My KindleScout winning title, Let Her Go has been discounted by the publisher. You can get this book (and a few others) for $1.99 (original price $3.49). Follow this link to see the available books. There are some other great reads that are on sale for the month of June as well. Pick them up on the cheap! Happy Reading, M. R. Pritchard
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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
Let's see what Vincent had to say about reading, writing and All Hallows' Eve!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writers to paint the town red with and tell us why you chose them. VRA says:
a. Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
b. Dracula – Bram Stoker
c. Exorcist – William Blatty
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? VRA says: Well I’d say I don’t really need one. I’m pretty scary. But I would love to choose the Hulk. He’s a massive beast who nobody messes with when he’s angry.
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. VRA says: 5 pennies. I can still buy gum with it.
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? VRA says: The Exorcist
5. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you? VRA says: I’ll take Angel of Light for $500 Meredith.
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. VRA says: Exorcist – William Blatty
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? VRA says: For me the characters become real. So, it’s not a mood it’s a forced motive. As I am searching the plotlines and moving the characters through them, the potential for physical, emotional and spiritual dilemmas are always present.
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 VRA says: I’m all in on calling mom to get the autograph.
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 VRA says: Definitely C, but I don’t know if there would be any left to hand out!
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? VRA says: Take a chill pill. Order up a Gran Marnier on the rocks and have a very long discussion.
33 Degrees was selected as a Kindle Scout winner for publication. Thank you to all my fans who voted and helped get 33 noticed!
Vincent Robert Annunziato is a native Long Islander who currently resides with his wife and family in Virginia. He graduated Sachem High School and received a B.S. Degree from Hofstra University in Television Science. Vincent spent several years in Hollywood working for various production companies. He eventually wound up landing a job with the government, marrying a wonderful woman and raising three beautiful children. After thinking the dream of becoming a writer had passed him by, Vincent wrote his first novel on an Amazon Kindle HD tablet while commuting to work 2 hours each way.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Lisa Weaver doesn't write spooky books, but she does write fun romances. And she's a fellow Kindle Scout winner. Let's see how she plans to spend 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. Lisa says: I have a lot of favorite writer buddies, so narrowing down the field is a terror inducing exercise. For sheer fun factor, I'd choose Fiona Quinn and you, Meredith. You'd be awesome sisters-in-spook! And, okay, I confess, I'd also like to pick your talented brains for writing advice. And I'd invite Joseph Souza. I have a feeling he'd nail the "Best Costume" contest.
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? Lisa says: I'd break out my utility belt, black cape, arm gauntlets, and thigh high boots and channel my inner Batgirl. She's the daughter of a police commissioner (cool) and a librarian (doubly cool). PLUS she gets to fight crime and hang with Batman. *swoon*
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. Lisa says: Nothing. I'd leave empty-handed and return with a piping hot pizza to share with her. I'd also bring chocolate along to hand out to the rest of her trick-or-treaters. Mrs. Robinson offered up all she had, so she deserves to be treated.
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? Lisa says: Edgar Allen Poe's Tales of Horror, featuring The Tell-Tale Heart. Need I say more?
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? Lisa says: What a fun question! Angel, shape shifter, dragon...there are so many possibilities! Fairy appeals to my romantic side. And sprinkling Fairy Dust is far more fun than cleaning up the ordinary variety.
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. Lisa says: Stephen King's The Shining.
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? Lisa says: I'd dim the lights and settle in to watch The Walking Dead with a little Buffy The Vampire Slayerthrown in for good measure.
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 Lisa says: C.
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 Lisa says: C. I'm sensing a pattern here.
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? Lisa says: I'd tell them not to give up, because diamonds are a by-product of pressure.
Lisa Weaver loves living in Maine, although she occasionally fantasizes about moving to a state with milder temperatures. On the upside, the long, cold winters give her plenty of time to plot her next romance.
Lisa also loves books, and can't imagine a world without the written word to enrich us, inspire us, entertain us, and touch our hearts. She's thrilled to make a small contribution to the treasure trove. She began her writing career penning articles and short stories, but it has long been her dream to write romance novels. Thanks to the Amazon Kindle Scout program, that dream is now a reality. Her debut novel, "The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride", will be published by Kindle Press in 2015.
Lisa is the first to admit her romances aren't serious literature. She thinks of her stories as fluffy, fun, romantic romps--like decadently rich cupcakes, heavy on the frosting.
She loves to hear from readers! Please drop by and visit her anytime at her website, www.lisaweaverromance.com. You can also keep in touch with the latest Weaver Romance happenings via her Facebook and Twitter pages.
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. Amy says:
1. Charlotte Brontë. Even though she had a life filled with tragedy, her ambition and perseverance tell me she could kick some serious butt.
2. Emily Bronte. Emily proved that she could kick butt: she once cauterized her own wound after having been bitten by a dog.
3. J.K. Rowling. I think she’d be fun to be around, and she has such a great imagination I believe she could outsmart those zombies.
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 ;) Amy says: J. K.! I am a huge Potterhead and don’t care much for horror. I also think that J.K. could offer a more substantial reward. And invite me to live with her in her castle. (Can you say “wish fulfillment”?)
3. We authors are voracious readers. My TBR list is approximately 8 miles long. What are you currently reading? Amy says: A fun book interviewing comics of all stripes, Poking a Dead Frog by Mike Sacks. Also finished an excerpt from The Girl With Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Lee. Next up: A People’s History of the Great Recession by Arthur Delaney and The Second Intellient Species by Marshall Brain. You know, just some light “beach” reading with Fabio on the cover! :>
4. What is the one book that you could read a million times and never get bored with? Amy says:Pride and Prejudice, baby!
5. Last year my favorite read was The Martian by Andy Weir. What was your best read of 2014?
Amy says: Sideways 3: Chile by my friend Rex Pickett.
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? Amy says: The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
7. You’re a writer by day and a superhero by night. (Take off those geeky glasses Superman) What’s your superpower? Amy says: In fact, I’m a software developer by day and a writer by night. So my superpower is working two full-time jobs concurrently!
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? Amy says: My dining room nook. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, and yes, it gives me lower back pain, but I have a nice view of lovely Northwest scenery.
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 The Misses Brontes Establihsment. Amy says: It’s the scene where the young heroine, Maria, pretends to be Emily Brontë on the sisters’ fabled trip to London to prove they were three different authors. In reality, Emily refused to go, but Maria does a bang-up impersonation laden with subtle comedy.
9. Sometimes a little too much of myself slips into my characters. Which one of your characters most resembles you? Amy says: Charlotte Brontë. Like her, I’m hypersensitive, thin-skinned, and appreciate truth in Art, but I also have her ambition, never-say-die attitude, and nun-like dedication to her craft.
10. I’ve always got tunes rocking while I’m writing. Tell us five songs that are on your playlist. Amy says: NONE! I can’t concentrate with music in the background. I am however fond of Guns N’ Roses, Marilyn Manson, and Ting Ting.
11. If you could tell an aspiring author one tiny tidbit of information, what would you say? Amy says: DON’T! (kidding). Be prepared for the long haul. The arts ain’t easy, and they never have been. This is a tough game, so toughen up and be prepared to go the distance. I prepared by working for 15 years in the film industry. Do I win something?
Get your copy of The Misses Brontë’s Establishment
Amy Wolf is a Kindle Scout winner for her novel THE MISSES BRONTES ESTABLISHMENT, which launched on August 11, 2015. She has published 38 short stories in the fantasy/sf press, including REALMS OF FANTASY (2) and INTERZONE (U.K.). She is a graduate of the Clarion West Writer's program and has an honors English degree from The University of London. She started her career working for the major Hollywood studios, especially 20th Century Fox. One of three natives out of 10 million, Amy was forced from L.A. and now lives in Seattle (where it rains). She has one adult daughter currently terrorizing L.A., 2 horses, 2 dogs, and a bunny. Check out her blog on http://www.missesbrontes.com
*The promo below is not affiliated with Secret Life of a Townie book blog or M. R. Pritchard*
