Category: Author Interview

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.

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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.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

The Last Lumenian

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

I love to write but haven’t always been a writer. In the past, I’ve had some pretty wacky jobs like lampshade maker, cigarette girl, and vocalist. I’ve also done some wacky things. I once spent a week in a Swiss castle with the Hugh Jackman of Cuba. I’ve climbed inside the Great Pyramid in Egypt. I’ve written and produced feature films. And I’ve been arrested for possession of a prohibited substance.
Most importantly though, I’m fascinated by myriad topics and like to use both beautiful words and broken characters to explore the human condition as well as to challenge the status quo on some of society’s most widely held perceptions.
I teach creative writing at higher education institutions in Melbourne. However, this year I’ll be launching my own online creative writing trainings called Your Writing Mentor, so watch out for that!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘This Is Not A Lie’ book?

I really only had one challenge and that was time. I was juggling writing with work, study, and running a household, so it took me a long time to finish the book—around five years. Sometimes I’d get up early and write for an hour or so before work, then I’d try and write some after work.
When I was studying, I wasn’t able to write much at all. During those years, most of my time was spent writing academic content. However, I tried to write something every day even if it was just one line or one small paragraph. I figured writing something was better that writing nothing.
Hopefully, it won’t take me as long to write the next one!

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

Oh, goodness, this is a tough question. However, I’d have to say that Emily Bronte, Mary Shelly, Franz Kafka, William Burroughs, Toni Morrison, Tim Winton, Helen Garner, and Thomas Keneally have probably influenced me the most. These writers are amongst my favourites.

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

The beach. Any beach. Whether it’s the beach around the bay where I live, or somewhere else along Australia’s massive coastline. I love the water.

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

It’s really easy to lose focus or direction when you’re working on a manuscript that’s over eighty-thousand words. However, I’m a planner so I like spending time drafting an outline that will keep me focused as I worked. However, I also enjoy working organically and a lot of This is Not a Lie’s threads developed organically. The challenge is integrating those threads into the outline. It takes a bit of juggling, but it can be done!
The other thing I spend a lot of time on is research. Even though a significant part of This is Not a Lie is inspired by real people and events, I still had to do quite a bit of research. Most times I was able to find the answers I was looking for but when I couldn’t I had to get a little creative in order to fill the gaps.
Right now, I’m in the very early stages of a new book and it’s about the research. Good research really is the key to creating authentic characters and settings.

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

Open Wounds is a collection of short stories that I’ve written over the last twenty years. There’s no real thread or common theme to the collection other than the stories are all about characters who are desperately lost or damaged.
The first edition was published by Dixi Books in 2019. It’s my fondest hope that at some point in the future there will be a new edition that features several new stories.

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

As far as I know it’s currently available from Amazon UK, IT, and IN. It will be available in the US and Australia around April, I think. However, it’s also available to order from Book Depository, Waterstones, and a few other places. A quick search in your Internet browser will help you to find it.

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

The title was fairly easy because it comes from a line in the book that is significant to the main character. However, the process of coming up with a cover image was a little more challenging. The publisher had their graphic designer come up with a few ideas but none of them truly captured the essence of the book.
In the end, I sent the publisher an image that I had as an example and that’s the one they chose to use for the final version.

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

Oh, that’s a great question. I like to experiment with structure, from the small stuff like sentence structure all the way up to the big stuff like the structure of the plot. For example, This is Not a Lie is about a rock band, so I wanted the text to be rhythmic like a song. The main characters life is also fractured, so I wanted the chapter lengths to be uneven and fractured as well. I wanted them to mirror his internal struggle.
I’ll most likely take a similar approach with my next novel.

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

Hmm… I can’t think of any secrets per se as the blurb really says it all. However, if you read carefully you might pick up on some of the symbology that’s embedded in the text.

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Book Are Available On Amazon

This Is Not A Lie

Open Wounds

Book: Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure

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

Hello everyone. My name is Julia Fagundus and I am the author of Edward the Egg, Coloring Tales of Adventure. (Bilingual English-Spanish version also available). I am a North Carolina native who loves enjoying both the mountains, river, and beach whenever I get time away from teaching at our local community college or attending soccer, baseball or golf events with my three kids.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure’ book?

The main challenge were the many years between telling Edward the Egg stories to my kids and actually writing the stories down on paper. Jogging my memory back to all the details of each story took some time. The tales in the book were first told to my oldest son when he was four. He’s now 17. I wish I had written them all down as I told them, I have so many I couldn’t possibly remember them all.

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

My love for reading started later in life. It wasn’t until my 30s that I really started to enjoy sitting down with a book. One children’s book that influenced, or I would say confirmed to me that it was ok to include a drawing that you could color as my illustrations, would be Shel Silverstein’s books. My educational background in technical writing influenced the format and writing style I chose for the book.

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

My very favourite place to visit is the river right by my hometown. Wonderful memories of my family swimming, boating, tubing, wakeboarding flood my mind. It’s a place we all go and get away from the cares of the world for a couple hours and get to enjoy the breeze and sunshine on the water. The family time, that’s hard to find sometimes these days, makes it pretty special too.

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

When you are self-publishing I would say yes. I did SO MUCH research. I spent several hours watching videos to make sure I didn’t miss any steps I needed to take in order to successfully self-publish (and I’m still hoping I didn’t miss any!). Writing the first draft of the book ended up being one of the easiest steps. It was a little challenging but I eventually learned, through lots of googling and videos, how to: start my own publishing company, apply for copyright, write a copyright page, get ISBN’s, design and create my own cover, learn correct formatting to successfully upload my book to different platforms, and the list goes on.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure’ book?

Writing the first draft of the book took around one month. However, the entire process starting from typing the first story, to the day it went live on Amazon and Barnes and Noble was two and a half years. It took around one month to write the first draft of the book which contains five short stories. The editing process along with the other items listed above in question 5 attributed to the overall length of the process along with only being able to work on the book part-time.

Q7. On what platforms can readers find ‘Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure’ book to buy?

My author website, RoyalKIND.org; Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Itunes; Walmart

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure’?

My illustrator, Madi Mirra, is one of my daughter’s best friends. She spent many nights at my house and heard many Edward the Egg stories. When I told her I was going to put the stories in a book she asked if she could illustrate them. She illustrated the pictures inside the book and the title artwork. I took the title artwork along with the Edward the Egg graphic and used cover software to create the background they would be on. When I saw the window with the sky and clouds background option I knew it was perfect. The stories had always been bedtime stories for my kids. I wanted the cover to look like Edward was climbing out his bedroom window to go on an adventure, hoping that kids as they read the stories would feel that they were going on an adventure too.

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

Writing Edward the Egg sparked the creation of RoyalKIND, my publishing company. I had no idea that once I chose the name RoyalKIND, an even bigger vision would be birthed. RoyalKIND became not only a publishing company, but a lifestyle brand as well.
In order to keep things “fresh” I wanted RoyalKIND books to go beyond the book. This lead to an Instagram page where readers can connect (@royalkind.edwardtheegg) with coloring contests along with encouragement for readers to write and share their own stories. Just like in the Edward the Egg stories, we can tape people up too! I wanted RoyalKIND to inspire others to encourage those around them.
RoyalKIND.org was created to help make this happen. I knew I needed a website to help spread the message that we are all RoyalKIND: chosen, loved, approved and powerfully equipped to positively change our world in an instant. Merchandise and stickers can be purchased at RoyalKIND.org to help spread the message! I am also working on a contest to post soon at @royalkind.take.the.time to win a RoyalKIND sweatshirt and stickers. My goal is for everyone to know they are Royal. I believe once when you know you are RoyalKIND you will be inspired to “Take the Time” to share the message.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Edward The Egg: Coloring Tales Of Adventure