1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’m a proud son of Baltimore, an electrician by trade, and now serve in the Maryland State Senate representing the 45th District. My journey started with an apprenticeship — it gave me not just a career, but a path to stability, leadership, and service. Writing wasn’t my first language; I was used to working with my hands. But over time, through op-eds, speeches, and listening to the stories in my community, I realized writing was another way to build — not with wire or tools, but with words that could help shape futures.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
The book grew out of a simple truth: apprenticeships saved my life. I wanted to create a guidebook that would demystify the process for parents, students, and mentors — to show them that the trades aren’t a fallback, they’re a way forward. I’ve seen too many young people miss opportunities because they didn’t have access or exposure. This book is my way of pulling back the curtain and saying, “Here’s how you can get there.”
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That second chances are real, and pathways to the middle class come in many forms. Apprenticeships are the other four-year degree. I want readers — whether they’re young people figuring out their path, parents trying to guide their kids, or counselors advising students — to walk away knowing that opportunity is closer than they think, and that hard work plus access can change everything.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Memoir with a “how-to” spine felt like the right fit. I wanted to tell my story honestly — the good and the challenges — but also leave readers with practical steps they can act on. It’s not just about my journey, it’s about creating a blueprint others can use.
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5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Instagram has been powerful — it allows me to share visual moments, connect with young people, and engage directly with readers who may not follow traditional political spaces. But I also lean on LinkedIn, because so much of this conversation is about workforce development, policy, and leadership, and that’s where those communities live.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Stay true to your voice. Writing can feel intimidating, especially if it’s not your first craft, but authenticity is what resonates. Be disciplined about putting words down — even if it’s just a page at a time — and surround yourself with people who will push you to finish. Most importantly, write the book you wish you had in your hands years ago.
7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Right now, I’m focused on bringing The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life into as many classrooms, libraries, and communities as possible. But I also see this book as just the beginning of a larger conversation.
On a personal level, I’ve got a 10- and 11-year-old in the house — both boys — and time is flying. Writing this book gave me space to reflect on the disciplines and lessons I’ve learned through life, and I want to make sure I pass them on early so they don’t fall into the same traps I did. With my wife, our focus is on raising our four children to be good human beings — the kind who contribute to making this world a better place.
So while I’m already thinking about ways to expand on this project — companion guides, lifting up more apprenticeship stories, and maybe another book down the road — my deepest priority is what’s happening inside my own home, and making sure my kids grow up with the tools, values, and exposure they need to thrive.
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About the Author
Cory V. McCray is a husband and father of four from Baltimore who believes deeply in second chances and creating pathways to opportunity. An electrician by trade, he now serves as a Maryland State Senator, representing Baltimore’s 45th Legislative District. Cory is the author of The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, a guidebook and memoir that shows how apprenticeships are “the other four-year degree.”
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I always enjoyed creative writing throughout school. I took a class in high school that helped nurture that little spark. My mother was an unofficial editor—as a medical librarian, she would edit doctors’ papers for medical journals. She would sometimes edit my school papers too, and they were always so much better when she touched them. That’s how I learned how powerful editing can be.
Later in life, I became an editor at daily newspapers in the Midwest, and in that role, I started writing a weekly column. That continued for many years.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I wrote a Christmas column one year, in 2012, which became this book, “Merry Christmas, Cosmos.” I remember waking up over and over one night as another line of text came to me. It sort of wrote itself that night. I was inspired by the idea of evolution and some of the books that were coming out around that time—“Evolutionaries” by Carter Phipps was one.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I would love for people to recognize that we’re all one big family on this planet, evolved from tiny creatures swimming about in primordial pools. And that Earth is our common home. I would love for the divisiveness in the world to decrease and the understanding of our shared heritage to grow.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
It grew out of the inspiration from the Christmas column I wrote. From that place, I just wanted to illustrate it. One of my favorite books is “Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One With the Universe,” by Yumi Sakugawa. It came out a year after my book. I love short books with a powerful message.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Social media? I haven’t even posted my book yet on Facebook. But I will. I don’t do much social media-ing.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Read your writing out loud; that helps a lot with hearing the rhythm in your writing. And go with your heart, and edit, edit, edit until it feels just right.
7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Since I published this book, I wrote a song to go with it: “Merry Christmas, Cosmos (the song).” I’ve gone into the studio and recorded my parts and have spent many hours tweaking it for release. It should be uploaded to streaming services any day now.
And I do have a book on the horizon, tentatively named “Your Big Self.” I hope to bring clarity to what people mean when they talk about a true self, higher self, unique self, local self, etc. It will probably be in the same kind of picture-book style.
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About the Author
Roshana Ariel is a writer, editor, and musician who weaves wonder into everyday life. She’s the author of “Merry Christmas, Cosmos,” a holiday book for families that blends science, sacred storytelling, and a sense of belonging in the cosmos.
Her life’s path has taken her from playing in bands and as a solo performer across the United States, to working as a radio announcer, and eventually to journalism, where she worked her way up to managing editor at a daily newspaper.
Now living in North Carolina, she performs regularly at her local Unity fellowship and creates memes, meditations, and music that celebrate conscious living and our shared origins in a vast, unfolding universe—all in service to Goodness, Truth, and Beauty.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
In fifth grade, my cousins and I sat in the back of my dad’s station wagon on the way to a birthday party. Throughout the entire drive, I told this story called “The Bunny Burglars” that I came up with on the spot. Telling stories in a compelling fashion has always come so easily to me, I took it for granted.
I wrote my first novel in 2006 in a spiral notebook. My marriage was struggling at the time and writing provided a healthy coping mechanism. I did end up typing that one out, but it’s still unpublished. Maybe one day.
The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak, a true story, releases January 1,2026, which was a huge undertaking. I’m excited to step back into fiction this year.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I write stories for fun. I would rather write a book than read one. I’d rather write a book than watch TV. I love crafting stories. What I often tell people is, “I wanted to write quality fiction that I wasn’t embarrassed for my daughters to read.” As a mom, I know there are a ton of parents out there who feel the same way. A few months ago, Dressed in Love Press picked up my romantic suspense series. My debut novel, The Lakeshore’s Secret comes out in March 2026.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The core message of The Lakehouse
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Romantic suspense? I love a good Hallmark movie, first of all, and I have fun writing my characters into seemingly impossible situations and then trying to figure out how to get them out.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d sit down with Grandma Millie and write down hers stories as she told them to me. I believe the older generations are walking around with buried treasure of life experience, wisdom, and stories in their memories.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Reels that depict excerpts of the book are gaining momentum on Instagram and Tiktok. I haven’t tried this strategy much yet, but if you follow me @SETschritter, we can see how viewers respond together. My social media is a constant work-in-progress.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Don’t quit. The ones who make it are the ones who don’t quit. Do at least one thing to promote yourself every single day.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’ve hired a voice actress to record an audio version of The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak and I’m pretty excited to write books two and three of The Lakeshore Mysteries.
AND NOW THE AUTHOR’S ANSWERS FOR THEIR NON-FICTION WORK
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
On accident. I wasn’t paying attention. In third grade, teachers announced a poetry contest. I whipped up a poem in five minutes, submitted it, and won first place at district. Much later in life, when I had several books available for sale, friends told me ‘normal people don’t write books for fun.’ That’s when I discovered I was an author. The first version of Love Letters to Miscarriage Moms actually started out as journal entries I wrote while I processed the grief of my first infant loss experience. At first, I had no intention of writing a book. But after facing that loneliness and not being able to find great content on the subject, I adjusted the writing style and turned my journal entries into a book. The tag was “You are not alone. Written in the midst of my grief so you will not be alone in yours.”
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
My late husband asked me to write his story. He asked, “What are the chances I’d be married to an author whose best work comes from wounds?” Phew. Glad that one’s written. The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak was not cathartic. I tell people who’ve read the Harry Potter series that The Prodigal’s Son is my horcrux. Writing the story required me to dive into a very dark place that cost pieces of my soul. But for the sake of the people whose lives will change from reading that one, I would do it all again.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
You are worthy of love. You are not beyond redemption. Here’s part of the back cover copy: From gutter to pulpit to ditch to grace to grave, The Prodigal’s Son speaks volumes of a God who crawls into the darkest corners of humanity and redeems those who believe they aren’t worth saving.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
There are a lot of people who battle shame who need to hear this story. I feel like there’s a lot of conservative Christian content and I’m seeing more liberal content, but there’s a huge group unrepresented in the middle. This story features two Christians who are vulnerably honest about their sin. Clint with his addiction battles and me with my self-righteous judgement. Here’s my target audience for The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak. I nicknamed the audience Paul Simon, a moniker for The Prodigal’s Son:
Paul Simon is anyone who has ever uttered the words, “I am a piece of shit.” He believes he isn’t good enough, or suspects he might not be, and measures himself against an intangible line of his own creation. Coping with the Good Enough Demon presents itself differently. Paul might be an addict, an over-eater, a workaholic, a fitness fanatic, a mom over-involved in extracurriculars, a rights activist, or a couch potato who binges Hulu at the end of an exhausting workday.
Paul considers himself a Christian but confesses this with hesitancy. Church is reminiscent of the past, a long-lost friend he no longer feels connected to. Something about church makes Paul skittish —a church wound, skepticism of theology, disappointment regarding the church’s relevance to his daily life, or frustration toward the hypocrites and fakes he sees sitting in the pews.
Paul is both male and female, approximately ages late 20’s to early 60’s, and spends most of his social media time on Tiktok, Youtube, or Instagram. He resonates with edgy, authentic influencers such as Kevin Lawson, John B. Christ, and possibly Kelly K Ministries, who intermix their faith into the hilarious stories they share.
Paul listens to trending artists such as Jelly Roll, Brantly Gilbert, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson, who sing about overcoming addictions and trials. Jelly Roll songs such as “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “Winning Streak” cause Paul to miss church, while Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” reminds him why he left.
He might be single, or married with children. Either way, Paul won’t waste time with disingenuous relationships. Trust comes hard for Paul because too many people have disappointed him. He craves more fulfillment in his life but doesn’t possess the energy or the knowledge to change. Paul knows there’s more to life than he sees and wishes there was more to God than the church suggests.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Honestly? TikTok. I had one reel go viral and gained 21K followers from that reel, which translated into preorder sales. My newsletter numbers nearly tripled. But I think I’m an anomaly.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
You have to want it. Really want it. 82% of Americans say they want to write a book. Less than 3 percent actually do. And only about 1% actually publish a book. And then actually selling books? Marketing? Chop that 1% by another fraction. So, if you really want it, and you’re part of that 1%, here is my best advice:
1.) Attend a writers conference 2.) Promote yourself at least once/ day 3.) Don’t quit
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About the Author
Multi-award-winning author Sam. E. Tschritter (pronounced Shridder) specializes in articulating grief and loss, leading grievers toward hope and healing. Whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, Tschritter writes content that will stick with readers long after they close the cover. Her 20-plus years of leadership experience and contributions to over 40 books enable her to serve others, speaking truth with transparency, humor, and love. Tschritter grew up in Chicagoland and has also lived in Minnesota and Oregon, granting her widespread views of people all over the country. She currently resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband, their three teen and preteen daughters, cats named Pitter and Patter, and their Siberian husky whom she lost the vote to name Onomatopoeia. Nothing refreshes Tschritter’s soul like gardening. She gardens to work through plot holes, writer’s block, character development, and book ideas. Tschritter spends a great deal of time gardening. Read more at https://loveunedited.com or Linktr.ee/LoveSamEvans.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Writing feeds my soul. I started putting particular words to paper when I was a young teenager, thirteen or fourteen; in fact, I still have my original notebook. It’s filled with angsty poems describing my torturous world. “It’s a maze, it’s a haze, it’s a crazy place. It’s the world each day I have to face.” My teenage years were challenging. For example, my father, who was a lay minister, set me up to be arrested for hosting a pot party when I was fourteen. He’d heard some kids talking about it at church. I was trying to get to know the boy I liked—who was the reason for the gathering—when police suddenly appeared, blocking my bedroom window and doorway. We were all drive down to the station in separate vehicles. I had to attend court and was sentenced to two years probation. It was a little like Footloose in rural Canada without Kevin Bacon) and it didn’t end well. Parents, do not do this to your children.
Later, I wrote a piece called “Bad Girl: Legacy of the Father-Daughter War.” I was never able to rectify that relationship, which is a shame. I think that’s why I’m drawn to writing Young Adult fiction. I want my characters to overcome their challenges and get their happy ending.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
In 2013-2014, I took a year leave from teaching high school English to work for the Canadian Coast Guard as a relief lighthouse keeper. I learned much about the rigors of lighthouse keeping from the principal keepers at various locations around Vancouver Island. I also heard stories of hauntings and experienced some strange incidents myself.
At times in my life, I’ve seen and felt the presence of spirits in my bedroom. Often, I’d wake up and feel that someone was staring at me. I’d reach out and flick on the light to find no one there. One Christmas Eve, I awoke to see a shadowy presence standing at the foot of my bed. And at one lighthouse where I worked I felt the spiritual presence of a lightkeeper who’d passed on. He wasn’t happy about me being in his house and wanted me gone as much as I wanted to be gone.
The Shadow Man combines family trauma with my lighthouse experiences and my interest in psychic phenomena and mediumship. Here’s the back cover blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Gracelyn Lassiter has been hiding in her aunt’s house for four years—since her mother plunged from the cliffs at Feroz Lighthouse, leaving her without her home, her best friend, or answers.
Now her father’s burned to death in his sailboat and left a confession: “Your mother didn’t jump, I pushed her.”
The trauma triggers Gracelyn’s ability to see spirits so real she can’t tell who’s human and who’s a ghost—except for the gray-veiled Shadow Man who begs her to return to Feroz Island and find her mother’s journal.
When her cruel cousin posts the confession on the Internet, Feroz seems like a safe place to escape. And if Gracelyn can see ghosts, she can conjure her mother’s spirit and hear the truth from her own lips.
But her lighthouse haven is crawling withs spirits, secrets, and lies—and the closer Gracelyn gets to the truth, the more she realizes the dead aren’t the only ones who want to keep the past in the past.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
When Gracelyn returns to Feroz Island, the old lighthouse keeper says, “Home is a place you love, where you know you belong. A place you never want to leave, and if you do, your heart’s not quite right until you return.” This theme resonates with me and many people, I think. We leave home for various reasons but it feels like there’s always something missing. Maybe it’s the place. Maybe it’s the people. Maybe it’s just that feeling of knowing you truly belong.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I was an at-risk teen who ended up working with teens. A big part of me is still that rebellious kid searching for truth and belonging. I also love YA because it’s exciting and there’s plenty of freedom to move between genres, settings, and time frames. The Shadow Man is contemporary, but I’ve just completed The Rum Runs Red, which is set in 1920s British Columbia during American Prohibition. I enjoy exploring how teens “lose their innocence” as they encounter people and situations that push them to the edge. YA is messy just like life is messy. It’s a maze of voices and shadows coming from all directions, while there you are trying to listen to your heart and find your truth.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Amos Moses is a secondary character but he plays a huge part because he’s Caleb’s uncle and Caleb is the young man Gracelyn loves. We know some things about Amos—he’s Indigenous, he’s a master carpenter, he’s absolutely caring—but I’d like to know more. I’d ask him about his spirituality and his relationship with … Oops, I can’t give that away.
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I have a TikTok presence but I really love Instagram. I seem to be there the most, watching videos and posting photos. It’s my happy place so I hope my readers find me there @harpers_books.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Read. Read. Read. Then, unfetter yourself and write. Write about your passions. Write about your fears. Write the book you’d like to read. (That’s how I wrote “The Man in Black” series. Write the best story you can, and then get other eyes on it. Not friends and family. Ask someone who will give you an honest opinion and don’t get defensive. I know it’s hard but when you’re learning it’s important to listen and learn your craft, and we only do that through experience.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
But of course. The Rum Runs Red will be my next YA release. I also write under another pen name, W. L. Hawkin. Next summer, I’m working with an Indigenous editor on a sequel to my romantic suspense novel, LURE. It’s called The Silent Girl. I’m very excited about that.
With three books written and awaiting publication, I find myself staring at a blank page. It’s a delicious feeling. Ideas are arising and I’m listening to my muses to see what develops. I love this time.
Thank you Anthony. Blessings.
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About the Author
Harper Carr finds magic everywhere, so naturally it lands in her books. Her Man in Black series, combines genres—mystery/thriller, urban fantasy, sci-fi (time-travel), and historical fiction. The stories support the LGBTQ community, are edgy, and suit older teens (16+ and adults.)
The Shadow Man, her new YA paranormal mystery was a finalist in the Northwest Pacific Writers unpublished writing contest in fall 2024. Watch for the launch in February 2026. She’s also working on The Rum Runs Red, a YA historical novel set in the 1920’s Prohibition era near Victoria, B.C.
Harper writes reviews for books that affect her profoundly, but focuses on Teen books. You can find her reviews here and on Goodreads.
She loves to read aloud and would be happy to visit your school or local library. She enjoys presenting workshops about writing. Find descriptions here.
Harper finds inspiration in Nature. You’ll often finds her walking in woods or by water with her released therapy dog.
