Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Annemarie Musawale

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born and raised in Nairobi Kenya, I do not have a pet but I have a son; he’s an adult now and he’s adopted the neighborhood stray cats so there’s that.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was always a reader. there was no age where I started reading books. My mother was reading to me until I could read for myself.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am not one to have favorite genres or authors. I love good stories. I love imaginative, creative stories that I can’t predict what’s going to happen next. Those are my favorites. I do devour the Outlander series, and I loved Maria Doria Russell’s two children of God books. Of course, Harry Potter though she who must not be named is a bit of a disappointment. I love comics like Archie and Asterix. The play on words in Asterix and Obelix gave me my first appreciation of how words can be used to paint a picture.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is the fifth book in a series. When I started writing it five years ago or more, it was about this child of destiny and what happened to him after he was born. Now it’s diverged into relationships and how complex they are. I wish I had more time to just focus on it.

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Annemarie Musawale’s Website

Annemarie Musawale Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Mary Ladd

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I collaborated with Anthony Bourdain and created The Wig Diaries: An Irreverent Cancer Book (2019) with illustrator Don Asmussen. The Long COVID Reader founding editor has written about meat clothing, withered sexuality, and pizza champions for the San Francisco Chronicle, Playboy, Wildfire, and the best-selling 642 Things to Write About and Lit Starts books and the best-selling 642 Things to Write About books. I am a proud We Wai Kai First Nation member and belong to the Writers Grotto.

I was born in San Francisco and raised California’s first capitol city. An adorable small rescue dog named Jerry provides unconditional love and the chance to walk and play.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Because my mom taught elementary school, we spent a lot of time reading and visiting libraries. Each summer meant I could read as much as I wanted, which I gobbled up.

My first piece was published in third grade, and I received a writing award a few years later. The coolest teacher in high school invited me to edit the school newspaper, and I continued to write and become more interested in food writing. Going to cooking school at age 29 seemed to be a great way to break into newspapers, and I went on to write for other publications, while spending my free time reading and learning.

I feel most comfortable in bookstores and libraries and love learning from readers and my fellow writers.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My greatest inspiration is at the Writers Grotto because our members try so many exciting things in their books. Members have won Pulitzer prizes and Guggenheim Fellowships and penned New York Times bestsellers, national TV series and movies. Notable alumni include Vanessa Hua, Jason Roberts, Tom Barbash, Glen David Gold, Ethan Watters, Ethan Canin, Po Bronson, Caroline Paul, Zara Stone, Vendela Vida, ZZ Packer, Roberto Lovato, Mary Roach, and Julia Scheeres.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Long COVID Reader: Writing and Poetry from 45 Long Haulers goes on sale November 15 and took an entire year of hard work and collaboration to publish. This anthology provides an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of 45 American COVID-19 long haulers and reflects broad demographics. As the world stands on the cusp of recovery, this piece of living history is a poignant reminder of the millions of people with Long COVID worldwide. It uses a patient-centric, experiential literary approach. The book is the brainchild of author and writer Mary Ladd, a one-time Anthony Bourdain collaborator who has had Long COVID since March2022. The Long COVID Reader
includes essays, stories, and poetry from Andrew David King, Pato Hebert, Nina Storey, Emily Pinkerton, Morgan Stephens, Nikki Stewart, Sonya Huber, Ann E. Wallace, Alexis Misko, and others.
The Long COVID Reader is a powerful testament to human strength and solidarity. Contributor Dr. Sabrina McQueen Johnson, a retired school principal, wife, and mother, says, “Being part of the first-everLong COVID Reader is significant because the pandemic was a firstfor the world, and our stories matter. This book is meaningful as it enables the forgotten Long COVID community to break their silence and contributes to the next phase of my healing.”

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Mary Ladd’s Website

Featured Interview With Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am proud to say I’m a Southern girl from Columbus, Georgia and Larry is a mid-westerner from Dubuque, Iowa, transplanted to Illinois. We were married in 1978 and have combined our careers and life experiences to bring a unique blend to our writing. We love to travel and have visited all seven continents and all fifty states, connecting with individuals across the world. We also enjoy mentoring young adults, whom we fondly identify as our “children.” Our only “child,” Casey, was a delightful, smart, and loving cocker spaniel, who we enjoyed for 14 years and still enjoy in our memories.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
We both grew up with amazing mothers who read to us from our earliest memories. We memorized books to the point that people thought we could read at age three! I had a poem published in college, but both of us first wrote primarily for professional journals and magazines. The journey of writing our first novel began in the early 2000s.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Melanie Dobson, Brock and Bodie Thoene, Elizabeth Musser, Tom Clancy

Tell us a little about your latest book?
• Tell us a little about your latest book?
In Search of My Heart, the first book of the In Search series, is a story told by Miriam, a young Jewish girl, who grows up in first-century Israel in the loving home of her strict religious family. Her fellow Jews bustle throughout their small village with a zest for life, but also with a clear disdain for the Roman soldiers who occupy their town. Miriam has definite views regarding her life and a strong desire for adventure in the world beyond her village.
Her life and expectations are shattered when she experiences tragedy at a young age. Bitterness and disillusionment replace the joy she has always known. Through a series of events interwoven with biblical accounts, Miriam is catapulted into the lives of scriptural women who have encountered the Messiah. Compelled by her curious nature, Miriam joins the women traveling with Jesus. Her long-held beliefs are challenged. Doubts, trials, and pain attack her attempts at faith. She questions whether Jesus could be who he says he is. She wonders if she can trust those who have been touched by him and more importantly, whether she can trust herself.
We get a glimpse at this time in Jewish history through the eyes, emotions, and thoughts of this intriguing young woman. Miriam helps us see ourselves in these ageless, yet very personal issues.
Some readers will be interested in reading this book to learn the history of this time and place and become more familiar with the geography of Israel and surrounding areas during the time of Jesus. For those readers, we provide an extensive body of notes and three different maps at the end of the book. Other readers may be more interested in the biblical context of the story’s events. In Search of My Heart has plenty of intrigue and a few surprises along the way.

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Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe’s Website

Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am proud to say I’m a Southern girl from Columbus, Georgia and Larry is a mid-westerner from Dubuque, Iowa, transplanted to Illinois. We were married in 1978 and have combined our careers and life experiences to bring a unique blend to our writing. We love to travel and have visited all seven continents and all fifty states, connecting with individuals across the world. We also enjoy mentoring young adults, whom we fondly identify as our “children.” Our only “child,” Casey, was a delightful, smart, and loving cocker spaniel, who we enjoyed for 14 years and still enjoy in our memories.
When asked about our greatest honors, we brag on each other: Carol was the recipient of Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, which led to a meeting with President George H. W. Bush at the White House. Larry was named an All-American Softball player who pitched his team to third in the nation. He also served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
We both grew up with amazing mothers who read to us from our earliest memories. We memorized books to the point that people thought we could read at age three! I had a poem published in college, but both of us first wrote primarily for professional journals and magazines. The journey of writing our first novel began in the early 2000s.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Melanie Dobson, Brock and Bodie Thoene, Elizabeth Musser, Tom Clancy

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In Search of My Heart, the first book of the In Search series, is a story told by Miriam, a young Jewish girl, who grows up in first-century Israel in the loving home of her strict religious family. Her fellow Jews bustle throughout their small village with a zest for life, but also with a clear disdain for the Roman soldiers who occupy their town. Miriam has definite views regarding her life and a strong desire for adventure in the world beyond her village.
Her life and expectations are shattered when she experiences tragedy at a young age. Bitterness and disillusionment replace the joy she has always known. Through a series of events interwoven with biblical accounts, Miriam is catapulted into the lives of scriptural women who have encountered the Messiah. Compelled by her curious nature, Miriam joins the women traveling with Jesus. Her long-held beliefs are challenged. Doubts, trials, and pain attack her attempts at faith. She questions whether Jesus could be who he says he is. She wonders if she can trust those who have been touched by him and more importantly, whether she can trust herself.
We get a glimpse at this time in Jewish history through the eyes, emotions, and thoughts of this intriguing young woman. Miriam helps us see ourselves in these ageless, yet very personal issues.
Some readers will be interested in reading this book to learn the history of this time and place and become more familiar with the geography of Israel and surrounding areas during the time of Jesus. For those readers, we provide an extensive body of notes and three different maps at the end of the book. Other readers may be more interested in the biblical context of the story’s events. In Search of My Heart has plenty of intrigue and a few surprises along the way.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe’s Website

Carol Amon and Lawrence Kemp McGehe Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Terry Lister

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised on the very tiny island of Bermuda. Because of our size Bermudians are great travellers. There are few 10 years who do not have a passport. So it is only natural that l am a great traveller. Two months ago, l visited my 100th country. I still live in tiny Bermuda but l sure do get out often!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When still a young boy on rainy Saturdays I would lie across my aunt’s bed and we would read together. Interestingly, she will launch her second book in a few weeks.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors include Mark Twain and Agatha Christie. My favorite genres to read are mystery, history, travel, and adventure.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My last book, Let’s Go to Gabon, Cameroon and Namibia, is the third in my travelswithTerry series. I retired in 2014 and spend 50% of my time travelling. I started in Central America, followed by South America and now Africa. I started writing about my adventures when I began traveling in Africa. My books share the culture and customs as well as history of the countries l visit. This book opens up these three fascinating countries to readers who have never been. I write in a style where I invite the reader to travel along with me so the reader has a feeling of being on the trip as well.

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Terry Lister’s Website

Featured Interview With Angie Elita Newell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Angie Elita Newell and I am originally from the Northwest Territories in Canada. I am an indigenous woman, I was born in the eighties which was the end of a policy in Canada enacted by the Canadian government which became known as the sixties scoop. The sixties scoop was forced assimilation of indigenous children, we were taken from our families, our nations, and placed in urban cities in adoptive or foster homes, so myself and one of my brothers found ourselves in a suburb of Vancouver call New Westminster, the Royal City.

I recently have fallen completely and totally in love with cats, and have a semi feral Maine Coon mix, I live at the bottom of the mountains and he is often confused for a lynx.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been fascinated with story telling from a toddler onwards, oral story telling is huge component of our culture and my love of books come on at the age of five, out in the back lands of Shuswap Lake I was with my cousins and brothers and we discovered an abandoned farm, there was a shed next to the barn which was stacked from the floor to ceiling with news papers from the 1920’s to the mid 1960’s and I was introduced to the funny pages, comics, and spent many hours over the next three summers reading them all. At six I started writing and all through elementary school my stories which I often illustrated found their way to my school’s glass display case in the hallway.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors outside of William Shakespeare are mostly from the early half of the twentieth century, Wilfred Owen, T.S Elliot, Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, F.Scott Fitzgerald and JRR Tolkien, these men have had an extraordinary impact on the way I craft my art. Literary Fiction holds a special place in my art, for me its like a warm cup of coffee in an oversized chair next to a fireplace on a stormy day, comforting, when the world descends into a chaos I’ve always found reading to be innately grounding, its a shared experience that reminds us that the human experience in a connected one, at our very core we are all one energy. This world inspires my writing, she is crazy, beautiful and awesome, we need to remember that she has given us everything and we to enjoy her splendour in her raw supernatural state, because even without a human mark, she is perfect.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel, All I See is Violence, is a transcendental journey through the history of my ancestors, we journey backwards through the unsung female warrior Little Wolf, the war monger General George A. Custer and the spread too thin single mother Nance, their stories dance through time and space to the battle of Little Big Horn, the destruction of yet another treaty and the creation of Indian reservations. In remembering everything we’ve been through, and honoring it, we can release it and move forwards, for this world is always expanding and nothing every stays the same, so let’s move with it and create something better than what we’ve found.

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Angie Elita Newell’s Website

Featured Interview With Julie Catania-Shady

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi! I'm Julie! I'm a Law & Order: Special Victims Unit junkie; children's books literacy advocate, Author, spouse to a retired air force airman, and mama, who is simply making it through the day by the grace of caffeine and Jesus. I live in leggings and LOVE wearing dresses with sneakers! I have a degree in broadcast journalism and criminal justice from the University of Maryland in College Park. After college, I went on to work in television, specializing in crime TV and then advanced to investigations for the federal government. My most favorite job has been being a mommy and Conversations With Colton are my favorite! I live in Oklahoma with my husband, son, and dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always had a knack for story telling. Even as a young child I enjoyed telling stories. I even have old journals filled with writings about random topics. In journalism school I mostly wrote news stories but Conversations With Colton is my first "official" book!

I’ve been writing conversations with Colton for the last 7 years! Not in the conventional sense, but when my son was a baby, I started posting about him on social media using the #conversationswithcolton. The older he got, the more in-depth our conversations grew. The older he grew, the more interesting our conversations got! The more interesting our conversations got, the more I started to pray for patience. I digress…but let’s just say Conversations With Colton has been a work in progress for years!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite series growing up was Nancy Drew. I wish I had fond childhood memories of enjoying books before middle school, but I don’t. I don’t have any memories where I enjoyed reading before the Nancy Drew series. I know my parents read bedtime stories to me.

I read when it was required in school, but I didn’t love books,

until I “met” Nancy and the gang.

For those you don’t know, Nancy Drew is a fictional teenage amateur detective in an extended series of mystery books by Carolyn Keene. Nancy Drew’s intelligence, courage, and independence made her a popular role model for many generations of young readers. I may have been her #1 fan. I was obsessed with her investigative skills and loved the idea of solving mysteries. In hindsight, I believe she inspired me more than I realized at the time, but I owe Carolyn Keene the world because she is was sparked my LOVE of books.

I currently enjoy reading EVERYTHING-all genres from Romantic Comedies to Mysteries to Business books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Conversations with Colton is an exploration of faith. When I was pregnant with my son Colton doctors said he would NOT be born alive. But GOD stepped in, and a miracle happened. So, I wrote a book about him, our miracle, and our conversations which are hilarious by the way! But what I planned to write was a fun coffee table comedic account of our conversations and what I ended up writing are two different things. I realized that we had a greater message to share. Conversations with Colton explores how to keep faith when caught in a “storm?” Colton survived despite what doctors said and conversations with him have made all the fear, faith, and doubt that got us to this moment 100 percent worth it.

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Julie Catania-Shady’s Website

Julie Catania-Shady Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Alicia Villasenor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in Southern California with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. I love to read and write, of course. I love gardening and growing my own vegetables.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Probably when I was a teen, after diving into Greek mythology. I loved Homer and Ann Rice so I'd say they were my early inspirations. I wrote my first story in high school, although I never finished it. I wrote it in a notebook because in those days, computers were too expensive for us to afford one.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading many different genres including nonfiction but my heart is in fantasy because that is also the genre I write. Favorite authors include Brandon Sanderson, Carrie Ann Noble, Jessica Payne, Kat Kinney, Casie Aufenthie, Kristin Hannah, Erik Larson to name a few. For inspiration, I'd say I get pieces and bits from many authors and their writings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Ballerina Jessica Lavigne is envious of Charlotte for all things Charlotte is, that Jessica is not. Hitting rock bottom is a new low for Jessica who becomes a witness-turned-suspect in a murder case with a sinking dance career. To make matters worse, her hometown is invaded by monsters and her secret crush continues to shun her. That is until a demigod named Nimai walks into her life and makes all her ballet dreams come true. But there’s a deadly connection between the murders, the monsters, and the benevolent demigod.

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Alicia Villasenor’s Website

Alicia Villasenor Twitter Account

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Featured Interview With Durale Harper

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a motivational speaker, life coach, and author, who is driven to positively impact the lives of others. I was born and raised in the small town of Hugo, Oklahoma by a single mother who raised her 4 kids by working two jobs. I currently live in Dallas, Texas where I am a sales professional for a beverage brand, I speak at local schools, mentor young men, and very involved in my communities.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always like books, especially the sports books, like the Michael Jordan books. I wrote my first book in 2018 and my second book here in 2023. I love reading and gaining knowledge from others. Not only do I try to inspire, I am truly inspired by others great stories.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My current favorite author is Dr. Eric Thomas. Reading his new book "You owe you" pushes me to be better everyday. My favorite genre to read is autobiographies, because again, I am inspired by other people stories and the principles they used to overcome their struggles.
My family inspires my writings. My mother is one of my biggest inspirations, her sacrifices, long days, and her drive to provide for her family has bled into me and now I am pushing to take it to a whole new level. My son is another inspiration, I grew up without a father, so I teach my son from my mistakes and hope that he learns from them. My new book is to him and he pushes me to be a better man, father, and husband every day. Lastly, my wife, she deserves the best version of me. To be there for her, provide for her, protect her, and be her support system.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Dear Jr started 3 years ago right in the heart of the pandemic. It was my therapy. I didn't know where life was going or what was going to happen, but I knew that there was still work to be done with my son. One day a big question came to me, "Did I teach him everything I wanted and needed to if I left this Earth and that answer was "NO." So, I begin to write, telling him everything I felt that I haven't told him yet, principles and lessons that I have learned through great people, trial and error, wins and loses. Giving him my lessons on life and what I wanted him to take from it and learn from it. This book was not written just for my son, I pray this book blesses Fathers and young men around the world. My goal, my dream has always been bigger than me and I will never stop doing my part to positively Impact the world.
Straight Up!

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Durale Harper’s Website

Durale Harper Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Douglas Harris

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Southern California and currently live in Santa Barbara with my wife, MacKenzie, and our four children. We also have two small dogs, Phoebe and Phineas.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved books. My mother read story books with me and my sister almost every night when we were young. I remember asking her to read the book Danny and the Dinosaur quite often.

I started writing children’s books almost ten years ago when my then eight-year-old daughter, Bailey, asked me if I could help her write a children’s book. She was inspired to write this book after watching Cosmos, A Spacetime Odyssey with our family. In that evening’s episode, the host and narrator Neil deGrasse Tyson said, “The planets, the stars, the galaxies, we ourselves and all of life—the same star stuff.”. She wanted to share how amazing this is with everyone! We released the book My Name is Stardust three years later.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading both fiction and non-fiction. I just finished reading Lessons in Chemistry with my wife and I’m currently reading Anxious People with my daughter in the evenings. I am a science and philosophy junky and specifically love reading books about the science of happiness, the philosophy of Stoicism, and anything about evolutionary biology. I generally have about three books in the rotation at a time.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A few years ago, I was writing the book Elle the Humanist with my daughter, Elle. This book was based on her experiences at elementary school and her passion about conversations she was having regarding diversity and beliefs. While working with her on this book over a Friday the 13th, I read an article about this superstition and was intrigued. I was surprised by how much it actually impacts our world (no 13th floor in hotels, no row 13 on airplanes, people not going to work or driving on this day and on and on). Our Stardust Book Series attempts to help teach evidence based critical thinking skills using science and it struck me that we could use the idea of this fun superstition to help teach the same concept from a new angle.

I’ve learned in my own family, with my four children, how important it is to teach children how to think, not what to think. My hope with this book is that by helping children understand the idea of superstitions, we can illustrate how important it can be to use evidence based critical thinking skills as we navigate a confusing world where even adults believe silly things.

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Douglas Harris’s Website

Douglas Harris Facebook Page

Douglas Harris Twitter Account

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Featured Interview With Malia Williams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I'm Malia Williams, a dedicated author with a passion for culinary arts. Writing has always been a significant part of my life, and I've combined this love with my culinary expertise to create cookbooks that inspire others to explore the world of cooking. My journey as an author has been a thrilling one, and I'm eager to continue sharing my culinary adventures through my writing.
I was raised in Village of Dixville Notch in New Hampshire, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a diverse and rich culinary culture. Growing up in such an environment played a significant role in shaping my love for food and cooking.
Yes, I share my home with a lovely Tom, who has been a constant source of joy and companionship throughout my writing journey. While my primary focus is on cooking and writing, having a pet adds a wonderful balance to my life.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I discovered my fascination with books at a very young age. I vividly remember being captivated by the magic of storytelling and the power of words from the moment I learned to read. As a child, I devoured books of all genres, and that fascination with literature has remained a constant in my life.
I started writing at a relatively early age as well. I believe I was around 12 when I began to pen down my thoughts and ideas. Initially, it was more of a personal expression, but as I grew older, I found that writing was the perfect medium to convey my passion for food and cooking. This led me to create my first cookbook and ultimately pursue a career in writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy exploring a diverse range of literature, which often enriches my own writing. While my writing primarily revolves around culinary themes, I don't limit my reading to a single genre. I have a profound love for contemporary fiction, historical non-fiction, and I find that diverse genres provide me with new perspectives and inspirations. In my culinary writing, I draw inspiration from various sources. Renowned chefs and culinary experts have inspired my approach to cooking and food storytelling. Additionally, the diverse cultures and cuisines I've encountered on my culinary journey are a continuous source of inspiration. My desire to share the joy of cooking and the stories behind the recipes with my readers is what drives me to write.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Indulge in a gastronomic adventure with "Savor the Flavors," your passport to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean. Dive into the world of exquisite Mediterranean cuisine with this remarkable cookbook, filled with an array of tantalizing recipes, each brimming with the rich cultural tapestry of the Mediterranean. From the aromatic herbs of Greece to the savory spices of Morocco, this cookbook presents an enticing collection of international recipes that promise to transport your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, "Savor the Flavors" caters to all palates and skill levels, making Mediterranean cooking accessible to everyone.

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Malia Williams’s Website

Malia Williams Facebook Page

Malia Williams Twitter Account

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Featured Interview With Vered Neta

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My Name is Vered Neta. Since the 16th century, my family has lived in what today is Israel, but for the last 28 years, I’ve been living all over the world.

Today, I live with my husband in Tenerife in the Canary Islands on an off-the-grid farm, creating a sustainable life through permaculture agriculture and a food forest that we tend on our farm.

We live in the middle of a pine forest, and the nearest village to us is 3.5 miles up the mountain, so it's basically me, my husband and our chickens, dogs and birds here. We also have a grown-up daughter who lives in London.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I've always been drawn to books. I was a "book nerd" even before that expression existed. However, I started writing only at the ripe age of 57 after having, as I call it, 3 Past Lives in this lifetime.

I've been an archaeologist, a top manager in high-tech companies and health institutions and, for nearly 30 years, a personal coach, trainer, and motivational speaker while owning and running the fastest-growing training centre for entrepreneurs in The Netherlands.

But after doing all that, I came to realise that I’m not growing anymore. I still had more things I wanted to learn and develop, which is how I came to challenge myself with a new career as a writer. Being heavily dyslexic, as a non-native English speaker, writing novels or scripts seemed like a Mission Impossible for me. Add to it years of non-supportive beliefs that I’m bad at writing, and that I am not creative enough, and that sounded like a good challenge to tackle and grow through.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
This is an unfair question. I have so many of them. I used to be a lonely child, and books were my haven. I used to say that people can disappoint and betray you, but books are always there for you, so I surrounded myself with books.

I would go through periods of reading the Classics like Dickens and Jane Austin and the Bronte Sisters, and then expand to Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy and Kafka and, on the other side of the world, authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Paulo Coelho.
Today, my favourite genres are historical fiction, fantasy and women's literature, but I also read many non-fiction books about philosophy, personal development, spirituality and, of course, the craft of writing.

So, as you can see, I have an eclectic influence. What they all inspired me to write about was human nature and human relationships. They inspired me to write stories that would bring light into the world, even during hard and dark times, stories of hope, kindness and love.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The book is called “Full Circle”. It started as a movie script I wrote during the 2020 lockdowns and the George Floyd riots. I wanted to write a script about a friendship between white and black women who are fighting against racism and the connection with freedom. However, I kept getting feedback that it had too much of a “White Saviour” element to it, and a friend recommended that I should focus on the secondary story of the white woman in Prague during the Prague Spring of 1968.

That’s how I started writing the novel. When I finished the first draft, I wasn’t sure about it. Still, then Russia invaded Ukraine, and it all became so real and relevant as it resembled what had been done to the Czech Republic, which wished for more freedom from Moscow during the period of Dunbcek in 1968 and ended up being invaded by the Soviets. Ana’s story became so relevant, and I wanted to remind us all about a period that somehow is between history and current events and tends to be forgotten. It was a period when the word freedom had consequences. We got used to taking our freedoms for granted.

"Full Circle" explores an age-old dilemma: the struggle between unwavering principles and the harsh embrace of survival. In the face of imminent peril, it challenges the core of our beliefs, prompting us to redefine freedom, bravery, and strength.

In the blaze of revolution, Ana's dreams ignited her defiance – and sealed her fate.
1968, student protests are everywhere. But in Prague, behind the Iron Curtain, Ana dreams of becoming a doctor. Nothing would distract her from that path until she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jan, who gets her involved in the demand for freedom that sweeps the country.
Helen, Ana’s mother, haunted by the Holocaust, knows the dreadful cost of subjugation and tries to persuade her not to get involved, but Ana is determined to fight for her beliefs in freedom.
As Soviet tanks invade Prague, Ana and Jan find themselves at the frontline of a protest that will forever change their fates. Amidst the chaos, a single act seals Ana's fate, and her own government is now hunting her. She knows that her only chance to fulfil her dream is to find a way to escape beyond the Iron Curtain.

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Vered Neta’s Website

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Featured Interview With Jackie Haley

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I'm from Minnesota, but spent most of my life in Iowa. I live in central Iowa with my two sons and husband and our toy poodle, Charlie.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I've always enjoyed writing as a child, but once school and work began, it always took a back seat to those priorities. It wasn't until around 2008 that I seriously got back into writing, but I'm so thankful I did and I've enjoyed it ever since.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I've always been a Jane Austen fan. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and innocent love stories. Nicholas Sparks is also an author that inspires me. His attention to detail and scene development truly put the reader in the story.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Brenda's Wish is a true story about a cancer-stricken wife that, in the final precious months she had left, wrote a letter and gave it to a friend. She said when my husband finds a new wife to take care of our four boys, please send it into the radio station Christmas Wish program. Two years after she passed, David, the husband, goes into the radio station and hears the words of his late wife for the first time. It's a true and inspiring story of one mother that looked beyond her own life for her family.

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If you enjoyed this writer’s interview, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors to learn about. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring! If you are an author and want to get exposure to new readers submit your book to our book promotion service.

Featured Interview With Kristin Wilcox, PhD

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Jersey Girl who made her way to Boston, Mississippi, Atlanta, and Baltimore, earning a doctorate in pharmacology and pursuing my research career in behavioral neuroscience. When my youngest son, Andrew, was diagnosed with ADHD I quickly realized my 20-year research career, which included studying ADHD medications, would not prepare me to handle the challenges of being a mom to my neurodiverse son. Over the past 10+ years of helping Andrew manage his ADHD, I have experienced frustration, anger, worry, and pride. I learned to embrace my creative, risk-taking, emotional whirlwind of disorganization, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I didn’t start writing consistenly until I was in graduate school, publishing my research studies in peer reviewed academic journals. Andrew’s Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain was my first attempt at creative writing. It was a challenging, and rewarding, experience.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Always the scientist, I enjoy reading the latest reasearch on ADHD. However, if I am looking for an enjoyable read while traveling it will not doubt be a book by Nora Roberts (I love her vivid, descriptive writing) or Michael Crichton (The Andromeda Strain is my favorite). The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, recommended to me by both of my sons, makes my list of top reads.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Andrew was diagnosed with the inattentive subtype of ADHD when he was eight years old. At the time, I didn’t realize how fortunate we were to have his teacher recognize his inattentive ADHD symptoms, since diagnosis of this subtype is typically delayed until adolescence. Andrew doesn’t fit the stereotypical profile of a hyperactive/impulsive boy with ADHD, and I saw the struggles he was facing due to his ADHD symptoms which were often mistaken for laziness or a lack of interest by teachers, coaches, and other adults. When searching for books to help me as a parent, I came to discover the current literature falls short of discussing inattentive-type ADHD in boys. My son and I knew it was important to share our story, to provide practical strategies to manage ADHD symptoms, and highlight how having ADHD makes you fearless, creative, and an excellent problem-solver. All the research for the book, and my discussions with my son, helped me to be a more understanding parent, and it’s rewarding to hear similar sentiments from parents who have read our book. My son feels like he is making a difference when young readers say they identify with his daily ADHD struggles, and they feel better knowing there is someone else just like them.

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Featured Interview With Dr. Charlene Doak-Gebauer

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Fredericton, NB Canada, now living near London, Ontario. I have two pet rescues (have had 9 rescues in total over the years). Tina, who is a Daschund/Chihuahua mix – “Chiweenie”, DeeDee, who is a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix – “PomChi”.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As soon as I could read, I was engrossed with books. I have always loved mystery and nonfiction. I began writing ten years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love all mystery writers, particularly John Grisham and Dan Brown. Angels and Demons was a book I couldn’t put down. Funnily, my books are nonfiction. A girlfriend who has written books inspired me to write a book to protect my intellectual property. Heather Thane. I will always be indebted to her for her inspiration and faith in my abilities.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
As a Computer Science Specialist in education and former network administrator in schools, I developed my Theory of Digital Supervision for online child protection. After my family member had been used for child sexual abuse material (child pornography) at the age of four, I realized perhaps my expertise could be of use in fighting the crime. After reading about the proliferation of the crime, it became obvious my research and theory would be of use for the protection of children online.

My Theory of Digital Supervision is to be used for child and family online protection. The Internet hosts more predation than any host in the history of the world. Predation is everywhere – the Internet, our neighbourhoods, schools, and any other place a person can imagine. Predators can include unknowns, knowns, peers, family, and other types of acquaintances.

Children are too independent from adult guidance and given too much ownership for their own protection online. Would you give your eight-year-old child the keys to your car and let them drive unsupervised? Yet, they have the key to your router, and journey the world unsupervised.

Digital Supervision is necessary. Read and learn how to protect your children and their futures.
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Featured Interview With Rebecca Holmes

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in Vancouver now, but had a country upbringing. I used to breed and show pedigree long coat chihuahuas in my teens and early twenties. That made me think I wanted to become a veterinarian, but I changed my mind and ended up building a career in ecommerce and writing fantasy on the side. Now I just have the one dog; a 9-year-old papillon.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
School encouraged me to keep a reading journal throughout the year and record as diverse a mix of books as possible. Like most people, I didn’t necessarily enjoy the books I was assigned to study at school though. Right from the beginning, reading was a source of escapism for me. I wanted books that would transport me to another world. When I went to university, I found I couldn’t read for pleasure alongside all the textbook and study guide reading. Looking at more words on a page was the very last thing I wanted to do after spending all evening studying scientific papers. I didn’t read books at all for a few years until I moved somewhere with a bigger library and had the freedom to find my niche.

I always knew I was a decent writer because I won several awards for creative writing at school and had a few pieces published in the school magazine. I was editor for a club newsletter in my teens (printed, not emailed!) and would write web content for blogs and such. The first few words of Beyond the Gloaming Pass were written on a flip phone when I was bored at work. Yes, the kind of phone where you had to press each key repeatedly to get the letter you want. I copied all of this stuff into a Google Doc later, but it didn’t amount to much. I gradually progressed to writing isolated scenes whenever they came to me, often without much context around them. This went on for years. Eventually, I collected enough of them that I started to join them together into a coherent story, and that’s when I had to make some big decisions about how to develop actual characters and plot lines from this to turn it into a book.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read fantasy almost exclusively, with the occasional diversion into pure science fiction or historical fiction. I like authors who put a lot of thought and detail into their world building and do their historical research where applicable. The cultures, science and ecology in high fantasy should feel plausible within bounds created by the author.

Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy was a huge inspiration to me because of how authentically she brought Russian folklore to life. It’s so real, you can almost forget you’re reading fantasy. There are moments in those books so tender it physically hurt to read. That’s what I look for in a book: authenticity, immersion, emotion.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I wrote Beyond the Gloaming Pass because I wanted a classic fantasy narrative centred on mature characters with adult problems and adult relationships. I took the themes we know and love from the classics, but made it feminist and 19th century-ish. Lastly, I’m heavily inspired by video games and I wanted my world to feel lived in, the way an RPG open world feels lived in with NPCs going about their lives alongside – or in spite of – the main quest.

The result? A down-to-earth adventure where two women’s struggle with the challenges of “adulting” spirals rapidly out of control and throws them into a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds. There’s magic with limitations and consequences. The rich and powerful will bargain, threaten and manipulate to get what they want, often at our heroines’ expense. There’s a cast of complex characters with distinct personalities and a dry sense of humour.

Lured to a mysterious land by the promise of financial gain, Rubriel and Molindra are swept onto opposite sides of a bitter conflict that could destroy everything they hold dear. As forces beyond their control relentlessly tear them apart, will their bond prove strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their path?

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Rebecca Holmes’s Website

Featured Interview With G. B. Glory

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Pico Rivera and then lived in Whittier, California until I joined the Air Force at 18. I then moved around for training until eventually being stationed in Nebraska where I met my husband who also had been raised in Whittier, CA. We currently live in Apple Valley, CA where we are raising our two young boys.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first books I remember being interested in as a child were Barbie books. Each book and character had different themes and each was uniquely interesting. I believe I began writing before I even knew how to write too well. My second grade teacher called me, “little storyteller.” In third grade I loved writing poems and songs, but I always enjoyed making up stories for school as well.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Honestly, I don’t get to read for pleasure besides reading the Bible or Bible study books. I’m currently in two different Bible studies, one of which I am a children’s teacher, and they both come with quite a bit of homework from the Bible. My favorite book is still The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I got to meet Stephen Chbosky at the film’s opening night where he signed my book. I read a lot of children’s books to my kids, though! We read three or more books a night. From the children’s books, my favorite genre to read are poetry/rhyming books. Dr. Seuss inspires me the most with his confidence in being unique, his boldness to create new words and creatures, and the simplicity in keeping to rhyme.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Uncommonly Told Children’s Bible Stories is unique in that it tells of Bible stories which are not commonly told to children or even to adults. For some reason they are the ones that have been forgotten or overlooked. The Holy Spirit inspired me to create characters from the objects in the stories rather than focusing on the people. So one of my characters is a silly fire that is about to eat a bull. Another character is a sleepy and bored mountain from never moving in one scene to screaming in disbelief in the next because it is being thrown into the ocean. This book only took a few years to come to life. It took about a year and a half off and on to write the book and sketch out all the drawings. My goal was to create unique and intriguing characters that would help children remember the stories long after they had forgotten the words.

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G. B. Glory’s Website