#IndieSpotlight of J.C. Mells @JCMells Author of The Pierced Series

 Name:

 J. C. Mells

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

The Pierced Series

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that. 

My accent pegs me as a Brit, but I’ve been living in the U. S. for over twenty years now! Currently in Las Vegas, NV.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

The Pierced Series was supposed to be a Paranormal Romance (and it does become one by Book 3!) – it’s just that in Book 1, Pierced, there isn’t a lot of paranormal and little to no romance at all! ☺ Hard to describe the series to be honest. Kick ass female heroine (though definitely someone going through some social anxiety disorders) and moody, broody male lead (who has plenty of his own baggage!) – and all the other stuff you might expect in an Urban Fantasy/Para-Romance. Throw in an obsession with cooking and reality TV – and not to mention some classical cinema references, and you have it all in a nutshell. See, I told you it was hard to explain!

What is your favorite supernatural creature and why? Feel free to go into detail. Make us now proclaim that this is by far, our favorite supernatural creature.

I don’t think I have a favorite – sorry! I love reading about them all! ☺

If you could be any paranormal/supernatural being, what would it be and why? Is it the same answer as number 5. If not, why not?

I’d love an ability (or two). Move stuff by looking at it…or the ability to transport myself somewhere else. How much fun would that be!?

Tell me what the best current paranormal themed TV show is and why everyone who hasn't seen it absolutely needs to go and watch every single episode. Marathon style.

Does TheWalking Dead count as paranormal…probably not. Then a close second is definitely Game of Thrones. There are dragons in it. The End.
In my mind, The Walking Dead totally Counts! "Carl Papa."

What is your favorite Paranormal book? Why is this one your favorite?

Love, love, love Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. Love Kate and love Curran. The world (Atlanta) that they create is so cleverly imaginative; I can’t recommend it more highly.

As everyone knows (or should by now,) I am into Vampires. Who is your favorite fictional Vampire and why is this one your favorite?

Hendrick Segher. Because he is my creation, of course.

Who is your least favorite fictional Vampire?

Bill from True Blood.

Mine also! 

Back to your writing:

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

Definitely type and see what happens. I hear some of it is even good! lol

Have you ever written anything and thought; "The world has got to see this!" ? 

I’d just be happy if more of the world read my books!

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

Tarryn Fisher. Her Love Me With Lies trilogy blew my mind! Then her latest book, Mud Vein, left me needing to be resuscitated.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Where to start. This is no joke! It can take me months sometimes to think of where to start! ☺

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

Bit of both, methinks.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

There’s a little of me in every character I’ve written.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I have a day job until such a time as I can afford to survive on writing alone!

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

Stanley Kubrick.

Now back to the fun stuff:

If you could have an hour alone with any fictional paranormal creature, who would it be and what would you be doing? Feel free to explain. ;P

I’d have to think about this one, lol.

Team Alcide or team Eric? (Screw Bill. He was a tool.)

ERIC FOR SURE!

#EricIsGod!

Are you completely opened minded about the paranormal or are you a skeptic?

Open minded.

Okay. Now that my morbid curiosity is satisfied, back to your books: 

What made you write a paranormal themed book? Where did the idea come from?

I wanted to write a book about a kick-ass female who could wield a sword. And while my heroine is still learning the sword stuff, she can still kick some major ass! I knew I didn’t want to go Epic/Historical Fantasy – so female + sword HAS to be a Paranormal!

 Do you only write paranormal books or do you write in other genres?

My latest book is a straight up Contemporary Romance – no weres or vamps in sight!! (recoils in horror)

Who did your book cover? Are you totally happy with it? Do you feel it correctly represents your book?

I did my own book cover – for all my books. Some I took the pics myself, and some are stock photos. I’m pretty happy with them.

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

The comment I get in fan mail the most often is “I don’t really read Paranormal Romance, but I tried yours and loved it.” In other words, my series is not the norm for the genre – which personally I find appealing.

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

I use Twitter, Facebook and my website. I also have a wonderful group if women, fans of my books, who call themselves the Mells’ Belles. They are my street team and do a lot of much-appreciated work promoting me where ever they can!

Now give me your links so we can get people to your book sites! 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-C-Mells/428567953902490?ref=hl

Twitter: @JCMells

Blog: www.jcmells.com

Website: www.jcmells.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-C.-Mells/e/B00CBOT6LC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

#IndieSpotlight of Jeff Shanley @Mavonduri Author of Mathion

Name: 

I'm Jeff. 

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

My first novel is MATHION, the first entry in the LEGACY OF THE WOLVEN Trilogy

Where are you from? Does not have to be the name of the place exactly. You can say Hick-ville Florida, for example if you are more comfortable with that. 

I am indeed from Hickville, Florida, how did you know?!

In what genre do you write? 

I write in the high-fantasy genre. 

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

It redefines the werewolf and Atlantis myths in one fell swoop with buckets of blood. 

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

My style is delightfully...purple haha..I tend to try to get as much background detail of my fantasy world and its history into the narrative as possible, so the reader is always discovering. 

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

Aside from MATHION, just about everything!! But I'm too much of a perfectionist. Greatest strength and weakness, I'm side you can relate. 

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself? 

This entire endeavor is in-house. 

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

Tolkien. I don't think there's a self-respecting fantasy author writing today that doesn't owe a danwedh of gratitude to that man. 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Early on I decided that one of my characters' dialogue should be in a language I invented. Needless to say it's tedious work. 

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

Both. At times, a name will pop into my head, and he will simply be there. Others have been there from the beginning and they continue to teach me about myself. 

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

All the time. You are a sub-creator, and so all of your flaws are contributory to the sub-creation. 

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

Sadly I do have a day job. 

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

I'd like to see if Atlantis really existed. 

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

Mathion is an old-school hero. Honor is his number one defining trait, and while flawed heroes are the norm nowadays, there's something to be said for having a mythic example to aspire to. Not that he's perfect, mind you. But great heroes yield even greater villains, and I have the baddest, most badass baddie of them all in Azgharáth. I guess you'll just have to read the book for yourselves!

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

I haven't just yet, but Twitter has been a godsend. It's a great way to make connections. 

Watch the trailer here:

Now give me your links so we can get people to your book sites! 

Twitter: @Mavonduri

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ENQBM9K/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ie=UTF8&redirectFromSS=1&pc_redir=T1&noEncodingTag=1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38201

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10145053-mathion

31 Days of the Paranormal presents: “Chandrea – The Return of the Avatar Queen” by Marlene Wynn @MWynnAuthor

The Author 

Marlene Wynn

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

“Chandrea – The Return of the Avatar Queen”

Where are you from? 

Originally, Bountiful, Utah. Now…Virginia Beach, VA

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

On the day Crown Princess Chandrea is born, her kingdom is attacked and her parents are brutally assassinated. To save her life, Chandrea has several spells cast upon her and is sent through a magical portal to Earth to live in secrecy. On her 23rd birthday, the spell reverses itself, and Chandrea suddenly finds herself back on her birth world, Itova. There, she discovers that she is the queen of a decimated kingdom and one of the most powerful sorceresses alive. She also learns that she is expected to gather an army to defeat the tyrant queen, Leilah. Completely out of her element, and missing the only home she knows, Chandrea is overwhelmed. But she soon realizes that she may be the only one with the power, both political and magical, who can save the people of Lyrunia. 

What is your favorite supernatural creature and why? Feel free to go into detail. Make us now proclaim that this is by far, our favorite supernatural creature.

I think fairies are my favorite creatures. They are usually immortal, have vast amounts of power, and live in really cool places. 

If you could be any paranormal/supernatural being, what would it be and why? Is it the same answer as above. If not, why not?

Same as above.

Tell me what the best current paranormal themed TV show is and why everyone who hasn't seen it absolutely needs to go and watch every single episode. Marathon style.

GRIMM! Love that show and the special effects / make-up they use. They’re very creative on the monsters they bring out and the problems that the main characters have to face. 

One of my favorites. I never miss an episode. Love the whole concept of Grimm's fairytales not being fairytales but more like a detectives log of all the things they have tracked and killed. Awesome take. Nicole

What is your favorite Paranormal book? Why is this one your favorite? 

It’s more of a series than an actual book. I love Jim Butchers “Dresden Files” series, which includes, wizards, werewolves, vampires, Summer / Winter Fairies, and more. Jim has an extremely dry sense of humor and is very talented at bringing his characters to life on the pages. His books are super creative, and each and every one keeps you involved to the very end.

As everyone knows (or should by now,) I am into Vampires. Who is your favorite fictional Vampire and why is this one your favorite? 

I’m torn. I love Cian in Nora Roberts “The Circle Trilogy” series. Watching him tear through his personal walls and learn to love again was really interesting. He tries so hard to be indifferent and uncaring, but love of family and friends prevail. Yet, Thomas Raith in Jim Butcher’s “Dresden’s Files” is fascinating to get to know. He is the main character’s half brother, and is torn between the human world and the demon dwelling inside of him. He wants to just live his life in peace, and tries very hard to, but just can’t seem to find that happy medium. Oh, and they are both super sexy!

Cian! One of my top five for sure! Nora Roberts and Christine Feehan made me realize what I should be writing about. Nicole

Who is your least favorite fictional Vampire? 

Honestly, I think I really loved to hate Cian’s evil counterpart (and his maker), Lilth. She’s mundo creepy with her baby-boy-toy-vampire. 

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

At the beginning, I just sat and wrote, but the more complex my storyline became, the more I needed to have a timeline. I’ve created a detailed Excel spreadsheet listing my characters and a brief synopsis of where they are and what they are doing at any given time. It has made my storyline very tight and I honestly couldn’t write now without it. 

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

LOL…No. 

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

Though I love Jim Butcher for the reasons I listed above, Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series were the ones that made the biggest impression on me. Sometimes, I swear they almost taught me how to live again…and better! Not to mention he is a fantastic story teller! 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 

Personally, I love thick books that have several main characters, and they all end up going different directions only to meet up at the end to “solve” whatever it is that needs solving. But…have you ever written something like that??? It’s HARD. But, I love it and (thanks to my nifty Excel spread sheet I spoke of earlier) I think I’ve done a fairly good job of it!

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

I think it’s a little of both. As you create your character, they begin to create themselves. How do they talk or think? How do they move? What are their responses to the world around them? The hard part is ensuring that you stay true to each one when you are writing a scene with several people involved!

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

I think that’s part and parcel, as the characters come from the author. I don’t know that you CAN’T write yourself in, even if it is only in a tiny way. J

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak. 

God…I wish! No, I’m still working the 8-5 grindstone. Hopefully, one day, I’ll recognize that dream, and become a full time writer. But until then…back to my “day job”. L

If you could have an hour alone with any fictional paranormal creature, who would it be and what would you be doing? Feel free to explain. 

I think I would have to choose the Shape Shifter from my own novel! He is super cute, full of fun, and a really great guy!  How awesome would it be to spend time with a shape shifter who could become anything that lives? Would you like to ride on a dragon? 

Do you enjoy Halloween. Why or why not? What is your favorite part? 

I love Halloween, and am sorry to say both my kids are now too old to Trick or Treat. L When I was a kid, there was a woman in my neighborhood who built a massive cardboard box maze in her yard for Halloween. Each year the maze was different and the kids would line up down the block to go through it. A few years back, I decided to try my hand at that. I collected a TON of those heavy appliance boxes, a million rolls of duct tape, and set to work. It took forever, but it was well worth it. I have never seen kids (and adults) enjoy themselves quite so much. I even had groups of teens go in, and the screams of joy made my entire night. Unfortunately, my back won’t let me keep building these mazes, but I love the memories.

Are you completely opened minded about the paranormal or are you a skeptic? 

I think I’m in the middle. I know that there are a whole lot of things out there that no one can completely explain, but none of the truly “amazing” things happen where they can be seen by a lot of people. So…I’m biding my time. If it happens, it happens. If not…it’s always fun to imagine! 

What made you write a paranormal themed book? Where did the idea come from? 

Have you ever read a book or gone to a movie that left you reeling with wonder? For me, that sensation wasn’t just because the story was good, but was more awed reverence for the AUTHOR. It was humbling to imagine someone being able to create such an amazing storyline. And, I had often wondered if that was something that I could do, until one day, I thought…”Why not?” and tried. And got hooked! 

Do you only write paranormal books or do you write in other genres? 

I’ve only written the one book, and it is a series, so, no, not yet!

Who did your book cover? Are you totally happy with it. Do you feel it correctly represents your book?

My cover artist’s name is Fiona Jayde (http://fionajaydemedia.com/) and I am more than happy with her. I asked her for a cover that would convey the “child of two worlds” theme, and I’ve gotten more compliments on that cover than I would have ever believed! Fiona rocks!

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

Instead of only seeing the story from one character, I’ve made my storyline have numerous Point’s of View, including that of the “evil” queen. Personally, I think this rounds out the story much better than only one person’s view point, and helps the reader to understand where each character is coming from and why they act the way they do. 

In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

Not yet…I’m too new myself!

Links to follow her work:

· Website / blog:

 http://www.marlenewynn.com

. YouTube Book Trailer:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzJpY3nai34

· Facebook Page:

 http://www.facebook.com/MarleneWynn.Author

· Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/MWynnAuthor

· Amazon (print and ebook):

http://www.amazon.com/Chandrea-Return-Avatar-Queen-1/dp/147911569X/ref=la_B00LXDY2Q6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405710834&sr=1-1

· Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22605642-chandrea---the-return-of-the-avatar-queen?from_search=true

· B&N:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen-marlene-wynn/1119974196?ean=2940045646550

· Smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458953

· iBooks:

http://www.itunes.apple.com/us/book/chandrea-return-avatar-queen/id900663270?mt=11

· Kobo:

http://www.store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen

31 Days of The Paranormal Presents: Cover reveal of Darkest Reaches by Brandy Nacole @authorbnacole

Read a Blurb:

Kayson and the other fallen angels have risked their lives to keep Sabrina safe as she recovered from a Hell hound’s bite. Just when she began to improve, Hell was unleashed as the hounds attacked, and kidnapped Sabrina. 

Now, only days after the fight between the fallen and the hounds, Kayson is determined to find Sabrina and bring her back from Hell. The only thing standing in his way is a dangerous fallen angel named Iraja. Iraja has the means to find Sabrina, but he doesn’t do favors without a price. 

Sabrina is now facing the nightmare she’s been running from since being turned into a vampire a century ago: her eternal condemnation to Hell. Knowing her only chance of survival may rest by playing nice and turning Hell hound Falon against Lucifer, Sabrina gives into the bitter darkness and now has to fight to remember the good soul she truly is. But when she discovers the role her and the innocent human Emma are forced to play, will her fear get the better of her, and will she be lost forever? 

In the third installment of the Spiritual Discord series, the will to survive is tested, worst fears become a reality, and for one, betrayal becomes the only option.

About Brandy Nacole

Gemini Brandy Nacole is a writer of urban fantasy books. She is the author of the Shadow World series and the Spiritual Discord series published by Ponahakeola Press. A reader from a young age, Brandy has always loved folklore and stories of beings that go bump in the night. 

Brandy lives in Arkansas with her husband, three never stopping kids, two snooty cats, two very lazy bearded dragons, and one mellow turtle. She is a member of the Ozark Romance Authors in Springfield, Missouri. Whenever she’s not reading or writing, Brandy is spending her time outdoors wheeling, hiking, playing amateur photographer, and enjoying a good laugh.

