Author Interview: Sheila Fowler

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

My name is Sheila Fowler. I'm a lover of TV and anything dachshund. I write Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Cozy Mysteries set in Florida. My latest book is Don't Let Me Down. It's the 3rd book in my Scottish Love Stories series. All of my books are located on Amazon, and I currently have 5 audiobooks available.

Author Interview: B. N. Reele

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

Hi there, I'm B. N. Reele, indie author! I write YA fantasy books and have published two novels (both standalone) along with a bunch of short stories published on the Neopets website.

Author Interview: Jorge Arenas

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

Hi! My name is Jorge Arenas and I'm primarily a horror writer, though I plan on expanding to sci-fi sometime in 2025. My latest book is A Blanket of Darkness which details the story of a data analyst who finds that while asleep he is leading a secret life in a plan far from Earth. I also have a novella series about an exorcist named Father Joon Woo who after witnessing his beloved lose her life during an exorcism dedicated his life to sending demons back to Hell. Book three is slated for early 2025 release. I also have a collection of short stories called The Dream Cycle which explores the many sub-genres of horror such as folk, myth, scifi, cosmic, etc.

Author Interview: Bella Dunn

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

I'm Bella, from Ireland and my main genre is fantasy, though I dip into other genres from time to time. I have two books published - The Dreams Thief (Otherworld series book 1), a romantic urban fantasy (some may call it a romantasy) and The Tree and the Windmill, a romantic suspense with a hint of the paranormal.

 

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

I'm Bella, from Ireland and my main genre is fantasy, though I dip into other genres from time to time. I have two books published - The Dreams Thief (Otherworld series book 1), a romantic urban fantasy (some may call it a romantasy) and The Tree and the Windmill, a romantic suspense with a hint of the paranormal.

2. What are your favourite books?

The tough question! A short list would be "Circe", by Madeline Miller, "The Mists of Avalon", Marion Zimmer Bradley, "Firebrand", also Bradley, "1984", George Orwell, "The Picture of Dorian Gray", Oscar Wilde, "Wuthering Heights", Emily Bronte and to "Kill a Mockingbird", Harper Lee.

3. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

When I was about 6-7. I read "The Snow Queen", by Hans Christian Andersen and that is when I wrote my first story and I never stopped.

4. What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the writing process?

I love creating characters I think and their adventures and seeing how they grow. Contrary to many writers, I actually like editing, when I can tweak the fine details. Least favourite is proof-reading, because I need to focus on word by word rather than the flow of the scene.

5. What is your writing routine?

The worst! I have zero routine! I write on every free time I have which is not much considering I have a full time job and I am a solo parent. I do normally have good chunks of writing on weekend mornings after breakfast!

6. How do you balance writing (and everything else to do with it) with the rest of your life?

Badly! I am a pantser, but I am now striving to get organised! I even bought a year's calendar for my wall!

7. What inspires you? How do you beat writers block?

Other books, but I find a lot of inspiration on observing people. Sometimes something I see at work or on my commute can trigger a whole story!

When writer's block strikes I find that the most useful thing is to take a break, go for a walk, watch TV or a movie, read some or generally just take my mind completely off it.

8. How do you keep consistent/write a lot?

I love writing. I am constantly scribbling so it's more a natural habit than anything else. I need to write something every day as much as I have my tea in the morning :)

9. Does anyone read or edit your work before publication? If so, how did you find them?

I do all my editing because I have no budget for a professional editor. More recently I have joined the Secret Scribes and we tend to read each other's works for mutual advice.

10. Can we have a sneaky look at your future plans?

Yes! I have two new books coming in April 2025, Blood and Dreams, Otherworld book 2 and The Sorrow of the Wise Man, Book 1 of the Eileerean Saga, an epic fantasy series. My plan is to have book 2 of the Eileerean Saga out in 2025 as well, but I cannot confirm it yet.

I am also working on a short story to be part of an anthology to be published with my fellow Secret Scribes sometime in 2025.

11. Finally, what advice would you give to other writers (inspiring, those publishing and those published)?

Just keep writing. Publish those stories where you can. You have nothing to lose in publishing!

And read, constantly, all genres, good stories and bad stories. All will teach you something!

All my links are on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/belladunnwriter

Author Interview: Jennifer Ford

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

Hi, my name is Jennifer Ford, I write fantasy and I currently have one book out called Fates Echo

Author Interview: R. H. Gründ

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

I am R. H. Gründ, a self-published horror writer. I currently have three books out: ROOM OF CLOTH (literary horror), its sequel ABATTOIR, and a more introspective mystery-horror called SIMULACRUM.

Author Interview: Jon Jones

1. Please introduce yourself (who are you, what genre/s do you write in, what books do you have out)

My name is Jon Jones. I live in Sheffield, where I am a full-time primary school teacher. I enjoy writing crime fiction novellas with exciting twists and plots, and I have self-published three on Amazon. The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets, The Case of the Carlisle Diamonds and The Conundrum of the Dead Pop Star.


2. What are your favourite books?

Author Interview: James Garcia Jr.

1. Introduce yourself. Who are you? What genres? What books do you have out?

I am James Garcia Jr. I write paranormal and horror fiction, usually with an edgy or crossover vibe to them. That means there’s some Bible in there; the original good versus evil. I usually use the following promotion slogan: There are things that go bump in the night. Won’t you let me show you? I have published 6 novels so far and just published my latest, entitled The Color of Sound. This one is about a 16-year-old girl who hears voices. She suddenly loses the scales over her eyes, allowing her to be able to see both angels and demons. Neither side is pleased about this. She meets her guardian angel who counsels her as she comes to grips with this special ability. Last week, one wanted her dead. This week, they all do.

I have the Dance on Fire vampire series which is currently 3 books. I have Seeing Ghosts which is my paranormal with romance; and I have Photographs which is a paranormal mystery.

Guest Post: The Birth of Windwalker and Beyond the Fifth Gate: A Journey of Reflection and Imagination by Donna Sundblad

I currently have three epic adventure fantasies published. The narratives are independent of each other, but two of them, Windwalker and Beyond the Fifth Gate evolved from the same seed of imagination and are uniquely tied to one another. Both emerged from the simple practice of changing perspective—transforming ordinary experiences into extraordinary narratives.

I went for a walk with purpose; looking for an idea for a story. As I walked, I studied the landscape around me and thought, what if I were one inch tall? The concept of viewing the world through this new lens sparked my creativity. This shift opened my mind to new possibilities, allowing me to see the mundane with childlike wonder. I came upon a drainage ditch. As I envisioned myself small, the ditch morphed into a mysterious cavern. This playful exercise provided the foundational imagery that inspired Windwalker.

This is what I wrote when I returned home. It is the seed that developed into Windwalker and Beyond the fifth Gate. The only thing I’ve changed for this post is the character’s name. He didn’t have a name when I originally wrote it:

Manelin slipped along the slope, using the trees to steady his hurried pace. Something big crashed through the forest not far behind him. The threat moved silently through the woods, not a hoof beat or footfall to be heard, only the rush of splintering tree trunks warned him to run. Up ahead, he caught a glimpse of a cave, half hidden by vegetation. Hand over hand; he used thick rope-like vines to pull himself up the incline toward the haven. He could hide in there.

The process of writing Beyond the Fifth Gate was fueled by reflective exercises that encouraged me to explore the “Flip Side” of this original snippet. This technique involved reversing key elements to create a fresh narrative. In Windwalker, I developed the male protagonist, Manelin, who faces dangers in a murky forest and escapes into a dark cave. On the flip side, I reimagined this story through the lens of a female character named Elita and transformed her experience from one of fear to one of calmness in a cavern filled with light. This exercise revealed the emotional depth of both characters and enriched the overall narratives.

I used these exercises as a form of discovery. Looking for new ideas to incorporate that evolved organically. It worked, but the result was two novels intertwined through this blend of reflection and imagination, but connected in no other way. The act of stepping back to consider different perspectives allowed me to uncover hidden layers within the stories.

 
In Windwalker the Stygians welcomed disease-riddled Jonnick refugees to their shores and unwittingly unleashed a curse bringing strife and division. Ancient prophecies hint at a chance for unity, but Queen Riona's paranoia threatens everything. Social outcasts Manelin and Jalil navigate a world teetering on the brink of annihilation. It’s a fantasy tale of friendship, adventure, and courage, where destiny unfolds in unexpected ways.

 
Beyond the Fifth Gate is also perfect for teens, young adults, and fantasy lovers of all ages but it is a different story. It features a strong female protagonist chosen to save her world. She journeys through mystical gates on a quest where she must collect key items, and return to free her people enslaved by an insectoid race. Time is limited. She has to make it through all five gates before they close. It’s an uplifting adventure that celebrates courage, friendship, and hope.

Though I didn’t intend to write two novels initially, these exercises became a powerful form of discovery. This journey taught me the value of crafting compelling fantasy adventures filled with thrilling quests, formidable foes, and the transformative power of courage in the battle between good and evil.

I’m also excited to announce the Questing for Destiny Collection*! This volume features all three of my fantasy adventure tales, spotlighting unlikely heroes who defy the odds to discover their true purpose. You can purchase these tales individually or enjoy them all together in this collection. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of Manelin’s adventures or the uplifting journey of Elita, there’s something in this collection for every fantasy lover.

I encourage fellow writers to embrace similar exercises—take that walk, change your perspective, and see what unfolds.

*Questing for Destiny Collection is a new release currently available on Google Play.