I'm interviewed on my own blog! Ha!

(Good morning, everyone. I'm reposting a unique interview from 2011. I invited David Fingerman back over to talk about his new book, but as you will see, David turned the table on me. I hope you enjoy the conversation.)

I am honored to be making my third appearance on Susan Whitfield’s blog. Other than the release of my new mystery, Playing the Hand She’s Dealt, the amazing and fantastic sequel to the equally amazing and fantastic Silent Kill, my life hasn’t change all that much since my last interview here. So, for something a little different I thought it might be fun to turn the table on Susan and interview her.  Happily (for me), she agreed.

And as you can tell, David is sooooo modest. LOL.

Susan, welcome. First off, how does it feel being the interviewee instead of the interviewer on your own blog?

LOL. Well, David, I’ve been interviewed quite a few times but not on my OWN blog. I’m honored that you’re interested.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of people are interested.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer, and then a mystery novelist?

I’ve been writing since about third grade, so it’s pretty much been a lifelong dream. However, I didn’t really get serious about it until I was retiring from a high school principalship. They say write what you read, and I truly love a good mystery. I tried to write a steamy novel, but I blushed so much I just couldn’t go through with it.

What’s a typical day for Susan Whitfield?

Normally I grab a huge cup of joe (some people refer to my cup as a planter) and start writing. Unfortunately, right now I have to dress and go to physical therapy in the mornings because I tore me Achilles tendon, power-walking between writing sessions to get into better shape. That’s thrown my routine off and now I’m writing sporadically in the afternoons. So my routine is quite atypical right now.

Ouch! Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thank you. I'm wearing an ugly heavy boot and my husband calls me a platypuss:-( 

LOL, brave man.

You’ve completed four Logan Hunter novels thus far.  How do you keep Logan Hunter fresh and exciting?

I have to remember to let her age and change over the course of the novels. She was inexperienced in Genesis Beach as an intern at the Genesis Beach Police Department, and then once she was an official North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agent in Just North of Luck, she tackled (quite literally) a serial killer in our beautiful Appalachian Mountains, got herself into all kinds of jams in Hell Swamp, and had truly life-changing experiences in Sin Creek.

In each book, she matured a little more, changed from heavy dark eye glasses to contacts, and married another agent. (I use internal thoughts in my first-person novels so readers can get inside Logan’s head and emotions.) Sin Creek was difficult to write because there’s so much raw emotion in it. Punch Street, the fifth novel in the Logan Hunter series, is about seven pages at this point. I’m currently writing a non-series novel, entitled The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood, about lifelong friendship.

We'll get more into the Goose Parade in a couple minutes.
How are you and Logan Hunter similar/dissimilar?

Boy, that’s a loaded question.

I try.

First of all Logan is over six feet tall, blond, and toothpick thin. I, on the other hand, am 5’6” and shrinking, have salt and pepper hair, and am not a toothpick. I have to admit there is a lot of me in Logan. I believe in saying what I mean and meaning what I say. I believe in doing what’s right even when it’s not popular. I like bending rules as much as Logan does, but I seldom break them completely unless there’s no other choice. She’s more adventurous than I am; I write adventures but you won’t find me sky-diving…unless I develop more courage or dementia as I age.

Well, let's keep a happy thought.
Changing gears for a moment, please tell us the history and thought processes behind the cookbook, Killer Recipes.

Ah, good question. I met a lady here in North Carolina who came to an event just to meet me. She’d written a cookbook and I bought one. Later, as we kept in touch, she told me how good sales were, and she was considering another cookbook. I started to think about that and all the wonderful recipes I have. Since I had a fairly large audience of writer friends from networking, I asked if folks would consider donating recipes for the cookbook in exchange for promotion at the bottom of each one.

I decided that all proceeds from this book would be donated to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in honor of my grandson, a cancer survivor. I didn’t think it would be right for me to pocket proceeds since the book  couldn’t happen without the support of other writers. Authors all over the country responded in an overwhelming way, and Killer Recipes has become a unique cookbook we can all be proud of. My publisher, L&L Dreamspell, liked the idea so much that they didn’t give me a chance to query, and they donate all of THEIR profits for this particular book as well. Good folks, indeed.

Indeed they are ~ and a great cause! And what a great holiday gift (hint hint).

Yes, giving this book is giving twice. You can order all of my books through my site, www.susanwhitfieldonline.com or www.amazon.com and other online stores. They're all available in print or digital formats. I love having the cookbook on my Kindle.

On a very serious and scary note, and I’m sure it’s a nightmare of anyone who has reached any level of celebrity status, but I seem to recall you were harassed by a stalker some time back. I certainly won’t ask details, but what would you advise your fellow authors to do if ever in a similar situation?

Your memory is still sharp, David. While the person never came to my house and never called my house, she showed up at several of my signings and tried to discourage people from buying books. I really think it backfired, though, because it 's obvious that she is unstable. She wrote a personal attack on Facebook about me, and posted a terrible review on Amazon about what a bad writer I am. The post was up 3 weeks before I knew about it. I contacted Amazon.com and told them about the woman, our past, and the Facebook comment. They removed the review immediately. The scariest part was that the following weekend, I had a signing back in my home county, and she’d messaged me that she was going to go. I “unfriend” her, and contacted a deputy who worked with me when I was a principal. He arranged for a deputy to ride by the bookstore every few minutes during the hours I was there. She never showed. I guess she was playing with my head.

I’m not sure what I’d advise someone else. My situation was strange and it really wasn’t about writing at all. I’ve never had another experience like that and hope I never do again. However, after that lengthy answer, I will also tell you and readers to whatever you have to do to keep yourself safe. There are plenty of nuts out there.

That had to have been not only scary, but very frustrating and time consuming as well. I'm glad it's long behind you.

Thank you , David. I hope it’s over.

I see on your website that Punch Street is due out in 2012. Would you mind giving us a sneak peek into that novel?

Punch Street (working title) is the next Logan Hunter novel, dealing with bullying, a major issue that’s been around since the beginning of time but seems to be in the news so much more since Internet and texting arrived. Logan and another agent go undercover in a school to get to the bottom of a student’s death. Remember, not all bullies are children. They come in every size and package.

Not only an excellent sounding  plot - but very timely.

I also noticed that you’re working on a stand-alone book, The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood. Would you be willing to share any secrets on what that is about?

Writing this stand-alone has been a hoot, for sure. It’s about lifelong friends who’re now going through menopause, marital problems, and health problems. Their friendship endures even through misfortune and conflict. The title comes from the fact that they live near a pond that is overcrowded with geese, only one of many conflicts that arise.

I can already sense the fun you're having writing this. That's always a good sign that it will be an equally fun book.

What else does the future hold for Susan Whitfield?

My first goal is to get well and back to full-blown writing here shortly, complete Goose Parade and Punch Street, and dig into all the research I’ve gathered about my ancestor, a Knight of the Bath. I hope to write an historical novel about him, son-in-law of King Henry I.

It certainly sounds like you're keeping your writing plate full.

I have to stay busy. I don’t idle well.

Susan, thank you for being such a good sport and letting me turn the tables on you. I hope you had fun being on the other side of your blog.

I certainly did, David. That was a great idea and I appreciate your support. I also wish you tremendous success with your new book.

Thank you. As mentioned above, Playing the Hand She's Dealt is the sequel to Silent Kill. In Silent Kill, Louise Miller was after a psycho-killer. In Playing the Hand, someone is after Louise. Not only does he want her dead, but he first wants to destroy her piece by piece. A great mystery if I do say so myself.

I can’t wait to read it. BTW, as I repost this interview, I'm walking a mile every day and not limping. It feels good to be back. Hugs!   

NOTE: Since this post first "aired", I have completed the Logan Hunter Mystery series with Sticking Point, created my own publishing company, and re-published my cook book, Killer Recipes, now under the Studebaker Press logo.

Randy Rohn: Hang On Sloopy

I just learned that one of my Dreamspell colleagues passed away today. I am reposting an interview I did with Randy back in 2011. Randy, you will be missed by all of us at L&L Dreamspell. 

Rest in peace, my friend.

 My guest today is Randy Rohn, author of HANG ON SLOOPY.

Thanks for dropping by the blog, Randy.

Thanks for having me. I was over at facebook and thought I’d drive over and visit you. Wow. It was quite a trip. I had to travel through MySpace and that was some desolate territory. Bumpy road. Nothing going on.Nobody around. Google+ is a gated community. They wouldn't let me drive through so I had to take a detour and went through an industrial park called Linked In.

By the way, these cookies you just served are delicious! Mind if I have another?

LOL! Be my guest. They're sugar-free, and I think you've had enough sugar this morning.

Randy, let’s talk about your books.

Book, singular. I’ve only got one out. It’s called Hang on Sloopy. I’ve been in many short story anthologies including, I’m proud to say, “The Best American Mystery Stories, 2009” which was quite an honor.

It certainly is! Congratulations! Tell me about Hang On Sloopy.

It’s a horror/suspense/humor novel. It has as a Hannibal Lechtor-type character who’s really quite chilling. But the horror is leavened with a good dollop of humor.

Thank goodness. I like for my horror to have humor;-}Where did you come up with the title?

The hero in the book is a big fan of 60s garage rock. He owns four jukeboxes filled with 45s of that glorious three-chord music. He rekindles a romance with an old high school flame. Her name is Susan LouisePetrie, but his pet nickname for her is Sloopy. Of course Sloopy is based on that great song by the McCoys. The book is about a race against time as the Hannibal Lechtor character is determined to do Sloopy harm. Adding to the mayhem is a crooked police chief who has the hots for Sloopy, a not-so-bright convenience store robber, a genius computer hacker and a group of farmers who get together to drink Bourbon and smoke belladonna on a Saturday night.

Seems like some odd characters, Randy. I love odd-balls!

Interestingly enough, some of the oddest are based on people or groups of people I've met in real life. I've spent much of my life living in smaller midwest towns. And these towns were not Mayberry. The people aren't quite as conservative or as homogenized as one would think.

I know what you mean. I'm a small town girl myself and I find plenty of character traits to use in my mysteries.

Hopefully, readers will find my book fun and suspenseful. A great end-of-the-summer read.

Sounds great to me. Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Yes. It’s available in all formats. I would buy two copies, because you never know when you're going to forget and leave a copy at work or on the bus. Plus, I've heard rumors that S &P considers Hang on Sloopy a great investment, triple A. And, you know, those S &P guys are tough cookies. They just demoted the United States to double A-plus. If you buy a dozen or so copies, you can store them in your safety-deposit box or under the mattress or wherever and in ten years they'll be worth something. So, Hang on Sloopy is not only great entertainment, but a hedge against inflation.

Speaking of cookies, you can't have any more! And stop drinking caffeine!

Seriously, Randy, we all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I’m sort of stumbling my way through that. I have a lot of book signings lined up with a half dozen libraries, and several bookstores---remember them? I also sent press releases out to newspapers and magazines. I’m going to try and get on some radio. And I’m going to keep on reading things like your blog to see what other authors do and see if it works for me.

Thanks for reading the blog. I hope it helps you and others. Don't forget to check out Blog Talk Radio, where many authors interview other authors and industry experts. But don't have caffeine and sugar before you go on the air;-o You can Google it or find some on Facebook and Booktown.com, another great site.
Randy, where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I have an author’s page on Amazon. I’m going to have a website, but right now it’s under construction and the crew seems to be taking a long lunch hour. Hopefully, they’ll get back to it soon and it’ll be up in the not-too-distant future.

Can you tell us about current or future projects?

Yes, I’m working on a sequel to Hang on Sloopy with the same protagonist. My plan is for Hang on Sloopy to be the start of a series. Right now the working title for the new book is I Fought the Law.

Thanks for stopping by to chat, Randy. You're a trip;-)

Thanks for having me. You have a very nice blog here. I love what you’ve done with the place. Mind if I grab another cookie before I go?

Since you're leaving, it's okay. LOL.

Oh, and would you validate my parking?

Carol Crigger's Two Feet Below

Born and raised in North Idaho on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, C.K. Crigger lives with her husband and three feisty little dogs in Spokane Valley, Washington. She is a member of Western Writers of America and reviews books and writes occasional articles for Roundup magazine.

Imbued with an abiding love of western traditions and wide-open spaces, Ms. Crigger writes of free-spirited people who break from their standard roles. In her books, whether westerns, mysteries, or fantasy, the locales are real places. All of her books are set the Inland Northwest, the westerns with a historical background. She is a two time Spur Award finalist and won the 2008 EPIC Award for Western/Historical fiction.

"People might be surprised to hear I learned to ride a little Honda dirt bike at the same time my boys did. As a kid, I had a horse, but not a bicycle, and never felt deprived. Still don’t!"

Welcome to the blog, Carol. 
How many books have you written?

Twelve of my books are in publication right now. I’ve completed three others--one of which will probably never see publication--and one is in final draft. Of course, I’ve got ideas for lots more. I love writing series, so I have two series going and the rest are standalones. The four westerns are all standalones. So too is a little horse and sword fantasy. My first series features time-traveling  female gunsmith Boothenay Irons who gets swept into the unfinished history of whatever gun she’s working on. She’s been in 1811 England and instigated a jail-break from Dartmoor prison (In the Service of the Queen). In Shadow Soldier she ends up in the midst of World War I. Crossroad finds her in a water deprived Washington State of the future, and in Six Shot she’s caught in the Chief Joseph War of 1877. A fifth book is written and looking for a publisher, but here, my heroine takes a new direction. The other series is western suspense set in 1896. China Bohannon has coerced her way into her uncle and his partner’s detective agency and manages to get herself in a whole lot of trouble. The first book is One Foot on the Edge, then Two Feet Below, and due out within the next couple months, Three Seconds to Thunder, where China is caught in a forest fire while searching for her uncle, who has disappeared. I’m also shopping around an apocalyptic novel as I finish up a contemporary mystery.

How do you motivate your protagonist—with fear, desire, both or something else?

Motivation for my protagonist depends entirely on the character and the plot.  The fear and desire as mentioned in the question often play a part, but I’ve found my protagonists often have an overdeveloped sense of responsibility. They are compelled to right a wrong, finish a story, bring justice to someone--no matter what. Sometimes they may just want to survive!

What elements are important to include in your plot?

Depending on the story, this could be a pretty long list, but it could include, danger, plenty of action to avoid the danger, a bit of a love story, relationships with people around her/him, a timeline to accomplish the action in order to create some suspense, description of setting, and most of all, characterization. Readers need to feel an association with the protagonist before they care what happens to them.

What sets your book apart from others, Carol?

It’s hard to find a completely unique plot, so the protagonist’s point of view and voice are what will set my book apart from anyone else’s. At least I certainly hope so!

