Romance novelist, Marcia King-Gamble was born on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. She studied in the United States where she has lived and worked for most of her life.

Her books include The Way He Moves (Harlequin, 2008), Shattered Images (Kimani Press, 2006) and A Taste of Paradise (Kimani Press, 2005).

In this email interview, Marcia King-Gamble talks about her writing.*

Who influenced you the most?

Excellent writers like Sandra Kitt as well as my encouraging agent.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

Personal experiences always influences your writing style or even your mood. As writers we tend to observe people and reflect on the human condition.

What would you say are your main concerns as a writer?

Book distribution is always of concern for a writer. You want to ensure that your print-run is such it reaches the widest possible market.

A challenge for any writer is making sure you get that next contract. Writing is a business and sales are everything.

How do you deal with these challenges?

A writer has to keep sending proposals in. You need to keep coming up with fresh, unique ideas.

Do you write everyday?

I write every day regardless of what's going on in my life. The time spent depends on how tight a deadline I have. Some days all I do is write.

What is your latest book about?

My latest book is one I am currently working on. It will be published by Harlequin's Kimani Line and will take me approximately two months to write. It's a story of a woman burnt out on corporate America who inherits a house and decides to open a spa. The hero is the retired athlete, turned business man next door, with designs on her land.

If you are asking about my next book that will be published in May 2007 by Harlequin's Kimani line and it is titled, Down and out in Flamingo Beach. It's the third in the Flamingo Beach series.

What did you find most difficult when you were working on the book?

Research regarding setting to ensure authenticity is the most time consuming. Also making sure your hero and heroine work.

What did you enjoy most?

The writing process itself. There are times you know when you "got it." It's a wonderful feeling.

What sets the book apart from others you have written?

Setting. I have chosen the historical town of St. Augustine, Florida because it is rich in possibilities.

In what way is it similar?

A good romance always has a conflict which inevitably gets resolved.

What will your next book be about?

Sex on Flamingo Beach is the fourth and last of my Flamingo Beach Series. It's the story of Emilie who looks white but isn't and her relationship with the land developer hired to build a casino in the small town of Flamingo Beach.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Being asked to be a part of a continuity series for Harlequin. This would be a breakout from the multicultural market.

How did you get there?

Hard work, marketing of self, and staying connected. I am very grateful for the opportunity.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I didn't. I fell into the opportunity. I was a reader for Harlequin/Silhouette for years.

How would you describe your writing?

The genre would be romance although I do do some mainstream women's fiction writing.

What motivated you to start writing in this genre?

I've always read in this genre. Romance is uplifting and a great escape if you have a stressful career.

Who is your target audience?

Anyone who enjoys and appreciates a good romance.

*This interview took place in February 2007.

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Tarik H. Moore has a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and works as an Information Technology consultant and a real estate investor.

The End Justifies the Means (In Third Person Publishing, 2006) is his first novel.

In this interview, Tarik Moore talks about his writing.

How many books have you written so far?

The End Justifies the Means is my first novel, and I’m a self-publish author under my own publishing company, “In Third Person Publishing”.

The End Justifies the Means released October 18, 2006. It’s a suspense novel based out of Camden, New Jersey. A city cited by many as one of the most poorer and dangerous cities in America for the past decade or so.

It took six weeks to write the original manuscript, but the next twenty-three months were dedicated to editing, graphical design work (i.e. website, book covers, promotional material, etc). You know all the intangible things that go into producing a book.

Which aspect of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

My biggest challenge was producing the book. There are a lot of predators claiming to be professional editors, proofreaders, graphical artist, etc who care nothing about your story and your message but only wish to take your money. But now I have a reliable team of editors and graphic artists who I trust and will continue to be staples in my writing career as long as I have stories to tell.

Which did you enjoy most?

The day I enjoyed most was the day my proof came to my door and I finally had my first official finished product in my hand. All the hard work and money I put into it finally had paid off.

What sets the book apart from other things you have written?

Before this novel I had only written a few poems, high school newspaper articles, but nothing as personal as this story. I had this story in me for years before it ultimately came out.

What will your next book be about?

I was going to write a novel/erotica called Cyber Sex but I’ve been forced to put that on the backburner because the story wasn’t ready to shoot out of me like The End Justifies the Means did. I started writing it but I didn’t feel the same passion I felt for my first novel.

My next novel, The Sweetest Joy, is bursting out of me as we speak. I’ve had to literally force myself not to begin writing that novel until I’m finished promoting The End Justifies the Means.

The Sweetest Joy will be much darker than my first novel. It’s going to be a story about one man’s revenge and that’s all I’m going to tell you about it. It’s going to be bigger than The End Justifies the Means and people are loving The End Justifies the Means. I’m telling you now, the industry better be prepared to hand out some awards to T. H. Moore when The Sweetest Joy releases.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

Being an only child I had and continue to have a vivid imagination and I began writing the stories that flooded my imagination when I was in high school.

I wrote for my high school newspaper and after that I began to write the first story that I thought would turn into my first novel. Unfortunetly, I lost it to a computer crash. It’s kind of ironic considering that my career is based on computers now but since then I never wrote another story with the intent of publishing it for others to read.

Ultimately, I was working on a project in England a few years ago and one weekend I went to see a movie and the story line was so bad that I came out of the movie saying, “I could have written a better story than that.” And then it clicked in my head. I’m going to write a novel and put my money where my mouth is. Six weeks later I finished my first manuscript, The End Justifies the Means.

How would you describe your writing?

The industry would categorize me in the African-American suspense novel genre or Hood Literature based on the story back drop of The End Justifies the Means but this is the only story I have to tell that has an urban setting.

To be fair, my stories will appeal to African-American audiences but they are equally intelligently written with a message communicated through them that doesn’t glorify promiscuity, drug dealing, and violence. I tell all my readers from my book signings, “This is not your stereotypical Hood Lit” -- and after they read it they understand what I mean.

My target audience are minorities (i.e. African-Americans and Latinos) mainly because the main characters in The End Justifies the Means are those ethnicities but my stories can be appreciated by any nationality.

The majority, not all, of the books I read are by African-American authors and I don’t think we have equal presence represented in the industry so that’s why I’ve chosen my audience. Maybe one day I’ll write a story specifically for “mainstream” contemporary literature but I’m not drawn to it. I’m drawn to what my people can appreciate first.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

All of my stories come from me and my personal experiences. They aren’t autobiographical but I write about what I know and have experienced.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

I don’t want to be lumped into the, “Oh, he’s an African-American writer” category. I’m just a writer who happens to be African-American. I want people to appreciate my art and talent first before my ethnicity. That’s why I decided to go with the book cover I have. I didn’t want readers to be instantly turned away from my book solely because of my book cover.

Normally, authors in my genre have cover art with African-Americans on it but if someone has the mindset, “I don’t read black authors or Hood Books” -- they won’t even pick it up to see what its about. In order for a reader not to like my story they have to actually pick it up and read the back cover or the first few pages of the book and once they do that, it’s too late. I already got you hooked.

How did you deal with the challenges you faced in producing the book?

Mostly trial and error and I had a few people willing to mentor me along the way. It’s because of those people that I have the book we have before us today. But I can truly estimate that I’ve wasted approximately $4,000.00 on would be editors and the kind. But the good thing about it is that it helped me learn the industry more thoroughly. I’m not saying everyone needs to get took to publish a book successfully but I learned very valuable lessons during those two years of producing my novel.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Well, there are two most significant achievements. One tangible, and another intangible.

I received a “New Writers Award” from a community organization based out of Camden, N. J.

The second was when the people who knew I was writing my novel finally read it and before they read it they initially thought I was just writing a book so I could say, “I wrote a novel” -- but when they completed it they realized that it was exceptional and they would have read it and enjoyed it even if they didn’t personally know the author.

How did you get there?

Hmmm, I guess I have to thank that terrible movie (which will remain nameless) that forced me to put my money where my mouth was. It gave me the much needed extra motivation to write again and publish my novel. But honestly, I’m not sure how to answer this question because it honestly wasn’t a conscious effort. I just did what I liked to do.

Do you write everyday?

I don’t write everyday, unless you count emails I write to my co-workers, family, friends, and fraternity brothers, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (I know, I know…a shameless plug but it’s all good).

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Beth Ciotta writes romantic comedy with a twist of suspense and has published contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction.

Her books include Everybody Loves Evie (HQN Books, 2008); All About Evie (HQN Books, 2007) Romancing the West (Medallion Press, 2007); Lasso the Moon (Medallion Press, 2006); Seduced (Medallion Press, 2005) and Charmed (Medallion Press, 2004).

In an email interview which took place on March 5, 2007, Beth Ciotta spoke about her writing.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved a good story whether in book or movie form. Though I dabbled with writing in my youth, I pursued a career in entertainment and made my living as a performer for most of my adult life. In 1994, I read a book that ignited a new passion -- storytelling. That passion fueled a new career in publishing.

How would you describe your writing?

I write romantic comedy with a twist of suspense in three sub-genres: contemporary, historical, and paranormal. All of my tales have a romantically satisfying ending so they are classified as romantic fiction.

The majority of my readers are women ranging in age from 18-55, but I have heard from younger and older. I have also heard from several men who enjoy my books. I’ve learned not to assume. I write for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced romantic adventure.

What motivated you to start writing in this genre?

One night on a whim I picked up a novel by Johanna Lindsey. I devoured the book in a few hours and when I got to the end I thought, “I want to do this. I want to write stories that will make people feel the way I feel right now. Happy and hopeful.” The next day I started writing my first manuscript and I haven’t looked back.

Who would you say has influenced you the most?

Tough question. There are a lot of dynamic people in my life who influence me and inspire me. I’ll name those who have been most influential in my writing. Julie Garwood, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Cynthia Valero, and Robert B. Parker.

How have your personal experiences influenced the direction of your writing?

My entertainment background plays into most of my stories. In addition to performing on stage, I’ve also performed in several interactive venues, improvisational gigs that exposed me to a lot of one-on-one with the public. Amazing the things people will say to a costumed character.

I’ve lived a rich life and my world is populated with colorful and passionate people. I definitely draw on that.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

I’ve been writing two full-length novels per year for the past three years. Currently I’m writing for two different publishers. This means juggling overlapping deadlines for proposals, completed manuscripts, revisions, line edits, copy edits, and promotion. Meeting all of those deadlines on time, being able to hop from book to another, in one or another phase, sometimes within the same week has proven a huge challenge.

Remembering to relax and refresh is a challenge as well. After all, you have to live life to write about it.

How do you deal with these challenges?

My motto, one of them anyway, is “Just do it.” I know that sounds simple, but sometimes I’m so overwhelmed and crunched for time that’s the only mindset that gets me through. Don’t overanalyze and freeze. Prioritize then attack.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

Capturing the reader’s imagination and entertaining them throughout, creating compelling, believable characters, and getting the details right.

Do you write everyday?

I’m not what I would call a fast writer so I need to write everyday, or close to it, in order to make my deadlines. I work part-time at my local library and still occasionally perform, so the hours that I devote to writing vary. On days that I work, I write an average of three hours. On my ‘days off’ I write anywhere from ten to fourteen hours.

How long did it take you to write All About Evie?

All About Evie features a divorced and forcibly retired 41-year-old showbiz veteran who rediscovers passion and purpose when she unwittingly teams up with reformed grifter and a government operative in their mission to expose nefarious scams.

This story, loosely based on some of my own experiences in the entertainment industry, took me about five months to write and hit the shelves in May 2007. It’s the first book in a connected trilogy published by HQN (Harlequin).

Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?

The revisions. I had a very specific view of the heroine and her journey. My editor’s vision differed slightly. I had heart palpitations when I read the revision letter. She was right though, all across the board. In the end, her suggestions made the story stronger and more suited to the targeted genre.

Which did you enjoy most?

Blending my own entertainment industry experiences with Evie’s and living vicariously through her as she navigated the smoke and mirrors world of con-artists. Researching scams and grifters was fascinating and enlightening. Let’s just say I am no longer as trusting as I used to be.

What sets the book apart from the others you have written?

The majority of this book (and the upcoming connected books) is in first person. That’s new for me and I have to say I enjoyed the process enormously.

In what way is it similar?

Style and voice. The unique blend of angst and humor is consistent with my previous releases.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Getting my work published. Also, acquiring a reputable agent. Believe it or not, the latter proved more difficult. Given the fierce competition and all the amazing writers struggling to find homes for their work, I consider myself very fortunate.

How did you get there?

The short answer: Dedication and perseverance.

The longer response: When I first started writing, I had passion but no real knowledge of the craft. Hungry to learn, I attended writers’ conferences and workshops, joined local and national writers’ organizations, and read several how-to books. I networked -- a balance of give and take -- and benefited from the support and guidance of fellow writers. I read and wrote avidly. I submitted my work again and again and weathered multiple rejections. I honed my craft and never gave up.

Even though I am now published, I’m still hungry to learn. I still practice all of the above in an effort to grow as a writer. Just like stories in first draft, I consider myself a work in progress.

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Jeanette McCarthy lives in the village of Newbold Verdon and works for a solicitor in the small town of Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire.

An extract from her first novel, Abandoned (Lulu, 2008), can be read here.

In this interview, McCarthy talks about her foray into self-publishing.

When did you start writing?

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. As a kid I used to read girls comics like Bunty (showing my age now, I suppose) and re-write the stories in them, changing them to suit myself. Soon after that I started making my own stories up. As I recall, they usually involved ponies!

Once, running for the school bus I got run over by a car. The very first thing I did (after picking myself up and checking for anything broken) was get out my jotter and write it all down. I was totally unhurt, but by the time I got into school after being checked out, all the kids who had been on the bus had spread the story that I was dead, and that there was blood and body parts all over the street. There were children in tears, teachers frantic, it was brilliant!

I tore up my factual story and wrote the horror tale everyone wanted to read. Taught me a lesson, that did.

How would you describe your writing?

My writing is very character driven, as I believe readers have to engage with a character before they can care what happens to them. Although my present novel is effectively a chase, I like to add subplots and asides that show my characters in a slightly different light.

I don’t really have a target audience, as I tend to write across different genres. I have tried my hand at romance, sci-fi and horror, as well as crime, and I am presently working on a novel based on historical fact.

Who influenced you most?

I am a huge fan of crime novels, particularly American writers such as Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben and Joseph Wambaugh. I love the moody, sombre feel to these novels, the way humour and tragedy are intertwined, and the way the characters feel absolutely real.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

Writing for me has often been a cathartic experience. I have found that writing about sad or unpleasant events helps me deal with them. My parents died when I was a child, and their loss affected me so deeply that for many years afterwards I failed to fully come to terms with it. Nowadays, I would have received counselling, but of course that was unheard of then, and all I had to fall back on was pen and paper.

I am aware that in many of my stories my characters have to deal with sudden traumatic events and the struggle to carry on, and I know this all comes from my past.

When did decide you wanted to be a published writer?

I had been writing stories, mainly for my own enjoyment, for a long time, and in 2002 I won a short story competition run by the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust. This small success gave me enough confidence to believe that people might want to read my stories, and I decided to think about publishing. Of course, thinking about it and actually becoming a published author are two very different things.

Do you write everyday?

I do try to write every day, but it doesn’t always work. We all have busy lives, and of course there are those times when you find yourself in front of the empty screen with no idea what to say.

I don’t have a set time when I sit down to write. Quite often I will log on to the internet, visit a couple of writer’s circle websites, then hopefully get back to writing. Sometimes I can get on a roll and write a thousand or so words. Other times, I’m lucky if I write ten.

However, one thing I do every day without fail is take my three border collies for a long run, and it’s during those times that ideas tend to float into my head, or problems manage to unknot themselves. I have actually dedicated my present book to my dogs, for that very reason.

How many books have you written so far?

My book Abandoned was published in May 2008 through Lulu.com.

Abandoned is the story of Mike Dole, an ex-soldier struggling to come to terms with the horrors of his past. Mike’s girlfriend Tess, a timid shop assistant, is afraid of him, but when she finally plucks up the courage to dump him, it sends him into freefall. He kidnaps her and abandons her on a remote island to die.

Detective Cal Fisher is the Leicester detective investigating Tess’s disappearance. Cal has his own problems, and is inclined to write Tess off as a runaway. Meanwhile, Tess struggles to survive. Close to starvation, she digs deep inside herself and somehow finds the inner strength to carry on.

And as Cal delves deeper into Mike’s life, the terrible realisation dawns that the hunt is no longer just for a missing woman. Now he’s hunting a serial killer

My previous book, The Dragon’s Promise is under revision, and hopefully will be published soon. This is a tragic-comic romance which segues between a Scottish island and the city of Los Angeles.

How long did it take you to write Abandoned?

The idea for Abandoned was born a few years ago during a walk in the Inverpolly nature reserve. This is a landscape as remote and spectacular as any to be found in Britain, and it was while pausing by the side of a still loch that I began to wonder what it would be like to live here, a long way from civilisation, and whether the beauty of the landscape would be enough to sustain me.

So I began work on the story of Tess and her battle for survival. I was determined to show Tess growing from a feeble, terrified victim into a strong and determined survivor.

Sadly, on my return to England, work and other everyday pressures got in the way, and the project was put to one side.

On my next trip north, I was browsing in the general store when I came across The Collins ‘Little Gem’ Guide to SAS Survival Training. After I’d stopped laughing, I bought the book, and what a fund of information it turned out to be. I was galvanised into resurrecting the story of Tess, and I began to find out for myself what it would be like to try and survive in the wild places.

This set me back, as jeans and a thin rainjacket are poor preparation for the often savage climate of the Highlands. And I found out by uncomfortable experiment that training shoes last all of three minutes before they are soaked through in the boggy Scottish ground, leaving your feet frozen blocks. Maybe I was expecting too much of my little shop girl.

And Mike, the bad guy, didn’t seem real. Once again, I put the idea to one side and got to work on other things.

It was the next Christmas when the idea reared its ugly head again.

There is a saying in the Highlands: if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.

On Boxing day I was walking with my dogs on Achnahaird beach, dressed only in a jumper and jeans.

Thinking about the vagaries of this fascinating climate, it occurred to me that Tess just needed to be lucky with the weather, and that spawned the further notion that others might not have been so lucky. The story was back on rails, and now Detective Fisher invented himself, and began to nag at me to increase his part.

The story rattled on happily, but there was still a problem with Mike. Why was he doing this to Tess? What was driving him? I decided to do some research into what happens to our soldiers when they return home from battle, and that’s when the novel took a different turn.

I was both surprised and saddened to find that many ex-service personnel get little help for the psychological trauma they bring back with them. These are people who deserve better. After reading some heart-rending stories, I began to understand the forces that might be driving poor Mike. He finally crystallised into a real person, and the rest of the story effectively wrote itself.

How did you chose a publisher for the book?

Some months ago, I posted an excerpt from my novel on the My Writers Circle web forum, asking for friendly criticism.

Following on from the comments I got, I happened to mention that I was stuck with my characters, and wasn’t sure where to take them. Others replied to say they had the same trouble; one mentioned that his characters had been stuck in a minibus for six months, another wondered what it must be like for our poor characters, temporarily abandoned while their writers floundered round for ideas…

Well, the idea just sprung into life there and then. What if there was a place, a limbo where characters went when their authors abandoned them? I envisaged an enormous Grand Central Station, filled with everything from starship captains to southern belles. I quickly hammered out a story and posted it, and writers from all corners of the globe picked up the baton and wrote their own stories based in “the Station”. After a time it became clear that the idea had taken on a life of its own, and another writer, Citabria, volunteered to put the stories together in a book and publish it on Lulu .

The book is called Station Shorts, and all proceeds from its sale goes to Amnesty International.

Having seen how easy it seemed to be to self-publish, I decided to have a go with my own novel Abandoned.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

The most important thing for me is that people believe in my characters and care about what happens to them. The only way I can make sure of this is to believe in them myself.

In Abandoned, the character of Detective Cal Fisher did not really exist until I had written almost half the book. Up until that point he was a minor player, but as his part was about to expand, I started to give him messy problems to deal with in his personal life, and as the story progressed, I wrote a diary from his point of view. I find this a good way to get inside a character’s head. By the time I had finished the novel, I was having dreams about some of them!

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

The biggest challenge up till now has been to get published, and now that I have self-published, the challenge is to find readers.

The downside of self-publishing is that you have to do all the marketing yourself, and sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day, or you just don’t feel like it. I’ve also found it quite difficult to ‘blow my own trumpet’!

Lulu is a very helpful site, but the onus is on the writer to upload the text of their book, make sure it’s properly formatted, and check for errors. They can provide you with a selection of covers for your book, or you can upload your own, and up to this point, it costs nothing. They will help you all the way, but it is not easy!

Fortunately I have a husband who is a designer and web builder, which was a big help.

When you were working on the book, what did you find most difficult?

I found the police side of the novel quite challenging, as although I read a lot of crime fiction, I had no idea what the procedure would be if someone was reported missing, or how different forces would interact with each other over the search for a criminal.

I also had no idea whether the army would co-operate with the police when it came to one of their own soldiers.

Thankfully I had help from a couple of kind police officers, who were very obliging and were able to put me right. They also filled me in on ‘local’ systems. The novel is partly based in my home town of Leicester, and it is clear that all forces have their own way of doing things. I would recommend anyone writing this type of book to contact their local force. They really are helpful.

I also had help from an ex-squaddie, who not only helped with details, but who also had some hysterically funny anecdotes.

Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most?

In the novel, Tess, a shop assistant, is abandoned on a remote Scottish island with nothing but the clothes she is wearing, a knife, and a “survival tin”. This is a little tobacco tin stuffed full of matches, fishing line, and assorted other items designed to help you stay alive. I bought one of these tins, and on my next foray to Scotland, went out to the sea in my jeans, sweater and training shoes, to see if I could ‘survive’.

Although to this day I have not been able to light a fire with a flint striker, I did manage to light one using the matches, dead leaves and twigs. And I discovered first hand how satisfying that is. There’s nothing like first-hand knowledge to help you write with conviction. Tess is such an ineffectual character, that I had to make sure she could survive. That was a lot of fun.

What sets Abandoned apart from other things you've written?

This is my first crime/thriller novel, and in fact, the first story of that type that I have done. But what really makes it different is the way the stories of the three main characters intertwine, and the profound effect each has on each other. It is easily the most complex story I have attempted, and this is due in part to the way it was written.

I am not a disciplined writer; I don’t start at chapter one and go straight through. In fact, a lot of the story is made up as I go along, which makes it very enjoyable for me. There’s nothing better than suddenly having an idea that opens up a whole new avenue of story.

In what way is it similar?

One of the major themes of Abandoned is that we are all capable of far more than we believe we are. I think most people are too inclined to say ‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that’, rather than simply have a go. If they did, they would surprise themselves. This is a theme that tends to run through much of my work.

What will your next book be about?

I am presently working on two projects. The first is a sequel to Abandoned, and again features Leicester detective Cal Fisher and his team.

The second is very different, and links the 19th century eradication of the Scottish population during the Highland clearances with the simultaneous decimation of the American Indian peoples. Although based on fact, this will be an action novel.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Someone recently wrote to tell me that they had stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish my book. As far as I’m concerned, that is the best thing anyone could say to me.

Gail McFarland attended Cleveland State University, where she was a psychology major with a minor in special education.

Her books include Summer Wind (Arabesque, 1997); The Best for Last (Arabesque, 1998); When Love Calls (Arabesque, 1999) and Lady Killer (Lulu.com, 2000).

An extract from from her latest novel, Dream Runner (Genesis Press, 2008) is available here.

In this interview, Gail McFarland talks about her concerns as a writer.

How would you describe your writing?

I write novel-length contemporary African-American romantic fiction.

My target audience are people who enjoy a well-crafted, intimately written story.

Because I am at heart, a reader, I knew there were others like me: readers who enjoy the flexibility, grace, and grandeur of language -- and live for a good story.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

Long story, but the short version is: I have a cousin who literally hated reading, but was devouring romance novels at the rate of 6-8 books per week. Curious about the source of her newfound delight, I picked one up and nearly gagged.

I couldn’t identify with the heroines and certainly found the heroes lacking. The settings did nothing for me. I wanted to see myself, my friends, and the people I love reflected in the books I read. I wanted my characters smart, sexy, efficient, and believable. So, I began working on my first romantic novel in late 1994.

