Authors are listed alphabetically by LAST name beginning with W
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Mary T. Wagner
Name: Mary T. Wagner
Genre(s) of your work: I’ve written essay collections for grownups, and now I’m working on the third and fourth “chapter books” for young readers based on the fictional adventures of Finnigan the Circus Cat (who was inspired by a real rescue kitten!).
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Finnigan and the Lost Circus Wagon (2017)
Finnigan the Circus Cat (2016)
When the Shoe Fits: Essays of Love, Life and Second Chances (2014)
Fabulous in Flats: Putting My Best Foot Forward! (2011)
Heck on Heels: Still Balancing on Shoes, Love & Chocolate! (2009)
Heck on Heels, paperback edition with FULL COLOR nature photographs (2016)
Running with Stilettos: Living a Balanced Life in Dangerous Shoes (2008)
Bio:
Mary T. Wagner is a former newspaper and magazine journalist who changed careers at forty by going to law school and becoming a criminal prosecutor. However, she never could step away from the written word entirely, and inevitably the joy of writing drew her back to the keyboard.
A Chicago native, this mother of four and grandmother now lives in “coastal Wisconsin,” where she draws much inspiration for writing from frequent trips to the shore of Lake Michigan, watching the waves ebb and flow and make shifting mosaics of sunlight on the sandy lake floor. Wagner’s ongoing legal experience has ranged from handling speeding tickets to arguing and winning several cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court…sometimes in the same week! She plans to retire from her job as a state prosecutor in late 2018, in order to devote more time to writing, hiking and visiting her adorable grandchildren!
Her first three essay collections—Running with Stilettos, Heck on Heels, and Fabulous in Flats—garnered numerous national and regional awards, including a Gold E-Lit Book Award, an Indie Excellence Award, and “Published Book of the Year” by the Florida Writers Association. Her latest essay collection, “When the Shoe Fits…Essays of Love, Life and Second Chances” rounds up her favorites—and reader favorites—into a “best of” collection available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Her newest publishing venture is a series of children’s chapter books for young readers based on “Finnigan the Circus Cat.” The second book in the series was “Finnigan and the Lost Circus Wagon,” and the third, “Finnigan the Lionhearted,” is in the works. She also draws the pictures inside the books, which can take her just as much time as writing the stories.
Wagner’s life experiences includes the defining watershed of motherhood, and stints as a Girl Scout troop leader, truck stop waitress, office temp, judicial clerk, and radio talk show host. She counts both wearing spike heels and learning to use a cordless drill and chainsaw among her “late blooming” discoveries, and would be hard pressed to surrender either her favorite stilettos or her power tools.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I’m going to go with the Finnigan books, because they’re the most recent writing adventure! I had been writing essays for a number of years since I first started my signature blog, Running with Stilettos, just before New Year’s Eve in 2006. I had never, ever, ever imagined myself writing something for a very young audience (around age 7 to 10). But two things happened that put me on that course. One was that my younger daughter, Sarah Muehlbauer, had become a contemporary circus aerialist, and so the subject of “circus” and circus history were always part of our conversations. Plus, of course, we were just a few hours’ drive from Baraboo, Wisconsin, and we loved to visit the Circus World Museum.
The other thing was that a few years ago my younger son and his wife adopted a tiny rescue kitten that they named Finnigan, and Finnigan then got to spend several months at my house while they were in Ireland for a semester abroad. He had quite the exuberant personality! So somehow the idea of “circus + kitten” just naturally took hold. Now that I’ve published two of these books, I finally realized just why they are so much fun for me to work on. And that’s because the books’ narrator, a wise-ass circus mouse named Maximillian, is my alter ego. I swear, he’s really me as a ten year old, before I grew up and got domesticated and mature and all those things you’re supposed to be as an adult. When I start to write these Finnigan stories, all have to do is sit down with a keyboard or a notebook, open up a little door in my head, and that mouse steps out and says “OK, here’s where we’re driving today!” It make me feel like a kid again.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Oh good Lord, where to even start! I actually wrote a longer essay about it a few years ago, but the short version is that I’ve had so much fun and amazing experiences since I first started blogging and then putting my essays into books. I’ve made friends around the country, done speaking engagements here and there, traveled several times to coastal Georgia which is my favorite place on Earth, ridden horseback on an Atlantic beach, done “live lit” in front of groups in places that have included bookstores, bars and a tattoo parlor, and now, with the Finnigan books, gained the confidence to actually draw the pictures inside the books. And I’ve had some truly humbling moments when people have reached out to tell me that something that I wrote resonated with them or helped them get through a tough time or a hard decision.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I am drawn like a moth to a flame to suspenseful, well-written fiction. If I had to be shipwrecked on an island with a single book to read over and over, it would be “Rebecca,” by Daphne DuMaurier. And after that it would be William Kent Kruger and his “Cork O’Connor” series of novels set in “up north” Minnesota. He writes so beautifully about the natural world and has really amazing plotting in this series which weaves the experiences of the reservation-dwelling Native Americans and the white town residents into an intricate tapestry.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I wish more of them would carry my books on their shelves! It can be an uphill climb for indie authors to crack those brick and mortar markets.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
Something that I think runs deep through the Finnigan books, though it’s under layers of slapstick and adventure, is the notion that the family you make can be just as important as the family you come from. The kitten in the book is a foundling, and forms a bond with these two mice at the museum who become his closest friends, despite their natural differences. I also hope that kids and the adults in their lives will share these stories and enjoy reading them together. I always loved reading to my children when they were small, and I’ve tried to write these books in a way that grownups will be drawn in by the wordplay and the humor at an entirely different level than the kids are.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Well all the essays that I’ve written are stream-of-consciousness truth, so in a word, “everything”! That goes for the power tools, spike heels, tragedy, joy, chocolate, nature, and the guy with the motorcycle and the black leather pants. And as for the Finnigan series, clearly I’ve never been either a cat or a mouse…but Finnigan was inspired by a real rescue kitten, and has the sass and the mannerisms of the real kitty.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
Finding the motivation to write has never been a problem for me, it’s as necessary as breathing. However, finding the time to sit down and write has always a challenge!
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
Bad writing, mostly. I have literally given up on some books before the end of the first chapter because the first few pages are so full of clichés, or they just plod from paragraph to paragraph. Gratuitous violence that’s just there for shock value is another reason. On the other hand, there are times when I start reading something—most recently “Blood on the Tracks” by Barbara Nickless, a suspense novel involving an Iraqi war vet with PTSD working railroad security, her marvelous canine partner, and winter in the Rockies—when the skill of language and imagery is so strong that I know I’m going to stay with it.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I haven’t given this much thought before, but I don’t think I’d have much of a problem with some of the horrible racist ranting and hate speech that encourages violence and worse these days to be shut down.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Ha! My “pet” peeves involve my pets! I live with a large and boisterous and affectionate dog, Lucky, who is constantly seeking validation, or just another walk. I also have two cats, who do their best to create distractions. So I often just pack up the laptop and head for my favorite library for some uninterrupted writing time.
Where can people find you and your work?
You can find all of my books on Amazon of course, in both paperback and Kindle editions. Or you can ask your local bookstore to order it for you. I won’t make as much, but it’ll be good for the bookstore! As for finding me for speaking engagements and library visits and the like, check out my website and then reach out by email at runwstilettos@yahoo.com I love to talk about empowerment and how “it’s never too late to make mid-course corrections” for women’s and business groups, and I thoroughly enjoy talking to kids about Finnigan the Circus Cat and doing “draw Finnigan with me” exercises to show that trying new things is great even though you’re guaranteed to make mistakes.
Author website: http://www.marytwagner.com
Running with Stilettos blog: http://runningwithstilettos.blogspot.com/
Growing Bolder “team blogging”: https://marywagner.growingbolder.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningwithstilettos/
Amazon author page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/runswstilettos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runwstilettos/
Brendan Walsh
Your Name: Brendan Walsh
Genre(s) of your work: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thriller, YA, New Adult, LGBT, High Fantasy
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Raven Gang (2017)
Immortale (2018)
The Serpent League (2019)
The Century’s Scribe (2020)
The Century’s Last Word (July 2021)
Bio:
Originally from Glendale, CA, Brendan Walsh earned his B.A. from the College of Wooster in 2017. He’s worked a few different jobs, currently a Barnes and Noble bookseller, to help put himself through a Cal State Northridge Masters program. When he’s not writing or studying, you can find him reading, drinking coffee, or thinking about what to write next. He is also a Dodger fan, philosopher, and recreational madman.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I’ve always loved SciFi and Fantasy. Of course I grew up with Star Wars, like everyone I know. As much as I enjoy classics and literary fiction, I get a unique satisfaction when worldbuilding. The most important thing for me in a story is my feelings about the characters. I enjoy the challenge of creating characters (human or not) and figuring out how to fit them into the worlds I’ve made.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Before fully committing myself to writing, I was a Chemistry major in college. However, writing started to eat up more and more of my time, and it showed in my grades. I think my choosing to read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that one day before my first Organic Chemistry test was pretty telling as to what I valued more. Inevitably, in the years that followed, I have made all kinds of friends and read all kinds of books that I certainly wouldn’t have had I still been mixing acids and bases instead of writing about magic and humanoid birds.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I wasn’t much of a reader as a kid. I discovered James Rollins when I was 16 and have loved him since then. His SciFi thriller Sigma Force series is one of the coolest things ever, and its Indiana Jones vibes make it exactly the kind of fiction I was looking for at the time. Neil Gaiman is another one of my favorites. When I first came to fantasy literature, I mainly stuck to urban fantasy, as big elaborate world-building didn’t interest me that much. Eventually I read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson and my view completely changed. I wouldn’t have written The Century’s Scribe if not for that book. Ray Bradbury is my favorite author of all time, and The Martian Chronicles is my favorite book.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I would say in between. Many people I know don’t have much time to sit down and read, and when they try, they fall victim to a bunch of distractions. Audiobooks help solve that problem. You can exercise or commute to work and be able to get some reading done. Personally I prefer holding a book in my hands, but I can see the market for audiobooks continue to stay for a long time to come.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
As I wrote earlier, I currently work at a Barnes and Noble, so I’m not going to say anything bad about them (lol). Even back when I was just a customer, walking in a BN was a joy in itself. Being surrounded by so many books while unsure what I would buy gave me a feeling that would help sate me even in one of my worst moods. However, there’s nothing quite like walking into an independent bookstore. I’ve been to so many BNs in my life that I usually know what to expect from their selections, but at an indie one, I never know what I’m going to find, and that’s more enjoyable.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I feel Facebook ads haven’t helped me. I think fewer and fewer people my age are using it. Instagram and Twitter are probably better for my target audience. So far, I think I’ve had some surprising success on Instagram.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I do not. As a writer, I find the idea of having my work tampered with to be very off-putting. However, that doesn’t mean that all takes on certain sensitive issues are all equal. I believe that most readers are capable of telling the awful things from the better ones.
Where can people find you and your work?
They can find my first three books, The Raven Gang, Immortale, The Serpent League, on Amazon, and my latest book, The Century’s Scribe, online everywhere books are sold. The audio version of it came out a couple days ago, and that can be found on Audible and iTunes as well. Also, we have copies of The Century’s Scribe at my Barnes and Noble in Glendale, CA, so come grab one if you’re in the area!
Ciara Ward
Your Name: Ciara Ward
Genre(s) of your work: Self- Help
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
1 book July 2023 – Cliché Your Way Through Life: A practical guide to navigating life complexities.
Clichés, often dismissed as trite and overused, are like hidden gems waiting to be discovered. They contain kernels of universal truth that resonate with our deepest human experiences. These familiar sayings may seem ordinary, but they have stood the test of time for a reason—they hold an inherent wisdom that can guide us through life’s challenges and illuminate our path towards growth and self-discovery.
Bio:
My name is Ciara Ward and I am the founder of Caring Conversations Center. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan with over 10 years of clinical experience. My services are offered to adults, specializing in difficulties related to stress, coping with life’s changes, anxiety, trauma, identity, body image, self-esteem, career challenges, and LGBTQ+. I received my undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College majoring in Social Work, with an emphasis on Social Justice and Gerontology.
Upon completion I continued my education at Dominican University, where I received my master’s degree in Social Work and Mediation/Conflict Resolution. My counseling approach starts with compassion, providing a warm and intimate atmosphere. I use strength-based, insight-oriented, and collaborative techniques individualized to meet the unique needs of each client. The client is always welcomed to a supportive environment; feeling accepted and understood, while also challenged and inspired to take on new perspectives and daily practices. Sessions and treatment plans will be designed to meet your unique, specific needs. It takes courage to seek an unfamiliar alternative approach to life.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
As a therapist, I frequently found myself saying, “I know this sounds cliché, but…” I’m writing books to try to reach out to more people and help people embrace living life authentically. Through my work with clients, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. Writing this self-help book allows me to share my knowledge with a wider audience by providing readers with practical tools, techniques, and insights that they can apply to their own lives.
While I can only work with a limited number of clients in my practice as a therapist, this self-help book can reach a much larger audience. I can help people who do not have access to therapy or are looking for additional resources to supplement their therapy.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I began writing my book immediately after my father died on May 20, this year, and it inspired me to write and publish my book. I started this year thinking I was living my purpose and doing exactly what I wanted in life. Writing this book revealed my true goal of trying to reach as many people as possible with my words to be authentic.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Don Miguel Ruiz is one of my favorite authors because his books help me embrace my authentic self. Every one of his books has helped me with self-reflection. I remember reading one of his books and wanting to reread my book from a reader’s perspective to see if I felt the same way his books make me feel.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future because, particularly in America, we appreciate anything that makes our lives easier. I know this may seem off topic, but we live in a time where women can choose the day, they want to have their baby and schedule it. So, if people can easily gain more knowledge from books, they will. Many of my clients appreciate the convenience of audiobooks, and the platforms are expanding rather than contracting.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Going to different vending, fairs, and festivals and explaining the concept of my book has proven to be an effective marketing tool for me. I’m also willing to give away a book or two for free because I know people will share what they read. Any marketing tool is beneficial; I do not believe there is a bad way to market.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
As a therapist, no topic should be censored; I believe in encouraging genuine expression. More people should adopt this viewpoint because I believe that healing and personal growth occur when people are free to express themselves authentically. Allowing people to write about any topic, even those that are uncomfortable or taboo, allows society to create a space where everyone can freely express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
As a therapist, I believe that trigger warnings can help people manage their emotional responses and avoid re-traumatization. Trigger warnings, in my opinion, are a way to create a safe and controlled environment in which people can feel more comfortable discussing or reading about difficult or triggering topics.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
I sell better in person because I can explain my book and people are able to read through some of the pages.
Where can people find you and your work?
www.caringcc.com
https://www.amazon.com/Clich%C3%A9-Your-Way-Through-Life/dp/B0C9SF23Q4/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
I am in the process of transferring my book onto IngramSpark to reach different platforms.
Tracy Watland
Your Name: Tracy Watland
Genre(s) of your work: Children’s picture books
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Kindness Can 2016,
The Witch’s New Britches 2017,
The Bluebird of Happy 2019, Book 1,
Abby’s Magic Music: Billy’s Story 2021, Book 2
Abby’s Magic Music: Carried Away 2023
Bio:
Tracy Watland is a writer, speaker and advocate for peace, love and kindness. As a child, she often wrote personal stories for her friends; always creating a happy ending for them. As a children’s author she uses the power of positivity to help children believe in themselves and adults restore relationships with their own inner child, encouraging all to follow their dreams.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I believe children’s books are beneficial for ages 0-100+. It’s a good time to build character in kids, as the foundation of their belief system is programed in by age 7…traits like Kindness, self-esteem, forgiveness, etc. It’s also a good reminder or “refresher course” for the grown ups reading to them. And it keeps me young.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing allows me to create the books I would’ve loved to read as a kid. It gives me a voice I didn’t always feel like I had as a child.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My favorite genre to read are musician autobiographies, so many authors. I love Wayne Dyer. If I go back to my childhood, I’d say Norton Juster, Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis. I love anything musical, magical, mystical, whimsical, metaphorical. Fun!
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Word of Mouth, and a good review on social media sites… Best marketing tools ever!
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I don’t believe writing should be censored. People should be allowed to express their own views or to discover things and form their own opinions. I do however, feel when it comes to Children’s Literature that some topics should be accessible at age appropriate times.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
Might be good for children’s books. But, I’ve always felt an adult is smart enough to close the book if they come across something that bothers them, or see something they don’t agree with.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
For me it’s through events, social media and my own website. A lot of those 3rd party eCommerce sites simply eat up any profits self-published authors make.
Where can people find you and your work?
http://www.tracywatland.com
www.facebook.com/TracyWatlandAuthor
www.instagram.com/tracywatland
Zach Waymire
Your Name: Zach Waymire
Genre(s) of your work: Horror, Young Adult Horror, Children’s Horror.
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
July 21, 2019 – Terror Times #1 The Swamp Monster
October 9, 2019 – Terror Times #2 Petey’s Playpen
January 27, 2020- Terror Times #3 The Wishing Well
May 10, 2020- Snack-Size Scares #1
Bio:
I was born in Texas, but moved to Arkansas when I was only two months old. That was almost thirty years ago now (please don’t remind me I’m about to be out of my twenties). Art was always my favorite/best subject in school. I eventually went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in the subject. Aside from writing the books, I actually do all of my own artwork for the book covers/illustrations as well. While in school, I always received praise
from my English teachers. Whether it be from teacher-specified essay topics, or a creative writing assignment, my teacher’s always seemed to encourage me. The true tragedy is that my younger self, while showing promise in writing, never found it enjoyable. This didn’t change until after I graduated from college. For whatever reason, I really caught the writing bug around the age of 23/24. Initially, I wrote for adult audiences, although never pursuing publishing these works. Everything changed when I changed my target audience.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Growing up, like most children, I was an avid reader of both Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. It wasn’t purely the stories. For me, the artwork was the true hero of these books. Between Tim Jacobus’ dazzling Goosebumps book covers, to the terrifying sketches illustrating Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, I was obsessed. These drawings were the spark that kindled my love for all things horror. The stories were merely a bonus. As a kid, I couldn’t look at the pale lady used as an illustration for the short story, “The Dream.” I was especially excited when they perfectly recreated her look in the recent film version. As an adult, of course I turned to Stephen King. But my favorite, most vivid reading memories all stem from me as a child, piled beneath a suffocating blanket, nearly too afraid to turn the page while reading in the dark, comforted by a vulnerable, narrow flashlight beam.
In my mid twenties, I changed my motivation for writing. Suddenly, I wanted to invoke that same purity and innocence I had while reading about monsters and ghosts. Fueled by nostalgia, I created my own horror universe; a series of scary books looking to capture that childlike wonder. I have two separate series. Terror Time is my ongoing, shared-universe series that is most similar to Goosebumps. Snack-Size Scares is my short story collection, most similar to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, featuring 15 terrifying tales to whet your appetite. I am about to release my fourth book of the Terror Times series, and I’m currently working on Snack-Size Scares #2.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has changed my life in the sense that it’s always on my mind. I am constantly brainstorming ideas, and mapping out chapters. Like many authors, I am always thinking about the next project, rather than working on what I should be. I just can’t help myself. Brainstorming is the most fun aspect of the entire process. Well, in my opinion at least. It’s hard to remember what I was like before being an author. Was my mind just blank? What did I used to think about? It’s honestly hard to remember a time in which I wasn’t constantly plotting out entire books in my brain.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
R.L. Stine as far as being the most instrumental in shaping my personal path. Stephen King is an easy answer, but it’s the truth. I’ve read more books by him than anyone else. I also enjoy Robert McCammon, Jeff Strand, and surprisingly James Murray. I am a huge fan of Impractical Jokers, so when I initially heard Murr was writing a horror novel, I knew I had to read it. He’s released several books now. They have all been pretty entertaining.
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 think audiobooks are certainly here to stay. I could see them becoming even more popular than they already are. Just look at how podcasts have exploded in popularity. For me personally, I’ve almost entirely replaced radio with podcasts. I think you could see something similar with audiobooks. However, nothing will ever fully replace a paperback book. No matter what, they will always be around. If e-books couldn’t eliminate them, nothing will.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Nothing beats word of mouth. Ads are great, but it can be so difficult dialing in and finding your ultimate audience for best results. It has been especially difficult for me. My target typically isn’t shopping online for books, and if they are, they’re probably getting grounded shortly after.
Where can people find you and your work?
All of my books can be found on Amazon.com
Amazon- Zach Waymire
https://www.amazon.com/Zach-Waymire/e/B07VH6D3KH?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=162741
0289&sr=8-2
Facebook Page- Terror Times – Zach Waymire Author
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Book-Series/Terror-Times-Zach-Waymire-Author-10
5902764327637/
Twitter- @TerrorTimes
https://twitter.com/terrortimes?lang=en
INSTAGRAM- @terror_times_books
TikTok- @terror_times
Amanda L. Webster
Name: Amanda L. Webster
Pseudonym: Mandy
Genre(s) of your work: Young Adult, Rural Fantasy, Adult Fantasy, the occasional Instagram poem
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Valley of the Bees, 2017
F-ing Freddy Fisher, 2017
Kindle short stories: Rain at Three, 2015 and Her Name was Amber, 2015
Loosely Collected: A Book of Poems, 2014
Bio:
Amanda L. Webster is an author and editor who lives and works in Central Illinois, USA. She obtained her Master of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When not writing and editing, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, camping, and spending time with her two sons and two cats.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I’m a bit of a genre hopper. I don’t pick the stories: they pick me! I often hear bits of dialog in my head, and then I listen in for a while to find out who the characters are. They often reveal themselves to me in unexpected ways, which I love.
My current project, which is in the final editing stages, is an adult fantasy novel called Demons of the Night. It is totally different from anything else I have published to date. The great thing about being an independent publisher is that I can continue to write the stories that are begging me to write them without having to worry about what some editor in New York City wants me to write next!
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’m from a family of story tellers, and I’ve been writing stories since I learned to write. Writing is how I figure out how I feel about life. It helps me make sense of the world, and I use it try to help others make sense of the world as I see it.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I think they have their place. As an independent author, where would I be without Amazon? Besides that, I have often lived in places where the only independent book stores available were religious in nature. When I was growing up, I didn’t even have access to a public library! Scholastic book orders were my sole source for books. I wish every small town had its own library and thriving, independent book shop, but the sad fact is that most don’t. Corporate stores fill those gaps and serve the underserved.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
First of all, I hope they enjoy my stories. I love it when someone tells me they meant to just read a few pages of my book but then stayed up all night trying to finish it. In my novels, I try to create an experience that the reader can immerse themselves in and forget the outside world exists.
At the same time, I use my writing to explore themes and issues that are important to me. Rather than lecturing the reader though, I try to show real people living real life in such a way as to help the reader understand and empathize with those whose lives may be different from theirs.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
There are elements of truth in all of my fictional works. Sometimes, I feel like it’s easier to show the truth through fiction than it is to just tell someone about it. Writing fiction helps me reach people who might otherwise be unreachable.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
It’s hard. I have to psych myself up for it and then push myself to write every single day until the first draft is done. I can bang out a first draft of a novel in about eight weeks, and then I have to put it away and work on something else while the dust settles. It’s really exhausting, but that kind of hard-core push is the only way I can finish a story.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
I won’t hesitate to stop reading a boring book. You have about two chapters to hold my attention, and then you’re done. There are too many great books in the world to waste time suffering through a boring book! I also won’t finish a book that isn’t believable. Even if it’s fantasy, the author needs to develop the story world for me in such a way that I can suspend disbelief and immerse myself in the story. Sometimes, something small and silly – for example, a character checking her Twitter account at an internet café in 1997 (true story, I actually read that in a traditionally published novel!) – is enough to make me slam a book shut and throw it across the room.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I don’t think anything should be censored ever. Adults should be allowed to read whatever they like. As far as children go, it’s the parent’s responsibility to monitor the child’s reading habits and make decisions regarding what is appropriate for the individual child. No one has the right to tell me what I or my children should or should not read.
Where can people find you and your work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLWebsterAuthor/
Twitter: @missmandy76
Instagram: mandy_raine
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-L.-Webster/e/B00MDAXQJM/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Blog: writeontheworld.wordpress.com
Also, I am running a book giveaway on Amazon right now if you would like to include the link: https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/7c62771b95d34663
Frank Weiss
Pseudonym: 1X?X3
Genre(s) of your work: Thriller/horror/suspense
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Dark One (October 1st, 2020)
Dead Journal (October 1st, 2021)
UNTITLED: A Collection of Short Stories (October 1st, 2021)
A Girl Named Steph (October 1st, 2022)
{Insert Title Here}: Another Collection of Short Stories (October 1st, 2022)
All of my work is self-published
Bio:
I’ve always enjoyed reading anything that could take me away from reality. I was working a job I hated and felt I was wasting my time, so I thought it was now or never. It was either take a chance and write or look back and wish I did. Now I have three novels, two short story books, and no regrets.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
When I was a teenager my aunt suggested the Stephen King novel Duma Key. I put it off for a year or two. I liked reading zombie and fantasy books. They were the most interesting to me, but I knew I could never write a story like the ones I was reading. Then I finally got around to Duma Key, and the avalanche began. Since then, I’ve read mostly horror because I feel like I can connect with it. I write horror/suspense books because it’s the only genre I’m able to write a full novel.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has changed my life by bringing back that sense of accomplishment. In high school, you’ve got clubs, friends, and sports to keep you busy and happy. College comes around, and you’re invested in your major and meeting new people. After school stops, you look for a job, and one of two things happens. You either find something you like doing, or you find something to do because it pays you. Years passed, and I fell into the group of doing something because it paid me. I got to a point where I felt like I wasn’t accomplishing anything, and life wasn’t fun. Without getting too in-depth, when I decided to give writing a chance, it turned my frown upside down.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My favorite authors are Neil Gaiman, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, Paulo Coelho, and Andy Weir. The reason I put them above others is that they are incredible storytellers. Like I said, when I read, I want to be taken as far away from the “real” world as possible. If you pick up any one of these author’s books, you get lost in the pages. You forget about the problems, drama, and pointless bickering that always seems to be going on, and you’re taken to a place that is far, far away.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I hope audiobooks don’t catch on too much. Maybe they have already, and I’m unaware, but books are meant to be read. You’re supposed to read the words and figure out emotions and images using your brain and the voices it creates because that’s a part of you. When you’re reading, you’re really paying attention. You have to, otherwise, the story can get confusing quickly. If you have trouble reading because it’s boring or because it’s easier to listen, you haven’t found the right book. In short, audiobooks= Boooooo!
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I haven’t found a great marketing tool yet. I don’t know if I’ve found a bad one either. I will say this, social media is huge, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best way to go. There are a lot of people on it, and it’s very easy to get overlooked. I think narrowing in on your specific audience and starting small is a longer but more beneficial route.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I think warnings and censoring have been taken to the extreme, and it’s way out of control.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
Being a small business, I sell 100 times better in person.
Where can people find you and your work?
All of my writing is exclusively on my website, WWW.1XHORRORX3.COM. I’m self-published, I made the website, I design the books, I write the books, I edit the books, and I ship the books. The whole business is run through me, so I appreciate it like crazy when someone takes a chance on my work.
Instagram: 1XHORRORX3
Kelly Fumiko Weiss
Name: Kelly Fumiko Weiss
Genre(s) of your work: Science Fiction and Serial Fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Cube, Science Fiction, 2018
Amache’s America, Serial Fiction, Started 2017, on-going on Channillo.com
Bio:
KELLY FUMIKO WEISS is a member of the Chicago Writers Association. Her novel, The Cube, debuted in April 2018. Her Channillo series, Amache’s America, won the 2017 award for Best New Series. Kelly’s career has centered around IT management in the education/nonprofit sector. She lives in Chicago with her husband and daughter.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I like to write science fiction because it is what I like to read and what I like to watch on TV. I love taking the potential of human invention and imagination and world building with it.
As for my current serial fiction, I also like to write about my own personal experiences in a fictionalized way. I’m not a memoirist, but I think my life experience, and the experiences of my family, lend themselves to some great (invented) story lines.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
In general, as a skill, writing has been the foundation for the progress of my career. Having quality writing skills has given me a niche and makes me a value add in the world of IT. Personally, writing has been a gateway, toward and away from myself, allowing me to explore new places and feelings without leaving my own day-to-day life, while simultaneously teaching me about myself. On a more social level, it’s given me a community to be a part of and a built-in support network with fellow writers.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
This is such a hard question. There are too many to count. I love AJ Jacobs because he really puts himself out there in relatable and funny ways while still teaching us all things. I love the trio of Jay Kristoff-Amie Kaufmann-Meagan Spooner for their world-building and supportive collaborations. I love Rainbow Rowell and Julie Bauxbaum and Nicola Yoon for how their books make me feel. I think what draws me to any author is writing books about good, flawed, relatable people (that are sometimes in fantastical situations), but that overall will choose love over everything at the end of the day.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I think anything that brings people to books is good. I love indie bookshops. I love big bookstores. I love buying books in unexpected places. Reading is good, and more people need to do it, so if big bookstores make books more accessible, then that’s cool with me.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I hope they will see heart in what I write. I hope that they will get a warm-fuzzy feeling. I hope that it will spark conversations about how we relate to each other as human beings.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
For my science fiction novel, The Cube, the setting of Chicago grounds the whole book for me. I write about streets and neighborhoods that I know and love so that the fantastical parts have roots and a heart.
For Amache’s America, it 100% draws from my family’s experience. My grandmother was in Japanese Internment camps. My mother married a white man. I have struggled with my biracial identity. While the characters in that story are fictionalized and the situations they go through are (mostly) made up, the core of their experiences is one that I know well.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
It takes a lot of inner will power for sure. More than anything, I have always wanted to be an author. At the end of the day, it comes down to me. If I don’t write, I won’t be an author. So, write I must.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
I usually put a book down if there are zero redeeming qualities about any of the characters. If it’s a story about bad people doing bad things with no hint of arc or redemption, I’m not interested. I will also put a book down if it is drowning in its own prose or the plot is too slow. I’m okay with a slow build-up, but if there’s not plot at all, I will usually lose interest. That being said, thankfully, these things rarely happen!
Where can people find you and your work?
People can find me on Twitter and Instagram at @kellyfweiss
My website is kellyfumikoweiss.com. My website contains my blog, My Writing Experience
You can buy The Cube on Amazon
And you can find Amache’s America on Channillo.com
Robert Weisskopf
Name: Robert Weisskopf (Bob)
Genre(s) of your work: one cookbook for the new cook and scifi (space opera)
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Dining – Not Just Eating 2016
Hardcore – The Journey Begins 2016
Carbonado – The Shakedown Cruise 2016
Dale Dair – Fight for Family 2016
Chico 7 – TROLLS 2017
Ambush in the Forest – A Chris Williams Short Story 2017
Bio:
Robert Weisskopf, Bob as his friends call him, grew up in Chicago where he still lives. His father was a Chicago Police Lieutenant but his father had first apprenticed as a pastry chef under Bob’s Grandfather. Over the course of thirty years he rose from Police Officer to Lieutenant.
