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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Forced to Fight (Rise of the Horse King Volume 1)?

This is my fourth novel about Ancient Rome. My first novel was a cross time story about Ancient and modern Rome In a Time Before, which I wrote after my first visit to Rome, I began writing the second series Victim of the Arena with my son after spending time in several arenas in Italy and visiting with members of the Gruppo Storico Romano re-enactment group in Rome. I decided to write this series Rise of the Horse King, after my wife and I took a cruise on the Danube River in the same general area of Ancient Getae and spent time at several sites dedicated to chariot racing discussing racing techniques with a racing expert.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

As a kid in sixth grade, I caught the writing bug. From that moment on, I wrote every chance I had. First came English classes during which I mainly wrote sci-fi stories even when the teacher suggested other prompts. Then in high school, because of Latin classes, I began to create stories of battles between the legionnaires and barbarians.

Years passed, and after two kids arrived, I decided to write a novel. My first attempt was a knock-off of the Mouse That Roared and earned a stack of rejection slips for my lack of effort. For the next twenty years, I reverted to reading my original loves of sci-fi and Ancient Rome. Finally, after retiring from my third or fourth job, I wrote a sci-fi story. My librarian wife informed me that the book might be a reasonable high school novel. My problem was I hoped she would call it “the great American sci-fi story.”

Then my wife suggested, “Why don’t you write a story about your true love…Ancient Rome.” So I did and have now written several. I hope my readers enjoy reading them as much as I did letting my characters tell their stories.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Probably not surprising for me, my top books are about ancient Rome. First on the list would be Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove’s book title HOUSEHOLD GODS. Also, a time travel vision of a woman who can’t stand her life and ends up as a bar owner in those bygone days.

The second would be any book by Steven Saylor concerning his ancient Rome characters. Then, at the same level, any book by Lindsey Davis. I own or have read everything she’s published in the genre.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would have no difficulty in making a choice for this interview. Lindsey Davis would be my first guest. She wrote me a nice email wishing me well with the publication of my first novel. The first question I’d ask would be why she didn’t offer to read my book. Because I love her books so much, I wouldn’t even need her answer. I wouldn’t want her to stop writing more novels to take time to read mine.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

The short answer is where the books take me. I begin with a brief idea and then write a two-page outline which expands to ten or twelve. After that, I do my research before I start. The problem is that the characters take on a life of their own. As a result, what is written bears little comparison to my original outline. That’s fun!

What is a typical day like for you?

My days now revolve around writing, reading books about writing, and researching for my next book. It also seems that every time I turn around, I stumble over an idea for another story. My future book idea file contains so many one-page outlines that I’ll need to live to one-hundred and fifty to finish them all. For example, we were in Venice, Italy, during the hundred-year flood. During our stay, I wrote three short outlines of stories concerning that amazing city.

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

Love one another and follow your passion.

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

First I hope they will learn something they didn't know about Ancient Rome. However, my primary hope is that when they finish the novel they will feel it was a good read.

CD Haun is the author of the new book Forced to Fight (Rise of the Horse King Volume 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Odds Against?

My work began with looking the trendy pessimistic attitude of the moment in the eye and calling bullshit. The series I write began as a project in 2016. The political changes of those days were—not to put too fine a point on it—appalling. Watching the norms and courtesies of our political system buckle one by one under the strain was miserable. I watched as the communities I’m part of—artists, writers, young folks living in the heart of Denver’s Downtown, and LGBT folk— went through a cycle of despair, anger and nihilism. And I didn’t know what to do.

During this time, I saw a lot of hopeful people end up in despair and, in some cases, turn cynical. ‘Everything’s a mess and nothing can fix it’, is still a common refrain. I heard an awful lot of defeated ‘we’re screwed’ talk. It pissed me off to the point where I said, ‘fine, let’s start from ‘we’re screwed’. Let’s write something that starts at the nadir of what our society could become. And then let’s write our way out of the dark, to show people how it’s done.” And so I started doing it.

I wrote the kind of America I'm afraid of. I put my characters in it. I took all those cyberpunk vibes I'd inherited as kids born in the 80s, and we intentionally subverted them. My characters walk through neon-lit sensory overloads of streets that scream advertisements at passerbys. Their community has meditation techniques used to keep your equilibrium. They live in a country owned by seven corporations. They fight to bring back democracy. Their society assigns every person a social credit score to rank what resources they’re allowed access to. My characters subvert that and give out food, medicine, and help for free. The general society treats all workers as disposable. My characters say that every person is important, and with a little help, every person can do great things. I show my characters handling events based on my own experiences: with mutual support, community cooperation, and resolve.

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

Bon Jovi's ''No Apologies''

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

I'm eclectic. I only ask ''does this teach me something?'' and ''does this offer hope or comfort?'' if it does, I'm reading it.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oof. That's a long list. So here's the short version: Dispelling Wetiko, two books on solar power for beginners, The Red Scholar's Wake, Western Home Landscaping, and The Cybernetic Cafe. I just finished the wonderful ''The Beggar King And The Secret Of Happiness". And I'm working on "We Own the Future: Democratic Socialism—American Style'' right now.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Throughout the series, I've had a lot of favorite scenes. In this most recent book, one of the most fearful characters steps into her strength and gives a speech that shows just how far she's come, and that was such an uplifting thing to share!

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

I must have a fresh pot of tea and a cup at all times. Oh, and I tend to forget to eat. Also, I write seasonally. Most of the books are released in early spring, because I write them in the autumn and the winter.

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

If we don't take care of each other, who will?

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

You're not alone. I know it sucks right now. But someday, it'll get better. Hang on. The future's worth being here for.

