Meet the Author: D.M. Barr

Local author D.M. Barr with her dogs

This week in our ongoing "Meet the Author" series, we spoke with local author Dawn Barclay (also known as D.M. Barr).

The award-winning author of Expired Listings, Saving Grace, Murder Worth the Weight, The Queen of Second Chances, and Simple Tryst of Fate, D.M. Barr is a VP of Sisters in Crime New York/Tri-State, Mystery Writers of America, and is the president of Hudson Valley Scribes. She lives happily in New York's Hudson Valley, where she concocts tales of sex, suspense and satire. Her husband and two adult children are very afraid.

Describe one of your most recent books in 25 words or less.
Saving Grace is about a supposedly paranoid heiress who believes her husband will murder her once she inherits her father's billions and must save herself.

What inspired you to write this book?
My husband asked me once too often about what I might expect as an inheritance once my father passes away.

Tell us a little about the book writing process.
Once I got started, the book went through two different iterations and took about a year to complete and another year to revise and sell to a publisher. I normally get into a rhythm of writing about 1000 words a day. The research involved rewatching the movies Gaslight and Suspicion and reading about paranoias and poisons.

What do you do for fun when you're not writing?
I love travel, spoiling my rescue dog, water aerobics, walking, competitive trivia, word games, reading, and consignment shopping (I love collecting clothes!).

What's the next project you're working on?
I just released a nonfiction book called Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse, and I am working on a book proposal for the follow-up book, as well as my next thriller.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Sit down and write, even if you think what you are writing is terrible. Get into a daily writing routine. Remember that the magic comes from revision and you can't revise an empty page.

What are you currently reading?
The Last Policeman, by Ben H. Winters

Tell us about one of your favorite books or a book that changed your life.
I think a book that changed my life was Harriet the Spy when I was a kid. I became a reporter later in life.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?
“I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.”
― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

Who are some of your favorite authors?
So many... John Steinbeck, Jane Austen, Larry McMurtry, Marshall Karp, Brad Parks, and the list goes on.

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If you enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Dawn Barclay and her work, visit dmbarr.com or dawnbarclayink.com, or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Select titles are available in store and online.

Meet the Author: Daniel Guilfoyle

This week in our ongoing "Meet the Author" series, we spoke with Daniel Guilfoyle, author of From Shrink to Think: A Mental Journey Through the Memory Journey.

Daniel Guilfoyle is a 3-time USA Memory Championship competitor who is capable of memorizing an entire deck of cards in just over a minute, as well as recalling over 100 random numbers in only just five minutes. He is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York. He works and lives in the city of Middletown. He is married to his wife Erin, and they have three cats: Hedwig, Peaches and Willow. In 2016, after only learning these valuable memory skills for just a few months, Daniel was capable of remembering vast amounts of information with superior recall in just a short amount of time.

Describe your book in 25 words or less.
From Shrink to Think. This is a book about memory improvements.

What inspired you to write this book?
I have been practicing memory sports for several years.

Tell us a little about the book writing process.
I spent several months writing this book. I used to write on weekends.

What do you do for fun when you're not writing?
Memory sports

What's the next project you're working on?
A second book on memory improvement.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Write what you are passionate about.

What are you currently reading?
CBT Made Simple

Tell us about one of your favorite books or a book that changed your life.
You Can Have an Amazing Memory by Dominic O’Brien

Who are some of your favorite authors?
John Patterson and Dan Brown

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If you enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Daniel Guilfoyle and his work, you can find him at shrinktothink.com.

His book, From Shrink to Think: A Mental Journey Through the Memory Journey, is currently available online and in store.

Meet the Author: Vanessa Joye

This week in our ongoing "Meet the Author" series, we spoke with Vanessa Joye, author of 30 Days to Happiness: Remembering God's Promises.

Vanessa Joye was born in NY and raised in the Bronx. She worked for the Department of Education in New York City for over twenty years. As a teacher and assistant principal, she encouraged and inspired the children and teachers she worked with. Vanessa considers her faith and family to be the most important.

Describe your book, 30 Days to Happiness.
This book is a testimony about my life experiences. I tell how the Lord helped and encouraged me to look ahead during my trials and tribulations. In 30 Days to Happiness, I inspire my readers to press forward by using affirmations and prayer.

What inspired you to write this book?
I started writing this book in my head. As someone who was very private and sometimes shy, I felt the Lord telling me to stop hiding and share my experiences with others. As I began writing, I felt encouraged and wanted to help others who may have felt that terrible things only happened to them.

Tell us a little about the book writing process.
This book took me seven years to complete. I kept picking it up and putting it down. One night I was so down on myself. I cried and asked the Lord what I have to contribute to the kingdom. I asked the Lord to put the fire back in my belly. He reminded me of all the things I wanted to do in my life. He reminded me about all the things that He placed in me. I was crying and laughing at the same time because I remembered them, too. I decided that day that I was going to finish this book. On July 14, 2022, I published my first book.

What do you do for fun when you're not writing?
One of my favorite things to do is hang out with my grandson, Nasir. He is four years old and lives in Georgia with his mother. I love hosting parties at home with my family and friends in attendance. And lastly, I love horseback riding. I ride every week which is so relaxing. Riding for me is like therapy.

What's the next project you're working on?
My next big project is to open an etiquette school and writing an etiquette book for children.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
The advice I would give an aspiring author is to keep at it. I would tell them that it can be a long journey, but the finished work will make you feel so accomplished and proud of yourself.

What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Living for What Really Matters by Teresa Swanstrom Anderson.

Tell us about one of your favorite books or a book that changed your life:
Honey, I Love by Eloise Greenfield. This was one of the first books that I read. It was a book of poems. I was drawn to this book because I saw people that looked like me and they were doing the things that I loved doing. I was able to relate to this book at a young age.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?
My favorite scripture in the Bible is Matthew 6:33 NIV: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Who are some of your favorite authors?
TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, and James Patterson

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If you enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Vanessa Joye and her work, you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Her book, 30 Days to Happiness: Remembering God's Promises, is currently available online and in store.

Meet the Author: Al Nickerson

This week in our ongoing "Meet the Author" series, we spoke with Al Nickerson, author of The Sword of Eden.

Al Nickerson was a comic book artist for DC Comics and Archie Comic Publications, and also worked for Marvel Comics and Warp Graphics. He has been a designer and animator for Sesame Street, MTV Animation, and Nickelodeon. He recently self-published The Sword of Eden graphic novel series.

Describe your book, The Sword of Eden.
The Sword of Eden introduces Rebecca Stern as she begins her career as a superhero. What will happen when our young heroine joins forces with Nemesh-Man, Kid-Cockroach, and Professor Jack in retrieving the Sword of Eden (the legendary sword used by angels to keep Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden)? In their adventures, our heroes battle demons, zombies, a bunch of ninja, and other supervillains. And how will these superheroes cope when they must combat mythological villains such as Count Orlok or the Green Knight? If that ain’t enough, will our heroes be capable of locating Noah’s Ark?

What inspired you to write this book?
Comics, Sequential Art, is a powerful literary artform. It has the potential to tell important stories and ideas. It’s a wonderful medium in which to share the Gospel. Also, The Sword of Eden graphic novel allows me the opportunity to create Christian comics that Christian readers can enjoy without feeling insulted or feel as if they are compromising God’s principles.

Tell us a little about the book writing process.
The idea of The Sword of Eden started when I was still drawing for DC Comics and Archie Comics. Back then, in my spare time, I would just sketch things out or write some ideas down in a notebook.

What do you do for fun when you're not writing?
I read a lot on the history of comics. And I enjoy spending time with my church family.

What's the next project you're working on?
I'm working on the sequel to The Sword of Eden, which is The Sword of Eden: Shinobi. I suppose the idea of dying is scary to some folks. The themes of Shinobi focus on death, idolatry, and seeking eternal life without the one who came to give us eternal life. Many turn to things like dead religion in hopes of salvation. They turn away from the Messiah and by doing so, they turn to things that can’t save anyone. This is what Shinobi is all about… plus, it’s chocked full of clobbering between our heroes and a bunch of ninja.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Keep writing (and drawing). Be persistent. And self-publish. It became clear that self-publishing The Sword of Eden was the way to go. With self-publishing I retain complete ownership, have control of content, and control of distribution. I don’t have a publisher taking money from me. I don’t have an editor telling me what I can or can not do with my intellectual property.

What are you currently reading?
I am rereading Eisner/Miller from Dark Horse. And I'm always reading the Bible.

Tell us about one of your favorite books or a book that changed your life:
True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee by Abraham Riesman is fantastic! And there's the Bible.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?
Psalm 116:12-14 (English Standard Version): 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
I don't know if I have a current favorite author. I used to be a huge fan of the writings of C.S. Lewis, Anne Rice, Michael Moorcock, and J. R. R. Tolkien.

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If you enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Al Nickerson and his work, you can find him online at www.theswordofeden.com, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Truth Social.

His book, The Sword of Eden, is currently available in store.

Meet the Author: Maria Blon

Welcome to the first post in our new “Meet the Author” series, where we chat with local authors about their books, reading habits, and more!

This week, we spoke with Maria Blon, author of three books, including Living Passionately: 21 People who found their purpose and how you can too (2014), Hearts Blooming through intuitive mentoring (2021), and Haiku Journey (2022).

Maria Blon is an intuitive author and mentor, who helps writers and creatives feel safe and confident sharing their gifts. She began her professional life as a math and yoga teacher at the college level, using hands-on, interactive learning techniques and reflective writing. (You may have also seen her around the bookstore, offering poetry and writing workshops.) All funds raised by Hearts Blooming are donated directly to the HEART in Haiti School, which was started by her family in 2010.

Describe your book in 25 words or less.
Hearts Blooming through intuitive mentoring is about transforming challenging situations with yourself and others into learning opportunities for all involved.

What inspired you to write this book?
I mentored three young adults with special gifts, which could be really challenging at times. Writing about how I was feeling, plus what was and was not happening, helped me to find solutions to challenges, process my emotions and to witness progress made over a long period of time. I love sharing my learning to help readers build better relationships with themselves and others.

Tell us a little about the book writing process.
The book was written over three years, when I journaled about what was happening. I worked with two editors who helped me narrow the book down to the stories readers would most relate to. I then wrote Hearts Blooming Tools to guide readers to apply the lessons to their lives. A few months before publishing, I was invited to a Writing Circle, whose members have been my greatest supporters and inspiration to keep writing. When I am not sure how to move forward in some part of the book writing process, I have a team of friends, family and professionals who help me with next steps.

What do you do for fun when you're not writing?
I love gardening, reading, plus spending time in nature walking, swimming or cross country skiing. I am continually creating and doing new things.

What's the next project you're working on?
I am writing a collaborative book called HEARTs Unite: from vision to reality, a school system is built in Haiti, about the school our family and friends started in 2010, after the devastating earthquake.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
Writing can be a solitary activity, so having support through the process is really important. Joining a writing circle, asking encouraging friends to read your work and celebrate your successes, plus scheduling time to write on a regular basis are all really important. Sometimes as writers, we can doubt ourselves and the sooner we notice this doubt showing up and reach out for guidance the better you will be able to move forward towards your goal.

What are you currently reading?
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, by Marilee Adams, which I purchased at Well Worn Books :)

Tell us about one of your favorite books or a book that changed your life.
The Witch of Portobello

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?
"Athena is a young woman who tries to fill the spaces, the silences in her life. The more she tries to fill them the more dissatisfied she becomes. Until she learns that it is the silences between the notes that make the music so powerful. When she learns to embrace the silence, the spaces, she finds a power an energy." —Paul Cohelo, The Witch of Portobello

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Paul Cohello

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If you enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Maria Blon and her work, you can find her online at heartsblooming.org, or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

All three of her books (Hearts Blooming, Living Passionately, and Haiku Journey) are currently available in store.