Top Selling Authors: Get To Know Them Better

Featured Interview With Rachel Young

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My motto in life is to have fun. I believe God created us to live life to full—which to me means— to soak in the beauty of every sunset, delight in the giggles of my children, and splash into the deep end of the activity before me.

I met my prince charming in high school drama class, he woo-ed me with poetry and pursued me until I said yes. I moved to Marysville, California in the middle of my junior year where I met him from Sterling, Colorado, a tiny podunk town that was a lovely place to grow up. My fabulous husband is the superhero dad to our four children and the calm to my crazy. Our couple superpower is supporting each other’s dreams to the bitter (and sweet) end. We live at a lake in Northern California where he manages a campground called Collins Lake. We have a golden doodle, 11 chickens and 3 goats.

I’m not a neutral kind of person–vibrant colors go best on me, and one of my friends has described me as a pen of many colors. You can find me serving tea (or wine) in my cabin in the woods of Northern Calfornia, to anyone and everyone who finds themself at my table for rousing and thoughtful conversations.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My writing journey began in the fourth grade when my teacher read my adjective-infused story aloud to the superintendent. I was hooked. I discovered journalism in high school with delightful Bruce who let me sneak off campus for donuts and gave me behind-the-scenes access to everything with my press pass. I learned some more at Azusa Pacific University and put my skills to work at a small-town publication in Pasadena. Then I told God that I wasn’t meant to be a writer, but a baker and extravagant hospitality giver.

With many tears, I answered the call God set before me to endeavor to write a book. I questioned Him many times if I heard Him correctly. But here we are, to the detriment of my housekeeping, the book he gave me to write is available to anyone who needs its message.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My all time favorite author is C.S. Lewis. He had a profound way of speaking God’s truths into story. I love any story that captivates me. I have especially loved lately Andy Andrews’ “The Noticer” and Bob Goff. I love theology reading and philosophy. And just a good fun story. Currently reading “Farmer Boy” by Laura Ingall’s Wilder to my 1st grader for homeschool. We are enjoying it. And my other all time favorite author is Francine Rivers. I have also recently enjoyed Lynn Austin.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
About 12 years ago my mother-in-law asked me to write down her story where she met the God who sees her. I started the project by interviewing her several times and even writing what I thought was the introduction. Somehow the project got tabled and I put it out of my mind.

Fast forward 10 years and I am 8 months pregnant with my third child. I somehow stumbled upon a one hour webinar with Selfpublishing.com and when the presenter said “a writer needs to write,” I started crying. I knew right then I couldn’t keep delaying. I had to obey God’s call to write this book.

I went up to talk to my mother-in-law who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and early signs of dementia. She did not remember that she had once wanted me to write a book for her. With prodding from her husband, she finally did remember and was thrilled I wanted to take on the project.

Two years later, I am at last publishing God Gave Me Diarrhea, a testimony of faith through impossibly difficult circumstances. It is an interweaving of stories that bring together God’s faithfulness and attentive care.

She suddenly became a full-time caretaker of her 27-year old adopted son when he was severely brain injured. He became like a permanent one-and-a-half-year-old, angry and violent. She had to trust God for the help she needed and saw him answer one prayer after another, the first being in the form of Diarrhea.

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Rachel Young’s Website

Rachel Young Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Ambro Blackwell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Ambro Blackwell is a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author for his book “Small Business Loans Made Simple”.

He’s currently a vice president and senior business banking relationship manager at JP Morgan Chase. He helps CEOs, CFOs, business owners, and executives to properly manage cash flow in their businesses and obtain commercial financing for various aspects of the lifecycle of their respective businesses.

He delivers thought-provoking and both conventional and non-conventional methods of strategic planning to help businesses set themselves up for success and obtain true access to capital.
Ambro’s mission is to help entrepreneurs and business leaders lead the most fiscally responsible companies authentically in the 21st Century. He has worked with CEOs and executives for over 20 years.

Ambro holds the designation of a Certified Treasury Professional from the Association of Financial Professionals. He earned a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of California at Riverside, and an MBA in both Finance and Marketing from La Sierra University.
Working as a small business lender and commercial banking officer at some of the largest financial institutions in the world has given Ambro the edge and relationships to quickly analyze and support companies in almost every industry.

As a child of parents who were enlisted in the military, he grew up in several cities around the Air Force bases in Southern California with his siblings when they didn’t live on the military base.
He is actively involved in the community and charitable causes. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, jogging, and spending time with friends or family in Southern California.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I first realized my fascination with books when I was studying for my bachelors degree in college at University of California at Riverside. However, I didn’t get started writing until I met a gentleman by the name of Paul Walker at business networking mixer among C-Suite executives in Orange County, California.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My list of favorite authors are extensive and I don’t think I could possibly list them all. However, some of my favorite authors include David Meltzer, Patrick Bet David, Daymond John, Jack Welch, Warren Buffet, Daniel Priestley, David Goggins, Robert Kiyosaki and more. My favorite genre is a mix between business finance and self-improvement. My inspiration comes from family and that includes my mother in particular. In addition, to my family I draw inspiration from individuals that demonstrate a high level of success.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Many of my peers have told me that they believe this is a help me to help you type of book. The goal in mind when writing the book was to provide the reader or listener with a road map that can serve as a guide to educate the business owner and entrepreneur on many of things that will help them to find success in seeking funding to grow, expand or start their business. A lot of myths are dispelled and resourceful information is packed inside of the book.

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Ambro Blackwell’s Website

Ambro Blackwell Twitter Account

Featured Interview With James Landsaw

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Missouri, then we moved pretty much all over the country. I kind of got off the moving bus with Family in West Texas. This is where I finished High School and begin my Career. I now live in Big Spring Texas

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
After working for many years in the country club industry and a few other industries. I worked 65 plus hours a week and was always on the front lines and back of the house. My Wife and children didn’t see me much as I spent long days and nights at work. My wife always says you run the country club, and I run the house!

I’ve since retired and decided to write about some of the gossip I ‘ve seen and heard. This is where I begin my adventure into the next part of my life. It was an area I disliked a lot about people.

I found that gossip and lies can create lots of funny stories and trouble. Gossip about corruption, lifestyles, sex, scandals, racism, drugs, lies, and politics found on all levels and classes. So, I decided to put those stories on paper.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My wife and family continued to say with all the tails you talk about why don’t you put them on paper?

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Behind The Setting of a Country Club According to Inquisitive Jeff” by James Landsaw is a book that delves into the intriguing and often scandalous world of a country club. The story follows Jeff, a waiter at the club, who uncovers various aspects of life within this exclusive setting. The book explores themes such as gossip, corruption, lifestyles, sex, scandals, racism, drugs, lies, and politics, showing that these issues permeate all levels of society, regardless of class.
Jeff’s inquisitive nature leads him to discover that whether one is rich, middle class, or poor, everyone faces similar problems. The narrative provides a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the staff and members of the country club, revealing the complexities and hidden truths of their interactions

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James Landsaw’s Website

James Landsaw Facebook Page

James Landsaw Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Kizzi Roberts

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in a small town in Southern Missouri where I raised goats and cattle and showed animals at the county fair. My love of animals led me to study animal science and after college, I ran away with the circus. I joined Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus as a veterinary technician and spent two years traveling the country and Mexico. I lived in an RV with my dog and took care of elephants, tigers, camels, horses, and more! It was an amazing experience, but also made me miss home. After the circus, I settled back in my hometown which ultimately led me to meet my future husband. I now live just outside Springfield, Missouri with my husband, our two small children, and our dog. I recently got into beekeeping and I’m looking forward to the day I can have a couple reindeer and maybe a Norwegian Fjord too.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. I still have all the books I read as a kid and that includes the complete Animorphs series as well as tons of Boxcar Children, Babysitter’s Club and shelves and shelves of other books. I absolutely loved checking out books from the library as a kid, and my fascination with libraries continues today. My love for writing is also something I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I still have stories I wrote in elementary school. When I was in middle school, my English teacher had a big impact. She was so encouraging of my writing and made me think I could be an author someday. I got away from writing as I got older, but it was always something I dreamed about. While working at the circus, I decided I wanted to get serious about writing. I started taking online writing courses and became involved with SCBWI in 2014.

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 books and my favorite book ever is Sabriel by Garth Nix. In my writing, I’m probably most influenced by books I read as a child (Animorphs, The Island Stallion, Island of the Blue Dolphins), although I continue to read a wide range of books today. I really enjoy middle grade books especially if they are science fiction or fantasy.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I’ve released a couple books recently. I’ve been working on a new nonfiction picture book series called Animal Clues Guess Who and I’m having a lot of fun with that. The latest release in that series is called Farm Animals and I teamed up with a local farm (Gooseberry Bridge Farm) to take pictures of their animals for the book. These books are basically animal guessing game books with facts about different animals and closeup pictures on one spread and then you turn the page to see the full picture of the animal plus more fun facts. My idea for this series came about while reading books to my toddler. We both enjoyed the guessing game style of books, but I wanted a book with more facts about the animals so I decided to write it. So far I’ve published Farm Animals, Forest Animals and Polar Animals.

My other book that came out recently is the second book in my Critter Camp Kids chapter book series. It’s called Kinsley and the Curious Corn Snake and includes all sorts of summer camp adventures plus lots and lots of animal facts. The series focuses on four girls attending an animal summer camp and they experience lots of problems along the way as well as a lot of fun. I teamed up with illustrator Stephen Gilpin for this series and he is incredible. It was amazing seeing him bring my characters to life.

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Kizzi Roberts’s Website

Kizzi Roberts Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Amere Dozier

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I talked about how I was raised last time we spoke. As of now I live in North Carolina. I do have a dog she’s 2 years old. Haha last time we spoke I didn’t have a dog.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
In elementary school. I would always write stories and read them to the class.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Jaquavis Coleman and Kwan Foye are my top two favorite. I like urban ficition and some non fiction work. The entire Bluford series inspires my writing.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Love’s Pricetag was about the pros and cons of love. My new book that is coming out in December is highlighting addiction, sexual abuse, and violence in the urban community.

Featured Interview With William Matthies

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I live in San Clemente California, raised close by in Long Beach California. Great time to grow up there in the ’60’s. Coulda/shoulda paid more time to school, less time to surfing, but, looking back, no real regrets.

Although I have been back many time since, I managed to get myself banished for life from Catalina Island, aged 13. You can learn more about that at https://medium.com/@coyotewm/my-first-arrest-32d1a840d7b0 if you like.

Three years in the army including 1968 in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division, I came home, went back to college, graduated with BA’s in Economics and Business Administration, an MBA soon after.

I’ve been a successful entrepreneur in companies of my own (we won’t talk about the ones I started that failed.) I’ve owned more guitars than I can recall, and after more than 50 years of trying, have managed to play today as those I just started.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My interest in books started for the wrong reasons. After college, I joined the Book of the Month Club, buying books fairly often. I did read most, but my primary interest was in people seeing I owned them, hopefully thinking because I did, I must be smart. That really didn’t work out, so I paid more attention to the reading, developing a habit of doing so every night, I’ve continued to this day.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Jack Kerouac, Hemingway, too many non fiction authors to recall and mention here. Who inspires me? Probably Kerouac’s “On the Road”. I’ve read it many times since the first time, and always feel as though I’m on the road with him.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Unlived Lives of Raymond Quinn. The following is the synopsis I used while searching (unsuccessfully) for an agent.

The backstory is, I and three of my friends from high school all ended up in B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 19th Airborne Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. We arrived December 7, 1967, Steve, my best friend of the bunch, was killed in action six months to the day we arrived, June 6, 1968. My book is dedicated to his memory.

Raymond (Ray) Quinn believes himself to be a middle-aged single man living in downtown Seattle, Washington state, US. Having accepted a buyout offer when the company he worked for was sold, he no longer needs to work. As a result, he has little to do. He is unhappy without knowing why. There is no one in his life, he has no hobbies or activities to occupy his time. His daily routine amounts to little more than going for morning coffee at Starbucks across the street from his condominium and Pike Market.

On the advice of a Starbucks barista, Ray decides to visit Other Worlds Coffee shop near the Seattle docks, where, the barista tells Ray, he will meet interesting people in an environment he will enjoy. Unable to find it on his own, he is approached by an Asian man who offers to take him there. Ray agrees to follow him, beginning a relationship between the two unlike any Ray ever could have expected. Soon after they meet, the Asian man tells Ray he has been dead for 46 years, KIA in the Vietnam war.

“Asian”, as Ray soon thinks of him, explains that he is one of very few individuals caught in a parallel universe between his actual life and death. If he wishes to learn why this has happened to him, if he wants to resolve this dilemma, he must visit alternative lives he might have lived had he made different choices prior to his death. Incredulous at what Asian tells him, Ray, nonetheless, agrees to do as he says.

The lives he visits take place in the US, Antigua, Germany, Switzerland, France, Vietnam, and Rhodesia, at different times, under different circumstances. The one he lived, and some of those he would have lived had he made different choices.

He interacts with people as a young man just graduated from high school. In another, as a college graduate who chose to move to Europe rather than remain in the US, possibly drafted and sent to Vietnam. He meets women he is attracted to, marries one and fathers children. He is forced to recall his violent death in Vietnam as a soldier. After each alternative life, he finds himself back with Asian in Other Worlds, never sure what was real, what was not.

Asian guides him through the process of discovery, always giving him the opportunity to return to what he thought was his real life as an adult in Seattle. Rejecting that, he must choose the one person in the one life he would most like to have lived to be with now.

He chooses Shelly, originally from Rhodesia, who he first meets in Antigua when both are in their late teens. And later, in another life in Vietnam, after the war. Both sense something strange about themselves and each other as a couple. Something that has drawn them together. The final chapters lead them through their discovery of exactly what that is.

Everyone has countless unlived lives, this is Raymond’s story. How different would the life you lead be had you made different choices?

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William Matthies’s Website

William Matthies Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Vera Persiyanova

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I haven’t always been a writer. In fact, I’m an artist. But I wasn’t always an artist either. It’s quite a long story, but I’ll try to keep it brief.
I was born in a country that no longer exists, and for the past 10 years, I’ve been living in the Kingdom of Wonder. This isn’t a joke. I was born in the Soviet Union, in Siberia, and now I live in Cambodia, also known as the Kingdom of Wonder.
I spent the first half of my life dedicated to medicine. After graduating from medical school, I worked as a doctor in a small Siberian village. The nearest district center was 65 kilometers away – not very far by Siberian standards, but sometimes in winter, during blizzards when everything was buried in snow, this distance became absolutely impassable.
Then I returned to the city and entered graduate school, and the next 14 years of my life were devoted to science. I completed my Ph.D., though I won’t mention the title to avoid scaring you with microbiological terms. This part of my life gave me a specific view of the world – the perspective of a scientist and logician.
But as I approached 50, I radically changed my life. I moved to Cambodia and picked up a paintbrush, and that’s where I became an artist. This passion led me around the world, and now my paintings can be found in 20 countries.
Currently, I live in a small provincial town called Kampot, but it’s not my first city in Cambodia. The first was Sihanoukville, a city named after a king, but that’s another story.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Recently, after turning 55, I’ve been captivated by a new passion – writing. My life has accumulated so many incredible events, coincidences, travels, and encounters that I wanted to share them.
Currently, I have two book series, both unfinished. But I’m determined to complete them.
The first is about my journey as an artist, my travels, encounters, and paintings. At the moment, there are three books in this series, with a fourth one planned.
The second series is science fiction and adventure. So far, only the first book in this series has been published, and I’m working on the second. The third one exists too, but only in my mind for now.
What surprised me recently while editing the second book was the realization that it incorporates Kant’s philosophical paradigm of the “thing-in-itself” and some references to Schopenhauer’s “On the Basis of Morality.” These elements are naturally woven into the plot. I used to be seriously interested in philosophy, but I never consciously intended to include it in the book. It happened subtly and organically. Well, I suppose that’s how it’s meant to be.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Ah, here too, it turns out to be a strange cocktail with very different ingredients, but for me, it leaves a long, deep aftertaste, a sense of the beauty of the world and humanity.
The good old fantasy classic – Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” saga literally consumed me in its time. I don’t know if I’ll reread it, but it left something grand, unusual, warm, and heroic in my memory.
Erich Maria Remarque also made an indelible impression on me in his time.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – definitely. But not so much “The Little Prince,” although that fairy tale is wonderful in itself. Rather, “Wind, Sand and Stars” and “Night Flight.” The author was a pilot himself, and he opens up a world from above for the reader, where there are no unnecessary details, and everything comes together in a fascinating picture.
And lastly, I’ll mention “Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality” by Eliezer S. Yudkowsky. At first glance, it’s just fanfiction. But since it was written not by a writer, but by a scientist who was at the forefront of AI, it turned out to be an absolutely amazing work. This book is not for children, unlike the original. You can reread it several times, and each time something new is revealed.
So, my favorite genres now are good science fiction with scientific and philosophical accents, and, oddly enough, adventures and detective stories. But as a writer, I’m still afraid to tackle detective stories, because I believe it’s a special genre where everything must be built perfectly – the mystery, the structure, and the solution. What’s even more surprising is that my former scientific supervisor, a Doctor of Medical Sciences, writes detective stories.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest published book is “Insomnia: Strange Faces and Lost Dreams.” I’m not sure if I can call it a full-fledged book; it’s more like an expanded chapter from the previous book, “Fate and Art: Bridging Time.” I wouldn’t say it was inspired, per se. After all, insomnia doesn’t just steal sleep, but dreams too… it changes one’s personality, and that’s dangerous, not just in a medical sense. This book is more about how insomnia is so exhausting and interferes with living a full life that I decided to write about it, to share my thoughts, feelings, and… paintings. Paintings that were brought to life by insomnia itself, attempts to live through, understand this state, and do something with it.
So, this book also came about on its own, as, in fact, does much of what I do.

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Vera Persiyanova Facebook Page

Featured Interview With Sabinah Adewole

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Sabinah Adewole is a bestselling author. She has enjoyed reading from an early age. She studied English and her poetry has been formed from her own experiences as chronicled in her “Journeys of Life” which has inspired many readers across the globe.
This book is her fifth Children’s book focusing on -Identity, Values, Unique, Race and Self belief
The poems in this series (Vol 2) were created in the United Kingdom on the authors’ journey to a shopping mall with her daughter during the easing of lockdown restrictions during the Covid Pandemic. It was an opportunity for children to enjoy a day out with their families during the summer break. This experience brought back childhood memories for both the author and her daughter, and which is shown through the eyes of the children in the shopping

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
From a very young age I enjoyed reading comics and children books 📚
At secondary school I enjoyed literature and studied English . I started writing in 2019 from. a park bench.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Maya Angelou
Chinua Achebe
Shakespeare
George Orwell

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Identity, Values, Uniqueness

The Inspiration behind the book – Belief in your self

We are all individuals and our unique qualities are demonstrated in this inspiring book!

The Author was inspired to write about Children enjoying a day in the shopping mall with their family or foster parent showcasing each unique quality in each child in the mall.

She highlights each unique relationship a child has with their parent; exposes grey spots like disability, a father having to change a daughter, a father caring for a baby in the food court, a single parent with four young children, a black mum with a white son, a black dad with a mixed-race son
A foster parent and her children, the boy with dread locks and his mum, the Arabic girl with her parents, the Somalian boy.

As a British born she portrays her background in her writing and also gives children the opportunity to be proud of who they are and accept difference and diversity. We are a diverse world, and we need to show case the different gaps in our society.

The names are of no representation and she applies the names of children that the children would identify with in their communities: as this would help to broaden their mindset and think about their unique qualities.

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Sabinah Adewole’s Website

Sabinah Adewole Facebook Page

Sabinah Adewole Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Jeff Kerr

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in St. Louis and still love that city’s gooey butter cake. Raised in Texas, I’ve lived in Austin for over 30 years. I spend as much time as I can on a slice of Texas Hill Country land in Blanco County. My wife of 45 years has stuck with me through thick and thin. We are the proud parents of two adult children. My dog Maggie is very cute, which is lucky for her given the pee stains I’ve had to scrub from the carpet. She lives for tummy rubs. I live for writing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved books. This came from my father, who once left my about-to-deliver mother in the car to run into the house for a book to take to the hospital. Twenty years ago my son grew tired of me regaling him about a bit of local history and said, “Dad, write a book.” So, I did. I’ve been writing ever since.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Over the years my reading interests have ranged quite a bit but lately I lean most toward mystery, thriller, and crime fiction. Favorite authors include Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly, Craig Johnson, and Jeff Carson. In my writing, I strive to emulate Leonard’s lean prose, Connelly’s and Johnson’s character exploration, and Carson’s intricate plots.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I got the idea for Murder Creek while contemplating some people’s distrust of banks. What would happen, I wondered, if a wealthy person kept all their money stashed in a secret place? And what would happen if that secret got out?
The result is a tale of secrets, betrayal, misguided motives, and murder set in the fictional Texas Hill Country town of Pinyon. It is up to stalwart Deputy Adam Cash to untangle the lies, catch the killer, and bring justice where he can. All while avoiding becoming the killer’s next victim.

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Jeff Kerr’s Website

Jeff Kerr Facebook Page

Jeff Kerr Twitter Account

Featured Interview With Barchelle (Chelly) Bolger Wathen

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, lived there most of my life. I attended college, earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and worked as a Senior Paralegal for the City Attorney’s Office. After retirement we moved to Prescott, AZ. We now operate a woodcrafting business, and I work for the State/NACOG as an Ombudsman.
I have penned and published 3 books now, with two more pending submission to publisher. The books “Shayla & Friends” and “Shayla’s Adventure” (adventure stories for kids) are all about our pet dog, Shayla. She came from an orphanage in Ukraine.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
From college papers to writing my master’s degree thesis, to publishing Shayla’s books, I have always loved writing. One of my favorite topics in school was Creative Writing, dreaming that one day I would publish a book. Now I have published a few, with Shayla’s inspiration.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy non-fiction adventure stories and history; fictional stories about animals (esp. dogs); and inspirational stories. My “Shayla” books were actually inspired by sweet Shayla, and the Korniyko Family who operate Father’s House and raised Shayla.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I recently published the kids book “Shayla’s Adventure: FInding the Light in the Darkness” (with an Activity booklet). I just finished my latest book, “Shayla & Friends: Into the Light” for a teen audience. This book shares the story of Shayla’s exodus from Ukrainian orphanage, across the ocean, to find her forever family in America. This adorable shepherd/wolfdog
joins our fictional 8 acre ranch with my husband and I, and our supposed dog pack (comprised of our prior dogs and some of my favorites from the senior dog sanctuary where I volunteered). Together the dogs overcome troubled pasts, share adventures (like surviving a forest fire, catching bank robbers) and lessons in love and friendship. After finding her forever family, Shayla is tempted to go join the wild wolfpack – will she stay with her family or join them in the night?
This book took about 6 months to write and format with photos.

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Barchelle (Chelly) Bolger Wathen’s Website

Featured Interview With Pieter Wesley Whittington

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Pieter Wesley Whittington boasts an illustrious career spanning more than 25 years as a respected producer in the film industry. Throughout his journey, he has collaborated closely with esteemed figures in Hollywood, including the likes of Oscar-nominated Screenwriter Richard Friedenberg, the former agent to Leonardo DiCaprio turned producer, Darryl Marshark, and the renowned producers Gary and Ronnie Shusett, known for their work on iconic films such as “Minority Report,” “Moon over Parador,” and “Total Recall,” among others. With a wealth of experience and a track record of successful collaborations, Pieter Wesley Whittington continues to make his mark in the ever-evolving world of cinema and book writing.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I discovered my love for books when I was 9. It began with reading the Bible’s Revelations, which completely drew me in, and then Stephen King’s books took it to the next level. That’s when my passion for storytelling really ignited, and before long, I was writing my own stories.

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? Stephen King, without a doubt, and the Bible is always a constant source of inspiration. I gravitate toward horror, especially when it’s packed with suspense and action. My writing draws inspiration from King’s knack for suspense and the timeless, powerful stories found in the Bible. It’s that blend of the deeply human and the otherworldly that fuels my creativity.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is titled *Light: The Gates of Hades and the Fall of Darkness*. This story has been with me for a long time—25 years in the making. The inspiration came from my childhood reading of the Bible’s Revelations, which scared me but also sparked a deep curiosity. Later, I had a feverish vision of an earth floating above a castle, and that image never left me. After years of gathering ideas and refining the narrative, I finally completed the final draft. It’s a blend of action, horror, and spiritual themes—a true labor of love. You can find it on Amazon now.

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Pieter Wesley Whittington’s Website

Featured Interview With Pieter Wesley Whittington

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in a small desert city called Moreno Valley. After traveling the world during my time in the Army, I decided to come back to be close to my mother. Now, I’m settled in with my wife, three daughters and two fish—they’re pretty low-maintenance, but they definitely keep me company!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized my fascination with books when I was 9. It all started after reading the Bible’s Revelations, which hooked me in, and then diving into Stephen King’s books just sealed the deal. That’s when the love for storytelling really took off, and eventually, I started writing my own.

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 to read are Stephen King, hands down, and of course, the Bible is always in the mix. My favorite genre is horror with a good dose of suspense and action. As for inspiration, it’s a mix of Stephen King’s mastery of suspense and the powerful, timeless stories from the Bible. That combination keeps my writing rooted in both the deeply human and the otherworldly.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is called *Light: The Gates of Hades and the Fall of Darkness*. It’s a story that’s been with me for a long time—25 years, to be exact. It was inspired by my childhood reading of the Bible’s Revelations, which terrified me but also sparked a deep curiosity. Later on, I had this fever-induced vision of an earth floating above a castle, and that image just stuck with me. After years of gathering ideas and shaping the story, I finally finished the final draft. It’s a mix of action, horror, and spiritual themes—a real labor of love.

Featured Interview With Jamilette Cintron

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Brooklyn New York, my family loved to Pennsylvania when I was 9 and we have lived there ever since.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was in the 5th grade, I won my first writing contest and fell completely in love with the magic of writing.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors would have to be Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe and Nicolas Sparks.
I love to read anything fantasy, but horror gore and mystery is what I find the most interesting.
My children inspire me in all that I do especially my writing. I want to be able to leave a piece
Of me behind that they can still look back on and physically touch whenever they need words of encouragement.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
It is an anthology, that consist of 5 short stories shedding light on the dark feminine, it ultimately shows a woman’s true strength by highlighting the consequences of The actions they have made. The Narrator is one of three Sisters and it is the third book of the three book series. Each book highlights a different sisters point of view on how woman are supposed to respond to pain and suffering from the past present and future tense.

Featured Interview With ACWstories

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Germany and currently reside here with my cat and dog. Although my stories are not inspired by my immediate surroundings, I am deeply fascinated by the world’s diverse cultures and experiences. This global curiosity infuses my writing, allowing me to craft narratives that resonate on a universal level. I hope my work invites you to explore these broader themes and find connections that transcend borders.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with books began at a young age, around seven or eight, when I first discovered the magic of storytelling. I was captivated by the worlds within pages, where imagination knew no bounds. By my early teens, I started writing, driven by a desire to create my own stories and share my inner world with others. Writing has since become an essential part of my life, allowing me to channel my experiences and dreams into narratives that I hope will resonate with readers. As you delve into my books, you’ll find reflections of my journey and a deep-seated passion for connecting with readers through the written word.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My reading tastes are as diverse as my writing interests. Virginia Woolf has long been a source of inspiration for me, with her introspective and stream-of-consciousness style that delves deep into the human psyche. Haruki Murakami’s imaginative storytelling captivates me, blending the surreal with the everyday in a way that resonates deeply with my own creative explorations. Maya Angelou’s powerful and poetic prose offers profound insights into the human condition, and her ability to convey deep emotion and resilience is something I strive to achieve in my own writing.

I’m particularly drawn to genres that tackle themes of mental health, personal struggle, and transformation. Whether it’s a novel that explores the intricacies of mental health or a fantasy that provides an escape while still addressing real-world issues, I seek out books that offer both introspection and inspiration. These genres not only captivate me but also fuel my own writing, helping me explore and express complex emotions and experiences.

In terms of inspiration for my writing, I am profoundly influenced by the works of these authors as well as my own experiences and observations. Each book I read adds another layer to my understanding of the human experience, and this understanding informs the stories I craft.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, Emerging from Shadows: Luna’s Fight for Peace, is the latest chapter in the Luna’s Saga series. This gripping installment follows Luna as she battles a relentless stalker and fights to reclaim her life amidst a sea of threats and uncertainties. The book delves into Luna’s intense struggle for survival and her relentless pursuit of inner peace, highlighting her journey through the darkest corners of her past and her quest for a brighter future.

The Luna’s Saga series, which began with Echoes of Silence, has been a deeply personal and transformative project for me. Echoes of Silence sets the stage for Luna’s journey, offering an overview of her early struggles and the shadowy traumas that shape her life. Surviving the Shadows: A Child’s Journey through Abuse explores Luna’s harrowing childhood and the abuse she endured, providing a raw and poignant look at her formative years. Breaking the Shadows: Luna’s Path to Healing follows Luna as she attempts to escape her past while grappling with new challenges and confronting a dark period of her life.

Writing Emerging from Shadows took me over a year of intense, emotionally charged work. Crafting Luna’s final chapter involved a deep dive into her psyche and a meticulous balance of suspense and emotional depth. Each book in the series has been a labor of love, aimed at capturing the resilience of the human spirit and offering hope to those who may see their own struggles reflected in Luna’s story.

Through the entire saga, my goal has been to offer readers a narrative that is both compelling and healing. I hope that Luna’s journey will resonate with readers, providing them with solace and inspiration as they navigate their own paths to healing and peace.

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Featured Interview With Tim Nash

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Tim Nash, I enjoy crafting spine-chilling tales that blend the futuristic unknown of Science Fiction with the eerie realms of horror. I bring you into worlds filled with a unique fusion of science fiction and horror, creating nightmarish worlds that linger long after the final chapter. I have grown up on a steady diet of classic science fiction and horror, which at the time many were new and just released. I was born on Halloween Night at 8 pm and have become part of the horror and science fiction genre ever since.

Discover the thrilling worlds of my Sci-Fi and Horror, where imaginative futures collide with spine-chilling mysteries. I dive into futuristic realms filled with advanced technology and alien encounters, or explore dark, eerie landscapes.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been writing stories, comics and designing graphics since a teenager. Though never published until 2024 I simply wrote stories and even comics which I never did anything with until now.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I draw inspiration from Ray Bradbury for his weaving stories into short stories which launch you into another way of seeing things around you. In his TV show opening he explains how he begins his writing by looking around and finding what is interesting today. H.P. Lovecraft for his cosmic horror, Stephen King style for writing in thought provoking ways, and Mary Shelley for the way she fused science and terror.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Warhawks 2 : Nepus Menace
A ruthless empire teeters on the brink of galactic domination, and the Milky Way is their next target. The Nepus—a fearsome warrior race known for their relentless conquests—launches an invasion that threatens to engulf two distant worlds in a desperate fight for survival. As the galaxy faces annihilation, a fragile alliance forms in the fires of resistance, but the odds are bleak. WarHawks 2 – Nepus Menace is a high-stakes sci-fi epic where the fate of humanity and its allies hangs in the balance, and victory may demand the ultimate sacrifice.

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Tim Nash’s Website

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Featured Interview With Theo Kapodistrias

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia and it is where I currently live. I come from a small business background where I would help my family at their grocery store. I became a lawyer at 23 years old and then commenced my legal career as an in-house lawyer. Through this, I commenced my consultancy as a speaker, coach, MC and now author.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always liked books but I wasn’t the best reader. I really began to love reading again in my mid-20s and started finding some authors I loved and continued to search for their work. I’ve also grow into the business book and personal development space, as its enjoyable.

I used to write stories when I was young. I had a note book which I’d write little tales and wanted to create a heap of short stories. I put the pen down for a while and then took a love to English in the latter years of school and also took a creative writing course in grade 12. This gave me the skills to put to use for my book now, even though it is a business book.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love a mix of books from non-fiction to fiction. Jane Harper is an amazing Australian author who has written some incredible thrillers including The Dry. Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss is an excellent tool I use in my day-to-day life, particularly in my legal career.

There are so many other amazing authors that bring so much to the literary world.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My book, A Way With Words, provides the strategies and tools to help you craft a killer message whatever the communication method. Your ability to speak confidently in public, present engagingly in meetings and communicate authentically are essential for professional careers and business owners. The book follows my 5C methodology – clarity, conciseness, confidence, creativity and connection, developed through my corporate experience and my experience as a TEDx curator. The book follows a protagonist, Kevin, who you may grow to love as you read the book!

This 200 page book took approx 2 years to complete. It was a labor of love and I’m excited by the impact it can make on the wider world.

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Theo Kapodistrias’s Website

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Featured Interview With Bryan Timothy Mitchell

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Martinsville, VA, but grew up in the middle of North Carolina. After high school, I served in the US Army in many capacities. I’ve done everything from pulling up dandelions to performing joint operations with Iraqi security forces. Over time, I received a B.A. that focused on English. I planned to be a teacher but went back to school to get a Masters in Computer Science. By day, I help developers fix security vulnerabilities in their code. By night, I write. I’m married with two boys, and we have two onerous cats and a very sweet lab.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with books began when I was in grade school. But I didn’t get started with writing until 2007. My first book wasn’t published until 2022. Although I had a bachelor’s that focused on English, it took some time for me to hone my skills as a writer of fiction.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There are a lot of authors that I enjoy reading. I like Tolkien, Lewis, Sanderson, King, Dekker, Koontz, and many others. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite genre but speculative fiction captures me most. Epic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, etc. The two authors who’ve inspired me most so far are Dante Alighieri and C.S. Lewis. My first novel, Infernal Fall, is a modern-day retelling of the Inferno with dashes of The Great Divorce. My second novel, Almost Paradise, was a sequel to that book but took more inspiration from the Screwtape Letters. Both novels won awards for the category of best supernatural/paranormal/horror in the Realm Awards.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Almost Paradise is an award-winning supernatural thriller. It immediately follows the events from Infernal Fall, the first book in the series. Here is the blurb for Almost Paradise:

Sometimes Hell follows you home.

Something with sinister intentions stalks Daniel Strong, but it doesn’t know that he has a magical stone that can send it back to the fiery abyss. Unfortunately for Daniel, there isn’t much power in slinging stones.

Heartless Charles must decide who he serves, and If that wasn’t enough trouble, an alluring female spirit has him ensnared with her charms. Beau is in Grayton ready to catch the next bus to Heaven, but to get there, he must remember his past.

None of them know that demons are digging their way into the living world. A peculiar angel, named Chance, tracks their scheme, but after a treacherous act leads to his imprisonment, hell is about to break loose.

Join Daniel as he confronts his demons once more, and find out why it’s harder to fly than to fall.

Almost Paradise is book 2 in the Infernal Fall series by Bryan Timothy Mitchell.

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Bryan Timothy Mitchell’s Website

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Featured Interview With Bob Collopy

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Born Texan. Raised in Sedona then Scottsdale. Went to Barrett Honors ASU. Became a pilot.

Made scuba diving computers to save coral reefs. Became a top 5 real estate broker in Arizona. Became the henchman of investment funds and a millionaire in mid 20s.

Picked a fight with the King of Morocco. Doesn’t drink Tequila.

Owns a fastest growing company for six straight years that pays well over 70 people. Runs a halfway house on the side and develops real estate. Married a beautiful Latvian who he met hopping around in Australia. She had a cat, so he has a cat.

Member of fancy smancy car groups. Got the street name “Loco Gringo” in a rough part of town he was redeveloping.

Eagle Scout.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was about 5 years old. Made a comic book called Star Fleet. I found it recently in a box. Apparently, the premise was aliens are invading earth. So we have to make spaceships right? Well my 5 year old solution was to get everyone on earth to cut down ALL the trees and build our space ships out of wood.

I’ve since raised money for wind farms, so I guess people change.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve always loved Fight Club, Atlas Shrugged, Philosophy books, Fear and Loathing, etc. Basically wild yet deep is my vibe.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Dan Rather grew up in the successful family business of radio journalism, which is why all the powerful and corrupt they report on are trying to kill them. Since America fractured and fell, the Rathers have operated from an underground bunker in the Badlands, relying on donations from viewers like you to fund their anti-drone missiles and defenses that protect them from incoming explosive hate mail.
For his debut report, Dan is sneaking into Mexico City to investigate the murky world of immigration with a cunning and boisterous immigrant named Pedro. Dan plans to join Pedro’s journey through the newly formed countries, uncovering the journey of immigrants boarding obscure armored trains to California. If his report succeeds it could secure vital donations, undermine the profiteers of labor exploitation, and cement Dan’s position at the helm of his family’s business.
But Pedro has his own agenda. He’s after real money—the kind that mega unions, corporations, and regimes generate—and is willing to do whatever it takes to reach his dreams.

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Bob Collopy’s Website

Featured Interview With Peggy Joque Williams

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am a Yooper by birth and a Cheesehead by choice. I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—often referred to as the U.P. Yoo-p. Yooper. Get it? After college and marriage I moved with my spouse to Wisconsin, where we proudly call ourselves Cheeseheads and sometimes wear cheese-shaped hats. I live in the state’s capital city, Madison. As for pets, do you count my hubby? We’ve been cat owners, and had a dog for a number of years, but now we just have each other. And kids. And grandkids.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been fascinated by books since I was a toddler. I grew up in a household with books, classics like Dickens and Dumas that my dad collected, and teen mystery novels handed down to me by a cousin. Our town’s children’s librarian knew each of us kids by name. It was six blocks away, and I walked there frequently. When I was in high school and college, my oldest brother would talk about books he was reading, and I would get them from the library—The Lord of the Rings, the Last Temptation of Christ, Strangers in a Strange Land. As for writing, I remember working on the class newsletter in elementary school. In sixth grade, my friends and I would gather together with a single notebook between us, and we were brainstorming and writing the next great Beatles movie after having seen A Hard Day’s Night. For me, writing was fun! That was followed by being on my high school newspaper; and I wrote an essay for a national competition that won at the state, earning me a small scholarship.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favorite authors have changed over time, maybe not so much changed as have been added to. In my college and early adult years, I enjoyed J.R.R. Tolkein and Robert Heinlein. For a long while I became fascinated by international intrigue: Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Ken Follet and such. Later, my tastes became more erudite, and I read Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran. Then I read Lolita and all the other books mentioned in her memoir. I have always loved non-fiction, especially non-fiction that marries history with science and math and interesting people. Books about Alan Turing, Stephen Johnson’s The Invention of Air, biographies of scientists by Walter Issacson. More recently, because of my interest in 17th century, I find myself reading Tracy Chevalier, Alison Weir, Geraldine Brooks, Maggie O’Farrell, C.S. Harris, and Margaret George. For more contemporary fare, I just love Rebecca Makkai’s The Great Believers and Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures. I am inspired by everything I read.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles was released in May 2024, by the indie publisher Black Rose Writing. It’s the story of a free-spirited country girl swept up in the world of intrigue, illicit affairs, and power mongering that went on in the court of Louis, XIV, the Sun King. She thinks she’s living the life she has always dreamed of but discovers she’s nothing more than a pawn in the King’s game of politics and financial dealings. The premise, which informs the end of the book, is loosely inspired by my own 7th- and 8th-great-grandmothers who lived and loved in France, but who had to make difficult choices. But disclaimer: none of my ancestors lived the life that my character Sylvienne does. She is purely fiction, set in the very real world of King Louis, his mistress Athénaïs de Montespan, his brother Philippe, and the Princess Henriette-Anne, Philippe’s tragic young wife.

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Peggy Joque Williams’s Website

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Featured Interview With Paolo Danese

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My name is Paolo Danese and I was born and raised in Southern Italy. I have been around…a lot! Since 2011 I have been living in Asia, first in Hong Kong and now Singapore. I am married with two awesome kids who are (way too quickly) approach their teenage years. I was never a pet person but we took home the most adorable toy-sized poodle called Anzu in the summer of 2023 and I cannot get enough of him! Best decision ever since getting married!

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was reading quite a bit before turning 10, the public library was my best friend then. My parents helped, they had quite a well-stocked library at home, too.

The first book I bought with intention, however, is seared into my mind. The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I was 12 and I still thank my aunt for that summer gift. Fun times. I started writing not long after, first as a Dungeons & Dragons game master, then around 16 I actually dove in and began writing my first novel. The amount of stupidity involved in such a decision staggers me to this day. I knew nothing of fiction writing, story structures, traditional publishing (indie was not much of a thing yet), etc etc.

It has been one hell of a journey.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read widely across genres, which makes me a very “unloyal” reader compared to many, including all my close friends! I do not really have favorite authors as much as favorite pieces of literature, and they range from fantasy to medieval poetry to science non-fiction books. In terms of broad inspiration for the books I have actually written so far, I would say the foundational influences are JRR Tolkien and HP Lovecraft.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
I just published a dark epic fantasy called “Rise of the Nemesis”. It has elements of grimdark, high fantasy, and post-apocalyptic science fantasy (and some portal fantasy). It is the story of what happens after a hero sacrifices themselves for the greater good, and at great personal cost. A fairly dark tale of revenge against selfish and corrupt demigods. But, despite it all, there is hope. Redemption, too, maybe!

I have been working on this book seriously since 2020. As the story follows two interwoven plotlines, finding the right balance for each of the plots and characters was tricky. The main plot-line is very tightly centered around the main character and his mostly “solo” journey. The other plotline involves several characters so I continue to wonder whether I did all of them justice. Time (and readers) will tell!

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Paolo Danese’s Website

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