K.N. Lee's Blog, page 36

Write: A Step-by-Step Book **Book Blast**

Learn to write books the fast and easy way. Step-by-step books are the ones that people are really looking for, they have problems that need to be solved. Step-by-step books can solve those problems and break down instructions so that anyone can understand and follow them.
Think about the books that you have read. Which books make your list of all-time favorites? There will certainly be those that you loved for their entertainment value, but what about those that you read because you REALLY NEEDED the information. Weren’t the manuals, the guides, and the worksheets the most valuable of books that you picked up? Those were the books with specific and actionable STEP-BY-STEP instructions.
As an author, there is also the worry of writing books that don’t sell. This book teaches you the basics of where and how to research your book in lightening time, then how to analyze whether you book has a chance at selling a decent number of copies per month.
You can count on this book to give you a perfect checklist for writing your book, and a schedule outline that will show you how to break down the production of your book into manageable steps over a reasonable amount of time for producing multiple books to put out as your own personal catalogue of assets that will bring in streams of income each and every month.


Break it down! Simplify! Spell it out! Make it easy to follow. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a model is worth a thousand dollars. The world of nonfiction books is a world where people have difficult and vexing problems. They need real solutions to those problems, and they need someone that can show them how to solve those problems step-by-step.
I’ve read hundreds of nonfiction books. I have searched out the books looking for answers. I have found some of those books to be very entertaining, I have found others to be very informative, but the ones that have made my life easier and have changed my way of thinking were the ones with straight forward and simple instructions. These are the ones that sit on my bookshelf and that I return to again and again. They make great references, because they are, by design, compact and to the point.
Where most nonfiction books come up short is that they don’t have specific enough instructions. They are usually really good at pointing out what the problems are and what benefits you, the reader, will receive when you solve your particular problems.
I also realized that with those books, where the authors do a good job of presenting the problems and promise solutions, as a reader, I often get to a point where I am salivating—I have experienced that problem, I REALLY want the solution! However, by the end of the book, I am usually disappointed. It is true, that most books offer a solution, but rarely do they provide detailed enough instructions to really help me put the solution to work for me.
YES I KNOW: to solve my weight problems I simply have to eat fewer calories and increase exercise, to solve my money problems I simply must bring in more money and spend less, to solve my relationship problem I need to be kinder and think of others more often, to solve my career problem I need to show leadership and innovation, somehow all of that is so painfully obvious, and yet so mystifyingly illusive.
The truth is, each of us knows more than we realize. Each of us, for the most part, has a basic understanding of how things work. Sometime we DO need a better solution, but often, what we really need is a better way to implement what we already know. We need something that will entice us to work our way over the barriers, and actually put into action what we have learned.
That is where the step-by-step book comes in to play. Writing a step-by-step book solves a number of problems. For one thing, it simplifies the process for the author. For another, it makes the solution seem easier and more doable for the reader. Step-by-step instructions seem more manageable. They can be accomplished one at a time. The reader can eat the proverbial elephant, one bite at a time, and avoid the inevitable “drinking from the fire hydrant” effect of the typical overload of information that comes from most informational books…


Dean Giles has written a number of books, a couple of which spent some time as Amazon #1 Best Sellers in their categories. He has broad experience in technical writing, project management, quality assurance, and business. He has authored certification manuals, technical information documents, bug reports, and business reports. His pet-peeve is information documents that are too technical and wordy for most audiences. He has a passion for dissecting difficult concepts and creating actionable, easy to consume, step-by-step instructions that can be carried out successfully by non-technical people.
 You can find out more about Dean here.

Dean Giles **Author Feature**

Dean Giles has written a number of books, a couple of which spent some time as Amazon #1 Best Sellers in their categories. He has broad experience in technical writing, project management, quality assurance, and business. 

He has authored certification manuals, technical information documents, bug reports, and business reports. His pet-peeve is information documents that are too technical and wordy for most audiences. He has a passion for dissecting difficult concepts and creating actionable, easy to consume, step-by-step instructions that can be carried out successfully by non-technical people.

