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Today we are interviewing Lawrence W. Gold, M.D., author of the medical thriller A Simple Cure.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a retired physician and long distance sailor. I’m the author of 13 novels, and one non-fiction book.
Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
When Terri Powell’s husband dies from malignant melanoma, she devotes her life to its cure. A ruthless drug company stands in her way.
How did your background as a physician influence your writing?
Medical fiction at its best is dramatic without being campy, exciting without being unrealistic, and educational without being pedantic and laden with jargon. If you enjoy medical fiction that delivers the goods without insulting your intelligence, try the Brier Hospital Series novels and the other novels by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D.
Readers are responding to A Simple Cure, saying that it’s unlike any thriller they have read. What is it about this book that so profoundly affects readers?
An innocent looking dark spot or mole could, in fact, be a dangerous malignant melanoma.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Anyone who enjoys medical fiction.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Two characters in my novel, No Cure for Murder, Drs. Jacob and Lola Weizman, 88 and 84 respectively. They are holocaust survivors who take the fear out of aging.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
It’s a win/win for writers and readers.
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
My writing is improving over time. I hope that continues. It would be nice to have more recognition for my work.
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Line editing. I’m no good at it.
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Never had it.
Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
The computer and the Internet are gifts to writers.
More Information
Buy the book on Amazon
Today we are interviewing Wentworth Boughn, author of Waiting for the Greys!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I always wanted to be a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and be a writer. The football career hasn’t panned out yet, so I am focusing on the writing.
Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
“You can only be innocent for so long. After that, you’re just plain stupid.”
Clarence Matussey and Almost Doug are on a quest to expose the truth regarding alien greys. They find a metallic rod that has extraterrestrial powers. With a swish of the wand, small miracles occur. When a message is received that the Greys are returning, the true believers gather out in the desert and wait for their salvation.
What inspired you to write about alien Greys?
It is a novel that I would want to read. I like stories about underdogs on mad missions. Flying saucers are fun.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think Waiting for the Greys! would be good for people who have lottery tickets in their pockets and none of the numbers are winners.
Tell us a bit about your main character, Clarence Matussey.
Even while hanging spread-eagled upside down, it was apparent that Clarence was an earnest dresser… He was a gum chewer, but not a bubble blower… Becoming a UFO investigator didn’t require a degree or any certification. The only requirements seemed to be an unyielding belief in conspiracy and the will to withstand endless ridicule. Luckily, Clarence had both… He felt a certain purity and superiority that no one was willing to pay him for his work.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I have never read an ebook except for the one I wrote, and I really liked it.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Every word is true except for the made up parts.
Excerpt from Waiting for the Greys!:
Clarence and Almost Doug saw what all the believers and curious tourists
see who make the long, lonely ride through the desert on the
Extraterrestrial Highway to Area 51: the black mailbox (now white and
covered with graffiti) which was a good spot to observe the test flights
of flying saucers, the white bus with the blacked out windows that
carried employees to and from the secret facility, the security cameras
and monitoring devices hidden amidst the cacti and rock, and the
notorious cammo dudes in their SUV’s parked up on a hill, always
watching.
Almost Doug had heard the stories of trespassing
truth seekers being taken away by the cammo dudes, never to be seen
again. He took some quick photos of Clarence in front of the signs that
stated photography is prohibited and deadly force may be used on
trespassers. They would make good photos for THE TOTAL TRUTH!
website. Almost Doug felt they had gotten what they needed and wanted
to leave quickly. The cammo dudes were watching them through binoculars
from up on the hill only a couple hundred yards away. He shuddered
when Clarence turned deliberately toward the cammo dudes.
“Please, not the finger,” whimpered Almost Doug as Clarence raised his
fist. Clarence didn’t use the middle finger. He wasn’t crass.
Instead, Clarence pointed at the cammo dudes with such self-righteous
indignation, that it was more condemning than flipping them the bird.
One would like to think that maybe the cammo dudes peed a bit in their
cammo pants. Clarence’s strident finger served them notice. It was a
warning to the entire military industrial complex that Clarence Matussey
was going to find the total truth.
More Information
Buy the book on Lulu
In this interview, we talk with Brian Parkin about his fiction works. For information about his nonfiction works, go here.
What first got you into writing fiction?
I have been an academic and technical writer for over twenty years. After I retired several years ago, I started a photography business and wrote a book on studio lighting diagrams, which became, and is still a best seller on Amazon for its category. Like most writers, I had a yearning to write a novel, which took me eight months to write. It was an invigorating experience and I couldn’t wait to start the next one.
Tell us a bit about your novel, “Manifesto for a Serial Killer.”
My novel is about a rich socialite living in Australia who has a penchant for killing people for no other reason than she enjoys killing. She killed her first victim at 12 years old. In fact, she made her first million by killing her parents. To avoid capture by being police profilers, she invents an app for her PC that randomizes the whole process of killing. Press a button and the app tells her where to go, which type of person to kill, what method, what her disguise will be, and even her method of travel. Her aim is to reach at least 100 deaths.
What inspired you to write a suspense/thriller book about a serial killer?
I read many murder thrillers and it struck me that murderers always seem to be caught because they don’t plan well enough. They leave evidence such as DNA behind or their modus operandi allows the police to profile and capture them. I wanted my murderer to be a planner, leave no evidence and have a randomized method of killing so that the police have no idea how to catch her, unless she was caught in the act. I thought an app for a phone and PC would be the perfect and modern way to be a serial killer.
Are there any suspense/thriller writers that have influenced you?
