BookMarketingBuzzBlog

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Interview with Historical Fantasy Novelist Shauna Lawless

1. What inspired you to write this book? The Gael Song series (both era 1 and era 2) is an Irish historical fantasy series. I’ve always loved Irish mythology and Irish history, and indeed I can see how both have influenced many great fantasy epics over the years. When I sat down to write this series, I really wanted to make Ireland itself a character, rather than just an inspiration. I also knew quite a lot about this era of history and was fascinated by the Irish queen called Gormflaith. By making her a main character, I was able to set my series in this period of history and give a historically accurate POV character. Son of the Serpent is the 5^th Gael Song novel. However, I have split up my series into two eras. The first era contains The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, The Words of Kings and Prophets, and The Land of the Living and the Dead. The second era contains Daughter of the Otherworld and Son of the Serpent. The third and final book will be out next year, and it will be called Queen of the Ashes.

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for? The first Gael Song trilogy is a historical fantasy series set in 10^th century Ireland. It was set during the Second Viking Age and around the Battle of Clontarf. Aside from the historical aspects of that time period, I featured characters who are descended from the magical tribes of Irish mythology – the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé Danann. As in Irish mythology, the Fomorians wish to rule Ireland and will do anything to make this possible. Meanwhile, the Descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann numbers are dwindling, and their magical powers are beginning to fade. As the Descendants retreat from the mortal world, the Fomorians plot to use the various Irish clans to their own advantage. Will the Descendants realise in time that their old foes are seeking to reclaim such power? The second Gael Song series is set 150 years after the first, and it revolves around the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12^th century. In the first novel, Daughter of the Otherworld, we meet a host of new characters, as well as a few we’ve met before, as the mythological characters are semi-immortal. All are trying to survive amidst the turbulent historical events that unfold, but once again the Fomorians see a chance to claim power for themselves. In this series, our main character is Isolde, a Descendant who has been born giftless. She has grown up in peace with her cousin Broccan. However, she cannot live like this for long. The Fomorians are keen for revenge, and the Anglo-Norman invasion pushes Ireland into chaos. Who have I written this story for? Anyone who likes historical fiction, fantasy, or someone who would like to know more about Irish mythology.

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? Firstly, I hope they enjoy the story and characters. If they end up (as many of my readers do) fascinated by Irish history, it’s always fun to know that I’ve inspired people to read up on it or even buy some of the non-fiction books that I’ve recommended.

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? I love coming up with book titles, and I usually come up with them when I’m walking. It’s not an exact science, and publishers sometimes shoot down my ideas, but overall I’m delighted that I (mostly) got my own way! The book covers are designed by artists hired by my publisher. I usually give them ideas and themes from the book, and so far, I’ve been delighted with the results. A big shout-out to Micaela Alcaino and Susan Burghart for their wonderful artwork.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? It’s always just to keep writing and to keep having fun with it.

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? Obviously romantasy continues to be huge in the SFF genre. I think that will continue, but I also think epic fantasy is about to have another moment. There are so many amazing authors out there, and I’m delighted to see so much variety in terms of stories and genres. Variety is the spice of life as they say, and long may that continue.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Oh gosh, that’s a big question. I suppose life experiences cannot help but be in my novels. Motherhood is certainly a big theme. How the patriarchy affects both men and women. Unfairness, greed, the destructive nature of war. It’s all in there!

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? Writing style… hmm… that’s hard for me to say for myself! Writers I greatly admire are Hilary Mantel, Mark Lawrence, John Gwynne and Phillipa Gregory. Is my writing similar to theirs? Again, that’s hard for me to judge!

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? Probably just trying to balance family life with writing!! This book did require me to work over weekends so that I could submit it in time. My family are wonderful and very understanding when this happens, and it was only for a couple of months… but yes, that mum-guilt can sometimes be overpowering.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? If you have a desire to be immersed in a fantasy world that is set in Ireland, I think the Gael Song series is an excellent place to start!

About the Author: Shauna Lawless is an avid reader of Irish mythology, folklore and history, which inspired Gael Song, her historical fantasy series set in turbulent mediaeval Ireland. Her critically acclaimed novel, The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, was nominated for Best Debut at the British Fantasy Awards. She lives in Northern Ireland with her family, where you can often find her writing or curled up with a good book. Follow Shauna via her newsletter or shauna lawless.com Instagram: shauna_lawless_author

Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 10, 850,000 page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” Copyright 2026.

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook. It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Interview With Literary Thriller Author Eric Eichhorn

1. What inspired you to write the book?

My dog, Keith, was getting older, so I drafted a children’s picture book called “Keith is Getting Older.” During that process, I began reflecting on life's natural evolution and its associated challenges, in particular, the period between the end of a career, re-socialization, and full retirement. Connections are lost, and new paths must be chosen. The struggles are real and often hard to observe. At the time, I was working on a short story about a man returning to his college to find a woman he knew who had never left. The two roads, reflection and search, converged, and Ogallala was born.

2. What is the book about and who for?

Ogallala is a darkly funny road trip into the quiet collapse of Bennett, a man in decline, who should have stayed home. It examines the trouble we’d save ourselves if we just enjoyed the moments we have without seeking answers to every little question, especially from the distant past.

Bennett is searching for the thread that will pull him back to life. He travels from New York to Ann Arbor to reconnect with his college girlfriend, Jenn, who is oblivious to his intentions. Before he can say no, he heads west with her daughter, Zoe, to her MMA tournament in Utah, not with Jenn, but with Zoe’s crusty, old, mysterious trainer, Hector. Bennett’s need for connection causes bad decisions that lead to murder and betrayal, forcing him to protect Zoe and himself. The novel culminates in Vernal, Utah, where Zoe’s MMA fight and a Dinosaur Festival happen at the same time. Ogallala is told through the dual narration of Bennett and Zoe.

Ogallala is for anyone who has made a bad decision while trying to find something missing in their life.

3. What do I hope readers get out of the book?

I read a review that said, “that is exactly how my life feels.” In that case, the reviewer identified with Bennett, but I have also had young women say they identify with Zoe and her struggles with identity and direction. The characters in Ogallala do struggle, and while they don’t overcome everything, they find hope to take chances and change.

4. How did I decide on the book’s title and cover?

As a young boy, I visited Ogallala, Nebraska, and was struck by the sense of danger and desolation. Once my characters left Ann Arbor and headed west to Utah, I-80 was the best route, and it ran straight through Ogallala. I knew I had to go back. Finding the right cover art was a challenge. The initial submissions showed ominous clouds and darkness but didn’t capture the feeling of being alone in a rugged environment. I mentioned this to another writer, and later that week a piece of stock art appeared on my computer. I knew it was perfect, and I'd found the cover.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

Trot, and if you decide not to run, go back and finish your project. Writing a book is hard, and it's easy to quit. Honestly, that might be the right decision if you don’t want more turmoil. If you do press ahead, don’t put yourself on the clock. I wanted to be finished, and I resented new feedback that meant more work. Without a deadline, I could consider the feedback, and it often improved the book. Don’t settle. You may only do this once, and you want to be proud of the book twenty years from now.

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

Anything I say would be based on limited knowledge of the publishing industry. My hunch is that hybrid and self-publishing will keep growing, based on published authors' comments about the increasing difficulties of traditional publishing. I am encouraged to see more independent bookstores opening.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book

I spent much of my career in the corporate world, and those interactions gave me a wealth of observations about human behavior. Living in disparate parts of the country gave me a range of character types and odd ways of handling life. There is a lot of quirkiness out there. Bennett’s interactions with his dog, Keith, were based on my interactions with my dog, Keith.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

I would describe my writing style as crisp and unencumbered. Having started in playwrighting, I know dialogue is crucial to building my characters, and I rely on their situations and physical behaviors to support the story. The hardest writing for me is exposition, which leaves my characters inactive.

An agent told me Ogallala reminded her of Carl Hiassen, which was interesting because he is a huge fan of Harry Crews. I was fortunate to be in a seminar with Harry Crews at the University of Florida, and I have read most of his work. To keep the theme in Florida, I recently read “My Search for Warren Harding” by Robert Plunket and thought it was fantastic.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

I’ve never been a great closer; I tend to start multiple projects and not finish many of them. The thought of writing multiple drafts of a novel was unappealing, and it was a big challenge to keep returning to the beginning. Plays are easier to patch up and reconnect. In Ogallala, I added a major event in the 3^rd draft, and the ramifications rippled through the whole novel. It was also intimidating to know I might spend a great deal of time on something nobody would want. As a first-time novelist, every step in the process brought significant learning and growth.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

I think after reading my book, you'll say you’ve never read anything like it before, or even recall a book that's directly similar. A common refrain from reviews is “unexpected twists and turns.” The mix of characters, settings, and chaos offers a fresh take, and it doesn’t fit neatly into any genre. It’s a story you won’t forget.

About The Author: Eric EICHHORN is the author of several plays and feature pieces. He was born in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. He now lives in New York with his dog, Keith. He has never been to a dinosaur festival. For more information, please see: https://ericeichhorn.com/

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About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Friday, October 16, 2026

Interview With Author Larry Nouvel

1. What inspired you to write Quiet Valor: What Lies Between Us. True Stories of Dogs, Cats, and People, and What Passes Between Them? My daughter, Michelle, suggested it. She knew before I did that it should be written. I spent most of my working life inventing products for dogs and cats. That meant watching closely what frightened an animal and what calmed it. When I began writing the Quiet Valor series, the two worlds kept finding each other. This book puts them together. Each chapter tells a true story of a person and an animal who earned each other's trust, then explains what was happening inside both of them.

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? It is about the bond between people and their companion animals, told through true stories and the science underneath them. You meet Sheba, a dog who spent three years in a shelter before the right family came. You meet Caroline Hagedorn, who spent years earning the trust of a feral tomcat she named Meatie. And you meet Eric O'Grey, whose shelter dog, Peety, walked him into a new life. Between the stories, I explain what stress does to an animal and what calms it. One example is the gaze between a dog and its owner, which raises oxytocin in both. It is written for anyone who has loved an animal and wondered what was going on behind its eyes. You do not need a science background.

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope they look at their own dog or cat differently. Much of what we call bad behavior is fear, and fear can be understood and eased. I also hope they notice that the people in these stories had no special training. They paid attention. They kept showing up. Anyone can do that.

4. How did you decide on your book's title and cover design? The title is the question at the center of the book. Something passes between a person and an animal, and it builds into trust. Science can measure some of it. The rest we can only describe. The cover shows a golden dog and a tabby cat facing each other. Between them, a hand holds out a small glowing lantern, the symbol of the Quiet Valor series.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers, other than run!? Start, no matter your age. I began at 82. Write from the record. Every story in my books comes from published reports, and readers can check them. Keep your paragraphs short and let the facts carry the feeling. If you would not say a sentence out loud to a friend, cut it.

6. What trends in the book world do you see, and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? Readers want true stories they can trust. With so much online that cannot be verified, I think nonfiction that shows its sources will matter more. I also see authors building their own readership. I share true stories on Facebook regularly, and those readers have become the audience for my books.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Almost all of them. As a chemist and animal scientist, I have handled hundreds of animals, and I am still a student of them. My work on pheromones, the chemical signals animals use to reassure one another, is part of the science in this book. Lecturing to veterinary students and groomers taught me to explain that science in plain words.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? Plain and direct. I use real names and give facts the reader can check, and I do not invent what anyone was thinking. Every chapter pairs a documented story with the science that explains it. The sources are listed at the end of each chapter.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? The hardest part was getting the science right without burying the stories. I checked every scientific claim against the original research and removed anything I could not confirm. The other challenge was restraint. The animals and their people had to speak for themselves. My job was to get out of the way.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because it will change how you see the animal on your couch. You will understand what it needs from you, and what it gives back. You will also meet people who gave an animal a second chance and never asked for credit. It is a book of true stories and real science, written for anyone who has ever loved a dog or a cat.

About The Author: Larry Nouvel is a chemist and animal scientist in Plano, Texas. He founded LNouvel, Inc. and the UnRuffled Pets® line of pheromone-based calming products for dogs and cats. He has spent decades in pheromone research and is a co-inventor on patents for calming technologies, including 2M2B, the rabbit mammary pheromone. He has lectured at veterinary schools and grooming conferences. He began writing books less than a year ago, at 82, and has since completed the ten books of the Quiet Valor® series. For more information, please see: www.quietvalorbooks.org.

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About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Interview With Canary Publishing Editor-in-Chief Howard Lovy On Publishing Jewish Voices

1. What type of books/genres does Canary Publishing publish? Adult fiction and nonfiction by Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist writers — literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, mostly. We don’t publish children’s books, poetry, or academic work. I want good stories. Writers keep asking me, “Is my book Jewish enough for Canary Publishing?” My answer is a question: What was Jewish enough to have been canceled by the mainstream? A name. A setting. A character who wouldn’t apologize. If it was Jewish enough for them to say no, it’s Jewish enough for us to say yes. It’s a broad tent — religious, secular, Israeli, diaspora, right, left. The one thing we won’t do is ask you to make it less Jewish. You’ve got the rest of the industry for that.

2. What is your publishing mission? Canary Publishing is a home for authentic Jewish voices, bringing their stories to readers everywhere. We are a nonprofit trade press, and we are unapologetically Jewish and Zionist. Since October 7, 2023, publishers and agents have told too many Jewish writers that “now is not the time” for their stories. We believe now is exactly the time. We can say yes when they say no. We take our name from the canary in the coal mine. How a society treats its Jews is the warning sign: when our voices go quiet, the air has turned dangerous for everyone. Our fiction and nonfiction will reflect the breadth of Jewish thought and experience, valuing literary merit over political conformity.

3. What is your background -- how did you come to run a publishing company? I’ve spent 40 years in journalism and publishing — as a reporter and editor, and now as a developmental editor and novelist. After October 7, I decided to focus my editing on Jewish and Israeli manuscripts. So, I had a front-row seat as Jewish voices were sidelined in the literary world. I learned it firsthand, too. When I was shopping my own novel around, I kept reading on agents’ websites that they welcome marginalized voices. It didn’t take me long to learn that they did not mean Jews. I’m a journalist, so my instinct is always to document it. I wrote about the marginalization of Jewish writers for three years, anywhere that would have me. Authors would come up to me after panels to thank me for everything I was doing, and in the back of my mind I’d think: but I haven’t actually done anything. I’ve just pointed out the problem. These writers didn’t need another article about why they couldn’t get published. They needed a publisher. The problem was never a shortage of attention. It was a shortage of yes. In June I published a wish list of what I’d do if I ran a Jewish-friendly publishing company. An organization that shared that vision backed me, and Canary Publishing launched on September 2 under the fiscal sponsorship of Chai Mitzvah, a 501(c)(3).

4. What challenges do you believe you will have as a smaller press? The same ones every small press has, plus one of our own. Mainstream publishing houses reach readers through review coverage and bookstore placement, and those doors are largely closed to us. Fine. Our readers didn’t stop reading. They’re organized — in book clubs, Substacks, newsletters, synagogue reading groups, the Jewish Book Council world — and they know where to find each other. That’s not just a community. That’s a distribution network. The other challenge is volume. We received scores of submissions on launch day and hundreds since, and I promised every author a personal reply. We’re a small team, and we’re a nonprofit, so we’re also looking for funding partners who want to build this with us.

5. Which books do you plan on publishing first -- and by when? We’re close to signing our first authors. The plan is to launch with two titles, one fiction and one nonfiction, announce them before the end of the year, and publish in 2027. I’m not naming names until the contracts are signed.

6. How do you hope to combat anti-Semitism? By publishing. I don’t say that with anger; I say it with clarity. This isn’t only about antisemitism in publishing. It’s about what’s not being written, because writers have been told there’s no support for it and no one agrees the problem exists. A century ago, when Jews were shut out of medical education, we built our own hospitals, and they became so good they became mainstream. That’s not fleeing. That’s Jews doing what we’ve always done. Canary Publishing is a piece of that — a place where a Jewish character isn’t there to apologize for existing. If Philip Roth or Saul Bellow were starting out today, shopping a manuscript full of unapologetically Jewish life, they’d be rejected. Not because the writing wasn’t brilliant. Because now is not the time. We exist so that isn’t the end of the story.

7. What can be done to increase book readership and the literacy rate in the United States? I can only speak to my corner of it. The conventional wisdom in publishing is that Jewish books don’t sell, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: the books don’t get bought, so they don’t get published, so there’s nothing to sell. Jews buy books. When Rachel Goldberg-Polin’s and Eli Sharabi’s books hit the New York Times bestseller list, that wasn’t a fluke — and neither one was a Holocaust memoir. If you want people to read, publish what they want to read and keep it in print. When readers can’t find it on the local shelf, they head straight into the arms of Amazon.

8. As America celebrates 250, where do you feel we are in terms of book bans and free speech? The book bans that make the news are the loud ones — a school board, a library, a list. The ones I deal with are quiet. Nobody announces that a book has been banned. An agent stops returning calls. A publisher backs out. A manuscript is quietly shelved. I’ve seen a book’s promotional copy list “Zionism” among its trigger warnings, right alongside domestic violence and suicide. That’s a ban without the paperwork. Jewish writers have been woven into the fabric of American culture for most of those 250 years. That place is no longer secure. Doors that were open have quietly closed, and books that would once have found a publisher now go unread. We are witnessing the erasure of Jewish perspectives from the marketplace of ideas — a disaster not only for Jewish literature but for society as a whole.

9. Where do you feel the book industry is heading? The old publishing model is slow by design. I spent years working with independent authors through the Alliance of Independent Authors, and what I saw there is where the industry is going: writers who move quickly and stay close to their readers. Canary Publishing is built that way — print-on-demand, no big print runs, no warehouse, no waiting for a bookstore to decide whether to take a chance on a Jewish book. We can keep books available, respond to demand, and build momentum title by title. The other direction is the one I’m betting on: readers organizing themselves. The grassroots Jewish literary world — the book clubs, the Substacks, the newsletters — didn’t exist in this form three years ago. The mainstream decided these readers didn’t matter. They found each other anyway.

Fr more information, please consult: https://www.canarypublishing.org/

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About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum