I was an avid reader as a kid. I remember reading a lot of sci fi -- Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, all of that. Then there were the literary novels, later one. Hemingway, Philip Roth, and there was my Larry McMurtry period. And the bad books, some so bad I thought -- "Hey, I can do that!"

He wakes up in a different body. So begins the journey of Ash—short for Pin Asher9919—who awakens on a hospital bed on, he believes, a different planet after an automobile accident took the bodily life of an Earth human named Edward Fleishman. Ash is told he was the victim of a serious brain injury and miraculously recovered from being brain dead in a coma, but Ash feels he knows the truth: his spirit has replaced the distressed spirit of the former Edward Fleishman. And so Ash's new life on earth begins, complete with a spouse who is a stranger to him, a body he is not sure how to use, a world he must learn to navigate, and a government he can't trust. Some had said that The Visitor is a unique blend of science fiction, social commentary, and human drama. It stands out for its exploration of identity, alienation, and the human condition, themes that may resonate with readers of speculative fiction and literary works alike. It may appeal to readers who enjoy introspective narratives and stories that challenge perceptions of reality, much like works of Philip K. Dick or Kashuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. Its unique blend of genres and themes may make it a compelling read that stands out in the literary landscape.

I wanted to forewarn the people of my homeland, Malawi, who wish to chase the pursuit of a dream that they hope to achieve but are misinformed of what that expectation entails. Also, my experience holds a mirror to the true reflection of the American face towards immigrants who want better for themselves and their families.

In search for hopeful opportunities, an African soccer player is lured to the United States. What he finds is, purpose and the fact that the American Dream is only for some, for others, it’s a nightmare. Every immigrant has a story. This is my truth, told in reflection of the path that led to, not only my daughters, but my entire family experienced turmoil.

Stories have always been a part of how I make sense of the world. But what truly inspired me was a single question that came to me one quiet evening: “What if someone from centuries ago woke up in our time?” That thought became a spark, and that spark became a novel. Writing helps me explore both the past and the future — sometimes at the same time.

The latest book I’m working on is part of a science fiction series called "Yedi Mum" (The Seven Candles). It's set a millennium and a half after our time. The story follows two characters, Hayat and Iskender, who fall into a black hole and find themselves on an unfamiliar Earth. It’s a story about survival, memory, and what it means to be human — when everything familiar has faded.

I started writing as a kid. Short stories after reading classics from Mark Twain, Sir Walter Scott, Dickens, plus many others.

I have just had 2 books published in India by Pharos Books, New Delhi. 1) a Üsycho Thriller called Mary's Little Lambs. it was Nr1 in the Amazon.com.in thriller list for a short period- A serial killer with a difference, a sexually abused girl who seeks revenge in an ice-cold-brutal-cold-blooded manner without any from of remorse. 2) My Autobiography called: The Life of a Manchester United Fan. A parallel bio from 1957 to the present with my life's experiences and my passion, following Manchester United FC

My dear sweet mother was a wonderful thought provoking writer. She encouraged me to express myself daily. In fact, I believe these traits are passed down through genetics.

Iss, an eight-year-old boy, has some lessons for us all. Things he has learned in a very short time through experiences. These lessons include finding your purpose, the Golden Rule, being honest, smiling, having hope and faith, forgiveness leads to happiness, telling people you love them, keeping a positive outlook, people you love are always in your heart, and salvation. Let’s find out what Iss has learned, and maybe we can learn too and become better people. The world needs better people, don’t you agree?

The idea came out of frustration. I kept meeting young people who were bright, ambitious, and creative, but completely unprepared for the realities of life outside the classroom. They were struggling with basic skills, including money management, communication, resilience, and even understanding how to fail without collapsing. I realized this wasn’t their fault. The education system prioritizes test scores over survival skills. That gap stuck with me, and Life Unscripted was born as my way of filling part of it.

Honestly, all three. Teenagers will find it immediately useful because it serves as a kind of field manual for the next stage of their lives. Parents read it to understand what their kids are actually facing, instead of what they assume. And adults who feel they missed out on these lessons can use it as a reset. It’s a book that speaks to the transition moments, whether you’re 17 or 37.

At the age of eight, the world is a kaleidoscope of colour, possibility, and stories waiting to be told. What, then, could inspire a child to pick up a pen and begin weaving worlds from words? The answer lies in the gentle collision of curiosity, wonder, and the magic of discovery. I grew up in the UK in the sixties, where television became the norm for every household, and Doctor Who and James Bond became icons and England won the World Cup. For many young writers, inspiration comes like a sudden ray of sunlight through the clouds—bright, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. Perhaps it was the first time you opened a storybook and felt the pages come alive in your hands, the characters whispering secrets only you could hear. Or maybe it was a bedtime tale spun by a loved one, each word kindling a longing to tell stories of your own. At eight, the imagination runs wild and free. Dragons might slumber beneath your bed, and secret doorways could open in the most ordinary places. The desire to capture these hidden worlds, to shape them and share them, becomes a powerful call. Writing, then, is both a vessel and an adventure—one where you are the explorer and the mapmaker. Sometimes, inspiration is found in the small, shimmering moments of everyday life: the laughter of friends on a playground, the quiet of a rainy afternoon, or the first snowfall of the year. These moments beg to be remembered, and writing offers a way to keep them forever. The spark might also come from those around you—a teacher who praised your way with words, a parent who filled your shelves with books, or a sibling who listened, wide-eyed, to your tales. Their encouragement becomes the wind beneath your wings, helping you soar above self-doubt. Above all, writing at eight can be about finding your place in the universe. Each story is a declaration: I am here, I have something to say, and my voice matters. In the act of creation, you discover not only the stories you wish to tell, but the storyteller within. In the end, what inspired you to start writing at the age of eight was a blend of magic and meaning, of fleeting moments and timeless dreams. With every word, you built a bridge between your heart and the world—a bridge you would cross again and again, for years to come.

A former military intelligence officer in a quiet English village is drawn back into a covert investigation following the mysterious crash of a German zeppelin at Orford Ness, uncovering secrets of espionage, a hidden murder, and community tensions entwined with the war's shadow.

Fran Porretto: Rather than do a “straight” interview, which tends to bring out my discursive nature, I thought I might change things up a little. So I rounded up some of my favorite characters and brought them here so you can talk to them. Enjoy! I always do.

Sylvie Yngstrom Eisenbud: Well, it was no bed of roses, let me tell you! The man has a mind like a pretzel. Whatever you think he has in mind for you, his next move will come out of left field. You simply can’t anticipate him. I got a terrible case of neck strain from trying.

My doctor said I would be lucky to live another 3 months, all due to 50 years of Cocaine and meth addiction

It's the story of my life, and what sent me down the road of self-destruction.

At sixteen, I found inspiration to write. My younger brother and I shared handwritten horror and ghost stories, and inspired me to write for the public started in January 2015. My writing career began at that point.

My 150 titles include 116 published books. The Thief’s Winter Tale, my new book about vampires and werewolves, came out yesterday. In A Thief’s Winter Tale, Mercy Rocco Baxter becomes a member of a rich, powerful family. His life has become more fulfilling when Maximus Baxter allows him to occupy his castle as a thief posing as an artist. Rocco’s life becomes a mix of family conflict, with love, lust, betrayal, and war. He has become the sole inheritor of a life-changing power. However, as a Baxter, he will soon experience more love, lust, betrayal, and deceit, after he falls for a woman named Mercy, the Baxter family’s enemy. Entranced by her beauty and power, his chaos intensifies, evolving him from a thief to a creator of art and war, battling his own soul.