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.

January 11, 2021

Author Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Nzuzu

Dr. Emmanuel Nzuzu

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Addictions Professional. I have been in practice as a therapist for over 10 years working for private hospitals, substance abuse treatment agencies and public mental health institutions. I specialize in helping people to effectively deal with destructive-dysfunctional thought patterns and behaviors related to alcohol/drug use, repair broken relationships and regain trust of loved ones. I also assist with stress management and empower people to lead active lives in the family, workplace, and community.

One of my recent projects that I am particularly proud of is writing and publishing an addiction self-help book How To Stay Sober, which is the outcome of my year-long professional quest for a new addiction treatment model that will allow people with alcohol and drug addiction recover and stay sober without relapsing. A staggering 50% to 90% of people relapse within a year after successfully completing a treatment, and it’s always been very frustrating for me to watch them and their loved ones suffer when they do. Therefore, I spent about five years researching, analysing, and testing different treatment methods to identify a model that will not only get the addicted person to clean up, but also will give them the skills they need to stay sober long-term.

Where are you from?

The first thing you may have noticed is my last name Nzuzu. Let me tell you the story behind my name. I grew up in Zimbabwe and Nzuzu means mermaid. In the late 80s I moved to Manchester (UK) where I lived, studied and worked. Before moving to the United States in 2003 I was a management consultant in Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe for both government entities and private commercial companies. In the United States I completed a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Springfield College in Tampa Fl and went on to study for my PhD in psychology at Capella University. Once I graduated with my Master’s degree, that was all that the state of Florida required to get me licensed as a mental health counselor, but I knew in my heart that my standards are to be the best of the best; and that is why I spent four years studying for a doctoral degree at Capella University since that extra qualification would give me everything I needed to serve my clients.

Why do you write? 

Over the years I have seen many alcoholics and drug addicts move in and out of treatment programs without being able to overcome alcohol and drugs. This book was written for people who have a desire to be sober but have run out of their options. It is a life line to those people who believe that they have tried everything but nothing works.

What do you write about? 

I write about health, healing and wellness.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I have not identified my writing style yet but I tend to write as if I am having a conversation with the reader.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

Sometimes no inspiration and motivation do write even when the ideas are there.

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

Many people have told me that my work has changed their lives at a time they had given up trying. Others have said that my work has helped them to look at their problems with hope, expectation and anticipation of getting better.

How long have you been writing?

Over 30 years but all of the writing consists of unpublished short stories and essays as well as auto-biographical material.

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

I realized that I have the gift of reading and writing when I was in grade school. I have boxes full of unpublished short stories and essays on human behavior and organization performance.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I don’t have a writing schedule. I make notes as the ideas come to me and after sometime put together those ideas into book pages.

How To Stay Sober

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I love describing real life experiences based on my observations and people’s responses during conversations. I like my writing to be as close as can be to lived experiences.

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

I didn’t intend to write a book . It started as notes of interesting issues and observations over a 3 year period. It was in year 4 of writing the notes that I saw the possibility of converting them into a book

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

I really don’t have any advice for new authors because I don’t know where they are at and what their needs are. I didn’t start of as intending to write a book. I was recording my observations over the years and after sometime I realized that they formed a coherent pattern of messages which I can put together into book to help people with alcohol and drug problems.

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

How to Stay Sober is a book about healing, hope and living life again to the full. The greatest struggle was finding a way to convey the message in a manner that brings about healing, wellness, health and wholeness to my readers. I wanted to show the reader that both the addiction problem and its solution are inside the addict and not external. Sometimes, it was tempting to write in a judgmental, criticizing and blaming style—my fear was that this approach would offend the people I am supposed to help. So, I struggled to show that the alcoholic and drug addict are their own worst enemies without pointing fingers. I had to find diplomatic ways to show that they persevered in self-abuse and overseeing their own misery and suffering.

How To Stay Sober Workbook

What do you think makes a good story?

To be a good depiction of reality and less fictitious.

What does your family think of your writing? 

My family don’t understand the complexities of writing, publishing and marketing. They are supportive but they often don’t know how to fit in so they end up being there but detached.

Do you see writing as a career?

I write if I think that I have an answer to some important question of life or a message to address a need of specific target group of people.

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

The book seeks to convey the message that recovery is possible and always available. The major ingredients for sobriety are motivation, a clear vision, and  honesty. Recovery is possible when you need it and seek it from inside the heart. You can live a life free from alcohol and drugs but you have to cherish and embrace the new life and give up the old one. Your willingness and commitment to becoming brutally honest with yourself are key to successful recovery. A desire without willingness to change will remain just that, a desire and nothing else.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I knew that I have writing creative ability by the time I completed high school and I was 18 years old.

1 – Book Website: — https://how-to-stay-sober.com/

2 – bit.ly/HowToStaySoberBook

3 – bit.ly/StaySoberWorkbook

January 11, 2021

An interview with author Hurricane

Memphis Ayoade

My name is Memphis Ayoade, I am currently a rising athlete. I have independently written and published my own book, which has entitled me to become an author. I am a CEO and founder of a ltd company, Hurricane Enterprise.

Where are you from?

My name is Memphis Ayoade. I am from the UK, and the Author of The Nature Of Hard work.

Why do you write?

I write to inspire people and help motivate the unmotivated.

What do you write about?

The Genre I write about is self-help and non-fiction.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I wouldn’t say I have a specific writing style I would class myself as versatile.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

When writing my first book, my schedule was very busy because I was still at school.

The Nature of Hard Work

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

The most memorable thing asked by a reader, I would say, is when people say I am inspiring because I’m the only author they know and youngest.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for just under a year.

How long does it take to write a book?

I independently published my first book at 17 years of age. My first took me I’d say over a week to write and publish.

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

If people want to write my suggestion to them is to find something they’re passionate about, this will help with their confidence when writing and prevent them from running out of things to write about.

What do you think makes a good story?

What makes a wonderful story? It’s simple. A start. Middle. And end. Your readers want to feel as if they’re in your shoes when reading, make it relate to them.

What does your family think of your writing? 

My family & friends were surprised when I told them I published my book, they questioned whether I really did because no one they knew especially at 17 wrote a book.

Do you see writing as a career?

For me, writing is a hobby not a career although if I makes money consistently from it, all glory to GOD but I do it when the occasion is written. I also write blogs for my website hurricaneaffiliates.com

January 6, 2021

An interview with author Paul G. Wright

Paul G. Wright
Paul G. Wright

Paul G. Wright is a native of Atlanta. He has worked as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and screenwriter. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actors Theater and earned his degree in filmmaking from Columbia College Hollywood, in Tarzana, CA. ‘A College Story’ is his first novel and is loosely based on his undergraduate experiences at a small North Georgia school. He continues to live in the Atlanta area with his wife, Tara, and their cat Dusty.

A College Story
  • Where are you from? Atlanta, GA.
  • Why do you write? I developed an interest in writing in grade school. My father worked as a newspaper reporter and I seem to have inherited his love of language.
  • What do you write about? I generally write about my own experiences and the people I know, but not always. Ideas come from many places and if it is a good one, I will explore it. 
  • Do you have a specific writing style? I think my style is influenced by journalism. I worked for a short time as a reporter myself and the desire to say what needs to be said, using the fewest words possible, is still there.
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Fleshing out the story. Having an idea for a story is the easy part. Working out who the characters are, what happens to them, what the story is actually about is the where the real work begins. I am writing a new book and am fast approaching what many authors call, ‘the muddy middle’. What happens between the beginning and the end.
  • What is the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? I received a very nice review on Amazon by a current college student about my first book. The novel is based on my own undergraduate days and takes place in the late 1980s. In her review, she mentioned that she loved the book and that the journey of the protagonist mirrored much of her own experiences as a student. This was very rewarding because it validated something I’d believed while writing the book. That young people would still be able to relate to the story.
  • How long have you been writing? For at least twenty years.
  •  When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? I read Judy Blume’s work when I was in grade school and something about her books connected with me. I remember thinking, ‘I think I can do this, too.’
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I try to write between 5 and ten pages a day, as early as I can.
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I have music that goes with each story. A song, or songs, that I listen to before each writing session which helps me get into the story. Sometimes, it will take me a while to figure out what that song is. What that story ‘sounds like’.
  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non) I wrote my first novel in just under three months. This is not typical for most writers and isn’t typical for me. The country was in the middle of the lockdown and I found myself with a great deal of spare time on my hands. Most books take longer to compose and successfully edit. The authors I follow often say that six months is not unusual to go from idea to finished manuscript. That being said, every story and every writer is different.
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Read and write. I know that sounds simplistic, but it is true. Any coach will tell you that the best way to become a better athlete is to practice and every discipline is the same. The more you do it, the better you become and the more your confidence in your own abilities will grow. Read what others have written, take what you can learn from their work and create your own.
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Often, finding the right name for a character can be difficult. The name has to convey the personality in some way, and it can be hard to hit on just the right one. There is a wonderful scene in the film ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’, which depicts the struggle writers go through in this process. In the movie, Charles Dickens is composing ‘A Christmas Carol’ and is trying to find a name for his lead character. He finally utters the name ‘Scrooge’ and Mr. Scrooge literally appears in front of him and begins talking. Very often, that is how it feels when you find the right name. The character begins talking to you.
  • What do you think makes a good story? A story needs to be relatable and needs to say something worthwhile. We watch movies, TV and read books to be entertained but also to learn. To connect with other people and see how they handle things. An instructor I had once said that all good stories are built on a ‘truism’. Something that is timeless and true for every generation. I think working out what that is for your story, what it is that your story is trying to ‘say’, is a good place to start. That will be your foundation.
  • What does your family think of your writing? As I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, my family isn’t surprised. I’m lucky to have a wonderful, supportive wife who, realizes her husband has this odd need to pull words out of the air and type them on his computer several hours a day.
  • Do you see writing as a career? Writing is always going to be my ‘career’, despite what I do to make money. It is what I was built to do and makes me happy. So yes, in that sense, I do see it as a career. Whether I will ever be as financially successful at it as someone like Dan Brown remains to be seen.
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? I hope you enjoy my book and all books you read and for those of you who are aspiring to write your own books, you can. Don’t let anyone tell you it impossible because it isn’t. It simply takes time, effort and discipline.
  • When did you first consider yourself a writer? I first considered myself a writer when I wrote my first short story in grade school. The words on the pages in front of me were mine. I’d put them there.

December 27, 2020

Author Interview with Achal Kumar

Author Interview with Achal Kumar
Author Achal Kumar

Achal Kumar is an author, a creative writer, a global thinker and an engineer. His work “Success and Happiness” is in the midst of being published on Amazon at the moment. His book is expected to be available soon on Amazon and all other major platforms.

Tweets by Achal Kumar

• Where are you from?
India
• Why do you write?
To share my thoughts and long managerial experience. I believe this is my social responsibility towards the next generation.
• What do you write about?
Motivational quotes and stories. I believe everyone has right to get success and happiness. I am already working on it’s professional approach.
• Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I write in simple language and use simple words
• What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Nothing.
• What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
Well said.
• How long have you been writing?
Last one year.
• When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
First I wrote a short story then wrote few poems, posted them on social media. They were liked by the peoples. After that I realized I should write.
• What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I write in night
• What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Humanity
• Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Write in such a way that at any stage, reader should not feel bore.
• What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
Nothing.
• What do you think makes a good story?
Stories based on healthy literature are the good stories.
• What does your family think of your writing?
They encouraged me for writing.
• Do you see writing as a career?
Yes
• Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
Read good books which entertain you and provide lessons of life. Good stories play major role in the development of a person, this is my personal experience.
• When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I wrote my first motivational short story.

November 20, 2020

Upcoming Author Live Chat with Author Terence K. Whitfield

Terence K. Whitfield

Author Live Chat with Fans

Fridays: Fresh From The Oven

27th November 2020 8 PM CST on Facebook page (International Book Promotion)

– Online Dating Over 50 –

Watch the live show using the link below and ask questions on the comment section. We’re happy to answer them. If you would like to appear on screen with us and ask questions, join us here If you’d like to appear on screen, join us here https://buff.ly/3m1y7ql

Join us for the live interview

Terence wrote this book after finding himself on the verge of divorce after 30 years of marriage. He never imagined he would be in this position at this stage of his life, but here he was fighting to save or salvage a marriage that had clearly been over for a long time. What Terence eventually realized was he really wasn’t fighting to save or salvage a marriage, but rather he was fighting to keep something familiar in his life. Letting go of something you’ve known for most of your adult life can a bit scary, or even overwhelming to some. So as a result, he decided despite his reluctance to dive headfirst into the world of online dating which he credits with being a key component in helping him get through one of the roughest periods of his life. He even says that online dating was therapeutic.

If you’d like to stay anonymous but would like to ask question pertaining to this interview topic, feel free to submit your questions to us.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.

Why do you write?

When I have a passionate thought and something to say. 

What do you write about?

Things that interest me enough to research it.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Online Dating Over 50

I don’t feel that I have a particular writing style.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

Temptation to get to the fun part too quickly.

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

Someone said they wished my book had been around when they were going through their divorce.

How long have you been writing?

Since my late teens off and on.

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

After writing this book.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

For some reason I only get the passion to write late at night.

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

With me consistently writing something each day along with the research this book took me about 7 months

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

Continue to write consistently and become a student of writing.

What does your family think of your writing? 

My family is extremely supportive of my book. In fact, my mother came up with a key idea for my cover.

Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, now I can see writing as a legitimate career.

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

Book 2 is in the works and this will be a part of an over 50 series.

November 19, 2020

An Interview with author Hosam Saeed

Hosam-Saeed-Pic

Describe yourself in five words

I consider myself as a creative, stubborn, hardworking, honest and good person.

What fact about yourself would really surprise people?

That I have Asperger

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? 

Listening to music videos, inspirational videos, and my family encourages me

Author Live Chat with Hosam Saeed

What scares you the most?

That I won’t succeed with my writings, and I won’t get acknowledged for my work

What makes you happiest?

Writing, playing video games, my cat, my ambitions for the future with the writing skills

Why do you write?

It relaxes me and I want to share my ideas with the world

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

Not always, there been days that I don’t feel like writing

What motivates you to write?

My cat and what happened to him, and my family that been keep pushing me with writing and dream big like reaching Hollywood

What writing are you most proud of?

To be honest, I am proud of all my writings because there’s always be something to learn from them

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

That I am too stubborn to give up, and very creative

What books did you love growing up?

Warriors by Erin Hunter

What do you hope your obituary will say about you?

I wrote, I struggled, I succeed

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

Well I live in Nazareth Israel at this moment, but in the past I used to live in Hifa when my parents weren’t separated but now I live with my mother in and siblings in Nazareth.

How did you develop your writing?

I developed my writing skills through role playing warriors from Erin Hunter

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

Getting published

What marketing works for you?

Marketing that reaches kids’ parents

Do you find it hard to share your work?

No

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

I get a lot of support from my family, and from some of my friends

What else do you do, other than write?

I play video games

What other jobs have you had in your life?

I never had a stable job in my life

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

Theater, directing, script writing or game development

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

The USA because I would be closer to my friends and Hollywood

Tell us about your family?

I live with my mother and 2 brothers and a sister. My mother is jobless but always finds a way to provide our needs. My big brother finished his computers degree, I am proud of him. My sister had brain cancer and she defeated it. My brother started his own business

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

On a desk on a laptop

How much sleep do you need to be your best?

About 7 hours

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

My family and my cat that always been there for me in my darkest times

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

A movie series or a game series

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

I don’t really have a marketing campaign, but I am working on one

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

My book is about a cat that will grab your attention and pluck your heart strings. It is a tale of a young kitten abandoned by his mother and how he struggles to find a place he can call home. A heartwarming tale of a lost cat and how his willingness to never give up helped him find the home he always wanted.

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

Stan Lee, Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Vicky Holmes

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

Playing video games, listen to music

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

To learn to give love and compassion to all living things from animals to humans and even plants

November 18, 2020

An Interview with Dr. Melissa Caudle

Dr. Melissa Caudle

Dr. Melissa Caudle is an American author best known for her psychological thriller series “The Keystroke Killer.” Other novels include “Never Stop Running” and “A.D.A.M. The Beginning of Life.”

BOOKS FOR AUTHORS
As a bestselling author, Dr. Caudle wrote the book “How to Launch and Market a Book: The Six Month Countdown” and “How to Write a Logline to Increase Sales: Everything an Author Should Know But Wasn’t Told about Loglines for Nonfiction and Fiction Books.”

HANDWRITING BOOKS
As an award-winning Principal of the Year, Dr. Caudle received recognition for her work with children and teens. She has authored several children’s books including “A Day at the Zoo,” and “The Creek Dweller.

She has several series of handwriting workbooks and coloring books for children including
* Book 1 – Tracing and Writing the Cursive Alphabet in Lower and Uppercase from A – Z
* Book 2 – Cursive Writing Numbers, Colors, Seasons, Months, & Names
* Book 3 – Writing Short Words and Sentences in Cursive
* Book 4 – Lined Cursive Writing Practice Book

Additionally, “The Cursive Beginning Writing Workbook for 2nd – 6th GRADE: The Big Coloring Book to Learn Upper and Lowercase Cursive Writing That Includes the … Numbers, Names, Short Words, & Sentences” and the companion practice lined paper workbook.

Dr. Caudle didn’t stop there as she as created cursive handwriting books for teens and young adults.

COLORING BOOKS
For adults she created a series of coloring books, “Abstract Faces” Volumes 1-6 is a collection of her drawings for the adult colorist.

TELEVISION AND FILM BOOKS
Dr. Mel is also a reality show creator and producer with more than two decades of experience in the film and television industry. She has worked on reality shows such as “The Girls Next Door” and “The Little Couple.” She has produced feature films including her latest project “Dark Blue.” “The Reality of Reality Tv: Reality Show Business Plans” is one book out of the series of books on reality show creation and production. Other books include “150 Ways to Fund a Reality Show,” “The Reality of Reality TV Workbook,” “The Reality Show Handbook,” and “EPK for Reality Shows.” Dr. Caudle is a screenwriter and producer of feature films. Visit her website at http://www.drmelcaudle.com for more information.

Where are you from? I am originally from Emory, Texas, a small town about two hours from Dallas, Texas. However, I have resided in New Orleans, Louisiana for the last 37 years.

Why do you write? I have always liked writing, and I wrote my first book when I was in seventh grade with my best friend. I’ve never stopped writing, I have over 90 books, and I am a bestselling author in both fiction and nonfiction.

What do you write about? As I referenced earlier, I have 90 books, and my genres vary. For instance, I have over 40 children’s books, and the most recent series is for children to learn cursive writing. This all came about after the Pandemic, and we were all locked-down. My grandchildren wanted to learn cursive handwriting. So, I tapped into my teaching experience and designed worksheets for them. The only problem, my grandchildren, range in ages from five to 18, so the worksheets had to be age appropriate. By the time we were finished, I had the cursive handbook. We also wrote a children’s story called “The Creek Dweller in the Bayou” together, which comes out on Thanksgiving. The grandkids gave me the ideas, the plot, and each of them has a character in the book. When it came time to illustrate it, we had fun hiring an illustrator who could capture the kid’s looks etc.

Do you have a specific writing style? I think after that last answer, I would have to say no. However, when writing fiction, I do have a style – I never use dialogue tags. I find them distracting. Also, I am a firm believer that if an author can’t present a character through their actions and dialogue, they haven’t done their job.

What are the obstacles that come in the way of writing? I don’t have impediments that divert me from my writing as I always set time for myself. However, I own Absolute Author Publishing House, where I publish books and provide an editing service, so this keeps me busy. I also own EZBOOKBLASTER.COM, a software that I designed to send organic traffic to any book’s URL or an author’s website. Between all of that, I stay focused and engaged.

What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? One reader wanted to know where I get my inspiration for my characters. In this example, they asked me about the serial killer in my novel “The Keystroke Killer.” When I told them that my inspiration came from my oral surgeon, they couldn’t believe it. You see, I had oral cancer, and I had to have eight of my front teeth removed, the cancer removed, and my palate rebuilt. It took about two years to complete everything, including the bone grafts and teeth implants. Every time my oral surgeon put me under the gas to work on my mouth, I pretended he was the serial killer. All sorts of things came about in my overly active brain. To make that serial killer authentic, I also went to Death Row and interviewed three serial killers. Talk about an awakening; it was easy to find the inspiration.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I get up every morning at 6:30 a.m., drink my coffee and relax. By 7:00 a.m., I am at my desk reviewing my tasks for the day. Between 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., I work on my next book or books. Then, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. I concentrate on running Absolute Author and Ezbookblaster as I edit other’s work, format it, promote them, or market them. I don’t work on Sundays.

How long does it take to write a book? I can write a book in weeks. However, editing it is the time-consuming part, and the beta reading part can take up to eight months. I never rush a publication.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Yes, practice and always improve your craft. Attend classes and seek out a writing coach, which I am one of the best, and offer one-to-one coaching services on Fiverr.

So, you offer services on Fiverr, what kind? I specialize in all things that have to do with writing, editing, publishing, and promoting a book. You can visit my seller dashboard here

I am proud to announce that I was selected by Fiverr as one of the top-rated sellers on Fiverr and was interviewed by their public relations representative about my journey on Fiverr as a seller. I felt incredibly honored.

What does your family think of your writing? At first, my family considered my passion for writing as a hobby. That all came to a halt when I became a bestseller, published ninety books, and have a readership topping 1.25 million on my blog, earning my living by writing. I can honestly say that I make a living by writing, and it is my career.

Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? First, I’d like to that all of my readers. They support me relentlessly. Second, check out all of my books as I have a variety.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? I always knew I’d be a writer. I have kept a journal since I was five. In fact, just this week, my husband pulled a box down from the antic, and I found my journal from 1982, and it was filled with my dreams. I wrote them out back then, in long-hand, and in short story format. Now, I feel as if I hit gold as I am now writing a short story collection based on these. It is quite exciting to find these after all of these years.

My links:
www.drmelcaudle.com

Blog: www.drmelmessage.com/

www.absoluteauthor.com

www.Ezbookblaster.com

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrTwMI1gR2Ec1OR1IMhNqw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMelCaudle

November 13, 2020

An Interview with author Katie Fritsche

Katie Fritsche
Katie Fritsche

Hi, my name is Katie Fritsche. I am an English Major at Jacksonville University who is studying to be an English Professor. I enjoy writing and sharing my unique voice as an author with the world is one of my greatest wishes for sure. It is nice to meet all of you. I hope you enjoy my books in future.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Jacksonville; Florida and I have lived here for the entirety of my life.

Why do you write? 

I write because writing has always been a part of my life. I never wanted to be a writer. There are so many other things at which I excel that I could do in life and go far but writing is the one thing I do well with the least amount of effort. In fact, it is the reason why I was created on this Earth, to write for the people and to change their lives with the weight of my words. I started writing to explain the things that happened in my life that terrified me and the endless movements I have endured to become someone. I write simply because it’s a unique part of who I am that has been gifted to me by God and the Holy Spirit and its something that I will never give up on as its my passion and my gift to share my writing with the world.

Words and Consequence

What do you write about? 

I write mainly nonfiction and poetry and I write about the things that I see that make up my world, the people, etc. I have always been told that the greatest thing you can do is to tell the truth and to write them from what you know and who you are. So, I just simply write the truth about what I see.

Do you have a specific writing style?

Yes, Yes, I do. Every writer has their unique voice and way of writing their story. Read my work and you will find out how true my voice really is as an author.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 

Distractions, life’s annoyances, just power through.

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

The most memorable thing that was ever said to me about my work was from an old teacher named Mrs. Brooks. On the last day I saw her, she told me to “Remember me when your famous”. Ill never forget the last time I saw her because she always supported my dreams and had a passion for writing unlike anyone id ever seen. I hope someday I can have that same moment again with another person who believes in me enough to read my work and support it.

How long have you been writing?

I’d say since Elementary school. I remember passing out my poems that I had written to the teachers in the bus lot as I waited for the bus to take me home. I cannot exactly remember the day I started but I can remember how I started. My passion for writing delved from all the literature I devoured as a child, library after library, in fact I used to get in trouble in school for reading because I loved it so much. As I read more and more, those words and ideas just poured into my head until finally I began writing and that is how I got my start as a writer.

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

I did not. I have always known I had a gift for literature and writing beyond anyone I have ever met but originally, I did not want to become a writer. But still writing is who I am, and you cannot change who you are and what God gives you, you must be grateful for who you are.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

My work schedule and life schedule are very busy as I am currently in my sophomore year of college. I usually find time at night to write or on the weekends when I am finished with schoolwork but I work a part time job as well so there is not a lot of time for me to write. It is amazing I have even published a book ha-ha!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My most interesting writing quirk is to sound like I am speaking to the reader. I do not know why, but I just love having a good conversation with my reader through writing. I think its nice to talk back to the reader in your book because it is like you break the fourth wall and get to really talk to your reader. Everyone has writing quirks and I think its what makes us writers.

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

I have both written and published my first book recently. It took me about a year and a half to finish my book. I am very busy with college but I think it depends on how much time you have to write, and it also depends on your motivation. If your motivated and have God in your life you can do anything for sure such as write a book, just must work hard.

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

I would say read a lot to be honest. Get your hands-on good literature, read the stuff that inspires you to write, and when your working on a book of a certain genre, try to read only books of that genre. While working on my first book, I only played music that inspired me and read only nonfiction as that was the genre, I was writing in. I can say though its very helpful to read in the genre your writing in because you get the best ideas from reading other peoples writing too. Soon you know what is good and bad when it comes to that genre which is how you become a better writer. If you want to become a better writer, I suggest you just write, revise your work, and get feedback on it. That is the best way to improve oneself in writing by being involved in the process and realizing that writing is not the only thing in this life for sure. So, become a better writer.

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

As I mainly write nonfiction and poetry, the main challenge is focusing on what I want to write about in each chapter. I often find challenges with the way I want something to sound such as a sentence about a subject such as hope. Otherwise no challenges really. Writing just seems to come naturally, I never face any challenges with it because its who I am as a person and there are no challenges, I face with being who I am.

Check out Words and Consequences on Lulu

What do you think makes a good story?

I think a good story can come from anywhere. What makes a story good is that it makes other people relate to it, certain types of people like certain kinds of story. I think we all have a story to tell be it good or not. Sometimes the greatest stories come from places of deepest pain and yet it is still a good story, it’s a great lesson for my life. I think it all depends on what you think is a good story and that we must respect the hard work writers put into their stories no matter whether we consider them good or not. Just because you do not like a story does not mean someone else wont as well so respect the story, be it good or not. This is all I have to say about stories for now.

What does your family think of your writing? 

Somedays they support me, other days it is a challenge to live up to their expectation because every expectation they set I set it two times higher because I want to make them proud for sure. Half of my family supports it and another half I do not really know how they feel. I cannot read their minds so who knows. I do not care what they think of my writing or of me, my job is to protect them and honor my family. I do not have the time to worry about what people think of me, I am too busy trying to become the person I am meant to be. That is all I can say of my family for now. They can speak for themselves for sure.

Do you see writing as a career?

Until recently, no. I have always known I was going to be an English Professor and teach writing, but I have never tried to make money off my writing. It is a gift given to me by God and I do not want to tarnish the gift he gave me for the sake of profit. Its up to him to decide whether I will be doing this as a career. He leads and I just follow. I am not in this for the money or fame for sure.

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

Tell the readers I care about them. Tell them I wish I could be there for them too. I see so many people struggle, and I want to help them, but I am here trying to get an education. I hope they are given strength by my words and encouragement from God to keep moving forward and that they help others in the fight for this world too. After all we are all people trying to exist in this world and be who we are at the same time so do not change who you are to make someone happy if it makes you unhappy. This is all I have to say for now.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Always. I’ve tried denying it but it is the gift that doesn’t go away. I do not want it to go away and I accept it as a part of who I am. Besides its dead useful to be a writer and I am proud to be considered one. In all, writers unite.

November 12, 2020

An Interview with Author Sneha Vishwakarma

Author V. Sneha

Is there a thought process of writing this book in all small letters?
that’s a notion of equality. that’s to show how beautiful a thing could become if all are treated equally. i know it doesn’t follow the rule of grammar, but somewhere we must change our mindset. we must unfollow; we must unlearn a few things so that the right attitude can find its space.

Sneha Vishwakarma

Sneha focuses in non-fiction, writing about her experiences. She is committed to writing about real-life experiences and how other people can learn from them. She is a techie by day and writer by night, for more than 15 years she worked in IT. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and daughter. Her working hours are shared between being an author, artist, a daunting mother, and an IT professional.

  • Where are you from?

I am from India, born and raised in a small village in the central part of the country. I presently live in Bangalore, after completing my studies I moved here for my work.

  • Have you ever thought you’d end up writing a book?

Yes, I always daydreamt that I would write a book of some kind. But I was really not sure when and where to start, I was intimidated by having to write so many words and all the publishing process. Then this lockdown due to the pandemic gave me the much-needed time for introspection and I finally could do it.

  • What do you write about?

I write about feelings; I write what I feel. the topic can vary; good or bad, sweet or sour.

  • Tell us about your new book?

‘life would have been different from what it is now if i could have changed that one thing’, we all have this ‘i wish i could’ moments in our lives. My new book ‘i wish i could’ is about a woman’s journey through different phases of her life, what she feels, and how she reacts to different things in her life and in her surroundings. it brings forth the celebration and learning that exists in her everyday life. this is not a love story to make you blush, it will remind you how you blushed when you were in love. this is not a thriller to speed up your heart beat, it will ignite those tiny sleepy blocks of emotions and tickle your heart. this book is united into 11 chapters in the form of stories, poems, and illustrations.

i wish i could
  • What made you pen down this book?

The good and bad I felt in my teenage, the challenges I faced in my studies & job, what I witnessed growing up, I am sure there are many other women who would have felt the way I did. How the problems (solved & unsolved) shaped my life. We all face loss in our lives, but how we turn it into learning is up to us, I have shared mine in this book.

I hope readers will have a few ‘I too felt this’ moment when they read this book.

  • Is there a thought process of writing this book in all small letters?

that’s a notion of equality. that’s to show how beautiful a thing could become if all are treated equally. i know it doesn’t follow the rule of grammar, but somewhere we must change our mindset. we must unfollow; we must unlearn a few things so that the right attitude can find its space.

3+3=6, always! we need to do 3X3 to achieve 9, so basically, we need to change how we treat, and we can achieve greater results with the same number of things in life. if we always follow what is taught by society then this gap between genders is never going to be filled up, somewhere we must defy few rules to make life more beautiful.

  • What do you like to do in your free time?

Anything creative + music.

  • Do you have a writing schedule?

No, I do not have a writing schedule, but I do have a writing goal. I don’t feel right if I don’t write, so writing is a need for me. I like to write not type, I am still old school, i am more comfortable with pen and paper than the screen.

  • Are there any new projects underway?

Always. In 2021, I would like to finish sequel of this book we wish we could, this focuses on how the life and lifestyle of women changes after marriages. what she actually wants to do and what she ends up doing and what goes in between, how she fights the inner battle between perception and reality and how she deals with it.

Stay connected with Sneha on Sneha’s Facebook page

November 5, 2020

An Interview with Author S. A. Gibson

S. A. Gibson
Author S. A. Gibson

S A Gibson is a doctoral candidate in the field of education and has studied communication and computer science. He has lived in Northern and Southern California. He has published articles and book chapters relating to computer science, artificial intelligence, mediated intelligence and human communication. His Facebook page is ProtectedBooks.

Here is a youtube he did about the story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9mHGYbRK78

Connect with him here:
https://twitter.com/gibsonauthor
https://www.instagram.com/authorgibson/

Where were you born and grew up?

I was born in South Korea. When young, I was whisked away to Southern California, where I’ve lived ever since. I regret never visiting Korea since childhood.

Why do you write?

I write because there are particular stories I love to read. I want stories with adventure and mystery where the characters learn lessons and skills, some of which are useful in the real world.

What inspired you write Pratima’s Forbidden Book?

I had a conversation with my spouse about what countries in the world would best survive a loss of civilization. We talked about India. We remembered that steam trains run in India even today. We thought about donkeys, oxen, buffaloes, and camels used for transportation. In many ways India might be best able to survive the loss of civilization. So, this story set after the collapse of modern technical society is set in Northern India.


What were the traits you wanted in your main character Pratima?

I was most interested in writing about the interaction between the different cultures to be found in India in the alternative future of the story. So, Pratima was intentionally written to be an outsider. While she has lived her whole life in India, she is born to a family that originated outside of India. So, she perhaps brings an ability to see her fellow Indians with a different lens. 

What are some important themes you tried to touch on in the book?

The education and emancipation of women is important to me. I want Pratima to be a young woman who attempts to always educate herself and other women. Science should be one of the most important ideas in the story. Also, the attempt to find peaceful resolution to danger is important. It is too common for people to think violence is the solution to all problems. I felt it was important for Pratima to attempt to stop enemies without killing them when possible. So, she trains the village women, at one point in methods of non-violence as Gandhi practiced it.

Pratima’s Forbidden Book


What writing style do you use?

Pratima’s Forbidden Book is written in third person with a few different POV characters. I hope that writing it in present tense will feel more action oriented to readers. I also added chapter notes at the end to give more detail about locations, technology or other information that readers might be curious about. The book is not constant action. Although Pratima and the other characters must constantly move to solve the problems in the story, the tension should rise and fall several times through the book.

View this post on Instagram

Guess where I was!

A post shared by S. A. Gibson (@authorgibson) on

Follow the author on Instagram


What different cultures are represented in Pratima’s Forbidden Book? 

Pratima is a mixed race young woman. Willam, her companion is a mixed race boy. There are Indians represented from Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Chizuko is a woman Samurai from Japan. There is a gay character and representatives of other groups that are not treated fairly by some characters in the story. The intersection of cultural differences is an important element in the book.

Which authors do you enjoy?

I have read a multitude of Science Fiction novels. I most often read stories where multiple cultures interact with each other. I enjoy Luis McMaster Bujold (Barrayar, where Cordelia must confront and live with the alien Barrayarians), Sharon Lee (Fledgling, where Theo must learn about the Liadens and other space faring groups in her universe),  Sara King (Zero Recall, where humans must learn to live with the dangerous aliens who have power over Earth). Ryk E. Spoor (Spheres of Influence, where humans find that advanced civilizations control access to space). I like character driven stories about conflict and the resolution of conflict, with intelligent female leaders.

Pratima’s Forbidden Book


Are there other stories related to Pratima’s Forbidden Book?  

Once you have read Pratima’s story you can read more adventures of William Way in A Dangerous Way, available at Amazon.

Gibson’s Twitter

What do you hope to achieve with your writing?

I want to encourage readers to share their experiences of my world, with me. I create the most interesting settings I can for the readers. I can use all the feedback I can get.