Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Jonathan Mitchell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Florence, Alabama in 1973. I lived in Everett, Washington–just north of Seattle–for a brief period before drifting back to my hometown. Currently I’m living in Madison, Alabama. I’m an ex-musician and songwriter; now I write fiction. I’ve self-published one novel (e-book only) and am working on another.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Books fascinated me even before I’d learned how to read. I would look at comic books and try to guess what was happening based on the facial expressions of the characters, which is fundamentally the same thing that any writer does when he or she sees two people gesticulating to each other at the opposite end of a restaurant: you go home and write a sketch or a story based on your impression of the scene. I was about seven years old when I made my first conscious attempt to write.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m a big fan of horror and vintage crime fiction, so that’s primarily what I read. My favorite authors are Peter Straub and Raymond Chandler, and my first novel is–I hope–a synthesis of those styles (with a pinch of Beckettian existentialism thrown in for good measure).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It’s called “The Agent”, and it’s about a drifting loner in his late twenties who–through supernatural means–becomes aware of a series of unsolved murders which occurred 25 years earlier. Eventually, he is tasked with avenging those murders. There are ghosts and drugs and a smattering of bloody violence; there’s even a car chase. Ultimately, however, “The Agent” is about human nature and the things people are compelled to do when deprived of reasonable choices.

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Featured Interview With Karen Ullo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is still my home. I am married with two young tornadoes (er, boys), ages 8 and 5. For my whole life, I have had two great passions: music and writing. I’m a classically trained soprano, and I work full time as music director at the same church I have belonged to all my life.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I do not ever remember a time when I did not want to write. As a very young child, it frustrated me not to know how to make letters on a page because I wanted to tell stories. From the moment I learned to read, I not only read everything in sight, but I also wrote. When my friends came over to play, I always tried to get them to write stories with me. Most of the time, it didn’t work, but that didn’t stop me from trying.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The best book I’ve read in recent years was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It strikes an absolutely perfect balance between grim and hopeful, dark and light. I enjoy every genre, when they are done well. What matters to me is well-developed characters and good storytelling. My influences are as varied as my reading list. My book Jennifer the Damned draws heavily on both Crime and Punishment and Dracula.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Jennifer the Damned is the story of a sixteen-year-old orphan vampire who has been raised by nuns. I took the central idea for the story from Crime and Punishment. The protagonist of Crime and Punishment believes he is set apart from the rest of humanity by superior intellect and will that give him the right to do as he pleases, even commit murder, in the name of furthering his great ends. I simplified this thinking: Jennifer Carshaw is set apart from humanity and has no choice but to commit murder because she is a vampire. But Jennifer’s Catholic upbringing makes her long for something very different: to be capable of experiencing love. It is a horror novel in the tradition of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a book that uses monsters to explore very human questions. It took me three years to write and another three years to bring it to publication.

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Featured Interview With Paul Venosdel

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Illinois raised throughout California (Bakersfield, Salinas, Fresno, Sacramento, Fullerton) did consulting work for a time in Washington, DC and now live in Idaho.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wasn’t much of a reader growing up and I think that’s a major reason why I now write books for young adults. Read the sports section of the newspaper was my hobby. I now see first hand the direct corollary between kids that read and how well they do in school. My book is an attempt to reach the sports kid that doesn’t have much interest in reading.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy reading Dr. Charles Stanley, Frank Peretti and just finished Coach Joe Gibbs book a GamePlan for Life.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Anger Throws a Curveball is my first book. The book took approximately nine months to complete. The idea to write a book began last August watching the Little League World Series on television. I decided to use my coaching experience to reach young readers with a baseball story that tackled crying in baseball.

Except: Brent, the coach’s son, is his father’s best player on the 12-year-old Little League baseball team. The team is playing for the State Championship. His team is ready. They expect to win. But outbursts of uncontrollable anger from players, their parents, coaches, and officials threaten Brent’s enthusiasm and concentration for the big game. Game Day comes, and Brent’s nerves and emotions are a wreck. Then some unexpected events during the Championship event–some humorous, some heart-warming– open his eyes to a score that really counts. It is a close game between two rival teams, with plenty of action and a chance for the winning team to be on national television. At the end of the fiercely fought game, Brent is excited–but over an entirely different score

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Featured Interview With Michael Rucker

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m an introvert and spend most of my time indoors. I often fill my time dabbing in stories and playing video games. The books I make tend to be raunchy and full of rambunctious characters. When I’m not writing novels, I draw from experience and write self-help books. If there is one thing I value most in this world, it’s family.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books since an early age and I’ve been writing since I was twelve.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is Steven king(cliche’ I know). My favorite genre is sci-fi. My inspirations stem from movies.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Stop! Put down that gun, drop that knife, and loosen that noose. I’m about to tell you how to conquer that pesky depression. Whether it’s the loss of friends, death of a family member, or worse, this short guide will have a solution for you.

Featured Interview With Jane Lebak

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I write books and knit socks. Both are warm.

I live in the Swamp with my Patient Husband, four kids, three cats, and four fishtanks. The fish are kind of a surprise, but let me warn you: betta fish are like a gateway drug. I’ve also had a lifelong fascination with angels, and I hope my house is filled with them.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mom saved the first book I ever wrote: at age three! I used leftover green-bar computer paper from her job, and I used a magenta crayon. It’s called The Creechur, and it’s everything you’d expect from a three-year-old. I’ve improved a bit since then.

I fell in love with books when I was ten and started devouring The Black Stallion series, followed by anything else I could lay my eyes on.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
It’s hard to pick one favorite genre! My favorite author of all-time is Diana Wynne Jones, hands down. No question whatsoever. Genre-wise, I love fantasy and science fiction. Historical fiction is also pretty cool, and I like contemporary fiction that focuses on families and some thriller/suspense.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Pickup Notes is about the growing pains of a string quartet. Although it’s told from the point of view of the viola player, all four players have important roles to play. You’ve got Harrison, the fearless and sometimes bullheaded first violinist who’s driving the group. There’s Shreya, the blue-haired second violinist who always seems to have one foot out the door, but whose previously-unknown talents may be their ticket out of obscurity. There’s Josh, the cellist who works days as a Manhattan cabbie and also is finally coming to terms with his shame about stuttering.

One night a bride gets so drunk she forgets she hired a classical string quartet, and she demands they play Hotel California. Of course they can’t do that, so one is more surprised than the other quartet members when Shreya stands up and does it. Harrison sees dollar signs and tries to incorporate this into their repertoire, but changing their roles in the quartet starts changing their friendships, and they may achieve success at the expense of losing each other.

This book was in production for six years. No one really understood it because editors and agents kept trying to make it into either a romance or a YA/New Adult novel. It’s finally found its way out into the world, though, and in a way the book’s own journey reflects the things the characters realize: that you have to sing your own song, no matter how little anyone else understands or approves of it.

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Featured Interview With Page Zaplendam

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Having grown up in south Texas, I am hispanic by heritage even though my genetic background is German-Irish and Filipino. This produces a really multicultural outlook on many levels: food, traditions, the arts. My parents always wanted us to have an open mind about the world, but to be critically thinking, discerning individuals. I like to think they achieved that. I live with six adorable rugrats and one papa bear without whom authorship would be an impossibility.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When did I not have a fascination with books? When I was kid, I was the nerd who came up with the weird questions, who was so far ahead in 2nd grade reading that my teacher stuck me in a corner by myself with 4th gr. reading books. My summer fun was spent under a tree eating carrots and apples and reading, reading, reading. And because I loved the stories I read, I always wanted to be a writer, but good writing requires understanding humanity. That’s something I didn’t acquire for many years, so I didn’t start seriously writing to publish until 2007.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some of my new favorite authors are Ryk Brown, Lindsay Buroker, and Larry Correia. They’ve been really inspirational to me as far as pursuing the dream and I’ve really enjoyed reading their work. I appreciate science fiction and clean romance. Military scifi, space opera, and Regency romance in particular I find myself going back to again and again. I only wish I had the technical knowledge to convincingly write space scifi, but engineer I am not.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel is titled Order of the Blood, and if you like a historical vampire story with depth and humor, you’ll find it satisfying. I was stoked to hear that some of my most critical readers thought it was hugely entertaining (my dad especially, who has more than once told me something I wrote wasn’t good enough to publish). It took me two years from first draft to publication, but I really, really enjoyed the process. The main character, John Grissom, vampire and bacteriologist, was just a fun character to write. He’s a bit snarky, a bit captain obvious, a bit tragic hero. I wanted to keep historical accuracy but approach it through our modern lens, which can be a bit flippant.

I wrote it in the first place because the vampire narrative, while it intrigued me, was always dissatisfying. The idea of any human losing his free will involuntarily was preposterous, so I wanted to address that by reinventing the vampire narrative as a contractible disease (imagine my surprise in seeing tv show iZombie taking the same tack!) I think I really pulled it off with success.

I’ve started on the sequel, so hopefully that will come out sometime in late 2017. I’ve included the excerpt for bk 2, The Hellhound of Derbyshire in the back of Order of the Blood.

In the interim, as in, later this year, I’ll be shopping for agents to represent the first book in a new post apocalyptic dark ages scifi series. If you check out my website, I’ll post about sales and new releases. And John Grissom, vampire extraordinaire, loves questions! He lives a very solitary life so any correspondence makes him really happy. Readers who want to contact him can ask questions through the Goodreads portal, on the website, or through my email.

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Featured Interview With Jo Ana Starr PhD

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in a large city in the North Eastern US. While city life offers opportunities not available in small towns, I prefer small towns and usually live in town under 25K population.

I enjoy traveling but not out of a suitcase. I like to find a place I like and live there like a local for 2 or 3 months. I enjoy cultural immersion as opposed to museum-hopping.

