#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Dr. Katherine Hayes

I’d like to welcome Dr. Katherine Hayes to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you never want to run out of: Faith, perfume, binge-worthy books and movies

Things you wish you’d never bought: Too many useless souvenirs and books

Hardest thing about being a writer: The rejection, isolation, and waiting

Easiest thing about being a writer: I love inventing stories and building their worlds

Things you need for your writing sessions: Candles, jazz, and caffeine

Things that hamper your writing: Keeping up with the business of writing, chatty family members, naughty pets

A few of your favorite things: Family photos, traveling, animals, swimming

Things you need to throw out: Old greeting cards, terrible plays I wrote years ago, and very random memorabilia

Words that describe you: I’m loyal to a fault, generous, funny, energetic, spontaneous, and artistic

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: OCD, overly sensitive

Favorite foods: Curry chicken (most Caribbean food), Korean food

Things that make you want to gag: Squid, fish eyeballs

Something you’re really good at: Project management, working with people, public speaking, cooking, decorating, drawing

Something you’re really bad at: Algebra, calculus, and saying, “No!”

Favorite music or song: Jazz, gospel, neo-soul, classical piano

Music that drives you crazy: Heavy metal and most country music

Favorite smell: Lavender and peppermint

Something that makes you hold your nose: Bad body odor

Things you always put in your books: Food, food, and more food, animals

Things you never put in your books: Erotica

Things to say to an author: I’m going to buy every single one of your books, write a review for them, and tell everyone what a rockstar you are!

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Are you ever going to get a real job?

Favorite places you’ve been: Italy, Scotland, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Jamaica, and England (I was born there)

Places you never want to go to again: The Bronx (Even though I grew up in Brooklyn, New York after leaving England)

About Katherine:

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is Embolden Media Group’s production editor and a Word Weavers International member, serving as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association, FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.drkatherinehayes.com

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/khutch0767

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.hutchinsonhayes

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordrkatherinehayes/

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Little-Black-Dress-Women/dp/1365056163

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-katherine-hutchinson-hayes-3b5a3254/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordrkatherine/

Podcast (Apple): https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/murder-mysterymayhem-laced-with-morality/ade5f5bb-6cbf-4722-a421-9874b24fa49d

Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4zWmZckdnPsYG9CUAKkv1p

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sandra Rathbone

I’d like to welcome Sandra Rathbone to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Not giving into self-doubt. The Imposter Syndrome is a such a real thing. Marketing your book is also a challenge.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with great characters. It’s my favorite part about writing.

Something you’re really good at: Drawing cartoons and playing the violin.

Something you’re really bad at: Anything athletic. I love watching baseball and the Olympics. I’m lucky to be able to walk and do a bit of yoga.

Last best thing you ate: I had a plate of corned beef, bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, pickled slaw and German potato salad at the German Festhaus at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.

Last thing you regret eating: I had a cheese chili hotdog at a ballgame in Asheville. It was so messy. Good, but messy.

Favorite music or song: Fascination Street by The Cure

Music that drives you crazy: I am not a fan of bluegrass music, which is funny since I’m from Asheville, NC. Bluegrass is huge there.

Favorite places you’ve been: Savannah, GA (Love Leopold’s ice cream, the town squares throughout the city, and the riverwalk); Charleston, SC (Love the City Market, the houses on the East Battery, and dessert at the Peninsula Grill; Burnsville, NC (My grandparents are from there.)

Places you never want to go to again: Going south on Highway 17 to Wilmington. We were driving from the Outer Banks to Wilmington. We stopped at a gas station somewhere in between. I entered that place and felt so unwelcomed there. It was the way the locals looked at me as I made a beeline for the bathroom and made another beeline back to our car.

Favorite books (or genre): I still love to read Young Adult and Middle Grade books. There are so many wonderful authors, especially where I live which is the Piedmont Triad of NC. I’m currently reading a YA book from a North Carolina author, Elizabeth Mowery: The Unforgettable Tales of Adeline Bigsby, Book 1: Whispers in the Forest. She, too, writes about visiting other worlds and like Skelee Boy in my books, the main character Adeline (Addie) tries to fit in and make her life work going between the two worlds.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I am not a fan of romance novels. I have tried. Just not for me.

Favorite things to do: I love to watch Classic movies. I am a huge fan of Film Noir from the ‘40s and ‘50s. I love the Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe characters, especially.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Yardwork. I absolutely hate it. My mom would be ashamed to hear me admit this. She is such an avid gardener.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I conducted the NC Western Regional All-State Repertory Orchestra. One of the pieces I conducted was the “Overture to Rienzi” by Richard Wagner. I was told by other Orchestra directors not to do it. I did it. The students sounded amazing. I would do it all over again if could.

Something you chickened out from doing: I was asked to play a violin gig. The music was so difficult. When the gig came up, I had gotten the flu. Most musicians will play while they are sick. I just couldn’t do it. I had to turn it down during the first rehearsal. I wasn’t asked to play for that group again.

The funniest thing to happen to you: My students played a joke on me. I was trying to tune them, but their instruments just wouldn’t stay in tune. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. The room wasn’t cold (a nightmare for string instruments.) Well, it was April 1. The kids were laughing this whole time. I figured it out. Little stinkers would detune their instruments behind my back after I had tuned them.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I was playing violin at a recital in college. I showed up on time. Knew the piece well. Our group wasn’t performing until later. I went to the restroom. Lost track of time. Made a fashionably late entrance as the musicians were waiting for me to join them. My college mates still give me flack about that one.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Don’t stop writing. Please don’t. This is something you need to keep doing.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: This wasn’t a reader, but I was at a festival where I was selling my books. A woman told me that she didn’t allow her kids to read scary books. She said her kids were scared of everything.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I used to write comic strips. The Skelee Boy character came from the comic strips I created.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Originally, Skelee Boy was just going to be comic book series. A friend of mine thought he would do well as a novel. The rest is history.

My favorite book as a child: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

A book I’ve read more than once: Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. Loved that story in high school. Still love it now.

About Sandra:

Sandra's tastes in literature and music can best be described as eclectic. She writes middle grade and young adult horror fiction and enjoys reading rock musician biographies. She is also an avid fan of rock and classical music.

Sandra is an award-winning author of “Skelee Boy: A Skelee Boy Book” and “Skelee Boy and the Demon King.” She also is an Orchestra Director in the state of North Carolina.

Sandra lives in NC with her husband and their "tortie" cat, Charley. When she's not writing you can find Sandra playing her violin and viola as a free-lance musician.

Skelee Boy: Two Worlds is the third book of the “Skelee Boy” book series.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skeleeboybooks

Website: www.sandrarathbone.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/skeleeboybooks1/

X: https://x.com/SandraRathbone6

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sean O'Leary

I’d like to weclome Sean O’Leary to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: the waiting

Easiest thing about being a writer: I don’t get writers block. All I have to do is go to the desk and work.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Coffee, laptop, notes galore.

Things that hamper your writing: Ah, boring stuff, like paying bills, cleaning, but good stuff too, like great films and books, I can’t drag myself away from.

Last best thing you ate: Lemon Cheesecake.

Last thing you regret eating: Garlic bread.

Favorite music or song: Chet Baker/Royel Otis

Music that drives you crazy: lift muzak

The last thing you ordered online: a desk lamp.

The last thing you regret buying: some dodgy headphones.

Things you always put in your books: sex/fights/plot twists

Things you never put in your books: I’m up for everything.

Things to say to an author: I love your stuff

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I always thought I could be a writer. (There’s nothing stopping you.)

Favorite places you’ve been: Vietnam

Places you never want to go to again: Bali

Favorite books (or genre): The Great Gatsby. The Quiet American.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I’m up for anything, but if it doesn’t work, I don’t mind quitting early on.

Favorite things to do: Write/drink great coffee. Arabica in Bangkok is great. Travel.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Get insurance. Complain about bad service.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: This was an extract from a review. I loved it: Fast-paced, sleazy, violent. O'Leary doesn't just show you the seedy sights of two of Australia's most famous cities; he drags you down into the gutter along with the losers, deadbeats, and addicts that populate this engrossing tale. I needed a bath with a wire brush and Dettol once I was done with this one.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I got a 2-star review recently, and it started with, this isn’t my usual fare—and went downhill from there.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done? I just started doing screen printing, plus I’m a mad photographer.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: A few short stories got burned and shredded.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I’ve been in a psychiatric ward for a short time on three occasions. I have schizophrenia.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: I wrote a short story collection called ‘This is Not a Love Song’ about failed love affairs, and a few people thought some were true. None were by the way.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: I bought ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ at Brashes at Chadstone Shopping Centre, and I’ve been editing an anthology called ‘Crime Songs’, and Nevada McPherson-one of the contributors, chose that song as her inspiration.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: Rave

My favorite book as a child: The Guardians, a sci-fi book by John Christopher.

A book I’ve read more than once: The Great Gatsby.

Your favorite movie as a child: My parents took me to the cinema to see ‘The Man Who Would be King’ with Sean Connery and Michael Caine. It stayed with me.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The Thirteen Ghosts/The Exorcist.

About Sean:

Sean O’Leary is a writer of crime and literary fiction from Melbourne, Australia. He has published five short story collections, two novellas and four novels as well as over fifty individual short stories in journals both literary and crime. He walks through cities, along coasts and on bush tracks. Takes photographs like a madman, does some drawing and thinks test cricket is the greatest game of all.

I write crime novels that are fast paced, action filled stories featuring relentless protagonists who never give up.

I write crime and literary short story collections filled with slices of life that will make you laugh and cry and break your heart.

My crime novels are also translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.oleary.404569

Instagram 1: https://www.instagram.com/oleary4119/

Instagram 2: http://www.instagram.com/point_and_shoot_88

Threads: http://www.threads.com/@point_and-Shoot_88

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Rosalie Spielman

I’d like to welcome the fabulous Rosalie Spielman to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Going on walks, reading, stitching, watching true crime.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Grocery shopping. It’s rather unfortunate that people must eat.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Water and/or a hot beverage.

Things that distract you from writing: My phone. My kids. (They’re grown, but still distracting.)

Hardest thing about being a writer: Promo. It’s a never-ending task, like laundry.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Ideas. I have too many of them!

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Not happening, ever. Though I have been known to send a minion for ice cream.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Kale and eggplant.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: Recently, it’s a reading light that you hang around your neck. I use it for reading or stitching. Nerdy, I know.

The thing you wished you’d never bought: I bought my daughter a goat Squishmallow, goat socks, and a screaming goat button, only to have her kindly tell me that her college mascot (a ram) is a sheep, not a goat… She still likes and uses them but that was pretty embarrassing for this self-proclaimed “farm girl.”

Favorite snacks: Ritz crackers and dark chocolate, especially covering fruit or nuts. (The dark chocolate almonds from Aldi are a favorite right now.)

Things that make you want to gag: Eggplant.

Something you wish you could do: A yoga headstand.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: How to watch a Reel.

Things to say to an author: “I loved your book!”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Repeatedly apologize for a behavior they have no intention of changing. I’ll restrain myself from being more specific…since I’m not moving anytime soon.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: Meeting readers who already know who I am. Even after ten books I am consistently stunned to hear people read them.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I would have waited for Welcome Home to Murder to be my debut book.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: That my Hometown Mysteries is their new favorite series.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: In a review (so not directly at me), a reader said they were surprised at the quality of the writing since it was published by a small publisher. Back handed compliment much?

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: That the writing process looks different for everyone and that it’s ok that mine is not like someone else’s – do what works for me.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: I would encourage me to start earlier, though I didn’t possess the confidence to even try until I was in my forties.

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Since I alternate between two series, I’ll take a break from writing whatever I’m stuck on and focus on a different book / the other series. Or I write a short story. It’s ok to take a break. Though having said all that…with deadlines, I don’t have time for writer’s block.

Things you do to avoid writing: Social media/promo…still work but not writing!

About Rosalie:

Rosalie Spielman is an award-winning author, mother, veteran, and retired military spouse. She was thrilled to discover that she could make other people laugh with her writing and finds joy in giving people a humorous escape from the real world. In addition to other books and short stories, Rosalie writes the Hometown Mysteries series, set in Idaho. Rosalie has been featured in Bold Journey Magazine, the Moscow-Pullman Daily news, Kings River Life News and Reviews, and Fresh Fiction. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime and the Military Writers Society of America, the latter of which awarded her work a gold medal in 2024.

Let’s Be Social:

For more information on her books or to subscribe to her newsletter, go to www.rosalie-spielman-author.com Rosalie strives to provide you an escape...one page at a time.

Bookshop store: bookshop.org/shop/YouKnowTheSpiel

You Know The Spiel reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/760076150762688

Murder, They Write group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/451857037689554

Instagram: Rosalie.spielman

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jennifer Sommersby

I’d like to welcome Jennifer Sommersby to the blog this week for some of her favorite (and not so favorite) summer things!

Favorite summer treat: Peaches and nectarines! I love all the delicious summer fruits (not watermelon) that come from the Interior region of BC. The biggest, juiciest peaches you’ve ever sunk your teeth into. (Make sure to have paper towels and/or wet wipes on hand for after.)

A summer treat that makes you gag: Pretty much the only thing that makes me gag is broccoli, and that’s all year long. Oh, and spaghetti squash. Any squash, really. My mother used to make this nasty spaghetti squash with a rosé-style sauce and just thinking about it … *gulp*. Let’s not think about it.

Favorite summer beverage: A deliciously cold lager or ale from a local brewery, condensation on the can or bottle, best gulped down after doing yardwork or moving furniture or something laborious that makes me sweaty and gross.

A drink that gives you a pickle face: OMG, a few weeks ago, I went to the VIP movie theater with my husband (saw the last Mission Impossible film, not realizing it was part 2—I gotta hand it to Tom Cruise—that man is nuttier than a walnut tree, but he gives EVERYTHING to his films. Really, the Last True Movie Star)—and I ordered this whisky concoction with ginger beer and a sprig of basil and a splash of berry … and it is the first time I have ever sent back a drink of any sort because I couldn’t force myself to get through it. Utterly nasty.

Best summer memory: Playing with my kids at spray parks, beaches, the local pools … their lemonade stands and “sleepovers” when they’d pile into the living room with blankets and popcorn and watch movies together. Good times.

Something you’d rather forget: Big fight with my mom that ended with a concussion and ruptured left eardrum (mine, not hers) and I drove away with my three young (and thereafter traumatized) kids. We drove five hours north on I-5 until I couldn’t go another mile and found a crappy travelers’ motel where we stopped for the night to regroup before restarting the trip home the following morning. Turns out the motel was right in the heart of cattle country in the San Joaquin Valley (VERY stinky)—I didn’t know that because we arrived in the dead of night, and I was kind of out of it. Big horseflies everywhere. And my youngest (just turned 7) tripped on the sidewalk en route to our room and ripped open her knee … that made me cry the hardest.

Your favorite thing to get from the ice cream truck: Mint chocolate chip and espresso flake, two scoops in a waffle cone. We have a local ice creamery AND a new specialty ice cream/pastry shop at the park a few blocks from our house. Talk about dangerous.

Some dessert that you wish you’d never bought: Anything lime. *shudder*

Most favorite place to write/edit in the summer: My husband (film industry sculptor of 35 years) repurposed a gazebo in our backyard into a writing shed/office for me, complete with double-paned windows, a door, a heater, the works. We also have a “catio” attached to that side of the house, and our three tuxedo cats can see me through my office’s glass-paned door from their various perches. They take turns yelling at me: “Meeeeeooooowwwwww!” Because they want me to come inside and give them cookies and love. Alas, they are in their secure catio, and I am in my office, thus dubbed the Howling Cat in their honor.

The worst place to try to write in the summer because of all the distractions: Pretty much anywhere inside my house. My three (adult) children still live here + my granddog (Canadian Grand Champion miniature longhaired Dachshund, Pippin Took + three cats + my noisy husband who is currently building a space station for some indie film in our backyard, right next to the Howling Cat, so the whole place is total chaos right now).

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening: Sit outside when it cools down and read, sip a beer, and prop my leg on my husband’s chair so he will rub my foot.

Least favorite thing about summer: I hate being hot. Also, wasps. But autumn is the Best Season Ever and we can’t have autumn without summer, so I grin and bear it (and complain the whole time).

The thing you like most about being a writer: Living countless lives through my characters and their adventures.

The thing you like least about being a writer: How hard it is to make money in publishing. It’s bullshit that the world turns to the arts for solace, comfort, entertainment—movies, books, music, etc.—during the hard times (COVID, anyone?), but then there is SO little funding available for arts programs and so much piracy, as if people are entitled to art without compensation to the creatives. I could rail on about this for days.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night: Advil or other fever reducer. Ice cream. Chocolate. LOL, and before last year, feminine hygiene.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Broccoli. (Also liver. Or pork chops. Pigs are smart. Oh, and no crab because, although I am a good Oregonian who once enjoyed Dungeness crab during summer camping trips, my husband, early in our marriage, casually mentioned that crab and lobster are basically giant insects of the sea and now I can’t get past it.)

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life: People reading and ENJOYING my work—like the lady at an in-person book signing who told me Must Love Otters and Hollie Porter Builds a Raft got her through her husband’s months-long cancer battle. Wow.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over: Accepting the Random House US offer for my YA debut instead of waiting for the Canadian publisher to finish edits before looking for a US home. Huge regret. OH, also trusting the wrong people. Snakes everywhere, people. Pay attention.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Moved to Canada with my Canadian husband and two young children, moving into a house we’d only seen online and had friends vet for us before signing the lease.

Something you chickened out from doing: Taking up Dr. Faiola when he offered to sponsor me through medical school. I wish I’d had more confidence in myself back then. I would’ve made a great doctor. Now I just play one in my books.

About Jenn:

Jennifer Sommersby is a freelance editor, devoted bibliophile and Superman freak, and author of thirteen books and three novellas (written under Sommersby and Eliza Gordon), including award-winning YA and rom-com titles. Through her company SGA Books, she supports indie authors with editorial services, publishing resources, and hands-on teaching, as well as branding, design, and custom merch through Bard & Bloom. In 2025, she joined Pulp Literature Press as Head of Novel Acquisitions to revitalize their fiction line, focusing on edgy and emotionally resonant commercial and genre fiction. Trans rights are human rights.

Let’s Be Social:

SGA Books: https://www.sgabooks.com/

Jenn Sommersby: https://www.jennsommersbybooks.com/

Eliza Gordon: https://www.elizagordon.com

Plumfield Editing: https://www.plumfieldediting.com/

Bard & Bloom: https://www.bardandbloom.com

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennsommersby/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennsommersbyauthor/

Substack: https://jennofletters.substack.com/

TikTok: @jennie_krypton

BlueSky: @jennofsteel.bsky.social

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Leo X. Robertson

I’d like to welcome Leo X. Robertson to the blog today as my guest for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite summer traditions: staying up late and waking up early, thanks to the extra hours of sunlight in Norway.

Something summer-related that you’ll never do again: Staying in a cabin with friends—but I haven’t even done this, luckily I knew myself well enough before anyone even offered!

Best summer memory: Playing ping pong with my dad on our table in the back garden of our home in Glasgow. He was so competitive, so when I won and asked, “Are you just letting me win?” it would irritate him so much, because he really wasn’t.

Something you’d rather forget: The occasions with too many cocktails, but luckily those have forgotten themselves.

Best summer vacation ever: Marbella with my family in ‘95. Still chasing the high of being a kid allowed to stay up late and go swimming in the hotel pool.

Somewhere where you don’t ever want to return: Japan in the summer. Hard to appreciate what’s actually in this or that temple when you’re just thankful to be inside and the heat is no longer draining your life-force.

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening: Read about a page or two before it puts me to sleep. Every time! Why?!

Least favorite thing about summer: Wasps.

Favorite place to visit in Virginia: The Horrific Hope Film Festival in Winchester! For three years in a row we’ve had films premiere there, they’re big supporters of our work and we love them <3 Or the Urban Hang Suite café in Richmond—delicious croissant sandwiches.

Somewhere you’ve visited way too much. Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt: Nowhere in Virginia yet, I think it’s great. In fact, the tour guide we got for the Poe Museum spoke at 2x speed, I could have stayed there longer.

The thing you like most about being a writer: Spending months on a story only then to realize why you were writing it, because it shows you something about the world you were trying to articulate the whole time.

The thing you like least about being a writer: Nothing, honestly. No one’s making me do this.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night: Milk for coffee, or mochi because we were bold enough to think we could survive with nothing sweet in the house.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Most fruits and vegetables, sorry. I don’t need to make a shrine of shame of them in my home, watching them rot, as I one day will, faster than otherwise necessary if I just consumed these no doubt nutritious gifts from nature before me.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life: The people to whom it connected me.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over: Had more confidence in my abilities, but there’s no way to gain this other than the passage of time.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Standup comedy, especially when I was no good at it at all. It’s not so scary now that I’m only bad at it.

Something you chickened out from doing: Talking to other filmmakers at film festivals. But not only are they all as introverted and afraid as I am, they have social media, so you can just say “Hey I liked your film” later 

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I don’t remember the specifics, but it’s usually a long confession about something personal, which tells me that they perceived the vulnerability in what I had written.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “I am so, so sorry for you, but I did not like anything about your book.” It wasn’t the same reader as the nicest one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. No matter what you do, you eventually hear everything from everyone!

About Leo:

Leo X. Robertson is a writer, filmmaker and process engineer, currently living in Stavanger, Norway. He has stories in issues 22 and 30 of Pulp Literature, amongst other places. His films have premiered at festivals such as Dead Northern and Horrific Hope, and won awards like "Best LGBTQ Film" and "Best International Feature Film." He enjoys failing at stand-up comedy and coding apps that invariably don't work. He is the author of Barhopping for Astronauts and his stories are featured in Pulp Literature magazine.

Let’s Be Social:

Find him on Instagram @leoxrobertson or check out his website: leoxrobertson.wordpress.com 

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sheryl Ickes

I’d like to welcome Sheryl Ickes to the blog today for a summer edition of #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite summer traditions: Camping, Going to the Drive-in, Seeing Fireworks, Letterboxing, Exploring trails, and Looking for waterfalls.

Something summer-related that you’ll never do again: Eating S-mores.

Favorite summer treat: Apple Mountain Pies cooked over a campfire.

A summer treat that makes you gag: Roasted Marshmallows.

Favorite summer beverage: Favorite beverage anytime of the year: Pepsi.

A drink that gives you a pickle face: Mismade Lemonade.

Best summer memory: Blackwater Falls, WV with family.

Something you’d rather forget: Bad sunburn in Jamaica.

Your favorite thing to get from the ice cream truck: A Choco Taco.

Some dessert that you wish you’d never bought: Expired ice cream cup – definitely NOT good.

Best summer vacation ever: Driving and camping across the USA on a northern trek going to California to visit an aunt, and coming back home to Pennsylvania following a southern path. We got to visit a number of National Parks and see a lot of interesting sights.

Somewhere where you don’t ever want to return: New Orleans is a favorite among some people I know, but it’s just not for me, sorry.

Most favorite place to write/edit in the summer: Outside (at home, local park, camping).

The worst place to try to write in the summer because of all the distractions: At home, when the whole family is home, including the dog (unless he decides to sleep). It’s hard to find a quiet space.

Favorite thing to do on a summer evening: Watch the stars.

Least favorite thing about summer: Pesky bugs.

The thing you like most about being a writer: Writing a story, and going on the adventure.

The thing you like least about being a writer: Editing.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night: A gallon of good milk.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Anything seafood.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I would say it, but I don’t want a visit from the cops.

Something you chickened out from doing: Going over twice the speed limit in an undisclosed location.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I really enjoyed your book! When’s the next one coming out?

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I see a poodle on your book cover, and there wasn’t one.

About Sheryl:

Sheryl Ickes was born and raised in Pennsylvania, where she currently resides with her family and pets. It Only Takes One Bite was her first published novel in 2014, which has launched into a five book series, and three additional series written within the cozy mystery and young readers genres. Drawing on her 20+ years of experience in cake decorating, and driving cross country, she uses her past experiences to give her characters realism and authenticity throughout her stories; making it no surprise that three of her mysteries are award-winning or finalists. Her latest book, Tough Fluff, releases in July of this year and will be the first installment in her Fluff and Flowers Mystery series.

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#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Athina Paris

I’d like to welcome author Athina Paris back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: I enjoy the slowness and creativity of journaling.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: I dislike housework, it cuts into my writing time.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Hot coffee or tea, and cookies.

Things that distract you from writing: Too much noise, and occasionally, my cat.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding the time when inspiration strikes, and you’re away from your desk.

Easiest thing about being a writer: It’s a comfortable endeavor: inside, at your desk, dress warm or cool depending on season, have something to drink.

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Definitely for jellybeans.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Meat and bacon, I hardly ever eat them.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: I bought a small label printer, which I have given to my daughter-in-law as she just had a baby and needs to label all kinds of things.

Things that make you want to gag: Anything to do with animals’ internal organs.

Something you’re really good at: Taking knots out of things.

Something you’re really bad at: Saying no to chocolate.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: I wanted to be an actress when I was young. Because I loved the idea of being multiple people. Now, I write about multiple people.

Something you wish you could do: I wish I could swim.

Things to say to an author: Well, done, you finished writing your book.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I have an idea for a book, I’ll share it with you, you write it, and we’ll share the profits fifty-fifty.

Favorite places you’ve been: On the ocean, on a cruise ship, around the Caribbean.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Margaret Atwood, Joyce Maynard, and Brandon Sanderson.

Favorite things to do: Reading, journaling, and revamping old furniture.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Travel to the United States on my own.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I loved your book, your characters were so interesting and relatable.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I get to create new lives, and new worlds.

About Athina:

Athina Paris was born and went to school in Mozambique. Living her formative years in the confines of strict convents and boarding schools, she escaped by dreaming of faraway exotic places, and it created a deep curiosity about life and people. Feeling the need to liberate her inquisitive mind from conformist restraints, she took refuge in libraries and bookstores, leading to an avid interest in reading, storytelling, and a lifelong obsession with the written word and books.

At age fourteen, she joined her family: father, mother, and a younger brother in South Africa, where she continued her schooling. Now able to read English, she quickly went through most of the classics, discovered ancient civilizations, and became fascinated with various mythologies; a love she has kept to this day. After her father left the family, she went to college to study Interior Design, but the pull of her true talent took her into Creative Writing. She followed that with Scriptwriting.

Athina has recently vacated the position of high school teacher, where she polished her skills to concentrate on her professional goals of writing, editing and proofreading. She has joined RockHill Publishing LLC as Editor-in-Chief.

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Website: About - AUTHOR ATHINA PARIS