Monthly Interviews

Get up close and personal with authors! We group-interview authors from a different genre every month and group the answers for each question from all authors. Are you eager to see the different shades of answers? Follow our blog to stay tuned with the posts!

July 29, 2014

June Author Interview Answer #4: “Do short stories make better mystery books?”

We are now coming to the 4th question of the June Author Interview series. We had posted the answer for the first three question recently. If  you have not read the post, do it so now to learn more about them. So, it’s time to check out the answers for the 4th question from the Murder Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror genre participating in the group interview. “Shorter stories (below 350 pages) are better for mystery/thriller or suspense books. Do you agree with this statement? Do you think the suspense elements in a book are difficult to retain when the story is longer?”
Just in case if you are wondering who we are interviewing this month, you can check out this link and get all your author friends from The Memoirs/Biography genre to participate in the next group interview.
1) Author #1: J. J. DiBenedetto
In general, I think that makes sense.  With mysteries, you also run into the problem that either the reader figures things out before the characters do, which is frustrating; or things are drawn out unreasonably.
But there are exceptions to everything – if the story warrants it, and it’s done well, a longer suspense story can work just fine.
2) Author #2: Fran Veal
Well, since my books are around 225 to 250 pages each, I’d have to give that question a resounding YES! I think much longer than 350 pages would be exhausting – especially for someone like me who wants to sit down and read a mystery from beginning to end with no breaks.
3) Author #3: Jim Strait
It depends on the story, but I do believe that books that go beyond the page count mentioned will often contain too much character development for my tastes. Keeping the story taught is more difficult the longer the story…there is an optimum length for each story, but I’d not limit my page count if my story races beyond 350 pages. Basically, the story is told when the story is told. To this point I’ve been able to sense when the story is complete and have wound up with novel page counts of 303, 345, and 394. I guess your number represents the standard deviation.
4) Author #4: Kelli Sue Landon
 No, I do not agree. I actually think novels are better for mysteries, because more of the story unravels as the reader gets more and more involved with the characters’ lives. I’d say it’s more difficult for a short story, because you don’t have much room for a full mystery to start, unfold, and be explained.
Do you think shorter stories make better mystery novels? I look forward to reading your comments below.
Next, we will be revealing the answers for question #5 which is “What makes you feel good writing a thriller/mystery novel? ”
Stay tuned for the next post! Thank you! 🙂
July 29, 2014

June Author Interview Answer #3: “What makes a thriller/mystery/suspense book a real page-turner?”

We are now coming to the third question of the June Author Interview series. We had posted the answer for the first two question recently. If  you have not read the post, do it so now to learn more about them. So, it’s time to check out the answers for the 3rd question from the Murder Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror genre participating in the group interview. “What makes a thriller/mystery/suspense book a real page-turner?”
Just in case if you are wondering who we are interviewing this month, you can check out this link and get all your author friends from The Memoirs/Biography genre to participate in the next group interview.
1) Author #1: J. J. DiBenedetto
A good sense of pacing is really important – to keep the story moving, but also to give the reader time to breathe now and then, and to include enough moments that we can get to know the characters better to care about/root for them.
2) Author #2: Fran Veal
Twists and turns and more twists and turns. I think unpredictability is what keeps me reading – chapters that end with a cliff hanger only to switch to another POV, forcing me to read on and on until the cliff hanger is resolved, only to find myself facing another dangling chapter end. Oh, and goose bumps. It has to give me goose bumps at some point.
3) Author #3: Jim Strait
For me as a reader it requires believable action with as little background information as possible about the characters. The main players need to be fleshed out only enough for me to relate to them as a human being…I don’t need to know the minutiae. Also, the story needs to be unique. I actually stopped reading “thrillers, mysteries” more than a decade ago because they all began to feel the same…stories phoned-in that were just regurgitated versions of another similar novel. My goal is to provide the reader a unique experience, something they’d never considered before and then make that story…even if fantastic in nature…feel real.
4) Author #4: Kelli Sue Landon
 Keeping the suspense going. I normally throw in more than one mystery as the story unfolds, even if it means killing off another character. I like to surprise the reader.
What do you think makes a book a real page-turner? I look forward to reading your comments below.
Next, we will be revealing the answers for question #4 which is “Shorter stories (below 350 pages) are better for mystery/thriller or suspense books. Do you agree with this statement? Do you think the suspense elements in a book are difficult to retain when the story is longer? ”
Stay tuned for the next post! Thank you! 🙂
July 29, 2014

June Author Interview Answer #2: “Who’s Your favorite mystery/suspense/thriller writer?”

We are now coming to the second question of the June Author Interview series. We had posted the answer for the first question recently. If  you have not read the post, do it so now to learn more about them. So, it’s time to check out the answers for the second question from the Murder Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror genre participating in the group interview. “Who is your favorite mystery/suspense/thriller writer of all time?”
Just in case if you are wondering who we are interviewing this month, you can check out this link and get all your author friends from The Memoirs/Biography genre to participate in the next group interview.
1) Author #1: J. J. DiBenedetto
This goes back a ways, but I always really enjoyed the Margaret Truman mysteries set in Washington, DC (“Murder at the Supreme Court”, “Murder at the White House”, etc.)
2) Author #2: Fran Veal
Oh my gosh, there are so many good ones. I’d have to say Ted Dekker is my fave, fave, fave. He wrote a series of books that were so twisted up, you could start with any of the books, read it as a stand-alone, think you had the entire story figured out, then go to one of the others and go “where the heck did that come from?” The story was so beautifully crafted and woven together, it was like following a maze, only to find the path you thought would lead you out left you at a dead end.
3) Author #3: Jim Strait
John D. MacDonald
4) Author #4: Kelli Sue Landon
Mary Higgins Clark, an all time favorite of mine! She was my very first inspiration.
Who is your favourite mystery writer? I look forward to reading your comments below.
Next, we will be revealing the answers for question #3 which is “What makes a thriller/mystery/suspense book a real page-turner?”
Stay tuned for the next post! Thank you! 🙂
July 26, 2014

June Author Interview Answer #1: Do You Usually Write Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Novels

Hello everyone! We apologize for the delay in posting the answers for the June Author Interview. So, we had four awesome writers from the Murder Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror genre participating in the group interview. It’s time to reveal the answers from them for all 7 questions we had asked them before.
Just in case if you are wondering who we are interviewing this month, you can check out this link and get all your author friends from The Memoirs/Biography genre to participate in the next group interview.
The very first question we asked to all 4 authors is “Do you usually write this genre or do you also write anything else other than mystery and thriller?” and let’s see what else inspired all of them to write.
1) Author #1: J. J. DiBenedetto
Right now, this is the story that’s in my head, so it’s what I’m writing.  I didn’t set out to write this genre – it’s just what came to me.  Before I started the Dream Series books, I thought of myself first as a science fiction writer (or at least that’s what I hoped I could do!).
2) Author #2: Fran Veal
I really love mystery and thriller, but I also write in other genres, such as YA – primarily coming of age. In fact, sometimes (okay, usually) my stories are YA Mystery/Thriller/Coming of Age. How’s that for a genre?
3) Author #3: Jim Strait
I began writing professionally by spending eight weeks in the state of Missouri where I drove 8,500 miles, visited over 300 venues, spoke to many hundreds of Missourians, took 2,700 pictures, and then sat down for three months to write “Weird Missouri”. It’s a travel guide to Missouri’s local legends and best kept secrets. It was a very nice way to enter the field of professional writing, being one of the family of a very successful line of “Weird” titles. That experience provided some momentum for me to write my first novel, “Deja vu All Over Again”…an action adventure novel taking place during the final 57 hours before the calendar turned 12-21-2012. I’ve since written two additional action adventure stories, “WORLD WAR III, Not How You Imagined” released in May 2014, and “Thomas Jefferson is Missing” to be released during the 2106 US presidential campaign. I’m currently working on another action title, “Vector”.
4) Author #4: Kelli Sue Landon
Only the mystery/thriller genre mixed with light comedy or horror.
So, what do you think of mystery/thriller/suspense writers? Do you think they write good stories from other genre? Share your thoughts below. I look forward to reading your comments below.
Next, we will be revealing the answers for question #2 which is “Who is your favorite mystery/suspense/thriller writer of all time?”
Stay tuned for the next post! Thank you! 🙂
July 22, 2014

