GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

Author Interview: Waleed Mahmud

July 15 2024

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

I was born in Pakistan, a third-world country that really lacks for opportunities of growth and real education. I briefly wrote about it here. Even though the overall region lacks in these aspects, I come from a relatively well-off family which allowed me the privilege of affording books of my choice and, later on, choosing my own career. I was always a A+ student, but the idea of traditional education did not sit well with me at all. So, I scavenged my way out into the world of Finance because it allowed me the flexibility to earn and be independent at a relatively early age. During this whole time, I kept my passion of writing alive and well. I wrote multiple books during my decade long career as a finance professional but never thought about formally publishing them.

It wasn’t until much later, when my partner encouraged me to do so, that in 2023 I started to compile my words into books and in 2024 I published them. I have published 5 books as of now but still have enough material written out to publish maybe 5 more! I have always been passionate about learning and education. So. even though I have dabbled in fiction, I prefer publishing nonfiction, educational and helpful books. My 5 books focus on interdisciplinary subjects, including biological sciences, moral, political, and existential philosophy, education system, mental health, and the meaning of life.

Currently, I am deeply engaged in philosophy of the modern world and look forward to solving the problem of what I call the ‘restless world syndrome,’

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

My latest book is 'Undepressed,' which was inspired by my own struggles and observations with mental health, particularly depression. It provides a descriptive, credible, and authentic perspective on mental health struggles. I suffered from this crippling illness and didn’t really understand how to handle it at the time. So I have written this book with all the insights and compassion that I wished that I had at that time.

You can view it here.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

My writing process is relatively unorthodox, but I’m sure many creatives can relate with me. I’m the most productive and tend to write late at night when the world is quiet, and I often jot down ideas on random pieces of paper or my phone, which I later compile. My thoughts flow like a river, from one topic to another, and that can easily be seen in my writing as I tend to blend different fields and disciplines.

What authors or books have influenced you?

Because of my range of interests, my influences are also very diverse. Philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean-Paul Sartre are few of my favorite enlightenment era thinkers. In the modern world, contemporary thinkers like Noam Chomsky have deeply influenced my critiques of societal structures. I’m also influenced by Ayn rand’s objectivism, Rousseau’s Emile, and Kant’s Critiques. In terms of fiction I’m a fan of Homer’s Odyssey and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

What are you working on now?

Currently, I have created a vast narrative that explores the depths of philosophy in our contemporary world. I think we humans have progressed far faster in other fields but have been left behind in morally and ethically keeping up with the progress. So I am working on multiple projects that aim to bridge this gap. I will talk about philosophical implications of artificial intelligence and technology on human existence and societal norms. Similarly, living a peaceful, “Good Life,” in our fast-paced, productivity-driven world. My ongoing discourses are a blend of the old meets the new.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

I find that a combination of personal blogs, social media, and academic forums works best for promoting my books. Engaging directly with readers through platforms like Medium, where I am an avid contributor, and my personal Substack has also been very effective.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

Write from the heart and don't shy away from expressing your true thoughts. Authenticity resonates with readers. Also, don't be afraid of criticism; it's an essential part of growth.

What is the best advice you ever heard?

"To believe in something without empirical evidence is to navigate life blindfolded." This advice has kept me seeking truth through reason and evidence, rather than unfounded beliefs. I love to dig down into the foundations of any idea.

What are you reading now?

Currently, I am revisiting Homer’s Odyssey. Reading this ancient text in the new age is extremely contrasting and refreshing. It shows me a clear divide between the old and the new.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Since I have published and started regularly writing and engaging with this community. I don’t think I can go back too anything else. So, what’s next? I guess, the rest of my life as a writer.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you, what books would you bring?

'Being and Time' by Martin Heidegger - For its existential insights. Some ideas have this tenacity to make you think for hours on end.
'Dante’s Club' by Mathew Pearl- It was my gateway into literature and revitalizes my enthusiasm for Dante’s art.
'Sapiens' and 'Homo Deus' by Yuval Noah Harari – Exceptionally written and extremely intriguing.
'The lord of the Rings' by J.R.R Tolkien - A narrative that needs no introduction.

Author Interview: Jason Brick

July 15 2024

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

I’ve been a published author since 1995, and a full-time professional since 2008. In the past 16 years I’ve written, ghostwritten, or edited more than 100 books and 5,000 articles or blog posts.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it? (If you have your book’s buy link, include it at the end of your answer.)

The Farkas Foxtrots, Season 1. It’s written under the pseudonym Elizabeth F. Simons. It was inspired by the likes of Joe Lansdale, Christopher Moore, and Tucker Max - a fun, vulgar romp that strains suspension of disbelief.

