Poet interview with Pietros Maneos

I don’t usually feature poetry on my blog, so I thought it would be fun to have a poet to educate us a bit :)

Let’s meet Pietros – welcome!

There are many niches and sub-niches within the world of Modern Poetry.  The element that distinguishes my work from many others is a longing for The Beautiful, which I find to be extremely rare in the 20th and 21st centuries.  The Mediterranean, specifically Italy and Greece, is also a pervasive motif in my Poetry, which is consonant with the fact that I am of Italian and Grecian descent.  In fact, much of my poetic sensibility was formed during my Grand Tour of Italy at the turn of the century.  I've often heard the comment, 'I generally don't read or enjoy much Modern Poetry, but I love your Poetry.'  And I think this sentiment springs from the above statement regarding my desire for Beauty coupled with the nascent revival of Romanticism in the modern world, in general.  I definitely appreciate you taking the time to showcase my work, and encourage all of your readers to visit my recently launched website, http://www.PietrosManeos.com to read more of my Poetry.


The Immortal Greek Spirit
“From now on we shouldn’t say that the Greeks fight like heroes but the heroes fight like the Greeks.” – Winston Churchill

Until the blood from my pen runs dry, I shall worship the Greek body, the Greek mind and the Greek soul.
Until my tears land upon Greek soil, I shall forever live in exile.
In the Thracian hills, my Greek spirit shall rise.

My strong soul shall spear the Persian hordes.

They shall feel the wrath of the Greek soul – Yes, that immortal soul.
Under Thermopylae’s hot gates, Spartan valor will reign supreme.

Unified Greek blood shall form rivers of freedom – Rivers that satiate a man’s spirit.

In Aegina, I shall sleep in beds of olives,
And on the silver beaches of Naxos, I will dance until dawn with noble peasants.

In the Corinthian countryside, the moon’s fire shall awaken my Greek spirit.
In Paros, my bold blood shall be replaced with rich wine,
And in Sifnos, my carnal lips shall be the playthings of Greek goddesses – we shall worship Dionysus in the dark lustful hills.

From the peaks of Mount Olympus, I shall hoist old rocks until I am proclaimed a pagan God,
And in Athens, poetry shall be the only language.

Until the blood from my pen runs dry, I shall worship the Greek body, the Greek mind and the Greek soul.

Until my tears land upon Greek soil, I shall forever live in exile.





About:
Pietros Maneos was born in 1979 in the Philadelphia area to a Greek father and an Italian mother. His Grecian side hails from the very village of Sappho – Mytilene, Lesbos – while his Italian side is descended from Magna Grecia, specifically Fragneto Monforte, a town just outside of Napoli.
During his sophomore year of university he took a semester off to travel throughout Italy, a trip that fired his poetic imagination. ‘Without a doubt, it was Italy, and the city of Rome, that nourished my poetic sensibility,’ he notes. Upon his return to America, Maneos received word that his poetry had so impressed an entrepreneurial Roman who was just in the midst of forming a publishing company, that he wished to publish Maneos’ collection, titled – The Soul of A Young Man. Maneos triumphantly returned to Rome in order to finalize the publication. In December of 2001, at the tender age of 21, after just receiving the first copy of his collection, he exclaimed to a friend, ‘My delusions of Grandeur are steadily becoming a reality of Grandeur.’
Pietros obediently adhered to his renunciation until 2005 when he was involved in a torrid love-affair with a betrothed Brasilian beauty. His furious compositions consumed him during the Spring and Summer of 2005, finally finishing in August of 2005. He planned to present the collection – Poems of Blood and Passion – as a present to his now estranged nymph on her birthday in the early part of September. ‘I did not have the requisite time to play the dreaded publishing game of sending the collection to a literary mandarin, awaiting upon their approbation or disapprobation of the work, so I opted for self-publishing, an act that will perhaps permanently scar my Literary Legacy, but so be it, as it was done out of the exigency of Love, and any act performed from Love should surely be forgiven.’

Thank you for being with us today, Pietros and we wish you much success in future!

Author Interview with Charmaine Pauls

Today we meet another South African writer.  Yay!

Charmaine lives in Chile at the moment but her heart belongs to South Africa. 
You guys know how much I love beautiful covers and just look at this on e . . . wow!  Amazing . . . can you feel the romance just jumping off the page?



Goodreads blurb:In a sunny seventeenth-century chateau in the South of France, the elegant rooms conceal a host of secrets. When Marlien Marais comes to the picturesque village of Castries to claim her family estate, she slowly uncovers a web of deception that lifts the veil on her past and changes her future forever. Shimmering with romance, intrigue, and the elegance that only the French can fashion, Charmaine Pauls’ dazzling Between Yesterday and Tomorrow creates a tale of resplendent love—with a thoroughly French twist. A graphic designer who was raised by her father on a farm in South Africa, Marlien leaves home to survey her inheritance, the sumptuous estate that was luxuriously appointed by her English grandmother, May de la Croix, who had married her French grandfather. Prompted by word of May’s passing and a will bequeathing her the chateau, she soon finds herself enmeshed in a community whose deep-seeded connections hark back to days well before her birth. Moreover, Marlien arrives in search of understanding of her long absent mother and estranged maternal family, who vanished from her life in a veil of mystery. From the moment she arrives at the lavish Le Bon Soleil, Marlien meets a cast of characters who alternately confound, cajole, and coax her into a new French life. Yves, her grandmother’s second husband, strives to buy her part of the property, and see her out of town. Jean-Christophe Fontaine, an alluring young veterinarian, is intent on capturing her heart, which is grieving from the mysterious loss of her fiancé, Paul van Wyk. At the chateau, the manager Vincent Leclerc and his son David, who possesses supernatural gifts, extend a familial embrace. Marie-Hélène, the taciturn family caretaker, dangles innuendo on the family past, but leaves Marlien hopelessly in the dark. Soon, curious events compel Marlien to come to terms with the guilt and longing that she has so deeply buried eight years earlier after the tragic disappearance of Paul. Her awakening feelings for Jean-Christophe Fontaine conflicts with the loyalty that she had sworn to the only man she thought she could ever love. Amidst it all, the annual summer festival in Arles places her in the midst of the bull run, to be miraculously saved from the crushing hooves by a French gypsy musician, Laurent Regard. Marlien is not faced with choosing between two men, she is faced with choosing between the man in her present and the man of her past. In her epic journey of self-discovery, Marlien must face the past, in order to make way for the future. Worldly, sophisticated, and deep in mystery, Between Yesterday and Tomorrow weaves an elegant, old-world tapestry that is rich in metaphor and emotional power. It’s certain to satisfy anyone seeking a transporting story of beauty and heart.

And here is a little bit about Charmaine:


South African born Charmaine Pauls followed a career in all the facets of her communications degree, including public relations, journalism, advertising and brand marketing. She currently resides in Chile with her husband and two children.
Having worn many different hats in the professional world, including public relations for the National Association for the Deaf and the previous Orange Free State State Theatre, advertising manager for an international vegetable seed company, photographer, graphic design artist, communication manager and finally brand manager for an international pet food manufacturing company, Charmaine is currently focusing on her professional writing career.
A lot of Charmaine's inspiration comes from her travels. Passionate about exploring the world, she has travelled to most countries in Europe, in South America, as well as to a selected few in Africa and Asia. The author previously lived in Montpellier, France, hence the inspiration for the setting of Between Yesterday and Tomorrow.

I have a few questions for Charmaine – let’s hear what she says.

When did you start writing, Charmaine? I have always loved writing. It started in primary school when I wrote some award winning essays and poems. My first prize ever was R3.00 for a silly little story writing competition, but it meant the world to me. In high school my teachers had some of my critical evaluations of prescribed literature published in teachers’ guides. After finishing my studies (a 4-year degree in Communications at the University of Potchefstroom), I have always been writing in the capacity of my profession. My creative writing took second place for fifteen years, while I built my career in the business world. When I married my (French) husband and we moved to France, I started thinking about writing a novel seriously. I had some ideas mauling around in my head for more than two years, and only when we moved to Santiago, Chile, and our two toddlers were old enough to attend school in the mornings, did I finally sit down and typed it all up.

Does your family support you in your writing?
My mother has always supported me in my daydreaming and my imaginary characters. She even set a place for my favourite character at the dinner table. I am lucky that my father has always believed in me, and urged me to follow my true dream, regardless of the consequences. And my husband has given me the best gift of all: the gift of time to realize my dream.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It took me a year to write the first one, and another six months for all the editing. The second one took less than a year, but I am yet to start the reworking. I have only finished the rough, creative stage. So I think a good average will be one year per book.

What/Who would be able to distract you from your goal?
My close family. They remain the most important in my life.

What inspired you to write this book?
The amazingly old, romantic, culture rich south of France. I was inspired by the wild, white Camargue horses, the gypsy musicians, the fairy tale castles, the ancient cobble stone roads, the bull runs, the festivals, centuries of mystery and history, and the sexiest accent in all of the world. It was the perfect setting for a love story. And of course, the story had to make a turn in South Africa.

What kind of research did you have to do?
It is an epic love story of a woman’s struggle to let go of her past in order to embrace her future. I could draw on my personal experience of the French way of life to place the heroine in picturesque Castries, near Montpellier. I didn’t have to do much research on the French hero, a veterinarian with a pet food manufacturing plant, because I worked for years as a brand manager for such a French company.

I adore the cover – it is beautiful.  Who designed the it?
The graphic design team of my publisher, Create Space Amazon.

What is your next project?
My genre is definitely romance. I’m currently working on a romance that plays off between the Atacama dessert and the Patagonian glaciers in Chile.

A typical day in your life would be?
I am typically always battling to find enough time for everything. I try to do at least two hours of writing in the morning, and spend one hour doing marketing and publicity, and attending to all my communications. I am lucky if a get a good four hour uninterrupted stretch, before I have to cook lunch, rush to two different schools to pick up my toddlers, and in the afternoon I am dedicated to my children and their activities. I spend another two hours writing in the evening, mostly when the kids are in bed and the house is once more quiet, and only a precious hour reading. When everyone else is lying on the beach for the summer holiday, or skiing down the slopes of the Andes in winter, I’m typing away at my keyboard to make up for lost time. Weekends are my special reading time, when the children let me!

What is the hardest thing about being an author?
I have heard some authors say that it is the loneliest job in the world. That is exactly what I love about it. I like to work on my own, and to have long stretches of quiet time. I need a lot of space to feel calm, and a lot of alone time to function properly. The hardest thing for me is the never-ending interruptions. Just when I am on a creative high, the doorbell rings. Since I work from home, few people respect my morning working hours. I always have someone dropping in; the postman ringing my bell; the neighbour who comes to complain about the dog next door; the list is never ending. Most people don’t take your job seriously when you say that you are working from home, writing.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?
I mostly find that if you are open to answering queries and to connecting with readers, they are very keen on giving you their comments. I have had feedback from some readers. One woman said that she cried a lot toward the end of the book, and another said that she got into the story straight away. This is the kind of feedback that I appreciate, because at least I know that my story is evoking some kind of emotion.

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?Some of my favourite authors include Robert Goolrick (A Reliable Wife), PG du Plessis (Fees van die Ongenooides), Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone), and Lora Leigh (romance).

What is in your TBR pile?
I have always enjoyed great classics like Dracula and Frankenstein, but have never really given modern fantasy a go. I bought all the books in the George RR Martin series, A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as A Dance with Dragons. And the new author of the month that I’m supporting is Bill Loehfelm with his latest release, The Devil She Knows.

Links:  http://www.charmainepauls.com/






Thank you so much for joining us today, Charmaine.  We wish you much success with Between Yesterday and Tomorrow.

Author interview with Jan Hurst-Nicholson

Today, I am honoured to welcome a fellow South African to my blog.


Hi Jan!  Come and join us for a cup of coffee!

Little background about Jan:
Janet has lived in Durban, South Africa since arriving from England in January 1972. Trained as a bakery technologist, she worked in Research & Development at Bakers Ltd before turning to writing in 1985 when a humorous article was accepted by Femina magazine. When a second article was published by Cosmopolitan magazine she thought she was the new Erma Bombeck. Unfortunately, editors didn’t agree. After receiving a blizzard of rejections, she decided to do a writing course. This eventually led to her co-writing “Write from The beginning – all you need to know about writing the short story” which was published by The Writing School SA, which then became The Learning Group and is now part of College SA. She then went on to have short stories and articles published in various local and overseas magazines.

In 1990 she wrote her first children’s book “Leon Chameleon PI and the Case of the Missing Canary Eggs” published by Gecko Books. This amusing story is set in Glenwood’s Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, close to where Janet lives. The book encapsulates Janet’s interest in animals, humour and detective stories. Leon’s second case “The Case of the Kidnapped Mouse” followed in 1995. Leon’s third case “The Case of the Bottled Bat” is awaiting the eyes of an astute publisher.
Janet has also written “Bheki and the Magic Light” published by Penguin SA, and “Jake” published by Cambridge University Press which was also published in Zambia under the title “Baby Bupe’.

Her adult novels - a family saga titled The Breadwinners and humorous book titled But Can You Drink the Water?, are awaiting the astute eye of a publisher, as are several more children’s books. An animation company is also interested in the Leon Chameleon books.
Janet’s latest book Something to Read on the Plane is a compilation of some of her published humorous articles and short stories. The inspiration behind the book was the number of customers who came into the SPCA bookshop, where Janet works a volunteer, looking for something to read on the plane. The book has now gone into a second printing.

Janet's writing also appears in Edge Words (20 stories from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2006) published by Chester Academic Press, University of Chester, Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul 101 best stories On Being a Parent.
 
When not researching or writing her “Leon” books, Janet is required to solve the case of her husband’s missing car keys/belt/garage opener/socks… . The rest of her time is divided between opening doors for her two restless ‘SPCA Specials,’ that they always seem to be on the wrong side of; conjuring up culinary delights for three picky cats, yelling at crazed dogs to leave the ‘catsalone’; trekking back and forth to top up the seed tray for voracious wild birds; rescuing suicidal doves and gecko lizards from the jaws of overfed cats; or furtively tempting cats from the roof of a neighbour’s aviary.

In between all this she also manages to find time to write a newsletter for her neighbourhood watch; be secretary for the Durban SpeakOut club; clean, catalogue and price donated books for the SPCA bookshop; and attend SA Writers’ Circle meetings.

Goodreads blurb for THE BREADWINNERS:
When an ambitious young immigrant opens a bakery in competition with his vengeful former employer it is the beginning of a bitter rivalry that spans three generations of hatred, jealousy, passion and betrayal as the bakeries grow from small family businesses into large corporations.
It is New Year’s Eve 1924 and the fiery and volatile Charles McGill is devastated when Addy Brody, the woman he loves, announces her engagement to Lucas Connelly, his friend and co-worker. Charles drowns his sorrow in drink and seduces Hilde Richter, the unattractive daughter of a wealthy Durban businessman. When Hilde finds she is pregnant her father offers to set up the penniless Charles with his own bakery if he will marry her. Charles readily agrees and, unknown to Hilde, the two men draw up a contract. It is the beginning of a battle for supremacy between Charles, Lucas, and Miles Davenport, their former employer.
As the bakeries grow and prosper, acrimony begins within the families, pitting brother against brother, and Charles becomes increasingly dissatisfied, realising that success means nothing if he cannot have the woman he loves.
The story covers a period of sixty years and leads us through the fortunes, joys and sorrows, successes and failures of the three families as they survive the great depression, the war years and the isolation of South Africa.
At 118, 000 words, THE BREADWINNERS is an epic family saga that explores the adage, ‘from clogs to clogs in three generations’. It is based on the baking industry where the author worked for several years, and gives revealing insights into the growth of Durban and the baking industry. It will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction set in exotic locations, and those who read authors such as Barbara Taylor Bradford, Catherine Gaskin and Belva Plain.

And now over to Jan :) 

Tell us, Jan, when did you start writing?
I always wanted to write, and my first story in print was in the school magazine (sadly lost in an over-zealous clear out), but I knew nothing about plot development, characterisation and the actual craft of writing. I thought novelists were all very clever people with university degrees in writing, and it never occurred to me that I could actually become a writer, so I didn’t pursue it.  But about 30 yrs ago I submitted a humorous article to a magazine. It was single-spaced, no margins, no headers, no author name – very much beginner writer. I was thrilled when the magazine said they were going to publish it – and pay me. I was then hooked on writing and sent my next article to Cosmopolitan. It too, was accepted, but unfortunately a spate of rejections soon followed, so I took a writing course, joined a writers’ circle and bought lots of books and magazines on writing. Slowly I began to sell articles, short stories, and the occasional poem. I then tackled a couple of novels (using two very different writing styles). Although one of them was runner-up in a novel competition I couldn’t find a publisher.  I then tried my hand at children’s books and found success with Penguin, Cambridge University Press, and Gecko Books. The internet opened up a whole new world of publishing possibilities, so that is when I resurrected my novels and published them as digital books on Amazon’s KDP.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It took about 18 months to write The Breadwinners as I had to do a lot of research and many re-writes.  My children’s books also take much research, but because they are shorter (but not easier) it would probably be about eight months. But I like to do a lot of editing and re-writing.

What inspired you to write this book?
When I arrived in South Africa I worked in the Research and Development Department of a large bakery. It was managed by the sons of its founder and had grown from a small family bakery into a factory operation. There were two other rival bakeries, also run by the sons of the founders. When I left my job several years later, the three bakeries had amalgamated. This one large bakery was finally taken over by a big corporation. Somebody remarked, “Clogs to clogs in three generations” and this set me thinking how family dynasties grow and then crumble, and why it happens (the underlying theme of the story). I was fortunate that all three families willingly assisted me with background information on the growth of the baking industry in Durban, and could remember the days when bread was delivered by horse and cart.


What kind of research did you have to do?
The Breadwinners was written in the 1980s (pre Google) so I visited museums and trawled through the library and even interviewed my old boss, who was most helpful and eager to be of assistance in getting the background of the bakeries correct. I used a wonderful book Dear Old Durban by Yvonne Miller and Barbara Stone for much of the background information on what life was like in Durban during the early 1900s. I also had to make sure that I had the small details correct, such as flowers blooming in the correct season. It just takes one small mistake for a reader to become disillusioned with the story.

Who designed cover?
The basic idea was my own, and I’ve recently had it updated by Dafeenah from indiedesignz.com

Who is your favourite character in The Breadwinners?I’m rather fond of Charles, who is the unfortunate architect of his own destiny. But I enjoyed exploring Hilde’s emotions as she gradually becomes more and more embittered. I should confess that I quite fancied Connor, and I also took the opportunity to name one of the least likeable characters after a girl who was mean to me in college (better not give the name).

Do you write in any other genres?
I started out writing articles, humorous articles and short stories before tackling The Breadwinners. My next project was But Can You Drink The Water? a humorous novel that began as a sitcom. I then started writing children’s books and my first book Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs was published by Gecko Books. This was followed by Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse. These are humorous, animal detective stories for 7 – 12 year olds. Penguin published Bheki and the Magic Light, and Jake was published by Cambridge University Press. My YA novel Mystery at Ocean Drive, a Hardy Boys-type action adventure story, was a runner-up in the 2010 Citizen/Pan MacMillan YA novel competition. I also put together a collection of my humorous articles and short stories, added some more fun stuff and self-published it under the title Something to Read on the Plane. This is selling well at local airports and as a Kindle on Amazon.

What is your next project?I’ve got a few more Leon Chameleon PI stories drafted, but I’m waiting to see how the first two sell before approaching the illustrator to do the illustrations. I’ve also written Thembu Takes a Tumble, a picture book for small children. This was initially accepted by a publisher but was then culled with a number of other books.  I have written The Race about a left-handed child , which will help parents and teachers understand the problems that left-handed children encounter. I just haven’t got round to getting it illustrated.

What is the hardest thing about being an author?That’s easy – finding a publisher!!  (lol)

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?I received some lovely letters from children after their teacher read them Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs. It was a class project to write me a letter explaining which characters they liked and why – and very revealing it was! I’ve also heard from a few readers via my website and they usually mention that they connected with the characters.

Oh wow, those letters must have a special place in your heart!  How sweet.  

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
Monica Dickens has been the biggest influence on my writing ‘voice’.  A writing friend once advised that if I wanted to learn about characterisation I should read Monica Dickens. I read ‘The Fancy’ and was hooked on her books. Deric Longden is also a favourite, (especially his book ‘The Cat Who Came in From the Cold’ ), as are Erma Bombeck and Hunter Davies for their humour.

What is in your own TBR pile?
I act as a depository for people who donate books to the SPCA bookshop, so I always have a box of books to browse through and this often introduces me to books that I wouldn’t normally choose. I’ve been reading a number of detective novels recently and have enjoyed Sue Grafton, but my preferred fiction reading is family sagas or humour.  I have a varied selection of non-fiction, from biographies, health books. Chicken Soup for the Soul, and I’m presently reading It’s the Thought that Counts by Dr David R Hamilton.

Thank you so much for coming in for coffee and a chat today, Jan.  We loved having you!  We wish you lots of success for the future!

Links to all of Jan’s books can be found here:
http://just4kix.jimdo.com
Twitter:
@just4kixbooks

Author interview and giveaway with Aris Whittier

I have been reading some of the posts on Aris’ blog and I just have to share this little paragraph with you (hope you don’t mind. Aris). I just loved it!

“My name is Aris. Aris is pronounced (heiress) and I'm not sure what the meaning is. Several years ago, when I was asked what my name meant, I replied that Aris was a Greek Sexx Goddess (what can I say I'm a romance writer). Unfortunately, my husband happened to be near, he looked over at me, rolled his eyes, and said very loudly "I wish". I've moved on to another story, which happens to be true. I was born in the seventies to a pair of hippies, real hippies. Having said that, I think I got off lucky with the name Aris. It could have been much worse, Fruit Stand or something like that. So, Aris it is.”

Bio:
Aris Whittier is a romance writer. She writes suspense, contemporary, and commercial woman’s fiction. Her debut novel, Fatal Embrace is a romantic suspense that was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine as a Red-Hot Read. Foolish Notions is a contemporary romance that has just a touch a mystery too. Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that transcends time.

 

Let’s hear a bit more from Aris.

Please tell readers about your current book.
Across Eternity is a beautiful love story that tells of love that transcends time. It will pull at your heart. It is set in the small coastal city of Dana Point, in Southern California.

Who or what inspires your writing?
My inspiration comes from my love of life, my imagination, and the fact that I absolutely love to write about the male / female relationship.

When did you know you would be a writer?
I never aspired to be a writer. However, I’ve always loved to read and write. Growing up, I would read anything from Readers Digest to Stephen King. When I was younger, I used to love to tell stories…my mom called them lies…but I considered it creative story telling… LOL. When I was 16 I pick up my first romance book and I fell in love with the genre. When I was in college I wrote my first romance novel and it was then that I knew I wanted to be a writer

Lies vs creative story telling . . . I think I have to agree with you :) How long did it take you to write your first novel?
Almost one year. It was 78,000 words.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?
I write in spurts and that is very frustrating. Sometimes I’ll write thirty pages in a day and other times I can barely get a paragraph written.

Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really—though I love to have a cup of coffee by my side when I’m writing.

Have you written any thing else?
Yes! I have two other romance novels out. Fatal Embrace and Foolish Notions. I have also written a humorous compilation called, The Truth About Being A Bass Fisherman’s Wife. I have another romantic suspense, Secrets, which I’m just finishing up.

Any advice to aspiring writers?
My advice is to never give up. And write about what you love. Oh, and develop a very thick skin because you’re going to need it. Everything will be judged and nitpicked—your writing, your plot, your characters, your query, your book cover…get used to it. Some of the criticism will be worthy and some of it not. You’ll know what to take in and what to just let roll off.

Who is your favorite Author?
Hands down Judith McNaught.

What is your favorite book?
Once and Always by Judith McNaught.

What are you currently reading? 
I'm currently reading The Catcher in the Rye, by Salinger. About a week ago my son asked me if I'd ever read the book. I was surprised when I realized I hadn't. I was required to read may novels in college but this wasn't one of them. I'm three chapters in and I'm really enjoying the story as well as the verbiage.

How do readers find out more about you?
You can visit my blog at: http://awhittier.blogspot.com/.

Goodreads blurb:

Born a genius; education, wealth, and prestige came easy to Logan Richards. Actually, there wasn’t much that Logan couldn’t learn or acquire. However, he knew there was more to life than money and power. Logan was determined to find the woman who he'd dreamed of his entire life and know what it was like to love her before he died.
Amber Lewis, a waitress for a five-star restaurant in, Dana Point, California, was overworked, stressed, and wary of life since her sister, Heather, had passed away. Then, one evening while working she fell hopelessly in love with Logan Richards, a chivalrous man who felt deeply familiar.
For Amber, it was the beginning of a voyage of self-discovery and renewal. For Logan, it was the completion of life. For each of them it was the deepest sort of love.

 

** Giveaway**

 

Aris has given one lucky commenter the chance to win an eCopy of  Across Eternity.  If you want to be part of the drawing on 31 October 2011, leave a comment for Aris together with your contact details.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Aris.  We loved chatting with you.  Good luck on the road ahead.

Author Interview with Eileen Cruz Coleman

Eileen is the author of two very different books, Sweetwater American and Rumpel, a retelling of the Brothers Grimm Rumpelstiltskin.  Let’s see what the Goodreads blurbs say:

 

Goodreads blurb:

SWEETWATER AMERICAN is the story of an orphan who is sent to live in a cursed town in El Salvador with her godmother, a woman whom she has never met and who may hold the secret to breaking the town’s curse: no babies have been born alive in five years.

 

 

Goodreads blurb:

When foreigners arrive on an island beach in search of a lost spinning wheel which they believe rightfully belongs to them and on which their very existence depends, the island inhabitants are thrust into a course of events during which some will become allies and others will turn against their own and Elizabeth Miller must defend her unborn child from a vengeful troll.

 

And a little bit of background about Eileen . . .

 

BIO:
Eileen Cruz Coleman was born in Washington, D.C.
She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in European History.
Her short stories have appeared in numerous literary journals both online and in print.
She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.

 

Eileen, when did you start writing?
I think I always knew I wanted to be a writer. But I didn’t start seriously writing until I was in my early twenties. I was desperately trying to heal from a past experience. For me, writing helped me heal. I sat down one day and wrote my little heart out. It was an honest piece of writing; I dug deep and put it all on paper. I read it to my then boyfriend, now husband. His response was, “You should try and get this published.” And so I did. I published my first piece of writing when I was twenty-five years old. I was hooked after that!

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
I’m a slow writer. It takes me anywhere between a year and a half to three years to write a book. I don’t write full time (yet!) and so between juggling my day job, kids and well, life, I squeeze in writing mostly at night when the house is quiet and everyone is asleep.

Hey, there are no slow writers . . . What inspired you to write this book?
I first heard the story of Rumpelstiltskin when I was seven years old. I remember sitting in “circle time” while my teacher read the story. When she got to the end, I felt that there had to be more to the story.
I honestly thought she had read us a shortened version and that the longer version was out there somewhere! From that day on, the story of Rumpelstiltskin fascinated me. I wanted to know why he wanted a baby. What was he going to do with it once he got it? Who were the people in his life? What was his world like? What was his childhood like? All of these questions led me to write Rumpel which is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. In keeping with the original Brothers Grimm Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpel is dark and at times disturbing, yet it also has a light and quirky element to it in that it is told from the point of view of many different characters all of which play an integral part of the story and how it unfolds. We also get to know Rumpelstiltskin as a child, then as a young man, and finally as a broken hearted adult.

What kind of research did you have to do?
I read and dissected the original Rumpelstiltskin story!

Who designed cover?
I hired a cover artist, the fabulous Dara England. Her site is: http://mycoverart.wordpress.com/

Oh wow, love Dara’s site – beautiful covers!!  What is your next project?
I actually have another novel published. My other novel is very different than Rumpel. SWEETWATER AMERICAN is the story of an orphan who is sent to live in a cursed town in El Salvador with her godmother, a woman whom she has never met and who may hold the secret to breaking the town’s curse: no babies have been born alive in five years. I’m also currently working on a post-apocalyptic YA novel.

Oh we LOVE dystopian novels!  A typical day in your life looks like . . .  
Day job, spending time (homework, dinner, etc.) with my two kids and husband, bedtime for the kids and then maybe, just maybe, some writing time in the late evening. Sometimes, I skip writing and watch a movie with my husband instead!

Wow, that is a  lot of juggling!  What is the hardest thing about being an author?
Marketing and promoting your book while also dedicating time to write the next book!

Do you hear from your readers much? 
In all honesty, I don’t really hear directly from readers. I would love to hear from them!

Just wait – it will come!  Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
I adore Stephen King and Isabel Allende.

What is in your own TBR pile?
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson.

Robopocalypse is on my TBR pile too :)

Links to books: http://www.amazon.com/Rumpel-ebook/dp/B00408ASDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301257991&sr=8-1 

and http://www.amazon.com/Sweetwater-American-ebook/dp/B0037263PO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315435394&sr=1-1

At the time of writing this post, the above links are to free downloads.  :)  So hurry!

Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Eileen.  We wish you much success in the future!!

Author Interview and Giveaway with Shiromi Arserio

Today we are looking at a fairy tale from a new angle . . . but let’s meet Shiromi first.

Author biography:
My name is Shiromi Arserio. I’m  a British freelance writer. From the age of six, my mother instilled in me a love for travel when she first took me out of the country on a trip to Switzerland. Since then I’ve travelled through four continents and have been lucky enough to live all over the United States, including Hawaii. Currently I’m making the Pacific Northwest my home.

My hobbies include hiking, geocaching, paddling, snorkeling, scuba diving and whale watching. This is what I love to do, and this is what I love to write about.

I’m also a self-confessed geek, and am editor of the science fiction online magazine Inter-Galaxy Portal. I have also worked on other geeky publications such as Stakeage.com and Illusion Television and the now defunct Brit Girls Gadget Guide.

I was a regular contributor to DISfunkshion Magazine, and my articles can also be found in publications such as Listen and OutdoorsNW.

I have also provided content to web developers such as Onomojo Media.

Currently I am working on a collection of short stories, beginning with The Huntsman’s Tale which is available as an ebook, as well as a mystery science fiction project, to be revealed soon!

Here is some more info on her book, The Huntsman’s Tale:

Gaard is just a poor huntsman. On a bleak winter day, while trying to feed his family, he stumbles upon the King’s private hunting grounds. It is on this hunting ground that Gaard crosses paths with Vala, the mysterious future wife of the King. The two begin a tempestuous relationship that will change Gaard’s life forever.

The Huntsman’s Tale is a dark fairytale about desire and consequences.

 

When did you start writing, Shiromi?
I've been writing and creating stories pretty much all my life. My sister and I would spend hours making up stories. But it wasn't until just a few years ago that I started writing professionally and thinking of myself as a writer.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It all depends on the story. I have a story that I’ve been working on for the last five years, that I still don't feel is “right.” Some stories come to me in their entirety, and others have to be mulled over for a long time before they're ready to be told.

What inspired you to write this book?
The Huntsman's Tale really came to me a couple of years ago, while I was working on NaNoWriMo. It was a fully formed story, but I had to put it aside until the following summer, when I could really concentrate on it.

I have heard lots of authors talk about NaNoWriMo – what a wonderful kick-start for your creativity!  What kind of research did you have to do?
The story is set in a medieval period in Germany (no specific time period is given) so I read up on medieval German traditions and holidays. Just so I could add little tidbits here and there, for a little more authenticity. It's a fairytale, so I wasn't too worried about being accurate, but I still wanted a reader to have a sense of the place.

Who designed cover?
I did. I wanted something really simple. Since much of the story takes place in the Black Forest during winter, I wanted that to show in the cover.

Well done!  I love the cover.  What is your next project?
The next project I'm working on is Becca and is a science fiction short story about the search for a new homeworld for the human race.

A typical day in your life would look like?
I try to work a regular schedule, usually around 10AM-7PM most days. Mornings I spend writing and working on any marketing I need to do. After lunch, I split my time between the science fiction and fantasy website I run, and training as a voice over actor, which is my other job.

What an interesting side-job!  What is the hardest thing about being an author?
Waiting. Once you write a manuscript whether it's fiction or a magazine query, you submit it to publications and it can take a long time, if ever, to get a response back. And if the response is negative, you have to send it to the next person on the list, and start the clock over. That's one of the reasons why I decided to try indie publishing.

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?
I've only recently published the one short story, so I can't say that I have heard from any readers of my fiction work yet. Although I do run a website and try to maintain a strong relationship with readers on Twitter.

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
Neil Gaiman is a huge inspiration. He writes in so many different formats and plays with various genres. I don't think you could ever pigeonhole his work, which is a good thing. I grew up reading Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, and it's still my favourite YA fantasy series.

What is in your own TBR pile?
After raving about Mark Gatiss' work on Dr Who, someone on twitter turned me on to his novels, and so The Vesuvius Club is now at the top of the list. I also want to check out Battle Royal by Koushan Takami since I’m a fan of dystopic fiction. 

Oh I love dystopian books too.  There is just never enough time! 

 

** Giveaway **

 

Shiromi has generously offered a eCopy to be given to a lucky commenter.  So if you are interested in reading this dark fairytale, leave a message for Shiromi.  I will draw a radom winner on 24 October 2011.

Links: 
www.igp-scifi.com
www.shiromi.net
The Huntsman's Tale

Thank you for joining us today, Shiromi.  We wish you much success in the future and can’t wait to see what your sci-fi story is about :)

Author interview (and free download) with Lisa Rusczyk

Gather round everyone – let’s meet Lisa!!

Hi Lisa!  :)

Author Bio:

I live in North Alabama with my husband, stepsons, and 7 cats. My book Sam the Night Person, first book in the series, is available for free on Smashwords (link is below in post) and 99 cents on Amazon Kindle. I've worked lots of different jobs, including waitressing, musician, live sound tech, programmer, freelance content writer and editor. I just can't quite settle down when it comes to trying to find a career. My favorite thing to do is read, and I love to sleep.

 

Goodreads blurb of Sam, the Night Person:

What is a night person? They thrive by moonlight, spreading lightening bolts and freezing the earth. They hide their powers from society.
Sam stays up all night, drinks coffee without pause, chain smokes cigarettes and secretly talks to the moon. Azzy knows it, but doesn-t know why or how.

Azzy has been having a series of obsessive daydreams about a young man named Sam. He seems to be a magician of sorts. All she knows is that she can-t eat, sleep, drive or work. All she can do is think of Sam. She is in love, and she must find him.

She follows a daydream to a Colorado lodge where she has seen Sam in her mind. To her astonishment, he appears there the very next day. He doesn-t believe her, but who would? Is she crazy?

Sam and Azzy have a connection. Where did it come from? And who is behind it all? Of course, there-s always a reason for everything. Azzy-s daydreams were no accident.

Will they be able to withstand the man behind the torment? After years being apart, they find themselves facing the most destructive man of water magic they have ever known. He threatens their love. Together in heart and apart by necessity, they must find a way to stop him.

And now, let’s get to the interview.

Tell, us Lisa - when did you start writing?
I was 24 when I wrote my first book, The Message, a time travel story to be published in October. Sam the Night Person came soon after. I'm 36 now.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It can take anywhere from a week to five years. Depends on if I get stuck and how long it takes me to get unstuck! I tend to write off-the-cuff with a general idea as to where I want the story to go.

Getting stuck is the worst feeling in the world . . . happens to us all! What inspired you to write this book?
I love urban fantasy and wanted to create my own world of "gifted" people. After a lot of late night daydreaming, I came up with the day and night people and developed Sam and Azzy's characters.

What kind of research did you have to do?
I researched moon cycles and tried to synch them up in the timeline of the story.

Who designed cover?
My husband, artist Mikie Hazard painted the cover on canvas and we scanned it for the book.

Oh, you have your own personal artist!  Lucky girl!  What is your next project?
I have a few things I'm working on. One is a thriller, another is the third book of the night person series, and a third is a sci-fi novel.

A typical day in your life.
Well, it's never the same. I try to wake up at a decent hour and get to work editing. I have my own editing company editing novels and books for indie writers called Hazard Editing. When it's our time to have the stepsons, I pick them up from school and entertain them until my husband gets home from work. Usually we watch movies or TV and end up in bed around 8 or 9 and read for a few hours. All during this, there is massive cat herding as we have 7 cats. Lots of messes to clean and cuddling to be had.

Oh but a hug by a four legged baby is the best, huh?  What is the hardest thing about being an author?
For me, it's been two things. Finding inspiration to write when I have so many other things I need to be doing and finding my audience, people who might like my books.

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?
Occasionally I do! And it's great. Nobody writes to say they hate your book. That's a good thing!  (lol)

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
John Steinbeck, JK Rowling, Stephen King, I could go on and on.

What is in your own TBR pile?
I have a book on self-promoting your own indie novels and a novel my friend wrote as a second in her series that I'm reading right now. I want to finish the Sookie Stackhouse books, too.

 

** Free Download **

 

Sam, the Night Person is available as a free download from Smashwords – just click here.  Please let us know in the comments if you decide to download :)

Thank you so much for joining us today, Lisa – it was so much fun getting to know you a bit better and good luck with future publications!

Author Interview with Sean Quirk

Today we meet a South African living in the US. 

Hi Sean!

Author bio:

 

I'm 36.  Born in Addington Beach, Durban.  After high school worked for Standard Bank before moving to USA in 1997.  Occupation - horse trainer.  Traveled extensively across U.S.  Have lived in 12 different states including Colorado, Hawaii, Florida, California.  Currently live in Los Angeles, CA with my girlfriend and our 2 dogs Roxy and Dexter.

 

Let’s see what the blurb says about his book The Betrayals of Grim's Peak.

Goodreads blurb:

Augustus Tomlin is found floating face-down in the waters just off the Florida coast when he is just a year old. He spends most of his young life trying to overcome a paralyzing fear of water, and when his adoptive parents bring back to the Keys from his home state of Arizona at age fourteen, his life changes forever after a ferocious attack by several nightmarish creatures waiting for him in a cove, and a daring rescue by a girl riding a massive sea creature that resembles a dragon.
Not long after that Augie is introduced to the magical world of Grim's Peak where underwater lakes, trimsticks and wimballs, cryptoquariums, and water arches are the order of the day.
Augie is immersed in this new world and must make new friends, learn how to co-exist with the sometimes unfriendly plants, adverse underwater weather conditions, and amazing creatures like the hippocamp, which is a creature of legend said to be half-horse half-fish; all the while trying to figure out who his parents were; who is trying to kill him; and what his connection is to the town's founding fathers whose centuries old secrets threaten to throw the residents of this amazing world into complete chaos...

Sean, we want to get to know you better.  Will you answer a few questions?

When did you start writing?
I started writing in my early teens.  I read Dean Koontz's Lightning at 12 or 13 and by the time I finished it I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Oh I love Dean Koontz too.  :) How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It depends on the book.  Betrayals is my third and it took 7 or 8 months from conceptualization to completion.  The first draft was finished in about 3 months and I've been doing revisions since then.  I'd say it's been re-written 3 or 4 times on average, although certain sections demanded a bit more attention because for one thing it's a pretty complex story, and secondly, it's set in an entirely new world that had to be a believable one.

What inspired you to write this book?
One simple question: 'What's really going on at the bottom of the ocean?'  The Betrayals of Grim's Peak is my own fun interpretation.

What kind of research did you have to do?
Not a whole lot to be honest.  I had a lot more 'imagining' to do than research because I didn't really have a point of reference to fall back on.  No-one else (that I know of) has done a story quite like this one, and it's not easy writing a story about a place that exists only in your mind. 

What is the hardest thing about being an author?
Staring at a blank page.  Simple as that.  It's an intimidating sight!  A full-length novel is an 80 000 word jigsaw puzzle and every piece needs to be in the right place for it to work.  I don't think there are very many people who are able to control the pacing, the character development, the context, and the language right off the bat.  I know I wasn't able to, but, I was very fortunate to have worked with Pat LoBrutto on my first novel, Catch (which I've recently released), and I can honestly say that I have no idea where the state of my writing would be had it not been for him.  Pat has worked with Stephen King, Walter Tevis, Eric van Lustbader; he's the current editor on the DUNE books, and he's won the prestigious World Fantasy Award for Editing.  He is master class, and I'd suggest to any aspiring writers out there to get a good editor.  I can't stress how important that is.  

Will "The Betryals of Grim's Peak" be a series?
Yes.  Absolutely.  There are going to be 2 or 3 more books set in and around the world of Grim's Peak.  Possibly more.

What is your next project?
My next release will be Remedy which is a sister-novel to Catch.  It isn't a sequel so it wouldn't matter which one you read first.  It occurs over the same period of time and follows a mostly new cast of characters, however, if you've read Catch you will recognize a few names.  Keep in mind that Catch and Remedy are in a very different genre than Betrayals  -  they are sci-fi action thrillers, whereas Betrayals is a Young Adult novel.  I'm the kind of guy that loves the Harry Potter books and movies just as much as I love the Jason Bourne series.

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
Dean Koontz.  Stephen King.  J.K Rowling.

Links:
Website - www.seanjquirk.weebly.com

Betrayals of Grim's Peak giveaway - http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/14223-the-betrayals-of-grim-s-peak

Betrayals of Grim's Peak Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Betrayals-of-Grims-Peak/224401250944677

Goodreads Author profile - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5099788.Sean_J_Quirk

Thank you for joining us today, Sean and we wish you lots of success on the road ahead!

Author interview with Rebeka Harrington

Hi Rebeka.  Welcome to All the days of!! 

Rebeka’s new book is called Vampires Revealed (what a pretty cover!).

Let’s see what the blurb says:

Goodreads blurb:
Vampires: Real or Myth?

For centuries the debate has raged; are vampires real? There has been plenty of myth and superstition regarding vampires but not alot of truth or answers. In a unique piece of work, Bektamun a 3000 year old vampire, puts to rest all the myth and finally reveals the truth about the legendary creatures known across the globe as vampires.

Vampires Revealed is a journey of discovery. Leave behind your preconceived ideas, forget the horror stories and disregard everything you think you know about vampires. Never before have humans had and an opportunity such as this. To know the unadulterated truth, for every question you may have ever had about vampires to be answered.

And now, let’s get to know Rebeka a bit better.
 
Author Biography
Raised in country Victoria, Rebeka started her writing career working for the local newspaper as a teenager. While she decided not to pursue this as a career, she has always enjoyed writing and being creative

With so many varied interests and eclectic taste in most things, Rebeka enjoys incorporating all of them in her writing. She particularly enjoys writing about vampires.

Rebeka seeks to define and explain vampires in a way not done before. This has been achieved with her debut title "Vampires Revealed". Following titles will revolve around exploring the world and characters created in her first release.
Currently Rebeka lives in Melbourne with her “demented” but lovable cat, dividing her time between writing and managing a small boutique entertainment agency.

We are so nosey . . . let’s ask her some questions too . . .

Rebeka, when did you start writing?
RH: I think it was probably during my early years at high school, my teachers encouraged me to study and participate in advanced English and writing courses.
Originally I wanted to be a journalist and I did work as one for awhile. But I can’t honestly say I grew up wanting to be a writer. I’ve always had a spark of creativity, it’s only now I have the time to devote to writing.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
RH: I’m really good at procrastinating, so much longer than it should :)

LoL – procrastination is definitely alive and well in my world too :)

What inspired you to write this book?
RH: Being a vampire fan and having read more than a couple of vampire books, I found myself wondering about them in detail. I had questions that hadn’t really been answered before. For example; who was the first vampire? How did it happen? What’s their lifestyle like? Do they have laws? What makes vampires tick? That sort of thing and heaps more.
Once I asked myself the first few questions so many more followed and I found a character developing inside my mind to answer them all.  Et voila, Bektamun was born and started telling me all about the history of vampires, along with other characters who help fill in the gaps so to speak.

What kind of research did you have to do?
RH: There was heaps of research needed, particularly in the area of the origins of vampire mythology. I needed to know where the ‘idea’ of vampires sprung from, why it was a universal legend.
Also when trying to explain vampire anatomy, I had to have a good grounding in human anatomy to be able to make comparisons. The hardest was researching how the brain works.
For almost every facet of ‘vampire’ life I needed a human equivalent, so many hours were spent combing the internet for information and historical reference. Actually it was very enjoyable, I learnt a lot along the way.

You have a beautiful cover - who designed it?
RH: Joleene Naylor. She did an awesome job, helping me bring my idea to life. When I first contacted her I had no idea what sort of image I wanted.

What is your next project?
RH: Next up is ‘Desires Revealed’. And before you ask, no it’s not a series. Desires Revealed explores in more details characters and events touched on in Vampires Revealed. Specifically it is about how the Gervais family came to be with Bektamun, how the relationship between her and Nicole developed.
Also I get to have some fun with my evil rogue vampires causing mayhem.

A typical day in your life would be . . .
RH: Coffee and plenty of it throughout the day. First up I like to deal with any of my ‘To Do’ things, reply to emails, waste a little time on Facebook. Then I get into ‘writing’ mode and divide the rest of the day between writing/research and taking care of my business.

Mmmmm . . . coffee . . . that reminds me, it almost time for one!  

What is the hardest thing about being an author?RH: Answering questions like this :) No seriously, the hardest thing for me is waiting for the first feedback. It doesn’t matter how much work you’ve put into a book, until someone says ‘I like it’ you’re not entirely sure you’ve got it right.

I can imagine!  It must be nerve-wrecking!  

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?RH: I always love hearing from my readers. So far the response to Vampires Revealed has been overwhelmingly positive. As a writer it is incredibly gratifying and humbling to have people say how much they love and enjoy your work.

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?RH: At last, an easy question.  (lol)  Alexandre Dumas is my prime source of inspiration. His conversational tone and the way he paints characters. In every one of his books, he makes you feel like you would recognize the characters walking down the street. The style of his writing is something I can only every hope to emulate.

And lastly, another easy question (lol)  

What is in your own TBR pile?
RH: Way too many books. Several of my colleagues have books out at the moment which I really want to read, including: Dante’s Diary by Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Cold in California by Deborah Riley Magnus and Blood Junky by Stavros. And somewhere along the line I must find time to read Dead Reckoning the latest in the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris.

Links:
Purchase Details:

Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/86670

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LFQMNI





Links to Rebeka:
Vampires Revealed (home to my characters) http://vampiresrevealed.com/

Rebeka Harrington Authorhttp://rebekaharrington.com/

Thank you for joining us today, Rebeka – it has been fun having a glimpse into your life.  We wish you much success with Vampires Revealed!

Author interview and Giveaway with Artemis Hunt

I love fairy tales, don’t you?  Let’s meet Artemis Hunt, author of Snow White and the Alien.  :)

Authors bio:
Artemis Hunt has a husband who thinks all fiction is nonsense and all writers of fiction should get their heads checked for situational delusions. At any one time, they have 16 to 20 dogs, many of suspicious virtue.
Artemis frequently wishes she has telekinesis, so she doesn't have to lift a finger to change the room temperature. She's constantly glued to her computer, which serves as her gateway to her friends, books, movies, TV serials and sometimes husband, even though they're sitting on the same bed two feet apart.
Artemis writes under the name of A.R. Hunt for the adult thriller and suspense genre.



Snow White and the Alien
Goodreads blurb:
Rude. Opinionated. Dirty. Bug crazy.

That's how folks describe 16-year-old Snow White, who is more interested in studying insects than her own beautiful, anemic face. When her bipolar stepmother sets a price on her heart, which she'd like served with baby potatoes and Chianti, Snow White has no choice. She must say goodbye to the only people who have ever loved her – her three-chinned nanny, who feels like a pillow, and her childhood friend, Tom, who has spent his life wearing a thick, fleshy armor to fend off her princessy barbs.

Snow White must outwit every studly huntsman, assassin, city guard and robber baron sent to bring her back, preferably dead, before she reaches Lapland.

20-year-old Aein is a one-winged cripple from another planet. Passionate, ridiculed, headstrong, and considered hideous in his gossamer, aerial world, he desires nothing more than to prove to his royal family that flight and beauty are overrated. He gets his one chance when he is selected to go to Earth, disguised as a 'Crawler' – who appears to us as a phenomenally handsome human youth. His mission: to pave our world for colonization and, later . . . annihilation.

The first native he stumbles upon is the fugitive Snow White.

Snow White and Aein must choose their allegiances, and fight a forbidden, growing love for each other before their worlds explosively collide.


Let us get to know Artemis better.

When did you start writing?
When I was 3. I drew naked pictures on a sketchbook and added little stories to them. No, I swear I'm not a deviant!

Naked pictures huh?  LoL

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It depends. There was one book that I wrote within a month. Most of the time, I take 6 months in all - first draft, 1st rewrite, 2nd rewrite.

Six months is very quick – wow!  

What inspired you to write this book?I watched 'Tangled', the movie, and I was so in love with it I wanted to do something similar. Then I realized there are no less than two SNOW WHITE movies coming out in 2012, one starring Kristin Stewart and the other Charlize Theron, no less!

What kind of research did you have to do?Mostly about medieval costumes and insects. (Not medieval insects, since I'm sure none of them have gotten extinct yet! In fact, they seem to be getting more plentiful, at least in my house.)
I had to research insects because my Snow White is an entomologist! Yes, she's also the fairytale princess, but even fairytale princesses have to have a job!

Yeah, sad but true . . . even a princess need a job – LoL 

Who designed cover?
Telemachus Press.

Good job, Telemachus Press.

What is your next project?I already uploaded it. It's a short story called Psychotic, which was previously traditionally published in my bestselling 2005 collection, Dark City. I'm releasing this under my adult label, A.R. Hunt. It's extremely adult! Search for it in Amazon, read the blurb, and you'll understand why.

Mmmmm, fairy tales and adult fiction . . . what a repertoire! 

A typical day in your life would be?
Go to work. Beat the jam. (Moan.) Try to cram in a little writing during the job since no one ever knows what I'm doing, haha. Cram in more writing during my lunch hour. Check my Amazon rankings. Sigh copiously. Get back to work. Go home. Beat the jam. Socialize with the husband and the dogs.

What is the hardest thing about being an author?Trying to be one while holding down a full time, very stressful job! But I've got bills to pay. (Sighs copiously again.)

(Sighs with you – day jobs!!)

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?
Over the years? I run newspaper columns as well, and I get emails asking me about this, and that. I reply to every email. On my fiction, I get the occasional email.

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?
 I love great storytellers. JK Rowling. Suzanne Collins. Anyone who tells a good story.

And your own TBR pile?
I'm currently reading Wither by Lauren DeStefano. I have Forest of Bones and Teeth waiting. Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

We have the same books in our TBR piles – lol

** Giveaway **

I am so happy to be able to tell you that Artemis has offered you a chance to win a .mobi copy of Snow White and the Alien.  You can leave a message for Artemis in the comments and I will draw a lucky winner on 07 October 2011.  She will contact you with your prize!

Here are some links if you want to see more.

Links:

This is the book on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Snow-White-Alien-ebook/dp/B005IHALMC/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83414

My (always in construction because my lazy husband won't finish it) website is at www.artemishunt.org

Thank you so much for chatting with us today, Artemis. 

Author interview and Giveaway with Shaun Jeffrey

Shaun, the author of THE KULT (soon to be a movie we hope!) joins us today for our author interview.

Let’s get to know him a little better.

 

Author bio:Shaun Jeffrey was brought up in a house in a cemetery, so it was only natural for his prose to stray towards the dark side when he started writing. He has had four novels published, 'The Kult', 'Deadfall', 'Fangtooth' and 'Evilution', and one collection of short stories, 'Voyeurs of Death'. Among his other writing credits are short stories published in Cemetery Dance, Surreal Magazine, Dark Discoveries and Shadowed Realms. The Kult was optioned for film by Gharial Productions.





 




Goodreads blurb:People are predictable. That's what makes them easy to kill.

Acting out of misguided loyalty to his friends, police officer Prosper Snow is goaded into helping them perform a copycat killing, but when the real killer comes after him, it's not only his life on the line, but his family's too. Now if he goes to his colleagues for help, he risks being arrested for murder. If he doesn't, he risks being killed.







Shaun, when did you start writing?
I started writing when I was at school. LoL. Seriously though, with regards fiction, I started writing stories about twenty six years ago, but I did stop for about six years due to work commitments which involved driving to and from work, a round trip of 110 miles a day that left me too tired to write.

You can tell me nothing about long commutes!!  LoL  

How long does it usually take you to write a book?
It varies, but on average it takes me about six months to write a first draft, and then a lifetime to keep improving it.

Do I detect a perfectionist in there?

What inspired you to write this book?To be honest I never really know what inspires me to write anything. Sometimes ideas pop into my head, and if I think there might be something in it, I start jotting down a few notes then I just start writing. The Kult actually started out as a completely different book to how it ended up but I think it all worked out in the end.

What kind of research did you have to do?
The old adage goes, ‘Write what you know’. Well The Kult is about a serial killer, so to research it I had to go out and kill a lot of people. Believe me, it was messy and I was lucky not to get caught. OK, maybe I didn’t really do that (or at least I’m not going to admit to it), but to research for the book I had to delve into the world of killers by reading a lot of books about them to try to get inside a killer’s head as much as I could. And believe me, it’s a scary place to be.

Goodness, you nearly gave me a hot flush!!  LoL  Thought for sure I would have to cancel our interview!  :)

I love the eerie cover - who designed it?The book started out as a paperback that was published by a small press publisher that’s sadly now folded. The original cover was done by an artist called Daniele Serra. The current ebook cover was one that I purchased from Dara England.

What is your next project?I’m preparing the release of another book featuring the protagonist from The Kult, Prosper Snow entitled Killers. I’m also working on another book that’s completely unrelated. After that I would like to write another Prosper Snow novel, but I guess it depends on what sort of reaction the second book receives. As The Kult has now been filmed by an independent production company, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that when/if it gets released, it helps draw a little more attention to the books. There’s a trailer on Youtube for anyone interested:



How does a typical day in your life go?
A typical day consists of getting up, eating breakfast, checking my emails, procrastinating, procrastinating some more, then I might go for a jog or the gym. I work shifts as a signalling and telecommunications engineer, so when I’m on an early shift it’s straight to work, but then the checking emails etc., starts when I get home. I also check to see if any kind soul has purchased a copy of my book(s). Then in the evening my son and I go to Tae Kwon Do lessons a couple of times a week. Sometimes during a day I even manage to write a few words.

Procrastination is my middle name – I am the queen!  

What is the hardest thing about being an author?
Writing. Plain and simple. It’s not easy to put together a series of words that makes some sort of sense, and in a fashion that people would want to keep reading.

Do you hear from your readers much?  What do they say?
I don’t get much reader feedback directly, and the only things I usually see are regarding my work is in the form of either good or bad reviews. Luckily, most of the reviews are good, but obviously you can’t please everyone, so bad reviews appear too from people that don’t like my work. But I appreciate the time anyone takes to write a review, whether good or bad.

That is a good attitude to have.  Not everyone can like the same thing – just think how boring life would be!  I admire authors, sometimes they have to have such thick skin.  I would never be able to do it!  

Who are some of the authors that inspire you?As I know how hard it is, anyone who can finish writing a book inspires me. But some of my favourite authors are Graham Masterton, Stephen King and Richard Laymon.

And your own TBR pile?
Man, I have a huge TBR pile but there’s an assortment of books from the classics to completely new books. Most of them are in the horror/thriller/dark fiction category. Now that I have a Kindle, I seem to read more than I used to of late, but I still find it hard to find the time so my TBR pile just seems to keep growing out of control.

** Giveaway **

Shaun has generously offered us a free eCopy (mobi or PDF format) of The Kult.
Just leave a message in the comments and I will draw a lucky winner on 04 October 2011.


Links: 
Website: http://www.shaunjeffrey.com/
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/The-Kult-ebook/dp/B004TGT3S6/
http://www.amazon.com/Kult-Shaun-Jeffrey/dp/1466247991/

Thank you for joining us today, Shaun and we wish you much success with your books (and movies) in future!