Blog Archives
Transcending the Trauma
The Rage Room follows a man barely holding on to his control after enduring a lifetime of abuse who struggles to hold onto the remaining threads of reality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always been interested in human psychology and concepts of good and evil, and the complexity of the human condition in regard to these. I enjoyed books like “Roadwork” by Stephen King, and films like “Falling Down” starring Michael Douglas. Basically, stories based around otherwise ordinary characters who have been beaten down by life so much, that one day, they just snap. I wanted to create my own version of these classics, also inspired by some of my own life experiences.
Matt is a complex character that is struggling to hold onto what little sanity and control he has left. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to create a character that couldn’t easily be described as good or bad. A complex character that didn’t really fit into any boxes or tropes. I wanted to create the type of character that would spark debate amongst readers as to whether he is good or evil. I wanted Matt to be deeply flawed and, in some ways, immoral, but also relatable and human with good characteristics and a heart underneath all the rage, hate and enmity. I also wanted the character to experience growth throughout the story, and not end the story as the same person he was at the start.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore themes of good and evil, obsession, violence, abuse, love, family, and mental health. Most importantly, I wanted to explore resilience and strength. Overcoming adversity and moving forward no matter what. Transcending the trauma and recreating oneself.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will that be published?
My next project is my first non-fiction book, titled “The 10 types of Bouncers”. It is an entertaining psychological study on bouncers (club security) based on my seven years of experience in the industry. I am hoping to have it published by the end of July.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
★★★★★ “Messes with your head right until the explosive climax you won’t see coming!”
★★★★★ “A hell of a story! Almanza’s best!”
From the author of the explosive, debut anthology ‘Rusted Hearts’ comes the high octane, mind bending, psychological thriller novel, The Rage Room.
Housing officer Matt Bolton is a man with skeletons in his closet…
On the last few days of a driving ban for drink-driving, during a routine commute home from work, a mysterious, intimidating stranger boards the number 23 bus.
The man looks at Matt and calls his name.
The encounter with this frightening individual, leads to a series of explosive events which bring back long-forgotten secrets from Matt’s past.
Matt quickly spirals out of control, as he desperately fights to hold on to his relationships, his work, his sanity…and even his life…
Matt sat three rows back from the strange man, on the opposite aisle. The priority seats at the front faced the windows on each side, so Matt had a full diagonal side-view of the man, facing away from him. All the man would have to do was move his head forty-five degrees to his left, and he would be facing Matt.
Which was exactly what he did.
The man turned his head, looked Matt directly in the eyes, and confirmed Matt’s suspicions that there was something seriously wrong with this man.
It wasn’t the random, casual turn of the head of a passenger on a busy bus, happening to meet another random passenger’s gaze. No. This was intentional. The man knew exactly who he was looking for. He whipped his head round and his eyes homed into Matt’s like a laser-guided missile, almost as if Matt had called his name.
The Fate Of The Immortal Realm
Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex follows a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is adopted and his biological parents were not human when he finds an enchanted realm. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
As a parent and teacher, I want to write books that not only entertain but also inspire readers to think about issues that are important in their lives. I, therefore, hope to create characters that readers can connect with and root for as they encounter challenges throughout the novels. In Dylan Dover, I wanted the protagonists to be open-minded and accepting towards others, especially those who may be different from themselves. In an immortal world full of diversity, this was an extremely important factor that was always at the forefront of my writing. In addition, I wanted the characters to display other traits that I believe are morally essential in today’s modern world including compassion, kindness and the willingness to take risks, face adversity and work co-operatively towards a common goal.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are many themes that are explored in this book, which I hope are relatable to readers. Family, friendships, and developing one’s identity are some of the themes that the characters grapple with as they face challenges throughout the novel. Facing adversity is also a prevalent theme throughout all six of the Dylan Dover novels. My youngest son, Dylan (no coincidence that the main character in the book shares the same name!) is currently 15 years old. He was 12 when I wrote Dylan Dover: Into The Vortex. When I created the character of Dylan Dover, it was based very much on my son except the real Dylan obviously does not have any magical powers! When I am writing, it is my son’s voice in my head and with his permission, I use many of the experiences he has had in my novels. For example, when I was writing book 5 in the series, we were right in the middle of the Covid pandemic. My son, like so many other young people, was suffering from mental health issues caused by social isolation. Dylan was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I used his lived experiences in the novel. Dylan Dover had to face his own mental health issues in that book. I am so proud of my son for courageously talking about his challenges and working to dispel the stigmas that are often associated with mental health issues. In addition to these themes, ideas about effective leadership and social justice issues are also important in the Dylan Dover series and I hope that readers will be thinking about these concepts as they read my novels.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
Book 2 titled Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest, has Dylan, his newly discovered identical brothers Remy and Seth, along with their friends Thea (a wizard), Halle and Oliver (shapeshifters) and Via (a fireball) desperate to discover the secrets of the prophecy which foretold of four siblings, born on the same day, who would be blessed with extraordinary powers. They understand that if they are the ones referred to in the prophecy, then it will be their actions that shall determine the fate of the immortal realm. But if they are the siblings of the prophecy, then there must be a fourth child, a sister, still missing who has yet to be found.
In Book 2, the search for the missing sister and more clues to reveal the truths about the ancient prophecy lead Dylan, his brothers and friends on numerous adventures, crossing between the human and immortal worlds. Greek mythology becomes an important element in book 2, as Orion, the mythological Greek hunter, joins the story. New allies are revealed and alliances formed, but there are also new dangers that threaten the siblings and the existence of all immortals in both dimensions. As the siblings discover their hidden powers, they also uncover secret agendas and threats that have remained concealed until now.
Books 3 – 6 are all written and continue the saga of Dylan, his family and friends. New characters, both friends and villains, will add excitement and adventure. Greek mythology, including the characters of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon become even more prevalent as the novels progress. The characters will be aged by several years in the last three novels, as the siblings continue to discover the depths of their extraordinary powers, including their ability to time travel, and their role in the immortal realm. New challenges and dangers will arise and the protagonists will have to learn how to harness their powers to save both the human and immortal dimensions.
The books in the Dylan Dover series are:
Book 1: Dylan Dover: Into The Vortex
Book 2: Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest
Book 3: Dylan Dover: Players Of The Prophecy
Book 4: Dylan Dover: New Order Rising
Book 5: Dylan Dover: Awakenings
Book 6: Dylan Dover: Collateral Damage
I am hopeful that they will all find a home with a publisher very soon!
Author Links: Website | GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Dylan believes he is a typical twelve-year-old until he stumbles into a vortex that miraculously transports him to the immortal dimension, a parallel universe.
Dylan not only learns that he is a warlock, but he also discovers a twin brother, extraordinary powers, and a secret prophecy that seems to have Dylan and his family at its crux. Dylan, along with his brother and their new-found wizard friend Thea, begin to unravel the mystery that surrounds their birth and the danger that threatens immortals and humans alike.
In a stunning debut, Lynne Howard’s Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex casts a potent reader’s charm over all youngsters clamouring for a new supernatural hero.
An Earlier Murder Was Necessary
Copper Waters follows an antiquities appraiser looking to escape her complicated relationship, who gets mixed up in a double murder investigation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Because New Zealand is noted for the huge number of sheep that reside there, I wrote a murder mystery surrounding a particular flock belonging to Annalisse’s friend. I raise Dorset sheep, so why not write what’s familiar? As I began the outline on 3 x 5 cards prior to writing the story on my computer, I realized an earlier murder was necessary in order for the sheep station family members to be seamlessly considered as prime suspects. Copper Waters weaves two murders and several possible culprits including the station’s Corriedale stud ram named, Dax. Can a sheep be tried and convicted of murder? The reader will have to pick up a copy of Copper Waters to find out!
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically?
All of my books, including the children’s books, are worked out via an outline so it’s easier to manage the number of subplots. If I free write, I have a tendency to go off in too many different directions causing confusion for the reader, which is never a good thing. Each chapter is laid out on a card and the book is totally finished in basic format prior to beginning the novel document. I know the general direction of each chapter by the time I begin Chapter One.
The outline method was a happy accident after writing the fourth draft of Stolen Obsession, book one, in the Annalisse series. A strong developmental editor pointed out my many wandering sideline scenarios within the plot. She suggested turning each subplot into series installments. The original Annalisse standalone book I had created turned into a multi-book series at that point.
My writing is completely planned out ahead of time, although red herrings and foreshadowed events are added and do surprise me, occasionally. I’m know for twists and turns in each of the books and an ending that may surprise readers, like that in Copper Waters.
Are you a fan of the Cozy Mystery genre? What books do you think most influenced your work?
I prefer cozy mysteries because they aren’t as graphic and allow a more simplistic way of uncovering the villain(s). To understand how to write an ongoing series in the mystery genre, I read Cleo Coyle books and the Louise Penny Chief Inspector Gamache series. Both authors have a different approach and style, but they enable me to learn how to incorporate previous installments in a current book. The trick I struggle with most is how much information from previous books is too much information for new readers who might pick up a later Annalisse series novel. Not all readers begin with the first book in a series. As an example, Copper Waters advance reader copy was adjusted after its release with less information based on reader recommendations.
Do you have plans for a fifth book in the Annalisse Series? If so, when can your fans expect it out?
There will be a fifth book in the Annalisse series, and a new murder closer to home. Readers will find main characters, Anna and Alec at his Brookehaven estate in upstate New York as they are pulled into his horseracing sideline business more heavily. However, the next series book release for Annalisse is off in the future until my new one-book mystery is released, possibly in spring of 2024.
Before book five, I’m currently taking a fun break while drafting a standalone mystery unrelated to the Annalisse series. Completely new characters in entirely new circumstances!
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | GoodReads | Instagram
Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.
Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.
But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.
Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.
The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.
As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.
The Nature of Autism
Deciphering Autism is an authoritative and exhaustive exploration of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Why was this an important book for you to write?
As a parent of two autistic adults and a clinical practitioner I have been able to view autism from two perspectives for a very long time. At times suppositions and research conclusions on the nature of autism didn’t line up for me – largely because not enough is known about how the normal brain works to describe the nature of autism. My late wife and I home schooled our two autistic children and on her passing she challenged me to write a book combining science and experience in a way that explains the “what” and “why” of this disorder.
What research did you undertake to write this book?
I researched the book from every angle; including neurobiology, psychology, cognition, emotional development and language development to put the pieces of this syndrome together in a meaningful way. The references in the book are numerous and might be a bit tedious for the typical reader but I wanted to leave no stone un-turned.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
There are several things I wanted to convey in this book that I consider of paramount importance, One is that the diagnostic picture of autism has become blurred, leaving the more severely afflicted with no voice, Secondly, there is a hidden intelligence within autism that leads to some rather brilliant sensory adaptations – even though they appear odd to others. Third, the mind is regulated by more than neurons and the autistic mind lacks sufficient regulation due to a deficiency in rhythmic, coordinated neural activity in the brain that might one day be remediated through non-invasive technological methods
What is a common misconception you feel people have about Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Finally, a common misperception of autistic people is that they lack a capacity for social interest and bonding. I argue that this is due to non-fluid perceptions rather than detachment and that by employing the right methods bonding, love and attachment become real possibilities for autistic individuals.
An Inspiring Story
The Raindrop follows the journey of a tiny little raindrop who wants only to bring others joy. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this story lies entirely on the shoulders of my seven year old son Jonathan, and my five year old daughter Brooke. On a foggy morning while driving them to school, they both asked me numerous questions about fog, rain, and clouds. It was during that Q&A session when I felt that God placed an idea on the inside of me. While it is hard to explain, in short, I felt highly encouraged to somehow put this discussion into an inspiring story.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Life and society as a whole, has a way of wanting to place limitations on us. At times, these limitations try to give us reasons why we may or may not see a dream happen. If we are not careful, we all can allow these limitation to take root not just in our thoughts, but also in our hearts. It is for that very reason, I wanted children to have a story that encourages them to keep pursuing their dreams no matter how big they are.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Ayan Mansoori?
Ayan is wonderful and very easy to work with. With the addition of the new story coming out soon, he will have illustrated 4 of my 5 books. The art collaboration process begins with me finalizing the books design and layout. Once that is complete, I begin making a list on each illustration. In short, these lists are giving Ayan a few basic parameters to work with. An example of these parameters would be something along the lines of which characters are to be included in the illustration, and what the background should look like. The rest is completely up to Ayan. I truly want him to unleash his creativity to the fullest. I don’t know how he does it, but Ayan works his magic and somehow gives life to my ideas. Ayan then sends me a simple black and white sketch of each illustration for review. Once any adjustments are made, he’ll then send me another sketch to review. After that, it’s all about adding the color and making the pages come alive.
What is the next story that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am in the final editing steps of the third book in my “Oliver the Oyster” series. The new story is titled, “Oliver the Oyster and the Lost Lab.” If you are familiar with my book series, Oliver the oyster and his friends come across a lost Labrador puppy named Mac. The group of friends then go on a fun-filled adventure through their town of Wellfleet to help Mac reunite with his family. For a teaser, have you ever seen a dog and a crab go into a restaurant’s kitchen only to have it engulfed in a flurry of powdered sugar? If not, I hope you will give this story a read when it is set to release in the fall of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Laurie Thomas Vass Author Interview
George Mason’s America is a compelling look at the vision that George Mason had for America and how, had his vision been followed, where would we be today? Why was this an important book for you to write?
The ideological conflict in America between natural rights conservatives and left-wing groups is irreconcilable. The origins of the conflict begin in 1787 when Madison and 38 delegates to the Philadelphia convention overthrew the Articles of Confederation. I wanted to describe that the principles of liberty, in 1776, would have been a better pathway for ordinary common American citizens.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I began writing this book at the same time that I was writing America’s Final Revolution, in 2021. The more I read about George Mason, the more I thought that Mason deserved his own book. I finished this book in March of 2023.
Author Links: Twitter | Website
“Let us at once take friendly leave of each other.”
In her book, George Mason: Constitutionalist, Helen Hill describes the debate during the 1787 convention in terms of sectionalism, meaning that the northern states did not want to form a centralized union with the southern slaveocracy.
Hill writes,
“The sense of sectionalism became so strong that some of the members saw no solution but to organize two confederacies…on July 13 Morris stated, “Instead of attempting to blend incompatible things, let us at once take friendly leave of each other.”…on July 23 Pinckney “reminded the Convention that if the Constitution should fail to insert some security to the Southern States against an emancipation of slaves and taxes on exports, he should be bound by duty to his State to vote against their report,”
Both Morris and Pinckney were correct in their opinion that the two alien cultures should never have been rammed together under a centralized, all-powerful government.
Likewise, today two alien cultures do not co-exist in peace, and do not share common cultural or philosophical principles on the mission of the national government.
We argue that the differences are irreconcilable, and cannot be remedied by amendments or modifications to Madison’s document.
We agree with Delegate Morris that the time has come for the conservative states to take friendly leave of the Democrat Marxist states.
We argue that there is only one pathway back to freedom, and taking that path means starting over, with a new constitution, at the point in history when Mason and Jefferson wrote their respective documents, in 1776.
The Next Generation Of Airline Pilots
The Airline Transition Manual is an insightful look at the airline industry and helps readers understand and navigate the industry if they are pursuing a career in aviation. Why was this an important book for you to write?
We felt this book was a vital piece of mentoring the next generation of airline pilots who are experiencing never before seen career opportunities at a very early stage. In this accelerated time frame to go from student to professional pilot, every last resource needs to be provided so these pilots can hit the ground running on day one at their airline. While a lot of focus in the industry has been on the physical aspect of flying, there is a complete other side to the industry that deals with how pilots become effective employees, and steer clear of trouble. Mentorship is often about teaching those who come after you the lessons you had to learn the hard way, or from your own mentor who wanted to see you succeed. While this book won’t replace the invaluable experience of having a real-life mentor in the field, it will help propel a new pilot’s perspective on their chosen craft and see them counted as a professional in far shorter time than they would if they had to learn some lessons the “hard way.”
