Tag: author on author interview

Interview with Author Lars Bo Appel 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I began writing and creating art in a more focused way in 2020. Before that, I lived what many would call a “normal life.” I built companies—mostly within the advertising industry—and worked as a creative director at several major U.S. firms. Eventually, I built my own company in Denmark, which grew to around 50 employees and earned 77 international advertising awards. Nice houses, nice kids—it all looked good from the outside, but looking back, it felt a bit trivial.

Then COVID hit. I still remember watching the first Danish press conference in March 2020. It felt disturbingly staged—something was off. As the lockdowns began and fear took over, I noticed how quickly people chose compliance over questioning. I felt I had to respond, and art became my outlet.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

My creative response began with Wilderness State, a poetry and illustration book I made during the first lockdown. It was a raw and honest reaction to what I was seeing in the world around me. The main poem, “Rather Free Than Loved,” became more relevant over time than I ever could’ve imagined. I’ve attached it here with this interview—it captures the emotional and psychological shift I experienced better than anything else.

But by 2022, I realized we still couldn’t talk openly about what had happened. The atmosphere was too divided, too reactive. That’s when Stupid Goose was born—along with the entire Villa Viva universe. I needed a new, symbolic way to explore what we had all gone through. Through simple, animal-like characters, I could look at our behavior from the outside. Stupid Goose became my way of continuing the conversation—without ever needing to say “COVID.”

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The core theme is about reclaiming independent thought and resisting groupthink. Villa Viva was my way of processing this—through symbolic, layered storytelling that holds up a mirror without being preachy. The world I created invites people to reflect—with humor, honesty, and hopefully a bit of courage.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I chose a naive and simplistic storytelling style because what I was trying to say was deeply complex. That simplicity became a strength—it let the deeper truths rise to the surface. Once the characters came to life, I fell in love with them. They started driving the story, and I followed.

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d sit down with the Lazy Dog. He’s not the most likable, but he’s definitely the most complex. I’d ask why he stays in Villa Viva. What does he really think would be best for that little society? I’m not sure he’d answer. Maybe he doesn’t care. But that says something too.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Instagram has been useful, especially for sharing the visual side of my work. But most of the real traction has come from word of mouth and real conversations. I try to connect directly with people who resonate with the message, rather than just chasing numbers.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Speak your truth—whatever it is. Don’t water it down to make it more acceptable. We live in a time that’s desperate for honesty. If something feels wrong to you, say it. Don’t get swallowed by comfort or groupthink. Art still has the power to break through. Use it.

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8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes—depending on how Stupid Goose is received, I already have two more Villa Viva books on the way. That world is still growing. I feel like it’s just getting started.

Website – https://wildernessstate.com/

Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/Fables-Villa-Viva-Independent-Responsibility-ebook/dp/B0DK5T6DPT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MEJ57Z25LDEW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T9zCaayV9QeQ6jM_AY0RIA.QAjM39Z7pvlquHixm4_dnUXwTzAYIvDxl1D60RfgwQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+stupid+goose+villa+viva&qid=1731938129&sprefix=the+stupid+goose+villa+viv%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-1

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wildernessstate/

Interview with Author Ana Yudin

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I learned to speak English at four years old, and within a few years, writing in English became my favorite pastime. My summers were spent back home in Romania, where I sometimes went weeks at a time without friends, internet, or even TV. I learned to escape into unknown worlds between the pages of blank notebooks. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be an author. 

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What inspired you to write your book?

My most recent novel, A Song at Dead Man’s Cove, was inspired by my travels along the Pacific Northwest when I was living in Seattle. I heard the haunting echoes of the region’s history—a wealthy businessman in the Victorian Era, his daughter who was sometimes described as manic, a lighthouse keeper’s wife who threw herself from the crag, a love triangle that ended in tragedy, a place called Dead Man’s Cove where sailors used to wash ashore after shipwrecks… From Oregon up to British Columbia, the Western coast whispered its secrets. I decided to fictionalize them into one tapestry, using attachment psychology as the common thread. 

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?


I suppose that depends on what the reader most needs to hear. Some might walk away from the book having learned that even those they deem monsters are human beings deserving of compassion. Others might learn that you can grieve people even while they are alive. Others might take away that loneliness can be deadly.  

What drew you into this particular genre?


Horror in general is wonderful because it allows us to shine a light on our deepest fears, which chips away at their power. I love Gothic horror specifically for the same reason why I loved depth-oriented psychology when I was a therapist—because it draws parallels between the past and present. Plus, crumbling castles teeming with paranormal creatures have always felt like home to me.

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d probably want to know why Hurley Irving uses his power to take advantage of people. His character is capable of treating people as his equals, yet he often chooses not to. I’ve known men like him in real life, and I wish I could ask them, “Why do you exploit those with less power? Why do you always need more and more wealth, where nothing is ever enough for you? Would you ever change?”

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

YouTube! I’ve been building an audience on there for over five years, though my main channel is psychology-focused. However, after I decided to quit my career as therapist, I created a second channel, Book & Hearth, where I hope to continue growing a community of fellow book lovers. YouTube is great because its longform content allows for increased nuance and creativity.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Read as much as you possibly can! It will help you discover your favorite genre. It will give you a sense of the current literary landscape. It will show you what you most love in a book, and how to masterfully execute it in your own writing. In my opinion, the most successful writers are often the most voracious readers. On the other hand, you can tell when a writer doesn’t actually love books; they’re just writing from a place of ego.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes, I hope to release my third novel sometime in the next year. The Splintered Parts is a work of psychological horror about a neuroscience student who begins to think that someone—or something—is trying to steal her identity. But is this a neurological disease, a skinwalker, a nervous breakdown, or something else altogether?

I’m also currently editing two other manuscripts. One is a work of Gothic horror that takes place in 18th Century Europe, during the time of vampire hysteria and overflowing cemeteries. The other is a modern-day psychological horror novel about an obsessive-compulsive woman who goes on a witchy retreat in Tuscany. Among the wooded hills, she catches the attention of a very ancient spirit.

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About the Author

Ana Yudin is an author, content creator, and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She writes Gothic horror, psychological thrillers, and journaling workbooks.

Links:

A Song at Dead Man’s Cove

The Curse in Their Veins

All Books & Workbooks

Author Website

Book & Hearth YouTube Channel

Psychology with Dr. Ana YouTube Channel

Interview with Author D.K. Thorne

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve been writing stories since I was 13. They were tough reads back then, obviously—but the spirit was there early on. Over the years, life has a way of chipping away at your dreams, but no job, profession, or field of study ever really felt right to me. I always wanted to write these strange stories. So, I kept honing the craft on the side. After my novella The Last Librarian was nominated for the National German Sci-Fi Prize, momentum began to build. Once I finished the first draft of Onyros Volume One: Splinter, I knew I had something strong on my hands.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

It started out as a short story, but it quickly evolved into something entirely different. The main inspiration was simply my desire to spend more time in Bellgraph—with its characters, its atmosphere, its themes. The world kept growing, and I just couldn’t stop.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I’m not sure there’s a single message. The story is filled with strange ideas, little moments, and details that—hopefully—inspire, move, or challenge the reader. That’s really all I care about: making the reader invested.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve always had a deep love for two genres: cyberpunk and cosmic horror. They’ve been merged before, but not quite in the way I envisioned. Onyros is my attempt to blend influences like Peter Watts, Laird Barron, and Aldous Huxley. I’m also a big fan of “Mystery Box” storytelling in the J.J. Abrams sense. So, in a way, I set out to create my own genre: mystery- and plot-driven cyberpunk told in the most adult and sophisticated way I could manage. I wanted to explore the themes that keep me up at night—what lies beyond perception, what consciousness truly is, and how narrow our existential bandwidth might be.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d probably sit down with the Lamathean Degus and just ask, “You okay, bud?”

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

That’s a complicated question. Being an indie sci-fi author just starting out is exhilarating, frustrating, and incredibly challenging. I always wanted to take the indie route to have full creative control. The book’s only been out for two months, so everything is still in the early stages.

As a writer, you need to develop your own strategy. Promo sites like Book Barbarian can give you spikes in visibility, but they’re not a long-term solution. Especially when you’re not writing to market, you have to get creative.

Building a mailing list is essential—I’m only fully realizing that now. Also: learn advertising. Facebook, Instagram, and especially Amazon ads are crucial. Write compelling reader magnets and market them well. If your story has a cinematic feel, consider working with a tool like Veo 3 to visualize key elements and build a strong landing page.

For Onyros, I’m currently developing the audiobook and producing teaser videos with Veo 3, which is really exciting. But it’s a long game. You need patience—and passion.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just-starting authors out there?

It’s not originally my advice, but I once heard Nic Pizzolatto, the creator of True Detective, say: If you can imagine yourself doing something else, you’re better off doing that. I couldn’t agree more.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Starting in September, I will release new Onyros books and novellas monthly throughout the year until February 2026. I have a huge backlog for stories in this world that I am polishing and now getting ready for rapid release. There will a total of five novellas and one volume. 

Next year, I’ll also conclude the Onyros trilogy with the third and final volume, along with two more novellas. Then, it will be done. I’ll definitely miss Bellgraph and its inhabitants—but I’ve got so many more stories waiting to be told. So yeah—I’ll be busy for a while.

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About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/

Interview with Author Rowland Grover

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve enjoyed writing since I was a kid, although back then I was mostly coming up with ideas for fantasy stories and drawing maps. Then in high school, I expanded my writing to include short stories, and I continued scribbling ideas in several notebooks. It wasn’t until I went to college that I first discovered nonfiction essay writing. I enjoyed taking seemingly unrelated and inconsequential events and turning them into an interesting and humorous story.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I was in graduate school in Thailand, sitting through a boring lecture, so I began pondering my life growing up biracial. Then I had the idea to write a memoir about my experiences. However, I just wanted to procrastinate working on my thesis.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My desire is that people who read my book will have a better understanding of other people’s experiences and sympathize with them. And for those who have gone through similar experiences can empathize, and we can connect, grow, and heal together. Then hopefully the world will have a little more peace, love, and happiness.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

When I first had the idea to write a memoir, I asked an old high school classmate for tips because he was the only person I knew who was a writer. He gave me a list of books and essays that influenced me so much, such as Educated by Tara Westover and Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Sedaris specifically made me want to focus on nonfiction essays, which became the majority of my book.

5) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

My advice for starting authors out there is not to be afraid to tell your story. All of us have stories to share, so write them down for the world to read. Also, find joy in each part of the writing journey. It is long and difficult, but it is also rewarding and thrilling.

6) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I have too many ideas and need to focus on one project at a time! First, I would like to record the audiobook and create a visual novel video game based on my book. Later, I would like to write bilingual children’s books because that is what my son loves to read. Finally, I will write a fantasy book based on Thai mythology. I have notes, maps, and ideas, but one day it will become a book. 

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About the Author

Since he was young, Rowland has loved to create stories. Whether that was using stuffed animals to portray the horror of war and class division or writing and drawing maps in a notebook for a fantasy story that was not a rip-off of any other popular series. Rowland’s debut book, ลูกครึ่ง: Only Half a Person, utilizes his love of story-telling to reflect on and analyze his life, race and ethnicity, culture, faith, family, and more.

Rowland Grover was born and raised in Idaho, which, believe it or not, is a real place in the United States. Starting in his late teens, he lived on and off in Thailand, China, and Taiwan for several years. Rowland graduated with a B.A. in International Studies because he had no life plan. Then, he enrolled at Chulalongkorn University to study Southeast Asia Area Studies, but he had to drop out because, quote, “no money.”

He currently lives in Taiwan with his wife, two children, and two cats. Besides unromantic walks on the beach, he enjoys playing video games and studying languages.

https://rowlandgroverauthor.weebly.com/

Interview with Author Melanie Lane Durham

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I have always loved writing since I was a young girl. I would get lost in books, and would spend hours pretending to be the characters in my favorite stories. I was very drawn to writing poetry and short stories as a kid, and knew I wanted to write something some day!

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

My family and I had just moved into a new house, it was a big move for us and I was constantly telling my two small children how magical everything was going to be when we got settled in. Unfortunately, the house ended up making me very ill. I was stuck in bed all the time and wracked with guilt for life not living up to this magical promise I had made. I was looking for a way to communicate this to my older daughter, and in that, the first draft of Every Day Magic was born. I wrote it as a note in my phone and asked if I could read her a “book with no pictures”, and explained to her that it would help her understand how life could still be full of magic even while Mommy was sick. She ended up loving it, and that inspired me to pursue publishing! 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I really hope that all readers of my book, young and young at heart, come to realize that the magic in life is what’s happening while we’re out there searching for it. We as a society, as parents, as partners, as friends, tend to put so much pressure on how things look and less on how they feel — and often we miss what’s right in front of us. Those small, quiet moments filled with beauty, that’s where the magic lies!

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I never planned to write a children’s book, but having kids can definitely give you the courage to do things you never thought you were capable of before!

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d love to ask the main character, Edie, how she plans to include the baby in the book in some of her rituals. The characters are all based on my own family, and with my youngest walking and talking now, I’d love to see how her role in the story may change!

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Unfortunately, social media hasn’t been a huge help to me. I’m sure it’s just user error! I have loved sharing my book within my community, as a small business owner my current clients and customers have become my biggest fans!

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Just start. If you wait for it to be perfect, you’ll never be ready. Jump in, learn as you go, and believe in yourself!

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

As for now, I’m still learning how to adjust to selling, marketing, and managing the one book on top of my business and raising two small children. I really hope to write more in the future, and hopefully get some good footing navigating the landscape that is children’s books! It’s been an incredible ride so far.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Melanie, and I’m so grateful you’re here! As a small business owner, mom of two small children, and lover of magic and mindfulness — the opportunity to share my book with the world is a dream come true. I have loved to write since I was a young girl and I hope getting my words out there shows readers, young and old, that it’s never too late to follow your dreams! When I am not writing or working in my business, you can find me chasing my two littles (and the dog!) around my Northern California backyard or spending time with family friends.

My Story: I believe in the power of life’s little wonders. Born out of a personal journey, Everyday Magic is one of those wonders! In 2023 I was met with the sudden onset of a chronic illness caused by unforeseen circumstances with roots going back to my early childhood. What felt like overnight, I found myself going from an active entrepreneur to a woman often stuck in bed.

I began dreaming up ways to engage with my kids and make meaningful memories, even when my energy was low. These ideas became the heart of this book, a story crafted with love, imagination, and the belief that magic isn’t something we find; it’s something we create! I believe every single one of us has the power within to bring that magic to life.

I hope this story sparks wonder, connection, and a little bit of magic for you and your family- just as it has for mine!

https://a.co/fGhcEpp

Interview with Author Lincoln James

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I started writing pretty young. I grew up in a small town in Georgia with a public library right behind my house, and I practically lived in it. By fourth grade, I was already writing short mystery stories and would ask my teacher if I could read them to the class. Every now and then, she’d say yes—and something about those moments stuck with me. I think I knew even then that storytelling was what I wanted to do with my life.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

All the Time is a very personal book for me. It’s about nostalgia as a survival tactic—how we sometimes escape into the past to avoid dealing with the present, and what happens when we get stuck there. The story was inspired by the media I grew up loving (such as Back to the Future and The Wizard of Oz), and also by a kind of imagined version of my own adolescence—one that might’ve existed if I’d been born a decade earlier. It’s rooted in longing, grief, and the desire to find meaning in unlikely places.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

At its core, All the Time is about connection—how grief and uncertainty can bring people together, even in the most unexpected ways. I hope readers walk away with the reminder that we’re never truly alone in what we’re feeling, even if it sometimes seems that way. And as Yeats once wrote, “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” That’s the heart of the book.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Growing up in rural Georgia, there wasn’t much to do. During the day, I was buried in library books; at night, my older brother—who worked at Blockbuster—would bring home horror movies and try to scare me. The plan backfired spectacularly. He’d fall asleep, and I’d stay up late imagining how I’d survive if I were the final girl. That love for the eerie and emotional never left. My sister’s obsession with Unsolved Mysteries and Dateline sealed the deal—I was hooked on suspense, survival, and the strange tenderness hiding inside scary stories.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d choose Nat. She’s the grounding force Carter never saw coming—the friend who shows up just when he needs one most. She’s smart, practical, and emotionally complex. I’d ask how she interpreted the events of the story and whether the experience made her more hopeful or more afraid. She carries so much weight quietly, and I’d love to know what she held back, and why.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Instagram has definitely been the most helpful. It’s where I connect with readers most directly—whether through posts, stories, or DMs. I used to have a big presence on Vine and Musical.ly back in the day, but after stepping into my adult life and shifting focus to writing, Instagram has become my main space. It’s where I share updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and stay in conversation with the people reading my work.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Find writer friends. Truly. Having people who understand the ups and downs of this process makes all the difference. I met some of my closest friends in undergrad creative writing classes, and we still hold each other accountable, cheer each other on, and read each other’s work. Writing can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Join workshops, submit to forums, follow writing communities on social media. And if you’re ever in need of a lifeline—I mean this—my DMs are always open. I believe in paying it forward.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Absolutely. My latest novel, Written Just For You, released this past May, and I’m incredibly proud of how it’s been received. It’s set in 1962 and follows Will, a teenage boy who falls in love with a girl the town claims either never existed—or died long ago. As he tries to save her from the house she’s trapped in, he starts to wonder whether he’s chasing a ghost… or becoming one. It’s haunting, heartfelt, and might just be my favorite book yet. And I’ve got even more stories on the way.


(Social media link: @lincolnjjames on Instagram)

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About the Author


Lincoln James, your favorite author’s favorite author, is celebrated for his haunting love stories, vintage thrillers, and slow-burn suspense. His characters feel, ache, and bleed, often trapped between the past and the people who won’t let them forget it.

In 2025, James was featured in The New York Review and named Best New Thriller Author in New York by Best of Best Review, honors recognizing his compelling storytelling and emotional depth.

When he’s not writing, James is a Communication professor in New York City and cherishes moments with friends and family, proving that the most thrilling tales lie in the love and laughter shared with those closest to us.

https://thelincolnjames.com/

Interview with Author Brent Golembiewski

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I grew up in Michigan wanting to be a Disney Cartoonist but life had a different plan for me. After high school and a semester in college I joined the Air Force working on F-16s as an avionics tech. I finished my College degree going to night school and was accepted to Officer Training School where I gained my commission and went on to fly helicopters specifically the UH-1N Huey for over 17 years before retiring. My writing journey really began during a deployment to Iraq but it wasn’t until I retired I buckled down and finished my first book. I have published a Sci-Fi trilogy, another stand alone Sci-Fi dystopian novel and a self help book based on my USAF career aimed to help young people who are looking to join the USAF.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I wrote my current book “The Boy the Cube and the Elf” to target the middle grade readers ages 8-12 with a story that is fast fun and something kids would love to read and hold their attention even if they are not avid readers.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The theme I hope to portray is that hard work, good choices and faith in God will help you overcome any obstacle life throws your way.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I have always loved the Sci-fi realm, especially space and the unknown of what’s beyond our solar system. New technology intrigues me and the great potential we have moving forward.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would love to sit down with Nico and ask him how amazing his journey has been, what he’s learned, how learning things he never would have thought possible has affected him. 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I mainly use Facebook and it has been helpful in some aspects. I see a shift to other platform and are working on learning them and seeing how they can help.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write, Write Write. Get out there and do it. The world is full of people saying they can only to sit on their hands either scared or distracted. Just start doing it and don’t worry about anything. It’s cliche but be true to yourself.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’ve just finished the draft for the second book in my central fire series and am publishing “Flick of the Switch” on September 14th. Its a near future sci-fi about a teenage girl who attends a video game academy playing flight simulators only to find out they are real and actually fighting a war. In addition im looking to dip my toe into filming and am in the initial stages of developing a short film based on Flick of the Switch and have the screen play written.

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About the Author

Brent Golembiewski is a U. S. Air Force veteran with 20+ years of service. He started his career as an enlisted troop, working as an Electronic Warfare Technician, and completed it as an officer, never working a day as a Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, flying the mighty UH-1N “Huey”. After retiring from the USAF, he began Valkyrie Air, providing aircraft charter operations for people who find value in time. He met the love of his life in the second-worst place he’d ever been stationed and she’s still on active duty. Together they have two boys, the terrible Ts, and one old caricature of a dog that will never die.

www.authorbrentg.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066743936699

https://www.instagram.com/authorbrentg/

Interview with Author Barry Harden

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I was born to a working-class couple in post-WWII London and arrived with significantly less enthusiasm than was had at my procreation. In due time, I was left to my own devices at a very young age with no guidebook for the scenic route or the pitfalls. While animals and nature offered me solace, the injustices I witnessed ignited a growing rage, one that found its voice in scribbled thoughts on pub serviettes, which later took shape as poems and stories

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

In Ada and Eddie, it was recently pointed out to me that the character of Eddie, a homeless drifter, was unconsciously created from my own experiences growing up alone from an early age. I had a home but was spiritually homeless. I wrote Ada as the character who embodied my ideal companion. Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel was inspired by the plight of the Romani people during the Bosnia War, in particular a female fighter, Fadila Odžaković Žuta, who was killed at age 34. She served as my inspiration for Amanita.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My novels are rooted in a deep commitment to address issues which I’m passionate about: social inequality, the preservation of nature and wildlife, and society’s power to address the challenges of political malfeasance. In writing fact-based political thrillers, I aim to bring these injustices to light and engage readers who might not seek such information in nonfiction formats. Stories of ordinary citizens fighting for change can inspire readers to demand accountability, participate in civic life, and push for reforms.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

The political thriller genre allows me to weave serious ideas into compelling narratives, shedding light on real historical events and abuses of power while keeping readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. It’s a way of holding up a mirror to the world while hoping people look deep enough to see what lies beneath.

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d sit down with Eddie, the homeless man who discovers the body on the moors. His ostracization, his quiet endurance, and his humility mirror much of what I’ve experienced myself. I’d ask him how he manages to hold on to his sense of self in a world that insists on making him invisible. I’d want to know where he finds the strength to keep going when so much has been stripped away—because in truth, I’ve often asked myself the same question.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook and Goodreads have been somewhat helpful but reviewers and bloggers such as yourself bring invaluable exposure to readers.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Read as many notable authors in your genre as possible and note what makes their stories work. Ensure your work is grammatically flawless and has a clear story arc. Use reviewers or beta readers not related to you to give unbiased opinions.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’ve just published a memoir, Throwaway, and completed a new thriller, Carney, about a Jamaican crusader for victims of abuse and social injustice.

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About the Author

I am the author of five political thrillers, a collection of provocative short stories, and a book of dark poetry. Sociopolitical commentary is infused into my work, whether through fictional narratives, allegorical short stories or scathing satire that exposes the absurdities of human interaction with each other, animals, and the environment.

When not writing, I find solace in a glass (or two) of a well-aged Corbières while listening to Black jazz of the 20s and 30s. Born and raised in North Harrow, London, I now enjoy the peace and comfort of nature and wildlife and the company of my feral furry friends in my cat sanctuary. A change of scenery to the seashore sparks creativity—without the distraction of my cats adding their input on the keyboard.

Website: www.barryhardenauthor.com

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@barryharden-writer

Interview with Author Marina Osipova

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

The idea of becoming a writer never entered my mind until I moved to the United States from Russia. With my little English, I, inevitably, should have set my mind on studying the language seriously. I signed up for an ESL course in Manhattan, NY. To evaluate the level of my knowledge, the teacher asked me to write a quick test. “My name is . . . I was born in . . . I came from . . . Something like that,” she said. Boring, I thought. Let me write a story, I decided, and I did. It was about a young man in the subway car, who took a sit facing me. He blew his nose into his blue and white floral kerchief, scrutinized the result, then wound the kerchief around his head covered with dark, long, braided hair.

Next time I had the class, during the break, I presented my very first literary opus to the teacher. While she was reading it, I watched her eyebrows shooting up several times. Returning the paper with my scribbles, she said, “You should publish it.” Years later, after two manuscripts, one of 600 pages and the other of 260 (eventually, I buried them somewhere in the bottomless deposits of my PC) the idea of writing a story, which would be set up during WWII came to my head. Since then, I have published seven books, all WWII historical fiction, except for the last one, which is a bit different.

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 2) What inspired you to write your book?

My own life. I was born in East Germany, in Beelitz-Heilstätten, a Soviet military hospital, and since I can remember myself, I wanted to visit the place. My desire came true in 2018. The history of the place is so rich and ominous, I couldn’t help but to tell its story to my readers.

 3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

WWI, WWII . . . Other wars . . . Before and after . . . Wars wasted millions of innocent lives. What for? The territories? Subsoils with deposits of minerals? Somebody’s (or of a group of individuals) ambitions? Lust for power and recognition? Why do some people become murderers? Isn’t it all relevant today?

I hope the readers of my book will close the last page and ask themselves, “Why?” and “Should we remember?”

“The one who doesn’t remember history is bound to live through it again.” — George Santayana.

 4) What drew you into this particular genre?

All my published books are historical fiction. This one, to some extent, is too. To integrate my personal life experiences and biographical details, I resolved to turn to the elements of time-slip, thriller, and psychological drama so to broaden my readership, to make my book more appealing to those who are interested in these other genres.

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 5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Writing WWII historical fiction, I subconsciously wanted to come face to face with Adolf Hitler—his inescapable presence is obvious in all my books. I made this wish come true in this story. If you read it, you’ll feel my feelings and disgust at this evil of the 20th century. Unfortunately, his insidious influence on some minds expands—a sickening trend tendency!

 6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Bloggers like you, Anthony, and FB helped me to find most of the like-minded people, writers and readers.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Who was it who said that everyone has a story to tell? If you feel you can’t continue living without telling your story/stories to the world or just to yourself, don’t suppress this inner push – write and see if it makes you happy. Don’t think about fame and money. Only a bunch of authors live on royalties. Do it for your inner peace and excitement. Trust yourself. Write only if you feel you’ll “drown” if you don’t. Write from your soul. If the process, however difficult, brings you joy, it’s a sign you are a writer.

 8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

My problem is that too many enticing stories live in my head, waiting to be spilled into my PC screen. Time will show which one will win next time.

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About the author

Marina Osipova was born in East Germany into a military family and grew up in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State Institute of History and Archives. When she was five, she decided she wants to speak German and, years later, she earned a diploma as a German language translator from the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Languages. In Russia, she worked first in a scientific-technical institute as a translator, then in a Government Ministry in the office of international relations, later for some Austrian firms. For many years, she lived in New York, working in a law firm, and then in Austria for several years. In the spring of 2022, after spending ten months in Russia, some unfortunate world events brought her back to the United States.

A long-standing member of the Historical Novel Society, she is dedicated to writing historical fiction, especially related to WWII. Her books garnered numerous literary awards, including a 1st Place WINNER of the 2021 Hemingway Book Awards novel competition for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards). At some point or another, all her books hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in Historical Russian Fiction and Historical German Fiction and even #1 or #2 in War Fiction in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Her readers praise her books for emotional realism, for taking on a subject few authors have touched, for writing with heart and compassion while not holding back from hard cold realities of war, for giving an authentic and in-depth look at a culture that tends to baffle westerners.

Osipova is passionately dedicated to the stories she writes, but when away from her desk and laptop, she, even if for one time, knows how it feels to fly with a helicopter over the Alaskan glaciers, to jump with a parachute upstate NY, to dive to the bottom of the Black Sea with a scuba gear, to fish on a little boat in the Gulf of Siam and catch a real shark however small. She brags about mounting a pensive elephant in Thailand, or an apathetic camel in Gran Canaria. She will never forget her experience riding a retired Russian circus mare who tried to throw her off, which she found much scarier than riding a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle at a speed of up to 260 km/h (about 162 mph). She experienced a thrill while zip lining through boreal forests at a dizzying height. She will never forget that feeling of humble ecstasy while performing on stage of an off-off (but close) Broadway; the most profound excitement she experienced as Marquerite in Camino Real by Tennessee Williams and Queen Elizabeth in The Dark Lady of the Sonnets by George Bernard Shaw. What other dreams does she have? Well . . . to find herself inside a Cheops pyramid (not like a mummy) and write all the stories that populate her head. The To-Write-List is big and growing.

Website: https://www.marina-osipova.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marina.osipova.14/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4701687.Marina_Osipova