Jalpa Williby

AUTHOR BIO 

Serenity began writing short stories when she was 7 years old. She illustrated these stories as well, even though now she admits she can’t draw. Her parents would buy her extra school notebooks to write her stories in and her favourite place to write was under the carport during a rainstorm. She would sit at the picnic table and write for hours during summer storms. While still in high school, Serenity had nearly finished writing a full length novel. Unfortunately, the notebook fell out of her backpack during her Junior year (she believes on the bus) and was never found. Devastated, she turned from writing and threw herself into drama. For many years she participated in school musicals and community theater. She even had a very small (uncredited) part in the 2001 Tim Burton film “Planet of the Apes”. She did get to meet Burton though and said he was “eccentric but very nice”. She also did some modeling in the past few years and continues to pursue that venue as well.
During this time she began writing again for an online RPG game based on the show “La Femme Nikita” (one of her favourite shows of all time). Slowly, she began to have ideas for her own stories again but always found that the middle of the story was missing. She wrote the beginning and left it until her block was defeated. In 2013, Serenity started writing again full force.
Serenity is the wife of an author. She is mum to 3 boys, currently aged 21, 17 and 2. Serenity graduated from Cerro Coso Community College in 2002 with two Associates Degrees in Social Sciences and Humanities, then went on to graduate in 2005 from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Latin American/Latino Studies. She is a proud Banana Slug and a proud sister of Sigma Pi Alpha Sorority. In the little free time she has between family and writing, she enjoys gardening, reading, crafting things, henna art, and watching such shows as “Burn Notice”, “Covert Affairs”, “Warehouse 13″, “Law & Order SVU”, “Touch”, “Kitchen Nightmares” and others.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. Briefly tell us about the book(s) you have published. Happily! My first book is “The Fantastical Life of Serenity: A collection of short stories about what could be… but not quite is”. It is a contemporary fiction collection, novel length, with five short stories revolving around a young woman named Serenity. The stories all tie in together, but I don’t want to give too much away. I’ve gotten great reviews on it, so I do recommend it to everyone who likes a fun read! My second book is “The Fantastical Life of Serenity: Epilogue”. This one is a companion novella to the first book and is a contemporary romance. Wonder what happened to Serenity after the events of the first book? THIS book tells all! Epilogue also has been highly rated by reviewers. My upcoming book is one I am super excited about! Acquittal is a paranormal mystery/crime novel, the first in a series of five. Krizi and Kenzie are college students who get thrust into the middle of a missing persons investigation. During this time, they meet a spirit with another mystery for them! There is mystery, culture, crushes, fun, action, scary parts and best of all funny catch phrases! Ok, maybe not *best* of all, but I do so love a good catch phrase (and puns… I love puns!)

2. What motivated you to write your book(s)? I’ve been writing since I was a young girl, however, I’d only ever had one poem published in an anthology prior to the first Fantastical book. My husband is also an author and it was his writing of his book that motivated me to rework some short stories I had started on a few years ago. The first Fantastical book came from those and then all of a sudden I just couldn’t stop typing!

3. What do you think your book(s) offer to your readers? Fun, escape, among other things. guess it depends on which book is being read. My first and second books were similar to one another, but the third is a completely different genre, so it offers different things.

4. Who is your favorite character from your book (s)? Why? Uh… blank stare. I truly don’t think I can answer that. I like many of them. Most of my main characters are based on people that I care about, so it is hard to pick!

5. Do you prefer pen/paper or the computer when you write? I use the computer, though I keep paper on me at all times in case I get an idea to write down. When I started writing, we didn’t have computers in every home, so I used to write everything on paper. Frankly, I type faster than I write so typing works for me.

6. What do you do to get yourself to focus when you’re writing a scene? (music, location, etc) No music! I love to sing and if I play music while I write, I will start singing. I’ve caught myself typing lyrics in the middle of a scene, so I’ve had to stop listening to music. I will listen to a song prior to writing if it fits a scene, to give me ideas on where to go with it, but turn it off before I start writing. I must have coffee by my side and that’s pretty much it. I have a toddler, so focusing isn’t necessarily something I can do for long periods of time anyway.

7. Do you prefer reality or fantasy? I like a balance of both. I use real world events in my books, even if they are supernatural or fantasy.

8. Who are your favorite authors? Maggie Shayne, Annette Blair, Anne Rice, M. Jet.

9. Out of all of the books you’ve read, which books have “stuck” with you? The Outsiders, The Witching Hour, I don’t know… I’ve read so many books in my life, there are some I still think about but don’t even remember the titles!

