Don A. Holbrook

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada - USA

Age: 50ish

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   I have published over ten books beginning in 2006' with the "Little Black Book of Economic Development" - An Award Winning Best Seller and #1 in my genre, and now I am focused on the culmination of my professional experience in my Next America Series of Books.

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

   "The Little Black Book of Economic Development" in 2007' by Xlibris a Division of Random House Publishing.

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

   It was published by Xlbiris-Random House.

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 an expose on the insider industry of doling out government economic incentives to companies in order to attract them from one community to another… (Economic Development). It laid open the very behind the scene clandestine operations of this boardroom closed door negotiation process, and I had over 50 elite industry insiders interviewed to share their thoughts about the positive and negative of this process.

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

   Yes, it has been a #1 best seller for several years in the Economic Development and Government policy genre on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   About ten and I have four still in the edit process right now.  I try to publish about one per year now.

Question:  List all of your titles =

No… I’ll list my best sellers;

"The Little Black Book of Economic Development" - now in its 2^nd Revised Edition-Two Knights One Horse Publishing

"Who Moved My SmokeStack" - Xibris/Random House

"The Art of the Deal Today" - Self Published

"The Rebirth of the American Dream"

"The Next America-Moving beyond a fragile Economy" - 1^st Edition, 2011-Self Published

"The Immortal Flaw"- (First Fiction Short Story)- Two Knights One Horse Publishing

"The Next America-Surviving and Thriving in anUnpredictable Economy" - 2^nd Edition (my current book) March 2014 by Motivational Press.

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

   My first major fiction novel is due to hit the press December 2015- "The Ninth Templar"-Book 1.  This is a modern adventure thriller that is based upon the discovery in 1128 made by the Knights Templar Order under King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.  It tells the tale of how they eventually were betrayed and many murdered so that the Church and the King of France could obtain their precious treasury and secret discovery.  But the secret and the treasure were never found… it moves to modern times and the Ninth Templar heir must discover his true identity and then why everyone is trying to kill him and then solve the mystery of what needs to be done to find the secrets and solve the mystery so that humanity will not perish.

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

   "The Next America-Surviving and thriving in an Unpredictable Economy"- 2^nd Edition

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?

  Every American needs to understand what things in America need to be changed and what things need to be restored and/or improved upon.  If you do not know what is broken and why, and you cannot explain that to others with a simple and factual description of how to fix such issues you cannot advocate effectively.  People will just label you as another ranting activist. All of us (We the People) need to understand that we are either part of the problem or part of the solution.  My book is a great guide and simple written tool to explain what changes we must make to preserve America as a capitalist nation and not succumb or slowly slide into socialism.  Everyone can and should have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream, but without action now we will lose that ability in the next few years.  I want us to all act collectively to make the changes that will rebuild the American Dream for all of us not just the elite 2%.

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

 

   There is a $.99 Cent USD special on my eBook right now to celebrate America’s Birthday.  Here is the URL: Next America- 2^nd Edition by Don Holbrook Amazon ASIN #B00J9V2BMG

http: http://www.amazon.com/Next-America-Survive-Unpredictable-Economy-ebook/dp/B00J9V2BMG/

Here is the Book Trailer below:

Blog Writer's Note to Author:  I can tell you have a lot to say.  I have to admit that you have definitely given me a lot of food for thought.  The American Dream often times feels like an unreachable illusion, but I have to admit that I haven't always done my part to try and fix what is broken.  So I guess I am somewhat to blame, along with many others.  I will definitely be checking out your books.  Good luck with your writing and thanks for the interview.

Barbara Chevalier

Pictured: Barbara Chevalier

Location:  Texas (U.S.A.)

Age: 45

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   I have been writing since shortly after learning to read in elementary school. I had a natural passion for reading, and writing followed. Many teachers over the years told me I had writing talent and abilities.

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

   "Keep Searching For Blue Jays" is my first book, which was published and became available on June 25, 2015.

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

   I self-published it through Createspace.

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

   I asked God for years for a story worthy of writing about...

