Shani Z. Nesmith - 13 April 2025
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Shani Z. Nesmith
https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Shani Z. Nesmith. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Shani and share something about your life.
I am a solo mom of a teenage daughter and a fur baby girl in my 40s. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, and still reside in Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor degree in Animal Science with the intention of becoming a Veterinarian, but I was horrible with Chemistry. In 2012, I earned a Master in Accountancy, and I have worked in Finance since 2014 in various capacities. I am now an accountant by day, and I write in my spare time.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in February 2025. My father had always encouraged me to write a children’s book in my adulthood, based on how he saw me interact with my daughter in her early years and because he saw my creativity in memory books that I used to produce for her each year of her early life. I had an idea for a story at least 10 years ago, but gave up because I didn’t know how to make it happen. I was especially worried about how to get it illustrated. My father passed in October 2023, and I decided to make an attempt after being exposed to AI. I found an AI application and entered prompts to create the characters and illustrated it myself bringing Bakari’s Brave Heart to life. Ever since, I have been flooded with ideas. So hopefully, there will be much more to come.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I like to mix up the age audience, but ultimately, I think I am sticking with children’s books. My first book was for young children, and probably best for a read aloud or bedtime story. My second book was a kid’s chapter book, because I enjoy being able to develop characters. I do intend to eventually publish an adult fiction novel; however, I will likely use a pen name for that book to separate myself from children’s books.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I actually do a combination. I typically come up with the characters first and make notes about what they are like. Second, I figure out their dilemma or scenario they find themselves in. Then I just start writing and see where it leads me. I LOVE copy & paste. Because it makes it easy for editing and moving parts of the story around.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Cookie the DetectiveCHAPTER 1:The Midnight Mystery
It was a cool Florida night, the kind where even the cicadas seemed to take a break from their usual buzzing. A crisp breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of damp grass and salt from the nearby coast. The world outside was quiet—peaceful. Cookie lay curled up at the foot of the bed, her tail twitching as she dreamed of chasing rabbits. Her ears flicked at a distant sound. A rustling, maybe? A soft thump? It was enough to stir her slightly, but not enough to break the warmth of sleep. Until—
BARK! BARK! BARK!
Her eyes popped open. The barking wasn’t coming from inside the house. It was coming from outside.
BARK! BARK! BARK!!!
She lifted her head, ears swiveling toward the sound. It carried from about 150 yards northwest—somewhere near the Garcia family’s house. The sharp, repetitive barks cut through the night like an alarm. She wasn’t the only one who heard it. “Ugh… not again,” her owner groaned, rolling over in bed. “Why is that dog barking so much?” He pressed a pillow completely over his head, muttering something about people being inconsiderate. Cookie did not like that her owner was disturbed; however, this was not normal barking.
BARK! BARK! BARK…whine.
Although she was still a little tired, Cookie leaped down from the bed, her paws padding softly across the wooden floor. She sniffed the air—nothing unusual. No strange scents drifting in through the window. But the barking? It was urgent. The dog wasn’t just making noise—he was trying to say something. Across the room, Blaze didn’t even stir. He was sprawled out in his plush dog bed, snoring lightly, his legs twitching in a dream. Cookie trotted over and nudged him with her nose. “Blaze, wake up.” No response. She tried again, firmer this time. “Blaze, seriously. Did you hear that?” Blaze—a blue, black, and white beagle—cracked one eye open, stretched dramatically, and let out a long yawn. “Mmm… nope. Didn’t hear a thing.” “The barking. How can you not hear that? It’s been going on for quite some time tonight.” Blaze flopped over, tucking his paws under his chin. “Maybe that dog just loves the sound of its own bark. Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Cookie sighed. “It doesn’t sound random, Blaze.”
BARK! BARK! ... pause … whimper … BARK!
Blaze groaned and covered his ears with his paws. “Maybe it just wants to play.” “Then why does it sound upset?” Cookie replied sharply, her tail flicking with irritation. Blaze rolled onto his back with an annoyed, dramatic sigh. “Let that dog’s owner figure it out. After all, our owners wouldn’t just let us bark at night all willy nilly without responding.” “Blaze,” Cookie responded, “Although you have a point, what if its owner isn’t at home?” Blaze almost gave his sister a tired warning growl, but stopped himself. He smirked sleepily. “I… Big Sis… am going to finish my beauty rest.” He shut his eyes. “Goodnight.” Cookie huffed. “You’re no help, Blaze.” She turned toward the window, staring into the dark night. Her gut told her that the barking wasn’t just noise—it was communication. But if it wasn’t just random barking… what was the message? Why has this been going on for hours? Cookie let her nose hover near the open window, inhaling deeply. Nothing strange. No unfamiliar smells. But still, she knew that something was just not right. Maybe… just maybe… this was a case for Cookie the Detective.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Blaze the blue, black & white beagle is my favorite character, because I enjoy his carefree personality. I also enjoy the challenge of giving him funny dialogue without being too annoying. It is a balancing act.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Cookie the Detective, because I sincerely enjoy bringing the Detective Team characters to life. My goal is to make it a series of 3-5 mysteries.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
I haven’t been given marketing advice from anyone directly, other than to slow down. My problem is that once I get and idea and the mindset to accomplish something…I will work non-stop to get the task completed. I lost a large amount of sleep while writing and illustrating Bakari’s Brave Heart. Not as much for Cookie the Detective, as I forced myself to find breaking points.
How would you describe yourself?
I would say that over the last 5 years I have gone from being semi-extroverted to being a complete hermit. I like to stay home and rarely have reason to leave my home. It’s almost as if I still live like we are in a pandemic sadly. I also consider myself a “Jack-of-all-Trades, but master of none.” I can be very independent, preferring to resolve most things on my own. Whether it be putting together furniture, small house repairs and updates, etc. I prefer to find a book, directions, or a YouTube video and do it myself. I have a very determined nature.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
When not working, I am usually found walking my Beagle—Snoopi, or spending time with my teenage daughter and immediate family.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Tough question!! I have not left the country. I definitely would love to see an island with Crystal clear blue waters…maybe Jamaica or the Maldives?? I grew up around water being from Jacksonville, Florida; however, I would like to see the type of water than you can see all the way down to the sand and creatures below.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Cookie the Detective was inspired by my dog Snoopi. We actually almost named her Cookie, so I used it for the book. The funniest thing about her is watching her attempts to chase squirrels. I don’t think she is fast enough to catch a squirrel, plus she is always limited by the leash. Snoopi usually gets really low and moves slowly along the ground trying to stalk the poor squirrel. I laugh inside because sometimes she approaches so slowly that it seems as if she thinks she can just walk up to the squirrel and say “Hi.” And of course, I enjoy when she gets the zoomies!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The topic first and I must admit cover art or the description entices me second. I have been reading a lot of non-fiction in adulthood. I have been big into “Self Help” or “Finance” books, but I do read fiction occasionally.
Do you have your own website?
I have a temporary site, but not yet an official domain name. https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes. I have three projects in the works. Book 2 of the Cookie the Detective Series will be coming out likely in May 2025. Next, I need to complete the illustration of the second book of the Adventures of Bakari series. Finally, I have started the adult fiction novel, likely to be released much later under a pen name.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Bakari’s Brave Heart will be having an eBook Countdown sale on Amazon (April 17-24). I also have a Countdown eBook deal on Amazon for Cookie the Beagle Book 1 starting on May2-8.Finally I hope to give away at least 5 paperback copies of Cookie the Beagle through GoodReads.
I am a solo mom of a teenage daughter and a fur baby girl in my 40s. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, and still reside in Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor degree in Animal Science with the intention of becoming a Veterinarian, but I was horrible with Chemistry. In 2012, I earned a Master in Accountancy, and I have worked in Finance since 2014 in various capacities. I am now an accountant by day, and I write in my spare time.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in February 2025. My father had always encouraged me to write a children’s book in my adulthood, based on how he saw me interact with my daughter in her early years and because he saw my creativity in memory books that I used to produce for her each year of her early life. I had an idea for a story at least 10 years ago, but gave up because I didn’t know how to make it happen. I was especially worried about how to get it illustrated. My father passed in October 2023, and I decided to make an attempt after being exposed to AI. I found an AI application and entered prompts to create the characters and illustrated it myself bringing Bakari’s Brave Heart to life. Ever since, I have been flooded with ideas. So hopefully, there will be much more to come.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I like to mix up the age audience, but ultimately, I think I am sticking with children’s books. My first book was for young children, and probably best for a read aloud or bedtime story. My second book was a kid’s chapter book, because I enjoy being able to develop characters. I do intend to eventually publish an adult fiction novel; however, I will likely use a pen name for that book to separate myself from children’s books.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I actually do a combination. I typically come up with the characters first and make notes about what they are like. Second, I figure out their dilemma or scenario they find themselves in. Then I just start writing and see where it leads me. I LOVE copy & paste. Because it makes it easy for editing and moving parts of the story around.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Cookie the DetectiveCHAPTER 1:The Midnight Mystery
It was a cool Florida night, the kind where even the cicadas seemed to take a break from their usual buzzing. A crisp breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of damp grass and salt from the nearby coast. The world outside was quiet—peaceful. Cookie lay curled up at the foot of the bed, her tail twitching as she dreamed of chasing rabbits. Her ears flicked at a distant sound. A rustling, maybe? A soft thump? It was enough to stir her slightly, but not enough to break the warmth of sleep. Until—
BARK! BARK! BARK!
Her eyes popped open. The barking wasn’t coming from inside the house. It was coming from outside.
BARK! BARK! BARK!!!
She lifted her head, ears swiveling toward the sound. It carried from about 150 yards northwest—somewhere near the Garcia family’s house. The sharp, repetitive barks cut through the night like an alarm. She wasn’t the only one who heard it. “Ugh… not again,” her owner groaned, rolling over in bed. “Why is that dog barking so much?” He pressed a pillow completely over his head, muttering something about people being inconsiderate. Cookie did not like that her owner was disturbed; however, this was not normal barking.
BARK! BARK! BARK…whine.
Although she was still a little tired, Cookie leaped down from the bed, her paws padding softly across the wooden floor. She sniffed the air—nothing unusual. No strange scents drifting in through the window. But the barking? It was urgent. The dog wasn’t just making noise—he was trying to say something. Across the room, Blaze didn’t even stir. He was sprawled out in his plush dog bed, snoring lightly, his legs twitching in a dream. Cookie trotted over and nudged him with her nose. “Blaze, wake up.” No response. She tried again, firmer this time. “Blaze, seriously. Did you hear that?” Blaze—a blue, black, and white beagle—cracked one eye open, stretched dramatically, and let out a long yawn. “Mmm… nope. Didn’t hear a thing.” “The barking. How can you not hear that? It’s been going on for quite some time tonight.” Blaze flopped over, tucking his paws under his chin. “Maybe that dog just loves the sound of its own bark. Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Cookie sighed. “It doesn’t sound random, Blaze.”
BARK! BARK! ... pause … whimper … BARK!
Blaze groaned and covered his ears with his paws. “Maybe it just wants to play.” “Then why does it sound upset?” Cookie replied sharply, her tail flicking with irritation. Blaze rolled onto his back with an annoyed, dramatic sigh. “Let that dog’s owner figure it out. After all, our owners wouldn’t just let us bark at night all willy nilly without responding.” “Blaze,” Cookie responded, “Although you have a point, what if its owner isn’t at home?” Blaze almost gave his sister a tired warning growl, but stopped himself. He smirked sleepily. “I… Big Sis… am going to finish my beauty rest.” He shut his eyes. “Goodnight.” Cookie huffed. “You’re no help, Blaze.” She turned toward the window, staring into the dark night. Her gut told her that the barking wasn’t just noise—it was communication. But if it wasn’t just random barking… what was the message? Why has this been going on for hours? Cookie let her nose hover near the open window, inhaling deeply. Nothing strange. No unfamiliar smells. But still, she knew that something was just not right. Maybe… just maybe… this was a case for Cookie the Detective.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Blaze the blue, black & white beagle is my favorite character, because I enjoy his carefree personality. I also enjoy the challenge of giving him funny dialogue without being too annoying. It is a balancing act.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Cookie the Detective, because I sincerely enjoy bringing the Detective Team characters to life. My goal is to make it a series of 3-5 mysteries.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
I haven’t been given marketing advice from anyone directly, other than to slow down. My problem is that once I get and idea and the mindset to accomplish something…I will work non-stop to get the task completed. I lost a large amount of sleep while writing and illustrating Bakari’s Brave Heart. Not as much for Cookie the Detective, as I forced myself to find breaking points.
How would you describe yourself?
