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Ending the week with, you guessed it, an author interview! Here we go!!!  Jennifer Pierce currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and River Valley Writers, where she serves as secretary. Her debut novel, Hidden Danger, won a 2019 Selah Award and her 2nd novel finaled in the 2019 Selah Awards.  Publisher: Anaiah Press Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense Release Date: 10/27/20 A complete stranger is the only one who can help determine the connection between her past and her present. Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of thugs about to walk through the diner’s front door. Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she'll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why. As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn't believe he's worthy of Quinn's love--or God's. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son's life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other? Read a short excerpt... Reid’s phone vibrated on the tabletop. He didn’t recognize the number. He contemplated ignoring it but decided against it. He swiped the screen and put it to his ear. “Reid.” “Are you at the meet?” Joe’s voice boomed from the other side. “Where are you? I’ve been waiting over an hour.” Reid let his annoyance be evident in his voice. “I’m not coming.” The answer was clipped. “You had me sit in this hole-in-the-wall for an hour and didn’t even bother to call and tell me you weren’t going to make it?” Annoyance turned to anger as he clenched his fist. “Do you see the waitress behind the counter and the little red-haired boy that just ran in? Quinn Matthews and her son, JJ.” Joe must be close by and watching if he knew the boy had just shown up. “Yes, I see them. Along with the druggie busboy, thieving cashier, and ogling cook. What about them?” “You have five minutes to get them out of there before men come in and try to kidnap them.” “Five minutes! What is this? What’s going on, Joe?” His pulse pounded as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Joe couldn’t have called to have him get her out sooner. Now, the window of time was dwindling. “There’s no time to explain. They’re here now. I’ll stall them as long as I can. Get those two out now!” The line went dead. Great. Just great. He had mere minutes to convince that woman to grab her son and leave with him—a complete stranger. He wasn’t sure his rusty powers of persuasion would work this time, but he’d give it a shot. Joe had saved him several times, and he’d returned the favor on occasion. This was serious business, and Joe trusted him. Reid wouldn’t let him down The Interview... Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I’m seeing some posts pop up in my Facebook memories where I tried to write in 2011 but didn’t make it past signing up for NaNoWriMo and not actually doing any writing. I didn’t get the actual writing bug until 2015. My dad died in January 2014 and reading became my therapy. I read 135 books that year. At some point in 2015 I was reading a book and thought “I can do this. I can write a book.” And I did. Well, three now. How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? God has been in the midst of the whole thing. I wrote my debut novel for a contest with Love Inspired Suspense, Blurb to Book. I didn’t make it past stage one but I finished and submitted through regular channels. It was rejected. So I sat on it. I had already started book 2. I didn’t have any other publishing prospects and I wasn’t really looking too hard either. But my bestie kept hounding me to find a publisher. One day I was on my lunch break and a friend posted on Facebook that #PitMad was going on Twitter. I thought, “Why, not?” I boiled my novel down to 144 characters, this was before Twitter gave us those extra letters. I got a like and it’s all history from there. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? The hardest part is dealing with author self-doubt. Putting yourself out there and hoping you don’t make a fool of yourself. Lol. The most enjoyable is people telling me how much they like the book or what they do or don’t like. I love being able to share with them.  Would you go back and change anything? No. As a matter of fact I touch on that in Hidden Danger. I wouldn’t change things. No matter what I’ve done in my past, good or bad, it has made me who I am today and taken me where I am. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? My plan is to continue working and writing. Maybe some day I’ll be able to become a full time writer. But God’s plans for my life are ultimately what I want. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Don’t give up! Don’t you do it. Keep going. Keep writing. Keep reading. Surround yourself with other writers. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? Neither. Mustard Night or Day? Night Inside or Outside? Inside Dogs or Cats? Dogs Twitter or Facebook? Facebook Ebook or Paperback? Who cares as long as I can read. Sun or Rain? Sun Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Pencil and notebook Comedy or Drama? Comedy Chips or Chocolate? Chocolate 
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It's Bi Visibility Day! And to celebrate I'm THRILLED to welcome a fabulous author to the blog to chat about their books and journey to publication! Check it out...  M. Rose Flores lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with her spouse Stephen and their three fluffy beasts, collectively known as Legion (the cats, not the spouse). She is currently working on a degree, two novels, and two collaborative graphic novels. When Rose isn’t writing or studying, she works as a professional dog trainer and loves every part of it, even the copious amounts of drool. The Island is her second novel, the sequel to The End.  Abnormal/Variant, book 1 On Cate Mortensen’s seventeenth birthday, her family is scattered in a fight for survival, and she and her sister Melody are catapulted headfirst into a world where their phones are just hunks of plastic, they must scavenge for every bite, and they sleep with weapons in their hands. Traveling alone, and then not so alone, they follow the route their family planned to Alcatraz Island where the hope of safety and a real life awaits.After more than a year on the road, Cate has found three things to be true. One: Zombies are a thing now. Two: Not all zombies are just zombies. Three (the game changer): Cate is immune to the infection.  Abnormal/Variant, book 2 Two years after the end of the world, Cate and Marco have finally found a place for their people to start over. Sustainable and safe from zombies, the island is everything they hoped it would be. It seems the worst may finally be over; they can stop surviving and begin to live again. But the arrival of two new people sets in motion a chain of events that throw the island into unrest, and Cate must fight for her love, her people, and her sense of self. Can the inhabitants of Alcatraz Island find a way to come together when everything around them is falling apart? Almost two years before their arrival on the island, just after the event that ripped their family apart, Marco began an aimless journey. With his foster family gone—some dead, some vanished—once again, Marco was on his own and sure it was for the best; other people only slowed you down, ended up as liabilities, or worse. Alone was good. It was what he was used to. But on his journey south, he collected other wanderers and began to consider the idea of a cooperative group or, maybe, a found family. There was, after all, safety in numbers. Finally, together on the island, everyone assumes they are safe. But assumptions in a world run by zombies can be dangerous. Deadly. There is something going on in the city, terrifying and unnatural. Something that will change everything they think they know about zombies. And it’s coming to the island. Read an Excerpt from THE ISLAND... One: Home Cate Those are not people. The way they move, the fact that when we wave, they don’t wave back, and the way they are all shambling toward us down the paths to either side. It all collectively spells zombie. “Hello,” calls Calvin. No answer. Damn it. None of us has the energy to fight any more. We spent the whole night fighting to get to the island. We watched our people get maimed and die; Calvin’s Nana Mae sacrificed herself to save him, my sister Mel, and their new babies. Five other people died too, though I didn’t know any of them well. They were all Marco’s people. Now we’re all one another’s people. What a way to make a family. Toby is looking pale. His younger brother Jax, though much smaller than Toby, is doing his best to keep him upright. The place where Toby’s hand used to be, before it was clawed by an Abnormal zombie and then cut off by me to prevent infection, is wrapped in a bandage from what I’m guessing is a very limited supply. I think everything is probably limited. There wasn’t much time to pack or prepare after Mel’s labor screams drew in the horde last night. It’s not her fault. Birthing twins with nothing stronger than ibuprofen must be agony. But we had to leave in a hurry. We made it all the way to Alcatraz, barely. And now, apparently, we have to fight again. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
