When the succubus Lorelei sees Azaziel across Lost Angels, she knows he’s been kicked out of Heaven, but is not yet Fallen. She resolves to do whatever it takes to bring the angel down.
Unfortunately, Lorelei doesn’t realize that Azaziel has an agenda of his own. Taking her back to a burned-out church, he forces a mortal girl’s soul into the devil girl’s flesh. Then the succubus needs to find an exorcist who can cast the ghost out of her.
With all the supernatural warriors of Los Angeles looking on, neither the angel nor the succubus can imagine how love will derail their plans…
If Romeo had wings and Juliet a barbed tail, could they find happiness in the City of Angels?
After their escape from the ashes of Lost Angels, the succubus Lorelei and the angel Azaziel want nothing more than to enjoy each other’s company. Unfortunately, Asmodeus, the Demon Prince of LA, has threatened to devour Lorelei’s new-grown soul if she doesn’t bring about Azaziel’s downfall. Meanwhile, Aza is keeping secrets of his own that threaten the tenuous peace between Heaven and Hell.
Three archangels come to town to try to set things right, but friendships are fracturing. The demon in charge of fallen angels is sniffing around. And Los Angeles is about to be caught between a devil and the deep blue sea.
Loren Rhoads is the co-author (with Brian Thomas) of the novel Lost Angels about a succubus who sets her sights on an angel and ends up possessed by a mortal girl’s soul. The sequel, Angelus Rose, came out in February 2020.
Loren is the author of The Dangerous Type, Kill By Numbers, and No More Heroes, a space opera trilogy set after a galactic war has wiped out much of humanity.
She is also the author of 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die and Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Travel. She blogs about graveyards as travel destinations at CemeteryTravel.com.
You won’t be surprised to know that she likes long walks in the moonlight and old graveyards.
I’m so excited to be one of the many tour hosts sharing information about Deer Among Wolves!
Deer Among Wolves(A World in Ruin Book 1) by Rebecca Fernfield Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Survival
An extinction-level plague was only the beginning
Sixteen years have passed since an unstoppable plague ripped through the world killing billions.
A few desperate, mis-matched groups of men, women, and children found their way to a small town and learned how to survive, then thrive.
Now death is stalking them once more!
Newly appointed First Officer, Jude Sinclair, is under pressure when death follows a group of struggling survivors into town.
As the townsfolk sicken then die after a short, painful illness, Jude is desperate to learn how to stop the disease and save the town from extinction.
Deacon Carlisle lost everyone he loved to the plague and then ruthless survivors, now all he wants is to protect his new family and escape the infected town, but the unthinkable happens when his son disappears.
With the sickness claiming lives, and the boy missing, Jude and Deacon must rely on their own ingenuity to discover the truth, and save everyone they love.
Does Jude have what it takes to protect the town from its invisible enemy?
Can Deacon rise to the challenge of saving his son?
What is the truth behind the deaths and the boy’s disappearance?
‘Deer Among Wolves’ is book 1 in ‘A World in Ruin’, a series of action-packed and intriguing tales of life after the apocalypse.
British author, Rebecca Fernfield, is a lapsed medievalist who spends her days plotting the overthrow of evil regimes and devising intricate plans to rescue their victims. She’s also given to flights of fancy about the end of the world and what she’d do if supermarkets suddenly ran out of chocolate, wine and other essentials. She lives among the flatlands of the Humber estuary where Vikings and Saxons once fought and where, sometimes, on foggy mornings, you can still hear the echoes of clashing swords.
I’m excited to welcome James Murdo, author of ‘Siouca Remembers‘ to my blog today.
Author James Murdo
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…
Where do you call home?
London, UK. Brought up mostly in Highgate but I’ve lived all around. I’ve also just received Irish citizenship (very topical).
What is your family like?
Brilliant, argumentative (at times) and understanding. I’m fortunate to have a great family and we’re all very close.
If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like?
We moved from a flat to a house when I was 5. I remember the flat being enormous with the biggest garden imaginable. Turns out, it was tiny. The house we moved to was great – near parks, good transport, and more importantly, my siblings and I had our own bedrooms (finally!). Only thing that bothered me was the central heating. I can assure you it never ever worked.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing?
Exercise, rock climbing, increasingly healthy eating (intermittently punctuated by periods of regression), comedy…
What is your greatest dream?
To go to space. I’m ambivalent about going to another planet in comparison with living in space itself. I wish I’d studied Asteroid Mining.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
Family illnesses.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I became enamoured with reading during a family holiday when I was very young. Everyone else was out in the sun, but I was captivated. I devoured anything, although I had an affinity for ghost stories. My older sibling bought me “The Algebraist” (Iain M Banks, my favourite author who I often bang on about) from a local bookshop for an early birthday, precipitating my love of sci-fi, my degree (Physics), and a significant part of my mindset.
Who is your role model?
A lot of people, but – apologies for the cliché – my parents.
What is your greatest fear?
Day-to-day, spiders.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?
Used to prefer paperbacks (or hardbacks), tried e-books and found my reading experience unchanged. I understand some people are averse to them, but for me, they work. I like volume and instant reading gratification; I don’t like waiting for books to arrive. I am still waiting to be fully converted to audio-books, I love the good ol’ radio too much.
What is your opinion of novellas?
I prefer lengthier books as I like to become completely immersed for as long as possible, and I read very fast. Some say I skim, and that would be fair.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Of course.
What is your favorite film based on a book?
LOTR. Looking forward to more.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Space opera!
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara. My mother recommended it. Paperback actually!
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Not to cop out, but there would be so many, and this would depend on what second of the day I thought about it, the weather, the news, so much. Sorry. Da Vinci definitely, though. He’d make it every time. Probably a Neanderthal too, although fame-wise, not sure…
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
‘Siouca Remembers’: A cerebral part-space opera, part-epic fantasy spanning time and space. A first contact story twisted and on steroids.
Is the above book part of a series?
Short answer, no. It’s part of the ‘Wanderer Universe’, of which there are currently 6 books. There’s the ‘Wanderers series’ (currently consisting of 3 sequential books: Gil’s World, Searching the Void, Infinite Eyes), and 3 independent/standalone books (Long Paradise, Fractured Carapace, Siouca Remembers).
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?
Lots that happen to appear on the radio, some that I reserve when trying to write chapters in a certain style, and often silence.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
I thought about it for a long time, solicited the opinions of family and beta readers. Siouca is an important character.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her?
I have a few, some AI, some biological, and some in between. My style of writing is mosaic-like which can take some getting used to, but everything always comes together in a satisfying conclusion (I hope). That’s why I like to caveat that it’s “cerebral sci-fi” – not to toot my own horn, but to emphasise the multiple storylines. I sometimes also say “hard sci-fi”, although I’ve found that term can be a little ambiguous and not too well known amongst readers.
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has?
For Siouca – respect for life.
Will readers like or dislike this character?
Like. Probably.
What first gave you the idea for your latest book?
Lots of different things inspired me. Irodiel (one of the characters) was part-conceived following a dream.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
It varies, but I only have the vaguest plots. Anything more is a waste of time for me, as I constantly alter and re-write them when I have new exciting ideas. I like to keep most of the plotting in my head – which somehow works out alright.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time?
The writing itself – it comes in clumps and I need to be inspired (internally). I’m envious of writers who talk about aiming for 1,000 or 10,000 words a day. For me, the story comes when it comes.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company?
Self-published/Indie.
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?
A few factors, but for simplicity: time and expedience.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
Write more, worry about promotion less. I still need to follow that advice.
What advice would you give someone who wants to start writing?
Don’t think, just do.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
When a new witch threat rises, only Hunter Astley can stop them…
In the face of dark magic and evil witches, a secret witch-hunting society works tirelessly to keep them at bay. The Malleus Maleficarum Council have strict rules and practises for eradicating magic.
Due to their work, witches have been almost forgotten, relegated to myth; but the rumours are starting to emerge of a new power that will throw the world into chaos.
As the only 7th generation witch-hunter, Hunter Astley is the best the MMC has to offer. With the help of his colleagues, it’s a race to track down this new threat and stop them… in any way he can.
The world has been thrown into darkness by the Shadow Witch’s revolution. The witch-hunters are scattered, but still strong. The race is now on to gather allies and win the war. New enemies will arise; loyalties will be pushed to the limit. And an important question will be answered: can a witch-hunter that practices magic ever be trusted, or will he be persecuted? It is said that ‘love conquers all’, but this twisted love must stay secret, locked away with the past.
Hunter Astley has always known that he is different: being a witch-hunter that can use magic has sealed his fate. He must destroy the Shadow Witch once and for all, with the help of some unlikely allies.
We delve even deeper into the world of the Malleus Maleficarum; into myth, rumour and history that refuses to stay in the past.
Kelly Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life – books and horses. Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Her first book, The Shadow Rises, was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.
What inspired you to write about this book?
This story started with the villain.
I was learning about Wicca at the time, and I wondered what would happen if a witch broke all of their rules. In fact, what would happen if the witches were a different breed, with their own set of rules?
Their champion would be the most powerful witch in history, whose magic was beyond all rules, and they would come to free the Witchkind from persecution.
From there, I was able to create the ‘hero’. The person that would stop the Big Bad.
I looked into the history of witches, the witch craze, the witch-hunters and their bible, the Malleus Maleficarum. (When I say ‘looked into’, I was at university at the time, so I was in full-research-mode)
From there I created the Malleus Maleficarum Council (MMC), who after the disaster of the witch craze, knew that the general public couldn’t be trusted with hunting witches. So, they formed a society that worked in secret to keep people safe from real witches.
Fast forward to the modern-day, and you have the best the MMC has to offer. Hunter is from the highly-regarded witch-hunting Astley family, with all the benefits that come from seven generations of fighting witches.
Why did you choose to write about witches?
There’s a long-running joke that all the women in my family are witches.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, started by my dad, who said his Scottish mother-in-law was a wicked witch who would turn us into toads if we didn’t behave.
As kids, we loved this story, and fully embraced the joke, buying my Nanna cauldrons, brooms and all sorts of witchy-paraphernalia every Christmas and birthday.
Without meaning to, I picked up a lot of witchy information over the years and it was natural that witches and magic would feature heavily in my books.
Unfortunately, my Nanna passed away before I started writing; but I think she would have really enjoyed these stories of evil and/or kooky witches.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Out of our three main characters, I probably spent the least amount of effort coming up with Hunter’s name. I honestly had no idea what I wanted to call our lead man, so I put the temporary title of ‘Hunter’ in whilst I wrote the story. In the end, it kinda stuck, because Hunter was arrogant enough to carry it off.
His real name is George Astley VII, which does provide a few moments of humor throughout the series.
With Sophie Murphy, our leading lady, I purposefully wanted a name that did not suit her. Throughout the series, she proves herself to be strong and cold-hearted, but loyal to Hunter. So, I gave her a very normal name; something that sounds soft and feminine – the complete opposite of our Sophie.
I wanted a name that didn’t hint at what fate has in store for her.
James Bennett is the best friend, and often a source of humour. He’s a Yorkshire lad (my home county), as I swore that every book I wrote would contain Yorkshire characters or settings, as none of the books I read growing up had them in and I felt very underrepresented.
I named him Bennett because the Bennetts are like an extended family to me. They own the local riding school in Yorkshire (where I practically lived), they inspired my love for horses, and my love of teaching. They also gave a very shy and socially awkward me, the confidence to go after my dreams of a career with horses and writing.
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I am so excited to welcome Alegra Loewenstein, author of Body Wisdom Journal. She is here today to talk to us about her latest book, her writing process, and her life in general. If you have questions that aren’t covered in this interview, please feel free to comment below so she can answer them.
Author Alegra Loewenstein
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My name is Alegra Loewenstein. I don’t use a pen name, though if I started to write in a different genre, I might.
Where do you call home? San Diego, CA
I love San Diego. I moved there for a year after college before moving up to Los Angeles. Its a beautiful place with the most amazing weather.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I write my own books (author) and I also write other people’s books (ghostwriter). My clients are happy, so I think I’m pretty good at it! I enjoy the work, and I find it to be a very different creative process than writing my own books.
That is so interesting. As an author myself, I would worry that spending so much time writing for other people would distract me from my own manuscripts.
What is your family like? I am close with my family. We like to laugh together and make food together.
If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? I grew up in a house that looked like southern California… but we were in Texas!!
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I like to walk in nature and make crafty stuff. I also enjoy cooking (but I hate cleaning).
What is your greatest dream? I have a very big book project that I’d like to bring to fruition. I’m a bit superstitious about it, so I can’t tell you that much, but it’s sort of a memoir.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? Hmm. That’s a good question. I think I do a pretty good job on improving myself. I guess maybe I’d like to be more patient with my kids and more vulnerable with my loved ones.
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? Wow, getting tricky. I had a lot of crushes. My first one was in elementary school. Taylor Clark. He was more of a frenemy though.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? I think my life has been overall pretty lucky. I have had some disturbing experiences that involved being under the influence and being in situations that could have turned out very very very very bad. They are disturbing to think about, even though at the same time I am grateful they weren’t worse.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I’ve always loved writing. I went to a school that encouraged creativity and love of nature, and those things inspired me.
That is wonderful. I think all to often now, schools are not fostering a love for books, writing, or other creative arts. As a mom, I am always teaching my kids the importance of reading everything and expressing themselves creatively.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? I used to want to live in San Francisco, and that never happened. I also wanted to combine science and art in my profession, and I do feel that I’ve succeeded in that.
Who is your role model? I love Lady Bird Johnson. She was such an advocate for wildflowers! I also love Michael Pollan and his ability to dive deep into subjects and give common sense answers.
What is your greatest fear? I am very afraid of physical pain in my life. Also, I fear having a lot of regrets.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Sorry trees. I love paperbacks.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so, what was it? Many times. Brighty of the Grand Canyon as a kid. The Hero Within as an adult. More I can’t think of.
What is your opinion of novellas? Like a small novel? I like small books for nonfiction, though for fiction I prefer about 300 pages.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? I don’t think so.
What is your favorite film based on a book? Harry Potter did a great job!
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? I’m kind of obsessed with nonfiction!
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Oh, that stack is too big to recall! My book club is reading the Testaments. I’m working my way through Persephone Rising. And about ten more.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I just finished The Magician’s Nephew on my kindle because I was on a trip.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Lady Bird Johnson and Michael Pollan from above – I also think they’d be super interesting to talk to. Michelle Obama because after I read her book, we were obviously best friends. Maybe Jill Lublin because she’s not that famous, but I went to her workshop once and she was awesome.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? Body Wisdom Journal. It’s about getting in touch with your body as a tool for self-awareness and intuition.
Is the above book part of a series? Not really, but since I write in non-fiction people do tend to buy more than one of them. They work together.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? I have an amazing graphic designer! I send her a bunch of ideas and she makes something that looks great!!!
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? No music for this one. The superstitious memoir has a soundtrack though.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? I was trying to make it clear what the journal was about, though I’m not sure I succeeded. It’s all a learning process!
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I’ve always wanted to make one, but since I write non-fiction, I’m not sure how I’d do it, plus my to do list is long enough.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? I know that nonfiction is a deviation from the norm for your readers, so in this case there are no characters. Or perhaps we can say that you are the character! I was specifically looking for YA audience because I know that this guided journal really resonates with a youthful spirit.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I write very organically. So, while I have an outline, it changes as I write the book.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? I hate sitting still for long periods of time. That’s rough when you write for a living.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? Self-published on this one! I’ve experimented with hybrid publishing but have not had great experiences. I hope someday I’ll be recruited by a large publishing house, but I’ll wait for them to come to me.
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I have total control over the creative process, which is awesome. I can also just publish a book anytime I get an idea (and write it of course), and I don’t have to get approval or wait around. Plus, I love that if I re-read it a year later or whatever, and I find something I hate, I can just change it and update the file, and then from then on readers get the new version!
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Balance the love of writing with a business plan so you can see success and not get discouraged.
That is wonderful advice. I find, as an author, that the hardest part isn’t the writing… its the marketing. The business aspect of being an author can be very difficult for creative types like me.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
I’d like to welcome A.G.R. Goff, author of The Sky Above, to my blog today. She is going to tell us a little about her book, her writing process, and her life.
About A.G.R. Goff A.G.R. Goff is an author who just published her second novel “The sky above”, a dystopian story about the collapse of the world as we know it based on current political conflicts. Goff grew up in East Germany and has since lived in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She is married to an English guy and enjoys British humor and unexpected adventures. When she is not writing or travelling she plays the saxophone.
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My pen name is A.G.R. Goff. It’s a short version of my real name and I’d like to keep the mystery by not revealing it.
Where do you call home? At the moment, George/South Africa. But I have also lived in Germany and the UK.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I’m also a translator. I like it but my passion is writing.
If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? Just a simple flat in an apartment block in East Germany.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I love my dog, but I guess that’s not really a hobby and I also play the saxophone.
What is your greatest dream? To be able to make a living with my writing.
I think there are a lot of us out there that feel the same way as you. I’d love to make a living with my writing as well. For now, I will settle for just enjoying the craft and sharing with others around me.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? A sporty person. I guess I’m not passionate enough when it comes to physical exercise.
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? Yes, but we never became a couple. I was 13 and met him when I was out with friends during school holidays. I kept going back to the same public swimming pool, just to see him. He never even looked at me.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? The death of my 16-year-old nephew. He died of pancreatic cancer.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I always used to read a lot and I guess one day I thought, I can do this. But it took years to finally finish a book. I think I had to become proficient enough in English to feel the passion. My mother tongue is German and I wrote a lot whilst growing up in Germany but I never thought of myself as a writer.
Who is your role model? My mum. She’s an unbelievably strong woman.
What is your greatest fear? To become so sick that I cannot look after myself and my family.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? It depends on the mood I’m in. I read a lot from indie authors and that’s mainly e-books but when I’m at an airport I prefer paperbacks. When I walk the dog I listen to audio-books.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? Yes, Stephen King books but only his older stories like Cujo, Carrie, The Shining. I was obsessed with his writing when I was a teenager.
See, now you are speaking my language. Stephen King is my favorite author of all time. I get that his older stories are amazing, they are what made me fall in love with reading. But, if you haven’t already read some of his newer stuff like Mr. Mercedes, Elevation, or 11/22/63 then you should. They are great.
What is your opinion of novellas? They have their place and sometimes it’s nice to finish something quickly.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? All the time. When I’m travelling I buy books in stores based first on genre and then the book cover.
What is your favorite film based on a book?The Green Mile
YES! YES! YES! It is SO GOOD!
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Thriller and Suspense
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey. A friend recommended it me.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?The Murderer of Cardim by Noah Alexander. I’m doing it to give a review. It turned out to be quite a good story.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Jodi Picoult and Stephen King, just because I love their books. Ray Charles, to talk about music and his life and Jamie Oliver for recipes.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?The Sky Above. A fictional survival story about the end of the world due to recent political events.
Book Cover by Chloe Belle Arts for The Sky Above by AGR Goff
Can the world survive when hate wins? In the year 2021, a religious civil war rocks the world, destroying civilisation and pitting Muslims against Christians. Fear rules as looters and rapists control the streets, and people are killed for nothing more than the colour of their skin. Those who survive are left to starve to death or die from lack of clean water. Brought together by the cruellest of fates, two schoolmates, Mark and Ben—one Christian, one Muslim—band together in a desperate quest for survival. Not knowing who to trust or what the future holds for them, or humankind, they try to stay alive while caring for Ben’s little sister, until a chance encounter changes everything.
Well it is a stunning cover. I would definitely pick this one off the shelf at a bookstore to read the back cover.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? I asked a professional graphic designer. Chloe Belle Arts.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Not this time. I usually like it quiet but sometimes music can be nice.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? It was something one of the characters said in the book and I thought it was a good title.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? A normal 13-year-old boy who is forced to fight for survival and changes in the process. His whole world is turned upside-down.
What is your character’s greatest strengths? To adapt quickly.
And what are his/her greatest weaknesses? To lose faith.
What are some of his favorite foods? He eats anything he can get his hands on. There is no choice.
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he has? He is good at looking after others without intention.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Probably both because he’s torn between his upbringing and the need for survival.
What first gave you the idea for your latest book? Recent political events and what it could mean.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? Definitely a pantster. I never know where my stories begin or end. It just comes to me whilst writing.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? I’m still learning, so it’s difficult. Writing is very personal, so I wouldn’t change anything. But when it comes to publishing – Maybe learn more about marketing.
Marketing is the hardest part of it for me as well. I’m much more the creative type. Id rather be writing then putting myself out there to post about my books.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? Self-published and it’s hard work.
Yes it is. I’ve published 7 novel, working on #8, and I can absolutely say it is’t easy. For those people out there that say anyone can write and publish a book now because of indie-publishing – YOU’RE WRONG! It takes a lot of time, hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears!
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? As a new author, it’s almost impossible to publish traditionally even if you have a very good story. A self-publisher has more control, financially and otherwise.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Just write every day even if it’s garbage.
What advice would you give someone who wants to start writing? Do a course to get you started and then write, write, write.
Letting Miranda into his house is a big mistake. But aging comedian Dave also has some secrets. Maybe she should never have come looking for answers. As this story about murder, betrayal and dark desires unfolds, things take an unsuspected turn. Things from the past find their way back to the surface and the dead might not be so dead after all.
A diverse collection of short stories attempting to resist categorization. It starts with the love story between a cape-coloured worker and his white boss in South Africa and moves on to a Stasi-agent in East Germany and his struggle to keep secrets. The heroes of these stories are lovers and friends, acquaintances and strangers and they have one thing in common – they want to escape the boredom of their daily lives.
I love days when I get to support other authors and showcase some of their work. Today is one of those days. I’d like to welcome Francis H. Powell, author of Adventures of Death, Reincarnation and Annihilation to my blog today.
About Francis H Powell Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis Powell attended Art Schools. In 1995, Powell moved to Austria, teaching English while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Paris, writing both prose and poetry.
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My full name is Francis Hulbert Powell and my author name is Francis H Powell.
Where do you call home? Brittany in France, I have lived in France for over 20 years
We know you are an author, but do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I am a teacher and have been for the last thirty years, so I can’t be too terrible at my job. I mostly enjoy it, but there are occasional hard days, with problematic students.
What is your family like? I am married with a wife, a child who is nearly 7 and a dog that does not get on with other dogs, when he feels he should be protecting us.
What is your favorite film based on a book? I love One Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest, it is a great story and film, with some great acting, it is the kind of film, that sticks in the head, for the rest of your life. The ending is tragic of course.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? My most recent book is called Adventures of Death, Reincarnation and Annihilation. The title says a lot about it’s content. It is a mixture of horror, science fiction, with quirky characters and a bit of humor, so it is not all doom and gloom.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book? I wanted to do the cover, because I am an artist and went to Art school. I sent many versions, which were rejected by the publisher. Last Christmas I took a photograph, at night, in the town where I live and they finally accepted it.
What if the human race was considered irrelevant and then each being was just uploaded then locked away on hard drives called “brain pods?”
What if a sub species was to come into fruition, then the human race turned on it, hunted it down before trying to annihilate it? Imagine you found out you were an ancient soul, who is reunited with another being from your former life?
Set in different time in a variety of settings and time periods, the past, the present and the future, the book explores the inevitable unknown that lies before us all “death”. Death can be arrive in a multitude of forms. Each part of the book explores different themes. There are characters who following their demises have to face up to their lurid pasts….
How did you come up with the title for your book? I wanted to have a title that (hopefully hasn’t been used by another author). I wanted the idea that the book was like an adventure/ journey, as death is the ultimate journey.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? The book is published by Beacon Publishing company.
What advice would you give someone who wants to start writing? Maybe start with short stories. Try to develop your own unique style. Develop a strong rich vocabulary. Develop your craft.
I’d like to welcome Marc Neuffer, author of Light Thief – Journey to the End as a guest on my website. He will be sharing a little about himself, his latest story, and of course his process as a writer. If you have questions that aren’t answer in this interview, please feel free to comment below so he can respond personally.
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…
What is your name, and do you write under a pen name? Marc Neuffer. My children refer to me as ‘the old one.’ I don’t have a pen name. I use a pencil.
Oh boy, it looks like Marc is a comedian… I have a feeling this interview might be very interesting.
Where do you call home? Middle of nowhere in Marshall County, Alabama
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I’m fully retired from the U.S. Navy – 22 years – and a follow-on twenty-year civilian career as a business owner and as a professional photographer. Perhaps you’ve seen my work on the wall at the post office. I was very good at what I did and have the documentation to prove it. Those other records have been sealed by the court. In the navy, I was a nuclear propulsion engineer.
What is your family like? Well, my four kids are out on their own with successful careers and families, and they don’t ask for money. I blame their mother for their individual successes. We are empty nesters with one dog and three cats. I don’t know where the cats came from; I’m allergic to cats.
If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? My childhood homes? Well, there were five of them. My father’s career, as an aerospace engineer, caused us to move around a lot until the space program settled down in Huntsville, Alabama. The houses were always in the suburbs, real Leave It To Beaver-villes.
Do you have any hobbies other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? Well, I like Pina Coladas and walks in the rain … no wait, that’s just a song I heard on the radio yesterday. Since retiring, I have taken up the piano; it soothes me as much as writing does.
What is your greatest dream? Well, if you’re asking about a persona dream of doing something I have never done before, then I haven’t got one. I have been around the world, visited more than a dozen countries, played guitar on stage with a band, arrested people, driven police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks, been a sports coach, and Scout Master, started and ran a successful small business, which I have since sold. Everything on my bucket list has been crossed off.
Now, if you’re asking about things like people I would like to meet or places I would like to go, and we’re talking dreams here, then Samuel Clemens and Mars… yeah, those two.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? I’d like to be thirty-two, tall, dark, and handsome with an exotic accent. My wife would like that. Time and genetics hold me back.
Yes, a comedian… I was right.
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? YES! She had the most sorrowful brown eyes. Her tail wagged furiously the first time we met. I was twelve. Sadly, she passed away.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? Well, I suppose I would have to say the deaths of my mother and father.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I remember precisely when I decided to start writing, I was just starting my daily nap, my mind disengaged, letting whatever thoughts might surface, drift around. I came up with a story idea. Ended up writing a science fiction novel around that … then four more books … since late March of this year.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? Not really any dreams of the future when I was growing up. So, you can leave this one blank. I was a boy, and as I recall, we didn’t sit around planning our dream wedding, we were too busy finding food and fun.
Who is your role model? Sorry, I thought about this one … seriously, I don’t have one.
What is your greatest fear? The greatest fear is something terrible happening to my wife or children. No phobias
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers, or audio-books? When my children still lived at home, we would make a trip to ‘the big city’ once a month to visit the book store. Everyone loaded up for their monthly read. So, print books back then. Now I use e-books since I can keep my library on my phone available at all times. I have a few audiobooks I listen to … they help me fall asleep at night.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so, what was it? Since e-books have come along, I have occasionally re-read some of the Sci-Fi classics I read as a teenager. Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke.
What is your opinion of novellas? I like novellas much the same way I like short people. For me, it’s all about the story; word count is irrelevant.
As a rather short person, I appreciate the lack of discrimination. lol
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? No, not without reading a synopsis or back cover.
What is your favorite film based on a book? Can’t think of one.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? History, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Humm … don’t have a wish list. I browse when looking for my next book.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? “Let me see,” he said, reaching for his phone …
Robinson Crusoe … to study Defoe’s first-person narrative style. The Ruin of the Roman Empire – James O’Donnell Sector C – The Chosen, by you-know-who
Yes, I do believe I know who write SECTOR C – The Chosen and I appreciate you reading it.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? I don’t care for fictitious people with publicists.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? Light Thief – Journey to the End Sci-Fi – In the far future, a twelve-year-old girl finds her purpose 20 years later, while searching for something else.
Is the above book part of a series? Yes, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? When starting a new book, I browse the pre-made cover offerings for something that fits. I do the title graphics myself.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Not unless my wife has the radio on.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? Well, for the first one, I was thinking about physics and the universe, how heat and light are the basic building blocks. Don’t get me started on E=MC2; it’s not an equivalency. Anyway, Heat and Light became the title, followed, naturally by Cold and Dark, then Light Thief. See what I did there?
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? No book trailer… have a boat trailer.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character, and can you tell us a little about him/her? In Light Thief, Darby is a 12-year-old, precocious self-assured daughter of a scientist mother and a lost space explorer father. The book follows her through the next twenty years.
What is your character’s greatest strengths? Belief in self and living a non-self-limiting life.
And what are his/her greatest weaknesses? Men? The unrelenting pull into space to find her lost father, or what had happened to him.
What are some of his/her favorite foods? Jahuna chips — very crunchy with just the right amount of salt — the hot ones. I made that up for the book.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Unless the reader is a sociopath, they will not only like, but identify with her coming of age story. She never kills anyone who doesn’t deserve it. What a girl!
What first gave you the idea for your latest book? A reader of my books, Paradox Twins and Riley 2.0 asked what happened to Riley after the 2.0 story. Rather than continue with Riley as the main character, in Light Thief, she becomes an off-stage (and disembodied) persona that occasionally interacts with Darby.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I write with my high-beams on … letting the characters live their lives unencumbered by me. I simply type as I watch the movies play in my head. Given that, I usually have an end-of-story I’m driving towards.
I write in much the same way. I do use a planning guide to help
me keep track of important details, but mostly I just fly by the seat of my pants
following my characters’ lead and writing what I see at the movie of their
lives play out.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? I would pick the brains of someone who had been through self-publishing themselves. As for writing, I generally do a very structured stream of consciousness flow, not letting myself be too concerned with commas, split infinitives or starting sentence with an –ing ending word.
Self-publishing is very easy, once you learn the technical steps. If you need help, ask a teenager to walk you though the website steps. I think they are all IT department people.
Since you are a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? First, it is very time consuming to find an interested traditional publisher. I think Amazon’s platform for indies makes them nervous. They may become the next buggy whip manufacturers, as in ‘what purpose do they serve.’
Secondly, I don’t trust anybody’s opinion but my own. I know my material, I do research for my books, and I know when my work satisfies me. I learned that editors don’t read like real people; it’s so sad.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? I never received any, except from my 6th grade teacher who wanted me to write legibly. I didn’t know any writers when I started. So, I got nothing on this question.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
One thing I love to do is interview other authors. Not only does it introduce me to potential books I can add to my ‘to read’ list, but it also helps spread the indie-author love to other readers. Marketing is hard and if I can help a fellow author, I’m happy to do it. With that in mind, I’d like to welcome Matt Nagin, author of Feast of Sapphires, to my blog.
Matt Nagin, author of Feast of Sapphires, AKA Bart Schumacher (Standup Comedian)
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My name is Matt Nagin. I do not use a pen name, but I do have a comedy alter ego, a standup comedy character, if you will, named Bart Schumacher.
Where do you call home? I live in New York City.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I am an actor, a comedian, and, when I can find the work, a college professor. Yes. I believe I became a better actor and educator over time. I enjoy very much the areas in which I work since I am passionate about them and they are connected to my overall artistic orientation.
What is your family like? I have a large family; four brothers, a nephew, thirteen cousins, many uncles and aunts etc. In addition to my parents, I’m fortunate enough to have a 99 year old grandma who turns 100 in January.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I love watching films, particularly classic films and/or films that in some way tell an innovative story. I also enjoy traveling, since it expands your understanding of your own little area of residence, helps you get a better grasp of your particular social and cultural predilections, and occasionally even inspires creative work.
What is your greatest dream? To make a living as a writer by completing works others find meaningful.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? I would like to be working creatively at a higher level than I am now. By this I mean I would, ideally, like to be more productive. What is stopping me, I suppose, is I get distracted easily and I have a million little obligations that keep me from focusing and completing work. I’m also a bit of a perfectionist, which, at times, can be a hindrance.
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? Yes. Lasted a year and a half. Unfortunately, she became a lesbian. It broke my heart at the time. Now it seems vaguely humorous.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? Getting hit by a speeding car while walking across the street in a construction zone with an obstructed view was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. More than twenty stitches in my wrist. Glass in my arm. Ten herniated discs in my back. A number of ongoing issues with my knees. There have been a few others. A plane nearly crashing–the gas masks coming down. A boat nearly going under during a storm. Three surgeries for Crohn’s disease. The point is it has been a struggle, at times, just to persevere.
And how long have you been writing? I have been writing around 25 years, but the first five years I did not work with any level of seriousness. There have been periods where I didn’t write at all, but, eventually, I always came back to it. Of late I’ve been trying to maintain a regular schedule.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? To be a writer/actor/filmmaker etc. To a certain extent, I achieved my dream. This is because in pretty much all the fields I’ve pursued I’ve had at least a few accomplishments. All that being said, I still feel I have a long way to go.
Who is your role model? Most of my role models are artists with an uncompromising yet powerful vision. Examples include Stanley Kubrick, Charles Bukowski, Phillip K. Dick, Emily Dickinson, William Blake and Salvador Dali.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperbacks. The presentation is generally the best. I also think the idea of a book as something really special and unique is lost when you read it on a Kindle.
What is your opinion of novellas? Novellas are a great form. I enjoy the unusual length very much. I also think it is a great way to develop characters, setting, and a compelling plot without dragging a story on endlessly. Finally, in the age of social media, where readers have very little free time, novellas make a whole lot of sense.
What is your favorite film based on a book? Barry Lyndon. It’s based on a Thackeray novel.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Satire/Humor.
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Stephen King’s “The Stand.” I have read many King books, but never actually got to “The Stand.” I’m looking forward to reading this classic.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I’m reading the book of a friend, David Voice, “The Can Man: My Five Cents Worth,” that I’m enjoying. Kindle format. I generally don’t read much on my Kindle, but, since this is a relatively short book, it made sense.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? My book is ‘Feast of Sapphires.’ It is a poetry collection that aims to be illuminating in a variety of ways. I take daily experiences, or interesting phrases, or magnetic ideas, and use them as a springboard for poetic exploration.
“Feast of Sapphires,” is a compendium of poems covering topics both timely and universal. There are poems of psychic revolution, poems on social media and gun control, poems about MRI’s, gambling, and mystical storms of all varieties; then, too, on a deeper level, more than a few of these poems are about the desire to surmount the collective facade in search of a kind of truth that cannot be hyperlinked.
Located from Costa Rica to the LIRR, this metaphysical cartography of anticipation and despair is perfect for those seeking answers in the bottom of the tea, in the resonance of a thunder storm, or, even, in the ethereal high of a linguistic flight of fancy. From comedic monologues to existential reflections, from angry rants to countercultural analysis, from wily narratives to verbal pyrotechnics, this is a book that strives, in new ways, to be illuminating… CONTINUE READING
Is the above book part of a series? No. That said, it is a follow-up to my first poetry book, “Butterflies Lost Within The Crooked Moonlight,” which did fairly well on Amazon.
This highly-accessible, dynamic collection offers existential ponderings, comic situations, poetic meditations on death, musical riffs, political commentary, striking imagery and more. The 45 poems in this collection represent a range of styles and subject matter. 18 of these poems were previously published in such journals as Antigonish Review, Grain Magazine, Arsenic Lobster, Dash, Spillway, The Charles Carter, Downtown Brooklyn, and many, many more. This debut collection of poetry from Matt Nagin is sure to, as the title suggests, comment on the way even the most delicate and majestic of us tend to be drawn, willy-nilly, towards the crooked moonlight.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?Julia Noel Goodman designed the cover. We reviewed the concept together and went through a number of iterations of it till we settled on one we thought best.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? I pick a bunch of different possible titles and go with what sounds best. I also ask friends/associates for input.
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I created a trailer for my first book, ‘Butterflies Lost Within The Crooked Moonlight.’ Watch it below:
Also, I have videos of readings of individual poems from ‘Feast of Sapphires,’ set to imagery. One of these, ‘Regret,’ is available below:
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantser or a plotter? I am a pantser. I go with what inspires me–allowing it to lead the way. Then I go back and edit. At times this editing is extensive. At others very little is required. It totally depends on the state of the first draft. I sometimes edit immediately after I complete the writing portion. At other times, I like to wait a few weeks till I return to the work, since I often can then see it much more clearly.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? The biggest challenge I’ve encountered with publishing is properly formatting poetry for Kindle on KDP…something that sounds easier than it is. The second biggest challenge is acquiring new readers in an oversaturated marketplace.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Not sure if I was ever specifically given this advice, but it is what I always tell others: keep at it! This is the key to success in any field, but particularly with writing a high level of self-discipline is required.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to have several other books published by then. Right now I have a humor book coming out in the next few months with an indie publisher, and, after that, I am looking to publish a short story collection. There are a few more books, as well, I’m at work on, so I am really hoping to get a lot of work out into the world soon.
Any last thoughts about your overall journey? It’s been a wild ride–these last few years–and I have really enjoyed expressing myself creatively and reaching out to others with my creative ideas. I’m also grateful to be doing something I’m passionate about, something that fills me with a sense of purpose. What can I say? I’m very lucky!
CALL TO ACTION: If you have questions for Matt that weren’t addressed in this interview, I invite you to comment below and he will respond here!
I’d like to welcome Author Hanna Abi Akl to my site.
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you!
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My name is Hanna Abi Akl. I stick to my original name when writing and don’t use a pen name.
Where do you call home? Paris, France.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? Reading, listening to music, and playing my guitar.
What is your greatest dream? To live in a small remote house by the beach and write quietly and peacefully.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? Losing my father when I was 13.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I was inspired by some great writers I had the chance of reading, most notably Charles Bukowski and John Fante. I felt they were talking to me through their books so many years after they were published and that’s what got me into writing. I’ve been writing seriously since college and published my first novel at 23.
What is your greatest fear? Failure.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperback or hard-covers. Anything in print.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? Factotum by Charles Bukowski.
What is your opinion of novellas? I’m all for them.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? “God is Dead” by Ron Currie Jr.
What is your favorite film based on a book? The Shawshank Redemption based on the work by Stephen King. Close seconds are Ask The Dust and Factotum.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Literary fiction. I especially enjoy dirty realism.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? “Slouching Toward Nirvana” by Charles Bukowski in paperback.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Charles Bukowski, John Fante, Charles Baudelaire and Ernest Hemingway. I think they each have their distorted view of reality they’d like to make us part of. Plus, they’re all good drinkers!
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? The book is titled “It’s a Big Big World”. The work is a novel. It’s the story of an up-and-coming writer trying to get published while having moved to another country. It deals with the themes of immigration, institutionalization, society, and love.
Is the above book part of a series? No.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? The cover was made to be simple and vague, just like the book title. It is based off a circle, which could easily be interpreted as a globe or the world. It was designed by a small subsidiary team of my publisher.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Classical music, mostly Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? I was aiming for something simple and that could reflect a feeling of overwhelming vastness at the same time.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? The protagonist is John Kaliba. He is a stubborn, opinionated, semi-alcoholic up-and-coming writer who has just published his first book.
What is your character’s greatest strengths? His passion for writing and his love for Diane.
And what are his/her greatest weaknesses? Stubbornness, alcohol problems, detachment, pride.
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has? His indomitable will to be different and stay true to himself. Not follow the herd.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I write in a concise, economical, lyrical style. My writing is a stream-of-consciousness so I prefer to sit down and write instead of outlining.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? The final judge of writing is the writer himself.
Nina Soden 