10. What type of advice would you give other indie authors? Network! Get to know people. Word of mouth is our best PR, so put yourself out there and GO!

11. Have you had any regrets regarding this writing/publishing/marketing process? Is there anything you would do different? No. While I might consider going with a publisher, if contacted, I would have to think about it. I love having complete control over my books.

12. Since you started this journey in writing, what are some positives and some negatives you’ve encountered? I’ll start with the negatives. It is hard to get your name out there. Hours must be spent to get people aware of you. It’s rough to do it all yourself and is great when one has friends to help. Everything else I see as a positive.

13. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I like to watch movies with my toddler, garden, sing, act, hang out with my teen and do henna art.

14. Tell us your most memorable or proudest moment. Having my kids, marrying my soulmate, and my first 5 star review!

15. Tell us something interesting about you that your readers may not know. I am part Calo, which is a branch of the Romani people. Many people call Romani “Gypsies”.

16. Finally, if you could say something to your readers, what would it be? Without you, I get nowhere. I appreciate each and every one of you! Read my books, tell your friends, I’ll never forget it! ❤

Links to buy!

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JE21FY0

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4596637

Autographed paperback: http://serenityvalleauthor.wordpress.com/autographed-copies/

Thank you for being our guest today, Serenity. We wish you all the best.

I gave this story 5 stars!!! It’s a must read, and I absolutely loved every page.

I have to admit that this has been one of my favorites! I actually read this book when it first came out, but I just re-read it because I wanted to write the review. Even reading it the second time, I loved it just as much. I just downloaded Prodigy because I’m going to force myself to find some time to read the second and third book. I have to have my closure!

That being said, the author does a phenomenal job putting the readers there, in each separate scene. There were times when my heart would beat faster and my breathing would quicken. I would smile to myself at times and even shed a few tears. I was basically on the edge of my seat through out the entire story.

Day is a very strong character. He is deep and intriguing. It’s easy to get attached to him. June comes from a very different world and although many times, I wanted to scream at her, I was happy that she finally was able to see the truth.

God, this book has so much. The ending is very emotional. It’s the type of ending that has you yelling, “No, no, no!” I’m curious about June and Day- I really hope the two can somehow find some happiness within all the chaos.

Miss Lu is a fantastic author. I’m impressed with not only her writing, but her story telling skills.

Here are the actors I pictured as the two leads of the book:

Jeremy Irvine as Day

Hailee Steinfeld as June

So I decided I’m going to start posting reviews on my website. That way, I can maybe help market for some authors out there. 

I just finished my review on Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller by Demelza Carlton. This is the sequel to the Nightmare Series (the first one was Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer).

My review:

4 STARS!!!

After reading the first book of the series, this one helps answer some of the lingering questions. The first one had many loopholes and the reader was left filling in many of the blanks.

That being said, I have to admit, I enjoyed the first one better. As much as I do like Caitlin, I don’t connect with her like I do with Nathan. This sequel is basically the same story as the first one, but with Caitlin’s perspective. She had horrifying things happen to her, but she is definitely a survivor. But again, I just had a hard time getting attached to her.

Perhaps, I enjoyed the first one more because it was from Nathan’s perspective. Or perhaps, there was more suspense in the first one (the readers weren’t sure how the book was going to end)- in the second one, we basically know what is going to happen (the general plot of the story). However, we do find out some surprises in this one that were not revealed in the first book.

I really like Nathan- I think he is a very deep character and the author has just touched the surface of his personality. I’m hoping we see the full depth of Nathan’s character in the third book.

I’m still left with a lot of questions. I’m hoping that the author gives her readers a nice closure in the third and I believe, the final installment of the series.

This is a unique story with a bit of everything- suspense, thriller, romance, horror, and action. I am looking forward to the third book, hoping Nathan’s story has a happy ending.

As dark as the series are, the story is definitely intriguing. 

The book is available on Amazon. Start with Book one- it all comes together, trust me! 

Oh, and here’s how I visualized Nathan and Caitlin…

Ben Barnes as Nathan:

Zoey Deutch as Caitlin:

I have to admit, music played a significant role when I was writing Chaysing Dreams. Although, I’m not a musician myself, I’ve always been drawn to music. Depending on the song, it has always helped set the right mood for me.

Studies have shown that pitch, tone, and rhythm all affect different parts of our brain. There is a strong correlation of how music may affect our emotions as well. I know we all have listened to a particular song or a type of music that may have brought tears to our eyes or fill our hearts with joy.

That being said, I use music quite a bit in Chaysing Dreams. First of all, one of the main characters plays the guitar and is a phenomenal singer. There are three different parts in the book when I utilize music to really enhance the scenes.

In Chapter Two, I use “You Are Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera. This song is sung to kids and adults with Autism. Since I work with special population in my “day job,” I really wanted to use a song that came from the heart. For me, some of the lyrics from this song really go with the scene.

 “You are beautiful,

No matter what they say.

Words can’t bring you down.”

Later on, as the story develops, I use Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park. I don’t know how many of you have heard this song, but it really is one of my favorites. Originally, I heard it first on the Twilight soundtrack. 🙂

This scene in Chaysing Dreams is huge. I had to get it right. The heroine, Tess, learns things that she was expecting at all. Furthermore, it is basically a goodbye song. Writing this scene, I played this song over and over. Honestly, it really put me there- I could feel the pain radiating through every verse, every word. Here’s the song:

 I dreamed I was missing

You were so scared

But no one would listen

Cause no one else cared

 After my dreaming

I woke with this fear

What am I leaving

When I’m done here

 So if you’re asking me

I want you to know

 When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I’ve done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

 And don’t resent me

And when you’re feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

 Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest

 Don’t be afraid

I’ve taken my beating

I’ve shared what I made

 I’m strong on the surface

Not all the way through

I’ve never been perfect

But neither have you

 So if you’re asking me

I want you to know

 When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I’ve done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

 Don’t resent me

And when you’re feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

 Leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest

 Forgetting

All the hurt inside

You’ve learned to hide so well

 Pretending

Someone else can come and save me from myself

I can’t be who you are

 The last song I use in Chaysing Dreams is called “A Drop In the Ocean” by Ron Pope. I think this is probably one of the most romantic songs I’ve ever heard. In Chaysing Dreams, the main male character sings this song to the heroine.

With their “relationship” so complicated, this is the only way he can express his feelings for her. I actually had goose bumps writing this scene. This song really symbolizes their love for one another and somehow, against all odds, they find one another.

 A drop in the ocean

A change in the weather

I was praying that you and me might end up together

It’s like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert

But I’m holding you closer than most ’cause you are my heaven

 And still I can’t let you be

Most nights I hardly sleep

 Heaven doesn’t seem far away anymore, no, no

Heaven doesn’t seem far away

 A drop in the ocean

A change in the weather

I was praying that you and me might end up together

It’s like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert

But I’m holding you closer than most ’cause you are my heaven

You are my heaven

I absolutely love this song. If you haven’t heard it, I strongly recommend that you do. This song will forever remind me of the two main characters in my book. ❤

 For my sequel, no worries- more amazing songs coming your way! 🙂

Hello! I have a very special author today, Julie Cooper Brown! Julie has written The Last Day in the Life of Jillian. 

This is the first book in a series of The Last Days.
Jillian and Evan are trapped and Evan is ill. Jillian recalls the events that have led to their demise, as well as documenting the stages of Evan’s infection as he changes into a being she used to love to be afraid of.

Julie Cooper Brown

Here’s a great interview with her:

Briefly tell us about the book(s) you have published.

The Last Day in the Life of Jillian is one woman’s struggle to survive during a zombie apocalypse. She recounts the events that led up to her demise as well as documenting the stages of infection as it ravages her beloved husband’s body, turning him into a being she once used to love to be frightened of.

What motivated you to write your book(s)?

Honestly. I was unemployed and bored. I had just finished watching season two of The Walking Dead, and I wondered if I could come up with a story that would reflect how it might be for me if this sort of thing were to happen.

What do you think your book(s) offer to your readers?

An escape into someone else’s mind for a moment.  An opportunity to feel the emotions of another in distress without being in distress themselves.

Who is your favorite character from your book? Why?

Jillian is my favorite character. I based her greatly upon myself, thoughts attitude, speech. She is an alternate me, just prettier.

Do you prefer pen/paper or the computer when you write?

When I began writing Jillian, I used a pen and paper to write the entire story. I put it into the computer later, and then I was able to find most of my mistakes. Now, if I have an idea, I quickly jot it down and come back to it  later, but I use the computer at that point.

What do you do to get yourself to focus when you’re writing a scene? (music, location, etc)

Unfortunately  I don’t have an office, yet. But at the moment I am seated next to my husband and my computer is right in front of me. I do prefer quiet, but when I listen to music it is Beethoven’s Moonlight  Sonata.  It’s beautiful and carries you through so many different emotions. It does have a huge impact on the scene I am writing at that point. J

Do you prefer reality or fantasy?