For more on Dean Giles: AmazonSocial Media

Lynda Cox's **BLOG TOUR** **Top Ten List**

Top Ten Book Boyfriends


Lately, it seems just about everyone I know has had a picture of one movie star or television “hottie” with the logo of “___________ is My Book Boyfriend” as a meme and posted up as their Facebook profile picture. Those memes got me to think about my top ten book boyfriends…and so, in no apparent order, here’s my list:1.      Robin/Dick Grayson. Yeah, you read that right. I can vaguely remember watching Batmanon television when I was a little kid, but a little later, I can very vividly recall watching the series in syndication. Burt Ward, the actor who portrayed the Bat’s young side kick, filled in for all those young boys in the books I read as a young child. (When your grandmother was a first grade teacher in the Chicago Public School Corporation, you learned to read at a very young age. By the time I was in first grade, I was reading at a fourth grade level—much to the frustration of my teachers.) The funny thing was I never did like Batman. I always thought he was condescending and just a little bit creepy. Just for the record: I still don’t like Batman.
2.      Alan Rickman. Even before the first Harry Potter movie was filmed, it was Alan Rickman’s voice I heard in my head when I read the books. To later read that J.K. Rowling always had Rickman in mind for Severus Snape vindicated me hearing that mellow, velvety voice snarking Harry Potter and company every chance he got. The first time I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Philosopher’s Stone for my UK friends) I thought that Ms. Rowling had created the perfect Gothic hero. I think I fell in love with his voice in the Kevin Coster version of Robin Hood. That line in the movie about cancelling Christmas always makes me smile. And, frankly, Mr. Rickman could record a reading of the phone book, and I would listen to it.
3.       A young John Wayne. If I’m reading a western or a military romance, I’m seeing the Duke. For such a large man, he was incredibly light on his feet, and I don’t think the man ever really got the credit he deserved as an actor. For anyone who thinks that John Wayne couldn’t act, I challenge you to watch The Searchers. Wayne’s portrayal of Ethan Edwards is chilling. Not the image of a romance hero, but the man could act. And the young John Wayne was pretty easy on the eyes, too.
4.      Harrison Ford. Oh, to be sixteen again and seeing Star Wars for the first time. Yes, almost all of my girl friends were gushing over Mark Hamill. I wasn’t that impressed. I kept asking, “Did you catch the guy who showed up halfway through that movie?” The first “romance” I ever wrote when I was all of seventeen (and will never, ever see the light of day because it’s utter DREK!), Harrison was the model for the hero. A bit of a scoundrel, seemingly motivated by just the profit in it, only to return at the last second to save the day…sigh…
5.      Luke Evans. I can see Luke Evans as my book boyfriend in just about anything I read. I fell hard for Luke in the movie The Immortals. There was so much eye candy there…
6.      Pierce Brosnan. Yep, I remember him from the days of the television series Remington Steele. I think my heart broke when the series was cancelled and sometimes I can catch episodes in syndication and I’m surprised at how well written that series was. At the time, the writing wasn’t what drew me in to watch every week. Suave, debonair, those stunning blue eyes, that accent…it was no surprise he was cast as Bond.
7.      Ioan Gruffudd. Welsh actor who was in Titanic, Black Hawk Down and The Fantastic Four. Apparently, he’s also guesting on Glee. When he’s my book boyfriend, it’s for his role as Lancelot in King Arthur. He says that he has no intention of changing his name because he’s determined to maintain his Welsh heritage and it is who he is. He’s pointed out the whole world learned how to say “Schwarzenegger.”
8.      Johnny Depp. I remember him from his days on the television series 21 Jump Street(yes, I am really “that old” to quote my grand-daughter) and like a fine wine, Depp’s only gotten better. His acting abilities have improved, too. I think the only thing that he’s done in recent memory that I couldn’t stand was Alice in Wonderland. And, even though I wasn’t horribly impressed with The Lone Ranger Depp managed to pull off a performance for Tonto that was memorable. It was kinda like Captain Jack Sparrow portraying Johnny Depp portraying a Native American mystic/delusional paranoid.
9.      Robert Downey, Jr. When Iron Man was first cast, I couldn’t think of a better actor to step into the shiny red and gold metal suit. I sometimes think that Tony Stark is his alter ego.

