Tom Scanlon: The Interview

Writing isn't always about writing the next best thing. Sometimes it's about writing to promote your business as Tom Scanlon and I discussed when we sat down together for my monthly writing series. Tom Scanlon, and his partner Jim Harrington, started Houston Home Staging in late 2005. He has since found success, being featured on Property Ladder and in magazines, lecturing, authoring two books about home staging and even being licensed by the state as an instructor.

But oddly enough what Tom couldn't do was gain respect with his finicky female audience because he was born the wrong gender. Hence Carol Barrington and Alicia Barrington were created - to reach out to the women that were the primary readers of his blogs and books. And even though Houston Home Staging may have closed its doors, these ladies are still living their cyber lives out on YouTube and GoAnimate to continue to educate and entertain the public.

The future of Houston Home Staging has shifted gears towards both publication and American silver plate collections. Now, after the publication of Tom's books, Houston Home Staging 1 and 2, they are looking for art books to publish under the newly formed Houston Home Staging Publications. And Houston Home Staging Collections has an extensive assortment of American silver plate that has been individually chalk painted by Tom. (I had the pleasure of seeing quite a few of these beautiful pieces.)

Blogger Laura Romero and Author Tom Scanlon
Courtsey Laura Romero

Interviewing Tom was a pleasure indeed. My only regret was having to pare down the vivid stories he told in order to produce a 30 minute interview for your listening pleasure. Ladies and Gentlemen, my friend, Tom Scanlon click on the name to listen to the interview.

To contact/view Tom Scanlon's Projects:

www.houstonhomestaging.net
www.youtube.com
Dentdale Diaries Blog
Houston Home Staging Stories 1 on Blurb
Houston Home Staging Stories 2 on Blurb

Gibson Michaels: The Interview

What started off as a way to stave off boredom became The Sentience Trilogy for Amazon Best Selling Author, Gibson Michaels. Although it wasn't quite that easy, Michaels has managed to write a trilogy that premiered to favorable reviews when the first volume was published in 2014. The final volume, Wrath of an Angry God, was just released this past March.

From what I have read so far from excerpts from his books and from the drafts of his current work in progress (we were in the same writer's group), Gibson Michaels puts a lot of himself into his writing. So as long as you enjoy stories that have a quick wit and show a deep love of history, you should love his Sentience Trilogy.

Author Gibson Michaels
Photo Courtesy Gibson Michaels

Michaels and I discussed the trials of setting up his own publishing company (Arc Flash Publishing) that he, his better half and his son run together. There was so much for me to learn from the editing process to formatting for e-books to designing the book jacket to formatting for paperback. Whew! I'm glad to know someone who has done it first.

Not to mention that this military space opera (and yes, I learned what that is) has gotten great reviews from the public and even Michaels' own editor can't wait to read what he writes next. He still feels all this is a little surreal, but I think that he'll come to grips with his new found fame after his book signing this summer at ApolloCon. That's right! You can meet this up and coming author in person at ApolloCon June 19-21. 

Please enjoy my interview with sci-fi author, Gibson Michaels. (please click on his name to listen to the interview)

To purchase Gibson Michaels' Books:
Gibson Michaels on Amazon
Gibson Michaels on Barnes & Noble

About Gibson Michaels:
www.gibsonmichaels.com

Gibson Michaels at ApolloCon:
www.apollocon.org

Carl L. Williams: The Interview

Carl L. Williams was a fantastic way to round out the first quarter of the year. Ed Vela, Fernando Dovalina and Carl Williams are all well acquainted with each other's individual bodies of work, all having been members of Scriptwriters/Houston, competing playwrights and friends for many years.

Carl is a native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston. He started his career in technical writing before making a transition to social work with the Salvation Army, where he spent 28 years. Carl told me that the writing bug has always been him, however, and he started writing short stories under Sylvan Karchmer (1911-1991) at UH. It was fellow writer Chris Woods who encouraged him to start writing plays.

We spoke of the many play writing competitions that Houston (and other cities) have to offer and of the progression of writing a ten minute play to a one act play to a full length play. Carl told me a bit about the many unpublished novels he excelled at before finally finding his niche. He did manage to get one Western published, Fool's Play, but insists there will be no follow up novel despite favorable reviews.

Writer Carl L. Williams
Courtesy Carl L. Williams

Don't miss his play, Author's Anonymous, premiering at Theatre Suburbia this Summer! Auditions are coming soon, so check their website for more information.

Writers Laura Romero and Carl L. Williams
Photo Property of Laura Romero

Without further ado, please enjoy interview with Carl L. Williams (click the link to hear the interview).

To see a full collection of Carl's plays: www.doollee.com
To read more about Fool's Play: Fool's Play
To contact Carl L. Williams: carlw49@msn.com