A Tale of Two Brothers

1. What types of books do you write?
I have dabbled in many different genres over the years, but my current focus is on young-adult fantasy. I have always loved adventure stories, and especially those that provide an escape into worlds that the writer has created.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
I have released my first book less than a month ago. It is "A Tale of Two Brothers" It is a story set in the world of Terrezial, a broken and sand-filled world, where dangerous creatures dwell. It is one of a legend, that has long been hidden, and of the two young boys who are destined to fulfill it. It is a sweeping tale of danger, battle, pirates, and a beautiful princess. I have spent the last 8 years crafting and molding the world and its characters and am very excited to share it with the excited imaginations of the younger generation.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
It is the first of nine books in the Tales of Terrezial series... Even if I sell only a few I must finish the whole story as I love telling the tale.

4. When did you start writing?
I started reading long before I could write. I would read until the late hours of the night, with a flashlight hidden by a blanket, and as soon as I awoke again in the morning. I never did like sleep much. It would take years before I would begin writing, not until I was in college, that I would begin finally putting my imagination down on paper. I wanted to write something that I would enjoy reading.

5. Why did you start writing?
Mainly because I had to finally put down my many story ideas on paper. That, and the prodding of my English teachers. They helped me see beyond my own lack of self-confidence, and encouraged me to write. They believed in me before I did.

6. Who are your influences?
I have so many. But my favorite adventure writer is Robert Louis Stevenson. Especially Treasure Island. I have read it so many times and watched every version. I also would have to say Frank Herbert, C.S. Lewis, and of course Tolkien. Lately, George R.R. Martin helped inspire my point of view for my characters.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details
I am really new to the whole marketing/publicity associated with getting my book out to the readers. I am spending a lot of time on GoodReads, Facebook, Twitter,and further information is on my blog . I like to connect with individuals and spend a lot of time online answering questions and responding to emails. Write me and I will write you back! And if you want a signed copy of my book it can definitely be arranged. I am still getting used to that request...

A Fall From Grace A Mystery

1. What types of books do you write?
Currently, mysteries and story collections, but next year will see the release of my first (and hopefully second) horror novel, and I have others books planned, such as mainstream and fantasy. I have a ten-year plan of releases, with just what I've got on schedule now.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
The latest published book is Apocalypse Tango, a five-story collection of tales of the end of the world. The latest mystery novel was A Fall From Grace, the second Zack Taylor mystery. On Sale, at Amazon and different book stalls, further information is on my blog

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
A Fall From Grace is the followup Zack Taylor mystery to A Memory of Grief, which details what happens to a man who investigates the death of a friend and winds up changing his life. Book 3, A Shadow On the Wall, is due out this winter.

4. When did you start writing?
When I was a teenager. That was some time ago!

5. Why did you start writing?
All these characters and plots just had to have an outlet. Storytelling is the most powerful teaching tool we have, and I wanted to share these stories.

6. Who are your influences?
I write in different genres, because I've had so many influences. I'm influenced by writers who tell a good story well.
For mysteries: the line from Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Jim Thompson, John D. MacDonald, Robert B. Parker, James Lee Burke.
In stories: Poe, de Maupassant, Saki, Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Stephen King. In general: Hemingway, Victor Hugo, Thomas Wolfe (both of them), Robert Heinlein, Harper Lee, on and on...

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details
Next month, in just one weekend, I'm attending the Crime Bake mystery conference, and doing a signing at the New England Author's Expo. Planned for next year is the publication of three novels and another story collection, plus numerous short stories in many different magazines and anthologies, and a number of appearances and signings.

Shadow Play

1. What types of books do you write?
I write Urban Fantasy Romance. I love to write strong woman and even stronger men.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
My debut novel Shadow Play is due out in Dec. But my latest novel that I am working on is book three called Times Fallen Warrior (my daughter picked the name.) Further details can be found on my website

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
Yes, Shadow Play is book 1 in my Tracker Series

4. When did you start writing?
I started writing in high school.

5. Why did you start writing?
I read a story that didn’t have a happy ending and it broke my heart. Even twenty plus years later it still upsets me. So I wrote another ending for the book.

