Featured Author's  Interviews

• Larry Mitchell, March-April, 2006
• Kevin Scott Collier, May-June, 2006
• Billie A. Williams, July-August, 2006
• Alan Baxter, September-October, 2006
• Zarrion Walker, November-December 2006
• Jack Robinson, January-February 2007
  

Jack Robinson,

Gysgt., US Marine Corps, Retired

 

Jack, thank you for being with us for this interview and thank you for being part of Guerrilla Marketers’ Café.

 

 It is I who want to thank you, for allowing me to talk a little about my book.

 

 

Jack, I know of your love for history, why don’t you tell us about your non-fiction book?

 

My book, I refer to it as a historical review, is titled, “Captain Otway Burns And His Ship Snap Dragon.”  The book covers his entire life of seventy-five years and not only his tour of military duty as an American Privateer (not pirate) during the War of 1812, fighting against  British Tall Ship Naval forces.  He was also a North Carolina State politician, demanding businessman, and a man who enjoyed his ale and women.   His life is filled with mystery, misunderstanding, and misguided information.   My book covers various  good and not so good adventures of Captain Burns’ life.

 

The research that went into this book took nearly seven years to compile.  I started with only a few pages of material and through hard work, locating hard-to-find official documents, and meeting with direct descendents, I now have over 3,000 pages of data.  Not only on Captain Burns’ life but, also official accounts of the War of 1812, in regards to both sides of the war.  Three National Archives assisted in the research for this book.

 

 

Why did you decide to start writing Non-fiction?

 

I have always been fascinated in little known elements of history.  I have found out that each community has history that is fading away due to the lack of correct preservation of the facts.   Many more histories have been merged with folklore, mystery, and misunderstanding.   I have written many research briefs and reports but, like other research projects that I have done over the years the legend of Captain Burns and his vessel Snap Dragon caught my attention.   So I wanted to tell his story that had been nearly forgotten over the past one hundred and fifty years.

 

How did the book idea came up?

 

While attending college in the fall of 1999, I volunteered to conduct preliminary historical research on either a local gentleman from the 18^th Century or another one from the 19^th Century.  I soon found interest in Captain Otway Burns, a War of 1812 Privateer who had been labeled a stubborn, ruthless, and squanderer of his riches type of a person.  His legend of being a strong drinker and womanizer were also well known. After obtaining a few official documents on Captain Burns I soon realized, however, there was more to Captain Burns than what was scantly written in the local history books about his life.  I felt I had to tell his story, the entire story, to set the story straight.

 

 

What inspires you?

 

Talking to Elders of a community who open their hearts and tell the stories of a bygone era.  Listening to an elder living in a town of 25,000 describing how, as a child, they use to ride horse and mule on their downtown dirt streets.  Talking about forgotten family members and how they help form the growth of a community is something I enjoy.   It is very exciting and rewarding in preserving their stories.   I take their comments and research the material that is not relatively known or properly documented.

 

The list of people or things that inspire me is way too long to list.  My two sons are on the top of the list followed closely by my dearest friend.   Local, national, and even international historians and authors who continuously give suggestions and assistance belong on the list as well.

 

How much time do you dedicate to writing?

 

This is a tricky question when it comes to historical research.  Just as with fictional creative writing, it takes me days, weeks and even months to gather official material for my project(s).  After compiling a proper quantity of data, most of which is primary information, I then spend hours and days analyzing the collected documents and photographs.  I then spend a period of time taking “field notes” of my findings.    Finally, I spend about fifteen to twenty hours a week doing redrafts, proofreading or, some other form of creative writing.  

 

What are your favorite books?

 

A well-researched and written non-fiction book.

 

What would like to tell [beginning] writers?

 

I would like to suggest that no matter what form of writing they want to develop they first have to put it onto paper.  I once had a professor who told me, “Close your eyes and see what you are writing.”  Then put your pen to paper.   Keeping a journal is old school but, it works.   A thought comes to mind, put it into your journal.  Often mentioned throughout the forums at Guerilla Marketer’s Café…Do not let your friends or family members critique your work, instead ask a semi-stranger, they will give you honest corrective criticism.  A family member or dear friend will tell you, in most cases,  what you want to hear.

 

 

Can you tell us about the success you have experienced so far.

 

 2006 has been a year of growth for me and for my book on Captain Burns.  Due to comments from various forums and authors of GMC, I have expanded my networking into cyberspace.  I now have primary personal Internet sites: , my Internet bookstore, and lulu.com site.  I have two of my books posted on Guerrilla Marketers' Cafe, too.   Through the Internet site I was contacted by the editor of an Ezine tourism site to write a brief article on Captain Burns’ life.  Since then, I am now a “contributing author” to this site that is reviewed by not less than fifty national (USA) major news agencies and nearly 60,000 “hits” per month.

 

Tell us about the Ezine

 

In the summer of 2006, I was encouraged by members of Guerrilla Marketer’s Café and Lulu.com forums to make an account at MySpace to promote my book on Captain Burns.  Within a week I was contacted by the editor of the Topsail Island Info Ezine Magazine.  This is an Internet site that promotes tourism information for Topsail Island, North Carolina (USA).  Topsail Island is one of the leading year-round tourist locations on the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern North Carolina.  The Ezine recieves not less than 50,000 hits per month.  I was asked to write  an “Exclusive” article on the life of Captain Burns, since he often sailed his Tall Ship into the ports of Topsail during the mid-1800s. 

 

The article, the first I had attempted for an Internet Ezine, was very well liked and I received many compliments.  I soon was asked to become a “contributing writer for the Ezine Magazine.  Since then, I have encouraged the editor to add an “local North Carolina authors” site within her Ezine.  Along with this, I aided in the addition of an “author’s blogs” site.  The editor hand-picks the self-published authors (NC authors only).  Following the goal of Guerrilla Marketers’ Café, I encouraged the editor, at least for the time being, to provide this promotional tool for self-published authors, for free. 

 

I have seen a steady increase of book sales while being involved with this Ezine Internet site.  I have received numerous requests to be a guest speaker or featured author for local book signings.  Each occasion brings more notoriety and book sales.  I recommend self-published authors to seek out and submit to “quality” Ezine sites, ones that have a positive track record.

 

What are your plans for the future as a creative writer?

 

I am proud to announce that I have just published my first short story through Lulu.com printing.   The story line is based on actual events that took place within southeastern North Carolina during the War Between the States (American Civil War).   There was a freed slave who actually joined the Union Army, fought in battle against the southern way of life, and then returned to the same region of the county to live out the remaining years of life.  He died at the age of 101.  The first of three in a series deals with this gentleman’s release from slavery by the Union Army.

 

I am also starting a lecturing tour for 2007.  I have already committed to three lectures between January and June, each will allow me to sell my books.  I am also expanding my Ezine articles.

 

What message would you like to give to your book readers?

 

 The known history of a community is interesting but, the unknown or forgotten aspect of a village, town, or city is even more intriguing.  My book on Captain Burns will show the reader that he was a national hero, legend to many, and d by even more.   His legacy is still being debated, praised, and challenged to this day.   My book helps to secure a place in our local and national history where his adventures and exploits will not be forgotten a second time.
 

I want to wish you a lot of success with your book and commend you for your talent and dedication to the written word.

Thank you for all you are providing for beginning authors like myself.   I have great plans for 2007 and Guerilla Marketer’s Café will play a vital role.

Jack Robinson's Website

 

Book Drawing Winner

Captain Ottway Burns And His Ship Snap Dragon

Winner: Alejandro Sanchez

(Press Release Results=    26,363 reads/ 304 pick ups/5 prints Forward/0)

Alan, you describe yourself as a dark uthor.  Can you explain to us what dark fantasy is?

You know, that’s actually a very tricky question to answer, so excuse me if I ramble on a bit here. It’s essentially a genre where fantasy and horror cross over. Some people consider dark fantasy to be the same as horror, but I strongly disagree with that. Horror is usually something designed to scare and may not be based in fantasy, such as slasher movies and psychological horror.

However, if something is fantastical or paranormal and also deals with the darker side of life, darker emotions and psychological stresses, but doesn't have as it's primary intention the desire to scare readers, then it isn’t horror but would certainly be dark fantasy.

So to me, a work is dark fantasy if it deals with any elements of nd/or the paranormal in a way that studies the dark and frightening side of our nature, psychology and the weird, sublime and uncanny. If it doesn't shy away from the gore and horror of its own darkness, yet doesn't primarily aim to spook; if it has heroes that are not knights in shining armour, but people that sometimes have to do unsavoury things; if it has villains that aren't necessarily all bad as well as villains that really are all bad. These things are dark fantasy. 

And I certainly don’t claim to be the final authority. I’m certainly open to any other comments people might have on the subject.

 

From the very first page of your novel RealmShift takes the reader into a fast paced story which is hard to put down.  Can you tell us about your novel and what influenced you to write this way?

