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Interview with Neal Cassidy, Author of SCHROEDER

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write SCHROEDER?

I promise I am not skimping out with this answer, but I can only respond with -- life.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of SCHROEDER, what would they be?

They are in the book! The SCHROEDER soundtrack : "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John; "Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads; "Reinventing Your Exit" by Underoath; "Call on Me" by Eric Prydz; "Atlantis" by Donovan; "September" by Earth, Wind, & Fire; "Such a Night" by Elvis; "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms; "The Girl From Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz; "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin; "Adagio in D Minor" by John Murphy, "Time to Say Goodbye" by Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli.

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

It varies and depends on my mood. Right now it's Nonfiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Self-Help, & Biographies. But yes, most of the time you'll find me reading Literary Fiction, Satire, Horror, & Thrillers.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (reread); Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson; The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy; Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay; Self-Reliance & Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson; The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (reread).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Any scene where Schroeder is recalling or seeing something pleasant. Particularly his anxious ramblings of "things that bring him joy" when he is almost caught after killing one of his victims.

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

Other than having copious amounts of various frozen chocolates in the freezer and at the ready, no.

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

Don't fear the reaper.

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

Treat each other well. You never know what someone else is going through. And, life is short. Time is more valuable than anything money can purchase. Use it wisely because time moves oh, so fast, and cannot be reclaimed.

Neal Cassidy is the author of the new book SCHROEDER

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Interview with Susie Tate, Author of Gold Digger

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Gold Digger?

So, it was actually my friend Ollie who originally sparked the idea of a duke main character. He asked if he could be in one of my books, but he didn’t want to be just anyone; he wanted to be a duke! I’m a people pleaser, plus I loved the idea of writing a real aristocrat, so I created Oliver Harding, the Duke of Buckingham. I wanted Ollie to fall for someone totally different to him. He has had a privileged life, whereas Lottie has had to struggle, giving them very different perspectives. Ollie has to see past his entitled worldview to understand the choices Lottie has to make.

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

I love contemporary romance and romantic comedy but also the occasional thriller or cosy mystery.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood, A Kiss from a Rose by Maya Alden, My Rules by TL Swan, Embracing the Change by Kristen Ashley, All Folked Up by Penny Reid (when it comes out in November).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

In an enemies-to-lovers story, I always love writing the scene where the hero realizes how badly he messed up and how much he has to make up for. With Ollie, this is the scene where he switches from anger to concern when Lottie breaks down at his house.

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

I love writing under fluffy blankets with my dog on my feet when I can.

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

Live simply, love deeply, care genuinely, and speak kindly.

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

The importance of love and family, especially if it's the family you found for yourself.

Susie Tate is the author of the new book Gold Digger

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Interview with KD Pryor, Author of The Fae (Of Gods and Monsters Book 2)

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Fae (Of Gods and Monsters Book 2)?

"The Fae" is the second book in the Of Gods and Monsters series. Ireland and Irish mythology inspired the series and feature heavily in "The Fae". I’ve had the joy of traveling to Ireland many times since 2001. I love the country, the people, and the feeling I have whenever I’m visiting. I knew I wanted to set a book in Ireland at some point. When I came up with the idea for the Of Gods and Monsters series, my husband and I were living in Galway for his work. The first inklings of the series came to me during take-off on a flight from Dublin. I’d put my head back as the plane began its ascent, and an idea popped into my head about particular people, specific women, who could change things via their dreams. I’d been reading Irish fairy tales and Celtic mythology stories, so it was a natural step to connect the women who changed things via their dreams to the Celtic goddess of dreams. "The Fae" continues the story begun in book one, "The Dreammasters."

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

I don’t have a favorite genre. I love to read psychological mysteries, thrillers, mysteries with a supernatural twist, and gothic fiction. I do love to read women’s paranormal fiction and most novels with a paranormal twist. I also prefer to read books with a mystery for the protagonist to solve.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The books on my TBR pile include: "Heir of Uncertain Magic" Book 2 in the The Whimbrel House series by Charlie N. Holmberg, the last two books in the Messages of Murder series by Dawn Merriman, and "The Spirit Girls", the first book in Dawn Merriman’s new Rylan Flynn mystery series.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

In "The Fae", one of the main characters is from the Otherworld, the land of the Fae. The scene in the Otherworld was a pivotal scene in the story when important discoveries are made. I loved writing that scene. It gave me the opportunity to visualize my idea of the land where the Tuatha Dé Danann and the rest of the Fae inhabit. It’s a beautiful land but there are darker elements lurking there as well. I hope to take my characters back into the Otherworld in future books.

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

I don’t really have any quirky habit around my writing. I do like to have a cup of coffee nearby as I start my writing day. I suppose I am a little nervous about spilling things on my computer and ruining my work, so I keep the coffee a good distance from my keyboard. My only other necessity is a notebook for jotting down ideas and lists of plot points as they come to me. The notebook is also handy for getting any nagging and distracting thoughts out of my head and on paper before they become distractions. If they’re written down, I won’t forget them and can address them later.

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

I believe in the "Early to bed, early to rise", philosophy from Ben Franklin. I feel better and work better if I live by that motto and get started with my work early in the day. I also love a quote by C.S. Lewis and find it applicable to my genre and many of the books I love to read. The quote is: "One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again." I’m not sure you’re ever a wrong age to read fairytales. I think we just get too serious and forget to allow ourselves the fun of reading fairytales, and that’s a shame.

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

Never fear, Aisling’s adventure doesn’t end with The Fae" but will continue in Book 3, "The Fomorians".

KD Pryor is the author of the new book The Fae (Of Gods and Monsters Book 2)

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Interview with Lou Gibbons, Author of The World Happiness Organization

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The World Happiness Organisation?

When cycling, I used to regularly pass a retired couple. They always walked in single file, the man a metre ahead of the woman I assumed was his wife. Despite their friendly greeting, they carried a sadness. I started to wonder what might have created the space between them. It ultimately became the opening scene of The World Happiness Organisation, and the couple morphed into Mavis and Jeff, its main protagonists. As someone interested in promoting better mental health, I had been nurturing the idea that many people find self-help books inaccessible. Good fiction is entertaining but can also be a powerful driver of self-reflection. The two ideas combined.

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

I like reading the same kind of books as I write. That’s to say, funny but thought-provoking, and often edging on the speculative. Matt Haig is great at combining those things. I like books that make you laugh and cry and lean towards more character-driven novels. I also enjoy a lot of non-fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Melanie Cantor’s The F**k It List.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s a difficult question! I really enjoyed writing the scenes with Mavis and her newfound friend, Peg. It was fun making Peg’s cheeky banter meet Mavis’s fearful desire for excitement.

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

Quirky writing habits? I don’t think so. I do have this thing – tending more towards positive manifestation – where I Google translate the book title into loads of languages. I’m a linguist at heart, having studied French and German, but it’s also motivating to imagine your book in far-flung countries!

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

There’s a postcard above my desk that says, “Start writing your story.” It was left on the bed of a hotel I was staying at in Amsterdam (accompanied by a tote bag, I think). The building had formerly been home to a Dutch newspaper. While it's not exactly a quote or motto, that postcard is what inspired me to first put pen to paper several years ago.

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

Life isn't about what happens to you, but the choices you make in response.

Lou Gibbons is the author of the new book The World Happiness Organisation

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Interview with John Ludlam, Author of We Are Made

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write We Are Made?

I’ve been a video agency journalist for more than three decades. The experience has taught me that geopolitics will never leave us alone. Ordinary people are always caught up in the ambitions of those who shout the loudest. This is as true today as it was in 1938, when We Are Made is set. Men, shouting… that pretty much sums up geopolitics for me.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of We Are Made, what would they be?

My main character, William, finds himself falling in love – but it’s all going a bit wrong. So how about "Should I Stay or Should I Go", by The Clash? Poor old William might be able to distract himself by translating the Spanish backing vocals…

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

We Are Made is a literary historical novel set in the 20th century – and I like reading literary historical novels set in the 20th century. But I like lots of other stuff, too! I’m fascinated by history in general, so any time period can pique my interest. I also like contemporary literary novels from all over the world. And I’m a sucker for a fast-paced thriller.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I do so much reading around my main fiction subject area that it’s sometimes hard to fit other reading in. But you’ve got to read widely and open yourself to as many influences as possible. The other day, I heard a fascinating interview with the South Korean author Han Kang, who has just won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her novel, The Vegetarian, is now top of my reading list. Also on the list is Next of Kin, by John Boyne, and You Exist Too Much, by Zaina Arafat. A mate recently recommended The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay. It was published a while ago – 1989 – but it’s never too late to get into a book that is new to you. I’ll also be reading the latest William Boyd novel, Gabriel’s Moon.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Around a third of the way through the book, there’s a long scene set at an airshow in north west London. Several of the main characters are present and there’s a lot going on between them. It was fun to weave all of this stuff in among the magnificent aeroplanes of the time!

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

Absolutely not. I can write pretty much anywhere and at any time, if I have to. But I do like to get up early – around six – and bash out some words before the day gets going. Sometimes, just plodding on with the thing is the best way forward.

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

Not one quote or philosophy, no. In general, I believe you should cast your net as wide as you can for influences and then make your own mind up as to what you think about it all – while trying not to do harm to the people you encounter in life.

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

The clue is in the title, We Are Made. All of us are shaped by the world around us. We are made, if you like. So it’s up to all of us to make the world a better place. Because the alternative never works out well for most ordinary people.

John Ludlam is the author of the new book We Are Made

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Interview with Jennifer Probst, Author of Book of the Month

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Book of the Month?

I loved the idea of exploring a bestselling writer who feels like a one-hit wonder, and the extent she decides to go to write another bestseller. I wanted to set it in the Outer Banks and pair her up with a grumpy hero heartbreaker after I took a trip to OBX and did a tour of the wild horses. The book just came to me during the trip!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Book of the Month, what would they be?

"Eyes on Me" by Michael Bolton - it's the theme song!

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

I love so many genres! I adore thriller and horror books plus erotic and sexy contemporary romance plus romcom. But I love more, lol!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Sigh. too many. I can never have enough books and have too many fave authors to count.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I have two! One when Aspen and brick are dancing on the beach babysitting the sea turtles. The second is when Aspen is going to a book signing and has some brownies beforehand which are a bit...different. You'll have to see what happens at the signing - it still makes me laugh out loud!

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

Actually - no! I just sit butt in chair with coffee or water and write! But my dogs are always with me - they sleep on the beds next to my desk.

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

I love this one: Trade Expectations for Appreciation and your whole life will change.

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

Oh, I want them to feel happy! Like they had a short vacation and they're sighing and remembering how wonderful it was!

Jennifer Probst is the author of the new book Book of the Month

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Interview with Virgil Francis, Author of The Senescence Sentence

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Senescence Sentence?

I was inspired to write this book because I love sci-fi, psychological thrillers, anime, conspiracies, and advanced technology. Each of those categories brings something new to the realm of storytelling and how it develops. I wanted to use my creativity and love of those categories to craft something different and memorable. In addition to that, there aren’t enough Black protagonists in the sci-fi and techno-thriller world, and I want to be a trailblazer in that and the Sci-fi Nanotechnology novels.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Senescence Sentence, what would they be?

This is a funny question. I would say I can't pick one song to represent the main characters. But… for ‘Frances’ his theme song would be, “Won't Back Down” by Eminem. For ‘Dante’ his theme song would be “Survival” by Eminem.

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

I have multiple favorite genres I like to read and watch, including dark sci-fi, psychological thrillers, and horror.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

To be honest, my focus is more on school and writing, I actually do my best to not read anything in the genre that I'm writing because I don’t want to be subconsciously influenced by anything, in order to keep everything unique out of my brain.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Wow. Great question. My favorite scene that I wrote… has to be the epilogue because it’s a secret message inside the surface-level message and I feel like it was very creative and reminded me of a good movie post-credit scene that leaves the audience in confusion and wows them, encouraging one last burst of emotion before leaving the theater.

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

Listening to music or talking on the phone increases my creativity and helps me write more efficiently.

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

I actually have two quotes I live by! “Push through the pain, giving up hurts more” is one of the quotes I live by and one of Kobe Bryant's quotes, “You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light” is another one that is embedded into my mind daily. These quotes keep me grounded and motivated and if things don’t work out, it keeps the battery in my back to get up and keep going.

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

One thing for readers to remember after reading my book… I would say to remember that in life, unfortunate things happen to people and that’s part of life. But moments pass and never make one moment dictate your whole existence… and that I have more books on the way...lol.

Virgil Francis is the author of the new book The Senescence Sentence

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Interview with Daryl Dittmer, Author of When You Stop Fighting: The Road You're On is Your Own Asphalt

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write When You Stop Fighting: The Road You're On is Your Own Asphalt?

I've lived an interesting and eventful life, complete with self-imposed problems, challenges, numerous lessons, and eventually, many solutions. I found out there are ways to live that are effective, gratifying, and much less painful! I have felt for many years that I had something to give back and I have tried to give back, just not in the form of a book, until now. This is my second book with which to attempt to help some folks through their tough times. My desire is to share my story so that I can help others through the challenges they face.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of When You Stop Fighting: The Road You're On is Your Own Asphalt, what would they be?

"Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I have felt like I’ve wanted to experience real freedom my entire life, and for some time now, I have, for which I am truly grateful.

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

I really enjoy many different genres, including History and Self-Help, but Biographies and Memoirs are at the top of the list. I love learning about what makes people tick and how they choose, or have chosen, to live their lives. To me, these are what makes the world go around … the people and how they interact and learn in a world that seems to be increasingly more challenging for so many reasons. Coincidentally, it is also my favorite genre to write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

There are many books in my line up right now. Some I’m reading for friends and some I have slated to re-read, which I often do. Here’s a few in the queue: Beyond Order by Jordan Peterson; Hunting Eichman by Neal Bascomb; The Tao Te Ching (re-read for the 10th time?); The Lost Booklets of Emmet Fox; and When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough by Harold Kushner.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There are so many memories that come flooding back into consciousness as I write, and my days learning to be comfortable on a racing sailboat really brought back a flood of emotion. Here’s a little taste of one of those stories: “Don’t break my boat!” said Ted, the owner, when he looked at me for the first time. Ted was a very wealthy dude and owned a new seventy-foot racing sailboat. I was a blue-collar kid, early thirties, doing things that, to me, felt way, way above my pay grade. I was invited to be the “grinder” on Ted’s boat for Antigua Race Week. Not because I was a sailor or in any way fit for the task from an experiential perspective. I was, though, big, strong, and very difficult to wear out. I smiled at him. “I guess we’ll see.”

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

I love to write before the sun rises, so about 3 or 4 AM is when I like to start. I sit in my writing space, light off, pajamas and robe on. All is extremely quiet where we live. Just me and my thoughts, pecking away at the keyboard. Sometimes I can be there for most of the day, clad in pajamas and robe, not concerned with anything else, other than writing. Nothing better.

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

I do, because I’ve seen it work in my life. It’s an African Proverb and it really hits me every time, because it’s so true: “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” I also really enjoy watching it unfold in other people’s lives, as they change and grow.

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

That no matter where you begin, if you want your life to improve, and become more wonderful than you can currently imagine, you must start. You don’t have to be good at it to start. You don’t even have to like it to start. However, you must start. And then not quit. This can be difficult but it’s a path that most people who have achieved their “True North” have chosen.

Daryl Dittmer is the author of the new book When You Stop Fighting: The Road You're On is Your Own Asphalt

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Interview with Rachel E. Croxton, Author of Mutated Files: Case One

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Mutated Files: Case One?

When I was about thirteen or fourteen, my older sister bought a poster of a character from a popular tv show at the time. I had the thought, what if the man suddenly jumped out of the poster? What if it was another world inside and he was stuck? And then I remembered a few years prior I was terrified of zombies. So, I figured I'd write a book about a world in the distant future filled with zombies and other monsters, that this man was trapped in. If I'd never seen that poster, I may not have had the idea. I recently rewrote this book, as I originally wrote it at fourteen. The original version is terrible, haha.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Mutated Files: Case One, what would they be?

For my villain, Keith Jacobs, his would definitely be "Zombie" by The Cranberries. I'm not sure about the others, but I'm definitely sure of the villain. He is my favorite character in the book, and I enjoyed developing his character and his scenes.

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

My favorite genre to read is fantasy, tied with science fiction. I'll pretty much read anything if it sounds interesting enough. As for favorite genre to write, probably fantasy as well. But I'll write anything that strikes my fancy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Hmm, right now I'm trying to finish the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber. After that I might read Monster High. Who knows?

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That's a tough one as I really enjoyed writing the whole thing. If I had to choose, I'd say probably a scene from the second to last chapter, where the protagonists have to defend themselves against a very angry and inhuman Keith Jacobs, the villain.

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

I used to only be able to write if I was chewing gum. I always have to write with a certain type of blue ink pen. And it has to be in blue ink. I simply cannot write with any other color ink pen for some reason.

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

You can't live in fear. Write what you want, when you want. Write books that you would want to read.

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

Villains are made, not born.

Rachel E. Croxton is the author of the new book Mutated Files: Case One

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