Online For Authors Podcast

Mind Games of a Psychological Thriller: Unraveling the Brain's Twisted Tales with Author Gary Simonds

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Gary Simonds, author of the book Death’s Pale Flag.  Gary is a highly experienced neurosurgeon, and former head of an academic neurosurgery program at Virginia Tech/Carilion Clinic. He is a professor and teaches regularly at the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Gary has written and spoken widely on the subjects of neuroscience, medical school admissions, humanism, medical socioeconomics, medical ethics, burnout, personal wellness, spirituality, death and dying, and the interface between science and religion. Known for his compassion and sense of humor, he also writes fiction and is an accomplished and entertaining storyteller.
Born in New Jersey, Gary has lived in New Jersey; England; Washington D.C.; Denver; Danville, Pennsylvania; and Roanoke, Virginia. He currently lives in the beautiful town of Black Mountain, North Carolina.
In my book review, I stated that Death's Pale is a psychological thriller that had me from page one. The main character, Ryan, is a brain surgeon, so some of the medical stuff really hit home with me as my husband and I navigate his brain cancer diagnosis. However, I found what Ryan does as a trauma neurosurgeon amazing. And because the author is a neurosurgeon, it is very accurate!
But the story isn't about a run-of-the-mill neurosurgeon and his patients. Instead, it is about a highly educated man who begins to see ghosts - some from long ago and some far more recent. Why are they contacting him? What will his coworkers and family think? Are they real or is he cracking up?
​I loved this story and was sad to see it end. Gary did a magnificent job with character development. Definitely a must-read, even if psychological thriller is not usually on your TBR!
You can follow Author Gary Simonds:
Website: www.garyrsimonds.com
Social media:
FB: @garyrsimonds
TikTok: @garyrsimonds
IG: @garyrsimonds
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#garysimonds #garyrsimonds #deathspaleflag #psychologicalthriller #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Bound by Secrets: A Tale of Friendship, Family, and Hidden Truths with Author Fran Hawthorne

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Fran Hawthorne, author of the book, I Meant to Tell You.
Fran has been writing novels since she was four years old, although she was sidetracked for several decades by journalism. During that award-winning career, she wrote eight nonfiction books (mainly about consumer activism and the healthcare industry) and was an editor or regular contributor for The New York Times, Business Week, Fortune, and many other publications. But Fran never abandoned her true love: Her debut novel, The Heirs, was published in 2018, and now I MEANT TO TELL YOU (which was published last November by Stephen F. Austin State University Press) has already won or is a finalist for seven awards, including the Eric Hoffer Award and the Sarton Award. Fran is at work on two new novels and also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books.
In my book review, I stated that I Meant to Tell You is a contemporary women's fiction with some forays into the history surrounding the demonstrations during the Vietnam War era. More importantly, it is about a woman named Miranda who must come to terms with her past - both the past she has tried to keep secret and the past that has been kept secret from her.Fran made me think about what I would do to keep my mistakes hidden from others or what others might do if they found out about my skeletons. She also made me consider how I would handle learning about someone else's secrets - especially if those secrets were meaningful to me.​Can love survive the past? And when is it okay to tell a few white lies to gloss over the details of the past? I Meant To Tell You may just have the answers.
You can follow Author Fran Hawthorne:
Website: https://www.hawthornewriter.com
Instagram: @hawthornewriter
X: @hawthornewriter
LinkedIn: in/franhawthorne
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomhawthornewriter
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com 
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#franhawthorne #imeanttotellyou #womensfiction #literaryfiction #historicalfiction #vietnamera #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Elevating Fiction: How Editing Takes Your Story to the Next Level with Editor Megan Turner

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Editor Megan Turner here to talk with me about the editing process. Megan is a graduate of the MFA Program for Poets and Writers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her work has appeared in Witness, Atticus Review, Rio Grande Review, Fiction International, and others. She currently serves as a developmental editor at Atmosphere Press and as an instructor for UC Berkeley Extension. She lives and works in Portland, Maine.
Megan and I met almost three years ago through Atmosphere Press, and she was instrumental in helping me bring Sunflowers Beneath the Snow to publication. Since then, she has been my editor for An Enemy Like Me and Daughters of Green Mountain Gap. Each time, she has helped take my story to the next level.
You can follow editor and writer Megan Turner at her website: www.meganrturner.com or through Atmosphere Press: www.atmospherepress.com
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#meganturner #editing #editingprocess #developmentaleditor #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

The Bravest Heroes: WWII Historical Fiction from Down Under with Elaine Schroller

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Elaine Schroller, author of the book The Bravest Soldiers. Elaine reads and writes historical fiction to escape writing about computer software and to travel to other places in time. Her degree is in History, which gave her the perfect training for researching specific places and events in her first novel, Dare Not Tell, as well as her second, The Bravest Soldiers. She’s traveled to all but one of the countries in the books and visited all the sites where the story takes place, some more than once.
Elaine was an oil brat and attended high schools in Algiers, Algeria, Northwood, England, Clear Lake City, Texas, Beirut, Lebanon, and Kingston-upon-Thames, England. For many years she has lived in Bellaire, Texas, where she and her husband raised their son. Now, she has a rescue cocker spaniel underfoot and travels as often as she can convince her son to look after the dog.
Elaine is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Women's Fiction Writers Association.
In my book review, I stated that The Bravest Soldiers was an amazing historical fiction with a dash of romance. It is set in WWII in Australia and has been winning awards - as it should!For those who know Elaine's work, we meet Sophie in book one of The Immense Sky Saga. She was a nurse in WWI in France but when the war ended, she emigrated to Australia with her new husband, adopted son, and step-son. The Bravest Soldiers is what happens to Sophie as a mom during WWII.Sophie is one of those "do it all" ladies who sees a need and fills it. But what happens when the needs are those you cannot fill and the fear of loss is almost too immense? Elaine helps us see that bravery doesn't just happen on the front line of a war. In fact, the bravest soldiers are often the women who are left behind to keep things running despite the stress and worry.​You can follow Author Elaine Schroller:
Website: www.elaineschroller.com
Instagram: @elaineschroller
Facebook: @elaine.aucoin.schroller
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#elaineschroller #thebravestsoldiers #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Unleash Your Potential: Live Life on Your Own Terms with Inspirational Author Carol Pearson

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Carol Pearson, author of the book 10 Little Rules for a Blissy Life. Carol is the founder and creative force behind the 10 Little Rules books. She crafted her rules for living after navigating through some of life's unexpected twists and coming out stronger, happier, and whole. Home base is Bay City, Michigan, where she lives, writes, and shares life’s adventures with her husband, John. Carol's words aren't just ink on paper; with a dash of humor and a large sprinkle of compassion, she’ll take you on a self-discovery journey — one rule at a time.
In my book review, I stated that Carol wrote 10 Little Rules for a Blissy Life after her world, in a matter of eight weeks, fell apart. Her daughters were moving out to start their own lives, her husband lost his job, they realized their marriage was over, and her own income stream was destroyed by her business partners. Despite being broke, homeless, and dealing with interpersonal relationship issues, Carol was the happiest she had ever been. Why? She had begun living life by her own rules rather than the rules given to her by her parents, society, and the "shoulds" residing in her head.
Carol offers readers the ten rules that helped her navigate through these big changes and offers great questions and journaling space to help find where you might be stuck. The best part is that these are merely a starting place. She encourages readers to dig deep and discover their own rules for being happy in this life.
My favorite rule is #10 - Every Night, Give Thanks.
This is a perfect book for anyone going through change and wanting to figure out how to do so gracefully.
You can follow Author Carol Pearson
Website: https://10littlerules.com
Facebook: @10littlerules
Instagram: @10littlerules
YouTube: @10littlerules94
LinkedIn: @10littlerules
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#carolpearson #10littlerules #10littlerulesforablissylife #inspirational #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Secrets, Lies, and Love: A YA Author Suspense Romance with Author Louise Davis

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Louise Davis, author of the book, Haunted by You. Louise is a powerful, up-and-coming young adult author with an innate ability to draw readers into her stories using dramatic realism. Her commercial and accessible writing style blends with highly riveting and twisting plotlines to craft truly unique works of literary art. Her recent book, Haunted by You, artistically showcases her wide range of writing skills, weaving in romance, mystery, and suspense all in one thrilling book.
Her lifelong love of reading led her to earn a bachelor’s degree with a focus on creative writing, which paved the way to writing her own books, including her children’s book, Grandpa’s Boots. Through Louise’s profound character development and realistic storylines, she enjoys entertaining her readers while delivering valuable life lessons in the process. When Louise is not sharing her love for writing with the world, she enjoys reading, going on adventures, and spending her time with her five boys, husband, and various animals on their peaceful 3-acre ranch-style home in the Idaho Falls, Idaho area.
In my book review, I stated that I found Haunted by You to be a delightful YA Fiction that is a perfect mixture of suspense and clean romance. And I learned when interviewing Louise that this is part of a trilogy!
Genevieve is a teenage girl who falls for Steve, a student at a private school in Charleston and a ghost tour guide. However, their budding romance has to take a back seat to what Genevieve learns about her father - he's being blackmailed! Davis does a good job introducing us to the characters and providing enough details to make us look in all the wrong directions for the blackmailer. And although the ending wraps up nicely, there is plenty of room for more!
You can follow Author Louise Davis:
Website: https://www.louisedavisbooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisedavisbooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louisedavisbooks
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
 
#louisedavis #hauntedbyyou #youngadult #youngadultmystery #mystery #romance #youngadultromance #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

The Invisible Battles: A Fictional Tale of the War in Afghanistan with Author Rich LaMonica

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Rich LaMonica, author of the book, Out of the Darkness. Rich is a 22-year veteran of the United States Army who was deployed on multiple occasions in support of the Global War on Terrorism. It was during this career he evolved as a leader of people.
His education came from great mentors who showed him how to take care of people. He retired in 2015 and went through an entire year of self-reflection as he transitioned to civilian life again. Those 365 days from retiring to finding a job taught him valuable lessons about transition. This has powered his drive to help other veterans as they go through the transition and any other roadblocks they are hitting.
He is a Motivated Speaker who discusses Mindset, Resilience, Grit, and more skills that will make you find your Purpose no matter the journey you have been on.
He is currently finishing up two books while pursuing a Ph.D from Liberty University in Homeland Security. He lives by rules and has a motto that resonates with fans of How I met Your Mother “Challenge Accepted”. He is the Executive Producer and host of The MisFitNation Podcast.
Fittingly, I read Out of the Darkness by on Veteran's Day. In my book review, I stated that this novel follows a fictional soldier, Bull, who is fighting in Afghanistan. We meet each of his team members and several enablers (those who help the team) along the way and discover who they were before they joined the military, what happened during this tour, and the consequences when the tour was over.​Although this is a fictional story, Rich uses these characters to help others understand the realities of war - and what soldiers face even when the bullets stop flying. My big takeaway is that our soldiers need - and deserve - better mental health services, and we, as a people, need to do everything in our power to support them, both while they are fighting and when they return home.
You can follow Author Rich LaMonica:
Website: www.TheMisfitNation.com  
LinkedIn: in/Rich LaMonica
X: @TheMisFitNation
Facebook: TheMisfiNnation
Instagram: @The_MisFitNation
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#richlamonica #outofthedarkness #militaryfiction #afghanwar #militaryhistory #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Mastering Author Marketing: Essential Tips for Success with Author Caleb Wygal

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Caleb Wygal, author of the Myrtle Beach Mystery series. I’ve invited Caleb on today to talk about marketing – something that he does really well and many authors need to learn more about.
Caleb is an acclaimed mystery author, and seasoned Mystery Writing instructor affiliated with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institution at Coastal Carolina University. He is renowned for his exceptional storytelling, notably in the Myrtle Beach Mystery Series, with his debut novel Death on the Boardwalk receiving accolades from Women’s World Magazine, which hailed it as a must-read for visitors exploring Myrtle Beach. Additionally, his captivating mystery, Death on the Causeway, was honored with the prestigious 2023 Gold Medal by Readers’ Favorite for Best Amateur Sleuth Mystery, solidifying his status as a master of the genre.
His talent goes beyond the realms of mystery writing; he’s also a dedicated social media marketer, a skilled woodworker, an occasional golfer, and a beach enthusiast known for his knack for finding shark teeth along the shoreline.
Currently immersed in crafting the next installment of the Myrtle Beach Mystery Series, Caleb resides in Myrtle Beach with his loving wife and son. His passion for unraveling mysteries and teaching the art of mystery writing continues to inspire aspiring writers and captivate readers worldwide.
You can follow Author Caleb Wygal:
Website: https://calebwygal.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/calebwygalauthor
IG: @ calebwygal
X: @calebwygal
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#calebwygal #myrtlebeachmysteries #cozymystery #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview #marketing #authormarketing #bookmarketing

A Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale Retelling: A Fantasy Adventure with Author Evelyn Puerto

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Evelyn Puerto, author of the book, The Girl Who Broke the Dark.  Evelyn states that she reads just about anything, writes in multiple genres, and is the author of the award-winning Outlawed Myth epic fantasy series. When she married, she inherited three stepdaughters, a pair of step-grandsons and a neurotic cat. Currently she writes from South Carolina. When she’s not arguing with her characters, she’s helping her grandsons catch bugs.
In my book review, I stated that The Girl Who Broke the Dark by Evelyn Puerto is another story I simply could not put down. This fantasy, a twisted version of the fairytale, A Sleeping Beauty, had me wishing for more. And once again, I'm thrilled because it is just the first volume in what will become her Royal Mages series.
Evelyn weaves a tale about Princess Eliana, her country of Ymittos, and a sleeping prince cursed by the evil sorcerer Cetus. Although she remains unaware of her role until her 18th birthday, Eliana is destined to break the curse or watch her country - and eventually the entire continent - fall victim to Cetus. Unfortunately, to do what she must, Eliana must venture deep underground to face barbarians, monsters, and her own fears.
​I often struggle with fantasy because I get lost in the world building, non-human characters, and social/physical law differences. However, I LOVED LOVED LOVED The Girl Who Broke the Dark and am enthralled with the story. I can't wait to read Puerto's second installment.
You can follow Author Evelyn Puerto:
Website: https://www.evelynpuerto.com/ 
Newsletter: https://subscribe.evelynpuerto.com/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/evelyn_puerto 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Evelyn.Puerto 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theevelynpuerto/ 
Youtube:   https://www.youtube.com/@evelynpuertoauthor 
BookBub Profile  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/evelyn-puerto 
 
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com 
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#evelynpuerto #thegirlwhobrokethedark #fantasy #epicfantasy #epicfantasyadventure #fairytalefantasy #swordandsorceryfantasy #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Italian Memories: A 1960s New York City Tale with Author Tomasina Decrescenzo

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Tomasina Decrescenzo, author of the book, Two Left Feet. Tomasina resides in Queens NY. She is a retired operating room nurse, as well as a single parent and grandparent. She has written poetry and short stories over the years, however this is her first novel. Tomasina also writes, paints, and performs in comedy clubs at the golden age of 70!
In my book review, I stated that Tomasina’s  book, though fiction, is filled to the brim with stories of her childhood and what it was like to grow up in an Italian immigrant family in New York.The main character, Mikey, short for Michelina, regales readers with childhood stories from magic wine, to witch's curses, to only being able to find two left sneakers when buying shoes for the summer.​Tomasina is a wonderful storyteller and had me laughing out loud.
You can follow Author Tomasina Decrescenzo:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomasina.decrescenzo.5
Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com
FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor
IG: @terimbrown_author
X: @terimbrown1
 
Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message onPodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors
 
#tomasinadecrescenzo #twoleftfeet #historicalfiction #familysaga #italianimmigrant #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview