Steve Stred's Blog, page 32

3Q’s Special – Cameron Roubique is bored of the mountains!

Really fun one today! AND the beginning of a new batch of questions!

One of the most skilled slasher writer’s out there, Cameron Roubique has been having reader’s scream for their lives over the course of all of his work. Not only that, but he’s also a talented artist creating some fantastic cover art.

I was so happy to have Cameron stop by today!

Welcome Cameron!

Steve: What does your process look like once you finish your first draft? Do you immediately dive back into it, or do you take some time away?

CR: I usually spend a week doing a quick first round of edits immediately after finishing a rough draft, just to clean up obvious things before I send it off to my editors. And immediately after that’s done, I start designing and painting my spooky eyeball skeleton cover art.

Steve: What’s the one thing you’d change now if you’d have known it when you started writing?

CR: I would have changed Kill River 1’s ending to explain more of the killer’s backstory and motivation. Back then (in 2012) I had a “save it for the sequel” mentality. Now my writing mentality is “focus on THIS book and give it all you’ve got, worry about sequels and future books later.”

Steve: Of the books or stories you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why?

CR: Golf Curse is probably my favorite book so far because there are so many fun real-life memories from my old golf course maintenance job that I got to include in that story. Also, I loved writing about a totally supernatural killer, it opened up a ton of creepy possibilities.

Steve: Bonus Fun Question! Would you rather be lost at sea or in the mountains?

CR: I’d rather be lost at sea. I love the ocean, but I live in landlocked Colorado and rarely get to see it. And since I live in Colorado, I see the mountains so often that I’m kind of bored with them.

Thanks again, Cameron!

To check out more of his work, follow the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Cameron-Roubique/author/B0171542Q4

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lil_cam_ron

Website: https://yearofblood.com/

3Q’s – Daemon Manx and the Last Waltz

We got an excellent 3Q’s today with the driving force behind the Last Waltz Publishing press, as well as a prolific author, Daemon Manx. Daemon is also doing phenomenal work with his prison reform pieces and his honesty around recovery and returning and integrating into society. His Tik Tok videos are refreshingly candid and I’m super happy to have him join me today!

Welcome Daemon!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

DM: I am a 9 to 5er, which can often start as early as 8 and go past 6. However, my schedule is typically the same every day. I wake up around five, have two cups of coffee and then head to my father’s house to take his dog for a walk through the cemetery up the street. I return home and dive right in. Sometimes it is strictly writing, but the workload varies as an author and a publisher. So, I wouldn’t say I write everyday, but I am always doing something writing related all the time. I don’t hold myself to a wordcount; I write when I am inspired and stop when I am tired. Honestly, there is so much that comes with being a self-published author and the owner of a small label, that there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on my plate. One thing I don’t do is hold myself to impossible expectations. That’s a recipe for stress and burnout.

Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love. Do you keep it just for yourself or do you share it with the world?

DM: That’s an easy one! I publish it! Don’t you think, The Lost Manuscript by Ray Bradbury and Last Waltz Publishing has a certain ring to it? Hard covers are available for $39.99, and paperbacks can be purchased for $19.99. So yes, I will be sharing it, but I certainly won’t be giving it away.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

DM: Depending on when this interview is released will have a lot to do with my answer, but to be safe, here it goes. This October “2022” I have put together something special. Last Waltz Publishing, my label, has released, These Lingering Shadows: An Anthology of Gothic Horrors and Haunting Tales. I have gathered fifteen amazing authors to join me in this anthology that focuses on the Gothic and old-world style of horror synonymous with Halloween and the stories of old. And let me tell you, these fine ladies, and gentlemen of the game, hit it out of the park. We have a foreword from the award-winning Candace Nola, and stories from Jeremy Megargee, Jo Kaplan, Michael J. Moore, Jae Mazer, James G. Carlson, Christy Aldridge, D.E. Grant, Guy Quintero, Tony Evans, Jack Wells, Diana Olney, Heather Miller, Matt Scott, Danielle Manx (my sister) and myself. These Lingering Shadows is 310 pages of spirits, terror, tragedy, suspense, and gothic wonderment.

You should read this because it is something different for a change. It isn’t the same old extreme/splatterpunk/trigger warning horror that everyone else is writing. There are stories in this anthology told in the stylistic prose of Poe and Dickens, and I cannot fully express just how proud I am of everyone involved in this project.

Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your superpower?

DM: Another easy one – Sarcasta-Man. Never have you met a superhero with the ability to sling sarcasm with such ease and accuracy. His tone is dry, and his delivery is lethal. So much so that enemies don’t even know they are being burned, until it is too late. There is no defense against his unique brand of weaponry, so don’t even try.

Why? Because he never forgets a face, but in your case, he will make an exception.

Haha! Great answer!

Thank you so much, Daemon!

To find more of his work, and the Last Waltz Publishing releases, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Daemon-Manx/e/B09M668V53

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaemonManx

Website: https://www.daemonmanx.com/

Last Waltz Publishing Website: https://www.lastwaltzpublishing.com/

3Q’s Special – Ian Rogers wants to work on his tan!

I don’t think it’s a secret that I have an affinity to Canadian dark fiction writers. Truthfully, from my small town upbringing, I consider these authors royalty and any time I get to interact with them, I feel flustered and like I’m five years old again. Growing up, watching Wayne Rostad on On the Road Again was always a highlight, but it also showcased (to me at least) how big Canada was and how to make it, you needed to be in the big city lights. Over my writing journey, I’ve connected with a number of Canadian authors who I consider to be on another plain of success in my eyes, and I can’t believe they even have an inkling of who I am. People like Gemma Files, Craig Davidson, J.H. Moncrieff, Duncan Ralston, David Demchuk, Mike Thorn, Michael Kelly, J.R. McConvey, J.-F. Dubeau, Craig DiLouie, Chris Marrs and of course, Andrew Pyper.

Today’s guest falls into my own Canadian Royalty, and is an author that I admire and look up to greatly. Ian Rogers creates phenomenally moving and dark stories that catapult us into another place and time with minimal effort. We’re talking within a few sentences and you know you’re in the hands of a master. He’s a mainstay on Ellen Datlow’s ‘Years Best Horror’ lists and whenever he announces something new, I can barely contain my excitement.

Please welcome Ian as today’s special guest!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try to write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

Ian: I try to write at the same time every day, in the morning, when I feel the most fresh and alert, and when the caffeine is perking in my veins. I don’t have a set daily word count, but since I edit as I go, I’m usually happy with 2 or 3 pages a day.

Steve: You win the lottery, and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Ian: I love a good horror anthology film, and as a big fan of writer Ray Cluley, especially his water-themed stories, I’d like to see an adaptation of some of his short fiction, specifically “Water for Drowning” (which would make a great title for the film), “The Wrong Shark,” and his award-winning story, “Shark! Shark!”

Steve: Tell me about your newest release and why someone should read it!

Ian: EVERY HOUSE IS HAUNTED is a reprint of my collection first published in 2012. Around our house we call it “The Little Book That Could,” because of all the mileage I’ve gotten out of this collection over the past 10 years. It’s won an award, stories have been selected from it for “best of” anthologies, and now one of the stories, “The House on Ashley Avenue,” is being developed as a Netflix film by Sam Raimi. It doesn’t get much better than that. I’m really excited that Cemetery Dance has decided to reprint the book, with incredible new cover artwork by Ben Baldwin.

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Ian: I’d like to be an extra on LOST, mostly because it’s one of my favourite shows (yes, including the finale!), but also because I think the writers could have come up with a fun and clever way for me to die by some strange creature on the island. Also, I could probably use the sun.

I loved Lost (yes, even the finale!) so that’s a great choice!

Thank you so much for doing this, Ian!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ian-Rogers/author/B00571A3NQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/onemoreshadow

Website: https://www.ian-rogers.com/

3Q’s – Roland Blackburn wants to make lasting memories!

Fun one today with an author who loves going dark and dirty and has no problem bludgeoning the reader over the head. I am of course talking about Roland Blackburn and I’m so happy to have him stop by for today’s 3Q’s!

Welcome Roland!

 

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

RB: It would be more metal of me to say I’m burning candles and conjuring the words at midnight, but my drab ritual is to just be up for an hour before everyone else in our household. I’m not naturally a morning person, so the best investment I’ve made in a while was a coffee machine with a timer. I grab two cups, lurk in a dark room, run through what I did the day before, then go.  Whatever happens before the kids wake up is what happens. With editing I put the earbuds in (Draconian, My Dying Bride, various soundtracks), but usually when I’m writing it’s silent. A great hour is 1200 words, and I’m disappointed if I can’t hit 500. It wasn’t the easiest to get used to doing, but I’ve been doing it this way for so long now it feels really odd trying to change it up.

Steve:  You decide to host a writer’s retreat. One weekend in a luxury house on an island. What three other authors do you invite to come along?

RB: This is a hard one, because it balances how much writing I actually expect to get done versus how many people I want to pick the brains of. Carlton Mellick III, because besides being a bizarro god, I’ve heard this is pretty much his legendary process (minus the island) and I’d really like to see him grind out a novella in three or four days. Danger Slater, since besides being a fantastic writer and one hell of a creative thinker, I believe he’d beat me to death if I didn’t offer him a free vacation. John Langan is, for my money, one of the best short horror fiction authors on the planet, and I think I could ply him with enough Scotch to get him to release at least one of his secrets. With my luck, he’d probably try to row back to shore after the first day of me pestering him.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

RB: Shameless plug section! My second full novel, Mesonoxian, comes out with Bloodshot Books at the end of October 2022, just in time for Halloween. It’s basically Angel Heart meets The Vanishing, with clowns!

The quick rundown: six years have gone by since Elm woke in the ashes of a burnt-out carnival in Tennessee, his wife Doro missing, and his leg mangled. When he finds an impossible flyer for the extinct Mesonoxian Brothers carnival halfway across the country, Elm embarks on a journey to find those responsible for her disappearance, and in doing so find her. But when people start dying and the otherworldly secrets of the carnival begin to surface, Elm is pitched into an occult nightmare that threatens to tear his mind apart. With the fate of his wife in the balance, can Elm solve the dark question at the heart of her disappearance? Or will the Mesonoxian Brothers find him first?

I mean, I clearly know the answer to this. But most people would need to read the book to find out. If you’re up for dark mystery, cosmic horror, and the carnival occult, this book was made for you.

Steve: Bonus Question! You receive an invitation in the mail from one of these two people. The invitation invites you to have dinner and spend the night in their home. Do you accept the invitation from Victor Frankenstein or Dracula and why?

RB: Dracula. No hesitation.

Victor Frankenstein has a piecemeal Michael Myers stalking him that takes out family members and houseguests with alarming frequency. While the cosmic secret to life itself would be enticing, I’m dead the minute I walk in that door.  The only way to survive the night would be to violently antagonize Victor the entire time, and then what kind of houseguest would I be?

Dracula, on the other hand, has some alarming foibles, but for a bachelor he’s proven to be a great host. Sure, he’s a bit of a tyrant who is constantly wearing disguises, but he also seems to really care about what you think of him. He has a prodigious collection of wines, a fine library, and that chicken dinner he made Harker didn’t paprika itself. I think your first night would be a lot of fun, probably survivable, and you could learn a lot from a virtually immortal undead horror. If things start getting weird, well, you just sneak off at dawn. You might be a pint or two low, but those memories will last forever.

Excellent choice!

Thanks again for doing this Roland!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roland-Blackburn/e/B07NGKNJW6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackburnin4you

 

 

Book Review: In the End, Nothing by Michael Patrick Hicks

Title: In the End, Nothing: A Short Story Collection

Author: Michael Patrick Hicks

Release date: January 24th, 2023

Over the last few years, I’ve read a number of Michael Patrick Hick’s work and each time, I’ve finished, closed my Kindle and shook my head with a smile on my face, while saying “Jesus Christ, he’s done it again. That crazy fucker!” (I can swear in my review here because I’m still banned from reviewing on Amazon, so I can drop some curse words without fear of repercussion hahahah!)

Anyways, over the course of these various readings, I’ve learned a few things about what to expect with a new Patrick Hicks release. The first is topical/societal commentary. It may be layered under gore or hidden within the subtext of character conversations, but you know that no matter what he’s writing about, there’s an alternative angle being subconsciously strained into the reader’s brains. The second is really solid set pieces. No matter where it is set, the action will take place in a fantastically and thoroughly thought out location. And lastly – GORE! Hell, I think one of my own blurbs for his work talks about how very few do gore as well as Michael does and trust me – it’s not even close by a long shot. I know some of you may enjoy the extreme stuff (I’m looking at you – the only read’s ebooks from Godless crowd) – and I can assure you, even those over there strive to write splatter like Michael does.

So, when he announced his first collection, made up of previously released material and some new stuff sprinkled in, I was really excited. Well, most of that excitement was thinking that this would mean even more people would read one of the greatest novelettes ever written – Revolver – which also happens to be Michael’s own Nostradamus moment where he predicted this dystopian future that seems to becoming more and more of a real thing with each news cycle.

I dove in, excited to revisit some pieces, but also to read some works that were new to me.

What I liked: Made up of fifteen stories of varying lengths, Michael starts us off with the incredibly solid ‘A Song of the Earth’ featuring some great creatures and dark moments and it never lets up from there. Every story hums along and hits the perfect beats for the reader.

Highlights for me were;

‘Consumption’ – a great story about an isolated estate and a crazy chef.

‘Let Go’ – a really fun take on the zombie narrative.

‘Meme’ – a scathing flash fiction piece about a Tik Tok trend that turns deadly.

‘Revolver’ – the ultimate highlight for me. A reality show where contestants have to make a life or death choice.

‘Black Site’ – a fun sci-fi/horror mash up set in an old mining station.

Throughout all of the stories, Michael crafts characters you want to root for who are thrust into scenarios that will have you riveted. And, as I mentioned, expect tons of bloody gore.

What I didn’t like: As with every collection, some stories may be a hit or miss for the reader. I really enjoyed every story within, but for some readers, certain aspects may not be your cup of tea and that’s fair and expected in a varied collection like this.

Why you should buy this: As Patrick Hicks says in his introduction, some of the stories here are included for completionism, so if you love his work but don’t have the anthologies he’s appeared in, this is a great collection to pick up and complete your own library. For new readers, this is a really great spot to dive in and see just what you’re in for. Michael is a masterful writer who writes with a solid, commanding style that showcases just how phenomenal he is at crafting a story.

Now that I’m done this, I’ll sit back and wait for Salem Hawley #3!

5/5

3Q’s – Joshua Marsella desires to breathe!

Fun 3Q’s today with the one and only Joshua Marsella. Joshua blasted into the Indie Horror world a few years back with his debut, ‘Scratches,’ and has continued to put out dark fiction that has readers clamoring for more!

Please, welcome Joshua!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

JM: As a stay-at-home dad, I’m quite limited to when I can write. When the boys hit the hay and if inspiration strikes, I start writing after the sun has set. If I’m lucky I can get in a couple hours before I get tired and retire to the couch to read or watch a movie. I don’t write everyday. If I’m not feeling it, I don’t force it. As for word counts, I’m happy when I’m able to get any amount of words down. Early on I would try to hit a specific word count goal but I found it to be detrimental to the creative process.

 

Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love. Do you keep it just for yourself or do you share it with the world?

JM: Oh, tough question! I feel like it would be my responsibility to get the manuscript into the right hands and get it published for the world to enjoy with the stipulation that the profits go directly to the living family members. That being said, I would definitely read it first.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

Josh: 2022 has been a slow year for me as far as publications go, but before the end of the year I do have a middle grade horror novel coming out with the FrightVision series of books. FrightVision is a spiritual successor of the Goosebumps series we all grew up reading and loving. I was approached nearly two years ago with an invitation from the publisher to contribute a book to the series which features the creator Culliver Crantz as well as guest authors that step in to add to the series. Although I was hesitant at first, I eventually agreed to partake and had a great time writing the book. I feel like this will be a fun read for kids and adults, especially if you have read my work before. It also features a few easter eggs from my other works, so definitely check it out!

Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your superpower?

JM: My character would be called Mariana Man and my superpower would underwater breathing and resistance to deep water pressure. Is that two powers? Oh well.

Excellent superpower!

Thanks so much for doing this, Joshua!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Marsella/e/B088HBWNMP

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshuaMarsella

 

 

Book Review: The Clackity by Lora Senf

Title: The Clackity

Author: Lora Senf

Release date: June 28th, 2022

While I read a lot of dark fiction books, I would say I’m lacking in any depth of exploring the dark fiction releases in the Middle Grade and Young Adult categories. Usually, the ones I read come from recommendations from my friend, Tony Jones, who is perhaps the most knowledgeable reviewer out there regarding what hits and what misses for these age categories.

‘The Clackity’ was one that he highly recommended and I knew I would need to read it. After I actually won a giveaway copy of this from the author, I decided to hold off and make it one of my first reads of 2023 and boy was it a great book to dive into for a fresh reading year.

What I liked: The story follows early-teen, Evie, who is now living with her aunt, Des, after her parents disappeared following a house fire. Evie doesn’t believe her parents are dead, but she also has no idea where they are. Des happens to live in the haunted town of Blight Harbor, and on one particular day, as she explores an old abandoned slaughterhouse, Evie joins her. They both feel a dark presence and leave, scared. But when Des goes back without telling Evie, she disappears and Evie knows she needs to find her.

