Katherine Sorin - City of Whispers

We have Katherine Sorin with us today, promoting her book City of Whispers.

Where do you currently live?
New York City

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I'm originally from the South, but moved to New York for work after I graduated from law school. I can't say I'm crazy about the city the way some people are, but it's been a learning experience and I've met a lot of interesting people. I recently left my law firm job because lawyers scare me more than vampires. My days are now divided between writing cover letters and writing books!

When did you first start writing?
I wrote a lot of short stories when I was younger. I especially enjoyed writing plays and performing them with my sister, cousins, friends, or whoever else I could finagle into participating. My stories and plays usually involved ghosts of some sort. My mom used to get angry because she thought my plays were too scary for kids. When I started high school I stopped writing because I was busy with school work. I didn't pick it up again until about a year ago.

What was your very first story about?
I honestly can't remember, but I've always been into ghosts and vampires so it was probably some kind of ghost story.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
"City of Whispers." I started writing it thinking that I would never let my friends or family see it. I finally realized that at the very least I needed a proofreader. A friend was kind enough to read the draft and then tear it apart. At first some of his comments upset me, but then I realized that he had a lot of good insight. Now, some of my reviewers specifically compliment my editor!

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
A vampire tried to climb in my window once, but I took care of her. Word must have gotten around because it never happened again.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I love Jane Austen and James Michener. While neither wrote about vampires, I appreciate the way they set up scenes and draw you into their characters. When you read their books you can picture the setting and the characters as if you were there.

As far as my vampire inspirations, I've been inspired by folktales, many which have no known authors. Most folktales are just short stories, but they make me check under my bed at night. In "City of Whispers," I wanted to make vampires scary again.

Another indie author, Guy James, was a friend of mine before I started writing. He gave me a lot of advice about writing and self-publishing. I probably never would have had the guts to self-publish "City of Whispers" if not for Guy.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have my B.A. and my J.D. I think law school and my brief legal career have helped me clarify ideas when writing. A lot of lawyers like to throw around fancy terms and use lots of adjectives that just aren't helpful. The most persuasive arguments are made by lawyers who don't send you running to the dictionary and who let you reach the conclusion on your own. I try to remember this every time I write. If I describe the situation in a clear manner, the reader can reach the correct conclusion on his/her own. If I have to tell the reader that something is "obvious" then I'm probably skipping a step, and that's cheating.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
"City of Whispers" takes place in New York where I live so I didn't have to do very much research. I brushed up on vampire lore and also spent a few hours here and there reading about some of the technology in the book. The sequel, however, takes place in a different city and involves more technology that I'm not familiar with so I've recently found myself spending days at a time researching these issues. What did people do before the internet?

Who is your favorite literary character?
Catherine in "Catherine Called Birdy" by Karen Cushman. It might sound silly because it's a book for ages 12 and up, but I've been reading that book since middle school and I love it. It's a light read about a girl whose father keeps trying to marry her off to rich, terrible men. Catherine is just a regular girl, but she always finds a clever way to escape, often humiliating her suitors in the process. Whenever I need a mood lift I read about Catherine and she inspires me to rebel against whomever or whatever it is that's got me down.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Ailis Laurent of course! She doesn't go looking for trouble, but when she finds herself in a bad situation she faces it head on. She makes mistakes just like everyone else, but at the end of the day she has certain goals and she will find a way to achieve them.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
"Vampires vs. Lawyers: Why Lawyers are Scarier."

Tell us about your featured book.
"City of Whispers" takes place in Manhattan after the outbreak of a virus of unknown origins that turns New Yorkers into vampires. Fortunately, the virus is quarantined before it can infect the rest of the world, but the survivors are not allowed to leave Manhattan. As their numbers dwindle, the survivors become increasingly desperate to escape and Ailis Laurent turns into a hardened vampire killer.

Why did you write that?
I had a nightmare one night about vampires in New York. Some of them looked very human and the only way I could tell whether or not they were vampires was to listen to them speak. The vampires could only speak in hoarse whispers. When I woke up I was so scared I hid under the covers. A friend suggested I write it down and that's how I began "City of Whispers."

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
"City of Whispers" is not a vampire romance so if you're looking for vampire hook ups this one might not be for you. But, if you like your vampires scary and you like ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations, then I truly think you will enjoy "City of Whispers."

Our thanks to Katherine for being with us. Look below for her work in paperback and eBook format.

Chris Stralyn - This Time You Lose

We are pleased to have Chris Stralyn with us today to share with us her book This Time You Lose.

Where do you currently live?
I live in Michigan with my husband, family, and a small menagerie of cats.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
My life is pretty low key. I work full time, raise a family, and write when I can. Interestingly enough, I never intended to be a writer. Short-order cook, security guard, safety officer, childcare provider, and teacher were all titles I’d worn – but never writer. Then I entered an essay contest for “The Worst Vacation Ever” and won. Writing became my new hobby, and soon I had several articles in print with local publications. This was followed by a short story, The Khaki Pants, which was published by RDR Publishing in an anthology that went on to sell over a million copies.

A suspense thriller was my next undertaking, and in 2008 This Time You Lose was named a finalist in the TNBW Strongest Start Novel Competition. Four months later it earned the distinction of being a TNBW Readers Choice Top Ten Novel, and has remained on the Top Ten list ever since.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Yes. When I first finished This Time You Lose, I was afraid to let anyone read it. Two reasons: 1, I was afraid no one would like it, and 2, I had a job at the time working for a very conservative boss, who would frown upon the use of violence and language in the story. Even though I am nothing like the characters in the story, I didn’t want it to impact my job.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?

Yes and no. Had a bit of a rough go of things early in life, so am no stranger to rough language and violence. But thankfully, I have never experienced a home invasion.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I grew up reading Stephen King, still love to read him, but I also enjoy James Patterson.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have two, 2 year degrees in unrelated fields... but I’ve never taken a writing class. Took the required English Comp classes in high school & college...but never an actual writing class. I think my lack of formal writing classes has been a wonderful advantage. I learned to write by reading. As a child I read everything I could get my hands on, from Hardy Boys Mysteries to First Aid Handbooks, I was never without a book in my hands. So I guess maybe I learned through reading how to put sentences and stories together. Many writer friends have struggled with their writing because they worry about how they are supposed to write. I just write what sounds right to me – and so far that’s worked.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
Depends on the project. I tend to research as I write, so if I come across something in my writing that I need to research, I stop and do it. I try not to get sidetracked, just learn what I need to know and get back to writing.

Who is your favorite literary character?
I like strong women characters. Too many women in fiction are meek and wait around for their hero to “rescue” them. I’ll take the strong female character who makes things happen on her own every time.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Lisa Kaamp - the heroine in This Time You Lose. Although Lisa starts out quiet and shy, when pushed to the limit she becomes one very strong and resourceful woman. One reviewer called her “a tough cookie” and ranked her high on the 'Bad-ass Heroine' list. I guess I’d agree with that.
If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Mixed Nuts

Tell us about your featured book.
This Time You Lose is an intense read. It is the terrifying story of Lisa Kaamp, who operates a small childcare business out of her home in the sleepy little town of Nogeksum, Michigan. Highly respected and known for going the extra mile for her daycare kids, Lisa thought she had handled every daycare emergency possible.

But nothing prepared her for the nightmare she now faced. Lisa awakes one morning to find herself bound and gagged, four strange men in her home, and the daycare children being held hostage in the next room. Terrorized by her captors as the authorities work to meet the ransom deadline, she tries negotiating with the men for the release of the children, and soon realizes that at least one of them has no intention of letting anyone go. With the deadline quickly approaching, Lisa must do the unimaginable to protect the children and get everyone out alive.

Why did you write that?
Years ago, a neighboring community was plagued with a series of home invasions. A childcare provider myself at the time, I wondered what would happen if one of these invasions occurred in a childcare home. A woman home alone, caring for up to a dozen children in a deserted, middle-class neighborhood made the perfect target for one of these invasions – and thus my story was born.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
This Time You Lose is an intense read. It will raise your blood pressure, cause you to put off your household chores, and keep you up late into the night. Don’t start reading This Time You Lose unless you have several hours free; it’s the kind of story you won’t want to put down.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
I love Summer. Warm weather, sunshine, cookouts, beach time, and bonfires. What could be better?

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
Years ago I would have answered that question by saying a stuffy old guy in a sweater, sitting at a typewriter all day smoking cigars and drinking brandy. Now however, I view everyone as a writer....if I can do it, so can you.

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your child, what would it be?
Shenanigans! I am very laid back, have a quirky sense of humor and love practical jokes. My husband...not so much. Therefore, I am very pleased that my son inherited his sense of Shenanigans from me.

How about one thing about yourself that you absolutely wouldn’t want passed on?
My fear of public speaking.

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
The future. Can’t wait to see what it will be like.

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
I love Die Hard. All the Die Hard movies, actually. Why? I have no clue. Maybe it’s the underdog character that triumphs in the end. Or maybe it’s Bruce Willis...he does play the everyman/underdog character very well in many of his movies.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Skydiving

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
Snuggle into my favorite chair with a good book, a glass of diet Coke, and a bowl of homemade cookie dough.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
Pay off all my bills. Put some away for my sons college tuition, and then maybe take a vacation.

You’ve been given the opportunity to give a televised speech which will be broadcast on all networks, what do you speak about?
Aaaack! Me? Public speaking? I think I’d donate that opportunity to a local charity or school.

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
It had a huge back yard with a little playhouse, and plenty of room to run, play, ride bikes, and pitch tents in. I loved camping out in the backyard with my brothers.

What inspires you?
Sunny days. I find I’m very productive when the sun is shining...and get absolutely nothing done when it’s dreary and overcast. Hmm, maybe I should move to a sunnier state – I would get so much more accomplished! 

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
My ultimate ambition is best summed up by a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”



Our thanks to Chris for being with us today. Click your way over to her book below.

Kea Alwang - Treehugger

Author Kea Alwang is with us today to talk about her book Treehugger.

Where do you currently live?
Northern New Jersey


Tell us a little bit about your life.

I grew up in Queens, New York, but now live in Northern New Jersey with my podcaster husband, film-obsessed son, book-munching daughter, two self-absorbed parakeets, and a well-behaved corn snake. After working in video post-production, children's entertainment, magazine production, and non-fiction writing, the time came to work on the dream job: writing a novel. Coffee, chocolate, martial arts, and reading are my other pastimes.


When did you first start writing?

I have loved writing since early grade school. I always wrote little plays and stories, but almost gave it up in fifth grade thanks to a substitute library teacher who hung around for a week. She told me my writing was bad because I purposely used bad grammar while writing a character's dialogue. She also thought my writing was "out there" and not properly organized. Fortunately, the real librarian who loved my creative writing work came back and told me the substitute was wrong.


What was your very first story about?

Old King Cole from the nursery rhymes. He was in charge of a kingdom of fairytale characters.The Gingerbread Man was there, Tom Thumb, Alice from Wonderland, etc.


Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?

Yes. The characters were based too much on friends. Not entirely--just enough to know those friends could get ticked at me, so I kept it to myself! For some reason, I turned one of the guys into a cross dresser. Yeah. That would not have gone over very well at all! But it did add to the story.


Did you experience anything you've written yourself?

Yes, there are three scenes in Treehugger that are based on moments that actually happened to me. Naturally, they are far more exciting in the book, but I was able to give Chloe (Star) her initial reactions from first-hand experience on those occasions. Without giving away spoilers, they take place at the opening slumber party and on her first day of high school.


Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?

I am a huge fan of Barbara Kingsolver. There is something about her writing that draws me into the story and makes me just want to stay there whether a scene is exciting or she is just describing a landscape. I do enjoy Stephenie Meyer, too. Her novel, The Host, is really a great story with complicated, emotionally-charged characters. I enjoyed her Twilight series, too, but her writing excels in The Host. Wally Lamb is another author I admire. Once you've read, She's Come Undone, you really gain insight to the fact that we all just want to be loved no matter who we are or how our lives have panned out. Ray Bradbury is another inspiration.


What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?

I have a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Business and, more than anything else, I think that prepared me to learn how to reinvent myself. I've done it many times: from television, to kid's entertainment, to production at a magazine, to teaching karate. Writing however, has always been something I was drawn to through it all. 


How much research time customarily goes into your projects?

This is my first novel and is based on places I created in my head for the most part. Still, from time to time, I need to look up scientific principles in order to see how far I can stretch them! Compared to the non-fiction article writing I've done, I need a lot less research for writing fiction. I'm sure that wouldn't be the case if most of the story took place across planet Earth.


Who is your favorite literary character?

As in just one? That's nearly impossible to say. However, if we're talking of all time, I always love the way Codi Nolan of Kingolver's Animal Dreams goes about searching for who she was and who she turned out to be. Although, at the moment, all I can think about for a great character is Peeta of The Hunger Games since I'm in the middle of the second book! Loyalty, sweetness, heroism ... he has it all and then some!


Who is your favorite character of your own creation?

CK of Treehugger always comes to mind. I wrote him to be Chloe's saving grace. The two navigate a very different sort of relationship, and while it gets complicated here and there, they are the epidome of true friendship. CK is deeply wounded by loss, yet he gives of himself so freely to Chloe and Leada through plutonic love and uncompromised loyalty. While CK came about in my head as his own person, there are hints of traits from special people in my life that have helped to create him.


If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?

So ... I'm Writing a Book

Tell us about your featured book.

Treehugger is the first book in a new series titled, Based on a Dream. It is available in print and in various e-reader formats. Mixing intergalactic adventure with adolescent trials such as navigating relationships and not fitting in,Treehugger introduces a new set of heroes to follow, admire, and cheer for. The story asks the questions, how deep can true friendships run, and how well can they prepare us to stand on our own when we need to?

Blurb: For fourteen-year-old Chloe, planet hopping is a gift. Righting the wrongs of the multiverse on behalf of a mysterious life form is a privilege. Leading a double life has its perks. Being Earth-born, however, simply bites. Chloe knows she will never fit in when high school starts; that's a given. It's not like she can reveal her true self and her unusual abilities on Earth anyway. She used to be okay with that, as long as her two best friends were part of her extraterrestrial life, understanding her the way nobody else could. That was before those friends vanished. That was before some jerk displayed her underwear on his head. Now two-thirds short of feeling whole, Chloe becomes an enemy to herself just as a terrifying nemesis threatens to resurface. Can she fight through weakened skills, fearsome flashbacks, and evolving relationships to meet her future head on? Does it really matter what world you're on when trying to find yourself?


Why did you write that?

I had some dreams about the main characters (Chloe aka Star, CK, and Leada) when I was very young. I was so entralled by the first dream and the characters that I started daydreaming about them. When I was eleven, I began writing about them. I never really forgot them, so several years ago I started taking them seriously. I think it's sad how so many kids get caught in a desperate attempt to be like everyone else just to avoid the pain of not fitting in. I think Treehugger shows the importance of becoming who you were meant to be and finding others who will accept you for who you are.


What's a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?

When someone takes a bad day out on someone who had nothing to do with their misery. That truly irks me.


Do you ever notice it in yourself?

I think we all are prone to taking things out on others. However, it's definitely something I try to minimize!


If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate. Of course, if the person who was forcing me didn't know me well ... well, then I would just tell them brussell sprouts and keep my chocolate!

What is the hardest thing about growing up?

e.e. cummings once said, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." I would add it takes a whole lot of genuine self-esteem to do so as well!

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?

The coffee maker! Oh, and a picture of my grandmother making heavy cream. Every holiday, that was her job. I keep the picture in the kitchen so she's always with me there.


What is pain to you?

Brain freeze from a frosty drink. Sometimes it's so bad I panic, thinking I'm going to die!


