That's right!
We get plenty of repeat authors here, but rarely two weeks in a row.
But I had so much fun last week I decided I wanted Gabriela back.
In case you missed it, let's reintroduce you:
Gabriella Balcom lives in Texas with her family, works full-time in the mental health field, and has loved reading and writing her entire life. She writes fantasy, horror, romance, sci-fi, literary fiction, children's stories, and more, and loves great stories, forests, mountains, and back roads. She has a weakness for lasagna, garlic bread, tacos, cheese, and chocolate, and adores Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food. Gabriella has had 390 works accepted for publication, and won the right to have a novel published by Clarendon House Publications when one of her short stories was voted best in the anthology in which it appeared. Her book, On the Wings of Ideas, came out afterward. She was nominated for the Washington Science Fiction Association's Small Press Award, and won second place in JayZoMon/Dark Myth Company's 2020 Open Contract Challenge (a competition in which around one hundred authors competed for cash prizes and publishing contracts). Gabriella's novelette, Worth Waiting For, was then released. She self-published a novelette, Free's Tale: No Home for Christmas-time, and Black Hare Press released her sci-fi novella, The Return, in 2021. In November of 2022, Dark Myth Publications released her horror novella, Down with the Sickness and Other Chilling Tales. Four other novellas pend publication. You can visit her Facebook author page: https://m.facebook.com/GabriellaBalcom.lonestarauthor
Hi. My name is Gabriella Balcom, and I appreciate you taking the time to interview me, Adam. Thank you.
Prior to answering the questions I was given, I’d like to tell you a little about myself.
Reading and writing were among my first loves, along with a cat I befriended when I was quite little (or maybe she befriended me). The home I grew up in was rather horrific, and I was abused physically and emotionally; I could have died many times. Therefore, things which were good and pleasant in my life meant a great deal to me, and gave me hope to hang on. I’ve always adored cats, great books, and writing. Texas is my home, and I live in the country, surrounded by trees and animals like rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, possums, deer, foxes, and bobcats. The things I enjoy in my free time include listening to music, watching my favorite shows, photography, traveling, collecting things like shells, and driving the back roads.
I write fantasy, horror, sci-fi, romance, literary fiction, children’s stories, and more, and I create stories of all lengths (drabble-size through novels) and poems. I believe I’ve been truly blessed, and I’ve had 390 pieces accepted for publication and five books published. Four others pend publication.
Today, I’d like to draw attention to my novellas, Worth Waiting For, and The Return. Here’s a little about them:
Worth Waiting For
This romance was published by JayZoMon/Dark Myth Publications after I won second place in their 2020 Open Contract Challenge (a competition in which around one hundred writers competed for cash prizes and publishing contracts).
It’s never too late for love, and getting older isn’t the end. Sometimes it’s just the beginning.
When Wilfred’s wife died, he was devastated. Their young children were, too. He left his military career and raised them alone, never regretting his choices. Years passed by, and being single was the norm for him. Being single was comfortable.
But Wilfred never dreamed he was lonely—not until Sadie came to his door.
Reader comments include:
“...I love this so much…” “A sweet story of love and companionship… nicely written.” “The characters are real, it’s emotional, and well written… I would recommend it to any romance reader.” “Great Story”
The Return
The world doesn’t know about the compound hidden underground, and the wealthy investors funding it want things to stay as they are. It’s 2030, and scientists have made numerous scientific advances. They use cutting-edge technology with their Feline Service Units and Human Replicas —HRs, as they’re commonly known. However, most of the research being conducted in the facility is illegal. If animal rights’ activists had an inkling of what went on, they’d clamor for justice. Human rights’ activists would scream for the rooftops.
More and more HRs are dying and they long for freedom. Surprisingly, a top scientist isn’t happy with the status quo, either.
Tensions are mounting, and things are not as they appear.
Amazon link: https://bit.ly/39y9iOL
Reader comments:
“...This is a thrilling ride…” “...man, it got me good. Best plot twist I’ve read in a book...you’ll love this book!” “Fascinating and amazing!” “...had me on the edge of my seat.”
Interview Questions:
Firefly – gone too soon or overrated?
I loved the movie, but never saw the series. However, it it was anything like the original film (and going on a bit of faith), I’m sure it was gone too soon.
Reboots – a great idea or a lack of creativity?
I’d have to say both, depending on the movie or series. Some are great, while others are utterly disappointing.
What does your family think of your writing?
I work full-time in the mental health field, but hope to someday be able to live off my writing. I’m an extremely private person, and most of my relatives don’t know I write.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written five books and will list them here:
A. On the Wings of Ideas
This is a multi-genre anthology, and I won the publishing contract from Clarendon House when one of my short stories was voted best in the book in which it first appeared. Some of the included stories are:
*****Jakob has survived everything life’s thrown at him, but can he survive his beloved mother’s death bed request?
*****Ralph deteriorates by the day, and Gertrude would do anything to save him, including sneaking into a top-secret facility.
*****Serial killers fascinate Bobby, who’s developed some unusual hobbies of his own. No one knows. No one would even guess.
*****Edwina and her classmates are storming Area 51. For them, it’s an adventure to boast about, but for her, it’s a matter of life and death.
*****Sandy struggles with low self-esteem after an abusive marriage, but a supernatural being gives her a chance for some well-deserved payback.
*****Mei longs for one thing more than life itself, and appeals to a goddess for help.
*****Dahlya wants to help an injured cat, but her father knows he can’t afford to feed it. He can barely keep himself and his daughter fed and housed.
*****Maggie stresses about Joe constantly. If anything happens to her, who’ll take care of him?
*****Sluuge has been trapped for eons, but the Boundary is about to come down.
*****Ruth’s attempt to save a badly damaged rose plant leads to her being unexpectedly transported to a marvelous, magical world.
*****Becky the Blabbermouth delights in trouble-making, but she’s about to learn karma is real.
*****Sylana hides in terror when He appears. Will her invisibility and protection spells work? Is war about to begin?
*****Jenny tries and tries, but can’t write a good story about fairies, and travels to Ireland for inspiration. If only magical creatures were real.
*****Kevin’s discovery shocks him. Could that be—a monster?
b. Worth Waiting For
This romance was published by JayZoMon/Dark Myth Publications after I won second place in their 2020 Open Contract Challenge (a competition in which around one hundred writers competed for cash prizes and publishing contracts.)
It’s never too late for love, and getting older isn’t the end. Sometimes it’s just the beginning.
When Wilfred’s wife died, he was devastated. Their young children were, too. He left his military career and raised them alone, never regretting his choices. Years passed by, and being single was the norm for him. Being single was comfortable.
But Wilfred never dreamed he was lonely — not until Sadie came to his door.
Amazon link: