Benjamin Jones's Blog - Posts Tagged "h-u-b"
Interview with Amanda aka Moonlight from Vampires.com
I recently chatted with Benjamin Jones, the author of the new series Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.), on Horror Fest, his vampire loves (and hates), his writing and much more. Check it out and let us know what you think in a comment below.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 33 years old husband to one and father of two girls. I'm also an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan. Being a writer is something that I've always wanted to do and I feel that I have a lot to tell the world - I just have to get the people to listen. I've been seriously writing for about 15 years now.
Can you tell us about your book H.U.B.?
Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) is an epic series set in a world where vampires have "come out" to humans and are attempting to live peacefully amongst them (some of them are, anyway). There's a mutual distrust between the humans and vampires going on, which is to be expected, and, at the same time, a rogue group of vampires is attempting to draw both sides into war as they feel that vampires should be the top of the food chain.
How does H.U.B. differ from other novels about vampires?
How H.U.B. differs is that the world of vampires, and how they interact with humans, is more "real world" based. You get to see different sides to vampires and humans that you don't get with other novels: you see the vampires that want to be peaceful and just live their lives; you see the politics of both humans and vampires; you see the humans that act just as monstrous as the vampires, etc... Taken from a real world aspect, you could look at the vampires in H.U.B. as illegal immigrants and you get to see how they live, how they're treated, their fears, etc...
Where did you get the idea for H.U.B.?
The idea from H.U.B. started off as a joke really. One day at work I was eating lunch with a co-worker and his wife and the topic of a certain set of books/movies that involve glittery vampires came up and we were discussing all the things we disliked about it (how they were slated towards young girls with all the romance crap) and we started talking about how it would be if we were to write our own story about vampires and take it back to the classic days when vampires were to be feared, not loved. From that moment on the idea took off and has been rolling along ever since.
What got you interested in writing about vampires?
I've always been a sucker for horror movies/books as some of my earliest memories was my mother taking me to see Cujo and Evil Dead at a very young age which probably warped my mind a little bit. Vampires (and zombies to great degree) have always been a fascination of mine.
Ok, here’s a question I ask all folks I interview: I’ve noticed that most of the authors I follow on Twitter talk about the music they’re currently writing to. What kind of setting/atmosphere do you find most conducive to your writing?
Music is my second love and I do my best writing when listening. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't write without my iPod being on. I find that my best writing comes from listening to some hip hop music. My writing necessities are my iPod, a pen and some paper (and occasionally a drink of some sorts). LOL As long as I have some music nothing else really matters.
If vampires were discovered to exist today, do you think our society would accept them or try to destroy them?
Definitely destroy. As detailed in my series, I think there would be a small percentage of the population that would want to embrace them but the majority would be too afraid of them to do that.
Who’s your favorite fictitious vampire (other than your own)?
I would have to say Blade, though the third movie sucked ass!
What is your favorite vampire book/movie/show?
30 Days of Night as I felt it was more "realistic" to how I perceive vampires to be. The vampires in 30 Days of Night were bad ass and blood hungry and that's a lethal combination.
Tell our readers why they should check out your book - in 3 words: (bwahaha)
It's f**king awesome! LOL
And finally, what other projects are you currently working on? Any goodies we should watch out for?
I'm currently working on the second draft of H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point which I have slated for 9.10.11 release date. I'm also editing a romance novel entitled Head Above Water that will be out sometime this year as well. Also, I will be working on a collaboration project with fellow author Tiffanie Minnis (author of ~D.I.V.A.~ Domestically Involved in Violent Affairs) that I'm hoping will be ready by the 4th quarter of this year.
For fans in the area, I will have a booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 5th (the first of many festivals that I'm hoping to hit this year) so come out and show some support!
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 33 years old husband to one and father of two girls. I'm also an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan. Being a writer is something that I've always wanted to do and I feel that I have a lot to tell the world - I just have to get the people to listen. I've been seriously writing for about 15 years now.
Can you tell us about your book H.U.B.?
Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) is an epic series set in a world where vampires have "come out" to humans and are attempting to live peacefully amongst them (some of them are, anyway). There's a mutual distrust between the humans and vampires going on, which is to be expected, and, at the same time, a rogue group of vampires is attempting to draw both sides into war as they feel that vampires should be the top of the food chain.
How does H.U.B. differ from other novels about vampires?
How H.U.B. differs is that the world of vampires, and how they interact with humans, is more "real world" based. You get to see different sides to vampires and humans that you don't get with other novels: you see the vampires that want to be peaceful and just live their lives; you see the politics of both humans and vampires; you see the humans that act just as monstrous as the vampires, etc... Taken from a real world aspect, you could look at the vampires in H.U.B. as illegal immigrants and you get to see how they live, how they're treated, their fears, etc...
Where did you get the idea for H.U.B.?
The idea from H.U.B. started off as a joke really. One day at work I was eating lunch with a co-worker and his wife and the topic of a certain set of books/movies that involve glittery vampires came up and we were discussing all the things we disliked about it (how they were slated towards young girls with all the romance crap) and we started talking about how it would be if we were to write our own story about vampires and take it back to the classic days when vampires were to be feared, not loved. From that moment on the idea took off and has been rolling along ever since.
What got you interested in writing about vampires?
I've always been a sucker for horror movies/books as some of my earliest memories was my mother taking me to see Cujo and Evil Dead at a very young age which probably warped my mind a little bit. Vampires (and zombies to great degree) have always been a fascination of mine.
Ok, here’s a question I ask all folks I interview: I’ve noticed that most of the authors I follow on Twitter talk about the music they’re currently writing to. What kind of setting/atmosphere do you find most conducive to your writing?
Music is my second love and I do my best writing when listening. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't write without my iPod being on. I find that my best writing comes from listening to some hip hop music. My writing necessities are my iPod, a pen and some paper (and occasionally a drink of some sorts). LOL As long as I have some music nothing else really matters.
If vampires were discovered to exist today, do you think our society would accept them or try to destroy them?
Definitely destroy. As detailed in my series, I think there would be a small percentage of the population that would want to embrace them but the majority would be too afraid of them to do that.
Who’s your favorite fictitious vampire (other than your own)?
I would have to say Blade, though the third movie sucked ass!
What is your favorite vampire book/movie/show?
30 Days of Night as I felt it was more "realistic" to how I perceive vampires to be. The vampires in 30 Days of Night were bad ass and blood hungry and that's a lethal combination.
Tell our readers why they should check out your book - in 3 words: (bwahaha)
It's f**king awesome! LOL
And finally, what other projects are you currently working on? Any goodies we should watch out for?
I'm currently working on the second draft of H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point which I have slated for 9.10.11 release date. I'm also editing a romance novel entitled Head Above Water that will be out sometime this year as well. Also, I will be working on a collaboration project with fellow author Tiffanie Minnis (author of ~D.I.V.A.~ Domestically Involved in Violent Affairs) that I'm hoping will be ready by the 4th quarter of this year.
For fans in the area, I will have a booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 5th (the first of many festivals that I'm hoping to hit this year) so come out and show some support!
Third Time's The Charm
Okay, we'll try this again! I've tried to write this blog entry twice and both times I've f**ked up and lost everything I wrote. So, this time I'm going to write w/out using fancy bullet points and just get on with.
Let's see what's been going on with me and my attempt at a career in writing:
* First of all, I've recently gotten on Google+ so, if you're on there and think I'm awesome (as you should), add me. You can find me by visiting https://plus.google.com/?tab=mX#11456... .
* As most of you probably know (and if you don't know now you know) Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) Volume 3: The Tipping Point is completed and ready to be released on 9.10.11. You can find all things HUB related by visiting www.whatishub.net Be sure to pick up Volumes 1 and 2 today so that you'll be caught up when the Tipping Point arrives. I'm really excited about this volume of the series as I feel my writing has definitely gotten better since volume 2. I'm starting to hit my vampire stride!
* Head Above Water, my romance novel that pre-dates the H.U.B. series by about a decade, is FINALLY ready to be released upon the world and I'm looking at a late 4th quarter 2011 release date. This is a sharp turn from my work on H.U.B. so I'm interested to see the reviews on it. I'm currently awaiting feedback from a select few who I have sent it to. This book is really my baby and it's time for it to spread its wings and take flight.
* The Clan of the Flying Pens project (http://www.theclanoftheflyingpens.wee... ) is almost here. 6 different writers, all of different writing styles/genres, coming together to showcase their work is going to be a BEAUTIFUL thing. I've read some of the Clan members work and it's really, really good. Not sure exactly what I'm going to be contributing (probably some poetry, segments of Head Above Water, portions of H.U.B. 3, etc...) but it's going to be FIRE, that I can assure you! SHOUT OUT to the Clan!
* While it's on my mind, big SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to all my buds on Twitter, especially my writer/artists out there. I've met some real bad ass folks on there and for some of them to actually tell me that I inspire them is an AWESOME feeling. I enjoy people actually wanting ME to read THEIR work and give my feedback on it. Who would've thought?!?!
* I'm knee deep in work on The Girl In The Red Balloon, the novel I've decided to write while taking a break between volumes 3 and 4 of H.U.B. I'm not sure how the story is going to end yet but I'll figure that out in a few months. Be sure to check back for more info on this story later.
* Beginning to think of festivals/conventions that I can hit up next year to continue to get my writing brand out. Just this morning I got an email in regards to a festival next March that I'm interested in attending. Once things are confirmed I will be sure to post information on them. Speaking of confirmed, I will be having a book signing on 9.10.11 at the Camelot bookstore in Little Elm, TX from 12-6. Also, I will be having a book signing at the Little Elm Library on October 24th from 11-2. If you would like more info on either of these hit me up at ben(at)whatishub.net
* I have made a few booksales over the last few weeks (thanks to all of you for your purchase - each book sold helps to make my dream a reality) and the traffic to my sites has been awesome so thanks to everyone who has visited.
* Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/maddwriter
That's all I can remember right now but, if there's something I forgot, I will make another post. More later.....
Let's see what's been going on with me and my attempt at a career in writing:
* First of all, I've recently gotten on Google+ so, if you're on there and think I'm awesome (as you should), add me. You can find me by visiting https://plus.google.com/?tab=mX#11456... .
* As most of you probably know (and if you don't know now you know) Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) Volume 3: The Tipping Point is completed and ready to be released on 9.10.11. You can find all things HUB related by visiting www.whatishub.net Be sure to pick up Volumes 1 and 2 today so that you'll be caught up when the Tipping Point arrives. I'm really excited about this volume of the series as I feel my writing has definitely gotten better since volume 2. I'm starting to hit my vampire stride!
* Head Above Water, my romance novel that pre-dates the H.U.B. series by about a decade, is FINALLY ready to be released upon the world and I'm looking at a late 4th quarter 2011 release date. This is a sharp turn from my work on H.U.B. so I'm interested to see the reviews on it. I'm currently awaiting feedback from a select few who I have sent it to. This book is really my baby and it's time for it to spread its wings and take flight.
* The Clan of the Flying Pens project (http://www.theclanoftheflyingpens.wee... ) is almost here. 6 different writers, all of different writing styles/genres, coming together to showcase their work is going to be a BEAUTIFUL thing. I've read some of the Clan members work and it's really, really good. Not sure exactly what I'm going to be contributing (probably some poetry, segments of Head Above Water, portions of H.U.B. 3, etc...) but it's going to be FIRE, that I can assure you! SHOUT OUT to the Clan!
* While it's on my mind, big SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to all my buds on Twitter, especially my writer/artists out there. I've met some real bad ass folks on there and for some of them to actually tell me that I inspire them is an AWESOME feeling. I enjoy people actually wanting ME to read THEIR work and give my feedback on it. Who would've thought?!?!
* I'm knee deep in work on The Girl In The Red Balloon, the novel I've decided to write while taking a break between volumes 3 and 4 of H.U.B. I'm not sure how the story is going to end yet but I'll figure that out in a few months. Be sure to check back for more info on this story later.
* Beginning to think of festivals/conventions that I can hit up next year to continue to get my writing brand out. Just this morning I got an email in regards to a festival next March that I'm interested in attending. Once things are confirmed I will be sure to post information on them. Speaking of confirmed, I will be having a book signing on 9.10.11 at the Camelot bookstore in Little Elm, TX from 12-6. Also, I will be having a book signing at the Little Elm Library on October 24th from 11-2. If you would like more info on either of these hit me up at ben(at)whatishub.net
* I have made a few booksales over the last few weeks (thanks to all of you for your purchase - each book sold helps to make my dream a reality) and the traffic to my sites has been awesome so thanks to everyone who has visited.
* Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/maddwriter
That's all I can remember right now but, if there's something I forgot, I will make another post. More later.....
Writing Updates
Welcome back everyone. Hope all of you had a good holiday!
I felt the need to update everyone on what's going on with me. First, as most all of you know, I dropped the price on all of my published works on Smashwords, Amazon and Kindle to $.99 and, due to that I'm assuming, December ended up being my biggest month by far in terms of sales, not only on the new book, Head Above Water, but also on the H.U.B. series. I'm not making as much from each sale but I would rather have more sales than the money; the money will come if it's meant to be.
I have had nothing but positive reviews so far on the just released Head Above Water and I'm happy about the sales, though I would always be happier with a few more. :-) Just in case you were wondering where you can get it, let me tell you:
Available for $0.99 via the following:
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Head-Above-Wate...
Barnes & Noble Nook =
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/head-...
Smashwords = https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
I'm also still knee deep in work on the Hip-Hop project with my co-writer Debbie Cunningham. When not working on that I'm working on The Girl In The Red Balloon so I'm anticipating for the upcoming year and a half or so are going to be full of new and exciting work. On top of all that you will also see the release from the collaboration that I have going on with my fellow Clan of the Flying Pens members - that's going to be real special.
I'm also working to get my name out there and trying to schedule radio interviews and conventions. I just completed a radio interview that I believe will be up to hear in the next week or so. I also have a radio interview coming up on March 24th and a convention that I will be attending to promote H.U.B. on March 3rd so I'm grinding HARD!
Anyway, I think that's about it for right now. As my grandmother likes to say, stay sweet!
More info later.
I felt the need to update everyone on what's going on with me. First, as most all of you know, I dropped the price on all of my published works on Smashwords, Amazon and Kindle to $.99 and, due to that I'm assuming, December ended up being my biggest month by far in terms of sales, not only on the new book, Head Above Water, but also on the H.U.B. series. I'm not making as much from each sale but I would rather have more sales than the money; the money will come if it's meant to be.
I have had nothing but positive reviews so far on the just released Head Above Water and I'm happy about the sales, though I would always be happier with a few more. :-) Just in case you were wondering where you can get it, let me tell you:
Available for $0.99 via the following:
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Head-Above-Wate...
Barnes & Noble Nook =
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/head-...
Smashwords = https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
I'm also still knee deep in work on the Hip-Hop project with my co-writer Debbie Cunningham. When not working on that I'm working on The Girl In The Red Balloon so I'm anticipating for the upcoming year and a half or so are going to be full of new and exciting work. On top of all that you will also see the release from the collaboration that I have going on with my fellow Clan of the Flying Pens members - that's going to be real special.
I'm also working to get my name out there and trying to schedule radio interviews and conventions. I just completed a radio interview that I believe will be up to hear in the next week or so. I also have a radio interview coming up on March 24th and a convention that I will be attending to promote H.U.B. on March 3rd so I'm grinding HARD!
Anyway, I think that's about it for right now. As my grandmother likes to say, stay sweet!
More info later.
