Lessons from an Evil Mind (Fantasy Horror)

Terror can move people, virtually helpless, into doing what seems to be the impossible. A woman is held captive by an evil man; she is held against her will, abused and beaten to submission, and almost devoid of all hope. That is, until luck turns her way and she escapes, stumbling into the arms of a stranger who saves her and takes her to safety. After her escape, her captor goes to new lengths to try and get her back. He is angry and out for revenge; returning and forcing his way back into her life, wreaking havoc as he does so.

Tell us something about yourself.

Shawna Stewart, born in California is the youngest of nine children. At 14 she met the love of her life, later marrying him at 18. Together they now have three wonderful children. Suffering from an illness at age 29 she lost her memory and became chronically ill. Determined not to let it overtake her life she returned back to school where she is presently working towards her bachelors in literature and Psychology.

What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration for this book came to me in a dream or should I say nightmare. One morning when I awoke I could not get this image out of my mind of a woman. This women in my dream was captured inside a dungeon, but yet still had the hopes and dreams of escaping. With that lasting image in my mind, I began writing the story of how she got there, why she was there and what happened next.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I have always loved to write poems and children’ stories (so I was told) I actually had lost my memory when I was 29 so I had no idea I wrote. One day my son (now 25) asked me why I never wrote anymore. Now I thought he was crazy, as far as I knew I had never wrote anything. After he explained that when he was younger I would write all the time, I began thinking? Could I write? What would I write? Would I even know how to start. Then I had the dream of the woman, picked up the computer and began writing.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

The hardest part to me is never wanting to stop. Some times I find myself working 0-12 hours a day writing.

How do you do research for your books?

I use the internet if I have to do any researching.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

I learned that once you think you are done with your novel, you truly are not. You need to go over it again and again until it is perfect.

What are you reading now?

I hate to say I have not had a chance to read anything new.

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?

I love any kind of book really, except the gooshy romance ones. My favorite writers are King and Koontz. I love the suspense in their stories

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

I am currently working on the second book of the series of “Lessons from an evil mind” This story will show more intensity then the first and someone from the first book will die.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

To be patient and take criticism as a learning tool.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I am doing everything possible, from interviews to book signings.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

www.shawnalynnbooks.com

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What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

Based upon Availability (June 8th, Harper Collins), centers around eight women who pass through the doors of Manhattan’s signature, ultra swanky Four Seasons Hotel –either for an hour, for several days, or number of weeks – offering sanctuary to some, solace to others, even despair. Here, they grapple with family, sex, power, love and death as they explore the basic need for human connection while seeking to understand themselves better.

Readers will meet Trish who obsesses over her best friend’s wedding and dramatic weight loss. Then there’s Robin who wants revenge after a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her older sister. Anne is single, lonely, and suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Drug-addicted rock star Louise needs to dry out. Southerner-turned-wannabe Manhattanite Franny is envious of her neighbors’ lives. Sheila wants to punish her boyfriend for returning to his wife. Ellen so desperately wants children that she insists she’s pregnant to her disbelieving husband. And Morgan, a manager at the swanky Four Seasons in Manhattan, who’s haunted by the memory of her dead sister and is the thread that weaves these women together.

Tell us something about yourself.

I never thought I’d be a writer or trend journalist. I started out as an actress, and when I was 23 decided to write a play, thinking ‘if I write it, they have to put me in it.’ It was very clear I was a better writer than I was an actress.

I grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and am an only child. In fact, for a far back as you can trace in my family tree, everyone has always has more than one child except my parents who could have had more and decided to have just me. (Insert deep sigh here.) All I ever wanted was a large family and siblings. And so I think this became one of the themes in my work – longing, and a need for connection. I’m also fascinated by human behavior and the strange, odd and outrageous things people do. So many of my characters are dark, edgy, painfully honest and raw. I really lean towards dark humor with a commercial and pop-culture twist.

I think we often confuse dark with something honest – and honest doesn’t necessarily mean unattractive. I’m fascinated with they way we’re all interconnected, which is why in all of my fiction, my stories and the characters are linked together – either by the situation, family, or by life’s unsuspecting challenges.

What inspired you to write this book?

Hotels are sexy and offer a strange kind of anonymity, a retreat from real life. I love the idea that you can be anyone from anywhere and that once you’ve check out, the rooms are stripped down, wiped clean and all traces of you are erased, as if you’d never been there. That was an intriguing concept to play with. I wanted to asks and then answer the age-old question; ‘what happens behind closed doors’ while examining the walls we put up as we attempt intimacy, and inspecting the ruins when they’re knocked down.

How do you do research for your books?

As a travel writer, I’ve stayed in a lot of hotel, and so for Based Upon Availability I really wanted to bring some of that to the page. I spent a lot of time sitting in the lobby of the Four Season’s hotel and stayed in one of the suites – which was a real treat. I pretended I was one of the characters – Unlimited Lou, the aging rock star who’s in dire need of detoxing…. Of course I remained sober for the experience.

What are you reading now?

I’ve been reading a few things: Devotion by Dani Shapiro. Apples & Oranges for a new memoir group I’ve joined, and recently reread Elizabeth Wurtzel’s More. Now. Again.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

If you believe in the work, someone else will, too. But you’ve got to give them something to read. Make time to write. Then make time to rewrite. Then find people to read it and give you feedback. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Then be willing to go out and get it.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I still believe in the book party, and now that we’re an instant gratification nation, I rely on the bloggers and dotcomers to cover the event and help spread the word by intriguing readers, FBers and Tweeters to buy the novel, because the event sounded interesting. For each book published, I try to theme a place and space. The Joy Of Funerals party was held at Frank E. Campbell’s Funeral Home – complete with coffin, harp player, and funeral attire was requested. Death Becomes Them: Unearthing the Suicide of the Brilliant, the Famous and the Notorious, had its kick-off at 675 Bar, an underground lounge where each room was delegated to a dead celebrity. We served Hemingway sliders, and loosened up guests with libations like the Virginia Woolf – a blue concoction with a Swedish fish to portray the water and the fact that she drowned. Of course a themed goodie bag worth salivating over is also a must. For Have I Got A Guy For You: What Really Happens When Mom Fixes You Up, I created the kind of swag one would need to get ready for their big date – and if they got lucky, what they’d need in the morning; Bottle of Sebeka Wine – because some dates look better blurry, Prescriptives Good In Bed moisturizer – because we hope he is, Benefit Dear John moisturizer – because sometimes he’s not, Trish McEvoy Sexy collection kit – because dinner can sometimes lead to breakfast. And a Grow Your Own Date – because sometimes the one that can’t answer back is all you need.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

If everyone has a moment, it would be really lovely if you’d stop by: www.alixstrauss.com for a look around. Many thanks.

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What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My book is called Your Work, Your Life…Your Way: 7 Keys to Work-Life Balance. I have also created an accompanying workbook called 7 Keys Workbook and Journal: A Companion to Your Work, Your Life … Your Way. The book examines the challenges many professionals face with work-life balance. It gives readers a process and tools to examine their current situation and what is not working, and supports them in making real changes in their work and life for creating a more desireable work-life balance. It provides methods for change that can last through your life and career.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am a Career Coach. I have been working with clients for over 10 years, helping them achieve greater career and work-life satisfaction. I have clients all over the US and world. I did not start out wanting to write a book. Over the past 5 years, I’ve noticed an increasing focus with my clients that regardless of what they hired me for – help with career management, leadership development, career transition, career effectiveness – just about everyone wanted and needed support with work-life balance. This clear need led me to develop the content in the book.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish after thinking long and hard. As I had developed all of the content and basically wrote the book, I wanted to get it in the hands of readers sooner than later. I was concerned that the traditional publishing route would take much longer and would also limit my ability to create the content the way I thought best. I did hire some great experts to help me. A fantastic editor, a consultant to help me create a very high quality product and a very creative graphic artist.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I actually NEVER wanted to be a writer. As a Career Coach, I support my clients in achieving greater satisfaction in their work. Over the years, I saw many clients dissatisfied with their work-life balance. Over a few year period, I began noticing trends and patterns got in the way of my clients’ success related to their work-life balance. I started by creating a ‘teleclass’ around the topic. Over a year period, the info I was sharing with clients began to expand and I thought that I might have some meaningful content for a book. So, the content and results my clients were getting inspired me to write the book.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

For me, the hardest part of writing the book was when my draft was ready to share with an editor, and I started working with her. Getting outside perspective and making significant changes, at least, initially was difficult. I had to get ‘unstuck’ that my words were the only way to present my content. Although it was the hardest part of the writing process, it was also the most rewarding, as I believe bringing in an expert editor made my book a much better final product.

What are you reading now?

One Person/Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher; New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. I just finished Loving Frank by Nancy Horan and Mommy Wars by Leslie Morgan Steiner.

