Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Steven Milliken

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in sunny Southern California, back in the days when being “out” meant you were on the patio furniture. I quickly realized my best path was to make people laugh—and if they were laughing, they weren’t asking too many questions! Today, I’ve channeled that class-clown energy into my book, LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER, a collection of essays about being gay back in the day and finally finding my way. It’s proof that sometimes the journey to authenticity is a comedy of errors—and I have a front-row seat!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I can’t pinpoint the exact age I became fascinated by books, but it was somewhere between Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein. Dr. Seuss taught me to love rhyme; Shel Silverstein taught me how to make people laugh with twisted humor – Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book gave me my first “comedy routine” in seventh grade English, where I presented it as a speech and got huge laughs which might’ve gone to my head! I always thought writers were like rock stars, and when a high school friend said my emails were “David Sedaris-worthy,” that seed planted itself deep. Two decades of sporadic writing later, I finally published my own book, a collection of humorous essays. The hook? “What happens when the class clown becomes the teacher? Oh, and by the way, I’m gay…” So, if you want to laugh out loud, grab a copy and let’s make my rock star dream a reality!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My reading tastes are all over the map. David Sedaris is my modern-day muse—I like to think I have my own collection of embarrassing stories to rival his, and I try to keep up! As a teen, I clung to Catcher in the Rye like it was a life manual; and later, A Confederacy of Dunces taught me to embrace the oddities of life. As an English teacher, I spent years dissecting The Crucible and “The Raven”—I probably know more about Puritan angst and ravens than anyone should. And then there’s Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes—classics from my childhood that taught me everyone’s a suspect….

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book tackles the burning question: What’s it like when a class clown grows up, comes out, and stands in front of a classroom? (Spoiler: it involves more laughs than lesson plans.) LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER is my humorous, slightly self-roasting account of navigating the world as a gay baby boomer during my long and winding journey toward coming out, teaching in the urban ghetto, and all the mishaps along the way. This one’s for everyone—gay, straight, or simply a guy who once matched his belt to his shoes.

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Steven Milliken’s Website

Steven Milliken Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Michael Colon

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a creative freelance writer and novelist, born and raised in the Big Apple, New York City. I use my craft to profoundly impact the lives of others with thought-provoking words that breathe life into his characters. I often equates his writing to painting masterpieces with prose. My inspiration comes from various societal abnormalities, cultural differences, and my own life experiences. When I am not writing, I enjoy working out, watching sports, visiting museums, and exploring nature trails.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been writing my entire life. I started taking writing seriously five years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I mainly get inspired my life experiences, music, and other art works.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Gift From Aelius, is an experience for the reader as they dive into the deep parts of living consciousness through an artificial intelligence growing awareness of purpose and life. The protagonist, A191, wants to bring together the two dominant species in his world for peace and unity. His adventure begins by risking it all. Will he succeed?

My book is a joy to read. Full of action, introspection of life, and future ideologies and philosophy to take in. There is not a science fiction tale as poetic and thought provoking.

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Michael Colon’s Website

Featured Interview With Sarah Ivette Morales

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Sarah Ivette Morales is a novice author who took a leap of faith. After thirteen years
as a dedicated teacher, she transitioned to stay-at-home mother of two girls. Cancer
was not on the agenda. Turning to writing, she used her pain into a labor of love to
share hope during the hard seasons in life. As a cancer survivor, she gained a renewal
of faith. Her journey has now taken a new and exciting turn as she embarks on a
career as an author, using her experiences to motivate and uplift others through
writing. Sarah always had a love for God, but she learned to fully surrender.

Her latest novel , Shoes of Peace on the Desert Road was published in May 2024 with
Christian Faith Publishing. It comes down to five things: God, faith, family, friends,
and a positive attitude. Sarah lives in Deep South Texas. She lives with her loving
husband, two precious daughters and two dogs, Max and Peaches. She enjoys reading,
listening to music, and traveling.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always loved listening to stories and reading around five years old. Now my young daughters, who are three and five love reading too. Pete the Cat and Miss Nelson is Missing are their current favorites. I started writing at 38 after I received my cancer diagnosis.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Paulo Coelho and lots of children’s book authors! I generally don’t have a favorite genre, I feel that you learn so much in reading something out of your norm. My daughters inspire me in my writings, I wrote my book out of love for them and a promise I made to God.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Sarah went about her daily life as a planner, living by deadlines and goals. She planned to take a break from her 13-year teaching career to transition to a stay-at-home mother of two girls. Cancer was not on the agenda. What happens when you don’t plan for the unimaginable? The daily walk one takes through the worst storm of one’s life brings the ultimate test of faith.

Knowing this was out of her hands, Sarah turned to God’s love. Sarah always had a love for God, but she learned to fully surrender. It comes down to five things: God, faith, family, friends, and a positive attitude.

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Sarah Ivette Morales’s Website

Featured Interview With J.D. Rasch

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a New Yorker, raised primarily in the Bronx. I now live in Westchester NY, married for over 40 years (same woman) with three grown kids. In the past we’ve had cats, guinea pigs and rats (all as pets – we’ve had mice, but they weren’t pets). Right now we have a chihuahua puppy, whose got tons of energy (although that’s redundant for a chihuahua).

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been interested in books since a young child. I would gravitate to science fiction and then to fantasy. I liked being transported to a different world. I used to write a lot for business and was a pretty good writer. As I looked at all the different problems of the world I thought I should add my voice to the solution. I didn’t initially think of writing a novel, but more writing essays, but when I sat down to do that the “advice” seemed too simple – don’t do bad stuff. So I started thinking of other ways of approaching writing. I thought of writing fiction and putting my characters in different situations and see how they react. I decided on fantasy because first, I was familiar with the genre and the conventions, and second because I get to create the world so I had fewer constraints. I always felt fantasy was an underused genre for addressing the issues we face in the world. I started writing almost 40 years ago, but I only did a bit here and there. I started really being serious about it maybe 15 years ago.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
The authors who initially influenced me were Frank Herbert and how he created such an intricate world in Dune, weaving social and political concepts. Also Ursula LeGuinn for similar reasons. I also like Isaac Asimov for how forward-looking his novels are. More recently I’ve been looking at literary fiction such as Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove) and Toshikaz Kawaguchi (Before the Coffee Gets Cold). I enjoy their imagination and quirky characters. Finally, I’ve read a lot of Alexander McCall Smith, but less for inspiration and more just a fun escape.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The book is titled The Quasi-Crystal. It is about relationships, but not just interpersonal ones, it’s about the big issues we face in society. How we interact with each other. More specifically, the book is about two lands, Bracat and Ognita. Bracat has changed since the Moment—the collective joining of minds—opened up new possibilities for peace for its people. Even the rogue wizard Malzus is seeking forgiveness for his past sins. But this new feeling of unity is tentative, and the future is never certain.

In the midst of this change, gem cutter Theb discovers something curious: it looks like an ordinary stone, but he knows it is something extraordinary. A crystal that exists in two realms at once, but only Theb can see how unique it is.

Then Theb begins to have dreams of a woman, calling for help from a deserted island far away from Bracat. An impenetrable fog is threatening the island, and the strange crystal seems to be the only answer.

There are others who hear the woman’s call. To find the source, Theb joins with a reformed wizard, a former thief, and an old enemy. Together, they vow to find the voice, braving the turbulent ocean to discover what is hidden behind the fog.

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J.D. Rasch’s Website

Featured Interview With Shelby Hailstone Law

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Georgia my whole life (besides a brief stint in the Rockies while my dad finished school during my toddler years), and I love being here so much that I dragged my husband to come live here too after we got married! We’re back in my hometown of Acworth, where we’re raising our two kids with a love of reading and learning.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always loved books. My mom would put books on cassette tape on in my room to keep me busy, and by the time I was two, I could recite “The Cat in the Hat” from memory! By the time I was in elementary school, I wanted to write my own princess stories, and by the time I hit middle school, I tried my hand at writing larger stories. My first published book, “Lady Thief,” was actually written when I was fourteen. I never stopped writing, though I did take a brief break from publishing during college and early married life. My husband knew how much writing meant to me, though, and encouraged me to get back into it.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I can’t say enough wonderful things about Agatha Christie. I could spend hours reading her Hercule Poirot stories. But I’m also a sucker for a good “coming of age” fantasy, especially the Books of Pellinor, an underrated high fantasy series that makes me cry every time I read it.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My most recent book is “Death Flirts Back,” a story about a girl who falls in love with a Grim Reaper. I’ve had this idea bouncing around in my head for years, and in 2023, I finally sat down to write it. One year later, I published it in October 2024, and I’m ridiculously proud of my first-ever foray into paranormal romance!

Everything I write is clean, because I’m a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I don’t think that detracts from the romance at all. In fact, this story is largely built around how dangerous it is for Abigail, the main character, to fall in love with an agent of Death itself!

Check out this synopsis:

Abigail’s family is cursed.

Generations ago, a man made a deal with a Grim Reaper, hoping to gain eternal life. In the process, he had promised to give that Reaper a mass murder, a gift of many souls to shepherd to the other side. Abigail’s ancestor escaped, and Reapers have followed her whole family ever since. The deal remains unfinished so long as she and her family walk the earth.

In an attempt to cope with an emissary of Death following her around all the time, Abigail has taken to talking to her otherworldly shadow. In all her years, not one Reaper has ever talked back to her.

Until one day, a young Reaper lowers his hood.

Now, Abigail struggles to find the balance between keeping herself safe from her family curse and getting closer to this Reaper. He’s curious, cute, and interested in ending the curse so he can get back to his normal job. But when a single mistake could be fatal for Abigail, how can she trust him?

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Shelby Hailstone Law Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Candace Lynn Talmadge

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Los Angeles but spent four of my teen years in an all girls high school in Winchester, England. Central California is my home now after a 34-year stay in Texas.

Not only am I an author, I am also a storyhealer and paranormalist. I talk with my spirit guides, and believe the generally accepted definition of normal is way too limited. I perceive and live in wider realities that include the heart and soul.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a preteen, I was captivated by the Lord of the Rings, and a bit later by Dune. When I was 13, the mother of my closest friend put a Taylor Caldwell novel in my hand and told me I could write something like this.

I spend the next several decades thinking about my characters. In my imagination I saw them and heard them speak. I got to know them.

I also tried several times to start writing the story but got nowhere fast. In 1986 I met the woman who became my business and life partner and later my wife (officially).

She was a Sunan storyhealer and help me heal at an emotional and spiritual level. I became a Sunan storyhealer myself. And out of my profound healing arose, finally, the beginnings of my tale. I started writing it in 1998 and keep going to this day.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Apart from J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert, I read a lot of authors and many different genres. I enjoy Jana DeLeon, M.C.A. Hogarth, Steve Higgs, J.N. Chaney, and many others. The rise of indie publishing ushered in a golden age of storytelling. That is what inspires me to continue–that and an obsession to tell my story.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
His power seeks to destroy it all. Can she rise up to stop him?

The Stoneslayer paranormal fiction series charts a lost world of political scandals, explosive family secrets, and the reincarnation of a line of extraordinary women who challenge the cataclysmic rampage of an ancient, demonic foe.

My just published work is Book One Scandal.

Lt. Helen Andros is a mixed-race outcast in Azgard. Saved from death when her true parentage comes to light, she now faces the outrage of the overclass, the lethal hostility of the mighty Temple of Kronos — and a powerful, high-ranked father she neither knows nor trusts.

Steering a volatile personal journey with her stranger parent, Helen is stalked. Will a hidden menace — the deadly Stoneslayer — plunder the mysterious green gem she inherited from her mother? Will political necessity bind her in marriage to a man she does not love and who cannot love her back?

The series is a paranormal fusion with elements of fantasy, sci-fi, and lots of romance. It’s the work I began in 1998, seriously revised and expanded to include a demon of destruction.

To my complete shock, once I began writing it, and my wife read and critiqued my first drafts, we both realized I was writing about one of my past lives. And my wife was one of the characters in the book, as I was and as were friends and family.

The more I write in this series (halfway through Book Eight now), I realize it is drawn from four of my past lives. Characters in the series reincarnate on their spiritual journeys, trying to make things right, and usually just getting into more trouble.

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Candace Lynn Talmadge’s Website

Candace Lynn Talmadge Facebook Page

Candace Lynn Talmadge Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Katy Motiey

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Iran, moved to the US when I was one month old, and then moved back to Iran when I was three. My father passed away then, we stayed in Iran until the Iranian Revolution and then moved to the US. There has been a lot of movement including going to high school in Newton, MA; college and law school at Georgetown in Washington, DC; working in Los Angeles and then Palo Alto, California. I now live in Encinitas, with my significant other Robert and our dog Molly.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing at age ten more as therapy to write my thoughts down during chaotic times. I have never been a book worm or anything close to that. I have been reading more and more as an adult and much of the time with purpose to help me become a better writer.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I like reading authors who are from the Middle East or India, they give me inspiration in terms of details, culture, scene setting, transparency, etc.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Imperfect is the story of one woman’s loss, courage, love, and perseverance before and during the Iranian Revolution. Based on the experiences of the author’s mother, Vida Shamsa’s life takes an unexpected and dramatic turn with the sudden death of her young husband in 1971. Struggling against the patriarchal customs of Iran, she is faced with fighting her husband’s family for control of her children and her life. Never giving up fighting for her son and daughter, she challenges Iran’s legal and personal injustices against the backdrop of political unrest during the Shah’s regime, the rise of Khomeini, and the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. Imperfect engages the reader in a quest for equality for a single mother who rages against outdated traditions and her need to control her life in order to protect her children, whom she loves above all else.

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Katy Motiey’s Website

Katy Motiey Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Myranda Rae

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi! I’m Myranda Rae! East coast transplant originally from California. I am a wife and mother to five, trying to find a bit of time each day to write. We don’t currently have any pets (but hey, FIVE children!) As a family, we can’t seem to narrow down the list enough to vote on what animal to get. So far the list stands at cat, dog, fish and turtle.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been a reader. It started at bedtime, my mom would read to me each night. Then, as I got older, I would stay up late with a book light reading way past my bedtime. I didn’t start writing until 2019. I have had ideas for books rolling around in my head for years. I would sit and talk them out with my husband who would patiently listen even though he knew I wasn’t actually going to write it!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love to read fantasy and romance (and romantasy). I write the same. My favorite authors, like Roald Dahl, are able to carve out a unique style that is very apparent in their works. He had such a unique ability to blend his style into everything he did.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My next release is available December 19! ‘What’s Done In The Dark’ is a dark romance with mythological roots. It’s a love story at its core but there is violence, betrayal, and mafia-esque plot all around it. I love these characters and can’t wait to share them with everyone.

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Myranda Rae’s Website

Myranda Rae Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Vincent Nolan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where I developed a love for storytelling at an early age. I now live in Columbus, which continues to inspire much of my writing with its unique atmosphere and culture. I have a dog, who adds joy and companionship to my life and often keeps me motivated during my writing sessions. Having a pet around provides the perfect balance to the solitary nature of writing.

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 seven or eight, when I discovered the joy of getting lost in stories. The thrill of reading opened up new worlds for me. I started writing my own stories in middle school, initially crafting short tales and poems. It was during high school that I began to take writing more seriously, developing my style and exploring different genres. This passion for storytelling has only grown since then, leading me to pursue a career as an author.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some of my favorite authors include Gillian Flynn, Nicholas Sparks, and Harlan Coben. I particularly enjoy reading psychological thrillers and contemporary romance, as they often blend emotional depth with suspenseful storytelling. I draw inspiration from these authors, especially their ability to create complex characters and gripping plots. Additionally, I find inspiration in everyday life and the relationships around me, which helps me develop relatable stories that resonate with readers.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled *What the Hell Did We Do?* It’s the third installment in the *What the Hell* series. The inspiration for this book came from my desire to explore the consequences of unresolved relationships and the ripple effects of past actions. I wanted to delve deeper into the emotional complexities of the characters, especially Amelia and Vincent, and how their choices—both good and bad—impact their future. The tension between love, loyalty, and betrayal is central to the story, and it’s what keeps driving the plot forward.

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Vincent Nolan’s Website

Featured Interview With Olapeju Simoyan

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Nigeria. I live in Pennsylvania, and have lived in various parts of this state since 2002. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, I lived in New York and Maryland. I grew up in a diplomatic family, so I am used to traveling and I take my camera with me when I do. My future plans include publishing a series of travel photography books. So far, I have one book in that genre – ” Scranton, A Place to Call Home.”

I don’t have pets, but I love nature and wildlife photography and illustrate my books with my own photography. My nature photography is featured in my books “The Amazing World of Butterflies” and ” Giraffes Are Amazing”.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have wanted to be a writer at least since the age of ten. The adults in my life told me that writing was something you do in your spare time, so I was never encouraged to become a professional writer.
After years of training and working in healthcare, which included writing for peer-reviewed publications, I decided to pursue my childhood dream of narrative writing. By this time, I had discovered another passion – photography, and I now combine both passions in my work.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My writing spans covers very diverse topics, so I read different genres. Right now, I am reading “Music and Mind”, a book that was edited by Renee Fleming, the world – famous soprano. In the book, professionals from various backgrounds share their insights and in some cases, research related to the impact of music on the brain and the emerging field of music in medicine.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This collection of essays complements the album “Peju Sings! The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites,” which features thirteen Christmas songs recorded by the author and was first released in 2023. In this book, the author explores the stories behind each song, delving into the lives of the lyricists and composers, the context in which the songs were written, and other intriguing details. Readers will gain a fresh perspective on beloved carols like “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” as they uncover their rich history. The themes of hope and peace that resonate through these timeless songs are also reflected in newer classics like “Feliz Navidad,” which transcended cultural barriers to become a bilingual favorite.

This book’s educational content will appeal to a broad audience, including those who may not celebrate Christmas. For those who do, it offers surprising insights into the origins of some of their favorite carols. No matter your background, this book invites you to be inspired by its stories and enjoy its message of celebration and reflection year-round.

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Olapeju Simoyan’s Website

Olapeju Simoyan Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Majid Riaziat

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in the historical city of Isfahan, Iran in a middle class family. I completed my primary and secondary school education in Iran. During that time I developed diverse interests in many topics including physics, philosophy, art, and poetry. I migrated to the US at the age of 18 and attended the University of Oklahoma where I picked Engineering Physics as my major. I moved to California for graduate school education where I received my PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University. I have worked as a researcher and an entrepreneur for decades dealing with technology development and commercialization. I live in San Francisco Bay Area and I don’t have any pets. Books are my pets.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Starting in grade school, as soon as I learned to read, I became interested in reading books belonging to my parents and my older brothers. I would pick up any book to read regardless of the topic. But I seldom enjoyed reading fiction. I was more interested in learning something. For example, I favored reading history books over stories that were imagined by other people.
I started writing essays in high school. But my first book was a textbook, which I published in 1996 after beginning my professional career.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There were two books that affected my outlook on life early on. The first was “The little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that happend to be one of the few fictions I have enjoyed reading. It depicted how grownups tend to lose their imagination and become narrow minded. It was also a nuanced and delicate love story.
The second book was one that I picked up in middle school named “123-Infinity”. It was my older brother’s book, written and illustrated by a physicist named George Gamow. By explaining modern physics in plain language, this book aroused my interest in science.
Lately, I’ve been mostly reading and listening to documentaries.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book “The Age of Simorgh” is a non fiction work on planning for human convergence with technology. Instead of sensationalism that is rampant over the intrusion of modern technology into our lives and destroying everything that is good, this book examines the developments from a historical and evolutionary perspective. It demonstrates that the effects of technology on our lives and our society are much more profound, that with careful planning, they can lead to a utopian future. It shows how our society is poised to bifurcate into those who will merge with technology and those who will not. It discusses how our form of government is going to change, and what needs to be done to avoid unfavorable and dangerous outcomes.

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Majid Riaziat’s Website

Majid Riaziat Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Jennifer Briggs

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Philadelphia, PA, in Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill. For the second half of my
growing up, I was also in Wilmington, DE. My parents got a divorce when I was eleven. Each
parent remarried, and it was all extremely amicable. I split my time evenly between my two
homes. I’ve lived in Pittsburgh, PA since I graduated from Swarthmore College in 1999. My
husband and I came to Pittsburgh so he could attend graduate school at Carnegie Mellon
University. By the time he was done, we loved Pittsburgh, and my massage therapy practice
was thriving. Now Pittsburgh feels like home. I have one cat who is very catlike in that she sits
on any new item left on the floor or sofa. She also likes baked goods so we have to be wary of
leaving any food unattended, even when we think it shouldn’t appeal to cats.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as soon as my mom read them to me, which was
probably when I was five or six. In first or second grade I was reading them by myself, enjoying
the coziness and adventures of Laura’s childhood.

In kindergarten I remember having a journal that I pretended to fill, wanting to emulate my
mom and her journaling. In first grade, we began our school day by writing a few sentences
and drawing a picture. For weeks I wrote the same story basically every day. It was about a girl
going outside. I think I liked drawing the house and the girl. I’m glad my parents and teachers
allowed me to write what I wanted, without pushing me to change my theme until I was ready.
As I got more accomplished and our stories turned into short books, I remember using the word
“suddenly” quite often to make my stories seem exciting.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I really love kids’ books that have profound life lessons and truths conveyed with warmth and
humor. I adore Mo Willems and his Elephant and Piggie books, Pigeon books, and Knuffle Bunny
books, and I get teary every single time I read City Dog, Country Frog. The Frog and Toad books
by Arnold Lobel are similar masterpieces. My husband and I say that I am like Toad (getting

frustrated and upset more easily) and he is Frog (calmer). Sarah also likes to be Toad, especially
when he is feeling “blah” or sad, so then I pretend to be Frog, and we sit on our porch swing
waiting for the mail.

I love the warmth of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books and LM Montgomery’s Anne of
Green Gables series. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything by Caroline Carlson, most especially
Wicked Marigold, and by Jonathan Auxier, especially Sweep.

Glennon Doyle, Amor Towles, Maya Shanbhag Lang, Andrea Gibson, and Brian Doyle are the
writers who somehow put things so beautifully into words that I want to eat their sentences. A
Gentleman in Moscow by Towles is one of my favorite books of all time, both because of the
story that kept surprising me, and the writing full of warmth and wit. Whether fiction or non-
fiction, I am most interested in people sharing their full, real, emotional experiences as humans,
especially if they are able to transform those experiences through learning, love, and growth. If
they can do this with love and humor, all the better.

I love everything Glennon Doyle has written, and I love the We Can Do Hard Things podcast.
What I appreciate and find the most inspiring is how Glennon’s books and the podcast delve
into sharing the messiness of being human. It isn’t just sharing the polished ending, it is sharing
the emotional middle and the process of figuring things out. That is what I aim to do in my blog
and my book. It is so easy to be inspired by someone else’s journey but if they don’t put in the
messy parts then I can put them on a pedestal and somehow assume they didn’t ever struggle
along the way. Not that one has to struggle, but I certainly did and do. In that same vein, Maya
Shanbhag Lang’s book What We Carry was one of the most beautifully written memoirs I have
ever read. She shared the tough moments and the beautiful moments, all tied together so
elegantly I was in awe.

Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues by Barry Neil Kaufman inspired me greatly. That, in addition to
his book, Happiness is a Choice, was what led me to sign up for an eight-week course at the
Option Institute when I was in college. Fourteen years after taking that course, I signed up for
the Son-Rise Program Start-Up training, which then changed my life and Sarah’s life so
profoundly. I continue to take courses through the Option Institute and the Autism Treatment
Center of America because they lovingly help people achieve incredible things, beyond the
realm of what some people may deem possible. The hope and freedom that they have helped
me find and create for myself have been and continue to be transformative. All of that is part of
why I was inspired to write Watching Sarah Rise, because I wanted to help other people know
that there are options and different approaches to autism, special needs, and life in general.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My oldest daughter, Sarah, has special needs and was notably delayed in reaching her
milestones. She has also been diagnosed with autism. When she was 4 and still not speaking
aside from making the sounds for each letter of the alphabet, I went to the Autism Treatment
Center of America for a week-long training session on how to run a Son-Rise Program. As soon
as I got home and started interacting with Sarah differently, her language started to increase.
With help from friends and several volunteers that I found in a variety of ways, I ran a Son-Rise
Program for Sarah for five years. I called it Sarah-Rise, and it was by far the most impactful thing
that I ever did to help Sarah – and believe me, I felt like I tried everything! Not only did Sarah’s
language seem to explode into being, but her eye contact and overall ability to connect with
others increased dramatically. She learned to play games, to play imaginatively, to use the
toilet, to eat healthily, to read, and to write. Our home was host to an incredible community of
volunteers who brought their love and creativity to help Sarah thrive. Our whole family
benefited tremendously, and I became more of the parent I wanted to be. If I could go back in
time and change anything, it would be to start my Son-Rise Program training sooner, because it
helped me feel empowered and helped me let go of the parental guilt I had been toting around
for years. In Watching Sarah Rise I describe the early years of Sarah’s life and the struggles to
get her to eat enough and reach any milestone. I then share how I started Sarah-Rise, how I
found volunteers, and how the program evolved over time. I include my struggles and
celebrations because parenting anyone is a journey and parenting a child with special needs can
feel like an even more challenging journey. I want to help other people feel less alone with their
struggles by voicing my own and how I moved through them. I also want to help other parents
know that the Son-Rise Program exists because it was so monumentally life-changing for my
whole family, and most especially for Sarah. The book is inspiring and heart-warming, as is
Sarah.

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Jennifer Briggs’s Website

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Featured Interview With Janet Constantino

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Omaha, Nebraska, which I remember very little about, outside of peering into and falling down storm cellar stairs and watching my grandmother, my mother, and my namesake, Aunt Janet, peeling vegetables – onions, which made my mother cry – in a large, old-fashioned kitchen.
We moved when I was four, from Omaha to Southern California, and then to San Jose, California, where I lived until I graduated from college, at 21. From there I’ve moved progressively north, and now I live in Sonoma California with my husband, my sweet labradoodle, Cassie, and a prankster tuxedo cat named Willow.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The feel and smell of opening a new library book was very thrilling to me, as a child. I read at a very young age, and memorized the alphabet forwards and backwards because I had pictures on the wall of my room with the alphabet around the borders. And I had a small chair in my room, where I would sit and read. That’s where the world was exciting, inside books!

I started writing in high school, after a highly esteemed teacher, Mr. Bloom, wrote on one of my papers that I had the makings of a writer. Especially, if I would learn to link my observations of people into a story, or a scene. His praise awakened something in me I hadn’t seen about myself.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite genre is literary fiction, although I do like a good mystery. My favorite authors include Louise Erdrich, John Banville, Elena Ferrante (her Brilliant Friend series set mostly in Naples really inspired me), William Faulkner, Hemingway, Ian Mc Ewan, Ann Tyler, Henry James, particularly Portrait of a Lady. Two of my all-time favorites are Middlemarch, by George Eliot, and The City of Your Final Destination, by Peter Cameron. Jane Austen, of course, and one of the most beautifully written books in the English language is The Great Fire, by Shirley Hazzard. Still Life, by Sarah Winman was inspiring and wonderfully written. I’m inspired by books where the characters come to know themselves and struggle to live true to that knowledge.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
A friend asked me, “If you could write about anything you wanted, what would that be?” I thought immediately of Sicily, (I’m half-Sicilian, and have relatives there), and then of a young Sicilian woman trying to break free from her overbearing mother, and from a culture that has historically kept women in traditional roles of housewife, cook, and mother, even if they’re educated and have or aspire to careers. So Mariella is such a young woman, and with the help of her Nonna, her grandmother, she escapes to San Francisco., where her struggle to live her own life continues. One can leave the culture, but does the culture ever leave you?

I also took inspiration for Becoming Mariella from my psychotherapy clients who have dared to follow their own paths, and from my own challenges along the way.

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Janet Constantino’s Website

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Featured Interview With Eliot Pattison

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I spent my childhood on a farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in what you might call chicken and crab country. We lived near a remote navy air base, and I used to lie down in the middle of our hayfield to watch the aircraft approaching the base, convinced that they had to be coming from the other side of the world and dreaming about all the exotic sights they had seen. It nurtured my imagination, and my appetite for travel. Today, after experiencing much of that world, I live on a colonial-era farm in the beautiful Appalachian foothills of Pennsylvania. Among our companions are many two and four-legged creatures, including Bernese Mountain Dogs, horses, and a guardian goose We are playing a small part in preserving an endangered breed of gentle giants, Shire horses.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I bonded with books at an early age. As a young boy, I spent three years on crutches with limited mobility and my beloved relatives, including a globe-trotting librarian aunt, kept sending me books. Many were beyond my years but I always eagerly paged through them and treasured them even more as I grew into them. I was seven when I discovered what seemed to be the very height of human civilization, the rural rolling library called the Bookmobile. I became an avid customer, often waiting first in line for its weekly arrival in the nearby village and always leaving with my arms filled with new knowledge and adventure. I was in high school—by then we had moved to Indiana– when my English teacher assigned us to write a short story. He really liked what I produced, and said “You should keep at it.” So I did.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Asking me to pick a favorite author is like asking me to pick a favorite color or food. There are so many great ones, offering up new hues and flavors to suit my varying appetites. I have very eclectic tastes, but overall my preferred genre is literary historical fiction, where British writers excel. My all-time favorite would be Patrick O’Brian, whose maritime novels have often transported me to the early 19th century. Close behind would be Hilary Mantel and C.J. Sansom, For pure escapism—think audiobooks on long drives—no one beats Bernard Cornwell, who opens doors leading as far back as the 11th century.

I had been writing reviews, essays, and nonfiction books for years before attempting a novel. Two books particularly informed that decision—Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose and Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park, two very different but very brilliant works. It is probably no coincidence that one was a historical mystery and the other a mystery set in a remote, somewhat exotic location. My Bone Rattler series is of course historical mystery and my Skull Mantra books have often been described as “faraway mysteries.”

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The novel, like the earlier entries in the Bone Rattler series, is driven by my belief that historical fiction can be an antidote to our historical apathy. We suffer greatly from being disconnected to our past. Part of the problem is that our history texts are sterile, presenting the characters that shaped our history as lifeless mannequins. But our past was not lifeless. The DNA that defines each of us was in living, breathing humans centuries ago, individuals who, despite differences in material goods and technology, had many of the same appetites, ambitions, frustrations and dilemmas that we experience today.

Like all the books in this series, Freedom’s Ghost builds on actual historical events and characters, bringing them to life by combining history with humanity. These figures include, John Hancock, John Adams, actual British officers, escaped slaves, and the enigmatic Crispus Attucks; their paths converge and become violently entangled, raising a startling question: was the Boston Massacre a military blunder or a murder plot? My protagonist Duncan McCallum painfully confronts that question. Ultimately the book is about the many dimensions, and perceptions, of freedom. The nature of beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but, as Duncan learns, the nature of freedom is in one’s heart.

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Eliot Pattison’s Website

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Featured Interview With Lori Wojtowicz

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Most of my life has been lived in classrooms. I taught in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for 35 years and now work as an Educational Facilitator in schools across the country. Recess from the classroom, allows me time with my family. I am the crazy grandma who loves a good adventure with her 8 grand children. Or you can find me in the woods on my horse or with my dogs.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always believed in the power of stories. My life as an educator was all about the literature that teaches and inspires. While I taught writing to my students, it is only in the last few years that I began writing. Now I see what I was asking of my students!!

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love the classics, Melville and Hawthorne, but now I tend to read more non-fiction and memoir. My passion is equity in education, and I have learned a great deal from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Bettina Love, Bryan Stevenson, and so many others.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Since equity is still elusive in our schools and country, I decided to turn to a new source for knowledge, my former students who are now adults, many with children and grandchildren of their own. They may not have prestigious titles or letters behind their names, but they are the experts of lived experience. I sought out 22 of my former students and their words are captured in my latest book, Listen to the Truth They Bring. Their words may not provide a new theory on race relations or closing the achievement gap; however, they do offer their insights with unabashed honesty. As an English teacher, I taught the literature that inspires and educates. Perhaps the stories of these former students will help heal our educational system and our country.

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Lori Wojtowicz Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Nijas N

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Nijas N. I born in kerala, India. I am a published author of amazon and google play books and now a verified author of goodreads. I write mainly in free verse and slef help contents. And i am a podcast host of “nijas n podcast ”

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
At the age of 13 to 14 i just started making friendship with books. And slowly it delevops and i search for more generes and read those i like.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Most propbably everyone. Every author try to say something through their works so its mainly based on readersview point. So i like everyones work.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book was “stupid thoughts” and i wrote it after seeing my friend who was suffered in the pressure of career and boyfriend . So i just wrote it to eradicate the stupid thoughts that came to our mind which resist our forward move.

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Nijas N’s Website

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Featured Interview With Michael Springer

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am proud to say that at age 55, my first novel, The Flower Bed, was published on 30 April 2024. I am a practising Barrister-at-Law (I wear the wig and gown to court) who is married and has an 11-year-old daughter. I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, where I was born, but have lived in other Australian cities and travelled to distant lands. There must be some unique substance in the water at my home because my dog, Marley (yes, she was named after watching the movie), is in her fifteenth year, and our cat, Be-Be, is in her twenty-second year. I am a trained actor and singer and have had a passion for creativity since my earliest recollection. I am also a mental health survivor, having lived with various mental health conditions for most of my life, and I am a passionate online advocate to normalise mental health.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been fascinated with books for most of life, commencing with my grandfather reading to me from when I was about two years of age. I have intermittently written poetry since I was 17; however, The Flower Bed, which I commenced writing in January 2016, is the first book I have written. When I was studying acting in Sydney during the early 1990s I wrote a film script, a document that has been regrettably lost with the effluxion of time.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I find it difficult to nominate a ‘favourite’ author because I love reading fictional and non-fiction books, poetry, plays, essays and letters. However, I am doing my best to answer each question:

1. Ken Kesey, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Harper Lee and Oscar Wilde are my favourite authors of fictional books.
2. Mike Carlton and Peter FitzSimons are my favourite non-fiction authors.
3. William Shakespeare, Elaine May, Tennessee Williams and George Bernard Shaw are my favourite theatre and film scriptwriters.
3. I like reading any fiction genre; for me, it is more about how engaging the plot is than whether it is a crime story or a love story. For example, I loved reading Dr. Zhivago.
4. Maya Angelou, Blake and Shelley are my favourite pots.

Who inspires me in my writing? My answer is not meant to be obtuse because it is the truth- every single person who has dared to write and been published inspires me. After all, literature is the heart and soul of humanity.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Flower Bed is a blend of a psychological thriller, a crime story, and a love story, which spans continents and most of the central character’s lifetime. I otherwise will quote this Amazon review written by a retired educator who lives in Ohio: “As a former educator, I started my career teaching English literature for 20 years. Amidst the standard required “classics”, I always added modern authors to the year’s required reading lists. If I were still teaching those classes and students, I would add Michael Springer’s ‘The Flower Bed’ as a required read for the year. Very few novels have all these strengths overlapping at the same time: intricate, surprising plot turns; characters who are not caricatures; a narrative that reaches beyond the book jacket’s message, and some unique surprise … something that the author did differently than anyone else. Michael’s level of detail, his literal juggling of plot twists and turns, his recircling attention on Louis while veering in multiples of other directions … just, just superb. I would choose ‘The Flower Bed’ as required reading just for its demonstration of a writer’s craft.”

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Michael Springer’s Website

Michael Springer Facebook Page

Michael Springer Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Teni Ayo-Ariyo

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Nigerian-American writer, raised in Los Angeles and currently living in Seattle Washington. Since moving from Lagos to Los Angeles at the formative age of 9, I have developed a thirst for immersing myself in new environments. I’ve since lived in New Hampshire, Texas and North Carolina before landing in Seattle.
I love deep connections, hot water w/ lemon, and the quiet hum of every day life. I am always searching for music and words that shift her heart and feet. Some days, I practice yoga, some days I use my business school degree, most days- I’m just trying my best to be human.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As most writers do, I started reading extensively before I started writing. During the harsh transition to U.S culture at the age of 9, books were my escape and comfort after leaving all that was familiar to me behind. In contrast to Nigeria , where my days were spent with cousins, family friends, aunts and uncles, I had no extended family in the U.S. so the characters in my books became my family and friends.

For as long as I can remember I have loved words. I love them big and bold. Small and dainty, and everything in between. Words strung together in a way that forces me to put the book down, catch my breath and ponder my entire existence. I am enthralled by strange, surprising ways to describe the everyday mysteries of our human experience. It is the same feeling I get when I eat warm bread or smell a fresh baby. Bliss.

I found my writing voice in college where for the first time, I was allowed and encouraged to have a voice that was different from the conservative religious norm I grew up in.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Lately I’ve been delving into African fiction by women writers. Their stories are where I feel most at home. I’ve enjoyed the works of Imbolo Mbue, Chimamanda Adichie, Buchi’s Emeta. These women empower me to show up exactly as I am into the page. To dig out the parts I think to hide and celebrate them loudly,

Tell us a little about your latest book?
wash between your toes is a book of poetry love letters I wrote as an ode to my college self. This tender poetry collection a celebration of the electric breathtaking power embedded in my nuanced experiences as a Black immigrant woman living in America.

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Teni Ayo-Ariyo’s Website

Featured Interview With Sarah L. Hicks

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My home state is Virginia, but I’m currently holed up at Fort Bliss, Texas, with my husband. If there’s water nearby, chances are I’ll be on my paddleboard. On solid ground, I’m enjoying the ride on my Royal Enfield Classic 350.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My love for a good story began when my grandmother read to me as a child. Throughout the years, I’ve dabbled in writing, both academically and for my own enjoyment. Now, in my fifties, my first book is finally published.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a fan of mysteries and enjoy reading the books of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. Along with the others, Charles Dickens, C. S. Lewis, and Jane Austen are at the top of my list.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Mystery on Maple Street is a fictional mystery story that highlights the often-overlooked role of women in Jesus’ ministry in a fun and engaging way. The protagonist, Maggie North, continues the work of the Biblical women we’ve often read about. The Magdala League, named for Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), is a modern organization that continues to fund and support Jesus’ revolutionary ministry. However, Maggie works in the Special Operations Section (SOS) which takes her on dangerous and exciting adventures.

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Sarah L. Hicks’s Website