You can find Brandy Nacole on:

Her website: www.brandynacole.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbrandynacole

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorbnacole

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/BrandyNacole

Blog: www.brandynacole.blogspot.com 

Pre Release Blog Party for Ghostly by Brooke Kennedy

Ghostly Blog Tour

Ghostly by Brooke Kennedy

Release Date: October 31, 2014

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23007101-ghostly

Synopsis

Briar Summers never thought she would end up in the creepiest house on the block in a city far away from her home. Florida’s sun doesn’t quite fit well with her pale skin and dark clothing, but the weather seems nice enough. After all, her life has been one roller coaster after another and she’s ready for things to change. 

What she didn't expect was ending up in a haunted house with spirits ready to claim her for their own devices.

It's no longer easy to tell who's alive and who's not. 

It's no longer easy to decipher what's black and white. 

A ghostly shade of gray is all that's left.

(this is a paranormal romance/horror/na crossover. Includes adult situations and not recommended for readers younger than 18)

RSVP to the Facebook Online Release Party 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1491412094448166/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

About the Author

Brooke is a self-proclaimed geek and day dreamer. She enjoys music, books, family & friends, and spending time with her husband and cat. She has obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in mental health counseling from Tennessee Technological University. She is the co-author of the Ethereal Underground trilogy.

http://www.brookekennedy/org

https://www.facebook.com/beneaththesilvermoon  

Rafflecopeter giveaway on facebook page

Twitter emera_lazzaly

Ethereal Underground http://www.etherealunderground.com 

Dream Cast

Excerpt

A slamming noise in my bedroom woke me up just as I dosed off to sleep. I sat straight up and hugged the covers close to me in fear. At first I thought I was having a nightmare from my past, one of those that used to haunt me. Then I realized I was alone in my room. It was deafeningly quiet, nothing but me and the cold draft in the room, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I wasn’t alone.

“Dillon?” I whispered into the darkness, but there was no response. My little brother would have answered.

The old floors creaked, showing that someone was there. My heartbeat sped up, followed by a churning in my stomach that promised to make me hurl if I didn’t do something. A whimper escaped me, and I threw my hand over my mouth to hide it.

At eighteen, I had already been through a lot in my life, but nothing compared to the intense terror that ran through me at the thought of someone sneaking up on me while I was alone in my room.

My eyes adjusted more so to the dark, and I relied on the moon shining in my window to light up anything. As I looked across the room at my closet, I could see the outline of a person hidden in the shadows of my bedroom. At least, I thought it looked like a person. The only features that stood out were the dark eyes and the lips that curled into a devious smile.

A chill ran down my spine, and goose bumps took over my pale skin.

“Who are you?” I demanded, trying to sound brave although I was freaking the hell out on the inside.

Whatever it was didn't move from the corner. Watching me. Studying me. My body started to shake, fear creeping over my skin as my mind started shifting from its sleepy state and registering that there was someone in my bedroom.

I reached over with a shaky hand to my bedside table and flicked the button on the lamp, sending light into the room. I turned my attention back to where I had seen it.

Nothing was there.

31 Days of The Paranormal presents: @pswinnauthor #IndieSpotlight of P.S. Winn author of Phases

The Author:

P.S. Winn (Pamela)

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

I have 17 books from preschool to supernatural suspense

Where are you from?

I am from Montana, but have spent time in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. I do love small towns though.

In what genre do you write?

I write in almost every genre, except erotica. I have some kid’s books, some Young adult and 10 novels with a lot of conspiracy, supernatural, mystery and suspense.

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

Let’s talk about my newest novel, “Phases”. It is a story about George, a man with a secret that takes over his life during the full moon phase. His wife has been helping him deal with the problem. When she is killed in a car accident George has to ask a new friend to help. Jake is a creative writing teacher and new to the small town. This supernatural thriller is more than just a horror novel; it is about friends helping each other and also includes a few stories in the story, including Jake’s own novel and some stories written by his students. 

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

When I write I put down the words that come from a lot of my dreams. I write every book long hand before I type it up. For me the words and story just seem to flow when my pen hits the paper. My outline is more like a description of my characters and what I feel they look like and what their personalities are. If I make an outline for where the story needs to go the characters change it anyway.

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

The time I wanted the world to see my work the most is my one true story. “Suppression” it is about an inventor who actually holds a patent that can be used to burn garbage with no pollution and creates energy. That story is one that all should know about and I feel there are many more like this man. I do like when I am editing a book and while reading it I think wow, that is awesome.

 Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself? 

I edit my own books and do the covers although on “Lies in Shadows” my son helped me edit the picture for the cover. (Actually an old house on my property) 

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

When I read the book “Grapes of wrath” by Steinbeck I was blown away with the emotion he brought to the story. I was so shocked and pleased when a review on one of my books compared it to that great man. I read a lot, over 2300 on Goodreads and have written 515 reviews on Amazon, so I have a lot of new authors. I think though with my books as well as there the reader contributes so much to the story. Every person reading a book will take away something different from it because we all have been given this great thing called imagination. I love it!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

The challenges I find out exactly in the writing, it is the promoting that is the hardest challenge for me, I never was much of a sales person anyway. I am however someone who writes any chance I get, maybe why I have published 17 books in 2 years. (October is my 2 year anniversary since I began publishing)

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

About Characters, wow what do you say about those people? Always taking over and doing what they want. Sometimes it is hard to understand how they came from my mind when they have such different feelings than I do sometimes. 

 Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

12. I think I always write a little of not only myself but also friends and family in to each of my books. Life does influence what you write, both good and bad. I don’t trust the government, so I have a lot of conspiracy and the characters in positions of power are usually not very nice.

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I quit my day job about 3 months ago to pursue writing full time, although I don’t think I am writing any more or less than I did when I was actually at a “day job”. In fact I don’t know how I ever did both, plus I have raised 7 children and now have 18 grandchildren. That helps keep me busy and also gives me a lot of feedback on the stories.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

Going back in time I would like to either be someone back in the New Testament just to know what did or didn’t happen or be someone like Edgar Cayce, to be able to see aura’s and help people, awesome. The character in my book “Obligations” can do this after he comes back from a near death experience. 

There are millions of new books released every year. What in your mind makes yours stand out from all those millions in your genre? 

I hope my books stand out not because they are in a certain genre, but because they bring more than one to the tale.

 In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

There are a lot of sites that will let you list your books for free and also wonderful people like yourself that offer author interviews. You never know which one will get you the most sales, but it doesn’t really matter because writing is about one person saying, I loved that book or tells a story of how your book changed their life or helped them with something. I had a reader whose daughter was pregnant and having some problems carrying the baby. She was put in the hospital and hooked to a monitor. The yet to be born baby had an erratic heartbeat. The Mother (grandmother) pulled out her kindle and read one of my rhyming children’s books aloud and the heartbeat steadied to normal. Is that like the greatest story ever and makes what I do, the best job in the world.

Links to follow her work:

Facebook Page: www.facebook,com/pswinnbooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/pswinnauthor

Website: www.amzon.com/author/pswinn

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/P.-Winn/e/B00E6XAR82

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/P-S-Winn?store=allproducts&keyword=P.S.+Winn

#IndieSpotlight of CS Dixon @CrickChris Author of Fly on The Wall.

The Author

C S Dixon

The Title of Your Work or Group: 

I have seven books out currently, so it’s not easy to choose, but I will go for ‘Fly On The Wall’ which is a horror/mystery short story. This is the second of three in the same genre, the first was ‘Shadow’ and the most recent is ‘Dead and Buried’

Where are you from?

I am now living in South Wales with my wife, but I am exceedingly English and was born in the county of Northumberland in England. I have traveled widely and this is now the sixth country I have lived and worked in after my native England, The Czech Republic, Taiwan, Greece and Thailand.

In what genre do you write?

I write across a number of genres, horror/mystery/erotic/romance/noir/fantasy and poetry, I do like the challenge and diversity of writing in different genres and this also reflects my eclectic reading tastes too!

