Killion Slade's Blog, page 4
March 31, 2014
Author Interview: g Elmer Munson on short story “John”
As we make our fifth stop on the Wrapped in White Anthology tour, we had an endearing interview with g Elmer Munson. Scary looking dude with a wicked sense of humor! Elmer shares with us his inspiration for his short story titled John for Wrapped in White.
John has changed more significantly since the first draft than any other story I’ve written. In most cases the main idea of the story is there from the beginning, but with John I really just had a snippet of an idea and started writing. When I was finished, I realized that I liked John and Janelle, but hated the story! I let it cook for a while and a story grew around the two characters. Fast forward a number of edits, and you the final version took shape. It changed a lot, but I knew I was there when I gave myself chills writing the end. I happened to be polishing the story when I saw the submission call for Wrapped in White, and…well, you know the rest.
I wasn’t sure who to be more frightened for – John or Janelle! Where did the inspiration come for this evil creep who might be able to save Janelle from the crazy old lady. Was his real intention to kill Janelle?
The inspiration behind John was incredibly vague, but something that I can still picture today. Years ago I lived in Cornwall, England. One day I was driving back from Devon on the A30 and I saw a construction area on the left that I hadn’t noticed before. It looked to be abandoned, with rusty fences and an overgrown dirt path heading into the woods. There was an open gate at the entrance with a sign that read Works Access Only. I held onto that image for a long time, wanting to write about the things that could be down there. That idea eventually became John. I wanted John to be the perfect character to hate, and in the first draft he actually did kill Janelle. I realized pretty quick that was a bad idea, so to keep that from happening, the crazy lady became a much bigger part. Little by little the real story grew around them to become what it is today.
You’ve written quite a few anthologies in your Tales from the Underground series. Is there a certain character who sticks out in your mind? Will that character make it into a novel length series someday?
I’ve had an idea for a novel with Samuel from Lovely Lea (TFTU Volume 2). In the end, he…well, in case you haven’t read it I’ll just share that he doesn’t die. Depending on how you read into it, there might just be a glimmer of hope in his ride into the sunset, and I wonder if that story might find light one day. Of course, it’s essentially an apocalypse story, and that’s hard to do with any originality. Because of that, there are no guarantees.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?
My schedule is so busy it’s almost ridiculous. Most important is my family, and the rest of my time is spent working, learning new things (there’s always something), and playing the occasional video game. Oh yeah, and I read whenever I can. Sometimes I even sleep.
Do you have a specific music playlist you listen to while you’re writing? Do you find different types of music can help or hinder to tap into a specific mood?
Music has been such a huge part of my life that it’s always with me. I started writing and playing music when I was in grade school, so there’s always a beat in my head. There’s one downside to that – I can’t really write with music on. Anything with a beat takes me out of the story, and next thing you know I’ve grabbed my guitar or sat behind the drums and I’m jamming away instead of writing. Not good. The one thing I can listen to is classical music. No beat, ya know? Plus, I’ve been a baroque fan since I was in high school, so it’s a win-win. Editing is a different story altogether. When I’m editing, I tend to crank it up. I’m a metalhead at heart, so I lean towards the heavier side of the musical spectrum. I do think the musical style affects my writing mood, as I can feel it in my words. I can almost hear Slayer in the background when I’m writing something particularly violent. It’s kind of fun, really.
Here a couple of silly questions to bring out the human side of your life -
a) If you were a entre’, what would you be and how would people react to you?
Oh boy, I’m going to have to go with a big old porterhouse, somewhere between rare and medium rare. People who dig a bit of blood will love it, but the squeamish might just run for the hills… the hills of…uhh…salad. Don’t get me wrong, I like salad as much as the next guy, but…well…steak.
Do you find inspiration for your stories while washing the car or taking a shower?
I have to admit, I’m far too lazy to wash my car. The rain does that, right? However, the shower is an excellent place to think about my work in progress. I’d say half the time I get out and have to force myself to dry off before running to write my ideas down. Actually, the only “inspiration machine” that works better for me is driving. I spend a lot of time in my car, and since there’s no water noise I can talk to my phone. Sounds crazy, right? But thankfully, voice recognition has come a long way.
What’s on deck for g. Elmer Munson in 2014? Any new releases we can look forward to? Where can we find more?
In April, my story This Is Only Going To Hurt will be in the crime anthology Lucky 13 (Padwolf Publishing). Things after that are up in the air, but I’ve got a number of items in the oven, some with publishers and many more still cooking. That elusive second novel is still being edited, but I have a few novellas (1 out, 1 ready, 1 just about ready) that will hopefully see light either later this year or sometime in 2015. Of course, anything that comes out will end up on my Amazon and Goodreads pages.
Finally, since we are all lovers of the horror genre – what is your deepest and worst fear? How do you cope with this fear or prepare to handle such a fear?
That is a really tough question. One of the things that life experiences have done for me is eat away at many of the things that cause fear. That’s probably the reason I write horror with such glee. I guess my deepest and worst fear would involve my children, but since that’s just not fun to discuss, perhaps I can share something from my childhood? I had a recurring dream (I’d say over the span of 5 or so years) where I was hiding in my parents’ house at the tops of the stairs. Something was coming up to get me and at first I had no idea what it was. After a dozen or so dreams I recognized it to be a woolly mammoth. The more dreams I had, the closer it got. The closer it got, the more the walls surrounding me began to fall apart. The thing was wrecking the house and all I could do was hide in a corner. Around the time it reached the top step was the point I realized I was going to get trampled by this thing if I didn’t do something. The next dream, I decided to stand up and face the monster. Turns out, it was an octopus balloon that had been painted to look like a mammoth. Since I’m not scared of balloons (or octopi), I popped it and never had the dream again. True story.
