Interview with Emily S. Hurricane, Author of Bloodlines

Good morning,

Today’s interview is with Emily S. Hurricane, author of Bloodlines.

You can find the interview 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)?
Hi, I’m Emily S Hurricane and I’m from the east coast of Canada! 

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
My newest set of releases is my Bloodlines series. As of right now, the first five volumes are live on all major retailers (first one is free!) and they’re paranormal dystopian novellas with a dash of romance and a pinch of horror.

3) What is the book about? 
After a disease wipes out humanity, Daphne is left all by herself, somehow immune. After finding out her true parentage, she sets off from the east coast to find her father and figure out why she survived. She ends up finding a whole lot more.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
My husband likes to blurt out wacky story ideas randomly—he’s not a writer, but his brain is full of weird and wonderful scenarios. Sometimes they’re really cool, sometimes really ridiculous. Perfect writer’s husband, let me tell you!
Anyway, he had a particular ridiculous idea that we laughed about (I won’t disclose it because it’ll spoil some of the fun!), and then we got on the topic of what we would do in the apocalypse. I’ve always wanted to write a dystopian story, and the thought of being the last person on earth is both horrifying and fascinating. With the world as your playground, what would you do?
I started serializing it for NaNoWriMo in 2019 (freaked myself and my readers out when the pandemic started shortly after, let me tell you!) and my twenty-chapter outline quickly became a five-part epic, with so many more ideas percolating in my brain!

5) How long did it take you to write it?
Starting in November of 2019, I posted a chapter per day up to 93 chapters, so the first draft was about three months. It went through multiple revisions and rewrites over the course of 2020, for official release on Radish at the end of 2020 and eBook in February of 2021. Volume 5 just released at the tail end of March.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
Definitely! I explore a lot of themes in this series, deep diving into the human condition, ambition, and what it means to belong somewhere. I don’t know about all writers, but I tend to delve into my characters when I’m writing them to really try to experience things that I never have before. (See: why I never end up sticking to my outlines.)
On a professional level, this is the first series that I’ve published wide across retailers other than Amazon. So it’s been interesting to learn about distributors (I used Draft2Digital) and other markets that I’ve never reached before.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
My web site is www.emilyshurricane.com, which is the hub for everywhere I can be found on the internet. I don’t have a blog (yet!) but I love guest posting and social media where I share all kinds of stuff related to my books, indie publishing, and books I’ve read and love.

You can find all of my socials at https://emilyshurricane.carrd.co/ I am everywhere as ESHurricane

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 
Biggest tip for any author is just to write! Write write write! I know everyone says that, but it’s so key. Every single word keeps your creative muscle working, and for me it keeps me learning. It’s so interesting to look back at how my writing has evolved since I started so many years ago.
Making author friends that are just as ambitious and driven as you is also a great idea. I’m surrounded by inspiring and excited writer friends every day (digitally of course) and we sprint together, read together, and chat about the business together. It makes what is usually a lonely job so much less lonely.
As for editors and cover designers, oh I know so many great ones! I like to use lots of beta readers (swaps with friends) before editing and it’s an exercise I highly recommend. You can learn just as much beta reading someone else as you can having your story beta read.
My main editor is Emerald Baynton (she’s not taking clients right now but you can find her at emeraldscreations.org), and the Bloodlines covers were done by Rebecacovers on Fiverr. Freelancing sites are a great way to find great deals on services—however do a lot of research, because sometimes it’s hard to sift through the scammers.
Other great editors I know:Jessey Mills – https://jesseymills.com/index.php/services/ Rhodora O (she also does custom book formatting for publishing) – https://www.fiverr.com/s2/b6deac29a8Nicole DeVincentis – https://www.fiverr.com/njdevincentis
Other great graphic designers I know:Midnight Coffee – https://midnightcoffee.co.uk/Pixie Stormcrow – https://covers.pstormcrow.com/

