INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "THE ZOMBOLOGY TRILOGY", TODD (T.W.) BROWN

Hello Todd, thank you so much for allowing us to interview you. Tell us a little about your books.

Well, in my horror stable I have the Zomblog trilogy. However, it is the 12-part DEAD series that I feel I am doing something very special. That isn’t to say the Zomblog trilogy isn’t fun, it’s just that I am doing something very character heavy with DEAD that I feel sets it apart from a lot of what is out there in the zombie genre.

It seems that you have a fascination with zombies, how did that all begin?

I saw the original Dawn of the Dead in the theater for my thirteenth birthday. It was the first time I saw somebody get sick watching a movie. How could that not leave an imprint? Still, there was something about that movie that drew me in and wouldn’t let go. I hadn’t even heard of NotLD at that time, which I feel has to go down as one of the classic horror films of all time.

If you ever thought about writing in another genre what would it be and why?

Actually, I have another book titled Dakota (as Todd Brown), which, besides being my first novel, has absolutely nothing to do with horror. In addition, during this year’s NaNoWriMo, I put 50,000-plus words down on Uncivil War about a full-scale, modern day race war in the United States.

I am focused on finishing the DEAD series, but after that I want to dabble in something else besides zombies. Not that I will ever give them up, but I might try my hand at the already overburdened fantasy market along with the other four books in the Dakota saga.

Who are some of your inspirations in the literary field?

I am a fan of a lot of writers: Kim Harrison, Stephen King, Nathaniel Philbrick, Scott Sigler. As far as inspiration, I’m inspired by every indie writer who works all day (or night) at a “real” job, then comes home to get in a few words on their latest project without knowing if it will ever be read by anybody besides friends and family…if that.

What was the first novel you ever wrote?

Dakota. I actually believe that if I ever get “discovered” as a writer and make it to the Big Time (i.e. NY Times Best Seller lists etc.) that Dakota is the title that will make it happen.

When did you realize you had a talent for writing?

Around fifth grade. I couldn’t just do the one page “story” for my English assignment. It had to be five or six pages typed. Since about age twelve, I have wanted nothing more than to write. Unfortunately I didn’t have a lot of support early on and it came in fits and starts. Now I have a ton of support and writing is a part of my everyday life.

You do a lot of anthology work, who are some of the other writers you have worked with?

I have had the fortune of meeting some very exciting “new” talent. Just a few names that probably aren’t on the tips of anybody’s tongues yet, but are likely to be in the near future…Chantal Boudreau, DA Chaney, Bennie Newsome, Michael J. Evans, John Lemut and Craig Wallwork.

If you had to choose one of your books out of all that you've written so far, which would be your favorite and why?

DEAD: Revelations. I think I really found my voice for the storylines in that book. I got in to a groove writing that book that I have never felt before.

What do you have coming up next and when will we see it out?

Currently I am working on DEAD: Winter for a May release. I am editing a handful of anthologies, one of the most notable is our charity anthology, Wake The Witch. All the work was donated and every penny of the proceeds will go to a quarterly check made out to The Red Cross in the names of all those who contributed. (Even if their story was not accepted.) In addition, I have a short story coming out in Books of the Dead Press’ anthology, Zombie Kong in the next month or so.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other authors? Also please leave us your links to where we can find out more about you and your work.

Write because you love it, not because you think you will get rich. Enjoy the good reviews, but don’t let them go to your head, and don’t let the negative ones rip out your heart. If you can’t handle criticism, quit now because not everybody will love you.
All my work, as well as the anthologies I have edited can be found on Amazon in physical form as well as ebook formats. Most can be found on Smashwords.

I respond to emails (whether you liked my stuff or not), and can be reached at [email protected]. And can be found on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MayDecPub.

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "PARADIGMS", CHRIS MCKENNA

Thank you so much Chris for allowing us this interview. I would love to know how you came up with the idea for your book "Paradigms."

Thanks for agreeing to do the interview.

The idea for Paradigms came when I was back home visiting Scotland for a while. I'd spent most the years before living and working in various parts of Asian and at that time had been reading a lot of Eastern philosophy and getting into meditation - basically becoming a borderline hippie (I probably should have grown up in the 70's). For me it was a way of merging my two lives together and kind of finding a way of taking some of those great Eastern ideas out of a context that a lot of people feel overwhelmed by (with all the gods and multi-armed purple statues and what not) and putting it into a setting that they might be more comfortable with.

If you had to explain why Buddhism seems to be on the rise with so many people, what would you say the reason is?

I think it's because Buddhism - at least the kind I'm talking about - is not really a religion. It more of a practical philosophy that relies on your own hard work and your own experience. Nothing is to be taken on faith. I think that's what a lot of people in the west find refreshing: that they have to work out their own salvation.

In addition, I think when many in the west talk of Buddhism what they are talking about is a practice by which they can enhance their spiritual life. In that regard I don't see it as incompatible with any other religion. I'm not speaking for all western Buddhists here, but in my own opinion, most religions are all pointing in the same direction and different paths are appropriate for different people (though I would say that meditation is beneficial for all no matter what path they follow). I think many people who have grown up surrounded by differnet cultures and religions feel the seem way. We look at the couple that live across that hall who are practically saints in all ways, but from that they don't follow the same religion as us, and can't help but think that them going to "the big fire" would be a bit harsh. And so in our modern secular society the religion that is not really a religion, appeals to many.

Tell us more about your time as an English language teacher in Asia.

Basically I'm a drop out and it could be the best choice I ever made. Teaching is fun, challenging and lets you get to meet, influence and learn from a whole bunch of different people from all over the world. I think we should make a rule that everyone in the world must live and work outside of their own country for at least a year of their lives. It would make it a much nicer place.

I noticed your quote, "I should be clear, I don't know anything," but I think that's not true. So tell us one piece of your best advice, perhaps something you learned at an early age?

No, it's true, I don't know anything! That's the greatest thing I've ever learned. And that would be my advice. Stop pretending that you have the slightest idea what is going on. Start accepting that you are lost. Only when you've done that can you really find out where and who you are.

Is fantasy your only genre that you've ever thought about writing in or do you think you'll write something different down the road?

I've done a few short stories in different styles, but really I would love to write a novel that is straight spiritual fiction without the fantasy in it. My problem is my two minds. One wants to write spiritual works, the other wants to write fantasy and so I end up doing both at the same time. But maybe in the future, when I'm ready, I'll be able to write that story.

Who are some of your inspirations as far as writers go?

Herman Hesse is by far my biggest influence and his is the very kind of spiritual fiction I would love to be able to write. His stories have always found me just at the right time in my life and so I see him as a sort of guardian angel figure. Likewise other spiritual stories such as Paulo Coelho's "Alchemist" I have found quite inspirational. However, I'm also a fan of many fantasy writers including Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks and George R R martin.

How old were you when you first decided that writing was your forte'?

To be honest I'm not too sure, but I remember a student teacher we had visiting praising me for a story that I had written in primary school. So I guess from then on I probably seen myself a bit of a writer and I remember starting - but never finishing - quite a few awful and probably plagiarized fantasy stories, in high school. My first really attempts at writing though didn't really start until I started teaching again. For one I had the time to start working on it, but also that leap from the comfortable well paid job gave me a bit more confidence in myself.

We would also like to know more about your English language teaching in Japan, are you still there right now?

Nope, I'm now in China and will most likely be moving to Indonesia again this summer. Japan was a nice place but in many ways I found it a bit too much like home. It seems I like living in developing countries without so many of the distractions and worries that come from living in the modern world. I've been in and out of China over the years and do find it one of the more interesting places to teach. I've also been learning the language which has always been something I've wanted to do as British people are famously bad at learning other languages.