Who am I? It's a good, and frustrating question! At 30, I think I'm still figuring it out in small ways. I train animals currently, and I love every second. But I've been looking into a career shift, to the death industry. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised by either. I advocate for mental health and queer creators. Aside from that, I'm friendly (I swear), but quite introverted, and I write a whole lot better than I speak. If I was an animal, I think I'd be one of those feral cats who was begrudgingly adopted by some well-meaning old witch. I write dark, weird, fantastical, and very queer things. In my books, the animals always live. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I've been writing since I was very small. My mom has pieces from my childhood stashed away in a box in her basement. But I started pursuing fiction about eight years ago, when a college English teacher suggested I give it a try. How has the journey to this point been? It has been enlightening. The subjective and collaborative natures of publishing are something you can't know until you experience them. My first book was shelved, and is being re-imagined as a graphic novel I'm writing with my artist spouse. My second book, The End, got picked up by NineStar after a Twitter pitch contest.The second, The Island, just came out, and the third and final installment has already been signed, which is exciting. I'm very lucky to have another former English teacher who has taken me on in a sort of mentoring capacity. I'm trying to consume media in a more discerning way, and just get better, better, better. It's all you can do. Just keep improving. Keep learning. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? As an author with depression, the hardest part of my journey is my own brain. I beat myself up a lot when I'm not writing "enough", when just getting out of bed wipes out half my energy. So, I guess being more gentle with myself is the hardest part. I think a lot of creators experience something similar. As for the best part, all the rest. The learning, the writing and revising, and seeing and holding my books as actual things that exist int he world... It's unreal. Would you go back and change anything? I think everyone has things they'd change. But I'm here now, and I'm a result of everything that came before. All you can do is look forward. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? I'd like to have an agent within five years, a best-seller or two within ten, and—heck, why not—a book being adapted to film or television somewhere in there. Hey, Netflix, looking for a fresh take on zombies? Have I got a series for you! What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Have others look at your work. People you trust, but who are willing to give constructive criticism. If a beta reader only has good things to say, as nice as it is, they're not helping you. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? All the condiments. Night or Day? Night Inside or Outside? Outside Dogs or Cats? Yes! Twitter or Facebook? Twitter e-book or Paperback? Paperback; audiobooks are great too! I can't read on a screen for too long without my eyes going "nope!" Sun or Rain? Rain while the sun shines. Or, thunderstorms that shake the bones. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Haha! Depends on so many things! Keyboard for fleshing out stuff that may get deleted later; notebook for things that are more set in stone, or for writing down those elusive things that creep into my brain when I should be sleeping. Comedy or Drama? I like it all. Mixing genres is my favorite! Chips or Chocolate? Chocolate, always. It's author interview time! Check it out...  Allan Hudson was born in Saint John. Growing up in South Branch he was encouraged to read from an early age by his mother who was a school teacher. He lives in Cocagne with his wife Gloria. He has published the Drake Alexander Adventure series. Dark Side of a Promise, Book one. Wall of War, book two. He has a collection of short stories - A Box of Memories. He also published, Shattered Figurine – a Det. Jo Naylor Adventure. His newest work is an historical fiction of the Alexander family, originating in Govan, Scotland. The Alexanders. Vol. 1 1911 – 1920. It will be published in August, 2020. The second in the Jo Naylor series is ready for editing and will be published in late 2020 or early 2021. Also in the works is the third Drake Alexander Adventure. His short story – The Ship Breakers - received honourable mention in the New Brunswick Writer’s Federation short story contest. The story was later purchased by McGraw Hill Ryerson to be part of their iLit program for High School teachers. His short story – In the Abyss – also received Honourable Mention in the 2020 WFNB short story contest. Other short stories have been published on commuterlit.com, The Golden Ratio and his blog - South Branch Scribbler.  In the turbulent waters off Saltcoats, Scotland, Danny Alexander dies in a boating accident. He leaves behind a wife, seven children and no hope. Dominic is the middle child. With a broken heart, his mother is forced to leave him with his bachelor uncle, Duff. None of them are happy with the decision. Eleven-year-old Dominic Alexander must earn his keep. There are no free rides. Yet despite the difficulties, he finds his place in the structured world of his uncle and overcomes his loneliness. Fortune and misfortune follow the young man until adversity forces him to make a decision that will affect the rest of his life. Is emigrating to Canada the answer? The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
I live on the east coast of Canada. I’m married to a wonderful lady, Gloria, and have a loving family. I’ve had a diverse career over the years as a carpenter and a sales representative in the jewellery industry. My mother was a teacher and taught me to read at an early age. I been an avid reader since and always wanted to write stories. I write mainly action and adventure stories as well as short stories. I am publishing an historical fiction novel in the next few weeks. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? As I mentioned above, I always had ideas for stories swimming in my head. I participated in a creative writing course when I was younger and encouraged by my instructor to continue but with a career, a family, there never seemed enough time to write. It was only after I discovered that one of my favorite authors started writing when he retired at 55 years old that I was inspired to start writing at the same age, realizing it is never too late to begin. How has the journey to this point been? I’ve come to realize that there is tremendous fulfilment in writing. Creating stories and entertaining readers has been a true joy in my life. When I completed my first manuscript, I started to explore what I was going to do with it. I was in for a surprise! So many opinions, so many options, so many companies trying to take advantage of my naivete. Editing, cover design, publishing, agents, waiting months and months for replies, rejections, on and on it went. It was only when I discovered self-publishing that I knew in which direction I wanted to go. I hired a professional editor, an established cover designer and someone to format my work. Writing was, and still is, a hobby for me. Self-publishing gave me all the freedom I wanted. The rest was up to the readers. So far, it’s been a wonderful trip. Would you go back and change anything? Looking back at my stories, I sometime think that my first novel could’ve been better, less detail perhaps but it was the first thing I accomplished as an author and it’s done well. I’ve learnt many things since and have improved my work but otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? I’m looking at full retirement next year and will dedicate more time to writing. In five years from now, I hope to have completed the next four volumes of the Alexanders series. The first one is to be published this month (August) and am working on Vol. 2. I plan on having my Jo Naylor series, of which there will be five novellas, completed. The second in the series is finished and waiting for editing. I hope to add more to my original Drake Alexander series as well. Ten years is too far for me to consider but I do hope I’m well and still writing. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? I think the most important thing is what every author will tell you, just write. Don’t worry about is it good, is it terrible, let it flow and find beta readers you trust and that are willing to give you good feedback. Writing groups are a good idea as well. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? – Neither. Night or Day? – Definitely day. Inside or Outside? – Outside as much as possible Dogs or Cats? – Neither. Twitter or Facebook? – Both. e-book or Paperback? – Paperback for sure. Sun or Rain? – Either. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Keyboard, I have terrible penmanship. Comedy or Drama? - Drama Chips or Chocolate? – Chocolate & more chocolate. I'm ending the week with another super fun and informative author interview today! Just look at this cover! Check it out...  Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words and hoping to one day find her own DeLorean time machine. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with her husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next.  Lark Espinoza could get lost in her music—and she’s not so sure anyone in her family would even care to find her. Her trendy, party-loving twin sister and her mother-come-lately Beth, who’s suddenly sworn off men and onto homemaking, don’t understand her love of cassette tapes, her loathing of the pop scene, or her standoffish personality. For outcast Lark, nothing feels as much like a real home as working at Bubble’s Oddities store and trying to attract the attention of the cute guy who works at the Vinyl shop next door—the same one she traded lyrical notes with in class. Auden Ellis silences the incessant questions in his own head with a steady stream of beats. Despite the unconditional love of his aunt-turned-mother, he can’t quit thinking about the loss of his parents—or the possibility he might end up afflicted with his father’s issues. Despite his connection with lyric-loving Lark, Auden keeps her at arm’s length because letting her in might mean giving her a peek into something dangerous. When two strangers arrive in town, one carrying a mysterious, dark object and the other playing an eerie flute tune, Lark and Auden find that their painful pasts have enmeshed them in a cursed future. Now, they must come to terms with their budding attraction while helping each other challenge the reflection they see in the mirror. If they fail, they’ll be trapped for eternity in a place beyond reality. The Interview... Who are you and what do you write?
My name's Candace and I write YA and NA, mostly fantasy/paranormal. All the things I've written tend to have a little bit of quirkiness as well as romantic chemistry. I just love dark aspects so much and love to factor them into anything I write. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? I decided I wanted to be a writer my senior year of high school but I actually didn't write my first book, or anything really, until I was 31. Life always seemed to get in the way. That and time! It's cliche, but there seriously needs to be more hours in the day! How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown? Good question! There have been ups and down on this journey, but the good always out power the bad. With my first book, I just wanted to get published, so I indie published it way too early but since then, I've become a better writer and have started slowly learning how to market. Which marketing is still a huge challenge for me, especially when all I want to do is just write. But I've learned that being an author these days is much more than just writing, and I wouldn't give it up for the world. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? Definitely marketing because it's hard to know what is going to work and what isn't. The most enjoyable is when a reader just totally gets your story and your characters, maybe even better than you do. I love that! Would you go back and change anything? Yes! I wouldn't have rushed into publishing so fast and I would have tried to find a really great critique partner early on. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Still writing. No matter what, I still want to be telling stories that are an escape to others like me. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Definitely don't give up. You can always edit words but you can't edit a blank sheet of paper. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? Ketchup! Night or Day? Night! Inside or Outside? Outside! Dogs or Cats? Cats! Twitter or Facebook? Facebook! e-book or Paperback? Paperback! Sun or Rain? Rain! Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Keyboard! Comedy or Drama? Comedy! Chips or Chocolate? Chips!  Book Title: Eternal Curse (The Cursed Series, Book 1) Genre: Young Adult paranormal romance Content Warnings: Mild violence / heavy kissing Word / Page Count: 102,000 words / 258 ebook pages / 376 print book pages Author: Kara Leigh Miller Publisher: FireChicken Press, LLC (www.firechickenpress.weebly.com) ASIN: B08CY5Q9WG Print ISBN: 9781735433608 Release Date: September 15, 2020  ABOUT THE BOOK... After pulling the plug on her mother’s life support, seventeen-year-old Chloe Madison moves to live with relatives she hardly knows. Her new hometown in the Adirondack Mountains is barely more than a pinpoint on the map, but it’s shrouded in deadly secrets and strange family legends. Chloe is determined to keep her head down, finish high school, and get the heck out of there. Until she meets the enigmatic Trent Halstead. Something intriguing hides beneath his quiet self-assurance and hero hair. Maybe there’s something—or someone—worth sticking around for after all. But when a rash of unsolved murders leaves two of Chloe’s classmates dead, she begins to suffer from disturbing hallucinations that build to the horrifying image of Trent as a murderous vampire. With nowhere else to go, she’s stuck in a town she hates, surrounded by people she can’t trust, and she’s pretty sure she’s going to be lunch. If all that isn’t bad enough, Trent is hiding a lethal secret, besides the whole immortal bloodsucker thing. He’s the not-so-proud owner of an ancient, family curse—no Halstead will ever know true love—and he’s desperate to find a way to break the curse. Could Chloe be the key to his happiness or just another secret Trent wished he never unlocked?   About the Author... Kara Leigh Miller is a full-time wife; stay-at-home mom to 4 kids, 3 pit bulls, and 6 cats; writer, and the Editorial Director at Anaiah Press. When she’s not herding her family, she’s working out, reading, or binge watching Netflix. She's previously published two adult Christian romantic suspense books that are no longer in publication. Though she’s published a young adult Christian romance (Perfectly Imperfect), Eternal Curse is her first foray into the secular young adult market.  An excerpt from the book...
He hopped out of the truck and was around to my side with the door open before I even had my seatbelt unhooked. “Everything all right?” He tucked his cell phone into his pocket, concern blanketing his face. “Yeah. Why?” “You were frowning pretty intently.” “Oh.” It was sweet how he was so worried. “Guess the heat is getting to me,” I said with a faint smile. The temperature must have jumped twenty degrees while we were at Trent’s house. Trent put his hand on my forehead like he was checking me for a fever. The stark contrast of his cool hand against my heated skin made me shiver. “You are pretty hot.” He winked. I laughed. “That’s a horrible line.” He raised a brow and lightly dragged his fingers down the side of my face, stopping to cup my cheek, making the hairs on my arms stand on edge. I looked into his crystal-clear eyes and held my breath. His mouth was so close, and I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips on mine. Why wouldn’t he just kiss me already? “Do you trust me?” His voice was soft, almost hesitant. “Yes.” It amazed me how quickly and easily I said that—and how much I meant it. I barely knew him, but deep down in the darkest corners of my soul, I knew he would never hurt me. I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did. Slowly, Trent closed the distance between us. His lips pressed against mine, featherlight and much too quick. In the split second when our lips connected, I was hit with a wave of intense longing that had my knees shaking. And then in the next moment, he straightened and moved away from me. Trent cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry.” Kicking off the new week with a new author interview! Here we go...  Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, chocolate, and watching old movies with her husband and black lab, Sal.  She trusts him with her life. But what about her heart? Lizzy Bennet loves life as a lawyer in the city. And not just because of the miles it puts between her and her ex. However, when she’s attacked on the street just hours after learning her identity was stolen, she tries to call home for help and ends up with the last person she expects: the very same high school boyfriend who broke her heart. He says he’s there to help, but she’s not so sure, and now, all the endless questions and regrets are clouding her judgment and preventing her from seeing the dangerous saboteur closing in. Small-town auto mechanic, Koby Knightly, is looking forward to seeing a car show in the city. But when an unexpected call from his old girlfriend disconnects suddenly, he rushes to her apartment only to find her limping and bleeding. Throwing his plans out the window, Koby makes it his mission to protect her and discover the identity of the person trying to frame her. Will he also be able to figure out what went wrong between them back in high school or will a killer get to her first? Read an excerpt... Lizzy popped up the collar of her long red trench coat as a shield against the wind and pulled the knotted belt a little tighter. Maybe she should call her brother instead. Why had her first thought been Koby anyway? The days of being able to turn to her former sweetheart whenever she got scared were long gone. After all, walking down a dark street in Pittsburgh wasn’t the same as an old horror flick playing at the one-screen theater in her hometown of St. Claire. Not to mention she was no longer a silly girl who needed to grab on to some boy’s arm. Her brother was a sheriff’s deputy and former soldier. If anyone needed to tell her if she was being paranoid and crazy, it should be Josh. Not some country auto mechanic that used to drive her around in high school. Pushing open the handbag slung over her shoulder, she slid her hand inside for her phone. She pulled it out and pressed down her thumb, ready to tell the device to call Josh Bennet but… Was that a good idea? Now was not a good time. Her brother would certainly jump in his car and drive through the night for her, but the timing would be terrible. He was getting married next weekend. What kind of sister would she be if, right before one of the biggest days of his life, she pulled him into whatever mayhem was transpiring in her world? But she knew her brother. He’d be ticked if she didn’t at least call someone. There it was again. That rustling sound. Pausing mid-step, she tried to dampen her throbbing heart as she turned on her heel to scan the street behind her. Nothing. No people. No moving cars. No crumpled bits of trash colliding with the hard snow pushed against the curbs. Sucking in a breath, she continued toward home. This was ridiculous. She’d feel better if she was talking to someone who knew where she was and what was going on. But who could she call for advice other than Josh? Lizzy groaned. “Well, I’m definitely not calling Koby Knightly.” “Calling Koby Knightly.” She froze, staring at the lit-up screen. Her breath caught and a wheel turned at the top of the screen. It was already dialing. “Oh no.” Her fingers fumbled for the red ‘end call’ icon but a lock of hair blew into her face as something whooshed past her back. Lizzy whirled around but saw only a darkened sidewalk. Eyes darting, she looked for any sign of movement, but all was still frozen in place by the hardened remnants of yesterday’s snow. She exhaled, backing away. It must be the wind. Stop being crazy. “Hello?” She jumped and her eyes went back to her phone. His name was scrawled across the screen. “Hello?” His voice sounded weak through the speaker meant to be pressed to an ear. Should she hang up? “Lizzy, I know it’s you. Even cell phones from down here in the sticks have caller ID, you know.” She rolled her eyes as she trudged forward. Just great. “Lizzy…” He said it in a sing-song tone. What could she say other than the truth? She raised the phone to her ear. “I called you by mist—” Again, she felt the ghostlike presence behind her. Gasping, she about-faced, dropping her hands to her sides. It was starting to flurry and the flakes danced in the light of the moon. All else was quiet. Lizzy drug the fingers of her free hand down her face as she groaned. Pull yourself together, girl, and get moving. “Elizabeth.” Koby’s voice was terse with worry. She pressed the speaker to her ear. “I’m fine. I just thought—” A vice clamped around her wrist underneath the cradled phone and shook. It flew from her grasp. She reached for it with her other hand, but it was halted when someone grabbed her around that elbow. The Interview... Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?
Like some silly saga, writing has kind of jumped all over the timeline for me. I started crafting stories because of the movies I was watching as a kid though. I was a know-it-all movie buff/critic before I was 12 years old. Watching movies like Star Wars and The Princess Bride made me want to create worlds and stories of my own. That I would want to read. How has the journey to this point been? It’s been a bumpy, unpredictable ride, but I’m sure a lot of authors feel that way. My In-laws live in a real out of the way place and it’s hard to get there. I always laugh at a sign in the road we pass. After we’ve driven about 30 minutes on roads not big enough for one car let alone two, that have 90 degree turns, impossibly steep uphill climbs, and drop-offs that’ll make your head spin, a sign greets you with the warning ‘Winding Road Next 2 Miles.’ And I’m thinking, ‘What we’re the last fifteen?!’ That’s the writing life. It’s hard and scary and people randomly show up to tell you stuff you already know like, ‘You’re not gonna make any money.’ But you just can’t beat those views on the way. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? I think that the hardest and most enjoyable parts of this life are the same: the work. You love to write, you hate to write. You think you’re a genius, you think you’re a fraud. It’s the best and worst job that a person can choose. Would you go back and change anything? Sure. I’d make the first piece I wrote a masterpiece and an instant classic, but I’d probably regret it lol. It’s not fun when it’s easy. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? It’s hard to say where I’ll be in the future or what I’ll be doing. I don’t outline my novels and so I don’t tend to outline my life either. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? Write more. Think less. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? Both. Night or Day? Night Inside or Outside? Inside in the Summer. Outside in the Winter. Dogs or Cats? Both Twitter or Facebook? Twitter e-book or Paperback? Hardback Sun or Rain? Depends on my mood. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Keyboard(unless I’m stuck) Comedy or Drama? Comedy Chips or Chocolate? Peanut Butter. I'm pleased to introduce you to a fab new author whose first book is out in just a few weeks' time! Check it out...  I am a Book Blogger, Book Trailer Creator, Graduate Student studying Theology/Counseling, Instagram LIVE Author Interview Series Host, and Debut Author.  At one point everyone who lived and eventually was murder in Downers Grove thought it seemed easy to exist and breathe in a beautiful place where nothing even remotely bad ever happened...not since The Beckwith Brothers went missing in the wooded mountains just outside of city limits fifteen years ago. The year is 1995, Seraphim ‘Sierr’ Blake is a 17-year-old odd beauty who is awkward, lean, and lanky and she’s all too aware of it. Despite her inner and subtle outer beauty her confidence is barely there. Her drive comes from her thirst for the life of her dreams which she is determined to work hard and pray even harder to reach. She is a film producer, bestselling author, and happily married wife to the best husband who she is madly in love with 20 years from now in her own mind. Currently as an insecure teen with a super confident peers, Sierr is surrounded by her close knit group of distinctive childhood friends: Fierce Fashionista Willow, Girly Girl Carmen Cameron, and the Forever Skeptical Likable Loner who only goes by the initials of his name, JSF. They all live in a seemingly quaint and quirky small town in Northern California called Downers Grove...A place steeped in secrets. The Beckwith Brothers are rumored to have killed their own parents when they tried to abandon their children in the woods causing none of the Beckwith family to ever be seen again. These boys were a myth to the media and skeptics, legends to the intrigued and curious, foreign entities to be worshiped by a fringe group of outsiders, and a tool for the fame of a power hungry. However, when strange happenings start up just before the 15th Anniversary of The Beckwith Brothers’ mysterious disappearance the past intertwines into the present unearthing reserves of supernatural power, targeted obsession, forbidden romance, paranoia, and a string of murders all culminating with world changing events on Halloween night 1995. Leading up to the climatic events initiated by The Beckwith Brothers emergence from the forests, Sierr is thrust into the perfect storm of self-awareness, infatuation, temptation, and angst as she, her small town, and her friends find themselves battling high-school drama, predatory males, a violent secret society, serial killings, and being objects of twisted affections. All while learning that the truth can be really be stranger and more frightening than fiction. Including the truth about herself which is that she may just be a girl who loves playing with fire....especially when she knows the fire loves her back. Forces beyond anything Sierr could have imagined are determining the conclusion of this story including the code of the wild where The Beckwith Brothers raised themselves. In an atmosphere where conspiracies run rampant, Downers Grove cannot anticipate the fallout when the myths, the legends, the fully grown boys finally....come home. The Beckwith Brothers is a Young Adult Thriller set in the 1990s rich with visuals, nostalgia, and emotional depth of angsty teenagers navigating life, dreams, hurts, love, and death. Interspersed with Dark Humor, Mystery, and Suspense BEWARE because The Boys Are Coming Home! This story will be perfect for fans of There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins, The Lost Boys (1987), The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas, The Shadow and Bone Trilogy (A Demon in the Wood: A Darkling Prequel) by Leigh Bardugo, and Beauty and the Beast (1994). A Quick Q&A with Ivana... HOW HAS THE JOURNEY TO THIS POINT BEEN? This journey has been one of much planning AND much learning as I go! I had a goal to either self-publish or hybrid publish (Self-Publishing won out). I was set on having a wide spread publicity tour. A lot of authors have to promote themselves even when traditionally published so I challenged myself to learn all the ins-and-outs or promoting books from Book Trailers (which I already make for others authors), blog tours, giveaways, book aesthetics, Author Interviews, participating in writer’s discussions on social media, etc. in order to get The Beckwith Brothers in front of as many members of the book’s target audience as possible! It has still been touch and go and a lot of “learning on the job” and mistakes along the way, but I try to take every opportunity I can to market myself. I have over 17k Screencaptures in my phone detailing the promotional and marketing strategies of other published and self-published authors and have used their methods to aid me in my self-publishing journey. I am interested in hosting an E-Course to teach writers the Ultimate Blueprint to Self-Publishing to share what I have learned in hopes that it will help even more indies! WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? Producing and Directing Adaptations of my books (Short TV Series & Movies). WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO NE WRITERS JUST STARTING OUT? Write what you love! When you do something you are passionate about you will never be bored and you will find it easier to pursue your goals even when difficulties! TWITTER OF FACEBOOK? Twitter for sure! e-BOOK OR PAPERBACK? e-book that way I can always have it with me and well lit! COMEDY OR DRAMA? Drama & THRILLERS!!!! It's with great pleasure I welcome two FABULOUS friends, pharmacists, and authors to the blog today to tell us all about their award-winning book! Check it out...  Two Friends and Pharmacists Team Up to Release Award-Winning Debut Title that Teaches Young People More About Becoming #Healthcare Heroes Dr. Mary Choy and Dr. Michele Kaufman are board-certified pharmacists and educators with over 50 years of combined experience. This passion project combines Mary and Michele’s love for reading books with their dedication to medical careers and helping kids (Mary is a mom to two kids and Michele is a devoted aunt) demystify the medical profession. Their collaboration on writing projects has led to over 400 publications between them. Mary and Michele both live in New York City. They love visiting schools and presenting to students of all ages. Their award-winning book, Healthcare Heroes, has been referred to as “a young adult’s personal career fair.”  Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide gives you the unfiltered, unedited, no-holds-barred version of what it’s really like to be a healthcare professional in the 21st century. This book features some of the best and top healthcare jobs highlighted in the U.S. News & World Report. With expert insights and strategies, this book helps readers find their best career path in the medical field. It features 28 personal stories from healthcare professionals and has insights into different careers that people might not have heard of like art/music therapist, surgical technologist, pharmacy technician, and even STEM careers like a biomedical engineer. It serves as a useful resource for readers of all ages, whether they be in middle school, high school, college or already out in the workforce. Awards & Honors: Healthcare Heroes won the Silver Medal in Readers' Favorite International Book Awards for Non-Fiction: Occupational and is a Finalist in the International Book Awards in the categories of Young Adults: Non-Fiction and Business: Careers. Readers’ Favorite & LitPick 5-Star Reviews: “A fascinating read with real insight from renowned healthcare professionals...it is literally like having your own personal healthcare mentor.” “This amazing guide is jam-packed with up-to-date information and all guidance counselors should have a copy!” “The first book to … reveal steps to careers under the healthcare umbrella. Highly recommended…. A ‘must have’ educational reference for career guidance collections, for adults who want to help any teen, or for adults looking to enter a healthcare profession.” – Midwest Book Review The Interview... Please tell me a little about you and what you do. MARY: I’m a pharmacist, educator, and public health advocate. Over 15 years ago, I became a professor because I wanted to share my knowledge and life’s work through teaching and writing. It is meaningful to teach public health topics to healthcare professionals, students, and the community. I am currently the Director of Pharmacy Practice for the New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists and I’m also on the medical review board for Verywell Health. MICHELE: I spend my days as a Pharmacist at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Lower Manhattan, and I am also a medical writer. I was recently on the editorial boards for the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Journal, Formulary Journal, and I am a regular contributor to The Rheumatologist. I am a member of the Clinical Care Committee of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in NYC. In a nutshell, what is Healthcare Heroes about? Healthcare Heroes is about real stories from healthcare professionals. It gives the reader the feeling that they are having a personal conversation with each one. The featured professionals share insights on why they chose their career and why they love it. We hope this book will help many individuals find their inspiration, and trust that it will serve as a blueprint for finding a successful career.  Where and when did the idea for Healthcare Heroes begin? MARY & MICHELE: We have been working together on writing articles and research projects for over ten years now (time certainly flies when you’re having fun). Along the way, we’ve had many students, friends, and colleagues ask about different careers in healthcare. We participated in many career events and people always had so many questions. That got us thinking. So we started to do some market research and we really didn’t see any books geared towards kids and healthcare careers. We decided this would be totally worth pursuing together! How did it develop into a final product? MARY & MICHELE: We knew we wanted to include stories from other healthcare professionals and the different places people can work, as well as what education is needed for the different careers. So we reached out to our network from across the country. There were so many enthusiastic experts who were excited to share their stories and contribute to our writing project. Our contributors have such inspiring stories and we are thankful they wanted to share them to help others decide on a career. Since we love being in the healthcare field, our goal was to have everyone share their knowledge of how and why they got into each of their professions. How did you involve youth in the publishing of Healthcare Heroes? MARY & MICHELE: Since our book was geared towards youth, we wanted to involve them in the review process. We had a team of young adults, they were anywhere from 11-18 years old who helped us with reviewing the book. They were given the first draft of the book, several months before publication. We wanted to include their voice, to see if there were any definitions that they didn’t understand, to get overall clarity on the project, and really just to implement their honest opinions in the project. We got some really excellent feedback that shaped the book into what it is today.  What's been the hardest part of this experience so far? MARY & MICHELE: We had many contributors, and each of the different professionals shared their story following our template for guidance. The editing process was tedious, but we are so excited to hear that our book has helped many of our readers. And the most enjoyable? MARY & MICHELE: Hearing from our readers, for sure! It’s so heartwarming to hear that our book was able to help them with their life decisions. Also, when a teen reads the book and says, “I didn’t know that… now I do” about a particular career. Or an adult says, “I wish I had your book when I was in high school or college.” Our readers’ comments are very inspiring to us. What do you hope people will gain from reading Healthcare Heroes? MARY & MICHELE: There are so many science careers and we want kids to learn about the different careers so they can choose the best career path that’s right for them. For anyone else who is interested in learning about different health careers, or potentially pursuing a health career, we hope this book will give them the information they need to forge forward. Are there any other books in the works? MARY & MICHELE: We’re gathering insights and looking at unique healthcare careers for our next Healthcare Heroes book in the series. If you had any advice for people choosing a medical career, what would it be? MARY: As an educator, it’s been wonderful to mentor and help many people figure out their paths. The best advice would be for people to do their research, speak to others, ask many questions, and shadow healthcare providers to see what a typical day in the medical field is like. That way, you can see multiple perspectives, learn whether or not the field is right for you, and build your network. Treat every opportunity like it’s a job. Always be professional and thank the person who provided the shadowing or volunteering opportunity to you. There are also many virtual healthcare camps available to students who are interested in exploring the medical field. Because it’s virtual, there is more flexibility in that students are able to attend out-of-state programs. MICHELE: I am a firm believer in networking and in this regard I take after my Dad. If you have friends or family in the medical field, talk to them. Talk to others in different medical fields to learn what they do. You might know that you want to help people and go into the medical or healthcare field, but deciding exactly what you want to do is difficult. It’s always a good idea to volunteer such as in a hospital or in a medical office. In the past, many places accepted kids during the summer or even year-round for different volunteer opportunities, but due to COVID, there are fewer of these opportunities. You can also check-out different health-related websites to learn about topics of interest, or different medical professions websites, read newsletters from these different professional websites, click through and learn what you can to help you decide what might interest you in a medical field. And something just for fun... Ketchup or Mayo? MARY: Both! Ketchup for burgers/fries and mayo for chicken salad MICHELE: Ketchup, I am not a fan of mayo Night or Day? MARY: Before kids: night. After kids – you probably know the answer already. MICHELE: Both… love the daylight, but more productive at night. Inside or Outside? MARY: Inside on rainy days and outside on sunny days for biking and hiking MICHELE: Inside when its extreme heat, outside when it is sunny but not too hot for walking, biking and traveling/sight-seeing Dogs or Cats? MARY: I love both dogs and cats. MICHELE: Definitely cats. Dogs often scare me… especially big or loud dogs. I don’t like anything loud. Twitter or Facebook? MARY: Twitter for writing community, Facebook for friends MICHELE: Both. Facebook to be more social and keep up with friends (I find it easier to use), Twitter for professional “chatter” Ebook or Paperback? MARY: There’s something magical about holding a book at the beach MICHELE: Paperback, I haven’t gone fully electronic. I still like a good paperback or hardcover book. Sun or Rain? MARY: Sunshine, forever and always MICHELE: I love the sun, it is uplifting, it produces Vitamin D (always the scientist), and for its warm feeling Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? MARY: Usually keyboard. But recently my husband surprised me with these beautiful notebooks with inspirational quotes, so I’ve loved using them. MICHELE: Pencil and notebook, but sometimes there is too much paper Comedy or Drama? MARY: Comedies...laughter is the best medicine. MICHELE: Depends on my mood. Usually comedy, it’s easier to get lost in these. Chips or Chocolate? MARY: Chocolate covered potato chips MICHELE: Dark chocolate It is with great pleasure I welcome today's guest to the blog, someone who is celebrating the birth of their book baby this week! AND THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY DREAMY - QUITE LITERALLY! So, go buy it. Check it out...  Lorelei Savaryn is an author of creepy, magical stories for children. She holds a BA in creative writing and is a former elementary teacher and instructional coach. When she isn't writing, she spends her time amidst the beautiful chaos of life with her husband and four children outside of Chicago. Follow Lorelei here! www.loreleisavaryn.com Twitter: @loreleisavaryn Instagram: loreleisavarynauthor www.facebook.com/loreleisavarynauthor  Cover art: Matt Saunders Cover Design: Samira Iravani A dream world turns haunting nightmare in this spellbinding debut novel, perfect for fans of Circus Mirandus and The Night Gardener. After Andrea's brother, Francis, disappeared, everything changed. Her world turned upside down, and there was nothing she could do to right it. So when she discovers a magical dream world called Reverie in the woods near her home, Andrea jumps at the chance to escape her pain and go inside. But the cost of admission is high: Andrea must give up a memory in order to enter. And she knows exactly which memory she'd like to give up. Once inside, Andrea discovers tent after tent of dreams come alive; she can fly on a gust of wind, brave swashbuckling pirates and search for buried treasure, reach for--and wish on--a tangible star, and much, much more. But Andrea soon realizes that not all of Reverie's dreams are meant to delight, and the Sandman behind the circus tents seems to have plans of his own. When Andrea finds a tent in which her brother's darkest nightmare has been brought to life, she realizes the dark truth: Reverie is not an escape; it's a trap. Will Andrea and her new friend Penny have what it takes to find Francis, figure out what's really going on in Reverie, and break free from this nightmarish dream world? A wonderfully inventive, deliciously creepy debut novel that is sure to linger in readers' minds long after the last thrilling page has been turned. Grab your copy here! Penguin/Random House IndieBound Barnes and Noble Amazon Signed copies available from The Book Stall (make note of request for signed copy on your order) The Interview... Who are you and what do you write? Hi! I’m Lorelei, and I live outside Chicago with my husband and 4 children. I worked for several years as an elementary school teacher and as an instructional coach before becoming an author. I love ice cream, chocolate, reading books in my hammock, taking walks, and hanging out with my family! I write creepy, magical middle grade stories with a lot of heart. Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you? How has the journey to this point been? I have a bin in the basement of stories from back when I was a kid! I’m really looking forward to bringing a few of those gems out when I talk with kids about writing down the line. I realized I wanted to seriously try and write as an adult in 2007 when I was still in college, but it took me 10 whole years to muster up the courage to really sit down and finish a manuscript. I finished my first (not very good) manuscript in 2017 just after my third child was born, and spent nearly a year revising it before shelving it and turning to middle grade and the story that would become THE CIRCUS OF STOLEN DREAMS. I learned a lot about revision, and the craft of writing through a lot of time invested into seeking out resources, and I grew exponentially more as a writer through Pitch Wars in 2018. The experience of having a set of mentors who were invested in helping both me and my story, made all the difference. With my first manuscript, I queried just under 40 agents over several months before shelving it. With CIRCUS, I queried around 60 agents over the course of 5 weeks, and ended up with 5 offers of representation. My manuscript then went on to sell in a 2 book pre-empt. The beginning of my journey was very slow, during those 10 years when I couldn’t finish anything I started. But it definitely picked up speed towards the end. What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable? I will always, always remember the day I received my first offer of representation, and then the day I learned we had a pre-empt. Those moments felt so very validating and made all the prior rejection completely worth it. But, the most enjoyable thing, I think is yet to come. I think it might be the first time I talk to a group of students about my book, or the first time a kid reaches out to tell me that my story meant something to them. I also think it will be pretty amazing to see my book on a bookshelf at a bookstore! I used to work at a children’s bookstore in high school, and have always felt like bookstores are magical places. To be even a small part of that magic feels pretty special. The hardest part of the process is how surprised I’ve been at how vulnerable it feels to put a piece of my heart out into the world. Part of the deal in getting to publish a book is that complete strangers are entitled to have an opinion about my story, and I’m working very hard on navigating that vulnerability in a healthy way, and focusing my energy on finding ways to connect with kids, and with teachers and librarians and parents, who help get stories into kids’ hands. Would you go back and change anything? I’m a big believer in the idea that nothing is wasted. There is a part of me that wishes I could whisper to my younger self to dig in and finish a manuscript before I let 10 years go by. But, at the same time, those 10 years have changed me as a person and as a writer, and I’m really happy with the stories that are coming out of my experiences now. I think it’s all happening when it was supposed to happen. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? It is my one of my deepest wishes to be able to continue to have the privilege to write stories for kids for years to come. 5, 10, 15 years from now, if kids find any sense of comfort, or hope, or healing, or beauty, or escape in the stories that I’ve written, I would consider it an honor and would feel like I’ve been successful in what I set out to do. The thought of living out the next decade raising my children and writing books for kids just sounds like an absolute dream come to life for me. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out? This industry comes with a lot of rejection, and I think it’s a good idea to have a plan for how to take care of your mental health when you hear less-than-favorable news. It starts early with querying agents, or applying to mentorship programs. It continues when you go on sub. And it will continue when your book releases. I haven’t found that rejection has necessarily gotten easier, but I have found ways to make sure I take things in stride and focus in on the things that matter to me, which is writing stories that connect with kids. I would also add that I’ve found it valuable to celebrate each and every success, no matter how small. Finished a new draft? Celebrate! Or even a new chapter? Celebrate! Got your first personalized feedback on a query? Celebrate! This is the kind of dream that requires us to put ourselves out there time and time again, and making a big deal out of small victories goes a long way, and helps us recognize the progress we’ve made. And most importantly... Ketchup or Mayo? - Ha-depends on the food! Generally- beef=ketchup, chicken=mayo Night or Day? - Night! I’m a night owl by nature, though having 4 young kids makes it hard to stay up too often. Inside or Outside? - Inside, but with windows open. Dogs or Cats? - … Neither… *winces* Our house is so messy and busy with the kids right now! But if I had to pick, I’d say dogs. A lot of our family members have dogs, and they are all very sweet. Twitter or Facebook? - I’m actually really getting into Instagram! Everything is so pretty and kind there! I use Twitter for author stuff, and Facebook for keeping up with family and friends. e-book or Paperback? - Paperback! For me, nothing quite compares to turning physical pages. Sun or Rain? - Rain, but with a hint of sun peeking through. Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - This also depends! I type my drafts, but often brainstorm ideas in a notebook. Comedy or Drama? - Drama Chips or Chocolate? - CHOCOLATE. All day. Every day. I'm delighted to welcome a fantastic author to the blog today who has written an absolute belter of a thriller set in London. The book is utterly gripping and feels so terrifyingly real, trust me! Find out more about how the author came to write this awesome book!  Julie Anderson was a Senior Civil Servant in Westminster and Whitehall for many years, including at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Inland Revenue and Treasury Solicitors. Earlier publications include historical adventure novels and short stories. She is Chair of Trustees of Clapham Writers, organisers of the Clapham Book Festival, and curates events across London. Some important things to know about Julie... Ketchup or Mayo? - Mayo Night or Day? - Both ( I can't decide ) Inside or Outside? - Likewise Dogs or Cats? - Cats Twitter or Facebook? - Twitter Ebook or Paperback? - To read, paperback Sun or Rain? - Sun Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - Both at different stages Comedy or Drama? - Both, they aren't mutually exclusive Chips or Chocolate? - Chips, every time Check out Julie's blog where she's been writing about the growing number of instances in which life is reflecting the plot of PLAGUE!  There are many ways to die. Plague is just one. Work on a London tube line is halted by the discovery of an ancient plague pit and in it, a very recent corpse. A day later another body is found, also in a plague pit. This victim is linked to the Palace of Westminster, where rumours swirl around the Prime Minister and his rivals. As the number of deaths climbs, the media stokes fear. Government assurances are disbelieved. Everyone feels threatened. This has to be resolved and fast. A disgraced civil servant and a policeman must find the answer before Westminster closes for recess. Power, money and love curdle into a deadly brew that could bring down the Mother of Parliaments. Time is running out. And it’s not clear what – or who – will survive. PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2020 ISBN ppk: 978-1-910461-46-4 ISBN ebk: 978-1-910461-47-1 PRICE: £9.99 PAGE NUMBERS: 288 How fiction reflected real life and real life reflected fiction by Julie Anderson  In late summer, 2018, I was about to have long awaited surgery and knew I'd have time on my hands to research and to write, so I was determined to use that time and create something which, I hoped, would be both interesting and, at the same time, commercial. My first two novels were historical adventure stories. They were well received (the first, Reconquista, was long listed for the Mslexia Children's Book Award 2016), but were somewhat niche and hadn't sold too well. I also wanted to do something different next, to return from 13th century Al Andalus to contemporary times. I help organise an annual book festival in Clapham, south London, where I live and so I know quite a lot of publishing industry folk. One of them approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a mystery thriller. She had read my adventure stories and was struck by the way I used tension and jeopardy which could, she believed, be transferred to a modern crime novel. I was very flattered, but unsure, then, as the days running up to my operation passed, I decided to do it. The publisher, Claret Press, was one with a special interest in politics and this dovetailed with my background - I had been a senior Whitehall civil servant for nearly thirty years. I wanted to use my knowledge and experience, but a lot of civil service business would send any reader to sleep in minutes (no, seconds). The world of politics, however, contained jealousies and rivalries, alliances and betrayals aplenty and I had witnessed much of this. So it had to feature in my book. I also knew the milieu of Whitehall and Westminster intimately, its history, its buildings, streets and alleyways and the august, if decrepit, Palace of Westminster and how things worked there. So that was, obviously, my setting. But who would be my protagonist? A politician? No, I wanted someone who was part of that world, but I hadn't experienced the life of an MP and, besides, others had written from that perspective. Coming from my background, it seemed natural that my heroine, Cassandra Fortune, should be a civil servant. I should say that none of the characters in Plague were based on single individuals. I've worked for a number of ministers and permanent secretaries, and with MPs and parliamentarians across the political spectrum, but I haven't used any of them directly. I've often taken character traits and tricks of speech or delivery from real people, but they wouldn't be able to tell that. Nonetheless, there are one or two references which, I hope, might make civil servants chuckle. Next I needed a theme - when starting a new book, I have to find a central tenet, a concept or idea, what the book is really about. For this new book the theme was obvious - power. Power would be the filter through which many of the relationships, interactions and events were seen. Who has the power in a relationship is as pertinent a question as who is going to get the power of the top political job. Or how money brings power, or lack of it means powerlessness and risk. In a democracy like the UK, there are strong institutions, an independent civil service, transparency and accountability which are absolutely necessary to weigh against the will to power of individuals and these limit the power any individual may hold. Recent events, in 2018, lead to my having concerns about how the national life of the UK was being corrupted, with its democratic system and institutions being undermined and I wanted to write about that.  I have also watched, dismayed, as society seemed to move away from valuing objective, reasoned thought and the increase in the denial of facts and of science. Like many people I'm also unhappy at the domination of our media by super wealthy capitalists, the citizens of nowhere who serve nothing but their own interests. So the media would feature and so would 'fake news'. These were more ingredients for the book, now happily bubbling away in my brain. We know from scientific studies, which eventually found their way into the novel, that the exercising of power prompts chemical changes in the human body and brain. Power is, indeed, a ‘drug’. Researchers have concluded that those individuals who strive most for power are probably those most unsuited to wield it and that its corruption increases over time. This was something which my villain, power hungry himself, would also exploit in others. The contagion described in Plague is the contagion of corruption and of power. My novel isn't about a pandemic, but there is a 'plague panic' of a more traditional kind in Plague, when bodies are being discovered at the site of old plague pits and everyone fears that the Black Death is returning to London. In the novel people react to something which they believe is taking place, whereas now people are reacting to events actually taking place. How they react is very similar. So, my fiction is now disconcertingly close to what is happening in real life on the streets of London right now. In real life people demonstrated in Whitehall wearing hazmat suits - Cassandra gets caught up in just such a demo. Pharmacists hire bodyguards, afraid of being attacked by members of the public when they can't provide medicines - this is happening now and also happens in Plague. The media whip up the panic in Plague, unquestioningly reporting as the powerful instruct, often claiming opinion as fact. The real life media might not be whipping up panic, but could be said to be stirring hatred and it is undoubtedly being manipulated. I started out to write a novel based in my own life experience and elements of it ended up actually taking place, appearing on our TV screens. A fiction reflecting life, then life reflecting that fiction.  |
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