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
I am open to reading anything as long as it’s engaging! Vague, I know, haha! But for me I look for interesting stories that are character driven and all of my favourite authors have very unique narrative voice. Think Palahniuk or Vonnegut. But really I am a Jill-of-all-genres (for reading and writing!).
I love reading brand new authors as well, and promoting those I enjoy across my social channels.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?
This is such a hard question! I think a book I couldn’t possibly live without is Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Stover. I read it once every year or two and every time feels like the first time. It’s such a skillfully written and well-crafted world, with such deep characters and endless lore. The whole series is amazing but that one is my favourite.
Close seconds are The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, and Rant by Chuck Palahniuk.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
I have a fourteen-year-old toy poodle named Izzy, and she is my furry soulmate! She’s 100 lbs of diva in a 5 lb body and she is the absolute best.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?
I do love paper books the best, but being a mom of two small kids I don’t often have either time, safe areas, or light to read by. My electronic alternative is my iPhone, and I use a combination of Apple Books, the Kindle app, audible, and for my serial obsessions Radish and Wattpad. I also often use Siri to read books to me if I don’t have it in audio. Makes chores and driving so much more enjoyable!

____

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Interview with A.W. Baldwin, Author of Diamonds of Devil’s Tail: A Relic Novel

Hello,

Today’s interview is with A.W. Baldwin, author of Diamonds of Devil’s Tail: A Relic Novel.

Please find 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)?

A.W. Baldwin.  I live in Wyoming.  My books are all available on amazon and also can be ordered through any bookstore.

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

Diamonds of Devil’s Tail – outdoor thriller

3) What is the book about? 

It centers on how people behave when an opportunity for great wealth presents itself, in this case, diamonds in a remote canyon — how they handle the urge for that wealth and what they are, or are not, willing to do to get it.  Wealth without work can lead to violence and injustice, and it does in this story.  The deeper characters of the actors are revealed in their struggle and the final resolution.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I’ve always wanted to write a story involving a cast of strangers on a trip together and the whitewater excursion was perfect for that.

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

About 12 months

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

I feel like I’m always learning, especially about plot lines and getting a good rhythm going for high action scenes and character interactions.

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

Yes. awbaldwin.com. I have a trailer for both Raptor Canyon and Wings Over Ghost Creek.

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

Daniel Thiede does my book cover art and he’s fantastic.  The design, the color, and the theme that runs through each of the covers are really great.  As for tips, I’d say write what you want, work on your craft, and enjoy the process.  If that’s not working right, none of the rest will, either.

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

Thrillers and mysteries, mostly, but yes I am open to new authors and reviewing their work if I have the time.  I like a novel with lots of action but with good humor, too.

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

I don’t know about a favorite book of all time, but I grew up on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ stories of Tarzan.  More currently, Clive Cussler is a guiding star, as is Wilbur Smith – masters of the high adventure.

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

Not at the moment but I am a long-time “dog” guy – English Setters, Golden Retrievers, mostly.

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

No.  When reading, I like the feel of a paperback best.

___

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Interview with Beverly Oliver, Author of Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali

Good morning,

Today’s interview is with Beverly Oliver, author of Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali.

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)?

My name is Beverly Oliver and I live in California.

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

My newest book is Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali. It’s nonfiction: part memoir, part social commentary.

3) What is the book about?

Alfred Bowman (Dr. Sebi) lived in the United States among Black people for more than fifty years, longer than in his birthplace Honduras, Central America. He married and started his family in New Orleans so he knows the health, culture and food customs of the United States as well as anyone who was born there. His asthma and impotence, and the state of health and nutrition in the United States, propelled him to become the natural healer and alkaline herbal medicine specialist we affectionately call Dr. Sebi. The new book briefly recalls that journey. It mainly focuses on what dembali means and why Dr. Sebi urged me to write the book. Dembali is a word he coined to draw attention to why people reject recommendations in matters of health, race, family and culture. He observed these challenges through dembali’s lens. But it’s the same manner he viewed solutions, such as his African Bio Mineral Balance therapeutic method and his nutrition guide. It’s full of alkaline food recommendations. 

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I was in Honduras when Dr. Sebi introduced me to dembali. He felt health and nutrition in America, especially Black America, hadn’t improved much since he retired. He wanted the book to explain why and he wanted to offer solutions. 

In Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali, he encourages readers to understand why we choose the food we eat, know how race and culture affect food choices, health and behavior, be aware of the slow, cumulative effects of acid and hybrid food on the body, and finally, know that eating comfort food (20%) is fine but it’s alkaline food (80%) your body needs. 

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

Dr. Sebi introduced me to dembali in 2008. I started developing the book in 2018.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Yes. I learned that even though he was charismatic and eccentric at times, his key traits were patience, compassion, empathy and understanding. I also learned he was proud of his daughter Xave and her expertise in natural healing. As they say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” 

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

Yes. The websites are https://www.sojourntohonduras.com and https://www.sevendaysinushavillage.org. Dembali’s landing page is on the first website. The book trailers are on YouTube, on the SojournHonduras1 channel. The videos are titled Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali trailer and Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali release trailer. 

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

I’ll echo what others have said about editors—You need one. Fresh, professional eyes are key to book development. Without fail editors catch something authors missed. I’m grateful for editorial assistance from The Artful Editor. 

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

I like to read memoirs, biographies, personal development books and inspirational texts. Yes, I’m open to reviewing a new work or two and would appreciate someone doing the same for Dr. Sebi Speaks of Dembali.

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

Sorry, too many in that category but I will mention Sidney Poitier’s Measure of a Man and Clint Hill’s Mrs. Kennedy and Me. 

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

I don’t have any pets right now.

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

Other than my cell phone, I read stories on my laptop.

______

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Interview with Anthony S. Author of Paradise and the Pandemic

Good morning,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Anthony S, author of Paradise and the Pandemic.

Please enjoy!

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

#1 What is your author name? Author Anthony S (Texas)

#2 What is the title of your book and the genre? “Paradise and the Pandemic” (Genre) children’s book

#3 What is the book about? A female character named “Paradise” who entertains and educates our youth. (virtual learning book series)

#4 Where did you get the idea for it? I was inspired by my niece

#5 How long did it take you to write it? It took me six weeks to write it… not including editing

#6 Did you learn anything from it? I learned quite a bit from the project… as always, taking things into consideration.

#7 Do you have website? I have a website www.booksbyanthonyS.com I am currently working on the animation I anticipate launching in three to four weeks.

#8 Do you have any tips for authors? Yes, (use) editors and cover artists. 

#9 What genres do you like to read? I like drama, suspense, spirituality, and fiction with a message.

#10 What is your favorite book or author? Rick Warren…Inspiring, compassionate, empowering, encouraging, hopeful…keeps me well rounded.

#11 Do you have any pets? Used too…K-9

#12 Do you use an electric reading device? No…but I’m open! 

___

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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 Luke Soto, Author of For We are More Than Conquerors

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Luke Soto, author of For We are More Than Conquerors.

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)?          The author name I go by is Luke Soto, my actual name. and the knight of redemption a nickname i came up with

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? The title of the newest book i am having released is called “For We Are More Than Conquerors”  it would fall under Christian living 

3) What is the book about? 
    It is about the redemption of Christ, it is about how we as the creation of God were bound by sin and didn’t have a choice in the matter of how we lived because either way we were damned to hell. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our salvation set us free from sin and now that we are free from sin, we can now choose to live our best life in Christ and live outside of that habit of sin that held up captive, its now our choice to live in Jesus Christ and free from our addiction to sinful living. Sin doesn’t want that and will do what ever it takes to keep you stuck under It’s control, its the slavery to sin God has set us free from. We now followers of Christ have to fight these temptations fight this addiction and long habitual practice of sin everyday of our lives, and what do we do we don’t even know how to, how can a man or woman stand against something if they don’t even know their identity in Christ, so this book is to help them to remember what Paul says, “…we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ”  this books is a reminder of the fundamentals of our faith and what it actually means to be more than a conqueror. We hear in church all the time that we are more than a conqueror but what does that actually mean? read and find out what the very definition and life of the Christian is as more than a conqueror. That is what this book is about.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
It was just bugging me as I sat in church and heard the phrase “we are more than a conqueror.” and then go right on along. It was sung in song and in preaching it just became a by word, it was bizarre but it kind of just followed me and every time I heard it, it just echoed deep within me and it was like a haunt from a ghost. I felt that nudge of my curiosity that said, go find out what it means to be more than a conqueror in Christ.

