May 7, 2025 | Interviews, Editorial reviews
An interview with Book Trib
1. Where did the idea for The Mystical Guatemalan Robes come from?
My life as an international airline pilot was like living between Indiana Jones and Anthony Bourdain. My curious, adventurous nature led me to the indigenous people of many exotic locations where their stories and struggles became the fuel for my imagination. The indigenous people of the world, through conveyances of folklore created many of the characters in my first book.
My 92-year-old English teacher in the eleventh grade looked at me and said, “Someday you’re going to write a book.” She winked, which gave the moment a sincerity that I have carried on my shoulders for over 60 years. Sharing the exhilaration of my travels and adventures closes the loop on a goal I have had since the eleventh grade.
2. The concept of immortality often explores both its allure and its curse. How does the monk’s immortality shape his moral and psychological journey throughout the centuries?
A victim of sexual abuse as a youth, the monk seeks refuge in religion only to find that his isolation intensifies his anger and amplifies his thirst for revenge. He knows that his crimes could jeopardize his ascent into eternal life and is constantly seeking affirmation of his dark beliefs. He is an easy target for a secretive sect offering immortality in return for the services only he can provide. His life becomes a confused confidence and produces a new religion which embodies the very things that would have kept him from entering heaven. Are his benefactors aligned with God or are they gods themselves. His new armor in place the monk engages in brutal acts against those who wronged him. The religious zealot believes that immortality is not enough time to complete his work. Then one day, a mortal derails the priest by asking a simple question.
3. The dynamic between the monk and the airline pilot suggests a deeply intertwined fate. How did you develop this connection, and what does their shared past reveal about the nature of their conflict?
The victim of sexual abuse himself, the pilot’s obsession in bringing the pedophile priest to justice is the result of post traumatic stress syndrome. Having spent a lifetime trying to define his religious beliefs, it is unlikely that he believes a supernatural force is directing both his and the priest’s fate. The priest, having been immersed in religion for most of his adult life, believes that a supernatural force controls his fate and as such feels comfortable in satisfying his salacious beliefs. The story is not as much about an intertwined fate as it is about accepting the role of fate in your life. Initially, the pilot wants hard justice for the priest, but when he learns the priest was a victim of sexual abuse as a child, his hate for the cleric softens to a blurry emotion he can’t define.
4. Guatemala’s rich cultural and spiritual history plays a central role in your novel. How did you research the robed sect and the highland setting, and how does this specific locale influence the mystical elements of the story?
Research for The Mystical Guatemalan Robes was accomplished through boots on the ground. On layovers in Guatemala City, I would frequently venture up into the central and southwestern highlands in search of unique food and contact with the indigenous people. Seeing the area where the ancient Mayans lived, then suddenly disappeared, ripened my appetite for the local folklore that was in generous supply. The priest’s benefactors certainly had an interest in our planet’s volcanic activity and their demand for secrecy would make the highlands a perfect spot for a research facility. At night the streets of Antigua muffle the sounds of robed beings and fallen conquistadors alike.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award
“The Mystical Guatemalan Robes: Polansky weaves a story that’s both imaginative and disturbing, making it impossible to put down once you start.” 5 Stars
–Thomas Anderson, Editor in Chief, Literary Titan
“I picked it up and couldn’t put it down.”
–Dr. Charles L Rosenfeld, Oregon State University, Major General, U. S. Army
The International Review of Books Badge of Achievement Award
“For fans of science fiction and fantasy, this novel is must-read. It’s a journey that not only entertains but also inspires reflection on life’s choices, missed opportunities, and the profound forces that shape our destinies.”
–Tanja Slijepcevic, The International Review of Books
“The Mystical Guatemalan Robes is a thrilling exploration of history and mystery that will captivate readers from beginning to end. A must-read for those who enjoy a blend of science fiction, suspense, and richly developed characters.
–Book Review Directory
“This exploration of personal histories and the impact of past traumas resonated deeply, making me ponder the long-term effects of one’s experiences outside the story’s own context, with some important lessons and themes that stick with you long after you close the book.”
–K. C. Finn for Reader’s Favorite – 5 Stars
“The Mystical Guatemalan Robes was a fantastic read, and I hope for a sequel to John’s story soon.”
–Maalin Ogaja for Reader’s Favorite –5 Stars
“The idea of combining two very different timelines to create the climactic events of the story is unique, fresh, and innovative. The author has left the door open for a sequel and I look forward to this in the future.”
–Grant Leishman for Reader’s Favorite – 5 Stars
“The novel excels in clarity and emotional resonance. A riveting blend of myth and reality compels readers to examine their own beliefs and ponder the enigmatic boundaries between the known and the mystical.”
–The Prairies Book Review
READ MICHAEL’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Apr 21, 2025 | Editors' Blog, Interviews
Travelling for three months up the Amazon river, I searched for caiman crocodiles along its flooded banks in a tiny boat in the dark of the night, held a baby caiman in my hands, bailed water from the boat as we rowed frantically back to the distant shore through a lightning storm and torrential downpour, hoping to find our camp on the blacked out shoreline, while my local Indian guide shouted “There’s a crocodile chasing us”.
There was real fear in his voice.
Gliding silently over the water through the early morning mist in my canoe, I watched giant otters teaching their young how to build shelters using hollow logs and vegetation by the riverbank.
I’ve slept in a hammock deep in the Amazon jungle during thrashing rain storms, and watched a gigantic tarantula crawling towards me as I tended my fire; I’ve caught piranhas and eaten them for lunch; watched scarlet macaws flocking loudly and joyfully to orange-red cliffs rising vertically from the water, to feast on the clay essential for their diet.
I’ve travelled on chugging riverboats, sleeping on the top deck under a myriad of stars glistening in the black velvet sky.
My book, ‘The Power Within Her‘, will take you deep into this wondrous place – this stunningly beautiful, magical place called Amazonia
In this thrilling adventure of survival in a fight against evil, you will follow in the footsteps of my heroine, Caipora, a 13 year old Amazon Indian girl, as she forges her way through the jungle in her quest to save the rain forest and its inhabitants from destruction. You will shudder as the diabolical evil beings of Brazilian mythology come to life to pursue and capture her. And you will meet blood sucking bats, gigantic pirarucu fish; deadly Brazilian Wandering Spiders and caiman crocodiles.
In this story of courage, resilience and determination, of belief in ones self, you will fight with Caipora as she pits the power of her mind against the power of Fate; your heart will ache as hers does, for the loss of her soul mate, and you will empathise with her as she struggles with her guilt over the annihilation of her tribe.
If you thrive under a challenge, if you seek adventure, if you identify with courage and determination, you will find the thrills you’re looking for in this fight for survival.
Facts RE the Amazon Rain Forest:
The Amazon Rain forest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of over 5.5 million square kilometres. It produces around 20% of the world’s oxygen and is known as the ‘lungs of the world.’ A treasure trove of biodiversity, it provides a home to millions of plant and animal species as well as medicinal plants and exotic fruits. It also provides valuable resources for nearby communities.
Tropical forests capture carbon emissions from the atmosphere. They are natural carbon sinks. Their deforestation releases tonnes of carbon dioxide and reduces the planet’s ability to absorb it from the atmosphere, so contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climatic instability.
The rate of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is one of the most severe worldwide, causing one of the biggest ecological crises of our time. It significantly affects our planet’s health and the wellbeing of all living things, impacting air quality, climate, biodiversity loss, threatened species and Indigenous rights.
From the US Review of Books:
“Thoughts have real energy…. Visualise yourself achieving your goal and you will achieve it. Believe in yourself and the power of your mind. Never doubt your abilities.” Recommended by Joslyn Vann for the US Review of Books.
Recommended by Asher Syed for Reader’s Favourite:
Liene Burbeck’s The Power Within Her is a colourful tale that takes readers deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Burbeck’s writing shines in near-cinematic descriptions of both the beauty and dangers of the wild. I love that Burbeck has made Caipora a fierce and resourceful heroine who has the fortitude and courage to overcome raging rivers and terrifying supernatural creatures, and put her trust in a cornucopia of strangers to save what she holds dear, and what so many depend on for their own survival. The mix of myth and reality feels as organic as one would expect, and, although some of the action scenes are intense, they are never heavy-handed. Burbeck’s ability to balance a message with real entertainment value shines brightly. Very highly recommended.
Recommended by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favourite:
“The Power Within Her is a remarkable story that offers life changing lessons about resilience, visualization, and self-belief. Although Caipora is a young girl thrust into a vast jungle with daunting challenges, her spirit is that of a warrior. Each time she confronts her fears, she learns to harness her inner strength and embrace her true potential. Her struggle with fate and its role in her destiny is relatable and will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their purpose and ability to face adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates survival stories that promote personal growth, environmental stewardship, and resilience.”
Recommended by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favourite:
The Power Within Her by Liene Burbeck is a wonderful read, a stunning tale of survival, freedom, and finding your true purpose in life. The action starts on page one, and the author’s descriptive writing lands you right in the middle of the story, following Caipora on her journey as she fights to save her rain forest. Expect the unexpected in this tale as you follow Caipora on an exciting, terrifying journey, a tale of unconditional love and courage with an environmental theme running through it. This story will lead you to look deep within yourself and ask: are you all you were meant to be? Have you found your true purpose in life? I enjoyed this story; it gave me hope for a better world for all of us, and Caipora embodies everything every teenage girl should aspire to be.
This is a wildly imaginative and utterly delightful work of young adult fiction. Burbeck’s skillful, descriptive writing style vividly captures the lush scenery of the Amazon Rainforest. Painstakingly detailed character portrayals draw readers into a world that is a creative blend of nature, mystical creatures, and South American culture. The author weaves gender roles, arranged marriages, culinary traditions, cultural beliefs, and spiritual rituals into an engaging tapestry of female empowerment and strength. The character development is both skillful and compelling. Burbeck leaves young adult readers with the clear but powerful message that they are capable of so much more than they could ever imagine.
READ MY BOOK ON AMAZON HERE
Mar 29, 2025 | Interviews, Non Fiction
Today, we’re talking with Phoenix J. Waldren about his book, Parenting Superkids with ADHD
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
Something unexpected about me is that, despite being a self-help and motivational author, I sometimes struggle with staying motivated myself. Like anyone else, I have moments of self-doubt and distraction, especially when juggling multiple projects. What keeps me grounded is the very advice I share with others, I lean on routines, small wins, and a strong sense of purpose to keep moving forward. It’s a humbling reminder that growth is a continuous process, even for those of us who write about it!
Why do you write?
I write self-help and motivational books because I have a deep desire to inspire and empower others, drawing from my personal experiences and challenges. My work reflects a passion for helping people overcome obstacles, discover their inner strength, and achieve their potential. Whether addressing ADHD, emotional resilience, or professional success, I aim to provide relatable, actionable strategies to transform lives. It’s not just about sharing knowledge but about creating meaningful connections and sparking positive change in others’ journeys.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I got the inspiration for my current book from a combination of personal experiences, observations of challenges people face, and the desire to provide actionable solutions. I often draw from my own journey whether it’s overcoming obstacles, embracing personal growth, or learning from failures—and pair that with the insights I’ve gained through research, conversations, and real-life examples. My goal is always to address a need or provide clarity in areas where people are seeking guidance, which motivates me to turn those ideas into practical, impactful content.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
What I enjoy the most about my genre is the opportunity to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives. Writing self-help and motivational books allows me to connect with readers on a deeply personal level, offering them tools, encouragement, and perspectives that can help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I love turning complex ideas into relatable, actionable strategies and hearing how my words resonate with others. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work can inspire hope, growth, and transformation in someone’s journey.
How would you describe your writing process?
I would describe my writing process as structured yet flexible, driven by bursts of creativity and guided by a clear vision. I start by brainstorming ideas and mapping out a framework to organize my thoughts. Research plays a key role, as I strive to back my insights with evidence and relatable examples. Once I have an outline, I dive into drafting, focusing on capturing the essence of my message while keeping the tone conversational and engaging.
I often revisit sections, refining my work to ensure it flows naturally and maintains a balance of practicality and inspiration. Writing for me involves moments of deep focus but also periods where I step away to reflect and let ideas percolate. It’s a mix of discipline, creativity, and a commitment to delivering value to my readers.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Authors have much to gain from participating in social media, as it’s a powerful platform for building connections, growing an audience, and directly engaging with readers. It allows authors to build their personal brand by sharing their voice, personality, and insights, helping readers connect with them on a deeper level. Social media increases visibility, attracting new readers who might not have discovered their books otherwise. It also provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with fans, fostering a loyal and supportive community. Beyond promotion, authors can share updates, teasers, or behind-the-scenes looks at their writing process to spark excitement for their releases. Social media facilitates networking among writers, publishers, and industry professionals, thereby creating opportunities for collaborations and learning. By engaging with followers, authors can gather valuable feedback and inspiration for future projects, making social media a dynamic tool for staying relevant and connected in today’s digital world.
Version 1.0.0
What advice would you have for other writers?
My advice for other writers is to embrace the journey, stay authentic, and keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges. Write what truly resonates with you and trust that your unique perspective will find its audience. Don’t get bogged down by perfection just start writing and refine later. Consistency is key, so make time to write regularly, even if it’s just a little each day.
Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow writers and readers who can provide encouragement and constructive feedback. Be open to learning and evolving; read widely; study your craft; and don’t shy away from constructive criticism. Most importantly, believe in your voice and your message. Writing is as much about personal growth as it is about creating something meaningful for others, so enjoy the process and trust the impact your work can have.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I select my books’ titles and covers through a blend of creativity, strategy, and audience focus. For the title, I aim for something that captures the essence of the book while being engaging, memorable, and clear about the book’s purpose. I often brainstorm multiple options, experimenting with phrasing that is both intriguing and resonates with my target audience. I also consider keywords and phrases that will make the title appealing and easy to find online.
When it comes to covers, I think about the emotions and themes I want the visuals to convey. I collaborate with designers or use feedback to ensure the cover is eye-catching and professional, aligning with the genre and appealing to readers at first glance. The goal is to create a cohesive package where the title and cover work together to draw readers in and instantly communicate the value of the book.
What’s your next step?
My next step is to focus on promoting my current books while continuing to develop new ideas that resonate with my audience. I plan to refine my marketing strategies, explore tools like Amazon ad automation, and engage more actively with readers on social media to build a stronger community around my work. I’m also aiming to finalize and launch my next book projects, such as Legacy by Design (Teen and Young Adult Rental Investment), ensuring its impactful and well-received.
Additionally, I’m looking into diversifying my offerings, whether through creating complementary content like workbooks, webinars, or even branching into new genres like thrillers or drawing books for kids. On a personal level, I’ll keep improving my writing craft, seeking out feedback, and learning new techniques to make my books even better. Every step is about building momentum and delivering value to my readers.
What book do you wish you’d written?
I love my niche of self-help, and it fulfills me to inspire and empower others, but I wish I had a mind for thriller books. Writing something like Invisible, a dark and gripping tale about a serial killer who uses candles as both a symbol and a weapon, would be an incredible challenge. The psychological intrigue, chilling narrative, and exploration of human nature in thrillers have always fascinated me, and I admire the ability to craft such intense and unforgettable stories.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Seeing a new review for my book is always a mix of excitement and curiosity. If it’s a positive review, it fills me with gratitude and a sense of accomplishment, knowing that my words resonated with someone and made a difference in their life. If the feedback is constructive, I view it as an opportunity to learn and grow as an author. Every review, whether glowing or critical, reminds me that my work is reaching readers and sparking a reaction, which is ultimately why I write. It’s a humbling and motivating experience that keeps me striving to create content that connects and inspires.
FIND PHOENIX’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Dec 23, 2024 | Interviews, Non Fiction, Spiritual
Today, we’re talking with Walter Broach about his book, Spiritual Energy and You
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I’m 86 years old
Why do you write?
It is fun. I like to research stuff and save it so it is easy for me to flesh it out into books.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I will drop dead soon because I’m old. I’m curious about what happens after death. My next book will be about the material of which we are composed, where it came from, how we got it and what happens to it after death.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I believe I enjoy doing research that interests me the most. I will read anything that comes into my view.
How would you describe your writing process?
I go to my desk and sit down. Then I started messing with my computer by playing a game of Solitaire. Then, I start researching or writing. Google has made the research easy. We don’t have to go to the library any more.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
It is good for their brain because they get to see lots of viewpoints.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write and read. If you want to write, do it. The more you do it, the better you get at it.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I do a short title that is descriptive of the genre of the book and then a longer subtitle telling what the book is about, Then I have someone else do the cover because I want the book to look good.
What’s your next step?
To write at least one more book. I’m excited about it. It will be about life before we were born and after we die.
What book do you wish you’d written?
No book not mine. I love reading other peoples stuff, I learn from them.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I love to read them.
FIND WALTER’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Dec 23, 2024 | Editorial reviews, Interviews
Today, we’re talking with Anthony Wildman about his book, In the Company of Knaves
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I didn’t start writing until after I turned sixty, which was unexpected to me, let alone the rest of the world!
Why do you write?
I often joke that my writing is really only an excuse to do historical research, which is probably half true. But why do I write? Mostly because I have discovered that telling stories, whether true or completely made up, is a lot of fun.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
As the third book in a series about the early life of Shakespeare, it is to some extent built on the two first two novels. But the specific plot in this book was inspired by a few slightly murky historical facts. One was the closure of two of London’s major acting companies in 1589, apparently for some kind of transgression against public morality, though the nature of the actual offence is unknown. The other is the well-known enmity that developed between Shakespeare and another writer, Robert Greene, the reasons for which are obscure. The rest of my ideas for the book were hung from those two pegs.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
The wonderful thing about history is that it offers an abundance of great stories and intriguing mysteries, both of which combine to create a gold mine for a novelist. And where a historian has to say ‘well, this or this might have happened, or it might not’, I can pick the story I like and just tell it. Exploring all those possibilities is great fun.
How would you describe your writing process?
It has evolved over the years. For my first book in the Shakespeare series, I just started with an idea and wrote, letting the story unfold as I went. But for ‘The Diplomat of Florence’, my novel about Machiavelli, I had to be much more structured, since I was following very well documented events. More recently I have ended up being a kind of hybrid between being a ‘pantser’ and a planner, spending a good deal of time working up the ploy in outline before writing the book itself, but also allowing the narrative to evolve without it being enslaved to the initial plot. Thank heavens I discovered a software package called Scrivener, which makes that kind of writing style very easy.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I do find social media a bit vexing. It often feels as if it is a kind of voracious beast whose appetites can never be satisfied, and if you aren’t careful you can end up spending all your time feeding it. Like many, I feel as if its initial promise is slowly being subverted by crass commercialism. But having said all that, there is no denying that it is an important channel of communication if you use it to find the right audience.
What advice would you have for other writers?
I’ve often been asked this, and I usually decline to give much advice – I am very conscious that, though I have been at it for six or seven years now, I am relatively new to this game, with much to learn myself. If pushed, I would say that the most important thing for a writer to do is to write! Sounds simple, but creating anything is hard work, and we all put things off that are hard, don’t we? But in my experience, just getting down to work and starting pretty soon opens the creative taps, and things start flowing.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I choose the titles of my books to convey as succinctly as possible what the book is about. Anyone who knows anything about Shakespeare, for example, would recognise the words ‘What News on the Rialto?’ as a line from The Merchant of Venice, and therefore would have some idea that the book is set in Venice and that it is related to Shakespeare in some way. Similarly, ‘The Diplomat of Florence’ tells the reader the setting and general background of the book. So in most respects it is driven by the needs of marketing more than anything else. Much the same is true of my covers. I have an excellent cover designer who comes up with brilliant concepts, but the overall design is governed by marketing. It has to convey what the book is about and where it is set, and it has to stand out on the Amazon page and anywhere else it is advertised.
What’s your next step?
I have a few more books lurking in my mind. My next project is likely to be a novel about Napoleon Bonaparte, specifically about his time spent on the island of Elba before he made the fateful decision to return to France and commence the campaign that ended with Waterloo and his final exile to St Helena. It is a curious interlude in his life, and one full of dramatic possibilities (not to mention real life events that, in all honesty, you couldn’t make up!). After that I have in mind another series of books set in Renaissance Florence. By the time I’ve done all that, no doubt a few other ideas will have occurred to me!
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
It depends on the review. We all like positive feedback, so an approving review is affirming. But even positive reviews sometimes have little nuggets of criticism that can be a bit jarring when you first see them. I try and take such comments as feedback, unless they are plain silly, in which case I ignore them!
FIND ANTHONY’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Dec 23, 2024 | Interviews, Non Fiction
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I have an unnatural love for compost. Nothing makes me happier than to see my discards become something fertile and teeming with life.
Why do you write?
Writing is my outlet for channeling the voices that screech in my ear when I’m trying to sleep. It’s my sanity saver, giving me an outlet for all the insights, frustrations, and dark humor that I’d otherwise be shrieking into the void.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
This book is a series of essays and stories that reflect my need to process the upsetting truths about the poor condition of Earth’s life support systems. Not just climate change, but our fresh water, air, soils, oceans, biodiversity, and more are in bad shape. Why aren’t we doing more to save ourselves? Disinformation campaigns play a big part. I also believe that those of us who want to do more wonder if there’s anything we can do that will make a difference. So, for every problem I highlight, I decided to showcase a group that’s doing something about it, to help inspire us all to do all that we can to save our very life support systems.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
I’m not sure I have a genre.
How would you describe your writing process?
Both chaotic and systematic. I sit down to write every morning when my brain is still fresh, come what may. The routine helps me be productive. But the big ideas tend to come while I’m walking, meditating or sleeping—not, in other words, when I sit down at my desk. So, I make notes on my apps or shout them at Alexa in the night, and these become fodder for the next day’s writing.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I enjoy following authors who share their trials and tribulations candidly. Not the ones who make it all seem simple but the ones who make me feel like I’m part of a messy, creative tribe. I’m still searching for the best means of connecting with interested readers.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Keep at it. I could not be writing what I am today if not for countless hours spent producing drivel. I also recommend taking a class or joining a writing group to get some new insights and perspectives. I don’t mean an MFA program, unless that’s meaningful to you—I don’t have one. I have, however, gleaned a lot from meeting up with a group of writers, as well as taking a few six-week online classes.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The book title is the very last thing that comes to me. The title Madness on the Brink of Eco-Apocalypse arrived after the entire book had been edited and proofread. My writing is so chaotic, bouncing from one idea to another, that I need that bit of distance after the writing is done to sit back and ponder what the whole thing was all about. I’m fortunate that the cover designers came up with just the right design for both of my books because I think in words, not pictures. But I know what I like when I see it, and I’m thrilled with how the covers turned out.
What’s your next step?
This book came fast and furious, given the urgency of the topics. I’m looking forward to writing some lazy blog posts and enjoying the holidays.
FIND CHERYL’S BOOK ON AMAZON
