Awesome Author Interviews

Interview With Author Jordan Standridge

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It all started back in elementary school in the year…. ha Not telling you *that*! It was the day I met real-life children’s author Crystal Thrasher. I’d already been writing- short stories and poems by that time. She came to our school, told us how long it took her to get published and about her multiple tries (“You just don’t give up.”). One of my teachers who supported my writing gave her my book of poems and asked her if she had time to read it. She did. She made notes and listed her favorites in it with her red ink pen.

Decades later, I still have that book of poems. Her red ink has turned to burgundy now, but it’s still legible. In honor of Mrs. Thrasher, when I hold my book signings and events (which I do often), I always sign with my red ink pen.

I have written under a different name for years, but novels are my newest endeavor. I’ve written three finished ones with about five more in the process. My “The Women of Strength, Courage, and Hope Series” has two published books out now (including “The Witness”) with the third launching in probably January. (I pushed it back.) Book four has been started and will be out in 2026.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Witness” is my crime suspense mystery romance. It was actually written about 10 years ago.

At that time, I was a service technician (my resume has quite the variety!) and drove 6,000 miles/month across six states in my personal car. Often on the interstate, I would sometimes see a cop have someone pulled over on a traffic stop. One day, I wondered to myself, “What if (s)he got into danger? Would I help them? How could I?”

The story quickly took off in my head, and the idea took root to publish it after my first book. Long story short, I ended up leaving that job and becoming a police and fire dispatcher myself. With some of the officers I worked with saying I’d make a great detective, this further encouraged me in my story.

The original is way longer. An author friend of mine suggested I shorten all of my books, so I did. It took seven re-writes, and it was extremely hard to delete scenes. However, I have plans to publish the longer original stories anyway.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write only when inspired to. My best ideas and plot twists tend to come when I drive or sleep…But not at the same time! I know many authors say you must have this or that routine. If that works for them, great. It doesn’t for me.

I homeschooled myself my senior year of high school, put myself through college, and then later took more courses but those were online. I know what works for me. I got real diplomas from each school to show I know myself. I even did a blog post about this.

Probably my weirdest quirk is I write better with background noises. If it’s too quiet, I pick up on the smallest things that distract me. Think: Someone opening a mailbox and it clicks closed. The neighbor’s cats running down the stairs on the other side of the wall. My best work is done while having a movie play- not TV but an actual movie. TV shows have too many breaks, and commercial volumes annoy me to no end. Thankfully, I’m a movie buff and have a huge collection of DVDs. Generally, it’s a Western but not always.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Louis L’Amour for certain! I read every one of his books-and had most of them on my bookshelf- numerous times. When I rode race horses, I got the owner’s wife hooked on them. We’d often go to the library to get more.

Heading back to college in Texas from Indiana with a friend, she had a book “The Wedding” by Julie Garwood. I was hooked, line and sinker. I’ve read all of her books- also buying nearly every one of them. She and I actually emailed each other a few times; that was the greatest! Since I know personally how it feels to hear back from an actual author, I definitely reply to those who have written me from my website.

Oh! Walter Farley with The Black Stallion series. I almost forgot him!! The man who started it all.

I’ve read thousands of books, but those three authors had the most influence on me.

What are you working on now?
Marketing this book to go #1 on Amazon! It’s a goal I have, and I mean to make it.

Other than that and still working a full-time job, I’m working on book four in this series. Plus the others I started. When inspiration hits, I drop everything and write (type) it all out. When the well runs dry, I at least know where it was going and the idea is recorded. I simply go back to it when I want to, refresh my memory, and then pick up where I left off. I’ll go for a drive to let my mind settle as it normally runs with 1,000 open tabs. Then the plot percolates and off I go.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a fledging author of novels, by far, hands-down has been FreeBooksy. And that is a recent one. The HOURS and DAYS and WEEKS I’ve spent on marketing is insane. I can’t tell you how much work I’ve missed (I can do that as long as I make enough to pay my bills) in order to learn and promote.

I’m swamped with training videos, seminars, etc. on how to best market and promote not only my books but myself. Some of my favorite people so far who give real-life, accurate advice are (in no particular order)…drumroll… Derek Doepker, Dave Chesson, Lise Cartwright, Geoff Affleck.

There are others, but those seem to give the most and best. They all come across as humble and genuinely wanting to help authors. Sometime I run into someone who seems more invested in themselves, and that turns me off and away.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1) Write what feels right to you. It’s *your* story. If someone tells you what to write, tell them to write their own.

2) You must be humble and ask for help. You *will* make mistakes no matter how much you try to avoid them. Trust me on that.

3) Research. Delve into learning your craft. It’s a necessity.

4) Watch your word count. If you use an editor, formatter, etc., they charge by the word. Look up what your genre’s word count generally is as a guide.

5) Sign up for professional newsletters… Or subscribe to my newsletter and/or read my blog. I toss in some behind-the-scenes stuff now and then. Just go to my website to Join the Family. 🙂

6) Stay away from negative people. If you can’t, then tune them out. Why take advice from someone killing your dreams when they don’t have any themselves? It’s like taking financial advice from a poor person- or a rich one in complete debt.

7) And as Mrs. Thrasher said, “You just don’t give up.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live your life to the fullest because you only get one.

What are you reading now?
Amazon Sales Rankings. lol

My pet rabbit’s body language telling me he’s hungry or wants some lovin’. He free roams, so he’s normally around me.

Other than those, nothing…I’m absolutely swamped with everything else going on.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After hitting #1? hmm Hitting it again someday so I know it wasn’t a fluke. 🙂

Okay…Finishing the books I’ve started. It’s all about the backlist, isn’t it?

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
How to Survive on a Desert Island for Dummies… 🙂

Not counting my own? hmm

1) Black Beauty to retain humanity toward all animals and horses in particular. My heart is huge for animals.

2) The Secret by Julie Garwood. Probably my favorite of hers; I even re-named my first book as a nod of respect to her. I wish she was still here to know that.

3) The Black Stallion since I’m also on a desert island. It’ll give me hope I’ll get off it. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted to live far away in the middle of nowhere, but I’ve always pictured it as more of a cabin in the mountains. I’m not a fan of salt water!

Author Websites and Profiles

Jordan Standridge Website

Jordan Standridge Amazon Profile

Jordan Standridge’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

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Interview With Author Jorge Alejandro Paez

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Venezuelan-American raised in New York and currently living in Florida. I’ve been writing short stories since I was 11, a lot of those I used as stuff I submitted for school assignments. I remember one in particular, wh was about 2 friends. I’m not sure why but those 2 showed up together a lot in my short stories, and maybe they’ll show up in a published work one day. I wrote one novel, all the way back in middle school that I tried to get published but that didn’t get anywhere. So basically I’ve been writing a lot for forever. In terms of the stuff I’ve written that has been published there is only the one story so far although there is a lot more in the works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut work is called The Garden of Grace. It was born out of this thing I used to do to find closure when things happened in my life, whether it was losing a friend or a breakup. I’d write them a letter on my computer and delete it, it was my way of letting go. Sometimes though, I really wanted the other person to read it and pictured that conversation in my head. I think that’s where this book came from. The other part of it too has to do with the way people process grief. It’s one thing if you fight with someone and you each go your own way, but what if you part ways and you learn the person died only a few days later? It’s not just about the words you might have said but what you never said that you start regretting. I read this great story in Chicken Soup for the Soul about a son who refused to tell his dad he loved him one night because he was “too old for it”, and the next afternoon he came home from school to learn his dad had died. So it’s based on that too. What would you tell someone if you could find closure? What would you tel them if you had the chance that you never did before? What would you do differently? And then there’s the way people carry guilt. With someone who died, you never get to fix it, you never get to say I’m sorry. That’s why this story takes place in Heaven, because that would be the next time you meet.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m what George R. R. Martin would call a gardener. I cannot stand outlining. In fact I almost failed 10th and 11th grade English over this fact in high school. If you give me a topic for a paper or story, I will not outline. If I try to outline it kills my thinking process and I just can’t do it. Instead what I do is I sit down with the start of the idea in my head, or the thesis argument if it was non-fiction like in school papers, and I would start writing. I could write for hours that way. A few days I wrote close to 4000 words before the night was done. Then I go back and edit, take some stuff out, extend other stuff, like taking care of a garden.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Khaled Hosseini was a huge influence in my early days. The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And The Mountains Echoed were absolutely inspiring. They were epic and thematic in a way I’ve rarely seen in fiction. Usually when we talk about epic story telling it’s something like Star Wars. I became a huge fan of the Star Wars movies and books for that reason, specially the expanded universe novels. Khaled Hosseini’s writing has the same quality except it’s raw and real. Instead of scifi where there are a bunch of characters that you know are made up, and futuristic technology, aliens and all that, Khaled Hosseini’s books take place right here, right now. His first 2 books that cover, in different ways, the impact of the Taliban on Afghanistan for example, the Soviet invasion, the social structure of a people and how it impacts each character humanizes everyone while not hesitating to point out issues. There are no bad guys in Khaled Hosseini’s works, everyone becomes a factor of something more, their society, their tribal affiliation, class, everything comes into play to make a wholistic picture of the individual. Another huge influence was Jodi Picoult even though I was only able to read 2 of their novels, House Rules and Nineteen Minutes. Jodi Picoult’s work, similar to Khaled Hosseini’s, shows how everyone is a product of the society at the time, how no one is a binary character, all good or all bad. Specially with the novel Nineteen Minutes, it shows you can’t judge a character by first impressions. These 2 authors brought such humanity to their work it not only inspired me to write but to write stories like the ones they did, stories that showed the flawed and multi-layer construction that is a human being.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novel that I hope to release in Spring of 2026. Everything as far as the story is still to be determined, but my goal is to have it written and complete by the end of the year at least.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media is my best tool. Reaching out to people I do, and people I don’t know. I honestly didn’t even realize marketing sites were a thing until I saw a video by Robert Dale talking about how he paid promoters on Fiver to talk about one of his books on Instagram and their websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Write and keep on writing. When I was younger I used to take Piano lessons and my Piano teacher told me there had been a study done which found that whoever did a thing for 10000 hours became a pro at that one thing. I didn’t believe it at the time but now I know. I hated practicing Piano but I loved writing, so I did it constantly, and that’s why I’m not just good but I’m confident I’m good, whereas with Piano I stopped playing it years ago but even when I did I was never quite confident in myself. Also, as a side note given that experience, if you can breathe eat and sleep writing, this is for you. If you love reading books and gaining knowledge that you then put into your written work somehow, this is for you. If everything you imagine involves writing, this is for you. (When I thought of going down the traditional route of going to college, I never thought of studying creative writing because I thought that wouldn’t be productive, even English was never on my mind except as a stepping stone to something else like law, etc. The point is no matter what career I thought of over the years, whether it was law, writing novels, journalism which I did for a while as a teen on a technology blog, or even preaching, it was all reading and writing heavy.)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I don’t remember where I heard this but basically, editing is a stage not a part of drafting. Write your first draft, with absolutely everything, don’t leave everything out. So what if you end up writing 100 chapters, and end up spending pages upon pages on one single scene. Then, once you’re done with that, you go back and start editing. Instead of say, starting with a goal of writing 100000 words, write it all out and then cut it down to your goal or editorial requirements.

What are you reading now?
I started reading Seeking Rachel, a Regency romance, mainly because it was free on Kindle and I had a friend a few years ago who was obsessed with the Regency time period. Unfortunately though this is one I cannot finish, not because it isn’t objectively a good book but because I find it boring personally.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I’m focusing on 2 things. Promoting my existing story, The Garden of Grace, and going through the start of the writing process with my next story, the novel which I mentioned earlier will be released in Spring of 2026.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Great question. First, the Bible in the KJV. The language is a little hard to read sometimes but there is just something about the KJV that seems to be impossible to find in any other translation. Usually at home I’m good using the Bible app and flipping between the KJV, ESV, and NIV, but since I’m only taking one it’d have to be KJV. The other books, it would be a toss up between the 3 Khaled Hosseini books I mentioned earlier, the Hunger Games trilogy, or the first 3 Harry Potter or maybe even the first 3 Game of Thrones books. The reason I mention Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Game of Thrones is because those 3 series are great reads that handle profound topics in good easy to read ways without making me cry like Jodi Picoult’s work did which is why I was only able to read 2 of their novels.

Author Websites and Profiles

Jorge Alejandro Paez’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Twitter Account

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Author Interview Series

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Interview With Author Freja Waltari

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Freja Waltari is a 27-year-old coffee and tea enthusiast from Copenhagen, Denmark. Inspired by the city’s rich café culture, she began working as a barista during her university years and developed a passion for crafting beautiful, flavorful drinks—from bold coffees and delicate teas to hot chocolates and cocktails.

Known for her warm, approachable writing style, Freja shares barista-level techniques in a way that’s easy for anyone to follow. Her debut book, Ultimate Coffee Recipe Book: 100+ Delicious Drinks to Perfect Your Barista Skills at Home (2025), blends recipes, brewing tips, and cultural insights. She’s currently working on a tea-focused companion volume and continues to inspire home brewers through workshops and her writing.

What are you working on now?
Freja Waltari is currently working on a new book, which will open up the world of tea to the readers. A new book will explain the history of tea and how to use different types of tea in everyday life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram and Amazon Ads.

Author Websites and Profiles

Freja Waltari Amazon Profile

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Interview With Author Lyneal Jenkins

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
With bipolar, ADHD, and a touch of ASD, it’s no wonder I get bored easily. Over time, I’ve learned to manage the downsides and lean into the positives, especially when it comes to creativity. Writing is my main outlet—I’ve already completed an award-winning 10-book dark fantasy saga, with another six books in various stages of editing.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m always building or making something, whether it’s sets for film shoots or decorating my house for Christmas (eighteen people at the table this year, and the theme is Narnia—my ice palace looks spectacular). Friends once told me I could create a masterpiece out of a room full of scraps. Naturally, I took that as a challenge and turned my boys into a TARDIS from donated scraps. We went on many adventures in that. Shame they had to grow up.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My next book, due for release later this year, is Trials of Ash and Blood. It follows Micah, a half-elf teenager, kidnapped and forced into a Consortium Academy. Dark and gritty, it’s the story of a boy fighting to hold on to his humanity in a world where only the brutal survive. The book has already received a five-star seal from Readers’ Favorite.

The new world of Valeith was partly inspired by my love of steampunk—my wardrobe still holds a few outfits I wish I could live in. Each book explores a different angle: Trials delves into dystopian brutality, while Ryn’s upcoming story is a high-tech heist, due after Easter. The world seems to contain a little bit of everything, which not only entertains me, but gives me endless room to explore.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have plenty of unusual writing habits. For starters, I never title my first chapter—not even as “Chapter One”—until I’ve passed 10,000 words. It doesn’t feel like a real book until then. When I’m drafting, I change my phone screen saver to an image that reflects the book, and I’ll often listen to the same song (sometimes just one on repeat for hours) to stay in the right headspace.

I also plot conversations aloud when I’m walking down the street—both sides, with full enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I can’t pass it off as a phone call, which is awkward if I'm voicing an argument!

For my first ten-book series, I kept no notes at all. I knew it so well I could pull up a single line from any of the books. But with my new projects, the scope is so vast that I have notes scattered across scrap paper all over the house, plus a massive whiteboard with personalised magnets to track timelines and character cameos.

Even editing has its quirks. I often do my structural edits in my head while relaxing in the bath with a mocha—there’s something about water that helps me problem solve.

And when I want a concept for a new book, I mentally go fishing. After finishing my ten-book Phoenix Rising saga, my head felt strangely empty—I could almost see tumbleweeds rolling through. On a dog walk, I cast the intention into the ether: I wanted a world that mixed tech and magic, with mythical races and political intrigue. Twenty minutes later, I had outlines for three books. By the end of that walk, I knew I’d hooked something much bigger—the foundation for the biggest project of my life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been reading across genres since I moved on from the Famous Five at age eleven, and countless authors have shaped me along the way. Stephen King can be blamed for nurturing my dark and twisty side, while Jeffery Deaver sparked my fascination with cause and effect — especially what drives people to act, whether for good, bad, or something in between.

My love of fantasy was first piqued by C.S. Lewis, but it was television that truly inspired me — which probably explains why I write in such a cinematic fashion. Since then, I’ve devoured many of the greats, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Robin Hobb, enjoying everything from high fantasy epics to romantasy when the mood takes me.

What are you working on now?
I have started a huge project expected to be approximately 20 books long, set in a completely different fantasy world with beings from humans to myths like minotaurs, and a few other races to add spice. It follows several characters, and their trilogies intertwine, with many characters making cameo appearances in other books. It starts in the depths of a Consortium Academy, where children are turned into fighting machines while being used to make credits – a gritty, dystopian, gladiator-type story. But this is only the beginning. Other books show Goddess prophecies, advanced technology like programmable matter and bioengineering, and so much more. Not that it stops at the writing. I'm currently building a huge 12' by 6' by 6' rig to resemble the inside of one of the crawlers (Valeith's most popular vehicles) for a cinematic trailer involving a kidnapped half-elf boy and a chained Minotaur.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
PR is the dreaded part of being an author that I spend a lot of time avoiding—I’d much rather be behind my laptop creating worlds than worrying about algorithms. I struggle with the basics, like posting quotes or tropes, so instead I’ve decided to go big.

For the world of Valeith—particularly Trials of Ash and Blood—I’m working on two cinematic trailers and even a propaganda campaign for the Consortium that rules my world. I’ve commissioned incredible artwork, I’m writing short freebies to go alongside the main books, and I’m even teaching myself Blender so readers can one day explore a walk-through of the Academy and terradomes.

As for where I’ll actually post it all? I’ll probably use every platform available—or, better yet, find someone who knows social media better than me to handle that part. Here’s hoping I find them soon!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be true to your characters, no matter what. If you force them into out-of-character reactions, readers will know.

Expect your first draft to be messy—that’s what editing is for. The first draft belongs to the characters; the edits are for the readers. Never insert yourself into the story. For me, I’m only the translator, and my opinions have no place in their world.

Don’t let bad reviews crush your confidence. Learn from them where you can, but never let them silence you. And above all, keep reading, keep writing, and keep developing your craft. Every page you write makes you stronger.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There’s a lot of amazing advice out there, and I’d always encourage new writers to listen to what the greats have to say — they rarely steer you wrong. But instead of the best advice, I’ll share the worst I ever heard: write what you know.

For me, I can’t think of anything worse. I live my life — I don’t want to write it. Don’t get me wrong, you can incorporate real experiences (my main character in Phoenix Rising has bipolar, like me), but one of the things I love about writing is stepping outside the comfort zone and challenging myself with new — if imaginary — situations. It’s had me laughing, crying, raging… and that’s just a few of the emotions I’ve lived through while writing.

Of course, it also makes for a very colorful Google search history. Here’s hoping the police never have cause to look at mine. We live in an age where you can learn almost anything with a few clicks — why wouldn’t you take full advantage of that?

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m indulging in some Suzanne Wright—an indie author who writes some of the funniest shifter romances I’ve ever read. It’s nothing like what I write, which makes it feel like a vacation while I work on my next first draft. Unlike in my own books, I can relax knowing all her characters are going to live—which is a nice change of pace.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For the next few years, most of my focus will be on Valeith and its looming invasion from another realm. But I’m not stopping there—I already have two of four middle-grade paranormal books written, plus a spin-off for the Phoenix Rising series ready to go.

Outside the writing itself, I’m diving deep into cinematic storytelling. I have full trailers planned for every Valeith book, with teaser clips of unseen scenes woven between them. Let’s just hope the crawler rig I’m building is the biggest set I’ll need—my lounge is currently full of wood and tools!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only four books? Am I in hell? Surely I can exchange that pile for a Kindle and a mini solar charger?

No? Then it would depend on my mood at the time—though I’d be forced (very reluctantly) to choose.

Right now, I’d take The Stand by Stephen King (because it’s massive and endlessly layered), Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (for the depth of her world and characters), and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (a childhood favourite I never tire of revisiting).

For my fourth… probably something practical about surviving on a desert island. Unlike my characters, I’m not particularly suited for traumatic, sparse survival scenarios—give me a coffee, fluffy blanket, and a good book, and I'm in my element. Though they’d probably say the same. None would ever call me a kind puppeteer.

Author Websites and Profiles

Lyneal Jenkins Website

Lyneal Jenkins Amazon Profile

Lyneal Jenkins’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Interview With Author Pascal Bouquillard

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote Eden. That’s is. It wasn’t so much inspiration as it was a kind of desperation—a need to unload all the information I had absorbed and try to make some sense of it. That’s why I decided to write a novel. It had to be a dystopian one, not only because I’ve always loved the genre, but because it allows the writer to stretch the absurdities of human systems to their extreme limits.
We often take pride in humanity’s accomplishments—from our complex societies to our conception of divine beings, or our endless questioning and sometimes answering of the universe. But let’s be honest: most of these discoveries and ideas weren’t ours personally. You didn’t make them. I didn’t either. Most ordinary people didn’t. In fact, many of us still struggle to understand things that were discovered or invented long ago.
What truly sparked Eden—the final straw, as you say in English—was the realization that money, this incredible invention that governs nearly every aspect of our lives, is essentially created out of thin air. That insight shook me to the core. It felt like the ground had dropped out from under everything I thought I knew.
And so, I began to write a story about it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
We, the people, haven’t truly created or discovered much on our own. Until the second half of the 18th century, human societies functioned much like bee or ant colonies—ruled from above, with most individuals lost in the mass doing their best to survive within a rigid hierarchy. We had kings who governed over us, often not in the interest of the common good, and the vast majority of people lived separate lives, managing their job and their life with the little they had. Some had more than others, but no one came close to the wealth and power of the king.
Then came a turning point in the second half of the 18th century: the American and French Revolutions. Americans and French collectively said, “Enough.” We declared that the pursuit of happiness for each individual was a legitimate and noble goal. We “discovered” that individually was worth fighting for. With that, we began to reshape society. We rejected monarchies and built something new. But in doing so, we made a critical mistake: instead of true self-governance, we accepted a model where a select few would represent the many.
And so the seed of corruption was planted. Because if voting is a form of decision-making, electing someone to vote for you is essentially giving away that power. This is the core idea I explore throughout the novel.
In that section, I draw inspiration from the powerful video Money as Debt by Paul Grignon and take its logic to the edge of absurdity—and beyond. But the deeper root of the problem, as I first introduce in Eden, lies in our decision to entrust power to a privileged minority. Of course, those in power will make decisions that benefit themselves. Who can blame them? Wouldn’t the vast majority of us do the same in their position.
This isn’t about left versus right, conservatives versus liberals. That binary exists largely to divide and distract us. We argue over hot-button issues—Medicare, abortion, guns, woke—inside a prison with an open door, forgetting the key issue: we have no real power, because we do not decide. Those we elect somehow do, and the ones funding their campaigns? They really do. This is what Eden id trying to illustrate.
In effect, we’ve recreated the very system we tried to escape in the 18th century. Don’t get me wrong—representative democracy was the best system of its time. But now, in the 21st century—an era of the Internet and secure global apps, of online banking for instance and instant communication—we can dare to dream of something better. That “something better” could be real democracy. Direct democracy. A system where every willing voice can counts—not just every four years, but every day.
This is what the Edenians briefly experience in the final part of the novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think I do. I wrote both Eden and the Guide almost entirely while swimming. Three times a week, I swim for 40 to 50 minutes with a mask and snorkel. With my head submerged and no need to think about breathing, I enter a state of deep focus—somewhere between laser-sharp concentration and open-ended daydreaming. Before diving in, I simply reread the last passage I wrote. Then I swim. Usually, after one or two sessions, I know exactly what comes next.
Of course, I still have to sit down and write it all out. And sometimes the story takes unexpected turns—often because a character “refuses” to follow the path I had in mind. But by then, the hard part—the core of the storyline—is already there, shaped in the quiet rhythm of the water.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
i. George Orwell, for 1984
ii. Aldous Huxley, for Brave New World
iii. Cormac McCarthy, for The Road ( Some of Eden’s characters even meet the father and the son of this novel somewhere along the storyline)
iv. P. D. James, for Children of Men
v. Taylor Hackford and Andrew Neiderman, for the Devil’s Advocate
And movies all course
vi. Ridley Scott, for Blade Runner
vii. Terry Gillian, for Brazil
viii. Richard Fleischer, for Soylent Green

What are you working on now?
It took me over five years from the moment I finished Eden to when I finally found the courage to review, edit, and revise it. During that time, I volunteered on a project aimed at drafting rules of procedure for a truly democratic assembly. This deeply rewarding and politically galvanizing experience showed me—concretely—that direct democracy is not only imaginable but entirely possible.
Building on that momentum, I wrote the first draft of a guide intended to explore how such a democratic model could be implemented within both the American and French political systems.
After many editing and improvement of Eden original draft, this guide, Towards an Atomic Democracy, ended up, , not just a companion to the novel—it’s part of the plot itself. For readers who wish to go beyond the fiction, the draft is available for download on the Eden website at the bottom of this page https://www.edenxx84.com/ .
I’m currently working on reviewing, editing, and refining this guide. But I can’t complete it alone. We need as many minds as possible to help improve the system and lend it legitimacy. After all, imagining a new democratic framework that could truly emancipate the many—isn’t that an incredible project?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hopefully answering questions on your website….

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
if you believe that pigs can fly, very soon pigs will fly.

What are you reading now?
The battle of Social Security – A History of Health Care in France by Nicolas Da Silva

What’s next for you as a writer?
Eden is a cry of desperation. I hope I am not the only one so I want to do my best to make sure what happens in Eden remains fiction.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Friday, or the other Island by Michel Tournier
The island by Robert Merle

Author Websites and Profiles

Pascal Bouquillard Website

Pascal Bouquillard Amazon Profile

Pascal Bouquillard’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

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Interview With Author Luis Rivera

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I retired from the NYPD after twenty years of service. I wrote about my experiences in the NYPD. I wrote another book about my experience as a young man and how I got interested in joining the police department. Happens to be my second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote my latest book “46-Rescue to Central” based on my experience as a young man involved in a volunteer rescue unit in the Bronx. What started out rendering basic first aid, the unit found themselves patching up shot and stab victims. Mobilizing car accident victims. It was around the 1980s when EMS were not yet part of the FDNY and due to the high volume of 911 medical emergency radio calls, EMS had a slower response time. This is where the 46-Rescue unit came out and answer the call for help.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to visualize every chapter as if I’m doing a movie in my mind.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tom Walker, the author who wrote the novel “Fort Apache the Bronx” and “Death of a Bronx Cop.”

What are you working on now?
I’m trying to put together a spiritual novel between good and evil.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook ant the moment and any other platform that comes in handy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Whatever ideas you have, write them down as notes and slowly you past them together.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be careful what you do today, so you won’t regret it tomorrow.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have not a clue.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I have always enjoyed realistic stories. It makes me think, in how the situation plays out.

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Author Interview Series

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Interview With Author Neil and Ruchin Kansal

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Kansal Clunker: The Car that Rebuilt Us

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we bought a tired 1998 Acura Integra and turned our garage into a workshop. Piece by piece, we brought it back to life, finally wrapping it in a bold lime green. To mark Ruchin’s 50th birthday and Neil’s high school graduation, we drove 5,000 miles to the summit of Mt. Evans, Colorado, the highest paved road in North America.

That road trip was more than a celebration. It was a lesson in resilience, adaptability, and courage. The Integra didn’t always cooperate. Neither the weather nor the road. But each challenge forced us to improvise, to trust, and to keep moving forward. By the time we stood at 14,000 feet, we realized we hadn’t just rebuilt a car—we’d rebuilt our sense of what was possible.

So we took on another challenge: a 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider, full of quirks and character. Restoring it was more challenging and required equally delicate work. Driving it 4,000 miles to Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, tested us in new ways. But again, the lessons were clear: progress is never smooth, and beauty often hides in the imperfect.

That’s the spirit behind The Kansal Clunker: The Car that Rebuilt Us. Writing this book felt like another restoration project—messy drafts, fights, and the patience to keep sanding down the rough edges until the shape emerged. Just like the stubborn clunkers, the process reminded us that persistence, not perfection, is what carries you through. And that asking for help along the way is ok.

For us, cars are our canvas. For you, it may be something else. Whatever form it takes, the truth is the same: clunkers aren’t obstacles to overcome. They offer opportunities to grow, learn, and discover resilience you didn’t know you had.

This book is our tribute to that idea. To the clunkers that keep teaching us, and to the journeys—on the road and in life—that remind us the true joy isn’t in the destination, but in the rebuilding along the way.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.thekansalclunker.com/

We are also promoting on social media, a PR agency, and our own networks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to be an author, just sit down and write.

Author Websites and Profiles

Neil and Ruchin Kansal Website

Neil and Ruchin Kansal’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

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Interview With Author Victoria Smith

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired elementary school teacher and have written now 5 children’s books ages 4-8. I have received awards for all four of my books. The last one is still new.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Liliana’s Match: Finding Bella: How Animals Can Help Kids with ADHD and Anxiety. I was inspired by my daughter who had a Beagle and commented to me that I should write a book about Bella. Beagles are great with kids and can be little rascals.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In the beginning, I always had the title in mind without any story yet! Now, I realize how important titles are to get your books noticed and placed in the write categories and keywords. One should be very careful when selecting a title so the reader will know what it is they are purchasing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am influenced my other self-publishing authors especially children’s authors. I am so amazed at how powerful story can be and the words used to tell their stories.

What are you working on now?
Marketing! Marketing is the hardest part for me because if you don’t tell anyone about your books, no one will ever know that you wrote it. Marketing is an ongoing task and needs to be done often.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is www.familyzooproductions.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, keep going. People always talks about “I don’t have any time…” but you can actually make time. If you are a morning person, get up a little earlier and start writing with that cup of coffee while the day is still quiet. You’ll be amazed how much you might get done in 20-30 minutes. Or if you are a night person, turn the TV off earlier and start writing. It can be done, you just need to make it happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sometimes mistakes or unfortunate delays work out for the best in the end!

What are you reading now?
I love romance, suspense novels. I no sooner finish one and I get another. I like purchasing books but sometimes I also like those little neighborhood libraries where you take one, and you give one!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several stories roaming around on my computer. I just need to see which one will excite and challenge me the most. Sometimes, if you have a choice, it is recommended to take the easier one but now with 5 books done, perhaps a good challenge is coming my way!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Can’t give you titles but I’d make sure the books were really thick so I could keep reading until someone saved me. Romance, comedy, suspense, all great choices for me.

Author Websites and Profiles

Victoria Smith Website

Victoria Smith’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

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Author Interview Series

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Interview With Author Chip Sullivan & Elizabeth Bolts

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a landscape architect who has always been fascinated by how one can see and act in the world as both an artist and an engineer/scientist; I feel lucky to have found a profession that combines both ways of knowing. I have a BS in Human Ecology from SUNY Oneonta and an MLA from UC Berkeley; I am proud to have been a MacDowell fellow.

I teach freehand and technical drawing, design history, and site design at the University of California, Davis, and maintain an art-based landscape design practice founded on promoting environmental consciousness and ecological narratives. I believe that design is storytelling, and I see a strong connection between writing and the design process, as both create worlds and shape spaces for others to experience and inhabit.

I have written articles for various scholarly publications, and have co-authored two books with my partner Chip Sullivan—Illustrated History of Landscape Design (Wiley, 2010), and Wisdom of Place: A Guide to Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape (ORO Editions, 2024). We recently published a tarot deck, Wisdom of Place: Elemental Landscapes (ORO Editions, 2025), based on the illustrations in our book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wisdom of Place: A Guide to Recovering the Sacred Origins of Landscape was inspired by our honest belief in the necessity for humans to honor and revere the natural world and to engage more consciously with their environment. Science has proven that access to nature has enormous physical and psychological benefits, and at this moment in time, as wildfires rage, sea levels rise, species extinctions intensify, and a pandemic has shaken the world, human survival depends on understanding the inherent wisdom of place—an intelligence that our ancient ancestors abided by intuitively. Our book examines how people throughout time and space have shaped their spaces according to their beliefs in the magic and mystery of the earth and their knowledge of the sacred language of nature. Perhaps if we believed the river was our mother, we’d be more likely to protect and cherish it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I literally have to unclutter my mind by uncluttering my workspace before I sit down to write. I need an order. When I’m stuck and having a hard time finding words, I get easily distracted and jump up to dust the baseboards or take out the compost. I also drink an enormous quantity of tea with obscene amounts of honey in it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I first became aware of the beauty and power of language when I was reading Faulkner in college. His incredible skill at manipulating words, beyond just communicating a story, was eye-opening for me. I also devoured all of Doris Lessing’s books in my early years. I blame both for my addiction to wordsmithing. I once dated someone studying Russian literature and went through a phase of reading Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I recently read the MaddAddam trilogy by Margaret Atwood and couldn’t put it down. Still with me. I also love the poems of Czeslaw Milosz, Wallace Stevens, and Jorie Graham. Word pictures enchant me.

What are you working on now?
Right now, Chip and I are trying to figure out the form and content of the last and final companion to Wisdom of Place. We want to dive deeper into the geography behind the knowledge—how the specificity of place influences folklore and an ethics of conservation. We want to keep it visual and mystical, yet informative and empowering. Will it be an atlas or a travel guide? It’s almost verging on fiction. Will we end up telling a different kind of story of the journey of the heroine?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best website to find out more about our book is https://www.thewisdomofplace.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. If it’s important to you, put in the work. And write authentically. Find your voice. At least for the time being, you are not a robot.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One of my colleagues who teaches in the Writing Program would say, “Don’t get it right, get it written.” That was really helpful advice in getting started.

What are you reading now?
I’m finally reading The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. It’s the 40th anniversary of its publication, and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to discover this absolute treasure. I’m totally loving every page. She is brilliant.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Retirement! Just kidding. It’s really stressful to put your work out there, and I get anxious about it. Other writers are a lot more driven than me. I like to have a discrete task or prompt so I can feel a sense of accomplishment when I complete it.

My next project has been simmering in the back of my mind for quite a while. I would like to write a textbook for beginning design students that introduces the universal principles and elements of spatial design.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ha! Definitely a Survivor’s Guide to Desert Islands. I would want to have with me something very dense and challenging to get through, something that would provoke my imagination. Maybe Shakespeare, Virgil, or Joyce, as well as something entertaining from a good storyteller like Nabokov, Eco, or Verne. I suppose a trashy romance wouldn’t be a bad idea if I were alone on the island!

Author Websites and Profiles

Chip Sullivan & Elizabeth Bolts Website

Chip Sullivan & Elizabeth Bolts Amazon Profile

Chip Sullivan & Elizabeth Bolts’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

Pinterest Account

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Author Interview Series

To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!

If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.

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Interview With Author Catherine Iheme

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Catherine Iheme, MBA, a fundraising expert and Founder of Grovential, where I specialise in helping mission-driven organisations build sustainable revenue systems. My background combines an MBA in Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with hands-on experience as a certified senior product manager.
My journey into writing began with witnessing the same fundraising mistakes repeatedly across businesses and nonprofit organisations. Over the years, I’ve observed brilliant organisations with world-changing missions struggle not because their ideas weren’t worthy, but because they lacked the strategic framework for securing funding effectively. Through my work helping organisations scale their impact, I’ve seen how proper funding strategies can transform entire missions.

This observation led me to document proven strategies, frameworks, and insights that actually move the needle in fundraising. Rather than watching organisations continue to struggle with trial-and-error approaches, I decided to compile everything I’ve learned into a comprehensive guide.
“The SMART Fundraiser” is my first published book. It represents years of accumulated knowledge about what works in fundraising – from understanding when to bootstrap versus when to raise capital, to crafting proposals that blend data with emotion, to building authentic relationships with funders and investors.
As someone who has worked across multiple sectors and seen the funding landscape from various perspectives, I bring both analytical rigour and practical insight to the complex world of funding. My goal is to democratize access to effective fundraising knowledge, helping mission-driven leaders secure the resources they need to create meaningful impact without the stress and uncertainty that typically accompanies the funding process.

Through this book, I aim to transform how organisations approach fundraising – moving from desperate asks to strategic, compelling invitations for meaningful change. While this is my first book, I’m passionate about continuing to share knowledge that empowers others to succeed in their missions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The SMART Fundraiser: Raise More. Stress Less. Fund Your Mission with Strategy, Not Struggle.”
The inspiration came from years of observing the same patterns across countless organisations – brilliant missions failing not because of lack of vision or dedication, but because of preventable fundraising mistakes. I watched nonprofit leaders give up on amazing causes after repeated rejections, and saw entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas struggle to secure investment simply because they didn’t understand the strategic framework behind effective fundraising.

What particularly motivated me to write this book was witnessing how these struggles were entirely avoidable. The organisations that succeeded weren’t necessarily better or more deserving – they just understood the rules of the game that nobody talks about openly. They knew when to bootstrap versus when to raise capital, how to craft proposals that blend data with emotion, and how to build authentic relationships with funders.
I got tired of watching mission-driven leaders reinvent the wheel through painful trial and error when there were proven strategies that could eliminate most of that struggle. The book represents everything I wish someone had told me when I started my first nonprofit organisation over a decade ago, and everything I’ve learned about what actually works in the funding world.

My goal was simple: to make fundraising easier, more strategic, and ultimately more successful for organisations trying to create positive change. Too many great ideas die because of funding challenges that could have been solved with the right approach. “The SMART Fundraiser” is my way of ensuring that doesn’t happen to the next mission-driven leader who picks up this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say they’re particularly unusual, but I do have some specific practices that helped me complete “The SMART Fundraiser.”
I find that my best insights come when I step away from actively trying to write. Some of my clearest thinking about fundraising strategies happened during brain games or other strategic activities that require focus but allow my subconscious to work through complex ideas. There’s something about engaging in activities that require strategic thinking that helps me see patterns and solutions more clearly.
I also write in bursts rather than sitting down for long, scheduled writing sessions. When an insight hits – whether I’m observing a funding challenge someone is facing or reflecting on a successful strategy I’ve seen – I immediately capture it. This means I often have notes scattered across different devices and notebooks that I later organise into coherent chapters.

Another habit that proved essential was testing ideas in real conversations before writing them down. I’d discuss fundraising concepts with colleagues or during networking events, and their questions and reactions would help me refine how to explain complex strategies in simple, actionable terms.
I’m definitely someone who needs to move while thinking. Pacing, taking walks, or even just changing locations helps me work through how to structure chapters and connect different fundraising concepts logically.

The most important habit, though, was maintaining a mindset of service while writing. Every chapter was written with specific people in mind – the nonprofit leader who keeps getting rejected, the entrepreneur who can’t figure out why investors aren’t interested, the small business owner who doesn’t know where to start. Keeping their faces and struggles in mind kept the writing practical and focused on real solutions rather than abstract theory.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several authors and books have shaped my thinking around business strategy, social impact, and effective communication – all of which influenced how I approached writing “The SMART Fundraiser.”

Seth Godin’s work, particularly “Purple Cow” and “Permission Marketing,” taught me the importance of being remarkable and building genuine relationships rather than interrupting people with generic pitches. This directly influenced my approach to fundraising as relationship-building rather than transactional asking.

Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” reinforced my belief that mission-driven organisations have a natural advantage in fundraising – they just need to learn how to communicate their “why” effectively to the right funders.

Muhammad Yunus’s “Creating a World Without Poverty” showed me how innovative funding models can address social problems at scale. His work with microfinance demonstrated that funding approaches must match the mission and context of the organisation.

Chip Heath and Dan Heath’s “Made to Stick” was instrumental in helping me understand how to make complex fundraising concepts memorable and actionable. Their SUCCESs framework influenced how I structured the practical advice in my book.

Eric Ries’s “The Lean Startup” shaped my thinking about when organisations should bootstrap versus seek external funding – a key concept I explore in “The Smart Fundraiser.”
These authors all share a common thread: they take complex subjects and make them accessible without oversimplifying. They focus on practical frameworks that people can actually implement. That’s the standard I held myself to while writing “The SMART Fundraiser” – providing strategic depth while maintaining practical applicability for busy nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs who need solutions they can implement immediately.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m focused on several interconnected projects that build on the foundation of “The SMART Fundraiser.”
Expanding Grovential’s Impact:
My primary focus is growing Grovential to help more mission-driven organisations build sustainable revenue systems. We’re developing comprehensive frameworks that go beyond traditional fundraising to include diversified revenue strategies, impact measurement systems, and long-term financial sustainability planning.

Speaking and Workshop Development:
I’m developing presentations and workshop content for conferences, nonprofit organisations, and entrepreneurship programs. There’s significant interest in bringing these concepts to audiences who prefer interactive learning environments.

Research for Future Content:
I’m continuously observing emerging trends in the funding landscape – from new grant opportunities to evolving investor expectations to innovative revenue models. This research informs both Grovential’s services and my next book project: “The Marketing Revival: Fix Marketing Problems, Win Customers/Funders, and Start Scaling Profitably Today” – specifically designed for SMEs and Non-Profit Organisations. This upcoming book will complement “The SMART Fundraiser” by addressing the marketing challenges that often prevent organisations from effectively communicating their value to both customers and funders.

Building Strategic Partnerships:
I’m working on partnerships with organisations that serve entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, creating opportunities to reach more mission-driven leaders who could benefit from strategic fundraising approaches.
The thread connecting all these projects is the same mission that inspired “The SMART Fundraiser” – making funding easier, more strategic, and more successful for organisations trying to create positive change. Every project is designed to scale that impact beyond what any single book could accomplish.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start with a problem you’re genuinely equipped to solve. Don’t write a book just because you want to be an author. Write it because you have insights, frameworks, or solutions that people actually need. My book came from years of observing the same fundraising mistakes repeatedly – I had something specific and valuable to offer.

Write for real people, not abstract audiences. Throughout writing “The SMART Fundraiser,” I kept specific faces in mind – the nonprofit leader who keeps getting rejected, the entrepreneur who can’t figure out why investors aren’t interested. When you write for real people with real problems, your content stays practical and focused.
Test your ideas before you write the book. Discuss your concepts in conversations, presentations, or even social media posts. Pay attention to the questions people ask and the confusion they express. This will help you identify gaps in your thinking and improve how you explain complex ideas.

Don’t wait for perfect conditions to start. I wrote this book while maintaining my other responsibilities. You don’t need months of uninterrupted time or the perfect writing setup. Consistency matters more than intensity – capture insights when they come, even if it’s just notes on your phone.

Embrace the editing process. Your first draft won’t be your final draft, and that’s completely normal. The real writing happens in revision, where you refine your ideas and improve clarity.
Consider your book as part of a larger mission, not the end goal. “The SMART Fundraiser” supports my work at Grovential and serves the people I’m trying to help. When your book aligns with your broader purpose, the writing process feels more meaningful and the promotion feels more authentic.
Be honest about your expertise. Don’t oversell what you know, but don’t undersell it either. I wrote about fundraising because I’ve observed patterns and developed frameworks that work. Know your lane and stay in it.
The publishing landscape can feel overwhelming, but remember that good content that genuinely helps people will find its audience.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Focus on being useful, not impressive.”

This advice fundamentally changed how I approach everything – from fundraising strategies to writing “The SMART Fundraiser” to building Grovential.
Early in my career, I was caught up in trying to sound sophisticated and impressive in meetings, proposals, and presentations. I thought complexity demonstrated expertise. But I kept watching simpler, clearer approaches get better results.

The breakthrough came when I realised that funders, investors, and readers don’t care how smart you sound – they care about whether you can solve their problems or help them achieve their goals. The most successful grant proposals I observed weren’t the ones with the most elaborate language; they were the ones that clearly articulated how the funding would create specific, measurable impact.
This advice shaped every page of “The SMART Fundraiser.” Instead of trying to impress readers with complex fundraising theory, I focused on providing practical frameworks they could implement immediately. Rather than showcasing everything I know about funding, I concentrated on sharing what would be most useful for someone facing real fundraising challenges.
It applies beyond professional work, too. In conversations, relationships, and even social media posts, being genuinely helpful creates more meaningful connections than trying to appear impressive.

The irony is that usefulness often ends up being more impressive than trying to be impressive ever was. When you solve real problems for people, they remember you and recommend you. When you just try to impress them, they forget you as soon as you leave the room.
This advice continues to guide my work at Grovential and my approach to the upcoming “Marketing Revival” book – always asking “How can this be more useful?” rather than “How can this sound more impressive?”

What are you reading now?
Currently, I’m reading several books that directly support my work and upcoming projects:
“Building Social Business” by Muhammad Yunus – I’m revisiting this classic as I develop content for “The Marketing Revival.” Yunus’s insights about creating sustainable social enterprises are incredibly relevant for nonprofits trying to build diverse revenue streams. His approach to solving social problems through business principles continues to influence how I think about helping organisations scale their impact.

“Traction” by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares – This book breaks down 19 different marketing channels in a systematic way that’s perfect for the research phase of my upcoming marketing book. The framework for testing and optimising marketing channels applies directly to both SMEs and nonprofit organisations trying to reach their audiences more effectively.

“The Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards” by Jerold Panas – Even though I’ve written about fundraising, I continue learning from different perspectives. Panas focuses specifically on board governance and fundraising, which complements the individual and organisational strategies I covered in “The SMART Fundraiser.”

I also stay current with industry publications and case studies, particularly around emerging funding models and marketing trends that affect small organisations. The landscape changes quickly, and I want to ensure my advice remains relevant and practical.
The thread connecting my reading choices is always the same question: “How can this help mission-driven leaders be more successful?” Whether it’s new marketing tactics, innovative funding approaches, or better organisational systems, I’m constantly looking for insights that can translate into actionable strategies for the people and organisations I serve through Grovential and my books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My immediate focus is on completing “The Marketing Revival: Fix Marketing Problems, Win Customers/Funders, and Start Scaling Profitably Today” for SMEs and Non-Profit Organisations. This book will address the marketing challenges that often prevent organisations from effectively reaching both customers and funders – a natural extension of the funding strategies covered in “The SMART Fundraiser.”

Beyond that, I see myself developing a comprehensive series of practical business guides specifically for mission-driven organisations. There’s a gap in the market for business advice that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by nonprofit organisations and social enterprises – they can’t just apply business strategies without adaptation.
I’m particularly interested in exploring the intersection of impact measurement and sustainable revenue generation. Many organisations struggle to demonstrate their effectiveness to funders while simultaneously building diverse income streams. This could evolve into a future book project.
I’m also considering moving beyond traditional book formats. The feedback from “The SMART Fundraiser” readers suggests there’s demand for more interactive learning experiences – perhaps workshops, online courses, or even a certification program for fundraising professionals. In fact, I’m developing an upcoming training program focused on building sustainable revenue systems for mission-driven organisations.

My writing will continue to be driven by the problems I observe through Grovential’s work with organisations. As the funding landscape evolves and new challenges emerge, there will be opportunities to address those gaps through writing and training.
The long-term vision is to build a body of work that comprehensively supports mission-driven leaders at every stage of organisational growth – from startup funding to scaling operations to measuring and communicating impact. Each book should solve specific, urgent problems while contributing to that larger framework.
My approach will remain the same: focus on being useful rather than impressive, test ideas in real-world applications before publishing, and write for specific people facing concrete challenges rather than abstract audiences.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is a tough question because I’d want books that could serve multiple purposes – inspiration, practical knowledge, and long-term re-readability.
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries – Beyond its business applications, this book is fundamentally about systematic problem-solving and testing assumptions. On a desert island, I’d need to constantly adapt and innovate with limited resources. The frameworks for experimentation and iteration could apply to everything from finding food to building shelter.
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman – Understanding how my own mind works would be crucial in isolation. This book explores decision-making, cognitive biases, and mental systems. When you’re alone and facing survival challenges, understanding your psychological patterns could mean the difference between rational decisions and panic-driven mistakes.
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – Being stranded would likely create intense anxiety about the future and regret about the past. This book focuses on staying present and finding peace in difficult circumstances. Mental resilience would be as important as physical survival skills.
“The SAS Survival Handbook” by John Wiseman – Let’s be practical here. While the other books help with mindset and problem-solving, I’d also want concrete knowledge about finding water, building shelter, identifying edible plants, and signaling for rescue. This covers the basics of actually staying alive.
The first three books would help me maintain mental clarity and systematic thinking under extreme stress, while the fourth gives me practical tools for physical survival. Together, they address both the psychological and practical challenges of long-term isolation.
Honestly, I’d probably spend most of my time trying to apply lean startup principles to improve my shelter design rather than just reading for entertainment.

Author Websites and Profiles

Catherine Iheme Website

Catherine Iheme Amazon Profile

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Interview With Author Brian Petrilli

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, Awesome Gang, I’ve written one published novel, Terra Tamers: Alpha! I’ve written a few other things off and on and have many ideas outside of Terra Tamers. Currently I’m planning to finish the Terra Tamers Genesis series with two more books (if things go according to plan) before I dedicate more time to other books. In the meantime, I’m working on a board game in the Terra Tamers universe that is vaguely after book 3. I call it Terra Tamers Dungym Master!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Terra Tamers: Alpha was inspired by the idea – what could make something like the Pokémon world happen in real life. It started as more fantasy apocalypse and became the science-fiction light LitRPG it is today.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like shorter chapters. It helps me set goals and stay focused.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many. Mostly fantasy and sci-fi authors with a dash of everything else topped with comics and graphic novels. C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, James Patterson, Gilbert Morris, Bill Amend (Foxtrot comics), Jeff Smith (Bone), Terry Pratchett and many more!

What are you working on now?
Terra Tamers Dungym Master board game and then Terra Tamers book 2, Terra Tamers: Beta! Catch a sneak peek at the end of my eBook and print versions!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hopefully, Awesome Gang! No clue yet. I’m still learning and testing the waters.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Expect slow growth and think long-term. Don’t be discouraged with low sales if this is what you really want to do. You don’t have to make writing a career either. Writing can always be a passion!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love the Lord your God. Why? Because life on earth isn’t fair. It can be painful. But instead of leaving us to rot, God entered the very same suffering and pain we have in the form of Jesus Christ, and offers to help us through it. More, to persevere beyond our pain! Loving God helps us see the good that still remains in life. The second best advice follows shortly after. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you’re stuck on the first I highly recommend the second bit!

What are you reading now?
The Gulag Archipelago. Really harsh stuff but reality often is. I have to space it out with plenty of webtoons and other novels. I guess I should include all those webtoons and other novels…but there are so many! I enjoy The Greatest Estate Developer, Eleceed, Space Boy, The Knight Only Lives Today, and many others.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Terra Tamers: Beta! I hope to speed up my pace now that I have a better idea of my process.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible. Downfall and Rise, Challenger’s Call book 1 by Nathan Thompson. Finally, an Omnibus of all of Sanderson’s works… as Gimli would say it still counts as one, right? : )

Author Websites and Profiles

Brian Petrilli Website

Brian Petrilli Amazon Profile

Brian Petrilli’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Facebook Profile

Twitter Account

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Interview With Author Anonymous .

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write under the name Anonymous because I believe the message is more important than the person behind it. My goal is to explore the hidden layers of reality, the mysteries of consciousness, and the structures of the Simulation we live in.

So far, I have written several books that blend spirituality, philosophy, and practical strategy. Each of them is a journey into awakening, showing how thoughts shape our lives, how fear blocks our intuition, and how awareness can even change the way we approach challenges such as football betting or the complexity of modern existence.

Writing for me is not just an activity — it is a way of discovering the truth and sharing it with others.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Awakening in the Present. It was inspired by a deep desire to understand the Simulation we live in, the influence of two-dimensional entities, and the ways in which human consciousness can break free from invisible limitations.

Another source of inspiration was my long journey of observing patterns — both in life and in football betting strategies — which taught me that probability, intuition, and awareness are deeply connected. The book is a reflection of this path: a bridge between spirituality, philosophy, and practical experience.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I do. I often write late at night, when the world is quiet and the Simulation feels thinner, almost transparent. At those hours, I feel more connected to the hidden layers of reality and ideas flow more freely.

Another unusual habit is that I sometimes combine my writing with analyzing football matches. It may sound strange, but looking at patterns in games helps me see patterns in life, and this often leads to new insights that I later put into words.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have inspired me along the way. I have been deeply influenced by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, spiritual teachers such as Hermes Trismegistus, and modern thinkers who explore consciousness and the nature of reality.

Books that question existence, from ancient texts to contemporary works on metaphysics and the Simulation, have shaped my perspective. Each of them reminded me that awakening is not about finding final answers, but about learning to see the hidden structures behind what we call reality.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on expanding the ideas introduced in Awakening in the Present. My focus is on exploring the deeper layers of the Simulation, the role of twin souls in awakening, and the hidden connections between consciousness, probability, and human choices.

At the same time, I am also developing practical strategies that blend philosophy with everyday life — ways for readers to not only understand reality on a deeper level but also to apply this awareness in their daily experiences.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
From my experience, there is no single “magic” website — the best results come from combining different methods. Amazon itself is powerful because readers who find your book there are already looking for something to read. Goodreads and BookBub are also excellent for reaching readers who love discovering new authors.

I also find that personal engagement matters a lot. Answering questions on Quora, sharing thoughts on Facebook groups, and participating in communities interested in spirituality and awakening creates a real connection with readers. In the end, the best promotion is authenticity — when people feel the book was written with honesty and passion, they naturally want to share it with others.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is simple: don’t wait for the perfect moment — start writing now. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to exist. Once the words are on the page, you can always refine them later.

Another important piece of advice is to write with honesty. Don’t try to copy someone else’s voice — your own perspective is what makes your work unique. Finally, remember that writing is both a journey and a discipline: stay consistent, trust the process, and let your passion guide you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is: “Write the book you would love to read.”
It reminded me that writing is not about chasing trends or pleasing everyone, but about creating something authentic that resonates with your own soul. When you do that, the right readers will always find you.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I am revisiting some classical works of philosophy and metaphysics, including texts by Plato and modern interpretations of the Simulation theory. I also enjoy reading books on consciousness and probability, because they always spark new connections for me.

I believe that every book we read is like a mirror — it reflects something we are ready to see within ourselves.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my next step is to continue exploring the themes that fascinate me most — awakening, the hidden structures of reality, and the Simulation. I am planning to expand these ideas into new books that go even deeper into consciousness, twin souls, and the connection between philosophy and everyday life.

For me, writing is an ongoing journey. Each book is not an ending, but a door that opens to the next discovery.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island, I would take books that can nourish both the mind and the soul. The first would be The Republic by Plato, because it constantly reminds me of the power of ideas and dialogue. The second would be the Corpus Hermeticum, a timeless guide to spiritual wisdom. The third would be a book on survival and practical skills, because even philosophy needs a fire to be read by.

And if I were allowed one more, I would choose an empty notebook — to continue writing my own story.

Author Websites and Profiles

Anonymous . Amazon Profile

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Interview With Author Ian McKellar Adams

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I come from a family of readers. Parents, siblings. We’ve played with the idea of writing a book ourselves and once I had all that time off of work in 2020 due to the pandemic, I decided to give it a shot.

I’ve written a handful of short stories and one sci fi novella, all unpublished. Currently, I’ve written one novel recently self-published on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Escape Clause is the title for my current, and thus far only, novel. I wrote the kind of story I’d like to read. Originally, I had the goal of writing several short stories and putting them together in book form. I had a lot of story ideas, but I’ve learned to listen to that little nudge, that voice, in the back of my head, which kept bringing to mind one idea. So, I started writing that story, the only guidance being, play with monster stereotypes and make it humorous. I had an opening scene in mind of a lawyer entering a jail’s interview room to confer with his new client, a zombie who’d been arrested for vagrancy. From there, the characters just wouldn’t keep quiet and I wound up with a story of over 130,000 words.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I paint the wall. Not literally. It’s what I call it when I write a scene, then review it and tweak it to get the tone before writing the next scene. Then repeat. After a few chapters, I’ll go over the whole thing again to find gaps, thin plot points, some dangling story element I’d not dealt with satisfactorily. Then I grab my large white board and grid it out with up to sixteen equal sized grid spaces and list out each major plot point. Am I holding to a true story arc? Then I go over the whole thing again and add more humor. Like painting a wall. One coat/draft won’t do. Two coats/drafts is better. Three yields a good looking end result.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carlos Ruiz Zafon wrote “The Shadow of the Wind” years ago and I came across it in 2012-ish. I savored that book. It took me a year to read because I didn’t want it to end. That’s when I decided to start writing down story ideas and entering writing contests.
Other authors?
Michael Crichton.
James S.A. Corey.
Kaleb Carr.
Matthew Pearl.
Orson Scott Card.
Douglas Preston.
Lincoln Child.
Steve Berry.
Alton Gansky.
Daniel Silva.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
So many.
They all pull the reader into the story.

What are you working on now?
I’m over 16,000 words into the sequel to “The Escape Clause”: “Escape from Marrakesh”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Yeah, good question. No clue.
This is my first book, first book promotion…BIG learning curve.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never expect to learn everything there is to know about writing. Always be open to learning about writing, publishing, marketing, etc.
What was most useful to me?
www.authorspublish.com – Free email listing about writing opportunities and lots of good advice about writing.
www.reedsy.com – One stop shop for writers. A lot of free info about writing, you can also find an editor, book cover artist, etc. on their website.
https://kindlepreneur.com/ – A library’s worth of very good information about writing and about selling books on Amazon.
https://100covers.com/ – They do a great job of designing book covers.
“Save the Cat Writes a Novel” by Jessica Brody. An extremely useful book about how techniques that make great movies can be used to make great books.
“Writing 21st Century Fiction” by Donald Maas. This book constantly makes the argument that authors should stretch their stories, create emotional and evocative scenes and take calculated risks to engross the reader.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you look back on your life, you most regret the things you did not do. (Without violating ethics or morals or laws, of course). So pick a goal that fires you up and go for it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Cixin Liu’s trilogy with “Death’s End.”
I’m reading “The Last Secret Agent: My Life As a Spy Behind Nazi Lines” by Pippa Latour and I’m re-reading “Leviathan Wakes” by James S.A. Corey because it’s the best sci fi series every written. Period.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to make writing profitable so I can continue to do it for years and years, right up to the point someone leans over my bed and asks, “Sooo, who did you assign as your Power of Attorney? We’ll need to have a word. Soon.”
I’m trying to find my audience. Readers who will enjoy the quirky, humorous, horror-sci fi-mystery world I created in “The Escape Clause”.
I’m writing “Escape from Marrakesh”, researching how to promote “The Escape Clause”, then I’ll focus on publishing “The Escape Clause” through other publishers beyond Amazon.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Yeah…no. Three or four books? How about three or four dozen?

Author Websites and Profiles

Ian McKellar Adams Website

Ian McKellar Adams Amazon Profile

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Interview With Author Katherine Nandita

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Katherine Nandita, an internationally published author writing in English, Spanish, and Japanese. My stories explore love, loss, betrayal, courage, and resilience—through memoirs, multiverse horror, and heartfelt fiction. So far, I have published several books including I Am Not a Prostitute: Diary of a Single Mother, She: Who Walks Between Timelines, Anna: The Girl Between Two Worlds, The Last Train: A Love Story Lost in Time, and Phool and the Girl With No Name – A Living Tale from the Shadows of a Forbidden Colony.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Phool and the Girl With No Name -A Living Tale from the Shadows of a Forbidden Colony . It was born from wounds too deep for silence—the stories we pretend not to see. At the heart of it is a ten-year-old girl, sold into a brothel, her childhood stolen before she even knew what it meant to dream. This book rises from the ashes of that brutality—human trafficking, child prostitution, the unforgivable erasure of innocence. Through Phool, I wanted to give flesh and breath to the cries society buries. Her voice is raw, her pain unfiltered, but within her, there is also a spark of defiance that refuses to die.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I often write late at night with pen and paper first, instead of typing directly. Handwriting allows emotions to flow more naturally before I transfer them into digital form. I also imagine every scene like a movie—cinematic in detail, with atmosphere and emotion.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been deeply moved by authors who explore the human condition in raw, emotional ways—writers like Khaled Hosseini, Toni Morrison, and Paulo Coelho. Their ability to capture both pain and hope inspires me to bring authenticity to my own work.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a paranormal mystery novel in English. It’s a haunting story blending love, memory, and the unknown.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Amazon Author Central, Goodreads, LibraryThing, AllAuthor, and Medium to connect with readers. I also run my Substack newsletter where I share chapters, reflections, and behind-the-scenes thoughts about my stories.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write fearlessly and honestly. Don’t chase trends—write what feels true to your soul. Even if your journey is slow, your authentic voice will eventually find its readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Your story matters—even if the world tries to silence you.”

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m revisiting classics of literature while also exploring contemporary fiction that focuses on resilience and survival.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to keep publishing stories across languages and reach a global audience. I also hope to continue supporting women and children in need through my writing proceeds.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Beloved by Toni Morrison.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
And my own memoir I Am Not a Prostitute: Diary of a Single Mother, to remind myself of my journey.

Author Websites and Profiles

Katherine Nandita Website

Katherine Nandita Amazon Profile

Katherine Nandita’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

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Interview With Author Darryl Martel

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Darryl Martel brings a wealth of life experience to his writing, having enjoyed a varied career within the police service, fostering, and the financial world. Now with the freedom to devote his time to creativity, he has turned his passion for storytelling into a pursuit that allows his imagination to flourish.

He writes across fiction, historical, and romantic genres, drawing upon both real-life insights and boundless invention. His stories invite readers to step into vivid worlds where human emotions, timeless dilemmas, and the intrigue of history intertwine. Each narrative reflects his belief in the power of words to uncover truths, spark curiosity, and paint unforgettable pictures of the human condition.

Darryl’s fiction blends emotional depth with engaging storytelling, guiding readers through landscapes both familiar and fantastical. With a mind brimming with creativity and a voice that celebrates the art of narrative, he continues to craft works that inspire, entertain, and linger long after the final page.

Take a look at my books. Follow me “Darryl Martel” on Facebook, Instagram, tiktok, twitter X, wordpress and LinkedIn.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Under The Tenko Sun
By
Darryl Martel

Under the Tenko Sun is a sweeping historical novel of survival, loss, and the fragile threads of hope, set against the brutal backdrop of World War II in Southeast Asia.

In February 1942, as Singapore falls to the Japanese, a group of British, Australian, and Dutch women are torn from their families and thrust into captivity. Herded first onto a doomed evacuation ship and then into the depths of the jungle, they find themselves in a makeshift internment camp on a remote island in the Dutch East Indies.

Among them is Eleanor Whitmore, the reluctant leader, a colonel’s wife whose steel is tested beyond imagination; Margaret Evans, a young nurse whose compassion collides with the daily cruelty of starvation and disease; Sally Harding, a grieving widow whose fragile bond with nurse Nell Dawson blossoms into a forbidden love; and Dorothy Clarke, sharp tongued and resourceful, whose bargains with guards blur the line between survival and betrayal.

As the war grinds on, the women are forced through a series of camps, each harsher than the last. They endure malnutrition, illness, and the constant shadow of violence. Rivalries and betrayals fracture their fragile community, an informant trades secrets to curry favor, a failed escape attempt ends in tragedy, and hunger strips away the last comforts of humanity. Yet amid the despair, moments of resilience shine through: a shared scrap of food, a whispered prayer, a Christmas carol sung in defiance of their captors.

Their greatest battle is not against the enemy, but against hopelessness. And when the war’s tide finally turns, the women must endure not only the chaos of liberation but also the painful reckonings that follow—reunions with husbands who no longer recognize them, friendships scarred by betrayal, and the haunting truth that survival carries its own kind of guilt.

Atmospheric, harrowing, and profoundly moving, Under the Tenko Sun explores how ordinary women, abandoned by empire and forgotten by history, discovered extraordinary strength. It is a story of endurance at the edge of humanity and of the unbreakable bonds forged in the darkest of times.

With the recent remembrance of World War 11 and what happened. We should never forget, what people did for us, experienced, during those times. Tenko was something I watched as a child and now, I thought I would write, my take on it.

Take a look:

https://books2read.com/u/bogjW9

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, don’t believe I have any unusual writing habits! But ask my family! I don’t believe in waiting for inspiration to strike, I believe in showing up. Most of my writing is done in the quiet of the early morning, often with a strong cup of coffee by my side. I aim for steady progress, even if it’s just a page or two each day, because consistency builds stories far better than bursts of energy followed by silence.

I carry a notebook with me everywhere, as ideas tend to arrive at the most inconvenient times, during a walk, a conversation, or even while cooking dinner. Some of those scribbled thoughts later become the spark for a scene or even the seed of an entire book.

I write with a balance of planning and discovery. I usually sketch out the historical framework or emotional arc I want to follow, but I also let the characters surprise me along the way. For me, the joy of writing comes in that blend, structure to keep the story moving, and imagination to keep it alive.

Above all, I try to end each writing session at a point where I know what happens next. That way, when I return to the desk, I can slip back into the story without hesitation. Writing, for me, is both discipline and delight, a daily practice of stepping into other worlds and bringing them back to life on the page.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always been inspired by writers who can transport readers into another time or place and make it feel utterly real. Historical novelists such as Hilary Mantel and Ken Follett showed me how history could be brought to life with depth, humanity, and drama. On the romantic side, I’ve admired authors like Rosamunde Pilcher and Nicholas Sparks, who capture the beauty and heartbreak of human connection in ways that linger long after the final page.

Beyond those, I’ve drawn influence from storytellers such as Daphne du Maurier, with her mastery of atmosphere and intrigue, and Sebastian Faulks, whose novels balance history, love, and the fragility of the human spirit.

I also find myself returning to the classics, Jane Austen for her wit and timeless observations of love and society, and Charles Dickens for his unforgettable characters and his ability to weave social commentary into powerful narratives.

Together, these voices have shaped how I see storytelling: as a bridge between the real and the imagined, a way to explore both the struggles and the joys of being human.

What are you working on now?
That would be telling! But all I can say, it’s a book!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a newbie to the writing world, so I’m learning all the time. I simply promote my books on social media and use, book2read.com lulu.com and use The Book Network and now here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. It’s not easy starting out, there are good and bad moments, but thats in everything. Write and rewrite, even if at times, your in the middle of a story, if it doesn’t feel right, change it….I have many times! But all in all, have faith, believe in yourself and you will finish that book!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This might sound strange, but someone told me once, “it’s crap!” “You’ll never write anything good” Then, I had…”That’s a fantastic story, We’ll publish it…and heres an invoice for £5,000! Writing is a minefield. Why was this the best advice? Because I got better, I learned more and I believe in myself. So if you get rejected, and it happens to everyone, keep going.

What are you reading now?
The Cut by Richard Armitage.

You can’t escape your past. The cut always reopens.

In the sleepy village of Barton Mallet, the old ruins of Blackstone Mill watch over the residents as they go about their quiet lives. Ben Knot and his friends are looking forward to a summer of fun and freedom once their last year of school is over. The class of 1994 have been through a lot together, good and bad, but teasing turns to bullying when the Knot gang target younger boy Mark Cherry. As tensions rise and violence escalates, the group fractures and tragedy strikes. Before the summer is over, one of them will be killed. Murdered by someone they called a friend.

It’s a great read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For me, I’m still reshaping into a new way of living. But I’m enjoying having a more relaxed way of living, being able to concentrate on writing and whatever else, comes along. After working the 9 till 5, shift work and everything else, that we all know about! So for the time being, finding, working in my space, working on my stories, is for me.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Cut by Richard Armitage.

The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery.

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie. You can’t beat the classics!

 

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Interview With Author Tanmoy Mondal

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Tanmoy Mondal, and I am a student who is passionate about storytelling. I don’t see myself as a big author yet—I’m still learning and growing—but writing is something I truly love. So far, I have written two books: The Scarred Baron’s Bride and The Ten Years of You, both available on Webnovel. These stories are very close to my heart, and they represent my journey as a writer.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Scarred Baron’s Bride. I was inspired by K-Dramas, which captivate me with their emotional depth, layered characters, and dramatic storytelling.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I often find myself imagining entire scenes in my head before putting them down on paper. Sometimes I listen to music that matches the mood of my characters to help me dive deeper into the story’s emotions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
am deeply influenced by William Shakespeare. His timeless works inspire me to explore complex emotions and human relationships in my own writing.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on The Scarred Baron’s Bride. It’s my main focus right now, and I am very excited to share it with readers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
According to me, the best platforms for promoting books are Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. These sites give me the chance to reach readers directly, and the best part is that they don’t require any payment.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am also a new author, so I don’t have very specific advice. But one thing I would like to share is this: if you are doing something, put your full effort into it. Don’t just write what you want—write in a way that readers will enjoy and connect with.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is: “The fruit of patience is really, really, really sweet.” This line has stayed with me and motivates me in my journey as a writer.

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am not reading any novels. Right now, I am enjoying manga especially from my favorite anime, Demon Slayer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to explore more stories and continue writing new books. My goal is to grow as a writer and reach more readers through my future works.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take three books: Ikigai, Romeo and Juliet, and the Sherlock Holmes stories.

 

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