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Showing posts with label Amazon author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon author. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Forgotten Princess Complete Duology available 3/22
Friday, December 3, 2021
The Safest City on Earth
I've been going through my backlist and sending out reminders of all the free ebooks I have listed. The Safest City on Earth is a piece of flash fiction that inspired the full length novel The Man Who Fell to Earth. Both are available on all eReader platforms.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Monday, December 17, 2018
Friday, October 30, 2015
Book Review: What Lies Within
Fast-paced and unpredictable, What Lies Within is an exciting read. For a good portion of this book I kept getting that eerie feeling I remember from watching the movie Scream as a kid. As Shelley Murano's story unfolded, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. If you like YA and thrillers, What Lies Within is perfect for you.
5/5 stars
Get Your Copy of WHAT LIES WITHIN by James Morris
PS: I just started reading MELOPHOBIA, and I'm hooked. Pick up these books people.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is R. E. Carr!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writers to paint the town red with and tell us why you chose them.
R. E. Carr says: Well, I’d have to start with George R.R. Martin because I want to be really nice to him before trying to outrun him in the zombie apocalypse. It’s only fair. Then I would have to select Rick Gualtieri, because Halloween with two comedic vampire writers with a love for practical jokes is too good an offer to pass up. I predict that we would have an awesome time glitter bombing every sexy vampire costume we pass and playing with our kaiju toys while hopped up on sugar. Lastly, I would grab fellow Kindle Press author T.J. Zalecki because I think she looks taller than me and it’s a lot easier to paint if you have someone who can reach the high places without a ladder. Also while she’s not looking Rick and I can have our vampires bite her sirens and we will have a full-on mermaid apocalypse!
Meredith Says: I can't wait to read about the vampire mermaid apocalypse!I love the cover art ;)
2. You’re ready to head out with your pillowcase to collect loads of confections on All Hallows’ Eve, what’s your costume and why did you choose it?
R. E. Carr says: I, um, may have an adult-sized Belle costume stashed away for purely innocent reasons… I mean, she’s a smart, bookish Disney heroine with brown eyes and brown hair who gets to take home a ferocious Beast… yeah, I’m going to quit while I’m behind.
3. Old Mrs. Robinson opens her door and you’re holding open your pillowcase patiently waiting. “Oh deary,” she says in her frail, little old-lady voice. “I forgot it was Halloween. Don’t know why you kids go begging anyways. Let me go find something to give you.” She shuffles off and finally returns three and a half minutes later with 5 pennies, 2 peppermint candies that look like they went through the dryer, and her deceased husband’s dentures. “Take what you like,” she offers, squinting at you.
What do you choose and why.
R. E. Carr says: I’ll go for the teeth, after all I never know when I’ll get around to starting that cloning facility I always dreamed of and every bit of DNA helps.
4. I really love reading Dean Koontz but some of his stuff scares the bejesus out of me. What’s the spookiest book you’ve ever read?
R. E. Carr says: My first experience with a horror novel was actually a Dean Koontz novel. I saw Phantoms at the supermarket checkout like as a little girl and told my mom “ooh, pretty, I want that!” and she being my mom of course didn’t read the back, she just say the butterfly on the cover and put it in the cart. Yeah, I was a little surprised (at age eight) what I got myself into this time. I became terrified of any and all oil slicks on the pavement until I was about twenty and became completely obsessed with all missing cultures throughout history. When I went to Chichin Itza this year I may have even done one pass looking around corners for any mysterious holes.
5. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you and why?
R. E. Carr says: I am the fierce and mighty were— Who am I kidding? Everyone knows I turn into big fluffy bear and hibernate and am only moderately savage while waking up. Also, I’m slightly obsessed with honey.
6. Every author has a bookshelf filled with his or her favorite reads. Run on over to yours and tell us the scariest book you have.
R. E. Carr says: The scariest book I have on my shelves has to be the Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook. I mean, imagine 208 complete pages with no bacon and they expect you to cook these recipes and SURVIVE!!!
7. We don’t all write horror but there comes a time when you’ve got to surprise your readers and make sure their hearts are still beating. How do you prepare yourself to get in the spooky writing mood?
R. E. Carr says: I like to drink between 40 and 60 ounces of tea and then write late at night (because I won’t be sleeping anyway). My apartment is old and creaky and creepy and there are all sorts of weird reflections so it’s very easy to get in the mood. Also, the sheer amount of stimulants in the system guarantee that at least my heart will be racing.
8. Stephen King’s front porch light is on but there are no Halloween decorations.
Do you:
a) trick-or-treat and cross your fingers that he’s handing out the good stuff
b) run screaming
c) call your mom to bring your favorite King paperback and beg for an autograph
R. E. Carr says: I tend to get crippling stage fright when meeting my idols and I feel physical pain asking for anything, so I would probably conduct a séance. If my mother actually clawed out of her grave and brought me The Stand to get signed I think I would be stunned into enough courage to finally approach.
9. Congratulations, you just won the literary lottery and sold a million books at full price! The royalty check clears on October 28th. What are you buying for the neighborhood kids?
a) an assortment of mini candybars
b) an assortment of cheap, hard candies
c) full size Hershey bars
R. E. Carr says: Oh, the neighborhood kids are totally getting hooked up with British and Japanese candies. Every child should be shown the wonder of Crunchie Bars, Cadbury Flake, Meltykisses and green tea flavored Kit Kats.
10. Your writer friend calls you with some frightening news. They’re giving up on writing, can’t take the pressure any longer. What do you tell them?
R. E. Carr says: I will give them the very same advice that was given to me when I tried to give up a few years back:
“Go ahead, give up, be a quitty quiterton who quits. It’s not like it was dream or you really wanted to do this, right? I’m sure you’ll love sharing the story with your grandkids how you had a talent and then threw it away because it got tough at some point.”
Yeah, I tend to respond to sarcastic motivation, but it’s true. If you start getting angry over quitting something, then you probably can take that rage and channel it back into your work.
Connect with R. E. Carr!
R. E. Carr likes to split her time between the alien (well, resident alien) she married, her two adorable offspring and the vast army of characters who constantly argue in her brain. She uses her past life as a video game reviewer to remind herself just how awesome it is to be writing novels now.
Rachel writes because she knows so many people and places that never quite made it into this version of the universe. It's her duty to let them out. Writing also gives her mind a certain peace and calm rarely felt in this multi-tasking, wired world.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is JAMES MORRIS!
James Morris is a cool guy. He has won two KindleScout campaigns this year! What an accomplishment. James has written some great reads, people. Check out his links below.
Let's see what James had to say about All Hallows' Eve!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writer buddies to paint the town read with and tell us why you chose them.
James says: I’m really not sure. Unlike the zombie apocalypse where survival is at stake, going to a party is a lot more personal. I’d want to know the writers as people first, which is a problem because really, I don’t want to know most writers. Not that they’re not nice people. But if I love a piece of work, and then I meet the writer, and he or she turns out to be an odious turd, then it’s forever going to impact how I read the book. And the book and the person, to me, are separate things. All that to say, I’d dress up in a costume, like maybe Darth Maul where no one would recognize me and let my id roam free.
2. You’re ready to head out with your pillowcase to collect loads of confections on All Hallows’ Eve, what’s your costume and why did you choose it?
James says: I used to love Halloween, but as people got older, there were fewer and fewer parties. I’m talking Halloween bashes where everyone is costumed (and not “as themselves” – seriously, why go to a Halloween party without a costume!) Having said that, my wife and I talked about going as Wonderwoman and Superman. But you know what? I can’t pull off that costume. I think I’d prefer to go as Hugh Hefner.
3. Old Mrs. Robinson opens her door and you’re holding open your pillowcase patiently waiting. “Oh deary,” she says in her frail, little old-lady voice. “I forgot it was Halloween. Don’t know why you kids go begging anyways. Let me go find something to give you.” She shuffles off and finally returns three and a half minutes later with 5 pennies, 2 peppermint candies that look like they went through the dryer, and her deceased husbands dentures. “Take what you like,” she offers, squinting at you.
What do you choose and why.
James says: Hilarious. (I will share, one year while trick-or-treating, a woman gave us peanuts. Like, 3 of them. With the shells on. I thought it was the worst treat ever.) As for Mrs. Robinson, I’d skip the 5 pennies, as well as the peppermint candies and take the dentures. Who knows when I might need them? Bwhahaha.
4. I really love reading Dean Koontz but some of his stuff scares the bejesus out of me. What’s the spookiest book you’ve ever read?
James says: The one most recent was Birdbox by Josh Malerman. I thought that was one of the most unique horror books ever, and I’m kinda jealous I didn’t think of it. The other one that stands out in memory is Stephen King’s “The Shining.” How he made the shrubbery maze – with its topiary animals – scary, was very cool because that idea could’ve gone very, very wrong.
Meredith says: Birdbox was an awesome read. Josh Malerman's interview is on 10/31, stay tuned!
5. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you and why?
James says: One of my cool elementary school teachers played us Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens during Halloween. And I always liked that story of the skeletons dancing with abandon during that one special night a year, and then returning to their graves during the day. I’m not sure what creature I would be – vampire, werewolf, ghost – they are all so interesting – but I love the idea of capturing the spirit of life, which we unfortunately only really appreciate in the face of, or in the wake of, a tragedy and death.
