Fiction Forum

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1947, received my BA from Case Western Reserve University in 1969, my MA in 1972 and my Ph.D in 1975 from the University of Illinois. My first book, “The Search For a Civic Religion,” was published in 1980. I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson and then became a Jewish Community Professional in Phoenix. Currently disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, I am co leader of Chayim Chadashim Messianic Fellowship. I live in Flagstaff, AZ with my wife Paula.

FF: Catherine, you are the author of several books, in a variety of genres. Tell us about the FIRST one. How did you manage to get it published? How did you feel at the time?

Catherine: My first published book was FEATHER ON THE WIND, a time travel. A friend of mine introduced me to a representative of an e-publishing company. That rep asked me to submit. Within two months the book was accepted. I was in shock. By that time I had just about given up on being published. It felt a little surreal. I simply couldn’t believe it had happened. I was afraid I’d be a “one-hit wonder” and never sell again. Since then things have snowballed for me. It’s really wonderful.

From Louisiana to Los Angles, Bernadene High-Coleman kept Mama Rose, deep within her heart. Mama Rose, in that southern rural style, told the stories, passed down through the generation’s women in her family. Stories so rich and vivid, that MAMA ROSE became Bernadene Coleman’s first novel. A story that could only be told by her…

With her numerous titles and expertise in ebooks, Karen Wiesner is certainly making a splash in the electronic publishing world. She is the author of several successful series and is publishing her acclaimed work on electronic publishing through Hard Shell Word Factory. We spoke with Karen about her career, her upcoming projects and her thoughts about the future of electronic publishing.

John Aridi made an impressive mark with the release of his short story collection entitled “Tears of the Stars.” It had all the elements science fiction fans crave, along with his own unique flair which set it apart from the genre’s other offerings. He opened his futuristic world of creation to us. A creation we know is just beginning, and will only get better.

During her search as a young adult Lori Paris found her birth parents and the inspiration for an emotionally charged tale. Her first book is “Follow Your Heart” where tragedy and a hidden family secret lead a young woman on a quest of a lifetime. Lori took a moment to sit down and chat with us about her career, her book and her upcoming projects.

Pat Ryan has tantalized readers with her sexy and wildly romantic novels for many years. In 1994 she “quit her day job” and began pursuing writing on a full time basis. Her first novel, “”Return of the Black Sheep” was published by Harlequin Temptation and her reputation for penning riveting medieval romances, rife with engaging characters, authentic historical details, intrigue and suspense was launched.

Therese Heckenkamp, 22, loves to write. By her teen years, her work earned prizes: a microscope, an ant farm, and a stamp collection. She was also published in the children’s magazines Cricket and Hopscotch, and shows no signs of slowing down. She lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, with her family-an American father, Australian mother, one older brother, Jerome, 23, and two younger sisters, Monica, 17, and Cassandra, 14. Her Siamese cat, Tibbles, mostly ignores her, but when he’s asleep she’ll swipe him into her room so he snuggles on her bed while she writes.

Maud Casey and I have exchanged numerous e-mails, though we haven’t met. In the jacket photos of her, I see a quirky beauty that is very appealing. Also notable from those jackets is the fact that a host of established authors praise her work in superlative terms. If you haven’t read her, you should.

A native of New York City, Frank Caceres holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Manhattan College and a Master of Arts in Vocational Education from the University of South Florida. He shares the distinction of being a Manhattan College Alumnus with America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, and novelist James Patterson. As a Vietnam-Era veteran of the U.S. Army, Caceres has a number of short stories and essays that were published in various journals, magazines and anthologies. He began his writing career by composing business correspondence and procedure manuals but he had always dreamed of writing a book. He realized that dream with the publishing of his book Because They Were.