You've been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?

"Creative people are rarely tidy!"


Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?

My husband's grandmother gave me a house dress. You know ... one of those things old ladies wear? I plan on wearing denim until I'm 100, so this gift was literally despair in a box. I turned to my mother-in-law and asked, "Does she hate me or something?"


What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? Would you have it again?

Chicken heart soup. I was a kid on a playdate and thought it was some sort of cutesy name. Like chicken soup with chicken in the shape of hearts, only the chicken wasn't truly heart shaped. Years later, I recalled this and it ocurred to me that it was probably actually chicken hearts. And no, I wouldn't have it again!


What's the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?

Well, that depends: Do my clothes become invisible with me? If not, I probably wouldn't go anywhere because I would have to wear nothing in order to not be seen. What if the invisibility suddenly stopped working? If my clothes would become invisible with me, the first thing I would do is investigate the next news story where the truth is being sought. I'm thinking if someone could follow around a murder suspect without being detected, the truth would come out soon enough. Following my kids through a school day would probably be worth my time as well!


Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?

When I was much younger, I used to have recurring dreams about some of the characters in my novel. Other than that, someone I briefly worked for at a printing shop shows up in my dreams from time to time. Weird how the brain works, isn't it? Why would someone who had so little to do with me life show up in my dreams years later?


What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?

When I was working full time in Manhattan and had a newborn at home, the boss I had at the time knew I was conflicted between being home and being at work. He suggested I work four days instead of five, didn't have my pay reduced, and was over-the-top supportive. It's not like we were close friends, and if corporate knew, he might have been in trouble; he just knew I would get my job done and wanted to be a decent human being. Eventually, when baby number two came, I did leave my job, but that extra day he gave me each week helped so much in the beginning. I'll never forget that. When I hear of my friend's employer who wants to reduce her pay because this new mother needs to come in an hour late ten times a month for child care reasons, it makes me sick.


Our special thanks to Kea for taking the time to answer our questions. Her work can be found below. Check it out today.

Cora Buhlert - Countdown to Death

Today, we are pleased to feature Cora Buhlert and her book Countdown to Death.

Where do you currently live?
I live in Bremen in North Germany, famous for the Bremen town musicians from the fairy tale. I write in English, though.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
There's not a whole lot to tell. When I'm not writing, I work as a technical translator and teach English at a local high school. I'm also working towards a PhD degree. Really, I'm quite boring.

When did you first start writing?
I started writing sometime in primary school, though I didn't get semi-serious about it until I was about 15 and really serious until I was in my twenties.

What was your very first story about?
The very first one was a pretty blatant Enid Blyton pastiche about a bunch of kids solving mysteries. Another early work was a "Heimatroman" (a peculiarly German genre of stories about women in dirndl dresses and men in lederhosen experiencing melodramatic adventures in the Alps) about two sisters called Heide and Alice who go searching for the elusive Edelweiss flower. The first story I wrote in English was a never completed science fiction novel which opened with a flying red sportscar kidnapping two teenaged girls with a tractor beam and flying out across San Francisco Bay where an alien ship was waiting. Why San Francisco? I have no idea, except that my 15-year-old self probably thought it was a cool location.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
There's a bit of early fanfiction that I've never shown to anyone. Not because it was slash – I was far too innocent for that sort of thing. However, in those pre-internet times I thought I was weird for writing stories about other people's characters, so I never showed those to anyone.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
Many of the descriptions of driving through East Germany or crossing the border between East and West Germany in my Cold War spy novelette The Other Side of the Curtain are directly based on my own experiences as a teenager during the mandated annual family visit to my great-aunt in East Germany. Even the town where my great-aunt lived makes a brief appearance. Communist East Germany was such a weird place that you couldn't make it up.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
In no particular order, Enid Blyton, Jane Austen, Isaac Asimov, William Faulkner, Thomas Pynchon, Leigh Brackett, Magda Trott (a German YA author no one has ever heard of)

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have an MA degree in English literature and am working towards my PhD. The University of Bremen was one of only two or three universities in Germany that offered creative writing classes in English at the time and I was very lucky to attend those classes. The creative writing professor and editor of the university literature magazine was a great mentor to many young writers, including me, though he never quite got my urge to write genre fiction.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It really depends on the project. I have written quite a few historical short stories and novellas, which require a lot of research. Others pretty much wrote themselves with no more research required than checking a couple of facts in Google.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Do I have to pick just one? In that case I'd go with Susan Calvin, the robotics expert with eyes like liquid nitrogen from Isaac Asimov's robot stories. When I was a teenager stuck among silly classmates with silly crushes on generally silly boys, Susan Calvin with her no-nonsense attitude was a revelation. Susan Calvin did not care for boys or romance or silly social rules. Susan Calvin did not take s*** from men. Susan Calvin designed robots and she was the best person at that job.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
It's a toss-up between Stella d'Anvers, singer, dancer and sorceress and just plain awesome, from an upcoming story called Cartoony Justice or Carrie Ragnarok, soy extraordinaire from Shape No. 8. I'm also very fond of Richard Blakemore and Constance Allen from Countdown to Death.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
"I'm really quite boring, so why don't you go and read my fiction instead" On second thought, that might be a bit long for a book cover.

