Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Madhushree Das

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an intuitive versifier and artistic idealist. Empowering people through the magic of words is my mysticism. I love the rainbow, sunshine, and poetry. I was raised in India and I am currently living in India. Apparently, I don’t have any pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always have been fascinated with learning new words and I just have recently a few years back started writing and have published two books of poetry. My first book is “When the Mystic meets a Starfish and my second book is “Caravan to the Cosmos “. Both books are enriched with poetic wordplay and the pioneered with interconnectedness of human emotions and nature’s elicitations.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre to read is poetry. My favourite authors to read are the most celebrated writers like the Sufi scholar and mystic Rumi, Rabindranath Tagore, Charles Bukowski, Ted Hughes, Anne Sexton, Virginia Woolf, Emily Bronte, Kahlil Gibran, Agha Shahid Ali, and suchlike and I am too hugely inspired by them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is “Caravan to the Cosmos” which is a melange of melodic poems rendering the philosophy of the cosmos and its harmony. While taking a stroll through the poems, it would feel as if you are traveling through the ocean crust and experiencing outer space. The atoms of each poem beautifully blended over the panorama of the galactic peripherals. The scales of the rhapsodies are encompassed around the stratosphere, where you have the stronghold upon the gravity of the acrostic dimensions. The stems of the literary compositions in this poetry collection are resplendently engraved in theology, science, psychology, mythology, history, geography, philosophy, literature, art, and medieval and renaissance discoveries.

Featured Interview With Madhushree Das

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an intuitive versifier and artistic idealist. Empowering people through the magic of words is my mysticism. I love the rainbow, sunshine, and poetry. I was raised in India and I am currently living in India. Apparently, I don’t have any pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always have been fascinated with learning new words and I just have recently a few years back started writing and have published two books of poetry. My first book is “When the Mystic meets a Starfish and my second book is “Caravan to the Cosmos “. Both books are enriched with poetic wordplay and the pioneered with interconnectedness of human emotions and nature’s elicitations.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre to read is poetry. My favourite authors to read are the most celebrated writers like the Sufi scholar and mystic Rumi, Rabindranath Tagore, Charles Bukowski, Ted Hughes, Anne Sexton, Virginia Woolf, Emily Bronte, Kahlil Gibran, Agha Shahid Ali, and suchlike and I am too hugely inspired by them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My first book ” When the Mystic meets a Starfish” illustrated the stirring and enchanting poems. In this world where we all have lost the feeling of the magic of true love in life, my poems aim to be a perfect panacea for all the aching hearts who lost their hope in divinity. It will inspire people to traverse through the infinite darkness and feel the mystical light till eternity. She only wanted to convey and share “The Deepness” with readers. I encourage everyone to know about the deepness as a way of life for getting a pearl you have to dive in the deep ocean.

Featured Interview With Jeff Beamish

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born in Vancouver, Canada, spent the first five years of my life in Auckland, New Zealand, moved back to Vancouver where I have lived ever since. I think living in two such beautiful parts of the earth has encouraged me to seek beauty in writing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Starting with the first novels I read on my own in school, each work of fiction I cracked open helped me navigate this messy thing we call life, even if I wasn’t aware of it at the time.
Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides and, a decade later, Beach Music showed that family dysfunction can be overcome. Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner proved you can atone for mistakes. Cormac McCarthy’s The Road demonstrated that love can endure under horrific circumstances. Jonathan Franzen’s Purity humorously revealed that even the most successful are sometimes hobbled by their own messy limitations. And Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, the best-selling novel about a boy who survives 227 days at sea in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, provided the best lesson of all: That our world can be viewed in more than one way.
I began writing fiction in college but didn’t write my first novel until I was in my forties. Maybe because writing a book is so much damn work and I had always put it off.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have always liked David Mitchell. He’s got an insanely creative mind. So Cloud Atlas and Number 9 Dream are two of my favorite novels.
I also admire Jennifer Egan. A Visit from the Goon Squad is one of my favorites. I always enjoy non-linear stories and authors who mess with the timeline.
One of my favorite genres is speculative fiction, maybe because I always love to be surprised, especially by someone who sees the world far differently than me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
No, You’re Crazy is a novel about a delusional and suicidal teenage girl who claims she has psychic ability. Of course, no one believes her. But after she helps her drug-addict parents win several jackpots while gambling, some dangerous people start to take an interest in her. Or, at least, so it appears.
My novel examines the many ways a family can wound and heal us. It also takes a sensitive look at neurodiversity, and in doing so, questions the nature of the reality we think we live in.
No, You’re Crazy is also one of few novels out there with a main character beset by Cotard’s Syndrome, a rare condition where the sufferer believes she’s dead. In the case of my character Ashlee, she’s convinced she’s left her physical body behind and has transcended into a higher being blessed with clairvoyance, either because this is true or because she’s trying to escape a terrible trauma. Ashlee is diagnosed and put on medication, but she questions whether her diagnosis is just the medical community’s way of making sure she is medicated.
I wanted to write a novel that left the reader to make many judgments. Throughout the novel, the reader will constantly ask the same question: Is the girl with Cotard’s crazy or is there something to her wild beliefs? So, ultimately, the question is, what’s real and what isn’t? And, why do the same things need to be real to everyone? Can’t some people see and experience the world in a different way? I am not sure I set out to write a story about neurodiversity, but that’s what happened.

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Jeff Beamish’s Website

Jeff Beamish Facebook Page

Jeff Beamish Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Patricia Monserrate

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a native of California who loves to travel. I have had the privilege to see many foreign countries and observe their culture. I even lived, and ministered in Puerto Rico for almost seven years. Today I am a licensed evangelist and missionary, but most importantly, a wife and mother of two grown daughters, with three grand fur cat babies named Pepper, Willow, and Oreo.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As my stamina started to decline due to health issues, I questioned God about how I was going to continue the ministry I loved so much for many years. God quietly and urgently showed me how to continue my ministry, by sharing my own life experiences. My first novel, Blueprints of Shades, a Christian romance novel, was published earlier this month of Aug, 2023. It speaks on the healing of brokenness through God’s unconditional love.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am inspired by those who have the courage to push through their fears and come out victorious. I believe that if you have hope, you have great possibilities. I have a library of books by Joyce Myer and Bishop T. D. Jakes. I love self-help and books on religious and women’s studies, theology, spirituality, Christian living, and many other topics. I like Max Lucado, Christian-themed books and Lori Wicks, Christian romance novels, with a combination of historical and contemporary inspirational romance, and Grace Livington-Hill. I am really into Christian romance novels.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
When an innocent acceptance to a party turned into a night of terror, the beautiful emerald green-eyed Callie Leland was deemed to live a life of shame and isolation with a dark secret. Despite her nightmarish beginning, she finds solace in her talent as an interior designer in New York. Her future was quickly interrupted by her move back home to Kayla Bay.

As the new senior designer of Shades of Designs, her project manager, Oliver Mason, finds himself drawn to Callie’s beauty and the mystery behind her emerald-green eyes. But Callie is immune to the advances he directs her way. However, Callie quickly falls for their biggest client’s eldest son, Sergio Rossini. As Callie’s affection grows stronger for Sergio, she cannot accept his love because memories of the past haunt her.

Feeling betrayed, Oliver devises a sinister plan to ensure no one comes between them. The two young hearts understand that both are struggling with pain, though each is different. Will they trust God’s unconditional love to heal their brokenness, to bring their blueprints of darkness to blueprints of light? Or will it be sabotaged by Oliver?

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Patricia Monserrate’s Website

Patricia Monserrate Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Rafemago

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 17, 1977. I hold a degree in audiovisual communication from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, and two master’s degrees in communication management in Venezuela and Barcelona, Spain. I’ve spent the last 18 years developing my professional career as a marketing and communications leader in multinational companies. I am a polyglot and I speak fluent Spanish, English, Catalan and French (the latter in the learning phase). I’m a descendant of Spanish immigrants, and in 2010 I decided to go to meet his roots and moved to Barcelona, and in 2020 I moved to Madrid, where I have lived ever since with my wife and three cats. In 2023 I won the audience award of the international poetry festival La Estación del Arte for his poem “Horizonte”, in an event held in Milan, Italy, and I published my poetry book Sondetí the same year. I am a poet by vocation, as well as a short story writer, musician composer, animalist, tireless traveler, dream maker, photographer and actor.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember reading since I was a child. My mom used to take my sister and I to the public library in Caracas every Saturday morning, when I could choose a book to read back home. I wrote some short stories when I was a teenager, and I started writing poetry by the age of 17.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien and Michael Ende. I love fantasy books and poetry. Music is a great source of inspiration for me when I write.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My first -and so far latest- book is a poetry book entitled Sondetí. Every love story has three parts: the magic of the encounter, the pain of losing it, and the hope of regaining it. Sondetí is the story of universal love that testifies that one can only become truly free through love. It was inspired in a true love story I lived when I was a teenager.

Featured Interview With JC Compton

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and grew up in a small town in the North of France, with an American father and a French mother. Because it was such an isolated place (the sort where nothing ever happens), I always dreamed of seeing the world and living great adventures – and I did! I traveled to Japan, India, lived in Canada for a few years, and I currently live in the USA with my husband. I love traveling around the world and meeting people from many different cultures, and my love of diversity is reflected in my writing. When I’m not writing, I am typically watching Japanese TV or a Bollywood movie, singing, and cooking (sometimes all at the same time). I have identified as nonbinary since the age of 16 but the word did not exist at the time, so I used the Japanese word “chuusei” (gender neutral) to refer to myself. I use the pronouns they/them in English, watashi in Japanese. I don’t know what pronouns I would use in French, but I rather like “iel”. Some people have asked me what language I think in since I speak many, and it’s really all of them. My brain is just a big multilingual dictionary!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I taught myself to read at age 4 in French and later in English, so I was an early reader! Some of my fondest childhood memories were going to the warm and cozy public library on rainy Saturday afternoons and picking out the new books I was going to read that week. I think I probably read every children’s book at the public library and my school library. The book that really left its imprint on me as a child was The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. I borrowed it so many times from the school library my teacher told me I needed to read something else!

I started writing my own stories around the age of eight, with a story about a naughty little girl who got grounded but was visited in the middle of the night by a magical horse who took her to an enchanted realm. I completed my first novel at age 25 – a yet unpublished high fantasy/sci-fi saga – and published my first novel, Undertakers Inc., in 2021. I have always escaped to fantastic worlds through books, worlds where magic is possible and one can live great adventures, and I hope to open the same gateways for my readers. Whoever you are, wherever you are, I want to transport you to magical or futuristic worlds with me!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read many different genres, from fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Anne Rice, Anne Bishop) to sci-fi (George Orwell, Isaac Asimov), English and French literature classic authors (Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Brontë, Shakespeare, Voltaire, Zola), poetry (Robert Browning, Emily Dickinson, Charles Baudelaire), and philosophy (Kant, Plato). I have a few physics books too by Albert Einstein, and biographies. All of the authors I like inspire my writing, but particularly those of the Victorian era. I tend to like books that are unique, surprising, and the opposite of trends. I think Wuthering Heights is one of the best books ever written, because the main characters are so passionate at a time when it was so frowned upon. I also enjoy graphic novels, bande dessinée, and manga.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a dark LGBT thriller and supernatural suspense story set in London in 1886. It is the story of a young transgender paranormal investigator, Stanley. Born with the ability to see and interact with ghosts, he now struggles to keep a roof over the head of the three annoying ghosts who live with him. But exorcising people’s homes and having tea with their deceased relatives is boring. He is hoping for something spectacular to happen in his life to bring him fortune and distract him from the terrifying things he remembers of the haunted home he grew up in. When a beautiful clockmaker succubus knocks on his door one night to hire his services, little does he know what an adventure he is about to embark on! Among other fantastic abilities he develops, he can make himself invisible and flip his enemies’ reality upside down (literally!) This superhero (or supervillain) of the underworld adopts the codename “bogeyman” and it’s no surprise that he encounters the deadly “candyman”, a hitman without a face of his own or an identity, but also necromancers and archangels. But as he goes deeper and deeper into the underworld, so does he discover the terrible truth about himself and his inescapable destiny…

I really enjoyed writing this book because the main character is so disagreeable at first (children call him Scrooge!) but also a genuinely kind young man, who believes in magical creatures and helps ghosts move on to the other side. Stanley is full of surprises and unpredictable, and has a tendency to make poor decisions, and occasionally good ones (when he listens to the cat-sith). His ability to see the world through a child’s eyes, even as an adult, proves especially helpful when one is lost in magical and confusing worlds. And we all need a best friend like the child ghost Cornelius, ready to save you from those creepy dolls on the dresser, but also sometimes a prankster when he tries to set you up on a date with a witch. Bring out your Ouija boards and dust off your demonology books; you might need them to follow Stanley in his strange adventures!

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JC Compton’s Website

JC Compton Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Steven McFadden

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Mass General Hospital in Boston is where I and my twin brother Michael arrived on a snowy December day, 1948. I remained a New Englander for the first 58 years of life, and now I am a New Mexican.

Journalism was my major at Boston University. As fate would have it, I was already the editor of a suburban weekly newspaper (The Watertown Sun) by the time I graduated in 1975. Since then it’s been one writing project after another, over a dozen nonfiction books as well.

My wife Elizabeth and I have both a dog (Amigo) and a cat (Lily) in our home. While both Amigo and Lily are adept nappers, they generally keep things lively for us as the days and nights unfurl.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
It’s hard for me to imagine a time when I was not an avid reader. Once I mastered “Dick and Jane” in first grade, I was off and busy turning pages. Haven’t slowed down.

In my 20s I started writing for The News, a weekly tabloid published by fellow journalism students at BU. The paper had been kicked off campus for telling the truth–one of the hazards of being a messenger–a badge of honor.

Since about 1990 I’ve made my way in the world not as an employee, but rather as an independent journalist, writing about the earth and spirit and our era of turbulent transition.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Right now I’m reading Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. In general I read lots of books and papers on farming (agroecology), food, and the environment. At times I relax with mysteries (Michael Connelly, etc.), and science fiction.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Native Knowings is a small-treasure, a 72-page compilation of passages from learned native elders I have known over my 48 years of reporting. It is a gift book, small but mighty nonfiction, as traditional knowledge keepers share teachings for all the people.

“I ask you to listen,
not just with your minds.
I ask you to listen with your hearts,
because that’s the only way
you can receive what it is,
what we are giving.
These are the teachings of our hearts.”
– Frank Decontie, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg

Native Knowings is available on Amazon in both print and ebook versions: https://amzn.to/44O6Ehf

Thank you for your consideration, Steven

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Steven McFadden’s Website

Steven McFadden Facebook Page

Steven McFadden Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Silvi Stamen

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Silvi Stamen and I am originally hailing from Vidin, Bulgaria, a picturesque town situated along the enchanting Danube River. However, currently, I have made my way to the bustling city of London, where I have embraced a new chapter of my life. Alongside the vibrant cityscape, I have found solace and companionship in the form of four adorable cats, who bring joy and warmth to me and my husband’s London residence.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At the age of 13, I discovered my passion for storytelling when I participated in a school contest and wrote my first short story titled “All for Love.” Inspired by a youthful love disappointment, this experience ignited my creative spark.

As I entered my twenties, I embarked on a transformative journey of exploration, venturing to various destinations, meeting diverse individuals, and immersing myself in new cultures. This exposure to the world ignited a desire within me to share these captivating stories with readers.

While living in London and pursuing a successful career in modeling after my marriage, I found my life becoming busier, causing writing to take a backseat for a while.

However, the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a significant turning point in my life. Amidst being secluded in a mountain villa with her beloved husband and three black cats, I rediscovered my passion for writing. Determined to contribute something meaningful during those challenging times, I embarked on extensive research, leading me to craft my debut novel, “Balchik Secret.” With conviction, I turned to my husband and declared, “I will write about that story. And I know that the world will like it.”

As a friend of mine often remarks, “Some good came out of the pandemic.”

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Caren Swan and Lucinda Riley are a real inspiration. I love to read and write romance books. LOVE and LOVE experiences inspire me in my writings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Balchik Secret” is a captivating literary journey that intertwines three enchanting love stories from three distinct time periods. This mesmerizing book transports readers to different epoches, where love sparks and unfurls against the backdrop of thrilling adventures and forbidden desires.

In the first tale, we meet a young and spirited girl who embarks on a transformative journey to the Bulgarian Black Sea. Determined to find love and embrace thrilling adventures, she dives headfirst into a whirlwind of emotions. Will she discover her heart’s desire amidst the breathtaking coastal scenery and vibrant culture of the small Bulgarian seaside town?

The second story takes us back in time to the remarkable world of Romanian Queen Mary of Edinburgh. She was known for her regal stature and impeccable poise, but behind her majestic facade lies a hidden love that defies all societal norms. Follow her clandestine affair with a dashing Turkish lieutenant, wrought with danger and secrecy. Will their passion withstand the challenges that threaten to tear them apart?

Our third tale transports us to the days of the First World War as we follow Sevda, a woman who knows no boundaries when it comes to love. From grand gestures to daring sacrifices, Sevda’s journey unfolds as she navigates a tangled web of emotions in her relentless pursuit of true love. Uncover the lengths she is willing to go and the sacrifices she is prepared to make, all in the name of love.

Featured Interview With Rinat Klein

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Minsk, within the confines of the Soviet Union. When I was just 13 years old, my family made the life-altering decision to immigrate to Israel. The driving force behind this move was the anti-Semitism that had become an unfortunate part of our existence in the communist regime.

Today, I find myself residing in a serene community nestled in the northern region of the State of Israel. Our community is a tranquil oasis enveloped by lush greenery and intimately connected to the wonders of nature.

During my leisure hours, I derive immense pleasure from tending to the garden, nurturing an array of vibrant vegetables and aromatic spices. Additionally, my days are filled with the delightful company of four feline companions. These cats have made our neighborhood their home, gracefully traversing the boundary between my yard and that of our neighbors, and allowing us the privilege of caring for them.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an avid reader. I devoured all the books in my parents’ library until I turned 12. At the age of 13, I began working to support my book-buying habit.

I dabbled in writing from a young age, but progress on any of my projects remained elusive. It wasn’t until the birth of my eldest son that I finally managed to finish my first book, “Black Seagull.”

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a wide-ranging taste in books, delving into almost every genre. However, my truest joys lie in historical novels, thrilling mysteries, and cross-generational family sagas.

Among the authors who’ve left a lasting impression on me, Boris Akunin’s “Fandorin” series stands out. When it comes to female authors, Maya Arad holds a special place in my heart. For inspiration, I often turn to the works of Italian writers like Elsa Morante, Elena Ferrante, and Natalia Ginzburg.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In my book, “Black Seagull,” I delve into the life of Tamara Atias, a single mother hailing from Haifa, renowned for her expertise in criminal identification. Her compelling journey takes her to Russia, where she is summoned to aid in solving a murder case hinging on a critical fingerprint analysis. Nestled in the icy embrace of a Siberian city, Tamara unearths long-buried family secrets that defy convention, casting newfound illumination upon her relationships both within her family and the men who have touched her life.

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Rinat Klein’s Website

Rinat Klein Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Steven Greenebaum

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles before moving to Lynnwood, WA (north of Seattle) in my mid-forties. Always fascinated with learning, I hold Masters Degrees in Mythology, Music, and Pastoral Studies (as well as a BA in Anthropology). As a Jew born just after WWII, I was devastated when, as a child, I learned of the Holocaust; but was pushed beyond my Jewish worldview as I realized that Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and so many groups had suffered from the hate and violence sting “othering”. Embracing universal brother/sisterhood, I’ve dedicated my life to the oneness of humanity, working for social and environmental justice through a multitude of forums. Minister, teacher, and both church and temple choir director, I have worked with Common Cause, marched at Standing Rock, and was the Founder/Executive Director of Citizens for Environmental Responsibility, as well as the founder of the Living Interfaith model – exemplified by the Living Interfaith Sanctuary in Vancouver, Canada, and the Living Interfaith Church in Lynnwood, WA.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Blessed with parents who encouraged me, I learned to read early and have been an engaged reader since childhood. I enjoyed “The Hardy Boys” when quite young, but soon graduated to child-friendly historical books. Then I discovered the ancient Greek writers and never looked back. I started writing after college and worked in Hollywood for a few years. But it wasn’t satisfying. Everyone kept pushing for more sex and violence. I angrily quit, and didn’t take up writing again for decades. In 1999, frustrated with the injustice and hate that seemed rampant in the world, I cried out to God for answers. Amazingly, I received answers – three pages of answers. I realized I had no interest in writing fiction. What I needed to do was write non-fiction that could somehow help humanity to heal. Based on that dictation, which pushed me to deeply ponder our common humanity for nearly ten years, I wrote my first book, “The Interfaith Alternative”, published in 2012. Based on a comment so many made about this first book (It sounds lovely, but is it practical?), I wrote my second book, “Practical Interfaith”, published in 2014. I thought that would be it, but many asked me to explain my path to Interfaith, so I wrote a spiritual memoir, “One Family: Indivisible”, published in 2019. In that book I noted the three pages of dictation I took, but folks asked me for a better understanding of that dictation and how my life was changed by it. So, at age 75, I have now published one last book.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are Homer, Plato, Hemingway, and John Shelby Spong, among so many wonderful writers whom I have read and learned from. My favorite genre (among many!!) is that of how humanity might deal with one another.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
As mentioned above, in 1999 I felt I’d hit the wall, and couldn’t make sense of my life. As a Jew, I had believed in a God of love and justice. But hate and injustice that seemed to be swirling everywhere I looked. For several months I angrily demanded answers from God, if God were there. Then, one afternoon, and inner voice told me to get a pen and paper and write; and I took dictation – three pages, *not* of commandments but guidance for dealing with death and leading a meaningful life. In “An Afternoon’s Dictation,” I share my grappling with the dictation, how it led me to Interfaith ministry, and the hope that the revelations, while definitely not “the sole answer” to life’s enigmas, might help to guide us in these hugely challenging times. The book is divided into six sections: The Call to Interfaith, Dealing with Death and Dying, The Call to Love One Another, the Call to Justice, The Call to Community, and finally, Some Conundrums Regarding the Divine.

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Steven Greenebaum’s Website

Featured Interview With Ramya S. Kapadia

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Chennai, India but have lived in Muscat (Oman), Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and in a tiny village in central Maharashtra called Awarpur before I moved to the USA in 2002, to Madison, WI for graduate study. All that moving around for my dad’s work was actually pretty amazing because it gave me an opportunity to meet so many new people and learn of so many different cultures and languages. I currently live in Knoxville, TN with my husband and two children. No, I do not have any pets (although I am sometimes led to believe that I live in a wild jungle… my children are very imaginative and dramatic!)

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My earliest memories are of my mother reading to me. So I suppose I must have been around three when the fascination with books began. I would imagine entire worlds that were described in the books and they became my constant companions; so much so that my mother would have to force me to put my book down to go outside and play. I wrote poems as a child and I have written three plays. As I scientist I have written several journal papers, but I only ventured into children’s fiction in February 2023. This was a gift to my daughter who turned ten.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors are Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie and Jeffrey Archer. I enjoy a wide range of genres although I find myself gravitating towards children’s/teen fiction and conspiracy/crime genres. Enid Blyton has undoubtedly been and will probably always be my greatest inspiration.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Six children and their families of diverse ethnicities and cultures live in a mysterious little land called Taikamaa. They stumble upon an adjacent land and slowly uncover the legends that connect Taikamaa and this new land. Taikamaa is a story of simple lives and the reunion of long-lost kin.

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Ramya S. Kapadia’s Website

Ramya S. Kapadia Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Diane Solomon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Diane grew up in Oregon and says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t singing. Her father gave her a guitar for Christmas when she was 13, and she taught herself folk and country styles, and started to write songs. Graduating from college and believing her first talent was acting, she headed off to England, determined to study acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

But life can take some funny turns. Before she could arrange an interview, she was literally “discovered,” playing her guitar and singing to a small, private, New Year’s Eve party at a London hotel. A BBC television producer was there, a screen test followed, and the result was a network primetime series of variety specials! “The Diane Solomon Show” was a great success, and she quickly became a regular on British TV, with other specials of her own, and numerous guest appearances, including several Royal Gala Specials. She recorded 5 albums, appeared on countless radio and TV shows, and starred in numerous musical theater productions. After heading four major UK Theater concert tours of her own, she toured with Glen Campbell on three European tours, and opened for a major Kenny Rogers’ tour in 1991.

But then life took another turn, this time not so fortunate. She was diagnosed with the infamous M.E. or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and for years was too ill to walk across the room unaided. For a total of seven and a half years, she struggled with half a life. In the darkest hours songwriting was her saving grace, and the title cut of her CD, “Good Things Don’t Come Easy” was born of this troubled time. With the help of a brilliant German homeopathic system of healing, plus nutrition and herbs, she regained her health.

Diane was so impressed with these alternate therapies she gained degrees in both nutrition and homeopathy, achieving a doctoral degree from the British Institute of Homeopathy. She practiced nutrition and homeopathy, using a combination of nutrients, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and diet and lifestyle recommendations.

Turning to writing and hoping to help others afflicted with CFS, Diane wrote “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Homeopathic Treatment of CFS/M.E.” Plus, she has published two books in a new health series called “Healing Therapies that Work;” one focuses on the treatment of allergies, the second on ear infections. The third, on depression and anxiety, is due out soon.

In fiction, she published a fantasy time travel series, written with her husband Mark Carey. For middle schoolers, these are “The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain” and “The Ravenstone: The Twain.” Next came “88 Guys for Coffee,” a humorous women’s novel about online dating. Her latest, published in July 2023, is “Eva: A Riveting Romantic Suspense.” It is a love story and fantasy, about a young woman who discovers she can heal an animal, just by holding it, meditating, and connecting with its spirit.

Diane lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband, Mark, three dogs, and a cat. An avid gardener, her home is surrounded by organically grown flower beds and vegetable gardens. She writes, edits, researches, designs and builds gardens, always seeking more knowledge, more understanding, and more creative flow.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When I was ten, my teacher told me I could be a writer. I had written a short essay/story about what it feels like to sit in a church, alone. From that day on, I knew, somehow, that my final career would be writing. I have now written seen books, but I always knew I would. Odd how that determination becomes a “knowing.” I had a singing and acting career, then ten years as a homeopath and nutritionist, then switched gears in the last decade and began to write both nonfiction and fiction books.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors, that could take this whole page! So, just a few: Madeleine L’Engle, Dodie Smith, Tolkien, and Mary Stuart from my childhood. As an adult, Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, Barbara Delinsky, Alice Hoffman, and many more.

As for genres, I love a good mystery, thoughtful women’s fiction, and fantasy. I have always appreciated the supernatural presented in real life, but now it has a name: Magical Realism. Its authors are the talented Emily Colin, Sarah Addison Allen, Patti Callahan Henry, and Menna Van Praag, among others.

My greatest inspiration are Mary Stewart, Barbara Delinsky and Jane Austen.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Eva” is a woman’s fiction novel, set in current time, but with a supernatural twist. I came up with the idea many years ago, in the nineties, in fact, and wrote it over the last year and a half. It wrote itself after that long! In the story, the protagonist, Eva, undergoes a huge character arc of self-realization. She must learn to own a special magical power she possesses. She holds an injured or sick animal, connects with its spirit, and heals it. But this comes with such stress, such responsibility. She wonders, “Why me?”

THE STORY: Eva possesses a unique power. Is it a blessing or a curse?

Never having known her father and losing her mother when she was young, Eva believes she’s better off alone. Volunteering at the local rescue center in her small New England town, she connects deeply with the animals. They are her first love. But another great love is on the horizon, along with more life-changing discoveries. A father she didn’t know she had, a new family she doesn’t trust, and Michael, who is unlike anyone she’s ever known.

When the world learns of her gift, she’s forced into the limelight she’s avoided all her life. The internet lights up with wonder… and accusation.

Facing challenges at every turn, including her own inner demons, she must fight to protect, even embrace, her newfound ability. And learn to trust enough to open her heart.

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Diane Solomon’s Website

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Featured Interview With Abasiama Udom

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in southern Nigeria with my family and it is where I was born and raised. I enjoy loud arguments and football even when they say I should not because I am female and should speak quietly. I have a quiet romance with plantain, chocolate and goat meat pepper soup but no one really knows.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mother was always scribbling love letters and notes at the back of her notebooks even while in church so I guess it just rubbed off on me. I did remakes and sequel to movies I liked and hated. It was a fun game to play with myself. At the time, writing made me feel like a big sister because my brother liked my stories.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Heather Graham is my best and overall influence. No one comes close to Heather for me. I enjoy James Patterson but Heather is a blend of beautiful and wild.

Pam Munoz Ryan does something beautiful with her easy to read works. I adore Anne Lamott and Elnathan John for their wit and humour.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Then Surrender was inspired by the facts of the Niger-Delta Emancipation movement in Nigeria around 2007 and the loss we witnessed.

As a writer I tried to imagine the pain of parents and family who had lost people in the midst of it all and how they still held on to life, faith and hope. Maybe I was selfish when I bean this project as I was thinking of how to free myself from the shadows of my past.
I kept rewriting that book because it is a little personal and had me remembering Port Harcourt. It took me a year to finish writing and a year to edit. My editor is to blame there *winks conspiratorially*

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Featured Interview With E.M. Jaye

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Arizona, and the desert will always be near and dear to my heart. For twenty-eight years I called it home, but I left three years ago for my husband’s work. I’ve had to say goodbye to the heat and hello to the snow, which I equally love. I now live in Michigan with my husband and three wonderful daughters. We love the area we live in, and unless you ask me in February, I love the weather.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I honestly don’t recall a time that I wasn’t in love with the written word. I have been reading books in my spare time since I learned how to read. When I was in kindergarten, I can remember my teacher mentioning how advanced I was as a reader for my age. I began writing short stories around the age of eight on my mom’s old typewriter. I began writing my first full-length book at nineteen, but that story has yet to see the light of day. My writing was not as developed as it is now, and it needs some intense work to get it ready for publishing. Maybe one day, I will dig up its manuscript and finish it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read across all genres, as long as there is a small romantic theme. I don’t need the romance to be at the forefront, but I like a story to have at least one couple I am rooting for. My top genres would be fantasy and paranormal. Recently, I have discovered the genre of dark fantasy and dark romance, and I have been obsessed with it for the past six months or so. I have even started my own book in the genre. My favorite authors are C.L. Wilson, Mia Knight, Johanna Lindsey, Jeaniene Frost, and Diana Palmer. I hope that my books are for others what their books have been for me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have a new release coming in October, Hate at First Sight. This is my first book that diverges from the sci-fi world I created in my main book series. This is a contemporary romance, enemies-to-lovers tale. It is one of my absolute favorite books I have written, as I feel this is truly the best thing I have ever brought to life. The characters told their own story, and I couldn’t get the words out fast enough. It’s a twist on the classic bet ‘If we’re both unmarried at 30 we’ll marry each other’. Instead of this being a sweet pact between friends, it’s a dare between sworn enemies. Who just might hate each less than they want to admit.

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E.M. Jaye’s Website

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Featured Interview With Finn Eccleston

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi! I’m a university student who loves writing in my free time. I’ve written a few short stories and have some novel-length threads in progress, but I’ve only published the one – The Community, in April 2023.

Born and raised in the big CA – not California.

Still live in Canada, southern Ontario to be exact (I know, that really narrows it down). Don’t have a pet of my own, but a friend of mine has a dog I absolutely adore and that I spend every moment I can with. She’s essentially my adopted doggo.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading at a very young age – at that time it was all dinosaur and history, like roman history, books. Then I graduated to sports novelizations and mythology, primarily Greek mythology with a dash of Egyptian – shout out Rick Riordan.

I began writing in elementary school, if you can call it that. A few words here, a few words there. Taking the ‘last man on earth…there was a knock at the door’ prompt and turning into a few chapters about a Barack Obama assassination and tiny aliens with Bieber Fever, a horrifying mess that still sits in one of my drawers.

I have many bad ideas. You only read the less bad ones.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I used to love reading the new Hardy Boys books when I was younger, as well as Encyclopedia Brown. Those are more classic ‘whodunit’ styles of detective work for younger audiences.

My work skews a bit more juvenile and adult at the same time, in that I use cross language and immature humour – as is an accurate portrayal for both my age and the age of my characters – yet I don’t have that wizened old gaze of a withered adult, and so I could use more polish in my storycraft.

Currently, I’m digging into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (I love that Ted 2 joke) short story work, and then it’s on to the complete Sherlock Holmes collection!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Community is a book about memory, adventure, mystery, and loss, about grappling with identity, as so many of us do.

The main character Jay has his world flipped upside down when he begins experiencing visions of a life he does not remember, one that does not fit with his current conception of himself and the life he’s lived up to this point. This internal turmoil causes him to look around his external environment for signs that something might also be amiss here – and he finds them in spades.

He and his friends rally to try to find out the truth and survive the consequences of newly-opened doors perhaps better left closed, all while Jay tries to remain sane as more and more memories flood in, memories that he’d perhaps rather keep buried.

Read it today, wherever you read: https://books2read.com/u/4jBwMo

A little bit more about the themes of the book:

As pertains to identity, it’s specifically about trying to merge the past self and current self, which can sometimes feel like two entirely different people, into a unified idea of a human being – you.

For loss, there’s a focus on the odd tinge to loss when you find out you’ve lost something you didn’t even know you had. The grief is still there, but it’s mixed in with confusion and surprise and your attempt to contextualize your past life through the lens of this new information.

The above concepts are lightly touched on, hinted at but never fully explored, during this book. They’ll be delved into more in Project M Book 2, (cautiously optimistically) coming out in 2024.

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Finn Eccleston’s Website

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Featured Interview With Steve Bates

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Arlington, Va., a close-in suburb of Washington, D.C. I graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and now live in Ashburn, Va., just west of Dulles International Airport. So I am a Virginia guy.

