accurate, and I do that as I go along writing usually. I do like to have an outline, query letter, or hook written out before I start to keep myself oriented to the storyline.

Q6. How long did it take you to write this book? On what all platforms can readers find your book to buy?

I guess I touched on that already, I wrote this book in six weeks, rather manically. But to me, if I’m in the zone of the book, it’s easier to keep going. If I have ever taken breaks, I have to go back and reread what I’ve written to get back into the zone of that book, so it’s rather an ineffective way to write in my world. My book is in ebook form, audiobook, audio CD, and paperback. It is sold on Amazon, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, all the independent small book stores, play.google.com, and more.

Q7. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

Anywhere on the coast as I love the beach. I love the sound of water, so lakes are nice too, but the ocean shore is unmatched in beauty, serenity, magic, and majesty.

Q8. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Hungry Hearts’ book?

My key challenge was to depict the characters as true teens. My greatest compliments have come from those who called my book “a true YA book”, “almost too real” they were uncomfortable, that the characters were almost painfully too realistic. This means I’ve done my job in writing true to life characters, which is what I’d be honoured to be known for. It was a challenge I enjoyed trying to incorporate my own experiences with teen anorexia into a book where the character showed her true anorexic nature but also experienced growth, healing, and maturity.
The other thing I wanted to illustrate is that teens with disorders and low self-esteem can still fall in love. Not that love is a fix all for problems, if only it were that easy, but the support a person can receive from someone they love can help them down the path to healing. Other books with teens who have anorexia delve into the deep dark arena of anorexia where they may have severe health problems resulting from the anorexia. Well, the truth is, less severe cases of anorexia are far more common and can be just as potentially dangerous as those who end up in the hospital due to their anorexia. Anorexia is on a spectrum, just as all disorders, there are less severe cases and more drastic cases. I wanted to show the case of a girl with anorexia who definitely was negatively impacted by her poor eating but who didn’t end up with organ damage or hospitalization. A person with anorexia needs the support of her family and friends, and therapy if that’s available. But support from those in one’s life can have a significant impact on heading down the road to healing.
Incorporating multiple themes, including low self-esteem, bullying, and grieving on top of all of the above into a book can be a challenge, but that is accurate to real life. No one lives in a bubble. We all have challenges, issues, hurts, and healing ongoing throughout our lives. I wanted to create a character who reflected that reality. It’s very close to what I lived through myself having lost my own mother at sixteen. But, yet, I also wanted to show the upbeat nature of teens falling in love so the challenges were definitely there.

Q9. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Oh, that’s almost impossible to say. I’ve read so much over the course of my life; I’ve consumed so many books it makes my head spin. From teen romance novels as a young girl (and still now… I read YA all the time), to mysteries, to horror, to romance, and a whole line of classics. I love to read fiction, poetry, and memoirs too. To pick some who have inspired me I guess I’d pick Stephen King, John Green, J.K. Rowling, Kami Garcia, Stephanie Perkins, Sara Dressen, Jenny Han, Huntley Fitzpatrick, Jennifer Niven, Clare Di Liscia, just so many amazing authors. I couldn’t even begin to name them all.

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

The boy she falls in love with ends up pleasing her in ways she never expected.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Hungry Hearts

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

Hello and thank you for having me. My name is Kimberly Daley and I’m the author of two interesting and empowering new children’s books, Meatloaf Beatloaf and Raise your voice for Courtney.
I am a self published author and CEO-President of JEANIE BEAN BOOKS LLC.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing the ‘Raise Your Voice For Courtney’ book?

Well, one of the first challenges was an emotional one for me. Being that the story is about an issue that affected myself as well as my niece when we were children. Working through the story really opened up a lot of hurtful emotions while writing. I went through a bit of a therapy session you could say. Looking back at the shy, insecure little girls we once were and realizing how much we have both grown and learned about ourselves. What we have accomplished is really surreal and empowering. It took us both some time to realize we always had it in us , we just had to believe it for ourselves.
The second challenge was editing it down to fit into a children’s book format. I wanted it to be a story that was short and sweet, not too dark but still getting the message across. Teaching children to be brave and to find the courage to speak up and be themselves, share their ideas, thoughts and feelings. All humans share that need to be seen , heard and understood.

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

As a child I loved all books by Dr. Suess. I know it’s probably cliche’ but it’s true. Horton Hears a Who? was my all time favorite. For some reason I was really struck by the idea that there could be an entire living species so small they could hardly be seen by the naked eye. A hidden world that existed on the allium flower. I’ve been obsessed with the tiny details and internal intricacies of flowers, plants and mother nature in general ever since I read that book!

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

One of my absolute favorite places to visit is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a mountain region that stretches between North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s full of lush forests, rivers and waterfalls not to mention the amazing wildlife and history the area holds.

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

No, I try to let the stories choose for me. I’m always carrying around little pads and notebooks that I constantly jot down ideas, details and bits of stories in. So the hardest part is deciding which story to concentrate on first. The next step is writing outlines for each in folders and waiting to see which one is jumping out more than the others wanting to be heard. When this happens I give that story my full attention and work on bringing it to life.

Q6. How long did it take you to write the book ‘Meatloaf Beatloaf’?

That story was written in a shorter rough draft years prior to publishing. I had written it for and about my son who was a bit of a picky eater when he was little. When my niece Courtney Soden approached me with the idea about publishing the book for her college thesis, I got to work right away. I did a lot of editing and rewriting the story to fit into a 32 page children’s book format. It took us about a year from start to finish, there was so much to learn! We are still learning but are amazed by how far we have come!

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

Our books are available online at amazon and Barnes and Noble as well as over 39,000. The easiest way to find them is by clicking on our website with links to purchase as well as free shipping! http://www.authorkimberlydaley.com

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

When I start working on a new story I draw rough sketches depicting ideas for illustrations, page layouts as well as cover art. After I get the story outline cleaned up to be a properly formatted book,I make up two dummy books. One for myself, the other for Courtney. I send my niece a copy to get started on the illustrations. After she has had a chance to go over everything and come up with her own ideas, We brainstorm over zoom meetings discussing what works,needs changing or improving on. Courtney works in publishing during the workweek and has a much better idea as to what guidelines and formatting is required. The titles are usually something that come to me in the beginning phase of writing the story, based on the ideas and context of the book and characters.

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

I drive a school bus for a living and am around elementary school age children on a daily basis. This has been an incredible resource for me over the past twenty years as a writer. I’ve been able to gather content for future stories as well as bounce ideas and bits of stories off my students. This helps me to stay up to date on what kids find funny as well as their ever changing lingo, trends and social issues. I’m constantly in awe of their strength, intelligence and ability to transform and adapt to speed in which the world around us is changing.

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

Meatloaf Beatloaf

Raise Your Voice For Courtney

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

I’m Lauren. I’m a self-published author of dystopian romance novels. I have two published at the moment on Amazon, and the third installment is coming soon. I’m a mum of three and I love to cook and bake. I find it soothing after a long day to just make a meal from scratch with some trashy TV or crime documentary on in the background. I think most writers love to read, and I’m no different. I read around three books a week and just love getting lost for a little while.

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

The key challenges for me were to balance the world building and the character development. I wanted people to feel like they were there, that they could smell and hear every word but also, I wanted them to love the characters as much as I do.

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

For being a young child books were a part of our life. My mum actively encouraged us to read. My own personal tastes are quite varied, I love historical romance when it’s done well. I don’t write erotic romance myself but these are some of my favourite authors. Jaine Diamond is an amazing author who just manages to write perfect character matches every time. I love Karen Lynch too. She’s written an awesome series called Relentless and I just couldn’t put it down.

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

Well, I live in the UK. I have a few. Wales is very nostalgic for me as it reminds me of fun summers in a caravan as a child. I have a huge connection to the Lake District too which is breathtakingly beautiful, but also holds very fond memories for me.

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

Not for me. I jump right in! Once I am inspired, I pretty much write as much as I can and then edit. Sometimes the story develops and changes, but I just dive in head first.

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

New Haven took a little longer than The Sanctuary. I wrote my draft and thought it was done…it wasn’t. All in all, New Haven took around seven months to complete.

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

My books are available on Amazon and a few online book stores in various countries, Barnes & Noble, Dymocks (Australia) and a few others.
The Sanctuary
The First Book in the New Beginnings Series
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sanctuary-Lauren-Rigby-ebook/dp/B08L9RD3H7
US: https://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Lauren-Rigby-ebook/dp/B08L9RD3H7

New Haven
The Second Book in the New Beginnings Series
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Haven-Beginnings-Book-ebook/dp/B08QH8JJWM
US: https://www.amazon.com/New-Haven-Beginnings-Book-ebook/dp/B08QH8JJWM

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

The covers were a challenge. I started with a very basic plain cover that I did myself. I then decided to hire a designer and was so lucky to find betibup33 designs. They did all the covers for my books and I love them!
The first title was originally ‘The Gathering’. It then developed into what it is now, ‘The Sanctuary.’ New Haven was easy enough to figure out and just came with the second book.

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

I try to make sure that even though the stories are set in the similar places, with a lot of the same characters groups, I write in first person for the two protagonists. This helps develop the characters and also gives two perspectives of the same journey. I do bring in different, new faces along the way and just keep writing the journey.

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

I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but I can tell you that this isn’t your typical dystopian that focusses on mainly Young Adults. This is grown up, real problems, emotional drama and soul deep romance. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

The Sanctuary

New Haven

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

I’m Lauren. I’m a self-published author of dystopian romance novels. I have two published at the moment on Amazon, and the third installment is coming soon. I’m a mum of three and I love to cook and bake. I find it soothing after a long day to just make a meal from scratch with some trashy TV or crime documentary on in the background. I think most writers love to read, and I’m no different. I read around three books a week and just love getting lost for a little while.

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

The key challenges for me were to balance the world building and the character development. I wanted people to feel like they were there, that they could smell and hear every word but also, I wanted them to love the characters as much as I do.

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

For being a young child books were a part of our life. My mum actively encouraged us to read. My own personal tastes are quite varied, I love historical romance when it’s done well. I don’t write erotic romance myself but these are some of my favourite authors. Jaine Diamond is an amazing author who just manages to write perfect character matches every time. I love Karen Lynch too. She’s written an awesome series called Relentless and I just couldn’t put it down.

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

Well, I live in the UK. I have a few. Wales is very nostalgic for me as it reminds me of fun summers in a caravan as a child. I have a huge connection to the Lake District too which is breathtakingly beautiful, but also holds very fond memories for me.

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

Not for me. I jump right in! Once I am inspired, I pretty much write as much as I can and then edit. Sometimes the story develops and changes, but I just dive in head first.

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

New Haven took a little longer than The Sanctuary. I wrote my draft and thought it was done…it wasn’t. All in all, New Haven took around seven months to complete.

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

My books are available on Amazon and a few online book stores in various countries, Barnes & Noble, Dymocks (Australia) and a few others.
The Sanctuary
The First Book in the New Beginnings Series
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sanctuary-Lauren-Rigby-ebook/dp/B08L9RD3H7
US: https://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Lauren-Rigby-ebook/dp/B08L9RD3H7

New Haven
The Second Book in the New Beginnings Series
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Haven-Beginnings-Book-ebook/dp/B08QH8JJWM
US: https://www.amazon.com/New-Haven-Beginnings-Book-ebook/dp/B08QH8JJWM

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

The covers were a challenge. I started with a very basic plain cover that I did myself. I then decided to hire a designer and was so lucky to find betibup33 designs. They did all the covers for my books and I love them!
The first title was originally ‘The Gathering’. It then developed into what it is now, ‘The Sanctuary.’ New Haven was easy enough to figure out and just came with the second book.

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

I try to make sure that even though the stories are set in the similar places, with a lot of the same characters groups, I write in first person for the two protagonists. This helps develop the characters and also gives two perspectives of the same journey. I do bring in different, new faces along the way and just keep writing the journey.

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

I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but I can tell you that this isn’t your typical dystopian that focusses on mainly Young Adults. This is grown up, real problems, emotional drama and soul deep romance. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

The Sanctuary

New Haven

Book: Objective Perspective inside the system

Q1. Please briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Kareen Thompson, I am “Jam- Canadian”. I was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica on Canada day. I believe that it was Devine destiny that I would migrate to Canada, so I can fulfill my life’s purpose and leave a legacy. I am a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a qualified and registered social worker with ten years of experience working in the Manitoba child welfare system. I am an author, coach, and motivational speaker who helps individuals and families to live a JOY filled life.

Q2. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your book?

The book cover reflects the fact that as social workers we are social scientist, so we took an objective perspective using a social justice lens to examine the child welfare system. This was done to magnify the dis-services faced by SAD affected children as they enter, journey through, and transition out of the child welfare system. We wanted a cover that will grab the attention of potential readers, so we choose dark red and gold.

