Category: Author Interview

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

Hello everyone.  My name is Jenna Rector, and I am a wife, mother, grandmother, counsellor, blogger, and children’s author (among many other things).  I have been married for nearly thirty years, I have two grown sons, two amazing grandkids, and a passion for helping people learn to be the very best versions of themselves.

Q2.  Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Amazing Livy Loo and the Things She Can Do’?

My idea for this story came from my granddaughter, as the inspiration.  I wanted to show her, that everyone, including kids, can face fears and doubts about themselves.  But I also wanted her, and all kids, the message that they are all amazing, in their own way, and can be so impactful in their lives, just being themselves. My granddaughter’s name is Olivia, and her nickname is Livy Loo, so with a rhyming story in mind, the title came to be.
My amazing illustrator, Millie Bicknelle, worked with me to create the vision of what the story should look like and helped me bring my words to life. I had envisioned the idea of showcasing Livy Loo as a superhero, to again, remind kids how incredible they can be, and all the amazing things they really can do. I wanted them to see, they really are superheroes, when they learn to believe in themselves.

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

In this case, there was just the idea that came first; an idea of showing kids that it’s okay to be scared, but also share a message of hope.  Once the idea was in my head, it was a rather quick process to start finding the words to share the message.   I love the use of rhyming in books for younger kids, and therefore, spent most of the time trying to find the  verses that shared the message and had a nice flow to them.

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

My favourite place to visit is Sedona, Arizona.  I live in Arizona, only an hour and half away from Sedona, and so I am fortunate to be able to visit often. It is stunningly beautiful, with its majestic red rocks that surround the small town.  But there is something magical about being there, that you can’t help but feel peaceful and happy when you are there. It is a place I hope everyone can one day get to visit.

Q5. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Amazing Livy Loo and the Things She Can Do’ book?

I would say the process of getting the book from my mind into an actual book that can be shared with the world was a bit daunting.  I chose to self-publish, because I truly believed in getting the message of this book out, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t challenges along the way. But I believe if you have a story to tell, and a message to share, you work to find a way to overcome the obstacles.

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

I currently run a blog website, http://www.jennarectorwrites.com, which is focused on stories of hope, inspiration, and mental well-being.  While Livy Loo is a story for kids, I believe everyone needs their own message of hope, and the blog is meant to be a source of inspiration for anyone needing it.
I also have a couple new children’s book ideas I am working on, hoping to continue to share other children’s books that encourage, inspire, and uplift young readers.

Q7. What does success means to you?

For me, success is mostly about doing something meaningful in your life, and being able to share your life with the people you love.  I consider myself exceptionally blessed, to have such an amazing support system of family and friends, who are always there for me, and now, to be able to share my writing, in the hopes of making a positive difference in the lives of others. Success is about doing the thing that ignites your soul, and knowing, you have an amazing crew behind you, cheering you all along.

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

I think, as a new author, that is something I am learning as I go.  I work to consider the stories that both kids and adults need to hear most, and find a way to incorporate my experience, from my own life, and also from my background in counselling, to give new perspectives on sharing those messages.

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

As a child, my favourite authors were Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss.  I loved the sweet rhyming style of both authors, and the inspiring messages often found within.  As an adult, I have always been a fan of Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks, and Stephenie Myer.  While they are all so different as writers, they are all exceptional at getting you lost in the magic of their stories, and I hope, as I continue to grow as a writer, I will be able to do the same.

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

Go for it!  It can be daunting, but I truly believe, if something within you tells you that you have a story to share, the world needs to hear it.  Everyone has a unique voice, and I believe every person has a story to tell (whether fictional or real).  Never let anything stop you from doing that very thing you are driven to do!

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Amazing Livy Loo and the Things She Can Do

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

My name is Isaiah Daniel and I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the USA. I really enjoy the tech industry and it’s actually what I studied with Network/Security as my track. I am also the author of the book “The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars”. 

Q2. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Sun, The Moon and The Stars’?

The process of coming up with the idea for the book cover and the substance of the book itself was fairly easy. Life for me is all about perspective. I constantly talk about the importance of perspective vs. reality and when you look at the title and the book cover you might begin to think it’s just about the sun moon and stars. The moment you open the book you realize it’s way more than that. The reality of not judging a book solely based off its cover. It’s eye catching to say the least. 

