Tag: interview

Interview with Author Ray Franklin

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

I grew up in Houston, Texas and became fascinated with science fiction when I got my first library card. Some of my favorite authors are Ray Bradbury, Martha Wells, Iain M. Banks, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Michael Swanwick. I wanted to write stories since I was ten, but only learned the craft of storytelling after 2022.

Engineering has been my career for years and I have remained interested in science and science fiction the whole time. I read the science magazines Discover and Science News to keep informed on the rapid pace of scientific progress. Sometimes, the articles trigger story ideas.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

NASA and the space race captured my imagination in the 1970s. When NASA released images from the Hubble Space Telescope, I wanted to see every one. Eventually, I realized I could share my excitement with others by writing a book. I settled on galaxies for the subject because Hubble generated such amazing images of these giant star configurations.

By digging deeper into what astronomers know about galaxies near and far, I learned far more about astronomy. The more I learned, the more I wanted to include in the book.

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

Galaxies grow and change in beautiful and amazing ways. We can’t watch these changes happen because they are so slow. But galaxies are born, grow up, get old, and then die, which makes them a bit like us. Each galaxy is also unique, just like every person.

We know so much about galaxies because astronomers have discovered the truth by looking through telescopes for hundreds of years. Any young person who wants to know more about our universe can become an astronomer.

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Science fiction is fun and exciting, but science fact is what makes science fiction possible. Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies are beautiful and incredibly moving. Non-fiction was the best way to tell the story of the galaxies that fill our universe.

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

I use Mastodon, @rnf@mindly.social, to connect with other writers. Mindly.social has worked out well in that regard. We share thoughts on the many challenges that every indie writer faces. Some people on Mindly might also be interested in reading my science fiction, when I have a novel published.

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

Write about something you love. Your passion for the subject will show up in your writing and readers will recognize it as authentic. That personal connection is one thing that kept me going when I hit difficulties with Galaxy Astronomy. I didn’t have the option to give up because I cared too much about my vision for the book. It gave me the strength to persevere, which is something everyone needs when life gets tough.

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

A companion to Galaxy Astronomy is in the idea phase. I envision using images from the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to explore infrared astronomy. Astronomers need time to create each color composite image from the many sensors JWST uses. But the telescope is sending new images continuously. A single new image can take weeks, months, or even years to reach publication. I will also need to learn much more about JWST’s astronomical instruments, and time to browse all the available images. Understanding what each image means is as important as how marvelous it looks. Turning all that into a book can take me a year or more.

I’m also actively working on my first science fiction novel. It’s a space opera about humans and extraterrestrials. Set on a planet circling another star, the novel contains some horror and high-tech manipulation. This will be the first of a series of at least three books, and maybe more.

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About the Author

Ray Franklin grew up in Houston, Texas, the home of NASA. He followed the space race for years and stayed up late to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the moon. Years later, when stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope became available, he saw expansive possibilities. Being a father and working with kids as a volunteer had given him an appreciation for how fast children can learn complex topics with the right mix of fun and challenge. This is what drove him to write ‘Galaxy Astronomy: Field Guide For Kids.’

Helioza.com

Interview with Author Dana Robertson

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

Writing is something I’ve done for as long as I can remember, jotting down ideas and random thoughts. I studied literature at university, completing a degree in English and psychology.

However, I pursued a career in psychology, working in counseling, vocational rehabilitation and psychometry. But my love of literature and passion for writing always remained, which I’m now focused on. And I’m excited and nervous to share my debut novel.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

My fascination with abandoned buildings and old theaters inspired The Abandoned Theater. I’m intrigued by the buildings themselves, the grand lobbies, ornate ceilings and rich tapestries throughout. And the shared experience as an audience reacts to the actors in unison, holding their breath, gasping, and laughing.

I pictured a theater standing in eerie silence and imagined what could have happened, causing it to be abandoned. I envisioned the audience settling into their seats, the anticipation building, then silence as the last performance begins. Their eyes widening, and gasps echoing as fear took hold. I imagined them scrambling over the seats, spilling into the aisles, desperate to escape.

Then I built the story around the mystery of that theater.

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

The Abandoned Theater while, intended as a fun escape and easy read, touches on deeper themes middle graders could encounter. Hopefully, the reader can relate to some of what the characters are experiencing, and their friendships while highlighting discovery and resilience.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I write mystery, science fiction and fantasy. I particularly enjoy writing middle grade fantasy because it frees your imagination to explore fantastical worlds and to go on magical adventures.

Middle schoolers are full of wonder and curiosity. And it’s fun to reflect how it felt at that age.

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

I would sit down with Darthius and ask if he regrets any of his choices, knowing now where they led.

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

I’m not very savvy with social media, although I’m currently exploring Instagram and finding some wonderful connections.

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

The best advice I ever received is after you write your first novel, put it away. Then write at least a couple more and read. When you go back to the original one, you’ll realize how much can be improved after honing your skills, practicing, reading and learning.

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

The Abandoned Theater is book one of the Alderland Series, soon to be followed by book two, Return to Gatland. I’m also completing the final rewrites of an adult mystery novel, Murder in Rockwell Estates.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dana Robertson lives in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. She completed a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology with Trent University in Peterborough Ontario, followed by a graduate creative writing program with the Humber School for Writers in Toronto, Ontario.

Formerly, a vocational rehabilitation consultant, psychometrist, youth counselor, and a small business operator.

She writes fantasy, mystery, science fiction and middle grade fiction. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, nature, hiking and reading.The Abandoned Theater is her debut novel and book one of the Alderland Series.

Links to sites:

Author website: www.danarobertsonbooks.com

Publisher website: Abandoned Theater, The from Our Street

Instagram: Instagram

Facebook: Facebook

Purchase links: 

Amazon: The Abandoned Theater: Alderland Series – Book One (A Novel): Robertson, Dana: 9781803417509: Amazon.com: Books

Barnes and Noble: The Abandoned Theater by Dana Robertson, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

Indigo: The Abandoned Theater: Alderland Series – Book One (a Novel) Book By Dana Robertson, (Paperback) | Indigo

Walmart: Alderland The Abandoned Theater, (Paperback) – Walmart.com

Interview with Author Jonni Jordyn

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


I was first introduced to writing in high-school when a friend an I started making radio plays for our English class. For our class finale, we made a movie in which I also acted, directed and spent time behind the camera. In college, I always took creative writing classes and had some poems published.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?


The Diva of Mud Flats was inspired entirely by an idea I had for a character that was completely phony, yet actually attained some true notoriety, but couldn’t shake the false persona she created for herself. The other characters defined themselves as I created a story around her.

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


I hope readers will come away from reading my book seeing how stereotypes don’t define a person and how abusing power will always carry consequences.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?


I have written a lot of genres, but this was my first venture into romcoms. I wanted to write a genre bending story that included scifi, westerns, comedy and romance.

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


There are so many interesting and wacky characters in my book, that you could spend days interviewing them, but I might be tempted to sit down with Elizabeth, the diva’s personal manager, and the most normal person in the book. I would ask her how she can tolerate so much abuse from the diva. Answering this question was somewhat cathartic as I realized just how much she is me.

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


I stopped branding myself on Twitter and have built a small following on tiktok. I have hired a publicist and need to work with her on my social media, but you can find me on tiktok @jonni_jordyn.

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


I think it’s important for aspiring authors to recognize how creative they are. Natural creativity is very important for fiction, but other writers can still pursue a career in nonfiction. Still others may find their niche in editing and publishing. If you have that special spark, find your method, whether you are an outliner or a panster. Then learn how you like to polish it during revisions.

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


I am currently revising an upcoming novel that I hope to have out by the end of the year. It will be the third and final book of my Virus series. Following that, I think I’ll finish the last book of my grill series, which I think has eight chapters completed. Then, I have to write the last book of my magic series. So, I’m planning out to the end of 2026.

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About the Author

Jonni Jordyn, an award winning American author born in Oakland, Ca, started out playing music at age two, and moved on to singing and acting in grade school. High School introduced writing and film making followed by drawing and photography in college. In other words, she had a VERY LIBERAL arts education.

Jonni published some poetry and some india ink drawings in literary magazines while in college, won critical acclaim for her acting in a cabaret theater, but was faced with a decision to pick out the arts she wanted to pursue.

Of all the available opportunities, music and song writing won the first round when she found herself performing with legendary stars of the sixties and seventies.

