Interview with LA Starks, author of The Second Law: Lynn Dayton

Hello,

Today we have an interview with LA Starks, author of The Second Law: Lynn Dayton.

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)? L. A. Starks/Texas

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? The Second Law: Lynn Dayton Thriller #3/thriller

3) What is the book about? Cyber-sabotage of the country’s energy “spine” via its internet-connected industrial control systems. The characters and the action:

 

TriCoast Energy executive Lynn Dayton is visiting the company’s San Francisco refinery when it comes under attack. Saddened by the fiery deaths of several workers, she traces the explosion to software malfunctions and contacts cybersecurity chief Kanak Singh to track it back to the source. The second law refers to the second law of thermodynamics: it means that in an isolated system everything tends towards chaos.

Lynn is still reeling when a TriCoast lease bidding manager is killed in New Orleans. The seeming motive is the theft of his computer containing billion-dollar secret offshore bid plans. Then her long-time mentor and good friend is gunned down in front of her in a Louisiana swamp. What terrible plan lies behind all these crimes? Lynn races against time to uncover a complex plot that stretches from murder in Vienna to a natural gas terminal attack in the Baltic to a major Caribbean oil installation off U.S. shores. Lynn is baffled as she learns of a high-stakes takeover bid by a mysterious group called the Second Law. Who are these people? Worse, who is the mole inside TriCoast that is feeding them so much deadly information? Unless she can find out, thousands more are scheduled to die.

4) Where did you come up with the idea? Despite a love of writing and reading that was in full force by the time I graduated from high school, I needed to be very certain I could support myself financially. I became an engineer; this path was not unusual for men or women in my science-focused hometown. So, creating the technical parts of the plot was straightforward. More generally, most of us have experienced hacking, identity theft, machines gone wrong, cyber-sabotage, or theft of intellectual property. I drew on that and developed it further. And finally, to be honest, the high-dollar worldwide stakes of rogue players in the energy biz, including threats of massive, fiery explosions, intrigues me way more than it probably should.

5) How long did it take you to write it? The time from publication of the second book in the series until publication of THE SECOND LAW was four years. During that time, I also juggled family responsibilities and publisher changes for the first two books with writing THE SECOND LAW. If measured on a compressed, full-time basis: two years.

6) Did you learn anything from the project? I write books to be prescient and reality-based entertainment for readers, but I can still be surprised when I accomplish just that. A simple example: since the time I began writing THE SECOND LAW five years ago, our understanding of the huge importance of China has grown to be the size China is in the book’s plot.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? For your U.S. readers, the Kindle edition of the first book in the series, 13 DAYS THE PYTHAGORAS CONSPIRACY, LYNN DAYTON THRILLER #1, normally priced at $7.99, will be on sale in the U.S. for $0.99 between January 30, 2020 and February 5, 2020.

 

My author website is lastarksbooks.com. Book videos for the first two books in the series, 13 DAYS: THE PYTHAGORAS CONSPIRACY and STRIKE PRICE, are available there and on YouTube.

 

I write an occasional blog at Goodreads and use social media (Facebook & Hootsuite for Twitter and LinkedIn) for special announcements, like the upcoming Kindle discount.

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? Beta readers and professional editors help you tell your story to your audience. For first-time authors, using a professional editor is a particularly important kindness to both your readers and your own career.

 

I have been fortunate to work with New Zealander Jeroen ten Berge for my most recent book covers. For those interested, he can be reached via e-mail at jeroenslimited AT gmail.com

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? Thrillers, mysteries, suspense, some science fiction, and current-events non-fiction.

 

I read and review (mainly on Goodreads) only 50-70 books/year, including the latest from my favorite authors. For books by new authors, I consider published reviews, take recommendations from two of my family members who read widely, and occasionally check what other Goodreads readers like. 

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? We read, and need, books that speak to our own experiences. In my case that book was SISTER: A NOVEL, by Rosamund Lupton. While it would be painful to call it my favorite, reading it was breathtaking because at the time I had just lost my own sister to cancer.

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? Yes, a Sheltie (dog)

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? Yes, I like reading from a Kindle when I travel—though I previously published in Nook & Kobo editions also. With all the screen time required now, I do find reading print editions relaxing.

Interview with Heather Hale, Author of How to Work the Film and TV Markets

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Heather Hale, author of How to Work the Film & TV Markets.

Please see the interview below.

Thanks,

-Vincent Lowry

Interview:

1) What is your author name Heather Hale and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)? Currently Tucson, Arizona (Native Californian, 20+ years in LA, lived in Kobe, Japan; might be moving to Savannah, GA in the next month or so). 2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? Newest: Story Telling: How to Develop, Market and Pitch Your Film & TV Projects https://heatherhale.com/storyselling Previous: How to Work the Film & TV Markets: A Guide for Content Creators https://heatherhale.com/how-to-work-the-film-and-tv-markets 3) What is the book about? Story Selling: How to Develop, Market, and Pitch Your Film & TV Projects Among the great challenges for modern media-makers is getting someone to ready your script, watch your film, or glance at your TV format. But how do you get them to close a deal? Veteran and aspiring creators will find answers in Story Selling. Whatever you’re pitching, the principles are universal. It’s the strategies and assets employed that vary widely. Story Selling details them all, their construction and applications, in ways that will improve your visibility and success. How to Work the Film and TV Markets: A Guide for Content Creators is a guidebook that provides a “Big Picture” orientation and overview of the converging industries of film, television and Internet video. Part compendium, it offers concise but detailed information on the most important media markets and key ancillary events. Part dossier, it surveys all the usual players found on all these market floors. Part “How To” Manual, it explains not only the traditional rules of the game but includes clever “Do It Yourself” strategies if you opt to avoid these scenes altogether (or better synchronize all your marketing and distribution efforts). 4) Where did you come up with the idea? How to Work the Markets: In 2013, I was coordinating all the speakers for the American Film Market as the Independent Film and Television Alliance’s Industry Liaison. The Acquisitions Editor for Focal Press/Routledge asked me to help her source prospective subject matter experts from our many panelists and presenters who I thought might make great authors on their respective topics. After helping ensure the publisher’s inventory would be as current, relevant and cutting-edge as possible from the resources we had to offer, Emily asked if I saw any remaining holes in their market-focused line-up. I answered without hesitation: “There’s never been a book on How to Work the Markets — and this book was born. As screenwriters, we’re often advised to “write the movie you want to see.” As an independent filmmaker and content creator, this was the book I needed to read. Last year. A decade ago. When I started my career. Now. Since it so perfectly aligned with the publisher’s mission “to make a significant difference in the careers of independent producers by educating and informing them about the business behind the film industry”: it was a “no brainer” win-win. I put on my journalist’s research cap and interviewed hundreds of entertainment industry professionals across the vast spectrum of our media business from all around the world. I relished the opportunity to ask the tough questions I really wanted to hear the truth on, from veterans who could put those answers into context. More importantly, I dared to ask the naïve questions most of us are too embarrassed to ask because they reveal the holes in our Swiss-cheese knowledge of this business that we all inevitably acquire haphazardly, in rushed bits and bytes, on the fly or on-set—often through the mistakes of others. Story Selling was basically everything I couldn’t cram into the first book! While the first book taught you how to work the actual selling circuit (the lay of the land, who the players are, clever approach strategies, etc. – the 10,000’ bird’s eye view), Story Selling honed in a project-specific deliverables – all the marketing materials you should have to sell – anywhere. 5) How long did it take you to write it? How to Work the Film & TV Markets took about a year to write – maybe two – then another year through the publishing process. The second book took about six months to write – and about six months through the publishing process. 6) Did you learn anything from the project? So much! The first book was more about interviewing experts and synthesizing their insights, integrated with my own first-hand experiences while the second book was far more about applying what I – and hundreds of my friends – struggle with in terms of developing, pitching and marketing Film & TV projects – and books. 7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? https://heatherhale.com/books https://heatherhale.com/bio 8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? I’m a great editor! 😉 I love Dog & Pony Creative for book covers and key art: https://www.dogandponycreative.com/portfolio/how-to-work-the-film-tv-markets They won the 22nd Annual Communicator Awards – Print & Design – Award of Distinction – with my/our book cover! 9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? I read everything! I love non-fiction (Michael Lewis, Malcolm Gladwell), biographies, autobiographies, memoirs – especially comedic (a la David Sedaris). I love novels, especially thrillers (Trevanian), Magical Realism, children’s storybooks, satires, books on watercolor painting, sketching, and, of course, screenwriting, filmmaking, storytelling, the creative process, etc. I read professionally for a living – as a consultant: https://heatherhale.com/consultant 10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? Oh wow… probably Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I love her Russian expat zest for original American ideals, her strong powerful role models – and the themes of all her books. I also loved: The Fountainhead, Shibumi, The Sparrow, The Honey Badger – I could go on and on! 11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? Yes! I have 2.5 cats 😉 The cats were all wild, feral rescues and one isn’t officially ours yet, though he seems to have adopted us. That’s Oliver (“Please Sir, May I Have S’more?). We have The Other One (nicknamed TOO) and The little One (nicknamed Tri – pronounced “Tree”) I also have ten koi fish in a 2,500 gallon watergarden pond. I’m one of only about 200 certified koi keepers in the US! 😉 12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? Well, my MacBook Pro and Air and iPhone are all electronic reading devices! 😉

Interview with Kaitlynzq, Author of Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Kaitlynzq, Author of Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu.

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 author name is my first name, Kaitlynzq, and I currently live in northern California, and have a love for soft, gentle breezes and calm climates.  Trees, flowers, the ocean, and mountains are all extremely important to me with how I connect.

 

 

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

My writing forms into books that are connected as a set of interconnected stories with elements from each story that interweave in one another as heart’s wave, heart’s song, heart’s breath.  Characters with the same feelings, needs, dreams, desires while each book holds its own unique form.  Instead of a chronological set, the books included in a series are inter-connected, meaning interior connected.

 

My first series, Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu includes Ancient Script of Lovecontu audio poem, Legend of Song de Light audio book, Legend of Song de Light audio play, and Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu audio set.

 

With interior poetic stanzas hinted at in Legend of Song de Light that bloom into full poems in Ancient Script of Lovecontu to then step within notes of love within Legend of Song de Light, as a “Yes, …, I, …, will meet you tonight.”

 

And, all three of these books are held gently in my book Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu audio set, and written with poetic prose and touches of romance.

 

 

3) What is the book about?

Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu audio set holds the internal vocabulary of a character’s heart, that beautiful space of needs, desires, dreams, feelings, with the undercurrent of the depth of lovecontu a continual rhythm within a heart.

 

Lovecontu touches as flowers, sounds of a pink glow, song of radiant chords, and continues within the series of interconnected stories Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu.

 

For the vocal synopsis of this audio set, and more about the series, the following link will guide you to the playlist on my audio streams for Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu

 

https://soundcloud.com/kaitlynzq/sets/lovecontu-song-de-light-lovecontu-series

 

 

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

Within my books, I include delicate symmetry of colors, music, and flowers.  Sometimes as symbolic metaphors, and other times as literal connections, within a character’s experiences that at times, link with another character’s experience.  Moment by moment, layer by layer, that become a story.

 

My inspirations come from the interior spaces within my heart, within other people, and within precious natural elements like the layers inside of a tree.  And, in the night time depths of my heart the idea for this series continued to unfold to join in the daylight hours to reveal even more as I wrote.

 

 

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

Each book is unique, and typically begin to form well before I put pen to paper. Once I do begin to write what my imagination holds, it takes about one to two years.

 

 

6) Do you have an author website and/or blog?

kaitlynzq.com

kaitlynzq.boutique

 

blog & audio streams newsletter signup form:  http://eepurl.com/dN-AFj

 

 

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

I love adult literary fiction, poetry and romance, and these are the same genres that I write in.  New authors are as wonderful as any author along the spectrum of their life and artistry.

 

I don’t review authors’ work; however, I have created a collective book box subscription that focuses on the beautiful depths of poetry, and highlights the full color wheel of poets.  If any poets are interested in being included in one of the editions for hearts’ poetry, more information is available here  kaitlynzq.com/poets-center

 

I would be honored to have a conversation with you about the opportunities to include you in hearts’ poetry…

 

a special extension and collection of the artistry of poets

each of their heart’s natural language, imagination’s dance

their words stream into sounds of lyrical compositions that form the stanzas

lines and notes that connect together into poems as their unique

heart’s wave, heart’s song, heart’s breath

heart’s breath, heart’s song, heart’s wave

and are woven into each month’s hearts’ poetry

 

 

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

I don’t have a pet; however, I connect with many animals…butterflies gentle way they float in the air, snow leopard and their soft, intense depth of their eyes, horses and their elegant way, bigfin reef squid and its beautiful way of bioluminescence in the sea, a hummingbird’s dance, eagle’s long wingspan, axolotl and their kind expression, little blue penguin’s precious tenderness, and my list goes on and on.

 

And, my love of these precious beings are part of something that I’ve designed called giving tree, where 25% of sales goes to a charity within books, theatre, radio and nature.  For more information about this community sharing extension, and to synchronize your purchase with the current month’s giving tree moments, please visit these pages

 

kaitlynzq.com/giving-tree

kaitlynzq.boutique/giving-tree

 

#kaitlynzq

 

 

 

Interview with T.G. Campbell, Author of Bow Street Society – The Case of The Toxic Tonic

Hello,

Today’s interview is with T.G. Campbell, author of Bow Street Society – The Case of the Toxic Tonic.

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)?

I write under T.G. Campbell and I live in the United Kingdom.

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

My newest book is The Case of the Toxic Tonic and it’s predominantly crime fiction with historical fiction elements.

3) What is the book about?

When the Bow Street Society is called upon to assist the Women’s International Maybrick Association, it’s assumed the commission will be a short-lived one. Yet, a visit to the Walmsley Hotel in London’s prestigious west end only serves to deepen the Society’s involvement. In an establishment that offers exquisite surroundings, comfortable suites, and death, the Bow Street Society must work alongside Scotland Yard to expose a cold-blooded murderer. Meanwhile, two inspectors secretly work to solve the mystery of not only Miss Rebecca Trent’s past but the creation of the Society itself…

The Bow Street Society is a fictional group of amateur detectives operating in Victorian London. Each of its civilian members has been enlisted for their unique skill or exceptional knowledge in a particular field derived from their usual occupation. Members are assigned to cases by the Society’s clerk, Miss Trent, based upon these skills and fields of knowledge. This ensures the Society may work on the behalf of clients regardless of their social class or wealth; cases that the police either can’t or won’t investigate. From an artist to a doctor, from a solicitor to a journalist, the Bow Street Society’s aim is to provide justice by all and for all.

The Case of The Toxic Tonic is the fourth instalment in the Bow Street Society Mystery series of novels.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

I think I was at work when I decided to use a hotel for the mystery’s setting. I work part-time as a receptionist. I like to ponder new ideas and iron out plot kinks etc. on rare, quiet days to keep my mind occupied.

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

It took me approximately 4 months to plan the plot and research the historical context. The actual writing took me approximately 6 months. Following this, it was beta read for a month and then edited before finally being released on the 31st August 2019.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

I’m keen to make the historical elements of my fiction as accurate as possible. This often includes the scientific knowledge and expertise which the fictional police surgeon possesses in my Bow Street Society books. In The Case of the Toxic Tonic, the surgeon (Dr Percy Weeks) and a member of the Bow Street Society, Dr Lynette Locke, must determine the victim’s cause of death. They suspect aconite poisoning but the scientific tests for detecting poisons—which would’ve been available to them at the time—were unreliable when trying to identify this substance. Thus, Dr Weeks is forced to resort to the only test available to him; a taste test. This surprising ‘technique’ for detecting aconite poisoning was one I discovered while doing research into the real-life scientific techniques of the time, and something I was unaware of prior.

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

Website:

Rather than an author website, I have one dedicated to the Bow Street Society: www.bowstreetsociety.com It’s where readers may find out more about the Society’s members, sign-up to the free, monthly newsletter, the Gaslight Gazette, and read blurbs and reader reviews for the first 3 books in the series (The Case of the Curious Client, The Case of the Lonesome Lushington, and The Case of the Spectral Shot. Details of the Bow Street Society Casebook collections, The Case of the Shrinking Shopkeeper & Other Stories and The Case of the Peculiar Portrait & Other Stories may also be found there.

Blogs:

There’s also two blogs on the website. The first is my monthly blog that covers a wide range of topics from the Victorian origins of the word “copper” to my reviews of crime-based television dramas. The second is called The Writers’ Wing where I interview crime fiction, thriller fiction, suspense fiction, horror fiction, and true crime nonfiction writers within the setting of an imaginary prison wing. Inspired by the long-running BBC radio show, Desert Island Discs, my blog asks each guest (or ‘inmate’ the same three questions: Who is your cellmate and why? Which four books would you choose to pass the time with and why? And Which of your literary creations would you choose to visit you and why? Guests are featured for free on my blog and I’m always on the look-out for more to interview.

T.G. Campbell’s blog: https://www.bowstreetsociety.com/t.g.-campbell-s-blog.html

The Writers’ Wing blog: https://www.bowstreetsociety.com/writers-wing.html

Book video:

Last year, I wrote, produced and directed a live action book trailer for the first Bow Street Society Mystery, The Case of the Curious Client. It also explains what the Bow Street Society is and how it’s perceived by the police.

The Case of the Curious Client book trailer: https://youtu.be/UVvXKqSFRZo

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

The two most important tips I could give my fellow authors are: always have your work edited and proofread by a professional editor, and never be afraid to be different.

Susan Soares is an Editor at SJS Editorial Services who has edited every Bow Street Society book and short story to date. She’s thorough, great value for money, and highly professional. I’d recommend her services to any of my fellow authors.

SJS Editorial Services: www.facebook.com/SJSEditorialServices

Heather Curtis designed the Bow Street Society logo that has featured on all Bow Street Society books and short story collections to date.

Freelance artist Peter Spells has created the illustrations which have been featured in the centre of the covers on all Bow Street Society books and short story collections to date.

Peter Spells: https://www.peterspells.co.uk/

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

I enjoy reading crime fiction, historical nonfiction, and true crime nonfiction books. I’m certainly open to discovering new authors but I don’t usually review authors’ works on either of my blogs. If any crime fiction, thriller fiction, suspense fiction, horror fiction, or true crime nonfiction authors would like to be featured on my Writers’ Wing blog they may either complete the form linked on the Writers’ Wing page (see previous answer) or email me at info@bowstreetsociety.com.

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

I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite! My favourite series at the moment is the William Quest books by John Bainbridge. My favourite nonfiction book currently is The Queen’s London, printed in 1896. Depicting photographs and paintings of London from this time, it helps me to describe real-life places when I feature them in my writing.

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

I currently have no pets. I did have a canary called ‘Tweeps’ but he sadly passed away last year.

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

Yes, I own an Amazon Kindle Fire. I find reading on the Kindle a great deal easier than a paper book. This is due to the fact I have a degenerative eye condition. I therefore tend to read books in an enlarged, white font on a black background. This allows me to read comfortably without straining my eyes. I have reference books which are in paper form but I often have to use a magnifying glass in addition to my reading glasses in order to see the print in these. Font size is something few publishers consider when formatting a manuscript for release but it’s one of the most important elements in my opinion.

My social media links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BowStreetSociety

Facebook 2: www.facebook.com/TheWritersWing

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BowStSociety

Interview with Dawn Young, Author of Melvin Fastidious the Sailor

Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you this interview with Dawn Young, author of Melvin Fastidious the Sailor.

I hope you enjoy it.

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

 

Interview:

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

Dawn Doig.  I penned one book under my maiden name, Dawn Young, because it was inspired by and written for my father.

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

‘Melvin Fastidious the Sailor’ is my most recent release.  It’s a children’s picture book.

3) What is the book about?

A sailor with OCD.

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

Growing up with my father, a veteran of the Canadian navy, and his need to have things ‘just so’.

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

About 3 hours.

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

I have learned how to work with illustrators through the publication of all of my books so far.

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

https://doigda.wixsite.com/mysite-1

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

Persevere.  If you love writing, keep doing it.  I have appreciated the art work of all of the illustrators I have been put in contact with through Pen It! Publications

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

Crime detective, historical romance, and children’s books; I work full-time so my ‘free’ time is limited.

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

I don’t have one favourite – I enjoy all of Diana Gabaldon’s books and anything I have read by James Patterson.  I also love ‘Stellaluna’ and ‘The Phantom Tollbooth.’

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

Two beautiful cats we adopted in Mongolia.  My husband and I have always had cats.

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

iPad mini – I don’t use it for reading books.  Actually, I seldom use it, but my tech-loving husband insisted I have one.

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Interview with Andy Douglas, Author of Redemption Songs

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Andy Douglas, author of Redemption Songs.

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)? Andy Douglas, Iowa.

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? My latest book is “Redemption Songs: A Year in the Life of a Community Prison Choir.”

3) What is the book about? The book chronicles the six years I spent volunteering in a medium security prison as part of a choir that  combines incarcerated men and community volunteers. Its main narrative thrust details the experience of entering the prison each week, getting to know the men, overcoming preconceptions about these folks, and forging a strong community through shared creative undertaking. The book also has a research-based component, and focuses on some of the issues facing the penal system. Thirdly, the book tells the stories of several of the men I got to know, exploring their early lives, their crimes, their efforts to rehabilitate.

4) Where did you come up with the idea? In conversation with a writing mentor, who saw the inherent drama and value of the idea.

5) How long did it take you to write it? Six years.

6) Did you learn anything from the project? Ha. I learned a great deal. Certainly I learned much about criminal justice and restorative justice, for example, the fact that as a nation we compose five percent of the the world’s population but have 25 percent of the world’s prisoners. I interrogated my own biases about people in prison and came away with new understanding. Intellectually, I had acknowledged that people in prison were simply people who had gone down a wrong path, but to learn in an intimate way about the challenges and struggles and, yes, often selfish behavior, of people and put it into a larger context of, well, racism, economic hardship, unfair sentencing practices, was all eye-opening. On a writing level, this book combines several different types of writing, narrative, more research-based expository writing, interview-based retelling of the men’s stories, as well as direct quotes from the men. It also, in places, leans toward a more lyrical essayistic style. How in the world were those very different types of writing going to coalesce into an integral whole? This was the challenge for me, which I think I met, shaping the narrative and the various styles in a way that ultimately created a seamless narrative.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? My website is andydouglas.net

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? Cultivate some good readers whose opinions you trust. At the same time, trust your own vision. Finally, revise more than you think you need to. Revise and put the work away for a while. Then reread it with fresh eyes. Revise until every sentence is sparklingly clear, until every niggling doubt is resolved, until every chapter ends in a way that propels the reader on to the next one. Revise.

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? I read a lot of literary fiction. Also some nonfiction, often related to environmental or social justice issues.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? That’s a tough one. One of my favorite is Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains. Kidder does what I’d like to do better: sinks deeply into a world until he can write about it with ease and comprehension, then pulls us into that world with beautiful prose.

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

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

Interview with Cole Bruce, Author of Ruler and the Gods and the Athanatos Stone

 

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Cole Bruce, author of Ruler and the Gods and the Athanatos Stone.

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)?Cole Bruce. Tennessee.

2) What is the title of your newest book and what is the genre? Well, I have tons of books out already. So, if this for the book to show up, it’s ‘Ruler and the Gods and the Athanatos Stone‘; oldest book out of them.

3) What is the book about? Jesse Talley is chosen to go into the Greek World to face against Hades. On his adventure, he meets Athena and Ares; he’ll also meet Gods and Goddesses, fight Greek Mythology Monsters and see creatures. But, what makes this book series unique is my very own Fantasy characters, creatures and worlds.

4) Where did you come up with the idea? Back in 2009, I had a notebook plan called ‘Ruler’s Ring’, but in 9th Grade at my High School, my English Teacher showed us ‘The Odysee’ and that’s when ‘Ruler’s Ring’ turned into ‘Ruler of the Gods’. The ring turned into the Magical Timeline Transporter and the magical world combined into Greek Mythology. In 2012, ‘Ruler of the Gods’ changed to ‘Ruler and the Gods’.

5) How long did it take you to write it? 9 years on Notebook and a few attempts on computer, but on Oct.2017, I finished it.

6) Did you learn anything from the project? It really helped me love History, create more stories, come up with more imagination.

7) Do you have an author website and/or blog? How about a book video? ‘Ruler’s Greek World Crossovers and Others’ Facebook Page shows it all! Books, Links, Videos, etc

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors? How about any great editors/cover artists? Right now, I’m still trying to get my work out. I’m the Editor and Book Cover artist (in a way. I went on Canva.com, but zoomed it in to make it something else)

9) What genres do you like to read? Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work? I love mostly Fantasy, Adventure and Sci-fi, but also Classic Literature, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy, etc. I do like to see new Arthors and connect with them.

10) What is your favorite book of all time and why? Even though, I’m a Potterhead (Harry Potter Lover), my favorite book is ‘Of Mice and Men’

11) Fun Question: Do you have any pets? If so, what kind? 3 Cats, 2 Dogs, 2 Guini Pigs and a Hampster (My sisters)

12) Fun Question 2: Do you own an electronic reading device? If so, what kind and how do you like it? Amazon Kindle and only care about the music. I don’t care about Ebooks and Digital Books. Only way I would use them as a sample of my books.

Interview with Gary Gach, Author of Pause Breathe Smile

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Gary Gach, author of Pause, Breathe, Smile.

Please enjoy!

Best,

-Vince

Interview:

1)  What is your author name and in what state do you live (or country if not in the US)?
My name is Gary Gach ( pronounced like “Bach” or “clock” ) & I live in California.

 

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

 

My latest book is:
 
PAUSE   BREATHE   SMILE
Awakening Mindfulness When

Meditation Is Not Enough

 

It’s in the Practical Spirituality genre (aka Mind Body Spirit ).

 

3)    What is the book about? 
The title is something anyone can remember (PBS) and practice anytime. Pause, breathe, smile. That’s also the simple structure of the book – presenting mindfulness as pausing (to respond, instead of react), conscious breathing (as meditation), and smiling (in the face of impermanence, interconnection, and nonself). These three can be read in any order because each contains the others.  Hopefully, it’s not just about mindfulness, but also a personal experience of mindfulness itself.

 

4) Where did you come up with the idea?

 

I’ve been practicing mindfulness for many decades. As you know, it’s become the fastest-growing self-help trend since yoga. Yet with popularity can come trivialization and misunderstanding.

 

My teacher Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh introduced the world to mindfulness 45 years ago. In our last retreat together, after a discussion of secularization, he very clearly told us we aren’t to teach mindfulness as a tool: it is a way.(247/7). I’d go as far as to say it’s not only a way of life, it’s life itself.

These days, people seeking “mindfulness” often think being calm is all there is. (There’s also insight.) Or they have yet to see themselves in relation. Or they still are getting in their own way because of their general worldview. So I felt it was time to bring contemporary mindfulness back to its roots, for a general audience. This, of course, draws on my own experiences, as an individual and from my community

 

 

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

Five years.

 

6) Did you learn anything from the project?

 

For sure. For me, this book was a big career move – moving out from the shadow of a best-selling branded series and taking a stand on my own.

From the outset, the book evolved organically. When I gave the manuscript over to a publisher, it continued growing in my mind and heart, and I continued thinking about it, reflecting and learning from it.

Being able to write that way, rather than by advance proposal then following a timeline, was inestimably rewarding to me as an author and I hope it carries over for the reader.

 

In general, I learned to see how mindfulness is evolving in our society. I came to understand the arguments against its co-optation, on the one hand, and, on the other, its introduction in schools as being perceived as a threat to freedom of religion. This led me to begin to formulate my own sense of the importance of postsecularism and what it means to me. Ultimately, I’ve also come to appreciate mindfulness is not a trend but a palpable element taking root in our culture today, and how important that can be for these uncertain times.

I’ve also come to see mindfulness as holding one truth – with many meanings. Bill Gates naturally uses it via a computer app, where for Yuval Noah Harari it deeply informs his practice as a historian and so he goes on month-long mindfulness retreats.

A more specific learning instance might be my appreciation of motivation as underlying intention, of resilience as an essential survival skill, of how to put theory into practice, and so on.

And, as a writer, I now better appreciate how important story can be in nonfiction as well as fiction. That includes personal story, and how being vulnerable can be of benefit to both myself and my readers, without it necessarily being self-indulgent, but, rather, as a mirror.

 

Plus, this was my first audio edition – and I was fortunately to be able to be its narrator. I’m still assimilating what I learned from that experience.

 

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

My author page is GaryGach.com – a work-in-progress.

Sorry, no book video, per se. But there are video clips of me there, reading from the book and at venues.

 

8) Do you have any success tips to pass on to fellow authors?

 

 

Read your work aloud. Even record it and listen to how it sounds.

 

Revise on paper.

 

Pace yourself. Chart the arc of your work’s emotional peaks and valleys, builds and releases.

Besides an outline, try making a mindmap of it – its topics and themes, characters or characteristics.

 

One of the challenges of this book was not to comment on what I’d just written. See if this is a habit in your own work. Another way of putting this: see when you need to get out of your own way.

 

Where possible, be vivid.

Present ideas through things.

 

Enjoy your writing along the way. Then your reader will enjoy reading too.

 

Share with a community of those interested in your material and ask for feedback.

At some point, visit bookstores and libraries and see what else is out there that’s like your work, and clarify how your work is different. If it’s for a magazine, see what other magazines might have published something like your own piece, and check back as far as six months.

 

There are no unpublished writers. If you’re a writer, you’re a writer. You may be pre-published, but not unpublished. 

 

Ask yourself why you write.

And who do you write for.

Know your audience and get to know them in real life.

 

 

How about any great editors/cover artists? 

For editors, I can wholeheartedly recommend Nancy Owen Barton, in South Carolina.
As for artists, I’m so happy the cover for PBS features the impeccable calligraphy of Denise L. Nguyen. Instagram: @Lotusology  

 

9) What genres do you like to read?

 

Simple question for which I lack a simple answer.
I hope my honesty doesn’t seem pedantic or didactic but more like a friendly, sincere local park-bench philosopher. You see, my tastes have grown more and more eclectic, over the years.

 

My current reading habits are characterized by particular sub-genres. But I’ve always been wary of categories and boundaries. (Maybe it’s an offshoot of my working in a 2^nd-hand bookstore for many years – or wondering how education is broken into separate categories.) For example, years ago, I read classical pulp fiction: Hammett, Cain, and Chandler, “hard-boiled,” but so is Hemingway, and Camus. I like Fritz Leiber’s work whether sword and sorcery or the Change Wars series (science-fiction). Al Young’s “musical memoir” series (Bodies & Soul, Kinds of Blue, Things Ain’t What They Used To Be, and Drowning in the Sea of Love) is a mash-up of personal essay, memoir, writing on music.

 

Anyhoo —

 

On my “To Read” shelf:

 

Mindfulness; Buddhism; Taoism; science – neurocognition (Rick Hanson; Daniel Siegel; Embodied Mind by Rosch, Thompson, and Varela), biomimicry, and Ayurveda; philosophy (phenomenology); anthropology (Ritual Process): economics (Viking Economics); systems thinkers (Charles Eisenstein, Daniel Christian Wahl); poetry of various sorts particularly Eastern poetry and poetics; history (Mongol Empire); contemporary fiction, rarely – preferring classics, but will give the new ones by Richard Powers (Overstory) and Ocean Vuong (On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous) a try. 

 

Right now, I’m reading the Qur’an.

 

Plus there’s always reading for research for what I’m currently writing, which I also find pleasurable.
Are you open to reading new authors and reviewing their work?

 

I wish. But —I’ve written and published several dozen book reviews and now taken a blanket retirement from same. That’s practically true with blurbs too.

 

From time to time, I’ll read Page One of a new author’s work and offer feedback.

 

 

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

 

A blank book. Honestly! For one thing, there are so many editions to choose from. Lined / unlined. Artists’ sketchpad or college composition book. It’s always incredible to re-read. Often worth underlining. It never fails to hold for me the greatest range of sheer possibility combined with the capacity for deepest revelation. And I’m always frankly curious to see what will happen next.

 

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

 

                   -=[ no pets ]=-

 

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

 

I might read a couple articles on my iPad, now and then.

 

 

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Interview with B.R. Bentley, Author of The Banker’s Box

Happy Friday!

Today’s interview is with BR Bentley, author of The Banker’s Box.

Please enjoy!

Best,

-Vincent Lowry

 

Interview:

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

B.R. Bentley (pseudonym). I live in British Columbia, Canada.

 

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

The Banker’s Box – Mystery/Crime

 

What is the book about?

The unanticipated consequences of a casual remark leading to the unexpected disappearance of a flamboyant banker.

 

Where did you come up with the idea?

All my novels are inspired by real events as is this one – inspired by the disappearance of a local banker.

 

How long did it take you to write it?

About two years – interrupted fairly frequently by my boxer dog. High energy and very demanding.

 

Did you learn anything from the project?

Crime and politics are a continual influence on our everyday lives.

 

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

Author website is www.brbentley.com No book video.

 

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

Read Stephen King’s book – On Writing…it’s my writing bible. Have used several editors all of whom added value. Also used Beta readers – essential. Latest cover designer did excellent work on interpreting what I I tried to outline verbally.

 

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

I read pretty much anything. I’m studying Novel Writing and writing my next novel at the same time so limited time for reading and reviewing new authors. That said I’d be happy to engage for brief conversations (skype, WhatsApp  etc.) if it helped another writer with their work.

 

What is your favorite book of all time and why?

Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Peyton. I loved the ‘voices’ in the book. Smacks of authenticity.

 

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

Dog and cat. My wife also has a horse.

 

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

Still prefer paper. So hard copy books although I do read university and other material on my Samsung laptop.

 

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Interview with Kerrian N. Adebanjo, Author of The Oil of Joy

Hello,

Today’s interview is with Kerrian N. Adebanjo, author of The Oil of Joy.

Please see it below!

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 Kerrian Adebanjo. I live in Brussels Belgium.

 

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

The Oil of Joy: Scriptural principles for a joyful life.

 

3)    What is the book about?

It’s about joy. A vital ingredient of life which is severely lacking in our society today due to the pressures of life. The book tells you how to learn to be joyful despite circumstances and how to fight back to the lack of joy.

 

4)    Where did you come up with the idea?

I was inspired by a sermon by Bishop David Oyedepo coupled with a few challenges I was facing at that time.

 

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

I believe it took me about 4 months. But after completing the manuscript I had it sitting down for a while before I published it.

 

6)    Did you learn anything from the project?

Yes, a lot mainly that procrastination is the theft of time. If you want to do something just do it and don’t put it off.

 

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

I am working on them now.  You will eb updated once they are completed.

 

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

I use freelancing websites mainly fiver. Make sur you go for freelancers who have clearly stated that they can do they job you want to get done.  Go for ones with high reviews.

 

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

I like to red Christian romance and Christian detective.

 

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

Rescued from Destruction by Pastor Faith Oyedepo. It reminds that Jesus still heals today.  

 

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

No, I have no pets, but my son has asked me for a fish, so I am going to get that for him. The fish might just become my pet as well.

 

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

Not anymore. I had Kindles before and they got damaged. Since the last one I have not yet replaced it. I will get another. I believe the reason I have not replaced it yet is because I want to limit my screen time daily.

 

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.