A.F. Stewart's Blog, page 45
September 7, 2017
Horror Bites: Alice's Scars
Today I bring you a featured book spotlight from HorrorAddicts.net with an Alice-inspired story by Adam L. Bealby. Enjoy...
HorrorAddicts.net launches its Horror Bites series!
Horror Bites: Alice’s Scars by Adam L. Bealby
When he met Alice, he wasn't prepared to go down the rabbit hole. His love for her pushes him into the uncomfortable realization she might be mad. He wants to keep her safe, but what if that’s not what Alice wants?
“Adam Bealby has written a mini masterpiece that explores mental illness, drug addiction, and real life horror.”
~David Watson, The All-Night Library
Horror Bites: Alice’s Scars
Just 99 cents at Amazon.com
******************************************************
A look inside…
Alice’s Scars
BY ADAM L. BEALBYWhen I first met her she was Katie, soon to be Alice. It was her first day at Uni, my second, and her scars intrigued me. They lined her cheeks like tribal markings and the way she caked her face in foundation, you could tell they were forever on her mind. It helped, of course, that she was a beautiful Goth girl. I wanted to save her, share her pain, kiss her, and fuck her, too. I asked her what she kept in the drawstring purse around her neck.“Money,” she said dismissively, turning away to talk to someone else at the bar.She disappeared soon after. I only found out later how drunk she got, how she spent the rest of the night over a toilet bowl with Jackie holding her hair clear of her mouth. Her first and last run-in with alcohol. Alice had too much else going on in her life to get any more screwed up.I dogged her all through freshers’ week. Instead of dorms, she’d been accommodated in a little house just off campus. A new friend I met lived there too, so it was an easy thing to fall in with her motley crew, drawn together by circumstance as we were. I became a regular in their kitchen, smoking weed and trying too hard—as we all did—to be quirky and cool.We struck up conversation over a jar of pesto. I didn’t know what it was and she couldn’t believe it. I strung it out, made it appear I was more ignorant than I actually was, and I got her laughing. When I said her pesto looked like rabbit food she blushed, right through all that paint and powder.“You don’t know the first thing about rabbits,” she said, and she showed me what was in her drawstring purse. It was a tiny white rabbit’s foot. It freaked me out and yet I felt even more attracted to her. It was my in, a secret shared. Looking at the severed foot I felt myself getting hard and I had to sit down for fear she’d notice.She ran away that evening. We were all stoned and a bit drunk, talking about our parents, being glib, critical, or overly generous. She burst into tears and ran out of the kitchen and into the night, not even bothering to put her shoes on. We made an extravagant show of hunting for her, shouting her name up and down the street. Pete the Poet, as we later christened him, came out to help from next door. The way John shouted Katie’s name in his Irish accent, Pete thought we’d lost a cat. We had a good laugh about that.But it wasn’t funny when we found Katie. She was hunkered down by the bushes on a bit of common area at the end of the row.“Katie? What are you looking for?” I asked as we gathered round in a concerned hub.“He was here,” she muttered. She’d been pawing at the dirt. Her fingers were black. “I saw him, but he got away from me.”“Who was here, Katie?”She looked up. The glare from a passing car lent her eyes a lustrous sheen.“Alice. Call me Alice from now on, okay? Do you know what time it is? The days all seem to blur into one.”
******************************************************
Adam L. Bealby writes fantasy, horror and weird fiction for both adults and children. His short stories and comic work have been published in numerous anthologies, including Spooked (Bridge House Publishing), Pagan (Zimbell House Publishing), Darkness Abound(Migla Press), Once Upon a Scream(HorrorAddicts.net), Sirens (World Weaver Press), World Unknown Review Vol. 2, rEvolution (MiFiWriters) and Murky Depths magazine. He lives in Worcestershire, UK with his wife and three children, and a harried imagination.
Catch up with his latest ravings at @adamskilad.
Once Upon a Scream, featuring “The Other Daughter” by Adam L. Bealby
Once Upon a Scream…there was a tradition of telling tales with elements of the fantastic along with the frightful. Adults and children alike took heed not to go into the deep, dark woods, treat a stranger poorly, or make a deal with someone-or something-without regard for the consequences. Be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it. From wish-granting trolls, to plague curses, and evil enchantresses, these tales will have you hiding under the covers in hopes they don’t find you. So lock your doors, shutter your windows, and get ready to SCREAM.
HorrorAddicts.net
for Horror Addicts, by Horror Addicts
Listen to the HorrorAddicts.net podcast for the latest in horror news, reviews, music, and fiction.
HorrorAddicts.net Press
www.horroraddicts.net
HorrorAddicts.net launches its Horror Bites series!
Horror Bites: Alice’s Scars by Adam L. Bealby
When he met Alice, he wasn't prepared to go down the rabbit hole. His love for her pushes him into the uncomfortable realization she might be mad. He wants to keep her safe, but what if that’s not what Alice wants?
“Adam Bealby has written a mini masterpiece that explores mental illness, drug addiction, and real life horror.”
~David Watson, The All-Night Library
Horror Bites: Alice’s Scars
Just 99 cents at Amazon.com
******************************************************
A look inside…
Alice’s Scars
BY ADAM L. BEALBYWhen I first met her she was Katie, soon to be Alice. It was her first day at Uni, my second, and her scars intrigued me. They lined her cheeks like tribal markings and the way she caked her face in foundation, you could tell they were forever on her mind. It helped, of course, that she was a beautiful Goth girl. I wanted to save her, share her pain, kiss her, and fuck her, too. I asked her what she kept in the drawstring purse around her neck.“Money,” she said dismissively, turning away to talk to someone else at the bar.She disappeared soon after. I only found out later how drunk she got, how she spent the rest of the night over a toilet bowl with Jackie holding her hair clear of her mouth. Her first and last run-in with alcohol. Alice had too much else going on in her life to get any more screwed up.I dogged her all through freshers’ week. Instead of dorms, she’d been accommodated in a little house just off campus. A new friend I met lived there too, so it was an easy thing to fall in with her motley crew, drawn together by circumstance as we were. I became a regular in their kitchen, smoking weed and trying too hard—as we all did—to be quirky and cool.We struck up conversation over a jar of pesto. I didn’t know what it was and she couldn’t believe it. I strung it out, made it appear I was more ignorant than I actually was, and I got her laughing. When I said her pesto looked like rabbit food she blushed, right through all that paint and powder.“You don’t know the first thing about rabbits,” she said, and she showed me what was in her drawstring purse. It was a tiny white rabbit’s foot. It freaked me out and yet I felt even more attracted to her. It was my in, a secret shared. Looking at the severed foot I felt myself getting hard and I had to sit down for fear she’d notice.She ran away that evening. We were all stoned and a bit drunk, talking about our parents, being glib, critical, or overly generous. She burst into tears and ran out of the kitchen and into the night, not even bothering to put her shoes on. We made an extravagant show of hunting for her, shouting her name up and down the street. Pete the Poet, as we later christened him, came out to help from next door. The way John shouted Katie’s name in his Irish accent, Pete thought we’d lost a cat. We had a good laugh about that.But it wasn’t funny when we found Katie. She was hunkered down by the bushes on a bit of common area at the end of the row.“Katie? What are you looking for?” I asked as we gathered round in a concerned hub.“He was here,” she muttered. She’d been pawing at the dirt. Her fingers were black. “I saw him, but he got away from me.”“Who was here, Katie?”She looked up. The glare from a passing car lent her eyes a lustrous sheen.“Alice. Call me Alice from now on, okay? Do you know what time it is? The days all seem to blur into one.”
******************************************************
Adam L. Bealby writes fantasy, horror and weird fiction for both adults and children. His short stories and comic work have been published in numerous anthologies, including Spooked (Bridge House Publishing), Pagan (Zimbell House Publishing), Darkness Abound(Migla Press), Once Upon a Scream(HorrorAddicts.net), Sirens (World Weaver Press), World Unknown Review Vol. 2, rEvolution (MiFiWriters) and Murky Depths magazine. He lives in Worcestershire, UK with his wife and three children, and a harried imagination.
Catch up with his latest ravings at @adamskilad.
Once Upon a Scream, featuring “The Other Daughter” by Adam L. Bealby
Once Upon a Scream…there was a tradition of telling tales with elements of the fantastic along with the frightful. Adults and children alike took heed not to go into the deep, dark woods, treat a stranger poorly, or make a deal with someone-or something-without regard for the consequences. Be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it. From wish-granting trolls, to plague curses, and evil enchantresses, these tales will have you hiding under the covers in hopes they don’t find you. So lock your doors, shutter your windows, and get ready to SCREAM.
HorrorAddicts.net
for Horror Addicts, by Horror Addicts
Listen to the HorrorAddicts.net podcast for the latest in horror news, reviews, music, and fiction.
HorrorAddicts.net Press
www.horroraddicts.net
September 3, 2017
Book Spotlight: Addict (The Cassie Tam Files #1)
Today I have a book spotlight, for the cyberpunk/crime noir novel Addict (The Cassie Tam Files #1) by Matt Doyle. Plus, there's an excerpt from the book. Enjoy!
Addict (The Cassie Tam Files #1) by Matt Doyle
New Hopeland was built to be the centre of the technological age, but like everywhere else, it has its dark side. Assassins, drug dealers and crooked businessmen form a vital part of the city’s make-up, and sometimes, the police are in too deep themselves to be effective. But hey, there are always other options …
For P.I. Cassie Tam, business has been slow. So, when she’s hired to investigate the death of a local VR addict named Eddie Redwood, she thinks it’ll be easy money. All she has to do is prove to the deceased’s sister Lori that the local P.D. were right to call it an accidental overdose. The more she digs though, the more things don’t seem to sit right, and soon, Cassie finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation. But that’s just the start of her problems.
When the case forces Cassie to make contact with her drug dealing ex-girlfriend, Charlie Goldman, she’s left with a whole lot of long buried personal issues to deal with. Then there’s her client. Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter, someone who uses a metal exoskeleton to roleplay as an animal. Cassie isn’t one to judge, but the Tech Shifting community has always left her a bit nervous. That wouldn’t be a problem if Lori wasn’t fast becoming the first person that she’s been genuinely attracted to since splitting with Charlie. Oh, and then there’s the small matter of the police wanting her to back off the case.
Easy money, huh? Yeah, right.
Addict is available at these sites:
Amazon NineStar Press Smashwords Barnes and Noble Kobo Apple Store Author Website
Excerpt from Addict
I always did like Venetian blinds. There’s something quaint about them in a retro-tacky kinda way. Plus, they’re pretty useful for sneaking a peek out the front of the building if I feel the need. That’s something that you just can’t do with the solid, immovable metal slats that come as a standard in buildings these days. That said, a thick sheet of steel is gonna offer you a damn sight more security than thin, bendable vinyl, so I keep mine installed. Just in case.
Another round of knocking rattles the front door, louder this time than the one that woke me.
The clock says 23:47, and the unfamiliar low-end car out front screams “Don’t notice me, I’m not worth your time,” which makes for the perfect combo to stir up the paranoia that the evening’s beer and horror-film session left behind. This is my own fault. My adverts are pretty descriptive in terms of telling what I do: lost pets, cheating partners, theft, protection, retrieval of people and items, other odds and sods that the city’s finest won’t touch…I’ve got ways to deal with it all. That’s right, I’m a real odd-job gal. The one thing that I don’t put in there are business hours. The way I see it, even the missing pet cases usually leave me wandering the streets at half-past reasonable, so what’s the point in asking people to call between certain hours?
More knocking, followed this time by the squeak of my letter box and a voice. “Hello? Cassandra Tam?”
It’s funny, really. For all the tech advances that the world has made, no one has been able to improve upon the simple open-and-shut letter box. I stumble my way through the dark and wave dismissively at the frosted glass. The light switch and the keypad for the door lock are conveniently placed right next to each other on the wall to the right of the door, sowelcoming my apparent guest is a nice, easy affair. The lock clicks a moment after the lights flood the room, and I pull the door open.
“Cassie,” I say, turning and skulking my way back into the room. “Or Caz. Drop the Tam.”
I hear a sniff behind me, and the lady from the letter box asks, “Are you drunk?”
“If I pass out in the next five minutes, then yes,” I reply, turning the kettle on. I’d left it full, ready for the morning, but I guess this is close enough. “Take a seat at the table. Would you prefer tea or coffee? I’d offer beer, but since I reek of it, I guess I must’ve finished it.”
Footsteps creep unapologetically across the room, and a chair squeaks on the floor. Good. If you can’t deal with a snarky response to something, don’t say it all, and if you can deal with it, then as far as I’m concerned you don’t need to apologise.
“Coffee,” the lady says. “So, do you always see potential clients in your underwear, or is it just my lucky day?” Her voice has a slightly playful edge to it, but with a sarcastic kick to round it off.
The business portion of my apartment comprises entirely of a small open-plan room separating my kitchen from my living room. And by open plan, I mean an allotted space that encroaches on both territories but is conveniently large enough to house what I need. Or, in other words, a table, four chairs, and nothing else. Since filing went near entirely digital, filing cabinets have pretty much become obsolete, so the two that I found dumped outside the building when I bought the place currently live in my bedroom, and contain a mix of quick access work stuff and personal files I’d rather not have floating on the net. Most things, though, I store electronically, the same as everything else.
I rarely use the business table to eat, read, or any of that junk, so until this evening it’s been entirely empty for a good few weeks. The lady sitting there now is studying me, I can see, and probably wondering if this was a mistake. Whatever she may have expected, a Chinese-Canadian gal of average height in a cami top and a loose pair of sleep shorts most likely wasn’t it. For what it’s worth, though, I’m studying her just the same. She’s a lithe-looking thing, dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a plain black fitted top under a leather jacket. If the metal plugs running down her shaven head like a shiny, rubber-tipped Mohawk weren’t a giveaway for what she is, the light scarring punctuating the outer edges of her pale blue eyes certainly would be. She’s a Tech Shifter, and like most of her ilk, she looks like a punk rocker gone cyborg.
~*~
Author Bio
Matt Doyle lives in the South East of England and shares his home with a wide variety of people and animals, as well as a fine selection of teas. He has spent his life chasing dreams, a habit which has seen him gain success in a great number of fields. To date, this has included spending ten years as a professional wrestler, completing a range of cosplay projects, and publishing multiple works of fiction.These days, Matt can be found working on far too many novels at once, blogging about anime, comics, and games, and plotting and planning what other things he’ll be doing to take up what little free time he has.
Website: www.mattdoylemedia.com
Addict (The Cassie Tam Files #1) by Matt Doyle
New Hopeland was built to be the centre of the technological age, but like everywhere else, it has its dark side. Assassins, drug dealers and crooked businessmen form a vital part of the city’s make-up, and sometimes, the police are in too deep themselves to be effective. But hey, there are always other options …For P.I. Cassie Tam, business has been slow. So, when she’s hired to investigate the death of a local VR addict named Eddie Redwood, she thinks it’ll be easy money. All she has to do is prove to the deceased’s sister Lori that the local P.D. were right to call it an accidental overdose. The more she digs though, the more things don’t seem to sit right, and soon, Cassie finds herself knee deep in a murder investigation. But that’s just the start of her problems.
When the case forces Cassie to make contact with her drug dealing ex-girlfriend, Charlie Goldman, she’s left with a whole lot of long buried personal issues to deal with. Then there’s her client. Lori Redwood is a Tech Shifter, someone who uses a metal exoskeleton to roleplay as an animal. Cassie isn’t one to judge, but the Tech Shifting community has always left her a bit nervous. That wouldn’t be a problem if Lori wasn’t fast becoming the first person that she’s been genuinely attracted to since splitting with Charlie. Oh, and then there’s the small matter of the police wanting her to back off the case.
Easy money, huh? Yeah, right.
Addict is available at these sites:
Amazon NineStar Press Smashwords Barnes and Noble Kobo Apple Store Author Website
Excerpt from Addict
I always did like Venetian blinds. There’s something quaint about them in a retro-tacky kinda way. Plus, they’re pretty useful for sneaking a peek out the front of the building if I feel the need. That’s something that you just can’t do with the solid, immovable metal slats that come as a standard in buildings these days. That said, a thick sheet of steel is gonna offer you a damn sight more security than thin, bendable vinyl, so I keep mine installed. Just in case.
Another round of knocking rattles the front door, louder this time than the one that woke me.
The clock says 23:47, and the unfamiliar low-end car out front screams “Don’t notice me, I’m not worth your time,” which makes for the perfect combo to stir up the paranoia that the evening’s beer and horror-film session left behind. This is my own fault. My adverts are pretty descriptive in terms of telling what I do: lost pets, cheating partners, theft, protection, retrieval of people and items, other odds and sods that the city’s finest won’t touch…I’ve got ways to deal with it all. That’s right, I’m a real odd-job gal. The one thing that I don’t put in there are business hours. The way I see it, even the missing pet cases usually leave me wandering the streets at half-past reasonable, so what’s the point in asking people to call between certain hours?
More knocking, followed this time by the squeak of my letter box and a voice. “Hello? Cassandra Tam?”
It’s funny, really. For all the tech advances that the world has made, no one has been able to improve upon the simple open-and-shut letter box. I stumble my way through the dark and wave dismissively at the frosted glass. The light switch and the keypad for the door lock are conveniently placed right next to each other on the wall to the right of the door, sowelcoming my apparent guest is a nice, easy affair. The lock clicks a moment after the lights flood the room, and I pull the door open.
“Cassie,” I say, turning and skulking my way back into the room. “Or Caz. Drop the Tam.”
I hear a sniff behind me, and the lady from the letter box asks, “Are you drunk?”
“If I pass out in the next five minutes, then yes,” I reply, turning the kettle on. I’d left it full, ready for the morning, but I guess this is close enough. “Take a seat at the table. Would you prefer tea or coffee? I’d offer beer, but since I reek of it, I guess I must’ve finished it.”
Footsteps creep unapologetically across the room, and a chair squeaks on the floor. Good. If you can’t deal with a snarky response to something, don’t say it all, and if you can deal with it, then as far as I’m concerned you don’t need to apologise.
“Coffee,” the lady says. “So, do you always see potential clients in your underwear, or is it just my lucky day?” Her voice has a slightly playful edge to it, but with a sarcastic kick to round it off.
The business portion of my apartment comprises entirely of a small open-plan room separating my kitchen from my living room. And by open plan, I mean an allotted space that encroaches on both territories but is conveniently large enough to house what I need. Or, in other words, a table, four chairs, and nothing else. Since filing went near entirely digital, filing cabinets have pretty much become obsolete, so the two that I found dumped outside the building when I bought the place currently live in my bedroom, and contain a mix of quick access work stuff and personal files I’d rather not have floating on the net. Most things, though, I store electronically, the same as everything else.
I rarely use the business table to eat, read, or any of that junk, so until this evening it’s been entirely empty for a good few weeks. The lady sitting there now is studying me, I can see, and probably wondering if this was a mistake. Whatever she may have expected, a Chinese-Canadian gal of average height in a cami top and a loose pair of sleep shorts most likely wasn’t it. For what it’s worth, though, I’m studying her just the same. She’s a lithe-looking thing, dressed in a casual pair of jeans and a plain black fitted top under a leather jacket. If the metal plugs running down her shaven head like a shiny, rubber-tipped Mohawk weren’t a giveaway for what she is, the light scarring punctuating the outer edges of her pale blue eyes certainly would be. She’s a Tech Shifter, and like most of her ilk, she looks like a punk rocker gone cyborg.
~*~
Author Bio
Matt Doyle lives in the South East of England and shares his home with a wide variety of people and animals, as well as a fine selection of teas. He has spent his life chasing dreams, a habit which has seen him gain success in a great number of fields. To date, this has included spending ten years as a professional wrestler, completing a range of cosplay projects, and publishing multiple works of fiction.These days, Matt can be found working on far too many novels at once, blogging about anime, comics, and games, and plotting and planning what other things he’ll be doing to take up what little free time he has.
Website: www.mattdoylemedia.com
September 1, 2017
Join the October Frights Blog Hop!
WELCOME TO THE 2017 OCTOBER FRIGHTS BLOG HOP SIGNUP
The Ghoulish Blog Hop Celebrating All Things That Go Bump In The Night
This wonderful event of dark and devilish things happens from October 10th-15th and is open to paranormal and horror authors.
Participants are asked to join our Facebook Group. If you would like to participate, but cannot join the group, please leave a comment or email me (you can find my email in any of the guideline pages here on the blog).The hop theme is any and all things creepy or spooky; a Halloween type theme.Either blogs or websites are acceptable; as long as you can post easily visible content you can join the hop.Participants can post daily, semi-daily, or run one post for the entire hop, your choice.Posts can be stories, poems, excerpts, book spotlights, photo montages, general ramblings about spooky stuff, etc. Graphics are available via the Facebook group, (or email if you cannot join the group) and we ask you use at least one in your blog hop posts.All signups will be through Inlinkz and the embed code or link MUST be added to your blog hop posts or blog/website (code and link will be available once the signup begins). Be aware the embed code may not show in the Blogger editor; be sure to check the preview to see if it has embedded properly.Promotion of the blog hop is mandatory, how you promote is up to you.If you signup, posting on October 10th is MANDATORY. Sites with no October Frights content (and I mean content, not just a graphic) by October 11th will be culled from the hop.If you would like to hold a contest or giveaway during the hop, feel free! A planned Mega Rafflecopter Book (plus swag) Giveaway is also being organized through the Facebook Group.
If you are a horror or paranormal author, and would like to participate please signup through the InLinkz widget. Just click the Add Your Link button and fill out the form (for name you may use your author name or the name of your blog/website).
');
The Ghoulish Blog Hop Celebrating All Things That Go Bump In The Night
This wonderful event of dark and devilish things happens from October 10th-15th and is open to paranormal and horror authors.
Participants are asked to join our Facebook Group. If you would like to participate, but cannot join the group, please leave a comment or email me (you can find my email in any of the guideline pages here on the blog).The hop theme is any and all things creepy or spooky; a Halloween type theme.Either blogs or websites are acceptable; as long as you can post easily visible content you can join the hop.Participants can post daily, semi-daily, or run one post for the entire hop, your choice.Posts can be stories, poems, excerpts, book spotlights, photo montages, general ramblings about spooky stuff, etc. Graphics are available via the Facebook group, (or email if you cannot join the group) and we ask you use at least one in your blog hop posts.All signups will be through Inlinkz and the embed code or link MUST be added to your blog hop posts or blog/website (code and link will be available once the signup begins). Be aware the embed code may not show in the Blogger editor; be sure to check the preview to see if it has embedded properly.Promotion of the blog hop is mandatory, how you promote is up to you.If you signup, posting on October 10th is MANDATORY. Sites with no October Frights content (and I mean content, not just a graphic) by October 11th will be culled from the hop.If you would like to hold a contest or giveaway during the hop, feel free! A planned Mega Rafflecopter Book (plus swag) Giveaway is also being organized through the Facebook Group.
If you are a horror or paranormal author, and would like to participate please signup through the InLinkz widget. Just click the Add Your Link button and fill out the form (for name you may use your author name or the name of your blog/website).
');
August 29, 2017
Enchantments And An Interview With Author Claire Plaisted
Today I have a delightful interview with author Claire Plaisted and a look at her newly released book,
Enchantments
. Enjoy!
First, the interview...
Interview With Claire Plaisted
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
My name is Claire Plaisted. I was born and grew up in England, though the last 26 years I have lived in New Zealand with my husband and three children. I am a Multi genre author and Indie Publisher. I fell into writing in 2012 quite by accident whilst researching for a Family History Book for a client. This book is yet to be published.My Publishing Business – Plaisted Publishing House Ltd., has just celebrated 3 years. I love to help other indie authors and have several anthology groups along with two magazine groups to assist with marketing. It’s a blast and everyone is so friendly in the groupsMy hobbies are Family History Research, Reading, Walking.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Enchantments was first published in an Anthology in 2015. It was always meant to be published as a book in its own right. Since then the story has been re-edited, updated with cover and teasers made.The story is about seven young adults aged 21. Some know who they really are, and others don’t. The story starts with Farron which is written in first person. She has dreams which make her restless, she receives impossible messages which disappear as fast as they arrive. Farron is one who doesn’t understand the world she is about to become involved with. Each character is a Chosen One. They are given Animal energy to help save the human world from the Shadow Master and his minions.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have published twenty-six books in various genres. I have one series called Garrett Investigations Bureau which I am updating at present. A novella series under a pen name (Beth Bayley) and a children’s series called Girlie Adventures (About a blue ladybug). This last series also raises funds for various different charities worldwide.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
I adore Yuri. He is a security guard in my Garrett Investigation Bureau Series. He is amazing. About 6’7”, African American, muscular and has a Russian father. He is funny, cool and I want to hug him and gaze deep into his gorgeous coffee brown eyes
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
I wrote this book to see if I could write a YA Fantasy. I had no idea what would happen or if my muse would speak to me. What I ended up with is a book about training young adults how to save their world.Other than that, I tend to say the muse spoke and I wrote down what they told me too. I have no real clue where the stories come from. I’d never anticipated being an author. These days I do what the muse tells me… well when they aren’t away on their summer holidays in the northern hemisphere—sunbathing. I’ll catch up with them soon and put them all back to work.
What did you find most challenging about writing your book?
Editing has always been the biggest challenge—which is why I am updating a lot of my already published books. I have learnt so much from so many wonderful Indie Author friends, it has been an amazing journey. I now have a process I go through. I use Grammarly, Pro Writing Aide and Stylewriter. I also read the manuscript as an eBook which—for me anyway, makes errors jump out. My manuscripts will never be perfect to everyone due to the mixed English I use. However, they take you away to another world or place and give great enjoyment.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
I love C S Lewis and his Narnia Series. I also love some of his quotes. The best one being about writing a children’s book for children of all ages. To me this means children from one – one hundred. I still re-read his stories today and learn something new each time.
How do you research your books?
Google is a good friend. However, I have various places and people I can turn to for help, depending on what I want to know. For historical I belong to several research group where I can reach out for information. For guns and fight scenes I will ask friends who are knowledgeable about various situations. Sometimes I will watch movies or ask my son—who has black belt in taekwondo, to act out the actions so I can write them and make sure they work.
Are you working on another book?
I have to many book drafts to count. I have two more books of my own to get out this year prior to Christmas. I also have four clients’ books on the go right now along with two anthologies to do and my monthly magazine. Most of this keeps me busy and happy.
Books to watch out for are:Girlie and the Ninja Ladybugs – book 4Ghostly Writes Anthology 2017Ancient Relics – book 6 of Garrett Investigation BureauChildren’s Fairly Tale Anthology 2017
Enchantmentswill also have another four books in the series…Well if the muse comes home.
And now for the book...
Enchantments by Claire Plaisted
The Shadow Realm had found a gap in space and time, a place where they could observe the Human world before they claimed it as their own.
Farron is one of seven chosen to embark on an epic adventure against the Shadow King and his evil Realm; but how can seven Humans fight against the perils of the Shadows of Death?
Because they're not really Human...
First born sons and daughters of the Bul'ith, Farron and the others must accept the truth and the animal energies they are given, heed the words of their trainers and defeat the Realm of the Shadow King if they ever wish to restore their world.
You can find Enchantments on Amazon
Meet the Characters who will keep the human world safe from the Shadow Realm.
They thought they were human…and though their DNA was similar and they each had human ancestry their lives were about to change…so you could live.
Farron – Bul’ith – British living in AmericaPraxel – Bul’ith – American with Egyptian AncestryBriar – Bul’ith - AmericanRuben – Human American with European heritageFleur – Bul’ith – French CanadianMitsuoshi – Bul’ith – Japanese heritageMaxwell – Bul’ith – New Zealander with British & Maori BloodBunita – Bul’ith - Indian
Meet their Trainers and the Animals they will be matched with.
Qwain and the WolfQuawn and the FalconNgaire and the CheetahAvron and the Black BearAvrain and the AnacondaNikau and the Komodo DragonKendrall and overall leader and the Wild Boar
Meet the Shadow Master and be careful of his minions…They are daring and act quicker than most can move. Their claws could grab your ankles at any moment and suck your soul.
About the Author
Claire Plaisted lives in Rotorua, New Zealand with her family. Rotorua is one of the main tourist stops for a cultural Maori experience with lots of things to do, be it walking, cycling, museums, spa days etc.
Claire is an Multi Genre Indie Author, with side lines in genealogy where she researches and formats family history books for clients. Claire also developed a business to help Indie Authors self-publish, assisting over thirty clients so far.
Claire has published twenty-six books. Two are short stories, six are part of a series which is called ‘Garrett Investigation Bureau.’ She has one adult fantasy, one children’s mythical story. Along with six contemporary romance novellas under her pen name ‘Beth Bayley.’ Claire has a children’s book series called Girlie Adventures. The first three are now available. ‘Girlie and the War of the Wasps,’ ‘Girlie and the Quest for Pedi’s Family and ‘Girlie’s Circus Adventure. They are adventure story for children from four years upwards. Each one sold gives 40% to a charity. The first book is, in essence about healthy eating and the book will help raise funds for ‘Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes.’
Claire's Links:
www.claireplaisted.wordpress.com
www.twitter.com/rotosis1
www.amazon.com/author/claireplaisted
www.amazon.com/author/bethbayley
https://www.instagram.com/rotosis www.billionaireromances.wordpress.comwww.facebook.com/claireplaistedauthorwww.facebook.com/garrettinvestigationbureauwww.facebook.com/girlieadventureswww.facebook.com/billionaireromances
www.plaistedpublishinghouse.com
www.facebook.com/plaistedpublishinghouse
www.facebook.com/groups/indiepublishingnews
First, the interview...
Interview With Claire Plaisted
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
My name is Claire Plaisted. I was born and grew up in England, though the last 26 years I have lived in New Zealand with my husband and three children. I am a Multi genre author and Indie Publisher. I fell into writing in 2012 quite by accident whilst researching for a Family History Book for a client. This book is yet to be published.My Publishing Business – Plaisted Publishing House Ltd., has just celebrated 3 years. I love to help other indie authors and have several anthology groups along with two magazine groups to assist with marketing. It’s a blast and everyone is so friendly in the groupsMy hobbies are Family History Research, Reading, Walking.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Enchantments was first published in an Anthology in 2015. It was always meant to be published as a book in its own right. Since then the story has been re-edited, updated with cover and teasers made.The story is about seven young adults aged 21. Some know who they really are, and others don’t. The story starts with Farron which is written in first person. She has dreams which make her restless, she receives impossible messages which disappear as fast as they arrive. Farron is one who doesn’t understand the world she is about to become involved with. Each character is a Chosen One. They are given Animal energy to help save the human world from the Shadow Master and his minions.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have published twenty-six books in various genres. I have one series called Garrett Investigations Bureau which I am updating at present. A novella series under a pen name (Beth Bayley) and a children’s series called Girlie Adventures (About a blue ladybug). This last series also raises funds for various different charities worldwide.
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
I adore Yuri. He is a security guard in my Garrett Investigation Bureau Series. He is amazing. About 6’7”, African American, muscular and has a Russian father. He is funny, cool and I want to hug him and gaze deep into his gorgeous coffee brown eyes
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
I wrote this book to see if I could write a YA Fantasy. I had no idea what would happen or if my muse would speak to me. What I ended up with is a book about training young adults how to save their world.Other than that, I tend to say the muse spoke and I wrote down what they told me too. I have no real clue where the stories come from. I’d never anticipated being an author. These days I do what the muse tells me… well when they aren’t away on their summer holidays in the northern hemisphere—sunbathing. I’ll catch up with them soon and put them all back to work.
What did you find most challenging about writing your book?
Editing has always been the biggest challenge—which is why I am updating a lot of my already published books. I have learnt so much from so many wonderful Indie Author friends, it has been an amazing journey. I now have a process I go through. I use Grammarly, Pro Writing Aide and Stylewriter. I also read the manuscript as an eBook which—for me anyway, makes errors jump out. My manuscripts will never be perfect to everyone due to the mixed English I use. However, they take you away to another world or place and give great enjoyment.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
I love C S Lewis and his Narnia Series. I also love some of his quotes. The best one being about writing a children’s book for children of all ages. To me this means children from one – one hundred. I still re-read his stories today and learn something new each time.
How do you research your books?
Google is a good friend. However, I have various places and people I can turn to for help, depending on what I want to know. For historical I belong to several research group where I can reach out for information. For guns and fight scenes I will ask friends who are knowledgeable about various situations. Sometimes I will watch movies or ask my son—who has black belt in taekwondo, to act out the actions so I can write them and make sure they work.
Are you working on another book?
I have to many book drafts to count. I have two more books of my own to get out this year prior to Christmas. I also have four clients’ books on the go right now along with two anthologies to do and my monthly magazine. Most of this keeps me busy and happy.
Books to watch out for are:Girlie and the Ninja Ladybugs – book 4Ghostly Writes Anthology 2017Ancient Relics – book 6 of Garrett Investigation BureauChildren’s Fairly Tale Anthology 2017
Enchantmentswill also have another four books in the series…Well if the muse comes home.
And now for the book...
Enchantments by Claire Plaisted
The Shadow Realm had found a gap in space and time, a place where they could observe the Human world before they claimed it as their own.
Farron is one of seven chosen to embark on an epic adventure against the Shadow King and his evil Realm; but how can seven Humans fight against the perils of the Shadows of Death?
Because they're not really Human...
First born sons and daughters of the Bul'ith, Farron and the others must accept the truth and the animal energies they are given, heed the words of their trainers and defeat the Realm of the Shadow King if they ever wish to restore their world.
You can find Enchantments on Amazon
Meet the Characters who will keep the human world safe from the Shadow Realm.
They thought they were human…and though their DNA was similar and they each had human ancestry their lives were about to change…so you could live.
Farron – Bul’ith – British living in AmericaPraxel – Bul’ith – American with Egyptian AncestryBriar – Bul’ith - AmericanRuben – Human American with European heritageFleur – Bul’ith – French CanadianMitsuoshi – Bul’ith – Japanese heritageMaxwell – Bul’ith – New Zealander with British & Maori BloodBunita – Bul’ith - Indian
Meet their Trainers and the Animals they will be matched with.
Qwain and the WolfQuawn and the FalconNgaire and the CheetahAvron and the Black BearAvrain and the AnacondaNikau and the Komodo DragonKendrall and overall leader and the Wild Boar
Meet the Shadow Master and be careful of his minions…They are daring and act quicker than most can move. Their claws could grab your ankles at any moment and suck your soul.
About the Author
Claire Plaisted lives in Rotorua, New Zealand with her family. Rotorua is one of the main tourist stops for a cultural Maori experience with lots of things to do, be it walking, cycling, museums, spa days etc.Claire is an Multi Genre Indie Author, with side lines in genealogy where she researches and formats family history books for clients. Claire also developed a business to help Indie Authors self-publish, assisting over thirty clients so far.
Claire has published twenty-six books. Two are short stories, six are part of a series which is called ‘Garrett Investigation Bureau.’ She has one adult fantasy, one children’s mythical story. Along with six contemporary romance novellas under her pen name ‘Beth Bayley.’ Claire has a children’s book series called Girlie Adventures. The first three are now available. ‘Girlie and the War of the Wasps,’ ‘Girlie and the Quest for Pedi’s Family and ‘Girlie’s Circus Adventure. They are adventure story for children from four years upwards. Each one sold gives 40% to a charity. The first book is, in essence about healthy eating and the book will help raise funds for ‘Chasing a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes.’
Claire's Links:
www.claireplaisted.wordpress.com
www.twitter.com/rotosis1
www.amazon.com/author/claireplaisted
www.amazon.com/author/bethbayley
https://www.instagram.com/rotosis www.billionaireromances.wordpress.comwww.facebook.com/claireplaistedauthorwww.facebook.com/garrettinvestigationbureauwww.facebook.com/girlieadventureswww.facebook.com/billionaireromances
www.plaistedpublishinghouse.com
www.facebook.com/plaistedpublishinghouse
www.facebook.com/groups/indiepublishingnews
August 24, 2017
Ambrosia Blog Tour: Interview With Author Stephanie Ayers
Today, I'm am pleased to be part of the blog tour for the poetry collection, Ambrosia: An OWS Ink Anthology. For this stop on the tour, I bring you a delightful interview with one of the anthology's authors, Stephanie Ayers. As well, the proceeds from this book are being donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, so I encourage you to check out the book. You'll find a blurb and an Amazon link at the end of the post.
Interview with Stephanie Ayers
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Hello! I am Stephanie Ayers, an author of horror and fantasy. Most of my writings are short stories involving the supernatural, paranormal, and bringing inanimate objects to life. I also own half of a publishing company that debuted in November 2016 and claims 7 books under its imprint, the most recent one our annual poetry anthology, Ambrosia. I’m working at establishing myself as a graphic designer doing book covers and graphics needed to help author build their platforms. When I am not doing any of these things, I am a football, soccer, and basketball mom who avoids housework, growing up, and zombies though not necessarily in that order.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Sept 16 launches our latest book, Ambrosia: An OWS Ink Anthology. It is a collection of poetry from 9 different writers, each with their own unique take on life. The idea behind the title is that poetry is the nectar of the gods (called Ambrosia) and the words within celebrate this feast with an incredible blend of heartache, longing, inspiration, desperation, fantasy, and more.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have been writing since 4th grade. I wrote a lot during my school years, and then switched to poetry in my mid-teens, and then to song writing in my 20s. I have one romantic horror novella of my own, along with 5 short stories published in anthologies, and 17 poems published in Ambrosia. In October, my short story collection, The 13: Tales of Illusory, will also be released.
Why did you decide to write poetry?
I’m not really sure why I started to write poetry. At first it was a challenge to write something different from the fiction I usually wrote, plus I sought fame. Everything I saw at 17 and 18 revolved around poetry, so that’s where I went, too. As I grew older, it became a method of release for me. There’s just something about weaving your tears and broken thoughts into a poetic form that makes you feel better.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
Fantasy is my favorite, though horror seems to be what I write most of. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read as well. I mean, you know unicorns. Elves. Fairies. Dragons. New worlds. I can create my own little world to escape to. Hopefully a few of you come with me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
My greatest challenge as a writer is turning my stories into full length novels. I’m so accustomed to writing short stories that it has become a challenge to write something longer than 15,000-20,000 words and even that seems excessive to me.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
My bookshelf is full of everything, but I can’t pass a Stephen King book without picking it up. I would have to say that he is my favorite and has had a lot of influence on my writing style. I’m also a huge fan of James Patterson and Kristin Hannah. I’ve heard there’s a little Patterson in my writing as well.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Oh gosh, where do I start? I know… I’ll just drop two of my personal quotes here: “One single letter cures the blank page.”
“The more you doubt your talent and strive to improve, the better the writer.”
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
The 13: Tales of Illusory is set for release October 1. This is a collection of my short horror stories and contain villains from many different parts of life, and range from the supernatural to paranormal and most anything in between. My favorite story in the book is a ghostly tale titled Say Say Oh Playmate. Mere is the lone survivor of a playground shooting and grows up haunted by the incident. Things get quite hairy for her when the game the children were playing when they were slaughtered starts playing on a loop in her head. Is Meredith going crazy or is someone playing a trick on her? This was an absolute treat to write.
A published author with a knack for twisted tales, Stephanie Ayers is the Executive Creative Director of OWS Ink, LLC, a community for writers and readers alike. She loves a good thriller, fairies, things that go bump in the night, and sappy stories. When she is not writing, she can be found in Creative Cloud designing book covers and promotional graphics for authors.
Website Facebook Amazon
You can check out Ambrosia: An OWS Ink Anthology on Amazon
Available for Pre-order
Delight in the nectar of the gods. Feed your mind with Ambrosia
Whispers to the gods are like honey from a poet's lips. When several poets raise their voices together, it's a sacred feast of memories and dreams. Poetry is divine food for the soul, full of emotional and celestial feeling. Join us in our longing, our pain and passion, heartache, logic and insanity, fear, faith, confusion, hope, unity, solitude, daily life, political strife, and more.
From the creative minds of Eric Keizer, A.L. Mabry, Sam DeLoach, Alyssa Trivett, Mello Sakia, Stacy Overby, Phillip Matthew Roberts, Veronica Falletta and Stephanie Ayers.
The Poets of this project have partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and all royalties will be donated to this charity.
And be sure to check out the rest of the tour: Ambrosia Blog Tour
Interview with Stephanie Ayers
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Hello! I am Stephanie Ayers, an author of horror and fantasy. Most of my writings are short stories involving the supernatural, paranormal, and bringing inanimate objects to life. I also own half of a publishing company that debuted in November 2016 and claims 7 books under its imprint, the most recent one our annual poetry anthology, Ambrosia. I’m working at establishing myself as a graphic designer doing book covers and graphics needed to help author build their platforms. When I am not doing any of these things, I am a football, soccer, and basketball mom who avoids housework, growing up, and zombies though not necessarily in that order.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Sept 16 launches our latest book, Ambrosia: An OWS Ink Anthology. It is a collection of poetry from 9 different writers, each with their own unique take on life. The idea behind the title is that poetry is the nectar of the gods (called Ambrosia) and the words within celebrate this feast with an incredible blend of heartache, longing, inspiration, desperation, fantasy, and more.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
I have been writing since 4th grade. I wrote a lot during my school years, and then switched to poetry in my mid-teens, and then to song writing in my 20s. I have one romantic horror novella of my own, along with 5 short stories published in anthologies, and 17 poems published in Ambrosia. In October, my short story collection, The 13: Tales of Illusory, will also be released.
Why did you decide to write poetry?I’m not really sure why I started to write poetry. At first it was a challenge to write something different from the fiction I usually wrote, plus I sought fame. Everything I saw at 17 and 18 revolved around poetry, so that’s where I went, too. As I grew older, it became a method of release for me. There’s just something about weaving your tears and broken thoughts into a poetic form that makes you feel better.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
Fantasy is my favorite, though horror seems to be what I write most of. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read as well. I mean, you know unicorns. Elves. Fairies. Dragons. New worlds. I can create my own little world to escape to. Hopefully a few of you come with me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
My greatest challenge as a writer is turning my stories into full length novels. I’m so accustomed to writing short stories that it has become a challenge to write something longer than 15,000-20,000 words and even that seems excessive to me.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
My bookshelf is full of everything, but I can’t pass a Stephen King book without picking it up. I would have to say that he is my favorite and has had a lot of influence on my writing style. I’m also a huge fan of James Patterson and Kristin Hannah. I’ve heard there’s a little Patterson in my writing as well.
What advice would you give beginning writers?Oh gosh, where do I start? I know… I’ll just drop two of my personal quotes here: “One single letter cures the blank page.”
“The more you doubt your talent and strive to improve, the better the writer.”
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?The 13: Tales of Illusory is set for release October 1. This is a collection of my short horror stories and contain villains from many different parts of life, and range from the supernatural to paranormal and most anything in between. My favorite story in the book is a ghostly tale titled Say Say Oh Playmate. Mere is the lone survivor of a playground shooting and grows up haunted by the incident. Things get quite hairy for her when the game the children were playing when they were slaughtered starts playing on a loop in her head. Is Meredith going crazy or is someone playing a trick on her? This was an absolute treat to write.
A published author with a knack for twisted tales, Stephanie Ayers is the Executive Creative Director of OWS Ink, LLC, a community for writers and readers alike. She loves a good thriller, fairies, things that go bump in the night, and sappy stories. When she is not writing, she can be found in Creative Cloud designing book covers and promotional graphics for authors.
Website Facebook Amazon
You can check out Ambrosia: An OWS Ink Anthology on Amazon
Available for Pre-order
Delight in the nectar of the gods. Feed your mind with AmbrosiaWhispers to the gods are like honey from a poet's lips. When several poets raise their voices together, it's a sacred feast of memories and dreams. Poetry is divine food for the soul, full of emotional and celestial feeling. Join us in our longing, our pain and passion, heartache, logic and insanity, fear, faith, confusion, hope, unity, solitude, daily life, political strife, and more.
From the creative minds of Eric Keizer, A.L. Mabry, Sam DeLoach, Alyssa Trivett, Mello Sakia, Stacy Overby, Phillip Matthew Roberts, Veronica Falletta and Stephanie Ayers.
The Poets of this project have partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and all royalties will be donated to this charity.
And be sure to check out the rest of the tour: Ambrosia Blog Tour
August 1, 2017
Book Spotlight: The Black Lily
Today I have a book spotlight for the newly released fantasy novel, The Black Lily (The Arestea Chronicles Book 1) by Mandy and G.D. Burkhead. Enjoy!
The Black Lily by Mandy and G.D. Burkhead
Courtesan. Spy. Assassin.
Across the Kingdom of Arestea, the shadowy league of professional killers known simply as the Guild has long since earned its terrifying reputation. And none of its current members are more infamous than the Black Lily. No one knows who the Lily is, but everyone recognizes the efficiency with which he or she brings down even the most guarded targets. There is no one, it is said, who is safe from this fiend once they have caught the assassin’s attention.
Now Lily herself is about to discover if her reputation has been inflated or not, for she has just been assigned the most daunting mission of her career: infiltrate the royal palace and eliminate the entire Arestean line of succession to make room for the Guild’s puppet ruler. It’s a challenging job, but one that will secure her place in the history books should she succeed.
But when unplanned circumstances take the king from his country to help secure the front lines in his latest war of expansion, Lily is left trapped in her assumed persona behind the palace walls and forced to stall for time. And when a particularly bad stroke of luck reveals her cover to the king’s brother, Crown Prince Adrian, Lily finds herself ensnared in her own web, forced to use all her skills of subterfuge and manipulation if she is to stay one step ahead of the naïve but righteous young man and finish her mission — or die trying.
You can find The Black Lily on: Amazon Smashwords
Author Bio:
Mandy and G.D. Burkhead met in high school in a writing chatroom, where they began an episodic story together. They attended college together at Lindenwood University and both received BA's in Creative Writing.
They currently live in the Nashville area. Mandy has her MLIS and works at the Nashville Public Library. Gary is a copy editor for the Tennessean.
When they aren't working or writing, they enjoy reading, playing video games, cosplaying, and attending conventions.
The Black Lily is their first full-length fantasy novel.
You can find and follow them on:
Facebook Twitter Amazon Goodreads
The Black Lily by Mandy and G.D. Burkhead
Courtesan. Spy. Assassin.Across the Kingdom of Arestea, the shadowy league of professional killers known simply as the Guild has long since earned its terrifying reputation. And none of its current members are more infamous than the Black Lily. No one knows who the Lily is, but everyone recognizes the efficiency with which he or she brings down even the most guarded targets. There is no one, it is said, who is safe from this fiend once they have caught the assassin’s attention.
Now Lily herself is about to discover if her reputation has been inflated or not, for she has just been assigned the most daunting mission of her career: infiltrate the royal palace and eliminate the entire Arestean line of succession to make room for the Guild’s puppet ruler. It’s a challenging job, but one that will secure her place in the history books should she succeed.
But when unplanned circumstances take the king from his country to help secure the front lines in his latest war of expansion, Lily is left trapped in her assumed persona behind the palace walls and forced to stall for time. And when a particularly bad stroke of luck reveals her cover to the king’s brother, Crown Prince Adrian, Lily finds herself ensnared in her own web, forced to use all her skills of subterfuge and manipulation if she is to stay one step ahead of the naïve but righteous young man and finish her mission — or die trying.
You can find The Black Lily on: Amazon Smashwords
Author Bio:
Mandy and G.D. Burkhead met in high school in a writing chatroom, where they began an episodic story together. They attended college together at Lindenwood University and both received BA's in Creative Writing.
They currently live in the Nashville area. Mandy has her MLIS and works at the Nashville Public Library. Gary is a copy editor for the Tennessean.
When they aren't working or writing, they enjoy reading, playing video games, cosplaying, and attending conventions.
The Black Lily is their first full-length fantasy novel.
You can find and follow them on:
Facebook Twitter Amazon Goodreads
July 30, 2017
Interview With Author Thomas Keech
Today I have an interview for you, with talented author Thomas Keech, who stops by to chat writing and his latest crime thriller, Doc Doc Zeus: A Novel of White Coat Crime. Enjoy!
Interview With Thomas Keech
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I’m one of those people who always wanted to write – and do everything else too. I started a novel when I was ten in which “an eerie something” came out of the night fog and ran down a high school football player. I gave up because I couldn’t think of any suspects except the football coach (who was the only other character). I would have loved to have stopped writing and lived a normal life, but even as I worked as a juvenile counselor, Legal Aid lawyer and lobbyist, state administrative appeals judge and Assistant Attorney General representing my state’s medical board, I kept trying to write at night, on weekends and on vacations. I’m happy to report that I’m now retired and have been speeding up the writing process a lot in recent years.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Doc Doc Zeus: A Novel of White Coat Crime is the story of a narcissistic physician who sexually preys on his women patients, including sixteen-year-old Diane, even while being pursued by the medical board’s investigator.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
My first success was with The Crawlspace Conspiracy, a novel about an old, poor, sick laborer whose dream house gets caught up in a struggle between two warring state politicians. Prey for Love was about two suburban teenagers from broken homes who get caught up in a web of suburban corruption. Hot Box in the Pizza District was about three twenty-year-old guys finding their way in life.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
I wrote this for two reasons. I wanted to dramatize the critical work of medical boards and the many obstacles they work against to bring miscreants to justice. Then I wanted to do something with the character of Diane. She was a minor character in Prey for Love, but I liked her so much I felt she deserved a novel of her own. And I couldn’t just leave her hanging out there, fourteen and pregnant, without finishing her story.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
I hope people will read it and enjoy it. I hope they’ll understand a little more about how sexual predation by authority figures works and also appreciate that the medical boards are there to help, although sometimes in a slow and clunky way. I hope they like the character of Diane half as much as I do.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I read my first adult book, Our Virgin Island, when I was seven and bedridden for a week with poison oak. It was about a couple who bought a tiny island and tried to build a house on it. It wasn’t very exciting for a seven-year-old, but I knew I was into reading then. The writing bug came soon after that.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
When I’m in the middle of a novel I write for five to eight hours a day. My plots are always complex, and if something isn’t working out in the last chapter I’ll go back and change the whole thing, plot, characters, tone, whatever. And I’ll do it again and again. At the end of the process, I go back once more and try to take out every word that is not absolutely necessary. I’m not a great literary stylist, so I try to make believable characters and a plot that moves along.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Read.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
No secrets will be revealed here. I try really hard not to write the same novel over and over again. I want everyone, including myself, to be surprised.
Thomas Keech is a retired Assistant Attorney General for the state of Maryland having represented the State Board of Physicians for sixteen years in its attempt to discipline doctors who were sexual predators, perpetrators of insurance fraud, violators of self-referral laws, and many other types of misbehavior. Currently, Keech is a contractual consultant to the Maryland State Board of Physicians, where he helps write regulations, coordinate with other boards and agencies, as well as participate in investigations.
Learn more about Thomas Keech on www.realnicebooks.com or by connecting with him on Facebook or Goodreads.
Interview With Thomas Keech
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I’m one of those people who always wanted to write – and do everything else too. I started a novel when I was ten in which “an eerie something” came out of the night fog and ran down a high school football player. I gave up because I couldn’t think of any suspects except the football coach (who was the only other character). I would have loved to have stopped writing and lived a normal life, but even as I worked as a juvenile counselor, Legal Aid lawyer and lobbyist, state administrative appeals judge and Assistant Attorney General representing my state’s medical board, I kept trying to write at night, on weekends and on vacations. I’m happy to report that I’m now retired and have been speeding up the writing process a lot in recent years.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Doc Doc Zeus: A Novel of White Coat Crime is the story of a narcissistic physician who sexually preys on his women patients, including sixteen-year-old Diane, even while being pursued by the medical board’s investigator.
How long have you been writing, and how many books have you published to date?
My first success was with The Crawlspace Conspiracy, a novel about an old, poor, sick laborer whose dream house gets caught up in a struggle between two warring state politicians. Prey for Love was about two suburban teenagers from broken homes who get caught up in a web of suburban corruption. Hot Box in the Pizza District was about three twenty-year-old guys finding their way in life.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
I wrote this for two reasons. I wanted to dramatize the critical work of medical boards and the many obstacles they work against to bring miscreants to justice. Then I wanted to do something with the character of Diane. She was a minor character in Prey for Love, but I liked her so much I felt she deserved a novel of her own. And I couldn’t just leave her hanging out there, fourteen and pregnant, without finishing her story.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
I hope people will read it and enjoy it. I hope they’ll understand a little more about how sexual predation by authority figures works and also appreciate that the medical boards are there to help, although sometimes in a slow and clunky way. I hope they like the character of Diane half as much as I do.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I read my first adult book, Our Virgin Island, when I was seven and bedridden for a week with poison oak. It was about a couple who bought a tiny island and tried to build a house on it. It wasn’t very exciting for a seven-year-old, but I knew I was into reading then. The writing bug came soon after that.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
When I’m in the middle of a novel I write for five to eight hours a day. My plots are always complex, and if something isn’t working out in the last chapter I’ll go back and change the whole thing, plot, characters, tone, whatever. And I’ll do it again and again. At the end of the process, I go back once more and try to take out every word that is not absolutely necessary. I’m not a great literary stylist, so I try to make believable characters and a plot that moves along.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
Read.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
No secrets will be revealed here. I try really hard not to write the same novel over and over again. I want everyone, including myself, to be surprised.
Thomas Keech is a retired Assistant Attorney General for the state of Maryland having represented the State Board of Physicians for sixteen years in its attempt to discipline doctors who were sexual predators, perpetrators of insurance fraud, violators of self-referral laws, and many other types of misbehavior. Currently, Keech is a contractual consultant to the Maryland State Board of Physicians, where he helps write regulations, coordinate with other boards and agencies, as well as participate in investigations.
Learn more about Thomas Keech on www.realnicebooks.com or by connecting with him on Facebook or Goodreads.
July 18, 2017
Interview With Author Thomas McRae
Today I have another interview, this time with poet and author Thomas McRae. Enjoy!
Interview With Thomas McRae
Why don't you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
I started writing when I was in Elementary School and from that point on I couldn't stop moving a pen or pencil on my paper.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Yes. Pimp in the Pulpit is inspired by my family and the craziness that comes with them all.
How long have you been writing and how many books have you published to date?
I've been writing since I was a child but I didn't start pursuing publishing as a real career until I got into my twenties. As of now I have 12 books published to date. But if you want my honest opinion Pimp in the Pulpit really feels like my first book, because it's the first time I'm taking full responsibility and control in regards of marketing, promoting and generating sales virtually all by myself.
Why did you decide to write in the short fiction genre?
Because I have so much to say but I don't want to say it all at once. Short fiction is a great way to tell a significant piece of your story without giving out all the necessary information at once.
What is the hardest part of writing short fiction?
Truth be told I don't find anything hard about it. I just take different story lines from my personal experiences and write it down as much as possible, then I remember to orchestrate other people's events into the storyline as well. And if for some reason I do develop some writer's block or if I'm not sure I should put something down in the story line then I would read that section to my mom and get her perspective. Because she's kind of like my ghost writer and personal editor.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the short fiction genre?
I enjoy the whole process, because thinking about new storylines from personal experiences is amazing and therapeutic. I find it refreshing when I can take frustrating personal experiences whether it's mine or someone else's and find some humor and entertainment which could be used in my story line and plot.
Who is your intended readership?
That's the beauty about this book Pimp in the Pulpit. Everyone and anyone can relate to it because it's full of family issues, drama and suspense. It doesn't matter if you're black or white, Muslim or Jewish we all have family issues and we all need to express those issues in a constructive and positive way. If not for our selves then for the younger generation that is observing much of the bad and misguided behavior that is surrounding our family's.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
What inspired me to write this book was numerous things. First thing that comes to mind is how my parents would struggle to raise my brother and I and none of my relatives would make any real attempt to help out only on occasion and that is when they needed or wanted something in return. My reason for writing this book is simple Redemption. Redemption for my loved ones, myself and for anyone who can relate to these troublesome times in their own lives.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
All I ever wanted was to be heard. For years I felt invisible and now I have a voice and it feels good being heard. It doesn't matter who likes it or not I'm damn proud to have a voice and as long as God keeps air in my lungs I will continue to use my voice.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
I will tell them the truth, that it's a long road ahead of them. But it's also very fulfilling especially when you start taking things and doing it yourself and not look for anyone to help you. Because in the end of the day life is a one-time deal so live it to the fullest and make sure you make it count.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
Personally I like to watch movies every now and then I read a good book. Or I will listen to some music depending on my mood but for the most part I watch movies and hang out with my immediate family members. Such as my mom, brother and my father and some very close friends that I consider family as well.
Are you working on another book?
Yes actually I've been working on the sequel of Pimp in the Pulpit. And I'm happy to inform you that the book is done and being processed by my publisher Eber & Wein Publishing. It's slightly longer than the first book and I have some surprises inside of the book as well. Such as newspaper clippings, a personal review from Mrs. Shirley Gerald Ware owner of Fresh Literary Magazine and some magazine clippings about my article along with some poetry certificates. The book is Well written and it goes a little back during my child years and early 20's.
You can find Pimp in the Pulpit on:
Amazon Barnes and Noble
Other books by Thomas McRae:
Poetry for the soul The soul of a poet The lost poems Poetic Salvation my acknowledgement to our Lord 1 & 2 Expression Blue Print Supernova Street Trash The Best of Thomas McRae
Interview With Thomas McRae
Why don't you begin by sharing a little about yourself?
I started writing when I was in Elementary School and from that point on I couldn't stop moving a pen or pencil on my paper.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Yes. Pimp in the Pulpit is inspired by my family and the craziness that comes with them all.
How long have you been writing and how many books have you published to date?
I've been writing since I was a child but I didn't start pursuing publishing as a real career until I got into my twenties. As of now I have 12 books published to date. But if you want my honest opinion Pimp in the Pulpit really feels like my first book, because it's the first time I'm taking full responsibility and control in regards of marketing, promoting and generating sales virtually all by myself.
Why did you decide to write in the short fiction genre?
Because I have so much to say but I don't want to say it all at once. Short fiction is a great way to tell a significant piece of your story without giving out all the necessary information at once.
What is the hardest part of writing short fiction?
Truth be told I don't find anything hard about it. I just take different story lines from my personal experiences and write it down as much as possible, then I remember to orchestrate other people's events into the storyline as well. And if for some reason I do develop some writer's block or if I'm not sure I should put something down in the story line then I would read that section to my mom and get her perspective. Because she's kind of like my ghost writer and personal editor.
What do you enjoy most about writing in the short fiction genre?
I enjoy the whole process, because thinking about new storylines from personal experiences is amazing and therapeutic. I find it refreshing when I can take frustrating personal experiences whether it's mine or someone else's and find some humor and entertainment which could be used in my story line and plot.
Who is your intended readership?
That's the beauty about this book Pimp in the Pulpit. Everyone and anyone can relate to it because it's full of family issues, drama and suspense. It doesn't matter if you're black or white, Muslim or Jewish we all have family issues and we all need to express those issues in a constructive and positive way. If not for our selves then for the younger generation that is observing much of the bad and misguided behavior that is surrounding our family's.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
What inspired me to write this book was numerous things. First thing that comes to mind is how my parents would struggle to raise my brother and I and none of my relatives would make any real attempt to help out only on occasion and that is when they needed or wanted something in return. My reason for writing this book is simple Redemption. Redemption for my loved ones, myself and for anyone who can relate to these troublesome times in their own lives.
What did you hope to accomplish by publishing your book?
All I ever wanted was to be heard. For years I felt invisible and now I have a voice and it feels good being heard. It doesn't matter who likes it or not I'm damn proud to have a voice and as long as God keeps air in my lungs I will continue to use my voice.
What advice would you give beginning writers?
I will tell them the truth, that it's a long road ahead of them. But it's also very fulfilling especially when you start taking things and doing it yourself and not look for anyone to help you. Because in the end of the day life is a one-time deal so live it to the fullest and make sure you make it count.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
Personally I like to watch movies every now and then I read a good book. Or I will listen to some music depending on my mood but for the most part I watch movies and hang out with my immediate family members. Such as my mom, brother and my father and some very close friends that I consider family as well.
Are you working on another book?
Yes actually I've been working on the sequel of Pimp in the Pulpit. And I'm happy to inform you that the book is done and being processed by my publisher Eber & Wein Publishing. It's slightly longer than the first book and I have some surprises inside of the book as well. Such as newspaper clippings, a personal review from Mrs. Shirley Gerald Ware owner of Fresh Literary Magazine and some magazine clippings about my article along with some poetry certificates. The book is Well written and it goes a little back during my child years and early 20's.
You can find Pimp in the Pulpit on:
Amazon Barnes and Noble
Other books by Thomas McRae:
Poetry for the soul The soul of a poet The lost poems Poetic Salvation my acknowledgement to our Lord 1 & 2 Expression Blue Print Supernova Street Trash The Best of Thomas McRae
June 30, 2017
Interview with Author Marie Kammerer Franke
Today I have a wonderful interview with science fiction and fantasy author Marie Kammerer Franke, who chats about her writing and her book, A Charming Nightmare. Enjoy!
Interview with Marie Kammerer Franke
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Sure! I’m originally from St. Paul MN, but I grew up all over; Chicago ILL, St. Louis MO, St. Petersburg FL, finally settling in Upstate NY. I have 2 boys (which any parent of boys knows that if you have one, you have about a thousand adoptive children…so I tell people I have 6 boys). And have been disgustingly happily married for 15 years. We live in the country, farmland as far as the eye can see (yes NY has grass, and trees, and farms, and mountains…and SNOW, holy mother of everything do we have SNOW)
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
A Charming Nightmare is a science-fiction book. It is book 1 in a series of 4. It follows Aylin through time and space (a taken against her will from the present day).40,000 years after Earth’s demise we are still trying to settle. That’s what the survivors are called now, settlers. Survivor, by the way, is derogatory word. So are words like gadget, computer, and machine. Those are people. We evolve into them, and something in the mechanics that make up a human is killing. That’s where I come in, not intentionally mind you, but forcibly by our distant descendants. They could be a little more hospitable, and offer a tissue when telling you that your family, job, hairdresser, and newspaper boy are all dust. But they don’t. So you compromise; you translate children’s books for scientists who cannot read or write its written language in hopes of curing their diseased parts, and in return they back you up when you start a war to end all wars on their front lawn. Sounds fair, right??
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
I adore Aylin, the way she sees the world in front of her. She is snarky and never steady on her feet, everything is new to her and she’s looking for a way to connect, something that is familiar. It just happens that you, the reader, are all that she has, and she spends time talking to you as if you are right there next to her.
Why did you decide to write in the science-fiction genre?
Scifi is what I grew up on, my father used to watch carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ every weekend, he would fill in quiet moments with facts and discussions on things that are so much bigger than us. I grew up in a house filled with Nova, Doctor Who, and Star Trek. Which was perfect for a child whose hobbies included daydreaming, and all things make believe. When I was an adult raising my own children there was no other lifestyle than a fandom and books for me to use as a parenting tool. My boys would listen to their mom read A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as their bedtime story, or make them sit through Neil Degrasse Tyson’s ‘Star Talk’. Don’t even get me started on the day they published the first pictures of Jupiter Cassini took!
What is the hardest part of writing science-fiction?
I would have to say the hardest things about science fiction is knowing when to stop. When writing A Charming Nightmare I kept going until it was over 1500 pages long (and if I hadn’t forced myself to walk away it would probably be close to 8000 pages by now). There are so many ways that the story can turn, so many possibilities, people, planets, things…and in a science fiction world NONE of them are wrong. I physically had to divide the book into 4 complete novels, stand up, send book 1 to my editor and cover artist, and then walk away. Even today, running through book 2 I have to sit on my hands so not to add, or take the story in a completely new direction, because science has new discoveries.
Who is your intended readership?
ACN (as we fondly nicknamed it), covers a wide variety of readers; it is first of all science-fiction with a side of fantasy, but it is also Aylin’s story of finding herself-a coming of age, so it could fit into NA, it is also a fandom based off of everything I grew up watching, and has a side of romance. I can tell you it’s not intended for children, or even YA, Aylin is very brazen, she likes her four letter words.
On my page acnbooks.com I talk a ton about starting out, the process to see what’s the right fit for you; traditional or indie. I went with being an indie writer, solely because I have a hard time giving someone else control. Too many times I have been told by big agencies to change my book, or a character. I have been asked to take my scifi novel and turn it into scifi erotica…ummm…no thank you. As an indie a lot of truthful advice is hard to hear; things like ‘I can’t wait to get a copy’ is just another way to congratulate someone-don’t over order your own product just because the bank teller said she couldn’t wait for it to come out. Grandma is your only true sale.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
When I’m not writing you can find me hiking; my husband and I have a thing for hiking waterfalls, and eating tacos…ok, that last part about tacos is more my thing. I also took on being the head costumer for a local high school, who just wrapped up an AMAZING showing of Les Miserables. They are now diving head first into the world of Shakespeare with A Midsummer’s Night Dream.And when I have a free weekend or to you can find me judging robotics for some NYS FIRST Lego League competitions.
Are you working on another book?
While all 4 books in ACN are finished, my editor seems to think grammar counts. So I’m taking her notes and going back through Sister’s Lament. Sister’s Lament is darker, more out of my comfort zone in characters and situations, so much so that grandma has been warned; she can own it, but she’s not allowed to read it. Sister’s Lament is scheduled to be released March 2018.
You can find A Charming Nightmare on Amazon Goodreads
Author Bio
Originally from St. Paul MN, Marie moved a lot growing up allowing her to see some amazing places, which for a child who loved to daydream was heaven on earth! After settling, she missed traveling and would come up with her own ideas of what a place would look like, taste like, smell like. She would create the people living there in her mind, carry on conversations with them, learn their traditions, fumble through their make believe languages, until one day the US or earth as a whole wasn't enough (she blames her father and his Doctor Who obsession.). She started fantasizing about entire new worlds and galaxies, the aliens that lived there, the entire "what if they use ice cream as soap instead of dessert" ideas of a new races' comprehension of items we take for granted.
From this and the bedtime antics of her children, she started writing, and writing, and creating until everything that was a daydream became suddenly very very real. That is how A Charming Nightmare (The ACN series) was born.
For more on the author, check out her Website
Interview with Marie Kammerer Franke
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Sure! I’m originally from St. Paul MN, but I grew up all over; Chicago ILL, St. Louis MO, St. Petersburg FL, finally settling in Upstate NY. I have 2 boys (which any parent of boys knows that if you have one, you have about a thousand adoptive children…so I tell people I have 6 boys). And have been disgustingly happily married for 15 years. We live in the country, farmland as far as the eye can see (yes NY has grass, and trees, and farms, and mountains…and SNOW, holy mother of everything do we have SNOW)Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
A Charming Nightmare is a science-fiction book. It is book 1 in a series of 4. It follows Aylin through time and space (a taken against her will from the present day).40,000 years after Earth’s demise we are still trying to settle. That’s what the survivors are called now, settlers. Survivor, by the way, is derogatory word. So are words like gadget, computer, and machine. Those are people. We evolve into them, and something in the mechanics that make up a human is killing. That’s where I come in, not intentionally mind you, but forcibly by our distant descendants. They could be a little more hospitable, and offer a tissue when telling you that your family, job, hairdresser, and newspaper boy are all dust. But they don’t. So you compromise; you translate children’s books for scientists who cannot read or write its written language in hopes of curing their diseased parts, and in return they back you up when you start a war to end all wars on their front lawn. Sounds fair, right??
Do you have a favourite character? If so, why?
I adore Aylin, the way she sees the world in front of her. She is snarky and never steady on her feet, everything is new to her and she’s looking for a way to connect, something that is familiar. It just happens that you, the reader, are all that she has, and she spends time talking to you as if you are right there next to her.
Why did you decide to write in the science-fiction genre?
Scifi is what I grew up on, my father used to watch carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ every weekend, he would fill in quiet moments with facts and discussions on things that are so much bigger than us. I grew up in a house filled with Nova, Doctor Who, and Star Trek. Which was perfect for a child whose hobbies included daydreaming, and all things make believe. When I was an adult raising my own children there was no other lifestyle than a fandom and books for me to use as a parenting tool. My boys would listen to their mom read A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as their bedtime story, or make them sit through Neil Degrasse Tyson’s ‘Star Talk’. Don’t even get me started on the day they published the first pictures of Jupiter Cassini took!
What is the hardest part of writing science-fiction?
I would have to say the hardest things about science fiction is knowing when to stop. When writing A Charming Nightmare I kept going until it was over 1500 pages long (and if I hadn’t forced myself to walk away it would probably be close to 8000 pages by now). There are so many ways that the story can turn, so many possibilities, people, planets, things…and in a science fiction world NONE of them are wrong. I physically had to divide the book into 4 complete novels, stand up, send book 1 to my editor and cover artist, and then walk away. Even today, running through book 2 I have to sit on my hands so not to add, or take the story in a completely new direction, because science has new discoveries.
Who is your intended readership?
ACN (as we fondly nicknamed it), covers a wide variety of readers; it is first of all science-fiction with a side of fantasy, but it is also Aylin’s story of finding herself-a coming of age, so it could fit into NA, it is also a fandom based off of everything I grew up watching, and has a side of romance. I can tell you it’s not intended for children, or even YA, Aylin is very brazen, she likes her four letter words.
On my page acnbooks.com I talk a ton about starting out, the process to see what’s the right fit for you; traditional or indie. I went with being an indie writer, solely because I have a hard time giving someone else control. Too many times I have been told by big agencies to change my book, or a character. I have been asked to take my scifi novel and turn it into scifi erotica…ummm…no thank you. As an indie a lot of truthful advice is hard to hear; things like ‘I can’t wait to get a copy’ is just another way to congratulate someone-don’t over order your own product just because the bank teller said she couldn’t wait for it to come out. Grandma is your only true sale.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? Any hobbies?
When I’m not writing you can find me hiking; my husband and I have a thing for hiking waterfalls, and eating tacos…ok, that last part about tacos is more my thing. I also took on being the head costumer for a local high school, who just wrapped up an AMAZING showing of Les Miserables. They are now diving head first into the world of Shakespeare with A Midsummer’s Night Dream.And when I have a free weekend or to you can find me judging robotics for some NYS FIRST Lego League competitions.
Are you working on another book?
While all 4 books in ACN are finished, my editor seems to think grammar counts. So I’m taking her notes and going back through Sister’s Lament. Sister’s Lament is darker, more out of my comfort zone in characters and situations, so much so that grandma has been warned; she can own it, but she’s not allowed to read it. Sister’s Lament is scheduled to be released March 2018.
You can find A Charming Nightmare on Amazon Goodreads
Author Bio
Originally from St. Paul MN, Marie moved a lot growing up allowing her to see some amazing places, which for a child who loved to daydream was heaven on earth! After settling, she missed traveling and would come up with her own ideas of what a place would look like, taste like, smell like. She would create the people living there in her mind, carry on conversations with them, learn their traditions, fumble through their make believe languages, until one day the US or earth as a whole wasn't enough (she blames her father and his Doctor Who obsession.). She started fantasizing about entire new worlds and galaxies, the aliens that lived there, the entire "what if they use ice cream as soap instead of dessert" ideas of a new races' comprehension of items we take for granted.
From this and the bedtime antics of her children, she started writing, and writing, and creating until everything that was a daydream became suddenly very very real. That is how A Charming Nightmare (The ACN series) was born.
For more on the author, check out her Website
June 20, 2017
Interview with Author Bailey Ordiway
Today I have an excellent interview with multi-genre author Bailey Ordiway, who chats about his writing and his books. Enjoy.
Interview with Bailey Ordiway
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I was born in Michigan and spent a great deal of my life there. I grew up on farms and in small towns, going to small schools. After I dropped out of high school I got my GED and went to college. My major changed a dozen times throughout, but, it was a great experience. After that I joined the Army, that was cut short very quickly though. I'm now married and live in South Dakota where I own my own business and write daily.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
American Holdovers is my third published novel and chronicles not only my time, but, also my many friends and fellow holdovers during our time as a holdover at Ft. Jackson during a hurricane and the consequences and events that transpired because of this a couple years back.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I actually don't, no. I try to write in multiple genres to not get stuck in a niche and expand my writing horizons. I'd also like to have something for everyone.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
Well I thought that it was a story that needed to be told. Not very many people know that holdovers are even a thing, and it's wildly undocumented. On top of that I believed it was a good story, a series of unfortunate events occurred one after another that just makes for a good read.
What did you enjoy most about writing your book?
It was nice to relieve some of the better experiences I had with my friends and keep the experience alive for us all.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I've wanted to be a writer since I was very young. I would always look at my mothers bookshelf as a child and just think "one day I will have my name up there".
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
I find it difficult to focus. So, because of that everything I write is meticulously outlined. Before I ever even open a word document I fill up multiple binders on my book. Everything from minor characters to a step by step progression of each chapter. When I do eventually write however I sit at the same desk, listen to the same music, drink the same coffee, and light the same candle.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
John Green is by far my favorite author. Being a fan of his is rather torturous though since he releases a book about every five years at this point.
Are you working on another book?
I will be, soon. I have been working on this one for nearly two years now though and would like to focus a bit on my blog. I enjoy writing movie reviews and it has gone to the back burner a bit while writing this book.
You can find Bailey Ordiway's latest book, American Holdovers, on Amazon.
And you can check out the rest of his books at his Amazon page.
For more on the author check out these sites.
Goodreads Twitter Website
Interview with Bailey Ordiway
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I was born in Michigan and spent a great deal of my life there. I grew up on farms and in small towns, going to small schools. After I dropped out of high school I got my GED and went to college. My major changed a dozen times throughout, but, it was a great experience. After that I joined the Army, that was cut short very quickly though. I'm now married and live in South Dakota where I own my own business and write daily.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?
American Holdovers is my third published novel and chronicles not only my time, but, also my many friends and fellow holdovers during our time as a holdover at Ft. Jackson during a hurricane and the consequences and events that transpired because of this a couple years back.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I actually don't, no. I try to write in multiple genres to not get stuck in a niche and expand my writing horizons. I'd also like to have something for everyone.
Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?
Well I thought that it was a story that needed to be told. Not very many people know that holdovers are even a thing, and it's wildly undocumented. On top of that I believed it was a good story, a series of unfortunate events occurred one after another that just makes for a good read.
What did you enjoy most about writing your book?
It was nice to relieve some of the better experiences I had with my friends and keep the experience alive for us all.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I've wanted to be a writer since I was very young. I would always look at my mothers bookshelf as a child and just think "one day I will have my name up there".
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
I find it difficult to focus. So, because of that everything I write is meticulously outlined. Before I ever even open a word document I fill up multiple binders on my book. Everything from minor characters to a step by step progression of each chapter. When I do eventually write however I sit at the same desk, listen to the same music, drink the same coffee, and light the same candle.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
John Green is by far my favorite author. Being a fan of his is rather torturous though since he releases a book about every five years at this point.
Are you working on another book?
I will be, soon. I have been working on this one for nearly two years now though and would like to focus a bit on my blog. I enjoy writing movie reviews and it has gone to the back burner a bit while writing this book.
You can find Bailey Ordiway's latest book, American Holdovers, on Amazon.
And you can check out the rest of his books at his Amazon page.
For more on the author check out these sites.
Goodreads Twitter Website