Round two began years later, after leaving California for Arizona. It all started with a blank piece of paper and the question, “how can I possibly write more than eleven thousand words for a single story?” A valid question which was followed up a year later with, “How did I ever write 160,000 words?”

Now, the writing comes much easier, but still there are questions like, “How will I ever get all these ideas written down?” followed closely by, “How many times can I edit the same book?”

Jonni currently lives in Colorado with her bird.

https://www.jordynatlargebooks.com/

Interview with Author Mark Everglade

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

I’ve always loved science fiction because it’s ultimately not about the future, but the present. Sci-fi represents the cultural weaknesses and problems of our present-day society, the failures of both utopia and dystopia. Sometimes it’s easier to see those things when they are pointed out on a fictional planet than in our civilization.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

KillSwitch OverKill was inspired by the need for redemption. We all want to believe that no matter what we do, that life will offer second chances and a chance to make things right. Sabrina in the novel had been manipulated by the false promises of a fascist regime, but works to use her tech skills to ultimately overcome it, in typical cyberpunk fashion.

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

That friends are your chosen family and that people you once considered your nemesis can actually become your friend and have value to your life. They can be part of your progress or journey through this world, and a learning instrument. I’m reminded of the story of Buddha and Devadetta, for instance.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Cyberpunk is just cool. It’s sexy, sleek, metallic, retro-futuristic, noir. It’s in your face, unapologetic, blunt.

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

I would ask Sabrina Underfoot in my cyberpunk novel KillSwitch OverKill how being orphaned by her parents’ indifference impacted her life. And the challenges she faced as a child genius who was unappreciated, and taken advantage of by her teachers and others.

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

Twitter, though I don’t use it since Musk took over, as I don’t fund fascists and oligarchs.

The writing community was great on there, but ethically – people need to switch to a decentralized non-corporate platform like Mastodon and resist the Server State.

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

Build your author platform two years before your book releases, minimum, and socially network. Of course many of us authors are introverts, but we have to push ourselves to collaborate. You can’t do it alone.

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

I’m going to take a hiatus to focus on rebuilding family after some recent, tragic losses.

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About the Author

Mark Everglade has spent his life as a sociologist, studying conflict on all levels of society. He wrote Hemispheres to sooth our ideological divisiveness at a time of increased polarization as he explores how our underlying values are more similar than we think, regardless of how we look, act, or vote. An avid reader of science fiction, he takes both its warnings, and opportunities for change, to heart. His previous works have appeared in Exoplanet Magazine and Unrealpolitik. He currently resides in Florida with his wife and four children.

https://www.markeverglade.com

Interview with Author Zakary Kerr

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

I joined the Marine Corps at 17, but I always wanted to create and share stories. This was initially by way of video games, but as time went on and I began approaching 30, I realized that making my own game studio is unlikely for me. Still wanting to share stories and coming around to teaching, my wife actually suggested that I write and publish my ideas as books! I began looking high and low for how to structure a story, writing habits and advice, and of course information on publishing. I started in fiction, which remains unpublished, but shifted my focus to educational non-fiction as a start.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

A Practical Guide to Spanish was inspired by three things. First, my love of languages. Spanish is the fifth foreign language that I’ve taken seriously and I’d like to think that, by now, I have something of a process down. Second, is how I enjoy teaching. The more I learned, the more people came to me for advice. After noticing a series of FAQs I got and how I was able to help those around me, I figured getting it all into one place might be helpful. Third, frankly, is my personal aversion to publishing my fiction. In this genre, it’s fact-based, tried and true, where fiction is much more personal. This route was undeniably easier in more ways than one.

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

What I hope my readers take from A Practical Guide to Spanish is really two things. First, that Spanish is a series of logic and patterns that can be quickly mastered if you have a keen eye for said patterns, chunk the language down to what will directly benefit you, and develop a sense of fluidity with meaning. Second, that this mindset can be applied to any language. Grammar is finite worldwide; things are things and actions are actions, no matter the language. If you understand the “theory” of grammar, learning the “practice” is exponentially easier and even more so when you can notice patterns and similarities.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I started taking educational non-fiction seriously because I love learning and I deeply enjoy teaching. Not only is it an opportunity for me to share what I’ve learned and to help people reach their language goals, but it’s also a form of self-help exercise in my opinion. I believe that many people, at least in the US, believe that learning a language is simply out of reach for them and they couldn’t be more mistaken. There are a series of problems with how we approach language acquisition in the US whether it’s via apps, classes, or courses, ranging from the material of the media to the very mindset that they instill. Over time, I developed a strong sense of wanting to remedy that in whatever way I could which is another reason why I paused my fiction to pursue this genre.

