Nicky Peacock's Blog, page 33
February 4, 2014
Interview with Aoife Marie Sheridan
Tell us about your publishing journey…
Where to start…. When I wrote Eden Forest it wasn’t intended for anyone else to read, I wrote it for myself to help me through my grief of losing someone. Anyway my family picked it up, read it and said I had to get it published. Didn’t think too much about it but sent it out to publishers around Ireland got a few no’s then finally got a yes and Eden Forest was then published nine months later on 28th of September 2012. I got very lucky and got it with a large book franchise here in Ireland called Eason’s I always went to this store, so to see my own book on the shelf was overwhelming. After that I did a good few interviews on the radio and had a successful book launch it was all very exciting. I had no idea about marketing and had to step up my game, this was the part I found the hardest and very overwhelming. I didn’t even use facebook, never mind twitter or anything as such. A blog (what’s that) I really hadn’t a clue. So we are over a year on and I feel I am finding my feet. There is so much more work involved then anyone could ever imagine. But I wouldn’t turn the clock back or change anything for a second. I feel very honored to have people read my work and review it. That’s what it’s all about for me.
What do you love about being an author?
Answer: I love all the people I have meet while being an author, there are so many other authors out there that are willing to help spread the word about my own work that it’s overwhelming at times. I didn’t believe that we would help one another but I was very wrong and will always be grateful to the authors who helped spread the word about Eden Forest.
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?
Wow… Valek from poison study would so love to have dinner with him. Not sure if I would eat anything more than likely he would poison me.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?
A dream cast if there was a movie, this is like the dream I think for most writers. Okay so here we go, love thinking about this.
Tristan :Chris Hemsworth
Morrick: Liam Nesson
Legis: Ryan Gosling
Mirium: Ian McKellen
Marta: Julia Roberts
Jessica: Emma Watson
Sarajane: Jennifer Lawrence
Bellona: Nicole Kidman
Musa: Morgan Freeman
Carew: Jason Momoa
Mei: Landry Bender
Alana: Amanda Seyfried
Who is your favourite author, and why?
Maria V. Snyder hands down, just love her style and her world building is mind blowing. She always has a strong female character in the main role and I love reading from a woman’s perspective.
If you could be a supernatural creature – which would it be and why?
A shifter. Because they are like human only live longer and they can shift into an animal.
If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?
I would love to go back to the day that man lived in the wilderness, with no buildings or anything that exists now. I would love to see live raw and live that way.
What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?
Relax, wants meant for you won’t go by you.
What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?
The Scourge. It was a story told from the perspective of a blind girl, something I had never read before and I found the story amazing, we mostly only got the descriptions through the smell and touch of things or if someone described them for Fennel. It was tough and frustrating at times I was screaming open your eyes, then remembering she couldn’t see. Overall an amazing story.
If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?
I love fantasy/paranormal that’s what I write in, but if I didn’t it would be dystopia. I love this genre and could read them all day, but I haven’t been able to come up with anything new or original, it’s all been done a hundred times, so will stick to my own.
Where can fans find you online?
Tumblr
Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: Aoife Marie Sheridan, Bewitching book tours, Eden Forest
February 3, 2014
Book Review: Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy
Synopsis:
When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away.
1913. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn’t matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow.
But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.
If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn’t expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it’s too late now.
Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?
About the Author: 
Karen Kincy (Redmond, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College.
Website Goodreads Facebook Twitter
My Review:
Oh, finally a bit of Dieselpunk romance! What a treat! Right from the start of the book I was hooked. The relationship between the two antagonists was wonderfully deep and flawed at the same time. The setting was amazing and the author had such a way with moving the story on, it was like watching a movie (I’d love to know who she’d cast in the leads)
Definitely an over 18 book though, and it was good to not have it end on a cliff-hanger – but does that mean that there won’t be another a series? There’s definitely more scope in the carefully built-up world itself to throw in a few more characters…
From a writer’s perspective, the action was intense and the plot was interesting and moved at a steady pace. I really have to applaud Karen for tackling this genre. I really hope that readers pick it up and give it go. It’s so refreshing to have a new twist on romance. Maybe we should see more genre mash-ups on the market? There was some lovely turns of phrase in there and the female lead was strong yet felt real – a hard thing to write but a pleasure to read.
The front cover does let it down for me. I don’t think it really lives up the book itself. The woman on the front doesn’t look like the main character who’s described as half Chinese with Tawny hair.
Overall I’d give Shadows of Asphodel 4 out of 5 stars – get your Dieselpunk romance on! Yeah!
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: Dieselpunk, Karen Kincy, New Adult, romance, Shadows of Asphodel, Shadows of Asphodel Karen Kincy, xpresso book tours
January 31, 2014
Interview with Pauline Gruber
Tell us about your publishing journey…
While this is the second novel I’ve written, it is the first one I’ve published. I self-published. I was drawn to indie publishing because I wanted to retain creative control, have the ability to write in various genres and have full transparency on the publishing side. Quality is very important, too, so I did have my novel professionally edited. The indie process was difficult. It’s one thing to write a book and then to work with an editor to make it as perfect as possible, but then there’s the publishing side. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of working with an amazing digital artist and layout/font artist (two separate people) for the cover, then I worked with a formatter for the paperback version of the book and all the e-book versions. It’s an incredible learning process. Difficult is an understatement, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
What do you love about being an author?
I’ve had a love of writing since I was young. In seventh grade I entered a writing contest and wrote a story about three competitive cat siblings. I won an award for it. My seventh grade English teacher encouraged me to continue, claiming I showed promise. I dabbled with stories through the years, but didn’t pursue it seriously until four years ago.
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?
You just tackled two of my favorite things, dining with interesting people and food. My apologies, but it’s impossible to limit this to one character.
-Louis Point du Lac from Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice. My love of vampires began with this one book. If you haven’t read it, you should. What would I eat? Provided we’re in New Orleans, I would eat vegetarian red beans and rice.
-Sabine from The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett. This is one of my all-time favorite books (and authors). Not only is Sabine original and interesting, but as you learn about her recently deceased husband Parsifal (yes, another great name), a magician, you learn how this unique man rose above a heartbreaking adolescence to become successful personally and professionally. What would I eat? Either Indian food or sushi.
-Michael Brock from The Street Lawyer by John Grisham. I don’t read much Grisham, but this book struck a chord in me. Don’t we all think about what it would be like to turn out backs on our lives and instead live altruistically? I think about it a lot.
What would I eat? I would make sandwiches and we would eat in a park. I would bring extra bread to feed the birds.
-Carlisle Cullen from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. We already know Bella’s story and much of Edwards. Carlisle is old…really old. I imagine he’s got the most interesting life. Carlisle and Esme have an amazing, state-of-the-art kitchen so Carlisle and I would cook a meal together and he would talk while I devoured whatever amazing dish we made. (Esme is really nice, so I’d like her to be there, too.)
-Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I want to hear about the games—and Peeta’s journey—in his own words.
What would we eat? I would make a pot of vegan roasted corn soup and have Peeta bring a loaf of homemade, crusty bread.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?
I have no idea who would play Lucy, Marcus or Dylan. However, I can tell you this: Robin Wright would be perfect as Donna Walker, Lucy’s mother; Frances McDormand should play Lucy’s grandmother, Vera; and Adrian Brody (with some make-up to age him) would make an AWESOME Jude. I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out who would play Persephone and Henry, but I’m coming up blank. If you have any ideas, let me know.
Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?
I prefer to see them as sexy leads, definitely! Alternatively, I like them as remorseful, wallowing types, like Louis in Interview With A Vampire.
If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?
Ooooh – great question! The 1920’s definitely. I recently watched Midnight in Paris. How great would it be to meet Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso. Some of our greatest influences came from the 1920’s.
What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?
Not to take life so seriously all the time. Also, to appreciate the important people in my life. We tend to take them for granted, but then we’re filled with a world of regret when they’re gone.
If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?
Two years ago I would’ve said vampire. Hands down. Now, I’ll go with witch. They can do so many different things while blending well within society. Plus they’re not struck with the constant urge to kill people.
Where do you write best?
I have an office and I wrote there for a while. Now I work at my dining room table, where I have room to spread out my notes and all of my beverages. When I travel for writing conferences, I love the peace and quiet of my hotel room and I get a lot of writing done.
What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. The book packs a wallop. The lead character starts and ends the story as a middle-aged man, but a bulk of the story takes place when he’s a boy in Sussex, England. There are witches and evil things and grown-ups who disappoint. [SPOILER ALERT] The witches help save the boy from the evil beings, but it’s rough for a while. Gaiman has a gift with making a story seem simple when it’s not. He also knows how to keep a reader on the edge of their seat. This book is extra special to me because it’s autographed by the author. I had the incredible pleasure of attending the Ann Arbor, Michigan stop of his final book signing tour.
If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?
As an indie author, I’m not limited to writing in one genre for young adults. After The Girl and The Raven series (paranormal romance), I have a science fiction duology planned, then a contemporary YA stand-alone. If I didn’t write fiction for young adults, I would write paranormal romance for adults. I love vampires. Witches, gargoyles and demons, too.
Where can fans find you online?
The best place to find me is on my website: www.paulinegruber.com From there, they can access all of my social media sites.
Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: Author advice, indie advice, indie authors, interview with author, paranormal reads, Pauline Gruber, The Girl & The Raven
January 30, 2014
Book Review: Mr Midnight by Allan Leverone
Synopsis:
Given up for adoption just hours after her birth, thirty-year-old Caitlyn Connelly has longed her entire life to uncover her family history. Subject to bizarre and inexplicable visions, Cait is desperate to learn whether her biological mother can provide any insight as to the origin of her unusual ability.
When a local investigator learns Cait was born in a Boston suburb, the Tampa lawyer wastes no time booking a flight to the East Coast.
In Boston, with the city under siege by a killer known as “Mr. Midnight,” Cait’s visions intensify, morphing from merely annoying to graphic and terrifying. Worse, Cait begins to realize she shares a strange psychic connection with the depraved sociopath. A connection that may just get her killed.
As Cait and the murderer are drawn inexorably toward a violent confrontation, unraveling a decades-old mystery might be the only thing that prevents her from becoming the next victim…of Mr. Midnight.
About the Author: 
Allan Leverone is a 2012 Derringer Award winner and 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee for his short fiction. He has been hailed by bestselling Author Vincent Zandri (THE INNOCENT, THE REMAINS) as “the successor to Michael Crichton,” and bestselling author Scott Nicholson (LIQUID FEAR, DISINTEGRATION) says “Allan Leverone delivers a taut crime drama full of twists and conspiracy.”
Facebook/AllanLeveroneauthor
Twitter, @AllanLeverone
My Review:
Horror was my first literary love. I don’t admit it very often, in polite company I lie and say it was ‘The Animals of Farthing Wood’ and although I did read these books growing up, deep down I was hoping for Fox to go mental and start tearing the throats out of his furry friends. So dark and twisted is my ‘thing’ and Mr Midnight reminded me of that. From start to finish it was just gruesome enough with a steady stream of suspense that kept me reading – a perfect winter read when the weather is awful and all you want to do is curl up with a good book that throws you head first into an engrossing story.
As a reader, I’m not a big fan of flashbacks in a story, and if I could have changed anything it would have been to rip out the birth etc. and make it the prologue, thus leaving us in the present with the main characters and enforcing the suspense.
From a writer’s perspective, I thought the pacing was excellent and the story unfolded just enough each chapter to keep you on that sharp, shiny hook. My only criticism, and this is just me, is that Mr Midnight needed more of the book. I realise that he was the antagonist and that the protagonist, Cait should, in theory, be given equal time at least but horror affords authors a bit of literary leeway and I’d have liked to have seen our killer literally explode into the story with a string of murders under his belt before Cait takes our attention away.
The front cover is very eerie and definitely represents the story well. So two thumbs up to the cover artist!
Overall I’d give Mr Midnight 4 out of 5 stars – a darkly disturbing read with a dash of psychic shenanigans.
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: Allan Leverone, Dark Fuse, Horror books, Mr Midnight, Mr Midnight by Allan Leverone, Stalkers
January 29, 2014
Book Spotlight: Autumn Rose by Abigail Gibbs
Synopsis:
International sensation Abigail Gibbs draws us even further into the dangerous and romantic world of the Dark Heroines with AUTUMN ROSE, book two of her breathtakingly magical paranormal series.
Somewhere in a sleepy seaside town in England, Autumn Rose is living a seemingly quite life. But, buried deep under the surface are dark secrets. Autumn’s been dealing with a lot — her grandmother is dead and the whirling social scene of London in which she was brought up is a world away. To make matters worse, she’s shunned and condemned at her new school, all because of the swirling marks on her skin that prevent her from blending in.
At school, the appearance of a handsome young man sends her world in turmoil. He shares the same markings as Autumn, and knows many of the secrets she’s tried to keep hidden. His arrival at school thrusts her into the limelight, with the unexpected popularity bringing danger as her secrets threaten to come to light. And, Autumn keeps dreaming of a human girl who is about to be seduced by a very dark Prince. Time is her enemy, and she must figure out how to save the human before it is too late.
AUTUMN ROSE continues Abigail Gibbs phenomenal Dark Heroine series with an alluring story of romance, hidden secrets, and captivating magic.
http://harpercollins.com/book/pre-order.aspx?isbn13=9780062248756
About the Author: 
Abigail Gibbs was born and raised in deepest, darkest Devon, England. She is studying for a B.A. in English at the University of Oxford and considers herself a professional student, as the real world has yet to catch up with her. Her greatest fear is blood and she is a great advocate of vegetarianism, which logically led to the writing of her first novel, The Dark Heroine: Dinner with a Vampire. She splits her time between her studies, stories, and family, and uses coffee to survive all three.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAbigailGibbs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorAbigailG
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6518554.Abigail_Gibbs
HarperCollins: http://harpercollins.com/authors/40144/Abigail_Gibbs/index.aspx
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: Abigail Gibbs, AUTUMN ROSE, Book 2, Book Monster promotions, The Dark Heroine
January 28, 2014
Book Spotlight: Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer
Synopsis:
Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.
Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.
Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.
About the Author: 
Kerry Schafer was born and raised in Canada*, moved back and forth across the border several times, and finally settled on a compromise. She now lives in Washington state, but within an hour’s drive of her home and native land. Her childhood book collection traveled with her through all of those moves, and although she now owns a Kindle she continues to acquire books and bookshelves. During her lifetime, Kerry has worked as a lumber piler, an OB nurse, a secretary, and a substitute teacher, among other things. No matter where she lives or what she is doing, she finds a way to create writing time. Currently she balances writing and family with her work as a mental health counselor.
*And yes, she does sometimes say ‘eh?’ but never, ever ‘aboot.’
Buy Links:
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: Kerry Schafer, Wakeworld
January 26, 2014
My story ‘The Red Fingers’ included in The Grotesquerie anthology
My short story, The Red Fingers is going to be included in Mocha Memoir Press’ Grotesquerie anthology. A collection of 22 horror stories by women, this macabre collection of dark little beauties is being released in honour of Women in Horror Month
As a writer of a few different genres, I do find horror a guilty little go-to when I’m devising plots or even trying to write ‘normal’ prose. I can’t help letting my dark side shadow my thoughts – it’s far too much fun! I’ve written a number of short horror stories and The Red Fingers was one of my personal favourites as it was told from a very unusual view point. It was one of those stories that just bleeds onto the page without too much effort from me – Isn’t it great when that happens!
Grotesquerie is being edited by the lovely, Eden Royce and this anthology will be available to buy from next month.
Filed under: Nicky's Posts - My ramblings... Tagged: dark fiction, Eden Royce, Grotesquerie anthology, horror stories by women, Mocha memoirs press, Nicky Peacock, The red fingers, women in horror month
January 25, 2014
Book Spotlight: Devil’s Frost by Heidi R. Kling
Synopsis:
Every young witch looks forward to her first Solstice Stones. The pride of representing her coven against the warlocks. The rush from her first taste of dark magic.
But a few short minutes into the Stones, and Lily’s lifelong dream turns into a nightmare of pain and regret. Betrayed not once, but twice, her restraint snaps—with dire consequences.
Lily is wracked with guilt and on the run from the powerful Congression, when her broken confidence is further shattered by an ugly secret from the past. As her options dwindle, Lily is forced into a distasteful alliance.
Will she be able to find her way back to the light? Or will darkness consume her before dawn’s new day?
Devil’s Frost: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19826826-devil-s-frost?ac=1
Spellspinners bundle (Books 1-3)- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19828025-the-spellspinners-of-melas-county-books-1-3?ac=1
About the Author:
After earning her BA in Literature & Creative Writing Literature from UC Santa Cruz and finding her voice in YA, Heidi went on to earn her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School. She has directed and written children’s theatre on both coasts and lives with her husband and two children in Palo Alto, CA.
http://heidirkling.com/
Filed under: Book Review
January 24, 2014
Interview with Jennifer Harlow
Tell us about your publishing journey.
Feels like a million, billion years when I started this journey. I started my first book at nineteen, finished by twenty-one and that’s when I began looking for agents. I didn’t get one until age twenty-six, got a publishing deal at twenty-seven, and the book didn’t come out until twenty-eight. Almost ten years. Ten years of rejection, and going to conferences to pitch agents, and query letters. Natural stubbornness and tenacity spurned me along. It is not for the faint of heart.
What part of being a writer do you love most?
The commute. Three steps to my desk, and I can work in my pajamas. I also love getting to play God. It’s a great job for a control freak like me. This character’s pissing me off? Uh oh, eaten by werewolves. *Evil Laugh*
Which part do you hate most?
I don’t know if I hate it or I’m just crap at it, but the marketing stuff. I’m a private person by nature, so talking about myself, especially having to draw attention to myself, and selling my product just do not come easily to me. I’m proud of my work, I’m told it’s quite good, but I’d rather be alone with my imaginary friends than tooting my own horn.
If you could be a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?
A time and space traveler. Basically Doctor Who but not an alien. Sick of our modern world? Travel to Regency England and stalk Jane Austen. Need some cash? Go nick a Picasso painting and bring it back to make millions. Just have to make sure I don’t step on any butterflies or Benedict Cumberbatch might never be born and that would be a massive crime against nature.
Vampires – scary monsters or romantic leads? Which do you prefer and why?
I’m a fighter, not a lover so I love scary more than romantic anything. With my vampires I try to have them walk that fine edge. They can be scary, they are killers after all, but they can fight against that if they so choose. I wouldn’t shag one though. I just couldn’t get past the no pulse thing. Ick.
If you had a time machine, what era would you like to visit and why?
I’d go meet Charlotte Bronte. I’ve been obsessed with her for years and read every biography I could find. I’d just want to meet her. See what her life was really like. So if I had a time machine, I’d get my stalker on.
What life advice have you been given, that you wished someone had given you sooner?
“Fuck them.” Don’t let anyone ever tell you who you should be or what your life path should be. Just because everyone else does it, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Like what you like, love who you love, and as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, do what you want. Once you stop caring what people think about you, life becomes a trillion times better.
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?
Sherlock Holmes because of…reasons. And I’d feed him cake because who doesn’t love cake?
Who are your favourite authors and why?
Without question Janet Evanovitch, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Jennifer Crusie. From Evanovitch I learned how to incorporate humor, mystery, and sexual tension while keeping a quick pace in the story. Hamilton showed the perfect was to combine two genres effectively, thriller and paranormal, and that a heroine doesn’t have to always be a sweet, perfect woman. She can have a hard edge and still be likable. From Jennifer Crusie, I learned the art of a romance novel without a clear formula. Her characters aren’t perfect, they meet in strange ways, and struggle with real compatibility issues. I just hope I did my heroes justice.
What are you working on at the moment?
Werewolf Sings the Blues, the second in the Midnight Magic Mystery Series just came out so I’m doing the promotion for that. Next year the third in the series, Witch Upon a Star, comes out in 2015 so I’m doing the edits for that. I’m also fixing up my first in another new series, a steampunk romance entitled Verity Hart Vs. The Vampyres, which should be out sometime this year. Also sometime this year will be the fourth in my F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad series, High Moon, and I pray that by the end of the year the final in my superhero trilogy The Galilee Falls series, Fall of Heroes will also be out. Damn, I better get back to work, huh?
Where can fans find you online?
http://www.jenniferharlowbooks.com
http://blog.jenniferharlowbooks.com Tales From the Darkside Blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jenharlowbooks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennifer.harlow.52
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4708453.Jennifer_Harlow
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jenharlowbooks/
Barnes & noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/jennifer-harlow?keyword=jennifer+harlow&store=allproducts
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jennifer+harlow
Amazon Canada http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2/181-2330828-3468069?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jennifer+harlow&x=0&y=0
Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: Jennifer Harlow, laurell k hamilton, mind over monsters, paranormal fiction, vampires, werewolf sings the blues, Werewolves, what's a witch to do?, witches
January 23, 2014
Interview with Kerry Schafer
Tell us about your publishing journey.
It’s been a very long and winding road. How much time do we have? My very first published work was a poem I wrote in grade school that found its way into some sort of church paper or something. My memory of the details is a little foggy, although I can still recall a few lines from the poem. Which was dreadful, by the way. Since then I’ve submitted poetry, short stories, picture books, and essays to a variety of places. Some of the essays were published and there was a near miss with the picture books. Finally, after years of this sort of thing, I put a couple of chapters up on the Book Country author site and an editor saw it and just like that I landed my first ever publishing contract! Sort of like a fairy tale only with a lot of hard work leading up to the magic.
What do you love about being an author?
Making stuff up and creating new worlds. Also – the opportunities to hang out with writers and talk about books and writing are amazing.
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?
My current favorite literary character is Dante from Carol Berg’s Collegia Magica trilogy, but I don’t think I’d like to have dinner with him. Bilbo Baggins, maybe, because the food would be excellent and maybe some dwarves and a wizard would show up.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?
Jason Momoa would make an excellent Zee, I think. And Emma Watson could pull off Vivian.
Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?
Honestly, I think Stoker did it best with the original Dracula – who was both a blood hungry monster and a charming, debonair seducer.
If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?
Can I go back in time in an imaginary world? Because I really want to see Middle Earth, especially Lothlórien, before it fades.
What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?
“Your job on this planet is to be the best and most fulfilled version of you that you can be. Embrace that, and don’t waste time wishing you were other.” Of course, if anybody had told me that when I was young I wouldn’t have understood what was meant.
If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?
A dragon. I’d be at the top of the food chain, have the gift of flight, and be able to set things on fire with my breath.
Where do you write best?
Usually at the kitchen table in my house, when everybody is gone and I’m home alone. But sometimes I need a change of pace and the words will really flow in the coffee shop.
What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?
Burn Me Deadly, by Alex Bledsoe. Great fun – I think Bledsoe is brilliant in the way he mixes elements of fantasy and crime in his Eddie LaCrosse novels. I recently discovered the series and am reading through from the beginning.
If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?
Some of my favorite authors – Martha Grimes, Jonathan Kellerman, Lee Child, to name a few – are mystery or thriller writers. I’d like to see if I could pull it off.
Where can fans find you online?
Twitter: @kerryschafer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kerryschaferbooks
Website: www.kerryschafer.com
Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: author interview, Dracula, Kerry Schafer, paranormal reads, The Knight Agency, Wakeworld