How did you go about it?

In 1990, I pulled out my typewriter and began writing “confessions,” very short romantic stories for magazines. Those short stories were a major education. I started out with good ideas and a better than average vocabulary, but writing the “confessions” taught me pacing, character development, stylized language, and so much more.

Learning more made me want to achieve more, and when I came across those early Donna Hill and Rochelle Alers novels, I knew there was a place for me and the books I longed to see. So, I trashed my electric typewriter, bought a word processor, and went to work on my first novel.

It took two years, a computer upgrade, and several rewrites for Summer Wind, my first novel, to become a reality and find a home. But, it did find Arabesque, a burgeoning audience for multiethnic romance, and a new outlet for my storytelling passions.

Who influenced you most?

Well… I have to start with my mother. She actively encouraged my love of reading and storytelling from a very early age.

Then, there were my very talented teachers, who picked up where my mother left off.

If I had to name influential writers, my list would contain the names of everyone from noted to little-known novelists, historians, actors, politicians, and even a few poets. I would have a list far too long for this interview.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

From time to time, I find that my characters begin to sound like me and those around me, though they have yet to take on an entire personality.

More likely, I will see or hear something that triggers my imagination. As an only child, I have learned how to respond to situations by simply being observant -- and that observation frequently colors my characters and their situations.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

A primary concern for me, is telling a good solid story, and telling it with skill.

Like many authors, my first novel did face some rejection -- much of it based on the fact that I was telling a multiethnic story.

Now that my work has found an audience, I want it to be worthy of readers. So, I am committed to putting my best efforts on paper.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

Discipline, general laziness, and maintaining focus are major challenges for me.

One of the easiest ways to deal with my discipline and focus challenges is to write outside my home, so I usually pack up my laptop and notes and write at the public library or a nearby coffeehouse -- no phones, no gossiping friends, and no TV -- just me and my manuscript.

The laziness? I’m still working on that.

Do you write everyday?

Actually, I don’t.

I tend to be a bit of an emotional writer, so I follow my heart and my urges when I write. I am fortunate enough to have a flexible schedule that allows me to write when I feel the urge. There are weeks when I don’t write at all, and then I’ll have a month when I put in 6-8 hours a day.

When you do write, how does each session start?

Usually with me chasing a cat away from my keyboard!

It has become my habit to organize all of my story notes, outlines, and drafts in large white binders. So, I begin by pulling out my binder and reviewing my outline to refresh myself as to what I’ve done and where I need to go, in terms of story progress. This is where I try to “fill in the blanks”, ask myself questions, note the answers, and see the story the way my characters will live it.

If I’ve done my homework, my outline is my map, and allows me to write freely within the framework I’ve set for myself.

My goal for each session is a full chapter, usually a minimum of about twelve and a maximum of twenty pages for me. Sometimes, if I am in love with the story and/or the characters, my imagination is charged and I will write more.

My sessions generally end when I get tired. Because I have a bad habit of getting caught up in revisions, I try not to check anything beyond obvious spelling and grammar errors until the end of my sessions. That’s when I get to sit back and (hopefully) enjoy my story and its progress.

How many books have you written so far?

Summer Wind (Arabesque, 1997), The Best for Last (Arabesque, 1998), Bouquet (with Roberta Gayle and Anna Laurence, BET/Arabesque, 1998), When Love Calls (BET/Arabesque, 1999), Lady Killer (Lulu Books, 2000), All for Love (Lulu Books, 2008), and Dream Runner (Genesis Press/Indigo, 2008).

What is your latest novel about?

Dream Runner is the story of a woman who has spent a lifetime dreaming of taking Olympic gold. To achieve this goal, she has willingly sacrificed love and family, but always comes up short and still clutching her dream.

Dream Runner is also the story of a man who has run his way to the top of his sport, only to be sidelined by injury without realizing his dream. Neither of them has any clue that the separate roads they’re running will meet and where that path will take them.

How long did it take you to write Dream Runner?

The first three chapters were actually written in two days. The research and the rest of the writing took about six months.

Dream Runner is published by Genesis Press/Indigo and the book is brand new, having been released this month (May, 2008).

Which aspects of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Editing and rewriting are my personal challenges.

After spending months with characters and their challenges, plots and their twists and turns, the last thing I usually want to do with a story is write, “The End,” on the final page. And that’s what I get to do, until you come to editing, where every word and concept is dissected. Editing is where I often find myself defending circumstances and situations, and every minute of that research I put in becomes invaluable.

Sometimes, odd little things (like subject/verb agreement) get past a writer. Over time, I have learned that having to look at the edits often forces me to write “tighter” and ultimately better. The story is often improved because editors are relentless… no, fortunately, they’re just really good at ferreting out the things the writer overlooked, forgot, or simply didn’t know.

I deal with the rigors of editing by putting in the work it takes to improve my story and keep it fresh and relevant -- even when I’m reading/reviewing it for the tenth time.

Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most?

The research is always interesting and fulfilling for me. Simply taking the time to cruise the internet is relaxing and sparks my imagination.

What sets the novel apart from other things you've written?

While Dream Runner is infused with the intimacy and humor that I hope marks everything I have ever written or will write, it is different from what I have written so far because it is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to fuse my love of romance with my passion for health, fitness, and sports.

Dream Runner is also different because it is the first time I’ve written a character with a physical challenge.

How did you choose a publisher for the book?

I took a very careful look at the writers currently working with this publisher, and found that their work was very similar to mine.

Genesis Press has had success with the romance genre and proven supportive of their authors. The authors writing for the Indigo imprint are also a pretty impressive group.

In my experience, the Genesis Press/Indigo publisher and editors have been remarkably easy to work with, and I have enjoyed the experience.

What will your next book be about?

I am currently researching infertility as part of a sequel to Dream Runner. Marlea and AJ are definitely on my character list, as are Rissa and Dench… you’ll have to read the book to find out who they are.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

That’s a hard question, and I am not sure whether I should start with the pleasure I took from signing a book for my 12th grade English teacher (she gave me an ‘A+’ on the book!), or getting consistently great reviews for my work. But I definitely have to say that having your work read and appreciated is a huge bonus and certainly a remarkable achievement for any writer.

Charles Derber is a professor of Sociology at Boston College, a private university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, in the United States.

So far, he has written and published 12 books, among them, The Wilding of America (Worth Publishers, 2006); Hidden Power (Berrett-Koehler, 2005); People Before Profit (Picador, 2003) and Corporate Nation (St. Martin's Griffin, 2000).

In this interview, Charles Derber talks about the factors which compel him to write.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I was trying to get tenure at a major university. That required a book. I also found writing something like a meditation. It calmed me and centered me. I also found it a way to think and communicate about issues that I was passionate about.

My first book took five years and I started in the early 1970s. It’s called The Pursuit of Attention and it’s about who talks and who listens in ordinary conversation -- and focuses on how people subtly shift the topic of conversation to themselves. It became a classic and Oxford published a 20th commemorative edition a few years ago, selling more than 70,000 copies.

How would you describe your writing?

I write idea-driven non-fiction books focused on politics, culture and social justice. I try to write simply and clearly about issues that matter. I think of myself as a public intellectual, a relatively small breed of writers who move out of their technical specialties and influence the public.

My target audience is the literate general public, especially those interested in the link between personal life and politics.

I want my writing to help shape the public conversation about moral values, economic justice, and how to change the world. My audience includes social movements for justice and the activists in these movements who are trying to understand how change happens, as well as Democratic Party activists and thinkers who are trying to make the Democratic Party more of a serious change agent.

Who influenced you most?

Originally, America’s most famous 20th century sociologist, named C. Wright Mills. He defined sociology as the study of the relation between private troubles and public issues. Since then, I would say writers like Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn have had major impacts on me. I would say movements as well as individuals influence me: the peace and environment movements, the women’s movement, the labor, civil rights and participatory democratic movements.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

I’ve been writing for thirty years and I’ve always written about values and issues that affect me personally.

My experience as an activist in the sixties was a formative event, as I developed a critique of American capitalism and hope about how to change it. My experience in the South as a civil rights activist thirty years ago, and then an anti-war activist, had a major influence.

My relation with two groups -- students and social justice activists outside university -- keep me alive and informed. Students ask the right questions and activists are often the smartest, most knowledgeable critics.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

As already noted, I want to write about serious issues in a simple and electric way that engages the general public. It’s a challenge to straddle popular and serious non-fiction writing. It’s a special niche that a profit-driven publishing industry does not encourage as it looks only for the celebrity or how-to dumbed down book.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

It’s to keep up hope in a period of war and depression, of mass corruption and propaganda. And that means sustaining my own hope and optimism as well as nurturing those feelings in my readers.

Do you write everyday?

If I’m working on a book, I usually work everyday. I used to write on the morning; now my academic schedule makes it easier for me to write later in the day. The main thing is to have a few hours of uninterrupted time to draft a few pages each day.

What is your latest book about?

The latest is The New Feminized Majority: How Democrats Can Change America With Women’s Values. Paradigm Publishers released the book in February, 2008; it’s very time right now for the elections. Katherine Adam, formerly one of my undergraduates at Boston College, is the first author, and the book evolved from her senior honors thesis. This is very rare and a great accomplishment for her.

The book offers a serious treatment of the relation between women’s values and political change, as well as a strategy for how Democrats can win and change the country. It is a dramatic shift from the focus on Evangelical Christians as the only “values voters” in America.

Paradigm was a great choice because it could get the book out to the general public very quickly as both a trade book, and also as a book for students in college courses. The publisher and founder of the press, Dean Birkenkamp, is an intellectual who understands ideas and authors -- and is willing to devote a great deal of time to the books he publishes.

It is a small press, so it doesn’t have the clout and finances of the biggest [New York] N.Y. houses with which I have also worked. But what Paradigm lacks in those departments, it more than compensates in the close, collaborative and long-term strategy it develops to get its books out to the world. I haven’t felt any disappointments and recommend them enthusiastically.

Which aspects of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Writing itself is always demanding. Working with Katherine made it a lot of fun. The difficulty was mainly timing -- getting the book out quickly enough to ride the wave of this year’s amazing election. And then the hard work of publicizing the book with the publisher is very time consuming, although also very rewarding.

Which aspects did you enjoy most?

In this case, it was writing with Katherine, who has accomplished something as an undergraduate that rarely happens in America. It’s also the fact that the book has such a provocative and important argument.

What sets the book apart from other things you've written?

The unusual collaboration with Kathernine I’ve already described. Also the intense focus on gender as a major source of morality and change in politics.

In what way is it similar?

Like all my work, it is directed to issues of political and social justice; it is popularly written; it is timely; it has important historical elements; it can help transform the public debate about where America and the Democratic Party and social movements can go.

What will your next book be about?

I think it might have a new focus on the relation between the environmental crisis, the progressive movements and the new existential crisis facing the world as a whole. But I haven’t decided for sure -- I have many topics rattling around my brain each time I think about starting a new project and it takes a while to sort them out.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

I’d say it’s the entire corpus of my work that moves the conversation on social justice a bit further in the U.S. Each book adds a different piece of the picture and I feel a great sense of satisfaction about each of them.

How did you get there?

Obsession, hard work, polishing the craft of good writing, and the misfortune of living in a troubled world that is in desperate need of healing through creative new thinking and action.

Beth Fehlbaum is a teacher and an author.

Her debut novel, Courage in Patience tells the story of a teenage girl's first foray into recovery from sexual abuse.

In this interview, Fehlbaum talks about the factors which compelled her to start writing.

How would you describe your writing?

All of the writing I do has truth as its foundation. I don't buy into sugarcoating. I won't do it.

Currently I'm working on the sequel to Courage in Patience. It's called Hope in Patience, and it continues Ashley's story.

I want to explore where Ashley goes from the realization she has at the end of Courage in Patience and how she continues her road to recovery. I also want to deal with the fall-out from the censorship controversy that takes place in Courage in Patience, and continue to address the problem of homophobia. Hope in Patience will have an openly gay character.

When did you start writing?

I have always written, ever since I can remember. But in terms of serious-writing-of-a-novel, I started about a year or so ago.

I was working through some personal stuff, and writing a lot about how it felt. I shared it with a good friend of mine, and he suggested that I write a novel.

Initially, I was writing it just to see if I could do it. After I finished writing my book, I realized that I had a message of hope for victims of abuse -- something that there was a need for, that I wanted to share.

I started finding out how to be published by reading everything I could get my hands on, including columns and blogs online, as well as books on the publishing process like those big thick directories with agents' names, etc. I wrote a query letter, researched the types of agents looking for [Young Adult] YA fiction, and submitted at least a hundred queries. I landed an agent a few months later and sold Courage in Patience about six months later.

Who is your target audience?

Ashley, the protagonist of Courage in Patience, is around fifteen years old, but the book is written for anyone who wants to read a story of hope.

I was motivated to write this story because I wanted to see how it would turn out. I know that sounds funny, but it's true. I had this idea in mind of a young woman who has been basically tortured by her stepfather for the first half of her life. What would happen if she escaped that existence and had to start over from scratch with a father she never knew? Could she ever learn to trust him? Would she be able to pull herself out of the closet she had been hiding in, both mentally and literally?

Then when Ashley made friends in Patience, she discovered that everybody is challenged by something, whether it's having been sexually abused or being the target of a racist bully or having a physical deformity. As Dr. Matt, Ashley's therapist in Courage in Patience says, "Life's messy."

Who influenced you most?

In terms of being able to write a story like Courage in Patience, a person I will call A Very Wise Person has helped me overcome a lot of challenges. He has influenced me more than anybody else in my entire life, including my parents. He's really made me the person I am today.

In terms of writing style and a commitment to writing the truth, whether it's scary or hopeful, Chris Crutcher has been a mentor to me, whether he knows it or not.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

I've been a teacher for about ten years, and I channel a lot of what I know about the education world into my writing. I have worked with adolescents for a long time, and because of that, I'm able to capture the way they act and talk in an honest way.

You know, all writers start with their own lives as the foundation of their stories. It's just a natural thing to do. I have made the point again and again in interviews that Courage in Patience is everyone's story. The problems the characters deal with are universal, as are the emotions they feel and the victories they experience. Not everyone may have been sexually abused; not everyone may have experienced racism; not everyone may have had a book they love censored by people who are afraid of their kids growing up -- but everybody knows somebody who has faced those situations, or knows of someone, any way.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

I want to tell the truth in as authentic a way as possible. I want to capture the voice of each character in a way that is realistic. Sometimes, that means the characters use language that might make people uncomfortable. But I stand by my commitment to truth, and truth's not always a comfortable thing to deal with.

Do you write everyday?

I don't work on my current book every day as far as typing, but I am constantly thinking about how I want to take the plot. I jot down notes or zap myself an e-mail if I have an epiphany but I'm not able to sit down and write at the time. I tend to write in spurts; the story just flows from my mind through my fingertips.

In writing Courage in Patience, I learned that I am very much a middle-of-the-night writer; I will wake up with an idea and just have to get it out right then. I plan to work on Hope in Patience extensively this summer, when I'm out of school.

How long did it take you to write Courage in Patience?

It took me a little over a year to write, if you consider the time starting with the idea germinating in my mind through to the final edits of the manuscript.

I chose Kunati Books because they like controversial, provocative books, and Courage in Patiencewill definitely provoke discussion. Kunati was unafraid of the subject matter of sexual abuse.

In terms of the business-side, I like the way they don't backlist books; in other words, my book will never end up in the bargain bin. They list their books indefinitely and continue to promote them heavily. And that's another reason I like Kunati: it was founded by the three principals of Persona Corp, an advertising/marketing agency in Canada who worked for such giants as IBM and Nestle. Kunati has been called "What a publishing house would look like if it was run by the marketing department." I like that about them.

What did you find most difficult when you were working on Courage in Patience?

Writing the scenes where Ashley is attacked by her stepfather was a challenge. I dealt with it by going very slowly and making sure that none of the violence or details were unnecessarily graphic or sensationalized.

I enjoy creating scenes that readers tell me they feel pulled into. I like that because it means I've done my job well.

What sets the book apart from other things you've written?

Courage in Patience is the only novel I've written. I've always written poetry and short stories -- just for me or people close to me, though. I've published a short story I wrote called "The Closet" on my blog. Occasionally I write opinion pieces about such topics as immigration, politics, teaching and child advocacy.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Courage in Patience becoming a reality, as in, a published book that I can hold in my hands.

This article has also been featured on New Writing International.

Tony Robles is a U.S. Navy submarine veteran, a retired federal agent and an author.

His debut children's book Joey Gonzalez, Great American challenges racism and prejudice.

In this interview, Tony Robles speaks about what motivated him to write the book.

When did you start writing?

I’ve been scribbling all my life but nothing serious or with such passion as I have in my children’s book, Joey Gonzalez, Great American.

What happened to me was one of those success stories you read or hear about once in a while. I had no plan to be a published writer or even to do any serious writing. Then I discovered World Ahead Publishing and their line of conservative children’s books. I realized I had a story inside me that could make a whopper of a conservative children’s book, on an issue so controversial that getting it published would be the longest of long shots. But here was a publishing house that I thought would have the courage and the vision to publish such a story. I wrote it in one draft with no revisions, submitted it and crossed my fingers. I went from having no idea I was going to write a story to being published -- in one easy step.

How would you describe your writing?

Joey Gonzalez is a sweet little children’s story with lovable characters that kids can identify with. It’s a story about ethnic pride, self reliance and courage, with a positive and affirmative message. But it is also a political commentary about one of the most controversial issues of our time: affirmative action.

It’s a story intended to provoke serious thought and hopefully encourage the notion of self-help, a conservative value and one that is quintessentially American. (I borrowed some of those words from Barack Obama, who described the notion of self-help as “quintessentially American -- and yes, conservative”).

Who is your target audience?

I wrote the story especially for American children who are descended from Spaniards and African Slaves (or both), but it’s a good story for any kid. For the black and Hispanic kids, it teaches that their ancestry is not a weakness but a source of strength, that there was greatness in their ancestors and that greatness has been passed on. It encourages reading, education and self reliance while discouraging dependence on special preferences.

For the rest of the kids it shows that black and Hispanic children are not different, that they have the same hopes and dreams and, most importantly, that they are not weak or inferior.

I have seen the affirmative action mentality take an ugly turn. It has become politically correct to be prejudiced against multitudes of people simply because of their ancestry. It is now perfectly acceptable to believe that all blacks and Hispanics are inferior and need special preferences in order to compete. That poison is being fed to our children.

I wrote the story to give kids a positive and truly affirmative alternative to that negative stereotyping.

Who would has influenced you most?

My late mother was the true inspiration for this story. She didn’t raise me to be a victim. She never let me believe that ancestry or poverty could hold me back as long as I had the will to succeed. I put her dream and her teachings into Joey Gonzalez, Great American.

My whole life has been preparation to write Joey Gonzalez, Great American. I was already a young man when the government decided that blacks and Hispanics were so inferior that they needed special preferences and quotas to compete.

No one had ever told me that my ancestry or my poverty would hold me back or make it hard for me to learn and compete. Yet, by today’s standards I was doomed to fail; all the cards were stacked against me: poor, Hispanic, segregated, drug and gang infested neighborhood, no father, and a segregated high school. And there was no affirmative action to help me along. Yet, I did fine.

I have lived the American dream just as my mother promised, through education and hard work. As little Joey Gonzalez does in the story, I reject the affirmative racism lie because I know better. My life has been the proof.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

Right now my main concern is getting the message out to as many kids as possible. That means selling a lot of books.

I’m dealing with this by doing everything I can personally to promote the book: reading/book signing events, seeking publicity wherever I can find it, and doing whatever the publisher asks me to do. I’m currently doing a lot of radio interviews on talk shows, etc, and, of course, I’m doing this virtual book tour which includes this stop at OhmyNews International.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

I just picked a fight with one of the biggest, toughest bullies on the block.

I know my book may cause some hard feelings because there is a whole generation out there that has been convinced affirmative action preferences are good and necessary to level the playing field. My strategy will be to get the book out to as many people as possible and let Joey do the talking. He does a good job and has already changed a few minds and got some others at least thinking.

Do you write everyday?

I don’t write every day. I only write when I have something to say. I wrote Joey Gonzalez in one draft in one sitting. I think it took me about four hours.

Before I wrote the first word, I knew exactly what I wanted Joey to do and say. All I had to do was introduce the characters and set up the confrontation in the classroom. At that point Joey and his classmates came alive and the story told itself.

It took the artist, my good friend, Jimmy Pryor several months to paint the watercolor illustrations and the book was published in March 2008 by World Ahead Media in Torrance, CA.

I believe World Ahead Media was the only conservative book publisher with a line of children’s books. That was unique and I was intrigued and inspired by the idea of teaching conservative values through children’s literature.

Which aspects of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Getting the artwork right was a challenge.

Jimmy Pryor, the illustrator made color pencil drawings as prototypes for a layout. The drawings looked so good that the publisher decided to use them instead of the watercolor paintings they had originally requested. But, after Jimmy had made a full set of illustrations, we found that the pencil colors weren’t intense enough. Jimmy had to retool and redo all the illustrations in watercolor. Jimmy has always used acrylics and oils. He had never painted with watercolor, so he had to work by trial and error. Understandably, that took a long time.

Then the publisher gave us a deadline.

Jimmy worked five days without sleep in order to finish the artwork on time.

Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most?

I enjoyed working with Jimmy Pryor. The book turned out to be a true collaboration.

When I first visited Jimmy to show him the manuscript, he had a large canvas hanging on his wall depicting Buffalo Soldiers coming two by two up a steep hillside. The landscape in the background looks endless and barren, making the column of soldiers seem small and lonely and exposed. Yet in their carriage there is a clear depiction of strength and confidence and military discipline. It is a beautiful and powerful painting.

I said I wished we could put something like that into the book. Jimmy said that, if I added some text about the Buffalo Soldiers, he would be happy to make an illustration to go with it. I added the text and, as promised, Jimmy painted a beautiful portrait.

Jimmy is a great guy, a talented artist and a true professional. We have developed a strong friendship and we hope to work together on future projects.

What sets the book apart from the other things you've written?

The only published piece I’ve ever had other than Joey Gonzalez is the essay published in the National Submarine Review, “The Last Voyage of the USS Sunfish”. What sets Joey Gonzalez apart from the Sunfish essay is, obviously, the magnitude of the project, a book versus a simple essay.

There are similarities.

The day I read the Sunfish essay for the first time at a crew reunion, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. Someone told me later that I wrote with courage. When I wrote Joey Gonzalez I realized courage is essential. And not only courage, but honesty and passion as well. I believe that’s what these two very different stories have in common: honesty, passion and courage.

How did the Sunfish essay come about?

I wrote a personal essay, “The Last Voyage of the USS Sunfish” which was published in the National Submarine Review (I believe in 1997). It is posted on the USS Sunfish website (there’s a link on my website, joeygonzalez.us). I rode along as a civilian on the submarine’s last voyage, from San Diego to Bremerton, Washington where she was scrapped. As I had been on the commissioning crew and sailed on her maiden voyage, it was a very emotional experience. The crew has adopted the essay and it has become a tradition for someone to read it at every reunion.

What will your next book be about?

I’m sure it will be another conservative children’s book.

Emilio Corsetti is a professional pilot and an author. He lives with his wife in Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

His work has appeared in publications that include the Chicago Tribune, Multimedia Producer and Professional Pilot magazine.

In this interview, Emilio Corsetti talks about his writing.

What is your latest book about?

35 Miles From Shore tells the true story of a 1970 airliner that ditched in the Caribbean Sea and the efforts to rescue those who survived. I spent a year-and-a-half researching the book and another year-and-a-half writing. I spent an additional year or so rewriting.

The book was independently published by Odyssey Publishing and was released April 2008.

I had an offer from a European publisher, but I ultimately felt that they were asking for too much and offering too little. Had I gone with this publisher, the title would have received almost no promotion and would have been relegated to the backlist almost from the first day.

The route I chose of publishing under my own imprint and retaining all rights is a costly one. My risks have been somewhat lessened by having signed with a major distributor. I have also benefited from a great deal of free publicity in the Caribbean where the accident took place.

Which aspects of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Without question the most difficult aspect of writing this book was finding the right balance of background information in the story. If I had too much background information, I would lose the reader in a sea of detail. If I had too little, then I risked confusing the reader. I think I found the right balance, but only after reading a lot of other nonfiction books to see how other authors handled it.

I had readers give me feedback on early drafts. My early drafts had too much background. Subsequent drafts had too little. Through all of this I continued to read other author’s work. I learned that the most important thing in providing background information is that you should only include things that help describe a character or event. If it doesn’t help define a character, then it doesn’t belong.

Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most?

Writing a book is hard work. The actual writing and rewriting is tedious and demanding.

I did enjoy the research and interviewing the actual participants.

The most satisfying moment in the whole process was the completion of the first draft. For a brief period of a few months, I was the only person in the world who knew this story. Even though there were hundreds of people involved in what took place, no one had ever pieced it all together into one complete story. All that existed prior were story fragments.

One of the most frequent comments I receive from the people whom I interviewed is that they had no idea the extent of all that took place.

What sets the book apart from other things you've written?

All of my previous writing has been short articles. Writing a book length manuscript that holds the reader’s interest from start to finish is a challenge. I think I’ve succeeded.

In what way is it similar?

I published an article on the twentieth anniversary of the Apollo 13 space flight. This was several years before the movie and book by Jim Lovell.

I also have written an unpublished novel that took me five years to write. While that book will never be published, even by me, the experience I gained was invaluable.

When did you start writing?

I don’t have the typical background of most writers.

I had never read a book for enjoyment until I was twenty-three. I was among the many people who looked upon reading as a chore that was to be avoided at all costs.

It wasn’t until my wife, who is an avid reader, gave me the book The Shining by Steven King to read. I read it and liked it. So I decided to go to the bookstore and see if I could find something that would interest me.

The book I picked out was 2001 A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. It was the first time I had ever been transported to another place and time by a story. From that moment on I became an avid reader.

Over the years my tastes have drifted towards nonfiction narratives, though I still enjoy reading fiction now and then.

I didn’t try writing something myself until I was 30.

How and when did decide you wanted to be a published writer?

I independently published my book. I made the decision to go this route after the book was accepted into the small press program at Independent Publishers Group.

Being selected by IPG meant that the book would receive worldwide distribution. Still, I was hesitant to mention to people that I published the book myself for fear that it would be dismissed as not good enough.

What I found is that non-writers and most readers make no distinction between an independently published book and one that was published by a major publisher. It’s no different than an independent filmmaker producing his own film or a musician releasing a CD on his or her own label. The end user is only interested in the final product. If it meets the standards that have been set forth by the industry, you can compete equally.

How would you describe your writing?

I don’t have to rely on writing to provide my income, so I choose to spend my time on projects that interest me.

My favorite books to read are true stories. Over the past several years I have read numerous true stories that have surpassed anything that I have read in fiction, yet for some reason very few of these books make best seller lists. I am completely baffled by this.

The target audience for my book 35 Miles From Shore is readers who enjoy stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

Who influenced you most?

I don’t have any favorite authors. I do have some favorite books.

Three of my favorite fiction books are: Angela’s Ashes, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and To Kill A Mocking Bird.

Some of my favorite nonfiction books are: In the Heart of the Sea, Ghost Soldiers, The White Cascade, Seabiscuit, Magellan, The Perfect Storm, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and Manhunt.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

My main goal is to tell an interesting story.

In nonfiction, I am very careful to be factual. I may write a scene that might have been elaborated in order to enhance the readability, but the underlying facts will be true.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

I think I have a good feel for selecting topics that make good stories.

A while back, before the movie Apollo 13, I pitched the idea of a film on the Apollo 13 space flight to a studio executive with Touchstone Pictures. He told me that people didn’t want to go see movies where they know the ending. This same executive greenlit the movie Encino Man. I haven’t heard his name since.

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

In the book 35 Miles From Shore there were several major challenges.

For one it was a complex story. The accident involved two different airlines, there were problems before the flight began, and the story involved numerous individuals: the flight crew, the passengers, the rescuers, the investigators, and numerous airline officials. Each individual saw the story from a slightly different perspective. In some cases, there were multiple perspectives of the same event.

Another problem was how to balance the background information. There are three ways to handle this. The most popular method is to begin with the heart of the story, then introduce the background material in the middle section before resuming the main story. The second option is to intersperse the background information throughout the story as characters are introduced.

Neither of these two options was suitable for this story. For this reason, I decided to split the book into three parts. The first part would set up the ditching by providing the necessary background information. The second part would describe the ditching and rescue uninterrupted. The last part described the events after the accident.

Do you write everyday?

I don’t quote other people very often, but I have two quotes from Mark Twain on this subject. Here is the first one (paraphrased in case I don’t have it exactly right): Writers who write every day write tired and they tire the public who has to read them. The second one is my favorite: Whenever I get the urge to write, I lie down and it usually passes.

When you do write, how does each session start? How do you proceed?

I’m usually good for about one to two hours of writing, depending on how late I start. I start by reviewing pages that have already been written. I’ll rewrite these and then start new pages. If I get stuck, I’ll sleep on it and come up with a solution over the next few days.

What will your next book be about?

Getting this book published has been such a frustrating experience that I would have to think very hard before I would tackle another book. It would have to be a heck of a story and one that hadn’t been told before.

I have written another screenplay, which I’m excited about.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Starting and completing this book, despite the many obstacles, is a significant achievement. Having the book be as well received as it has been is vindication of my effort.

How did you get there?

I have had no second thoughts of shelving the novel that I wrote. But I couldn’t see me doing the same thing with this book. The story is too good to not do everything I can to get it out there. I won’t have to look back and wonder what if? I can now look forward and wonder what’s next?

This article has also been featured on New Writing International.

Mick Drake was born in the West Midlands and grew up in Sutton Coldfield.

After leaving school he followed a career in retailing before gaining a degree in fine art. Finding it impossible to make a living as a budding artist, he returned to retailing, managing supermarkets for several years before leaving to set up a conservation scheme in Wolverhampton and joining local government.

After he gained a degree in management studies, he and his family moved to Lincolnshire where he works in Economic Regeneration encouraging the development of businesses in the county.

Currently, he is working on a sequel to his first published novel, All`s Well At Wellwithoute (Authorhouse, 2006).

In this interview, Mick Drake talks about his writing.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote my first novel when I was in my twenties whilst I was unemployed for a year. I was unable to get it published but writing has been at the back of my mind since then.

An illness five years ago gave me the opportunity to start writing again -- the bug has never gone away -- I would love to be able to write full time.

What are your main concerns as a writer?

I want the reader to enjoy sharing their imagination with me -- reading is a creative activity that completes the process of writing -- that`s why it was important for me to get published. I want the reader to go away pleased by their experience -- enthralled by the twists in the narrative -- amused by the characters and situations -- to have had a good time!

How would you describe your writing?

My writing is in the tradition of English comic writing.

I read widely, but I enjoy comic writing best - when it`s well done it can lift your spirits and still have something to say about the human condition and perhaps you remember that something the more because it isn`t cloaked in tragedy or high drama.

My target audience is anyone who enjoys well crafted comic writing -- particularly people who enjoy humorouswriting without the excessive use of swear words and graphic sex scenes.

Who would has influenced you most?

Anyone who aspires to writing in the comic genre has to acknowledge the profound and lasting influence of P. G. Wodehouse whose comic timing and superb skills as a writer have never been surpassed.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

I enjoy life -- like everyone I`ve had my share of tragedies and disappointments, but I see no need to dwell on them or the darker side of living on this teeming planet.

For me, humour and satire are the most effective means of deflating the pompous, the prejudiced, the greedy, the vain, casting a light which is perhaps harder to dismiss than other forms of drama or criticism. I use and exaggerate personal experiences to comic effect -- I also make stuff up!

What are the biggest challenges that you face?

To get my book sufficiently well known, so it has the opportunity to become widely read.

I deal with these challenges by taking opportunities such as this to promote my book - last year on May 19, I was at the Lincoln Book Festival -- my book is also available on Amazon and I talk about my book on the Meet the Author website. I`m always on the lookout for promotional opportunities.

Do you write everyday?

Recently, I`ve been busy getting my book ready for publication and promoting it -- I hope to get back to regular writing soon.

How many books have you written so far?

Just this one -- All`s Well at Wellwithoute published in November 2006 by Authorhouse.

Wellwithoute, the ancestral home of the Dangwell family is surrounded by creditors: Lord Dangwell is in dispair -- his only hope is to persuade his son Harold to marry Veronica, the poetic daughter of Lord Entwislethe richest and rudest man in the county. Veronica`s poetry is driving Lord Entwisle to distraction so he will pay handsomely to see her wed.

After numerous twists of fate Harold is drawn into his father`s web of intrigue -- will he escape before it`s too late?

The book took me two years to write and a further three years refining the text and finally getting it published.

I`m currently writing a sequel which will feature the Dangwell family in further adventures.

What did you find most difficult when you were working on All`s Well at Wellwithoute?

I enjoyed writing the book, so I wouldn`t say it was difficult -- perhaps the most challenging thing with comic writing is to introduce comic situations and twists of plot whilst maintaining a level of plausibility in situations and characters.

I also enjoyed creating the house and characters of the Dangwell family and creating the house in visual form on the cover of my book.

What sets the book apart from other things you have written?

My unpublished novel was a serious study of adolescent angst -- it did have some funny moments, but these were mostly unintentional!

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

To date it has to be getting an agent and getting pubished -- an incredibly hard thing to do -- my agent says he has 450 unsolicited manuscripts a month -- he only picks 12 new writers a year.

How did you get there?

By persistence and determination and ignoring numerous rejections by agents and publishers.

This article has also been featured on New Writing International.

David S. Grant lives and works in New York City.

His books include Corporate Porn, written in 2005, and published by Silverthought Press in 2006. His double novel Bleach/Blackout will be published through Offense Mechanisms, and imprint of Silverthought Press in 2008.

Two more books are also due to be published in 2008 through Brown Paper Publishing. These are the novel, The Last Breakfast, and short story collection Emotionless Souls.

In this interview, David Grant talks about his writing.

When did you start writing?

To some degree I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school, short stories, and essays for the most part.

I started taking fiction seriously in the late nineties when I was in my twenties. This is when I wrote my first novella Suicide Squeeze, my novel Bleach followed shortly after that.

Corporate Porn was published in 2005 by Silverthought Press. My current book, a collection of short stories titled Emotionless Souls was just published by Brown Paper Publishing.

How did you make the transition from writing to becoming a published author?

I never set out to be a published writer, instead focused on the writing, not worried whether or not my work would ever be read. Eventually it’s natural to want to have your work published.

For Corporate Porn, I queried a combination of agents and publishers; this went on for over a year. During this time I also wrote short stories and had them published at various online and literary journals. One of the short stories, "Tease Inc", (part of my new book Emotionless Souls) detailed an ex-stripper at a job interview. This story led to Silverthought Press publishing my novel Corporate Porn.

How would you describe your writing?

Satirical with lots of humor.

Also, a lot of people will associate the genre “Transgressive Fiction” to my work as I do often touch on taboo areas in my writing. In the story "Lucy’s Place" (from Emotionless Souls) a morally corrupt man overdoses on heroin and wakes up in Idaho, where he must figure out whether he is in Heaven or Hell.

Being fair and truthful to my characters is very important to me. If someone deserves to be hit or told to fuck off, then this is the story told.

Who is your target audience?

Hung over college students, bored mothers, and death row prisoners who enjoy Quentin Tarantino movies.

I’ve never wrote for a particular audience. I enjoy reading dark and funny stories so this is what I write.

Who would you say has influenced you most?

A combination of many writers. Bret Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk's books are two favorites of mine and my writing style, embracing minimalism. Both BEE and CP have taken chances with their writing, not creating the same book over and over. Both genius satirical writers of our time, they are great authors to study the balance of shock and black comedy with light scenes and humorous dialogue.

How have your personal experiences influenced your writing?

Many of my characters are composites of people I know, have met, or heard stories about. Mood of my fiction is directly related to what is happening in my life. If things are good, there is definitely a lighter tone, if not, the anger comes through my pen onto the paper. Bleach/Blackout, a double novel to be published in 2008 is good example of this. The tagline for Bleach is “Life at its most jaded” and for Blackout, “This is a story about living”. Not one story is more dark or angry than the other; it’s just the way you look at a scene, or a situation. You can find yourself in either a challenging place, or complete shit storm, a lot of that is really up to you.

Do you write everyday?

I do not write every day. Sometimes I may not write for weeks, then binge, barely taking breaks, finishing initial drafts in weeks.

On a daily basis I do take notes and work on outlines for my new novels.

Taking time away from writing a novel to focus on a short story or two is a good way for me to step back when I’m stuck or am not happy with where the story is leading.

What is your latest book about?

Emotionless Souls is a collection of short stories published through Brown Paper Publishing.

Both Emotionless Souls and my novella The Last Breakfast were published through BPP in March 2008. Brown Paper Publishing had published a short story titled "The Dublin Trip" (in Emotionless Souls) in their literary journal, Predicate. From there they approached me about some of my other work and agreed to work together on these projects.

Brown Paper Publishing has been fantastic to work with.

Which aspects of the work you put into the book did you find most difficult?

Given my book is a collection of short stories, it was challenging to find the right stories to compliment each other. If one story tells the tale of a stripper murdered by a financial analyst, the next probably shouldn’t be a story about a murdered stripper, unless of course the book is a collection of dead stripper stories. Something I’ve been kicking around in my head for a while.

Which did you enjoy most?

The writing of the initial stories. Regardless of whether any of my work had ever made it to print I will always be writing. I entertain myself with my stories, which I do realize sounds selfish, but that’s not the point, writing is very therapeutic for me.

What sets the book apart from other things you've written?

I’ve published three novels, this is my first short story collection.

Given the length of the tales, there is a more definitive edge to the writing as I get right to the point. “White Christmas” is a story of a man who believes a co-worker has stolen his cocaine and the piece details his walk across the room to confront the accused. Because this was a short the story needs to keep the focus of what is happening despite the distractions that are incurred as he makes it across the room. Similar to “White Christmas”, the story “Boardroom Romance” answers the age old question of what happens when you mistake Ecstasy for Aspirin and it hits you while in a boardroom meeting.

In what way is it similar?

In a twisted way, my characters are similar in that they’re typically down, then get lower (and sometimes even lower), eventually finding redemption, in the oddest of ways, in the end. In the story “Money Shot” redemption is in the form of shock, the main character committing suicide in order to preserve his space in the adult movie industry. For “Open Mic” where a comic gets laughs in a non-conventional way by adding hallucinogen mushrooms to the food the crowd is eating. My characters from both my novels and short stories always seem to follow this arc in my stories.

What will your next book be about?

My next book is my drug and rock fueled double novel Bleach/Blackout through Offense Mechanism, an imprint of Silverthought press.

Bleach opens during the last sixty seconds of 2003 in a bathroom where Jeremy, our jaded navigator through the endless repulsiveness of the world, watches a girl lay dying. Before diving into an explanation of what the hell is going on, Jeremy doubles back eight days. The entire story builds up to the climax of Sharon Winkler’s infamous annual New Year’s Eve party, where all the men are dressed as prostitutes, all the women look like pimps, decadence and debauchery dictate the rules, and the next guy through the door is sure to have a gun.

Written in a cynical voice that rings true with today’s young business class, Bleach is a story that encompasses the sentiments of a generation while examining the meaning of life in a world driven by greed.

Blackout begins in Las Vegas, where Stoner and friends celebrate his bachelor party in a blur of strippers, crack cocaine, a little Thai, and Nic Cage. The next morning in Los Angeles brings an unwelcome surprise when Stoner’s friends Chip and Jeremy wake to find police officers and a dead body for which they are allegedly responsible. Chip is charged with murder and his trial is being fast-tracked... What would Steven Tyler do?

Beneath the stories of hangovers and death, this is a story about living for the moment and having a story to tell. Blackout is a fast-paced ride that will leave you wanting more—and maybe a cold beer.

What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?

Anytime a writer completes the first draft of a manuscript I think this is a major achievement.

For me, finishing my first novel was significant for me. The ability to put down my ideas through characters and have a story completed from start to finish was very fulfilling to me.

This article has also been featured on New Writing International.

Susan Alvis is a Tennessee native.

She has several books out with various publishers. Writing un