Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With David Wasserman

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi! I’m David Wasserman, born and raised in East Hampton, Connecticut. I still live in Connecticut now – tucked away with my wife, daughter and cat in the (mostly) quiet woods.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have read my whole life. I remember devouring multiple young adult books each day (and making many trips to the bookstore with my willing and proud parents). Later, I moved on to more classic books and then gained an appreciation for poetry in college. It wasn’t until much later that I started writing my own poetry as an outlet and way to connect back to the written word in this digital age.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I actually read prose more than poetry! While I appreciate and contemplate poetry, I love authors like Karen Russell, Susanna Clarke, and Mark Z. Danielewski. They all have different talents, but I am drawn to their use of language and structure.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut book of poetry is called Tiny Footcrunch. It was born out of emotions and sharpened by society’s waning attention span. It delivers vast thoughts through tiny poems. Ten universal emotions. Sadness. Joy. Anger. Kindness. Fear. Love. Confusion. Humor. Curiosity. Hope. Ten petite poems carefully crafted and shepherded into each bloodline. This collection speaks to the era of texting tweeting twittering fast-paced visually digestible media we live in every day. Literature has changed. Long-form storytelling through print is falling out of favor while comments, posts and captions increasingly become the new narrative. These tiny poems bridge that divide. Savor suck snack stay on them – they are not meant to be devoured as if bite-size chocolates. Rather, bravely peel each poem back and reveal the many layers provided by each word, each line, each thought that pops into your head right at that pivotal moment when you have a raw wild running whipping racing through the forest visceral reaction to these . . . words on a page.

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Featured Interview With Sun Chara

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I love dancing on the beach and drinking frappuccinos with whipping cream/sprinkles on top. I grew up in the beautiful city of Vancouver, B.C. Canada, and now make my home in sunny southern California. No pets but my neighbor’s lovely cats come a-calling and tour my yard…they make good but finicky visitors!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I was about 10 when I first started reading the Harlequin Presents style romance stories with the alpha males/feisty heroines, glitz & glam lifestyle, and of course, the Happily Ever After! I started writing in high-school, then after graduation from college.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Johanna Lindsey, Susan Elisabeth Phillips, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and many of the Harlequin Presents authors like Carol Mortimer, Anne Mather, Violet Winspear, Julia James, Jane Porter. I love Happily Ever After stories, so that would be the contemporary/category style romances. Romantic comedy is another favorite genre. Laughter is good for the soul!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My next title is a romantic comedy, A Match Made in Heaven? and will be published August 31, 2018 from Harper Impulse. Here’s the blurb:
A romantic comedy with a divine twist treks cross-country Las Vegas
to Beverly Hills … an ordinary guy, his pregnant high society bride, a meddling matchmaking mamma, and a prickly ex-suitor land in the same ramshackle dog kennel estate ‘playing house’. But all is not as it seems …
The Wedding: it’s a set up. The Break-up: it’s a con. The Reconciliation: it’s a trap.
Is Irish pauper, Johnny’s wedding to high society girl, Samantha, a match made in heaven? or is their union about to bust under meddling matchmaking mamma’s schemes to hook a rich son-in-law?
A fashion-challenged agent from heaven springs into action to ward off the sting, but no one is listening …

I had lots of fun writing this story…still smiling!

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Featured Interview With JZ Murdock

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Author of the macabre JZ Murdock is a writer of horror, speculative and science fiction from his home in bucolic Bremerton, Washington. He is also a blogger and non-fiction writer on psychology, life, the process of writing and politics. As a filmmaker he is a screenwriter involved with his local indie filmmaking community as both filmmaker and occasional actor. He is the owner of LGN Productions (IMDB) since 1993.

All from the great and mysteriously beautiful Pacific Northwest.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I learned to read young because I was tired of waiting for everyone in the family to finish the Sunday newspapers before anyone would read me the comics. My grandmother used to read me sci fi and that was my first genre. Then I discovered horror and eventually fantasy. I would cycle through bouts of reading those genres, then science fact and back around to science fiction beginning anew the cycle.

After reading Dune in 1970 while home sick from school, I wrote my first sci fi story. It wasn’t under the end of my university degree in psychology that I got a minor in creative writing and screenwriting that I started writing short horror fiction. I sold my first story to a horror quarterly in 1990. My first books were published in 2012.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I started with the golden age of sci fi writers, Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury and so on. My first published story (soon to be an audiobook) was In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear, an homage to Asimov’s first autobiography In Memory Yet Green. I got inspiration from them as well as Harlan Ellison, early Stephen King, Clive Barker (whom I used to correspond in the late 80s early 90s) was a big influence. Too many to mention. Robert E Howard when I was young. HP Lovecraft, HG Wells, EA Poe… I was a voracious reader as a child. I was addicted to Scientific American for some years as a young adult.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My first book was a collection of my first short horror and sci fi in ANTHOLOGY OF EVIL. Immediately after that (same year, re released in 2014 2nd edition) was DEATH OF HEAVEN. I am now looking for a new publisher for my sequel book of newer sci fi and horror in ANTHOLOGY OF EVIL II, with unpublished stories including a novella as well as stories published in recent years in magazines and anthologies with other authors.
I am also looking to see several screenplays sold including a true crime story, The Teenage Bodyguard, and a horror comedy, Gray and Lover The Hearth Tales Incident which could make a good Netflix anthology series.

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Featured Interview With Brian Hebbel

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I love stories about people, real people. My own life story begins in the Baltimore suburbs where I was raised and have lived my entire life. I am the happily married father of three children and five grandchildren. My family can trace its Baltimore roots back to 1779. I am a retired federal employee currently running my consulting practice. I am an often requested speaker on matter srelated to Government contracting. I love to exercise, travel and think about new possibilities on the horizon.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination has always been about people and their individual story, as opposed to books. We all have a story. Each of our stories are filled with happiness, sorrow, conflict and the content for a great novel. My new book, Painting Deception, is the life story of one such character. Each individual story I’ve heard is somehow weaved into the life of my novel’s main character, Lily Clarke. I started writing a nonfiction business book in 2010 and completed it in 2015. It has sold very well and I am now considered an expert in the field of Government contracting. Painting Deception was started in late 2015. I worked on it whenever I had time, but my mind was working 24/7 to create the storyline and cast of characters contained in the novel. The novel’s twists and turns were developed as I wrote the novel. My tip to writers both fiction and nonfiction books is just to start writing if you have an idea, and see where it will take you. I really can’t explain why I wrote this novel. Something deep inside of my being pushed me to write it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Honestly, between managing my consulting practice, writing this novel, taking care of an elderly mother and spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren, I do not have much downtime to read. When I do take the time to read, I actually enjoy nonfiction books about individual people. I love the experiences and struggles of their life experiences. Our individual experiences on the road of life is what I truly enjoy reading.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Painting Deception begins at the graveside funeral of the novel’s main character, Lily Clarke. Her three dysfunctional and distant daughters attend the funeral. As the funeral ends, her lawyer declares that the reading of her will is the next day. Four names, including the three daughters are requested to be present at the reading of the will. No one knows the identify of the fourth person. The novel then goes back in time to Lily Clarke’s life as a young married woman. Events take place in her early life, that shape the challenges she faces at the end of her life. Discoveries regarding her wealth and other dark secrets emerge late in her life after she receives a diagnosis that she has a terminal illness. Acting deceptively, Lily’s three dysfunctional daughters are invited to her home one last time, so that she can determine their true character. Dark secrets surface. The challenges she faces in her final months will define her legacy. The novel includes lots of twist, turns and humor.

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Featured Interview With Howard Kaplan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a writer who has had some luck. My novel of romantic suspense, The Damascus Cover, has been adapted as Sir John Hurt’s last film. It also stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tutors, Bend it Like Beckham) and Olivia Thirlby (Goliath, Juno). In theaters summer 2018

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was an overweight, shy child so I stayed in my room a lot read and watched TV. My parents were East European immigrants not well versed in America, the typical immigrant story trying to survive and raise a family so I was mostly on my own. I lived a love in my imagination and stories.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read a wide range of fiction, not too much non-fiction. I love Jennifer Egan’s A Visit From the Goon Squad. I love these clever titles but can never seem to think up on. Ross Thomas, The Fools in Town are on Our Side adapted from a Huck Finn line. I like thrillers where a romantic relationship is also at the center of the action and part of the plot rather than relegated to when the main character goes home.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
LA TIMES BESTSELLER.
TRANSLATED INTO 7 LANGUAGES.
“KAPLAN IS UP THERE WITH THE BEST” – CLIVE CUSSLER

In a last ditch effort to revive his career, washed out agent Ari
Ben-Sion accepts a mission he never would have 30 years ago, to
smuggle a group of Jewish children out of the Damascus ghetto. Or so
he thinks.

In Damascus, a beautiful American photographer, Kim, seems to be
falling in love with Ari, but she is asking too many questions. His
communication equipment disappears. His contact never shows up. The
operation is only hours away and everything seems awry.
Desperate to succeed, Ari might risk everything. Even his life.

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Featured Interview With Stephen Shaiken

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in New York City, and spent over three decades as criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. These days I split my time between Tampa, Florida, and Bangkok, Thailand.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I fell in love with books the minute I could read. I started writing fiction and taking creative writing classes at Queens college, NYC. Before I went to law school I came out West for a few years and earned an M.S. in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m eclectic, to say the least.
My favorite genres are suspense and thrillers, including detective and police stories. I also love literary fiction.
My favorite English language literary authors of today are Paul Auster, Michael Chabon, Mary Gordon, Paul Theroux, Alice Walker, Ward Just, Joan Didion and E.L. Doctorow. I love the novels of Ismail Kadare, an Albanian whose work is all translated. In the suspense/thriller/detective genre, Loren Estleman, James Lee Burke,J.J Vance, Walter Mosley, Sara Paretsky (recently deceased).

Past masters I revere and who have influenced me include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott. Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler, Flannery O’Conner, Dashiell Hammett, and too many others to list.

And I devour post-apocalyptic and dystopian science fiction.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Bangkok Shadows tells the story of Glenn Murray Cohen, a stressed-out American criminal defense lawyer who grabs a bundle of cash from a murdered client and creates a new life for himself in Bangkok. For seven years he leads an idyllic existence, and then he is dragged into a CIA plot to kidnap a Russian gangster, a scheme that risks his life and those of his closest friends from the mysterious NJA Club. Glenn is totally unsuited for this task but he has to learn quickly.

This seemed like the perfect book for me to write: I was a real-life criminal defense lawyer, I was living in Thailand, and I love the thriller genre.

It started as a series of character sketches and then it took on a life of its own. By the time I wrote the last line, I felt like Glenn Murray Cohen and his NJA Club cohorts were friends of mine. I could picture Glenn and the others: Sleepy Joe, the hippie, full of surprises; Oliver, the go-to guy for information you can’t get elsewhere; , the deceptively oafish-looking Rhode Island Joe; The General, who defies categorization; the beautiful and elusive Noi; and Panchen, the wise and skillful Thai lawyer.

The City of Bangkok is present trhoughout the book, almost like a character. It affords the novel a strange atmospheric mix of noir and exoticism.

Word is that there may be more books featuring Glenn and the NJA Club.

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Featured Interview With Mary Cunningham

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
“I live in my own little world, but it’s okay, they know me here.”

I grew up on the northern side of the Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana. Some of my first memories are my dad’s original bedtime stories that no doubt inspired my active imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn”.

Childhood experiences, and a recurring dream about a mysterious attic, inspired characters, Cynthia and Augusta Lee, for award-winning middle-grade series, Cynthia’s Attic.

As with “Cynthia’s Attic” I continue to follow advice that was drummed into my brain when I first began to seriously follow my writing passion: Write what you know. That’s the main reason a horrifying stint as a travel agent, led to stories about a travel agent/amateur sleuth, springing to life. I’m currently writing Book # 2 in the Andi Anna Jones Mystery series.

I’m also writing another middle-grade series, The Adventures of Max and Maddie, an adult mystery, For the Life of Claire, and the biography of an army brat who evolved into a star college and professional basketball player.

When I give my fingers a break from the keyboard, I enjoy golf, swimming and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where I make my home with my husband. We’ve raised three creative children, have 2 granddaughters, a grandson, a great grandson, and an adopted, four-legged, furry daughter, Lucy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
If you had a parent(s) who read bedtime stories to you every single night, love of books and stories are a given. Along with reading to me, I had the joy of hearing stories my dad would make up and recite on the spot, complete with funny or scary voices and realistic sound effects.

Stands to reason I’d follow my journalist/dad into a writing career. While he didn’t write books, his human interest column, for the Louisville Courier Journal, became a hit with newspaper subscribers. His ability to make those he interviewed and their stories jump off the page and grab the reader, was a true gift.

Although I remember my third grade teacher’s advice; “Mary, whatever you do, don’t stop writing,” I was slow to accept my true calling. I did spend years dabbling with family memoirs and humorous essays, but it was several decades before I jumped into writing with both feet and became a published author.

I haven’t looked back and plan to continue writing as long as my fingers and brain cooperate.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I grew up on fantasy/science fiction and loved H. G. Wells. The Time Machine was a huge influence when it came to writing my 5-book middle-grade fantasy/time-travel series, “Cynthia’s Attic”. I was also a huge “Alice In Wonderland fan.

I still love sports and was thrilled when, as an early reader, the local library started carrying a set of sports biographies. I tore through each book; A-Z, Hank Aaron to Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

I’m also a huge J.R.R Tolkien fan. Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit will also be dear to me. I now gravitate to mysteries since beginning my latest venture; Andi Anna Jones Mysteries.

As to who inspires my writing; referring back to a previous question, my dad, of course. I’m also inspired by the many mystery authors I’ve come to know and appreciate. When it comes to writing, your best resource is to read other authors. Not to copy their style, but to be inspired to find your own.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Andi’s step-mother is a real piece of work! But is Ruby a murderer?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent/amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father’s widow and books a 60th birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will lead to the murder of a has-been lounge singer—or that Ruby will be the main suspect.

Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with the charming local sheriff, Manual Rodriquez. After an embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, a chance to check out an eyewitness to the murder leads her to Las Vegas.

In Vegas, a mysterious meeting in the Bodies Exhibition, a body preserving in the prep-room, and an evasive owner of a dance studio, give Andi clues to help Ruby. But when Andi is mercilessly drugged and locked in a storage room, she realizes dear old step-mom isn’t the only one in jeopardy.”

Andi Anna is my alter-ego. Did you ever want to take a horrifying job experience and turn it into something positive? Andi is my way of coming to terms with a short-lived career as a travel agent.
A mediocre travel agent, with an inferiority complex about her job, and her single status, she discovers her “inner sleuth” when forced to fly to Cancun after her dad’s widow is arrested for the murder of a has-been lounge singer. She soon discovers her talent to flesh out clues and solve mysteries far surpasses her ability to book vacations and handle complaints from unhappy clients.

In Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder (Book # 1) Andi’s humor is complemented by her stepmother, Ruby, ambulance-chasing lawyer, Bert, and Ruby’s cruise-buddies, Cloris and Doris. It’s not all fun and games, however, when Andi strikes up a relationship with the local sheriff, Manuel Gonzales that leads to too many margaritas and an evening singing with a mariachi band.

I began writing MM&M about five years ago, then put it down for awhile to concentrate on a second middle-grade series. Andi just kept nagging at me, and I finished the first manuscript in the spring of 2017, submitted it to Imajin Books in April and signed a contract in early May, 2017.

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Featured Interview With Sallie Moppert

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
A New York native, Sallie has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a Specialization in Forensic Science. A lifelong mystery fan, she has combined her love and passion for writing with her interests in criminal justice, law, and forensic science. Sallie currently resides in New York with her family and her “zoo,” which consists of two dogs, two guinea pigs, three betta fish and a leopard gecko. When she’s not writing, Sallie trains in martial arts and holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is working toward her black belt in karate. She is also the owner of an Etsy shop called PawsomeCraftsStudio where she sells her handmade novelties.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember having a love for creating stories from an early age. I have memories of writing stories based on a movie or a game that I liked, all the way back to when I was about five or six years old. I believe it was about age 13 that I realized that writing was my passion and that I wanted to pursue it. Once I knew that, there was no turning back!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Hands down, Agatha Christie. I adore her mysteries. It’s truly amazing how intricate and fascinating her mysteries are, so much so that there are times that I don’t have the faintest idea whodunit until Poirot or Marple or whoever the main character is reveals the culprit. Her stories are timeless-I mean, Murder on the Orient Express was just remade, right?

Mysteries, by far, are my favorite genre, but I also love the classics. I’m working my way through the stories of all the great authors, past and present. Reading the works of others can be very helpful in developing my own writing; it makes you think. What makes this book so entrancing hundreds of years later? Why do people relate to this character so deeply? Writing and reading absolutely go hand in hand; if you want to become a good writer, you have to read. Read much, read different genres, read different authors, and read because reading is fun!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel is called Good Cop Bad Cop and is a series of short stories (each featuring its own crime) that follows the life of Detective Samuel Marlowe. The first story starts off with a troubled teenage Sam who is saved from going after his alcoholic abusive stepfather, Seth, after Seth nearly beats his mother to death when Sam has a chance meeting with police officer Edwin Hill. Edwin takes Sam under his wing and Sam vows to pay back the Hills’ kindness by becoming a police officer himself. Things are going well and Sam is the star of the department, at least until Edwin is killed in shooting. Sam blames himself for Edwin’s death and begins a dark descent away from the stand up policeman he once was. The police captain recognizes the troubles plaguing his top detective and concocts a plan to put Sam back on the straight and narrow-a plan that Sam wants nothing to do with, right up until the moment that Junior Detective Dahlia Bennett is forced into his life. Her by-the-book demeanor and style of policing are the complete antithesis to Sam’s “what rule book?” type of attitude and lax method of policing but, despite this, the two become a strong partnership and an excellent crime solving duo. Will he try to shake her loose? Does her by-the-book ideals and strong moral code rub off on him? Will his relaxed attitude and views on true justice start to influence her? What will ultimately lead to the two becoming a solid team? When Dahlia declares she wants to reopen some cases believing that the wrong person was sent to prison, Sam tells her straight out that in doing so, she would be putting her life at risk. As Dahlia persists, Sam is faced with the ultimate decision: let Dahlia reopen the cases and discover his crimes, or kill her to keep her from learning the truth.

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Featured Interview With Eric Kuhns

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in central Pennsylvania. I currently live in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with my family. We are missionaries. It has been an adventure watching God working through our lives and in the lives of others.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a teenager I enjoyed writing short stories, and poems. But it was about five years ago that I felt God impress upon me to write this book specifically aimed at young people preparing for ministry. So many who said that God had called them to the mission field were getting detoured, or going home after being on the field just a short time. This book was born out of the necessity to address these issues that were keeping so many missionary candidates from becoming successful.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading missions related books and theological books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
For anyone interested in or planning to be a missionary this book is for you! Satan uses some many detours to keep people from doing something for God, such as debt, ungodly marriages, ministry offers and the American Dream. Do fall victim to his lies and traps!

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Featured Interview With Erato

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m from the United States, living in New Mexico currently (yes, it’s a state.) So far, however, all of my books are set in the United Kingdom, where I lived briefly, and some of the knowledge I picked up there is incorporated into the work.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading a lot around 4th or 5th grade when I was made to change schools, and consequently recess wasn’t much fun anymore because I didn’t know anybody. So, I liked the library and reading kind of random stuff in there. We were also forced to do a lot of reading in school, “silent reading time” and stuff like that. But I feel like reading and writing are very different activities. It’s a lot easier to have a great time writing a boring book than reading one, for instance.

I got into writing about 5th grade or so, because my parents were doing screenwriting at that time. Also, movies that I started to really enjoy were coming out, and I wanted to make things like that. So, my initial aspiration was actually screenwriting; just, by the time I was about 30, it was pretty apparent that a career in that field wasn’t going to happen for me — not with the current state of the film industry, where everything either has to be a film that can gross $100 million in the opening weekend, or else be Oscar-bait. So, I started to shift into writing books. With books, the book is the finished product — it doesn’t need to get made into a movie in order to be seen.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I will be honest, these days I don’t have a great deal of time to spend reading fiction — usually if I read, it will be a book with a dull-ass non-fiction name like “How to Write Advertisements.” If I read fiction, I normally read Classics. I’ve been reading Daphne du Maurier’s book “Rebecca” lately, and also started on Lord Byron’s “Don Juan.”

