Nina, why did you write the “Don’t Disappear” trilogy?
I wanted to write this story for many years. I knew the person so well that I always felt her story was a ‘lesson in life’ that needed to be heard.

How long does it take for you to write it?
It depends. Writing the “Don’t Disappear” trilogy in the Russian language took about six months in 2005, but the English version took much more time due to translation, re-writing, and especially editing.

Was “Don’t Disappear” first published in Russia?
Yes. In 2006 a well-established company published Part 1 for the first time. In 2007, the biggest Russian publishing company, ACT (pronounced spelling the letters, not as a word) in Moscow re-published it.

They made a movie from your book, right?
Yes. “Don’t Disappear, Part I” was adapted into a successful, long running TV Mini-Series called, The Ticket to Harem. And, ACT added that name as a sub-title on the front cover of my book when they re-published it.

How successful is your work in English?
I’m still thrilled to think that each book of my Don’t Disappear trilogy has won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. So I'm crossing my fingers that my first humorous fiction, Moscow LTD.com will become successful as well.

 
You change the names of your two leading characters in the Don't Disappear series, why?

In the beginning I had enormous problems with translation and editing. To completely separate the previous versions of the series from the new, I change the names of the two main characters to Margo Ruseena and Zahar Olovsky. You can tell the latest and final publications of each book by the red stripe across the front cover.

Why did you name Part 2 "The Betweenism" and Part 3 "The Dreamality"?
I created "The Betweenism" as a description of Russia between communism and capitalism, or some other "-ism". And I thought "The Dreamality" aptly describes the heroine Margo, aka Bella, because after surviving many issues and harrowing situations, her life’s dreams have perhaps become reality.
  
Nina, do you have another book in the works?
Yes, as a matter of fact. I was planning on further studying English… but postponed it. I wanted to switch from serious to funny, and I just finished a manuscript for a comedy. Plus, I have a tiny part in upcoming movie, A Long Way Off.
 
Are you also an actress?
Oh, that would be splendid! But no such luck. I played a bit part... myself at a book signing event. I signed and gave my book to a star in the movie, Jason Burkey.

Have you had any previous book signing events or future plans for any?

I had 21 book signing events all over America and 18 of them were sell-outs. I’m planning to do more and working to move that up on my priority list. When that happens, the information will be immediately posted on this website, Facebook @NinaGuest, and Twitter @NinaGuest.

Nina, what advice would you give the new generation of authors?

Don’t waste your time. Write what you like to read! Trust yourself and never stop increasing your knowledge. Be persistent in your ideas and write every day for a long time – a habit that you need to build as a writer.