Samantha is an internationally published author residing in Fort Worth, Texas. She has published a murder mystery and multiple children’s stories and is currently working on a multiple book Sci-Fi series.

1) When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most?

I never really dreamed about being a writer, in fact; it was the furthest thing from what I wanted to be as a kid. One day, out of the blue I came home from school at sixteen and just started writing. It happened easy and immediately; I fell in love with it.

My favorite thing about being an author is just talking to people after they read something I wrote, it is really cool for me to find out what they got out of my books and to see their excitement about what goes on inside of my mind; its nice.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? What projects are you currently working on?

I have a Murder Mystery- Man of the house: Its about a young boy who has to deal with the fact that his younger brother is dying of a rare illness, while the place he used to call a home is now his own personal hell with the demons that come with his abusive step-father.

I have a Children’s Story- Madison’s Christmas: It was written as a Christmas gift a few years back when I was a starving artist and couldn’t afford any other form of a present for my nine year old Niece! It is about a fairy who runs away from her home to save her Grandmother by proving to her Father that the magic of Christmas really does exist outside of our imagination.

You can find my books at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and http://www.loa.company If you want to find out more about me, follow me on social media:

Facebook: @samgollakner0329

Twitter: @Gollakner0329

Instagram: @ gollaknersam

I am currently working on the third novel of an eight novel SCI-FI/Fantasy series- Land of ARLENM: An alien comes to Earth to play a mischievous game with the human race, which only happens once a year. Higher powers in the alien’s world chose six humans for the game leader to trick to a certain location where the game begins, in this case, its the Silent Night Hotel. The game leader places the six college kids up in the last room, number ten. In the middle of the night their souls leave their bodies and are brought into the lobby to start the game. The object of this game is to go through every room in the hotel to get back to their bodies and be claimed as winners. The trick is, every single room is a completely different dimension, which they a have to fight their way through to find portals which allows them to travel from world to world. During the game they find that they not only have to face the demon’s inside of the game, but also the monster’s that reside inside of themselves as well. Thankfully, you are all invited to watch the game unfold from the safety of your living rooms.

3) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

It might sound funny, but I think my biggest achievement was when I had an avid reader inform me that I was their favorite author. It really made me feel good about what I was doing and it is something I will never forget. I dealt with rejection on two hands of Publishing houses and the public when trying to promote, the easiest way for me to get through it is by telling myself, ‘You cannot please everyone. Even being an ice cream sales man, you would still run into someone who is lactose-intolerant.’ But, it is hard, no matter how strong your mind set it; rejection is never an easy thing to go through; positive pep talks are always the best go to.

4) Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

No, schedule for me. I write pretty much from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. If I don’t then all I can do is think about the story and it eats me alive until I get it all out on paper. I do outline my books, just to give my brain an idea of where my mind should be focused on in the moment, instead of jumping from different sections of the book all at one time. I’d say roughly two months to write a novel. Unless, I get a random urge at the last minute to rewrite everything.

5) Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

Honestly, I try not to think that far ahead. Where ever it ends up taking me, I will be beyond thankful. I try to stay in the mindset of surviving day by day.

6) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry? Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

Hell no. I think it is never too late to chase after a dream, especially if it is one that you are that passionate about that the nagging in the back of your brain never left. I think that one of the hardest things for me in the industry is my age, I was picked up at 18 and am currently 21 and there is so many people who do not take me serious because I am so young. I feel like it is harder to get validated starting out young than if you were to jump into the game later in life. Plus, how many other people would you move into realizing that it is never too late for them to chase after their own dreams as well.

7) What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you? What’s the first book you read that made you know you could do this for a career? What book are you currently reading?

A Child Called “It” by Dave Pelzer, to this day it is the only book that has ever made me cry, I was also reading it in public so anyone that saw my emotional breakdown must have thought I was insane. I don’t have a book that necessarily made me realize this is what I could do for a career, but how about a person? Rod Serling was and always will be the biggest inspiration behind why I started writing, his imagination was amazing.  I am currently reading, The Rules by Nancy Holder I defiantly recommend this book, its great!

8) So many writers say that they hate reading their own work? Do you ever just sit down and curl up with your own book?

Does reading it a million times to edit the final product count? I cannot say that I have ever sat down just to read my own book, but I wouldn’t say that I would hate to do it one day. I guess I just never really thought of it. I feel like I would look back on previous releases and want to punch myself in the face for not expanding on certain parts now that I have grown as an author. So, maybe it’s not such a good idea.

9) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is drastically changing? Are you more of an e-book person or a traditional book person?

I have done both published and self-published. I personally prefer the self-published due to all the changes in the publishing industry.

I am more of a traditional book person, I like the smell and feel of a book; I think it just adds to the pleasure of reading.

10) I feel like so many of us writers, us artists in general, are made to conform to other people’s idea of what we should be. I think we creative types should be unafraid to be whoever it is that we feel we have the right to be. So what if your write 2 be? What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?

I could not agree to that more. I hear it all the time, “You don’t look like an author” “That isn’t how an author should act” “What are other people going to think of you and your work?” I think that author’s more than any other artist out there are stuck inside of a mold. I don’t understand how we are allowed to be so creative in our writing, but when it comes to any other outside view of who we are, it has to remain so stereotyped into being stale and boring. Most of the time if I hear someone say, “An author wouldn’t do that” 10/10 times, I am going to do it. I don’t think that our creative side should only be held between two covers.

Books: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Samantha+Gollakner

Website: www.loa.company