Tell us about your featured book.
Countdown to Death is a thriller novelette in the style of the pulp magazines of the 1930s. It's the story of Richard Blakemore, a pulp writer with the habit of dressing up as his own character, the masked avenger known only as the Silencer, by night. As the story opens, Richard is in deep trouble, for he or rather the Silencer has been found guilty of murdering the mafia boss Antonio Tortelli and was sentenced to death. However, as the execution date draws nearer, the Silencer suddenly reappears to stalk anybody involved in the case, insisting that Richard Blakemore is innocent. So did Richard Blakemore really murder Antonio Tortelli? And who is wandering about dressed as the Silencer? And will the truth come out before Richard Blakemore is due to fry in the electric chair?

Why did you write that?
I did some research on the pulp magazines that flourished in the first half of the twentieth century and was fascinated by how those pulp writers wrote at an absolute breakneck speed, often pounding out fifty or sixty thousand publishable words a month or more. And instead of being crap, as might be expected, a lot of the stories and novellas they produced were still in print some sixty to seventy years later. And they were a lot more enjoyable than many of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners from the same period.

So I decided to write my own pulp-style thriller. I came up with a masked crimefighter, because there were so many of them in the pulps, called the Silencer. But the twist was that the Silencer was a pulp writer himself who had gone over the edge and started to actually live the adventures he wrote about. True to the genre, there's also a beautiful woman who loves our hero, a loyal sidekick and a police officer who has a highly conflicted relationship to our hero. Plus, thrills, chills, danger, action, adventure and a ticking clock.

I set the Silencer stories in the 1930s, because I loved the fashions and movies and design of the period. Besides, the economic, political and social tensions of the era would provide plenty of material for stories.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
There are two further adventures of the Silencer entitled Flying Bombs (It has zeppelins. Who doesn't love zeppelins?) and The Spiked Death (It has a villain doing dastardly things to scantily clad damsels in distress. Who doesn't love scantily clad damsels in distress?). I also have several other stories and novelettes in a variety of genres available at the e-tailer of your choice.

Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in?
As a student I spent half a year in London and felt right at home there. I still get that homey feeling whenever I go back.

I also spent quite a bit of time living abroad as a child and teenager, because my father had a job that required a lot of travel. As a result, I lived in Mississippi, in Singapore and in Rotterdam. I felt pretty much at home in Rotterdam, but then the Netherlands aren't that different from North Germany. Mississippi took some time adjusting (mainly the warm and humid weather), but I eventually felt at home there. Singapore was nice and I enjoyed the experience, while it lasted, but I never really felt at home there. Visiting Rotterdam now, it no longer feels like home, because too much has changed. I have never been back to either Mississippi or Singapore, but I imagine the changes would be even more drastic.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
Like every writer, I love reading. I like crocheting and quilting. I also went through a filmmaking phase in my twenties and would probably go back to filmmaking, if I wasn't writing.

What was your favorite childhood toy?
The top three are Rosa, a stuffed pink elephant that I was given when I was too young to remember, Steffi, a blonde toddler doll I got for my third birthday from my great-aunt in East Germany (the one we visited every year) and Zebra, a stuffed zebra I bought from my own pocket money. I still have all three of them. Rosa and Steffi are somewhat battered, since they were loved a lot and the quality was not the best. Zebra is still in good shape, though, since he was a quality product and quite expensive for the time.

What is your most valued personal possession in life? Who gave it to you?
That's difficult to answer. I used to collect vintage dolls and toys, antique china and pottery, etc…, so I have several things that are quite valuable.

As for what I value most, it's probably a silver charm bracelet dating from the time I spent in Mississippi. At the time (late 1970s), they were selling all sorts of silver charms at every tourist attraction. My parents bought me charms shaped like every US state we visited and also some from prominent tourist attractions and an enamelled American flag and so on. There's also a plain charm engraved with the dates we stayed in the US. I filled the bracelet up during later visits to the US, though tourist charms became increasingly difficult to find. I bought the last few missing state charms on the internet. Over the years, the bracelet became something of a good luck charm for me. I wore it for exams at school – driving my fellow students mad, because the charms jingle when you write – and later university.

If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Red. Because I often see red.

How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
Usually by avoiding them as much as possible and greeting them with an icily polite hello before getting the hell away when it's not possible to avoid them completely. However, if someone pisses me off and I am forced to endure their presence, I can get quite nasty.

What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
A big stack of comic books, German pulp magazines, old notebooks full of scribblings and random junk that has accumulated over the years.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?
Gaining my MA degree, gaining my translator's diploma, writing and finishing a novel (coming soon in e-book form), publishing various short stories and novelettes.

What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
Balloon skirts. Cause they look awful on absolutely everybody

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Writingwise? That would be "Write every day, but set yourself a minimum wordcount so low that you can make it every day".

In general? Get yourself a good education, so you always have something to fall back on.

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?
A feeling of intense attraction to another person, so intense that it makes you physically ill and that the mere thought of being away from that person feels like a death sentence.

What about “hate?”
A feeling of dislike for a thing or person that is so intense, that you just want to scream and beat the offending thing or person to a pulp and all that holds you back is that hitting the thing or person would be wrong.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?
An iguana. Why? I recently watched a TV show where a character had an iguana as a pet and I became quite attached to the little guy (and was heartbroken, when the poor critter was eaten by a zombie). Besides iguanas are unlikely to mess up your home. Monkeys are cute, but the thought of a monkey running free in my home and climbing on my furniture drives me nuts.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?”
Going somewhere I've never been before and just setting off in a direction that looks interesting without looking at a map first. Interestingly, I write much the same way, by just jumping in and seeing where the story takes me.

