Oct 8, 2025 | Interviews, Religious, Spiritual
Today, we’re talking with Heather Morse Alexander about her book, The Grace Writers
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I didn’t start writing in earnest until my late 40s, when I joined a writing group while my husband was deployed. Now, at 60, I’ve finally published my debut novel. It’s never too late to do what you’ve dreamed of doing.
Why do you write?
To share through story the fact that we’re not all that different from one another. We struggle, we’re quirky, we grieve, we laugh, we yearn for peace, and we are all on a journey.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I joined a writing group many years ago. The women were fun and quirky, inspiring a few of the characters in my book. Then I discovered vintage photographs at a flea market. The snapshots told stories. I began writing the stories and shared them in the writing group. The women loved them, and The Grace Writers began to take shape.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Contemporary fiction can be relatable in the present. Someone out there may “get” my book and feel the story deeply. Contemporary Christian fiction reaches a deeper level, where even those who are skeptical may find the messiness of a faith journey something in which they can find comfort.
How would you describe your writing process?
I’m a “pantser.” The general plot is born, and I begin to write. The characters direct the story as I go. I’ve tried to be more methodical, but it stifles my creativity.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
I’m not a big fan of social media. I did sign up for social media before my book released, however, and there is a benefit to it. Obviously, it helps with exposure, but I have had to ask many of my friends and acquaintances for favors and shout-outs to expand my reach further. It’s not easy, but it has been humbling to realize how many people are willing to help.
What advice would you have for other writers?
You’re not too old to begin. Embrace critique for the gift that it is. Pay for a good cover.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The book titled itself. I didn’t mull it over much. I hired a cover designer. I love my cover and it was worth every penny!
What’s your next step?
I have a semi-finished middle-grade novel and another Grace Writers book in the works.
What book do you wish you had written?
One of my favorite contemporary books is “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” I love the way the author (Gail Honeyman) made me care so deeply for Eleanor, so much so that when I finished the book, a sigh rose from my chest in utter satisfaction with the ending.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I’m initially excited that someone read my work, then relieved that they related to it, and enjoyed it.
FIND HEATHER’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Oct 8, 2025 | Interviews, Spiritual
Today, we’re talking with Jeremiah Haslam about his book, “BUCK The Unrelenting“
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I am a huge boxing fan.
Why do you write?
Writing allows me to express the creativity God has given me and acts as a form of therapy. Your thoughts become words, and your words become art.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
Books such as ‘Old Yellow,’ ‘White Fang,’ and ‘Call of the Wild’ are among my favorites; they served as sources of inspiration for me. Due to my love for the American Pit Bull Terrier, I was motivated to write a story similar to those, featuring an American Pit Bull Terrier as the main hero of the narrative.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Fictional faith is meaningful; I can craft engaging stories that, though fictional, are rooted in faith.
How would you describe your writing process?
It’s like building a house; I get an idea, which is the foundation, and then I build on that, a little at a time, until that house (the book) is completed.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Social media gives your writing the chance to reach people all around the world.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Continue writing whenever you have the opportunity. Consistency is the key.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Typically, the title comes to me initially. As for the cover, I usually determine the theme after completing the writing of the book.
What’s your next step?
BUCK THE UNRELENTING will have a sequel
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
The fact that an individual read your book and took the time to review it is commendable.
FIND JEREMIAH’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Sep 5, 2025 | Interviews, Mystery, Thriller
Today, we’re talking with Clive Fleury about his book, All or None
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
When I was about ten, I spent a year trying to learn the violin. It was a disaster. I hated the instrument, and the instrument hated me.
Why do you write?
I have to write because if I didn’t, I could slide into a deep depression and drink myself silly.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
I stay for part of the year in Potts Point, Sydney, Australia, which is entirely coincidentally where Detective Ryan, the hero of my book, lives. I imagine the people he must see, think about their lives, and then draw inspiration from all of that.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
A cozy mystery thriller like my latest book, All or None, is precisely the sort of book I like to read. They usually have both good and complex characters, twists galore, and an ending which leaves me scratching my head and thinking: Why didn’t I see that coming?
How would you describe your writing process?
Hard and extremely time-consuming.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Social media allows you to quickly and easily connect with an audience of potential readers who may never have heard of you or your books.
What advice would you have for other writers?
If necessary, force yourself to write, as the rewards of seeing the book in print make it all worthwhile in the end.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
There’s something in each book that supplies a pithy phrase that goes to the heart of the story.
What’s your next step?
My next book in the Detective Ryan Mystery series – Never Enough. I’m writing it now and it will be out after All or None.
What book do you wish you had written?
There are far, far too many brilliant books in the world, so just choosing one is, for me, impossible.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I cross my fingers before I read the review, and hope like hell that the reviewer hasn’t been too unkind.
FIND CLIVE’S BOOK ON AMAZON
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
