Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Rick McCann

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a simi-retired Merchant Mariner that has been on the water professionally since I was 17. Started out in the US Navy then after my hitch was up, I sailed deep sea then moved ashore to sail for the Cape May Lewes Ferry in Cape May, NJ. This is my hometown and I still live here today with my wife and our 2 Labs. So far, our 5 children have provided us with 5 beautiful grandchildren to spoil and love.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My interest in books took hold while out to sea, as there wasn’t much to do on any down time. This is where the snippet of an idea that I could write a book began, but soon life got in the way of most of my dreams such as owning my own airplane and living on a Caribbean Island were replaced with many ours working and raising the family. As the kids got more independent and time restrictions eased, I began writing Standard Operating Procedures and policy manuals for my employer which brought back that little orphaned idea that I could write a book! It didn’t hurt that a lot of people had told me that I should write a book, of course the book I wrote isn’t the book they wanted me to write! About 20 years ago I started to put pen to paper but found that the only time I could really write was while on vacation, which is why it took 20 years to go from idea to publication. Of course the last 5 years were spent looking for an Agent/Publisher with an awful lot of rejection emails thrown in. So on October 10th 2021 my book, Two If By Sea was published!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors to read are Tom Clancy, Dale Brown, and Stephen Coonts. Which all relate to my favorite genre to read is the Thriller/Suspense genre. I believe that the above three have combined to inspire my writings so far.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My 20 year quest to bring Two If By Sea to publication was rewarded on October 10th 2021. It is a mystery/suspense/thriller set in a contemporary maritime theme that keeps you on the edge of your seat and the pages turning. The characters come to life, and you are rooting for some while loving to hate others, but never do you lose interest in their ordeals they must live through. The plot has many intertwined sub-plots that all begin with the captain of the ship taking a few precious moments to watch a sunset that brings back her childhood memories. This moves to more involved areas that take international terrorist, Columbian drug cartels, most of the ABC agencies in Washington DC to try and keep a nuclear disaster from happening on the shores of the USA. There is budding romance and relationship conflicts in the lives of the characters that add to the overall complexity of the situation they find themselves.

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Rick McCann’s Website

Featured Interview With Jo Squire

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My parents were adventurous and I grew up in a few places. The years in Kenya took my heart. I now live in Australia with my 3 dogs. I’ve always loved wild creatures and the outdoors.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My father read us a lot of books ad my love for fiction came from that. I started writing just before we moved to Africa when I was 9 years old.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m not really a genre reader, though I like literary books with lovely descriptions of the outdoors and peoples relationship to the natural world. So many book and authors have inspired me. I hardly know where to start. Delia Owens, Seth Kanther, H.D.Thoreau, Thomas Moore and so many more.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Black Ivory is about a young wildlife biologist, Lou who is trying to protect the elephants that she studies. It’s also about Lou understanding herself and her own motivations. Who can she trust or dare to love despite her misgivings? The book is a novel but I have woven true incidents into the story from my years in Africa. I’ve been told it’s extremely realistic. It took me almost 10 years to write as I’m a full time vet. My aim to get the sequel written within the next 2 years though!

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Jo Squire’s Website

Featured Interview With Hemu Aggarwal

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hemu Aggarwal, artist, writer, and poet, was born in
Veraval, Gujarat State, India. She earned her Master’s
Degree (MFA) in graphic design from the City University
of New York. She came to the U.S. in 1966 for higher education.
Hemu has written several newspaper and magazine articles,
but this is her first attempt to translate hundreds of letters
and write a book.
She is an artist by profession. After graduation, she worked in graphic design firms in New York City for about ten years. She designed many album covers of famous singers,
such as the Beatles, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck,
Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Mantovani, and many hip-hop artists, including Grandmaster Flash and the Furious
Five, and The Sugarhill Gang. In 1980, she established her creative design firm, AQ Graphic Inc., in Rockland County, N.Y. She ran it successfully for over 25 years

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been reading books for many years. Written about 10 years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Kazuo Ishiguro, Stieg Larsson, John Grisham,

Favorite genre: Science fiction, Mystery and Murder stories, Biography.

Can’t think of an author who inspires me.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I am a new author who has just published a book.
The Forbidden Letters. A True Story.

The book includes 216 of the 500 century-old letters found in an attic. It tells the story of a young couple’s life, married when they were still teenagers, but lived apart intermittently for eight years. The letters describe their love for each other, the agony of separation, taboos of the times, and the hardships endured by women in a joint-family system. Crossing cultural, country, gender, and age boundaries, you take on a tumultuous 100-year journey from India to America, shedding the shackles of a joint family and allowing the next generation the freedom to chart their destinies.

A journey that starts in 1922 and finishes in 2022!

The Forbidden Letters, A True Story. Paperback, 400 pages. Now available on Amazon.com.

Visit my book page: https://www.facebook.com/theforbidden…

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Hemu Aggarwal Facebook Page

Hemu Aggarwal Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Matthew Donald

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
While I was born in Ft. Wayne, IN, my family moved to Fairview, TX when I was six months old, so I definitely don’t consider myself an Indiana resident. Honestly, I don’t consider myself a Texan either, as we moved to Colorado when I was only eight and the only characteristic I keep from my Texas youth is occasionally saying “y’all” to people. So while my early years were in Texas, my formative years were in Colorado. I have my own place in Centennial, CO right next to Southglenn Mall. It’s a wonderful location. Yep, my roommate and emotional support animal Lyra, a 3-year-old female pearl cockatiel. She’s so sweet and cuddly, but very timid and really only likes me. She is slowly starting to warm up to a few of my friends, though!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Pretty much right away. I read so many picture books when I was a kid, then kept moving up and up as I got older. I remember constantly going to my library in high school and just checking out whatever books looked interesting in the sci-fi and fantasy sections, and let me tell you, there were some real bangers there, as well as some stinkers of course. The inspiration that I got just from opening up your standard dorky fantasy book and seeing the obligatory world map was wild. I’d see something like “Northguard’s Keep” and I’d be like “Whaaaaat?! Who’s stationed there? What are they protecting? Who are they defending against?” So many questions! I miss that wonder I felt back then sometimes.” When I was six years old I won a contest at my school where we had to finish the sentence “It would be great if…” and I wrote a poem about how it would be great if I were an author. Since then I’ve dabbled in a few smaller writing projects, before seriously starting when I was thirteen. One of my first big stories was the first of what would be many versions of my story Megazoic, of which the final version ended up being my first published book. You like dinosaurs? You like sci-fi? How about them both together? Go check it out, available on Amazon or my website. Cheap plug!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I really enjoy the natural wonders described in fellow Colorado author T.A. Barron’s books, and the old school style fantasy he writes around them. I also enjoy the world-building of J.R.R. Tolkien, the wild sci-fi concepts of Michael Crichton, and the creativity of Greg Farshtey’s young reader books for various LEGO properties such as BIONICLE and Exo-Force. Also I know it’s cliche, but come on, J.K. Rowling’s plot and characters are amazing. There’s a reason her books are as popular as they are. Sci-fi and fantasy, particularly those aimed at younger audiences. While there are plenty of wonderful books for adults, I tend to find them more dry and lacking the wonder or fun of books for younger folks. I also really enjoy books with a good sense of humor. About the only non-speculative fiction books I read are comedy books. If there are books that combine both though, those are my absolute favorite to read. As well as the aforementioned authors, I get inspiration from all sorts of sources such as movies, video games, and television. I particularly like works with good production design, and have a soft spot for those more “toyetic,” if that makes sense. My friend shows me these Japanese shows with people in suits fighting each other with crazy weapons clearly designed to sell toys, and I quite enjoy them. More than anything though, I’m inspired by my friends and family who support me the whole way and work so hard to help me accomplish my dreams. This isn’t a solo game.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have a book coming out August 16th, 2022 called Teslanauts. It’s a young adult sci-fi that takes place in the early 1920s after the world is still reeling from the effects of WW1. Seventeen-year-old Raymond Calvert learns his father, missing in action since the war, worked in a secret government organization led by Nikola Tesla that helps the world in the shadows using advanced electrical dieselpunk-style technology called volt-tech. Ever since the war showed the horrors humanity was capable of, the Teslanauts keep their technology secret, and erase the memories of those who learn of it that aren’t part of the organization. Raymond joins the organization in hopes of finding his father, getting involved in a world full of mechs, automated machines, disintegrator rifles, and lightning-armed biplanes, just as a new volt-tech organization formed from the remnants of the defeated Austro-Hungarian Empire makes itself known. Called the Oberschock Federation, they are financed by a mysterious American benefactor and plan to restart the war to regain their country’s glory, but the benefactor has their own plans for them. Raymond learns that his father might have had something to do with Oberschock, and rushes to learn what happened while the Teslanauts do everything they can to avoid war breaking out across the battered world once more. This book is based off an idea I’ve had since I was in college, and I’m thrilled that it’s the next idea I’m showing off to the world after my previous Megazoic books. It’s the first of a five-part series, and I can’t wait to show it to y’all. There, see? My inner Texan has resurfaced once more.

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Matthew Donald’s Website

Matthew Donald Facebook Page

Matthew Donald Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Fred A. Idiaquez

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Welcome and Namaste:
I am a Non – LEO (Retired Officer) and a US Veteran
My Hindu Gods wish – Video “Enchanted Ganesh Blessings.”
Is to provide this Positive Book to the World.
I was raised in San Francisco, California currently live in the United States.
with no pets

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
at a young age of 15 in Junior High School. I started writing after I Retired fromHi The Federal
Service.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
one of my favorite authors is His Divine Grace – A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
genre to read is Spirituality in Hinduism Practice, beliefs and thoughts.
My Hindu God’s inspires me especially Ganesh.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This is a Self – Help Book for everyone’s who is trying to Cope. In today’s World – but Negative People makes it more difficult for good people to be inspired and live a happy fulfilling Life.

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Fred A. Idiaquez’s Website

Fred A. Idiaquez Facebook Page

Fred A. Idiaquez Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Geralyn Ritter

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Louisiana, and both of my parents were raised there. We moved around Louisiana, Colorado and Texas when I was young, and my father was early in his career. Eventually, we settled for good in Houston, Texas.

I will always have Texas in my heart, but I wanted to explore a different part of the country when I went to college. I went to Duke University in North Carolina, got my law degree at Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, California, and got a masters in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of International Studies in Washington DC and Bologna Italy.

I started my career in Washington DC and moved to my current home in New Jersey when I got a great job at a leading healthcare company in 2008. I absolutely love to travel and am fortunate that my career has allowed me to explore so many fascinating places, both in the U.S. and around the world.

I have been married for almost 25 years, have 3 terrific sons, and two adorable (but poorly trained) mini goldendoodles. The dogs are my writing and working companions and sit at my feed in my office all day when I work from home.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child, I loved to read. I was the kid that would finish the classwork early and pull out a thick novel for the rest of class. I remember a teacher in elementary school calling my parents when she saw I was reading Roots by Alex Haley. The teacher wanted to make sure my parents “were ok” with that. My career as a lawyer and a health policy advocate has always required me to write, but I never considered writing my own book until 2015.

2015 was the year that I was in a massive train derailment when Amtrak 188 hit a curve at 106 mph that was designed for a maximum of 50 mph. Eight people died and I was not expected to survive my injuries. I was in the ICU for weeks and to date have had dozens of surgeries. I spent over 2 years on total disability from my job. Notwithstanding all the love and support around me, trauma recovery is often a lonely and alienating experience. I learned so much on my recovery journey, and there is so much that I wished I had known at the beginning. I wrote my story in hopes that it would help others suffering an unexpected injury, illness or setback in their life. I was given a second chance at life. Writing Bone by Bone is my attempt to pay that gift forward and salvage some tiny silver lining from the wreckage.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love historical fiction. Transporting myself to another place and time through the power of story is simultaneously relaxing and incredibly stimulating. I also love memoirs that are real, raw and insightful. One of the most recent ones that I have read is by Kate Bowler, called “Everything Happens for a Reason – and other lies I have loved.” She tells her story with grace, intelligence and an amazing sense of humor. I love Anne Lamont for the same reason. I find her works inspiring, and they never fail to make me laugh out loud.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Bone by Bone: a memoir of trauma and healing describes my journey back to a life of purpose and joy after suffering near-fatal injuries in a massive train crash in 2015. The title refers to a poem by Emily Dickinson called “there is a pain so utter” that perfectly describes the dissociation that comes with trauma.

I learned the hard way that the most difficult part of survival comes after survival. Every relationship I had – including with my own body – was profoundly affected. I now understand better the connection between physical injuries and mental health. I relate my first-hand experience with opioid dependence and the painful weaning process. Today I live with chronic pain, insomnia, and I seem to be hospitalized every year for some kind of unusual complication – but I also work full time as a senior healthcare executive, will celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary this year, saw my oldest son graduate from college, and laugh and drink wine with my tribe of wonderful friends.

My book is a story of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Although it is overused, I love the tunnel metaphor. You don’t come out of a tunnel in the same place you entered. Life is different on the other side. But it is good.

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Geralyn Ritter’s Website

Geralyn Ritter Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Camoya Ellis

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Good day,
I was born and raised in a district named Retirement on an Estate of my grandparents. I am currently living in Jamaica in the capital city of Kingston. I had fishes but not at the moment I lost over 50 fishes.
I am also a fun individual who believes in patience and lessons, and of course, this you can get from my literature. I currently have 2 books to introduce to you, one that is a nonfiction and one that is a fiction. The fiction was inspired by my daughter as I was not thinking of fiction only non fiction and low content books. Overall, I write encouraging and entertaining pieces in my writings.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I got inspired to write at age 13, I started to write at age 13 or 12, but at the time my writing was varied; I wrote mainly poetry and songs for my song group and myself. I write everything; shopping list, plans and budgets. I realized that I had a talent for writing when everyone comes to me for help with their writing related assignments and now I have just decided to own it. I would love for you to read both my books as they have no age boundary just natural writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love to read Robert Kiyosaki and Steve Harvey’s books. I like to read adventure fiction. I am inspired by many other writers and authors, as well as teachers. I am also inspired by my daughter and my experiences and lessons. God also gives me an innate ability for writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
What do you think of when you think of a Princess? Someone who is pretty I guess. I wonder if there is more to a princess though, do you think so? I don’t know, let us find out together in this story. In this story, a pretty Princess will get your attention as she tries to face a GIANT. I am sure that you are wondering who will win, so am I. Oh, and she is a tiny Princess, and can you imagine her going up against a GIANT. Do you know the size of a GIANT, BIG, that’s right. Make sure you read the story and tell me what happened in the story. This story is one that you do not want to miss because of the adventure and fun. It is one which opens your imagination to think and visualize with picture making words. Do you think the princess can sing? Do you think the princess has friends, do you think the princess has a name? There are so many questions, and I am sure that you would want to know the answers. Let’s just stop here enough said, let us begin reading this story right now. By the way, it has been described as an adventurous and fun story. I hope that you will enjoy it!

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Camoya Ellis’s Website

Camoya Ellis Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Alison Mcgregor

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a self-professed history nerd and love falling into Wikipedia and Google rabbit holes on obscure historical figures. I love learning more about the past which I find helps me to better understand the present. When I’m not Googling, I’m outside with my kids on hikes and road trips.

I was raised in Burlington, Ontario which was not as exciting as Tanzania with considerably fewer giraffes and lions. Now I live in Innisfil, Ontario with my husband, two children, and dog Rupert. So far Rupert is our only pet but I’m slowly wearing my husband down on adding some miniature cows to the fold.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Ever since I was cognizant of our nighttime story routine I became enchanted by how transportive and transformative a good story was. Nothing beat laying in bed after a good book read by mum and letting my imagination swirl with different ideas or directions I would have taken the story or what I would have done differently if I were the lead. Since I was able to write letters I was writing stories. Dogs and Batman were usually my main muses. I think my mum still has a few which needed some heavy translation from my unique way of spelling as a five-year-old.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I think Roald Dahl’s Matilda is what really set me on my writing journey. I loved how his characters mostly empowered themselves to stand up for what was right and save the day. It was really inspiring for me. These days I’m reading a lot of Oliver Jeffers picture books to my children. The illustrations are just so magical. For my own reading pleasure, I do love history and fun facts. I find I gravitate toward Erik Larson’s books. Once I start one of his books, I can’t stop reading until I’m done.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The second book in my series, Antoinette and the Story of the Invisible Giraffes, is based on my mum’s first trip to Tanzania. Her father, my grandfather, often moved to remote places for work, which resulted in these almost too wild to be true stories. On their journey through the Tanzanian landscape, she was desperate to see a giraffe, her favourite animal, but they were nowhere to be found. Are they invisible? Do they even exist? You’ll have to read it to find out if Antoinette is able to answer these burning questions!

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Alison Mcgregor’s Website

Alison Mcgregor Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Christopher Link

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Christopher Link and I am a newly published author. I am a 48 (9-25-1973) year old male, currently living in Jacksonville, FL. I grew up on a produce farm located between Onward and Walton, Indiana. High school was in Walton also at Lewis Cass. I went to college at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. My Major was Tool and Die. For the last 25 years to present I have been in the flooring industry as a Hardwood Floor Technician. Sanding and finishing/installing Hardwood Floors. Other interests and hobbies include- Music and learning to play the drums/making music with others. I plan on doing further education and training to become a Spiritual Life Coach. Love the Florida weather and getting out for festivities. I also love animals but currently don’t have any pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
You could say I was a “Late Bloomer,” I really didn’t start reading books until I was around 35 years old. My writing didn’t start until I was about 42. Ever since then I have wished that I started reading and writing way earlier because I wanted to discover my passion for creative writing as early as possible. I am also focused on helping others find there true passions in life. I was inspired to write after a personal Spiritual Awakening experience. This changed my life path to wanting to be in service to others.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre has to do with Non-fiction, specifically in the Spiritual/Metaphysical department. Some of my favorite and influential writers/authors are:
Patricia Cori – The New Sirian Revelations.
David Wilcock- Awakening in the Dream.
Magenta Pixie – Lessons from a living Lemuria.
Mark Hamilton- Super Puzzle.
Dolores Cannon – The Convoluted Universe Series.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I have one book out so far, called – Coming Out of the Illusion: Realizing the real you. The book is meant to inspire and empower the reader in multiple ways. Emotionally, Physically, Spiritually and Mentally. The chapters of discussion are based on important topics that everyone goes through and deals with in life, such as: Energy, Health, Well-being, Passion, Love…etc. The information is in an original creative writing style that is fun/easy to read and very stimulating/interesting. After each chapter and talking about the subject matter, there is a question part. This is where I, the author provides the best information/recommendations that have been found pertaining to the chapter/topic of discussion. This comes in the form of audios, videos, movies, books, websites and people in that particular field to explore. The information in the book is based on Spirituality/Consciousness/Awareness and helps the reader to realize their true self beyond the third Dimensional/man-made Illusions. There is a wealth of information to help the reader in the area of self-growth and self-realization among much more mind expanding material to enjoy and further the knowledge base.

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Christopher Link’s Website

Christopher Link Facebook Page

Christopher Link Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Anna Dowdall

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Anna Dowdall was born in Montreal, Canada, and recently moved back there, which surprised no one but her. She’s been a reporter, a college lecturer and a horticultural advisor, as well as other things best forgotten. Her well-received domestic mysteries, April on Paris Street, After the Winter and The Au Pair, feature evocative settings and uninhibited female revenge, with a seasoning of moral ambiguity and noir. Her poetry adorns Montreal’s rue de la Poesie.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Very early. One day my dad brought home blank waste paper from the mill where he worked, and that was it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
P.D. James, Dickens, and many authors too obscure to ring a bell with anyone. I like mixed genres that combine elements from several kinds of narratives. I like challenging books. I have a little shrine in my head to Ursula Curtiss, a sadly forgotten American writer.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
In April on Paris Street (Guernica Editions, Toronto), a private investigator goes to Paris on a weird assignment, only to be sucked into a Thelma and Louise adventure of the soul. It’s a literary mystery, and the writing has been acclaimed variously as poetic and beautiful.

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Anna Dowdall’s Website

Featured Interview With Sera Cassell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up and still live in Connecticut, with my adrenaline junkie husband and our mini dacnshund, Lottie. We have three adult daughters and lately, we are very much enjoying grandparenthood.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always been an avid reader, thanks to the bookmobile that frequently visited our neighborhood. I have a vivid memory of reading Charlotte’s Web under the shade of the maple tree in our backyard. I started writing in my teens when I would watch soap operas, then write different story lines and dialogue for the characters. My kids like to say I wrote fanfiction before it was a thing!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Romance is my favorite genre. Contemporary, historical, regency, you name it, but I also enjoy historical fiction and literary fiction. I recently read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and loved it. I get inspired by Diana Gabaldon, Jill Shalvis, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Princess Charming is the story of Aurora ‘Rory’ Maguire, an American baker, who falls in love with Hugh du Clair, the spare to the heir of the throne of a small European country. But when Hugh’s older brother marries in an Elvis chapel in Vegas, without the king’s permission, Hugh is suddenly destined to be king – a position he never wanted.

Rory leaves her family and dreams in Massachusetts to be with Hugh in his country, and soon realizes being a future princess leaves a lot to be desired. Not only does she blur the line between royalty and commoner, she discovers her future father-in-law, the king, will stop at nothing to ruin their happily ever after.

This story began more than ten years ago with a tiny nugget of an idea, after pictures of a real life prince hit the tabloids showing his public antics. It’s had many versions, but I truly believe this is the best one!

An recent beta reader commented that it’s everything you would want in a modern day fairy tale… castles, balls and dancing, while also telling the royal side of things. With a royal wedding to boot!

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Sera Cassell’s Website

Sera Cassell Facebook Page

Sera Cassell Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Barbara Miller

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in tropical north Queensland Australia, Cairns to be exact with 2 world heritage areas on my doorstep – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. I live with my husband Munganbana Norman who is an Aboriginal artist and our son Michael. I mostly write history, biography and memoir and have published about 12 books. I am now writing Christian non-fiction.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At primary school, (around 11 years old) I used to read books in class after I finished my tasks, while waiting for the others to finish. My teacher was frustrated with me when I filled a whole copy book when asked to write an essay as it gave her extra work to do.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like reading biographies. I remember reading biographies of John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jnr after they were assassinated and I was still at school. I was touched by reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall. I also read the Diary of Anne Frank. These were the books that influenced me growing up. Today I like to read the biographies of Australian Aboriginal leaders and I like to read Christian books. The kind of writer I am today has been influenced by my early choice of books to read.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, self-published in May this year is Decrees and Dangerous Prayers: 7 Steps on How to Change Your Nation or Community and records the way I have been led by God to pray over social issues and the way I have led groups to pray. It contains practical strategies and passes on tips to the reader. This is an excerpt from my blurb:
“You can change the history of nations. You can shift atmospheres. You can command barriers to come down. Doors to open. Hopeless situations to shift. God wants you to partner with Him to establish His will. Yet, prayers of petition will often not be enough. Instead, it is more powerful to decree from your position in heavenly places with Jesus Christ. To do that, you first must spend time with God and listen to His heart. Decree from the Father’s heart, not vain imagination.
In light of the tectonic shifts happening in the world today, international speaker and author Pastor Barbara Miller, an ordained prophet – believes now more than ever – the world is in dire need of more carriers of our Father’s power.

Hence, she took her decades of ministry experience and shaped them into a short, comprehensive how-to manual on writing decrees. To make sure any Christian can apply this process, she broke it down into 7 simple steps.”

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Barbara Miller’s Website

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Barbara Miller Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Sam Sivarajan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Sam Sivarajan is an author, personal finance advisor, behavioral science expert, and senior financial services executive who has spent his life empowering clients and readers to achieve financial health and make the right choices in their professional and personal lives.

Sam earned his Law and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto and a Doctorate in Behavioural Finance from Manchester. He currently resides in Toronto with his wife, daughter, and family dog Rocky. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, mountaineering, cycling and long-distance running.

To discover more about Sam and his books, connect with him on social media at twitter.com/SamSivarajan and linkedin.com/in/samsivarajan/ or his website samsivarajan.com.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved reading from a very early age. Greek, Roman and Norse mythology were early favourites, then books like The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo and thrillers by Robert Ludlum or Frederick Forsyth. I started writing blogs and books about 10 years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read across a variety of genres depending on my mood.
For pure fun and relaxation, I love thrillers by Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Frederick Forsyth.
For more introspection, I enjoy the books by Paolo Coelho or the Stoicism books by Ryan Holiday.
I like the books of Malcolm Gladwell and Charles Duhigg – their style of writing has influenced my own approach to writing (although I use a narrative non-fiction format).

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Making Your Money Work: The Secrets to Financial Health is a unique and engaging handbook that distils expert financial wisdom into an engaging narrative non-fiction format. This book explores practical investing and financial strategies, seen through the eyes of an ordinary group of friends.

Told through a collection of fun and relatable stories that will resonate with readers from all walks of life, Making Your Money Work provides a fresh and valuable perspective that contains tried-and-tested financial advice. This book speaks to readers no matter where you are on your financial journey, conveying applicable knowledge to help you begin investing and growing your wealth with confidence.

Perfect for anybody who wants to harness the true power of their money and dip into the financial markets, the book will take you by the hand and introduce you to a goals-based investing philosophy that you can begin using to achieve your financial dreams.

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Featured Interview With C.M. Surowiec Jr.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Charles Surowiec was born in Orlando, Florida. His family relocated to Los Angeles, California where he began school, but most of his childhood was spent in a small town in Upstate New York. He was an altar boy for many years and had the distinct honor of serving mass with Bishop Matthew Clark on a few occassions. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Buffalo with an Electrical Engineering degree. He obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Rochester, and has a published thesis on chaos theory and particle detection. He still resides in Upstate New York with his wife, three children, and a yellow lab named Odin. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, traveling, and training for triathlons.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Unfortunately, I did not start to love books and reading them until I was twelve, and by then I was way behind the “curve”. It took me many years to improve my reading comprehension and speed. I have always dabbled in short story writing since high school, but I was never interested in writing a novel until three years ago. When CoVid began and everyone started hunkering down at home, my family embarked on an amazing journey. I read a short story to the kids that I had written in college one night when we were looking for something to do, and when I finished the kids asked, “What happened next?” I spent the next twelve months creating a 400+ page answer to their question. During the process, the kids and my wife participated constantly, first as Alpha Readers, then Beta Readers, and they even helped to decide the names of some of the characters. Drawing on their individual talents the kids supported the book in other ways as well, my oldest daughter drew cover art samples, my son designed NFT characters and is marketing them, and my younger daughter made TikTok videos.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre is fantasy, and within fantasy (Epic and Dystopian). I enjoy reading Tolkein, RA Salvatore, T Brooks, L. Bardugo, and S. King.
My inspiration comes from my family. They have been on the journey with me from the beginning. Alpha & Beta Readers, marketing assistance (on Tik Tok, Twitter, and Instagram), and even helped with the cover art.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This is a “Chosen One” trope, and Cymm Reich possesses a rare, magical aura that hasn’t been seen in a millennia. However, he wasn’t actually selected by luck, or by fate, or by ancestry. He has made a conscious decision as a young man to protect a creature that is being bullied and likely to be killed. As a result, he puts his own life in jeopardy, and the creature imbues him with this power to save them both.
Cymm does not realize he has this power until many years later, but the gods already know. The first god, Terazhan, sends a dwarven cleric to validate this, and begins training Cymm to become a holy warrior in his name (a Paladin).
Sixteen-year-old Cymm Reich, returns home to find his family massacred and village razed. An internal battle rages between remaining true to his beliefs and his growing need for revenge. While Cymm struggles to discover himself and his place in the world, he is tempted by evil and follows a path driven by vengeance.
As Cymm’s fears and self-doubt escalate, the benevolent Terazhan offers him a glimmer of hope to defeat the dragons responsible for murdering his loved ones. However, a dark secret entwines this gift of power, and the chain of events set in motion could change the history of the world forever. Meanwhile, a priestess named Lykinnia has captivated Cymm. Her intellect is superior to the gods themselves and has other plans for Cymm and his righteous powers, but she must deal with her own unique issues and challenges.
Invaluable friendships and enemies are made by an upstart Cymm on his epic quest to slay the dragons.

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Featured Interview With Gina Roitman

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I arrived in Montreal at the age of 19 months and remained there most of my life until 2006 when my need for trees and my husband’s love of small towns led us to move out to the country, to the foothills of the Laurentians.
I have had three passions in my life: writing, traveling and animals. For 16 years I combined the latter two as the owner of a communications agency during which I became a travel media consultant and the Canadian representative for Busch Gardens and Sea World. As a result, I spent a lot of time traveling across Canada in the company of macaws, numerous snakes, two penguins and an assortment of oddball creatures like a great horny toad, an armadillo, tarantula and river otter (not all at the same time). When I closed the agency, I went to work at the Fauna Foundation, Canada’s only chimpanzee sanctuary, an experience beyond description. We have had cats but when they both passed, we began to travel more and that precluded replacing them.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As English is my second language, from an early age, books were immediately fascinating to me. I started reading Greek and Roman mythology by the time I was eight, and decided I would be a writer when I was nine. I kept diaries and journals and dream logs that now crowd the shelves of my closet. However, when asked what I was writing, I would respond, not yet. I need to live some first, I explained. Although owning a communications agency required that I write all the time, from annual reports to radio commercials, I didn’t start writing for myself until my mid 40s. But once I started, I couldn’t stop.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have a very eclectic, non-discriminate taste in authors and genres. From Kurt Vonnegut Jr and George Saunders to Philip Roth, Saul Bellows, Esi Egugyan, Colum McMann, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Amos Oz, Alice Munroe, Jane Goodall, David Homel, Dani Shapiro, and Malcolm Gladwell. I am an avid reader of fiction, historical or literary; autobiography and memoir; poetry, stories featuring animals, and short story collections. What inspires me are storytellers who can spin and weave and engage me, whether their stories are fiction or non-fiction.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I went to Germany in 2005 to do research for “Don’t Ask” and somehow ended up with an award-winning documentary film instead, telling the story about the town where I was born and how my mother saved my life (www.nazimidwife.com), a story she never stopped telling me, along with a host of others I didn’t want to hear. My mother died when I was 28 and the stories stopped.
But when I began writing Don’t Ask, it made me wonder what it would be like to have a mother who never revealed her background, her stories, who wore silence like armor.
The documentary took eight years to complete while the bare bones of my book sat in a drawer fermenting. In between, however, I found a publisher for my collection of short stories. Another five years and about thirty revisions and I was finally ready to let it go out in the world.
Don’t Ask is written from the point of view of three characters. Hannah is a career real estate broker in her mid 40s, unattached and the only child caring for a remote and elderly mother, Rokhl. The plot pivots on the last cryptic note Rokhl leaves Hannah before she disappears. She writes: “I am not her.”
Notes are Rokhl’s main means of communicating with her daughter but we don’t know why until we read her story posthumously left for Hanna to find. The third perspective is through the eyes of charming Max, a German broker, whose SS father disappeared when he was two, and for whom Hannah has an uncomfortable yet instant attraction. I had to imagine a mother who never told her stories, who kept her past a deep secret and a daughter who wanted to know more but was terrified to open festering wounds. For Hannah, it is ultimately easier to live with what is, then to explore what causes her mother’s terrifying silence.
I also sought to examine both sides of the second-generation experience— how the children of perpetrators as well as survivors —deal with the baggage of their histories.

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Featured Interview With Christine Potter

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in England towards the end of World War II, bombs were being dropped on the capital, but that was the least of my mother’s worries: I was a preemie weighing less than four lbs, and wasn’t expected to last the night. Tell that to the WW groups I’ve belonged to over the years!
I emigrated to Canada in 1965, the same year as my marriage – and that, contrary to most people’s predictions, is still going strong 57 years later! We live in Fort Langley, a delightful heritage spot in British Columbia, Canada, and have lived here since 1980. The little complex we live on has quite a few ‘shared’ pets – dogs who enjoy walkies at any possible time, and cats who enjoy strokes and tummy rubs. They believe we’re here to serve them.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved books and was lucky enough to have parents who encouraged me. My favourite, as a child, was the Pookie Rabbit series by Ivy Wallace. Pookie feels out of place in his home because he’s not a normal brown bunny like his brothers and sisters — he has a set of wings. I identified with his feelings of ‘not belonging’!
I had a scrappy education, partly because of a mobility problem, and was, for several years, home educated. I had a huge complex about my lack of formal schooling, so I was delighted when, after arriving in Canada, I got a job as secretary to an editor with a magazine publisher. He would send me out on small assignments, and I accumulated enough experience to take up freelance journalism when we started a family, That in turn led to a career in travel writing. I travelled the world for a travel trade publication, on the proverbial ‘beer budget and champagne lifestyle.’ In 1990 I launched a consumer travel publication of my own, HolidayMaker, and kept it going for 20 years. It was a magical lifestyle. I was so blessed.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I always enjoy Jojo Moyes’ books and her amazing variety of topics. Alice Hoffman is another favourite. Ann Patchett, Ken Follett, Ruth Hogan … my goodness there are just so many really great authors, and so little time! Cynthia Harrod Eagles is inspirational with her sheer volume of series – all so different – and yet the quality of her writing never wanes.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Choirboy and the Bellydancer is a book about love, really, and how it can endure. It’s the story of how Christopher (later to become my husband) came to my rescue when I was alone at 16, and had nowhere to live. He was also 16, and took me home. “My mum’ll put you up,” he told me. And she did, and we became romantically involved. Until I had to join my own parents in the Middle East, where I – fickle teenager that I was – became starstruck by an Arab pop star and danced in his shows. When I got back to England, Chris and I hooked up again, in hilarious circumstances.
One section of my book explores our disparate childhoods, when Christopher was a choirboy, and I had adventures in West Africa, and lived in Spain during the 1950s.
I’m thrilled with the reviews my book is getting on Amazon and from other authors. I worked on the manuscript for four years, picking away at bits and pieces, and originally intended it just for my granddaughters. As I read passages to other people, I was persuaded it would have a much larger audience than just family. Then Covid hit, and I decided to take advantage of being locked down. I wasn’t going anywhere, so I metaphorically tied myself to the keyboard and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote. I got myself a good editor, Kathrin Lake of Buddha Press, and we gave birth to the book in February of this year!

Featured Interview With Lucas Kinkaid

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My father was in the military when I was born. I was born in Germany on an Air Force base. I now live in western Pennsylvania with my wife. We enjoy outdoor activities such as biking and hiking. We don’t have any pets, but we do have many creatures from the woods around our home that come to visit.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
When I was younger, I like sports. The first book I remember reading several times was “The Babe Ruth” story. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I started writing in High School. I wrote about things going on in my life and kept it hidden. In high school, I was on the newspaper staff and I’ve been writing ever since.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I really enjoy anything written by John Steinbeck. I like reading fiction but also fantasy. The biggest inspiration I have with my writing is stories that come alive in my mind, and I feel compelled to write them down.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book “My Canvas Bag” is about a young man born into a bad situation. He struggles with his dysfunctional homelife. He makes some bad decisions and then has to decided what path he will take in life. Trying to go down a path away from crime is difficult but is worth it. He discovers his ability to write and discovers himelf.

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Featured Interview With RUPALI SAINI

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m currently residing at Sri Ganganagar and grew up in the same northernmost city of the Indian state- Rajasthan. I don’t have any pet, willingly, but there is one at my home. A Pomeranian, imposed by my brother, her name is Misty and I’m happened to be growing a secret love for her, please don’t tell this to anyone 🙂
I’m a poet, activist, author and wanderer rambling in the world of my imagination. I’m also a random choreographer and often tap my feet with a story in my mind. When not penning the subtleties of human heart, I’m an assistant professor and a passionate teacher. I believe in promoting learning through questioning. So far my two books have been published, the first is on spirituality, a non-fiction, and the second is this newly published, SHOTS: Tell It Slant, a collection of 25 short shorts.
Before these two, my work has been featured in various journals and anthologies.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m a bookman from my early childhood but not in a typical sense. I’m not the one who is always on a quest for hunting some good books in his specific genre.
Luckily, till today there is no academic break in my life. So, in one way or other, I’m always working on some project and for the best outcomes, I’m required to do a thorough reading, as much as I can.
So, my reading happens out of necessity and my nature of doing the things in the best way possible makes me read intensively, it is then I enjoy the reading.
Whether it were my course books or the books related to my research, I always digested them to their depths and loved them along the way.
I started writing from my college days when it became difficult to sustain some overflowing emotions in my tiny skull.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
It is really a dilemma to name a few. As I have mentioned that I read to understand the things better for the project I’m working upon, and that makes me a sensitive reader, so with this sensibility I’m always able to derive something substantial from any write-up. In addition, I get influenced with every that writing which attracts me intellectually and also goes straight to heart.
I enjoy reading realistic and spiritual content. (Yes! spirituality is not fantasy.)
My own calling, when it pushes me, writing happens.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
That’s a good question 🙂
‘SHOTS: Tell It Slant’ is a collection of 25 short shorts, each story packs an emotional punch that leaves you in contemplation. You don’t read these stories, you feel them. In this book, I have attempted to portray a variety of characters in a few pages, where you experience the characters’ angst, dread, longing and desperation in a very relatable manner. Please give it a shot!
I’m waiting to hear your views about it…

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Featured Interview With Jennifer Fraser

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised on the west coast of Canada doing all manner of sailing, hiking, and marching around in bare feet. While I spent fourteen years in Toronto to complete my MA, PhD, and then lecture, I returned with my family to the west coast of Canada, landing surprisingly on an island. I live in Victoria, British Columbia with my husband, my 21 year old son, a high-maintenance black standard poodle, and our other son works on camera in Vancouver’s film industry.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that surfaced when I was ten. I was restricted from playing sports, had swollen wrists and hands, along with an almost immovable, swollen right knee. My mother’s response to this was to hand me things like Pride and Prejudice or Wuthering Heights if I felt sorry for myself or at a loss because I wasn’t allowed to actively play. This is where my passion for story began. I started writing with serious intent while I was working on my dissertation.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have too many favorites to list. I have too many genres to choose. I love stories. I appear to have never grown up and find myself falling into someone’s written word with complete abandon. I live their story so that I laugh out loud if its David Sedaris; I feel a sense of the divine if it’s Gerard Manly Hopkins or the Metaphysical poets; I gnash my teeth at the cruelty and manipulation and relatability of a Shakespeare play; I cry when it’s a tale of injustice and suffering like Uwem Akpan’s “Say You’re One of Them.” I am inspired by story-tellers. I respond to their commitment to use language as a way to provoke critical thinking, challenge mental laziness, open up hearts, fire up ethics, instil courage, reveal spirit, describe our remarkable universe, tell the truth through every genre from fiction to memoir.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health is a deeply personal journey from ignorance about brains to insight about the command-centre of our lives. I was thrown into two abuse crises at two private schools and came to realize that the prevailing way of handling adult abuse is to cover it up. Not one to comply or obey directives that I find corrupt, I chose the path of research. I discovered that on brain scans it is clear that all forms of bullying and abuse harm brains. It is shocking and serious. Then I learned that our brains are incredibly adept at repair. In my latest book, I share the advancements in neuroscience so that those who have been bullied or abused can learn evidence-based practices to recover and increase their health and happiness.

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