If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
A new language. I'm not sure which one, though. Chinese or Japanese, if I actually want to make some money of my new found skills (translators for Chinese or Japanese are always in demand). And something offbeat like Welsh or Irish or Hebrew or Finnish, if I just want the thrill of speaking a language very few people in my immediate surroundings can speak or understand.

Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
"…sit down and write, but once I get going I find it just as hard to stop."

Throw off the shackles of hesitance and click your way to Cora's work below.

Sara Jo Easton - The Zarder

It is our pleasure to have Sara Jo Easton with us, stopping by to promote her novel The Zarder.

Where do you currently live?
I currently live near Atlanta, Georgia, which from what I've discovered so far has an interesting arts and culture scene. I'm new to the area, which can be intimidating, but I have the benefit of being near family.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I've come face-to-face with a bear, walked on the trail of the spiritual octopus, and somehow managed to survive living in a household with six younger siblings. The stories I tell at parties are often not believed.

When did you first start writing?
My mother has a copy of a "book" I wrote when I was four.

What was your very first story about?
It involved a pumpkin named Halloween who found his girlfriend, a pumpkin with giant eyelashes and a bow. I'm sure it made perfect sense to my four year old self.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
I'm ashamed to admit that I've written some love poetry that would give the Vogons a run for their Constructor Fleet. It turned out that it fit the subject matter, though, so I have no regrets. I will never let anyone see that poetry; I'm too embarrassed.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
I can't say that I've ever had to hide from a fire-breathing dragon-like creature who wanted me dead, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't experienced friendship or a desire to protect those I care about. As far as direct comparisons to my life go, I'm notoriously shy around men I find attractive, and I've noticed that my characters have a tendency to be shy around their crushes as well. It's a subconscious channeling of life into a story, I suppose.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
My three favorite writers of all time are J.R.R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Oscar Wilde. It seems like a strange mix of styles, but that's the truth.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have a college education in journalism, which has given me a focus on meeting deadlines that has greatly improved my writing skills. The most important thing about writing is motivation, and deadlines help with that.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
My fantasy world doesn't involve swords or something that could immediately be questioned by experts in the real world, but that doesn't mean I'm not spending time world-building before I write. I spent almost a decade creating the rules of the Sandleyr, making sure that those rules were easily understandable without too much explanation.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Eowyn of Rohan from "Lord of the Rings" is my minor obsession. She gets to slay bad things, and she gets the hot guy in the end.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
My favorite character depends on my mood and how troublesome they were in the editing process. Idenno was the first Onizard I ever drew, so he has a special place in my heart. I admire his bravery and the strength of his love.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Fact and Fantasy: The Sara Jo Easton Story

Tell us about your featured book.
The Zarder is the story of a human named Jena who accidentally gets her mind telepathically Bonded to the mind of a dragon-like creature, an Onizard named Senraeno. Since the ruler of the Onizards, the Fire Queen, believes humans are inferior beings who need to be "put in their place" through a fiery death, Jena has to fake her own death and go into hiding. The Onizards around her suspect that she may be the key to defeating the Fire Queen once and for all, but there is much to be done (and much to discover) before that happens.

Why did you write that?
It started out as something to do when I was bored, but it quickly grew into something I felt like I had to do. So I worked on the story until it looked like a story and not something an eccentric madwoman threw together haphazardly. It's been a great way to grow personally and creatively.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
Thank you for taking a look at my story! I hope you've enjoyed what you've read so far, and I'm honored that you've spent your time on me.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
I love summer, because it brings fond memories of my grandmother's house and playing in the woods.

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
Someone who neglects "normal" activities for a keyboard, blank paper and a pen.

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
I'd chose the 1900s so I could see women fighting for the right to vote and get a first edition of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Realistically, the people of that time would probably call me an insane spinster and shun me.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
I've always wanted to go hunting for diamonds in Arkansas. I made someone mad when I spent too much time rock-hunting on my last major trip. In my defense, I was finding pieces of petrified wood, and I had permission to take it off the property.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
I love reading; I do so whenever I get a spare moment. Since I'm a writer, that hobby should be obvious.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
A well-meaning relative stole my writing notebook with all of my story notes and threatened to set it on fire for being "trash". Everything I'd worked for was about to turn into ashes, and I wasn't strong enough to stop it. That was the very day my fire-breathing villainess was born.

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
The sunset over Newfoundland is awash with color, and the way the sun hits the water and the coastline as it slowly sinks down cannot be compared with a sunset anywhere else.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I'd pay off my student loans and buy a house!

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
There was a laundry chute that went from the second floor to the basement. My brother and I used to tie string to a well-known talking toy and send it bungee-jumping down the chute. Amazingly, we did not get in trouble for this.

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
I'd love to own a house and make a living out of writing.

Our thanks Sara Jo Easton for taking the time to participate with us. Her work can be found, just a click away, below.

Ras Ashcroft - Supervillain: The Concise Guide

Today we have Ras Ashcroft with us, promoting his book Supervillain: The Concise Guide.

What is your name?
Ras Ashcroft. Once someone successfully conquers the planet and rewards me for my advice, I’d like to change it to Steelfist McGee Esquire.

How old are you?
24. I couldn’t think of a more creative way of expressing that without resorting to anecdotes about the TV series ‘24’, but I’ll spare your readers the agony.

Where do you currently live?
A town called Amersham in the UK, near the outskirts of Greater London.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I’ve lived in a couple of areas around the UK from Birmingham and Manchester to various areas around the outskirts of London. I’ve even spent a few years living in India. We sure loved moving! Since graduating from University, I’ve been growing a small business and I love trying out new entrepreneurial ideas that take my fancy.

When did you first start writing?
My first attempt at a novel was at the age of 10. I kept the writing flame alive for the next 14 years with short humorous fiction stories that I wrote for fun. I took my first stab at publishing this year with ‘Supervillain: The Concise Guide’. I had a lot of fun writing it and I can’t wait to get started on another book.

What was your very first story about?
When I was 10, I started writing about two young brothers who found themselves trapped in a haunted amusement park. Unfortunately, I never finished it as I was unable to write the main characters out of a deadly situation involving wise-cracking skeletons. One of my teachers seemed to like the gist of the story when I told her about it, but I’m pretty sure she was just being polite.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
I didn’t share some of the short stories I wrote over the years, but that was more to do with a ‘letting it rot on an old hard drive’ approach than fear itself.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
For legal purposes, I have never experienced anything that I’ve written about in my supervillain guide. Yet.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I started out with Willard Price and Enid Blyton’s books. They were the authors that really got me into reading and writing, before I was weaned on to the classics by the Steinbecks and the Hemingways of the world. Unfortunately, I can’t think of too many authors I’ve read in my somewhat weird humour/parody genre. That being said, my old man penned a humorous novel that I loved. P.G. Wodehouse is an inspiration for his style and I’ve recently started to enjoy his books too!

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I’ve completed a University degree and writing essay after essay has hopefully honed my skills. During the first year of my sixth form education, I took an exam in ‘General Studies’, which was a subject that a friend and I were planning to drop. We didn’t really care about the exam, so we just wrote long fictional stories that were completely unrelated to the questions asked. Needless to say, we both failed in spectacular fashion.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
I try to write about subjects that interest me, so that research is something to look forward to, rather than being a chore. For example, several months of prior research, constant fact-finding during the writing phase and my existing knowledge all went into the book featured in this interview.

Who is your favorite literary character?
This honour is shared between Hal and Roger Hunt, the protagonist duo from Willard Price’s ‘Adventure’ series.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
This will be the slightly misguided character who foolishly decides to act upon the advice in my latest book. That being said, I still hope I’m adequately rewarded when that person is successful.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
“Armageddon: How I played a crucial role”

Tell us about your featured book.
Supervillain: The Concise Guide does exactly what it says on the packaging. It’s a short humorous guide on how to conquer the planet by any means necessary. People can read it when they feel the urge to start plotting their way to the top.

As the blurb goes, they will learn all the basic tricks of the trade. It starts by easing them into their first seedy business, creating a large organisation with interests in finance, media and politics, and finally building a powerful military force. This will help them launch their crusade to rule the entire planet.

Why did you write that?
A friend of mine recommended a financial self-help book a while ago that everyone seemed to be reading. After reading and finding it…quite bad to say the least, I got the idea to write my own mock parody guide last year. I chose the topic of how to become a Supervillain. In my view, most of us need a quick guide on how to pull ourselves out of the doldrums and become supreme ruler of the planet.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
Yes. Following your heart is overrated; the brain is where the good stuff goes down.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
Winter. I love the cold and I loved skiing when I went. Summers on the beach and in the ocean can be fun, but is outmatched by the spectacle of grown adults in snowball fights.

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
Being completely honest, the stereotype of the smug bespectacled gentleman in a warm jumper, typing away on a laptop in a coffee shop while sipping on a premium latte was the first thing that came to mind for some reason.

However that’s not really true, since most writers I know are great people who just want to share their work with everyone.

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your (imaginary/actual) child, what would it be?
The child is imaginary for now, but I would like him/her to have the same relaxed attitude towards life in general.

How about one thing about yourself that you absolutely wouldn’t want passed on?
That would be my desire to rule over the North and South poles. Wait maybe you shouldn’t print th…

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
I would love to experience the distant future. Some say it will be an advanced utopian paradise based on huge technological leaps, while others predict a hellish landscape wrecked by global warming and strife. It would be interesting to see which party wins that bet.

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
“In The Loop” which is a political satire film by Armanda Ianucci. If you’re into that genre and British humour, watch this movie NOW. I think it’s because it manages to strike a great balance between hilarity and “oh my god that’s probably quite close to what happened during the political run-up to the Iraq war”. That and Mr Ianucci is responsible for Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, which are two of my favourite TV shows.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Skydiving. Well, throw most extreme activities onto that list! Once I find the time and the money, the sky is the next stop.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
Laze around on the couch with a few episodes of the older Simpsons playing in the background, while I catch up with my browsing, reading, writing and scheming.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
As a kid, I almost fell into a septic tank after I stepped on the cover and it gave way. Luckily, I somehow managed to grab the edges at the last second and shout for help to a few adults who were nearby. I didn’t stop shaking for the rest of the day. That would’ve been an awful way to go!

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
I remember watching the Hale-Bopp comet on a clear night with the naked eye, as a kid who went camping with a bunch of friends. That was great. The rest of the night got a bit worse once the mosquitoes started going to town on us.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I would hide the money and orchestrate a massive scavenger hunt to find it, winner takes all. Participating in the hunt would cost $10. I would then invest all of those earnings in lottery tickets or the stock market.

You’ve been given the opportunity to give a televised speech which will be broadcast on all networks, what do you speak about?
The only sensible answer would be to pull the strings on a shocking hoax story, in the style of Orson Welles and his War of the Worlds broadcast.

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
I want to be in a situation where I am comfortable enough to focus entirely on my weirder projects, hobbies and schemes, rather than trying the sensible business projects and keeping a sane smile throughout the process. World domination is a close second ambition.

What inspires you?
Ordinary people who manage to make a significant difference in the world inspire me. I hope that I can live up to that standard one day.

Our thanks to Ras for taking time to be with us. Check out his book today, and spend tomorrow ordering your henchpersons around.

James Bruno - TRIBE

It is a great privilege to have James Bruno with us today, promoting his book TRIBE.

Where do you currently live?
Upstate New York

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I worked for the federal government for over two decades, first in military intelligence, then as diplomat with the Dept. of State. I served in S.E. Asia, Pakistan, Cuba, Guantanamo Naval Base, Australia and, of course, Washington DC. I speak seven foreign languages. I’ve spent lots of time at the White House and even served in a presidential protection detail abroad. I am currently a member of the Diplomatic Readiness Reserve.

When did you first start writing?
During and just after college as a news reporter. As a fiction writer, 16 years ago.

What was your very first story about?
My first novel, PERMANENT INTERESTS, is about a corrupt alliance between White House political operators and the Russian and American mobs. It’s been a steady Kindle bestseller.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Funny you should ask. I must submit all of my writings to the U.S. State Dept. for security screening and approval before I can give it to anyone else, including my agent. It’s part of the faustian pact I made when I took the official oath. I’d risk serious legal issues if I violated that rule. The screening usually takes around six months.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
My stories rely heavily on actual experiences in my professional life, from being harassed by Russian and Cuban agents to working in a presidential protection detail. My books’ success owe much to authenticity.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
Joseph Conrad – my overall favorite. As far as studying the craft of writing the spy thriller, Daniel Silva, David Ignatius, John LeCarre, Alan Furst.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
Master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Columbia University; BA from George Washington Univ. I studied journalism at the Columbia School of Journalism, international relations at GWU and war fighting and strategy at the Naval War College. The skills and knowledge I obtained from all of these heavily influence my writing of political/espionage thrillers.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
I’m a meticulous researcher and a stickler for authenticity. For my latest thriller, HAVANA QUEEN, I spent nine months doing intensive research even though I had worked and traveled in Cuba as a diplomat.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Captain Ahab.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Camilla Loomis, the high-powered Washington socialite in my latest thriller, TRIBE. Camilla claws her way from Appalachian trailer trash to Beltway powerbroker through pluck, brains and cunning.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
MISFIT

Tell us about your featured book.
TRIBE is about how power, love, and fathers and daughters come into play in conflict-riven Afghanistan, and how the government gets it all wrong.

What separates TRIBE from its competition is its authenticity - so authentic that the U.S. government censored it. I draw heavily from my service on Afghanistan, including in the field.

Why did you write that?
I spent nearly five years working on Afghanistan with the U.S. government. My duties ranged from spearheading our diplomatic effort to closing our embassy in Kabul to locating 12,000 mules for the Afghan mujahidin.

It was a deeply taxing and all-consuming job. It got under my skin and stayed there for years. I just had to write a story about it. It was a cathartic exercise.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
If you want to read political and spy thrillers that hew closely to the way things are really done as opposed to fantastical artifice, you’ll enjoy my books.

My agent also represents Stieg Larsson. All three of my novels have been Kindle paid bestsellers. I’ve been featured on NBC’s Today Show as well as in the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor and other media.

What’s a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?
Egotism. It’s rampant inside the Beltway right down to the lowliest functionary and I find it repellent.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?
Returning from a successful overseas assignment, one’s sense of one’s abilities can be a bit inflated – only to be deflated once returning as a small fish in the big D.C. pond. I was subject to that, but resumed being human real fast.

If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Watching the evening news.

Do you own any kind of art collection?
Yes. My wife and I collected some lovely original artwork from Asia and Africa, which now graces our home.

What is the hardest thing about growing up?
Figuring it all out.

Was it worth it?
Figure it out or perish.

What is the biggest lie you’ve ever heard?
“Serve in [Afghanistan – Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Secret Project] and you will be able to name your next assignment and get promoted fast.”

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?
Food.

What is pain to you?
Not being able to nourish my brain.

What is your dream house?
A cozy place overlooking the ocean.

Where would you want this house located in our wide world?
Pacific Northwest.

You’ve been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?
Excelsior.

Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?
Tight-fitting underpants.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Would you have it again?
Raw turtle eggs – in Thailand. Definitely would NOT try it again.

What’s the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?
Hang around the West Wing of the White House.

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?
Flying.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
Getting me sprung from captivity by Khmer Rouge guerillas (really!).


Our very special thanks to James for taking the time to answer our questions. Please give his many acclaimed works a look, starting with this one: