Tell us about yourself.:
I am a retired pharmacist having practiced for 42 years. Graduated from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in Austin, TX. My wife and I have served as short missionaries to Thailand and Columbia, and I taught Bible lessons in the Tom Green County Jail for two years. We have traveled to London, France, and Tokyo, Japan as well as numerous states in the US.
I grew up in Texas, but my wife and our family moved to Virginia in 1994 and lived there for sixteen years before returning to Texas.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX, and spent summers in Luling, TX with my grandparents. I learned to hunt and fish from my dad and granddad. Spending time in the out of doors provided me with a memory of the landscapes of TX, especially San Antonio and Austin, which I include in my books. Hearing stories about the Alamo and Texas Rangers provided me with images of heroes and justice.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This doesn't seem unusual to me, but I write in a flow until that dries up. I come back later to edit and rewrite everything if necessary.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX, and spent summers in Luling, TX with my grandparents. I learned to hunt and fish from my dad and granddad. Spending time in the out of doors provided me with a memory of the landscapes of TX, especially San Antonio and Austin, which I include in my books. Hearing stories about the Alamo and Texas Rangers provided me with images of heroes and justice.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you can write, then read it as if you didn't write it. Be honest about your opinion about it. Don't listen to opinions about what you write, such as, "Don't write what you know."

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Ron Clark

Tell us about yourself.:
I'm a hopeless romantic who dreams of being a badass. I studied Psychology and History in University to help with my writing, then spent a decade building up an acting career before a pandemic came around and let me focus on my writing.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up on the South Shore of Montreal, which is in the French part of Canada. Being the only English kid in a French school gave me a lot of time to write stories, and live vicariously through my characters. I just wrote who I wanted to be, with the relationships I wanted to be in, and the adventures I wanted to live.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, to make sure my writing isn't too colloquial, I often write in a British Accent. I studied acting, so everything is RP in my head before I put it on the page.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up on the South Shore of Montreal, which is in the French part of Canada. Being the only English kid in a French school gave me a lot of time to write stories, and live vicariously through my characters. I just wrote who I wanted to be, with the relationships I wanted to be in, and the adventures I wanted to live.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To go for it. The first book I published in 2019 was written in 2014. I spent so long going reworking it because I was afraid of putting it out there. I wasted so much time.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Amanda Lynn Petrin

Tell us about yourself.:
I’m Dr. Stuart Knott, a PhD graduate from the United Kingdom. I’m 35, a lifelong fan of horror, comic books, and videogames, and currently live in Bedfordshire.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small village in Northamptonshire where nothing much of anything happened. This actually did influence me a bit as I came to want to inject some extraordinary or horrific elements into normal, everyday life just to kind of spice things up a bit.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not especially, though I do keep a spreadsheet of all my characters, locations, and stories so I know exactly how and when they all take place. Generally, I start with the germ of an idea and then develop it into an outline and a series of character breakdowns before plotting out each chapter and the vague idea of where the story will go before letting the writing guide me. I like to emphasis realistic dialogue and a decent amount of descriptions, as well as keeping things as logical and grounded as possible.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small village in Northamptonshire where nothing much of anything happened. This actually did influence me a bit as I came to want to inject some extraordinary or horrific elements into normal, everyday life just to kind of spice things up a bit.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be prepared. Work hard. Have thick skin. Nothing’s beyond you if you try hard enough. If you don’t get responses to your enquiries or submissions, don’t be discouraged; keep trying or go into self-publishing. Most of all, do the work. Even if you’re having a bad day, write something down anyway and see what you can work with when you’re feeling more motivated. Oh, and make sure you’re supporting and willing to communicate with others.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Dr. Stuart Knott

Tell us about yourself.:
Hey there, I'm Amy! A Brazilian born and Irish-based author of feminist Romance! I love all romance tropes of subgenres, but new adult enemies to lovers are definitely my jam!

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small town in Brazil before moving to Ireland.
Having a diverse background drives me to write about diverse characters. People who are in my life, who I would see every day.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if unusual, but I always buy a different notebook when I start plotting. And my small-town series is named after a bus stop close to my husband's childhood home, so every book was dedicated to him.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small town in Brazil before moving to Ireland.
Having a diverse background drives me to write about diverse characters. People who are in my life, who I would see every day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day day and keep focus.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Amy Oliveira

Tell us about yourself.:
was born in São Paulo, Brazil. I had a nice childhood, surrounded by toys and the affection that every child needs. As a teenager I had my fun, but I've always been a fan of the motto, "health and judgment." I've also always liked to write. …
• I also always loved it as a child scribbling drawings and later in my teens I started painting some paintings and even recorded a new character in comics that I have kept.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I am a traditional Paulistano born in Grajaú, an eclectic neighborhood that I am very proud of, a very lively and fun neighborhood. It used to be more wood and mud, but it still has a lot of nature and wood and I hope it stays that way, as well as a beautiful reservoir, and I hope it stays that way because it's still a neighborhood where you wake up with butterflies, birds singing and at night a nice cold breeze. Here is very wooded.
Now in my family reading has also always been a habit. I started reading Paul Sandroni's First Steps Collection with 10 years, What is Recession, What is Capitalism, What is Anarchy, cookbook.
I always liked to scribble, when child at 8 years after writing, drawing and we live in one of the most cultured cities is Brazil then read and a duty. I studied in the fifth series of a college called Albert Einstein and there had a legal book called Redacao, school: analysis, synthesis and extrapolation of Elias Joseph and Illustrated Grammar of Hildebrando A.De André.A fun book illustrated to learn the Portuguese Linguisty.I read The Little Prince of Saint Exuperi.A somewhat puzzling book but that must have its meaning there as well as mine.
My writing really began when, in search of something new, I saw the following ad, which was very common back in the 90.
Penclub,
Hello!
These are the addresses of your new friends.
If you want to receive one more letter with a new friend's addresses, send a letter to the club's address. All your information is kept in a computer until 31.12.1994, which is why you could receive the letters from other boys and girls. If you don't want to participate in this club, please send this letter back, so that another person can join in and nobody will be disappointed. So get at it and get those postcards moving…thanks…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to carry paper and pen and on the street and at home always had a visible one and on the bed head. As soon as I came up with an idea not to lose I would write it down. Now a lot of running I already put on paper I don't do much.

What authors have influenced you?
I am a traditional Paulistano born in Grajaú, an eclectic neighborhood that I am very proud of, a very lively and fun neighborhood. It used to be more wood and mud, but it still has a lot of nature and wood and I hope it stays that way, as well as a beautiful reservoir, and I hope it stays that way because it's still a neighborhood where you wake up with butterflies, birds singing and at night a nice cold breeze. Here is very wooded.
Now in my family reading has also always been a habit. I started reading Paul Sandroni's First Steps Collection with 10 years, What is Recession, What is Capitalism, What is Anarchy, cookbook.
I always liked to scribble, when child at 8 years after writing, drawing and we live in one of the most cultured cities is Brazil then read and a duty. I studied in the fifth series of a college called Albert Einstein and there had a legal book called Redacao, school: analysis, synthesis and extrapolation of Elias Joseph and Illustrated Grammar of Hildebrando A.De André.A fun book illustrated to learn the Portuguese Linguisty.I read The Little Prince of Saint Exuperi.A somewhat puzzling book but that must have its meaning there as well as mine.
My writing really began when, in search of something new, I saw the following ad, which was very common back in the 90.
Penclub,
Hello!
These are the addresses of your new friends.
If you want to receive one more letter with a new friend's addresses, send a letter to the club's address. All your information is kept in a computer until 31.12.1994, which is why you could receive the letters from other boys and girls. If you don't want to participate in this club, please send this letter back, so that another person can join in and nobody will be disappointed. So get at it and get those postcards moving…thanks…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To put the heart in what does, above all to read very much because sight chick does not manage to have been will not read very mainly newspapers articles on history, politics, geography, arts, music, finally absolutely everything. Oh you do a bunch of what interests him and the rest you discard and up to hearing a shepherd preaching in the church are worth because there they say many truths. More or less equal it happens in the school.
In all the environments it is so that it works. Not to think in cash that this if it will come is a consequence, I do not live on that, but yes recognition there has no price. The inspiration can come across so much from the joys like disappointments, and never forget of and load paper and pen that the people write down the things is in the ancient way that in it is not lost it is not even put out. In paper and pen does not happen any Big of the millennium. It is forever.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Louis Maurice Young

Tell us about yourself.:
I am a divorce attorney and coach. I have a healthy appreciation for designer clothes, sports cars, and a good bourbon.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small marina town called Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. My family owned businesses and I acquired a strong work ethic at an early age. I believe growing up in a public setting and conversing with people many years my senior made me more of a free-thinker and comfortable expressing myself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not particularly other than I generally write when most people are asleep. I am most alert and creative after midnight.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small marina town called Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. My family owned businesses and I acquired a strong work ethic at an early age. I believe growing up in a public setting and conversing with people many years my senior made me more of a free-thinker and comfortable expressing myself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Wait.. Now you are making me contradict myself. My advice would be.. don't rush the process. Take the time to develop a work that you are proud of. It is tempting to want to make your book public as soon as possible, but you are best served by enlisting professionals to help you along the way. Quality takes time.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Marie Sarantakis

Tell us about yourself.:
I was born in Florida, growing up as a Navy Brat. My families travels ended in Albuquerque, NM, in 1971. I’m still living in the Land of Enchantment enjoying the local cuisine and wide variety of wilderness available here. I consider myself a native and have no plans or desire to move anywhere else.
My dog, Crock, is a husky Basset/Dachshund mix. I call him my whack-a-do. He is very stubborn with a big heart. As far as training goes we’ve come to an understanding we both are happy with. But Crock is a great dog and my best friend, after my wife of course.
I enjoy my time with my wife, children, and Crock. When I am not camping or writing, I enjoy playing board games in the evenings with my wife and daughter. Every few weeks, I play Dungeons and Dragons with my son, younger brother, and friends. When the extended family gets together we make delicious food, play cards, enjoying each other’s company and catch up with our busy lives.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Land of Enchantment influenced my writing by being the state most of my camping experiences come from. I fell into a great Boy Scout Troop when younger, and it continued on with my son and I when he joined. We had a blast camping all over New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I start around nine in the morning and write until lunch. After lunch, I write until three or four in the afternoon, with at least two breaks in between taking a short five to fifteen-minute walk to refresh and renew my perspective. I use a very rough outline when starting a new book, keeping me on track. On the desk next to me is water, sometimes coffee, and a snack to eat. Keeping me at the computer longer, researching, writing, and finally editing.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Land of Enchantment influenced my writing by being the state most of my camping experiences come from. I fell into a great Boy Scout Troop when younger, and it continued on with my son and I when he joined. We had a blast camping all over New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give to new writers is to schedule dedicated time for writing. Let the ideas flow without editing. You can go back and edit later, which is where the book really comes together. Learn from your mistakes and never ever stop the quest to improve your writing. “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”- Henry Ford

[Read more…] about Author Interview: M. E. Nash

Tell us about yourself.:
I'm a Dutch mum of 2, whose lived in The Hague, The Netherlands, Nottingham, UK, then in Lyon, France, and now in Haywards Heath in Southern Britain. I have an MA in archaeology, but nowadays spend most of my time making up stuff.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Holland is such a tiny country, that most people speak English as a second language. Switching to writing in English was hardly more than natural to me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write when the kids are at school, so I only get those hours and need to use them wisely.

What authors have influenced you?
Holland is such a tiny country, that most people speak English as a second language. Switching to writing in English was hardly more than natural to me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Butt in chair. Seriously. Your work will never be perfect, but neither is a blank page.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Christa Bakker

Tell us about yourself.:
I was born in São Paulo, Brazil. I had a nice childhood, surrounded by toys and the affection that every child needs. As a teenager I had my fun, but I've always been a fan of the motto, "health and judgment." I've also always liked to write. My writing really began when, in search of something new, I saw the following ad, which was very common back in the 90s:Penclub,
Hello!
These are the addresses of your new friends.
If you want to receive one more letter with a new friend's addresses, send a letter to the club's address. All your information is kept in a computer until 31.12.1994, which is why you could receive the letters from other boys and girls. If you don't want to participate in this club, please send this letter back, so that another person can join in and nobody will be disappointed. So get at it and get those postcards moving…thanks…

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I was born in Sao Paulo,Brasil.I grew up surrounded by books and newspapers.My father were used to read everyday not only one but dozen different newspapers.So reading were a must within my parents.We were also used to read comic strips and even political pocket books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My reading and writing habits have always been normal the only thing is that I always walk with pen and paper and when it comes inspiration based on the facts of life and my personal s do not like to miss the motto.

What authors have influenced you?
I was born in Sao Paulo,Brasil.I grew up surrounded by books and newspapers.My father were used to read everyday not only one but dozen different newspapers.So reading were a must within my parents.We were also used to read comic strips and even political pocket books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My only advice is inspiration.Music,cinema,literature all depend on inspiration and one art form depends on another .

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Luiz Mauricio Matos Santos

Tell us about yourself.:
I actually graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor of science in nursing. I currently work part-time as a registered nurse in surgery. Between working and watching my son, I don’t have as much time to write as I would prefer, but it’s still my passion and one of my absolute favorite things to do! So during naptime and any time I get home from work early you’ll find me on my laptop, typing or editing or doing whatever author stuff needs doing!

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Texas. I don't know that living in the Lone Star state particularly influenced my writing except to say that every story I've written so far has been set some place other than Texas, so perhaps all the heat and humidity subconsciously makes me wish I were somewhere else! XD

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A large part of my writing process involves sticky notes. Whenever I have an idea for a scene or snippet of dialogue, I jot it down on a sticky note. Then, when I actually start putting the novel together, I take the gigantic pile of sticky notes that I've accumulated, put them in order, and voila! The book practically writes itself!

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Texas. I don't know that living in the Lone Star state particularly influenced my writing except to say that every story I've written so far has been set some place other than Texas, so perhaps all the heat and humidity subconsciously makes me wish I were somewhere else! XD

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Then write some more. Then go back, and keep writing! Practice makes perfect and never give up, because that's how books are created: one page at a time.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Lynn Wallace

Tell us about yourself.:
I have authored both fiction and nonfiction books in a variety of genres, from true crime to romance. As a freelance writer, I often collaborate with people to help them write and publish their biographies, memoirs, or to tell of a particularly compelling personal experience.
 
I studied filmmaking / screenwriting at Columbia College – Hollywood. I earned an A.S. (Mortuary Science) from Mount Ida College and a B.A. (English) from the University of Rhode Island.
 
I live in Lincoln, RI with my wife and son.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I'm a New Englander, raised in Rhode Island. I read a ton growing up. Being the late 1970’s and early 80’s, horror was king, and Stephen King was Overlord. So, one of his books was never far from me. I liked the horror masters, Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, but I also read many other contemporary authors of fright and the macabre, such as Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Joe R. Lonsdale, Ramsey Campbell and Robert McCammon, to name a few. I still read a lot today, perhaps not as much, but certainly from a much more diversified field of writers, hence my penchant for writing across genres.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do prefer the night, the later the better. I feel I am at my most creative in the evening, and late at night. When everything is quiet and the day is done, I can focus better on a creative project. The daytime hours I usually spend doing promotional work and research, as well as reading.

What authors have influenced you?
I'm a New Englander, raised in Rhode Island. I read a ton growing up. Being the late 1970’s and early 80’s, horror was king, and Stephen King was Overlord. So, one of his books was never far from me. I liked the horror masters, Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, but I also read many other contemporary authors of fright and the macabre, such as Clive Barker, Dean Koontz, Joe R. Lonsdale, Ramsey Campbell and Robert McCammon, to name a few. I still read a lot today, perhaps not as much, but certainly from a much more diversified field of writers, hence my penchant for writing across genres.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If writing is something you really enjoy, don’t let anything stop you, no matter how little time you have to devote to it. Always write for you first, write what interests you, and the readers who find you will be lucky they did.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Paul Lonardo

Tell us about yourself.:
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Growing up, I never really thought about being a writer until I got to my Sophomore year in high school. I was sitting in English class and my teacher came up to me and said, I was doing really well in the class, that this might be a talent and I should really explore this. I was nice about it, but at the time I was really focused on sports. I played football and ran Track. I didn't really get serious about writing until I attended Texas Tech University. While there, I learned about many great authors like Stephen King, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stoker. I wrote many short stories and papers about the classic authors. I ended up getting my Bachelor's in English Literature.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Houston, Texas. As a kid sports was always a huge influence on me. I come from a sports family and I grew up playing. It's still a big part of my life to this day. I've been a coach in Austin for 12 years. My first three books on Amazon, dealt with sports. I call it my sports trilogy of books. One is a bout coaching, the other about the emotions of athletes and how that effects their performance during a game, and the other other is about the journey to achieve his or her goals as an athlete. I've written some short films to that have nothing to do with sports. A lot of times, my inspiration can come from anywhere. I'll just observe or read something that may give me an idea.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I was in college. Professors would usually say to you that you need to write everyday. I can't do that… I've had some situations where I've sat at my desk and I can't get past a page because I have nothing to continue the story. I'll have to go away for a few days and then sit back down. At other times, I'll sit down and write 10 pages. I know a lot of authors like to block out a certain amount of time to write. I'm very spontaneous with it. Sometimes, I'll write for a few hours at night and other times in the morning. It depends on when I have free time to do it.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Houston, Texas. As a kid sports was always a huge influence on me. I come from a sports family and I grew up playing. It's still a big part of my life to this day. I've been a coach in Austin for 12 years. My first three books on Amazon, dealt with sports. I call it my sports trilogy of books. One is a bout coaching, the other about the emotions of athletes and how that effects their performance during a game, and the other other is about the journey to achieve his or her goals as an athlete. I've written some short films to that have nothing to do with sports. A lot of times, my inspiration can come from anywhere. I'll just observe or read something that may give me an idea.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always keep writing and make sure you feel good about what you write. If you've written a book or short story feel good about it. Finshing something is a huge accomplishment in itself. Never let anyone tell you you're not good enough. Focus on the positive.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Matthew Paris

Tell us about yourself.:
I'm a bestselling author, award-winning ghostwriter, and book coach for first-time nonfiction authors. For more than 20 years, I've ghostwritten dozens of books and copyedited hundreds of nonfiction books. As a book coach I've guided countless new authors to write and publish their book, some to bestseller status. I'm also a long-time instructor for the University of California, teaching classes in the creative writing and copyediting certificate programs. I wrote "Your Fabulous First Book" to guarantee that new authors would have all the essential preparation to write their own fabulous first book. I have many more books in the pipeline including a workbook to follow my book and an online course.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in New York City. It influenced my writing because I hated living there and used reading and writing to escape.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None other than having too many book ideas and not enough hours to write them all.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in New York City. It influenced my writing because I hated living there and used reading and writing to escape.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Focus. Schedule time in your calendar to write. Get support, coaching, and/or accountability. Get feedback. Be open to improving your craft. Take classes and read books. Learn all you can about marketing; it's as far from writing as it can be, but essential if you want to sell what you write.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: Andrea Glass

Tell us about yourself.:
W.D. Kilpack III is an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, he received special recognition from L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. He has been editor and/or publisher of nineteen news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He is an accomplished cook and has two claims he thinks few can match: cooking nearly every type of food on a grill; and nearly being knocked flat when his grill exploded.

He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. As an undergrad, he double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, he earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. He was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling.

He is a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, coach and teach.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in West Jordan, Utah. I had several teachers who really influenced my writing, starting with Miss Adams who taught Gifted & Talented in 4th grade and helped me get my first publication credit by entering one of my poems in a contest through the local newspaper. In 6th & 7th grades, Mrs. Ferrin was a great influence, teaching my Language Arts and Gifted & Talented classes. My first novel was written over a span of writing assignments for her class., where she let me write chapters for my book, rather than having to comply with the proscribed assignment requirements. In 8th grade, my Computer Science teacher, Mrs. Demond, was incredibly supportive. She read my hand-written manuscripts and letting me take time in her classroom before and after school to type them. In high school, Mrs. McKinnon was super supportive of my writing, often reading my sci-fi and fantasy short stories to my 9th grade Honors English class, even though that wasn't very cool at the time. Throughout the rest of my high-school experience, Mrs. Sawaya was like a second mother, really taking an interest in my writing and me as a person, teaching my Journalism classes and as the advisor for the newspaper and the literary magazine. All were hugely supportive of my writing and I wouldn't have been exposed to any of them had I not grown up in West Jordan.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't know if it's unusual, but my wife loves her bedtime stories. I read her my work and she sometimes tells me if she thinks this character wouldn't do something or say something. She provides a little bit of a reality check for me.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in West Jordan, Utah. I had several teachers who really influenced my writing, starting with Miss Adams who taught Gifted & Talented in 4th grade and helped me get my first publication credit by entering one of my poems in a contest through the local newspaper. In 6th & 7th grades, Mrs. Ferrin was a great influence, teaching my Language Arts and Gifted & Talented classes. My first novel was written over a span of writing assignments for her class., where she let me write chapters for my book, rather than having to comply with the proscribed assignment requirements. In 8th grade, my Computer Science teacher, Mrs. Demond, was incredibly supportive. She read my hand-written manuscripts and letting me take time in her classroom before and after school to type them. In high school, Mrs. McKinnon was super supportive of my writing, often reading my sci-fi and fantasy short stories to my 9th grade Honors English class, even though that wasn't very cool at the time. Throughout the rest of my high-school experience, Mrs. Sawaya was like a second mother, really taking an interest in my writing and me as a person, teaching my Journalism classes and as the advisor for the newspaper and the literary magazine. All were hugely supportive of my writing and I wouldn't have been exposed to any of them had I not grown up in West Jordan.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love and become a true student of your passions. If you write sci-fi and fantasy, no one in the room should ever be more of an expert on sci-fi and fantasy than you are.

[Read more…] about Author Interview: W.D. Kilpack III