Apr 16, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Jeff Burlingame about his book, George Varnell: The Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
My books have twice been featured as questions on Jeopardy!
Why do you write?
To share stories about unique and interesting people, places, and things.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
From the subject’s family. It also involves Gonzaga University’s successful basketball team (George Varnell was their first-ever coach), The Boys in the Boat (George Varnell was like a member of their squad), and the Olympics (George Varnell was a competitor in two events). He was one well-known person that I had never heard of until I spoke with his family.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
That truth (nonfiction) can be just as interesting as fiction, or even more so, if done properly.
How would you describe your writing process?
Research, sketch, edit. Repeat.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
They can discover an audience of like-minded individuals.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Be sure that at its core, you're writing for the right reason… and that right reason is not any potential monetary gain.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I have been fortunate enough that all my publishers have allowed me to have at least some creative input in the cover-selection process. Some more than others, but I've always had a say. I love working with talented designers to see what they come up with.
What's your next step?
I am working on writing and publishing my next book. That's something I've fortunately been able to say for almost 20 years now since my first one was published.
What book do you wish you had written?
The River Why by David James Duncan.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I'm glad someone read it and felt strongly enough to form a written opinion… good or bad (but mostly good!).
VISIT JEFF'S WEBSITE
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Apr 16, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with M.J. Polelle about his book, The Mithras Conspiracy.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I'm a former law professor turned novelist in my “second act” of life.
Why do you write?
To be a creator who sets characters loose in the world around me.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Reading The Da Vinci Code and soon after spending a honeymoon in Italy.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It forces me to write plot and engage actively with issues in the world.
How would you describe your writing process?
Rhythmic. I don't believe in daily word counts or obsessive rituals.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Not much. It drains time and energy from the creative task. Writers write, something different from social media.
What advice would you have for other writers?
If you write to fulfill an inner urge, you'll keep going no matter the headwinds.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Carefully.
What's your next step?
Over cappuccinos, I'm thinking of another thriller novel involving southwest Florida where I live.
What book do you wish you had written?
Farewell to Arms.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Depends on the review. If the reviewer “gets it,” I'm delighted. If there's a criticism, I try to learn from it if I think it's valid.
VISIT M.J.'S WEBSITE
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Apr 16, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Anka B. Troitsky about her book, Object & Vist: Book 1 in the Vist series (Who is Vist).
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I came to the UK from Kazakhstan over 30 years ago. I am an old scholar, and although I left my profession to my past, I still look at the world and people as scientists. I am not a big fan of people, but I love animals and plants, video games, and beautiful things that good people can create.
Why do you write?
I started writing recently, but I have been a storyteller all my life. I love entertaining people by taking them on a journey to a different world, asking them questions within my narrative and hoping they will think of an answer. My characters are fictional, but their story is still about us. Who else?
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My father. He was a man who took me on the reading journey and showed me the wonders of sci-fi and fantasy. His book collection now gives me the courage to write my books. As soon as I start, the manuscript seems to be writing itself, and I love being there with my characters, having an adventure.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I don't like how our world is going, so I created a new one in my fantasy and welcome you there. There is a whole universe full of possibilities and wonders to explore that my favourite genre allows.
How would you describe your writing process?
The hardest part is to get to my desk. Life always gets in the way. However, once I am here, I am gone from this world. I lock the door and turn my phone off; only my cats are allowed to stay with me. Sometimes, it feels like the story is controlling me rather than me creating it. I lose myself in the narrative, and time flies.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I have a great respect for self-publishing authors. I have my reasons. Marketing has become our second most time-consuming job, so any honest means are good enough. Social media can help, but there are lots of things to avoid.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write, write, write, as much as you can. Read a lot, and never skip professional editing. Find your readers and be one big family.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I am still learning to come up with a good title, and I try a few before I pick one. Sometimes I ask for help. But the cover is completely down to me.
What's your next step?
To finish book 4 in the series.
What book do you wish you had written?
I love all the books of Terry Pratchett, but there is a one I wish was mine: NATION
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Every review is precious. I am grateful for everyone's opinion, even a critical one. I would love to be able to respond with my gratitude. I love all my readers because they are my guests, and I must become a gracious hostess.
VISIT ANKA'S WEBSITE
FIND ANKA'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Mar 8, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Jill Haymaker about her new book, The Boy in the Pink Convertible.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I was an attorney for 25 years before giving it up to write full-time.
Why do you write?
I love romance and happy endings.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My current book, The Boy in the Pink Convertible, was fun because I started with a cute photo of my two grandkids and I wrote a story to go with it.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love the romance themes of love and second chances and always a happy ending.
How would you describe your writing process?
Scattered. I'm definitely a pantser but I always seem to pull in together into a good story.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
It's the best way to get your name out there and sell books.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep writing.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The titles I come up with before I start writing, but the covers usually I start about halfway through the book when I have a good grasp on the story.
What's your next step?
Just keep writing.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I love reviews, although I don't read them all.
VISIT JILL'S WEBSITE
FIND JILL'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Mar 8, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with S.M. Albalooshi, about their new book, The Cyclamenton Teacup Poisoner.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I'm a neurodivergent Slytherin, a big Poirot enthusiast and loooove coffee so much. I'm an Arab writer living on a tiny island. Literally don't understand people that manage on one cup a day. Also, I love and hate books so much and I can talk about them forever and ever. Unapologetically a Percy Weasley stan and will die for him.
Why do you write?
I originally started writing fanfiction. It's kind of an escape. Sometimes, you just want to find your people and you have so much to say and you want people to hear you out. I love those soul-crushing books that make an impact on you and change the way that you see things. Or clever books that make you wanna go mental and keep you up at night. I don't know how, but books are special and they make you feel special. It's a journey and an experience. Sometimes it's tasting your favourite ice cream and some books are so painfully awful they're like labour. But seeing someone that you want written happen just feels so good. Seeing words put into sentences that make you feel things is kind of magical. That's kind of why I wanted to write.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I kind of had the idea of the ending in my mind for a long time and worked my way backwards. The characters, when I developed the personalities, kind of wrote my book for me so I didn't even know where it was going. I love that about writing. You don't even know where it goes sometimes, and I think that's beautiful. Wish I can say the same thing about my art though…
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I didn't even know I had a genre until I wrote this book. I've never read a dark fantasy book and I'm not a horror reader. But I love the tropes that comes with fantasy and horror. I love the images of vampires and werewolves you get in your mind. I love the tropes of being in a haunted house or being left alone and travelling down a dark forest. I love writing dark and twisty stories, or even thinking about a regular story in a twisted sort of way. I like the feeling of giddiness that brings you. I don't know what that feeling is, but it's great.
How would you describe your writing process?
Chaotic 2am energy with some poetic ramblings.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Probably a lot, but I'm too much of a recluse. I've tried so much and gotten nowhere at all. I wished sometimes I could be a Tiktok legend, but that's not me. I'm more of an I'm bad at talking to people but want people to know my thoughts? kind of person.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write the stuff that you like, and don't be ashamed about it. Write something that makes you kind of happy and kind of angry and kind of makes you go through stages of healing. If you're honest about what you're writing, you're going to find someone that resonates with you. If you're honest about what you love, you find out who you are too. And that's kind of a hard thing to know about yourself.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Through frustration, cursing and Lush products.
What's your next step?
Genuinely wish I knew, mate. I'm just trying to get through life day in and day out.
What book do you wish you had written?
I'm not sure haha. Maybe a question for a therapist to unpack. I think no matter what I write, I want it to be about mental illness, death and torture, but like a little dark humour in there because that's what we all need. A bit of a laugh (but not too much, I'm not great at that).
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I don't know. Maybe when I get a review, I'll know haha. I actually paid for my two reviews that are on my current books, but I've asked for honest reviews. But I've paid for them to read and review my book. I'm not great at like building a presence. I believe that my book has an audience, but I don't know how to find it? I'm bad at directions, to be honest. But fanfic reviews make my life literally have meaning, but I know writing a book isn't like writing fanfiction so… that's just about all I can say really. And I heard you're not supposed to read your own reviews, but I'm going to. That's the awful thing about it, but I know that my book isn't for everyone and that's fine. I just hope I can find the people that it's for.
FIND S.M. ALBALOOSHI'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Mar 6, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Alex Martin, about her novels and writing process.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Between husbands, I picked grapes and lived in my car in France.
Why do you write?
I have no choice. It's been a compulsion since I was seven.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
In researching my own ancestors, I stumbled across an amazing legend about some very brave women in Devon about 1000 years ago whose village was invaded by Danish marauders. The Vikings killed all the men but the women got their revenge in a very canny way.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love history. There's a comfort in knowing how things will work out and I always hope we can learn lessons from looking at our forebears and not repeat all the mistakes!
How would you describe your writing process?
I had a breakthrough moment about ten years ago. I was sitting in my plotting shed, trying to squeeze out some words when I realised this was entirely the wrong approach. Instead I inhabited each of my characters, as an actor would, except no one knew the next lines he or she would say. I got into that protagonist's head and lived through them. Writing was easy after that because they knew exactly what to do.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
It's a modern phenomenon and a privilege that authors can now interact with their readers and learn what they liked or disliked about their work. I have met some wonderful people this way.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Follow your passion and write as much as you can. Do research and social media only when the words won't flow.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Due to my love of plants, my first few books all had botanical names that integrated perfectly with each story. For instance, Speedwell, a common but beautiful blue-flowered ground ‘weed' gave my book its ideal title as Book Three of The Katherine Wheel Series, as it is set in the roaring twenties and the world of motor racing. Daffodils, Book One of the epic saga, is set in WW1 whose poignant symbol is usually a red poppy, and it is a play on that as it is a springtime flower signalling hope. It also stands for narcissism, as demonstrated by Lionel White! There is another, very personal, reason which is I was nursing my dying mother when I wrote it. She was born (and died) around the first day of Spring in March and it's a salute to her brave spirit. Peace Lily was obvious for the aftermath of WW1. Willow forms the background to the riverside setting of that short story whereas Woodbine and Ivy is the name of a folk song my husband sings. A lot of people smoked Woodbine cigarettes in WW2 and Ivy, with its clinging, destructive vines, was perfect for the concluding story. In the Spirit Level Series, I chose an image of a beautiful mullioned window on an old stone house for The Rose Trail with a red rose growing outside it. The story is set in the seventeenth century during the English Civil War and the ghost who won't stop haunting Meadowsweet Manor is called Rose. She's a passionate woman so the rose had to be red! Triskelion is where I deviated from plant names but no other title would do for a tale of a long-dead Druid priestess and her timeless message to a rock star and, through his music, to the rest of the world. The Twisted Vine speaks for itself as it is set in the glorious vineyards of France and is a convoluted mystery tale. I picked all the beautiful photographs for the covers but I am indebted to the amazing Jane Dixon-Smith of JD-Designs for putting them together so cleverly.
What's your next step?
I've just finished writing my first contemporary novel. It has a historic twist (I couldn't resist) but involves three women who are stuck in relationships that bind them. By coming together, they each break free.
What book do you wish you had written?
Any of the classics.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
With butterflies in my stomach!
FIND ALEX'S AWARD-WINNING BOOK, DAFFODILS
FIND ALL HER AVAILABLE BOOKS ON AMAZON
