Interview with Karen Tripson, Author of The Cooking Class in Budapest

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Karen Tripson, author of The Cooking Class in Budapest.

I hope you enjoy it!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Author Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)? Karen Tripson Seattle WA 2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? The Cooking Class in Budapest Love later in life 3) What is the book about?  It’s a love story about two middle-aged art experts and a cache of hidden art. Bernadette stars as a smart Parisian woman living in Seattle. An unexpected inheritance of paintings makes her suspicious as she hardly knew the artist. Her employer, Drew, has been in pursuit and she decides to give him a chance. Bernadette doesn’t plan to fall in love or go to Budapest to look for the mising art. Soon the pressure is on for her to go to Hungary before an old friend of her father’s dies without revealing the location of the art. The Cooking Class in Budapest offers the precariousness of love later in life, the intrigue of recovering stolen art and the sensual joys of fine dining and travel. 4) Where did you come up with the idea? This novel is third in a series of love later in life stories with cuisine, travel and art as the focus of the characters. My previous locations were Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and San Sebastián, Spain. I needed an exotic setting with history and a sophisticated cultural scene. I got ideas for the action in the novel while vacationing in Budapest. 5) How long did it take you to write it? About two years. 6) Did you learn anything from the project? Unlike most previous projects, I did not prepare a detailed outline. I was inspired by the characters and started writing with no clear concept of where it was going. I don’t think I’ll use an outline again.    7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? My web site is https://www.karen-tripson.com and includes my blog https://www.karen-tripson.com/blog which displays all the posts since the publication of The Cooking Class in Kuala Lumpur in 2013. The blog Cooking and Reading Every Day dates to about 2000. I don’t have a book video yet but intend to create one soon. 8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?  Sit at your desk every day and write. I get started by reviewing what I wrote the day before. My editor is Debra Ginsberg. She’s terrific and always has good suggestions. My cover art and book interior are by Schubert Design. I love working with Daria and think she’s done a great job for me.  9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? I’m an eclectic reader and proudly display my Goodreads list on my website. I read classic fiction, women’s contemporary fiction, romance, mysteries, memoirs, biography, art history, cookbooks, gardening and travel.   I’d be open to reading and reviewing new authors on subjects I’m interested in.  10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? That’s a difficult question. Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey is a favorite I’ve read several times as it satisfies on every level. The writing is a pleasure to read. I was charmed by the generations of the Stamper family who all live and work together in the dangerous logging industry in Oregon after the Korean War. It’s inspiring and heartbreaking when a union strike pits the Stampers against the whole town and the union. Hank, Henry, Lee and Viv are all memorable characters. The story foreshadows the complicated decline of the timber industry which decimated so many lives and communities in the Pacific Northwest.  11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? An acutely intelligent cocker spaniel, who loves cooking and reading every day with me.  12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? I have an iPad with the Libby app to download eBooks from the Seattle Public Library. I love traveling with it to avoid carrying a separate bag for books. I also have a Kindle app for downloading purchases from Amazon when I must have something good to read right now.

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Interview with Wanda Luthman, Author of The Cloak

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Wanda Luthman, author of The Cloak.

Please enjoy it!

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

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Interview Questions:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)? My author name is the same as my real name, Wanda Luthman, and I live in Florida

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? My newest book is called The Cloak and it is the first book I have published in the Christian fiction genre. Up until now, I have been writing and publishing children’s books. I have 11 of those.

3) What is the book about? The Cloak is about the soldier that won Jesus’ cloak at the foot of the cross when they were gambling for it. He doesn’t think anything about the man who wore it until later and then it brings up questions he must find the answers to, so he goes to look for someone who can help him. It’s a beautiful story of coming to know who the Messiah was and finding personal salvation.

4) Where did you come up with the idea? I do Christian meditation which is sitting quietly with God; sometimes “living into” a scripture which is what initiated the thoughts for this book; other times, I just sit quietly focusing on my breath in the presence of God.

