JJ Winston: The IAN Interview

JJ Winston

JJ Winston is a Behavioral Health Fiction Writer who is the Author of the award-winning fictional novels, “The Anniversary,” released in April 2017 and “The Commemoration” released in June 2020, “The Revelation,” released in April 2025 and the non-fictional “The Anniversary Guide to Behavioral Health and Workbook,” released in April 2018.  Ms. Winston’s uses her extensive behavioral health and legal education along with her professional and personal experiences to write fiction that is entertaining but informative with the aim of raising awareness about mental health, human trafficking, and sickle cell disease.  Ms. Winston is now employed as a Post Decree Magistrate in Family Court and in her personal time she serves on various boards and committees whose aim is to improve the lives of those living with behavioral health issues.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

JJ Winston: The Revelation is a gripping tale of love and resilience, Juliette and Grandville Stubbs face challenges that would break even the strongest bonds. Having endured the tragic loss of their daughter, wrongful imprisonment, and the horrifying truth about Juliette's missing cousin, their love has been put to the test. But just when they think they've rebuilt their lives, a global pandemic strikes, and Grandville unexpected disappearance sends Juliette into a spiral of fear and uncertainty. As she battles to keep her family together amidst new crises, the stakes have never been higher. Will their love prove strong enough to weather yet another storm?

IAN: Is The Revelation in print, e-book or both?

JJ Winston: Both, at my website NovelistJJWinston.com and Amazon.com.

IAN: What inspired you to write The Revelation?

JJ Winston: As a mental health and legal professional, I have been struck by how many people do not want to speak about mental health, and how much stigma exists regarding this subject. In my first novel, The Anniversary, I was determined to write an engaging novel that was entertaining but also educational.  I wanted to use my characters to teach my readers about how trauma can have a significant impact on our mental health and how important treatment is.  In my second and third novels, The Commemoration and The Revelation, I also introduced other topics that are important to me.  The first is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).  My daughter and several of my nieces and one nephew are living with this disease, and advocating for my daughter has made me aware that many people know nothing about SCD and that I could use the words contained with my novels to teach my readers about it and raise awareness.  Lastly, I introduced human trafficking because the State of Ohio where I reside is number fourth in the nation for this issue.  I wanted to use my work to teach my readers that human trafficking is modern day slavery and raise awareness about this important subject.

IAN: Did you use an outline, or do you just wing the first draft?

JJ Winston: I did not outline any of my novels and just started writing. My first novel, The Anniversary, was a short story that I wrote years ago.  I allowed a professional writer to read it to gain feedback, and she liked it so much that she suggested that I develop it into a book.  I took her advice years after she gave it to me, and I just kept writing until I had it done.  For my second and third novels, The Commemoration and The Revelation, I also wrote without the use of an outline.

IAN: How long did it take to write The Revelation?

JJ Winston: It took me four years to write my debut novel, The Anniversary and three years to write my second novel The Commemoration and my about four and a half years to write my series conclusion The Revelation.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading The
Revelation?

JJ Winston: It is my hope that after my readers finish my series that they are entertained but also have more knowledge and awareness about mental health, trauma, Sickle Cell Disease and Human Trafficking.  I also hope that my readers also learn through my novels the importance of forgiveness.

IAN: How much The Revelation of is realistic?

JJ Winston: My novels are very realistic, and I am often asked for the name of the individuals that my fictional family is based on. As a social worker and legal professional, I have worked with hundreds of families throughout my career and the problems experienced by the members of my fictional family feel real though the characters and what they are dealing with are made up.  It is my hope that when people finish my novels that they are moved by how realistic my story feels and that they see themselves and their family members and friends in my characters.

IAN: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

JJ Winston: The beautiful women of my Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc, have been extremely supportive to me in respect to my writing.  They have celebrated both me and my writing and they have allowed me to be a vendor at numerous events where the members of my Sorority have purchased my novels.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

JJ Winston: I learned how to read when I was three years old and this is where I developed my love for words.  When I was in junior high school and high school, I would often write poetry, and I was always placed in gifted English Classes.  Oprah Winfrey advised that everyone should have a bucket list with at least 100 tasks to complete in their lifetime and writing and publishing a novel was somewhere near the top of my list.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

JJ Winston: I learned that it is important to have the right team when writing your book.  You must surround yourself with individuals who have talent and skill who can offer feedback, editing, and can assist you with marketing and formatting and love and care about your story as much as you do. 

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

JJ Winston: Never give up and don’t let anyone discourage you from reaching your dream.  Find the time to write for at least 15 minutes a day and overtime you will have a novel.  Once you finish your novel, be sure to connect with professionals who can ensure that your book is the very best it can be before publishing it.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

JJ Winston: It is my sincerest hope that my readers continue to support me and that they tell their family, friends, and social circle about my novels. I also hope that when my readers finish my novels that they have gained an understanding about numerous subjects and that they will give their time, money, service and resources to entities who mission is to raise awareness about mental health, sickle cell disease and human trafficking.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

JJ Winston: I have not written my next book yet and I do not yet have a new book in progress.  My last book The Relation was the conclusion of my Anniversary Series.  I am currently brainstorming my next novel, and I have not yet decided if it will be a stand alone novel or a series.

Alex Zenk-The IAN Interview

 Alex Zenk

Alex Zenk brings a fresh voice to the world of epic quests and magical realms. Born and raised in the Midwest, Alex's love for fantasy was kindled early by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and nurtured through years of immersive role-playing games. As a pastor by day and a storyteller by night, Alex brings a unique perspective to his writing, weaving themes of morality, redemption, and the complexities of good and evil into his narratives.

Drawing inspiration from his experiences in World of Warcraft, Alex has crafted a rich and immersive world in his debut series, "The Chronicles of Ordi." His background in theology and his deep understanding of human nature inform the complex characters and intricate plot lines.

When not writing or tending to his pastoral duties, Alex can be found exploring the natural beauty of Iowa with his family, using these adventures to fuel his imagination and inspire new fantastic landscapes. With plans for multiple books set in the world of Asheros, Alex Zenk is poised to make a significant impact on the fantasy genre, offering readers a blend of classic epic fantasy with a modern, thoughtful twist.

IAN: Please tell us about The Chronicles of Ordi.

Alex Zenk: In a world where ancient magic is fading and darkness grows, one dwarf mage stands between his realm and destruction.

Ordi, a gifted mage with the rare ability to command all elemental magic, is summoned by his king on a perilous quest. Accompanied by his loyal posh hound Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must recover the legendary Otthroite Gems—powerful artifacts thought lost to time.

As they journey through forbidden forests, abandoned dwarven cities, and haunted valleys, they discover these gems are the only hope against the rising threat of the long-banished Dark Lord. With each step, they uncover secrets of ancient magic and face betrayals that test the bonds of brotherhood.

Rich in world-building and filled with magical encounters, "The Chronicles of Ordi" blends classic fantasy elements with fresh perspectives on courage, loyalty, and the price of power.

IAN: Is The Chronicles of Ordi published in print, e-book or both? 

Alex Zenk: Yes, both. Publish date is June 12^th.

IAN: Where can we go to buy The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: Here https://a.co/d/52swAq0

IAN: What inspired you to write The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: I wanted to write because I found I was not satisfied with the current fantasy novels. I wanted a traditional quest, sword and sorcery style book, so I set out to write one.

IAN: Did you use an outline, or do you just wing the first draft?

Alex Zenk: I did a basic outline of major plot points, but beyond that, I'm just starting to type.

IAN: How long did it take to write The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: It took me 9 months to write it.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Alex Zenk: Through a process of elimination, I sought input from friends and colleagues in the industry.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: I want them to feel nostalgic, returning to the once-great fantasy novels. I can see this being one of those cozy fireside reads.

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Alex Zenk: Not directly, but two of my characters in the story are modeled after characters my brother and I played in World of Warcraft.

IAN: How is The Chronicles of Ordi different from others in your genre?

Alex Zenk: It does not follow the current trends of “romantasy” books. It is a clean, action-packed story with deep moral and theological themes.

IAN: What books have influenced your life most?

Alex Zenk: Lord of the Rings.

IAN: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Alex Zenk: J.R.R. Tolkien.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Alex Zenk: Children of Telm, and I’m afraid you’ve got dragons.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Alex Zenk: I do think so now, especially after this book went through the process it has gone through.

IAN: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: If I could, I might alter the beginning a bit, but I am happy with what is there currently.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Alex Zenk: I got bored reading the same stuff, and having to dodge books may not have fit my preferences.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing The Chronicles of Ordi?

Alex Zenk: The hardest part would probably be editing. I can write for days, but to go back and tweak and perfect it is a daunting task.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing The Chronicles of Ordi and what was it?

Alex Zenk: To keep writing. If you have a story to tell, write it.

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Alex Zenk: Keep writing, even if it is only a few hundred words a day, keep writing.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Alex Zenk: My next book will be book 2 of 3 for The Chronicles of Ordi.

The Shaman's Apprentice: A memoir by Vonetta Rain

The Shaman's Apprentice is more than a memoir—it is a profound testament to transformation, illuminating the power of an open heart, boundless curiosity, and the interconnectedness of humanity.

Born in Boston, Vonetta's story is one of resilience, revelation, and spiritual evolution. While pursuing her Anthropology degree at Cornell University, a life-changing study abroad in Africa evoked a deep connection to her destiny. This pivotal experience led her to the sacred teachings of a renowned Amazonian psycho-cartographer and wisdom keeper, under whom she became an apprentice in the art of healing.

Vonetta has dedicated her life to service, having led over 800 empowerment retreats worldwide, helping thousands heal from childhood trauma, emotional pain, disease, depression, anxiety, physical ailments, relational wounds, and financial stress. Her work extends beyond healing communities—she works with CEOs and industry leaders, supporting them in integrating heart-centered leadership models that foster conscious evolution at both personal and organizational levels. Her work continues to spark renewal and hope for those seeking personal alignment.

After two decades navigating life as a single mother in Los Angeles, Vonetta continues her sacred mission of healing and empowerment on a global scale.

Now Available on Amazon – The Shaman's Apprentice: A Memoir

Embark on a journey that is both an enchanting adventure and an intimate glimpse into a life devoted to healing, service, and the limitless possibilities that arise when one answers the call of the spirit.

Now Available on Amazon – The Shaman's Apprentice: A Memoir

"I couldn't put it down! Her story is a powerful reminder of how we can remember our joy and passions––even in the most stuck places." ––Dr. Nakia Gordon, Ph.D., Professor and Researcher in Behavioral Neuroscience

"Vonetta is a true visionary, a compelling storyteller. This immersive and transportive memoir will open your mind, touch your heart, and move your soul." ––Miriam Brown, MA, AMFT

For media inquiries, interviews, or event appearances, contact:

tamika@luminasuite248.com

www.vonettarain.com

Reese Balducci-The IAN Interview

 Reese Balducci

I am a fiction writer who explores themes of perseverance, longing, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. I admire rich, character-driven storytelling and draw inspiration from my family’s deep Italian roots. I have a passion for history, particularly the immigrant experience in America.

As a dual citizen, I live in Tennessee and Tuscany, surrounded by the landscapes and histories that continue to shape my  work. When not writing, I enjoy traveling, reading widely across genres, and spending time with my family.

IAN: Tell us about Letters from the Olive Tree.

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is a literary historical fiction short story set in the early twentieth century. Giovanni Olivi, the second son of a proud but impoverished Tuscan farming family, is bound by tradition and cut off from inheritance. He leaves behind the only life he’s known and the woman he loves, Ersilia Innocenti, in search of opportunity in America, promising to make a life abroad and one day send for her.

What follows is a transatlantic journey of grueling labor, crushing poverty, and bitter desolation for Giovanni, testing the couple’s steadfast love. Told through vivid prose and the letters they exchange, Giovanni’s story unfolds in sweat, sorrow, and relentless hope as he faces the ultimate test of his promise to Ersilia beneath the olive tree.

Letters from the Olive Tree is a lyrical, emotionally resonant story about what it means to belong, in place and person. It is a timeless meditation on land, love, and the courage to keep building when everything seems lost.

IAN: Is Letters from the Olive Tree published in print, e-book or both?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is published in both print and e-book formats.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree is exclusively available through Amazon in print and Kindle format, and it is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. It is available here: Letters from the Olive Tree. An Audible exclusive audiobook version is currently in production, with a scheduled summer release.

IAN: What inspired you to write Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: I was inspired by a desire to explore the emotional and physical toll of immigration through a personal lens. My family history includes stories of Italian relatives who came to America with very little, driven by promises and pressures they didn’t always fully understand. I wanted to imagine what it meant to leave everything behind out of necessity and love and examine how that kind of devotion holds up under hardship.

IAN: Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

Reese Balducci: I developed the story around a three-act structure from a detailed outline. I find that historical fiction requires more planning, particularly when working with multiple settings, time periods, and emotional arcs. That said, some of the most meaningful moments in the story emerged during the drafting process, often when the characters’ lives began to take shape.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Letters from the Olive Tree?

Reese Balducci: I hope readers walk away with a deeper appreciation for the untold sacrifices made by those who came before us. This is a story about perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks and what it means to keep your word when everything around you is falling apart. I also hope it prompts reflection on what defines home, not just as a place, but as a relationship.

IAN: How much of Letters from the Olive Tree is realistic?

Reese Balducci: The story is fictional, but it’s grounded in historical reality. Every setting, from the Tuscan hillside to the sharecropper shacks of Mississippi, is informed by real-world research and my personal experiences. The emotional experience of immigration, dislocation, homesickness, uncertainty, and hope is something that has been documented across countless lives, and I tried to portray that with as much honesty as possible.

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Reese Balducci: Yes, the inspiration for the main characters came from my real-life great-grandparents, Giovanni and Ersilia Balducci. However, I also drew inspiration from oral histories, family anecdotes, and historical accounts that reflect the time period. This story is a composite of the broader immigrant experience, a fictional narrative built on very real foundations.

IAN: How is Letters from the Olive Tree different from others in your genre?

Reese Balducci: Letters from the Olive Tree focuses more on the emotional arc of its characters than on sweeping historical events. While many historical novels focus on pivotal moments or political shifts, this story centers on the intimate emotional cost of starting over. It’s intentionally quiet and character-driven, using letters as emotional anchors to reflect the uncertainty, distance, and longing between two people navigating a changing world.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Reese Balducci: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. It’s an excellent biography of Winston Churchill’s first year as British Prime Minister during the sustained bombing campaign against Great Britain by the Luftwaffe.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Reese Balducci: Just that I’m grateful. Writing a story like this is a vulnerable process, and it means a great deal to me when a reader connects with it. If the story resonates or lingers after the last page, I’ve accomplished my goal.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Reese Balducci: I am currently writing a full-length novel, Tuscany Calling. It is a contemporary romance novel, and the protagonist, Alex, is the great-great-granddaughter of Giovanni and Ersilia Olivi from Letters from the Olive Tree. It is scheduled to be released this Fall by Veridian House.

Sweeping and emotional, Tuscany Calling is a story of love’s longing, the ties that bind us to the past, and the choices that shape our future. Set against the breathtaking landscape of rural Tuscany, it is a novel about second chances, the power of home, and the undeniable call of the heart. Readers can learn more about this forthcoming project on my Official Author Website Reese Balducci.

 

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The IAN Interview

 Ivan Muñiz-Brown

Ivan is a free man, a worker and a truth seeker, and thus a revolutionary. He is the founding member of the AFWP. Ivan has spent years studying logic, mathematics, classic literature, history, natural theology, ontology and political philosophy. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics, and he is a bus driver in Los Angeles, California.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses is a deconstruction of the liberal state as an illegitimate political construct. It is an in-depth dissection of the catastrophic flaws of both Marxism and the bourgeois dystopia. And it is a book for all Americans living at the receiving end of that swindle.

I write from an experience familiar to many Americans: I am well-educated yet I work a low-paying job, often for almost double the hours of a regular workweek. In what free time I have, I put my economics degree to work by studying different branches of the field, as well as philosophy and history, to deductively deconstruct the current system and inductively infer the logical alternative.

More than anything else, Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses is a road map to a worker-centered democratic and ethical state. It is a political alternative that starts with a clean break. It is free of the shallow dichotomy “left wing versus right wing” and it is an uncompromising leap of logic and will into a radically different future. And more importantly, it is a glimmer of hope for the forsaken—just about all Americans.  

IAN: Is Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses published in print, e-book or both?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It’s available as both paperback and e-book.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AmericaFreeWorkersParty.org

IAN: How long did it take to write Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It took me 15 months to write the book and six additional months to go through all the different phases until it was finally published.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The title is both a hint of what the book is about plus a testament to the profound love I have for classical languages—specifically Greek and Latin. The etymology of the words “kakotopias” and “nemeses” is Greek. 

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I hope they feel inspired to break free from old paradigms and assumptions that are overwhelming in the ethos of the laissez-faire state. Most of the ideas upon which this state is predicated are not truisms but rather ideological lies. Furthermore, the first step toward social and political liberation is to develop the capacity to ask fundamental questions and be willing to accept the answers, no matter how unsettling they may be. I think this book will help that purpose.

IAN: How is Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses different from others in your genre?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Unfortunately, the vast majority of books in this genre (social and political philosophy, political science and theory, etc.) are stuck in the liberal archetype, no matter the ideology the author subscribes to. In fact, all the present and historical counterparts of laissez-faire liberalism (communism, socialism, fascism, national socialism, and many other hybrids) were born as contraries of the liberal state and hence all of them are infected with many of the same ideological falsehoods. Moreover, academia has not helped matters because “intellectuals” and professors have been very reluctant to separate their own ideological inclinations from fundamental deontological principles that any legitimate state should adhere to. Tragically, politics without ethics is a destructive business.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: Harrie de Swart’s Philosophical and Mathematical Logic.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I would like to make a living as a writer, but my interests as a man, worker, member of the body politic and finally author might be at the moment a very small niche. However, I am committed to work hard to expand that niche, more for the sake of the people than for my own sake.

IAN: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I have heard some reasonable complaints about my idiosyncratic style and the excessive use of archaisms and philosophical lexicon. Sometimes I think I could have written in a more accessible way, but that requires skills that I might lack. It is indeed very difficult to write in plain English, specially when you are delving deep into complicated matters of political philosophy, political economy, ethics, etc. As for the archaisms, I certainly used a few to pay homage to Early Modern English and its masters. In this particular case, it was an artistic license born out of admiration and respect, and potentially a commercial toll that any writer should be willing to pay—lest his soul stops the creative flow in rebellion.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: The time constraints were very challenging. I work long hours, at times exceeding 60 or even 70 hours a week. When I finally get to rest, I feel sometimes physically and emotionally drained. Under those circumstances it is not easy to muster up the energy and concentration to produce your best writing. However, the will is the most phenomenal force within—and possibly without—and I do believe when properly channeled, there is nothing that can stop you.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing Beyond the Kakotopias of the Liberal State and Its Nemeses and what was it?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: I learned that the writing is the easiest and most rewarding stage in the publishing process. After the final script is completed, the hard work begins. This marketing tasks can be daunting and yet again, through the power of the will, there is nothing that can make you quit.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: This is a long-term struggle. I would ask them to remain patient, strong, honest and hopeful. Enjoy the journey and keep educating yourselves and those around you. As I said in the book, the ripples always expand outward from the hardcore to those who are the weakest or the most damaged by propaganda and indoctrination. This founding work is the spring from where this innermost hardcore can articulate more powerful political actions in the future.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Ivan Muñiz-Brown: It will be a stand-alone on ontology and logic, which are some of the most worthy branches of philosophy, in my opinion. But because of the massive time constraints I face it will not be out before 2027.

Erica Mimran Sherlock: The IAN Interview

Erica Mimran Sherlock

Erica Sherlock, a retired teacher of 23 years, spent the better part of her life in the trenches with adolescents, empathizing with their joys and their strife, their hopes and their angst. Inspired by the hundreds of students who taught her more about life than she did them, and fueled by her lifelong dream of becoming an author, Erica has channeled her experiences into her debut book, Through Quick and Quinn. When she isn’t snuggling with her dog, talking to her garden plants, or feeding all of the neighborhood critters, she is surely enjoying a cup of coffee and meaningful conversation with her family and close friends.

IAN: Please tell us about Through Quick and Quinn.

Erica Sherlock: Flashbacks. Guilt. Self-Loathing.

Quick is a teenager drowning in the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy. Estranged from his dysfunctional parents and disconnected from peers, he numbs his pain with endless distractions, struggling through each agonizing day.

Meditations. Crystals. Self-Awareness.

Quinn, a self-imposed outcast, seeks refuge in the spiritual world. After a heartbreaking loss, she immerses herself in energy healing, embracing nature's solace and striving to move forward with positivity and gratitude.

Both uninterested in forming connections, Quick and Quinn are shocked to discover a bond that propels them on parallel journeys of self-discovery. Grappling with traumas that shattered their childhood innocence, they muster the courage to uncover truths behind their circumstances. Delving into research and introspection, they unveil a cascade of questions about the world around them, navigating through a perceived web of lies. Their unexpected friendship ignites a desire for discourse, prompting them to challenge the status quo and invite others to do the same, despite the risks.

Quick and Quinn were bold enough to share their tale. Will you be brave enough to read it?

Just know this:

Their story challenges the narrative.
Their story exists in the uncomfortable.
Their story says all the quiet parts out loud.

IAN: Is Through Quick and Quinn published in print, e-book, or both?

Erica Sherlock: Through Quick and Quinn is offered in both print and e-book, and the audio version is expected to be available in Summer 2025.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Through Quick and Quinn?

Erica Sherlock: Through Quick and Quinn is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Erica Sherlock: I have always wanted to be an author.

Always.

You know the movie Inception, where it’s like a dream within a dream? Well, I carry with me a distinct memory within a vivid memory. It was my senior year in high school and I was sprawled out on my bedroom floor, surrounded by markers, magazine clippings, and glue. As I was creating the vision board for Mr. Worley’s class and emboldening the word AUTHOR with thick marker, I experienced a deja vu moment when I recalled doing the exact same thing for a project way back in elementary school.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of creating with the written word.

Tucked in a dusty box that rests high up in our spare bedroom closet are notebooks upon notebooks of random story ideas and mediocre attempts at poetry. But you know how it goes. Life unfolds, the family grows, the priorities change. It wasn’t until recently that I was able to dedicate myself to chasing the dream, and I thank God each day for the opportunity.

So, no. I do not recall how or when my love for writing began. It predates my memory.

IAN: Did you use an outline or did you just wing the first draft?

Erica Sherlock: I utilized an outline of sorts, one could say. After attempting to write in different places and settling into what became my preferred space, I used the nearby wall as the home base of my organization. Taped to the wall were color-coded index cards that I used to map out the path of the story, plan the timing of the subplots, and track the character contributions to the novel. Sticky notes of ideas and snippets further adorned the window, also color-coded of course. Additionally, I kept three different notebooks within arm’s reach at all times: one for keeping track of particulars, one for my ongoing brainstorm regarding Quinn’s LL, and one for the handwritten database of possibilities for Quick’s digs. (LL? Digs? You’ll have to read the novel to find out!)

IAN: How long did it take to write Through Quick and Quinn?

Erica Sherlock: It took approximately eight months to write Through Quick and Quinn, after about seven months of sporadic mental note-taking.

IAN: Do you have a specific writing style?

Erica Sherlock: Through Quick and Quinn is a split first-person narrative, told through a variety of segments that oscillate between past and present. There are formal chapters, letters to family members, journal entries, text strands, flashback memories, and online forum posts. The segments vary in length and in style, making for an easy “storytelling” type of read.

My writing technique depended on the task at hand. Not only does Quick’s voice differ greatly from that of Quinn, but the reader will notice that his voice evolves over the course of his journey. I relied heavily on role immersion, beginning all writing sessions with a visualization exercise to help me channel the essence of the character as best as I could.

Honestly, if I were to answer this question simply, I would say that I write the way I speak!

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Erica Sherlock: Absolutely. Through Quick and Quinn is so much more than just a book to me. It’s the culmination of decades of beautiful experiences in the classroom, combined with lonesome years of late-night, passion-driven, independent research. Every page is extremely personal to me, as the elements within were all inspired by someone or something in my life.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Through Quick and Quinn?

Erica Sherlock: This book is chock full of numerous life lessons, but they all boil down to two fundamental messages: Be authentic and think for yourself.

Quick and Quinn’s journeys are riddled with events that shape them, just as it is with each and every one of us. Both characters are highly relatable, even if only in the smallest of ways, and it is my hope that this reader-to-character connection reminds us all of four truths:

H - Hard times are temporary.
E - Even though self-awareness can be uncomfortable, it is vital.
A - Accepting and loving the self is imperative.
L - Love, peace, and joy are gifts that come with authenticity.

The other take-away would be the importance of thinking critically. Not only is it okay to question things we are told, but it is our duty to do so. Other people’s versions of the truths might not be the truth. Intuition is real and we should listen more carefully to the answers that rest within. We must be brave enough not just to seek the truth, but to speak it as well!

IAN: How is Through Quick and Quinn different from others in your genre?

Erica Sherlock: I would consider this book a work of principled fiction that can be read on different levels. On the surface, sure, it’s a remarkable coming-of-age story that will capture the hearts of many readers. There are deeper levels, however, that will hopefully entice the reader to try something new, ask something new, discover something new. You see, this book has a mission.

Through Quick and Quinn is a realistic young adult fiction novel, with the majority of the plot taking place during the protagonists’ final two years of high school. It was written with the high schooler in mind, with adolescent voices for the adolescents themselves. Why that age group? Well, here’s the way I see it: High schoolers today are incredibly bright, but they’re bored. They haven’t been encouraged to ask questions about the world around them, and yet they sense that things are off kilter. They’re intuitive. They’re underestimated. And they’re starving for truth. This book aims to address that boredom and those inklings, but in a way that encourages them to think critically, ask questions, and find answers before determining their own opinions. And in my own humble opinion, the whole world will benefit if this up-and-coming generation asks some really important questions.

After all, questions spark conversation.
Conversations spark action.
Action sparks change.

The topics that are addressed throughout Through Quick and Quinn are real. They affect you and your loved ones every single day, no matter what age you are. But these issues are the tough ones that nobody wants to talk about. They’re the ones that make us uncomfortable, the ones we want to avoid, the ones we want to brush under the rug.

Dozens and dozens of these tough topics are merely alluded to or just briefly mentioned in the book, and for a great reason: to pique the readers’ curiosities enough that hopefully they’ll do further research. There are, however, two primary issues that go beyond just a mention; they are boldly tackled from the first page to the very last. Addressing these two particular topics became a major passion of mine several years ago, so much so that it became difficult for me to converse with friends without bringing up the issues. As a result and understandably so, my social circle shrank, but my urge to raise awareness did not. This novel allowed me to engage with these two topics. To process them. To personalize them. To honor their significance.

And that is where the mission comes in.

To be completely honest, I crafted Through Quick and Quinn with the intention of forcing our hand. I wanted to remove the possibility of avoidance and make the reader uncomfortable. I wanted us to start talking about the issues that we’re all aware of, but rarely discuss. The ones that deserve to be examined and explored, and even more so, to be righted. This was the inspiration. This was the idea behind the book.

The entire mission of this novel is to provoke discourse.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Erica Sherlock: Initially, I intended for Through Quick and Quinn to be a stand-alone novel. Even when I wrote the last page and throughout the months that followed, the story ended in my mind with the final chapter. Recently, however, I was blessed with another idea download. There just might be more to Quick and Quinn’s journey than I originally anticipated!

IAN: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Erica Sherlock: God. No question about it.