It’s at this point that Senf really begins to work her magic. Up to now, we have a strong bond and we see how the two of them have connected since Evie has moved in, but when Des goes missing that gets ramped up and, aided by a little bird, Evie does whatever needs to be done to find Des.

The crux of the story is this – a strange, shadow-dwelling ‘thing’ known as The Clackity makes and agreement with Evie. If Evie can bring The Clackity a notorious killer wandering this other dimension/plain before nightfall, The Clackity will save and give back her aunt. It was really reminiscent of the plight Sarah faced in the movie Labyrinth and parts of the story really reminded me of that movie, which was great. To a degree, I also saw elements of The Neverending Story, as well as the fantastic MirrorMask.

I think that’s what made this one feel special to me. Senf tapped into that nostalgic part of my brain where I loved these dark/scary fantasy stories where nothing is what it seems, everything is a riddle needing to be unraveled and ultimately you need to just jump and believe in order to survive.

The character of The Clackity was really well done. Every time it appeared, you knew you were in for a creepy moment and one that would make your skin crawl.

The ending was powerful, emotional and did a great job of wrapping it up as well as potentially leaving us the opening to continue on the story with Evie and the search for those she loves more than anything.

What I didn’t like: I think the hardest thing for me as an adult horror reader is knowing that things won’t get crazy or too extreme in the Middle Grade reads. It doesn’t mean there isn’t chills, thrills and loss, but it does mean you won’t get ripped open throats or spilled organs, so keep that in mind.

Why you should buy this: My son is six and we’re just beginning to dive into longer reads with less pictures. This one is illustrated at points which I think if you have a young reader at home you want to dip into the dark waters with, this would be a perfect place to start. This is told with a flowing narrative that sucks the reader along and will keep you rooting for Evie until the very last page.

I really loved this one and I do hope Senf continues Evie’s story and her search for the truth.

5/5

3Q’s – Jason Myer’s brings the Punishment!

Today, I have one half of the electric Crimson Pinnacle Press Duo – Jason Myer’s! Jason is a prolific author, publisher and supporter of the Indie Horror community and, after having RJ on a little while back, it made sense to get him on here and share some of his work!

Do welcome Jason!

 

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

Jason: I am very free with my writing schedule. Basically when an idea comes into my head I don’t map it out, I run with it…straight to my laptop. At that point, I am locked in and…most importantly…remove myself from distraction except for music and type away.

Steve: You end up at an estate sale and discover an unpublished manuscript from an author you love. Do you keep it just for yourself or do you share it with the world?

Jason: I share it with the world! I actually have a novella (non-horror) called The Kaleidoscope available in a 4 novella collection of mine (See No Evil- available on Amazon) that fits this whole subject actually.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

Jason: Newest release for me is called Wentworth Pond and is about a serial killing young adult who is taking on his next victims at a summer camp. It is available from Crimson Pinnacle Press (RJ Roles and my publishing company) in an anthology called Dead Heat.

Steve: Bonus Question! You wake up in a comic book. What is your comic book character and what is your superpower?

Jason: The Punisher. I am all about the anti-hero and righting wrongs with as much brutality as possible!

Great choice!

Thanks so much for doing this, Jason!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Myers/e/B083CQ47NM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMyersAuthor

Website: https://jasonmyersbooks.wixsite.com/home

Book Review: The Broken Darkness by Theresa Braun

Title: The Broken Darkness

Author: Theresa Braun

Release date: February 13th, 2023

I’ve been a fan of Theresa Braun’s writing for some time now. She has a way of crafting her stories like few others and she covers different genres so easily and so well that’s it’s a joy when you’re the reader. Theresa also happens to be one of the nicest people out there, so I’m always excited when she has a new release out, knowing people will be clamoring to check out what she’s created this time.

‘The Broken Darkness’ is her first short story collection and it combines a few of her previously released novelette’s/novella’s with some new pieces. One thing you can guarantee when diving into her work, is that the characters will be intriguing and darkness will seep into every corner of the story.

What I liked: Consisting of thirteen stories, Braun wastes no time bashing the reader over the head and in their hearts with ‘Dead Over Heels.’ This was a fun story and one that works as an excellent opening piece in the collection to give you an idea of what you’re in for.

The highlights for me were;

‘Collecting Empties’ – a fun story detailing a drunken encounter.

‘Celestial Assignment’ – love this novelette. We get a really intriguing story that will make the reader wonder about where they fit in the world and what else is going on between the veil of here and there.

‘Guilty as Cell’ – a horror-ized PSA about the dangers of driving while using your cellphone. This one is dark, gripping and horribly sad.

‘Stillborn’ – possibly the craziest story in the collection, this one follows a new nurse working with a doctor facing some conspiracy type accusations. When she investigates them, she finds far more than she’s wanting to discover.

‘Dying for an Invitation’ – really outstanding story that showcases the romantic-aspect of the vampire lore. A real highlight of the highlights.

Throughout, Braun’s enjoyable writing style shines through and really pulls the reader along.

What I didn’t like: A few of the stories didn’t connect that much with me. They were still fun, but compared to the ones I really loved, they were solid, but not as phenomenal as they others. This happens in every collection and anthology and it’ll absolutely be reader preferences.

Why you should buy this: Braun’s writing speaks for itself and honestly I need to be seeing more of YOU sharing her work on all of the social media platforms. She writes phenomenal characters who have to deal with dark scenarios as best as they can and she does it so very well. This was a great collection and a perfect place for those who’ve not read her work to dive in.

5/5

3Q’s – A.S. MacKenzie takes a Long Walk Back

Today’s guest is someone whom I connected with while a member of the Kendall Reviews review team. A.S. joined and offered up solid commentary of dark fiction releases. Then, we became Publisher mates when he was published through Demain Publishing and finally, we became Table of Contents buddies when he appeared in an Anthology that I was also in! Throughout, it’s been great connecting with A.S., seeing his newest releases and supporting along the way.

Please, welcome A.S.!

 

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

AM: My writing time can be summed up in one word: chaos. I try to schedule, and then life happens so the schedule gets upended. I try to write as I have availability, but then the aforementioned life happens again. So far, the best I’ve been able to do is to just make random days my “Writing Day”. It’s not nearly as consistent as it should be, nor as much as my imagination would like, but it allows me to pour a ton of energy into one spot. That’s been really helpful. A recent short I wrote for a western horror anthology submission I wrote in a single morning on my phone. That’s not typical but it does show that if I can pour the energy into as condensed a time as possible, it seems to keep the world at bay long enough for me to finish. As for measured goals, I’m happy when any words on the page because they are more than I had before I started, but I typically try to stick in the 1500-2000 range at a time. It is typically enough to get the gist of what I want to say right then.

 

Steve: You decide to host a writer’s retreat. One weekend in a luxury house on an island. What three other authors do you invite to come along?

AM: Funny enough, this was an easy question. I’d bring a buddy of mine, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, because he’s an awesome person to be around, incredibly talented and creative, and he’s really athletic. If there’s a need for someone to run for help or to pull someone from the edge of a cliff, I want it to be the fit one. The second choice would be another friend, T Wood. They are Gen-X, goth-y, sarcastic, brilliant, and would readily be up for animated arguing over which movie is better and why. The third would be Jonathan Maberry because his work has been the single greatest influence on my writing journey. I’ve read everything he’s ever written (and it is a LOT) and met him a few times. He’s a no-nonsense, super nice guy, who could give writing advice that is time-tested and solid. Also, he’s crazy accomplished in multiple fighting martial arts, so that’d be good in case the island is invaded, or we need to fight our way out of the newly discovered cellar in the house.

 

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

AM: My latest release was a self-published novella titled, Long Walk Back. It’s about two guys from the city who decided to go hike and camp and now need to get back, but their inexperience in the wilderness and their own troubles mean they don’t get to go home so easily. Fog, storms, mud slides, bees, and bears are the least of their problems because they may not be able to survive each other. It’s currently available for free through my site. I have another novella coming early next year about a guy who is forced to announce the return of something coming to reclaim the earth. His life turns inside out as the world descends into chaos and he is forced to announce the countdown to their return. It’s titled ‘Herald’ and details on release date/price will be coming soon. Also, have a couple of more projects that I can’t announce yet coming next year.

https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/y1577OjG

 

Steve: Bonus Question! You receive an invitation in the mail from one of these two people. The invitation invites you to have dinner and spend the night in their home. Do you accept the invitation from Victor Frankenstein or Dracula and why?

AM: Dracula, no contest. I can keep enough garlic and crosses around me to keep me safe. Victor I wouldn’t trust to not drug my food and the next thing I know I’m the left arm, right lung, and ears on his next creation. No thanks.

Great choice! Thank you so much for doing this A.S.!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/A-S-MacKenzie/e/B089ZHB7DR/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/a_s_mackenzie

Website: http://www.asmackenzie.com/