Are they available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

I’m happy to say that so far, all my books are available in print and Kindle, as well as Nook and most other ebook formats.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

Two experiences really stand out beyond the thrill of holding my hot off the press books in my hand--and each time that seems like the first. Anyway, one experience involves a lady from South Carolina who wrote and asked me to sign and send back to her two copies of my first western, Liar’s Trail. She had (has) a grandson named Sawyer Kennett, just like the hero in the story and wanted a copy for him when he grows up. Sawyer shows up in Two Feet Below, also.

The second standout experience happened last summer when I took a few of my books to a rural farmer's market. A lady came by, just browsing, and picked up one of the westerns. Later in the week she called and asked if she might stop by my house and buy all the others. Believe me, I didn’t say no! But then, two weeks later she called again and came and bought all the rest of books, including the time-travels. I'm thrilled that she liked my stories so much.

Were any of your books more challenging to write than the others? 

Hmm. They’re all challenging. That “getting the words right” thing, you know. Research, you know. Shadow Soldier, the second time-travel book took the most research, taking me back to World War I, and now I can’t stop delving into anything set in that period. Let me turn the question around and say the least challenging was probably The Prince’s Cousin, my little sword and horse fantasy. No history to worry about, and not even a local setting. Everything is totally made up.

Can you tell us your writing goals for 2012 or beyond?

First of all, I’m looking forward to the release of the third book in my China Bohannon western suspense series (Three Seconds to Thunder). That should be very soon. Otherwise, my goal for this year is to sell the two fantasy stories I’m shopping around right now, finish up this contemporary mystery I’m working on (and sell it), and then get started on another China Bohannon. Unless the plot floating to the surface right now changes, it’s going to feature horse racing. And then there’s a bootlegger’s story percolating in my head, and after that....

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I really do try to keep my website up-to-date with newest books and news and an events calendar. Also, another goal for this year is to update my blogs more often. If interested, you can learn more here:

http://ckcrigger.com
http://ckcrigger.blogspot.com
http://twofeetbelow.blogspot.com   

I also post on facebook and twitter upon occasion.

http://facebook.com/carolcrigger

http://twitter.com/ckcrigger

Carol, thanks for dropping by and letting us get to know you. Congrats on all the books, and continued success.

Hank Quense takes a gamble

Award-winning author Hank Quense lives in Bergenfield, NJ with his wife Pat.  They have two daughters and five grandchildren.  He writes humorous fantasy and scifi stories.  On occasion, he also writes an article on fiction writing or book marketing but says that writing nonfiction is like work while writing fiction is fun.  A member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, he refuses to write serious genre fiction saying there is enough of that on the front page of any daily newspaper and on the evening TV news.

Zaftan Entrepreneurs is the first book of a trilogy.  In it, an alien mining ship discovers a planet that holds promise to be a mining bonanza.  Unfortunately, it is inhabited by humans, dwarfs, elves and other races and they object to the mining expeditions.

Zaftan Miscreants is the second book in the trilogy.  It is awash with unusual characters and filled with bizarre plots

Hank’s previous works include Tales From Gundarland, a collection of fantasy stories.  Readers Favorite awarded the book a medal and EPIC designated it a finalist in its 2011 competition.  His Fool’s Gold is a retelling of the ancient Rhinegold myth and Tunnel Vision is a collection of twenty previously published short stories.  Build a Better Story is a book of advice for fiction writers.

Hank has initiated a series of lectures and workshops to share his expertise in creating fiction and publishing books.  Create A Short Story is a 4 session workshop in which the participants design their own short story. He also gives a two-part seminar on Self-publishing a book and Marketing and Selling the self-published book.

Hank, welcome back. Please  give us a short synopsis of your new book.

This novel is Shakespeare's Worst Nightmare.  It takes two of the Bard's most famous plays, Hamlet and Othello, and recasts them with fantasy characters in a place called Gundarland.  Hamlet is a dwarf and Othello is a dark elf. If that isn't bad enough, these two tragedies are now comedies with Falstaff, Shakespeare's most popular rogue, thrown in as a bonus.  Both Hamlet and Othello are plagued by the scheming Falstaff, a human.

Hamlet is the Prince of Denmarko and is striving to start a private business -- bee-keeping -- to demonstrate his competence and independence from the court.  He is shocked to learn, from a ghost, that Clodio murdered his father.  Indecisive, he tries to balance his love of bees with his mother’s demands to help Clodio and the ghost’s insistence that he avenge his father’s murder.

Othello, using a tarted-up resume, is named to the post of Minister of Homeland Security in the city of Dun Hythe.  Once he assumes the post of Minister of Homeland Security for the city of Dun Hythe, he realizes his responsibilities are much greater than he imagined they would be.  He soon discovers his appointment was engineered by his wife’s grandmother who heads the local crime syndicate and demands that Othello award her contracts to rebuild the Dun Hythe’s walls

Falstaff is a life-long schemer and scam artist. He calls himself Sir John Falstaff since he won the title ‘Sir’ in a card game with the knight who had earned it.  A deserter from the army, he travels around the country with his batman, Poulet, searching for opportunities.  During the story Falstaff sees Hamlet and Othello as easy marks and gulls both of them.

How did you come up with this bizarre story?

    I love rewriting legends and old stories.  As I see it, I'm bring them into the 21st century.  This novel was years in the making. I originally wanted to write a short story about Hamlet.  I also planned to write a spoof about Othello.  I tried for at least 3 years, but couldn't get the stories going, mostly because the plays are tragedies and to Shakespeare that meant the stage is filled with dead bodies in the last act, not exactly the stuff of humor.  About 18 months ago, I tried once again and failed to get either story going.  Desperate, I combined them to see if that gave me any ideas.  it didn't because there was nothing to connect the two main characters. Then I had another idea and added Falstaff to the mix.  Within seconds, everything clicked.  I knew the plot, I knew the ending, I knew the character interactions.  All I had to do was finish build the character sketches and write the first draft.

What’s the status of the book?

I originally planned to publish the ebook in April of this year, but the advanced reviews are so good that I decided to postpone publishing it while I try to get an agent.  If nothing happens by the end of the summer, I’ll publish it.

When do you accomplish your best writing?

In the morning.  I generally start writing around 7:00 AM after checking email and various web sites

Is there another book on the horizon? 

I have five I want to write.  Two of them are ready to start the first draft, the others need more design work.  One of them, Zaftan Combatants, is the third book in the Zaftan Trilogy.  It's number two on the list.

After hours of intense writing, how do you unwind?

Red wine works great. So does reading other authors’ books.

Ahh, that explains it then. LOL.

Are your books available in print, ebook, and Kindle?

All of the above.

Where can we purchase these books and get more information about you?

I have buy links for each book on the Strange Worlds Online website: http://strangeworldsonline.com

Okay, Hank, keep those unique books coming.

Patricia Gligor's Mixed Messages

Susan, I’m happy to be here today.

It's nice to have you over, Patricia. Please give us a brief bio, and include something about yourself that readers might be surprised to learn.

Well, let’s see. I write mystery novels but I’ve worked as an administrative assistant, the sole proprietor of a résumé writing service and the manager of a sporting goods department. (A girl has to have money to buy chocolate. J)

Those who don’t know me might be surprised to learn that I love guns and target shooting. (Those who do know me will tell you that I’ll probably never be sharpshooter of the month.) My father introduced me to guns when I was young. He took me to turkey shoots, which I thought were the greatest things. Of course, the first time I went, I was worried that we would be shooting at real turkeys! When I saw the paper targets and he explained the process, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Where do you live, and how has your environment affected your writing?

I grew up and still live on the west side of Cincinnati. When I was a young girl, I read Judy Bolton and Nancy Drew mysteries constantly and I developed quite an imagination. We lived in an old house with a big woods behind it, the perfect setting for mystery. I was naturally curious and I loved to explore. I would make up stories about our house, the imaginary people who used to live there, the woods and the neighborhood.

Give a short synop of your book.

Mixed Messages:

There’s a serial killer attacking women in their homes on the west side of Cincinnati. It’s the week of Halloween and Ann Kern is struggling with several issues. Her primary concern is her marriage which, like her west side neighborhood, is in jeopardy.

When she receives a series of ominous biblical quotes, she grows nervous and suspicious of everyone, including her own husband. Several bizarre and frightening events take place, including Ann’s discovery of a handmade tombstone marked with her name, which pushes her close to the edge. Will she be the Westwood Strangler’s next victim?

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Yes. Mixed Messages will be available April 17^th at Amazon.com and Postmortem-press.com/.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned about writing (and it cost me a lot in time and frustration) is that, when you send a manuscript out to an agent or publisher, the first thing they’ll do is Google your name. If you haven’t worked hard to create an online presence, in all likelihood, your work will be rejected. I have a feeling that, if Margaret Mitchell lived in these times and hadn’t marketed herself, Gone With the Wind probably would not have been published!

As to advice to new writers, I would caution them to be absolutely 100% sure their book is the best they can make it before they send it out to an agent or a publisher. It’s crucial to have other writers read your work first. If at all possible, join a critique group and pay close attention to the suggestions of the other writers. If you’re truly open-minded when they give you constructive criticisms but remember to trust your own instincts, you’ll make the right decisions in your writing.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

Fortunately, no one would ever accuse me of being shy so getting the word out offline comes easily and naturally to me; I tell everyone! Online is another story. Truthfully, I had no idea where to start until I submitted a query last year to Sunny Frazier, the Acquisitions Editor for Oak Tree Press. When she Googled my name and came up with a big, fat zero, Sunny was kind enough to invite me to join her Posse, an online writing/marketing group composed of other mystery writers. She has guided me through the whole process and, thanks to her and the other members, I now have an established online presence.

Can you tell us your writing goals/projects for 2012 or beyond?

April 15th, the book launch event will take place for Mixed Messages so there’s a lot of work to do for that and, of course, I’ll be working diligently to promote my book. I also plan to finish the rewriting and proofing of Unfinished Business, the second novel in my Malone Mystery Series. Then, I’ll work on plotting and outlining the third book and, time permitting, start writing the first draft by the end of the year.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

I belong to several sites including Face Book and I have a website where I post every week. I hope your readers will stop by. http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/

Thank you for inviting me to be here today, Susan. It’s been a lot of fun!

My pleasure, Patricia. Here's a link, folks: http://www.postmortem-press.com/mixed.php

Robert P. Bennett's Enabling Novels

Former social worker turned writer, Robert Bennett, focuses on the needs of society’s disenfranchised. His articles span a wide range of topics. His fiction is grounded in real world events and technologies and his own philosophical concerns. He’s spoken to physical therapy students, church members and senior citizens, and appeared on several radio programs. Contact him through www.enablingwords.com  

Welcome to the blog, Robert.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written two books in my Blind Traveler mystery series, plus a short story. Currently I am beginning to put together an outline for book 3 in the series. I’ve also written a fictionalized account (unpublished thus far) of my experiences in a physical rehabilitation hospital. It’s called Footfalls. Finally, I’ve got an (unpublished) nonfiction book about martial arts for people with disabilities.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

The year is 2021. Natural forces have changed our world. As the Earth's magnetic poles have shifted, pressure on the planet’s mantle layer is building. The bottom line . . . earthquakes now wreak havoc in areas they have never occurred before.

In Mexico, members of an archaeological team investigate the remains of an ancient village uncovered by a quake; racing to prove their theories about the civilization that once lived there. But, disaster strikes when the accidental destruction of an artifact unleashes a worldwide agricultural plague.

Halfway across the continent, Douglas Abledan, a blind computer technologist, embarks on a long anticipated vacation. On the plane to Chicago, he meets world-renowned agricultural pathologist Cara Cordelia. Little do either of them know she has been targeted for murder.

In this stand-alone sequel to his critically acclaimed "Blind Traveler Down a Dark River," author Robert P. Bennett continues to bring us suspense and intrigue while exploring a world of the not too distant future. While society struggles with the impact of natural changes, the advancement of new technology enables a blind man to investigate a murder.

What sets your book apart from others?

First and foremost, my protagonist is a blind man who is unpitiable. My stories show the struggles, and achievements, of a person with a disability who is just trying to have as normal a life as he can while at the same time becoming a magnet for tragic events and criminal activities that he feels driven to resolve. Throughout the stories I try to show that, though a person may have a condition which society deems a disability, his life is pretty much the same as able-bodied people.

Secondly, I use my stories as a way to discuss real environmentally/ecologically sensitive issues. Also, they are set in the not too distant future so that I can discuss some of today’s more interesting up and coming technologies.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?  The best buy link for my current book is http://tinyurl.com/rpb-btb-Omni

Both my books, and my short story, are in ebook only, available in all current electronic formats

What advice can you give other writers?

 I’ve learned there is no such thing as fiction. Everything we are, everything we do, is a part of the stories that we create. They are the lifeblood of our creativity and our ideas. I’ve also learned that the old adage “write what you know” really should be “write what you can learn about” since, in my opinion, the creative process is about exploration and education, as is all of life.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

Social media seems to be all the rage these days. I’ve gotten myself a place on as many of these networks as I can think of (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc). Also, word of mouth is very important. As my friends and family can attest, I never let an opportunity to discuss my work go by unnoticed. I leave business cards and flyers wherever I go.

Can you tell us your writing goals/projects for 2012 or beyond?

I’m currently working on book 3 of my Blind Traveler mystery series, and planning several related short stories.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My website (www.enablingwords.com) and my blog (http://abledan.wordpress.com/).

Thanks for the interview, Robert.  

Margaret Millmore's Doppelganger Experiment revisited

Margaret A. Millmore is back to talk more about her novel, Doppelganger Experiment.

Margaret was born and raised in Southern California and moved to San Francisco in 1991. She currently resides there with her husband. She is the grandniece of Irish author Benedict Kiely and the second cousin of Irish author Sharon Owens. She’s written two flash fiction stories for Bay Area artist Kenny Mencher (The Welcome Home and Untitled-Luke N. Goode). She and her husband are avid travelers and would love to live outside of London some day.

Welcome back, Margaret. Has San Franciso affected your writing?

I’m not sure how the environment has affected my writing, but I enjoy using the city as base for my stories.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written three books in total, but only one is currently published.

Give a short synop of your published book.

Doppelganger Experiment:

After more than four weeks in a coma, Jane woke up to find several things wrong; she didn’t remember the last three years, she was married to a man she didn’t know, and frightening dreams were infiltrating her sleep. But were they dreams or memories? As she struggles to recapture a life she doesn’t remember she discovers clues that lead to flashes of memories and the discovery of horrific experiments that end in murder... and something worse than murder.  A psychological thriller based in San Francisco.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Both formats are available.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

Nothing is more exciting than a good review, it lifts your spirits and justifies all the hard work you put into your novel. However, there are always bad reviews, and they can be devastating…if you let them…

For the first few months after Doppelganger Experiment was published, I was receiving 4 and 5 star reviews, pure heaven. But then I began to receive some ‘not so good’ reviews, needless to say, it was pretty disheartening. I think as human beings, it’s instinctual to lay blame on anyone but ourselves, after reading the reviews, I wanted to do just that. But I couldn’t, I wrote the book, I made the mistakes and they were mine, I owned them and it was up to me to fix them.

I did the only thing I could think of, I asked my publisher to pull the book, have it re-edited and then I too went through it with a fine tooth comb and made additional edits and revisions. I also published 2 star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads (2 stars as to not skew the existing review status); I did this so that the readers would know that I heard them, that I respect them and that I wanted to make it right! Is the book better now? I truly hope so. I think I’ve learned a great deal from this experience, and I hope it’s made me a better writer.

Good for you, Margaret. I applaud you.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

They can check my website and follow me on Facebook and Twitter

www.margaretmillmore.com

http://www.margaretmillmore.com/featured_authors

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002915649470                             

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/margaret-millmore/4/a6b/6a9

Margaret, thanks for coming back and sharing that story with us. Folks interested in the first interview with Margaret will find it in the archived blogs.

Buy links:
http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/margaretmillmore.htm
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/margaret-millmore?store=book&r=1
http://www.amazon.com/Doppelganger-Experiment-Margaret-Millmore/dp/1937593207/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318857839&sr=8-1#_

Laurie Stevens: The Dark Before Dawn

Laurie Stevens has written for the stage ("Follow Your Dreams"), the screen (Chris Isaak's Guide to Jazz Fest) and a novel, The Dark Before Dawn, the first in a psycho-thriller/detective series based in Los Angeles. It was awarded the Kirkus Star and named to Kirkus Review's Best of 2011. Psychology and forensics interest her immensely so the book is rich with both. Lauire and her husband once snuck into the L.A. morgue to do research on the book and one of her favorite pastimes is to pick the brains of therapists. "Believe me, they love to talk like anyone else! I'm sure most of the officers at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Malibu substation think I'm insane, but I do get a lot of good information there."

I bet you do, Laurie;-) I usually do my best sleeping in the dark before dawn, but I have a feeling your book will change that. LOL.

Where do you live, and how has your environment affected your writing?

I live near the Santa Monica Mountains outside of Los Angeles and I love exploring those hills. It's the perfect setting for the book - being so close to a huge metropolis and yet filled with nature, beauty and the nearby ocean.  The people you encounter run the gamut from New Age artsy canyon people to movie stars and deluxe snobs to suburban soccer moms. Add all of these types to an abandoned movie set or an historical adobe found in the mountains, and I get much fodder for my muse.

How many books have you written?

Shhh. I've written 2 but The Dark Before Dawn is the first published.

Give a short synop of each book, please.

The first, Autumn Leaves is about my grandfather and I. He was a European war orphan at 13 years old, who eventually made a success of himself. Me, a silly 20-something filled with angst, used his stories of survival to put in perspective my own American upbringing, and used his advice to get through a difficult decade of self-discovery.

The Dark Before Dawn revolves around Los Angeles Sheriff's detective, Gabriel McRay, who is fired from his job for police brutality.  When a serial killer begins leaving personal notes on the bodies of his victims addressed to Gabriel, he is reinstated in the hopes of "luring" in the killer. It soon becomes apparent that the killer's identity lies within the blocked memory of a trauma from Gabriel's own childhood. Gabriel then must run two parallel investigations. The first: a dark journey into the terrifying recollections of his past and the second: the hunt for a serial killer who seems to know more about Gabriel, than he knows himself.

What sets your book apart from others?

Readers ask me about the research I did, especially from the psychological aspect.  Then many of them will usually divulge something deeply personal that affected their lives, which makes me surmise that the book encourages folks to delve into their own darkness in order to "see the light."  Maybe it's a sort of demented self-help book.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Oh yes, in all formats.

Here are links:

 http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Dawn-Laurie-Stevens/dp/1456450115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328209066&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/The-Dark-Before-Dawn-ebook/dp/B005FM2F38/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1328209066&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dark-before-dawn-laurie-stevens/1104216079?ean=9781456450113&itm=4&usri=the+dark+before+dawn

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dark-before-dawn-laurie-stevens/1104216079?ean=2940011460289&format=nook-book&itm=4&usri=the+dark+before+dawn

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

Forget the invisible judge looking over your shoulder.  Accept the fact you are a creative artist and writing is what you do, no matter what. Embrace the creative soul you are - revel in it.  It's a gift. If you work to make your work the best it can be - the cream will rise to the top.

Can you tell us your writing goals/projects for 2012 or beyond?

This year, the second in the series will be released: Deep into Dusk.

Meanwhile, The Dark Before Dawn has been approached by a film company for option, so we'll see how that goes.

Wow! Lucky you.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Website: http://www.lauriestevensbooks.com

Follow me on (http://twitter.com/#!/LaurieStevens1)

Twitter

and please Like the Fan Page!( http://www.facebook.com/lauriestevensbooks)
Facebook  

Thanks Susan, for the opportunity to appear on your site!

Nice to have you over, Laurie. I wish you continued success, and let us know if there's a movie in your future.

Janet Beasley's Fantasies

First and foremost Janet is an epic fantasy author. She is the founder and the creative force behind JLB Creatives, a subsidiary of her and her husband’s company Multi-Tech Productions, Inc. Together she and her husband have co-authored non-fiction books and been published in trade specific magazines regarding technical theater, production, and audio visual. They have produced and directed everything from full scale productions, to festivals, to haunted houses, and beyond. Traveling the nation they have spoken at international conferences and served as a facilitators regarding live events - production coordination - and technical theater. This dynamic husband and wife duo has even had their moment of fame, appearing in TV commercials and spread ads as local talent.

Welcome, Janet.

Thanks, Susan.

Please tell us about the Hidden Earth series.

Synopsis for HIDDEN EARTH Series Volume 1 Maycly:

Maycly is a world everyone longs to experience, but for Iona, left alone to fend for herself, Maycly has become a fading dream. After years of endless searching for her missing family, she had all but given up hope. But the Grand Wizard, SUL, had a plan.

An epic tale of Good versus Evil, Maycly is filled with adventure, trials, love, and epic battles, along with fantastic flora, creative creatures, and characters that come to life. Will Iona discover her true destiny? Will she ever find her missing family? Is Maycly bound to an existence of Evil for eternity? What will happen to Earth? Only the tales of HIDDEN EARTH hold the answers.

What sets your book apart from others?

Maycly is a fresh new way to deliver epic fantasy. It holds the key elements of quest, love, trials, and epic battles, but it differs from your typical style characters. You won’t find orcs, elves, or faeries - but rather vauhlpeezies, chukkons, and sprites. Maycly is filled with over 70 illustrations drawn by my full time illustrator, Dar Bagby. We make quite the sister team. Maycly is a timeless tale of good versus evil. Typical you say, but the battles take place on the planet Maycly where a vast majority of the inhabitants cannot die, while other inhabitants are not exempt from death and have never experienced the tragedy of losing loved ones. I’ve written Maycly with more than one goal in mind. The entire novel was crafted with a film in mind, yet I worked diligently to create 60+ chapters that could stand alone as TV episodes should it be discovered.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

The paperback released February 26, 2012 and includes all three parts, black and white illustrations, family trees, teaser recipes, and other exciting back matter. The paperback will truly be a collectors item. This is due to the beautiful layout done by graphic design professional Connie Thompson (author of A Fascination with Feathers released June 2011). The ebooks are slated for release sometime during the week of March 11 if all goes as planned – but we all know how things can pop up when uploading ebooks. Each ebook for Maycly will be a separate part, and will contain color illustrations and corresponding back matter to what is revealed in that particular part.

What has been your most rewarding experience during the writing process?

The most rewarding experience for me would have to be helping others along the way. I truly enjoy promoting my fellow authors, and helping them conquer the most difficult tasks we all as authors (traditionally published or indie) face, those being platforms and promotion.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

For me online promotion comes as second nature. I enjoy social networking and have met some of the most talented authors and artists from around the world. I have the usuals: a Facebook Fan Page, the JLB Creatives Blog, I tweet, and comb the web searching for quality content to share. I also have a Flickr.com site where people of all walks of life may download as many of my scenic nature photos as they’d like to use on their blogs, websites, brochures, business cards, and more. It’s my way of giving back, my pro bono marketing, for my fans both current and future. Offline is the most fun for me. I love to meet people face to face and discover what they have to offer in life. Exhibiting at local library events and hosting book signings at smaller book shops, restaurants, and other community oriented places are some of the venues I enjoy spreading the news about my books. I’m currently in the process of setting up book tour with about 7 or so stops as we travel this summer from Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Can you tell us your writing goals for 2012 or beyond?

2012 holds the promise of many things that will coincide with Maycly. There will be two companion books being released. The first: a full size, full color illustration book complete with detailed descriptions of 60+ illustrations including ten maps. The title of the illustration book is The Chukkons Say, “Ye Need ta Be a-Seein’ Maycly.” The second companion book will be a cookbook. It will hold menus and recipes from the the restaurants on Maycly. All of the recipes will be able to be prepared and consumed here on Earth. It will also contain short bits regarding the history of the restaurant owners, along with photos and illustrations. The title of the cookbook is “More Than Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.” And as if that’s not enough, fans are now able to shop for their favorite characters on T-shirts, hats, mugs, jewelry, and more. There’ll even be doggie apparel for Maycly’s canine fans. To top it all off I’ll be continuing to write Volume 2 with the goal being having it finished in time, slating a hopeful 2013 release.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Amazon Maycly Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Earth-Maycly-Parts-Three/dp/0984881301/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330093987&sr=1-1

Amazon Author Bio Page: http://www.amazon.com/Janet-Beasley/e/B0067AK386/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

The best place to start would be www.HiddenEarthSeries.com for the novels

Keep up with my creativity at the JLB Creatives Blog    

Like the JLB Creatives Facebook Fan Page

For FREE digital photos fans may visit Janet Beasley = JLB Creatives on Flickr

Follow me on Twitter @JLBCreatives

And if you’re into videos and book trailers I’d like to personally invite you to subscribe to the JLB Creatives YouTube Channel

Janet, thanks so much for taking the time to visit. I hope all of your endeavors are successful.

Susan, I appreciate the interview. I wish you success with your books as well.