Linda Govik

                  

                  Location: Sweden (western parts…that’s important))

 Age:  37 years old

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   I have to answer in the classical way here: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure where the urge came from, but I know that it’s always been there: I just love creating stories.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

   It’s called "Legacy", and was published in November 2015'.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

   I chose to self-publish. Truth of the matter is I had an agent interested in the book, but after some cooperation, she pulled out, as she’d decided historical novels weren’t going to be part of her repertoire for a while onwards. By the time this decision came, however, I’d already made up my mind to self-publish. I don’t regret this decision for one second. It’s just lovely to be indie!

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   From the book jacket: Emily Bradley, an orphan born in a brothel in London in 1784, flees after her first forced encounter with a client, Lord Charles Stanford. Five years later, he tracks her down and forces her into marriage in order to manipulate her and their son to secure his vast legacy. Emily must deny everything she is and loves, her art and her new country life, to keep the truth from his aristocratic family or face Lord Charles’ murderous temper. When she’s offered a commission to paint a portrait at the Royal French Court of Joséphine Bonaparte herself, Emily sees a chance to break free from her miserable life – but it means forming an alliance with the enemy of England, potentially exposing all her secrets, and possibly losing her son. Emily is forced into the hardest choice of her life: where her fate and her son’s future, hang in the balance.

   The inspiration for this book came from all those books I’ve read in the past that has meant something to me: those that contain strong, fascinating characters and dramatic twists and turns (like Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, for example). I wanted to write something like that too, and above all, something that I’d enjoy to read myself.  

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   Indeed you can. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound.org, and if you live in Sweden, you can buy it straight from me, or through Adlibris.se.

To Order and Read on Kindle CLICK HERE

To Order it in Paperback CLICK HERE

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   One, so far.

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   I’ve started on the sequel to "Legacy", and my goal is to have it finished in 2017. I also have some side projects, of which one is a contemporary mystery. My feeling at the moment is that I’ll publish it next year - but that’s REALLY a side project, and more for fun, so we’ll see what happens.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   Well, I recently got the best compliment ever from one of my readers: she told me that "Legacy" woke her interest in historical novels, and that she now wants to know more about the era, the clothes etc. And this from someone who up until then had only preferred contemporary fiction!

   I love that – I mean, if you manage to convert a reader into trying a completely new genre, then you’ve done something right!

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers?   

   Perhaps that I love connecting with my readers and I’m active both on Facebook and Goodreads. Befriend me, like my page or otherwise make yourself known – I’d LOVE to hear from you!

Thank you for some lovely questions!

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  Your book sounds quite interesting.  I've never really been a historical reader, but your story sounds quite compelling so I'll probably check it out.  Good luck to you with your future writing projects, and thanks for the interview.

Melody Summers

Location: Florida / U.S.A.

Age: 35 years old.

Question:  How long have you been writing?

    I have been writing romance stories since I was 12 years old, but I have been a paid romance writer for the past 7 years.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

   I have been a paid romance writer selling romance articles to hundreds of websites for the past 7 years. “How To Marry Mr. Rich” is my first book.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

   My book “How To Marry Mr. Rich” is published by International Romance Publishing @ www.internationalromancepublishing.com

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   The inspiration came from being a Welfare Mom. But the book contains 12 chapters of no nonsense tested real world advice on how any women can get rich by marrying Mr. Rich.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   YES! Right here: http://goo.gl/uNQ5Cn

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   “How To Marry Mr. Rich” will be my first and only non-fiction book.

Question:  List all of your titles =

·    “How To Marry Mr. Rich”

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   I am writing dozens of new romance novels in the next coming years. You can get up-dates at: www.melodysummers.com

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

   “How To Marry Mr. Rich” it's “A Women's Indispensable 21 Century Handbook"

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   Well, 95% of rich women will marry rich men and no one calls these women “Gold Diggers” but if a poor or middle-class woman marries a rich man, she instantly becomes a Gold Digger? This is crazy...My book “How To Marry Mr. Rich” will free women's minds up to live a 100% better and richer life!

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers? 

   Well, as I always say: “You Will Only Attract A Rich Man, If You Yourself Look Like A Rich Woman” Melody Summers

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR: Your book sounds quite interesting and I want to thank you for sending me a free copy of it.  I look forward to reading it.  Thanks for the interview and good luck in the future with your other romance novels.

Derrick O. Dempsey

Location: NORTH CAROLINA / U.S.A.

Age:  I'm 32 years of age.

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   I first started this writing journey at the age of 8; teachers would always say your imagination will pay off one day.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

  First book I published was "The Last Don", and it was published in April 2014'.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

   The book was self-published.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   My first book was a personal one, of my grandfather.  Hearing stories of him, though we'd never met, I cataloged everything in my mind of him and produced what I considered to be a wonderful read.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   Yes, if you would like to purchase this book, please go to amazon, or barnes&noble, or books a million,or wherever books are sold.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   I have published 30 books now.

Question:  List all of your titles =

If I can remember all the titles, lol, mmm…

The Last Don

The Old House

The Embalmer

The Day Was Different

The Last Count Dracula (3 part Series of Sabathica)

Love From The Soul

Endless Love For A Woman

The Magic Suit In the Closet

A New Bishop

Will You Marry Me

Jack Magic Shoes

The Last Hitman

Innocent Murder

Demonic Revenge

The Demon Toy, so many that's all I can remember.

(Go Here to view all of my books on amazon)

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   I have a new project called "Tales Of A Mafia Dentist", it's about a World Renowned Dentist who loves a double life, Dentist and husband, dad by day, but heads The Most Dangerous Mobb Family in the World From America to Sicily, gets caught and tells the World his story with a twisted ending. Coming this Jan. 2016

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

  "A New Bishop", is about a young man who is bred to become The Bishop of his childhood Church, and maybe the Presiding Bishop of the Pentacostal Churches of America, but tragedy hits home, and he forgets about God and lives the life of a gangsta. Will redemption be for him or will the streets overtake him, from the women, money, and power.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   I can say I'm Derrick. I'm honest and direct and I cover every genre. Hollywood has destroyed the art of writing, try a book and let's become acquainted, you've never read a book like mine, I can promise you that. Once you open it you'll be on a ride you'll never want to get off, I can promise you that there's no other writing quite like mine. I take writing and the imagination to another level. There's no other writer that can thrill and connect with the reader like me.

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers?  

   To whomever purchased a book God bless you, I'm so thankful to you guys making my dreams come true, thanks for the prayers the love, the encouraging words, I love you so much, and it's more to come, this is Derrick Dempsey a plain guy; but a hell of a writer and story teller. Buy a book and let's become friends and take this long ride with me, and thanks for the interview. May God bless you.

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  I am so amazed at how many books you have published.  You really do seem to enjoy letting your imagination run wild.  You have quite the collection of story titles.  I look forward to checking them out.  Good Luck with your future writing project, and thank you for the interview.

Steven Finkelstein

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Age: 34

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   I’ve been writing seriously since I was eighteen, my freshman year of college, though English classes were always my favorites in school.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

   The name of my first novel was "Transitional Period", and it started life as a series of interconnected short stories I wrote during college. It wasn’t published until this year, over a decade later.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

   I self-published it. I didn’t think my writing was getting the attention it deserved from lit agents, and I felt that the stigma attached to self-publishing that previously existed in the industry no longer applied. The publishing industry had changed, and I felt the need to change with it. 

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   "Transitional Period" was probably the most autobiographical of my novels, as happens oftentimes with writers. It’s about the temptations of the college lifestyle, sex, drugs, and bad behavior. More than that, though, looking back, I see it as a novel about being reluctant to grow up. The author Paul Auster read it and described it as “sophomoric.” I can’t really argue with that, but I always felt there was a certain manic energy and vitality to it that I enjoyed.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   Absolutely. A newly revised version of it is available on Amazon, for Kindle and print-on-demand. Just type my name into the search engine and it’s one of the top hits.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   Four. Three novels, and a collection of short stories, all of which are available on Amazon. I just finished a new fantasy novel, and I’ll be trying to get it published through conventional means. If I can’t, then I may self-publish that one as well.

Question:  List all of your titles =

Transitional Period

The Woods

Hell To Pay

A Long, Slow Burn, and Other Stories.

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   I’ve been working for most of the past two years on the new fantasy novel I just completed. Like I said, I’ll be making some queries to lit agents in regards to that. But I’m always working on new material. For updates on anything new I have coming out, you can always check out my website, http://www.stevenfinkelstein.com.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

   In this interview, I specifically wanted to promote "Hell To Pay". Although, all four titles currently available were self-published this year, "Hell To Pay" was written most recently. It’s a crime novel, straightforward genre fiction, in the tradition of Elmore Leonard, say, or Robert B. Parker. The action stems from a gambling debt, which leads to a kidnapping. You’ve have these sort of disparate elements of the societal spectrum, on both sides of the law, colliding with each other. It’s cops-and-robbers, but there’s also a bit of social commentary at play.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   Even though the four titles I’ve published so far vary broadly in terms of content, I try to put my all into everything I write. That means that whatever the genre, my primary purpose was to turn out the best product possible, and I’ve always considered myself, above all, a consummate storyteller. I love writing, the craft of it, and I think that comes across in my work. I care about my characters, whatever their flaws. The entertainment value, I think, is intrinsic in my writing. If the writer is having fun, I believe the reader will too. 

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers? 

   Just this: give self-published writers a chance. There’s a lot of worthwhile writing out there that is waiting to be discovered that just hasn’t found an audience through “traditional” publishing. I’m living proof of that.

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  I can tell that you write for the pure love of doing just that.  You have an interesting variety of books so far.  I also found your blog to be quite interesting and entertaining.  Good Luck with your future writing, and thank you for the interview.

D. Ray Freeman

Location: Texas / U.S.A.

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   About 15 years of technical writing for training materials, and 10 years of creative writing.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

   "AgileChanged My Life – How to Manage the Chaos of Life and Career with Agility".  Published on 11/24/14

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

   It was published by Agile Consultant Guide, LLC.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   My older brother took his own life in July 2013.  He felt that life was not worth living and couldn’t see any potential to move beyond the challenges in his life.  As I attempted to heal from losing him, I found myself questioning the value of my own life. I set forth on a journey to improve myself and those around me by taking something I know works well and applying to areas of my life that needed improvement.

   I’ve worked for many years helping companies and their employees discover continuous improvement strategies—Especially those involving the process of getting things done.  I noticed the parallels of several human motivational techniques and Agile Methodology and I blended them together with my own story in this book.  Agile is typically used by software development teams to enhance their ability to serve their customers. It’s also a great way to build teamwork, best practices and effective response to change.

  Faced with insurmountable obstacles, I saw Agile as a way to improve my personal and business relationships. Being Agile is a philosophy that changed my life in many positive ways. I wanted to share this experience with others, in hopes that you can have the same.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   Yes.  This book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles via paperback and digital versions.  Autographed hardback copies can be purchased at www.ACG1.net. 

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   This is my 1^st publication.

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   Book 2 is evolving as we speak and will be released to the public by 4^th quarter 2016.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

   My current book is "Agile Changed My Life" – How to Manage the Chaos of Life and Career with Agility.  It’s a must-read for anyone in the software development industry. This book gives a clear understanding of the values and principles of Agile, presented in a self-motivational fashion.  It’s taking something that is so effective in the business world and applying it to your personal life for a similar level of benefit.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the many projects and items that flood your to-do list?  Do you have so many things that require your focus that you have trouble focusing?  Well I’m here to tell you that I am scatter brained!!!  But, being Agile has helped me keep my priorities in line.  The techniques in this book have helped me to build a lucrative career, an exciting and productive relationship at home and a healthy, stress-free lifestyle that I can continue to improve indefinitely.  This book is a quick read and will inspire you to pursue your dreams—one iteration at a time.

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers? 

   A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.  They are impacting lives by finding effective treatments for mental disorders in men women and children. You can make an additional donation at www.bbrfoundation.org/donate. 

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  Your book sounds quite interesting.  I know that many people have problems juggling everything in their lives from work to home life.  I find at times it overwhelms me.  I'll definitely check out your book.  Good luck with your future writing, and thanks for the interview.

Casey Fry

Location: Pennsylvania / U.S.A

Age: 27

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   For as long as I can remember. When I was younger, if there was an option to write a story over doing something else, I would take it. The first story I can recall writing was about my pet brontosaurus and I taking a run through the McDonald's drive-thru.

   I officially decided I was going to be a writer when I was ten. My mother and I had gone to see "Little Women" in theatres and I loved the character Jo. I decided that I was going to be just like her, and I started writing on the way back from the movies. I haven't stopped since.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

   The first book I ever published was called "The Beginning of the Wolf", and it was published in 2000' through a contest offered by the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport, PA. I was twelve at the time and the book only has one copy available to the public, but it can be found at the Hughesville Area Public Library in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, and is available through their catalog, along with the rest of my books. As the library that kept that first book I ever wrote, I donate a copy of every new book I publish to them.

   The first book that I published myself is called "Hunt". It is the first book in the "DeathSpeaker Trilogy", and was published in October 2012'.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

    "Hunt" was self-published, and all of the books since have been self-published, as well.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

   The "DeathSpeaker Trilogy" is set in a fictional version of Earth; two hundred years after a nuclear war had very nearly wiped out the entire human population through war and disease. The few that remain are struggling to survive in a world that has become a wasteland, their already difficult existence made more troubling by those who have been mutated by plague and radiation. One example of these mutations is DeathSpeakers - humans born with their mouths sewn shut with unbreakable wires. Upon their tenth year, the wires fade and the DeathSpeaker is finally able to speak, but anyone who hears them speak will instantly die.

   The first book, "Hunt", follows Ricker, an assassin who has made it his life's mission to hunt down DeathSpeakers and kill them before they can hurt anyone. His life is complicated when Mortimer, the almost ten-year-old DeathSpeaker he is trying to track down is kidnapped by a third party, along with a gem capable of granting the single wish of anyone who holds it. When Mortimer escapes his kidnappers and runs into Ricker, the two of them are forced to join forces in order to defend against attack by Mortimer's kidnappers - people who are determined to get him back for reasons unknown.

   The trilogy focuses on overcoming the past and learning to live for the future, especially as Ricker begins to suffer headaches and recover memories he has forgotten. As his past returns to him, he begins to discover that the choices he has made in his life are not what he thought them to be. In fact, there is a lot that is not what it seems. One of people's favorite parts of the book seems to be Shadow, a ghost that spends his time following Ricker around and making sarcastic quips to guilt him into doing what he thinks needs done. The end of "Hunt", however, reveals that he, too, is not what he seems.

   The inspiration for "Hunt" was actually my playing around with language. I like words, which I'm sure is evident from my choice of career. I was thinking about the semantics of different words and how they can often have ambiguous or double-meanings. I had actually been thinking about J.K. Rowling's word for the followers of her main villain in her Harry Potter series - Death Eaters. The idea popped into my head of a Death Breather, and if they could breathe death, would that mean breathe it into someone, or out? The answer to that question created Ricker, an assassin and DeathBreather, and it was from him that the rest of the story evolved. There are different aspects to the story that have been inspired by other parts of my life - my love of science and science fiction, my addiction to words, and my fascination with theology and psychology.

   Originally, DeathSpeaker was going to be a series of six smaller books, but instead it turned into a trilogy. The second book in the trilogy is called "The God Stone", and I will be working on that for National Novel Writing Month, as soon as my current project is released.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

   "Hunt" is only available for purchase through online stores at the moment. It can be found on Amazon.com in both print and Kindle format, and can also be purchased through a number of bookstores' websites, including Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble. There are also copies available to be borrowed at some libraries. The print version can also be purchased directly from my printing service, here: https://www.createspace.com/4320982

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   I have four books published at the moment, and "De Facto Dead" will make five. I also have some short stories available in larger anthologies.

Question:  List all of your titles.

The Beginning of The Wolf (out of print)

Hunt (Book One in the DeathSpeaker Trilogy)

Beyond Doorways

Dragon Circle

Dead Man's Dog

Evidence of Autumn (anthology)

Heroes & Villains (anthology)

De Facto Dead (due out November 2, 2015)

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

   I am just putting the finishing touches on "De Facto Dead", the next part in the "Roger Lamb Case Files", a series about a private detective who has recently learned that all the things he once believed to be "paranormal" are actually true. Living in the fictional city of Spectre, New York, Roger works alongside Officer Alexis Berkley to solve cases and protect people from monsters that lurk under beds and behind masks that make them look human. "De Facto Dead" is the second story in the "Roger Lamb Case Files". The first, "Dead Man's Dog", was a short story published in my second book, "Beyond Doorways", a collection of five horror short stories. "Dead Man's Dog" is available to be read for free on my website.

"De Facto Dead" is due out on November 2, 2015.

   After it is released, I plan to spend the month of November participating in National Novel Writing Month, working on "The God Stone", the second book in the "DeathSpeaker Trilogy". There are also some other books planned out in the future. The third and final book in the "DeathSpeaker Trilogy" is already planned, although the title is not being released yet.

   There is also another "Roger Lamb Case File" in the works, tentatively planned for release in the summer of 2016', called "Dead Man Knocking".

   Past that, we'll see what I can sink my teeth into.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

    "De Facto Dead" continues following Roger Lamb as he works as a private detective in Spectre, New York. Roger is working some smaller cases for some blissfully-normal clients when Officer Alexis Berkley, a friend and frequent-colleague, calls him asking for help with a triple-homicide that looks like an animal attack, except that the bite marks are human... sort of. Things get weird, as they tend to do in Spectre, when the murders don't stop even after the supposed culprit is caught and a missing person's case proves to be mixed up in the deaths of a number of unrelated victims, all killed viciously. Roger and Berkley have to work together to solve the mystery and protect the people in danger, all without having any idea of what exactly this monster is. Spectre is proving time and again to be the central gathering point for monsters of every kind, unfortunately the only kind of luck Roger have is bad.

As stated. "De Facto Dead" is due out November 2, 2015.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

   The books I write, like those I read, are eclectic. I range across possible topics like a kid playing hopscotch in a transporter beam. I say I write fantasy, paranormal thriller, and mystery, but my books also touch on science fiction, horror, romance, and somehow I manage to be funny. Occasionally it's even on purpose. I've been inspired by JRR Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" - the books, which I read when I was young, although the movies were wonderfully done. I also grew up on "Star Wars", "Star Trek", and John Wayne movies. My first Doctor wore a sprig of celery on his lapel. I'm a bit of a nerd. Well, I say a bit...

   I’ve officially declared myself a professional goofball. You can find pictures of me on my website wearing "The Cat in the Hat's" tall hat, or grinning over the rim of a tea cup filled with... well, it actually might have been tea, coffee, or soup. Could of maybe been the bitter tears of the characters I have put through hell. I like to have fun, both within the pages of my books and beyond them. I love studying mythology and psychology, and you'll find I use both liberally in my books. My characters tend to be fun to get to know, even the ones we don't like all that much, and every one of them is written with aching depth, time spent building them, and breaking them.

   I have a lot of fun writing, and I also spend a lot of time writing, studying characters, researching, and putting everything together. I enjoy what I do and I write stories that interest me. They seem to be pretty fun for other people, too, and I've met a lot of really great people through writing them. If you like dragons, ghosts or haunted houses; if you want to see what the world could look like after World War III, or if you wonder what it might be like if werewolves were real, I have an answer. It might not be the right one; but right is boring. I can promise you it will be interesting.

   Step inside one of my worlds and you won't be bored. I can't promise you won't get lost, but you'll be in good company.

~ Casey Fry

Website:  http://www.caseyfry.weebly.com

NOW:  “Turn the page to a new world.”

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  It is definitely quite obvious to me that you love writing.  Your books sound like they are filled with high adventure and will keep a reader spellbound.  I generally like a good fiction fantasy type book.  So I will definitely be checking out your books.  Good luck with your future writing, and thanks for the interview.