5) How long did it take you to write it?
 it took me a long time to research it but it took about nine months to write this out. and studying everyday with hours at the computer typing out this sermon.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
 Yes I did. I learned about the redemption we hold in Jesus Christ, I learned about faith, I learned about prayer, I learned about hope, about the responsibility we have to live right before God, I learned a lot about the life of Sin and Death and how it is a part of who we are but it doesn’t have to be the way we live, we can accept that fact that we do sin but we don’t have to stay living in it, and we can live a better life outside of our addiction to sin and death. We can live the life that Jesus Christ has planned for us. I learned the truth that Jesus is there to fight with us and we got to trust that He is God and has our best interest at heart and we can make it through our hard times. I learned about the Cross and the suffering and the pain that awaits us, but I also saw that we get battle scarred and also the love and the true reward of living the blessing that comes from fighting against the sinful self and the devil that looks to keep us in death and hell. I learned that we fall, we scrap our knees and get bruises but we can get back up and live better still. I learned the Lord God is a warrior and The Lord of Hosts is His name. That Jesus Christ is Lord of Angel Armies. and by the blood of Christ we are free to live in Him and free from the sins we were bound to. I learned salvation is a process and lasts our lifetime and that redemption is for the believer in Christ more than the sinner, but the sinner has the invitation to come and get that redemption from sin as well. God loves all humanity not just the few, I learned about the God who is More Than a Conqueror. I hope to share Him with  you the readers.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?    yes i do
www.knightofredemption.com – author website  there you will see i have a blog as well that talks more on this topic and the stuff that goes along with the topic of redemption
as for the book video i have it attached  to this file.  i dunno if that helps or do i need to send a link from my social media page
For_We_Are_More_Than_Conquerors_720p.mp4(21,012K)

also here is my social media links incase readers are interested in following to keep updated on when the book is being released
facebook: The Knight of redemption
instagram: knight_of_redemption
twitter: @knightredeemed

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 
I’m a new author. 
I really don’t hold many tips myself. I can only say learn your history, apply the lessons best you can for yourself and read your book so much that you get sick of seeing it. Let that book be such a part of you that you ooze with the words and live the very pages in your life as an example. be the living word…. well the word that you want to emulate in your life.
Don’t know if that helps any people out there.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
I like classics, historical fiction mostly. I’m a huge fan of the classic authors, not this new stuff. I love Alexander Dumas, Robert L. Stevenson, Mark twain, G,K. Chesterton, sir walter scott, J.R. R. tolkien, C.S Lewis, Homer, Aesop, etc. 
they have to have a really good topic to talk on, and a point that can hold my attention, a lot of modern writers are very much so just lacking the imagination like the writers of the past centuries. Maybe I’m a bit of a purist, maybe i’m a bit spoiled after reading such legendary works
 I don’t think I could offer any advice that would be meaningful. Who am I to say what will work and not work. 

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 
The Count of Monte Cristo but I’m so torn between that and two others. but i’ll say that one off the top of my head. The book has it all! drama, intrigue, love, adventure, revenge!, lessons to learn for our lives. 
the count shows a man who gave himself up for hate and lost his very identity and didn’t see the goodness that was there infront of his eyes all along, this man was stupid as a bag of rocks  and just didn’t care. Heck the life of this man was something that can really make a difference in many people and also spark and inferno in the imagination and get you so involved…. I threw  the book at one point when I saw that a certain event took place… I won’t spoil it.  I never felt so involved than I was in that book.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
     I personally don’t. but I love dogs

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?
not anymore i don’t’. I had a nook when it was first released, actually a nook color. but i hated it. It was super frustrating.  After trying to read through the book it was like I was making no progress and I was more focused on that than on the plot of the book. I was trying to enjoy and help me be stress free. It works for some, it’s just not my cup of tea.

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Interview with Anna Lorenzi, Author of Meeting Laura – A novel loosely and partially inspired by the life of…

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Anna “Annina” Lorenzi, author of Meeting Laura – A novel loosely and partially inspired by the life of…

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)?

My name is Anna Lorenzi, but friends and family call me “Annina”. That’s why my author name is Anna “Annina” Lorenzi. I live in Milan, Italy.

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

The title of my newest book is: Meeting Laura – A novel loosely and partially inspired by the life of… 

It’s in the genre of contemporary fiction.

3) What is the book about?

My book was professionally and amazingly translated by Starleen K. Meyer from the Italian, Incontrando Laura…, and was released this last May 19th as a Kindle eBook and paperback. It’s available on all Amazon stores.  

It’s dedicated to “…those minds wanting to think, to those hearts wanting to beat, to the brave and the crazy.”

The protagonist? A young writer with a dream to follow and a challenge that he can’t *not* accept. The ending? A surprise for many readers. The blurb intrigues: “An unusual trip, seemingly simple, … narrated among thoughts, memories, emotions, and clear images depicting her, Laura, really that same Laura that the whole world knows and acclaims… (or maybe not?).” 

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

Various things inspired me to write this book. The idea was born suddenly when here in Italy we began to hear of bachelor and master degrees for being influencers; some concepts (described in the pages of my novel) that are a profound part of me and for which I felt like I wanted to narrate them in other forms, again; and the knowledge – if “virtual” – of the real Laura who contributed, as an example of a type of woman, to the development of the idea of this project.

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

Considering that I usually write when caught up in the spirit of the moment, almost as if it were a need to satisfy, following the flow of images and ideas that I suddenly see so clearly in my mind, the gestation sometimes is as long as the actual writing, so all in all, it probably took me just about a couple of months for the very first draft. This then became four months while looking over some aspects little by little with my proofreaders, and then a few months more for the English translation.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

Fortunately, yes! Since it was my first self-published project, I had to investigate the many options available and to try to understand and learn the mechanisms, how to do it well before, during and after the publication, and so on and so forth. There’s a lot of effort required, and it never ends!

In addition, having categorically decided immediately that my book was to go out in both Italian and English, I also learned how to work in a professional way with a translator, something I had never done, before. What can I say? For sure I was completely lucky in meeting a person like Starleen K. Meyer, who is fantastic personally and professionally (and from whom, I confess, I’m also learning to improve my English!).

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

Sure I do! I have a blog dedicated to my creative writing – annina19.com – that has been partially translated (by Starleen, naturally) into English for things not directly related to my book, while everything about my book – posts, interviews, articles – has been translated by her into English. On the blog, it’s also possible to find a preview video in English and Italian about the book. The link is on various pages, for example, on this page at the end of a great Q & A session with my followers in which I talk about myself, my book that was about to be published at that time, and… about Laura. I highly suggest them: https://annina19.com/meeting-laura-anna-annina-lorenzi-author-novel-interview/.

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

I think that others will decide if they are “successful,” or not, but they certainly are sincere. Suggestion n. 1: write, write, write, but – possibly – only when you feel the “need” to do it. Suggestion n. 2: follow your instinct and your emotions, don’t think about what the reader might want from you, feel free to express yourself 100% and in your own words, and always be honest with your readers. Suggestion n. 3: be at one and the same time enthusiastic about your writing, but also self-critical; yes, keep in mind the “container,” but absolutely do not ever forget the quality of the content. Finally, suggestion n. 4: stay humble, and keep an open mind.

Regarding external collaborators for your project, well, try to find people you trust, with whom you can work well, and with whom you have the right “feeling.” Everything will be better this way.

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

The genre that I prefer is fiction, but I also like mysteries, poetry, the classics… every book that can capture, captivate, transmit something profound, move me, and – why not?! – make me reflect.

