Author: Jasveena R Prabhagaran

August 29, 2021

Author Interview with Alan Vazquez

Alan Vazquez

Alan Vazquez spends most of his time as an audio engineer for TV and Film. The other most of his time is spent making way too many Spotify playlists. Intrigued by the odd and the unique, he hopes to bring stories to the world that are based in reality, while also pulling away from it. He currently lives in Nashville with his partner and a furry beast.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?

It’s a historical fiction taking place in the winter of 1872. A ship on its way to Gibraltar discovers another ship sailing awkwardly towards it, and after calling out to the mystery ship, there is no response. Two sailors venture to board the strange ship, and one of the greatest sea tales was born from the events that followed… I wrote it out of pure fascination with the real story. I was down a rabbit hole of creepy mystery videos on YouTube, and that particular one really stuck with me. I felt like I had to turn it into something.

What else do you do, other than write?

I work as an audio engineer for post production in Film/TV/Games. I also love making Spotify playlists for upcoming movies & random moods, (I’m getting frighteningly good at it). I also work with the Nashville Film Festival each year, which is always fun.

What do you think makes a good story?

For me, it can be so many things. I look for well written characters and a unique location. I think we all, one way or another, strive for connection with each other. Stories that highlight the human experience tap into something we all know and experience, so thats why characters are important to me.

What makes you happiest?

Honestly, going to see a new movie at the movie theater.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?

Archaeology. My ideal profession would be being Indiana Jones.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I have a fascination with Sweden right now. Either there or Norway. I’d love to live somewhere with heavy mythological roots/background.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

Just push it deep down. No just kidding, I try and think of those feelings as momentary and fleeting. I let myself feel them but remind myself they will fade. And in thinking that, they actually do.

Why do you write?

To me, its a form of release and expression that differs from other mediums. There is something therapeutic about it. It feels like putting a puzzle together, but with words that become a unique whole.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I grew up in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. I live in Nashville now. Interestingly enough, I hate the heat and crave cold weather. Although it did hale once in my backyard in Florida.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

I’d say, starting from most to least difficult its: Marketing, Writing, Publishing.

Is your family supportive?

Do your friends support you? Both are huge supporters. It’s honestly integral to having the confidence to make something and share it. I probably wouldn’t have, had I not felt so much enthusiasm from friends and family. I’m very thankful for that.

Chambers of the Sea

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?

I’d love to talk with Alex Garland. He’s written and directed some of my favorite movies/shows, (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Devs).

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

I just hope it gives them an enjoyable break from reality. In terms of my new story, I hope they felt like they were transported to a brigantine ship, sailing the seas in 1872.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

I’d say focus on trusting yourself. Write what you enjoy, odds are, others are looking for exactly that.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I want all my characters to feel like real people. Down to their thoughts, reactions, actions. I prefer to base everything in reality from a human behavior standpoint, and then play with that reality. Maybe that’s a style. Not sure.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

For me, its getting caught up with what a story is supposed to become, rather than what its organically becoming. It goes back to trusting yourself I think. With my latest story, I had to remind myself to enjoy the process and be open to where it was taking me. Not to worry too much about what I thought it was supposed to be early on.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

Just a big ol’ thank you! I really hope the story made you wonder and you enjoyed reading. There are so many tales to hear and experience in the world, so thank you for taking time to hear one of mine. I hope we all continue searching for new ones.

August 29, 2021

An interview with Author Alfred Mead

My name is Alfred Mead. I am a creative writing undergraduate. I am an introvert acting extrovert when required. I have a personality disorder, so writing isn’t really a choice profession more a requirement, this outlet has saved my life. I don’t know how many words I’ve written over my brief three decades of life, I do know, however, that before I leave this Earth I will create one novel that, with all my strength and heart willing, be as timeless as the cosmos, so that the dust from my bones will not be forgotten.

Describe yourself in five words: ambivert, outlier, observer, sensitive, compassionate

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

I have a high functioning personality disorder

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

Knowing that regrets weigh more than fears

What scares you the most? 

Being enclosed in a small space without possibility of escape

What makes you happiest? 

Nature, spiritual activities, my dog, my finance

Why do you write? 

It allows catharsis and deeper explanation of reality

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

Yes, it feels like a religious activity to me

What motivates you to write? 

It is the only time I can truly articulate myself, I feel the power of god in the universe of the page

What writing are you most proud of? 

My poetry

What books did you love growing up? 

Crime and punishment/ the bell jar/ the waves/ Genghis Khan series by conn iggulton/ the book of job/ Ecclesiastes/ Patrick Melrose series/ East of Eden

What do you hope your obituary will say about you? 

Loving, kind, patient, mild, humble, spiritual, and one book of art that will remain my timeless eulogy

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? 

