Gate of Tears is a topical techno-thriller set in the Red Sea region, with action in the Yemen and Djibouti; there is also political, espionage and financial/gold trading action in London and conflict with China. Emerging technology and Chinese powerplay completes the overall context. The action spans the period from the war in Serbia through to 2017, with extrapolation of the growth of worldwide Chinese economic and naval power and its consequences for the West.

Charles Tobin, an Australian gold mining entrepreneur is followed through his formative years as he abandons his family in Australian and becomes a gold miner in Alaska. He develops biogenetic technology for extracting gold from seawater.

Maruška Pavkovic is a psychopathic female terrorist damaged by her childhood in Serbia who comes into conflict with a British single handed sailor in Djibouti, where conditions are ideal for Charles Tobin’s gold extraction.

Tell us something about yourself.

My original background was in science and oceanography. Then I became a chef, then a milkman. I built my own computer in 1979 (from a kit I should say), and wrote some software for my milk business. That led into IT and I specialised in software development and manufacturing systems.

A spell of almost six years with a large international consultancy led me to working in the Middle East, Kazahkstan, Scandinavia and the US. I also spent a couple of years in Russia just as Yeltsin came into power.

I started writing in 2004.

What inspired you to write this book?

An old interest in gold from sea water, and a way of making a living whilst living on my boat (which I do at least six months of the year). I’d written a lot when I was a marketing manager (including press articles), and economy of words was important, without dilution of the message.

How did you choose the title?

It chose itself, out of the geography of my book – I still believe that extracting gold from sea water might be economic one day!

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

The usual ones of finding an agent and publisher. I’m a largely self-reliant person, and if there’s an obstacle I’ll try to find a way around it, and do things myself. The new publishing technology has helped me do that.

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

I’ve always been an avid reader – got that from my mother – and devoured all the classic thriller writers in my teens. As I said above, I enjoy crafting a piece of writing to minimise the use of words, but still retain effect. I see myself as more of a story-teller than an ‘artist’.

Patience too, I learned that. Put the main character in an impossible situation and then spend 3 weeks working out a way forward! I walk and take a notebook with me when I’m stuck like that, but I also move to writing another part of the book. I write ‘threads’ and then weave them together during the final editing.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I need peace and solitude, and try to write and average of 1,500 words a day when I’m in ‘writing mode’ – I’m not terribly good at multi-tasking. At the moment I have two books underway, and write on one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

People I have known, but some just appear from the ether. For foreign names I research the most popular – that’s easy on the web.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

A great deal. I learned that I CAN write, can tell a story, and understand the process.

If you were doing it all over again, what would you do differently?

Great question. I think I would engage a professional editor earlier in the process, so as to refine the MS before I sought an agent.

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

Thrillers of any description, though I’m not wild about dungeons and dragons. Techo is my real preference, but I love sci-fi too. Clancy, Craig Thomas (he’s Welsh too). Recently I got into James Lee Burke and Lee Child too, and I’ve read nearly all their output.

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

I’m working on two. ‘Sicilian Channel’ is a follow up to ‘Gate of Tears’. I fell into another project this summer when I was introduced to a man with a difficult childhood – and I do mean difficult! He was committed to an adult mental ward when he was nine years old, and recovered to become a successful engineer. So, ‘Susan’s Brother’ is his story. Non-fiction, and a wholly different scenario, with subject interviews and painful memories to uncover and for me to write about.

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

Don’t dither. Sit down and write. Start marketing as soon as you can. Write a ‘blurb’ about your book, even if you haven’t written it – the process will help you get started.

Get a good cover – don’t skimp. Launch on Kindle, but before you do, research the Kindle marketing world and learn how to maximise your chances of success.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

Someone who reads the authors I read.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

At my website http://www.jamesmarinero.com
At the book’s website http://www.gateoftears.com
And my blog http://jamesmarinero.blogspot.com

I can also be found easily on facebook and twitter.

Our most recent book is Quickly’s Magical Pancake Adventure. Once again we bring Quickly: The Magic Spatula to life. Quickly’s wish is to have a magical pancake adventure – to go out into the world in search of pancake recipes far and wide. This book blends Quickly’s adventure with a treasure trove of delicious pancake recipes. Quickly’s Magical Pancake Adventure celebrates what peoples of the world share in common – the love of pancakes.

Tell us something about yourself.

Miriam Kronish teaches at Cambridge College in Massachusetts. She is a retired principal from the Needham, Massachusetts Public Schools. Her interests are music, educational pursuits, cooking, theater, reading, and especially writing. She is a national Distinguished Principal and is an Honored Principal in the State of Massachusetts. She is a Past President of the Needham Rotary Club. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband.

Jeryl Abelmann is a retired elementary school teacher. She is the recipient of Teacher of the Year for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in California. A member of the Carmel Bach Festival Board of Directors, the California Writers Club, and the Screen Actors Guild, she loves the movies, theater, writing, and traveling. She has two sons and four adorable grandchildren. She and her husband live in Northern California.

What inspired you to write the book?

Quickly a spatula and beloved fixture in the family kitchen became the inspiration for the book. Quickly is a tribute to family … It is a story about how a simple object can be the source of joy as it evokes memories of family and growing up.

We were inspired by the response to the first book and we decided to write the sequel, Quickly’s Magical Pancake Adventure, to contrast reality with fantasy.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published?

