Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Anastasia Pash

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up on a small Mediterranean island, Cyprus. By the time I turned seventeen, I had already explored much of the Middle East and Europe. Later, I pursued my studies in the UK and completed an Erasmus exchange year at the University of Bordeaux, nestled in the enchanting heart of wine country in Southwest France. Living in the UK and France exposed me to new cultures, styles, and manners of expression. I encountered two strikingly distinct realms of style: one eclectic, scruffy, and edgy, and the other steeped in old-money aesthetics and effortless chic. This striking contrast expanded my appreciation for beauty and fashion and added depth to my own style.

After my studies, I embarked on a new chapter in bustling London, where I forged a career that offered me the privilege of travelling the world. The companies I worked for maintained a global presence, with offices scattered across Europe, Asia, and the United States. I frequently flew to fabulous destinations like New York, Paris, or Milan. I made the most of every vacation day and bank holiday, steadily accumulating stamps in my passport. I started channelling my love for travel, writing, and photography into a travel blog. What started as a hobby soon blossomed into a platform that enabled collaborations with renowned brands and granted me access to some of the world’s most exclusive locations.

In 2017, I took a leap of faith, bidding farewell to the corporate world and pursuing my dreams of a more creative life. I moved to Mozambique to volunteer at a marine conservation foundation and hone my creative skills in a serene seaside village along the Indian Ocean. The three months I spent living in Africa transformed me entirely. My values shifted and so did my relationship to clothes. I began to see the absurdity of fast fashion and appreciate the value of luxury items. I commonly stumbled upon pre-loved branded pieces at local street markets in Inhambane. They landed there amongst other hand-me-downs, packed and sold by the kilo to local vendors by charitable organisations from the West. Shopping was a real treasure hunt. You never knew what you would find.

Following my stint in Africa, I moved back to Cyprus, which I used as a home base for several years. I kept travelling, blogging, and launched several businesses, all focused on travel. In late 2019, I travelled to Barcelona and didn’t return to Cyprus until July 2020 because of the pandemic. Living in Barcelona during the lockdowns was an unforgettable experience that left me with many cherished friendships, photo albums full of culinary masterpieces, and enough loungewear to last a decade. During the lockdowns, we launched Globetrotter VR: a virtual travel platform that enabled grounded globetrotters to keep exploring the world from the comfort of their homes with the help of professional tour guides and virtual reality. This venture garnered international press attention, catered to thousands of virtual travellers, and got accepted into the Emirate’s incubator for travel start-ups in Dubai.

The United Arab Emirates has become my new home. My husband and adopted furry-child, Bono moved here in 2022.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, really. As soon as I figured out how to write, I was scribbling away short stories about my pets in these little notebooks my parents got me. My love for storytelling really kicked off when I was five. We went on a family trip to Egypt and saw the great Pyramids of Giza. I was totally blown away by ancient Egypt and ended up spending the next year making up stories and even movie scripts about life back then.

As a teen, I started writing poems, mostly about my crushes and to deal with all the typical teenage drama. English Lit was my favourite subject for A-levels. I couldn’t get enough of the elegance and intricacies in the works of the greats like T.S. Eliot and Seamus Heaney.

In my early twenties, I wrote a travel blog. I worked in a job that allowed me to travel frequently, and I used this as an outlet for my experiences and insights.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Growing up, I was completely absorbed in fantasy novels. The Harry Potter series was my go-to. I also had a soft spot for poetry.

As I entered the working world, my reading tastes shifted towards non-fiction. I dove into books on psychology, self-development, and esoteric subjects, finding in them a source of knowledge and empowerment.

Elizabeth Gilbert has been a monumental influence in my life. Her book “Big Magic” was a game-changer, inspiring me to launch my travel blog and ultimately leave a career in finance for a life of creativity.

In my late twenties, as I ventured into entrepreneurship, I gravitated towards self-development and business books. Audiobooks became my new best friends. Titles like “Creativity Inc.,” “The Design of Everyday Things,” “Start with Why,” “Lean In,” “Never Split the Difference,” and “Atomic Habits” have been instrumental in shaping my approach as a leader and entrepreneur.

I’m also deeply fascinated by human potential and the power of the mind. Authors like Joe Dispenza and Deepak Chopra are favourites of mine. Their insights and practical tools have been invaluable in harnessing my own potential and understanding the incredible capabilities of the human mind.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, “Travel With Style,” is really a culmination of my lifelong passion for travel and fashion. It’s a guide that aims to put an end to overpacking and the all-too-common dilemma of what to wear while traveling. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from living in nine countries and visiting over forty, and distilled it into this book.

In “Travel With Style,” I share my unique approach to packing, which is not just about what to bring, but also about creating a style that’s both practical and chic. The book takes readers through a detailed methodology that makes packing both stress-free and enjoyable. It’s filled with style guides and packing lists for 20 top destinations around the world, including places like Bali, London, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo, the Riviera Maya, and the Greek islands. I’ve also included specific gear and style recommendations for special trips like skiing and safaris.

What I love most about this book is that it’s more than a packing guide; it’s a deep dive into how to adapt your style to different cultures, keep your wardrobe in top shape while on the go, and how to incorporate local fashion into your looks. It’s designed to help anyone travel with elegance and ease, feeling confident and stylish every step of the way.

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Anastasia Pash’s Website

Featured Interview With Peter Conti

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’ve always liked a good challenge along with a bit of excitement which has led me into some interesting situations. My tendency to do things to get attention might be the result of growing up near Chicago, IL in a big family with six other siblings.

I’ve spent time living in the mountains near Denver, Colorado, on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, and currently reside in Jenson Beach, Florida. When I’m not writing, I enjoy riding my bike, walking, and of course, hiking.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Soon after starting my first business at age 25, I began to devour every business or self help book that I could get my hands on. I also enjoyed reading biographies and memoirs of other people who had been successful or overcome adversity in their lives.

By age 30, I started investing in commercial real estate and within a few years I realized that I would like to teach or mentor other people on how to get started with little to nothing as I had done. I began teaching others about seven years later, in 1997.

Although much of my early writing was combining my life story and experiences with real estate investing advice, my personal style of sharing my ups and downs become a comfortable place for me.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is Bill Bryson, and to this day I still enjoy biographies and memoirs the most. The ideal book for me is written by a comedian as I can relate to the struggle to be out in the public while being motivated to prove your worth to either the world or perhaps just to your family.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I really should have listened to my wife. My name is Peter Conti and I shattered my hip and dislocated my femur in a motorcycle racing accident. The doctors were working on me in the hospital when they crushed the nerve in my leg which meant I was in horrible pain. The worst part was the pain didn’t get any better over time.. one day after another, it continued to hurt like the dickens.

It was hard for me to get any help because I was looking for a solution that was impossible
You see, just like millions of other Americans who struggle with chronic pain
I wanted all of the pain to go away immediately.

I went to dozens of different doctors and tried everything from opioids, to electronic gizmos, acupuncture, and more. But nothing seemed to make any difference. While most injuries can get better quickly, some of us can get into a never ending pain loop. It’s called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS.

This is a condition characterized by persistent, severe pain in a specific part of the body, often triggered by an injury or trauma. In my case, it was my foot and leg that was killing me. So I found myself almost two years after my injury and there I was sitting on the coach watching Netflix to distract myself from the never ending pain.

So how did I overcome this?
Well, it’s a long story that I’ll summarize with three key points
1) I had to accept full responsibility myself (and stop wanting someone else to fix my problems for me)
2) I had to discover that sometimes overcoming a huge problem requires taking tiny little baby steps at first.
Instead of getting rid of all the pain, I began looking for ways to make things 1% or even 2% better. At least I was headed in the right direction
3) I made a ridiculous challenge – I decided that if I could hike the 2,200 mile long Appalachian Trail then my leg would have to be healed.

So that’s what I did. Three weeks later, I took a train down to Georgia and started hiking north from the top of Springer mountain. I made it a total of two and half miles the first day and then went from there.

It turned out to be quite the adventure with plenty of mishaps including the time that medics came to rescue me one night. I tried to make it using brute force and pushed so hard I got to a point where I couldn’t go any further.

So I came home, rested up, lost some weight, and built my strength back up. I got creative and wrote an entire list of ideas on how to nurture myself so that I could complete my adventure and make it all the way to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. And then I headed back out to the trail.

I learned that anything is possible, but that you can’t force success. Instead I had to find a way to gently yet persistently make progress while trusting that over time I’d be able to heal my body and soul.

The result is an inspiring book called Only When I Step On It.

