L.A. Hendricks's Blog, page 2
November 3, 2015
#NewPub – Le Sociere in Genesis Science Fiction Magazine (@GenesisSciFiMag)
Yo! I got some super news this week – LE SOCIERE, a short I wrote a couple of years ago is a featured story in this season’s
GENESIS SCIENCE FICTION MAGAZINE.
There is tons of terrific content – interviews, stories, and book reviews. I really hope you’ll support this wonderful publication and download the eZine or purchase a paper copy. Enjoy everyone because I’m totally geeked out!
October 31, 2015
#Interview with Kevin Wayne Williams (@KevinWayneW)
It’s Halloween with: Kevin Wayne Williams
Who is your biggest literary influence?
I usually claim two: Philip K. Dick and Kurt Vonnegut. Both have a spare and detached quality to their writing that I admire, an underpinning of dark humor to make some truly unpalatable things go down a little more smoothly, and a tendency to focus on unlikely characters as their heroes. If I were to list my top ten novels, both of these gentlemen would make the list a few times: Vonnegut with Mother Night and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater; Dick with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Ubik.
What is your writing process like? What inspires your writing?
Sporadic. I write in bursts, fueled by sudden complete images of what needs to happen. Sometimes that image shifts by the needs of making a coherent story, but it’s always that picture. Everything I Know About Zombies, I Learned in Kindergarten started with one main image: Leonard Domacasse (my old bank manager, by the way) doing his damnedest to keep that door closed so the children would be safe. Once I got rolling, I was aiming for an image of the children facing bitter disappointment at the base of the Willis Ave Bridge. As each new image comes, it gets placed in a chronology: kind of a visual outline in my head, if you will. There’s some images that haven’t been placed yet, but I know they will fit somewhere in the sequels: Letitia has a long journey to make through a small, dark tunnel, and I know how Rosarita dies. Sometimes a picture will come that needs to fit in an earlier spot that I’ve already written: I curse those, because that means I have some tear-up and splice work to do.
Sometimes, the pictures need to change. The Sandy Hook shootings took place while Everything I Know … was being written, and I had to go back and revise the opening: there were some unfortunate parallels to real life. It still parallels the story of Kaitlin Roig a bit too closely, but the story had to start somewhere. It’s a shame when you have to worry about real life when writing a zombie novel, but there you go.
Other times, and other stories, it just begins playing out in my head. A Good Death is Hard to Find is a title I stole from a poem, and I saw the story once I heard the title. Yuletide Snacks is inspired by Spanish and Dutch myths.
Hunts Point Apocalypse is, in a strange sense, inspired by Hamlet and Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Tom Stoppard wrote Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the story of two minor characters in Hamlet that have to deal with Hamlet happening all around them. Everything I Know… has that feel to it, with a much larger story happening all around Letitia and the other kids, and Hunts Point Apocalypse is their Hamlet.
Where did your creative spark begin? Can you trace the path/timeline that got you where you are today?
Like many writers, I began writing at a time when my life had taken a severe downturn: my business had failed, my wife was living in a different country so she could earn enough money to keep us going while I cleaned up the mess I had made, and I just needed to hold on to something I could do and call mine, something that no one could take away from me. Today, I’m back to being a wage slave: mentally, that’s nearly worse than failing in business, so I still need to write.
When did you know writing was for you?
I’m still not sure it’s “for me”. Many describe being a writer as a form of mental illness, and I can’t argue with that.
Why speculative fiction? What other genre(s) do you write?
You can say and do things in horror and fantasy that you can’t in more true-to-life genres. A Good Death is Hard to Find may remain forever stillborne simply because it is a realistic novel set in modern times. I can’t find a way to make the story of a middle-aged man wrestling with his decision to commit suicide in a way that leaves the world a better place readable: it remains so grimly depressing that I can only write a few pages at a time and I doubt anyone could read it straight through. Take that same concept of “noble suicide”, dress it up in alien clothing on Betelguese Nine, and you may have a fascinating and readable book (although I still doubt it would be uplifting).
How can people connect with you?
I maintain a blog at www.motthavenbooks.com, and that’s the best way to talk to me. I keep an e-mail address posted there for anyone that wants to have a more private discussion as well.
October 28, 2015
#Interview with Mia Mitns (@miamitns)
Mia Mitns
Who is your biggest literary influence?
It’s going to have to be a tie between Toni Morrison and R.L. Stine. I read R.L. Stine a lot when I was younger. I loved that the stories were chilling and had twists and turns. I stopped reading as I got older, but Toni Morrison’s book, “The Bluest Eye,” made me want to try and find other books to read again. I felt an emotional connection with the book.
What is your writing process like? What inspires your writing?
My process depends on the story. Generally, I come up with an idea and then think of the plot and the major characters in that world. The ideas come from dreams I had, news articles, general Science Fiction or Fantasy ideas, places I visit, things that happen to me, and random thoughts.
Where did your creative spark begin? Can you trace the path/timeline that got you where you are today?
When I was a child, I wrote poems. I also wrote a short story for school, a horror one, based on the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” I continued to write poems off and on throughout school. The creative writing class I took in college brought me back to short stories. Then years later, I had an idea for my first novel, Tea Leaf.
When did you know writing was for you?
I always liked to write. It became more of a major part of my life after I graduated from school.
Why speculative fiction? What other genre(s) do you write?
I love speculative fiction. My interest started with the movies. I began to notice all of my favorites were from the genre. I also like that the story can be about a completely different world or one full of diverse creatures. The story can describe alternate futures, ask “what if” this was true, or even take you away from reality to show problems, or discuss things, about our reality in an entertaining way. I feel like your imagination is allowed to run free in within the speculative fiction genres.
As far as other genres, I write (or try to write) them into my speculative fiction. I have one story (Naya’s Invasion) that is a science fiction romance. I’m working on paranormal/science fiction mysteries. The only other genre that I’ve written free of speculative fiction (for the most part) was poetry.
How can people connect with you?
I am on twitter: @miamitns facebook: facebook.com/MiaMitns and my website is http://mmitns.wix.com/mia-mitns You can join the mailing list there or send an email if you’d like.
October 26, 2015
#CoverReveal – Collision by Emma L. Adams (@ELAdams12)
Collision (Alliance #3)
by Emma L. Adams
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Age category: Adult
Release Date: late 2015
Blurb:
When Earth suddenly gains inexplicably high levels of magic, all fingers point at the Alliance.
On a distant world, where magic-fuelled forces of nature rule over humans, a disaster is sweeping the land, threatening to knock the Balance across the Multiverse out of sync. When Kay and Ada are sent there with the other Ambassadors, they’re thrown into the centre of chaos. Nature is alive, and angry.
Ada embraces the magic she still half-fears, but learning to control it proves harder than she can imagine. Kay, meanwhile, becomes more reckless than ever when testing the boundaries of his own abilities. When faced with living magic, no one is safe from its influence. Ada and Kay must choose what they’re willing to risk for the sake of saving a world that might already be doomed. Can mortals overcome the gods?
You can find Collision on Goodreads
You can pre-order Collision here: Amazon
About the Author:
Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing speculative fiction. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also entertained her creative writing group and baffled her tutors by submitting strange fantasy tales featuring dragons and supernatural monsters to workshops. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).
Now a reluctant graduate, Emma refuses to settle down and be normal. When not embarking on wild excursions and writing fantasy novels, she edits and proofreads novels for various publishing houses and reads an improbable number of books. Emma is currently working on the Alliance series, a multiple-universe adult fantasy featuring magic, monsters, cool gadgets and sarcasm. Her upper-YA urban fantasy Darkworld series is published by Curiosity Quills Press.
You can find and contact Emma here:
– Website
– Blog
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Google+
– Goodreads
– Newsletter
October 23, 2015
#BookBlast – Tempted To Touch by Nigeria Lockley
Tempted To Touch by Nigeria LockleyPublication Information
ISBN: 978-0-9964687-0-1
Publisher: Inheritance Books
Pages: 130
Genre(s): Christian Fiction, African-American, Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Publication Date: 10/25/15
Plot Summary
Kira Seagram is frustrated by her husband Mason’s zeal for the Lord, so she pours all of her attention into her work and reserves her soprano singing skills for the shower. Kira would rather not use them if she get can’t the adoration and recognition she feels she deserves and doubts she’ll find singing lead for Mason’s choir. When a routine drop off at her son, Nate’s private school turns into a ten-year reunion with her ex-boyfriend, Quincy McAdams, Kira isn’t interested in Mason’s half-hearted affection or willing to keep her voice to herself. With a firm offer from Quincy to help Kira cut a demo and possibly revive the love they let die, Kira has some choices to make. When Kira finds herself tempted to touch will she remain faithful to her husband or yield to the desires of her flesh?
Book Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tempted-Touch-N...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Inheritance Books: http://www.inheritancebooks.co/?page_...
Inheritance Books is currently running a pre-order special on all paperback versions. You can pre-order the paperback version of Tempted to Touch at 20% and receive an autographed copy.
Author Information
Nigeria Lockley possesses two Master’s degrees, one in English Secondary Education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second Master’s degree is in Creative Writing. Born at Dawn is Nigeria’s first published novel. Nigeria serves as the Vice President of Bridges Family Services, a not-for-profit organization that assists student parents interested in pursuing a degree in higher education. She is also the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Church of God. Nigeria is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Join her online at www.NigeriaLockley.com
Website: www.nigerialockley.com
Blog: http://nigerialockley.com/neophyte-au...
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorNigeriaLockley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NewNigeria
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Win A Signed Copy of Tempted To Touch!
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October 21, 2015
#Interview with Constance Burris (@constanceburris)
Constance Burris
Who is your biggest literary influence
Since GL Thomas took Octavia Butler, I’m going to answer R. A. Salvatore. The Dark Elf Trilogy was a big influence on Coal: Book One of the Everleaf Series. Although the protag, Drizzt isn’t technically black, he was the first dark-skinned hero of a fantasy series that I ever read.
What is your writing process like? What inspires your writing?
My writing process only involves me sitting in front of the computer and type. Writing sprints are helpful. Life inspires my writing. Life is stranger than fiction.
Where did your creative spark begin? Can you trace the path/timeline that got you where you are today?
I remember clearly. I was probably in kindergarten or first grade. And the teacher read a book about people living on Venus. I asked my mom if we could go live on Venus, and she
told me it was just a story in a book. That blew my mind. Thus began my love of reading and science fiction.
When did you know writing was for you?
A few years ago, when I realized how boring normal was. The American dream of working in a cubicle from 9 to 5, gets somewhat depressing after ten years.
Why speculative fiction? What other genre(s) do you write?
I pretty much stick with spec fic: Fantasy, horror, and sci fi. That’s my love.
How can people connect with you?
Website: Official Blog
Facebook: Constance Burris
Twitter: @constanceburris
Goodreads: Author Profile
Amazon: Author Profile
October 19, 2015
#BookRelease – FAIRYTALE LOST is Live!!!
Today marks my entry into the Adult Contemporary/Romance genre with the release of my new book, Fairytale Lost.
Emmalyn Chase has a six-month expiration date with men. She’s out celebrating the loss of her latest boyfriend with her friends when she runs into Lukas Upton, the old flame that broke her heart into a million pieces. Immediately, her mind threatens to fall back into the dark place it created when he left.
Despite Em and Lukas’ best intentions, fate has decided their fairytale isn’t over. Unfortunately, life has a habit of getting in the way. While Em battles depression and her conflicting feelings for Lukas, Lukas struggles against his history of unreliability and indecision.
As Em and Lukas seek to redefine their romance, they find out how hard it can be to hold on to true love.
October 14, 2015
#Interview with Thelonious Legend (@TheLegendBooks)
Thelonious Legend
Who is your biggest literary influence
Toni Morrison. Just absolutely love her work, the content, the protagonist, the syntax. She is just an amazing writer and my biggest influence
What is your writing process like? What inspires your writing?
I do outlines for all my books. That includes having a topic and or theme for every chapter. I also do psychological profiles on all my primary protagonist. This helps me with knowing how and why they would handle different stimuli. My inspiration? Can’t say one thing, but it’s important that my daughters are proud of me.
Where did your creative spark begin? Can you trace the path/timeline that got you where you are today?
There was no one thing or no spark but a culmination of events that lead me done this path. But as of right now my primary motivation is to write books where the heroes look like my daughters, afros and all.
When did you know writing was for you?
Still don’t know if writing if for me. I know I like to do it. I know I like creating characters. I know I like challenging the status quo but I need to be writing for years with multiple books published in multiple genres before I can honestly say its for me.
Why speculative fiction? What other genre(s) do you write?
Because I think the genre for deconstructing characters and discovering what makes them tick is speculative fiction. Be that Ripley in Aliens, or Sara Connor in Terminator. And my next genre will be a Detective Noir series. Really looking forward to that.
How can people connect with you?
I’m all over the interwebs! My links are below
https://twitter.com/TheLegendBooks
https://www.facebook.com/TheloniousLegend
http://www.amazon.com/Thelonious-Legend/e/B00II6GJZS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7899848.Thelonious_Legend
http://theloniouslegend.blogspot.com/
October 13, 2015
October 12, 2015
#CoverRelease – Well Re-release, TBH…
I was very lucky to have won this gorgeous pre-design book cover from Mosaic Stock (http://www.mosaicstockphotos.com/) designed by Najla Qamber. I was so excited with this that I decided to use it for FAIRYTALE LOST! The cover is simply beautiful and I will definitely be using Mosaic Stock Photos and Najla for future Queen City Novels Covers! Thanks so much.
Pre-Order for Fairytale Lost is still open!
Book release is 10.19.15