I would say that over the last 5 years I have gone from being semi-extroverted to being a complete hermit. I like to stay home and rarely have reason to leave my home. It’s almost as if I still live like we are in a pandemic sadly. I also consider myself a “Jack-of-all-Trades, but master of none.” I can be very independent, preferring to resolve most things on my own. Whether it be putting together furniture, small house repairs and updates, etc. I prefer to find a book, directions, or a YouTube video and do it myself. I have a very determined nature.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
When not working, I am usually found walking my Beagle—Snoopi, or spending time with my teenage daughter and immediate family.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Tough question!! I have not left the country. I definitely would love to see an island with Crystal clear blue waters…maybe Jamaica or the Maldives?? I grew up around water being from Jacksonville, Florida; however, I would like to see the type of water than you can see all the way down to the sand and creatures below.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Cookie the Detective was inspired by my dog Snoopi. We actually almost named her Cookie, so I used it for the book. The funniest thing about her is watching her attempts to chase squirrels. I don’t think she is fast enough to catch a squirrel, plus she is always limited by the leash. Snoopi usually gets really low and moves slowly along the ground trying to stalk the poor squirrel. I laugh inside because sometimes she approaches so slowly that it seems as if she thinks she can just walk up to the squirrel and say “Hi.” And of course, I enjoy when she gets the zoomies!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The topic first and I must admit cover art or the description entices me second. I have been reading a lot of non-fiction in adulthood. I have been big into “Self Help” or “Finance” books, but I do read fiction occasionally.
Do you have your own website?
I have a temporary site, but not yet an official domain name. https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes. I have three projects in the works. Book 2 of the Cookie the Detective Series will be coming out likely in May 2025. Next, I need to complete the illustration of the second book of the Adventures of Bakari series. Finally, I have started the adult fiction novel, likely to be released much later under a pen name.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Bakari’s Brave Heart will be having an eBook Countdown sale on Amazon (April 17-24). I also have a Countdown eBook deal on Amazon for Cookie the Beagle Book 1 starting on May2-8.Finally I hope to give away at least 5 paperback copies of Cookie the Beagle through GoodReads.
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Catherine M. Stillwell - 6 April 2025
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Catherine M. Stillwell. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Catherine, and share something about your life.
Of course, Rita and thank you for having me. I’m Catherine Stillwell reside in Wheaton, Illinois. I’m originally from Trenton, NJ and have moved numerous times throughout the United States due to my husband’s job with a major airline. We are now both retired and recently adopted a 2-year-old terrier-mix named Brutus. I have owned pets since I was 10 years old and my pet advocacy has been my special mission, especially for senior shelter dogs. We adopted eight-year-old Paulie in November of 2014. Paulie and I participated in fundraisers to help senior shelter dogs receive the medical care they needed. It helped them get adopted faster since senior dogs are often overlooked. The first fundraiser we did helped 34 senior dogs find their forever homes. My book, “Paulie Finds His Forever Home” was supposed to be a bucket list item, however, it evolved into much more. At first, it was to bring awareness to senior shelter dogs. A month before the book was published, an influx of dogs was being brought in as strays at our local shelter. I decided to include two pages of suggestions on how to keep pets from becoming a stray. No other children’s book has this unique feature.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
The idea for this book didn’t happen until after adopting senior Paulie, I launched a community Facebook page as a fun project. It was a daily journal of Paulie’s life with us. Then a poem I wrote titled, “Paulie’s Journey” soon followed. It was a big hit with his followers, and they suggested I write a children’s book about his adoption. It wasn’t until after Paulie’s passing in July of 2021 that I re-visited the book. It was too soon as I was still mourning so as therapy I started blogging about Paulie for two years. On January 3, 2023, I started writing the transcript for “Paulie Finds His Forever Home.”
Of course, Rita and thank you for having me. I’m Catherine Stillwell reside in Wheaton, Illinois. I’m originally from Trenton, NJ and have moved numerous times throughout the United States due to my husband’s job with a major airline. We are now both retired and recently adopted a 2-year-old terrier-mix named Brutus. I have owned pets since I was 10 years old and my pet advocacy has been my special mission, especially for senior shelter dogs. We adopted eight-year-old Paulie in November of 2014. Paulie and I participated in fundraisers to help senior shelter dogs receive the medical care they needed. It helped them get adopted faster since senior dogs are often overlooked. The first fundraiser we did helped 34 senior dogs find their forever homes. My book, “Paulie Finds His Forever Home” was supposed to be a bucket list item, however, it evolved into much more. At first, it was to bring awareness to senior shelter dogs. A month before the book was published, an influx of dogs was being brought in as strays at our local shelter. I decided to include two pages of suggestions on how to keep pets from becoming a stray. No other children’s book has this unique feature.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
The idea for this book didn’t happen until after adopting senior Paulie, I launched a community Facebook page as a fun project. It was a daily journal of Paulie’s life with us. Then a poem I wrote titled, “Paulie’s Journey” soon followed. It was a big hit with his followers, and they suggested I write a children’s book about his adoption. It wasn’t until after Paulie’s passing in July of 2021 that I re-visited the book. It was too soon as I was still mourning so as therapy I started blogging about Paulie for two years. On January 3, 2023, I started writing the transcript for “Paulie Finds His Forever Home.”
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Paulie
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I’m a big fan of non-fiction and the blogs I write are about pet advocacy, caring for senior pets and educational info for those who is thinking of adopting or fostering a senior dog.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I find writing to come easy for me. While blogging, I’d think of a topic and go for it. Unless I need to do some research off the web, I may jot down some bullet points and feed off that. My English professor in college was my mentor and he taught me ways of getting over writer’s block and to think outside the box. We did exercises that I never thought I could do because I was shy. By the end of the school year, my shyness subsided and expressing myself was so much easier.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from your book?
“The lady visitor kept looking at Paulie and their eyes met. Paulie walked up to her, sniffed her hands and sat on her lap. He felt comfortable with her and didn’t want her to leave.”
Who is your favourite character and why?
It would have to be the lady visitor which is me. Since this is a true story, my husband, son is in the book too. This book is about Paulie’s adoption.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Paulie’s book is very bittersweet for me since he’s no longer with us. As I mentioned before, writing his book helped me deal with his passing. A lot of tears were shed while working on this book. Paulie and I were bonded at the hips. He followed me everywhere.
How would you describe yourself?
I have a strong personality. If I am tested, I will fight back and stand my ground. Much of it stems from being a pet advocate. Fighting for high-risk dogs isn’t for everyone. It’s mentally challenging. On the flipside, I can be a real softy. Animals come to me immediately. When we visited Paulie in the shelter, he avoided my husband and son and was by my side the entire time. Animals are very smart, and they gravitate to people they feel comfortable with. Now, Paulie loved my husband and son, however, it was me who cared for him the most since I was retired.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading? To be honest, I don’t read much because I develop headaches. When I was in my teens, I read books from Stephen King. I love the guy. Then I was in a car accident and suffered a head injury. After that, reading was a challenge. When I can, I do puzzles and frame them, make homemade greeting cards and cook. Cooking is very relaxing for me. Baking isn’t my thing; however, I’m trying to embrace it.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Africia/Zambia. I’ve sponsored children there since 2003 and continue doing so. Also, being able to see the wildlife there. I love going to Zoos and learning about all the wonderful animals. Seeing them up close in their true environment would be a bucket list item.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I’ve owned five pets in 53 years. All very different personalities. We adopted a kitten back in the late 80’s named Killer. He was a real fireball. We would sit on the kitchen floor and bounce a little rubber ball and Killer would do backflips and always land on his feet. He lived to be 19 years old. Our son grew up with him and they were very close.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
It’s had to be non-fiction. Bio’s are my favorite.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Paulie’s book will be my only one. It’s so special and bittersweet that I won’t be able to top it.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Currently, I’m reaching out to bookstores and podcasters. Events will be posted on my website.
Thank you Rita for the opportunity to talk about Paulie's special book. My mission is to educate pet owners on being the best pet parent they can be. It all starts with keeping their pets safe. I've volunteered in many shelters and rescues and I saw how shelter life affects these pets. If my book can help one pet, then I've done my job
I’m a big fan of non-fiction and the blogs I write are about pet advocacy, caring for senior pets and educational info for those who is thinking of adopting or fostering a senior dog.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I find writing to come easy for me. While blogging, I’d think of a topic and go for it. Unless I need to do some research off the web, I may jot down some bullet points and feed off that. My English professor in college was my mentor and he taught me ways of getting over writer’s block and to think outside the box. We did exercises that I never thought I could do because I was shy. By the end of the school year, my shyness subsided and expressing myself was so much easier.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from your book?
“The lady visitor kept looking at Paulie and their eyes met. Paulie walked up to her, sniffed her hands and sat on her lap. He felt comfortable with her and didn’t want her to leave.”
Who is your favourite character and why?
It would have to be the lady visitor which is me. Since this is a true story, my husband, son is in the book too. This book is about Paulie’s adoption.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Paulie’s book is very bittersweet for me since he’s no longer with us. As I mentioned before, writing his book helped me deal with his passing. A lot of tears were shed while working on this book. Paulie and I were bonded at the hips. He followed me everywhere.
How would you describe yourself?
I have a strong personality. If I am tested, I will fight back and stand my ground. Much of it stems from being a pet advocate. Fighting for high-risk dogs isn’t for everyone. It’s mentally challenging. On the flipside, I can be a real softy. Animals come to me immediately. When we visited Paulie in the shelter, he avoided my husband and son and was by my side the entire time. Animals are very smart, and they gravitate to people they feel comfortable with. Now, Paulie loved my husband and son, however, it was me who cared for him the most since I was retired.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading? To be honest, I don’t read much because I develop headaches. When I was in my teens, I read books from Stephen King. I love the guy. Then I was in a car accident and suffered a head injury. After that, reading was a challenge. When I can, I do puzzles and frame them, make homemade greeting cards and cook. Cooking is very relaxing for me. Baking isn’t my thing; however, I’m trying to embrace it.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Africia/Zambia. I’ve sponsored children there since 2003 and continue doing so. Also, being able to see the wildlife there. I love going to Zoos and learning about all the wonderful animals. Seeing them up close in their true environment would be a bucket list item.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I’ve owned five pets in 53 years. All very different personalities. We adopted a kitten back in the late 80’s named Killer. He was a real fireball. We would sit on the kitchen floor and bounce a little rubber ball and Killer would do backflips and always land on his feet. He lived to be 19 years old. Our son grew up with him and they were very close.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
It’s had to be non-fiction. Bio’s are my favorite.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Paulie’s book will be my only one. It’s so special and bittersweet that I won’t be able to top it.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Currently, I’m reaching out to bookstores and podcasters. Events will be posted on my website.
Thank you Rita for the opportunity to talk about Paulie's special book. My mission is to educate pet owners on being the best pet parent they can be. It all starts with keeping their pets safe. I've volunteered in many shelters and rescues and I saw how shelter life affects these pets. If my book can help one pet, then I've done my job
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Priyanka Gupta - 30 March 2025
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Priyanka Gupta. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Priyanka and share something about your life.
Hey you. I’m Priyanka Gupta, and I’m originally from a small city in North India. A computer engineer by education, I explored many careers to find something to do that made me happy. Having enjoyed reading stories and blogging intermittently, I settled on writing as a profession. I quit my corporate career in 2016 and have been traveling and writing since then. I launched my travel and personal growth blog On My Canvas https://www.onmycanvas.com/i-quit-my-job-to-write/ in 2017. I go to lesser-known, mostly rural places and can always be found hiking in the mountains. While exploring the destination slowly and observing the ways of the locals, I write about my experiences. You won’t find “ten things to do” in my articles but story-like narratives of my journey.
Earlier I used to travel solo around the world. Now my partner and I have been traveling around India for four years with all our stuff in our car, and not a home to go back to. You can read about my first three years on the road here. https://www.onmycanvas.com/three-years-on-the-road-india
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
My first book came out in January 2025. Journeys Beyond and Within… is a travel memoir. In January 2021, my partner and I gave up our home, sold and donated most of our stuff, and put the important things with us in our car. The idea was to travel around India slowly while working on the go.
A year into the trip, we were in Pondicherry, a coastal city in South India. One morning I woke up to an email from a publisher. They wanted me to write about my offbeat travel experiences around the world with a focus on personal growth, in line with the theme of my blog. I said yes, and started writing the book in March 2022.
I wrote Journeys Beyond and Within… in various parts of India, starting from the South, in the East, in the North, and finally wrapped it up in the South again. That’s quite interesting because the book itself is about my travels and how I evolved as a person on these adventures.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
Great question!
I write in all genres. On my blog On My Canvas, you will find researched and experiential growth articles, travel essays, photo diaries, meditation on books, cultural pieces and opinions, personal experiences, science-based posts on topics such as habits, emotions, and mindful living, career explorations, travel logistics, and much more. I do various kinds of freelance projects including but not limited to technical, business, and creative. The book is nonfiction, and I have had poetry published in the past.
Some of the other things in my drafts are: Hindi and English poetry, a children’s book, fiction stories, and a writer’s journal.
