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:  #258

Steve Fredlund

 

Your Name: Steve Fredlund

Pseudonym (if you use one): “The Safari Dude” (for speaking)

 

Genre(s) of your work: Memoir plus (memoir with a message)

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

 “Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser” (January 2024)

 

 

Bio:

Steve “Safari Dude” Fredlund has had profound impact as an actuary, humanitarian, coach, consultant, author, speaker, podcaster, entrepreneur and leader of African safaris. His research into happiness blended remarkably with his safari experiences, leading to his discovery that greater happiness in life may be found as we view it as an epic adventure; he calls this “The Safari Way.” Steve is a two-time TEDx speaker, fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and best-selling author of “Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser.” When not working, he can be found on the disc golf course, at a poker table, or suffering through another season as a Minnesota sports fan.

 

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

My goal was to provide a next step for those who resonate with my keynote speaking, specifically with the constant need to do everything ‘right’ and that sometimes our true happiness is found in doing the ‘unright’ things.

 

 

How has writing changed/altered your life?

Writing the book was a personally cathartic experience, but it has also opened up doors for speaking as well as amazing conversations.

 

 

Who are your favorite authors and why? 

<<I’m not much of a reader >>

 

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

I have no idea; if I had to guess I would say the wave of the near future.

 

 

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

My speaking has been the best marketing tool; once they hear me speak and if trust is built, they want to hear more about my personal story.

 

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

  Much better in person (at speaking events)

 

 

Where can people find you and your work?

SteveFredlund.com

Amazon.com

BookShop.org

Several local (Minnesota) bookstores

SteveFredlund.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefredlund/

https://www.youtube.com/@safaridudesteve

 

 

 

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Ann Aubitz

Your Name: Ann Aubitz

Pseudonym (if you use one): Ava Florian Johns

Genre(s) of your work: Non-fiction and fiction

Ava Florian Johns/Year of Published Work(s):

·         Willow’s Wrath: Omega Team Book 1: Second Edition by Ava Florian Johns. Published by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 7, 2023

• Jax’s Journey: Omega Team Book 2, Second Edition by Ava Florian Johns Published by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 23, 2023

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Short Stories in the following books:

·         Reminisce Mysteries: Book 1 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 18, 2022

·         Reminisce Romance – Book 2 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Sep 30, 2022

·         Reminisce Ghost Stories – Book 3 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Oct 13, 2022

Ann Aubitz Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

·         Katlyn Conquers the World: A resource for parents with children with Down syndrome by Ann Aubitz and Katlyn Aubitz. Published by Special Stars Publishing | Oct 26, 2015

·         The Many Faces of Down Syndrome: Stories of Inspiration, Hope and Laughter by Special Stars Publishing compiled by Ann Aubitz | Jul 4, 2017

Short Stories in the following books:

·         Reminisce Mysteries: Book 1 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Jul 18, 2022

·         Reminisce Romance – Book 2 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Sep 30, 2022

·         Reminisce Ghost Stories – Book 3 by Ann Aubitz, Lynn Garthwaite, et al. Published by The Reminisce Book Line by Kirk House Publishers | Oct 13, 2022

Recent Book:

·         The Journey from Manuscript to Print: A Guide to Publishing Your Book by Ann Aubitz. Published by Kirk House Publishers | April 2024

Bio:

Author and publisher Ann Aubitz has worked in the printing and publishing business for over thirty years. She has worked for some of the largest printers in the world and now works as a publisher for her own publishing company.

As a publisher, Ann wants to pull back the curtain on the publishing process. From manuscript, editing, design, printing, and marketing, publishing a book is a complex journey. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the proper guidance, you can navigate the path successfully.

Bringing your book to life is an exciting process. As someone who has been through it many times, she is happy to share insights into transforming your manuscript into a published book. The journey involves dedication but is rewarding.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I write both fiction and non-fiction. I like to read fiction but love to write non-fiction.

I think what makes non-fiction special is its ability to convey truth, provide valuable information, and stimulate intellectual curiosity. It offers readers the opportunity to explore the world and broaden their understanding of diverse subjects and perspectives. Non-fiction writing allows authors to share their expertise, experiences, and insights on specific topics, providing readers with valuable perspectives and guidance.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

Writing encourages introspection and self-reflection. When I write about my thoughts, feelings, and experiences, I gain insights into my own emotions, behaviors, and beliefs. I believe this process of self-exploration has led to my personal growth and development.

I also believe that writing allows individuals to leave a lasting legacy and make a positive impact on others. I hope that my writing will continue to inspire, educate, and influence readers even after I am gone.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Of course, Jane Austen has gained widespread recognition as one of the greatest novelists in English literature, and it amazes me considering the time that she was writing in. A time when female authors rarely had the consideration of publishers. 

There are several reasons why she is my favorite author:

I think her themes are timeless. Austen’s novels explore universal themes such as love, marriage, social class, and morality, which resonate with readers across generations and cultures. Her insightful observations of human nature and society continue to be relevant today.

I also love her characters. Who doesn’t love Mr. Darcy? Austen creates memorable and multi-dimensional characters who feel like real people with their own strengths, flaws, and motivations. Readers often relate to her characters and become emotionally invested in their lives and relationships—I know I have.

Austen’s novels are well-crafted with interesting plots, intricate storylines, and engaging dialogue. Her ability to weave together romance, drama, and comedy captivates readers and keeps them eagerly turning the pages. This is also why there have been so many movies, series, and TV shows that have used her storylines.

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

While audiobooks may not replace traditional reading formats entirely, I believe they are going to remain a significant and enduring part of the literary landscape for the foreseeable future. I like them for their accessibility, for those who may not read written word, but still love the lure of a good story.

Everyone has their preferred method of reading, which could be a hardcover, a paperback, an eBook, or an audiobook. I have a friend who will only read hardcover books, and I love my Kindle when I am traveling. So, from a publisher’s perspective, I want to offer as many ways to read a book as possible so everyone can enjoy the books they love in the format they are comfortable with.

So, I think, and hope audiobooks are here to stay.

 

 

What have you found to be a good marketing tool?

• For websites, I found WIX is easy to use and creates an easy-to-use author website.

• I also use BookBrush and AuthorLab for mockups for social media posts.

• Book Trailers and Multimedia Content I have found Animoto to be a good tool.

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

No, I don’t think that we should censor writing, but I do believe in age ratings. Ultimately, the debate over censorship in books involves weighing the tension between protecting individuals from potentially harmful content and upholding the principles of freedom of expression and artistic freedom.

Many societies seek to balance these competing interests through mechanisms such as age ratings, content warnings, and community standards, allowing individuals to make informed choices about their reading material while respecting the diversity of viewpoints within literature.

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

I have better luck selling books in person.

Selling books in person allows for face-to-face interaction with customers, which can help build relationships and trust. It also provides an opportunity to personally autograph the book.

But…the best approach involves a combination of both methods, so you can offer books in different formats.

Where can people find you and your work?

https://www.kirkhousepublishers.com/product-page/the-journey-from-manuscript-to-print-by-ann-aubitz

https://www.kirkhousepublishers.com/bookstore

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/ann%20aubitz

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ann+aubitz&crid=CHHPXGSNLY9S&sprefix=ann+aubitz%2Caps%2C133&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.amazon.com/author/annaubitz

https://www.facebook.com/KirkHousePublishers

https://allauthor.com/author/avaflorianjohns/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBGKGQF6?ingress=0&visitId=a51e3783-903f-45f4-9f4d-ca5e7ea5a869

https://www.kirkhousepublishers.com/avaflorianjohns

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Tristra Newyear Yeager

Your Name: Tristra Newyear Yeager

Pseudonym: T. Newyear

Genre(s) of your work: Oh my! Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction, and Literary Fiction. I write all over the place! And I can’t seem to escape my past, so I also write academic stuff.

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

In reverse chronological order:

2023-24 Starfall: A Tale in Two Eras

2018: The Tomb and The Stone: A Historical Fantasy of 19^th-Century Russia (I’m re-covering and rereleasing them this year)

…and in 2010 I wrote a doctoral dissertation about grassroots theater in Siberia.

Bio:

I’m a native Midwesterner who wound up traveling the world and living all over, particularly Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. I’ve worked as a journalist and got a PhD, but I also had a parallel career in the music industry, which is where I wound up. I’ve spent the last several years working in media relations, music, and technology—and doing a lot of writing as part of my job.

At some point, I got it into my head to start writing fiction, after my first son was born. I began working on a fantasy project that is still a WIP a decade later. I wrote about 400,000 words and then tossed it out and started over, then other books intervened. That writing adventure, however, got me into a regular habit of writing for myself and I became seriously hooked.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I’m a messy, sloppy author who’s all over the place when it comes to genre. I like to experiment and see what happens, and I love to take a convention and flip it on its head. I purposefully mix genres because that’s what the stories demand.

I also love trying to find the sweet spot between literary depth and formal experimentation, and the sheer pleasure that a good “genre novel” can bring. It’s a challenge to use the structure of genre, with its strong emphasis on plot and pacing, to push along more philosophical musings and very complex characters. Whatever I write, I want it to be highly emotional and quirky—I love strange twists and fantastic scenarios and I want to move people.

How has writing changed/altered your life?

Writing has given me so much joy and so much satisfaction. It’s allowed me to find space to build my own inner life in the midst of professional and family demands, and it’s allowed me to explore topics that challenge me in a way that’s exciting and creative. It’s brought me closer to wonderful friends and helped me forge meaningful new relationships. And making beautiful books is so much fun!

Who are your favorite authors and why?

How much time ya got? I am a lifelong voracious reader, so the list is very, very long. I adore classic fantasy, especially C.S. Lewis (the guy knew how to write joy!) and Michael Ende (The Neverending Story) and Ursula Leguin. I also love literature, from ancient Greece and Rome to post-modern novels by Jeanette Winterson, Krista Wolf, Italo Calvino, and Milorad Pavic, to name a few favorites from my younger years. And of course, I love Russian literature, especially early 20^th-century writers like Mikhail Bulgakov and Daniiil Kharms.

More recently, I’ve been curious about genre, and I’ve read a bunch of mysteries and fantasy/romantasy, with Jacqueline Carey being among my favorites. I also adore the weird world of writers like Terry Miles, whose podcast Tanis is dark and strange and utterly entrancing. I’ve been buying and reading more indie fiction authors, too, to support our community.

I’m a big history buff, so I read a ton of non-fiction as well, both for research and just for fun.

In short, I love any story that fires my imagination, moves my heart, or changes my perspective on what I thought I knew.

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

I work in the music industry, so you’re asking someone who has a strong bias toward audio. I think audiobooks are being supported pretty massively by big platforms like Spotify, and I see them continuing to grow in popularity in the short term. They are one of the fastest growing book formats right now.  

That said, I don’t know if audio books (or ebooks) in their current state are the future, though. I am curious what new approaches we might take to stories that are spoken, that might play more with the beautiful fluidity of digital media. Things are kinda boring right now digital format-wise, truth be told, even with developments like AI voices, and I wonder how we could make long-form audio narratives more interesting and interactive.

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

My favorite marketing tool is conversation, online or in person. I have made most of my revenue that way. For my kind of slightly odd book, it’s honestly the only way to find readers. It’s slow, and that’s frustrating, but it’s also ridiculously rewarding on a human level. I have met so many amazing people thanks to my writing, people who inspire me and have become my friends. I’ve had people bring me boxes of old research materials, play me their musical compositions, all sorts of fun interactions.

I have found giveaways to be less than ideal for my work. People need to actively choose books like mine. If you’re not squarely in a genre, if your work tries out weird things and blends different approaches, you’ll get a lot of confused and even angry giveaway readers letting you know you’re disappointed them. This is unfortunate, and the internet can be a cold and cruel place, but it’s instructive. I try first and foremost to be strategic and to keep my ultimate goal in mind: to connect with readers deeply.

More generally, if I can rant a second, I don’t think we should give too many free samples or do too many steep discounts. People don’t value what they get for nothing. If we authors don’t value our writing, who will? Pour your heart into your writing and don’t sell your work short.

That said, if you feel like you’ve hit the genre mark well and you’ve got a series, try the giveaway strategy with your first book; it works well for some authors. Just remember your own worth and don’t undersell or underprice yourself!

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

It all depends. Is a difficult topic being exploited or explored? Does the writing help us cope by walking us thoughtfully through suffering or by observing a dynamic that will help us make meaning? Or does it use pain or violence or sexuality in a dissociative or salacious or malicious way?

Life is very complex. Even horrible things and disgusting people need to be understood at times, if only to undermine their influence. Every writer needs to decide for herself where the boundaries lie, but we all need to know there are boundaries, for each of us. You can write amazing things once you see that.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?

In a perfect world, a reader would approach a book with the clear knowledge that it might challenge her and just see what happens. Good things can come from that. We can struggle with certain books at one point in our life, only to discover their power and beauty at a different moment. One huge example for me personally: Faulkner. The first time I encounter As I Lay Dying, I hated every minute of it. The next time I read it, a few years later, I cried with amazement and finished it in a matter of hours. That revelation changed how I view stories and literature.

We don’t live in an ideal world, however. There’s this unspoken but sad assumption that authors owe readers satisfaction, as if they were our customers, not our conversants, our co-creators of another world. There’s also this weird belief that representation is approval, and that discomfort is a signal of harm. That is a very shallow understanding of what stories do, and it makes it hard to talk about many worthwhile but difficult subjects.

That said, people’s pain is real and I don’t mind helping them navigate or avoid unnecessary pain, if that’s what they need. I am fine warning people, but for the love of all that’s holy, readers need to take the time to read these warnings! Sometimes, even when you warn folks explicitly, they overlook said warnings and then get upset when they encounter what’s written on the tin.

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

 I can sell in person or direct from my website far better than via platforms. I am interested in other people, and I love to feed their curiosity. It’s hard to do that on social media; I hate talking to the void and I hate the kind of cold-blooded self-promotion most algorithms demand from a body.

Where can people find you and your work?

Website: newyearmedia.com

Instagram: tristrany

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tristrany

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3AT.+Newyear&s=relevancerank&text=T.+Newyear&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1

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Jeff Probst

 

Your Name: Jeff Probst

Genre(s) of your work: Literary Fiction

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

When the Moon was White, 2022

Bio:

I am American and have lived in London since 1990 with my South African wife.

Jobs have included selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door in Los Angeles, picking grapefruit on a kibbutz in Israel, and teaching literacy to black domestic workers in Johannesburg.

I have been published in literary magazines, journals, and newspapers in California, South Africa, and London. Besides two novels, I have written a memoir: Teaching Shakespeare to Hairdressers: an American Teacher in London.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

Self-indulgently, I get to play with the sound and rhythm of words, create stories and focus on some of the smallest things in everyday life.  

How has writing changed/altered your life?

It has given me quiet time alone to have the chance to try to create art.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Jack Kerouac, for the speed at which the words in his head reach the paper; and his neologisms and lyrical pyrotechnics.

Hermann Hesse, for his gentle, internal meanderings.

Laurie Lee, for the world’s most beautiful English prose.

HD Thoreau, for his directness, honesty, and simplicity.

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

Like the Kindle has been, they are another future wave, affording people an additional way to receive a writer’s words.

What have you found to be a good marketing tool?

Speaking to local groups about my book.

A bad one?

Writing to everyone who I think may have even the slightest interest in my book.

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

No. I think people can find anything they want, and if they don’t want to read something, they don’t have to.

What is your opinion of Trigger Warnings?

I don’t think they are a good idea. A production of ‘The Sound of Music’ had a warning that some people might find Nazis offensive.

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

In person so far, as I have only begun to wade into social media.

Where can people find you and your work?

www.jeffprobst.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Moon-White-Jeff-Probst/dp/1803132361; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDZQDF5D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62986245-when-the-moon-was-white

https://twitter.com/Howard_Lovy/status/1721198691271193084

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWpipdU3r4A

 

 

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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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