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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Lost in the Gray?

My story of two infant losses through ectopic and fertility loss. Going through most of it alone and after getting professional help, realizing how many women suffer silently and alone.

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

"Shattered" by Blanca.

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

I love to read fiction, sci-fi, and historical fiction…definitely not what I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Chronicles of Elira, Gospel-Powered Parenting, and Alas de Sangre.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The chapter about how we can find healing and purpose again.

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

Coffe or tea is a must. Usually in a fun mug.

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

Jeremiah 33:3

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

God is not their enemy, and He isn’t punishing them.

 

Bridgette Young is the author of the new book Lost in the Gray

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Tangled Secrets (Mirror Estate Series Book 3)?

"Tangled Secrets" is the third book in the Mirror Estate series. The story was already developing when I was writing book 2, "Forgotten Secret." As I wrote it, there were many spur-of-the-moment ideas for twists and turns.

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

My favorite genre to read is the same one I write: suspense, thriller, mysteries.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Too many to list. The Missing Witness by Allison Brennan and a couple by James Patterson and so many others.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I don't know about my favorite, but the most memorable would be the scene of the explosion. (Don't want to give the plot away.)

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

No, I don't have any quirky writing habits, unless you count silence. Music and other noise distract me.

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

I never thought about it. But, I would say I try to live a good Christian life.

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

There are a lot of things readers can get from the book, but I think one striking one would be people you know may not be who they appear to be.

 

S.F. Baumgartner is the author of the new book Tangled Secrets (Mirror Estate Series Book 3)

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On Audiobooks, An Interview with Neil Turner

I’ve previously written about topics including the thriller genre and the inspiration for my books, so I’m going to switch gears this time to offer my thoughts on audiobooks from the perspective of an independent publisher.

I was intrigued at the thought of bringing my novels to audio from the outset, but I knew next to nothing about how to do so. A little investigating made clear that producing a quality audiobook (professional voice actor narrating, professional production, marketing, and distribution) would cost several thousand dollars per book—times eight books (and counting!). The math was daunting. Lucky for me, while I was at a writer’s conference last year, I fell into conversation with a narrator who was kind enough to connect me with a representative of Recorded Books, one of the top independent producers and distributors of audiobooks. I was fortunate enough to strike a deal with them to produce my series in audio. Book Three, A Case of Betrayal, was just released on audio on March 19th, and the rest of the novels will follow at the rate of one every several weeks. Fun stuff!

Every published author has experienced the thrill of holding their novel and thinking: OMG! I wrote this!!!! It turns out that listening to a professional voice actor reading your work is pretty darn cool, too! I got chills hearing the remarkable Gary Bennett bring my words to life. Once I got over the sheer fun of it, I realized that a professional voice actor also brings personality to characters in ways the writer may not have consciously considered. This may prompt a writer to see a character in a new light, which may then inform how that character is presented going forward, potentially breathing new life into a character that may be going a little stale.

From a strictly business perspective, audiobooks have extended my reach to new readers and markets: people with sight challenges who do not like to read in braille, people who don’t have much time to read but enjoy listening to a good story while driving, and others. Audiobooks now make up approximately 30% of the overall book market, so it’s definitely a market segment all authors should be aware of. Aside from the business case, however, consider this: I’m hearing from a different set of “readers”, and interacting with readers is truly one of the joys of writing. An author friend shared an additional motivation for publishing in audio with me last month: a film/movie scout listened to their novel while commuting, and now they’re negotiating a potential deal. Maybe not the primary reason to publish audiobooks, but what a sweet side benefit if it happens!

Neil Turner is the author of the new book A Law Unto Itself (The Tony Valenti Thrillers Book 8)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Remember Pompeii (The Wanshiqi Trilogy Book 1)?

I took a trip to Italy in February 2011 and spent a day in Pompeii. They were such a cool civilization and to wander through remnants of what was and to see the utter devastation that happened there. Well, it stayed with me. When I was writing the novel, I knew Kali had a huge secret that no one knew. She’s a few thousand years old. I started thinking about things that people think they know about. We all know what happened in Pompeii. Vesuvius erupted and encased the city in lava and ash. But what if there was another truth that no one knew? What if only Kali knew that truth?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Remember Pompeii (The Wanshiqi Trilogy Book 1), what would they be?

Here’s a Pinterest board with the music I listened to when writing RP

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

Paranormal usually with a mystery. Indeed it is my favorite to write. I love building a mystery with something magical afoot.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

A.L. Knorr: A Blossom at Midnight, Stephanie Burgis: Scales and Sensibility, Kate Moseman: Silver Spells, Nellie Steele: Letter to a Duchess, and so many more I am dying to read!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I think the opening scene was one of my favorites—It has to set the tone for the entire book. I spent the most time imagining it in my head before I wrote it.

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

I like to write with a shih tzu in my lap. It’s soothing and helps me center myself. The pups love it too.

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

Live the life you want. I stop often and ask myself if this is what I want and if it isn’t, I make changes.

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

That it is easy to take the wrong lessons away from events in our lives and they can lead you to a future you don’t want.

 

Kika Emers is the author of the new book Remember Pompeii (The Wanshiqi Trilogy Book 1)

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