Archive for Author Interviews
Ginger Nuts of Horror Interviews Iain Mckinnon
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Ginger Nuts of Horror is currently carrying an interview with Iain Mckinnon, helping to promote his first novel, Domain of The Dead, about a devastating infection taking hold, an infection that turns people into flesh eating zombies. Mckinnon wants to make it clear it’s not a horror novel and he is not a horror writer. It’s a science fiction novel.
Asked about the impact his dyslexia has had on his writing, Mckinnon says, “A tremendous impact. I’m told reading my books are like watching a film. I give the reader a very vivid scene in a minimum amount of description. I think that has a lot to do with my dyslexic brain, getting from A-B as efficiently as possible. I also think my dyslexia is an advantage when planning a novel. Dyslexics have better spatial acuity than most people, we visualise things better and can plan in three dimensions so I think it all helps.
“So I do think my unique writing style is a direct result of my dyslexia.
“The problem comes when an editor tries to polish up my writing. Although I consciously understand the difference between things like there and their I don’t communicate in that level of detail. I write the word as I would say it, some times it’s there sometimes it’s their. In my mind they sound the same, they are same and I use both seemingly at random. The same’s true with all homophones. My proof readers and editors have a very hard time of it and there are a few that have slipped through into print. But I’m not too fussed about that as long as it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the read.”
You can catch the interview in its entirety here: Iain Mckinnon
An Interview With Joan De la Haye
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Author Poppet is currently running an interview with Joan De la Haye, author of Shadows, a horror story that was inspired by a dream.
In response to a question about what drew her to horror, De la Haye says. “Actually when I was growing up I never thought I’d be a horror writer. I always thought I’d write thrillers or some great literary piece of fiction, but then I started working on Shadows and other writers suggested I start reading some Stephen King. Yes, I only discovered horror and Stephen King in my mid-twenties. Shocking, I know. I found a copy of Misery in a second hand book store and never looked back. I’m busy working on a thriller at the moment, and as much as I love reading that genre, I’ve realised that I’m a horror girl through and through.”
Description of Shadows: Sarah is forced to the edge of sanity by the ghosts of her family’s past. Suffering from violent and bloody hallucinations, she seeks the help of psychiatrist and friend, Michael Brink. After being sent to an institution in a catatonic state covered in blood – from stabbing her unfaithful boyfriend – Sarah is forced to confront the truth about her father’s death and the demon, Jack, who caused her father’s suicide and is now the reason for her horrific hallucinations. Unlike her father, Sarah refuses to kill herself. She bargains for her life and succeeds. In Sarah’s struggle to regain her life and her sanity, she discovers more things to the world than she could ever have imagined and leaves her seeking the answer to the nagging question, “Who is really mad?”
You can read the interview in its entirety here: Joan De la Haye
John Everson Interview
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There’s a nice interview with John Everson currently running on the Author J.E. Taylor Blog.
In response to a question about writing horror, Everson says, “I grew up a voracious reader, and was always really skilled with words. My love of reading definitely set my course for life, I think. I loved the way my favorite writers could tell a story and absolutely suck you into it so deep that your own world disappeared. And I wanted to be able to do that to other people! In school, I could “essay test” my way out of anything. I knew that somehow my future career had to be in writing and I worked as soon as I could on my high school, college and community newspapers. I earned a journalism degree in college from the University of Illinois and did a lot of basic reporting for newspapers and magazines as well as feature interviews with stars like Jay Leno and Gwen Stefani. It was clear early on that enjoyed doing those fun pieces a lot more than the news stuff. I just wasn’t cut out to be an investigative reporter – I was more interested in creative writing. I started placing short fiction in various small magazines in my 20s, and ten years later, my first novel, Covenant, was released from Delirium Books. Four years after that, it was picked up and released in mass market paperback by Leisure Books, along with the sequel, Sacrifice. Along the way, I also had three short fiction collections published – Cage of Bones & Other Deadly Obsessions, Vigilantes of Love and Needles & Sins.”
You can catch the interview in its entirety here: John Everson
Kindle Author Interviews Joel Arnold
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Kindle Author is currently running an interview with Joel Arnold about his novel Northwoods Deep, the horror genre, and self-publishing on Kindle.
Joel Arnold lives in Savage, Minnesota with his wife and two kids. His writing has appeared in over five-dozen publications, ranging from Weird Tales and Chizine to Amercian Road Magazine and Gothic.net. Many of his short stories are available as free podcasts at Pseudopod.org. He was recently awarded a 2010 Minnesota Artist Initiative Grant.
In response to a question about the scariest book he’s ever read, Arnold says, “Probably Stephen King’s Pet Semetary. Just the thought of bringing back your child from the dead, but then to realize they basically have no soul left … as a parent, that’s really creepy! One of my favorite novels, The Lord of the Flies, by Golding, also scared me as a teenager, in that these kids, left to their own devices, became so savage.”
You can read the interview in its entirety here: Joel Arnold
An Interview With Wayne Simmons
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Crime Scene NI is currently running an interview with Wayne Simmons.
Belfast born, Simmons has scribbled reviews and interviews for various zines. His debut horror novel, Drop Dead Gorgeous, through Permuted Press, was well received by both fans and reviewers. In April 2010, the rights to Drop Dead Gorgeous reverted back to Simmons and an extended version will be released through Snowbooks in 2011. In addition, Simmons saw the release of his zombie apocalyptic horror novel, Flu, through Snowbooks in April 2010.
In response to an inquiry about his advice for writers trying to break into genre fiction, he says, “Self-promotion is key. Get out to genre conventions and onto genre message boards and get the word out on who you are and what you’re about. Talk to people in the industry – you’ll find most folks are very approachable via Facebook etc. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Oh, and my golden rule is to keep your feet on the ground – remember that no matter what success you enjoy as a writer in the genre (whatever genre(s) you decide to write within), you’re a fan first and foremost.”
You can read the interview in its entirety here: Wayne Simmons
Spotlight on Joel A. Sutherland
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Renee Miller has an interview with Joel S. Sutherland currently running in the Toronto Publishing Examiner. Canadian author Joel A. Sutherland is a librarian who lives east of Toronto, Ontario. Frozen Blood, due out in late October from Leisure Books in a mass market edition, is his first novel.
Description: As Tara Stewart drives through the dark, winter night, from Charlotte to Ottawa, she’s haunted by ghosts from her past. Summoned to her abusive father’s funeral, she hasn’t been home, or spoken to her family, in years. The last place she wants to be is in the company of her vindictive twin sister, Evelyn, and her brother-in-law, Peter. The hail begins to fall. Thanks to treacherous road conditions, she barely makes it to her destination. Upon arriving, she falls on the icy driveway, slamming her knee into concrete and compact snow. Evelyn and Peter pull her inside, just as she is losing consciousness.
Outside, the hailstorm still rages. Reports on the news suggest it’s a worldwide phenomenon. Globally, resulting damage and death is reaching catastrophic levels. Now a prisoner in her father’s old mansion, stuck with her estranged twin and brother-in-law, Tara must try to survive the worst storm in modern history. She soon discovers the storm is not her only enemy. Her family – and the house itself – seem intent on her destruction. Can she survive the undying hailstorm, and whispered threats from her ghosts, who swear the end is near?
In response to a question about tips for new writers, Sutherland says, “Read, write, submit. Repeat. Simple as that. But I also can’t stress the value of networking enough. Not only social networking, either, but the good old fashioned kind, too. You know, actually leaving your home from time to time to meet with other writers, publishers and editors. Find a writing group in your neck of the woods and if one doesn’t exist, start one yourself. Go to every convention, workshop and literary gathering you possibly can. Don’t be shy. Writing is such a lonely pursuit but making friends and contacts that are in the same boat can be exceptionally helpful.”
You can read the interview in its entirety here: Joel S. Sutherland