Q3. Please tell something about SAD Pandemic to readers.

Being social scientists, we used the metaphor of a pandemic to explain the impact Sexual violence Addiction Domestic violence (SAD) has on the lives of children and families. We coined the term as a “SAD pandemic” and define it as a systematic issue that affects the most vulnerable people of our society. The following are some of the impact of the SAD pandemic:

SAD:
• Is the leading cause for children entering care and becoming a “system child”.
• traumatize children in their homes.
• contributes to dysfunctional families.
• contribute to individuals becoming a couch surfer (homeless)
• lead to increased numbers in missing and murdered youths.
• lead to death through homicide, suicide, and overdose.

Q4. What is the typical profile of a system child?

A combination of some or all of these might exist for a typical system child.
• Born to parents who abuse substances.
• Predisposed to a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis.
• Repeatedly traumatized in a home which is infected with the SAD pandemic.
• Use of substances to cope with negative past experiences.
• Mental health and behavioral concerns—self-harming, suicidal ideation, and seeking an escape from CFS life realities.
• Cognitive disabilities due to FASD diagnosis. School attendance and academic performance impacted, resulting in an inability to enter the workforce.
• At high risk for criminal involvement due to inability to control anger and to follow rules and laws.
• inability to live independently at the age of majority. but transitioned out of care anyway based on youth and families demand. May become a couch surfer (homeless), gang leader or member, or may be exposed to sexual exploitation or become involved in the drug or sex trade (source of income).

Q5. Why do you feel this book is important, especially now?

When we thought of using the metaphor of a pandemic to write this, we didn’t know that the world would have actually experience a global COVID 19 pandemic. During this pandemic we see that there was an increase in the number of domestic violence as persons are forced to isolate at home. There was also discussion about leaving liquor stores open as an essential item since people who struggled with addictions might find more deadly and illegal substances if they do not have accessibility to alcohol. There was also worry about whether more children would be exposed to abuse in their homes during isolation as school were closed. It should be noted that school is the only safe space for some children who live in homes that are affected by SAD. What we end up seeing is a pandemic within a pandemic. With the current situation of the COVID 19 pandemic the reader will have a better understanding of the metaphor of the book but more importantly, they will realize the devasting impact that a pandemic has on the lives of children and families, and similarly, the SAD pandemic also has devastating impacts.

Q6. What are you currently most passionate about and why?

I am passionate about social justice issues. I love to advocate for persons who are the least of these in our society. I enjoy serving children and families who are impacted by the SAD pandemic. It is my passion to help them turn their SAD situations into JOY.

Q7. Can you give us a snippet of the journey that led you to write this book?

This journey was a 10-year journey from the moment I entered the child welfare system as a support and youth care worker in 2010, then becoming a manager of a program preparing youths to transition out of the system to becoming a frontline social worker. The book was a Devine inspiration based on the calling upon my life to serve children and families. I felt the burden of writing about the injustices and the dis services they experience. I write and advocate on their behalf because, I felt the pain and a burden seeing their SAD situation. I realized that there was purpose in my pain and by writing this book I would be leaving a legacy that will help to change a child’s world.

Q8. Who did you write this book for, and what do you want them to take away from reading it?

I write this book to help world changers to come on board because when they read this book, they will be given a perspective that will help to influence them into taking action that will positively change the lives of children and families who are affected by SAD.

Q9. How can readers get a copy of your book and what social media platforms can they connect with you?

Readers can get their copy and connect with me by:
• Visiting the website: https://www.thevov.org/
• Purchasing a copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1647460069/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thevov07-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1647460069&linkId=999c515eec5f73d807f58c846f369ba5
• Follow my author page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08BYX55ML
Facebook: Kareen Thompson
Instagram: @kareenthompson2020

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Objective Perspective inside the system

Book: Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall

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

Hello! My name is Despena Zouzas and I am a teacher, avid reader, and first-time author. I am the author of the children’s book Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall’ book?

I think that the editing process was the most challenging for me. Looking at my own work was difficult and caused me to miss things along the way, making it a pretty lengthy process. Second guessing different parts of the draft was also a challenge. I kept thinking too far ahead about what the reader may be thinking or feeling during different parts that made me want to make constant changes.

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

So many authors in both the children, young adult, and adult realm influence my writing that I can only list a few! Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Kevin Henkes, Bill Martin Jr., Roald Dahl, and Shel Silverstein are just a few of the many authors in the children’s book space that I draw inspiration from for my own writing.

