Author: helengarraway

Author Interview – Jen Lowry

Author of Love Over Pizza

Joining me today is the American author and educator, Jen Lowry. Author of sweet romance/young adult and middle grade novels.

Welcome Jen. You are one busy lady! You write a blog, a podcast, you have a YouTube channel, you stream on Twitch and you write novels in multiple genres! I don’t know how you fit it all in! But you do, and you have just released your latest sweet romance novel, Love Over Pizza. Tell us a little about your new book.

Jen: Love Over Pizza, a sweet romance set in small town North Carolina, was published in January!

This is the blurb: Pepper Pines is back in Jackson, North Carolina, and settling in after graduating college. Her classroom is just the way she envisioned it, but her social life isn’t. Pepper’s best friend, Jessie, convinces her that Cupid’s Connection, a popular online dating site, might have her Mr. Right. Luca Giovanni is trying his best to run the pizza shop his parents left him and be his sister, Angel’s, keeper. Angel signs Luca up to Cupid’s Connection without him knowing because she feels he’s ready for love but just doesn’t take the time away from his business to date. Both find out what really matters, how to let go and lean in, and discover that pizza is better shared with those you love. 

Helen: What made you choose Pizza? Is that a favourite of yours?

Jen: When I first met my character, Pepper Pines, she had this intense love for pizza and could eat a slice a day! The line popped out during chapter one, and I knew it must be the title, “Pizza over love any day,” was what she told her best friend, Jessie. Well, let’s just say things happen when love and pizza are involved!

Helen: Isn’t it great when the title just leaps out at you? Sometimes it can be one of the most difficult elements of a book to pin down. It must be difficult when you write in so many different genres.

Jen: I’m a multi-genre author so love to write all types of books for a wide range of readers! I’m a children’s book author all the way to adult contemporary fiction. I’ve written mainly sweet romances, fantasy, and now am excited to see The Sunday Killer, my first police procedural thriller hit the stands later this year with City Limits Publishing!

Helen: Congratulations on your latest book, and in a different genre as well. When did you first start writing?

Jen: My earliest memories of writing are when I was in 8th grade! Middle school sweet romances like those of Sweet Valley High invaded my thoughts and that was my first attempt at writing! It was set at UNC Chapel Hill. The thirty-page books were all about first love on a college campus. Funny that I ended up going to a rival college later in life, NC State, and my son is now a Tar Heel!

Helen: What inspired you to write?

Jen: When I read A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks as an adult my heart soared with the possibilities and the dream of this author life. I will forever call that book one of my favorites because it led me on my writing journey and helped me find my way back to what I so loved but walked away from.

Helen: You mentioned a new book you are working on: The Sunday Killer, tell us a little about it.

Jen: My current novel, The Sunday Killer, follows lead detective, Heather Moody, she has to solve a series of harrowing crimes turned cold cases in small town, NC.

Helen: Quite a departure from your sweet romance novels, do you enjoy writing villains?

Jen: I just love my heroes! Villains are fascinating and can led us on some twisty rides, but there’s something aboutthat hero that battles it out for the win that I love!

Helen: With so many things going on, how do you fit in your writing.

Jen: I’m a full-time literacy coach and English teacher at a high school and a homeschool mom in the evening so it can get tough! I make sure that I’m writing something and researching or reading a novel in the genre I’m writing every day, even if it is just for 20 minutes. When teacher breaks or the summer hits, it’s ON!

Helen: Love it! Let’s talk about your writing process. Many authors work in silence, others like to listen to music, how do you work?

Jen: When I was working on The Fae of Averlee, I was addicted to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and Irish instrumentals. It was so inspiring to me and transported me to another place. I only listen to instrumentals as I write. Trust me, if the lyrics were there, I would be singing along!

Helen: That sounds inspiring. It would definitely fit a fantasy novel. With a range of genres, you must spend a lot of time researching as well as writing?

Jen: TONS! I love to research. I’m reading within my genre, researching online events of the time, whether historical, setting, or time period related. Because I write almost all of my books set in small towns of North Carolina and was raised in one, my experiences often shine through the pages!

Helen: It does make it easier when you can leverage your experiences. Do you plan everything out upfront, or let the story take you where it may?

Jen: When I first started writing, I was a pantser all the way. Over time I have developed my own method for crafting my novels that I call The Monarch Method. I love butterflies! Now, I have a loose structure I follow that helps me to outline yet have the freedom to honor the page at the same time!

Helen: Tell us! Out of all your books, do you have a favourite character?

Jen: Oh, no! Another tough one! I must say Sweet Potato Jones because she was the first traditionally published book on the shelf and started my whole author journey!

Helen: It has been lovely chatting with you, Jen. To wrap up, tell us what you are current reading, and who your favourite author is.

Jen: I’m reading Cover Your Eyes by Mary Burton. In home school, we are reading The Wind in the Willows. In class, we are reading To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m usually reading more than one book!

If you like crime thrillers, I would highly suggest Lisa Regan’s Detective Josie Quinn series and Gregg Olsen’s The Bone Box! I’m just getting into the thriller world and loving each new discovery within the genre. This might be a place I take root for a while!

Victoria Bond is one of my favorite authors! She wrote a series called Zora and Me for Middle Grades about Zora Neale Hurston! I can always talk about this for hours on end, as well. I have a list!

About Jen Lowry:

I’m just a small town girl with a big heart for Jesus! 

I was raised in the small town of Maxton, NC! Even though I moved close to the big city of Raleigh, there is no place like my hometown. 

I’m Southern, no doubt about it. I want that to seep through the pores of any novel I write. I desire to be authentic in my voice and stay true to the characters that the Spirit guides me to write. See, I believe with all my heart there is power in words. That power can reach nations, and I pray that my writing has that opportunity!

I believe our youth should be provided with fiction that has a riveting story that draws them in, but keeps it clean from beginning to end. 

Social Media Links:

Website: https://jenlowrywrites.com/

Youtube

Twitter

Instagram

and purchase her book Love Over Pizza, via Amazon:

Link to ebook on Amazon US | Amazon UK

Link to Paperback on Amazon US | Amazon UK

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book Review Alert: Hawk HellFire by Mike Waller

Reviewed: April 2nd 2021
Release Date: July 13th, 2020
Genre: SciFI

Lazarus Hawk, ex-soldier and ex-mercenary, convicted of a crime of terror he did not commit, and sentenced to life on an airless prison moon from which there is no escape, has been offered a way out. It’s a chance. A good chance. To accept the offer, all he has to do is die. Forced to undertake a mission against his better judgment, Hawk finds himself teaming up with the locals of a small, backward world, and Abbie Renner, a young Guarda officer searching for the source of the drug Hellfire, and prepared to go to any lengths. Read More…

Book Review Alert: The Fae King’s Curse by Jamie Schlosser

Reviewed: April 1st, 2021
Release Date: April 20th, 2020

This is a nice fantasy romance, set in a fae world which exists beside the human world, and has adapted some, but not all, of the human ways.

Kirian and I were just twelve years old when I pulled him from the icy waters of the creek behind my house. As he looked in my direction with unseeing lavender eyes, I quickly realized our age was just about the only thing we had in common. He spoke with an accent, he had pointy ears, and he was so beautiful it made my heart ache. Oh, and he claimed to be a fae prince cursed by witches who stole his sight. Read More…

Author Interview – Havelah McLat

Author of Short stories and Flash fiction

Joining me today is Havelah McLat. Author of short stories and a lover of flash fiction.

Welcome Havelah. Now, I know you love writing short stories and have a few posted for free to various websites as well as your own website. What started you off writing?

Havelah: One of my oldest siblings got me into writing. It all started when I asked her to write a story with my fairy characters, and she did. At that point, that’s how my writing journey began. I started off with short fairy stories less than a thousand words and now I like to write longer stories. 

Helen: What made you choose short stories? I always struggle to keep to a word count; my novels tend to be getting longer!

Havelah: When I first started writing stories, I was finding my style and voice. I was a newbie writer and knew very little about writing. One thing about short stories, they help you develop better in writing and learning about different skills in general.

Helen: You’ve written fairy tales, what else do you write about?

Havelah: I like to write a variety of genres. I’ve written stories that are fantasy, or inspirational, and sometimes historical fiction. I like to write fantasy because it gives me freedom to be creative and have fun. Especially with fairy stories.  

Helen: Tell us about your writing space. You mentioned you have a large family, it must be difficult to find peace and quiet to write.

