Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Jenny Clift

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am British but my twin sister and I were born in France, as my parents were diplomats. We then lived in Malaysia, China, Canada, Northern Ireland and England. …
While I was at boarding school in England I started to play the violin.
I now live in Madrid, Spain, with my Spanish husband and three daughters, and our two cats, Muffin and Pepper.
I am a professional freelance violinist and an EFT – Emotional Freedom Techniques – Tapping coach.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always been a voracious reader…first of novels and fiction, and more recently of non-fiction, especially personal development books.
As a somewhat frustrated performer, facing fears and insecurites, I was very drawn to books such as Susan Jeffer’s ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ and Timothy Gallwey and Barry Green’s ‘The Inner Game of Music’.
As I progressed I read a lot of books about the Law of Attraction and then discovered the energy healing modality, EFT. That lead to working with a Life Coach, EFT expert Brad Yates, and making a LOT of changes in a relatively short space of time…. moving from mainly teaching to performing.
I then trained as an EFT practitioner myself – and felt inspired to share what I have learnt, first in my more autographical book, The Music Inside, and now in THRIVING ARTIST.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
When I was a child my favourite book was Enid Blyton’s ‘The Faraway Tree’!!
Then a mixture – classics (all of Jane Austen, Trollope etc) and novels by Lynne Reid Banks, Rosie Thomas, John Irving, Jeffrey Archer…anything with a great story and great characters.
I love authors like Michael Crichton (I read his ‘Travels’ 3 times!) and Bill Bryson. Starting on my personal development journey I read all of Scott Peck’s ‘The Road Less Travelled’ series as well as Alan Cohen’s books.
My writing is inspired by so many authors, coaches and thought leaders. I LOVE googling ‘inspirational quotes’ by Einstein, Gandhi, Benjamin Franklin and Churchill to name just a few.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Since publishing my first book The Music Inside, back in 2016, I’ve been working as both a violinist and an EFT Tapping coach.
For the last couple of years it’s been on my mind to share what I’ve learnt about this amazing modality, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and specifically how it can help musicians, performers and creatives with the different challenges that come up.
I started writing it via blogs on my website and then got serious about pulling it into book format a few months ago.
The actual writing was pretty easy, but turning the draft into a real book, with beautiful book cover (IMHO!!), edited content, formating, and finally all the marketing and promoting required to self-publish a book, well that’s the hard part!
But the whole experience has been amazing.

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Jenny Clift’s Website

Jenny Clift Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Olivia Gold

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in hot and sticky Florida with my husband, three kids, two dogs, two sheep, two cats, twenty chickens, and a miniature zebu. When I’m not writing or dodging animal doo-doo, I’m teaching almost a hundred rambunctious seventh graders. Occasionally, I read my writing to them so they can give me advice. They never let me down with their feedback!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been stapling together pieces of paper and calling them “books” for as long as I can remember. When I was seven years old, I sent my first manuscript to a publisher. It wasn’t accepted, of course, but they sent me the cutest rejection letter imaginable, and I kept writing books in notebooks, on scraps of paper, and eventually on the family computer.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a die-hard Gordon Korman fan. My students love his books too; we really can’t get enough of them. Still, my biggest inspiration has to be my students. I crunched the numbers, and I’ve taught about a thousand kids!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Hidden was such a fun book for me to write. I didn’t want the length of the book to discourage readers, so I kept it around 170 pages long, and it only took five months to write. Xander witness what MIGHT be a crime and is thrown into witness protection in the strangest Utah town imaginable. He has to figure out how to fit in when all of the kids are obsessed with school spirit and all things Utah. My favorite part of the writing process was reading the chapters to my students as I wrote them. It was so fun to hear them laugh or gasp aloud as I read, and as I mentioned, they gave me amazing advice. It’s a memory I will definitely cherish.

Featured Interview With Jackie Ross Flaum

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a water aerobics enthusiast, amateur jewelry maker, struggling bridge player, and kick-ass grandmother in addition to writing stories. I grew up in Kentucky, went to college at the University of Georgia where I had way too much fun, and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism. After college, I worked for the Associated Press then became a reporter for “The Hartford Courant” in Connecticut. I married there and our two daughters were born there. My newspaperman husband got a job in Memphis and we moved there. I became a freelance speechwriter, publicist, and marketing person for major companies in town, but my favorite gigs were with the Memphis City Schools and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. I retired and began doing what I’d always wanted to do: write fiction. I wrote short stories that appeared in such anthologies as “Now There Was a Story”, “Low Down Dirty Vote II and III”, “Mayhem in Memphis,” and “Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem”. Since I liked short stories, I tried my hand at a longer form and wrote a novella of love and murder, “The Yellow Fever Revenge.” What I really wanted to write a novel, and so was born the civil rights era suspense/thriller series, Sterling Brothers Ltd. So far the series includes “Justice Tomorrow,” “The Price of a Future,” and coming soon, “Wigs, Mustaches, and Other Disguises”. I am the immediate president of Malice in Memphis a Killer Writing Group and mother to one very disobedient dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was reading before the first grade and always listening to radio programs and making up stories to go with them. Many times teachers had to remove a novel from inside my math book—needless to say I stink at math today. I actually wrote my first ‘novel’ in the sixth grade and my mother, bless her heart, typed all 100 pages of it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Harper Lee, Zora Neale Hurston, SA Cosby, Faye Snowden, Charlaine Harris, and JD Robb (Nora Roberts)
I love all their books. I stumbled on “Their Eyes Were Watching God” when my granddaughter asked me for help with an essay on the book. What a treasure I found.
But I love thrillers and mysteries and suspense stories, especially those with a romantic flavor. I am constantly surprised by authors and books that I read just to please a friend or because I’m about to meet the author. For example, I didn’t think I would like Charlaine Harri’s Sookie Stackhouse series because I’m not into vampires and werewolves. Boy, was I wrong! That proves a well-written book in almost any genre will get me interested.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“The Price of a Future” took me two years to finish. I wrote short stories in the meanwhile, but mostly I stewed and stewed about it.
First, I couldn’t think of a way to make the exchange after Socrates Gray is captured and his partner Madeline Sterling agrees to give up her newborn daughter for him. All her angst wore me out and I cut a bunch of it (You’re welcome, readers.) I had to be smart: Sterling has no intention of keeping her end of the bargain, but it took me a hot minute to figure out how to make all that happen. Second, I finished with 105,000 words, and my Malice in Memphis critique partners went “Whoa! Nobody’s gonna read a thriller that long. Besides, you have two books there.” So I divided it–the third book in the series “Wigs, Mustaches, and Other Disguises” will be out by summer.
Third, I spent a lot of time making sure the scenes and the dialogue in the book were true to the 1960s and the people of that time.

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Jackie Ross Flaum’s Website

Jackie Ross Flaum Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Elle F. Kingsley

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hello, I’m Elle!
I’m an award-winning futurist, AI ethicist, and bestselling sci-fi author, recognised among the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics™ and TechWomen100 honourees. My work spans AI ethics, legal tech, and global policy, advising organisations like the UK Parliament, the Commonwealth, and the European Commission. I’ve also worked on cutting-edge technologies like generative AI in Big Tech and specialise in cyberlaw, data protection, and privacy.

I put all this into my sci-fi work, weaving deep insights into technology, society, and policy to imagine future worlds—so that you don’t have to. My work explores how emerging technologies shape humanity, crafting stories that inspire thought about our digital futures.

I’m originally from England, spending time in Guildford before moving to London, where I’m currently based. My work has me travelling frequently across Europe and Asia, especially to Germany, China and South Korea, so I’ve learned to embrace a life that’s always on the move!

While I’d love the idea of a pet, my lifestyle makes it tricky, so I channel my energy into exploring new places and making the most of wherever I find myself. I love exploring new cultures, connecting with people, and finding inspiration in unexpected spots. Life’s an adventure, and I’m always eager for the next chapter.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always had my head buried in a book! I was fortunate to pick up reading at a young age—by 6 or 7, I was devouring classics like Alice in Wonderland and Grimm’s book of Fairy Tales. But a defining moment came when I was 8, during a school assignment to write a scary version of the Macbeth witches’ potion, which when then go up on the wall in the corridor. Knowing my audience would be other students and inspired by Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, I conjured up witches tearing out naughty children’s intestines and putting them into their cauldron.

Needless to say, teachers were not pleased. They called my parents in, claiming my story was “far too dark” and would terrify the other kids. When asked why I’d written something so gruesome, I replied, “But you told me to make it scary!”

The teachers insisted I rewrite it, removing the scary parts. But my mum stood by me, arguing that I’d simply followed instructions.
Unsure what to do, the school suggested punishment.
The punishment? I was taken to the bookstore and free to pick any book I wanted while proudly called a “mini Stephen King.”

Fast-forward to today, and The Last Garden reached the same bestseller list as King at #30 on literary short stories. It’s reached #2 on the new releases list, just below Dostoyevsky. Life has a funny way of coming full circle, doesn’t it?

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m a sucker for the classics, especially in sci-fi and dystopian genres. Authors like Orwell, Huxley, and Kafka shaped my love for tales that explore dread, paranoia, and the human condition. Fahrenheit 451 is an excellent addition and commentary on literary rates. The Terror by Dan Simmons is another favourite that masterfully combines historical fiction with a creeping sense of doom.

On the sci-fi front, there’s Dune, which is iconic in its own right. I thoroughly enjoy Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem, which blends dystopia with speculative science and a lot of philosophical and ethical debates.

Similarly, I draw a lot of inspiration from classic philosophical ideas, especially those related to technology, surveillance, and freedom. Thinkers like Voltaire, who challenged ideas of progress and freedom, and Jeremy Bentham’s concept of the Panopticon, which explores surveillance and control, really influence the different nuances of the role of surveillance, technology and control in shaping society. These concepts help shape the moral dilemmas I explore in my writing, particularly in dystopian worlds where the lines between freedom and control blur.

These texts challenge us to think critically about power, surveillance, and the role of the individual within society. I apply these ideas to my storytelling, creating dystopian worlds where morality, freedom, and technology collide

Beyond books, I draw inspiration from other forms of storytelling, too. Anime like Psycho-Pass, series like Black Mirror or Mr. Robot, and graphic novels like V for Vendetta, and even games like Orwell, We Happy Few, BioShock feed my creative energy. Great storytelling, in any form, really inspires me to create my own worlds and narratives.

These immersive adventures remind me of the power of storytelling—it’s the only medium that can truly transport us to entirely new realities.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
“The air, thick with smog, choked the sky with a never-ending amber haze. Ivy tightened her mask, its edges biting into her skin. Around her, the forgotten shuffled, their makeshift filters from scavenged waste barely keeping the lethal air at bay—each breath, a gamble.”

In a world gasping under the weight of environmental collapse, The Last Garden is a short story, exploring humanity’s desperate attempt to reconnect with nature amidst the fallout of failed climate goals. Towering domed cities like Solara shine with technological brilliance and innovation, protecting their inhabitants while the world outside lies in ruin—a barren wasteland abandoned to those left behind. Within the dome, advancement flourishes, but at what cost?

Unchecked reliance on technology has created an illusion of progress while erasing the natural world and the very essence of life it was meant to protect. Meanwhile, outside, the Seed Savers, an underground faction, risk their lives to preserve Earth’s final seeds of hope.

What sets The Last Garden apart is its nuanced portrayal of morality, where I invite readers to consider their own complicity in systems of convenience and destruction. The Last Garden was born in a whirlwind of creativity, with the first draft written over two intense, caffeine-fuelled days to meet the deadline for its original publication in Futurescapes Zine.

The story poured out of me, driven by a sense of urgency to explore the themes of hope and humanity’s relationship with nature. Though the writing came quickly, the ideas behind it had been simmering for years—drawing from real-world climate concerns, the recent UN Summit of the Future, and my fascination with speculative fiction. Using the Three Horizons Method, I envisioned a utopian world where systems coexist, then stepped back to focus on the challenges and issues that may arise. This exclusive extended edition, published by Pariah Tales, was then finely tuned over a few months.

This tale is for anyone who has ever asked, “What would I sacrifice to create a better world?”

You can find your copy of the The Last Garden here: https://amzn.eu/d/0PP8ZYe

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Elle F. Kingsley’s Website

Elle F. Kingsley Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Dr. Phyllis Pobee

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Dr. Phyllis Pobee, a triple-board-certified genetic weight loss physician, author, and founder of GeneLean360°, a personalized weight loss program inspired by my own 100-pound transformation. I was raised in Canada as the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, where I learned the values of hard work, persistence, and self-belief that continue to guide me today.

I currently live in Canada with my husband and two young children, who keep me grounded and motivated. While I don’t have any pets, my home is always full of energy, laughter, and the occasional dance party in the kitchen.

Through my writing and work, I’m passionate about empowering women to reclaim their health, confidence, and joy through personalized, science-backed strategies.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized my fascination with books at a young age, around 8 or 9 years old. I loved getting lost in stories that transported me to new worlds or helped me see life from a fresh perspective. Books became a source of comfort, inspiration, and growth for me, and that fascination has only deepened over the years.

I started writing much later, inspired by my own 100-pound weight loss journey and the realization that I had a story and expertise that could help others. Writing became a way to combine my personal experiences with my professional knowledge to empower women to transform their health and lives. While I didn’t grow up imagining myself as an author, once I started, I knew it was a path I wanted to continue for life.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading authors who inspire action and transformation, both in life and in health. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, is one of my favorites for his practical yet empowering approach to building habits that stick. Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho-Cybernetics had a profound impact on me—it taught me how much our mindset and self-image shape our outcomes, a message I weave into my own writing.

My favorite genre to read is personal development and health science. Books that offer both relatable stories and actionable steps resonate deeply with me because they reflect the kind of writing I aim to create. I also enjoy memoirs that highlight resilience and transformation, as they remind me of the power of storytelling to inspire change.

When it comes to inspiration, my readers and clients are my greatest motivators. Knowing that my writing could provide someone with the tools and hope they need to reclaim their health keeps me focused and passionate. Authors like Jen Sincero (You Are a Badass) and Dr. Jason Fung (The Obesity Code) also inspire me to communicate complex ideas in a relatable, accessible way that empowers readers to take control of their journey.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Lean Genes: A Physician’s Guide to Genetic Weight Loss — Eat What You Love, Lose Weight for Good, and Break Free from Diets and Medications, is a deeply personal and empowering guide to transformation. It’s inspired by my own journey of losing 100 pounds through the groundbreaking science of genetic weight loss, and it’s designed to help women over 30 reclaim their health and confidence in a way that’s sustainable and personalized.

This book challenges the outdated, one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss by focusing on the unique role genetics play in cravings, metabolism, and fat storage. I combine relatable stories from my own struggles with practical, science-backed strategies to give readers the tools they need to create lasting change without deprivation or frustration.

Lean Genes isn’t just about losing weight—it’s about breaking free from the cycle of diets and discovering a path that works specifically for your body. It’s a call to embrace your unique genetic blueprint and take back control of your health, all while enjoying the foods you love and living life with joy and freedom.

For anyone who’s felt stuck, defeated, or overwhelmed by weight loss, this book offers hope, clarity, and a proven way forward. It’s more than a guide—it’s a revolution in how we think about weight, health, and transformation.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Dr. Phyllis Pobee’s Website

Dr. Phyllis Pobee Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Kate Damon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Writing as Margaret Brownley, I’m a New York Times bestselling author with forty-plus romance novels to my credit. “Jury Duty is Murder” is my first mystery.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with the grandkiddies, raising Monarch Butterflies, and playing a wicked game of bridge. I’m sad to say we’re between pets right now as we recently lost our little furry friend.
I’m not sure what my next project will be, but since I’ve recently remarried, my thoughts have turned back to what else? Romance!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated with books. As a child, I would be so happy when I got sick and could stay in bed and read all day. I wrote my first book in 6th grade, a mystery I didn’t know how to end. I didn’t start writing seriously until my children were in middle school.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m primarily known as a romance writer, so of course I enjoy reading them. Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts, and Diana Gabaldon are among my favorite authors. I also enjoy a good mystery. Among my favorite mystery authors are Gillian Flynn, Lee Child, and Richard Osman, whom I recently discovered.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I never thought to write a mystery, but my life took a sharp turn with the loss of my husband to cancer just before the Covid lockdowns. This shifted my focus away from romance and “Jury Duty is Murder” is the result.
I have to laugh at the thought of murder crossing my mind during that ordeal. Life sure does have a way of steering us in unexpected directions. I like to think that this book is a reflection of my journey and the resilience we find in our darkest moments.
Here’s a preview of “Jury Duty is Murder”:
The verdict is in; a famed athlete is headed for prison. The jurors have done their job and are free to go back to their lives.
But after being sequestered for three months, life as most jurors knew it, no longer exists.
HAROLD ASHMAN’s house is almost destroyed when a reporter drives through it. Exotic dancer, CEECEE LAINE, discovers that her boyfriend is two-timing her, and she no longer has a job. Actor ALEX MANNING learns his career is down the tubes, and 72-year-old, HELEN RYDER, discovers her family is plotting to put her in an old folks home.
Then things take a turn for the worse. When jurors start dropping like flies, CeeCee, Helen, Harold, and Alex are convinced there’s a killer on the loose. Now the feuding foursome must find the killer before he finds them—or before they save him the trouble by killing each other.

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Kate Damon’s Website

Kate Damon Facebook Page

Kate Damon Twitter Account

Featured Interview With J C Pereira

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born on a plantation high in the mountains of a small Caribbean island where the trade winds blow clear, and the rains wash all clean, leaving only the smells of the sun-warmed earth and vegetation. After my father’s death, I travelled with my mother to England, a land of cold and constant drizzle, but where the promises and opportunities significantly compensated for the dull weather in comparison. Here, I completed my formal education with a BA (Hons) in Psychology and experienced an entirely new way of life that once influenced my origins. Knowledge and experience alter perspective and hopefully lead to wisdom. Upon graduation, I worked in the corporate world, where I was never comfortable. Then, I settled uneasily within the civil service, where, after several years, I moved to Italy, rediscovering the sunshine of my youth and starting a new family. The language remains a continued challenge.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been captured by inventing stories in my mind, even before I could read, as my world was filled with the beauty of nature. Stories were my way of finding comfort and meaning in an isolated but never lonely setting. We all live within a tale we tell ourselves, and none is more important than another. The first books I remember reading were White Fang and The Jungle Book. They fit well into my imagination, nurtured by my early environment. I found submerging myself into another living creature and seeing the world through its senses a normal and natural thing to do. At school, I found short stories easy to create, and I started writing my first book, A Place To Belong To, while still at A Level college but only completed it many years later with my wife’s encouragement. With one done, many followed. The biggest project still to write remains brewing slowly in my mind, but in the meantime, I practice my storytelling by writing many others, adjusting my world perspective as I go along.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Reading has always been an integral part of my life, and I would read anything I came across. However, the fantasy genre has always and still remains my favourite, especially those with historical themes. David Gemmel’s ability to create dignified characters, even with his antagonists, has always fascinated me, and I find Robert Jordan’s storytelling engaging, especially the Wheel of Time books. When I first started writing The Hidden King, the first of the Brothers of Destiny series, I wanted to write a book my son would read and tailored one of the main characters after him. In the same way, when I wrote Dying Under a Clear Blue Sky, concerned that humanity’s inventiveness was negatively affecting our wonderous blue planet, I modelled my main protagonist after a projection of my daughter into her teenage years for it would be her generation that would have to deal with the mess we were making with our narrow band, solution based ingenuity. This method, I believe, is a technique of survival hard-wired into our psyche. This perspective is the foundation theme in many of my stories and can be found in Penance, and I Once Was.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is The Chosen, a sequel to the Brothers of Destiny fantasy series. It describes the efforts of genetically engineered twins with characters on the flip sides of the same coin, attained only through following the road of discipline and free spirit, a choice they individually make. Their destiny is to deliver humanity from the continuous and circular road of violence and war, which, ironically, they are masters of. Is such an endeavour possible? Can humanity be forced from the path of conflict? I examine the answers to these questions throughout the books. The setting is after several falls of civilizations where humanity’s DNA has been altered by the poisons and contamination of humankind’s wars, ironically giving some unique powers. A mysterious brotherhood digs into the past to resurrect the means to interrupt the repeated pattern of destruction. The result is Morgan and Krarl who are not quite human, always on the outside, feared and respected, but never accepted.

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J C Pereira’s Website

J C Pereira Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Mark O’Bannon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a San Diego native. My grandfather, Reuben H. Fleet, built the SD airport and gave it to the city. He was the largest manufacturer of airplanes in the US. His company, Consolidated Aircraft, made 18,000 B-24 Liberator bombers and thousands of Catalina PB-Y flying boats durung WWII.
Thogh a cat lover, I do not yet have a kitty.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mom taught me to read when I was 2. Been reading ever since. In high school, I read 50+ books every year. I started writing in the 90s. The idea for my first novel, “The Dream Crystal” came to me while I was talking to my friend, George Clayton Johnson, who wrote 8 Twilight Zone episodes, Logans Run and the first episode of
Star Trek TOS. I combines two ideas: a fairy changeling and shadow people.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Ray Bradbury, Robert E. Howard, Robert Heinlein, Fred Saberhagen, Larry Niven, H.P. Lovecraft, J.R.R. Tolkein, J.K. Rowling.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Touching Infinity is a science fiction mystery love story set in the far future. A scientist takes a journey to the heart of a supernova and discovers love.

Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles

Mark O’Bannon’s Website

Mark O’Bannon Facebook Page

Mark O’Bannon Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Hunter H. White

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m an energy transactions lawyer, who always dreamed of writing suspenseful Christian fiction. When the Covid shutdown came along, I finally got my chance to really focus on it. I was raised in Houston, Texas, and I still live in Houston, with my wife of thirty-three years. I have two adult children and no pets at the moment; but we do pet-sit our son’s cat, and our daughter’s cat and dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child with dyslexia, reading was a challenge. Even with a lot of hard work, and very encouraging parents, I was unable to achieve an acceptable age-level reading ability until middle school. That is also when I could finally start to read for pleasure, and the inspirational and transportive aspects of books found a special place in my heart. I believe my early challenges helped fuel a desire to write and inspire other young readers. I gravitated toward creative classes in high school and college, and I absolutely loved them.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors include, among others, Joel C. Rosenberg, C.S. Lewis, James Rollins, Steve Berry and Clive Cussler. My favorite genres include Christian fiction and Suspense. I love fiction that is action-packed and includes Christian themes and/or utilizes the actual historical record with a little fiction injected. Authors who inspired me the most in connection with my novel, Treasures of the Lochs, were C.S. Lewis and Joel C. Rosenberg.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Treasures of the Lochs is suspenseful young-adult Christian fiction, involving a modern-day treasure hunt in Scotland, with a bit of supernatural thrown in. Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is an exciting, powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption. The target audience is teenage and above (some parts would be too intense for younger readers). This book is a 2024 NIEA Finalist in Religion Fiction. It also hit Amazon#1 New Release for Christian Fantasy. I hope you’ll check it out.

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Hunter H. White’s Website

Hunter H. White Facebook Page

Featured Interview With D E Fox

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Deborah Fox lives in Yorkshire with her partner Paul. She currently works for a large electrical distributor, as well as being a budding author.

Like many children, Deborah spent her time inspired by stories from AA
Milne to JM Barrie, and to this day her favourite story was and still is,
Winnie the Pooh! Her writing talents didn’t materialise until later in life
as most of her childhood was spent dancing and performing.

Deborah’s passions are the outdoors, gardening, interior design, dogs
and cinema. She has always been intrigued with all things supernatural
and the time presented to her during COVID, and the inspiration from
the sad passing of her dog Jake, was the start of her first novel ‘Second
Hand Rose.’

With the support of family and friends and Blossom Spring agreeing to
publish her story, it has fulfilled the dream to become a published
author and has given the encouragement to write more stories.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always loved books especially adventure books, like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Kidnapped, Treasure Island. I used to read them over and over much to my mum’s despair. I didn’t start writing until my 40’s when my dog sadly passed away I needed to fill my time. Writing helped with my grief and anxiety and I found I really enjoyed it. So much so that I now have two published books and I’m already thinking about number three!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read lots of different genres, my mum taught me that at an early age. So I love Jane Green, Anne Rice, AA Milne, JM Barrie, I love to read autobiographies People’s lives fascinate me. But since becoming an author I read other indie authors books which have definitely opened my eyes to amazing authors with very different styles. I think that has helped me with my writing to give the characters more depth.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A mysterious event has gripped the world!
How, why, who and what — is taking the grass?

Globe leaders are baffled; unbeknownst to them there’s a secret agency who
solve weird, bizarre events and it’s run by dogs!

Jake and Sammy are everyday pets until a strange encounter changes their lives forever; this puzzling case will test their bosses, Gino and Phillip, to the limits.

Can they pull together and save humanity before it’s too late? Will Jake ever get that packet of crisps he so desperately craves for? And will the age-old question be answered—are four legs better than two?

In this crime mystery where dogs rule, anything can go wrong and probably will. But we all love an underdog!

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D E Fox’s Website

D E Fox Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Sophia Conway

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Wales, the UK but grew up mostly on the West Coast of Ireland. 5 Years ago I immigrated to Canada with my husband and we now have one son that we raise between the ocean and trees! Nature and motherhood are my two biggest inspirations and so we fill our days eating cinnamon buns and walking the beaches together.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with books started before I could even read them. I loved them so much I would staple loose pages together covered in scribbles and tell my mother it was a book. As soon as I was allowed to use my father’s old computer I would type jumbled stories in Word documents late into the night. To be an author was my first dream and I’m thrilled to have fulfilled it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m a restless reader who devours books far too quickly so it’s hard to say which ones are my favorite. My shelves are crammed full of everything from faith-based to poetry. Currently, I spend most of my reading children’s books to my toddler and enjoy the simplicity of them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
‘His Last Companion’ is a thought-provoking introspection of the human experience and the intimacy between the last man on earth and the one companion who has been by his side since birth, Death.

“His Last Companion is a compelling short story that touches on some of our toughest questions about life and death. Sophia Conway has crafted a deep tale in few words that will sit with the reader’s psyche long after finishing. In ‘His Last Companion’, the author delivers a message of hope amidst ultimate brokenness.” – The Book Review Directory

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Sophia Conway’s Website

Featured Interview With Elaine Broun

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am currently living in Texas, I have been married for 42 years, have four grown children, and four bonus children (their spouses) and five grandchildren. I was born in Brazil, I speak several languages and have lived in many South American countries multiple times. We have two sixteen year old dogs. Dug is a red healer and Luke is a Beagle/Labrador mix. Our life evolves around family and we have a blast enjoying our adult children.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Beginning at the age of five, I discovered a passion for books while developing an extreme curiosity towards people and what made them tick. As a school girl, I would get very exited when we could select our own topics to write about. In this area I excelled as I found a had a fertile imagination.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Authors I have loved are Diana Gabaldon, Kathleen Woodwiss, Gillian Flynn, and Liv Constantine to name a few. I have always loved Suspense thrillers, Historical romance and autobiographies. What inspires me is life experiences and having a natural tendency towards a creative imagination even some of my crazy dreams has given me ideas!

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Carrasco 67′ A harrowing tale of an Imperialist Pig is a based on a true story. You will be thrown into a spiraling out of control roller coaster ride as you follow the Gray family in Montevideo, Uruguay during the 1960’s. After Peter Gray sets up a sting to catch a Tuparo Terrorist he discovered was infiltrated in his company, his family is soon given a death sentence by the terrorists. Hair raising scenarios, terrorizing moments as they try to elude multiple kidnapping attempts escalates to a level where the Uruguayan Military had to take over the protection of the family. This is a mind blowing story.

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Elaine Broun’s Website

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Featured Interview With Elaine Broun

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Brazil and have lived multiple times in several South American countries. I speak several languages, I love to read, travel, history, walking through antique shops and sewing crafts. I presently live in Texas with my husband of 42 years and our two 16 year old dogs, Dug and Luke. I have four grown children, two bonus daughters, two bonus sons and five grandchildren.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I remember when we arrived in the USA after fleeing the terrorists which I covered in my first novel, there was a mobile Library that set up monthly in a parking lot near my home. It was there that I began checking books out and being mesmerized by stories. When I was in third grade was when I discovered the Little House on the Prairie books that made me discover in turn the love of autobiographies. It sated my natural curiosity to understand where someone came from, what were their hurdles in life, what made them tick, what gave them their greatest joy or sadness. This is also where I became obsessed with geneaology.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love to read books by Diana Gabaldon, Kathleen Woodwiss, Liv Constantine, or Gillian Flynn. There are so many and I must admit I am horrible about keeping track of what I have read or who I enjoy to read books by, I guess it is due to always being busy. I do however, enjoy reading suspense novels naturally and also historical books and historically based romance novels. My writing inspiration comes from my own fertile imagination and through my life experiences from my constant travels in my lifetime.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My current book “Let Me Go” is in its final stages before it is off to the editors. Another suspense novel it revolves around several friends that meet while attending neighboring boarding schools but eventually focuses on Isabella Andrews Hampton and her husband Kane Hampton.
The story begins by bringing the characters to life while unveiling the evolution of their lives and how each of them came to be. As time marches on, snipits of Kane’s fragmenting emotional stability becomes evident as Isabella discovers family secrets she wasn’t supposed to and now she is on the run hoping not to be found. Upon arriving in Provincetown, the City where Isabella fled she finally met her realtor a handsome ex-military realtor named Nate Marcum. Falling hard she strives to hide her past, all the while looking over her shoulder at every moment knowing her husband will never give up until he finds her. So, now she lives terrified that her new life will implode. Will Nate be just an elusive dream, as she is forced to reveal her past in order to save her future?

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Elaine Broun’s Website

Elaine Broun Facebook Page

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Featured Interview With Ingrid McCarthy

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Schweidnitz (now Swidnica, Poland) and grew up in Bremerhaven, North Germany, a town that once was a port of embarkation for the then-occupying US forces and a fishing harbor of considerable importance. Fishtown, people called the place because when the wind blew in a certain direction, the stench from the fishmeal factory hung over the town like an evil curse, prompting us to slam the windows closed before turning into miserable and retching creatures. And woe to the person in the street who didn’t have a handkerchief ready to slap over the nose and mouth! No wonder I couldn’t wait to get out of there. At the age of twenty-one, I moved to Spain. Four years later to Canada. I lived in Montreal for ten years, then two years in Durham, N.C., and now in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital, where I feel happy, creative, and very much at home.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I cannot remember a time without books. As far as I can think back, there were always books in my life: first coloring books that had little stories on each page; then the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales, and later Roman and Greek mythologies. In my post-WWII childhood memoir, “I Stood Among The Ruins And Cried”, I tell when in my early teens I first entered a public library. I was in awe. So many books! I was in Heaven and became the library’s most frequent visitor. Around the same time, I received a diary as a birthday gift from a friend. My parents were not living in happy bliss. There was much anger due to my father’s excessive drinking and infidelity. Books and the diaries―I ended up filling six of them―became my escape and consolation during those unhappy years: I read one book after another and confided my innermost thoughts, wishes, and fears to the pages of my diaries. That was my early writing experience.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
When I read a book, I either want to be entertained or learn something. That’s why I enjoy fiction and non-fiction in equal measure. Once I mastered the English language, I fell in love with the classic English writers: W. Somerset Maugham, George Orwell, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, and Virginia Wolff, to name a few. Today, I admire: Isabel Allende, Anthony Doerr, and Jonathan Franzen―the list is endless. I also enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. With so many books in her series, I occasionally choose one of them, which never fails to make me laugh out loud. I prefer physical books to eBooks and rarely listen to audiobooks. The latter, if poorly recorded, irritates me. If well done, the voice soothes me and, sadly, I fall asleep. I love turning the pages of a book, feeling the weight of it in my hands, and even taking in the scent of it. A world without books would mean the end of the world to me. I believe reading has turned me into a good listener. People tend to tell me their life stories and those stories, in nearly every case, have inspired me to create my novels/novellas using a heavy pinch of imagination.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest award-winning novel “Anna’s Shadow” is an example of such a true story, plus heavy imagination. Let me explain: Many years ago, a German friend told me how she met her husband. In the early years of World War II, a young German officer was billeted in her family’s home. A portrait of my friend hung in the family’s living room. The officer was so smitten by her―she was not living in the house at the time of his stay―he vowed that if he survived the war, he would return and ask for her hand in marriage. When I met the officer and my friend many years later here in Ottawa, they were already in their senior years and have since died.

“Anna’s Shadow” isn’t based on the officer’s life. It was his infatuation with a girl in a portrait that served as my inspiration. I’ve sometimes visualized the young officer standing in front of that portrait and falling in love with a pair of blue eyes. It’s as romantic to me as the story of Romeo and Juliet, albeit without the dramatic ending. No wonder when I spotted an article in Oprah Magazine about the Juliet Club in Verona, Italy, where volunteers (Secretaries of Juliet) answer letters received from the broken-hearted, my imagination went into overdrive and, ten months later, I held the book in my hands. So, it’s thanks to my friend and Oprah that I was able to create a dramatic and page-turning novel that is part mystery, part WWII story, part romance, available on Amazon in paperback and eBook.

Kirkus Reviews:
An unusual historical romance set in two time periods.

BookLife Review:
“…The end of World War II is brought to vivid life as McCarthy balances the timelines of Sofia’s 2005 and Luke’s 1945, with storytelling that emphasizes sleuthing and history. Sofia’s own story, of healing and self-discovery, never compels as much as the beautifully narrated tale of Luke and Uwe, Luke’s oldest friend and mentor, which reveals just how unpredictable life can be. Readers will appreciate, though, how McCarthy’s attention to telling detail never slows narrative momentum.”

Literary Titan (5 Stars)
“… Anna’s Shadow stands out for its vivid imagery and compelling setting, particularly appealing to readers who appreciate narratives set in the 20th century. Ingrid McCarthy’s writing style is both engaging and evocative, making her a noteworthy addition to my list of favored romance authors. This book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the complexities of human relationships, making it a worthy read for those who cherish a well-rounded love story.”

From an Amazon Reader (5 Stars)
“I love historical fiction and nonfiction–particularly around the WWII era. This was such a romantic, suspenseful, and hope-filled book. There were so many twists and turns; it was not your average love story. I fell in love with all of the characters and will spend some time missing them. This is one of those books you don’t want to end!”

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Ingrid McCarthy’s Website

Ingrid McCarthy Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Hope Mills

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi, I’m Hope. I’m Lithuanian-Irish, raised in small towns in both countries. I moved to Dublin about five years ago to study Politics & Sociology; I graduated last year, but haven’t left the city yet, despite the atrocious housing crisis (Ireland is the most expensive country in the European Union to buy/rent a home). I’m currently training to become a therapist, so in three years I might be yours, who knows. I have two pet siblings, a French bulldog Cesar and a tabby cat Macy – I grew up with them, alongside Rex, who passed away in April. I was nine when he came into our lives, and he saved me. So, usually when I’m asked if I have pets, I like to say “I have three pets, but one is in heaven.”

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have had an on-and-off fascination with books my whole life. When I was little, I was obsessed with Egyptology, and I’d go to the library to read up on pyramids and pharaohs. Then it was space, and the Amazon rainforest. As I grew up, I started reading a lot of Tumblr fanfiction, as well as mainstream YA authors like John Green. But I didn’t find my niche until I read darker work – particularly Charles Bukowski’s “Women”, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust”, and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.” The latter two were mandatory reading in my dreary Eastern European school, and as a sad soul myself, I took to them like a moth to a flame. I had my first journal when I was around eight, but I didn’t start taking writing seriously as a pastime until I read those books in my late teens. If you read my author pages, they’ll say “Hope has been writing every day since she was fifteen.” This is approximate, but I did write every day back then as a form of escapism. Now, I sometimes go weeks without writing, until an idea comes to me, and I get lost on Microsoft Word for a few hours. That’s why “The Year of Rejection” took over two years to finish.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read a lot of memoirs because I’m obsessed with understanding people. I am fascinated by universality and the human condition in general, so any life story I can dig my nails into is for me. In that vein, I’m most inspired by essayists Anaïs Nin and Annie Ernaux for their narrative story-telling. But I find inspiration pretty much everywhere; most recently, I’ve been re-writing my college essays to submit to literary magazines. When I was in undergrad, I would often think that I had written a pretty interesting paper, but no one would ever read it (I’m not sure my professors even read it in full). So, there’s one about how 21st century witchcraft practices correlate with femicide, and another about Middle Eastern subversive sexuality. I also find a lot of inspiration going through the musings of my Notes app, particularly because I kept extensive notes in secondary school.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A prospective agent described “The Year of Rejection” as “honest and unflinching.” It’s a memoir centring on my trials in 2022, the worst year of my life. Through prose and psychoanalysis, I dig into depression, avoidant attachment, atypical anorexia, grief – an excavation of everything I had been and was going to continue being if I didn’t change. While sinking deeper into the abyss, I ravaged my childhood memories, exhuming my girlhood, parents’ divorce, and continent-wide moves. It started out as a journal I typed when I tired of writing by hand, but throughout two years and two months, a book took shape. The overarching theme didn’t come to me until my best friend Natalia recommended I read “All About Love” by Bell Hooks. I explore themes of straying and returning to love and the self in “The Year of Rejection” in homage to how much that book touched my soul.

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Hope Mills Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Joshua Valentine

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Merced – actually, a fifth generation Mercedian. My second-great grandparents from my mom’s side moved here in the early 1900s from the Azores; my dad’s family’s timeline in the Valley is a bit more mixed, but still broadly Central Valley based. I also received my High School diploma at Merced High School, my AA in Psychology at Merced Community College, and my BA in Psychology & Cognitive Science at UC Merced, which interestingly enough my dad was one of the sheet metal workers that helped build the latter’s library and science building. I currently live in Soquel, which is in the Santa Cruz foothills, while I go to UC Santa Cruz for my PhD program. I also do have a pet cat, a black one with a few spots of white, named Aurora.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve been fascinated with the thought of writing a book and actually printing it probably since at least the 3rd grade, but never started actually pursuing writing stories until the summer before the 5th grade. On my dad’s side, my Grandma Jane for as long as I could remember never left the house, and always ordered various items in bulk, as well as QVC items. Just stacks of boxes for her cats to crawl on. Well, near the litter box for her five cats, which was underneath an unused desk, she had a stack of spiral and composition notebooks always in the desk’s cabinet, and I remember one summer day about 10 years ago she was telling my mom and I about a writing contest for kids my age. I got right to writing, and wrote my first ever short story, an adaptation of the Poseiden story featuring a rabbit family in a hybrid rabbit hutch boat. It was a pretty dark story – I think at the end the rabbit daughter intentionally harms herself on the hutch-boat’s propellers. Needless to say, I never submitted the story for some reason, but that summer I wrote several short stories, and continued writing throughout the remainder of elementary and middle school, until I wrote my first self published novel Among Those You Know in the 8th and 9th grade. Never looked back, but also never made money or won anything for any of it (yet).

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
In elementary school, I really like the ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ books by Lemony Snicket. I read all 13 books in the 5th grade, and actually didn’t read them in order – I started with #6, the Ersatz Elevator, which along with the Reptile Room and the Wide Window are my favorite ones. After reading books 3-6 of Harry Potter in my last year of middle school, we no longer had to read books for Accelerated Reader points, which basically was a school program where you read a book, take a quiz on it, and if you pass with 70% or more, you get points for a grade. Well, when it wasn’t required anymore, I found no interest in reading anymore, especially since we had so much more reading required in Pre-AP, which I didn’t actually read in depth that much, usually just skimmed. So, I didn’t read for leisure time until 2021 – so about 3 years of not reading books at all – when my friend Carly gifted me their heavily doodled copy of Daniel Dennett’s “From Bacteria to Bach and Back: The Evolution of Minds”. I loved it so much, and from them on out I only take interest in reading non-fiction; to me, it’s so much easier to sink your teeth in them without feeling disappointed about the book ending. You learn so much information about niche areas of research/events that you can revisit every time, and learn something different. My favorite non-fiction genres include parapsychology/mainstream psychology, auto/biographies, and stuff of that nature. I really like Gina Rippon’s “Gender and Our Brains”, and recently I finished and really enjoyed Kai Bird’s biography on Jimmy Carter’s presidency. The only author I currently enjoy reading more than one book from is Bob Woodward, who was one of the original investigative journalists who uncovered the Watergate Scandal of the Nixon Administration. I really liked Peril, which I read a couple of months before the recent election, and am now reading War. It’ll be interesting if I ever revisit the first two books for his series on Trump’s first term. Also, I’d say it’s more so musicians/lyricists that inspire my writings. I’d have to credit Lady Gaga and Deee-Lite for inspiring my writing, in addition to the fashion component of my author personality. Lady Gaga for kind of the multi-faceted approach I take to expressing a single idea (fashion + literature + politics), and Deee-Lite for inspiring me to treat writing a story as also making a point, and a call to action for political change.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Somebody’s Dilemma is my recent book, which was actually first inspired by the book that got me out of my 3-year long reading dryspell. It’s a book about a person that is raised by a robotic mother in a dystopian future where most humans are extinct, except for the humans artificially raised by exploratory robots across the planet. He’s emotionally abused/neglected by the robot, and eventually when he’s abandoned by the mother for not meeting what the mother was programmed to consider a biological milestone, he runs away and is eventually kidnapped by a nomadic tribe of humans, who don’t speak English or any language he could potentially be familiar with. All of this happens as he is straddled with questions about what it means to be a human when your most important example of a human being isn’t even natural, and also if you can possibly miss something you’ve never had or experienced before.

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Joshua Valentine’s Website

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Featured Interview With Mia. MP

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Cuban writer, poet, and photographer based in the USA, where I blend visual arts and storytelling in my work. I hold a degree in Communication Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Education.
I grew up in Cuba, an island rich in cultural and social diversity. From a young age, I was immersed in the vibrant rhythms of Caribbean music, the warmth of my Spanish and African heritage, and the traditions passed down by my grandparents. They taught me to read when I was just four years old, and from that moment, I’ve never gone a day without reading. Their love and wisdom, combined with the multicultural environment I was raised in, deeply influenced my worldview and continue to shape my writing.
Since relocating to Florida in 2011, I’ve exhibited my photography and writing documentary project at the NPTI Gallery and the Coral Gables Museum. In 2021, I held a solo exhibition, “Havana: The Gift of Diversity,” which included an essay and poems about Havana. This work was also published in a book by Gallery TEN in Tokyo, where the exhibition took place.
I am also an animal lover. I had a dog who sadly passed away, and I haven’t yet been strong enough to welcome another into my life. The bond I shared with my dog was special, and while I miss that companionship, I know that in time, I may be ready to embrace another pet.
In addition to my creative work, I teach in Miami, where I inspire my students with a philosophy of lifelong learning and creativity.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Since I was a little girl, my grandparents taught me to read and write, sparking my lifelong fascination with books. When I started school, writing and literature became my favorite subjects. My teachers encouraged me to develop my writing skills, guiding me to create essays, poems, and stories for my classwork.

As I grew older, I began participating in literary workshops and joining reading and writing groups. I consider myself fortunate to come from a homeland rich in extraordinary authors and poets, with multicultural roots that have greatly influenced my writing style. I learned from them and from my family how to write in various poetic forms, including the Spanish décima, sonnets, and ballads.

Since 2003, I have been publishing poetry, stories, and articles. I’ve collaborated with renowned international magazines such as EYE-Photo Magazine, Shades of Grey, Vogue, Azahar (Spain), and Nagari (Miami). When I moved to the USA, I began writing in English as well, so my books are published in both English and Spanish. I am proud to have published two poetry books, with more on the way.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors span a wide range of genres, reflecting my diverse literary interests. I’ve always been drawn to the haunting atmospheres of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King; whose mastery of suspense and psychological depth greatly influence my own writing. I also admire the evocative poetry of Sylvia Plath and Emily Dickinson, whose works are rich in emotion and introspection, often exploring themes of identity and the complexities of the human condition.
As a bilingual writer, I am deeply inspired by Latin American authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, César Vallejo, and Dulce María Loynaz. Their exploration of identity, memory, and the interplay of language and culture has greatly shaped my own approach to storytelling, especially as I navigate both English and Spanish in my writing.
Ultimately, my inspiration comes from the works of these authors as well as from my own experiences and cultural heritage. I am constantly seeking new ways to blend visual art and writing, and I draw inspiration from the world around me—whether it’s through the lens of a camera or the rhythm of a poem.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is At the Same Time, the first in my Inner Journey series. This book combines poetry and fine art photography, creating a multisensory experience centered on healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. The inspiration for this work comes from my own journey of emotional and spiritual transformation. I wanted to share the insights and growth I’ve experienced, while also providing a space for readers to reflect on their own paths toward peace and renewal.

By merging poetry with photography, I aimed to foster a deeper emotional connection, offering readers a unique way to engage with themes like resilience, the passage of time, and self-empowerment. It’s a celebration of art’s transformative power and the healing that arises from embracing both the light and dark aspects of our personal journeys. The photographs were intentionally crafted to complement the verses, enhancing themes like letting go, finding inner peace, resilience, and growth. In this way, the book invites readers to embark on a multisensory journey of healing and self-discovery.

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Mia. MP’s Website

Mia. MP Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Stephen R Harlow

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born I West Virginia; we moved a couple of times when I was younger. We started out living in the country, then we moved to the city when I was 9, it was more of a small town than a city. Then we moved out into the country again, but in a different location, but all moves were in state and I still live here.
I do have a dog, black lab named Zorro; consequently, I would constantly address him as Mr. Puppy so he responds better to ‘Mister.’
It’s kind of weird though, he acts like a child: if I say Zorro he comes immediately because I never use his actual name.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I noticed my fascination with stories at a super young age. You know, my paternal grandfather would tell me stories all the time. On the other side, my maternal grandmother would read us stories all the time, she had a library of books back then, or so it seemed, anyway.
She used to also have us call the library: there was automated line where a pre-recorded voice would tell you a story. So, I got into stories at a young age. Fast forward to when I was 9 years old; I started writing my fiest stories after seeing how much my dad loved audio books. I would write little 4 page stories in a word app on our computer, and then record them onto blank tapes with me reading them.
It’s actually kind of funny to think back on because when I was in grade school, I was in slow learning classes for reading from kindergarten to 3rd grade. By the time I got to 7th grade, my reading teacher told me I was reading at a 10th grade level and then the next year, in 8th grade, my teacher and her assistant told me that I was reading at a college level.
So, I really owe a lot to that teacher that took the time to help me out from K-3rd grade. Her name was Mrs. Bennet, I never have known what her first name was.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There are so many authors! 😂
Geez, there’s always a tough question and this is it. More or less I’m wondering how to do this and not be so long winded.
Louis L’Amour would be first, then James Axler, I’ve read some James Patterson before, Mercedes Lackey is a new one that I just kind of started… just really started reading her books but she’s awesome. I read the whole Harry Potter series as a child as well, those were actually some of the first novels I read.
Oh! I just remembered! I have to mention this one before I forget about it again! Loyd Alexander! I owe so much to that author for making reading fun for me. Honest to God, the very first novel I ever read was Time Cat, which he wrote, and that story still plays a big role in inspiring my writing, and inspiring me to write.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is called ‘The Immortals.’ This is an awesome book on the western genre, it has its shootouts and action, drama, suspense: basically every aspect that makes a good story is in this novel.
It’s actually available for pre-order on Barnes&Noble, right now and releases on the 31st December 2024.
I had so much fun writing this book, honestly I was watching a ton of westerns at the time, mostly John Wayne movies: I used to watch the movie ‘The Searchers’ every single night for about 3 months. But the final inspiration for it was when I was playing Red Dead Redemption on Xbox One and I was wishing that I could be in that universe, so I went and wrote a western. A lot of my books are like that, it’s literally just me playing pretend in my mind and then writing it all down in Microsoft Word.

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Stephen R Harlow’s Website

Stephen R Harlow Facebook Page

Featured Interview With val toledo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi, as you know I am an author of the upward spiral series of books, that are a reflection of my own journey of transformation and empowerment. I was born in SA to Italian parents first generation, am a twin and lived in SA for most of my life. I have currently moved to Cyprus an Island near Greece.
My childhood was one of many challenges, my mother died when I was 7 and my father when I was 14. Left with the “wicked stepmother” led me on a journey of finding myself, living in my truth and embracing motherhood with great passion as I had missed out on my own. I have a beautiful Russian Princess cat, and she is a true ‘goddess.’

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Weirdly I never planned to write a book and even had no desire to write. I was as a child an avid reader and always took solace in my quiet days of reading. I spent most of my life empowering people through my education background as a teacher which developed into training and upgrading the mass workforce in the time of apartheid before Mandela was released. This led me into corporate training and strategies as well as interventions such as culture change and programmes for employees mental well being. It was this journey that took me into discovering how unhappy and misaligned many companies were, particularly in their leadership, who ‘infected’ the entire workforce. It was here that I had a driving passion to share both my corporate journeys and insight into how a wounded and damaged individual could effect their environment and all who met with them. This was the birth of the upward spiral which was written purely intuitively and channelled by guided information.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I mostly read non fiction, any books about life, philosophy and spiritual awakenings. Gregg Braden, Deepak Chopra, Alan watts, Carolynn Myss are but a few of the authors I love. I love books about how to improve your life, how to heal, and how to be in your power and operate from a place of courage rather then fear and anger.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Frequency Alchemy Diary takes the reader on a journey of daily alignment and conscious observation. It challenges the reader to set intentions for their year and self evaluate themselves. This leads to great growth and discovering hidden potential. It unconsciously helps them rewire their negative patterns and in doing this they raise their frequency and vibration. By the end of the year they will certainly be more balanced and aligned individuals.

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val toledo’s Website

val toledo Facebook Page