In my youth, my favorite authors were Dennis Wheatley for his black magic series, and Hammond Innes for his mystery thrillers about ordinary men thrust into dangerous situations. I have enjoyed reading Jeffrey Archer for the completeness of his plots in writing a thriller. Of course, these days there are so many indie writers that I am spoiled for choice and many of these have some great ideas that spark my interest for my next novel plot.
Your novel “Deadly Inheritance” is a mystery novel about a man, named Dave Pritchard, who must clear his name or be pinned as a murderer following the deaths of multiple heirs. Tell us a bit about Dave’s character.
Dave is an ex-soldier like me, who meets a doctor in Afghanistan and they become good friends. If you are a friend of Dave Pritchard’s, then he is a friend for life. He is an intelligent man with keen investigative skills, although he is more of an adventurer rather than an investigator per se. No one else being offered a million dollars to find heirs to a vast fortune, with the proviso that if he doesn’t find them he inherits the lot, would try very hard to find them. Not Dave. Not only does he find them, but he’s also on the trail to find their murderer and the remaining heir.
How do you think your fiction writing has evolved since you first started, if at all?
At first, I agonized over everything. I agonized over the plot, the characters, grammar and spelling, so much so that it wasn’t enjoyable to write my book. Then I saw a site where everyone is challenged to write a novel of at least 50,000 words in one month. I accepted the challenge and “Manifesto for a Serial Killer” was created and published in under two months. I enjoyed that process so much that now I write freely and don’t review for typos etc. until the novel is finished.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of eBooks?
Nowadays, just about everyone has an eReader because they prefer to be able to read books wherever they are and without having to lug books along with them. Prior to getting my Android phone with Kindle on it, I would choose books for value. That is to say, I would buy large books as cheaply as I could. They were very heavy and I could really only read them at home. Now I can read whenever I have a spare minute, such as waiting for my wife to finish her shopping, or travelling on public transport. Thank goodness for eBooks!
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
I would like to write a series that is just as popular as the Harry Potter series. I’m working on three separate series now and I would like to think that at least one of them develops into something worthwhile so that readers are clamoring for the next in the series.
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Fortunately, I don’t suffer from writer’s block. I think it’s because when I read a story in a newspaper about, for example, someone falling off a balcony, I wonder how they came to fall off the balcony and make up my own story and characters to go with it. This works so well that now I have two novels in progress with seven more waiting for me to get started. I hope to finish at least four of them during 2015.
Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
I use a computer because mainly my handwriting is so bad that if I went back to manuscript after a short period away from it, I wouldn’t be able to read my writing. Of course, word processing has come a long way since the days of my first Amstrad in the 1980s. I also need the PC to be able to auto save and back up my work. In fact, I automatically backup my backups. That’s how paranoid I am.
What do you have in mind for your next fiction work?
I’m currently working on a novel that centers on Geordie Fortune, a health inspector who investigates deliberate food poisoning outbreaks that are affecting his friend Ivy’s catering business. Each novel in this series will be a different venue, type of event and a different means of food poisoning. I have five books in mind for the series. I was an environmental health officer for thirty years and as a Geordie, i.e. a person who was born in the Newcastle area of England, this is right up my alley.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your fiction books?
My books are born out of my experiences, whether that is my 24 years in the Royal Air Force, my thirty years as a health inspector or my interests in digital photography or computers. I have no desire to write long epics and so I try to keep each novel to no more than about 150 pages, less if the story is told in full. I dislike long paragraphs of exact description of places and characters. I would prefer the reader to enjoy the story instead of flicking through waffle, as I have a tendency to do when I read someone else’s work.
What advice would you give budding writers?
Write about what you know, based on your own experiences. It will come from the heart and it will show in your writing. Get the words down on paper for the first draft. Don’t worry about reviewing it until it is finished. Consider self-publishing your book as an indie writer. There is nothing more satisfying than seen your finished work in either print or in digital format. It doesn’t matter that you don’t sell thousands of copies, as long as you are happy with it, and your family and friends enjoy it.
More Information About Brian Parkin's Fiction
Manifesto for a Serial Killer (The Jessica Harper Series Book 1)
Jessica Harper is a young woman who kills for the thrill of it. She’s seen all the cop shows and realizes that the police always search for motives, opportunity and patterns in their attempt to capture serial killers. She is aware of profilers and what they do to paint a picture of a serial killer.
As she wants to be the best serial killer ever, she decides she needs to develop a plan, a manifesto that will be perfected after the first 10 or so killings. To achieve this and escape capture, she invents a computer application that will totally randomize all aspects of the murder factors. Press a button and the app will decide where she kills, what type of person she kills, how she kills and even determines the character and appearance that the murderer should adopt each time!
Naturally, the police in various locations around Australia treat each murder as an isolated incident or even as death by misadventure in some cases. Until Detective Inspector Rob Franklin and Detective Sergeant Leanne Wilson investigate a murder in Leanne's home town of Goondiwindi. It seems to be a isolated murder but on closer inspection, they become suspicious that this murder is too perfect! They research recent murders with the same degree of perfection elsewhere in the State, and then the whole of Australia, and find that the numbers of similar murders are in excess of 20 deaths!
Follow Jessica Harper as she murders her way across Australia, while Detective Inspector Franklin and his partner continue their search for the greatest serial killer in history!
Deadly Inheritance (The Dave Pritchard Series Book 1)
"Deadly Inheritance" is about Dave Pritchard, an ex soldier who inherits a large sum of money from Ivan Bezborodov who he befriended in Afghanistan, on the understanding that he finds Ivan's missing relatives . If he fails to find them, he inherits the lot. The missing heirs start dying like flies, leaving Dave as the the only inheritor and looking like he’s the culprit. He is determined to clear his name by investigating the murders himself.
The Cheng Sung Connection (The Dave Pritchard Series Book 2)
"The Cheng Sung Connection" is #2 in the Dave Pritchard Series. Ian Beaufort, a freelance journalist, is on the trail of a gang that is led by Dave Pritchard. The gang has robbed the Gallaghers of artwork and when Ian prevents the thieves from collecting the money for its sale, they kidnap Joseph Gallagher's niece. Ian confronts Pritchard and is threatened if he doesn't back off. Inspector Joe Binks from England is called in by Gallagher to help solve the case but is in turn kidnapped by Dave Pritchard's gang. Follow the twists and turns of this novel as Pritchard, Beaufort and Binks clash in solving the mystery of the Cheng Sung connection.
Today we are interviewing Brian Parkin about his nonfiction books.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in the north east of England, just after the Second World War when times were hard and you could only obtain basic food and clothing items with ration books. I never knew that we were poor until I joined the Royal Air Force in 1967. My first week’s wages were one pound eight shillings, which is the equivalent of about two dollars today. During my twenty-four years in the RAF, I visited many places overseas and served in the Falkland Islands and Desert Storm, the first Gulf War. I left as an environmental health Warrant Officer in 1991 to come to Australia where I was employed as an environmental health officer, better known as a health inspector. I was also employed as a senior policy officer at State Government level before retiring in 2010. On retirement, I fixed computers before starting a business as a pet portrait photographer. I currently live in Brisbane with my lovely wife, Ivanka, Murphy our cat and Moxie our dog. I also feed two stray cats, a bush turkey and a possum family that come to visit us every day.
You’ve written four books on teenage issues, “Talking with Teenagers,” “School Bullying Must Stop,” “Teens, Texting, and Twitter,” and “Teenager Depression.” What inspired you to write about teenage issues?
As a father and grandfather, I felt very concerned that young people seemed to be getting a raw deal from parents and their peers. I wanted to educate parents particularly about the needs of teenagers, and at the same time find some common ground between the two groups.
How did you do research for your books on teen issues?
I based much of it on the mistakes that I made with my two children when they reached teen years. I made many mistakes because I didn’t take the time to understand their needs. I access community forums about teenage issues, where I listen, and contribute where I can.
What do you think is the biggest challenge parents face in raising teenagers today?
Parents don’t often have the time to spare to get to know their kids and by the time they return home from work, they are already tired and cranky. The teenagers themselves are going through major physical and mental changes and want someone to talk to about their issues. They don’t want to be criticized or spied on all of the time. They do want advice and to be trusted. Parents need to make time for heir kids.
Switching gears here, you also have written two photo books, “Lighting Diagrams” and “The Lake at Forest Lake.” When did you first get interested in photography?
I have been interested in wildlife photography since my early years in the RAF forty years ago when I travelled to such place as Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands, Oman and Newfoundland. When I retired, I converted my garage into a photographic studio and operated a pet photography business from there. My “Lighting Diagrams” book continues be in the top 5 for its category on Amazon, after a year of being published in January 2014.
What has the process of improving your photography skills been like? Did you take courses or are you self-taught?
My photography skills were the same as everyone else when I was younger. You clicked the button and waited for out of focus photos to come back to you. When I discovered digital photography, my skills improved unbelievably. I could take as many instant photos as I wanted to with virtually no cost other than the cost of buying my gear. I studied up on the technical aspects of digital photography as well as the associated photo imaging techniques. I took several online courses but I’m largely self-taught.
What photography equipment do you use?
I am a typical photography buff. If there is something new on the market, I want it, I need it, and I have to buy it. My study has a large 16 cube storage setup with cameras, lenses, tripods, reflectors, lighting, ad gizmos of every type. I use Nikon gear because that’s what I first bought and all my lenses fit my three Nikon cameras.
What are your favorite subjects to photograph? Do you travel far for your photography or mostly take photos locally?
My favorite subjects are animals and wildlife, both flora and fauna. Birds are high on my list too. I travelled a lot when I was in the RAF but once I retired, I became a bit of a homebody. Where I live, there is an artificial lake with hundreds of birds and water dragon lizards. It’s enough to keep my interest in capturing stunning images. I also feed birds and animals that come into my small suburban back yard. This gives me opportunity to get some magnificent close up shots.
What do you have in mind for your next non-fiction writing project?
When I get the time from my novel writing, I would like to produce a simple how to book explaining exposure, aperture and shutter speed for digital camera users. I feel that many people under use their
digital cameras because they think it’s all too difficult to master. I would also like to write about the agonies of stuttering and how I overcame my disability by becoming a public speaker.
Anything else you’d like to add for people interested in your non-fiction books?
Examples of my photography and writing can be freely accessed by viewing my Blog, at http://hawaygeordie.wordpress.com/ or by joining the 30,000 people following me on Twitter @brianparkin.
More Information About Brian Parkin’s Nonfiction
Lighting Diagrams
"Lighting Diagrams" is an eBook which is meant to be a guide to those photographers just getting started in studio photography. The simple lighting setup diagrams in this eBook allow you to visualize and recreate lighting equipment setups for everyday portrait sessions in the studio.
Teens, Texting & Twitter
"Teens, Texting and Twitter" is a guide for parents who may be confused or concerned about their teenager’s use of texting or social media.
The eBook looks at what texting and social media is all about and how to get into it so that you as a parent have a fighting chance in attempting to communicate with their teenage son or daughter, particularly online.
Teenage Depression
Teenage depression is an illness like any other and needs treatment by professionals. This guide looks at the statistics for teenage depression, its symptoms, causes and the effects experienced by sufferers. It provides information to assist sufferers and support for parents of teenagers suffering from depression.
Talking with Teenagers
This eBook discusses the reasons for this conflict among parents and their teenagers and what can be done to strengthen relationships and develop trust so that meaningful dialogue can occur.
School Bullying Must Stop
The concept of child bullying in schools has taken on another dimension. The previously well-known physical and verbal bullying are now giving way to cyber bullying, due to the proliferation of the Internet and the use of mobile devices for every day communication. The disturbing aspect about this type of bullying is that the methods and effects suggest that it can be more detrimental than perhaps physical or verbal bullying ever was. This eBook is meant to give you an insight into school bullying statistics, bullying ways , and in particular concentrating on the recently emerging cyberbullying.
The bullying facts about types of bullying will assist students and parents alike in how to respond to bullying ways.
The Lake at Forest Lake
This photo book is a collection of images captured around the lake at Forest Lake. Forest Lake is an artificial lake located 20 km south west of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. All images have been shot by the author over a period of 2 - 3 years. The images are predominantly of wild birds, a few water dragons and some close ups of butterflies and insects.
Today we are interviewing children's book author Caldric Blackwell about his new easy read fantasy novel, The Missing Alchemist (book 1 of the Young Alchemist series).
Thanks for coming back! It was only a few months ago that we interviewed you about your picture book, The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf. You’ve been busy!
It’s a pleasure to be back! Yes, I have been busy!
For readers who didn't read your last interview about your picture book, tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in the Bay Area, but went to college in Santa Barbara. In college, I studied English and psychology. After writing short stories for a while, I eventually transitioned to writing children's books. My first book is an early chapter book called The Enchanted River Race. I followed that up with a picture book titled, The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf.
Describe your new middle grade fantasy novel, The Missing Alchemist.
The Missing Alchemist follows the story of fourteen-year-old Craig Pike. Having grown up in an orphanage, Craig appreciates his comfortable life as a student of Cornelius, a famous alchemist. But when Cornelius is kidnapped, Craig leaves comfort behind to search for him.
Craig teams up with Audrey Clife, a clever archer, and together they travel across mysterious lands and battle otherworldly creatures. Their journey reveals that Cornelius’s kidnapping is only a small part of an evil alchemist’s elaborate grab for power, and the only people standing in his way are Craig and Audrey…
This book is very different from your other books because it’s aimed at an older audience. What made you decide to write a middle grade novel?
While working out the basics of the story, it became clear to me that The Missing Alchemist would be best as a middle grade novel. The story was simply too complicated to be an early chapter book. At the same time, it was too simple to be a young adult novel, so it became a middle grade novel. I didn't start out thinking, "I want to write a middle grade novel." I might try that approach in the future, though!
How was the experience of writing a middle grade novel different from writing your picture book, The Boy Who Couldn't Cry Wolf?
It was the same in that it started with a very simple idea and grew from there. In The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf, I started with the idea of a young werewolf who has to solve a problem. In The Missing Alchemist, I started with a young alchemist who must rescue his teacher. Writing The Missing Alchemist differed from writing a picture book in that the development of the story was a lot more complex – more characters, more events, etc.
Additionally, there was a fair amount of world-building in The Missing Alchemist. The main characters, Craig and Audrey, travel to a number of different areas throughout the novel, so I had to create environments, histories, etc for each region. I also had to think about the grand trajectory of the plot since the book is part of a series.
Who was your favorite character to write?
All of the characters have histories and traits that made them fun to create. I think in this sense they were all fun to write. I think the most unique experience was writing Bert, a blacksmith. It was a unique experience writing him because he starts out as a minor character yet influences the direction of the plot in a major way. I can’t say anything more without giving something away, but keep an eye out for him while reading the book!
Did you read any middle grade novels growing up?
Yes! I really liked Lemony Snicket’s The Series of Unfortunate Events. I love that they have this dark, gothic vibe yet at the same time are light-spirited and whimsical. I heard recently that Netflix is adapting the novels into a TV show, which should be interesting.
What new middle grade novels are you excited about?
I like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. I’ve always been interested in Greek mythology, so having a story that incorporates mythology with a fun plot is a winning combination for me.
As I mentioned earlier, your last book, The Boy Who Couldn’t Cry Wolf, came out only a few months ago. You’ve clearly been busy! With all this writing, have you found time to do other activities?
I have been very busy with my writing! It’s been quite time-consuming having two releases back-to-back, but I have been doing things other than writing. Balance is very important to me. I’ve found time to spend time with friends and family. I also recently traveled around California a bit. A lot of pictures of my adventures can be found on my Instagram: www.instagram.com/caldricblackwell.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
I’m currently working on the next book in the Young Alchemist series. I’m really excited about it because there are a couple revelations in The Missing Alchemist that are left somewhat open-ended for the sequel.
Anything else you want to add?
Anyone interested in learning more about my middle grade novel The Missing Alchemist or any of my other books can find more information at https://www.caldricbooks.com/p/home.html.
More Information
Buy The Missing Alchemist on Kindle
Buy The Missing Alchemist paperback version
Visit Caldric Blackwell's website
Follow Caldric Blackwell on Twitter
Like Caldric Blackwell on Facebook
Today we are interviewing Yossi Porat, author of the spy thriller Screwed Mind.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Yossi Porat, I'm married 41 years to Sara, a computer science PhD, we have 4 children and 9 grandkids, I'm a marketing PhD, I wrote 3 marketing books, 2 novels and 3 poem books.
Describe the plot of your new book in a few sentences.
Andrew and Adam, childhood friends, are partners in an innovative London start-up which is developing a system for controlling people using the transmission of sound waves from a cellular phone straight into their brains. The start-up can activate people for various assignments and then completely forget what they have done. Success will bring the two partners to the heights of international power and wealth.
The plot expands to Damascus, Syria; Tel Aviv, Israel; Barcelona, Spain, Rome, Italy and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with excursions to the state of Gujarat, India, and to Washington, DC. There are excellent descriptions of various places around the world based on in-depth research. A secondary plot involves an attempt by Israeli Intelligence to entrap important members of al-Qaeda from Syria and from Saudi Arabia. The intelligence agents report directly to the Israeli Prime Minister due to the importance of the mission.
The start-up intends carries out the Beta trial, an explosion in Barcelona and London. The President of the United States and the Prime Ministers of both Britain and Israel report what really happened…but this is not the end.
What made you decide to write an espionage thriller?
I felt heat near my neck and head while using my cellular phone and read about it a lot, including about the cellular companies denying any negative radiation affect by using cell phones and I thought it's a great idea for mystery and espionage.
Did your background in the IDF influence your writing?
I was exposed to some ideas while serving in the IDF.
Screwed Mind touches upon the potential of using technology to spy on citizens. When did you become interested in this topic?
All the espionage international agencies use technology to monitor us and spy on us via phones, cellular phones, internet etc so this is a very hot topic…and a very real mone
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Any reader who likes mystery, good sex scenes, espionage, plots, grab knowledge about the international espionage agencies and the relationships among them, men and women all over the world.
What is your favorite book and why?
I read a lot and adore people/writers that expose their life in a book, sometime I better like soft novels, sometimes I like the plot running very fast, I really like so many writers.
What genre do you read most frequently?
Mystery, espionage and novels.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I adore it, this is the new future for readers all over the world allowing to download cheaply great books and read them anywhere without the need to carry them and to destroy beautiful forests
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
No, I adore also poems!
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
Of course I had , sometime I feel that I can't or don't wish to expose more of myself, as in every book and poem there is a lot of the writer, sometime I feel not productive with no eagerness to write, and I need to rest, listen to the music (a lot of jazz and classic music) calm and get energy to go on. I need a lot of power to write and sometime I don't posses it. Make love and than everything is much better.
Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
I write using my computer, may handwriting is really awful...
What do you have in mind for your next project?
I have a new story building in my mind, regarding a love among two Israelis, she's Muslim Arabic, and he's a jew, they are not in the same age, a plot of love espionage and mystery. My next book is a children book and will be ready within 2 months….
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
You can't stop reading it, that's the impression I get from most of my readers.
A video of Yossi Porat speaking about Screwed Mind:
More Information
Buy the book on Amazon
Visit the book's website
Today we are interviewing Loren Weisman, author of the The Artist's Guide to Success in the Music Business.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
20 plus years in the music industry as a drummer, music producer and a consultant with over 700 album credits, TV production credits for three major networks and a world of experiences in both the highs and the lows of the music business.
Describe the purpose of your book in a few sentences.
A guide to help artists, musicians, managers, record labels and anyone interested in the music industry format the best path and best approach for them. Not a step by step, but more of a guide that helps you choose the best route based on who you are, what you have and how you are approaching music.
What inspired you to write The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business?
Watching so many mistakes being made by up and coming artists that work off many of the delusions of the industry as well as many claiming to have all the answers when they have never had a career in music made me want to do something to help and to guide artists in the right way as well as point out what to watch out for and what to avoid.
Who do you think would benefit most from reading this book?
Beginners to pros, parents of musicians, girlfriends and boyfriends of musicians and even hobbyists that enjoy the business side. The marketing section could work for any business too.
What do you think is the biggest hurdle artists face in the music business that keeps them from turning their passion into their profession?
Themselves and their egos. All too often the expectations of a lightning bolt to strike and someone else to magically handle all the details is prevalent. The best thing a musician can do for themselves is to educate themselves on the business side, while asking the questions and not trying to take the route of American Idol or the first deal that comes along.
Do you think social media and other new platforms have changed how artists must market themselves?
Absolutely. But it has also oversaturated the market. Musicians today need to think about engagement and connection, not just trying to get 100,000 twitter followers. Conversion is key when it comes to social media. All businesses that think content, engagement and conversion while working to entice new fans as they post materials that existing fans can enjoy will do the best.
What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
The music business has had its dark side since its beginnings in the classical days. Mozart’s wife, in a way, was the first music distributor.
In your book, you talk about working with investors in the music business. For many people just starting out in the industry, this is sometimes a very foreign concept. Can you share the basics of this for readers who are unfamiliar?
Most likely you will not have all the funds needed to start your career the right way, the consideration of how you look to investors and forming a basic music business plan can help to both achieve that funding as well as protect your profits too. Its a tricky world, but looking from the stand point of the investor helps a lot of musicians get the funds they need.
You also share your knowledge of the music industry through consulting. How can people find out more about this?
People can visit http://artistsguide.net/ or http://lorenweisman.com and click on the consulting form. By filling it out, I give a free 15 minute consult with each musician, management group, able or business to see if we would be a good fit for each other as well as being able to define exactly what is needed.
Your new book, Music Business for Dummies, comes out in late spring. Can you tell us a bit more about this project?
Wiley and Sons has commissioned me to write Music Business for Dummies. It has been a blast. It takes a different approach than The Artist's Guide and has been a lot of fun to put together. The For Dummies book will introduce and explain a great deal of the fundamentals for beginners that will lead them in to finding out more as well as potentially grabbing a copy of The Artist's Guide which is more in depth.
How do you think reading your book will impact people?
I hope it will reach each person in their own way. Whether refreshing some ideas for the experienced musician, connection ideas for the aspiring musician or introduce ideas for the beginner, I think that the impact is different for each person that reads the book. I don’t think any one person needs everything in the artists guide, but I think everyone can take away a chapter, a section or parts that can help them, help themselves.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with potential readers?
Be patient with your career and be prepared to work harder than you ever have before, but it is absolutely worth it, if it is your dream and your desire to be in music.
More Information
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Today we are interviewing author, rock and roll band lead singer, cinematographer, composer, artist and all around Renaissance man, Josh Hamilton (Ticker Twizted) about his sci-fi/action novel The Rise of Darkus.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Josh Hamilton but
most call me Ticker, reason being that I optimistically embrace my
Tourette syndrome. I am a singer, composer, indie film director and
writer. My work is inspired by the unexplored world of the supernatural
and paranormal realm. I’m fascinated by the afterlife.
I was born
January 27th 1989 on a NAVY base located in Whidbey Island, WA. I spent
most my life hospitalized and reclusive due to the lack of knowledge for
TS which I believe is the reason my imagination never had a limit. I
yearn to be heard and make a living off of my creativity. I am
motivated, have an endless supply of inspiration and always see the best
qualities in people.
Describe the plot of The Rise of Darkus in a few sentences.
The Rise of Darkus is destructive and out of this world. An infusion of obscure and action-packed.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
People who love to escape our busy world and dive into a new world that takes you on a journey to find one’s self. People who enjoy a love story. People who claim themselves outcasts and can relate to Darkus, who yearn to be heard. People who want to find their own place in a bizarre and cold world and want to fulfill a craving for adventure.
What inspired you to write a sci-fi action novel?
Being mystified by the unusual and the unknown, sci-fi has always been about that. I’ve always been drawn to discover what lies in the dark. Most people are scared of the dark. I’m eager to light up that path! I’ve never been into anything that is real. To read about things that are already happening to me is dull and hard to keep reading. But when you read a sci-fi book that takes you off of this planet it really is the thrill that I seek. The adventure that I crave.
The land of Remains is described as a world that thrives on law, order, and Sacred practices. Is this world based off an exaggerated portion of human society or is it something entirely new?
Yes it is. I enjoy mixing societies struggles in my stories. It gives it just that right amount of reality that you can relate to. The frustrations of feeling like you are not in control and that you are a slave to society’s higher class brings out emotions that attach you to the book. As though you are in an entirely different galaxy yet you can still feel that frustration.
Both the supernatural and science play a role in reanimation in your novel. Have you always been interested in science?
Ever since I was a child I have loved science. Science is fascinating and those who are into it look for a better tomorrow. Science is into the idea of looking into the darkness and revealing a new discovery.
Is there an author that had a major influence on you while you were growing up?
I’ve actually haven't read many books honestly. I’ve actually been more into the dialog in films, but I loved Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Always been a nerd, always will be. My books are inspired by movie directors and musicians. Tim Burton and Guillermo Del Toro are some of my favorites. The characters in which I write will share physical attributes of rock stars that I idolize. Since music is my primary passion.
I also love the way Edgar Alan Po always wrote. He is another favorite.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was twelve. I wrote my first screenplay when I was twelve. Before that I was drawing storyboard art, when I was four. Kind of like comic books.
What inspirations contributed to this book?
I actually came up with this book while working at Spirit Halloween. I enjoyed the fact that each genre of costume had like 5 versions of each creature. Like clowns had 5 versions. I thought to myself, "those could be different ranks in some type of army," and then it hit me. I looked around at all the creatures and saw characters that could be in a book. I loved Halloween; always have. But I didn't want to create an idea where everything was clearly Halloween and the characters in the book new what Halloween was. So I took the characteristics of what we know and made it a serious concept and similarities, but not too obvious. For example, in the book there are creatures called Lanterians. The name sounds like "lantern," like a jack-o-lantern. They appear to be pumpkin-like creatures, but they don't know what a jack-o-lantern is.
Who was your favorite character to write?
That’s a tough one. I enjoy Darkus because I relate to him the most, which was the point. But I enjoy Kursus as well. She is tech-smart, a bit sassy, and a bit of a tom-boy. She's sweet but has a ferocious appetite. Her dining manners are atrocious and when she is hungry she will cook a monster on the spot and eat them.
What is your favorite book and why?
Harry Potter, The Order of the Phoenix. It was the book that changed the tides (in my opinion) for the vibe of the series. It brought the darkness into what felt like happiness. It made the story real and brought my emotions out. The book was practically one big twist. I admire that in a writer. Someone who isn't afraid to make the main cast of characters lose.
What genre do you read most frequently?
When I read, it’s either a sci-fi story or a book about a topic in something I’m fascinated by, like an encyclopedia of mystical and paranormal events, the Steampunk Bible or an autobiography of an idol of mine.
How do you think you've evolved as a writer since when you first started?
I’ve learned the format very well. At first I wrote what I thought was cool. But then you realize that there needs to be a hook or it just feels like it isn't going anywhere. I learned how emotions play a big role in it. The reader needs to feel something or they won't read it. Love, betrayal, admiration of characters are so important.
Are there any aspects (e.g. character building, world building) of your writing that you've been practicing?
Not that I can think of at the moment. No examples that come to me. When I write an idea for a book I normally have a well-structured canvas already laid out. The only improving I do is when I had an idea that I thought worked until I get to that point then change it if it doesn't feel right. The dialog is always improvised. If something changes I quickly alter it then move on.
What was your favorite class in school, and why?
I loved choir and theatre. I was the president of my thespian class. Other than that, not much. I never had school spirit. My schools never had the fun stuff like Astrology or Mythology. My science teacher was an English teacher who knew nothing about science so I feel I missed out. Although I did have a website building class. That was fun.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of eBooks?
I think it’s a great way to get your books out, or read on the go. Science has brought us the ability to make everything portable. I like that. The downside is that the internet also takes away the ability to own a hard copy. Having a book on your tablet is cool, as long as we cherish a hard copy still. Like music; it’s cool to carry your music collection everywhere on an iPod as long as you buy an album here and there. Call me a nostalgic but I believe in holding our roots close and not getting rid of them. There is symbolism in The Rise of Darkus as well that pretty much says "the new stuff is cool but one day we might have to go back to the old stuff."
What are your goals as a writer for the next ten years?
To be successful at it. To share my world with others. As a movie fanatic I fantasize about my books becoming movies as well. That’s my goal. To watch my stories come to life
What is the most impactful experience you have had with a fan?
Book wise nothing yet since I’m still fresh. But so far my little sister Ava writing me to tell me that she can't put it down feels amazing.
Band wise, I’ve had grown drunk men cry in my arms. As weird as this may sound, it’s incredible to know that your music digs so deep into your fans hearts that they are willing to break their "man" barrier and express their love for what you do; THAT is incredible. That feels bliss.
Have your family and friends been supportive of your writing?
Yes they have, and thank God for it. When I started playing music seriously my father was a bit late to support me. But I knew he'd come around when he saw what I do first-hand. So now he supports everything I do. That tells me that he sees a possible future for me in what I do. That’s all I need.
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Not really. I seem to like it all. I don't want to appear cocky but creating comes so naturally to me. It’s the business side of it and getting someone to actually sit down and take the time to give my book a chance is what’s frustrating to me. I know that once someone with the resources reads my book they will see potential. It’s just finding someone to do that. Same goes for my music.
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I’ve never had it for story ideas but have had it with music. Normally finding intricate ways to sing along to Cody's (guitarist) riffs can give me writers block as well as finding lyrics that fit with what we are doing. Oddly enough, till this day I have never had an issue with writing a story, and I’ve written over 20 full length scripts! Again, I don't mean to sound arrogant, that’s just a fact!
Do you write with a computer, typewriter, or pen and paper? Why do you use this tool?
I use a computer. My mind is always racing with ideas. At times I will have a cluster of ideas at once. When I use paper and pen I can't seem to write as fast as my thoughts but with a computer I can type in quickly all of my ideas in just seconds. I use my notepad app on my phone as well. It’s convenient and I always have it, rather searching for paper then a pen and possibly forgetting my idea.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
Well I’m going to write the next Rise of Darkus novel. I want to start writing my other stories in store but don't know when. I’m just waiting for when it feels right. But the next sequel to Rise of Darkus is the Call of the Crophix. I don't want to give anything away but what I can say is that this sequel is about Darkus learning more about himself. He also discovers an ancient race that aids him in his quest. The Hybrid Mentus is what they are called. It’s also about making hard decisions. Darkus has no choice but to do something he doesn't want to do for a short period of time. I think we can all relate to that.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I just hope it captivates them like I’d intended. I hope it takes you on a journey. I hope you fall in love with the story.
More Information
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Today we are interviewing Louise Lyndon, author of the historical romance novel Of Love and Vengeance.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Oooh, OK, where to begin? I grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before I moved to England, where I was only supposed to stay for two years. Well two years turned into sixteen years! I spent the time soaking up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. I’ve since returned to Melbourne. I come from a family made up mostly of females, very strong ones at that, which is why I tend to write strong female characters. I don’t have any children, or pets. I don’t even have a house plant, because I keep forget to water them and they keep dying on me. When not writing I can be found covered in mud, crawling under barbed wire and hoisting myself over twelve foot walls!
Describe the plot of your new book, Of Love and Vengeance, in a few sentences.
Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephew’s survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves. But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?
A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?
Your new book, Of Love and Vengeance, is a medieval historical romance. What made you decide to write a book in that genre?
I fell into the time period by accident! It was while I was on a trip to York, northern England, exploring medieval ruins. A snippet of dialogue popped into my head. The characters wouldn’t keep quiet and since they came to me while I was standing in the middle of medieval ruins I knew that was the time period they had to be set it. It was then just a matter of choosing the date.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think anyone who likes a happily ever after will most definitely enjoy, Of Love and Vengeance.
Laila is a determined, outspoken character. What influences contributed to this character?
My father died when I was very young and so my mother raised four girls on her own. I think coming from a single parent family has taught me to be extremely independent and determined to take care of myself – two things I think we see a lot in Laila. There is a lot of my sisters in Laila. Also, I think I do a lot of people watching (both in real life and via the media) and draw from those people to inject into my characters.
Is there any aspect of writing you don't like?
Yes, having to stop so I can go to my day job – curse the need to eat and put a roof over my head!
Have you ever had writer's block? If yes, how'd you deal with it? If you have not had writer's block, why do you think you haven't?
I’m not sure if it’s writer’s block or just ‘I don’t want to do this today’ – either way, I force myself to sit in front of the laptop and write. Even if it’s a scene that is not in sequence of the book. If it’s in my head and I can ‘see’ it then I’ll write it just so I can have some words on the page. It doesn’t matter if the scene is further along in the book and I have no idea what happens before or after that scene – I just write it. I think when I force myself to write a scene I’m not ready to write or try to make my characters do something they don’t want, then that’s when the writer’s block/I don’t want to do this today comes into play. So while I force myself to get words on the page, I don’t force myself to write something I can’t yet see.
What do you have in mind for your next project?
My current work in progress is tentatively called, Of Love and Betrayal. It takes place roughly fifty or so years after my current release, Of Love and Vengeance. I’m about 170 pages into it and I’m really enjoying writing it. The hero is the grandson of the hero in my current release. I can’t say much more than that.
An excerpt from Of Love and Vengeance:
Laila heard them long before she saw them. Their angry, frenzied shouts
and thunderous roars filled her ears. With her hands tied securely
behind her, she was dragged up the lane toward Tyburn Gallows, where she
was to be hanged for a crime she did not commit. The mob sounded blood
thirsty. Large. Frightening.
There was no sign of Aymon. Or Hugh. Had they left her alone to die?
Her chin trembled and her nails dug into her palms.
She
suddenly fell to her knees and screamed until she tasted blood at the
back of her throat. She kicked out and tried to crawl free as her hair
was almost torn from the roots as she was pulled up and shoved along the
lane.
Her eyes burned with her tears.
“I am innocent!” Laila screamed.
They
came around a corner, and that’s when she saw them. There must have
been a least two thousand men, women, and children, hungry for her
blood. And when they saw her, they erupted into a wild fever of roars
and cries for a slow and painful death. Their thirst had been piqued,
and now it must be sated.
Laila was shoved into the center of the clearing.
She glanced wildly around in a desperate search for Aymon’s towering, bulky frame. She could not see him.
But
what she could see was the Tyburn Tree. The gallows she was to be
hanged from. The executioner, hooded, stood beside the tree as he waited
patiently for her. Laila’s mouth suddenly went dry.
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Today we are interviewing T.N. Newborn, author of the epic fantasy novel The Staff of Tzaddi.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am an Alabama native, born as the second youngest into a household of six creative and talented souls. Because of this my love of epic fantasy and science fiction flourished. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Birmingham Southern College, I continued a career in Freelance Writing and Editing. I am obsessed with writing and have enjoyed the process of finishing my first book, The Staff of Tzaddi.
Describe the plot of The Staff of Tzaddi in a few sentences.
Prince Teiwaz Zayin is the future king of the Dark Dwellers. He is obsessed with one thing: vengeance. Since his mother’s untimely demise, nothing has mattered more to him than retribution. Meanwhile, a secret menace is rising, seeking to use the Staff of Tzaddi to destroy the world. When Teiwaz meets Sowelu Kano, the first Light Dweller he’s ever seen, they embark upon a quest to stop the staff from falling into the wrong hands.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
I think younger readers, lovers of epic fantasy will really enjoy this book. I wrote this story for those who are exceptional but feel compelled to hide their talents and their unique way of viewing the world. I wrote this book for those who need to see that it’s ok to be true to yourself.
Do you think your background, as someone with an English degree, influenced your writing style?
Yes, I do. I have been in love with the written word since before I could actually write the alphabet! This love of reading and writing motivated me to attain my English degree. I learned so much about the art, studying various genres such as magical realism, Victorian, and gothic. Putting my hands on seemingly every genre under the sun inspired me in so many different ways and that influence can be seen in my writing.
When did you first get interested in epic fantasy?
I first fell in love with epic fantasy when I was fourteen years old. I loved building new worlds, creating characters with extraordinary abilities. That love over the years has never ceased; it has fueled my need to master this style of writing and this genre.
Are there any fantasy authors who have influenced you?
Yes, one of the biggest inspirational figures for me was Christopher Paolini. When I first read Eragon, and saw what such a young talent could create, I stopped putting age barriers on success. Also I saw how one so young could build a world and fantastical characters that felt so down to earth and relatable. I knew then that this was the key to successful writing; having one’s characters connect with readers regardless of their other-worldliness.
The Staff of Tzaddi boasts an eclectic cast of characters. Which one was your favorite to write?
My favorite character to write was Prince Teiwaz Zayin. The reason being is that this character is so much like me. He is nearly consumed by anger, on the verge of being lost to it, but through the love of another, he begins to seek redemption.
What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I am in the early stages of writing a prequel to The Staff of Tzaddi from the point of view of the antagonist. This is an exciting project for me because I get to further explore the world I created and push myself as a writer. The antagonist is a character who ultimately succumbs to hatred and madness and it is both fun and challenging writing from his perspective.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
Yes, the best part of the story is how the love between the two main characters, who are born from two warring races, grants them the opportunity to open their minds and discover the truth about their origins as a unified people. This is what I would love for readers to take away from the story - the true origins of hatred and the importance of love of self. I'm hoping that this will compel more people to read this story and take away the very important message at its core.
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