Blog Archives
Being The Life-and-soul
“The Ibiza Crone Club” follows Cassandra’s return to her spiritual home in Ibiza where an unexpected encounter with three strangers, aided by an ancient goddess, kindles the hope of true magic and brings fresh excitement to their lives. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Living in Ibiza I was aware of so many people getting caught up in the party-life whirlwind and missing out on an actual, real life. Cassandra’s arc in the book found her realizing that being the life-and-soul of every party, with hundreds of acquaintances, was ultimately meaningless compared with having true, deep friendships with a few people.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The driving theme for The Ibiza Crone Book was the possibility for older women to reinvent themselves, to shake off anything that was holding them back, and to enthusiastically embrace change, challenge and excitement.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently writing The Ibiza Crone club book 2. I mean, I can’t let them there in the ruins of their house, can I? Hopefully it will be available early next year
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
Tanit, the goddess of women, fertility, and water is on hand to help.
Frequently bawdy, often hilarious, but always touching and heartfelt.
” A book with real emotional heart and a fab sense of place.”
Finding The Right Photos
‘On to Plan C’ is a riveting travelogue that chronicles your unforgettable post-pandemic journey, capturing the essence of exploration, resilience, and beauty. Why was this an important book for you to write?
After having international travel sidelined for two-and-a-half years, it was imperative for me to get back on the road. While my first two books focused on past travels, I wanted this one to center on the current state of travel. Seeing how travel had changed and how it had stayed the same was an interesting draw as well. This is also the first collection to include my photography. I liked the challenge of finding the right photos to enhance the narrative. It meant this book took a little longer to edit, but it was worth the effort.
As you transitioned from one unique location to another, how did you keep your narrative cohesive and maintain the balance between cultural insights and personal experiences?
While each journey is told in a separate chapter, I was aware that it was all part of a collective. As such, I refer back to prior chapters or experiences now and again and also look ahead at times. I also included the thought process of my travels. I begin in Fiji, for instance, because that was the first trip canceled in 2020 (and I had a flight credit about to expire). I next headed to Europe as two previously planned trips for that summer, sailing up West Africa and a trip to Russia, had both fallen through, leading to the Plan C of the title.
I’ve always tried to balance insights and experiences with my travel writing. I find facts and figures interesting, though I try to avoid going on and on as readers might not find everything as interesting as I do. And, for me, a large part of travel is personal encounters, so including snippets of dialogue and sharing adventures helps flesh out the writing and bring the reader along with me.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted this book to capture a moment in time. We had all gone through this seemingly endless pandemic together, and I wanted to focus on the return to normalcy. For me, that entails getting back on the road, including long- and short-haul flights, baggage claims, shuttles, taxis, hop-on hop-off busses, trains, and longships. I wanted to show how much of this has returned to normal, though with a few modifications here and there.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That the world is back open and ready to be explored. It’s still a good idea to do some research to keep up with ever-changing requirements, though most have now all been lifted. If you’re still deciding whether to explore, then I hope my travelogues and photos will provide a vicarious inspiration.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Biography
Jeremiah Gilbert is an award-winning travel writer and photographer based out of Southern California. His travels have taken him to over a hundred countries and territories around the world. His photography has been published internationally and exhibited worldwide. He is the author of Can’t Get Here from There: Fifty Tales of Travel and From Tibet to Egypt: Early Travels After a Late Start. He can be found online at http://www.jeremiahgilbert.com.
The Book Journey So Far
“Desiderata – Ultra Violet” is a visually stunning journey through a woman’s dream world, where Norville Parchment’s vivid artistry harmoniously melds with Max Ehrmann’s poetic wisdom to create a whimsical yet poignant tale of discovery, love, and loss. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Going through a really large life change, I found the poem. It was exactly the thing I needed to read at exactly the right time. I started drawing the book that afternoon. It’s not a story about me, but it certainly has elements that I recognize from my own life.
Can you explain the process behind creating your unique visual narrative and how you brought the dream world to life on the pages?
The book journey so far has been 17 Hardcover and three paperback Editions; spanning 11 books, written by four authors. I learn the fun way: doing it. Been searching long for something just now found; a specific kind of visual storytelling that uses humor and double meaning to add subtext while illustrating the poem.
The story started with only three little monsters collectively called “Reckon”. They made mischief in the city. In one version they ate people and so most of the book was characters being introduced and then eaten to the confusion of other characters. But the plot didn’t hold up. And after a couple of people were dinner the idea got stale. Just causing havoc wasn’t enough. It was empty. Carnage chopping across bloody pages not really lining up with the poem. I Needed a Hero.
That hero was Fem. I want you to think she’s the victim. I’ve dressed her up as one to start. She jogs through Lake Oswego to begin the book and three little monsters break into her apartment. Calling this Ultra-Violent is an intentional design choice. I’ve set it in your mind that we’re going to hurt things. If you’re observant, you can see that her tattoo is framed in such a way so that you can only read “like a girl” It’s later revealed to be Fight like a girl” (in reference to Princess Leah). when Reckon attempts to sneak up on her, Fem is ready. She’s no victim, she is fierce, strong, and stunning all the way through.
Fem is becoming. Fem becomes a mouse, shifts body types, she’s a bird, inverts her color, sells her soul to be a mermaid, she meets someone and they fall in love. Fem grows into a princess until she in the end Reckons and they live happily ever after. Not only does she form shift but she also shifts across the seven female archetypes. Fem moves from innocent, to the caregiver, the sage, the huntress, the mystic, the queen and the lover. She is adapting as she moves through the story.
“Desiderata – Ultra Violet” evokes a strong sense of personal growth and discovery. How much of this was drawn from your own experiences or insights?
Fem is adapting as she moves through the story. Please notice Fem is never afraid. She’s not confused. Through her journey, Fem remains stunning and fierce. The damsel is never in distress.
Life changed quite a bit and I had a choice to keep doing what I was doing or to change everything. I chose to change.
When and where will your book be available?
The Book is available now. For this series, I’ve chosen to not release it to Amazon/Bookstores as all of that money goes to middle people. Instead, this book is only available on my website. It’s $499 for the first of only two limited edition runs. This is for collectors and investors. These are all numbered and signed and cataloged by the artist. These are personalized. This is art.
An Essential Public Health Issue
Outbreaks and Pandemics is more than just a memoir about your life; it informs readers about food safety and cross-contamination issues that cause illnesses. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Food safety is an essential public health issue. Consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety, and the availability of safe food contributes positively to the overall health of the population and increases worker productivity. Foodborne disease outbreaks have occurred on every continent in the past decade, from Escherichia coli to Salmonella infections, resulting in many deaths. These foodborne outbreaks, which often garner media attention and headlines, are only the tip of the iceberg of a broader and more persistent public health problem.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part of my memoir was writing about the friends that I have lost because of either homicide or suicide, and patients that I cared deeply for who died because of foodborne diseases or other preventable medical conditions.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about food safety?
A common misconception that people have about food safety is the incorrect assumption that all food found in grocery stores has been tested for microbes and found to be safe for consumers before being sold to the public.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
My hope is for readers to come away with an increased awareness of food safety and of foodborne diseases and the importance of medical detectives in solving and controlling public health outbreaks and pandemics. In addition, I hope to inspire youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, through my life story, that human achievement is possible through focused determination, hard-work, and perseverance.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
This book profiles infectious diseases during outbreaks and pandemics. It highlights lessons learned and ways we can prepare now for the next pandemic. His journey as a medical doctor, disease detective, and an international public health expert took him across the globe to tackle public health challenges and mysteries related to a variety of potentially deadly infectious diseases. Based upon epidemic intelligence, Dr. Daniels tells stories of medical disease detectives and infectious pathogens and our constant struggle to survive them.
In Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective, we learn about the life of a disease detective and explore the important role disease detectives play in controlling outbreaks and pandemics.
Delves Into The Dark Side
“The Charterhouse of Evil” follows a resilient couple in 19th-century Australia as they bravely unravel a half-century-old mystery, revealing a web of corruption and horror within a seemingly devout monastery. What excited you the most about writing this book?
It was discovering the only monastic village in the southern hemisphere in Western Australia founded by Benedictine Monks two hundred years ago. The history of New Norcia assisted with the world-building and the plot. It was about intertwining a supernatural horror story with the documented legacy of the monastery. It has a gruesome past filled with abuse of children and the monks’ poor behavior.
The narrative delves into the dark side of religious institutions, tackling sensitive topics like child sexual abuse. How did you handle writing about such a heavy subject while maintaining the suspense and horror element?
One cannot but feel for the atrocities and sins of this place which have been well documented. But as an author, I had to look through the history of New Norcia and why Benedictine Monks found it appropriate to behave this way. I explored good versus evil and how individuals and institutions can succumb to a demonic influence.
Clarisse and Harry share a deep bond and offer unwavering support to each other. How did you craft their relationship dynamics, and how critical is their partnership to the story?
Their partnership was formed in the first book, The Girl in the Scarlet Chair. It’s a very different book from future releases because it has elements of paranormal romance. I was also finding my way as an author and discovering my true passion for the genre. Clarisse would not be who she is without her partner, Harry’s support. They complement each other with different skills—Harry is the more skeptical and realist, and Clarisse is the sensitive in the room with an extraordinary sixth sense. Their bond grows in each book release of the series, as does their skill in tackling demonic foes.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book is called The Nowhere Room, an extraordinary story. I am taking longer to write this book which may frustrate my readers. I felt this was necessary to develop the story effectively and work through storyline elements and plot. The world-building is impressive as I paint a picture of Ghost Gully and Baron House and not to mention the darkness of the Nowhere Room. The character building is necessary so that readers can understand Clarisse, Harry, and George Baron (the antagonist) in a way they could picture them. Again, I am testing my faith in the afterlife and the boundaries of what happens when we die. That takes a lot of thought and energy—it’s tough for any author to work through this question. Like any book I write, I want to leave my readers with a thought, not just a good horror story. I want them to ask questions and see things differently about our mortality.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | BookBub | YouTube
Western Australia. Clarisse Garcia is ready to return stronger than ever. With her husband by her side, the plucky spirit hunter is back on familiar territory with an assignment for Benedictine monks. And now she’s out to vanquish whatever evil is plaguing the monastic village that caused orphans to mysteriously die.
With what could be a voracious demon on her hands, Clarisse partners up with a man who grew up in the local orphanage to investigate suspicious activities. And as they dig through the monastery’s shrouded history, she discovers that some of these servants of God might not be as benign as they claim… and she may be their next quarry.
Can this driven woman end the impiety before more lives are sent to the grave?
The Charterhouse of Evil is the shocking fifth book in the Haunting Clarisse supernatural horror series. If you like bold characters, adrenaline-spiking investigations, and jaw-dropping twists and turns, then you’ll love Janice Tremayne’s malevolent tale.
We Can Rise Above It
Through over 80 narratives, STRONG explores the harrowing journeys of women from childhood adversity to eventual victory, showcasing their resilience and transformation in the face of trauma. Why was this an important book for you to publish?
I wanted people to know that no matter how difficult our early life may have been, we can rise above it. Our past need not define us. We can rewrite our story.
How did you approach the task of capturing the distinct experiences and emotions of each woman while also highlighting the shared strength and resilience they all possess?
I had no agenda or preset questions for our interviews. My approach was to see through her eyes as a silent observer. To feel what she felt as the smallest person in the room.
My task was to listen for the child’s thought process. I wanted to enter her world and hear her story, unfiltered, from her perspective as a small child, in the present tense, and not in the voice of an adult looking back and making observations on her life.
That part was easy.
The challenge was to compress the narrative into as few words as possible to fit the narrow confines of the book’s design, and then refine and smooth out the text into a quick, easy read. At times, I felt more like a sculptor than a writer, chiseling away anything not essential to the story.
The collaboration with artist Galih Winduadi adds a unique visual dimension to the book. How did you work together to ensure that the illustrations captured the essence of each narrative and enhanced the reader’s understanding?
I would not have embarked on this project without the visual dimension because I felt the drawings were as important as the text in conveying the child’s innocence.
I wanted the reader to experience each story as a piece of art, visually attractive and charming on the page, regardless of the sometimes-sordid subject matter.
The collaboration involved me, the child telling the story, the brilliant and patient artist Galih, Google Images and Google Translate.
Most of the women were surprisingly insistent that every detail be accurate—colors, clothing, patterns, textures, hair styles, facial expressions, room layouts, the view from the window. Because my artist does not speak English, you can imagine how challenging that was at times. In some instances, there were as many as eight or nine iterations before the storyteller and I felt we had captured the essence of her story.
What message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from reading “STRONG” and the stories shared within it?
As I write in the book’s introduction, adults in general don’t show up well in many of these stories. As much as children suffer, it’s because the parents have suffered as well. They don’t realize they’re inflicting their own pain on the child. Unattended to, early childhood traumas pass on as intergenerational stress.
We can be better parents and teachers if we recognize the signs of adverse childhood events on young lives.
If we want to improve society in general, we need to start with decreasing childhood trauma and stress because that’s what drives our societal problems.
My deepest hope is that “STRONG” helps adults recognize that our children need to feel loved, connected, and safe at all times.
To the person who did not feel treasured as a child, the empowering message is, you survived. You are strong. You can rewrite your story.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn
The memoirs read like intimate bits of conversation between best friends, overheard, at times in sordid detail.
These stories are in stark contradiction to the nostalgic ones we like to tell ourselves about the charms of childhood. They paint the picture of early years that are not all sunshine and rainbows. Some will amuse. Some will tear at your heart.
The author writes in a brief, clear, concise style. Original, full-color drawings capture the essence of each memory as seen through the eyes of the innocent child.
Endnotes reveal that through sheer strength and resilience, the women rose above adverse situations to achieve success in their respective fields: medicine, engineering, business, finance, consulting, construction, the C-Suite—despite the odds and gender bias that most women experience.
STRONG is not available in Kindle format. For one thing, the book is not designed to be read consecutively, cover to cover like a novel.
The intention is to draw the reader into the child’s world through the artwork. It is such an integral part of the reader’s experience that viewing digitally (especially on a tiny screen) does not do justice to the child’s memory.
How Would You Survive?
The Posh Prepper follows an expert survivalist who finds himself navigating the chaos of a deadly virus outbreak, leading a diverse group of survivors on a perilous journey towards a sanctuary in New Zealand. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The Posh Prepper started in September 2019, not so much as an idea, but as a feeling: What would you do with a twenty-four-hour head start on the end of the world? Where would you go? Who would you bring? How would you survive?
For six months, I sketched concepts and characters. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and those questions suddenly felt real. Over the next three years, the rolling crisis provided a steady stream of inspiration for characters, settings, and themes. More than that, The Posh Prepper became my way of processing all the pain I was seeing in the world.
Nick Ritter is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Nick was a really fun character to create and follow.
At his core, he’s a good man. He’s kind and caring and wishes the world was a better place. When he worked at Thorne Global, he was trying to prevent disasters and help vulnerable people recover. But, over time, the endless greed and corruption wore him down, and he withdrew, closed off, became numb. After a traumatic incident in Congo, he became “The Posh Prepper,” a cynical crisis consultant serving the rich and powerful.
This first book in the series watches Nick emerge from his icy shell. Drawn out by a “found family,” Nick realizes there are still good people left in this world, and they’re worth fighting for.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main thematic question the series will explore is: Is mankind flawed beyond hope, or are we worth saving?
Dark and ambitious, I know haha. But it feels relevant in today’s world. I hear from readers that the characters and story world of The Posh Prepper feel plausible and authentic, like it could really happen. That surprised me, I expected pushback that the story was too unrealistic.
In this first book, Nick realizes that even though most people in this broken world are flawed, good people can become family if you let them into your heart.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on the sequel to The Posh Prepper. I expect the series to be a trilogy, so I’m outlining Book 2 and Book 3 at the same time, which will help me release Book 3 somewhat quickly after Book 2.
This was my debut novel, and I didn’t know if anyone would read it or like it, so I didn’t plan future books up front. That means more work now to gather loose ends and figure out what happens next.
I have a full-time job and two kids under two, so it could take a while haha. But I’m working on it with every free moment 🙂
You can read more details here: https://toddknightbooks.com/blog/the-posh-prepper-sequel
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
In 2035, in a hopelessly broken world, Nick Ritter is The Posh Prepper, a gifted crisis consultant who sells disaster-survival plans to rich and powerful clients.
Haunted by corrupt clients and a tragic past, Nick lives a reclusive life in overcrowded Boston, counting the days until he can retire to his survival ranch in New Zealand.
But when he gets an insider tip that a deadly virus is tearing through Boston, Nick has 24 hours to escape the city and flee to New Zealand. He has the perfect survival plan, but there’s just one problem…it doesn’t account for company.
As he scrambles toward safety, Nick picks up a ragtag group of followers:
Abby Blackwell, a pregnant teen runaway, is hiding a dark secret. If she can outrun her troubled past, she can start a new life. But trusting anyone could put everyone in danger.
Brian Donahue, a washed-up Navy SEAL, is scraping by as an escape pilot. Torn between family and duty, he’ll risk everything to complete this final mission.
Dana Foster, an overworked ER doctor, is haunted by human suffering. As the outbreak spreads, she faces an impossible choice: who should they save?
Now Nick must call on his disaster-planning skills to survive, facing off against a collapsing society to protect his newfound family and save mankind from extinction.
The Posh Prepper is a dark, tense, fast-paced apocalyptic thriller with an unforgettable cast of complex characters. Perfect for fans of T.L. Payne, Grace Hamilton, and Kyla Stone.
*This book includes strong language, graphic violence, and mature themes.*
Inspire People To Improve
‘You Have to Live. Why not Win?’ intertwines life lessons, humor, and compelling characters within stunning illustrations, engaging readers in an entertaining and insightful exploration of friendship, racism, and personal growth. Why was this an important book for you to write?
First, thank you for your kind thoughts! In terms of why it was important to write the book, people are bombarded with negative messages these days. It’s no secret that we are living in an era of turmoil. There is a tremendous need for positive messages that inspire people to improve themselves and their communities.
Larry Thornton has overcome immense hurdles in his life. Imagine what it must have been like to integrate the Montgomery, Alabama city schools in the late 1960s. We tried to capture the feelings of the daily abuse and humiliation, and Larry told me that seeing the images brought those feelings back to him in ways he never would have expected.
A pivotal moment in Larry’s life, and in the book, happened when he was the manager of a sign shop for Coca-Cola. One of his employees drew a picture on the whiteboard in Larry’s office showing a black man hanging by a noose from a tree. Next to the image were three words: JUST A REMINDER. Larry quickly figured out who drew the image and then needed to decide how to react. Larry’s surprising response changed the perpetrator’s life, the lives of the perpetrator’s family, and even Larry’s life in profound ways.
This is just one illustration of many where Larry has served as a positive and energizing force. He helps people understand that each of us has the tools available to us to win in business and in life. We just need to work hard, build strong relationships, and accept accountability for our actions.
Can you discuss your collaboration with illustrator Dave Dodson and how you all achieved the balance between the compelling narrative and the stunning illustrations?
When I suggested to Larry that his life story would work well in a graphic novel format, he was concerned that the format might not effectively convey the serious elements of his experiences. I then showed him Dave Dodson’s graphic history on the murder of Emmett Till. Larry realized that if Dave Dodson could capture Till’s tragic saga with respect and dignity, then Dave could do the same for Larry’s story. So I reached out to Dave to ask about his availability. Because Dave found that he loved Larry’s story and life lessons, he readily agreed to work with us.
This is my fourth graphic novel, and it stands out as the best authoring experience among them by far. Dave’s request of me was to provide storyboarding that included as much detail as possible about what I was envisioning. We very quickly developed a shared understanding of the look and feel that was needed. The tacit knowledge we shared was so strong that Dave could almost read my mind. It gave me a little glimpse into how artistic creation must feel like magic for super successful collaborators like Bono and The Edge from U2.
The book stands out with its humor, yet manages to deliver profound lessons. How did you manage to seamlessly blend these elements without diminishing the impact of the themes?
That is a challenging configuration to achieve but it was important because if you can make people smile, they are more likely to accept the serious messages you are offering. Revising, revising, and then revising some more was key to finding the right balance. And because we limited the chapters to six pages each, every word had to count. There is no fluff in the dialogue.
The book contains an overarching discourse on societal issues and personal development. What message or impact do you hope readers will take away from ‘You Have to Live. Why not Win?’?
It’s become fashionable in some circles to declare that the American dream is dead. Larry’s story defies the naysayers. He is an example of the American dream come true. The odds were not in his favor, but he became a winner in business and in life. The key reasons why he has succeeded are instructive. The first is people. A series of people have altered Larry’s path, including a crusty high school English teacher named Miss Nichols who changed Larry’s life by encouraging him to go to college. The second reason is perception. If you believe you can be successful, you can. Larry routinely failed high school classes and had little belief in his future. Miss Nichols changed Larry’s perception of himself by showing confidence in him. The third reason is perseverance. When Larry decided to become a McDonald’s franchisee, tremendous roadblocks were placed in his way. But he steadfastly stuck with his plan, and he eventually turned his detractors into allies. Readers that embrace the importance of people, perception, and perseverance will have a new roadmap for winning.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
You Have to Live…Why Not Win? is a book that follows the remarkable life of Larry D. Thornton, a successful entrepreneur and respected business leader who grew up poor and black in 1960s Alabama. Co-written by Dave Ketchen and Larry D. Thornton with illustrations by Dave Dodson, the book explores Larry’s journey from his humble beginnings to his eventual success, detailing both the agonizing and delightful moments of his life.
Through Larry’s experiences, the authors highlight three key themes that are essential to winning in life.
The authors uses Larry’s story to inspire readers and to convey the message that everyone has what it takes to win in life. By taking a determined approach to life’s challenges and investing in relationships, readers can achieve their goals and find success. You Have to Live…Why Not Win? is a book that is sure to motivate and inspire readers to achieve their full potential.
LITERARY TITAN 