Authors in the Spotlight 1/31

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have Wanda Murry, Wanda Luthman, and Geraldine Davis!

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Name: Wanda Murry
 
How long have you been published? 1st book was in 2011. 2nd book published November 2016

What's the worst part about being published? The first time was the money I extended but never recouped in sales.

What's the best part about being published? It is a dream accomplished.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? *What are the highs, if any? *What are the lows, if any? I did my first book through AuthorHouse. The high was having them do my cover which featured my only granddaughter at the time. It was beautiful and fit just right. The low was the cost to purchase direct from them wasn’t discounted enough; and because I am a horrible sales person, I have yet to recoup the investment made upfront. However, on my recent self-published book through Amazon’s CreateSpace I like the discount I receive as the author; the Author’s page I’m given, and the fact that there is no upfront costs associated with it.

What is the name of your book(s)? My Soul Cries…Holy, Holy, Holy (Developing Child-Like Faith Through Simple Inspirations) and Emotionally Charged: A Poetic Journey in the Issues of Life

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes, for both. The first was a compilation of inspirational texts that I began sending out in 2007. The second was poetry I’ve been setting on for 20-30 years that I’d never done anything with. 

What's the hardest part about writing a book? For me, it’s not chasing rabbits in my thought process as I am writing. I can veer off track with what I was intending to say at times with storylines that are better suited to a different book I have in mind or in the works.
 
What's the easiest part about writing a book? Writing when my thoughts are fresh – usually in the morning.
 
Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon & CreateSpace
 
Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? Yes. I am starting work on the second “My Soul Cries” which will be daily inspirations which I tentatively hope to have out by the end of September 2017. I’m also working on a “Speak True Life” series of booklets that will deal with various biblical aspects for living a Christian life. I don’t have a tentative date for the series. 

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook 

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Name: Wanda Luthman

How long have you been published? Since Oct. 2014

What's the worst part about being published? I can’t think of anything. It’s a dream come true for me!

What's the best part about being published? Realizing a lifelong dream and joining the Indie Community! They are wonderful people and I never knew this world was out there.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I’m self-published.

*What are the highs, if any? The highs are when a child wants to buy my book and is excited for me to sign it to them personally. 

*What are the lows, if any? The lows are the rejections from bookstores and libraries. I had no idea before I was published that places for books would reject authors.

What is the name of your book(s)? I have 3 (2 are chapter books for ages 7-11 and 1 is a picture book for ages 0-5):
The Lilac Princess is my first chapter book.
A Turtle’s Magical Adventure is my second chapter book.
Little Birdie Grows Up is my newest book and it is a picture book.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes and no. It’s easy for me to write when the ideas are flowing faster than my fingers can type. The editing part is a bit more difficult.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Editing. I want to be sure my book is the best it can be, so I agonize over editing.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part by far is typing as the ideas are flowing. I get in a zone and it’s so much fun!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? My books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and they can purchase from me directly and I’ll be happy to personally sign the book(s)—they can reach me via my website or by email at wandalu64@gmail.com.

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? Oh yes! I have 3 more books coming out this year! I hope to have Gloria & The Unicorn out early this year (2017) and Franky, the Finicky Flamingo out this summer and Dirk & The Dragon (the sequel to The Lilac Princess) out this fall.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?
You can follow me on my blog/website, my Facebook Fanpage, on Twitter, or on Amazon. 

Thank you so much for interviewing me today and helping me spread the word about my children’s books!

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Name: Geraldine Davis

How long have you been published? I had my first book, Suspended, published in 2012. My second book, A Traveler’s Journey, was published in 2013. 

What's the worst part about being published? Trying to get the work right in every way.

What's the best part about being published? Having others read your work and having them tell you how much they loved it and telling me how much they want to have more.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? *What are the highs, if any? *What are the lows, if any? I went through a publisher with, Suspended, but chose to do it myself for, A Traveler’s Journey. The publisher setup my advertising and book signing for my début. But I chose to do it myself for the second book because of health issues for the publisher and it gave me a chance to do it all for myself to see what it was really all about. It wasn’t that bad.

What is the name of your book(s)? Suspended published 2012 and A Traveler’s Journey in 2013

Was it/were they an easy write for you? They we both pretty easy to write. I wrote, Suspended, because I needed an escape from a house full of family. My daughter was ill and needed to stay with me for a while to recover and she has six children that all had to stay as well. Writing gave me the getaway I needed. When I wrote, A Traveler’s Journey, I had become just gotten home from church with a sermon still swirling around in my head making me think about my own life choices. I needed to get it outside of me to take a better look at myself.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Not being able to connect with my new friends when the story is over.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Truly, making or creating my new friends, giving them life and love. Then being able to put small parts of me into the storyline sometimes helps me to let go of some of the things that could be bothering me at the time I’m writing.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon has both books and I understand that I can grab Suspended at Barnes and Noble’s website now.

Do you have any future projects in the works? *Is there a tentative release date? I have had to take a little time away from my writing due to life but I do have a couple of new writes coming up for late summer. One is a sequel for, Suspended, and another one that goes in a brand new direction for me. It will still be Christian fiction. 

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?

Just Facebook.

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Join me on Thursday as I bring to you authors Allysa Hart and Sidney Reetz! 

 

Authors in the Spotlight 1/24

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors David McCaffrey, Christopher Sheriff, and Diana Karanja!

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Name: David McCaffrey

How long have you been published? Two years

What's the best part about being published? Knowing that there is someone out there, reading a story that was precious to you and that you worked hard on and that they’re enjoying it…hopefully! But actually, even negative reviews are always rewarding for two reasons: they can often provide you with valid suggestions you hadn’t considered to help improve your writing in future and secondly, it means that someone actual read something you wrote! Which is always exciting!

What's the worst part about being published? Trying to believe in yourself and that you perhaps have something worthwhile to contribute to the literary world. But then you have to try and take a step back and try and believe that your stories, your characters, your worlds you have created have given someone, maybe just one person a few hours of pleasure and escapism and then that makes is all worthwhile.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Both actually. I initially found success initially via the crowd funding route with publishing house, Britain’s Next Bestseller. Following that, I went down the indie route with my second book, purely to try a different experience in relation to publishing. I found both rewarding and enlightening, learning a great deal about marketing, promoting and building your mailing list amongst other things. At the moment, I kind of hover between both worlds.

*What are the highs, if any? Definitely seeing the responses to your book, good, bad or indifferent and being able, certainly in regards to the indie publishing route, having more control over your product.

*What are the lows, if any? I haven’t experienced any…yet!

What is the name of your book(s)? My debut novel was titled Hellbound, the follow up was a novella prequel titled In Extremis with a third book in the series on the way titled Nameless. I was also the ghostwriter on Stephen Sayers first crime novel released last year called By Any Means Necessary

Was it/were they an easy write for you? The Hellbound Anthology were fairly straightforward, though I had to go to some dark places to get inside the head of the antagonists I was writing about and some of those thoughts and personality traits were hard to shake afterwards.

As for the ghost writing aspect, I did find it difficult initially as I was taking someone else’s ideas, someone else’s storyline and then trying to do justice to their vision. Initially, I felt I had to try and emulate other authors in that particular genre, but really struggled as you would because people like Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers, Mel Sharrett etc. are masters at their craft. Once I took a step back and realised I just needed to write in my own way then it all became a great deal easier. It took me a little longer to get to know the characters than it normally would if they were my creation, but once I did I became just as protective of them as I would my own! And Stephen was very pleased with the end result and it has generated some really positive feedback. It was an honor to have been such an integral part of someone’s passionate idea.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Developing the storyline. I work with a beat sheet, which I create for every book and which is a series of bullet points broadly outlining the plot. Then it’s simply a matter of going back into those bullet points and filling the gaps with detail.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Hmmm, probably ensuring, especially when it is part of a series, that your continuity is correct and you haven’t left any huge plot holes!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? They are available via Amazon in the U.K. and Amazon.com.

They are also available at the following: www.bnbsbooks.co.uk, www.davidmccaffrey.net, and for the book I worked on with Stephen Sayers, here www.thesayers.co.uk.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Nameless, the next book in the Hellbound Anthology is due for release the end of March. I have another book lined up with Stephen due around October 2017 and a medical thriller called ‘The Warmest Place to Hide’ which is due towards the end of the year (sneak peek there as the title has never been shared before!).

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Readers can contact me via Facebook, Twitter, and e mail me at info@davidmccaffrey.net. I reply to every single message and e mail I get personally. I love engaging with readers and fans and feel it’s important that you make the time to get to know them. After all, the only reason I am here, doing what I love is because of them.

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Name: Christopher Sheriff

How long have you been published? I have been published for one month.

What's the worst part about being published? To be honest I can not think of any negative things about being published but if I had to I would say that seeing the lack of numbers on the report is discouraging sometimes.

What's the best part about being published? The best part of being published is that I can say that I accomplished it; I wrote a book and it is something I accomplished that no one else in my family has done. The pride, in a good way, is the best part of being published.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I am self-published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing

*What are the highs, if any? The highs of writing my first book were the day I hit publish on KDP, the first download and ending my first week with 300+ total downloads

*What are the lows, if any? The lows were some of the frustration of having “writer’s block” and feeling you should have a better result

What is the name of your book(s)? The name of my book is Three Rules to a Stressed-Less Life

Was it/were they an easy write for you? This book was fairly easy to write compared to what I have heard from others; it seemed to roll off my finger-tips and just appear on the screen.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? I would say that the hardest part of writing a book is simply just making the decision to sit down and make a conscious effort to start. The hardest part of any endeavor is getting started and once you take that first step the rest is easy.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest part of writing my book was actually the process itself as my book was one I had put into practice for some time now.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon.com and Kindle App

Do you have any future projects in the works? I do; 1. How to Be a One Trick Pony, Using Your #1 Talent to Enhance Your Other Talents; and 2. How to Encourage Others, 5 Phrases Everyone Needs to Hear

*Is there a tentative release date? #2 should be released early Feb.; #1 should be released late March

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? My website will be up shortly the url is U-R-G-E.com; I can also be found on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Name: Diana Karanja

How long have you been published? I’ve had my short stories regularly published for about four years in the fiction page of a Regional newspaper, The East African. My first full length novel is only four months old in the market.

What's the worst part about being published? The feeling that perhaps I could have done better—perhaps added more plot twists, more imagery, even though deep down I know I gave it my best.

What's the best part about being published? That’s got to be having strangers buy and read my book. It feels great to get positive reviews from readers who have bought my book because it caught their eye, and not because they’re my family or my friends.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Self-Published. 

*What are the highs, if any? Hitting the ‘Publish’ button on amazon. There is no feeling like that. I doubt I got any sleep that night. I had finally done after years of yearning to get my work out there.

*What are the lows, if any? The realization that I have to do the marketing myself. I’m a writer, not a business person, but with self-publishing, it doesn’t end with writing the novel. You have to wear the business hat, which can get tough for us introverts.

What is the name of your book(s)? Daniella’s Daughter

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Some bits were easy to write, the words forming faster than my fingers could type. And then there were the days when I wondered why I wanted to write a novel in the first place. Those were the days when getting a thousand words on paper was like wringing water from a stone.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Transitions and figuring out which scenes will work best to carry the story forward. 

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The easiest and most interesting part of writing a book for me is the initial foundation work of characterization and plotting. I love bringing my characters to life before beginning the actual writing. I enjoy creating a persona for them and when done right, the novel flows seamlessly.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Interested readers can purchase Daniella’s Daughter on Amazon. 

Do you have any future projects in the works? I do, though it’s title less for now. The novel explores the lives of two families who are torn apart after the discovery that their children were switched at birth. 

*Is there a tentative release date? Yes, in April (Fingers crossed).

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? I write weekly short stories for my blog, http://www.dianakaranja.wordpress.com

Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading more from you in the future! Thank you! It was a pleasure.

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Join me on Thursday as I bring you Larry Garner and Peris DeVohn Edward !

 

When The Reason For Your Dirve...

Doesn't match someone else's...

I find it rather interesting that when a person has a different opinion about an issue or an opposing view, then their very being comes in to question. I have been noticing this a lot on social media and I can't help but to wonder why that is. Why is it that a difference of opinion means that someone is less than you? Less intelligent, less beautiful, less confident, less financially stable, less talented, less open minded, and the list is endless. Why is that?

What drives me, will not drive you. What inspires me, will not inspire you. What I see as beautiful, you may see as hideous. We are not all supposed to view the world in the same lighting or think of the world in the same regard. We just aren't. Having an opinion allows our individuality to shine; at least to me anyway. I don't want to think like you or anyone else; I don't want to be like everyone else. I enjoy thinking differently, speaking differently, feeling differently. I enjoy everything about me that makes me stand out as an individual. You would think that others would enjoy that about themselves as well.

If ever there was an example for me to reference, it would be the entire political goings on here in the United States. So many have been disrespected and attacked because they chose to exercise their OPINION on a subject that not everyone saw eye to eye on. They shared what drove them to make the political choices that they did and some are being "punished" for doing so. What is the purpose of voicing how you feel if someone is going to attempt to snuff out your very voice?

We don't know what drives another individual to do what they do, say what they say, or anything else. Sadly, some of us don't even know what drives ourselves. The one thing that we SHOULD know is that if another person is driven in this life to do something, especially something positive, then we as decent individuals should encourage them the best way we can and not tear them down as a result of it. It takes a lot to be driven when it's so easy to become distracted, so the fact that anyone is driven in this day and age, we should all be cheering them on. Hell, we should allow their drive to infect us enough to push us in our own drive; to kick start those in the ass that don't have any drive at all.

But hey, that is just my opinion...

Authors in the Spotlight 1/19

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have authors Angel Scott, Stacy McWilliams, and Guy Thair!

  

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Name: Angel Scott or Angel H Scott

How long have you been published? since 2012

What's the worst part about being published? Everyone can see your books and then give you bad reviews or comments once they read your work.

What's the best part about being published? Being an author! And to know when someone likes your book!

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? I am with a publisher called Lots Cave for my taboo, romance, novels, self published for my Weekend Gone Wrong Series, and my vampire steamy romance is with a publisher who is also an author herself. Her name is Nicola C. Matthews.

*What are the highs, if any? The highs are the fact that I had an editor, help with the cover, and help with the promotion for the publisher. The highs for self publishing is that you can do all of it yourself for free with create space and you can re-do things for your books when you want to and there is no deadline.

*What are the lows, if any? The low for the publisher is that you don't get all your money. And they don't always like the pictures I pick. The low for self publishing is no editing without money.

What is the name of your book(s)? Jinx'd, Collaring Ash, The Taming of Andy Savage - all by Angel H Scott and Nicola C. Matthews; Trick Or Treat, The Lesson, The Jailbird, The Punishment, My Handsome Brother, My Horny Cousin - All written by Angel Scott; Daddy's Little Valentines is written by Angel Scott and Randi B. King; Mamma's Boy is written by Angel Scott and Larry Scott. Weekend Gone Wrong: The Nightmare Returns, The Return is wrote by Angel H Scott

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes. Had to look up BDSM some though for the taboo books.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Coming up with new names. And trying to add new descriptive words.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The ideas are endless. The plot is easy to come up with as well.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Lots Cave website, Barns and Noble, Smashwords, or Amazon.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Yes. I re-wrote Weekend Gone Wrong. My very first book.

*Is there a tentative release date? Either January or February 2017.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook.

  

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Name: Stacy McWilliams 

How long have you been published? Around one and a half years 

What's the worst part about being published? Putting your work out there and letting everyone scrutinise it.

What's the best part about being published? Getting reviews, interacting with readers.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Self published 

*What are the highs, if any? Hitting number 2 on amazon UK was a high point of last year and having someone contact me to tell me I was a favourite author was incredible. 

*What are the lows, if any? Bad reviews or someone really hating your work is the worst. It really knocks your confidence and makes you question why you write, but you get over it and become stronger.

What is the name of your book(s)? Candlelight, Luminosity and Ignition. I also have one about to be released called Destroyed by Deception.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Yes and no, when writing it's easy to get lost in the story, but if you take a break or lose confidence it can be hard to get it back. 

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Editing. It's hard passing your book to someone to pick it apart and it's vital to find someone you can trust to edit and to work with.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? The mid part of the story is probably the easiest for me. It's when I'm engrossed and enjoying what I'm writing the most.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon, iBooks, Nook, B&N.

Do you have any future projects in the works? Yes I have two finished pieces of work, one almost finished and two books to write before summer. 

*Is there a tentative release date? Yes, I have a new release on January 21st and one hopefully for June with another in October. 

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Yes, you can find me on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. 

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Name: Guy Thair (blogging as dalecooper57 since 2012)

How long have you been published? Only a couple of months

What's the worst part about being published?
Not instantly selling loads of books, I suppose. Honestly, I'm just thrilled I've had a book published.

What's the best part about being published? HAVING A BOOK PUBLISHED!! It's a great feeling, especially since it was all a bit of an accident in the first place.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? A small publisher helped me get it into print, the same one who had previously published some short stories I'd written, in anthologies of work by new writers.

*What are the highs, if any? *What are the lows, if any? Knowing what I know now, I might have published The Wrong Stuff myself, but the publisher was very helpful so I'm not complaining, particularity since they're doing half the promotion for me.

What is the name of your book(s)? The Wrong Stuff.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? It was surprisingly easy, although I didn't know I was writing a novel at the time, so I suppose that removed the element of pressure to write. I use writing prompts from other bloggers to inspire me and, in November of 2015, I began a story based on the single word, "Stuff". After reaching the end of the initial post I thought the story was worth continuing, so I decided to use each subsequent prompt to write a new chapter, until to my surprise I had done that 35 times and had essentially written the book. It was unedited and totally improvised when I wrote it and that's exactly how the publisher took it (there were four typos). I even designed the cover myself.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? I can't think of anything specific, it was a most entertaining experience.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? I really did just sit down and make it up as I went along, without any plan about plot, characters, or anything, all based on the word "Stuff".

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? On Amazon.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I intend to write a sequel to The Wrong Stuff, (the publisher asked for one as soon as they read the draft of this book) but I'm always writing stories on my blog, Diary of an Internet Nobody.

*Is there a tentative release date? Not as yet.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Twitter, Facebook, and http://www.diaryofaninternetnobody.com/

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Join me next week as I bring you more authors!

Authors in the Spotlight 1/17

In today's Authors in the Spotlight, we have Tania L. Ramos, CJ Bower, and E. Denise Caldon Sorkness !

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Name: Tania L Ramos

How long have you been published? First published on 2012

What's the worst part about being published? Marketing is by far the most difficult part of being published. Nobody tells you that after you publish a book, you have to get a degree in marketing to promote the book.

What's the best part about being published? The best part about being published is a sense of self-accomplishment in knowing that I was able to fulfill a life long dream.

Are you self published or did you go through a publishing company? Technically I am self-published, but I did use a company to do all the dirty work for me so I am published under their name. This is a paid for publishing entity, so it really is a toss up as whether to say self-published or assisted published..  

*What are the highs, if any? The highs of being published are getting this absolute giddy sensation whenever I finish writing a book. There is also a definite euphoric feeling in being able to physically touch something I birthed into print. I could only liken the emotion to those butterflies one gets when they meet someone special.

*What are the lows, if any? The lows are the worst. Those come in steady increments: writer's block and all the self-shaming that comes with that. Having my manuscript come back from editing bleeding of red editor's notes. And marketing my heart out to see 40 hours of efforts may have yielded a few downloads or purchases that week, but not enough to retire me so I can write for a living.

What is the name of your book(s)? I have two fiction novels: Be Still and Life by Chance. I also have one guide book of all the lessons I learned as a new author titled, Surviving the Writing Apocalypse.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Writing Be Still flowed quite effortlessly. There is one book prior to that, but it's not main stream published, it was more of a use for cutting my teeth so to speak. Once I finished that book, writing Be Still flowed with ease.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? The hardest part about writing a book is sticking to writing. Once my brain gets an idea I can easily get through about 50,000 words, after that new characters and new stories start trying to push through. Staying focused and pushing through is the most difficult part of writing.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? I'm not sure there is an easy part of writing. Even in writing Be Still there were times of writer's block and tons of doubt. In all honesty, the easiest part of writing is coming up with characters, but it's downhill from there.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? My books are available through all online markets: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBook, Google etc. They are in print and e-books.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am currently working on a new book. I've taken a somewhat tragic and infuriating personal event from life and turned it into fiction. The basic premise is, a handsome Marine turns out to be a lying narcissist who leaves a trail of women, until he messes the wrong one.

*Is there a tentative release date? This book is still being written and was by 2016 NaNoWriMo project.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? I'm on Twitter and Facebook and my personal website is www.TaniaLRamos.com.

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Name: CJ Bower

How long have you been published? I will be celebrating my first bookaversary on January 18, 2017.

What's the worst part about being published? It isn’t the worst part, but it’s definitely the scariest! Putting my work out there and not having anyone enjoy it. I think the hardest part of being a published author is having to promote my own work. I have no marketing experience at all, so it’s been a steep learning curve for me. I’ve been absorbing tips and tricks from my fellow authors. Some have worked, and others have failed. Unfortunately there’s no one magic formula to advertising and book sales.

What's the best part about being published? The positive feedback I’ve received from a everyone who’s read and enjoyed my stories.

