Authors are listed alphabetically by LAST name beginning with G
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Jennifer L. Gadd
Name: Jennifer L. Gadd
Genre(s) of your work: YA paranormal, YA fantasy, YA science fiction, picture books, hi-lo books (high-interest, low-readability for reluctant and challenged readers)
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Were-Children Series
Cat Moon (2016 republished from 2013)
Finn the Hero Series
Finn and the Boys (2016)
Finn and the Fish (2017)
The Second Battle (2017)
Space Cadets Series
Space Bugs (coming in early 2018)
Bio:
Jennifer L. Gadd is a life-long reader and writer who holds a deep interest in writing books that children and young adults will want to read with joy. She writes mostly fantasy and science fiction, as well as hi-lo books for struggling readers.
She has lived in Texas, Illinois, and Alaska, and currently resides in Kansas City, Kansas, where she is a reading interventionist at an urban middle school.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The genres of my published works are, pure and simple, some of the types of things I enjoy reading and that I hope YA readers will read with pleasure.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I don’t know that it has. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t a writer, to be honest.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My favorite author is F. Scott Fitzgerald (with a shout-out to Zelda, from whom he took a lot of stuff.) What I like about Fitzgerald is the juxtaposition of both the beauty of his prosody and the conciseness of his language. My other favorites are Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Anne Perry, and Sharyn McCrumb.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I have nothing against mainstream bookstores, although I prefer to shop at locally-owned shops when possible. What I really lament is the lack of any bookstores of any kind in so many areas.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
My day job is everyone’s worst nightmare—their middle school English teacher! I know English teachers are supposed to really big on the True Meaning of Literature, but I’m not. Specifically, I’m a reading interventionist, and I just want kids to enjoy reading. Once non-readers start to enjoy it, then their reading issues start to resolve—because they’re reading. All I want is for readers to enjoy reading my books.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Given the genres of what I have published so far, it’s obvious that I have never personally experienced most of the plot points about which I write. But I do know people. I think that’s where personal experience plays a big part—in knowing life and people, how they speak, how they interact, what makes them tick. Those things certainly play a part in my work.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
If you mean a book I’m writing, how do you not do that? In fact, I usually have the ending written, or at least thought of, before I begin writing. I might not leave it that way once I get to that point, but it’s there to work towards. If you mean a book I’m reading, motivation doesn’t really come into it. I am a super-fast reader, so getting to the end isn’t a problem.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
There have been barely a handful of books I’ve started and made an intentional decision not to finish. Very, very few. Two of them, though, are wildly popular right now, and I don’t want people to hate me forever, so I’m not going to name them.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Unless it involves hate speech, absolutely not. And this is something I’m passionate about in terms of YA literature. Folks who think kids shouldn’t be reading things about racism, rape, drug use, poverty, suicide, child abuse, or whatever their hot-button issue is, really underestimate them and do them a disservice. What they’re really saying is that they themselves don’t want to deal with it. It’s too uncomfortable for them. The kids can experience all these issues, can live through them, but gosh and golly, they sure shouldn’t be reading about them. What a crock.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
In my own writing, it’s the formatting that turns me into a big ball of stress. I positively despise it, but whatcha gonna do? You have to get everything all book-shaped to make it work.
I do have some peeves regarding things I read, though. First and foremost, I would list anachronisms. An aforeUNmentioned work that is massively popular right now has the major conflict resolution centered around an anachronism. The big, emotional, climactic scene in the historical fiction book could not possibly have ever happened in real life. Man, that crawls up my nose, because it wouldn’t take more than a five-minute Google-whack to find that out. A major author with a major publisher shouldn’t be having those issues. I think a well-written book requires solid, correct research before the writing can begin.
This question kind of end the interview on a griping, whiny down-note, doesn’t it? Sorry about that!
Where can people find you and your work?
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-L.-Gadd/e/B012GMWTPI
SmashWords:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fionnabhar
Website:
http://jennifergadd.wixsite.com/jenniferlgadd
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jlgadd/
WordPress:
https://jenniferlgadd.wordpress.com/
WattPad:
https://www.wattpad.com/user/JenniferGadd
R. Gadd
Name: R. Gadd
Genre(s) of your work: Romance, contemporary romance
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Twelve Months – 2016
Twelve Months: Reprieve – 2017
Twelve Months: Broken Chord – 2018
Bio:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a fascination with words; how they sound, the definition of each one, the reaction certain words have on others. Some people sing, some dance, some paint. For me, words are my creative outlet. I live in Wales in the U.K. I devour books… I’m a self-confessed romance novel junkie. I love music and going to concerts. I adore the process of writing, creating new worlds, and new characters. It’s a strange thing playing God with fictitious people, but I love it. In factual life, I’m a mother, daughter, fiancée, sister, mean dancer, and strawberry laces enthusiast.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The romance genre was something I fell into. It was Brontë and Austin that set my allegiance with romance in stone. There’s something quite wonderful about the eras that they wrote about. Some aspects of those eras (especially Brontë) are dark and suppressing, but there’s something desirable in their romantic prose that is missing from the new age. I like the respect, the manners; it’s all very polished and refined. That being said, I love how the quintessential hero in books these days have evolved.
Nowadays, we’re more often than not faced with rude, arrogant, bad boy persona leading males. It’s such a turnaround, and they also have a place in my heart, along with the likes of Captain Wentworth and Rochester. I like writing about these leading men’s flaws, their human sides, which I don’t think we got to see a lot of in classic romance. It’s built within us as human beings to value love, and that’s why I like writing in this genre so much. It has such an overwhelming effect on the human spirit, and if I can generate that feeling in others, I will continue to write romance.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing can be a very solitary process. I feel locked into my own head most of the time. The more books I write, the harder I find it to socialize and have fun when I’m not supposed to be working. I’m more obsessed with words and grammar now than I’ve ever been. I’ve always loved literature, but the past five years has proved just how much I love it.
The major thing I’ve noticed since writing is that I’m no longer capable of switching off from the world around me. It’s like my off button is defunct. Even when I’m not writing, I’m continually thinking of plots, new characters, watching people’s mannerisms, and storing new words and phrases that I hear into my grey matter. I read articles, books, even other people’s social media statuses, and I begin to think of ways I could have improved it if I’d been the one to write it. My friends and family have learned to tolerate how easily distracted I’ve become, even though I know it annoys them that I can’t tune out the world and focus on a single conversation.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I love T.M Frazier. Her writing is so dark and gritty, and I love how she writes romance in such a nonconformist way. I really like Penelope Douglas; she really knows how to write an amazing story with plenty of twists and turns. Cora Brent is another favourite of mine. She writes in a very human, very earthy way. When I’m reading a Brent novel, I always feel like I’m right there between the pages with her characters.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I’m not about to wax lyrical over the reasons why I dislike them. However, there is something lacking, something sterile and clinical about mainstream bookstores. Books are magical resources that can transform a person’s mood in the mere turn of a page. That seems to lessen somewhat when the major names come into play. That being said, everything has its place in the world, and so do corporate bookstores. What we have to remember is that if it wasn’t for the online versions of these corporations, then it would be incredibly difficult for indie writers to share their work.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
That everyone is human, and forgiveness is something each of us needs to learn in our own time. Life, love, and the path it takes us on is a skewed one. Certain elements in someone’s existence can bruise senseless and sometimes cause them to make terrible decisions. I think there’s a real message of how resilient we are as people. One reviewer summed it up quite eloquently. They said: ‘Love can hurt and be awesome.’ That short sentence resonated deeply within me. Whoever wrote that about my book, thank you so much.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
I don’t use myself, my friends and family, or anyone I know as material for my books. My life is just that — mine. I don’t want to write about me, and I find it a little intrusive to write about people I know. However, I love people watching; I like seeing how others interact, their mannerisms, facial expressions etc. I’m surrounded by a network of incredibly sharp tongues, so it was inevitable that some of the jokes and one-liners I’d heard over the years would make it into the books.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
The readers — it’s as simple as that. I’m a hardcore procrastinator, so getting messages from my readers puts a spring in my step to finish a chapter. Somedays, it’s easy to forget that there are people out there that want to read my stories. On the days where I feel like throwing in the towel, I look at my reviews, and remember the good, constructive criticism that I’ve received from fans of the book.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
When there’s no depth in the characters. I dislike books that are lacking in personality. I need to feel endeared to a character to really be able to enjoy a story.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Writing is an art form, I find no censorship in art. So, no, I don’t think writing should be censored.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Again, I hate undeveloped characters and storylines, and reading dialogue that sounds stunted or robotic. If something doesn’t flow or if I can’t imagine a particular character saying a particular sentence, then I can’t immerse myself in the story.
Where can people find you and your work?
