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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The End: Alpha (Book 1)?

The End: Alpha is the first in a series of dystopian/post-apocalyptic future environment set in the year 2113. When Constantine Jedidiah Goodfellow shot up through the senate, people were all-too surprised and delighted to see someone in the prime of life wanting to heal wounds, bring people together, and bring peace, so they elected him President. His aim, however, was to bring the exact opposite. The year is 2113, and Christianity is under siege.  A massive virus has torn across the planet and killed off half of the world’s population and its leaders. Goodfellow, having changed his name to “Nero” in honor of the Roman emperor, has declared himself de facto leader over the remainder of mankind, and commenced the eradication of Christianity. In a small community outside Chicago, Illinois, eighteen year old Sage Maddox is endowed with wisdom and street smarts well beyond his years. Though his entire family has been killed off by “Guardians” – deceptively-named and ruthless killing machines dispatched by Nero – he is determined to do his part to bring much-needed justice and restore safety to Christians throughout the world. There’s just one thing… Nero is waiting for him.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The End: Alpha (Book 1), what would they be?

I LOVE "Fight On Fighter" by For King & Country. I think that pertains both to my Dissonance series as well as to The End: Alpha, and will pertain to the subsequent novels in this series as well.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Sci-fi, for sure. I do appreciate great fantasy, but I find that everything utterly pales in comparison to J.R.R. Tolkien, and I make some unfair comparisons. He is, after all, the quintessential author of fantasy fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Aliens subnovels by the likes of Tim Lebbon and Christopher Golden, a Star Wars novelization, The Expanse by James SA Corey, and the Maze Runner series.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the betrayal - I can't say where it was or who does it, but it's EPIC and it will make you pump your fist in the air!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like to write at all hours of the day, wherever I am...and when I'm completely done with a book, I get beef jerky and a soda and candy. Period. No exceptions. 🙂 I'm a pantser, so it's very organic writing, and it follows then that I write organically at any time of the day.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"Your focus determines your reality"! I LOVE this quote! It's from a movie I like to pretend does not exist (Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace) said by Qui-Gon Jinn to a young Anakin Skywalker. LOVE this quote. So true!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There is hope for redemption. ALWAYS. Never lose hope.

 

Author Aaron Ryan is the author of the new book The End: Alpha (Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Starbreaker: Volume 1?

Believe it or not, it was the old Spelljammer series way back in the 80s/90s that started this idea brewing in my mind decades ago! I was simply enthralled by the idea of having a fantasy story that simply takes place on a larger scale than just a single world or plane as traditionally done in fantasy. More than that as well, I wanted magic to be a part of regular everyday life for everyone in the story, having it fit the role of technology as typically found in science fiction. After putting all of that together and stewing on it a time, I eventually came up with Starbreaker, in which we see our main character, Sylvas, go from a simple mage on a small, uncontacted planet, to a person who will save the entire galaxy.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

For me, it's all things fantasy. I've loved it for as long as I can remember and it is always my comfort place to go for my reading, which is absolutely perfect as it gives me all the fuel I need for my own writing. There have been many a series of mine inspired by things that I have read, all mashed together into something I found fresh and exciting.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

For me I have 'The City That Would Eat the World' by John Bierce, and 'This Inevitable Ruin' by Matt Dinnaman!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oooh, this one is a huge spoiler and I can only hint to it - when Sylvas realizes that everything he was leading up to, wasn't in fact what he was told it would be.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I almost always walk and write at the same time! I have a nice standing desk and treadmill that I lock myself into first thing most mornings to get my words in for the last several months, and I find that it gets my mind and body going very quickly, especially when one (or both!) of them is dragging.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"I can do this" - it's an easy way to ground myself when the work and responsibilities get a bit overwhelming and hasn't failed me yet!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That it was fun! More than anything I hope that readers enjoy the stories that I put out, especially my funnier ones! If I managed to get you to smile or laugh at least once during a book, I consider it a huge victory!

 

Luke Chmilenko is the author of the new book Starbreaker: Volume 1

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Glory’s Key?

I wrote this in honor of my mom who passed away from cancer in 2021. She always encouraged me to “land the plane” and publish my writing.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Glory’s Key, what would they be?

"You Don’t Own Me" by Leslie Gore.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Romance; Penelope Ward, Kathy Millay, and of course Colleen Hoover. CH and I both love the Avett Brothers!.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene where Glory plays with a dolphin and inadvertently reveals a secret to Ellis.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I write as my four kids play around me. I put in my ear buds and blast the sound of rain or other nature sounds.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Do not go gently into that good night.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There is always a way out.

 

Christopher Kent is the author of the new book Glory’s Key

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Shackled: Behind the Stone Wall?

LA had been asking me to write a historical romance for years. She finally gave up on me and came up with the setting, characters, and some story elements herself. She gave me little choice in the matter, so I acquiesced and filled in the blanks.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Shackled: Behind the Stone Wall, what would they be?

"Every Breath You Take" by The Police.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Mark likes sci-fi best, but reads all types of books except romance - go figure. LA reads mostly romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Mark - the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Spoiler alert - just kidding. You know we can't tell you that. But it's a dramatic scene. LA loves the opening gala scene.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

LA writes with pen and paper. Mark has music - mostly from the romantic period - blaring while he writes.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Mark - not really. LA - Be kind.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Ultimately, I want readers to leave with a sense of unease, a realization that the human heart is a labyrinth, and that no one, including ourselves, is truly knowable.

 

Mark F Geatches & L A Sweeney is the author of the new book Shackled: Behind the Stone Wall

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Collision with Love?

This book came to me in the same manner all of my books have. A scene played out in my head that kept expanding into a full story. I am always grateful for that.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Collision with Love, what would they be?

The theme delves into the dynamics of balancing work with having a happy life. It speaks to anyone who has struggled to find what truly makes them happy, instead of what makes everyone around them happy.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love a gripping romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm reading some new authors right now, including The Butterfly and the Web by Lorna Neligan.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I love to surprise my readers with a good plot twist and this book does not disappoint.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No quirky habits. I tend to envision my scenes and then write them out until the muse takes over and I can't stop typing.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

My philosophy is to never let anyone tell you that your work isn't worthy or that you can't achieve your dreams. I've always told my kids to surround themselves with good people. I've had to learn that lesson the hard way. Good people can lift you up. Toxic people can tear you down.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I want my readers to feel when they read my books. The stories that evoke emotion are the ones that always stick with me.

 

Tricia T. LaRochelle is the author of the new book A Collision with Love

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write I Was Born Poor, I Was Born Black, and I Was Born In Mississippi?

The subject himself, George Scott, who emerged from the Jim Crow South above the fray of racial injustice against all odds when few of his companions could not. His resilience and determination stood out above all the others.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of I Was Born Poor, I Was Born Black, and I Was Born In Mississippi, what would they be?

"Where I Got My Name (Down in Mississippi)" by The Blue Tide.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Biography and Historical Fiction; Western Genre/Old Western.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Fate of the Day; Chenneville; The Revolutionary.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I think the one with the Red Sox’ publicity Director Dick Bresciani who attempted to banish Scott’s 13-year-old son from their newly constructed luxury seating at Fenway Park not knowing he was Scott’s son. It was a racial encounter between the “Boomer” and Bresciani, and a revelation that Boston’s racial matters ran deep.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I come upon some of my best ideas in the most unusual places, while I’m driving, or in a crowd when conversation becomes boring, for example. This leads to disparate hand-written notes to capture ideas, but leads further to a humungous pile of notes! Often valuable, however.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Being true to yourself: living by your own values and standards, rather than trying to please others.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The doggedness of a young black man of the South to achieve in life when life was wholly stacked against him.

 

Ron Anderson is the author of the new book I Was Born Poor, I Was Born Black, and I Was Born In Mississippi

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Relative Gravity (Timespace Empire Book 1)?

It started as an image of far-future miners extracting nuggets of energy from a black hole, and evolved into a story about a prince and an exiled soldier challenging a warlord.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Relative Gravity (Timespace Empire Book 1), what would they be?

Cassandra Cannon, an exiled soldier turned mercenary plagued by guilt and driven to do what she thinks is right: "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes.

Prince Fenix Vyyker-Chang, the infamous galactic playboy harbouring insecurity and dark secrets: "The Man" by the Killers.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read all sorts: sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, thriller, biographies and non-fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I've been meaning to re-read the "Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin, and I've heard good things about this Brandon Sanderson fella..

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the first scene. I wanted to kick the novel off with a James Bond-esque self-contained short story that introduced most of the main characters, revealed the setting, and set up the stakes that drive the rest of the novel.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

The quirkiest habit I have is when I manage to overcome procrastination, imposter syndrome and laziness and actually get to typing.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Not really. But if I had to choose, maybe, "That'll do, pig."

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I've got other books too! The Lost Time series is a cyberpunk-action-noir set 500 years earlier in the same universe.

 

Damien Boyes is the author of the new book Relative Gravity (Timespace Empire Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Lost Star Chart?

Darla, the main character in ‘The Lost Star Chart’, showed up in another book I wrote—she had left her water tanker to her nephew and it was full to the brim with her artifact collection. But, in that book she was dead. I kept thinking about her though, about why she chose to live a mostly solitary life and why she collected so much stuff. Eventually, I had to write her story (and it turned out she faked her death, so more stories may happen).

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Lost Star Chart, what would they be?

I assume Darla would be into heavy metal—which, since the book is set in the far future, would be considered classical music.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

What draws me into a story is the characters and wonder—I’ll read any genre if the story has those things. I write science fiction mostly because I can make-up fantastic, weird, wonder-filled places where my characters can have adventures.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m part way through (and loving it) ‘Water Moon’ by Samantha Sotto Yambao. Next with be ‘Out of Tune’ by D.C. Greschner.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

By far the first scene, because it was the first time I got to write Darla in first person. That’s when I realized she needed a virtual companion, from that Hank the Hippo was born—a holographic version of a hippo featured in children’s books.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No quirky writing habits here (I think), but I do strive to write in whatever cracks I can find in my day between my day job and family commitments.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

No, but I do relate to Dory (from Finding Dory) when she says “just keep swimming.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Honestly, I wrote this book to be an escape—and that’s what I hope my readers get from it with a few laughs along the way.

 

Jeannette Bedard is the author of the new book The Lost Star Chart

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Discount Dan (Discount Dan's Backroom Bargains Book 1)?

I’ve always loved the idea of the reluctant, down-on-his-luck hero who somehow manages to survive through a combination of wit, grit, and sheer determination to not die. Discount Dan is my love letter to the underdogs, the scrappy survivors, and the guys who get the job done even when everything—and I mean everything—is working against them. I also love the idea of the Backrooms, which is this sort of extra-dimensional Alice-and-Wonderland world adjacent to our own. After stumbling across the meme for the first time, I instantly thought it would make a great setting for the most epic dungeon crawl imaginable. I figured a setting like that would pair perfectly with an over-the-top, Dungeon Crawler Carl-style game system—packed with dark humor and a protagonist who’s as lovable as he is exasperating. The result? A no-holds-barred LitRPG adventure that’s part dark satire, part action movie, and balls-to-the wall fun.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Discount Dan (Discount Dan's Backroom Bargains Book 1), what would they be?

Man, what a great question! For Dan, I'd go with “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (but like, a heavy metal cover of it). The dude just refuses to die, no matter how many ridiculous situations he gets into.

For Croc—Dan’s trusty sidekick and an Eldritch Horror beyond human comprehension—I’d have to go with “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse because of his deep and abiding love for the Twilight books series, by Stephaine Meyer, the voice of a generation.

As for the general vibe of the book, maybe “Sail” by AWOLNATION with a splash of “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

LitRPG and progression fantasy have my heart, no question. It’s hard to go back to regular books. Honestly, I love books that blend strong character growth with intense action and smart world-building, and you see a lot of that in LitRPG. My favorites are the ones that mix humor with heart, which is exactly what I try to do in my own writing. That said, I do read across genres—some sci-fi, some horror, some grimdark urban fantasy—because I think a good writer should pull inspiration from everywhere.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It’s a dangerous, ever-growing stack, but at the top? Even though I already finished Dungeon Crawler Carl (because of course) I’ll probably give those another read soon. I’m also enjoying the hell out of the Unintended Cultivator series by Eric Dontigney and Welcome to the Multiverse by Sean Oswald. Also, Red Rising. I’ve read the series before, but oh my God, it’s so good. It’s in a league of its own.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There are so many great ones that it’s hard to choose. In Book 1, I had a blast writing a scene where Dan gets trapped in an '80s mall arcade, and is forced to battle a giant, floating Pac-Man-esque monster called a Mobile Murder Muncher. But my absolute favorite comes from the finale of Book 2, where Dan takes on a massive kaiju while piloting a Voltron-inspired robot—built entirely out of monster corpses. It’s as wild as it sounds. I was laughing the whole time while writing it, which is always a good sign.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Coffee. So much coffee. I might have a problem. I also tend to write in hyper-focused bursts—four to five-hour sessions where I forget to eat, drink, or function as a normal human being. My office is also a shrine to nerdy stuff—D&D dice, collectible swords, and way too many notebooks filled with chaotic scrawl. And when I really need to focus? Epic movie scores. Nothing gets you in the mood for writing an over-the-top action scene like the Mad Max: Fury Road soundtrack.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Write more books faster.” Just kidding. Sort of. I just love telling stories, so the faster I write the more stories I get to tell. As for my philosophy, I guess I would say, always be improving. Whether it’s writing, world-building, storytelling, or just being a better human, the goal is to level up a little every day. Writing, like gaming, is about progression—just in real life.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That sometimes, the most unlikely heroes are the ones you root for the hardest. Dan isn’t the strongest, the smartest, or even the best at what he does—but he refuses to quit. And in a world that constantly throws you into the meat grinder, that’s what really matters. If readers walk away entertained, laughing, and maybe even a little inspired to roll with the punches and keep fighting, then I’ve done my job.

 

James A. Hunter is the author of the new book Discount Dan (Discount Dan's Backroom Bargains Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write How to Become a Leader People Love: And Inspire Them to Run Through Walls?

I have worked with CEOs, Business Owners, and Executives for years. These are the people-issues they face, and how great leaders can get the most out of their teams.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of How to Become a Leader People Love: And Inspire Them to Run Through Walls, what would they be?

"Beautiful Day" by U2.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Business, Personal Development.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Decider Tool - how to make better decisions faster.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Coffeeshops, lattes, headphones.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Be present.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Empower Them, Stay Empowered.

 

Caleb Anderson is the author of the new book How to Become a Leader People Love: And Inspire Them to Run Through Walls

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