Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Anna “Annina” Lorenzi

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Anna Lorenzi, but my close friends and family call me “Annina,” which means “little Anna” in Italian, maybe because I’m not so tall, but it’s also a term of endearment. I was born in Milan on a rainy Monday morning, the 26th of October, 1981. I grew up in this town in which I still live with my two splendid beagles, and have never stopped “indulging” my passions: writing, music, photography, nature, travel (especially in my beloved USA!), and motorbikes and cars, in particular the “old” ones. Talking about work, I’ve really done a little bit of everything, including founding a company in Texas that operates internationally in the field of classic cars, and for which I’m the exclusive consultant. I publish short stories and articles, participate in literary competitions, collaborate on blogs and for Italian magazines, even managing my own personal blog annina19.com in which I share my creative writing. Now, I’m dedicating myself to the publication of my most recent novel in a professional, but completely independent, way both in Italian and in English and with global distribution.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was born in a house with two “devourers of pages” for parents and a library of thousands and thousands of volumes (and still growing, so much so that they don’t know where to put them all!). My first memories are tied to books when I was very small. My mother would get me to go to sleep reading me fairy tales, and I had a set appointment with my father every Sunday morning in his study; I remember that for a long time we always read Pinocchio, together.

I began to write as a child, when I really didn’t know how to do it, yet. I’ve always loved telling stories, inventing them, and narrating what I saw outside and inside of myself. Writing for myself isn’t only a passion, it’s also my first way to communicate; it’s something very intimate in certain ways, almost a need.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I really wouldn’t know how to say who is my favorite author, it’s really hard to choose. The genre that I prefer is fiction, but I also like mysteries, poetry, the classics… every book that can capture, captivate, transmit something profound, move me, and – why not?! – make me reflect.

Honestly, when I write something I try, if possible, not to be influenced by what I read. I want my writing to be completely honest and really and truly mine. I want it to get to the reader as something that belongs to me in the deepest part of myself, like a part of me, and not just like a nice story that I decided to put down black on white.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My most recent book is called Meeting Laura – A Novel Loosely and Partially Inspired by the Life of… , professionally and amazingly translated by Starleen K. Meyer from the Italian, Incontrando Laura… . It was released this last May 19th as a Kindle eBook and paperback, and is available on all Amazon stores.

It’s dedicated to “…those minds wanting to think, to those hearts wanting to beat, to the brave and the crazy.”

It tells the story of a young writer, a challenge that he can’t *not* accept and his “crazy” idea to follow that dream with his whole being. In his pocket, a plane ticket for New York, a few bucks, a little bit of fear, and a lot of determination. A manuscript that he hugs to himself, “as if it were the most important thing on the face of the earth,” a book already written, ready to be consigned to the world, but with a surprise ending that draws the reader in. A trip with an uncertain outcome, most assuredly unexpected, in order to meet his muse, and to give her his opus, sensations, words, and emotions for a better tomorrow. An unusual trip, apparently simple, but always intriguing in its “becoming,” narrated among thoughts, memories, emotions, and clear images depicting her, Laura, really that same Laura that the whole world knows and acclaims… (or maybe not?)

At this point, everyone usually asks me who Laura is, and so, for once, I’ll preempt the question.

First and foremost, Laura is a person. A person who exists, and yet doesn’t exist. Laura is a well-defined idea of a certain type of woman. To be clear, she actually could have any name. Laura is ‘The Laura’ of my novel, an imaginary person in a tale, the muse of the protagonist. She was partially created out of the inspiration of a real Laura, but it’s obviously not her. My Laura doesn’t exist in the real world. The real Laura is Laura Prepon, a famous and excellent American actress, director and writer, the right person to inspire the description of the character in my novel.
What struck me about her was what she seemed able to transmit something about herself, not so much what she did, but how she did it. Laura seemed to me to be one of those people who choose to follow their own way with courage, determination and consistency, always being themselves, trying to do their part in this world as best as they can, whatever it is, without faking it, without forcing it, without imposed masks and costumes. Doing it for themselves and for others, with heart, mind and soul. Always. So, a person to be looked up to as an example and, why not?, as an inspiration for a writer. That’s why I decided to keep the name ‘Laura’ for the character in my novel, also as an affectionate homage to her and for all women like her.

How long did it take me to write it? Considering that I usually write when caught up in the spirit of the moment, almost as if it were a need to satisfy, following the flow of images and ideas that I suddenly see so clearly in my mind, the gestation sometimes is as long as the actual writing, so all in all, it probably took me about four months to conceive of and write Meeting Laura.

It was an intense writing experience, a feeling that I hope, I believe, I have succeeded in sharing with the reader.

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Featured Interview With Margaret Marr

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina and I still live there with my dog. Digger is my only pet unless you count the blue-tailed lizard that crawls along my windowsill and a mouse that eats all of the dry dog food much to Digger’s dismay.

By day I work as an environmental specialist, which is just a fancy word for housekeeper, at the local nursing home. By night I write spooky paranormal books with a hint of romance, a pinch of suspense, and a whole cup of thrills.

I’ve written over 15 books, which are available on Amazon with Kindle Unlimited or $3.99 to buy.

My hobbies include hiking, crocheting, diamond painting, adult coloring, and walking for my health. To date, I’ve lost 95 pounds!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I discovered the magic of books in first grade. I was thrilled when I learned how to read all about Dick and Jane and Spot! I learned I could escape into a book and spend hours in another place and time.

I started writing over 25 years ago. I was a stay-at-home mom and looking for something to fill up the hours besides watching soap operas.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite author is Dean Koontz. He has such a way with words that blows me away. His writing is descriptive and profound. I also enjoy Amanda Stevens who can cause chills to go down my spine with her words. My inspiration comes from people who read my books and let me know how much they enjoy them.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
BANSHEE is my latest book, and is the second book in the Hayton County Supernatural Series for young adults. It took me a year or more to write it in between working my day job and dealing with life. Below is about my book:

After rescuing Bradford Phillips from the facility hidden deep in the mountains of Hayton County, the teenagers draw back and recoup. Abe Abernathy takes a job. Mandy Jensen has second thoughts about Abe and is still determined to rescue her mother with or without help. Bradford prefers to remain a loner. Simon Rogers is stalked by a screaming woman that visits him late at night.

Plans for another rescue operation is put on hold as the teenagers attempt to figure out what the banshee wants with Simon—and what she’s warning him about. Ghosts walk the streets of Hayton County adding to the pandemonium. A demon hangs in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to cause chaos that might just end in disaster for Mandy and her friends.

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Featured Interview With Terri Buckingham

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am passionate about hearing the voice of God and helping others to hear Him, too. Because hearing starts us on the road to Kingdom power, which is where we learn to walk as Jesus walked and do as Jesus did.

My books not only inform and instruct, but are themselves an example of God breaking through the veil to touch man on earth. Most of my books are written in the voice of God, and they are just that, His voice. If He can speak to Moses, Daniel, David, and Ezekiel, then He can speak to us. And He does.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” We just need to learn how to hear. And that’s why I write. That’s my mission. I want to hear, and I want to teach others the secrets to hearing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I had always wanted to write. Eventually, I thought I was going to write a book on spiritual warfare. But not the sensational type, just the normal every day warfare all us Christians need to engage in to keep sane, to keep positive, and to keep our love heart on.

Then one day I read Richard Sigmond’s My time in Heaven, where he sees books in heaven that haven’t been written yet on earth. When I read that, I asked God if there was a book in heaven that I could write, and He gave me this one. Now, a few years later, I have 15 books, and I consider all of them to be gifts from God! 🙂

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Check out my Goodreads bookshelf. I put most of my favorites up there, the authors who have shaped me as a person. There are many.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I actually wrote three books from start to finish during quarantine: Eternity, I want you here with Me—God; Kingdom Purpose Kingdom Power; And Kingdom Mates. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but Eternity is definitely up there. In fact, I just finished recording the audio version of it, I liked it so much. It’s just a great read about what comes next—after time. You know? In that sense it is sort of a sequel to Majesty: Till Time is No More. But not really. I don’t know how to describe it except to say it’s comforting, revealing, and salient for the times in which we live. You’ve got to read it to experience it.

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Featured Interview With Vitor Vicente

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Vitor Vicente. I was born and raised in a labour town besides Lisbon, Portugal. Since 2006 I am living abroad between Spain, Ireland, Poland and Hungary, being currently based in Budapest. I have traveled to more than 60 countries, either for leisure and business purposes. My extensive travels as well as my expat experience, are definitely present in various forms and shapes in all my books. I have a cat, called Hanucat, named after a strong affinity for Judaism (which is another key element in my literary works).

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always had a keen interest on any guidance material to help me understand the world and the human being. Books just came across during that journey. At first, around the age of sixteen, I have started composing lyrics for heavy metal bands. I was supposed to sing, but in the end, I only succeed to read the books referred by my music idols and to realize that would be a way wiser to spend more time holding a pen than a micro. On the beginning, I did write poetry (like every teenager) and stories with an absurd background (most of the times, inspired by the surrounding reality of that labour town).

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
So there are still genres in reality! Glad to know that literature is still intact to the amalgam devouring every aspect of life into a messy mass. My favorite authors are Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Michel Houellebecq, Nelson Rodrigues, Enrique Vila-Matas, José Rentes de Carvalho, Bret Easton Ellis. Going back to genres: I am quite inclusive, but I would certainly fall for Memories and Short Stories. It is pretty difficult to identify what inspires me to write, as I believe that the writer shall be the venue and not the organizer of the event. Perhaps we can coordinate the…chaos. Still, I would say that I am inspired by all sorts of things that transcend my comprehension, being writing a tool to give them frame and by that saving me for getting overwhelmed, calm me down, etc.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, “Bravo, Brasil” it is a narrative of the first two trips I made in Brazil. Even though both set-up after cultural events (book presentations, academic conferences, among other boring stuff) the object is rather focused on country observations, on comparing it vs. Portugal/Europe, on acknowledging and demolishing Latino stereotypes. The second part (which corresponds to the second trip) is radically different, it is written from a 5 stars hotel in Sorocaba and it extends the satire to the colonialist mentality. The tone is certainly caustic.

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Featured Interview With Benjamin M. Weilert

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Benjamin M. Weilert . . . What does the ‘M’ stand for?
Mountain Climber, Movie Connoisseur, Master of Science, and (of course) Multi-novel Writer.

Benjamin M. Weilert was born in Colorado in 1985.
While he went to school for Mechanical Engineering (eventually earning a Master’s Degree), he has found science to be interesting enough to write fiction about it. He likes to classify his novels as “science fantasy,” wherein the science is real and (semi) accurate, but portrayed in a fantasy setting to make it accessible to non-scientific readers. If you want stories that are surreptitiously educational, he’s your man.

He has written in a number of genres and styles, including a science fantasy trilogy, a memoir about climbing all of Colorado’s 14,000-ft. mountains with his father, and a guidebook to cinema. He has had short stories published in at least seven anthologies.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I read a lot as a child, but didn’t really get back into it until after college. I definitely remember having my parents read to me as I was growing up. Currently, I love listening to audiobooks, as they allow me to multitask (like while driving).

In preparing for my collection of short stories titled “The Ascent of the Writer,” I found a bunch of stories I wrote while I was in first grade. Some of these stories aren’t that bad (they won’t be in the collection, though). I’ve definitely improved since then. I started writing short stories in college for fun and wrote my first novel in 2010. Since then, I’ve continued to expand my written works, writing at least one novel and one short story each year and self-publishing one of these novels each year.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy fiction that’s really thought-out. If it’s fantasy, the magic system has to make sense and have plenty of complexity and nuance. If it’s science fiction, how is the science being used to advance the story? Consequently, some of my favorite authors are Andy Weir, Brandon Sanderson, Daniel H. Wilson, H.G. Wells, and Jules Verne.

I also appreciate the humor of Dave Barry, as well as the personable and convicting writing of Donald Miller.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is “Buried Colony,” and it was inspired by a short story I wrote for a “Science in Literature” course in college.

With my background in science as a Mechanical Engineer, I started to think about what technologies are currently present or are cutting edge right now that could be developed in 20 years to send humans out of our solar system. I believe this unique combination of technologies is plausible and overcomes a lot of the challenges involved with long interstellar journeys.

The biggest issue that I see about colonizing extra-solar planets is the relationships between the crew members. While some current technologies can help these people survive a new environment, the human condition still remains. Despite our best efforts, people will always have negative traits like selfishness and jealousy. How long can someone be offended and hold onto a grudge when the survival of the species is at stake? “Buried Colony” examines the lives of the six international individuals chosen to start a new colony on a new planet. Unfortunately, they landed on the wrong planet 11 million years in the future. Now their survival hinges on their ability to work together and overcome their personal differences.

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Featured Interview With Danelle Deonath

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Trinidad, West Indies. It is one of the twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I currently live there. I have two dogs. I am the youngest of three, with an older sister and brother, and I live with my two parents. I pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad. My sister is married and has five children, all of whom I absolutely adore. In my spare time, I love to read and dance. I am currently learning to play the violin and keyboard. Sometimes, I like to paint. My favourite medium to use are oil paints.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Originally, I thought I got into writing when I entered secondary school in 2006 (I am currently 25 years old). However, some years ago, after an unfortunate flood, my mother dug up a book I had created for her when I was about seven or eight. It was made from some copy book pages that I stapled together. It was a story of two best friends, and I had written the stories and done the illustrations. I think I always had a fascination with storytelling. I used to envision movie ideas, or sequels to movies I’d watch. I would do the same to books; imagine follow up stories or think about all the directions the book could go. I started to get serious about it in 2006 when an assignment was given by my Form One English teacher to recreate a story inspired by Greek Mythology. I decided to write on how the red rose came to be. From a little assignment, I started to build on a book, and then another book idea came, and so on. In Form Two, after reading a book called The Snog Log and watching A Walk to Remember, I decided to keep a journal of all my favourite quotes, scriptures and song lyrics, as well as create poems that would replace my “Dear Diary” entries.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I grew up in the era of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys so mystery novels have always peaked my interest. I also love classical literature. I love to read Jane Austen. I enjoy J.K. Rowling as well. C.S. Lewis is another favourite, and someone that has inspired the descriptive style in my writing. For inspiration, I like to read Vance K. Jackson for motivation. I am currently diving into Paulo Coehlo and I admire the way he grabs your attention with every page, and that is something I aspire to do with my literary works. In Secondary School, I read Olive Senior’s Gardening in the Tropics and that was the first time I thought about compiling a book of poems. Both her poetry style and Maya Angelou’s have inspired me in my own poetry compositions. Both books and movies inspire my writing style. I look at movies and observe the buildups; think about the way the script was laid out or even get an idea of the climatic rise in the books the movies were based off of, and use the styling to help me create a book. Writing a four page story is one thing, but having to write books of one hundred pages and more, while still keeping people locked in is a challenge and something I have observed writers like Stephen King, and those mentioned above, be able to do.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Girls Should be Seen Not Heard is my first publication, and is available on Amazon as an ebook and paperback. It is a collection of poems. I chose that particular title because I remember hearing it in my school’s auditorium before assembly whenever us girls wouldn’t settle down. “Ladies… Girls should be seen not heard”…
Back then, I knew it was a statement meant to quiet us down but it was always a statement that was confusing to me. I mean, who even came up with that? It sure wasn’t someone trying to quiet some school girls who wouldn’t stop chatting and giggling. As time went by, like most young women, I grew into my feminist role, as I observed the “onesidedness” that society often operated with. I learnt more about women in history and the way we were viewed, and still are viewed. I would hear jokes and comments and be subjected to some which were only made to me because I was a “young woman” and there was a standard attached to that. I observed how women were treated as fragile and timid; weak and some even grew to believe that. I saw the double standards with which girls were punished and scrutinized, while boys were praised and excused or when certain things were “okay” for a boy to do, or not do, but a girl should never do or it was a duty to do certain things. I came up with the idea a couple of years ago when, on my WordPress blog, I did a four part series called “Girls Should be Seen Not Heard”, which were the four poems you will see featured in the book. When I completed the final poem, which was inspired by Jessie J’s song “Queen”, I decided to put together this collection. It took me about two years. Each poem that I wrote was based on my personal experiences. They are based on my issues with my body type and my experiences with society trying to define beauty; my personal insecurities and self-doubt. They are based on my experiences with people who shut me down or rejected me. They were created during moments where I felt used, abused and alone. And they were also the words that I shared to my friends, I spoke to myself on dark nights to pull myself up, and the words that I wished I had the courage to say to those who had hurt me. The purpose behind sharing these poems is to help other young girls and women feel understood, represented, seen and heard. My hope is that through reading this book, girls and women everywhere would realise that they are not alone on their journeys, and that through my words they can be empowered to speak up for themselves, the way I feel inspired every time I would read stories with a strong female lead. I wish that not only women can read this book, but men as well and see the way women feel and the things we go through, and try to help us change the way the world operates. I want parents to buy this book for their little girls or read it themselves and strive to create a household where all their children are treated equally. I chose this title because I wanted to use a title meant to oppress and limit women as the heading for a book that would serve to do the opposite. That is why the cover art is as diverse and colourful as it is. It shows women of all colours and types and races, with tapes on their mouths, because by the last page, I hope that those tapes would be ripped off and their limitations and oppression would be left trembling.

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Featured Interview With Joao Cerqueira

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I write because I love making up stories.
The possibility of creating something that has not existed till then is extraordinary. I create a world; I people it with characters; I unleash conflicts and offer solutions (that don’t always work). In short, I play god. Beyond that, my greatest pleasure is hearing some reader saying that he or she loved the book. But what really makes me happy is for someone to say that the book made them laugh. At that moment I know that I have forged a special bond with another person, and that I have managed, if only for a few seconds, to light up something inside them.
I am interested in exploring the complexity of human nature.
Why there is so much violence? Why there is so much stupidity? Are we really so much different from other animals? My novels satirize modern society and use humor to provoke reflection and controversy.
Humour is indeed a weapon of massive destruction, but not to kill people. It only destroys stupidity – Monty Python ridiculed Hitler’s image several times. Ridendo castigat mores – as the Romans used to say. So, I tried to show that religious or political dogmas always lead to fanaticism or dictatorship.

I was born and raised in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. I live there between the sea and the moutain. I have a dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was lucky enough to inherit my father’s book collection with hundreds of books including all of the classics. From The Canterbury Tales to Don Quixote, all the major titles were there. At eighteen I read East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Another important book was Pär Lagerkvist’s The Dwarf, the protagonist of which was incapable of feeling anything else for humanity other than hatred and contempt, which also fascinated me. At that time, I also read Cosmos by Carl Sagan, which taught me to understand the universe; I learned that the stars and I were made of the same stuff – this idea is in The Tragedy of Fidel Castro – and that many of them although still visible, may no longer exist. These are the books that initiated me into adulthood.
I then read two remarkable works: 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the dystopian prophecies of which are, for some, now coming true. Years later I rediscovered Orwell when I wrote Art and Literature in the Spanish Civil War. Orwell fought against Fascism, but in the end the Communists wanted to kill him too. Homage to Catalonia describes this tragic experience that leads to books such as 1984 and Animal Farm.
So, I write since my childhood.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some novelists that I like are José Saramago, Alberto Moravia, John Williams, Mikhail Bulgakov, Italo Calvino, Amin Malouf, W. G. Sebald, Philip Roth, William Faulkner, Salman Rushdie, Jorge Amado, Paul Auster, and Erasmus (In Praise of Folly) for having taught me that to succeed in life you must be mad. Finally, I believe that Remembrance of Things Past is perhaps the most complex work of writing to date.
I like to read literary fiction and books about science.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Jesus and Magdalene is inspired in three different episodes that happened in Portugal, but could happened in any part of the world: a group of radical ecologists invaded and destroyed a field with genetic modified corn; a forest that was considered natural reservation was cutt to construct a resort; in a poor neighbourhood happens a racial clash between blacks and gipsies. The idea was to put Jesus – again on earth – on this three problematic situations and to show how men would react.
So, I decided that Jesus would first meet a modern Magdalene that fight for a better world – although using violent methods – that would take him into a journey of conflict and violence. Jesus would ask again for peace and love between men, but men would once more respond aggressively. The idea of the book is that nothing has changed. The human nature cannot be changed and Earth is not a place for people like Jesus Christ. It is a place for violent persons, corrupts and traitors.

Fortunately, the book has received good reviews and won several awards.

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Featured Interview With Carryn W Kerr

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Raised in a small town in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, I am a young adult fiction author who absolutely loves anything about the English language. Currently, I am in Johannesburg and have two Dobermans, Achilles and Yvon, who happen to feature in my debut. I also enjoy riding my gelding, Mr. Fantastic, who I believe doubles as my muse.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved reading since a child, but the book that really caught my attention was The Lord of the Rings when I was about thirteen. I only began writing much later in life.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I mostly love young adult reads, where I can get taken to another place, like Brigid Kemmerer, Stephanie Garber, JK Rowling. My writing was mostly inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s The Host.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Renascent World originally took shape in my dreams and I built on it from there. I loved writing the story and seeing it unfold as I followed Cassidy on her journey.
It is my debut and is about a young girl, Cassidy Jones. Shortly before a meteorite strike killed almost everyone on Earth, Cassidy’s family was among the ‘chosen’ who were whisked away. They spent the following thirteen years in Petriville, a Victorian-style town that hovered at the center of a sphere while moving through Earth’s orbit.
Now, Cassidy is sixteen, and Petriville is due to return to Earth when the hologram of Eric visits her.
He survived the meteorite strike in an Earth-based refuge, but Petriville’s founder holds no place for these people.
She wants them killed and the stricken planet repopulated by only her chosen people!

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Featured Interview With Aditi Wardhan Singh

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I used to feel like the girl from no where growing up. When I become a mother, I found my voice in storytelling. I grew up shuttling between two countries, India and Kuwait. Now, I am raising two kids in Virginia, USA. A computer engineer by education, I now run RaisingWorldChildren.com and am so excited to share growth mindset stories for global citizens. I do have a pet, Sasha. She’s as vibrant as the other girls in the house.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing, writing at the age of 9. I started reading books when I was 5, after meals, sitting around with family. Books for few and far between and I wanted to grab every single one I could get my hands on. Books were my best friends, as the cliche goes. Words have always been my escape and voice!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Lisa Jewel, Harlan Coben. My favorite thing to read is psychological thrillers but I get inspired by every day life. My children’s books are born of what I see missing in the world.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book How Our Skin Sparkles, is a body positivity and diversity children’s book. Aarav comes home and asks his mom, “Why do I look different?”. From his friends and his family even. His mom uses culture, science and concept to explain the same to him.

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Featured Interview With Todd Linn

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Todd Linn is a minister with over 23 years of pastoral experience. He has a pastor’s heart and a love for the Word. While having earned his PhD from the highly acclaimed Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, Linn writes in a popular style that combines scholarship, humor, and practical application. He loves preaching, writing, running, and drinking good coffee.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My 4th Grade teacher had this deal where if you wrote a short story and read it to the class you got a treat from her candy box. I had a sweet tooth so the rest is history!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
In my genre of Christian non-fiction I enjoy reading Chuck Swindoll, Steve Brown, and Alistair Begg. I am also inspired by Charles Dickens and American author John Steinbeck.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My first book is a commentary on the New Testament Book of James. It’s entitled You’re Either Walking The Walk Or Just Running Your Mouth! It is a verse-by-verse teaching of the New Testament Letter of James that demonstrates the relevance of the Bible for today’s readers.

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Featured Interview With B.A. Bellec

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Richmond, BC and raised in Langley, BC, before settling in Winnipeg, MB. My first adventure was a career in Finance, where I spent 15 years developing business skills. My highest achievement was the Certified Payroll Manager designation. I currently still consult with businesses on their systems and processes. Over that period of time, I also attended film school where I started to nurture his early creative abilities.

I was always a self-starter always interested in research, I taught myself many of the aspects of storytelling through reading books, screenplays and material online. Whenever I found an inspirational piece of art, I quickly went to the source to find the story behind the artist who created the work. It took many years after attending film school for me to finally combine my creative skills with my life experience and tell that story I had been holding back.

Currently, I am pounding away on the keyboard writing my second novel, Pulse. This project is a change of pace and more details will come in a few months! I am also an avid jogger and walker, frequently using them as a way to work on those tough spots in life and manuscripts.

My dog Elsa, an 8-year-old Bernese cross, is always at my feet when I write and gets to enjoy the walks too!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I don’t think I ever wanted to be an author. Originally I looked at directing movies. I didn’t have the personality. Too many people. I also went to business school. It paid well but never satisfied me. I started writing to deal with stress and writing complimented my day job well. I realized it might be more than just a hobby after a year or so of keeping up the habit. Then I spent another year perfecting my work and building a platform. I have only been writing a few years now.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I would give anything a chance. I usually reserve reading to recommendations from my editors. Lately I have read Ready Player One, Makers, and I am currently going through IT.

My favourite author is probably Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and I also like John Green. I have a soft spot for fantasy so of course Tolkien and George R.R. Martin.

My writing is inspired by everything. I borrow inspiration from shows, movies, songs, friends, family, authors, books. Anything can inspire.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I tried to write for everyone. My target is Young Adult Coming of Age but this book reads well to parents as well. It’s emotional. Tons of pop culture. Unique style.

I don’t like selling myself so here is an editorial review:

Foluso Falaye – 5 Star
Readers’ Favourite

In his endearing coming-of-age book, B.A. Bellec writes about a group of weirdos that find and save each other from the dark depths of their minds. Someone’s Story is literally Someone’s story, as in a first-person narrative of a teenager that calls himself Someone. It starts with the news that he has to move to a bigger city with his father; adjusting to the city and his new school is going to be a challenge, especially because of his recent blackouts and his problems with making friends. Someone strives to be healthy mentally as he struggles with trauma, bullying, and his mother’s disappearance. When he meets Samantha at his new pizza delivery job, everything changes. He starts to make wonderful memories with new friends, while he also discovers some of their darkest secrets.

Someone’s Story is a mental-health novel done right! Reading Someone’s experiences gave me a closer feel and challenged me to reach out to others more. With themes of movies, music, business, jogging, drugs, abortion, and loss, B.A. Bellec fills his book with enough background to make it relatable and keep readers engaged. There is also some explicit language that makes it inappropriate for young readers. Someone’s Story is a quite relaxing read; it’s filled with love, friendship, and a search for balance. Though it’s a young adult novel, I recommend it to an older audience too because, apart from being a good read, depictions of the struggles that some people silently go through are vital for developing the right mindset for the good of all humanity.

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Featured Interview With Dawn Doig

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised most of my life in Victoria, B.C., Canada. My father was a sailor so we moved around a little bit, but mostly between Victoria and the Vancouver area. I am currently teaching English as an additional language at an international school in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa. Before Africa, we lived in Mongolia for five years. It was in Mongolia that we adopted our two sweet female kitties, Kydee and Patches, and they live with us here in Cameroon.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a young child, my mother had a ‘School Days’ memorabilia book for each of us and in that book there is a line on which to write what you want to be when you grow up. For years, I wrote ‘an author and cartoonist’. I actively started writing in elementary school, around Grade 5, and won the local newspaper’s Christmas story contest several years in a row. I wrote my first, and only, novel when I was 13 years old. It remains unpublished. I really starting actively writing again when my children were very small and my focus has been children’s picture books.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoyed the ‘Outlander’ series by Diana Gabaldon and am drawn to the crime drama novels by James Patterson. I don’t really have a favourite genre. I enjoy reading autobiographies and crime drama, but also enjoy children’s books. Dr. Seuss definitely was an inspiration for wanting to write some of my children’s picture books in rhyme.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
‘Hair Peace’ was inspired by the women and girls of Cameroon. I did not realize prior to moving to Africa that many of the women and girls wear wigs or hair extensions. This was interesting to me because the women and girls are all so beautiful regardless of their hair. This inspired me to write a book about positive self-image and perceptions of beauty.

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Featured Interview With SABINE Garvey CAMPBELL

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a native Virginian, born and raised just outside of Washington, D.C. Today I live with my family on a hobby farm approximately one hour outside of the city that we share with our ten pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My writing career began in grade school when I wrote my first poem. In the years that followed, I wrote an extensive collection of poems that I went on to publish in an anthology years later. It wasn’t until after my children were born that I wrote my first book in response to my desire to leave my legacy as an Author behind to my children. Since then I have written two more books and will continue to write for as long as I have something to say.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have always been a fan of Mysteries. I started reading Agatha Christie as a child, moved on to Sue Grafton and have since graduated to James Patterson.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is called “An Unexpected Road to Motherhood.”

It is my story of becoming a mother and how it was nothing as I had envisioned it would be. Very little of it, if anything went as planned but, in the end, that was okay. I still got my fairy tale ending and, in the process, I became a stronger woman because of the road I traveled. I wrote this book to let other women who have had the same experience know they are not alone and just because things did not go as planned, does not mean that dreams will not come true.

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Featured Interview With Karen S. Bell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Conn, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey and have now settled in Ponte Verda, FL which is a half hour north of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. My husband and I raised for children two boys and two girls who live everyone BUT Florida. Two in Northern Virginia, one in Los Angles, and one in Frankfurt, Germany. All we have left are our two furry kitty kids who give us much joy and prove the adage that dogs have masters and cats have staff.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I lived going to the Public Library as a child and tires tread as many books as I could in the time aloud for borrowing. I remember a tall stack carries under my chin as I made my way home. Needless to say, I loved to read and try to read modern classics as well as contemporary fiction. Self-hep is thrown in there too. I’m fascinated with the teachings of New Age philosophers about the continuation the human spirit, wisdom thinking and the idea of an intelligent universe, and near-death experiences.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Jodie Piccoult because she tackles social issues in her fiction, as do I. Alice Hoffman because she infuses her writing with magic, and the Latin-America authors who are steeped in the magical realism tradition like Gabriel García Márquez, and Isabel Allende. I love literary fiction because as a writer I respect the craft of wring and look for exceptionalism in the craft of writing. I look for that kind of writing in the modern classics. Currently, I’m reading East of Eden by Steinbeck. Reading good writers makes me a better writer.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Once again, I celebrate women in my work. This time the Feminine Divine is depicted in normal-seeming women who really are goddesses who save the world. Climate change will bring about rising seas and these women will create a safe haven on high ground in the form of a Bed and Breakfast Inn in Vermont. It will be a two book series where in book one is the establishment of the safe haven and in book two how the climate catastrophe is mitigated.

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Featured Interview With Karen S. Bell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Brooklyn, NY and lived in Conn, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey and have now settled in Ponte Verda, FL which is a half hour north of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. My husband and I raised for children two boys and two girls who live everyone BUT Florida. Two in Northern Virginia, one in Los Angles, and one in Frankfurt, Germany. All we have left are our two furry kitty kids who give us much joy and prove the adage that dogs have masters and cats have staff.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I lived going to the Public Library as a child and tires tread as many books as I could in the time aloud for borrowing. I remember a tall stack carries under my chin as I made my way home. Needless to say, I loved to read and try to read modern classics as well as contemporary fiction. Self-hep is thrown in there too. I’m fascinated with the teachings of New Age philosophers about the continuation the human spirit, wisdom thinking and the idea of an intelligent universe, and near-death experiences.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love Jodie Piccoult because she tackles social issues in her fiction, as do I. Alice Hoffman because she infuses her writing with magic, and the Latin-America authors who are steeped in the magical realism tradition like Gabriel García Márquez, and Isabel Allende. I love literary fiction because as a writer I respect the craft of wring and look for exceptionalism in the craft of writing. I look for that kind of writing in the modern classics. Currently, I’m reading East of Eden by Steinbeck. Reading good writers makes me a better writer.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Once again, I celebrate women in my work. This time the Feminine Divine is depicted in normal-seeming women who really are goddesses who save the world. Climate change will bring about rising seas and these women will create a safe haven on high ground in the form of a Bed and Breakfast Inn in Vermont. It will be a two book series where in book one is the establishment of the safe haven and in book two how the climate catastrophe is mitigated.

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Karen S. Bell’s Website

Karen S. Bell Facebook Page

Karen S. Bell Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Emily Horabik

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hey! I’m Emily Horabik. I’ve traveled the world for nearly two decades. After graduating from Denison University with a Major in Theatre and a Minor in Psychology, I moved to New York City which served as my home base for over fifteen years. In my travels, I came across a number of mentors who imparted their knowledge to me. Comfort Zone Correction: Unfiltered True Stories In Successful Selling is a novel I have written, devoted to one such mentor who encouraged me to make my dream of combining travel and writing a reality. You can find me, carry-on in one hand and pen in the other, on my website www.travelandledger.com where I continue to share my travel knowledge and encounters with interesting characters.

When I’m not writing, I’m taking a vacation and working on trying to tan (I mostly burn) or chasing my two schnauzer/cavalier mix pups around the house.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been reading and writing since I was able to. I’d go climb a tree and get lost in my imagination for hours.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love to read historical romance. It takes me away from any worries I’m going through and simplifies life down to a love story. I’m also a sucker for a happy ending.

Historical Romance writers like Kat Martin (Gypsy Lord) and successful business operators like Russell Simmons (Do You) are two of my favorite genres and inspirations.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Do you have a dream? Are you considering a change with all the craziness happening in the world? Are you working in circles and getting nowhere?

You may not realize it, but we are all in “sales.” The comfort of status quo and a constant paycheck throw us off from our dreams. We don’t realize that opportunities are right at our fingertips.

Comfort Zone Correction: Unfiltered True Stories In Successful Selling recounts strategies, thought processes, and over 25 encounters, that will show you how to draw attention, win customers, and create growth in any industry or career. Every entrepreneur, student, service provider, relationship manager or small business can relate to them.

While living in NYC, I met a mentor who is one of those people who has the art of storytelling. Anything he talks about has a little life lesson in it if you listen close enough. I just needed to share his experiences with the world.

This was my first novel so it took me about five years to finish. It started as something I did as a hobby for myself, but then, the more I collected his stories, I realized I just had to share them with the world. I’m so happy I did!

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Featured Interview With Lori Barrett

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born & raised in Baltimore, Maryland. I currently live just outside Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t have any pets right now, but love cats! I love to garden, read, write and travel.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. I actually was not a good reader early on in school. Fortunately, I had an amazing 3rd grade teacher (who I mention in my acknowledgements), and she helped me not to quit. Once I developed reading habits, I loved reading! I started writing at 13, and had two poems published in a local newspaper.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have many authors who I love to read their materials. Some are, Elizabeth Gilbert, Brene Brown, anything Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and so many more. My favorite genres are mystery, self-help, and Sarah Dessen. My writings are inspired by my faith in God. Also, anyone who writes powerful, insightful, and authentically.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Tired of going around that mountain yet? Frustrated with feeling as thou your life is on a hamster wheel? Are you desiring changes for a better life, but just don’t know how to accomplish them? Me too, for years! For some great answers, read this book. It is a must read for applying your passions and purpose to overcome feeling stuck, lost & frustrated. A easy read to start on a Friday, read in a weekend, and start to implement changes right away. It took me about one year to write & publish.

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Featured Interview With Sandra Bats

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Sandra Bats, living in Frankfurt, Germany with my husband and so far I published two novels in English, despite German being my mother tongue. Besides writing and reading I enjoy baking, drawing and going to the gym. I’m also a fan of storytelling in general, no matter the medium, so I watch a lot of TV and frequently go to movie theaters. Recently I’ve also started to learn about narrating and recording audiobooks with the hopes of turning my own novels into audiobooks soon.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve loved books from the moment that I learned to read. There were a lot of times my parents had to wrestle a book from my hands.
When I was eleven my family was vacationing in Australia. Unfortunately I was (and still am) quite afraid of spiders and earlier that day I had seen a spider lurking around the pool area. Convinced it surely was a deadly spider I refused to go to the pool that afternoon. This was before everybody carried laptops and every hotel had wifi and since my English at that age wasn’t good enough to watch TV I grew bored quite quickly. I had a journal with me though and since I’ve always been rather bad at keeping a diary it was still mostly empty. That was when I wrote my very first story — a very typical children’s story about a girl and her horse Tornado. That was the very first story and I haven’t stopped writing since.

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 urban fantasy, fantasy and paranormal romance. Lately I’ve been reading Cassandra Clare and I’m impatiently awaiting the next Jennifer L. Armentrout novel. I also enjoy reading Sarah J. Maas and Marie Lu, whose Legend Series I found especially inspiring when writing my own dystopian trilogy. I will read almost anything, but I mostly enjoy if the story has at least a little romance.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest novel, Persephone’s Grief, is a dystopian romance and the second novel in the Persephone’s Curse trilogy. While the first novel was inspired by the question of how a person can learn to trust despite past trauma, this novel hinges on another question: How far would you go for the person you love?
Like the first installment in the trilogy the story follows Jayden and Elin as they navigate living in a future where women die in childbirth due to a horrible virus. In the second novel Elin and Jayden have to deal with an impossible mistake that threatens Elin’s life. It leaves Jayden struggeling with his ethics as he desperately tries to keep Elin alive.
As an avid fiction reader myself the first thing I hope the reader takes away from the book is of course simply being whisked off into another world. Beyond that I hope Elin’s and Jayden’s story shows how different people deal with trauma and how impossible choices can force them to cross lines they didn’t think they’d ever cross.

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