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? I was introduced to Beachwalk Press through another author, who happens to be in my critique group. They’ve accepted three of my works so far, with a fourth on track for a 2017 release.

*What are the highs, if any?  The highs include working with an amazing publishing team dedicated to the success of every single author under their label and not having to pay for the upfront costs of putting a book together. That includes the editor, cover artist and formatting for both print and ebook.

*What are the lows, if any? The publisher has all control over pricing and releases. They also have the final say in the cover art and design.

What is the name of your book(s)? I have three books out at this time. On Track with Icing, book one of my Caked with Pleasure series, is my first, released January 18, 2016. The sports-themed anthology, In It To Win It was released on July 18, 2016, and Icing the Competition, Caked with Pleasure series book 2, was released November 15, 2016.

Was it/were they an easy write for you? None of them were easy. Especially On Track with Icing, because Jacqui goes through a similar emotional journey that I went through. For both of us, it was the single most difficult decision we had to make.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Creating story lines of similar themes that have a fresh, new take on them. It’s about giving the audience something new and exciting to sink their proverbial teeth into, while at the same time wrapping them in a blanket of comfort and familiar. There are only so many different tropes out there, and every author has the challenge of presenting those tropes in a new and exciting way.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Creating the amazing character profiles! Is my hero a millionaire plumber with a secret love for figure skating? Or is my heroine a ball-busting executive who is ashamed of her desire to be dominated? What kind of emotional journey does my couple need to go through in order to be together? What obstacles do they need to overcome? The possibilities are endless!

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? My books are available at most online retailers. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, BookStrand (which is new to me), and Beachwalk Press.

Do you have any future projects in the works? My current Work-in-Progress is book three of the Caked with Pleasure series, Knotted Up with Passion.

*Is there a tentative release date? No tentative release date yet, but hopefully sometime early in 2017!

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers?
I can be found at the following social media sites: Facebook, My website, and Twitter.

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Name: E. Denise Caldon Sorkness

How long have you been published? November 2015

What's the worst part about being published? Marketing as a self-publisher. 

What's the best part about being published? Every Veteran and their family have a story Congress and our Nation need to hear.  My book allows me to share our family’s story worldwide, in which I encourage others, as Winston Churchill said, to “Never, Never, Give up.” 

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? Self-Published

*What are the highs, if any? Minimal upfront costs to self-publishing.

*What are the lows, if any? Self-editing and self-marketing are challenges of self-publishing. 

What is the name of your book(s)? “Stall, Deny, and Hope They Die” – The VA’s Unwritten Policy... The Story of One Widow’s 19-Year Battle with the VA          

Was it/were they an easy write for you? Once I finally set my mind to write, yes.  The dream of every writer is to have their heart type the words for them, and, as the voice of so many Veterans and their Families, my heart would not stop “writing” once I started. 

I am now in my twentieth year fighting for my VA DIC Spousal Benefits through insurmountable and never-ending paperwork. My book encourages Veterans and their Families – who each have their own story - to live each day remembering….through relentless faith, love, and perseverance, your family, just like ours today, will, one day, know, “The Impossible Dream” is, indeed, “Possible.”   

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Visualizing the reader as you proof your drafts to ensure your words are “captivating,” yet, real.  An Author’s goal is to have the reader comprehend the true magnitude of the story on a personal level.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Authors believing by typing their story through their heart, mind and soul, their words will make a difference, one day, to someone.  For me, one Veteran and their family at a time.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Amazon.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am seeking a traditional publisher for my self-published book and a film producer, while scheduling speaking engagements and Podcast interviews.

Actress, Reese Witherspoon, corresponded with me for three months as she was considering producing a film on our family’s story. She said in her initial email to me:

“I am so excited that you have written a book to tell the world your story. People need to hear it and connect a face and a family to this injustice.” “Like my grandmother always said, "If you want something done, ask a Southern woman to do it."

*Is there a tentative release date? A Podcast interview was recently aired, with two more scheduled this month - along with another Facebook Interview.     

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Facebook, YouTube Speech Part1, YouTube Speech Part2, Radio Talk Show Interview with Host Jim Beach November 2016: To hear my interview, click on the radio link under the title on the website; wait for download; scroll to 36.53 to begin. Global Watchdog, American Widow Project, The Veterans Site, YouTube, YouTube TV Interview, LinkedIn

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Join me on Thursday as I bring to you authors Angel Scott, Stacy McWilliams, and Guy Thair!