Category: Author Interview

Book: Fly Girl

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

I was born and primarily raised in the State of Montana in the USA. I joined the Navy when I turned 18 and within a year I completed training to be a Navy SEAL. I remained in that job for the next 23 years. As a SEAL I travelled the world extensively which was great! As a part of that job I was able to participate in several sports if you will, that most people do for fun such as SCUBA diving, skiing, climbing, skydiving and many other outdoor activities. I am an instrument rated Private Pilot with more than 1500 hours and an avid sailor. Since 2000 I have travelled to 38 countries working primarily as a diving/instructor for Special Forces. Everything I have done in my life can be found in my writing whether its travel or the various adventures and activities my characters are involved in.

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

The biggest challenge was getting started. The story resided in my head for a few years. My characters were well known to me as was the plot. But since I have a full time job it was a challenge to sit and actually take the time to write. Once I started it was virtually impossible to stop. The conversations were going on in my mind constantly. When a I felt something wasn’t perfect I consulted with my wife and we would talk through the issue until the way forward was clear.

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

Clive Cussler was a huge influence. His style of writing action adventure appealed to me. I found his stories easy to read and imagine. I wanted to write that same way so readers could see what was happening as they read.

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

There is a highway that runs through the Rocky Mountains from Denver Colorado to Southern Utah. It is called Interstate 70. That particular stretch of road should be a Wonder of the World! The scenery is spectacular. The wildlife you see along the way is amazing! Americas greatest ski resorts are all along the route as well as Moab Utah. Someplace anyone reading this should google. The grave site of Colonel William F, Buffalo Bill Cody is just off I70 on Lookout Mountain. These are the kinds of experiences that cause my imagination to run wild. I feel it’s a must see for anyone visiting the American West!

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

To be honest. I have a pile of unfinished works that I started and abandoned prior to Fly Girl primarily because I didn’t understand the process. I had taken a few creative writing classes and that was the extent of my education. That said. I always knew in my heart I could and would write a novel. I will say with Fly Girl I literally learned as I went. I researched the requirements for a novel such as the one I was writing to learn the expected word count. I read about character development and other aspects of novel writing but beyond that I would just say I was extremely lucky to have such a well developed story in my mind waiting get out. And I was extremely lucky for someone so uneducated in the process of writing.

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

Once I started writing in earnest it took about six months to write and another four months to finalize. At various times I would sit and write 8000 words in a day. Other times I would write as few as 1000. I spent a tremendous amount of time rereading and editing my work. Especially if I didn’t like a conversation or if I felt something wasn’t descriptive enough. Or if my wife read it and she wasn’t moved by it. Her input was invaluable especially when it came relationships within the story.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your book ‘Fly Girl’ to buy?

The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle version.

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

The cover is a composite of a young woman who represents the main character, pilot Rawley West, The Grand Teton Mountains directly behind the Jackson Hole Wyoming Airport and an aircraft that is widely used around the world for the same purposes it is used in the story. A friend who has the requisite skills put the cover together for me. The title was just in my head from the beginning. It was always meant to be used in the story in a conversation. That’s how far ahead I was thinking before I wrote the first word.

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

In the case of Fly Girl I tried to keep the story moving forward constantly and I tried to make the characters and action believable. I used locations around the world that I knew well and had visited. The subplots are ironically subplots in my current and past life. I quite honestly wrote about what I know from life experiences so that made it easy. Many of the vignettes I used are loosely based on actual events. The readers should feel like they have been around the world.They should feel anxious. They should learn some actual history. They should feel invigorated by the action. They should like some characters and dislike a few. I’m sure it’s a medical condition well known to some doctors but while writing the characters were very real to me. Their conversations were like a movie in my mind. I should say I’m back to normal now.