I don’t usually volunteer my age, but I will say that when I was a pre-teen, you could still hear cows mooing at a small dairy farm near my home. My parents had bought their house for less than $20,000. Now there’s a subway station near there and you can’t find a house for under a million dollars within miles. I still like that area, but it has changed.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing in high school for my school newspaper. I embarked on a career in journalism, working for small newspapers, large newspapers, magazines, and websites. At some point, I just decided that I wanted to write fiction.

It was a strange transition. I had to retrain my brain to stop presenting facts and to create characters and actions and entire stories that had genuine appeal. I’m still fine-tuning that transition. Often, when I write a short story or a chapter of a novel, I write the first draft relatively quickly, then I go back over it for days or even weeks and polish it until I feel that it works.

I hope to write until my brain gives out.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read a lot of nonfiction as well as fiction. My first science fiction book was “The Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury. The most recent sci-fi novel I read was “Eversion” by Alastair Reynolds. In between there have been countless novels, novellas, and short stories. If I had to pick a favorite author, it would be Philip K. Dick. He questioned reality in a way that was way ahead of his time. But there are so many more: Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Roger Zelazny, Alice Bradley Sheldon (who wrote under the pen name James Tiptree Jr.). More recently, I have been delighted by Dan Simmons, Ted Chiang, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and many others.

Among my favorite nonfiction writers are Brian Greene and David Deutsch. The vistas they open regarding emerging theories about physics and the cosmos are more breathtaking than almost any fiction I have read.

In my writings, I am inspired by real people. My wife, Jean, and my son, Jeffrey, are foremost among them. Professionals farmers, dog walkers, bloggers, and anyone else who has overcome adversity or simply challenged themselves to achieve provide plenty of inspiration.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Castle of Sand” is set on a remote planet. An ark that is being built in Earth’s orbit must leave on short notice because a pathogen released in a war is so powerful that it will inadvertently wipe out all humans on the planet. The Ark isn’t ready, but off it goes. Guided by an AI, it travels for hundreds of years until it lands on a planet that might support human life. But none of the descendants of the original passengers survived the journey. None of the people who traveled in cryogenic suspension survived. There are just seven uploaded human consciousnesses and an AI named Hubert.

Hubert awakens the consciousnesses, places them in robotic bodies, and tells them it’s their task to reestablish the human race using tissues from the frozen bodies. Several of these minds balk at the task. It falls to Maria, a soccer mom from Columbia, Md., to lead the effort. Numerous challenges put that task in doubt, but eventually, nearly 20 babies were born. Once they are old enough to reproduce, they are directed to do so constantly. But these teens start to rebel; they have no memory of or interest in Earth or humanity and want to forge their own lives.

Meanwhile, a hostile native race and a planet-wide AI make their lives miserable. But Maria and a few helpers persevere.

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Steve Bates’s Website

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Featured Interview With Joan Havelange

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in rural Canada: hills, valleys and lakes are all within a short drive of my home. I’m an avid golfer. If I’m not on my laptop writing, I’m out on the golf course hitting that little white golf ball. I’m also a traveller. I have travelled to 45 countries. Which is a boon to my writing when I set my mystery in a foreign country. I’m a traditionally published author of five cozy/whodunit mysteries.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing romances in my twenties but soon realized I was not romantic. My genre is mysteries.
I married a wonderful man. But bringing up a family, plus working, put a stop to my writing. My Kids grew up, and I retired. One day, watching an old Agatha Christie movie, the writing bug returned. What if my protagonist wasn’t as smart or genteel as Miss Marple? My protagonists were born. My ladies, Mabel and Violet, have solved mysteries at home and abroad in the five mysteries I have written.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Mick Herron, Richard Osman, Linwood Barclay, Yvonne Rediger. The genre I am drawn to is Mystery.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
What happens when a cozy mystery takes a 90-degree turn: Moving is Murder. How well do you know your neighbours?

Linda Burton is house-sitting for her aunt’s friend in the pretty little town of Glenhaven. Linda, who has spent her working career in the city, has fallen in love with the pleasant little country village. Everyone she has met is so friendly.

Strolling down the alley one evening in search of Gertrude, a pet cat. She hears a voice complaining about burying a body. Not completely convinced she heard correctly. Linda decides to emulate her heroes. Amateur detectives. She tries her hand at detecting. Unfortunately, Linda puts her trust in the wrong person.

Can Linda outwit the killer? Will her aunt Violet figure out the clues Linda has left? And even if Violet does, will it be too late for Linda? And will Violet fall into the same trap?

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Joan Havelange Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With NIKI J. NORLOCK

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am half free spirit – half control freak. I love adventure; traveling, exploring, learning and creation are my favorite pass-times. I curently live in Mexico, near Lake Chapala, but was raised in a small village in Ontario Canada. My school days were spent in that village home with my parents but my summers were spent in the Northern Ontario bushland with my Grandmother. My education was… eclectic. I am ridiculously proud of my daughter and her wife for the women they have grown into and the work that they do. I currently live with two men, my business partner and my driver. Between us we have 4 dogs. I would describe my life as organized Chaos.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mother claimed that I was born with a pen in my hand. She has passed on now, but she told people often that I began writing poetry at age 3. I of course do not remember this but I was the only kid in the county with a subscription to National Geographic. I remember, I was reading the adult versions of books like ‘Little Women’ and ‘Treasure Island’ by the time I was 7 or 8.
I guess, I was just born to write, that is why some of my friends jokingly call me ‘the pen’.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is J.R. Tolkien. I prefer to read fantasy/fiction as it relaxes me. I feel more at home in a world full of elves, kender and wizards than I do in a world full of humans.
Speaking of humans… they inspire all of my writing. I may not like humans very much at times, but I do certainly find them fascinating.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is the original book in what is now being written and released as a five book series. I didn’t plan on it, but here we are. It is also the book that describes the journey that inspired me to produce a documentary in the Philippines. Magical people Filipinos are, absolutely magical. They completely changed my life. I will be forever grateful for the lessons learned there about love, faith and family.
The title – ‘Truth – My Synchromystic Journey ‘ is only the beginning of the strange story that was documented within it’s pages. It can be seen as an entertaining story or as a profound glimpse into the unknown. I am currently writing the last 4 books while touring around Mexico on the back of a moto, filming.it for future mini- docus. You can follow my antics on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Just look for Niki J. Norlock or Feenxrising, I am sure to pop up.

The book can be found on Amazon.

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Featured Interview With Vanja Skoric

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, and wanted to become a journalist because they were ones exposing all the injustice daily. I ended up studying law and volunteering in civic initiatives, and ultimately became a human rights lawyer. I lived in different places and lately, I live with my family near Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. We have two kids, age 10 and 5, and many spiders in the house that my kids like to consider pets!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mom used to joke I was “swallowing books” as a child. In a local library, they had to upgrade me to adult’s section before officially allowed, because I read all the children’s books several times already. I used to steal my Mom’s (adult section) books from the library and read them while I was pretending to do homework for school! So my love for books and reading goes a long way back. I never thought I would write something, though, unsure if I have anything interesting to say. But my children started asking questions, and those demanded answers I couldn’t just invent in a second – I had to put it on paper.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Among others, I love fantasy books, and writers like JRR Tolkien, L. Carol and his Alice in Wonderland, Patrick Rothfuss, Kristin Cashore for young adults, and similar. I also get inspiration from children’s authors who bring in activist perspective, like Dr. Angela Sadler Williamson with her book My Life With Rosie (about Rosa Parks). Sometimes adults may feel that issues are too complicated for children to handle. The good news is that all the small steps and actions make a difference. I hope this book will inspire honest conversations and dialogue about experiences, fairness, emotions – including anger and frustration – and what opportunities are there for children to do something about that.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It all started with real life questions from my daughter, a curious and incredibly observant girl who, like many children, is eager to know why certain situations arise, even if they feel unfair.” In the book, the main character, Tasha, feels confused when boys tell her that soccer is not for girls (as it happened to my daughter and I’m sure, many other girls). She wonders, “Why do people say that girls shouldn’t do certain things?” She is curious: has it always been this way? Tasha’s dad tells her a story about women and girls fighting for their rights. In the book, I connected direct experiences with important historical events to help my and other children understand the power of activism and how to cope with the change. I invite curious children to come with Tasha to find out more about activism!

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Vanja Skoric’s Website

Featured Interview With Susan Dawson-Cook

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Worthington, Ohio, a suburb outside of Columbus. I always loved spending time outdoors, spending many hours catching frogs and wading in the Olentangy River near our house. Writing provided a creative outlet and therapy since I was a bit of a misfit at school. I was the girl with mud on her face, whose favorite animals were frogs while the popular girls loved horses (and had no penchant for mud and wading in rivers).

Our family often visited my grandparents in Florida during school holidays. I couldn’t wait for those trips, especially days we spent on Clearwater Beach. As a competitive swimmer, I loved the water anyway, and being at the beach and swimming (or even floating on my back) in the Caribbean was so wonderful, it was my dream to live by the water and someplace warmer.

Although I achieved a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geology, I only worked in that field for three years before I started working as a fitness professional and author. My husband, Chris, and I split our time between Tucson, Arizona, and San Carlos, Mexico. Also living with us is our beloved white fluffy Chow Chow, Chief. Our Mexico place is right on the Sea of Cortez, where I love to sea swim, often surrounded by bottlenose dolphins.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I enjoyed reading and writing as a child. I wrote mystery novels, starting when I was 7 or 8, which illuminated my love for nature and the outdoors.

I collected Nancy Drew books and read every single one of them more than once. In middle and high school, my writing outside of the classroom was restricted to diaries. My favorite authors were Daphne DuMaurier and Victoria Holt. DuMaurier’s Frenchman’s Creek was the book I loved most. I still have it in my collection—although since it went out of print, I had to order it from the UK on eBay. It’s one of those comfort books that I grab when I’m feeling out of sorts and need a lift.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m an avid reader and often read three or more books a week. First here’s a list of my comfort reads. In addition to Frenchman’s Creek, I also re-read Jamie Zeppa’s Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan and A Trip to the Stars by Nicholas Christopher whenever I need a lift. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library are other recent reads I thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve read and reread all the Harry Potter books and loved them. In general, I enjoy reading memoir, travel romance, romantic suspense, and metaphysical books. I tend to bounce from author to author since I like variety in style and voice.

My 32 years working in the fitness profession inspired my three health and fitness books, Fitter Than Ever at 40 and Beyond, Fitter Than Ever at 50 and Beyond, and Slim for Life Secrets.

The incredible experiences I’ve had swimming with a pod of bottlenose dolphins inspired me to write Swimming with Dolphins, a memoir that celebrates these miraculous experiences in the water with my dolphin friends, the joy of swimming in general, and follows my life path of spiritual development.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Swimming with Dolphins was published in August, 2022, and celebrates the world of water, which has been my training ground for personal and spiritual growth, and throughout my life, a constant source of renewal and joy. Hikes on Peru’s Inca trail and swims in seas and oceans around the world illuminate my love for and connection with the natural world.

This swimming memoir celebrates my unique friendship with a group of wild bottlenose dolphins in San Carlos, México that began when they started interacting and chattering with me in dolphin speak during morning swims in the Sea of Cortez. It explores the intelligence and playfulness of these amazing creatures and calls upon all of us to protect and defend the wildlife that surrounds us, no matter where we live.

“The flash of a dark, shiny dorsal fin raises my heart rate another notch and transforms a Sea of Cortez swim from enjoyable to unforgettable.”

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