Tell us about yourself.:
Born young, I was transported to the great southern penal colony of Australia at an early age. I developed a love of the ocean and all things watery there. This led to a more universal desire to defend and protect nature and the planet.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Growing up in Australia and being blessed with a father who was something of a wanderer and adventurer perhaps set the tone for my writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do a lot of 'old school' pen and paper writing. I have to use one special pen exclusively – my current pen is carved from hazel; a wood used in Celtic tradition for wands and divining rods.

What authors have influenced you?
Growing up in Australia and being blessed with a father who was something of a wanderer and adventurer perhaps set the tone for my writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write often and write widely.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Len Varley

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Tell us about yourself.:
My name is Bianca Nemes and my aspiration is to help and inspire people with an idea, an advise, an emotion. I was born in Cluj-Napoca, in Romania and I am a computer science graduated.
My passions are writing, reading, painting, walking. Besides the interest for exact science, I love psychology. I am student at psychology university and I learn to be better and better in this domain.

My first book merge many of my interests, namely psychology, writing of course :), painting and the ideas are correlated in a logical way. 'Collinearity solution. Counterpoint' is the name of my first book and I am writing for the next one.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in Cluj-Napoca, in Romania and I am living here since then. I think this influenced my writing by having the chance to get to know people in my life, who are inspiration for me. My family, of course, is part of this beneficial influence together with my future husband, my friends and teachers. From all the people around me I could have learnt and grow constantly.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I cannot say it is necessary unusual, but when I feel to write, I write, without thinking that those words will be part of any book or will be published. I this way I write with pleasure, without any pressure. In other moments, I write thinking of what could be useful for others and helpful.

What authors have influenced you?
I was born in Cluj-Napoca, in Romania and I am living here since then. I think this influenced my writing by having the chance to get to know people in my life, who are inspiration for me. My family, of course, is part of this beneficial influence together with my future husband, my friends and teachers. From all the people around me I could have learnt and grow constantly.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To write from the bottom of their hearts and to feel honored that they have art in their lives

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Bianca Nemes

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Tell us about yourself.:
I'm a bit of a management and performance geek. There, I said it. Yes, I eat, sleep and drink what makes people tick and how that impacts on business performance. That said, I am endless curious about the human so if you met me, we'd have a great ol chat.

When I'm not doing the day job, I love reading, running, meeting up with friends, travelling and just generally soaking up the world. I love quizzes and I'm strongly thinking of joining a pub quiz team, once they're back up and running again.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Ireland. Given that I write management books, I'm not sure that had any bearing on my writing other than I write in British English, rather than American English!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I'd love to have some really strange writing ritual but, no, nothing doing! I find writing on my topics very easy, so it's more just about carving out the time. The ease comes with having discussed and led people through much of the content through numerous workshops and sessions, that it's more a case of getting it on the page.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Ireland. Given that I write management books, I'm not sure that had any bearing on my writing other than I write in British English, rather than American English!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be clear why you're doing this. There are a lot of one-off authors who publish a book and then it's gone. For some, that in itself is success. For authors who want success as an author, it's a lot of hard work.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Irial O’Farrell

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Tell us about yourself.:
I was born in Rome to a Viennese mother who had found a modicum of safety there during World War II. We emigrated to Argentina, back to Europe, and back to Argentina before finally arriving in the New York when I was seven.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NY in a neighborhood of fellow Europeans displaced by war and persecution. Their stories and memories of my own family lie at the core of my historical novel ALL THAT LINGERS.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write myself a lot of little notes that get scattered all over my desk and in different notebooks. I'm sure I miss some very good ideas that way.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NY in a neighborhood of fellow Europeans displaced by war and persecution. Their stories and memories of my own family lie at the core of my historical novel ALL THAT LINGERS.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don't be afraid. Read "On Writing" by Stephen King. Read a good book. You can find inspiration in the turn of phrase, the description of a setting or a character's body language.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Irene Wittig

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Tell us about yourself.:
My name is Jimena Yengle, I am 19 years old and since I was little I have dedicated myself to developing and learning through Art. My life took a magical turn when I published my first book, and from that moment I have lived a fairy tale that I work for every day I love my work and I think that being an artist means having a great responsibility that we must assume with love.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Lima, the capital of Peru. At the age of 15 I moved to Tarma, a small town with many colors, which definitely became a source of inspiration for me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I think I have some unusual and some very common. For example, I usually write down my ideas in a notebook, and I take my writing moment as a research process. I deepen each idea and I can write. I think it is fabulous to investigate. Find out more of history, and of yourself as a writer.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Lima, the capital of Peru. At the age of 15 I moved to Tarma, a small town with many colors, which definitely became a source of inspiration for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell you that now is the time to share the most beautiful things you have in your inner world. The world needs love more than anything, hope and a little bit of magic.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Jimena Yengle

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Tell us about yourself.:
I am a mystery and thriller fiction writer. I have written two books that are published. They are titled – Zoey's Memory and Everything Led Me to You.
While I am not writing, I enjoy being at the beach, reading, rollerblading, and modeling professionally.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in South Florida. I became inspired to start writing when I began reading books as a teenager. I enjoyed escaping from reality in a book (and still do to this day)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't know if this is unusual or not, but I like to highlight the sentences that I have written and am not so sure about in bold during my writing process. That way, while I am going through my manuscript the next time, it is easier for me to fix or re-write those sentences to fit into the story better.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in South Florida. I became inspired to start writing when I began reading books as a teenager. I enjoyed escaping from reality in a book (and still do to this day)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I've published two books so I am relatively new myself. The only advice I can give, is to just do your research before going straight into the publishing process. There is tons of content out on the internet that helps with learning how to write and publish. Utilize as many resources as you want and can.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Sara Kate

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Tell us about yourself.:
Hi everyone! Dave and I are Canadian authors with published 6 books to date (2021) and are working on a trilogy, followed by 2 other manuscripts sitting on the side, waiting for our attention. We operate 2 popular blogs and a music studio as well.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in an unstable and sometimes abusive home, was on my own at 13.5 years, and built a business by the time I was 25. My mom had a series of issues she dealt with, including choosing the wrong men to spend her time with. This upbringing led me to publish Towards Understanding a poetic journey, telling my story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in the silent hours of the morning or tune into meditation music before getting creative with words. The music calms the dogs down and gives my brain a chance to delve into the magic of playing with words.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in an unstable and sometimes abusive home, was on my own at 13.5 years, and built a business by the time I was 25. My mom had a series of issues she dealt with, including choosing the wrong men to spend her time with. This upbringing led me to publish Towards Understanding a poetic journey, telling my story.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes – be polite, respond quickly and never make anyone work for anything – it is your job to ensure the process is as easy as possible for those you work with.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Lillian Brummet

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Tell us about yourself.:
I'm a Canadian Christian author residing in Niagara, Canada.
I write NF under the author name Miranda J. Chivers and fiction under MJ Krause-Chivers. I write from a background in law, social work, tourism, personal trauma and a deep, inspiring faith. My mission in life is to heal hurting hearts through story.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in sunny Manitoba, Canada in a Russian Mennonite home. I was surrounded by avid story-tellers who spoke of their incredible refugee journeys fleeing from the Russian Revolution during the 1920's, and others who ran from the Russian army after WW2. These stories inspired my imagination and I yearned to travel and see the world of my ancestors. In 2014 I traveled to Poland and Ukraine and visited my roots. On this trip, I knew I wanted to write about my heritage.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need silence to begin writing. Then, as I get into the mood of the chapter or article I'm writing, I adapt my environment around that. Music, bird songs, or mindless chatter alters the content of my work. I'm emotionally driven in my writing — if I'm depressed, my writing becomes dark and argumentative; conversely if life is going well, the characters are more upbeat. Walking helps me sort out my (story-telling) pacing and sequencing.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in sunny Manitoba, Canada in a Russian Mennonite home. I was surrounded by avid story-tellers who spoke of their incredible refugee journeys fleeing from the Russian Revolution during the 1920's, and others who ran from the Russian army after WW2. These stories inspired my imagination and I yearned to travel and see the world of my ancestors. In 2014 I traveled to Poland and Ukraine and visited my roots. On this trip, I knew I wanted to write about my heritage.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. A lot. Read everything and anything you can. Traditional, journalistic, and self-published. Each style of writing will teach you something new. And you discover that you resonate more with some things than others. Don't be afraid to try new styles of writing. It takes awhile to find your voice.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: MJ Krause-Chivers

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Tell us about yourself.:
Dina Rae: I am an author who just came out with a new novel, Peacocks, Pedestals, and Prayers. I have written eight books total, a couple of shorts, and hundreds of blog posts.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up all over Chicagoland. My family moved a great deal. The Midwest has a major influence on my writing. My latest novel is set in Wheaton, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will write anywhere and at any time. I especially like to write in a notebook. Then I type up the notebook pages. The handwritten draft seems to help the story flow for me.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up all over Chicagoland. My family moved a great deal. The Midwest has a major influence on my writing. My latest novel is set in Wheaton, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am guilty of finishing a story and then wanting to submit it for publication. I have learned that my best work happens in the editing process BEFORE querying it to agents and publishers. The best thing to do is walk away from the book after you are finished with it for a good week or two. Start the editing process with fresh eyes. Keep notes on your characters, setting, etc. so that you can keep your story straight.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Dina Rae

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Tell us about yourself.:
I am an American from Nashville, Tennessee, living in London, after sojourns in Tokyo, Paris and Geneva with a passion for ancient history, politics and magic, mythology and religion. I am a political activist and a socialist. Once editor of Mobile Communications Asia and other mobile communications magazines, I co-authored the Jan 2000 Future Mobile Handsets. I published with the Conrad Press in December 2020 my first novel, The Lost Wisdom of the Magi, which is a finalist in the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards for ‘Best Historical’. I am a founder member of the Bounds Green Book Writers writers’ circle, which published in Autumn 2020 an anthology of coronavirus-inspired fiction, Lockdown Lit—Inspiration in Isolation. I now subedit Dignity magazine, write historical novels and grow organic vegetables. I offer freelance services proofreading or developmental editing for authors needing help with their novels and I am open to offers of review-swapping and mutual beta-reading.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Nashville Tennessee. I became very upset about the racism in the society around me, and that passion has followed into my writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I began my career in jouralism on a manual typewriter, and still today bang on the keyboard with great force. I also tense up my shoulders something rotten. I rely on fortnightly deep tissue massage treatments.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Nashville Tennessee. I became very upset about the racism in the society around me, and that passion has followed into my writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start promoting your book well before your publication date. Build a network of fellow authors for mutual support. Join/create a writers' circle.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Susie Helme

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Tell us about yourself.:
I tried to ascend to the fifth-dimension through a McDonald's based meditation method. If that doesn't tell you all you need to know about me, then I don't know what will.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Swindon. A place nicknamed 'The Bum Hole of The World.' It influenced my writing less than my humour. You've got to be somewhat cynically sarcastic to live in a dull place like this.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I'm entirely usual. And that there pretentious attempt to subvert this question I realise how truly sedated my writing process really is.

What authors have influenced you?
Swindon. A place nicknamed 'The Bum Hole of The World.' It influenced my writing less than my humour. You've got to be somewhat cynically sarcastic to live in a dull place like this.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don't compare yourself to anyone but who you were yesterday. I believe that's a Jordan Peterson quote and also serves to answer the previous question, perhaps better. Once you stop comparing yourself to others, you allow yourself to grow as an individual in your own style.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: James Tyler Ball

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Tell us about yourself.:
I am an Amazon 5-Star Author, Graduate of Northwestern University and a Principal Consultant for Kopp Company. I am also a Talent Ambassador for The Walt Disney Company.
The Kopp Chronicles series novels have been nominated for Reader's Choice Awards and numerous "Cover of the Month" & "Book of the Day" Honors.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in the USA Midwest and it influence my upbringing and writing with it's notions of right and wrong.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to music when I write which allows me to tune out any distractions.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in the USA Midwest and it influence my upbringing and writing with it's notions of right and wrong.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give for a new author is to continue revising until you are satisfied with your work. After a final edit, put your work aside for a period of time and look at it again until you are satisfied with the final product.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Gregory Kopp

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Tell us about yourself.:
Ethan Ruedlinger is a US Army veteran, Shito-Ryu Kyokushin Karate black belt, and entrepreneur who possesses a deep fascination with all things history. Since his parents took him across the country visiting historical sites and museums during his childhood, he has a profound love for America and American history.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small house in the middle of the forest of Southern Indiana. The beauty of the trees, the blue skies and sunshine, it was all incredible inspiration for my early poetry, and even some of my later works.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Perhaps my most unusual writing habit is the fact that I won’t always write in chronological order while adding to my autobiography. If I remember an important detail that I failed to add, I’ll have to retrace my steps back to where the paragraph should be inserted, and thus I’ll have to reformat each page.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small house in the middle of the forest of Southern Indiana. The beauty of the trees, the blue skies and sunshine, it was all incredible inspiration for my early poetry, and even some of my later works.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
NEVER give up, continue writing DESPITE failures! It’s those failures that will mold you, and shape you into the writer you strive to be!

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Ethan Ruedlinger

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Tell us about yourself.:
I’m a third generation Colorado native with no relation to the coffee bunch, so I don’t get free coffee. I worked as an operating room nurse in several ORs in the Denver Metro Area for most of my career. I love ballroom dancing, and I’ve gone to several competitions. I was an art major in college before discovering I couldn’t support myself and liked to eat too much to be a real life artist, so I switched to nursing. I own a horse who’s 21 years old and basically a pasture pet, and two couch potato cats.
I live in Arvada, Colorado, and I'm a multiple award-winning author of Legacy of Secrets, Finding Alex, The Woman He Used to Know, and the Annie Collins Mystery Series.

I love mysteries, suspense, romance, and any well written book. I write my mystery series from the perspective of Annie Collins an OR nurse, and I rely on my love of suspense and romance to writer my standalone romantic suspense novels.

I like stories about strong women and interesting men and my theory is, if you don’t like life as it is, write a different ending.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a suburb of Denver, CO, the oldest of three daughters. My two sisters were quite popular throughout school, and I was not. Writing and reading made life more enjoyable. I could imagine a different life for myself, be a more confident, self-assured person than I was in real life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I spend probably far too much time thinking about my characters and their story, to the point that they become very real for me and often direct the way the story is told. When the urge hits, I sit down and often write for hours. Some days I don’t write at all.

I have found music inspires a lot for me. Whenever I hear Santana’s Samba Pa’ Ti, I think of Angel Cisneros, the male lead in my mystery series. It just fits him, smooth, seductive, and Latino. P!nk’s Try describes my main character and narrator of the mystery series and Annie’s relationship with men.

Music also inspires scenes and moods for different stories. Overheard conversations spark ideas and plots or characters often are the result of certain settings in Colorado.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a suburb of Denver, CO, the oldest of three daughters. My two sisters were quite popular throughout school, and I was not. Writing and reading made life more enjoyable. I could imagine a different life for myself, be a more confident, self-assured person than I was in real life.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love, then find people who like the genre you're writing and listen to their feedback. Keep writing and learning and your ability to write will grow and become better.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Helen Starbuck

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