Jade May is a contemporary romance author. She writes angst-filled romances that are hot and heavy (with a hint of kink). We enjoyed having this conversation with Jade May for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Jade May grew up beachside in Australia with her nose buried in books, getting swept up in fearless adventures and lost in the fantasy of the supernatural. As an adult, her preferences shifted towards epic romances, adoring the pure escapism of the genre.

Jade is a marketer by day and writes in her spare time at night, mostly angst-filled romances that are hot and heavy (with a hint of kink) but always culminate in a happy ending. To write and provide escapism for others is a dream come true for Jade.

Jade May currently resides in sunny Sydney, Australia, along with her two favorite humans; her husband and son.

When did you start writing?

My author journey has been a very unique experience. My love affair with novels and my passion for reading started when I was a teenager. During my younger years, I unfortunately spent a lot of time in hospital due to a chronic illness. Amidst the long days in the hospital, there was one saving grace that helped pass the time: reading.

I was obsessed with fantasy novels, getting lost in fearless adventures of dragons, elves, vampires, and werewolves. It was pure escapism for me. All forms of entertainment, including film, music, and television, provided escapism to varying degrees, but it was reading that piqued my interest, drawing me into seductive new worlds. It allowed me to use my imagination to put myself in the protagonist’s shoes and experience life through their eyes when I physically wasn’t able to.

As I grew older, my preferences shifted towards more mature themes – epic romances with lots of spice. Pouring over the pages of erotic romances helped me realize the power of my femininity and provided me with a sense of escape of a different kind. This is what inspired me to become an author. To provide escapism for others. It wasn’t until one of the many lockdowns of COVID I had the realization that I wanted to attempt writing a novel.

I didn’t have any formal education or training in creative writing. I never took an online class or attended a seminar, or read any eBooks on how to write. I just sat down one day and started writing a story. When I eventually got to ten thousand words, I showed it to my husband. I wanted to know if it was decent and worth continuing. My husband loved it and encouraged me to continue writing. Unfortunately, my husband had never read a romance novel before, so I couldn’t trust his judgment alone.

I ended up googling ‘romance publishers’ and clicked on the first one that popped up. I submitted the first ten thousand words, and I received a response within six weeks, stating they loved it and to send back the full manuscript when it was finished. They also mentioned there was a typo in my email address in the submission, and they had to make an educated guess on the correct version. In my eyes, it was kismet! It took nearly two years to finish writing the manuscript as I only wrote at night when I had spare time. I worked full-time running my own business and had a two-year-old who had my full attention. When I did eventually finish it, I sent it back and received a contract.

Tell us about your newest release.

Tempted by Eden is a contemporary enemy to lovers, erotic romance with a hint of kink, a touch of angst and includes a happily ever after. It’s centered around a woman named Cora who finds herself living a double life as she works at a kinky gentlemen’s club by night and as a PR specialist by day.

Tropes: Enemies to lovers Boss/employee Kink HEA Billionaire Boss Alpha Hero Angsty Blurb: Two strangers on vacation. One intense attraction. No expectations other than a night of mind-blowing passion.

Five years later, broke and desperate, Cora finds herself living a double life as she works at a kinky gentlemen’s club by night and as a PR specialist by day. A chance encounter at the club throws Cora into her mystery vacation man’s path once again. But the only problem is… he doesn’t remember her. And her mystery man is none other than the CEO of Hayes & Meyer Media, James Hayes. Arrogant. Dominant. Mega rich, and her new boss.

But Cora isn’t a quitter. And she will do anything to keep her job. She has to. She has people depending on her. All she has to do is stay away from James. If only she could ignore the tempting world of submission James has opened her eyes to…

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

So far, Tempted by Eden! I hope to write many more in the future.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Working full time and running around after my little one, who’s just turned five years old!

What does your writing space look like?

My bedroom is my writing space, it has small white desk in the corner, it’s warm with lots of natural sunlight.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Let’s escape to somewhere we only know

Favorite reads?

I absolutely love anything from T. L Swan, her writing style is very similar to my own. I could get lost in the stories and worlds she creates for hours. Do yourself a favor and check out The Italian, Ferrara, and Mr. Masters series. L.J. Shen is also one of my favorite authors. I still think about Vicious from the Sinners of Saint series. If only I could go back and read it for the first time again.

What’s your next big project?

I’m currently working on the next book in the Eden series, called Seduced by Eden and it follows Amber and Aaron’s story. It’s a spicy, friends-to-lovers contemporary romance with forced proximity and fake/transactional relationship tropes. I’m halfway through the first draft and can’t wait to share their unique story with readers.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Everyone’s author journey is different, there is no ‘right’ path. After speaking to fellow romance authors, every single one of their experiences has been unique to them. Some have written eight manuscripts before feeling ready to submit and pitch to a publisher. Others have received many rejection letters before landing a contract. And others have seen huge success in self-publishing and have bypassed the traditional publishing route. I’m a firm believer that everything will happen when it’s supposed to. It’s easy to get down on yourself and compare yourself to other authors. But the key for me is to keep persisting and keep writing!

Follow Jade May:

https://www.authorjademay.com/

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Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru, Multi-Award-Winning Mystery, and Suspense Author. Love is a dangerous mystery. Enjoy the ride! We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Lynda Rees for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru, is a multi-award-winning, multi-genre author bringing you the best in mystery and suspense with a dash of romance and an occasional smidgen of history. This free-spirited adventurous world traveler’s diverse background brings a rare perspective to her writing.

Appalachian-born coal miner’s daughter, Lynda, is part Cherokee with workaholic tendencies and a love affair with books, mystery, and American history that stems from being immersed in the Mob’s reign when No. KY prospered as a mecca for gambling and sin. Lynda is published in mystery/suspense, romance, middle-grade mystery, children’s picture and activity books, financial self-help, and health and wellness nonfiction. Previous corporate careers in advertising/marketing, copywriting, manuals, newsletters, and freelance publications, as Marketing and Global Logistics Manager at Procter & Gamble, brings expertise to her work.

When did you start writing?

When I was old enough to write. I’ve written my whole life, but I didn’t pursue publishing until twelve years ago.

What was it like growing up?

I was born in a small mountain town in Eastern Kentucky. We were very poor. My dad was a coal miner. I roamed the mountains with extreme freedom. What work was available was extremely dangerous. In pursuit of a better life, we left everything I knew and loved, including people, behind to move to Northern Kentucky, near Cincinnati. Many of my grade school classmates were children of mobsters. The Syndicate ruled the area. It was very prosperous and riddled with crime until 1978, when the FBI shut down the top 5 mob cities, including Newport, Kentucky.

How was your early life?

I was free to roam the mountains and holler where we lived among friends and family. It was a complete culture shock when we moved to a city where I had restrictions and no one I knew except for my mother, father, and baby brother. We were poor, but I never realized that. We were happy.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My father told me I could do anything and be anything I wanted in life. He was my best supporter.

Tell us about your newest release.

This summer, I released the first books in two new series. More to come on these. The first is Flip or Flop, Murder House, launched on 4/1/23. The second was Fresh Starts, Dirty Money, launched on 6/1/23. Both have recently been published in audiobook format as well as ebook and print.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Wow! That’s tough. I guess it would either be Hart’s Girls Reggie Chronicle 1 since it’s my way of informing the public of how to spot and what to do about a horrendous crime wave that is affecting us all but doing it in the form of entertainment. My second choice would be Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine, Book 1 of The Bloodline Series. I fell in love with this standalone book so much that I had to continue writing about the characters. This became a ten-book series.

What inspired you to write this book?

The characters kept invading my sleep and willing me to put their life stories on paper.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Playing with my grandkids, fishing, or just hanging out with Hunky Hubby.

What does your writing space look like?

It’s really an organized mess. I’m surrounded by books and my cover photos, plus my sewing machine and stationary bike.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Down Home. I actually published a short story memoir in the BWC’s Pen To Page Anthology earlier this year.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

My first was an historical romance, Gold Lust Conspiracy, which took two years to research and write. After that, I’ve turned out 1-3 books per year.

Favorite reads?

Anything well written. My favorite all-time book is Think And Grow Rich by Peale.

Do you have any book recommendations?

I love anything by Janet Evanovich, Dan Brown, or Jana DeLeon. Of course, I want you to read my books. Try Flip or Flop, Murder House and, Fresh Starts, Dirty Money.

What’s your next big project?

Rock Starr’s Murder Song, A Flip or Flop Mystery is in the works. I also have two non-fiction books coming out soon. I’m working on book two of the Fresh Starts Series, but it doesn’t have a name yet. There is a lot in the hopper to come.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Study your craft and the industry. Learn from your peers. Write every day. Butt in the seat. Hands-on keyboard. Don’t quit.

Follow Lynda Rees:

Lynda is active in MWA, SiC, CWA, RWA, KOD, MARA, FTHRW, and DRS and on social media.

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Tamara Miller Davis, TMD: Author of DTB, embracing life through reading, rollerblading, skiing, travel, music, dance, and uniting people. A list-making family lover at heart. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Tamara Miller Davis for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Tamara Miller Davis is an author, Californian fire wife, mother, substitute teacher, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran from Michigan. Tamara has published articles, participated in poetry readings, spoken on podcasts, and performed on stage via USA Today’s Storytellers Project. Her debut book, “Despite the Buzz,” won awards for contemporary romance and literary fiction.

When did you start writing?

I started writing as a young person. I’ve always kept a journal. It wasn’t until college, after my enlistment, that I started to publish pieces.

What was it like growing up?

I grew up in northern Michigan. It was nice to live on and near lakes, in small towns, with space to wander. I have a younger brother, and we sometimes snowmobiled or biked country roads to school.

How was your early life?

My early life was formative. My parents exposed my brother and me to outdoor activities and experiences that shaped my interests. They supported my community involvement at school within leadership roles, clubs, track, and cheerleading. Although they divorced when I was eleven, my parents worked hard and provided a good upbringing.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

The biggest influences on my writing path probably took place in college, where I felt stimulated and inspired by books and discussions. I was lucky to have professors who believed in and encouraged me. My husband and mother-in-law have also really supported my efforts as an author-preneur.

Tell us about your newest release.

“Despite the Buzz” is a colorful cautionary tale concerning tech’s toll upon learning, relationships, safety, and well-being. The artful story is educational and exciting! A new high school teacher raises awareness about screen use inside her writing classroom; meanwhile, contemporary communication dramatically impacts the diverse Californian characters.

When an intimate act is shared over social media, the resulting incident demonstrates the powerful potential in students’ pockets. By depicting demands upon teachers and providing understanding to those who grew up before current trends, this multi-generational book aims to build rapport among people from different schools of thought. The realistic and romantic fiction is recommended for readers over 14 years of age.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

I’ve written many articles, but I’ve only published one novel so far: “Despite the Buzz” is my book baby. She was born (released) on a Mother’s Day.

What inspired you to write this book?

Teaching and parenting inspired me to explore the subject of technology’s influence and present the topic through the filter of fiction. A variety of viewpoints speak to the complexity of issues and opportunities involved with social media and screen use. Writing the novel enabled me to creatively raise awareness around causes I care about.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Parenting, housework, substitute teaching, learning, supporting causes, attending community events, catching up with friends and family, dancing, enjoying nature, camping, beach cruising, boogie boarding.

What does your writing space look like?

I sit at a wooden desk near a French door with paperwork piles categorized into objectives. My journal is handy, and books are nearby. My creative workspace is decorated with writing utensils, a wonder stone, a mermaid-themed coaster, and a green army man doing a yoga pose. There is a painting above me: a bluebird rests on a birch tree branch outside her egg-filled nest.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Away Without Leaving

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

4 years: it was a literary enlistment! I attended to the project, incorporated research, took breaks, went to writing conferences, came back to the story, re-dedicated myself, shared parts, added paragraphs, kept a log of words and time, paid for professional editing, developed my characters, considered my intentions, wrote a preface and epilogue, hired artists, had the mixed-media book artfully designed, decided on color print, requested feedback from beta readers, journeyed through the publication process, learned about marketing, took notes on indie authorship, mustered the courage, and birthed my debut book among friends and family.

Favorite reads?

“Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown

“The Wisdom of Sundays” by Oprah Winfrey

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Do you have any book recommendations?

“On Writing – A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

“Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman

“Alone Together” by Sherry Turkle

“Unselfie – Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World” by Michele Borba

“A Book of American Martyrs” by Joyce Carol Oats

What’s your next big project?

I am working on articles for “Northern Michigan Woman” magazine and The Ventura County Mom Collective. I would like to contribute to “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Journal. You might use those idea seeds later. Write for yourself and for others. Connect with creatives. Read. Take notes or write reviews to study the craft. Practice. Envision an audience. Consider your purpose. Follow your passion. Be brave. Publish or share something. Aloud or in print.

Follow Tamara Miller Davis:

Website: https://www.despitethebuzz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/despitethebuzz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaramillerdavis

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58341719-despite-the-buzz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-davis-094499238

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tamara-miller-davis_2021

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Aimee Shaye, a no spice fantasy author who enjoys board games, coffee, and getting lost in her imagination. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Aimee Shaye, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

I was born and raised in a small part of Brooklyn, New York known as Greenpoint. Perhaps you’ve heard of it now. MJ in Spiderman worked at Peter Pan’s, a donut shoppe I grew up loving as a kid. Even Drew Barrymore has been there now. I am still in New York, not too far from where I grew up. At home, it’s just me, my husband, my parents, and the cutest cockapoo in the world, Rusty. My family doesn’t end there, though. I am the youngest of three children with a brother and sister who are older than me. We are a close knit family who support each other and enjoy spending time together, especially during the holidays and impromptu family game nights that almost always happen because the kids always want to play games after eating dinner!

During the day, I am an ELA teacher. I often joke that I loved school so much, I never wanted to leave! What better way to spend my day than bestowing my love and passion for reading on the next generations to come! When I’m not writing my no spice fantasy books, I can be found at my mom’s snack table with my husband and dad playing games such as Wits End, Clue, Sorry, Scrabble, and most recently, Boggle! I can also be found playing with Rusty, sitting at the dining room table with my husband enjoying a game of Oolong, Risk, Villainous, or one of the many Monopolies we own. You can image game night gets pretty competitive at home! When I’m not at home, I enjoy going to the mall, hanging out at the beach, or just going for a stroll in the park. I enjoy adventure and traveling and have been to Spain, Morocco, France, Italy, Vatican City, Capri, Rhode Island, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Exploring the world and all its cultures is exciting and take my experiences and wrap them into my characters. I look at the world as one long novel and we are all characters living out our stories.

When did you start writing?

You’ve probably heard this from many authors and I’m sure it’s how we all break the ice, haha! I started writing when I was a young, maybe about 6 or 7. I have this very distinct memory of being at my mom’s workplace (a bank) and writing a story about a cat and dog on beige construction paper. That day, mom showed me how to use the copy machine (I must have been about 9 or 10 at this time) and I made copies for everyone in her office. I wonder if any of them still have the story! I certainly don’t, haha!

What was it like growing up?

Growing up was so much fun; it still is! I’m only 30 so I feel like I still have a lot of growing up to do, haha! My family is mixed heritage. My dad is Guyanese and Indian and my mom is Italian, Polish, Irish, and German. We got such a mix of food, music, and language that a passion for exploring other cultures and countries was almost innate. Like I have to do it because it’s part of my very existence.

Our extended families are also huge (my dad is one of nine) so you can just imagine the parties we would have with all the food, signing, and dancing! And man oh man do I love to dance! We were always out with our parents as well whether we were playing or watching sports (LET’S GO METS), going to an amusement park—Coney Island and Rye PlayLand were both a must every summer—or on the road traveling to Washington D.C. or Canada. We were always in the park, too. While dad relaxed after a hard day’s work, mom and grandma would take us to the park. Sometimes dad would come too and it was just always a blast. Very wholesome.

How was your early life?

I’m not sure how to answer this, honestly. I still feel like I’m in my early life. Yes, I accomplished so much and have gone through life for the past thirty years, but I don’t feel as if I’ve lived quite long enough to be past my early life. What I can say, though, is that so far it’s been amazing! I did a lot of traveling through high school which was when I visited Europe as I mentioned in the bio part. In my childhood, I also met some forever friends who have been in my life since age 3, 13, 14, 15, and 21. These friends have taught me so much about myself and help me grow in ways I can only be thankful for. I also met the love of my life at 18 and we’ve been married for the past 5 years. He’s also my cover designer and has been so supportive of my careers.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

The biggest influence in my career has been my parents. They always instilled in us that when we think about making a living, it is best to do what we are passionate about and what we love or else getting up and going to work in the morning would be a chore. They taught me to push my limits and be the best that I can be. While writing was secondary to getting an education and steady work to support myself, once I was settled into a steady career, they were proud of my writing. In fact, my dad tells everyone he knows about my books and my mom has a hand in helping me plan and write them.

Tell us about your newest release.

My newest release is coming September 30, 2023. It is young adult high fantasy novel titled The Fall of Ahilon (Zaure’s Reign Book 1). I planned out and began to write it for my thesis in 2021. The Fall of Ahilon follows eighteen year old Princess Zaure as she flees her kingdom on her parents’ orders during an attack. On her journey, she discovers patience, powerful magic surging inside her, and lasting friendships. This book is made of rich world building surrounding seven kingdoms each housed by different fantastical creatures such as elves, fae, dwarves, trolls, animal people, orcs, and humans. It also features a made up Elvish tongue I created using parts of Hindi, Arabic, and Polish words.

I broke all the rules of language with this one, haha! There is also a slow burn/budding romance between the main character, Zaure, and a hero, Torin, who protects her on her journey to Rinekeep, a sanctuary town where she will be able to learn more about her magic and get some training before heading back to her kingdom to see all she left behind. With the help of Cagdas, a Fae warrior from Ahilon sent to protect and watch over her, Zaure will learn of her true potential.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

The Fall of Ahilon is my favorite child. I spent so many hours working on it day in and day out. So many people had a hand in creating the story and fleshing it out. Many have told me the story is rich and enthralling, more so than anything else I’d ever written and I believe it to be true. Ahilon has been through so many critiques because I want it to be the turning point of my career and I hope I give it the justice it deserves.

What inspired you to write this book?

A Tumblr post I saw about unlikely heroes when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to write my thesis on. I remember telling my husband: what if a sorcerer who has no control of his magic, an acerbic fae warrior who has no feelings, and a bard who plays the violin and sings only war tunes come together to help save a princess from an attack on her kingdom. He absolutely loved the idea and even though Ahilon strayed a bit from my initial thought process, the stray was natural and made sense.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I can be found watching TV or streaming shows like Supernatural, Dynasty, Full House, Fresh Prince, or Gilmore Girls. I also enjoy sitting on the couch reading a book or playing board games with my family, running around the house with the dog, and playing Pokemon Go

What does your writing space look like?

My writing space is nonexistent. I’m either on the couch with a snack table or with my laptop on my lap or in my bed with the laptop on my lap. I know, it’s a little unorthodox but I do my best work when I’m comfy!

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?

The Many Lives of Aimee Shaye. Is that corny? I feel like it’s corny!

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It took me two years to write The Fall of Ahilon because I was developing it for my thesis class when I was finishing an MFA in English and Creative Writing. My process started with an outline, then a critique on two chapters at a time until the class finished. After that, I would write and share what I wrote with my husband and mom to see what they thought. They gave me feedback and tips and I implemented it. After I finished the first draft, I sent my book out to Alpha readers who gave me valuable feedback, then Beta readers who did the same, and finally it’s with its editor!

Favorite reads?

The Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon; The Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz: Once Upon a Broken Heart and Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber (just to name a few).

Do you have any book recommendations?

Any books by Alka Joshi, Sejal Badani, Stacey Lee, Sarah M Cradit, Casey L Bond, and Rebecca L Garcia

What’s your next big project?

My next big project is an Indian inspired fantasy re-imaging of my favorite Shakespearean tragedies!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Yes! You have to be true to yourself and enjoy what you’re writing. Make sure you read A LOT and figure out your market and tropes before hand so you don’t struggle to find footing when you’re done.That’s why it’s important for you to be passionate about your story. You’re going to have to push it and you want your readers to see your passion so they can love it just as much as you do!

Follow Aimee:

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www.instagram.com/aimeeshayeauthor

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Mary Camarillo is an award-winning novelist who writes Southern California stories at a desk in Huntington Beach, California. She loves hearing from readers and talking to book clubs, in person, if possible, or online. Riley, her 15-pound Flame Point Siamese roommate/manager of marketing, might even make an online appearance if he’s in the mood. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Mary Camarillo, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Mary Camarillo is the author of the award-winning novel “The Lockhart Women.” Her awards include the 2022 Indie Author Project Award for California Adult Fiction, the 2022 Willa Literary Award Finalist in Multiform Fiction, the 2021 First Place Award in the Next Generation Indies for First Fiction, the 2022 Finalist for the Screencraft Cinematic Book Award, and the 2021 Finalist in the American Book Awards in Women’s Fiction. Her second novel “Those People Behind Us” will be published in October of 2023. Her poems and short fiction have appeared in publications such as TAB Journal, 166 Palms, Sonora Review, and The Ear.

Mary writes about living in Southern California, a place she’s called home for more than fifty-five years and is still trying to understand. She had a long career with the postal service, which might be genetic—both her grandfathers were railway mail clerks. She sorted mail, sold stamps, worked in the accounting office, and went to night school, eventually earning a degree in business administration, a CPA license, and a Certificate in Internal Auditing.

She currently serves on the advisory boards of Citric Acid, An Orange County Literary Arts Quarterly, and LibroMobile, An Arts Cooperative and Bookstore in Santa Ana, California. She’s a member of Women Writing the West, Women Who Submit, and Women for Orange County. Mary lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, who plays ukulele, and their terrorist cat Riley, who makes frequent appearances on Instagram.

When did you start writing?

I wrote poems and short stories as a child. In high school, I edited the literary magazine and wrote for the school newspaper. I had an idea that I’d eventually major in journalism but I unfortunately let a sour teacher discourage me from that idea. I kept writing poems and have always been a voracious reader. The last part of my working career was as a government auditor. I wrote and edited countless audit reports which surprisingly gave me the confidence to try my hand at writing fiction. Audit reports describe a condition that needs improvement and must explain the cause (why this happened) and the effect (who the heck cares?) There are similarities in writing fiction. The reader needs to understand why the characters behave as they do and the story needs to be compelling for the reader to care enough to continue to read. And the best fiction, in my opinion, tells the truth, as audit reports do, although writing fiction is definitely much more fun.

What was it like growing up?

I’m the oldest of three children, with two younger brothers. My family has lived in or near Columbia, South Carolina, going back to pre-Civil War days. My dad was a chemical engineer for Douglas Aircraft and my mom was a homemaker. They loved music and plays and were avid readers who took us to the library. I checked out as many books as allowed, read them all and went back for more. I played piano, was a Girl Scout, loved the Beatles, and hated wearing glasses.

How was your early life?

My dad was transferred to Santa Monica, California when I was fourteen. All we knew about California was from surf movies and the Beach Boys music. We thought everyone lived on the beach and knew movie stars. We first lived in Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, which was nowhere near the beach or any movie stars although I was thrilled to get to see the Beatles at Dodger Stadium. I didn’t go to college after high school, I went to work for the postal service. I never planned to make a career there but I stayed on for many reasons. I made life long friends. I met my husband. And I found a variety of types of work to do, from sorting mail to selling stamps, from working in the accounting office to managing the finance department. I ended my career as a CPA and Audit Manager for the Office of Inspector General.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My parents were resourceful, resilient people who reinvented themselves many times over their long lives. They grew up in the Great Depression, lived through World War II, and raised teenagers during the sixties. Leaving their mothers, sisters, brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends behind when we moved to California must have been traumatic for them but as a self-absorbed 14-year-old, I never considered what they went through. My dad was laid off two years after he was transferred to California. He and my mother started their own offset printing business. They eventually sold that business, moved to Oregon and started another new life, then returned to California twenty years ago. Witnessing their flexibility, their ability to find community, and to live lives rich in experiences was completely inspirational to me.

Tell us about your newest release.

“Those People Behind Us” is set in the summer of 2017 in the fictional city of Wellington Beach, California, a suburban coastal town increasingly divided by politics, protests, and escalating housing prices. These divisions change the lives of five neighbors as they search for home and community in a neighborhood where no one can agree on who belongs.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

That’s not a fair question! I’m giving my new book the most attention these days because it’s releasing in three months. My first novel still has my heart, though. I learned so much from writing, publishing and promoting “The Lockhart Women.”

What inspired you to write this book?

“Those People Behind Us” was inspired by my neighborhood. During the pandemic, my husband and I spent a lot of time walking the streets and making up stories about the lives of our neighbors. We heard someone pounding on a drum set and decided it must be a kid who wanted to be a rock and roller. One of our neighbors always left all of their doors wide open, day and night, and we worried something bad could easily happen to them. We were curious about the flags our neighbors flew, what they thought about, and how they spent their days. We also saw a lot of suburban wildlife on our walks–coyotes, possums, skunks, racoons, herons, hummingbirds–and started paying more attention to the types of trees and plant life. Most of this ended up in “Those People Behind Us” but I fictionalized actual names to make the story more universal.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time dealing with the aftermath of my father’s death. He died in February of this year at the age of 100 and one-half years and I miss him fiercely. There’s been a lot of paperwork and follow up, dealing with banks and realtors and going through possessions and photographs. I’m looking forward to planning some travel once all of this is behind me. In the meantime, you can find me reading, listening to music, or going out to hear live music.

What does your writing space look like?

Organized chaos.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

This is one reason I haven’t written a memoir. I have no idea what I’d call it. “From Carolina to California?” “Still Confused in SoCal?”

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

My first novel took seven years. My second novel took about three years. My process is to start with characters, give them a lot of problems, and see what decisions they make. I don’t use an outline until much later in the process. It would probably be more efficient if I knew where the story was going earlier in the process, but the fun for me is the surprise in figuring it all out.

Favorite reads?

“Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout. “Shaky Town” by Lou Mathews. “Great Kitchens of the Midwest” by J. Ryan Stradal

Do you have any book recommendations?

J. Ryan Sradal’s new book “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club” is wonderful. I just read “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier and loved it. I’m a huge fan of Louise Errdich, too, and really admired “The Sentence.”

What’s your next big project?

Too soon to say much but I’ve been fooling around with ghost stories set in the 70s, an era which has just recently qualified as historical fiction.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

1. Find a writing workshop but learn to trust your own voice.

2. Don’t be afraid to revise. You can only make it necessary to revise again.

3. Read widely. Read like writing is your job.

4. Support your local writing community. Writers are incredibly supportive of each other.

5. Support your local independent bookstores. It’s against the law to go into one and not buy something.

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Jeremiah Gilbert is a globe-trotting professor and award winning photographer and travel writer. When not in an airport, he’s either editing photos or prepping for class. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Jeremiah Gilbert for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Jeremiah Gilbert is an award-winning photographer and travel writer based out of Southern California. His travels have taken him to over a hundred countries and territories spread across six continents. His photography has been published internationally and exhibited worldwide. His hope is to inspire those who see his work to look more carefully at the world around them in order to discover beauty in unusual and unexpected places. He is the author of the collections Can’t Get Here from There: Fifty Tales of Travel, From Tibet to Egypt: Early Travels After a Late Start, and On to Plan C: A Return to Travel.

When did you start writing?

One of my earliest memories was writing and illustrating a story called “Cheese Please” about a cat searching for cheese, and the only animal who would give him any was a mouse. I was around five years old.

What was it like growing up?

My father was an artist, so growing up, I was surrounded by other artists, models, dealers, and collectors. I dabbled with painting and drawing when I was younger but found my visual creative outlet when I discovered photography. That was back in the days of film, and I’m thankful for what that taught me about seeing and composing.

How was your early life?

Quiet. I’m an only child and mostly kept to myself. You’d most likely find my nose in a book, if I was not composing something on guitar or drafting out a short story.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

I’m very fortunate that both of my parents were very supportive of all my endeavors, whether academic or creative. My mom was also an avid reader, and I’d show her my drafts, knowing she’d lovingly give me her honest opinion. Unfortunately, I lost my mom to cancer and my dad to a heart attack over a decade ago. They used to be the first ones I’d tell my travel tales to when returning from a trip.

Tell us about your newest release.

My latest is On to Plan C: A Return to Travel. Whereas my first two books focused on writing about past travels, this one includes my photography and covers my return to travel in 2022 after being sidelined for two-and-a-half years due to the pandemic. It was interesting traveling with an eye on later writing about it. While I’ve always traveled with a journal, this time, I found myself making notes and capturing details I knew would make for good reading later.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

I have found memories of the writing of my first collection, Can’t Get Here from There: Fifty Tales of Travel. I came up with the idea to start writing down some travel tales while traveling in the Balkans, started drafting out the first ones in a coffeeshop in London, and didn’t have a title for the collection until I wrote the ending piece.

What inspired you to write this book?

With On to Plan C I figured I could capture a moment in time, how travel had changed after the pandemic and how it had stayed the same. In the two-and-a-half-years I was grounded, I had also changed in what interested me and how I approached travel. I also enjoyed being able to include photography with this book and intend to do it will any future works.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I’m a college professor and travel when on break, so most days I’m either in the classroom, responding to emails from students, or doing prep work. Like with my writing, I’m always revising my lectures and assessments, trying to improve them.

What does your writing space look like?

I don’t have a dedicated space. I can write most anywhere if it’s relatively quiet and the ideas are flowing. As I mentioned, my first collection was started in a coffee shop. I’m always leaving thoughts and notes on scraps of paper next to my bed as they often come late at night or early in the morning. I do have a home office, but I’m more often found writing on my laptop in the living room.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Not entirely sure, but based on my three books so far, it’s sure to have “travel” in the title.

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

The process for On to Plan C was to travel then write, so it was written in between trips. It covers travels from May 2022, when I returned to international travel, through to early January 2023. I finished it a few months later. While it is nonfiction, I did incorporate some concepts more often found in fiction. For instance, the first chapter, “Near Death in Fiji,” begins by foreshadowing an event that will occur halfway through that trip. The last chapter, “West of the Indies,” begins and ends with an allusion to a quote from Anthony Bourdain.

Favorite reads?

My favorite modern author is Cormac McCarthy, who passed away this year. His last two novels, The Passenger and Stella Maris, are companion pieces and were released within a month of each other last year. I read them both during the travels written about in “West of the Indies.” I was originally introduced to him based on my love for William Faulkner.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard is one of my favorite travel books. It’s old school travel writing, exquisitely observed and written. Paul Theroux started strong with The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia, recounting his travels on the Orient Express, the Khyber Mail, and the Trans-Siberian Express, through countries such as Turkey, Iran, India, Japan, and the Soviet Union. I also recently read Janna L. Goodwin’s The End of the World Notwithstanding: Stories I Lived to Tell and really wish I had come up with that title.

What’s your next big project?

Unsure. I’ve been drafting out some new travel tales that could be a follow-up to my first book. My second book, From Tibet to Egypt: Early Travels After a Late Start, was based on my journals from my first few years of travel, and I have journals covering the next few years that could be a follow-up to that one as well, though I’d include photos this time. Ultimately, it will probably end up being something I haven’t thought of yet.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Believe in your work. If you submit it for publication, there’s going to be a lot of rejection. But if you believe in what you’ve submitted, you’ll brush it off and submit again. Sometimes a rejection will come with some constructive criticism. Be open to it and learn from it.

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Shelley Cass is the mother of fantasy worlds, magical erotica, myth touched dystopias, and of the Raze Warfare series – a kickass LGBTQ+ action/romance/social commentary. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Shelley Cass, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Shelley Cass works with diverse teens as a secondary teacher. She has always been the head in the sky (slow, distracted) type, and an unhealthy blend of the scrambled perfectionist.

Her ADHD brain made it hard to learn easy things, like keeping her attention still, or learning to read when she was a kid. When that mental block lifted, the same ADHD brain became addicted to reading, Devouring all the words she’d felt too dumb to process before. It was a revelation.

She has such empathy for her own students who have to overcome mental blocks. And also social blocks. It was watching her students attend equal marriage marches before this was legalized that made Shelley more passionate that love is love. The idea that her students may not have access to a wedding day because of their type of love was horrifying. That fact helped her to write Raze and Kiddo’s romance in Raze Warfare. The character Kiddo is loaded with Shelly’s calm, perfect, storm-in-a-teacup qualities. It’s very therapeutic, really.

When did you start writing?

I wasn’t the brightest button. It took a long while for my brain to absorb how letters strung into words and then into sentences. My poor brain never managed to work out numbers, though. When all the other kids raced to get prime challenger spots in a game of Maths Champ or Maths Tiggy in the classroom, I would be squeezing myself between the tubs and the teacher’s desk so nobody could find me to challenge me.

The embarrassment of losing every time was overwhelming. But when we got to creative writing and reading our work out to the class (now that I had worked out words and didn’t have to mumble nonsense out to pretend I was reading something)… I got laughs. I got claps. I got joy. I vaguely remember an early story called ‘The Adventures of the Talking Glue Stick,’ and I believe this brilliance was produced in grade two. Writing became my escape, my fixation, and my dopamine hit.

What was it like growing up?

Aside from the pitfalls of being a daydreamer at school, growing up was lovely. My parents and sisters nurtured every imaginative tangent while also keeping me grounded and working their butts off to help me succeed in learning the skills I needed for the real world.

How was your early life?

My early life was all about the piles of toys surrounding me in bed, the story times, the games, the armchair cuddles, and the learning. Always learning.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My fantasy trilogy, ‘A Fairy’s Tale,’ took half my life to write. I began writing that story at fourteen and built the most epic adventure for fifteen years. Yes, it was epic. But I also couldn’t let it go. I couldn’t stop overthinking it. When I let the need for perfection go and realized that I am an English teacher who helps students to self-edit every day, I dropped so much dense fluff from my own work.

I had to swap hats from writer to editor. I had to learn how to self-publish and let it go. Once I released myself from agonizing, and swapped hats from writer to editor to publisher, things started to come much easier. I could access readers from across the world simply because I wasn’t in my own way anymore. So I suppose it was the hats that influenced me. That and, I don’t want to be a fraud telling my students to chase their dreams, all while stifling my own.

Tell us about your newest release.

Raze Warfare is a passionate, sweet, brutal, punch-to-the-gut bisexual romance. The Raze gang are the kind of people who have had to band together to survive a reality where money makes the world go round. Having no family or money makes you a perfect target to be harvested by the snatchers. People traffickers can find all the best candidates for disappearing and selling.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Raze Warfare. Kiddo is me in so many ways, and Raze is larger than life, like my husband. I also love the diversity of the gang. This series is very much like SE Hinton’s ‘The Outsiders,’ If women had been kick-ass members of the gang, sexualities had been open, some gender-bending had been normal, the family was mixed race, and the enemy wanted to sell you instead of scare you.

What inspired you to write this book?

I just saw the opening scene unfolding. I had no idea where it was going. But I saw Kiddo in the library and Raze – unnoticed and cat-like; stretched out on the old window sill. He was slipping down, stalking forward, curious to get to know what made Kiddo tick. I had to get to know them.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Obsessively organizing things, crafting, blobbing on the couch with a cup of tea and the hubby, being guilted by big eyes into walking the fur-baby Ace, or marking papers.

What does your writing space look like?

A pink velvet armchair and a tall, warm rose-gold lamp. Bliss.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Where did I put my…?

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

Now that I’ve got out of my own way, I can smash out a novel each school holiday if I want to. I just have to be careful not to burn out, as it becomes all consuming.

Favorite reads?

I teach the heavy stuff in English and History classes. So I like to switch off with some good ol smut or fantasy. Or smutty fantasy. I’m an audiobook lover, as I clean, walk Acey or sit in traffic every day.

Do you have any book recommendations?

The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner, is the most brilliant book I’ve ever read. A charismatic, charming, reckless main character, and twists that still unfold before my eyes, despite how many times I’ve read this book. Ahhhhhhhh.

What’s your next big project?

My next edition is an addition to the family. A baby girl is on her way, kicking at my phone as I lean on her and type this.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Get out of your way!

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Susan J. Farese is an author/poet, nurse, veteran, and owner of SJF Communications in San Diego, CA. She is in awe of hummingbirds, seahorses, shorebirds, and life! We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Susan J. Farese for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, a native of New Jersey, is the owner/ president of SJF Communications, San Diego, CA. SJF Communications, originally established in 2002 in San Jose, CA, provides communications services, including Public Relations, Publicity, Marketing, Websites, Filmmaking, Acting, Social Media, Writing and Public Speaking, Photography, Mentoring, Coaching, and Legal Nurse Consulting services.

Ms. Farese has diversified experience in health care/communications, including clinical nursing practice, management, education/training, research, and consulting. She has a Master’s Degree in Nursing in Adult Health from Seton Hall University (NJ) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Widener University (PA). Susan has presented numerous continuing education classes, seminars, and keynotes.

Susan J. Farese is the author of the book Poetic Expressions in Nursing…Sharing the Caring (1993 and 2021) currently teaches ‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku‘ workshops and has published poetry and articles on a variety of topics. Since 2017, Susan has been a Volunteer Mentor in the San Diego State University Aztec Mentor Program.

Contact SJF Communications at 858-353-7488 or info@sjfcommunications.com. Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/Sjfcommo

When did you start writing?

1991

What was it like growing up?

