Category: Author Interview

Book: The Art Of Influencing Project Success

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

Hi, I’m Nicholas Ferguson.  I’m a father, artist, philosopher, yogi, and lover of this life experience.

Q2.  What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Art of Influencing Project Success’ book?

This was my first book and finding a voice and believing in my message took some time. I realized the more significant challenge came after completing it and wanted to start sharing it with the world. My energy around it was not one of success. I’m improving this all the time.

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

In no specific order. Isaac Newton.  Albert Einstein.  Max Planck. Buddha. Lao Tzu. Ernest Holmes.  Esther, Jerry and Abraham Hicks.
I’m very selective about what I read and about the thoughts I take in from others.  I follow what inspires my focus and attention.  The people listed have inspired my thoughts and awareness for decades.

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

I love Big Sur, California.  I love the blending of mountains, ocean and the forest.  It feels magical and inspiring to me.

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

The time spent before diving into a book is largely filled with thought games and coming to realizations of your own awareness. I found that it all unfolded with ease.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Art of Influencing Project Success’ book?

I used the Author Incubator program to help write the book since I had no clue what I was doing. Their system worked perfectly for me and allowed the information to flow smoothly. I spent about 12 hours prepping and getting the content aligned with their expectations and desired marketing, 12 hours at the keyboard typing, and another 12 hours through the editing process. It was all fun. I loved it.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your book ‘The Art of Influencing Project Success’ to buy?

Currently, it’s available on Kindle and Paperback.  I’d recommend the Kindle version presently. I think the diagrams in the book are horrible quality in the paperback version. Likely to be fixed in a later revision.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your book ‘The Art of Influencing Project Success’?

I painted the cover picture during the fall of 2019 when I was experiencing a period of extraordinary clarity. It is a self-portrait. When I completed the book, I submitted that picture as the one that best represents the book’s flow and concepts to me.  
The title came from a list of suggested options that help market and sell books for first-time authors. I liked several others, but the editors believed this to be the most marketable of the options I presented.

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

I don’t read or consume other’s content when I’m in the creating and thought phases. I follow my inspiration and emotional guidance but keep influence from other’s thoughts to a minimum. I must be inspired to read or listen to something during this time to do it. This selective isolation allows me to deliver my thoughts and perspectives with more clarity. The more clarity and flow I’m receptive to allows fresher content for any subsequent reader.

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

For the past 25 years, my day job has been highly technical, including years of programming, system architecture, and design. I love abstraction, science, and philosophy. As I mentioned in the preceding answers, around August 2019, I began a period of clarity; some in the New Thought and Law of Attraction communities might call it a period of receiving or downloading information. This period started shortly after sitting in the Abraham-Hicks hot seat during a seminar while on an Alaskan Cruise with my son on July 19th, 2019. I began to see our (human) experience as a reflection of our (individual and collective) expanding conscious awareness. It’s a little like a mirror but in reverse – where our (physical) life experience is a type of reflection of our (nonphysical) conscious expansion. My love of science, philosophy, and system abstraction combined, so I translated these new thoughts into a formula that explains it all with elegant simplicity. C^2 * M = E = M * C^2, is a formula describing nonphysical awareness and physical expression entangled through a conscious source energy. My ideas came directly from Newton’s, Einstein’s, and Jerry, Esther, and Abraham-Hicks’ work blended with my understanding and ability to abstract and bridge these concepts.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

The Art Of Influencing Project Success

Book: Black Boy Joy

Author: Charlitta Hatch

Available On: Amazon

Language: English

Rating: 5/5

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

I am Charlitta Hatch. I am a Wife, Mama, Consultant, Author, and Advocate. 3 years ago after my son was born, I looked through our home library to find a specific book featuring a young Black boy. I have read stories featuring other characters, but this was missing for me. I began to search and to my surprise, I couldn’t find it. Instead, I learned that less than 10% of children’s books featured people of Color and of that 10% less than 3% featured Black boys as the leading protagonist.

I am on a mission to change the narrative of Black boys in American through positive images, expressive stories, and deliberate advocacy. I fulfil part of that mission by saturating the media, homes, schools and communities with positive images of Black boys.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Black Boy Joy’ book?

1)      Finding a publisher that was willing to publish my story

2)      Sharing the story beyond my network

3)      Accepting that everyone will not be supportive of the book because it features a Black boy on the cover

4)      Hearing feedback that someone will not share this book with their child because of their gender or race

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

I love you forever by Robert Munsch was the book that pulled on my heart strings as a new mom. I searched all over for a mother/son story that featured a Black mother and son like I love you forever and was not able to find it. That was the book that sparked me to write my own.

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

Since we are in a global pandemic, I am traveling in books right now. I am learning so much about our history and applying that to the Me3 Project. Me3 Project is an organization I started to change the perception of Black boys in America through positive images, expressive stories, and deliberate advocacy.

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

I have not followed the traditional path of writing and have been inspired by experiencing that I have with my son. My first book Black Boy Joy was inspired because of my love and desire for my son and I wanted him to see and feel that in the books we were reading. My 2nd book, Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown was inspired by wanting to teach my son what Christmas was all about and also showcasing that Black families celebrate Christmas too.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Black Boy Joy’ book?

I was nursing my son when the idea of Black Boy Joy came to me and I wrote it that night. The next day I called my friend to tell her that I thought I wrote a children’s book and that I didn’t know how to find an illustrator; her 17-year-old stepdaughter illustrated both books. The 3rd day I was connected to my publisher at AK Classics. 90 days later we were published and gifted my son Black Boy Joy for his one-year old birthday. Similarly inspired for Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown, after the Christmas holidays last year, I wrote the story that I wanted to read to my son to share with the world.

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

My website https://www.me3project.com/shop-1

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

The title Black Boy Joy derived from the desire to humanize Black boys in America. To change the perception of mainstream media, I thought it was important that the title reflect the joy of being a child and how Black boys deserve that as well. The covers were strategically chosen to show a Black boy being loved and adored by his mother in Black Boy Joy and the entire family celebrating Christmas together in Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown. These are not images that you see in mainstream media when you think of Black boys or their families.

Book Is Available On Amazon

Book: Vanity

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

Hi there! Well, my name’s Rhiannon Garrard, I’m a criminology and policing student at London Metropolitan University and I work as a special constable in my local community. When I’m not either at university or working, I’m indulging in horror and fantasy- books, movies, shows, anime- anything! Vanity therefore is pretty much a perfect combination of everything I love: a supernatural murder mystery with some nice horror elements!

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

When I started Vanity (As well as the sequels), I was a young teenager, so I would say that editing the mess it started as into something I’d be proud to have people to read was the hardest challenge, haha! Writer’s block is also a constant lurking devil- ready to halt me in my tracks at the most inconvenient times. There were definitely bits and pieces to research, but that wasn’t as much of a challenge as the others- I wrote Vanity about everything I love, after all, so I enjoyed the reading it made me do.

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

I was certainly reading a lot of Lovecraft’s various stories whilst writing Vanity. I was also re-reading some of my personal favourite murder mysteries as I wrote it, but the one I think I read the most was Los Angeles BB Serial Murder Cases by Nisio Isin. I know it might not be an obvious choice, but I adored how it was written. It might not have influenced Vanity the most, but I must have read that book cover to cover three times whilst editing my own work, so I think it’s worth mentioning.

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

That’s a tough one…I won’t say a specific location for obvious reasons, but my great-grandfather had a wonderful forest just outside of his home in Cornwall- and to this day, that place is drenched in magic. A beautiful babbling brook, a rope swing at the top of a hill…It always felt like you could stumble into a dragon’s cave or find faeries dancing in the moonlight. To this day, I love walking through those woods…Good times.

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

For me? Not really. I’m not one to meticulously plan my novels- I know some people will spend ages planning out their books, but whilst I’ll have a bare bones structure in my mind before I start, I just generally jump right in and start scribbling. The first draft is never the final one, and I find it more exciting to write on the fly as it were. Once I have the bare bones down, then I’ll edit it, add scenes, take away things etc. But for getting started, all I need is an idea, a notebook and a pen.

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

Oh, that’s too difficult to answer, I’m afraid! I have a particular habit of switching between different novels, all of different themes, tones and audiences, whenever Writer’s Block sets in on one. So in the past, I’ll get Writer’s Block on Vanity, so I’ll start writing about Vampires instead, as an example. But that means all I can say for sure is that I started Vanity when I was 16, but since I’ve not worked on it solidly, I can’t really even give you an estimate for that.
Let’s say…. A while. It took a while to write Vanity.

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

Naturally, Vanity is available on Amazon- it’s also on Book Depository as well, and both of these have worldwide shipping. If you’re in the US and you’d like to shop a little more local than that, then it should be available at Murder By The Book, and Once Upon A Crime. If you’re in the UK, then you’ll be able to get a copy of Vanity from my website (rhiannongarrard.com) and those ones are signed!

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

I’ve never been good at titles for my books- so they have a tendency to be either incredibly floaty philosophical phrases or very weirdly literal. I suppose for sake of intrigue, I’ll leave it up to the people to decide whether Vanity: Murder in the Name of Sin is.
As for the cover, I’ve always liked book covers which have a symbol or symbolic item on the front rather than the main character just staring out at you- and considering the symbolism of the eye tattoo in Vanity, that made it an easy choice for the front cover. The cover itself was my own design; I produced a template which included all the main features you see on the book- the eye tattoo, the purple to black gradient, black text at top, white text at the bottom- and that template was presented to one of Atmosphere Press’s cover artists (Man’s name is Ronaldo Alves- credit where credit is due!) who did a hell of a job on it. Honestly, I am so pleased with how beautiful the cover turned out. Hopefully if I was to publish the sequels, they can look as gorgeous as Vanity does.

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

The best thing I can do for myself and my readers I think is keep searching for inspiration- try to find different books, movies, shows- experience new things, meet new people and get new perspectives on the things I think I know. I do what I can to experience what I write- or the very least research what I can’t experience. Read far and wide, keep notes on interesting things and slip in little titbits here and there; those are the kinds of things I love in a good book, so I’m hoping it’s what readers would like about mine.

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

Something which be interesting is that when some hear I’m taking a degree in criminology and policing, and I work as a special constable in the UK, they might automatically think that the policing in Vanity will be very British- when in fact I actually took great pains to blend the detective work in Vanity with US policing as well- so we’ll see some practices and legal terms from the UK and some from the US- they use the UK caution and work under an Inspector, yet use the terms “First/Second degree murder” and carry guns with them. I decided to write Exerdian policing this way for two main reasons:

1.) The setting of Vanity is an invented country called Exerdis (After the word exodus- it’s as much of an omen as it sounds) and Exerdis isn’t supposed to look or feel exactly like a country you’ve been to, but similar to places you may have been to. It’s not a place with a brand-new look and feel, like Middle Earth- but I wanted it distinct enough from reality where no one can point to the myriads of make-belief cities and say “That’s clearly New York” (As an example, I’ve never been to NY). I figured a blended policing style would add to the uncanny feeling.

2.) UK police don’t carry guns with them except for very specialised units- which means whilst I’m more familiar with the kinds of policing which doesn’t involve guns, I knew if guns weren’t involved in Vanity, a distinct portion of the audience would assume that guns would fix everything, so I figured the threat was more menacing if I nipped that assumption in the bud.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Vanity

Book: The Foretold Story

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

My name is Katia. I am a multi-artist who creates all kinds of art in a vast array of different mediums. Some of what I do is classical, and modern art, animation, filmmaking that includes all pre and post production along with acting and directing. I am a Graphic Designer, and a writer which includes screenplays and books. I like to create when and however I want. That’s me. An all-around layered Artist. I also hold a BFA in animation.

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

My key challenge I would say was the CONFIDENCE to finish it. That was the biggest challenge for me in the midst of navigating the curveballs life kept throwing at me while writing The Foretold Story. At times I felt like giving up but with encouragement from others, I kept writing and creating regardless.  

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

I would say I am inspired by many things not limited to books. I am inspired by George Lucas’s original Star Wars Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, Final Fantasy X, The Legend of Zelda, The five People you meet on the Way to Heaven by Mitch Album to name a few. But at the end of the day, I am my own writer. I break rules and write in my own style with some imperfections.

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

There’s this one place I refer to as the hidden jewel of America located in the USA, Maine along the ocean. It’s special because of the unique experiences I have when I’m there. I find tons of sea glass and treasure gifts from the sea. I even found an alien looking rock once at this hidden jewel place but gave it to an eco-artist who smashed it up and put it in his painting. I’ve seen the heavens in its full glory with God’s brush strokes painting his canvas in the sky among his sea of stars. I’ve even seen shooting stars reflect off the gentle waves crashing to the shore line on a full moon’s night. And of course the fishermen’s boats going out to sea beyond the abandoned lighthouses. The list is endless.

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

Yes. I need a hot cup of Japanese green tea with sliced ginger and lemon with honey or agave in it. I like other teas also but Japanese green tea is my favorite. Or a nice cup of chai tea latte. I need those in place before I start writing. I also have my favorite composer playing in the background, Ivan Torrent. I have my Legend of Zelda Art book nearby and my Star Wars 1980’s tee-shirt on. And of course I have my jar of blue topaz that my nephew gave me and some sea glass and shells. My most beautiful rock and my own artwork around with my handy “PB, The Angry Paper Bag” pin. PB is the mascot and stamp of all my art. He’s a paper bag who is bitter because he experienced trauma and was thrown away. He gets recycled and begins his new life however, has deep and unresolved anger spanning from his past trauma. So in this new life, he now starts to heal and learn how to control his emotions. So yup. Once he’s in place on my desk, I say a prayer and begin my work.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Foretold Story’ book?

19 years.

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

It’s available at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon, and even Walmart LOL. You can also visit www.theforetoldstory.com which provides more information on the book series as well as all social media and contact.

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

I wanted to create something that tells the story, transferring it into a single image and powerful image. Color scheming and composition was important to me. When creating anything, it’s one of the first things I do. It’s where the eye travels within the image. I also picked the important elements from my story and incorporated them into the cover. Elements such as the ethereal sky and moon along the New York City skyline. I chose nightfall because the supernatural elements mostly take place in the night. The moon is often referenced throughout the story so I made sure to incorporate it into the cover. Even the colors of the letters go with the main themes of the book. Especially for the main character, Midas Aurulien, the one with the golden touch. And with that, my cover was born.  

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

MY LIFE! My life and its continuing strange events intertwined with interesting characters that follow me even now, keeps things fresh. The dreams I dream in the night along with the open visions of the day also keep things fresh. And also a walk in nature away from everything keeps things fresh. This is why I keep a sketchbook with me at all times, because there are so many fresh things to keep logged. I doubt I will get to every idea in my lifetime.

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

Joyce thinks she’s an only child and grew up believing that however, her father is hiding a secret from her and her mother.

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The Foretold Story

Book: Those We Knew In Summer

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

My name is Nicholas DeRosa. I am a high school history and economics teacher in Ewing New Jersey. I also coach Cross Country and Track and Field. Other than my writing hobbies I am a big gaming nerd. I enjoy playing board games, Magic the Gathering, and open world video games.  I have a loving family, a beautiful and supportive fiancé, and an emotional support Corgi named Phil.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Those We Knew In Summer’ book?

Writing the book was not too difficult. I drank a lot of coffee and only walked away from computer to sleep and use the bathroom.  But it was the months/years of editing, plot analysis, workshopping with other writers, and the frequent self-doubt and anxiety that were the most challenging aspects of writing the book. My most challenging objective was that I wanted to be sure my characters both had a continuity of personality and genuine nature to themselves, but that they also showed growth through their experiences at the festival.

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

Any book that embodied the chaotic nature of young adults.  I needed the angsty and reckless motifs of younger generations, but also how those actions had some larger significance for the time period in which the stories to place.
For this book I tried my best to pay homage to the “lost generation” of writers and the “beatniks” that represent a lot of the counterculture in the United States.  Authors of particular influence were, JD Salinger, Hunter S Thompson, Nathaniel West, Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac.  If you have read any books by those authors, you’ll understand where I am coming from.

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

My hometown of Clinton New Jersey is where the story takes place. It’s important for this book in particular because I refence it’s characteristics often.  It is where my friends and I grew up and it will always be home for us.  Other places I love are Gettysburg, PA because I have had some of my favourite history memories there with my Dad, students, and friends, and I had my first writers conference and workshop there; and Mystic, CT because I just love the town.
  
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

One word, research.  Most of my books have some kind of historical component that requires research.  For this book I needed to research the history of the town in regard to the Bellewood Amusement Park and I also needed to compile the musicians and songs I wanted to use for the book. It’s a lot of scene building to make the story come alive.  Which is also why the book has a map of the festival that comes with it.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Those We Knew In Summer’ book?

The draft took about two weeks. I wrote it between the end of summer camp (yes, I work at a summer camp as well) and the beginning of the school year.  The edits took about two years.

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

On Amazon you can order paperback and Kindle versions.  On my Blurb Bookstore (links on my website and socials) you can order paperback, hardcover, and an ebook version for tablets. You can also email me for merchandise like stickers and the festival map.

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

Oddly enough, my Mom came home one day with a painting she did of a night scene overlooking a lake with lights in the distance.  It fit perfectly to my story.  I brought the idea to my fiancé Amanda (@acrossendesign) and she designed the cover, map and stickers.   The cover is from the vantage point of the campsite looking over the lake to the festival in the distance.
The title is representative of the friendships and experiences the characters have when they escape to the festival every summer. Though the characters only see these festival goers once a year, they feel the closest to them. 

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

You must write things that have some relevance or connection to everyday life.  I am a huge fan of JRR Tolkien, but even the characters of Middle Earth have a connection to our lives in the non-fantasy world.  Without this connection in your writing, no one will care to read it.

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

There are many secrets.  Every interaction and observation that occurs amongst the characters has some significance to the inner conflict of the main character.  These little vignettes of exposition and dialogue also provide social commentary as well. Nothing is random in this story and every scene has some underlying significance.  My best suggestion is, watch the behaviour of the main character and you will notice the subtext.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Those We Knew In Summer

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

I have been teaching yoga and meditation to children and teens for over ten years.  My award- winning book Worry Bee I wrote in 2011 for my preschool yoga class that told me often they were worried which was 4 and 5 year old children.  I could not find  book that applied the principles of yoga  breath-work along with laughter for children to use in everyday life to relieve stress and anxiety so I made my own paper book and used it in classes with songs that went with it.  They would keep telling me then “Miss Ann I won’t be a Worry Bee.”  It was then published in 2018 by Pear Tree publishing.

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

Oh this is pretty funny story the book was originally a mindful spider and I had writers block.  I love spiders and my favorite book in elementary school was Charlotte’s Web.  However, I was sitting at our  lake home in New Hampshire watching the sun set as a full moon was rising, and I rewrote the book to be Mindful Moon.  Colleen Sgroi who illustrated the book came up to our home in NH and really saw my vision for the book.  The book won a Moon Beam children’s best illustration and I am very proud of it.

Q3. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

My work with children inspires my writing.  Children love to be read too and when I work in therapeutic or paediatric hospital settings doing meditation and yoga therapy I see how they relate to using mindful breathing or calm cantering with a book.

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

The White Mountains of New Hampshire where I was inspired by the view of the moon rising over the mountains while the sun was setting to write  Mindful Moon.  I get to see this in every season. Right now is truly one of my favorite Fall with all the gorgeous colours.

Q5. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Worry Bee’ book?

I wanted to make sure that parents, caregivers and educators could really easily follow the directions to do mindful breathing like Worry Bee and use it in a way that supports calming children’s worries.

Q6. Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

I AM ….. It is called Mind Buzz another bee theme, but it is a meditation workbook for teens.  Stay tuned everyone.  It is great for adults too!

Q7. What does success means to you?

Finding  joy in the present  moment  not because everything is perfect, but because you choose it.

Q8. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I meditate every morning even if it is only for five minutes and when I get stuck in the process I  leave the work and go meditate more!

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

Oh this is a great story as my parents were teachers and educators their entire careers, so reading was instilled to be very important in our household. When I was a young girl my mother bought me the book Ann Likes Red by Dorothy Seymour it was my favorite book as a young child especially with my name being Ann. Then my father bought me Charlotte’s Web in elementary school by EBWhite and I am a big animal lover spend every week in a barn with my rescue horse and rescue donkey.

Q10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to someone wanting to write and publish a book?

Oh yes… when you think of what you are writing is a gift to the reader  you have a whole different idea of  gratitude for the process.

Books are Available On Amazon

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

I am originally from the Coastal Empire low country of Savannah, Georgia. I am a poet, an author, and a proud mother of two. My journey as a writer began when I was only eleven years old, due to my passion for poetry and entertaining others with amazing stories. I love to influence others with uplifting insight and accurate information. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Philosophy of the Power Of Love’ book?

The main challenge I faced while developing the book ‘Philosophy of the Power of Love,’ was combining so much material into one quick and easy read for my audience.

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

J.K Rowling is so amazing and has influenced my writings tremendously, as well as, one of my favorite poets; Maya Angelou. Maya is so phenomenal she was invited to recite one of her best poems at one of the presidential inaugurations. 

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

In America, my favorite place to visit is Detroit, Michigan. I love the hospitality and the huge lakes are so cozy and relaxing to sit around and enjoy nature.

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

I do have a process that I have become accustomed to when starting a new manuscript. For starters I begin my brainstorming for the rough drafts.  

Q6. How long did it take you to write the ‘GAME ON’ book?

The book ‘Game On’ took me a while to finish because I had to keep up with the basketball game scores for each player as I developed the entire children’s story.

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

You can go find my books on Amazon, Google, Instagram, as well as on Twitter.

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

Most of my book covers are pictures that I have taken while traveling, which makes the process of manually making a book cover much easier. Each title, however, is unique to the book subject itself; depending on the content inside the book, I will then consider the best title for that book. Coming up with titles and book covers are the easiest parts of finalizing a book before publishing it.

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

I keep my material fresh by thinking of the unthinkable! I must be original with my approach so that my readers stay engaged. I focus on my audience which keeps me excited and full of fresh data.

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

All the secrets unfold inside the books while my readers read. None of my books are hidden secrets.

Books are available on Amazon

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

My name is Katie Reed and I am 29 years old. I worked at afterschool programs most of my career. When I graduated college, I became an afterschool program coordinator and ran my own site. I have also worked in a reading intervention program at a local public school for a couple years. When I had my son, I decided to stay at home for a while to be with him but I also decided to pursue my dream job as a children’s book author.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Wizard and the Lizard’ book?

I started writing Wizard and the Lizard when my son was 2 months old. I was very sleep deprived, which sometimes created a lack of motivation to write. However, I did get the idea for my Wizard and the Lizard books at 3:00 in the morning while feeding him. I just started writing notes into my phone, and felt inspired and motivated to write these books. Once I had the idea for the series, I was ready to write!

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

My son loves rhyming books. The Pout Pout Fish books are probably his favorite. I definitely got some motivation from The Pout Pout Fish series, as well as Tolkien. I love fantasy so I knew I wanted to write about magical characters.

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

I love the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. My dad and I went there after my mom passed away when I was a kid. I loved how green it was and having the ocean there too. It is just a magical place.

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

I have to think of the overall message to get me motivated. Once I have that, I get inspired pretty quickly. Sometimes getting the rhymes right can be tricky as well. But I would not say there is a lot to do before I start writing.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Wizard and the Lizard Wacky Weather’ book?

I wrote the drafts in 3 days for both books… However with editing, and working with an editor, it probably took a month (each) to complete the writing for both books.

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

My books are available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle formats.

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

I wanted there to be some mystery that draws in readers with the cover. My first book: Wizard and the Lizard has a cover with Wizard and Buddy looking into a cauldron with green smoke coming out. My second book: Wizard and the Lizard: Wacky Weather has a picture of Wizard and Buddy looking out a window and pointing at something the audience can’t see. I want the readers to wonder what is in the cauldron and what Wizard and Buddy are pointing at out the window, hopefully enough to read them and find out.

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

I like to use humor to draw in children and parents. It is also fun to laugh while writing it! I also hope my characters are silly and memorable for both children and adults.

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

I am excited to announce I have a third book coming out in March! Follow me on Facebook at katiereedauthor and Instagram @wizardandthelizardauthor and check out my website katiereedauthor.com for free coloring sheets and updates on upcoming books!

Author’s Profile

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

My name is Nalini Raghunandan. I am married and have two wonderful daughters and an adorable 3-year-old grandson.  I was born in Guyana and currently live in Markham, Ontario. I currently work in telecommunications; however, prior to working in telecommunications, I was an elementary school teacher and an early childhood educator for 15 years, both in Guyana and Jamaica. This is where my passion for literacy and cultural diversity started.
When I am not working, I enjoy writing, travelling, reading and spending time with my family.

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

I had the idea to write a children’s illustrated book since my early years as a teacher/educator.  The story and images have been on my mind for several decades now, so as you can imagine, articulating my abundant thoughts in a limited number of words for age appropriate readers was the greatest challenge.  However, this led to the book series.

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

I loved reading as a child however there wasn’t a library where I grew up. My father bought us books even though owning our own children’s books was such a luxury at the time.  
I was fascinated with classic fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Rumpelstiltskin. However, as you can imagine there wasn’t much diversity in those books and I want all children to be represented in my stories.

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

My favourite spot is Bluffer’s Park in Toronto.  It has a 5KM walking and biking trail. The water is blue and there is lush greenery in the summer. I find tranquility and peace just looking at the lake.

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

Before I begin to write I make sure my work space is quiet with no clutter.  I would try to formulate the story/scenes in my mind, create a title/placeholder for the book—then the magic begins with a pencil and paper.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Fanny Saved the Day’ book?

Because of my full-time job, it took me approximately 6 months to complete the final transcript of Fanny Saved the Day.

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

My books can be found on Amazon, Good Reads, Barnes & Noble, Books Depository and Abe Books.

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

Growing up, we had a dog named Fanny.  He was a rescue we found him lying on the side of the road.  He was just a tiny puppy. Fanny was gentle, loving, funny and adventurous, so the name “Fanny” was an easy pick. The remainder of the book titles emerged from the story. I have a few names for Book 3, but the title will depend on how the story evolves.

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

I have been teaching yoga and meditation to children and teens for over ten years.  My award- winning book Worry Bee I wrote in 2011 for my preschool yoga class that told me often they were worried which was 4 and 5 year old children.  I could not find  book that applied the principles of yoga  breath-work along with laughter for children to use in everyday life to relieve stress and anxiety so I made my own paper book and used it in classes with songs that went with it.  They would keep telling me then “Miss Ann I won’t be a Worry Bee.”  It was then published in 2018 by Pear Tree publishing.

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

Oh this is pretty funny story the book was originally a mindful spider and I had writers block.  I love spiders and my favorite book in elementary school was Charlotte’s Web.  However, I was sitting at our  lake home in New Hampshire watching the sun set as a full moon was rising, and I rewrote the book to be Mindful Moon.  Colleen Sgroi who illustrated the book came up to our home in NH and really saw my vision for the book.  The book won a Moon Beam children’s best illustration and I am very proud of it.

Q3. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

My work with children inspires my writing.  Children love to be read too and when I work in therapeutic or paediatric hospital settings doing meditation and yoga therapy I see how they relate to using mindful breathing or calm cantering with a book.

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

The White Mountains of New Hampshire where I was inspired by the view of the moon rising over the mountains while the sun was setting to write  Mindful Moon.  I get to see this in every season. Right now is truly one of my favorite Fall with all the gorgeous colours.

Q5. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Worry Bee’ book?

I wanted to make sure that parents, caregivers and educators could really easily follow the directions to do mindful breathing like Worry Bee and use it in a way that supports calming children’s worries.

Q6. Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

I AM ….. It is called Mind Buzz another bee theme, but it is a meditation workbook for teens.  Stay tuned everyone.  It is great for adults too!

Q7. What does success means to you?

Finding  joy in the present  moment  not because everything is perfect, but because you choose it.

Q8. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I meditate every morning even if it is only for five minutes and when I get stuck in the process I  leave the work and go meditate more!

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

Oh this is a great story as my parents were teachers and educators their entire careers, so reading was instilled to be very important in our household. When I was a young girl my mother bought me the book Ann Likes Red by Dorothy Seymour it was my favorite book as a young child especially with my name being Ann. Then my father bought me Charlotte’s Web in elementary school by EBWhite and I am a big animal lover spend every week in a barn with my rescue horse and rescue donkey.

Q10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to someone wanting to write and publish a book?

Oh yes… when you think of what you are writing is a gift to the reader  you have a whole different idea of  gratitude for the process.

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