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

The biggest secret is that most of the event’s in this work of fiction are based on stories from military friends or things that my wife or I experienced during our military careers. I credited my wife Sali Gear as a Co-Author for her technical contributions and her insight as a former Navy Pilot during a time when women were not as accepted as they are today. In the novel our hero, Rawley reads a letter she had sent to her mother during her Navy flight training. That letter is an actual correspondence my wife sent home verbatim. My wife’s mother had returned every letter Sali sent home during that period and we read through them looking for inspiration. In the end we felt that specific letter had to be used word for word. It’s a fictional story but so much of it is real to us. Fly Girl is about an inspirational young woman who when challenged steps up and saves the day! If readers think she is too perfect, too calm, too skilled it’s because she is supposed seem that way. Real life women flying for the military are all that and much more. That’s what I wanted to convey with this story.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Fly Girl

Book: The Standing Cemetery

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

Hello, I am Jack. 30 years young. I’m a Libra and my day job is a hair stylist. I come from a large and supportive family. I have been playing tabletop games for a little over 10 years now.

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

Time. Time was the most challenging thing for me as I was still doing my day job during this pandemic, because people still want to look good.

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

To be honest it wasn’t really a book by itself it was D&D, over the years of playing I learned how to roleplay better and started thinking of my own adventures. Sometimes, when I create character backstories I try to build what makes them Human: Likes, Dislikes, Fears, Family, Sexuality, and put them into little stories for the Game Master.

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

I’m a fan of water, so beaches and areas that overlook those areas are nice, though a nice walk in the woods is good as well.

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

Not particularly, as I stated previously my character bio’s tend to be bigger than needed and sometimes i just think of characters for the simplest of terms. One character im currently writing about was just a basic farmer in his home town and figured he would leave for adventure, where most D&D characters tend to have these devastating backgrounds.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Standing Cemetery’ book?

From what i can remember roughly Two and a half Months.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your book ‘The Standing Cemetery’ to buy?

Right now Kindle and Paperback through Amazon

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

The book cover was laziness and just trying to get it out, ha. But the Title comes from the main area inside the book, the story is based around a ‘Standing Cemetery’ of sorts.

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

Depending on what I’m talking about I either give just enough detail for the imagination to work itself or I delve deep into description so others understand what I’m describing should look like in full.

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

Most people who have experienced loss should be able to relate to the story, others I hope to inspire imagination

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Standing Cemetery

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

I am the author of the short story collection Snapshots, which won the 2020 PenCraft Literary Award for Short Story Anthology. I am also the author of four novels, most recently A Knife’s Edge, which was an Honorable Mention in Thriller Writing at the London Book Festival, and is the sequel to the award-winning novel Fragile Brilliance. I am a recipient of the West Virginia Literary Merit Award and Fragile Brilliance was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in Thriller Writing. I recently received with the Thriller Writing Award by the National Association of Book Editors (NABE) for his novels.
I also host the podcast program Now, Appalachia, which profiles authors and publishers living and writing in the Appalachian region and is heard on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. I am a graduate of the Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University with an MFA in Creative Writing and Murray State University with a Doctorate in English, and I teach English at the University of Mississippi and live in Oxford, Mississippi and Chesapeake, Ohio.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Breakdown at Clear River’ book?

The key challenges I faced is trying to make the book more than a sports mystery. Football is an important component of the book because Dane Antonelli, the victim, is a member of the Clear River Cougars football team. However, I realized that every reader might not like or understand football, so I had to balance those game chapters with more traditional narrative. I also had to make sure that many of the characters in the book talked and acted like college students and not adults, which was challenging when I had them talking to adults. Despite those challenges, the book was fun to write.

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

John Steinbeck and Pat Conroy are two writers that have influenced my work. Steinbeck was wonderful at describing settings and his lush, ebullient prose about the Salinas Valley in California was a great inspiration to me. Steinbeck also had the ability to create villains in his fiction that you loved to hate as a reader. Pat Conroy wrote some of the most beautiful prose of any reader I’ve ever read. His command of language and tone could have you fawning over a place on one page and then mad at the behavior of another character on another page. Conroy was a master of language—he never wasted one word of prose in his fiction. My favorite thriller writer is C.J. Box for many of the same reasons I like Steinbeck and Conroy.

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

I like to visit lakes and rivers. For some reason, the calm of hearing water burbling down a lake or river is a soothing, calming sound. The sound of the trickling water makes you stop and just listen and be silent for a while. That’s a good thing, I think. Silence and stillness is okay. The United States is blessed with many great lakes and rivers, so there are plenty of ones to go visit.