6. Who are your influences?
Jeaniene Frost, when I read her Cat series I was inspired to write and finished three novels in the next year. But I love the writings of Mercedes Lackey, Johanna Lindsay, love anything funny and contemporary. I have to admit I love to read, and am inspired by so many authors that I can’t really name them all.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future?
Book signing events, other details. My debut novel Shadow Play will be released Dec. 12th. I will be doing a two week blog tour for it. Also book two will be out in late Jan or Feb and I’ll be doing another blog tour then.

Open Meetings

1. What types of books do you write?
Currently I write mysteries with the same protagonist, ie, PR executive, amateur sleuth Jillian Hillcrest. I also plan to write historical mysteries once I finish the third book in my Jillian Hillcrest series.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
OPEN MEETINGS was published in July 2012. A reporter draws Jillian into the investigation of the suspicious death of an informant.

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
OPEN MEETINGS is the second novel in the Jillian Hillcrest mystery series. The first is ON MESSAGE published in December 2011. The third one FAIR DISCLOSURE is underway.

4. When did you start writing?
I started writing novels approximately two years ago. However, I consider my doctoral dissertation to be my first book published in the 1970s. And during my career in public relations I wrote hundreds of press releases, dozens of by-lined articles, and many, many fact sheets, corporate and product profiles. So I feel like I’ve always been writing.

5. Why did you start writing?
I started writing novels when I was laid off in 2008. I have always enjoyed writing, and find it therapeutic. I started writing mysteries specifically because I have always enjoyed reading mysteries. I enjoy the puzzle, ie, figuring out “whodunit” based on clues.

6. Who are your influences?
My mysteries are more about tracking down the clues and less about car-chasing action. My protagonist is an amateur sleuth who spends much of her time on her job as Public Relations officer at a small Silicon Valley biotechnology company. She gets pulled into mysteries through no fault of her own. And she has help from her friends and ex-husband solving the clues. I also like to offer interesting characters – not a “just-the-facts-m’am” one-dimensional sleuth.

For writing this type of mystery, there are many who have influenced me, beginning with Agatha Christie who was superb at providing clues and red herrings with both an amateur sleuth like Miss Marple and an expert detective like Hercule Poirot. A few of the others in a long list are: Dick Francis, Patricia Cornwell, Stieg Larsson, Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark. All of these authors created memorable characters and provided challenging puzzles to solve.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other detail
I am working on my third novel FAIR DISCLOSURE, which I plan to publish the first half of 2013. I am also busy offering articles from guest experts on my blog: Strands Simply Tips

The Tide Breaker by Sonya Watson

1. What types of books do you write?
I write mostly Young Adult Paranormal Romance novels. I have dabbled in non-fiction, epic fantasy and dark fantasy. I like paranormal romance because I can create a love story that I hope to one day experience.

2. What is the latest book you have written?
My current novel The Tide Breaker was released on Smashwords in September and a kindle version will be available on October 20th 2012.
On Sale At Smashwords

3. Is it part of a series, if so which one?
The Tide Breaker is a series. The working title is The Tide Breaker Series and I think I am okay with that title. However, I have only written a paragraph of the second novel which is available in the first novel. The title for the second novel is Red Tide so depending on what happens in that novel the titles might change.

4. When did you start writing?
I started writing in grade six. I would use writing as an outlet sporadically until I decided to take it up seriously and I have been writing consecutively for four years now.

5. Why did you start writing?
I started writing because I was bored and I wanted to see what I could create.

6. Who are your influences?
My English teachers in Junior High School and High School nudged me through their love of literature to take up writing again. But my mom was the first person who believed I could do anything if I was focused. She was such an inspiration and I strive to be better than I am because of her.

7. What can we expect from you in the near future? Book signing events, other details
I will be doing a Blog Tour but the dates are yet to be determined. I will be posting upcoming events on my Goodreads page.