I love exploring different forms of writing.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
As my book is nonfiction, I approached it by beginning to write about my experiences starting from my childhood. I wrote everything from a travel and growth perspective, but also more encompassing because I could always cut down the draft later. From a 65,000-word draft, I picked up themes and ideas and expanded them into larger stories. I don’t sit and think much. I do my thinking by writing, letting my fingers type as much as they can until I am drained out and cannot write anymore.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’m happy to share an excerpt from the introduction of the book.
'Why do I go away from home so often into a strange world where I don’t know anyone?
For me, the pleasure of travel is finding my way in an unfamiliar land amongst unknown faces. My eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue, and mind all churn, sense, and discover as if it’s their first time alive. They would like to know this new world, they whisper. I ask: What do you see? They all chatter at once.
I witness scenes I passed every day but didn’t notice. Like a garbage collection van parked in front of every house, its loudspeakers blasting a catchy cleanliness song. I hear even the faint cries of little kittens climbing in and out of the neighbourhood home’s window. Also the loud yelling in the ground-floor home where an old mother and her single son try their best to live together. As I stroll on the sunny rooftop, the appetising fragrance of fresh garlic being fried in strong mustard oil washes over me. My tongue demands the dish, which I promise to give it. I also smell the pungent fresh paint which the households are being pasted with in preparation for the festival of lights, Diwali. When I wake up in a thick duvet with all my body hair raised, I realise September has turned into October, and I will have to ask the guesthouse host for a thicker blanket.
I’m overwhelmed. It is not my world. I might not be here tomorrow. But I like it. I venture into every nook and turn into every alley. I want to hear this space breathe.
That my travels transformed me is an understatement. To say I’ve just learned something would be undermining this school of life.
I stood at the summit of the smoky volcano I was sure I could never climb. I had been standing in my way. The limits I had set for myself were habits, some luxuries I could afford, some customised by society. I wanted to break those boundaries.
All the trails I wanted to be on. All the challenges were now mine.For me, the universe is to explore, to marvel at, and to understand. How the birds sing, how the crabs crawl out of the sand, and how the trees hold hands. I would love to know it all.'
This book is about those many, many months and weeks and years I have lived looking. I hope you enjoy these journeys beyond and within as much as I did.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
As I have only had one, Journeys Beyond and Within… has both been a pleasure and one of the greatest challenges of my life.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Add value to the prospective buyer’s life. Don’t sell what you care for. Sell what they care for.
How would you describe yourself?
I describe myself as adventurous, thoughtful, and simple. Sometimes I worry too much about things that didn’t need worrying. But I also let go and take a free fall where most won’t venture. I think I just do what feels natural to me even if it is the oddest thing out there.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
You’ll find me gambolling about outdoors. I love to cook, meet friends, and be a nuisance to my partner.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
After spending nine months in South America in 2016, I really want to go back again to explore more. It’s a special place in the world, and that’s why my book has a long story on Chile and Peru.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
It should entertain me. If I’m bored, I abandon the book.
Do you have your own website?
My self-development and travel blog On My Canvas is my main website. I also write a newsletter Looking Inwards on Substack. The stories and long-form pieces I write go on the blog or various other platforms on the internet. Looking Inwards is a behind the scenes: I share about my travels, recent posts, the best things I read and watched, and pictures from various places.
The blog and the newsletter are my main places of work.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’ll start one soon. At the back of my mind, I am always working on one or the other stories. Or I’m observing life around me and later all of that gets absorbed into my writing. I guess that is true for every writer.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I’m in the middle of many conversations regarding the book promotion. Nothing is earmarked as of now for a particular date and location. But I just gave a talk at my alma mater Indian Institute of Technology Delhi from where I graduated with a B.Tech. in CS. One of my professors had invited me to share my journey and the book with current students. That went really well. I was proud to be presenting to my juniors and sold many copies of the book too. Looking forward to more such conversations 😊
Hey you. I’m Priyanka Gupta, and I’m originally from a small city in North India. A computer engineer by education, I explored many careers to find something to do that made me happy. Having enjoyed reading stories and blogging intermittently, I settled on writing as a profession. I quit my corporate career in 2016 and have been traveling and writing since then. I launched my travel and personal growth blog On My Canvas https://www.onmycanvas.com/i-quit-my-job-to-write/ in 2017. I go to lesser-known, mostly rural places and can always be found hiking in the mountains. While exploring the destination slowly and observing the ways of the locals, I write about my experiences. You won’t find “ten things to do” in my articles but story-like narratives of my journey.
Earlier I used to travel solo around the world. Now my partner and I have been traveling around India for four years with all our stuff in our car, and not a home to go back to. You can read about my first three years on the road here. https://www.onmycanvas.com/three-years-on-the-road-india
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
My first book came out in January 2025. Journeys Beyond and Within… is a travel memoir. In January 2021, my partner and I gave up our home, sold and donated most of our stuff, and put the important things with us in our car. The idea was to travel around India slowly while working on the go.
A year into the trip, we were in Pondicherry, a coastal city in South India. One morning I woke up to an email from a publisher. They wanted me to write about my offbeat travel experiences around the world with a focus on personal growth, in line with the theme of my blog. I said yes, and started writing the book in March 2022.
I wrote Journeys Beyond and Within… in various parts of India, starting from the South, in the East, in the North, and finally wrapped it up in the South again. That’s quite interesting because the book itself is about my travels and how I evolved as a person on these adventures.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
Great question!
I write in all genres. On my blog On My Canvas, you will find researched and experiential growth articles, travel essays, photo diaries, meditation on books, cultural pieces and opinions, personal experiences, science-based posts on topics such as habits, emotions, and mindful living, career explorations, travel logistics, and much more. I do various kinds of freelance projects including but not limited to technical, business, and creative. The book is nonfiction, and I have had poetry published in the past.
Some of the other things in my drafts are: Hindi and English poetry, a children’s book, fiction stories, and a writer’s journal.
I love exploring different forms of writing.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
As my book is nonfiction, I approached it by beginning to write about my experiences starting from my childhood. I wrote everything from a travel and growth perspective, but also more encompassing because I could always cut down the draft later. From a 65,000-word draft, I picked up themes and ideas and expanded them into larger stories. I don’t sit and think much. I do my thinking by writing, letting my fingers type as much as they can until I am drained out and cannot write anymore.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’m happy to share an excerpt from the introduction of the book.
'Why do I go away from home so often into a strange world where I don’t know anyone?
For me, the pleasure of travel is finding my way in an unfamiliar land amongst unknown faces. My eyes, ears, nose, skin, tongue, and mind all churn, sense, and discover as if it’s their first time alive. They would like to know this new world, they whisper. I ask: What do you see? They all chatter at once.
I witness scenes I passed every day but didn’t notice. Like a garbage collection van parked in front of every house, its loudspeakers blasting a catchy cleanliness song. I hear even the faint cries of little kittens climbing in and out of the neighbourhood home’s window. Also the loud yelling in the ground-floor home where an old mother and her single son try their best to live together. As I stroll on the sunny rooftop, the appetising fragrance of fresh garlic being fried in strong mustard oil washes over me. My tongue demands the dish, which I promise to give it. I also smell the pungent fresh paint which the households are being pasted with in preparation for the festival of lights, Diwali. When I wake up in a thick duvet with all my body hair raised, I realise September has turned into October, and I will have to ask the guesthouse host for a thicker blanket.
I’m overwhelmed. It is not my world. I might not be here tomorrow. But I like it. I venture into every nook and turn into every alley. I want to hear this space breathe.
That my travels transformed me is an understatement. To say I’ve just learned something would be undermining this school of life.
I stood at the summit of the smoky volcano I was sure I could never climb. I had been standing in my way. The limits I had set for myself were habits, some luxuries I could afford, some customised by society. I wanted to break those boundaries.
All the trails I wanted to be on. All the challenges were now mine.For me, the universe is to explore, to marvel at, and to understand. How the birds sing, how the crabs crawl out of the sand, and how the trees hold hands. I would love to know it all.'
This book is about those many, many months and weeks and years I have lived looking. I hope you enjoy these journeys beyond and within as much as I did.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
As I have only had one, Journeys Beyond and Within… has both been a pleasure and one of the greatest challenges of my life.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Add value to the prospective buyer’s life. Don’t sell what you care for. Sell what they care for.
How would you describe yourself?
I describe myself as adventurous, thoughtful, and simple. Sometimes I worry too much about things that didn’t need worrying. But I also let go and take a free fall where most won’t venture. I think I just do what feels natural to me even if it is the oddest thing out there.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
You’ll find me gambolling about outdoors. I love to cook, meet friends, and be a nuisance to my partner.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
After spending nine months in South America in 2016, I really want to go back again to explore more. It’s a special place in the world, and that’s why my book has a long story on Chile and Peru.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
It should entertain me. If I’m bored, I abandon the book.
Do you have your own website?
My self-development and travel blog On My Canvas is my main website. I also write a newsletter Looking Inwards on Substack. The stories and long-form pieces I write go on the blog or various other platforms on the internet. Looking Inwards is a behind the scenes: I share about my travels, recent posts, the best things I read and watched, and pictures from various places.
The blog and the newsletter are my main places of work.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’ll start one soon. At the back of my mind, I am always working on one or the other stories. Or I’m observing life around me and later all of that gets absorbed into my writing. I guess that is true for every writer.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I’m in the middle of many conversations regarding the book promotion. Nothing is earmarked as of now for a particular date and location. But I just gave a talk at my alma mater Indian Institute of Technology Delhi from where I graduated with a B.Tech. in CS. One of my professors had invited me to share my journey and the book with current students. That went really well. I was proud to be presenting to my juniors and sold many copies of the book too. Looking forward to more such conversations 😊
Tony Flood - 17 March 2025
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Tony Flood (right)
with Heather Flood and Ben Miller
http://www.celebritiesconfessions.com/
http://www.fantasyadventurebooks.com
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Tony Flood. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Tony and share something about your life.
Hi. My name is Tony Flood and I am a former journalist and Sky Television executive. I now write articles and theatre reviews for online magazine Unknown Kent and Sussex, which are shared with other sites, and I am chairman of Anderida Writers of Eastbourne.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
After I moved to Eastbourne and retired from full time work, I used my free time to become an author. My first book, written in 2009, was a fantasy adventure called Secret Potion, based on an idea by my wife and fellow author Heather Flood about a fearless young girl called Jody Richards going to a magical land in search of her kidnapped brother. I have since brought out a second edition which is available on Amazon.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I write in several genres – crime thrillers, amusing short stories, celebrity revelations and fantasy adventure.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I start writing a book when I have a good idea for a story line. I then develop interesting characters and let things evolve from there.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Yes, I'll include an excerpt from my crime thriller Fall Guy at the end of this interview.
Who is your favourite character and why?
My favourite character is compassionate copper DCI Harvey Livermore who is featured in all my crime thrillers and has been praised by best-selling author Peter James. Harvey has to cope with a difficult wife and demanding boss but still manages to solve some baffling murders.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write? Probably my celebrity book My Life With The Stars (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1089391161) featuring amusing anecdotes and revelations about showbiz and sports stars I have interviewed or written about. These include Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Eric Morecambe, Des O'Connor, George Best and Muhammad Ali.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Post an interesting fact, or piece of advice, and find a way to link this to your book. Then share this post with as many sites as possible.
How would you describe yourself?
I am a fun-loving, creative and reliable person who fully researches and checks facts about what I write.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
I play veterans football. I am the oldest - and slowest - member of the team!
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I would return to Las Vegas where I enjoyed so much fun and luxury in fabulous hotels and theatres.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Our cat Pixie often 'hides' in the most unlikely places to avoid visitors, so my wife Heather and I spend ages looking for her after the visitors have left.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The synopsis, endorsements and reviews.
Do you have your own website?
I have a blog on WordPress 777TonyFlood as well as two websites at http://www.celebritiesconfessions.com/ and http://www.fantasyadventurebooks.com/
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
My books are currently on special low prices as both e-versions and paperbacks on Amazon.co.uk So it's worth checking them out by entering Tony Flood in the Amazon search box.
FIRST CHAPTER OF FALL GUY Wednesday October 6th, 2021 George Thornhill interrupted a business meeting with a client to accept a phone call from his gorgeous wife Isabella on her 32nd birthday. She simply said: “I'm wearing the black kimono you gave me this morning - and nothing else!” “Nothing? What if someone comes round?” “You'd better get home before they do, darling,” she teased, and then rang off. George, the owner of a construction company in Lewes, apologised to the client, and agreed a much more generous deal than he had intended so he could wrap things up early. He rushed to his Nissan Qashqai to avoid getting drenched by the rain, and, before driving off, checked that the clock on the dashboard corresponded with his watch. He smiled at seeing they both showed 2.07 pm – five minutes fast, as he always set them, to help him overcome his tendency of being late. 'Blimey! I'm actually ahead of schedule for once, and I'll miss the late afternoon traffic in Eastbourne- Isabella will be surprised. There'll be time for some birthday nooky before we go out to dinner this evening.' George's thoughts focused on his wife's hourglass figure which had made her so successful as a fashion model. The sharp blast of a car horn ended his daydream abruptly. He suddenly realised his Nissan was drifting dangerously towards the opposite traffic lane and quickly adjusted the steering wheel. The car skidded on the wet surface, but corrected itself when he turned into the skid.George chastised himself for his lapse into a flight of fantasy almost causing an accident. 'It could be due to the Sumatriptan I've started taking for my migraines,' he thought. 'They might be causing me to feel dizzy and my mind to wander. I'd better check with the doctor.' He sped past a 30mph sign before he regained his concentration. 'Damn, I'm doing almost 40. I should have taken the alternative route, then I wouldn't be risking getting caught again by this bloody speed trap.' He slowed to 25mph, determined not to incur another motoring fine to add to the one he had received a few months back. Even so, George had time to stop off to buy a large bouquet of flowers and still park in the drive of his stylish, semi-detached bungalow in Langney at three o'clock - 3.05 pm by his watch! He looked in the car mirror to check his mass of brown hair was as well groomed as possible. 'Not bad', he thought, stroking his chin where the only blemish was a small scar caused by a fall many years ago. George picked up the flowers from the passenger seat, opened the nearside door and slid out. After nodding to an elderly neighbour who was hurrying to avoid the rain by getting into his old Honda, George opened his front door, calling out “Hello, darling.” Startled by a sound of groaning from the lounge, he dropped the flowers and hurried into the room to be met with the terrible sight of Isabella lying on the floor with a knife in her chest. Blood was gushing from a large wound, soaking her black satin kimono and the carpet. “Isabella!” he yelled. “Oh, my God, what's happened?” George rushed to his wife's side and heard her gasp something inaudible. His first instinct was to pull out the knife, but was aware that it could make such injuries even worse. He tried pressing down on either side of the wound and pushing the opening together. His efforts were in vain and blood continued to flow. 'What else can I do?' he thought. 'It might help to take the damn thing out.' He grabbed the handle, removed the kitchen knife from the wound and threw it on the floor. But blood spattered on his coat before he finally sealed the large gash.Isabella's eyes, pale blue like his own, slowly closed and she stopped breathing. George gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation without getting any response. He felt his wife's wrist for a pulse – there was none. In desperation he shook the motionless body, causing flecks of blood to spread to her long blonde hair and his own, before accepting she could not be brought back to life. “No, no, no,” the distraught husband cried out, sobbing uncontrollably and holding her close to him. George sat in a trance for several minutes. Finally grasping what needed to be done, he walked across the lounge to pick up the telephone and dial 999. But the phone suddenly started ringing. 'Hello,” he muttered into the mouthpiece. “Is that you, George?” It was his mother-in-law. “Isabella's been stabbed.” What?” she cried. “What on earth do you mean?” “Just phone the police!” he yelled back. “George, have you had another row? Isabella told me you argued this morning. Have you stabbed her?” “Please stop asking me questions, Ruth. She's dead.” “No. That can't be true. Did you do it?” “Ruth, phone the bloody police, will you!” He slammed down the phone. In the 14 minutes before the police arrived he protected his dead wife's 'modesty' by pulling together the kimono he had given her as a birthday present that morning so that her breasts were no longer exposed.
+++++George, whose blue suit and hands were still covered in blood, told the lead officer DI Jeff Nottage how he'd tried desperately to save his wife without success. But he found it hard to concentrate on what the policeman was saying in response and began to suffer a migraine which caused him to feel sick and dizzy. “When your mother-in-law phoned us she seemed to think you had rowed with your wife and stabbed her.” “No,” protested George. “I came in to find her lying on the floor after being attacked.” His grief, coupled with the effects of the Sumatriptan he took, was causing a feeling of nausea to sweep over him. 'I'd better breathe in and out slowly or I'm going to throw up,' George thought. If he needed a distraction it was provided by the Scene of Crime Officers, dressed in protective clothing, scrutinizing everything in sight. The whole thing seemed a blur, including being driven to Eastbourne Custody Suite where his blood-covered suit and other clothing were taken for examination. The nausea was replaced by numbness as he sat in a sweatshirt, jogging bottoms and plimsolls provided by the police, but he tried to collect his thoughts upon being further questioned by Nottage and another officer. George became aware that their tone had changed from that when he first encountered them. “Did your wife have any enemies?” Nottage asked. “On the contrary, as a glamorous fashion model she had a lot of fans.”The policeman took the opportunity to develop this line of inquiry. “Presumably, most of them were male admirers. Was that difficult for you?” “Yes, it could be annoying, especially as some of these blokes were quite blatant about what she looked like in underwear. We had a few words this morning about amorous birthday messages she received on Facebook. I told her she should delete them, but she just laughed it off.” “So you argued?” “You could say that. The non-stop attention she received was a real pain. It brought extra stress and I began taking Sumatriptan tablets for migraines. But we loved each other and Isabella phoned me to suggest I came home early from work today to have sex.” The feeling of sickness returned, causing George to add: “I'm not feeling up to answering any more questions at the moment. Is it alright if I go now? He was shocked when Nottage replied: “You don't seem to realise the full implications of what I told you earlier, sir.” “My wife's death has been devastating. I wasn't fully focused on what you were saying. Remind me.” Nottage spelt it out. “I referred to you being covered in blood and, by your own admission, you held the knife that killed your wife. We've found no trace of anyone else having been present – no footprints, nothing. And when your mother-in-law asked on the phone if you'd done the stabbing you didn't deny it. “So I am arresting you on suspicion of murder. You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.” READERS QUALIFY FOR A FREE BOOK As a 'thank you' for buying his crime thriller FALL GUY, author Tony Flood is offering readers one of his other booksFREE. To obtain a complimentary e-version readers can choose one of the books listed in Fall Guy and email their choice to Tony at tflood04@yahoo.co.uk He will email readers back with the free e-version as an attachment. Fall Guy, which has been endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, is available on Amazon.co.uk for £5.70 as a paperback (and £1.77 as an e-version). Tony Flood will make donations from paperback sales to Children with Cancer UK. https://mybook.to/fallguykindle
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write? Probably my celebrity book My Life With The Stars (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1089391161) featuring amusing anecdotes and revelations about showbiz and sports stars I have interviewed or written about. These include Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Eric Morecambe, Des O'Connor, George Best and Muhammad Ali.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Post an interesting fact, or piece of advice, and find a way to link this to your book. Then share this post with as many sites as possible.
How would you describe yourself?
I am a fun-loving, creative and reliable person who fully researches and checks facts about what I write.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
I play veterans football. I am the oldest - and slowest - member of the team!
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I would return to Las Vegas where I enjoyed so much fun and luxury in fabulous hotels and theatres.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Our cat Pixie often 'hides' in the most unlikely places to avoid visitors, so my wife Heather and I spend ages looking for her after the visitors have left.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The synopsis, endorsements and reviews.
Do you have your own website?
I have a blog on WordPress 777TonyFlood as well as two websites at http://www.celebritiesconfessions.com/ and http://www.fantasyadventurebooks.com/
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
My books are currently on special low prices as both e-versions and paperbacks on Amazon.co.uk So it's worth checking them out by entering Tony Flood in the Amazon search box.
FIRST CHAPTER OF FALL GUY Wednesday October 6th, 2021 George Thornhill interrupted a business meeting with a client to accept a phone call from his gorgeous wife Isabella on her 32nd birthday. She simply said: “I'm wearing the black kimono you gave me this morning - and nothing else!” “Nothing? What if someone comes round?” “You'd better get home before they do, darling,” she teased, and then rang off. George, the owner of a construction company in Lewes, apologised to the client, and agreed a much more generous deal than he had intended so he could wrap things up early. He rushed to his Nissan Qashqai to avoid getting drenched by the rain, and, before driving off, checked that the clock on the dashboard corresponded with his watch. He smiled at seeing they both showed 2.07 pm – five minutes fast, as he always set them, to help him overcome his tendency of being late. 'Blimey! I'm actually ahead of schedule for once, and I'll miss the late afternoon traffic in Eastbourne- Isabella will be surprised. There'll be time for some birthday nooky before we go out to dinner this evening.' George's thoughts focused on his wife's hourglass figure which had made her so successful as a fashion model. The sharp blast of a car horn ended his daydream abruptly. He suddenly realised his Nissan was drifting dangerously towards the opposite traffic lane and quickly adjusted the steering wheel. The car skidded on the wet surface, but corrected itself when he turned into the skid.George chastised himself for his lapse into a flight of fantasy almost causing an accident. 'It could be due to the Sumatriptan I've started taking for my migraines,' he thought. 'They might be causing me to feel dizzy and my mind to wander. I'd better check with the doctor.' He sped past a 30mph sign before he regained his concentration. 'Damn, I'm doing almost 40. I should have taken the alternative route, then I wouldn't be risking getting caught again by this bloody speed trap.' He slowed to 25mph, determined not to incur another motoring fine to add to the one he had received a few months back. Even so, George had time to stop off to buy a large bouquet of flowers and still park in the drive of his stylish, semi-detached bungalow in Langney at three o'clock - 3.05 pm by his watch! He looked in the car mirror to check his mass of brown hair was as well groomed as possible. 'Not bad', he thought, stroking his chin where the only blemish was a small scar caused by a fall many years ago. George picked up the flowers from the passenger seat, opened the nearside door and slid out. After nodding to an elderly neighbour who was hurrying to avoid the rain by getting into his old Honda, George opened his front door, calling out “Hello, darling.” Startled by a sound of groaning from the lounge, he dropped the flowers and hurried into the room to be met with the terrible sight of Isabella lying on the floor with a knife in her chest. Blood was gushing from a large wound, soaking her black satin kimono and the carpet. “Isabella!” he yelled. “Oh, my God, what's happened?” George rushed to his wife's side and heard her gasp something inaudible. His first instinct was to pull out the knife, but was aware that it could make such injuries even worse. He tried pressing down on either side of the wound and pushing the opening together. His efforts were in vain and blood continued to flow. 'What else can I do?' he thought. 'It might help to take the damn thing out.' He grabbed the handle, removed the kitchen knife from the wound and threw it on the floor. But blood spattered on his coat before he finally sealed the large gash.Isabella's eyes, pale blue like his own, slowly closed and she stopped breathing. George gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation without getting any response. He felt his wife's wrist for a pulse – there was none. In desperation he shook the motionless body, causing flecks of blood to spread to her long blonde hair and his own, before accepting she could not be brought back to life. “No, no, no,” the distraught husband cried out, sobbing uncontrollably and holding her close to him. George sat in a trance for several minutes. Finally grasping what needed to be done, he walked across the lounge to pick up the telephone and dial 999. But the phone suddenly started ringing. 'Hello,” he muttered into the mouthpiece. “Is that you, George?” It was his mother-in-law. “Isabella's been stabbed.” What?” she cried. “What on earth do you mean?” “Just phone the police!” he yelled back. “George, have you had another row? Isabella told me you argued this morning. Have you stabbed her?” “Please stop asking me questions, Ruth. She's dead.” “No. That can't be true. Did you do it?” “Ruth, phone the bloody police, will you!” He slammed down the phone. In the 14 minutes before the police arrived he protected his dead wife's 'modesty' by pulling together the kimono he had given her as a birthday present that morning so that her breasts were no longer exposed.