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

I live in New England, and love that I get to experience all four seasons! It is so hard to pick one spot, as I am a short drive from many local attractions. One place I love to visit is Portland, Maine. I love trying different restaurants (huge foodie here), sipping my way through the many breweries, and walking the local shops and beaches.

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

Before I really start, I like to have a lot of notes and ideas written down. Some ideas just fall flat and do not make it past the note stage. But the concepts I keep going back to are the ones I choose to move forward with. I am usually pretty busy with work so I try to dedicate time on the weekends for writing by blocking out a 20-30 minute window of time.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall’ book?

The idea for the book had been in the works for a while and was something I went back to quite a bit. I already had most of it written, so when quarantine hit my state I spent most of my time perfecting the story line and finishing the draft.

Q7. On what platforms readers can find ‘Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall’ book to buy?

All readers can purchase “Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall” from Amazon. Readers local to the Boston, Massachusetts area also have the option to purchase directly from me to receive a few fun goodies with their purchase by accessing the Google form in the link in my bio.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall’ ?

My own cat, Nala, was my inspiration for the book. She typically stays in during the day, and leaves through her cat door at night as seen in the book. She wanders through the backyard, and the neighborhoods surrounding my house. This is where I got the idea of basing the title off of her actual backyard “adventures”. For the cover, my amazing Illustrator, Maria Katinas, captured my vision perfectly.

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

To keep things fresh, I try not to put pressure on coming up with the most unique ideas or to come up with something that has never been done before. As much as I block out time to write or jot down ideas, if I have nothing to write, I simply just do not force it. Since I am a new author, I think keeping things fresh for the reader will start to become difficult as I complete additional books.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Nala’s Backyard Adventures: Nala Stands Tall

Book: The Last Lumenian

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

I write under the pen name S.G. Blaise, which is a direct translation of my real name. I was born and raised in a Hungary and grew up in the last half of Soviet oppression. Although I always wanted to be a writer, I never imagined I’d be doing it in English.

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

One of the rewarding challenges was learning the craft while writing my book. I must have written five or six books, averaging 500 pages, as I developed my style.

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

There are many amazing authors who influenced me both professionally and as a reader. They include authors like Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, Ilona Andrews, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Danielle Steele, Sydney Sheldon, Robert Ludlum, Karen Marie Moning just to name a few.

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

One of the most amazing things growing up in Hungary was all the rich history that surrounded me. Each morning, I would walk past ancient Roman ruins as I headed to high school. The high school itself was located at the foot of one of the most world-renowned castles in Europe, visible from all its windows. Other times, I would pass by a famous mineral bath built in the 16th century by the Turks during their 150-year occupation. Looking at them, it never ceased to amaze me to imagine what it must have been like to live during those times.

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

I spend a few months developing the story and the world building before I start writing. I am happy to share that I am in the process of revising the sequel to The Last Lumenian, planned for release late Summer or late fall 2021.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Last Lumenian’ book?

It took over six years from start to finish. Plus one more year to get it published.

Q7. On what platforms readers can find ‘The Last Lumenian’ book to buy?

The Last Lumenian is available on Amazon in ebook, audiobook and paperback format. As an ebook it is also available at Barnes & Noble, GooglePlay, Kobo and Apple Books.

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

The book cover is the result of a wonderful collaboration with Dissect Designs. Tim Barber did a phenomenal job translating my story into a stunning cover that recently won an award at the 2020 Annual Best Book Awards in the category of Best Cover Design: Fiction.

The title came to me in a brainstorming session with my editor. We were looking for a unique angle that would not only describe the first book but the whole series, too.

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

I try to create an immersive world for my readers so that they will feel like they have escaped reality when reading The Last Lumenian series. Adding details like specially made catchphrases make for unique dialog. Intriguing characters and humor sprinkled throughout the story are all designed to keep the reader entertained and the story to be a page-turner. As for myself, writing the best story possible is a reward in and of itself. I love coming up with new twists and turns, building the world and creating unique characters. It’s all part of the fun of writing The Last Lumenian series and I am having a blast!

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

There are many secrets in the book but I’m afraid I can’t share any without spoiling the story. The readers so far really liked the glossary at the end and found it useful to keep track of the characters and enjoyed the unexpected humor in it.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Last Lumenian