Every person I’ve ever known including friendship/relationships. My best friend’s suicide, my dad’s death and destructive life course.

How did you develop your writing?

Practice/ reading/ creative writing degree

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? 

Marketing, for me anyways

What marketing works for you? 

No idea. Haha

Do you find it hard to share your work? 

Absolutely, I’m a writer not a salesman.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? 

Yes, but they aren’t readers

What else do you do, other than write? 

University, photography, look after my dogs, spend time with my family which is a big one (I’m one of five boys)

What other jobs have you had in your life? 

Wow so many, landscaping, window cleaning, dry lining, personal trainer, photographer the list goes on and on…

If you could study any subject at University what would you pick? 

I’d like to continue writing to a MA or possibly PHD if my mental health allows…

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

Wow, I really don’t know, somewhere in Europe for sure. Perhaps Finland? I heard it has the largest forests on Earth… I kinda feel with this apocalyptic climate change these are the last of the natural world

Tell us about your family? 

One of five boys as I said, all very different lads. Mum is the glue to our family she is the strongest person I know. I’m talking hard as nails, iron of heart on her knees scrubbing floors clean while 7 months pregnant could probably give Genghis Khan a run for his money in toughness. Haha

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? 

First draft longhand in costa then on my mac undulating different locations. I tend to procrastinate at home.

How much sleep do you need to be your best? 

Eight or nine.

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? 

Sure, Jackie Webb, my English teacher who’s read every crappy, grammatically incorrect draft, haha.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 

Listen, for me it’s all about emotional impact, I’ve set my book at the lowest possible costs. I get 20p per hard back and the kindle format is 2.99. I don’t care about the money, I want to share my art and move people the way I’ve been moved by works of fiction, by albums that give you goosebumps. I want to captivate people, make them see the world a different way.

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign? 

I have no idea what I’m doing, hence why I’m on fiver at curious hours of the night, trying not to get scammed, I’m swimming with the sharks out here! Haha.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  

I was obsessed with the black mirror series and couldn’t get it off my mind. I needed catharsis for many things in my life. It came to me in a dream, the plot as soon as i woke up i promised myself i would carry it from conception to realization, no matter what.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? 

Easy, Jesus, he had a hand creating the universe so I would like to pick his brains!

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? 

I find it very very hard to relax tbh. I walk my dog, listen to music, read, podcasts etc…

August 21, 2021

An Interview with Author Laura Schaumer

Describe yourself in five words:

eclectic, creative, spontaneous, multitasker, silly 

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

I love 50s and 60s movies.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

My support team! My family and friends, as well as some incredible people who I have met on the self publishing journey.

Why do you write?

I write to express myself. That is the beauty of literature, we can translate our perspective into words and hope that it resonates with others and how they are feeling.

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

Yes. I love to write. It doesn’t matter what it’s for.

What motivates you to write? 

Anything that captures my imagination, thoughts or views. Something I have seen on a walk. A conversation I had with my daughter or family. A conversation I overheard on the bus.

What books did you love growing up?

I LOVED Barentstein Bear books growing up! 

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? 

Marketing is a skill I am still trying to learn. It’s a continued learning experience that you always need to keep developing. 

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? 

My family and friends are extremely supportive! They are always there motivating me to achieve all my literary dreams. 

What else do you do, other than write? 

I like gardening, making fun arts and crafts with my daughter. BBQing with my fantastic husband and going for late night walks with my friends.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? 

In hindsight formatting and photoshop! 100%

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? 

I would want to live in an RV and have the ability to travel and visit places all around the world. 

Tell us about your family? 

I have an incredible husband, Daniel. He always makes me smile and thereby help me focus. My daughter is hilarious and will be turning 5 in September. I have a puppy, Kita, named after my main character in my first book. And lastly Athena our cat. She is basically in charge of everything. Hahah.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? 

I like starting all ideas with pen and paper. Then to develop them onto my lap top. I love writing in the early mornings or late nights with a big cup of coffee and a noiseless atmosphere.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? 

My new book was inspired by the spontaneous road trips my dad use to take my siblings and I on. We called it the Magic Van Rides. We never knew where we would end up! 

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? 

I love going for walks, being outside with my family and watching a good TV show or movie with lots of snacks! 

www.lauraschaumerbooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/lauraschaumerbooks

August 20, 2021

An interview with Author A.C. Morris

A.C Morris From Atlanta Ga is a Picture Book Author. has developed an children’s book series with an interactive website that focuses on mental health for children highlighting the use of positive affirmations, journaling and structured support. The mission is to empower children to be their unique positive selves.

  • Where are you from? Atlanta Ga
  • Why do you write? I write to inspire and create magic
  • What do you write about? I write inspirational works of fiction for children mainly for the ones who have visible and non-visible scars as a result of bullying and or abuse
  • Do you have a specific writing style? Picture book
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Making sure when you write it can be scenes also with just the picture, and making sure I’m reaching/relating to my targeted audience
  • How long have you been writing? I have been writing since an adolescent myself it is my go to for communicating writing helps the reader feel, see, hear and comprehend what I am trying to portray
  •  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? When I was in college we had to do a lot of 5000 word essays so I started with short stories and poetry
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I try to pick up my laptop whenever I am inspired some days I may write for hors and some days only a few minutes
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? Hmm I try different writing sometimes I write with a pen some on my laptop and sometimes I use dictation depends on how I feel but I like mostly the pen or laptop because ei can feel the words much better
  • How long does it take to write a book? It can take two days or 6 months to a year depending on how many re writes you must do. It’s also dependent on if you get writers block sometimes I start on 3 or 4 projects so it may take me a year to complete all four because they all come with different task
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? My advice if you start writing you will always become better I always tell other aspiring authors just write and write and re write until you can read and see exactly what your trying to say and of course always proof read for grammatical errors, that’s very important
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? as an author/ writer the biggest challenge is character development we have to make sure the characters are unique and distinct in each story
  • Do you see writing as a career? Yes, very much so I have already made it my career every day I wake up trying to brainstorm an outline for a new story
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? Be exquisitely you and you will always succeed
  • When did you first consider yourself a writer? When I published my first book that solidified the deal

Visit https://exteam.org/

August 19, 2021

Author interview with Ana Radeboldti

Ana has degrees in education and teaches in public schools in New York City. She has combined this passion with her love of traveling by teaching in Kuwait, South Korea, and Mexico City. She has traveled the world over—her visits to Morocco, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Israel have given her the opportunity to walk the paths of the characters she writes about.

Ana also enjoys life at home in the beautiful Hudson Valley area of Upstate New York. She’s a proud mother of a son serving in the United States Navy and the grandmother of three adorable grandchildren.

She has written three fiction books: Drawing Near to Paradise, Giving Entirely to Live, and The Passed Over Dinner: A Passover Tale.

  • Where are you from? I am from the United States
  • Why do you write? I write because it is cathartic, and I enjoy stepping into a new world with my characters.
  • What do you write about? I write about everyday ordinary events in the life of familiar people. And I have learned that sometimes these ordinary people lead extraordinary lives.
  • Do you have a specific writing style? I think I write like a talk. I am always telling stories, so I struggle with the show not tell style.
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? My full-time teaching job can be an obstacle because when I come home from school, I am too tired to write, and I only have Sundays.
  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? I like that one of the teachers in my school came to my classroom door and said, “I’m not hating your book.”
  • How long have you been writing? Since I was nine so about fifty-five years!
  •  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? In the fourth grade I wrote stories to entertain my classmates that became like a class soap opera.
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I do my best writing at night and since I’ve been home with the Pandemic, I write from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I think my most interesting quirk is I can’t write with an outline
  • How long does it take to write a book? My first self-published book took 6 months because I was working with a hybrid publisher, my second, third and fourth books took about two months each.
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Write, write, and write some more and get good feedback. Don’t pay for editing and then revise. It’s a waste of money.
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? My characters sometimes choose their own destiny and I must go where they lead me.
  • What do you think makes a good story? A good story is when there is an element of surprise. A character flaw you didn’t expect or the character steps out of the stereotype.
  • What does your family think of your writing? It’s a hobby to them and they’ll say, “Oh so and so’s daughter/son wrote a book too.”
  • Do you see writing as a career? Writing for me will be a second career because my first love is teaching. Although honestly teaching is losing its luster.
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? I think the takeaway from my books is that they should not try to force their story to be something It’s not, nor should they try to follow the formulas many self-writing books offer. They need to write in their own unique style and stop writing to impress. They’re not going to get rich by writing in these days. Unless Oprah endorses their book for her book club!
  • When did you first consider yourself a writer? I considered myself a writer when I attended a Writer ‘s Retreat in South Carolina. Everyone there was a published author, and I came with my notebooks. When I shared the draft of my first novel with the group they loved it and I remember thinking. Heh I am a writer I can do this.
August 19, 2021

An interview with Author Shenine Wiggs

Shenine Wiggs

SHENINE WIGGS is a businesswoman, writer, mentor, graphics illustrator, advocate for Human Trafficking, and an ambassador for Save Our Children’s efforts in Trinidad and Tabago. She is the face and faith behind Purposely Blessed LLC, where she spreads the Word of God through custom faith-inspired apparel, devotionals, and merchandise she personally designs and crafts. She is the founder of Women’s Bloom R&R (Release and Restoration) LLC, where women can connect, receive daily doses of God’s Truth, and bloom. Shenine is an Army veteran and holds a BA in Healthcare Administration. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband, three daughters, and her two sons who are currently serving in the Army.

My books include Be A Wife Not A Knife, and Beauty for Ashes. I try to be grateful every day, and my motto right now is “Observe, but don’t get absorbed.” If you keep your eyes on Jesus you will catch faith, not feelings.

Where are you from?

My name is Shenine Wiggs, I was born in the United States. I’m from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What do you write about?

I’m a Christian author who loves to take the truth of God’s Word and apply it to the crevices of life. I write about whatever the Holy Spirit moves me to write; while also sharing my own personal experiences. I often write about the hard things that no one wants to talk about, but are necessary. Specifically, like depression, trauma, addiction, shame, guilt and sexual immorality to name a few.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

At some points in our lives, we will each question whether we are doing well enough or if we’re even good enough for that matter. When I begin to hear negative voices inside my head, I try to stay in the present moment and focus on the positives, because there will always be a negative lingering around to challenge you. I mostly go to my gratitude jar and write down things that I am grateful for at that moment. I start to appreciate myself more and focus on what I have instead of what I am lacking. I even stop comparing myself to others because, by looking at what I’ve written, I remind myself that I’m evolving and happy, with my own life. That’s so important!

Does a negative comment affect your writing?

Not any longer, at least not in a negative way. There will be comments about my writing, both positive and negative, and I’ll take the time to read each one; however, I won’t let the bad ones steal my joy. I’m always open to constructive criticism to continuously better myself. In the end, it doesn’t matter if somebody has something negative to say, I’m only accountable to how I respond to it. You have to think about why you started writing in the first place.

If you’re anything like me, it wasn’t really a choice. It’s like something greater inside you that’s bursting to get out and keeps you coming back to it again and again. It made you feel alive in your little corner of the world, and it would serve others in a positive light. I’m also doing it for myself as well to make sense of things in my life I couldn’t figure out until now. A little self-awareness goes a long way. My stories will be personal and heartfelt as always, and they won’t always make me look good. That’s okay. I’m not doing it to look good.

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Check out the book at https://sheninewiggs.com/

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

No, I often expressed myself and love through my love for art. I would tend to dive into acrylic paints and pastels to express myself. I believe these mediums described my life – a beautiful mess. If a pencil was in my hand it was usually to use the eraser to erase all the mistakes I’ve made, not for writing. The eraser didn’t work so, here I am allowing my mistakes to be stepping stones in serving others. Actually I felt unqualified to write and honestly, sometimes I still do. But I keep reminding myself that God doesn’t call the qualified, He equips the called. And we’re each called to serve others.

Why do you write?

I often ask myself, “would I write if no one would ever read it?” Yes, because I look at writing as a form of worship, a time to be intimate with God. However, I believe God gave each of us our desire and gift for writing. He planted it in our hearts and souls. Writing to me is like tithing; it’s an act of discipline and service. He gives us our gift of writing to serve and bless others for us to be His spokesperson or mouthpiece in this generation. We are to use our words to point others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Whether we speak or write them. Our words have power to either bless or curse. This is a high calling that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  

I wrote Beauty for Ashes because it was another challenge life brought forward. I never had any aspirations or intentions whatsoever of writing a book. It was more of a coincidence, a destined path if you like. I was inspired to write Beauty for Ashes because many are struggling, battling, grieving, and living in pain. Especially with the state of our country, since the Pandemic. Many blame God, or believe He has abandoned them. I want to remind the women of faith, and every heart that’s seeking answers not to let the magnitude of their pain hide the miracle in their pain. God has not abandoned us and never will.

What else do you do, other than write? 

I love to read and spend time with my family, cook, bake, work in the garden, and redecorate our home. I also love creating things from scratch and actually recently launched my all natural hair care and skin care line, Willow Faith Blooms.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?  

I love to cozy up on the couch with my husband, and watch a good movie. During the movie he gives me the best foot massages. Or sit outside in nature and read a book.

Check out her books on https://sheninewiggs.com/

August 19, 2021

An interview with Author Eric Madeen

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Eric Madeen

Award-winning author Eric Madeen is an Associate Professor of American Literature at Tokyo City University and Adjunct Professor at Keio University. His work has appeared in Time, Asia Week, The East, The Daily Yomiuri, Tokyo Journal, Kyoto Journal, Metropolis, Mississippi Review, ANA’s Wingspan, Japanophile, The Pretentious Idea, numerous academic journals and so on. For two-plus years he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in francophone Gabon, Africa where he built a primary school complex in a remote village surrounded by rainforest, an experience which inspired his first novel Water Drumming in the Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa. He has been interviewed on several radio programs (8 American and 1 Japanese) and for various print media. He has travelled widely as witnessed in his recently released travelogue Asian Trail Mix: True Tales from Borneo to Japan, which scales down the sprawl of Asia by focusing on the unique and revelatory – from the razzmatazz of novice monks at play in Laos to the hustle of pedicab drivers in Ho Chi Minh City. Finally, get down with the full body with his high-octane second novel, the crime thriller Massage World. By turns erotic and exotic and set in SoCal and Japan, it’s always zesty … peopled as it is with a rogues gallery found in the nether reaches of a Dionysian dream. www.ericmadeen.com

Q: Please tell me about yourself – what kind of a person you are, your beliefs, your nature, your follies, anything.
A: As for handling crises and dramas I’m laid-back but not so laid-back as to be horizontal. At the same time I’m considered to radiate high-energy and a certain joie-de-vivre and charisma. A Japanese fortune-teller using Chinese astrology fortune-told me, determining that I have an extremely high energy rate based on the total numerical value of the five essential elements she read in my character. Anyway, my tremendous curiosity, energy and love of adventure and travel took me fresh out of university as far as francophone Gabon, Africa to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, building a primary school complex in an equatorial village surrounded by rainforest. Village friends and I would at times go camping and hunting (yes, monkey, too ended up in the cooking pot). The bottle of booze I’d pack in served as elixir to help draw them out, to get them to crack it open regarding the oral tradition, or orality opposed to literacy. In short, the gin or whiskey helped inspire them to recount dramatically folktale after folktale around the campfire. Their culture, with its living-in-the moment-full-blast for the moment, was so alluring that I basically went native. Moreover, I lived for several months with a young, gorgeous Gabonese lady. The whole experience fed obliquely AND directly into my first novel, Water Drumming in the Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa, which is personal, passionate and, methinks … metold, unputdownable.  

Q: Tell me about your writing journey, when and how did it all start?
A: From a very young age reading and writing came as naturally to me as breathing. My first stories were inspired by the TV-show Batman — back in early grade school. English classes were always my favourites after P.E., of course. Circling back to curiosity, I was always asking questions and follow-up questions, to draw friends and family out if something interested me. This curiosity also led to a love of reading. I also loved – still love! — to play with language with the witticisms early on termed by my family as “Ericisms.” I was always searching for synonyms in the thesaurus Rex and looking up words in the dictionary with an eye to etymology; curiously, did you know porcelain derives from the term for female porcine genitalia? That mel in ameliorate the French mel, or honey? My love of writing and language led me to major in journalism undergraduate then literary writing and literature in graduate school where I earned my MFA. I worked for several years as a copywriter for at that time the world’s largest ad agency Dentsu, for clients as diverse as Mazda and Sony (Sony No Baloney!). During vacations at Tokyo City University where I’m an Associate Professor of English, a photographer and I were hired by All-Nippon Airways’ inflight magazine Wingspan to venture and chronicle far and wide in Asia. These diverse travel stories just fed into the travelogue Asian Trail Mix: True Tales from Borneo to Japan.  Since voice is more than a language function but rather the sum totality of a writer’s experiences and means of expression, I’m always working on my voice, humping the hell out of the muse to crank out one immortality project after another. In sum, I hope that my riffing here has honeyed up your love of language and desire to put it all down after, needless to say, visiting www.ericmadeen.com.

Q: Tell me about all the difficulties faced in getting a publisher to publish your book.
A: For my first novel many years ago, I was agented for several years but he never found a home with a traditional publisher but came very close several times so he stayed with it. Since a writer has to find an agent who will then hopefully find a publisher, it’s an arduous process, time consuming and wracked with frustrations. Agents are big-time whiners and basically glorified first readers but also gate keepers. Hundreds of queries will be met with “Due to the high volume of queries we receive …” You get the picture. So I gave up on them because they gave up on this white dude who went indie bigly which has distinct advantages in that the cut of royalties favours the writer and the fact that most readers these daze buy their books online via Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The negative is that most traditional print media won’t publish reviews of  independently published books, alas. Before I went indie I published two books with POD houses who scammed me royally on royalties up their arse. So I went Amazon and more and more positive reviews are streaming in – the joyous streaming in of them!!!!

Q: Do you believe that marketing is essential for the success of a book?
A: Absolutely. You can’t find readers without marketing. It’s the be-all end-all of any publishing endeavour, be it traditional or indie. Ca va sans dire, alors!

Q: What marketing ideas did you deploy for marketing your book?
A: I bombarded my Facebook page and hit up family, friends and colleagues, etc. I hired Fiverr Level 2 pros but their drawback is that they hit the same targets time after time so their targets become desensitized and thus unreachable, and platforms such as LinkedIn have ad blockers, so it’s a damned tough nut to crack. I’m now happily engaging the services of one AuthorWriterEnchanter who I’m hoping will enchant the socks off potential readers! 

Q: Do you interact with your readers? What do they say about your book?
A: Besides family, friends and colleagues giving me baths of compliments about my work, Amazon reviews are trending quite positive to the point that 98 percent of them are 5 stars. I also engage with them on my website where we jam.

Q: What suggestions would you like to offer potential authors?
A: Block out precious blocks of time so you will block out interruptions and distractions. Write religiously in those blocks of time and your imagination and subconscious residing there will reward you with sublime gifts. Read deeply and widely and whichever way the current’s flowing, swim against it. Read the Greeks. Read Freud. Read Jung. Know archetypes. Know and write your dreams – journal them. Know the canon not only so you can dialogue with it but also so you can write beyond it and break new ground.  Travel your ass off. Be a spy as in eavesdropping on whomever to develop that fine ear. Finally, ignore the trends of the day by going alone going deep. 

Eric Madeen is the author of four books – Water Drumming in the Soul, Asian Trail Mix, Massage World, and Anyone for Tennis. His next, Tennis Clubbed, will be out soon.

Check out Eric’s page on https://www.facebook.com/eric.madeen

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3353985.Eric_Madeen

August 18, 2021

Author Interview with Benjamin Fassbinder

I am is an office drone from the Pacific Northwest who loves writing and storytelling. I have a lifelong love of anime, manga, video games, science fiction and fantasy, and I love blending genres in my works.

Where are you from?

  • I am from Washington State, near Seattle.

Why do you write? 

  • I like to entertain people, and I love coming up with characters and scenarios. Sharing stories and ideas with other people also a great way to get to know people online.

What do you write about? 

  • I write genre fiction, usually with a comedic or satiric bent. My Confessions of the Magpie Wizard series is like a more adult Harry Potter with an unreliable, misanthropic, half-demon narrator, for example. I’m in love with redemption story arcs, in particular.

Do you have a specific writing style?

  • I like first person narration best. It lets me really explore a character’s personality, and it makes writing descriptions more fun, since you can see what they think of others around them. I’ll probably write something in third person someday, since some types of stories really don’t lend themselves to first person, but for now, it’s comfortable.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

  • Time and energy are the big ones. I have a day job, so it can be a challenge sometimes to block out enough time to keep on my writing schedule. 

What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

  • It was one of my readers on Patreon. I had been posting the first draft of my third Magpie Wizard book for a year while I posted it a few chapters at a time. Somebody who had rarely commented before described it as “This series has absolutely lived up to and exceeded expectations!” It really made the hard work seem worthwhile, since that draft is going to be two books on Kindle once I’m done revising, so that was nearly a year of constant work!

How long have you been writing?

  • I’ve written on and off since high school, but I never really finished anything. I finished my first full book in 2017, and have been obsessed ever since.

  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

  • I won a poetry contest in elementary school, but I don’t think it sank in until I started writing fanfiction in high school. I loved talking with people about my ideas and getting them down for others to read.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

  • I use a process called sprinting. You write with distractions turned off (I still listen to music, some say you don’t have anything on at all) for 15-20 minutes on a timer, take 5 minutes off, then repeat. I usually aim for 1,000 words on days when I’m able to write.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

  • I’ve read a lot of older British authors, like G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis (you can see The Screwtape Letters all over how the devils work in my books) and George MacDonald Frasier. It means I have I commonly use a few older turns of phrase that can throw off my beta readers sometimes.

How long does it take to write a book?

  • I write pretty long books (around 100,000 words), so the first draft can take me about 4-6 months. I usually write around 15,000-20,000 words a month, depending on how busy I am in real life. Keeping my Patrons reading keeps me working at a steady pace.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

  • Keep writing, even if you end up tossing most of it out (I’m sure I’ve discarded 300,000 words of Magpie Wizard material over the years, at least). Think of your writing skill like any other muscle. You don’t lift a 50 pound weight over and over again at the gym because it’s accomplishing anything, it’s so you’re ready when you have to lift something heavy in real life. 

Also, read more published books and less webfiction if you want to work on your style. Fanfiction and other online-only writers can have bad habits, since they don’t go through as much editorial control. I had to unlearn some quirks that were just grammatical and punctuation no-nos.

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

  • The planning can get away from me sometimes. I know points A and C, but sometimes B can elude me. The characters can take on a life of their own and do the driving sometimes, which can make me have to rework C. One time, I had one character pat another’s head in a sort of patronizing matter, and I swear I heard her voice scream “NO” in my head, which completely changed how the scene went.

What do you think makes a good story?

  • Well developed, engaging characters in well constructed, plausible scenarios. I don’t mean realistic, since I’m writing about a half-demon at a wizard school. I mean settings and characters that keep to the rules established for them. Once you have that, you’re most of the way there.

What does your family think of your writing?

  • Since my Magpie Wizard books are about a sarcastic, womanizing half-devil learning how to be human, I tried to hide it from them for a while. I think I made them worried, since they thought I was just sitting alone in my apartment all the time doing nothing. They were extremely encouraging when I finally told them what was going on, which was a relief. 

Do you see writing as a career?

  • For right now it’s a side hustle, but I’d love to eventually make it my only job.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

  • I write under a pseudonym that’s an inside joke to me, a leftover from when I thought I’d never tell my family about my books. Hint: look up what a Fassbinder is in German.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

  • When I finished my very first book draft to completion. I had always thought I was just dabbling, and that I’d dabble forever, but I finally found a project that inspired me to see it through to the end, and then keep going with sequels. I ended up having to revise and toss most of it out, but it ended up being the basis of my main Magpie Wizard series.

Here are my main pages: 

I have a Substack, which functions as my newsletter: https://dbfassbinder.substack.com/ 

My Patreon, where patrons can read stories earlier than anyone else: https://www.patreon.com/dbfassbinder 

My WordPress page, where I announce when stories are launched on the free sites or published on Amazon: https://dbfassbinder.wordpress.com/ 

My Amazon Author Page: 

https://www.amazon.com/D-Benjamin-Fassbinder/e/B08CJZ4GKC/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 My Twitter: https://twitter.com/dbfassbinder

August 12, 2021

An Interview with Author Nick and Rob Finamore

Nick Finamore is a retired AT&T Regional Vice President with a thirty-five-year career in engineering, computer systems, sales, and human resources.
Upon retirement, AT&T contracted with him for another twelve years as a loaned executive under three New Jersey governors to assist in improving state operations.
“Two Jersey Brothers,” Nick’s memoir with his brother Bob, describes many life-changing events and influences from his childhood in Haledon, New Jersey, experiences which gave rise to a number of challenging hobbies. He became a pilot and partner in a Piper Arrow airplane; a performing pianist; a sailboat enthusiast on Cape Cod waters; and a licensed ham radio operator.
Nick and his wife of fifty-eight years, Marie, live in Annandale, New Jersey. They have three children and six grandchildren.

Bob Finamore’s career in education spanned thirty-five years, during which he served as teacher, coach, driving instructor, and athletic director. An athlete from a very young age, he received many accolades, most notably MVP awards in high school, college, and a post-season bowl game. He has also been inducted by his high school, college, and local athletic association (Paterson Old Timers) into their Halls of Fame.
In “Two Jersey Brothers,” Bob’s memoir with his brother Nick, he recounts boyhood encounters with many famous sports names, including baseball’s “Joltin’” Joe DiMaggio and “The Sultan of Swat” Babe Ruth; champion middleweight boxer Vince Martinez; top PGA golfers Roberto DiVicenzo and Dr. Cary Middlecoff; NFL Los Angeles Rams head football coach Ray Malavasi; and more.
Following his graduation from Memphis State University, he was drafted by the New York Jets and afterwards served for two years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict.
His wife, Shirley, passed away after forty-four years of marriage. He lives in Wayne, New Jersey and spends time with his daughter, son, and two grandchildren who live nearby.

What motivated you and your brother to write the book?

The prime motivation was for our grandchildren to understand the era we went through in our boyhood post WWII. Many of us talk about it all the time to research our ancestry and write it down.
We had two major influences that caused us to begin. I have a friend who is a Professor Emeritus from Drew University who has written 5 books on Criminal Justice and a book on his boyhood growing up in Brooklyn. We go out to breakfast on many occasions and I would tell him stories about my boyhood experiences and he would say to me, “Nick, you have to write it down. You need to write a book.”
Also, my brother’s daughter forced us to sit down in an hour session where she and her husband video and recorded my brother and I answering questions about our boyhood experiences. They then translated the audio into a word document that was the launching pad for us. It turned out to be 10 to 15 pages but was our starting point.

How long did it take and did you get help?

It took us about one year and half going back and forth with memories that we would both write about – some filling in the blank spaces of our recall to reconcile events. Lots of research on Ancestry.
We received help from and husband and wife company named Cape House publishing. For the most part Lorraine our editor did the heavy lifting of sequencing the topics. She did not change our writing dramatically. Also recommended bold typing my brothers stories for his voice. We then turned the document and photos to husband Bill who helped us format and publish on KDP.

What objectives did you hope to receive in publishing the book?

We wanted our grandchildren to understand the difference in our environment as opposed to today. One stories that drives this home is our playing in a large school field close to our home all day from early morning to sundown until our father would loudly whistle for us to come home to dinner. No adult supervision all day. We would play stickball, wallball, marbles and every game imaginable. When we were told we stunk at something, we would not quit but worked hard to improve. We learned many important values with these type of interactions.

Two Jersey Brothers: Stories from Our Haledon Boyhood 1939-1953

What are the major chapters and topics and what do they cover?

One major chapter covers our parents taking us to stores in this one mile square town. We go into the barber shop where we heard our first blue language. Our mother took us to the poultry kill where she would pick out a white hen and they would cut off head in front of us. Fresh chicken for dinner. My father took me into a bar under age where I observed a player piano that influenced me in life events.
The other important chapter covers our work and dealings with funny customers in out father’s Belmont diner that he started in 1945. We had the plumber, painting artist, oil man, Dugan’s delivery driver, auto body all with funny stories and influences for us. We worked as short order cooks, peeled 100 pounds of potatoes, etc.

Did you research your family’s ancestry and what did you find? Any surprises?

We found that our grandfather had a step brother that passed three days after his first wife at the time of the 1918 Spanish Flu. On my father’s side, we discovered that a vision of the Immaculate Virgin Mary occurred with a dumb and deaf child in the year 1000 AD in his parents town of Fraine, Italy. A festival is held in June each year to celebrate the event.

Who did you choose to publish the book and why?

We chose KDP and once the document was finalized it took only 3 days to be on Amazon.com and selling for $12.95.

You published it in September 2020. Can you sum up some of the reactions you have received from readers since?

The general comment is that “you brought back many fond memories for us from that era.” After publication, we had many relatives and friends come to us with other stories.

Who are your role models?

My Uncle Al on my mothers side was a professional accordion player and he influenced me to become a musician at an early age. My parents are our dominant role models teaching us at the kitchen and dining room tables values of respect, hard work and discipline unlike today where we are influenced more by social media.

“We grew up without a lot, but we still managed to have fun times”, said Finamore. Those fun times included their boyhood encounters with many famous sports and entertainer names, including baseball’s “Joltin'” Joe DiMaggio and “The Sultan of Swat” Babe Ruth; champion middleweight boxer Vince Martinez; NFL Los Angeles Rams head football coach Ray Malavasi and Paterson’s own Lou Costello.
The most infamous event in Haledon’s history was the 1913 strike by silk mill laborers who demanded eight-hour shifts; better working conditions; and reduction of child labor at their plants in neighboring Paterson. The Botto House Museum in Haledon is dedicated to that movement, which lasted for nearly six months, and it is now a national landmark because of it.
Evelyn Hershey, education director of the American Labor Museum at the Botto House on Norwood Street, said the book relates stories of “people’s history.” “Instead of telling history of presidents, or kings, or corporate magnates,” Hershey said, “they’re telling history through recollections of ordinary, working people.”

August 4, 2021

Author Interview with Karen Tracy

Author Bio: Karen Tracy is a Christian author, having written for Christian magazines and online forums. She enjoys writing, cooking, and seeing her loved ones happy. Having been through many unexpected and dramatic events in her life, she has chosen to share her hurts, heartaches, testimonies and healings through her writings. She has witnessed first-hand the amazing power of prayer and God’s healing to the hurting and desperate soul, and enjoys sharing those experiences and views to her readers. Since much of the things she has experienced has been its own drama/comedy/love story on it’s own, she has decided to share those events with her readers, knowing there is a story for almost every genre that will entertain and, hopefully, inspire. Victorious Love is Karen’s first book.

Where are you from?

I’m a Florida native, but have lived in and visited various parts of the country.

Why do you write? 

I write about amazing things I have seen God do. I have written for various Christian magazines and have just published my first book on Amazon.

What do you write about? 

I like to write things that encourage and uplift people, but things that are far from boring and entertain the reader

Do you have a specific writing style?

Growing up, I loved to read stories about love and redemption, about people who found themselves in seemingly bad situations only to find their way out of the darkness by a love that was shown to them. I loved books on how love could overcome any form of darkness.

What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

Perhaps the most “memorable” thing said by a reader is that the book was “gripping” and “powerful”. (Ok, that may have been two readers. 🙂

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

I would love my readers to know that this book is for many types of people. For those who think they’re situation is impossible, and feel scared and hopeless, these true stories can show you that nothing impossible to those who believe. For those who are looking to just read an interesting story, the stories within are written in the form of mini novels, and deal with friendship, cult activity, comas, etc, and how God’s love helped overcome them.

What is your new book all about?

My new book, “Victorious Love”, is about true stories that I have gone through with my friends and loves ones. Each story was filled with drama and love and, sometimes, humor, as I share the intense battles and struggles each person faced, and I asked God to help me them out of those dark situations in desperation. It shares the stories of how these people nearly died, or how a friend I was close to began to turn on me, and how one overcame nearly losing his life to alcohol addiction. There is one longer story detailing my close friendship with a man named Tony, and how he began to turn on me, treating me like an enemy, only for God to reach him and mend us again and for him to see I was his friend. Here is the link to the Amazon site for the book, to see more reviews and what it is about..(thank you for reading this) 🙂