Author Spotlight

It’s a priceless feeling to get special attention from readers and other authors. Knowing this, IBP has decided to publicize authors under the author spotlight category. Check out who the ‘author of the week’ is, connect with them and enhance your marketing strategies.

July 19, 2021

An interview with author Angela J. Townsend

Purple tea cup.jpg

Angela J. Townsend is a filmmaker and a traditionally published, award-winning author of gothic suspense. Angela is a member of the Author’s Guild in NYC and many other film and writing organizations. Angela is represented by the former Vice President of Paramount Pictures, M. Kenneth Suddleson. 

To learn more about her most recent release, Born of the Heart please visit– https://www.bornoftheheart.com
Or visit her website https://www.angelatownsendbooks.com

  • Where are you from?
    I’m from western Montana. A beautiful place known as the Big Sky Country. I grew up on a farm surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. My childhood was filled with glorious days of playing in the clear, cool waters of Flathead Lake and the Blackfoot river.
  • Why do you write? 
    I write because it brings me joy and a sense of peace.
  • What do you write about? 
    Fictional characters in unusual settings. I’m a fan of the Victorian as well as Edwardian time periods.
  • Do you have a specific writing style?
    Gothic. I love the classics. My favorite authors are the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, and L. M. Montgomery. 
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 
    People. There have been a lot of negative people that have drifted in and out of my life. Thankfully I have a lot of loving, supportive friends and a strong family who uplift me and support my career.
  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? You changed my life in a positive way. I’m a very empathic person. I love helping others.
  • How long have you been writing?
    I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I started very early, around four or five.
  •  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
    As a child. I couldn’t think of anything better.
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
    Early mornings are my best time. I start writing while enjoying my morning tea. My dog is always at my side or curled near my feet. 
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
    I can write anywhere and at any time. Noise or distraction doesn’t bother me. In fact, I’m very comfortable in crowded cafes or other busy settings. 
  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one-published or non)
    It takes me about a year and then the editing process, which is usually another month. I’m quite fond of writing screenplays which is what I do now full time.
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
    Yes, keep writing and seek out a critique group. Listen to the feedback of others and consider it wisely. 
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Finding enough time to write when I’m busy with my movie projects.
  • What do you think makes a good story?
    Captivating characters and an interesting setting.
  • What does your family think of your writing? 
    I have the most loving and supportive family. I am a very fortunate person to have the support system I do.
  • Do you see writing as a career?
    Writing is my career. Although I love to write books, I am now in the motion picture industry.
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
    I would like to thank those who enjoy reading my books. Moreover, I am very thankful for their continued love and support. My readers are very dear to me.
  • When did you first consider yourself a writer?
    When I was old enough to hold a pen.
July 19, 2021

An interview with author C. N. Farcas

C.N. Farcas
C. N. Farcas

I was born in a family of 4 seasons. I was Winter. My father trained me by the teachings of military. He taught me disciple.

That stayed with me.
I cherish and value the fields of sports and mathematics. One taught me how to discover the world and the other taught me how to discover myself.

I studied the faculty of electronics and telecommunications. I had become an Engineer and now I work in an automotive company. I am an Engineer, but I do not like making scientific papers – I think they are boring.

I write code for a living. I write novels for a passion. Besides sport practices, I enjoy watching good movies, creating bpm-based playlists, playing MortalKombat, Yu-Gi-Oh and Left4Dead. I was raised with Dragon Ball, Star Wars and DC comics.

I find darkness fascinating. It is quiet and chaotic at the same time. It is fascinating because it activates my spirit! This spiridix thing… I wondered about it all my life. I think I found out how it works.

I couldn’t keep this information all to myself. I like stories. I first planned a book of 300 pages, and I thought hooray that would be it.

But this is a complex topic. More it needed. It has branches of connections. It is way bigger than a simple concept. So, there would be 7 books.

Enjoy your first!

Visit author page at https://www.sacraf.com/

  • Where are you from?

I am from Romania.

  • Why do you write? 

To change the world.

  • What do you write about? 

About the spirit.

  • Do you have a specific writing style?

I have a personal style.

  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

I am limited by time. I have to mange my priorities so that quality will not be absent.

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

I like to write hidden powerful solutions that would help humanity as a civilization. One friend told me that he never belief you can view the world in such a way. For me, that is joyful achievement.

  • How long have you been writing?

I started since high school with small writings about some ideas that would help me change my perspective. In 2018 I started writing my novel project. So, I would say 3 years.   

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

It is not a desire of mine to become a writer. I write because that is how I expose my ideas. As times passed, it became a pleasure.

  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

After my 9-5 job I start lifting weights to train and this refreshes my mind and body and then, I can start writing without the influence of the day. I usually put only one song in the background. “Yiruma – River Flows in You”

  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I enjoy transmitting an information that would help the reader in the real life.

  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)

Usually two and a half years. 

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

I think a writer should be concise. Not useful or unused information should not be present. As a story writer, I think the best you can describe a moment with a rich environment is to write how the senses would view it.

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

My writings are usually about ideas. The challenge is “How can I put this idea in a story that would appear normal and unnoticeable?” So, I try to image an environment with a specific problem that its solution has my idea. It’s a research/developing challenge. 

  • What do you think makes a good story?

The one that gives curiosity and leaves space for imagination.

Check out the book on Amazon
  • What does your family think of your writing? 

The problem is that my writings are in English. My parents know only the maternal language, which is Romanian, so one small book I had translated for them and my father said it is complex, but he did not find any flaws in the research. For me, it is important that the ideas are well researched/developed and tested so that they would be flawless.

  • Do you see writing as a career?

I would enjoy replacing the 8 hours doing engineer stuff with writing.

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

If you had doubt that the spirit was something of a myth or a religion fantasy, you are wrong. And I can prove its existence.

  • When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I finished my first book. When I had something to show.

https://www.facebook.com/cnfarcas

https://www.tiktok.com/@cnfarcas

https://ko-fi.com/cnfarcas

July 17, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Debby Nguyen

Debby Nguyen
Debby Nguyen

Pills, Teas, and Songs: Stories of Medicine around the World

Debby Nguyen studied Pharmacy and Data Science at Northeastern University, Boston. She is the fifth generation in her family to be involved in medicine and holds a deep reverence for the history of healthcare. While honoring her own heritage of Vietnamese traditional medicine, among other cultures, she hopes to inspire her readers to be inquisitive and informed of the medicine and wellness practices they incorporate into their lives. Debby is also a New York Times-featured poet and a passionate solo-traveler.

Read an interview article on Debby: “Interview with Debby Nguyen” https://theasianarticles.wixsite.com/main/post/interview-with-debby-nguyen

July 14, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Charlene Wang

Charlene Wang
Charlene Wang

Model Breakers: Breaking Through Stereotypes and Embracing Your Authenticity

Charlene Wang is the founder of LivingOS, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people embrace their authenticity in life. She writes the LivingOS Newsletter and hosts the Model Breakers podcast to explore what it means to live a good life. Charlene has spent years coaching professionals and has pioneered the value coaching practice to help entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders find, in twenty minutes, their true values and motivations in life. While LivingOS and coaching are Charlene’s passion, by day she works as a product manager at Google. Charlene received her B.Sc. in applied mathematics, computer science, and economics from Brown University. She resides in the Bay Area and admits to being a bit obsessed with her Alishan golden oolong tea.

Read an article on Charlene: “A Googler’s fight against the “model minority” myth” https://blog.google/inside-google/life-at-google/charlene-wang-model-breakers

Connect with the author on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hsinleiwang_modelbreakers-google-forbesunder30-activity-6795836092332568576-zNCM/

July 10, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Charisse M. Williams

Charisse M. Williams
Charisse M. Williams

The Joy of Thriving While Black

Charisse M. Williams is a certified leadership coach, speaker and mindfulness teacher who brings passion and authenticity to everything she does. Her entire career is dedicated to advancing social justice and the well-being of marginalized communities. A travel enthusiast, she once traveled across Europe with no itinerary, starting in Amsterdam and ending in Marrakech five weeks later. She is insatiably curious about the mind and loves nerdy podcasts like The Hidden Brain on NPR Radio. Charisse earned her Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

July 7, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Nick Lugo

Nick Lugo
Nick Lugo

Break Your Bad Habits in 150 Pages: A Hero’s Journey

Nicholas Lugo has dedicated his life to uplifting the human condition, whether it be putting a smile on a face or solving much deeper problems. His focus is especially tailored towards habit breaking and solving this difficult challenge faced by his generation. He wrote this book simply because this problem is a universal one — everyone struggles with bad habits. And the worst part is that most of these habits have a tremendous impact on our lives. By simply observing his friends and family struggling with this universal problem, it was easy for him to get passionate about sharing this information with the world. While he has written a book on this topic, he cannot say that he is a robot without flaws. And he never expects to be. Yet, these strategies in this book have personally saved his own life from an immense amount of future pain by eliminating many bad habits — and that is why he is sharing them with you.

Read an article featuring Priyanka here “Prebys Scholar Nick Lugo strives to create meaningful change in other people’s lives” https://blog.kelley.iu.edu/2021/01/15/prebys-scholar-nick-lugo-strives-to-create-meaningful-change-in-other-peoples-lives/

July 3, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Priyanka Surio

Priyanka Surio
Priyanka Surio

Third Culture Kids of the World: Exploring Sustainable Travel Mindsets

Priyanka Surio doesn’t fit neatly into categories like Black or White. As a multinational child growing up in a small Floridian town, she wondered if she’d ever neatly fit in anywhere. But when she began to travel she learned that every time she left home, she found her community. Priyanka belongs to a global community of adventurers who, like her, cannot be precisely categorized. They’re the world’s third culture kids–members of a multi-cultural, transcontinental, and intersectional class–and advocates for a more inclusive future. Having logged 40 countries in just four years, Priyanka is both nomadic and deeply rooted in Washington DC, where she works on health IT and data-related projects, including COVID-19 response efforts.

Read an article featuring Priyanka here “From Mulberry to beyond: Polk native writes travel book” https://www.theledger.com/story/lifestyle/2020/08/31/woman-mulberry-has-written-book-travel/3441792001/

July 2, 2021

An interview with C. Iron

C. Iron

C.Iron spent her childhood immersed in fantasy and mystery stories. Later on she graduated in English Philology and continued doing what she likes most – writing. When she is not dealing with her passion, she can be found at the archery range by an enormous lake where she practises traditional archery. Currently she teaches adults as she loves spending time with people. C.Iron is the author of The Lost Truth of April Dark.

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

I’d like people to take away some strength from it – I’d like them to feel that no matter what happens, you can still handle it, you can find strength inside of you. Also, I’d like to cheer my readers up – the story of April Dark is a story of a brave girl who faces things she thought she would never cope with, and yet the story is full of humor and it’s set in a mesmerizing fantasy world!

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

One of my readers wrote that April – the protagonist of my book – is unlike any other protagonist, that she’s unique. I felt so proud that even though there are so many stories out there with other characters, I was honored with such an opinion.

What do you write about? 

I write about magic, fantasy worlds, bravery, and mysteries. When I was a child I loved two genres: crime stories and fantasy. My novel is a combination of the two genres.

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

I always write at a desk, but what’s the most important is the part of the day – I love writing in the evening and at night; I’m the most creative at night – unfortunately. Many writers wake up early in the morning in order to witness dawn and draw inspiration from it, but when it comes to me… well, in the morning I’m simply like a zombie.

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

This is a tricky question, I guess it all depends… but perhaps the fact that I truly like learning? 😊 Learning relaxes me 😊

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

There are three people: Christopher, Sasha, and Ann. I even dedicated the book to them. They‘ve been always there for me, and I’ll always appreciate that. I’m really lucky to have them!

Here you can download half the book for free to see if it’s something for you:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/67k7qo4lpa

My website:

www.cironofficial.com

Amazon purchase link:

Barnes&Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-truth-of-april-dark-c-iron/1137576643?ean=9798681094111

July 2, 2021

An Interview with Author Lisa Yolanda George

Lisa Yolanda George

Lisa Yolanda George is an American business powerhouse of West Indian descent. A woman of many talents, Lisa is a motivational speaker, publicist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She strives to instill integrity and authenticity in all she does. Her compassion for those she meets is displayed throughout her business model, making her truly unique. Lisa has overcome many challenges throughout her life. Instead of hiding behind a wall of excuses, she uses those experiences to develop and motivate others. It is her love for life that translates on a global level.

Lisa is the founder and CEO of ConnectingYOUto Public Relations Corp. and iCrushGoals Corp. She is a Les Brown trained and certified motivational speaker and was honored to share the same stage with him twice within a six-month period. Never one to rest, Lisa is also a published author. When she finds time, she enjoys centering her mind and spirit through yoga, reading, learning different languages, and singing. Lisa has a holistic approach to living and loves traveling, exercising, photography and experiencing the natural world. Above all, it is her love for family and, especially, her son, that provides comfort and the motivation to keep improving and becoming a better woman.

You can follow Lisa @CarpingDiemsAndStuff on Instagram and Facebook.
Or hire her for speaking engagements @ www.CarpingDiemsAndStuff

• Where are you from?

My family is from Grenada in the Caribbean.

• Why do you write?

I write for many reasons but specific to this book, I wrote to inspire, uplift, and use my life as a ministry for others. I have been blessed to learn from the ministry of others so this book is one of my ways to give back.

• What do you write about?

This is my first book so for now, it will be non-fiction and inspirational.

• What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

I was my only obstacle. Once I got out of my own way, I was able to flow. 🙂

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

A few people have expressed appreciation for my authenticity. Along that lines, they expressed high appreciation for my using examples of my life as examples.

• How long have you been writing?

This is my first book however I did publish two or three poems years ago.

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

I have always loved writing and in many ways, writing is a major part of my life. This book is a natural extension of what I already love to do – write.

• How long does it take to write a book?

I wrote this book in less than two weeks.

• Do you see writing as a career?

I will keep writing until I have no more books in me. 🙂

~ Celebrity Publicity, Author, Entrepreneur, Angelo Ellerbee, wrote the forward.

~ A top Media Personality/Top 200 Amazon Reviewer, Cyrus Webb reviewed the book and highly praised it. The review is in the book and, below.

~ The book is $0.99

~ 50% of the net proceeds, from sales, through July 21 will be donated to Botshabelo Community Development Trust, in South Africa. It’s an orphanage that I have been wanting to help for almost half a decade or longer.

About the Book:

For those who have felt beaten down by the world around them or even their own challenges, celebrity publicist/motivational speaker and now author Lisa Yolanda George has just the prescription for you. CELEBRATING LIFE, CELEBRATING YOU!! takes you into her own journey of overcoming and thriving and what she has learned that will be of benefit to others. In short yet powerful chapters she gives you the tools necessary to start truly appreciating life and all that it has to offer, even when it seems as if all hope is lost. Drawing on the many hardships that hit the world in 2020, she also reminds the reader of a simple truth: we are in this thing called life together. If you are ready to not just rise but thrive no matter where you are, CELEBRATING LIFE, CELEBRATING YOU!! will lead you in the right direction.

June 30, 2021

Why Did You Write The Book: Nicholas D’Souza

Geraldin Diaz
Nicholas D’Souza

The Brain Hut: The Importance of Proactivity and Intentionality

Nicholas D’Souza works in corporate finance and is an author of self-help that focuses on how readers can harness their brains and past experiences to improve their internal and thereby their external lives. He was also a Division I swimmer at Fordham University where he earned a B.A. in Economics. Nicholas developed a passion for how the brain works during his swimming career at college. He pursued how intentions and proactivity intermingled in his daily efforts. From his research and journey he developed a framework for a new perspective on mental processes and health. D’Souza hopes his writing helps people realize that every single person has the potential to achieve their goals and live a fulfilling life.

Connect with the author on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nicholas-d-souza-b36543101_author-books-thebrainhut-activity-6752816582407294976-ZzZ5/