Tag: Interviews

Interview with Author Tong Ge

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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. 

Interview with Authors Breakfield and Burkey

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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

Authors@EnigmaSeries.com.

Interview with Author Tricia Copeland

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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 Copeland is 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.

Author Link:

https://linktr.ee/triciacopeland

https://www.facebook.com/TriciaCopelandAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/authortriciacopeland/

@triciacopelandauthor

https://www.youtube.com/@triciacopelandauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055439.Tricia_Copeland

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tricia-copeland

Interview with Author S.A. Schneider

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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.

Enjoy the Adventure!

https://www.sa-schneider.com/

Interview with Author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

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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. 

Published Works:

Non-Fiction:

Thoughts of a Wanderer

A Mother’s Truth

Embracing Me

Fiction

A Little Scare

Children’s Books:

Operation Deck the Halls

Diamond the Cat

Contact Information:

https://linktr.ee/randib

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 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 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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.