The Forbidden Daughter by Shobhan Bantwal

I'm very glad to be hosting Shobhan on the first day of her virtual blog tour with Promo 101 Virtual Tours. She has a writing style that I think you will like and she isn't afraid to tackle the hot button topics. Read on to learn more about Shobhan Bantwal and The Forbidden Daughter.
What inspired the book?

A deep interest in women’s issues combined with the love of fiction inspired me to write a book about gender-based abortions in India. I had an opportunity to bring awareness to the issue by weaving it into a story of romance, intrigue and drama.

What makes this book special to you?

It allows me to voice my opinion on a social issue in a highly creative way. If I had written a non-fiction book on the subject, it would have been boring for me to write and very few people would have read it. A novel is a way to reach a broader audience.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Many Americans, although aware of the general societal patterns of other countries, very rarely know about the more subtle social issues, both good as well as bad. THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER will provide them a rare glimpse into a culture that remains very private about certain negative elements.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Daily newspaper and TV stories are a great source of creativity. For some odd reason, driving on the highway seems to trigger it for me, but sitting in front of a computer makes my creativity plunge to zero.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

My biggest stumbling block is my lack of computer savvy, which hinders my ability to use the Internet to optimum capability. Amazon optimization, blogging, chat room discussions, etc. are not something I can utilize for promoting my book mainly because of my inability to use technology.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I believe people become authors because of their deep love for expressing their ideas and opinions to others. It is a way of communicating, by being a storyteller and narrator. For myself, my motivation was to acquire a hobby that would keep my mind alert and provide an outlet for my active imagination and creativity. When I took up creative writing, I had not really dreamed of being a published author, but as I wrote more and more, my ambitions expanded.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I honestly wish I could think of something unusual to do, “outside the box” as they say, but so far I have done only the most traditional things.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

I like a small town atmosphere, like the kind I grew up in, so I created a fictitious small town that is very similar to the town I was raised in. It made the visualization much easier, without having to struggle to build a new one. The descriptions came easily and the culture of course is latent to me, so that was not an issue.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Both my hero and heroine are people of strong convictions and generous natures, and they act on them without regard for tradition or personal gain. I find that very inspiring. Their strength and ability to fight and survive, and even win in the face of adversity is what makes them memorable. The main motivator for my heroine is the need to protect her children at any cost. The hero is motivated by his inherent desire to be the ideal doctor – help people in trouble.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

The obstetrician who first suggests an abortion and later resorts to more serious crime is the one who first introduces friction in THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER. There are secondary villains who augment the main villain’s deeds with their in their own twisted way. They all serve to add tons of friction that lends plenty of action and drama to my story.

For more information about Shobhan Bantwal’s virtual tour, visit – http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/09/forbidden-daughter-by-shobhan-bantwal.html

The Forbidden Daughter can be ordered at: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Daughter-Shobhan-Bantwal/dp/0758220308

You can visit Shobhan Bantwal at her website – www.shobhanbantwal.com

In Detail with Susan Wingate

We kick off Susan Wingate's virtual book tour with her visit In Detail with Nikki Leigh. Let's see what Susan wants to share with us...

Tell us the book title and your author name.

The title of my latest release is “Bobby’s Diner” and I’ve used my real name as the author name. I’ve used my real name because I’m not trying to identify myself with any one genre at this stage. If I, say, take off on a tangent and decide to write erotica, I may at that point use a pseudonym but until then, I’ll continue to write under my real name.

What inspired the book?

I dreamt the first sequence, the one where Georgette, the main character and narrator of the story, arrives in the fictional town of Sunnydale, Arizona. The actual dream sequence is the one of her hitching a ride with the skanky truck driver and then her walking the rest of the way into town.

What makes this book special to you?

This book is special to me for a number of reasons, most of which because the title character, Bobby, is designed (physically anyway) after my husband, Bob. Note the similarity in names? Ha! It’s a special book also because it’s my second novel. Sometimes I think the second novel can be a little more daunting than the first because you say to yourself, “Okay. Was that first one a fluke or can I write another one?” Plus, for me, I had help on my first. Close to the end of my first novel, “Of the Law,” Michael Collins began mentoring me. I give credit to him for helping me with the completion of my first novel. I don’t think I could’ve done it without him. He made me think of writing as a job, not a hobby.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Well, this story is about tolerance and one woman’s yearning to find a place for herself in this world. I think both themes are universal, quite profound and astonishingly relevant in today’s world.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

You know, I wrote this book with a very intentional light voice because of its profound theme. Any person other than Georgette telling the story just wouldn’t have worked. She’s this sweet gentle soul who can talk to just about anyone – young or old, man or woman, rich or poor – she seems to be quite the chameleon and is why the story is successful. So, to answer your question, I think the story is intended for any person who wants to hear its message.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

I love answering questions about writing. My answer to this question in particular might be of interest to writers who sit in front of their computer or typewriter or pad of paper (whatever) and find it tough to start knocking out words. What I do is this, I like to bandy around with poetry in the morning to oil my writing muscles. Poetry gets to the nuts and bolts of writing, by its very nature. It doesn’t have time to screw around. So, before I get into my story du jour I write a few poems. But then sometimes if something comes to me whether in a dream or other creative state of consciousness – you know it’s like hearing a doorbell go off in your head – then I get it down to paper. It can happen anywhere too which can be very inconvenient like when you’re driving the car. That’s a real pain in the butt because you have three choices: to let the idea go, to stop driving or to scrawl it out on whatever you can find with one hand while you’re cruising down the road with the other – it’s a real pain indeed.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

Patience. That’s my biggest problem. Oh, sure, I could say I have an almost compulsive tendency to, oh, I don’t know, end sentences with dangling prepositions, say. But, honestly, anyone can learn to write – I believe that with all my heart. What we have to do is to get out of our own way. Patience is not one of my virtues, unfortunately. I want everything to happen right away and in this industry, well, that’s just never going to be. So, if I begin to feel impatient about some submission or something, I just start writing something new and try to forget about whatever I was being impatient about. Is that a run-on sentence… oops. Maybe another stumbling block – just kidding. But, patience or the lack thereof is my problem. I’d have to say I could use a bit of meditation for learning patience.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Boy, you’re right there, it IS an unusual industry, isn’t it? Okay, I’ll talk to the first part of this question – what motivates others to write? Well, statistically, “they” say that approximately 85% of people, um, everywhere want to write a story or have a book inside them. I don’t know how “they” come up with that statistic. I can’t imagine “they” are interviewing every living being on the planet so all I can do is answer this question based on what I’ve observed. When I teach writing classes, my students seem to want to tell either wildly imaginative stories that are derived from their creative well or they want to tell a story that actually happened to them. So, I believe from a long time ago, I’m talking caveman times, people have been telling stories “around the proverbial campfire” in one form or another. It’s what we do. Think about it, even in the Old Testament, we had to have a rule instructing us not to lie, for goodness sake. I think it’s borne in us to tell stories.

Now, another aspect to this question is my observation of others who are not writing students and who know I’m a writer or find out that I am upon meeting me. Inevitably, most people tell me they have a “great idea for a novel”. Sometimes they even go so far as to say, “You can use it if you want.” Isn’t that generous? People just love stories - to tell stories and to hear stories and to read stories.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I’m not sure if this quite fits but it’s really the only unusual thing I’ve done to promote myself as a writer. I wanted to teach writing at a workshop and part of the process was to make available your current titles. Well, at the time, I had not a one! So, to get the application to them in time, I made something up and then created a book after the fact with my short stories, essays and poems. That book actually sells quite well and is called “Ravings of a Mad Gentlewoman.” You can find it on Amazon.com. I got it printed and marketed before the due date on books for that particular conference. Isn’t that naughty of me? Oh well, you do what you must in this crazy industry. Self-promotion is a HUGE part of it. I believe it was James Patterson who was a marketing man before he became the world-renown author he is today. He had the promotional smarts working for him well before he made his move into writing.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

Of course there’s the diner where most of the action occurs and making a vivid setting there was accomplished by adding the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures found within a diner. But, the desert - its desolation and heat, its unique flora and fauna - is most prevalent in the opening scene making it more vivid by contrasting it between cooler climates.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Georgette is human. She’s afraid and damaged goods. She’s honest with others but then lies to herself. She’s good with a touch of bad. She’s just a fully-rounded person who is trying to make a go of her life, trying to keep her head above it all under some extreme circumstances. I think she’s a great person.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

It’s always easiest to write when there’s a clear-cut villain but there is no one clear-cut villain in “Bobby’s Diner.” Georgette is pitted against Bobby’s ex-wife, Vanessa, and their daughter, Roberta, but I can’t talk about them as if they were bad or acted badly in order to hurt Georgette. They, too, are just trying to live in a small town with the widow of Bobby. They’re all acting accordingly feeling embarrassed and hurt, humiliated and jealous – the way anyone else in the same situation would act. It’s a method of pitting good against good. I think pitting good against evil makes it easy for the reader to figure out what will happen. In this story, we’re usually taken off-course and diverted to some other part of the characters’ lives. Or, at least, I hope that’s what happens for the reader. Another more express point about conflict and friction is that it’s the scenes and situations that create the conflict as well as the characters in them. The inherent conflict in “Bobby’s Diner” is both women, Georgette and Vanessa, are left with half the interest in Bobby’s Diner to run together. Now, if ever a story built immediate conflict into it, I believe this is one does.

Thank you, Nikki, for hosting this interview. What a wonderful blog and fabulous list of books and writers you have. Kudos! –Susan Wingate.

For more information -

Website Address: http://www.susanwingate.com

Primary Blog Address: www.susanwingate.blogspot.com

E-book can be ordered at: www.ebooksonthe.net/catalog/eBooks_Catalog_NewBooks2.html

For more information about Susan Wingate’s virtual book tour and her full schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/08/bobbys-diner-by-susan-wingate.html

In Detail with Ageless Sages Publishing

Although this is about a book, it’s more about the book’s design with elders in mind. I certainly can get these questions answered from the author and/or illustrator if you wish, but I wonder if you’d consider my answers as the publisher of Picture Books for Elders and Adults™?

Tell us the book title and your author name.

"Lavender Ladies" written by Beth Miller, Art work by Laura Harper, published by Ageless-Sages.com Publishing, Picture Books for Elders and Adults™.

What inspired the (concept for this type of) book ?

After spending time with elders doing various activities, I was impressed with how they responded to children’s picture books, though fully aware they were geared to children. Beth Miller suggested there might be more dignity in sharing picture books with adult-pertinent content.

What makes this book special to you?

I was deeply effected by how the elder developmental stage of life focused more on decline and less on a continuation of the cycle of life. The idea that we can offer something to elders which respects this phase of life was extremely appealing to me.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

Lavender Ladies presents the cycles of life in a poignant and gracious way. And although this is geared to elders, I’ve presented this to various age groups with exciting results. Kids are excited to contemplate the upcoming stages; teens love that their stage is depicted with eloquence; middle aged (women in particular) people resonate with the roles they play in life; elders love the reflection and idea that transitioning from this life is natural and that they can and do leave an important legacy.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

People work with elders can share this book with elders as a means of deeper connection. Elders can read this on their own or with others as a reflection piece and as a way to reminisce and tell others about their life experiences. Spiritual teachers who embrace the cycles of human existence will find this a valuable tool.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Although I did not write this book, the idea for this new literary genre was sparked by following my passion: interacting with elders; having conversations with others about the deeper meaning of our time here on earth; spending time engaged in activities that elicit memories and feelings.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I do think some people are born authors (the author of Lavender Ladies has been writing since she was very young and had an innate interest in writing stories), and others are eager to tell a story, share their wisdom, be part of the evolution of life that writing can support.

My particular interest in the publishing industry was very specific and focused. Until Picture Books for Elders and Adults™, publishing wasn’t even a blip on the screen for me! This feels more like a calling than an occupation.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I’m not sure this is unusual, but I have been sending copies of the book to celebrities who either have publicly expressed that they have elders in their lives or that they are advocates for elders in one form or another. My intent is to find a celebrity spokesperson for this mission!

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

The effect that this has on elders is nothing short of profound. I’ve seen people who barely engage in much of anything suddenly come to life! People have memories sparked from their past, they settle into an acceptance of their future. It’s as if just knowing that someone understands this as a distinct, specific and continuing time of life (as opposed to just seeing at the end) they can enjoy life more.

You can view a slideshow version of the book here: www.ageless-sages.com/bookvideo.htm

In Detail With Dave Richardson

Tell us the book title and your author name.

When I first wrote the book in 2002, I titled it, “An Old

Helicopter Pilot Remembers Vietnam”. It was my eldest son, David, who brought the POD concept to my attention. He also encouraged me to change the title as he felt it was a bit ‘stodgy’. I tried various combinations until I hit on “Vietnam Air Rescues”. I used my own name, rather than a pen name.

What inspired the book?

My 2^nd son, Craig, (I have 4 sons), had tried for years to get me to put down in writing the stories I had related to them regarding my Vietnam experiences. (Incidentally, he has followed somewhat in my footsteps by becoming an Army helicopter pilot who served in the Panama incursion as well as Gulf Wars 1 & 2. He did Medevac [the Army version of rescue] in Panama and Gulf War 2. By the way, I have forgiven him for being in the Army instead of the Air Force!)

I resisted his efforts until I received a preliminary account of the ‘Streetcar’ rescue by Kenny Fields, the last guy I rescued. I thought it might be fun to write a counterpoint narrative, telling the story from my point of view, and found it to be enjoyable.

That was when Craig and I began working in earnest on the project—I wrote the narratives and supplied the photos, while Craig did the maps and supporting documents.

All of my sons, David, Craig, Eric and Mark plus my wife, Kaye, have participated in one fashion or another during the creation of this book.

What makes this book special to you?

It brings back a time when I was able to make a difference in the lives of a few other people.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

I tried to be both factual and dispassionate in my storytelling. Many people have very different conceptions of the Vietnam War, both positive and negative. I was involved in the effort to save American lives, without regard to politics. I hope people will read about this and perhaps get a new view or slant on what went on—this time from a positive view.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Both those who lived through the Vietnam years and those who new only know about it from history books.

Surprisingly enough, a lot of females have been fascinated by this book. I would have thought it would appeal mainly to males, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Several women have commented that it has allowed them to take a peek into what happened to their father or husband.

I did not keep a diary while I was there, so I wasn’t able to give a day to day account of my experiences. What I tried to do, and what some people have said they find fascinating, was to record the bare facts and avoid any hyperbole, while still communicating the details of rescue operations.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

In my case, there was little creativity involved, as these are tales of what actually happened to me in a manner that is burned into my memory.

In my case, I had constant support and input from my wife and all four sons, who encouraged me and occasionally prompted me to include tidbits I might have forgotten to include.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

Motivation, motivation, motivation. I initially wrote this as a bit of private correspondence to my sons, then expanded it to the general public when it became obvious there was some interest.

As I mention in my ‘Note to the Reader’, this is the 5^th edition of basically the same work. Each time, I had to consider to whom I was now writing. This affected not only what I included, but how I phrased it.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

See answer to 2^nd question.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

To date, my promotion has been limited to speaking to churches, civic clubs and historical societies.

One bit of advice I received, which I believe has been of benefit, was to make bookmarks advertising the book and give them away. This has seemed to work quite well.

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

Because I lived it. Others, even those who also performed rescues, who might attempt to create a similar book would, of necessity, come up with a completely different type of book.

This is because of the personal experiences involved. I was startled recently to have another rescue pilot confide to me that he had admired the way I did things and had attempted to pattern himself after me. I would never have imagined anything like that. It is totally amazing how each of us affect the lives of others without realizing it.

NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

This is a book that is more about saving peoples lives than war itself. I would encourage them to read a single rescue sequence to see if they found the descriptions interesting.

I knew that not all my readers would know about or remember the background of the Vietnam War, so I put in a section detailing my impressions of how and why we, as a country, became involved.

For the same reason, I included a background of life as a Jolly Green pilot and a bunch of anecdotes not directly related to rescue itself.

My hope was that even those who were vehemently opposed to the war would find something interesting they could relate to.

NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

I think most people are intrigued by ‘how it really was’ stories. The Air Force rescue portion of the Vietnam War, for some reason, has been mostly overlooked, so this is something new for most readers.

It interests me because I was there and experienced all the various incidents described.

Others, I think, find themselves fascinated by the lengths our country went to in attempting to rescue those in harms’ way.

NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

Not directly. The war in Iraq comes to mind, but that is a totally different episode. The strictly military offensive warfare part is long over and even when we were engaged in active bombing campaigns, there was not then and is now no current correlation.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

I appreciate your efforts to assist me in the promotion of my book.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

For anyone who would like to take a look inside the book, I compiled a "sampler" which gives you excerpts from the book and the entire first rescue along with pictures from the book. To download your free sampler - visit www.nikkileigh.com/var/htm

Website: www.vietnam-air-rescues.com

Order link: http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/

We've posted an excerpt from the book to share Dave's first rescue - visit http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/08/sample-for-you-rescue-1-vietnam-air.html

Feel free to ask questions or leave a comment at every stop on the tour to increase your chances to win a copy of this exciting book. For full details about Dave's tour and to see the schedule - http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/07/vietnam-air-rescues-author-dave.html

The Joy of Pregnancy by Tori Kropp

Tell us the book title and your author name.

It is great to be here. Thanks for having me. My name is Tori Kropp and the book is called The Joy of Pregnancy.

What inspired the book?

I have been a Perinatal nurse for more than 20 years. Even years before that I had a fascination with birth that has led me on this long and expanding road of pregnancy. There is nothing I know more about than “birthing” babies. I have seen more that 2000 babies come into the world in hospitals, birth centers, bedrooms, bathtubs, hammocks and even in the back of a pickup truck! Birth is not one bit less magical to me today than it was the first time.

Many years ago, I began to recognize that many women who were “prepared” for birth by having read books and taken classes were coming into their births ill prepared for actual labor. They were trusting a variety of “experts” and writers more than they trusted themselves. They were struggling to “think” their way through and to try to control the very primal and uncontrollable experience of childbirth.

Women today are more worried, anxious and serious than I have ever seen. Where is the humor of that expanding belly, the funny stories, and the old wives’ tales? It seems as though the common sense and lightness of this wonderful time has been replaced by dry facts about procedures, tests, and nutrition. These are all important things but certainly not the whole picture.

I have been able to use the skills I have in my work with pregnant women in a variety of ways. I have worked with women during labor, through my childbirth education company, PillowTalk® and online via my community website, Stork Site. And I know I have been able to have a positive impact. My heart warms when a woman, with a child (or two or three) in tow, makes a beeline across the street to say, “Tori, do you remember me? You were with me eight years ago when my son was born, “ or “Thanks! We learned so much in your classes. They made such a difference for us.” What could be more fulfilling?

I have always wanted to reach out to more women through a book and the time finally presented itself.

What makes this book special to you?

It is truly a work from my heart. It is not merely a resource. It is something that I have wanted to do for many, many years. It is also something that was difficult for me to complete. While I was writing the book, my life took a heart-wrenching turn. The love of my life, my husband Ray, was shockingly diagnosed with terminal cancer. At the time, our son, Alexander was 3 ½ years old. After a grueling course of chemotherapy, Ray died 14 weeks later. I wasn’t certain I could finish the book, but knowing how happy Ray was for my opportunity to write it helped me continue. Ray was my best friend and best critic, and his strength and spirit will always guide me. The Joy of Pregnancy stands a monument to his enthusiasm for the work I so love.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

It is simply different than the most popular books out there. It is warm and contemporary. Because I actively work with pregnant women, the information is absolutely current and sound. So many books focus on the negative possibilities and that is simply unfair to women. I focus on the realistic experiences that women may have and present information in a positive way. I talk about how normal most of what women experience is. I also share a lot of myself in the book and it is very personal and honest. My goal with The Joy of Pregnancy is to help women in the most non-judgmental way possible prepare for their babies. The book is fresh, uplifting, funny and empowering.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Pregnant women and their partners or women in the “planning to be pregnant” stage of their lives. It is designed to be a guide for them to use from the moment they become pregnant or even when they are thinking about being pregnant. I have written the book in a very conversational and easy to follow way. Each chapter corresponds to the month of pregnancy that a woman is in. People close to me who have read the book tell me that it sounds just as though I am speaking. And I think I speak more comfortably than I write! I hope women can feel as though they have a trusted companion walking with them through their pregnancies.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

I feel as though I am constantly carry on conversations in my head. Often, I find myself talking aloud as well. I also can only write when I feel passionate about something and then the words seem to come easily. Otherwise, it is almost impossible for me to write. What I have found works best for me is to just let the words come out without worrying about how the sentence reads or whether or not it makes sense. That is what revisions are for. I also don’t write small amounts over long periods of time. I write big chunks all at once. Deadlines are very motivating for me.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

I feel I am much better at speaking with people than writing. I like the human interaction so it was hard, at times for me to sit alone in front of the computer. Although, over half the book was written after Ray died and I was really unable to interact with people at that time. Writing the book truly was the best thing for me.

Some people are writers who can write about any topic—they simply love the process of writing. That isn’t me. I need the desire and passion behind it. Sometimes I felt as though I had “homework” and that was quite a stumbling block. I had to let go of that.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Having something to say or enjoying the process. For me, my motivation was to transfer all that was in my head and heart to the page. I wanted to reach out to more people with something I could share. It isn’t easy to be sure that your voice comes through, even after editing. That was very important for me and I can honestly say that my voice shines through in The Joy of Pregnancy.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

We spend time in the summers in a small community on Lake Michigan. This summer I posted flyers on trees and in small kiosks to let my neighbors know about it. There is even a copy in our tiny, local soda bar.

Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

For a very long time, I have been able to really connect with this audience. On a very visceral level I understand pregnant women and am able to share that ability with them in a very personable and supportive way. I have attended several thousand births and have seen nearly every situation imaginable and I currently work in a very well respected, family centered women’s hospital in San Francisco.

If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

It is different. It is practical and it is fresh. It presents information in a non-judgmental way so that women have the resources to make decisions that are best for them. My dream is to bring about a change in the negativity that so often surrounds childbirth, in this country. Why is it that there is so much polarization in how women should experience their pregnancies and especially what should and should not happen during labor and birth? There are so many “opinions” about what the “right or better” choices are. The truth is that all those opinions do is create guilt for women. Of course, we want to do what is best and it simply unfair for women to feel as though a reasonable choice they make is not the “right” one.

There are certainly other really great books out there. I simply encourage potential readers to give this one a look to see if it is right for them.

Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

This topic is everything that is me. I don’t for a minute say that I know everything. I really don’t’ want to give the impression that I do. I simply have had a lot of experience and hope to share that in a positive way through The Joy of Pregnancy. Among the best-selling books, I continue to discover plenty of opinions and biases and medical information presented in a way that creates worry and fear. This book, I hope, does not do that. Much of what is written is alarmist, outdated and impractical. The Joy of Pregnancy is contemporary, very realistic, honest and positive. It speaks to today’s women.

Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

One of the things that the book does focus on is practicality, particularly related to what is useful to buy and what is and is not necessary in preparing for the new baby. In today’s economy this is very relevant. People are working harder and harder and there is a tremendous amount of marketing targeted to this audience. I talk a lot about how to spend less and focus on things such as spending money on wholesome food and buying for the long-term and borrowing for the short term.

There is also such frenzy and focus in the media related to celebrity pregnancies. The book really addresses some of the unrealistic expectations magazines and the media place on pregnancy, weight gain, postpartum and baby care. We talk about what is real for women.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

I just want to say, come join me. I welcome women to read and learn and take from the pages of The Joy of Pregnancy anything that they find to be helpful. Feel free to leave the rest.

“The ride is great. There is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman. Babies are unbelievable, and humor is the ingredient that keeps us sane and happy.”

Thanks so much for allowing me to share all of this with you and your readers.

~~ Warmly, Tori Kropp

In Detail with Jim Musgrave

Tell us the book title and your author name.

The President’s Parasite and Other Stories, by Jim Musgrave

What inspired the book?

My imagination.

What makes this book special to you?

It’s my inner reaction to the eight years of the Bush administration.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

It’s a book filled with stories that are authentically original, and they will make readers think deeply about certain issues.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

I suppose people who have restricted their reading to non-fiction or to only novels should read this collection. I believe my stories will shake something loose inside the reader so that he or she will react to something other than coffee in the morning. In addition, my readers should be adults with open minds. To coin an expression from my generation, they should get ready to have their minds “blown away”.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Besides coffee? Ah yes, I know what you mean. I believe we are all creative in our own ways, but the writer in me suggests to other writers that they attempt to tap into what Carl Jung called the “Collective Unconscious.” Thus, the writer is able to literally become any character and any scene that has ever existed, now exists or will ever exist in the future. That’s about the full gamut of fiction, isn’t it? Historical, contemporary and science fiction and/or fantasy, and all the genres in-between, are all available to the creative writer. This is what I believe truly enlightened folks like Jesus, Gandhi, Mohammad, Sister Theresa and Gautama Buddha called “compassion.” It is the creative ability to “feel” the complete passion or sensory experience of others.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

My ego. In other words, when I can’t “kill my darlings” I kill the story. "Killing your darlings" is what many writers call deleting paragraphs, scenes, and even chapters that they've spent hours creating--all for nothing, they often believe. But a writer who can't stomach killing any of his or her darlings is not focusing on the big picture: his or her story as a whole. You may hate cutting scenes that are hilarious or poignant or suspenseful, but to be a good writer, you must do exactly that. If anything that you've written, no matter how beautifully, doesn't move your story along, it will bog your story down. By saving your "darlings," you might be killing your story.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Besides coffee and insanity? I really can’t speak for others, but I wrote to keep from going nuts. Writing has, in many ways, saved me from depression, taught me what is really important in life, and given me the will to go in, not necessarily in that order. I often tell people to read the poet Ranier Maria Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet” in order to truly understand what should motivate a writer. After reading these letters, I often believe it is good that I’m finally old enough and wise enough to start writing.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I have been interviewed on radio in many states, and it was a great experience fielding questions from people (many of whom had not read my book). It taught me humility and understanding of the other person’s perspective.

Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

My blog: http://efraimzgraves.wordpress.com/

Order the book: http://www.contempinstruct.com/books/product_page/full_page/ec1.htm

SPECIAL NOTE --

Now you can download a sample of the stories from my new collection to see if you want to buy. Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Click the link below to get your copy of this sampler and get excerpts from each story in The President's Parasite -

http://efraimzgraves.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/new-download-sampler-from-the-presidents-parasite-and-other-stories/

Retirement Life by Pamela Pope

Tell us the book title and your author name.

Book Title: Retirement Life by Design ~ Living Well with Health, Wisdom, & Authenticity (Achieve Aging in Place, Manage Elder Care, Master Caregiving) by Pamela D. Pope

What inspired the book? The book is inspired by my work as an elder care and aging in place specialist. What I found is that families do not get the information they need to make informed elder care decisions before they are in a crisis. Much of the information families get comes from TV advertisements. Retirement Life by Design provides the type of objective information seniors need. It also helps mid-life adults who are approaching retirement plan well for quality of life.

What makes this book special to you? The book was indeed a work of passion. It was easier to write than any of the other pieces I have written. The book is important to me because of the need for this type of practical and objective information from an experienced elder care specialist with experience in the areas that challenge families most.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY? What makes Retirement Life by Design different is that it is indeed a paradigm shift for readers. This book is not about “old people.” At the core, it is a message of consumer empowerment and authentic retirement living. At 35 you better believe, I have retirement on my mind.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY? The book reaches a broad audience. The book is ideal of older adults, mid-life adults who are caregivers to older adults, and people like me who are 35 years old, and no where near retirement but have family members who are near or post retirement. Retirement Life by Design ~ Living Well provides a wealth of guidance and how-to’s so families have the tools they need to weigh options. By weigh options, I mean to actually put a real plan in place for retirement that transcends the conventional wisdom of a mutual fund and 401k. This book is about quality of life and authentic retirement living. During our retirement years isn’t that what we ultimately want - to live well, which is far more elaborate than financial wealth?

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?
What sparks my creativity? Passion. Passion and authenticity. For me there is not greater source of energy and motivation. After over a decade in elder care, I have seen the good, bad, and the ugly. I have always enjoyed working with older adults. I can listen to their stories for hours. It is literally painful to see what older adults experience due to lack of planning, lack of knowledge of about how “the system” works, and lack of consumer empowerment on how to cause a change.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems? I have to tell you writing the book was the easy part. Initially the book was 275 formatted pages (after 10 editings). Needless to say, I had to curb my motivation to inform! The difficult part was the tedium of editing. Suggestions I would have for those who experience stumbling books would be inline with what I wrote on my blog about lessons I learned my first year in business. Two tips I can offer with stumbling blocks in writing would be to

1). to stay in firm contact with your ultimate purpose in writing the book in the first place. Full flesh out what you want to accomplish with the book

2). Use your own authentic voice. If you are writing a book from an expert point of view, using your own authentic voice will differentiate you from the rest of the writers who author books about your topic. Your expertise will be more apparent when you are “selling yourself” via your own professional experience.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry? Perhaps the common motivation to become an author is the same force that propelled me. For me, becoming an author was a natural step, I have a message of value that is relevant for many people and the book is an extension of my professional expertise for the last 10+ years.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?
Requested advanced orders from friends and family.

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?
Over the last 10+ years I have worked in elder care. I have been a rehabilitation therapist and practiced in nursing home management. After Medicare Reform of the late 1990’s I studied Health Care Policy and Administration at NYU.

NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)
In the book I speak to this issue of wearing blinders-“It will never happen to me. I’ll be fine.” This book is relevant for everyone. Everyone knows an elderly person that they love and care for. This is a unique opportunity for seniors and the people who care for them to get empowered and to make a difference in the elder care system of which they most certainly are or will be a part. If you walk away from this opportunity you are walking away from power, choice, and control. And the best part about the book is, you have the information before your family is in a crisis.

NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers. Elder care has been my profession and I have an affinity for older adults. Baby Boomers are smart people, they want choice, control, and self-determination. That is what Retirement Life by Design ~ Living Well provides (and you get to take it home).

NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book. Every news outlet is discussing elder care and aging in place. With 77 million Baby Boomers approaching retirement age, this topic will be relevant for the next 20 years.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.
Support Pamela Pope's retirement plan by purchasing directly through the institute.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.
Web: www.popeinstitute.com