Aug 24, 2025 | Literary, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Nancy Jardine about her book, Tailored Truths
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Not sure of the unexpected, but I live in the castle country of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where there were once over 250 castles. Many of them are now restored for private use, or public view! What a lot of visitors don’t know is that my now 200-year-old granite house (typical building material in Aberdeenshire) is actually older by some 70 years than many of the ‘castles’. Lots of the smaller castles were built by Victorian entrepreneurs who wanted a countryside place to wow their visitors and/or some were new ‘shells’ built around original medieval square keeps.
Why do you write?
I started to write when I retired in 2011. During my former life as a teacher (11/12 year-olds), I wrote some locally-based non-fiction history projects. So in 2011, I decided to have a go at fiction. Between 2012 and 2018, I was published by two independent publishing companies: a US Romance publisher; and a Scottish based all genres publisher. Since 2018, I’ve been entirely self-published, though write along with a co-operative of authors in Ocelot Press.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I’ve been researching my own ancestry since retiring and have found plenty of fodder for writing my current Victorian Scotland series – though it’s definitely fiction and not a biography of any sort. Mostly, I realised that some dramatic incidents that happened to my own Victorian era ancestors were actually not uncommon.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I read mostly historical fiction so it was natural to write that genre. I enjoy reading the occasional mystery/thriller so I’ve also dabbled with writing them.
How would you describe your writing process?
Messy! I don’t work to any punishing schedule on a regular basis (I also have a large garden). Though, when I’m at the post-final-edit stage, and getting ready for publishing stage, it can be every-moment-of-the-day exhausting.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
That’s a tough question. Some love the socialising aspects and are great at that. I know plenty who love promoting themselves, though I also know many others (myself included) who find ‘putting themselves out there’ a struggle. For many authors who can’t meet up physically with others of their genre social media is a great way to communicate.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Work at a pace that truly suits you and your personal lifestyle.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Titles: They eventually come to me during the writing process, though in my early-published-days they were chosen/settled on by the publisher.
Covers: Since self- publishing, I used to use graphic designers but since my last one gave up the business earlier this year, I’ve been teaching myself to do my own eBook cover and paperback wraps.
What’s your next step?
Book 3 of my Silver Sampler Series is plotted out with the tiniest bit started. (Name? I don’t yet know)
What book do you wish you had written?
Lord of the Rings, or Pride and Prejudice- hundreds of others!
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
With trepidation! However, during the 13 years of being published I’ve learned to take harsh reviews on the chin. It’s morale-boosting to get wonderful reviews but I find it hard to push people to write them.
FIND NANCY’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Aug 1, 2025 | Interviews, Religious, Spiritual
Today, we’re talking with Linda Shirey about her book, Wolves Among Us
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
As a 15-year-old passenger, I survived a head-on collision because the nearest wheel buckled and turned the momentum away from me. The EMTs (apparently) used the jaws of life to free me from the car, and I lost my memory for 6 hours, including my parents’ names and my home address. But I remembered the name of the current President and that I didn’t like him. (I was listening to a lot of talk radio at the time.)
Why do you write?
For nonfiction – in hope that it can help hurting people to recover more quickly. For fiction – to educate and entertain.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Many years wondering why my home church kept attracting people with an agenda, and what we could have done to prevent the slide into spiritual depression.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It’s open to so much unsung and untapped potential, so much experiential knowledge in unusual areas. So many professions that no one offers as an option. So much real-life adventure!
How would you describe your writing process?
Lots of scribbles and half-formed ideas on random sheets of lined paper eventually compiled into one document and organized into readable content.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Finding out that their ideas already have traction and an audience!
What advice would you have for other writers?
It’s really true that the majority of the work can be done in 30 to 90 days. Clear the calendar. Friends and family will still be there in a few months. If they aren’t, they didn’t need to be in your calendar anyway.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Painstakingly, after discussing with my Selfpublishing.com coach and at least 5 family and friends.
What’s your next step?
Finishing book two, a collaborative work (my dad wrote most of it before he died): “Cults Among Us”.
What book do you wish you had written?
How to Live a Champagne Life on a Beer Budget
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Primarily gratitude. “This is amazing!” Then considering next steps or new audience members. (How can I get one more?)
FIND LINDA’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Aug 1, 2025 | Interviews, Horror, Literary, Sci-fi
Today, we’re talking with Mike Davis about his book, ESP Pawn Chronicles
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I like musicals.
Why do you write?
I like to put my imagination on paper. I like it when I can take people on a journey.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Working in a Pawnshop.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love that I can write about anything.
How would you describe your writing process?
Panster but with a little outlining to point me In the right direction.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Exposure and sales.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep writing.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I use the story to get the title and design my own covers.
What’s your next step?
The Prequel.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Always happy to see them.
FIND MIKE’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Aug 1, 2025 | Interviews, Religious, Spiritual
Today, we’re talking with Bob Albo about his book, The Spirit Reader
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
When I studied physics at university, I was amazed with how the universe worked out perfectly to support life.
For example, if the force of gravity had been slightly stronger or weaker, then after Big Bang, the universe would’ve either collapsed on itself or expanded without the formation of stars. There are two possibilities: we’re in the one life-giving universe out of an infinite number of random failures or our universe was created by Intelligent Design, a supernatural thing.
This riddle nagged at me for over thirty years, but it wasn’t until my career ended that it started my writing passion.
Why do you write?
To explore the mysteries between science and spirituality in character-driven stories.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
While on a mountain trail, I saw a broken piece of glass glittering in the sunlight. I picked the trash up. Then I looked through it at everything around me, nature and my fellow hikers. Imagine seeing deep down into the essence of things.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
New developments, like science or spirituality, and their impact on society. This could be AI, dark matter and consciousness, or mystical crystals.
How would you describe your writing process?
Start with a core idea, like reading spirits through a crystal, then write the first chapter. Do another chapter a day for the next month or two. Set the book aside for a month. Then spend the next 6 months revising.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Building a loyal base of readers, but I haven’t figured out how.
What advice would you have for other writers?
I’m not qualified to give advice to other writers, but for me, I write because I enjoy the process of working through ideas in character-driven stories. I want my stories to be widely read so the audience gets my ideas, but the royalties aren’t important, which is fortunate.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Consulting with my daughter and wife.
What’s your next step?
Write a YA sequel called Son of the Spirit Reader
What book do you wish you had written?
The Bible. Not because of its religious significance, but its portrayal of spirituality in the daily life of old civilizations.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Hopeful that the reader liked it. I read the review to see what in my book worked and didn’t.
FIND BOB’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jun 30, 2025 | Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Ann Fairway about her book, The Big Day Deceit
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I’m a serious jigsaw-puzzle obsessive—particularly the 3D kind. My spare bedroom is basically “Puzzle Central,” complete with my entire Wrebbit collection—foam models of famous buildings—proudly displayed and often in various stages of completion. When I’m not writing or self-publishing, I’m literally building worlds with foam bricks… or, you know, foam puzzle bricks. 😉
Why do you write?
Writing has always been my personal mental filing system—a way to bring order to the chaos swirling around me. But in 2020, something deeper shifted. Like everyone, I was “worried sick,” and the year felt defined by fear and uncertainty. Instead of letting it define me, I decided to redefine the year—I would launch my fiction-writing journey. With zero experience in publishing, I still chose to become a writer, determined to remember 2020 not just for illness, but for possibility and creation.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The spark for my latest novel came from one simple, cinematic “what if?”: a fake bride hidden behind the veil while the real one runs away. I’ve always loved rom‑coms brimming with fake relationships and pretend engagements—where spending time together under false pretences reveals real feelings underneath. That moment when pretending morphs into something much deeper is irresistibly romantic—and exactly what I wanted to explore in my story. I leaned into that magic: two people forced together, hiding secrets—and perhaps discovering something genuine beneath all the lies.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I adore the versatility of rom‑coms—and of course, their inevitable happy endings. As both a reader and a writer, I crave escapism: diving into stories you wouldn’t want to live in real life, but absolutely feel—those early sparks, the butterflies, the heartbreak (which always feels awful, even though we know it’ll be resolved). There’s something magical about being completely in sync with the protagonists, rooting for every laugh, tear, and stolen kiss.
How would you describe your writing process?
I’m a planner… with a healthy respect for chaos. 😅 I like to build a solid foundation—especially for my characters. For my current WIP, I spent several evenings exploring their backstories and emotional arcs to really understand who they are and who they want to become. Then I mapped out a detailed outline with about 100 scenes (I work in scenes, not chapters, since they tend to move around like unsupervised toddlers).
But once I start drafting? That’s when the characters take over. A recent example: I’d planned a scene where my male protagonist casually warns the heroine about a guy she’s about to meet. Simple, right? Except he decided to stand in the pouring rain and invent dramatic lies just so she wouldn’t go. So yes—I plan… but I’ve learned to expect a few emotional detours along the way.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
That direct connection in a digital world—hands down. It’s how we get to know our readers not as numbers in a publisher’s spreadsheet, but as Joanne with the pink hair or Mia with triplets—real people who love books for all the wonderfully personal reasons we do.
And of course… advertising. Let’s be honest: without social media, how would an indie author like me ever reach the readers who live for fake brides and wedding shenanigans? It opens doors that used to be bolted shut.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write the book. Don’t obsess over perfection—just get it out there. Publish it, breathe, and then start the next one. It’s always easier to let go of the second once your first book-baby is out in the world.
You’ll learn so much from doing it the first time—what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll absolutely do differently next time. And hey, if you’re smarter than I was, you might even start building your audience from day one. I didn’t… but I’ve definitely taken notes for the next round!
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Research, research… or pure magic. Sometimes a title just finds me—like with my current WIP (no spoilers, sorry!). Other times, it’s hours of wordplay, brainstorming, and Googling to avoid duplicating something wildly popular. I always aim for something memorable and just a little bit intriguing.
For covers, I’m all about fit and function. I use tools like K-lytics to see what’s trending in the categories I’ll be marketing in, and make sure my cover speaks directly to the right kind of reader. It’s not just about looking pretty—it’s about promising the right story.
Fun fact: The Big Day Deceit was originally going to be called something completely different… but I kept forgetting what it was. Figured if even I couldn’t remember it, it probably had to go. 😉
What’s your next step?
It’s a twofold adventure! On one side, I’m deep into the first draft of my next novel—still playing with hidden identities and strong protagonists in their forties who deserve another shot at love. This time, the drama unfolds in a familiar local pub in Reading. There’s no cosy cottage, but there is a golden retriever named Mentos, so I’d say that’s a fair trade.
At the same time, I’m eagerly waiting for the special edition print of The Big Day Deceit—hardcover, coloured edges, gorgeous paper—the works. I’ll be selling it through TikTok Shop and maybe Etsy too. Since I also have a day job, I’ve learned to pace myself (even when my brain wants to do all the things). Audiobooks and translations are on the wishlist… but they’ll have to queue up behind reality.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Like a kid in a candy store—I drop everything to read it. I genuinely love finding out what readers connected with… and what didn’t quite land. Who better to help me grow than an honest reviewer? Whether it’s praise or constructive feedback, I see every review as a little signpost helping me become a better storyteller.
FIND ANN’S BOOK ON AMAZON
May 27, 2025 | Interviews, Non Fiction, Self Help
Today, we’re talking with Kristine Georgia about her book, Healing My Anger
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I left an emotionally abusive relationship five years ago and I have been researching, healing and growing and learning so many wonderful paths to happiness.
Why do you write?
I found some healing methods that work really well for me. They are so unusual, that I have a great motivation to share them with the world. The ability to heal alone without needing medicine, therapy or support has radically changed my life and I hope it will change yours also.
What makes your book unique?
Finally, there is a book which addresses the root cause of anger – and promises complete healing. Healing My Anger is a deeply personal and emotionally honest exploration of what lies beneath our anger. Rather than offering surface-level techniques for managing frustration, the book gently reveals that anger is often a mask for something much more tender – grief that has never been fully felt.
With great compassion, it outlines a process that honors emotions rather than suppressing them. Readers are guided through the emotional layers – starting with anger, then moving into fear, and finally reaching grief. At the heart of it all is a belief that healing is possible when we allow ourselves to feel what we’ve spent years avoiding.
It suggests that grief is a doorway to freedom. By stepping through it, we can uncover a more authentic self, one no longer ruled by past wounds, but grounded in peace, clarity and truth.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
When I faced an angry husband. When I felt alone in the world. I knew there were answers and I am so grateful that healing is available to all of us.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I love being happy. I love the process of learning and changing to be a better human with the skills to make the world a better place.
How would you describe your writing process?
Sometimes, I seek quiet thoughtful moments to envision the story, then I just sit down and type.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Targeting people who may be seeking certain types of information or seeking certain groups can get together easily and help each other learn and grow.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Find something that inspires you and write.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Some reviews have helped me select book covers. They have distilled the most meaningful part of the book into a phrase that can be captured by an image.
What’s your next step?
I intend to keep writing to assist people find answers to many different issues in their life.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I love when people describe my book as eye-opening, life-changing and helpful. I just hope that their life will become better for reading it.
FIND KRISTINE’S BOOK ON AMAZON