Havelah: In my room, on my bed. But now I’m trying to break that habit and write at my desk more. I feel the need to sit on a chair and desk in front of me and write that way and have a candle next to me. Sometimes if the weather is nice and cool, I would write outside. But most of the time, I write in my room, alone. I prefer drafting or revision. I guess it depends on what story I’m doing. I’m not too good at editing. Especially when it comes to grammar and tenses. 

Helen: Do you plan your stories or let them take you where they will? I imagine for a short story you have to be more concise?

Havelah: I’m in the middle. I usually know if the story is going to be long or short. I don’t always know how everything is going to be, but often I know how the story will go. I tried one time doing outlines for one story, but I decided to let the story play out and see how they unfold in the process. Every writer did things differently, which is okay. I don’t mind it all. In fact, it is kind of fun.

Helen: I’m glad you have a cosy corner. I love candles too. Do you prefer silence to write? Does the help you concentrate?

Havelah: I do like to listen to music. Uh, I have a list of songs I randomly listen to when I write. Some are up-lifting, fantasy instrumentals, Christian songs, and country songs, and Folklore by Taylor Swift. They have a way to keep me motivated and give me inspiration for stories. 

Helen: Which type of characters do enjoy writing the most? Villains or heroes?

Havelah: I honestly don’t mind doing both. There is one in my recent draft I finished. He is my first antagonist I’ve created. It was a fun yet challenging experience. I don’t want to say much because I don’t want to spoil any. You might read it in the future 😉 

Helen: I bet you are a big reader, most authors are! What do you like to read? Are you reading anything right now?

Havelah: I recently read two books The Wing Thief and Sing Me Forgotten. Both fantasies, but one is a retelling of the Phantom of the Opera, gender swap, and the other is a fairy adventure. They are both great stories and I highly recommend them. 

I am currently reading The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Montron, a historical fiction, and Wonder by R.J. Pallacio. By the time this is post, I’ll probably have finished them both and will be reading other books on my TBR list. Always a never-ending list of books to read :D. 

Helen: You are a prolific reader! Tell us how do you get ideas for new stories?

Havelah: Every project I do is different. Some will be inspirations from Pinterest pictures or watch movies and books. Half of the time, they are inspired by real life. Other times, I like to try and think up stories for fun.

Helen: Thank you for your time today, Havelah. It’s been lovely talking with you. Just to bring us to a close, tell us why you’d decided to give away your children’s short stories for free.

Havelah: I felt writing short fiction was a good way to begin my writing career. I self-published on Smashwords for a start, because I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested in buying ebooks, I want to provide the ebooks and in return for a review. 

I do have three self-published eBooks all available on my website, or you can get them on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iBook. They are short and fun to read for young children, but adults are more than welcome to read them too. All of them are free. In return, I would appreciate a review. I also published a flash fiction The Whole of the Moon in There is Us an Anthology and Catharsis in LitStream Literature Magazine. You can visit havelahmclat.com. Please don’t forget to sign up for a newsletter for monthly guest blogs. If you want to be part of the guest blog, contact me and we will work out the schedule.  

About Havelah McLat:

My name is Havelah McLat. I’m an author of children’s collection stories and have published one story The Whole of the Moon in There is Us Anthology and flash fiction Catharsis in Litstream Literary Magazine.

I lived in a small town on a farm. I come from a family of seven siblings and two parents. I like to take care of chickens, and help around the house. When I’m not doing those things or writing, I like to draw and listen to music, or ride a bike or take a walk and read a book, and sometimes watch YouTube videos to learn more about publishing industry.

Social Media Links:

Website

Twitter

Instagram

Do you talk to yourself?

There is one thing I’ve noticed as the lockdown progresses, is that I talk to myself a lot. I am worried I’ll forget once I am back out socializing, and I’ll still find myself saying things meant for inside my head, out loud in public. Can you imagine it? People will be staring at me as if I am crazy!

Well, hopefully not, as I am sure I am not the only one.

It isn’t just because I live alone, and have no one except my cat to talk too. It’s because I talk to my characters as I am writing them. I immerse myself in my world of Remargaren and see it through their eyes. Hopefully, so that I capture it for my readers to experience as well.

But that does mean that I get caught up in conversations, some of which make it into the book and some of which don’t. My characters have been invented by me; I created their backstory, their likes and dislikes, their foibles, and habits, their thoughts and beliefs. Some I know better than others, and others force their way to the front demanding to be fleshed out more, to play a part, to have a voice.

Characters are an important element of a great story. A reader wants to be invested in their story, to be drawn in to their world, to understand why they react the way they do. It is the authors job to give the reader enough information to draw conclusions, infer emotion, too anticipate. A well rounded character resonates; it’s part of what give us that book hang over when we finish. That sense of losing a friend, of misplacing something, because you won’t be able pick up where you left off.

Fortunately, you can always revisit when you want you, that is the joy of re-reading a book and returning to visit old acquaintances, and often learning something new as you glean something you missed the first time you read it.

Then a new characters raises their hand! And says “What about me?” And I take a closer look, and realize that they don’t fit in the world of Remargaren. They have their own world waiting to be described; to be created, for me to put pen to paper and bring it to life.

A smile rises in me at the thought of meeting someone new; to explore who they are, what they have to say. To discover what they have suffered, or are yet to suffer, and who they will become.

I was listening to an Olly Murs album as I edited my third Sentinal novel, and the lyrics from one of his songs just resonated with me. A young woman raised her hand, stared me in the eye, and she said “I have a story for you to tell.” And she does. I have two new protagonists and a whole new world to think about. A whole new conversation to enjoy.

So If you hear me chattering away to myself, don’t dismiss me. I am in the throes of composition, meeting new characters and making new friends.

I hope you come and visit, enjoy the company and return often.

Book Review Alert: Code Word Access by Alex Schuler

Reviewed: March 28th, 2021
Release Date: February 9th, 2021

Shawn Muller is a prodigy and he knows it. It is 2051 and the militarized AI he created to hunt terrorists has begun to dominate the network that controls everything from traffic to climate. Fearful of the power of the AI he calls “Lazy Jack” and the politicians who will use it, Shawn installs an algorithm to give his creation a system of ethics.

But when that very ethical standard causes Lazy Jack to declare Shawn a profound threat to society, he is forced into terrified flight to avoid summary execution as a terrorist.

Read More…

Book Review: Lost Isle by Emmi Lawrence

Reviewed: March 25th, 2021
Release Date: March 8th, 2021

When cartographer Edwin Vlaris is tossed off the ship, The Torrent, he’s left to die with just his wits, his skills and his companion, Ben Keel, a hard and handsome sailor with an incredible power of his own.They find themselves fighting for survival on the Giant’s Whip Isles, previously thought to be nothing but myth. Yet there are secrets lost within these isles—secrets of beasts and birds, both wondrous and dangerous, and of a mystical current that can be bent to human will. A current that could make any ship an unstoppable force across the entire Serene Ocean. However, they are not the only ones seeking out the current. 

This fantasy novel is a treasure trove of lyrical descriptions, engaging characters, fantastical beasts and the overwhelming power of nature, which some can control, and others not so well! Read More…

Author Interview – Jamie Krakover

Author of Tracker220

Joining me today is the American author, Jamie Krakover. Aerospace Engineer by day and author of a Young Adult Sci-Fi novel, Tracker220 by night!

Welcome Jamie. From reading your bio, I’m amazed you even have time to write, so Tracker200 is a very special book, tell us a bit about it.

Jamie: My book, Tracker220 is a Young Adult Sci Fi that released in October 2020. It is about a society where everyone has tracking chips in their head and can access anything or anyone in the blink of an eye. But that technology is also heavily monitored and the authorities know everything you do on the network, everyone you talk to, and everywhere you go. The story starts shortly before 16 year old Kaya Weiss’s tracker glitches and she has to deal with the consequences of having a device that doesn’t play by the rules. After discovering what the authorities do to people with glitchy trackers, she has to choose if she wants to continue on with the technology and deal with being treated like a lab rat or embrace her life and explore her Jewish identity without the confines of the tracker but give up on the only tech she’s ever known.

Helen: What an interesting premise. Technology is consuming our lives, how far we are prepared to trust it will no doubt continue to be debated. Is there a special meaning behind the book title, Tracker220?

Jamie: The tracker part of the title comes from the tracking chips and tracker network in the story. The 220 has a special meaning in the story that I won’t spoil, but I picked 220 because it’s my birthday.

Helen: Can’t wait to read it, you’ve peaked my interest! What made you decide to write a novel?

Jamie: I’m not one of those authors who always knew she wanted to write. In fact I hated writing. In first grade they used to send home story starters and I’d sit at the kitchen table and cry because I thought all my ideas were dumb. Then in high school I took a science fiction English class and they assigned the book Ender’s Game. It was the first book I’d been assigned that I enjoyed enough to read ahead. From there I dove into more sci fi and fantasy. I read Harry Potter, and found another series called The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. After I read that series I started playing with the meanings of names and symbolism and writing some stories. Then I got an idea that just wouldn’t let go and made me write the whole thing down. That manuscript is sitting in a drawer but when I was editing it, I got the idea for TRACKER220 which grabbed hold and never let go.

Helen: I love it when I idea insists it be written, though I find it does interfere with the day job and I have to tag a day onto a long weekend to get it out of my system. I suppose with your day job, it’s not surprising you write Science Fiction?

Jamie: I write MG and YA sci fi and fantasy. Mostly because that’s what I read, but also because I’m an aerospace engineer and it allows me to leverage my STEM background and infuse some of it into my writing

Helen: It is brilliant to find an author supporting women in STEM, and writing books that encourage girls to go into a STEM career. With the recent Women’s International Day on March 8th, I believe it is so important to demonstrate by example, and encourage young women to follow career opportunities in the sciences. With such a busy life, how on earth do you fit your writing in?

Jamie: This is a tough one. I work full time as an aerospace engineer and have a toddler so that doesn’t leave much time for anything else including sleep. Nap time on the weekends is usually when I get the most writing done. Sometimes I’ll write in the evenings after bedtime. Pre-covid I used to meet up with some local writers to write once a week in the evenings. I miss those tag ups it was great for my productivity and to work through plot bunnies.

Helen: Yes, writers group are a great support, and meeting up is irreplaceable for bouncing off ideas and solving plot problems! Speaking of ideas, where do you get your ideas for novels?

Jamie: As a STEM nerd, I love the question “what if”. What if I never got lost again? That’s the question that started Tracker220. But what if leads me down a lot of interesting paths and is how most of my stories start. And I just keep asking what if until I dig deep enough to find an interesting conundrum.

Helen: As an engineer, how does your creativity flow? Tell us a little about your writing process. Do you like to plan or write free form? Do you prefer writing or editing? It seems authors tend to prefer one process or the other.

Jamie: I’m a plotster. I like to outline on a chapter level but I usually only write a sentence or two about what I expect to happen then I let the characters do the rest. I have pantsed my lastest WIP and it was a complete mess so my current WIP is back to some semblance of an outline. My engineer brain needs some organization in the chaos.

Hands down editing. I hate the blank page. The blinking cursor mocks me. I find it so much easier to mold something even if it’s bad then to work from scratch. I love taking the words on the page and shining it up until it’s something amazing.

Helen: For some reason I am not surprised! In Tracker220, who is your favourite character?

Jamie: Oh this is like asking me to pick my favorite child (luckily I only have one in real life). Let’s see I love my main character Kaya for her determination and her artwork because I always wished I could draw better than I do. I love Bailen for his tech skills and his sweet nerdiness. I love Peyton’s sass. She’s super fun to write and I love watching her walls crumble. And Jake I love because I have a soft spot for siblings.

Helen: Another creative piece of the self-publishing puzzle is the cover art. You have a striking cover; how did you choose the design?

Jamie: I honestly had no clue what I wanted my cover to be, but I knew I wanted a girl and something with a brain and some neurons and the tracking chip. Beyond that I was lost. I did a lot of searching stock images, and when I found the one that ultimately became my cover I instantly knew it was the right image. I worked with Jennifer Stolzer my amazing cover artist and gave her some incoherent babbling about a tracking chip and some neurons and a few other details and what she created was my beautiful cover after a few minor tweaks. It’s really stunning and I’m so happy she was able to decipher my nonsense.

Helen: It has been lovely chatting with you, Jamie. To wrap up, tell us what you are current reading.

Jamie: All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban. It’s a locked room thriller where six teens are locked in a room with a syringe and a bomb and they have to pick one person to poison with the syringe or they all will die. I’m not quite 100 pages in but it’s already pretty intense.

About Jamie Krakover:

Growing up with a fascination for space and things that fly, Jamie turned that love into a career as an Aerospace Engineer. Combining her natural enthusiasm for Science Fiction and her love of reading, she now spends a lot of her time writing Middle Grade and Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Jamie lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband, Andrew, their son, and their dog, Rogue (named after the X-men not Star Wars although she loves both). When she isn’t being a Rocket Scientist by day and a writer by night, she can be found catching up on the latest sci fi TV, books, and movies as well as spending time on Twitter (maybe a little too much time :-P). And no, the rocket science jokes never get old!

Through Snowy Wings Publishing, Jamie is the author of Tracker220 (October 2020). She also has two female in STEM short stories published in the Brave New Girls anthologies and two engineering-centered nonfiction pieces that published in Writer’s Digest’s Putting the Science in Fiction.

Social Media Links:

Blog

Twitter

Instagram

Goodreads

Bookbub

and purchase her book Tracker220, via Amazon:

Link to ebook on Amazon US | Amazon UK

Link to Hardcover on Amazon US | Amazon UK

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Author Interview – Nonku Kunene Adumetey

Author of I Celebrate My Skin

Joining me today is the author of the children’s picture book, I celebrate my skin, Nonku Kunene Adumetey.

Welcome Nonku. What a delightful book, ideal for young children, with a great message. Tell us a little about your book.

Nonku: I celebrate my skin, is a children’s picture book that teaches them to love and embrace their skin tone. It also teaches them to embrace others. 

I Celebrate My Skin is an inclusive children’s book about self-discovery and self-love. Focusing on celebrating and embracing skin tone diversity, I Celebrate My Skin is a fun and meaningful book you and your family will want to pick up again and again. The book includes modern illustrations that weave in a touch of traditional elements, playful language, and interactive fun activities at the end.

This family book will teach young children:
•That their skin is worth celebrating
•That all skin tones are beautiful and worth celebrating
•That their skin is functional and can do so many things
•That diversity and inclusion are strengths

Helen: What made you choose to write a picture book?

Nonku: When we celebrate our birthdays, job promotions, any success in life we go all out and do what we want unapologetically. I chose celebrating your skin because we also need to love and celebrate who we are unapologetic. Going all out in loving yourself for me is truly success. 

Helen: A great topic and a message we all need hear right now. What or who inspired you write this book?

Nonku: My family, my kids inspired me to write the books and then grief of losing my father inspired me to write. I chose children’s books because I want to inspire my children’s and other young children out there to love themselves and enjoy seeing themselves in books. 

Helen: Family is so important. Are you working on anything right now? What makes you choose what to write about?

Nonku: I am working on a couple of titles for next year’s release. They about celebrating yourself and embracing who you are with a different twist. I am telling my story; I am building and empowering my inner child. My ideas are truly my story, personal what I am feeling or what I experienced. I’d like to write little encouragement books, I am not sure what genre those would be. I love to spread positive vibes.

Helen: You have a young family which must keep you busy, tell us a little about your writing process.

Nonku: I write mostly at night, for a while I would start writing or working on edits at midnight. I am a bit of a Panster, lol! love to free form and not follow a rigid plan. It helps me relax and not stress if things go a different way

Helen: Me too, I am a night owl. Thank you so much for spending time with me. To end our chat, what advice would you give other aspiring authors?

Nonku: Do not be shy to ask for help from seasoned authors. There is so much information out there and honestly, it is impossible to learn it all. Sometimes you have to go through the process to learn different things. Also, more importantly, be patient with you self and your work. 

About Nonku Kunene Adumetey

Nonkululeko Kunene Adumetey (also known as Nonku) is a loving wife and devoted mother of two happy toddlers. Her children both love singing, storytime, and tasting home-cooked cuisines. When Nonku tastes delicious food, she hums a blissful tune, which she never realized until both her children started humming along. 

Nonku was born in the Kingdom of Eswatini, where she lived until she was 16. She left to complete high school in Canada and later moved to the United States to pursue her college education.

Her passion is to inspire her children and all children to celebrate who they are, understand their differences are beautiful, know their diversity is a strength, and believe their voices are should be heard.

Her hero is her late father, Themba Micah Kunene, a man from humble beginnings who worked tirelessly to provide a full life for his eight children. Her father’s unconditional love, wisdom, selflessness, and work ethic inspire the core of Nonku’s principles and life mottos. One of his favorite mottos was “umtsentse uhlaba usamila”, a saying about a strong grass that gets deeply rooted during its early stages of development. The essence of this saying embodies the core of early intervention and teaching young minds early so that they grow up strong and informed about the world. This is what inspires Nonku to write children’s book, to inspire and empower young minds for a greater future. 

Link to ebook on Amazon US | Amazon UK

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Author Interview – Jaimie Schock

Author of Visions of Iotan

Joining me today is the author, Jaimie Schock, author of the science fiction novel Visions of Iotan which will be published today, March 20th, 2021.

Welcome Jaimie, to start us off please tell us about your brand new book Visions of Iotan.

Jaimie: Visions of Iotan is a stand-alone science-fiction novel featuring a gay protagonist, a talking capybara, an evil priest, and bison-sized benevolent aliens. The story follows Cillian, a nurse whose daughter accidentally kills an alien child. From prison, he is given a chance to take his family on a trip to another planet, and he agrees. This decision sends them on a journey rife with danger, from which they might never return.

Helen: First of all congratulations on the launch of your novel, it is such a special day when your book goes live. Visions of Iotan, can you give us a little background on how you came up with the name.

Jaimie: “Iotan” is the name of the planet they visit (in the Iota Horologii system), and “Visions” refers to hallucinations that Cillian ends up experiencing.

Helen: This is a science fiction novel, but you don’t just write sci-fi do you?

Jaimie: I write adult fantasy and science-fiction, always with LGBTQ+ and disabled characters. Though I am currently working on a high fantasy, I am open to writing other genres such as horror and YA.

Helen: It’s great to see inclusive novels being being written. There is definitely demand for them. Do you have a favourite character in the book?

Jaimie: My favorite character from Visions of Iotan is an alien nicknamed Rapunzel. It starts off as just a worker on the ship, but soon enough it performs a valuable role in the story. It helps Cillian and his family substantially. I also really like the name. My second favorite character is a trans woman named Zoe, who is the resident doctor on the ship. She becomes a friend and colleague to Cillian, as well as a voice of reason when things start to go bad.

Helen: I know you are just launching your book, but are you working on anything else? Do you have another work in progress?

Jaimie: My current untitled work-in-progress features a lesbian bard who plays the flute. She is assigned to a mountainous country named Centralla. When a child is murdered, the country descends into a civil war that gets worse and worse as time goes on. The Bard must balance a burgeoning relationship with a witch while helping to diffuse the conflict. 

Helen: Sounds very interesting. I love stories with bards for some reason, more I think because they travel and tell stories, spread the word and entertain just like we do! I look forward to it being available! How does writing fit into your daily life. I am sure you have demands pulling you in all directions.

Jaime: I’m disabled and haven’t worked in an office setting since 2013. The moment I stopped traditional work, I began writing novels. I have written eight books and begun a ninth in that time. I write during weekdays predominately in the afternoon. I like to save the evenings and weekends for spending time with my husband, friends, and family.

Helen: Congratulations on being so prolific, most authors are lucky to finish one book! It’s easy starting, it’s the finishing that’s challenging! Tell us a little about your writing progress. Do you plan out your books or do you pantser, and write as you go?

Jaimie: I’m a pantser. I write chronologically without chapters (and put them in after a few revisions). I rarely know what’s going to happen when I begin. I wrote my entire series this way, along with Visions of Iotan and my new project.

Helen: It has been lovely chatting with you, Jaimie. Thank you so much for spending time with me and I wish you every success with your new book. Just one last question. What advice would you give other Indie authors?

Anna: Just write. Whether you plan your whole story ahead of time or start with just a basic idea, the most important thing is to write your heart out. If and when you start querying your piece, don’t lose hope if you get a lot of rejections. For my first story, a fantasy series called The Talisman War, I queried more than 100 agents and more than 20 publishers and got rejected by every single one before getting a publishing deal directly. 

About the Author

Jaimie is an author, editor, and journalist with more than a decade of professional experience. I have been published in newspapers and magazines as a journalist, and my novels have been published via a small press. I am married and living in Northern Virginia. Though I have an extensive career, I am disabled with PTSD and chronic illness. I try to incorporate my life experiences into the fictional pieces I write while delivering complex and diverse characters. My pronouns are she/her, and I am proudly a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

You can find out more about Jaime Schock on:
Website
Publisher
Amazon page

and purchase her book Visions of Iotan now.