The Shadow is FREE for Cyber Monday. Get it while you can because the deal only last for today only!
~A
I Suck at NaNoWriMo and Here’s Why I Think that’s OK
So, I totally suck at NaNo…I mean, who really has time to write 50K words around Thanksgiving?! Oh, you do? Um, that’s great, but I’m not a superhero!
Have I written this month? Yes! Was it a lot? No! And, you know what? I’m OK with that. I think I’d rather write when I feel inspired than write when I feel like I’m being forced. Sure, I’d love to be one of those people that can post, “2K words today! #amwriting” But, what were those 2K words? In order to meet my word count does that mean I just word vomited all over my screen? What good does that do me? What good does it do my WIP? NOTHING!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that NaNo is a thing. I mean, if you need motivation like that to write, then do it. For me, however, it feels like I’m back at school and my teacher is telling me have an assignment due. I hate writing when someone tells me to. Yeah, I know, I’m a crybaby.
I’ve tried NaNoWriMo every year and every year I fail….so…hard. I’ve just learned that it’s not for me. What does work for me? What works for you?
I honestly think it’s different for me all the time. Maybe my muse has a split personality. There are days I might need peace and absolute quiet. Perhaps, I need a little bit of music the next. Sometimes, I can hash out 2K words, in a day, sitting in front of my computer. Other times, I have to use pen and paper. Well, let’s be honest, it’s a pencil because I make too many mistakes to use a pen!
My point is this, find what works for you. If you fail at NaNo, but end up finishing your novel in January or a year from now, then oh freaking well! I see that as a success! Do you know how hard it is to write a book?!
Does that mean you give up? Um, no! We don’t give up; we’re writers, we finish that book and then second guess everything we wrote. Does that mean you put your novel to the side from time to time? Yes, by all means, do that if you’re not liking where the story is going. For the love of all that is holy, don’t force it. Work on something else. There is no shame in taking more than a month to get through that rough draft.
You just keep writing, sweet pea.
~A
Zombie Queen: Stacy Kingsley talks Zombies!
What better way to end my Halloween Blog Tour (I need to come up with a better name) than with the Zombie Queen herself, Author Stacy Kingsley! I met Stacy at one of the many conventions us local authors frequent here in Alabama. I was able to sit on a panel with her and I was glad that someone else in my state shared my love of the zombie genre. We also had a great discussion of how the modern media has romanticized the classic movie monsters. We won’t get into that in this blog post, but maybe another time. 🙂 Until then, get to know more about Stacy!
Stacy grew up loving the horror genre. When she first saw the movie CUJO she learned that you have to wait because even in those last five minutes something will happen. Stacy loves horror so much she wrote her Master’s thesis on the decline of horror in popular culture and loves to watch every horror movie she can get her hands on, no matter how bad it might be. Her love of zombies stems from her desire to find true monsters, not sparkling vampires, loving werewolves, or ghosts who help you solve cases. Zombies have one thing on their mind, eating people. She loves zombies so much she has done zombie makeup for an ice skating exhibition, played a zombie in a short independent film, done several zombie themed runs and is working on her zombie series. ZOMBIES ARE PEOPLE TOO! is the first book in her “Do Zombies Win?” series. Her second book ZOMBIES BITE! was released 2014, followed by the third book in the series ZOMBIE WASTELAND in 2016. She has several stories available as part of the series and is currently working on ZOMBIMERICA, the last book in her zombie series. She is always willing to discuss horror with other fans, authors and those who just enjoy the genre.
Author Questions
A. When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
S. When I was 9 I wrote my first book. It was about my favorite toy, a stuffed tiger named Jake, as a detective. I never realized I wanted to be an author, I just was one, starting at age 9.
A. In what genre do you write?
S. I mostly write horror, but right now specifically apocalyptic zombie horror. I am trying to figure out what to write next, but I don’t know what scares people anymore.
A. Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
S. Monetarily I would love to be able to write Erotica, just because it does seem to be so lucrative, but if I were going to try something new I’d like to write either YA paranormal or a mystery suspense novel
A. What is your writing process? Such as, outlining, freehand, computer vs paper and pen?
S. I write everything longhand, just me and the paper, at first. Then I type things into the computer, which also takes care of my first round of edits. I often listen to music, usually depending on the character. Still trying to work out where to write, back home (Southern California) there was a great coffee shop near a college, but there doesn’t seem to be a place like that here in Alabama.
A. Who are you writing inspirations, famous or not?
S. I write short chapters because of James Patterson. Every book of his has pretty short chapters, which makes me want to keep reading because I always think, “Well I can just do one more chapter,” and before I know it I am halfway through the book. Also, I have looked up to both Stephen King and Dean Koontz because they have written several great books in the horror genre. Mostly though I like looking at all books for inspiration.
A. Dean Koontz! Yes!
A. How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novel(s)?
S. I do tons of research, mostly on methods of death and murder, which makes me believe that the NSA is totally already watching me. I mean you can only look up the different uses and how to create cyanide so many times before someone is watching you.
A. The author search history is a deep and dangerous place.
A. Do you listen to music while you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
S. I do listen to music, but not a certain type since I let my characters choose what they want to listen to.
A. When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
S. I am also an artist. I paint on both canvases and shoes, I cross stitch bookmarks, I crochet baby clothes and scarves to give as gifts, I sew a little, and well, lots of other stuff. I sell some of this stuff on my Etsy shop Little Bit O Zombie. I also love being outside, being from Southern California means I love, love, love being outdoors, even if it isn’t super sunny.
A. What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
S. The most exciting things have been meeting fans and other zombie lovers, and meeting other amazing authors. I have made so many amazing author friends and have started really feeling like I am part of a community, which for an Indie Author is a very important thing.
A. Yes, the Indie Author community is amazing. We are definitely cheerleaders for each other!
A. Who created your amazing cover art?
S. I did actually. I drew them and played with them in photoshop. The backgrounds for all of my books are infectious viruses like Ebola and the Plague.
A. Is there an artist, book blogger, editor or anyone else that you want to give a shout out to?
S. I’d love to say thanks to my amazing editor Michelle Hylton, and I’d love to thank the writer’s group I am part of here for accepting me, so thanks Writer’s Group at Lowe Mill and thanks to Jennifer Pinkley for starting it!
A. Give us a brief description of your WIP (work in progress) or your newest novel.
S. I am currently working on the last novel in my zombie series titles ZOMBIMERICA. It is about the end of the zombie apocalypse. I didn’t want my series to be one of those that kept going and going and going without a final conclusion (which seems to happen a lot in apocalyptic books as people/survivors rebuild their lives). This last book follows my serial killer named, Marcus, a smart zombie, and a young girl who has almost nothing to lose.
A. This sounds so awesome. I like final resolutions of stories that have been going on for a long time. It’s bittersweet, but I get why it needs to happen.
