Mickey, I am so thrilled to have you here for the next couple of days.  We have a lot to cover so let’s get started.

Retribution! The Champion Chronicles: Book One

Short excerpt:

The habit was hundreds of years old… An absentminded glance in an empty mirror as the vampire ran firm bristles back and forth over even, white teeth. But this time, he stared in disbelief. A cloudy image peered back—one that hadn’t been seen in centuries. High cheekbones, straight nose, square chin and strong brow were unmistakably his. Leaning into the mirror, Michael couldn’t see his eyes clearly, but it was his reflection, something lost the night he’d been turned. The one thing that sets me apart from humanity, he thought, one thing that should be lost forever. The image fascinated, but also frightened. One more secret I must keep from Alana—for now.

 ~ Retribution! The Champion Chronicles: Book One

Tell us something about you and your books

     Unlike many writers, I haven’t been writing for dozens of years – not books anyway. I began to write fiction about four years ago while going through some rough changes in my life. While finishing a second masters, I found that I fully enjoyed writing a 40-page, action research thesis about weaving core-content subject matter through the curriculums of art, music, and physical education. I still spend my days teaching music to hundreds of students in an inner-city school. In 2009, I was named a Distinguished Music Educator at the Yale University Music Symposium. I live in northern New Jersey and my children are grown, so my home is finally quiet. In my spare time, I accompany a church choir and I’m secretary for NJRW.

I currently have one book published. My debut novel, Retribution!, is the first book in a paranormal romance series entitled The Champion Chronicles. Consequences, Book 2, is also under contract with The Wild Rose Press. Both novels have a large cast of characters, and although they are synchronized in terms of events and timeline, they are stand alone novels. I am currently polishing Inheritance, Book 3, which continues my character’s journey.

 Are there any new authors who have grasped your attention?

      Melinda, TWRP authors are some talented writers. I’ve just finished reading Christine Clemetson’s sweet WWII love story, A Daughter’s Promise, and Linda J. Parisi’s paranormal romance, Noble Blood. These books are great reads. They are exceptional new authors with fantastic first books released this year.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

     Always believe in your work. Don’t let someone’s negativity sour the triumph of writing and actually selling a book to a publishing house. Support fellow writers and encourage the newbies. Remember that you were once where they are.

What advice would you give to somebody trying to get a literary agent?

    Funny you should ask this, Melinda. I’m looking for one right now, so if anyone has an idea, I’m the one who is open J

Is there any thing you would like to say to other aspiring writers?

     Never give up the dream of signing a contract to publish your work. Write because you have a story to tell and don’t let anyone stand in the way of your success. Continue to learn and grow within your craft.

Be brave and realistic as well. Finish your WIP, believe in yourself, and write the best query letter you can. Find a supportive critique group and listen with an open mind even if it hurts. That’s the brave part. The realistic part is don’t blanket query every house. Start with a select few who appeal to you and who accept the genre you write. Then be willing to edit until your eyes blur, but don’t ever compromise your singular voice. 

As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

     I wanted to be something different every other week. It’s the truth! As a child, I had such an active imagination that I’d bounce between fearless army nurse and cloistered nun. But before I could read words, I could read music. Playing the piano came as natural as breathing. I consider myself blessed because I have always followed my dreams. 

As a writer and published author how do you feel about e-publishing

   First off, internet piracy has to be seriously addressed. It’s a crime, plain and simple. E-pubs know this is stealing many hard earned royalties from the Top-Ten best sellers down to the newly published author. There has to be some way to encrypt a download to discourage piracy of e-books. And although e-publishing is a fast-growing industry, I don’t believe print books will go the way of the dinosaur. Print books will always be here. I do think it’s a generational thing. My adult children are more adept at reading off a cell phone than I’ll ever be. Different models of E-readers are becoming popular, but they’re still an expensive purchase. The look of a book, the way it feels when I turn the pages – for me, it’s a timeless treasure. And as an author whose book is in both e-format and print, I cannot describe the feeling of holding your novel in your hand. It’s an awesome experience.

 Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

Retribution! The Champion Chronicles: Book One is available at www.thewildrosepress.com, as well as Amazon, B/N, and various other sites in print and e-book format. I have two short stories coming out. In October, look for Friday the Thirteenth, a free read on The Wild Rose Press web site. On November 19, Hollow Hearts, a sweet romance will be posted at The Long and Short review site – LASR.

What is your novel about?

    Retribution! is about a creature yearning for redemption. Here’s a short blurb: Dreams often reflect deepest desires…even if they’re nightmares. While cruelly captured and poisoned, a mystically enhanced vampire creates a languid fantasy with the help of a powerful soul. Eternal devotion to two important people forces the hero, Michael Malone, to see himself with honest eyes. And while his imagination runs wild, he still desires death. But there is a reason this creature of the night must survive. In fact, there are two. One is revenge. The other is love.

Where do you do most of your writing?

   I write in a small room at the back of my home. The table faces an entire wall of window where I can see open space full of grass and trees. To the left, there’s a forest. I love to write there, uh, here J.  I will edit most anywhere there’s a hot cup of coffee available, but the process of creating my paranormal tales only happens when I feel the solitude and face Mother Nature at her best.

Thank you, Melinda, for having me at your lovely site. I’ll be happy to take questions or comments. Please visit or (for non-bloggers) leave a comment at my web site www.Mflagg-author.com . You can also find me on Facebook listed as M. Flagg. I hope to see you there! And do become a fan ~ Mickey

Again, Mickey thanks for being here.  You have offered a lot of information and we appreciate it.  Hope to have you visiting again soon.

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda