Author Jon Michael Kelley

For this author spotlight, I have an awesome friend from my homeland. He's a gentlemen, a brilliant scribe, and one heck of an author. His very talented daughter, Brandy Kelley, even did the artwork for his latest novel (as a father of a little girl this tickles me to no end). For a great new voice in horror, I give you, Jon Michael Kelley.


JON'S INTERVIEW:

Hi, Dale! Thanks for having me!

What inspired me to write?

Funny story, really...

My humble beginnings can be traced back twenty years to a small music publisher in New York City, DSM Producers. More a music "library" really. Their bread and butter was supplying background music for late night talk shows, stuff like that, but they managed a few up-and-coming artists, as well.

You see, I was going to be the next Bernie Taupin to someone's Elton John. Anyway, I sent them a song portfolio and they signed me, and soon after had me collaborating with an in-house musician. One day, I was on the phone to my producer and she asked me if I did any "literary" writing. I lied, and said that I wrote short stories. "Well, send me one. I'm right here on 'Publisher's Row', and would love to shop it for you!" After my palm print faded from my forehead, I quickly set to work on my first short story. That effort eventually found me in the "Featured Author" spotlight (no thanks to my producer, bless her kind heart) in a strikingly obscure magazine called Heart Attack. I've been writing ever since.

Obviously, my dreams of gracing the inside linings of album covers and hanging out backstage with a bunch of stoned, short-skirted groupies never materialized. And that's probably for the best.


Why horror?

My imagination abhors a leash. I very much appreciate a venue devoid of boundaries, and try not to piss in the same redundant spots. I just don't want anyone following behind me with a plastic bag.


What author's inspire me?

Lucious Shepard, Arthur Machen, Robert E. Howard, Thomas Ligotti... Especially Ligotti. Man's a fucking genius. So is Peter Straub. Oh, don't get me wrong. I've also read and absolutely loved just about everything Messers King and Koontz have published. I just have an affinity for the former named.

　
What inspired me to write Seraphim?

Oh, I remember it clearly: I was walking through Dillard's Department Store one sunny afternoon, and bumped into an assorted display of silver picture frames on a aisle table. My very pregnant wife was with me, and I noticed a remarkably pretty young female staring back at me from one of those frames (such things are always graced with exceptionally nice looking individuals or families, as if we all can relate, having the same good fortune). Anyway, it suddenly struck me: what if I were to buy this frame, take it home and forget about it; then, ten years later, run across it in a box of forgotten paraphernalia -- and find that the adolescent in the prop photo is the spitting image of my now ten-year-old daughter?

I just ran with it from there.


Future endeavors?

I'm presently concentrating on a most ambitious collection of short stories, each one related to the other, yet individual enough to stand alone should I feel the need to parcel it out. Which, I admit, I've already begun doing. One is forthcoming in Tales of Terror and Mayhem from Deep within the Box (Evil Jester Press), another already having seen print in Storylandia Magazine, and yet another to be released this coming November in Chiral Mad (Written Backwards Press).

Again, thanks so much for having me! It's been a real pleasure, Dale!

(looking around). You gotta a pretty nice place here. Real nice.

Jon's very talented daughter, Brandy Kelley,
Is the amazing artist!

Duncan McNeil is staring mistrustfully at a photograph of his daughter, Amy. She appears to be at or near her present age of ten, but the studio's dated stamp on the back indicates that the photo was taken nearly a year before her birth. More alarming, however, is the beautiful woman standing beside Amy, a woman with whom he had an affair in the periphery of his new marriage, during the time when Amy was conceived. And the fact that this photograph has been in his wife's possession for more than a decade is perhaps the most disturbing element of all.

Duncan's wife Rachel doesn't know about his affair with this woman, but he will soon tell her. And upon that revelation, they will begin a journey that will take them clear across the continent, from California to Massachusetts, then ultimately into the boundless, uncharted territory of the human collective. There, a devil is waiting; the penultimate personification of evil. And he goes by the name of Mr. Gamble.

BUY A COPY HERE!

Advance Praise for Seraphim

"Apocalyptic in the truest sense of the word, Jon Michael Kelley's Seraphim is a stunning thriller with the very fate of the world at stake. Beautifully written, with prose as lush as it is chilling, Kelley is part poet, part prophet, but a true master of fear, through and through. This is top notch stuff of highest caliber!"

~Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Flesh Eaters and Inheritance

"Seraphim is a beautifully wrought tale of angels and demons that starts out strong and just gets better and better. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Jon Michael Kelley proves to be a mature, intelligent new voice in horror right out of the gate."

~Craig Saunders, author of The Love of the Dead and A Stranger's Grave

"Written with the finesse of a pro, Seraphim is one hell of a frightening horror novel. With bits of dark fantasy and humor mixed in, this one has it all! Hard to believe this is Jon Michael Kelley's first novel."

~David Bernstein, author of Amongst the Dead and Tears of No Return

Jon's Bio

My fiction has appeared in various zines and anthologies, such as HEART ATTACK, HELIOCENTRIC NET, CROSSROADS, GATHERING DARKNESS, England's FICTION FURNACE, REDCAT, NEXT PHASE, BAD GUYS FINISH FIRST, YEAR 1: A TIME OF CHANGE, NIGHT TERRORS, DRAGON DREAMING, MINDMARES, DREAD, Canada's HORIZONS SCIENCE FICTION, BEST OF MILLENNIUM SCI FI & FANTASY MAGAZINE, CALLIOPE, BLACK PETALS, MAD SCIENTIST, NEW GENRE II, WIRED HARD III, TIME CAPSULE, EVIL IN FLIGHT, TALES OF SALT AND SORROW, WEIRD CITY I, IT LIVES!, SPIRIT LEGENDS: OF GHOSTS AND GODS, ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS, MONSTER BEHIND THE MASK, MIDNIGHT TRAIN, FATHER GRIM'S STORYBOOK, TALES OF TERROR AND MAYHEM FROM DEEP WITHIN THE BOX, CHIRAL MAD...and more.