June Author Interview: Author #4 Kelli Sue Landon

Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood

Kelli Sue Landon is a mystery novelist and short story author. Her novels include Sudden Moves, Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood, Summer Shack: A Killer Vacation, and Stranded in Time. She is from Peoria, IL and works for the United States Postal Service.

http://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-At-Camp-Forrestwood-Whodunit/dp/1499163681/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-3&qid=1402615141

http://www.kellisuelandon.com/

July 22, 2014

June Author Interview: Author #2 Fran Veal

Finding My Escape

Fran Veal fell in love with stories as a child and has been making them up ever since. An avid reader, she loves stories with a twist, and her own books are no exception. She published her debut novel, Finding My Escape, in 2011 and the sequel Finding My Way Back in August 2013 with the third to be released (hopefully) later this year. She has most recently had a story accepted by Chicken Soup For the Soul which will be published in August 2014.
Book cover and link
July 22, 2014

June Author Interview: Author #3 Jim Strait

World War III: Not How You Imagined

James Strait’s professional career began as a Special Forces soldier, where he demonstrated youthful tenacity and versatility by becoming the youngest recruit to graduate Special Forces Training Group.

After the military he enjoyed a thirty-year career as a professional pilot flying over one hundred different makes, models, types and categories of airplanes. In parallel, Mr. Strait operated a small business providing a variety of services to civilian companies and the military.

After retirement from professional aviation, Mr. Strait transitioned into broadcast radio where he has hosted “Strait Talks” radio since 2006. He began his professional writing career with the release of “Weird Missouri”, in 2008. He quickly followed with a novel about the infamous Mayan date of 12-21-2012, “Déjà vu All Over Again”. His most recent book, “World War III, Not How You imagined” is an action adventure novel taking place in the near future.

His future projects involve a work in progress, “Vector”, and the release of “Thomas Jefferson is Missing” during the presidential race of 2016.

 

July 22, 2014

June Author Interview: Author #1 J.J. DiBenedetto

Dream Student

J.J. (James) Dibenedetto’s fans would swear he’s got a sixth sense when it comes to seeing into the minds of others and often wonder if his stories could possibly be fiction. He enjoys suspending disbelief with suspenseful paranormal tales that are a perfect blend of reality meets fantasy.

His popular Dream Series continues to delight readers with each and every exciting installment.

Born in Yonkers, New York, he currently resides in Arlington Virginia with his beautiful wife and a cat he is sure has taken full advantage of its nine lives. When it comes to the cat, he often wonders, but then again it might just be his imagination.

Amazon link to book 1 = http://getBook.at/DreamStudent

Amazon author page – http://viewAuthor.at/JJDiBenedetto

 

July 22, 2014

September Special: Group Author Interview From The Memoirs/Biography

Hello everyone, Welcome to our September Special Feature’s post! We are going to interview as many authors as we can this month from the Memoirs/Biography genre. You can refer your fellow author friends to join us in this fun.

Rules:

1) Fans can send in questions and we will forward the questions to all participating authors. Questions are accepted from readers and authors. Send in general questions that can be answered by any authors from the Memoirs/Biography genre. You can share this post with your fans on your own social media sites. 

We will post your name and ONE non-commercial website link (if you have any) together with your question.

2) All authors participating in this exciting interview are expected to help us SHARE this post on your social media and/or website. If you can get one of your fans to send in questions, that would be greatly appreciated. All participants will get the SAME set of questionnaire.

3) We will be taking about TWO WEEKS to collect the questions. After that, we will send the questions to authors and they will have to send it back to us before 30th September 2014.

4) Authors can send us their short bio, book cover with their Amazon or one other online book site.

So, I guess it is pretty simple. We will get to see different SHADES of answers for same questions. Fans and readers, send the questions via this form.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Authors, if you are interested to join this interview, please send these details below with the message title “September-Author Sign Up” to info@internationalbookpromotion.com

1) Name

2) Email

3) Author Website

4) short bio, book cover with their Amazon or one other online book site.

Let’s get the fun started. If you have questions, you can send us an email via info@internationalbookpromotion.com or simply get in touch with us via http://www.facebook.com/InternationalBookPromotion

Best,

Jas

Founder of IBP

July 13, 2014

May Author Interview Answer #7: What Would Your Characters Say If They Speak For Themselves?

Hello everyone! It’s time to reveal the answers for the 7th question for May Author Interview featuring 13 Young Adult authors. Answers for question #6 can be found here.
 
Just in case if you are wondering who we are interviewing this month, you can check out this link and get all your Crime Fiction/Horror/Mystery writers to participate in the next group interview.
 
So, the 7th question is “If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?”
 
 
1) Author #1 : Delshree Gladeen
I think the character who most wants to say something would be Ketchup, which isn’t surprising for those who know him. His message to everyone would be, “If someone promises you unlimited power, think twice before assuming they’re out to benefit anyone except themselves.” 
 
 
2) Author #2: N.W. Harris
They’d probably pin me in a corner and beat the crap out of me! I live by the motto “Make your characters suffer.” At every turn in my books, I’m asking myself, “how can I add conflict, trauma, and general suffering to this dude/girl’s life?”  I’m sure my characters would hate me if they could meet the man behind the curtain pulling their strings. 
 
 
3) Author #3: K.C. Finn
The first thing that springs to mind is “Why do you make our lives so torturous and complicated???”
My answer would be that I follow the essential rule of fiction as laid out by Kurt Vonnegut: Be a sadist. Your characters only show their trye strength and their most amazing qualities when you let them face terrible obstacles and painful situations, so don’t be afraid to put them through the ringer!
 
4) Author #4: M.J Cunningham
The impact of my first book, Reluctant Guardian, has been great. So many people have written to me telling me the cried the whole way through. I love that. A book that can make you laugh and cry is a success in my mind.
 
5) Author #5: Chrystal Vaughan
In the book, Eva does speak for herself, and so does her boyfriend Jesse. I think I would give Natasha (the antagonist) the chance to speak. I’m sure she would apologize for what she did to Alex and for what she tried to do to Eva. Natasha had a very hard life; that doesn’t condone killing anyone, but it helps to understand some of the reasons behind her actions.
 
 
6) Author #6: Jessica Tornese
I think I would let Sarah explain the reasoning on her destructive behavior and her obsession with ruining lives. I don’t know what I would say for her, other than….I am thinking of writing a spin-off book to the series to share her villainous viewpoint.
 
7) Author #7: Amanda Strong
“I never asked to be the one who’d to save the world, but the responsibility is mine now, no sense crying about it.  I know who needs me, and I won’t let her down, no matter what it costs.    No matter what sacrifices must be made.”
 
8) Author #8: Erica Keifer
It depends on what part of the book and how far they have come in their growth, for truly, there is a lot of development in these characters as the storyline progresses. So as not to giveaway the ending, the Allie Collins in the beginning of the book would say she is like Megara from Disney’s “Hercules,” taking lyrics from the song, “I Won’t Say I’m in Love”. Allie would say love is over-used, thrown around with little understanding of the word. She would relate to the lyrics from this song that say, “No chance, no way!” as Allie let’s fear and lack of trust prevent her from believing in love.
 
9) Author #9: Kelly Risser
Sharon and David, Meara’s parents, would look to justify why they made the choices they did long ago. I think they both are consumed with a lot of guilt and “What if” – like most parents who question whether their decisions are always the right one. Meara narrates the novel, so I think most of what she would have to say is there, although given the choice, she might go off on a well-deserved rant about the unfairness of it all.
 
 
10) Author #10: Lauren Taylor

Apella would say, “It’s never too late for redemption.”

 
11) Author #11: Sherry D. Ficklin
It would probably be Logan, and he’d say, “Have a cookie, then get over it.”
 
12) Author #12: Sheenah Freitas

“I can’t believe you didn’t want to interview me. I’m endlessly fascinating you know.” –Derek, the merman.

13) Author #13: Michael Thal

I love Koolura, my favorite character. She’s a combination of the best personality traits of my two beloved daughters. And like my daughters, she’s very supportive. So I guess she’d say, “Michael Thal’s books are the coolest around. Put his YA novels on top of your summer reading list.”

 
Stay tuned for the next post. Be sure to follow this website via email to get notified when new posts are being made.
 
Best regards,
Jasveena
 
Founder of International Book Promotion
 
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