1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
When I was 12, my best friend told me I was too old to play with action figures and it wasn’t “cool” anymore. I had some pretty elaborate action figure-based stories underway I didn’t want to lose track of, so I started writing them down. That’s how it all started and it’s never stopped.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I’ve wanted to write a fun fantasy adventure novel since I was 12. It’s the genre I started with and loved the most. So this new novel is really an ode to pocketbook fantasy adventures that I grew up reading and enjoying.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
In so many ways this book is about courage: the courage to keep going, the courage to set boundaries, the courage to forgive. It’s also about the journey, it’s the adventure itself that matters, less so the outcome.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve been drawn to fantasy all my life, it’s pure escapist magic but also founded in great truths about the human experience. I think through fantasy you can have a flashy, fun rollicking adventure and also say things about life in a way that’s far simpler and more impactful because of the fantastic setting. That appeals to me.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I’d sit down with Ruddlefunt and ask him to tell me the entire history of Roan and everything packed into his mechanical head. We only get shades of it in the story, and the characters are too darned caught up in their own dramas to realize he’s the treasure.
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Instagram, likely. In all honesty, I’m not great at social media. I try to keep it alive as best I can but it’s not my strength, never has been.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just write. Enjoy the craft. Enjoy the process. Have fun with it even when you’re not. And when you’re not, take a break, then get back to it.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
The Dungeoneers and the Treasure of Roan is due out August 15th. I’m also starting edits on a full-length epic cosmic horror novel now … should see the light of day in a year or two…
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About the Author
Joel McKay is an award-winning author, journalist and executive from Northern British Columbia. His fiction includes the horror comedy novella Wolf at the Door, the anthology It Came From the Trees and Other Violent Aberrations and a host of short stories published in various anthologies and online.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’m a lifelong artist and GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter who has spent years touring the world, recording music, and connecting with audiences through performance. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been writing—not just songs, but stories woven with meaning. Lyricism was my first language of expression, born from a deep desire to uplift, inspire, and reflect the human experience.
My transition into writing books was a surprising evolution. I was wondering if my experiences were valuable and supportive to others. So, I began putting pen to page in a outline as a way to offer deeper introspection—sharing hard-won insights, soul reflections, and lessons on courage, confidence, self-expression, and the power of finding your voice. Writing became another stage, another kind of performance—this time to let others know they matter, they’re powerful, and their dreams are more than possible… they’re sacred and important.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
As a singer songwriter, I’ve always expressed myself through music, doing my own internal transformational work and just listening to people, but I found myself wondering: could the life lessons I’ve lived through, the trials I’ve overcome, and the wisdom I’ve gained offer something meaningful beyond the stage? That curiosity sparked the beginning of my journey into writing a book.
When I looked back at my own path—from heartache to healing, frustration to clarity—I saw patterns. I realized that I had moved through life guided by five core principles: Clarity, Courage, Confidence, Commitment, and Community. These weren’t just abstract ideals—they were a sequence, a roadmap. And they were the very tools that helped me express my voice fully and rise above life’s continued challenges.
I felt called to share that process in a way that was both intimate and practical—a teaching memoir that could serve as a companion for anyone seeking to express themselves more boldly and live more purposefully. My book is an invitation to claim your own voice, to find your fire, and to turn your dreams into reality—step by step, with grace and grit.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope readers walk away with the deep knowing that they matter—and that their voice, their dreams, and their truth are not only valid, but vital. Huge Value! You never know who’ll you’ll touch by being you! At its heart, this book is a call to action: to awaken the clarity within you, summon the courage to stand in your truth, and embrace the confidence to express yourself fully—no matter what the world says or throw’s at you.
It’s about reclaiming your power and remembering that you are the author of your own story. Through each chapter, I want readers to feel supported, seen, and equipped with practical steps they can use to break through limitations and move toward a life that is authentic, inspired, and fiercely free.
This book is more than words—it’s a mirror, a mentor, and a musical note echoing the anthem: You are enough. You are powerful. And your time is now. MUSIC UNITY ACTION is my theme – what is YOURS?
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4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I was drawn to this genre because it allows me to merge storytelling with soul work. As a singer-songwriter, I’ve always been in the business of truth-telling through emotion—turning life’s raw moments into lyrics that move people. Writing in the self-help/memoir genre felt like a natural extension of that same mission. Body, Mind and Spirit!