Featured Interview With Tammy J Cohen

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Tammy J Cohen, and I was born in Manhattan and raised on the South Shore of Long Island. I moved back into the city right after college. I am married and raised 3 wonderful sons in Manhattan. I work as a brand messaging consultant, founded the Women Beyond the Table Network, and co-hosted the Beyond the Table Podcast. My husband and I opened Eighteen Restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side over 13 years ago. “Text Messages To My Sons: Connecting Deeply In a World of Devices” is my first book.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always loved reading and writing. I was highly engaged in English and Social Studies because there was always the opportunity to write an essay or report, and I enjoyed researching subjects. I could also express myself through written words better than with spoken words.

It’s interesting because I never considered myself an author; however, I did consider myself a writer. Writing or publishing a book never crossed my mind until the past 1-2 years.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Growing up, I loved Leon Uris, Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, Ken Follet, and Robert Ludlum. I was also attracted to crime mysteries, spy and intrigue novels, and historical biographies.

Over the past 3 years, I have gotten into the mindset -thought leaders genre, such as Dr. Joe Dispenza, Stephen Covey, Robin Sharma, Napoleon Hill, Patrick Lencioni, and Victor Frankel.
These authors are very inspiring because they are out-of-the-box thinkers in many ways.

I have dipped into the Paranormal Romance genre. I enjoy it; it’s a great way to wind down from a hectic day.

But to be honest, regarding “Text Messages To My Sons,” as I was learning and looking inward, I wanted to share this with my sons and develop a more meaningful way of interacting with them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Text Messages to My Sons: Connecting Deeply In A World of Devices” came about from a practice I started during the pandemic. I decided to communicate with my sons in a way that would reach and resonate positively with them. Everyone is continuously plugged into devices, and in-person communications are just not happening like when I was younger.
To me, devices are neither good nor evil; they exist, and the type of message sent makes the difference.

When my sons were younger, I noticed that my mindset wasn’t always good; I was unhappy and had my own limiting beliefs.
Most of my messaging to them was either reminders, commands, or reprimands.

I wanted to change the tone of my communications. Much of the information I started to share was from what I was learning or noticing as I was taking steps to evolve and engage in personal development and growth. I became more present and in the flow, and that energy flow propelled me on this journey of connection and engagement positively.

I spent 2 years texting my sons daily from Monday- to Friday. Friends were intrigued by what I was doing and said I should put it in a book. It took about 8 months of working with a great company that knows the entire publishing process, and that is how I got Text Messages to My Sons to market.

However, it was not until the events of 10/7 that I realized messaging love, inspiration, encouragement, support, positivity, and knowledge to our kids, family, friends, and community is the way to bring more light into our world.

Imagine the different world we would live in if those who are raised in hate, propaganda, indoctrination, and incitement received entirely different messages from their family, friends, and community?

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Tammy J Cohen’s Website

Tammy J Cohen Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Elle Teller

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hey! I’m Elle Teller, a first time author, successful business woman, and mother of two. I was born, raised, and still live in New York with my husband Samuel and 10 year old husky, Lou.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I became fascinated with books as soon as I could get my very own library card, at the age of 11. I started out writing poetry.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a walking contradiction. The works of Dr. Maya Angelou, Terry McMillan, and Alice Walker have all influenced me to become a writer. Because they can transport readers into the story by the power of their prose.

But, on the flip side my absolute favorite genre is Fantasy fiction! I enjoy reading the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and J.K. Rowling.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, A Good Man/Soul Ties is the second book of a three-book series chronicling the love story of Armand Hall and Camille Simmons and the litany of obstacles they must overcome just to stay together.

In this series, the bond between Armand and Camille is undeniably strong but, it’s the ties that bind Armand to others that threaten to tear them apart. Find out what happens as the series continues…

It took me approximately 3 months to write this story which explores tropes pertaining to love conquering all, acceptance, and family dysfunction with a dose of humor to balance it all out. Love can be tested in many ways and this couples’ love for each other will be proved by the ties that bind!

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Elle Teller’s Website

Featured Interview With BEBogdon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello, friends! I’m BEBogdon, and I’m a Christian entertainer from the Midwest. My passion for writing began with a love for reading! As a kid, I devoured classic literature and mysteries like Sherlock Holmes. When I discovered Christian suspense/thrillers, I was hooked!

Although I am a newly published author, I’ve been telling stories for years. Through my involvement in theater, film, commercial, and voice-over work, I’ve had the opportunity to breathe life into the written word. This work has taught me how to dive deeper into the story behind the story—which helps me craft relatable characters.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved writing, whether it was a short story in creative writing class or drafting a Christmas play to perform with my family. I’m the type of person who needs to know the rest of a story, so I write to answer the burning questions my brain asks!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Frank Peretti and Bill Myers were the first Christian thriller authors I came across. Years later they are still top writers in that genre, so I lucked into picking up the best in Christian thriller/suspense! Peretti’s kids series featuring a brother-sister duo, the Cooper kids, is still among my all time favorite stories.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I love sweet stories by Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austin. I devour adventure books by Sir Author Conan Doyle. And I believe that Oscar Wilde and G.K. Chesterton wrote some of the best (and most quotable) one-liners that exist.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Exodus Team: New Roads is the first book of a new character-driven, Christian suspense/thriller series.
Synopsis: They aren’t paranormal investigators, just ordinary believers who dare to follow God into dark places.
For Maj Newhouse life revolves around her faith, her friends, Aimee and Kevin Cole, and her projects at the old barn-but that was before Jason Knight walked through the door. The handsome businessman from Chicago has a problem; he has staked his career on rehabilitating a haunted hotel.
A chance encounter with Kevin has led him to the old barn, and Maj is shocked to learn that Knight expects to hire her and her friends as exorcists for his property!
Will Maj’s distrust of the charming stranger and her own self-doubt cripple the newly formed Exodus Team before it starts?

When I first had the idea for this book, it was at a time when discussing the supernatural was considered taboo. Today the pendulum has swung so far the other way that evil is depicted openly. It is prevalent—almost familiar.

The message of this story speaks to both issues, encouraging us not to fear an enemy that Christ has already defeated and reminding us that we don’t have to conform to the pattern of the world around us. In fact, God has asked us to live differently and has empowered us to do it through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

In Exodus Team: New Roads, I invite readers to envision what living from that place of power and love could look like. It is the story of three everyday Christians who dare to step out on the Word of God—and God responds.

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BEBogdon’s Website

BEBogdon Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Zita Muranyi

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. So I am a city girl, but now I live in Ráckeve, a small village-like town. A few houses away flows the Danube, full of wild ducks and swans. It is a very quiet and calming environment. It’s an excellent background for creative work. I have lots of kittens, many of them adopted.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved books since I was a little girl. My father worked in a printing house and used to bring books home in pairs. I wrote my first poem about Santa Claus when I was 7 or 8 years old, which my teacher read to the class. I got loud applause, so I quickly wrote another one. Then I returned to writing poems at 14. At the age of 21, a small publisher published my first novel, for which I won a prize in my country. My first novel, entitled Mirrorpalace (Tükörpalota) was published in 2003, and I received the Sandor Bródy Prize in 2004. They awarded this prize to the best debut authors. I had three books of poems and three novels published in Hungarian. My recent book is my first novel in English.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Paul Auster, Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen, in whose honour I wrote my first novel in English. I love philosophical writing, like Kundera, for example. But also Bukowski’s raw and outspoken style and the fact that he writes in a very readable way. I prefer works of literary fiction. I would mention classics like Bulgakov, and among the contemporaries I might mention Zadie Smith, or the Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book On Mr. Darcy’s sofa is a compelling novel about love, loss, and heartbreak. Covering a range of delicate topics from death to infertility, the reader is taken on an emotive journey following a range of well-developed and interesting characters as they navigate their way through life’s ups and downs.

There are elements of humor that work well alongside the hard-hitting narrative and the references and comparisons to Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy .

My first english novel is an intriguing women’s fiction novel set in Hungary, which is informed by own experiences. With many parallels drawn between beloved Austen characters in the present day, I hope fans of Austen will enjoy reading another novel inspired by her romances.

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Zita Muranyi’s Website

Zita Muranyi Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Martin Roy Hill

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Redondo Beach, a small community south of Los Angeles. With the exception of military service, I’ve been a Southern California resident all my life. I now reside in San Diego along with my wife, son, and our three feline overseers.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been an avid reader as long as I can remember. My favorite part of grade school was when the Bookmobile would come around and I would check out Hardy Boys mysteries and other books.

I became determined to become a writer in high school when I started writing for the school newspaper. After a stint in the service, I earned a college degree in journalism and spent more than 20 years working for newspapers and magazines, covering crime, the military, business, politics, and investigative reporting. In the 1990s I started selling short stories to publications like Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

After another stint of duty with the U.S. Coast Guard following the 9/11 attacks, I left journalism and went to work as an analyst in combat casualty care for the U.S. Navy. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our op tempo was so high I didn’t write fiction for 10 years.

Finally, my first novel, The Killing Depths, was published in 2012. My eleventh book, Codename: Parsifal, a WWII thriller, was published last September.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Early in my writing career, I was heavily influenced by the Lost Generation writers like Ernest Hemingway, Erich Maria Remarque, and John Dos Passos. But I also read a lot of sci-fi authors like H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, and Robert Heinlein, as well as thriller writers like Jack Higgins and Alistair MacLean. Contemporary authors I read include David Morrell, Stephen King, Robert Masello, and Nelson DeMille.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I always wanted to write WWII thriller in the vein of Jack Higgins and Alistair MacLean, you know like Higgins’ The Eagle Has Landed or MacLean’s Where Eagles Dare.

Codename: Parsifal is a WWII thriller about three commando teams — American, German, and Russian — racing to recover the lost Spear of Destiny, the legendary spear that purportedly was stabbed into the side of Christ as he hung on the cross. Legend claims whoever possesses the spear will become a great conqueror. But if they lose it, they will lose everything—including their lives. Shortly before WWII, Adolf Hitler stole the spear from a museum in Vienna, Austria. Toward the end of the war, the spear disappeared. That’s all factual history.

In Codename: Parsifal General George Patton orders an American OSS team to find the spear and recover it. Unknown to the Americans, both the Russians and the Germans have also sent commando teams to retrieve it. Patton, SS leader Himmler, and Russian dictator Stalin all want the spear for their own ambitious reasons. And while the story is fictional, it was inspired by the real life search for the spear and other stolen relics at the end of the war.

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Martin Roy Hill’s Website

Martin Roy Hill Facebook Page

Martin Roy Hill Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Beth Erwin

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Huntsville Alabama and moved to Georgia the summer before I started Fifth grade. I currently live in a small town, Madison, which is about an hour from Atlanta. I am married, with one daughter, a son-in-law, and two beautiful granddaughters. My two puppies keep me on my toes as they are always into something! I have worked as a realtor for nearly 25 years and have ministered inner healing for about that long, too.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When I was about six years old, my father said that he would take to me to do anything I wanted to do for a day. My request was to go to a bookstore! I remember walking in and immediately becoming overwhelmed by all those books. I had no clue where to start but a very nice lady took me by the hand and showed me many amazing books. We narrowed it down to two, The Cricket in Times Square and Little Women. She cautioned me that Little Women might be a little more than my current reading level but to not give up.

I was struggling to decide which book to get when my dad said he had an idea. He said, “Let’s get both of them!” I nearly exploded! Two books?! I can still feel the swell inside my chest walking out of that store with two books clutched to my chest.
I can also still remember my first poem, “The cricket jumped way up high, near the sky. Saying buzz, buzz, buzz, I have no fuzz, fuzz, fuzz. Let’s hope my skills have improved since then!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have so many favorites that it is hard to keep track of them. I have recently discovered Charles Martin and have enjoyed his writings. Ken Follet and Lee Child also come to mind. I have been inspired by reading Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson and There is More by Randy Clark.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have just published, Wander No More: Stepping Out of the Wilderness into Abundant Life. I am passionate about this book. Too often, we are content to live ordinary lives believing that doing great things is for special people. Each of us is special because we have all been given a unique purpose and that purpose matters. There isn’t someone sitting on the sidelines hoping that we will not do our part so they will have something to do in their lives that matters. NO! We all have a purpose but often need God’s healing to step into the lives we have been given and to thrive in a life of abundance and joy. Wander No More chronicles not only my journey into choosing life but also leads the readers to embark upon a journey of their own.

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Beth Erwin’s Website

Featured Interview With Deborah Fox

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am 50 years old and have lived in Doncaster, England all of my life. I work in a returns department for a large electrical distribution company. I like gardening, cinema, theatre, walking and dogs.
I don’t have a dog at the moment but Jake my last dog who sadly passed a few years ago is the reason and inspiration for my book.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mum always read Winnie the Pooh to me from an early age and still love the stories even now but i cannot say i have ever been an avid reader as always preferred the cinema as my escape. I only started writing a few years ago after Jake passed as a part of a grieving process and didn’t even think i would ever write a book in my life. Now that i have my first book published i am now well on with the second and loving every minute.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I guess i love supernatural, thriller, mysteries as long i am scared and i do love anything with a twist. One of my favourites is Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire. I also find time for period dramas anything by the Bronte Sisters and in particular Wuthering Heights. When i started writing i always had Murder She Wrote playing in the background and so i guess the great JB Fletcher is my inspiration! Halfway through my second book and nothing has changed but maybe my partner is getting a little tired of the re runs.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Second Hand Rose is a horror, mystery, thriller about a big town reporter Abigail Hirst drawn back to her beautiful home town of Friendship with her faithful terrier dog Jake when her Grandmother Rose dies and leaves Abigail her Antique Shop called ‘Second Hand Rose’. She decides to make a go of the new business and starts to make a new life but cracks start to appear in this chocolate box town. Strange deaths and disappearances and a large wardrobe that no one can open push Abigail into investigations that turn more gruesome the more she uncovers. Can she unlock the hideous secret this town has been harbouring for many years and face her own families demons before its too late for the people she loves and the town itself.

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Deborah Fox Facebook Page

Deborah Fox Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Alfred Read

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m from Portsmouth, England, which is where I currently live, although I’ve also been known to reside in London and also Bristol. I live with two horrifying entities that I’ve been told are actually “domestic cats”.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
That’s going way back, possibly to the early ‘90s. I can remember reading the Lord of the Rings as a kid and enjoying it so much I didn’t want it to end, so I intentionally left the last page unread so it never would end, at least for me. My initial writing forays were political and journalistic, which ultimately led me to work as a journalist, although this ended with the pandemic (a lot of journalists were out of work then) where I decided to try my hand at writing historical fiction.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre (or the genre I seem most likely to read) is science fiction, particularly the novels of Dan Abnett. He’s one of those writers who manages to be succinct but also vivid, which is something I hope to imitate. Given that his stories are usually set in the Warhammer 40K universe (where there’s war and yet more war) he still manages to create characters that seem authentically human (assuming they are really human to begin with) which, in my opinion, speaks to some real skill and depth on his part.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
England’s Martyr is essentially an attempt to create an accurate piece of historical fiction that drops the usual pro-viking, anti-Christian tropes and tells a story that I feel is more faithful to the realities of the epoch. It’s largely told from the English perspective (hence the name) and tries to engage with the desperate environment they would have faced in the early 11th century, where repeat invasions and bungled leadership have brought the nation to the brink. It also introduces a certain actually existing English hero, Edmund Ironside, who I feel hasn’t got anywhere near the level of attention I think he deserves. I hope to finish telling his full story in subsequent books, as, like “Hereward the Wake”, he’s another legend of this country that many people know little about. That should change.

Featured Interview With Brianna Duttry

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in DuBois, PA and I currently live there now. I have 4 cats. I’m working at a pharmacy right now as a technician.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was very young when I got into reading and writing. It’s always been in my blood. I enjoy writing screenplays as well.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe. My favorite genre is romance. I am inspired by my friends and family. They have always been very supportive.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Ring of Destiny is about a 12-year-old girl named Millie who finds a magic ring. It’s my first children’s book.

Featured Interview With Deborah Fox

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am 50 years old from Doncaster where i have lived all my life and live my my partner Paul. I work full time in a bust returns department for a large electrical distribution company. I dont have any pets but my dog Jake who sadly passed away was the inspiration for writing this book. I love the outdoors, gardening, cinema, theatre, music and dogs. I am a creative individual with little passed writing experience or education but have a ton of ideas for stories and am looking forward to starting a new venture in story telling now that i have managed to get my first one out of the way.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve read from an early age as my mum introduced my to stories like Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, Beatrix Potter, etc. I cant say i am an avid reader in my adult life and i only started writing my first book a few years ago so this is quite new to me and never thought i would ever get a story published as i only set out to write this story as a present for my mum because of the connection with my late dog she also dearly loved. I suppose you would call me a late bloomer but now i have the bug i am already half way through my next book.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Anne Rice is my favourite author and horror / supernatural is my thing. I do also watch a lot of horror /mystery movies and a lot of inspiration came from people like M Night as i love a good twist you cannot guess and i am pleased to say the big twist in my book as yet to be guessed by any reader so far so i must have learned well from the experts. I also have to tell you that part of what inspired my to put pen to paper on my story was coming out of the cinema one day and watching a particularly non scary movie (I will not divulge) decided i could write something much scarier so i started tapping away until i had a finished manuscript.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My story is about a big city reporter named Abigail Hirst and her trusted sidekick Jake a feisty terrier dog. Abigail returns to her hometown of Friendship as she inherits her Grandmothers antique shop Second Hand Rose after she had passed away. Abigail sets out to start a new life in the perfect chocolate box town she adored from her childhood setting up a new business and meeting up with her old friends and childhood sweetheart. However something doesn’t feel right to Abigail as strange events start occurring and something about the mysterious ancient wardrobe in the shop that she cannot open. The more Abigail starts to investigate more people start to meet grisly ends and she now has a race against time to try uncover a dark secret this town has been hiding for many years and a secret Abigail is going to have to confront her own past and family to get to the bottom of before it is too late for everyone.

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Featured Interview With J.B. Kovacs

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland and now live everywhere since I’m a PADI scuba instructor, currently in Tenerife. I don’t have any pets but I say hi to all the sea creatures I meet.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading when I was 5, started writing on a typewriter when I was 12 and wrote my first novel when I was 19 and never stopped since.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am massively into fantasy, spy novels and adventure thrillers. Some of my favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Ken Follet, Clive Cussler, Lee Child, James Rollins and many more. I get inspired by other books, things I see on my travels and movie soundtracks, without which I can’t write. Every movie, TV I see, every video game I played gave and gives me ideas for my books. But music for sure is the greatest source as I’m writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Zari and the Citadel is about a young girl who discovers the world of Realmwalkers and learns that her real parents waged a war against the founders of the Citadel she’s a student in. She uncovers secrets, mysteries while battling her fears of becoming like her father. She forges friendships and encounters her first enemies as she talks to dragons, fights with swords and learns how to craft things out of thin air. And the more she learns, the more she realizes how many more mysteries, ruins and secrets there are to unveil.

It took me a good full year to write it and another year to edit it into its final form. As always with Fantasy, the challenge is to do worldbuilding in a way to introduces the reader into the world but also leaves space for mysteries to be explored in later installments while also developing the characters to make them fully fleshed out.

Featured Interview With Sabrina Wiggins

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Well, let me paint you a picture! I hail from the charming little town of Summerville, GA, where the population is so small that everyone knows your name before you even introduce yourself. It’s the kind of place where “community” isn’t just a word; it’s a way of life.

But, these days, I’ve traded the small-town vibes for the bustling energy of Capitol Heights, MD. It’s a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m absolutely loving the city life!

As for pets, well, I’m the proud parent of four books. They’re not exactly furry or cuddly, but they do have their own unique personalities, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You see, my journey into the world of publishing was inspired by the tiniest, most precious human in my life – my grandson, Aiden. He’s the heart and soul of my publishing company, and he’s the reason I put pen to paper in the first place. So, in a way, I do have a “pet” of sorts – a literary one named Aiden, who continues to inspire my work every day.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My bookish journey started way back when I was a bright-eyed fourth-grader. That’s when I stumbled upon the magical world of “The Babysitters Club.” Those series of books were like a gateway drug to a lifelong addiction to reading – in the best way possible, of course!

As for writing, well, that’s a bit of a middle school love story. You see, back in those days, I was already journaling like a pro. I’d pour my heart out about the ups and downs of each day, whether it was the triumphant victories or the epic failures. So, you could say I’ve been jotting down thoughts and stories for a while, even before I realized that I could turn my words into something that would inspire kids everywhere.

Who knew that those journaling days would eventually lead me to publishing not one, not two, but four books? Life is funny that way, isn’t it?

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My literary taste is a bit like a colorful bouquet of different flowers, I must say. I don’t have a single favorite author; I’m all about diversity, just like the children’s books I love to read to my grandson. You see, I believe in expanding young minds by introducing them to a world of voices and perspectives.

Now, for my personal reading, self-help books are my secret recipe for knowledge expansion. It’s like a daily dose of brain vitamins – always good to keep the gray matter in top shape!

As for inspiration in my writings, well, my initial spark was my wonderful daughters. They ignited the storytelling fire within me. But then, along came my adorable grandson, and I was on a mission to create stories with characters he could relate to. He’s my little muse, my source of endless inspiration, and my reason to keep those stories coming.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Let’s dive into the heart of my latest creation, “When My Dad Went to the Hospital.” This book is a slice of my own past, a glimpse into the time when my world turned upside down.

Imagine a rollercoaster ride, but instead of loops and twists, it was filled with emotions, fears, and resilience. You see, this story takes you on a journey through a challenging period in my childhood when my dad faced a life-threatening situation, the kind of situation that makes you question everything.

But here’s the twist: It’s not just a tale of adversity; it’s a testament to the strength of family love, the bond that can overcome even the toughest hurdles. It’s a story of triumph, of healing, and of reminding every young reader out there that no matter what life throws your way, there’s always a path forward.

I wanted to share my experience, not just as a narrative but as a source of hope and inspiration. Life after trauma is indeed possible, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. And that, my friends, is the message at the core of this book. So, “When My Dad Went to the Hospital” is not just a book; it’s a journey, a lesson, and a reminder that, in the end, love and resilience conquer all.

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Sabrina Wiggins’s Website

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Featured Interview With Stuart Tudor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in South Africa, spending most of my life in the beautiful city of Cape Town. I am not there now, spending my current years along the West Coast. I have two cats named Sparrow and Felix respectively. Sparrow is my beloved stalker who would die of a broken heart if I went on holiday. Felix is almost a wild animal but he is sometimes adorable.

Max is loyal to a fault and I love him like any man would to their dog. What can I say, I love animals.

I am currently a university student studying economics at the University of London and I work multiple part-time jobs to help fund my writing dream.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was a child. I fell in love with stories ever since my dad read The Hobbit and Watership Down to me. Those two incidents have remained one of my fondest childhood memories. I started writing on and off since then, writing my first novel in my late teens. It was a fantasy story set in my original world and it was bad. I do want to go back to my fantasy setting as I have had fun worldbuilding it. At that point, I wrote two short stories as well, which are also bad along with some bad poetry.

I knew I needed to practice, and get feedback more frequently, so I came up with the idea of creating a horror anthology. This would become Eight Nightmares, a collection of short and novella-length horrors, three of eight are out now. The fourth: Our Broken World is in the sixth draft which is currently being beta read (hopefully) soon. I am looking forward

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There are too many favorite authors for me to list here. Aside from classic authors like Mary Shelley, Margret Atwood, Gabriel García Márquez, Poe, Lovecraft, and Shakespeare. I also love more modern authors like Alen Moore, Kentaro Miura, Andy Weir, and Frank Herbert. I wish I could list and talk about all of them (don’t get me started on Tolkien) but there isn’t enough time lol.

I normally enjoy reading speculative fiction, so fantasy, science fiction, and horror among other aspects of the umbrella term. I love the fantastical and the dark, and I want to see what contemporaries can offer me along with what I can provide myself to the world. I want to be taken to a whole new world, the real world is boring.

I would say that the authors mentioned in the first paragraph are major inspirations, but inspiration can come from several places, from video games like Silent Hill, Bloodborne, or SOMA to movies like Jacob’s Ladder or Indiana Jones. I have also been enjoying manga recently, like Berserk or Uzumaki, I have been wanting to explore what non-western countries can offer for art, I can enjoy something from a unique perspective.

I should also mention some of the negative influences that push me to be better. One of my major motives for writing was when one of the writers for Game of Thrones- David Benioff said themes are for eighth-grade book reports. I am letting my anger at that attitude fuel my one-sided vendetta to prove him wrong. I know it is silly, but spite can be a great motivator.

I also follow the advice of Alan Moore about reading great and terrible books, which has led me to read rubbish like Empress Theresa because it is a great learning moment for me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
So my latest book is the third entry in the Eight Nightmares Anthology is Black Masquerade. It’s a novella set in 1929 where a group of characters host an engagement party for our protagonist Barbara. She is due to marry a Texas oil baren Dennis, but the party turns for the worst when a specter with dire warnings for the future invades the party. Barbara then learns of what history has in store for her and her friends.

Barbara herself was a fun character to write about, she had to be strong but also within the confines of her gender at the time. She also had to be motivated and relatable, something that proved to be rather difficult when writing elite characters. She came from nothing, rising to become the heiress of a manufacturing company during WW1, she knows suffering and wants to avoid it at all costs. But the specter might force her to admit that you can’t always avoid suffering.

I have been a big fan of gothic horror since high school and this is my attempt at it. Big inspiration from Poe as I would imagine him viewing history unfolding. Those who read Black Masquerade should be able to pick up which Poe stories I used as bluepoint tee hee.

This story took me almost a year to complete, primarily due to other obligations and drawn-out beta reading progress standards to hunting down beta readers online. It is a slow, tedious, often expensive business, but well worth seeing it published and even sometimes reviewed

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Stuart Tudor’s Website

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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

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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