Q3. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Sun, The Moon and The Stars’ book?

The challenges that I came across were deadlines that I had for myself and also finding an illustrator. I came up with the brilliant idea of writing this book back in February of 2019. I was done with the writing process that March and spent the last 5 months looking for an illustrator that could take my vision and bring it to life. I ended up taking a trip to Bali and scrolling through Instagram and finding a young lady from the states, who in fact goes to school in Washington, DC. Her name is Teunice Curtis and she was just the right person for the job. At this point we were already behind for my deadline to introduce this book to the world Christmas of 2019, but I wasn’t able to do so until February of 2020. 

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

My favorite place of all time in the states would be Miami, Florida. It was the first place I visited when I was young. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen as I’m from the inner city. The air was different. The scenery is way different from what I’ve ever seen. The water is clear. Although I hate the heat, I would just deal with it to get away from Milwaukee, WI.  I also wanted to go to college in Florida or Atlanta, Georgia. I was accepted into schools in both places, but my family thought it best that I went to school in Maryland where I have family. In high school I took a trip that I think is important for a lot of kids from the inner city. It was the HBCU college tour. It was a way for inner city kids to see themselves represented all over the world in different states and cities. Persons that look like them and are enjoying their life and the culture of what college exudes. We ended up going to Florida on that trip and I just fell in love with what it was all over again. It was on this trip that I told myself that I was going to college. It was my ticket out the inner city. Although I didn’t go to school in Florida like I planned I ended up going to Miami, Florida for my 21st birthday during spring break and after that in the same year I went back for memorial weekend and for the next 3 years after my 21st. Needless to say Miami will always hold that special place in my heart.

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

 I think it depends on the way you go that makes the work more or less. All of it is necessary, so I wouldn’t use the word “a lot”. Like writing an autobiography, or a self help book I’m sure is different from writing a children’s book. You want to make sure everything flows for every book of course. The language you use in an autobiography may fit you more than what a children’s book might. It’s you telling a story in the way that you talk. It’s more personable. Where a children’s book is part of your imagination. It’s you of course, but you are talking in a way children will understand. I would say make sure you have your ducks in a row. Make sure you do the proper research on what will fit you in order to put out something that you can be happy with. From who will publish your book, a proofreader, The book cost, the deadline, the marketing. All of that matters. Which is probably the most work for any book honestly. The process can be a little easier on you if you choose to publish with someone that will do the work for you, but that’s also costly upfront and you have to find someone that believes in your work if not the same or more than you do. Everyone is writing these days. Everyone has a story, which is awesome in itself, but it makes it harder for someone to pick up your book and say I’m willing to give you a chance. Self publishing may be the way, but if so you’ll be doing a lot of marketing on your own. 

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

At the current moment I am actually working on a couple of things. I am working on an animated short film for my debut book “The Sun, The Moon and The Stars” as well as an original EP (music album) with various different artists. I’m also working on my next book. It won’t be a children’s book this time, but more of a self help book. I didn’t grow up with my father in my life and I had questions that will never be answered and wanted to tell my story and what I went through that could help others going through the same. Of course all of our paths are different and what works for me may not working for others, but hopefully this will resonate with some and they can take and apply what they can where they can to make it easier for them to understand their situation.

Q7. What does success means to you?

Success means different for everyone. My success will not look the same as somebody else. For example, Society tells us that success is money and fame. To someone that might be true. For me not so much. Of course money and fame is a goal one day, but I would say the greatest success is happiness. It’s something that’s in all of us, but hard to acquire or keep. In order to find true happiness, it takes digging deep. That requires doing the necessary work on self. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I pride myself on the connections i make with people. Good or bad it is the experience that i can take with me. Learning how to truly forgive and not just say it. Learning that forgiveness is for you just as much as it is for the person being forgiven. Just because you acquire the money and fame, doesn’t always mean that you are happy. That might actually bring on more problems than you had before. Anxiety, paranoia other mental strains that weren’t there. I think you must find that balance of happiness and dealing with your mental in order to see what true success is.

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

While I was writing this particular book I actually didn’t even think about the freshness of the book. I actually found out a lot about writing a book after I had written and published it to the world to read. I honestly just took a conversation that I naturally had with my children and wrote it based off that. I thought it would resonate with the conversations most parents have with their children. Well their answers anyway as opposed to my perspective and outlook on what the sun, moon and stars are. I just figured that as adults and children, with the way life is set-up that we all can take from it. Adults and their experiences causes them to look at situations from a different lens as they did when they were children. A child looks at things innocently for the most part. I figured that was the joy in this book. 

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

The one book that I can honestly say influenced my life in general would be “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. Everyone that reads a book ends up taking something away from it. What I took a way from this book Is staying true to yourself. What is most important to you and what are you willing to give up in order to acquire that. Of course the book ends in tragedy, but was that the life of happiness for someone as opposed to living in turmoil. Knowing that your morals and beliefs would be erased and forgotten. I can’t say that I’m as strong as Okonkwo was in my everyday life, but I hope to get there one day. I also want to mention Other books such as “48 laws of power” and  “the 50th Law” by Robert Greene, “Shook one” by Charlamagne Tha God, “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge, “Unf*ck Yourself” by Gary John Bishop, “The Hidden Messages In Water” by Masuro Emoto, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, “The Holy Bible” and the more recent books that I’m currently reading and  find very interesting is “Becoming SuperNatural” by Joe Dispenza and “The Energy Codes” by Dr. S.U.E Morter.

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

My advice is stay true to whatever you are writing. Tell the story the way you want to tell it. People will tell you that your content may not be for them, but that is okay. Your writing is meant to reach someone. It may not reach everyone, but it will mean more to reach one person and it actually changes something in them. Inspires them or motivates them. That means more than someone buying your work and never actually reading it. Writing may be hard at times. You may get writers block, but keep going. Put out something that you yourself can be proud of without ever folding. Also market your work prior to putting it out. I ended up putting out my work without really telling anybody but a few of my friends at the time. Market as much as possible prior so that when the time comes for you to release your work, you have pretty much already put in the work needed to get great results. 

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Sun, The Moon & The Stars

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

I am Kristen Keenon Fisher, author of the The Quantum Cartographer, which was my debut novel and a “distinguished favorite” in the New York City Big Book Awards. I am from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and I studied audio engineering and graphic design in Rockville, Maryland.

2. What inspired you to start writing?

Well I’ve always written short stories and poetry for as long as I can remember. The inspiration for a novel came from a challenge to myself. I once told myself that I could never write a novel. It was too complex, too involved. I could never do that. So one day I decided to prove myself wrong. I dared myself to write a novel. I made a deal with myself to finish no matter what. I wouldn’t give in to any doubts I had or excuses, I was just going to take my time and persist. I started having a lot of dreams at that time to. They were random but very vividdepictions of people, places and events. I used a lot of the details from the dreams in the story.  

3. What do you hope your readers take away from your book “The Quantum Cartographer”?

I hope they see The Quantum Cartographer as an intriguing journey with many interesting and thought provoking destinations along the way. I want it to be something you read and then read again to catch all the synchronicities and moving parts. I hope they find it to be more than just another tale of time travel and discover deeper themes and ideology. The Quantum Cartographer is a journey for your mind.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing I enjoy anything inspirational. I enjoy, gaming, reading, meditating, drawing. I’m just obsessed with art and creativity and being inspired to create things that might inspire someone else to create something. 

5. Have you ever seen a time machine? Do you actually believe that it works?

I have never seen a functional time machine but I do believe the technology is possible. Rumor has it that Nikola Tesla invented one. It was one of the ideas posed as the catalyst for the “Mandela effect,” which was the name given to the growing phenomena of multiple groups of people from all around the world who remember certain historical events happening differently. Theoretically to time travel successfully, you would need to travel faster than the speed of light. And in the phenomena of black holes, light is actually slowed down tremendously. So, if you could somehow manage to harness the power of a black hole you could conceivably create a time machine. Easy.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

“The opposite of an idea is the absence of the idea itself. Absence is the absence of justice. Presence is the absence of absence.” —Unknown

7. What are you working on next? Are you planning to release another book soon?

I am currently working on a second novel as a matter of fact. It will be set in a colorful, beautifully rendered, and foul mouthed alternate universe.I would say expect to see it maybe late this year or early next year. The only thing I can say about it is … There will be machines.

8. Which is your favorite Time Travel fantasy book?

My favorite time travel story is “All You Zombies” Robert A. Heinlein, which was adapted into a movie in 2014 called Predestination. The paradoxes created in the story are mind-blowing. I don’t want to give away too much about it in case there’s someone reading this who hasn’t read the book, or seen “Predestination” which was a film released in 2014 that was based on the short story by Heinlein,but it was definitely one the most magical efforts of storytelling I’ve ever witnessed.  

9. How do you come up with the idea to write a science fiction involving time travel?

The idea of time travel has always fascinated me. And with storytelling you can do some really interesting things with it and create what I feel is a “beautiful conflict” within the reader, wherein the sequence of events becomes entirely distorted. If past events influence the future and future events influence the past in this seemingly never-ending loop, which came first? Is time itself really just an illusion and do our actions as transient beings cause ripples not only in the future but the past as well? And in the case of reincarnation, what if your next life wasn’t in the future at all? What if a soul could reincarnate into the distant past? I wanted to explore these ideas and many others.

10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to your readers and aspiring writers?

Keep writing. I think we have a tendency as writers to feel as if we have to have it all planned out and write the greatest story ever told on the first draft or we have some form of writers block. But in fact, writing can be more akin to an excavation process rather than a performance art. We have the luxury of doing “not quite the right thing” and editing and perfecting until it is the right thing.

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The Quantum Cartographer: Book of Cruxes

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

My name is Michaela Lincoln. I am an Australian living  in Canada. I am a high school teacher by training and I am a mother to 22 year old triplets, two boys and a girl. I am the author of Three Times the Fun. I  have an online business in the health and wellness industry. I also have a blog with a feature called Mothers With Many where I feature different mothers as I believe mothers should be celebrated.

Q2.  Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

Of course you need to have a story line. People think that writing a children’s book is easy but it actually is a long process and takes time.The words have to flow and the placement of the illustrations and writing also has be to thoughtfully done to ensure a fluidity in the way the book reads and looks. And of course the language has to be child friendly.

Q3. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Three Times The Fun’ book?

Fortunately, there were no major challenges. I did write the book when my kids were four years old and then put it away as I did not get anywhere and really had very little time to pursue. Last year, I found a wonderful local publishing house who worked with a talented illustrator and we worked together to make sure that the characters in my book came to life and that each colour and drawing were exactly as I had imagined.

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

That is abit of a tricky question for me seeing as I grew up in Australia and that is considered my first home and now I live in Canada my second home. So in Australia I love the beaches there and as a family growing up we would drive 24 hours , stay overnight and spend two weeks each summer at a beautiful area on the coast. I have great memories there. There is another special place for me in Australia to visit (apart from where my family and friends are) is Uluru.(Ayers Rock) It is located in central Australia in the Northern Territory. It is a massive sandstone, sacred to the indigenous Australians . Such a special and magical place. I took my kids there about 5 years ago and they loved it. In Canada, there are still many places that I would like to visit. I do really like P.E.I as It reminds me of Australia.

Q5. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Three Times The Fun’?

When I was pregnant, adults had a hard time wrapping their head around the concept of me carrying triplets so I knew that children would have an even harder time understanding. There were no books on this subject ; of what it means to be a triplet through the eyes of triplets, so I knew that this would be a great place to start as I have the knowledge and experience. The title was changed a couple of times until I came up with this. It is simple, catchy and the three obviously represents triplets and it really is three times the fun but also three times the work.

Q6. Please share your experience as a mother of triplets?

We went from two of us with a dog to five of us and a dog so that became our new normal.You do feel like an octopus as you do so much all the time but the key is that you have to be organised when you have three little ones and so we got ourselves on a routine . My mother came to stay for the first three months which was a huge help then we were fortunate to have a nanny to help  until the kids were just under two and a half then it was all me. My kids were always on a routine and I kept to it 99% of the time as it just made life so much easier.The kids had a built in playgroup which was wonderful. Birthdays always meant three cakes that I made, but it has been a wonderful blessing watching them all grow up together and develop their own personalities , likes and dislikes.  They are very close siblings.

Q7. What does success means to you?

Watching my kids turn into incredible adults I feel like we have been successful in raising them right. I have hopefully set a good example to my kids and showed them that you never quit or never give up when something is difficult. Always help others and treat others with respect. Success is not always measured in dollars and cents but in how we are as an individual.

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

It is my first book so it was a big learning experience for me. I know that this subject is not very common so I feel that it was fresh for the readers and hopefully educational as well. I hope to write more books in the future.

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

I love Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourites.There are so many wonderful books I have read over the years. I also really loved The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer.  I love reading books where you are totally transported to another era , another time and you can see yourself there. I also do not like to finish good books so I have to read them slower J My father was a terrific writer and used to tell my kids stories and we made him write them all down and I hope to make that into a book one day. So I learnt a lot from him.

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

 Ha ha, secrets…. Not really for this book. The only one I can think of is that the names of the characters are my kids middle names and the favourite colours I use were their favourite colours but I kind of  forced them upon them when they were little as we colour coded everything so we knew whose was whose.

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Book Is Available On Amazon

Three Times the Fun

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

Hi, my name is Caroline Madden. I am a film critic who has written for IndieWire, Reverse Shot, and Screen Queens. I work at Passion River Films and Video Librarian. I am also the Managing Editor of BOSS: The Biannual Online-Journal of Springsteen Studies. Before I became a writer, I studied acting at Shenandoah Conservatory. After doing an internship in educational theatre, I decided to get my Masters in Cinema Studies at Savannah College of Art and Design where I set my sights on being a writer and working in the film industry. I was born and raised in New Jersey (just like Bruce!) where I currently live with my fiancé and puppy. Bruce Springsteen has been a big part of my life ever since I was 10 years old!

2. How do you come up with the title and cover of your book “Springsteen as Soundtrack”?

It just came to me suddenly one day. I felt it simply encapsulated exactly the kind of questions I wanted to ask my readers: What does it mean when Springsteen’s music functions as a soundtrack? How does it change the visuals or narrative of a film? How does his music illuminate the story we see on screen?  I did not design the cover of my book, which is taken from a scene in Philadelphia with Tom Hanks that I discuss. I love the bold orange color, it really stands out on a bookshelf.

3. Do you write while listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this book?

Of course I would have to listen and analyze Bruce’s songs as part of my research, but while I was doing actual writing I listened to film scores from Interstellar, Atonement, The Lord of the Rings, and more. The pure instrumentals help me concentrate and stop my mind from wandering, which is sometimes hard to do when writing in silence or listening to music with lyrics. While doing some of the more tedious legwork such as citations or the bibliography, I listened to my usual playlist of Bruce Springsteen, classic rock, and Broadway musicals.

4. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your book?

I learned a lot about Bruce’s early musical career from the early 1970s. Many of the songs I listened to I had never heard before, and I was amazed to see they had particular themes that still endured in his music today.

5. How long did it take you to write your book?

It took me about two years to write. I did research for a few months and the rest of the time was writing and editing. However, my research was constantly evolving because at the time, Springsteen on Broadway was just premiering. That production would go on to shape my interpretation of Springsteen’s canon and legacy.

6. Did you enjoy writing the book? Readers would love to know more about your writing journey.

Writing my book was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. It was often difficult to balance a professional and social life while writing. At the time, I was completing internships and working in New York City. A lot of times I had to sacrifice socializing or attending events because I had to stay home, write, and meet my deadline.

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

I’m currently in the research phase for my second book which surveys the representation of virginity in the American teen film from the 1980s to the present. The coming-of-age film is quite possibly my favorite genre, and I’ve always been fascinated by the period of adolescence. I’m very excited to be synthesizing research on sex education, feminism, and youth development which have always been interests of mine. My book will reveal how films are moving towards more positive representations of teenage and female sexuality.

8. Any favorite writers that inspired you to write?

A few years ago, I was selected to be a part of the Critics Academy at Film at Lincoln center. I got to work with some phenomenal film critics such as Michael Koresky and Devika Girish who made me think about writing and cinema in a completely new way. My professors at SCAD, Drs. Tracy Cox-Stanton and Chad Newsom inspired me daily and helped me hone my skills. Without them I would not have written my book!

9. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I have a very specific way of writing. Since I am a morning person, I tend to do my best writing then. I can usually only write for a few hours a day before running out of steam. I either have to wait until the next day or the late evening to return to what I’m working on with fresh eyes. I first begin with an extremely rudimentary outline and brain dump. If you saw what my very first draft looked like, you would think a little kid wrote it. Like an abstract painting, it’s very rudimentary and doesn’t even make much sense. Then, like a sculptor, I slowly chisel away to form something more coherent with each draft. My favorite part is editing, because the bulk of what I want to say is already there, I just need to figure out how I can say it better.

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

My advice would be to really know  what sets your book apart from everyone else, because that is what publishers are going to be looking for the most, aside from the quality of the content. Why does your book need to be on bookshelves? In the case of academia, what are you discovering that is new? Fortunately for me, it was simple—there was no major book about Bruce Springsteen and film available.

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Springsteen as Soundtrack: The Sound of the Boss in Film and Television

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

Well I am Hannah Corbin. The author of flying by the seat of my pants. I’m a stay at home mom that is dealing with quite a few disabling conditions. I’m a lover of Christ and a lover of people. My two kiddos mean the world to me and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I have been married for nigh on 9 years and through that time I have gone through more stuff than your typical woman of 28 years. So I decided to put it into a book. The book is my life story and it’s how God has used all of my experiences to show himself sovereign.

2. What inspired you to start writing?

Well people for years every time I started sharing my testimony, said I should write a book. So I did. But I have been writing since I was 12 years old. I always had high aspirations to write and be published but I had never been able to finish anything. But last December the Lord put it on my heart to write and get my story out there and boom in 2 and ½ months my story was written and 8 months from starting I had a published book! Fulfilling my dreams that I have had since I was 12 years old.

3. What do you hope your readers take away from your book “Flying by the seat of my Pants”?

I am hoping that by reading my book that people enjoy the raw and honest real life emotions that are in the book. Every incident and every story that I have shared always leads back to the way the Lord has seen me through. It’s sharing that it is okay to not be okay. That if you need help don’t be afraid to ask. It’s being raw and real with things that people find taboo all the time. My biggest hope is that people realize they are not alone and there are people just like them just as messed up as they are.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love playing music and hanging out with my kids. I used to love mermaiding but since my seizures started last October I haven’t been able to do many strenuous activities like I used to. But music is my outlet as well as watching movies with my kids.

5. What was the worst incident in your life till now? What you learnt from it?

That is a very debatable question. I mean quite a few of the incidents that I have been through have been very bad. Relatively quite a few of them were the same in intensity. But that all boils down to perspective. I mean the worst incident was probably the shooting but there in too my heart broke worse when I lost my babies to miscarriage. So I mean if you read the book you will have quite a few choices to pick. All in all God was with me through all of them so they may have been bad but they were over before too long, and the Lord helped me heal/ is still helping me heal from all of them.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

Gen 50: 20a But as for you, you thought evil against me but God meant it unto good…

7. What are you working on next? Are you planning to release another book soon?

Currently I have 3 children’s books finished of the 8 I have planned. Just needing an illustrator, and I am working on a trilogy called the Ember saga. It’s an action adventure crime drama.

8. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

That it’s hard to have memories of rough times brought back up. But it’s very cathartic.

9. How do you come up with the title to your book “Flying by the seat of my Pants”?

Because I feel like that was truly the story of my life. That every time I turned around I was flying by the seat of my pants because God always had a better plan than I did.

10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to readers and aspiring writers?

Be kind to yourself. If you need help, ask for it. You are definitely not alone. There are plenty of people that are feeling the same as you are just no one wants to talk about it.
And to aspiring authors. Don’t give up. The timing may not be quite right at the moment, but make sure that you continue to follow your dreams. Because that moment when you hold your very first book in your hand is a feeling like none other. Keep on keeping on. AND I love you all!

Author’s Profile

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Flying by the Seat of My Pants

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

Heya! My name is Gabriel, which is a pseudonym but also part of my real-life name. I am German, male, 22 years old and have been creating stories in my head ever since I could think. Difference is: I’ve only started actually writing them down at the delicate age of 20. Since then, I’ve been writing every day for two years, with no intention to stop! Writing gives me life and Neon Red is the fruit of my efforts. 🙂

2. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I think it was specifically last January. I looked at my little 11-page manuscript and got excited while calculating. “Oh man, if I put x amount of time into every day, I could get 40 pages by the end of January, and then maybe even 100 by April, and if I keep going…” et cetera. I loved the idea of actually holding something physical in my hand that once only existed in my thoughts. It’s what fueled me ever since, and the thrill never stops. Now, I don’t want a single book, I want a full series! It’s quite addictive!

3. From where did you have the idea of two Realms – human and demon in “Neon Red”?

I like subverting tropes. Portal Fantasy isn’t super rare, but it usually follows the tropes of ‘main character falls into parallel world, obtains magic, assembles band of people and saves the world’. The raw idea isn’t bad, but I like to twist it a little – in this parallel world, next to nothing comforting exists. There is nothing to be saved, only a savage environment to be explored and survived. Demons are the embodiment of danger – but also moral choices, since not all of them are necessarily evil. And seeing the story start with the main character returning just sounded too cool to not be tried! A feral boy in a modern city bumbling about, on the lookout for his family. I love this idea.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Running! It’s essentially mental detox, and it also keeps my body in shape. Other than that, gaming. Always have been a huge gamer, especially for Action-RPGs. My editor sometimes compares Neon Red (functionally) to a game more than a book, which I quite like and can see why he thinks so. Especially Flow (the hard magic system of Neon Red) is something I could absolutely see in an RPG that uses custom characters.

5. How do you come up with names of your book characters?

Hahaha, my names are despised by my editor. He uses rather normal names for his writing, but I like to use normal names with some meaning behind them and twist them a little bit. Albert becomes Alberc, Sonya becomes Zonya. Slight tweaks that make the characters feel at home in this slightly tweaked version of Earth.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

‘The 20th of March also marked the day that Dion finally came to appreciate the sticky rice of Juniper’s food court. At long last, he understood Shimon’s love for it, filling his stomach to the brim with endless seconds. Hunger was the best flavor after all, he realized.’
It’s an inconspicuous and seemingly non-important quote, but it’s a big development for Dion in the context of the book. It also finally frees him of the pit of depression he fell into. It’s simple, but in my eyes quite beautiful.

7. What are you working on next? Are you planning to release another book soon?

Neon Red II!
Yup, totally planning to complete this book series! Six books are planned, and Part 2 will follow soon! I’m stoked to release it one day and I’m genuinely enjoying the writing I’m doing daily for it. I feel like I’ve improved a lot since Part 1, and working with already established characters and scenarios is so much fun. I can finally go all-out!
Expect it Early 2021! After that, I will likely take a break from Neon Red and do smaller projects.

8. What do you hope your readers take away from your books?

Determination. Perseverance. Hope that their efforts will not be in vain, even if it may seem so. No step we take is ever for naught, for they build our character regardless. Feel the pain and transform it into strength to move forward stronger than before. That is Neon Red I’s message.

9. Are you a sci-fi fan since childhood?

Can I tell you something? I never really cared for Sci-Fi, haha. Actually, I was quite surprised when reviewers described Neon Red as Sci-Fi. It’s a genre I never really touched (for no reason in particular). But I absolutely want to get into it soon, I believe it will broaden my horizons in a positive way!

10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to readers and aspiring writers?

‘Just write.’
Hahaha, no, everyone has heard that one before. It’s valid advice, but it’s hard to manifest for oneself. My personal favorite advice was to just move forward. Write something every day. One word is sufficient. It’s a step. Inch forward every day toward your dream. You’ll improve and get better every day, believe me. It’ll get easier, far easier, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can grow by just inching. Keep going. You’ll get there, just keep going, step by step.

Author Name: Gabriel

Author’s Profile

NEON RED I: Shimon of the Stars

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

My name is Karen A. Miles. I am a 52 year old English woman currently living in Barcelona. I am the proud mother to 3 amazing kids and when I’m not writing I teach English professionally. I have spent 32 out of my 52 years living abroad, which is an incredible blessing.

2. What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your books?

While I was writing I discovered two surprising things, one is that my best work is done during the night, my peak inspirational times are between midnight and 3am. The second is that writing about things that happened to you, even many years ago, is the best therapy in the world. You ‘exorcise’ bad experiences from your mind to the pages.

3. How do you manage being a mother, a teacher and an author?

It’s not easy juggling writing, teaching and above all being a single mother. My children have always been my priority, but now two of them are in their mid- twenties they are independent, so it’s a little easier. I am incredibly lucky to have a job that I love, so that helps a lot, and I write when I feel inspired, and have time, so not as often as I’d like.

4. What are your hobbies apart from reading or writing?

My hobbies are swimming, taking long walks, especially along the beach here in Barcelona and listening to music. I always have music playing at home.

5. You are currently living in Barcelona, how do you come up with the idea of setting a plot in Singapore in your book “Torn Between”?

Torn Between is semi-biographical. It’s based on some of my experiences of living in Singapore when I was 19. It’s not all true, but a lot of things are. I keep which is which a closely guarded secret and prefer the reader to try and guess.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

My favourite quote is one of my own memes. “In order to become a better version of ourselves, we first have to admit we need editing.”

7. What has been the most difficult situation in your life which you finally overcame?

I’ve had more than my fair share of difficult situations in my life, but I think it’s my second divorce. It’s difficult to cope with one divorce but the second feels more of a failure. I’ve been divorced now for 4 years and have made a very nice life for myself and my youngest daughter here in Barcelona.

8. How do you do research for your books?

In order to write about the topics in my book, the most important source of information is
experience. For the parts that are missing from my own experiences I have a wide group of friends with many tales to tell.

9. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

I have always enjoyed writing. I used to write poems as a small child, and English Language and literature were always my favourite school subjects, alongside drama, I used to dream of becoming a famous author or an actor.

10. Lastly, who inspires you the most and why?

I am constantly inspired by my children, but externally I am inspired by the resilience of human beings in general. We all face adversity every day, and this year has been particularly difficult as we know. Somehow, we all keep going and are able to laugh…It’s inspiring.

Author Name: Karen A Miles.

Author’s Profile

Torn Between

I Fell and Grazed My Knees

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

Hello! My name is Natalie Lopez. I started writing down thoughts here and there when my boyfriend was shot and killed in 2018. I decided to publish it on my 24th birthday, two years later, because my boyfriend was 24 when he died. I am a special education teacher and will be receiving my masters soon!

2. What do you hope your readers take away from your book “The art of Healing”?

The main thing I want readers to take away from my book is that healing looks different for everyone but you are not the only person going through something. There are other people out there you can lean on. I hope at least one person is able to learn something from me and my process.

3. Who motivated you to release your diary to the world?

I was motivated to release my diary because I shared bits and pieces with my close friends and they made me feel like someone out there could benefit from my words and my feelings.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to write and these days I have started jotting down some things that MAYBE will end up in my second book. However, if I am not writing, I like to watch movies, read, and spend time with family/friends.

5. Do you maintain a journal? If yes, how do you find time to write it?

I do maintain a journal. I use it for different purposes. I have a journal for my thoughts and feelings. I also have a journal that I use to keep up with my biblical plans. I find time to write in it by making time. Writing is therapeutic for me. I try to dedicate my mornings to my biblical plans and some time at night for my personal journaling.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

My favorite quote right now is “if someone makes you feel, let them” by Reyna Biddy. I think this is important because we can get so wrapped up in wanting to be alone when really we need to allow others to help us if they are willing.

7. Any relationship advice you want to give to your readers?

I want my readers to understand that love is a complicated thing. It is okay to fall in love with one person and then another. I also want my readers to know that pain and suffering is inevitable but healing is up to you. Forgive those that hurt you even if they don’t physically or verbally apologize. You owe it to yourself.

8. Who are your favorite living poets?

I love Reyna Biddy and Rupi Kaur. I read their books countless times for inspiration.

9. How do you come up with the cover of your book “The art of Healing”?

I worked with a friend to self-publish my book. Cheyenne made a few covers for me and sent me options. The cover that is on my book really captured what I had in mind. It is dark but comforting

10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

I am my own inspiration in life. I don’t mean this in a cocky way. I have gone through a lot in my life and my boyfriend dying wasn’t even half of it. However, I always show up for myself. I protect myself. I allow myself to feel and grieve. I am a strong person and I am thankful that the only person I am trying to be better than is the person I was yesterday.

Author Name: Natalie Lopez

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The Art of Healing

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The Art of Healing