Author Meet & Greet

All are welcome here.

Connect with authors through their social media links (if they choose to share them), learn about their writing process, and purchase their works.

The 4 most current interviews are posted here. Older ones may be found under the Archive: Author Meet & Greet on the main page of this blog by the author’s last name.

**Jack Ketchum’s Interview from December 2017 is PINNED at the bottom of this page**

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So, without further ado, let’s get to know

Meet & Greet Author:  #297

Jill Maglio Ryan

Your Name: Jill Maglio Ryan

Genre(s) of your work: Children

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
Cuz I Can
Let’s Play Ball
The Girl with Gills
The Magic Closet
Red Yellow Blue What Color are You?

Bio:
Jill Maglio Ryan grew up in Sheffield, Illinois, alongside her twin sister, Valerie. From an early age, her life was shaped by love, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose—qualities that would later define both her personal journey and her writing.

She raised her daughter, Meghann, who had special needs, while owning and operating her own salon for over 25 years. Through every challenge and triumph, Meghann remained at the heart of Jill’s world, inspiring a strength and compassion that touched every part of her life. During
Meghann’s final year of high school, Jill married her husband, Dan.

Driven by determination and a lifelong love of learning, Jill returned to school and earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, all while continuing to write. She also created and hosted an online support group for parents of children and adults with special needs, offering connection, understanding, and hope to others walking a similar path.

On May 24, 2018, Jill and her family said goodbye to Meghann. This profound loss reshaped her life, deepening her commitment to honoring Meghann’s spirit through her work.

Today, Jill writes with heartfelt purpose, telling stories that shine a light on children who chase their dreams and overcome obstacles, regardless of differing abilities. Through her words, she seeks to inspire, uplift, and remind others that even in the face of loss, love continues to guide
the way.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?
I write in this genre to advocate and to show others that differing abilities are not limitations to dreams or to living a meaningful life. My goal is to create stories that inspire and uplift, reminding readers that every child has the ability to hope, to strive, and to achieve in their own way.

How has writing changed/altered your life?
Writing has been a bittersweet journey for me. I began writing children’s books as a way to heal from the loss of my daughter, Meghann. What started as a personal path toward healing has grown into an emotional and deeply rewarding journey, enriched by the stories shared with me by other parents, caregivers, and teachers.

Who are your favorite authors and why?
I have many favorite authors. Here are a few- Colleen McCullough, Fern Michaels, Freida McFadden, Jodi Picoult, Janet Evanovich, and Rebecca Yarros. I like all of these women because they have a nice range of writing styles.

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 are a powerful and valuable medium. Many people rely on them for a variety of reasons—some enjoy listening while driving or commuting, while others benefit from them due to challenges with traditional reading and find audiobooks a more accessible way to
experience stories.

What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?

I haven’t yet found any marketing tools that truly align with my goals or effectively support my work.

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
I do not believe writing should be censored. Some of the most meaningful progress has come from openly discussing and writing about subjects that were once considered unacceptable. Honest storytelling creates space for understanding, growth, and meaningful conversation.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I believe trigger warnings are a valuable way to prepare readers for sensitive or potentially distressing subject matter. They offer individuals the opportunity to make informed choices about the content they engage with.

Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?
I find that I connect best with readers through in-person events, where I can share my work and message directly. I also prioritize donating books to libraries, schools, and children, often more than selling them. My focus is on raising awareness and advocating for children with differing abilities, and their right to pursue and achieve their dreams.

Where can people find you and your work?
People can find my books on Amazon, and the Wordsmith Bookstore in Galesburg. People can also follow me on my blog and social media.
https://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/
amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan
Meggeriffic
Meggeriffic1987
jillianm1963@hotmail.com

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Carol L. Paur

Your Name: Carol L. Paur

Genre(s) of your work: YA Mystery and Middle-grade Mystery, Middle-grade Fantasy, Adult (clean) and a Spiritual Self-help book

Titles/Year of Published Work(s): I Indie published three books: Stories in 2013. Dead Catherine Zimmer must listen to three stories of unrelated people to determine her final judgment. Waves is the sequel to Stories. Catherine Zimmer’s judgment requires she relive aspects of her life until she understands the mistakes she made. Praying for the Enemy: Your 911 to Peace is a spiritual handbook to help readers become more intentional with forgiving and praying for their enemies.

