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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Land of Shadows and Moss (The Dandelion Chronicles Book 1)?

This story came about as a question from a beta reader of a different book (The Dandelion Tree). The reader wanted to know what happened during a character’s middle years. In the prologue, the character was 12, then we jump to when she’s 20. Hence, this book attempted to answer the events leading to the prologue and what happened afterward. Although it was originally a companion book, it swiftly became the first book in the series.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Land of Shadows and Moss (The Dandelion Chronicles Book 1), what would they be?

The songs that come to mind are: Unstoppable, Never Give up, The Greatest, and Courage to Change, from Sia; I also think of “Wildfire,” by AudioMachine.

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

Fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Two Twisted Crowns, by Rachel Gillig; The Last Tale of the Flower Bride, by Roshani Chokshi; Crescent City, by Sarah J Maas; Prince in Disguise, by Tavia Lark; Love, Theoretically, by Ali Hazelwood (I picked this one after reading her "Bride" fantasy book; The House on the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune; The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon; Spark, by Penn Cole; The War of Two Queens, by Jennifer L Armentrout; Heartless Hunter, by Kristen Ciccarelli; and a bunch more.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There are so many, but I would choose the scene where Kharis heals her sister Saya using magic. To do so, she must wrench her from Death, so she risks everything to do so.

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

I move a lot, so I have a flexible desk, but I also have three separate writing spaces in the house.

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

My motto: No one defnes what you can and cannot do, except you.

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

There are a few: (1) To maintain a moral compass that leads them to their true north; (2) That no one can define or contain them; and (3) Courage is acting despite being afraid.

 

A.S.R. Gelpi is the author of the new book A Land of Shadows and Moss (The Dandelion Chronicles Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories?

This is a set of speculative gems that were begging to be written – so I listened to those voices in my head and wrote them down.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories, what would they be?

Livin' on the Edge - Aerosmith.

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

My favorite genres are science fiction, coming of age stories (YA, baby!) and psychological horror and suspense. I read family dramas and memoirs too, because they tend to give me different perspectives and insights into life. Elements of all these genres infuse into my characters and stories that I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I recently finished Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I love her dark creepy prose, her spunky, smart protagonist and her fusing of cultures. I’m currently reading Dead Silence, by S.A.Barnes, Happy Place, by Emily Henry, and Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus. It’s summer. I want to lighten up my dark and gloomy list a little!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Since this is a short story collection, I can say that each derived from something that had a positive impact. Each story in Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories is followed by an author note explaining why it was written, the inspiration behind the story, and feedback from other readers, including how some of these stories became New York Midnight writing contest winners.

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

I swore I would never, ever, ever, use a Mac. (Had a traumatic experience as a kid. *wink*) But I have adapted to the one I switched to a year ago. I especially like the share screen mode and will often project my work on a large TV screen as I write and edit.

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

Come for the heart-felt horror, stay for the frightful fun.

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

To have hope in their futures and to not take life too seriously. I mean, I love B-rated old school horror and sci-fi movies. And look where that has gotten me! *throws a thumbs up* Embrace the glamour and glory of who you are and enjoy it.

 

Kris Maze/Krissy Knoxx is the author of the new book Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Paging Dr. Hart?

This book was in part inspired by my husband. I met him when I had to interview and then train him for our radiology residency. Much like the characters in this story we had an enemies to lovers romance.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Paging Dr. Hart, what would they be?

Ethan- "Hey Girl" by Stephen Sanchez.

Tiffany- "I Live In Patterns" by Taylor Janzen.

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

I love to read and write romance.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The main female character is called an Ice Queen by other staff in the hsopital where she works. There's a scene where the main male character tells her, "You're no ice queen. You're pure fire." It made me melt when he says that.

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

I offer my books in two versions: a spicy version with mild explicit language and sex scenes and a sweet/clean version with no bad language and only kissing. My motto is "no reader left behind."

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

I would like the reader to some away with the idea that we all have characters in our past, things we might regret (this main character definitely has that) but that past doesn't have to define your future. That it's never too late to let the past go and become the person you want to be.

 

Dr. Melissa Dymond is the author of the new book Paging Dr. Hart

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10)?

My coauthor, Evan Baughfman, came up with this adventure. I just tagged along and helped with some guiding. Evan, who is a middle school teacher, has always loved fairy tales and sharing them with others. When I asked him what kind of Try Not to Die he wanted to write, he had no hesitation telling me we were headed off to the Wild Woods.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10), what would they be?

"Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My." from The Wizard of Oz.

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

Horror. Most definitely.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The only books I have time to read are those that I'm about to work on in Try Not to Dies. I have work by Angel Van Atta, Mike Salt, Andrew Najberg and Robert Essig waiting for me to read.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Death scenes are generally my favorite scenes to write, but I can't remember which of these I had a hand in creating. And with over two dozen deaths, it's hard to have a favorite. But I'll go with Tasty the Dwarf.

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

I have five cats and always find one or two either curled up on my lap or tucked away in my jacket to keep my belly warm. I also have a demon who watches over me.

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

Every day I try to appreciate that it could be my last. I acknowledge my loved ones could just as easily pass. I then spend the day in a much happier place thinking that those life insurance policies might actually pay off 🙂 But seriously, looking at mortality helps me appreciate what time we do have.

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

I'd love for them to walk away with an overall feeling of happiness. I want these Try Not to Die books to be a lot of fun that you want to tell your friends about.

 

Mark Tullius is the author of the new book Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Demonic Behavior (Dr. David Rothberg Series Book 4)?

I read a news article about a young girl who murdered both of her parents. It made me wonder what horrendous circumstances would lead a child to do that.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Demonic Behavior (Dr. David Rothberg Series Book 4), what would they be?

"I've Gotta me Me", "You're Driving me Crazy", "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea".

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

Psychological Thriller.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Girl Who Was Taken. One Small Mistake.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Rikers.

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

Archie, my Maine Coon cat, sits on my keyboard and types in suggestions.

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

Never give up!

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

There is no greater mystery than the human mind.

 

Walter Marks is the author of the new book Demonic Behavior (Dr. David Rothberg Series Book 4)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Broken Loch (The Carin Trimble Mysteries Book 3)?

I wanted to expand my ability to tell a story with an ending that is unexpected.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Broken Loch (The Carin Trimble Mysteries Book 3), what would they be?

"Starting Over" by Chris Stapleton.

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

Science Fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The books I am writing aka, my WIP.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The bar scene at the end. Help can come from the oddest of places.

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

The digital post-it note for: Dialog Tags Not To Use, Verbs To Avoid, and Adverbs To Avoid / Inflation Words is always visible.

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

This too, shall pass.

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

Pain received from the actions of honoring another is not pain.

 

R C Ducantlin is the author of the new book Broken Loch (The Carin Trimble Mysteries Book 3)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Getting What I Deserve?

Though I have always been interested in the complexities of being a young teenager, my reconnection with a childhood friend and the revelation of the struggles he was going through, provided the impetus to create this novel. I was never bullied like Charlie, and I was never a bully like Mark—I was a little of both. I wanted to create an intimate portrait of the pain and confusion that many kids experience as they attempt to navigate their own journey toward developing a sense of self-worth.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Getting What I Deserve, what would they be?

For Charlie: "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John and "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

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

Coming of Age and historical fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

"Living a Life that Matters" by Ben Lesser; "A Very Private School," by Charles Spencer.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When Charlie, after all his trials and difficulties with Mark, finally realizes his self worth, I knew I had the final piece of the puzzle. Though I created this character, I was happy for him.

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

I tend to surround myself with music and media that inspires the themes I'm tackling.

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

"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius

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

Don't let someone else decide how you should feel about yourself. You deserve to be treated with respect. Don't accept anything less.

 

Rich Samuels is the author of the new book Getting What I Deserve

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