Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Chaitali Nath

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Chaitali Nath. I’m 18 now, but was 15 when Soul Spoken came out. It feels like it was yesterday but it’s been over two years. Time does fly by!
I’ve completed my plus two from Delhi Public School, Siliguri and am currently pursing MBBS (Medical Sciences) from CMSDH, Kolkata. I love reading, writing, listening to music. I’ve recently started writing songs and composing them as well, but I doubt they’ll be out anytime soon. I’m working on my next now and let’s hope that works well.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been reading since I was 6 or 7, maybe younger. My father got me my first book, and it hasn’t stopped since. As far as being a writer is concerned, I started writing quite early on, but those writings are not in Soul Spoken. I might have been around 9 when I started writing

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Roald Dahl was a favorite growing up. As of now, I enjoy reading pretty much everything, except horror, because I’m scared of it. I don’t Have any favorite authors now, because I feel each of them has shaped me in a different way through their books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Soul Spoken is the journey of a beautiful heart spoken through a soul

Adolescence is that time period of person’s life where he/she is generally interpreted as a confused adult or an overgrown child; though this is the ‘misinterpretation’ that needs to be subsided. Teenage is a completely different phase of life – an intermediate between the other two. A person develops in all areas during this phase. A teenager is a different kind of individual – unique and distinctive with intense emotions about all aspects of life, be it love, parents, education, friends or life in general.
‘Soul Spoken’ published by White Falcon Publishing has been written from a teenager’s view on the world and its constituents. After all, the world hasn’t seen how a teenager has seen it. The author has tried to expose the intricate web of felings that teenagers come across. The book has three parts – Poems; Quotes, Musings and Open Letters; and Stories. Poems are raw and reflect the feelings of the author vividly. The section of Quotes, Musings and Open Letters is inspiring and thought provoking, something that we all can ponder over. Short-stories concentrate on the creation of mood keeping in mind the storyline.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Chaitali Nath Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Phil Bellamy

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi I’m Phil, originally from Norwich UK, and now living in North Somerset with my wife and two children, and dog Teddy.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been an avid reader of personal finance and self help books for many years, although I didn’t start writing until last year during the pandemic. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Financial self hep books by rich dad poor dad. Very inspiring collection of books.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It’s a fact of modern life that money makes the world go round. Unfortunately, most people are not taught financial literacy during formal education, and they end up not fully understanding money, or how the system works.
This can lead to poor financial choices being made, resulting in less income or more debt, and a lifelong uphill struggle to make ends meet.
By mastering the art of money, you can make it work hard for you, instead of you working hard for it.
This book includes
• What money is and where it came from
• Different ways of making money
• How to save money on nearly everything
• Budgeting and financial plans and goals
• How to avoid scams and online fraud
• An introduction to the main asset classes
• A road map to financial freedom

Learning and understanding these simple skills will provide you with the confidence and knowledge to be able to earn more money, generate a passive income, convert savings into investments and assets, and ultimately achieve financial freedom!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Phil Bellamy’s Website

Featured Interview With Sunshine Rodgers

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Virginia and spent quite a few years in Tennessee. Though I loved the mountains, my name is Sunshine and I am a summer girl all the way. So when I couldn’t handle the snow and ice anymore, I migrated down south to “the Sunshine State” and I have been living in Florida for several years with my husband, Travis. I am a Best Selling Author to 8 books. I am also a blogger, a Brand Ambassador/social media influencer and Entrepreneur.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I love reading! Even as a kid, I would ask for more books on Christmas and birthdays. My favorite series was “Animorphs” by K.A. Applegate and “Goosebumps” by R.L. Stine. I collected them all! I started writing in a journal when I was 9 years old and I have never stopped writing! I use inspiration from my life to write my stories. My books are about friendship, family, love, romance, marriage and wholesome material for any age to enjoy. I do have one PG-13 Dark Fiction called “After You: A Demon is Always Lurking Nearby” which is a modern day twist on the C.S. Lewis classic “A Screwtape Letters.”

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre to read is Inspirational Fiction, Nonfiction and Documentaries. My favorite authors are Gene Edwards (” A Tale of Three Kings”) , C.S. Lewis (“The Screwtape Letters”) and John Eldredge (“Wild at Heart”). These authors have a passion that just jumps off the pages, and I would love to imitate that creativity in my own writing. These authors break the borders of the imagination and take their readers into deep worlds, fantastical settings and introduce elaborate characters. I also try to explore a deep range in my writings as some of my books are set in Heaven, one is set in Hades, one is told from a demon’s point of view, another from the view of a Paradise Worker. I love books that make you think and I love writing speculative fiction.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a Young Adult Fiction Novel “The Characters Within,” inspired by my time working at Florida’s most popular theme park!

Brittany Myers is stuck. She hates her role as a Cheese Crusader to Florida’s popular Cheddar and Such theme park! She is sick of the guests, the heat and working at the Fun at the Parm Attraction which features the animatronics Patty the Pretzel and Peter the Breadstick.

Her only relief from the monotony is writing chapters in her upcoming novel “The Carnival Ride” where she tells stories with theatrical scenes about her co-workers, her fears and the struggles she faces day in and day out.

With the help of her work family, the man of her dreams and her best friend, Brittany discovers that the magic she is looking for was right inside of her the entire time.

Published by: RWG Publishing
Artist: Heather Worley
Audio Book Narrator: Isa Lonergan

This book is available now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audio book!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Sunshine Rodgers’s Website

Sunshine Rodgers Facebook Page

Sunshine Rodgers Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Amy Watkins

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I received an undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University and a Medical Degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore. I served in the US Navy for eight years and currently work as a family medicine physician for the Navy. I reside in Virginia with my three crazy kids, my lifetime partner, and an adopted dog. I am a Christian and active in church. I am also a strong supporter of equality for all, coexistence, and eliminating prejudices.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Growing up, English was my least favorite subject. I disliked reading and writing. Then when I got to high school, I came across “The Coldest Winter Ever” by Sister Souljah and fell in love. For the first time, I encountered a novel that not only held my attention but was relatable. It featured African American characters from my generation. Since then, I have been an avid reader enjoying fiction romance novels and African American literature that addresses social issues. I started writing for fun sixteen years ago. I started a book that currently sits in the back of my file cabinet unfinished. Three years ago, while going through a high stress period in my life, I started writing again. I mainly wrote as a stress reliever, but that writing turned into a novel which I published last year. Four months later, I published my second novel. They both are fiction novels which address several important social issues such as spousal abuse, drug abuse, Christianity, racism, mass incarceration, teenage pregnancy, mental health, and LGBTQ rights.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love supporting indie authors thus as of yet I have spent most of my free time discovering self-published authors. I traditionally like Eric Jerome Dickey, Zane, Tiffany Jackson, and Octavia Butler. My favorite book is “Better Than I Know Myself” by Donna Grant and Virginia DeBerry. My favorite genres to read include fiction romance novels and African American. My writing style is inspired by all of these authors. I describe my writing as Zane meets T.D. Jakes as my novels tend to be very spicy but has Christian elements. The characters in my book tend to be modeled from people I have met along my life journey.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest novel, “Cute for a Black Girl” is an insightful coming of age story that follows Chloe Wilcox, a beautiful, smart and talented African American girl with a promising future. Though her beginnings were rough, she was adopted by a rich, successful, and loving father then whisked away to a great neighborhood with a top-notch school system. Unfortunately, being the only Black girl in her entire school, her complexion sets her up for being an outcast. Insecurity develops as a result of the common belittling she experiences from her community. Abandoned, Chloe is left unconscious in the ER. Chloe’s family and friends come together to support her and to try to find out how she ended up in such a predicament. This diverse group of unlikely associates includes an older successful judge who has lost his faith, a Black male college student with a tragic past, a young lesbian who is just coming to understand her identify, and a nerdy math genius with manipulative parents. They must put aside their differences and unify to discover the truth.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Amy Watkins’s Website

Amy Watkins Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Gerald Hogg

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am originally from England and spent most of my life working as a chef on cruise ships and hotels and restaurants around the world. I have lived and worked in ten different countries including, Jamaica, Bermuda, Australia, The Falkland Islands, The USA, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and The Philippines. I retired to Thailand four years ago with the intentions of becoming an author in my retirement and I currently live on the island of Koh Samui.
I have written eight books to-date, my first book “The Retire in Thailand Handbook (The first six months)” was published worldwide by London publishers Austin Macauley in November of 2019 and I have written four other travel-related books aimed at retirees and baby boomers in my “Retirees Travel Guide Series of Books”:
• A Retirees Guide to Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos, book 2 in The Retirees Travel Guide Series
• Same-Same but Different. Searching For the Perfect Place to Retire In Thailand: Book 3 in The Retirees Travel Guide Series.
• A Retirees Guide to South East Asia. Myanmar, Singapore, Bali, and Malaysia: Book 4 in The Retirees Guide Series
• The Ten Best Countries in The World To Retire And Grow Old Gracefully Disgracefully; Book 5 in The Retirees Guide Series
I have also written a historical novel “The Deptford Mask Murders” which recounts the first-time fingerprints were used to solve a murder in the UK in1905, and the outcome that would change the way police forces around the world would be able to identify criminal suspects by the ridges on their fingers, as well as my biography “You Will Never Amount to Anything”

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The first books I remember reading were the Just William series of books by Richmal Crompton, I would have been about 8-years old. As I matured I read everything Charles Dickens wrote and all of The Hobbit series of books by J. R. R. Tolkien, I also loved Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Being at sea for much of my life, books were an important source of entertainment in the few leisure hours that you get working on a ship. I would read everything that I could get my hands on, from Agatha Christie to Ernest Hemingway, from Nevil Shute to Leslie Thomas. My favorite authors of today are James Lee Burke, Elmore Leonard, Dennis Lehane, Kate Atkinson, and Khaled Hosseini. I also like to read any travel-related books especially anything by Michael Palin and Bill Bryson. I don’t think any author actually influenced me; I just loved losing myself in a good book.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
On the Paradise Island of Koh Samui, a young English girl’s body is found posed looking out to sea on Bophut Beach. Her throat has been cut to near decapitation and Police Lieutenant Chai Son Sinuan, of the Royal Thailand Police, an incorruptible policeman in a police force that is deep-rooted in corruption, is handed the toughest murder case of his career. At the same time, Covid-19 has devastated Koh Samui’s and Thailand’s tourist industry and the government is putting pressure on Son to solve the case to save face with the international community. Son is in a race against time to solve the murder, but with most businesses, hotels, massage parlours, restaurants and bars now closed on the island and with many potential witnesses having already left the Koh Samui to return to their home countries or provinces around Thailand there are very few leads to follow. The investigation takes Son to Ko Pha-Ngan and the Island of Phuket and then back to Koh Samui as he untangles a crime with links back to the notorious gangsters the Kray twins the most feared, most ruthless gangsters in London during the 1950 and 1960s.
Authors note. I started to write this book in April 2020 when I was in self-isolation after I contracted the coronavirus. For me, the virus was just like a normal dose of the flu, but for millions of people around the world, they were not so lucky. While I was in lockdown and seeing the effect the virus was having on the world I decided to write a suspense novel that was centred on Covid-19 that would highlight the difficulties and frustrations that any police force would face when trying to solve a major crime during the worse pandemic in over 100 years, when most of the population, except for essential services were told by their governments to stay home to stop the virus from spreading. Though I love the working-class people of Thailand I am not a great fan of the Thailand government, in fact, I am not a great fan of many governments. But credit must go to where credit is due and the Thailand government handled the pandemic better than most other counties. With a population of nearly 70 million people, Thailand recorded only 58 deaths compare that to my home country of the UK who have a similar size population but have to date recorded 45,000 deaths.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Gerald Hogg’s Website

Gerald Hogg Facebook Page

Gerald Hogg Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Jeff Pearson

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Akaktikaton, a small Inuit village north of the Arctic circle.

I now live in Notakitkaka, a small Inuit village south of the Antarctic circle.

I have a pet penguin named Sidney Crosby.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I became fascinated with books at the age of 45. That’s when I saw my first one. It was resting on a table, about thirty feet away from me. I was fascinated and curious about it but still too frightened to approach it.

I started writing about five months later when I figured out, on my own, how to use a pencil. The first thing I ever wrote was the letter “Q.” And the rest is now mystery history.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite author to read is legendary Inuit author, Larry Whalebone.

My favourite genre to read is Inuit erotica.

Larry Whalebone inspires me to try to write Inuit erotica but I’ve never “been with” an Inuit man or woman before so I have to really rely on my imagination–and Larry’s stories from the free-love, Arctic-Inuit, hippie era of the 1960s when seal-skin parkas were being shed faster than you could blow out a seal-blubber candle inside the penthouse wing of an igloo.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is entitled, “Welcome to D*ck n B*lls Tower!” and strangely enough, it has no Inuit erotica in it whatsoever! Damn: and I just realized there’s a spot where it would have fit in there really nicely too. Anyways, all is not lost because even without the Inuit erotica…. Well, here’s a snippet from what an obviously brilliant reviewer said about my most recent book:

“If I had to summarize this cocktail of insanity, I’d say get a tall glass, add one shot of Terry Pratchett, a healthy measure of Hunter S. Thompson, top up with some Jim Jefferies and garnish with one of those special mushrooms people aren’t supposed to eat….”

(5 Stars)—Michael Gardner for Readers’ Favorite.

And here’s another one:

“Hysterical and inventive … an ingenious and brilliant work of art … I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.”

(5 Stars)—Foluso Falaye for Readers’ Favorite.

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

Featured Interview With Kaitlyn Jain

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a Michigander at heart who moved to the East Coast after college. In addition to my little ones, I have two Boston Terriers.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved to read and writing a book has been a lifelong dream. I started writing this story after a trip to Scandinavia with my four young kids. I know that many people are intimidated by traveling with kids, so I wanted to share our adventure to inspire others to take that trip.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy books from many genres.
I love Bill Bryson’s work. Harper Lee. Isabelle Allende. Malcolm Gladwell.
My favorites are non-fiction and historical fiction. I like books that teach me something new.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Passports and Pacifiers is a true story of my husband and me traveling with four small children… on a budget. It follows us (young, naïve, and baby-wearing) on eight memorable, affordable, and nap-centered trips. It starts with taking our Never-Sleep infant to child-loving Italy. Six years later, the tally of kids reached four (all under the age of eight) for an adventure across Scandinavia. Readers are regaled with misadventures, like losing the only pacifier of the trip, missing ferries, and traveling with a baby who refuses to nap. We find deals and save where we can.

Parents of small children receive tips on:
• Transferring sleeping babies after a hotel upgrade
• Keeping your Ever-Hungry spouse happy
• Driving with a carsick toddler

This book serves as an inspiration and guidebook to take your kids out of your comfort zone and explore.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Kaitlyn Jain’s Website

Kaitlyn Jain Facebook Page

Kaitlyn Jain Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Ratna Srivastava

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I thought I was born to be a teacher. I was wrong. I never thought I would be a writer. I was wrong again! Sometimes there is so much joy hidden when things don’t go as we thought. I am one example.

Originally, a kindergarten teacher, I was head over heels in love with my work and felt like a king in my realm. Although I had always been fond of writing, I had strictly kept it private. But one day suddenly changed it all. I was meditating when I saw images of Earth flashing in my head. Those images were so startling and so shocking that I decided to write them down so I could share them with the world. And that’s how I became a writer.
I live in Munich, Germany, with my husband and child. Reading and writing continue to dominate my life just like they always did, in addition to my deep love for nature, animals, children, music and Earth.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I must have been born with a book and a pen in my hand!
Since my very early childhood I had been into reading and writing.
No matter what I wrote, whether an essay, a letter, a comment, a blog post, anything; I noticed, it had some kind of effect on people, and they would always remark, ‘Wow! That’s very well written. You should be a writer.’
Once I posted a 7-10-sentences in a comment on a newspaper article, and several people wrote back to me, ‘You should be a writer!’

And I never took such comments seriously. Never.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading classics with romance fiction being my favorite most genre. Charlotte Bronte, Enid Blyton and Arthur Conan Doyle are my Gods! Fatty of Famous Five? My first crush! Sherlock Holmes? Don’t even mention. He’s my first and eternal love! Jane Eyre? I might be her reincarnation.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Do you know why I wrote Emit Eht?
Well, allow me to share a new perspective with you just for the sake of some fun and critical creative thinking.

Let us, just for one moment, forget how old is Earth, humanity and our civilisation. Let’s forget when was writing invented and age of artefacts. Let us do some time engineering: Remember it is just for fun.

We are significantly developed in science and technology, and Earth is reeling in chaotic climate change and environmental damages. Imagine, an asteroid (or whatever) rams in and humanity is finished (like dinosaurs) leaving sundry alive here and there.
In absence of human beings, their activities, consumption and industries, the earth starts recovering. All existing places and things are swallowed up and many years elapse.

The fun part is about to begin:

1. How long can/will it take for surviving ‘sundry’ humans to reach current level of advancement?
2. Can/will their technology be same as our current one?
3. How much of our current existence will be able to survive thousands of years in future?
4. Will future scientists, historians and archaeologists be able to discover accurately how we are living right now? Will they know we have 5G Internet, Facebook, Online bank- transfer, Insta-chat, Cable TV, Nano-technology, 3-D printing, space-exploration etc etc etc etc etc?
5. If future scientist found an Audi symbol of 5 rings (Or that of BMW) would they know it meant a car? They might think it means four continents, or three eyes or four suns and three moons…!
6. Writing (and what not) will again have to be invented and would be most probably only 4–6 thousand years old.

The funniest part is this:
Are we doing the same? What’s the proof we aren’t? Oh, there are proofs all right…Just look around at yourself now. Now, does Göbekli Tepe and Pyramids, Nazca Lines of Peru, Baghdad Battery, London Hammer, Stonehenge and the like, make some more sense than Historians are willing to tell us???

This is why I wrote Emit Eht. Deep sigh…!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Ratna Srivastava’s Website

Ratna Srivastava Facebook Page

Ratna Srivastava Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Terri Lorah

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello, I’m Terri from small-town USA or Manheim PA. I grew up in Denver but I don’t live far from there. Married for 40+ years, and 3 adult children who gave me 3 adorable grandchildren make life just about perfect.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I wrote poems when I was a pre-teen and in my teen years and loved to draw. After getting married, and having kids, life got busy until my best friend encouraged me to start writing. While I wrote, she was the devil’s advocate and edited my book in the 90s. Then, we pushed it aside because, you know, life happened.
When Amazon began self-publishing, I haven’t stopped since.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading almost anything. Women’s Fiction is what I write and I love reading Kirstin Hanna, Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and so many more.

I am inspired by so many. Elana Johnson, who writes cowboy western romance is such an inspiration for all writers in many genres. There are so many others as well. The writing community loves to help each other succeed.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Winter Retreat, book 4 in the Hideaway Lake series finds one of the main character’s sisters at Hideaway Lake. Her story is one of stepping out of her self-imposed box and learning how to live life.

Featured Interview With Lynnette Clement

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Lynnette Clement is an author, actress, and radio co-host from Philadelphia, PA, where she still resides. She is passionate about helping people make better life decisions. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, writing, acting, singing at karaoke and does no have any pets. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Education.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At the age of 16, I knew that I enjoyed reading and writing in my English class in High School. I began writing poetry and rap in high school and decided to start writing my first book in 1996 after being cheating on and looking for a way to get out my feelings on paper. As I begin to write, I started interviewing men and women asking them questions about why they think men and women cheat and expected to include this in my book. Well, after much disagreement, I decided not to write the book. It wasn’t until several years later (2018), after research, education, and more experience and a changed heart and mindset, I thought about writing a self-help to help people learn about the “why” of behavior and connect it to cheating behaviors and that helped me write my first book about how to stop cheating or never start and even includes what to do if you have cheated, and what to do after you have been cheated on.

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, Barack Obama’s A Promised Land, and Daymond Johns Rise and Grind. My favorite genres are fiction novel love stories, memoirs, and self-help books. My life and the people that I meet in life inspires my writings.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Ardent Grandeur, is a fiction novel, suspense, thrilling, tragic love story about an aspiring artist who stops at no end to live a life of grandeur, despite who he hurts along the way. Through triumphs and tragedies, all of the characters lives take you on an emotional roller coaster ride only to undercover how our life decisions matter more than we think. The book promotes critical thinking skills, unconditional love, and understanding where our behaviors derive from, how to cope better with life challenges and make better life decisions.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Lynnette Clement’s Website

Featured Interview With Stu Lane

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello, my name is Stu and I live in the East Midlands, UK. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading (obviously!), music, sports, films, travel and the outdoors. I competed in a couple of half marathons a few years ago and am hoping to do so again, once things get back to normal!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always loved reading since I was very young. One of the first books I remember ploughing through was Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Lost World’. It was a children’s version and at that time, I loved dinosaurs, so the images in my head of a bunch of explorers in some far off land encountering all manner of prehistoric animals really captured my imagination. At that time, I was living in the countryside so when we would play out in the woods, I’d always pretend to be one of the main characters out exploring in ‘Maple White Land’.
I started writing by undertaking a home study course which involved researching and writing articles for magazines. I liked it, but it didn’t really allow me to use my imagination, so found it quite limiting. I was trying to think of a story idea, and one day, I read an article about people who had been bullied online and ‘trolled’ by anonymous Internet and social media users. That gave me the idea for my first book, ‘Trolling Jemma Harvey’, which is available now on Amazon as an e-book. I found that I really enjoyed the process of thinking of ideas and characters, putting them together and turning it into a cohesive plot which can grip the reader. I get a real buzz from coming up with plot ideas and seeing where they take me. Shortly after publishing ‘Trolling Jemma Harvey’ I got my idea for the next book…

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite non-fiction authors are Bill Bryson and Danny Wallace. I find that they write in styles which contain the right balance of humour, detail and emotion, so really pull you in and allow you to get totally absorbed in their books. As for fiction, I love Dan Brown’s books and also ‘Small Island’ by Andrea Levy. I loved her style of writing the story from the perspective of each character which draws you into their thinking, motivations and experience of living in 1940’s Britain. For me, all of the above authors are people to aspire to.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled ‘Hellhound, Take Me Home’ and is currently available as an e-book on Amazon. It is set in the Second World War and begins in Singapore 1942 when Ken Hazel, an Australian soldier, is captured by the Japanese Army during the invasion. Two years Later, Hito Egami, a Japanese soldier who is a prisoner of the Australians, takes part in the breakout from Cowra Prisoner of War camp. Injured, he hides out in the bush, where he is found by Ken’s wife Ann. Against all her instincts, she decides to take Hito in and nurse him back to full health.
As Ann and Hito get to know each other, an opportunity arises that will allow Hito to get back to his family in Japan, and Ann to be reunited with Ken. This sets the scene for a perilous adventure across World War II Pacific. Ann knows that is if she is found to be sheltering the enemy, she will be imprisoned as a traitor. Meanwhile, Hito tries to hide out knowing he is hated by the Allies as an enemy soldier, and hated by his fellow countrymen for surrendering in battle.
As well as action and adventure, the story also focuses on the different relationships between each character and their motivations and feelings behind the actions they take. It switches back and forth between Ann and Hito in Australia, and Ken enduring the hardships and torture as a POW in Japan.
I got the idea for this story after reading Bill Bryson’s ‘Down Under’ (which is a brilliant read). During his travels in Australia, he describes visiting Cowra and the real-life breakout by Japanese prisoners of war from there in 1944. It got me thinking, ‘what if one of these prisoners was taken in by a local resident?’ and then, ‘what if that resident had a husband who was a prisoner of the Japanese?’ The ideas for the book then snowballed from there.

Featured Interview With Iulia C. Bocaneala

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am Iulia C. Bocaneala, an International Relations specialist, an editor writer and the author of two books. I live in Europe, born and raised in South-East of Europe, in Romania. I have an 1 year and a half cat, named Kitty Katie who is a part of my personal life and a great pet companion. I love jogging because it raises my capacity of thinking. I enjoy landscape photography and spend my free time capturing different sides of nature, traveling, or discovering new places.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I am writing from high school, when I fist discover my passion in literature essays or philosophy authors. With a University Degree Diploma in International Relations and European Studies, I gauged a particular interest in how European and international policy can best change the community, that is why my fundamental knowledge in Political Science and Social Science developed my enthusiasm for writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The first favorite author is F. Scott Fitzgerald with The Great Gatsby novel  because it is one of the great classics of twentieth-century literature and it really captured my attention as being an exemplary novel of the Jazz Age.
The most important author that inspired me with her writings is Jane Austen, with her book, Pride and Prejudice, because of her characters intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.
The last author is C.G. Jung with his book, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, that relates the life story of Jung. It really impressed me with his psychological theories that were described in a much more personal way than his other work.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I am the author of the novels, ‘The Heart Of An Eye’ and ‘Collection Days: Famous Smiles’. I am proud of the unique and inspirational novels that I wrote. My latest book released, ‘The Heart Of An Eye’ has a prominent role in my career and has been enjoyed by fans of all ages and backgrounds. ‘The Heart of An Eye’ represents an unique fiction novel that explores — the facets of the human condition, including the function and role of society, the nature, and motivation of human acts, the purpose of life, ethics or morals —the role of experience or reason in the development of knowledge, whether there exists free will. The novel presents an ambiguous and ironic projection of the ideal state— for a future in which society is entirely based on logic and modeled after mechanical systems through different directions of humanity that can be taken depending on its choices.
As a prolific writer, my mission in life is to express stories of all kinds. Find everything from my latest book released to future projects on my author platform.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Iulia C. Bocaneala’s Website

Iulia C. Bocaneala Facebook Page

Iulia C. Bocaneala Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Robert Eggleton

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., but I grew up around Charleston, West Virginia. Let me elaborate a little because your question ties directly into the plot and character development of my debut novel, Rarity from the Hollow.

Shortly after I was born, my father graduated from television repair school in Cleveland. My family returned home to West Virginia. Even though I didn’t remember living in Cleveland, during my childhood I would brag to my peers that I’d been out-of-state since I was born in Ohio. It boosted my social status because very few of my peers had been anyplace other than their own ghettoes.

Similar to the protagonist’s father in my novel, my own father had PTSD caused by World War II traumas that he treated with alcohol. Before I started elementary school, he had become so dysfunctional that my mother would run him off. He would return when sober, “fall off the wagon” and my mother would run him off again, and again. Since we couldn’t pay the rent regularly, we moved frequently — shacks and dilapidated houses in one impoverished neighborhood after another, into and out of the rural hollows outside of our small town. Typically, I would change schools three or four times a year. Everyplace that we moved, I would brag to my peers that I’d been out-of-state, and they were impressed.

After my father died in a house fire, my family moved into a housing project when I was fourteen. At sixteen, I no longer needed to lie about having been out-of-state because I’d gotten my driver’s license and it was true. I moved out of the Project my second year of college, got married, graduated from West Virginia State College, and was awarded a Masters of Social Work degree by West Virginia University in 1977. I have been employed in this state for over fifty-two years, more than forty of which were in roles related to child advocacy. Today, we own a small house in a low-income neighborhood on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia.

The theme, “out-of-state” was incorporated into Rarity from the Hollow. The protagonist is Lacy Dawn. Her mother, Jenny, begins the story as a down-trodden victim of domestic violence. After an off-planet comical adventure, Jenny doesn’t need to brag anymore about having once gone out-of-state.

“Out-of-state” was also an element of a scene during which Lacy Dawn delivers psychotherapy to classmates at school. In this scene, a boy’s father is unemployed because the coal mine had shut down. The boy is being treated by Lacy Dawn for anxiety related to the family’s intention to move out-of-state so that the father can look for a job in Cleveland.

“Out-of-state” was also used in two scenes involving the android. In the first scene, the android had been assigned by Universal Management to perform a job on another planet. He had to leave Earth, leave Lacy Dawn. At this point in the story, the android was beginning to fall in love and to modify his programming so that he could feel more human-like emotions. In this scene, the android sheds his first tear because he has to leave the Hollow and go “out-of-state” for a new job.

The last scene that mentions “out-of-state” involves the android’s return to the Hollow from the out-of-state job. In this scene, he is introduced to Jenny as Lacy Dawn’s fiancé for when she’s old enough to marry. Following is an excerpt showing, in relevant part, Jenny’s head thoughts at one point in the scene:

It’s unusual for a man to promise to come back home and ever be seen again…They’ve been together for a while and I ain’t seen a mark on her. That’s unusual too. He ain’t got no private parts and that’s another good thing. Hell, if I get in the middle, she’d just run off with him anyway. I’d better play it smart. I don’t want to lose my baby.

A book review of Rarity from the Hollow published by The Missouri Review noted its “out-of-state” theme:

“And just when you think enough is enough, this world is too plain ugly…Lacy Dawn, her mother and her dog take off for a trip to the mall ‘out of state’ with Lacy Dawn’s android friend, now her “fiancé”… In the space of a few lines we go from gritty realism to pure sci-fi/fantasy. It’s quite a trip….”

My wife and I have four rescue cats, and one rescue dog. The cats are in charge of the household, but the dog has not yet realized it — I think Blew has ADHD, so it seems to be going in one dog ear and out the other.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was born to be a writer. In the eighth grade I won the school’s short story competition with “God Sent” – a story about a semi truck driver so consumed with theological debate that he lost concentration on the road and caused a terrible accident. That win reinforced my dream to become a rich and famous author. But, I prioritized other responsibilities, such as school and supporting my family, until 2006 when, after having soaked up the pain of traumatized children at work, I would come home still thinking about the kids but stay up late and write fiction. I had become concerned that I was running out of time to pursue my dream of creative writing. So, I pushed myself. For as long as I can remember, I never actually gave up on my dream. But, until I retired from my job as a children’s psychotherapist a couple of months ago, I was just so exhausted that I couldn’t efficiently produce material. I’ve now made a total commitment to writing fiction, subject to revision if I can’t pay my bills and need to get a part-time job.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve always had eclectic tastes in fiction. Mark Twain’s characters inspired me as a child to work hard to support my family. Without that inspiration, I have little doubt that I would have ended up on the “wrong side of the tracks.” Episodes of male incarcerations were an accepted way of life in my family, especially on my mother’s side although my father did his time in prison too. Tom Sawyer gave me an alternative to believe in beyond what seemed like an in and out of jail existence. I probably should have paid a little closer attention, however, because I served some time behind bars too, but it was during the hippie counterculture days so it was cool.

With respect to writing, I’m not sure that you have enough bandwidth for me to make a complete list of inspirations, so here’s a few. Of course, Heinlein’s determination as an aspiring author after having been rejected so many times inspired my own persistence. Also, the way he progressively treated racial and gender issues in his fiction at a time when science fiction was regarded a pulp for kids inspired me to consider incorporating social commentary into my fiction.

Ferlinghetti, the poet of the Beat Generation, showed me how to enjoy my anger about political and societal issues. Similarly, Vonnegut’s anger in Breakfast of Champions helped me stay strong as a children’s advocate and as a writer, and how to continue to have fun experimenting with my writing style outside of commonly accepted structures and formats.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter series reinforced my faith in the potential of adolescent morality and the future of the world, which was comforting. Watership Down by R. Adams was such a sweet adventure that some of this element just is a necessary ingredient of even the scariest or saddest story. I want my writing to be as hopeful regardless of barriers. What the point in bumming people out?

The versatility in cross-genre and the use of humour by Bradbury – I have enjoyed everything that he’s written. It taught me that people finish what they read because they are experiencing enjoyment. Recreational reading is not like a homework assignment.

Dean Koontz has been masterful and can give me enjoyable nightmares. I’m one of those people who learned how to enjoy having the crap scared out of me.

Nora Roberts knows how to get me in a romantic mood. Yes, older guys can still at least remember romance and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. Males do read romance novels.

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by D. Adams and Another Roadside Attraction by Robbins pushed me into the wilder side of writing regardless of censorship, as did the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics. It’s a place that I really like to visit, but would not necessarily want to live there full-time.

Stephen King’s use of everyday horror convinced me that alarming scenes can be created by using almost anything as a prop. At home, we have a game. We name common household objects that could be converted into a dangerously exciting killing machine – the more gross the better. We are inspired!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I don’t want to spoil anything for its readers. Rarity from the Hollow is full of contrasts: harsh reality amplifies outrageous fantasy, bitterness blends into acceptance and empowerment, tragedy inspires comedy, and a biography of a victim becomes a science fiction story. It does not fit neatly into a genre, such as romance, horror or even speculative fiction.

The protagonist, Lacy Dawn, is the last person on Earth that one would expect to be charged with saving the universe. The Evil was the original spawn of the human race and now so universally despised that any homemaker would be embarrassed to admit its occupancy. I know that this sounds vague, but it’s difficult to avoid spoilers.

This novel was written for an adult audience, but does not have graphic sex scenes, a lot of violence or any of the other similar content that one might assume to be attributable to an Adults Only classification. It is sweet but frank and honest with no holds barred. It addresses the complexities of real life, but presents sensitive topics that might trigger emotional distress with comic relief. My intent was for readers to enjoy the experiences that I created with everyday words and colloquialism, but not to gloss over realism in the way that some YA titles accomplish.

In a nutshell, Rarity from the Hollow is about a traumatized little girl who learns to be the Savior of the Universe with the help of her mentally ill family and friends. It’s up to readers to decide which scenes are dissociative as a result of Lacy Dawn’s severe traumas and which scenes are pure fantasy and science fiction. I hope that readers take away the sense that action empowers one to overcome any real or imagined tragedy.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Robert Eggleton’s Website

Robert Eggleton Facebook Page

Robert Eggleton Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Ratna Srivastava

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I thought I was born to be a teacher. I was wrong. I never thought I would be a writer. I was wrong again! Sometimes there is so much joy hidden when things don’t go as we thought. I am one example.

Originally, a kindergarten teacher, I was head over heels in love with my work and felt like a king in my realm. Although I had always been fond of writing, I had strictly kept it private. But one day suddenly changed it all. I was meditating when I saw images of Earth flashing in my head. Those images were so startling and so shocking that I decided to write them down so I could share them with the world. And that’s how I became a writer.
I live in Munich, Germany, with my husband and child. Reading and writing continue to dominate my life just like they always did, in addition to my deep love for nature, animals, children, music and Earth.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I must have been born with a book and a pen in my hand!
Since my very early childhood I had been into reading and writing.
No matter what I wrote, whether an essay, a letter, a comment, a blog post, anything; I noticed, it had some kind of effect on people, and they would always remark, ‘Wow! That’s very well written. You should be a writer.’
Once I posted a 7-10-sentences in a comment on a newspaper article, and several people wrote back to me, ‘You should be a writer!’

And I never took such comments seriously. Never.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading classics with romance fiction being my favorite most genre. Charlotte Bronte, Enid Blyton and Arthur Conan Doyle are my Gods! Fatty of Famous Five? My first crush! Sherlock Holmes? Don’t even mention. He’s my first and eternal love! Jane Eyre? I might be her reincarnation.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Do you know why I wrote Emit Eht?
Well, allow me to share a new perspective with you just for the sake of some fun and critical creative thinking.

Let us, just for one moment, forget how old is Earth, humanity and our civilisation. Let’s forget when was writing invented and age of artefacts. Let us do some time engineering: Remember it is just for fun.

We are significantly developed in science and technology, and Earth is reeling in chaotic climate change and environmental damages. Imagine, an asteroid (or whatever) rams in and humanity is finished (like dinosaurs) leaving sundry alive here and there.
In absence of human beings, their activities, consumption and industries, the earth starts recovering. All existing places and things are swallowed up and many years elapse.

The fun part is about to begin:

1. How long can/will it take for surviving ‘sundry’ humans to reach current level of advancement?
2. Can/will their technology be same as our current one?
3. How much of our current existence will be able to survive thousands of years in future?
4. Will future scientists, historians and archaeologists be able to discover accurately how we are living right now? Will they know we have 5G Internet, Facebook, Online bank- transfer, Insta-chat, Cable TV, Nano-technology, 3-D printing, space-exploration etc etc etc etc etc?
5. If future scientist found an Audi symbol of 5 rings (Or that of BMW) would they know it meant a car? They might think it means four continents, or three eyes or four suns and three moons…!
6. Writing (and what not) will again have to be invented and would be most probably only 4–6 thousand years old.

The funniest part is this:
Are we doing the same? What’s the proof we aren’t? Oh, there are proofs all right…Just look around at yourself now. Now, does Göbekli Tepe and Pyramids, Nazca Lines of Peru, Baghdad Battery, London Hammer, Stonehenge and the like, make some more sense than Historians are willing to tell us???

This is why I wrote Emit Eht. Deep sigh…!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Ratna Srivastava’s Website

Ratna Srivastava Facebook Page

Ratna Srivastava Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Susan Quilty

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello! I’ve been told some readers like to get to know an author by reading between the lines of his or her work. As I prefer a more direct route, I’m happy to simply tell you a little about myself. I grew up in a small town in Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie, and I’ve lived in Northern Virginia for nearly all of my adult life. In my current town, I enjoy taking part in local events, though that has been harder during the pandemic. When I’m not writing, I practice and teach yoga and meditation. I also dabble in knitting, drawing, and playing the piano.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
One of my earliest memories involves tracing people-shaped magnets onto paper and asking my mom to help me write the words to a story about them. I was around four at the time. Since then, writing has always been a part of my life in one way or another. During my brief career in the tech world, the margins of my meeting notes were often filled with snippets of stories or poems. During my years as a freelance writer, my stories took a backseat to the articles I wrote for clients, but they slowly filled my laptop. In 2016, I shifted my focus to writing fiction and completed my first novel, The Insistence of Memory. By the end of 2020, I had published five books, which may seem like a lot in a short time, but those books were years in the making!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My reading habits are fairly eclectic. I likely read more fiction than non-fiction, but I do love books on neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. When it comes to novels, I tend toward character-driven stories over a lot of action, though complicated time-travel plots will always draw me in! Just a few of the writers who inspire me include Kurt Vonnegut, Margaret Atwood, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Neil Gaiman, William Somerset Maugham, and Thich Nhat Hanh.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The books I write tend to be grounded in reality but have science-fiction, fantasy, or psychological twists. My latest book is a sort of ode to that style, as well as being a much needed, fun project in the midst of this pandemic! The book is called Audrey and Esther Geekify Greenville, and will hopefully be the first in what I’m calling my Twist Your Fiction Storybook series.

Instead of being a novel, this is a choose-your-ending gamebook. Yet in this book, your choices can also change the genre of your story, leading you through sci-fi, fantasy, or rom-com twists! It was a lot of fun to write, and I love hearing from readers who are enjoying its many turns. The book includes 22 possible endings, so it can be read and reread to find multiple stories.

You can read a portion of Audrey & Esther Geekify Greenville on my website (below), with a chance to find a few endings. It’s a lighthearted read that is much sillier than my novels, but I think the world could use a bit more silliness right now!

My site also tells you more about my other books, including The Psychic Traveler Society series, which is a fantasy adventure series written for both young adult and adult readers. (The first two books are now available, and I’m currently writing the third.)

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Susan Quilty’s Website

Susan Quilty Facebook Page

Susan Quilty Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Rosalind Tate

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in England in a pretty market town and I still live in England, in the countryside. I have two wonderful dogs. Bella, the inspiration for Charlotte the labradoodle in my novel, is kind and clever and incredibly tolerant of our other dog, Sophie, who is naughty and silly, and spends hours zooming round the garden.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was born in the 1960s. No social media, no Netflix. And here in England, TV was pretty basic: two black and white channels! So, when I was four, I started reading books and loved escaping into other people’s lives — and different worlds.

In the 1980s I tried writing Mills & Boons but my heart wasn’t in them. I started writing a thriller before that. Ditto. I only started writing seriously about five years ago when indie publishing took off. I realised I could write the book I wanted to write, keep all my rights to the story and sort my own branding and marketing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Fantasy does it for me, with romance, mystery and twisty sub-plots! And authors who transport you into someone else’s shoes are the best. C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, Deborah Harkness, Angela Boord, Jim Butcher. Not very original, I’m afraid!

My mother inspired me to write. She was an author in the 1980s when it was much tougher to get published. I was a teenager, terribly self-obsessed, and thought being a published author was no big deal. My mother has dementia now so it’s really horrible that I can’t tell her how proud I am of her.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Stranded” was inspired by a dream and a TV show. I know … crazy. I dreamed I was back at university (a concrete-ugly 1960s campus here in England). So, in the dream, I got into a lift in a tower block but stepped out into a deserted country lane. And then I woke up and thought, ‘this is the start of a story.’ A while later, I was watching Downton and thought, ‘How would a modern girl cope in the real Downton?’ And then I thought, what would it be like to be torn between two boys, one a millennial and one born in 1904? It went from there!

My hero goes from starting university in 2017 to having to cope with corsets and boorish suitors and having no career options except marriage. Tough. She falls in love with one boy, but to survive may have to marry another. Also, tough. My readers are divided about which boy she should choose. Some support Team Hugo, others Team Freddy…

But … “Stranded” took five years to write. Book 2, “Escape” was much quicker, is being published in October 2021.

I have eccentric working hours. I wake up at 4.30 am to make the most of the quiet time before the household wakes up. Recently, I’ve been busy with marketing “Stranded,” but I want to get back into the habit of writing and editing in the morning, then doing admin/marketing in the afternoons. I also have a day job, doing the accounts for my husband’s company, so I have to make time for that too.

Publishing has been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve been incredibly lucky and “Stranded” is a BookBub Featured Deal on Valentine’s Day. Really excited!

If anyone’s interested in joining my Readers Club, via www.rosalindtate.com, they can get a free short story, exclusive to the Club. It’s a prequel to “The Shorten Chronicles” and once you’ve read it, you’ll see Hugo in a completely different light! I email everyone once a month with bookish news, but also with fun facts I think they’ll enjoy. Oh, and cute pics of Bella — Charlotte’s inspiration. What I hadn’t expected is that readers see “Stranded” in different ways and remember some aspects over others. Some enjoy the historical aspects, the gowns and etiquette, and others love the love triangle. Others are more interested in parallel universes and the science behind the portal. A broad church.

I love my readers!

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Rosalind Tate’s Website

Rosalind Tate Facebook Page

Rosalind Tate Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Dean Comyn

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta Canada, but I’ve been living abroad since 2004. I’ve been a dog person most of my adult life. Unfortunately, I don’t have one at the moment.
After working 20+ years in the Entertainment industry, I went on a “5-year hiatus” to teach English abroad. Sixteen years later, I channeled my passion for storytelling into writing thrillers and, more recently stand up comedy. I live in Freiburg, Germany with my wife and son, where I enjoy cycling, being surrounded by nature, and ice hockey.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been a reader since I was a kid in elementary school. We used to order books from a catalogue that were delivered to us at school. When I was a little older, I got a library card, often paying late fees as my social life expanded into my teens. I discovered the classics in second-hand bookstores. I can’t resist a good deal on a ‘must read’ title.
I started writing as a teen, mostly poems and song lyrics. Later, I wrote a few short plays and screenplays. “Drowning” is my first novel, which took about four years to finish (last year).

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve enjoyed reading a variety of genres since I was a kid. As a teen I journeyed with Carlos Castaneda, imagined the future with Isaac Asimov and Phillip K. Dick and lived the life of a spy through thrillers by Ian Fleming and Robert Ludlum. Did I mention William Shakespeare?
My favourites from the last 20 years would be Yann Martel, Tom Cain, David Baldacci and Dan Brown.
I’m not joking when I say William Shakespeare. I was introduced to Shakespeare in high school English Literature, but I really got to know him when I studied theatre in college. His writing has inspired and informed mine. I had the opportunity to be involved in several productions of Shakespeare’s works, which taught me what makes great drama and comedy. His work inspired my early writing for the stage, and about ten years ago I wrote an adaptation of “The Scottish Play” in modern English the first— I hope—of many more… After I’ve written a few more thrillers.
As for contemporary authors, I would say a few are directly responsible for my venture into long form fiction. I had better reading habits a few years ago, before embarking on the Something in the Water series, and was drawn to books ranging from The DaVinci Code and “Life of Pi” to “The Accident Man” and “Jack Reacher” (and the new Bourne). Different themes, different struggles and different stories, but what they all have in common is great characters experiencing the struggles and living the stories.
I began reading “Digital Fortress” by Dan Brown a few days ago. I read Da Vinci Code years ago and enjoyed it immensely, but I’ve never consciously thought about mimicking Dan Brown. As I was diving into the book, I realized how similar my ‘style’ is to Brown’s storytelling. It was a little liberating when I saw how he sometimes wrote dialogue, for example. As I studied the craft of novel writing (as I wrote), there were a lot of rules that I learned I had flouted, according to ‘The Experts’. I knew I needed to adhere to some of the ‘guidelines’ in order to make the book more enjoyable for the reader. I made a lot of rookie mistakes, many of which I learned of (and corrected) when I started working with an editor.
When I started reading “Digital Fortress”, seeing the similar devices that I had employed (somewhat conflicted) in “Drowning” was gratifying. I felt right. Now, I’m not afraid to edit Book Two. In fact, I might even ask Dan Brown for a blurb.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“Drowning” is the first book in the “Something in the Water’ series. It’s also my first novel. It’s the story of Charles Burns, ‘Not Yet Detective’ Burns to his friends and colleagues. He’s called that because he has been waiting for his promotion to made official for a few weeks when we meet him. Burns retired young from the military. Having joined as a junior officer, he grew up in armed conflict. reached a turning point, and finished his military career as a combat training officer, at the rank of major. Retirement didn’t last long. Burns moved to London where he joined the Metropolitan Police as aTraining Specialist, with the plan to take advantage of the Met’s new recruitment policy. He studied online and completed the requirements to attain the rank of Detective Sergeant. he’s just waiting on the paperwork…
He’s playing hockey when gets the call to action (an unofficial action) from his would-be superior. It may not be the job he expected it to be, but it’s one he’s most suited for: an extraction. A brilliant young scientist is missing—believed to be kidnapped—along with his deadly discovery.
Dr Nicholas Veda believed he could prevent the needless deaths of millions. But something went wrong on the way to saving the world, and now an unknown organisation plans to weaponize his formula, to cause the deaths of ‘needless millions’.
I started writing “Something in the Water” because of fear. The Earth, nature, is out of balance because of human endeavour and unrestrained population growth. Science and technology have advanced exponentially in the past 200 years, often with catastrophic results. Despite good intentions, humans have become detrimental to the Earth and our species. I’m fearful of humanity’s insatiable desire to make everything “bigger, better, faster”. Only in recent generations have we realised that all too often we do more harm than good.
“Drowning” was inspired by humankind’s insatiable appetite for ‘making the world a better place’ and our failure to do so. Medical Science and technology are moving faster every day. New discoveries appear, replacing—or remedying the damage of— the previous treatment, cure or other ‘advancement’. So fast and we still want more.
I wasn’t fast writing my first book. It took about four years to complete, from drafting the overarching concept that will play out over three novels to the final edition published last year.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Dean Comyn Facebook Page

Dean Comyn Twitter Account

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

Featured Interview With Richard Evans

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Williamstown, in Australia. I have been lucky enough to have had and eclectic career including service as a national industry leader, corporate senior executive, business owner, semi pro-footballer, actor, and media commentator.

I was also lucky enough to have been elected to the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia during unprecedented times in the 1990s, giving my books added authenticity.

I figure there’s a political story everywhere. As a political insider, I recognise the tribalism, the warped egos, the ruthless power, and the lonely insecure life of a politician, therefore writing thrilling character-driven stories about this exotic, mysterious world. I am presently working on three political thriller series.

The Democracy Trilogy provides insight into the ruthless nature of politics and the politicians doing whatever it takes to get what they want.

The Referendum Series examines the social dilemmas within the community with the government seeking the electorate decide via referendum. Contemporary issues are examined, such as First Nation rights in Forgotten People, euthanasia in The Kill Bill, and water rights in The Mallee.

Jack Hudson MP is a 10 book series beginning with Horrible People and follows the power struggles and personal challenges of a novice member of parliament’s career seeking to reach the ultimate leadership role of Prime Minister.

I live above a pub, opposite a church with my wife in the small bayside village of Williamstown, overlooking Melbourne, Australia.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My first creative piece my mother kept was at primary school in grade 1, extolling the virtues of romance with my girlfriend at the time. Simple but thrilling in its narrative. My writing progressed at various times until I moved into business and began a career in writing columns, newsletters and other corporate words coming back to creative writing when I met Norman Mailer at Dobson’s bar and grill in San Diego during the 1996 Republican Convention.

Mailer’s advice to me about writing was to stop talking about it and just do it. I think the Nike account manager may have been nearby. Since that time I have worked to develop a readable page turning style.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
BE CREATIVE AND ORIGINAL

Where do you start when trying to explain the influences of one’s reading and writing. Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie were early favourites, but as I discovered literature Shakespeare became intriguing as did Chekov.

Of course, the great genre writers like Archer, Baldacci, Childs, Grisham and Patterson have been an influence as has playwright, Aaron Sorkin. Other writers include Neil Gaiman, and Australians like Sally Hepworth, Bryce Courtney and Jane Harper providing further direction and inspiration.

But ultimately the curse of the novice writer is imitation.

Too many new writers use tropes and character stereotypes used before seeking success and failing to realise readers want originality and not copies. If we as writers are serious about the readability of our work, then we all must find our own voice and create our own original stories.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
FORGOTTEN PEOPLE: First nations have never ceded sovereignty and want their culture and country back.

She wants her culture and country back. Independence was never ceded, and she will do whatever it takes to get it back, including sacrificing her life. When government peace talks stop, the revolution begins.

Should a government be obliged to negotiate a treaty with First Nations, ending decades of discrimination and disrespect for the Forgotten People, or will it defeat the revolutionaries fighting for justice in this gripping Australian political thriller?

Revolutionary leader, Nellie Millergoorra, campaigns for an Aboriginal homeland to preserve indigenous culture by advocating the prohibition of mining in Arnhem Land using a United Nations declaration to convince a disrespectful government to sign a treaty. Nellie will do whatever it takes to finally gain independence and end government regulation over her people.

When there is no agreement, she recruits mercenary special forces to inflame community chaos establishing an explosive aboriginal revolutionary movement. Using high-tech intervention, the mercenaries destablise the national energy grid starting a fanatical revolution with chaos on the streets. The mercenaries’ secret intent is to steal money when security systems are disabled when the energy grid is down.

A contemptuous government is forced to the negotiation table to agree on a peace agreement putting an end to the escalating hostile revolution. Millergoorra wants more and demands sovereignty for First Nations, proclaiming a partitioned homeland for Aboriginal people is non-negotiable.

In a surprising confrontation with a reluctant prime minister, who is threatened with an ultimatum he can’t ignore, Millergoorra negotiates a treaty whilst facing her own battle for survival.

Forgotten People is a gripping political thriller featuring surprising plot twists, compelling characters, and a kick-arse female heroine. If you like fast-paced, page-turning thrillers then Richard Evans’ third book will not disappoint you.

Buy Forgotten People today and join the revolution.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and did not want to put the book down, but neither did I want the story to end! Congratulations!– TRINITY MARKETING

‘This is an outstanding debut from Evans, and this terrific read comes highly recommended.’ – GOODREADS

‘From former Federal MP Richard Evans comes this exceptional political thriller …’ – CANBERRA WEEKLY

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Richard Evans Facebook Page

Richard Evans Twitter Account

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

Featured Interview With Alene Nation

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in north Idaho where I met my current husband. After traveling the U.S. for his jobs we returned to Idaho and stay in Arizona during the winter. We are retired and since I loved to read, I was always going to the library. That’s when I found a great writing class.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading in grade school, high school, and continued into my marriage. After I retired, I joined a writing club at the public library and published my first book in 2013. I have since published 17+ novels and several other novelas.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Agatha Christie, Isaac Asimov, Rita Mae Brown, Heinlein, Diane Mott Davison. Anything that has to do with mysteries and science fiction

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It is a YA science fiction taking place in the future on Mars called, Entity. What if there is a species we wouldn’t recognize as a lifeform. Through all the mishaps this teen gets into with the local aliens, she now finds a new one. Will she return it home before the army tries to destroy it? Entity is now in Pre-order in amazon

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Alene Nation’s Website

Alene Nation Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Craig Hollenbeck

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Rochester, NY and still live here. Since it’s January it’s freezing here. I live in a suburb called Pittsford. I have owned a painting company for 30 years (paint4u.us). This is the third book I have written but the first I published. I have four cats. I lost one of the best cats I have ever had in 2020. Brisco was a great cat but had a heart murmur.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I really did not like school and was thrilled when they kicked me out. The next day I started my painting business and have been blessed ever since. I mention school to say that I have never been a fan of reading. Actually I like reading sports related items on the web. With all that said irony strikes once again. I could write books all day long. I wrote my first book in 2005 and my second in 2010. I learned a lot about the process from my first two books that made publishing this one more achievable

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author would be Stephen King
I read the Bible when I do read. I really like the book of Daniel and the book of James
I like any genre that produces good work

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The idea of punishment not only to one’s human body but also their soul. You pay for the evil you commit in this life and beyond

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Craig Hollenbeck’s Website

Craig Hollenbeck Facebook Page

Craig Hollenbeck Twitter Account