Jeryl and Miriam say that he hardest part of the process is receiving rejection letters from publishers.

Quickly: The Magic Spatula took four years from inception to publication. Finally we found a publisher that believed in us! Quickly: The Magic Spatula is the 2011 “Children’s Book Winner” of the Hollywood Book Festival. Quickly was named the Gold Medal Winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award from the Independent Publishing Industry. This award honors the best children’s books that show dedication to children’s literacy and inspired writing, illustrating, and publishing. The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association named Quickly: The Magic Spatula Best Children’s Picture Book.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Miriam realized she was a writer in high school when her English teachers praised her writing. Jeryl read children’s books to her students, encouraged them to write books, and her students inspired her to write a children’s book.

Do you have any writing rituals?

We live 3000 miles apart and we definitely have a system for writing. We have written four books. We begin by going to the library. This is where we research, plan, and organize our thoughts. Quickly’s Magical Pancake Adventure began in the Sturgis Library in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The Sturgis Library is the oldest library building in the United States. It’s fun to think our newest book began in the oldest library.

The telephone and computer are our best tools. It’s wonderful to work with a friend – writing can be a very lonely process.

How do you come up with names for your characters?

Organically – The names of characters grow out of the story…it comes from within.

Did you learn anything from writing & publishing this book?

We learned how much fun it is to work together as a team!

What types of books do you read?

Miriam reads all genres her favorite authors are William Styron, Valdimar Nadbokov, Tony Chiu, Roger Ebert, Dr, Seuss, and Diane Setterfield. The genres Jeryl likes are mysteries, adventure, cookbooks, poetry, Shakespeare, and children’s book authors Shel Silverstein, Lois Lawry and Mercer Mayer.

Why?

Their writing is magnificent it is a pleasure to read their words.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book?

Quickly’s Magical Pancake Adventure is a magical children’s story and we wove 25 world famous chefs’ pancake recipes into our book. This is a huge project. We contacted famous chefs from New York to California, Massachusetts to Florida, Hawaii to Nevada, including Jacques Pépin, Roy Yamaguchi, Cat Cora, and Charles Phan. These famous chefs were kind enough to give us pancake recipes. The recipes were edited and tested. This process took 2 years. We learned how wonderful it is to see something we wrote come to fruition. It gives us a sense of joy, pride, and accomplishment to share our story with the world.

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

Quickly will have another adventure! Tune in!

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

The best advice we can give to other writers about writing and publishing is believe in yourself and never give up!

Get away from your computer when you can, join Writer’s Clubs and attend Writers Conventions, take writing classes at your local community college. Meet writers with a common interest. Have people you respect read your work. Find a mentor and listen to feedback. Network, Network, Network! Believe in yourself!

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

The perfect reader for our book is a person who is hungry, loves pancakes, and has a child nearby to share the story with.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Our web site is: www.QuicklyTheMagicSpatula.com and coming soon is www.QuicklysMagicalPancakeAdventure.com.

Quickly is also available at FastPencil.com, Amazon.com, and as downloads for popular e-readers such as the KindleNook, iPad, etc. Follow us on Twitter at @QuicklyBooks or on our Facebook page: Quickly Books

It is The Book of Ruth: A Story of Love and Redemption (Daily-Bible-Reading).

It is a Daily-Bible-Reading Study of The Book of Ruth from the Bible.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am from South Carolina. I have been writing for a little over a year. I am a wife, a mother of two daughters, and a grandmother to five grandchildren.

What inspired you to write this book?

I do a Daily-Bible-Reading blog where I do daily Bible Studies. I guess you can say that is where The Book of Ruth was born.

How did you choose the title?

Originally it was going to be called The Book of Ruth-Daily-Bible-Reading. My first editor suggested we change the title. With some help from her and my husband I finally decided on The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

The hardest part for me was the delays. You know we live in a world where we want everything yesterday and that just doesn’t happen. I just tried to keep moving forward one day at a time.

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

I got started by sharing Bible Verses on Facebook. Later, I took an Online Internet Business Course and started building my websites and blogs. Several months ago I took an E-book course and decided to publish The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I usually write mid-morning. I like to write when the house is quiet and usually while I am drinking my coffee.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Since my book is based on The Book of Ruth from the Bible my characters names were already established.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

I have learned a lot. The hardest part for me was when I first received my book back from the editor. I had no idea what to expect. I learned it’s a tough world, but people are willing to help you.

If you were doing it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would allow myself more time to get everything done.

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

I like to read Christian, Inspirational books. I like reading a lot of different people’s books. Some of my favorites are Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, Stormie Omaritan, Max Lacado, to name a few.

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

I have started my next book, but I am not working on it right now, because I am trying to get ready for my book launch for The Book of Ruth-A Story of Love and Redemption.

My next book is going to be from The Book of Esther. It is also a Daily-Bible-Reading Study.

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

The best advice I have is try to learn all you can about writing.
Don’t over commit yourself. Which is something I think I have done sometimes.
Be prepared for the ups and downs of publishing.
Enjoy the experience.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

People who want to learn more about the Bible and develop a close relationship with God.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

You can check out my websites and blogs.

My Author Website is http://www.deborahhbateman.com
Christian Daily Resources is the main site for my Christian Online Ministry at: http://www.christiandailyresources.com
Daily-Bible-Reading is the Bible Study blog at: http://www.daily-bible-reading.com
Bible Verse Tweet is the Daily Bible Verse blog at: http://www.bibleversetweet.com

My first book is The Genesis One Code. The ground breaking book demonstrates a clear alignment between the times of key events described in the creation narrative of the book of Genesis with those derived from scientific theory and observation.

Tell us something about yourself.

I was born in Chile and have lived in Vancouver most of my life. I am an engineering physicist by training who has also studied the mystical tradition of Kabbalah. Like many others I have been searching for a harmony between science and religion on the question of our origins. The Genesis One Code documents the harmony I have found. The book is based upon authentic biblical sources and peer reviewed science.

What inspired you to write this book?

While obtaining my engineering degree I realized that some answers about our origins were missing in science and I continued to search for them both in science and kabbalah, which I began studying 13 years ago. Once my nephews entered high school and university I found they had similar questions. In discussions with them I became motivated to work harder on finding answers to the issues.

How did you choose the title?

The book is based upon Chapter One of the book of Genesis which contains the account of the development of the universe and the appearance of life on earth. In order to be able to compare Genesis, which is on a 6-day timeline of events, with science, I needed a code to convert to the same language as science- it is finding this code in the Kabbalah and applying it consistently that has open the door to the answers- thus the title The Genesis One Code.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

At first finding a publisher was difficult because I did not know how to go about it and just wrote a few letters to publishers I thought should be interested. At some point I saw an internet advertisement where I could send my pitch to 250 publishers/agents interested in my genre. I got dozens of requests for my book proposal and then several publication offers, all in a couple of months.

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

I didn’t. I had questions that most people shared. I found answers and I was encouraged by people who heard the answers to put them down in a book accessible to the public – so I did- it has been very exciting.

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

Yes. The Genesis One Code is drawn from Chapter 1 of Genesis and is therefore focused on the development of the universe and the appearance of life on earth. Humankind only gets about 3 pages in the book. My next project is drawn from Chapters 2 to 11 of Genesis and will be focused on a book on Humankind- perhaps entitled Adam vs. Homo sapiens, where I plan to demonstrate agreement between Genesis and science on the history of Homo sapiens from their appearance 200,000 years ago until a few thousand years ago.

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

The most important thing I learnt about publishing is not to try to guess who might be interested- instead send it to a lot of publishers and let them decide. That will get you several publishers to pick from in several weeks!

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

Anyone with a high school science background who has wondered how science might relate to the biblical teaching or a somewhat religious observant person who is aware that science does not seem to agree with the religious account of creation.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

At the book’s website www.genesisonecode.com which contains information on the book including its contents, a sample chapter and a short 4.5 min action packed book video. Also the book is on Facebook, where similar information can be found.

This Time You Lose is an intense read. It is the terrifying story of Lisa Kaamp, who operates a small childcare business out of her home in the sleepy little town of Nogeksum, Michigan. Highly respected and known for going the extra mile for her daycare kids, Lisa thought she had handled every daycare emergency possible.

But nothing prepared her for the nightmare she now faced. Lisa awakes one morning to find herself bound and gagged, four strange men in her home, and the daycare children being held hostage in the next room. Terrorized by her captors as the authorities work to meet the ransom deadline, she tries negotiating with the men for the release of the children, and soon realizes that at least one of them has no intention of letting anyone go. With the deadline quickly approaching, Lisa must do the unimaginable to protect the children and get everyone out alive.

Tell us something about yourself.

I never intended to be a writer. Short-order cook, security guard, safety officer, childcare provider, and teacher were all titles I’d worn – but never writer. Then I entered an essay contest for “The Worst Vacation Ever” and won. Writing became my new hobby, and soon I had several articles in print with local publications. This was followed by a short story, The Khaki Pants, which was published by RDR Publishing in an anthology that went on to sell over a million copies.

A suspense thriller was my next undertaking, and in 2008 This Time You Lose was named a finalist in the TNBW Strongest Start Novel Competition. Four months later it earned the distinction of being a TNBW Readers Choice Top Ten Novel, and has remained on the Top Ten list ever since.

I continue to work full time, raise a family, and occasionally put pen to paper in my endeavor to appease the Muse within. I live in Michigan with my husband and family.

What inspired you to write this book?

Years ago, a neighboring community was plagued with a series of home invasions. A childcare provider myself at the time, I wondered what would happen if one of these invasions occurred in a childcare home. A woman home alone, caring for up to a dozen children in a deserted, middle-class neighborhood made the perfect target for one of these invasions – and thus my story was born.

How did you choose the title?

I changed the title of this book numerous times as I wrote, edited, and then rewrote all or parts of it. Originally, I’d titled it Daycare Nightmare, then Every Parent’s Nightmare. However, some of my first test readers were men, and they pointed out those titles could pigeon-hole it as a woman’s book. They noted that while they really liked the story, with either of those titles, they would never have picked it up off the shelf. So… I gave it a lot of thought and finally settled on the title This Time You Lose – which is actually a line of dialog in the story.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

The first draft was completed in 6 months, but it took another year and a half of editing and rewriting to get it to the point where I felt confident sending it out. After many, many, many rejections I finally got an agent in New York. She sent it out to all the major publishers – who rejected it, but offered constructive comments. I then reworked the story based on their comments and my agent resubmitted it. This time most of the publishers really liked it, but still turned it down. My agent explained that it had more to do with the current economy than the writing….the big publishing houses just weren’t taking many chances on unknown authors right now. She suggested shelving it for a year or so, and trying it again later. So I put it away for awhile. Then after much thought and research, I decided not to wait. I didn’t NEED a big publishing company to get my book out there. I could do it myself. So I decided to self publish, and went with a print-on-demand publishing company. In less than two months I had my finished book in my hands. Of course 100% of the marketing is also in my hands, and that has proved to be more difficult than writing the original story.

Do you have any writing rituals?

My only writing ritual is copious amounts of coffee – and Tootsie-roll pops! If I’m writing in the morning, I need LOTS of coffee. If I’m writing in the evening, I require a tootsie-roll pop in my mouth at all times. Oh, and editing requires potato chips. J

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

None of my characters are named for real people. I just used names I liked, that were dissimilar enough to keep them straight in my head.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

Writing is the easy part, and the most fun. Editing is hard. Getting published is tough – even with an agent. Marketing is by far the most difficult part of the whole process.

If you were doing it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would try to have a specific time & place available to me for the purpose of writing, editing, etc. Much of this book was written in the car, in the stands, even in the bathroom. (the only room in the house with a lock on the door!) As a working mom, the distractions were constant. A nice private island with a palm tree would be perfect!

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

I love suspense thrillers. I also like comedy, and true crime, and horror.., hmmm, I guess I like just about everything except romance and vampires!

I grew up reading Stephen King, and continue to do so. I am currently reading James Patterson and Dan Brown

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

I am currently spending most of my spare time marketing this book. However, I do have my next 2 books planned in my head. One will be another suspense thriller, with a writer as the protagonist. The other will be an anthology of real life stories – more of a humor collection.

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

Don’t give up on your dream. Join a writers critique group – in person or online. Step back from your work occasionally and really consider what others say about what you’ve written, BUT never let others tell you that you can’t do it. Keep plugging away, and don’t be afraid to put your work out there.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

My book is perfect for those who like an intense read. It keeps the reader on edge and tense all the way through. Not for the faint of heart!

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Readers can learn more about me, This Time You Lose, and related products at any of the sites below.

Website: www.thistimeyoulose.com
Amazon.com
Facebook fan page: This Time You Lose Fan Page
Twitter: @chrisstralyn
Email: chrisstralyn@gmail.com

My latest (and second) novel, West of Wawa is about a young immigrant woman named Benny. Benny comes to Canada from Australia, thinking that she’s running to something while actually, she’s running away; running away from a marriage that ended badly and from a failed dream of being an artist. She’s in a lot of pain and she numbs herself with hard work and prescription meds – she’s very adept at self-medicating, a tendency that increases during her journey. West of Wawa is a road-trip adventure and Benny’s a feisty girl, but she’s also foolhardy and she learns a few tough lessons along the way. This book is very much about life handing out hard knocks, and having to fight and find a way to self-realization. Benny isn’t perfect; she makes a lot of mistakes but she does find her way.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m originally from South Africa and I came to Canada in 2000. I was looking for a job as a magazine art director in New York and I got offered a job (with then McCall’s) but I couldn’t get a visa. While I was waiting to hear about my visa, I got a job here in Toronto and I fell in love with Canada and I stayed. I got transferred to London (England) for three months and I couldn’t wait to get back to Canada.

I’ve been writing all my life. Really! And it was always a given in the family that I would become a writer. I studied English and Philosophy at university but then I found writing as a day job much too stressful. I was lucky enough to be given an opportunity in art directing and that’s been my day job and a huge love of my life for the past twenty-three years. But I’ve always written; short stories, poems, long wordy novels. I’ve typewritten, hand-written, computer-written, daydreamed and nightmared my writing ever since I can remember.

Hmmm, anything you might find interesting… let me think… I have a brown belt in karate? Ah, I think you mean writing-interesting! Okay, well, here’s something I’ve never shared on a blog before (at least I don’t think I have!) – I love Stephen King, I feel like his books are my guilty pleasure. I love the way he can paint the picture of seemingly-peaceful and perfect suburban life with a rotten undertow that drags you into an abyss.

What inspired you to write this book?

Books choose us – I really believe that. But we can choose to go on a date with the book or not… It really is like being given the opportunity to make a new friend. We can always say no. But sometimes you think hey, this person’s really interesting so I’m going to take some time to hang out with them. It was the same thing with West of Wawa. The book came to me and said, “here I am, can you do something with me, can you help me live?” and I said yes and I never gave up on it, not even when it seemed like I was following an impossible dream. (More about this below in answer to Question 5.)

How did you choose the title?

Again here’s something I’ve never shared before – the original title was West of Wawa and Why Eve Ate The Apple…I’d been struggling to find a title, struggling mightily, and I’d been trying out different ones for what seemed like months. As always, I ask the opinion of every person I meet (which means that a lot of people see me coming and run in the other direction…) anyway, I was at a guitar lesson, bemoaning my title-less fate and my teacher said “take it from the book,” (he knew that each chapter had its own title) and one was West of Wawa and Why Eve Ate The Apple, and that one popped into my head. So there it was, but I later shortened it to just West of Wawa. The ‘Why Eve Ate The Apple’ bit is still in the book and I invite (and hopefully entice) readers to discover that bit for themselves!

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

The obstacles in getting this book published could have paved Benny’s entire journey from the east to west coast of Canada.

The book was quickly accepted for ebook publication by a wonderful little publishing company on the east coast. We spent a year working on edits and revisions and proofs and galleys and the like, and we even finished the cover artwork and it was all going swimmingly well. Then, two weeks before launch date, the company ran out of funds and closed up shop. Talk about disappointed! Actually, make that crushed and devastated. But, I thought, at the very least, I had a polished manuscript in hand that I could shop around. And I did that, submitting it a publishing house that I had wanted to work with for ages. I waited on tenterhooks for the long six months it took them to read it (they’re also a small house and had quite a backlog so it took a little longer than usual for me to get feedback.) I wasn’t too worried though – the book had already been previously accepted and so I was 80 percent sure that the news was going to be good. But then, another crushing blow – feedback told me that while the scenery was great, the character was vacuous. She professed to learn and grow on her journey but her actions didn’t support this. Once again, a crushing blow.

I gathered my energy and swallowed my pride (vacuous? My character was vacuous?) and started from scratch.

During this time, I had been working with my current, wonderful publisher and so of course, when I was finished reworking the novel, I sent the book to her. Three months later I got the good news: “the book’s a terrific read!”

So, it all turned out well in the end. West of Wawa emerged, a print book, and with a much better story and it’s true that there really are silver linings to the darkest of clouds.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I love a good ritual! The answer is yes, absolutely. I light candles or incense. I wear a particular hat, I arrange bowls of chocolates and my desk needs to be just so. In the past, I wasn’t able to work unless all the dishes were done and the house was spotless but I’m delighted to say I’ve overcome that and now I can work with the sink piled high and the stairs badly in need of a vacuum. My very sweet husband has kindly picked up a lot of my slack, which I greatly appreciate. Still, he was the one who told me that I couldn’t do everything and that I had to prioritize – well, I did!

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

Try to get a grip on the rules of editing and grammar. I’m still struggling with it; run-on sentences (I’m horribly guilty), commas (I use too many), semi-colons (an eternal mystery), colons (in need of irrigation?) and rules for internal narrative versus dialogue. Just to mention a few. Because these days, you’re expected to show up all polished and shiny – there is no ‘later’ and there is no ‘them’ as in ‘they’ll fix it later’. I still hear people saying that, and I’ve pretty much given up explaining that they’re shooting themselves in the foot by not working it harder upfront, because they look at me with pity, clearly thinking that my work must lack the immeasurable value that theirs has.

Seriously though, learning how to edit your own work is invaluable. So that’d be my Tip Number One. Followed by Never Give Up. Followed by Find Yourself A Great Mentor If You Can. And then, there’s the old goodie; Learn Something New Every Day.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Ah, my poor characters. Imagine they’re real people and I’m trying to find the perfect outfit for each of them – I drag them to shopping mall after shopping mall, and make them try on different suits and dresses and shorts and skirts and blouses and t-shirts and ball-gowns and raincoats – and that’s without even having started on the purses, shoes, belts, scarves and hats! I’m utterly relentless. I lose a lot of sleep over character names. I have to work with them for a while and see if they fit. Benny had quite a few names before I hit upon Benny and I can’t recall exactly how that came to me. I know I saw her serious little face (yes I know she’s not really real!) watching Benny and Joon and then I just knew she was Benny. She picked her name herself. Her ‘real’ name is Bertha Gertrude and I tell you, it took quite some doing to find that one! So in this instance, there are names even within names and stories around her name, so it was particularly important I get it right.

I look through books on baby’s names and I generally start there. Then I page through books, dozens of them, just looking at names. Then I scour the TV program credits and movie credits. I type arbitrary names on Google. I watch the newsreels for interesting names. I think about the names of people I work with. I think about people I went to school with. I think about movie stars. Sometimes when I’m talking to people, I’m thinking about their names and I get distracted and lose track of the conversation and I can’t exactly say ‘oh sorry, I was wondering if your name would work on this character I have…”

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

The biggest lesson I thought I learned was with regard to weaving my travel into my fiction writing. I say ‘thought I’d learned’ but actually I hadn’t! Readers, I hope you’ll join Cathy and me again on March 26, when more will be revealed on this topic!

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

I’d very much like to invite readers to visit me on Twitter for the answer to this question because I post a new quote every day from a writer who inspires me. And here are just a few that I’ve had so far (and they’re a mix of contemporary Canadian writers as well as some of the all-time greats from around the world); D.J. McIntosh, John Irving, Earnest Hemingway, Hugh MacLennan, Dylan Thomas, Alan Paton, Olive Schreiner, Salman Rushdie, Hunter S Thompson, Danila Botha, William S Burroughs, Kathleen Winter, Beverly Ackerman, Edgar Allan Poe, Stuart Ross, Harry Crews, Dawn Promislow, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Bukowski, Ken Babstock, Carole Giangrande, Lisa Young and Kateri Lanthier. Here’s my Twitter link: http://bit.ly/v5Rk08

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

I would love to tell you about it! My next book is a murder mystery set in Namibia, which is a tiny country on the border of South Africa. The novel is very much Agatha Christie style; a busload of tourists set off on a holiday of murder and mayhem. There’s lots in there about the Bushmen, witchdoctors, muti killings and things like that, as well as the murders. I am coming into my fifth year of working on this novel and my publisher is hopeful that it will see print next year, if I make the right rewrites – so, fingers crossed!

This is also a good example of my travel being woven into my fiction writing and I’ll talk more about that in the blog on 26^th and I hope you’ll all join us there.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Get a copy of the book:

amazon.ca: http://amzn.to/xu637D

Amazon.com

Indigo/Chapters: http://bit.ly/sVmWzv

Reading on YouTube: http://bit.ly/u5eyG2

Trailer on YouTube: http://bit.ly/qXrJLn

Visit my website: www.lisadenikolitswriter.com for reviews, comments, photographs and more.

My most recent book is titled, The Devil’s Workshop. It’s a thriller set in Santa Fe, St. Paul, and Santa Elena, Mexico, a city based on Guadalajara. The story concerns a revenge plot that’s been more than 400 years in the making, pitting one branch of a family against another.

Tell us something about yourself.

I grew up in Minnesota, and my first job out of college was as a writer/editor in the mental health field. I wanted to write fiction. I did two bad novels and, realizing they weren’t any good, utterly ran off the rails. When I tried to go back to it, I found I was totally blocked, and was unable to write another word for 37 years. Going back to it in 2005, after a career in business, I wrote 16 books in six years. There was a lot built up behind the dam.

What inspired you to write this book?

I bought a painting in Santa Fe depicting a young man who appeared about 94% human. As I looked at it over the years I wondered what kind of world he inhabited. It would be much like mine, but not entirely so. His world became the basis for The Devil’s Workshop.

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

Even in high school I had a strong way with words. I began writing short fiction then and my teachers encouraged me. It continued in college.

Do you have any writing rituals?

After my long blockage, I’m pleased to say I have no rituals and no fears. I simply trust my process. I sit down each day and write. If nothing comes immediately, I go back a few pages and polish what I wrote the previous time. This usually carries me forward. One key is that I realized it’s not about me––it’s only about the material.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

I learned to trust myself more, after going through a series of sessions with a book doctor who felt she could help me improve it. Some of her advice was helpful, and I put it to good use, but most of it wasn’t.

What types of books do you like to read? Why?

I read mostly mystery writers because I like to see what they’re doing. I’ve done so much writing now during the last six years that it’s easy to see the bones and structure in other people’s work. I try to avoid the errors I see, and I like to be sure that my work is different from anyone else’s. My own books are set mostly in Mexico, because that’s where I live, and so it’s easy to give them a different flavor. My mysteries are in a series, using a main detective character, Paul Zacher, who’s an artist. He’s drawn into the first case because he might see things differently. He does.

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

I’m working on the ninth book of my mystery series, titled, The Theft of the Virgin, about a group that steals the Our Lady of Guadalupe image from the cathedral in Mexico City and substitutes a copy.

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

Work as hard as you can, make no excuses, show your work in progress to others who are serious readers and solicit their comments. Listen hard, and use what you can. Most importantly, Never Give Up!

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

The perfect reader for my books is a person who wants to accompany me into a slightly different world, one with humor, adventure, surprise, and humanity. Someone who likes art, culture, romance, and using her own imagination to fill in those tiny openings in the text with her own thoughts and ideas. I try to leave space for this kind of participation, and I think of it as having stories with a bit of ‘air’ in them.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Readers can readily find me at my website, www.sanmiguelallendebooks.com, and at Amazon, and at my Amazon author page.

They can also contact me from my website. I love to hear from them and I answer all emails.

I am a Certified Financial Planner™ who specializes in helping average people save and plan for their retirements. I have recently been named as an ambassador on behalf of the CFP® Board which includes helping to spread the word regarding the importance of creating and implementing a long term financial plan.

Tell us about your most recent book.

My book, RetirementQuest: Make Better Decisions, was written to help readers embrace the challenges embodied in our changing cultural reality. Caught in a shift from idling along as passive benefit recipients of such stalwart entitlements as corporate pensions and Social Security; we now find ourselves having to rely almost entirely on our own investment acumen to survive increasingly lengthy retirements.

Unfortunately for many, we live in an investment world dominated by sound bites and sales pitches which have all too often led to tragic consequences for those who lack investment savvy. In fact, the financial services industry all too often victimizes clients by preying on their primordial vulnerabilities!

RetirementQuest: Make Better Decisions, exposes shortcomings in the way we, as a society, plan for our long term wellbeing and seeks to provide an easy to understand framework from which more effective outcomes may be realized.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have made some critical observations over my twenty year career and have sadly come to the conclusion that most investors are ill-prepared to make the transition from living off of a paycheck, and instead must rely on their own investment skills to produce a livable income. Horrifically, I have observed that far too many so-called professionals are prone to the same mistakes at best, and at worst intentionally prey upon the investing public. Seventy million baby boomers are on the precipice of falling from their peak earning years down into the depths of something potentially much grimmer. The national, as well as personal consequences are potentially enormous with the cost of failure unthinkable. Simply put, we must right our sinking cultural (financial) ship because we can kick the can no further. I wrote this book to provide a guide for responsible savers and investors to hopefully build a better framework from which to embrace this challenge.

How did you choose the title?

I chose the title because it combines the task at hand, our individual retirement quests, with the immediate need to make better decisions than many investors have made in the past. A brief look backward highlights a landscape which is littered with the wreckage of dot com implosions, real estate collapses, pension failures, scams, fraud, sales pitches, and sound bite decision making.

What obstacles did you encounter?

The primary obstacle I encountered was the need to blend a seemingly endless stream of necessary, appropriate, and required legal disclosures without losing the ability of the average reader to understand the basic concepts. The intent of this book was to present complicated material in a manner that laymen can follow.

Did you learn anything from writing this book?

Since I wrote this book based upon my experiences and observations I would not say that writing this book was a learning experience as much as a confirmation of some things I suspected. I confirmed for instance that I am in fact a copy editor’s worst nightmare and that Dick, Brittany, Staci and others are patient wonders of humanity. I also did learn that writing a book is actually the easy part!

What would you tell other authors?

Start off right from the beginning and seek out the help of professionals. They will save you money and time in the long run. Also, do that “how to” reading, even if you would really rather do almost anything else than; like how to get published and how to submit a manuscript. For those who are investment professionals, I would also recommend that they start out with their legal/compliance department because it is often easier to incorporate legalese from the beginning than have to go back and make changes. Such changes may well affect how the book is laid out and may cause the need for an entire re-format!

My most recent work is Past Lives, the first book in a series about a man who discovers under hypnosis that he is a reincarnated serial killer.

Tell us something about yourself.

Born in Kansas the son of an army ranger and Black Hawk pilot, I had the wonderful opportunity to grow up in both Kentucky and Germany. I started writing early with short stories for middle school like “The Candy Cane Man” and one gloriously unfinished fantasy novel cryptically titled “The Tower of Gold.” Fast-forward a few years and I graduated from Murray State University with a degree in Communication, which I used most recently as a national trainer and speaker. I have presented at the local, state and national level on writing, marketing, relationships, culture, body language, and influence. My work has been published in various newspapers, newsletters, and The Writer’s Journal. I am the author of the nonfiction book, 101 Ways to Pray Better and Get Faster Results, and the Past Lives novel series.

What inspired you to write this book?

Believe it or not, the story is inspired by true events. In the early 1900’s, a man named Edgar Cayce discovered an uncanny ability to put himself into a deep state of hypnosis. In trance, he delivered diagnosis and other health advice that cured the sick even though he had no medical training. He also demonstrated physic abilities, and even spoke of reincarnation. From the seed of this true-life story, the idea for Past Lives germinated and blossomed over time.

Also, most people who believe in reincarnation claim previous lives as celebrities and royalty. Although as a Christian I don’t ascribe to reincarnation, I do find it a fascinating idea. I wondered what would happen if someone found out that they were something terrible, even horrific in a past life. How would that affect a person? How would someone handle that truth? The novel is my answer to those questions.

How did you choose the title?

The title fell into my lap form the story premise. All those previous lives discovered and explored screamed for the title to be Past Lives. Past Lives is also the catalyst for the major story conflict and question. When it first came to me, it seemed like the only title that fit.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

I started writing the novel eight years ago. It was my first, and I struggled through three years of slow writing and rewriting. The novel must have gone through at least 20 versions, if not more. Like many writers, I sent out dozens upon dozens of query letters. Rejections filtered in as I kept revising, tweaking, and fiddling with the story. As I continued to seek publication, I wrote a second novel (which, coincidently, might be published in 2012). In 2010, through the leadership and public speaking organization, Toastmasters, I met my publisher, Dave Mattingly, who runs Blackwyrm publishing. He requested to see my first novel, accepted it, and published it in July 2011.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Yes, I write almost exclusively in the morning, when my focus and creativity are at their peak. With a wife and young child, this usually means getting up at 4 am. I start by reading what I wrote the day before to get myself back into the characters, the story, and whatever particular scene that I’m currently writing. I keep thesaurus.com open and use it regularly as I write. My current process is to write slowly, revising as I go.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

I try to pick names that “fit” the characters, both in personality and meaning. Eric Shooter just sounds cool to me. It’s simple, and I hope memorable. James Wolfe is actually a famous British general, which goes along nicely with my Detective’s love for everything war. The guy has two pit bulls named Napoleon and Caesar, after all.

How did you decide to write a series?

Past Lives begun as a standalone novel that included an extra character and ended very differently than it does now. Over the years, the story has remained the same, but characters have been deleted, scenes added and the end rewritten. Truthfully, I resisted the idea for a series at first because of my chronically low attention span. I thought I’d never want to stay with one idea, or one set of characters for very long. I decided to write a series for Past Lives because I think there are still unanswered questions at the end of the novel, and I still get excited about the characters and the story lines.

Did you learn anything from writing and publishing this book? What?

I learned that I am able to write a novel-length story. I learned about characterization, conflict, voice, the joys and challenges of plotting and revising. I’ve learned how much effort it takes and how long it can take to go from finished novel to published novel. I continue to learn more about writing and marketing every day.

Your novel addresses many controversial topics like hypnosis, reincarnation and harm to innocent victims (i.e., a pregnant woman is attacked in the prologue!) Were you nervous about including all these elements?

Yes, I knew the risk of writing a novel grounded in so much controversy. Personally, I hope those elements make the story more interesting to readers. They are different, unique. To the point about innocents, I wanted to show the brutal ugliness of evil, the vile nature of it. I certainly do not mean to offend, while firmly believing (and wanting to show) that evil is often offensive.

If you were doing it all over again, what would you do differently?

My writing style has changed over the years, so I would probably rewrite the story with my current, more descriptive style. I still really like short, punchy chapters. I might delve into Eric’s character a bit more, but the good thing about a series is that I have future books to explore his past and personality.

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

I love to read thrillers and suspense novels. I read the spectrum of authors and am constantly on the look out for new authors to read. In my humble opinion, it is hard to find a writer that is both a great storyteller and a great writer. I think Dean Koontz is one of those rare writers, although his endings sometimes leave me wanting more. He writes with a poetic description that I greatly admire. I also like Dan Brown, the Jason Bourne Series, some books by Stephen King, and a wide and diverse assortment of other writers. Most recently, I finished the Frankenstein series by Dean Koontz and thoroughly enjoyed it. I just started reading The Language of Flowers. So far, the story is engrossing.

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

My second book, Dark Halo, will likely be out in 2012. It is a standalone thriller about a father trying to reconnect with his estranged wife and daughter in a town that has lost its guardian angel.

I am also half way through writing the sequel to Past Lives.

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

About writing: I heard it for years and never really got it, but in my opinion nothing beats lots of reading and writing. Creative writing is a talent honed by practice, practice, practice. Don’t get overly discouraged. Keep at it. You will get better, and you will get your break.

About publishing: start your marketing six months to a year in advance. Create a list of media (i.e. newspapers, blogs, radio stations). Create a list of bookstores and other venues to do readings and signings, and start contacting them now. Build relationships. Create flyers and other promotional material like poster-sized images of your book cover. Get a nice poster easel and smaller book easels, maybe a tablecloth for signings. Join Toastmasters and brush up your public speaking skills. Make friends, network, help other writers, be a good person, set your priorities and don’t neglect your family. Keep first things first.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

I’d say someone over 17 years of age that likes thrillers and suspense novels, particularly with paranormal elements. There is no profanity or sexual content in the novel, but there is a healthy dose of violence. Someone who likes the short chapters of James Patterson might really enjoy the writing style.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Read the first chapter of Past Lives at Amazon.com. The novel is also available at blackwyrm.com, most other online booksellers and by order virtually anywhere books are sold. Keep up with the series at http://www.facebook.com/Ckauthor

Actually I’ve got the first two books in my lighthearted paranormal mystery series out as a Back To School Special (because I think the sting of going back to school pretty much lasts all year). They are both available in eBook and in trade paperback.

The first book in the series, EPIC award winning Underdead, is about newbie science teacher Jo Gartner who is bitten by a vampire–only he doesn’t quite do the job, leaving her almost undead or “underdead”. And then things really get out of control. Dead bodies. Police. Undead. Outrageous lies to her mother. But then someone wants Jo dead…the traditional way!

In the sequel, Underdead In Denial, Jo is having a wonderfully quiet year until she volunteers for the Haunted House fundraiser. That’s just asking for the vampires to show up and of course they do. Then there’s another dead body. And more cops. And Jo is forced to decide which side she’s on before someone gets rid of her permanently.

Tell us something about yourself.

Does my vast chocolate consumption while writing qualify as interesting or is it merely horrifying?

Like Jo, my first job right out of college was teaching middle school science. I adore math and science and currently work as a financial analyst. But my first love has always been writing and I make time to do it. Always. I will say here that teaching is the hardest job I’ve ever done. Hands down. I was one of those kids in school that was a bit of a handful for my teachers and boy did the universe circle back to make me pay for it. I miss teaching and my students but I do not miss the grading. It’s a great joy to go to coffee shops just to go and not because I’m chaining myself to a table to get papers graded.

What inspired you to write this book?

The teacher part is based very loosely on my experiences. And the vampire part? I could make the argument that teaching is all about dealing with bloodsucking monsters (one need only think back to their own middle school experience to know this is true). But quite honestly I got the idea for Underdead after a punchline from a comedian’s stand up routine got stuck in my head one afternoon, the way annoying songs do. I don’t remember the joke, of course, just the punchline, about something being underdone-done-done. It twisted around and around in my head and somehow became “Underdead” and the idea for an almost undead science teacher was born.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I write better at night (must be all those years of putting homework off to the last minutes before bedtime) and have a superbly messy desk. Every so often I organize my papers and clean every inch of my desk and it slowly turns back into a trash heap.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

This is one of the hardest things for me. So hard that I blogged about it. I have baby books and I look up names on line and I watch credits on TV and movies for ideas. And when in doubt, I ask my mother.

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

I’m deep into the third Underdead mystery and I plan on at least one more. I have also written the first book in a YA series, and it is coming soon.

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

Learn. Take classes. Hang out with other writers who are driven to improve and motivated to write as a career. On my website I have a list of classes and books that have helped me, and I explain why they’ve been a help. I’m terrible at remembering book titles and names so I add more as I remember them.

Who is the perfect reader for your book?

I like the sort of book that you can curl up with on the couch after a rotten day and flip pages and giggle and that’s the sort of books I write. My novels are cozy mysteries with a romantic love triangle…and vampires! Teens tend to like the books for the vampires and steal it from their mothers. Who are the sort who will steal it right back. They also appeal to teachers and students because they identify with Jo. However, the books are PG and I’ve got fans of all ages and both genders.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Both of my books are available in eBook and in trade paperback. You can easily find links to the way you want to read the books on my website.

My website: lizjasper.com
I’m bumping up against the Facebook friend ceiling so I’ve started a page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liz-Jasper/114356318669137
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AuthorLizJasper