Sadly, I have no pets at this time. My gypsy-ish lifestyle makes having a pet a bit difficult. One of these cultural immersions will yield a place where I want to stay and then I’ll have a cat and a dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading as soon as I could, and began devouring books at a rate of 3-4 a week; this was way before the internet and reading was the perfect escape from the daily routine. I’ve always written. Writing short stories, poems, essays and more all started in early childhood and never really stopped.

My reading habits were a bit unusual, I think, in that I went through phases. For years I read only fiction, except for occasional immersions into philosophy, religion, metaphysics, and then one day I stopped reading fiction and for years read only non-fiction. At this moment, I’m a bit too busy writing to read much of anything, but while I own a number of good fiction books, I am still more drawn to non-fiction – self help and quantum physics at this time.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The authors of the non-fiction I read are too diverse at this time to outline here; again mostly self-help and quantum physics.

I write principally in non-fiction in the categories of Self Hypnosis, Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, and general Self-Help so my passion for these topics is what inspires my writing.

I believed as a young adult that I would spent my later years writing. At that time, I assumed I’d be writing fiction given the boatloads of fiction I’ve read over the years; it just seems logical. But I love to help people, so sharing information that can help others achieve their dreams seems more important to me at this time. At some point, I’d like to give writing fiction a whirl.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is actually a series of Self Hypnosis Singles, shorter books with the sole purpose of providing the reader with the specific tools he needs to accomplish the goal of creating his own Self Hypnosis session and recording it for his daily use. Before the advent of these inexpensive ebooks, readers had to buy one or more books just to extract the one hypnosis script that they wanted to use to record their own session. With these concise little books, the reader can get exactly what he needs to accomplish that goal.

They are each part of the Quantum Self Hypnosis Singles, and there are 9 of them written at this point. I’m aiming for a series of 12 of the most popular applications for Self Hypnosis. They are available naturally on the Kindle platform at Amazon.com.

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Featured Interview With Pamela K Witte

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My favorite place to breathe, write and read is my middle-of-nowhere home in the mountains where I live with my husband, dogs, deer, elk, bears and mountain lions. Currently I’m obsessed with my new middle grade Mom’s Choice Award Winning novel, JET LEE DRAGON WARRIOR. A thrilling action adventure filled with monsters, mayhem, magic and loads of kung fu-skull-cracking action. I love being an author of action and adventure books for middle-grade and young adults. I dig martial arts, dragons, tombs, treasure, pharaoh kings, mummies, Aztec warriors, magic and mayhem. My hobbies include hiking, river rafting, skiing, sailing, martial arts, SCUBA, exploring, caving, rappelling, treasure hunting, spelunking, archeology, and introducing kids to faraway places like Egypt, Mexico and China and not so faraway places like New York City. If my characters do exciting, extreme things like repel off mountainsides or explore subterranean crystal caves, you can be sure, I tried it first! I’m often seen prowling the forests of New Mexico in search of my muse. I’m guilty of writing the occasional news paper article, randomly entertaining children with spontaneous acts of crazy, and totally craving adrenalin! I love to hear from fans and think fan art the coolest!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m certain I was too young to really “realize” my fascination with books. I think it sort of came around organically. Books and reading were just there, pretty much always. Reading books was like hanging out with my best friend, I couldn’t get enough. Only, unlike my best friend, books were with me long after bedtime and on road trips and when I was lonely… Which was mostly never because books were the best company. Always entertaining, interesting, educational and available.

I started writing in the 6th grade when my teacher suggested I write a poem for a magazine contest. The poem was published and I was hooked. Shortly after, I learned that all the heroes and villains I imagined in my head could be real if I just put them down on paper. So I began my writer’s journey while learning how to write books filled with heroes on journeys of their own.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
So many authors! It’s difficult to have a favorite. When I was a kid I was obsessed with Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books. Talk about adventure! I went everywhere with Alec and the Black (read the books and you’ll get the reference). And of course, Nancy Drew, because I’ve always loved a good mystery. As an adult, may favorite genre is STILL kids books, middle-grade and young-adult. I love them because they are fast-paced and pull me in instantly. And probably because I am just a kid who never really grew up! I love to read Cornelia Funke’s books, and Kate DiCamillo’s too. Also Suzanne Collins’ middle-grade Underlander Chronicles, and of course JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books! And most anything about Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Aren’t swashbucklers and fairies awesome?

When it comes to being inspired… Life inspires me. People inspire me. Nature inspires me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
How about the cover blurb? I like it a lot, and it pretty much says it all.
Born in the year, month, day and hour of the dragon, JET LEE DRAGON WARRIOR, is destined for karate-kicking greatness. Too bad he’s such a loser. Bullied on a daily basis and working in the Wu’s fish shop to earn his allowance, twelve-year-old Jet thinks things can’t get worse. He learns how wrong he is, when a beast-man attacks his mom and vows to take over New York City. Saving the city is tough for anybody, but its nearly impossible when you’re in sixth grade. Bullies, detention, principals and girls… friends keep getting in the way. It’s a whirlwind week of subway chases, demon spit and samurai swords.And time’s running out. Jet must connect with his mysterious inner animal before Friday’s field trip to save his friends, family and the world.

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Pamela K Witte’s Website

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Featured Interview With Brian K. Campbell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Columbus Ohio. I lived there for all of 18 years, 17 years of which was on the same street. After my second year of college I enlisted in the United States Army. I can’t say I enjoyed every single minute of it, but I am extremely glad I joined. After the Army I became a paramedic. I have lived in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I am currently living in North Carolina-a major change from the desert of Arizona, and I love it.

I have no pets and no significant other in my life at this time. (I’m not sure I mentioned those in the right order 🙂 ).

I enjoy telling stories so I decided to write my first novel,. “Beneath the Magnolias” is a Christian fiction work. The novel has action, suspense, and I believe manages to deliver a good message at the same time.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My grandmother was a schoolteacher in Alabama during the 30s. She took care of us while my mother and father worked. Learning to read, and to read properly was not an option in our home. The first book that I can remember was a biography of George Washington Carver.

I have written for years but never considered publishing anything until now. I have stories all over the place but never considered doing anything with them.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Frank Perretti, William Paul Young, and Stephen King. You’re probably wondering how in the world does Stephen King fit in with the other two. Well first off Stephen King is an amazing writer, but he also tends to have a little bit of a spiritual message in some of his books which I appreciate.

Frank Perretti’s book “This Present Darkness”, was the first book that I absolutely could not stop reading. William Paul Young’s book “The Shack”, gave me the incentive to think outside of the box. There are plenty of things in the Bible, although not told in detail as Stephen King would, are still plenty scary.

So I guess these three men have inspired me to write something that is suspenseful, a little scary and delivers a good message.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My novel is about a man who has serious questions and doubts about Christianity. While on assignment for an HMO he runs head-on into an ancient evil. I try to answer some of the questions I’ve heard asked by unbelievers without just saying because the Bible said so.

I developed the premise some 3 to 4 years ago and writing part-time, that’s how long it took me to finish. I have to admit, however, that I did not write regularly. Not writing regularly of course slowed me down in two ways. Not putting words on the paper is one of them. The other is that you forget storylines, character developments, and end up having to rewrite and correct problems. I learned that writing every day even if it’s only a paragraph, is the best way to keep on point and finish.

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Brian K. Campbell’s Website

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Featured Interview With Val Day-Sanchez

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Santiago, Chile, form there we moved to California and finally to New Mexico. I currently am in New Mexico. I love the southwest state. There is something about the desert Southwest that is very much in tune with the Wild Wild West. Plus the food is incredible.
I have two dogs right now, one that doesn’t quite believe he is a dog, so that keeps things…interesting. The other is a sheep herding dog so she is constantly trying to round us all up.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always loved reading. My earliest memories are going to the library and checking out piles of books. My family would take these long road trips cross country and I would always take notebooks. I would write poetry or lyrics I think I was about eight or nine when I started writing books. I read a lot of R.L. Stein’s Fear Street (probably all of them) and watched Wes Craven’s slasher movies. So my earliest works were slasher comedies. My teachers worried they were too gory but my parents were like, well as long as you’re just writing it and not literally bringing it to life, I think it’s okay. Even now I still love scaring my readers.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author to read currently has to be Erin Morgenstern, please please please come out with something new. I am literally dying without your work. Okay that’s completely hyperbolic but seriously please write something else. I also really love Aimee Bender. I don’t know anyone else that is writing like she is. Everything she does is so creative and original and a bit weird. It makes me think and I love her for that.

I get inspired to write really from all sorts of things. Lately I’ve noticed, it’s conversations with friends. Good friends make you face your own demons. They could be talking about their own journey and suddenly you’re reminded of something you experienced and start coming to terms with it. For me, that process of understanding your past, become my books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Threshold was a labor of love. It took me nearly two years to write because I was in the middle of my trilogy when I got the idea for it. Then it was Sci-Fi which I was always too afraid to venture into. Threshold made me put on my big girl panties and get to work.

Threshold first came to me as just a title and then there were two of the main characters, Lucas and Cameron. I think what drew me to them was their friendship and how different they are from one another. How it came to be a Sci-Fi alien invasion novel, I have no idea. My characters really have a mind of their own.

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Val Day-Sanchez’s Website

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Featured Interview With James Nsien II

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an engineer and have worked for the same Fortune 100 Company for over 32 years. Engineering had been my comfort zone. About 8 years ago I attempted to pursue another career (start my own business, be my own boss, etc.) so I could leave engineering and pursue my goals, dreams, and calling. However, for some reason I struggled and I was unable to move forward outside of my comfort zone, which was in engineering, so I could break through whatever resistance was blocking me from making that change.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
In the age of 25, from 2014

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My struggles to my business coach and she suggested a book (on resistance) for me. I read the book and that was where I got the idea to write this book on Fear/Phobia.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
All of us have fears or phobias – some more concrete and others founded in our imaginations. It’s completely normal to have them and, at times, they help us to become better versions of ourselves and to push our own limits and selves to achieve higher and better outcomes. That said, this is not always the case; fears and phobias can hold us back from life experiences and from our success – these self-imposed limitations hinder our development and achievements. It is the latter of these two cases that we will focus on, exploring how to break through these fears and phobias to better take control of your own life.
If you’re feeling insecure, anxious, or experiencing self-doubt and you want to learn some easy and proven ways to increase your self-confidence that will actually give you control over your own self-confidence and self-esteem, then this book is for you!

