Authors are listed alphabetically by LAST name beginning with A
*All the information/websites/links were current AT THE TIME OF INITIAL POSTING. As time passes, please be aware that the links provided might no longer be active.
Chris Aldridge
Name: Chris Aldridge
Genre(s) of your work: Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Non-Fiction Religious.
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Circle Magazine, Festival of the Sun, issue 115, 2013.
Circle Magazine, The Hellenic Journey of the Soul, issue 122, 2015.
The Creativity Webzine, Gods and Heroes Among Us, issue 2, 2017.
Dark Dossier, Deepest Doom, issue 14, 2017 (fiction).
Dark Dossier, Song of Sophia, issue 17, 2017 (fiction).
Dark Dossier, The Darkness, issue 17, 2017 (fiction).
Dark Dossier, The Exorcist Memoirs, issue 17, 2017.
Literary Orphans Journal, My Time, My Space, issue 32, 2017 (fiction).
Dark Dossier, The Lost Union Soldier, issue 18, 2017.
Dark Dossier, Unseen, issue 19, 2018 (fiction).
Dark Dossier, The Lurker, issue 22, 2018 (fiction).
Mad Scientist Journal, Last Confessions of a Deranged Physicist, Summer issue 2018 (fiction).
Witches and Pagans Magazine, In Her Light, June issue 2018.
Bio:
I’m native to North Carolina, and presently reside in northern Illinois. My religion is first and foremost in my life. I’ve been a devout Hellenic Polytheist since 2009. I’m the Head Priest of my own temple, and have written several books in the self-published market concerning the ancient Greek religion. But I’ve been writing fictional stories ever since I was in elementary school and proudly compose for respectable fictional publishers on the market today.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write religious literature to help others who are seeking a light of guidance in the Hellenic religion, but as far as fictional works are concerned, they provide me with an escape sometimes, a world all my own that I can create and completely control. The possibility of creating, and of entertaining others and providing them with their own escape that they may need, gives me an unsurpassed sense of accomplishment in the career world.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It’s made me realize that anything worth doing, is hard work. It’s easy to write a short story or a book, but it’s not easy to write one that people want to buy and read. For that, you need skill, talent, and dedication to the profession. If you give up easy, I would recommend another job. So it’s really built my work ethic, I suppose you could say.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I really like Stephen King himself, for one. His own life is so inspiring to me as well as other writers who are trying to make it. Stephen once said that when the nail on his wall would no longer hold the rejection letters, he replaced it with a spike and kept on writing. So we know for a fact that the king of horror himself was rejected countless times, yet he’s now the king. Stephen King was a man who never gave up, and he’s a light of hope for all writers and authors out there. As someone who also has his own pile of rejection letters, Stephen is a big inspiration to me.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I very much enjoy them. They’ve done a lot for authors in the promotion and selling area that might not have been possible otherwise.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
When it comes to my religious writings, I hope they will walk away more in touch with the Gods, or if they’re not Hellenic, with at least a better understanding of the religion and its history. In terms of my fictional works, I hope they will come away intrigued, inspired, and if nothing else, entertained.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Tons. The majority of my fictional stories on the market today were spawned from my own life, whether it was something I personally experienced, or a story I wrote to get out my anger and frustration with a particular situation in life. And I think that’s the case with many writers of fiction. I think there is always some spot of truth buried there.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
Normally, I look at the alternative. Being a serious writer is my dream, and losing that would be devastating to me. My motivation comes from the fact that I don’t want to be something else entirely, and if I fail, that’s what will happen. The other motivation is the fact that I want to get my point across in my writings. All stories normally have a moral or a warning to the reader. I think we all have a deep desire to be heard, to have our opinions considered.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
If it becomes boring or long-winded. There was a history book last summer that I did not finish because, toward the end, the author just kept recycling the information over and over again.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, not at all. I think that if we are truly to be a society of free speech and free ideas, that there shouldn’t be some that are not allowed. Now you don’t have to accept the ideas of someone else, and if you feel so inclined, you can make your own written or verbal case against their ideas, but you can’t tape their mouths shut or tie their hands.
It worries me to live in a society that can decide which speech is appropriate and which is not, because what if they decide that my own stories are suddenly inappropriate or “unamerican?” I don’t want to return to McCarthyism in any form. I think people don’t realize that our rights as citizens stand strongly only when all of us stand strongly. If rights can be taken away from one person, they can be taken away from another.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
The only thing that bothers me when I read something, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, is when the writer is obviously recycling information just to make the story longer or fuller.
Where can people find you and your work?
My website has mostly all of my works in the right column bar. Click on which one you want to view and it will take you to the work. My website is http://www.caldridge.net . People can also find my writing page on Facebook at ChrisAldridgeArtist
http://www.caldridge.net
http://www.facebook.com/ChrisAldridgeArtist
Reed Alexander
Your Name: Reed Alexander
Pseudonym (if you use one): You get Reed Alexander and that’s it.
Genre(s) of your work: I mostly work with horror but I did self publish an action piece.
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN (2018)
IN THE BEGINNING (2019)
UPD TEXAS CASE FILES (2021)
Bio:
I’m a horror writer from the capital region NY. I specialize in the terrifying, the macabre, and the bizarre. I write under the publishing house Madness Heart Press and St Rooster Books.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write mostly horror and there’s two reasons for this. The first is that I have really epic nightmares. I mean like full blown horror movies with plots and characters and settings. I fucking love it so I wanted to share it. Nightmares being what they are, horror was inevitable, really. But there is another reason I tend to stick to the genre, even when I’m not writing about one of my nightmares. There is something kinda pure about horror. I call it the universal genre, in that it can easily adapt all other genres, comedy, action, romance, you name it. There is something in horror that universal to the human condition. Through fear and what makes people afraid, we sort of learn some very honest thing about them, don’t we. This is why horror tends to be so political. We’re picking the scabs of society and examining the damage underneath.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve always tried to express myself. I was an artist, I was a singer in a rock band. I’ve always had the desire to create and express myself. I sorta need a creative outlet to function as a person. I mean, what’s it all for, this life and all this nonsense. I’m just trying to make sense of the world. I’m also kinda a story teller already. I’ve always spun yarn, my whole life, long before I started to write it down. So, of course I had these stories in me, what with the nightmares and all, so I felt like I needed to get them on paper.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Harlan Ellison is my all time favorite writer. You wanna talk about a man who can peal back the scabs on society. And in vivid narrative. He could really get into your head and make you think in ways that were particularly uncomfortable. An amazing writer, really. I’m also fond of Heinlein. His capacity to make the terrifying somewhat plausible and in staunch scientific detail, was absolutely captivating. Of course I’m a fan of Lovecraft. I write cosmic horror. I’d be flat out lying if I said he didn’t influence me in some way. My first novella IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN, is a direct head nod to WHISPERER IN THE DARKNESS.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
Neither, really. Audiobooks will always have their place and for that I appreciate them. But they’re not the future so much as they’re just a staple of the world.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Look, I’m not a fan of corporate anything and as an indie author, I can tell you they filter what the mainstream wants you to read in order to control the market. That really holds us indies back. Besides, there’s something special about little used book stores.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
The best marketing tool in the industry is engaging your community. Romance, Mystery, Horror, it doesn’t matter. Getting involved on the forums, the pages, the groups, and the twitters gives you visibility and completely for free. TALK to people, get interested in them and what they do. They then get interested in you. Don’t just go on there and spam, actually engage.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Yes and no. I was just talking about this with the movie A SERBIAN FILM. We’re just trying to be taboo for taboo sake. It doesn’t impress me. A good story impresses me. In a sense, if the story really means something, really has something to say, there is no real taboo. But then, you gotta ask yourself, what are you trying to say and is it worth saying? You can go to some pretty dark places and say something meaningful.
Where can people find you and your work?
https://madnessheart.press/reed-alexander/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20521082.Reed_Alexander
https://www.patreon.com/ReedsHorror
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReedAlexander
Pete Altieri
Name: Pete Altieri
Genre(s) of your work: Horror/Suspense
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
2016 – Blackened Spiral Down (short story collection on Amazon as an e-book)
2017 – Creation of Chaos Volume I (short story collection, physical and e-book)
Bio:
I was born in the Bronx, NY but spent much of my childhood in CT. I got married and moved to Central Illinois in 1990 and still reside there near my children and grandchildren. I was a finalist in the TNT Horror Story competition in early 2017 with my story, Man With Spots. My story, October House, was purchased by American Horrors for their new publication division for release in 2018. I have also written two novels, Six, and The Dreadful Lives of Enoch Strange, and am currently seeking representation by a literary agent.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I started to read horror stories at a young age with writers like Edgar Allan Poe. I began watching horror movies too, such as The Exorcist and The Shining, among others and so began my affair with the genre. I think I like things that most people find strange or horrifying, because my taste in music is much the same, with a penchant for the heaviest heavy metal.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
When I figured out that writing was my thing, I was only in 4th grade. So, I started writing lots of stories and passing them around to friends very young. Writing has given my creativity a place to go and rear its head with my writing, music, or both. I think life would be boring without that expression, and so in that way, writing has definitely changed my life for the better.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I mentioned Poe already in another question. To me, there is no one better at pure horror in the short form. I also love Ray Bradbury and Stephen King for their short stories as well. I also like Lovecraft, to a degree, with his simpler horror tales.