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

I don’t begin writing a book until the idea of the book has been percolating in my mind for weeks or months. As a writer, I have lots of ideas for stories and books, but I’ve found that my best books and stories come from those ideas that are permeating my subconscious and, for some reason, won’t leave me alone. Then, I begin to outline. I write a loose outline of the story and I try to follow it, but I give myself the freedom to deviate from it if the characters or the plot takes me in a new direction. Then, I write and re-write and re-write some more before I am satisfied with the manuscript.

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

I took me almost two years. That book was complex because it dealt with a dangerous drug called desomorphine. The street name of it is Krok. I had to spend a lot of time researching that story, so I researched the drug, how it is made, how it made its way to the United States from Russia, etc. Krok is also a drug addiction that impacts the user’s bloodstream, so I spoke to a couple of haematologists to find out what a drug like Krok could actually do to a person. In addition, I spoke to a number of law enforcement officers and asked them about what happens when an illegal drug creates a pandemic of users and crime and how the police would try and stop it. Writing that book was an intense experience for me. I was thrilled when it was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in Thriller Writing. I shared a finalist list with writers like John Grisham and Greg Illes that year. It was an awesome experience that I’ll never forget!

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

You can find my books at any local or chain bookstore in the United States and on Amazon. If you are interested in getting one of the books, please check out your locally independent book store first.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Knife’s Edge’ & ‘Code For Murder’?

I didn’t have much input on the covers of either book. The publishers (Black Rose Press and Headline Books, respectively) designed the covers and they shared them with me. They basically sent me the computer files of the covers and said “this will be the cover of your book.” I was fine with it. Both covers look great and each cover has important elements of both stories featured on the front.

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

I try to tell a story that hasn’t been told before. In my thriller novels, I want the plot to be something that could happen in real life. However, I try to find ways to tell a fast-paced thriller story in a new, refreshing way. Sometimes, that means bringing a strong element of science to the story, as I did in Fragile Brilliance and A Knife’s Edge. Sometimes, that means creating a police detective like Stacy Tavitt in Code for Murder who has a debilitating illness that is caused by her own carelessness. That illness constantly impacts her ability to be the best cop she can be. These are techniques that are not always featured in other thriller novels. Readers of thriller novels are smart and as a writer, you have to constantly give them a fresh, new angle to a story so they don’t roll their eyes because they have read your specific story a thousand times before.

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

I would say that Ronan McCullough, my lead character in Fragile Brilliance and A Knife’s Edge has a secret that impacts everything he does as a cop and as a person. It’s a secret her frantically strives to protect, for good reason.

Author’s Profile

Books Are Available On Amazon

Snapshots

A Knife’s Edge

Book: Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice

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

I was born in Westchester county, New York to a mother from Brazil and a father from England. They met at an international party and decided to settle in New York. I moved to Baltimore at the age of 18 and began higher education study at Johns Hopkins University.
The dream to be an author and write books has been with me since childhood. My economic situation was such that being an author would have to be a hobby, with moments to write stolen from the evenings after the kids were in bed, some hours on the weekends or while on holiday. One has to make time and prioritise, or the dreams will vaporise.
Personal life challenges brought me and my three boys to Iceland and then further east to Norway. I am now living in southern Norway and work as a protected areas manager. One can rarely control the inevitable bombs of life’s unforeseen destiny, but even so, I never gave up on my dream to be an author.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice ’ book?

Finding time and being clear-headed enough to write in complete sentences were the key challenges. I was a single mother of three young boys at the time I conceived the outline of this book. Not long after, I began a PhD in northern Norway. There wasn’t much left in my brain at the end of the day after helping with homework, and I often fell asleep from pure exhaustion while writing. Then I would discover typos left over from sleeping fingers. This continued throughout the 15 years, but I never gave up on the dream. I remember being so very exhausted all the time. There was never enough time or energy to write without falling asleep.

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

A. A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh; the House at Pooh Corner), Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book), Agatha Christie, J. K. Rowling.

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

I have lived in three countries – the US, Iceland and Norway, and I have also travelled a good bit around the world (though not nearly enough). My favourite spot is always the ocean. No matter where I am, or the time of day, I seek out the sounds, smells and serenity of the ocean. For some reason, when I am near the ocean, whatever writer’s block might be in place dissipates into the sea air and I begin to write. It’s magical.

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

For me, the answer is no. When the words begin to flow, I begin to write. The key is to start writing, allowing the words to move from my imagination and take form on the page. The rest will come over time, as the images and characters become real.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice’ book?

I worked on this book for 15 years. I was a single mother of three young boys when I first began the idea for this book and was living in northern Iceland. My boys are now grown men. Originally, I had targeted a much younger audience – more at the level of Winnie-the-Pooh, but my vision didn’t flow correctly at that level of writing. This book was my first, and in many ways an experiment, in creative writing. I published an earlier draft and sent it around for feedback to check on my direction, and over time the book evolved into its current form, though the title and concept has been consistent from the beginning.

Q7. On what platforms can readers find ‘Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice’ book to buy?

The book was published by In-House Publishing, Brisbane, Australia. For residents in Australia and New Zealand it is recommended to buy directly from In-House Publishing. The book is also available on Amazon US and Amazon UK. All links are available through my website: http://www.mvsolstrand.com

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice’?

The title has been there since the beginning, 15 years ago. I was working for the Arctic Council at the time and one of our most challenging projects focused on how biodiversity of the Arctic was being affected by disappearing sea ice.
The book cover is a rather lovely story, actually. It was my son, Kristian, who recommended an above-and-below ocean scene. There is a website called Reedsy (www.reedsy.com) which offers services to authors. I was scanning for an illustrator and found Madli Silm (www.madli.eu). She took the time to read the book first and we discovered that we shared a synergy of thought and vision. We started with the colour pallet and worked on the design from there. Madli and I worked through every detail together, down to the crumbling ice, George’s facial expression and even Bubo’s wing tips. Finally, came the choice of font. It was quite a special journey to see the book cover evolve and the reviews have been outstanding. It is a book cover to be proud of. Madli Silm is a truly gifted artist and there is no doubt she will be my first choice for all future illustrations.

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

For the last 15 years, I have not read a children’s book or seen a Disney movie or any other children’s film in order to avoid being influenced. I have waited, almost as an eager bystander, while my own imaginings took form on paper.

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

The names all have special meanings. If readers are interested, please join me in creating the sequel – book 2! I will begin research in 2021 and the book will feature the bleaching of coral reefs, illegal wildlife trade, deforestation and more on the theme of marine garbage. Send your ideas for plots and species! A few of the delegates to the Animal Council will have deputies with them in book 2, and I warmly welcome recommendations for highly unusual species who will attend the 13,998th meeting of the C7!

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Animal Council and the Disappearing Sea Ice

Book: Beasts Of The Night

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

Sure thing. My name is Matejs Kalns, born and raised in Toronto, Canada. I grew up in the Latvian community here and spoke Latvian from a very early age, brought up in what was initially a community of refugees that settled here after the Second World War. I’ve always written short stories since I was a child, but never really considered writing something longer. It always seemed a very daunting task until it just sort of, happened! I spent most of my twenties studying and then working abroad—mostly education and human rights, which provided a lot of inspiration for this novel.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Beasts Of The Night’?

I have always loved writing so I didn’t find it particularly challenging, it was very much a labour of love. I was very familiar with the subject matter given my academic and professional background. As I said, I love to write and tell stories so that part was lots of fun—plotting out all the peaks and valleys, how the characters would react, etc. The biggest challenge was the editing process. It can be difficult to step back from your work and view it with a critical eye. Although I think I’m certainly my own fiercest critic, reading and rereading something you’ve written and then editing a hundred thousand words can be daunting at times.

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

I read almost exclusively historical fiction as I studied history in school, and my family background is very much intertwined with the European history of the 20th century. Philip Kerr is who got me into reading this genre years ago with his noir series starring Bernie Gunther, a sort of German anti-hero detective from Berlin. Alan Furst has had a huge influence on me as well, I think I relate very much to his writing style. Not only do I appreciate his talent but I think I’m drawn to him because the stories are written in a similar way that I like to tell my tales, although that’s where any comparisons should end. I couldn’t insult the man like that!

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

I don’t have many favourite spots to visit in Canada—despite being raised here I’m a fairly avid traveler. Grandma’s kitchen table, if anything. But I would say the old town of Riga, Latvia has always held a special place in my heart. There are a couple of cafés in Bangkok that are also personal favourites, a city I actually detested the first time I traveled there, but have grown to love. Amman, Jordan is probably my favourite Middle Eastern city, and just about any brasserie in Paris will do me just fine.

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

I usually have the entire plot in my head before I even think about writing something. It has to pass a series of tests I suppose, I need to believe it’s going to be stimulating enough for the reader. Then I plot it out—the chapters, the twists and turns, what happens to who, and when—and only if I’m satisfied with the outline do I start to write the book. A lot of research goes into the work beforehand, but during the process as well. There’s no end to my pulling books from the shelves or googling articles to make sure what I’m writing is accurate.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Beasts Of The Night’?

It took me a few years but I certainly didn’t work on it the entire time. I had the initial idea several years ago while working in Egypt, however I didn’t start writing straight away. There was also a lengthy period of time where I was distracted with a new job and probably didn’t write at all for about a year. It’s difficult to say with Beasts, but now that I’m writing more consistently, I’ll have a better idea for the next one.

Q7. On what platforms can readers find ‘Beasts Of The Night’ to buy?

My publisher, FriesenPress and I are aiming for a release in early December, 2020. The book will be available in paperback, hardcover and e-formats through the FriesenPress bookstore  (https://books.friesenpress.com/store) and on Amazon (www.amazon.com)

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

I worked with a graphic designer regarding the cover which was a really fun experience. I wanted the cover to accurately reflect the feel of the book, which I think it does. It’s very minimalist, and has a gritty, faded sort of mood to it, which is keeping with the themes of mystery, uncertainty, a certain amount of desperation. I especially like the vague silhouette of Mei who is central to the story, and consequently the cover.

I had a couple of different working titles but settled on Beasts of the Night because I thought it captured the essence of what the story is about, at least the battle that is being fought in regards to Mei’s disappearance. I won’t give it away to readers, but there’s a poignant moment of reflection which I think really captures the essence of society’s struggle against these human rights abuses.

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

I won’t write a book if I don’t think it will hold my attention, and consequently, the reader’s attention. The story has to have enough twists and turns and there needs to be enough emotional investment in the characters to keep people interested. The writing never gets ‘stale’ in any sense for me. I find that even though I have an outline for the story, no matter how detailed, there’s always little ideas that fall from the sky and I end up going off on interesting tangents which end up adding a lot to the background, the pacing, etc. This is probably my favourite part of the writing process—no matter how specific and detailed my outline might be, ideas just simply materialize from somewhere and I get to run with them for a while, taking me in a new direction.

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

Well I can’t give anything away, but I will say that the reader will meet a whole cast of unusual characters throughout the book. I think the blurb and also some of the reviews paint a good overall picture of the story, however there’s still many twists and turns that readers will have to discover for themselves. That’s the best part of the adventure.

Author’s Profile

Website

Beasts Of The Night

Book: The Century’s Scribe

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

Hey! I’m Brendan Walsh. I graduated from the College of Wooster in 2017 with an English degree, and am now a grad student at Cal State Northridge. In addition to writing, I’m a big baseball fan, and you can also find me reading comics, drinking coffee, and thinking about what to write next. I also consider myself a philosopher and a recreational madman.

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

I had a lot of anxiety about it. It was originally 160,000 words, but my publisher wanted to divide it into two books. It’s also my most personal work, so I felt a bit more sensitive about rejection.

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

Too many to name, but the biggest names for me have been Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, and Brandon Sanderson. Before I read Sanderson’s Mistborn series, I wasn’t much of a high fantasy guy, but that series changed my view. I wouldn’t have written The Century’s Scribe if I hadn’t been introduced to his work.

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

I’ve made many road trips across the country (the US), so I’ve seen a lot of it. That being said, my favorite spot is probably the Americana mall in my home town of Glendale, CA. In my life, I’ve probably spent more than $10,000 at their Barnes and Noble.