Where can I learn more about g Elmer Munson?
g. Elmer Munson is a New England writer of all things strange and unusual as well as the horrors of everyday life. His first novel ‘Stripped’ is available from Post Mortem Press. His short work can be found in various print anthologies and ezines, as well as the collection “Tales From The Underground”. He has more works in progress than can be counted, so follow his adventures at gElmerMunson.com.
www.gelmermunson.com
https://www.facebook.com/MunsonElmerG
https://twitter.com/gElmerMunson
http://www.amazon.com/G.-Elmer-Munson/e/B005S0NWFC/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4607796.G_Elmer_Munson
The post Author Interview: g Elmer Munson on short story “John” appeared first on KillionSlade.com.
March 30, 2014
Author Interview: Suzi M for “Unseen” Short Story
When Wrapped In Red opened for submissions, I submitted a story to it and got accepted. It was my first time working with Jennifer, and she was awesome, so sending in a second story for the second anthology took about .05 seconds to decide yes, I wanted to send in another story, but this time under my pseudonym: James Glass.
Your story gave a new perspective on possible alien abductions through earth bound ghosts. Where did the inspiration come for slicing ghosts through humans and plastic bags rustling?
Several answers there, actually. I’ll start with the plastic bags, because that seems to be what grabs people who read the story the most. It’s based on a real life occurrence I experienced at my parents’ house in the Poconos.
For years we’d hear footsteps walking up and down the hallway and noises like someone was out in the living room digging through shopping bags. It wouldn’t have seemed weird except the noises would start around 2-3am and go until about 4am when the entire house was in bed. We always jokingly/seriously said as long as we kept the bedroom doors shut, whatever it was would stay out in the hall and living room, leaving us alone. This was true. Once and only once the bedroom door was left open just a crack. At around 2:30am I was woken up by the sound of plastic bags rustling in the living room. The noise just seemed to get louder and louder, and I wondered who the hell was out there and why they were digging through shopping bags… in the pitch black dark. As if sensing it had finally gotten someone’s attention, the noises came to abrupt halt, and heavy footsteps stomped down the hallway toward the bedroom. And then I realized the door was open. I did what any brave person confronting who the hell knows what in the middle of the night would do, I flipped over and pulled the blankets over my head then pretended to be asleep.
The temperature in the room dropped like a stone, and I heard the footsteps enter the room, the tread more tentative and less angry than it had been. As they reached the bed I felt something sort of moving along my back. It felt like when you sleep on your arm and it goes all needles and pins, but down the entire length of my body, and moving in a localized way. I was too terrified to scream. Finally, whatever it was went away, and it was the last time I ever slept with the bedroom door open, even a crack.
As for the creatures intersecting humans, I love to read about quantum theory and metaphysics in my spare time. The idea of a multidimensional universe just makes sense to me, so it was no stretch to think of two dimensional people with only an 8-bit graphic coloration running around and ‘possessing’ the three dimensional.
What are your three favorite book series and how do you think they have influenced your writing overall?
Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams, the Good Girls Don’t vampire series by Molly Harper, and the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. I wouldn’t say they influenced my writing, per se, though my James Glass Metatron Mysteries style has been compared to Douglas Adams, which was a major fangirl moment for me.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?
I do a LOT of running around with my little maniac toddler. He’s obsessed with oldschool Mickey Mouse cartoons lately, so we watch a LOT of Mick-a-mouse, Don-duck, and ‘Goof’. We also play hand-puppets, and I suspect he wishes I had more hands so I could incorporate the lion, dinosaur, and rabbit puppets along with the fireman, the doctor, and a pirate that suspiciously resembles Frank Zappa (and is aptly named Captain Zappa as a result). I also knit, which keeps me sane, and play with my rock collection.
Do you have a specific music playlist you listen to while you’re writing? Do you find different types of music can help or hinder to tap into a specific mood?
It’s funny you ask that. I have a playlist for every project before I even get to the second page of my work in progress. As an example, when I’m writing horror I usually stick with dark Industrial and old Goth albums, depending on the scene. When I’m writing a club scene, as in the case of my second novel, LAMIA, I had an entire playlist filled with music I used to hear at the old Limelight in New York, back in the day. So depending on what I’m trying to convey, I have a playlist for that.
Here a couple of silly questions to bring out the human side of your life -
a) If you were a favorite pet animal, what would you be and how would people react to you?
Cat. People would spoil me rotten.
b) Do you find inspiration for your stories while washing the dishes or taking a shower?
Shower, yes. It’s annoying because I need to try to hold onto the idea long enough to rinse and dry off.
What’s on deck for Suzi M and James Glass in 2014? Any new releases we can look forward to? Where can we find more?
I will be releasing the third installment of the Metatron Mysteries a la James Glass late this year, I believe, depending how edits go. The other James Glass books can be found on Amazon the James Glass Amazon Page.
You can find several novels and novellas written as Suzi M, also available in print and Kindle editions.
Finally, since we are all lovers of the horror genre – what is your deepest and worst fear? How do you cope with this fear or prepare to handle such a fear?
I have quite a few worst fears. My worst fear is the apocalypse via a nuclear assault. In such an instance, my only hope is that I’m blissfully ignorant there was an attack, and that I’m wiped out quick.
Where can we learn more about Suzi and James?
Suzi M writes for fun and occasionally profit. Currently, Suzi is working on a several new projects and has been known to release works under the pseudonyms James Glass and Xircon. When not busy with her own work or getting pictures and autographs of people who recognize her on the street, Suzi helps support the efforts of independent artists, writers, musicians, and film-makers.
Where can your readers find you? Please list a website and any social channels you prefer to connect to your readers.
You can follow her on Twitter @xirconnia or join the Suzi M Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/SuziMOfficial
The post Author Interview: Suzi M for “Unseen” Short Story appeared first on KillionSlade.com.
March 27, 2014
Author Interview: Joshua Rex – The White Boy
On our third day of our Wrapped in White tour, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Joshua Rex. Joshua’s story titled The White Boy was a well written horror story of a child’s death, a grieving father, and an unexpected outcome for both.
Joshua, what inspired you to submit to the Wrapped in White anthology?
JRX: I submitted to “Wrapped in White” after seeing the posting on The Horror Tree. I thought the idea of the theme being based around a specific color was interesting and allowed for a lot of variation- but still the reader knows what they’re getting. The “Wrapped in Red” and upcoming “Wrapped in Black” also work within that range, which for me personally is much more interesting that anthologies based around “ghosts” or “zombies” or “witches” specifically.
This story had a very twist a reader wouldn’t expect – it was a very sad story with closure. At least that is how it left me after reading. Where did the inspiration come for glowing white color that wouldn’t come off?
JRX: Thank you! It was one of those organic things that came during the first draft. I think it sprung from the notion of the boy being freshly dead and his form being somewhere between life and death; like residual body heat after the heart stops which slowly dissipates.
What are your three favorite book series and how do you think they have influenced your writing?
JRX: When I was a teenager I loved the Vampire Chronicles. They taught me how to appreciate the language in writing. The Lord of the Rings taught me to appreciate the journey through the story, particularly when writing a novel. Most recently I’ve been reading Clive Barker’s Books of Blood which are just brilliant!
How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?
JRX: Feeding cats, washing cat bowls, cleaning up after cats. Ha!
Do you have a specific music playlist you listen to while you’re writing? Do you find different types of music can help or hinder tapping into a specific mood?
JRX: I don’t typically listen to music while I’m writing, though sometimes if my neighbors are too loud I’ll put on a Dustin O’Halloran or Rachel’s record. I think music can help tap into a specific mood indeed, though for me personally it’s usually while I’m on the subway or driving and thinking about a story and not in the act of writing it, which I find sort of distracting.
Here a couple of silly questions to bring out the human side of your life -
a) If you were an alcoholic drink, what would you be and how would people react to it?
b) Do you find inspiration for your stories while shoveling snow or cooking dinner?
JRX: a. A vintage red wine that would make everyone sleepy.
b. Yes! Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to pay attention.
What’s on deck for Joshua in 2014? Any new releases we can look forward to? Where can we find more?
JRX: I’m revising my first novel, a supernatural story about a virtuoso and his haunted viola entitled “Inamorta”, which I hope to have completed by the end of the year. I’ve also recently completed my first collection of short stories called “New Monsters”. Two of the stories from it can be found here on Pseudopod.org and here from Death Throes Webzine.
Finally, since we are all lovers of the horror genre – what is your deepest and worst fear? How do you cope with this fear or prepare to handle such a fear?
JRX: Losing the people I love is my deepest and worst fear, as I imagine it is for most people. I think one tries to prepare themselves for the eventuality every day, though it is impossible to really do so.
Where can we learn more about Joshua?
JOSHUA REX is a writer, painter, and musician who works as a luthier of stringed instruments in Boston, Massachusetts, where he lives with his girlfriend – the poet Mary Robles.
Website: www.joshuarex.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.rex.7
The post Author Interview: Joshua Rex – The White Boy appeared first on KillionSlade.com.
March 26, 2014
Author Interview: Patrick C. Greene for The Curse of Kirby
The Curse of Kirby was the second story I submitted for Wrapped. The first was rejected by the publisher–my wife. It was good, but not ready for publication, and in all honesty, probably not for everyone. I had to be a part of this anthology because the other stories coming in were just so damn good and I wanted to have one standing beside them.
I truly enjoyed this story, it had an interesting twist a reader wouldn’t expect – lots of exploding body parts! Where did the inspiration come for the angry ghost?
Kirby’s inspiration came from distant memories of a Spider-man villain named Hammerhead, a brutal mobster, who was not quite killed but separated from his physical body somehow, yet he could interact pretty well, if I recall, in the physical world. I was imagining what a brutal, murderous gangster could do if he wasn’t hampered by physical laws.
I see you have several publications now available on Amazon. Which character is your favorite among them and do you have plans to bring them back to the limelight in another story?
Great question! Actually, one of my favorite characters is a fellow named Clyde from one of screenplays. The world will meet him soon enough–may already have, in fact, if his raison deitre’ holds true. But as for my published fiction prose works, young Chuck from PROGENY is probably the one because he is based on my oldest son Deklan, who is one of my favorite real people.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?
My non-writing time is mostly spent at the gym. I’m a bit obsessive about fitness but I guess it beats drugs. I’ve always enjoyed martial arts and weight training, as I feel they keep the creative juices flowing and sharpen my mind. I’m writing a web series called The Outside Man that will feature a lot of martial arts scenes and heavy drama. In addition to horror I also love kung fu and samurai films so this series will be my tribute to them and their stars.
Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you’re writing? Do you find different types of music can help or hinder tapping into a specific mood?
I have a few different playlists, categorized for different occasions. There is a dark ambient playlist that really creeps me out perfectly for writing atmospheric scenes. Anyone who is interested can find that here: Patrick’s Creepy Playlist I also have playlists of horror movie themes and various sub-genres of metal designed for any mood. 
Here a couple of silly questions to bring out the human side of your life -
a) If you were a dessert, what would you be and how would people react to it?
Ha! If I were a dessert, it would probably be something gritty and gristly and filled with a bunch of stuff that had no business in a delicious pastry or cake. Is there such a thing as broken glass pie?
b) Do you find inspiration for your stories while mowing the lawn or driving to work?
Ideas and inspiration is always lurking around the corner, ready to pounce when I’m least prepared. Just before I doze off for instance, or while I’m watching a crappy movie. Mowing the lawn–pretty sure that has happened. The combination of gas fumes and twin whirling blades that could slice though flesh and bone at the slightest contact would lend themselves to writing gory horror I would think.
What’s on deck for Patrick in 2014? Any new releases we can look forward to?
2014 will be a huge year! In addition to The Outside Man, my sophomore novel The Crimson Calling (Hobbes End Publishing) is dropping, probably just in time for Halloween. It’s a vampire thriller and the first of a trilogy. A Piece of Miracle (Sekhmet Press) is a horror novella that grew from a short story I wrote years ago. It is currently being fully illustrated by Audrey Lynn Brennan. It’s a fascinating collaboration and I’m really excited about it. Several screenplays are in development–but it’s too early to discuss them just yet. The Crimson Calling is getting the final polish, so I expect to finish my newest project Under Wicked Sky, an apocalyptic thriller novel, before year’s end, (and hopefully snag a great agent) along with a talonful of short stories.
Finally, since we are all lovers of the horror genre – what is your deepest and worst fear? How do you cope with this fear or prepare to handle such a fear?
My fears are mostly rooted in loss–of my home or family or physical abilities, so these have to be molded into metaphors. Really, writing, exercising and being consciously aware of just how fortunate I am and how meaningful my life is are my coping mechanisms. Hearing from fans, even with criticisms, is a profoundly powerful experience. It makes me feel connected to those who must be like me in some way, if they find resonance in my writing.
Want to learn more about Patrick?
Some dark serendipity plopped a young Patrick Greene in front of a series of ever stranger films-and experiences-in his formative years, leading to a unique viewpoint. His odd interests have led to pursuits in film acting, paranormal investigation, martial arts, quantum physics, bizarre folklore and eastern philosophy. Living in the rural periphery of Asheville North Carolina with his wife, youngest son and an ever-growing army of cats, Greene still trains in martial arts when he’s not giving birth to demons via his pen and keyboard. In addition to his novel PROGENY, and the short story collection DARK DESTINIES, Greene has several FILM projects in the works, and just finished writing his second novel – THE CRIMSON CALLING -the first in the action-adventure vampire trilogy, The Sanguinarian Council.
Where can your readers find you? Please list a website and any social channels you prefer to connect to your readers.
You can keep up with Patrick at www.patrickcgreene.com or http://www.facebook.com/patrickcgreene
Be sure and check out Patrick’s Amazon Store!
The post Author Interview: Patrick C. Greene for The Curse of Kirby appeared first on KillionSlade.com.
March 25, 2014
Author Interview: Allison M. Dickson
Today we welcome the beautiful Allison M. Dickson to the blog and I am so excited to interview her about 
her story, Daddy’s Glasses, she wrote for Sekhmet Press Wrapped in White. This story truly captivated me as it had an unusual spin on the trinkets the dead leave behind for their children.
What made you want to write this story for Wrapped in White?
Jennifer Greene of Sekhmet Press approached me late last year and invited me to submit a story to their upcoming ghost anthology. Because I suck at vampire stories (pun not intended?), I didn’t submit to Wrapped in Red, so I jumped at the opportunity, because I truly love what Sekhmet Press is doing and wanted to be a part of it. I wrote “Daddy’s Glasses” specifically for this book.
I truly enjoyed this story, it had an interesting twist a reader wouldn’t expect. Where did the inspiration come for the glasses to tell the story?
I’m really glad you liked it! The glasses actually came from real life. So much of this story, in fact, is based on actual events. Not so much the supernatural elements, but the broken glasses in question actually belonged to my grandfather, who committed suicide when my mother was a little girl. The broken glasses were sent to her by one of her sisters just recently, and when she told me about it, I knew I had the seed of an idea for story. I just didn’t realize what it would grow into until I sat down to write it.
I see you have several publications now available on Amazon. Which character is your favorite among them and do you have plans to bring them back to the limelight in another story?
That’s a really great question. I have an attachment to a lot of the characters in my short stories, probably more so than the characters in my novels, because I don’t get to spend as much time with them and we’re still in a honeymoon period. I love Clyde from “Dust,” and I’ve tried to write an expansion on that story, but every time I get to a certain point, I hit a brick wall, so I’m about to give up on that. I would love to write another story from the Deb character’s POV in “The Empathy of Agnes Winters,” because I would like to see what has happened to her since she got her new lease on life. Another of my recent favorites is the Pop character from “Devil Riders,” and I actually have a novel planned featuring the father and son from that story. Bikers riding through the back roads of Hell. Should be fun.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t writing?
It’s hard to stay indoors when the weather is nice. I love going for drives, hiking through the woods, and grilling out. I also love baking, trying out new microbrews, board games, and spending as much time as I can with my awesome family. I also do a weekly podcast called Creative Commoners with my two great friends, Chris Armstrong and Corey Bishop.
Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you’re writing? Do you find different types of music can help or hinder tapping into a specific mood?
I think the right music is essential, and I try to construct playlists that reflect the mood but also don’t intrude too much on my inner monologue. My favorite acts to listen to while writing are Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Soundgarden, and Nine Inch Nails. I also listen to a lot of movie scores. Favorites are anything by Clint Mansell, as well as the scores from The Red Violin, The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo (by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), the Truman Show, and Sunshine. Spotify is my best friend in this regard, because I can have them all loaded and ready to go at the drop of a hat.
Here a couple of silly questions to bring out the human side of your life -
a) If you were a food, what would you be and how would people react to it?
Sushi. Particularly the kind with a little bit of wasabi hidden inside. I’m all about those hidden layers…that burn your face off. But seriously, I think sushi is one of those foods that appear simple—it is, after all, a peasant food in Japan–but it’s far more complex in its design and construction than people think. You have to contemplate its various textures and flavors. Don’t take it at face value.
Do you find inspiration for your stories while washing dishes or taking a shower?
Oh yeah, I’m a big believer in turning off the brain to let inspiration filter in. You can’t actively seek it or it’ll slip through your fingers. That’s why when I’m having trouble finding new ideas, I go do something else for awhile. Washing dishes (when I didn’t have a dishwasher especially) was a big one. Driving is probably where I get a great number of my ideas. Also playing video games. When I’m engaged in a game, the gears in the back of my mind are spinning, sorting information and making new things out of old things. I love that.
What’s on deck for Allison in 2014? Any new releases we can look forward to?
It’s been very quiet so far this year, but it’s the calm before the storm. My next big novel, THE LAST SUPPER, is setting to release sometime this summer. It’s a dystopian sci-fi and it has been a very long time coming. I’m about ready to start a big art collaboration for it with my dear friend and colleague Justin Wasson, who has also done the artwork for my dieselpunk-noir series, COLT COLTRANE. I also recently sold a fantasy short story to Apex Magazine, and that will likely be out sometime at the end of this year. I’m a good bit of the way through my current work in progress, a crime suspense novel called GRACE, GEORGIA, that I hope to finish and start shopping around by this summer. Same with the sequel to my novel STRINGS. I also have designs on a Colt Coltrane short story to release soon. So there’s a lot of things simmering on a lot of burners right now.
Finally, since we are all lovers of the horror genre – what is your deepest and worst fear? How do you cope with this fear or prepare to handle such a fear?
My deepest fear is being lost or stranded somewhere with no way back home. Most of my nightmares have a labyrinthine quality to them, and I’m running running running. The only way I think one can handle fears like this is to challenge them as much as possible. Don’t let them take over your life or stop you from experiencing great things. In my case, travel, I go for those long drives and try to get lost so I can let your brain know there is always a way home. I try to experience new cultures and I have a lot of plans to travel abroad someday. Most of our fears are fictions. Living a full life is a good way to remind yourself of that.
Want to know more about Allison?
Allison M. Dickson is a writer of dark contemporary fiction covering the realms of horror, suspense, science-fiction, and fantasy. Her long backlist of short stories is now available in two collections, AT THE END OF THINGS and WICKED BREW. Her debut novel, STRINGS, released from Hobbes End Publishing in late 2013 to rave reviews and has topped Amazon’s crime and horror bestseller lists multiple times. Her dystopian sci-fi epic, THE LAST SUPPER, is pending release in the summer of 2014 from Hobbes End. You can also find her most recent short work in an upcoming issue of Apex Magazine and in the ghost anthology WRAPPED IN WHITE from Sekhmet Press. When she’s not writing, she’s co-hosting a weekly podcast, Creative Commoners. After spending a decade in Olympia, Washington, she returned with her husband and kids to her native Midwest and currently resides in Dayton, OH.
Where can your readers find you? Please list a website and any social channels you prefer to connect to your readers.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorallison...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/msallied
Website: http://www.allisonmdickson.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Allison-M.-Dick...
Thank you for this opportunity to interview you and I truly enjoyed your story in Wrapped in White. Congratulations on the publication!
The post Author Interview: Allison M. Dickson appeared first on KillionSlade.com.
February 19, 2014
Author Interview with James Glass
Please welcome my friend James Glass to the Killion Slade blog today. I had the honor of asking James a few questions about what inspired this series and little behind the scenes as to what is next for him.
We are featuring his new release of The Dispossesed - Book Two of The Metatron Mysteries. Playing host to the voice of God can be a strain, and as John Smith is discovering, the source of many hangovers. Add to that a missing demon, and it’s one hell of a week.
1. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?It has always been there, from as far back as I can recall.
2. I love how you write angel & demon mysteries stories – to me that is a serious talent! I never would have thought about detective stories where demons hire a PI to find a missing demon. Do you find you have to write the ending first and work your way backwards in order to solve your cases?
Not at all. I travel with the characters and discover clues along the way. With this second book I did have to have a solid destination in mind, and with the third book there will also be a solid destination, but for the most part the in-between is where the fun resides.
3. You have several books out on Amazon now. Will we see more of John Smith or will you venture out into new stories and new characters?
I suspect John Smith will not go quietly into the etherverse, nor will his demonic friends, so there is a possibility he may be coming back for more.
4. What is your favorite chapter or scene in The Murdered Metatron?
The scene in the diner where the demon Koth accidentally picks a fight with the angel of death.
5. You have been compared to the humor of Christopher Moore. What author inspires you to keep on writing?
Would it be strange to name Suzi M as an inspiration?
6. From beginning to end, how long did it take for you to write, edit, and publish the first book in this series?
The first book fell into place uncannily fast. It was as if the planets aligned and magic occurred in the span of one year.
7. Tell us all about the launch of your latest book, The Dispossessed. How does it relate to your earlier release of The Metatron Mysteries Series?
The Dispossessed is the second book in the series and picks up where the first one left off. Without spoilers, we find out what happened to John Smith and meet some very interesting characters along the way.
8. Tell us more about James Glass! What is on deck for 2014?There will be short stories and possibly the third installment of the Metatron Mysteries. This year has started off extremely busy, so it would be hubris for me to say definitively that I will have a third book written when in fact I might not. Know that I am working on a third book for the series, however.
Bonus Questions: Since I am a horror writer, I have to ask this question – what are you most afraid of, your deepest fear? How do you manage that fear?
Aside from the typical answer of ‘clowns and spiders and spiderclownaliens’, I would have to say: politicians. This may make me unpopular, but I feel it must be said. When the expensively but barely educated can be put in power by corporate giants and make sweeping decisions about the welfare of a population, and that population becomes powerless to stop them, that to me is real horror and something I am personally terrified of. I deal with it by being an absolute nuisance to my local representatives, and by sharing information as much as possible in hopes we may yet avoid the hazards ahead of us.
To check out more James Glass – be sure to visit him over at Sekhmet Press or you can visit the link here - http://sekhmetpress.wordpress.com/the-books/metatron-mysteries/
Author Biography:
Lurking in a Pennsylvania town near historicGettysburg, Suzi M is weaving webs of horror: including gothic, noir, ghosts, demons, angels, occult, and the occasional historic and/or post-apocalyptic thriller. Her storytelling has been compared to that of Tanith Lee and HP Lovecraft. Writing under multiple pseudonyms, Suzi’s writing reflects and explores the thrill and the secrecy; the untold mysteries waiting in the shadows. In addition to a few other humans, including the tiny Hypnospawn, Suzi shares her home with a 30lb black house panther named Mr. Pants. When she’s not busy with her own work or getting pictures and autographs with people who recognize her on the street, Suzi helps support the efforts of independent artists, writers, musicians, and film-makers. She is also a self-described “fiberfreak,” finding time to spin, knit, crochet or weave when the muse allows. She will most likely achieve fame and fortune with her hand-crafted socks.