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

While I have a page on Facebook and I’m active on YouTube, I’ve found the most success and engagement on TikTok. Language Haus is the channel on both YouTube and TikTok, where I share my language focused material, habits, and resources. Now that I’m posting on social media, I’m discovering first hand the challenges with it, but I’d never say no to a good learning experience even if that’s all I get from it.

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

Let your ideas run and understand that it’s as hard and expensive as you make it. Whether it’s a daydream that inspires a series or a passion or interest that you want to share, make a basic outline and start writing. The hardest part is starting, but once you do, not only is it extremely rewarding to see your final product online and/or physically, it opens up a world of opportunity. 95% of the writing, editing, and publishing processes can be done by yourself and if you have a decent eye for design, know someone with high attention to detail, and use technology as a tool (not a replacement for the human touch), then cover design, editing, and marketing can also be free or low cost. You are your own worst enemy; a limiting mindset will ruin your book a hundred times before anything else.

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

A Practical Guide to Spanish is the first in what I call the Spanish Master Suite of Language Haus. I’ve also published a language journal and one beginner story book, but I have another Spanish story book, coloring books for kids and adults with vocabulary, and courses in the works for Spanish. This same model is going to be ported into other languages like French, Mandarin, German, and others that I know or can find partners for. I haven’t let go of my fiction though. Over time, I’d like to get back to that since psychological thrillers and historical fiction definitely take up some of my headspace. For now, though, I’m set on Spanish.

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About the Author

Zakary Kerr is the founder of Little House Publishing and the creative force behind Language Haus, a unique educational initiative dedicated to making language learning accessible and enjoyable for adults and children alike. With a passion for linguistic education and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by language learners, Zakary has developed the Language Haus Master Suite, a comprehensive series of educational resources designed to guide learners from beginner to advanced levels.

The first Language Haus Master Suite, focused on Spanish, combines a concise, practical guide, graded readers, children’s books, and engaging multimedia content. Zakary’s approach emphasizes real-world application, cultural understanding, and a structured yet flexible learning process. His materials are crafted to help learners independently achieve fluency in their target language while enjoying the journey.

Zakary continues to expand Language Haus with new language offerings, aiming to foster a global community of enthusiastic language learners.

Interview with Author Patrick R. Carberry 

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

I have always dabbled in creative and technical writing. After 9/11, I joined the FBI to help to keep America safe. As a prior FBI intelligence analyst, entrepreneur, US Army veteran with experience in imaging and Computer Aided Design, I was raised Catholic but became a non-denomination Christian as a teenager.

I have always been curious about the Shroud of Turin. I believe that God wants us to know the truth about its origin. And, I believe he wants us to search for the truth in it. What God has revealed to us about Jesus, salvation, and Gods plan for man, comes from the scriptures. However, there is more to the world we live in and mysteries in the universe that we don’t understand, that the scriptures do not reveal. One of the traits of a good intelligence analyst is curiosity.  The curiosity I had, combined with my FBI and technology experience, helped me research and write the book Traumergy.

What inspired you to write your book?

Good question. As I said previously, Curiosity make a good intelligence analysts and researcher. Well, to start with, I was pondering the wonders of Gods universe and how much science does not know or understand about the universe and the makeup of the neutrinos. I was also reading books on the Shroud of Turin and focusing on the mystery of what formed the image on the Shroud. So, my thought was how was the image formed by some yet unknown scientific explanation about Neutrinos in the universe, that will get others to wonder and read about.

There are many ideas of how the image was formed. 

Researching different forms of energy led me to research NEUTRINOS. They are subatomic particles, similar to electrons. Sometimes, called ghost particles, because they are hard for scientist to detect. Neutrinos travel through matter, undergo a process similar to light traveling through a transparent material. Experiments by scientists have revealed that when neutrinos travel through matter that only a small fraction of the neutrino’s energy is transferred to the material, if any. So, based on this I thought, can neutrinos transfer energy to a fabric during one of the most traumatic events in history? The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

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

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
– Hamlet (1.5.167-8)

What drew you into this particular genre?

I believe that science is trying to ‘catch up’ to Gods truth. I am just trying to get people to realize that there is real truth and its not subjective. Jesus is who he said he was. The Shroud of Turin is one of the many proofs, based on evidence, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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

To all the Physic students of Prof. Peter Morley. Do you now believe that Jesus rose from the dead and he confirmed his identity as the Son of God and his work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation?


The resurrection was a real, literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected at some God ordained time in the future to eternal life. 

The Shroud depicts this based on the evidence on the burial cloth itself. Should we have faith that the Shroud of Turin is the true burial cloth? That’s up to you. I choose to believe it.” I guess a question, I want the readers to come away with is “What does the image on the Shroud of Turin mean to you?” And, if you believe it’s the burial cloth of Jesus then, I hope you have an answer for the question Jesus asked his disciples, “Who Do You Say I am?” 

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

Don’t give up. Accept disappointments. Getting rejections is just part of the process. Don’t get discouraged. Make perseverance your friend.

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

Of course, Traumergy (Book 1) is focused on the discovery of Traumergy and the primary truth it finds in the resurrection of Christ. 

Traumergy (Book 2), is centered around threats based on the discovery of Traumergy. Knowing the truth of the resurrection of Christ, Professor Peter Morley must now reexamine what is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and fight against criminal powers who do not want the truth to be revealed? The story continues to interweave the discovery of Traumergy with Peter Morley’s morals and beliefs in the face of conflict and danger.

Traumergy (Book 3) Peter Morley is faced with Servathon founders, joining with or using other negative forces, (e.g., from a secular world, atheism, and religious worldly powers) for revenge. He must use his discovery and his unique skills against the threats and defeat them, with Gods help, the bad guys. Some of the bad guys come to know and accept the truth, convert to Christianity and join forces with Peter Morley. 

Interview with Author Patrick Canning

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

-Years ago, I went to film school, focused mainly on directing. I discovered a passion for screenwriting, which later led to a love of writing in general. When I was around thirty, I figured I’d give a novel a try and haven’t looked back since! 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

-Mostly the main character, Teddy. I wanted to write a character who is genuine and kind (though not naive), and to then place that character in the seedy and unpredictable world of a private investigator in L.A. I had also wanted to write something that critiqued advertising and disinformation. At that point it was just a matter of swirling everything together into an entertaining narrative.

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

-I hope readers are more patient with people, more aware of disinformation, and less tolerant of letting advertising into their lives unchallenged. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

-I love twisty and somewhat weird detective stories that often keep the reader on shaky ground but (mostly) congeal by the end. I feel like detective stories provide a lot of opportunities for playful misdirection, colorful characters, and sneaky foreshadowing, all of which are fun to write.

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

-Teddy! I’d ask him how he maintains the stamina to be open and accepting no matter what’s thrown his way. 

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

-I try to really limit my social media for a lot of reasons, so the only one I use is Instagram. I think it’s pretty well suited to the needs of an author since you can post new covers, text, or videos (I made a few for this book that are pretty fun). 

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

-Try to get all the way through to finished book so you can see every aspect of the process. Also to figure out ways to combat discouragement; there’s no one path to being a writer or artist, but perseverance seems like a must-have, no matter the route 

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

-I’m already deep into the next novel, my first sci-fi story. I’m very, very excited for this one. It’s still coming together, but broadly, it focuses on a utopian-like city, and explores what can be achieved if we’re able to control and use AI to our advantage. Things certainly go wrong, but overall I would say it’s an optimistic look at a possible future. 

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Author Bio: 

PATRICK CANNING is the author of For Your Benefit (2024), Cryptonalia (2021), Hawthorn Woods (2020), The Colonel and the Bee (2018), and Cryptofauna (2018).

His work often blends genres, combining elements of humor, adventure, fantasy, and mystery into stories with imaginative settings, quirky characters, and typos.

Patrick lives in Chicago with his Australian Shepherd, Hank. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys walks on the lakefront, being excited/worrying about AI, and eating his bodyweight in potatoes.

www.patrickcanningbooks.com

Instagram | Goodreads

Interview with Author George Veck

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

I got into writing at the same time as acting, mostly so I could write short films to produce. I loved it so much that I moved to Cardiff and studied for a Master’s degree in screenwriting, before adapting my screenplays into books.   

2) What inspired you to write your book?

Belabour is inspired by the atrocities of domestic abuse, how it seems to be everywhere you turn. Until 2015, when new laws were introduced in the UK criminalizing controlling and coercive behaviour, the vast majority of proprietors got away with it, even when reported. This book you could say is anger spilling over having witnessed this repeatedly happen, while the victim’s lives sometimes never recover.

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

Hopefully, current proprietors of domestic abuse take a long hard look in the mirror and see the horror they inflict from a victim’s side. If it helps victims, former or present, process their trauma in any way, then that’d be great too.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve always appreciated books and films that take pride in portraying realism. Domestic drama is as relatable as it gets.  

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

X has been helpful, as has Instagram and Reddit at times. Goodreads stands out. 

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

The most obvious tip is to write every day, even if it’s for just half an hour. But mainly try and enjoy every step, celebrate ALL of your wins and landmarks along the way, and don’t let anyone take the joy that made you start away.                                                                                                                                        

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

I have a few books in the planning stage. My next release will likely be a comedy-drama called A Sanction A Day: an anthology charting a desperate British town’s struggles with unemployment and homelessness.

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About the Author

Born in Hastings but raised in North Wales, George mostly writes gritty crime fiction set in Wales.

His inspiration partly derives from political greed, and the plights of those who suffer as a result; whether that’s from mental health issues our criminally underfunded health system won’t treat, housing shortages, domestic abuse, or living in crippling poverty without hope.

As of 2024 George has published six books. Dark domestic thriller Belabour is his latest.

Interview with Author Dante Terese 

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

I was fortunate to have good parents who introduced us to books as soon as we could see and took us to libraries often making sure that we understood the importance of libraries, the good books I read inspired me.  I have always enjoyed creative writing. My friends encouraged me to “take the plunge” and release my books.

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What inspired you to write your book?

There were a lot of factors. I had friends that I would visit on a military base where I got to experience the comradery and sense of community there.  My father was a research scientist so I met some of his colleagues and heard tales of competition in the research field.  I had many ideas of my own which when combined together became the “brain soup” I needed to start “The Base – Book 1.”

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

I hope the readers will question much more of what surrounds us.  The things I wrote about in the book are not completely factual, but are becoming more and more probable.  I would also hope that the readers choose not to participate in economies that enslave people.  We do have a lot of power when we speak by not contributing our money to destructive forces.

What drew you into this particular genre?

I liked challenging the reader and I was doubly challenged with the research for the book.  I really enjoyed the detective work necessary to make the story as factually accurate as possible.  I find it interesting now how many research races are on now especially with AI.  It keeps me inspired and interested in our future.

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

Venus kept me up at night, especially as I was writing the sequel.  I was looking up the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath and trying to understand people who were lacking in a human connection so much so that money always came first.  I think if I met Venus, I would want to listen to her more than talk to her.  I would want to study her, and figure out what made her tick.

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

Facebook has been good to me.  The audience has been more responsive when I have made posts.  I am thankful for the people I have met there.

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

Read and write a lot.  Both of these things will help your hungry brain and your writing muscles.

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

The sequel to “The Base – Book 1” has been written and we have a very ambitious book cover photo shoot scheduled.  I was able to get several very interesting artifacts and a few actors for the occasion, as I type this I am surrounded by props.  I am also exploring ways that I can get “The Base” made into a film or series. It is a lofty goal, but I believe it can be worth it.  I am also writing another book which is very different but very challenging to the readers – and author alike.

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About the Author

Dante Terese is a dynamic new voice in fiction, blending deep themes with compelling narratives in her work. Her debut novel, Sex, Death, & Diane, celebrates the courage of those who dare to think independently and speak their truths, exploring the quiet power within each of us. 

Her recent science fiction release, The Base, takes readers into the high-stakes world of military research, where ethical dilemmas and espionage intertwine in a suspenseful tale of innovation and integrity.