1. I am a serious rap artist first, after a long time I wanted to try something that has absolutely nothing to do with Rap at all, and because I’ve had the advantage of reading so much in my lifetime and seeing so many films, I felt strongly that I can make stories that won’t remind my readers of anything else
2. I love George Orwell’s work; Propaganda by Edward Bernays; and the classics by Steven King
3. My 2nd comedy book World’s Worst Murder Detective 2: Laws Stand Found; which is something I’m very proud of, it has very sophisticated humor and has done well by online rankings (free, all my books are free) and I would hope one day to make it into a movie or play (out of all my books, this one would be the easiest too)
4. I always say, have your fan page’s ready and prepared on facebook early ahead of time, and it’s a good way to keep steady updates;
5. I LOVE stories, I love great endings, good motif’s and excellent twists that aren’t out of the realm of possibility within the story. I love many films and yet there’s some that have cringeworthy moments where I’d say “I would’ve wrote this better!” And as a serious rap artist and writer alike, the competition of Rap culture has always been a good motivation for me.
1. I write my nightmares. And there were plenty, having grown up on macabre fairy tales and endless episodes of Twilight Zone, Chiller Theater and Tales from the Crypt. 2. I’ll read anything by Sandra Brown and Lisa See, and often reread Shel Silverstein’s whimsical poems. 3. My book, Tales from the Eerie Canal: 22 Stories of the Delightfully Dark and Creepy, is a mashup of Edgar Allan Poe meets Erma Bombeck, spanning genres of fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and romance. I’ve also written quirky essays. My most popular is On A Roll: My Addiction to Toilet Paper. 4. Join a critique group. We write alone but are so close to our words, we don’t always see them. Other sets of eyes will laud them and fix them. 5. Members of my critique groups pushed me and made me a better writer. I would not have published without their influence.
1. A dream (inspired by a real road trip I took with my wife to Nevada, Utah and California) led to the start of my first story in my book Nevada Noir. Then I remembered it had always been my dream to be a writer.
2. Yes, I LOVE reading. Especially Chandler, Himes, DeLillo, Leonard, Ellroy, McCarthy, LeCarré…
3. I have 2 WIPS, a dystopian novel set in SE London and a Nordic Noir set in Sweden. After that it might be a return to Nevada…
4. Just do it! But also, don’t. Plan, prep, research – do your homework and due diligence. I didn’t, and I wish I had!
5. My parents and their love for books and film, my travels and adventures, the books, films, music, tv shows and video games I love and continue to discover, the English language, nature.
1. What inspired you to write? I have always loved writing. I remember coming home from primary school, and the first thing I’d do is write/draw a book! My first Novela, my father inspired me, after he passed away from Cancer.
2) Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites? I absolutely love Mandy Magro, an Author of Rural romance. But Rachael Treasure was my inspiration to start writing.
3) What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future? My latest book is A Letter for Rosie (pictured). And I’m very excited to say, I’m currently in the midst of writing my third.
4) Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors? There is only one way to fail; don’t write at all! If it’s on your heart, just start writing.
5) What influenced you as a writer? My family are my biggest influences. All of my inspiration, love and passion for writing came from them, and I can only thank them for it.
3. I have written and published two books a. Inspiring Relationships – a thematic expression of positivity in varied relationships expressed through poems and short stories. b) a Hindi poetry book Ek Sam Insaan – collection of poems on a common man thoughts, his vision, his life and aspirations.
4. Follow your passion for writing, success, if it measures your hardwork, will come someday
.5. The thought that I can help change some thoughts in society.
I have been reading mysteries and series books since I was a kid, and I always wanted to write my own mystery series. When I retired from my job as a scientist, the opportunity was there. My inspiration for the Natalie McMasters Mysteries came from a guy I met at work, who put himself through college working for a private detective agency. His job was to sit in a car and watch people who had put in workmen’s comp claims, and to take pictures of them if they did something that showed they were not injured as badly as the said.
2. Are you a reader? What are some of your favorites?
I am a lifelong reader. I started with boys’ mystery series-the Hardy Boys, Ken Holt and Rick Brant. I also read a lot of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Louis L’Amour-these gus are fantastic storytellers. Then I graduated to the classic mystery authors like Conan Doyle, Rex Stout and John Dickson Carr. Right now, some of my fave authors are Michael Connelly, Linda Castillo, Kathy Reichs, and Lee Child.
3. What is your newest work, and what is going to happen in the future?
The last book I published was the fifth installment in the Natalie McMasters Mysteries, Sniper! Here’s the back cover blurb:
A crazed sniper. A loved one wounded, in danger of death. The unforgiving Fake News media. And a hidden villain more loathsome than any that Natalie McMasters has encountered before. Nattie’s in the crosshairs as a series of seemingly random shootings terrorizes the city. She must fight to keep her polyamorous family from disintegrating, her emotions from running wild and her personal integrity uncompromised. This would be a formidable task for anyone, much less a twentysomething college student who just wants to graduate and get on with her life. Nattie must rely on old friends and new, but how can she even, when friends can become enemies in the blink of an eye? As Nattie nears an emotional meltdown, society collapses along with her, as the sniper’s depredations take their toll on the city. Sniper! is a twisted, sexy, absolutely gripping descent into darkness jam packed with nail-biting suspense. Don’t miss it!
I have just finished the first draft of the sixth book. It’s entitled Killers! and I expect to publish it by the end of next month.
4. Do you have advice or tips for Indie Authors?
First and foremost, write! If you’re going to publish independently, do a lot of research on the best selling independently and traditionally published books in your genre. Look at how each author is branded by titles, covers and the overarching theme of their books, and strive to emulate this with your own. Also realize that the best book in the world will not sell unless it’s heavily promoted, and as an indie author, that resposibility falls squarely on you.
5 What influenced you as a writer?
All of the great writers I’ve already mentioned above.
1. After the death of Winnie Mandela in South Africa, one of the political leaders accused the rulling party for not celebrated the woman as she deserved. Winnie Mandela is the wife of the South African freedom icon Nelson Mandela but who was criticised throughout her life. I was moved by her dedication lifestyle during and after the Apatheid and thus came up with a young character who also loved her community without bothering what will get from them.
2. Unfortunately I am not however I have read between 20 and 30 books but love young adult books
3. The book has not out yet but will be released in July however it has received several 5-stars reviews from various international reviewers among which are Readers Favourite and Literary Titans. My first book was published in 2020 and title “Johnny Famous Journey”
3. Im a presently working on two other books which are based on my experience as an immigrant. The first one is title “My Brother from Another Mother” (ficton) and the second one is title “My Journey across the Xenophobic State” This is a non fiction
4. My advice for fellow writer is to keep writing. Never cast your eggs in one basket and don’t allow anyone to create your world for you. Write what you think is best and remember that you are the first audience to your book.
5. I love writing but the situation of being a foreigner influenced my writing. What I witnesses daily is what I decided to put on paper until it became part of my life.
Samantha Evans--Author 