I am a lover of all things that have nothing to do with reality. I mean, we are ready have plenty of that!  I don’t care for reality shows at all, I have enough going on in my life. So, fantasy takes me away from what ails me.

Who are your favorite authors?

Stephen King, John Saul, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, I really like Brian Keene these days and I have a new favorite in the crime thriller genre, Author Cliff Roberts. There are several others I could mention but there is not enough room on this page .

Out of all of the books you’ve read, which books have “stuck” with you?

Wow, that is a hard one. I have so many. I guess I will refer to the one I find myself most thinking about here and there.  John Saul’s Comes The Blind Fury. I read it when I was ten, maybe eleven years old, I still think of it.

What type of advice would you give other indie authors?

I  want to say, keep writing! Being able to put it down and finish it is a great accomplishment, even before it hits the internet. Give it your best or nothing at all.

Have you had any regrets regarding this writing/publishing/marketing process? Is there anything you would do different?

I have no regrets. I am learning as I go and I have made mistakes, but with all the great support groups I am in with fellow indie authors, they help me through it.

Since you started this journey in writing, what are some positives and some negatives you’ve encountered?

I have found great friends and acquaintances in my journey. That’s surely a positive! The only negatives I don’t like waiting when I hit publish. I am a very impatient person in the first place, so waiting twelve hours is like pulling teeth. Other than that, everything else has been lessons learned and knowledge of other aspects of the business attained.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I occasional play guitar, a little piano and even a little bit of violin. I don’t have one, I wish I did. My husband and I sometimes play tennis and I love to read.

Tell us your most memorable or proudest moment.

My first 5 star review. I really went into this thinking that people were going to rip it apart! I knew it had some editing issues, but it was such a great story to them that they didn’t mind. I was very flattered. I couldn’t believe that I wrote something that a stranger thousands of miles away would like it so much.

Tell us something interesting about you that your readers may not know.

Well, I am 39 years old. I have been married to my husband Jeremy for 6 years. We both have three children each and I am a short order cook for a living.

Finally, if you could say something to your readers, what would it be?

Thank you for reading my works. I am humbled by the response that I have gotten for ‘Jillian’ and you couldn’t have made me happier.

To buy Julie Cooper Brown’s book, The Last Days in the Life of Jillian, please follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Life-Jillian-Days-ebook/dp/B00CCHSSSU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368226491&sr=1-1&keywords=the+last+day+in+the+life+of+jillian

Thank you for your time and  joining us today!

I have a very special guest today, Abby L. Vandiver. Her book, In The Beginning, has been an Amazon best seller! Thank you for joining us today!

Author Bio:

Abby L. Vandiver is a nom de gare.

Born and raised in Ohio, Ms. Vandiver is a former lawyer and college professor of Economics. She holds a bachelors in Economics, a masters in Public Administration and a Juris Doctor. These days, Ms. Vandiver enjoys writing and endeavors to devote all her extra time to it.

Her debut novel, In the Beginning, an Amazon #1 BEST SELLER in its category was written on a whim, put in a box for more than a decade, and finally pulled out, dusted off and published in 2013. It has inspired her to write a sequel as well as start a series of books loosely based on her family.

Ms. Vandiver resides in Cleveland, Ohio and has three wonderful grandchildren, Gavin, Sydne and Riley. Look for more from this new and talented author.

Brief Synopsis of In The Beginning:

In the Beginning: An Amazon #1 Best Seller

Not fast paced or action pact, In the Beginning is thought provoking and a page turner. Set in 1997, it follows Biblical Archaeologist Justin Dickerson, who is unhappy with her life in general and has decided to run away from her problems. Intervening, her mentor asks that she go with him to the Fifty Year Jubilee commemorating the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jerusalem. There she finds that in 1949 Jerusalem some of the 2,000 year old manuscripts, hidden in clay pots in the caves of Qumran, may have been destroyed.

Justin, obsessed with this revelation, is determined to get to the bottom of the deceit. Uncontrollable emotion takes hold of her, and family and faith help guide her as she unfolds the truth of Earth’s ancient mysteries discovering what really happened In the Beginning . .

Purchase In the Beginning:

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/In-Beginning-Abby-L-Vandiver-ebook/dp/B00DPOF6IE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381931931&sr=1-1&keywords=in+the+beginning

Amazon UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DPOF6IE/ref=cm_cr_dpvoterdr?ie=UTF8&keywords=in%20the%20beginning%20abby%20vandiver&qid=1381934219&sr=8-1&thanksvoting=cr-vote-R3PBSWFW02RJFG#R3PBSWFW02RJFG.2115.Helpful.Reviews

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329208

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-beginning-abby-vandiver/1116810835?ean=2940148695028

Interview with the Author:

Briefly tell us about the book(s) you have published.

I’ve only published one. In the Beginning is my debut novel. It is not fast paced or action packed, but it is thought provoking and a page turner. It has been compared to Dan Brown’s books, but I wrote mine six years before he emerged and also to the Indiana Jones movies. I find the comparison to that adventure series very complimentary. In the Beginning follows Justin Dickerson, a Biblical archaeologist, on her quest to discover what lies hidden in 2,000 year old manuscripts. What she finds, however, are the answer to Earth’s ancient mysteries.

What motivated you to write your book(s)?

I really don’t know what made me write the book. I remember I had just lost my job and instead of thinking I should fine tune my resume and look for another job, I decided I would write a book.

What do you think your book(s) offer to your readers?

I think that my book offers a fresh, unique look at the age old mysteries that surround our ancient ancestors and what they were able to accomplish, such as building the pyramids, brain surgery and the carvings into the Nazca Plains in Peru. I think that my book is one of a kind in its premise and I wonder if any readers of sci-fi can prove me wrong!

Who is your favorite character from your book? Why?

My favorite character is Justin, the main character in In the Beginning. I made her a lot like me so I can really relate to her. In the book she suffers from depression but I think she really shows strength (albeit while acting a little crazy) by accomplishing all she does. Depression can be a very debilitating illness, but she figures out the secrets of the universe, sort of speak, against all odds.

Do you prefer pen/paper or the computer when you write?

I like writing it out the best, I think. I like to fill up notebooks and scraps of paper with all my thoughts on the book. But sometimes I scold myself about that because it makes me do double work. The time I spend on writing it out long hand I could spend typing it into the computer. But I still do it.

What do you do to get yourself to focus when you’re writing a scene? (music, location, etc)

I may have the radio or TV on, but when I write I zone out. I am certainly not one to have any kind of ritual when I write. I really just stumbled on writing as a profession. I had never thought of it until recently. So no mood, lighting, or magic needed. Just when something pops into my head, I write it down.

Do you prefer reality or fantasy?

Definitely reality. But not non-fiction. I just like books, whatever the genre, to be plausible. To be as much like reality as they can.

Who are your favorite authors?

Me. (Can I say that).

Out of all of the books you’ve read, which books have “stuck” with you?

It’s a book called The Mirror. I must have read that book more than 30 years ago, maybe longer. I can’t tell you who the author is, but all I know is I can remember that book like I read it yesterday. It’s about a girl who looks in the mirror and is pulled through it, back in time and becomes her grandmother as a young woman. I just love that book.

What type of advice would you give other indie authors?

GET A PROOFREADER! (I know the name of a good one if you need it). It is so hard to catch your own mistakes. I learned that the hard way. Get someone to look over your manuscript, because for some reason, which I don’t agree with, reviewers are assessing your book with misspelled words as a factor. So, be circumspect.

Have you had any regrets regarding this writing/publishing/marketing process? Is there anything you would do different?

Nope. Not one thing.

Since you started this journey in writing, what are some positives and some negatives you’ve encountered?

Yes, just like in any experience there are good and bad things. One of the negative things is people basing their judgment of my book based on their beliefs. My book is just for fun. I am not purporting any secret agenda or trying to prove a point. I just want people to sit back and enjoy the book. One of the positives is all the great authors that I’ve met.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to go to the movies, and I love to shop and travel.

Tell us your most memorable or proudest moment.

When In the Beginning became an Amazon #1 Best Seller. You can’t beat that feeling.

Tell us something interesting about you that your readers may not know.

That just like Justin in my book, I suffer from depression.

Finally, if you could say something to your readers, what would it be?

BUY MY BOOK!!!

Thank you for joining us! It’s always a pleasure to have another author on my blog, especially a number one Amazon best selling author!

I am excited to introduce Joe DeRouen, the author of Small Things (volume 1) and Threads (Small Things) as my guest today.

Joe was born in Carthage, Illinois, and currently lives in Rogers, Arkansas with his artist wife Andee, their son Fletcher, and their cats Lucky, Milo, and Camptown. Joe is a freelance writer and a substitute teacher at Benton County School of the Arts. In addition to writing, he enjoys purchasing (and occasionally watching) copious amounts of Blu-Ray discs, listening to music, playing video games, and collecting Mego action figures from the 1970s. Small Things is his first novel. Threads, the sequel to Small Things and the second book in the trilogy, will be published sometime in late 2013. You can write to Joe at Joe@JoeDeRouen.com or visit his website at JoeDeRouen.com.

Mr. DeRouen books:

Synopsis: It’s a hot June morning in a small Midwestern town when fifteen-year-old Shawn Spencer arrives at the church for his best friend Tanner’s funeral. Though his drowning was officially ruled an accident, Tanner’s sister Jenny swears she saw something rise up from the Carthage Lake to pull the struggling teenager beneath the surface. Shawn doesn’t believe in monsters… but he will… The real threat, however, lies in the man behind the monster, a mysterious old man who has vowed to settle an old grudge and regain something that was stolen from him decades earlier. To survive the dark days and nights ahead, Shawn must not only decipher what the man is after, he must move past his own grief, fears, and insecurities, and learn to trust in Jenny, the disgraced town sheriff, and, most importantly, in himself. The Small Things trilogy spans forty years and three generations in a tale of murder, betrayal, corruption, sacrifice, love, redemption, faith and magic that culminates in a showdown that will pit the very forces of heaven and hell against Shawn and his family in a battle for the future of mankind and the world itself.

Synopsis: History is changing around nineteen-year-old Ben Spencer, and he’s powerless to stop it. His sister has disappeared, his family thinks he’s schizophrenic, and, worse yet, the girl he’s madly in love with won’t give him the time of day. Enter the mysterious Michael, who, years earlier, helped Ben’s parents defeat a powerful sorcerer bent on destroying them and reclaiming a relic stolen from him years before. With Michael’s help, Ben will travel back in time, to 1977, and attempt to set the past straight. But will he undo himself and the woman he loves in the process?

Interview

1. Briefly tell us about the book(s) you have published.

Small Things is a dark urban fantasy set in a small mid-western town in 1975 and tells the story of Shawn Spencer’s investigation into the death of his best friend Tanner, and his coming to terms with that fact that monsters are real and the humans behind them are even more terrifying. Threads, my second novel, is a sequel to Small Things.

 2. What motivated you to write your book(s)?

I was tired of carrying the stories around in my head.

3. What do you think your book(s) offer to your readers?

Hopefully, a good story!

4. Who is your favorite character from your book? Why?

Probably the emotionally damaged sheriff, Fred Ruskin, who years before the book takes place, lost his wife and daughter to a serial killer. There are many obstacles on his road to redemption, and we’re not sure whether or not he’ll get there until the very end.

5. Do you prefer pen/paper or the computer when you write?

Computer, by far! Even I sometimes have a hard time reading my own handwriting!

6. What do you do to get yourself to focus when you’re writing a scene? (music, location, etc)

Mainly, just my computer and a quiet room. If I’m writing something that’s set in the past (and some of my books are) I’ll usually listen to music from that time period.

7. Do you prefer reality or fantasy?

Can I cheat and say both? As far as writing goes, I enjoy fantasy, but fantasy grounded somewhat in reality. It needs to have characters that the reader can relate to.

8. Who are your favorite authors?

Ken Grimwood, Charles de Lint, Jonathan Carroll, and of course the incomparable Rod Serling.

9. Out of all of the books you’ve read, which books have “stuck” with you?

Replay by Ken Grimwood. I’ve read it probably a dozen times over the years.

10. What type of advice would you give other indie authors?

Don’t give up, and write because you want to write, not because you want to get rich and famous.

11. Have you had any regrets regarding this writing/publishing/marketing process? Is there anything you would do different?

I’d be an instant, overnight sensation, and be rich and famous. 🙂

12. Since you started this journey in writing, what are some positives and some negatives you’ve encountered?

Promoting myself. I’m absolutely awful at it! That’s the negative. The positive was how fiercely loyal fans can be if they enjoy your writing. I’ve met some amazing people, simply because they loved my work. There can be no bigger compliment than that.

13. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, watch movies, listen to music, and more importantly spend time with my 11 year old son and my wife.

14. Tell us your most memorable or proudest moment.

Honestly, writing and publishing Small Things.

15. Tell us something interesting about you that your readers may not know.

I often have dreams that come true!

16. Finally, if you could say something to your readers, what would it be?

 Buy my books! 🙂 You won’t regret it!

Thank you so much, Joe, for being our guest today. We wish you best of luck with all your future endeavors! 🙂