Author Interviews

Author Spotlight Interview: J.C. Benthin

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on May 10, 2022

Today’s interview is with charming and creative author J.C. Benthin. J.C. writes young adult and children’s novels that entertain and inspire. It was our pleasure to chat with J.C. about her writing style, future projects and life outside of writing! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JCB: Given my experience in writing screenplays, I tend to write more cinematically with dialogue driven characters.  HG: Makes sense! You began writing as a young girl. Has “author” always been your dream job? Tell us a bit about your publishing journey. JCB: I am giggling as I write this because it took me a long time to even consider myself an author. I started my first romance novel in 3rd grade. I hand wrote it in cursive on blue lined paper and I never finished it. My writing continued in my journals, documenting moments… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Dana Claire

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 26, 2022

Today’s interview is with young adult author of action packed, romantic fantasy fiction that will keep you up at night, Dana Claire. It was an absolute pleasure to get to know more about her writing style, life outside of writing and upcoming projects!   HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? DC: I am a hopeless romantic and an action junkie. Toss a couple supernatural, magical, or sci-fi ingredients mix it in a bowl with high school angst and love, add a dash of imminent threats and viola, my Young Adult book babies are born. If you love exciting, spine-tingling moments, with chaptering ending hooks, you’ll be smitten with my writing. I like to tell my readers: Come for the romance, stay for the non-stop action. HG: Fantastic. You have mentioned that you’ve been writing since you were a young girl and… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Roy M. Griffis

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on April 12, 2022

Today’s interview is with multi-genre author, Roy M. Griffis. Griffis writes historical fiction, comic fantasy, alternative history and action-adventure screenplays. We were honored to hear from Griffis about his writing style, what inspires him and his exciting upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? RMG: Savage Satirist, Chronicler of Historical Events that did not take place (but should have), Bon Vivant, Actor, Writer, Hero:  truly, a Renaissance Man. <and, I hope, pretty clearly someone who doesn’t take themselves that seriously.  But I am very serious about my ethical responsibility to my readers.  That is, to take them on an emotional journey, to remind them that the quality of their lives is in their own hands, to remind them of what is possible, to entertain them, and to write work that is ultimately inspiring, ennobling, and uplifting without being didactic agit-prop. … Read More >

5 Authors Committed To Writing Inclusive, Diverse Books

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 29, 2022

Each month we have the opportunity to interview the writers that bring fantastic stories to your eReaders. From debut authors, to seasoned pros we’ve enjoyed getting to know these folks and learning about their inspiration and lives outside of writing. Today we’re pleased to bring you a round-up of five recent interviews with authors dedicated to writing inclusive and diverse books that are willing to address challenges currently facing society. Self-published and traditionally published authors face a lot of competition to be seen with well over 1 million books published every year, according to Bowker. Through the Hidden Gems ARC program, we’ve introduced readers to books in over 15 genres from authors of all walks of life, from those just starting out to well seasoned pros. It’s been an honor connecting readers and writers through stories and feedback. The Hidden Gems ARC program is 100% free for readers. Each morning… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Amy Craig

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 15, 2022

Today’s interview is with romance author Amy Craig, who writes stories where everyone gets a happy ending. We were honored to chat with Amy about her self-publishing journey, writing style and exciting upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? AC: Lots of banter, medium-heat sex, and some research to set the scene. I’ve written contemporary romances and romantic suspenses, but the main difference is the presence of the “bad guy” vs. circumstantial impediments. In my stories, everyone gets a happy ending. Sometimes, even the villains get a second chance. HG: What have been the challenges you’ve faced in your publishing career? AC: Someone published my book, so I’m the luckiest girl in the world! Realistically, so many people have amazing stories to tell. I wish I was the type of person who slaved over a novel for decades and fine-tuned… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Ben J Henry

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on March 1, 2022

Today’s interview is with teacher turned author Ben J Henry. Ben writes fantasy full of wonder, inviting readers to explore lucid dreams. It was truly fascinating to hear from Ben about his writing process, inspiration and future projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? BH: My favorite works of fantasy hold a mirror to our minds. I was fascinated by His Dark Materials, and how Philip Pullman’s daemons represent our personalities. I was left asking: What animal would my daemon take? What would happen if someone had a split personality disorder? Great fantasy leaves you wondering not just about the plot and characters, but about yourself. These are the stories that I strive to write. HG: That’s fascinating. I understand your books center around lucid dreaming. Can you tell us more about what lucid dreams are and what prompted you to… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Gwyn GB

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 15, 2022

Today’s interview is with bestselling author Gwyn GB. Gwyn writes emotion filled suspense novels and gripping crime mysteries. It was lovely to hear from Gwyn about her publishing journey, writing style and exciting upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? GGB: I am an Amazon top 20 bestselling author of crime mysteries as Gwyn GB, and women’s emotional suspense novels as Gwyn Garfield-Bennett. HG: Tell us more about your transition to writing fiction full time. GGB: I am one of those people who has always written, and have to write or I get very grumpy. When I was about ten years old I told my parents I wanted to be a writer, but realized that I might need to live life a bit before I could achieve that aim, so asked them what I could do. They said journalism, and… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Charlene D’Avanzo

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on February 1, 2022

Today’s interview is with award-winning environmental mystery author Charlene D’Avanzo. Her novels tackle real-life issues, in the context of fast-paced mysteries. We were honored to chat with D’Avanzo about her self-publishing journey, writing style, and what inspires her.   HG: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. You’re a marine scientist turned environmental mystery author. Take us back to the beginning… what led you to writing? CD: A single event, a lecture by climatologist Ray Bradley, changed my professional life. I expected Bradley to talk about his ice-core climate research. Instead, he described being harrassed and humiliated by a group of Washington, D.C. political climate change deniers. I left the auditorium very upset and feeling that I needed to “do something”. The compelling inspiration to write mysteries with climate-change understories came out of nowhere as I stood outside the auditorium. At the end of the semester I retired… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: A.M. Kusi

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 18, 2022

Today’s interview is with wife-and-husband author team A.M. Kusi. Their romance novels tackle hard issues but always deliver a happily ever after. We were honored to chat with Ash and Marcus about their latest books, writing style and exciting upcoming projects. HG: You’re a wife-and-husband author team who writes emotional romance novels. Take us back to the beginning…how did you get started? Were you both writers before you teamed up? AMK: I (Ash) have always been a writer. I used it as a form of escapism as a child/teen. I didn’t really write much during college and when I met Marcus until a few years ago. I had a dream with a story line and got inspired. I wrote it out and showed Marcus and he was like, “We need to publish this.” He immediately dove in learning about story structure and the backend side of publishing books, found me… Read More >

Author Spotlight Interview: Heather Silvio

By: Hidden Gems | Posted on January 4, 2022

Today’s author interview is with multi-talented author Heather Silvio. Heather writes in a variety of genres but is known for her “fun, flirty, fantasy stories that make you smile.” It was an honor to chat with her about her writing style, interests outside of writing and upcoming projects. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? HS: I *mostly* write fun, flirty, fantasy romance & mystery, with a guaranteed happily ever after. Having said that, in the beginning, I was a bit of a genre-hopper, so I also have some nonfiction, a much darker psychological thriller/murder mystery, and a sweet romance with salty language romantic comedy, among others. My joke when I do book signings is that no matter what someone reads, I have a book in that genre. Not really true, of course, but I do have quite a few! HG: Okay,… Read More >