I didn’t want to just share my story—I wanted to offer something useful, something that could light the way for others on their own journey. This genre gave me the freedom to be vulnerable while also being practical and courageous. It let me blend personal experience with transformational tools that empower others to rise, to express, and to heal. To consider getting support to move through feeling stuck and to just ask.
Ultimately, I chose this path because it reflects who I am at the core: an artist, a mentor, and a woman deeply committed to helping others find their voice and step into their power.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Honestly, while social media is a easy tool to stay visible and share updates, it’s live performance, interviews and real human connection that have truly built my readership and following. There’s something powerful and unforgettable about being in a room with people—sharing stories, music, and energy in real time. That’s where the magic happens. That’s where trust and resonance are born.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been fine in keeping the conversation going and letting people see behind the scenes. But it’s the face-to-face, heart-to-heart moments that truly deepen connection and turn listeners or readers into lifelong supporters.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Just do it—leap! Don’t wait until you think you’re “ready” or everything is perfect, because the truth is, your voice is needed now. Writing isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being fearless in your authenticity.
Have fun with it. Let your curiosity lead the way. Most importantly, connect to the passion and purpose behind your words. When you fall in love with who you are and what you want to share, the writing becomes electric—it speaks, it sings, it resonates.
Trust that your story matters. Start where you are, write from the heart, and remember: every great author was once a beginner who decided to be brave.
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About the Author
Glenda the author, is celebrated for her motivational and empowering works, she has penned four impactful books: “Courage,” “Find Your Fire and Ignite Action in Your Life,” the e-book “Soul On Fire,” and “Own The Goddess Within.” Each book offers a unique blend of inspiration, practical advice, and deep introspection, guiding readers to discover their inner strength and ignite their passions. Additionally, the author has collaborated with visual artist DS Thornburg on “Grimoire of Lost Lore,” a captivating fusion of evocative storytelling and mesmerizing visuals, further showcasing their versatile creativity and profound ability to inspire.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I have been an avid writer for over thirty years, ever since my mom bought me a typewriter—yes, I’m that old. Exercising my creative muscles has become more than a hobby; it has grown into a passion that, at times, borders on obsession. Fortunately, writing is decidedly cheaper than therapy.
In 2019, I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. This was a surprise, but rather than viewing my neurodiversity as a hindrance, I choose to see it as a gift. It offers me a unique lens through which to see the world and infuses my creative works with distinctiveness and depth.
Over the years, I have filled several hard drives with poems, short stories, and full-length novels, yet there are still countless ideas rattling around in my head, just waiting to be unleashed.
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What inspired you to write your book?
I’ve always been a “what if” kind of person, and my muse for this series was sparked by the question: “What if fairy tales were more than stories, and monsters were flesh and blood?”
As someone who believes in good triumphing over evil, I started my series with the idea that my protagonist would strive to do good in the world—whether they wanted to or not. Along the way, I drew inspiration from the Arthurian legends, particularly the tales of Merlin, whose power and wisdom have fascinated me.
In many ways, my protagonist became my vision of a young Merlin, brimming with potential, longing for a normal life, but burdened by magical gifts that make such a life impossible.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The overarching theme in my series is being true to oneself despite life’s challenges, trusting those we love to have our backs, and finding a sense of belonging. I enjoy tackling mental health issues—such as guilt, despair, and loneliness—and demonstrating how my characters overcome their adversity in an adventure setting. I also routinely incorporate wholesome messages that give my readers something to think about.
In my latest novel, Forsaken Souls, my protagonist’s metaphysical and magical abilities continue to grow, bordering on uncontrollable, which is both worrying and dangerous. At the same time, Callum is traumatized from the events of the first three novels—particularly those of the third book—which have tainted his outlook and self-concept. Instead of facing his fears, he avoids them, which only deepens his pain. Only by trusting in those he loves, leaning on their strength, and confronting his past can he begin to heal.
Callum’s journey is ultimately one of identity, trust, and connection, a reminder that family and friends are invaluable. I hope readers take to heart the message that emotional pain after trauma is a normal part of life, but the strength to overcome our torment is found through the bonds we forge with our loved ones.
What drew you into this particular genre?
I’m drawn to those genres that offer me creative freedom, and fantasy adventure gives me exactly that. I’m also partial to sci-fi, supernatural, paranormal, thrillers, and horror. Basically, any genre that allows me to explore outlandish concepts while weaving adventure and action into my novels is appealing. Although each genre requires a unique frame of mind, and with the latter two, I must leave the lights on while I write to avoid nightmares.
Oddly enough, I never set out to write an epic fantasy adventure; it just happened naturally. And while I’m committed to finishing my Callum Walker Series, I will eventually branch into other genres.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Honestly, I already know everything there is to know about my characters—their histories, desires, fears, and the choices they’ll make. So rather than asking them a question, I think I’d sit with them. Maybe offer a moment of peace, or even a heartfelt “thank you” for letting me tell their story.
If I had to ask something, it might be this: “Do you forgive me for everything I’ve put you through?”
Because, as any author knows, there is no story without conflict, and we aren’t always kind to our characters.
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What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Instagram and Facebook are my preferred platforms for building readership. Their visual nature allows me to showcase my novels, share behind-the-scenes content, and connect more personally with fans and fellow authors. That said, nothing compares to the impact of face-to-face interactions. Author events and book signings are, without a doubt, my most effective tool—those who take the time to stop and chat often feel a stronger connection to both me and my work. From there, word of mouth takes over, which I’ve found to be the most powerful and lasting form of promotion.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Perseverance, especially in the face of criticism, is essential for any writer. You can’t please everyone, and there will always be those who dislike your work. But writing is a passion—untamed and unscripted—it is about personal expression rather than pleasing the masses. You must hold tightly to your reason for writing or risk losing sight of your passion as you pursue everyone else’s expectations. Otherwise, your art will become emotionless and void of authenticity. Thusly, every time I sit down to write, I remind myself that whatever I create must come from the heart. After all, that is where the magic lives.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m currently working my way through the fifth novel in my Callum Walker Series, with the sixth already in development. Beyond that, I’m toying with the idea of writing a standalone or a novel set outside my current series—something more sci-fi than fantasy, fresh and creatively liberating.
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About the Author
J.M. Shaw lives in Airdrie, Alberta, with her husband and two young children. She and her family embarked upon a journey of understanding, acceptance, and life-long learning when they discovered their shared diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Writing is her passion and, with experience and interests in healthcare, psychology, martial arts, and personal training, she pours her unique insights and knowledge into all her creative fictions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Born and raised in China, I moved to Canada after earning a degree in banking and finance and later a Master’s in Agricultural Economics. My love for storytelling ignited during China’s Cultural Revolution, when my father, a targeted professor, secretly shared banned stories by candlelight during power outages, sparking my lifelong interest in reviving those tales. Facing childhood bullying, I used storytelling as a shield, sharing these stories and folk tales with classmates for protection. My writing received early recognition in elementary school when my diary was used as school-wide reading material, and I further honed my performance skills by joining the school storytelling team in Grade 4. I began writing poetry in college.
After living in Canada for sixteen years, I decided to write my family stories into novels. I immersed myself in writing courses and voracious reading. My first English piece was published by PRISM International in 2012. Since then, my poems, prose, and short stories in both English and Chinese have appeared across North America, England, and Taiwan, earning six literary awards and finalist nominations for five others. My debut novel, “The House Filler,” published in Canada in 2023, was a finalist for the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards for fiction. It also won the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction, the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary Fiction, and second place for the BookFest Award in literary-historical fiction.
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What inspired you to write your book?
My books are all inspired by the stories of my family and my own life experiences.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
What happened in early 20th-century China is still relevant today—wars, totalitarian regimes, poverty, and the ongoing issue of gender inequality in many parts of the world. As a species, we haven’t advanced as much as we might think. People need to be aware that freedom is never truly free; it can be taken away in an instant if we’re not vigilant.
I also want my readers to consider this question: Are humans inherently cruel, merely pretending to be civilized until circumstances like war strip away our veneer? Or are we fundamentally kind, with war turning us into beasts? I believe that without consequences, humans are capable of committing atrocities against one another. While some readers have cried while reading the book and even warned others to have tissues ready, I hope they do not only feel sadness. Instead, I want them to be inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and to recognize that we are stronger than we realize. As long as we are alive, there is hope.
What drew you into this particular genre?
The House Filler is based on my grandmother’s story and covers the time span between 1920 and 1966, making it historical fiction.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
it would be my grandmother. The character of Golden Phoenix is based on her life story, and I would ask her for more details to enrich the narrative further.
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What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
It is WeChat groups for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
To succeed as a writer: first, be driven by passion, as financial rewards are often delayed. Second, be prepared for years of hard work and long hours, fueled by your love for writing. Third, dedicate yourself to continuous learning by taking courses, reading craft books, and, most importantly, reading widely to learn from others and identify pitfalls. Cultivate humility by being open to feedback; multiple people pointing out an issue likely means it needs revision. Finally, perseverance is crucial. Writing is a long journey, so never give up, even when facing significant time investments and rejections.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
My next book, inspired by my parents’ lives, will also be historical fiction. The third book is based on my own story; it is character-driven and reflects my love of poetry and language, making it a work of literary fiction.
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About the Author
Born and raised in China, Tong Ge moved to Canada in the late 1980s as an international student, earning a Master of Science degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1992. Since 2012, she has written under both her real name and the pen name Tong Ge, publishing poetry, prose, and short stories in English and Chinese across North America, England, and Taiwan. A recipient of four literary awards and a finalist for five others. Her debut novel, “The House Filler,” was published in Canada in 2023. It is a finalist for the 2023 Eyelands Book Awards and the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards for fiction and won the 2024 Independent Press Award for new fiction and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) Award for Literary Fiction.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Breakfield and Burkey, as a team, bring a unique blend of expertise and personal interests to their writing. As the Enigma Series’ CTO, Breakfield leverages his decades of technology expertise to bring innovative technothriller elements into storytelling. His deep knowledge of World War II history, extensive world travel, and cultural exchanges provide multidimensionality to the people, places, and journeys readers discover in the stories. Beyond writing, Charles enjoys wine tasting, winemaking, Harley riding, cooking new recipes and extravaganzas, and woodworking, which adds a personal touch to his work.
Burkey, Enigma Series’ COO, uses her extensive professional knowledge to optimize technology and business investments, influencing character experiences and situations within the stories. Readers can discover the distinctive characteristics of people she has met woven into contemporary situations between the covers. Rox treasures her family, puppies, and friends. She loves reading and reviewing books, plus traveling whenever possible. One of her most cherished activities is meeting readers at various events, especially book clubs. Reader interactions are gratifying.
Rox Burkey is the catalyst for the series. She got us into writing nonfiction for Auerbach back in 2010. When we found that technical writing was outdated before it hit the shelves, she postulated doing techno-thrillers. We then branched off into cozy mysteries and continued exploring other genres. Since 2012, we have co-authored twelve novels in the Enigma Series, three in the Enigma Heirs trilogy, three in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicle series, and gobs of short stories.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
We want to understand the current events impacting our world today, so we research. Then we introduce new or existing characters to tell the tale. Our characters often tell us how or where the storyline needs to go. We oblige them. Enigma Tracer, book 1 of the Enigma Heirs Trilogy, began the journey with our ecological gangster, Phillip. He required an infrastructure of support for his dastardly deeds. Who better to trust than family, especially two step brothers trained at a young age by their corrupt father? Each son born of a different mother grew up in various locales to fulfill their father’s dream of a worldwide family consortium. Using this as the foundation, adding the problems in stopping drugs, human trafficking, and cryptocurrency, the rest came together.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Our world sadly contains digital pirates and bad actors from the Darknet. We have cyber good guys who step up to defeat them. Cyber-attacks we write about are real. Our cyber heroes are positioned to take down the bad guys. Realize cyber heroes also need your help, so we recommend you exercise caution when answering odd-sounding emails. Don’t rush to click on a link to fix a problem with your bank or overreact to a demand to pay the back taxes to the IRS by calling the all-too-convenient phone number provided in a text on your cell phone. It only takes one win by a con to keep them interested in the game. Ruining your day is a rush for a cybercriminal.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
The rule touted is write what you know. For Breakfield and Burkey, long-time techno-geeks, we are using our professional careers of working for technology manufacturers, doing technical consulting, and performing security roles. After several technical articles and two non-fiction books, Burkey showed up one day using the four most terrifying words in her vocabulary: I have an idea. She postulated we might have a winning combination if we wrote fictional thrillers with real technology baked inside. Breakfield ultimately agreed when she added, “Just think, we can kill annoying characters and not go to jail.” We enjoy writing thrillers, suspense, and cozy mysteries because we leverage today’s technology. We have an unending supply of cybercrimes to use as realistic and relevant story plots.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
This is a tricky question. Wow. The one enduring character that is in all our tech thrillers is ICABOD, our AI-enhanced supercomputer. He helped our cyber good guys of the R-Group bring to justice bad guys throughout the series. ICABOD has evolved, gaining additional capabilities from text responses to speech to even wanting to understand humor. ICABOD has allowed us to reflect on the evolution of technology and how current AI could enhance or impact our world.
