Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With MK McClintock

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in California, but my family headed for the Rocky Mountains while I was still in grade school. We had spent most of our summers and winters in the mountains before relocating, so I developed a love for nature and the Rockies early on. Once I moved to Montana, I knew I’d found home. I’ve done some traveling and exploring, but Montana has been my home for almost twenty years. It’s also where I was first inspired to write the Montana Gallagher books, my first series.

I’ve had all kinds of pets from horses and geese to cats and dogs with a few farm animals and parakeets mixed in for good measure. My last dog passed away but I know it won’t be long before I adopt another friend. Pets make for great writing companions.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Oh, goodness, I would have been a toddler. My mother always told me it was no surprise that I became a writer, like she knew before I did, because as a child and all through my teen years, I devoured books. I remember how proud I was one year in Jr. High for winning an award for having read the most books from the school library in one year.

I started writing short stories and poetry early on, though I don’t recall exactly when. I became more serious about writing after high school, but it was many years later when I realized it was time to finish the first novel and become a professional and published author. I had a lot of half-finished stories up to that point. It’s been the best, most exhilarating, and sometimes the most exhausting “job” I’ve ever had.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My reading tastes are quite eclectic, though for pleasure I tend to read historical fiction, western romance, and mysteries/thrillers. I read a lot of non-fiction and history books for research purposes. My favorite authors . . . these sometimes change, but among them are Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Edward Rutherford, Johanna Lindsey, and I recently added Susanna Kearsley to my top five. Of course I read new authors and books all of the time, so there are many whose books I enjoy on a regular basis.

When it comes to inspiration, I believe an author has to create their own, but I find that reading great books by great authors is quite inspiring simply because their work makes me never want to give up on my own.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
JOURNEY TO HAWK’S PEAK is the fifth book in my Montana Gallagher series, which are historical romantic westerns. It all started with GALLAGHER’S PRIDE and the Gallagher family who pretty much took on a life of their own and decided that after book one, they weren’t done telling their stories. This last one took longer to write—almost six months—than the other books in the series because I had so much going on in my life, and there were times when it was emotionally draining. I think I related to Amanda Warren, the heroine, on so many levels that I had to take a step back every now and then. All of my female leads have a little something of me in them, but Amanda and I were kindred spirits, so far as you can be with a fictional character. Ben Stuart, the hero, really drew me into his feelings for Amanda and it was like experience them all for myself. Sounds crazy perhaps, but we authors can really get into our writing, often becoming a part of the story.

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Featured Interview With Travon Toussiant

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a teenage writer and I graudated from John B. Murphy Elementary school. I live in Chicago and writing was one of my passions to do. I got a lot of honor roll certificates and medals doing sports. I did face tragic monments in my life but things are going good for me.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At age 14 imI realize I wanted to be a writer cause I used to write poems and staring writing at 15 which is the age I am now.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Favorite authors: James Dasher, James Klise, Donovan Mixon, Laura Ruby, Adam Silvera, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Jay Asher, Neal Shusterman, James Patterson, John Green, Matt de la Pena, and S.E Hinton and many more.

Genre: Mystery, Action, Suspense, Thriller, Science fiction, Fantasy, Action Romance and Realistic fiction

Inspires Me: James Klise, James Dasher, and Laura Ruby.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My lastest book is called The Unexpected which is my first book that will be another squel. It’s about a young man named Anthony finally gets his dream he always wanted, a tech company. But his company starts to fall down the drain, thanks to Spencer. Throughout the story, Anthony runs into shocking hurdles and painful moments that he never expected.

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Featured Interview With Susan Appleyard

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in England but now live in Canada 6 months of the year and Mexico for the other 6 months. I have 3 children and, unbelievably, 6 grandchildren who are the delight of my life.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I started writing when I learned how to write. Or perhaps even before then. As a child, I always had dolls in bed with me, and I would invent and act out little plays with them when I was supposed to be sleeping. So I suppose it was inevitable that I would become either a writer or actress. I wrote my first book when I was 17. I need hardly add that it was awful. It wasn’t until I wrote my first historical novel several years later that I knew I’d found my niche.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Sharon Kay Penman, Morgan Llywelyn and Hilary Mantel. I have learned from all of these and they inspire me to write better.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a departure for me because it is a novella. It covers the last few months of the life of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, and how his government conspired against him to bring about his deposition. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Bavaria during the course of my writing and visited many of the places associated with him – particularly the fabulous castles he built.

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Featured Interview With Jennifer Macaire

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born in the USA and raised in the tropics between American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands, I’m an athentic island girl! I graduated from highschool and went to NY City, Milan, London then Paris, –
wanting to see some of the world. I met my husband in Paris, and we live in France now.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was old enough to read. My parents were both teachers and gave me lots of encouragement. I published magazine articles at first, then short stories, and finally novels. I thought I’d move up slowly.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love science fiction and fantasy – and my first favorite author was Ray Bradbury. Now there are too many to mention, and I read voraciously – at least one book a week, sometimes two or three!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Road to Alexander is a time travel book set in ancient Greece with Alexander the Great. It’s a seven book series, combining history, humor, and lots of war, sex & vino, as a modern woman gets mistaken for Persephone, goddess of the dead, and kidnapped by Alexander the Great.

“This was funny, sexy, and well researched. It has Alexander the Great, all his generals, his army, his wives, and his lovers. There are his enemies, his crazy mother, and his battles. And…..one observant journalist from the future, who can never return to her own time. She falls in love with Alexander and travels with him and the army. It’s isn’t easy staying alive in 300 or so BC, but being married to Alexander helps, and so does the fact that everyone thinks she is a goddess. A delightful read, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. (there will be 7)”
(from a reviewer)

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Featured Interview With Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel and I am a science fiction, fantasy author. I was raised in the northeast United States and have continued to live there, braving the cold winters even though every spring I say to myself never again! Well, I guess I still haven’t followed through with my threatening since I still haven’t moved after all this time. My husky can’t complain, though. He and my ‘whatsit’ (mutt mix) like playing in the snow!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was around seven or eight when I first discovered the magic of reading through Harry Potter. It opened up a whole new world for me, letting me see the magic a book can bring to life. And as for writing, I began at a very young age. I was a dancer and a theatre student, so my parent encouraged me to broaden my horizons by writing a play when I was thirteen years old. Well, over the years that play became a move since I am a filmmaker, and then a full novel when I decided I wanted to become a novelist. Someday soon that story will be on a bookshelf near you and I owe it all to them for pushing me to keep writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a tendency to favor fantasy stories, but I devour most books I come across, no matter what genre. I love action in books, particularly like the Eragon Series by Christopher Paolini and the Bourne Identity Series by Robert Ludlum.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
War Machine is the first book in my Destiny in the Shadows Series. It follows the steps of an assassin, blackmailed into teaming up with a four-star general to track down an elusive terrorist group intent upon detonating a nuclear bomb inside their city. Sparks fly and not of the romantic variety, at least not immediately… Racing against the clock through the desert, facing harrowing odds and dire consequences should they fail, they discover that the terrorists aren’t always the ones to fear… and may not be their true enemy.

Set in the ruins of New York, WAR MACHINE is a fast-paced adventure thriller filled with betrayal, suspense, and alliances that quickly turn into deadly enemies. Destiny in the Shadows hauntingly echoes the state of the world today and the fate of the heroes determined to save it.

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Featured Interview With Marie Kammerer-Franke

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m originally from St. Paul, MN, and sorely miss and adore land of 10,000 lakes during the summer. After several moves (Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa) we finally settled in Upstate New York. No, not that New York-Upstate New York, think gorges and waterfalls, acres of farm land and lush mountain forests as far as the eye can see…and then cover it all in about 200″ of snow.

I have a hard time sitting still dragging my husband and kids through as many off the beaten path trails as I can stumble upon! During the winter I can be found designing costumes for a local school’s drama club, judging middle school aged kids in robotics, writing, and reading.

And as my husband has learned, if you really want my attention bring an offering of coffee, tea, or Mexican food.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been interested in books, it was bred into us growing up. My father was an avid into art, his entire family is filled with singers, poets, and star gazers. You can’t help but fall madly in love with Carl Sagan and his Cosmos or Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell when it surrounds you every day!

I started writing in grade school, having a story about red balloon who traveled the world published in our classrooms newsletter. I’ve written ever since, taking a couple years off to give drawing, singing, and photography a failed attempt. Luckily, my imagination was patient enough to wait in the wings while I spent time trying to find myself.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors? Would you like to go get a snack before I start listing them? It’s okay, I’ll wait, this could take a while.
I am a huge fan or Jean Auel and the Earth’s Children Series, they are my go to books and my copies are so worn that words are faded, but that’s alright, I have them memorized. I also adore Douglas Adams, Christopher Moore (you can NEVER go wrong with a Chris Moore novel), Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Charlie Huston, Erin Morgenstern Stephen King, Mark Z. Danielewski, S. G. Browne Seth Graham Smith, Agatha Christie, Daniel Keyes…the list is never ending and I’m sure I’m forgetting one of my top ten.

My writing is inspired a ton by Douglas Adams, but more influenced by music. To me, there is nothing more relaxing than a pair of loud headphones and a blank Microsoft Word document.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is actually my first novel and book #1 in the sci-fi/fantasy series ACN; “A Charming Nightmare.”

The entire series was a story I used to tell my kids at bedtime when they were growing up. When they got too old for fairy tales I took the characters and aged them, the situation, the language, descriptions, and the conflict into something they can open again today as adults.

To this day, years after creation, the entire ACN Series is my 3rd child, I still feel embarrassed for the characters as they learn how to ‘handle’ each other, I still chuckle at the way our heroine Aylin, stumbles through situations much to the annoyance of Catch, our hero. He’s her opposite, where she is Earth (snarky, funny, sarcastic, emotional, and at times irrational) he’s our evolutionary descendant (feared, strong, rational, intelligent, mechanical, and egotistical.) Even after all these years I still adore opening to page one and reading all the way to the end. Even if my boys tease me that I have completely lipsticked all over their sci-fi/fantasy genre.

You follow Aylin, an every day New Yorker, who one special day is kidnapped. Her kidnapper is as violent as he is smart, no one will find her when she’s being held 40,000 years in the future. You, the reader, are the only thing left in Aylin’s life from a time when anything made sense…so yes…yes she is going to talk to you…and she’s going to blame you for starting a war on the future’s doorstep, and use you to play out theories about how to cure a virus that is killing off the human race faster than the enemies we’ve made throughout the galaxy. She’s going to use your shoulder to cry on when Catch barks her orders, when he’s down right mean, when she tired of fighting him. She’ll bend your ear because in 40,000 years mankind has become more machine than man and they don’t understand her need for tears or grief, but most of all she going to hold on tight to you, you’re all that is left of her home.

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Featured Interview With Cheryl Yeko

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in a small town in Illinois along the Mississippi river, Savanna. I met the love of my life at a work function, and have called Wisconsin home now for almost thirty years. We have two children, three grandchildren, and two spoiled pets, Jax, an adorable American Eskimo dog, and Shelby our cat.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was voted book worm in high-school because I always had a romance novel stuck between my workbooks during class…lol. After high school, during college and raising my family, I gave up reading because it interfered with my life. Once I pick up a book I can’t seem to put it down. I regret that decision…sigh. Then my husband, Patrick, bought me a Kindle one Christmas and changed my world. I rediscovered my love of reading romance novels. After a couple years I decided to write one, and took some online classes and checked out some books from the library and wrote my debut novel, PROTECTING ROSE. I entered the Launching a Star writing contest and was thrilled to be a finalist.

I sent my baby to three publishing houses and received two contract offers. PROTECTING ROSE went on to win the 2012 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest in the Romantic Suspense category. Well, I was hooked. Today I’m a multi-published award-winning author, as well as an acquiring editor for Soul Mate Publishing.

I also write under the pen-name of CiCi Cordelia, with my BFF, and fellow Soul Mate Publishing Editor, Char Chaffin.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My first love is romantic suspense. I adore Mary Burton, who writes a mean romantic suspense. My second love is paranormal, and my favorite author in that genre is Larissa Ione. Life inspires me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Char and I are the authors of the first book in this series, REALM OF THE DRAGON, as well as the series editors. We’re thrilled to present The Soul Mate Project and would like to tell you a little about it. Starting January 2017, 0ne book will be released each month, through January 2018. Each book is a standalone, but the legend of The Soul Mate Tree drives the stories. Char and I are still furiously editing the later books in the series, to make sure we have a timely release date for each one. If you go to Amazon and search ‘the soul mate tree’ all the books currently available in the series will pop up.

REALM OF THE DRAGON is the first book in the series.

An ancient legend spanning eras, continents…and worlds.

To some, it’s nothing more than a dream.

To others, a pretty fairytale handed down through the generations.

For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.

For sheltered Lily Kiers, it’s all too real. Her escape from danger, straight into the arms of her destiny.

Thrust into a realm made of legend, fantasy, and unbridled passion, Lily faces violent resentment and jealousy from extremely powerful enemies. Amidst fierce creatures whose very existence defy all common sense, Lily pieces together a past she could never have imagined.

Claimed by Kord, Prince of Battle Draconian, their love will not be denied, even as malevolent forces plot to rip them apart.

You can learn more about The Soul Mate Tree, and all the wonderful stories, here: https://youtu.be/VjxyyD3TVoA

Here’s another fun book trailer and the buy link:
Book Trailer, REALM OF THE DRAGON: https://youtu.be/YKFSkLDKpP4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7GYVBT

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Featured Interview With Steven Wain

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Steven and I’m the author of two books, Descent Into Darkness and Refused Existence, currently writing a third! I was born in Wollongong, Australia, and lived there my whole life. A few places in the area make appearances in my books as well.
I have two dogs which mean the world to me, as do all animals. Apart from writing, animal welfare is my passion.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first book I ever read was The Book of Brownies by Enid Blyton. It introduced me to a whole new world and I’ve had a love for reading ever since. I started writing shortly after, around nine years old. I remember writing about ghosts, sharks, and dinosaurs. I loved creating new and different worlds as a kid and it’s a love that has stayed with me.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading horror stories. That’s my favourite genre of fiction by a long stretch. But I also love reading biographies and true crime. My favourite authors would have to be Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Gillian Flynn, and Nikki Sixx.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Refused Existence, is a collection of ten short horror stories. It covers a variety of sub-genres like ghosts, vampires, monsters, killers. The book initially started out as a side project whilst I wrote my new novel but I eventually decided that it deserved a book of its own.

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Featured Interview With Azhar Sabri

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Azhar Sabri is the author of three books, The Chronic Mansion (2017) in English and Sarhad Ke Us Paar (2015) in Urdu these are the novels and Urdu Poetry Book (2014) was a collection of poetry.

Born in Gaya district Bihar, basically hails from a remote village Belwar, completed my primary education from Public High School, Raniganj and moved to Mirza Ghalib College, Gaya for intermediate education. completed my Bachelor’s degree in English (Hons) from Magadh University, currently pursuing Master of Arts in English literature from School of Open Learning, from Indira Gandhi National Open University.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I became so fluent in Urdu in 7-8 years so that people used to come to him to get their letters written. Then i moved to Delhi, regularly read Urdu and English newspapers Aalami Sahara and TOI, and inquilaab.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Generally, i read Salman Rushdie and Nasim Hejazi, I read a fiction novel Dastan-e Mujahid, from which I inspired and decided to write something, I began my career with an Urdu poetry then I switched to the fiction writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This is a horror fiction novel written by Azhar Sabri, published by Blue Rose Publishers in February 2017, a story of three school boys who are coming back from a friend’s birthday party at night. They saw a girl who is waiting for help due to over fueling of her car. They were a little drunk and raped her in the chronic mansion. Later they came to know that she was their classmate. They thought that she will complain against them; so, they killed her and what happened afterward…

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Featured Interview With Frank H Jordan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
After migrating from Austria, my parents settled in Western Australia. I went to primary and secondary schools in Perth and loved sport, particularly Australian Rules football, judo, karate and swimming. I started my working life as an Auto-electrician, then went on to obtain a degree in Information Technology, and now work in occupational health and safety. I live in far North Queensland with my lovely wife and author, Alicia Hope. We have two birds, LB (‘Little Bird’) and QB (‘Quarrion Bird’, aka a cockatiel).

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved JRR Tolkien as a young adult and read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but didn’t get into writing until my later years.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like reading Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels and (fellow Aussie author) Matthew Reilly’s action-packed stories. But when I thought about writing my own high-action thriller series I wanted pacier stories than Lee’s but less pacy than Matty’s. At the time, Ben Roberts-Smith VC got a bum wrap from the Aussie media, so I wanted my series to take on a military tone that engenders respect for the brave men and women in the Australian Defence Force. Enter Josephine Dakota Modeen, whose character was inspired by a motor cycle riding, kick boxing, Texas Holdem playing business woman whose surname happened to be Modine! Of course I couldn’t have written the first five books in the series without the support, encouragement and eagle-eyed editing skills of my wife and author Alicia Hope.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’m currently working on book six in the Jo Modeen series, MODEEN REDEMPTION, which takes up where book five, MODEEN ROGUE, left off. It sees Modeen trying to establish a normal life for herself following her distinguished military service and a career with Australia’s national security agency.
Will she succeed … or has she made too many enemies along the way?

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Featured Interview With Mike Crowl

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Melbourne, but have lived in Dunedin, New Zealand, almost all of my life. I still hold an Australian passport, but the way my birth country is heading, I may have to finally take the plunge and become a NZ citizen!
I’m a writer, musician and composer. A writer of three children’s fantasies, and one nonfiction book about my struggles with a brief medical issue I had. A pianist who prefers above all else to accompany singers, something which I’ve done since I was a teenager, nearly 60 years ago. As well as writing a number of songs, and piano pieces, I’ve written a children’s musical which became the basis for my first published ebook.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I don’t ever remember not being a reader; in fact I used to say, put a cereal packet in front of me and I’ll read it. I’ve been keeping a list of the books I’ve read for several years now, but I’d love to know how many thousands of books I’d read, bought, lost, kept, given away before that.
I started writing as soon as I could write, I think. I still have a story I wrote when I was in my years of school. But I began writing for publication in the early 90s and had a number of articles accepted. I went on to write a weekly column for a local newspaper and then got into blogging, which I’ve been doing for at least ten years now.
Several unfinished novels got left by the wayside over the years….

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a small number of authors that I come back to again and again: Dickens, for one, and C S Lewis – both his fiction and nonfiction. I enjoy children’s fantasies more than adult ones, and have read a number of these over the years, including ones by Diana Wynne Jones, Madeleine L’Engle and Sharon Creech (although some might not regard her as a fantasist). I’ve recently discovered Nate Wilson, and have read a couple of books in the 100 Cupboards series.
All manner of authors have inspired me: some because they’re so remarkably good, and some because they were pretty bad and I knew I could do, and was doing, a lot better than them!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, which was published in March 2017 as an ebook, is The Disenchanted Wizard. It’s the third in a series that goes under the title of Grimhilderness. In this book a young soccer player called Della gets involved against her will in the strange events that result from someone escaping from her cousin’s map. (Yes, that’s what I said.) Della’s father goes missing in the process, and again, against her will, she’s dragged into the Map World to rescue him, and, even though she has no magic power herself, to battle against a wizard who has plans to take over her city…and possibly cities beyond.
This book took me a couple of years to write; but then I have a lot of other things on my plate, even though I’m retired. And I’m a bit of a procrastinator. Still a couple of years is shorter than the first book, which began life as a children’s opera back in the 70s, got put away, was pulled out again this century, revised almost totally with mostly new music, and then turned into the first book in this fantasy series.

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Featured Interview With Tom Kando

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Budapest during World War Two. I escaped Fascism, Communism, and the Holocaust. I grew up in the slums of Paris in the 50s and in Amsterdam’s Counterculture in the 60s. I sailed to America at 18 alone, received my Ph.D. and became a professor for the following 40 years, at Penn State, the University of California and Cal State.
I have been living in Sacramento for 40 years. My wife and I have a couple of cats now. We used to have dogs when we were younger.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was an extremely precocious reader, but I had to switch languages three times: My native language was Hungarian, but when we moved to Paris I switched to French, when we moved to Holland I had to switch to Dutch and when I moved to America I adopted English. I have been writing since I was eight or nine, first in those other languages. It is because of this complex background that I have read a vast amount of French and other foreign literature.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Because of my background, I began with the Russians – Dostoevsky foremost (“Crime and Punishment,” “The Brothers Karamazov,” etc.), and all the French classics (Hugo, Dumas, etc.). However the Americans were always among my favorites as well, especially Jack London and Robert Louis Stevenson. I don’t have a particularly favorite genre, although Science Fiction and History – the past and the future – might qualify. I also like James Michener’s histories and I absolutely love John Steinbeck’s quintessential “Americanness.”

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This latest book was my first experiment in Science Fiction. It was inspired by Arthur C Clarke’s 2001, George Orwell’s 1984 and H. G. Wells’ “History of the World” as well as his “Time Machine.” I had always wanted to apply my sociological skills (that’s what I taught for more than 40 years) to a holistic prognostication of humanity’s distant future- as Wells did. However, unlike Orwell and Wells (but LIKE Star Trek), I am optimistic in the long run. I am an admirer of the philosopher Karl Popper. I agree with him that science and knowledge are infinitely expandable, and although humans are currently making some very dumb decisions, I am betting on the power and the triumph of the human brain in the long run.

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Featured Interview With Allan Walsh

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Okay, a little about myself. I was born in Brisbane, Australia and raised in West London, England. I love action movies and martial arts and grew up watching Jackie Chan movies. Ironically, I never used to read much, I always preferred to watch the movie, but I love writing and because of that I have come to love reading too. After all, they go hand in hand. So far I have published three short stories, a novella and a Novel. Two of the short stories are in the horror genre and the rest of my books are fantasy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When I was younger I loved drawing, which led to my reading graphic novels. I was a late bloomer with my writing. I always enjoyed creative writing in English at school, but once I left, life took over and I really didn’t pick up a pen again as a writer until I was in my late 30’s.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Joe Abercrombie and find he has influenced my writing style. I also try to inject a little humour into my books where I can and I think this is a bit of Jackie Chan rubbing off on me. While I tend to write in the horror and fantasy genres, when it comes to reading I love fantasy.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a fantasy novel called ‘Blood Rage’. It was inspired by an interest I had in exploring my Irish heritage, coupled with my intrigue of paganism and magic. This has seen creatures from celtic folklore work their way into the story, bringing some lesser known mythical beings into my writing. It was my first story and took me years to write. This was for a number of reasons, I lost the 1st draft after my computer died. I ended up rewriting it, but it was my first attempt at writing a novel and it was pretty bad. Once I completed it, I joined a writers’ group and submitted the story for critique. I rewrote and edited the book based on advice and feedback, then I put it aside to concentrate on honing my skills as a writer. Over coming years, I wrote a few stories and published a couple of them in anthologies. Three years on I went back to Blood Rage and rewrote it again, editing the hell out of it. Then it went to my editor and it was split into three separate books at her suggestion. This took more rewriting and all three books were edited again. So, it has been a long time in the making, but I think it has been polished enough to make it shine and I’m happy with the result.

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Allan Walsh’s Website

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Featured Interview With Gemma Williams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Northwest England, and spent the first 30 years of my life living and working in the UK. A few years back my husband and I decided, screw it, and we emigrated to Canada. We now live in Alberta, right in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and we are ridiculously lucky to live here.

I have two kids and a cat that basically rules our home. She’s currently snoozing next to me, but gets very indignant if I deem to leave my computer desk before she wants me to. I’m working on the husband to get a dog, and have my eye on a terrier of some kind. I previously had a westie, and I’m convinced that they are the best dogs in the world.

I’m a qualified librarian (yes, you need a master’s degree to be a librarian) and I worked in public libraries for about ten years. These days I work at a post-secondary college, where I get to meet all sorts of really awesome people. The evening job, of course, is writing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been a bookworm since before I could read. I was one of those kids who could memorise a story and then “read” it back to my mum. I have always loved books and stories, and I have fond memories of Brian Jaques’ Redwall series. I’ve toyed with being a writer since I was able to comprehend that people were paid to write books, but it always seemed impossible. I have always written, but it was never serious and my excuses got in the way. Especially as I was terrible with rejection. It was just easier to have a traditional job, you know?

Sometime after my second child was born (my eldest was about five) I was bemoaning to a pro-writer friend that I had to give up my dream of writing because I was sooooo busy, blah blah blah. He told me, not gently, to quit making excuses, because “real writers write.” It was the slap in the face I needed, so I quit watching TV, limited my time dicking about on social media, and started to write.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read anything and everything. I love historical, romance, scifi, fantasy, and cozy crime just for starters, but I’ll read anything that isn’t horror. It’s not that I don’t like horror, you understand, but I’ve got an overactive imagination and the ability to freak myself out. Look at it this way, my husband banned me from watching Supernatural after only five episodes because I refused to sleep with the closet door open.

In terms of favourite authors, well from the top of my head, current faves are: Georgette Heyer, Bernard Cornwell, Mary Balogh, Isaac Asimov, Terry Pratchett, Robin Hobb, Sally Quilford, Graham McNeill, Dan Abnett, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Traci Chee, Elizabeth Chadwick, Kelley Armstrong, Orson Scott Card, Mary Robinette Kowal, Philippa Gregory, Charles Dickens, Suzanne Collins… honestly the list goes on! I would lay claim to all of these people as inspirations as well.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It’s Danny Ocean meets Mr Darcy as a group of Georgian London’s finest criminals team up to commit the theft of the century.

Less than a week after returning to London, FitzCharles “Fitz” Harrison is assembling the greatest team of thieves and scoundrels that Georgian England has ever seen. Fitz plans an elaborate heist to rob Fleming’s club, the richest gaming hell in the city, but unfortunately, his arrival back in London has not gone unnoticed. Sir Richard Ford, the talented new chief magistrate of Bow Street, and Duncan Fleming, the most ruthless of London’s criminal masterminds, are watching him.

If the plan has any chance of success, Fitz will have to enlist the services of Cora Delisle; courtesan, thief, and the woman whose fortune he once stole. Fitz knows Cora is as likely to see him hang as to help with the heist, but his family’s future rests on the success of this job. For Fitz, it’s worth the risk, even if it means going back on every promise he made. Sometimes you just have to do bad things for the greater good.

Based in 1801, Hell to Pay is the first in the Rogues & Vagabonds series. These books will follow the main character, Fitz, through the various cons, crimes and capers that he finds himself committing over the years, often against his better judgement. Fitz is the illegitimate son of an actress-come-con-woman, Sally Harrison, and the 5th Earl of Aldborough. Fitz is a bit of an anti-hero that (I hope!) you find yourself loving against your will, while his fellow con artists are just as colourful and outrageous as Fitz himself. My personal favourites are Harry and Kitty, but I love hearing from readers telling me which of the crew are their favourite con artists, and which they would like to see again in future novels.