　Jon's Facebook Profile

The Quarry, by Mark Allan Gunnells

Mark is another wonderfully talented author from Evil Jester Press. I love his wit and his skill as an author. You won't find a picture of his face on this post because he believes in letting the writing speak for itself. And with Mark it clearly does. With everything going on I have been a little behind on my book reviews, but here shortly I will be review his book, THE QUARRY, and today, Mark is here to talk a little about this amazing novel.

THE INTERVIEW:

Welcome to my blog, Mark! What inspired you to write The Quarry?

I have a deep affinity for college campus horror stories, and Limestone College where my novel is set is a real place, my alma mater in fact. I loved the idea of setting a novel on the campus, and the actual idea for THE QUARRY came from doing research on the history of the school, discovering some of the things I thought to be true were in fact urban legend. Everything sprang from there.


Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Well, I won’t say that I was born with a pen in my hand or anything, but I did discover a love of storytelling at an early age. Probably wrote my first stories around the age of 10, really became serious about it in high school.


What made you decide to write horror?

There is just a limitlessness to horror that appeals to me. An anything goes, no rules kind of freedom that is rather exhilarating. I do step outside the genre from time to time, but horror is my first love, my true passion, and I can’t imagine a time I’d ever leave the genre.


Who inspires you as a person and an author?

As a person, my mother inspires me. Maybe a cliché answer, but I see how hard she has worked all her life, how much she has sacrificed for her children, and I am in awe. As an author, the writers I truly admire are the ones that are both talented and also remain gentlemen. Trust me, I’ve met authors with big egos that can be nasty and rude (and no, I won’t name names), but there are some writers that are so generous and encouraging that it really warms an upstart’s heart. Writers like James Newman, Brian Knight, John R. Little, Gene O’Neill. Also veterans like Lansdale and King inspire me because despite all the books and fans, I still get a sense from them that they are still writing for the sheer love of it.


I heard something about a new book on the way from Evil Jester Press, mind sharing a little about it?

Evil Jester just accepted my short novel THE SUMMER OF WINTERS. The story takes place in my hometown in the summer of 1983, a coming of age tale dealing with a young boy named Mike who suspects he knows who was behind the brutal assault and murder of a little girl in town. With no proof he spends that summer trying to figure out what to do and how to ensure no one else gets hurt. It is due out sometime in the early part of 2013.


It was great having you here, and I look forward to reading more of your work!

THE COLLEGE...Peaceful and idyllic, bordering picturesque Lake Limestone, known locally as the Quarry. Until DALE awakens an ancient evil lurking deep beneath the waters. Becomes one with it. And EMILIO loses his best friend and wants to know why. An obsession that will unravel the terrifying secrets of...THE QUARRY...

BUY HERE!

“THE QUARRY will wrap you by the throat, and slowly pull you into the madness below. Mark has a way of bringing supernatural evil down to reality. Reading THE QUARRY, you fall in love with his characters, only to fear when the Big-Bad comes for them.

As a busy writer myself, and avid blogger, it took me a bit to finish this masterpiece. THE QUARRY is well written from page one, to the last. This is not a tale to read lightly. Like the quarry itself, this story runs deep. And the ending was perfect! No spoilers here, just that it couldn't have been any better.

I have a PDF and Kindle copy, but plan to buy a print copy here soon. This is a tale that belongs on the book self next to the masters.” ~Dale Eldon, author of the soon to be released, Smell of the Dead

“Mark Gunnells is ready to thrill fans once again with his tale of ancient evil, The Quarry. Once this beast of a book gets its hooks in you, it won’t let go. Gunnells’ voice is stronger than ever and instantly recognizable as his own—the first sign of a truly great writer. Count me in as a big fan, already looking forward to the next one!” ~James Newman, author of Midnight Rain, People are Strange, and Animosity

“Mark Allan Gunnells is one of my favorite new authors, and The Quarry is a terrific first novel. It has a great premise, wonderful characters, and the plot carries you along effortlessly. I highly recommend it.” ~John R. Little, author of The Memory Tree and The Gray Zone

Mark's Bio:

Mark Allan Gunnells has been writing since he was 10 years old. His first book, A LAYMON KIND OF NIGHT, was published by Sideshow Press in 2009. Since then he has put out three more books with Sideshow: the two-novella WHISONANT/CREATURES OF THE LIGHT combo, a short story collection entitled TALES FROM THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT VOL. I, and the Halloween themed DARK TREATS. He also has put out the novella ASYLUM with The Zombie Feed, and a digital collection entitled GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC with Bad Moon Books. He recently released his first published novel, THE QUARRY, with Evil Jester Press, which was soon followed by the novel SEQUEL from Gallow’s Press. He still lives in his hometown of Gaffney, SC.


Also from Mark Allan Gunnells:

In the early ‘90s, the low-budget slasher CLASS OF ’93 is released to scathing reviews and fan indifference. Its cast of young and up-and-coming actors and actresses, hopeful for a hit, watch their “big breaks” fizzle. Although the movie seems destined to be forgotten, it soon gains a cult following through late night screenings and VHS rentals. When hip director wunderkind, Taryn Quint, announces her plans to make a sequel to the picture, the original cast and crew is contacted to reprise their roles.

With a larger budget, a marquee director at the helm, and a pop princess in the cast, expectations are high. Struggling actor, Mace Hunter, sees the movie as a do-over…a chance to once again make his mark in the industry and to forget the painful lessons he learned at the hand of the first film’s director. But not everyone is happy about the new movie. It isn’t long before Taryn receives threatening messages urging her to abandon the film. And then the murders begin. As the cast and crew are butchered one-by-one, the survivors try to stay alive long enough to discover who would kill to stop the SEQUEL.

BUY HERE!

For those of you who missed it,my pal and author, William Cook is hosting a give-a-away of his novel, BLOOD RELATED, until this Sunday. The contest originally posted here. Here are the guidlines, you only have to do one to enter, but each one of these you do gets you an extra point:

• Tweet this post and tag me
• Follow me @daleeldon or William @williamcook666 on Twitter
• Share on Facebook, and tag me, Dale Eldon, so I can see the post
• Comment on this post on blogger
• Follow my blog

And if you don't have an ereader, Amazon has a Kinlde PC app that's free to download and use. Also, Barnes and Noble has a free Nook app.


KINDLE

NOOK

Author, David Bernstein

Young and alone against the living dead.

Riley has lived alone with her dad in an isolated cabin in New York State for as long as she can remember. It’s just safer. Her dad’s told her about the time before the zombies, but she can only imagine it. Instead of playing with friends, Riley became a crack shot with a rifle. And she’ll need that skill now that her dad’s been bitten.

She’ll be forced to leave the cabin and fight off zombies all on her own. She’s twelve years old. There’s a lot she’ll have to learn about the world she’s never really been part of. She already knows how to kill zombies. But now she’ll learn just how dangerous the living can be too.

"David Bernstein is a real craftsman, and one of the most thrilling voices to come along in a decade. He's who you should be reading now."

—Joe McKinney, author of Flesh Eaters and Apocalypse of the Dead

“David Bernstein is a rare kind of writer who really delivers the goods when it comes to horror. He'll be burning up the best seller lists soon. Count on it.”

—Eric S Brown, author of A Pack of Wolves

"David Bernstein's work resonates off the page, unforgettable in its elegant delivery, a ripple effect no doubt translating to ever bigger and vaster audiences as he continues to terrify -- and impress!"

—Gregory L. Norris, author of The Q Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Fierce and Unforgiving Muse

THE INTERVIEW:

What inspired you to write, Amongst The Dead?

Actually, Amongst the Dead, started out as a short story. The prologue is the original story. I wrote it for an anthology that never panned out. I wanted to write a zombie story with feeling. After writing the short, I wanted to know what would happen to the twelve-year old girl. She is left alone in the woods with no family or friends. Could she survive in a desolate world not only filled with undead, but with the lawlessness that is about. What will she do? How will she survive? Can she find “good” people? Her father taught her how to survive and she is a great shot, but she is only twelve.


You have a long list of works under your belt, what works are you most proud of?

That’s a really tough question. Each story and novel is special in some way or another. For short stories, one that stands out is, The Trojan Plushy, because it was accepted into Books of the Dead Press’ Best New Werewolf Tales. I’m truly honored to be in it. Then again, the first story I ever had published is special too. It’s called, You Are What You Eat, and is a sci-fi vampire tale that appeared in Hungur Magazine issue 8 back in 2009.

As for novels, well, they are all quite different from each other, except for the fact that they are horror related. One is a pure zombie novel, another is a horror/sci-fi novel and yet another is a zombie novel, but more of a horror-zombie novel. I really can’t pick one out. My girlfriend has her favorite, but I won’t say.


Of course I have ask a writer with as much accomplished as you, who inspires you?

My parents. I see what they’ve done in their lives and how hard they worked and all they’ve done for me. My girlfriend, Sandy, who not only works a full time job, but reads everything I write, tells me what works and what doesn’t, and picks up on all my mistakes. And when it comes to writing, I am inspired by a good book, regardless of the author. I love reading something that makes me not want to put it down, but at the same time makes me want to go write.


Your favorite author/s?

Okay, so the obvious, but true answer is Stephen King. I hated reading all throughout school until a friend lent me his copy of It. I was blown away and started reading other King books. I read a lot and have a ton of authors I enjoy. I used to pretty much read anything Leisure put out—Masterton, Simon Clark, Garton, etc. There are certain authors when I am reading them, make me want to write—Jack Ketchum, Joe McKinney, Ronald Malfi, Wrath James White, Robert McCammon, to name a few. I don’t know what it is, but there is something special about the way they write. And I love David Morrell books. I am constantly discovering new authors too. I have actually just discovered a slue of new authors whose work I love.


What new works are planning in the near future?

I have a trilogy of zombie books coming out from Severed Press. The first one entitled, Machines of the Dead, is available now. It’s a different type of zombie novel than Amongst the Dead. Machines is a strict zombie novel. The zombies are slow, Romero-like and there are plenty of guns a blazin’. Amongst the Dead is more action-horror oriented and creepy. There are many kinds of undead, like runners and sniffers, or tracker zombies, undead that can track someone by smell over long distances.

In October I have a supernatural horror/sci-fi (yes I mix two genres that are normally not mixed, but it’s mostly horror) novel called, Tears of No Return, coming from Evil Jester Press.

And finally, I am hard at work on my next horror title for Samhain.


Any advice for writers working to break into the publishing business?

Write and read as much as you can. Seriously. Read, read, read. Reading will help with your writing so much. Also, I highly recommend making it to Writer’s Conventions, Cons, like The Stoker Awards, World Horror, Necon, AnthoCon, KillerCon, etc. Go meet others like yourself, make connections, friends. Talk to people in the business. Ask questions, mingle. Have fun! And never give up. Rejection will become a word you see a lot, so get used to it and make it meaningless. Rejection isn’t about you, so don’t take it personally. Just keep writing and submitting. One of my novels was turned down numerous times and I had almost given up on it, but then one day it found a great home, other doors opened, and I couldn’t be happier. So you never know.


It was great having you here, I look forward to reading your works!


David's Bio:

I love writing, reading and watching horror or just plain old weird stuff. I have stories in a number of anthologies and have written a few novels in the horror genre. For a list of my credits please visit me at

My Blog

Find David Bernstein on Facebook

PREORDER Amongst the Dead HERE!!!

BUY Machines of the Dead HERE!!!

Tears of No Return--coming from Evil Jester Press in October 2012


And...


DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE OCTOBER CONTEST TO WIN TWO FREE PAPERBACK BOOKS! CLICK HERE FOR THE DEETS!




 

Gary Brandner, Author of THE HOWLING

A few weeks ago one of my favorite authors passed away. Gary Brandner wasn't only a very talented writer, but one of the most honest. I always enjoyed the conversations we had, and his works.

He has written short stories for anthologies, and novels that have made movie history. from THE HOWLING, to CAMERON'S CLOSET. 

Gary and I even share a press home, as well as many of his personal opinions on the world. I can't help but the lost of his place in this world.

I had hoped to one day meet him in person, but that chance is gone. I am thankful to have met him online, and I hope many of you reading have read some of his works. 

And here's his interview that Gary agreed to do on The Eldon Blog a while back:

Today I have a legend on this blog. Okay, I have several from past posts, but this legend wrote the novel, The Howling three years before I was born, and continues to write circles around most so-called horror authors. This author wrote the novel that spun several movies. Granted, his book is better, and the first Howling was the best out of the movies, Gary Brandner got the ball rolling for the classic.

So Gary, when you wrote The Howling, did you expect it to be such a huge success?

Actually, no. That would be thanks to my agent at the time who told me essentially, “Gary, I wish you had talked to me about this before you wrote the whole thing. Nobody is buying horror. This is going to be tough to place.” About a week later Fawcett bought it for a nice advance and I could feed my cat.


What made you decide to write in the horror genre?

Short stories were barely bringing in lunch money, my mainstream novels were not gathering the hordes of readers I expected, too many others were doing hardboiled Private Eyes, and I could not write historical romance with a straight face. What was left? I had always enjoyed a good scary horror story, so I figured why not write one?


Out of all of the stories you have written, do you ever have a story that is your favorite to write?

Dale, this is a tough one. I imagine all my stories dancing around my feet like tiny elves. If I name a favorite there will be a lot of tiny hurt feelings.

However, I’ll name a couple that stand out. My second published story, “Sing to Me, Dead Man,” was based on the goofy rumor of the time that Paul McCartney was dead. It was bought by Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and brought me a personal letter from Ellery Queen (Frederic Dannay) that I still treasure. “Julian’s Hand” was probably the easiest to write as in came to me–beginning, middle, and end–in a dream. All I had to do was get it down. Another would be “Coyote Street” that introduced my hardboiled dick, Stonebreaker. I still hope to put him into a novel one day.

How did you come to be a part of Evil Jester Press?

EJP asked me, and I said hell yes.


Do you have any new projects coming up?

Oh sure, there is always something cooking on the old hard disc. I won’t go into detail because, as Hemingway said, “If you talk about it, it goes away.”

You are an inspirational person to us authors, so who inspires you?

This would be a long list. I’ll start with Thorne Smith. I read “Topper” as a youngster and was dazzled by the way words could transport you into wild and wonderful worlds. In later years Hemingway showed me how to tell a story in simple declarative sentences. Dashiell Hammett demonstrated how to write death and violence without being either sentimental or gross. Mickey Spillane could tell critics to go bleep themselves while he sold beaucoup million books. And there was...aah, but that’s enough for now.



One last thing, are you a real werewolf? I have to ask.

I would answer this one, Dale, but the claws now sprouting from my fingertips make typing difficult.


Thank you so much for being here Gary. It's an honor.

Thanks for the chance to sound off.
Best,
Gary

Some of Gary's stories on Amazon:

The Howling Trilogy

Evil Jester Digest Volume One

Camron's Closet

Help! Wanted

Gone, but not forgotten...

THE FIERCE AND UNFORGIVING MUSE by Gregory Norris

The man who has brought you, The Q Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer; and many other stories long and short, and the man who co-wrote two episodes of Star Trek Voyager; has a brand new collection of stories in one tome. 26 tales in all. Now out in ebook form!

Gregory Norris is here with me today.And I welcome him with  a big cup of iced hazelnut coffee. Believe me when I say, I have never been, nor will I ever be, as honored as I am today, to have such a legend on this blog. I discovered this man through a small press, and yet from day one I was captivated by his beautiful and humorous intellect. Few people in this world have the heart and soul that this man possess. How little did I know when I befriended him just how amazing his talent was.

So, Gregory, out of the twenty-six stories in Muse, which ones were your favorites?

I approached the collection as a ‘greatest hits’ and also tried to maintain an atmosphere of surprise—one moment the reader is in the present, the next in ancient Abydos, Egypt or the Everglades in 1946. I have a fondness for all of the tales, short and long; none of them was selected at random. There’s a progression from one story to the next, even a few ‘Easter eggs’ along the way.

Some of the twenty-six I’m fondest of include “Dust to Dust”, which is set in the aforementioned Egypt of long ago. The main character is a priest faced with the outbreak of a particularly ominous pestilence. I loved that character and how he responded to the horrors I placed before him. “Grinn” in the second half of the book’s 170,000-plus words resonated strongly with me. That story originated as a pitch I did to the TV show Star Trek: Enterprise way back when, circa 2002, in which a seemingly friendly alien race gives the starship’s navigator Travis Mayweather a ceremonial doll, only the doll comes alive and begins to take on his features and mannerisms.

Gregory Norris

My homage to the famous third component in Dan Curtis’ classic Trilogy of Terror revealed that the ‘doll’ was a symbiotic entity that had bonded telepathically with Mayweather in order to access the ship’s command codes and other classified information. Late this past summer while rereading the printout of that pitch, which made it onto the table by the show’s producers for possible assignment (it didn’t pan out as an episode, clearly), I realized the bones of the idea were solid and wrote it out as a commentary about the lengths some creative people will go to in order to advance up the ladder, a subject I know quite a bit about after sixteen years in one writing group. I love the climactic scene in “Unreal Estate” and the quiet atmosphere of dread in “Veneer” toward the end of the book. And along the way writing “Brood Swamp,” the historical novella at the very end of Muse set in the Everglades, my main character surprised me by revealing secrets about his sexuality I hadn’t suspected on Page One. Getting to know him and see him evolve was delightful.


Out of your favorites, can you explain why they hid so long in the Norris archives?

Not much in Muse was in hiding—of the twenty-six stories, most were written specifically for the collection. I’d been assigned to write a novella for Grand Mal Press’s MalContents anthology and wrote two. Then I was asked to pen Muse and the second novella, “Nightmare Near Highway 101” (which I dreamed pretty much start to finish one warm Sunday during a rare, disturbed afternoon nap) fit in better than the first – “The Mushrooms” – which fit better for the Grand Mal Press book.

In late October, as I was readying to turn Muse into the publisher at a then-respectable 100,000 words and thirteen tales, the news broke that The Twisted Library was canceling all but three of its anthologies. For a year and a half, I was submitting my short stories and novellas to almost everything they were sending out calls for. I had some two dozen acceptances waiting to see publication, some very long and intense projects among them. When Senior Editor Peter Giglio at EJP heard this, he suggested we go longer with Muse and double-up on the original size, make the book a real monster. So I chose eight of the most appropriate stories from the doomed Library projects and filled the book out to twenty-six in all. That said, I do have quite a few stories and novels lurking in the archives. I write longhand, every day, attempt to pen between two and four thousand fresh words, and have, as of this writing, completed 955 short stories, novellas, novelettes, novels, and tele-/screenplays.

I heard that you have some new works on the horizon, I would just love to hear more about them.

I’m fast at work on numerous new/old and new/new projects, including a campy and light romantic paranormal novel called Desperate Housewolves, a not-light horror novel called The Zoo, a script that’s in final draft editing (Bully), and about a hundred other things – short fiction, a mini-collection for another publisher, the usual.

Tell me about your connection to the lovely Kate Mulgrew (Captain Janeway on Star Trek Voyager).

I and my good pal Laura A. Van Vleet first interviewed Kate for a feature for the Sci Fi Channel’s official magazine in 1997. We donated our paychecks to the Incarnation Children’s Center, a pediatric A.I.D.S. home and hospital in New York City and a charity dear to Kate’s heart. From that point forward, she was always available to us for interviews, several dozen since that first. Then Laura and I sold two episodes to Voyager and when we were on set, she was so gracious and welcoming. Last September, I asked Kate to write a blurb for Muse and she did—one better than I could have hoped for.

"In my experience of seven years on Voyager, I do not believe I have encountered a writer for whom I have greater respect in terms of intelligence, understanding, and talent. There is no one more capable to pen such a volume as Muse and, also, to do it so beautifully." ~Kate Mulgrew, Star Trek: Voyager

In five-short-words, how would you describe yourself?

I Need My Iced Coffee.

What drew you to the horror genre?

As I state in the Muse foreword, I grew up on a healthy diet of creature double-features and great classic TV shows. From a very early age, I watched wide-eyed and mystified the strange goings-on at Collinwood in the afternoon soap Dark Shadows.

I was in love with Godzilla and all those Japanese giant monster rubber suit movies in my pre-teens; I remember vividly sitting cross-legged on the floor watching Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra duke it out with King Ghidorah for the survival of the Earth in Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster in the living room of the enchanted cottage where I grew up, on our very boxy, ugly TV with rabbit-ears, electrified as I waited for the outcome. I would have been four or five years old; the house was full of Norris relatives (Norri?), uncles and cousins, but I was right in front of the tube in the catbird seat.

Movies like The Haunting, The Legend of Hell House, The House That Would Not Die and episodes of the classic The Outer Limits affected me deeply, indelibly. So when I started writing in my very early teens, spurred on by my love of the TV show Space:1999, one of the first non-fan fiction stories I wrote was a ghost story. I love the elegance of good, quiet chills. And I love it when I’m writing something spooky and scare myself—I figure there’s a decent chance I’ll make my readers cast a glance over their shoulders or check their doors to see that they’re locked.

A writer's muse is a strange thing. How does a muse keep us writers in check? From your POV?

I’m not sure my Muse keeps me in check. He’s a bit of a taskmaster, though. I love the concept of a writer having a Muse. Mine isn’t dressed in a draped Hellenic frock or a woman, as is the classic interpretation. He’s handsome, grabby, and very needy and when I don’t give him the amount of time he demands, he pouts and throws tantrums.

What I’ve found in playing this game of belief in the Muse is that I’ve had great results in terms of completed projects, fresh pages, publication, and the giddy kind of joy I remember from watching that monster movie, the kind that fills your body up with eight-pointed stars of golden light. I wake up every morning with a clear game plan, focused, and ready to court my Muse so he doesn’t pitch fits.

I have heard you say many times over again, that there is no such thing as WRITER'S BLOCK. Tell me how you came to this insight?

The Block, as interpreted, means that a physical presence is preventing a writer from writing, a dark cloud manifested in the room cuffing his or her hands at sides. That version of the Block only exists if we believe in it, like Santa Claus. And if we do, we give it power. I know this sounds ridiculously simplistic, but if a writer wants to write, he’s going to write. You put your fingers on the keyboard or the pen to paper and you write words. I understand completely that distractions can prevent the ease and flow of the words—the world loves to toss red tape and BS and obstacles in the paths of every writer. But it’s up to the writer to remove or contain distraction as much as possible so writing becomes easier.

If you’re distracted at home, write at the library or in your car with the windows rolled up. Remove excuses, along with distraction. Sometimes a piece hits a difficult junction or challenges the writer to forge forward. I love that! That’s evolution, learning to solve and resolve problems in a particular story or novel and not be stopped in place by them. A condition I do believe in is the ‘Passion Power Outage,’ a temporary state in which I simply need to recharge my batteries. Watch a movie or read a book or keep my body away from the desk until the next morning, when I wake bright and reenergized—and committed to write.

I know I ask every author I interview this question, but who inspires you? Authors? Actors? Anyone that is real.

I’m very inspired by books and try to read everything that’s worth reading. Last year, I read Kafka’s The Metamorphosis and am so glad I did. I’m presently face-deep in Sol Stein’s excellent writing manual. My name got sold onto some list and I received offers from both Poets and Writers and The Writer for hugely discounted subscriptions because of my professional writer status. I devour those magazines. I have my favorite TV shows and actors.

I do a lot of longhand writing in our living room, which is so beautiful and cozy, in front of reruns of Project Runway. I despise most television and all reality TV apart from that show and Work of Art. I love the creativity demonstrated in those two. I’m inspired by weather, by scent, by color. But mostly, I’m writing as much as I do because I don’t wait for inspiration alone to strike. I write because I love to write. I live to write.

You're a dear friend, and anyone who knows you well knows this. Thank you for being on my blog!

My pleasure, Dale—and thanks!

BUY The Fierce and Unforgiving Muse HERE!!!

LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF by Charles Day

As the town folk sleep, something creeps into the neighborhood. Hidden in shadows, its presence is as old as time itself, its intent not born of goodness.

Nick, a young man who fancies himself a detective, wakes to find his carved out masterpiece missing. Now a mystery is afoot, and Nick has his first assignment, to find out who or what is snatching up the town’s pumpkins and why.

Unfortunately, as with all great detectives, obstacles stand in Nick’s way—the neighborhood bully and his cronies, and the strange old lady and her dog who share the run down house at the end of Nick’s block. As Nick investigates, an urban legend unravels…

The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief.

Nick fears the legend as he embarks on the most dangerous adventure of his young life. Collecting clues, ever closer to the true nature of evil, he learns that curiosity comes with a high price.


Without giving too much away, can you tell us what your book is about?

Okay, I’ll try. The story revolves around, Nick, a Seventeen-year old, who wants to go on to college and eventually sit for the police exam. His ultimate goal is to be a Detective someday. As the story develops, he’s forced into doing some early detective work when some pumpkins suddenly disappear in his small town of Chesterville.

An urban legend foretells of a Pumpkin Thief who chooses a town each Halloween, stealing the pumpkins so his ghosts, goblins, and other Halloween creatures can have their right to free passage into this chosen town. Without the pumpkins to keep them away, they have free sovereignty to wreak terror and mayhem. Is Nick’s town chosen one this year?

Although this is a young adult novel, my first actually, it’s fun for all ages. I had a blast writing this, and I’m excited to be working on my next YA novel for them. I really enjoy writing for this genre.


How long did it take you to write this book?

All together, about six months for the first draft.


What was your inspiration to write this book?

As a kid, my friends and I loved Halloween. We always caused ruckus in our neighborhood, and we picked on this old lady at the end of the block. You’ll see in this book that my fictitious character, Mrs. Needlewhitter, is the same old lady who we just loved to tease. And I’m a huge fan of this holiday, so….


Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book?

Simply put, you’ll have a blast remembering all the great times you had as a kid on Halloween.


Do you have a specific genre that you always write in or do you try writing in different genres?

No. I thought I did when I published my 14 short stories, since most of them were horror to some extent. But I also enjoy a good mystery, and I wrote two, “Deadly Workout” & “The Plan,” which have both been sold to small press publishers. In fact, “The Plan” is now out with Naked Snake Press and on Amazon.com


Do you have any writing projects you are currently working on?

Most certainly. I love to write stories.

It releases all the voices in my head. I seem to have transitioned from the short stories to novellas and novels. I enjoy the fact that I can really build my characters and go to unexplored territories with them. They lead, and I follow without question. Otherwise, I seem to receive retribution. You don’t even want to know what they do inside my head, nasty little buggers. And, I might add, I have an ample supply of characters that have great stories to tell.

I currently have three books under consideration with small press publishers from 2011, “Kyle McGerrt, Monster Hunter & Destroyer of the Indian Curse: Book 1 Hunt for the Ghoulish Bartender.” As you can see, this is going to be a western horror trilogy. I’m already at work on his next adventure, “Book 2: Curse of The Earth Monster.”

“Redemption,” a collaborative Novella with Mark Taylor from across the pond, is about two friends who get drunk at a bar and then drive home, only to hit and kill a young girl. Problem is, they killed the wrong girl, and now she’s coming back for revenge, along with some furry friends of hers. What’s so cool about this book is that my novella is all about Al Fudrucker, and his showdown with the dead girl. Mark’s novella is all about Al’s friend, Benny Fairwhether, and both books interrelate. It’s two separate novellas around 20,000 words each. A one book treat, and a great concept that my publisher came up with.

As for 2012, I’m only going to concentrate on three projects that I’ve already started, I hope! Hehehehe! Anyway, first up is “Summer Camp,” a horror novel I hope to have done and ready to send out to only the most respected agents in NY before the end of this year, as my goal is to get this book into the big NY publishing house. Hey, I know every writer has this dream, and if I don’t at least try I’ll never feel that I took a shot at this dream.

I’m a huge advocate for the small press publishers, but I need to have one novel I can step into deeper waters with, right? I also plan on pitching something at the WHC in Salt Lake City this coming March. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.

The second is my next YA horror novel, “Immortal Family,” that I’m writing exclusively for Noble YA Publishers. I’m hopeful they will like it, but if they don’t, it will be up for grabs for another publisher who may want it.

And the last is “In the Eye,” a horror novel set around a deadly Hurricane. I’ve written about 10,000 words so far on this, and will seek out a small press publisher who would find this something they may want to publish. Any takers on a partial?

I wanted to say thank you, to everyone who came by to read my interview. It means so much. I promise you, you will not be disappointed with Legend of The Pumpkin Thief. It’s a suspense driven good old fashioned fun and scary novel! Happy early Halloween!


Charles' and Jester's BIO:

Charles Day A.K.A, the evil little Jester, is an HWA affiliate member and the Mentor Program Committee Chairperson, and a full member of the New England Horror Writers Association. He's published 14 short stories with various small press publishers, including his novella Lockdown (Wicked East Press, 2011) which received an endorsement form four-time Bram Stoker winner, Lisa Morton.

His biggest success to date is the sale of his first horror novel, Deep Within (Twisted Library Press, Spring 2012), his first YA horror novel, Legend of The Pumpkin Thief (Noble Publishers, Jan 09th, 2012) and a novella Deadly Workout (Dopamavoli Books, Spring 2012). His novelette The Plan a Mystery is now available from Naked Snake Press and on all online retailers.

He has also edited his first anthology Tales of terror & Mayhem from Deep Within the Box (Wicked East Press, Winter 2012) compiled with 24 amazingly terrifying stories by talented authors in the horror genre. Includes the debut story of how the evil jester became so damn evil in The Gift, By Charles Day, edited by Hollie Snider.

He is also the founder/owner of Hidden Thoughts Press- Non fiction books, where the focus is on mental wellness collections- and Evil Jester Press, a fiction imprint.

He firmly believes that after walking the dark and dingy halls of a psychiatric ward as an employee for 12 years, many of the characters that speak to him daily in his head are those he may have watched over, anxious to share their stories through the written word. You can find out more at charlesdayfictionwriter.blogspot.com. Welcome to their twisted world.

Author Spotlight: Craig Saunders

Dale Eldon

Today I interview Craig Saunders. He is another author form EJP, among other presses. He will be appearing in several anthologies which I will be promoting on here as well. He has sold a couple of novels that will soon be out to buy.

Craig Saunders

I live in Norfolk, England, with my wife and three children, who I pretend to listen to while I make up stories in my head.

I started out writing fantasy, followed by science fiction, then humour. It took eight novels before I figured out I was a horror writer, but I haven’t wasted any time since, with more than two dozen published shorts. My first novel will soon be published by the Library of Horror Press, and my first novella was recently published by Blood Bound Books.

The Interview:

When did you first want to write for a living?

I don’t. I always wanted to be a lumberjack.

Nah, not really.

I’m not sure there was any kind of thunder and lightning moment. I used to write poetry as a youngster, and I wrote my first novel when I was around 22-23 years old. It was rubbish. I lost it. I think I started writing semi-seriously when I was around 30...I’m now around 40. Around 40’s close enough. No, you don’t need to know which side...

I love writing. Love making up stories, learning...everything to do with it. I even like submitting now. Might be something to do with people finally saying ‘Yes’ though!


What made you decide on horror/Sci-Fi/Thriller?

I think I write horror, for the most part, because that’s where my head takes me. My writing suits horror, my morbid fascination with insanity, in particular, lends itself to horror. Much of my horror is about the human mind, the characters. I’m rubbish at quoting people, but I read G.R.R. Martin’s Rretrospective a while back, and he wrote about horror being more about the characters and their humanity than the monsters. I find that idea intriguing – not in a kind of Hollywood jokey way, but to explore what motivates the people, to see how they fare in such extreme situations, and to bring those situations above and beyond the everyday, and keep them credible...that’s a trick. I like pulling it off.
That said, I also write humour, fantasy, mystery, literary fiction (ug) and I’ve dabbled with science fiction. By and large, if it comes into my head, I write it. I just write whatever I have an idea for. Most of the time it turns out alright. Not for the characters, but for me.


What kind of inspirations do you have? 

It’s a really boring answer, but I don’t, really. I think of things and put them down on paper. If I can’t think of anything, then I start writing until I do. I approach it as a job. If you’re a brain surgeon and you don’t feel like working, you can’t just down tools halfway through a job. I approach it the same way. The story’s there, somewhere in the page, like an open brain pan...you’ve got to get the tumour out. A gross metaphor, maybe, but in some ways a story is a tumour...it’ll grow in your head, and if you don’t get it out it’ll keep growing, growing...


Favorite authors/or books?

As for the big guys, I really, really like Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, and Lee Child. I think they’re all masters in their respective fields. I’ve learned a lot from reading and re-reading their work. I like plenty of other authors, too, though I’m the world’s most impatient reader – if it doesn’t grab me in the first few chapters, I won’t finish it. Life’s too short to read crap books. I tend to read a lot of short fiction, which I prefer, overall, to long fiction. See above – lazy reader. But then I’ll read a whole anthology in one sitting where I’d put a book down, even if it was good. I recently discovered Joe Hill and I really like his work. I’ll read most genres if the book grabs me. I love Joe Abercrombie, too, and Masterton, Reynolds, Banks, Martin, Lansdale, D’Lacey – plus a ton of YA authors – I like a lot of YA fiction.

For those writers newly risen or on the rise, She’s not a massive star yet, but I love Tonia Brown’s work, specifically her rolling serial, Railroad! I think she’s on the rise. I’ve had the pleasure of reading a lot of Gregory L. Norris’ work, too, and I’d go as far to put him right up with the big guys for favourites. Both of these guys have talent to spare.

On the short fiction front, there’s just too many to name. I love reading the new Stephen Jones ‘Year’s Best’ anthologies...it’s a good spur for any horror writer, to see who’s hitting the high notes and what’s selling big.


What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

I’ve sold two novels this year. One to Twisted Library Press, a novel called ‘Rain’. I’ve sold another, subject to contract. I also have out a novella with Robert Essig, another of my favourite writers. The novella, Scarecrow (released as a double-feature with Essig’s ‘The Madness’) is available from Amazon right now. This time next year my Amazon Author’s page will look a hell of a lot healthier as I’ve had over a dozen short stories accepted this year.

Thanks Dale!

Summary of Scarecrow and The Madness

SCARECROW - It’s holiday weekend in the English Fens, the long weekend. The Gypsies are passing through and setting up camp in the nearby fields. Madge can’t understand all the fuss, can’t understand that gypsies are their own kind of people; people are just people. But Madge and her husband, Bernie, are about to learn something about people when they meet the Mulrones, and if they aren’t careful, it just might become the longest weekend of their lives.

PLUS

All Tony wanted was to get out of Colorado, or even just to his house, before the storm hit. All Dan wanted was to quiet that little tickle in the back of his brain—the one he couldn’t quite itch without the help of a bottle—and keep things the way they were with his family. But when the biggest snow storm since the blizzard of 2003 brings these men together, nobody’s going to get what they want. And before the storm blows over, both men will be in a struggle for their lives, and sanity. Who will survive THE MADNESS?

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Scarecrow-Madness-Craig-Saunders/dp/0984540873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316111712&sr=8-1

Amazon Author's Page:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003TYAKFO (US)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B003TYAKFO(UK)
For more on my work, please visit: http://www.petrifiedtank.blogspot.com/or visit http://www.petrifiedtank.weebly.com/
 

Author Spotlight: Suzanne Robb

Dale Eldon

Today I get to interview another friend of mine, and another EJP (Evil Jester Press) member. Suzanne is a wonderful scribe, even with three jobs she still manages to write story after story, and get accepted into a wide range of anthologies. She is one of the most interesting authors that I have met online, she has a fresh take on telling stories. Not only do I love the way she thinks, but I am sure many of you will as well. Ladies and gents, I give you Suzanne Robb...

Suzanne Robb

Suzanne Robb's debut novel Z-Boat will be released by Twisted Library Press. Her stories are in current and upcoming anthologies with various publishers. She is currently working on a sequel to her first book as well as another top secret one, editing two anthologies. In her free time she reads, watches movies, plays with her dog, and enjoys chocolate and Legos.

Suzanne's Blog

The wonderful collections below are anthologies that include Suzanne's stories. Enjoy!

Dead Souls Anthology by Post Mortem Press – The story is titled ”A New Breed”. The idea for this story struck me when I was thinking about all the things that could happen if a pregnant woman was bitten by a zombie. In movies we have seen hybrids of all kids and I thought to myself, ‘have I ever seen a zombie hybrid” and realized, no, I hadn’t. So in this story, we see what life is like for a boy who is ostracized form the group of survivors he lives in because of his differences. Half human/half zombie, he is their savior when convenient, but ignored after he fulfills his use.

Attack of the Fifty Foot book, Library of Fantasy Press, through Twisted Library Press – The story is titled “Chubby Cheeks”. When I first saw the submission call for this I had an idea about giant squirrels and stashing people, which my characters soon changed into a chipmunk science experiment gone horribly wrong. As the giant chipmunk goes on his rampage, stuffing people in his cheeks as he goes, an unlikely support group is formed for those inside. One of the more fun quirky stories I have written.

Monk Punk, Static Movement – Story is titled “Citipati”. At first I had no intention writing for this as they wanted to put a new edge on both Monks and the type of stories they would be involved with. After some prodding and a supportive friend I looked up some Tibetan myth and came across the legend of a pretty horrific murder in which the spirits of two brothers killed haunt the cemetery, thus was born my story. The spirits come back and through a mystical scroll one of them is able to possess a body, and then begin a search for his brother.

Live and Let Undead – Library of the Living Dead Imprint, Twisted Library Press. Story is titled “Dentist’s, autopsies, and Nutritionist’s, OH My!” The moment this anthology opened I knew what to write. The premise was what to do with the bodies of the zombies after the apocalypse, so I took a risk. I wrote a story, mockumentary style. My main character takes his cameraman on a tour through the hospital in which zombies are brought to in order to make it safe for them to mainstream back into society. Needless to say, much gore, horror, and humor are involved.

Suzanne on Amazon

The interview:

When did you first want to write for a living?

I first wanted to write when I was about five years old. When friends would come over I thought it was fun to create out own read your own adventure books which were popular at the time. We would each scribble down a paragraph and then throw it together. I never thought of it as something to make a living by, more as a way to express myself. However, I would not say no to one day making a living doing what I love.


What made you decide on horror/Sci-Fi/Thriller?

A friend pushed me in the direction of horror. Up until that point I had been writing non-ficiton in my free time and doing the occasional magazine article. Then one day a friend found an anthology call and pointed me there, I’ve never looked back.


How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since I was able to hold a crayon, but writing seriously for about ten months. Before that it was online content, and jotting things down for fun. If I were to include that, then we are looking at ten years on and off (with long periods of OFF)


What kind of inspirations do you have? 

The media, people in general, and humor. A lot of my writing has an element of quirk to it, whether in the title, one of the characters, or plot itself. I look all around me and see all sorts of things that I like the challenge of combining with horror.


Favorite authors/or books? 

Christopher Moore, his books Fool, Fluke, and A Dirty Job are my favorites. Jasper Fforde and his Thursday next series. David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty one day is too funny. Chelsea Handler, Chuck Klosterman, C.S.Lewis, Early Dean Koontz, and so many others.


What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

Well, my first book will be out with the Twisted Library Press, it is called Z-Boat, and is a zombie story with a twist. It is most definitely not your average zombies people are dealing with. I am also co-editing an anthology called Read the end First with my friend Adrian Chamberlin, and it has 24 authors representing 24 time zones, each one ending the world in a unique way.

In April another anthology I am editing will be out called Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Thoughts Press is the publisher.

I also hope to work on other collaborations with Adrian, one is called O.A.Z, (Old Age Zombies). And hopefully if he has time something with Stephen North.