5) How long did it take you to write it? Not long because as soon as I was able to write it down after I came out of my meditation time. But, it sat for years. I never intended it to be a book. I just wanted to get my thoughts down from the mediation because it was quite powerful. Later, I wanted to enter a short story contest and the thought came to me that I could use this story. After that, my Mom encouraged me to make it into a book. It’s very short, but I did make it into a pocket-sized book and published it.

6) Did you learn anything from the project? I learned that I enjoy writing inspirational spiritual books and that I want to write more stories like this to help spread the work about Jesus.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? My blog is www.wandaluthman.wordpress.com. I don’t have a book video for this book yet.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?  My advice is to write whatever you feel inspired to write. You have a unique story inside of you that only you can tell in your voice. Don’t try to be like someone else. My illustrator for my children’s books is awesome. Her name is Mara Reitsma. She did the cover for this book as well as the pencil drawings inside.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? Funny enough, I don’t read very much outside of the Bible. I just never feel like I have the time to just sit down and kick back and read. But, if I did, I love fantasy!

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? My favorite book of all time is certainly the Bible because you can read it and read it and every time get something else from it. It’s an amazing book! I love the stories in it from the Old Testament to the New. And I love that everything in it is all about Jesus. I never realized this until one day I actually read the genealogy list in Matthew and it struck me those were books in the Bible and that they were relatives of Jesus. Kinda cool!

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? I do! I have two Yorkies–Scruffy and Tessa. I love them to pieces! and I have about 15 feral cats that I feed outside. My neighbor and I had fed the first two females that showed up together both pregnant. And eventually we were able to get all of them caught and spayed and neutered. Some are very affectionate and others are quite stand offish still.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? I have a Kindle Fire but it’s actually kind of old so I wind up only listening to music on it. Otherwise, I read ebooks on my phone. I prefer paperbacks to electronic reading devices to be honest.

Thank you, Vincent!

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Interview with Bill Boggs, author of The Adventures of Spike the Wonder Dog

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Bill Boggs, author of The Adventures of Spike the Wonder Dog.

Please enjoy.

Best,

Vincent Lowry

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Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

Bill Boggs. I live between New York and Florida.

  

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

“The Adventures of Spike the Wonder Dog:” as told to Bill Boggs. It is satire, social commentary in the Jerry Seinfeld vein, absurdist humor, and a touch of personal memoir regarding my life as a TV talk show host, narrated by fiction’s funniest canine.

 

3) What is the book about? 

The madcap adventures of a dog and his master who become TV and social media stars and the price they both pay for fame.

 

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I had a very funny dog on my morning TV show, “Southern Exposure with Bill Boggs,” in High Point, N/C. His name was Spike and he was a big hit on the show and very popular throughout the south where the show was syndicated. Before leaving for NYC and my big break hosting “Midday Live” Spike was killed by a drunk driver. I thought, what if Spike hadn’t died and came to NYC with a guy like me in today’s world and became a big hit….and that’s how it all started.

 

5) How long did it take you to write it?

Three full years including two comprehensive edits and the continued addition of more comedy..called “punching up” in the business.

 

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Yes many things. First, it is still possible to satirize our culture, although it frequently appears to be satirizing itself. Second, that I could block out the time to write even though I have a busy life. Third, that the narrative came to me and I was writing in the voice of my central character who was a dog, that was a huge insight. I can think like a dog who comes across as an observational comedian.

 

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? (There are videos on the various social media platforms.)

Twitter: @SpikeWonderDog – https://twitter.com/SpikeWonderDog

Instagram: Spike the Wonder Dog ­ https://www.instagram.com/spike_wonderdog/

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

YouTube–Bill Boggs TVs – https://www.youtube.com/user/BillBoggsTV

Amazon Link – Orderspike.com

Website – https://spikethewonderdog.com/

twitter @realbillboggs.com

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/379950.Bill_Boggs

billboggs.com

 

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?

It is very important to have as much social media following as possible. Make sure your publisher sends books to the NYT and other national publications weeks in advance of publishing date. I can suggest a good cover designer if needed.

 

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I most like to read biographies and history and books written by my friends. If I know someone who has written a book, I always buy it. Of course, I am open to reading new authors, someone has to replace Steven King eventually. I am currently deep into writing the sequel to “The adventures of Spike the Wonder Dog,” and not available to review books, but I would be in the future. I do not read other fiction when I am writing fiction.

 

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?

“ACT ONE,” by Moss Hart. A rags-to-riches story written brilliantly. 

 

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

I’ve had many but right now, it’s just The Wonder Dog in my mind.

 

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

I listen to audio books on my phone and have an iPad on which I can read, but I prefer the printed page a little bit more.

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Interview with Amitabh Sarwate, Author of Humorously Yours! (Tales from the Gymkhana)

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Amitabh Sarwate, author of Humorously Yours! (Tales from the Gymkhana)

The link to buy it on Amazon is above!

Please see it below.

Thank you!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

_____

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?
Author’s name: Amitabh D Sarwate. Residence address: Los Gatos, CA, USA

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
Title of book: ‘Humorously Yours’. Genre: Humor

3) What is the book about? 
It’s a collection of 11 hilarious short stories inspired by real life events and characters. It’s a PG Wodehouse meets Indian Curry brand of humor :)Since its recent debut on Amazon, it has hit the Kindle bestseller list on several occasions.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
The PG Wodehouse character Mr. Mulliner was the inspiration behind the book. I conceived a Mr. Mulliner kind of character in a very Indian setting. Thischaracter is a storyteller who operates from a famous sports clubhouse in a large Indian city, and regales his audience with quirky and witty stories often on their own dime.

5) How long did it take you to write it?
It was a 2 year long effort

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
A debut fiction book is a labor of love – from writing, editing, finding an agent and then a publisher – all takes time, but when you hold your first copy in hand, you realize it was all worth the trouble. From this particular project, I learnt to appreciate the art of picking up the traits of people from life all around us, the sights and sounds of the cities we live and work in, and use them to paint the stories in the book. It develops your powers of observation and the ability to absorb everyday situations and find humor in them.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/amitabh.sarwateBook video is available at: https://www.facebook.com/amitabh.sarwate/videos/10158371477819605

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 
Commit the time to the writing process and enjoy it! The drafts, the editing, search for an agent, publisher – enjoy the process! Rejection is an inevitable part of the journey, but trust yourself, trust your writing and don’t give up. More than ever before, writers can find numerous platforms to publish their work.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
I like reading Humor, Spirituality and Non-fiction. I can assist new first time authors and share my learnings with them.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 
Hard to pick one! So many.. 🙂

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
A dog. His name is Einstein. He is an adorable golden-doodle @ 5 years old.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

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Interview with Kanika Saxena, Author of Gift Yourself a Smile

Good afternoon,

We have an interview today with Kanika Saxena, author of Gift Yourself a Smile.

Please see it below and enjoy! (The link to the book on Amazon is found above!)

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

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Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

My name is Kanika Saxena. I live in India.

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

“Gift Yourself a Smile” is a non-fiction, self-help book.

3) What is the book about? 

This book is an attempt to make people realize the importance of being happy and smiling. I think that this book is relevant in today’s scenario when most of us are stressed out due to different reasons. This book emphasizes the power of the smile to help one de-stress, build relationships, boost immunity, and enhance the quality of life. This book stresses the fact that we don’t exactly need our wishes to be fulfilled to smile and feel happy. We need to gift ourselves that smile to make our lives more beautiful.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

The idea came to my mind when I happened to read a What’s App message from a friend. It was a motivational message about smiling and staying happy. The message was interspersed with emoticons of smiles. It was shared by a friend who does not exactly strike me as a happy person or one who smiles too often. It got me thinking about how we have become a generation that is too eager to share smileys and inspirational messages with others without actually “practicing what we preach.” I thought of how communication through devices has become popular in a world that seems to be losing “feelings” and emotions. I thought of writing this book to remind my audience about the importance of connecting on a “human” level instead of through devices. According to my a smile is one of the best ways to connect with others. It not only makes the one smiling happy but also spreads joy to others around. Smiling also brings a host of health benefits. So, this book is my humble attempt to make people smile!

5) How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about 10 days to write this book.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Being a professional content writer, I tend to dig a little deep into the topic I am writing on. So, it was while writing this book that I realized the health benefits a simple smile brings. 

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?

Yes, I have an author website kanikasaxena.com. I am proud to say that I have created this website myself. I created this site in the first week of December and it still needs some finishing to be done. I love to share self-help blogs on my website. I am also in the process of setting up Email marketing for my website so that I can interact on a personal level with my readers. 

This is the second book that I have self-published. The first was “A Lockdown Story” which I had self-published in June. My third book is with the publisher. It is called “Are Teeny Tiny Stress Triggers Troubling You?”

I do have a video of my interview which was conducted after the release of my first book.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 

Consistency is one of the most important things when it comes to writing a book. Make sure that you allocate fixed timings for writing the book. And, even on the days when you don’t feel like writing, try to pen down a few words, maybe 100-200, just to keep up the momentum.

Try to avoid editing in between. Complete the entire manuscript and then edit. This is something that I find difficult to follow myself.

People do judge a book by its cover! So, a well-designed cover is a must.

The title of the book is also an important factor for its success. Make sure that you spend enough time to think of a unique and catchy title.

Just writing a good book is not enough. If you want your book to reach a larger audience, you need to dedicate time to market it also. 

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I like to read non-fiction books. I prefer books on self-management and success. As far as fiction books go I like to read crime thrillers.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 

The Bhagwad Gita. On the face of it, this book seems to be a religious text. But it is way more than that. This book teaches some vital lessons that can transform one’s life. It can change our complete perspective on life. This book brought me to a state of “living” from that of “surviving.”

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

I do not have pets. But other than my family, I do have living things in my life that I take care of my plants. I love greenery and flowers. I even create organic compost using kitchen waste for my garden. So I guess my plants could qualify as my pets!

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

I do not have an electronic reading device because I guess I am a little old-school when it comes to reading. I enjoy having a book in my hands and reading it.

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Interview with Susan Taylor-Reeves, Author of Return to the Garden

Hello,

Today I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Susan Taylor-Reeves, author of Return to the Garden.

Please enjoy!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?

Susan Taylor-Reeves, I live in Brisbane, Australia

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?

Return to the Garden. It is a fiction novel for young adults.

3) What is the book about? 

The first created creature in who wakes to find himself in The Garden, he is all knowing, and alone, so he thinks! The animals in The Garden witness the fall of man and are forced to live outside of the garden that was created for them. These are the tales of Lowey and Savannah who lead their fellow creatures, helping them adjust to life in a new community called The Clearing, while they search for a way to return to The Garden and back into the peace that they had once known.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I have always had a love of animals and our planet and finally became a Vegan 5 years ago after driving behind a truck of cattle bound for the slaughterhouse (I assumed). Since that time I have become involved in animal rescues and in particular QLD Guinea Pig Refuge in Brisbane. I foster guinea pigs and have many foster fail guinea pigs of my own. Earlier this year I lost four of my little ones over a couple of months and wrote a poem about ‘A Party over the Rainbow’, a place that many people refer to when their pet passes away. I have always beleived that animals have a place in Heaven, and as a Christian always pray for the creatures in my care. A dear friend Lynne Hudson, is an artist and I commissioned her to paint a picture of my guinea pigs in heaven.  In the Book of Genesis after the Great Flood, the Lord makes a covenant with all living things, Genesis 9:5 so I decided to write this book inspired by the Word of God and the creation story.

5) How long did it take you to write it?

It has taken me 4 months to write the book.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

This being my first book, it has been a very steep learning curve, especially in the area of new ideas and editing. I am currently writing book two and am much more organised!!

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?

My website is www.chuckleinn.com Once the book is available, Lowey the main character in Return to the Garden will have his own blog.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 

Believe in your characters and let them come alive in your life, I talk about my characters like they are real people, even friends.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

I enjoy reading non-fiction, biographies but also young adult thrillers and science fiction/fantasy.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 

When a Monster Calls.  I really enjoy young adult fiction which incorporate animals for example The Narnia series. When a Monster Calls is so incredibly deep, I found myself so caught up in the emotion that Connor, the main character experiences and takes you into world of fantasy. It covers many issues that so many young people face today and gives a message of hope. Even the story behind how the story came about is powerful.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?

I have many pets, all rescue animals, two dogs, Bramwell and Ruby, two cats Simba and Baby Joey, a tank full of fish and 36 guinea pigs.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?

I use the kindle app on my iPad, however it cannot be compaired to holding a good book, and smelling the pages, and of course never needs charging!

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Interview with Joannes Rhino, Author of The Unseen Face

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Joannes Rhino, author of The Unseen Face.

Please see it below.

Thank you,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?
Joannes Rhino. I live in Bali, Indonesia.

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
The Unseen Face. It’s a drama-psychology/suspense semi-fiction novel.

3) What is the book about?
The Unseen Face is about memory loss, facing the demons of the past and questioning everything.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
The Unseen Face is actually based on my close mate’s testimony about his disease. He had struggled with mental disorders since the loss of his loved ones. His story was very triggering for me to come up with The Unseen Face. However, it also elicited a lot of unexpected responses, negative or positive. For that reason, and to protect my friend’s personal life, I decided to twist up some of the facts. The content of The Unseen Face, however, is 80% based on actual event.

5) How long did it take you to write it?
Honestly speaking, the writing process didn’t take that long. No more than 6 months I got it done, roughly. However, the research and editing process took a lot of time, money and efforts.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
The key word of the spiritual message in The Unseen Face is forgiveness. We have to remember that everything is giving by purpose. Hatred and revenge are not the best friends in our spiritual journey. Non ability to deal with negativity is leading to serious crimes, psycho problems, crumpled life and as an end result – wrong direction and wrong Spiritual Choices.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
I don’t have the time to do that, yet.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?
Be yourself! Write only with your own writing style, not others. There is no bad writing. There’s just that, writing. Everyone has own style! Don’t be afraid to share what’s inside your head.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
I love writing and reading psychology/thriller/suspense because when it comes to someone’s psychology, it’s amazing what I discover. There are a lot of things to discuss and share. Yeah, I am open to reading other’s works.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?
Paulo Coelho with “The Alchemist” and a motivational book by Rhonda Byrne “The Secret”. Those books really changed my perspective about life.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
I have a Labrador, Rottweiler and German Shepherd.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?
I’m an old-fashioned person. I still prefer books on hand.

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Interview with Richard Messinger, Author of The Man with the Jagged Red Scar

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Richard Messinger, author of The Man with the Jagged Red Scar.

Please enjoy!

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1.Author Name and Location:

Richard Messinger / Long Island New York, Palm Beach County Florida

2.Title of Book:

The Man With The Jagged Red Scar, Historical thriller/bio-fiction

3.What is the book about?

It’s not every day that a Nazi U-Boat surfaces off the coast of Long Island as it does in this historical work of bio-fiction. Follow the saga of an illustrious legal family as they encounter escaped Nazis living in post WWII America. From the Nuremberg Trials to the Warren Commission, from Giverny and Paris to the darkest days of the death camps of Nazi Germany to peace and calm of the East End of Long Island that is shattered when a small band of Nazi saboteurs land on the shores of Amagansett in 1942 taking the reader on a roller coaster ride as the story of “The Man With The Jagged Red Scar” enfolds.
Based on the true story known as the Amagansett Incident of 1942, the only time in American History that an enemy force actually succeeded in landing on our shores, Forrest and Ellie Mills confront escaped Nazis from Nuremberg Prison living side by side with them in the “cottages” that dot the coast of the Hamptons as well as on the Upper West Side of Manhattan including a crazed Nazi Psychiatrist, who after having facial reconstruction, ends up treating a young Lee Harvey Oswald in NYC in the mid 1950’s. Several other story lines all converge during the July 4, 1942 Independence Day Celebration and Regatta at the Mills family compound, when the U-Boat surfaces and rams the Esmeralda, the family’s schooner, creating untold havoc and panic for years to come.

4. Where did you come up with the story?

Having had a military history in our family over several generations including my dad, a WWII gunner in the Army Air Corp who was shot down by the Nazis over Northern Italy, saved by local partisans and then spending years in VA Hospitals, coupled with losing many family members to the ravages of Nazi Concentration Camps probably percolated in my head as I wrote the book over several years.

5. How long did it take you to write it?

3-4 years. I am currently working on a sequel or book 2 of THE CRYING KANGLING OF GOD series. By the way, a Kangling is an ancient Tibetan instrument made from a human femur and plays a pivotal part of another storyline in The Man With The Jagged Red Scar. More specifically, Adolph Hitler, or Adi, as he is described in the book had sent Himmler, his Vice-Fuhrer to Tibet in the late 1930’s in search of the perfect Kangling, which ends up serving as a “death” symbol throughout the book.

6. Did you learn anything from the project?

Having grown upon the 1950’s reading THE GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD, I didn’t think that after having completed the book that I would be so enamored with the world of the Far East including it’s history and religious thought. Also, perseverance.

7. What is your website:

Web-site under development…THEMANWITHTHEJAGGEDREDSCAR.COM. Also active, Twitter:The Man With The Jagged Red Scar and Face Book page under same name.

8. What advice do you have for authors?

Keep reading. Maintain detailed note file.

9. What genre do you like to read?

I read everything. FIction/non fiction, thrillers, biographies, science fiction, mythology, religion, natural history and art.

10. What is your favorite book?

I don’t have a favorite book. However, I am currently re-reading THE HARE WITH AMBER EYES by Edmund De Waal. A tremendous complex work that uses a certain Japanese object, the Netsuke, or “prop” as a story telling device. In my novel, I used several literary props, including the Kangling, the missing fragments of the Bayeux Tapestry, and a Michel Bouvier Vitrine as mechanisms or props to carry the reader through several centuries of European and American history.

11. Do you have any pets?

I am a dog person. We have had many dogs over 45 years of marriage. Now that we split our time between Florida and Long island we no longer have a dog. But if I could I would like either a Wheaten Terrier or a Bouncin’ Bearded Collie.

12. Do own an e-device for reading?

Everything Apple/imac/ipads/macbookairiphones -my book is on APPLEBOOKS

Interview with Genni Gunn, Author of Permanent Tourists

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Genni Gunn, author of Permanent Tourists.

Please enjoy!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)? Genni Gunn. I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? My latest book is Permanent Tourists, a collection of linked short stories.     3) What is the book about?  The stories in Permanent Tourists feature protagonists connected through a support group, all dealing with loss precipitated by elusive fathers, husbands and lovers, by a wife’s death, a lost child, sibling rivalries.. Tourists in their own lives and paralyzed by emotional inertia, they flee to evade responsibilities, failed relationships, their own shortcomings. Although the stories take place in Canada, the USA, Thailand, Cambodia, Mexico and Italy, my characters are less thrill-seeking tourists on vacation than they are P.K. Page’s “terrible tourists with their empty eyes longing to be filled with monuments.” What they’re looking for cannot be not found in any postcard destination. 4) Where did you come up with the idea? I am an avid traveller, and often write while travelling. One of these stories, and perhaps the origin of them all, was a story commissioned by Danel Olson for his Exotic Gothic anthology series. Two of my stories ended up in Exotic Gothic Volume 2 and volume 4. Those two stories became one combined story in this collection, entitled “Solitudes.” 5) How long did it take you to write it? I wrote some of the stories some years ago, and five of them over about 18 months. I am not a quick writer. 6) Did you learn anything from the project? I found that the more I edited, and the more I connected the stories, the more I found connections that were already embedded in the text, which surprised me somewhat, because it was as if my subconscious knew more than I did in my conscious writing state. So all that was a thrill. I strongly believe in the subconscious, and in the fact that when we write, often we’re not even sure why we’re writing a particular thing. Yet later, we can see that it makes perfect sense, that we have intuited the connection between things. 7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?My author website is www.gennigunn.com, and you can click here for my Permanent Tourist book trailer. 8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?  I have taught creative writing for many years, and have always encouraged young authors to read, read, read. Every author I know reads constantly. It is one of the most illuminating pastimes one can have. And it is ultimately the best teacher for writers. Every time I read a fabulous book, I am inspired to go further in my own work. This does not mean imitation, but rather that great writing makes one strive harder to make great writing. 9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? I read widely. When I was in the 30s, I made a new years’ resolution that I would read a book a week for the rest of my life, and I have striven to do this every year since. I manage most years. I read literary fiction, historical fiction, probably most of the prize-winning books in English Language, such as the Booker Prize winner, the Pulitzer, the National Book Awards, the International Dublin Literary Award, etc. It keeps one pretty busy! 10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?  This really changes as time passes. Right now, a book that has really stayed in my mind, despite having read it several years ago is Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of things. This book was published in Australia in 2015, and haunts me still. It is a Kafkaesque story of ten young women who awaken from a drugged sleep to discover they have been abducted and taken to the Australian outback. They have no contact with the outside world, and only slowly begin to discover why they have been abducted and taken there. I will give nothing away here, but to say that this is one of the most affecting and haunting books I have ever read. 11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? Oh yes, I have one polydactyl white cat, who in a couple of weeks, will turn 21! It’s the oldest cat I have ever had. She is, unfortunately, not too well at the moment, but hanging in there. She has been a joy in my life, affectionate and sweet as can be. She had a little sister, NuNu – a Siamese – who died a couple of years ago at the age of 17. Cats have always been an important part of my life. 12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? I have a kindle, but actually, I download a massive amount of books and read them all on my phone. In the past couple of days, I have downloaded, The Friend by Sigrid Nunez, Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connelly (because I saw a fabulous review of this old book in The New Yorker), Virgin Wander by Leif Enger and Here the Dark by David Bergen. Because I travel a lot – though not right now during Covid times – reading on my phone has been my primary reading mode.

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Interview with Veronica Pittman, Author of The Adventures of Paris and Cali

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Veronica Pittman, author of The Adventures of Paris and Cali.

Please enjoy!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1. Author name?

Veronica Pittman San Francisco, Ca

2. Book Title?

The Adventures of Paris and Cali: The First Day of School (Childrens Book)3.The series is about two sisters and their everyday adventures. This particular book in the series discusses starting a new grade at school. Kids can get pretty nervous on the first day of school. This book discusses the different types of  emotions children experience as well as how Paris and Cali handle them.

4. How did you come up with the idea?

I came up with the idea because I remember being nervous on my first day of school. I want children to know that they are not alone and it is okay to be nervous and have feelings. 

5. How long did it take you to write it?

Between 1 and two months.

6. Did you learn anything from the process?

It’s important to pay attention to children and their emotions.

7. Do you have a website/links?

 storytimecircle.blogspot.com,  @theadventuresofparisandcali on Instagram and Facebook8. Plan carefully, don’t rush into things. Fiverr is great for people who need help with editing.

9. What types of books do you like to read?

Self Help , Childrens Books,  and books on Religion. I love hearing about new authors and I am interested in many different types of books. I also love giving and receiving feedback.

10. What’s your favorite book?

The Bible

11. Do you own any pets?

A dog name Ricky (terrier)

12. Do you own an electronic reading device?

A kindle. I actually like it but I prefer physical books.

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And here is a link to Veronica Pittman’s Book (Volume 2):

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