6. Every author has a bookshelf filled with his or her favorite reads. Run on over to yours and tell us the scariest book you have.
James says: I generally don’t keep books – I give to them Goodwill when I’m done; I just ran out of room one day and thought: will I ever re-read them all? So my shelf is limited. The scariest one right now is THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier because I think it speaks to the entrenched power structures that are in place no matter where you are, which is scary indeed. (My analogy for life is I often think I’m caught in a bureaucracy as a low-level employee, and there are decisions made way above my pay grade, and I have no idea what they are, but whose ramifications continue to trickle down.)
7. We don’t all write horror but there comes a time when you’ve got to surprise your readers and make sure their hearts are still beating. How do you prepare yourself to get in the spooky writing mood?
James says: Scary or sweet, it’s the same. It’s boring, I know, but I just sit. And then I think: what would surprise me? What would scare me? Of course, making sure that I don’t have happy music in the background helps!
8. Stephen King’s front porch light is on but there are no Halloween decorations.
Do you:
a) trick-or-treat and cross your fingers that he’s handing out the good stuff
b) run screaming
c) call your mom to bring your favorite King paperback and beg for an autograph
James says: I’d definitely trick-or-treat. His house during Halloween must be insane.
9. Congratulations, you just won the literary lottery and sold a million books at full price! The royalty check clears on October 28th. What are you buying for the neighborhood kids?
a) an assortment of mini candybars
b) an assortment of cheap, hard candies
c) full size Hershey bars
James says: None of the above. I’m buying them peanuts with the shells on, so that they can remember me years and years later as the guy who gave them the worst treat ever.
Meredith says: I just laughed out loud!
10. Your writer friend calls you with some frightening news. They’re giving up on writing, can’t take the pressure any longer. What do you tell them?
James says: Writing is very personal; it’s like religion or politics that way. I would say I understand why they’re stopping. I’ve said before that writing as a career is not pragmatic at all and filled with heartache. Why we continue to do it speaks to the crazy love we have for it. So, when that love starts to wane, I’d say, take a break. For now. And then see if the passion returns. It’s not a failure. You are not a failure.
Connect with James Morris!
(This is James. I call him Jim 'cause we're best friends. He just doesn't know it yet.)
About this author:
James Morris is a former television writer who now works in digital media. When not writing, you can find him scoping out the latest sushi spot, watching 'House Hunters Renovation', or trying new recipes in the kitchen. He lives with his wife and dog in Los Angeles.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is, the prince of darkness, ERNIE LINDSEY!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Ernie says: First, Chuck Wendig. I only know of him through his Twitter feed, but he seems perfectly badass enough (can I say ‘badass’ on your blog?) to be like Ash from Army of Darkness. I can see him cocking a shotgun and saying, “Come get some.” Second, after reading The Martian, I’d have to go with Andy Weir, because he’s brilliant enough to rig whatever we’d need to stay alive. And maybe build a spaceship too so we could get away from the zombies. Third…while I don’t think he’s written any fiction, I’d have David Sedaris along. Why? Because laughter would be necessary in a post-apocalyptic zombie world.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Ernie says: Hah! Well, at least you didn’t ask me to pick only one. Supposing they can both be saved, I’d go with J. K. Rowling first, because anyone wealthier than the Queen of England likely has monetary access to excellent hitmen. I wouldn’t want her angry with me for not picking her first.
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Ernie says: I just finished reading The Martian again for the second time, in preparation for the movie release. Prior to that, I absolutely devoured Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven. Brilliant, melancholy, and full of gorgeous writing that made me jealous of her talent.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Ernie says: Tomcat in Love, by Tim O’Brien. I’ve been recommending that book for years. Some of the things O’Brien does with language in that story are astounding.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Ernie says: It’s for sure a tossup between The Martian and Eleanor by Jason Gurley. The interesting thing is, both were originally indie-published works, and both went on to get picked up by Crown Publishing, a division of Random House. A refined version of Eleanor is due out in January 2016. Take note: I’m positive that Gurley will be one of our future literary giants.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Ernie says: This has been the year of little reading, for a variety of reasons, so my choices are limited. But, I’d have to go with Station Eleven. I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Ernie says: Telekinesis. Mostly I’d just like to be able to flick a finger and pick up all of the toddler toys, fling the laundry on hangers and in drawers, put the dishes away, and pour a glass of wine without having to get up from the couch. Forget fighting evil villains. I just want the chores to be done.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Ernie says: I’m such a creature of habit that I have to be tucked away in my little office, sitting at my cluttered desk. Trying to write anywhere else throws off the balance.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from one of your books.