I grew up in a small blue collar town in NJ. My Mom (now deceased – she passed away last year) was a wonderfully talented dance teacher and professional singer (before I was born) but occasionally did choreography during my childhood and teens. My Dad, a great athlete, was in sales, real estate (salesperson and broker), and also in financial services and insurance (and continues to teach continuing education for real estate at age 88)! I have one brother several years younger than me. My maternal grandparents lived around the corner until my grandfather passed away at age 55, and my grandmother suffered from and endured early Alzheimer’s Disease and passed away at age 60. My paternal grandparents lived a town away.

I attended parochial school until 8th grade. The summer between 7th and 8th grade, we moved about an hour South to the Jersey Shore.  I transferred to a public school system from 8th grade through high school. My summer jobs during high school included working at a bakery as well as a gift shop on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. 

How was your early life?

This is a bit complicated. My childhood in NJ consisted of dance lessons from my Mom’s phenomenal student/protege and her colleague. From age 8-14, we witnessed my maternal grandmother’s suffering. She was my soulmate. The experience of her suffering and early demise compelled me to become a nurse. Her loss was ultimately the catalyst for me to begin writing in 1991, 20 years after her death in 1971.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My parents, husband, daughter, brother, geographical and professional changes/reinventions, maternal grandmother’s early death, and of course, my strong INTUITION!

Tell us about your newest release.

Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing The Caring

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing The Caring

What inspired you to write this book?

The pandemic compelled me to publish a 2nd edition of my book due to the stress, anxiety, and depression that nurses were enduring, as well as others experiencing the pandemic and its effect all over the world. I chose to celebrate nursing and inspire others through the creative art of poetry.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Hiking or strolling in nature, snapping nature photography photos, spending time with family/friends, and watching reality TV!

What does your writing space look like?

Anywhere I am inspired! My office desk, on the couch w/laptop, or in nature at lagoons or the ocean with my phone notes!

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

“The Creative Reinvention Maven“

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It took several months-both in 1991 for the debut & 1993 versions and also for the 2nd edition in 2021.

Favorite reads?

Biographies and memoirs.

Do you have any book recommendations?

I am eclectic in my choices. Not sure if I want to recommend them individually, but I enjoy biographies, memoirs, and non-fiction.

What’s your next big project?

Continue spreading creative inspirations and stress management with Haiku by teaching workshops to nurses and the general public. Gearing up for a county wide contract to teach Haiku at local county libraries in San Diego. Please reach out to me and let me know if I can make an impact on nurse groups/healthcare organizations with Haiku workshops!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Don’t be too tough on yourself but remember to make a plan to market your work early enough (or hire a publicist)! Use the platform(s) that best fit your genre/topic etc.

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SJF Author Page

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Bruce is a homebody, strange since he’s been a Theatre-Film-Television actor/TV writer for most of his life. Loves his wife, cooking, gardening, and good wine. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Bruce Neckels, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Award winning writer Bruce Neckels has 50 years of professional experience in the entertainment business. His acting credits in numerous film, television, and stage productions bring another level of creativity to his writing. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Francisco State College, in Radio-Television Broadcasting, with a minor in Drama. His first break as a writer came in 1989, when he was hired by NBC.

Since then, he has scripted close to 600 episodes for television, earning four EMMY® nominations and winning the Writers Guild of America Award.

“Matter of Conscience” is his first book, which includes his intensely personal experiences with the Vietnam War and the price he paid for being against it, along with the rewards that followed.

Born August 10, 1944, in Dickinson, North Dakota, Bruce lived in Belfield, N.D., under the care of his Ukrainian grandmother for the first nine years of his life. His parents separated when he was two years old. At the age of nine, Bruce was sent to live with his father in Merced, California, where he lived for the next twelve years (more on Mom later).

There he attended public schools, which included earning an AA Degree from Merced College. In 1965, he moved to San Francisco, where he attended San Francisco State College. It was during this time that Bruce got caught up in the antiwar movement. After studying the history of Vietnam and paying close attention to what was currently happening in Vietnam, he refused induction into the service. Though he offered to do alternative service, he was sentenced to two years in a federal prison in 1971 but was paroled after one year.

Following his release, Bruce continued his acting career in San Francisco as a member of the Brebner Casting Agency (where he had been cast in his first movie role in Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Zabriskie Point” in 1969. just prior to his incarceration) However, his TV/Film career had to sit on the sidelines from September until May for the next two years. As a result of his incarceration, Bruce “qualified” to join the Barbwire Theatre, an acting company of ex-convicts performing in Rick Cluchey’s “THE CAGE,” a brutal play about the horror of prison life. “The Cage” was presented at colleges throughout the United States and Canada, including daytime classroom visitations and the play at night, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Its’ purpose was to bring awareness of prison conditions and the need for prison reform. The play gained such notoriety that it was performed in the Great Hall of Justice in Washington D.C., and for the National FBI Convention on Crime, also in D.C.

After his stint with “The Cage,” Bruce re-joined the Brebner Agency, where he landed roles in “Magnum Force,” “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry,” several episodes of “Streets of San Francisco,” and John Korty’s “Farewell to Manzanar.” He also appeared in several national TV commercials. He found time to take on roles in several plays, including Ugo Betti’s “Crime On Goat Island,” which earned him the San Francisco Drama Critics Award for Best Actor of the Year in a Non-Equity Production. He also produced and starred in his own production of John Hopkins’s play “Find Your Way Home.”

Finally, in September of 1978, Bruce bid farewell to the “City by the Bay” and moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as an actor for the next ten years. But during this time, writing had begun to creep into his life. He wrote and submitted “spec” scripts to various TV series and, in 1989, was finally brought in to write NBC’s new ground-breaking daytime series, “Generations.” But after 18 months and a terrible time slot, the show was canceled. However, Bruce was scooped up by the revolving door of soap writers and immediately hired by “Santa Barbara.” which he wrote until the show finally came to an end.

From there, he spent six months in Toronto writing “Family Passions,” a joint venture series between Canada and Germany. Then back to Los Angeles, where he wrote a short series for MTV, “Spyder Games.” And from 1996-2002. he wrote “Days of Our Lives,” finally ending his soap writing career with “Young and the Restless” in 2017.

His book, “Matter of Conscience,” was published in December of 2019. He currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif., with his wife, Wendy. They’ve been married for 42 years. They have a daughter, Erin, age 30.

When did you start writing?

I assume you mean professionally? I never even thought of writing a book or memoir until 2001. But before that, as soon as I moved to Los Angeles, I began writing treatments (long storylines, much more fleshed out than outlines). My wife was an assistant director on a sitcom called “Silver Spoons.” I’d seen enough episodes to understand the set-up and flow of the show, so I took a chance, wrote a spec script, and submitted it to the Executive Producer. He really liked it, but there were only three more episodes left for the season. Two scripts were already assigned and in re-writes; the third was also assigned to a staff writer. But the EP assured me that my script would kick off the next season.

However, the show’s star, Rick Schroder, didn’t want to do the show anymore, and the season was canceled. Even so, for me, it was a positive experience. I just kept writing and submitting until I finally got a call from Sally Sussman, creator, and head writer for a brand new soap opera called “Generations.” She asked me to write a spec script for her show. She liked what I wrote and hired me. And that sent me off on a 30-year journey writing daytime television.

What was it like growing up?

Poor. I grew up in Belfield, North Dakota, with my Ukrainian grandmother, who barely spoke English. My mother, a single mom at the time, was a high school English teacher, and the only job she could get was across the state, In Grand Forks. I saw her at Christmas, Easter, and during the summer. But she worked as a waitress during those summers to keep the money coming in, so I barely spent any time with her. She did the best she could. I loved her dearly, but my grandmother was my heart and soul.

How was your early life?

Again, we were very poor. My father and mother divorced when I was two years old. Dad went off to California with me and his second wife, while my sister, Bonnie, stayed with my mother. Bonnie was fifteen months older than me. But one year later, they switched kids. My guess is that Dad’s new wife got tired of little “Brucie” real fast and would rather have an older stepdaughter. That left me without a male influence for the next seven years. I didn’t meet my father until I went to live with him. By that time, he was into his third marriage, so I found myself living with strangers, which included my sister Bonnie and two step-sisters.

There was always so much tension within the family, not because of my father. He was a very kind, gentle man. But wife/step-mom #3 made it a living hell with her mood swings. I could have gone to live with my real mother at any time, but the truth is, I felt so sorry for my father that I didn’t have the heart to leave.

On the upside, I had wonderful friends around the neighborhood whose parents became my surrogate parents and made life bearable. I ended up doing very well during my high school years: I was very popular. First-chair drummer in our high school band; Student Body President; I played varsity basketball and varsity golf. By the time I started junior college, my dad and wife # 3 divorced. Too little, too late. But looking back at those tough years, It’s where I should’ve been. Footnote: My dad’s 4th wife was an absolute treasure! Oh, what could’ve been!

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

For me, not “what” but “who.” In college: Dr. Arthur Hough, one of my Radio/TV professors at San Francisco State, taught me that an excuse isn’t worth a damn. Acting: Theater Director and dear friend, the late Dan Caldwell. Dan was my first drama teacher after college and Artistic Director for the very prestigious Marin Shakespeare Festival. He really wanted me to audition for a play he would be directing, “Comedy of Errors.” So, I got my audition piece together. But when I arrived at the audition site, it was jam-packed with not only actors waiting to audition but the general public who wanted to watch the auditions.

I lost my nerve and went home. Later that evening, he called, wanting to know why I didn’t show up. I told him I had but didn’t feel I was ready. But he felt I was and gave me a small role as a comic servant. That role and that play became the most important experience in my stage acting career. (“Matter of Conscience.” Chapter 12. Comedy of Errors – A Shakespearian Tragedy). Writing: In TV/Film, my experience as an actor was very important because, as a writer, I understood an actor’s problems and fears. Also, as an actor, I had a good ear for dialogue. The book: My Involvement in that particular time in history.

Tell us about your newest release.

… and only release. “Matter of Conscience” It’s a memoir. A biography centered around my prison experience.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

“Matter of Conscience” is my only child I only hope that as I continue to raise it, I won’t spoil it.

What inspired you to write this book?

Again, not “What,” but “Who.” My daughter, Erin, when she was nine years old. She walked into my office one night while I was working. She had to write a one-page English paper about someone in her life “who did something dangerous,” and did I know anyone? Like a school kid who knew the answer, I raised my arm, begging to be called upon. I then gave her a brief summary about going to prison for being against the war in Vietnam – not at all what she was expecting. I felt bad. I mean, she was only nine. I probably should have told her about the time I killed a rattlesnake. But ten minutes later, she came back into the room and said, “Dad, I think it’s really cool what you did.” That’s when I realized she really didn’t know a whole lot about me. The next day, I began writing “Matter of Conscience.”

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

Gardening, cooking, and since I’m a member of the Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA – ergo, a voting member for the EMMYS, SAG/AFTRA, and WGA awards, I do have to watch a lot of movies/TV series in order to submit my nominations truthfully. Yes, it’s an honor system thing, but I want to be fair. There’s so much great writing and great acting from all over the world which needs to be recognized. Plus, it’s very educational. And since that means sitting on my butt a lot, I’m up at 4 a.m. in the morning, Mon. -Fri.; at the gym by 4:30, and home by 6 a.m., ready to start my day.

What does your writing space look like?

My wife, Wendy, and I have a nice spatial office. She has her desk and computer. I have mine. It’s a nicely lit room with a window that opens up to our backyard.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

“Matter of Conscience” is a memoir/biographical account of my experience about going to prison for being against the Vietnam War, which includes my past leading up to the decision I made. But a different name/title? Let’s see… “I Thought Growing Old Was Supposed To Take Longer.” Or: Bruce Neckels: Could I Have a Do-over, Please?

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

Twenty years. That’s because I was so busy writing scripts for Daytime television (Days of Our Lives, Young and the Restless, Santa Barbara, Spyder Games). I wrote one, oftentimes two scripts per week, which amounted to 75 – 150 pages of dialogue. In addition, I was parent president of each school my daughter attended (elementary, middle, and high school). I was President of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce for two years and sat on the Board of Directors for six years. So the last thing I wanted to do during my time off was write. I began writing the memoir during the spring of 2001 – but only as a memoir for my daughter. It was never meant to become a book. So my “process” was to write whenever I could.

Favorite reads?

The Count of Monte Cristo( Dumas); All Quiet on the Western Front (Remarque);The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck); In Cold blood (Capote); 1984 (Orwell); Another Roadside Attraction (Tom Robbins); Slaughterhouse Five (Vonnegut Jr.); Catch-22 (Heller); Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (Dee Brown)

Do you have any book recommendations?

All of the above for younger writers. I’m sure most writers over 50 have read them; Anything by Charles Dickens. Shakespeare – There isn’t a plot, theme, or human experience that he hasn’t written about. Grisham and Connelly books are fun. I’d rather someone recommend books to me.

What’s your next big project?

As far as my next book? Not sure. But I’d like to set up a few speaking engagements, preferably colleges that include the 60s and Vietnam War History as part of their curriculum. I spoke two years in a row at Marymount Manhatten College n New York – a course titled “Reconstructing the 60s – and had an incredible time. The students couldn’t stop asking questions. And the letters I received from them following my visits were heart-warming. So I know there’s an audience out there.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Understand that I never aspired to be an author. I started out writing spec scripts for television, and when I finally began writing soaps, I was writing scripts from outlines. I wrote three television pilots before I even started “Matter of Conscience.” And those were invaluable to me because they taught me structure, both linear and non-linear, character development, and as I mentioned earlier, being an actor, I have a good ear for dialogue. So to try and answer your question… I’ve had several very talented friends with great stories to tell but never did because “I just don’t know where to start.”

Well, here’s what you do, I would tell them: Sit down in front of your computer or typewriter (Don’t laugh. My dear friend – a very famous romance novelist – has used a typewriter for the last fifty years). Create your document, or pull up whatever book-writing software you purchased, and go to that empty page, Don’t beat yourself up because you don’t have a title. Just write: “Title TBD” (To Be Determined). That way, you at least have words on your opening page. Now start. Open up that can of alphabet soup and toss it in the air, and see what words come out. And if it spells “crap,” that’s okay. Your first pass will NEVER be your last. And don’t be afraid to overwrite.

If you need to write an outline first – a few lines to establish a beginning, middle, or end, then do that. The first story I ever wrote was based on the ending. Next was figuring out just what was going to get me there! You may not be at your computer the moment you come up with a line of dialogue, a new scene, or that elusive title. So ALWAYS write your thoughts down as quickly as you can. You all have cell phones. Create a Notes app and store those thoughts. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come up with an idea, a line of dialogue, a new moment – thinking it was so brilliant! So important! How could I possibly forget it? And then, two hours later, it was gone.

Again, don’t be afraid of that empty page. It’s like a Nordic Cold Plunge. The longer you stare down at that 39-degree water, the more likely you’ll lose your nerve and never jump in. Just go for it.

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Karissa Hubbard is a woman of God with a kind heart, a coach, and a Children’s author, who loves her family and friends and wants to glorify the kingdom of God. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Karissa Hubbard for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Karissa S. Hubbard resides in Houston, TX, where she is a coach, an internationally-certified Christian counselor, an inspirational speaker, and an author. Karissa holds a B.A. in Journalism with a double emphasis in Print and Broadcast from Arkansas Tech University.

She loves God and strives to live a life that glorifies His name every day. Her first publication, The Popular Girl, has won her the Top Expressionist Award from Broadcast Houston and the Most Outstanding Alumni award from Arkansas Tech University.

She has also been interviewed by Voyage Houston and The Doing Far More Show on Eyeconic Television while traveling around the state speaking on her work. In 2022, she was named one of the Top 30 Influential Women: Movers and Shakers by K.I.S.H. Magazine.

When did you start writing?

I started writing at a very young age, and I can remember being in preschool and asking my mom for a Lisa Frank journal. I am not sure what I was writing, but that definitely started my writing journey.

What was it like growing up?

I grew up wanting to be “the first girl in the NBA.” Basketball has always been my first love, and I spent every day playing it. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with a kidney disease that shook up my and my family’s world. That would be the first time I got to really understand who God would be in my life. Life always has its adversities, but it is what makes your journey yours.

How was your early life?

I grew up very close with my family. I saw my grandma every day and my cousins as well. We are a basketball family, so I was always watching one of my aunts or playing myself.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

My biggest influence has been my niece, she is who the main character is named after, and I just wanted her to have an outline as she grows up. I want her not to chase popularity but be ok with exactly who she is.

Tell us about your newest release.

My newest release was The Popular Girl: First Communion; it is about a young lady who is partaking in Communion for the first time and the twists and turns that interfere with it. It is a fun read for all ages.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Definitely First Communion. I just think the story is so cute, but it also gives a clear message we all can learn from.

What inspired you to write this book?

My athletic coordinator at the time, Everett White, who is also a minister, came up to me one day and said, “I want you to write a book about a hood rat and a Church mouse,” and I did!

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I am usually taking a nap or hanging with my family and friends or somewhere in the gym.

What does your writing space look like?

It looks different. Sometimes it’s my bedroom; sometimes, it is a coffee shop. Wherever I can get my creative juices flowing is where the magic happens.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Karissa Explains It All

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

It took me maybe a week. I am big on just write the story first; then, you can go back and make changes. So, I usually try to write it all in one setting and get my thoughts out, then tweak it from there.

Favorite reads?

Honestly, I’m a big supporter of my friends, so anything my friends have written, I enjoy reading.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Mentoring strategies for African American males

What’s your next big project?

My next big project is Book #3. I hear so many males that think The Popular Girl isn’t for them, so I’m trying to create something that can be for everyone. I am also planning a Popular Girl Brunch in my city.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I would say if you are an aspiring author, write the book! You never know who needs to hear your story or who you can inspire. Just always do it for the right reasons.

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Jesse Bond is primarily a romance author, and you’ll find Jesse’s books range from paranormal romance, urban, and high fantasy and all shades in between right down to contemporary. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Jesse Bond, for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.

Born in 1981, Jesse Bond is the pen name for Heather MacDougall. Growing up, Jesse split her time between living in Southern Oregon and Arizona. In 2001, Jesse moved to Colorado to live in the Great Rocky Mountains in a tiny mountain town where she still resides.

Wife and mother of two, her favorite activities include video and board gaming, hiking, camping, and reading. That is, of course, when she isn’t writing her next steamy romance novel. Nothing makes Jesse happier than eight-legged mollusks, dragons and other fantasy creatures, magic, and tacos. Primarily a romance author, you’ll find Jesse’s books range from paranormal romance, urban, and high fantasy and all shades in between, right down to contemporary.

In addition to traditional romance, she also enjoys writing reverse harem and LGBTQ+ love stories. Don’t be surprised if you find something outside of the romance genre, though. Jesse loves to write any chance she gets and will try everything if the inspiration hits.

When did you start writing?

March of 2020

What was it like growing up?

I was raised by my mother and grandmother from the age of six. Being self-sufficient and taking pride in my accomplishments was instilled in me at an early age by both independent women. My childhood was filled with outdoor adventure, playing in the desert sun, riding horses, fishing, and spending time with my family.

How was your early life?

My mother and father divorced when I was one, and my mother remarried. That relationship didn’t last long, and we moved from Oregon to Arizona before I turned six. My grandmother joined us in that move, and from then on, my childhood was extremely supportive and stable.

What has been the biggest influence in your career?

The largest influence I have experienced has been reading the works of a multitude of other Indy authors. Some are those I aspire to call peers; others teach me ways in which to better my own writing. Anne Rice and Ken Follet are the authors who really made a difference in my love to read early on and now my love to write.

Tell us about your newest release.

Cabernet & Desires of the Dead was released in December 2022. The twins Checo and Ajla find themselves employed by the most prestigious opera house in the world, but what they find inside is a whole lot different than the dreams they had of it.

The work is difficult, the people are questionable, and there is definitely something happening to Ajla. Checo finds a release from his worries when he meets a beautiful man who seems to cherish their time together. Mystery, suspense, and love, can all be found in this gripping novella.

Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?

Cabernet & Desires of the Dead

What inspired you to write this book?

A little bit of Phantom of the Opera vibes can be felt in this novella, but it is also a spin-off of the same world from another book, the Stranger Side of Mystic Soup. These shop series novellas took place in a world full of magic, and the idea of the Pinnacle Opera and the possibilities behind its closed curtains intrigued me.

What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?

I love to camp and hike with my family, play massive board games, play some video gaming, grow roses, and cook big meals.

What does your writing space look like?

I have a small area set aside for creativity. In that space, I have a lovely three-piece ghost ship for artwork and eleven dual-sided octopus plushies. There is a dragon sleeping under the gentle blue shaded lamp and an interesting book or two for reference next to my laptop. I love my space and find comfort in the small additions I make to it from time to time. (Usually, that is another octopus or dragon!)

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?  

Love or Regret – Nothing In Between

How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?

Words flow from me at a rapid pace. It took two months to write Cabernet & Desires of the Dead. Some other novels only take me a month. The only process I keep is an account of names, races, and their motives or personality quirks.

Favorite reads?

I have so many. Jennifer Cody’s Diviner’s Game series is pretty high on the list. Anne Rice’s Vampire Lestat will always be a favorite. I enjoy Louisa Masters, Ella Frank, KM Neuhold, NR Walker, Keira Andrews, Roe Horvat, and many others who write M/M Romance which is my favorite genre to read.

Do you have any book recommendations?

Keira Andrews – Semper Fi and CP Harris’s The Boy Who Loved Wicked are absolutely amazing, heart-wrenching, and totally worth every word.

What’s your next big project?

I have two books in editing currently. The first is a complete rewrite of my first-ever novel, The White River Pack. It never felt perfectly told to me, and I plan to do it justice in the M/M category of Paranormal Romance. Shifters, mates, enemies, magic, and a multitude of personalities fill out this lovely novel.

The second is a spinoff of Wilde Persuasion, a contemporary romance in the M/M category, called The Unexpected Mr. Smith. This next-door neighbor romance is a bi-awakening love story of a single father and the down-to-earth man who falls in love with him.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Just keep writing. If you have words in you, put them on paper. They are never perfect the first or twentieth time around, but they get better. There’s nothing like the accomplished feeling of finally getting your story out of your head and finally seeing it’s creation.

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Misty Rogers devours novels of all subjects and sizes and can be found binge-reading romance novels that she finds on the Kindle App or from one of the many physical books she has on the shelves. We enjoyed having this Author Interview – Misty Rogers for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.