Showcase: Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer

Thanks so much for having me here today, Emily! 

My new novel, Unmasking Maya, takes place in the beautiful city of San Francisco. It’s such a fantastic place to live. If you’re planning a trip – or you think you might want to visit sometime in the future, 

read on for my tips on visiting the city.

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Defamed, Disgraced and Displaced...

Fresh from a career-killing scandal, New York fashion girl, Maya Kirkwood, arrives in San Francisco to reinvent herself as a fine artist. She's offered the opportunity to create an installation at the Silicon Valley headquarters of a hot new tech company. Fabulous, right?

Not so much.

She can't stand Derek Whitley - wunderkind software genius and CEO of the company. Hot as he may be on the outside, inside the man is a cold, unemotional, robotic type. Way too left-brained for her right-brained self.

As Maya and Derek get to know each other, however, their facades begin to crack. She catches her first glimpse of the man behind the superhuman tech prodigy, and he starts to see her as the woman she used to be. But is this a good thing? Once that last secret is revealed, will it bring them closer together or will it tear them apart?

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE VISITING SAN FRANCISCO

·        1.  The weather is insane. I know people probably check the weather before planning a visit, but I suspect it doesn’t really register. Vendors in the touristy areas make a killing selling warm sweatshirts to shivering tourists. If you come during the summer, bring plenty of sweaters and a jacket. October is our hottest month and it rains a lot in the wintertime.

·        2.  There’s a huge homeless population in San Francisco. I know the sight of so many people living on the street can be jarring for those who aren’t used to it, but for the most part, the homeless are harmless. No need to be afraid.

·       3.   Having said that, avoid the Tenderloin. Although it’s gotten some good press recently for its emerging nightlife scene, the neighborhood is still the most dismal and dangerous in the city. Forming a rough triangle if you look at it on the map, the Tenderloin is bordered by Geary St., Van Ness Ave. and Market St.

I hope you’re not all calling up the airlines, madly trying to rebook your flight to a different, more hospitable city! I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I want people to enjoy themselves in my lovely city. Which is not easy to do when you’re shivering with cold or fright. Okay. One more cautionary bit of advice and then I’ll lighten the mood, I promise.

·        4.  Avoid the Haight if the idea of being approached by a pot dealer on the street freaks you out. As your average, thirty-something gal whose style is pretty unremarkable (I can’t image that I particularly look like a stoner) every time I’m in the Haight someone asks if I’d like to buy some weed. Even during the day.

·        5.  Alcatraz is one of our most popular attractions, but if you’d like to see it, definitely book your tickets in advance. Book them way in advance if you’re visiting during peak tourist season.

·        6.  Be sure not to refer to San Francisco as “Frisco” or “San Fran” unless you want to annoy the locals and brand yourself as a tourist.

·        7.  There’s always something going on here, including lots of free, outdoor events. Depending on when you come, you might get the chance to go to an open-air concert, a craft expo or a dance festival. Each neighborhood has its own street fair or festival once a year, so your visit could very well coincide with the Union Street Fair, the Castro Street Fair or the Noe Valley Harvest Festival.

·        8.  The hills in this city are serious. Proper footwear is essential if you stray from the water’s edge (Fisherman’s Wharf, Marina, etc.) You’ll probably get a decent workout just from wandering around the city, which will do an excellent job in counteracting the extra calories you’ll be consuming. Which brings me to…

·        9.  San Francisco is one of the best cities for food in the entire world. Avoid Union Square and other touristy areas because they’re full of chain restaurants, and usually they’re packed. The residential areas (Laurel Heights, Nob Hill and Hayes Valley, to name just a few) are filled with fantastic little restaurants. But these delectable meals don’t come cheap. Dining in San Francisco is crazy expensive.

·        10.  We’re friendly people. If you need to ask for directions or something, don’t even hesitate because San Francisco is a laid-back kind of place with a relaxed, West Coast kind of flavor.

Thanks for reading, and if you haven’t done so already, I hope you get a chance to visit the City on the Bay!!

 San Francisco in PICTURES:

Activist

In the park

Golden Gate Bridge

Street fair

Links:

Blog: http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16147861-unmasking-maya

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LibbyMercer1

Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Libby-Mercer-Author/184901528274900

Amazon: 

ebook/dp/B00AN7CCV0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Author bio:

Born and raised in the Midwest, Libby Mercer’s adventurous spirit kicked in after graduating from high school, and she’s since lived in Boston, NYC and London. San Francisco is the city she currently calls home. For several years, Libby worked in fashion – first as a journalist and then as a shopkeeper. She also dabbled in design for a while. Even through the crazy fashion years, Libby never let go of her dream of being a published author, and has since developed her signature writing style, crafting quirky chick lit/romance hybrids. Fashioning a Romance was her first published novel, and Unmasking Maya will be her second. Libby has a third novel, The Karmic Connection, scheduled for release in 2013.

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. Usually it’s my situation or my surroundings. I do draw a lot of things from real life to incorporate in my books. San Francisco features heavily because that’s where I live right now. It’s a wacky and wonderful place that I’m sure will continue to inspire me.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. I’ve been a writer forever, but being a newly published author, I have to say my favorite thing is getting great feedback from readers and reviewers. My heart soars every time.  

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. Finding time for anything else in life. At the moment I’m single, don’t have kids and don’t have a job (apart from the writing/marketing) so for the past three months, I’ve been pulling eighteen hour days, seven days a week. Not good, I know. In a month or so, things should calm down and I’ll be able to get some balance.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. I would most likely go back to fashion journalism, or maybe I’d look for a more stable position in marketing.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A. I Think I Can, I Think I Can. That little engine and I both dream big and work hard.

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. That would have to be Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. Haha, I think I’d have to go with the Little Engine.

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A. Definitely Chloe Lane from one of my untitled chick lit novels. She’s a hopeless workaholic, a bit of a dork and she owns and operates a small boutique in New York, like I did for a few years. Of course Chloe is younger, thinner, more successful and better looking than I am! I will probably release her story late in 2013 under my real name, Anna Garner. Need to do a bit of rebranding as I move from chick lit/romance hybrids to straight up chick lit, so this will take some time to plan everything out.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A. Depends on where I am in the world, but in San Francisco, it’s fall.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. The Fashioning cover was created by Kelly Shorten of Musa Publishing, and I think she captured the chick lit/romance hybrid feel beautifully. Maya’s cover was a high-octane-adrenaline-charged experience! I’d booked a cover designer months before I needed it, but it all fell through at the 11^th hour, so I had three days to come up a title before my blog tour commenced. I dove in and created several different options (thank heavens I know how to use graphic design software) and ran all the versions past my online author friends. They gave me their feedback and I ended up with a cover I’m really proud of and one that I believe represents the book well.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A. Actually just yesterday I had an amusing revelation: it’s impossible for me to turn off. I was on the phone with Amazon Kindle support because I couldn’t figure out how to change the font sizes on my device. The woman I spoke with was so friendly and funny. I couldn’t help but wonder if she might be a potential reader. And so I mentioned that I have two books on Amazon, chatted about the genre, mentioned the good reviews, etc. She was so excited for me and promised to check out the books.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A. I’m trying. I’m afraid I’ve got a case of writer’s block at the moment. I’ve been so focused on releasing and promoting Maya, and I find it difficult to switch gears and go straight from marketing mode to writing mode. But I’ll get back to it hopefully soon. I’m halfway through writing another chick lit/romance hybrid about a rancher from Texas and a vegetarian sustainable farming expert from Northern California.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  Thanks for reading! We indie authors are so grateful that folks are interested in reading our blog posts and our books. Really. It’s all about the readers. And thank you, Emily, for having me on your fabulous blog!

Showcase: Culpa Innata by B. Barmanbek

NEW YORK – It's the middle of the 21st century, and the world has been divided in half.

Ever since the Great Meltdown, the most devastating depression humanity has ever seen, the world has united into one people, one goal, one mighty global country: the World Union. Beyond that, lie the "Rogue States."

Here in the Union, there are no capital crimes, no poverty, no pollution – even disease has almost been eradicated. The World Union has ushered in an unprecedented era of self-interest and fulfillment. Prosperity is a science, self-interest is a new religion, sex is entertainment, peace is at hand, and the future has never looked brighter. But does this “perfect world” hide darker secrets?

Phoenix Wallis has just been promoted as Senior Agent of the Global Peace and Security Network, the dominant peace-keeping agency of the World Union. She's grown up inside the Union, and ever since she was a child, she's trusted its sanctums.  But when she is assigned a high-profile murder just one week on her new position, she enters an investigation that compels her to question everything she's ever believed. Her grasp on reality is now being tested by some powerful forces – forces who may be manipulating her mind. As she struggles for her sanity and survival, a deeply buried inner strength emerges. While she may not realize, Phoenix possesses the key to the single biggest threat to the Union.

B. Barmanbek's Culpa Innata (October 2012, trade paper and Kindle), the original story behind the cult video game of the same name and the first of a trilogy, is set in a world with haunting similarities to our own. Our protagonist moves among simulated humanoids, mind control weapons, memory-reflecting holograms, and 3-dimensional interactive ads: Everyday technologies of this futuristic vision.

"I've always had this deep urge to figure out the world, as a deeper urge tells me that as humanity we're up to no good," says Barmanbek. "Every major civilization attempts to control and shape the world to its own image. I often ask myself if we could create a system where its ultimate aim is truly humanity's development and not perpetuation of the system itself. In Culpa Innata, I have depicted that world, which I believe we are headed towards full speed. I want the reader to ask if the World Union is what she/he really wants. With this book, I hope to bring in a fresh perspective, and provoke the reader to think and question.”

With adventure and science fiction appeal – as well the protagonist's profound self-discovery – Culpa Innata is a book that will linger in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned.

Author  B. BARMANBEK is creator, writer, and producer of Culpa Innata, a video game released in 2007 and hailed as the “adventure game of the decade” by reviewers. He is also the co-founder and chairman of Momentum, the company that developed the game. An electric & electronics engineer and an MBA graduate of Wright State University, Barmanbek is currently working on a sequel book to Culpa Innata, titled Chaos Rising. To learn more, visit culpainnata.com

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. I've always felt this deep desire to understand what makes the world tick. Same reason made me some kind of an information junkie. I sift through the current events, match it up with what I already know and try to complete the puzzle and form a picture. But don't ask me why I feel compelled to share this with others, because I have no clue. Do you believe in instincts?

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. I come from a background in video game design an production. It's an absolutely amazing experience to be a part of such an endeavor - and so, so, so much work - yet with endless technical, budgetary, and timing restrictions, it can be very limiting. OK, I admit, I wasn't in one of those studios where money poured in like there was no tomorrow and I had to take a lot of steps back from what I originally envisioned. In book writing, your imagination is the limit and I love that.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. Putting yourself in the shoes of the reader. You become so much involved in the world you created, you become indifferent to what I call as "blind spots", parts that seem important to you while the reader couldn't care less. If the point of writing something - or anything for that matter - is to share with someone else, you need to be able to find that delicate middle ground between spoon feeding and totally losing the reader.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. I make a pretty good video game designer and producer. This is something I can switch back and forth between being an author. On a totally different page, I think I would make a heck of a historical detective, discovering the truth stuck or hidden  between the lines in those dusted down books.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A. "The path to glorious success!" No, no, no, just kidding. Life is full of surprises, twists and turns and the difference between being the hero or the villain is in which point of time someone takes your snapshot. Passing time can be can be very cruel to some and gentle to others. My story still goes on, and until it reaches the epilogue, it wouldn't be fair to title anyone's life.

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. I would like further clarification: Do you mean my favorite book of all time that my publicist told me to pick, my executive coach, or my mother? And who would truly honestly answer this question in such an interview, anyway? Would I shock my readers if I say that it's the World Almanac 2000 Special Edition? I would? OK, then, I won't.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A.  I don't read that many novels so that I have a grasp of manyfictional characters to answer this question. My diet is morenon-fiction. It also depends on how I wake up a particular morning. Moreover, I would be very hard for me to answer that question for myself; you better ask those who are close to me. Did I count enough plausible reasons to dodge the question?

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A. See above..

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A. Now I have no idea how I can avoid a cliche here. No snappy answer comes to my mind, either. How about this? Every new day is my favorite day. It's here due to cosmic realities and I welcome it, cherish it, try to make the most of it. Sadly but understandably, most of us take the morning light for granted (spending several nights in a cave helped me realizing how important it is). For me, every day-and every season or year for that matter-comes with its own unique properties. I have the ability to make that a beautiful day and I try. Right now, fall is my favorite season. Soon it will be winter. Surprised?

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. My heroine and the storyline inspired my book cover. This is how it's supposed to be, right? And it was, no surprising answers there, sorry. One image lingers in my mind when you ask about a favorite book cover and it's Jurassic Park. Simple but superbly elegant and summarizingly descriptive, I feel jealous. That T-Rex so totally steals the entire show.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A. Somebody thought that they already sent me these questions and she didn't and this whole misunderstanding was so funny, and now I have to rush these answers to you.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A. I am, but I'm not supposed to kiss and tell.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A. That the mind is meant to be imagining, picturing, and pushing it own boundaries, and that they should never stop reading and discovering their own abilities en route.

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Showcase: The Super Spies Series by Lisa Orchard

This book opens in a small town in Michigan where fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman. One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death. Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own fact-finding mission. The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the inquest. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. To make matters worse, the police don’t even believe them. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer.

This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes suspicious. She decides to investigate. The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?

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Hello! I'm Lisa Orchard and I want to tell you a little bit about myself.

I am the oldest of four children and grew up in a small town in Western Michigan. I grew up reading mysteries, starting with "The Bobbsey Twins" and "The Nancy Drew" series.

By fifth grade I was writing my own mysteries and illustrating them as well. I've always known that I wanted to be a writer and I tucked that little piece of information into the back of my brain; determined to take it out and use it when it was time.

After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, I landed a sales job. I was on my way! After spending 13 years in the Insurance industry, I met my husband. We soon married and had two beautiful boys. I decided to stay home with my kids. A tough decision, but one I don't regret.

I did, however, miss the hustle and bustle of work - and working toward a goal. That is when the little voice inside my brain said, "It's time to write."

So I did, and "The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer" was born, followed by my new book, "The Super Spies and the High School Bomber."

I am very excited as I begin this new "chapter" in my life.

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"MOTIVATION"

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you today! I’m Lisa Orchard, the author of the Super Spies series and I’m here as a guest of Emily’s. I’d like to take just a second and say thanks for having me here. Thanks Emily!

Today I’d like to talk about motivation. I think having hopes and dreams is a very essential part of happiness. These goals are the motivation that gets us up in the morning. Wouldn’t you agree? J

As I look back on my life I realize my happiest times were when I was pursuing a goal.  When I was a teen, I wanted to be a detective. That’s right; I wanted to be Nancy Drew. J

So, I got my friends together, we formed our own detective squad, and started detecting. We had the time of our lives! It was awesome! Not only were we occupied for hours on end, but we stayed out of trouble… for the most part. J

As I look back, I realized why I had so much fun.  It was because I was chasing a dream and it was my dream not my parent’s, or my teacher’s, or my coaches; it was mine and mine alone…along with my friends.  I feel this is an important distinction when it comes to motivation. J

And maybe that’s why there are so many problems in our educational system today. We have reluctant readers and kids who don’t want to go to school. I have to wonder why? I loved school when I was a kid and even though I had a hard time getting up in the morning, J I was excited about learning.

When I thought about why our young people don’t seem motivated to learn, I had to ask why. And then it hit me. We need to give our kids choices. J When my kids go to school they have to learn what the teacher or the state chooses to teach them. So, if they’re learning about a subject that doesn’t interest them, their motivation goes right out the window.

I say let’s give our kids choices. Why can’t our kids choose the books they want to read? The goal is to get them reading, right? Why not let them read the books that interest them? I think this would solve the motivational problem with some of our reluctant readers.

I know what you’re thinking? That’s kind of unrealistic. I mean we can’t provide different books for every kid.  Really?  J  Here’s my solution to the problem J. You knew I had one didn’t you? (wink).

Let’s provide all the students with e-readers. I know you’re laughing right now but let’s just think about this for a second.

If each student had an e-reader they would have a virtual library at their fingertips. With all the e-book choices out there I’m sure even the most reluctant reader would find a book he’s interested in reading. J

I know you’re worried about the cost, right? Well…e-readers are expensive that’s true, but have you checked out the price difference between paperbacks and e-books lately? I bet the savings between the two book formats would offset the cost of the e-readers very quickly.

And now that we’re talking about cost, why don’t we put text books in e-book format. Think of the huge savings there! J

So there you have it in a nutshell, my solution to the motivational problems for our reluctant readers. I’d love to hear what you think and if you have any ideas that would help ignite a young mind please share. And while you’re at it, check out my books.

I’ve got two available in my Super Spies series and I’ve been told that young readers have a hard time putting them down. J  They’re written for the Upper Middle Grade/ Young Adult market.  The covers and blurbs are below. And the first book in the series, “The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer” is on sale now for $.99!

You can find me at these social media sites.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1

Website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/

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Showcase: We Are Savages by Jessie Atkin

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2012

We Are Savages is the story of 12 year old Tris and what she finds when she runs from the responsibility of her household and descends through a rain grate into the child run world of Nowhere. "You go to bed angry or sad enough you can wake up just about anywhere," the Savages tell her. Nowhere is a brick utopia hidden in the sewers; made up of sweets, sports, hammocks, and fireflies. But even this haven, free of parents and protocol, is not everything it seems. Haunted by dark specters known only as Phocydes, feared for their reputation of consuming children whole, Tris works both to hunt and to hide from these hooded shadows. But something about them is familiar; something about them fires her curiosity more than her fear. And Tris slowly begins to realize that, no matter where you go, fear and responsibility are not things you can escape. The only thing to do is face them.

Jessie Atkin lives in Upstate, NY, and attended Washington University in St. Louis. She received a B.A. in English Literature. Besides reading, she was also involved in theater during college, working as an assistant stage manager and even trying her hand at acting in a single show.

Jessie learned to read later than most, but her sudden ability coincided with the release of the first Harry Potter book in 1998, and an obsession was born. Aside from Harry Potter, she also learned to love comic books, with a particular affinity for superheroes. Aside from young adult fiction, Jessie also writes plays in her free time. 

We Are Savages is her debut novel. For more information please visit: http://www.jessieatkin.com/

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. My life.  I always have a pen and a small notebook in my pocket.  I takes notes on conversations and just things I see.  I am also inspired by the stories and movies I love.  They make me ask the questions that often turn into my stories.  

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. My favorite thing about being an author is the process of writing, it's like breathing to me, I have to do it to survive.  

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. The toughest part is time.  It's never a fact of not wanting to write, it's just that writing isn't the entirety of my life (though some days I wish it was) and having to organize a schedule and keep to it can be challenging.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. I always wanted to be an astronaut.  But I'm much better at writing than math, so the astronaut thing probably would not have worked out.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A. Two Minutes Late

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. I think Jo, from Little Women (which is strange because honestly, I never really liked that book).  But she's also a writer, and she writes all the time.  She's a bit of a tomboy and grew up with a bunch of sisters who could drive her crazy. Maybe I never liked the book because there was too much in it I could relate to.

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A. I would say my main character in "We Are Savages", Tris. She's a bit of a tomboy, and is very attached to her dog.  But I feel she's much more understanding, and not as short tempered as I am. 

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A. Spring.  My birthday is in the spring.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. My book cover was actually inspired by my sister.  I asked her, after she read the book, what image stood out the most to her.  She said fireflies.  So I asked that my illustrator (who is also my brother) include those in the cover image. My favorite book cover of all time is the American version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A. I've been promoting the book a lot through social media.  My mom, who has a FB page, has been reposting a lot of my links. So, I keep hearing from friends of my mom online, which is a very new experience for me, haha.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A. Yes. I am currently working on the first book in a YA sci-fi dystopian trilogy.  

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  Thanks for taking the time to read this interview! If you want a chance to win a kindle copy of "We Are Savages" take a look at our FB page, we've been hosting a lot of giveaways lately :) And keep on the lookout, as a paperback copy of the book is in the works.

Showcase: Dizzy by Arthur Wooten

“As a therapist, I believe books like Dizzy are important. They introduce complex

medical concepts in story form, allowing the reader to learn, grow and enjoy the

process. This fictional memoir will give you belly laughs, inspire compassion, and

enrich your life.”  – Pamela Milam, MA, LPC

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(New York, NY, December 2, 2012) – Arthur Wooten pens fictional memoir based upon

his own life.

Editorial Review: Dizzy - A beloved Broadway actress, singer, dancer, is struck down at the height of her career by a mysterious disease and is forced to reexamine her

life and the people in it as she fights to survive.

On December 15, 2005, Mr. Wooten’s life as he knew it changed forever. Diagnosed with bilateral vestibulopathy with oscillopsia, this is the same illness that Angie Styles,

the lead character in Dizzy, develops. This is a fascinating read in that it marries two genres: an exciting backstage show biz tale coupled with a frightening medical drama.

Asked why he created a fictional memoir instead of writing about his own life Wooten laughs, “My life is too boring. But there are similarities between Angie and myself. I

was an actor for fifteen years before segueing into writing and all of the symptoms, causes, diagnoses, treatments, and time lines described in Dizzy, I have experienced

and are true.”

           

“This disease has robbed my body of all sense of balance. My brain never knows where

I am in space. It’s ironic, since I was a dancer and gymnast. My hope with this book is

not only to entertain but also educate and bring awareness to this disease that affects

hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. And if just one person suffering from these

same symptoms reads Dizzy and realizes they are not alone, then my job is done.”

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Q.  What inspires your writing?

A.  My dreams. In fact, I do a lot of my writing in the middle of the night. Often I’ll dream a story, a scene, a concept and still half asleep I’ll scribble on a notepad I keep on the nightstand or if it’s more complicated and articulate, I’ll get up and start writing at the computer. I actually have no control over it. It happened even with my most recent book, Dizzy: A Fictional Memoir even though, in actuality, it is my autobiography. It tells the story of a disease I have called bilateral vestibulopathy with oscillospsia where you lose all sense of balance. But it’s told through the voice of Angie Styles, a female Broadway actress, singer, dancer. I felt it would make the stakes higher if this syndrome happened to her. But once again, my dreams filled out the arc of the story and the depths and layers of the supporting fictional characters. 

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A.  The people I’ve met, both readers and writers from book signings, book fairs and through social media. I’m pretty much a loner but I now have a tribe of colleagues and friends who have become very dear to me. And we’re all very supportive of each other.

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A.  The proofreading stage of the process. It’s the toughest and the most aggravating. For years I was with a “traditional” publishing house. And one thing I had no control over, were typos found in final manuscripts. Some are my mistakes I’ve made, some are what we call “conversion” mistakes that are more computer program related. And I’d beg them to go back into files and fix them but they wouldn’t. In fact, the hardcover copy of my first book, On Picking Fruit, has my name spelled incorrectly. It says – Authur Wooten on the inside flap. I kid you not. I’m laughing now but I begged them to fix it, but alas. I’m now with a wonderful indie house, Galaxias Productions and they use different professional proofreaders but we’re only human. Typos are missed. Except by my mother – she points them out to me – lovingly. And Galaxias will fix anything they discover after the final approval.

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. A residential architect. I will spend hours scouring over blueprints for homes. I’ll spot where I would rearrange the configuration of the rooms or hallways. I’m obsessed with it. There is a magazine I get each month that has a couple of blue prints for homes in each issue and it’s the very first page I turn to. I’ve even bought books of residential architects I love and have studied their work.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A.  Dizzy is an option, because I am. A virus went to my brain and destroyed my inner ears, which tell the brain where you are in space. So I suffer from horizontal and vertical vertigo. I also feel, internally, completely drunk all the time and each step I take feels like I’m bouncing on a trampoline. Sadly, there is no cure. But I just had my 7^th year anniversary and Mother Nature is very kind. After all this time, I no longer remember what it is like not to have this challenge. I embrace and honor it instead of fighting against it. And in Dizzy, Angie writes her memoir and I think its title does fit my life now, A Balancing Act.

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A.  Oh gosh, that’s a hard one. I love all love Mary Renault’s novels, in particular, The Last Of The Wine. But Paul Gallico’s The Abandoned is right up there at the top of my list, too.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A.  Alexias in The Last Of The Wine. In fact, in my family drama Birthday Pie, the character most fashioned after me is called Alexi.

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A.  All of them. Truly. I’m the mother, the ancient therapist Dr. Magda Tunick and even Emily-Mae the dog, in On Picking Fruit. And aspects of myself and my journey through life are woven into Vivian, the Tupperware saleswoman in Leftovers. Andd Wise Bear William in my children’s picture book, Wise Bear William. They are all parts of me.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A.  Spring, although it’s my toughest time of the year now with my vestibular disease. Barometric pressure seems to wreak havoc with my symptoms. I live in New York City and in springtime the pressure shifts quickly, constantly and dramatically.

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A.  I love all my covers. Bud Santora, a brilliant artist creates them for me. And it’s a real collaborative effort.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A.  While doing a book signing for Fruit Cocktail in San Francisco, a leading newspaper shouted out to the city that the very well known Mr. Wooten was going to be doing a book signing at A Different Light bookstore. Most thought the paper was referring to the musician, composer, educator and author, Victor Wooten. When I arrived at the store for the signing, people were lined up around the block. I was totally taken aback, not expecting such a turnout. Some of those fans left realizing I was Arthur Wooten, but many stayed. I laughed about it and apologized for the confusion during my talk before the signing and I gained a lot of new followers...and sold ton of books.

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A.  I just returned from Venice where I did research for my new novel about a love story that takes place in this gorgeous and glorious city titled Aqua Alta. Aqua alta refers to the flooding Venice experiences, usually around November. Well, while I was there, they had the sixth highest aqua alta in recorded history. It was amazing and a bit frightening. Something I could never have imagined. I thought it was a true sign that I need to follow through with this project.

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  Thanks for sharing some time with me and remember that there’s never any obstacle too big for you to overcome. Think big, follow your passions and remember to look around you. If life seems tough, there’s always someone else out there that is having more of challenge with life than we are. All the best!

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