Thomas McRae, author of the poetry book Lyrical Revelations has been kind enough to stop in for an interview today!

Jo: Welcome Thomas! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thomas: Hello my name is Thomas McRae I’m a poet, author and writer I have a new poetry book titled Lyrical Revelations and I’m honored plus proud to promote my artistic masterpiece to all you wonderful people on this phenomenal and extraordinary amazing blog.

J: Awww! Thanks so much! Can you tell us a little about your book?

T: Lyrical Revelations is my newest poetry book, which I am very proud of and excited about. This book speaks volumes when it comes to our society and the way we live as a human race. Every poem is very intimately detailed from political, religion, personal, Love and death. I’m not trying to sound conceited or obnoxious but I genuinely believe this is some of my best poetry I’ve written in a long time.

J: That’s awesome, and not conceited at all. As writers I think we need to be excited about our work in order to make others excited. What inspired you to write this collection?

T: Life and many different experiences for example me buying my very first property, which I am very proud of a one bedroom co-op apartment. The fact that I was able to get a new place while being transferred to a new work location not too far from where I live now. My brother and his ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis and both my senior citizen parents, plus my dementia having grandmother & despite the many trials and tribulations we are still a very loving, strong and encouraging family.

J: I’m sorry to hear about that, but at the same time it’s wonderful that you can all pull together to overcome challenges. What was your favorite part about writing this?

T: Listening to different music watching and observing the people around me and my environment. Plus embracing the future and the many different changes I am experiencing with joy, Grace and sincere class. Oh and being able to start a new chapter away from my old work location by itself was a very beautiful, piece of mind and a true blessing. God is good always and all day.

J: That’s a great message! What was your least favorite part?

T:  My only complaint regarding the process was waiting for my associate and friend, she took surprisingly longer than I anticipated or expected and as a result several bloggers I was in communication with lost interest and moved on and I was unable to get reviews or interviews with them. But in all fairness she did have some unexpected complications and personal things she needed to address. That’s why I’m not angry but I only thought I’d be right to keep it real.

J: I’m sorry that happened. Timing can make a big difference. Speaking of timing, what do you have planned next?

T: After I’m done promoting lyrical Revelations I plan on putting out another poetry book with my old book publisher Eber and Wein Publishing. Who I’ve done most of my books with and I must say I’m looking forward getting back to where I belong.

J: Wonderful! Where can people find more of you and your books?

T: Google Thomas Leslie McRae you will find a decent amount of information regarding my poetry books short fiction novels and several interviews and book reviews. Amazon still has quite a few of my reviews up along with goodreads.com but if all else fail contact me through email [email protected] and I will answer any question honestly and as quickly as possible.

J: Great! And can you tell us an interesting thing about you or your book?

T: Lyrical Revelations is about the truth and nothing else. Poetry is so underrated and I plan on changing that with one Poem everyday till the day I can’t write, see or just plain die. I promise you there’s at least one Poem even a non poetry reader can gravitate to and never let go.

J: And now for some fun questions! The last text you sent?

T: Oh that’s simple I text my pops late last night letting him know I made it home safe. As I do all the time.

J: Favorite drink?

T: I am a big fan of natural juice but as I get older I’m really loving water and appreciate it more.

J: The last movie you watched?

T: That would be the very last fast and furious that came out it was really cool and I enjoyed watching it with my father who I have always admired and love and respected.

J:  Cats, dogs or hamsters which is cuter?

T: I’m a dog person so I have to go with man’s best friend.

J: Thanks so much for stopping in with us today. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

T: Lyrical Revelations is sold on walmart.com Barnes and nobles.com, Google books.com Everand.com. Plus check out my current interview on poetrypop.com with my wonderful friend Danna Smith, who is a talented writer and kind human being. Oh I want to shout out my other dear friend Roz Morris who is a author, professional wordsmith and a God given Blessing to the writing community. She can be reached at [email protected] or check out her blog. Thank you all so much I know you could have been anywhere but you choose to be with me and for that I am grateful and truly blessed, blessings to all and stay with God. 

Welcome to another Weekend Interview! Today we have Rachel Griffin, the author of Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength.

Jo: Thanks so much for coming to say hi to us, today! Can you tell us a little something about Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength?

Rachel: To avenge his fallen parents and to preserve what they’ve fought to protect, Khyrus must defeat Nirjin, Deity of Destruction. Khyrus’ heart is made of gold and has longs for the day where evil will rule no longer, but will gain the strength and will? Will his companions assist him in succeeding or will they fall at his side?

J: That sounds good! What inspired you to write it?

R: I was inspired to write it because I wanted to attempt to branch out from what I usually did (poetry, newsletters, etc). I wanted to create an actual story that has a message/lesson to learn by the end of the novel. The more I pushed myself, the more creative and determined I became to complete Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength. My husband and my life in general were also my inspirations. I wanted to be able to prove myself wrong and make myself proud. My husband was my inspiration and motivation because he was a constant reminder of what I’m capable of and to never give up on what you want.

J: That is so awesome! I always love to hear about writers with supportive families. So many don’t have that. Who is your favorite character in the book?

R: If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Leona. She starts as a really close friend of Khyrus during the years they were training. She was the one who kept Khyrus’s head leveled and was his right hand person through it all. I don’t want to say more because it’ll spoil part of the ending.

J: She sounds like a good character! What was your favorite part of writing Khyrus?

R: My favorite part of the writing process was being able to type to last few words. Typing those last few words and the end of the last chapter gave me one of the best feelings ever because I could finally say I completed a book. The feeling I had after publishing was even better.

J: That is a great feeling! What was your least favorite part?

R: My least favorite part was figuring out where and how to publish on my own. The whole process was completely new to me, so getting through that for the first time was quite the challenge. Though it was my least favorite part then, it’ll me my favorite with the next books I write.

J: Yeah, publishing can be overwhelming the first time, but it gets easier and easier with each book. Speaking of future books, what do you have planned next?

R: I’m currently working on my first trilogy novels. These will be compilations of poems I’ve written pertaining to my different types of trauma. Some are relationships. Others are loved ones passing away. The rest are pertaining to relationships: family, boyfriends, friends, etc. I’m also in the middle of planning more charity events for the remainder of the year.

J: That sounds great! Can you tell us an interesting fact about you?

R: I never knew what I wanted to be as a child. I didn’t fully figure that out until I was in 12th grade.

J: I understand that. I’m not sure I’ve decided what I want to do yet, haha! Where can we find more of you and your work?

R: I have a website called Pen & Camera. I own an online Photography and Writing company and have all contact info, some of my work and pries for everything. I also have social media. I can be found on Instagram as @penandcamera1. I’m on Twitter as @penandcamera12. Follow me on Facebook.com/SnapAndWrite. I also have Tumblr and LinkedIn profile. Those links, along with other social sites and contact info, are included on my company site.

J: Very cool! I love photography, too! Thanks so much for coming to see us today, and thanks to our readers for stopping in. Be sure to check out Rachel’s photos and her novel Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength. You can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X3TQT29

Rachel Griffin is a photographer and the Founder and CEO of Pen & Camera. She’s also the author of the new novel Khyrus: Deity of Virtue & Strength. She began writing poetry in middle school and continued throughout high school into adulthood. She soon began writing newsletters about events issues. Then she began branching off to national and international events while still including coverage on her business. It wasn’t until 2019 that she began taking on writing novels. In 2020, she published her first novel Khyrus. One book down, many more to go!

Would you like to be interviewed? Check out the details at https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/author-interviews/