Featured Interview With Author R.G. de Rouen

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Carmel, California, and have been working these past 25 years as an elementary teacher in international schools throughout the world.

Born in Korea to an American father and a German mother, I consider myself to be a true “Third Culture” kid. Not only later in life, but also as a youngster, my family moved a lot. My parents always stressed the value of getting to know other cultures, which my wife and I have tried to pass on to our two daughters. We have two cats, Rusty and Twilight.

I am a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut and enjoy teaching creative writing skills to my students.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a kid, I loved playing soccer and tennis with my friends. I also loved reading anything I could get my hands on, especially books on dinosaurs. I wanted to become a paleontologist! I was super excited when my dad got me my first chapter book called “The Enormous Egg,” by Oliver Butterworth. I still have it to this day and remember putting my signature on it!

Unlike my love of reading, my writing didn't start until I was an adult in my late twenties. I told a course called Writing For Children and Teenagers given by the Institute of Children's Literature. I was a new dad and I wanted something to entertain my daughter with in the future. My mentor at the Institute encouraged me to write especially about my experience in Kenya with elephants.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am a big fan of historical fiction and loved Ken Follett's ,Pillars of the Earth series. I love the Middle Ages period and would welcome being a part of a guild involved with planning the cathedrals. Also, I enjoy magical worlds like in HarryPotter or in Narnia. Having any form of magical powers would be great. I am also a great mystery fan both adult and children's. Ron Roy, the A-Z Mystery author among others probably inspires me the most as he was formerly an elementary school teacher who started to become an author later in life (very similar to me). This gives me hope.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
The idea for Books For Benjamin came about while visiting the Library of Congress many years ago. I thought it would be great to have a character that loves books so much that he or she has to go on a quest to find them. I thought the LOC as a housing for the world's greatest depository of items (not only books) would be an ideal setting. During the visit, I learned about Thomas Jefferson's contribution to the library and his famous quote, "I cannot live without books." This inspired me to create Benjamin, a bookworm (only the name stems from Benjamin Franklin, another great man who cherished learning and reading). Benjamin and books go well together. I also like the alliteration in Books and Benjamin and used that in the title.

Unfortunately, life got in the way and the manuscript sat in a drawer for over 25 years until I revived it 2 years ago. I was going to debut another book I had just finished about a lady who rescues orphaned elephants. I had just signed with my Ukrainian illustrator when the war broke out the next day. She wrote me to state that she would understand if I needed to pull out of the contract. I told her that I cannot abandon her and that her safety is the most important thing. She is my hero for I cannot imagine trying to work under those conditions.

Next, I worked on reviving Books For Benjamin which had its debut this November.

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Featured Interview With Author Joe Drake

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
My wife, Lynn, and I raised our children in California’s Silicon Valley. We retired to Seattle in 2018, near where Lynn grew up, after I found out that I had Parkinson’s disease. Retirement allows me to focus on my health: I learned that vigorous exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s and so I started running seriously. In 2019 I ran my first marathon and have run 14 more since.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was class valedictorian in high school yet I never learned to read for enjoyment until I read “Catch 22” the summer after graduation. It blew me away. I had no idea that reading books could be fun! Since then I have been an avid reader but I did not start writing seriously until retirement.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My tastes are varied. I love well-crafted fiction (Ken Follett, David Mitchell), quirkier stuff (Douglas Adams, Joseph Heller, Graeme Simsion, Kurt Vonnegut), and enlightening non-fiction (Michael Lewis, Bill Bryson). I am a retired engineer and in my writing I strive to educate, entertain, and inspire.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut memoir “Run With It: A True Story of Parkinson’s, Marathons, the Pandemic, and Love” details my journey as a person living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). To combat the disease I took up marathoning (Vigorous exercise is the only therapy that has been verified as effective for slowing and even stopping the progression of the disease) and I set a goal of running all the World Marathon Majors in 2021. These are annual races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City”. Normally the events take place from March to November but the pandemic forced them to be rescheduled into a tight 6-week period in the fall. Two of them (Chicago and Boston) were held on consecutive days. It was an insane objective and as far as I know only one other person besides myself ran in all of them. Between training and running these races I developed a method for thriving despite PD and my book is my effort to share that approach with anyone else so afflicted. All profits from the sale of the book are donated to Parkinson’s research. I self-published the book 8 months after finishing the last of these marathons (New York City).

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Featured Interview With Author JDeVereS

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Berkeley, CA but grew up in the fertile Sonoma and Napa Valleys. I became hooked on the genres of sci-fi/fantasy as a teenager. My friend loaned me a book by Alice Mary North (Andre Norton), and that was the beginning. I was fascinated by the "what if" freedom offered by this venue. On the side, I wrote poetry and a variety of magazine articles for various publications.

After decades of working in the technical arena, I decided to combine my literally and technical experience to begin the creation of "THE ELFKIN JOURNALS". A "What if" series of adventures that captures the essence of epic fantasy while blending in proven and theoretical aspects of science. This includes heavy doses of quantum mechanics that blow my mind. Is anybody up for a touch of quantum entanglement?

Today, I reside in San Diego County with a large family and two dogs.

My life motto is simple: "Of all creative arts, the greatest wrought is that of a life well lived."

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As long as I can remember, I have been an avid reader. But, it was in my early teenage years that I became fascinated with the realms of Sci-fi/fantasy.

I don't remember a time in my life when I was not writing. Whether I was creating white/point papers for technological programs or a wide variety of magazine articles, from hunting and fishing news to celebrity interviews and travel pieces, I have always been writing.

However, sci-fi/fantasy always remainedmy passion. Now, I'm living that experience.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
There are/were so many great sci-fi/fantasy writers that have inspired me. Incredible minds like Verne and Tolkein through Asimov, McCaffrey, Norton, Heinlein, Brooks… the list is endless.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
THE ELFKIN JOURNALS: Book 2 – Star Singers, continue to follow the adventures of "The Misfits". A team of Elven Warders dedicated to protecting our universe and all linked dimensional realities.

EXCERPT:

CHAPTER 1: KNIGHTFALL IN THE DARKNESS
“When the war beats cease, and the singing ends – for a second time. Bolts from above will change the tide. A power will fail, and darkness descend. But, a new instrument will ascend through the light and with the song. What was before will be again.”
Final prophecy from “The Book of Recounted Millennium”
…
“This is a bad thing.” Swathed in darkness, Knightfall Graywings perched atop a large rectangular stone watching the activities in a valley far below. Tanned features shaped a grim expression as he considered his options. With a focused effort, he forced himself to relax. Long gray wings softened and draped across his back, assuming the shape of a ground-length cloak. Whenever he shifted position, seeking a better vantage point, the wings fluttered like a cape caught in a gentle breeze.
“Ha! You have a gift for understatement, my king.” Twig Shadowhooks barked out a laugh as he nodded in agreement. “Even this far away, I can smell the stench of burning flesh.”
“They remember nothing about the ancients who built our pillars, yet they try to alter the balance for their own purpose. Once, our ancestors could change the stars. Now we hunt and fight with bows and swords. Little more than animals.” The young king of the Graywings clans knew he must take action soon. Despite his youth, he ruled a large Federation composed of many tribes, including the Shadowhooks, Silverwings, and Smalltooth families. These citizens counted on him to make intelligent decisions. With a casual motion, he pressed back the hood of the chain mail he wore beneath his battle harness, causing the tight weave of his single silver hair braid to drop and sway slightly as he swung his head from side to side in thought. Caught in the light of a bright moon, his hood and swaying braid glittered with an ambient glow. “For generations, we have skirmished with this seemingly immortal king and his vast armies, but now he risks the safety of the pillars to bring a war to us we cannot win.”

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Featured Interview With Author T. Octavius

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. I lived there for 7 years before moving to North Carolina, where I lived for 3-4 years. After that I moved to Alberta, Canada. I have been living here since then and are a Canadian citizen.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized my fascination for books at the age of 12. Before then the only fascination I had was in mangas and comics. I started writing around the same age, which was 12.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Brandon Sanderson, Sarah J Maas, Geroge RR Martin, and Rick Riordan are my favourite authors to read currently. My favourite genre is fantasy, as can be seen by the actors I chose.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
Heir Apparent, my debut novel, follows the story of Proteus. He is the eldest child of Poseidon and his father is missing. Despite everyone going for the throne, he is more intent on revealing the mysteries that plague them.
The question is, will be have a choice to back away from the throne as he wants?

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Featured Interview With Author Sharon Buchbinder

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in rural Connecticut where the tobacco fields were enormous and the chickens and cows outnumbered the people. I live in Baltimore, Maryland where I am bossed around by two pugs and two Maine Coon cats. Once again, I am outnumbered.

At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I've been telling stories since I was in a little kid–and got in trouble for making stuff up. I found out if I wrote it down, it saved me a lot of spankings.

Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I'm an omnivore when it comes to books. I read a ton of non-fiction for research for my novels and textbooks. I love thrillers, supernatural, paranormal, mystery, romance–and will gobble up any book that combines them all. Lately, I've become addicted to Chris Bauer and SA Cosby. Their voices are unique, their writing is evocative, and their settings are part of the cast of characters. I dare you to read just one.

Tell us a little about your latest book?
This book started out as a "What if?" moment. What if I crammed together several romance tropes: late bloomers, vampires, billionaires, AND secret babies? What could possibly go wrong. LOL! A lot if you are the billionaire vampire, Quinn, who has a villain who wants to steal your child because he can go out in the sunshine. Lucky for him, Cat's Paw Cove is a magical place, a sanctuary for Supernaturals and the home of one very courageous Gorgon, Meddy, who falls in love with him and will do anything to protect Quinn's son.

I began writing this book in March of 2022. My husband was very ill with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. I was hospitalized for triple pneumonia (2 viruses and Haemophilus influenzae,a bacterium!) in April. My cough could be heard at the end of the hall and made the nursing staff shudder. My husband passed away at home surrounded by family and pets in late May. It was difficult to clear my mind and pick the story back up. Thanks to my readers and wonderful editor, the story turned out better than expected. I cried quite a bit while re-reading it.

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