LINK https://www.amazon.com/Farkas-Foxtrots-Season-One-hilarious-ebook/dp/B0CWKG5YZW

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

Define unusual. There’s stuff my wife says is weird, but I’m sure is perfectly normal. Everybody writes five books a year under two or three names, right?

What authors or books have influenced you?

I mentioned Joe Lansdale, Chris Moore, and Tucker Max earlier - they’re all great examples of how to make stuff hilarious, even if it’s not that funny looked at from another angle.

One a more serious note, Steinbeck is my favorite and Pratchett is a close second.

What are you working on now?

The next season of the Farkas Foxtrots. I’m also branching out with an urban fantasy that mixes magic with heavy metal, martial arts, and kink.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

Personal connection. Going to conferences, podcasts, blog tours. That sort of thing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

Submit earlier, before you think you’re ready. Submit to the big markets earlier, before you think you’re ready. The worst that will happen is you get told “no” - and a lot of the time that “no” will come with good advice.

What is the best advice you ever heard?

I didn’t come up with what I just said. I’m merely repeating it.

The best advice other than that is, if you sometimes have trouble starting your writing time, end your writing time in the middle of a sentence. That way you know exactly what you’ll write first…and it’s been bugging you all night.

What are you reading now?

I just finished A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, which was a fun YA romp that crossed true crime with high school drama. Haven’t picked the next book yet.

What’s next for you as a writer?

I’m about to take on a big project in the tabletop role playing game industry, because I’m a huge nerd.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you, what books would you bring? ( If possible, please include at least one indie-published book with its Amazon buy link.)

Critical Failures (Robert Bevan) https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Failures-Caverns-Creatures-Book-ebook/dp/B0088XPHOK

Something from Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries. They’re all so good, but I’d go with Network Effect because it’s the longest.

The Martian (Andy Weir)

Author Interview: David Krummer

June 12 2024

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

My name is David Kummer and I’m a young author from southern Indiana. I’m also a high school English teacher, so most of my writing happens over breaks and during the summer. I write psychological thrillers and mystery novels for the most part. So far, I have 6 novels available right now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it? (If you have your book’s buy

link, include it at the end of your answer.)

My latest book is called The Silent Forest and it’s a sequel to The Misery House. This series is about a family in a rural town called New Haven. When an abandoned house shows signs of life and people start to disappear, the town is forever changed. Now, Kaia and her family have one last chance or they’ll lose everything. New Haven has secrets, and there are some shadows you can’t keep underground.

Check out The Silent Forest here: https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Forest-shocking-psychological-unforgettable-ebook/dp/B0CP79P192

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

I’ve been doing a lot of writing outside lately. I live near the Ohio River, so I really enjoy going down there and finding a relaxed spot. As long as the weather is nice, that’s my ideal writing zone.

What authors or books have influenced you?

The Little Stranger is my favorite book ever, and it’s influenced a lot of the themes I work with. Mark Edwards is also a big influence, but maybe the most is Denis Johnson and Raymond Carver. I’ve been on a really big minimalism kick recently.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up this trilogy with some really exciting and secret plans for what’s coming next! I’ve very excited for that, but I’m giving this trilogy my full attention right now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

I do a lot of local events such as the farmers market and working with libraries, but I’ve started advertising more online to drive Kindle sales. I love meeting new readers, so the more the better, especially when they reach out and contact me!

Do you have any advice for new authors?

You just have to stay dedicated and focused on why you write. It’s important to enjoy the stories and the characters, no matter how things go after you publish. I think writing is super cathartic and creativity is undervalued, so lean into it!

What is the best advice you ever heard?

Just have fun with it. Writing should be fun, so do whatever it takes to enjoy it!

What are you reading now?

I’m currently reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy, and I’m churning through a few psychological thrillers alongside it.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Trying to expand my audience, especially as I wrap up this trilogy! I’m doing my best to improve my writing, so every book is better than the last, and that’s been a really fun progression.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you, what books would you bring?

I would take one of Jordon Green’s books, because he’s so talented, but I don’t know which one! They’re here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01DTOSYBK

I would also take Dusk on the Western Range by Evan Myers, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Dusk-Western-Range-Evan-Myers-ebook/dp/B09XBX3BV4?ref_=ast_author_dp

Finally, I would take Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson as well as The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.

Author Interview

Valerie Davisson April 20, 2024

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written?

Good Morning and thank you for having me on your podcast. I love connecting with fellow authors and readers. To answer your first question, I am a continent-hopping Jill of all trades who finally settled down to write full time just a few years ago. Currently, I have 9 books in my Logan McKenna Mystery series, plus a prequel. In addition, I have one non-fiction book and a book of poetry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

LOST AND FOUND: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9, released last fall, was inspired—as many of my books are—by the unique people and natural environment of the Oregon coast where I now live. I love learning new things, so in each of my books, I set the story in a unique occupation or setting, from sea otters to glass blowing. In Lost and Found, I explore the world of commercial crab fishing, which is the underpinning of the economy just a few miles south of me in Newport, OR. I have been very lucky that people busy with their real jobs take the time out to generously share information with me and answer my 1001 questions. I spend several months doing research before I begin my first draft, because I never know what tidbit of information will inspire a story line or plot twist!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD668B9F

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

Funny you should ask. . .whenever I write the murder scene or a chapter from the Killer’s point of view, I don my red bra & pants and smile all the way to my keyboard. It’s kind of my secret super power.

I have no idea how that started, but I think it was because in Scrivener (the program I use to write my first draft before compiling the story in Word to send to my editor) I use a color-coded POV (point of view) system for each chapter or scene, and the killer’s chapters are always in red.

What authors or books have influenced you?

Wow. Like most of you, I’m sure, I have always been a voracious reader, so it’s hard to say who influenced me the most, but as far as this genre, I would say Nevada Barr, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, and John Grisham, authors with character-driven stories rooted in a strong sense of place.

After a back injury and divorce, attempting to raise two boys on my own with no job, good stories were all that could keep my attention and my mind off the pain and worry. Once I was back on my feet, went back to school, and established a new career, I wanted to write books like that—to help anyone else going through a tough time. There are tons of books out there, but not all of them hit that sweet spot that keep your attention.

What are you working on now?

Logan Book 10, of course! A few books ago, I moved Logan up from California to the Oregon coast (when I moved here), so my stories are fresh from exploring my new home. This whole area, its history, and natural environment fascinate me. In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8, is set in a raptor rescue center, Safe Harbor: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 5 centers around charterboat fishing and visiting Chinese musicians.

I don’t want to give it away, but this book takes me a few miles inland to the world of competitive trail riding and search and rescue dogs.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

I have learned over the past decade that you have to have a comprehensive approach and think long term. No one website or promotion or social media site is magic. Researching and writing a book takes me 4 or 5 months, but promotion is ongoing. It is going to cost you either time or money or both. You have to decide what you can do yourself and what you will hire others to do for you.

Have a quality product. Your first job is to write the best book you can.
Have it professionally edited and designed-cover and interior.
Have a good author website http://valeriedavisson.com
Social media-this one is hit and miss, but you should probably have at least a Facebook page or Instagram or whatever you feel comfortable keeping updated
BookFunnel – write a free story or book to giveaway to build your newsletter subscriber list from people who like your genre. This is gold!
Amazon ads/Facebook ads-this is a learning curve.
There are many promotion site lists online. BookBub has done the best by me. I received over 500 4-5 star reviews when they featured In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 and am still getting buy through. I have another FREE BookBub promo April 25 for Vanishing Day: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 4, one of my favorite books.
Live events-do local book fairs, teach a class, give a workshop, give your books to the local library

Do you have any advice for new authors?

Write your best book-continually hone your skills. Don’t give up! Keep writing!

What is the best advice you ever heard?

Kill your darlings :) Sometimes I have a great scene I just have to cut because it does not move the story forward. I save it in case i can use parts of it in another book, but usually I just have to say goodbye and move on! Another good one is ‘Write drunk, edit sober.’ Speaks for itself!

What are you reading now?

I mix it up. Just finished rereading Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff, a great biography of an often misunderstood historical figure. And now I am back in my own genre, rereading a Leaphorn and Chee novel by Tony Hillerman. Louise Penny is another favorite author. I’m always looking for a good series to get into.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Two years ago, I lost my youngest son to an accidental drug overdose. Our current insurance-based model for treating drug addiction is not only too short-term and unscaffolded, but uses Suboxone to help addicts with withdrawals when they go into a detox center. But Suboxone just replaces one drug with another and is more addictive and hard to get off of than the reason they went into rehab in the first place. Dave had battled addiction to Suboxone for over 14 years.

I am currently researching the best models and methods for programs that actually work—here and in other countries—and hope to get this information out to the public (and legislators) to help turn this epidemic around.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you, what books would you bring?

First off, I’d have to take more than 3 or 4! Ha I would need another entire life raft for my library. . .but here are a few faves:

A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles

The Prophet: by Kahlil Gibran

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Norton Anthology of American Literature (this is cheating, I know, but I would love to have this college text again and be able to dip into my favorite poems and stories often from some of my favorite writers like Mark Twain and Emily Dickinson. And anthologies are great for discovering little known gems like ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat’ by Bret Harte.

The Dancing Wu Li Masters, by Gary Zukav (trying to wrap my mind around quantum physics)

The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis

And for the last one, I’d have to think about it, but I’d want a book that would make me laugh out loud.