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
We have several social media sites. No platform can do everything for everyone because of the fickle nature of people we want as fans. However, our YouTube SM has been getting great traction and viewer feedback for the videos we create. Charles has found interesting ways to tap into the great reviews we receive and comparisons to other books people enjoy in the marketplace. We invite your readers to follow us and comment. https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnigmaSeries/
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Keep practicing and get someone other than family or friends to review your work. Hooking up with a critique group or partner is also a good way to get honest feedback to continually improve your writing, whether fiction or non-fiction. We also recommend networking with other authors as a great way to get ideas on marketing your creations.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Our efforts at building AI-generated videos are instrumental in getting us to rethink how to use AI in our marketing efforts. But in full disclosure mode here, we do not use AI to write stories for us. Breakfield and Burkey want the satisfaction of honestly saying we wrote this. We are building new cozy mysteries, new thrillers, and even some Sci-Fi stories that we will launch later this year and into the following year. To keep an eye on our horizon, please go to our website https://EnigmaSeries.com/ and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know.
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About the Authors
Breakfield & Burkey, professional technology experts, have series and standalone stories available, with more planned. Find sample chapters, author interviews, scheduled events, reviews, Q&A, and book trailers at https://www.EnigmaSeries.com. Using their knowledge of technology, they weave compelling, relevant contemporary stories filled with TechnoThriller suspense, romance, humor, travel, and intrigue. They also ventured into writing cozy mysteries with the Underground Authors in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Reach out directly to
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
My writing journey began with penning a fictionalized account of my experience with and recovery from anorexia as a young adult. The process of creating that series catapulted me into the world of writing and publishing and I quickly jumped into my first love, the fantasy genre.
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What inspired you to write your book?
I was inspired to write To be a Fae Queen after seeing an invitation to submit short stories to an anthology with the theme of fantasy character with mental health challenges. The invitation included an image of a fairy hunched in a meadow with an anxious expression on her face. I began to brainstorm reasons she would be anxious, what her world was like, who she was, and where a story could lead her and the first ideas for To be a Fae Queen were born.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Each of my books in the Realm Chronicles series have different themes. In To be a Fae Queen I hope that readers will find themselves examining their trust in their inner compass.
What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve loved the fantasy genre from a young age. The first books I remember binge reading were Frank L. Baum’s Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz series books. I like believing that there is a layer of magic just beyond our sight or comprehension that sometimes we get to experience.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
If I could sit down with any character in my book, I would sit down with the antagonist in this series and ask them why, why they are so focused on hunting vampires, and anyone who would stand in the way of their quest to destroy all those thought to be created by the fallen angels.
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What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I love interacting with readers and other authors on social media. My favorites are YouTube and Instagram.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
My advice to aspiring or new authors is to decide what your goals in writing and publishing are and to surround yourself with people who help you achieve those goals.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
My next release is the finale to the Realm Chronicles series, To be a Fae. This book will release July 29, 2025, and completes not only the Realm Chronicles series but the crossover Kingdom Journals series.
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About the Author
Tricia Copelandis the critically acclaimed andaward-winning author of Kingdom of Embers, To be Fae Queen,Lovelock Ones, and Azreya, Aztec Priestess, as well as dozens of other titles. She is the host of the Finding the Magic Book Podcast who weaves magical stories about love, courage, and finding your passion.
Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, seeing a beautiful sunset, or reading a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles including contemporary romance, now penned under Maria Jane, young adult fantasy, and dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
When my daughter was younger, I was her girl scout leader. I noticed most of the girls read, but they were reading books with male protagonists and I wanted to create a book with a female hero. Now there are quite a few books with girl hero’s.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
What inspired me to write Transgression of Magic, book 2 in the Town Magician series? Book 1. Seriously, this book couldn’t have been written without book 1 being before it.
I originally wanted to write a short story about wizards and magic for a local Wizarding World fest at Kent State. That grew into the Town Magician series. the first story started about 7,500 words and now I have 4 books planned and several short stories.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
For book 2, Transgression of Magic, its about kids dealing with their parents mistakes. Even parents mess up and don’t make the right choice at times, and Samual has had to deal with that. It was something I thought about after book 1, Embracing the Magic, and needed to figure out what happened between Samual and his father after he became Town Magician.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always loved fantasy and read fantasy. It was a natural fit for me and I can picture wizards fighting goblins and dire wolves better than I can picture a murder mystery or action thriller.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Maybe Toby, the Grand Wizard. It’s a bit bumbling, like a cross between Fizban from Dragonlance and Merlin from Disney’s Sword in the Stone. If not Toby, Cat. There is a lot more to Cat than we know, but its been hinted at. What is really going on with this animal? Hard to say.
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’m on Facebook mostly and reach out to parents and teachers. I also have an Instagram and YouTube and am working on more videos for parents and teachers. While I write middle grade, I try to offer information and educational aids to the teachers and home school parents.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write. Tomorrow, write. Then write some more. Make up stories and get them on paper or some online document or even dictated in audio. Just tell stories. Forget about spelling and grammar. That stuff will come and you can work on it once you’ve written. But we don’t have our kids really write stories much. We teach them spelling and grammar and sentence diagrams and what a verb and noun are, and then we move on. we never have them write much and it’s backwards. They would get so much more out of the lessons if they already had experienced some writing. Forget that stuff until 4th or 5th grade. Just get the younger ones telling stories.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Well, book 3 is planned out and being worked on. More exciting is my Oddish Questor series about a group of sibling investigators that explore Bigfoot and other cryptids. Think Scooby-Doo meets the X-files.
I’m finishing up my video game series also that focuses on video game storytelling.
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About the Author
S.A. Schneider has a wolf, so of course he writes middle grade fantasy, wouldn’t you? Since his Lego and action figure days, he’s crafted worlds and stories within those worlds. This pursuit continues into his middle grade fantasies.
He doesn’t stop with inspiring kids to write linear stories. Oh no, no. S.A. shows kids how storytelling in video games work and how they can learn to write those . He wants others to join him and delve into creating fantastical worlds.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I am a mom to 2 grown children and a grandma to 1 and have been married for 13 years! I have multiple fur babies who make life quite interesting at times. When I was younger I didn’t feel like I fit in much and suffered from depression. In my 30’s I was diagnosed with autism, which made my life make sense.
During my teenage years when I was first dealing with depression is when I truly started writing. I had written skits and short stories when I was younger but as a teenager, I really delved into writing. It was how I coped with what I was feeling at the time. Those first poems were what turned into my first book about 20 years later.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
My most recent book “Thoughts of a Warrior” came from a very strange moment. My mom mentioned something about me dieting (I was trying to lose weight at the time) and unintentionally made me feel horrible. To deal with that I wrote a poem.
After writing that poem I decided it was time to release a follow-up to ‘Thoughts of a Warrior’, my first book about being depressed. It needed a follow-up showing that we can make it through the bad times – doesn’t mean there aren’t still some bad times but they are much fewer and farther between.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Mental illness knows no boundaries but that doesn’t make you broken.
No one is alone. We all struggle, we all have ups and downs.
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4) What drew you into this particular genre?
There was a particular night that pushed me to publish. My youngest, who was struggling with depression, was crying about why no one liked her. It completely broke my heart and I realized that I wasn’t doing a good enough job talking about mental illness. That was the moment that I realized I needed to be loud.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Youtube has been the best. I host a weekly show, Write or Die Show, interviewing others and talking about mental illness. My guests and I share, connect and bring attention to mental illness.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write for yourself, don’t try to be something you aren’t. And remember that the first draft is not the final draft.
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About the Author
Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and from a young age she had a passion for helping others. She attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class from Community and Justice Services, after completing her placement at a recovery house for alcohol and drug addictions. Post-graduation she worked at a Native Friendship Centre for two and a half years while pursuing a university education in psychology. Randi-Lee continued working in social services for another four years as an employment counselor until she left to pursue her other passions.
Randi-Lee is an author and outspoken advocate for mental health sharing her true story with honesty. From the age of 14 she struggled with depressive thoughts. There were times in her life that she wasn’t sure how she would continue. Depression continues to be a battle in her life but she is glad that she continues to live. She has spoken at events that promote wellness and compassionately shares her experiences with her own mental health. In 2021 she started a YouTube channel, Write or Die Show, to spread awareness about various mental health issues and to end the stigma associated with mental health.
Growing up she never felt that she fit in, being the last to understand jokes and confused about many emotions that she saw on others. In 2021 she finally had answers to the questions about herself that had been nagging at her. She was diagnosed with moderate Autism.
Another of Randi-Lee’s passions is kickboxing, which she has been doing for about 10 years. She was a Canadian National Champion in kickboxing in 2015, competed at the World’s kickboxing tournament later that year and in 2016 competed at the Pan-Am games where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games where she inspired and coached young athletes.
Randi is a mom to two, her youngest child has autism and grandma to one. Randi encourages and supports her youngest child’s entrepreneurial spirit as he follows his dream of being an artist. When she can she incorporates his art into her stories.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve been writing since grade school! At first, I was inspired by television—I thought, I can be funny too. One year, I won a storytelling contest, and that’s when I realized I loved writing stories, but not presenting them. I’ve been writing ever since, always choosing college and university programs that helped me hone my craft and taught me how to take a punch (figuratively speaking). I declared The Wise One my MFA thesis, and that became the first official book I published.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
This is a hard one to answer. I’ve always loved all things witchy and magical. I grew up a huge Harry Potter and Charmed fan! One day, I imagined a witch who didn’t understand who she was and felt disconnected from everyone around her. Then I saw her journeying through the British Isles to find her birth mother—and herself—while learning she’s the key to both saving the natural world, at the cost of billions of souls, and destroying it (I love a good moral dilemma). That gave me the perfect excuse to visit Ireland and Scotland and breathe as much life into the pages as possible, tying in its folklore and natural beauty. So, I guess it was really a culmination of many things…
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
My first ever reviewer put it so perfectly that at the time, it brought me to tears: “Don’t be a bully, love is love, protect our beautiful planet, accept your faults, family comes first and love your friends unconditionally.” –Sarah Bell, ARC reviewer.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always loved the idea that magic can be found in the real world. There’s something timeless about the young adult journey—finding yourself, pushing past what you thought were your limits, and surprising yourself along the way. And honestly…who doesn’t love a good prophecy?
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Even though I feel like I’ve already asked my protagonist, Mckenna, everything I need to, I’d still want to say: What on earth were you thinking, taking off with a stranger to Ireland? Sometimes even the author can’t fully explain her character’s wild choices!
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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’m not much of a social media person, but Instagram has connected me with some truly wonderful readers and fellow authors. It’s become a place where I can share my world and meet others who love it too.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just-starting authors out there?
Savour the romantic phase of writing, when you’re falling in love with your story and everything feels possible. And when that honeymoon phase ends (because it always does), remember: it’s all about process over perfectionism. Keep going.
8) What does the future hold for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
The final instalment of TheScottish Scrolls trilogy is heading to my editor at the end of this month, with a release planned for 2025! After that…of course, there are more stories waiting. Writers never really stop imagining what comes next.
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About the Author
Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is an award-winning author from Montreal, with a multilingual prowess in English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”. A dedicated academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Inspired by the wizarding world, the land of Narnia, and parallel planes, she penned The Wise One, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever present magic. Her exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced her debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.
K.T. Anglehart is a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to her late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind her imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When she’s not writing or diving into magical reads, she revels in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. They currently live in Toronto with their three pets: Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and their whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.