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December 15, 2013
Kindle Fire Giveaway 2013 – Paranormal Holiday Blog Hop
We are very excited to be a part of Tricia & Kallysten’s Very Paranormal Blog Hop and delightful happy to offer a chance to win a Kindle Fire HD, 7″, wi-fi, 16GB (no ‘special offers’ aka ads). Authors Kallysten and Tricia Schneider organized this Very Paranormal holidays Blog Hop to share their love for paranormal romance, help you discover new authors, win books, prizes… and maybe a brand new Kindle Fire! Contest Ends December 30th!
All you have to do to be eligible to win with us is to load a picture of our latest novel, Exsanguinate, from your kindle reader up onto Facebook and share with your friends. (See our Example to the left)
We’re also offering a signed and numbered copy of Exsanguinate the print version to one lucky winner who shares the cover picture on their kindle reader on facebook. Two great chances to win with only one action Be sure to list in the comments that you have posted and leave us the link where you posted and we’ll get you tallied into the Grand Prize drawing of the Kindle Fire! * No purchase necessary – see bottom for details
Come on in the water’s great and let’s talk about Vampires today!
During our launch week for Exsanguinate – A Vampire Urban Fantasy Series – we learned how people are not familiar with many of the paranormal vampire mythos. Most people know about Hollywood’s vampires who cannot engage in sunlight, only drink blood, and have zero conscience – they only want to feed on the blood of humans. Well what happens when you begin to take those old tropes and add a slant that could be plausible with contemporary living? No, no - our vampires don’t sparkle, but we have taken the old dead vampire and brought them up into the 21st Century. Our vampires are viable living beings until they meet their undeniable death – that’s when they turn into the sun-loathing creatures of the night.
In order to bend such a well accepted mythos in Vampiric lore, the author has to develop a strong world and logic to support such a slant, so the reader can entertain a change in their beloved mythos. This is exactly one of the things we did in our new Novel, Exsanguinate. When our heroine, Cheyenne O’Cuinn, find herself faced with an immortal decision, she quickly learns that she doesn’t have to quit eating, sleep in coffins, or chase werewolves in tight leather pants with a katana. She certainly could if she wanted, but that isn’t her quest in this book. Her quest is to save her kidnapped sisters from a dhampir breeding facility. What is a dhampir, you ask? A dhampir is a half human- half vampire child born from a vampire father and a human mother.
In Exsanguinate, our vampires are a combination of both old school Hollywood tropes and a new vampire that has daylight advantages to provide a plausible story line as to how other supernatural creatures co-exist among humans every day. Here’s a quick little blurb about Exsanguinate and we hope you’ll pick yourself up a copy and enter into the Kindle Fire Giveaway by showing all your family and friends this new novel on your kindle reader. Take a picture with your camera phone of the Exsanguinate book cover on your device and post it up into Facebook! Easy peazy!
Be sure to visit all of these other amazing blogs below to increase your chance to win the Kindle Fire HD, 7″, wi-fi, 16GB (no ‘special offers’ aka ads). Leave your comment below showing us the picture of the cover of Exsanguinate on your kindle reader, whether kindle reader, PC, or tablet and the link to where you shared it on Facebook and you’ll be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing of the Kindle Fire PLUS a chance to win a signed and numbered print version of Exsanguinate as well!
Track your progress through the Paranormal Blog Hop and rack up your points to win the Kindle Fire! Click to track and score your progress in Raffle Copter A Rafflecopter Giveaway
* No purchase necessary – You are welcome to join our email newsletter list as well to enter the qualification for Kindle Fire HD Giveaway. Please sign up below and let us know that you did and you’ll be included in the drawing. Be sure to go to Raffle Copter and claim your points
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November 5, 2013
Paula D. Ashe – Author Interview with Killion Slade
Today I have the wonderful pleasure of interviewing Paula D. Ashe about her recent Novella – Mater Nihil featured in Four Ghosts. Paula is the ghost on the lower right hand side of the cover image above. Great Cover! How Fun Without further ado, let’s get into our questions!
You have many wonderful books on Amazon. What inspired you to start down the horror trail?
Thanks so much, Killion! Hmm…I think horror had me before I even realized that’s what I wanted to write. Since childhood, I have always held an interest in things that many would consider dark, disturbing, morbid, or just gruesome. The first story I remember writing was about a little boy whose beloved dog drowns in a pond. I then remember writing a story about the apocalypse. Both stories had to be around the time I was five, maybe six years old. While I experiment in other genres, everything I write has a dark edge to it. That’s just how I roll.
You have written several books on Indiana, where these stories inspired by real events?
I’ve published a number of stories set in Indiana, mainly because this is the place I know. I am originally from Ohio and moved here a few years ago. There is something creepy about the Midwest. Not in a stereotypical backwoods way, just that I have always found both states eerie in terms of their historical connection to the genocide and exploitation of the People of the First Nations and racial violence against Black Americans. There’s a sense of desolation and loneliness that I feel nowhere else but here. My work is always loosely inspired by some crime or incident that occurs in real life, but nothing specific to Indiana.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but having my novella published as part of a collection was shockingly easy. James Ward Kirk — the editor and publisher of Four Ghosts — told me about the project months in advance and asked if I would be interested in contributing something. I said yes (I think my exact words were, “F–k yeah!”) and the rest just fell into place. The most challenging part for me really was the process off writing. Mater Nihil is the first long-form story I’ve completed. It was an arduous, torturous, and at times brutal process, but with James’ encouragement, I was able to make it through.
How did you come up with the story for your latest Novella in 4 Ghosts? The title immediately had me Googling to learn more, but the prologue to your story, Mater Nihil, had me hooked!
Thanks! I’m so glad to hear that! The prologue is one of the most vicious openings to a tale I’ve ever written, so I’m thrilled to know it had a lasting impact. As sort of hinted at in the previous answer, I struggled for quite some time with the plot for this novella.The initial incarnation is entirely unrecognizable in terms of its connection to MN. I’m honestly not sure what sparked it, other than this idea that there are malevolent forces in the universe that appear and reappear throughout human history. Call them gods, call them demons, whatever, human wickedness is something we just can’t escape.
It’s an idea I’m kind off obsessed with. I knew I wanted my protagonist to be practitioner of magick, but I didn’t realize that Samira was an empath until I got much deeper into the story. As I explored the narrative of Samira’s life, I thought also about infanticide and how someone, a parent, could kill their own child. I’m always what happens after a trauma or tragedy. What if as a child, your mother tried to kill you? How would that shape your worldview? How would it shape your ideas on motherhood and parenting? I did a great deal of research on various gods and goddesses of ancient Mesopotamian belief systems (Akkadian, Sumerian, Chaldean, Assyrian), looking for some connection between divine beings and child murder. I stumbled across Lamashtu, an ancient goddess who tormented mothers and their children. That was pretty interesting, but I then discovered that Lamashtu is thought to be the etymological and spiritual foremother of Lillith, and being a feminist dark fantasist, I of course adore the mythologies of Lillith. So, I wanted to create a loose genealogy that linked Lamashtu to Lillith, Lillith to Mater Nihil, and Mater Nihil to Jacaranda Holland, Samira’s mother.
Do you have a favorite character who likes to talk to you? Is there one character or story stuck in your head, begging to be revisited?
I’m not done with Samira and Varju and Mater Nihil (rather, they are not done with me) and am working on another short story (novella? novel? who knows?) that tells the backstory of Samira and her husband. I have a feeling I will also soon be working on a story that picks up where Mater Nihil left off.
For over five years I’ve been working on the first book in an epic dark fantasy series. The story is about a young woman called Silore (sih-LOR-ray) who lives in a theocracy where humans are classified according to their ability to ‘Wield’ or utilize their will to change the concrete world around them. Wielders are closest to the God of this world, so those who can do so are thought to possess greater grace and spiritual purity than others. The Church controls everything in society and there is a fairly complicated hierarchy in which various abilities are ranked and controlled by agents of the Church. The young woman is descended from a dynasty of Wielders who — in the last few centuries — have found their power and influence waning. There is much pressure on her to use her extraordinary gifts to regain her family’s honor and authority. The only problem is, she is the living apocalypse, the eschaton embodied. It is her fate to bring ruin to the world.
All my characters (at least in my longer works) scream to have their stories told. However, Silore always shouts the loudest.
Do you have any books written outside of the horror genre?
Yes, I have stories published that fall into the realm of science fiction (The Ladies Room), dark fantasy (The Skin of Men), and some (yet to be published) erotica. I’m comfortable in any genre that allows for some level of darkness and unease.
Some authors have said it is therapeutic to kill off “difficult people” by creating a character and finding creative ways to help them find their demise. What is the most creative killing you have written?
Wow, that’s a great question. I’m not even sure! My characters tend to die in ways that aren’t so much creative (at least to me) just gross and gruesome. Some have their throats ripped out, some get set aflame, others are tortured to death.
Tell us more about your recent novella release. What’s next on deck for 2014?
Well on November 9th I will be participating in a local Author’s Fair where I will be selling copies of Four Ghosts and giving out some free stuff, some of which will be things I find in my garage. More information about the Author’s Fair can be found on my website (www.pauladashe.net).
For 2014 I am planning to release a collection of previously published and new short stories, along with another novella, tentatively titled “Transubstantiation Blues”. Originally, it came to me as an idea for a short story, but after working on it I’ve realized that this very dark, very chilling police procedural/neo-noir/erotic horror tale about pain and lust and divinity is going to require a larger canvas. I initially planned to self-publish this collection, but I will see if any small/independent presses might be interested first. I am also in the process of negotiating with an established local publisher to potentially edit an upcoming collection of queer black erotica.
Bonus Questions: What are you truly most afraid of? How do you deal with that fear?
The two biggest things I am afraid of are death and madness. I am afraid of my loved ones dying. I have lost too many this past year. I think I deal with the fear by living, by concentrating on that. I also just avoid thinking about it when I can. I am afraid of going mad, of disconnecting from reality entirely. I have struggled with a severe mood disorder and an anxiety disorder for most of my life. These conditions are treatable, but not curable. I deal with that fear by practicing good self-care when I can and indulging some of my uglier vices when I can’t. I also have an incredible spouse who protects me from my fears better than I ever could.
Thank you Paula for sharing some amazing insight into your world. I truly look forward to reading more goodies from you in the future.
You can find more Paula on Facebook at Pauladashe, on Twitter @pauladashe, and her Amazon author page at http://www.amazon.com/Paula-D.-Ashe/e/B0071DTH7Q
The post Paula D. Ashe – Author Interview with Killion Slade appeared first on Killion Slade.
October 3, 2013
D.M.Slate – Author Interview with Killion Slade
Today we welcome D.M.Slate to the website as we bring our 2013 Wicked Women Writer Challenge interviews to a close. Danyelle (aka D.M. Slate) resides in Colorado, where she completed a business degree at the University of Northern Colorado. She’s married to her high school sweet-heart, and together they have a young daughter and son. D.M. Slate’s first publication was released in 2009.
Danyelle’s apocalyptic challenge was strange matter or anti-matter and her location was an interstate freeway. Her helpful item was a gas mask while her untimely disability was caring for an elderly parent. You can read Danyelle’s story titled, Veil of Darkness while listening to the podcast on Horror Addicts.net.
How did you first hear about the 2013 Wicked Women Writer Challenge?
I was surfing the internet looking for dark fiction story contests, and I happened upon this call for submissions. Once I looked into the contest more, I was hooked!
What drew you into the fun of this challenge?
First and foremost – the theme – I love a great apocalypse story! Secondly, the challenge of creating a podcast, which I’d never done before. It was a new and exciting way to go about writing a story.
The Norns were pretty challenging this year – what did you think as soon as your assignment came through?
I was a bit stunned. My apocalypse was dark matter or strange matter….huh? I had no idea what that even was – lol! I began doing research, and at that point, it became very clear that a gas mask would do little to protect me against this scenario. I was stumped for a bit. I started the story several times and stopped, never liking the direction that it was taking, before I got things on the right track.
You used sound effects and music in your production extremely well. What was your favorite part? Hunting down the sounds to complement your words? Engaging sounds to escalate emotion? Have you recorded podcasts before? If so, where can we hear more from you? Gizmo was my favorite!
I’ve never recorded a podcast before, and I felt quite self-conscious at first, not liking the sound of my voice on the recordings. Once I got beyond that, it became a very fun experience. I can honestly say that one of my favorite parts was the podcast editing. I had a very hard time fitting my story into the 10 minute time frame, so I got down to partial-seconds in my edits, to make it all fit. Once the story fit, I overlaid the sound effects, which was a blast!
What was the hardest part about your challenge? What did you like best? Did you learn something new about yourself while doing this challenge?
The hardest part of my challenge was figuring out the story line, with the given constraints. I wanted it to be action packed, yet leaving the reader/listener curious and wanting more. I went about writing this story in a completely different way than I ever have, tracking down sound clips first, which gave me inspiration for the story. The option of sound effect adds a new layer to the story, and I love that!
What happened to Gizmo?
Honestly, I forgot about Gizmo at the end. =( He has a bigger impact in the audio version of the story that the written version, and in retrospect, I should’ve come back to him in some way. It’s open ended… maybe he ran out of the car into the darkness, maybe he’s hiding under the seat, or maybe Gizmo has black orb eyes, now? Who knows…muhahahahah!
What was that awfully scary little kid creature? GAH! You totally creeped me out with that one
In my mind, the kids was a transformed… thing. =0) I’m not really sure what that is, but definitely something scary! Making that character a child is what gives it that extra flare of creepy.
Tell us more about YOU, your past stories, books, other artwork or music, your current project, and what’s on deck in 2014?
I’ve written several stories with dark themes, ranging from flash fiction to novels. I currently have a few submissions out, and I’ve just begun work on a new psychological thriller novel, Oculus Sinister. I’m very interested in recording more podcasts, too!
If you win 2013 Most Wicked, have you given any consideration to what your theme might be for when you hostess the 2014 Wicked Women Writer Challenge?
Oooooooo – there are so many possibilities! Poisons, vacation disasters, animal attacks – oh my! I get an evil grin, just thinking about it.
Be sure to check out Danyelle’s Book on her Amazon Page!
The post D.M.Slate – Author Interview with Killion Slade appeared first on Killion Slade.
October 1, 2013
Rebekah Webb – Author Interview with Killion Slade
We are very excited about our guest author today. Please welcome Rebekah Webb to the website. Rebekah is a freelance writer from California.
When she isn’t working on frightening stories or or wild comedies about cellophane wearing ladies’ men, she enjoys cooking and various other things, possibly including training squirrels to take over the world. The reason she writes instead of some other creative endeavor is because of one simple truth: Writing rocks.
Rebekah is our sixth entrant in the 2013 Wicked Women Writer Challenge and her podcast entry is titled, Prey. You can listen to Prey while reading along with her written story at Horror Addicts.net. Rebekah’s apocalyptic challenge was a Super virus located in a restaurant. Her helpful item was a baseball bat while her untimely disability was an allergic reaction.
How did you first hear about the 2013 Wicked Women Writer Challenge?
I had done the 2011 challenge but didn’t participate in the 2012 one. I decided the challenge was too fun to skip another year.
What drew you into the fun of this challenge?
The challenge of having to incorporate all the different elements into my story and keeping it short enough to fit into ten minutes of audio time. I love a challenge when it comes to writing. And the podcast part was fun, because I have never completed a story based podcast before. I’ve recorded audio as the character of my humor series, but those were just audio and music.
The Norns were pretty challenging this year – what did you think as soon as your assignment came through?
“A virus? It’s going to be about zombies. I don’t know how to do a zombie story!”
What was the hardest part about your challenge? What did you like best? Did you learn something new about yourself while doing this challenge?
The hardest part was the audio. I had a volunteer record my story for the 2011 challenge, but this time I did it on my own. I’ve never recorded a narrative for a story before, only read to people in person or live over the internet through readings at Second Life. So, I tricked myself and read my story to someone so that my voice would have a narrative feel. Even so, it still turned out sort of unreal, like a children’s story narrator with odd inflection that only happens when you try to sound like your natural self.
Then there was the editing, replacing any verbal mistakes and removing pauses and adding music and sound effects. I had to figure out of to copy and paste and delete in the new version of Audacity. But it turned out pretty well, given that it was my first time attempting something like it.
What made you come up with “Prey”? I thought this was very interesting how your character wasn’t human. This was a very creative switch!
Thank you. I’d never done a zombie apocalypse story before and I wanted something that would make it easier to write. I write better with unusual points of view. They’re like spark plugs for my brain.
Tell us more about YOU, your past stories, books, other artwork or music, your current project, and what’s on deck in 2014?
I have one book in print, a humor/satire novel called the Life and Times of Car Johnson. It’s about the sort of guy who hangs out in bars and thinks everyone’s hanging on his every word mixed with a Homer Simpson on acid.
I’ve also been working on horror fiction. I perform live writing on Second Life, taking prompts and writing a story on Google Docs, so people can see it as I write. I also have three completed novels/short story collections that are part of a series. I’m currently trying to sub the first one around and see if I get any bites. If I can’t get it published, I’ll look into hiring an editor and self-publishing it like I did Car Johnson.
As for what’s going to happen in 2014, only time will tell.
If you win 2013 Most Wicked, have you given any consideration to what your theme might be for when you hostess the 2014 Wicked Women Writer Challenge?
Hmm, I hadn’t really thought about it. There’s a lot of things that could be fun, maybe with something about childhood memories, or maybe firsts, like first kiss, first step, first job.
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