In 2006, my 14-year-old son, Bryan was home alone when the doorbell rang. He pried himself away from his video game, and when he answered the door, he was shot in his chest. When he turned around to get away, he was shot in the back at point-blank range with a 9 mm. When my husband and I arrived home from dinner, our house was a taped off crime scene. The police told us there had been an accident and my son had been taken via CareFlite to a local trauma hospital. Later, we would find out the person who shot my son aspired to be a notorious serial killer. Just a few days earlier he shot at an elderly couple and missed.

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

https://www.createspace.com/5550865 or by title search ("Keep Searching For Blue Jays") on www.Amazon.com

link to the book from my personal website: www.keepsearchingforbluejays.com

Question:  How many total books have you published?

"Keep Searching For Blue Jays" is my first book published.

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

   An outline for a workbook that goes with "Keep Searching For Blue Jays" is in the works.

   I have started a book that will not be a series to "Keep Searching For Blue Jays" but will be related. I am unsure about future dates as this project is in the infancy stages currently.

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

   "Keep Searching For Blue Jays" is the title of my current book.

   This book is like a combination of "The Sixth Sense", "Heaven is For Real", "The Shack", with a true crime feel and an inspirational message.

   It is intense, inspiring, unbelievable, courageous and difficult to put down. Most feedback received so far is: "I read it from cover to cover in one sitting"

"I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything so I re-read it again"

"Intense and couldn't put the book down"

"Inspirational"

"Wow"

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?

   As entertaining as this book is there is also a message of how to deal with issues from a positive perspective and the benefits of finding the silver lining in every situation. My family lived through many people's worst nightmare. We are stronger because of it and have a new perspective of what is important in life. You will hug your loved ones tighter and know beyond a shadow of a doubt what matters and what doesn't matter at all after reading about my family's experience.

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

   Most everything I am involved in has something to do with signs. "Cardinal Connections" (also on my keepsearchingforbluejays.com website) is my blog about signs from loved ones who have passed. My initial story of asking God for blue jays as a sign is the introductory article. The blog is a forum that I interview others about the signs they receive whether from God or loved ones who have passed, and then write an article for their approval based on their story and input. Upon approval, the article is then published to the blog. Cardinal Connection is place for their loved one's memory to be honored.

Blog Writer's Note to Author:  First, let me just say how sorry I am that good people have to deal with nightmares like the one you described.  You know when I first started this blog I had no idea some of the stories I would hear that writer's were inspired to write.  Some are interesting and amazing, and others are just downright horrific.  It also amazing me how many great stories that have been written have to be self-published, when I feel your story definitely should have been published the traditional way.  So many people every day go to answer a knock at their front door, while not really thinking too much about it, but after reading this interview I can say that I will definitely be giving it a second thought.  Good Luck to you with your future writing projects, and thanks for the interview.  My blog is definitely more enriched because of it.

S. Richard (Rich) Nelson

Location:  

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Question:  How long have you been writing?

     I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was in college but I didn’t know if I was any good at it. So, on a whim, I sent one of my college papers to a popular magazine and, surprisingly, they published it.

     After leaving college, I began working as a commercial copywriter for a major advertising agency in Los Angeles, CA. I then went on to become a grant writer. During this time I continued to freelance for a number of different magazines.

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

    The first book I wrote is called,“This is Life Eternal”. It was not, however, the first book I published. The first book I published is called “Turning Faith into Power.”

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

     All of my books, so far, have been 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)?

     The idea for “Turning Faith into Power”, came while I was listening to a pastor speak about the need to increase our faith. I began to wonder how much faith I possibly had. How do you even gauge that? And if I did increase my faith, what would that look like, what kind of difference, what kind of improvement would it make in my life, in my personality, in my love of God and others?

      Generally speaking, when we talk about faith we only have a vague notion of what faith is. The questions I had about my own faith led me to want to write about faith in a more practical sense, not simply how do I increase my faith but how do I use that increased faith to bless my life and the lives of those around me.

      As I began to examine the concept of increased faith, I discovered that faith is not a passive concept we hold in our hearts. Instead, it is the very essence of power in all intelligent life. All of us, no matter our belief or lack of beliefs, for that matter, act by the power of faith. “Turning Faith into Power” is a sort of instruction manual for applying that faith in a more practical way.

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

     Yes, “Turning Faith into Power” is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions. Anyone interested can find it at:

www.amazon.com/author/srichardnelson

Question:  How many total books have you published?

    I have published 4 books so far. Three of them, including “Turning Faith into Power” are part of “The Powerful Christian Series”.

Question:  List all of your titles =

"This is Life Eternal"

"Turning Faith into Power"

"Gaining Power through Prayer"

"The Added Power of Obedience"

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

     I am currently writing the fourth book in the Powerful Christian Series; “The Healing Power of Forgiveness.” This book will be available beginning September 2015'. Another three titles, released at about 3 month intervals, will complete the series.

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

     God has given us great power to help us live our lives here on Earth. One of the greatest of those powers, in the power of forgiveness is this inner power of forgiveness that changes lives and brings increased joy and peace into our hearts. In fact, we are most like Jesus Christ when we forgive an injustice done by someone.

“The Healing Power of Forgiveness” emphasizes three crucial aspects of this power.

1)              Receiving forgiveness for ourselves,

2)              Forgiving the wrongs of others,

3)              And, equally important, learning to forgive ourselves.

     The powerful gift of forgiveness has the potential to bring us back

from the depths of despair and to bring us peace. The purpose of “The Healing Power of Forgiveness” is to bring the strength and comfort of the Holy Spirit to all those who are reaching out to find peace in a hurtful world.

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 believe in the power of conviction. Our convictions help us rise above a passive life of indifference. Oftentimes, even though we have deep-seated convictions, we don’t clearly see the practical day-to-day application of our convictions. God’s greatest power shouldn’t lie dormant in any of us.

      It is my hope and purpose, through the books I have written, to help people reach inside and master the God-given powers they already have within themselves. I sincerely believe that through the practical application of our convictions our lives can go from ordinary and insignificant to miraculous and joyful.

      I just want to share this concept with as many people as possible.

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

     God did not give us a “spirit of fear but of power." (2 Timothy 1:7) There is a power in Christ not only to calm the seas but also to calm the storms of the human heart, to mend the hurt of broken and defeated souls. We can learn to trust more in His power. We can learn to rely more on the power He gives each of us. We can seek His grace, that enabling and sacred power which makes all the difference in our lives.

Blog Writer's Note to Author:  It always amazes me when things aren't going great for me that I always seem to find someone, or something that helps me put things into perspective.  Your interview has definitely done that.  I will definitely be checking out your book series.  Thanks for the interview.

David Wardrop

Location: 

UK/Scotland Glasgow Bearsden East Dunbartonshire

Age: 30 years old

Question:  How long have you been writing?

   For about ten years.

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

  "The Gardens of Zarma" in 2008'.

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

     I self-published on Lulu.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 Gardens of Zarma" is about the largest gardens in the universe. The inspiration is Science Fiction in general, and at the time I was working in Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

(Click Here to Order)!

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

   Yes, on Lulu.com

Question:  How many total books have you published?

   I've published 5.

Question:  List all of your titles =

Gardens of Zarma

Sexanto

Dazzling

After

Long Walk Home

Invisible Assault

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

   A number, some closer to completion than others;"Ruin" is a story about a superhero who gets disabled. "Two Phoenix" is about two high school students who became friends after a high school shooting.

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

   "Generation" is about a world where every single person is judged on how they lived their lives and the legacy they have left.

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?

   Would like to think my work is unique and unlike most writers. I don’t write sequels or sagas.

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

   At some point I might write for comics/graphic novels.

Blog Writer's Note to Author: It's quite obvious to me that you have a strong love for writing.  I like the fact that your books weight heavily in the Science Fiction genre, because that is usually what I like reading.  I'll definitely check out your books, and thank you for the interview.