In your own words, what is your book about? If you were not the author and trying to explain this awesome book you just read to a friend, what would you say about it? 

‘Fly on the Wall’ is about a man trapped in a room, is he in the middle of a terrible nightmare or is it all real? He is alone, something else enters and then a fight for survival begins…..you are never sure from one moment to the next, what is going to happen and why!

What is your writing style? Do you follow all guides and rules? Synopsis, outline etc. or do you just sit down at the computer and type to see what happens. 

I’m very much a seat of the pantser, I do make some brief notes about plot, but basically I do sit down at the computer and go with the flow. 

Have you ever written anything and thought; " The world has got to see this!" ? 

Without sounding arrogant, I’ve been writing professionally as a journalist/editor and now author for more than 32 years, so I do write to be read. I’m never complacent, it’s corny, but you are only as good as your last story or feature.

Do you have an editor and Cover Designer or do you do this yourself?

I do have an editor, he does proof my stories. I usually choose the images for the covers myself but he then makes the covers.

Who is your favorite author. Not just someone that you read allot. I wanna know whose book you read that made you suddenly know that if you didn't do this for the rest of your life then you would never be happy. 

That’s a tough question, as a writer and reader who enjoys the diversity of many different genres, I have many from those varied categories. There’s never been just one author, who has influenced me, I am very much my own person. My parents read my sister and I stories each night when we were young. Over the years I have always counted Poe, Lovecraft, Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hammett, Tolkien, Dorothy B. Hughes and Chandler as some of my favorites. I’ve been writing almost as long as I’ve been able to read.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

A good question again as I mentioned earlier, I thrive on challenges, but I do sometimes find the ending of a story a test, while I know how the denouement will be, it’s the getting there that can be an issue. I don’t suffer from writers’ block, but the current story I’m crafting, another horror/mystery tale has given me some sleepless nights as I wrestle with the finish!

Do you write your characters or do they write themselves through you? 

I find the characters drive themselves, on the same ghost story I am writing, I literally cried at the demise of one character.

Do you ever write yourself into the characters? 

I don’t. There is the cliche’ that a writers’ first story is autobiographical, but I think that is indeed a cliché’. In my erotic writing, I do however, employ a mix of actual and imagined experiences, the readers will have to guess which are fact and fiction!

Is writing your full time job or are you "Keeping your day job"? So to speak.

I have enjoyed a range of careers from professional acting, youth counselling, journalist, (including ten years in radio sport with the BBC), sales, retail and teaching. I continue to teach full time at a language school, this does pay the bills, while I try to do most of my writing at the weekends.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

Another good question, there are so many, It’s probably an obvious choice but I would go for one of my favourite women-Marilyn Monroe another Gemini and she was never a dumb blonde! Apart from her beauty, a conversation with her would be interesting to say the least.

If you could go back in time and meet one famous person or legend in history, who would it be? 

I guess this is blowing your own trumpet time, well I think powerful descriptions, compelling narratives, believable characters and realistic dialogue and good pacing, to keep the readers interested!

 In the world of Indie, marketing is very difficult, especially if you don't have the funds to pay for it. Have you found a great free way to market your work that you think other Indies will benefit from? 

I wish I could find one single way to promote and market my books, I do enjoy the interaction of social media in its various forms, but at the same time it can be a chore, the endless round of tweets, posts and entries on sites. As you know, it’s always a fine line between devoting time to social media and writing!

Places to follow the work of CS Dixon.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-Scott-Dixon-freelance-writerin/356479151040182

Twitter: @CrickChris 

Website/Blog: 

http://www.freelance-writer.in/articles.htm

Amazon: Amazon.com: C S Dixon: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Amazon.co.uk: C S Dixon: Books, Biogs, Audiobooks, Discussions

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/c-s-dixon

Smashwords: Smashwords – About C S Dixon, author of 'Shoe Horny', 'Dead and Buried', 'The Making of Melissa', etc.

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cdixon1408/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=155704963&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7124544.C_S_Dixon

See the trailer here: