Tell us about yourself.:
I am a 29-year-old writer from Bakersfield, California. I grew up in a military family. I was born in Virginia and lived in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii, California, and New York. I graduated high school in 2010 in El Centro, California and graduated from California State University Bakersfield in 2014 with a degree in English Language and Literature. I was a substitute teacher from 2015 to 2018 and I currently work as a security guard, primarily for the extension campus of University of California, San Diego.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in the mainly in the states of Virginia, New York, and California. I was in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Hawaii but I was under the age of ten when I was there and have vague memories of those places. I would say that how those places influenced me was through the very dramatic situations that I would go through like the racism that I dealt with living in a small town in upstate New York where they rarely see people of color outside of military families. There were always dangerous situations and life experiences that I had in those places like seeing old friends deep in drug addictions and money issues.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if this is unusual but for me, what I like to do after I write a chapter or write something special, I take a break and play a video game for an hour or two. What it does for me is help me rejuvenate my brain so that I can think more clearly and concentrate on writing when I get back to it.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in the mainly in the states of Virginia, New York, and California. I was in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Hawaii but I was under the age of ten when I was there and have vague memories of those places. I would say that how those places influenced me was through the very dramatic situations that I would go through like the racism that I dealt with living in a small town in upstate New York where they rarely see people of color outside of military families. There were always dangerous situations and life experiences that I had in those places like seeing old friends deep in drug addictions and money issues.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The same thing that they told me which was to take my time and do things right. There shouldn't be any rush to get your book done quickly. You should make sure that everything is done correctly more than quickly.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Nicolas Smith

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Tell us about yourself.:
I am a communications professional who has worked for daily newspapers, associations, and corporations. I retired early to try my hand at creative writing. It was sort of a bucket list thing. Back in college I dropped out of a creative writing course because the professor was so critical of my work. Instead, I had a successful career in journalism. After retirement, I wanted to go back and prove I could be successful at creative writing, too. I’ve written four novels, three of which have already been published.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I’m originally from upstate South Carolina, but I don’t think that location influenced my writing as much as other places I’ve lived, including South Florida, the setting for my newest book, Grayer than Grey. San Francisco, where I lived for 12 years, is the location for first novel, SEX is nothing more than a game of tennis. I currently live in Atlanta where my second novel, Our Last Shot, family business at Peckerwood, takes place.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m most productive when I’m exercising. (I have to develop an idea in my mind before sitting down at the computer.) Perhaps exercise gets the blood flowing to my brain, but exercising is where I get my best ideas and where I’m able to work out any problems I’m having with scenes or characters. Sometimes taking a shower also works.

What authors have influenced you?
I’m originally from upstate South Carolina, but I don’t think that location influenced my writing as much as other places I’ve lived, including South Florida, the setting for my newest book, Grayer than Grey. San Francisco, where I lived for 12 years, is the location for first novel, SEX is nothing more than a game of tennis. I currently live in Atlanta where my second novel, Our Last Shot, family business at Peckerwood, takes place.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
READ! READ! READ! See how other authors handle situations, especially in novels like what you want to write. How they handle conflict, build suspense, develop characters. If you aren’t reading, you’ll never be a good writer.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Bob Keaton

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Tell us about yourself.:
C. M. Santoro is excited to share her writing journey with you. She writes romance, suspense, and thrillers. Her first book, His Deadly Betrayal: A Shattered Marriage, is the first book in its series. Her background includes being a teacher’s assistant, a PCA, and a mentor for middle school students that need academic support. She’s also an advocate for breast cancer awareness. She lives in a rural town in south-central Pennsylvania with her husband, three daughters, and 3 fur babies. When she’s not writing, she's supporting her special needs daughter—writing, taking walks and mentoring all her favorite hobbies.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small south-central Pennsylvania town. I think the way I was raised influenced me more than the town itself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write my stories in chunks. If my characters tell me about a certain place or scene, I write it down. Then I piece things back together.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small south-central Pennsylvania town. I think the way I was raised influenced me more than the town itself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don't worry about being a “perfect” writer. Do what works for you. Enjoy the process. Remember, you grow in your writing the more you write.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: C.M. Santoro

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Tell us about yourself.:
I'm the author of the Linus Schag, NCIS, thrillers, the Peter Brandt thrillers, DUTY: Suspense and Mystery Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, EDEN: A Sci-Fi Novella, the milscifi novel Polar Melt. My latest Linus Schag thriller, The Butcher's Bill, received the Best Mystery/Suspense Novel of 2017 from the Best Independent Book Awards, the Clue Award for Best Suspense Thriller, the Silver Medal for Thrillers from the Readers Favorite Book Awards, and the award for Adult Fiction from the California Author Project.

I was born and reared in Southern California, in the Los Angeles County beach community of Redondo Beach.
In college, I studied journalism and afterward embarked on a journalism career during which I worked as a newspaper crime reporter, a national award-winning investigative journalist, and a freelance correspondent for LIFE Magazine and Newsweek, and finally as editor of a business newspaper. After twenty-some years of that, I grew tired of journalism and left it for a position as an analyst in combat medical operations for the U.S. Navy. I retired in 2018 to write full-time and start a freelance book editing business.

Besides my two careers, I also spent 27 years in three branches of the military reserves. I did search and rescue. medical response, and maritime law enforcement in U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for 13 years broken service, and counter-insurgency warfare in the Naval Reserve for three years in between my two tours in the Coast Guard. This was followed by 11 years in a component of the California National Guard, where I served first as a medical service corps officer, then as a military policeman. I retired as the executive officer of a state MP unit with the rank of major.

I've also been a member of a federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team and a local count disaster response team, as well as a reserve sergeant and medical specialist with the local sheriff's Search and Rescue Detail. All of this, of course, was part time.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up around the ocean in Southern California, and currently live in San Diego not far from the sea. I've traveled through most of the country and I've never wanted to live anywhere else. Growing up around the ocean, I developed a love of the sea and that eventually led me to join the Coast Guard, my first service branch. That experience played a big role in my writing, as several of my books and short stories take place aboard ships or boats. Several of my novels also take place in Southern California.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in coffee shops, usually sitting outdoors. Obviously, with the pandemic and social distancing I can't do that anymore. Now I do a lot of writing out on our deck sitting in a lounge chair with my laptop sitting on an adjustable lap desk.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up around the ocean in Southern California, and currently live in San Diego not far from the sea. I've traveled through most of the country and I've never wanted to live anywhere else. Growing up around the ocean, I developed a love of the sea and that eventually led me to join the Coast Guard, my first service branch. That experience played a big role in my writing, as several of my books and short stories take place aboard ships or boats. Several of my novels also take place in Southern California.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. The art is not in the writing, but the rewriting. And never consider yourself an artiste who can only write under certain circumstances or when the mood hits you. Writing is all about self-discipline. I read an old essay by Alistair MacLean in which he described his workday as starting a six in the morning and ending sometime in the evening. There is an old saying about writing, usually attributed to Ernest Hemingway: "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Martin Hill

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Tell us about yourself.:
Scott Coon is an award-winning short story writer and former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst.

He served six years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. His service including a tour in Kuwait where he received a First Army Combat Patch and the Joint Service Achievement Award. Now a software developer for a major bank, Scott brings his computer and military experience into his work, along with a sense of spectacle.

His debut novel LOST HELIX, a sci-fi adventure/mystery, is available now. Scott's first published story, “Firewall,” appeared in Nth Degree Magazine in 2006. His short "Enduring Winter" was a finalist in the Writers of the Future Awards, won Second Place in the New England SciFi Writers Assn Contest 2016, and was published in Bewildering Stories, Issue 849, March 2020.

Scott Coon shares his knowledge of writing with others and helps other creatives do the same. He hosts the Writers of Sherman Oaks Critique Group meetings and National Novel Writing Month write-in events. His YouTube channel and websites provide insights into his work and give advice to writers. His Little Creative Interview series helps to foster learning in the creative community. See his websites for more information.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Though Lost Helix is my first published novel, I have had several short stories published. Bewildering Stories recently featured "The Loneliest Advertisement Bot" and have published a few other stories over the years. My work is often influenced by my career as a computer programmer and also by my six years as intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. Both played a role in Lost Helix.

I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. I share my life with my cats Hank, Logan, and Princess.

Writing began for me in the third grade. I wrote poetry about chess and Norse mythology. With no writers in my life, I have no idea what inspired this. My first submission was an article for “Dragon” magazine. They rejected it of course. But I was on my way! …sort of. In high school, my senior year creative writing project was an Ann Rice clone. While reading weekly chapters to the class, no one seemed to be listening. But late in the school year, the novel reached a scene where two vampires were sentenced to death by sunlight. As a door opened to reveal their sun-bleached bones, someone yelled, “Hey! Why did you kill them? They never did anything wrong.” I was surprised and flattered. And hooked. I wanted to be a writer. It wasn’t until 2006 that I was finally published by Nth Degree Magazine. It was story about a psychic computer hacker. What’s that mean? Read it from my published stories page.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a sixty-game arcade console with all Midway classics like Galaga and Ms. Pac Man. To take a break from writing and recharge, I'll stop and play a couple games. Then back to writing. I'm not getting much better at the games, but I'm getting a lot of writing done.

What authors have influenced you?
Though Lost Helix is my first published novel, I have had several short stories published. Bewildering Stories recently featured "The Loneliest Advertisement Bot" and have published a few other stories over the years. My work is often influenced by my career as a computer programmer and also by my six years as intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. Both played a role in Lost Helix.

I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. I share my life with my cats Hank, Logan, and Princess.

Writing began for me in the third grade. I wrote poetry about chess and Norse mythology. With no writers in my life, I have no idea what inspired this. My first submission was an article for “Dragon” magazine. They rejected it of course. But I was on my way! …sort of. In high school, my senior year creative writing project was an Ann Rice clone. While reading weekly chapters to the class, no one seemed to be listening. But late in the school year, the novel reached a scene where two vampires were sentenced to death by sunlight. As a door opened to reveal their sun-bleached bones, someone yelled, “Hey! Why did you kill them? They never did anything wrong.” I was surprised and flattered. And hooked. I wanted to be a writer. It wasn’t until 2006 that I was finally published by Nth Degree Magazine. It was story about a psychic computer hacker. What’s that mean? Read it from my published stories page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn. Learn the art. Learn the business. Then assume that everything changed while you weren't looking and learn it all again. Modern readers are different from just twenty years ago. Learn what publishers and readers want now, both in content and presentation. But not in trend.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Scott Coon

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Tell us about yourself.:
From the time I was 7 years old, I had always wanted to be an author. I would write stories about animals and nature, tape the pages together and share my stories with anyone that was kind enough to listen. But life got in the way, there were bills to pay and being a dedicated mom required most of my time.

So, becoming an author was put on the back burner for decades. I was fine with that as I was blessed with two wonderful kids and a life filled with lessons, which I prefer to call stepping stones.

I worked in law enforcement for several years – later being offered a full-time position at my local district attorney’s office. While the pay was great, I always felt there was something missing.

I moved from Napa to a quaint country town in Lake County, up on the mountains, high above Napa. I spend endless hours in my writing cave, which overlooks the lake – especially during this unfortunate pandemic.

Here, in my writing cave, I create my stories (both novels and children’s books), editing, formatting and marketing each book after endless hours of author forums, webinars and zoom meetings in order to improve my niche.

I also ghostwrite, format and market books for others, treating each story as my own.

My latest venture has been to create a Book Marketing Plan for future authors, which provides everything they would need from the beginning stages of the process to the end.

Between writing projects and marketing, I am a criminal court reporter for my local newspaper. While I enjoy keeping my local community versed on the crime in my county, I am blessed to balance my brain with the lighthearted stories from within my heart along with stories forwarded to me for edits and formatting.

Life is good. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Napa, California, raising a family with a now grown son and daughter who are my rocks. My life partner of 13 years is my best critic as he is always willing to share constructive criticism in regards to my writing (when requested of course). Lol

The wine industry in Napa was booming and the population grew to immense numbers with wineries being the staple point, wine bars on every corner and the tourists were more catered to than the locals. I started to miss the old small town Napa I grew up in and needed to make some changes in my life for this and other health-related reasons.

Several visits with my father to my hometown library influenced my love to read and write.

I lived above a creek and caught frogs, enjoying my alone-time with just my imagination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Actually, yes.

I am up early, writing in my pajamas, thriving in my writing cave as I always have dark chocolate and a run on my treadmill to break the writer's block that creeps in.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Napa, California, raising a family with a now grown son and daughter who are my rocks. My life partner of 13 years is my best critic as he is always willing to share constructive criticism in regards to my writing (when requested of course). Lol

The wine industry in Napa was booming and the population grew to immense numbers with wineries being the staple point, wine bars on every corner and the tourists were more catered to than the locals. I started to miss the old small town Napa I grew up in and needed to make some changes in my life for this and other health-related reasons.

Several visits with my father to my hometown library influenced my love to read and write.

I lived above a creek and caught frogs, enjoying my alone-time with just my imagination.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Block out the negative thoughts and naysayers.
You have one life…through persistence and failures, you will reach your goals.
Always keep moving forward!

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Lori Armstrong

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Tell us about yourself.:
Writing is actually my fifth "career".
The first one was in the Israeli Intelligence. I retired as a colonel. The second was leading R&D in Hitech, the third was Venture Capital, the fourth was managing an institute for biomedical development and now I see writing books as my mission in life to share all I learned during these years.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel when I was 17. I loved books from which I could learn something significant for life and this is how I write; sharing experiences & understandings, which may be valuable for others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! I write one book per year, and I manage it like a project; beginning with the plan & the table of contents, and then progressing according to the plan.

What authors have influenced you?
I was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel when I was 17. I loved books from which I could learn something significant for life and this is how I write; sharing experiences & understandings, which may be valuable for others.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
yes! writing can be sometimes challenging, even frustrating, but it's worth the effort!

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Zeev Gilkis

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Tell us about yourself.:
I've lived half my life in Alaska and I don't plan to leave.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in New Orleans but we moved a lot after I turned twelve. I've been a lot of places all over the US.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best in the very early morning, around 3 am.

What authors have influenced you?
I was born in New Orleans but we moved a lot after I turned twelve. I've been a lot of places all over the US.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take a chance, try something new if the chances are good you'll live through it.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Cherime MacFarlane

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Tell us about yourself and your books.:
My sister Loretta Jackson and I are the authors of over fifty published novels. Most of our books are in the mystery and romantic suspense genres. Our High Country Mystery Series is currently being published by Books in Motion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing together is in itself an unusual habit. Through the years we have learned to work together and try to make our work flow so that it sounds as if it was written by one person. Both of us carefully read, edit and approve each chapter of the book.

What authors have influenced you?
Both of us enjoy the works of Tony Hillerman, who influenced us to become writers. We are both also big fans of Aaron Elkins, especially the Gideon Oliver Series. We also were influenced by the gothic writers Phyllis Whitney and Virginia Coffman, as well as Agatha Christie and Erle Stanley Gardner. We enjoy all types of mysteries.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book that is in your heart. If the book is interesting to you, others will also likely find it of interest. Always write for the love of it and not for the money.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Vickie Britton

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Tell us about yourself and your books.:
I've worked in the field of motion pictures and video for nearly 30 years. I variously produce, direct, write, photograph and edit. My credits include: “Pop Kowboy” “Bubba And Sissy Git Hitched?” and “Disposable.” I am on the Internet Movie Database as Mark J. Wilson producer of “Time Bomb.” I currently have two novels, a thriller titled, “Time Bomb” and a comedy, “Change Of A Dress.” I'm usually writing screenplays.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just try to write it all down as fast as it comes. I don't always know where it's going to and am surprised myself by what comes out of my head and what's coming next. I make myself laugh quite often while writing.

What authors have influenced you?
Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Groucho Marx. I know it's an odd mix, isn't it?

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don't give up and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite! I go through at least a dozen rewrites of everything I do. Find and correct vague, confusing and awkward wording. Consider the reader. You know what you're talking about, but will they? Be concise.

[Read more…] about Featured Author Interview: Mark Wilson

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