The next three books were traditionally published. Isasnora Snores, Black Rose Writing (2019), The infant Isasnora’s snores shatters glass, so she’s banished from the glass kingdom of Calelind. When an evil king declares war on Calelind, Isasnora goes to battle to defeat the enemy. Early Summer, Orange Blossom Publishing (2022). Helene Denny struggles with anxiety but is obsessed with serial killers. When a string of girls go missing, she investigates only to have her little sister go missing. Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost, Chicken Scratch Books (2025). Rowley is camping with her parents when she learns of the Lumberjack Ghost. She’s ready to head to a waterpark when her best friend, Huey, arrives. Huey doesn’t believe in ghosts and she argues with Rowley saying there’s a mystery afoot. Rowley must solve this mystery to save her friendship.

Bio: Carol L. Paur has done standup comedy, written and produced children’s plays, and freelanced for newspapers and magazines. Paur is also a screenwriter and writing mentor. She holds an MA in Communication from Marquette University.

Why do you write in the genre that you do? I write in many genres but so far only the mysteries have sold. There are too many stories in my head to stick with one genre. The other genres are picture books, horror, thrillers, literary, dystopian, and non-fiction.

How has writing changed/altered your life? I am insecure but writing has given me confidence. The more I write, the better I feel, even when I get those rejection letters.

Who are your favorite authors and why? Too many favorites. My message to readers is to step out and try different authors and genres. I have started buying books from my fellow authors at book events and have been pleasantly surprised.

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why? I find many fans still prefer holding a book in their hands. Some of them use audiobooks or read on Kindle-like devices, but I don’t think they’re going to replace paper books any time soon.

What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one? Good old face to face contact has been the best for me. I’m not the biggest fan of lugging my books to book fairs but I do love meeting people. The next good marketing tool is my monthly newsletter. I don’t have to worry about social media’s algorithm hiding my social media post. I love when I have contests, and readers actually participate.

I’m not sure if there’s a bad marketing tool, unless you ignore people passing by your author table (Yes, I’ve witnessed that, and then the authors are angry they didn’t sell anything.). That said, I do think some authors rely too much on social media and only post about their books. I’ve backed away from social media, posting only my upcoming events (which is a bit self-serving). It was getting too difficult to come up with creative social media posts and I had little to no engagement.  

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo? Censored by whom? I believe parents should have the right to determine the books their minor children read. I believe school libraries have the right to determine the books they will carry. I believe bookstores should have the right to determine the books they will carry. Even public libraries make decisions all the time on what books they will carry. Are there topics that are taboo? I think anything that supports or promotes child pornography or abuse should be not published or promoted. Should the government get involved? This is a sticky question because governments in the past took books away they didn’t deem “good.” However, the Federal Communications Commission limits what is allowed on the radio. I would like to see a better rating scale on books so people and parents can determine if the book is appropriate for them. I have checked out books not knowing much about them and was surprised at the language and pornography. More than anything I’d like to see opposing sides listen to each other instead of shouting and disparaging one another.  

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings? I wonder if this is what could be on books to let readers know there might be sensitive or controversial issues. I don’t have a solution. This is just a suggestion.

Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)? In person.

Where can people find you and your work? Thank you for asking. My website is: www.clpaurauthor.com. My books are available from the publishers or Amazon.

I’m on Twitter (https://x.com/ArmorCate), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-paur-2a5b43162/) Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/carol.lpaur) and Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/authorclp/)

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Edouard Prisse

Your Name: Edouard Prisse

Genre(s) of your work: Non-fiction, political, strategic, macro-economic based

Titles/Year of Published Work: Sleeping With The Enemy: What the White House Still Misses on China (2026)

Bio:

Edouard Prisse is an independent European political author with a unique multidisciplinary background. He holds an MA in Dutch Law and an MBA from INSEAD Business School and combines expertise in economics, law and mathematics. Having studied John Maynard Keynes’ famous Theory of Employment, and having been his own business founder, plus consultant and legal adviser, Prisse now focuses on analyzing power structures and exposing the forces shaping international trade and the resulting political strategies, more especially in the US. He aims to provide clarity on the pressing issue of free trade agreements with China and its global consequences.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

It takes a lot of time and has brought me many contacts in the field. It has also made me see how little serious thinking goes into many opinions and how much more is needed.

