author interview | Ellwyn Autumn

Interview With Author Melissa Rousu

By way of introduction, here is Melissa Rousu’s bio:

Melissa Rousu lives in Minnesota with her husband Mike and daughter Samantha.

Rousu is the director of Strategic Initiatives at the Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence during the day and is excited for the launch of her debut children’s book Grandpa Loved Wild Things.

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.

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.

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.

Available on Amazon

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.

Interview With Debut Author Stewart Sutters

By way of introduction, here is Stewart’s bio:

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.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

www.robot-books.com

www.stewbot.co.uk

www.instagram.com/stewbot_uk

www.facebook.com/stewbotUK

Where can we find your books?

https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk

This site prints and delivers to the US, UK and worldwide.

https://books2read.com/stewbot

And on Amazon.

Thank you, Stewart, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck.

Available on Amazon.

The Tooth Fairy has had her wings stolen by a furry, four-legged thief, who is pretending to be her, and leaving dog chews under childrens pillows.

Can a super-hero, wooden robot really save the day? Is this the end of the Tooth Fairy as we know her? You just couldn’t make that up.

Well, you could if you are a Person Of Phenomenal Stories AKA, Pops.

Interview With Author William Staub

By way of introduction, here is William’s bio:

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 our lives 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.

Interview With Author Cait Marie

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:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/c8_marie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cait.marie.h/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caits.inner.circle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c8_marie/
Website: https://caitmarieh.com/
Functionally Fictional: https://functionallyfictional.com/
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/v1d5i1

Where can we find your books?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cait-Marie/e/B083W2CG3Z

Thank you, Cait Marie, for spending time with us and sharing your story. Good luck with the new book. We wish you lots of success!

Available on Amazon!

A plague. A prophecy. A centuries-long curse.

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.

Interview With Author/Publisher: Ms. Tee

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

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.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

My website is www.msteebooks.net or www.royal-tpublishing.com

My Instagram and FB are harlem_heorine, harlem heroine

Where can we find your books?

You can find my books on Amazon. Kindle, ibooks, goodreads and other sites.

Thank you, Ms. Tee, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success in the future and lots of luck.

Interview With Author Thomas Minder

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.

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.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

My Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads are below:

https://www.facebook.com/tom.minder.author/

https://twitter.com/tom_minder

https://tomminder.weebly.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16026652.Tom_Minder

Where can we find your books?

My books are on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Black Rose Writing

h ttps://www.amazon.com/Tom-Minder/e/B01MZ6T4FN

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-long-harbor-testament-tom-minder/1125252875?ean=978161296 8001

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-house-always-wins-tom-minder/1128945696?ean=9781684331222

http://www.blackrosewriting.com/mysterydetective/thehousealwayswins

http://www.blackrosewriting.com/suspensethriller/thelongha rbortestament

Thank you, Tom, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success in the future and lots of luck!

Interview With Author Meghan Holloway

Meghan Holloway has worn many hats in her lifetime: student, pilot, international traveler, crime fighter, information scientist, author, and has every intention to add more to her repertoire.

She can be reserved with newcomers, but once you get to know her, you’ll discover she’s a great conversationalist on a wide variety of topics. She loves dogs, food, and reading a good mystery snuggled up on her couch.

Now that I’ve introduced you to Meghan let’s get to know a little more about her.

Hello, Meghan, and welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a writer?

Writing and telling stories, has always been a compulsion for me. My love of stories began with sitting on my grandfather’s knee begging for tales from his boyhood.

As soon as my hands learned to fashion letters into words, I’ve written. I don‘t know if there was ever a conscious choice to write. Storytelling is simply part of what it has meant to be me.

If I had to pinpoint a source, I would say it‘s the Celtic blood in me, and I inherited the tendency from my grandfather, who spins tales with as much talent and care as a master weaver.

Is writing your full-time profession?

At this point in my life, I balance writing with working full time.

I am an information scientist, which involves a lot of data gathering and analysis, content management, building databases, etc. I love what I do and I work in an exciting, cutting-edge field.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for as long as I can remember, but nine years ago I set out intentionally to write a novel.

How many books have you written?

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH, releasing in May 2019 from Polis Books,will be my third published novel.

My first two books were published under a pseudonym with a publishing house that went out of business. Both were suspense novels with romantic elements and are now out of print.

I have already written my fourth novel, which will release in 2020. I am currently working on the rewrites for it before I put pen to paper and write my fifth book.

Which genre do you write for?

I write suspense thrillers, both contemporary and historical.

My upcoming May release, ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH, is a historical thriller set during WWII, in the wake of the liberation of Paris in 1944.

What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?

I think the most challenging part of being an author is the business side of things.

Being an author is very much a small business endeavor.

The product is my book, but there is a lot of marketing involved in selling that product. I am an introvert by nature, as I think many writers are, and it is hard work putting yourself out there, building a following, and putting in the legwork to sell your product.

What are you working on now?

I am going through the editing process with my upcoming release, ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH. I am thrilled to share this story with everyone.

The protagonist is an ordinary man drawn into extraordinary circumstances, and I think the tale will appeal to fans of historical dramas, literary fiction, war and military fiction, and mystery thrillers.

Rhys Gravenor, Great War veteran and Welsh sheep farmer, arrives in Paris in the midst of the city’s liberation with a worn letter in his pocket that may have arrived years too late.

As he follows the footsteps of his missing son across an unfamiliar, war-torn country, he struggles to come to terms with the incident that drove a wedge between the two.

Joined by Charlotte Dubois, an American ambulance driver with secrets of her own, Rhys discovers that even as liberation sweeps across France, the war is far from over.

And his personal war has only begun as he is haunted by memories of previous battles and hampered at every turn by danger and betrayal. In a race against time and the war, Rhys follows his son’s trail from Paris to the perilous streets of Vichy to the starving mobs in Lyon to the treacherous Alps.

But Rhys is not the only one searching for his son. In a race of his own, a relentless enemy stalks him across the country and will stop at nothing to find the young man first.

The country is in tatters, no one is trustworthy, and Rhys must unravel the mystery of his son’s wartime actions in the desperate hope of finding him before it’s too late. Too late to mend the frayed bond between them. Too late to beg his forgiveness. Too late to bring him home alive.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

I love the connection with readers that being an author facilitates. I have made so many friends through social media in the reading and writing community.

I am planning on attending conferences in the next year to carry those friendships over face to face.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Keep writing and be willing to accept criticism, especially when it is constructive.

Writing a story is hard work, but it is not until the editing process that it becomes a novel and you cannot edit a blank page.

When it comes down to it, treat writing like it is a job. Make the time every day to put words on paper. You are often too close to your story to recognize its weaknesses and where it needs bolstering.

Listen when others make suggestions. And realize that once your story is out there, not everyone will love it. The reader’s opinion is his or her prerogative.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I found my first Nancy Drew mystery in a sun-dappled attic at the age of eight and subsequently fell in love with the grip and tautness of a well-told mystery.

I flew an airplane before I learned how to drive a car, did my undergrad work in Creative Writing in the sweltering south, and finished a Masters of Library and Information Science in the blustery north.

I spent a summer and fall in Maine picking peaches and apples, traveled the world for a few years, and did a stint fighting crime in the records section of a police department.

I now live in the foothills of the Appalachians with Aidan, my standard poodle, and spend my days as a scientist with the requisite glasses but minus the lab coat.

What message are you sharing in your books?

I think regardless of the era or setting in which I write, I am always exploring the human condition, the labyrinth of the mind, and the grittier side of our existence.

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH is a tale of war and loss, but also one of family and hope. It is about the love we have for those closest to us, the ease with which we can wound the people we care for the most, and the lengths to which we will go to seek atonement.

What are your favorite books?

I tend to read what I write. I love the thriller genre, and my “To Be Read” pile is constantly growing.

Currently, my favorite authors are Peter Swanson, A.J. Flynn, Jane Harper, Harlan Coben, Tana French, and Mark Sullivan.

I also love authors who bring the past alive with a poet’s touch, authors like Michael Ondaatje, Eoin Dempsey, and Anthony Doerr.

I love Mary Stewart’s novels, and she will forever hold the place of my all-time favorite author. I reread her mysteries annually. I love her keen eye for setting detail, her witty dialogue, and her classy heroines.

I am also a big fan of nonfiction, particularly survival narratives and exploration stories.

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

I love suspense and action thrillers. The Bourne series, Body of Lies, The LastLegion, Open Range, and Robin Hood are some of my favorites.

I am also a bit of a documentary junky. I love nature, anthropology, archaeology, and history documentaries. There are great ones available on Netflix.

As for TV shows, I love several grittier mystery series like Shetland, Hinterland, and Happy Valley, along with some lighter ones like Midsomer Murders and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

I am also drawn to the shows that combine travel with something that interests me, e.g. Andrew Zimmern’s Delicious Destinations because I love good food and Josh Gates’s Expedition Unknown because archaeology never ceases to fascinate me.

When you aren’t writing where can we find you?

When I am not writing and working the day job, I can be found hanging out with my standard poodle sidekick, swimming, hiking, alpine and cross-country skiing, cooking and baking, or crocheting.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

I do, and I would love for you to join me on social media. My website is www.meghanholloway.com, and you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the handle @AMeghanHolloway.

Where can we find your books?

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound, and The Book Depository in paperback with the e-book pre-orders coming soon.

Thank you so much for the invitation to interview, Ellwyn. I had a lovely time chatting with you.