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

I usually read two books at a time…one ficton, and one self-help. As a Career Coach, part of the value I provide to my clients is being able to share resources with them, so I need to stay on top of current self-help, career, and leadership literature. The fiction is just for me, pure pleasure.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

Not sure if there is another book in me. Like this one, I believe it will ‘strike me’ if it needs to be written. I am not compelled to write another book at the moment. I want to enjoy the accomplishment of completing this book, and getting it out to readers to support them in creating a more desirable work-life balance.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Don’t assume self-publishing is ‘second-class.’ Think thoroughly what you want to use your book for, talk to a lot of authors and make the decision that is right for your business needs and priorities.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I am doing as much as I can! I am doing a lot of public speaking and workshops on the book content, from 60-90 minute presentations, to half-day, full-day and multiple day interactive workshops. The book is now available for sale on Amazon.com. I promote it on my Facebook Fan Page as well as on my website and through writing my blog. I am developing an affiliate program so others selling my book through their website will receive a percentage of the sales. I am also working with a few consultants to help me design a broader strategy for promoting the book.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Readers can learn more about the book at http://www.7KeysToWorkLifeBalance.com/book and then visit that website. Also, my other website is: http://www.JulieCohenCoaching.com. And, I’d love people to join in the discussion at http://www.Facebook.com/7Keys

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It’s a book about simple stories of life; therapeutic messages; life “truths”; practical wisdom.—Words, Whimsey, and Little Wisdom: Tweets on Life Topics from a Psychologist and Professor

Tell us something about yourself.

From: Scranton, Pa;–Trained as a psychologist—taught psychology at the college level for 43 years; had a private practice part time for 30 years; currently psychological consultant/ Social Security Disability;—UG/ University of Scranton; master’s–same—Ed.D.-Lehigh university–

Been writing for about 2 years– I am a fairly proficient whistler; home remodeler—gardner—love to travel—began to collect coins–2 children—1 a psychologist; 1 financial analyst—2 grandchildren—Matthew and Jonah—wife donates a lot of time to our church/ a genuine care giver—

What inspired you to write this book?

In my teaching I would often use metaphors—self created– to demonstrate point; depict an issue, etc–some students and a secretary told me I was pretty good at making up sayings, metaphors; idioms; etc—decided to write them down–alas–a textbook —which I am proud of as it conveys some basic life messages.

How did you publish this book? Why did you decide on that publisher?

I chose a local publisher who had published a wonderful text covering my career in teaching when I retired from Marywood University after 39 years at the school. The text they created was very professional.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

That’s a good point—throughout my career I never considered myself to be a writer but once I tried it, I loved it

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

Coming up with original ideas–having your thoughts flow—

How do you do research for your books?

This book was from my own storehouse of experiences, etc. The next one is also from my own imagination, life experiences; etc— very little formal research.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

Yes— it is much easier to make a living than make a life! Life is full of challenges that if addressed can enhance your life.

What are you reading now?

Actually I am reading a baseball book about Don Zimmer— Zim— a fun book!

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

I love to read books on American History—no one favorite author— I also like to take the Great courses programs

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

It’s a book about the environment–the inappropriate use of chemicals– the importance of being most judicious in their use lest we adversely affect nature—plant and human—through the eyes of a pre-teen and his interaction with the plants at his home—it is quite difficult to describe–on the one hand it sounds serious and it is and yet is written in a light, humorous style.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

If you think you have something to say. try it!

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

Book signings; post cards; talks; newspapers; web sites

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Avventura Press; nowbilt@aol.com; Twitter; 

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My new book is entitled, Unbelievable Pain Control: How to Heal and Recover from Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia. It is a book based on my almost 25 years of experience helping individuals with various forms of chronic or long term pain.

Unbelievable Pain Control is really three books in one.

Book One is inspired by an incredible true story of a dentist who willingly undergoes major surgery, without anesthesia. Three patients in a chronic pain program hear about this story, unexpectedly encounter this fellow patient and learn about how unbelievable pain control can help them with their pain.

Book Two shows you how these patients have healed and recovered from their chronic pain. This book details the many lessons and real-life secrets they learn from this dentist, and from each other, as they progress through the hospital pain program.

Book Three shows you how doctors and scientists from all over the world are helping people with chronic pain. This section features doctors in pain, amazing international organizations, the world’s top pain researchers and a review of the many exciting new developments in this field.

Tell us something about yourself.

I work as a rehabilitation psychologist. Over 90% of my patients suffer from long-term pain and related injuries caused by car and work accidents. Their injuries are real and physical. As a psychologist, my day-to-day work involves helping individuals to cope and manage with injuries and disabilities that medicine has not been able to cure. These injuries create significant stresses and losses in individual’s lives and that is the reason why they come to see me.

Most of my previous writing has involved research or scientific papers. This is part of my training as a psychologist. The other main form of writing has been, and continues to be, doing long reports for lawyers for my patients that have been injured in car and work accidents.

Unbelievable Pain Control is my first project of a self-help nature. I should say that this is my first completed work. Over the past ten years or so I have been working on other writing projects. One book that is approximately half way finished will probably involve a title such as Unbelievably Real. It will be designed to help the same group of individuals as my current book. Several years ago I got more interested in my current project and it sort of took over my writing. Fortunately my enthusiasm continued and I was able to finish this book. I am quite happy with it.

As I explained above, I am a psychologist with a special interest in rehabilitation and helping individuals to cope with long term injuries, disabilities, and especially pain. This has followed from my training, even in the early days of graduate school. I completed my Masters and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Western Ontario in 1985 and have been doing this type of work ever since.

Currently my wife (who is also a psychologist) and I own a small group practice. In London, Ontario, Canada. This is a great community for this type of work. We work closely with medical specialists, and a variety of health care providers, all of whom have a special interest in helping people who live every day in pain. It is a very supportive community for patients and professionals. London, Ontario is a city of about 350,000 people. We have a large university and large community college which is a big help in this type of work. We are also fortunate to have several hospitals and a thriving health care community.

When I am not writing, or hanging out with my family, I have a keen interest in playing hockey as well as other sports. When I have time I like to run and occasionally ski in the winter time.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have been involved in several writing projects over the years. This particular book sparked my interest because of an idea that took hold of me. I knew of a dentist from a nearby town and had met him years ago at a conference. He is fairly well known for his remarkable feats. For example, he initially underwent major abdominal surgery without any anaesthesia. He documented this incredible accomplishment in a scientific journal several years ago. Subsequently he also videotaped his own efforts to undergo major dental surgeries without anaesthesia.

The idea that took hold of me was the question of what might happen if individuals who live every day in pain, and are often overwhelmed by the severity of their pain, heard of such accomplishments. How would they react? Would they become angry and deny that such accomplishments are possible? Would they be amazed and want to learn the secrets of this doctors courage and strength? These are all the questions and issues that I explore in the first part of my book.

I also have been inspired by business books, such as Who Moved My Cheese, by Spenser Johnson. This is a simple story, told in parable form, which illustrates how individuals can cope with changes that have been forced upon them. This form of story telling can be very helpful in explaining complicated topics in an entertaining way. So I took the amazing accomplishments and the parable format and put them together in a story that I thought might be helpful to people who live every day in pain and want to have a greater understanding and possible control over their pain and suffering. It is really these ideas that came together and inspired me to write this book.

How did you publish this book?

For several years I tried to find a publisher or agent to take on this project. Unfortunately, I met with no success. Part of the reasons for my rejections involved the small size of the specialized market. I have a strong feeling that other reasons related to the unconventional format of my book.

So I decided to publish Unbelievable Pain Control on my own. I set up a business, called Michael Renford Books. I also used some professional help. Debbie Eliksen (Freelance Communications), who works out of Calgary, Alberta, acted as an editor and project manager for this book. Debbie was a big help and a very positive influence.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

Actually I find the writing part fairly easy. Usually my mind is buzzing with ideas and the hardest part is finding the time to get my ideas into the computer(or now into my new blog, Chronic Pain Letter). What has surprised me is how time consuming the marketing has been. It is not hard to find good ideas of how to market your book. Actually John Kremers’ book, 1001 Ways to Market Your Book is crammed full of great ideas. His website Bookmarket.com also has many free downloads, mailing and e-mail lists, and many useful resources. The problem comes from realizing that there are so many good ideas but so little time. It is fascinating though. I am also learning about social media marketing – also very exciting.

How do you do research for your books?

Well, my research really comes from two basic sources. The scientific research component usually involves internet searches through library based databases. Almost any article published anywhere in the world can be accessed (often for free).

The second component of research involves taking a close look at the difficulties that my patients experience as well as their triumphs, in my day to day interviews and work. One of the benefits of being a psychologist is I get to spend a lot of time with each person and to understand their injuries and their lives in detail. Often doctors and specialists only get to spend a few minutes with each person. I get to spend an hour each time I visit with them. This provides me with a wealth of information not just about long term pain but also about the many ways in which it has affected individual’s lives.

What are you reading now?

I tend to read fiction as well as non-fiction books. Two recent non-fiction books I have read are Superfreakonomics (I also read the original Freakonomics) and The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge. Both were fascinating and at times irreverent. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman was also full of good ideas. I am reading a light noir fiction book by Jose Latour, called Crime of Fashion. It is quite good as was his previous book Havanna Best Friends. I also like to read anything I can get my hands on by William Gibson and Ian McEwan.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

As I mentioned above, I am half way through another book, which will probably be titled Unbelievably Real. It is more of a traditional self-help book, again devoted to helping people who live every day in pain. This current book has a mixed format involving stories, references, self-help and research updates. The new book will be more conventional, focusing on three basic steps for coping with long term injuries – reclaiming your credibility, dealing wit pain flare ups, and managing the stresses that can aggravate your pain.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

I am fairly new to writing but will give some of my thoughts. I found it very helpful to work with Debbie Eliksen and appreciated the depth of her knowledge about writing and publishing. I understand that she has been involved in over fifty book projects.

Over the years I have also read many books about writing and publishing. This is no substitute for real experience. One of the things I did pick up, which seemed to help me, was how the industry has been changing and how difficult it is for many writers to find publishers or agents. There are many variables involved in the acceptance of a book project, over and above the overall quality of the writing. There are many economic factors, social factors, trends, size of market for each book and competition, to name just a few. This background research helped me to be fairly realistic about writing and dealing with the marketplace.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I have found this part fascinating as well as very time consuming. I have set up a website http://www.unbelievablepaincontrol.com/ to provide information about my book as well as a lot of free information for individuals in pain. I have also started a blog www.chronicpainletter.com to try to provide some ongoing new information about this same field as well as to try to draw some attention to my work and some of the controversies in the field. I have learned how to write press releases. This is not very difficult actually and there is much information available for free on the web. Soon I will delve more heavily into social media, another fascinating social trend.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

The website I mentioned above is full of details about my book as well as details about chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Readers can find a more detailed description of the topics of the book, table of contents, as well as lots of free information. There are also large biographical and media sections (and links).

Readers of this column are also welcome to write to me with any thoughts, ideas, questions or interview requests at Michael@Renfordbooks.com.

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What Would You Do If You Ran the World?: Everyday Ideas from Women Who Want to Make the World a Better Place is a guidebook for inspiration and action filled with amazing everyday ideas from women who want to make the world a better place. It’s a culmination of brave, beautiful, brilliant and totally do-able things we can do for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and the world. The book contains a mix of real-life people making a difference, top ten lists of things people can do now, and stories of famous women who paved the way to bettering our world.

What inspired you to write this book?

What would you do if you ran the world is actually a question I posed in my first book, If Women Ran the World, Sh*t Would Get Done, which celebrates all the wonderful things women do. After my first book came out, so many people shared with me ideas for making the world a better place, and I got more and more inspired as time went on. I thought, “I want to compile these ideas so other people around the world will be inspired into action like all the women in the book have been.”

When I started working on the book, I found a great quote by Helen Keller that also really inspired me. She said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” I decided I wanted my book to encourage people around the world to do one thing to make things better. If each of us did just one thing, we could make a major difference in the world. I would love for the book to have that kind of global impact.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

It’s so easy to get discouraged when we turn on the news and hear about things like war, murder, and terrorism. It’s so easy to think, “What can I really do?” The women I met while working on this book didn’t let that question discourage them. Instead, it has inspired them to go out, take action, and make a real difference in their part of the world.

We have the power everyday to focus on problems or participate in solutions. The latter is the only way things will get better, so why not put our energy there!

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an author (I’ve had a book in my hand ever since I could hold one). But I sort of took this detour on People Pleasing Lane and ended up an attorney, and I was really miserable in that profession. In 2003, a friend in his late twenties died instantly of a heart attack. I realized I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life doing what I didn’t want to do. That gave me the courage to take a chance and say yes to my dream of being an author. The idea for my first book came to me soon afterward. I started writing and have never looked back!

Tell us something else about yourself.

I come from a long line of butt-kicking women. My grandmother raised four kids on her own and worked outside the home at a time when women weren’t supposed to do either. My mom routinely fought for better sidewalks, programs, and laws for the disabled while still managing to have time for her children (not to mention dinner on the table) every night.

My younger brother is disabled, and my mom is a huge reason why he’s still with us thirty-two years later. When he was first born, the doctors told my mom she should “let him die.” My mom said, “This is my child. He’s living and breathing now and I’m going to do what I can to give him the best life possible.”

When I decided to pursue my dream of being an author, writing about amazing women seemed like the perfect topic for me. As I was thinking about what my first book should be about, it occurred to me that while my mom is extraordinary, she is not unique. Like so many women, she gets amazing things done. I decided I wanted to write books that honor and celebrate her and the millions of women like her who do so much for so many each and everyday.

How do you do research for your books?

When I’m researching famous women for my books, Google is definitely my friend! I do most of my research online. When I’m looking for real-life women to profile, I start by emailing my friends and contacts. Most of us know at least one woman who is kicking some major butt in the world! I’ve been lucky to have a huge selection of women to profile, and I think that definitely speaks to how amazing we women are.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

If you’ve been talking about writing a book, stop talking and start writing it. And don’t be afraid to network like crazy. Have a one or two sentence pitch line about your book and tell everyone you know. You never know who may have the perfect contact for you. That’s how I met my publisher.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Readers can learn more about If Women Ran the World Sh*t Would Get Done at www.IfWomenRanTheWorld.com and about What Would You Do If YOU Ran the World? at www.WhatWouldYouDoIfYouRanTheWorld.com. They can also follow me on Twitter @shellyrachanow.

What’s one final thought you want to leave us with?

Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world?” Whatever idea you have to make the world a better place – start today!

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Just An Ounce of PreventionIs Worth a Pound of Cure: A Modern Guide to Healthful Living from the Originator of the Blood-Type Diet – was released by Hay House in April 2010.The book comes as people around the world have increasingly awakened to the efficacy of natural remedies . . . and at a time when the American health-care system is increasingly failing the public.

It is a fascinating book which exhorts us to take responsibility for our own health and prevent chronic degenerative diseases using my newest discoveries, which has given me the opportunity to treat more than 50,000 patients. I explain which foods and exercises are right for each of us, what assets and liabilities we’re born with, and how our minds can work to better process information. This book contains my most up-to-date and comprehensive teachings; and includes recipes, exercise regimens, and a panoply of natural therapies I recommend to my patients at my institute.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m the originator of the famed Blood Type Diet, founder and director of the D’Adamo Institute for the Advancement of Natural Therapies, and a certified naturopath for 50 years. Trained in the United States, Germany and Switzerland, I’ve worked in New York, Montreal and Europe and currently operate two highly successful clinics in Toronto Ontario Canada and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Fifty years ago, I made a discovery that would revolutionize natural medicine by establishing a correlation between a person’s blood type and their dietary requirements, physical exercises, inherent strengths and weaknesses and what assets and liabilities one was given at birth. I discovered how sub blood groups and RH factors play an integral role in health and healing. The success of using the blood type and subtype along with my unique diagnostic tools proved that “you are what you eat.” Patients travel to my Institutes from across North and South America, Asia, Great Britain and Europe — movie stars, royalty, politicians, medical experts and business leaders.

What inspired you to write this book?

I decided to write “Just an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” because I had more than a decade of new research and new discoveries to share with the public and old and new patients.

How did you publish this book? Why did you decide on that publisher?

Hay House decided to publish the book Louise Hay had been my patient over 30 years ago, and, as she writes in her Foreword to my book, I was an important part of her healing journey when she was diagnosed with cancer.

I thought there might be synergy between my message about healing and her own approach to healing-you may know she wrote “You Can Heal Your Life”–which is a world-wide best-seller.
So I contacted her and she felt the same way. So much so that she decided to write a very moving Foreword to my book.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I wanted to write so I could share my research findings with the masses. I wrote my first book One Man’s Food . . . Is Someone Else’s Poisoning 1980. This was followed by my second book The D’Adamo Diet in 1989.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

The hardest part is making sure your research is presented accurately and is relevant. So you have to write clearly.

How do you do research for your books?

I conduct research and see the results in my patients – and use that research to write my books.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Write about what you know and are passionate about.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

We are using traditional PR – press releases and media pitching. I’m conducting book readings/signings locally in the seacoast area. We are also using social media tools.

I invite you to join our Twitter @dadamoinstitute — on Facebook: The D’Adamo institute for the Advancement of Natural Therapies& Dr. James L. D’Adamo’s latest book,” Just an Ounce of Prevention…”

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

The best place is on my website http://www.dadamoinstitute.com – you can also order my books online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My most recent book, and actually my first book, is titled Forged By the Fire of Adversity: Faith in Trying Times, published by Xulon Press. It talks about dealing positively with adversity and how we can hold onto our faith in even the most difficult of circumstances.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am originally from Youngstown, Ohio, but for the past 22 years my home has been wherever the Army sent me. As an Army officer, I have served in peace and deployed to Iraq, but none of my experiences over the years could prepare me for dealing with the birth of my daughter Alyssa who was special needs and her death at the age of three. Writing and speaking have always come naturally to me, so I harnessed those talents in my public relations career and subsequently decided to branch out as an individual author.

What inspired you to write this book?

In our time raising Alyssa and caring for her, everyone told us we had a very different approach to special needs parenting and that we should share that with others. I never really seriously considered it until about six months after she died. In her three short years, she had such an impact on those she came in contact with even though she never spoke a word, and I saw this book as a way of continuing her legacy. Over the past five years, the military has been dealing with the issue of increased suicides, and I have been working on the suicide prevention efforts for the past year. After Alyssa’s death, I dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts – the very same things our service members are dealing with that we have seen factor into many of the suicides. I published my story and have been speaking about it as a way to combat the stigma of seeking help for these issues. I want those who are mired in difficult times to see that there is life beyond their current circumstances, and you can find real blessings in the burdens if you are open to them.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

Writing has always come naturally to me. I think I started and stopped five different novels in my teen years…lol. I can compose at the keyboard instead of having to create an intricate outline. Because I write part-time, I try to dedicate a couple hours each night to my writing before bed. In the case of this book, I wrote it over the course of nine months, had to set it aside for the year I was deployed to Iraq, and then came back to start the editing process.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

Writing in small blocks of time can make flow difficult over time. I usually go back and re-read the recently completed portions before I start typing again so I can continue on the path I had started the night before. I worked very hard to keep the tone of the book conversational and personal, as if I were sitting with you over coffee and telling my story. I wanted my readers to experience what I had experienced – the highs and the lows.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

Writing about personal experiences can be very difficult. In one way it can be therapeutic, yet at the same time, it can be very draining because it is like re-living the event all over again. The feedback I have received on the book tells me that I got the tone right because people have related how it touched them in different ways. It never ceases to amaze me how I can write with a specific intent, yet each reader latches on to different parts and pieces and walks away with their own individual message or source of comfort.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

I actually have several more books in the works because I wanted to experiment with different genres. I am working on a follow up motivational book to my first one that talks about living a life that is full, meaningful and leaves something behind when you depart this world. It is called Making the Dash. I wrote a children’s book called, I Did a B-a-a-a-d Thing, and am currently looking for an illustrator for it. The book is about a mischievous lamb named Lyle who isn’t content to just stay in the pasture and eat grass, so he gets into all kinds trouble as he keeps breaking out to explore the area. The theme of the story is that no matter what bad things Lyle does, it doesn’t mean he’s a bad lamb, and his mom still loves him when he returns to the pasture. I am also co-writing a spy novel with a friend about an operative who works for the agencies and ends up losing everything that is precious to him when he’s betrayed by other operatives. He leaves the agency and tries to rebuild his life. Just when he thinks he’s managed to do that, he gets sucked back into the agency work, only this time he’s not sure if it is legitimate work or just a cover for the agency to get rid of him.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Writing for publication is not something you can go into half-hearted. You have to be passionate about it. Research all of your options for publication before deciding what works best for you. No matter what the publisher promises in terms of marketing, in the end, you are the best marketer for your book.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I have been scheduling presentations and book signings throughout the tri-state area (MD, VA, and WV) and have even traveled as far as Kansas and Texas. I have established a fan page on Facebook and am currently taping a promotional video for You Tube.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Readers can go to my web site at www.chellelynne.com for information about me, my books and any upcoming events.

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What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My most recent book is The Quick and the Thread: An Embroidery Mystery. It centers around Marcy Singer, who has just opened an embroidery specialty shop in Tallulah Falls, Oregon–on the coast. She throws a soiree to celebrate her grand opening. Soon, Marcy’s sign- up sheet for embroidery classes fills up and everyone in town seems willing to raise a glass-or a needle-to support the newly-opened Seven Year Stitch. Then Marcy finds the shop’s previous tenant dead in the store-room, a message scratched with a tapestry needle on the wall beside him. Now Marcy’s shop has become a crime scene, and she’s the prime suspect. She’ll have to find the killer before someone puts a final stitch in her.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m from Southwest Virginia, and I’ve been writing forever! (grin) Okay, I guess it only seems like it. I actually got my first novel published in 1998 by a small press that later went out of business (hope it wasn’t because of my book!). I continued writing for small presses until I finally opened my own publishing company. I published my books and the books of other writers for a few years but realized my own writing was suffering under the strain of running a company. I closed the company, reverted the writers’ rights back to them, and began concentrating on my own writing career. And now I’m writing two cozy mystery series under two different names for two different companies!

How did you publish this book?

Actually, this book was requested by Jessica Wade, an editor at NAL/Penguin. She spoke with my agent at that time, Jacky Sach, who asked me if I’d be interested in developing the series. It sounded like a lot of fun–which it was–so I decided to go for it.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

I think I really got started in my high school creative writing class. We had a great group of people and we did improv and wrote in several different genres. It was a blast.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

Edits. It’s so hard to go back and rewrite something you thought was pretty good to begin with! But, in the end, you can look back and see that editing makes the book better.

How do you do research for your books?

I use online newspapers, the library and talking with other people (my favorite). For The Quick and The Thread, I was even able to use YouTube as a research tool. I wanted to find out about whale watching. I typed in the search bar “whale watching on the Oregon coast” and found videos.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

I learned a lot about Oregon! In order to be accurate, I had to discover how far Portland is from the coast, what whale’s fluke prints are, and peak whale watching time in Oregon (the period between Christmas and New Year’s).

What are you reading now?

The Bible every night before bed.

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?

I love mystery fiction. I like thrillers, but I’m not so sure I could write one. I love Jeffrey Deaver, Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Joel Rosenberg…. I’m sure I’ll think of half a dozen more after I press “send”. I love books that keep you guessing. In Jeffrey Deaver’s books I inevitably have at least one jaw-dropper. I love that even though I’m looking to solve the mystery, I can’t. I strive for that in my own books.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

I’m actually working on my next two books. I’m working on Killer Sweet Tooth, the next book in the Daphne Martin cake decorating mystery. I’m having so much fun with it–it has Elvises and pink cadillacs and a dead dentist with Myra and Daphne the main suspects in the dentist’s death. And I’m working on Thread Reckoning, the third book in the embroidery series. I haven’t got as far along it that book yet, because the KST deadline precedes it!

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Just keep on writing and don’t allow yourself to get discouraged. I know that’s so much easier said than done. But you have to develop a thick, thick skin in the writing world. I’ve even finally learned to laugh at bad reviews…sometimes. Not often, but occasionally.

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I’m having a virtual launch party on August 3 (the book’s release date) on Facebook. I’ll be giving away prizes all day, so please stop by!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gayle-Trent-and-Amanda-Lee-Cozy-Mystery-Writer/123653074333103?ref=ts

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Please visit my website at http://www.gayletrent.com

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Beach Chair Diaries, Summer Tales from Maine to Maui is a collection of short, fun, essays that will make you feel summer time any time.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’ve been in sales for over 25 years and have been able to use my sales background to help sell books. I’m also teaching workshops on Publishing and Promoting your book. I’ve sold over 2700 copies since May of 2008.

What inspired you to write this book?

My ancestors were sea captains and came over on the Mayflower. My grandparents had a guest house on Cape Cod, my parents met at the beach. My parents filled the basement with sand to have a beach party. Salt water runs in my blood.

How did you publish this book?

I independently published through Lightning Source.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get started?

Writing was a calling, I never wrote before 35 years old, but took courses and attended conferences. I’ll be doing a book signing at the Book Expo in New York this May and my book will be reprinted by a company in Hawaii this year.

What do you believe is the hardest part of writing?

Working full time and writing, publishing and promoting a book, while my elderly parents were ill and passed away was the hardest decade of my life, but I’m blessed.

How do you do research for your books?

I research beaches by going to them. Somebody has to do it. I google to find info on the web.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? What?

I learned to have a HUGE respect for any published author and tell people to go for their dreams no matter how long it takes.

What are you reading now?

Chelsea Handler’s new book.

What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors?

Non-fiction. Bill Bryson, Hemingway, Joan Anderson, Gabriella Herkett, Shelly Mecum, Jack Canfield, Richard Paul Evans.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

Yes, I’ve been working on The Beach Goes On, but might put two books together to titled it Living In the Positive.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Keep Doing it. Network, go to conferences, Join IBPA

What are you doing to promote your latest book?

I blog, tweet and facebook about my book. I do mailings, teach workshops and carry about postcards with the cover on the front and my signings, workshops on the back. I give them to everyone I meet. If someone calls me on the phone to ask me to donate to something, I sell them my book.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

For more info and the sounds of the sea, please go to: www.beachchairdiaries.com

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