Who are your favorite authors and why?            

• Dante Alighieri, the towering writer
• Charles de Gaulle, the great statesman with beautiful language too
• James K. Galbraith, an exceptionally keen economist
• Robert E. Lighthizer, American trade specialist who is so unique in seeing things right
• Albert Einstein, for seeing sad reality with humor
• John Maynard Keynes, the highly clever thinker, who transformed macro-economy
• Professor J. Pen, clarifying economist
• John M. Culbertson, who wrote the truth about free trade

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

They are a good, useful thing.

Do you believe writing should be censored –that some topics should remain taboo?

No, none should remain taboo, except dirt.

Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?          

Both are good and very difficult.

Where can people find you and your work?

https://authoredouardprisse.com

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B077F5DNSQ

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Kendra Slone

Your Name: Kendra Slone
Genre(s) of your work: YA Fantasy

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):
The Hailwic Chronicles: The Shifter (2020)
The Hailwic Chronicles: The Forgotten Prince (2024)

Bio:
Kendra Slone loves to live in fantasy worlds in her free time. From reading and writing books to playing video games or watching movies, she is always searching for the next best thing to grab her attention. She loves to cross stitch, bake tasty desserts, and is a newbie at painting miniatures and building legos.

She is the author of The Hailwic Chronicles, a YA fantasy series that she started writing when she was young. An avid reader in the same genre she writes in, Kendra has always wanted to publish a book of her own. She made that dream possible by self-publishing her first book, The Hailwic Chronicles: The Shifter, in October of 2020.

Kendra lives in a quiet, small town in Illinois with her husband, two cats, and two dogs. She also spends as much time as she can with her mother and nephew. Want to know about her future projects and life updates? Follow her on social media for more!

Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Growing up reading was my way of getting away from the real world. Books about dragon
riders, magical worlds, and thrilling adventures were always my go to. I loved them so much that I have had a version of Hailwic and all of its characters in my mind since I was at least twelve. I loved stories about good vs. evil, mythical creatures and figuring out why each character was the way they were. I write fantasy because I love to allow my imagination to go wild like I did when I was kid. I’d also love to expand my writing when I’m finished with The Hailwic Chronicles. Perhaps a standalone thriller or horror story?

How has writing changed/altered your life?
I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, though I can’t say they were always good. I remember having a notebook with a Pikachu on the front of it and writing short stories about Pokemon in it. I wrote and rewrote stories about a boy and a dragon in Jr. High. It’s something that I’ve always loved to do when I had the time, but I didn’t get serious about it until 2019. I decided that year that I would finish writing a novel and pursue self-publishing. It was this path with writing that made me realize that I can set a goal and follow through with it until the end. It made me realize what I was capable of and that I could follow my dream of writing books like I always wanted to do. It gave me a purpose.

Who are your favorite authors and why?
Christopher Paolini wrote the Inheritance series. It became my favorite book of all time. Eragon introduced me to a world of dragons and magic like I had never read before. I was excited to read each book the moment I got my hands on them.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter series. I’m not much of a fan of her these days, but I won’t deny that her books filled many years of my life with magic. Not only did I love Hogwarts, but so did my friends, my cousins, and the people around me. It was something that brought many of us together in discussion and excitement. I mean who didn’t secretly hope that there’d be an owl pecking at your window with your Hogwarts letter in its beak?

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

I think audiobooks are an awesome new way of enjoying the books we love. I myself would love to have audiobooks done for my own work, but it’s not in my budget at the moment. I think there are many people out there who would love to read more, but just don’t have the time to sit down and do it. Audiobooks provide a way to allow them to enjoy a good story again while driving to work or doing the dishes.

What have you found to be a good marketing tool? A bad one?
I think connecting with other local authors has been a good way to learn about other book events. Putting myself out there has been the best tool so far. Sharing posts on social media helps at times too. But no matter what, it is difficult. I’m not sure if I’ve found the best way yet, but I’m working on it.

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?
No, I don’t think so. We learn by opening our minds to other experiences, worlds, cultures, and languages. To restrict these topics, no matter how extreme some might think they are, is to keep us in a bubble. I think it’s dangerous to believe that one’s way of thinking is the only way. And if the topic is dangerous, I think it’s important to learn why it is.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?
I hadn’t thought about it before, but I think it is a good idea depending on the material you’re writing. There are some things that certain people may not want to read because it could bring up a bad experience they have been through. Trigger warnings should definitely be used for anything graphic.

Do you find that you sell better in person (at events) or through social media (like a personal blog, website, or Amazon)?

I sell much better at events than on social media. The only time I have done extremely well on social media is around the time of release dates. As I said in a previous answer, marketing is hard.

Where can people find you and your work?
You can find my books on Amazon!
The Hailwic Chronicles: The Shifter (1)
https://a.co/d/bW47ze6
The Hailwic Chronicles: The Forgotten Prince (2)
https://a.co/d/6inHi8O
You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok: @authorkendraslone
My website is: http://www.authorkendraslone.com

 

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Jack Ketchum

(PINNED – Interviewed in December 2017)

 

Name: Dallas Mayr

Pseudonym (if you use one): Jack Ketchum

Genre(s) of your work: Horror and Suspense (and the occasional Black Comedy.)

 

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):  Writing professionally since 1970, first fiction 1976, first novel, OFF SEASON, 1981.

 

 

Bio: see my website http://www.jackketchum.net/and add to that, Most Recent Novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF SOULS, written with Lucky McKee and Most Recent Collection, GORILLA IN MY ROOM.

 

 

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?  

I grew up loving fantasy, and horror is the dark side of fantasy.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

The usual perks of self-employment — no punching the time clock, no damn bosses hovering over your desk.  But in addition to that, writing mandates continual periods of self-examination.  You don’t easily get away with lying to yourself on the page.  It requires you to scour your history and your present for your deepest faults and pleasures, to reveal and revel in them, to find the strengths in your life and work from there, reaching outward.

 

 

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Far too many to list here.  I read all over the place and consequently my favorite writers come from all genres and backgrounds, from Henry Miller to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, from Raymond Chandler, Elmore Leonard and John D. MacDonald to Thomas Hardy, Philip Roth, Michael Chabon, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter Straub and Stephen King.  Why?  Because they’re smart, empathic, courageous.  Because they’re good!

 

 

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

I wish we had a lot more mom-and-pop, brick-and-mortar bookstores.  I seriously miss browsing.

 

 

What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?

The need for empathy and tenderness in the world, that the souls of beasts and humans matter.  And a few hours of just plain fun.

 

 

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

Depends on the piece.  Some, like THE GIRL NEXT DOOR and RED, are highly personal, others…?  I don’t know where the hell they came from!

 

 

How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?  

Finishing a piece is almost always easy.  It’s getting started that’s hard.  Getting all your ducks in a row and then having the balls and suspension of disbelief  to say to yourself, this is really going to work.

 

 

What makes you NOT finish reading a book?

I give books a first paragraph test.  If it passes, then a first chapter test.  If it passes that, I’ll almost always finish the book — I can tell from there that I’m going to want to.   If it fails I scuttle it immediately.  Very occasionally, too much repetition will make me dump it.  I don’t want to waste reading-time.  Too much good stuff out there.

 

 

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

Nothing should ever be censored.  Everything is worth discussing.  How long a discussion is another matter entirely.

 

 

Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?

 Life’s short.  I don’t bother with peeves.  If I’m bored, I just close the book.

 

 

Where can people find you and your work?

Website, see above. I have a list of published works there.   Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/jackketchumofficial/ Twitter, https://twitter.com/jackketchum Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ketchum

 

What can I say?

I am honored to have received a bit of Jack Ketchum’s time, for him to share his thoughts and words with me (and my readers), and for his participation in a blog such as this one. Thank you so much – for the interview as well as your writing. It has and continues to be an inspiration.

Readers, I implore you to look into Jack Ketchum’s work, especially if you are a horror/suspense fan. From the mouth of Stephen King – “Who’s the scariest guy in America? Probably Jack Ketchum.”

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