By way of introduction, here is Naomi Laeuchli’s bio:
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Naomi Laeuchli has lived overseas in nine different countries on three different continents where her family was posted with the American Foreign Service.
In November 2012 she moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo back to the states and currently lives in Arizona with five horses. She works as a freelance writer and part time at the local library. She has written several interactive stories forChoice of Games, Tales, and Dorian.
Hello, Naomi , welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you so much for having me.
Is writing your full-time profession?
It’s not but besides my fiction writing I do get to do some freelance writing as well. My other part-time job is working at the small local library in my town.
How long have you been writing?
Since around six? I was homeschooled, and writing was a part of our school. Every day I had to write for 30 minutes. I could write whatever I wanted.
For about one year I wrote nothing but Neopet fanfiction. For another year I wrote a fantasy book in which, whenever I didn’t know what to do next, I’d just introduce another character. There. Were. So. Many. Characters.
My mother would read what I wrote and help with spelling and a little bit of grammar. According to her, there’d be times when the spelling was so bad that it would be impossible to tell what I’d meant to say, and I would have forgotten by then, and when the sentences were truly indecipherable, I’d cry.
Have you won any literary awards?
It’s not a literary award, but it was a writing contest! I write interactive fiction over on the Dorian app. In 2022, they partnered with Lionsgate Entertainment for a writing competition, where you had to write a three-episode interactive story set in the Blair Witch universe and my story won. It got mentioned on the Forbes website which was neat.
WOW! Congratulations!
How many published books have you written?
I have two self-published books available: The Schoolmaster’s Daughter and a collection of Christmas short stories. I also have a spy/action interactive novel published through Choice of Games, as well as the vampire horror Blood in the Water on Tales and several interactive games on the Dorian app including Be My Sire, My Vampire’s Kiss, and Dating the Dragon.
Which genres do you write?
I love writing in all the genres. Mystery, fantasy, romance, thriller, action… It really all comes down to what story I’m currently interested in.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing a mystery thriller, but I’ve also got another regency romance in my head that I’d like to write, as well as a hero for a fantasy novel that I’m trying to find the right plot to fit to.
What is your favorite book review from a reader?
“Ok they can get married and have babies now. No need for the next ten chapters.”
Can you share a random interesting fact about yourself?
Last year I was in the top 1% of Taylor Swift listeners on Spotify. (It helps to have to drive 90 minutes to get anywhere. Lots of time for Tay Tay!)
What are your favorite books?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Thud by Terry Pratchett, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling, and Venetia by Georgette Heyer.
(Is it fair to name four? That’s the closest I’ve ever come to pairing it down.)
Four is a nice round number!
Who has influenced your writing the most?
My mother, without a doubt and how much she has always supported my writing and, for this book specifically, Georgette Heyer.
When you’re not writing, where can we find you?
On my horse, underground in a cave, or in my armchair with a cup of coffee and a (hopefully good!) book.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie, and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
Every regency story requires there to be a dance scene at a ball. And those dances always look like so much fun. I would love to be one of the background dancers, while our hero and heroine have their required dance moment.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
Ask him what breed the dog is.
Where can we find your books?
Amazon and (very soon?) Audible. At the time of answering these questions, The Schoolmaster’s Daughter is in the process of being turned into an audiobook.
Thank you, Naomi, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!
For information about Naomi’s featured book and giveaway, click the link.
Hello, Melissa , welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you so much for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
It’s always been something that has interested me but I never knew what I wanted to write about.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No, I wish. I am the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the MN State IT Center of Excellence.
How long have you been writing?
This is my debut book so I have only been writing for a year.
Which genre do you write?
I write children’s books.
What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?
I think the most challenging part is writing in a way that is suitable for young children but still being true to the story you want to tell.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book in this series Grandpa Loved the Farm.
It will be about my husband’s grandfather and the amazing things he taught us about farm life.
