Tag Archives: Author Interview

Author Interview – Bearcina

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Beth - HeadshotWhat name do you write under and is it a pen name?
I write under the name Bearcina, and yes, it is a pen name.

What or who inspired you to start writing?
I think what really inspired me to start writing was reading terrible fan-fiction on websites such as Wattpad and FanFiction.Net

How long have you been writing?
I want to say I’ve been writing for at least five or six years now.

What is the name of your most recent story and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
The name of my most recent story is Years in a Blink, and I’d say that if I had to sum it up, it would be, “A sci-fi horror book about the strangest creatures finding their own home.”

Is the above story part of a series or anthology?
No, I didn’t plan on it being part of a series, but it is part of the anthology a Door to Our Minds which includes four other stories by authors who are all close friends of mine.

ADoor-Final - FRONT COVERHow did you come up with the cover design idea/concept?
I think, the cover design was inspired mostly by the concept of Artemia’s desk, having little antiques, such as their equivalent of a polaroid picture of her laboratory. 

BearcinaDid you listen to any particular songs while writing your story?
While writing Years in a Blink, I listened to a lot of noir jazz and swing, and in particular I listened to Blues For You by Gabriel Pares, and Swing Doors by Allan Gray.

How did you come up with the title for your story?
Honestly, it’s all I could think of that made sense with the point of view from the antagonist.

As a reader, do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?
I like reading paperback the most, but hardcover is just as nice. I don’t like e-books, and audio-book was just not appealing.

Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
I’ve read the Harry Potter series more often than I can count, and the Leviathan trilogy from Scott Westerfeld was always a good re-read. Other than those two series, I enjoy reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern every time I pick it up from the library.

Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Yes, I read ROOM by Emma Donoghue, and The Night Circus’ paperback cover.

What is your favorite film based on a book?
I think Coraline would have to be a favorite, since finding out there was a book along with the movie.

What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Sci-Fi.

What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Coraline by Niel Gaiman, the movie was a strong favorite and I want to read it. Along with that, I want the new Vampire the Masquerade sourcebook, currently that’s the 5th edition, for my collection of Vampire the Masquerade books.

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
As of writing this, I’m not reading anything, but I do have a few paperbacks I plan on reading.

If you could invite any four (4) authors (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
I would invite Scott Westerfeld, JK Rowling, Edgar Allan Poe, and possibly Shakespeare. It would be a mismatch of authors, but all of them are some of my favorite writers.

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
Don’t edit as you write, just write everything in your mind, and then go back and look at it.

What authors inspire you?
I feel like I’ve been very inspired by Scott Westerfeld. His books have been very influential to my writing style and genre.

Where can your readers follow you?
▪ Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/88362351-beth
▪ ArchiveOfOurOwn: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Bearcina
▪ Tumblr: Bearcina.Tumblr.com
▪ Instagram: @Bearcina

If you are interested in reading Years in a Blink and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released.

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Author Interview – Lilly Brown

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Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be introducing you to some amazing young adults who will be releasing a short story anthology in the next month or two.

Today, I am very excited to introduce you to Lilly Brown, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 7 months. She has been working hard to finish her short story, The Spark, which will be included in an anthology being publish within the next couple of months. I promise to keep you posted on the publication details as we have them.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to Lilly Brown, author of The Spark.

Lilly BookWhat name do you write under and is it a pen name?
I write under the name Lilly Brown and no it is not a pen name.

What or who inspired you to start writing?
I don’t really have a specific inspiration as much as I’ve just always wanted to write a book. However, another author and my former writing coach, Amanda Porter, was the one who gave me the opportunity to write.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing tiny little stories probably since I could write, but I’ve been seriously writing for about three and a half years.

What is the name of your most recent story and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
My latest story is call The Spark and I would describe it as a group of moody teens who don’t want to do what they’ve been told to do.

Is the above story part of a series or anthology?
It is in an anthology called a Door to Our Minds, which includes my story and four other stories. However, The Spark is also the first book in a series that I’m planning to continue with now that the anthology is getting ready to be published.
ADoor-Final - FRONT COVER

What or who inspired you to start writing?
I don’t really have a specific inspiration as much as I’ve just always wanted to write a book. However, another author and my former writing coach, Amanda Porter, was the one who gave me the opportunity to write.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing tiny little stories probably since I could write, but I’ve been seriously writing for about three and a half years.
The Spark - Lilly Brown
How did you come up with the cover design idea/concept?
The basic idea came from one of my favorite scenes in the book but my cover artist, Amanda Orneck took it and made it so much better.

Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your story?
I listened to a lot of Broadway soundtracks. I listened to many video game scores and plenty of Star Wars as well.

How did you come up with the title for your story?
My main character is firey and I like to think of this book as the beginning of the story so I thought “The Spark” was fitting.

As a reader, do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audio books?
Hardcovers all the way. I kind of hoard them but they’re just so beautiful that I can’t help it.

Have you ever read and book more than once? And if so what is it?
Yes I have read a book more than once–seven times, I’m pretty sure and it the Warriors Super Edition, Crookedstar’s Promise.

Have you ever read a book based on its cover?
No. I don’t trust covers alone. There have been so many times where I see a cool cover and then I read the blurb and it sounds super boring so I always double-check books.

What is your favorite film based on a book?
The Phantom of the Opera is definitely my favorite film based on a book, as well as musical.

What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Fantasy. It’s my favorite right now and I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t.

What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Bright Burns the Night by Sara B Larson is at the top right now. I found the first book in her series at a used bookstore and I loved everything about it, especially how she explained the lore of the fantasy world.

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I’m reading Part of Your World by Liz Braswell and it’s a hardcover.

If you could invite and four (4) authors (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
This may sound totally basic but the first would be J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is one of my favorite book series and I have always admired Rowling for the way she wove every part of each book together. The second would be Erin Hunter. Even though Erin Hunter is a pen name for the group of authors behind the Warriors, Survivors, and Seekers series, I’m still going to use them as my second author. I’d love to find out how they are able to write and publish so many books and keep every character and timeline in order. The third person I would invite is, Liz Braswell. She’s is one of the two authors of Disney’s Twisted Tales series and I admire her ability to take classic stories and rewrite them. The fourth author I would invite is Leigh Bardugo, the author of the Grisha Trilogy and Six of Crows Duology. I love the way she connected these two series and I really admired her world-building skills.

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
To not edit as I go. I would end up editing things out that I really liked but I would get rid of it because I thought I didn’t need it. I finally learned to let my editor edit.

What authors inspire you?
The list is very long but I’ll cut it down to just a few. Obviously, the four I would invite to a dinner party inspire me. Also on this list is: Kendare Blake, Ashley Chappell, Stephanie Garber, Marissa Meyer, Amanda Porter, Nina Soden and Tui T. Sutherland.

If you are interested in reading The Spark and purchasing your own copy of a Door to Our Minds, fill out the information form below and I’ll be sure to email you more information as soon as the anthology is released. 

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Author Interview – Jared Barlament

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Every now and then, I have the pleasure of welcoming another indie-author to my blog as a guest. Today, I am excited to introduce all of my readers to Jared Barlament, author of The Agony of an Age.

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  • What is your name and where do you call home? My name is Jared Barlament, and I reside in the midwestern United States.
  • Do you have a pen name? I like to fashion my name as J. W. Barlament, because J. W. just sounds so much more formal and classical than Jared does. I don’t bother with any pseudonyms, though, because I don’t see the need for me to hide my identity like a secretive superhero.
  • 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 title of my most recent book is The Agony of an Age. It’s an immense fantasy saga that tells three interwoven tales of power, warfare and incessant torment.
  • Is the above book part of a series? Indeed it is. The first book in the series, The Plight of a People, was published on October 16th of 2017. The aforementioned successor is coming this October 16th of this year, and I hope to have the final novel out on October 16th of next year.
  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I’m still making my way through high school, so I haven’t had as much time to develop my craft as others. I’ve been writing creatively for as long as I’ve been able to, though. Ever since early childhood, I have always been able to feel a thunderous need within me to write down the ideas inside my mind.

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How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? Originally, my covers were going to be far more elaborate, but I was wary of hiring anyone. My sister, who is excellent at that sort of thing, volunteered to do the first book’s cover. She wasn’t entirely reliable, though, so my girlfriend ended up teaching herself Photoshop just to make my covers for me. If that isn’t dedication, I’m not sure what is.

 

 

  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Typically, I listen to classic rock or jazz, but writing has made me appreciate classical music so much more than I used to. Nowadays, I listen to a wide variety of classical while I write, but Tchaikovsky and Holst have always been my favorites.
  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? My first book’s title was its working title for a long time, and I figured it was unique enough to keep. Turns out, people weren’t fans of it, so I attempted to make the second book’s title much snappier within the same format.
  • Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? As much as I would love to display great armies of men, beasts and deities battling to the death, I’m not quite that good with a computer.
  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? For reading, I definitely prefer hardcovers. They have a more classic vibe to them, and they’re certainly much less flimsy than a paperback. I tend to zone out on audiobooks, and my eyes just can’t take the monotonous screen gazing necessary for an e-book.
  • Are you a self-published/Indie author? That I am. I attempted to get into the traditional industry for my first book, but I quickly found it to be a soul-sucking process. Thus, I chose to go my own way.
  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? In addition to the reason listed above, I also enjoy the freedom of it all. I get to choose how much I make off of each book. I decide how to edit. I decide what the cover will look like. It’s certainly a big bonus to have that kind of creative control.
  • Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? I read The Art of War a few times before realizing that I would be reading it and forgetting its material until death if I didn’t take notes. Since then, I have taken notes on the content and notable quotes of every book I read. Hopefully, this will prevent me from having to read anything else a second time.
  • What is your opinion of novellas? They aren’t my cup of tea, but to each their own.
  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? I can’t say that I have. I have picked up books based on their covers, but I always read the back cover and take a peek inside before I decide to buy.
  • What is your favorite film based on a book? Without a doubt, Jaws. Very few films are even as good as the books they’re based off of. However, the film version of Jaws is vastly superior to its literary counterpart. There’s a reason barely anyone knows it was originally a book anymore.
  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Classic literature, hands down. There’s just something so aesthetic and downright magnetic about reading a story written in a faint period of the distant past.
  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? I don’t have a wish list at the moment, because I have a massive pile of books on my nightstand waiting to be read. Thus, I have sworn to hold off on getting any others until those are done.
  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I just began The Divine Comedy in a beautifully decorated hardcover format.
  • 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 much for today’s celebrities, but there are plenty of historical figures I would love to have for dinner. A grouping of Baruch Spinoza, David Hume, Carl Jung and Friedrich Nietzche would certainly make for an interesting discussion.
  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Self-discipline is key. Anyone can begin to write a book, but very few people can ever finish one. Being overly harsh on yourself will do no good, though. The goal is to keep your mind under your control and prevent it from being seized by distractions.
  • Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing? You know, I never realized how much my life revolves around those two activities until I came across this question. I do enjoy taking spontaneous walks in nature, as well as biking, drumming, and map-making.
  • Where can your readers follow you? I do believe that’s what the links below are for. I would especially recommend checking out my website. It is there that I post a whole host of intriguing articles on political, philosophical, spiritual and societal topics.
    Blog: https://jwbarlament.wixsite.com/anindividualmind
    Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17243214.J_W_Barlament
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/anindivmind
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/J.-W.-Barlament/e/B076J36J31/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Do you have questions for Jared? Comment below so he can answer all your questions. If you’re an author and would like to be interviewed, check out the author interview submission here! 

Author Interview – TM Blayte

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Being an indie-author is hard… amazing, exciting, and so much fun, but it is HARD!!! Getting your book in the hands of readers is often draining. So, for that reason and because I believe that we indie-authors need to help each other out, I welcome all authors to my blog as guests.

Front Cover

Therefore, I’d like to welcome TM Blayte, author of Until We Are Free, to my site.

  1. What is your name and where do you call home? My name is TM Blayte. I call Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa home.
  2. Do you have a pen name? Yes. TM Blayte is my pen name.
  3. 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? Until We Are Free. It is about a teenage rebel, working against his organization’s enemies, and against his own organization, which is led by his father.
  4. Is the above book part of a series? Yes. It is the first in a planned trilogy.
  5. What or who inspired you to start writing? I liked history in school. Using stuff we were taught about colonial Africa, the Vietnam war, and the French revolution, I was inspired to add revolution elements to a mandarin vampire story. And then remove the vampires.
  6. How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing since before I was sixteen.
  7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? I’m published by a small press. Their department took care of everything cover related.
  8. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? No. I like working in silence.
  9. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? The original title was Revolution Until We Are Free. It felt appropriate, because an overall theme of the trilogy is we are never truly free. So any successful revolution actually never ends. After I signed my book with Alban Lake Publishing, the editor suggested changing the name to Until We Are Free.
  10. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Whenever I can get my hands on them, I love audio books. They don’t come cheap, so I mostly read e-books.
  11. Are you a self-published/Indie author? I am published with a small press, Alban Lake Publishing. No agent.
  12.  Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? Yes! I read all the Harry Potter books over and over again, until I knew the chapter names of all seven books. I’ve also read Frost Bite by Richelle Mead a couple of times. However, as I’ve had more to spend on books in the past year, I almost never repeat books anymore.
  13. What is your opinion of novellas? Awesome. I love reading and writing them. I think they are perfect. As a university student, I usually want something I can start and finish on a Saturday. In comes this wonderful literary invention.
  14. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Never. Ever. Ever.
  15. What is your favorite film based on a book? I would have to say Game of Thrones. It is a show a reader can appreciate, but the film guys take artistic license as well. It has the perfect balance.
  16. What is your favorite book genre at the moment? That is a tough question. Very tough. But let’s go with Fantasy.
  17. What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha, #1) by Tomi Adeyemi, and The Fallen by David Baldacci. The first two, because they are what everyone is talking about in YA circles. The Fallen, because I am a longtime Baldacci fan.
  18. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? Thirteen Hours by Deon Meyer. I’m listening to the audio version.
  19. If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Lecrae. He is my favorite rapper. Celine Dion, she has the best vocals in the game. J.K. Rowling, come on, who wouldn’t? Beyoncé, it’s not what you’re thinking. I used to be a rapper in my teenage years. I simply want to pass on one of my old demos, so she can pass them onto J.
  20. What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Wait. The business is subjective.
  21. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing? Yep. I enjoy listening to good music. Genre doesn’t matter, as long as it is good. I also love binge watching series. My favorites are the Blacklist, The Big Bang Theory, Bosch, and Game of Thrones.
  22. Where can your readers follow you?

■ Blog: https://www.tmblaytespeaks.wordpress.com
■ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tmblayte
■ To purchase a copy of Until We Are Free: https://www.infiniterealmsbookstore.com/product-page/until-we-are-free-by-tm-blayte
■ Newsletter: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDnT36u5d62e0CwQhWLyW2NAjL5NE6UvLnBZPD_qlXCeOiqg/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link

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Front CoverUntil We Are Free

If sixteen-year-old human, Nyl Jayms fails to kidnap the Elder Princess, in order to force her brother, the king, to negotiate with humans, the only other option is a war that could lead to the annihilation of one or both races. It has been nearly six hundred years since the war of the gods, and humans are still second class citizens, in what the characters believe to be the last shred of civilized earth. The Riders, a group of human rebels now have enough resources to stage a full-scale war, but want to try negotiations to spare human lives. Why then, does it seem some council members, including Nyl’s dad, want a war, and will do anything to disrupt negotiations? 

Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing!

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE NEXT BIG THING

(When you post this interview on your blog, don’t forget to substitute your book image and answers for mine.)

Awaken - Cover Beginnings_-_Cover Revenge_-_ResizeCover Sector C Book 1 Front 3.25.15

* What is the title of your book(s) (or story/stories)?

My Blood Angel series books are titled: Awaken (book 1), Beginnings (book 2), and Revenge (book 3)

My SECTOR C Series books are titled: The Chosen (book 2) and The Hunted (book 2 – coming soon)

* Where did the idea come from for these books?

I have always loved the supernatural/paranormal stories. I’m a huge fan of horror films that include vampires, witches, shapeshifters, zombies, and anything out of the realm of normal possibilities. Because of that, my writing doesn’t sway too far from the supernatural and paranormal.

The Blood Angel Series takes place in Atlanta, Michigan, a small town in the northern part of the lower peninsula, where I spent most of my summers as a child. I have always had a very active imagination and spending so much time camping and being outdoors I think my childhood plays a big part in how I write.

* What genre do your books fall under?

Young Adult Supernatural/Paranormal Fiction

* What is the one to two-sentence synopsis of your book(s)?

  • Awaken: What if everything you thought you knew about yourself and the world turned out to be wrong?
  • Beginnings: Would you give up everything and everyone you knew in life, just to survive your destiny? What if you didn’t have a choice?
  • Revenge:  Dying in her father’s arms only to awaken in a pool of blood, surrounded by the mutilated corpses of those she loved most, who could blame Alee for what she did next? Wouldn’t you seek REVENGE?
  • SECTOR C ~ The Chosen: When your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?

* Will your book(s) be self-published or represented by an agency? I self-published all of my books through Create Space (paperbacks) and BookTango (eBooks).

I self-published all of my books through Create Space (paperbacks) and BookTango (eBooks).

* How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first book in the Blood Angel Series, Awaken, took about one and a half years from start to finish (published). The others came a bit more quickly, but I have published one book per year since 2012 when Awaken was published.

The first book in the SECTOR C Series, The Chosen, took one month to write the first draft, but from start to finish (published) it took five months. I am working on book 2, The Hunted, right now, and I am about 22 chapters in writing my first draft.

* What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

With the Blood Angel Series I would say; The Vampire Diaries, the House of Night Series, the Morganville Vampires Series, and other YA supernatural books.

With the SECTOR C Series I think a quote from one of the reviews I received says it best: “Think of a recipe that has a dash of Hunger Games, a pinch of Mystic Falls and a splash of Divergent. Then mix it all thoroughly with Nina’s flair of the supernatural and you have a great novel called Sector C.”

* Who or what inspired you to start writing?

I started writing poetry when I was pretty young. Then, as I got older (college and after) I started acting. The idea of becoming different characters, be it through theatre or film, helped to expand my writing from just poetry into screenplays. After I had left Los Angeles, I began writing short stories and then novels.

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Don’t forget to add at least five more authors to the network by linking to them on your blog.

You can contact me at BloodAngelSeries@gmail.com.

Good luck with your marketing!

 

Author Interview – Jonas Lee

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I am very excited to welcome Jonas Lee, Author of A Time to Reap, to my blog. I have to say I fell in love with this book from the moment I opened it. The story sucks you in and has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Before I give away to much, let me introduce Jonas…

 

1. What is your name and where do you call home?

  • My name is Jonas and I reside in the temperate climate of Rapid City, SD (South Dakota, not San Diego like most people think)


2. Do you have a pen name?

  • I go by Jonas Lee instead of my actual last name. I’m not trying to hide or fool anyone with it. Just my last name is more of a mumble when putting it all together and Lee is already my middle name. So there it is.


3. 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?

  • A Time to Live is my most recent book, set to release February 12, 2015. Twenty or fewer words: A teenager who can time travel, teleport and has a knack for sarcasm goes up against terrorists with similar abilities. (<— This was super hard)


4. Is the above book part of a series?

  • It is, The Legend of Carter Gabel series. The above is the second novel, the first, A Time to Reap is already available.


5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

  • I can’t really say that anyone inspired me other than myself. I just loved putting words to thoughts and entertaining people with stories. My mom was my very first fan though, so she encourage my writing to grow. I’ve been writing things since I was at least 9, but publishing only since July of 2014.


6. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

  • I tried to keep a steady imagery of time throughout the series, so with the help of my cover artist Amanda Simpson at Pixel Mischief Design, we played around with various concepts. The newest cover was cool to me because it shows more timepieces signifying the additional characters being brought into the mix.


7. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

  • I usually listen to something melodic and dubstep. This is to keep my mind energized and also not have to focus on words or much more than the emotion the notes bring.


8. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

  • I originally titled it The Time Traveler’s Grandchild (it started off as a fan fiction piece from The Time Traveler’s Wife). To stand apart from that, since the story in no way follows that wonderful book, I played with various time elements. I landed on a song by The Byrds called Turn, Turn, Turn and in it was a lot time references and I focused on the few that made the most sense for me and the story. Needless to say, I could make a lot of stories based off those lyrics alone.


9. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

  • For me, I love having an ebook and a hard cover close by. I love books and I think that covers are art, so I love displaying the good ones. Ebooks are just so easy to have a small library at my disposal though.


10. Are you a self-published/Indie author?

  • Indie through and through so far. Always opened to finding a Literary Agent though 😉


11. If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

  • Being an Indie is liberating and a very educational experience. I have more freedom with my work and know that I can rely on myself to get what I need to done. The down side is that I’m in a sea of other author (some great, some not so) and we’re all trying to find our way onto that lifeboat that will help us shine nationally.


12. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

  • I have read a couple of books more than once. Lord of the Flies was my first one, but The Thief of Always was truly fun to go through again. I also want to dive into the Left Behind series again once I find my way into a plethora of free time.


13. What is your opinion of novellas?

  • I think novellas have their place. All writing has a place from the epic to the poem. Novellas help me think I’ve read a lot more than normal, so it’s kind of a motivational boost.


14. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

  • I have and I can’t say I was thrilled or really disappointed. Mainly, someone did their job well enough to make me buy it.


15. What is your favorite film based on a book?

  • The Green Mile is one of those books (more of a short story turned novella really) that I think turned out wonderfully on the screen.


16. What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

  • Currently, I love the paranormal. Supernatural is never far behind that. I should probably read more YA Sci-Fi, but hey, I think of that stuff all the time. Daddy needs a break.


17. What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

  • Take Me Tomorrow by Shannon A Thompson is one. She’s an author I’ve followed since I started blogging and it seemed like an interesting read. The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg looks interesting with the magic elements he is working. Spin by Robert Charles Wilson was recommended to me and after reading the blurb, thought it belonged in my collection.


18. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

  •  I’m reading three books right now

a) Revenge by yours truly, Nina Soden. I have it in .pdf ARC format and I look forward to buying physical copies one day and having her sign them for me.
b) Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake on my Kindle
c) The Former Hero by Jeffrey Allen Mays in paperback


19. If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

  • Morgan Freeman because he has the coolest voice ever and talking with him would be fun in itself.
  • Stephen King – he’s a legend in the biz and I think we could get some pretty interesting thoughts firing off together
  • Heath Ledger – a great actor who was taken out in his prime, a cool guy from what I’ve read and I think he’d round out the party
  • Bruce Lee – Another monumental figure in this world that I think was gone too soon. His thinking, teachings and philosophy was very pure and I’d have to have him give a nunchuk demonstration


20. What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

  • Don’t stop writing and reading. Simple. True. Every page read or wrote gets me further and I can only think it would help others finding their own voice too.


21. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?

  • I love going on walks, hiking. I enjoy art and plays. I help coach teenage girls softball and all the crazy things those girls think up.


    Where can your readers follow you?

    Blog: http://jonasleeblog.com 
    Facebook: http://facebook.com/jonasleeauthor 
    Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8417690.Jonas_Lee
    Twitter: @AuthorJonasLee
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jonas-lee/95/b42/7a9 
    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jonas-Lee/e/B00M9EV6EO

 

Author Bio:

Jonas Lee is an author making his way from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Living in the ever-changing climate with his wife and daughter, he likes to keep his mind occupied with stories that entertain and provoke thought. A child of the 80’s, his imagination has always been rampant as thoughts of time travel, other dimensions, religion and the fight of good versus evil has always been prevalent in his stories.

A Time to Reap:

Pemberton Academy is not just a school, it’s a gathering place for the children of the future that are afflicted with Temporal Displacement and Telepathy; in short, time travelers and mind readers who have been diagnosed with this “disease.” The Academy is not all as it seems after an explosion nearly takes one of its classmates, but not before Carter Gabel rescues her by using an unknown symptom related to his described illness. An unsanctioned group called the Program begins taking notice as the two classmates exhibit stronger abilities when they are together. Carter’s sense of reality begins to unwind as he learns more about his estranged father’s involvement with it all.

Carter will have to overcome the past of his father leaving, the present of an unknown adversary hunting him down and a future that seems to change with each decision he makes. He will have to learn who to trust out of the people in his life if he wants to conquer the looming notion that the government may be hunting him down because of his developing abilities.

A Time to Live:

Carter Gabel had to overcome a lot in the last year, and time travel as a side effect of his “genetic disease” was only the beginning. He’s lost his mother, reunited with his estranged father, crippled a city and destroyed his school. If he thought he could fade into the sunset, Carter has another thing coming.

A terrorist group known as Pirates has infiltrated his hometown to overthrow the Program designed to monitor those with potentially harmful abilities. Carter is a teenager, but he’s forced back into the mix as his grandson, David, has been put into a coma. He will have to try and stay out of sight as much as possible and work with new Eventuals along the way in order to stop the Pirates from turning Lincoln Square into a ghost town.

Author Interview – Lorene Stunson Hill

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Please give a warm welcome to Lorene Stunson Hill, author of

To Dance with Ugly People

Back Book Cover Image #2

  • What is your name and where do you call home?  Lorene Stunson Hill.  I live in Lake Helen, Florida.

 

  • Do you have a pen name? No, but considered using Amethyst (My birthstone).

 

  • 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?  To Dance with Ugly People – The good is sensitively written. The bad is the reality of life.  The ugly we hope will never happen.

 

  • Is the above book part of a series?  The first of a series

 

  • What or who inspired you to start writing? Maya Angelou was my inspiration to write and so was Life.  I coped very often with bad things by imaging the situation on a written page.  And how long have you been writing?  I am 64 and have been writing since I was 14.  It took me 50 years to be brave enough to release my first book.

 

  • How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?  A fellow Indie Author who is a friend found that cover for me.  He is launching his own Indie business called Lock Publishing.

Senior African American couple holding hands

  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? No

 

  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?  I met an older and wise woman 30 years ago whose clever way of telling me to live right and be careful was, “Don’t Dance with Ugly People.”  My title “To Dance with Ugly People,” reflects that my protagonist did not follow her advise.

 

  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?  Hard Covers and Paperbacks

 

  • Are you a self-published/Indie author?  Yes

 

  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?  I couldn’t seem to write a Query letter that draws an Agents attention

 

  • Have you ever read a book more than once?  Yes And if so what was it? “The Color Purple”

 

  • What is your opinion of novellas?  Go for it!  Many famous novellas exist.  Look at “The Bridges of Madison County” Wish I wrote it!

 

  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? No

 

  • What is your favorite film based on a book?  Back to “The Color Purple”

 

  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment?  Suspense

 

  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? I don’t currently have a wish list because I am so busy promoting my book  

 

  • What book are you reading at the moment? “A Day Late and A Dollar Short” And in what format?   As a   Paperback

 

  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?  1. Maya Angelou 2. Barack Obama 3. Michelle Obama 4. Oprah Winfrey – I would want to pluck as much “Wisdom” from their brains as I could.  They all are “deep” individuals

 

  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?  To stop writing like I am afraid someone would find out something about me.  To write well, I can only write what I know, stop being a coward and go for it.

 

  • Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?  I like to build and decorate dollhouses using kits.

 

  • Where can your readers follow you?

Blog:  http://uglypeoplecantdance.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/i-love-hot-topics-lets-discuss-ugly-people-hot-topics/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Todancewithuglypeople?ref=hl

Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8029610.Lorene_Stunson_Hill

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Hill008

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=93757467&trk=nav_

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Ugly-People-Lorene-Hill-ebook/dp/B00KY5136G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403402157&sr=8-1&keywords=lorene+stunson+hill

Other:  http://todancewithuglypeople.weebly.com

http://www.lockpublishing.com/lorene.html

http://lorenehill63.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/provocative-author/

http://about.me/lorenehill63

Google+ https://plus.google.com/107187301810139277284/posts

http://uglypeoplecantdance.wordpress.com/

 

Thank you Lorene for sharing your story with us and giving us a small peek into your writing world.

 

Author Interview – Ashlee North

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Today I would like to thank the beautiful and talented Ashlee North for joining me and sharing some of her experiences as an author living on the sunny coast in Australia.

me

  • What is your name and where do you call home?

My real name is Leeanne Asher-Northey and I live in Surfers Paradise on the Sunny Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia

  • Do you have a pen name?

Yes, I write under the name Ashlee North – see my books at http://ashleenorthauthor.com/

  • 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 “Kiss Me, Love Me, Kill Me!” and it is just about to be released. It is a Roller Coaster Ride of Excitement; Intrigue, Murder, Suspense, Mystery and Romance; for all ages – teen to adult.

  • Is the above book part of a series?

no

  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I have always loved writing, reading and creating and public speaking. When I was a teenager I wanted to become a journalist. My writing has turned fiction, and I adore it. I think I’ve been an author forever.

  • How did you come up with the cover of your current book and those of your previous books? Who designed the cover(s) of your book(s)?

My covers are from pictures in my head, which I then find from stock photos and Wendy at SBPRA does a beautiful job of my covers for me… We collaberate and make something wonderful every time.

my books (1)

 

ANorth5 Book The Chronicling of Ilithia (1) ANorth4 Book

 

  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

I love music. I write songs, I sing… I love it… but I can’t think of any particular ones that influenced my books, sorry.

  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

My titles are reflections of the writing inside the books – something catchy helps – There’s ‘Circling Carousels’ which has good alliteration – “Wake me up so I can Dream” which is intriguing and makes you wonder – “Because of the Secret” which you just have to find out about, because it’s a secret – “The Storm that Brews Within” which sounds a bit creepy and it is. “The Chronicling of Ilithia” is supposed to sound old world and like a saga, because it’s a fantasy book full of action, intrigue and an evil king in a beautiful fairy kingdom. – “Kiss Me, Love Me, Kill Me!” is catchy and shows that there will be a lot of different emotions and something to get your teeth into – it has just about everything in it!

  • Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?

I have a book trailer for five of my seven books: I’ll list some of them for you…

“Because of the Secret” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXu3cozPbCU

“Wake me up so I can Dream” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVCLlaaOxzA

“Circling Carousels” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwqeX6zurP4

“The Storm that Brews Within” on youtube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVgj_WgROs0
‎

  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

I suppose I love e-books and paperbacks the best. E-books are so very popular now and paperbacks are really flexible –  easy to hold and read – and they can have such lovely covers.

  • Are you a self-published/Indie author?

Yes, I use SBPRA – Strategic Books – for my self publishing – I suppose we sort of share the load.

  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I would like both actually. I like the freedom of being an Indie Author, but I would still love to be Traditionally Published too! The journey of self-publishing has been wonderful! I’ve learned so much and marketing is awesome and a massive learning curve – Social Media is so huge and fantastic!

  • Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Yes, a few actually, but one comes to mind – The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

  • What is your opinion of novellas?

I think the idea of sitting and reading a shorter book, full of wonderful storyline, in a shorter time is great. Some of my earlier books were around 35,000 words, so they were shorter, and I applaud novellas, and longer books too.

  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

Yes, in fact I think attractive covers draw people in tremendously. Often a beautiful cover will be the first reason and then the words on the back of the book second. Have a look at my latest. I love it…

  •  What is your favorite film based on a book?

Good question. Sometimes films based on books have different endings and so they can be very different experiences. I liked “The Host” by Stephanie Myer. I think in the short amount of time they were given to portray a long and very detailed book, that they did a pretty good job… I still liked the book better though J

  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Fantasy

  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

“The Book Thief “by Markus Zusack and Janet Evanovich’s “Top Secret 21”.  “The Book Thief” I saw as a movie and I wondered at the detail that may be even more wonderful in the book and “Top Secret 21”, because I’ve been reading Janet Evanovich’s books for years and I just have to read each one.

  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’m re-reading a book by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen called “Conquering all Obstacles” in e-book format.

  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Jon Bon Jovi (because his music and personality are both so brilliant, caring and wonderful), Richard Gere (because I think he is the most handsome man alive – don’t tell my husband), Barry Gibb from The Bee Gees (because he’s the only Bee Gee left and it’s sad that his family are all gone, and because I appreciate the range of his voice) and Hugh Laurie who played Doctor Gregory House on House MD the television series. (because he’s an amazing character actor, an awesome musician, and he is and he is really talented. I would love to get inside his mind, especially as the character Greg House).

  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Be yourself. (this applies to the whole of life, of course) Absolutely, try different genres, but don’t try to write like someone else, or write a certain genre because it’s popular. Writing what you enjoy will always produce better results.

  • Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I love the beach. We are blessed to live on the ocean front with a gorgeous view, which I couldn’t live without. I also love watching movies and tv series, going for walks and romantic times with my husband.

  • Where can your readers follow you?

The best place is my website http://ashleenorthauthor.com/

But they can also find me here:

 ANorth3 ANorth2 ANorth1

Author Interview – Garry Abbott

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I would like to welcome Mr. Garry Abbott to my blog today and thank him for sharing his insite into being an author with us. He is the author of The Dimension Scales and Other Stories now available on Amazon!

Garry Abbott

  1. What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Garry Abbott, and my home is in Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, UK.

  1. 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 Dimension Scales and Other Stories.’  (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JW1KMUG)

Short stories based around themes of malevolent, secret authorities, metamorphosis, survival and projections of contemporary fears into near-future realities.

  1. Is the above book part of a series?

No. It is a self-contained collection, though there is always the chance that one of the most popular stories may be extended into a longer work.

  1. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

Reading made me start writing! Especially Tolkien, although I moved away from trying to write Fantasy as I got older and discovered Science Fiction authors, especially North American authors like Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick. I also love Roald Dahl’s adult short stories, and they inspired me to try to get the most out of the short format. I’ve been writing since I was 9 or 10 – I won an award for writing at primary school, so I think I must have been inspired by that in part!

  1. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

My cover was designed by a friend and fantastic illustrator/creative Nicola Winstanley. She worked through a few ideas based on the themes of the book and together we settled on the best ones (though I wasn’t much help because I liked them all!).

DimensionScales_Abbott_apple

  1. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

No. I can’t listen to music and work unfortunately. I’m also a musician so it puts me in the wrong head-space to concentrate.

  1. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

The title is based on the title story that binds all the others together (The Dimension Scales). It just seemed to make sense when I considered the collection as a whole.

  1. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

Different formats for different situations! I don’t see why they can’t all live side by side happily, and I think that’s how it will turn out when the dust has settled.

  1. Are you a self-published/Indie author?

I am self-published, but I am part of the Trident Media Group’s ‘ebook programme’ which means the book is represented by an agent and they have helped with formatting, sales and marketing to a degree. It’s been good to have a team on board, even though I’ve never met them face to face because they are based in New York!

      10.  If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

I was happy to try all routes, but with self-publishing as a backup. However, when Trident offered to put me on the programme, I decided that would be a good place to start. I hope in the future to have the option of the different outlets available for different titles.

       11.  Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I’ve read Lord of the Rings about a dozen times! But other than that, and The Hobbit, no, not as I can remember. I’ve probably read a few Dahl short stories more than once.

       12. What is your opinion of novellas?

As long as it suits the length of the story, what’s the problem? A story should be as long as it needs to be, and if that means it comes in as a novella, I would prefer a shorter volume than a padded out, dawdling novel.

      13. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

No! I don’t access books that way. I go off recommendation.

     14. What is your favorite film based on a book?

That’s a hard one! There are so many. Maybe Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, just because it is so audacious that it needed someone like Terry Gilliam to make it!

     15. What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Speculative fiction.

     16. What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

Agatha Christie! I want to read some light crime fiction because I’ve just finished studying philosophy for a degree, and I’m told they are quick fun reads. Not my usual genre choice, but just want a break from heavy texts for a while!

     17. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’ve been very slowly reading ‘Roald Dahl’s Ghost Stories’ in paperback. The stories aren’t by Dahl himself, they are a collection he compiled of the best in the genre. But because of studying, it’s taking me a while.

     18. What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Show don’t tell.

     19. Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

I’m also a musician, both professionally as a composer and as a hobby. I sing and play guitar in an original band. I also keep an allotment and have a bit of an obsession with board games!

     20. Where can your readers follow you?

 

Thank you so much Garry for letting us have a small peek into your writing world. If anyone has questions for Garry, please post them below and he will answer them as quickly as possible.

Author Interview – Wendy VanHatten

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Wendy

Author Wendy VanHatten

What is your name and where do you call home? Wendy VanHatten; Vacaville, CA

Do you have a pen name? no

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? Champagne Lies; From dead bodies to stolen jewels…can it get any worse?

Is the above book part of a series? No

What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? I started writing travel journals at a young age. That morphed into becoming an internationally published travel writer for magazines…then books. My dad always encouraged me to write.

How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? This was a collaboration between my interior designer for the book and me; Ginger Marks did the cover

Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? Not really

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? Again, a collaboration between my editor, someone who reviewed my manuscript, Ginger, and me

Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it? No but I do have a blog book tour. The link is http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/10/09/virtual-book-tour-pump-up-your-book-presents-champagne-lies-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? I still prefer paperbacks

Are you a self-published/Indie author? I have a few books including a series of children’s books that are self-published

If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I believe it was easier for the books I wanted to publish

Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it? I read many books more than once. Some are fiction and some are non-fiction.

What is your opinion of novellas? They definitely have their place and I encourage people to write them

Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Yes

What is your favorite film based on a book? Gone With the Wind

What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Mystery

What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Mostly travel and cookbooks lately! Relish by Daphne Oz, The Chew cookbook, Speaking Italian

What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts in hardback (it was loaned to me!)

If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? John Wayne…just because; Mario Batali…I love his cooking; Julia Childs…love everything about her; Brad Pitt…just because

What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Keep writing and never give up on myself

Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing? Traveling, cooking, wine tasting and learning more about wines

Where can your readers follow you?

www.wendyvanhatten.com; www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com; www.crazygirlscookies.com; www.forkscorksandbrews.com;

Blog: www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wendyvanhatten

Goodreads author page: www.goodreads.com/wendyvanhatten

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyVH

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wendy-vanhatten/3/25b/297

Amazon: http://astore.amazon.com/wenvan-20

 

I would like to thank Wendy for giving us her time and for sharing her thoughts on being a writer and a reader.

If you enjoyed this interview, please check out Wendy’s links above.