AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sean P. Wallace

1. When and why did you decide to become a writer?

It was in my teens that I decided I wanted to write books. I'd always really enjoyed the story-writing assignments in English, far more than anything else in class, and decided to give it a proper go when I was 13. And oh boy was it bad! Just awful. I tried again at 17, and that we even worse! It was only when I turned 20, and really gave it a proper go, that I produced something that was merely bad. But I loved it, and decided that writing was my calling.

2. What authors inspired you when you were younger? What books do you enjoy today?

When I was a kid, it was all American Horror books: King, Koontz, folk like that. My reading age was well in advance of my actual age, so I dove into them from a very young age. Which might explain a lot about my current nature! Now, though, I find myself enjoying Fantasy and Science Fiction far more. I still have a soft spot for Horror, but Horror stories have to be exquisitely told to reach the standards of my youth.

3. Can you tell readers the inspiration behind your novel Deep Echoes?

Deep Echoes started with the question of what a religion built around the prominence of women would look like. Hence the Contegon Station which both Maya and Chain belong to at the beginning of the book. From there, I wrote another story entirely to Deep Echoes, but realised eventually that I'd not included enough backstory, enough of the characters, for that tale to work. That was when I went back to the start of the story proper, the book that became Deep Echoes.

4. Were any of the disparate characters in the novel inspired by people you know in your "real life"?

Not particularly. Snow has a lot of me at that age in him, but most characters end up being a reflection of their creator in some way. Which, I suppose, makes me wonder what Wasp says about me!

5. Do you plan on writing or have you written a sequel to Deep Echoes?

The sequel to Deep Echoes is currently with beta readers! With any luck, I should get to release it Q2 this year.

6. Why did you choose such unconventional names for your characters,  like "Chain" and "Snow", while your main character had a more typical moniker ("Maya")?

In the world of Geos, names are picked from an old language, taken from the remnants of an advanced society. Everyone is given an 'Old Language' name. Maya, though, her name will have more meaning in the third book of the series...

7. Sol (the sun) is this future world's version of God and its worshipers are elitist and insular. Was this meant as a commentary on how modern religious orders act, or did it happen accidentally?

It's more a commentary on people. Centres of power, be they religious, political, or militaristic, tend to separate themselves off from those without power. It's why, in our times, the Internet is so valuable, because it connects people far more easily than ever before. Whilst religions, ancient and modern, do turn insular and elitist, it is not a trait peculiar to them.

8. What would you, as the author, like readers to take from this novel?

I would like people to take a sense that they were in this world with them, that Geos is a real place. I worked hard on making it seem real, considering incredibly minor things, and I'd hope that came across. I'd also like people to think about Maya and Chain, and their differences and similarities in the way they are about their beliefs, and how one grows whilst the other does not.

9. Would you want to see the story made into a film? If yes, which actors would you want to play each individual character?

I would love to see Deep Echoes as a film, though it'd likely never happen. I couldn't possibly cast them, though, because each of the main characters is really alive in my head.

10. Where do you see yourself and your career in the next ten years?

With any luck, I will be producing a few novels a year, and I'll have a fanbase large enough to support me. Also, I'd love to get sent fan art or fan fiction. That's pretty much my second biggest career goal. My biggest would be to write an Anime series.

11. Are you working on any new projects that you are willing to share with KSR?

As I said, I'm currently working on the sequel to Deep Echoes. I have a Western Fantasy/Horror story called Dust and Sand, which was serialised on www.geek-pride.co.uk , with some agents, and an Urban Fantasy book just kind of waiting its turn.
If you want to hear me swear and talk about geeky stuff, check out the Geek Pride Cast on YouTube or Stitcher.

12. What would you be doing if you weren't writing?

I genuinely don't know. I suppose I might have gone more heavily into Video Games for a creative outlet.

13. Is the theme of rebellion, like how Maya rebelled against her teachings, something you will revisit again in a future book?

It certainly is a theme for Maya in the sequel! ;)

14. If you could collaborate with any author, who would it be and why?

I would say Stephen King, but I doubt I'd be able to contribute anything other than gushing praise. Instead, I'll say George R. R. Martin, because he rocks, and we could kill characters together!

15. Thank you for participating in the interview! Can you leave the reader with three things that may surprise them about you?

No, thank you. And my three things are that I have a degree in Video Games design, I didn't like the Harry Potter books, and that I loved the Harry Potter films immensely!

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BOOK REVIEW: "Deep Echoes" by Sean P. Wallace

In the fictional world of Geos, heresy is the worst thing possible if you're afollower of Sol, the sun. Being a heretic is the equivalent of being a terrorist in modern-day America.
Maya is ready to become a Contegon, a religious soldier, but deserts,  becoming a heretic and leaving suspicion on the head of her friend, Chain, who does graduate and become a Contegon. Chain has to deal with the elders of the Contegons and a new, mysterious young man who has taken an interest in her.
Maya escapes by tricking a vulnerable teen boy named Snow and stealing his mother's Identity Papers, never knowing that Snow's grandfather is a Desciple, the enemy of the Contegons.

In this novel about rebellion, religion and thinking for oneself, Sean P. Wallace created an amazing journey for the reader.Now, my biggest reservation about this book is it jumps almost too quickly between characters. I think each individual subplot needed a little more attention before it was switched after every chapter.
I am a lover of descriptive dialogue, and while the scenes were excellently depicted, the characters could've used some extra words.

Overall, this book receives a four from me because, when you get right down to it, it's the story that counts and Mr. Wallace gave us a great one!

4/5--inventive!

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Thomas Bähler

I'm honored to have been asked to interview the talented writer, musician and composer, Thomas Bähler, via Malena Public Relations.
Read on to hear about his experience in the music industry and how he got the idea for his debut novel, Anything Is Possible: A Tale Of Æsop.







1. You started out as a musician/producer. When and why did you decide tobecome a writer?

This is a great question that I am asked frequently and I can understandwhy--my answer is pretty simple really…I was raised by an inspiring father, who encouraged me to be creative and ‘Do what you love, Son.’
For me, the tools and processes of creating are closely related regardless of the genrein which our creations may manifest themselves…words and music have alwaysbeen an artistic outlet for me and story, in particular has always felt like melody to me, so creating music and creating novels are simply different rooms in the same creative house for me.

2. Why choose Æsop's life; Greek history in general? What was the allure?

I’m enjoying your questions, Kelly--to tell you the truth, I don’t feel asthough I picked ÆSOP. I feel as though he picked me. My first Æsop ‘meeting' took place when I was three years old, listening to a WarnerBrothers ‘Reader Record’ of Bugs Bunny and the Tortoise. I was hooked andover the years our friendship and understanding grew in depth andunderstanding to the point that I feel as though he has moved in with me.
Greeks? Our western culture is based upon the Greeks who gave usphilosophy, theater and myth as well as the Æsop’s everlasting fables inwhich he has showed us the beauty as well fallibility of our humancircumstance. Æsop is the most quoted single author in history.

3. The theme of the book seems to be very inspirational--believing in yourown power & self-worth. Did working in the deprecating music industrypartly influence your thought process?

I’m not certain what this question means but if you will explain it to meI’ll be happy to answer it!

4. Whose work influenced you when you were younger? What books do you enjoy reading now?

In the Literary world, I was most influenced by ÆSOP, for his stories ofthe human condition both inspired and instructed me. I have also read many biographies of great contributors such as Lincoln, Edison, Curie, Franklinand so many of the great people who have shaped our lives. I still readmany biographies as well as a great range of fiction from Fitzgerald to Atwood.

5. Since I asked about your past career, will you tell the readers what itwas about the music industry that made you want to work in it?

My attraction to the music industry began from my musical family. It was and is a way of serving others. When my first hit song traveled the world, it thrilled me to learn that something I created in my living room had brought joy to people all over the globe.

6. You've worked with many talented musicians. What authors would you liketo collaborate with in the future, if any?

I love the collaborative nature of the entertainment business, although with no intent to being so, my successes as a songwriter and author have come from flying solo. I can tell you that I want to meet Margaret Atwood, Paulo Coelho and Carlos Ruiz Zafon to name a few. The collaboration of that opportunity would come from discussion of what moves and inspires us.

7. What musicians would you like to work with one day?

I have had the great pleasure to have worked with so many icons of our timeand I plan to continue navigating that river with whomever I can serve, or,creating together, can further serve and entertain our audience.

8. Are you working on anything, book-wise, that you can share with KSR?

Yes, I am! - I am on my post- 1st edit re-write of the follow up novel to Anything Is Possible, and at the same time, am writing a companion book to AIP as well. The world in which we dwell is so beautifully fertile. :)

9. Where do you see your writing career in the next ten years?

I see a total of three novels in the Anything Is Possible series,accompanied by companion books and programs that support their philosophy as well as many more speaking engagements, more music, more connection withand most of all, serving others.

10. Would you ever consider writing a non-fiction book about your time inthe music industry since the 1970's [background for readers, Mr. Bähler worked with The Partidge Family, wrote Cher's hit "Living In A House Divided" and formed his own band, The Love Generation, with his brother, John; he has also worked with Michael Jackson]?

Bingo! That book is already in the development, for I have wonderfulstories about the great talents and people with whom I have had the pleasure to create.

11. What is the biggest difference writing for yourself and writing forother artists?

For me it is always about story - songs to me are one act plays - and innovels, I have the opportunity to expand those stories to include richer detail - at the end of the day, no matter who is to perform or read - story is my melody. I am melody’s servant.

12. Writing lyrics can be like storytelling. What is the biggest difference between writing lyrics & writing a novel?

I am sure there is a difference…for me, I have always written what I hear, so whether it is a lyric, poetry or prose…I write what I hear - I amcompletely content with my audience, readers and listeners deciding their differences - personally, I would prefer that they are moved by their content and not their style.

13. Would you like to see Anything Is Possible turned into a film? Would you work on music for said film if it were to happen?

Anything Is Possible is quite cinematic to me and it’s sequel even more so. I imagine that I would contribute to the score in some fashion.

14. Were you to have to choose, would you rather work on music or writingfull-time?

For me, I breathe, eat, drink, sleep, make love and create. I cannot separate myself from any of those nor could I from their expression.

15. Thank you so much for participating in this interview, Mr. Bähler. Would you please leave the readers with three things that may surprise them about you?

1. I am a “Jolly Rogers Fire Stix” junkie. 2. I love a wildly wide varietyof people and their stories. 3. I actually believe that anything is possible.

Find Mr. Bähler online via the following:

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BOOK REVIEW: "Anything Is Possible: A Tale of Æsop" by Thomas Bähler

"Anything is possible".

That is the recurring phrase and title of composer/musician Thomas Bähler's debut novel, Anything Is Possible: A Tale of Æsop, Æsop being the ancient Greek storyteller.
Bähler's novel tells the tale of Æsop's early life as a slave under Theseus. Compared top other slaves, he lives an easy life with his mother Danae, in Theseus' house, able to learn from the best tutors Theseus employs for his own, rather bratty, son, Acacius. He finds he is gifted at telling tales, and entertains courteiers with them.
Theseus takes Danae to collect his brother, who has come for a visit, when tragedy strikes and Theseus is killed in an accident, along with Danae, making Acacius the new master.
Æsop's life is immediately altered, add he is now an "outside" slave, working long hours of manual labor and eating little. He now knows the true meaning of being a slave.As the story goes on (cut with line drawings of characters and particular scenes by artist Yulee Kim), the reader is repeatedly confronted with the theme of one being oneself's own master, slave to none and capable of anything.

Freedom comes from within, and if you believe in yourself you can do anything. That's the point Mr. Bähler tries to put across and into every reader's head. For the most part, I believe he succeeded in conveying that, no matter your race, gender or station, you can be and do anything.
It was a joy to read a novel that is both entertaining and inspiring. The life of Æsop is riddled with trials, but he keeps going despite the odds being stacked against him. It is a book for everyone who has ever been told they're not good enough, they're to fat, too poor, too human, to be and do what they dream of.
Amazing work, in a psychological, sociological and entertainment sense. Highly recommended for everyone who has a heart or wants to gain some confidence.
Thank you, Malena PR, for sending me this book!

5/5--inspiring!

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Lisa Kessler's "Beg Me To Slay" Blog Tour Stops at KSR!

In December Lisa Kessler gave readers a demonic delight with her new novel Beg Me To Slay. (Click here to read my review!)
Now she makes a stop here at KSR to talk to you all about the novel...and reveals some secrets behind-the-scenes of the book's creation.
Below the interview you'll find a Rafflecopter link, along with places to interact with Mrs. Kessler online.
Enjoy!











1. You've given us vampires and shifters. What made you want to write about demons?

My husband and I share an office and he works nights producing and writing a morning radio show. At about 1am I turned around to find him watching a webcam of the ocean. We live in San Diego county and many of the beach hotels now have webcams pointed at the coast. My hubby was taking a mental health break for 5 minutes, watching this grainy webcam with a floodlight barely lighting the waves coming in.
I asked, “What would you do if the webcam popped up and someone was burying a body on the beach?”
For a little over a week that question kept rolling around in my head and when I wondered why they'd never find the bodies, I realized they might have dug themselves out, transformed into demons. The book took off so fast I had to type quickly to keep up! :)

2. In the Acknowledgements, you say you wrote this about survivors when you were in a dark place in your life. Can you talk a bit more about what the inspiration was and what you want readers to take from Tegan and Gabe?

When I started Beg Me to Slay, I'd had some major upheaval in my family and found myself crying daily and feeling very lost. When Tegan and Gabe came into my life, I started out writing their story as an escape, but as the book continued, they both started healing, and I felt like I did too.
I hope that readers will take away that even in the worst of circumstances, you can rise above. We're not victims, we're survivors. Big difference...  I hope it inspires anyone in a dark place to get out there and keep fighting.

3. Demon fodder is all over the media, with shows like Supernatural getting viewers by the millions. Were things like that helpful in getting information about the demon world?

I'm such a sucker for paranormal shows! I can't get enough...  But my favorite shows were ANGEL and MOONLIGHT.  In my head Gabe looked a lot like Mick from MOONLIGHT, and he dressed and fought like Angel from Joss Whedon's ANGEL. I wanted the book to be dark, but action oriented like both shows were. I hope I achieved that! :)

4. What is the biggest difference between your other novels and this one?

Good question. Hmmm...  I think this one is different because my paranormal creatures were the bad guys. In my Night Series and the Moon Series the paranormal characters are usually the heroes, but in Beg Me to Slay although Gabe is a Slayer and tough to kill, he's still mortal just like Tegan. It was a fun dynamic for me to toy with too.

5. Will we see Tegan, Gabe and the unforgettable Lago again or is this a stand-alone novel? - 

I wrote this one as a stand-alone, but I've had so many requests for more, that my brain has been very busy pondering. Gabe did mention that there were other Slayers in the world, so if a new peril rose up we might meet a new Slayer and it might require all the Slayers including Gabe and Tegan band together to fight...  So you never know... :)

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MONTHLY MUSIC MADNESS: Delta Wave

In my bio, many of you might've noticed that I said I might refer some music to my readers. I said that because music is a passion equal to books for me. It is another escape mechanism from reality, and it incites such deep feelings of...nearly anything. Love, sadness, anger and understanding are just some of what the listener will experience.
Until now, I have fallen short in that department due to the time my blog takes up normally (and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!), but this year I promise you all I will not slack off anymore!
I will try my best to do this monthly (hence the post title): dedicate a post to an artist/band I enjoy listening to and share them with you all. Here is my first artist: my amazingly talented & supportive friends, Delta Wave.













Originally formed in Los Angeles, California a few years ago under the name Awaken The Empire, Delta Wave built a small but dedicated cult following worldwide (who still call themselves "Insomniacs") with their unique brand of electronic rock music, sounding like a mix of 30 Seconds To Mars & Aerosmith.
They released two videos, "The Awakening" & "Rise+ Fall", under that name, and, most notably, they'd opened for indie synth-rock band Kill Hannah at their annual New Heart For X-Mas show in 2012 in Chicago, Illinois (the show was then in its ninth year).
Not long after that, they topped the MTV Buzzworthy charts with their video for "Rise+Fall", receiving high praise and gaining popularity.
Members Damien Lawson (vocals, guitar, lyrics), Daryl Falconer (drums), Shivan Somaratane (guitar) and newest member Romina Fronti (bass) then took a short break, making some changes including their name, location (current base of operations is an island off of Seattle, Washington) and sound, turning to the more alternative subgenre of rock.
Now, they're working on new music to release with Century Media Records, planning a tour with Maphia Management and want to make 2014 their year. And I, having known them all for years, believe that this could truly be the year of Delta Wave!

For fans of: Aerosmith, 30 Seconds To Mars, Kill Hannah, alternative rock music

Members:

Damien Lawson: vocals, guitar, lyrics






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Romina Fronti: bass






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Shivan Somaratane: guitar






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Daryl Falconer: drums






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Band accounts are as follows:






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Enjoy, my friends! Check back here monthly for new artists to listen to and check back weekly for new books to read!

MONTHLY MUSIC MADNESS: Delta Wave

In my bio, many of you might've noticed that I said I might refer some music to my readers. I said that because music is a passion equal to books for me. It is another escape mechanism from reality, and it incites such deep feelings of...nearly anything. Love, sadness, anger and understanding are just some of what the listener will experience.
Until now, I have fallen short in that department due to the time my blog takes up normally (and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!), but this year I promise you all I will not slack off anymore!
I will try my best to do this monthly (hence the post title): dedicate a post to an artist/band I enjoy listening to and share them with you all. Here is my first artist: my amazingly talented & supportive friends, Delta Wave.













Originally formed in Los Angeles, California a few years ago under the name Awaken The Empire, Delta Wave built a small but dedicated cult following worldwide (who still call themselves "Insomniacs") with their unique brand of electronic rock music, sounding like a mix of 30 Seconds To Mars & Aerosmith.
They released two videos, "The Awakening" & "Rise+ Fall", under that name, and, most notably, they'd opened for indie synth-rock band Kill Hannah at their annual New Heart For X-Mas show in 2012 in Chicago, Illinois (the show was them in its ninth year).
Not long after that, they topped the MTV Buzzworthy charts with their video for "Rise+Fall", receiving high praise and gaining popularity.
Members Damien Lawson (vocals, guitar, lyrics), Daryl Falconer (drums), Shivan Somaratane (guitar) and newest member Romina Fronti (bass) then took a short break, making some changes including their name, location (current base of operations is an island off of Seattle, Washington) and sound, turning to the more alternative subgenre of rock.
Now, they're working on new music to release with Century Media Records, planning a tour with Maphia Management and want to make 2014 their year. And I, having known them all for years, believe that this could truly be the year of Delta Wave!

For fans of: Aerosmith, 30 Seconds To Mars, Kill Hannah, alternative rock music

Members:

Damien Lawson: vocals, guitar, lyrics






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Romina Fronti: bass






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Shivan Somaratane: guitar






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Daryl Falconer: drums






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Band accounts are as follows:






Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Enjoy, my friends! Check back here monthly for new artists to listen to and check back weekly for new books to read!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: James DeSantis Talks "Exterminators: Shadows"

Author James DeSantis is back on my blog again to talk about the second book in his series, Exterminators; Shadows.
Warning: if you didn't read book one, Infected, there ARE spoilers in this interview! Purchase links for the first book can be found here.
Enjoy!







1. This story picks up where book one, Infected, left off. Each character has had some personal changes. Were those slight differences intentional or did they sort of grow up before your eyes?

They are slowly growing up. I look back and wonder how much I changed throughout the years. It's odd, everybody changes in some ways. Do you remember when you change though? Like major changes? I think changes almost always happened gradually. I wanted to make the characters in Exrterminators act just like all of us. Small changes to some, but major changes to the person themselve. 

2. In this book you delve deeper into the Summoners and Shadows, and their relationships with the Exterminators. Will you continue to write about those organizations in the future Exterminators books?

Yes, they are a huge part of the entire world that I've built. The three way war is something I find interesting. It's scary enough when two organizations are at war with each other, lives on the line. What happens when a third comes into play? Can you trust anyone? That's really what makes the whole thing so fun to write. 

3. Why did you choose to have Riven come back as such an essential character instead of having him fade away after be possessed Fred?

Fred was a character that builds the others in a lot of way. Even in his passing, he created a so called “road” for the other characters to travel on. Riven, is a huge symbolic character. Almost struggling to find his identity. Something many people can relate to. 

4. You deal with a lot of emotions most adventure novels leave out: love, loss, betrayal and self-doubt. Was it difficult to dredge up those intense feelings or were they easy to put into words?

At one point in life I felt almost everything these characters go through. Growing up we deal with love, betrayal, death, abuse (in some way or another) and putting it down on paper really is almost self reliving in some ways. So having these situations for certain characters can seem “mean” or “wrong” but everyone goes through troubles in life. Even the ones who have everything. Why should my characters be any different? To many stories protect their characters from real world problems. I want my characters to face them head on. 

5. Both books have had a lot of twists and turns to leave readers guessing. Is there anything you can tell them to EXPECT in the future installments of the series? 

As I finish book three, which connects with two in a lot of ways, I want to say you are in for a big roller coaster ride. Book four is the calm before the storm and will create the events of book five that with conclude the series. Everyone can see the war is coming, there's no secret there. This war will be HUGE and it'll leave readers in shock as the events unfold. I promise this much, what's to come is both scary and exciting. So get ready!

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BOOK REVIEW: "Exterminators: Shadows" by James DeSantis

In James DeSantis' second Exterminators novel, he continues with his original story of the teen boys who were chosen to fight the Unknowns (demons from another realm) and protect mankind.
But this novel goes deeper than its predecessor.

Each boy has his own personal trials: Marshall and his girl are having a baby, Nick has moved in with his girlfriend and has angered his father by deciding not to go to college and Peter is learning how to feel real, human emotions.

One of their comrades, Jin, has a secret: he was secretly working with the Summoners, the enemies of Exterminators. When one of the Summoners kills Jin's lover, he goes on the hunt, not knowing that David, the leader of the Summoners, is planning a war between Summoners, Exterminators and the rogue group known as Shadows.

In this book, lines are blurred, crossed and breached by the three organizations' members and they have another problem: Riven, the demon who possessed the young Exterminator Fred in the last book, is back...but he's not alone in there...

Most series get worse before they get better, but that is not the case here. With a multi-faceted story, emotional scenes and realistic characters amidst a fantastical, violent plot, this is a book for adventure-seekers that will entertain you and make you long for the next installment, as I am!

Expect plot twists, strong emotions and crestures beyond your imagination in this book!

5/5--fantastical!

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Eric Robert Nolan

1. When and why did you decide to become an author?

 I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t telling stories.  I grew up in a working class Irish family in New York, and poems and stories were a big part of the culture.  For as long as I can remember, I was making up my own.  The first poem I remember writing was when I was about eight or so.  I think it was about a boy befriending a wild horse.

2. You write poetry, short stories and novels. What is the biggest distinction between the three and which is your favorite to write?

 For me, poetry is about economy.  You can say a lot with only a few words.  You can convey an image, feeling or message in less than a page – something that prose is often unable to do.  All writers are communicators – they have something that they would like to get across.  Poetry enables you to do that quickly.  I once recited a love poem for a co-worker when we were sneaking a cigarette break – it took less than a minute, and when I was done, he knew exactly how I felt about the woman who was the subject of the poem.
Prose is about detail.  I try to put as much thought as possible into characterization, setting, and “world building,” Here is where you can communicate at length with those who have more time to read.  I would like to be the kind of writer that can draw readers into the world of the story.  I want them to inhabit it – in the same way I’ve been able to inhabit the worlds of my own favorite writers.

3. Whose work inspired you when you were younger. Whose work do you enjoy today?

Two writers have been my primary influences as both a child and an adult.
Since the age of 16, I have loved the poetry of W.H. Auden.  In my own humble estimation, he was a sublimely beautiful mind, whose work is both brutal and lovely.  It can simultaneously move you to sadness and give you a love for the English language.  I think he was quite brilliant, and often sad, but I believe that he never really lost hope.  For me, Auden himself will always be the “affirming flame” that he wrote of in his poem, “September 1, 1939.”
Stephen King will always be my favorite storyteller of all time.  He is unmatched in his ability to immerse readers in the thought processes and emotions of diverse and complex characters.  I suspect he knows much more about the human mind than most practicing psychologists. And he can do these things while serving up a good old-fashioned, fun, creepy campfire story about monsters, ghosts or aliens.

4. Dagda Publishing in the UK published your poetry collection and first novel (The Dogs Don't Bark In Brooklyn Any More). Can you tell the readers how you got involved with them? Do you plan on publishing
more work with them?

Dagda Publishing has a strong commitment to helping new or emerging writers, and the company also has a very active Internet presence. Reg Davey, Editor-in-Chief, once “reblogged” a poem that I had published in another online publication in Britain, Dead Beats Literary Blog.  So I began submitting poetry to Dagda, and from time to time, they’ve been kind enough to feature it.
I indeed hope to publish more with Dagda. They are a smart, professional team, and a pleasure to engage and work with.

5. What was the inspiration for TDDBIBAM?

 There were a number of influences.  The primary influence was Saki’s “The Interlopers,” which my father read to me when I was a boy.  This is a classic short story with a surprise ending – if you’ve read “The Interlopers,” you basically know the story of TDDBIBAM and the planned subsequent books.
Another influence was the animated film adaptation of Richard Adams’ Watership Down. (I am embarrassed here to admit that I actually have not read the classic novel upon which it is based.) Watership Down portrays intelligent animals, yet they are not fully anthropomorphized.  (They have their own distinct language and culture.)  I wanted to take this idea and turn it on its head.  What if we had intelligent animals who were bad guys, while the human characters were the story’s protagonists?)  I’ve hoped since I wrote it that people might find this an original idea.
Finally, I was influenced by the real story of David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam” serial killer.  When Berkowitz was finally arrested by New York City police, he confessed that he was motivated to his crimes by his neighbor’s demonically possessed, talking dog.  That image, or idea, is one of the creepiest things I’ve ever heard.  I’ve always thought that talking animals could be the basis for a great horror story.

6. You said you're writing a sequel to the novel. How many books will his storyline span, do you think?

 I currently plan to write three books.  I’ve also flirted with the idea of writing a book or short story serving as a prequel novel – maybe a book entitled The O’Conners, following the early lives of Patrick and Flynn O’Conner (Rebecca’s father and uncle).

7. Are any of the characters based on people you know in real life?

No.  The characters are not based on real people, nor is Rebecca an “author proxy,” either consciously or unconsciously.  I have no idea where my characters come from.

8. Would you like to see a film made out of your novel or any of your stories? Who would be the stars?

To be honest, I’m not sure that I would like to see a film based on the book.  I’m not sure why that is.
If a movie were made, I could easily see Gillian Anderson as Rebecca, Elizabeth Mitchell as Janey Auburndale, and Rose Byrne as Molly Landers.  (In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit here that I have harbored crushes on all three of these actresses.)  I think Rutger Hauer would make a perfect Michael Donlon.  And if you have seen Elijah Wood’s performance as Kevin in Sin City, then you know that we absolutely need him to portray Francis Lestrade.

9. Are you working on anything else aside from the sequel? Is there anything you can share with KSR?

 I continue to write poems and short stories.  My newest short story, “At the End of the Worlds, My Daughter Wept Metal,” will appear in Dagda’s upcoming anthology, All Hail the New Flesh.  This is another doomsday science fiction story, and readers of TDDBIBAM will find that there are a couple of “Easter eggs” – character and thematic references just for them.

10. You wrote that you sold your first book in Italy and just recently autographed your first book. How did it feel to have your hard work appreciated?

It was amazing.  I never thought I would see the day when I was asked to autograph anything – except maybe a photo of actor James Wood. (We’re lookalikes; people comment to me constantly about the uncanny resemblance.)
I am always surprised at how kind and gracious horror fans can be.  The people I’ve met in the writing community and the fan community have been incredibly generous to me in their words and support.  It leads me to want to be a better person, and to be supportive of the efforts of others.  It’s a wonderful part of my life.

11. Do you have any inspirations outside of poetry/literature?

 I’m a movie nerd, and I’ve long drawn inspiration from my favorite films – everything from Vanilla Sky to Blade Runner to Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey.  If any George A. Romero fans read my writing, I feel certain they’ll recognize me as one of their own.
I am also an extremely vivid dreamer, and draw a lot of inspiration there.

12. Where do you see yourself and your career in the next ten years?

 Gosh, that’s a very difficult question to answer.  If it is one thing that life has taught me, it’s that it’s unpredictable.
I can tell you where I would like to be.  I would like to continue publishing.  I would like to make enough money to afford airfare to visit my friends around the United States and the rest of the world. (My writing has helped me find friendships with many good people who are far away from New York.)  I would also like to find a way to employ my writing to serve my country and community.  I’m not sure how I might do that, but I would like to try.

13. What, if anything, do you wish for readers to take from TDDBIBAM?
 
TDDBIBAM is largely Rebecca O’Conner’s story.  By the end of the book, whatever her own failings or inner demons, she is an adult who tries to do the right thing.  She might lack the depth, the insight, or even the character of the people around her.  She’s only human.
But she is fighting the good fight, despite how life and fate have brutalized her.  She is committed, above all things.  She’ll never flag in her determination.  She’ll never stop.  No matter how hard it hurts.  Maybe that is what really makes someone a soldier.

14. Is there a genre you haven't before tackled but would like to in the future?

 Yes – historical fiction, contemporary military fiction and mainstream romance.

15. Thank you for participating in the interview! Can you please leave the readers with three things that may surprise them about you?

 Thank you!  It is a pleasure for me to be here!  Three things that surprise people about me?  
I am not James Wood.
Most of my poems and stories are connected with New York, but I absolutely love the American South – especially South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
I studied psychology as an undergraduate, and once dreamed of working for the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.

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