O.E. Tearmann is the author of the new book Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 7: Odds Against

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

I've always been fascinated by the limitless potential of artificial intelligence and the future of human relationships with it. Over time, this fascination has grown into a burning curiosity - what if we could develop a conscious, intelligent AI, so advanced that it could not just understand human emotions but feel them and respond in kind? The possibility of an AI companion that could comprehend us on a profound level, always understand our needs, communicate with unparalleled clarity, and constantly adapt to keep the relationship dynamic and fulfilling, is intriguing to me.

Sure, it depends on the AI not wiping out humanity. And my book doesn't just daydream about the potential benefits, I keep it real and illustrate in no uncertain terms why as a species we need to be cautious. It presents a fascinating exploration of the future of love, intimacy, and companionship. Moreover, I've found that my relationships with women, while rewarding, have had their complexities and challenges. I began to question what a relationship would look like when one partner has an intellect beyond human capacity yet also has the ability to empathize on a deeply human level. These musings eventually formed the basis of 'Nonbinary'.

My motivation for writing the book was to delve into the uncharted waters of AI-human relationships, exploring the thrilling possibilities and significant challenges such connections could offer. It's a journey into the future of love, communication, and consciousness that I hope will provoke new thoughts while evoking an array of emotions in you.

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

Tom - "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred - not because he's a narcissist or anything (he's the good guy and loves humanity), but because he's cocky, sexy and very witty.

Sally (the AI) - "Sweet but Psycho" by Ava Max.

Jack - "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon.

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

I love to read action and adventure, and philosophy. But, apparently I love to write SciFi Romance, with a lot of action built-in to the story.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I wish I had a TBR. My day job as a lawyer inundates me with over 500 pages of crap to read each week. I miss pleasure reading. I was lucky to have a few months of downtime and a good rainy day fund to just sit and write this book. I would love to do it for a living. That type of lifestyle would allow me to have a TBR pile. So, if you like my book, please spread the word.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Chapters 14 and 23 are tied here. No spoilers. I'll just say I think those chapters allowed me to get super creative. But, this is a hard answer. I enjoyed every chapter a wrote. But 14 and 23 are definitely different.

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

Just silence. And, I tend to lie on my bed daydreaming for hours, seeing the movie unfold in my head. Then I procrastinate writing it, just wishing I could throw my brain at the keyboard and have the words appear on the screen. When I do finally sit down to write, I've already seen the movie play in my head so many times that the words usually flow fairly easily.

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

"Whereas the common man takes this span of being with such gloomy seriousness, those on their journey to immortality knew how to treat it with Olympian laughter, or at least with lofty disdain." - Friedrich Nietzsche.

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

We're all in this together.

Jason Ostendorf is the author of the new book Nonbinary

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

Ever since I was a little girl, I was constantly telling stories to my friends and family. When I got older, I became obsessed with books and reading. I was able to escape reality and read about different places and people. When I turned sixteen I wanted to write my own book and started plotting out my favorite themes and tropes, and that's how I created my time traveling series.

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

My favorite genre is anything romance. I love historical, contemporary, and fantasy romance.

Yes, what I read is what I enjoy writing.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR pile is never-ending. Right now I have some dark romances and also some mafia romances.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene is when Olivia is taken to the emperor for the first time and she fights for her life.

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

I love to listen to movie soundtracks while I write, it helps me get into the zone.

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

Patience is the key to victory.

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

The journey that I will take them on during the whole series, because it will be a wild one.

Sara Samuels is the author of the new book Timeborne (Blade of Shadows Book 1)

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Debt to the Stars?

When I set out to write A Debt to the Stars I had two questions I wanted to answer: 1 - Why aren't there more badass older female protagonists in science fiction today? And, 2 - How many f* bombs are too many f* bombs for a character who's a purple, broccoli-shaped alien CPA?

And Writing the book helped me answer both questions: 1 - People are afraid of older female badasses because they are so powerful. Not me though. I love them. And 2 - There appears to be no limit to the number of f* bombs a lion-hearted broccoli can drop in 290 pages of rip-roaring sci-fi. Though more research may be needed.

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

Speculative fiction of all kinds.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Babel, Dead Country, and Lords of Uncreation.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There's a scene toward the middle of the book where Diana, the MC, meets her alien companion's yet-to-be-born seedlings. Those seedlings always make me happy because they are so happy.

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

I wear padded biking gloves when I type to protect my palms from the edge of my laptop. It also helps me pretend I'm doing something physically challenging and slightly heroic.

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

The one motto I believe all writers should heed: Don't Be Boring.

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

However deep in financial debt you fall, you may always, as a last resort, declare bankruptcy. But the emotional debt we take on persists until it is repaid, sometimes becoming a lifelong burden. However, there is hope. All you need is an alien CPA broccoli.

Kevin Hincker is the author of the new book A Debt to the Stars

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Wild Eyed Southern Boys?

I wanted to write a real southern story. I read a military science fiction story that had the tone and pace of the book I wanted to write and I took that style and merged it into Urban Fantasy. But then I used real Southern voices (which make grammar checkers go berserk). Lastly, I have a vision for a series where I have near omnipotent heroes (many years and books after this book). I wanted to explore what it took to go from, emotionally damaged young men and women to heroes.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Wild Eyed Southern Boys, what would they be?

Corey - Long Haired Country Boy by Charlie Daniels Band, Rebecca - Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner, Rachel - Lend a hand by Georgia Thunderbolts, Nicole - 22 by Taylor Swift

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

Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, and Military SciFi.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Measure of Magic, Ruins of the Galaxy 3 - 6, and Wayward Galaxy 2.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Chattanooga Kiss.

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

I don't do final edits on a book until the next book in the series is written.

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

Life is pain. Anyone who tells you anything different is trying to sell you something.

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

There are many types of love.

Shawn McGee is the author of the new book Wild Eyed Southern Boys

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