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My newest book is called “The Cut of the Clothes: A Story of Prinny and Beau Brummell.” It’s set between 1795 and 1816. The narrator of the story is the Prince Regent, called Prinny by his friends. I actually read the real Prinny’s letters in order to imitate his (often rather distinctive) patterns for talking and writing — he will suddenly burst into French or Italian, or use curious spellings of words that were already old-fashioned 200 years ago. Transcriptions of conversations that took place between him and his friends indicate there was a great deal more strong swearing than the literary language would have you to think. One of his girlfriends was apparently nicknamed “The Bitch” by people at the Court who knew her. The story itself is about Prinny’s efforts to become the most fashionable, admired man in Britain, and how he finds himself obsessing over Beau Brummell — a teenager who seems to naturally sparkle, and compels admiration from everybody without even trying. While Prinny’s life is going down the tubes, Brummell seems to do better and better every year, and grows more and more disdainful of Prinny as he ceases to require his patronage.

I wrote it after completing a yet-unpublished romantic crime novel. I had sent out my submissions and queries about that one on November 30th, and I began writing “The Cut of the Clothes” on December 1st. I had a first draft done in about 10 days, but it was about half the length of the finished product. I finally had the book ready to go in for copyright at the end of January. I had given myself a deadline of February 14th to have it self-published by — I beat the deadline by 7 days. I knew from the start that it was likely only to be a novella, not a full 80,000 word novel. Most publishers won’t look at novellas, so I was aware it would have to be self-published; which is fine, since a lot of the book publishers aren’t much better at promoting or editing than my own efforts have proven, and they keep a lot of the money in return for that modicum of prestige they offer while still leaving you to do virtually all of your own promotional work.

I hope that “The Cut of the Clothes” might appeal to more than just the Regency Fiction crowd, but to those who enjoy language, humor and stories about outcasts.

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Featured Interview With Margaret Millmore

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live on a quaint island in the Puget Sound, Washington with my husband and two cantankerous alarm clocks (better known as cats, who are apparently starving to death at 5 a.m. every single darn morning…).

My first published works were flash fiction, which were featured on Bay Area artist, Kenny Mencher’s blog, The Welcome Home and Untitled – Luke N. Goode.

In 2011 I published my first full length novel, since then I’ve published a three book series, another novel and my current series (via Creativia Publishing) What Haunts Me (Ghost Killer Book 1) and The Edge of the Cemetery (Ghost Killer Book 2), which was awarded the August 2016 Book of the Month award by Long and Short Reviews, and What Hunts Me (Ghost Killer Book 3), which incorporates an epic journey taken by my grandfather in 1915. The majority of my books are set in San Francisco where I lived—previous to island life—for over 26 years.

My preferred writing genre is supernatural fiction, with the exception of her time-travel novel, The Dragonfly Door.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was pretty young (6 or 7) when I started reading larger works, like The Chronicles of Narnia, and have been a voracious reader ever since. I’ve always written short stories and story ideas, but didn’t get serious about writing an actual novel until 2009.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Growing up, my favorites were Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Ray Bradbury, the list goes on. These days, however, I don’t read much along the lines of supernatural/paranormal fiction (even though that’s what I write), I prefer police/detective series and suspense/thrillers series (and I stick almost exclusively to Indie/small press authors). One of my favorite authors is Jen Blood, her books are fantastic and highly recommend them. Other authors are Wayne Zurl, A.E. Howe, Nick Russell, Joy Ellis, Padraig O’Hannon, Wendy Cartmell and LJ Ross (I could add another 15 authors, but that should get anyone started on some fantastic series books)

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Ghost Killer Series

What Haunts Me – Ghost Killer Book 1
There are ghosts and demons that wander among the living; they do not haunt in the traditional sense. Instead, they plague the living with diseases and physical deformities, and once a ghost finds its victim it will haunt them for a lifetime.

A mild illness brings on the dreams, which trigger the suppressed memories, which in turn allows George to see ghosts. Along with this new sight into a realm unknown to most, George instinctually knows that he must kill the ghosts. Of course none of this makes sense, but he cannot control the urge to kill when he encounters them, because deep inside, he knows this is what he must do. Another thing he knows; if he kills a ghost, a person nearby is suddenly healed.

His acceptance of this newfound ability to see and kill ghosts becomes his obsession, but it is also destroying his life and threatening his sanity. George seeks the help of Phil, a known paranormal expert, who briefly explains his new ability, but also warns him about a dangerous man who is looking for a powerful ghost killer, and insinuates that George is that powerful ghost killer. Soon after, George meets Billy, a young woman with a brazen and unlikable personality. However, she is another ghost killer, and that makes her someone he needs to know. With the help of Billy and Phil, George looks for answers as to how and why he’s become what he is and who and what the dangerous man wants. His quest for knowledge leads him to new friends and allies, but also to enemies he could never have imagined, enemies that killed his mother and grandparents, and now want him.

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The Edge of the Cemetery – Ghost Killer Book 2
George has embraced this new life as a ghost killer and now works alongside his new friends, Billy Wilkinson and Phil James. Together they assist the Watchers, an international group of ghost killers and supernatural experts who monitor the world for ghostly sightings and demon infestations to maintain the balance between the living and the dead.

When San Francisco and the surrounding area are suddenly plagued by rogue groups of ghosts and demons, who appeared to have a leader of sorts, a 17th century musketeer demon, the Watchers know it isn’t random, nor was it the usual form in which ghosts and demons prefer to haunt. These monsters were also possessing their victims and forcing them to hurt others, and once the ghost killers arrived, the demons directed their human weapons on them. The question was, who was this musketeer demon and why was he directing these attacks?

As George, Billy, Phil and the Watchers investigate, they discover the 17th century demon is teamed up with a teenage boy, who they come to realize is a powerful ghost killer himself and more importantly, they believe he is being controlled by the demon and is now using its energy to kill people at will. Their search for the teenager and his demon lead them to the discovery of an enemy from their past and a mysterious prophecy. As they decipher the true meaning of the prophecy, they uncover a plot for murderous revenge involving a secret vault containing numerous malevolent souls and a plan to return those wicked dead to human form as directed by Satan himself. Unfortunately, they also discover the true purpose of the demon musketeer’s involvement, which is to become one with the powerful teenage ghost killer, creating a monster that cannot be defeated. With the clock ticking against them, they must find the vault and destroy it before it can be opened and kill the demon and his teenage host.

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What Hunts Me – Ghost Killer – Book 3

Secreted away in the attic of the large Edwardian house in San Francisco owned by the Watchers, a box is discovered, containing various documents from ghost killers dating back more than ninety years. Among those missives are letters, some photographs and a diary dated in 1915, belonging to George Sinclair of Houtzdale, Pennsylvania. The letters chronicle an epic journey from Pennsylvania to San Francisco along the route of the newly opened Lincoln Highway, however the diary indicates something more sinister might have transpired. It contained strange drawings and nonsensical writings, but the final entry is loud and clear; George is a ghost killer and he is being hunted. Modern-day George Sinclair knows there is nothing coincidental in his world, and this discovery could be the key to his unknown paternal heritage, 1915 George was probably his great-grandfather.

George and Phil James travel to Houtzdale to investigate and the more they learn, the more they realize something horrible happened in 1915 and it directly involved George’s great-grandfather. More importantly, they discover a monstrous creature, who 1915 George thought he killed, had risen from its grave and was now on a murderous rampage in search of something. The only clues are in the letters, diary and photographs. George and Phil follow the path indicated in the letters in pursuit of the creature, with Billy eventually joining in.

They find themselves embroiled in a hundred year old mystery, which grows beyond a reanimated monstrous creature. Mysterious supernatural forces are in play and the discovery of very dangerous stones and an even more dangerous artifact propel the ghost killers into a fight for their lives. Many will die along the way and someone close to them won’t survive.

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Margaret Millmore’s Website

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Featured Interview With Shashank Pai K

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Mysore, India. I love computers and hacking them is fun! I have always seeked intuitive explainations on internal working of computers, the cute machines ! I believe that technology can be preached intuitively to each and every person there! Thus, I developed a skill of explaining technical things in layman terms, which escalated to writing!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I never had any such extra fascination with books (except textbooks, yeah!), I realized I have to do something for me , my own and then I tried writing, based on some suggestion I came across on the internet and I am stunned today that I can write really well actually!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Charles Petzold, the one who wrote “CODE” is my favorite author. If I hadn’t read his book, I would have never understood the real inner working of a computer! That book made me crazy to understand computers more deeply! Of course, Computing/Technology is my favorite genre.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest (and first) book, titled “ABCD OF HACKING: The Beginner’s guide” , is all about the website hacks, of course, explained in layman terms! Okay, this book explains: how a website gets hacked, How come a Computer, which in layman circle, usually seen as a ‘Perfect’ machine doing computations or calculations at the lightning speed, have security vulnerabilities?! Can’t all websites be safe and secure always? If you have all these innocent doubts in your mind, then this is the right book for you, seeking answers in an intuitive way !

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Shashank Pai K’s Website

Featured Interview With Yvonne Walus

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
“It’s complicated”, LOL. I was raised on two continents: in Poland and in South Africa. And now I live in New Zealand, which is nowhere near, on yet another continent. I’ve had pets all my life, currently it’s a miniature French poodle and two cats.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love books. I attempted my first short story when I was 10. Mercifully, I’ve mislaid it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Terry Pratchett is probably my favourite author of all time. Alas, he didn’t write anything in my favourite genre, which is crime fiction. As far as crime fiction goes, my influences are suburban thrillers like those of Harlan Coben, quirky murder mysteries by Minette Walters, settings by Jane Harper and characters by Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies is her most famous book).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
You know, it’s tricky to talk about my latest thriller, “Serial Wives”. I spent several years writing it, changing the words, making sure I got the message just right. I wanted to say so many things: that being a wife is sometimes as hard a job as being a call girl (and you don’t get paid), that mothers and daughters have stormy relationships no matter how much love they share, that not all prostitutes are drug addicts, that parents would do anything (and then some!) for their children. I wanted to say all that, and I wanted the book to be an easy, enjoyable read. Hope I got it right!

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Yvonne Walus’s Website

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Featured Interview With J. Hale Turner

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in New York. Later, I relocated to beautiful North Carolina where I happily remain with my family and delightful dogs, Rikki and Princess.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As children, we learned to read before attending school. Throughout school I was noted for my compositions. During sixth grade, I became an avid reader of history and fiction, which opened the door of many happy years of literary indulgence.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love suspense and mystery novels. Favorite authors are whose books I’m consuming. They include Estelle Ryan, Jeffery Deavers, Abigail Keam, and numerous others. For romance, I currently enjoy Jacquelin Thomas, Jennifer Joy, Marian L. Thomas.

I have delightful fellow writers who have always been my inspiration—Jacquelin Thomas, Maxine Billings. I must include my writing coach, Mary Yamin- Garone, who kept me focused after returning from a lengthy hiatus.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Paradise Dreams focuses on the lives of two strangers—Melanie Harris, renowned author, and Kendall Myers, wealthy owner of White Sands Villas in Ocho Rios, Jamaica— who had briefly met during an ATM heist.

Amid the ado of police and media, they were separated, regretting the idea never to see each other again.

Was their encounter proof there’s a possibility to love again, or was their special moment just a dream?

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J. Hale Turner’s Website

J. Hale Turner Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Angela Pisaturo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Bronx, New York. I currently live in Tarpon Springs, Florida where I teach creative writing at a local community center. I have a lovable Cavachon named Sofie.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I didn’t really become a bookworm until I was in my twenties. However, I always loved to write, letters, poems and my thoughts since I was a young girl. I started writing mostly poetry at age 11. I went to art school in the hopes of writing and illustrating children’s books.

When I was in my forties, a writing mentor told me I had a gift for novel writing and that launched my passion to write faith-based stories that ring true to life.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Angela Hunt who writes inspirational christian fiction. Anne Tatlock who was my mentor at the Christian Writers Guild and Francine Rivers, another faith-based writer.
Also, I like reading Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult. Also I like anything that’s inspirational and inspires me to be a better person.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Sacred Secrets of the Cedar Chest is the story of a woman who is hateful and angry. She is a well-known reporter and used ruthless tactics, sometimes unethical methods to get a story. She pushes her boss too far after a wrong report about a foster mother and he sends her on a cut and dry story out of town to cool things down.
The assignment just happens to be in the town where her childhood trauma took place. While there she suffers a struggle with flashbacks and almost self-destructs. But divine intervention comes in the form of the Bible thumping weatherman from her job, who helps her find the love she is missing.

This poignant story deals with the family dynamics when a parent suffers from bipolar disorder. The toil it takes on the spouse as well as on the children and the enduring truth that faith in God can conquer every situation.

Featured Interview With frank gerace

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Brooklyn but spent most of my life in South America where I married and had my kids. I currently teach English to adult immigrants in New York at a CUNY college. I also translate and edit Spanish and Italian documents.

I have served in Latin America in United Nations and host country Education and Communication Projects, and have taught in Bolivian and Peruvian Universities.

My first book, “Comunicación Horizontal: Cambio de Estructuras y Movilización Social” was a key part of the emerging approach to Communication Studies in Latin America.

I provide guidance on accent reduction and the proper North American English accent at http://www.GoodAccent.com. I also offer resources for Spanish Speaking learners of English at http://www.InglesParaLatinos.com, and with my book in Spanish, Escucha y Habla Inglés: Pronunciación y Gramática del Inglés para Hispanos.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was always a reader, you know, the flashlight under the blankets after being sent to bed. I got a High School scholarship on the basis of my writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre is History and historical fiction. My first book was the result of my being inspired by my presence in revolutionary Latin America. After that my next books have been more didactic aimed at helping my students with their English. The first one was written in Spanish for those learning English. The next two are in English. One is aimed at getting the reader to start writing. The next is a l;ight hearted treatment of the use of rhetorical devices in our writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“ESL and Other Adult Learners of English CAN WRITE RIGHT” is aimed at adult users of English, native born or new learners. With an extensive review of English grammar in clear text, tables, charts, exercises and answers. The Kindle includes recordings of English sounds, sample words and IPA symbols. The paperback has a free link to a website with the recordings. After the grammar review, spelling tips, usage hints, and irregular verbs, the book ends with a useful method to get started on a writing project. write.

My latest is Wake Up Your Writing. It is a sometimes humorous presentation almost fifty rhetorical devices with examples of their use by the ancients and modern writers such as JFK, MLK, Winston Churchill and others.

Featured Interview With E.M. Rinaldi

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Pembroke Pines, FL where I loved to write stories, even as a child. I was a champion in marital arts and I have a second degree black belt in Taekwondo which means I can’t write a single story without a main character that kicks ass. I had over 32 pets as a child and was/is obsessed with animals. I now currently live in Charlotte, NC with my husband and our dog and tortoise (My husband won’t let me have has many pets). I also have a full time job as a radiologic technologist, which means I take x-rays. I get a lot of injury/gruesome ideas from my job.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved to write, since as far back as I can remember. I used to write on a computer program, Storybook Weaver, that let you create covers and pictures to go with the paragraphs you put under it. My parents kept a folder of all the stories I put together and its truly horrific. They should burn them. I’d like to think I’ve grown as an author. I always knew I wanted to be an author and as a child I told people I that when I died, I wanted to be buried in a solid gold casket with all my books. As for reading, I have a library. A legit, wall to wall, library. So there’s that.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Everything I write is YA with some element of magic. I LOVE reading books in this genre and as such, love to write in it. When I was in my 8th grade summer, my family moved from South Florida to Asheville, North Carolina. I was pissed to say the least and the next two years of my life were really hard for me. In FL I’d grown up and gone to school with the same people since kindergarten. When my family forced me to move, I knew no one and it was hard for me to find where I fit in. What kept me sane was reading. As an author, I want to be that haven for someone else who’s going through a rough time. It was in those years that I discovered my favorite authors: Jennifer Armentrout, Tamora Pierce, Maria V. Snyder, and Sara J. Maas. I will literally read anything they write, ever; even if it’s on a piece of toilet paper. Their books continue to inspire me to this day.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’m currently working on book 3 of my series, The Cross Chronicles. The story is based around a teen Witch named Casey. She lives in a world where the witches are trained to be the guardians, or police if you will. They have control over the four elements; water, fire, earth, and air. But Casey has no power, and because of this she is bullied and ridiculed. Her life has not been an easy one, still isn’t, but I love that she’s come out stronger because of it. She has a few trusted friends that go along with her as she’s thrust into a prophecy that foretells of another war between the races. Casey doesn’t know who to trust or what to do. People are after her, she’s been hurt, friends and loved ones have died, but still she fights. Her goal is to save her world and her people, but fate isn’t going to make it easy for her. It took me three years to write book one (partially because I was a full time student while writing it) and with each book I finish I only fall more in love with this world. The characters are real and they don’t shy away from their feelings. Real shit (pardon my french) happens to them, and they learn and grow from these experiences much like you or I would in similar situations. I don’t like stories where the main character is special because she just is. I like when they are special or badass because they work there asses off, because they transform before our very eyes through dedication and hard work. There friends shape them, their life experiences help to make them who they are. They are real, fleshed-out people that you can relate to. And I think that makes the story even more real for those that read it.

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E.M. Rinaldi’s Website

Featured Interview With Pamela Foland

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Pamela Foland grew up in Plano, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Business in 2005.

Her love of animals started at a very young age. As a child, she was constantly bringing home stray dogs, and injured birds.

As an adult, her love of animals has only grown stronger. Pamela has worked in numerous pet hotels as a dog trainer and is certified to teach pet first aid and CPR. All her experience with pets culminated four years ago when Pamela found and raised an abandoned litter of day-old kittens. Not able to part with any of these now-grown babies, Pamela enjoys going home to her “little munchkins” every night. This experience gave Pamela the inspiration for her series debut, Megan’s Munchkins.

Pamela will always have a special affinity with Megan because of their shared experiences. She truly believes there are few experiences in life more compelling than saving the life of another being.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
From a very young age I started reading my favorite book series and writing my own short stories. Writing continued to be a hobby for me until I decided to start writing for publication three years ago. I still read as many books as possible about the publishing industry as well as any books about pets. Even though I am writing much more often than I did as a child, I still find it enjoyable and very relaxing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite series when I was growing up were The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin and Thoroughbreds by Joanna Campbell. I was always fascinated on how they created new stories and kept the characters growing. I recently reread them both and was able to pick up some helpful ideas. Both of these are great examples of how to build and continue characters in a series.
My favorite books to read are pet related books. My pets are my inspiration for writing, and I love reading about all the incredible stories about other pets.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Megan Thompson is back for a third adventure! Megan The Pet Whisperer is now available!
Megan is surprised and happy when Dr.Newton, the Veterinarian at the Furry Friends Clinic, ask her to look after Monty, a Capuchin monkey. Dr. Newton acquired Monty from the local zoo because he was fighting other monkeys. Despite Monty’s reputation with the vet staff as being a terror, Megan knows she can win Monty over. Megan see’s the inner workings of a vet clinic, and before the three days are up she wants to help every pet she can. Unfortunately, the vet staff sees Megan as an annoying little kid not part of the team. Megan can’t bear to hear any more talk about Cooper, a sad Shih Tzu that won’t eat his meals. She knows she could help him and others at the clinic if given the chance. How can Megan earn the staff’s trust? Will she ever be allowed to handle any other pets besides Monty? Every kid has a summer to which they just want to go back to when they are all grown up. This is Megan’s summer, this is the summer when Megan became the Pet Whisperer.

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Pamela Foland’s Website

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Featured Interview With Steve M

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born Mississippi, raised Australia. Currently live in Florida with my wife and two cats, Casey and Lizzie.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first time I read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. I started writing as a teenager.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Dostoevsky, Hemingway, Vonnegut, Orwell…I took literature courses in university to force myself to read the classics and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. I read more moderns novels as well but often I find better stories in the novella and under area. Sparse prose where every phrase tells a story. ‘Some places just look better out of a rear view mirror’.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Improbable: The First McGee (a satire about large numbers) is a prequel that tells about the abduction of Elaine McGee from Earth Five (your planet) and her introduction into the intergalactic war. A very obscure mathematician believes he has found a method for telling who will be completely lucky or completely unlucky in the immediate future. Outside of Las Vegas, who cares? Well the mathematician is on the side of the Free Planets who are losing their war against Goodness, an authoritarian empire which controls about 80% of the universe. There are 31 Improbables identified, 30 solid results and 1 that kept coming into the final listing via the total score despite failing two of the test points. Professor Lawrence Chu calls her the improbable improbable. It is Elaine McGee, a biracial science teacher and chess coach who is on a camping trip to give up smoking and to get over breaking up with her cheating, stoner boyfriend.
This novel is under construction for the next few weeks…and I send out weekly chapters and there is a catch up link on my website.

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Steve M’s Website

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