+++++George, whose blue suit and hands were still covered in blood, told the lead officer DI Jeff Nottage how he'd tried desperately to save his wife without success. But he found it hard to concentrate on what the policeman was saying in response and began to suffer a migraine which caused him to feel sick and dizzy. “When your mother-in-law phoned us she seemed to think you had rowed with your wife and stabbed her.” “No,” protested George. “I came in to find her lying on the floor after being attacked.” His grief, coupled with the effects of the Sumatriptan he took, was causing a feeling of nausea to sweep over him. 'I'd better breathe in and out slowly or I'm going to throw up,' George thought. If he needed a distraction it was provided by the Scene of Crime Officers, dressed in protective clothing, scrutinizing everything in sight. The whole thing seemed a blur, including being driven to Eastbourne Custody Suite where his blood-covered suit and other clothing were taken for examination. The nausea was replaced by numbness as he sat in a sweatshirt, jogging bottoms and plimsolls provided by the police, but he tried to collect his thoughts upon being further questioned by Nottage and another officer. George became aware that their tone had changed from that when he first encountered them. “Did your wife have any enemies?” Nottage asked. “On the contrary, as a glamorous fashion model she had a lot of fans.”The policeman took the opportunity to develop this line of inquiry. “Presumably, most of them were male admirers. Was that difficult for you?” “Yes, it could be annoying, especially as some of these blokes were quite blatant about what she looked like in underwear. We had a few words this morning about amorous birthday messages she received on Facebook. I told her she should delete them, but she just laughed it off.” “So you argued?” “You could say that. The non-stop attention she received was a real pain. It brought extra stress and I began taking Sumatriptan tablets for migraines. But we loved each other and Isabella phoned me to suggest I came home early from work today to have sex.” The feeling of sickness returned, causing George to add: “I'm not feeling up to answering any more questions at the moment. Is it alright if I go now? He was shocked when Nottage replied: “You don't seem to realise the full implications of what I told you earlier, sir.” “My wife's death has been devastating. I wasn't fully focused on what you were saying. Remind me.” Nottage spelt it out. “I referred to you being covered in blood and, by your own admission, you held the knife that killed your wife. We've found no trace of anyone else having been present – no footprints, nothing. And when your mother-in-law asked on the phone if you'd done the stabbing you didn't deny it. “So I am arresting you on suspicion of murder. You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.” READERS QUALIFY FOR A FREE BOOK As a 'thank you' for buying his crime thriller FALL GUY, author Tony Flood is offering readers one of his other booksFREE. To obtain a complimentary e-version readers can choose one of the books listed in Fall Guy and email their choice to Tony at tflood04@yahoo.co.uk He will email readers back with the free e-version as an attachment. Fall Guy, which has been endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, is available on Amazon.co.uk for £5.70 as a paperback (and £1.77 as an e-version). Tony Flood will make donations from paperback sales to Children with Cancer UK. https://mybook.to/fallguykindle
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Alexander Morpheigh. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Alexander and share something about your life.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and for your interest in “The Pythagorean.” I'm a computer engineer, living at the intersection of the real and digital worlds. As I work in the world of automation and robotics, my work takes me travelling a lot across the globe, immersing myself in diverse cultures and introducing me to people from all walks of life. Over the years, these journeys have woven together a rich tapestry of stories, histories, and personal experiences that I believe would resonate with a wide audience. When did you write your first book and how did it come about? “The Pythagorean” is my debut book, which I wrote just a year ago. Many years ago, after reading Plato’s Dialogues, I became deeply fascinated by ancient Greek philosophy — not just as an abstract intellectual pursuit, but as a way of answering fundamental questions about our life. Unlike practical concerns such as making money or solving mathematical equations, philosophy, as the ancients saw it, was about constructing a life of harmony— both within oneself and with those around us. Plato emphasized that true philosophy is rooted in relationships: the relationship between one person and another, and the relationship between an individual and their own existence. This idea, I believe, is timeless. No matter the era, it remains profoundly relevant. And Pythagoras is the founder of philosophy and the one who coined the term 'Philosophy.' He used to say that true wisdom belongs only to the God, and that humans can only aspire to be lovers of wisdom. And 'Love of Wisdom' in Greek literally translates to ‘Philosophy’. Approximately six or seven years ago, I initiated and sponsored the production of a documentary film to explore contemporary Pythagoreans. During these expeditions, we encountered members of various modern Pythagorean societies, most of whom were esteemed scientists and university professors.
The conversations and insights they shared laid the groundwork for the scientific and philosophical content of the book. The concept of narrating ancient wisdom through a modern lens also emerged naturally from these encounters.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
My goal was to present readers with a collection of real historical insights about Pythagoras, his school, and his teachings. At the same time, I wanted to highlight intriguing contemporary alternative scientific perspectives —research that often lingers in the shadows of mainstream academia yet offers fascinating viewpoints. The greatest challenge was weaving all this information into an engaging, accessible narrative—one that balances depth with readability, blending historical facts with an enjoyable, dynamic style to ensure that readers wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by dry, academic material Before I began writing the book, I first had to construct its foundation—a storyline with a clear and logical progression from beginning to end. I needed to fully understand my protagonist and main characters—who they are, what defines them, and what drives their motivations. Once that framework was in place, I mapped out the key points and developed the central episodes of the story. Only then did I begin the actual writing process. Of course, writing is never entirely linear. Along the way, new ideas emerged, details evolved, and even after completing the manuscript, I found myself refining certain parts—adding elements, modifying passages—to ensure the story was as compelling and cohesive as possible. What is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character, without a doubt, is the Teacher — Pythagoras himself. Wise and patient, surpassing all others in knowledge and understanding, he remains indifferent to human selfishness, misconceptions, and flaws. Instead, he dedicates himself to teaching, guiding, and uplifting people around him. Pythagoras is the true forefather of intellectual, philosophical and scientific foundation of our European civilization, yet he remains undeservedly in the shadows of public awareness. We all recognize names like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, yet few remember that Plato only became a philosopher after reading three Pythagorean books—he was, in essence, a true Pythagorean.Socrates, for his part, never left Athens — except for two notable journeys in his entire life. One was to Samos, to visit the land where his teacher, Pythagoras, once lived. The other was to Delphi, where he met the Oracle Pythia. The teachings of Pythagoras do more than educate—they heal, guide, and elevate us, offering timeless wisdom that continues to shape our understanding of the world When I read the book, I see Pythagoras as the kind of person I strive to become. How would you describe yourself?
I am a philosopher-idealist, someone who dreams of making the world just a little bit better. What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Although my free time is very limited due to my job, I try to make the most of it. I enjoy playing music, traveling, but above all, I cherish spending time with my loved ones. Eventually, we come to realize that those who love us seek our presence, not our wealth. So, we should devote our attention and love to them while we can. Time is our most precious resource, and we must use it wisely. If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? I would do it in Greece. I have a deep affection for the country and its culture. There, I absorb their energy of kindness and light. I truly enjoy meeting local people there, engaging in conversations about life. The small Greek islands are among the few remaining places in the world where people haven’t been overly influenced by the modern world. What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read? Pythagoras used to say that when we choose our food, we do so with great care, selecting it to avoid spoiled or harmful nourishment. In the same way, we should be equally cautious when it comes to our mental food. I always strive to choose books with trustworthy content, avoiding those that are "rotten" in essence. I also prefer selecting books that can offer some kind of value or utility. It feels like a waste to spend time on a book that you will forget after reading, one that doesn’t contribute anything meaningful to your life. Do you have your own website?
Yes. It’s www.thepythagorean.org , but it’s under construction at the moment. It should be released sometime in March 2025. Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes, I’m working on the second part of “The Pythagorean”. This time, readers will meet Plato and Confucius, and engage with some of their teachings, in a light and fun story.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and for your interest in “The Pythagorean.” I'm a computer engineer, living at the intersection of the real and digital worlds. As I work in the world of automation and robotics, my work takes me travelling a lot across the globe, immersing myself in diverse cultures and introducing me to people from all walks of life. Over the years, these journeys have woven together a rich tapestry of stories, histories, and personal experiences that I believe would resonate with a wide audience. When did you write your first book and how did it come about? “The Pythagorean” is my debut book, which I wrote just a year ago. Many years ago, after reading Plato’s Dialogues, I became deeply fascinated by ancient Greek philosophy — not just as an abstract intellectual pursuit, but as a way of answering fundamental questions about our life. Unlike practical concerns such as making money or solving mathematical equations, philosophy, as the ancients saw it, was about constructing a life of harmony— both within oneself and with those around us. Plato emphasized that true philosophy is rooted in relationships: the relationship between one person and another, and the relationship between an individual and their own existence. This idea, I believe, is timeless. No matter the era, it remains profoundly relevant. And Pythagoras is the founder of philosophy and the one who coined the term 'Philosophy.' He used to say that true wisdom belongs only to the God, and that humans can only aspire to be lovers of wisdom. And 'Love of Wisdom' in Greek literally translates to ‘Philosophy’. Approximately six or seven years ago, I initiated and sponsored the production of a documentary film to explore contemporary Pythagoreans. During these expeditions, we encountered members of various modern Pythagorean societies, most of whom were esteemed scientists and university professors.
The conversations and insights they shared laid the groundwork for the scientific and philosophical content of the book. The concept of narrating ancient wisdom through a modern lens also emerged naturally from these encounters.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
My goal was to present readers with a collection of real historical insights about Pythagoras, his school, and his teachings. At the same time, I wanted to highlight intriguing contemporary alternative scientific perspectives —research that often lingers in the shadows of mainstream academia yet offers fascinating viewpoints. The greatest challenge was weaving all this information into an engaging, accessible narrative—one that balances depth with readability, blending historical facts with an enjoyable, dynamic style to ensure that readers wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by dry, academic material Before I began writing the book, I first had to construct its foundation—a storyline with a clear and logical progression from beginning to end. I needed to fully understand my protagonist and main characters—who they are, what defines them, and what drives their motivations. Once that framework was in place, I mapped out the key points and developed the central episodes of the story. Only then did I begin the actual writing process. Of course, writing is never entirely linear. Along the way, new ideas emerged, details evolved, and even after completing the manuscript, I found myself refining certain parts—adding elements, modifying passages—to ensure the story was as compelling and cohesive as possible. What is your favorite character and why?
My favorite character, without a doubt, is the Teacher — Pythagoras himself. Wise and patient, surpassing all others in knowledge and understanding, he remains indifferent to human selfishness, misconceptions, and flaws. Instead, he dedicates himself to teaching, guiding, and uplifting people around him. Pythagoras is the true forefather of intellectual, philosophical and scientific foundation of our European civilization, yet he remains undeservedly in the shadows of public awareness. We all recognize names like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, yet few remember that Plato only became a philosopher after reading three Pythagorean books—he was, in essence, a true Pythagorean.Socrates, for his part, never left Athens — except for two notable journeys in his entire life. One was to Samos, to visit the land where his teacher, Pythagoras, once lived. The other was to Delphi, where he met the Oracle Pythia. The teachings of Pythagoras do more than educate—they heal, guide, and elevate us, offering timeless wisdom that continues to shape our understanding of the world When I read the book, I see Pythagoras as the kind of person I strive to become. How would you describe yourself?
I am a philosopher-idealist, someone who dreams of making the world just a little bit better. What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Although my free time is very limited due to my job, I try to make the most of it. I enjoy playing music, traveling, but above all, I cherish spending time with my loved ones. Eventually, we come to realize that those who love us seek our presence, not our wealth. So, we should devote our attention and love to them while we can. Time is our most precious resource, and we must use it wisely. If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? I would do it in Greece. I have a deep affection for the country and its culture. There, I absorb their energy of kindness and light. I truly enjoy meeting local people there, engaging in conversations about life. The small Greek islands are among the few remaining places in the world where people haven’t been overly influenced by the modern world. What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read? Pythagoras used to say that when we choose our food, we do so with great care, selecting it to avoid spoiled or harmful nourishment. In the same way, we should be equally cautious when it comes to our mental food. I always strive to choose books with trustworthy content, avoiding those that are "rotten" in essence. I also prefer selecting books that can offer some kind of value or utility. It feels like a waste to spend time on a book that you will forget after reading, one that doesn’t contribute anything meaningful to your life. Do you have your own website?
Yes. It’s www.thepythagorean.org , but it’s under construction at the moment. It should be released sometime in March 2025. Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes, I’m working on the second part of “The Pythagorean”. This time, readers will meet Plato and Confucius, and engage with some of their teachings, in a light and fun story.
Scott Ickes - 2 March 2025
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Scott Ickes and his wife, Linda
https://sites.google.com/view/scottickesbooks/home
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Coming soon!
This week it is my pleasure to interview Scott Ickes. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Scott and share something about your life.
I would be happy to do that. First, let me say that I appreciate you having me as a featured author on your site. I live with my wife in Vancouver, Washington, USA. I spent 39 years working for a fortune 500 company in the United States. At first, I worked in the manufacturing plants as a mechanic. I eventually worked my way up to a career in the field as a Service Engineer helping customers use our companies products. After retirement, I devoted my time to my wife, family and friends and some hobbies.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I started writing my first book in February 2024. It came about after some rough times in my life. In September 2023, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was put on a life flight up to Seattle, Washington and spent 33 days there, going through my initial chemotherapy. After getting home, I had chemotherapy once a month until February 2024. I got home from the hospital on February 6, 2024 and received a phone call from one of my brothers telling me that one of my other brothers had been killed in a single car vehicle accident that morning. I was already depressed from all of the hospital visits and then he was killed. I had a compromised immune system and couldn’t travel back for the funeral. I was only able to watch television and read. I’ve always been an avid reader, however, when that becomes your whole life and you have so much happening in your life that is negative, you become frustrated and depressed. My wife said to me, “You’ve always thought you might be able to write a book. I think it’s time you tried to write that book.” I did what she suggested and started writing a series. The first book took me 10 months to write. The second book took me 5 weeks to write. I’m now writing book 3 in the series. The first two books are currently with Beta Readers. I anticipate finishing book three in about a month. I won’t publish any of them until all three in the series are ready. I’ll publish them all at the same time.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I love to read science fiction. Especially, Space Opera, First Contact, Time Travel, etc. I’ve always been fascinated by the genre. I know it best, as I’ve probably read 3000 books or more in the science fiction genre. I may mix it up some day, but for right now, I have so many ideas about the Space Opera genre that it will take me quite a while to get them out of my system.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I’m a pant’ser. I write by the seat of my pants. I have a basic outline in my head of where I want to go, but I don’t like making notes or plotting anything out, because when I’ve tried that, it seems to limit my creativity. When I write it off the cuff, I’m free to take the story in the direction that it wants to go.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’d love to do that. This is from First Contact – Lemurians. The protagonist in my books is Captain Robert Chris of an exploration starship. He’s thrust into situations where he has to be a military captain, and he struggles with this role. He doesn’t see himself as a hero. In this scene, he has made first contact with an alien species. Humans had never met this species or even knew of their existence, yet the aliens are blaming humans for the atomic wars that nearly destroyed the Lemurian culture. He had ordered his ship to retreat and hide from them. He knows he could easily defeat them, but he refuses to kill them, over a misunderstanding.
Robert had finally gotten some sleep. He didn’t feel rested, though. He’d dreamt about the Lemurians' atomic war. Their cries of anguish as they cursed humans. In his nightmare of a dream, he watched from orbit as his ship dropped atomic weapons on their cities. He could see the mushroom clouds rising at all angles from his perspective. Those directly below him were a roiling, angry, reddish-black, boiling firestorm that seemed to be rising straight out of hell. Lightening was flashing all over the storm. It was like the storm had additional weapons flashing into existence, higher and higher, reaching for his ship. The storm of the mushroom cloud continued to grow in circumference as it continued to rise. It was as if the storm had a mind and vengeance of its own. He felt like the storm was trying to reach him, trying to consume him in its rage for what he'd done. In his mind's eye, he was guilty and deserved to perish in the hellish storm below. When Robert turned his view to the mushroom clouds at the edges of the horizon, the mushroom shape was distinct. They seemed to be reaching so far up that it was as if they were traveling to space. Those storms were daring him to bring his ship above them. He could hear them calling him. ‘Come to us, Captain, and face justice and the vengeance you deserve.’ In the dream, he felt compelled and ordered his crew to go to the horizon and hover over the beckoning storm. His crew tried to argue with him. They demanded to know why he wanted to kill them all. “Because we killed so many of them!” he replied. His crew was used to taking his orders, and in the dream, they stopped arguing and started moving the ship toward the mushroom clouds on the horizon. The closer the ship got to the storm, the angrier it seemed to get. He could feel the emotions from the billowing firestorm ahead. It was as if the life force of all of the Lemurians who had perished in their atomic wars was now contained in that angry, lightning-filled inferno. He began to plead and beg, “Please don’t kill us. We didn’t know. We’ve changed. We’re no longer a barbaric species. Please, please believe us.” It changed nothing. The conflagration ahead continued to beckon him closer, ‘You and all humans must die for your sins, Captain! Your destiny awaits. Our spirits await the satisfaction of our revenge.’ Robert knew he was dreaming, but it seemed so real. The ship was now so close to the mushroom cloud that it filled the viewscreen. The heat was becoming unbearable. ‘It’s so hot”, he thought to himself. He felt the beads of sweat coming down his forehead and getting in his eyes. Robert felt the salty stinging of each drop. He looked down, and there was a small puddle of sweat forming at his feet. The ship was about to enter the furor of the storm when a bright flash of lightning reached out and struck the ship, causing blindness and a jolt of electricity to go through his body...darkness…silence…the heat was gone. ‘I’m still soaked in sweat. Am I dead?’ he thought. It was then that he realized that he was waking up, and he and his sheet were soaked in sweat. It was as if the heat of the storms in his nightmare had drawn the sweat out of him. He knew he was innocent, and he knew humans were innocent. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt and shame, as if he and all of humanity were the cause of a genocide. The captain got out of bed and rushed to the shower. He was able to scrub the sweat from his body, but no matter how hard he tried, the guilt and shame remained, refusing to be cleansed from his soul.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I’m partial to Captain Robert Chris. He’s a flawed person, just like all of us are flawed. He’s humble and has a huge heart. He hates war, he hates fighting, yet he’s been forced by fate into that role and he is reluctant. Robert refuses to show his weaknesses to his crew. He only confides in his ship Doctor, John Swann and his VAIL, Ellie. Ellie is a Virtual Artificial Intelligent Lifeform. She’s a AI computer program that has achieved sentience and is considered just as alive as humans.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Well, I’ve only written two so far, but the first one will probably be the one that gives me the most satisfaction. It was difficult to write parts of it though. I’m dedicating the book to my brother, Timothy Lloyd Ickes. He’s my brother that died a little over a year ago. I wrote a scene early in the first chapter, where a Marine died, and I named that Marine Timothy Lloyd in my book. That was difficult to write. Later, I have another ship captain named Thomas Lloyd. Thomas Lloyd Ickes is another brother of mine and the twin of Tim. I had a long talk with Tom, because I had to have the captain of my ship tell Thomas Lloyd in the book about the death of his brother. I actually cried as I wrote that part of the book.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
When publishing a series as an Indie Author, publish at least three books at once. If someone purchases your first book and likes it, they’ll purchase the next two books. Doing it that way is a near guarantee of a three book sale! If you have a gap between the first and second books, they might forget about you and not remember to go back and purchase your second or third book, since you’re a new author. I’ve been told that if you get them to purchase the first three, they’ll usually start following you and purchase everything you write, unless you let them down.
How would you describe yourself?
I’m a wanna be comedian. My problem is that I’m not as funny as I think I am. I’m also quite detail oriented, which can be a detriment when writing fiction. I get wrapped up in the details and get too wordy. When I read it back, I’m constantly changing it, until it doesn’t read like a lecture.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to do some painting and some woodturning. My doctor hasn’t cleared me to resume those hobbies, due to my Leukemia. My landscape painting involves solvents and she doesn’t want me breathing the fumes. I’m still a little bit of a bleeding risk, so my woodworking tools are off limits, because a minor cut could lead to a hospital stay.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’d love to take my wife to Singapore. I was there for work quite a few times and she would love it there.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I love dogs, but I’m so allergic to them that we can’t have one. I’m allergic to cats too, but surprisingly it’s not as bad as it is with dogs. Many people don’t realize how much personality cats have. Whenever our cat heads upstairs to her litter box, she comes racing downstairs and runs all around the house like a crazy cat. It’s hysterical.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The characters and the plot have to be believable. I know that to some people seems like a weird thing to say, considering that I read a genre that to many readers would seem unbelievable. But fantasy can be written in a realistic way, even though the premise is so far out of our current capabilities as a species.
Do you have your own website?
I do. It’s https://sites.google.com/view/scottickesbooks/home
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’m working on book three in the series. It’s titled, “First Contact – Antillians”. Book one is “First Contact – Lemurians,” and book two is “First Contact – Elysians.” The human colony in my book is “Atlantis.” Atlantis, Lemuria, Elysia and Antillia are all mythical lost cities, or continents in Earth mythology. I plan to continue following that theme through about ten books.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I don’t at this time. I’m still learning about the process. I do plan to visit my local libraries and bookstores and see if they have any interest in hosting me for book signings and discussions.
I would be happy to do that. First, let me say that I appreciate you having me as a featured author on your site. I live with my wife in Vancouver, Washington, USA. I spent 39 years working for a fortune 500 company in the United States. At first, I worked in the manufacturing plants as a mechanic. I eventually worked my way up to a career in the field as a Service Engineer helping customers use our companies products. After retirement, I devoted my time to my wife, family and friends and some hobbies.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I started writing my first book in February 2024. It came about after some rough times in my life. In September 2023, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was put on a life flight up to Seattle, Washington and spent 33 days there, going through my initial chemotherapy. After getting home, I had chemotherapy once a month until February 2024. I got home from the hospital on February 6, 2024 and received a phone call from one of my brothers telling me that one of my other brothers had been killed in a single car vehicle accident that morning. I was already depressed from all of the hospital visits and then he was killed. I had a compromised immune system and couldn’t travel back for the funeral. I was only able to watch television and read. I’ve always been an avid reader, however, when that becomes your whole life and you have so much happening in your life that is negative, you become frustrated and depressed. My wife said to me, “You’ve always thought you might be able to write a book. I think it’s time you tried to write that book.” I did what she suggested and started writing a series. The first book took me 10 months to write. The second book took me 5 weeks to write. I’m now writing book 3 in the series. The first two books are currently with Beta Readers. I anticipate finishing book three in about a month. I won’t publish any of them until all three in the series are ready. I’ll publish them all at the same time.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I love to read science fiction. Especially, Space Opera, First Contact, Time Travel, etc. I’ve always been fascinated by the genre. I know it best, as I’ve probably read 3000 books or more in the science fiction genre. I may mix it up some day, but for right now, I have so many ideas about the Space Opera genre that it will take me quite a while to get them out of my system.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I’m a pant’ser. I write by the seat of my pants. I have a basic outline in my head of where I want to go, but I don’t like making notes or plotting anything out, because when I’ve tried that, it seems to limit my creativity. When I write it off the cuff, I’m free to take the story in the direction that it wants to go.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’d love to do that. This is from First Contact – Lemurians. The protagonist in my books is Captain Robert Chris of an exploration starship. He’s thrust into situations where he has to be a military captain, and he struggles with this role. He doesn’t see himself as a hero. In this scene, he has made first contact with an alien species. Humans had never met this species or even knew of their existence, yet the aliens are blaming humans for the atomic wars that nearly destroyed the Lemurian culture. He had ordered his ship to retreat and hide from them. He knows he could easily defeat them, but he refuses to kill them, over a misunderstanding.
Robert had finally gotten some sleep. He didn’t feel rested, though. He’d dreamt about the Lemurians' atomic war. Their cries of anguish as they cursed humans. In his nightmare of a dream, he watched from orbit as his ship dropped atomic weapons on their cities. He could see the mushroom clouds rising at all angles from his perspective. Those directly below him were a roiling, angry, reddish-black, boiling firestorm that seemed to be rising straight out of hell. Lightening was flashing all over the storm. It was like the storm had additional weapons flashing into existence, higher and higher, reaching for his ship. The storm of the mushroom cloud continued to grow in circumference as it continued to rise. It was as if the storm had a mind and vengeance of its own. He felt like the storm was trying to reach him, trying to consume him in its rage for what he'd done. In his mind's eye, he was guilty and deserved to perish in the hellish storm below. When Robert turned his view to the mushroom clouds at the edges of the horizon, the mushroom shape was distinct. They seemed to be reaching so far up that it was as if they were traveling to space. Those storms were daring him to bring his ship above them. He could hear them calling him. ‘Come to us, Captain, and face justice and the vengeance you deserve.’ In the dream, he felt compelled and ordered his crew to go to the horizon and hover over the beckoning storm. His crew tried to argue with him. They demanded to know why he wanted to kill them all. “Because we killed so many of them!” he replied. His crew was used to taking his orders, and in the dream, they stopped arguing and started moving the ship toward the mushroom clouds on the horizon. The closer the ship got to the storm, the angrier it seemed to get. He could feel the emotions from the billowing firestorm ahead. It was as if the life force of all of the Lemurians who had perished in their atomic wars was now contained in that angry, lightning-filled inferno. He began to plead and beg, “Please don’t kill us. We didn’t know. We’ve changed. We’re no longer a barbaric species. Please, please believe us.” It changed nothing. The conflagration ahead continued to beckon him closer, ‘You and all humans must die for your sins, Captain! Your destiny awaits. Our spirits await the satisfaction of our revenge.’ Robert knew he was dreaming, but it seemed so real. The ship was now so close to the mushroom cloud that it filled the viewscreen. The heat was becoming unbearable. ‘It’s so hot”, he thought to himself. He felt the beads of sweat coming down his forehead and getting in his eyes. Robert felt the salty stinging of each drop. He looked down, and there was a small puddle of sweat forming at his feet. The ship was about to enter the furor of the storm when a bright flash of lightning reached out and struck the ship, causing blindness and a jolt of electricity to go through his body...darkness…silence…the heat was gone. ‘I’m still soaked in sweat. Am I dead?’ he thought. It was then that he realized that he was waking up, and he and his sheet were soaked in sweat. It was as if the heat of the storms in his nightmare had drawn the sweat out of him. He knew he was innocent, and he knew humans were innocent. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt and shame, as if he and all of humanity were the cause of a genocide. The captain got out of bed and rushed to the shower. He was able to scrub the sweat from his body, but no matter how hard he tried, the guilt and shame remained, refusing to be cleansed from his soul.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I’m partial to Captain Robert Chris. He’s a flawed person, just like all of us are flawed. He’s humble and has a huge heart. He hates war, he hates fighting, yet he’s been forced by fate into that role and he is reluctant. Robert refuses to show his weaknesses to his crew. He only confides in his ship Doctor, John Swann and his VAIL, Ellie. Ellie is a Virtual Artificial Intelligent Lifeform. She’s a AI computer program that has achieved sentience and is considered just as alive as humans.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Well, I’ve only written two so far, but the first one will probably be the one that gives me the most satisfaction. It was difficult to write parts of it though. I’m dedicating the book to my brother, Timothy Lloyd Ickes. He’s my brother that died a little over a year ago. I wrote a scene early in the first chapter, where a Marine died, and I named that Marine Timothy Lloyd in my book. That was difficult to write. Later, I have another ship captain named Thomas Lloyd. Thomas Lloyd Ickes is another brother of mine and the twin of Tim. I had a long talk with Tom, because I had to have the captain of my ship tell Thomas Lloyd in the book about the death of his brother. I actually cried as I wrote that part of the book.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
When publishing a series as an Indie Author, publish at least three books at once. If someone purchases your first book and likes it, they’ll purchase the next two books. Doing it that way is a near guarantee of a three book sale! If you have a gap between the first and second books, they might forget about you and not remember to go back and purchase your second or third book, since you’re a new author. I’ve been told that if you get them to purchase the first three, they’ll usually start following you and purchase everything you write, unless you let them down.
How would you describe yourself?
I’m a wanna be comedian. My problem is that I’m not as funny as I think I am. I’m also quite detail oriented, which can be a detriment when writing fiction. I get wrapped up in the details and get too wordy. When I read it back, I’m constantly changing it, until it doesn’t read like a lecture.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to do some painting and some woodturning. My doctor hasn’t cleared me to resume those hobbies, due to my Leukemia. My landscape painting involves solvents and she doesn’t want me breathing the fumes. I’m still a little bit of a bleeding risk, so my woodworking tools are off limits, because a minor cut could lead to a hospital stay.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’d love to take my wife to Singapore. I was there for work quite a few times and she would love it there.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I love dogs, but I’m so allergic to them that we can’t have one. I’m allergic to cats too, but surprisingly it’s not as bad as it is with dogs. Many people don’t realize how much personality cats have. Whenever our cat heads upstairs to her litter box, she comes racing downstairs and runs all around the house like a crazy cat. It’s hysterical.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The characters and the plot have to be believable. I know that to some people seems like a weird thing to say, considering that I read a genre that to many readers would seem unbelievable. But fantasy can be written in a realistic way, even though the premise is so far out of our current capabilities as a species.
Do you have your own website?
I do. It’s https://sites.google.com/view/scottickesbooks/home
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’m working on book three in the series. It’s titled, “First Contact – Antillians”. Book one is “First Contact – Lemurians,” and book two is “First Contact – Elysians.” The human colony in my book is “Atlantis.” Atlantis, Lemuria, Elysia and Antillia are all mythical lost cities, or continents in Earth mythology. I plan to continue following that theme through about ten books.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I don’t at this time. I’m still learning about the process. I do plan to visit my local libraries and bookstores and see if they have any interest in hosting me for book signings and discussions.
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Raymond Parish - 23 February 2025
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Raymond Parish
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This week it is my pleasure to interview Raymond Parish. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers and share something about your life.
Rita,Thank you for the opportunity to share my work with readers and other writers. I am the author of three Hank Anderson Mystery novels in my pen name Raymond Parish. My latest in the series, The Last Step, was released in the fall of 2024. I am also the author of four nonfiction books and multiple articles in the fields of mental health and substance abuse recovery.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
My first Hank Anderson novel, Overnight Delivery, was released in 2020. I honed my writing chops in nonfiction, while the idea of a character whose compassion and insatiable curiosity draws him into complex, lethal human puzzles simmered in the background. The time came to put fingers to the keyboard and Hank Anderson, a psychotherapist with a moth-to-the-flame attraction to risk came to life.
Anderson, a psychotherapist with a moth-to-the-flame attraction to risk came to life.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
One of the rewards of writing a series is allowing Hank to lead me as he leaps into the unknown, gets stuck, fails, and learns. The series has also given me to chance to build Hank’s world, filling it with rich collaborators and adversaries. Early on, I decided he would move through each crisis within the context of his most valued relationships, a clear choice for a man in his line of work. With these factors as the foundation, an initial premise leads me the members of Hank’s inner circle, the uncommon villains that will engage him, and the uncommon crimes that will impact them all. The decisions made by Hank and other central characters push my writing forward at each stage of the story.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
This excerpt features Hank, along with two members of his circle—Jerry, the husband of his mentor and business partner, and his father, J.R. Anderson. They have encountered one of the key players in the crimes committed in The Last Step:
Dad apologized to the barista for drinks not consumed and food not eaten and paid the full tab, with a healthy tip. We reversed course empty handed, as fast as Jerry’s lengthy stride could lead us. I let Jerry and Dad carry the conversation, speedwalking, smiling and nodding as their joy faded into white noise. Alert to our surroundings, my gut refused to cease and desist. Down the escalator, we were back to the street. “Come on.” Jerry wasn’t waiting on the pedestrian call button. “I’ll play crossing guard.” He strode into the street, tall and straight, palms out. Car and truck horns honked, but they stopped. We hurried into the parking garage and back onto the elevator. Years past, I would have led the charge, blasting through any sense of caution. Ask for help. The voice of my better self floated through the ether. Phone in hand, I tapped Phil’s number from my favorite’s list. The elevator doors parted to the musty second floor, across from the Jeep. And a man who stood strategically beneath a security camera, compact handgun aimed in our direction. The chatter of my companions shut down mid-sentence. The muzzle of the gun seemed to grow in size when he centered it on my chest. “Off the elevator,” he ordered. Marshall’s appearance was stunningly plain when compared to our first meeting, but even with volume control, his nasal tone was unmistakable. We moved in harmony, like robots. The doors clanked shut behind us. “Hang up.” He shifted his aim to my phone. I punched the red button. The garage was an echo chamber for an immediate call-back ringtone. My reflexes took over. “Don’t answer that.” Too late. "Hank.” Phil’s rumble cut through the treble of street noise. I felt sick. “Hang up,” Marshall hissed, the jovial gladhander gone, replaced by an entirely different animal. I tapped red again. “Take your phones out, set them on the ground, and slide them to me.” He waved his gun. “Hurry.” I dropped my phone and kicked it toward him as fast as my urge to throw it at his head would allow. Jerry did the same. “You too, Gramps.” Dad was a statue. I reached out and touched his arm. He jerked as if suddenly wakened, patted my hand and slid the phone from his jacket. He tossed it toward Marshall, the clatter of bouncing plastic drawing a grin from Marshall. He swept the phones close with his foot, raised his leg, and shattered each one in turn with the heel of his shoe. "Get in the Jeep,” he said. Dad hooked my arm to steady himself as we closed the distance to the madman.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I prefer to think in terms of my favorite relationship; a difficult choice in a series with repeating characters. A cornerstone of Hank’s world is his connection with Detective Phil Evans of the Des Moines Police Department. One inspiration for their collaboration and conflict was the autobiographies written by Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons, the late, great sax player of the E Street Band, otherwise known as the Big Man. In my series, one man is small of stature, the other is an impressive physical presence. One is white, the other is black. Hank is impulsive and supercharged, with a genius for seeing and hearing what others miss. Phil is strategic and stoic. Thrown into an unlikely collaboration in the first book, Overnight Delivery, they have developed a friendship grounded in a shared, relentless devotion to those they care most about. Both carry wounds from the past that come to light through their unyielding pursuit of the truth.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
The creation of my first mystery, Overnight Delivery, was a joyful experience. Would readers be drawn by the suspense and flow of the story? Would Hank’s humanity, talents, flaws, and humor come through in the narrative? Would the crimes and criminals give meaning to the mystery? Would I find an ending? The challenges and excitement of writing a book in a genre I have loved since childhood was a true pleasure, carrying me through all the starts and stops of a work of fiction. Since that time, the emotional charge as key characters re-enter the series, and new characters appear, has become another high point of my work.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Several tips come to mind: Have a plan. Persist over time. Strike a balance between marketing and continuing to write. Become comfortable with telling people you are an author…or tell them even if it makes you uncomfortable.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
These days, my work as a mental health professional is focused on teaching, as adjunct faculty at a local university, and presenting seminars on a range of topics. I am an avid fan of most musical styles. I grew up in a musical house, full of jazz, Broadway tunes, spiritual music, and eventually, rock n’ roll. I caught the bug and like to call myself a lifelong mediocre guitarist. One promise I made to myself as a young adult was to see the world. I have been fortunate, traveling the U.S. and visiting numerous other countries. Travel enriches me, expands my view of others, and improves my writing. When home, I love to bicycle and hike. My greatest joy as I age is the simple act of sharing a meal with my wife and three adult children, or sitting over breakfast with friends that have become what folks in my field call, chosen family.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
I typically alternate fiction and nonfiction. Not only do I write a series, I have been reading mystery series since my dad handed me a Hardy Boys book in grade school. In mysteries and historical fiction, I look for a passionate, but flawed main character that I can pull for. In nonfiction, I look for books that challenge me and take me to new places, in my professional or personal life. As a youth growing up in the Midwest, books of many genres were my way of traveling the world and learning about, as I like to say, people who are not me. Interesting settings and diverse people continue to be key to my book choices.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I am well into the fourth Hank book, Fool’s Highway, which will introduce another member of the Anderson clan, Hank’s uncle, a musician of questionable character. The premise of FH gives me the opportunity to build one of my lifelong personal interests into a story—the aforementioned rock n’ roll. I have been known to hold forth on rock music trivia until the eyes of my audience glosses over, a passion left over from my unrealized youthful dream of guitarist glory. Hank has yet to show me exactly where the story will lead, but he has revealed a brief return to one character from The Mighty Shall Fall, a fascinating crime, and a deepening of his connections with Attorney Jill Bennett, legal advocate turned love interest.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I am most excited about a spring trip to The Lore Bookshop in Norman, OK for an author’s event. Book readings and signings are my favorite parts of book promotion. The chance to interact with readers, and in the case of a larger event, other authors, is a highlight. I am also strategizing ways to utilize a wonderful book review of The Last Step by Sara E. Johnson, the NYT’s Reader’s Pick author of the Alexa Glock Forensic Mysteries, who wrote: “The Last Step, the third Hank Anderson mystery by Raymond Parish, grabs the reader by the collar from the get-go…when the lights go out and the shots ring, the reader is left breathless. A must read for mystery lovers and psychology buffs.”
Thanks Rita! And, thanks to all who are interested in my series!
Rita,Thank you for the opportunity to share my work with readers and other writers. I am the author of three Hank Anderson Mystery novels in my pen name Raymond Parish. My latest in the series, The Last Step, was released in the fall of 2024. I am also the author of four nonfiction books and multiple articles in the fields of mental health and substance abuse recovery.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
My first Hank Anderson novel, Overnight Delivery, was released in 2020. I honed my writing chops in nonfiction, while the idea of a character whose compassion and insatiable curiosity draws him into complex, lethal human puzzles simmered in the background. The time came to put fingers to the keyboard and Hank Anderson, a psychotherapist with a moth-to-the-flame attraction to risk came to life.
Anderson, a psychotherapist with a moth-to-the-flame attraction to risk came to life.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
One of the rewards of writing a series is allowing Hank to lead me as he leaps into the unknown, gets stuck, fails, and learns. The series has also given me to chance to build Hank’s world, filling it with rich collaborators and adversaries. Early on, I decided he would move through each crisis within the context of his most valued relationships, a clear choice for a man in his line of work. With these factors as the foundation, an initial premise leads me the members of Hank’s inner circle, the uncommon villains that will engage him, and the uncommon crimes that will impact them all. The decisions made by Hank and other central characters push my writing forward at each stage of the story.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
This excerpt features Hank, along with two members of his circle—Jerry, the husband of his mentor and business partner, and his father, J.R. Anderson. They have encountered one of the key players in the crimes committed in The Last Step:
Dad apologized to the barista for drinks not consumed and food not eaten and paid the full tab, with a healthy tip. We reversed course empty handed, as fast as Jerry’s lengthy stride could lead us. I let Jerry and Dad carry the conversation, speedwalking, smiling and nodding as their joy faded into white noise. Alert to our surroundings, my gut refused to cease and desist. Down the escalator, we were back to the street. “Come on.” Jerry wasn’t waiting on the pedestrian call button. “I’ll play crossing guard.” He strode into the street, tall and straight, palms out. Car and truck horns honked, but they stopped. We hurried into the parking garage and back onto the elevator. Years past, I would have led the charge, blasting through any sense of caution. Ask for help. The voice of my better self floated through the ether. Phone in hand, I tapped Phil’s number from my favorite’s list. The elevator doors parted to the musty second floor, across from the Jeep. And a man who stood strategically beneath a security camera, compact handgun aimed in our direction. The chatter of my companions shut down mid-sentence. The muzzle of the gun seemed to grow in size when he centered it on my chest. “Off the elevator,” he ordered. Marshall’s appearance was stunningly plain when compared to our first meeting, but even with volume control, his nasal tone was unmistakable. We moved in harmony, like robots. The doors clanked shut behind us. “Hang up.” He shifted his aim to my phone. I punched the red button. The garage was an echo chamber for an immediate call-back ringtone. My reflexes took over. “Don’t answer that.” Too late. "Hank.” Phil’s rumble cut through the treble of street noise. I felt sick. “Hang up,” Marshall hissed, the jovial gladhander gone, replaced by an entirely different animal. I tapped red again. “Take your phones out, set them on the ground, and slide them to me.” He waved his gun. “Hurry.” I dropped my phone and kicked it toward him as fast as my urge to throw it at his head would allow. Jerry did the same. “You too, Gramps.” Dad was a statue. I reached out and touched his arm. He jerked as if suddenly wakened, patted my hand and slid the phone from his jacket. He tossed it toward Marshall, the clatter of bouncing plastic drawing a grin from Marshall. He swept the phones close with his foot, raised his leg, and shattered each one in turn with the heel of his shoe. "Get in the Jeep,” he said. Dad hooked my arm to steady himself as we closed the distance to the madman.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I prefer to think in terms of my favorite relationship; a difficult choice in a series with repeating characters. A cornerstone of Hank’s world is his connection with Detective Phil Evans of the Des Moines Police Department. One inspiration for their collaboration and conflict was the autobiographies written by Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons, the late, great sax player of the E Street Band, otherwise known as the Big Man. In my series, one man is small of stature, the other is an impressive physical presence. One is white, the other is black. Hank is impulsive and supercharged, with a genius for seeing and hearing what others miss. Phil is strategic and stoic. Thrown into an unlikely collaboration in the first book, Overnight Delivery, they have developed a friendship grounded in a shared, relentless devotion to those they care most about. Both carry wounds from the past that come to light through their unyielding pursuit of the truth.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
The creation of my first mystery, Overnight Delivery, was a joyful experience. Would readers be drawn by the suspense and flow of the story? Would Hank’s humanity, talents, flaws, and humor come through in the narrative? Would the crimes and criminals give meaning to the mystery? Would I find an ending? The challenges and excitement of writing a book in a genre I have loved since childhood was a true pleasure, carrying me through all the starts and stops of a work of fiction. Since that time, the emotional charge as key characters re-enter the series, and new characters appear, has become another high point of my work.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
Several tips come to mind: Have a plan. Persist over time. Strike a balance between marketing and continuing to write. Become comfortable with telling people you are an author…or tell them even if it makes you uncomfortable.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
These days, my work as a mental health professional is focused on teaching, as adjunct faculty at a local university, and presenting seminars on a range of topics. I am an avid fan of most musical styles. I grew up in a musical house, full of jazz, Broadway tunes, spiritual music, and eventually, rock n’ roll. I caught the bug and like to call myself a lifelong mediocre guitarist. One promise I made to myself as a young adult was to see the world. I have been fortunate, traveling the U.S. and visiting numerous other countries. Travel enriches me, expands my view of others, and improves my writing. When home, I love to bicycle and hike. My greatest joy as I age is the simple act of sharing a meal with my wife and three adult children, or sitting over breakfast with friends that have become what folks in my field call, chosen family.
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
I typically alternate fiction and nonfiction. Not only do I write a series, I have been reading mystery series since my dad handed me a Hardy Boys book in grade school. In mysteries and historical fiction, I look for a passionate, but flawed main character that I can pull for. In nonfiction, I look for books that challenge me and take me to new places, in my professional or personal life. As a youth growing up in the Midwest, books of many genres were my way of traveling the world and learning about, as I like to say, people who are not me. Interesting settings and diverse people continue to be key to my book choices.
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I am well into the fourth Hank book, Fool’s Highway, which will introduce another member of the Anderson clan, Hank’s uncle, a musician of questionable character. The premise of FH gives me the opportunity to build one of my lifelong personal interests into a story—the aforementioned rock n’ roll. I have been known to hold forth on rock music trivia until the eyes of my audience glosses over, a passion left over from my unrealized youthful dream of guitarist glory. Hank has yet to show me exactly where the story will lead, but he has revealed a brief return to one character from The Mighty Shall Fall, a fascinating crime, and a deepening of his connections with Attorney Jill Bennett, legal advocate turned love interest.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
I am most excited about a spring trip to The Lore Bookshop in Norman, OK for an author’s event. Book readings and signings are my favorite parts of book promotion. The chance to interact with readers, and in the case of a larger event, other authors, is a highlight. I am also strategizing ways to utilize a wonderful book review of The Last Step by Sara E. Johnson, the NYT’s Reader’s Pick author of the Alexa Glock Forensic Mysteries, who wrote: “The Last Step, the third Hank Anderson mystery by Raymond Parish, grabs the reader by the collar from the get-go…when the lights go out and the shots ring, the reader is left breathless. A must read for mystery lovers and psychology buffs.”
Thanks Rita! And, thanks to all who are interested in my series!
D. Thrush - 2 February 2025
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This week it is my pleasure to welcome back author D. Thrush, whom I last interviewed in 2018. D has returned to tell us what she has been doing since. Would you please reintroduce yourself to my readers, D and share something about your life.
Wow, times flies! I’m the author of Rom-Coms, Women’s/Literary Fiction and a spiritual adventure story. All my books are standalones (I hate cliffhangers!) and have no graphic content. I also moved to Oregon from Washington state in the US in 2022.
You published your first book in 2013 and by 2018 you had published eight books. What have you published since?
I’ve published three more books. I published The Little Secrets series of two books and a prequel (which is free) to my popular Santina Series called The Santa Secret.
I know you have written in the Spiritual, Literary, Women’s Fiction and Chick Lit genres. Have you added any more?
Those are my genres.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I usually start with the crumb of an idea and let it flow. As the characters take shape, they seem to take over the story.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
From The Santa SecretPage 37
“Elves?” Of course there would be elves. She bit her lip to keep her expression neutral.“The elves are hard workers. Things get so busy and the letters just pour in. We have an entire department handling the letters. And, let’s see. The ticker machine sends over Naughty and Nice information, so Pop can keep up with it.”“Ticker machine?”“Everything is in one building, the toy shop, the warehouse, the living quarters. It’s enormous. Except the reindeer, of course.”“Of course,” she repeated.“The town itself is kind of small. Not many people live there, mostly the elves and their families.”“Uh, huh.” Clara nodded, waiting for him to admit that it was all a joke. “The most incredible thing is when Pop takes off in the sleigh. It’s a sight to see.”“How could he possibly fit all those presents in one sleigh and deliver them all in one night?” Clara couldn’t help questioning.Nicky smiled. “Magic.”“Right.” Clara stood. “You seem really sincere, Nicky. I don’t know how you’re doing this with a straight face.”
Who is your favourite character and why? Is it still Molly from Whims & Vices and Fate & Flirtations or do you have a new favourite?
That’s like choosing a favorite child! Probably all my protagonists are parts of myself and I love them all. Santina (Tina) in The Daughter Claus has to be my favorite, because she was my mother’s idea. She wanted me to write a story about Santa’s daughter taking over the North Pole. I didn’t expect it to become a series, but it was so fun to write and readers loved it, so I had to continue the story. I named Mrs. Claus after my mother (Clara) who has since passed on. It was the best gift she ever gave me.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Again, The Daughter Claus. It was just so fun writing about Tina and her clueless rock star brother, her crazy best friend who crushes on an elf, talking reindeer, live snow people, and the challenges of the family business at the North Pole. I think it’s silly and funny and magical and romantic and heartwarming.
What is the best marketing tip you have received? Is it still Bookbub?
BookBub is by far the best marketing site. But I also decided to write a prequel to the Santina Series as a free entry into the series after I watched a video about marketing. The Santa Secret is a standalone book about how Clara meets and falls in love with a man who claims he’ll be the next Santa (excerpt above). I published the book in October and it’s gotten thousands of downloads since.
How would you describe yourself?
Hmmm. I care. I’m generous when I can be. I’m supportive, especially of other people’s dreams. I try to put good energy out into the world. I enjoy nature, especially birds and animals. I’m interested in learning and improving. I became vegan, after reading about health and the environment. I love being creative. And you gotta laugh! There’s humor in many of my books.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Get outside and take walks. Go on road trips. Visit family and friends. Have long conversations. Take photos. I also play the stock market, which is a roller coaster.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’ve always wanted to take a road trip across the US. I’d also love to see Australia and New Zealand.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Once when I paid attention to one of my cats, the other one followed me down the hall and smacked my leg. Then she just walked away. She was jealous!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
For non-fiction, I want to learn something or read a biography of someone inspiring or interesting. I also read a lot about health. For fiction, I want to read something unique and/or funny.
Do you have your own website?
Here’s my Amazon book page: Amazon.com: D. Thrush: books, biography, latest update https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.-Thrush/author/B00EIMYVU6
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’ve been working on a sequel to Fairy Tale Karma about Ava’s Fairy Godmother and always have other ideas percolating.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
All my books are available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited and The Santa Secret eBook is free online at all booksellers. I’m also planning sales in the next few months.
Thanks Rita! I always enjoy talking about my books!
Wow, times flies! I’m the author of Rom-Coms, Women’s/Literary Fiction and a spiritual adventure story. All my books are standalones (I hate cliffhangers!) and have no graphic content. I also moved to Oregon from Washington state in the US in 2022.
You published your first book in 2013 and by 2018 you had published eight books. What have you published since?
I’ve published three more books. I published The Little Secrets series of two books and a prequel (which is free) to my popular Santina Series called The Santa Secret.
I know you have written in the Spiritual, Literary, Women’s Fiction and Chick Lit genres. Have you added any more?
Those are my genres.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I usually start with the crumb of an idea and let it flow. As the characters take shape, they seem to take over the story.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
From The Santa SecretPage 37
“Elves?” Of course there would be elves. She bit her lip to keep her expression neutral.“The elves are hard workers. Things get so busy and the letters just pour in. We have an entire department handling the letters. And, let’s see. The ticker machine sends over Naughty and Nice information, so Pop can keep up with it.”“Ticker machine?”“Everything is in one building, the toy shop, the warehouse, the living quarters. It’s enormous. Except the reindeer, of course.”“Of course,” she repeated.“The town itself is kind of small. Not many people live there, mostly the elves and their families.”“Uh, huh.” Clara nodded, waiting for him to admit that it was all a joke. “The most incredible thing is when Pop takes off in the sleigh. It’s a sight to see.”“How could he possibly fit all those presents in one sleigh and deliver them all in one night?” Clara couldn’t help questioning.Nicky smiled. “Magic.”“Right.” Clara stood. “You seem really sincere, Nicky. I don’t know how you’re doing this with a straight face.”
Who is your favourite character and why? Is it still Molly from Whims & Vices and Fate & Flirtations or do you have a new favourite?
That’s like choosing a favorite child! Probably all my protagonists are parts of myself and I love them all. Santina (Tina) in The Daughter Claus has to be my favorite, because she was my mother’s idea. She wanted me to write a story about Santa’s daughter taking over the North Pole. I didn’t expect it to become a series, but it was so fun to write and readers loved it, so I had to continue the story. I named Mrs. Claus after my mother (Clara) who has since passed on. It was the best gift she ever gave me.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Again, The Daughter Claus. It was just so fun writing about Tina and her clueless rock star brother, her crazy best friend who crushes on an elf, talking reindeer, live snow people, and the challenges of the family business at the North Pole. I think it’s silly and funny and magical and romantic and heartwarming.
What is the best marketing tip you have received? Is it still Bookbub?
BookBub is by far the best marketing site. But I also decided to write a prequel to the Santina Series as a free entry into the series after I watched a video about marketing. The Santa Secret is a standalone book about how Clara meets and falls in love with a man who claims he’ll be the next Santa (excerpt above). I published the book in October and it’s gotten thousands of downloads since.
How would you describe yourself?
Hmmm. I care. I’m generous when I can be. I’m supportive, especially of other people’s dreams. I try to put good energy out into the world. I enjoy nature, especially birds and animals. I’m interested in learning and improving. I became vegan, after reading about health and the environment. I love being creative. And you gotta laugh! There’s humor in many of my books.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
Get outside and take walks. Go on road trips. Visit family and friends. Have long conversations. Take photos. I also play the stock market, which is a roller coaster.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’ve always wanted to take a road trip across the US. I’d also love to see Australia and New Zealand.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Once when I paid attention to one of my cats, the other one followed me down the hall and smacked my leg. Then she just walked away. She was jealous!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
For non-fiction, I want to learn something or read a biography of someone inspiring or interesting. I also read a lot about health. For fiction, I want to read something unique and/or funny.
Do you have your own website?
Here’s my Amazon book page: Amazon.com: D. Thrush: books, biography, latest update https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.-Thrush/author/B00EIMYVU6
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
I’ve been working on a sequel to Fairy Tale Karma about Ava’s Fairy Godmother and always have other ideas percolating.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
All my books are available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited and The Santa Secret eBook is free online at all booksellers. I’m also planning sales in the next few months.
Thanks Rita! I always enjoy talking about my books!