He has three sons, Bobby, Jimmy, and Patrick. To this day his sons are the brightest part of his life. Now with a home filled with sons and dogs Bob perfects his cooking and spends his time writing, cooking and riding his Gold Wing motorcycle. This year he turned 61, so this is just the beginning of his story.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The cookbook was something suggested by friends. I learned to cook for my sons and wanted to pass what I learned on to other single dads and anyone new to cooking. The Scifi genre I chose after recuperating from a leg injury where I spent most of my time reading ebooks on my kindle. I thought “I can do that.”
How has writing changed/altered your life?
It has sharpened my mind and forced me to teach myself several new skills. It keeps me alert and connected to everyone around me. It makes me feel younger.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have always enjoyed King, W.E.B Griffin, Dale Brown, and Tom Clancy now I am reading a lot of new indie authors who have become my friends. Larry Casey, Richard Rybicki, and Paul Russell Parker.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I always loved visiting them and browsing through the aisle. Now with a bad back I don’t do that often. I have also limited most of my purchases now to my Kindle. I just don’t have the room to store all the books. I read a lot and without e-books it gets costly.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I just hope they enjoy it. I’m not trying to change their life. I want them to take the time to relax and sink their teeth into a book. Afterwards If they were entertained I’m thrilled. With my cookbook, I hope they become more comfortable in the kitchen. It isn’t about following recipes but rather getting comfortable in the kitchen.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
In my cookbook, it is all personal experience. I have pulled my experiences and recipes that I made for my sons and myself. With my novels, my characters develop based on people I worked with or lived with. My lead character treats people and leads the way I learned as a Police officer and supervisor.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
I’m not sure. Some of them have come very easy. My current novel is taking time. I enjoy the process from the first word of the first chapter up to the hours of marketing needed to sell a copy. I have always been creative and artistic. It always stirred my spirit to create something. I learned a while back to find God in the details and I do.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
Now more than anything it is bad editing and proofreading. My quality has improved from my first to my current work. Sentence structure is better, plot line has improved, and even though you might find errors they are few and far between.
When I read a book that has the story line drift all over it loses me quickly. Spell check isn’t enough. You need someone who can read your work and criticize and correct your mistakes. If you don’t edit the reader will. Find an editor that will work with you. I have and she made a world of difference to my writing.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No but perhaps warning labels are needed. I wouldn’t want a little child reading some of the work I see. I think the best way is to have the author label it themselves. If it is political or sexual let the reader know it on the back cover. Be honest the readers will appreciate it.
I am often asked at book signings if it is appropriate for a teenager. I try to be honest. I don’t use much vulgarity but there is some. I stay away from hot topics like gender or politics but if I didn’t I would be happy to warn people.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
Please use contractions. It makes your writing read so much smoother. Learn your computer and social media.
Where can people find you and your work?
BOBWEISSKOPF.COM and of course on Amazon
https://bobweisskopf.com/
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01DB5A7IU?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070
https://www.facebook.com/RWAuthor/
https://www.facebook.com/Diningnotjusteating/
https://www.facebook.com/FreighterLola/
I have also been a contributor to Law Enforcement Today online new magazine for several years now and my work is archived at https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/author/robertw332/
Jamie Wendt
Name: Jamie Wendt
Genre(s) of your work: Poetry
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Fruit of the Earth published in July 2018 by Main Street Rag Publishing Company
Bio:
Jamie Wendt is the author of Fruit of the Earth, a poetry collection published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with an MFA in Creative Writing, and she received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Drake University. Her poetry has been published in a variety of literary journals, including Lilith, Raleigh Review, Minerva Rising, Third Wednesday, and Saranac Review. Her essays on Jewish writing have been published in Green Mountains Review and the Forward. She contributes book reviews for the Jewish Book Council, Literary Mama, and other publications. Wendt teaches high school English and lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has always been a part of my life, so it’s hard to say how it has changed my life. However, I know that writing has allowed me to better understand my life. Writing is my way of making sense of the world. I have always been more articulate through writing than through verbal conversation. Writing out my ideas allows me to reconsider what I believe and to think critically about what is going on around me.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
A few of my favorite poets include Alicia Ostriker, Emma Lazarus, Carl Sandburg, Ada Limon, and Patricia Smith. These poets all are experts at telling stories through poetic imagery and sensory language and are able to weave politics and lyric abstractions in their poems in a way that is still accessible. These are poets whose poems I continually go back to for inspiration or to share with my students. These poets are very intentional about diction and the line while writing about everyday experiences that lead to heightened awareness of the world. I especially love Smith’s Hurricane Katrina poems in Blood Dazzler and Ostriker’s Jewish themed poems in The Book of Life.
My favorite prose writers include David Grossman, Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Hoffman, Emma Donoghue, Alex Kotlowitz, Tim O’Brien, and Azar Nafisi. I am reminded of their characters at random moments in life, especially when current events beg connection to their characters. These authors not only bring their characters to life but create memorable, relatable moments. These books help me connect with time periods and events and enter the lives of characters who are both very similar and very different from me. Their books have been both my mirrors and my windows.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
My poems focus on my Jewish identity, especially my roles as a mother, woman, and American. I hope readers will take away my passion for my family’s heritage and traditions and learn about the personal aspects of Judaism. Many of my poems are about women’s experiences within Judaism, including going to a ritual bath, or mikvah, and praying in the women’s section of the Western Wall (Ha’Kotel) in Jerusalem. Several poems are also about the passing on of significant objects from generation to generation, such as wedding heirlooms, which I think all readers can relate to. Judaism is as much a lifestyle as a religion, and I hope my poems will give new insight into Jewish culture.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
Personal experience does play into my poems; although, the narrator in my poems is not always myself. I think readers of poetry tend to assume that the first-person narrator is the poet, unless the poem is identified as a persona poem, but this is not always true. While I do tend to write from my experiences, I also add fictional elements to my poems, or combine multiple experiences into one moment. If I add something fictional, it is to create a higher realization.
Where can people find you and your work?
My poetry has been published in a wide variety of literary journals and anthologies, including Lilith, Literary Mama, The Laurel Review, Saranac Review, and Feminine Rising: Voices of Power and Invisibility.
Please check out my website for links to poems published online: https://jamiewendt.wordpress.com/.
There are also sample poems available on my publisher’s webpage from my newly released book, Fruit of the Earth. More information about my book, including purchase details, can be found at the following link: https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/fruit-of-the-earth-jamie-wendt/.
Jay Whales
Pseudonym (if you use one): Jay Whales
Genre(s) of your work: Horror, but to paraphrase the late Richard Laymon “I don’t actually write horror, I write crime fiction.”
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Marquand Tales, 2015
Weddings Suck: A Non Politically Correct Novel of Horror, 2015
Sasquatch: A Non Politically Correct Novella of Horror, 2015
Sarah: The Non Politically Correct Novella of Horror, 2015
IBRNSOB (Redux): The Non Politically Correct Novella of Horror, 2015
Booger Eating Bastards: A Non Politically Correct Novella of Horror, 2015
Nothing Ever Happens in Fox Hollow – Volume 2: A Horror Short Story Anthology; The Haunted Mirror by Jay Whales, 2020
Nanjing Fried Rice, in queue to be read on the Horrorific podcast, 2023
Bio:
Jay Whales grew up in a small Missouri town battling sasquatches, rednecks, witches, booger eating bastards, drinking Spine Likker fresh from the spigot and just having fun. Jay rode in the back of pick-up trucks, never heard of a seat belt until he started working and he and his best friend watched shitty horror movies every chance they got on VHS. Jay also dabbles in acting, it is a hobby, he is not expecting to be the next Clint Howard.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I have been an avid fan of horror, movies, books, comic books, you name it since the earliest days I can remember. I enjoy and I write every genre of horror as well. My earlier writings were pretty brutal and “non politically correct,” nowadays I would have to use the term that my writings were “non woke” in any way, shape or form.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing is an outlet where-in I can express my imagination. My entire adult life I was in the military where at each and every step someone was telling me what to do. In my writing, no one can do that.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
If stranded on a desert island, I would want every Richard Laymon book with me. To me, he wrote “down to earth” stories that could happen to most of us. His writings never got boring or bogged down in inane dialogue.
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 can not listen to audiobooks while driving, my mind works in ways where I am not listening to it. Others though are the opposite and live and breathe their audiobooks. Some people still haven’t accepted ebooks.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
The best marketing tool is word of mouth, though of course to be a big time writer, a person would need word of mouth on the national level. A bad marketing tool would be to rely solely on user reviews. They are too subjective and any person can read any user review on any product and see an 180 degree swing in the users write up. Of course, I am aware, this is also “world of mouth,” that I just said was a good thing.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
NEVER!
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
Trigger warnings are a joke. A nation that has to put such warnings on peoples “art”, is a nation in decline. If trigger warnings were around in times past would the Bible have been written? Would the statue of David be around? The movie Soylent Green? The list is endless.
Where can people find you and your work?
https://authorjaywhales.wixsite.com/mid-western-stories#!
https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3AJay+Whales&s=relevancerank&text=Jay+Whales&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1
Barbara Claypole White
Name: Barbara Claypole White
Genre(s) of your work:
Mainstream / book club fiction / women’s fiction / upmarket commercial fiction / literary fiction / southern fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Unfinished Garden 2012
The In-Between Hour 2014
The Perfect Son 2015
Echoes of Family 2016
The Promise Between Us 2018
Bio:
Bestselling author Barbara Claypole White creates hopeful family drama with a healthy dose of mental illness. Originally from England, she writes and gardens in the forests of North Carolina, where she has fourteen flowerbeds, one of which is home to Horace–a black snake who likes to scare the UPS guy. She is also a wife, a mother, and an OCD Advocate for the A2A Alliance, a nonprofit group that promotes advocacy over adversity. (Her beloved menfolk—her husband and son—both battle obsessive-compulsive disorder.)
Barbara is traditionally published with MIRA Books and Lake Union, and has five novels in print and one in the drawer—where it will stay. She is currently working on what she thought was novel six, but appears to be two linked stories that need separating. (Fun times ahead.) THE PERFECT SON, her third novel, was a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best Fiction 2015.
To connect with Barbara, please visit http://www.barbaraclaypolewhite.com
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Not sure I have a genre, so let me tackle that first. When I started writing fiction, thirty years ago, I knew only that I wanted to create strong female voices and messed-up men. I didn’t want to write genre romance, but I was leaning toward love stories. Once I unleashed James Nealy on the page, the hero of my debut novel, everything changed. Or rather, became more defined. James led to my two passions: crafting characters who battle invisible disabilities, and creating stories about the impact of mental illness on families.
Some people classify me as women’s fiction because I write emotionally-layered stories; others say I can’t possibly write women’s fiction because I have two novels with male protagonists; booksellers have put me in romance, southern fiction, and commercial fiction. My last two novels have performed consistently well in Amazon’s literary bestsellers category.
Honestly? I write the stories I want to write and hope they find good homes. If I had to pick a genre for myself, I would say book club fiction, which isn’t strictly a genre. Mental illness has framed my life since childhood, and I want to punch holes in the stereotypes, the stigma, the shame. I also want to be part of the public dialogue, and book clubs spark terrific discussions about such topics.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve written my whole life—in stories and poems as a child, in journals as a teenager, in press releases as a publicist, in articles as a freelance journalist, and finally in fiction. Fiction is my true love. It’s become my therapy and my escape, the way I process fear and everything I can’t control. The way I consistently write a better story for myself and my loved ones. I don’t necessarily have happy endings, but my stories carry truckloads of hope. I need that hope.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I tend to have favorite books, not favorite authors, but I will read anything by Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, Chris Bohjalian, Sally Hepworth, and Denyse Devlin/Woods. I love these authors because they guarantee strong themes and messages, outstanding characters, and gorgeous writing. (As an author and a reader, I’m all about writing and character.)
This summer I’m on a kick to read more thrillers/suspense to teach myself pacing. I was pleased with the pace of my January release, The Promise Between Us, but it’s something I struggle with as a writer. I want to stop and describe the flowers, the light through the trees, the bird song… My natural inclination is to meander, and meandering doesn’t generate page-turners.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I’m a huge fan of indie bookstores. Always have been, always will be. I love Amazon Prime and the ease of shopping with Amazon, but nothing competes with the ambiance of a community bookstore. We’re blessed to have great indies in our area and they host amazing author events. Plus, our local booksellers have been incredibly supportive of me throughout the ups and downs of my career. They have won my customer loyalty.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I hope that my work encourages readers to talk openly about mental illness—to share information and stories of success. Life in the trenches with mental illness can be debilitating and isolating, and if I start a conversation, or educate readers about real life OCD, for example, I’m thrilled. However, my primary goal is to entertain. I’m an author first.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
How long do you have for my answer? My story seeds come from my corner of the world—either from watching loved ones struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, etc., or from events within my mental health community. I plant those seeds and encourage them to grow outside the box of personal experience. Ultimately, I find my stories and my characters through one-on-one interviews with strangers who are living the experiences I want to recreate. For example, we have bipolar disorder in the family, but my research for Echoes of Family was restricted to people I met online or friends of friends.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
Gin and chocolate? (That’s not so far from the truth…) I work backward from my contract deadlines, figuring out what I have to achieve by when. I put those dates on my calendar and then shrink that information to daily goals. I hate everything before the third draft, so up until that point, I focus on writing 1,500 new words a day or editing a set number of pages a week. Thinking small helps me achieve big and discover plot/research holes. I have just made the terrifying decision to abandon my work-in-progress after a year, because I discovered I had squished two stories into one. And a stronger heroine accidentally presented herself during a research interview. I know I’ve made the right decision, but it’s battered my confidence. (Thank the Lord for gin and chocolate.)
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
I rarely give up on a book. As a writer, I often learn more from a story that I’m not enjoying. However, if I’m not connecting with the characters on any level, I might call it quits.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, I don’t. I believe good writing comes from the heart and research is a wonderful tool that allows authors to build worlds. If an author has the passion and dedication to research and write around a difficult subject, that’s his or her choice. And the reader must decide whether he or she wants to spend time with the result. Some people who struggle with OCD have told me they had to stop reading The Promise Between Us because my heroine’s postpartum OCD triggered their own obsessive thoughts. When I do public events, I warn people this can happen. On the other hand, readers with undiagnosed, untreated OCD have reached out with incredible stories about how my novel encouraged them to seek professional help or enabled them to understand their struggles as new parents. Fiction can, and does, make a difference.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
It’s an incredibly silly one, but I hate the word ‘chuckled.’ There, I’ve said it. I’m not a chuckler. Icky, icky, icky word.
Where can people find you and your work?
Check out my website for my social media links: http://barbaraclaypolewhite.com/index.html, and my Amazon author page for my books: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00913DBCG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1532187971&sr=8-1&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true
Zachariah Claypole White
Your Name: Zachariah Claypole White
Genre(s) of your work: Poetry and speculative short fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Here are a few recent publications (A more complete list is available on my website, http://www.zachariahclaypolewhite.com):
Poetry:
“OCD Sonnet #6” published in The Rumpus, 2024.
“The Heart—in the Woods Behind my Father’s House” published in Sequestrum, 2024.
“Eulogies of Motion” published in Southeast Review, 2024.
“Obituary,” published in wildscape, 2025.
Fiction:
“Nine Recordings of Grief” published in Bourbon Penn, 2024.
“The Icarus Transmission” published in Nocturne Magazine, 2024
Bio:
Zachariah Claypole White is a Philadelphia-based writer and educator, originally from North Carolina. He holds a BA from Oberlin College and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College, where he was a Jane Cooper Poetry Fellow. His poetry and fiction have appeared in, or are forthcoming from, Strange Horizons, Prairie Schooner, and The Rumpus, amongst others. Zachariah has received support from the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, Writer’s Digest, and Disquiet International. His awards include Flying South‘s poetry prize as well as two nominations for the Best of the Net and one for a Pushcart Prize. Zachariah teaches at the Community College of Philadelphia, Saint Joseph’s University, Manor College, and the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I don’t think I really have a genre, and I promise I don’t mean that in a pretentious “literary” sort of way. What I mean is that I never sit down with the intention of writing a piece within a specific style or genre; I never have an expectation for what I’m writing or what it will accomplish. To steal an analogy from Stephen king, I just try to “unearth” the story.
I’ve dealt with mental illness, specifically anxiety, depression, and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) for most of my life. When I write, I am writing into those illnesses, sometimes as escape, sometimes as exploration.
Because much of my work deals with mental illness, it needs to accommodate irrationalities and even surrealities; it needs to be able to support a kind of dream logic. For me, poetry and short fiction are especially primed to explore those kinds of spaces. (Of course, this could be an elaborate excuse for the fact that I don’t have the attention span to write novels).
I think people are often surprised that I write poetry and horror/sci fi/speculative fiction (whatever you want to call it). But I don’t find them that different: both take the mundane and the everyday and find ways of making them strange and extraordinary.
I write poetry because it is—in the words of Martín Espada—“my truce with the world.” I use it to grapple with grief and loss, to remind myself of hope, to rediscover resilience, defiance, and joy. Fiction is more of an escape, or a way of dealing with my worries in such a hyperbolic fashion that they feel safer to interact with. For example, when I was living in North Carolina, the house I rented had a leak in its basement. It took the landlord weeks to fix it, and it drove my OCD crazy. (Mental illness can make the crap of everyday life impossible to navigate). So I wrote a story in which a leaking basement was actually a gateway to hell (spoiler alert for forthcoming work). Horror lets me craft a landscape out of my anxiety that is removed from daily life. Then I can explore it on my own terms, and sometimes I can even bring a reader or two along for the ride!
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve been writing since I was a young kid, so I can’t imagine my life without it. It’s what I do and a large part of who I am; it’s tied into the DNA of my existence. Writing has, however, opened up my world. It gave me a way to explore my love of music, as a composer and performer. It led me to discover a passion for teaching (another kind of performance, I guess). Writing has also directed my education and has introduced me to many of the most important people in my life. It has informed how I live my life and, to be honest, it now frames almost every aspect of my life.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Oh, that’s hard. In terms of poetry I love Robert Frost because his poems are both beautiful and deceptively simple. There’s so much hiding just beneath the surface. I love C.D. Wright, Victoria Chang, and Shane McCrae for their ability to twist language into wholly unexpected yet accessible forms. I love Terrance Hayes and Diane Seuss because they engage with, and reimage, the structure of poems in ways that make me fall in love with the genre all over again. I will also always admire Allen Ginsberg. His writing taught me how, and gave me permission to, use my own rage as a creative force.
For fiction, (perhaps unsurprisingly) I tend to be drawn to the weirder side of things. I love writers who tell stories in new and strange ways or build a nightmare-logic into their work. Some of my favorites are Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, Denis Johnson, Stanislaw Lem, Paul Tremblay, Brian Evenson, Mariana Enríquez, Ted Chiang, Jeff Vandermeer, Thomas Ligotti, John Langan, and NK Jemisin to name a few.
I am also a massive Stephen King fan. In fact, his story collection, Night Shift, which I read at thirteen, ignited my love of short fiction.
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! They’ve made my commutes immeasurably more bearable. I think, and hope, they are here to stay, but I also don’t view them as in competition with, or trying to replace, more traditionally formatted books. They make stories accessible in new ways, and I love them for that. Plus, there’s something wonderful about hearing—as opposed to imagining—your favorite character’s voice.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
The short answer is no. I don’t believe in censorship unless it’s related to a work that directly calls for physical violence.
The longer answer is that I think it depends on context, and that accountability and consequence are not the same as censorship.
As writers, I think we have a responsibility to question why we want to include something in our work. A “taboo” or gratuitous subject should always be in service to your story. But that said, writing (like everything) demands practice, experimentation, and failure. And we have to allow each other the space to learn from those failures. I’ve read my share of poems and stories that I found in poor taste (to put it politely). Generally, they weren’t written with any kind of malice, but they were examples of good writers who mishandled their work out of ignorance or naivety. We need to let people make mistakes and learn from them. But, as writers, we also need to listen when people call us on those mistakes. If you don’t listen, and you stay in a place of willful ignorance, you can’t be shocked when your writing community or the publishing industry abandons you.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I appreciate the intention of trigger warnings but I’m acutely aware that they can’t cover every base. Often we might not realize that something will upset or unsettle us until after we encounter it.
As an educator, I tend to put content warnings on the very last page of reading packets so students can decide for themselves if they want to look at them. If there is something particularly gratuitous, I will give students a heads-up. For example, one of my all-time favorite books is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It includes a particularly disturbing scene involving cannibals and a newborn, and I always forewarn students about it when I teach the book.
To boil it down—there’s a difference between feeling uncomfortable and feeling unsafe. Good art can (and perhaps should) make you uncomfortable. However, I don’t think anyone should feel unsafe while reading a story or poem. And that’s where something akin to a trigger warning can come in handy.
Where can people find you and your work?
Most of the time you can find me in Philadelphia (usually running after a bus, spending too much time and money in bookstores, or trying to appease my gremlin of a cat). When I am not there, I am either in New York or disappearing into the forests of North Carolina.
You can find most of my publications at www.zachariahclaypolewhite.com.
You can also follow me on Instagram (@zachariahcw) or Bluesky (@zachariahcw.bsky.social).
Rebecca Gittrich Whitecotton
Your Name: Rebecca Gittrich Whitecotton
Genre(s) of your work: Spirituality and Mysticism, Personal Transformation, Children’s Spirituality
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Pull Your Self Together: A True Story of Alternate Realities, Spiritual Healing, and Dimensional Wholeness, 2021
Child of Mine, Know This, 2006
Santa’s Greatest Gift: The Truth About Santa’s Identity Wrapped in the Spiritual Meaning of Christmas, 2010
Bio:
Rebecca Whitecotton is a modern-day philosopher—a wanna-be Socrates sitting on the digital steps of the internet Parthenon, throwing out ideas about the nature of reality.
With the publication of Pull Your Self Together: A True Story of Alternate Realities, Spiritual Healing, and Dimensional Wholeness, Rebecca added interdimensional travel agent to her list of job titles, which have included reporter, editor, children’s book author, and graphic designer. She offers workshops and retreats about multidimensional thinking and connecting with alternate versions of yourself in the multiverse.
Rebecca is also the award-winning children’s book author of Child of Mine, Know This, hailed by Neale Donald Walsch as “the single most imaginative children’s book to come along in ages.” Children of the New Earth magazine gave it their Award of Excellence, it was a finalist in the Coalition of Visionary Retailers Awards, and Light of Consciousness magazine called it “A hallmark book in an age of emerging global consciousness.”
Rebecca’s first children’s book, Santa’s Greatest Gift, spilled the beans about Santa Claus and is an Amazon bestseller.
With a bachelor’s in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s in sociology of religion from the University of New Mexico, Rebecca loves to think and write about spirituality, philosophy, meditation, and quantum physics. She has lived a nomadic life due to her husband Randy’s career, and they recently moved back to Rebecca’s hometown of Peoria, Illinois,.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Since I was in high school I have been drawn to books about spirituality, philosophy, and metaphysics. It’s fascinating to me to read about the different ways people experience the divine and otherworldly in everyday life. Writing is part of the soul journey for me. All the books I have published started as a personal journey, and then found a wider audience. I wrote Child of Mine, Know This because I wanted my kids to know that I recognized that they were ancient, eternal souls who were squished into small bodies. I wrote Santa’s Greatest Gift to reframe Santa’s relation to Christmas in my mind so I wouldn’t feel like I was lying to my kids. Pull Your Self Together is a memoir of spiritual transformation, and I wrote it to heal myself. I was reluctant to publish it because it’s so personal and sounds a little crazy to some people. Now that it’s out there, I’m thankful I had the courage to release it because readers have let me know that my story has helped them.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has transformed me many times over. Putting pen to paper is how I discover what’s going on inside my mind and my soul, and I’m sometimes surprised by what pops onto the page. I am a journaler and personal writer first, and some of that writing nagged at me to find a wider audience. Pull Your Self Together is essentially the story of how writing changed my life.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have favorite genres more than favorite authors. I like books that make me think deeply or differently about the reality I see around me. I read a lot of nonfiction in the genres of spirituality (Neale Donald Walsch, Pema Chodron), science and spirituality (Quantum Revelation by Paul Levy, and Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispensa), quantum physics (Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime by Sean Carroll), and creative inspiration (The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert). I do love a good novel, and my favorites lately are ones with alternate realities that are very similar to my own book (A Day Like This by Kelley McNeil and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig).
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I enjoy audiobooks myself and know there are many people (my daughter included) who will only read a book if it’s on audio. And for the record, I don’t think it’s cheating to read by audio! We live in a multitasking world, and any format that can deliver good writing and an important message while I’m driving or doing laundry is a win in my book. I’m currently producing my first audiobook for Pull Your Self Together, and look forward to expanding my audience.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I have had great success with Amazon advertising because it allows you to really hone in on your niche and target the ideal reader.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
My books are in a very distinct niche, so it’s much easier for me to sell when I can target my message to specific readers. I love going to in-person events and talking to people, but for actual sales it has to be a targeted event, like a body-mind-spirit expo.
Where can people find you and your work?
Website: https://rebeccawhitecotton.com
Amazon: Pull Your Self Together http://www.amzn.com/0996827188
Facebook: Rebecca Whitecotton https://www.facebook.com/rebeccawhitecotton
Facebook: Dimensional Wholeness https://www.facebook.com/dimensionalwholeness
David Wickenden
Your Name: David Wickenden
Genre(s) of your work: Mainly Thrillers, but I have just released a YA Fantasy.
Bio:
David Wickenden has spent time in the Canadian Armed Forces before the Fire Service, so is as comfortable with a rocket launcher as a fire hose. He has brought six people back from the dead utilizing CPR and a defibrillator and has assisted in rescuing people in crisis. He has learnt to lead men and women in extreme environments. He loves to cook, read and draw and write. David ran his own home based custom art business creating highly detailed wood and paper burnings called pyrography. One of his pictures of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien graces the walls of Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
After 31 years in the Fire Service and attaining the rank of Deputy Fire Chief, David retired to write thriller novels full time. He is a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada, the International Thriller Association, and the International Screenwriters Association. His works comprises of IN DEFENSE OF INNOCENCE, 2018, HOMEGROWN 2018, and DEADLY HARVEST 2019, MAD DOG July 2020 through Black Rose Writing and FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE November 2020. He has adapted all five stories into screenplays.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I have always loved thrillers. Having been in both the military and the fire service, I was definitely an adrenaline junkie. Now into retirement, reading and writing allows me to continue to experience the thrills without the pain of aching muscles. I look at issues that interest me or disturb me to shine a light on the issue. My Laura Amour series, In Defense of Innocence and Deadly Harvest, deals with child exploitation; both domestically and internationally. Homegrown deals with the radicalization of young people by ISIS, while Mad Dog deals with animal abuse and life in the 1970’s in my hometown. My current WIP (work in progress), The Old Guard, deals with the growth of Nazism in America.
My YA Fantasy was suppose to be a ghost story for my son, but then the story took over and it ended going in places I would never had suspected.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve tried writing a novel a number of times of the years, but life got in the way. After a three week holiday at camp that was filled with writing my first novel, I decided what really fulfilled me. I took an early retirement to write fulltime. I have released 5 novels in 3 years and have adapted all 5 into feature screenplays, which are for sale on the International Screenwriters Association website.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
The list so long! Robert Ludlum was my first real favorite. Currently, I have fallen for John Hart, William Kent Krueger, Steve Berry, David Baldacci, and of course, Stephen King.
In Science Fiction, I love Scott Overton, Frank Herbert, and Michael Crichton.
Historical: Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwell, and Margaret George.
Fantasy: William Stacey, Raymond E. Feist, J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard.
Horror: Steve Vance, Stephen King, Nick Cutter, and Robert R. McCammon.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
Definitely. The increase in the sales of audible books is steady increasing. Most of the books I read are done this way. Even those ebooks I have, I use a reader as I am always reading on the run. Walking the dog, washing dishes or driving my car; I am always reading and the little things in life do not slow me down.
Currently, three of five of my books are on Audible and the other two should be out by April 2021.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
It has become too expensive for INDI authors to list on the larger bookstores because of the percentage they demand. Online books stores and audible stores are taking so much of the market, that Barnes and Noble in the States, (who declares bankruptcy last year) and Chapters in Canada, sell more home furnishings then they do books.
I think we will see a rise to the small Indi stores who are willing to stock both mainstream authors but also self-publishing titles. This is large market that hasn’t really been tapped into yet. There is a ton of talent that never reaches the light of day because everyone wants maximum profits.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Number One tool? Getting in front of the readers. Although I do make some sales off Amazon, Apple, Kobo, and others, the majority of my sales are made a Farmer’s Markets and Vendor Events. I have currently been directing my sales locally, but I have sold close to 1000 physical copies of my first novel, In Defense of Innocence since it was first published in the spring of 2018.
Once we are through with Covid, I plan on venturing to outside communities and larger book fairs in the Ottawa and Toronto areas.
Bad Marketing tool? – Not sure, as it is difficult to see what isn’t working when you have multiple tools working at the same time.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I think the market will decide. We definitely do not need religious or government to intervene. Right now, there is a huge LGBTQ+ demand by publishers as they try to fill a demand by readers. For some this is encouraging while others are opposed. Frankly it comes down to the individual. If you don’t like it; don’t read it. But leave your opinion to yourself.
Case in point: I wrote In Defense of Innocence to bring attention to the weak Canadian laws surrounding child abuse. I use a vigilante to bring the subject to light but also make it entertaining and exciting. Never, do I write a scene that shows a child being harmed. My sales for this series are great.
Another writer wrote a story that deals with a priest who molests children, but goes into vivid description of the multiple acts of abuse. From what I have heard, the author’s sales are in the toilet.
The market will decide.
Where can people find you and your work?
http://davewickenden.wixsite.com/dave-wickenden
On my website, readers can follow my writing journey, links to my books, and book reviews. For authors; I offer professional Beta Reading Services.
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07B53KWY5
https://twitter.com/DaveWickenden
https://www.facebook.com/WickendenDave/
My books are also available on most internet book stores.
Lynda Williams
Your Name: Lynda Williams
Genre(s) of your work: Short stories, literary fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories (Guernica 2025)
Bio:
Lynda Williams is a short fiction writer based in Alberta, Canada. Her work engages with themes of class, feminism, and mental illness. She describes her flavor as If-Raymond-Carver-Wrote-Feisty-Women. Her work has appeared in Grain, The Humber Literary Review, HLR Spotlight, oranges journal, and on Room’s website. She was a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award in 2024.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I like to joke that I write short stories because that’s all I have the bandwidth for, and while it’s true that I like the quick dopamine hit of finishing a draft, the truth is I love the constraints of the form. I like how a tight word count forces you to compress language and to really consider the value of each word you choose. This places a premium on subtext, which I delight in. I find it thrilling to move through a revision pruning back sentences and crossing out paragraphs when I realize it’s something I can let my readers infer.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing alters the way I look at the world. I’m always scavenging for material, and this makes living inside my own head more bearable. I’m a pretty anxious person, so thinking about writing continuously cancels out a lot of the noise.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Shashi Bhat because she is at once hilarious and profound. Her work makes me feel seen as a woman. Danila Botha because she does gritty realism like Denis Johnson for chicks, and Lorrie Moore because I’m blown away by her talent. Who else could get away with writing an entire book in the second person?
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I believe audiobooks meet a need for accessibility, so they aren’t going anywhere. I don’t think they’re the wave of the future or a passing fad. They’re necessary, and I’m so glad they’re available.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Too early to tell as my book doesn’t come out until September.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I believe telling people what they can say or write is telling them what to think. Very bad for my line of work. I’m prepared to hear a lot of stuff I disagree with to protect the right to think and speak freely.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I have experienced trauma, but I have never felt the need to be protected from literature. I treat books and movies the same way. If I don’t like it, I don’t finish it. I think it gets a little more complicated if you’re a reader for a journal and there’s an expectation that you will finish the stories submitted to give them fair consideration. I understand why some literary journals ask for trigger warnings, and I always provide one if they do. Just because trigger warnings don’t interest me personally, doesn’t mean they don’t have a purpose.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
My prediction is that I’ll do better in person because I thrive of the real time energy.
Where can people find you and your work?
https://www.lyndawilliams.ca/
Instagram: lyndawilliams_author
BlueSky: lwilliams-author
Facebook: Lynda Williams
Barnes & Noble: The Beauty and the Hell of It
Amazon.ca: The Beauty and the Hell of It
MK Williams
Name: MK Williams
Genre(s) of your work: My first novel, Nailbiters, is a sci-fi thriller. My second book is a collection of contemporary short fiction. My forthcoming third book is a contemporary fiction.
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Nailbiters (2015): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27279554-nailbiters
The Games You Cannot Win (2016): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32660979-the-games-you-cannot-win
Bio:
MK Williams is an Indiana-born, Philadelphia-raised, Florida-transplant working and living beneath the sunny, and often rainy, skies of Tampa. Williams’ writing influences include a lifetime of watching suspenseful mysteries and action movies and reading Stephen King, Ian McEwan, Maragret Atwood, and J.K. Rowling.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
For each of the works that I have published, I wrote the story that I wanted to read. Nailbiters is a sci-fi thriller and it was fun to write and definitely pushed me as a writer to get out of my comfort zone. The stories in The Games You Cannot Win are all contemporary because that is what I know, living in modern society. I don’t think I will ever hold myself to just one genre or type of story. At least not intentionally.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve always loved to write. When I decided to stop second-guessing myself and self-publish, I found a new confidence that has helped me in all areas of my life. I have learned so much about the industry, about myself, and I know that I will continue to learn more over time.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
My current number 1 favorite author is Margaret Atwood. I was late to discover her work (only a few years ago) and I am methodically going through her entire body of work. I love her writing style and her characters. All of her stories have a deeper message. I really like that.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
My aim is to make people think, to second-guess their assumptions. With Nailbiters, I wanted people to stop and think, “How would I act in that situation? What are the limits of my own humanity?”
With the last story in The Games You Cannot Win, titled Escaping Avila Chase, I wanted to tackle the complex issue of domestic violence or violence against women in our society. Writing it from the viewpoint of the aggressor, I wanted to make my audience question their assumptions of guilt and redemption. How can an abuser ever find absolution? Can a woman really just walk away after the first instance of violence without anyone criticizing her actions?
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
From the very first idea to the final product it usually takes me about 3 years to write a book so the motivation comes in short spurts. I’ll have a new idea and I will need to get it written down and then maybe I’ll let that sit for a while.
My biggest motivation to finish a story and get a book published comes from this fear that someone will publish the same exact story before me or that the plot line will play out in the real world and everyone will think that I just copied the idea.
This actually happened with my latest work, The Games You Cannot Win. The second story, The Joker, was written in November of 2015. When I wrote the story, I believed it to be a far-fetched conspiracy theory about the election. By the time it was published in October of 2016, the US Presidential election was only a few days away and many of these crazy ideas had already played out in the media.
Where can people find you and your work?
My books are available for sale on Amazon, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, and other online retailers. They are also available in some local libraries, if you want your library to add my book to their catalog you can usually find a purchase request form on your library’s website.
Website, where I post updates about my books and new releases: https://nailbitersnovel.com/
Facebook Page, to stay connected to my fans: https://www.facebook.com/1mkwilliams/
Nailbiters: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015QRVSWA
The Games You Cannot Win: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU6A0W
John M. Wills
Your Name: John M. Wills
Genre(s) of your work: Varied
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The most recent five:
- Targeted, 2011
- Women Warriors, Stories From The Thin Blue Line, 2013
- The Year Without Christmas, 2013
- HEALER, 2014
- The Storm, 2016
Bio:
John M. Wills writes mostly fiction, but he’s also a freelance writer and has published more than 150 articles. John write scripts for the William McLlain Foundation for videos honoring fallen first responders as well. He’s been fortunate to have poetry and short stories published in eight anthologies, and writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books. His books, articles, poetry, and short stories have won more than a dozen awards.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
After writing reports and affidavits most of my life, I enjoy escaping into the world of make believe and writing about fictional characters and places.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has allowed me to explore new topics and given me a small platform to express myself. And while I never started writing to make money, happily I’ve been able to make a bit of money through my freelance work. My books, while not all that profitable, give me an intangible reward vis-à-vis the feedback from readers who enjoy my stories.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I very much enjoy the works of Dan Walsh. He writes wholesome stories with redeeming themes that resonate with me.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I’m disappointed in the direction they’ve gone in the past several years. My books used to be carried by them, at least locally, now unless you’re a mainstream author or celebrity author there’s hardly a chance they will carry your books. Sure they’re in the catalog and will order them if a customer requests, but they’re not on the shelves in store. Sad. I have a couple local bookstores that do carry my books.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?
Most of the time I have the good guys winning, so I want to reinforce the notion that doing the right thing is the best policy. Bad guys lose—good guys win.
How much does personal experience play in your written work?
My background has been structured: Army, Chicago Police Department, and the FBI (retired). I’ve seen and done many things and I use that history to help weave stories.
How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?
I get very involved with the characters and look forward to developing them each day. As the story moves forward, characters change and new ones emerge. It’s exciting and I look forward to adding a new chapter each day.
What makes you NOT finish reading a book?
A dull story line and lifeless characters, too much telling rather than showing, poor dialogue, and too many errors.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, I may not like certain topics but stifling creativity and speech is detrimental. The market place will usually decide what stays and what disappears.
Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?
In thrillers and mysteries involving police, I hate when the wrong terminology is used regarding weapons and procedures. I instantly question the author’s credibility and/or research.
Where can people find you and your work?
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and my website/blog:
https://jwillsbooks.com/books/
As well as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Audrey Wilson
Your Name: Audrey Wilson
Genre(s) of your work: Thriller, Horror, Romance, LGBTQ+
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Only Human – Flashpoint Publications – February 1, 2024
Wrong Girl Gone – Dreaming Big Publications – September 1, 2021
Bio:
Audrey Wilson is an award-winning author and screenwriter with a BA in Television Writing and Producing from Columbia College Chicago. Audrey’s debut thriller Wrong Girl Gone was published by Dreaming Big Publications in 2021, and her next book, Only Human, an LGBTQ+ romance, will be released February 1, 2024 by Flashpoint Publications. In addition to her novels, Audrey has written over two dozen screenplays and television episodes, and has won a variety of awards for her writing, including a regional Emmy nomination. As a screenwriter, she is represented by Aligned Talent Group. When she’s not busy working on her next project, you’ll likely find Audrey going to the movies or reading a book. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, their rescue dog, and two cats.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The genre I’m writing in at any given time depends on my mood. If I’m writing a thriller, it’s because I want to create a mysterious web for the reader to get tangled up in before finding their way out. I want to keep them engaged and curious throughout their entire reading journey. If I’m writing a romance, it’s because I want to get lost in a love story that feels both perfect and heartbreaking at the same time. I want to fall in love with the characters I’m creating and give the world a chance to fall in love with them too. If I’m writing horror, it’s because I want to dive into the darkest corners of my mind. I want to create scenes that make the reader’s skin crawl and the hairs on their arm stand on end. But ultimately, with any genre I write, I want to tell a compelling story that moves people in a way only a good book can.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve loved writing ever since I can remember. When I was ten, I wrote my first short story – a sci-fi comedy based on a dream I’d had. From there, I began writing novels, short stories, screenplays, poetry – anything and everything that I was inspired to create. I loved the idea that I could just sink into another world when I was writing. I could get into the mind of any character and experience any journey I created for them. As I got older, I honed in on my writing skills, studying character development and story structure, focusing mainly on writing fiction and screenplays. To this day, writing is one of my biggest passions – one that I love to do on my own and that I’m also fortunate enough to get to do with my husband. I have more story ideas than I have time to put them on paper, and I hope that’s always the case.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Rainbow Rowell is one of my favorite authors. She has such a talent for capturing the human element of her characters, allowing them to lift off the page. Another author I greatly admire is Stephen King. Not only are his books engaging and original, but he completely breaks the mold of genre-writing, with his repertoire of books spanning across all genres.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I would say they’re somewhere in between. Personally, I love audiobooks. I tend to be a restless person and enjoy being able to take a walk while listening to a book. However, nothing can replace holding a physical copy of a book in your hands. The cover, the structure, the words on the page – all of it together is like a work of art in itself.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
Apart from the marketing done by my publishers, I do my primary marketing on my own. Tools I’ve found helpful are Canva, which allows you to design social media posts, mock book covers, and even videos. MailChimp is also a great option for creating and sending out newsletters.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I don’t believe writing should be censored. People should be able to write what they want to write and read what they want to read. That’s part of the beauty of fiction.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I think trigger warnings are a great way to disclose topics in books that might be problematic for certain readers.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
I’ve definitely sold more books online, mainly through Amazon, but I’ve had a good amount of success selling books in person as well. I think being able to connect with readers face-to-face is something that can really help sell your book and build your brand as an author. Not only are readers able to pick up a physical copy of your book and look it over, but they also have a chance to talk with you as the author and make that personal connection.
Where can people find you and your work?
Only Human is available for pre-order and will be available for purchase on February 1, 2024.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Only-Human-Audrey-Wilson/dp/1619295342/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705515675&sr=8-1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205496364-only-human
Wrong Girl Gone is available on Amazon and online where most books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Girl-Gone-Audrey-Wilson/dp/194738144X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25DI9MPED2ZYH&keywords=wrong+girl+gone&qid=1694376573&sprefix=wrong+girl+gon%2Caps%2C269&sr=8-1
Follow me at @dreamerbyday91 on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dreamerbyday91/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/dreamerbyday91?lang=en as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089687700606
Check out my website and blog for information about my projects and writing tips at https://www.audreywilsonauthor.com/ and be sure to sign up for my newsletter at https://www.audreywilsonauthor.com/contact.html to stay up to date on book news and giveaways!
Rosalind Winton
Your Name: Rosalind Winton
Genre(s) of your work: Poetry
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Poetic Wonders on Amazon (2019)
Bio:
I live in Hertfordshire and I run my own editing business One Voice Literary Agency, but in my other life I write poetry and song lyrics. I have been writing for around 40 years and most of my achievements are with my lyric writing (which will be in the musician’s blog section on this site). I have always wanted to publish my own poetry, but never had enough to warrant a whole book, so in 2014, I had an idea and I gathered together five other talented writers for the project.
Poetic Wonders is an anthology with 90 beautiful original, contemporary poems, plus a full length story, written in rhyme called The Bear On Lonely Lake by one of the featured authors, my daughter illustrated it and it really is a beautiful book. It took five years to complete, because life got in the way with unforeseen events that included two accidents which left me with a broken ankle on one occasion and a broken elbow on another occasion, but I pushed through and was determined to finish the book. The one thing that kept me going was the thought that I would be letting the other authors down if I didn’t and it was the most incredible experience to finally have the finished, published book in my hands.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I have always been fascinated by rhyme and rhyming patterns. I love to find different ways of saying something and the creative process of starting with that blank page and working on an idea, building it to a finished poem or lyric is just an incredible feeling. I love a challenge and when I am asked to write something for someone, they are very exciting experiences.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has given me a way to express myself in ways I can’t do verbally. It has given me confidence and it’s something I have for myself.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
Shakespeare, Dickens, Bronte sisters. I love the classics, because I love the way language is used in these types of stories.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I think audio books are very important, for the visually impaired and for people who can’t read a book for one reason or another, dyslexia for example, but also just to hear a voice reading a story can be very relaxing for anyone. I think that they are a wave for the future.
What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?
I think that any outlet that sells ‘real’ books is something great.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Not at all.
Where can people find you and your work?
http://www.onevoiceliteraryagency.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OneVoiceLiteraryAgency
https://www.facebook.com/rosalind.winton/
M. K. Wiseman
Your Name: M. K. Wiseman
Pseudonym (if you use one): M. K. Wiseman
Genre(s) of your work: historical mystery / historical fantasy / steampunk
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Bookminder trilogy:
The Bookminder (2016)
The Kithseeker (2018)
The Fatewreaker (2021)
Magical Intelligence (2020)
Sherlock Holmes & the Ripper of Whitechapel (2020)
Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair (2021)
Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord (2023)
+ various short stories
Bio:
M.K. Wiseman has degrees in Interarts & Technology and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her office, therefore, is a curious mix of storyboards and reference materials. Both help immensely in the writing of historical novels. She currently resides in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I am very much a write-what-I-like-to-read author. (I’ve a photo of 8-year-old me on my desk and I, essentially, write for the kid in that photo, basically making my own “comfort reads” as I go.) Give me a classic storybook-style fantasy or one of Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and I’m a happy happy reader.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has taken over my life and I practically have to beat back the story muse with a stick so that I remember to eat, sleep, and take care of myself, haha. That said, I fear that I am the world’s slowest writer. I’m meticulous and I’m a worrier. Which, incidentally, makes my habit of staring blankly into the middle distance for long stretches of time now something I do for work whereas, before, such a practice was self-indulgent daydreaming or philosophizing.
My life is certainly the richer for finding a productive outlet for my creative urges. In authorship I have found something akin to “purpose.” (And writing has brought me into contact with some really amazing people!)
Who are your favorite authors and why?
I love authors who surprise and challenge me, and I am a sucker for great characters and gorgeous descriptions. Ursula Le Guin may well be my all time favorite author. Also on my list of favs: the Dragonlance duo of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman; J. R. R. Tolkien; Jimmy Buffett; Susanna Clarke.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
Oh wow, and just like that I’m back in the late ‘80s, sitting with my sister in the backseat of our parents’ car on a road trip listening (on our Sony Walkmans!) to all sorts of audio books we had checked out from the public library. (Anyone else remember the big multi-cassette plastic ‘clam shell’ setups?) Audio books are a great way to read and can add in a fun layer of depth to a story, and I believe they’ll only get more immersive as time goes on.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I hate to speak in absolutes (so much in life is too varied and dependent on context to really make such sweeping statements) but: censorship makes me shudder. I’ll have to hold myself back from slipping on my old “librarian hat” here and remember to speak as an author… 🙂
Stories have the power to bring us into contact with thoughts, experiences, and world views far different from our own. Through those interactions, we the reader are provided a chance to grow and change and discern in a new light our own position on such thoughts, experiences, and world views. To limit creative expression is to curb thought. History is a great indicator of how dangerous and hurtful it is to impose such limits.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
An author may want to stretch and challenge a reader, sure. We want a reader to Feel the Feels, sure. But I think it is a nifty thing for a writer to have the choice to shield their readers from unintended hurts with a thoughtful “heads up” warning here and there.
Where can people find you and your work?
Website: mkwisemanauthor.com
Social: @FaublesFables on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook
Sherry Wong
Your Name: Sherry Wong
Pseudonym (if you use one): Tong Ge
Genre(s) of your work: Historical Fiction
Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The House Filler/2023
Bio:
Born and raised in China, Tong Ge came to Canada in the late 80s as an international student. She has obtained a Master of Science degree from University of Saskatchewan in 1992. Since 2012, she has written under both her real name and the pen name Tong Ge, publishing poems, prose, and short stories in both English and Chinese across North America, England, and Taiwan. Her works can be found in publications such as PRISM International, Canadian Stories, Ricepaper, Academy of the Heart and Mind, FLOW magazine, Vineyard Poetry Quarterly, 渥水, 远方的诗, Polyglot Magazine, Aloka Magazine, Magnets and Ladders. With four literary prizes already received, she is also a finalist for four others. Her debut novel, “The House Filler,” was published in Canada in 2023 and is among the five finalists worldwide for the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards historical fiction + memoir category and is the winner of the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction.
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
The book is based on my grandma’s real-life story. Therefore, it has to be a historical fiction.
How has writing changed/altered your life?
Not much. I’ve wanted to be a writer since my junior high days. It has taken me half my life to realize my dream. I will continue working my daytime job and to write because there are so many great stories waiting to be told.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
There are so many, and I can only list a few.
The first is a Chinese author from the early 20th century named Lu Xun. He was an essayist and short story writer who never wrote a novel. However, he had deep insight into the social, political, and cultural issues of his time and never hesitated to criticize old traditions, the darker aspects of human nature, and the government. His writings are sharp, deep, and biting, leaving a lasting influence on generations of Chinese writers and intellectuals after his passing. His short story, The True Story of Ah Q, is such a remarkable work that, in my opinion, it far surpasses Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. The 2012 Nobel Prize winner, Chinese writer Mo Yan, once said he would rather trade all his works for a single story like The True Story of Ah Q.
The second writer is Ayn Rand. I have read all of her novels multiple times. She is a rare author who not only embeds a strong philosophy in her works but also creates stories that are both character-driven and plot-driven. In other words, she crafts round, solid, multi-dimensional characters and puts them through compelling plots. Her work has greatly inspired me, not only to become a better writer but also to be a principled, strong person who never gives in or gives up.
The third is Mikhail Sholokhov. His four-volume novel And Quiet Flows the Don is so remarkable that I’ve read it twice. He vividly and beautifully describes the River Don in such a way that you feel as if you are right there, yet he never repeats the same words, and those passages never feel repetitive. The characters, conflicts, and complex socio-political issues during wartime—along with themes of life and death, love and hate, brutality and desperation—are woven into an epic masterpiece that leaves you feeling as if you could die content after reading this book.
The fourth is Mo Yan. His novels are vivid, complex, poignant, epic, wild, sad, and beautiful. He often employs magical realism in his writing, with passages that read like poetry. I’ve also read some of his works multiple times, and each time feels like a feast. I often wonder if reading his work enough times will help me write like him. I hope so.
There are so many great writers that I admire so much, such as Kafka, Tolstoy, Balzac, Maupassant, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Austen, Dickens… The list just go on.
Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?
I think it’s the wave of the future because people today are so busy that they rarely have time to sit down and read a book. Listening to a book allows you to multitask, making it much more efficient. That said, as a writer, I believe it’s still important to read words on the page. That’s how you learn from others, especially when English is your second language. Just listening to books won’t help you learn the spelling of words.
What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I haven’t done much marketing so far. It seems that being physically present at bookstores for signing events and meeting people in person is the most effective way to sell books, at least for me. However, this approach is on a small scale. While I haven’t encountered any bad experiences, I would caution people to be careful with paid book reviews.
Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
Yes. For example, if a book teaches people how to commit suicide, or commit a crime, or is about children pornography, I’m not sure it should be published.
What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I hardly watch any TV so I have never come across one, but I think it doesn’t hurt.
Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
I’m in the process of building my website, and I’m so inexperienced with social media selling that I don’t have much to compare it to. For that reason, in-person interactions have been much better for me so far.
Where can people find you and your work?
My book is available on Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and at select local bookstores in Canada. As a strong supporter of independent bookstores, I encourage Canadian readers to check their local stores first—you might even save on shipping costs!
When searching for my book online, you may need to type in “The House Filler’Tong Ge.” On platforms like Amazon, just entering the title will bring up a lot of household items instead of my book.
Below is the link to Amazon.ca
https://a.co/d/cJev9UE
Below are some professional reviews for my book:
“Golden Phoenix’s voice is strong. It feels that she is right there, sitting with the reader, telling her story” – Miramichi Reader
“When momentous events take the whole of China by storm, her family is buffeted as well: ‘Blessings do not come in pairs, and calamities never come alone.’ Quotidian struggles give way to horrendous tragedies with the Japanese invasion, the civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists, and the iron-fisted regime of modern China. Golden Phoenix and her family go through incredible pain. In simplistic works, the ones who inflict pain under an occupying power would face retribution when the regime changes. This is no such fairy tale. It is a testament to the power of spirit; a work reminiscent of Yu Hua’s To Live but also one with a unique, wry voice.” – Historical Novel Society
“A debut novel of a proposed trilogy from Canadian writer Tong Ge promises more to come” – The Epoch Times.
Sue Rovens 