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Interview with Author Olga Tymofiyeva

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m a human being, I’m Ukrainian, I’m a scientist, I’m a mother of a 3-year-old boy, and now I guess I can say I’m an writer.

I was born in 1981 in Kyiv. After having lived in Ukraine and Germany, I now live in the US and work as an Associate Professor of Neuroimaging at the University of California in San Francisco.

Being a scientist by trade, I write scientific papers all the time. I got into fiction writing because I HAD to share these thoughts. I had no other choice.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

It all started with me watching Professor Michael Sandel’s mind-blowing lectures titled “Justice,” which are available online for free. That’s how I learned about John Rawls’ “veil of ignorance” thought experiment which is at the heart of the Just City VR game. Originally, when I came up with the idea for the game, I wanted to create an actual VR game. Then a board game. But later I came up with a realistic, low-budget version: writing a book. 

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The key message of this book is actually a quote by Professor Robert Sapolsky “You don’t have to choose between being scientific and being compassionate.” 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

Young Adult genre is just so real… I also wanted people to read about all those things in the book early on in their lives.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Maybe I would sit down with Nathan 20 years later and ask him how he is doing. (This doesn’t mean I’m thinking about writing a sequel – ha-ha!)

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I found running giveaways on Goodreads helpful, especially when you offer print copies. I offered 30 copies and over 2,200 people signed up. (You do pay about $100 for the giveaway though, and have to mail the actual books). 

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

• Follow the “recipe” for writing a captivating story that you can find in “Story Genuis” by Lisa Cron. Don’t worry about “beautiful writing.”

• Get a book coach and pay for “deadlines” (you’ll lose money if you don’t submit your pages by the deadline).

• Find a writing buddy (or buddies). Meet every week in person or online for 30-60min. Tell each other what you’ll be working on, then mute yourselves, and at the end share how it went.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

I think there is a self-help book somewhere on the horizon!

About the Author

Olga Tymofiyeva, PhD, was born in 1981 in Kyiv, Ukraine. After having lived in Ukraine and Germany, she now lives in the US and works as an Associate Professor of Neuroimaging at the University of California in San Francisco. Just City is Olga’s first fiction book, which reflects her passion for science and critical thinking.

https://www.olga-tymofiyeva.com/

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Interview with Author David C. Dawson

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1)     Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

Writing was therapy for me. I came out late in life, so when I did, writing was the obvious way to “let it all out”.

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2)    What inspired you to write your book?

I’ve been in a fabulous writing group for many years. Each month we write short stories for each other’s entertainment. A couple of people in the group were published and I thought, why not me? I didn’t have a big novel burning inside me, and throughout my life I’d written almost exclusively factual content, for news, documentaries, and magazine articles. But I’ve always loved mysteries .

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

A Death in Berlin is set in Germany in 1933 just as Hitler becomes Chancellor. I want people to understand that fascism can resurge at any time, and nobody spots it happening at the time.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’m fascinated by the events of the twentieth century. So much technological development, so many wars, so much social change. I think it’s the most intense centuries in terms of what happened. Plus it’s well documented so it’s easier to write about than any other century.

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5)  If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

The character of Bill (real name Florence Miles) is based on a real person called Florence Milnes. She was the first executive appointed by the newly formed British Broadcasting Corporation in the 1920s. I’d like to ask her how on earth did she manage to rise to such a senior position in those times, when she was both a woman and a lesbian.

6)  What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I suppose Goodreads. Readers can be pretty hurtful on there, but the praise outweighs the negative comments so it’s worth it. I don’t understand the apparent glee with which some readers write vile comments, either about my or other people’s books. There’s a real lack of respect among a (fortunately) few people.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write! It’s a muscle that must be exercised. Self-editing is the worst blockage to writing. The first draft of anything is never going to be perfect. And that inhibits a lot of people. You have to overcome that and get something written down.

8)   What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m planning the third book in this particular historical mystery series. It’s going to be set in Paris at the outbreak of the second world war and features Noël Coward very heavily.

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About the Author

Men in love, men in jeopardy.

David C. Dawson is an award-winning writer of page-turner thrillers with a gay theme and the occasional romance.

His latest novel A Death in Bloomsbury was published in November 2021.

His debut novel, The Necessary Deaths, won bronze for Best Mystery & Suspense in the FAPA chairman’s award. It became the first in the Dominic Delingpole series. The other two books are The Deadly Lies and A Foreign Affair.

His first mystery romance For the Love of Luke was published in October 2018 followed by Heroes in Love.

David lives in London with his boyfriend and ageing motorbike.

You can read his blog here: http://bit.ly/DavidCDawsonblog

In his spare time, David tours Europe on his ageing Triumph motorbike and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.

https://www.davidcdawson.co.uk/

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Interview with Author William Brinkman 

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1.     Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I used to live in Bolingbrook, IL and have a passion for writing about the village. Since 1998, I’ve maintained the Bolingbrook Babbler satirical blog where I publish fictional “news articles” that are a cross between the Weekly World News and the Onion. I contributed to the Demon: The Fallen role-playing game line, and even shared a credit with Chuck Wendig for our work on Saviors and Destroyers. In 2022, I finally published the first two Bolingbrook Babbler Stories books. They’re dramatic stories compared to the lighter tone of my web articles.

I’ve had a passion for writing fiction ever since I was in grade school, with a particular love for Science Fiction and Fantasy. I enjoy imagining new settings and creating vivid characters, but I also believe that characters are just as important as the setting. After all, if readers don’t care about the characters, they won’t feel invested in the story. For this reason, I strive to create characters that readers can connect with on an emotional level.

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2.     What inspired you to write your book?

My goal with A Fire in the Shadows was to create a bridge between the first book, Pathways to Bolingbrook, and the second book, The Rift. That’s why I labeled it Book 1.5. In Pathways, Miriam decided to become a vampire, and Sara joined the Bolingbrook Babbler as a reporter. In A Fire in the Shadows, Miriam is “reborn” as Lydia, but now she has a new set of problems to deal with. Meanwhile, Sara has become the editor of the Babbler, and this story provides more details about her role and the challenges she faces.

3.     What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

In addition to providing readers with a deeper understanding of the Babbler Stories setting, I hope they will come away with a greater empathy for neurodivergent individuals. Lydia is a compassionate and caring person, but in vampiric society, those traits make her a deviant. Humans, if they knew about vampires, would fear her and see her as a monster. It’s why she feels isolated and desperately alone. Through her story, I aim to shed light on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.

4.     What drew you into this particular genre?

Although I’m a believer in science-based skepticism, I enjoy exploring settings where supernatural creatures coexist with modern-day humans. My interest in Urban Fantasy grew out of the Goth Punk genre that I wrote in for many years. One thing I appreciate about Urban Fantasy is that it allows for a wide range of supernatural creatures, some of which may not be the traditional “monsters” we typically think of. In this genre, authors can also portray humans as terrifying monsters, adding an extra layer of complexity to the storytelling.

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5.     If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would choose to speak with Aurora, Lydia’s blood sister, and ask her why she became a vampire, despite knowing that it would make her cruel and uncaring. Was she a bully when she was a mortal, or did she associate kindness with weakness? The answer is the key to understand Aurora’s motivations.

6.     What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

It would be Facebook, because I spent years building an audience. Overall, I’d say my blog did the most to develop my readership.

7.     What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Every writer’s journey is unique, and what may have worked for one author may not work for another. That’s why it’s important to do your own research and not blindly follow any writer’s advice. Be like Bruce Lee: Use what works for you, and discard what doesn’t.

8.     What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

I will release a collection of my web stories from 1998 to 2017. The working title is God to Smite Bolingbrook. It will be exclusively for my newsletter subscribers. Then I plan to resume writing the third Bolingbrook Babbler book. My goal is to release it by the end of 2023, or early 2024. I don’t have dates for books four and beyond, but I will write them. My goal is to make sure each book can be read as a standalone book. I’m a writer who can’t stand ending a book on cliffhangers. 

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About the Author

William Brinkman is the creator of the Bolingbrook Babbler web series and the author of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories series.. He is currently a member of the Freethought Blogsnetwork and has been involved in secular advocacy over the years.

He’s also a former contributor to White Wolf’s Demon: The Fallen series. Additionally, William has also written science fiction works since grade school. As a student at the University of Iowa, William majored in journalism and took as many creative writing classes as his schedule allowed. After graduation, he served as an editor at two alternative publications. These experiences later helped him start the Babbler web series in 1998.

His work has been praised by Bolingbrook residents and within the atheist/skeptical community. William is probably one of the few critics of former Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar who didn’t get exiled to Florida.

https://bolingbrookbabbler.com/

Interview with Author Avner Tavori

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I always liked to write, even as a teenager I wrote short plays that we put together on my high school stage. I worked as a journalist for more that 15 years in various media (radio, print, TV) and like Gavri, watched how dramatic events unfold in front of my eyes.

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What inspired you to write your book?

I watched how the Settlers movement grew to become a powerful cult that took over my country. I saw what wars do to people. I accumulated hundreds of articles, OP-ED pieces, radio interviews over the years as an “observer” – I felt there is more to it than just the reporting.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That religious cults are very dangerous, and that wars, often the result of power struggle between “leaders” – destroy the human’s soul often with no repairs.

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What drew you into this particular genre?

What happens in the real world is often more powerful than any fiction. But fiction can give you freedom to mold your own message. The combination of both is for me the best way to tell a story.

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

It would be Chaim. Religious fanaticism is for me one of the most destructive forces on the face of the planet in the way that religious cults take over human’s moral campus and make ordinary people do horrible things in the name of some “GOD” or “Godly leader” . From the Crusaders, to the Nazis, to the Taliban to ISIS and the Jewish Settler Movement (all different of course in scope and methods). I would ask him about his personal journey from a boy who grew up in a “normal” surroundings to become a leader in a religious fanatic cult.

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I am not a “fan” of Social Media – probably a generational thing.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

If there is a “story” in you that wants to get out; if you have something to say – sit down and write it down.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Not sure. This book was for me an end of a journey – closing the circle.

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About the Author

AVNER TAVORI has actually lived in the world he describes in his novel. In 1982 he was a war correspondent in Lebanon and spent more than three months with the advancing Israeli troops, and with units of the Christian Militia in Beirut.

He was born in 1947, in what was then British Palestine, and grew up in the Israel of the 1950’s in the socialist environment, typical of the time, in his hometown of Haifa. After completing his mandatory military service in the Parachute Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he served a short stint as a Desk-Officer in the Jerusalem headquarters of ShinBet – Israel’s National Security Service – and coordinated field operations in the occupied West Bank.

As a journalist (1970-1986) he was the political correspondent for Israel’s Public Radio (Kol Israel) and covered the inner workings of Israel’s political scene. He also worked for the daily newspaper, DAVAR, and published opinion pieces on a variety of issues.

In the 1990’s he worked for the Israeli Labor Party, and then Rabin’s Government, culminating in being appointed to the position of Press Secretary for the Israeli Ambassador to the UN in New York.

He now lives in New York City. He can be reached at, avnertavori@aol.com

http://www.avner-tavori.com/

Interview with Author Jade Barrett 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I am 38 years old and have been an athlete my whole life who played volleyball, basketball, and softball growing up.  I am currently very into Peloton’s cycling, yoga, and strength classes.  I am married to my amazing husband, Brendan, and we have one daughter together.  I got into writing in high school, as my AP English teacher stressed the importance of being able to write clearly and in a manner that is interesting for others to read.  One of our assignments each quarter was to keep a journal of our daily activities.  At first, I found the task to be a nuisance, but over time realized how fun and therapeutic writing can be.   He is also the reason why I decided to become a high school history teacher, which I have been for the last 17 years.  I decided to tell my story of having difficulty conceiving a child in The Good News Is, You Don’t Have Endometriosis, as a way to heal myself from the trauma it caused and to hopefully help other women and couples who are experiencing the same nightmare.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

The inspiration behind my book is the unbelievable lengths I was forced to go to in order to receive proper medical care for our infertility case and the hijinx that occurred along the way.  I never thought I would write a book, but I saw sharing my story with others as a win/win. This was the only way I was going to be able to move on from the trauma I endured as a result of the constant uncertainty and stress that undergoing infertility treatment causes and was sure I could potentially help others in the process.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The biggest takeaway from The Good News Is, You Don’t Have Endometriosis is that you need to take control of your own body and your own medical treatment.  Clinics have hundreds of patients and they cannot and do not keep tabs on everyone.  Just because a doctor wears a white coat and has a medical degree does not mean that he or she is always right.  Don’t be afraid to question a doctor because if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.  Multiple doctors told me that I did not have a fertility issue, but in the end, I was the reason we were unable to get pregnant naturally.  If I did not insist on being tested for endometriosis, we would have continued to endure the pain and grief of failed embryo transfers and who knows how many more IVF treatments.

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4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I wasn’t drawn to the genre, it came to me!  Obviously, no one wants to be diagnosed with infertility and have to undergo treatments in order to become pregnant.  I believed that because my husband and I are healthy that it would not happen to us, but there we were doing round after round of tests and treatments.  Clearly, we were very wrong as this issue impacts people of all walks of life.  

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Instagram has been the most helpful, as it has a large following and can reach many audiences.  I have written for the site, Pregnantish, and have also been interviewed on several podcasts that have aired on the platform.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write about something you are passionate about and don’t hold anything back.

7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

As for the future, I hope that my book continues to help women and couples experiencing infertility and that my story becomes part of infertility folklore.  I do not plan to write any other books!

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About the Author

Jade Barrett is an American high school teacher who experienced infertility from 2017-2021.

She hopes to help other women and couples who are struggling with infertility through her story, The Good News Is, You Don’t Have Endometriosis: How I Survived IVF with My Sanity (Mostly) Intact.

It is the story of triumph over adversity and how you can advocate from the best possible care from your fertility clinic.

http://jadebarrettauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jadebarrettauthor/

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Interview with Author Mark James Murphy 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I have enjoyed writing from a very young age, I won a fictional short story contest when I was very young and had a press release at the time in a local newspaper, I have also had some of my poetry published in anthologies. My first love is art however, I graduated from university with a Degree in Fine Art, and even while still studying I was running lino cutting workshops from my studio for people of all ages. I have produced a large body of artwork to date, in particular lino cutting, which I really enjoy. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

 I always aspired to see more of the world and began solo travelling in 2015 with a trip to Athens, Greece. Since then I have travelled in Europe, North Africa, spent two months in India, explored much of south-east Asia and lived in Vietnam for over 4 years, teaching English as a foreign language. This love for travel has really helped me rediscover my passion for writing and inspired my new book.

I also recently started doing a travel blog, packed full of travel itineraries, guides and useful tips. It’s an extension of my book. This is the link:

https://markjamesmurphybooks.com/marks-blog-travel-for-as-long-as-you-wish/

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I really hope that by reading my new book, readers will be encouraged to confront any fears or hang ups they may have, that may be preventing them from travelling and realizing their dreams. Being from a very working class background myself, I always thought maybe I would never get to break out into the big, wide world and go to all of these amazing places. But I was brave enough to throw caution to the wind and take my chances working in a foreign country and it was the best decision of my life so far. I want to inspire readers to follow their heart and live life to the fullest, not accepting less. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

 I was drawn into the genre of travel, simply because its the area where I feel I have a lot of experience and expertise to offer and share. I am a very creative person and writing is a great outlet for this, so I like to think not only is my book an informative non-fiction travel guide, it is also a rich, narrative. It’s pretty poetic at times when I am describing my own memoirs. 

5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook has been particularly useful in growing readership and driving traffic to my website. I have a Facebook Page which shares the same name as my book ‘Travel For As Long As You Wish’, here I share original photos, reels and blog posts I’ve wrote, all inspired by my travels around the world.

This is the link to my travel facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088948530923

This is the link to my art facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/markjamesmurphyart

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

My advice to new or aspiring authors would be to really be prepared to put in the work on marketing your books, remember your job has just begun once your book is out there. It’s a highly competitive market but don’t forget why you started writing in the first place, because it’s what you love and it’s important to let this passion be your main driving force. Let the passion and shine through and do it with a flourish. 

7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

In regard to the future, I am hoping to eventually release a paperback and audiobook version of my current book and hopefully increase the popularity of both my book and my travel blog. I feel my content is very useful to anyone wishing to travel more. I will also be returning to teaching English in Vietnam later this year, as well as continuing my practice as an artist! So lots to keep busy with.

You can visit my website here: https://markjamesmurphybooks.com/

My ebook ‘Travel For As Long As You Wish: The Blueprint For Budget Travel, Backpacking And Escaping The Rat Race’ is available here:

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About the Author

Mark James Murphy is an artist, teacher, adventurer, and writer. He was born in Sunderland, North-East England in the early 1980s. He has solo traveled extensively throughout the world and in 2017 decided to leave behind his job and apartment in the UK to teach English in Vietnam, South East Asia, for almost five years, describing it as the best moment of his life so far. There he also continued developing his practice as an artist and printmaker, documenting his travels through the medium of linocut. In 2019 he fulfilled a childhood dream when he backpacked for two months throughout the whole of India, ending up in a remote village in the Himalayan foothills. He has played football with local kids in the Sahara desert, lived with Hmong people high in the mountains of North Vietnam, and worked as a farmhand in Southern Spain. Mark is currently based just outside of London.

Interview with Author Matthew Marullo 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

Always a reader, I wrote my first short story in third grade. At the age of eleven, I remember begging my parents to let me read Stephen King’s The Shining. They relented (though it would be some time before I was permitted to watch the movie version), and I subsequently spent several years writing short horror stories. After my grandparents donated their upright piano, music took over my life, culminating with a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition and Theory. Though I never stopped writing–so far, four novels, and counting.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

The ideas for all of my novels began with a “what if” thought experiment. For Welcome To Opine, I asked myself: “What if somebody buries deep in the earth a digital computer holding a vast record of mankind’s history and achievements, and billions of years later, it is dug up by a second Homo Sapiens species?”  The other inspiration for this particular novel was sparked from recent disturbing world events. In particular, recent attacks on democracies, including ours. I am not a politician, so the next best thing I could do was write a novel.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

There is no such thing as a perfect society, no such thing as a utopia, simply because people will never agree on what constitutes universal values. Yet the trajectory of history teaches us that societies always strive to better themselves, strive for that unattainable utopia. It is an ongoing struggle to better ourselves as individuals and as communities. This book is just one way of thinking about that struggle, and offers, I hope, a thought-provoking perspective on how to approach that struggle.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I have always been drawn to works of literature that manage to entertain us and enlighten us at the same time. Works that teach us about the human condition with a satirical bite have always been particularly fascinating to me. Two great novels in this vein are Heller’s Catch-22 and Vonegutt’s Slaughterhouse-Five. Films such as Dr. Strangelove likewise are very effective in teaching us important lessons, while we can’t help but cringe and laugh as we learn.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would definitely want to talk to Mr. Figgle, and ask him what he really thought about his supposed utopian society established by a controversial genetic therapy, the Self Suppressor, imposed on every citizen. It’s not obvious what his real intentions are, even at the very end of the book. I am the author and I do not know what he really thinks!

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook has been helpful, buy I also run a podcast, Dr. Music, which is also effective in promoting my books (even though it is a music education podcast).

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Anybody who aspires to write should do an enormous amount of reading, and then, after that, an enormous amount of reading. Read the classics and modern books, read fiction and non-fiction, and it’s always a good idea to write about what you know. But you should also write about what you don’t know—after all, that’s how we learn, right? I didn’t know a thing about political philosophy before I wrote this book. Now I do.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes, I will certainly be writing more novels. I try to make each one very different. My third novel, Till Times Are Done, is a world away from Welcome To Opine. I do have an idea for my next book…stay tuned!

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About the Author

Dr. Matthew Marullo holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Boston University and has been writing all his life. He is the author of four novels: The Octave Displacement (2006), Gludman’s Proof (2013), Till Times Are Done (2019), and Welcome To Opine (2022). A member of ASCAP, PEN America, and the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Marullo lives with his family in Long Island, New York. Visit his website at matthewmarullo.com.

Interview with Author Michael J. Stiehl

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

When I was a kid I fell in love with writing through comic books. I loved stories by Peter David, Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman and so many others – the 80’s were golden years for writing in comics. Later I was drawn to George R. R. Martin’s Wildcards books, which ultimately led me to Isaac Asimov and classic Sci-Fi.

As a kid I would daydream about superheroes and science fiction, occasionally trying to put those dreams on paper but never finishing anything. In college I migrated from creative writing to journalism before becoming pragmatic and abandoning the idea of writing for a living altogether to pursue other interests.

I still thought about writing after college though, even starting a book or short story from time to time but never finishing it. Finally, a few years ago, after giving a friend of mine feedback on his third novel, he suggested I give writing another try.

I’m glad I did.

Since then I’ve been writing as much regular life allows, creating characters, stories and worlds. It’s the most fun I’ve had doing something in a long time. Recently I re-watched the movie Stand By Me – which I loved as a kid – and was struck by the scene where Chris tells Gordie he could be a real writer if he tried and that the stories he can make up are a gift he shouldn’t lose. 

It reminded me that creativity is a gift and that I should make the most of what talent I have. I’m happy to say that my novella Sanctuary is my reward for doing just that.

What inspired you to write your book?

I wrote a novella a few years ago that didn’t work but that had a character in it named Theobard that I liked. I couldn’t shake wanting to know more about him, who he was and where he came from. Sanctuary started as my attempt to answer those questions.

Once I started writing I got interested in the idea of how sometimes people we meet, and fall in love with, change our lives forever. From there Dellia came into view and I could tell right away the interactions between Dellia and Theobard were exciting. The story took off from there, driven by Theobard’s past and present but altered by his feelings for Dellia.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I’d like readers to consider that sometimes you have to be who you are, no matter what. However, choosing that truth can come with a price but, even if it’s a huge price, being who you are is worth it. It’s like Shakespeare said “This above all: to thine own self be true…”

What drew you into this particular genre?

This particular story started out as a straight romance but quickly changed as I began writing. In the back of my head I kept thinking about old gothic mysteries like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I love how that book makes you think it’s going to be one thing, a Victorian drama, and then turns into a sort of ghost / horror story. I wanted a story with a compelling set of characters that lead you through an unfamiliar place to uncover a mystery. I’m not sure what genre I’ve landed on, but it certainly has bits of fantasy, romance, horror and mystery in it.

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If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would sit down with Mansell, owner of Mansell’s Marvels in the Mantori Bazaar. As a merchant of the most unique items available, I would ask him which was his favorite object, how he found it and why it was his favorite. Mansell, being a good salesman, would no doubt have a great story to tell, one that would leave me convinced the object was of immense value and interest. I would probably by it from him at too high a price and then be left wondering if it really was his favorite object or just the one he thought he could sell me.

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I am terrible at social media. I have a Facebook page that I neglect and I’m on Reddit but that’s about it. I do have author’s pages on both Amazon and Goodreads but beyond that I don’t spend a lot of time on social media. I will say that I have found things like Submission Grinder invaluable for finding new open calls and writing opportunities.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

  1. The following three things are true:
    1. The old quote by Hemingway, “the only kind of writing is rewriting.” 
    2. The advice Stephen King gives in his book “On Writing” that the second draft should always be ten percent shorter than the first
    3. Neil Gaiman’s advice from his Master Class to always finish your story.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I have a couple of submissions out there I’m waiting to hear back about, both of which are exciting. One is a short story I like a lot for a very cool music themed anthology. The other is another novella I completed earlier this year set in the same world as Sanctuary but with completely different characters. I’ve got my fingers crossed that both will see print. Other than that, I’m still fooling around with a story about Houdini in World War 1 that I hope to finish one of these days.

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About the Author

Michael J. Stiehl has had a lifelong passion for fiction, in particular horror, comics, adventure and science fiction, and is thrilled to finally be writing some of his own.  Michael lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, two kids and his very silly poodle Jack. When not writing fiction, Michael spends his time riding bikes, camping, reading books, obsessively listening to music and playing D&D with his friends. In short, he hasn’t changed a bit since junior high.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/michael_stiehl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/michaelstiehl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.stiehl

Interview with Author Laura Pratt

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I am a career writer. I’ve made my living as a journalist for almost thirty years. I would say, however, that I didn’t really find my voice until I started writing creative nonfiction.

What inspired you to write your book?

In 2018, I went to the University of King’s College in Halifax to start a two-year program in creative nonfiction. I earned my MFA in 2020. The graduate thesis for this program is in fact a book, which we work through with mentors over the course of two years. Ideally, you have your book finished in alignment with the program. I chose to write about heartbreak because it has been such a powerful experience in my life. My story, coupled with a range of more scholarly explorations into the phenomenon of this universal experience, seemed like juicy fodder for a creative nonfiction project.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I think the biggest takeaway I envision for this book is that you’re OK. I’m OK. We’re all OK. If you’re reeling from heartbreak, you needn’t imagine you’re failing society or yourself or anyone at all for your failure to surface according to some perceived timetable. It’s OK to be reeling. It’s OK to hurt and yearn and struggle for a long time. I want people to stop judging themselves for not being OK, and to be kind to themselves in the face of their discomfort and despair. To realize, through my story, that it is entirely natural to hurt for a long time. They are not losers. They are only human.

What drew you into this particular genre?

Creative nonfiction is a natural fit for me. As a journalist, I am deeply concerned with the truth and feel strongly about holding my writing accountable to facts alone. But the *creative* aspect of this approach to writing was a wonderful discovery for me. Here, writers apply the tools and literary devices of creative writing (think: character development, scenes, detailed description, dialogue, etc.) to nonfiction. It elevates factual storytelling to a much more compelling and enjoyable place.

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I have launched an Instagram account around this book, and am excited to see where this path takes me. It is my first experience on that platform and I’m hopeful for its reach in terms of attracting readers.

 What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Keep going. It’s hard to write a book. It takes tremendous stick-to-it-iveness and patience. It’s a lot of work and a lot of words. But you need only to take a stroll through a bookstore, electronic or brick-built, to come away encouraged by the number of people who have been able to pull off this enormous undertaking. Have faith in yourself. If all those folks could do it, why not you?

What does the future hold in store for you? Are any new books/projects on the horizon?

I make my living now as a book editor, but feel strongly that there are more memoirs on my near horizon. I am a mother to four kids who are all young adults now, and I am kicking around ideas for another memoir that delves into this stage of maternal life. But I am so consumed right now with giving “Heartbroken” the birth it deserves, that I don’t want to muddy the waters by thinking too much ahead. I have loved every minute of writing this book and am awfully excited at the prospect of getting it out into the world. Thank you for taking the time for this conversation!

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About the Author

LAURA PRATT is a long-time journalist, writer and editor. She writes for Canadian magazines and edits books. Her first memoir, The Fleeting Years, was published in 2004. She lives in Toronto with whichever of her kids and dogs she can corral to join her. She’s a 2020 graduate of the University of King’s College’s creative nonfiction MFA. She won an honourable mention in Prairie Fire’s 2020 CNF contest and was shortlisted for The Fiddlehead’s 2019 CNF contest. She has served as a judge at the National Magazine Awards for several years.

http://www.laurapratt.ca/

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