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

Not for me. I’ve never been an outliner. I’ve just started a scene and waited to see where it went. I would look at what I had written and try getting inspiration. I’d say it’s worked out for me so far.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Century’s Scribe’ book?

I started writing it back in October of 2017, but was writing it very slowly because I was busy with another project. In March of 2019 I was only a few chapters in, but after getting to the sixth chapter, I started getting so into it that it was a race to the finish. By then it was another four months until it was done.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Century’s Scribe’ book to buy?

They can find it online anywhere books are sold. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. If they’re ever in Glendale, the Barnes and Noble there should still have a few copies.

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

I came up with that title before I knew plot. I thought it was a neat title, and then I challenged myself to give it an interesting meaning in the story. The cover was done by my publisher, but I told them I thought it would be cool to have the city of Brunswald represented by a Victorian-era-ish London. The bird on the cover is sneaky, and might not mean what you think it does *wink* *wink*

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

It’s important for writers to realize they probably aren’t doing something extremely original, and that’s okay. The key is to make your writing uniquely yourself. If a reader can feel an author’s vulnerability, then that’ll keep it fresh.

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

As I said earlier, I had to break the book into two parts. The next book is coming out next year in July. All I will say is, if you think you know what the ending of The Century’s Scribe means, there is still a lot to learn.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Century’s Scribe

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

Hi! I’m a Young Adult author who loves period pieces and all things Pride & Prejudice. I’m a die hard cat lover, and I can never say no to a cup of good coffee.

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

I work a full-time office job so my biggest challenge is finding the time to write, especially because my writing process is very slow. Scenes marinate in my head as I write them, so I don’t get as much done in an 8-hour window as most writers do.

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

Laini Taylor & Julie Kagawa – they write stories and characters that stay with me.

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

Libby, Montana. It’s this quaint little town up in the mountains, near Kootenai Falls. It’s the perfect place to break away from the city life and remind oneself of nature’s beauty. The air is crisp and pine-scented, and only bird chirps and songs break through the peaceful quiet; I’ve always dreamed about writing my novels in a lake cabin up there.

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

Yes! I first work on the story’s major plot points, which works as a general roadmap, and then I write out a summary of each scene.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Lost Throne’ book?

About two years.

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

Amazon, Audible, Google Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, & Smashwords.

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

I always had a very specific idea of what I wanted the covers to look like. What you see is what I originally envisioned. Book one’s title came to me in a lightbulb moment after playing with ideas for a few days. The titles for book two and three were a little easier to come up with, as they both relate to their pertaining stories.

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

I don’t force myself to write when my creativity muscle isn’t working. My writing quality drops tremendously when I’m not inspired to write, which is very frustrating as my time to write is so limited, but I’ve learned to accept it as part of my writing process.

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

A majority of the third book takes place in a different kingdom from those in book one & two.

Author’s Profile

Books are Available On Amazon

The Kingdom Within

The Lost Throne

Book: The Organized Thinker

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

Hi, I am Lesley Geller, Founder of Geller Coaching, Business/Life Coach, author, retired teacher, mother of 4 amazing children, wife and blogger. In my spare time I love running, biking, hiking, and spending time moving slowly through life with a pen in my hand.

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

The biggest challenge I faced while writing The Organized Thinker was creating the time I needed to complete it. Luckily at the time I felt challenged was while running my Mastermind Group and had just set an intention for the group to create a 30-day goal for themselves. Simultaneously I set the same goal for myself, and completed the book in the next 30 days!

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

I have spent much of the Pandemic indulging in psychological thrillers, and have enjoyed Blake Pierce’s series, as well as Calia Read. On the non-fiction side, Eckhart Tolle and Mark Manson inspire me about perspective shifts that resonate with me as a Professional Coach.

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

My favorite spot to visit is Harvey Cedars, NJ on Long Beach Island. I have known this as my home away from home and have been enjoying the quiet bliss of this beach town since I was very little. It was also my mom’s secret sweet spot, which has made it even more special since losing her to cancer.

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

Writing is a magical process to me. I find it difficult to even think about what I will write about, unless my fingers are perched on the keys. I simply open my lap top, read the last few lines of where I left off and begin writing. It is like my fingers have a journey of their own and I am often surprised at what appears on the pages at the end of each writing session.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Organized Thinker’ book?

It took me one year to write this book, but actual writing time was about 4 months. After the first 3 months of beginning, I stopped making the time to complete it and simply put it on the side. When I picked it up 8 months later, I committed to completing it in a month. And did!

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Organized Thinker’ book to buy?

This book can be purchased on Kindle, Amazon, Good Reads and my website www.GellerCoaching.com

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

I knew when I began to write this book that I wanted the title to encompass more than the basic organization category since there are so many organization books. In addition, I do believe that organization is so much more than the word describes. I spent several weeks brainstorming every word I could think of that related to the way one thinks about organization, until one day I found it. I kept all of my ideas on my notes app so I could keep track of my random thoughts and that helped a lot. For the cover I committed to simply looking through hundreds of photos and remained optimistic that I would find a picture that would speak for itself. This cover called out to me for sure, just like a bright bulb!

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

I write the way I speak, so that it feels natural to me and personal to the reader. I have worked with so many clients, friends and family on this topic so I knew that if I could share it that way, it would speak in a unique way to readers. I also keep in mind how busy we all are and do my best to write in ways that even the busiest of people can find time to not only read my work, but also begin using the tools I suggest immediately.

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

A little inside scoop on the book: “When we are truly present, in our body, life, relationships and work, we become powerful human beings. We awake each day with a sense of calm and can breathe easily, inhaling and exhaling at the exact same slow pace. When we are present, we become aware of our own steady heartbeat. In this state, we are given back the power in our life. We know where we are, where we want to go next and are able to access our tools easily at a minute’s notice. It begins with the way we think.”

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Organized Thinker

Book: Below Them The Horizon

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

I’m a writer, editor, English teacher, and vegan foodie from Cincinnati. I have an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University. My publications have appeared in Lost River Literary Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Yes, and Long Island Literary Journal. I also run the blog Thinking with My Mind Full. My debut novel, Below Them the Horizon, was published by Woodhall Press fall 2020.

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

The most significant challenge was helping it find its shape. It went from third person to first person to third person. For a while, the timeline was anachronistic. It took years to smooth it out!

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

There are so many. Marilynne Robinson is a huge inspiration, along with Toni Morrison, Willa Cather, Lief Enger, and most currently Neil Gaiman (though he didn’t influence Below Them the Horizon. The novel was done by the time I find his books).

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

I’m from the U.S., and I love so much of it. Probably my favorite place is Mackinac Island, Michigan. It’s beautiful and truly a place out of time.

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

Yes! Lots of reading (craft books, fiction similar to what you want to writing, and anything you love) and lots of writing. Write essays, short stories, and other novels for practice. Keep notes of characters, setting, and timelines within the story. Take pictures of the places you base your setting on.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Below Them The Horizon’ book?

Almost 7 years! I started it in 2012 when I began working on my MFA from Fairfield University.

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

Anywhere books are sold! Especially Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

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

The title is actually a line from the book, at the end of one of my favorite scenes between Lucy and Audra. It’s a pivotal moment for Lucy.

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

I try to be aware of any stereotypes or stale writing techniques that may creep in. If it seems too expected that a character might go right, I’ll ask myself if it really serves the character (and ultimately my readers) for the character to do that thing. If not, I’ll surprise everyone by making the character go left. What happens next? Even I might be surprised!

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

There aren’t secrets, per se, but I will share this: It has heavy themes, but it won’t leave you in despair!

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Below Them The Horizon

Book: Scots Honor

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

My name is Kelly Malee, which is why I write under the name K.M. Hardy. I’m a college graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology, I’m a huge foodie and lover of adventure and trying new things and… people have told me at first glance that I’m intimidating but, really, I’m just a big, weird, goofball.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Scots Honor’?

I think probably the biggest challenge I faced was listening to my characters. It’s so easy to stay stuck to the initial outline that sometimes you can make your guys do things that they wouldn’t normally do and it completely ruins their character arcs. Other than that, I would say finding my own writing voice. Even now, I have a hard time properly explaining the genre of Scots Honor. If you tell somebody you wrote a romantic mystery thriller, the first thing they think of is one of those books where somebody is brutally murdered or having sex in every single chapter. I’m not down with that. I like writing things that everybody can enjoy that have a good pace. I like to think that Scots Honor is a mystery thriller with the right amount of romance: where there’s an actual real relationship between two characters and not just raging hormones. The best way I can think to describe it is like a great PG-13 movie.

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

I’m a big fan of Tom Clancy’s ‘The Hunt for Red October.’ Such a great thriller with so many twists and turns! Angels and Demons by Dan Brown is another favourite, and I really like the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. To me, the pacing in these books is absolutely perfect and, if you’re not careful, you’ll miss an important detail that plays into the finale. I try to keep my writing interesting and fun and in a way where every detail is important. I want my readers to be on the journey with my main character Sam, not just observing him.
The truth is I’m a picky reader. To me, it’s all about the voice of the author: there needs to be the right amount of balance of adventure, action, story, a little romance when necessary, and humour.  For example, I know that Stephen King is an amazing author and his imagination and storytelling abilities are brilliant, to say the very least. But I’m a big baby. I cannot do horror or I won’t sleep again in life. Sorry Stephen.

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

Honestly, anywhere that has a body of water. I’ve seen the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, I’ve been to the Caribbean, every year my family travels to Lake Powell and I could visit any one of those places and still have my breath taken away. I love the water. When I was a little girl, I would spend every waking moment of my life in my grandparents pool pretending to be a mermaid. I know, a lot of little girls do that. But even to this day, if I could live in the water I totally would.

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

They say that 90% of an author’s job is research. And they weren’t lying. Thankfully, I have a lot of friends and contacts still working in the criminal justice field that I’m able to call up when I have a nitpicky question that my own experience can’t answer for me. Other than that, it’s all about the elements of the story for me. If there’s a historical element, then I need to find out everything possible I can about it before I’ll even consider putting together a plot. Geographical? Same thing. I need to go and live and experience so I can truly understand the point of view of my guys. Funny enough, that’s a trait that Sam and I have in common: insatiable curiosity.

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

From the very first concept to the finished manuscript… I want to say about seven months. I’m first and foremost a mom, so I work around my kids’ schedules. I have a minimum daily goal of 1,000 words, which is about a quarter of a chapter. Even on the days when I’m stuck, I won’t quit until I reach my goal. On a good day, when all of the voices in my head are talking to me, I can get two or three chapters done. It all adds up over time. Then, when I’m done, I pick it apart until I’m satisfied that it’s perfect. That can take up to a couple of months because sometimes I need to step away and let myself get a fresh perspective. But I also have a very loyal group of beta readers who help me with their constructive criticisms and pointing out something that I might have missed. I’m an incurable perfectionist.

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

Just about everywhere! Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Books-a-Million, Indie reads… there’s a few more but I can’t think of them.

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

Titling a book is tricky. I very much love symbolism and intrigue as well as sending a message. Scots Honor is Sam’s origin story; it shows people what kind of a man he is as well as how smart he is. He’s not perfect, by any means. He’s an ordinary guy, but he has his scruples that he doesn’t bend for anybody. The cover tells the same story, and I have to credit my amazing artist for it: she’s a freelancer that you can find on Fiverr, she does incredible minimalist art! Back to the cover, it tells the story of Sam vs. Everything Else: while everyone is entangled in a web of corruption and mystery, Sam has his Scottish roots and morals to guide him, even when he makes mistakes.

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

Hmm… I would say I rely on two things: my past experiences in the field, and my author powers. My experiences have given me ideas to look back on and inspire me. One of good cops’ best assets is being able to think like the bad guy, the same thing goes for being an author. The difference being that as an author, you have to embrace your multiple personality craziness. We’re all a little crazy. I have never met one person that hasn’t been somebody else around different people. Authors just know how to let all of the voices play together at the same time. That being said, I start by thinking like the crook: I plan the crime, and I figure out every single angle and detail. Then I have to think like a cop and notice the little things that point me in the next direction.

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

Actually yes: even though Sam is the main character, Director Belinda Copper is somebody to pay attention to. She’s actually my favourite character I’ve ever written. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say that you’ll hate to love her.

Book Is Available On Amazon

Scots Honor