Image courtesy of Melissa Rouso.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
The inspiration for this book is my real life. I wrote this book about my grandfather who help heal injured birds when I was young.
So when we came to visit you never knew which animal you would find. It was amazing to be a part of bird releases.
He loved to share his passion for nature and those that live in it with us and I wanted to continue his legacy by teaching others.
What is your favorite book review from a reader?
The ones that mean the most have been from those who knew him and talk about the memories this book brought back for them.
Can you share a random interesting fact about yourself?
I have a Doctorate degree in Education.
Wow! Congratulations!
What spark started one of your stories?
It really was to honor my grandfather. We have a lot of babies being born in my family and they will never have a chance to know him.
My brother and I are the oldest of 16 grandkids and we were the only ones to have these experiences with him so it was important for me to capture these memories for my family.
Image courtesy of Melissa Rouso.
What is one of your favorite scenes that you’ve written? Why?
In this book there is a scene where grandpa is sharing facts about cardinals and the kids ignore him because they are too focused on their phones.
While, obviously, we didn’t have cell phones when I was growing up in the early 90’s, the point of the scene was to show how wrapped up we all get in technology that we miss the important moments that are happening right in front of us and those moments are finite.
I hope it is a scene that gets parents to think a bit about making memories and seizing those moments.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
Hearing all the stories from those who knew him. He lived in a small town in southern Minnesota and was integral in the creation of their local bird club as well as birding along the Mississippi river, so there have been so many memories and stories shared of his impact on others.
I added a page of photos of my grandpa at the end of the book so people can see he is a real person and they show images from his time with the birds. I felt it was important for people to see that these are real stories.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Do it. It’s been a learning experience but I have been lucky enough to find an amazing community on facebook that has been so supportive and has provided and immense amount of feedback and advice.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
This was truly a passion project. I want to write books that mean something to me and are about people who mean something to me.
What message are you sharing in your books?
I want people to see how wrapped up we all get in technology that we miss the important moments that are happening right in front of us and those moments are finite.
I hope it is a scene that gets parents to think a bit about making memories and seizing those moments.
When you’re not writing, where can we find you?
I am usually with my 16 year-old daughter hammocking in Twin Cities area of Minnesota or at my parents in southern Minnesota.
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
So far it has been word of mouth and just hustling on social media.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
Tiktok: @melissarousuauthor
Where can we find your books?
My books are currently sold on Amazon and some local shops in Minnesota.
Thank you, Melissa, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck.
Grandpa Bill had a deep love and understanding of wild things. He shared this love with his grandchildren, showing them the wonders of nature and the creatures that inhabit it.
Grandpa Loved Wild Things is a heartwarming children’s book about the bond between a grandfather and his grandchildren, and the wisdom and love for nature that he imparts to them.
Stewart Sutters lives in a little fishing town in the UK. He works as a graphic designer by day. He has a (very) small woodwork shop, which is pretty much fitted out with tools and supplies etc.
Hello, Stewart, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
I have always had a love for films, storytelling, and anything creative. Then after creating Stewbot for real at the start of covid, my mission was to write his story.
Is writing your full-time profession?
Unfortunately, it’s not. However, I would love it to be one day.
How long have you been writing?
I started to write during the covid lockdown.
How many published books have you written?
This is my debut book. It is available in hardback, paperback, Ebook, and I also published a colouring and activity book to accompany the book.
Which genre do you write?
Children’s picture books.
What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?
Trying to tell a story with limited pictures and words is a challenge. Then throw in the challenge of writing in rhyme. Whilst writing in prose would have been easier, personally I just love reading books that rhyme.
What are you working on now?
I am working on book two, Stewbot and the Disappearing Planets.
The evil Dr. Chewin is flying around the galaxy, zapping planets, and turning them into giant dog chews, and then eating them.
With planet Neklong soon to be zapped, they make a call to Stewbot. I am at the stage of editing text and have started on illustrations. Book three is also at first draft. Stewbot and the Race to Save Christmas.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
My inspiration comes from my own relationship with my grandchildren. I love watching how their imagination works through role play.
My other inspiration for the Stewbot stories is based on a very old 1970’s TV series in the UK called Mr Benn. Mr Benn would walk into a fancy dress shop and try on an outfit. He would walk through a door and was transported into an adventure based on that outfit.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
Just finishing writing my first book was at the top. Then selling my first book was an amazing achievement for me. Third was seeing some children dress up as my characters on world book day.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Well, I still feel like I am starting out, so difficult to really give advice. I guess the only advice I can give is to always be willing to learn and take all criticism as being positive.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
When I got my wood shop, my wife thought I was going to be making cool things like furniture; however, I made one robot, and then another.
And now I am at over 70. I’m like the Forest Gump of robot makers. My big dream is to eventually see Stewbot in his own TV series, or even the big screen.
What message are you sharing in your books?
Whilst I understand the importance of books that delve into children’s emotions, mental health, and social issues, I wanted my books to simply promote the fantastic relationships that children and grandparents have, promoting imagination, mixed in with some silliness and fun.
What are your favourite books?
The Gruffalo, Aliens Love Underpants, and Stich Head.
If you could create an author’s group with writers from any time period, who would you invite?
Any writer from the year 2084. I would then be able to ask them if they knew my name, and if my books became successful. And who played Pops in the movie.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
Stewbot. If it was not for this little wooden robot, I would not have ended up writing. And my mate Jeff, who is simply an amazing writer and poet.
When you’re not writing where can we find you?
Out in my woodwork shop making wooden robots to sell. I have made over 70 now and sold them to people in countries such as Germany, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Nigeria, and Los Angeles.
A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie, and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
I would be the shop keeper in the supermarket. I’m loving the movie idea.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
“Let sleeping dogs lie”.
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
Very good question. My answer is that I am still working on that. Maybe online interviews if this leads to lots of people buying my book.
William has been writing for more than thirty years and enjoys the cathartic release of diving into a good story with a flawed hero.
He began his military service in the US Army, retired in 1993, and took a job teaching high school in inner-city Baltimore, Maryland for the next thirteen years.
He is happily married to a true southern belle. They have been married fifty-one years. They have four grown children and seven grandchildren. William lives with his wife in a beautiful small home on a quiet waterfront in northeast Florida.
Hello, William, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
I started writing fiction in middle school, but I didn’t become serious about it until I deployed overseas. We worked twelve-hour shifts, 12 on and 12 off. So, when I got a few hours to myself, I wrote my first book.
While researching and interviewing subject-matter experts for the story, many of them told me they had always wanted to write a novel, or they had started writing, but had not finished it.
I decided during that period in my life that I would not be one of those people who never wrote or never finished their books. So, I wrote furiously and finished my third draft one year later.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No. I am a retired military officer and high school teacher.
I have a lot more time to write now than I did during my career, so I am enjoying the experience of retirement and hobby writing. Not that I don’t take it seriously.
I try to spend several hours on my computer each day. But my full-time work now is taking care of my disabled wife.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since 1989, so that would be over 35 years.
How many published books have you written?
I have self-published seven books but haven’t broken into the traditional publishing arena.
Which genres do you write?
My first book was a Men’s Military action/adventure novel. I wanted to write using my experience and wrote about men in combat and their lives afterwards.
My second book was an Espionage thriller. In the early 2000s, a friend with spina bifida inspired me to write a series of books about a young boy born with spina bifida who got suckedinto an adventure game on his computer.
I recently rewrote the three books and published the first one called The Farnsworth Chronicles. Each time he goes inside the computer, he has to give up something in order to walk. It is a Middle Grade Modern Day Fantasy.
My current genre is really narrow because I wanted to write the stories which were in my heart. That genre is Christian/LDS Action/Adventure Thrillers.
What are you working on now?
A series in which the hero/protagonist is like an Indiana Jones and also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.
Somewhere along the line, he is going to meet up with my hero from my current series and they will have a major impact on the life decisions and life goals of each other.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
I watched the first several seasons of Ancient Aliens and similar shows with mysteries to get ideas for my books.
I watch for shows, magazines, and books that deal with little-known pieces of information I can use to create fictional stories based on fact and involve characters of strength, faith, and love.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I’ve done the voiceovers for each of my books, so they are now available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.
I enjoy taking my own stories and giving voice with my interpretation of how they sound. I am not very good at accents, but I enjoy the work and find it the most rewarding.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Write your first book until it is finished before you decide to go back and edit it. It is more important to finish it than it is to make it perfect when you finish. If you try to edit as you go, it may take you many years to finish, and you may eventually give up trying.
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
I am a very strong believer in God, Jesus Christ, and in modern-day prophets. I am trying to write my books in a way to help readers understand how God intervenes in ourlives without taking away our free will/free agency to make our own decisions.
What message are you sharing in your books?
God allows us to make our own decisions. However, when we appeal to him for help and subsequently decide to do what is not the will of God, he will arrange things in our life to bring us back to the right path.
The trick is to live the way God wants us to live all the time, and not just when it is most convenient for us.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
I started with Tom Clancy (Jack Ryan), moved to Vince Flynn (Mitch Rapp), then to Lee Child (Jack Reacher), and now Mark Greaney (Cort Gentry), and the many characters of David Baldacci.
Can you see a trend? These authors write about characters I find appealing, and their books align with my writing interests, but with a Christian influence.
Can you picture Jack Reacher as a man with strong Christian principles, caught in situations where violence is necessary for survival and protection? Meet Orson Kincaid, the protagonist of my story.
When you’re not writing, where can we find you?
I am a family man. Now that I am retired, I try to spend all my time with or doing things for my family.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?
I would immediately step back and search for the animal control representative, known as 24-7, to report a stray and ill dog.
What are your most effective marketing strategies?
I have a cover designer who is a genius and a marketing manager who gets my books and audiobooks out there very effectively.
I try to write regularly for my blog, and let my readers know what kind of books they will get if they select my books to read.
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
Yes. I have a blog I write at author-william-staub.com. I also have a Facebook and an Instagram page on which I make appearances.
Where can we find your books?
All my books are print-on-demand. Amazon is the main printer.
Thank you, William, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck.
Photo courtesy of: Cait Maire via functionallyfictional.com
By way of introduction, here is Cait Marie’s bio.:
Cait Marie has been obsessed with books her entire life. The love
of writing didn’t hit until 2017. Since then, she has held multiple positions
within Coffee House Writers, including C.O.O., Advertising Supervisor, Editor,
and Writer.
In 2018, she used her passion for reading to create Functionally
Fictional. In 2019, she joined the indie staff of YA Books Central as a
reviewer and then Indie Assistant Blogger.
Cait graduated with honors in 2019 from Southern New Hampshire
University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and she is currently enrolled
in their Master of Fine Arts program.
She lives in Indiana, where she freelance edits
and provides a variety of other author services. When she’s not writing or
reading, she can usually be found watching Disney movies or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, creating bullet journal spreads, or singing along to
various soundtracks and showtunes.
Now that you’ve been introduced to Cait Marie, let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, Cait Maire, welcome to Angel
Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare
you?
I never liked to write, but I always loved to read. When I moved back home in 2015, I started reading more, and a book didn’t go exactly how I wanted.
So, I said to myself, “Why don’t I just write my own book? Then I can put anything I want in it!” I basically wanted all the tropes in one story, and I was bored.
Is writing your full-time
profession?
No, it’s not. I am a freelance editor, and I offer a number of author services. I also own the book website Functionally Fictional, which I am working on building into a full company.
It’s my goal to offer self-publishing authors help throughout the entire process, from writing and editing to publishing and marketing.
How long have you been writing?
I started in 2015, but I didn’t start seriously writing with the intent of making it a career until 2018. Even then, I was still getting a psychology degree and writing wasn’t my main focus.
I thought the books would be something on the side. In 2019, I decided to apply to an MFA program instead of continuing with psychology after graduation, and I decided to start self-publishing.
How many published books have you
written?
My first book releases today, March 18, 2020.
A big CONGRATULATIONS!
Which genres do you write?
Young adult fantasy, contemporary
romance, dystopian, and some science fiction, as well as new adult fantasy and
contemporary romance. Most of the books border the YA/NA line.
What do you find most challenging
writing for these genres?
Usually, the distinction between YA
and NA is the most difficult for me. I don’t know how to categorize most of my
books because they’re written more like YA, but the characters are in their
early 20s a lot of the time. NA also has a bad rep in the book community,
unfortunately.
What are you working on now?
I am writing a YA contemporary
romance, The Last Summer, which I’m aiming to release in June.
Where do you find inspiration for
your characters?
I read a lot and watch a lot of movies. Well, not the latter so much anymore, but I used to.
I tend to pull my favorite qualities from a number of favorite characters and kind of mix them up for the specific story. For example, Adalina in The Lost Legends was greatly inspired by Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean.
What has been your most rewarding
experience since publishing your work?
I haven’t published yet, but I have sent out the advanced readers copies, and the reviews have started coming in. Seeing that people actually love my book has been so rewarding.
I’ve had a lot of self-confidence issues in the past, so to read these amazing reviews, especially from strangers saying they read the whole thing in one sitting because they couldn’t stop… it’s just incredible. It’s an 82,000-word book—it isn’t short. That takes some serious commitment.
What advice would you give to
authors just starting out?
Plan ahead and don’t give up. It is a lot of work. A LOT. But it is so worth it. Definitely plan things out though.
Too often I see authors doing things last minute and not putting a lot into the marketing aspect of it. The marketing side is just as important as the writing if you want your books to actually reach readers.
That’s one of the reasons I am building up my website. I know this part is hard for many authors, and I want to help.
Is there anything else you’d like
your readers to know about you?
See above answer haha. I really want to help indie authors. There are so many good books out there that people don’t know about because they don’t have the reach.
I don’t have the biggest following by any means, but I want to help. I just finished editing a book, for example, that was unbelievably good. It could easily be compared to some of the YA fantasy books from big publishers.
I do not know how big this author’s readership is, but I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
What message are you sharing in
your books?
To follow your dreams and your heart,
and to never give up. And that it is okay to believe in fairy tales.
What are your favorite books?
All of the Shadowhunter books by Cassandra Clare. The A Court of Thorns and Roses series and the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. The Ravenspire series by C. J. Redwine. Michelle MacQueen and Ann Maree Craven’s two contemporary series, Redefining Me and Discovering Me.
If you could create an author’s group
with writers from any time period, who would you invite?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Confession time, I’ve actually never read a full book from another time period. I’ve read bits and pieces, but never a full book.
I really struggle with them… So, here are some cliché answers because I love the movies based on their books: Jane Austen, J. R. R. Tolkien, L. Frank Baum, and C. S. Lewis.
Who has influenced your writing the
most?
Probably Sarah J. Maas for many reasons. First and foremost, it was her books that caused the love of reading to fully take over my life.
They sparked the reading frenzy that led to the creation of Functionally Fictional because I needed a place to talk about books. I needed to find others who loved them as much as I do.
This then led to my involvement in the writing community and then my own books. More than that though, her books made me feel something I never had before.
The way she makes readers connect to her characters is so powerful, and that’s something I strive for now with my own.
When you’re not writing where can
we find you?
Usually reading, editing, doing
homework, working on promotional stuff for my books, or Functionally Fictional
stuff. I also use a bullet journal and love creating new spreads.
A movie producer wants to turn your
book into a movie, and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?
Probably someone in the background
in the Tugora tavern scene if they could make my wheelchair blend in somehow.
An elf named 12-25 approaches you.
He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog
on his cheek. What do you do?
I have no idea. See if he’s okay, then ask about his name and tattoo…
Photo courtesy of Cait Marie via facebook
What are your most effective marketing
strategies?
Start early and PLAN! Plan when you’re going to do different types of promotion and work ahead.
For example, for my book that released today, I sent the book to the editor in November, then immediately started planning the marketing.
I decided to begin promotion January 1, with the cover reveal and pre-order opening a couple weeks later. After that, I did a different teaser graphic or book-related every Wednesday, and will continue to until the release, which is today.
However, I didn’t just plan this first book. I planned out the whole year, with a book coming out every four months. And each book will follow the same basic marketing timeline. I will gladly share the exact details of this with other authors if they’re interested.
Photo courtesy of: Cait Marie via functionallyfictional.com
Do you have a website/Facebook
page, etc?
All of the above. Here’s a list of
most of my links:
All her life, Princess Adalina heard tales of the legendary, immortal warriors known as the Nihryst. Cursed and bound to a deck of tarot cards by her ancestors, the Nihryst were stranded on a remote island nearly a century and a half earlier.
Her brother, Prince Shane, is destined to rule the kingdom of Detmarya. Though preparing for this role has encompassed his entire life, control of the kingdom may come sooner than expected due to their father’s sporadic behavior.
Discovering the king’s plan to set a war in motion with a mass assassination, Ada unwittingly joins a crew of pirates in search of the only beings powerful enough to stop him: the Nihryst. Meanwhile, Shane and a group of underground rebels make a haunting discovery of a plague infecting the streets of Detmarya.
With a looming deadline to save multiple kingdoms and thousands of innocent lives, both royal siblings join quests worthy of Ada’s beloved fairy tales.
Ms. Tee has been around the block a few times and has the scars to prove it. Born and raised in Harlem, she has firsthand experience with 7th Avenue’s rough and tumble reputation.
She has endured and overcome life’s hardships, earning two college degrees while raising her child alone. She is a single mother, an author, a publisher, a realtor, and an inspiration to women who never give up.
Now that I’ve introduced you to Ms. Tee, let’s get to know her a little better.
Hello, Ms. Tee, and welcome. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
What inspired you to be a writer?
I began writing five years after someone killed my brother. I needed to get what I was thinking out. Once I went over all the events that happened in my life I knew I had a story to tell.
Is writing your full-time profession?
No. I am a Licensed NY Realtor. I own my publishing company and have another published author under my company.
Right now I work for ABC studios in Production. A good friend of mine sold a story to the EPIX network. So I’m working in Production learning the craft.
How long have you been writing?
I only began back in 2005. My book was published in 2015. I am in the process of writing another book. My schedule is just crazy.
How many books have you written?
one
Photo courtesy of: Ms. Tee
Which genres do you write?
Urban Novels, Non- Fiction, and Erotica.
What do you find most challenging about writing for these genres?
When I write I don’t want to sound like every other book out there. I am a very descriptive writer. I want the reader to see and feel my emotions. I don’t like books that are predictable.
What are you working on now?
An Erotica book.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
The reviews from everyone have been great. Whether or not they agree with my past lifestyle people liked the story. Some of my readers say it should be made into a movie (I got an offer 2 years ago).
They say they can visualize the story while reading and that I make them feel as though they are right there. That was my intention.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
I tell people to just write or record their work. When your mind is set on “I’m writing a book”, you get stuck with how to write it. I tell people to write and then hire a professional proofreader and editor and allow them to format it.
What message are you sharing in your books?
I share a message about life in the urban areas. I grew up in a two-parent household with strict rules and still got myself into situations where I was shot and tied up for money. I share a story about choices and consequences.
What are your favorite books?
I like urban novels and suspense. I like Sister Souljah and James Patterson books.
What are your favorite movies, TV shows?
I like an urban classic called Claudine. I like dramas and comedies.
When you aren’t writing where can we find you?
I take part in a lot of book fairs and vending events.
What inspires you?
My daughter inspires me. She’s always looking for ways to make money. She teaches me about stocks and bonds. She’s always studying to make herself better.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing company?
Royal-T Publishing is my company. My dad came up with Royal-T. It is both our names scrambled. My dad died in 2003, which is ironic because I never thought I would be a writer let alone own a publishing company.
Thomas Minder is a genuine guy. He’s witty, smart, and insightful. If you ask for his opinion he’ll tell you the truth in a way that is helpful not hurtful. He enjoys a good joke, a good cup of coffee, and good Russian novel.
Currently, he lives with his wife, Paula, in New Jersey.
Now that I’ve introduced you to Tom let’s get to know him a little better.
Hello, Tom, and welcome. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
What inspired you to be a writer?
The works of Graham Greene, and Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment impressed me. I liked the approach and message of both writers and decided I wanted to develop a story along those lines.
This idea rattled in my brain for at least twenty years. I’d muse on it while mowing the lawn, taking long walks, and in down time. After a year of claiming to family and friends, I would retire and finally write my novel, I gave it a go.
I outlined The Long Harbor Testament in the fall of 2011.
Is writing your full-time profession?
Yes. Now that I’m retired I spend 20-25 hours a week on writing or related activities such as promotion, book signings, etc.
Have you won any awards?
The South Jersey Writers’ Group awarded me Writer of The Year in 2017.
This meetup group is an assembly of writers in various stages of their journey. There’s a lot of collaboration and mentoring among the members, and it was an honor to receive the award.
Congratulations!
How long have you been writing?
I started my first novel in the fall of 2011.
How many books have you written?
I just finished my third novel, The House Always Wins, which is the sequel to The Long Harbor Testament.
In between these two books, I wrote a series of short stories published in online journals. I put the best of these into my anthology called Chronicles of Sam.
Which genres do you write?
Mystery, humor, suspense. Is fast food a genre?
What are you working on now?
I’m in the early stages of planning the third novel in the Long Harbor trilogy. I know who I want to have as the protagonists, just not sure about the plot points yet.
What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
Conducting book signing at various Barnes and Nobles in the tristate area. I’m normally low key, but enjoy engaging with booksellers and customers about my books.
What advice would you give to authors just starting out?
Follow your idea throughout the process and don’t be swayed by the preferences of others. Only you can tell the story that interests you enough to bring it to life.
Photo courtesy of: Thomas MInder
Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?
I live in South Jersey and am influenced by the characters and situations I encounter, whether at a diner, casino, deep in the Pines, or pouring dark-roasted Columbian at the local Wawa.
What message are you sharing in your books?
That people face personal and moral challenges which influence their actions. There are a lot of grey areas, which make it difficult sometimes to tell the good guys from the bad.
What are your favorite books?
Anything by Terry Pratchett, Graham Greene, Tim Dorsey, or Douglas Adams. Throw in Crime and Punishment and the other novels of the Russian greats, and you have stories that draw you in by the characters as well as the plots.
What are your favorite movies, TV shows?
For movies: Casablanca, The Third Man, Young Frankenstein, and Halloween. Different conflicts, but still delving into personal motivation.
For TV: I love It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. If I was just a foot shorter, I could be the next Danny DeVito.
I also like British comedy and mysteries. Basil Fawlty is a personal hero. Vera, a PBS show about a British investigator who has a unique way of delving into crime, satisfies my need for intricate plot.
When you aren’t writing where can we find you?
Visiting my daughter and family, including our granddaughter Lydia. Also spending too much time at the casinos, convinced that I’m one spin away from untold riches.
