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**

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

Meet & Greet Author:  #207

Pat Daily

Your Name: Pat Daily

Genre(s) of your work: Science Fiction

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

SPARK – 2021

Fire – Coming in December 2022

Bio:

Pat Daily is an engineer and former Air Force test pilot who worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center on both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.

When not writing or trying to bring new airplane designs to life, Pat can be found gaming. He is a fan of role-playing games – particularly open worlds with engaging storylines where actions have consequences.

Pat and his wife spent twenty years in Houston before moving to central Washington.  Now they are back.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I fell in love with SciFi as a kid. It’s still my go-to choice for books, TV, and film, even though my tastes have expanded over the years.

Maybe it was my love of SciFi that led me to science and engineering in school, or maybe the other way around, in any case, I’m happy being a sciency nerdy guy.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

I game a lot less since I started writing. Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert, author of Dune) made a comment that stuck with me. He said that when he was growing up, his father spent far more time with Paul Atreides than with him. Dune is great, but I’d rather be remembered by my children for the time we spent together than the time I spend writing.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Robert Heinlein broke a lot of barriers and had a very hopeful vision for the future. He was my #1 growing up. Then came Asimov, Clarke, and Niven.

As an adult, it’s hard to beat Stephenson for SciFi, John Sandford for murder mysteries, and W.E.B. Griffin for military fiction. All are compelling storytellers who pull you along and leave you craving more.

For non-fiction, I’ll go with Bill Bryson. Who else can make a simple walk so interesting?

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

In between. They fill the niche for people who commute, or perform mundane tasks that don’t require a lot of thought or attention. I listened to Vladimir Nabakov’s Lolita while painting my house.

When I’m driving, I’d much rather listen to a book than be bombarded by advertisements.

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

I went into one recently and was surprised by how few books they had. Lots of real estate had been given over to a coffee shop, games, and puzzles. I still love to prowl bookstores looking for something to pique my interest and satisfy my craving for physical books. A good cover grabs my attention.

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

Comic conventions are great for marketing my books. Everyone who comes by already loves the genre.

Podcasts are hit or miss. There are some outstanding hosts and some who are killing time and eating potato chips as they fail in their podcast experiment. I say yes to almost all of them because I think there’s a chance that I’ll find someone who is building something great.

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

No to censorship in any official form. Parents should monitor what their children read. Adults are on their own. The other part of this is that there is no fundamental right to publication. If I write something heinous, no one is obligated to publish it. Mass murderers should not automatically have their manifestos published or their hateful screeds aired.

Where can people find you and your work?

My website leads to everything else: https://thepatdaily.com

My books are available on Amazon.

Here are all the specific links:

Feral Daughters Blog: https://thepatdaily.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patdailyauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patdailypics/

Twitter: @patdailyauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21521042.Pat_Daily

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Victoria Terrinoni

Your Name: Victoria Terrinoni

Genre(s) of your work: Non-Fiction Memoir

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

Where You Go, I Will Go: Lessons From a Military Spouse

Bio:

I started out as a reporter/editor for several newspapers in 1982. When my husband went on active duty in the Air Force in 1992, I switched to freelance writing and wrote for several newspapers and magazines across the U.S. My husband retired in 2018 and we relocated to Normal, IL

I am the mother of twin daughters. We have two sons-in-law, two grandsons and two granddaughters, all of whom I adore. I love reading, writing, being a Nonna, and football – especially the Chicago Bears and the Ohio State Buckeyes. We also like to travel – mainly by cruise ship or travel trailer.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

After 31 years of life as a military spouse, I feel I have a lot of fun stories to share and some wisdom I’ve gained over the years.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

I’ve always loved to write and meet people so becoming a reporter was a natural fit for me. But writing and publishing my first book was such a fascinating and rewarding process. I learned about myself along the journey and it feels good to think I may have helped even one military spouse.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

I love Jane Austen. Janet Evanovich and W.E.B. Griffin delight me with the characters they create that I grow to love over the course of a series.

In non-fiction, I like Bill Bryson and A.J. Jacobs for their humor. I like to laugh.

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

I, myself, have not jumped into the audiobook yet. I think they have a spot in the marketplace, but I think people will continue to want to read books as well. I know a lot of people who don’t even want to read e-books. I know in my personal experience that I’ve sold more paperback copies of my book than e-books. Not sure how an audiobook would fare.

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

Well, since I shop mostly at B&N and Amazon, I like them. But indie stores are usually the place you can talk all things books and get to know the employees on a personal level. I like both.

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

I use social media – except TikTok, and I have a website, blog and email newsletter. Amazon Ads draws some sales, but not as much as I would like. I’m not pleased with the results of any of my marketing efforts so I keep studying how to do it better.

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

I do not believe writing should be censored. I believe parents should be involved in what books their children read. The parent needs to deem what they think is appropriate for their own child. I also feel adults should be grown up enough to make their own decisions on what they read or don’t read. If something offends them or makes them angry or any other emotion they don’t want to feel, don’t read it or recommend it to friends.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?

I’m not sure what that is.

Where can people find you and your work?

victoriaterrinoni@gmail.com

https://victoriaterrinoni.org

FB — https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaTerrinoni

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/vickiterrinoni

Twitter – https://twitter.com/VictoriaTerrin2

LinkedIn – https://www.linekedin.com/in/victoria-terrinoni-b98a5b30

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Terrinoni

Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomvictoriaterrinoni

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J. Lynn Else

Your Name: J. Lynn Else

Genre(s) of your work: Fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

Historical fiction:

The Forgotten: Aten’s Last Queen

The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic

Fantasy:

Descendants of Avalon (Awakenings book 1)

Lost Daughters of Avalon (Awakenings book 2)

Destiny of Avalon (Awakenings book 3)

The Girl from the Haunted Woods (short story published in “Journey into the Fantastical” anthology)

Sci fi:

Strangely Constructed Souls

Bio:

LYNN ELSE is an award-winning author from Minnesota who’s self-published two historical fiction novels set in ancient Egypt, “The Forgotten: Aten’s Last Queen (2013),” which was named an Indie Editor’s Choice book for 2016 by the Historical Novel Society, and “The Forgotten: Heir of the Heretic (2016)” as well as a sci fi novella “Strangely Constructed Souls (2018).” Through Inklings Publishing, she’s authored an Arthurian-influenced, female-driven fantasy trilogy, “Descendants of Avalon” (2018), “Lost Daughters of Avalon” (2019), and “Destiny of Avalon” (2021).” Her short story “The Girl from the Haunted Woods,” won 2nd place in the “Journey into the Fantastical” Anthology contest. In 2021, she became the Indie Reviews Editor for the Historical Novel Society. She believes in unicorns and practicing random acts of awesome.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I’ve always loved reading sci fi/fantasy books. I wrote my trilogy because I wanted greater depth of characters for young girls reading these genres so that they could picture themselves in the worlds without having to be ultrasmart or beautiful or super aggressive. Often, girls would fit into a specific fantasy trope: bookish smart. I wanted more options for female characters.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

I feel more connected to the bookish world. I love interacting with other writers and readers. Sharing the love of books with others fills my soul with joy!

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Growing up, I loved Madeleine L’Engle and L.M. Montgomery. While two vastly different settings, they had strong female main characters. More recently, some of my favorite authors are Margaret Rogerson, Elsa Hart, and Lynette Noni.

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

Audiobooks are somewhere in between. I typically only listen when I’m riding a bus or in a car on a long drive (I can’t read in a moving vehicle). For some people, this is the way they experience books. There are some great book narrators who are very talented at transporting their listeners and making the characters come alive. I think audiobooks are a good thing, but it will not replace print books. Print books are just so satisfying! That, of course, is just my opinion.

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

That’s a work in progress. I enjoy connecting with podcasters and bloggers to discuss books. It feels like a virtual meet-and-greet. Hopefully, we’ll start having in-person book events again. Those are so much fun! And I can network with local authors.

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

Certainly, I don’t condone books about tips for murdering people or about unnecessary cruelty for cruelty’s sake. Just to get that off the table. 😉 I think as long as authors are transparent about their content, readers can choose if they will or will not read it. I’ve seen suggestions online about rating systems for books. If I’m wary about what to expect in a book, I check a website about trigger warnings. I believe it’s good to let readers know if certain topics are going to be part of the experience.

Where can people find you and your work?

Amazon: Amazon.com: J. Lynn Else: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Website: http://www.teasippinnerdymom.com (that’s “tea-sippin’ nerdy mom”)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/teasippinnerdymom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLynnElseAuthor

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jlynnelseauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275724.J_Lynn_Else

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jlynnelse_author

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CM Peters

Your Name: Julie Côté

Pseudonym (if you use one): CM Peters

Genre(s) of your work: Romance, fantasy, thriller, erotica

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

The Red Tie Company (2021)

Love in the Cards (2021)

New Beginnings (2021)

Bound Fate/Sealed Fate (2020)

Pawns (2019)

Bio:

CM Peters hails from Québec where she has been working in the media for nearly twenty years.

An eclectic writer, she is equally at home penning short erotica and sci-fi, wicked fantasy, and elaborate romance novels. Whatever genre she is working in, CM always centers her stories around complex, relatable characters.

She has a few books on the market as well as anthologies.

When she’s not reading, writing, or plotting her next novel, CM is petting her two cats, watching a Friends re-run, planning mischief!

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I cannot pick a genre. My imagination is far too wide to only pick one. So, I go with the flow, where my inspiration leads me. I started out with erotica, then moved to thriller, which I might touch again. Then I moved on to fantasy only because I love magic and supernatural things. And recently, I’ve been dabbing in romance, maybe because I’m looking for love?

How has writing changed/altered your life?

It’s opened me up to a world of creativity and gave me the chance to meet wonderful individuals that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It has also led me to change people’s lives with my imagination.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Oh dear. THE question!

Diana Gabaldon for igniting my passion for Scotland and historical novels.

Nora Roberts for stirring up romance ideas for me.

Clive Barker and Stephen King for scaring me during my teen years.

Anne Rice for making me love vampires so much.

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 somewhere in between. Audiobooks are perfect for people who have less time to read or people that are more auditory.

Personally, I’m not a big fan because my span of attention for anything longer than 30 minutes fades quickly. I listen to audiobooks during long drives, though.

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

I love losing myself in all kinds of bookstores. But I feel smaller bookstores should be better supported.

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

Social media is great for marketing. They allow you to reach so many people with a single post. And the more social media you use, the bigger the reach.

Newsletter, to me, do not seem as effective in this day and age. People are quick to delete emails they don’t feel like reading, so it’s a hit and miss.

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

No, I don’t think anything is taboo, but there is a way to bring about taboo subjects to be respectful to your audience.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?

Very much so. I’m a woman living with three distinct PTSD issues and will avoid at all costs anything that’s triggering for me. I use them for my books and appreciate authors using them as well.

Where can people find you and your work?

Website: cmpeters.com

Facebook group: CM’s Book Nook | Facebook

Instagram @authorcmpeters

Twitter @charliempeters

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/CM-Peters/e/B015D1NEBM

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/cmpeters

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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 snagged 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.”