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James Nsien II’s Website

Featured Interview With Al Carroll

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up near San Antonio and have lived in Denver, Indiana, Phoenix, Cuba, and Indonesia. I live in Virginia now, near DC.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always read because the nearest neighbors were miles away and our cheap TV was often broken. I didn’t start writing as much as I do now until a close call with cancer made me realize how short life can be.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Vine Deloria, Jack Forbes, James Loewen, Howard Zinn, Paolo Freire for history. Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, John Brunner, and Clifford Simak for sci fi.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Trump Fascism takes the words and actions of Trump and his followers and follows the chain of dominoes to imagine them taking power. Quickly you see a wave of hate crimes, vigilantism, economic depression, mass expulsion of millions, and the forming of Redshirt militias. Congress and the courts are silenced, censorship imposed, democracy ends. Several disastrous wars follow, including a nuclear confrontation, and finally the Second Civil War.

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Featured Interview With Fran Connor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Having moved to SW France from the UK fifteen years ago after service in a British Police Force, I took up writing. My published works include six full length novels and a series of nine novellas.

Where I live is an idyllic place for a writer with its ancient hilltop villages, vineyards and orchards. These surroundings seep into the subconscious and influence my work.

With my wonderful partner Vivienne, our dog Bella and chickens I seem to have found a little patch of earthly Heaven.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing in my teens but didn’t take it seriously until I was much older. I’ve always been an avid reader but I do not stick to a particular genre. This is reflected in my writing which ranges from Historical Romance to Contemporary Political Thriller.+

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My heroes are too many to include here. I enjoy any well written book. By well written I mean one that I want to keep turning the pages to see what happens rather than a worthy boring read.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book ‘Honourable Lies’ is set in Victorian England. It follows the life of a poor orphan elevated into High Society as a reward when she saves the life of Queen Victoria. She soon discovers that evil exists in the aristocracy on a scale far worse than in the poor class. On her journey she finds love and an understanding of human failings not least her own. A gripping read that will captivate you for hours while you turn each page to see what happens next.

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Fran Connor’s Website

Featured Interview With Arthur McMahon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a wanderer by nature, and it all started with my upbringing. I was born in New Jersey, moved to Oregon at three years old, then back to the Garden State not a year later. We hopped around the state a bit before moving back to Oregon again during the summer between my sophomore and junior years of high school– talk about bad timing. The trend has continued in my adult life as I find myself unable to stay anywhere for too long. Not only have I moved around to various states, I also quit normal life for a year as I went on to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and take on other adventures.

I’d say my travels have certainly had an influence on my writing. I love science fiction, love imagining all of the possibilities of our future. I’ve written two science fiction books and one hiking excursion guide. As I travel to see new vistas in real life I also dream about journeying to far-off wonderlands, seeing all of what the universe has to offer.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My passion for writing began as a child when I found I enjoyed writing essays more than taking exams. This continued on through to college when I aspired to be a sports journalist. I graduated with my journalism degree, but by then I had found that my true passion was creative writing. I wrote my first novel right when I graduated college.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were the first books I remember enjoying when I was younger. It took me awhile to get into books, though I always liked writing. My favorite series of books is Stephen King’s Dark Tower collection. It has all of my favorite genres mixed into one: dark fantasy, horror, science fiction, western– it’s all there.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Silhouette is the name of my latest book and it was inspired by my debut novel, Frostarc. With Frostarc I was looking to build a new universe filled with human and alien worlds. The story was too big for my young mind. I needed to take a look into the future of my universe to get a better grip on the outcome of Frostarc’s story, and thus Silhouette was born. It is not a sequel to Frostarc. Silhouette is a stand-alone novella set in the same space-pioneering universe, but it has its own unique characters with their own stories to tell.

Here’s the story’s summary:

Born a slave to an alien corporation, Susan Singh escaped with the help of a politician who would shape the young girl into a deadly force of human vengeance.

Alien factions are tearing down the walls of human civilization. Men and women struggle to survive in a universe where humankind is considered an inferior species to all other sentient life. Leslie Folami presides over a clandestine council of world leaders bent on establishing the respect humanity deserves, even if it means starting a war that they cannot win. Unknown to her peers, Folami has sent her assassin on a perilous mission that might give them a fighting chance.

Raised as a secret tool for Folami’s political schemes, Susan was trained in the ways of the Enforcers from the past, taught to harness the shadow to her will and live as death incarnate. A decade passed under Folami’s tutelage before Susan was given the assignment she had been waiting for, revenge on the alien menace plaguing her home world and a chance to free her family.

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Featured Interview With M Ganesh Sai, Success Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Chennai, India. I was brought up both in Chennaii and Hyderabad. Here is my author bio:
M. Ganesh Sai is the founder of MGS Leadership Consultants India. He is a Success Coach, Motivational Speaker and Author of five books including the award-winning book Success Can Be Yours, Short Stories to Share – Get Inspired, Smartness Guide – Success Tools for Students, Skills for Your Career Success: Touch Your Tipping Point and Soar Like Eagles! Success Tools For Freshers. His articles have been featured in prestigious international publications including Personal Excellence, The Journal of Values-Based Leadership, USA http://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol7/iss1/10 Full Issue http://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol7/iss1/. He has been listed as one of the leading achievers around the world in Marquis Who’s Who in the World in 2014. His areas of interest include Success, Leadership, Motivation, Career and Personality Development. He coined an innovating learning tool ‘Play and Learn’ and it has been published by Training Journal, UK. Microsoft in Education featured his interview on Indian education in ‘Daily Edventures’: http://dailyedventures.com/index.php/2014/01/30/m-ganeshsai/ Testimonials by internationally acclaimed leadership gurus including Marshall Goldsmith, James Strock, and Tony Alessandra are located at the following link: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/m-ganesh-sai-author/34/262/202 His Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/Skills-Your-Career-Success-Tipping/dp/935023808X/ref=sr_1_139?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359113183&sr=1-139 His Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Ganesh-Sai/471536619627802 His YouTube channel URL: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl8A_Zx55ZRVn_2YR4i0eEQ He maintains a popular blog: http://mgshyd.wordpress.com. He can be reached at mgsauthor01@gmail.com Follow him https://twitter.com/mganeshsai

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I am passionate about training and authoring books. I started authoring books from 2011. I started writing for newspapers when I was 12 years old. I started blogging and created my Facebook page. Currently I enjoy reading, writing, teaching and training. I coined a new concept ‘Play and Learn’ which is an innovative way of learning.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read various types of books mostly on leadership, motivation, coaching, and soft skills. My father, ProfessorM.S. Rao is my inspiration behind my writings and books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi The book offers tools to achieve success and to fast-track your career. It unveils the skills essential for freshers to succeed in employment interview. It inspires students to dream and achieve big. This book Outlines the roadmap for students’ success. Elaborates various aspects of education, employment and emotional intelligence. Introduces ‘Play and Learn’ Method – an innovative learning tool for students. Addresses fresher’s concerns and equips them with clarifications. Implores them to add value to soar like eagles. Urges educators to help successful students to become even more successful. It is an inspirational book for students, parents, learners, and leaders. You can easily toss the book into a briefcase, or purse and read here and there as time allows. Contents PART I – STUDENTS: 1. Lead India 2. Power of Students 3. Cultivate an Ambitious Mindset 4. Don’t Compare with Others 5. Chess and Success 6. 3 Aspects to Achieve Success 7. Understand Id, Ego and Super Ego 8. Set Your Goals 9. Spot Your Talents and Build Skills around them 10. The Skills the Employers Look for in Freshers 11. Attitude is Your Asset 12. Acquire Aptitude 13. Be Effective to Achieve Greatness 14. Be an Example to Excel as a Leader 15. Manage External Threats to Excel as a Leader 16. Participate in JAM Sessions 17. Blend Hard and Soft Skills 18. Acquire Smart Skills to Stand out as a Smart Leader 19. Possess Inquisitiveness 20. Learn Effectively 21. Read Your Manuscript Aloud 22. Manage Your Time 23. Employment is not an Affair between the Employees and Employers 24. Stay Away from Suicidal Tendencies 25. Build Your Brand 26. Build Your Fan Base 27. Make Peace to Progress PART II – EDUCATORS 28. Education versus Experience 29. Education is not for Employment Alone 30. Educatio

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Featured Interview With Jaime Grazio

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Jaime Grazio, originally hailing from Massachusetts (Go Sox), has a killer Boston accent that she drops after a few beers at the “bahs” in Denver, Colorado, her home for the past 9 years. A self-proclaimed wanderer, Jaime has traveled to 54 countries so far with a goal of making it to triple digits in her lifetime. Her obsession for jet-setting started at 19 years old when she ventured to Madrid for a five-month study abroad program on a whim. She came back forever changed, rolling her “r’s and with a side part. Jaime continued her studies, acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and landing her dream job of working in the educational travel industry. Over the past 10 years, she has lived out her passion of trotting the globe, chasing the colors of the world and capturing them in photos.

Once Upon an Oktoberfest is her first published memoir documenting the one moment that she’s been dreaming of her whole life; finding her Prince Charming. You can expect more travel memoirs from her in the future as her affinity for writing, traveling and photography will never subside.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved reading as a kid and also writing. I stared writing poems around age 9 and wrote over 100 of them that I keep in my sock drawer still to this day. Most were about love and breakups and a few about nature/world issues. I’ve always felt more comfortable writing things out than day verbally telling a story (and much better at it using a pen)!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I stand by my favorite book Eat, Pray, Love by Elixabeth Gilbert. Not only is the story just written so well and inspires you to quit the 9-5 and go travel and find yourself but her raw honest style really speaks to the readers to ensure they can connect with her and feel her emotions coming through each page and step of the story. This style is very close to mine and has inspired me to remain vulnerable and honest when I write, with a sense of humor tied in of course.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Once Upon an Oktoberfest is a memoir of one of the greatest moments of my life. It took about 8 months to write and first started as a blog. 6000 readers later and 17000 views, I published it into an ebook. The story: As a single wanderlust American girl flying abroad to this epic party, I was interested in attending for the free-flowing beer, the crazy atmosphere and the slight chance for a make-out session with a foreigner. I never expected to meet my soul mate at Oktoberfest. He from England and I from the US, the odds were against us in making it work, but we were both up for the challenge. From multiple daily FaceTime chats, bouts of separation heartache and jet-setting around the world every 6-8 weeks to see one another, this is the modern day, uncensored, real-life travel “fairytale” of how we made it to our happily ever after.

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Featured Interview With S. S. Bazinet

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Kansas City, a beautiful part of the Midwest. However, after moving around the country, I finally decided to make Albuquerque, New Mexico my home. The desert is a wide, open place, perfect for contemplation on my early morning walks. When I first moved here, I had a wee poodle named Winnie. After she crossed over, I was so busy with writing that I decided not to get another pet, but I still miss her.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books ever since I can remember. My mom used to bring home Little Golden Books whenever she went shopping. Later, when I was old enough to take myself to the library, I devoured adventure stories. I started writing when my children were grown. However, writer’s block had hold for a long time. Finally, when I gave in to simply having fun with writing, the stories flooded out.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
When it comes to reading, I enjoy many diverse genres and authors. Books by Daniel Pinkwater, who writes children’s stories, and sci-fi thrillers by Michael Crichton are on my book shelves. I also enjoy mysteries and soul-stirring books like Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. I think that all the wonderful books that I’ve read have left me with a desire to keep the stories going. Maybe that’s one reason that I love to write.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Brother’s Blood, the fourth book in my series, The Vampire Reclamation Project, is going to be released by mid August, 2016. What I love about writing this series is that it revolves around a quest for transformation. Arel, the original vampire, is dramatically changed when he drinks a bit of angelic blood. Afterwards, Arel doesn’t know how to handle the power he feels growing within himself. His life spirals out of control, especially when he seeks revenge on the person who made him a vampire.
With each book in the series, the story expands into a tapestry of interwoven lives and lifetimes. The characters come together to resolve issues surrounding love, hate, trust and betrayal. With the angelic help of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the group is also reunited with a purpose that goes beyond the norm and enters the realm of mystery. Their task isn’t always easy, but all involved learn that they have extraordinary abilities and power. They find ways to reach for the stars while always having to ground themselves in brotherhood.

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Featured Interview With Micheal Maxwell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in the Central Valley of California. My wife and I divided our time between our home in the Central Valley and our place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I’ve been fortunate to traveled the globe, dine with politicians, rock stars and beggars. I’ve rubbed shoulders with priests and murderers, surgeons and drug dealers, each one giving me a part of themselves that live again in the pages of my books.

I seem to have found a niche in the mystery, suspense, genre with The Cole Sage Series that gives readers an everyman hero, short on vices, long on compassion, and a sense of fair play, and the willingness to risk everything to right wrongs. I am committed to writing a clean, character driven, mysteries series with lots of twist, turns, and heart.

The Cole Sage Series departs from the usual, heavily sexual, profanity laced norm and gives readers a character driven stories, with twists, turns, and page turning plot lines.

My interests apart from writing, are travel, film, and music. I am a confirmed Deadhead and committed Bob Dylan fan. We do not have any pets because we travel so much. We have been to thirty-nine counties, and are not done yet!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t remember ever not loving books. As a pre-kindergartner I remember over and over flipping through a huge family Bible that had amazing full color plates. My mother says I could read from the first day I arrived at school. One summer in grade school, 6th grade I think, I challenged myself to “read” the entire World Book Encyclopedia, more likely I flipped through reading the captions on the pictures and articles that caught my eyes, but I made it A-Z!
My wife teases me about how I tell people about a book I got as an 8th grader called Campfires and Battlefields: by Rossiter Johnson. I still have it.
From the time got my first job I bought books and still do.
My first published piece of writing was in the 6th grade! A story called “Orville and the Tin Monster” it was in the schools literary annual! I loved writing and have had a life long dream of being a writer. I have written magazine articles, music, film and restaurant reviews.
Like many people I tried the traditional route of trying to be published. I had pretty much given up. “We only take manuscripts from agents”. “We don’t represent anyone who isn’t published.” It was a snake eating its tail.
I was determined to never go to a vanity press or some “Podunk Press”
Then I was introduced to self-publishing. I was in charge, flop or fly, it was up to me and I loved it. My first book Diamonds and Cole has now been downloaded 350,000 times. The other five books in the Cole Sage Mystery Series all sell briskly. So the little boy who loved to read and write stories has finally seen his dreams come true.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The “Deptford Trilogy” by Robertson Davies, “Our Mutual Friend” by Charles Dickens and anything by Stewart M. Kaminsky or Peter Lovesey.
Davies because I love the way he brings back characters five or six books down the line. When I first read the “Deptford Trilogy” I thought “That’s my voice!” It really instilled the desire to write in me. Not that I will ever be fit to be mentioned in the same sentence, but Davies was truly a mentor
I have read “Our Mutual Friend” probably twenty times. Dickens to me is the master of characters. His books never have character who just happen to be in the story, the are as alive as the main characters and he treats them with the same importance.
Kaminsky and Lovesey I think are two of the best mystery writers ever, and they taught me, along with John Gresham, you can write something contemporary and engaging without gratuitous, sex and profanity.
If I can learn to encompass the lessons I’ve learned from these masters I will a real sense of accomplishment.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I am currently working on three projects. Cole Sage book #7 which is without a title at the moment. It centers around, a series of random murders in San Francisco, major changes at the paper where Cole works, and the introduction of an abused teenage girl that wants to be a writer. I am having a great time with this one.
On days I need to recharge my “Cole Batteries”, I am editing a collection of my short stories, writing a western that is totally unique, a WWII Romantic Spy novel, and a no non-sense “How to Write a Book” handbook.

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Featured Interview With RK Close

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in a small town in Kentucky but moved to Arizona when I turned nine. Been in southern AZ ever since. I have four dogs, two cats, three kids and a husband. They all keep me very busy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At some point in my life I discovered that I had ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) but in my youth I was simply considered a poor student. It wasn’t as well known or understood at that time. Reading has always been challenging for me so I avoided it at all costs until I was placed in a special reading class in high school at age fifteen. That’s were I discovered stories that took my breath away and kept me reading until the wee hours of the night, even if it was painfully slow. I’ve been a slow but avid reader ever since.
Because I struggled with reading I thought the idea of being a writer was out to the question even though I had a longing to try it. It wasn’t until the end of 2014, at the young age of forty-nine, that I gave it a shot. My story (Red Night) was well received and within ten months of completing the first book I was offered contract for my Vampire Files Trilogy. My first book, Red Night has just been published in May 2016 and the second book is due out by the end of this year. I couldn’t be happier.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I write what I love to read. Paranormal romance in an urban setting is my favorite type of story. I love fantasy with some romance, mystery, suspense and action set in an ordinary world. I like my stories to hide just below the surface or everyday life so that they could almost seem real or possible.

I was first inspired by Ann Rice. Like many of us, I fell in love with her complex vampires first. Today I’m addicted to Karen Marie Moning and her Fever Series. Can’t get enough of the fantasy world she has spun and the rich characters she has brought to life.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Samantha Chase is the strong female protagonist in my trilogy. She’s a young private investigator who’s smart, independent and has strong opinions on moral and ethical issues. Sam lost her parents in her senior year of college and with the help of a family friend picked up the pieces of her life and started her own one-woman PI business.

Sam’s life is pretty ordinary until she stumbles upon a mysterious vampire who begins to follow her every move and seems to invade her unusual dreams. She’s a smart woman but the idea of vampires being real is something she struggles to grasp.

To complicate matters Gabe, her attractive neighbor and college professor, has finally asked her out. But even he seems to have knowledge and secrets that leave her wondering who to trust.

Gabe knows what Adam is and doesn’t think he should be anywhere near Samantha. But attention from both men put Sam in the cross-hairs of a supernatural serial killer.

Samantha is fighting for more than her heart in this dangerous game of cat and mouse.

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Featured Interview With Ron Melchiore

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I write to you from the Canadian wilderness. My wife and I are alone on a remote lake accessible by float plane only. This computer/satellite is our connection to the outside world. I was born in the city and it’s quite the change to be living as remote as we are. Generally we don’t see another human for 6 months at a time. My wife and I have been off-grid for 36 years and we’ve embraced the homesteading lifestyle. This lifestyle has certainly been an adventure!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing several years ago at the request of friends and strangers. They took an interest in my life story and thought it would be of interest to others. My first recollection of reading books was as a young boy, the “Hardy Boys” mystery series.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I use our computer as my reading device and spend hours reading financial and world news stories.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book is titled Off Grid and Free:My Path to the Wilderness published by Moon Willow Press.
Off Grid and Free follows Ron Melchiore’s path to the wilderness, which led him to building an off-grid, sustainable homestead with his wife Johanna. Here you will find true stories of survival, determination, and adventure. Ron’s years of experience make this an essential guide for all audiences wanting to learn more about living off grid and surviving in the wilderness. But more than a guide, Off Grid and Free reveals Ron’s candid humor and welcoming style, which will make you feel like you’re right there with him along the way.

This story will include Ron’s hiking of the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail in winter, bicycling from coast to coast, the terror of being surrounded by a wildfire, surprise encounters with bears, and more. For readers with an outdoors spirit, people with an off-grid self-sufficiency bent, and dreamers who want to adventure, Ron hopes to inspire others to “take the road less traveled.”

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