Author of the Merely Mortal series

This week I am chatting to Michelle M. Pillow about her new Merely Mortal series, and the first book, Merely Mortal.

Helen: I love the sound of your books, more to add to the TBR list! Your covers are beautiful. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Michelle: A big theme in Merely Mortal is Tamara’s transformational arc as she tries to find her place in the world. As a mortal, she’s been told by her supernatural family that she is not special and has an expiration date. The butterfly represents her change and coming into her own. There are also other symbolic meanings in the book, but I don’t want to give away spoilers.

Helen: Is there any special meaning behind the title?

Michelle: The title Merely Mortal reflects Tamara’s struggle with her human limitations while being born into a powerful supernatural family. It underscores her journey of self-discovery and the realization that her humanity is both a vulnerability and a strength. The phrase merely mortal challenges the notion of mortality as a weakness, instead highlighting the resilience and depth of the human spirit.

Helen: A bit of reverse psychology, maybe? What made you write this particular book?

Michelle: The themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery are universal, and I wanted to explore them through the lens of urban fantasy. I liked amplifying these themes by showing how an ordinary human would navigate a world filled with extraordinary circumstances, and what it means to find one’s place in such a setting.

Helen: I love creating my own worlds, and I agree, fantasy gives you plenty of opportunity for unusual situations. The Merely Mortal series is urban fantasy, do you write in any other genres?

Michelle: I am a multi-genre author. Over my career, I’ve published everything from historical to futuristic, contemporary to fantasy to mystery to gothic. However, I primarily write paranormal and sci-fi romance, as well as urban fantasy. These genres allow me to blend elements of romance, adventure, and the supernatural, creating rich, unique worlds. The flexibility enables me to explore complex themes and characters.

Helen: Who is your protagonist and why did write him/her?

Michelle: Tamara, the protagonist, is a complex and relatable character—just like we all are. I wrote her to explore the theme of self-discovery in a world that constantly challenges her sense of identity. This is something I feel many can relate to. Her journey is one of growth and resilience, reflecting the universal struggle of finding one’s place in the world, especially when you don’t feel like you belong in your own family.

Helen: If Tamara could answer this question, why would she say we should read your book?

Michelle: LOL, she’d probably beg you to read it because she doesn’t want it to be over. She’d probably beg someone to take over for me since I haven’t been the nicest to her.

Helen: We are so mean to our characters!! But we have to keep our readers hooked, so we don’t have much choice. How do you find new ideas for your books?

Michelle: Ideas for new books often come from a mix of personal experiences, random observations, and what if scenarios. Sometimes, a single image or a snippet of conversation can spark an entire story. I also draw inspiration from history, mythology, and various cultures, weaving these elements into my fictional worlds.

Helen: I’m one for the ‘what if’ questions. They do lead you down interesting paths. With all these ideas bubbling, what are you working on next?

Michelle: My current work-in-progress is Mostly Shattered, the second book in the Merely Mortal series. This installment will delve deeper into Tamara’s journey, uncovering new threats and alliances in the supernatural realm. The themes of mortality and belonging will continue to play a central role as Tamara grapples with her evolving identity and the responsibilities that come with it.

Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?

Michelle: I remind myself of the reasons I started writing in the first place, and I rely on the support of my writing community and family. I also remind myself to take breaks. Burnout can lead to negativity and doubt.

Helen: Have you ever experienced writer’s block, and if so, what do you do to overcome it?

Michelle: Switching gears and working on admin or marketing before returning to the book with fresh eyes helps. Sometimes you just need to step away and let it breathe.

Helen: I find that the most difficult, leaving the book to stand for a while, but you are right, a fresh pair of eyes will make all the difference. What is the best thing that’s happened since you began writing?

Michelle:  The best thing has been the connection with readers. Their support and enthusiasm for my stories are incredibly rewarding. Knowing that my books have touched their lives and provided escape and inspiration is the most fulfilling aspect of my career.

Helen: Most authors are great readers. What is your favourite book?

Michelle: One of my favorites is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I love it for its witty dialogue, stubborn characters, and observations of human nature. Also, Mr. Darcy’s first botched proposal. It never fails to make me sigh and laugh at the same time. Austen’s ability to weave romance and strength within the confines of the social norms of her time is something I greatly admire.

Helen: It has been wonderful chatting to you. Thank you so much for joining me today. Before we close was there anything else you’d like to add?

Michelle: The camaraderie and support of the writing and reading communities are invaluable. These are friendships I cherish. I truly believe rising tides can lift all boats.

Thank you for having me.

About the Author

Michelle M. Pillow

Michelle M. Pillow is a prolific NY Times & USA TODAY bestselling author with over a million books sold. Though she writes in many genres, she is best known for romance and mystery. Her rich world building creates portals for the imagination. She is a winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. Fan favorites include the Qurilixen World (a multi-series collection), Order of Magic series, and Warlocks MacGregor series. She loves to interact with readers. Visit her at MichellePillow.com.

Follow Michelle:

• Author Website
• Amazon Author Page
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• Tiktok
• Goodreads
• Bookbub

Purchase Michelle’s book, Merely Mortal

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.

Author of The Devil You Know series

This week I am chatting to Ben Schenkman about his latest release in the The Devil You Know series, Dueling Shoulder Angels.

Helen: Your covers are very distinct. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Ben: I adore my cover(s)! The first book focuses on Lucifer, so has a devilish silhouette behind a faceless man in a suit. I always intended for the main character to be a bit of a mirror for the reader and let them put themselves in his shoes. The cover is a bit of a play on that, with the lack of physical details. There are also coffee icons throughout, which is one of the through-threads of the story. The color is perfect, it was always going to be red and fits with the Devil motif.

The second, introducing a secondary main character and God Themself, adds similar figures for those characters. We add occult symbols to the icons floating around, and change the imagery a bit. The green color is a nod to the “millennial green velvet couch” that appears in the book. My partner, in real life, has that couch.

Helen: You have chosen unusual book titles. Is there a special meaning behind the title?

Ben: My Boss is the Devil is a double entendre. It’s a colloquialism, but in this case it’s also literal. I started writing this book back in 2006, finished the first draft during NaNoWriMo in 2014, and shelved it until 2023. It’s always had the same title, I was very fond of it. I’ve had to reassure bosses of mine that the book is fiction, and not about them.

The second book, Dueling Shoulder Angels, is a play on the trope of the angel and the devil sitting on someone’s shoulders, whispering in their ears. Except Lucifer is a fallen angel, right? So it’s actually two angels, dueling for influence and control.

Helen: Sometimes the title just leaps out at you, and others it is hard work trying to find the right name. I have a new series and I am struggling to find the right titles! What made you write this particular book?

Ben: I was Nick, to an extent, when I started writing the first book. I was working a job with little prospects, and wasn’t sure about my future. I took some of that inspiration and asked, “What if someone like that got a chance to work for the Devil? What would happen?”

Helen: Writers are such curious folk. We are always asking question, which is why we come up with such great stories! When did you first realise that you had a passion for writing?

Ben: I’ve been writing off and on since I was a child. I remember writing stories in elementary school instead of playing outside with the other kids. I even won an award for a short story I wrote in middle school. I wrote poetry all through high school and into college, but then it sort of faded as a hobby with time. Getting back into writing in the past year has really been eye opening, reminding me that I still have stories to tell.

Helen: I’m glad you rediscovered your love of writing. Which genre do you typically write?

Ben: I write primarily contemporary/urban fantasy. I love the genre because there are so many interesting and magical things about the real world. It’s a way to blend mythology and magic with the intricacies of city life. All of my stories, so far, are set in New Haven, Connecticut. I went to college there, and it’s still one of my favorite stomping grounds. Urban fantasy is also one of my favorite genres to read, so I’ve read a lot of work in the genre.

Helen: How do you find the ideas behind your stories?

Ben: A lot of ideas just come to me when I’m not paying attention to anything in particular. I’ve got two new concepts in the background to work on that just came out of nowhere. I had a big document that I keep my ideas in, because otherwise I’d forget them just as quickly as they came. I love talking these things through with my partner, and my friends, and the best way to get ideas for stories is to just talk about them sometimes.

Helen: I agree, a friend of mine is my sounding board. She always gets to hear about my ideas first. Now you have caught the writing bug, what are you working on next?

Ben: My current WIP is the third book in my series. The current working title has been “The Devil’s in the Details” but I’m expecting to rename it before publication. It’s another continuation of the story, but adding in even more mythology. It’s the last book in the current series, but it leaves it open enough that I could write more in the same world later.

Helen: So you are busy writing, how do you fit it in to your daily routine?

Ben:  I have a full-time job, a son at home (my eldest is engaged and lives with his fiance), a partner, a fire performance troupe, and other hobbies. The best thing I can do is to carve out a little time most days to write, even if it’s just thirty minutes. I mostly write when my son is asleep, after I’ve done all my other chores and exercise. But I also carve out time where I can. My partner and I do “coffee shop time” where we each bring a hobby (she’s an artist, knits, and is an avid reader) to a coffee shop and use that time for our creative pursuits. It’s a delight.

Helen: It sounds wonderful. Do you find you have to do much research for your books?

Ben: It really depends on the book, but I tend to do research in the moment. There are some things I need to work out ahead of time, but a lot of my research ends up being open Chrome tabs while I’m writing. If I’m hitting a part of a scene that I’m not sure of, that’s the time I’m going to take a quick break and do just enough research to make sure I’ve got it going in the right direction. My next book concept is going to take more up front research, though, and I’ve got a couple books on the specific culture/mythology I’m going to be working with.

Helen: It’s funny how we are constantly learning new things in order to write our books. Do you plan your books in advance?

Ben:  I call myself a pantser with an outline, so I don’t know if that’s called a plantser? I tend to write linearly, with the story evolving in my head and making its way onto the page. The outline is ever-evolving, and I make notes throughout the writing of the book. But I don’t do a lot of pre-plotting, other than trying to map out rough word count beats. I like the “save the cat” story beats, and use at least a rough version of that in my writing process.

Helen: I think you have to use the method that works for you. Everyone is different, and as long as you are writing, that is all that matters. If you didn’t write urban fantasy is there another genre you would like to try?

Ben: If I didn’t write urban fantasy, I think I’d try and write epic fantasy or speculative fiction. My books would be much shorter than the chonks that a lot of authors seem to be putting out though. I’ve got an idea brewing in the back of my mind for a more epic style fantasy, but it’s going to be a minute before I get to that one.

Helen: I love world building so I tend to write epic fanatsy. Like you, I write what I love to read. What books have you read recently?

Ben: I’m currently reading the Debt Collection series by Andrew Givler, starting with Soul Fraud. He’s another contemporary/urban fantasy indie author. I would definitely recommend them, and it’s been really great seeing another author’s take on similar subject matter as my own books. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and the narrator he has is very good.

Helen: Hmmm … More books to add to the tbr list! Thank you so much for joining me today. It has been lovely learning about you and your books. Just to close us out, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Ben: First, just keep writing. Words on the page are what matter. Second, decide why you want to write. If it’s about getting your story out there, and you don’t care about making money doing it, then your strategy is going to be different than if you’re trying to be a full-time author. You have to make a lot of choices in this business. Do you pursue traditional publishing vs self publishing? What genre you write in matters if you want to write books that “sell.” Considerations like these are important. You’ll save yourself some disappointment if you figure out what you want, to help guide you on how to do it.

About the Author

Ben Schenkman

Ben Schenkman likes many things in life: his 20-pound Maine coon cat, his family, his coffee, and his eclectic hobbies—not necessarily in that order.

Ben also likes to play devil’s advocate in his urban fantasy books by exploring the gray areas of good and evil with questions like, “Does the end really justify the means? Or is it all simply black and white?” Ben leaves these questions lingering in the ether to challenge readers’ conventional thinking and delve into the complexities of moral dilemmas.

As a native of Connecticut, Ben draws inspiration from his upbringing and college years in New Haven, where his novels take place. When he wants to escape being a writer, he’s a massive foodie who goes on gastronomic adventures, an overachiever who collects degrees in Theater, Nuclear Engineering, and an MBA, or the manager/performer of the fire dance troupe, HVBRIS—you know, the basics. No big deal.

Learn more about his work, or talk about coffee and cats, at his website.

Follow Ben:

Author Website

Social media links

Purchase Ben’s book, My Boss is the Devil:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

Purchase Book 2: Dueling Shoulder Angels

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.

Author of Bringing in Tết

This week I am chatting to fellow BookFest Gold medal winner Kimly Hoang-Nakata, about her children’s picture book, Bringing in the Tết.

Helen: It was so exciting to see our books up in Times Square. One of those special moments. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Kimly: The cover of this book uniquely captures the essence of the story and  highlights the festive symbols of the Tết holiday with the happy characters from two generations.

Helen: It is a happy cover and looks great up in Times Square. Is there a special meaning behind the title?

Kimly: It’s my intention to call this book “Bringing in Tết” because I hope it brings in the festive joy and feeling to every reader who reads the book.

Helen: What made you write this particular book?

Kimly: I was born in Central Vietnam and lived there for 9 years prior to immigrating to the U.S. with my family. Despite the economic challenges throughout my childhood, Tết is a time when everyone in the family paused their work to come together to celebrate. When I was a little girl, I remember getting really excited because it was the only time in the year that I got to wear new clothes and new shoes! Through this experience, I learned to appreciate the hard work and the value of family bonding more than anything. After moving to the U.S, my parents continue to keep the tradition of celebrating Tết every year. Now I want to share this cultural experience with children through a children’s picture book. When I was a newcomer in the U.S., I didn’t have culturally relevant books at school to support my learning. Now as an educator, I teach kids from all walks of life and it’s important to have multicultural books to educate them about different cultures. I also hope to inspire others to embrace their own cultures. I believe that sharing cultural experiences can foster compassion, appreciation, empathy, and joy that can enrich our lives. 

Helen: That is such a lovely sentiment. I hope your book helps others experience your joy of Tết. When did you first realise that you wanted to write a children’s book?

Kimly: Writing allows me to unwind and reflect on my day so it became an important part in my daily routine since I was a teenager, but I never thought I could publish a book until I took the courage to do it.  While in quarantine mode during the pandemic, I thought of my story ideas and that was how my first children’s picture book called “Mama Get Well Soon” was published.  It was based on a true personal experience depicting a family life that shows support to one another during a challenging time. Writing brings a sense of clarity and comfort to me. My first set of ten children’s picture books were published because I wanted to inspire my students to write. Having their teacher as a published author really got them to lift up their pencils and started writing. Seeing my students enjoy writing and doing their best work brought me a lot of joy!

Helen: Sharing the joy of writing is so fulfilling. I am glad your students are inspired by your writing success. How do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Kimly: My work and life involve around my children and my students at school, so my ideas and inspirations came from my daily interactions with them. I enjoy capturing life’s moments through writing.

Helen: Being an educator, when do you find the time to fit in your writing?

Kimly: I try to fit writing into my everyday life as much as I can, but I find the most productive time for me to write is when the night calms down, I enjoy the quiet atmosphere to relax, reflect, and write. 

Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?

Kimly: Besides the recognitions and awards, I got to know more wonderful people beyond my social circle. It’s the joy that increased in volume for the opportunity to share my stories with others. Thank you for the support.

Helen: It’s been lovely to meet you. Kimly. Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Last question! What advice would you give to aspiriing authors?

Kimly:  For new writers out there, I encourage you to make writing part of your daily routine and write about everything and anything that you are passionate about. Just let your thoughts flow out without worrying about the grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. because all that can be edited once you finish your drafts.

About the Author

Kimly Hoang-Nakata

Kimly Hoang-Nakata is passionate about educating children and inspiring them to
love learning. Kimly is the founder of Achieve Education, an exceptional
coaching service specializing in holistic learning success for K-12 students.
Together with her husband (who is an award-winning pediatrician), Achieve
Education empowers growth and confidence by providing personalized learning to
help students reach their full potential. For a free consultation and a 45-minute
lesson, please e-mail support@achieve.education or visit website
https://www.achieve.education. Kimly’s work earned her the recognitions on NBC
7 News, SBTN (Saigon Broadcasting Network), and Global Thought Leaders
Network air on ABC15.

Follow Kimly:

Amazon Author Page

Ingram book page

Barnes and Noble

Purchase Kimly’s book, Bringing in Tết:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.