My Book Place

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a Christian, Theological writer who has been studying the Bible and history since the age of 15, back in 1986. I've also, during my youth, had the privilege of sitting under an extremely gifted ministry, who had given me the basics from which my own ministry has launched . . . Since the year 2000, I have felt led to write a series of books on the highlights of what I have learned, one topic at a time, and am calling the book series "Seeking the Everlasting Gospel Teaching Series;" which is similar to my ministry name, called "Seeking the Everlasting Gospel Ministries." Even though I have but recently (starting in 2016) begun to publish these books (since I have been going behind myself editing, re-writing, and adding new things), I now have three books available for reading to the public, and have at least 20 more for the foreseeable future! The current published books are: "Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ," "Blaming God! Is it really His fault?," and "In the Beginning: It was Spiritual from the very start."

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, which was recently published (July 19, 2017), is called 'In the Beginning: It was Spiritual from the very start." This is the third book in the 'Seeking the Everlasting Gospel Teaching Series,' and Part 1 of a particular topic, which (as the book itself shows) is dubbed: 'The Spiritual Side of Creation, Part 1." This necessary topic in my series deals with 'metaphors' that are heavily used throughout the Biblical text, as they were employed by the original writers in ancient times. And, not only so, but I show how these said metaphors were used by God to teach us the underlining message of 'the Beginning,' right in chapter 1 of the book of Genesis – which, in no-wise, destroys the idea that God had literally, and physically, created this world and universe exactly how it states, but I show how He also uses that same wording to give us insight into our own personal, spiritual creation! This book helps setup the books that will follow afterwards in the near future…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't think it strange, but I used to write everything down by hand, then transfer it to a computer. Now, I do everything on the computer whilst eliminating the old-fashioned pen and paper! … Ah! Tradition! How thou hast been deprived!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It would be easy to say that the Bible had only influenced me; and yet, as it is true that this book is the majority of my inspiration, I have to admit that I wouldn't even have been a writer at all if it wasn't for my love of Swashbuckling literature! This, I speak on, and in small detail, in my second book, called: "Blaming God! Is it really His fault?" As I begun studying my Bible at fifteen, as I've said (actually studying, and not just reading), I was inspired to read 'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre Dumas, simply because I had watched Gene Kelly's Musketeer movie version at least six times prior! Once I got Dumas' novel, when I was sixteen, I had actually read the thing over seven times in a single year! This small adventure of mine had led me, that very same year, to write the rough draft of my very first Swashbuckling novel, which I called: "The Adventures of Monsieur de La Donaree the Musketeer;" which, I have actually published in 2009. Also, that same year (that is, back when I was sixteen – or even creeping onto seventeen), and inspired by Rafael Sabatini's (and, indeed, Errol Flynn's portrayal) of Captain Blood, I wrote the first rough draft to my second novel "Captain Skull: From the Memoirs of Sir Charles of Riley." Which, incidentally, I published in book form in 2011. Not only so, but – you've guessed it! – I have been trying my hand at a Christian, Swashbuckling novel

What are you working on now?
I am actually beginning a book that will be my most controversial, which deals with the subject of church rituals, called: "Carnal Ordinances: The Naturalistic World That Had Come To An End."

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads, by far!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
What's the old saying? Practice makes perfect! And, don't be discouraged! Writing isn't an easy thing, as many who have never wrote a book before finds out rather quickly! When I took a course of writing in college, my teacher said something that I really didn't like, and that was, basically, that your first twenty years are your hardest! I didn't really know if that was true or not, but since I have been writing now for about 30 years, I have come to feel that it really is true! This has to be in your blood, and you must have patience! … Oh, and did I mention patience??

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Practice makes perfect…

What are you reading now?
I'm actually re-reading my latest book, which was published last week. I'm trying to make sure that I didn't miss anything … This seems like my fiftieth read-over!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write the Seeking the Everlasting Gospel Teaching Series, and perhaps a historical, fiction novel or two…

What is your favorite book of all time?
You mean, besides the King James Version Bible? It has to be Alexandre Dumas' Three Musketeers. But, the Bible comes first!

Author Websites and Profiles
Ted Roberts Website
Ted Roberts Amazon Profile

Ted Roberts’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a clinical psychologist and my books range from fiction to nonfiction. I wrote about the grand adventure of the community mental health program and its dramatic failure, how to survive divorce and remarriage, how to use Carl Jung's personality typology to create characters and plots. The fiction is reflected in my Gaia's Majesty Trilogy currently in process.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Gaia's Majesty-Mission Called: Women in Power. It is inspired by my love of mythology which I believe gives depth to our lives but also speaks great truths. The other major inspiration is that I believe we may be on the verge of major changes and that the empowerment of women will be central. These elements are blended in the Gaia's Majesty Trilogy

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing bizarre. I find music energizing and listen to a blend of jazz and techno dance among other things.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I find it hard to identify any clear sources. It depends upon who we are and the period of our lives.

What are you working on now?
I'm concentrating on the trilogy and the possibility emerging of a fourth book going to another level.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I can't say I believe in a best method. Given the scope and complexity of the world of books currently, it is essential to have breadth of approach.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hang in there. It is essential in this climate to be tenacious and to endure. There is no easy or fast route.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is that there is no single best advice.

What are you reading now?
I'm concentrating on tyranny and large scope emerging themes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the trilogy and maybe book 4. Also my characters have come to live with me and I may do a book for each of them.

What is your favorite book of all time?
As with advice, I don't believe in one best of anything.

Author Websites and Profiles
Roger B. Burt Website
Roger B. Burt Amazon Profile

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I began writing poems and short stories around the age of ten. My grandmother encouraged me to continue writing. I thought I’d eventually become a songwriter. However, I’m a person who has many interests and fashion is one of them. I attended The University of Southern Mississippi and received a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising and apparel studies. Because of my love for fashion, I will read any fashion magazine I can get my hands on. During the day, I work as a customer service representative and at night, I type until my fingers ache. I have written a total of twelve books. When I can catch a break from all of that, I can be found in the kitchen baking a tasty dessert such as my favorite strawberry cake. I also love to read, listen to music, and watch reruns of my childhood favorites Scooby-Doo, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Autumn is my latest book. It's a short story in the Unpopular in Love series I wrote and it can also be read as a standalone. It's about a young woman who is dealing with the loss of her mother and grandmother. Their deaths hardened her and someone special from her past comes back into her life to soften her heart. After writing several young adult books, I decided to try my hand at writing romance. I love writing in the young adult genre so I know that eventually, I'll be returning to it with a new idea.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't really think I do. I tend to make an outline of a chapter or at least write what I want the chapter to be about before I type it. Sometimes the story takes a different turn than what I originally planned.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are too many to list here! Mary Monroe, Danielle Steel, Nicholas Sparks, just to name a few.

What are you working on now?
I don't really want to give too much away because it's still a work in progress. I'm working on something a little different than what I've done before. It's a story about an overweight woman who's on the verge of death due to her weight. She's trying to get weight loss surgery so that her daughters will not be without a mother.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I normally let my readers know about new releases through my blog on blogger. I recently joined WordPress so I do it from there as well now, too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To write as much as possible. Each story that you write helps you to become a better writer. Never give up on your dreams.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To never give up on your dreams. If someone tells you you can't do something, don't argue with them. Do what it is they told you you couldn't do. Actions speak louder than words.

What are you reading now?
I'm not currently reading anything. When I'm working on a new book, I don't read as much.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books and hopefully a clothing boutique one day. I have a fashion degree and I still want to use it.

What is your favorite book of all time?
There are many books that I love so this is a hard one. However, one of my favorites is Fabulosity What It Is And How To Get It by Kimora Lee Simmons. She's a fashion designer and I've always admired her work and how she built her brands since I was a kid. She's very inspiring.

Author Websites and Profiles
Valenciya Lyons Website
Valenciya Lyons Amazon Profile
Valenciya Lyons Author Profile Other Bookseller

Valenciya Lyons’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a sassy middle aged lady who enjoys life, exercising, playing the piano and the flute, singing, and doing Sudoku. I presently reside in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I have been an educator for over 15 years. I received my Doctorate in higher education, a Masters in secondary education and a Bachelors of Science in chemistry. After teaching chemistry, college algebra, physics and various other science courses, I was a director, a math curriculum coordinator, and my last job was as an assistant principal in a small community. I have received numerous awards which includes: Arkansas Education Association Human & Civil Rights Educator Award, National Education Association Award for Teaching Excellence, Arkansas Education Association Newsletter Award, Regional Finalist for the 2008 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, and the Who's Who Among America's Teachers, to name a few.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is, " My Journey with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma (Breast Cancer) and it was inspired by my mother. My mother did not want me to share my illness with my extended family or friends; therefore, I used writing as a way to convey how I felt about the metamorphosis my body was going through with chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and radiation treatment. Moreover, my writing gave me time to really write about the emotions that I was feeling about the regular activities that I was involved with as well.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not have any unusual writing habits. i just write what I am feeling at the time that I am writing. However, I do really write my best thoughts late at night because my mind is clearer and I can really think about what I am writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Two of my favorite authors are Jodi Piccoult and Jim Stovall. However, the book that had the largest influence on me in my writing of my book is the Bible.

What are you working on now?
I am presently working on obtaining an audience for my book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There is no best method for promoting a book. I believe that one has to use several venues to promote a book such as: creating a website for your book, doing book signings, having book giveaways, making sure that your book is placed on major websites such as Amazon, read various books on marketing a published book, and possibly obtaining a publicist.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is to follow your dream. Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do it. However, you must be willing to work because there are many books out there and you want to make sure that you do all you can to publicize your book and obtain an audience that can identify with your book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
"For evil to prevail all good men have to do is NOTHING!!!!"

What are you reading now?
I read my Bible daily and I am also reading, " 5-Minute Book Marketing for Authors" by Penny Sansevieri.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have written a 2nd book that I hope will be published before the end of the year.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
W. Andranette Anderson Website
W. Andranette Anderson Amazon Profile
W. Andranette Anderson Author Profile Other Bookseller

W. Andranette Anderson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always been a storyteller, but never put pen to paper until a rainy August Saturday afternoon, after putting away groceries and nothing to watch on TV in 2015. Suddenly, I had a publishing contract, and am now in the midst of the vortex of marketing, analytics, refining, and continuing to
write, which I now define as my true calling and passion.

I’m now fully and happily immersed in the whirlwind that is the publishing industry, even as I diligently continue my work in software sales.

I’m a former-Long Islander with Hispanic roots, now living Florida, and it is from those memories of summers on Long Island that I crafted my debut novel, Last Exit to Montauk.

Now I can’t stop my brain from working through new ideas for future stories, which is why I currently have sixteen other books in various stages. I’ve already promised my publisher, Janet Fix, thewordverve, I’d have one to her by the end of this summer, which has her excited.

My hobbies, aside from enjoying my ongoing work as a published author, include many of the other art forms: singing, performing, and reading. The beach is always home to me. . . and laughter, whether my own or someone else’s, is an unsurpassed joy that I embrace whenever possible.

Lastly, I live in the Tampa Bay area with my wife, four sons and “two and a half dogs,” which are actually four dogs, but three are Chihuahuas while the fourth is a shepherd, who thinks she’s a Chihuahua, so I say it “two and a half.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called, Last Exit to Montauk and it was inspired by my life on Long Island, in the 1980’s. That said, had someone told me that at the age of 49, I’d complete my first novel, publish it at 51 and have sixteen others in process, I’d have laughed and thought that person was nuts…N-V-T-S, as the great Mel Brooks once said. (Okay, I know it was Ron Carey’s character, Swiftus, in History of the World, Part One, but Mel wrote the movie, so I give him the credit.)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
How would you define unusual? I wouldn’t say unusual, but here’s my current process, which again, is all new to me. Remember, I’ve only started doing this in August 2015, so I’m still a “newbie”.

How it works for me is like this, images, like a video or movie will start playing in my mind’s eye, including dialogue and music. From there, I start typing what I see, hear, smell, etc. It’s a fully immersive process, involving my five senses. It’s the strangest sensation I’ve ever experienced, and one I’m still learning to manage.

I usually write at night, or after yard work, on the weekends. I get into “the zone” by putting on music videos on YouTube or SiriusXM and listen to Howard, The Bridge, Road Trip, The Message or Classic Rewind, and start typing away. Before I know it, I’ve written 1000 words, or a few chapters.

So is this unusual? I don’t know, but it’s how I do it. So far, it’s worked for me, which is why I have sixteen stories in process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Off the top of my head, Joseph F. Girzone’s Joshua series, Harry Potter series, Hunger Games, Howard Stern, Stieg Larsson, Lawrence Kelter, Cheryl Bradshaw, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and William P. Young’s The Shack have all influenced me. Also, I love the Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan novels as well.

It’s funny. I was in Orlando this week, on vacation with my family, at Universal Studios. We hit all three parks, including their new water park, Volcano Bay, which was a hoot. Anyway, I bring this up, because two of the three parks have multi-million dollar attractions that began as a whim in 1990 on a delayed train between Manchester and London, England to some nondescript woman, probably heading home.

After trials and tribulations, including going on the UK version of public assistance, fast forward to 1997, and the first novel in the Harry Potter series was published. Two decades later, me along with millions of others can now walk around Universal Studios’ vision of her novels. She went from welfare to millionaire status in five years, all because of a young wizard named Harry.

Is that my goal? No, I don’t never see my novels getting transformed and becoming part of a theme park, but who knows? I can certainly see them transferring to the Silver Screen in the not-to-distant future, which is one of my goals.

What are you working on now?
I have other love stories/romance novels in various stages. In addition, I have a thriller and a pure fictional comedy piece as well. My publisher, Janet Fix, thewordverve, recommended that I stick with one genre and develop a following for now, before venturing into a new category. But, I can’t control what comes to me, as I mow my lawn or drive to an appointment, or relax at the beach.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This one of course! Also, this is still all new to me. I haven’t taken writing courses, or marketing courses. That said, I am a successful business professional, so I’m applying the same techniques I use in my “day job” to marketing my writing.

First, I research various avenues. In today’s world, you must take a multi-channel approach to business. This means, social media, word of mouth, networking, reaching out to publications like this, guest hosting on various blogs and Facebook pages, and participating in interviews, book signings and contests.

That and praying for guidance and wisdom. It helps that I have an awesome publisher to bounce ideas off and work with as well. It’s a team effort. We jokingly call ourselves #TeamV.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, keep writing daily, even if it’s for a half hour. Get in the habit of writing at least 500 words daily. Before you know it, you’ll have a book ready for editing. And don’t give up, even if you have writer’s block from hell.

Take a deep breath, take a walk around your block, drink some water, listen to some music, and get yourself into the zone. And relax!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If what you’re writing is not driving your story forward, then delete it.” My editor/Publisher, Janet Fix, thewordverve, gave me this advice, and allowed me to cut my manuscript for Last Exit to Montauk from just under 800 pages to 388 pages.

That and “get your butt in a seat and start writing!”

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the latest Dragon Tattoo book, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, by David Lagercrantz. I’m also reading Persuader, a Jack Reacher novel, by Lee Child. I just finished Lawrence Kelter latest, Back to Brooklyn, Book 1 of the My Cousin Vinny Series and it was awesome! I highly recommend it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing! I currently have sixteen other stories to complete, so I plan on working on and completing those. That said, based on my current process, of having stories just hit me, I anticipate that I’ll have many other stories in my “queue”, which has my Publisher excited.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bible, which technically is 66 books, but it's still my favorite.

Author Websites and Profiles
Phillip Vega Website
Phillip Vega Amazon Profile
Phillip Vega Author Profile Other Bookseller

Phillip Vega’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written several books, but have only published one. I went the self publishing route and truly enjoyed the process. The Arcane Heir, was my passion project.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Arcane Heir is my most recently published book. I wrote it in a time were I felt very alone, and writing was an escape. The story itself came from other stories I had written, that I combined into one.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write a specific scene of the book first and then work the story around it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J R. R. Tolkien and Alexandra Bracken.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to The Arcane Heir.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found that Facebook has been helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what inspires you, not what the world wants to see.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To do what makes you happy, despite what others think.

What are you reading now?
Outlander.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to finish The Arcane Heir series. I also have a bunch of new ideas brewing.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Hobbit.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sally Turner Website

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a first-time author developing a new fiction/fantasy saga. I've lived all over the United States, but Ohio will always be my home. I'm a huge fan of all fiction, and am always looking to get lost in the relaxing escape of a good novel. I've worked several years for a major book retailer, and now enjoy a career in aviation as an air traffic controller. I'm a sucker for an old-fashioned good versus evil story, and the cuddles of my dog Brutus.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Reminiscence is my debut novel. Its been in the works for a few years, but originally was inspired by a mix of my dreams, and some extra time on my hands when I had a devastating job loss. Developing this saga has turned out to be quite the passion for me!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must always have a snack, and my snack of preference is usually hello kitty fruit snacks 🙂

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I LOVE Diana Gabaldon, and of course have always been inspired by JK Rowling. I think we can all relate to a good comeback story!

What are you working on now?
I'm currently working on the sequel to my first book. It's number two in the trilogy of the Statera Saga: Quintessence. Release date will be October 10, 2017!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I've tried all sites for promotion, I'm still experimenting with anything I can find.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The only advice I can give is what I've done: Pretend to know what you're doing, keep a close eye on the successes of others, and try to follow suit!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The poem Don't Quit by Edgar A. Guest.

What are you reading now?
My friend's book: The Origin of Birds in the Footprints of Writing
by Raymond St. Elmo
He's a genius!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I'm going to wrap up my first saga, and because I've found a true passion in writing, I'm going to continue to develop new Ya/fantasy stories.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The princess bride by William Goldman

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Marie Website
Amy Marie Amazon Profile

Amy Marie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings Fellow Word Smiths and Travelers,

I have never been interviewed before. I am completely invested into this moment and this interview. I am looking at it as the destination that has taken me a lifetime to reach, an achievement accomplished, a reason to believe, and as I pause in whole wonder and awe struck contemplation and gratitude, I must say thank you for this opportunity.

I feel I am obligated to give back what was so freely taken. I owe this world some explanation and perhaps my balled up treasure map, guided by the compass of my heart, and each word written neatly in the blood of my pen, maybe it can help guide somebody else through the Minotaur’s Labyrinth, as good books really never end.

It is 6:00 pm and I am on the second floor of an apartment at the beach and it is the 4th of July (Happy Birthday America!!) and raining, but I think they are still planning on launching off the fireworks. I am listening to “Out of the Box” Archives run by Paul Shugrue, and we are taking it easy before we cook up some shrimp.

My view on life is, life is a joke and when you die you get the punchline, because there is something very funny going on around here. I can’t really put my finger on it, but something definitely very funny is happening.

I usually am either running from something or running to something, but when I pause and root in the ground and feel the music vibrate through my bones and I remember to dance, suddenly life makes sense and I dance in gratitude, I dance in victory, I dance in passion, I dance in love. I was taught the word guidance, is “God, You and I, Dance.”

I love to read books, I get a lifetime of wisdom in one sitting, and I love all of those savory nuggets of golden thought to savor and think about, the golden nuggets of thought gathered by people who chip at them with pickaxes to uncover from the mines in their heart. I enjoy talking to people and finding their treasure, and all the gifts that come along with this. I know without a doubt it is the rainbow that is the true treasure, not the pot of gold at the end.

I used to dress my scarecrow very scary looking when my garden and crops were just withered weeds in clumps of parking lot asphalt and desert sand, but having spent much time tending my garden into an oasis of sorts, now I want my scarecrow to welcome people and let them enjoy my crops. Anything I invest my love and time into will grow. Knowing we only have a certain amount of time gives me this super sense of urgency to do good works now.

Each moment, the present, is a gift and I am surrounded by countless unopened moments and I strive to enjoy each one. I have conjured in my mind a perfect sanctuary, a sandy pebble river bank with a large tree and its shady canopy above me and a beautiful flowing river, my mind, full of fish that are my thoughts. I sometimes like to just sit there and watch the fish swim past me, not particularly engaging any of them, just aware of their presence, but eventually I must feed, I cannot hold on to the gap for too long, and my mind must think. I grab hold of a fish, a thought, and I bite into it, and that thought becomes my reality.

Sometimes these fish come from a nuclear reactor plant a ways back and there have been times in my life when I couldn’t weed out the mutated fish/thought, my filter was gone, and I acted on each one. Needless to say this has led to some embarrassing and my own life endangering moments, as well as some very humorous ones, and some things I deeply regret that scar my soul and eat at me.

I say this as an introduction to a label I have, one that has taken me a lifetime to wear proudly, I am diagnosed with schizophrenia.

A lot of my writing is based on real delusions, I have come to really appreciate the small differences that make us complete, I call schizophrenia, “DreamWalking”. I explain it is like when you are asleep and have completely bought into your dream, even if it is super strange or irrational, and it is not until you wake up that you realize it was just a dream. That’s how I get when un-medicated.

I am medicated now and things are good, but having had this unique perspective I think most do not understand, has given me some food for thought and a great source of creative strength and inspiration.
I have written eight books but two need work and one is just beginning of a trilogy. If you go to Smashwords or Barnes and Noble’s website and type in “Colonel Mustard” they will appear and you can download them for free.

This is my vision below, I wrote it for a group I belonged to that has disbanded but it is true to my heart. I wrote it from my own beliefs. It is carved into me.

My purpose is accomplished when I draw from a source of love and not a source of fear. I share a common and hearty attitude of gratitude, and draw on love, to weather the rough seas when we find ourselves in times of turmoil.

For it is when the waves of life grow so large and look so overwhelming and threatening and challenging, that we are meant to ride them, not run and become crushed under them. It is the waves strength that propels us onto shore. I choose to view our events in our life as either lessons or blessings, I choose to learn positive skills and knowledge from our lessons and to enjoy and be grateful for our blessings.

We who have struggled climbing up the mountaintop carrying our personalized giant boulder, we have developed strong muscles, carrying our own heavy burdens, uphill, alone, but we cannot make it to the top. We need to ask for help, help to carry and lighten our load, if but a little. We know even the smallest relief can be a great gift and a blessing, and each footstep up the mountaintop gained is a victory, by which we continue to need help with. It is in a moment of clarity, relieved temporary of our burden, when a miracle may take place. How beautiful when we realize we no longer need to carry our boulders and we drop them.

Carrying such heavy weight, we have grown strong muscles, and when relieved of it, we help others with their burdens, until they reach the pinnacle point when they realize they no longer need to carry their boulders everywhere they go and let them drop.

Our experiences with these challenges have made us strong, and the further down the hole we have fallen, and then climbed out, the more we can safely guide those, still digging in their own holes, the way out.

It is so healing and unifying when we realize we are not hurtling through the darkness of space all alone, there are others who experience similar trials and life events and who are recovering with us. Recovery, from falling off a horse and breaking every bone in our body, is not just healing back to normal, recovery is getting back on the horse and learning how to ride the horse and avoid from falling off the horse again.

We welcome our individuality that makes us special and our gifts, unique. Happiness is using our gifts we are given to help somebody else and knowing we are all just one piece in the puzzle, and we all have unique gifts to fill in others flaws, and we all have flaws and holes that alone we cannot overcome but the gifts of others can help fill, knowing our experiences shape us into our own unique puzzle piece, that we had to have happen for us to be able to fit perfectly into the puzzle.

We care because once we were lost in the dark cold of mental illness, co-occuring, and/or substance abuse, until someone journeyed into the dark with a candle blazing in their heart full of warmth and love, and lit our heart and rescued us. Now that the candle in our heart is lit, we can safely journey into the dark with no fear, and light other candles in other hearts with the same spark.

We will journey into the deserts, the darkness, we go where we are needed. We are on our own unique journey in recovery, we take many different roads, but we are not alone, our purpose is clear, to raise the flag of hope for all of the hopeless to see, and together march and parade and storm into the gates of all heck and release our lost brothers and sisters from their own self-made prison cells where they suffer needlessly tortured behind doors that are not even locked but seem so overwhelmingly impossible to open alone.
I would like to help promote the creative gifts of the Mentally “ill”, that is a flag I would be honored to carry into the gates of Heaven, or maybe in the least a Queen Burger Joint or maybe even one on the moon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Agent For Hope – Book1

Each book draws from my own experiences, Agent For Hope was born from a chess game I lost when I tried to let my opponent get all eight pawns across the other side and become Queens. I look at the pawns as dreams that, if they make it to the other side, can become reality.

Not that you need to know this, but if I was to pick a chess piece that I think would most clearly represents me, I would say I’m a Knight. It has perhaps the strangest, funniest jump to it, a little different, a little harder to understand, good to create a fork between pieces and if used wisely, it is a game changer. The Knight, not always elegant, defends. Is a thorn beautiful then too, for defending the rose?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am so paranoid of losing my work on the computer (having some computers crash with no backups), so I print my work out on paper. I also am afraid of leaving a rough draft out and then dying, and having people read it, and judge all of my writing by the badly written rough draft and get the wrong impression of what my book is all about.

I would like to defend my character who perhaps gets addicted to butterfly hearts, or whatever. So I get very motivated to finish rough drafts the best I can and constantly throw them away as soon as I print out a revision or hide them if life cuts in and I cannot finish them for a week or so.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I get something from every book I read, but the most magical, the biggest influence, is when I was a young child. I remember it so clearly. I went to my Mother and told her I wanted to read a big “real” book. She told me to go into her room and I went to her night stand and slowly opened the bottom drawer and there in this subdued light was J. R. R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" and "the Lord of the Rings Trilogy". I cannot tell you how much these books influenced me, how beautiful the experience and how eternally grateful I am to J. R. R. Tolkien. He opened a whole new world for me and I have been forever hooked.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the 2nd Book in the "Agent For Hope Trilogy". – Knights, Agents, Varying planet species and pawns of Light and Dark collide, traveling in space in search of Yoke, the Blood of God, while the Universe and differing planes of existence and reality continue to unwind in the cafeteria of a mental hospital.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really have done little marketing. I have not tried to promote my books. My rationalization is because they are free and I do not have a big budget, and I am a lot better at writing then promoting. However I am now trying to promote them. I am just starting an aggressive campaign on MyBookPlace.net and BookReaderMagazine as well as my own just created yodaspickle.com. We will see how it turns out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well having received my royalty check about five months ago for the total amount of $1.01, I am not a very successful paid author, but that’s OK because all my books are free. I do not know if you want my advice. I do keep my check, uncashed, on my mirror next to a sticker that reads “Boy am I glad to see you.” This helps.

I made my books free, not because I think they are worthless or cheap, rather I consider them priceless. I want the focus to be on the book and try not to get swayed by money in any one direction. Of course life and society kind of demand money, but for right now everything is good.

My first advice is let your baby out of the closet, don’t be afraid to show your work to people, and keep your confidence high, even if the critics give you lots of negative reviews, don’t let that steal your serenity or still your pen, believe in yourself and your abilities. For me to be turned on, I have to connect my plug into a higher source of power, and I also have a switch on my back that I cannot reach. I need a person who believes in me and flips my switch on, and then once on, look out – Anything is possible! Also, as we all know, keep writing, keep on keeping on writing, every day if you can, even if it’s one line, and on the back burner of your mind have some sort of plot cooking, I especially love connecting B to C then back to A then over to E, you know the craft, the art, I find it very therapeutic and thought engaging.

Also feed yourself new sources of inspiration for your imagination, food for thought.

When I first begin a project I like to get really large sheets of paper with no lines and start writing anywhere on them, and you know, one word leads to another, and before you know it you have something, may have to sift through it, but you have something and that’s a start.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I really enjoy one line quotes.

I love the one from Yoda, “You must train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.”

Another quote inspired from my Dad and Best Friend, both having passed, is “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it, Do it with Love and if possible, Style.”
And “Be Kind.”

Imagine you are changing a flat tire in the rain, and you have only 5 minutes left on the planet, imagine what a beautiful experience, holding the tire, smelling the air, feeling the rain, imagine how beautiful it would be.

I don’t have to mow the grass, I get to.

Some quotes I like but don’t know their source,

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

“Time doesn’t exist, Clocks exist.”

“If it wasn’t for time, everything would happen at once.”

“God Loved the birds so much He gave them trees to play in, Man loved birds so much he made them cages.”

What are you reading now?
My heart is always in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and I am going through withdrawal, however currently I am reading a book my Friend gave me called "Bird by Bird Some instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott. It is a very good book and is giving me good motivation and drive and some good nuggets of gold thoughts to savor and think about, and I recommend it to everybody.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to turn my yodaspickle.com site (it’s kind of a big dill) into a showcase/marketplace for all works of art by the Mentally “ill” / DreamWalkers. We want your mental ill art, and I say that with the best of love.

I also want to finish the Agent for Hope Trilogy I am working on.

I used to wish to one day walk into a book store and see one of my books on the shelf. I think this is all ego, but it would of been pretty cool. I want to go back and revise a few of my books written in various stages of my life.

What is your favorite book of all time?
J. R. R. Tolkien’s, "The Hobbit" & "Lord of the Rings Trilogy".

Author Websites and Profiles
Colonel Mustard Website
Colonel Mustard Author Profile on Smashwords

Colonel Mustard’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I'm a debut author having self-published my first novel via Pronoun. I've had a varied career, with stints as a journalist, a graphic designer and a business owner. I'm 47 and plan from this point on to write and self-publish as many full-length novels as I can before I'm pushing up daisies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is titled The Jesus Man. It's based upon an idea I had over thirty years ago but never got around to writing it. I spent all of 2016 and the first four months of this year writing and revising it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do sometimes pace around the house while thinking of plot lines. It helps to free my mind from the constant staring at a computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors such as H P Lovecraft, H G Wells, Edgar Allan Poe, George Orwell

What are you working on now?
After a two-month break from releasing my debut novel, I'm now working on my second titled NexiLexicon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think my efforts (due to budget constraints) are limited so I'm hoping for word of mouth to work in my favour in due time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, be prepared for the long game. There are very few who make it overnight.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don't listen to advice!

What are you reading now?
An absolute avalanche of research material for my second book!

What’s next for you as a writer?
To simply continue what I love doing which is writing and try not to worry too much about exposure and marketing etc.

What is your favorite book of all time?
1984

Author Websites and Profiles
Keith Anthony Baird Website

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a first-time indie author and have written one book so far. I hope to write many more!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Just Another Girl's Story, A Memoir on Finding Redemption. I wrote my story in the hopes of inspiring others who are living with regret from past mistakes, to find a pathway to forgiveness and understanding. One of my main messages is, that we do not have to be defined by our past.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best when I have a homemade quilt I made, wrapped around my body like a cocoon.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I truly enjoy reading Memoirs the most. Of the many I've read, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King and Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp, have been my favorites.

What are you working on now?
Mostly promoting & marketing my book! I also started writing a book with my husband about youth mission trips. Between the two of us, we've participated and led more than 12 teenage mission trips all across the country. They have been life-changing and spectacular for both of us and for the teenagers who joined us!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My book was just self-published in June, so it's hard to know so soon. I would say Facebook and Twitter have been very helpful. I feel that Goodreads will be helpful down the road if I am fortunate to receive good book reviews.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are an indie author, start designing your website and get it live before your book is published. I use WordPess and there are so many awesome plug-ins that are helpful. I would also create a Facebook Page and start promoting your upcoming book ahead of publishing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is advice I didn't take …but if I could do it over again, I would get beta readers to read and review my book before it was published.

What are you reading now?
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

What’s next for you as a writer?
I'd like to join a local writer's group and attend writing workshops.

What is your favorite book of all time?
When I was younger, I must have read Chances by Jackie Collins at least three times! I thought she was such a bad-ass and wanted to be as bold and powerful as she was.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Eckert Website

Laura Eckert’s Social Media Links
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Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Louisiana with my husband and 3 kids. I published my first book in 2012 and have been writing full time since then. I have published 33 books so far.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Tipping the Scales. It is a shifter romance about a dragon shifter who is slowly going mad without his mate. I co-wrote it with Delphina Henley. We are both shifter fanatics.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual like I have to be wearing my roller derby hoodie or have it nearby? Unusual like I can’t be wearing socks? Unusual like I can’t write during the day as much as the night? Unusual like the fan has to be on? Nope. Not me. I’m also not sarcastic at all.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many profound and amazing authors out there. One of them is Delphina Henley. Another of my favorites would be Mary Smith.
Mostly, my number one shifter author influence would be T.S. Joyce. Her books are beyond bingeable. I’m obsessed!

What are you working on now?
I have so many things in the works right now. There are six novels in my second-chance romance series with Elle Kimberley. Delphina Henley and I are writing the next book in our Mate Craze series. I have a new novel coming out from Kristie Cook’s publishing company under the Havenwood Falls series. Plus, in November, I have a contemporary romance coming out from Clean Teen Publishing called AnguiSH.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My readers are my best promo option. I wouldn’t be where I am or writing books without them. Telling someone about the books you love is the best promo in the world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. Write. Read and read some more. I can’t write without reading. It is essential. Read in your genre. Read out of your genre. Read things that inspire you. Read things that you think you might hate. Read it all.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve heard is to write what you want to read. Don’t go with the trends or with whatever is popular-those things will fade just like all trends. Write what calls to your heart.

What are you reading now?
I’m binging all things shifter.

What’s next for you as a writer?
So many things!

What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s impossible to pick! I do love Stephen King and Anne Rice and Neil Gaiman.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lila Felix Website
Lila Felix Amazon Profile
Lila Felix Author Profile on Barnes and Noble

Lila Felix’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi my name is Marie. I started writing when I was working in a school library, that was a picture book for the under 5's but since then I have written for every age group up to adult. I've written 6 stories and been in 2 anthologies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book just published is called Different Wings. It's about a girl who discovers that she is actually an angel hidden on Earth and that she will get her wings on her 18th birthday. I love angels and always wanted to write a book about them but I wanted it to be slightly different to a lot of the ones on the market already where the main character is usually half human.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No although I do like to write snuggled under a duvet.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love all books. I've been an avid reader since a child, so all books influence me.

What are you working on now?
I'm working on a Christmas Novella for adults.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
They all have their merits and I use social media to reach my audience too

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing – don't give up – read and edit and keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
be true to yourself and don't let any bad reviews get you down, You'll never please everyone.

What are you reading now?
I've just finished a Christmas crime novella which was fun.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing in both YA and adult genres – I have sequels for both of my YA books to be written at some point.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Too hard to choose but one that sticks with me since childhood is The Brother's Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren. I've since read it to my own children.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marie Godley Website

Marie Godley’s Social Media Links
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