  

RealmShift is a novel that explores the nature of faith and belief and the power that has over our lives, the lives of others and the world itself. It follows the story of a powerful, reluctant immortal, Isiah, charged with the task of shepherding various people to certain tasks in order to maintain some degree of Balance in the world’s faiths. In this particular story, Isiah has the unenviable task of ensuring that a very unpleasant Satanist, Samuel Harrigan, gets to the right place at the right time to fulfil his destiny. If he fails, humanity as a whole could suffer quite dramatically. What makes the job even harder is that the Devil himself is also desperate to get a hold of Isiah’s charge, so a race against time ensues with Isiah facing off against numerous gods and demons as he tries to protect Samuel long enough to achieve his fate. That is, to get his hands on a rare, ancient crystal skull that he believes will give him enormous power. But all is not as it seems for anyone involved and the lives and actions of others will affect Isiah’s task every step of the way. 

The book is an action-packed, fast paced thriller on one hand and an exploration of belief, magic and fate on another. While I’ve always loved a good book, I’m a fan of good storytelling in any medium. I’m a huge fan of comic books and movies, for example, and I love a great story told with clever visuals, so I tend to write in a very visual manner; people often tell me what a good movie RealmShift would make. I often write from visual stimulus in the first place. A story will begin with a scene visualised in my imagination that I then develop. I like things to be interesting and thought-provoking, but I also like them to be exciting and gripping. You can’t explore interesting philosophical ideas in a novel that’s written like an essay. It has to be exciting and entertaining too, so that’s how I try to write.

  

RealmShift has been garnering some considerable critical acclaim, which I’m very pleased about. 

 

It is hard to believe that you are a debut author.  How long how you being writing?

Thanks very much for saying so. To be honest, I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t writing. Since my earliest childhood I 've been telling stories and writing them down. Throughout my teens I wrote dozens of gaming campaigns and short stories. Most of those things, sadly, are lost in time now. However, while RealmShift is my debut novel, it’s far from the first thing I’ve written. There were also a number of false starts on other novels before this one came to be.

 

Every book has a message, what is your message with RealmShift?

I would rather people decided that for themselves through reading it. However, I will say that if nothing else I’d like RealmShift to give people food for thought when it comes to their beliefs and their perceptions of the world around them. And if not, then at least it will be a rollicking good read for them!
 

How long did it take you to write it?

It’s hard to say as I wrote it while working full-time and pursuing a number of other things in my life. I tend to be a very busy person. The story was conceived and the first notes written as long ago as 1996. I was still re-editting right up to its publication in January this year.

Tell us about the kind of columns you have written and where people can find them.

For a year or so I wrote regular music and movie review columns for New Zealand’s Player magazine. One of my “day jobs” is as a martial arts instructor and I’ve written and moderated for a few martial arts websites and ezines in the past. These days I tend to write mainly for my blog at www.alanbaxter.info and otherwise concentrate on my next novel. There are a couple of other projects on the backburner too, which I hope to find time to pursue further.

How about internet interviews and newspapers?

I’ve been interviewed by POD People website when RealmShift was their featured book for April 2006, the community website Dredlox.com interviewed me in June and Lulu.com, where the book is produced, interviewed me as their featured author in June as well. I’m currently arranging an interview and feature article with the arts and entertainment section of the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, so it would great exposure for myself and Lulu if that goes through.

I’m sure those who read RealmShift are looking forward to the sequel, are you able to give me a little glimpse into what might be next?

I can’t say too much without giving things away. However, readers can expect a high octane adventure with Isiah being tested to his capacity; perhaps beyond it! A number of favourites from RealmShift will reappear and the whole philosophy behind the nature of Isiah and The Balance will be more deeply explored as a rift between the two develops.

 

How many books do you have planned for sequels?

I’m currently only considering this forthcoming novel to be a direct sequel to RealmShift. However, it seems that already people are clamouring for more and I think that the next one may not be enough for them! I’d certainly enjoy revisiting the characters and there are a number of other situations I’d like to explore with them, so who knows. All the time people are happy to read more, I’ll write more. I do have other projects in mind though, so it may be a while before we visit Isiah again after this next book is released.

What would you like your readers to know about you?

I’d like them to know that I’m a great guy, I’m heaps of fun and an outstanding writer. But as I specialise in fiction, I can’t necessarily expect them to believe that. I’d rather people got to know me through my writing, so check out my blog, read RealmShift and keep an eye out for future releases.

 

Thank you Alan for this interview, it’s not every day that we get to know an author of your caliber, I want to wish you success in whatever you do.  

Thank you very much, that’s high praise indeed. I hope everyone that reads my work enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Press Release

Visit Alan's Blog

July - August 2006

(Press Release Results=    72,688reads/ 674/pick ups/ 11/prints Forward/3)

Updated on August 28, 2006

A Conversation with Billie A. Williams

By Clary Lopez

 

Billie A Williams is an award-winning author and freelance writer. In addition to an array of other projects she is the owner of the Word_Mage group and their monthly ezine for writers. She is also author of a series of How to Write – for mystery and fiction writers of other genres. Her most recent mystery suspense novel from Wings ePress, Inc.  “Bed and Breakfast Murders,” released January 2006. Her most recent mystery novel (Knapsack Secrets) will be released from Page Free Publishing’s imprint Hidden Treasures Books   next month.

 

Thank you for being with us Billie, I was looking forward to interview you.

Thank you Clary. I’m delighted for the opportunity to speak with you and your readers.

 

It is Summer time and I wanted to choose a book that young and old could enjoy reading.  Can you tell us about Watch for the Raven?

 

Watch For the Raven is a Historical Young Adult Adventure novel set in the 1800’s in the LaPlatta Mountains of Colorado. A young boy is asked to do a task for his father, a widower, and he throws a major hissy fit. Not in front of his father, of course, that would not have been tolerated back then.  When he goes off angry he goes farther into the woods than he should have. Then he becomes frightened by a Southern Ute Indian who is chasing a deer he has wounded. Horror stories circulated about what Indians do to white boys serves to fuel his fears. He takes off running, throwing cautions and his father’s training about travel in the wilderness to the wind. As luck would have it he winds up falling down a steep embankment nearly winding up in a treacherous gorge. He broke his leg. Rescued by the Indian he feared, opens his eyes to truth but it is just the beginning of his long adventure and the lessons he will learn before he sees his father again.

 

 

 

How long did it take you to write it?

 

It didn’t take all that long to write this book, probably three months. The rewrite took a little longer. I got the initial start from something my mother said to me one day while I was taking care of her. She was terminally ill with lung cancer. She said, “Whenever my grandfather began to tell a tale he always began with, ‘back when Tag was a pup and turkeys chewed tebbaccy…’ (meaning tobacco).” I came home that night and wrote the sentence down and Watch For the Raven just flowed page after page.  Unfortunately, she never got to read it, or even know that she had inspired a story that would one day be published.

 

What was the message you wanted to transmit to your readers when you wrote it? 

I think the lesson or message my family learned way long before we were old enough to fly from the nest was that anger is a dangerous and powerful emotion. Not that you should never get angry, but that you should temper it with rational thinking. Another saying from my Mom was, “don’t ever let the sun set on your anger”.  It’s a strong message and has served me well. I hope it serves others too.

 

What age range this book is written for? 

I wrote the book specifically for the 9 – 12 year olds, but I’ve had delightful reactions from adults who’ve read and enjoyed it as well.

 

Was it easy to write or did you have to consult with your children perhaps or maybe grandchildren?
 

It was very easy to write. I had an excellent editor and second editor. My regular editor Leslie Hodges, at Wings was very thorough and then she had Roberta Olsen Major read it to assist with fact checking, as Roberta writes Young Adult stories and historicals.  While the story flowed for me…Today’s language and kid traits slipped in that were inappropriate and out of place in the time frame of the story.  A wagon train master I referenced couldn’t have been, nor the sound of a train as I described it to use as an analogy for something else —wouldn’t have worked. I believe Wings editors’ really made that story better than it was historically. I owe a debt of gratitude and a thank you to Leslie Hodges and Roberta Olsen Major.
 

What other books have you written?

I have seven novels published by Wings ePress, Inc.

Death by Candlelight and Candlelight and Shadows (a series)

Skull Music

Fire at Thunder Ridge (out of print)

The Pink Lady Slipper and  Bed and breakfast Murders (a series)

All of the above are mystery suspense.

And of course Watch For The Raven

 

Tung Umolomo, a South African Adventure novel published by Publish America

Knapsack Secrets due out from Page Free Publishing next month in their Hidden Treasure Books imprint

Writing Wide, Exercises in Creative Writing with Filbert Publishing is a writing how to book.

A play for Community Theater which is an adaptation of a friend’s novel, A Christmas Dream, by Janet Elaine Smith should be out with Page Free Publishing by the end of July.

Purple Haze with Triskelion Publishing is a romantic suspense

Several books I’ve self published with LuLu.com (Feathers In the Wind, Meanderings Most Museful – are poetry; Adrift is essays and short stories; Magic Carpet Ride is a children’s book and I have a couple of cook books tied to the bed and breakfast books. I have also had 4 other novels and several short stories published under two pseudonyms  for several other publishers that are romantic suspense.

 

Is there any new books you are working on and can you tell us about it?
 

I’m working on several books. The second in the Secrets series The Secret of Mansfield Park, based on a Jane Austin book by that name is another mystery; Tracker is a suspense involving a bloodhound dog trainer and Skye’s The Limit is a Romantic Suspense set in Scotland.  I am also working on  a Marketing book and a series of three how to writing books for mystery writers though they will be applicable to the writer in general. These books are similar in scope and style to the Writing Wide books published earlier.

 

What would tell someone who is thinking about becoming a writer and publishing a book like yours?
 

Enjoy the process. Do your research and be certain to have someone read it who is familiar with the era you are writing about.  A children’s book isn’t easier than an adult book, it may even be harder—it’s only shorter. But write, practice writing, read a good deal and write some more. Writers Write and if that is your dream Go for it! I sincerely wish you all the luck in the world.

 

What would you like to tell your readers? 

I hope they enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoyed writing them. If they have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from them. Also, sign up to be notified of up coming books, events, contests and such if they would like to be notified.

 

Thank you for spending some time with us Billie, it has been an honor to get into the mind of a fine writer like you. 

Thank you Clary for allowing me to answer your excellent questions. If anyone has any questions they would like to ask me, feel free to send me an email

 ( billie@billiewilliams.com ) and I’ll do my best to answer you.

 

Visit Billie’s website at www.billiewilliams.com. Or her blog at http://mysteryonthefly.blogspot.com  or http://articlerepository.blogspot.com

 

Sign Up for a chance to win one of three Autographed copies of Watch for the Raven, Bed & Breakfast and Pink Lady Slipper  by Billie Williams.   (You may request Watch for the Raven)

Drawing: August 30, 2006

Winners:

Christine R. Senter, Rafal Nalepa, Michelle G. Ryan

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A Conversation with Kevin Scott Collier

By Clary Lopez

 

 

Kevin Scott Collier is a youth fiction book author and illustrator, writes online columns about youth literature, is the publisher of Inspirationstation Magazine online, and co-owner of Tangerine Sky Productions, Inc., a publishing services company.

Books Kevin has written include: "barthpenn@heaven.org" and "Esther's Channel" published by Tweener Press, and "The Secret of Little Pine" and "Randall's Sandals" published by Lulu Press. He has co-written three books published by Tangerine Sky Productions, "My Shadow is Missing", "Natalie's Ark" and "Heaven Quest."

Kevin is also contracted to Guardian Angel Publishing (e-books) which has published his written and illustrated works "Diligence the Dragon," "Journeys of Hope (books 1 and 2)," and "Tales From Kensington Forest."

His credits as an illustrator for other authors includes the books: "The Best Christmas Gift," "The Lonely Lightning Bug," "Bobby Cottontail's Gift" and "The Sad Little House" published by Guardian Angel Publishing and others published by New World Publishing, Writers Exchange E-Publishing, Hidden Pictures Books, Book Locker and Withers Exchange Publishing.  

Kevin lives in Grand Haven and is employed as Art Director of the Grand Haven Tribune daily newspaper. His newspaper work has earned him awards from the Michigan Press Association, United Press International and The Associated Press.

Collier is also an editor and member of Boost Writers, and contributes art and stories for several online and print magazines including "Wee Ones," "Once Upon A Time", "The Blue Review", "Author's Corner", "Guerilla Marketing Newsletter", "Dragonfly Spirit", "Verse-Makers" and more. He also teaches art and cartooning classes at local schools and colleges, is a writing instructor for Writing Avenue, Inc. of Grand Haven. He has also had original comic strips published in various West Michigan newspapers for 27 years.

 

Kevin, thank you for letting authors as well as readers to get to know a little about you and your work.

My pleasure, Clary.

 

What can you tell us about your book, barthpenn@heaven.org?

It was my first book published, in November 2004 by Baker Trittin Press. It is a whimsical tale about an angel who ally sends and email to a ten-year-old boy on earth, which causes a breach of security in heaven.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

Enter the market with an attention-compelling first work. I think I did that. The book's pages all resembled email correspondence, a very unconventional way to tell a story which gave the book a unique appearance.

Who inspired you to become a writer?

Well, Dr. Marvin Baker and Paul Trittin of Tweener Press gave me my first break, signing me to a contract. But, good and sincere people from all walks of life inspire me.

What do you think is the best book you have written so far?

Faith-based, I'd have to say "Esther's Channel" which is about forgiveness, and how we can't move ahead without it. Secular, "The Secret of Little Pine", which explores being part of something bigger than yourself.