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Interview with Joshua Scott Edwards, Author of An Ocean of Others

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write An Ocean of Others?

It was based on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign my friends and I played. I sort of wrote it by accident, discovering my love for writing as I did so.

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

Fantasy is my favorite to read and write, but sci-fi is a close second!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm looking forward to Brandon Sanderson's new Mistborn book, The Lost Metal.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Any scene involving Tak. He's such a creepy weirdo and I love him.

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

Nothing too quirky, but I do get a good deal of writing done on the train. I have a pretty big laptop, so I get a lot of looks.

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

"The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being." - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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

To be compassionate. Someone you see as a monster may actually be a human being with a sympathetic story. It's hard to remember that sometimes.

Joshua Scott Edwards is the author of the new book An Ocean of Others

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Interview with Stephanie Brother, Author of Huge Dare

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Huge Dare?

I began with the idea of a heroine who's lost trust in herself and only feels free to step out of her comfort zone when she's dared to. I knew that dares could take her into some interesting situations and that I could give her three men who'd help her see that she was brave and strong, and courageous.

I also love party games, and Seven Minutes in Heaven is one of the craziest. It takes a lot of trust to get into a closet with another person, which is something Ellie, the heroine in Huge Dare, lacks. I thought it would be fun to spin the game into reverse-harem-world and have three men in the closet waiting for her!

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

Ellie's song would definitely be Avril Lavigne's song Dare to Love Me. The lyrics perfectly convey what it's like to fear opening your heart to love. When someone has experienced heartache or heartbreak, the prospect of going through it again can be paralyzing. Ellie needs to learn to trust again, not only men, but herself and her judgment.

Here are my favorite lyrics from the song. "I try to let down my guard, but I cover up my scars Yeah, there's no denyin' It's not that I don't care, it's just I'm fuckin' scared It's terrifyin' 'Cause I know it's a slippery slope But I don't wanna give up hope Damn, why's it gotta be this hard just to open my heart?" - Avril Lavigne Dare to Love Me.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the closet scene where everything starts. And I’m a sucker for the happy ever after so the bonus chapter I produced for my newsletter subscribers was awesome to write too. It's fun to take your characters another step forward in their lives without the constraint of following a story structure.

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

I like to write men who not only help the heroine out of sticky situations but also encourage her to see her strengths and face her weaknesses. The best kind of people in the world look for ways to support others to grow in confidence and achievement, and that’s what Colby, Sebastian, and Micky do for Ellie.

We aren’t going to stay the same as the years pass. The best relationships adapt so that individuals can continue to grow and develop. The best lovers see our strengths and weaknesses and encourage and support us to work on both.

Stephanie Brother is the author of the new book Huge Dare

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Interview with Penelope Bloom, Author of Sincerely, Up Yours

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Sincerely, Up Yours?

Everybody has had to work for somebody they can't stand, and I think that relatability really makes it easy to jump in and enjoy a story like this. Plus, it's much more fun when that person you can't stand to work for happens to be frustratingly attractive and the chemistry is off the charts. It just makes for a great, fun recipe. I wanted a book I'd have a blast writing, because I think the story comes out strongest when I'm having fun.

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

I actually love to read fantasy books in my spare time. I read a lot of romance, but it's really hard not to feel like I'm reading for research or for business when I'm reading the same kind of stories I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm a huge Lucy Score fan, so her next Knockemout book is definitely on my list. I also read pretty much anything Melanie Harlow puts out and I haven't read her latest yet, so that one, too!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It was probably one of the earliest scenes when Darcy and Dominic first clash in the office. He's ready to set the tone right with his new employees and sort of establish dominance, but she can't keep her mouth shut during a meeting and winds up getting yanked into his office. They have a shouting match once they're alone, and the mixture of chemistry and open anger/hatred felt like it really came alive on the page, which is a rewarding feeling as an author. At times it can feel like I'm forcing the dialogue, but in some magic moments it does feel like it takes on life of its own, and that was definitely one of those moments.