You can find the ‘Twelve Months’ book series on Amazon:
USA: https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Months-R-Gadd-ebook/dp/B01LWVYGL3/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519820500&sr=8-6&keywords=twelve+months
U.K: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-Months-R-Gadd-ebook/dp/B01LWVYGL3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519820610&sr=8-2&keywords=twelve+months&dpID=5135%252BKke83L&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
N.J. Gallegos
Your Name: Nikki Gallegos
Pseudonym (if you use one): N.J. Gallegos
Genre(s) of your work: Horror, thriller
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires, Alien Buddha Press, 2022
Gore 2: A Halloween Anthology, Poe Boy Publishing, 2022
Drabbledark II: An Anthology of Dark Drabbles, Shacklebound Books, 2022
The Alien Buddha’s House of Horrors #5, Alien Buddha Press, 2022
The Alien Buddha Skips the Party: Part 2, Alien Buddha Press, 2022
Medusa Tales Magazine Issue 1, 2022
Sirens Call Publications E-zine Issue 58, 2022
Dark Mirrors: An Anthology of Horror, Archer Publishing, 2023
Just Desserts, Black Hare Press, 2023
Hellbound Books’ Anthology of Splatterpunk, Hellbound Books, 2023
It’s Me, Hi, I’m the Zombie, It’s Me, Alien Buddha Press, 2023
Gore 3: A Halloween Anthology, Poe Boy Publishing, 2023
The Broken Heart, Winding Road Stories, 2023
Jane Nightshade’s Serial Encounters, Hellbound Books, 2024
Where In The World Is The Alien Buddha?: Part 2, Alien Buddha Press, 2024
The Fatal Mind, Winding Road Stories, 2024
Bio:
N.J. Gallegos writes dark thrillers, odd fiction, and horror, leaning towards medically themed mayhem. When not writing, she’s hard at work as an Emergency Medicine Physician. She lives with her wife and their two cats, Theodore and Cat Bane. When the moon is full, she helps co-host the Scream Kings Podcast, chatting about all things spooky.
Her first novel with Winding Road Stories, The Broken Heart, follows a disgruntled housewife who receives a heart transplant from a serial killer… with bloody results. October 15th, 2024, her sophomore novel, The Fatal Mind—a Frankenstein-meets-Black-Mirror medical horror thriller—drops in time for the spooky season.
In 2022 she won first place in Alien Buddha Press’ Horror Showdown. Her novella, Just Desserts, won an American Legacy Book Award in the Psychological Horror category.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
My family is very pro-horror, and I received my macabre education early: my mom showed me Alien at age 5 and read me Stephen King stories for bedtime (a notable favorite was The Mist); grandma was addicted to true crime (my first boogieman was Ted Bundy); and my grandfather delighted in telling me terrifying tales featuring creatures slithering in the night.
I’ve always been drawn to monsters, blood, guts, so horror was a no-brainer for me. The human response to such things intrigues me: how do people react when eldritch creatures pour from the sky? What acts might one commit in the name of revenge? And oddly enough, I find horror to be one of the more hopeful genres; for as dark as it is, lightness (human spirit, love, altruism) rises to meet it.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing saved me. As an ER doctor, the 2020 COVID pandemic did a number on me. Seeing real-life horrors daily broke me; I developed crippling anxiety and suffered from severe burnout. Having writing as an outlet has made all the difference. I have goals to work towards; the very act of writing is therapeutic; and my social circle has been immensely enriched by meeting like-minded folks!
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Stephen King: The man can craft a hell of a story, and his character development is on point—he makes you genuinely care about them. And the worlds he’s created? Castle Rock, Derry, Mid-World from The Dark Tower series… you believe you’re right there with Pennywise in the sewer. He’s also penned my all-time favorite book, The Stand, and yes, I realize I just complained about a pandemic earlier, but Captain Trips stole my heart long ago.
Robin Cook and Michael Crichton; thanks for the medical horror!
Indie authors I love: Laurel Hightower, Sarah Jane Huntington, Bridgett Nelson. Powerful women writing fantastic stories!
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
Somewhere in between.
I process information quicker with reading than listening so tend towards the physical medium and I love the feeling of holding a book; there’s something magical about it. I know I’m not the only one obsessed with eau de new book and I love displaying books I’ve read like a hunter with his exotic trophies. However, audiobooks made literature more accessible, and I know plenty of people who won’t read a book but will devour the audio versions. They’re bringing new fans in which is something I can always appreciate.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Being active and myself on Twitter/X is invaluable. I share ridiculous memes I’ve made for my books; will host contests for chance to win a free book (like guessing my cat’s weight at the vet); and creatively promote myself. Oddly enough, Goodreads giveaways haven’t been too helpful in my opinion. They aren’t cheap and I feel like people sometimes enter just to see if they’ll win; not because they care about reading the book.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No. It’s up to the reader to police what they can or cannot handle. Telling the truth and exploring the dark aspects in life is important whether in the historical sense or in fiction.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I don’t personally seek them out but probably should because I get awfully butthurt when the dog dies. If one’s mental health will be impacted by reading certain material, it’s self-care not to consume that content.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
If I were to total all my sales, the majority are from Amazon. There’s something special about selling books at a Con or other events though… getting to chat with like-minded folks and selling yourself is powerful.
Where can people find you and your work?
https://njgallegos.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/DrSpooky_ER
Podcast: https://www.screamkingspodcast.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NJGallegos87
Ricardo L. Garcia
Name: Ricardo L. Garcia
Genre(s) of your work: Science Fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Short stories since 1985 in two languages in paper magazines, anthologies, online magazines; two self-published books: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Phoenix-Man-Ricardo-Garcia/dp/1492809993/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384399417&sr=1-1&keywords=Time+Of+The+Phoenix+Man and https://www.amazon.com/Quantitative-Factor-Ricardo-L-Garcia/dp/1517397502 . Last story sold: https://www.antimattermag.com/helping-hand/ September 2017.
Bio:
Ricardo L. Garcia (Havana, 1955), is one of the authors belonging to what many regard as the Golden Age of science fiction in his country of birth, Cuba—and the only one to write in either English or Spanish, as he fancies at the moment, if normally he favors English. His work has appeared in English, Spanish, Galician, Bulgarian, and Esperanto.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I discovered science fiction as a kid, and it was love at first sight. I have written and published some poetry, and I guess I could write fantasy too, but I just don’t care for anything but science fiction.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Oh well—when I was teaching college English, I suppose it thrilled my students to have an actual author in the classroom. But writing is simply something that makes me happy.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Arthur C. Clarke, hands down. Not only he had quite a heck of an imagination, but he really did work the science angle, something that is so sorely lacking in much of what passes for science fiction these days. Oh, and that wonderful British irony of his—having at one time studied at a British school, that’s something I can relate to. Also James Blish, Michael Crichton, Robert A. Heinlein, Hal Clement, and the classics from the 50s. Sorry—I grew up reading them!
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I don’t have anything against them, if I think they could benefit from also showcasing independent authors.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
Hard to answer, that one. I suppose I hope they have a terrific time reading my stuff (I’ve been told they do) but basically all of my stories are exercises in What If…? So maybe I also want them to stop and think for a moment about all those things that make me wonder. Go figure.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Not a whole lot, I’d say—there’s an English Lit. professor in one of my stories (“Quod Erat Demonstrandum”) if I fervently hope I’m not him. And the main character in my novel, Time of The Phoenix Man, has a twin of sorts—well, two. Or not. And no, they aren’t twins. Or maybe they are…let’s leave it at that. (I have a twin brother.). And, well, I have always loved astronomy, if I can’t handle the math part to save my life. (But my twin can, easily.)
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
I haven’t a clue. Sometimes I have this idea dormant in the back of my mind for years, then suddenly feel the urge to sit down and write it in a couple hours. Sometimes it takes me forever to complete a story/chapter. And quite a few times I have revisited something I published twenty, thirty years ago, say, and write a new, different story using the same basic idea. And often my good friends at the Spain-based miNatura science fiction and fantasy magazine prod me for stories (they’re merciless at that, when they really want to).
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
Besides its being unredeemably boring? Profanity. I can overlook the occasional word here and there, but more than that, and the book ends in the trash bin. (A couple years ago I did just that with a book by Richard Matheson, who otherwise I consider a terrific author. Only that book of his, a recent one, was conceivably intended for a different audience than the rest of his excellent work.)
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Same as above.
Where can people find you and your work?
For the most part, Amazon, Perihelion magazine (No. 2014, Jan. 2015—but since they don’t keep the links, maybe no longer), Antimatter magazine (Sept. 2017). For those interested in other languages, I can suggest where to look. Oh, and my Facebook author page, https://www.facebook.com/Ricardo-L-Garcia-705042366295755/?ref=bookmarks
James Finn Garner
Name: James Finn Garner
Genre(s) of your work: Humor, satire, mystery
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories (1994)
Once Upon a More Enlightened Time (1995)
Politically Correct Holiday Stories (1995)
Apocalypse WOW! (1997)
Recut Madness (2007)
Tea Party Fairy Tales (2012)
The Rex Koko, Private Clown Mysteries:
Honk Honk, My Darling (2011)
Double Indignity (2014)
The Wet Nose of Danger (2014)
Locavores (play–2016)
Single White Vigilante (webcomic–2018)
Bio:
I am a Detroiter by birth, Chicagoan by disposition. My first story was an episode of the “Batman” TV series; since my mother told me a comma was meant to give the reader a rest, I inserted a comma after every word. I have always wanted to be a writer, but really found it difficult until I began performing improv when I was 25. This freed up my funnier side, and showed me that a misplaced word does not result in fatalities (usually).
I’ve performed in shows and cabarets off and on since then, and like to stay sharp by reading on various stages for Chicago’s “Live lit” scene. My first book, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, were originally performed as part of a cabaret I was hosting; after getting rejections from 30 different publishers, it was brought out by Macmillan and became an instant best-seller. Which goes to show, you should never give up.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
My serious writing, while presentable and enjoyable, always feels a little squishy to me, like it could veer off in any direction for no real reason. When I write humor, I know immediately if it is working or not, and if not, what it will take to make it right. I also take pride in working in a medium that not many people can execute well. Now, if only Americans would start reading humor again (if they ever did).
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It helped me quit my day job a long time ago, so that’s nice.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Michael Chabon–his themes are intriguing, and his style can seem effortless yet take my breath away.
Terry Pratchett–makes me laugh, though he could’ve used an editor more often.
Raymond Chandler–I love to get lost in his world.
Kurt Vonnegut
James Joyce
Saul Bellow
Damon Runyan–I just have a warm spot in my heart for Nathan Detroit, Nicely Nicely Johnson, Blooch Blodinsky and all the guys and dolls at the Hot Box. My favorite summer reading.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
The next best thing to an indie bookstore. They supply books and a gathering place for many readers in small- and medium-sized cities, so they should be given a little respect. Amazon, of course, is a whole ‘nother beast, but we have to learn to live with it.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
The desire to recommend my books to everyone they meet, all the time.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
I’ve noticed that I will NEVER pick up a story again to work on it if I stop midstream. Even if the thing I’m working on is terrible, I try and finish it, because I hate to think of it lying in a folder, half-formed and never loved. If it never gets finished, then it was just a half-baked idea, but I still feel guilty about the neglect.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, of course not. Certainly not on the writer’s part–self-censorship will stop anyone’s writing dead in its tracks.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
I wish it didn’t take me so flipping long to finish a book, but I think that’s more than a peeve.
Where can people find you and your work?
Best place to start is my website: http://www.jamesfinngarner.com . From there you can find links to all my books that are still in print, as well as the stranger items in my bag of tricks (baseball poetry, web comics, and other odds and ends).
http://www.jamesfinngarner.com
@jamesfinngarner (Twitter)
@james.finn.garner (Instagram)
http://www.rexkoko.com
http://www.singlewhitevigilante.com
http://www.bardball.com
Chris Gerrib
Name: Chris Gerrib
Genre(s) of your work: Science fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Mars Run (re-released May 2018)
Pirates of Mars (re-released May 2018)
The Night Watch (re-released May 2018)
Bio:
Chris Gerrib admits to being a bit obsessed with Mars, but in a healthy way – all three books of his Pirate Series are set on Mars. Chris lives in the Chicago suburbs and still has a day job in IT. He holds degrees in history and business from the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University. He also served in the US Navy during the First Gulf War, and can proudly report that not one Iraqi MiG bombed Jacksonville, Florida while he was in the service. In his copious free time, Chris is a past President of and currently active in his local Rotary club. His website is www.privatemarsrocket.net
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I’ve been a space nut for as long as I can remember, going back to when I would ride my bicycle to the small library in the small town I grew up in (Westville, Illinois). When I started writing in the early 2000s, I wasn’t seeing a lot of fiction set in our Solar System. Having grown up on that and missing it, I decided to write what I wanted to read.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I don’t sell a lot of books, but I do have a few fans who’ve become friends. That was nice. Also, I’ve met a lot of fellow writers that I’ve become friends with and fans of. Finally, writing has become something that I miss if I can’t find the time to do it.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
That’s a very long list. I’ve developed a reading list that’s mostly of authors that I met when their first book came out. I’ve watched them grow and become better writers. So here’s a probably incomplete list, and I apologize to all the writers I miss!
John Scalzi – he’s the king of great opening lines
Mary Robinette Kowal – brilliant characters
Jim C. Hines – consistently funny
Tim Akers – he’s a tough read but his religious fantasy is stellar.
Kate Atkinson – she’s not an SF writer, rather a British author of literary mysteries. Her books are so immersive.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I really think this is two questions. I define “mainstream” bookstores as those that have a brick-and-mortar presence. I love those. They are an author and a reader’s best friend. I define “corporate” as Barnes and Noble. I still like them, and the people who work there are great fans of books. Sometimes they get handcuffed by their bosses, which is sad.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
A little. I was in the US Navy many years and many pounds ago, so that influences my military. But since I’ve never been to Mars and never fought pirates, I end up making up a lot of stuff!
What motivates you to complete your (writing) work?
I have the luxury of not writing to deadline, so what motivates me is just the desire to get done.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I’m not a big believer in censorship. I think writing a book with detailed instructions on building a nuclear bomb or designing a killer plague should be stopped, but that’s about it.
Where can people find you and your work?
Right now, I’m strictly on Amazon. The Kindle Direct program was just too appealing for somebody with limited marketing dollars and time. You can see everything at my author’s page (https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Gerrib/e/B00J7GLF48?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1558540514&sr=8-1)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.gerrib
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chris_gerrib
Blog: https://chris-gerrib.dreamwidth.org/
Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Gerrib/e/B00J7GLF48?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1558797643&sr=8-1
Stephen J. Giannangelo
Your Name: Stephen J. Giannangelo
Pseudonym (if you use one): I do not use one, but I am now also using a company name for writing projects, interviews and public appearances: Killer Insights LLC.
Genre(s) of your work: True Crime, Serial Murder, Forensic Psychology
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
1996: The Psychopathology of Serial Murder: A Theory of Violence. Praeger Publishing.
2012: Real-Life Monsters: A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer. ABC-CLIO Publishing.
2022: Monsters in the Mirror: Reflections on the Study of Serial Murder. Waterfront Productions.
I also write a great deal for other publications, and contribute to other books with Essays, Introductions and Forewords.
Bio:
I’m originally from Boston, Massachusetts. Attended Boston State and Framingham State colleges there and Sangamon State University and University of Illinois Springfield in Illinois. I have a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Forensic Psychology. I retired after 20+ years as a Criminal Investigator and Special Agent Supervisor with the State of Illinois Revenue BCI and which included assignments with the Illinois State Police and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
I’ve also taught at the University level for over 20 years within Criminal Justice, usually courses on Serial Murder and Psychology of the Offender.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Reflective of the title of my second book, Real-Life Monsters, I enjoyed horror films as a child but was never afraid of any of it. Fiction doesn’t scare me because I know it’s not real. But when I ran into actual real-life monsters like some of the serial killers and mass murderers of the 60s and 70s, I found what really terrifies me about what humans are capable of, and I’ve studied it ever since.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It hasn’t altered my life, because it’s always been an essential part of it. I wrote for pleasure for as long as I can remember, about sports and collecting and later for various automotive publications. Once I landed on the study of abnormal psychology and particularly serial killers, I knew what I’d be writing about from then on. Writing in my life hasn’t changed; only the topics. I wrote before I ever took a college course and I’ll be writing when I’m finished teaching them.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
It’s quite a list. I’ve loved and enjoyed the case study work by Jack Olsen. I have to include pioneers of serial killer study like Eric Hickey, Steve Egger, Fox & Levin, Roy Hazelwood, John Douglas and Robert Ressler. I love the work on psychopathy by Robert Hare and Kent Kiehl. Landmark works by Harold Schechter, David Canter and Adrian Raine. And I was thrilled to receive contributions in my last book from a couple of authors who have influenced me for many years, Katherine Ramsland and Peter Vronsky. The list goes on.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I have to say I don’t have a strong opinion about audiobooks or have a feel for their future. I know people who absolutely love them, but I haven’t really embraced them myself, as I’m in love with the written word, printed on paper in a book I can hold in my hands. Yes, I’m a dinosaur. I’ve literally never read a book on Kindle.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I fear for their existence. Dinosaurs like me who love to browse the stacks are becoming extinct, and it’s a sad thought. We all love the cool, old, hole-in-the-wall antique bookstore with all the treasures you find there, but they are becoming a distant memory. The big stores may follow.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I have to admit to a certain amount of evolving on this. When Real-Life Monsters came out, I had a conversation with a person on a Ted Bundy discussion site who recognized my name and said he’d been looking for me, “but you have literally no online footprint.” I quickly figured out making a facebook page and being involved online was a must for marketing.
Still, I’ve found a great marketing tool to be public appearances at various conferences and conventions. Naturally they aren’t always successful, but I’ve found the opportunity to meet people in person that haven’t heard of my work and talk about the topics with them. Often these conversations spark a feeling that maybe I might have written something they might find interesting. I also enjoy meeting people at events who have read my work and offer specific, insightful feedback.
I’ll also say that personal conversations with readers are what sharpened my focus of my most recent book (Monsters in the Mirror) as I learned more about what some people enjoy reading about. My first 2 books were textbooks, but this one is a “pleasure reader” of murder and mayhem that I think some people will enjoy.
Public speaking and open panel discussions are also good for marketing and interest in the work.
I can’t really think of a “bad” tool, just ones that haven’t been as successful just yet.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I don’t think anything should be censored, at any level. Some things are age-appropriate, of course. I agree with the concept of resisting slander and untruths, but currently we live in a society that includes people who believe that some opinions and perspectives should actually be legally suppressed, and I find this enormously disturbing. Censorship on social media and print media should be an offensive concept. It’s a slippery slope for anyone to have the power to decide where discomfort and choice end and controlled speech begins.
There was once a Letter to the Editor in my local paper advocating for a reduction in First Amendment rights regarding the proliferation of violent and disturbing material, because it supposedly incited people. I brought this letter in for discussion in my class because we routinely discuss media and pop culture effects on society. But this was an outrageous thought just a few years ago. Now it’s mainstreaming. It’s concerning to me.
The idea of a government official determining what “misinformation” is for me is unacceptable, considering the wild bias involved in essentially every news source, no matter what you believe. It’s far worse than “cancel culture.” It’s the “thought police.”
My argument may sound self-serving given the genre I write about, but I strongly feel this is about history and learning, and if it’s a topic someone finds disturbing, they should choose another one.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
While I’m always cognizant of the value of mental health concerns, some things can be carried too far, I think. I suppose a warning before a film or a presentation that the following may contain objectionable and disturbing material (I give one the first night of my classes), might have value. In many cases, though, I think trigger warnings might be too much. Maybe in very specific situations. Let’s say I’m not opposed to them, but I wonder if they are really helpful. I’m more inclined to suggest cognitive therapy that could teach a resistance to triggers as opposed to hiding from them.
Where can people find you and your work?
My 2 most recent books are found on Amazon:
Real-Life Monsters: A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer – Kindle edition by Giannangelo, Stephen. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Monsters in the Mirror: Reflections on the Study of Serial Murder: Giannangelo, Stephen J, Vronsky, Peter, Borowski, John, Ramsland, Katherine, Keto, Ashleigh, Yaksic, Enzo, Scruggs, Father Casey: 9798218008123: Amazon.com: Books
And facebook pages:
Real-Life Monsters: A Psychological Examination of the Serial Murderer | Facebook
Monsters in the Mirror: Reflections on the Study of Serial Murder | Facebook
I can also be contacted directly by email at: KillerInsights@gmail.com
Robert I. Girardi
Name: Robert I. Girardi
Genre(s) of your work: History, Military History, American Civil War
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Remembering the Grand Army of the Republic, Chicago History Magazine, 2015
“’Prince John’ Magruder in Texas,” in Confederate Generals in the Trans-Mississippi, vol. 2,
2015
The Civil War Generals: Comrades, Peers, Rivals, in Their Own Words, 2013
The U.S. Army at the Outbreak of the Civil War, in Desperta Ferro, 2013
The First Battle of Bull Run, in Desperta Ferro, 2013
“Leonidas Polk and the Fate of Kentucky in 1861,” in Confederate Generals in the Western
Theater, vol. 3, 2011
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Sesquicentennial of the Civil War Issues,
2011-2014
Gettysburg in Art and Artifacts, 2010
The Civil War Art of Keith Rocco, 2009
Campaigning with Uncle Billy: The Civil War Memoirs of Sgt. Lyman S. Widney, 34th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, 2008
Kentuckians in Gray, 2008
The Soldier’s View, 2004
The New Annals of the Civil War, 2004
Brigadier General William Passmore Carlin, U.S.A., 1999
The Military Memoirs of General John Pope, 1998
Captain H.W. Chester, Recollections of the War of the Rebellion, A Story of the 2nd Ohio
Volunteer Cavalry, 1996
Bio:
Robert earned his M.A. in Public History at Loyola University of Chicago in 1991. He is a past president of the Civil War Round Table of Chicago, a fellow of the Company of Military Historians and is an associate member of the Sons of Union Veterans. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Historical Society and has been on the editorial review board of the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society since 2009. He has consulted for the Chicago Historical Society and the Bureau County Historical Society.
In 2013 he joined the Board of Directors for the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation, He was the keynote speaker at the re-dedication of the Illinois Monument in the National Cemetery at Andersonville National Historic Site and was awarded a research grant by the Friends of Andersonville. He was the 2010 recipient of the Chicago CWRT’s Nevins-Freeman Award for service and scholarship. In 2014 he was awarded the Iron Brigade Association Award for Civil War Scholarship by the Milwaukee CWRT.
Robert has a lifelong interest in the Civil War and has studied all facets of the conflict.
He speaks to groups of all ages and levels of expertise on multiple aspects of the Civil War, especially the experience of the common soldier, and the role of Illinois in the war. He has written numerous essays and book reviews and was the guest editor for the 2011- 2014 Sesquicentennial of the Civil War issues of the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. His most recent essay appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of Chicago History magazine.
He has recently retired after 31 years from the Chicago Police Department, 25 of which he spent in homicide.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I love American History and the Civil War was the greatest crisis of our national existence. The divided nature of life in both the North and South led to untold suffering. The nation that exited the war was stronger in its identity and purpose and led the U.S onto the world stage as a major power. The scars and emotions of the 1860s have never fully healed and continue to provoke controversy today.
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How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has always been my passion. It allows me to express thoughts and exchange ideas with a vast audience
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have always enjoyed William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I enjoy the way these writers play with words, evoke mood, present dialect and tell a story.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
Unfortunately, these stores often overlook many authors and instead have morphed into coffee shops that sell books, instead of bookstores that sell coffee.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I hope my readers will gain a different insight into many of my subjects. I have gone against the grain of many writers in the field by closely examining the facts and hitherto ignored evidence, thereby coming at times to a different understanding of the facts. I also like to present the subject from the point of view of those engaged in it, rather than from a 21st Century assessment.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
My writing is the culmination of a lifelong passion of studying and reading about the events and personalities involved. My education provided the skills and my years of professional writing has given me some craftsmanship.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
I have a passion for the subject, but a hard deadline under contract is a good motivator too.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
Sloppy research, misspelled words, misrepresentation of facts.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Not at all.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
I abhor political correctness in every form. I also do not appreciate an author who does not present a fair account of all sides of a story.
Where can people find you and your work?
My books are available in major bookstores, specialty stores and on Amazon. I speak regularly in the Chicago area and have given presentations all across the U.S.to Civil War round tables, libraries, historical societies, Rotary Clubs, schools at all levels and senior facilities.
I have a website at www.Robertgirardi.com, an author’s page on Amazon.com
I also have a Facebook page.