10.  Two words: HENRY. CAVILL.
Lynda J. Cox will tell anyone who will listen that she was born at least one hundred and fifty years too late, and most definitely in the wrong part of the country. Her heart has always belonged to cowboys, the wide open spaces, horses, and Lassie. She grew up on a steady diet of cowboy movies, syndicated Westerns, and Lassie. All of those influences play a role in her life now. She writes western historical romance and raises and shows collies. She holds
a master’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Indiana State University after earning her BA from the same university as a non-traditional student. (Think being old enough to be mom to 90% of the students in her freshman cadre.) She’s kept busy with two spoiled rotten house cats, a 30 plus year old Arabian gelding who has been nicknamed “Lazarus” for his ability in the later years of his life to escape death, and quite a few champion collies. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on the road, travelling to the next dog show. She loves to chat about books, the writing life, and the insanity which is called a “dog show” and can be reached through her Facebook page.
He's everything she fears...

Wounded gunfighter Colt Evans stumbles onto a remote homestead never expecting to find compassion. But beautiful Amelia McCollister is like no other woman. Suddenly, his dream of settling down with a wife and home is within reach--but only if his past never comes gunning for him.

She's everything he dreams of...

Amelia had to grow up fast after outlaws murdered her parents, leaving her to raise her siblings alone. With a young brother who idolizes shootists, she dreads having a notorious gunman in her home. But as Colt slowly recovers, he reveals a caring nature under his tough exterior that Amelia can't resist.

Just when Colt starts to believe he can leave the gunfighter life behind, his past returns, bringing danger to them all. Can a shootist ever hang up his hardware? Or will their dreams disappear in the smoke of a desperado's gun?

Author platform

Writing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- Author, K.N. Lee

Today I talk about writing with carpal tunnel syndrome, how you can prevent it, and what I am doing to correct my horrible habits, as well as trying out dictation software

Quick Fire with Robert Friedrich

1.What is your favorite movie? Well, I can tell you three of my favorite movies: 1982's The Thing, 1986's Aliens and 1997's Event Horizon.
2. If you could impersonate one person in all of history for one day, who would it be? Caligvla (Caligula) so I could experience Ancient Rome and all of it's ancient perks.
3. What are your hobbies? Walking in the forests or in the rain, shooting real guns and playing electric guitar.
4. What would your last meal be? It would be a large Pepperoni Pizza.
5. Name one thing you cannot live without! A computer with an internet connection.

For more on Robert Friedrich:


Full Book RoosterWebsiteFB Fan Page 1FB Fan Page 2Goodreads 

A Review of Where North Meets South And East Meets West by, Timothy Louis Baker

Basil and Spice: http://www.basilandspice.comFriday11Dec2009Book Review: Where North Meets South and East Meets West By Timothy Louis Baker
By Randall Radic Sufi adepts supposedly project their souls out of their bodies.  Other people claim to have died, gone to Heaven and then returned to the land of the living here on earth.  Such stories arouse mysterious and intimate emotions, which dilate blood vessels, causing chills to slide along the subcutaneous nerves of readers.  Qualms of apprehension and excitement bubble to the surface.  Only the dull, the insensitive, are immune. Whether or not such stories are true is the subject of learned debate.  Neurologists describe such events as anticipatory delusions, the result of misfiring brain synapses.  The psychologists differ; such experiences, they explain, are the personification of ardent religious desires boiling up from the subconscious.  Preachers refer to the soul.  Paranormalists observe that ghosts and haunted houses exist.  Which may or may not be their way of saying – with a heavy dose of sarcasm – “Big deal.”Near the end of his remarkable book, Timothy Baker writes:  “Or how would it sound to somebody else if you just began to testify that you had the answer to all religions that comes from an experience in the afterlife you had?  Like as not you’d end up locked up.”Tim Baker did both.  He had a “flesh on flesh experience with Heaven.”  And he got locked up.  In other words, Tim Baker has lived a life beyond belief.  A life of drugs, cars, jail, bumming around, prison, and persecution.  And like the Apostle Paul, Tim Baker has gone to Heaven and come back to relate the occurrence.The book is called Where North Meets South and East Meets West (NSEW).  It’s half memoir, half travelogue, half biography, and half spiritual manifesto.  You respond by saying that’s two halves too many.  You are correct.  NSEW is more in two distinct ways.  For one, it is very subtle.  For two, it is different (in a good sort of way).Baker’s writing style has to be experienced to be believed.  It’s so totally sundry and miscellaneous.  As if listening to the stream-of-consciousness outpourings of a precocious adolescent who can’t be bothered with normal thought processes, because they constrict his manner of expressing himself.  Frankly, it takes a little adjusting to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s simply marvelous.  In fact, it’s charming.            A brief summary of the book would go something like this:NSEW is the full and accurate report of the nimble proceedings in the highly extraordinary and highly interesting life of Timothy Louis Baker, who was a criminal, a tweaker and an inmate in both a prison and a mental asylum.  The story comes complete with opinions on pretty much everything under the sun, including love, life and happiness.  Along with extra-sensory perceptions and spiritual visions.  Also included are character sketches of a “black magic warlock” and other assorted evildoers.  Along with a detailed history of the author’s vocation as a Prophet, together with many other delicious tidbits of informative information, which have never before been revealed to anyone, man or woman or angel or beast.It’s quite a book.
Where NorthMeets South and East Meets West (Publish America/ 2009) By Timothy Louis Baker/

An Interview With Author Lawrence BoarerPitchford!

Let's meet the author of our latest Summer Blog Writing Challenge. I hope you all enjoyed Languish of Forgotten Souls. Now, let's chat with the Lawrence and learn a little about his inspiration.

 Where are you from?
Where am I from… that’s a really good question. There are those who claim that I’m the product of chaos and madness. There are those who feel that my origin is some other planet, and yet there are those who feel that I was created from the ether. The truth is that I was born in California on a particularly stormy day many years ago. I’m a half-n-half kid; I grew up half in the San Francisco Bay Area, and half in the Sierra Nevada foothills. So, one might say that I have an unsettled past. I currently live in the fertile Sacramento Valley in California – which is on the west coast of the United States.  
When did you start writing and what was your first book?
I’ve been writing most of my life, but only realized it was what I wanted to do with my life when I was the last years of college. I seriously began working on writing projects starting in nineteen ninety four. It was then that my college roommate and I took up writing short stories to entertain ourselves. In those days he and I frequented the large Northern California Renaissance Faire that was at Black Point Forest in Vallejo California. In those carefree, happy-go-lucky days, we’d consume copious amounts of ale, feast on faire food, and cavort with the wild-eyed bodice enhanced lasses at the faire. On one occasion my roommate wrote a short story about our faire characters (we’d created detailed characters for the event) traveling to the Queen’s Faire c.1565. Now mind you, we really were drunken loutish rakes in those days, and so it stood to reason that my roommate would make the fictional characters epically more rake-ish. The next time we went to the faire, I tried my hand at writing a short story; and so it went, we wrote back and forth exchanging short stories, until we had a pile of them. I then suggested that we make a book, and since the characters and setting were always the same, we should forge our short stories into a novel.
The novel that we created and had published is titled Tales of Mad Cows and Brothels (published 2000 by Pulsar Publishing). It’s a story of three anti-heroes who become embroiled in a plot to assassinate the Queen of England, who in turn was plotting to invade France. The three anti-heroes, Leofric de Longnor the deposed son of nobility, Kenton McMuir the wanted Irish pirate, and Jacques Perrault de Lyon a disgraced cult priest, find that while they act with complete narcissistic compulsion, fate guides more than they know. The story is irreverent, violent, savage, and tongue-n-cheek, not to mention quite cheeky. There is topnotch political intrigue, a complex plot, and a hilarious ending, that I guarantee any reader will not see coming. Also, it’s free on my web site www.boarerpitchford.com if anyone wants to download it. It’s in Apple e-pub format and Amazon mobi format. I also must warn the readers that this story is very rated R, if not X – so download it at your own peril.      Favorite author?
My favorite author? I can’t pick just one. In science fiction I love Dan Simons, Larry Niven, and Philip K. Dick. In fantasy I am a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, and Robert E. Howard. For the classics I love Homer, and Dante Alighieri, John Milton, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as the great Louis Carol.  
Favorite book?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s a simple story, almost as if he wrote it to be a children’s fairy tale, but the imagery and pace of the story is absolutely epic. It was the first novel that I read that took me into a fantasy world. It made a significant impression on me. When I finally began to shape myself into a writer, I was able to reflect on the style and pace of Tolkien’s story, and appreciate the subtle way it drew me into it, and allowed my imagination to make the world real. For high fantasy it really is what I believe to be the benchmark.   


Favorite character from a book you've written?
My favorite character is Leofric de Longnor the troubled, and perhaps brain damaged son of a murdered nobleman. His plight in the story is compelling, and he is the deeply flawed character that those who have read the book cheer for to achieve redemption. He is all the things that make a fantastic character; he’s flawed, and must struggle to grow, his cause is worthy of success, and those who wish to him harm are true villains. While none of the heroes of the story are likable, they are the underdogs who are pursued not only by those who want to murder the Queen, but by the Queen’s own agents too. Thus, Leofric is not in control of his own destiny, and part of his charm in the story is that at no time is he trying to take control. Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, he accepts his place along the path he’s set on. He’s consumed by his own narcissistic behavior, but there is a moral compass to him, I’ll be it, not a very good one.

What do you do when you have writer's block?
In the past I could address writer’s block by shifting from writing project to writing project. Recently though, I found myself struggling with deep depression and a lack of motivation to create. All I wanted to do was come home and rest. Of course I have a day job, where I work as a professional, and after spending 8-10 hours at work, then an hour commute, then once home preparing for the next long day – the creative urge in me suffered. Finally, I found a cause when a writer friend told me about Create Space. Create Space is a print on demand publisher. I thought, it would be nice to see my four e-books turned into paperback. Once motivated, I was able to focus on the four e-books that I published through Amazon; The Lantern of Dern Blackhammer, In the World of Hyboria, Thadius, and Sawbones, and format them for paper. They were in need of some re-editing too [the plight of the contemporary Indie-author] and thus I embarked on quite a journey. Over the course of eight months, I reread the works, did some extensive copy editing, committed the edits to the e-copies and created the paper copies. Now they’re all available on Amazon, Smashwords, and CreateSpace (and other distributions such as Barns and Noble). Once this weight was lifted from my shoulders, my creative mojo came on, and I have been chomping at the bit to get back to my new writing projects.  
Any tips for revising a manuscript?
Yes, number one, have your work professionally edited. Number two, once done writing your project, set it aside for a couple of months, then reread it. Number three, print it out when editing. I found that adding one of my manuscripts to CreateSpace and making a proof copy paperback version, my edits became much more efficient and precise. Lastly, cut out crap from the work. Don’t try to make something you wrote work when it clearly won’t.
Any advice for new authors?
Critique of your work will be forth coming and at times harsh. Prepare you self by saying, “It’s business, and not personal” – even though it may be a direct attack on you personally. I’m an industry of one. I want to make my product and process better, so I need input from my customers. Critique is essential to the artistic and business end of what an author does. As you shop your work around, remember that the rejection letters (or emails) you receive are telling you something; 1) you may need to do some serious rewrite; 2) the agent or publisher doesn’t think he or she can sell the manuscript to a publisher (remember that writing is a business first, and an art second); 3) bone up on your business skills; 4) good writing is driven by emotion – so be in touch with your emotional side; 5) write because you love to entertain, make art, or just have a story to tell, not because you think you’re going to make a fortune.    

Anything you want to say to your readers?
As an Indie-author I rely on your patronage, word of mouth marketing, and your feedback. It is disheartening to have the many people who buy and read my work, never take the time to give comments on Amazon, or Smashwords, or provide their thoughts on the work. Without your input (good or bad) I don’t really know how I’m doing. For any author, please take the time to write some comments and rate their work. If you like what I write, let others know.
Give us your elevator pitch for your latest book.
My latest work is a steampunk science fiction piece that is set on a faraway planet. The story takes place in a nineteenth century setting (as do most steampunk stores). An aggressor nation has invaded its neighbor and the young adult main characters become find themselves on the run from the invaders. The main hero falls madly in love with the heroine as they flee toward a mysterious region called the White Desert. They meet up with a rogue sky-ship captain who helps them escape, and they all head to an outpost called Harrows Gate. There the main character’s friends are captured by the enemy, but he is saved by an alien race called the Desert Ghosts, giant human like beings who dwell in the harsh White Desert. He becomes connected with an alien oracle that helps guide him to some ancient technology that helps even out the playing field. This alien technology allows him to go back to the enemy and mount a rescue of his friends and family who have been taken hostage. I’m at chapter 14 now and expect the story to top out in chapter 17 or 18. Also, there’s plenty of steam technology, dirigibles, exotic settings, and intriguing characters.   Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me and have me on your blog. I must say that knowing you is a treat and I love your work and wish you the absolute best as you grow your craft and audience. Thanks again Nycole, you ROCK!    
**Blushing** "And thank you for chatting with us today at Write Like a Wizard!" K.N. Lee

Robert Friedrich **Author Feature & Interview**

Robert Friedrich is an Author who writes in a multitude of styles which include Novella's, Short Stories, Poetry and even Screenplays. His books are famous for taking an unconventional route through the darkest of places and emotions, and are generally driven by fast paced action and direct-from-heart dialogue. His current releases include: The Darkness Within: A Novella, Enlightened by Darkness Anthologies, The Book of Metal Lyrics and Seed of Evil, which is the first part of an entire up-coming Saga. Robert surprises his audience by how different, each of his book's tone, message is and how they are visually descriptive. He also designs his own book covers and trailers.
"A fictional Dystopia is better than a fake Utopia." -- Robert Friedrich
Interview:
Where are you from? First, let me thank you for having an opportunity to cooperate with your fantastic team and communicate my views to the readers of The Book Nymph. It is both a pleasure and an honor. I am from Slovakia, but been living the latter part of my life in Egypt.

You're welcome, Robert! Thank you for chatting with us today. Tell us, what inspired you to write your first book? I felt an urge to express myself for a long time. And writing came along as a natural way; I didn’t poke this way or other. All my stories I wrote and rewrote in my mind many times. One day came and I couldn’t keep them there: I sat and started to write. Officially “The Darkness Within: A Novella” was not my first book/story idea, but I decided to publish it as first because I believed it will be a great start. Simply, I write stories that I enjoy personally. All of my books are written in that way.

Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? I write full-time besides being a designer. I work from home so it’s not that complicated to balance my life. I am not married and I have no children. I can say that my work life is interconnected with my ordinary life. Writing is something I enjoy and thus I don’t consider it as a “job” but it’s a significant part of my life, incorporated as my predominant every-day routine.

How did you come up with the title? Giving titles to my books is actually pretty easy; usually they just derive themselves from the context directly or during the inception of the idea. This also counts for stories which I contribute to anthologies/collections and collaborations. For example: The Darkness Within since its inception has had the word “darkness” as a designation.  When I was close to finishing, the word “within” clicked: fitting perfectly.   The Darkness Within is deeply twisted psychological narrative, which in the grand context leads to a dark side of just one person.   Seed of Evil likewise; that title was assigned to a story since I got the idea, over 10 years ago.  Fits well and rings in the ear; for me at least. In this first part of saga, the military element is prevalent, but the concept deals with the ancient “origin” of evil, in the distanced galaxy which brings to the fore a sci/fi tuning. Occult powers in the battle with the advanced military and scientific technologies, space and time travel in a monumental background leads again to one – single point in the life…
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? That depends on the readers, since they choose after reading, what they take. There is always message or thought or purpose in each of my books or stories, I just let everyone decide for themselves. Every book is a part of me, part of my life path; I’m sure that others walking their own path would not have the same “message” to convey, so if my writings serve as a point for discussion or rejection, it is result of reader’s subconscious sending a message, what he/she needs to get. 
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? The Darkness Within for example has experiences that I know about from the people who dealt or still deal with. I do have a bond with many of my stories and yes there are some things in each book that I know or have experienced personally to a point. My Enlightened by Darkness series has certain stories that I know will touch, effect and even offend perhaps, but that comes with the territory. Publishing my books worldwide for particular people some of the content may be helpful, for some strange, while for others it will just be a form of entertainment, etc. As a Horror/Sci-fi author I touch on a lot of different, unpleasant and even disturbing situations, but it’s also a way of expressing myself. Everyone has a voice; and there will always be people that don’t want to hear or know, however their attitude don’t change that situation, it is still there and can’t be denied.
What books have most influenced your life most? Hard to choose a particular one, since not only books but all kinds of media have influenced me over the years to such an extent that define me now. If I had to choose one, it would be Clive Barker’s Books of Blood because each story is just completely different. They all have a tone, a voice and presence that just resonates through the book and that is something I also try in my “Enlightened by Darkness” books.
What book are you reading now? These days I am kind of short on time so flash, short stories and graphic novels mostly.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Yes, and I worked with some of them: Alex S. Johnson, Angel Cox, Thomas Price, Sammy Cassella… There are so many, the easiest way would be to grab the anthology Deathmongers: Where the Light Dies, which I collaborated with twenty talented writers and read the contemporary definition of horror. I’m  also part of  “Demonic Visions” series, “Axes of Evil II” , and “Flash It! “  anthologies, altogether many talented authors with unique voices. Anthologies are interesting; every single story is as a whole book. Readers instead of one book enjoy many.

What are your current projects? Right now I am working on multiple titles: “Enlightened by Darkness – Vol.4 Foretold Salvation”, which is the continuation of my short stories anthologies. “Welcome to your Death: Part 2” – Part 1 was released just a few days ago.  It is my post-apocalyptic mini-series. Rather adventure, not my typical horror and I found the great interest about between the teenagers.   And the sequel to my saga “Seed of Evil”. There is also a new book in works that is not a sequel or a part of something and will be a stand-alone novella/novel.  I am so excited about it and hope to complete before this year ends.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. Other great Indie Authors.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Nope, it would remain unchanged. I would have only made more effort to write sooner and faster.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? “Welcome to your Death: Part 1” of a mini-series, recently released. Easy, fast and enjoyable reading, with each part you will want more and more. The story is more or less based on the survival/surviving the new and harsh world, set a number of years after the Yellowstone Volcano eruption. My current work in progress – “Enlightened by Darkness 4” – will be darker, longer and will raise the stakes and bar even higher than the previous three books.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Writing is the easy part for me.  The editing and formatting take the challenge cake.  When it’s all done well and a book is finally polished and ready to go -  oh, this rewarding feeling erase immediately any heavy heads from the way and can be compared to a winning a lottery. 
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? Well, I already mentioned Clive Barker, Steven King, H.P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Alan E. Poe, and many other. All horror authors I would call Indie Authors, even they have publisher. What is striking on them all - they are persevering and write in such an “easy” way about the deepest fear of others, fears that evidently no one else would admit nor be able to experience.

Oh yes. Lovecraft and King are amongst my favorites as well. Excellent choices.
Who designed the covers? As I mentioned earlier, I am also a designer and I create my own covers. Recently, I branched out and now I design covers for other authors, too. 
What was the hardest part of writing your book? I can’t remember any particular or outstanding difficulty with any of my books. Once you are used to it, it’s pretty simple and works just like clockwork.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I learned a lot of things and become a more experienced person. Most important thing that I learned and will keep saying forward is that writing will test you and you should never give up. Keep going, crush the opposition, the naysayers and just go on.
Do you have any advice for other writers? Besides the one I have given, a good advice I got many years ago when I was studying screenwriting. I apply it also in my book writing: friends and family are not the people you want as beta readers or opinions from. Now, this is not meant as anything bad, but the best advice you will always get from unbiased people that have no personal relation with you. The other thing that I use in general and that is the most important thing to me:  “I” have to like what I have written and enjoy it. I’m not writing for someone else, I’m writing for myself, so let my voice be heard.
Great advice!
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you for your loyalty and support. Keep on reading and enjoying, more is on its way.

  What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing? I use both methods and each one has its ups and downs, but by using both I can reach everyone. The ones that like to read digital will have the e-book while the ones who prefer the smell and feeling of a printed book will have that. Win - win situation for everyone.

Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one? I have neither but I am opened so feel free to reach out, I don’t bite.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I am trying to move back to Slovakia so that is my current goal; get there and start a clean slate.

Sounds lovely! We hope you make it back. 
If you could have any super power, what would it be? Does being rich count as a super power? I mean Bruce Wayne is rich and is Batman. Then I could solve a ton of other problems, not just my own but world problems.  If that is off the books I will go Wolverine style healing and aging mixed with flight and Adamantium for bones and teeth – no more dental visits – ever. Yeah!

Thanks for answering my questions today. I am sure our viewers enjoyed learning more about you!

For more on Robert Friedrich:


Full Book RoosterWebsiteFB Fan Page 1FB Fan Page 2Goodreads 

Blissful Tragedy **SALE**

Author Amy L. Gale's debut novel Blissful Tragedyis now ONLY $0.99 for a limited time 
BUY NOW ON AMAZON  
Ambitious 22-year-old Lexie Waters is intent on taking the advertising world by storm. When she’s offered the soon to be open position she’s been vying for at a swanky advertising agency, there’s only one last summer separating her from dreams of corporate success. Still bitter from catching her boyfriend cheating, she heads out for a night of fun to see her favorite band, Devil’s Garden, but fun turns into utter embarrassment when she insults the enticingly confident lead singer, Van Sinclair. Van is intrigued by Lexie’s ability to resist his charm and secretly obtains her cell number. Shocked but eager to get to know this captivating rocker, Lexie accepts Van’s invitation to see his next show, which requires an overnight stay. The overwhelming feelings that follow take them both by surprise, and with two months left before starting her sought after new position, Lexie joins the tour. As she’s catapulted into the world of groupies and wild parties, she questions Van’s commitment to her. So what happens at summer’s end when time runs out?
Praise For Blissful Tragedy

This book is very good and I couldn't get enough of Van and Lexi's story. I was so sad that the book ended. I can honestly read about these two all day long! - Amazon CustomerTheir whirlwind fling and the intensity of new love where every phone call, every text, takes your breath away captures the essence of what it’s like to be twenty something and in love. - BookChickLovesLit (Amazon)

AMAZON/ BARNES AND NOBLE WEBSITE/ FACEBOOK/ TWITTER/ GOODREADSAbout Amy L. Gale Romance author by night, pharmacist by day, Amy Gale loves rock music and the feel of sand between her toes. She attended Wilkes University where she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In addition to writing, she enjoys baking, scary movies, rock concerts, and reading books at the beach. She lives in the lush forest of Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, six cats, and golden retriever.
AMAZON/ BARNES AND NOBLE WEBSITE/ FACEBOOK/ TWITTER/ GOODREADS
ENTER TO WIN a Rafflecopter giveaway