In all, the book took about six months to write as I’m pretty familiar with the era anyway. The hardest part was making sure that every character in the diverse crew is well grounded in sources from the period, for although the book is light-hearted, I wanted the history to be accurate. I’m currently working on the next book, Neck or Nothing, which is taking a little longer to write because I’m having to learn about horse-racing practices in Georgian England (short version: ultra corrupt!).

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Gemma Williams’s Website

Featured Interview With Tanwa Adanlawo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Nigeria, raised in South Africa and live in Canada. I am a proud African girl with a beautiful family and the most supportive friends this side of the universe. I have a mind that is too loud for meditation and an intense need to break out and dance when I hear music. I have huge dreams for the future so keep your eyes out for me.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized I had a love for books when I was 14 (so pretty late) I love stories in every shape and form. I started writing at 15 and wrote a random 300 page book that I lost. I realized I wanted to be an author when my friends pointed out that my stories were actually interesting. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel because I really didn’t want to go to medical school. Writing is the reason I wake in the morning so I wake up happy every morning, unless I’m too busy to write.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Lauren Kate, Melissa Marr, have written some books that I found really interesting because they introduced me to worlds that were breathtaking. I don’t write similar books to them but they are inspirational in many aspects, such as world building. My favourite genre is adventure, because I love being taken on a journey (that and i don’t leave the house)
To be honest I am more inspired by things I watch and hear when I write than things I read. Its a weird thing about me I can’t shake.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A book inspired by fairy tales and love of superheroes. Lillianett is a hot tempered 18 year old girl of two realms that currently carries the curse of her ancient royal ancestor, the Phantom Rose curse. As part of the curse she must travel to realm where the curse began and survive for an entire year, keeping away from everyone who views ‘her-kind’ as abominations. Having saved the life a play-boy prince she is dragged into a forbidden destiny that unravels secrets that run deeper than anyone realized, while attending a grand ball on the way.

Written with the wit of a 16 year old girl with a love of stories, anyone who enjoys a fun adventure will love it this book. This book a is a good escape, it’s short and even has an underlying lesson: A child did not chose who they were born to, do not blame them for that. If you have ever been judged for being born a certain race, religion etc…(it’s likely that you have) you will be able to relate. If not, it’s still a fun read.

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Tanwa Adanlawo’s Website

Tanwa Adanlawo Facebook Page

Tanwa Adanlawo Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Aline E.V

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi!
my name is Aline, i was born and raised in Israel.
I love Tel-aviv beaches, i cannot wait for the summer to come, love dancing salsa and playing my guitar.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always loved reading.
as a little girl I used to stay up late and read after bedtime, holding a flashlight under the covers so my parents would think im asleep.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I remember reading “The Catcher in the Rye” By J.D Salinger when i was in the 7th great, it stupefied me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
the name of the book is-
“Who invented the kiss?”
it is a super sweeet bedtime story, that follows the paths of where the kiss was born.
it is funny, heart warming and enchanting.
it has just been launched on Kindle.

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Aline E.V Facebook Page

Featured Interview With J.T. Toman

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Brisbane, Australia. I moved to Boulder, Colorado 13 years ago, when I married my husband. We have a gorgeous dog (the best dog ever!) named Marigold. She is a mini golden doodle who dutifully sleeps on the spare bed in my office when I am writing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing at age seven. I wrote a book of teddy bear poetry. Write what you know!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Jane Austen. In particular, I love how she writes a compelling story based on the domestic minutia of life.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book (which I spent the last two years writing) is a candid and intimate novella — told as one hundred stories, each exactly one hundred words in length. The book, “Elizabeth: 100 stories. 100 words.” takes us on one woman’s journey: from infancy to end of life, and her struggle with mental illness in between. Powerful, captivating, and ultimately heartbreaking, “Elizabeth” offers a glimpse into the world of bipolar disorder and the nature versus nurture debate that surrounds it.

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J.T. Toman’s Website

Featured Interview With Rachel Richards

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a writer, licensed massage therapist with a private practice, mom, and former actor and singer. I grew up on Long Island but thankfully escaped to Manhattan about nine years ago. I’ve been writing articles on health and self-care for nearly a decade, and host a popular YouTube channel.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved reading as a child and kept many journals. I knew writing would be a part of my life when, in college, my professor assigned a research paper with a minimum of five pages, and I handed in forty.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading anything as long as it’s gripping and well-written. Some favorite genres are science fiction, fantasy, and inspirational memoirs.

My husband is my main inspiration. In writing Hungry for Life, I was inspired by the memoirs of Michael J. Fox, Steve Martin, and J. D. Vance. I also learned a lot from Stephen King’s On Writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Several years ago, I made a quick decision to begin scribbling down my story. I wasn’t sure why at the time, though it was partially an attempt to make sense of my turbulent past, and a quest for catharsis. But in retrospect, I believe what compelled me to write was the frustration over feeling misunderstood with regards to my illness. I was driven by a burning need to cut through all the misconceptions and assumptions surrounding anorexia, and reveal the complexity and seriousness of this mental disorder.

I spent years struggling with anorexia. In my book, Hungry for Life, I take readers through my skewed thoughts and behaviors, so that you get a rare inside view of the often misunderstood mind of an anorexia sufferer. Readers learn how I went from a well-loved child, to a 69-pound college graduate on her death bed, and finally to a healthcare practitioner.

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Rachel Richards’s Website

Rachel Richards Facebook Page

Rachel Richards Twitter Account

Featured Interview With John Weiler

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Wauconda to be specific. Grew up in that area, then went school in Southern Illinois, moved to Seattle after that and now I’m all the way over in Bangkok, Thailand – for 3 and half years now.

I’ve been writing professionally for 8+ years. Started out in reality TV, writing for shows like Nat Geo’s Alaska State Troopers and the Bio Channel’s Biography series. Later on I transitioned into copywriting and book writing.

No pets, but I love dogs.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I became interested in books in my late teens. My first love was non-fiction, as I was amazed at how many things I could teach myself by just reading books. Ironically enough, some of the first books I fell in love with were on the topic of meditation (which is the subject of my most recent book).

As for when I started writing, I’ve always loved it. Even in grade school I was always writing stories, and English was one of my favorite subjects. Later on, I decided to study film in college with an emphasis on screenwriting. My first screenplay, also my college thesis, won first prize for best student screenplay at WorldFest Houston back in 2007. From there I didn’t start writing professionally till I was about 25 (in 2009), which was the beginning of my television writing career.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
To this day, I’m still a non-fiction junkie, and I rarely crack a fiction book. I’m not loyal to any particular author; I’ll read anything that is highly recommended by a friend or that fascinates me.

As for writers who inspire me, Tim Ferris and Jon Morrow. I’m more inspired by Tim’s lifestyle and the way he makes a difference in the world than his writing. As for Jon Morrow, I’m inspired by both him as a person and his writing. He is one of the most genius copywriters I know of, and I have learned so much from him.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Meditation”, and it basically is what the title says: a meditation guide for ordinary dudes. I’ve been a long time meditator (13+ years) and I wanted to write something different. So many meditation books are written for aspiring buddhists or hippies, and I wanted to write something for all the rest of us out there – the ordinary folks. That’s who I am, and I know there are a lot people out there curious about meditation who are turned off by all the hippie and religious stuff. This is the book for them.

Also, I know meditation can have a major impact on people’s lives. For me personally, it helped clear up my anxiety and panic attack issues in my late teens. I know meditation can do the same for others, for the ordinary folks, but they first have to get past the hippie and religious stuff, which is a barrier of entry for so many. It shouldn’t be.

I encourage all who are curious about meditation to give it a try. Just because you meditate doesn’t mean you have to start saying Namaste to people and start practicing yoga. You can still go out and knock back some beers with your buddies (I do quite often). You can still smoke, you can be a republican or democrat, and basically you can just be you. That’s who this guide is for and that’s who I’m trying to reach.

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John Weiler’s Website

John Weiler Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Troy McCombs

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, raised in Wellsburg, West Virginia, and will probably always remain here. I have a pet, Mya. Not sure which breed she is. Loves to play! She’s about a year or two old. Black hair. I lost Lolly, my Jack Russell, about a month ago. I was very very close to her, so that was a tough time. She had cancer, and we had to put her to sleep

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first story I wrote–that’s when I got hooked on writing. Our third grade teacher had her students write a story for class credit. Right then and there was when I realized I wanted to be an author.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Horror! I love Lovecraft and Stephen King, my two favs.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Puppeteer of the Dead, a zombie trilogy I haven’t finished yet. Book one is out now, and I will be starting two very soon. It differs from other zombie tales because these zombies can’t be killed unless they’re completely vaporized… and there is some unknown force that is bringing them back deliberately from the dead.

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Troy McCombs’s Website

Troy McCombs Facebook Page

Troy McCombs Twitter Account