Ernie says: The climax/ending to Sara’s Game. My former agents felt the original ending could be quite a bit stronger and asked me to revamp it. I waffled with ideas for two or three days until the perfect resolution hit me. I’m convinced it contributed to the success that title has seen, and likely allowed me to keep doing this as a career.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Ernie says: Wow. Um. All of them? Not counting the kidnappers and killers? The closest would probably be Chris (a.k.a. “Brick”) in Going Shogun. The witty everyman.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Ernie says: I can’t actually write to music. At least not music with words. I’ve learned to manage most aspects of my ADD, but being able to write while someone else says words isn’t one of them. So, for me, it’s the soothing sounds of rain, ocean waves, or waterfalls in a jungle, with binaural beats in the background that are supposed to enhance creativity or concentration.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Ernie says: Use your adverbs sparingly, he said, conspiratorially.
Connect with ERNIE LINDSEY!
USA Today bestselling author Ernie Lindsey grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, working on the family farm and reading, and has spent his life telling stories to anyone that will listen. He is the author of thirteen mystery, thriller, and suspense books, along with numerous short stories. When he's not writing or reading the works of other thriller writers, you can find him chasing a toddler, feeding a toddler, or cleaning up after a toddler. He remembers non-toddler things, but they're flimsy, gauzy mysteries.
Ernie and his family live in Oregon, along with a multi-fingered Hemingway cat named Luna.
Head over to ErnieLindsey.com for more information, or join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErnieLindseyFiction
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is the multitalented Fiona Quinn!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writer buddies to paint the town read with and tell us why you chose them.
Fiona says: I would pick Donna White Glaser, author of Scrying Shame, Jill Nojack, author of The familiar, and you, Meredith Pritchard, author of Let Her Go. Each of you has a very interesting and very different take on a “haunting” story. I bet if we hung out with a blood orange martini or two, we’d be cackling.
Meredith says: OMG! Someone finally picked me! I no longer feel like the last kid standing during dodgeball team pickings. I love martinis!
2. You’re ready to head out with your pillowcase to collect loads of confections on All Hallows’ Eve, what’s your costume and why did you choose it?
Fiona says: I am traditionally a witch all day long. Each year, I change my garb (sometimes my hair color) depending on my mood, but you can usually find me, besom (broom) in hand, turning heads with my floor length cape.
As a matter of fact, my house is something of a holiday attraction. I get hundreds of people ringing my doorbell on Halloween. I am extra horribly mean to them, and they seem to love it. I have adults, whose kids grew up in the neighborhood and are now out of the nest, and now the adults dress up in a costume to come to my house so I will yell at them.
No costume? No candy – also, at my house it’s “you do a trick then you get a treat”. I’ve had kids sing songs, tell jokes, recite poems, and bust-a-move. It’s pretty entertaining. So if you want someone to scream at you (I used to be a professional screamer – but that’s another story for another day), just head on over – but have a class-A trick up your sleeve.
3. Old Mrs. Robinson opens her door and you’re holding open your pillowcase patiently waiting. “Oh deary,” she says in her frail, little old-lady voice. “I forgot it was Halloween. Don’t know why you kids go begging anyways. Let me go find something to give you.” She shuffles off and finally returns three and a half minutes later with 5 pennies, 2 peppermint candies that look like they went through the dryer, and her deceased husband’s dentures. “Take what you like,” she offers, squinting at you.
What do you choose and why.
Fiona says: The deceased husband’s dentures. It’ll make a great story and decoration (bleach first) for later.
3. I really love reading Dean Koontz but some of his stuff scares the bejesus out of me. What’s the spookiest book you’ve ever read?
Fiona says: Holy moly – The Behrg’s HOUSEBROKEN – not spooky as much as oh so creepy, nightmare inducing, that voice, argh!
4. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you and why?
Fiona says: An owl – amazing speed, stealth capabilities, nocturnal eyesight and hunting abilities, incredibly strong clawed feet, muscular wings. The owl is a formidable night creature. I’d like to feel that kind of power.
Meredith says: I love owls!
6. Every author has a bookshelf filled with his or her favorite reads. Run on over to yours and tell us the scariest book you have.
Fiona says: True Ghost Stories of Ireland – I bought it when I was visiting Limerick with my grandmother and have never been able to finish it for fear that the ghosts came home with the book and by reading it, I would release them.
7. We don’t all write horror but there comes a time when you’ve got to surprise your readers and make sure their hearts are still beating. How do you prepare yourself to get in the spooky writing mood?
Fiona says: I have a few of them in my books, I wasn’t prepared for them; they came out of nowhere. I thought the scene would go in one direction, and as the words formed on the screen, they went in a very different direction, taking me by surprise.
8. Stephen King’s front porch light is on but there are no Halloween decorations.
Do you:
a) trick-or-treat and cross your fingers that he’s handing out the good stuff
b) run screaming
c) call your mom to bring your favorite King paperback and beg for an autograph
Fiona says: A. I’m not a big Stephen King fan. I am a fan of chocolate; I’d take my chances.
9. Congratulations, you just won the literary lottery and sold a million books at full price! The royalty check clears on October 28th. What are you buying for the neighborhood kids?
a) an assortment of mini candybars
b) an assortment of cheap, hard candies
c) full size Hershey bars
Fiona says: A million books full price? Okay, I’d splurge for the full sized chocolate bars, but I’m not kidding about the number of people we have come by the house. One year we counted almost 500. We did a lot more decorating back when that happened (I had teens to help out) but still, there will be hundreds… a million books you say? If you cast your magic wand about and bring that to fruition, I’ll spring for Godiva.
10. Your writer friend calls you with some frightening news. They’re giving up on writing, can’t take the pressure any longer. What do you tell them?
Fiona says: “That’ll last about an hour. Writers have to write like they have to breathe. They have to write like they need water to survive. So, have a glass of wine. Eat some really good chocolate. Turn on a good sappy movie so you can have a good cry. And tomorrow morning put your butt in front of your screen and start hammering out those words.”
Connect with Fiona!
Canadian born, Fiona Quinn is now rooted in the Old Dominion outside of D.C. with her husband and four children. There, she homeschools, pops chocolates, devours books, and taps continuously on her laptop.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is Rob Blackwell!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Rob says: Stephen King – He wrote a truly great zombie book called “Cell,” so he knows how to fight the undead.
Neil Gaiman – I’ve never seen a more creative writer. He’ll think up new ways to slice and dice the zombie horde.
Suzanne Collins – Have you read the Hunger Games series? Collins has spent a LOT of time thinking about ways to kill people. She’d be the perfect ally.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Rob says: Stephen King, cause I worship the man. J.K. Rowling gave me 7 amazing books, King has given me 50+. It’s a game of numbers. Sorry, Jo!
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Rob says: “Boundary Lines” by Melissa F. Olson and “You” by Karoline Kepnes.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Rob says: “Lord of the Rings” by Tolkien. Such a great epic adventure
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Rob says: “Joyland” by Stephen King. What I loved about it is that it really wasn’t supposed to be scary. Instead, it was a coming of age novel not unlike “The Body,” which was turned into the movie Stand by Me. I thought Joyland was very moving and I had a hard time putting it down.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Rob says: “Bone Clocks” by David Mitchell. The man’s ability to merge genres – historical fiction, urban fantasy, post-apocalyptic sci-fi – into a cohesive narrative is fantastic. I’m in absolute awe of Mitchell’s writing ability.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Rob says: I can summon monsters to do my will (so maybe this makes me a supervillain).
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Rob says: I will write anywhere at any time. I wrote my first novel on a Palm Pilot while commuting on the subway. But I will break out the laptop or Kindle anywhere I can get a spare five minutes.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from one of your books.
Rob says: My favorite scene that I’ve ever written was probably in Give the Devil His Due, the third book in my Sanheim Chronicles trilogy. The book has a lot of action, including a war between mythical creatures in the finale. But the best scene for me was a relatively small one in which a major character had to sacrifice himself to help the protagonists. In the scene, he gets to see his life in reverse as if he’s watching a movie. As the movie rewinds to the beginning of his life, the character slowly dies. I like the scene largely because it was a surprise even to me. I knew the character was going to die, but I didn’t know how until I sat down to write it.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Rob says: Quinn O’Brion, the protagonist from the Sanheim Chronicles. He’s a reporter like me, falls in love with a beautiful woman (who looks a little like my wife) and generally responds to the world in a similar way that I do.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Rob says: I write to music, but it has to be instrumental otherwise lyrics from songs end up in my writing. As a result, I listen to a lot of movie and video game soundtracks or “epic trailer” music by groups like Two Steps from Hell and Audiomachine. Some of my favorites at the moment are: “Victory” and “Flight of the Silverbird” by Two Steps, “Between Heaven and Earth” by Audiomachine, “Bynn the Breaker” by Darren Korb and “Zealous Champion” by Tom Salta.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Rob says: Just do it. Stop thinking about writing and write. Finish what you write, edit what you finish, publish what you edit. Rinse and repeat.
Connect with Rob!
Rob is an award-winning journalist with 15 years' experience and the author of The Sanheim Chronicles and The Soren Chase novels, two series that combine urban fantasy, mystery and suspense.
His first novel, A Soul to Steal, was featured on USA Today and praised by book bloggers and readers alike for its great plot and "fantastic ending." Many of his other books have been Kindle bestsellers in the Dark Fantasy category.
As a journalist, Rob has won several Virginia Press Association awards and was co-winner of the Jesse H. Neal Award for Business Journalism. He has appeared several times on other media outlets, including NPR, BBC, CNBC and C-Span.
You can find out more about him on his Facebook page, at www.facebook.com\asoultosteal or on Twitter at @abwashbureau.
Rob lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is Angela Henry!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
Angela says: Wow, that’s a hard one. I’d have to say Joss Whedon, JK Rowling and Lee Child because they’ve created such smart, brave, kick-ass, and clever characters and we’d need all of that to survive.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
Angela says: Sorry, Stephen! But it would be JK. I’m a huge fan and still hold out hope she will revisit Harry’s world one day and gives us a new book, featuring another character.
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
Angela says: I just finished Aliette de Bodard’s HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS, which was awesome! And I’m about to start reading Deanna Raybourn’s A COURIOUS BEGINNING.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
Angela says: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE. I can read the part when Lucy goes into the wardrobe and comes out in snowy Narnia over and over again.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Angela says: It would be a tie between Ben Aaronovitch’s fourth Peter Grant novel, BROKEN HOMES and THE CUCKOO’S CALLING by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
Angela says: Hands down THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins. It’s one of those slow burner novels. Before you know it, it grabs you by the throat and drags you in.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
Angela says: One of my favorite anime’s series is called READ OR DIE! It’s about female agents for a special division of the British Library who can magically control and manipulate paper. That would be my superpower.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
Angela says: I have a corner in my bedroom set up for writing. But I can write anyplace I have access to a computer.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book KNIGHT’S FALL.
Angela says: It would probably be the opening scene describing my main Character Xavier Knight’s fall from heaven and what happens to him after he lands in a back alley in New Orleans.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
Angela says: There’s a one eyed, redheaded, mini skirt wearing, compulsive gambling librarian in KNIGHT’S FALL but I’m not going to say which of her traits she got from me.
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.
Angela says:
1. A Flat by Black Violin
2. Love Never Felt So Good by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake
3. The Show by Doug E. Fresh
4. Rock The Casbah by The Clash
5. Firestarter by The Prodigy
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
Angela says: Write the kinds of books you would enjoy reading yourself.
Get your copy of KNIGHT’S FALL: A Xavier Knight Novel
Connect with Angela!
Angela Henry was once told that her past life careers included spy, researcher, and investigator. She stuck with what she knew because today she's a mystery writing library reference specialist, who loves to people watch and eavesdrop on conversations. She's the author of five mysteries featuring equally nosy amateur sleuth Kendra Clayton, as well as the thriller The Paris Secret. When she's not working, writing, or practicing her stealth, she loves to travel, is connoisseur of B horror movies, and an admitted anime addict. She lives in Ohio and is currently hard at work trying to meet her next deadline.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is Harlow C. Fallon!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writers to paint the town red with and tell us why you chose them.
Harlow says: Well, it being Halloween and all, I’d have to go with three authors who know how to do horror and do it well. So I’d pick Josh Malerman first. His book Bird Box scared the daylight out of me (and I’m not easily shaken). Then I’d have to invite Clive Barker, who wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Imajica. Although not classified as horror, it does contain a healthy dose. And then I’d have to invite Chris Pourteau, who’s put out a couple of books (one published, one soon-to-be-published, which I had the privilege of beta reading) in the Apocalypse Weird universe. The Serenity Strain really gets you in the gut, and his upcoming sequel, Ironheart, gives it a good, hard twist. I think we’d paint the town “read” with this crew!
Meredith Says: Great choices and I love Josh Malerman! Stay tuned for his interview on Oct 31st!
2. You’re ready to head out with your pillowcase to collect loads of confections on All Hallows’ Eve, what’s your costume and why did you choose it?
Harlow says: I’d dress up as one of the Weeping Angels from the Dr. Who episode “Blink.” I mean, what’s more horrifying than opening your door to hand out candy and finding yourself staring into the eyes of a freaky angel statue? And if you blink? It’s over. I take all your candy.
3. Old Mrs. Robinson opens her door and you’re holding open your pillowcase patiently waiting. “Oh deary,” she says in her frail, little old-lady voice. “I forgot it was Halloween. Don’t know why you kids go begging anyways. Let me go find something to give you.” She shuffles off and finally returns three and a half minutes later with 5 pennies, 2 peppermint candies that look like they went through the dryer, and her deceased husbands dentures. “Take what you like,” she offers, squinting at you.
What do you choose and why.
Harlow says: Oh, definitely the dentures. I’d wear them around my neck. Everybody would leave me alone and I’d get tons of writing done.
4. I really love reading Dean Koontz but some of his stuff scares the bejesus out of me. What’s the spookiest book you’ve ever read?
Harlow says: I like Dean Koontz too. Especially the Odd Thomas series. But truth be told, I’m not a big fan of the horror genre. Or, let’s say I’m kind of picky. I remember reading The Amityville Horror when I was a teen and I had a hard time sleeping at night for quite a while afterward. More recently, however, I’d have to say Bird Box by Josh Malerman really made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
5. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you and why?
Harlow says: I don’t even have to think about that one. I’d be a vampire, no question. I’ve always had a love for vampire movies and books. (not the sparkly kind, although I make room for them too.). Vampires are powerful, silent, stealthy, and yeah, kinda sexy. There’s something about a vampire that gives me a chill and a thrill at the same time.
6. Every author has a bookshelf filled with his or her favorite reads. Run on over to yours and tell us some of the scariest books you have.
Harlow says: Wow, Josh Malerman is getting a lot of mentions in this interview. But I’d definitely have to include his book. I’ve been trying to catch up on all the books in the Apocalypse Weird series, and besides the two I mentioned by Chris Pourteau, Eric Tozzi’s Phoenix Lights, Elena E. Georgi’s Immunity, and Reversal, by Jennifer Ellis are all books that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Another one on my shelf that’s pretty scary is Roadside Picnic, by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. Next to that are some old favorites: Stephen King’s The Stand, and Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man. Peter Cline’s 14 has a good creep factor. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Edgar Allan Poe. I have a collection of his deliciously creepy short stories and poetry. There are some others, but those are probably the scariest ones.
7. We don’t all write horror but there comes a time when you’ve got to surprise your readers and make sure their hearts are still beating. How do you prepare yourself to get in the spooky writing mood?
Harlow says: First I’d put on some dark, spine-chilling music, and maybe watch a scary movie for the mood. There would be popcorn. Maybe some chocolate. A craft beer or two. That would get me going, unless I got a stomach ache.
8. Stephen King’s front porch light is on but there are no Halloween decorations.
Do you:
a) trick-or-treat and cross your fingers that he’s handing out the good stuff
b) run screaming
c) call your mom to bring your favorite King paperback and beg for an autograph
Harlow says: Definitely C. I don’t care about the treats. I want the autographs.
9. Congratulations, you just won the literary lottery and sold a million books at full price! The royalty check clears on October 28th. What are you buying for the neighborhood kids?
a) an assortment of mini candybars
b) an assortment of cheap, hard candies
c) full size Hershey bars
Harlow says: Can there be a D option? How about something healthy, like mini-bags of kale chips? No? You’re shaking your head no. Okay, then. I’ll go with A. Of course, not getting paid until October 28th means there won’t be much of a candy selection left. Sorry, kids.
10. Your writer friend calls you with some frightening news. They’re giving up on writing, can’t take the pressure any longer. What do you tell them?
Harlow says: I’d probably tell them to stop writing for others, and start writing for themselves. When I write under the thumb of deadlines and reader demands (I wish) I find it takes a lot of the fun out of writing. The pressure seems to squeeze out all my creativity. But when I separate myself from that, and start writing something that gives me enjoyment, the fun returns. Write for yourself. If you like it, if you’ve found pleasure in what you’re writing, you’re going to be okay. Don’t worry about others. It may seem selfish, but in the end, you’ll be more productive.
Connect with Harlow!
Today, her imagination continues to thrive. She channels her energies into writing, fueled by the curiosities of the world and the mysteries of the universe. Science fiction and fantasy are her genres of choice.
Harlow and her husband have five grown children, and have made Michigan their home for the past fifteen years.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Today's Authtoberfest featured author is THE BEHRG
The Behrg and me were supposed to meet up at the Hotel California. I got a bad vibe and changed it to Starbucks last minute. The hipsters were a little unnerved watching me interview a shadow. Let's see what The Behrg had to say about reading, writing and zombies!
1. It’s the zombie apocalypse and writers have got to stick together to survive. Pick 3 authors to be on your zombie apocalypse killing team and tell us why you’d choose them.
The Behrg says:
A. David Wong, author of John Dies at the End, because even if he’s not helpful we’d have a great time.
B. Stephen King, who would probably be yawning through the experience, thinking “I always thought this would be worse …”
C. And Fiona Quinn, because if she kicks butt half as much as her heroine does, we’d have nothing to worry about. Plus, why would only male authors get to have all the fun?
Meredith says: I love the Stephen king yawning part! And Fiona Quinn - have you seen her videos where she breaks shit? I think she could handle herself well during the zombie apocalypse.
The Behrg says: I think Fiona Quinn could seriously handle the zombie apocalypse on her own, considering all the research she does for her blog! World War Z against Fiona; my money's on Fiona.
2. If Stephen King and J. K. Rowling were drowning in a river, who would you save first? And now you have to tell us why.
The Behrg says: Against my better judgement (and personal preference) I would have to save J.K. Rowling. My kids would kill me if they knew I let her drown. (Sorry, Stephen).
Meredith says: The things we do for our children.
The Behrg says: I'm already holding this hypothetical situation against them!!
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading?
The Behrg says: I have ADHD when it comes to reading and am always rotating between five to six books. I just finished The Fold by Peter Clines, which I thought was brilliant. My current list of books that I’m in the process of reading include:
- Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
- Ant Farm by James Jackson (fellow Kindle Scout winner)
- Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn
- The Dark Man by Desmond Doane (another Kindle Scout winner)
Meredith says: Oh hey! Andy Weir said THE FOLD was his best read of the year so far. What do you think of it?
The Behrg says: One of the most intriguing characters I've read in a long time set in a sci-fi novel that's really more mystery than anything. And the ending reminded me of one of my favorite recent movies, Cabin in the Woods, where in the 3rd act everything goes poetically (but justifiably) insane! I devoured it, and that says a lot.
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with?
The Behrg says: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Something about it that makes it so universal to both youth and adults.
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
The Behrg says: So many to choose from …… Black Fridays by Michael Sears was a pleasant surprise last year. Legion, a novella by Brandon Sanderson, I also found compellingly original.
6. This year my favorite read has been The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. What’s the best book you’ve read so far in 2015?
The Behrg says: Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts. The execution of this novel was flawless.
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower?
The Behrg says: The power to turn negative thought into a sappy CareBear-esque flood of positivity.
Meredith says: That is the perfect super power for a writer! I want it.
8. I have writing spots all over my house: my desk, my couch, the patio, and my bed. Where’s your favorite spot to write?
The Behrg says: I prefer writing in restaurants or coffee shops where there’s enough ambient noise to drown out my own internal editor who tends to shout quite often as I write. I swear that guy must have Tourette’s.
9. We’re supposed to love all of our children equally, but there are some scenes I’ve written that really stick out in my mind. Tell us your favorite scene from your book HOUSEBROKEN.
The Behrg says: One of my favorite scenes in the book is when we first get to look through the son, Adam’s eyes. Here his family is being held hostage in their own home by these psychopaths, but we haven’t yet gotten to see how this young teenager is responding to everything. In just a page and half, I think, we get a glimpse into the workings of his mind and learn that the son is as psychotic as the men who are holding the family hostage.
This scene took me completely by surprise. I had no intentions when I began writing to make Adam into this troubled teen, but as soon as I got behind his head he demanded to be heard. It was a phenomenal lesson for me in learning that characters really do have their own voices and demands.
10. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you?
The Behrg says: I grew up as a working actor and now write to slip into the mindset of someone completely different from me. I’m drawn to fatally flawed characters when it comes to literature – or movies, for that matter. Thankfully, at least for my wife’s sake, I don’t resemble any of the characters in Housebroken (or at least I hope not).
Meredith says:
11. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist.1
The Behrg says: I’ve tried writing to music, but as a guitarist and musician I find myself completely distracted. Even classical music or soundtracks keep me from focusing. That’s one thing I wish I had the ability to do.
12. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say?
The Behrg says: Don’t be afraid to fail. Take chances and respect your audience by challenging them. And if you’re going to tell a story that’s been done before, find a way to bring a new angle to it. Originality is king in a world filled with noise.
Connect with The Behrg
Connect with The Behrg
(This is The Behrg. He may or may not be human, an alien, a ghost, an empty soul... or all of the above)
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Author Bio:
My writing career began in the fourth grade when tasked with an assignment to write about rain. I opted to tell the story of a raindrop who decided life wasn't worth living and leapt to his death only to discover that really he was being reborn. (You know that whole life-cycle thing).
Yeah, I was a little twisted even back then. Thankfully my teacher encouraged my writing rather than send me for a psych evaluation... (that came later).
I was a child actor and starred in recurring roles in Dynasty and Highway to Heaven, and was even in an episode of The Twilight Zone. I dropped out of college to join a rockband, was kicked out of the Peter Pan ride at Disneyland for lobbing rocks onto toy houses, and I have a grave in my backya ... oh wait, this is a BIO not a CONFESSIONAL.
Bottom line: I love to write. And thankfully, my family puts up with it. The very act of creating something that might be slightly askew keeps me going. I'm drawn to dark fiction where I find an appreciation for the light. Horror, thrillers, suspense. Things that make you question your own reality or open your mind to look at the world a little differently than you might have before.
I'm grateful to all those who give an independent author like myself a chance. For more about me, my works, (my rants), and my upcoming projects, please stop by www.thebehrg.com.
I promise I don't bite. (See, there's a reason they keep me muzzled).
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