Halloween Questions
A. This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
S. I enjoy Halloween so much it is ridiculous. I love the scary side of life and celebrating ghosts, black cat, goblins, zombies, mummies, and all the dark side of life fascinates me. Halloween is the one time where I don’t feel like I have to pretend to be someone else and I can rock my weird self out in the open.
A. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
S. The only tradition I have is watching as many scary movies as I can, and buying either candy corn or those pumpkins which are like candy corn. I used to take my nieces and nephew out, and younger siblings, but the kids have grown up.
A. Do you believe in the spiritual realm?
S. Yes, and I have to do a lot of research on this for the books I write. Even though I don’t have ghosts, zombies themselves are supernatural. There are so many people out there who have claimed to experienced something, that it’s hard to say the spiritual realm doesn’t exist.
A. I have to agree with you on that one.
A. Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost or something happen that you just explain?
S. Yes, but that is another story for another day.
A. What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
S. Honestly I can’t say that I have just one. For a long time my favorite book was THE STAND by Stephen King, but then I discovered other authors, and I just don’t have a favorite. This is the same way I feel about movies, I can watch THIRTEEN GHOSTS over and over and over, but it isn’t a great horror film, it’s just fun. Although, SESSION 9 is one of the best horror films I have ever watched. It is scary but not in your face, an excellent movie.
A. The Stand freaked me out. It’s such a good story.
A. Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
S. Candy Corn and those candy pumpkins, I love love love these, and one bag lasts me the entire month.
Reader Questions
A. Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
S. BLACK BEAUTY by Anna Sewell, it is a beautiful book told from the point-of-view of a horse, and it is so heartfelt. This was the first book which made me cry. I loved Ginger so much and wish life could have been different for her.
A. What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
S. I think most books should be left alone, but I would love to see a good movie adaptation of the THE RISING series by Brian Keene. It is a great series of zombie books and I think it would make a great movie series, or even television adaptation, because the characters evolve and the ending was fabulous.
A. As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
S. In these days of anything can be self-published (and I say this as a self-published author) I hate when an author have spelling and grammatical mistakes in their novels. Also. if a book has been overdone (one reason I don’t read a lot of romance is that they often seem the same), I just can’t finish it.
A. If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
S. I almost always try to finish, and there really haven’t been many books I didn’t finish. Although, because I can’t not finish a book I have read several bookS that I really hated.
A. Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
S. I will read anything, as long as it is interesting.
A. Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
S. Oh, I am absolutely a book-in-hand reader. I spend so much time on the computer for my day job and writing that I just feel like reading on an e-reader is just me continuing to be on a computer.
Zombies Are People Too! on Amazon
Random Questions
A. Favorite movie?
S. My favorite movie has been and will always be FIELD OF DREAMS. It was just such a beautiful movie and it said so much about life and family, plus it was one of the first movies to make me cry.
A. What’s your favorite candy/dessert?
S. My favorite dessert is cheesecake, all kinds of cheesecake.
A. What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
S. There are so many bands and musicians, I love, Metallica, Pink Floyd, George Michael, right now Twenty One Pilots has been on a good rotation, Black Keys, there are a lot more, but I don’t think this section alone needs to be twenty pages.
A. Rock on, girl!
A. What’s your hidden talent?
S. I am very handy, I can lay tile, hardwood flooring, laminate, build cabinets, furniture, I love using the miter and table saws, and have gutted and remodeled an entire house with only a little help.
A. Hmm, now I know who to hire to remodel my house!
A. What is your dream vacation?
S. It changes, but right now I have been dying to go to Japan to see the suicide forest and visit the haunted places there. I’d also love to go to Pripyat, Russia and take a tour of the Chernobyl area, well as close as one can get without getting radiation poisoning.
Contact Information:
Author Name: Stacy Kingsley
Blog: www.stacykingsley.com/oh-the-horror
Facebook: www.facebook.com/author.stacy.kingsley
Twitter: twitter.com/StacyKingsleyZH
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/3466767.Stacy_Kingsley
Book Links: www.amazon.com/Stacy-Kingsley/e/B00JEQVR30/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1476901229&sr=8-1
Toni Lesatz: On Being an Award-Winning Blogger, Author, and Her Love/Hate Relationship with Halloween
There was no way I could do this annual post without including Toni. Not only is she a fellow author and blogger, award winning I might add, she’s also my Internet friend. We all have them; that friend you met online and wished they lived next door.
When I was starting out as an Indie Author, Toni one of the first Bloggers to take a chance on reading my book and leaving me a review. That might not sound like a big deal to some, but for a fledging author, it’s big news! Especially when that blog is My Book Addiction.
My Book Addiction started 4 years ago this week! Happy Blog-iversary, Toni! Tired of food blogging, Toni started a book blog and the rest is history. I think it was the right decision considering how many followers she has and winning, not one but two, awards at UtopYA. Just like with anything an artist creates, her blog is her “baby.”
Toni Lesatz is a wife, mother, author, reader, blogger, gamer, coffee addict, and lover of the culinary arts. Her short stories, Ashes to Ashes and Dead World, published in fall 2014. She is currently writing full-length novels to continue both stories, as well as a YA dark fantasy book.
Toni lives in Michigan with her husband, children, and her dogs – Lucy (Chihuahua) and Harley (GSD). If she’s not writing or curled up with a book, you’ll most likely find her playing with her kids, baking cupcakes, or killing zombies.
After Tomorrow Anthology on Goodreads
Author Questions
A. When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
T. I knew I wanted to be an author when I was about twelve years old. I carried a notebook around with me, always jotting down short stories and writing poetry.
A. In what genre do you write?
T. Horror, post-apocalyptic, and paranormal
A. Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
T. Science Fiction, but I’m too afraid I’ll screw it up. Ha!
A. What is your writing process? Such as, outlining, freehand, computer vs paper and pen?
T. My writing process is a mess. 🙂 I’ve tried outlining, and sometimes manage to do it successfully, but I’m more of a just-start-writing kind of girl. I hate writing by hand now, which I wouldn’t have guessed when I first started writing. All of my writing must be done on a computer.
A. Who are your writing inspirations, famous or not?
T. Jonathan Maberry, Melanie Karsak, Claire C. Riley, Colleen Hoover
A. How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novel(s)?
T. Sometimes I don’t do any research. Some stories just pour out effortlessly. I was, however, writing a YA dark fantasy novel that is now gone forever because my computer died and I didn’t back it up. *queue the ugly cry* That book included a great deal of research. More than I’ve ever done for any project. I get a bit weepy whenever I hear about the area my story was set in, or get Facebook notifications from the gallery I handpicked from Google maps. I’d love to write it all over again, but I’m not quite ready to climb that mountain just yet.
A. Oh man, that sucks! I too have lost a good bit of writing due to technology (or maybe it was me) failing. It will make you cry!
A. Do you listen to music while you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
T. I do not listen to music. I write in absolute silence. While I love music and find it very uplifting, it distracts me when I’m writing.
A. When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
T. Spending time with my husband and kids doing just about anything is fun for me. We spend a lot of time at church, and love to spend the day shopping – even if it’s just window shopping.
A. What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
T. The most exciting experience was being published. There’s no feeling more intense than the adrenaline rush mixed with nausea that washes over you in huge waves the night before a release. It may be a tie between that and attending UtopYA in Nashville for the first time and winning two awards for my book review blog.
A. I remember that! You do have an amazing blog so it was well deserved!
A. Who created your amazing cover art?
T. I had nothing to do with the covers for either anthology, but my next cover will be created by Lori Parker at Contagious Covers.
A. I love Lori’s covers! She’s the best!
Halloween Questions
A. This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
T. I love Halloween and hate Halloween. Ha! I love the idea of Halloween, but hate that it’s usually cold and raining here in the Metro Detroit area. It also upsets me that stores sell kids Halloween costumes for $50 each (minimum) for two hours of use, and it’s usually something that’s inappropriate or it’s too cold to wear without a coat over it anyway. But I love baking pumpkin seeds (hate carving pumpkins) and I enjoy handing candy out and checking out the costumes.
A. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
T. Baking pumpkin seeds happens every year at my house.
A. What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
T. The most current movie to scare me was The Conjuring. An older movie that scared me is the first Nightmare on Elm Street.
Books? Wow, there are just too many to start listing them. I love the horror genre, so I spend a lot of time with my nose in horror books.
A. Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
T. Hmm. I don’t know. My daughter’s can’t eat peanuts so, as parents, we have to eat the Reese’s cups and Snickers bars for them. Hehe. I love candy corn, but can only tolerate a handful before nausea sets in.
A. Reese’s rocks! 🙂
Happy Little Horrors Anthology on Amazon
Reader Questions
A. What author would you geek out over if you met them in real life?
T. Jonathan Maberry and Isaac Marion
A. Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
T. I don’t understand the question. Ha! There’s no way I can pick just one book. One book that comes to mind is We are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt. It has nothing to do with horror or Halloween, but it has stuck with me since reading it in 2014. As an author, I wish I could write something like that.
A. What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
T. I would LOVE to see Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming made into a movie. I’d also love to see The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak and Odium by Claire C Riley. Oh, and Donners of the Dead by Karina Halle.
I’ll stop now. So sorry. 🙂
A. As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
T. Sex, for no reason at all. I’m not a fan of adult books, honestly. I love middle grade and YA books. I realize there is sex in YA, but it’s not over-the-top sex just to have sex on a page.
A. I agree! Why does it have to be over the top anyway? *shrugs*
A. If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
T. I used to try to be a trooper, but I have so many books that if I tried to finish every book that didn’t interest me, I wouldn’t only have to leave my TBR list to my children in my will, I’d have to leave it to their children as well. Ain’t nobody got time for that. 😉 Ok, I never say that. I don’t know why that just came out.
A. Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
T. I read a lot of different genres. Horror, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, romance. I have to mix it up now and then or it gets stale.
A. Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
T. I used to be a book-in-my-hands reader, but now if I have the hard copy it sits on my shelf to look pretty next to all of my other books and I will buy the Kindle version to read.
Random Questions
A. Favorite movie?
T. Star Wars (most of them)
A. Favorite TV show?
T. The Walking Dead
A. Love this show. Even when it rips my heart out, I love this show.
A. If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
T. Hummus and garlic paste with fresh, warm pita bread.
A. What’s your favorite dessert?
T. Lemon anything and Crème Brule
A. What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
T. John Mark McMillan, Bethel, Twenty One Pilots
A. What’s your hidden talent?
T. It must be hidden really well. I have no idea. Sleeping for long periods of time? Binge-watching shows on Netflix? Oh, I can paint my nails on both hands without issue!
A. You can paint your nails on both hands without a problem?! Tell me your secret!
A. What is your dream vacation?
T. Anything that doesn’t involve camping! Lol. I’d love to travel to overseas. I’ve never left the states.
Contact Information:
Author Name: Toni Lesatz
Blog: My Book Addiction http://mybookaddiction.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonibookaddict/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Toni_BookAddict
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8936634.Toni_Lesatz
Book Links:
Happy Little Horror: Freak Show – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23381058-happy-little-horrors
After Tomorrow Anthology – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23718387-after-tomorrow-anthology
The Origin Key: Fantasy and Sci-Fi Collide
I’m thrilled to feature another Alabama author on my blog this month. Susan is such a sweet spirit and has always been so kind to me. Sometimes when you meet people you automatically think, “I like her. We’re going to get along just fine.” Believe me when I say those types of people are in short supply.
With that being said, it doesn’t mean she’s too sweet to write a nail-biting fantasy book with a dash of science fiction because she did the thing. Are you intrigued? Good! Keep reading.
Susan McPhail spent years writing technical documentation and developing marketing materials for high-tech engineering firms. She is now a fantasy/science fiction author living in Huntsville, Alabama (aka the Rocket City) with her husband. When she’s not writing or catching the latest movie, Susan enjoys handcrafts like crocheting and quilting because it looks like she’s doing something useful while in fact she is pondering how to work out tricky plot points.
The Origin Key is her first novel, and is the first book in the Treasures of Dodrazeb series. You can find her online at www.sdmcphail.com and on Twitter @susan_mcphail.
Author Questions
A. When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
S. I’ve always been a voracious reader and welcomed opportunities to get creative with words in my work life. A few years ago when I transitioned out of a full-time job, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could write fiction. About halfway into the first draft of my first novel, I realized that I had also always wanted to be an author—I had just not taken the time to acknowledge that passion.
A. In what genre do you write?
S. My first published novel is Treasures of Dodrazeb: The Origin Key. It’s historical fantasy adventure, a heroic quest that I describe as “sword-and-science” because there is an element of sci-fi in it as well.
A. Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
S. I have plans for a humorous cozy mystery series featuring a smart wife/mom/working woman who reluctantly gets drawn into murder investigations. It’s set in a small, rural southern town filled with marvelously eccentric characters.
A.Oooo! This sounds so fun!
A. What is your writing process? Such as, outlining, freehand, computer vs paper and pen?
S. My process tends to be less outline-oriented and more seat-of-the-pants. I start out by jotting down notes about major plot points that turn into a somewhat vague synopsis. Then when I start working on a first draft, I develop new and better ideas as I go, so the story starts to diverge from my original notes. The basic story I had in mind remains the same, but taking my characters from the beginning to the end is a very satisfying creative endeavor.
I’m always jotting down notes about different ideas for different stories, so much of that is done with pen and paper (or notebook or napkin or whatever is handy when an idea strikes). But when I have big chunks of writing time, I like to be on my computer. I can type faster than I can write legibly!
A. Who are you writing inspirations, famous or not?
S. Stephen King has been a favorite author of mine for decades. I don’t like every book he’s ever written, but he is a master story teller. I love J.K. Rowling’s imagination and world-building skills. I was also influenced by lots of science fiction writers from H.G. Wells to Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Ray Bradbury. One of my all-time favorites is Anne McCaffrey’s science fantasy series Dragonriders of Pern.
A. YES! Rowling is an artist!
A. How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novel(s)?
S. Since my series Treasures of Dodrazeb is grounded in real human history, I have to do quite a bit of research. The hero is a third-century Persian warrior-prince, so I’ve done extensive reading about ancient Persia and that region of the world. In addition to historical research, it’s also necessary to get the details right on a hefty amount of science. While on a quest to bring a criminal to justice, the Persian warrior-prince discovers a hidden kingdom using what we consider to be modern technology in everyday life. That means I have to understand their technology and then be able to describe how an ancient warrior would react to it.
A. Do you listen to music while you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
S. No, I’m not usually listening to music while I write—I listen to the TV. It’s an old habit from when I was in school. I would do my homework in the living room with the TV on. Apparently, that works for me just like listening to music works for others.
A. Interesting. I’ve never heard that before.
A. When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
S. What’s more fun than reading? I read a lot. I like going to the movies, too. Touring historical sites is fun. I recently got to tour the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta. Her novel, Gone with the Wind, was an incredibly successful historical novel with vivid, unforgettable characters. I was able to celebrate a love of history, movies, reading, and writing all at once in one afternoon!
A. What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
S. Receiving the first print copy of my first novel was too awesome for words. Being able to hold an actual copy of a book that I had written made it real for me. I wasn’t just an aspiring writer any more—I was a published author!
A. There is no greater feeling!
A. Who created your amazing cover art?
S. I did! We tried working with a cover artist, but he just never could quite capture the look I wanted. So I put my years of marketing experience and working with graphics to good use.
A. That’s awesome. Maybe I’ll be hitting you up for some tips on that. 😉
A. Is there an artist, book blogger, editor or anyone else that you want to give a shout out to?
S. Absolutely! The Rocket City Lit Fest in 2015 was a major catalyst in spurring me to take the final steps and get my first novel published. Thanks to Ashley Chappell-Peeples and A.G. Porter, both wonderful writers themselves, for all your hard work on that event.
I also want to thank my amazing editor Molly Felder. With her help I was able to polish my pretty good story into a true gem of a first novel. I appreciate her patience, eye for detail, and willingness to teach me how to be a better writer.
A. The Lit Fest was amazing! Thanks for the shot out!
A. Give us a brief description of your WIP (work in progress) or your newest novel.
S. Treasures of Dodrazeb: The Origin Key, is a historical sword-and-science fantasy adventure set in the third century. While on a quest to avenge a horrific attack on his father the king, a Persian warrior discovers a strange kingdom isolated from the rest of the world. He thinks the villain is hiding there, but a sly princess is determined to sabotage the Persians to protect her kingdom’s ancient secrets. What is she so desperate to keep hidden?
Halloween Questions
A. This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
S. I do enjoy Halloween. I like seeing children donning costumes and exploring the idea of becoming someone or something else for a little while. I like seeing the older kids and adults freeing themselves of their conventional identities for a time and getting creative. I like the idea of costume parties. Perhaps most of all, I like CHOCOLATE!
A. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
S. I like to watch favorite old spooky movies or fun ones like Hocus Pocus or Nightmare Before Christmas leading up to trick-or-treat night. Then we usually order in pizza and have fun answering the door to shower neighborhood kids with candy on Halloween night.
A. Do you believe in the spiritual realm?
S. Yes.
A. Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost or something happen that you just explain?
S. Yes.
A. What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
S. Donnie Darko. Not necessarily scary, probably because I’ve seen it so many times, but that’s the kind of movie that haunts me.
A. Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
S. Tootsie Rolls. Hershey minis. M&Ms. Milk Duds. Chocolate!
Reader Questions
A. What author would you geek out over if you met them in real life?
J.K. Rowling. She is my idol!
A. Yes! She’s on my list. I would probably faint. Haha!
A. Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
S. It used to be Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land. Reading it as a teenager introduced me to so many questions about so many things, I began to develop the ability to think independently, examining issues from many sides.
If you consider an entire series as a single story, it might now be Harry Potter. That story is just magical in so many ways with layers upon layers of meaning.
A. What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
S. Other than my own book? 😉 I think, if done correctly, any good book can be a good movie if filmmakers respect the source material. The book will always be better, but sometimes it takes a movie to get a person interested in a book. The Harry Potter series was done well as movies and I was also impressed with The Hunger Games films.
A. As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
S. I don’t care too much for whiny, one-dimensional characters.
A. If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
S. When I start a book, I’m usually committed to finishing it. I keep thinking that if I stick with it, the book will eventually get better. This is not always the case.
A. Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
S. My personal preference tends toward speculative fiction, but I’m game for lots of other genres. The one I tend to avoid is Romance, unless there is a strong element of mystery, suspense, humor, horror, or some other kind of genre mash-up.
A. Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
S. I like to acquire autographed books, and there’s something about turning pages and never worrying about battery life that is appealing. But I also read e-books for their convenience, portability, and affordability.
Random Questions
A. Favorite movie?
S. Donnie Darko
A. Favorite TV show?
S. All time: Star Trek (every one of them). Currently: Game of Thrones, Westworld, Big Bang Theory
A. If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
S. That’s a tough one! If I could or if I had to? What keeps popping into my head as I ponder this question is pizza, so I guess that’s my answer.
A. You can’t go wrong with pizza!
A. What’s your favorite candy/dessert?
S. Did I mention chocolate already? Warm brownies with a scoop of ice cream!
A. What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
S. Beatles. Styx. Michael Jackson. Adele. Is my age showing yet?
A. What’s your hidden talent?
S. Sarcasm. No, wait—that one shows up pretty frequently. My hidden talent is appearing confident in public when I’m ready to shrivel up and die inside.
A. I know what you mean!
A. What is your dream vacation?
S. Leisurely touring Great Britain and Ireland, staying in castles that have been converted into 5-star luxury hotels.
Contact Information:
Author Name: S.D. McPhail
Blog: www.sdmcphail.com
Facebook: S.D. McPhail, Author
Twitter: susan_mcphail
Goodreads: S.D. McPhail
Rhiannon Frater: Zombies, Vampires, and Ghosts, Oh My!
Asking Rhiannon Frater to be a part of this Halloween themed Author feature was a no-brainer. Her book, The Living Dead Boy, has stuck with me from the moment I turned that last page. The world(s) and characters she creatures is evidence of her immense talent. I have been a fan of the zombie genre for so long that it’s hard to surprise me, much less, impress me. When a friend (thanks Elyse) suggested this book I went into it with an open mind, but still not expecting much. I was so wrong! The story was fresh and mature despite the young age of the main character. I became an instant fan. There is much more to her writing credits than zombies. What else does she write? You’ll just have to find out!
Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog). She was born and raised in Texas where she currently resides with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes. She’s the co-host of the ZCast, a Z Nation Fan Podcast.
Here are some free books by Rhiannon. Thanks for sharing these with us!
The Tale of the Vampire Bride – http://bit.ly/talevb1
In Darkness We Must Abide- http://bit.ly/RFindarkness1
Author Questions
A. When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
R. From the moment I understood what a book was. So…toddler age? As soon as I learned to talk I was telling stories. As soon as I learned to write, I was writing stories. I was born to do this.
A. In what genre do you write?
R. I write under the umbrella of speculative fiction. I used to classify myself as more of a horror writer, but the genre, as defined now, leans more toward the slasher/gore type stuff. That isn’t my style. I don’t like writing for shock value. I love writing about people facing horrific situations, and fighting back.
So which genre do my books fit into? I’ve had long discussions with readers, and have discovered that they slot my books it different genres. Urban Fantasy, paranormal fantasy, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, science fiction, and even paranormal romance. I honestly think the only series I’ve written that fits paranormal romance is In Darkness We Must Abide, but people interpret the books as they see fit.
So I wave the speculative fiction flag and let readers decide for themselves.
A. Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
R. Well, I used to say science fiction, but I’ve now written a few books that fit into that genre. It is my first love, and I have a soft spot for it. I love writing stories with something otherworldly in the mix. I’m not really interested in genres outside of the ones I’ve already explored. I’ve had requests for erotica and romances, but those are just not my thing.
A. What is your writing process? Such as, outlining, freehand, computer vs paper and pen?
R. I dream a story. I write down the details I remember in Workflowy. I let the idea germinate. When the time is right, I flip on the movie screen in my mind, watch the action, and type it out in yWriter. I don’t outline, I don’t plot. Whenever I hit a snag, I ruminate while playing Guild Wars 2. I try to write every day when working on a book because that’s the best way to keep the story flowing. I now keep Pinterest boards for my works in progress, and I noticed that really helps anchor me solidly to the world of my imagination.
Long, long ago, I wrote by hand, and destroyed my wrists and my basal thumb joints. I can barely write by hand anymore, so I’m strictly an ergonomic keyboard girl.
A. Writing can do a number on your wrists!
A. Who are you writing inspirations, famous or not?
R. The Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Agatha Christie, and Neil Gaiman.
A. How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novel(s)?
R. It depends on the book. If they take place in the modern world and in Texas, it’s pretty easy to just bang that out on the keyboard. The Pretty When She Dies trilogy and As The World Dies trilogy were a lot easier to craft because they both fit that criteria. The Mesmerized was inspired by my honeymoon in Las Vegas, so I kept images of the strip and a map on my screen while writing. The Vampire Bride Dark Rebirth trilogy was a lot more demanding because it takes place in Eastern Europe during the Regency Era. I did probably a year of research before I even started the first book. My husband often helps me with weaponry and tech. Though my science fiction books are pure speculation of the future, I do try to base it off of stuff in development now.
A. Do you listen to music while you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
R. It really depends on the book. For Pretty When She Dies it was a lot of PJ Harvey, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and music like that. For my recent book, The Lament of the Vampire Bride, it was the Jane Eyre soundtrack. It’s always changing, book to book.
A. When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
R. I binge-watch television shows with my hubby, read, play lots of video games, and hang out with loved ones. I was really ill last year and still recovering, so I’ve been a homebody. I do hope to get out more and do some traveling when I’m back to normal. I miss the convention circuit.
A. Conventions are so much fun! I hope you get back to it soon.
A. What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
R. I was invited to the South Dakota Book Festival, and that was just an amazing experience. I was interviewed on television about my books for the first time, sat on some panels, did my own presentation, and did a mass book signing. For some reason, that weekend made me feel like a “real” writer.
A. Who created your amazing cover art?
R. Claudia McKinney of PhatPuppyArt has done a lot of my covers, including the ones from Permuted Press. My Tor covers are done in-house by their art department. My foreign editions are also done by my publishers’ art departments.
Recently, my husband has been creating covers for my indie books.
A. Is there an artist, book blogger, editor or anyone else that you want to give a shout out to?
R. Well, I love Felicia Sullivan. She’s an amazing editor. And Kody Boye always makes my indie books look amazing. He’s an awesome formatter.
A. Give us a brief description of your WIP (work in progress) or your newest novel.
My newest release (as of October 25th) is Lost in Texas: The Living Dead Boy 2. It’s the sequel to The Living Dead Boy. It’s a zombie book geared at all ages. I would describe it as the Goonies versus the zombies. I wrote the first book for the youngest zombie fans, but adults really love it, too. The books are about Josh, a twelve-year-old zombie fanatic, and his friends. They’re part of the Zombie Hunters Club, and love all things zombie. When the undead invade their school, the kids have to rely on their knowledge of zombies to survive. Though the books are not as gory as my adult zombie series (As The World Dies trilogy, The Last Bastion series), they’re pretty scary. I’m currently working on the third book in the Living Dead Boy trilogy, Journey Across Zombie Texas, to round out the series. After that, I may take a break from zombies, and write a gothic horror novel.
A. I’m so pumped for book 2 for The Living Dead Boy!
Halloween Questions
A. This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
R. Halloween is a way of life for me. I love it. I’m Goth so it’s basically Christmas for me. Furthermore, I was married on Halloween so it has additional importance.
A. Married on Halloween!? That’s awesome!
A. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
R. My hubby and I usually go to a nice dinner together, and if it’s on the weekend, we hit the local goth club. If it’s a weekday, we usually watch a Halloween themed movie like The Nightmare Before Christmas.
A. Do you believe in the spiritual realm?
R. Absolutely. I have zero doubts about that.
A. Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost or something happen that you just explain?
R. Yes. More times than I can relate. I lived in two haunted houses. After a while, the paranormal stuff became normal. I remember we had guests over one day and were chatting in our living room. From the kitchen came the sound of every single dish, pan, glass, silverware, etc., falling out of the cabinets. It was deafening. But to my family, it was the same old, same old. We ignored it because we knew if we went into the kitchen nothing would be out of place. Our guests were surprised when we shrugged off the noise. They ignored us when we said it was nothing, and ran to the kitchen. When they saw that not one plate was out of place, they freaked out and fled. And never came back.
We just carried on as usual.
A. That’s freaky!
A. What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
R. I have too many favorite scary movies to pick from, but the scariest book I read was Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. I couldn’t sleep with the lights off for a few days after finishing it.
A. I’ve never read the book, but the 1979 movie really freaked me out!
A. Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
R. I avoid sugar, but I used to love candy corn.
Pretty When She Dies on Amazon
Reader Questions
A. What author would you geek out over if you met them in real life?
R. Anne Rice. Without a doubt.
A. Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
R. Jane Eyre because of Jane Eyre. Jane is just an amazing woman, and one of the first feminist characters I read about. She’s wonderfully complicated and smart. I just adore her.
A. What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
R. I regard films as alternative universes to books. In a way, they’re fan fiction films. The one book I really wanted to see as a film is now in production. That’s The Gunslinger by Stephen King.
A. As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
R. I have a long list. LOL. I really hate when author’s make a woman angry all the time with a chip on her shoulder to make her appear “strong.” No, that just makes her an asshole. I hate when a plot depends on a misunderstanding that would be resolved in a one minute conversation. I also don’t enjoy books that depend on violence for shock value, or use rape of a woman as a plot device so the male character can get revenge.
A. I agree. I don’t think like senseless, unnecessary violence.
A. If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
R. Life is too short. I have learned to walk away. As a writer, I’m aware that a book is not for all readers. Each one has its own audience.
A. Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
R. The books I read for enjoyment have a supernatural or science fiction element. When I research, I cast a wider net.
A. Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
R. Since I wrecked my hands by handwriting my first books in my teens, I use a Kindle. It’s a lot easier to hold. The last time I read a regular book, I was in so much pain I had to buy the Kindle version to finish.
Pretty When She Kills on Amazon
Random Questions
A. Favorite movie?
R. Night of the Living Dead, Aliens, Rear Window, That Touch of Mink, Mad Max Fury Road, and so many more.
A. Favorite TV show?
R. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
A. If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
R. My mom’s spaghetti and meatballs.
A. There’s no cooking like mom’s cooking.
A. What’s your favorite candy/dessert?
R. Chocolate gelato served in Italy. Nothing compares.
A. What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
R. Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and PJ Harvey are default.
A. What’s your hidden talent?
R. I’m a damn good shot with a pistol.
A. What is your dream vacation?
R. Venice in October. I can’t wait to go back.
A. Me too!
Pretty When She Destroys on Amazon
Contact Information:
You can find her online at:
Website: rhiannonfrater.com
Twitter: twitter.com/rhiannonfrater
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rhiannon.frater
Tumblr: http://rhiannonfrater.tumblr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=340109912&trk=spm_pic
Google+: https://plus.google.com/113336058823746385572/posts
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rhiannon-Frater/e/B0027DLFL6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2310121.Rhiannon_Frater
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/
Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com
Lords of Vengeance: Bart Hamilton
I can’t tell you how excited I am to introduce you to Bart Hamilton. I met Bart at the Athens Catfish Literary Festival this past summer. His book covers looked pretty stinking awesome (yes, I judge books by their covers) so I had to walk over and check them out. I was glad I did because not only did I find some really well written YA books, I made a new author friend! It doesn’t hurt that Bart is one of the nicest people on the planet.
Bart’s books, the Lords of Vengeance series, are action/adventure tales for young adults, but they’re those types of books that even adults can enjoy. Personally, I like books that focus on teens who are thrown into dire circumstances and, as the reader, we get to watch how they handle it.
Author Questions
A. When you realize you wanted to be an author?
B. I used to tell stories as a kid. My mom, sister, and I would drive to Decatur every Monday to see my Ma-maw and Pap-Paw and I would be just talking away the whole time. Eventually, my mother was like “You know, you should write this stuff down on paper.” It was a nice way of telling me to shut up. That’s when the seed was planted, I suppose.
A. In what genre do you write?
B. Young adult. Action/Adventure
A. Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
B. I’ve always wanted to try Fantasy or Science Fiction. Maybe one day I will.
A. What is your writing process? Such as outlining, freehand, and computer vs. pen?
B. I don’t do outlines. I feel really restricted when I try them. I like to change plans and if you don’t stick to the outline then there’s no point in having it anyway. I do everything on the computer.
A. Who are your writing inspirations, famous or not?
B. I grew up reading Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, and other Christian Fiction authors.
A. How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novels?
B. A little bit. You always need to get your facts straight before you put it on a page. For instance, I researched the effects of a gunshot on the human body. For this next book, I’m going to be writing a scene about the Stock Exchange so I’m going to do some research on that.
A. Do you ever find the research tedious? It is for your novels, but is there any time you’re like, “Oh gosh, why did I chose this topic?”
B. Some topics are harder to research than others. For instance, one character in my next novel will have cancer resulting from radiation poisoning. That…is going to be a pain to research. So, the answer is yes.
A. Do you listen to music as you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
B. Yes! All the time! I listen to a lot of instrumental music. Movie composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams. Lindsey Stirling. I also love a group call Two Steps from Hell.
A. When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
B. I enjoy playing video games, reading books, and going running. I’m also into Theater. I’m a member of the Athenian Players.
A. You have to tell us more about being an actor. What is about theater that draws you?
B. I’m a bit of introvert and theater gives me a chance to be the exact opposite. When you’re onstage, everyone is there to see you. Shyness melts away and someone else comes out. It’s fun.
A. What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
B. I’ve been on TV multiple times. That never gets old.
A. Who created your amazing cover art?
B. The spectacular Lisa Buijteweg! She is on Twitter under the handle @Zolaiida if you want to contact her.
A. Is there an artist, book blogger, editor or anyone else that you want to give a shout out to?
B. Angie Paule is my editor and I love her so much. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her.
A. Give us a brief description of your WIP (work in progress) or your newest novel.
B. My newest novel is the third of the series. It’s titled “Lords of Vengeance: The Giant”. To use Stephen King’s what if advice when describing a novel…What if a secret, wealthy organization began training kids (prodigies) at 16 years of age for the next five years to be spies, assassins, computer hackers, or scientists? What if that organization came under attack by people it had made into enemies?
A. That’s a really good blurb for your book! Are they easy to write for you? Some authors dread having to condense their novel into a single paragraph.
B. Not hard, really. You just need to stop and think about it for a while. Try doing it for your favorite TV show or Movie for practice.
Lords of Vengeance: The Ascension
Halloween Questions
A. This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
B. –I do like Halloween! It’s the one time of the year where it’s socially acceptable to be someone other than yourself.
A. Do you have any Halloween traditions?
B. For the past few years. I’ve dressed up in a costume, got several bags of candy, and gave it out to people I know. And to a few I don’t.
A. Do you believe in the spiritual realm?
B. Yes, I do. I am a Christian, after all.
A. Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost or something happen that you just can’t explain?
B. I have. After my grandmother passed away, I “dreamed” she came to me. We talked. She told me she loved me and then told me about some personal things that were headed my way. They have come true. It wasn’t scary. I think God gave her special permission to do it. She could sweet talk anyone. LOL.
A. What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
B. Amanda Porter’s Darkness Trilogy. That chick can write!
A. Oh, stop it! 😉
A. Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
B. KIT KATS!
Reader Questions
A. What author would you geek out over if you met them in real life?
B. J.K. Rowling, obviously.
A. SAME!
A. Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
B. Star Wars: Episode III. It was just so brilliantly written. The movie didn’t do it justice. It really inspired me to examine the duality of my characters when I started writing. The darkness that resides in all humans, the capability of doing good or evil, is something that makes for good characterization.
A. Oooo! You must tell us your opinion of the new Star Wars era. Did you enjoy the new movie?
B. I loved the new movie! Took me back to my childhood. I like the new continuity, but I really miss the characters in the old one. Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin were Han and Leia’s kids. Mara Jade was Luke’s wife and Ben was his son. Now it’s all gone…
A. What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
B. I’m all for books being made into films if it gets people to want to read more. As for which book I’d like to see be made into a film…MINE. 😀
A. As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
B. The lack of plot movement and character development. You might as well be reading a textbook if it doesn’t have either of those. Not that there’s anything wrong with reading a textbook.
A. If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
B. I wish I could say that I always finish it, but I don’t. If I’m not enjoying it, I’ll put it down.
A. Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
B. I read around. I like Mysteries, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Christian Fiction.
A. Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
B. I like it in my hands. E-books are easier, true, but they’re odorless. I love the smell of books, old and new. Smell triggers memory and I want to remember what I read.
A. There is nothing better than that new book smell!
Random Questions
A. Favorite movie?
B. Superman. The Richard Donner film.
A. Favorite TV show?
B. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
A. Yes! Buffy Summers is my girl crush!
A. If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
B. Papa John’s Pizza!
A. And what topping(s) would be on this pizza?
B. Supreme! Olives, pepperoni, sausage, and anything else they can throw on there. LOL!
A. What’s your favorite candy/dessert?
B. Chocolate Oreo Truffles!
A. What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
Two Steps from Hell, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Lindsey Stirling, and The Piano Guys.
A. What’s your hidden talent?
B. Martial Arts
A. How long have you been training?
B. Since high school. I’m not saying I’m Batman or anything, but then again, you’ll never see us both in the same place.
A. What is your dream vacation?
B. Venice, Italy
Contact Information:
Author Name: Bart H. Hamilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbart/?fref=ts
Twitter: @bartavious
T.K. Bradley Talks About Her Debut Novel, Shade (Shade Chronicles)
I’m really excited to introduce you to author T.K. Bradley, my first author interview for this month! If you read my previous post then you know that I’ll be featuring authors throughout the rest of October. I met T.K. through a mutual friend and while we’ve never met in person (you know, that Canada/America distance thing) I found that we have a lot in common. For one thing, we have great taste in friends, great taste in zombie shows, and we both love to write!
There isn’t much to be said about T.K. Bradley. She lives north of The Wall, in the great white expanse of Canada, with her husband and two children. She has a variety of pets, all with ridiculous names that only children can be blamed for.
Shade is her first publication, so please excuse her stumbling. Even authors must learn to walk before they can run.
T.K. is the author of Shade (Shade Chronicles Book 1), a Post Apocalyptic/Sci-Fi Thriller.
Lakes evaporate. Plants die. Skin blisters. All from a sun that now burns too hot.
If James hadn’t made his wife a promise to stay alive at all costs, he would have given up long ago. All he has in life is a small group of survivors, and his little sliver of shade. But there are worse things to fear than the light. In order to survive in this cruel world, James will have to live by two rules.
Hide from the light. Fear the night.
Author Questions
When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
My earliest story was a Cinderella retelling, fully illustrated of course. I was probably around 9 or 10? While my artistic skills left something to be desired, the editing was atrocious, and it was essentially plagiarized from my favorite book, my mother told me it was the best book she had ever read. It’s amazing how a little bit of positive reinforcement can drive a person to do even the most impossible things.
In what genre do you write?
Though my reading tends to be eclectic, my writing tends to lean towards science-fiction, fantasy, and horror. I love writing scenes that get the heart pumping and the imagination turning!
Is there a genre you haven’t written in, but want to?
I have a confession to make… I have a soft spot for angsty romance. Love triangles, forbidden romance, star-crossed lovers; I want it all! I’ve never felt brave enough to attempt putting that kind of angst into my stories yet, because I’m terrified that I won’t get it just right. One day maybe…
What is your writing process? Such as, outlining, freehand, computer vs paper and pen?
All of the above? I haven’t had any particular writing method win out over the others yet. They seem to be in a bit of a cage-match at the moment. Recently, I’ve tried dictating my story, but there’s one major flaw; there’s no backspace key, no delete, AND typos! The OCD in me is slowly being driven crazy, one homophone at a time.
Who are you writing inspirations, famous or not?
I hope this doesn’t sound pretentious, but I don’t know that I could pinpoint just one or two authors and say, “Them! They made me who I am today!” Whenever I read a book that resonates with me, I try to hold a part of it inside, for as long as humanly possible. Then, when I’m trying to write a scene, I think about what kind of emotion I’m aiming for, and delve into my “previous-reads” file.
How much research, if any, did you have to put into your novel(s)?
A lot of my stories are post-apocalyptic or alternate realities, so research is difficult to do. I do spend a lot of time looking at maps and finding the right geographical locations. I use my family vacations as fact-finding missions… does that mean I can write them off as a business expense? 😉
Do you listen to music while you write or edit? If so, who do you listen to?
Absolutely not! Total silence, please! It is one of the major barriers I run into while writing. I try to encase myself within a soundproof bubble, that seems to be largely invisible to my children. Writing outside of the house is similarly distracting. I get my best writing done after everyone has gone to bed. It’s a good thing that I need fewer hours of sleep than the average human. I’m able to run off anxiety and caffeine.
When you’re not being an amazing author and writing away, what do you for fun?
Netflix and chill. Coffee and book. Couch and nap. These are the real-world power couples.
What has been the most exciting experience for you since starting your writing career?
If I’m being honest, I would say being interviewed is right up there! My professional writing career has just begun, so every step I’ve taken has been a first. Everything is shiny and new! The best experience so far, though, was probably when my parents surprised me with a box full of paperbacks. My first story was so short that I hadn’t planned on getting any printed, but they went all ninja, and enlisted my best friend’s help to plan the best surprise ever.
Who created your amazing cover art?
Ooh! I love that you asked this! My cover art was done by Lori Parker at Contagious Covers. She had asked me what I was looking for, and she suffered through my vague descriptions. She came out with the most eye-catching piece of art I ever could have hoped for! She’s a magician!
Is there an artist, book blogger, editor or anyone else that you want to give a shout out to?
As a hard-core introvert, I’ve found it incredibly hard to break out of my shell. There have been members of the book community, however, who just won’t let me hermit. Toni, over at My Book Addiction, has been so great with her support. Erin Hayes, an amazing author in her own right, has also given me gentle nudges towards human interaction. Lori Parker, author/cover artist/best friend in the world, has been more aggressive with her help, and I literally wouldn’t have published my first book without her.
Also, a huge thank you to every single reader who has given my story a shot! I know it’s a little scary to try a new author, so I genuinely appreciate every page-turn.
Give us a brief description of your WIP (work in progress) or your newest novel.
I’m currently writing Prey, the next story in the Shade Chronicles. It takes place before Shade, telling the story of a young teenage girl, who has lived in an enclosed compound for over a decade. When she finally sets foot outside, with her father and brother, she finds that the world as she knew it is dead. The sun is hot enough to blister skin and bleach the earth, but there is something even more dangerous at night.
Halloween Questions
This is a Halloween blog post so you must tell us, do you enjoy Halloween? Why or why not?
I like Halloween, in theory… but I’m also ridiculously lazy about it. I take my kids trick-or-treating, and I’ll even throw on some face-paint. That’s the extent of my effort.
Do you have any Halloween traditions?
Since we’re out most of the evening with the kids, by the time we get home we only have a handful of people come to our house. Those few, those lucky few, get a stupid amount of candy. It is my goal to have zero candy left at the end of the night, but we also don’t want to run out. It’s a bit of a game.
Do you believe in the spiritual realm?
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Yes? I definitely believe that there is more to this world that what we can see or explain. I’m not ruling anything out, just in case. You can be sure that if there is a spiritual realm, I’m going to be rocking it!
Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost or something happen that you just can’t explain?
I’ve heard plenty of stories, but I only have one thing that has happened (though more than once) that I guess could be called second-sight. Once, it narrowly avoided a car crash, so I’ll gladly take that kind of phenomenon!
What is your favorite scary movie and/or book?
I can’t say that there are many books that have scared my pants off, but movies are a different story entirely. I’m a “watch with the lights on” kind of girl. I may have paused The Ring a few times to catch my breath, and I had to keep my eyes closed when I was watching Blair Witch because I got motion-sickness (although I think that made it scarier, since I had no idea what was going on). I really love cheesy gore, though! Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic go-to. I also giggle uncontrollably when watching The Walking Dead. Love it!
Most importantly, what is your favorite Halloween candy?
Anything with sugar. Although, I swear my kids’ candy tastes better than mine. I’d better test it.
Reader Questions
What author would you geek out over if you met them in real life?
I am an awful fangirl. I mean, I’m really not good at it. I tend to get awkward, and sweat uncontrollably. The author I was most excited to meet was Julie Kagawa, and I was so happy to find that she was really down-to-earth.
You mean… authors are just like regular people?
Hands down, what is your favorite book of all time and why?
My favorite book is probably The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham. We’re talking old-school, here. Written in 1951, it has largely fallen out of popularity (imagine that), but I will gladly read that book a dozen times more.
What book would you like to see in film or do you believe that books should be left alone?
I’m all for film adaptations, especially for books I will never read. No offense to Nicholas Sparks, but I’m not a fan of his books. His movies, however, are angsty-romance gold!
As a reader, what about a book turns you away?
Cliches are a book’s instant death, in my opinion.
If you find you can’t get into a book, do you put it down or be a trooper and finish it?
Super good question! I used to stick it out, push through to the end. But then I realized something; life is short and I’m wasting my time! It seems ridiculous to look at your life and mourn the loss of time because you won’t get all the books read. On the other hand, if that’s all you regret, it’s a life well-lived.
Do you stick to one genre or do you like to read around?
I definitely read a full-genre spectrum, though I sometimes do it in bursts. I read only mystery books for about three years straight, and actually toyed with the idea of writing a mystery novel. Then one day, I woke up and realized that I was exhausted by mystery novels. I quit, cold turkey. I actually haven’t picked one up in over five years. Right now I’m reading contemp romance, science fiction, and a lot of dystopian.
Are you a book-in-your-hands reader, e-booker, or both?
Both, but if I can get my hands on a physical book, I prefer having something tangible. They just take up so much space! I’m at the point of over-stuffed bookshelves spilling out onto the floor.
Random Questions
Favorite movie?
Princess Bride
Favorite TV show?
Depends on what I’m binge watching at that moment. Let’s go with Penny Dreadful.
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Does dessert count as a dish?
What’s your favorite candy/dessert?
Those cheap chocolate bars they sell at the grocery checkouts. I just can’t seem to say no.
What band or musician can you listen to over and over again? You can list more than one.
I’ve been a Beatles fan since I was seven, and I’m so proud of my younger self for having such good taste.
What’s your hidden talent?
It wouldn’t be hidden if I told you…
What is your dream vacation?
Hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand. Now I just need someone to bankroll that vacation.
Contact Information:
Author Name: T.K. Bradley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TK-Bradley-335823076763695/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15224205.T_K_Bradley
Book Links: http://a.co/2ufVaNc
Upcoming Author Interviews
Hey guys! Just like last year I will be featuring authors for the rest of October. Some of them write Horror novels and others write Fantasy. There is going to be a little bit of something for everyone.
My first author interview will be the lovely T.K. Bradley. So, stay tuned for upcoming blog posts.
If you’re interested in being interviewed then please email me at: a.g.porter1@gmail.com
See you soon!
~A
The Redeemed Cover Reveal
***COVER REVEAL***
I can’t tell you how excited I am to show you all the cover for The Redeemed! This is probably my favorite so far. Thank you Lori for “seeing” my vision and creating this beautiful piece of art. Make sure you check out Contagious Covers here:https://www.facebook.com/ContagiousCoverDesign/?fref=ts
Another reveal, the release date for The Redeemed is April 29th! I’ll post a pre-order link as soon as I can. Until then, enjoy this lovely cover!
Nightmares. The oncoming war. More Gifted emerge and not all of them are on her side. Secrets about her father are revealed. Who are The Children of The Light?
Will Rayna be able to resist the powers of The Shadow with Jayce’s help? She had planned to face down her demons with Liam by her side, but now that he’s lost his soul, is he really lost to her forever?
Question after question, obstacle after obstacle present themselves in the last installment of The Darkness Trilogy. It’s coming to an end – the battle, the war. The only question Rayna Stone wants answered is whether or not she and her friends make it out alive.
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A.G. Porter 