When it comes to novels, I like Stephen King as well, most of his early stuff is simply brilliant and very unique in style. He is a genius when it comes to telling a good story. Some of his later stuff is hit and miss for me. His son, Joe Hill, is also fantastic and I really like his books. I also like Nelson DeMille, Greg Iles, Eric Larsen, and William Peter Blatty. There are countless others, but those are the main ones. When it comes to non-fiction crime writing, I really like Harold Schecter, John Borowski, Amanda Howard, and Dr. Katherine Ramsland.
In all these writers, I admire their slant on things and find it unique to their peers. They are the reason I like to write, so I can strive to improve and emulate their success.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
The only one I use that fits that description is Barnes and Noble. I enjoy going there so I can actually look at the books. I’m still a “physical book” kinda guy when it comes to reading. I buy a lot of books online, but I also do like to buy them at the store. There’s a fantastic used bookstore in Forsyth, IL called The Old Book Barn. It’s my favorite place to go and they do also sell new books too. For online sources, I get them used on Ebay usually, or if I can’t find what I want, I will go to Amazon and buy it there.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
With my short stories, I hope it gives them something to think about. My stories seldom end in nice, tidy packages. So, I would hope they were on the edge of their seat reading it and then at the end, maybe even fell down (not getting hurt of course – ha). I have addressed some difficult issues in my stories, such as PTSD with service members coming home from war, suicide, addiction, and other topics that I would hope stir some emotion.
With my two novels, since they’re not published as of this interview, I can only guess and would hope the reader would feel like they were on a roller coaster of emotions, as they read the book, and at the end feel physically exhausted! I like to throw multiple surprises in as my novels are nearly conclusion, so the reader has no idea just how many of those to expect. To me, nothing is more frustrating than a bad or predicable ending. I refuse to do it and so I pull out ALL the stops when it comes to shock and awe at the endings I write in my novels.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Quite a bit. There is only so much you can get from Google, as handy as it is. There is simply no better thing than to live life and experience things for yourself. My best stories are ones that are told from first hand knowledge. I also like to interview friends or family who know about topics I’m writing about. That also is better than anything you would find from a Google search. While Google has become a useful tool for simple facts, it can’t replace real world experience.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
For me, it’s got to start inside me. If I’m not driven to do it, it’s not going to happen. I’ve got a good friend, Chris Kovacs, who has been battling colon cancer the last few years. He’s been helping me as a beta reader during this time, and it’s helped him with something fun to spend his time on, but it gives me a person to soundboard ideas off. We talk nearly every week, and he gives me his feedback on what he’s been reading of mine. This gives me accountability, so I want to keep writing to hear what Chris has to say about it.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
If I can’t get into it after the first 50 pages or so, I move on to something else. Usually it’s just slow, or the style of writing isn’t my thing. Or I think the story is weak. If I go further in, hoping to like something, often it’s a waste. I have so many books waiting to be read, that I have no issues about putting one away as “unreadable”. Usually, I’ll give it to someone else or use it as trade at the used book store.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, I’m not a fan of censorship. I think people should be able to write what they want to write about. Chances are, there is an audience, albeit a small one. I do believe that young children should not be exposed to certain things that might be too much for them, but that’s a slippery slop and needs to be handled correctly.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Poorly written dialog is hard to read for me. I know it’s not easy to write dialog, but when it’s bad, it’s real bad. I also noted in another question, that bad endings are a pet peeve of mine. I’m also not a fan of writers who dumb down their material in an effort to give it more appeal. To me, I usually will stop reading something when it gives me that sort of feel, or books of a series that seem to follow a formula. That gets old real quick.
Where can people find you and your work?
They can find me on my main site (that does need some updating) www.PeteAltieri.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AltieriPete or Twitter @AltieriPete – I’m also on Amazon and Wattpad.com with some free content if you want to try something on for size.
You can purchase my new book, Creation of Chaos Volume I. It’s a 15-story collection that is available as a physical book with a poster and bookmarks for only $20, which includes US shipping. You can get yours at www.CreationOfChaos.com or on Amazon (no poster or bookmark that way).
Martin Altman
Name: Martin Altman
Genre(s) of your work: POETRY
Bio:
Martin Altman was born and raised in The Bronx, graduated from Lehman College (CUNY) with a B.A. in English, and worked in New York’s Garment District for 40 years. He lives in Chicago with his wife Joyce. He was Featured Reader at The Café and at TallGrass Writers Guild in Chicago. He has been published in Outrider Press, Red Ochre, Blue Minaret, Adelaide Poetry Journal, Aethlon: Journal of Sport, Light: A Journal of Photography, Penwood Review, The Passage Between, and an LGBT magazine Off the Rocks. Being a stutterer from childhood, a major concern of his poetry is speaking and hearing, breathing and cessation, connection and isolation, and silence.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
For the most part, I am not interested in plot or character (though in the past few years my poems have told little stories), but in the essence of what makes us human. Imagery has always been the most important element in my poetry.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing though very difficult gives me great pleasure. And to think of myself as a writer is important to my identity.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Joseph Conrad, the novelist. His use of language and his explorations of human nature attracted me since I was 17. Anyone who tries to break the language in order to escape its traps and limitations is doing a great service to humanity. To open it up, to keep it fresh (e.g., Wallace Stevens, Virginia Woolf, Allen Ginsburg)….
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I have gotten many good books at Barnes & Nobles. But I have also gotten many good books at independent bookstores, even at Goodwill. Both kinds of stores have value, and both need to exist and prosper.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
That there is another point of view, that reality is deeper and more complex than they thought, that human nature is almost beyond our comprehension.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
As I get older personal experience is less and less important. The ability to imagine what another person is going through is much more important.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
I almost never not finish reading something I start.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
The short answer is that nothing should be censored. But it is a difficult question. To censor writing is to censor thought. Should thought be censored? If some thoughts are bad, how can we stop the production of bad thoughts? Who is to say they are bad? Is their claim they are bad bad?
Davia Andrews
Your Name: Davia Andrews
Pseudonym (if you use one): D. A. Andrews
Genre(s) of your work: Poetry
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
To Fight Fire with Sun published December 2020
Bio:
A. Andrews was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Throughout the years, she has developed wide interests in various aspects of life, such as coffee, weddings, books, and psychology. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus with a BSc. in Marine Biology and Psychology (Honours) and is currently pursuing her MBA. She considers herself a nomad at heart and has changed cities and apartments quite as often as she changes her clothes. She is currently resting her head in Brunswick, Georgia, with her black cat (and familiar), Luna.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write poetry because it allows me to process life. I have been writing ever since I was in elementary school, but I really started venturing into poetry when I was in high school. My college creative writing professor (renowned Caribbean poet, Tanya Shirley) helped me to hone my craft and fall in love with the art form even more. Poetry allows me to be wholeheartedly myself whilst allowing me the luxury of living a raw and authentic experience. I have processed deep trauma by putting pen to paper and creating poetry.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Literature has always had a special place in my heart. While my siblings were outside playing, I was often inside under the covers devouring a good book. I have somehow collected books over the years as a sort of extension of myself; each time I went through a monumental moment (whether happy or sad), I have added to my collection. Writing has been a major part of my life in that I can use others’ works to feel not so alone, to escape, or to just enjoy life even more. My own writing has changed my life simply because I can process whatever it is that I need to in just five minutes by simply sitting down with pen and paper. The art of writing fiction, poetry, or even just journaling has been my saving grace countless times.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I am a huge fan of Warsan Shire and Pavana Reddy. Their poetry has spoken to me in so many ways and have inspired my own writing. I am also a huge fan of YA Fiction, and my current favorite author is Neal Shusterman. I was in a reading funk for quite some time, and his book “Scythe” quickly drew me in and fixed that. I hope to venture into the YA Fiction world some day and his writing style is impeccable and inspiring.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I think tiktok is a great marketing tool! I have discovered so many new authors (both traditionally and self-published) through the platform. I am still working on building my audience through it but I feel that it is a great asset to have in your back pocket.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Writing should not be censored. There are way too many emotions and experiences that need to be in their raw form in order to speak to the hearts of others. The death of my best friend last year and my experience with sexual assault earlier this year birthed some pieces that helped me to process and grieve. I think that censorship of writing takes away from that and it also takes away from other people experiencing the feeling of “wow! I am seen”. Some of the deepest, life-changing pieces I have read have not been censored and I think it should stay that way.
Where can people find you and your work?
People can find me on Instagram, tiktok, and twitter @daandrews_. My Amazon page is https://www.amazon.com/D-A-Andrews/e/B08QVCG7JV/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk and my facebook page is D. A. Andrews. Thank you for taking the time to experience my work.
Karen Ankers
Name: Karen Ankers
Genre(s) of your work: Difficult one! I’m a poet/playwright/ novelist with a leaning towards social commentary, spirituality, mystery and romance.
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Eight short plays published by Lazy Bee Scripts between 2009-2017, (Criss Cross, Still Life, On Reflection, Red Wine And Ice Cream, Frogs, Good Enough, Dance Before Dark, and Seeing Red).
Poetry collection, One Word At A Time, self-published in 2017, with Lulu.com
Novel, The Crossing Place, due to be published by Stepping Stones on January 17 2018.
Bio:
I live in Anglesey, North Wales, where I regularly take part in local spoken word events and teach Creative Writing classes. I also act with two local repertory companies, one of which (Pakala Productions) I founded. I live with my partner, dog, and seven cats. I have three sons, who have now grown up and left me in peace to write!
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I am interested in the social circumstances which can affect people’s lives and make them act in a certain way. I am heavily influenced by the Welsh landscape and by Celtic legends. I am fascinated by magic and the co-existence of several layers of reality.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has always been my way of exploring problems and trying to find answers.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My favourite author as a child was Alan Garner, whose sense of magic has never left me. As a student, I fell in love with D.H Lawrence’s mastery of words. Favourite contemporary writers are Harlan Coben, for his wonderful gift of vivid description, and Linda Green, who is a brilliant storyteller. Favourite poets are Patrick Jones and Kate Tempest.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Bookstores are wonderful places, but I would rather spend money in the smaller, independent stores.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
That they will enjoy it and that it will invite them to think about the world in a slightly different way.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
A lot. I carry a notebook with me at all times and find that ordinary everyday experiences can become crucial parts of a story. And my characters are very good at reminding me of things from my past and helping me to understand them.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
It all comes down to characters who are believable and who I can identify with.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
A clichéd story. Uninteresting characters. Unimaginative use of words.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No. A writer needs to have the freedom to explore subjects which might be difficult, so that we can better understand them. If a book upsets you, you don’t have to read it. But don’t deny other people that choice.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Self-indulgent stories which make no attempt to reach out to the reader. Bad grammar and poor punctuation.
Where can people find you and your work?
I have a blog on Write Out Loud. I also have my own website and Facebook page (Karen Ankers, Writer). A biography is on my publisher’s website (Stepping Stones Publishing). Various poems are on online magzines, such as Sentinel Literary Quarterly and the Wild Word. My plays can be read on Lazy Bee Scripts’ website.
Reg Ankrom
Your Name: Reg Ankrom
Genre(s) of your work: Biography, history, fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Stephen A. Douglas: The Political Apprenticeship, 1833-1843, 2015
The Quincy Miracle (contributor), 2017
Stephen A. Douglas, Western Man: The Early Years in Congress, 1844-1850, 2021
Bio:
Raised and educated in Jacksonville, Illinois; Vietnam-era U.S. Navy veteran; BA, Illinois College, 1971; MS, University of Kansas, 1972; retired electricity, natural gas utilities executive, 2000; energy industry consultant, present; developed interest, avocation in history, historical research, and writing; third of planned three-volume biography of Stephen A. Douglas underway; contributed more than 100 historical columns, essays, stories to journals, magazines, newspapers. Deliver 30 to 40 speeches annually on Douglas, Lincoln, American Revolution, slavery in U.S. and Illinois, antebellum history. Married 52 years (same gal), son Jud attorney, daughter Alice registered nurse.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Serendipity led me to an interest, then an avocation, in American history. A chance purchase and reading of Carl Sandburg’s six-volume biograph of Lincoln interested me in our nation’s true civil saint, who introduced me to Stephen A. Douglas.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I find myself frequently in colloquies, often with myself, about history, its subjects, its players, its reasons, and its lessons. I often manage to turn a conversation into a monologue on history. My wife will tell anyone who encourages me, “Don’t get him started.” (Smartest and most beautiful woman I have ever known. Every book has been and will be dedicated to her.)
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Dreiser, Ignazio Silone, William H. Herndon, David Donald, Douglas Egerton, Brian Dirck, Joseph R. Fornieri, Harry Jaffa, Robert Johannsen, synoptic Gospel writers. Early to mid-20th century novelists drew my interest into reading, learning the leanness of Hemingway and the street richness of Dreiser. Silone’s Bread and Wine caused my conversion to Catholicism (an action he certainly would not have advised). Billy Herndon in my estimation wrote the most important of the 19,000 works on Lincoln. Robert Johannsen wrote the most important Douglas biography. And Harry Jaffa wrote the best interpretation of the two men, the two biographers, and their place in history. David Donald taught me the method I chose to write history. Dirck, Egerton, and Fornieri have given us great contemporary expositions on Lincoln. The Synoptic Gospel writers were in my view the first great modern historians.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
They are here to stay, but so, too, are the printed volumes one can hold and caress as lovingly as a young maiden and which can leave one with wonders of the work that someone did to create them.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Love them.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
My publisher, McFarland Publishing, has its own audience for books it issues and markets my books in it. Personally, I find talks a good way to market. Audiences make me happy.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I believe the First Amendment means exactly what it says: “Congress shall make no law. . .abridging. . .freedom of the press.” I refer you to John Milton’s “Areopagitica.”
Where can people find you and your work?
www.stehenadouglas.com (Books ordered here are discounted 50 percent)
https://www.facebook.com/Stephen-A-Douglas-Western-Man-1844-1850-102707048147956 (Stephen A. Douglas, Western Man)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052131412509 (Stephen A. Douglas, The Political Apprenticeship, 1833-1843)
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ankrom+%26+Stephen+A.+Douglas&ref=nb_sb_noss (Amazon.com)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ankrom%20&%20Stephen%20A%20Douglas (Barnes & Noble)
https://www.booksamillion.com/search?filter=&id=8292070751193&query=Ankrom+%26+Stephen+A.+Douglas (Books A Million)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23875602-stephen-a-douglas?ac=1&from_ search=true&qid=VwWXoIP45q&rank=2
Samantha Atzeni
Your Name: Samantha Atzeni
Pseudonym (if you use one): S. Atzeni
Genre(s) of your work: short fiction, graphic novels, and creative nonfiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
- The MOTHER Principle: MOTHER Knows Best (ongoing graphic novel series), 2015
- The World Takes: Life in the Garden State – editor and contributor, 2019
- Furious Lit: Tell Me A Story – editor and contributor, 2020
- Stay Salty: Life in the Garden State – editor and contributor, 2021
- The Legend of Dave Bradley (One ‘n Done series), 2022
- W(h)ine and Cheese (One ‘n Done series), July 2024
Bio:
I studied journalism and professor writing as an undergrad and then received my Masters of Arts – both from The College of New Jersey. I then taught writing as an adjunct professor for fifteen years – I’ve worked with students of many different levels and had the privilege of exploring many different subjects through my classes, including Holocaust and genocide studies, ethnography, sequential art, and cultural criticism. I’m also the co-founder of Read Furiously Publishing, a responsibility I share with my partner, Adam Wilson, who is a comics writer. Besides running the publishing house as co-publisher, I’m the editorial director and in charge of acquisitions. Through Read Furiously, we get to publish great books, work on our own projects, be a part of an amazing indie community, and participate in literary activism.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The genre I love to write (and read!) the most is short fiction. There’s something extraordinary about creating an entire universe in a snapshot. I love the characterization that occurs in hidden context throughout the short story and the open-ended questions that arise because we leave the world too soon. With short fiction collections, I am always left wanting more while feeling inspired after reading a great story, and I love trying that high-wire act for myself. It’s also what led me to create the One ‘n Done series with my co-publisher, a series of pocket-sized books that feature a complete story – in any genre – that can be read in a long weekend or a weekly commute. With my first book in the series, The Legend of Dave Bradley, I took a twenty-year old short story and got to play with form and pacing to create a novella/performance piece that became a part of the One ‘n Done universe. As an editor and writer, I love what the series can do and it reminds me that short fiction and short reads have just as much literary influence as a 400 page tome.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has given me an opportunity to dream big. Throughout my life, I struggle with feeling like an outsider in many ways, but writing and reading books have allowed me to connect with other people and see the world through different perspectives. There is no greater gift we can give ourselves or each other.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
There are too many to count! My earliest memories of being inspired by authors feature Ann M. Martin and Judy Blume. In my teenage years, I devoured everything Francesca Lia Block, David Sedaris, and Rumiko Takahashi wrote. I still gravitate toward all of these authors in my adult years, and I’ve added Dani Shapiro, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Celeste Ng, Lucy Knisley, Jeph Loeb, Joan Didion, Mary Oliver, and Paul Dini as authors I read and reread every year.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
As a publishing house, we are striving to make all of our books available in multiple formats. Right now, our books are available wherever books are sold in both physical and ebook formats. This year we are beginning to organize our audiobook division and hope to bring audiobooks to readers late 2024 and 2025.
For us, we see audiobooks as somewhere in between – similar to ebooks, they will never take the place of the physical book, which is something that all readers connect with and seek out when they want something new to read. However, we appreciate that, like ebooks, audiobooks offer a new level of accessibility, allowing stories to find readers that are unable to read a physical or digital book for whatever reason. We also appreciate that it provides another way to read, which is becoming increasingly challenging with all of the distractions we have to navigate on a daily basis.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
As a publisher, the best marketing tool is the collaboration between author and publisher. So much goes into creating a book through the editorial and production sides that by the time the book comes out, burnout may soon follow. Understanding that book promotion is a marathon and not a sprint can help both author and publisher lean on each other and their respective resources post-launch. As an author AND publisher, my favorite marketing tool is email marketing. I love creating a newsletter for our readers and sharing different pieces of information – sometimes sales, sometimes educational, etc. Plus, your email list is something you create and cultivate – that goes a long way.
A marketing tool that isn’t exactly my favorite is social media. It might be because I am not very good at it, but I feel like it’s screaming into a void. Losing to the algorithm can be discouraging and I find it doesn’t help my book sales. I work better through the storytelling aspect of email marketing or in person events where I get to share my enthusiasm for my work. It doesn’t quite translate for me on social media.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
When we started Read Furiously, we wanted to create books that brought joy through the act of reading. This doesn’t mean that we stay away from difficult subject matter – sometimes it’s the opposite. When anyone writes about difficult subjects, we have to applaud their bravery. Writing is already challenging and to dive deep into topics that are a struggle to read and write down is no small feat. With that being said, we have very specific guidelines on our website: “At Read Furiously we are committed to showcasing the voices of people from all walks of life, and offering an inclusive, safe space for creators to share their stories. As such, we will not consider any submissions which feature gratuitous violence, violence against women, racism, homophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, Islamophobia, or any aggressive, disrespectful writing that dehumanizes any group or persons. We ask that all authors present themselves with professionalism and courtesy towards their writing subjects.”
There is a difference between writing about a difficult subject and writing to offend, harass, intimidate, or sensationalize for attention. As an editor, I do not tolerate any of that behavior from my authors, as a professor, I do not tolerate any of that behavior from my students, and as an author, I do not tolerate any of that behavior from myself. As writers, our goal is to create conversation and show another side of the story; we can do this without making anyone else feel small. If you cannot, then I suggest going back to the revising stage. Censorship is never the answer, and we should always strive for informed and respectful discourse. Drafting and revising help us get the right message out there.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
As a professor, my academic specialization is trauma theory and Holocaust and genocide studies, which makes every class I teach one giant trigger warning. As a survivor of trauma, I do struggle with books or any form of media that features difficult content. It’s been a very challenging line to work as an educator, writer, editor, and publisher, but I feel trigger warnings can be helpful in specific spaces. For instance, if one of my lectures features very disturbing or upsetting content, I keep my plan to teach it, but I feel it’s my personal responsibility as the educator to let my students know. Then they can make the decision to engage with the content. If I’m reading a review of a book, as a trauma survivor, I appreciate knowing the disturbing content in a book because it can be difficult for me to enjoy the book if I’m struggling to read it. Some of our authors write about challenging subjects and some bookstores have offered trigger warnings to their patrons while some have not.
When deciding to use a trigger warning, it is important to respect the audience and the work. To do that, we must work together as a community to give everyone the information they need to make their own informed choices. To make a choice for another person takes away their agency and disrupts the purpose of books: to create conversation. I find that if we approach these questions with an open-mind toward building community and conversation, everyone wins.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
In person is always the best way to make a sale. As an author-publisher, I get to share all of our titles at different events and this helps me be a better author, publisher, editor, and sales person. Plus, you get to interact directly with readers. The interactions are generally positive, but I still recommend having a thick skin and focusing on planting the seed rather than any rejections/awkward conversations that occur (and they do!). Plus, I love being able to support independent bookstores with a reading and signing.
We also do well through our publisher-direct website and that gives me a chance to showcase all of our titles in their best light. Conversion rates can be tricky in the digital domain, but if this follows up an in-person interaction and/or your author newsletter, it can work.
Where can people find you and your work?
https://readfuriously.com/
http://www.satzeni.com/p/home.html?m=1
@ReadFuriously – IG
@smatzeni – IG
The Legend of Dave Bradley: https://readfuriously.com/products/the-legend-of-dave-bradley-one-n-done-5
Stay Salty: Life in the Garden State: https://readfuriously.com/products/stay-salty-life-in-the-garden-state
The MOTHER Principle: https://readfuriously.com/products/the-mother-principle-v1
Ann Aubitz
Your Name: Ann Aubitz
Pseudonym (if you use one): Ava Florian Johns
Genre(s) of your work: Non-fiction and fiction
Ava Florian Johns/Year of Published Work(s):
· Willow’s Wrath: Omega Team Book 1: Second Edition by Ava Florian Johns. Published by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 7, 2023
- Jax’s Journey: Omega Team Book 2, Second Edition by Ava Florian Johns Published by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 23, 2023
Short Stories in the following books:
· Reminisce Mysteries: Book 1 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 18, 2022
· Reminisce Romance – Book 2 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Sep 30, 2022
· Reminisce Ghost Stories – Book 3 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Oct 13, 2022
Ann Aubitz Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
· Katlyn Conquers the World: A resource for parents with children with Down syndrome by Ann Aubitz and Katlyn Aubitz. Published by Special Stars Publishing | Oct 26, 2015
· The Many Faces of Down Syndrome: Stories of Inspiration, Hope and Laughter by Special Stars Publishing compiled by Ann Aubitz | Jul 4, 2017
Short Stories in the following books:
· Reminisce Mysteries: Book 1 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 18, 2022
· Reminisce Romance – Book 2 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Sep 30, 2022
· Reminisce Ghost Stories – Book 3 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Oct 13, 2022
Recent Book:
· The Journey from Manuscript to Print: A Guide to Publishing Your Book by Ann Aubitz. Published by Kirk House Publishers | April 2024
Bio:
Author and publisher Ann Aubitz has worked in the printing and publishing business for over thirty years. She has worked for some of the largest printers in the world and now works as a publisher for her own publishing company.
As a publisher, Ann wants to pull back the curtain on the publishing process. From manuscript, editing, design, printing, and marketing, publishing a book is a complex journey. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the proper guidance, you can navigate the path successfully.
Bringing your book to life is an exciting process. As someone who has been through it many times, she is happy to share insights into transforming your manuscript into a published book. The journey involves dedication but is rewarding.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write both fiction and non-fiction. I like to read fiction but love to write non-fiction.
I think what makes non-fiction special is its ability to convey truth, provide valuable information, and stimulate intellectual curiosity. It offers readers the opportunity to explore the world and broaden their understanding of diverse subjects and perspectives. Non-fiction writing allows authors to share their expertise, experiences, and insights on specific topics, providing readers with valuable perspectives and guidance.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing encourages introspection and self-reflection. When I write about my thoughts, feelings, and experiences, I gain insights into my own emotions, behaviors, and beliefs. I believe this process of self-exploration has led to my personal growth and development.
I also believe that writing allows individuals to leave a lasting legacy and make a positive impact on others. I hope that my writing will continue to inspire, educate, and influence readers even after I am gone.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Of course, Jane Austen has gained widespread recognition as one of the greatest novelists in English literature, and it amazes me considering the time that she was writing in. A time when female authors rarely had the consideration of publishers.
There are several reasons why she is my favorite author:
I think her themes are timeless. Austen’s novels explore universal themes such as love, marriage, social class, and morality, which resonate with readers across generations and cultures. Her insightful observations of human nature and society continue to be relevant today.
I also love her characters. Who doesn’t love Mr. Darcy? Austen creates memorable and multi-dimensional characters who feel like real people with their own strengths, flaws, and motivations. Readers often relate to her characters and become emotionally invested in their lives and relationships—I know I have.
Austen’s novels are well-crafted with interesting plots, intricate storylines, and engaging dialogue. Her ability to weave together romance, drama, and comedy captivates readers and keeps them eagerly turning the pages. This is also why there have been so many movies, series, and TV shows that have used her storylines.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
While audiobooks may not replace traditional reading formats entirely, I believe they are going to remain a significant and enduring part of the literary landscape for the foreseeable future. I like them for their accessibility, for those who may not read written word, but still love the lure of a good story.
Everyone has their preferred method of reading, which could be a hardcover, a paperback, an eBook, or an audiobook. I have a friend who will only read hardcover books, and I love my Kindle when I am traveling. So, from a publisher’s perspective, I want to offer as many ways to read a book as possible so everyone can enjoy the books they love in the format they are comfortable with.
So, I think, and hope audiobooks are here to stay.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool?
- For websites, I found WIX is easy to use and creates an easy-to-use author website.
- I also use BookBrush and AuthorLab for mockups for social media posts.
- Book Trailers and Multimedia Content I have found Animoto to be a good tool.
Sue Rovens 