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

Hmm, it's not exactly a habit. But my mini Aussie likes to thump herself down on the air vent right behind my office chair when I write. The bad news is she frequently has bad gas, and she puts her butt right on the vent. The moment she lets one go, it gets vaporized and delivered to my nose at full force. She's super cute, though, so I wouldn't have it any other way!

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

I think my philosophy as a writer is that I want to always keep learning and trying to grow. In my hobbies and personal life, I know I feel most alive and satisfied when I'm improving and learning a new skill. Writing is one of those skills you can never fully master, so I try to embrace that and enjoy the endless pursuit of getting better. Sometimes it may only be improvement by a small margin, but the important thing is to keep trying to grow and improve. Otherwise, what's the point?

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

I think I'd want them to remember how things aren't always what they seem. Sometimes the people you think you'll hate end up being the ones you love, or a situation that seems like the worst ends up being the best thing that ever happened to you. It can be a really liberating thing to believe, and I feel like that's a theme I come back to in a lot of my stories.

Penelope Bloom is the author of the new book Sincerely, Up Yours

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Interview with Janet Mason, Author of Loving Artemis

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Loving Artemis, an endearing tale of revolution, love and marriage ?

In many ways I “lesbianized” my youth, with the result that the character that I identified with (Grace) was much more empowered. But the emotional reality of having to flee from her past were and are very real for me. The bulk of Loving Artemis is set in 1977—when the two main characters are in their final year in high school--against the historic backdrop of events that shaped the U.S. Supreme Court’s long overdue decision to legalize same sex marriage.

As one reader wrote, "Loving Artemis captures perfectly the days when teen lesbians felt they were the only ones in the world. More than a coming-of-age story, more than the love story of Artemis and Grace, the novel is also a thoroughly enjoyable journey through the decades.”

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Loving Artemis, an endearing tale of revolution, love and marriage, what would they be?

Artemis’s theme song would be “Born to be Wild” And Grace’s theme song would be “Dark Side of the Moon.”

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

I read various genres, mostly literary fiction. Right now, I’m most interested in the form of hybrid fiction and essay.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I review books for BookTube so I’m always reading something. Right now, I’m reading a nonfiction book called “The Undercurrents” by Kristy Bell from Other Press (which is known for its international books). The book is about the history of Berlin which I wouldn’t know about otherwise. I usually always love what Other Press puts out!

Also on my list is “Funny, You Don’t Look Like a Rabbi, a memoir of unorthodox transformation” by Rabbi Linda Targan. I’m looking forward to reading it!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There were so many. I would have to say my most favorite was the opening pages where I talk about the Pride march in New York City and what it means to the main character (this is in print and video on my author blog).

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

I don’t know that it’s quirky but after a health scare a few years ago I am committed to staying healthy and I do count this to be crucial to my writing practice. I walk every day, practice qigong, and the biggest change was that I went to a healthy plant-based diet.

I feel great and am not done writing (and publishing) yet! In the past, I have always had a cat on my lap and hope to have one again.

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

If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them. – HH The Dalai Lama

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

Always remember the power of love.

Janet Mason is the author of the new book Loving Artemis, an endearing tale of revolution, love and marriage (from Thorned Heart Press)

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Interview with Hayson Manning, Author of Bound to the Bodyguard

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Bound to the Bodyguard?

I love a slow burn romance, and this is a slow burn where the characters cannot be together.

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

Someone you Loved by Lewis Capaldi for Arabella, and The Loneliest by Maneskin.

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

I read across all genres. I do love a romance though, that I can fall into. When I get lost and forget where I am, that's wonderful.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It Starts with Us, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, the third book in the Kingkiller Chronicle by by Patrick Rothfuss if it ever happens...

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When Holden is helping with the zip on Arabella's dress, and she whispers 'touch me'. The heat between them is sizzling.

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

I have my earphones in and listen to Brain.fm which gets my brain kickstarted. Hopefully. Sometimes.

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

Dream big, work hard, stay focused and surround yourself with good people.

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

That you had a smile on your face at the end and enjoyed it.

Hayson Manning is the author of the new book Bound to the Bodyguard

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Interview with Linda Mahkovec, Author of The Notebooks of Honora Gorman

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Notebooks of Honora Gorman: Fairytales, Whimsy, and Wonder?

Of all the books I’ve written, this had the longest gestation. It combines two story ideas that I worked on for many years. One is the life of a NYC writer, and the other is based on short pieces that I wrote over the years. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize that these two narratives belonged together.

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

Women’s Fiction – historical, literary, contemporary – which is the genre I write in. But I like to mix it up and read a mystery now and then, or nonfiction, or a good old Victorian novel (I’m in the mood for some Dickens).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I just bought "Starry Messenger" by Neil deGrasse Tyson and am so looking forward to being lifted into that cosmic perspective for a while that changes all perceptions.

"100 Poems" by Seamus Heaney, which I recently bought at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn. I was meeting a friend for a tour of the Center and then dinner. She surprised me with a few souvenirs from her trip to Paris – a book bag from Shakespeare and Company and a Boticelli bookmark. So besides being a gem in itself, the book of poems is now associated with dreams (of Paris) and beauty (Boticelli).

And as usual, I have several books lined up in my Kindle queue – a mix of established and indie authors.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I suppose the end, which is where it was headed all along, and the idea that it is never too late to live the life you want.

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

A room with a view (usually, from my kitchen table).

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

It’s never too late…Don’t give up…Just keep trying…(etc., etc., etc.)

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

To believe in your dreams and to weave in a little of that dream stuff into your every day. To seek out that which uplifts and inspires you.

Linda Mahkovec is the author of the new book The Notebooks of Honora Gorman: Fairytales, Whimsy, and Wonder

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Interview with Gary Glass, Author of The Brothers Brown & Gray

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Brothers Brown & Gray?

I love detective novels like John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books, and I thought it would be fun to write one. So basically I sat down and dreamed something up. Of course, me being me, I made it quirky.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Brothers Brown & Gray, what would they be?

Our hero the detective McBride grew up in China so I think he'd be into traditional Chinese music set to a rock and roll beat. His sidekick the mysterious Sylvia likes Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

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

I read a lot of classic literature, so no I can't say I write in that genre!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

A lot of stuff related to horror, because it's research for my next book.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the fight scene. I tried to make it fun and scary and a bit of burlesque. Which is what any good fight scene should be, right?

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

I like to have an icon on the my desk that represents the book I'm working on. For The Brothers I had a full-scale reproduction of the "dingus" from The Maltese Falcon.

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

They're disbanded now but there was a Chicago funk band called Sonia Dada that I saw a number of times when I lived in Indiana. There's a lyric from one of their best songs: Ain't no redemption when you're stone-cold sane. That speaks to me.

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

One of my readers said, "I kept thinking about it later." That made me happy. I hope my stories hook the reader in some way, keeps them mulling it over.

Gary Glass is the author of the new book The Brothers Brown & Gray

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Interview with Riley Collins, Author of Escape From the Fringe

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Escape From the Fringe?

It was a few concepts and thoughts that came to me. First, I wanted to tell the story of someone who had been isolated their entire life, finally being exposed to the rest of the galaxy.

I also wanted an adventure that didn’t necessarily revolve around death and killing. I already have a military space opera that has those elements and wanted something a bit lighter. There was also an element of a father/daughter or big brother/little sister element I wanted to try.

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

Daiyu’s would be What’s Going On by Four Non Blondes and for Taksh it would be Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye.

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

I love to read science fiction and that is also the genre I write in. However, I also love history books and historical fiction. There’s something so interesting about seeing parallels between things that happened hundreds of years ago and today.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Too many to count. A few notable ones are Sanderson’s Mistborn, Truman by David McCullough, and the rest of the Backyard Starship series by Chaney and Maggert (I’m on book five now).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I really enjoyed writing about how Taksh and Daiyu escape from the Triple-Deuce. I just enjoy writing action and I loved picturing everything going on as I was writing it.

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

Well, I have five kids so I have found the ability to write whenever/wherever possible. I don’t need and will never have a nice quiet writing space.

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

Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.

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

I just hope they feel like they experienced the events of the book themselves and that the characters feel real to them.

Riley Collins is the author of the new book Escape From the Fringe

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