About your second question, honestly, I’d like to read new authors and review their work, but the reality is that my time is extremely limited, and if you’re talking about something written in English, unfortunately for me the reading isn’t so easy and natural, so doing a review well would be very tiring. I’m quite sorry for this; I’d like to be able to exchange ideas, suggestions and opinions with my American, English, and Canadian and other “colleagues,” especially since I get the feeling that the idea of what constitutes “good narrative” could be quite different from what could be an Italian idea about it, or maybe my idea about it.

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

This is really hard to say. Maybe instinctively and coming from the heart, a book that my dad and I used to read together comes to mind: Pinocchio. I think that the reason lies in its ties to happy memories of my childhood.

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

Yes, I have two marvelous beagles, mother and son. They are my shadows (or maybe even my “suckerfish”) 7/7 24/24, LOL!

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

I usually prefer reading printed books, but as an alternative, I have used my Mac or iPad to read pdf files or Kindle books.

____

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Interview with Mary Langford, Editor for Author Meryl Hershey Beck’s Book, Loss, Survive, Thrive: Bereaved Parents Share Their Stories of Healing and Hope

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Mary Langford, editor for Author Meryl Hershey Beck’s book, Loss, Survive, Thrive: Bereaved Parents Share Their Stories of Healing and Hope (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019).

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)?
My name is Mary Langford. I live in Cincinnati, OH

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
I am a writer/ghostwriter/editor. While I’ve not yet authored a book, I’m extremely proud of the developmental editing and editing I did for Author Meryl Hershey Beck’s book, Loss, Survive, Thrive: Bereaved Parents Share Their Stories of Healing and Hope (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019).

3) What is the book about? 
It’s a compilation book about grief containing stories by 27 parents who have lost a child, survived, and gone on to thrive.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
I didn’t; Meryl did. After she lost her 35-year-old son Jonathan to suicide in 2011, Meryl found books about grief lacking the kind of comfort and hope she was needing. It was during a conversation with her best friend, Robin, a few years later that the idea of Loss, Survive, Thrive was conceived.

5) How long did it take you to write/edit it?
When I first came on board as editor, Meryl asked me to also help develop some of the stories. Including Meryl, only 7 of the book’s contributors were published authors, so it took close to 8 months before Meryl and I were happy with the manuscript she’d be turning in to the publisher.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?
Yes. The death of a child is not only survivable, it’s possible to be happy in life again, and thrive.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
The website for the book is losssurvivethrive.com. My website is TheWriteMary.com.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to other authors?
I stay in close touch with my clients throughout the editing process. It’s my goal to ensure that every author with whom I work comes away from our time together a better writer.

9) What genres do you like to read?
My favorite genre is biography, including autobiography. I also enjoy reading nonfiction books about recovery and spiritual matters.

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

Sidney Sheldon’s Master of the Game. Before I got hired by Mr. Sheldon in 2001 as his personal assistant, I had not been an avid novel reader. At the time, I was much more familiar with his work as creator of three of my favorite TV series – The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeannie, and Hart to Hart. I hadn’t understood the true meaning of “page turner” until I took a
copy of Sidney’s book, Master of the Game, home to read. When I dragged myself into work a day and a half later, he wondered what had happened to me. “You kept me up all night!” I shouted. Though the book was well over 500 pages long, I could not put it down. I don’t remember stopping to eat and barely got any sleep. It was then that I realized how compelling
great novels are, especially those written by the Master Storyteller himself. Working for my beloved Sidney Sheldon changed the trajectory of my life.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
I don’t have any pets of my own, but I get to be surrogate mom to the most amazing, loving, adorable cat I have ever known – Annie. She lives with me for four months each year while her parents winter in Arizona. Annie is white and black and the most precious little kitty in the
world.

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Interview with Clarissa Kae, Author of Once and Future Wife

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you another interview today, this time with Clarissa Kae, author of Once and Future Wife.

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)?
Clarissa Kae and I live in California

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?
Once And Future Wife, historical fiction with paranormal elements

3) What is the book about? 
Immortal men like Rhys Glyndwr belong to forgotten fables—along with his reincarnating wife—but instead, they haunt the mind of a modern scientist, Isla Belle Thorne. Like an old blanket, visions of the healer servant and his wife, the daughter of a duke, have comforted Isla Belle, the only constant in her unstable childhood.When her mother is hospitalized for a mental breakdown, Isla Belle fears for her own health and keeps the visions a secret. As Isla Belle starts her new job at a renowned medical organization, she comes face to face with Rhys—the same man from her visions.She’s told an impossible tale of a love that death cannot kill. Surrounded by science but faced with an implausible legend, Isla Belle must decide what to believe and what to leave behind.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?
When most people get married, they hear the words till death do us part but what if death never came for one of the parties? And what if the couple was bound—what would that look like…and down the rabbit hole I went.

5) How long did it take you to write it?
This particular book was a little tricky as I was also working as an editor. It was a lot of starts and stops—not until I closed down my editing/consulting practice did it finally get the attention it deserves. From first idea to polished several years—however, in the 18 months since shutting down my practice, I’ve written two other books and am drafting my fourth.

 
6) Did you learn anything from the project?
Yes, that writing is so much harder than editing.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?
I do! www.clarisskae.com and the blog is www.clarissakae.com/blog

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? 
Everyone needs an editor. And be kind to yourself. No one is a great writer, we’re great re-writers.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?
Absolutely. Historical fiction, historical paranormal, historical romance 

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? 
Oh, that’s a tough one. I have so many. Anything by Susanna Kearsley but one book I’ve treasured since childhood was The Giver. That book was so influential to a budding empath. It was long before The Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched…The Giver was simple and powerful to my younger self.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
I have a ton! I have four horses (one Percheron, one Morgan, and two Quarter Horses), four dogs (three Australian Shepherds), six cats, and roughly thirty chickens.

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?
I do but I still correlate reading on a device as work from my editing days so I’ve nothing super positive to say about my devices. I’ve been a Mac lover so I suppose my ipad/iphone?

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Interview with Karen Pinney, Author of Golden Days & Velvet Nights

Hello,

I’m very pleased today to bring you this interview with Karen Pinney, author of Golden Days & Velvet Nights.

Please enjoy!

Best,

Vincent Lowry

Interview Questions: 1) What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?          Karen Pinney.  I currently live in Tampa, Florida 2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre?        Golden Days and Velvet Nights.  The title came from a tag line my husband used to describe our relationship.  The book is a romance, a real life romance. 3) What is the book about?           The book is a memoir about two people whose lives intertwined at a time when they’d given up ever finding their love of a lifetime. 4) Where did you come up with the idea?          I’ve always wanted to write a book.  When I met my husband I was 64 years old.  When he died, I wanted to share an incredible experience that changed me forever.  5) How long did it take you to write it?          5 years….working full time as a cosmetic specialist at Macy’s.  I worked the night shift and wrote during the day. 6) Did you learn anything from the project?          Writing a book isn’t as easy as it looks.  Letting others ready it, an even bigger challenge.           7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video?  My blog “Three Score and Then” is a life message to seniors and adult children from my experiences as the executive director of assisted living communities.   My website is a work in progress, but will be named after my book. 8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists?      My greatest success at this time is completing my project. I worried that life would get in the way and prevent me from finishing, and I wrote nearly every day even if only for a short time. I wish I’d had more help editing.  I will be more proactive at finding someone for my next book. The cover is a photo from my husbands library of digitals he’d taken and edited.  9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?     Historical Romance has always been a favorite.  I enjoy new authors.  Times have changed and their writing is simple and easily digested.     10) What is your favorite book of all time and why?            My number one reference is   “And the Ladies of the Club”  by  Helen Hooven Santmyer.   Besides being a wonderful story, Ms Santmyer was 87 when it became a best seller.  I can relax; I have plenty of time left. My all time favorite book is “God is an Englishman” by R.F. Delderfield   11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?             My miniature schnauzer Raleigh is my significant other.   She turns 14 in July, and age had taken it’s toll.  Each day is precious.  12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it?  I read most books on my computer or my iPhone. *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.