When you have a chance to read is there a specific genre you are interested in more than another?

For fun I tend towards fantasy and Science fiction and I'm currently working my way through one of Robbin Hobbs books. However, I really do love stories that can touch on that deeper truth. It doesn't really matter the genre - it think it's possible in any - but I think those book are rare. However, when you find them they stay with you the rest of your life.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other authors, also please share your links with us for your book.

Write what you want in the way you want to write it.

It's very easy to get caught up in all the rules of writing and what the industry is looking for now - just let it go and do your own thing. Otherwise you are writing their book and not your own.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE CONTEST FOR (3) PAPERBACK COPIES & (3) E-BOOK COPIES OF CHRIS MCKENNA'S BOOK "PARADIGMS" AT:http://www.greatmindsliterarycommunity.com/#/contest-form/4555669435

If you interested in finding out about "Paradigms" you can try some of the links below:

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Paradigms-ebook/dp/B004HW7IIE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paradigms-ebook/dp/B004HW7IIE/

Publisher:
http://www.gypsyshadow.com/ChrisMcKenna.html

The Truth about Faeries - Free Ebook:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/59974

Podcast Interview:
http://www.thesecularbuddhist.com/episode_051.php

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CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH CHELA FROM
"WHEN COPPER SUNS FALL" BY AUTHOR KASONNDRA LEIGH
GO HERE TO PLAY TO WIN:http://www.kasonndraleigh.com

Character Interview Questions: Chela

Welcome Chela to Great Minds Literary. For those readers who are not familiar with your story, can you give us a little background about yourself?

Thank you, Kitty. I’m so excited to be here. And I love your name, btw. It’s so cool. Okay, now the background stuff. Well, um I’m fifteen. But I’ll turn sixteen on October 21st. I’m pretty average, I guess. I have two best best friends: a girl named Lexa and a guy named Jalen. We call ourselves the Bermuda Threes. I go to a third-tier school called Ashley George. It’s kind of like what you would call high school. But I won’t get the chance to go this year because I’ve been assigned to Minders Camp. That’s where kids who get carded for misbehaving go. Kind of like detention, I guess. But I’ll talk about that in a bit. I live with my father, stepmother, and her daughter, Audrina. I have a twin brother, too. But…well, he’s sick. So he hasn’t been with us for over a year now. He has a virus that doesn’t usually affect people in Castle Hayne. Only outcasts usually get sick, the people that live in the Dim Cities outside the Great Wall.

What is it like growing up in Castle Hayne? What do you like most and least about the city?

Castle Hayne is probably the strangest city you’ll ever travel to. There are no birds. The beaches are covered in soot. The oceans have a dark red tint to the water. The clouds are mostly gray all the time. Our governing body, the Tribunal, has these robotic spies that look like crows. They’re always watching, waiting to see us screw up, I guess. There’s a 50-foot fence that surrounds the city. We call it the Great Wall. Every day and night I have to take this medicine to help keep my immune system strong enough to fight off viruses. They’re called ale-meds. I hate that medicine. Micah hated taking it too. And now we know why, don’t we?

My house is a restored plantation called Cornice. It’s outside the city limits. Mostly gardens and forests surround it. That’s what I love most about my life, the gardens that my mother used to take care of. And there’s a cemetery in the backyard. For years, Micah and I played around it. We pretended to be guardians of the monster gate. And then one day we got inside it. But now you know what’s really behind the gate, don’t you?

The Tribunal, the governing body, assigns kids to different tasks once they are 15. How many different classes are there and what are their specialties?

In Castle Hayne, kids have jobs. Yes, that’s right. We work. It’s a way the Tribunal makes sure we can contribute to society when we turn eighteen. We have to earn our keep, be the model citizens. You see, there’s people that live outside the Great Wall surrounding our city. They don’t have special gifts like those of us who live inside the city. Most of them are infected, dying, mutilated. Those of us living inside the Great Wall have gifts. Or either we live with someone in the family who has a gift. There are five classes that match the five types of gifts: Trackers, Healers, Thoughtmasters, Illusionists, and Historians like my father. Common names for those groups are: ground soldiers, doctors, physical trainers, magicians, and teachers. Most of us are born with a gene enhanced by radiation. It has been passed down throughout the decades since the Tidal Years ended fifty-five years ago. By 16, we usually know which gene we’ve inherited. And then we’re recommended to the appropriate leader of each class.


Your city is rich in history and traditions such as the Falling Lights Festival. I found Costing Week to be the most intriguing and the most dangerous. Can you explain to our readers what it is and why it is so important?

Yeah sure. Costing week is a time when families from all eight of Corunum’s Hill Boroughs come to have a chance to be entered into a lottery. Good deeds mean more points, more chances to win extra food, medicine, traveling privileges, protection from the Beast, you name it. You can earn five slots, or five entries. On the fifth day, names are drawn and the winners of the various prizes are identified. For kids outside the city, it means competing in a brutal competition for one slot on their scorecard. They get one chance to change their lives by winning citizenship in Castle Hayne. The first day of costing week always begins with a showdown between Castle Hayne’s champion and his/her challenger. So, you know this year’s challenger was me. I’m glad it’s over. But at the same time, I’m glad it happened too.

Now that we have the background questions out of the way, let’s talk boys.

Seth and Faris, night and day. Tell me how you could even decide?

Well, um, hm. They are the poster boys for opposites, right? Until my brother got sick, I never thought I’d care about anyone, least of all another guy. With my other half being gone, my twin brother, Micah, I felt like only part of me had been living. Enter Faris, the guy who appeals to my hopeful side, my girl-in-floppy-stomach-love side. And then there’s Seth, the guy who I never saw coming. The one who makes me feel powerful. But in the end, I know I’ll make the right decision. I hope I make the right decision.

What is it like to be bonded with Faris?

In a few letters…asdfghkl;!!! No, but seriously, I don’t want to go all puppy-girl in the interview here. The bond thing is amazing. It’s incredible to be tied with someone who can understand how I feel inside without me saying a word. Someone odd like me. Someone who can protect me from this storm called life.

I had a sneaking suspicion that your BFF, Jalen, wanted to be more than just friends. Could you ever see yourself falling for him?

Jalen is like a big brother to me. I know, I know. I hear you saying that’s what all girls say about the good guy hiding his huge crush. Things are already pretty complicated as you know. I think it would ruin our friendship if we tried to go there. Only time will tell. And time is like a ferris wheel. You never know where it’ll stop or which couple will get to hop off first.

Why did you decide to take Jalen to your secret spot you shared with Faris?

Well, partly because he kind of already knew about it. But mostly because I didn’t want to go back there alone. I had to go back, though. To remember that what I saw was real. And I wanted somebody I cared about to share it with me. It couldn’t be Micah, so it had to be Jalen.

If you can, can you give us a tiny hint about what adventures and/or trouble you will be getting into in the next book? Will there still be a steamy…man triangle?

Sure, I can give you a few hints. What’s even better? You’ll get the chance to hear from Faris more often. I’ll be anxious to make up for lost time with my brother. He’s still recovering, but the doctors think he’ll be fine once he gets his strength back up. I can tell you all one exciting thing, though. I will be traveling to Cairona in what used to be old Egypt. I get to learn more about my mother’s history. But we have to be careful. The Tribunal suspects something is odd about me, and they don’t trust Micah’s sudden recovery. They think there has to be something supernatural going on with us. A very bad thing. That’s going to be a huge problem in book 2. As for the steamy triangle, or maybe even quadrangle…lol, you’ll have to come see for yourself. :-D

Lastly, what side do you think you will chose? Or are you any closer to making a decision?

I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I know that probably sounds awful, but I’m just being real. I have this power now. It’ll get stronger by the time I turn 16. I get scared when it happens. Not because I’m afraid of it, but because I like how it makes me feel. I hear there’s a powerful priestess in Cairona. She helped Leezra with her problems too. I’ll be going to see her. I guess I’m a bit confused.

Excerpt from When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh

“Is this what I think it is?” I said to Faris, hugging my shoulders, as the waves sloshed toward me.

“If you’re thinking it’s an ocean, then yes. Take my hand, Chela.” Faris removed his shoes and held out a hand for me to follow him into the water. Correction. He wanted to lead me into the ocean, something I’d never seen outside of pictures.
“Okay. I’m scared, now,” I whispered.

“It’s easy.” He eased over to where I stood in the sand. My lips trembled, and my eyes were wide. I wanted to see everything at once. Faris helped me remove my shoes as if I were a child. I took his hand. “Put one foot in at a time. The rest comes easy,” he said. So I did, and gasped when the water’s iciness washed over my skin.

“I was told the oceans were all black seas now. They said places like this don’t exist anymore.”

“It’s all lies. What better way for the Tribunal to maintain control than through fear of what you can’t see?” Faris said. I followed him all the way into the water. Watching him smile eased the anguish I felt about doing this without Micah.

Did he hear my thoughts earlier? The same way we talked in the dream and the evaluation? And just what else did he see in my mind after he took the memory of his true identity from me that night?

We wandered around the borderlands for the rest of the day. Intrigued by the world hidden behind my house, I made him promise to bring me back. And he did many times over the next five days. Time was different in there, faster. It allowed us to get back to the other side before nightfall. Sometimes only an hour or so had passed. Nobody noticed I was gone. Bess and Audrina would only question me about my huge grin.

Spending time with Faris was a welcome distraction. We swam in the ocean until our skin wrinkled. I told him stories about my life with my twin brother, Micah, and about our nicknames. Mine was beans and his carrots—nicknames that emphasized our physical differences everybody always said.

We watched the coppery sun lower.

Its joyous colors fell across the waves like a painting brought to life with fiery strokes from a magical brush. It was a gift that was hidden from those of us living inside the wall.

Wanting our stolen moment to last, I rested on Faris’s chest. It was so easy to be around him, and he was a gentleman, too. He never once tried to take advantage of me.

Water washed over our bodies as we lay on the sand. At some point, the fantasy would end, though. I’d return to Minders. Faris would go back to wherever he disappeared to after he left me each night.

But until that time came, I planned to enjoy every stolen second.

Purchase When Copper Suns Fall at:
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/When-Copper-Suns-Fall-ebook/dp/B0065QYXQA

Barnes&Noble:http://tinyurl.com/cgc7pjl

The Dark Seraphine Mini Scavenger Hunt

Join When Copper Suns Fall as it tours through various blogs over the next couple weeks. This is a mini scavenger hunt.

Can you find the answer to this question: Who is the Dark Seraphine?

If so, then you can enter to win a prize package that includes a paperback copy of the book, a bookmark, an item related to the story, and a $40.00 gift card from either Amazon or Barnes&Noble. Plus, the bloggers get a chance to win something too. Tell us where you first learned about the Dark Seraphine Tour (KaSonndraleigh.com not included) and your favorite blogger could win a prize as well. Simply comment on this blog post, head over tohttp://kasonndraleigh.blogspot.com/and fill out the form by 11:59p.m. on February 23rd to be entered for a chance to win on February 24th.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the hunt!

Clue for Dark Seraphine hunt: My first name has been revealed.

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Book Title:"Miss Hildreth Wore Brown"
Author:Olivia deBelle Byrd
Published By:Morgan James Publishing
Age Recommended:18 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:5

Review:I absolutely adore books like this, ones with light-hearted humor, true life happenings that make you smile and laugh out loud and lift your heart. Being a true Southern born and bred woman this book reminded me of my own days as a kid, hearing some of, what I thought then were the silliest bits of advice and anecdotes I'd ever heard. All this only to find out later that the advice and things I was taught growing up were some of the most precious information one could possibly learn.

Olvia deBelle Byrd's stories are delightful! They breathe a breath of fresh air into the spirit of the Good Old South, bringing it to life in such vivid detail that you can see the characters she tells us about and makes you wish you had known them too. Some of them actually remind of you people you have known! I have not laughed so long or so hard in a very long time and I truly feel blessed to have been able to read this wonderful bit of literature.

It's a short book, one that you can use to fill in those gaps between longer reads, and one that you will want to read over and over again. You also find out you're not the only one that lives a sometimes crazy life! Poor Miss Olivia deBelle... she's had quite the Southern life experience... Bless her heart.


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INTERVIEW WITH DAVID ESTES,
AUTHOR OF "ANGEL EVOLUTION"
Thank you for allowing us to interview you David. For some reason the fact that you met your wife in Australia seems romantic to me. Would you like to tell us more about how you met?

You’re very welcome, it’s my pleasure. A couple years ago I would have thought it sounded like a very romantic concept, too, and then suddenly it was happening to me! When Adele and I met, we had both been through a long relationship with pretty bad breakups. I’m not sure either of us thought we would ever find true love—maybe had even given up on it. Of course, that’s when it happened. Adele, who’s Australian, was working at the same place as me, which is not particularly romantic, but the next part is pretty good. Her smile caught my attention at work. It was the cutest smile I had ever seen and I found myself drawn to her. I didn’t know her name so I looked her up and found out. From that point on, I went out of my way to pass by her desk.

Anyway, we both went to a party hosted by mutual friends. We talked for hours, not noticing when many of the other guests had left. My arm found its way around her and it stayed there most of the night. I just felt so close to her so fast, like I had never felt about anyone before. There was no mistaking we were soul mates, and both of us knew it. Three months later we were travelling together to Pittsburgh so she could meet my parents just days before I proposed. Five months after that we got married in Malaysia under a beautiful sun on a float out in the water. Without question, it was perfect.

A little over a year later, we are more in love than ever. I don’t think our honeymoon stage is a stage at all. We plan for it to last forever. Sounds sappy, but it is really true.

What was your inspiration for the "Angel Evolution" trilogy and how long has the process of writing these novels taken you?

I was inspired to write Angel Evolution by my wife, Adele. Before I met her, I never believed I would have an idea good enough to write about. She convinced me to pursue my first idea and just go with it and see where it would take me. The Evolution Trilogy was born! When I first started writing Angel Evolution, I had no clue that it might turn into a one thousand page trilogy. The more I wrote, the more the story took on a life of its own and some of the characters changed in ways I never expected.

I’ve officially caught the writing bug and have written eight books in fifteen months.

If there was one out of the three you have written that you'd say was your favorite to write, which one would it be and why?

Definitely the third book, Archangel Evolution, for a couple of reasons. First, each new book I write becomes my favorite because I am becoming a better writer each and every day. That makes it more fun as I have the opportunity to try different techniques and tell the story in a whole new way. The more confident you get, the easier it is to advance your story while developing characters and building suspense.

Second, there is a character in Archangel Evolution that I absolutely want readers to have the chance to experience. I’ve heard from a couple of people that he is their favorite character in the whole trilogy. A hint: he’s not one of the good guys.

I ask that readers forgive me for the faults of Angel Evolution (after all, it was the first book I ever wrote) and read on to the other two books in the trilogy. I’ve received a lot of feedback that the trilogy gets better as it goes on, which I am particularly proud of.


Not many men seem to write in the Young Adult genre, what was it about this genre that drew you in?

Ahh, so many things. I guess first and foremost it’s the chance to write for a young audience. I loved loved loved reading growing up, as both a child and teenager, so it is so exciting to help young adults use their imaginations while developing a love for reading. I am also so excited about what is happening within the YA genre. The interest in it has expanded across generations and so many not-so-young adults are reading YA books these days that there are really no age restrictions anymore (I know I regularly explore the YA section in the library!)

Although I am in the gender minority for authors in the genre, I feel right at home in the space. I am a bit of a romantic, and I prefer writing about younger characters, so it’s a perfect fit for me!

Finally, I’ve never really grown up myself, always enjoying reading books across all genres and age groups, so it was just natural that I should write in such a versatile genre.

You have a few other projects you are working on right now, when can we expect your next one out?

The last 15 months have been a whirlwind for me! In addition to writing and publishing the Evolution Trilogy, I’ve written five other books during this time. Four of them are part of a children’s series which is currently being reviewed by a large children’s book publisher. The other one is a crossover middle-grade to YA novel about a teenager with a strange disability. It’s a fun, suspenseful, and heartwarming novel with larger than life characters that will make you laugh while gripping the edge of your seat. I am currently seeking a literary agent for this novel.

So I haven’t really answered your question, but a lot depends on how quickly I can find a publisher for my backlist of books. In the meantime, I am working on my next YA trilogy, a post-apocalyptic thriller written from the points-of-view of both the main female and male characters, in alternating chapters. I’m nearly halfway through the first book and hope to release the full trilogy by the end of June 2012.

Tell us a bit about your life, your childhood and what a typical day in the life of David is like.

I was born in El Paso, Texas, but my family moved to Pittsburgh when I was very young. I grew up in the Steel town and am a fierce Penguins and Steelers fan. A loss by one of them is like a dagger through my heart (although being halfway around the world slightly eases the pain nowadays. I went to college at Penn State and studied accounting and then got a job at one of the big accounting firms. Accounting never really excited me but it was a “safe” job. In the back of my mind, I always had this crazy notion that someday I would write books for a living, but I always found some excuse not to write. I moved to Sydney two and a half years ago for work and met my wife, who helped convince me to start writing. Now she can’t get me to stop!

As I still have a full time job at the moment, my typical day is to write for a half hour on the ferry to work, write an hour on my lunch break at my favorite café, GGs, and then write for another half hour on the ferry back home. In the evening, while spending time with my wife watching movies or our favorite TV shows (the Mentalist and Merlin are high on the list), I’ll answer fan e-mails, correspond with book bloggers, and try to gain exposure for the Evolution Trilogy. On the weekend I spend loads of time with Adele—playing tennis, going swimming, reading on the beach, watching movies, or just hanging out—but still manage to fit in a few hours of writing and author e-mails. All in all, I am as busy as I have ever been in my life, but find it so rewarding! Ideally, at some point I’ll be able to become a full time writer as it is my true passion in life.

Who are some of your literary inspirations?

Oh, there are so many authors that I cannot possibly list them here. But at the very top of the list are authors like Dean Koontz and J.R.R Tolkien. Tolkien was my favorite author as a child, while Koontz became a favorite of mine later in life. Each of them have an uncanny ability to weave words into a book, like threads into a tapestry. I have also been inspired recently by Suzanne Collins and Amanda Hocking, who have both seemingly come out of nowhere to gain immense popularity. They are both great storytellers, which is what I hope to be. I would love to become the male version of Amanda Hocking!

Have you thought about writing in other genres in the future?

Absolutely. I love all kinds of books, for all audiences. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve already written 4 books in a children’s series and I could see myself as both a YA and children’s author. I would also like to write a few adult books before I’m done!


So exactly how many characters are roaming around in your head on a daily basis?

I tend to focus on one project at a time, so only a handful of characters from whatever book I’m working on are usually speaking to me. Generally one character will be the strongest and I’ll hear their voice constantly, so much that I have to write down full sentences or even paragraphs in my iPhone so I don’t lose all their thoughts. When I am deep in the throes of creativity, it’s not me writing, but the characters themselves. That is when I get the most excited.

Do you have any advice for other authors, and please give us your links so we can find out more about you and keep up with what you're up to next!

My advice is that if you love writing then just do it. Don’t worry about what people will think of it or whether anyone but your spouse, mom, or dog will like it. Do it because you love words. Even if you entertain only one person with your story, it will be well worth it—that I can promise you!

While I don’t particularly enjoy promoting my books, I really enjoy connecting with my readers. I do it via my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, LibraryThing, and Book Blogs. See below for links to where you can find me at all of those places. If you send me a message, I will respond. (I take this promise more seriously than any other!)

Like me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Estes/130852990343920
Follow my Blog:http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com/
Follow me on Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/davidestesbooks
Follow me on Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/davidestesbooks
LibraryThing:http://www.librarything.com/author/estesdavid
Friend me on Book Blogs:http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/DavidEstes

BE SURE TO ENTER THE CONTEST ON THE SITE:http://www.greatmindsliterarycommunity.comFOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF 200 E-COPIES OF "ANGEL EVOLUTION"

Oh yeah, and my books are available on Amazon.com in print and anywhere e-books are sold (Kindle, iBooks, Nookbooks, Smashwords.com, etc.)!
Happy reading!

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "THE WRONG GOD" PAUL GUTHRIE

Thank you, Paul for allowing us to interview you. Reading your biography I can tell you are a very bright man! Tell us a bit about working for NASA and some of the things you saw and did while there.

Thanks for inviting me. One of the things that I think many people don’t know about NASA is that there are quite a few scientists working there who don’t have much to do with space. Even though my title was “Space Scientist” I spent my time working on atmospheric science questions. For those scientists it was always a struggle to get funding for projects; the people who manage NASA have traditionally seen the agency as the SPACE agency…if it didn’t go into orbit it wasn’t as high a priority. What kept our group going was a quirk in the federal interagency turf wars. NASA was officially responsible for understanding the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere. We used that as a hook for as much atmospheric research as we could.

The biggest event that I remember was the destruction of the Challenger. My office mate and I came in from lunch one day and everybody was crowded around the closed circuit TV outside the library. A friend of mine just said “We lost one.” And then there was the investigation, culminating when Richard Feynman, already one of the heroes of my generation of physics students, showed what happened to a rubber ring when it was chilled in ice water. His essay about the investigation is great. The moral was (and is), do not let the PR guys overrule the engineers.

Have you found working in the area of climate changes and air pollution has made you more aware of the predicament of the Earth and would you describe yourself as something of a conservationist?

Conservationist may not be exactly the right term. The predicament of the Earth is another example of letting the PR guys overrule the engineers. The idea of CO2-driven climate change is not new. I remember a cocktail party conversation in DC during spring 1979, right after the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. The people there were mostly government policy people and they generally conceded that nuclear power was now dead. Nobody else in the room had ever heard about the greenhouse effect, even though it was well-known in astronomy and meteorology.

I tend to think about things in terms of interconnected systems, and people are part of the systems on this planet. A great many of those people are more concerned about accumulating wealth in the short term than about anything else. Understandable if you are facing starvation, but terribly short-sighted if you are already wealthy. A relatively small number of very wealthy people have decided that PR is more important than good science. Climate change is a political problem. When I was teaching astronomy we used to tell students about something called the Drake equation. It’s a way of estimating the number of technologically advanced civilizations you would expect to find in our neighborhood of the universe. This is a question that astronomers take quite seriously, by the way. The answer comes down to the last item in the equation, which is the average length of time during which a civilization maintains an advanced technology, its lifetime. There were two schools of thought. If the lifetime is long, there should be many such civilizations. “Where is everybody?” as Enrico Fermi once asked. If the lifetime is short, we may be the only one and we are not likely to last. Climate change may be what gets us, if we don’t solve the political problem.

You have worked in so many scientific areas have you found this has had an impact on some of your ideas with your writing?

Working across disciplines reinforces the idea that science is a process for discovery, not just a collection of knowledge. This has certainly affected the characters I invent. The ones who are scientists, obviously, but also the characters who don’t understand, or accept, the way science works. I’ve had to figure out how those characters approach the world, how they decide what to believe. I think that’s why I chose to write about magic. How do different people react to this mysterious thing?

Tell us a bit about your typical writing process and whether you have to have total silence or if you deal well with distractions.

My writing process is an undisciplined mess, I’m afraid. In the pre-writing phase I get easily distracted. I will drop everything to do research on a time and place, or some detail of a story. Once I get the basic story straight in my head and start the first draft, I’m good for about three hours at a time when I won’t answer the phone.

You have been married for thirty-seven years! That is quite a wonderful thing, especially today. Tell us your secrets.

Actually, it’s up to forty now. And it is a wonderful thing. Our secrets are just the usual stuff. Pay attention. Forgive each other. Share. We also attribute our success to both being terrified of ever having to go through the dating process again.

Do you allow your wife and children to read and critique your writing?

I don’t let anyone read the first draft. Once I start on the second, my wife is my first reader. Her reactions to the characters and tone of the story tell me whether it’s working or not.

What is next on your agenda as far as writing?

I was planning on a sequel to “The Wrong God” but lately I have began to work on a series of short stories. They are set in the same “universe” as the novel, in terms of how magic works, but they are going to be scattered in place and time. They will be available for Kindle and Nook as digital shorts. I plan to do three or four of them and then get back to the sequel.

Who are some of your literary inspirations?

There are so many. Of those working now in speculative fiction, William Gibson and George R.R. Martin. Completely different, but I enjoy both. And the classic writers of SF; Asimov, Bradbury, on alphabetically to Niven, Dan Simmons and eventually Zelazny. Other genres – John LeCarre, Michael Shaara. Steinbeck. I’ll stop there or I’ll be reading off everything on my shelves.

When you are able to read what genre do you like most?

It rotates. High fantasy followed by non-fiction about science would be typical. Something literary followed by a political thriller.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other authors, and give us your links so we can read more about you and your novel.

Advice…just the usual. Keep the day job. Rewrite. Join a writers group and get feedback. Learn to write dialog without saying “John said.”

Links – There is the web site atwww.thewronggod.comand there is an email link there. There are facebook pages,https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Guthrie/281974805171527 and https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wrong-God-by-Paul-Guthrie/191187440919039

All of my work is available in ebook format only at this point, and likely to remain that way. It seems to be the way things are going. The novel is available for kindle at Amazon.com: The Wrong God eBook: Paul Guthrie: Kindle Store or by search on your device. For Nook it is at BARNES & NOBLE | The Wrong God by Paul Guthrie, Paul Guthrie | NOOK Book (eBook)
or by searching. It is also available at Smashwords - The Wrong God - A book by Paul Guthrie and via search at the ibook store for Apple, the Kobo store, and the Sony ebook store.

Thank you again for allowing us to interview you Paul, we do hope to do so again in the near future!

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "OLD FLAMES" AND MANY OTHER PHENOMENAL NOVELS, ED YATSCOFF

Thank you for allowing us to interview you Edward. I found the fact that you backpacked the world and actually lived in Australia fascinating. Can you tell us a bit about the places you saw and some of the things you have done in your lifetime?
At 19, I left my hometown in Welland, Ontario to visit Australia. I quickly ran out of money so it was off to work I go. Roaming from job to job and place to place, it took over 14 months until I could leave the country to return to Canada via Asia on the overland Hippie Trail from Oz to the U.K with a few days in the U.S.S.R. (this short story is on my website). The best part of Asia was meeting Gloria on a freighter in the South China Sea from Jakarta to Singapore. We married several years later. Our honeymoon in Grenada was memorable for the revolution and overthrow of the island, the original revolution, not the Ronald Reagan invasion. We saw Maurice Bishop, the revolution leader who was later killed. We were in Cuba when Fidel Castro shocked the people announcing he was stepping down as leader. After three children and a challenging 32-year career as a fire rescue officer, I am semi-retired and concentrating on writing, travelling, fishing, and drinking rum. I played drums in a big band for eight years, snorkeled many reefs, swam with sea turtles and a marlin, traveled Canada coast to coast, and climbed the Great Wall of China. Last winter my wife and I spent the winter in S.E. Asia and experienced many UNESCO sites including Angkor Wat in Cambodia. S.E. Asia was a real history lesson for us as the people have suffered through decades of war. Buddhism claims to be a religion of peace and harmony, but they're no better or worse than everyone else at killing. I've sold several travel articles, one of them winning a competition and a great prize.

After seeing your list of occupations I can hardly think of anything you haven't done! What I want to know more about though is the freelance astronaut thing. What in the world... or should I say universe?

The list of my occupations you read was actually a short list. I did other things but for short stints. About the freelance astronaut thing; as a firefighter, I figured I could handle floating around the space shuttle and keeping the crew in good spirits because I've worked long hours with a diverse crew. I think firefighters would be the best crewmembers for a long trip to Mars due to their tolerance and spirit. I'll have to take back my astronaut application because since NASA axed the shuttle program the only way to get into space now is via Russian technology. I've flown on an Ilyushin.

Now let's talk about your novels. There is no doubt what your inspiration behind them were, but can you tell us a bit about the writing process and some of the characters that we may find in them?

Writers block doesn't exist for me. The writing process has always come easy and the more I write the better I get at self-editing. I can give you a few pages on anything at the drop of a hat. My writers group has helped me immensely and we've grown together. Editing is where the real work is; fashioning good prose and flow with no speed bumps. I do a rigorous self-editing before I show my work to anyone.

My firefighter character Gerry Ormond is not a Rambo/Die Hard type. Readers can relate to him because he's just a man caught up in plausible circumstances. In Old Flames his present and future are put in jeopardy by his criminal past. As a chief in Gerry's War he's thrown into a bad situation where rectifying it may get him killed. Characters in my children's writing are bullies, dirty cops, ex-cons, a gypsy woman, a rink-rat, a mean old man; all sorts of quirky characters. My favorite character is Archie Crane, my protagonist in Archie's Gold.

What are some of the things you've seen and done as a firefighter and has there been many times you've been seriously close to a life threatening situation?

Recoveries and rescues. Doing CPR in the back of an ambulance while slamming side to side as it speeds to the ER is an experience. Fires and tragedies and heartbreak. Fear and death. Vehicle extrications and maimed bodies. Fire station tours. Industrial accidents tearing limbs. Pet resuscitations. Heart attacks and fire deaths during Christmas. Suicides. Fundraisers. The people I've met in my career were victims and patients, likely having the worst day of their lives. As a firefighter the job was challenging enough, but as an officer it was an entirely different process. I say a process because command and control of a chaotic situation is just that. Stress and fear was balanced off by courageous colleagues, humor, and professionalism. Emergency work is visceral and occurs quickly. Timely and practical decisions made by an officer determine the path of an incident that once committed to, can be difficult to reverse. There's no surrounding the building and pulling out a megaphone, cutting another piece at back the shop, or having yet another meeting. Officers live and die by decisions they make when they arrive on scene.

In my books, Gerry Ormond, like many firefighters, has a 'moment of truth' the time in a firefighter's career of walking the line between bravery and foolhardiness. I've taken a lot of falls resulting in sprains and cuts. A ceiling collapsed on me once. Generally though, staying uninjured was due to a combination of luck and timing. In Gerry's War, the chief takes a real beating during his rogue investigation. A third firefighter novel will be out by summer. The prologue is on my website.

Many times, especially as a rookie, I questioned some of the things done to accomplish a task; some hair-raising. Edmonton Fire Rescue has an outstanding safety record and errs on the side of caution, sometimes too much, me thinks. Loose cannons, Hollywood Heroism, or Lone Wolf actions are frowned upon and can result in discipline. Firefighting is teamwork on every level: training, inspections, all emergency work, and even food shopping for our grand meals.

You have also written some children's books. Tell us more about them and how we can find them.

I've written 5 children's stories and have one in the oven. Inspiration comes from my boyhood in the Niagara Peninsula. They are fashioned from bits and pieces there, much of it true. The stories are a bit old-fashioned as there are no magic wands or wise creatures or alien worlds. The big problems happen right at home: bullies, fights, school suspensions, crime, moral dilemmas, fear and hate, etc. My boys get in trouble and must use their wits to solve them. As a boy, I used to read sci-fi and fantasy and quickly tired of it. I'm hoping kids today will tire of zombies and stuff and get back to reality. One of my YA short stories (in an anthology) won a 1997 Canadian Library Award. Bravery, heroism, integrity, moral ethics, redemption, and vengeance are all part of my stories. Presently, I have three at most eBook sites. Out On A Limb was just released and is now available for .99 cents.

If you had to choose a genre, since you have dabbled in both young readers books and adult novels which do you enjoy writing more and why?

I think, my juvenile stories. They're shorter and evoke powerful memories for me. The characters are all from my boyhood--some good, some bad. I find myself comparing my 'old days' to today, in the context of what kids are doing and how they fit in the world. When I see some barefoot kids fishing or kicking around a ball in a park I get a certain assurance, a satisfaction, that all is right in the world and those kids are the ones who will have the better life.

It seems you've had a rather full life and being retired now leaves you some free time. Is there anything that you haven't done that you would like to do now?

In regards to travel, deciding to return to favorite places or seek out new ones. My wife and I love S.E. Asia. India might be a possibility. Return to snorkel the deep South Pacific. Hot-air balloon over an African park or a long jungle river cruise would be exciting. It'd be cool to be a writer-in-residence at a nearby college or university. Even though I've nearly given up on submitting to traditional publishers, I think a hard copy bestseller would be wonderful. Especially the mega-book tour.

Tell us a bit about your family, what they think of your writing and of course tell us more about Gloria!

I met Gloria on a freighter in the South China Sea crossing the equator. She's a great travel companion and is finally overcoming her fear of open water enough to snorkel with me. She is a real talent when it comes to painting watercolors, assembling Ikea cabinets, and can sew anything from furniture upholstery to clothing and curtains. Our three children are all university grads, the first ones in my family to do so. Joel, our eldest, is an industrial designer in Toronto and arranges my book covers. Carmen, our only daughter, runs a business at a nearby oilfield supplier and is studying for an MBA. William, our youngest, set out to teach English in Seoul and has been there for almost three years now. He's got an ESL website for Koreans and is my biggest fan.

Who are some of your literary inspirations?

I admit not reading children's books, mainly because I the racks are full of fantasy and sci-fi. Since I write true grit and reality-based stories, vampires and zombies don't interest me. I love the classics, Oliver Twist and Lord Of The Flies. Fade by Robert Cormier and The Pig Man by Robert Zindel are decent, too. As a boy, I loved war stories and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan Of The Apes' series. Many of my favorite books are listed on my website. I'd love to write like James Lee Burke. Dan Fesperman, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, and Robert Harris are great American writers. I mix my fiction reading with varied non-fiction (Pierre Berton) mainly historic adventures and odd stuff such as Freakonomics and Tipping Point/Outliers. I post some of my book reviews at a site open to all reviewers.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other authors, and give us your links where we can learn more about you and your works.

For fellow authors I say you must do your diligence in editing before anyone reads your work. Editing is hard work. Don't get lazy. On my website blog and another fiction writing one, I've posted self-editing tips, bare minimums you should always perform.

"Books are not written, they are re-written" - Michael Crichton.
My website has short stories, travel pix, and updates on my writing progress as well as links to eBooks sites there. I Tweet once a week or so, whenever there's something writing-wise worthwhile to mention @eryatscoff. Archie's Gold, my juvenile, was to be published by Tundra Press in Toronto but they reneged after stringing me along for almost three years. I've posted rejections on my website under the 'GoodBits/Bad Bites' tab.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us Edward. I hope to do another one soon

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Book Title:"Help Wanted: Tales of on the Job Terror"
Author:Various Authors, Edited by Peter Giglio
Published By:Evil Jester Press
Age Recommended:18 +
Reviewed By:Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating:5

Review:I practically cut my teeth on Stephen King, I learned to walk with Dean Koontz, and was reading Edgar Allan Poe, and Hitchcock while learning to ride a bike. These men always scared me, but I LOVED being scared. So when Peter Giglio offered the chance to review this anthology of 'on the job, tales of terror' I though... alright, sounds like some awesome fun. I have since decided that I will never work in an actual office again... why you may ask? I fear the water coolers now, I am scared to death my fingers are going to fuse to my keyboard (even as I'm writing this review), and I'm wondering just how many district managers have come to a store only with the thoughts of taking over the lives of their underlings.

I refuse to sit in my office chair at my desk because I'm scared my spine will magically attach itself to the chair and I'll be stuck there forever, I now sit on the couch with my laptop on... my lap... can you imagine? Well if you can't, read this book and trust me you'll be able to. I have to say this anthology is a collection of some of the most adept and fantastic horror writers I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. I loved it from start to finish and all the stories were complete perfection. If you hate work now... just wait until you read this book. You'll want to stay as far away from the office as possible and remember... be wary of the water distributors, they are out to get you whether you realize it or not. Take your own bottled water to work! Do NOT drink out of the water cooler!

Yes... sadly I think I have developed some form of psychosis having read this book. I'm going to take my medication now.


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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "HONOR AND ENTROPY", J.E. RAINEY

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to interview with us. What gave you the idea to write your book "Honor and Entropy"?

If a writer matures, he begins making sense of life experience that may not make itself apparent before some time has passed. Honor & Entropy is a culmination of a lot of things that I wanted to say about life and a way of looking at it. My experience in Vietnam and spending nearly half my life in the Far East is
a strong influence on the story. In the philosophical sense, I hold some beliefs that do not provide comfort - thus H&E, in spite of the extensive use of humor, is ultimately a tragedy. At various places in the story, I present the point of view that mankind is born neither good nor evil, but is merely instrumentalist, and when population density and competition for resources kicks in, no ethical training of any kind can withstand what people are willing to do. It fascinates me that honor can even survive in such a world.Homeric models, Nordic legend, and the Arthurian cycle are elemental as well. I don't
believe a quest tale can avoid these plots. And finally, I have long held a literary opinion that it is unrealistic for an antihero to turn into a hero, rather it is more believable for a one-dimensional antihero to become a two-dimensional antihero. That is critical to the outcome of the tale.

How long did it take to write this novel?

It took ten years, off and on, to write Honor & Entropy. I consider it fortunate that the whole publishing industry has changed while I took my time. The gatekeepers were not interested. Now it's mutual.

Can you tell us a bit about the writing process and what kind of research you had to do?

I recognize that the brain does not think in chronological order or in organized files and folders, and whenever a scene comes to mind, I write it down without worrying where it will eventually go. So I put a book together the way most people to do a puzzle: focused on the image, but without a rigid approach to assembly. If you say you will not move on until passage X is finished, that seems to me to be an additional obstacle. When it comes to
research, I did more than I anticipated. Though I have been to every locale in the story, it still took research to fill in language and details to add authenticity.

Do you have plans for another book and if so when can we expect it out?

I have already started a new book, a sci-fi comedy. I'm hoping to put that out in another year, but I won't rush out a sloppy product to meet an artificial deadline. Curiously, after hitting the charts with a 1000+ page novel, a work half or a third that length doesn't even feel intimidating. As far as past works go, one book I had written a few years ago almost saw the light of day, but my agent died, and since I cannibalized some of it for H&E, I let it drop. Some of my really early stuff goes in that drawer no writer wants to open again.

Have you given any thought to whether you'd like to see your novel become a feature film?

One reviewer has expressed a hope that H&E will be picked up by Hollywood. Even though I have written a number of screenplays, I wouldn't attempt this one. The story is just too big and complicated for me to wrestle into a two-hour box. I'd
love to see that happen, but it won't be by my hand.

We've seen what readers have said about the book so far and you've gotten some fantastic feedback. What have some of the people you are closest to said, and how do they feel about your career in writing?

Friends are encouraging and happy that I have left the field of tech writing and the academic world to pursue my dream. The feedback is great, but of course, living your dream trumps anyone's approval.

Do you have other genres in mind that you'd like to write in?

I would be quite comfortable in comedy, sic-fi, and historical settings. But for me, the motivator must be ideas first and foremost. That's what makes me write. I couldn't do it if it's just mindless entertainment.

Who are some of your inspirations in the literary field?

Wow. That's a loaded question, and the list is long. In fiction, I am a fan of Thomas Hardy, George Elliot, Marcel Proust, Joseph Conrad, Norman Mailer, P.G. Wodehouse, Jean Shepard, Bertold Brecht, Douglas Adams. The list goes on. In nonfiction, where I do most of my reading, I like Seneca, Aristotle, Carl Popper, Bertrand Russell, and long list of philosophers. I have also been inspired by movies, particularly Apocalypse Now, with its heavy borrowings from Conrad, Goethe, and Frazier.

Would you like to share any advice with other authors, and please give us your links where we can find out more about you and your work.

Advice for other writers? I'm not covering any new ground, but here goes. Read the classics, the Great Books. Not only will this put depth in your thinking, you will find that great idea of yours has been around a while. Don't try to make a conclusion about a life experience too quickly. It can mean something entirely different to you at a later date. Always read your writing out loud. Don't give your characters "set up" questions for another
character to explain something. And always read your own writing as if you are someone who doesn't like you.

Thank you so much for your time with this interview J.E. and I hope we can do it again in the future.

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF "GONE" & "SLINGS AND ARROWS", JULIE POWELL



This interview can be found on Maria Savva’s blog at:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1418272/blog/tag/julie-elizabeth-powell

Julie Elizabeth Powell, author of Gone, Slings & Arrows, Knowing Jack, A Murderer’s Heart, Of Sound Mind, Misadventures Of Fatwoman, Figments and The Star Realm, Invasion (1st & 2nd of the Avalon Trilogy)

Julie has offered to giveaway 5 pdf copies each of Gone and Slings & Arrows
*

Here are Julie’s replies to a few questions about her writing career and her books:

Is there a particular author or book that inspired you to start writing?

No. However, I’ve always loved to read and dabbled with words. But the ‘push’ to actually keep the words that flowed into a book came from what happened to my daughter, Samantha.

What was the basis and inspiration for your first novel, Gone. Please tell us a bit more about that.

I wrote Gone after what happened to my daughter, Samantha, in 1984, when her heart stopped and she died but was brought back to be left severely brain-damaged. A question kept nagging at me – Where had she gone? I mean, her body was lying here, true, but what had made her who she was had just vanished… her memories, her character… everything! On one of those many ‘not able to sleep’ nights, this idea came to me…she must be somewhere else, what if?…and Avalon* was born. I just had to write the story.

(*Avalon is the fantasy world featured in Gone)

At first, writing the book was about satisfying myself... helping me understand her tragic life – and mine. Then, as I continued to write, the world I’d created evolved and I thought this could really help others too. Though I don’t know how many other people that have suffered these exact circumstances, in my experience I don’t think there are /have been many cases like Samantha (brain okay, then wiped, to put it crudely) that lasted for so many years. I thought this book might be an answer that could satisfy a sorrowful heart. Whatever the circumstances, for those left behind, loss is loss… and love gets so tangled; this was one way of trying to sort things out. After Samantha died the second and final time, things didn’t improve for me much (you never get over it), but writing definitely helped… and it’s a tribute to her now. I also like to think that it could be true. Imagine that!

The book was inspired by Samantha. When you read the book, you’ll maybe understand the mixed feelings involved in a relationship like that – but there is no denying, she was my inspiration for this book.

Whenever I choose a book to read, I tend to go for those involved in fantasy, mystery, magic… that sort of thing. So, anyone of a like mind will immediately appreciate the setting etc. and I hope enjoy the story. However, I feel sure that even those who don’t necessarily select this type of genre would be helped or maybe given a lighter heart, if they read Gone, even if they’ve never suffered loss. I know that many will relate to the themes of love, loss, hope, fear, guilt and so on – especially those who have lost a child – and understand the bonds of love and all the strands that can become jumbled. They will gain more than they could guess… I’m sure of it.

I think Gone is different from other books because, yes it’s a fantasy, yes it’s about loss and grief… and finding a way through those things, but this story is about following an identity, which has been stripped from its owner. While a withering body lies waiting to die, its essence, its character, its memories are seen in another place, a mysterious land found by a mother (who thinks she’s crazy, of course who wouldn’t!) where she tries to come to terms with the tragic circumstances of her daughter’s situation. It’s not about Heaven, although some may have that opinion, it’s not about death even, as no one has actually died in the true sense, it’s about life and what makes us who we are and how the bonds of love can never be broken. It’s a battle against fear and guilt, sorrow and all the other emotions put upon us in the wake of loss. I’ve never heard of another story quite like this, not least due to the fact it was inspired by an exceptional truth. It shifts from supposed reality to other plains of existence, not least the added, and most surprising, adventure (which of course is a test) where the mother encounters a talking flower who has trouble remembering jokes, goblins and fairies… just to mention a few. But, more importantly it demonstrates the embodiment of fear, which is a huge hurdle for her to overcome – like for most of us, I would say. I also think that it’s funny as well as sad, enjoyable as well as emotive and will, I hope, help others as well as entertain. I don’t think it’s ever been done in this particular way before. Yes, there are stories about ‘after death’ and there’ve been dramas looking into the effects of such things as Alzheimer’s and cases where people have been brain-damaged in other ways… but nothing like this – the whole unique package.

When did you discover your love of writing?

Always loved it but writing Gone, and then being able to have it published, awakened a need, as if a dam had burst and all those submerged ideas swam to the surface and gulped greedily at the air.

Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?

Journey Into The Unknown… And Beyond

When I first found Lulu.com it felt like a million butterflies had materialised all at once and fluttered wildly inside me… and when I published, well… For years I’d tried to find someone, anyone… please, I’ll do your laundry forever if you do… to publish my stories but sadly, as the stack of rejections in that drawer will testify, nobody was interested. Why, I wondered? Not good enough? No! Too old? No? (Well, not for writing). Poor education? No! Not…? The list was endless, of course.

However, it seemed, the only thing ‘wrong’, was the fact that I wasn’t already famous! I hadn’t invented some world changing ‘must have’ (though Gone, my first fantasy novel, was inspired by a life-changing event and would definitely make others think differently); I hadn’t climbed Mount Everest (despite the fact that my second book, epic fantasy adventure, The Star Realm, felt like it); I hadn’t landed on the moon, starred in the latest blockbuster nor had I appeared on any reality show exposing bits best kept hidden (mind you, submitting my books for sale does feel like offering my heart on a plate and asking people to ‘dig in’).

So, where did that leave me? Vanity Press? Hmm, need money for that! Become newsworthy? I couldn’t hurt anyone or steal or run around naked, oh we won’t even go there… well, you understand? But I had talent – I knew it! Ah, you’ve guessed it…self-publishing! But I had no money!

The beauty of Lulu is that it’s free! You do the labour of course but then what would you expect? After that, all you have to do is buy your own work and promote it and…

So what does it take?

A story – that tale that’s rummaged around your head for years or just popped into it while you stood ironing or aligning the brakes on the Mustang…(beware stereotyping… though I didn’t say who was under the car).
You write it!
And write it again… and…! (Sometimes it’s best to put it away for at least a month then…)
You proofread it. WARNING: this is harder than writing the story or, I imagine, climbing Mount Everest, but maybe not as difficult as stripping off in front of an audience? Depends on your point of view. Imagination is the key word here.
Then you join Lulu.

Do you know that term mind boggler? Well, that’s what it’ll feel like at first… just take it one step at a time. Joining Lulu is easy (email and password) and free (beware repetition). Go through the video – more than once. It’ll probably be easier for those really, really good with computers but even then, you learn…okay, I’ve taken on a little more grey hair, I’ll admit!

Then you choose your layout – a layout that you set up in your computer programme (Word, maybe) for your story (the most popular size is 6 x 9 novel). (Tip: don’t put in page numbers until you’ve finished everything else or it can ‘mess things’…as the extra lines on my face will show). Lulu will take you through all the stages but it’s all your choice. It may be an idea to join Lulu first then see your layout /write your story in the correct format from the start – yes, I know, I learnt this after too with my first book. Then save to where you’ll remember, because you have to browse it to uploaded it (seems obvious but you’d be surprised!) Look, I’ve already given away too much stupidity!

Just follow on-screen instructions for conversion /cover upload (I chose a Lulu cover template for all of mine because I’m still learning that side of things) and for those that have an up-to-date modern computer it should be fairly quick, depending on the size of your book (mine’s not quite stone age… well it wouldn’t be, would it… but you know what I mean? Anyway, I’m saving for a new one…). Beware waffle.

Oooh, then Lulu tells you that you have successfully published!!! Blaze of glory…trumpets, garlands… tickertape… pats on the back… butterfly waltz… this is where we came in.

Back to Earth… then the real work starts… re-editing (I told you about proofreading, didn’t I?) And of course promoting… a whole other ball game…

Good writing and don’t stop dreaming – if you want to do it, you will.


You have written 9 books in many different genres, fantasy, murder-mystery, children’s books, and non-fiction. Is there one genre that you prefer more than the others? If so, why?

That’s easy – fantasy! I do like to try various genres but my favourite has to be fantasy because I can do anything in it. If there’s a problem with a character or place or plot then I can manipulate, make it up or just have some fun – fantasy allows that. Though I don’t mind if it’s for children (although that can be even more fun and making new characters in bizarre lands is fantastic) or adults – it certainly allowed me to deal with a difficult subject and perhaps come up with acceptable answers in Gone. Though even if it’s not fantasy, in my writing, the ‘real’ world (for the most part) has to be tempered with something extra, whether it is strange, mysterious, extraordinary, and magical or... well, you get the gist.

Summarise Gone, your first book in three or four sentences.

Gone is about finding answers, especially: ‘Where had my daughter gone?’ after she was severely brain damaged at the age of two, only to suffer agonies for a further seventeen years until her second death. It concerns the exploration of the human condition. It is about hope.

Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing you like?

Dean Koontz, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Shakespeare and Chaucer

Taking the last two first – I love the language and the way they understood the ways of being, how people thought and felt. I particularly liked Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and King Lear and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – the Wife of Bath is fabulous... we could all learn good lessons from her!

Dean Koontz is my all time favourite, as he too understands people but his books always have that ‘extra’, that magical quality and a wonderful optimism. The dialogue between main characters is amazing and very funny. The Frankenstein and Christopher Snow series are my favourites so far though I really enjoyed them all. While Stephen King also gets to the nature of being, his works, for the most part, are far more negative and gruesome – though have some spectacular ideas. They may be more macabre but the best book of his, in my opinion, is Insomnia. Its plot enthralled me (I will not give away any spoilers) though I loved the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon – three with a hopeful stance rather than the darker plots. I’ve enjoyed them all – too many to mention.

Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?

I freely admit that the Harry Potter series completes one of the best stories ever told. Brilliant – and yes, I’ve read them more than once.

If someone wanted to read your books, which would you recommend they read first, and why?

I can tell you that Gone will always be the most important book in my life but that’s not to say that every book I write doesn’t have my full attention and interest. Gone broke my heart and in a way mended it, and I love to think of Avalon being there ready and waiting for when my time comes, and welcome the idea that Samantha and I will one day be together.

What is the target age group for your children’s trilogy – The Avalon Trilogy? And Knowing Jack, your other children’s book?

Without generalising, I would say about 12. It would depend on the individual and of course I think that adults would enjoy them too. Here speaks a Harry Potter fan.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and why?

There are two: Gone and Slings & Arrows. The first because of the truth behind why I was writing it, and the second because it was the harrowing truth. And strangely, I wrote Gone first. It took 24 years before I could write Slings & Arrows.

What was the last book you read?

Dean Koontz: Your Heart Belongs To Me
Wish I had more time to read.

Are you reading a book at the moment?

Dean Koontz: The Voice Of The Night

What do you think of ebooks?

Great idea and they can work out cheaper, though I have to say I love the feel of a book and being about to sit comfortably and let my imagination relish.

How important are reviews for you as a writer?

Vital, I would say, especially as a self-published author. Spreading the word is the only possible way of letting others know about your work. It also gives much needed feedback – even if negative (sigh). I’m always willing to learn. I’m extremely grateful to anyone that takes the time to read and review my books. It can help the ego too!

How do you go about choosing a cover for your books?

If I had the money, I would have my ideas professionally uploaded. Or, if I could understand how to do it, I would upload my own designs (even Photoshop for Dummies hasn’t helped). However, as I don’t /can’t, I search through the Lulu library and try to find the most appropriate. I’ve been lucky so far.

What are you working on now?

I have the last of the Avalon Trilogy waiting patiently for my head to ‘get on with it’, in addition to a short story & book where I hope to include short stories (obviously), poetry and pieces inspired by other books – amongst other stuff. It’s proving a good test of my abilities and it’s good to play around with other genres. It’s called Figments and I hope to finish soon enough so to help those poor children out of the predicament within which they’ve been left so that Secrets Of The Ice can at last be published. There are a few others things too, so I’m busy to say the least.

Where can people buy your books?

Julie’s spotlight:http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/JEP(paperback)
Julie’s storefront:http://www.lulu.com/julizpow(paperback)
Kindle:http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss....+powell&x=0&y=0(ebook) (amzn.to/qSp0HB)

Do you have your own website or blog where people can read more about your work?

http://www.freewebs.com/julizpow
http://www.alchemyuk.yolasite.com

Do you have anything you’d like to say to your readers?

Wow… thank you so much for buying my book… I really hope you enjoyed it… and that it made you think differently about things. I hope it helped too, if you needed it. Sorry if there are any mistakes but I’m editor, publisher, designer and writer so I might have missed something. And you never know, earlier prints with errors might be worth a packet one day! If anyone wants to talk to me about any of the issues email me at julizpow (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk

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