Non – Fiction

Interview with Author – Tracy Ahrens

Interview with Author – Tracy Ahrens

I have been a journalist and editor for newspapers, magazines and websites since 1992. Currently, my stories about raising my pets can be seen through websites and print publications, including: dogster.com, catster.com, Simply Pets magazine, wagthedogUK.com, American Pet Magazine, Russell Publications and Momence Progress Reporter.

As of 2020, I had earned 66 writing awards statewide, locally and nationally. I am a member of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association, National Federation of Press Women, the Cat Writers’ Association and Dog Writers Association of America.

For years I’ve volunteered for animal rescue groups. I am also an artist, creating graphite pet portraits and chalk illustrations. My illustrations have been showcased on note cards for the Kankakee County Animal Foundation in Kankakee, Ill. I have donated portraits for fundraising events at Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, the University of Illinois Wildlife Veterinary Clinic in Champaign-Urbana, Ill.; Critter Corral guinea pig rescue in Steger, Ill.; Hospice Hearts rescue in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. and Crossroads Shih Tzu rescue based in Joliet, Ill. In the past I offered pet portraits through the University of Illinois Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital to help raise funds for their Humane Connection Fund.

My portrait of a cat titled Jackson Brown is on display at the Cat Fanciers’ Association Foundation cat museum in Alliance, Ohio. My portrait of a rabbit named Bosley is on display in the House Rabbit Society’s Rabbit Center in Richmond, Calif.

I have also written four children’s books: Cloud Jumpers, What if the Moon, Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight and Come with Me. Aside from my children’s books, I have written two non-fiction books titled Giant Hero and Raising My Furry Children. Raising My Furry Children features a guest story by pet expert, Steve Dale. Proceeds from Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight assist several humane organizations within Illinois. Come with Me supports the Kate Amato Foundation for children’s cancer research based in Florida. I have also published two books of poetry through Finishing Line Press titled Nature will heal and I am.

Photos I have taken of my cats and dog have appeared in several calendars by Workman Publishing.

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Interview with Author – Jim Serger

Interview with Author – Jim Serger

I graduated from the University of Cincinnati and was a Delta Tau Delta Fraternity member. I served four years in the U.S. Navy, lived in Japan for four years, and served on board the USS Independence (CV-62). I backpacked throughout Asia numerous times, climbed Mt. Fuji, and has completed two marathons (in 2017 and 2020). I worked at a little convenience store for six years in high school and college and in the packaged ice industry for 18 years after the Navy. I was an operations manager serving in the aviation industry for 7 years. In 2012, I rode a bicycle from Carmel, Indiana, to Orlando, Florida, for charity. I am a contributor to the Current in Carmel newspaper, and has written three previous books: Go the Distance (2011), 2000 Miles on Wisdom (2014) and Next in Line Please (2016).

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Interview with Author – Candy Ann

Interview with Author – Candy Ann

Candy Ann is an independent self published author, entrepreneur, former adult entertainer, former model. Born May 29, 1992 in Akron. Ohio, she was the middle sibling of an older brother and younger sister. Her poetry is typically about life, love, affection, drug-abuse, self-harm, animosity, murder, and much more. Sharing her poetry is one thing that Candy loves most. Ann’s poetry is her thoughts, feelings and emotions; along with how she felt growing up. She wants all of her readers to know that they’re not alone when it comes to losing a loved one, wanting to commit suicide (self-harm), doing drugs, and more.

When Candy was in the 6th grade she had a hardback book published with her teachers help. Though, the book was never sold in stores, and to this day; she has the only copy that was ever made. Through-out her childhood of writing poetry, she has received many rewards; such as certificates, and being published in the local newspapers; along with multiple poetry websites for her outstanding work. Candy Ann has set plans to keep writing and to publish another poetry book soon, along with many other genre of books.

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Interview with Author – Laura DiBenedetto

Interview with Author – Laura DiBenedetto

Laura DiBenedetto is a TEDx speaker, success coach, podcaster, educator, and researcher. She started her first company at nineteen years old and went on to retire at thirty-seven, only to discover happiness wasn’t what she thought it was.

Her awakening and subsequent journey into true success, passion, pleasure, joy, and profound love of life inspired this book. She has helped countless people to transform their lives through her public appearances, newsletters, books, and products.

Laura grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, USA, and now lives on the Island of Maui in Hawaii, USA.

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Interview with Author – Wesley Britton

Wes Britton has spent 20 years in Texas, the rest of his 60 plus years in Harrisburg. For 33 years, he was a professor of English at a number of colleges in Texas, Oklahoma, and Harrisburg, PA. He has published tons of encyclopedia articles, book reviews, essays, for non-fiction books on espionage, and six novels and short stories set in his Beta-Earth universe. He is now a widower living in retirement in Harrisburg.

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Interview with Author – Brenda Mohammed

Interview with Author – Brenda Mohammed

I am a multi-genre, award-winning author, and poet from Trinidad in the Caribbean and have written twenty-four books to date.
As a former Bank Manager, I hold a Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers in London.
I also obtained a Diploma in Life Underwriting from the American College, USA and worked in the Insurance industry briefly.
I qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, the Premier Association for Financial Professionals, six times in a row.
My writing career sparked after my near-death experience with Cancer and my recovery.
I wrote the book, I AM CANCER FREE which became a best seller and it gave me the encouragement to continue writing.
Some of my books won multiple awards as follows.
1. I am Cancer Free – Readers Favorite award in category Health and Fitness 2018 and McGrath’s first-place winner in Non-fiction 2016.
2. Zeeka Chronicles was an award winner in the Category Young Adult Thriller in Readers Favorite International Awards 2018, winner in Science Fiction in SIBA Awards 2017, winner of the gold award in the category science fiction in Connections Emagazine Readers’ Choice Awards 2018, and winner in the top ten finalists for science fiction in the Author Academy Global Awards 2018.
3. August 2019 – Stories People Love won two gold medals in Connections EMagazine Readers’ Choice Awards – First place in Romance Category and first place in all genres.
4. August 2019 – How to Write for Success won a gold medal in the category Non- Fiction in Connections EMagazine Readers’ Choice Awards and a silver medal for second place in all genres. [My romance novel, Stories People Love won first place.]
5. My Life as a Banker won 2nd place Bio/memoirs in SIBA Awards 2016.
After the success of my book How to Write for Success, I founded the Facebook Group, How to Write for Success. Later, I also founded two more groups – Poems for Suicide Prevention, and How to Write for Success Library.
I was the driving force in the production of the Anthology A SPARK OF HOPE: A Treasury of Poems for Saving Lives by 49 authors in my group.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
5th November 2018 – Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Motivational Strips Academy of Literary Excellence and Wisdom.
In October 2018 – Appointed an Honorary Member of the World Higher Literary Academic Council of WORLD NATIONS WRITERS’ UNION of Kazakhstan.
On 29th December 2018, awarded the World Laureate in Literature by World Nations Writers Union.
On 30th December 2018, I received a Global Literature Guardian Award from the Founder of Motivational Strips and Associates.
On 31st December received a Certificate of Honour for serving as a juror in an International Poetry Contest sponsored by World Nations Writers’ Union.
On 4th March 2019 was awarded by Motivational Strips and its Nominating Authorities a Golden Dove of Peace Award.
In June 2019 appointed National President of the Union of Writers, Union Hispaniomundial de Escritos for Trinidad and Tobago.
In August 2019 received a Diploma and World Poetic Star Award from World Nations Writers Union.
On 31st August 2019 was honoured by the Seychelles Government Accredited Literary Society [ LLSF] for my contribution to World Poetry, creativity, and writing expertise.
On October 16th, 2019 was awarded the Order of Shakespeare Medal by the Founder of the Facebook group Motivational Strips, Shiju H Pallithazheth.
My books are available on all Amazon stores worldwide

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Interview with Author – Shirley J. Davis

Interview with Author – Shirley J. Davis

Shirley J. Davis is an advocate, speaker and author focusing on the disorder she understands best, her own, dissociative identity disorder (DID). Shirley lives in rural Illinois with her brother, his wife and their two young sons. She enjoys writing and spending time with her four-year old nephew Michael. Shirley can be found on Twitter at the address @ShirleyDavis18 and on LinkedIn under her full name. Shirley also owns and operates a website dedicated to spreading awareness about dissociative identity disorder.

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Interview with Author – Nina Bingham

Interview with Author – Nina Bingham

(Devi) Nina Bingham is an award-winning Author and life voyager who strives to inspire conscious living and conscious dialogue. She writes books that are electric with honesty and passion, causing readers to explore topics such as the soul. You can find her on Facebook. Nina earned an AA in Psychology, a BA in Applied Psychology, and completed her MS in Mental Health Counseling program. She is also a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Sound Therapist. She and has been in private practice for 17 years. However, her passion is writing as her award-winning books suggest.

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Interview with Author – Dalton Smith

Interview with Author – Dalton Smith

As a little child or pretty much as long as i could remember telling stories has always been my past time. So ,as i got older i had these little voices in my head telling me to write since i had a knack for it. Eventually i listened to my conscious and started my self publishing career. My main focus i primarily write is non fiction. I enjoy the fact that i am able to help other people with my words to solve problems. I have published my first book this year and have other books planned to be published soon so stay tuned.

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