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
Much of this book was outlined, written, and edited from the author’s decades of experience in the aviation industry. That said, the writing process, fact checking, data collection, source citation, and accuracy checking consumed a majority of the eight months it took us to turn around a first draft that was field tested with aviation and airline experts. That process saw a complete rewrite of the book to broaden the audience and add in additional content. From start to finish, our book took a year and four months to complete.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about working for the airline industry?
Bias and misconceptions are rampant in any industry. When you add in the mystery of aviation and airline operations, there is a ten-fold increase. That leads to some generalizations and misconceptions about pilots and airline staff that at times is unfair and other times, borderline rude. The misconception that airline crews have a “significant other” in every city is completely false and has caused strain in many relationships. Divorce rates are higher in aviation because of the amount of travel and general lack of understanding of what the job is and why it seems as though we may not do anything for hours at a time while other times we are too busy to answer the phone. This leads to breakdowns in communication which fracture the relationship over time. That is one reason we felt it incredibly important to add in the spouse chapter. We also encourage everyone with an interest in the airline world to read the book.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
No matter if the reader is a prospective pilot, a parent of a pilot, a spouse of a pilot, someone within the airline industry, or is a member of the traveling public, we hope that this book can help reveal some of the mystery of what has generally been known as a career field shrouded in secrecy and a degree of mysticism. While we certainly hope our target audience, the upcoming pilot, will find value in this manual for years to come, anyone with an interest or curiosity in airlines and aviation will probably find this book an incredibly interesting revelation about an industry that has long been misunderstood and often looked at in wonder.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
A Monster Hunt Story
Jabberwocky: Scary Stories For Kids takes the classic poem by Lewis Carroll and illustrates it in a way that new readers will be drawn into the adventure the young boy goes on. What led you to retell this classic for children?
I have always very much enjoyed this poem. The fact that it contains so many nonsense words inspired me to create a retelling of it that attempts to make sense of each of these made up words to add to the base story. I thought a monster hunt story was perfect for my Scary Stories for Kids series of books. This is the second book in the series. The first book in this series is called Alien Farm, a wordless story about an alien invasion that happens one night on a farm.
Both books use a limited color approach, in this case a black and white book with blue-green accents and for Alien Farm also a black and white book with yellow accents.
I loved the idea of taking this 19th century poem and updating it for kids today.
What was your process for illustrating this poem to give it a scary feeling but not too scary so it still appeals to younger children?
My art has always appealed to kids. Most of my illustration work has been in the children’s market (kids magazines, websites, text books, and other products). I was worried about this story because the main character parades back with the head of the Jabberwocky, which is pretty dark. However it’s all so unreal and it’s certainly less violent than children are seeing in their video games every day.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing and illustrating?
Having my own kids has definitely impacted my writing and illustrating. Once I had a baby I read children’s books 5 or 6 times a day every day-sometimes more. Since I had three daughters that meant a decade of reading children’s books aloud all the time. It becomes a study of the genre whether you intended to or not. I was already interested in children’s books and studied children’s book illustration for years at The School of Visual Arts in New York City, so having kids narrowed my focus and made children’s books a central part of what I was doing with my art.
In 2001 my first children’s book was published from Pentland Press and I haven’t really slowed down since. I’ve written and illustrated 17 books and had my art and writing published in Highlights for Children Magazine and Hopscotch magazine and for years did a matching game feature in Whimsy Magazine. I’ve also illustrated numerous books with other authors and have created four comic book series for children.
Do you plan to write similar books using other poetry from Lewis Carroll?
I had a great time creating this book, but not as great a time publishing it. Amazon and other online bookstores have numerous restrictions in place that make listing a book with public domain content more difficult. I doubt I will want to go through the process of creating a book based on Lewis Carroll’s work again only to have a limited reach once it’s published. However, it was fun to do and I don’t regret it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Winner of the 2023 Gold Literary Titan Book Award!!
LITERARY TITAN 