Founders’ Note
Editor’s Note
Dear Readers,
Dear Readers, Three years have passed since the inception of this magazine. Each issue that goes out we wonder if this should be the last one. This one almost made the decision for us easy, but we persevered. Meeting and writing articles about these people have made us understand our work here is valued and is important. Thank you for your continued support and inspiration.
Best Wishes, Jade & Wilnona
The And I Thought Ladies
Three years ago, I became the editor of this magazine and I’ve seen it undergo many changes in that time. Each edition has brought fresh voices and new perspectives to the way we view ourselves and our work. This year is no exception. As we head into Fall and prepare for the coming holidays, it’s a good time to stop and reflect on where we are in life. Is it where we want to be? If not, what must we change? Some of those questions may be easy to answer, but sometimes the answer means giving up things we value and the comforts we’ve known to step out on a road where there are no familiar faces to turn to and no easy answers to be had. There is no bridge between safety and security and freedom and prosperity. It requires a leap of faith to get from one side to the other. Sometimes that leap of faith results in bumps & bruises until we figure out how to fly. But once we find our wings, there’s nothing left but to soar. Best wishes, Brandy M. Miller, the 40 Day Writer
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Contributors
Dr. Mike Nelson Author of 3 published books which have received critical acclaim, Dr. Mike writes under the pen name Michael
Andrew McDowell Author of Mystical Greenwood & a member of the Maryland Writer’s Association, he studied History and English at St. Mary’s College, and Library & Information Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Visit him online at https://andrewmcdowellauthor.com
Annie McDowell Founder of The Write Review, Annie began reviewing books as more than a hobby after winning a review writing contest in 2006. She worked as an associate reviewer for Chik Lit Plus before taking a leave due to medical reasons in 2015. She returned in 2019 and continues to review books.Connect with her online through her website at https://thewritereview.com/
Brandy M. Miller
Deeze. Discover more by visiting his website at https://www.michaeldeezebooks.com/
Sherelle Green Founder of the Midnight Ace Book Bar, she has found ways to turn her love of reading from a hobby into a profession. Connect with her online at https://www.midnightacebookbar. com/ where she pairs carefully selected beverages with each book she reviews.
Ms Tonya Todd Author, Actress, Artist, and Founder of the 52 Love Podcast, Tonya Todd is a Sin City cinephile whose sundry background ranges from content writer to software programmer to booth babe. Connect with her at https://www.mstonyatodd.com
Wilnona Marie
Known as the 40 Day Writer due to her first published book, which was titled How To Write an eBook in 40 Days (or less), Brandy has worked with dozens of authors to help them achieve their writing dreams. Her site: writeyourbook.today
Brenda Daly
Award-winning author, poetess, podcast hostess, reality TV star, and co-founder of the And I Thought Ladies has become one of the most interviewed authors in the world.Connect with her at https:// andwethought.com
Wren Ivy
Actress, writer, producer, director, and singer, she is also the founder of M.O.M. Squad, a spy themed comedy. Discover more at https://
Wren is a novice author who is coming put with her debut book.
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Table of Contents
Who’s on the List?...............................................71
Founders’ Note...............................................3
TayTay Stharz...............................................75
Editor’s Note..................................................3
Jennifer McEwan..........................................77
Contributors...................................................5
Books To Read......................................................79
Table of Contents............................................7
The Literary Business.......................................9 Writing vs. Marketing—Balancing the Scal es...................................................................11
Dr. Prasad Savanna, M.D.............................73
My Love Affair with Manhattan...................81 Dead Mall....................................................85 Exclusive New Book: Our Little Black Book.89
Literary Reviews...................................................15 Moonlight Ride Trilogy.................................17 The Book Review Corner: An Interview with David Bell.....................................................19
Literary Listens.....................................................25 Actors 2020 Podcast with Johnny Keatth...27 Charlotte Readers Podcast...........................31 Excerpt from The Managers Podcast...........37
Literary Musings.................................................43 Vietnam & Afghanistan.................................45 Belongings with Me Belong..........................47 Stephanie Fowler - Saltwater media..............49
Literary Lyrics & Music.............................51 Jack Rose “Overdrive”..................................53 Rocking That Chord.....................................55
Meet Hollywood.................................................59 Mari Kornhauser...........................................61 M.O.M. SQUAD............................................67
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The Literary Business
Writing vs. Marketing— Balancing the Scales
network once I joined the Maryland Writers’ Association and attended their conferences. I also began to build my digital platform. I started to do a lot more online marketing as a result of the pandemic, especially by following certain hashtags on Twitter, eager to create as much exposure for my blog and books as possible. I’ve referred to WordPress, Facebook, and Twitter as the Big Three, with LinkedIn and Tumblr coming in next. Now, I am glad for the learning experience as well as for the genuine connections that I have made within my network, with people who’ve been kind and supportive.
By ANDREW MCDOWELL
But at the same time, I feel as if I hit a roadblock—I’m not writing as much as I used to. Some writers I know had a massive creative output during the shutdown. I didn’t. Lately I’ve come to realize a simple truth: I’ve been spending too much time online, and not necessarily in a good way. It seems that there are two sides to the coin of being a writer. The first side is writing process and everything related to the it, such as conducting research, sharing drafts with beta readers and critique groups, and editing. The second side is marketing. Writers need to build a network and an online presence so that potential readers will know of the writer and their creative output. When I started writing as a kid, I didn’t give much thought to marketing. Perhaps I thought the publishers would do all of that, or it would magically take off. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I had to learn that without marketing, people outside of my family and friends would never hear of my work. If the general public isn’t aware of a book’s existence and if they don’t leave reviews, there will be no sales. Fortunately, I was able to get started on building a
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It’s easy to be tempted to check various social media accounts to the point where it becomes a habit, just like how I was creating exposure on Twitter but often scarcely interacting with other people. There’s that famous quote of how being a good writer is 3% talent and 97% not being distracted by the internet. That has never been clearer to me than now. In the past, long before I’d had all these social media accounts, I got distracted from writing by a number of things. I had schoolwork that took precedence, and once I entered the workforce, that too has taken up a lot of my time. Free time, it seems, has been taken up by the Internet and social media. In other words, the balance scales were tipped too far in one direction. So how to find a balance? Well, I’ve started off by limiting how many times I login to each social media account to three or fewer
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Writing Vs Marketing - Balancing the Scales (cont.)
a day, with each at different intervals (morning, afternoon, evening). It’s a start, to keep me from desiring to checking all the time but not checking enough. But I know I need to do more. I need to mind the time and online activity, and make it more meaningful. And I need to train my mind more to focus on writing when I do have time that isn’t devoted to work, social media, etc.
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Now, I need to work on trying to have some output each day, whether in my journal (which I haven’t been diligent with) or editing or story work. I cannot just write when I’m in the mood, but at the same time I feel if I’m not enthusiastic, it won’t be good. Many successful writers became so from diligent, constant effort. I’m on a quest, you could say, to find that balance again and beat this writer’s block. Hopefully soon, the words will start flowing again.
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Literary Reviews
Moonlight Ride Trilogy Sherelle Green - Midnight ace book bar Love triumphs in these uplifting romances, part of the Moonlight Ridge series: Book 1: Homecoming Heartbreaker by Joss Woods
Each story has elements of family and second chance romances that were heartfelt and heartwarming at the same time. Each book can be read separately, but I highly recommend reading all of them and in order to get to a full scope of this family’s dynamic as well as challenges they face and the healing that comes after. You will enjoy the uniqueness in each couple’s journey and you can thank me later.
Recommended Wine Pairing
Book 2: Best Laid Wedding Plans by Karen Booth
Josh Chardonnay $12-$15
Book 3: Just a Little Married by Reese Ryan The Moonlight Ridge Trilogy is a Harlequin Desire collaboration featuring 3 individuals stories written by Joss Wood, Karen Booth, and Reese Ryan. These ladies do a great job of seamlessly connecting each storyline, pulling the reader in, and engaging them with the scenic visuals and well-developed characters. When we see a Harlequin title, we expect to have a romance with some conflict and HEA, and before you get up in arms, I assure you that it is in each of the titles. After reading this trilogy, the romance took a back seat to the Holloway’s unique family dynamic (Mack, Grey, and Travis* are all adoptive brothers) There are so many things that can make up a family unit, and more often than not, it isn’t DNA. Jamison Holloway is the patriarch of this clan. A man with a big heart and a desire to have a family to extend its legacy. Most family generations are left to deal with past deception, secrets, neglect, abuse, trauma, and distrust. The Holloways were torn apart by a tragedy that took place over a decade ago. Will it be a tragedy that makes them whole again? It was something about Moonlight Ridge that brought about healing.
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Can be found in most local wine & spirits and most local grocery stores It is what you would expect from a Chardonnay, dry and oaky, but it doesn’t take away the fruit flavors and crisp finish. Much like the Holloway family, there are few complexities going on, but in the end, everything comes together in unity. This wine comes with a great price point and I will purchase it again. Whether you are taking in this trilogy all in the same sitting or at different times grab a bottle of Josh Chardonnay. As always ENJOY, whether you try these together or separately, sip responsibly!
Recommended Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with shrimp, steamed mussels, creamy kinds of pasta, roasted chicken, and grilled vegetables.
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The Book Review Corner: An Interview with David Bell Interview by Annie McDowell
while also being a college professor. Why now did you decide to write a story set on a college campus? I’ve had the idea for this novel in the back of my head for a long time. Years. And I’ve tried on a few different occasions to get it off the ground and never could get it right. Finally, I cracked the code and went for it in
How would you describe KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS? KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS is a fast-paced thriller that tells the story of Connor Nye, a creative writing professor who is struggling to get over the death of his wife and son in an accident. One of his best students turns in an honors thesis—a novel—and then disappears and is presumed dead. Connor passes the book off as his own, and then the student turns up very much alive. And then the police show up because the book Connor passed off as his own implicates him in an unsolved cold case murder. Things get worse from there.
You’ve written over ten novels,
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2021. Since I’m a professor at a university, I think about the academic world all the time. And since I’m a suspense writer who produces a book every year I’m always on the lookout for a good story. It was inevitable I’d set one on a campus.
What inspired you to write the book? During my time as a graduate student and then as a professor, I’ve seen more than one case of a professor abusing their power and pursuing inappropriate relationships with their students. I’ve seen the toll this takes on the students and the entire community. We’ve made progress on this issue, but it hasn’t gone away, so I hope my book calls attention to the problem while it also entertains the reader.
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The Book Review Corner: An Interview with David Bell
How do you think KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS differs from your previous books? The subject matter and setting are different. More than anything, I wanted to push myself in the way the story is told. The book uses multiple points of view and goes back and forth in time, and these are techniques I’ve never employed to this extent before. However, I thought the story—which is complex and tangled—could only be told in such an unusual way. Each of the characters knows a part of the story, and the events stretch across time with the past very much affecting the present. Telling the story this way certainly created challenges for me because it meant a lot of balls were in the air. So I had to learn to juggle as I went along.
While writing the book did you come across anything in writing about campus life that surprised you? Did you interview anyone for the book to get some ideas on how to characterize anyone? Obviously, I know the academic world very well since I’ve been working in it so long. It’s a unique setting, rather different than other workplaces. As I developed the idea for the book, I did speak to some of my colleagues and some of my students, asking them if they had experiences that were similar to the ones I was going to be writing about. I was surprised to learn that so many people I
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know have experienced or witnessed the kind of harassment that is depicted in the book. I’m not exactly a Pollyanna, but I was still surprised. And not in a good way. In KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS, some of Connor’s colleagues look down at him writing a mystery novel.
You’re currently the head of the creative writing program— has anyone ever thought that you “ought” to be writing the next “Great American Novel” instead of mysteries or thrillers? Hey, who says the “Great American Novel”—whatever that is—can’t be a mystery or a thriller? I tell you what, if it was a mystery or a thriller, a heck of a lot more people would read it. And they wouldn’t be bored by it. But to answer the question, yes, there is absolutely a snobbish attitude among a fair number of my academic brethren when it comes to writing anything that might be remotely popular or accessible. At the same time, I have plenty of colleagues who not only read my books but they also read the work of other thriller writers. As I always tell my students, don’t write what you think other people want you to write. Write what you want to write. We can only follow our own paths and not worry about others.
Your protagonist Connor develops great rapport with his students, how have some of your students reacted to your books when they’ve read them? Some people assume that all of my students would read my books. The truth is I have plenty of students who probably have no idea
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The Book Review Corner: An Interview with David Bell
that I’ve written or published any books. But some students read them and tell me they enjoy them. I have a rule—I don’t count it as a real compliment if a student praises one of my books while they’re in my class. That strikes me as an easy way to score brownie points. Now if a student compliments one of my books years after they’ve graduated and I can no longer give them a grade, I take that to be sincere.
Since being in a college classroom for 16 years, how have you seen the dynamics of college change? In many ways, things don’t change. I’m not sure students are vastly different now than they were when I was in college back during the Revolutionary War. Certain things are universal. Students are trying to figure out who they are and what they’re going to do. They worry about their grades. They like to have a good time—too good sometimes. They want to fall in love. But many things are different. Technology for one. There was no social media when I was in school. (Thank the Lord.) It barely existed when I started teaching. More than anything else, I think the economics of college continue to get worse, and the book reflects this. It’s harder and harder for working and middle class students to pay their way. Madeline O’Brien is one of those students struggling to get by. She has to work long hours at a job in a grocery store in order to come close to keeping her head above water. As someone who went through school on student loans and financial aid, I understand, but I think the costs are getting further and fur-
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ther out of control. Let’s face it, even the professors have a hard time getting by on shrinking salaries. The financial picture is bleak
Why do you think KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS is so important to today’s times? As I said above, we’ve made progress in terms of how students are treated on campus. And we’ve taken steps to eliminate harassing behavior. But change only comes completely when people are aware, and I think—among some people—there is a tendency to say, “Hey, we had the MeToo movement so there’s no more harassment.” That’s absolutely not true. In my own small way, I’m trying to call attention to this issue while also writing an entertaining thriller. And the book is a reminder that students are vulnerable in a lot of ways, and those in power have an obligation to protect them.
What do you think readers who are entering college now would find surprising when reading KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS versus and readers who have been out of college for a while? I think it would be the amount of pressure on the students. It’s not just the things that happen in the classroom. It’s the tremendous economic pressure so many students and their families face. It’s the profound worry about what the future is going to look like. All of these pressures take a toll on the mental health of the students. And colleges themselves are facing enormous economic pressures as states cut funding and invest less in our educational system. Something needs to change, but I’m not sure it will.
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Literary Listens
Actors 2020 Podcast with Johnny Keatth Interview by Johnny Keathh
which was called “Actors Radio”. I did a live show every Sunday night in Hollywood 20 years ago with two co-host, Princess Denise and Big Time Phil. We did 100 shows in two years. 1999-2000.
(3) Why is your podcast/show unique? My Podcast is unique because I actually research my guest and I have a conversation instead of a cookie cutter interview. I love giving unknowns their 15 mins of fame as well as summing up someone’s career in 15 mins like when I interviewed Julie Roberts brother the infamous Eric Roberts. Everyone should check out that interview https://bit.ly/EricRobertsPodcast
(4) What is involved in making one show?
(1)How did you get started podcasting?
I do things a little different on my set up and the way I record and edit. I just do what works for me, not what the industry standard dictates. But to answer you question, research, research, research. I buy and sell raw land inside my Roth IRA and Health Saving Account and I have to do extensive research before I bid on a property.
I started podcasting because I have a small business and I wanted to share how to run a small business with others. I have a unique way that they don’t teach in college that saves time and money.
I use that same discipline when interviewing my guests. I want to surprise them and get them into a conversation instead of pitching themselves. After the show it has to be edited which is a tedious task.
But it turns out no one wants to actually work anymore. So I changed the format. I have “how to start a small biz” on a platform called Udemy and soon I will release “How to run a small business”. I have 1100 students in over 90 countries.
I edit some shows myself and I have editors that will edit for an IMDB credit. I still clean it up to my standard before release. Then I make the artwork.
(2) Why did you start your show? Since I was all set up for podcasting, I decided to do a continuation on my old radio show
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Once the artist approves the artwork and podcast edit. I upload to the format I use called Podomatic. It is not an easy task, but it is rewarding when the guests are so excited.
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Actors Podcast with Johnny Keatth (cont.)
(6) What can a viewer expect when they tune into your show?
For the 1st two years I never advertised on the podcast. But I am a Real Estate Broker and now pitch my free Real Estate Agent referral service, where I find anyone in the United States a fantastic Real Estate Agent. When escrow closes I get 25% of their commision. So when I get a referral from the show and the deal goes through.
They can live vicariously and see themselves in the future on being an artist. My guest shares what worked for them with tips and tricks that most everyone can use to further their own career.
I donate 10% to the Actors Fund and 10% to people who foster animals as they are giving animals a place to live until they find a home instead of the gas chamber. So that money goes to food, toys, collars, pee pads etc. It should not cost the foster money as they are already giving from the heart. http://www.TriStateRealtyLosAngeles.com if you would like more information.
(5) Which aspect of the show is the most fun for you? The letters from parents after I interview their children. For some reason I know how to talk to children. They call me the “Kid Whisperer”. They open up to me as I make them feel comfortable as they are super nervous. So I take more time at the beginning of the interview that I just cut out. Once they let down their guard we get into a great conversation and I can’t shut them up. Most interviewers don’t take that time that the child needs to get a good result that other children can relate too.
It’s fun, informative, entertaining all at the same time and only lasts 15 minutes. Listen while you’re driving, going to bed or waking up. Put it on your ipod and listen while you workout. Motivate yourself to move forward.
(7) Where and when can people listen to the show? Everywhere like Itunes, Apple, Spotify, Caston, iHeart Radio. Just google Actors 2020 Podcast. You can also just go to http://www. Actors2020podcast.com and listen right on the page. Create an account there so you can like and comment there. But wherever you listen, be sure to bookmark, like, share, download, leave a rating and or review. I try to release one podcast a week. But I am a working actor and sometimes skip a week or two due to being on the set. I live 7 blocks from the ocean in Santa Monica and am living my Dream. My goal is to get you there too. “What is your Dream”? Dreams come true if you have one. So get one!
Those letters are so personal and appreciative and touches my heart. That is one of the reasons I keep doing the show. I was going to stop at episode 100. Sam Pio which is a great example of what I am talking about https:// bit.ly/SamPioPodcast
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Charlotte Readers Podcast
I want to do to be creative in my Act 3.” He was mystified.
Interview by Wilnona Marie
(2) Why did you start your show? The short answer is that I wanted to learn more about writing and I wanted to help other author’s tell their stories. While still practicing law, I wrote three books–The Christmas Courtroom Trilogy–a humorous collection of stories about what happens when lawyers have to defend clients who think they work for Santa Claus. Dipping my toe into the writing world and into the writing community was enjoyable. I liked hanging out with other writers and talking about books. It gave me an idea.
1)How did you get started podcasting? After 35 years as a trial lawyer, I needed to clear my head of rules of procedure and rules of evidence and make room for more creative adventures in my 60s. Did you hear the one about the lawyer who walked into a podcast studio? True, it sounds like a bad dad joke, but I wasn’t kidding when I told my law partners I was doing just that in the fall of 2018 when I retired from the practice of law and started podcasting, something I knew absolutely nothing about. The day after I retired, I hit the ground running, and while I don’t call podcasting “work,” the schedule I keep is every bit as demanding as my law practice. It’s just a lot more fun. My dad asked, “how do you make money at that?” I said “I don’t, Dad. It’s just something
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I realized that one of the best ways to learn about writing other than reading books and doing actual writing was talking to other authors about their books and their writing practices. That led to the creation of Charlotte Readers Podcast: Where Authors Give Voice to Their Written Words. It was a win-win. I could learn more, build friends and connections in the writing community, and help other authors promote their books in a world where traditional media is spending less and less time covering books. Charlotte appears in the show’s name because I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I originally thought I’d have my hands full interviewing only Charlotte area authors. But as the podcast has grown, the guest list broadened. October 5, 2021 marks our 250th episode in three full years of podcasting. During that time, we have featured 127 Charlotte area authors, 72 authors from other areas of North Carolina, and 70 authors from 24 other states and 3 other countries.
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Charlotte Reads Podcast (Cont.)
(3) Why is your podcast/show unique? Unlike many author interview shows, Charlotte Readers Podcast has authors read for two to three minutes from their books in the middle of the show. It’s another way authors give voice to their written words and it provides listeners with a direct taste of what the book is about. I also put a lot of effort into each show, which means I come prepared for each interview. It’s the curse of being a former trial lawyer, but authors and listeners tend to appreciate that I’ve read the author’s book and studied the author’s background before the interview and that I ask interesting questions about the author’s book and their writing life. I also have a laid back style. This is not ivory tower stuff. We’re less about credentials and more about good storytelling. Plus, the interview is conversational. It’s not a robotic set of questions and answers. And we enjoy laughing too. The show has developed into a 30 to 40 minute podcast where local, regional, national and international authors give voice to their written words. Most episodes are accompanied by a listener supported Patreon interview with a deeper dive into the craft or business of writing.
(4) What is involved in making one show? The first step is inviting the guest or responding to the guest’s website submission to be on the show. This involves collecting the physical copy of the book, along with author bio, information about the book, and the electronic book cover and author photo for the show notes. AITL MEdia
I then read the book. Before the interview, I prepare show notes, graphics for the website and social media, and create a short outline of topics I’d like to cover, because I like the interview to cover a variety of interesting information in a short period of time. This is part of my research for the interview. I then provide the author with technical information related to the remote recording and confirm the interview date and time. Next is the fun part, the actual interview. Following the interview, I edit the audio and upload it for a scheduled release date. I also prepare an audiogram clip from the interview for social media and I prepare and schedule social media posts. I then email the author with the release date and helpful information as to how they can promote the episode.
(5) Which aspect of the show is the most fun for you? The most enjoyable part of the show is doing the interview with the guest author. By that time, the pre-interview work is complete and it’s just me talking with the author about their book and writing. Although I know subconsciously that many people will be listening, it feels more like two authors having a private conversation about a topic they both love.
(6) What can a viewer expect when they tune into your show? The show starts with a brief introduction about the guest’s book that usually includes a teaser about the storyline and a snippet from another reviewer. Next is information about how to access the show notes and other information pertinent to the show, followed by a thirty to
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Charlotte Reads podcast (Cont.)
forty minute interview with the author. The middle of the show, at around the 15 minute mark, is when the author reads an interesting section from the book. The reading my illustrate the setting, a particular character, or an exciting or humorous part of the story. We wrap up with some questions about writing and invite listeners to join us on our Patreon supported page where we have over one hundred exclusive interviews on all aspects of writing craft and the business of writing.
(7) Where and when can people listen to the show? Audio episodes release on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6:30 am. Beginning in 2022, episodes will release only on Tuesdays, because I need time to be able to promote my next novel, Deadly Declarations, a mystery set in Charlotte that releases in spring, 2022.
The show is available on all major podcast apps including Apple podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more. Listeners also can access every audio episode at the Charlotte Readers Podcast website (www.charlottereaderspodcast.com) and at the Authors on the Air Global Radio podcast. Landis Wade is a recovering trial lawyer, host of Charlotte Readers Podcast (where he has conducted more than 300 author interviews), and author of books and stories whose third book—The Christmas Redemption—won the Holiday category of the Twelfth Annual National Indie Excellence Awards, and was the 2018 Holiday category Honorable Mention in the Tenth Annual Readers’ Favorite Awards. He won the 2016 North Carolina State Bar short story contest for The Deliberation and received awards for his nonfiction pieces, The Cape Fear Debacle and First Dance. His short work has appeared in Writersdigest.com, The Charlotte Observer, Flying South, Fiction on the Web, and in more than six anthologies, including by Daniel Boone Footsteps.
Connect with Landis Online: Author website: www.landiswade.com Podcast website: www.charlottereaderspodcast.com Contact: landis@charlottereaderspodcast.com Contact: landiswrites@gmail.com
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Excerpt from The Managers Podcast
JENNY Kelly, just drink your vodka Ronald retreats into the bathroom. A knock at the door startles everyone. A member of the sound crew answers it.
CONCIERGE I have a delivery for you. Olivia, Daphne, and Felix run into the room
JENNY Shoot. Concierge places two outfit bags on the conference table. She picks up the tags
CONCIERGE RONALD
It’s for Angel, Grace, Kelly & Jenny. Your dresses are here. From Swa
We could save time.
Kelly & Jenny sprint to the bags.
YASMINE
SEAN
If we showered together. Tempting, but I’ll pass.
Jenny, my face! I look like a one-sided clown. (beat)
GRACE
Did anyone tip the concierge?
We don’t have time for your antics, seven-minute showers from here on out.
Angel hands the concierge a tip. Mumbling into the phone
Kelly snickers
ANGEL
KELLY
(quietly) No the cream suit, it’ll match me. You look scrumptious.
That’s seven times the amount he needs.
JENNY
I’m Out.
Kelly, behave.
GRACE
Kelly swallows her mini vodka
Kelly you have next
KELLY I’m behaving. Although I could mis behave for a minute or two. Can you do two?
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RONALD
Kids enter the room screaming.
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The Managers (Cont.) OLIVIA
Angel’s phone chimes with a text. It reads good scoop sold three pics here’s your portion. Angel transfers the money to the concierge.
Daddy, you look like you drowned.
ANGEL
RONALD
We’re all good . Now, get those little hellians out of here.
Grace, You done ironining my suit shirt? Got to take the kids to the pool. Concierge tosses an overnight bag into the room. Angel picks it up
ANGEL
JENNY Next, face.
GRACE
What’s this?
Kelly, make up, Henry shower, Yasmine confessional.
CONCIERGE
ANGEL
Kid’s clothes is what the bag says. You know... this makes an interesting story. Kids being dropped off. No Swa, to be seen.
Grace Iron my dress next. I need some time, Chocolate hotness is sending a car. Anna, he has no problem with being on camera, so come with me. I need time to clear my head. Too much going on. Can I trust you and Sean to handle this mess?
Greta, I do hope you find my other tip soon. Anna gestures to pull in on the shot. Angel practically hisses at the concierge’s back as she leaves.
ANGEL ANNA What money? Are you being extorted? Yes, for a bigger tip. Ronald picks up the bag.
RONALD (whispers) Trouble in paradise?
ANGEL Nope, just waiting on a pay out
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You got it. I’m the road manager. This is what I do. Grace pauses ironing, Pulls money out of her purse behind her.
Ungrateful (beat) turd.
ANGEL
GRACE
GRACE Grab the kids ice cream or candy. Have Them back within the hour to get them dressed. Ronald rolls his eyes, while zippering his pants. He picks up the shoes grace is holding in her hands.
RONALD (exasperated) All they need is more sugar (beat)
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The Managers (Cont.) Olivia, Felix, and Daphne come on we’re going to the pool!
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Literary Musings
Vietnam & Afghanistan
We stood in line while we listened to the rotors wind up and smelled the fuel exhaust.
By Dr. Mike Nelson
We stood in line waiting for ‘The guns are up!’ from the chief We stood in line waiting for the ‘Go!’ from the tower We stood in line in silence, there were no more words We stood in line today. We stood in line to go to war.
Afghanistan: We stood in line today, In the grocery store, At restaurants, amusement parks, and overpriced coffee shops
Vietnam: We stood in line today.
We stood in line today with aged faces,
We FNG’s; strung out in a line.
But sharp memories, hobbled knees and other scars
We stand in line for mail call for chow,
We stood in line with bubbly children and frenzied parents
We stand in line for our turn to take a shit
Focused on ‘to-do’ lists and schedules
or a shower.
We stood in line with people who’d no idea the things that had been done
We stood in line today They handed us our bullets. We loaded our guns. We stood in line today. We stood in line on the tarmac. We waited for the Hueys
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Without perspective that we’d stood in line, For them We stood in line today seeing what the war had bought us And go home to eat our cornflakes and sip our coffee
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Belongings with Belong
Me
By: Jade Dee & Wilnona Marie
Still my dress will sway in prettily pink. Such a lady on the brink. Skeletons With decaying meat attached, it stinks. No one knows because of my pantyhose. No one knows cause my heels have bows. No one knows cuz my voice is light, female No one suspect me because of the stories I regale With audiences on the tip of theirs chairs Dangling yet still unawares But my stares are glares. With a hint of intent of my low rumbling aspirational crime stints.
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Stephanie Fowler Saltwater media Interview by Brandy M. Miller Stephanie has never known a time when she wasn’t writing. Her desire to be a writer began in elementary school, followed her through high school, and resulted in her winning the $65,000 Sophie Kerr literary prize from Washington College. The woman who won the award the year before her ended up on Oprah Winfrey and landing a contract with Random House, so Stephanie was sure she’d just secured the keys to an agent and a traditional publishing contract, but things didn’t go according to plan. Publishers didn’t see the value in publishing a creative non-fiction work that featured stories about small towns in America few people knew existed, and the repeatedly rejected her work. After a few years of this, she was faced with the choice to allow her voice to be silenced by their lack of vision or to set out on her own and choose to publish it by herself at a time when independent publishing still carried a stigma. Ultimately, in 2007, she decided to self-publish it. She had no idea what she was doing, but eventually got it done. Looking back, she did some things well and some things poorly and some were middle of the road. However, that experience stuck with her. Her books were selling but nowhere near enough to allow her to quit her day job. She continued working in corporate health care until 2012. It was at that point that she found herself so miserable in the work she did she just couldn’t continue. During a conversation with her mother about her situation, her mother stopped and asked her what she want-
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ed to do with her life and her career. “I told her I wanted to help people do what I did – to publish their books. I expected her to tell me to go open a taco stand or do something practical with my life, but she didn’t. Instead, she told me to build a business plan.” Her mother was a successful business owner and that advice was solid. The community college in the town Stephanie lived offered a small business development center, and Stephanie took advantage of the opportunity to get help putting together her business plan. That business plan became the foundation of Salt Water Media. Today, she is living her dream of working with people who were like her. They come with professionally edited manuscripts, ready to publish, and she takes it from the manuscript to the book in their hands. “My goal is to provide them a quality book that is properly laid out with a well-designed cover.” The books are published under the Salt Water Media brand with the idea that when people see that brand, they should expect to see the same quality in her books that they would expect from traditionally published books. She released her 2nd book last year, which won several awards, under Salt Water Media’s label. She doesn’t take every manuscript that is sent to her. “I won’t be the right fit for every client and they won’t be the right fit for us.” The books they take are carefully reviewed for the quality of the story and its readability. “If I can’t get past the first page, I will send it back to the author with a recommendation that they get it professionally edited before coming back to us.” To find out more, connect with Salt Water Media at https://www.saltwatermedia.com.
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Literary Lyrics & Music
Jack Rose “Overdrive” Interview By Wilnona Marie
This record should carry a Government Health Warning… make sure you don’t Overheat dancing to the floor filling Overdrive !! This cover follows on from the recent success of Jack’s original singles Better on My Own which reached No 6 in the Music Week UK Official commercial pop chart, and powerful pop anthem with Rockstar which gained the same position in the Music Week UK Commercial pop chart. Rockstar was backed by an all-star cast of some the UK’s hottest producers including Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges, Luis Rumore (Majestic, Kiss FM), Eddie Craig (Wideboys), Rick Live and more. Overdrive is available on all digital platforms via DeeVu Records.
Jack Rose unleashes his most powerful single to date, a stunning cover of “Overdrive” where he delivers a sublime and smooth vocal delivery very much akin to his US counterpart Justin Bieber. With his previous two singles both charting in the Official UK Music Week commercial pop Top 10, this anthemic track looks set to propel Jack to his third consecutive hit and has all the hall marks of being a chart topper in the making.
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Rocking That Chord By Wilnona Marie
Barber shop noise in the background added extra excitement to the interview, Micah seems to thrive in the world of multitasking. He answers the questions posed to him with ease while the bustle continues, never losing his train of thought. Micah is a performer, in the truest sense. He is able to titillate a crowd while still remembering the chords strummed on his guitar. How did this multitasking artist get so comfortable in the spotlight? His grandmother gifted him his first guitar and Micah fell in love with the instrument. She bought it for him from a local store. He started playing. Taken with the sounds of his guitar and the learning process he did what any budding guitarist would do, he joined a band. Neighbor children had luckily received complementary instruments to his guitar and they started a band. Hence, the beginning of his performance career. His professional career started later in his life. No matter how many times he takes to the stage he still loves the rush. For him his favorite parts of the job are out of the lime light. When fans tell him stories about his music helping them out of a difficult place, he is uplifted. Meeting his fans with no stories is still a joy to him no matter the crowd size. This I believe can be blamed on his Iowa roots and that warm mid-western hospitality. If you are thinking oh, Micah is a folk or country western singer you would be very incor-
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rect. Micah is a rock/metal band prodigy in spite of the many doors closed on his dream. Somehow, he always found another opening. Success such as his can be traced back to his go with the flow attitude often on display during this interview. It has paid off with such career booms like having a cut written by him recorded by Don Diablo, Trevor Daniels re-cutting the vocals, and Travis Barker re-did the song. Lyrical literary genius having been written and recorded he started to receive the rewards for his works. Create Music Group signed him to a publishing deal but the deal wasn’t his only reward for his hard work. Micah has performances at two upcoming festival Lost in Dreams and Lost Lords on stage one. Micah loves his job but he loves the effect his music has on his audience more. This reaction is because Micah is authentic. He prides himself on making music that makes him feel something. During a time when most of his fans are living in a reality that is difficult. Micah offers his fans an experience that isn’t safe, he puts his heart on his sleeve when he sings, and doesn’t reduce any of his lyrical stories into a softer version of themselves. He allows the listener to hear his troubles so, they may identify with them. In fact, the best part of his musical career is hearing his fans explain how they were impacted by his songs. His star is starting to shine, but Micah knows he has so much further to go. His future goals include: having his own label, touring the world with his music, personally meeting his thousands of fans and hearing their stories, lastly a beautiful home to rest in before he hits the road to do it again. He wouldn’t mind any future collaborations
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And I thought Literary Magazine June 2021
Rocking that Chord (Cont.)
with the Guerillas, (he wants to be a cartoon), Kid Cutty, or anyone from the EDM world. These goals aren’t far from his reach nowadays, but Micah’s go with the flow attitude is helping him be grateful about the present
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accomplishments like, his upcoming pop solo album, rock solo album, and Bad Moodz his venture into emo hip hop album. If you can’t wait for the albums and you love fashion, you might be able to catch a glimpse of him at the LA Fashion show, walking the red carpet like the star talent he has become.
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Meet Hollywood
Mari Kornhauser Interview with Tonya Todd
You found poetry on screen. Yeah, and all this dark noire stuff. And my poetry professor— he meant this kindly—said, “You’re a whore!”
Whoa. No, no. He meant a whore for commercialism. Just going toward the easy media and leaving a brilliant career as a poet. Which may have been true. And that’s about Scorsese, who now feels that way about superhero movies. Right! He was channeling Scorsese.
How did you get to where you are now?
“My dog’s on Prozac. That should be the headline of this article” When I met with Mari via Zoom, and she spoke to me with said dog in the haunted room of a very spooky house, it was immediately clear that I was in for an unconventional ride.
Please give the readers a brief overview of your artistic journey. I was always interested in writing. I was molested at seven and eight, and I didn’t tell my parents. I then started using writing as a sort of outlet. And I drew, but that went away because they stifle that stuff really quickly through judgment. So, if you’re not good at it in school, it goes away. But I was really good at writing and photography. And I was going to be a poet. Then, I discovered Taxi Driver. That changed my life. So, I switched from poetry to film.
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I applied to UCLA Film School, which was really tough to get into at that time. My parents didn’t want me to go too far. They wanted me close to home in case something happened to me… or something else happened to me. My siblings convinced them that this was like getting into Harvard. So I went, and I had some scholarship money and student awards, grants and scholarships. And of course, everything that they feared happened to me. But this is what people should know… if they are lucky enough to go to school or go to a workshop or go to a place, that’s where you find your people. And I was extraordinarily lucky enough to find my people. Not just creatively, but emotionally. And we’re still really close. I was extraordinarily privileged to be exposed to such diverse people and different cultures. I don’t know if I’d be alive today if I hadn’t gone to UCLA.
When Katrina hit, why did you choose not to evacuate New Orleans?
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Mari Kornhauser (Cont.) New Orleans saved me in a way that in a moment in time that only New Orleans can save you in. I felt I owed the city. And if I was going to go down, then I was going to go down with the city. I know. That sounds ridiculously romantic.
It sounds poetic. I don’t know. I was younger. I had more war correspondent genes in me than I do not. Simultaneously, I had walked away from the career, and then LSU had offered me a teaching job. And then, ironically, I was hired to work on “Treme,” which is an HBO show that David Simon and Overmyer created, which was about New Orleans recovering after the flood. That was amazing. It was really difficult and really hard, but to work with that level of people…it was amazing.
Tell me how surviving Katrina influenced your life and if it had any impact on how you faired since the COVID situation began. Well, I’m immune-compromised, so COVID is problematic for me. I was germophobic before this. And we were on the front end of it because in 2019 I was in the King’s Court in a couple of things. It was here over Marti Gras. People were getting really sick. I’m a loner, anyhow, so it affected me more in my work. It put me in an existential crisis. It was more like, what am I supposed to do now? It just seemed useless to write all this stuff. It was like, how do I write myself out of this? What am I going to write now?
Are you working on something right now?
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Yeah, I’m working on a few things, but… I’ve been really fucking privileged that my whole life was always driven by me wanting to write, since I was a kid. And all the sudden, that goes away. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I can deal with recreating myself, because I was still writing. I was always writing. And then, now, it stopped me. So now, I’m working on a website that is about should I stay or go, Earth or Planet B. It’s sort of like an art education site. Which is also a data mining site, like a video interview to apply for resources. And we’re going to do some sort of performative piece afterward, but we don’t know exactly what. It depends on what people say. And I have a TV pilot, the half-hour anthology thing. Some sort of graphic collage novel, which is taking a lot longer. Everything with collaborators takes a lot longer. So, I’m working on that, and the idea is to then repackage it or not or just have it be its own thing. And then I want to do Ibby Dog—my dog’s name is Ibby—I want to do her in space, just like stupid coffee cups and things. Like one really poorly drawn panel. I’m doing things that I can control myself for very little money, at this point. I’m interested in a convergence of media.
Reading your piece “Heaven” was a surreal, delightful experience. And with all your various writings—television and movies, plays and flash—I’m curious what you like to read. I just discovered this young, British, Romance author, and it’s really not literature. It’s bringing me a lot of joy. She’s a really interesting person; you should look her up. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. She’s really young. And she’s written like four-thousand
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books. And next, I’m reading A Girl Like Her. She’s really interesting. I discovered her on Twitter.
moved through the camera, either automatically when you pressed the shudder or you could manually move it ahead. The Magnum School was all about finding that decisive moment that picks what it is that you want to portray to the world.
I’m also reading a non-fiction book called The Tear in Peril: America in 1942 by Tracy Campbell. Everybody was all hyped up after Pearl Harbor, and then in 1942 everything was falling to pieces. And it was a year where fascism was rising again. It has a lot of parallels to the time that we’re in now. I’m also reading a series of short stories, which you’ve probably read with some of your people. There, There by Tommy Orange.
And that’s why I point to that classic photo of the person at the point of impact. Full frame. No manipulation. No filter. No nothing. It had to be perfectly zoned in the black and white zones. The Holga was a proper film size and you didn’t want it to be in focus. It just had this dreamy, dreamy quality to it. The things you’re seeing, I’m shooting on my iPhone. And I think I’m attracted to them because I like out-of-focus photography.
I actually have read that.
It reminds me of analogue. Lost Highway, the David Finch film, that really put out-of-focus photography solidly into the lexicon of syntax of film language. Now out-of-focus shots mean something. There’s a whole zeitgeist around it.
Mari Kornhauser (Cont.)
And then Maurice Carlos Ruffin, who’s a New Orleanian, American author, quite renowned. He has a new collection out, The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You. And then also, The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California by Mark Arax. So, it’s kind of like a blend of my areas of interest. (Then, she added with a laugh.) Yeah, I have an attention span problem. Tell me about your interest in photography, specifically with regard to your fascination with capturing accidental ethereal images. And we’ll end with this. As I mentioned before, I had a very troubled childhood that led to very troubled teen years. What focused me out of that period was a 35mm film still camera. So, I understood film, but I didn’t understand digital. And if the image could not be captured in a full frame, you could not print it.
Mari Kornhauser Mari Kornhauser is an American screenwriter. She is a staff writer for Treme. She joined the crew for the second season in 2011. She wrote the teleplay for the episode “Slip Away” from a story she co-wrote with the series creator David Simon. She has also worked on the films Zandalee (1991), F.T.W. (1994), and Housebound (2000).
That’s what they called the decisive moment, and it had to be full frame. The sprockets were there because that’s how the film mechanically AITL MEdia
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M.O.M. SQUAD By Brenda Daly
both made sure that I pursued my love. I too fell in love and had three kids but only one really loved to act. I had helped her get an agent and paid for lessons and she excelled being the 1st person form Nevada excepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I of course was thrilled but I was now an empty nester and needed to let go and find my passion again. I took filmmaking and acting classes and my creative juices started to flow. I wrote a produced two short films. When I watched my fellow students and great actors, I just wanted to write things for us. M.O.M. SQUAD came from that. With all the push for equality in the entertainment business and because I love to laugh. I wanted to add Comedy to a very important subject. So I put a twist on it. Women today are breaking the glass ceiling everyday. I am so proud of that! But “What of the wrong women were tasked to save the world “ I wanted to add levity to what is a very serious subject. I have always loved shows like get smart and I thought how fun would it be to create a slapstick comedy for women about women like that.
I got into acting as a child. My mother was the forefront of it. She got on a bus at 18 from Iowa to become an actress. Of course, a beautiful young woman found love instead and had three kids. She involved my father and all of us in her love for the arts. I was so enamored of doing plays working on or behind the stage that it was the only thing I wanted to do. My parent did split but they
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When I pitched it to two of my classmates. One of which was a beautiful Russian girl who was doing such dramatic roles in class. And not getting notice for anything but her beauty. I remember the 1st time she came to class and the teacher was asking her funny questions. Like are you a spy? And that’s when it clicked. I wrote the 1st episode and she loved it. So, I decided to put it up on YouTube and
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M.o.M. Squad (cont.)
start writing. The show itself is about a middle aged woman that in her youth was the best of the best as a spy. Unfortunately , she was duped into a cushy assignment and set up to be accused of killing a important diplomat. Instead of doing away with her, the agency decided to make her the trainer of the untrainable. She was made to be the joke of the agency. They called her M.O.M. Mother of Misfits.
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And she heads up a group of women they call M.O.M. Squad. This group of women are giving a super secret task,”because if they fail they will be blamed” to save the world leaders from a mind control substance. Jane is thrilled to be back in the field but she is left to work with her quirky Squad. I am trying to finish it by the end of January the original idea was to make it a micro series for YouTube but we are thinking about make it a feature. It is winning a few awards for the teaser episode on the film festival circuit. And I am so proud. Just goes to show you it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
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Who’s on the List? 25 Hottest Sneak Peak
Dr.
Prasad Savanna, M.D.
Interview by Wilnona Marie
nor did he lose his compassion for the patient. Savanna accredits his continued focus on the patient during these trying times to his mantra “Caring for the whole patient” including their emotional state. Hear the stories of compassion, victories and defeat during the dark times of the Covid pandemic from a doctor who chose to be there so we could safely get through the uncertainty of Covid-19’s early days. Also, learn about the softer creative side of Savanna and his latest venture into fashion design in the 2021 25 Hottest Indie Authors Artist and Advocates magazine.
Meet one of 2022’s hottest advocates of the year. This doctor volunteered to be on the front lines of the Covid 19 battle. When he heard about the outbreak his reaction was opposite to most of us. As we sequestered ourselves in our homes afraid this new invader had trojan horsed its way into our lives to attack our families, he risked his health to do what he felt was necessary to call himself a doctor. Head long he went into fight the unknown and hoped he would come out with his life.
Connect with Prasad Savanna Online:
Although death and suffering surrounded Dr. Savanna at all times during his stint on this medical battle field it did not engulf him, he never lost heart or hope that this would end
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TayTay Stharz
keeps me motivated.
Interview by Wilnona Marie
What part of your career are you happiest about? All of it, I have achieved so much and still achieving and knowing that I have more music to share is even more of a blessing.
If you had to give up singing tomorrow what other passions would you pursue ? I am currently into property and renovations, to bring new ideas and creativity to a house is also rewarding. Currently working on two properties in London. Many people know TayTay Starhz or they heard of him. I remember the first time I was privileged to interview him. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure what I would ask, he has done so much in his life. When I finally sat down in the chair and started the interview, what I had read and seen of Starhz during my research was not who was there for the interview. That’s when it hit me TayTay of yesteryear was just that, his past. The TayTay in front of me had matured. All of my former questions were scrapped, minus one, (I’m a journalist after all I had to ask about his past.) and I started over getting to know the new Starhz, the real TayTay.
Have you ever regretted your decision to pursue your career? I have never regretted doing music, the only issues I would say is the choice of people that get tangled up in your life in the music business. Trust is a major factor. We worked with one producer who we loved as family and when things didn’t go his way he removed all of our work we did with him, which was a shame as the songs and music were great.
If you could go back in time and advise yourself what would you say? Go it alone and not with others who only think they share the same passion for music.
He was a delight. Fun with equal parts entertaining and serious about his career. This is why TayTay Starhz is 2022’s 25 Hottest Artist. Read about his rise to fame, his love for his fans, the new him, and the impact it’s having on his career. (Spoiler it’s not a negative.)
Why are you so motivated? Life keeps me motivated, life is very precious and I am grateful for everyday and that’s what
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Jennifer McEwan Interview by Wilnona Marie
Jennifer works in the place best known for their beaches. Most of us consider Hilton Head South Carolina when we ready ourselves for the family beach vacation. While there the beach is about as far as most visitors get to see. Beyond the sandy outstretched terrain covering miles of waterfront property is Jennifer’s domain. As the director for cultural affairs she oversees multiple arts festival and displays. As you read this article the Crescendo event is occurring in Hilton Head. Multiple events occur during this festival. It concludes with the lantern parade. As a writer I was interested in the literary offerings of Hilton head. The Bluffton book fes-
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tival is hosted on Hilton Head. They do this in partnership with the Pat Conory Literary Center and many other sponsors and volunteers. Jennifer is involved with this festival as well. She is a multi-creator advocate. Jennifer found her love for the arts through singing. She was classically trained, but found her place wasn’t on stage, but making sure there was a stage to perform on. Scouring the country for a good arts administration program she settled on one not too far from home. Her masters are in administration, and her first admin job was in a theatre. An actor she is not she will openly admit but an art administrator she was born to be. When she is not at her desk advocating/funding/creating artistic opportunities for the Hilton Head artist community you might find her chowing down on a soft-shell crab or enjoying a southern crab boil. Wherever you find her she will be lighting up the world of the creative so we can enjoy their creation.
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Books To Read
And I thought Literary Magazine June 2021
My Love Affair with Manhattan By Joanie Strulowitz
island, I would write on cave walls with a rock, sing to the moon, and dance by the thunder of the waves.”
What makes this book different than your others? Rather than being full-length chapters, these vignettes are like snapshots—and together they tell the story. Like potato chips, we can have one at a time during moments on the subway—waiting in line—or maybe, like one darling reader who said she saved my book for bedtime, so she could curl up with a few vignettes before turning out the lights.
What is the most interesting thing to happen during your writing career? I love this question, as it feels like looking through a kaleidoscope at the past, present, and future. To me, writing is the journey, the process, and the truly incredible people (like you, Jade and Wilnona) who inspire me, cheer me on, and journey with me through life and the pages. It’s about facing fears, digging deeper, and endlessly shaping until, finally, the books and “people” are ready to live and breathe on their own. How did you choose the title?
How did you start writing? I joke that my first serious venture into writing was at age four, when I wrote a love letter to a little boy named Timmy. Writing and the arts have always been such an intrinsic part of who I am and how I think that, as I say on my website, “If I were ever stranded alone on a desert AITL MEdia
It evolved from the first line of the book: “I’m having a love affair with Manhattan. And it started before I was born.” Also, while this is a memoir of sorts, the City is the protagonist—so saying “vignettes” felt like it honored her.
Can you tell us a little about the book? As I say in the book, “If you want someone who’ll toss chronological data to the winds, and show you how the footprint of the City
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My Love Affair with manhattan (cont.)
feather on my path, and I have only wonderful things to say about her.
is just an illusion, while the reality is streets that unfurl like magic carpets ?
Where can people buy your book?
Then throw on your coziest jeans, grab some floor pillows, and together we can pretend that I’ve invited you here for stories, over candlelight and chopsticks. And I’ll interrupt myself with “Ohhh” and “Ahhh” to share the Manhattan I know, and to show you how, for me, she has always been all things romantic and mystical.”
My Love Affair with Manhattan (Vignettes of a Life in the City) is available as an eBook on Amazon.
The world is in an interesting place right now; how do you feel your book fits into society right now? I’ve always looked at life through both a largely emotive viewpoint, and through the arts. And always strive to help take the hard edge off of life, with my writing. When I had to postpone visiting New York because of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, I wanted to wrap my arms around her, and around New Yorkers everywhere.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B08VCRL67N
What will you be up to next? I’m in the process of completing a YA fantasy novel that will be coming out in December, 2022. I’d never written in that genre before— so when the seventeen-year-old male protagonist suddenly took over my pen one day and started speaking—I was completely and totally amazed! Later I realized that he and his world had been living inside me for seven or eight years. Now they’re so real to me that I started to buy a small antique food scale—then burst out laughing—because it was for my protagonist to give to his girlfriend!
So I did the next best thing—I wrapped my words around all instead, by publishing this book. Since then, so many people (even many who have been there only briefly) have told me that they, too, have always had a love affair with Manhattan. And thanked me for taking them along with me!
What was the hardest part of writing for this project? I’ll never be tech-oriented, so the fear of indie publishing was hugely daunting. One day, after finally deciding, “I’m doing it—now!” an unexpected email popped in from a consultant who had helped me with projects years earlier, when I lived in NYC. “Awesome Ally” Machate/The Writer’s Ally—has been a true AITL MEdia
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Dead Mall
focus on that work. Over time my writing has changed to include other forms such as screenplays, short fiction, and novels.
By S. G. Tasz
2) What Makes this book different from your others? Since A Midwinter Nightmare is the fifth book in the Dead Mall series, the most obvious answer is that it is telling more of the story that has not yet been told. On a more personal note, this is the first time I’ve written anything that could be considered in any way a romance, Of course there are still monster battles and such in this book, but it does spend a lot more time on the inner lives of the main characters and what is happening in their hearts than previous installments.
3) What is the most interesting thing to happen during your writing career? Hmm...it wasn’t really one watershed event, but I think the most unexpected thing that’s happened is how outgoing I’ve become. Nothing used to scare me more than making small talk with strangers--when I attended my first writer’s conference I nearly had a panic attack, to say nothing of what I went through before my first pitch session with an agent.
1) How did you start writing? Like many writers, I began writing as a child but didn’t really make it a focus until high school when I was encouraged to write a oneact play for a community theater in my home town. After that was received well I continued to write for the stage all through college, even gaining a BA in English and Theater Arts to
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But over time it got easier and much less scary, to the point where I’ve been able to walk up to known authors of whom I’m a fan and start conversations with them. It’s a secret benefit I never expected, but one that serves me in all areas of my life, not just writing.
4) How did you choose the title? It was pretty easy actually. I knew I was going to do a haunted romance and that it would involve something of a spoof on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The title just flowed from there.
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And I thought Literary Magazine June 2021
Dead Mall (ConT.)
5) Can you tell us a little about the book? As I said, A Midwinter Nightmare is the fifth book in the ongoing Dead Mall series, which follows high schooler Cari on her adventures with the night staff of the local mall as they fight monsters trying to escape from hell. In this installment, she is back at school after the death of her mother. The winter dance is coming up and, though she and her best friend/fellow monster hunter Rex recently kissed, he’s agreed to go with someone else. Unfortunately that’s not the end of her troubles when the dance is invaded by an evil force that needs to be eliminated before it turns a dream event into a nightmare.
6) The world is in an interesting place right now, how do you feel your book fits into society right now? This is a tricky question to answer. I used to try to write books with big social commentary, and though Dead Mall does have some of that, I’ve realized over the years that writing a highly socially relevant book takes a combination of lucky timing and being something of a psychic, neither of which are my strong points. I just hope that the books I write have a character or two that the reader can relate to and that they enjoy spending time with for the length of a book (or series).
writing a lot of exposition and cutting most of it, which is pretty much the only way I know how to do this kind of thing--add way too much and then pull back. It’s not the most efficient thing, but it works for me.
8) Where can people buy your book? You can buy both the ebook and paperback on Amazon, and the ebook is available in a number of other places as well (Nook, Apple Books, etc). The Shop on my website (www. sgtasz.com/shop) is the best place to get the most up-to-date links.
9) What will you be up to next? Right now my place is to write and release Dead Mall Six and Seven in 2022, which together will serve as a breakpoint/potential end to the series.I love working in the Dead Mall universe, but it’s time to move on to something else for a while. In addition to a couple of paranormal/urban fantasy novels I’ve had on the back burner, I’m also working on a sci-fi serial via Kindle Vella that I’ll likely release in a novelized format at some point as well (look for Spaceplane Jane on Vella now, which new episodes coming in late 2021). I have also just started offering editing and development series via my imprint The Uglycat Press, so there’s a lot to keep me busy in the months and years ahead!
7) What was the hardest part of writing for this project? Unlike the other four books in the series, which take place over about a week, this book jumps forward in time by a month, so it was very hard to determine how much the reader needed to know about what the characters were up to during the interim. I ended up
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Exclusive New Book: Our Little Black Book By WRen Ivy
Our Little Black Book” explores and devles into the colors growth and life really paint. Mercy greys with baby blues. Poems that reveal what hides behind the eyes, and pour out what hides in the heart. I wanted to make something women could truly relate to, something that shows we are heard…despite our differences…sadly many of us share similar event and life experiences. This book recounts my experience with growth, maturing, and navigating the world as a Woman. May you always know that “Our Little black book will no longer remain a secret.
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