Heather Gooden
Your Name: Heather Gooden
Pseudonym (if you use one):H. M. Gooden
Genre(s) of your work: I write non-fiction, poetry, paranormal, fantasy, and YA, and a mix of everything altogether!
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Since 2017, I have written:
Non Fiction
Passages: Death, Dementia, and Everything in Between April 2021
What We Bring to the Practice of Medicine: Perspectives from Women Physicians (collection printed by Kent State University) April 2023
Poetry in a Pandemic Volume 1: Changes October 2023
The Rise of the Light Trilogy
Dream of Darkness October 2017
The Stone Dragon December 2017
The Phoenix and The Witch March 2018
The Elements of Light
(Continuing Adventures from the Rise of the Light)
Fiona’s Gift (Prequel to Dream of Darkness) July 2018
Dragons are Forever (prequel to the Dragons of the North Trilogy, expected 2024) June 2018
Zahara’s Quest (comes after The Raven and Witch Hunter Book 4 chronologically) November 2019
The Raven and The Witch Hunter books
The Raven and The Witch Hunter Book 1: The Soul Thief Sept 2018
The Raven and The Witch Hunter Book 2: The Spirit of Big Bear October 2018
The Raven and The Witch Hunter Book 3: The Wedding November 2018
The Raven and The Witch Hunter Book 4: Honeymoon and Full Moon Blues
The Raven and The Witch Hunter Omnibus: Volumes 2-4
The Born of Destiny Series
The Lost Soul April 2020
The Cursed Heart January 2021
Destiny Found January 2022
Stand Alone Books and Short Stories
Darkness on the Nile May 2019
I was a Teenage Vegetarian Zombie Detective October 2019
Mai’s First Date December 2018
To Capture the Heart of Spring March 2018
Wendigo January 2019
Seasons of Summerland November 2021
Legends of the Fallen series:
Cowritten with J. A. Culican in the
Spell Breaker March 2019
Soul Healer April 2019
Soul Goblet July 2019
Heart Stone Sept 2019
Mindring November 2019
Bio:
M. Gooden is family physician, wife, and mother who began writing as a way to find light and magic during endless sleepless nights spent raising babies. In addition to narrative non-fiction poetry and prose, she is an international best-selling YA fantasy writer.
She can be reached at www.hmgoodenauthor.com
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write in a variety of genres for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they serve different creative purposes for me. My non-fiction is to help me to express my feelings about the work I do, and my fiction is because I truly believe there should be more magic in the world, and sometimes when life is hard, a book where I can create the endings I’d like to see in life is almost like a super power.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It’s made things busier, that’s for sure. But on the other hand, it’s also given me an outlet for my emotions and my creative side. I use my logic brain all day at work, but writing lets me incorporate everything else I am as well.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I love Andre Norton, Mercedes Lackey, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Steven King, Nora Roberts, and so many others. I love so many others as well I can’t even think of them right now, but one thing they all have in common is the ability to tell a great story.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I love audiobooks. I think some version will be here to stay. Humans have always been storytellers, and what is more authentic than oral stories? We’ve been telling them long before we had the written word and Gutenberg’s printing press, and audio storytelling of some sort will be here as long as we are.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
The best marketing tool in my opinion is still word of mouth from someone who loves your books. Any marketing tool can be used effectively or ineffectively, but the worst one is the one that has the poorest ROI for your books.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I think hate speech of any kind shouldn’t be promoted, but I also don’t necessarily want to ban anything specific, but that is a difficult and slippery slope. A lot of this comes down to nuance, and is very dependent on the topic and the way it is being approached.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I appreciate a trigger warning for sensitive subjects. Sometimes, tough subjects make for amazing books, but you also have a responsibility to let others know your work touches on difficult subjects. That being said, I’m not the best person for spelling out every trigger. We all have different tough subjects and because I’m surrounded by hard things every day, I may not even realize something is a tough subject for someone else. So, I also think trigger warnings are something we all need to gauge for ourselves when we read other material.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
It’s hard to say. There is definitely the potential to sell more in person when people know you, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into more sales overall. Especially these days, that is more numerically in favor of the online platforms.
Where can people find you and your work?
I can be reached at www.hmgoodenauthor.com, or on social media at:
On X: https://twitter.com/HMGoodenauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HMGoodenAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmgoodenauthor/
Her Facebook fan page, Summerland gate:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/981341802029808/?ref=bookmarks
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/h-m-gooden
h_men
Amazon:
amazon.com/author/hmgooden
Pinterest: h_men
And her newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/hmgooden
Ashley Goodman
Your Name: Ashley Goodman
Pseudonym (if you use one): A. P. Goodman
Genre(s) of your work: YA Mythological Fantasy
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
- Legacy Academy (2022)
- Astoria’s Secret (2023)
- Immortal Eyes (2024)
- Pursuits Of Moxxi: The Backrooms (2025)
Sue Rovens 