Who’s That Indie Author? Jeanne “J.” Elmore

Jeanne “J.” Elmore

Name: Jeanne “J.” Elmore

Book Titles: The Devil Drives a Black Volga, My Very Own Renaissance (in progress)

Genre: Gothic Poetry and Short Fiction

Tell us about yourself: Aside from writing, I love cooking, learning languages, and exploring the city. I speak English, Russian, and Mandarin somewhat fluently, and I am studying Korean and Portuguese. I have a bearded dragon who goes by Stan only because my family can’t pronounce Konstantin Velikiy Lorenushkovich (meaning, “Constantine the Great, Son of Lauren”).

Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? I have been writing my whole life, but my career began when I was a sophomore in high school. It was 2020, and I challenged myself to write a 20-stanza poem while isolated in my bedroom. That is how “The Iconoclasm of the Aeolist” came to be. I enjoyed it, and decided to keep producing tidbits of writing until I had a book.

Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I am a full-time student at Georgia State University studying International Economics and Modern Language with a focus in Chinese. I am also a Resident Assistant.

Have you ever based a character on yourself? If so, tell us about it. Not really. I have based some characters on experiences I’ve had or things I’ve felt, but I have yet to create a character I can fully relate to.

Have you ever based a character on a family member or close friend? If so, tell us how you navigated what could be a tricky portrayal. Yes! My poem, “Ode to the Dragon King” is about Stan! In my upcoming book, I have a poem about my dad and a few poems about my mom. All of the above were quite positive and sentimental portrayals, so I didn’t have much trouble navigating that at all.

How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I do like to fill little notebooks with ideas and rough drafts. However, I most frequently use my phone’s notes app to type things up as soon as they come to mind.

For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? I think there’s one main thing that drives me to write a poem versus a short story on a topic. If I know a lot of things about a topic, I’ll make it a short story. But if I feel a lot of things about a topic, I cannot just assign characters and a plot to it and place myself in the role of narrator. The only way I feel I can do it justice is by turning it into a poem. My poetry is where I feel I am most honest.

Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? I have loved using Kindle Direct Publishing for my books. I have an indie author friend who sat with me while I edited my first book and helped me learn all the formatting hacks. I tried using Atticus at first to get everything how it needs to be, but I quickly learned it’s only helpful for fiction and not poetry. Additionally, it isn’t compatible with Russian or Chinese characters.

Do you belong to a writer’s group? I am in the Atlanta Writers Club, and I love it! We meet monthly and have writing contests at every meeting. Their writing prompts have been the motivator behind a few of the poems in my upcoming book. I really love meeting other writers and sharing ideas, which is extremely helpful when trying to write while being a full-time student.

Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. Like almost any woman who writes, I would say my mother is first. I wrote The Devil Drives a Black Volga while I was navigating my confusion and fear surrounding her cancer diagnosis while I was in high school. My upcoming book follows the stages of healing I’ve gone through since she passed away. Second, I had a teacher in high school who sat with me once a week to read my work. The Devil Drives a Black Volga would likely not exist without her. Lastly, I have my dad to thank as well for introducing me to quality writers like Bob Dylan and Lennon-McCartney, which I think was my first introduction to poetry in any form. I would give the title of “honorable mention” to the two mystery men who haunt my upcoming book, but I’ll talk about all of that when it’s time.

What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? My mother’s passing, first and foremost, which many of my works deal with, but also my religious upbringing (and my continued religious state of being), and my move to Atlanta, which helped me remove myself from my trauma and become involved with the writing community.

Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan, and I still am. I had almost all the books, played the video games, watched the TV show from the 70s, and had a Nancy Drew themed birthday party at one point. I think she became not only my foundation for spooky writing, but also my love for vintage fashion.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? Getting your work “out there.” You can post on social media all you want, but it’s all in the hands of the algorithm. Especially when you’re self-published, it is so hard to find your audience and market yourself.

Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? I often have trouble finding time to write, but I do best when I just drop everything and start writing as soon as inspiration strikes. I love writing on MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation) and while I’m bored in class. I mainly use my computer and notes app.

What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water or something else? I am a root beer addict and connoisseur, and I love an iced coffee, but energy drinks make me most productive. I like Nos, Monster Ultra Rosa, the pink Monster Juice, Red Bull, and the yellow Tropical Red Bull.

What do you do to relax? I watch K-Dramas while crocheting! I am currently watching “May I Help You?”- a drama about a mortician.

What are you reading right now? Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman.

Links: The website is still in the works, but I am @jelmore.books on Instagram and @j.elmore on TikTok.

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Are you an indie or self-published author?  Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!

Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.

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Who’s That Indie Author? Jonathan Faia

Jonathan Faia

Name: Jonathan Faia

Book Title: Love Letters From Barstow

Genre: Poetry

Tell us about yourself: My name is Jonathan Faia and I’m the author of the books, Wylde Serenity and most recently, Love Letters From Barstow. I was born in Southern California and spent my early years developing my love for reading and writing. Thanks to the open arms of the Fullerton and Buena Park public libraries I was able to experience and develop a lifelong love of all things writing. My writing has heavy influences from my Gen X adolescence, and combines my utter infatuation with all things Beat Poetry. My writing encompasses despair, angst, even flirts with death while reflecting on the indulgences of love and the loneliness that accompanies its failures. I pass the time writing freelance articles and performing interviews for several online publications. In my free time, I can be found walking the aisles of local independent booksellers. I enjoy connecting with readers and working with public libraries to bring support to young authors.

Tell us about your writing career. When did you first start writing? My writing dates back to the mid-1990s where I began compiling what would later become elements of my first book, Wylde Serenity. I was an English major and combined elements of my Gen X adolescence and my love for Beat Poetry. I don’t want to date myself but this was pre-internet so I submitted written submissions to any magazine or outlet I could. It was my dream to be a writer whose work would change lives.

Do you write full-time? If not, do you have an outside job or other responsibilities? I write constantly. While I don’t make a full time living from writing, it is a major part of my life. Aside from my books, I spend time contributing to many web publications performing artist interviews and other freelance work. I’m a grateful and proud husband and father. I also contribute my time to bringing healthcare to the underserved in Southern California.

How do you keep track of all your ideas? Do you have a little notebook? Do you keep a running document on your computer or phone? I love to keep notebooks, they are everywhere in my house. I love the feeling of being able to refer back to an idea on paper. I use everything from the traditional notebook, to scratch pieces of paper, and napkins. I am beginning to use my phone more though to dictate ideas while I’m out and about. It’s a great opportunity to playback ideas to see how they might sound to others.

For poetry writers, what moves you to write a poem? This is a great question because it allows for a lot of self-reflection. So much of my writing is based off autobiographical notes. Poetry allows me a chance to highlight the beauty and desperation in love. I make it a point, though to incorporate themes from everyday life that can relate to others.

Describe your editing and publishing experience. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? When it comes to my writing I have a couple trusted editors I work with to finalize my work. That includes some beta-testing of the initial project to make sure that the voice in my work is resonating with someone else and there’s honesty in my words. My publishers have a voice and they obviously want what is marketable so I try to take their input and incorporate my spin. So far my publishers have allowed for a great partnership and have allowed me to be me, which has really helped my bond with my readers.

Do you belong to a writer’s group? If so, tell us about it. I don’t have an official writer’s group, but I do have a select group of independent writers I consult with on a regular basis who really support each other.

Name three people who have had the greatest influence on you and why. As a writer I feel like I take inspiration from a lot of areas and individuals. I can say that my biggest influence has to be Jack Kerouac. The free-flowing existence of his words and ideas have been a theme in my writing since I can remember. The honest and blunt force of Charles Bukowski’s work runs through my every word. I’ve strived to be a champion of the forgotten in my work and that comes directly from Bukowski’s influence on me. Finally, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the help from the satirical stylings of Kurt Vonnegut. During the writing of my latest book, Love Letters From Barstow I hit a hard case of writer’s block. It was at that point I reread Vonnegut’s, Breakfast Of Champions and it inspired me to keep going.

What events in your life have influenced you as a writer? From my earliest days I’ve had a love for writing. As a child I enjoyed all things creative which led me to loving writing. I remember when I was around 7 or 8 years I saved my money to buy a composition book to begin writing what I thought would be the story of my life. Little did I know then, I wasn’t old enough to have an autobiography. I was lucky to have teachers early on that fueled my love for reading and writing. With their support I began reading the works that would shape my life. It may have begun with Harper Lee, but it soon progressed to Kerouac and Hermann Hesse. I found an early friend in my local library which was my gateway to everything. I spent so many afternoons and summer days experiencing everything the library had to offer. It was not only a sanctuary for me, but a place that allowed me to experience the world.

Did you have a favorite children’s book when you were growing up? If so, tell us about it and why it’s your favorite. I read, To Kill A Mockingbird back in elementary school and it was life changing for me. The themes in the book showed both the beauty and evilness in man. Growing up in an environment that wasn’t always the most stable of situations, that book brought me peace. Its characters had depth and it sparked my love of reading. For me growing up without a stable father figure at home, Atticus Finch taught me everything in how to be a man of value and how to become the father every child deserves.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? The most obvious thing is rejection. There is something about writing that is so personal that the mere thought that someone wouldn’t like your work is crushing. I guess that goes for anyone attempting to be creative though. Aside from that it has to be marketing your work. There is so much competition for attention now it’s hard to find your way. Anyone working with a small publisher like myself or any indie writers have to be careful because there are so many predatory companies trying to take advantage authors. It’s hard for a writer without the backing of a large publisher to gain attention or market share, so any opportunity to promote is crucial. Partner with your local booksellers, put together interesting social media content and stay true to your work.

Tell us about your writing routine. What time of day works best for you? Do you write at home? Someplace else? On a computer or do you use paper and pen/pencil? My writing routine is a little chaotic to say the least. For years I’ve had this habit of scribbling on everything just to get ideas out. I have shoe boxes filled with ideas, one liners and premises. Many of them have made it into my books, but there are many still waiting for the right moment. While a lot of my ideas are pen to paper, when it comes to organizing I spend a lot of nights glued to my laptop. A good soundtrack helps when organizing ideas from paper to hard drive. Nearly the entirety of my first book, Wylde Serenity was written alongside John Frusciante and Ryan Adams tracks.

What beverage gets your creative juices flowing? Coffee, tea, soda, energy drink, water, or something else? There is nothing I love better than writing with a nice serving of black tea on a grey morning.

What do you do to relax? Other than good writing, there is nothing better than good music. Whenever I’m looking to relax you’ll find me roaming the aisles of local indie booksellers and record shops. My daughters and I have a few local favorites we visit regularly, and then eventually end up at the nearest coffee shop to discuss all the aesthetics from our travels and purchases. Some of our favorite places include, Half Off Books and Records in Fullerton, California and The Bookman in Orange, California and that certainly means a stop at The Night Owl coffee shop.

What are you reading right now? I’m lucky to have daughters who aren’t afraid to recommend books and music. Right now I’m finishing up reading, Beat Punks by Victor Bockris. It’s the tale of the New York underground scene from the Beat Generation to the Punk explosion. It’s a great representation of creativity with inclusions from legends like Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, and Patti Smith to mention a few. It’s full of excellent photos and interviews.

Website and social media:
Website: lovelettersfrombarstow.com
Instagram: lovelettersfrombarstowbook
Instagram: jon.faia
X: @jonfaia

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Are you an indie or self-published author?  Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!

Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.

Thanks for visiting—come back soon!

Book Club Mom’s Author Update: News from Lauren Scott

Hi Everyone! I just caught up with memoirist and poet Lauren Scott and she’s here to tell you about her new poetry collection, Ever So Gently.

Lauren Scott

Author name: Lauren Scott

Genre: Poetry, Memoir, Fiction

Books: New Day, New Dreams; Finding a Balance; More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose; Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems

News: My fourth book, Ever So Gently, is a collection of poetry that was released in July of this year. The poems are divided into three themes: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones; and Lost in Thought. Ever So Gently expresses the gentle demeanor in which I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges. The gentle grace in my heart full of gratitude for the love in my life. For the support of family and friends through every stumble and celebration. When I witness another sunrise, I remember to breathe and live gently. But succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.

Everywhere I turn, a poem is there for the writing. It’s in my marriage with my husband, Matt, who is my best friend, and we will celebrate thirty-five years in January. From that first delicious kiss to a deeper love that matures over the decades. It’s in the memories of when our children became a new bloom in our family garden, or now in a simple conversation with them as adults. Poetry comforts as we experience unexpected health scares or financial setbacks. And pondering the rewards of life itself inspires me to jot down ideas before they’re lost on the breeze.

My strong link to nature is evident, taking the readers on a tranquil walk through a redwood grove or extending an invitation to sit quietly on a patio, captivated by the simple magnificence of a hummingbird. I underscore how life presents mysteries we struggle to solve. We can’t help but ponder the deeper meaning of a simple vision. I prompt the readers to reminisce and reflect upon their past, present, and future.

Most poems in this collection are in free verse. But a small gathering of syllabic poetry: Haiku, Tanka, Etheree, Shadorma, Didactic Cinquain, Double Ennead, and Oddquain found their niche in this assembly. Style notwithstanding, my hope is for the readers to discover poems that evoke a special memory or act as a reminder that they are not alone in living with their emotions. Maybe they’ll get a good laugh or experience an ‘aha’ moment. Above all, when the last page is turned, may the reward of living Ever So Gently be discovered.

A little backstory is that when I decided on the book title, I knew I wanted a gentle cover. My son had offered to create the cover, so I told him that I wanted soothing colors and an organic, minimalist design. My assumption was that he’d create it digitally; instead, he painted the cover on canvas, and it fit perfectly with the title and message of this collection. So, the beautiful cover credit goes to my son, Michael, and I wanted to share this with you. Thanks so much for reading.

Website/blog link: baydreamerwrites.com

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Are you working on a new book? Have you won an award or a writing contest? Did you just update your website? Maybe you just want to tell readers about an experience you’ve had. Book Club Mom’s Author Update is a great way to share news and information about you and your books.

Email Book Club Mom at bvitelli2009@gmail.com for more information.

Open to all authors – self-published, indie, big-time and anything in between

Thanks for visiting – come back soon!

Book Club Mom’s Author Update: News from Robbie Cheadle

Hi Everyone! Today I’m sharing news from my author friend Robbie Cheadle, who’s here to tell you about her new poetry book, Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife. Read all about it below:

Robbie Cheadle

Author name: Robbie Cheadle

Genre: Poetry

Book: Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife

News: My new poetry book, Lion Scream, is a collection of syllabic poetry highlighting the effect of the current Sixth’s Mass Extinction and climate change on Southern African wildlife. There is also a short story which demonstrates the impact of the state of the modern world and the issues humanity is facing on young people.

The blurb: Do you rely on Earth for your survival? Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight

Website/blog link: https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/

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Are you working on a new book? Have you won an award or a writing contest? Did you just update your website? Maybe you just want to tell readers about an experience you’ve had. Book Club Mom’s Author Update is a great way to share news and information about you and your books.

Email Book Club Mom at bvitelli2009@gmail.com for more information.

Open to all authors – self-published, indie, big-time and anything in between

Thanks for visiting – come back soon!

Who’s That Indie Author? Leon Stevens

Author Name: Leon Stevens

Genre: Poetry and Science Fiction

Books: Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, A Wonder of Words, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, The View from Here, Journeys: Eight Original Pieces for Classical Guitar

Bio: I am a Canadian multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and artist with a Bachelor of Music and Education.

What got you started as a writer? I became a writer out of necessity. Along with songwriting, poetry was therapeutic and allowed me to accept and make sense of events and situations in my life. I decided that what I wrote could help and entertain others, so I decided to publish my first book of poetry.

What is your writing routine? I don’t have a set routine. However, most of my blog posts are written in the morning, so often, I’ll write a few things down after that. I’m a slow writer and will often write when inspiration strikes. I do try to write each day.

What route did you take to get your books published? I made a mistake that many new authors have made and used a vanity press to publish. I had no idea what to do, so it seemed to be the quickest and easiest way. They did provide a lot of invaluable publishing and marketing information and took care of the distribution. All my other books have been through KDP.

What things do you do to promote your books? Like most indie authors, money is a concern. Advertising costs vary greatly, and it’s a lot of work and research to decide where the investment will be the most effective. I also use BookFunnel and StoryOrigin to connect with other authors to promote to their readership. I have been interviewing authors as well, which is a great way to not only help promote their work but to introduce mine to others.

What is your favorite genre to read and why? I try to read a variety of genres, but I am very picky, so many books get left unfinished. Science fiction and historical fiction is what I prefer.

Do you prefer to write dialogue or description? I used to struggle with dialogue. Often, if I am getting stuck with descriptions, I’ll just write dialogue to get things moving. Also, I’m not one for writing lengthy descriptions, which is probably why when I set out to write my first novel, it wound up being a novella.

Have any of your characters ever surprised you? Did this change the plot of your book?
Nah. They’re pretty open to dealing with the situations I put them in. I haven’t heard any complaints. Yet.

What is the most difficult thing you have accomplished in your life?  Probably getting my degrees. 

What events or people have most influenced how you live your life? I think my father has had the most influence. He was the one who instilled the love of science fiction in me at a young age. He is such a hard worker, and I’ve never seen him get mad or complain. When people say, “You’re just like your dad.” I know I’m doing something right.

What would you tell your younger self? Funny you should ask. In my latest poetry book, I wrote about just that.

What I Want to be When I’m Young

I want to listen more. To the people who know better. To the people who say, “Don’t make the same mistakes that I did.” Learning from mistakes? Sure, we do have to make errors in life sometimes, but what’s wrong with looking up how to spell a word or use spell-check…? Nothing.

I want to set goals. Obtainable ones. Despite what people say, you can’t be anything you want to be. That’s a lie. There are some things that you just won’t be able to do. Although, by trying and failing, you will find out what you are good at.

I want to be a better student. I didn’t try my best. I think that I needed glasses. I didn’t understand the importance of learning—the importance of wanting to learn.

I want to not be a quitter. Piano, guitar, sports. I should have tried harder. Much harder.

I want to save 10% of all my earnings. I shudder to do the calculations. I never made a lot, but my father-in-law always said that compound interest was the eighth wonder of the world. He was right.

I want to be brave. Not reckless, just not so afraid.

I want to stay awake so that I can see Halley’s comet.

Have you ever met up with a bear on a hike? If so, what did you do? If not, are you looking up what to do right now? I have. Sort of. We could hear the bear just around the corner. There was a tree moving, so it was probably scratching it. We turned around and headed back to the tent. The next day we successfully completed the hike with no encounters. Except for the angry squirrel.

You’re locked in your local library for the night with no dinner. Thank goodness you have water, but you only have enough change to buy one item from the vending machine. Choices are limited to: Fudge Pop Tarts, Snickers or Doritos. Which would you choose and why? No contest. Snickers. It’s a delicious meal. But those Doritos are looking pretty tasty. Just my luck, whatever I buy will get stuck.

What’s the largest number of people you’ve had in your kitchen at one time? Interesting question. Had I known I’d be asked this later in my life, I might have kept a record. It’s funny how people gravitate to kitchens during get-togethers. Closer to the food and beer I suppose.

Closing thoughts: Thank you for having me here. Any opportunity to get the word out about my books is appreciated.  

Website and social media links: I have recently discovered linktree, so all my links can be found in one handy place: https://linktr.ee/leonstevens

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Are you an indie or self-published author?  Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!

Email bvitelli2009@gmail.com for a bio template and other details.

Book Review: The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen

The Copenhagen Trilogy
by
Tove Ditlevsen

I had never heard of Tove Ditlevsen until I watched a stream of The 10 Best Books of 2021 from the New York Times, naming The Copenhagen Trilogy as one of the best books of the year. Ditlevsen was a Danish poet and author, and one of Denmark’s best-known authors. She was born in 1917 into a working-class family and during her lifetime, she published twenty-nine books of short stories, novels and poetry. Ditlevsen received numerous awards for her writing, but despite her success, she struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and died of an overdose in 1976 at age fifty-eight.

This sounds like a depressing book to read, but I thought it was beautifully written and it was obvious to me that Ditlevsen had a great talent for understanding and expressing complex feelings and conditions well beyond her youth. The poetry excerpts she includes are testament to her talent.

As a child and teenager, Ditlevsen lived with her parents in a tiny apartment in Copenhagen. Her father was a laborer and was frequently unemployed. Ditlevsen’s formal education was cut short at age fourteen when she began working in various office jobs and at eighteen, she moved out and supported herself. During that time, she published her first poem in a literary journal, then a collection of poetry and began writing novels and more poetry. As a teenager on her own, which was the norm in Denmark, she felt, “There’s something painful and fragile about being a young girl who makes her own living. You can’t see any light ahead on that road. And I want so badly to own my own time instead of always having to sell it.”

Ditlevsen’s memoir is divided into three sections: Childhood, Youth and Dependency and is largely personal. Themes of marriage, family relationships, alcoholism and suicide figure prominently. Although she mentions the socialist movement, the Depression, Hitler and the German occupation during World War II, these historical references serve only as a backdrop to her life story.

I was most shocked by the third section in which she lives recklessly, falls into addiction and in and out of marriages. Ditlevsen married and divorced four times and, during her marriage to Carl Theodor Ryberg, she became addicted to Demerol and other drugs (willingly supplied by her doctor husband) and was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Despite her personal ups and downs, Ditlevsen remains serious about writing, if nothing else. She writes, “And I realize more and more that the only thing I’m good for, the only thing that truly captivates me, is forming sentences and word combinations or writing simple, four-line poetry.”

I was completely drawn into the author’s story and touched by many of her descriptions. Special recognition should go to the book’s translators, Tiina Nunnally and Michael Favala Goldman, who manage to preserve the beauty of her writing.

I highly recommend The Copenhagen Trilogy to readers who enjoy memoirs and poetry. I found the cover to be a little jarring, but don’t let that turn you away.

Thanks for visiting – come back soon!

Book Club Mom’s Indie Authors of 2021- here they are!

This year I highlighted twenty-two hard working indie authors, writers of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry and children’s books. They have great stories to tell about their writing careers, so if you missed any, I hope you’ll visit them now.

Gail Aldwin – Contemporary Fiction

Bruce W. Bishop – Historical Fiction, Family Saga

Susan Blackmon – Historical Fiction

K. Blanton Brenner – Family Saga

Lorelei Brush – Upmarket Women’s Fiction and Historical Fiction

Sheila M. Cronin – Fiction

Jill Culiner – Nonfiction, Mystery, Romance and Romantic Suspense.

Kim Fairley – Nonfiction, Memoir

Tabitha Forney – Upmarket Fiction

Jacqueline Friedland – Women’s Fiction

Allan Hudson – Action/Adventure, Historical

Jane Elizabeth Hughes – Women’s Fiction

Miriam Hurdle – Poetry and Children’s Books

Kaitlyn Jain – Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir

Laurie James – Memoir

Leora Krygier – Memoir, Fiction

Tammy Pasterick – Historical Fiction

Angela Paolantonio – Memoir, Place-Based Travel Memoir, Women’s Studies

Margaret Rodenberg – Historical Fiction

Lauren Scott – Poetry, Memoir

Joe Wells – Murder Mystery

Faith Wilcox – Memoir

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In January, I’ll be putting together a new set of interview questions and making a few other format changes. If you’d like to be highlighted, email bvitelli2009@gmail.com and I’ll send you the new questions as soon as they’re ready.

Happy holidays!

Who’s That Indie Author? Miriam Hurdle

Author Name: Miriam Hurdle

Genre: Poetry and Children’s Books

Books: Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude and Tina Lost in a Crowd

Brief Bio: I write poetry, flash fiction, short stories, and children’s stories. I’m retired after two years of counseling, fifteen years of teaching, and ten years of school administration. During my retirement, I enjoy gardening, painting, photography, and traveling, especially going to visit my granddaughters.

What got you started as a writer? After I finished college in Hong Kong, I wrote children’s books as part of my job in a literacy company. In 2016, I started blogging with the desire to share my cancer recovery journey. The blogging took me to write about my travel notes, flash fiction, gardening, and poetry. I compiled the poems written in two years to publish my first poetry collection.

What difficult experience has helped you as a writer? I think the ten years of my first marriage, the five years being separated from my daughter, and my cancer experience made me look at life differently and helped me as a writer.

Have you ever participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? If so, how many times and what was your experience? I have participated in the NaNoWriMo 2017, and the NaNoWriMo Camp in July 2020. November is not a convenient month for me to make a commitment to write every day because the Thanksgiving week is a family time. I completed the word count in 2017, but the last one-third of the story is messy. July is a better time to write, and I could use what I wrote in 2020.

What advice would you give a new indie author hoping to publish a book? My advice would be:

1. Write what you’re passionate about and write freely,
   as if nobody will read it.
2. Read aloud what you write to see if YOU like it.
3. Take a few online writing courses to refresh your writing skills.
4. Do research to get a bird’s eye view of writing, editing,
   publishing, and marketing.
5. Have a good or professional editing of your book for the publication.

What has been the biggest challenge for you during Covid?  The biggest challenge during Covid was not being able to see my granddaughters. I missed being with my daughter for her childbirth for my second granddaughter. I didn’t see my younger granddaughter until she was eight months old. On my first visit, it took her several days to warm up with me. In fact, studies show that babies born during Covid take a while to get used to the social contact.

What are you reading right now? I’m reading my blogging friend Elizabeth Gauffreau’s new book Grief Songs: Poems of Love. I should be done reading it by the time this interview is posted.

Would you rather laugh or cry over a book? I would rather laugh over a book with a pleasant sense of humor. I have plenty of experiences that remind me of the tears.

Have you ever climbed a tree to read a book? I grew up in a city full of skyscrapers rather than trees, so I have never climbed a tree to read. I have had no experience of climbing trees.

Have you ever dropped a book in the tub, in a pool or in the ocean? I read Kindle books on my phone. I once left my phone in the pocket and put the jacket in the washer. It almost gave me a heart attack, not because of the books, but my contacts. It makes me very conscientious about holding a phone in the tub at home or in the spa at the gym.

Could you live in a tiny house? From childhood to young adult, I lived with my family in a tiny apartment in Hong Kong. After forty-some years of living in good sizes of houses, it would take a big adjustment to live in a tiny house.

What are the small things that make you happy? The smallest things are when my older granddaughter called me “grandma,” asking me to do things with her, and when my younger granddaughter warmed up with me and let me hold her.

Website and social media links:
Website/Blog: theshowersofblessings.com
Amazon Author Page: Miriam-Hurdle
Goodreads: Miriam Hurdle
Twitter: @mhurdle112
Facebook: Miriam-Hurdle-Author

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Who’s That Indie Author? Lauren Scott

Author Name: Lauren Scott

Genre: Poetry, Memoir

Books: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and new release this year: More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose

Bio: I live in California with my husband of 32 years, and we have two adult children. Through my experiences over three decades: raising a family, grieving through loss, finding joy in the smallest things, and the many backpacking and camping adventures, my writing takes a magical path of its own. I also love to read, and my bookcase is bursting at the seams!

What got you started as a writer? When I was a teenager, I wrote poetry about the boys I had crushes on. I continued to put thoughts to paper throughout my life, but I grew more passionate within the last decade. Now I write each day; it’s a natural part of my routine, either creating poems, drafting a short memoir, or dabbling in fiction.

What difficult experience has helped you as a writer? My love for writing turned into a passion when my daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease that would necessitate a future transplant for her survival. It isn’t fair for children to suffer, and as her mother, this news took processing that prompted me to write. My hurting poured out through words into poems and stories, some personal, some shared.

Have you ever participated in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? If so, how many times and what was your experience? I haven’t participated in NaNoWriMo, but it sounds like a wonderful organization. Maybe someday.

What advice would you give a new indie author hoping to publish a book? Do your research, initiate dialogue with authors who have self-published. Persevere, because if publishing your book means that much to you, you’ll do the work to achieve your goal.

What has been the biggest challenge for you during Covid? What tugged at my heart was not being able to see my daughter and son-in-law who live in Tennessee. Regarding writing, inspiration flowed at lightning speed. The last year and a half have been a challenge, but I am grateful for the abundance of creativity.

What are you reading right now? Dead of Winter, Journey 5, by Teagan Riordain Geneviene. This book is part of a series of short novellas and Journey 9 is her latest release. It has been an exciting adventure diving into this fantasy tale.

Would you rather laugh or cry over a book? Laugh!

Have you ever climbed a tree to read a book? I can’t say that I have. I enjoy sitting in the comfort of my living room or on the patio in the company of nature.

Have you ever dropped a book in the tub, in a pool or in the ocean? From my childhood, I have memories of a favorite paperback slipping out of my hands into our aquamarine kidney-shaped pool.

Could you live in a tiny house? No, but my husband and I live in a modest 1200 square foot home, a cozy dwelling, where we raised our two children. Even though we are new empty nesters, our 75-lb lab, Copper, still happily trots around the house.

What are the small things that make you happy? Baking.Flowers in bloom.Chocolate. Music. Carrot cake. A walk around the neighborhood. Backpacking. Freshwater lakes. Ping pong. Watching rom-coms or compelling thrillers. Reading. Family and writing are the Big things in life.

Website and social media links:
baydreamerwrites.com
Lauren Scott Amazon Author page

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Who’s That Indie Author? Cendrine Marrouat

Author name:  Cendrine Marrouat

Genre:  Poetry, photography, theatre, humor, guides for authors and writers

Books: Click here for a full list of Cendrine’s books. Below is a list of 2020 titles:

Blog Your Way to Success: 35+ No-Nonsense Tips for Authors and Writers (upcoming); Songs in Our Paths: Haiku & Photography (Vol. 1 upcoming); Bad. Pitches. Period. 30 Flavors of Spammy Emails; My Positivity Journal: 100 Action Verbs and Affirmations for Daily Inspiration – co-authored with David Ellis; My Twitter Workbook: 20 Tips to Get Noticed and Followed – co-authored with David Ellis; The Little Big eBook on Social Media Audiences: Build Yours, Keep It & Win (2nd Ed.); My Poetry Workbook: 20 Tips to Write Great Poems– co-authored with David Ellis; My Marketing Workbook: Promotional Tips For Poets – co-authored with David Ellis; My Creative Journal: 40 Prompts to Take Your Writing to the Next Level! – co-authored with David Ellis; The Heart of Space

What’s your story and how did you become a writer? I was born and raised in Toulouse, France, and have lived in Winnipeg, Canada, since 2003. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English-to-French translation.

In my 17-year career, I have acquired a vast experience in several fields: translation, language instruction, social media coaching and training, content creation and curation, photography, poetry, theatre, art reviews, blogging, and journalism. I am the author of 23 books in different genres.

Last year, I co-founded Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal with fellow author and poet David Ellis. Our magazine focuses exclusively on positive, inspirational and uplifting poetry. We have also co-authored a series of mini-guides for authors and writers.

In 2019, photographer Isabel Nolasco and I co-founded FPoint Collective, a collective of photographers. There are currently three members.

I am the creator of the Sixku (poetry form) and the Reminigram (photography genre). As a photographer, I specialize in nature, closeup, and black-and-white images. I also teach French to adults and occasionally advise clients on social media strategy.

How do you balance your work with other demands?  Very early in my career, I learnt how to prioritize tasks and organize myself accordingly. It makes everything easier

Name one of the happiest moments in your life:  The day when someone compared the style in one of my books to Kahlil Gibran’s!

What’s your approach to writing? Are you a “pantser” or a planner?  I always start with a title. Then, I take the time I need to complete a project. The only planning I ever did was for my play, titled In the Silence of Words.

Could you write in a café with people around?  Yes, I occasionally do. But solitude is my jam.

Have you ever written dialogue in a second language? If so, how did you do it?  French is my mother tongue but I have always prefererd writing in English. I worked hard and practiced a lot. Also, I have only expected the best from myself.

What’s your favorite book and what are you reading now?  Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. This book saved my life. I have just finished reading Robert Harms’ The Diligent: A Voyage Through the Worlds Of The Slave Trade and am about to start Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything.

What’s your favorite way to read a book: hardcover, paperback, eReader?  It’s hard for me to concentrate on a screen. I only use my Kindle Fire when I am on a trip or for short books. Nothing beats print books. Paperbacks are great!

Do you think print books will always be around?  Of course! Actually, they have never been threatened.

Would you ever read a book on your phone?  Nope!

What’s your go-to device? iPhone, Android or something else?  My computer.

How long could you go without checking your phone?  I was born and raised in an era when smartphones didn’t exist. My first “cellphone” was a pager and I heard of the internet for the first time when I was 17 or 18. I sent my first email a year later.

Smartphones can be useful but they are useless when you mostly work from home. I have everything I need on my computer. Some days, I do not even look at my phone.

Do you listen to audiobooks? If you do, what do you do while you’re listening?  I don’t listen to audiobooks.

Do you like using social media to promote yourself and your book? If so, what’s your favorite platform?  As a social media coach, I love social media! I have used Twitter, Facebook, Linked, and LinkedIn for a very long time. Instagram is also a decent platform.

My favorite network has always been Twitter. There are many authors and readers there!

Website and social media links:
Website: cendrinemedia.com
Blog: creativeramblings.com
Twitter: @cendrinemedia
Facebook: @cendrinephotography
Instagram: cendrinemedia
YouTube: Cendrine Marrouat

Awards/special recognition:  Canadian Geographic: Photo shortlisted to appear in the 2021 Canadian Parks calendar; 2015 SMALL BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS: Community Choice vote winner in the Social Media Category (The Little Big eBook on Social Media Audiences: Build Yours, Keep It, and Win); BUZZHUMM: Top 100 Business Blogger; FIT SMALL BUSINESS: Best Small Business Blogs of 2015 and 2016 lists (Social Media Slant, my former social media blog)

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