Amanda M. Lyons's Blog: Inner Voices, page 7

Interview with Christina Engela Author of Demonspawn

Bio: Christina Engela - also known as Chrissy, 'T' or Tina, and by several other names in various communities and subcultures, both online and offline, has always been something of a lurker in the grand scheme of things. 
Being of the INTJ 'mastermind' persuasion tends to have that effect on people who speak less, and observe and write more. Looking considerably younger than her age also tends to result in people misjudging and underestimating her, usually to their peril. 
She writes in the science-fiction/fantasy genre, and has already 8 complete novels to her name. Her Galaxii Series was picked up by J Ellington Ashton Press (JEA) in August 2014, and the first title in the series, 'Blachart' was re-released by JEA on Oct 29, 2014. The rest are due out starting in 2015.
She has quite a lot of diverse experience to draw upon in her writing, having been a soldier with the South African Army for 17 years - with all the diverse experience such service brings. She has been a human rights activist, being at the head of two South African LGBT civil rights groups (for a time concurrently) since 2008 and until 2011. She presently heads one LGBT rights group (SA GLAAD) and is a member of the Executive of the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA). She is a strong defender of freedom of religion, separation of religion and state interests, and also the right to freedom from religion.
She indulges in research into alternative religions, lifestyles and subcultures, and as Chief Researcher for the Alternative Religions Forum (ARF) she has rubbed elbows with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Freemasons, Satanists, Luciferians, Pagans, Witches, Vamp(y)ires, Goths and Emos - and other people marginalized and persecuted in South Africa's recent love affair with Satanic Panic Hysteria.
Between 2009 and 2010 she got her feet wet in local politics, being Secretary for three local councils and committees at once - almost becoming a candidate Ward Councilor for a local party during the 2010 municipal elections for her area in the process. After that she bowed out, ending her 2-year involvement - fortunately without getting any dirt under her fingernails.
Christina is the proud owner of a warped sense of humor, and it shows. She writes about aliens, space ships, big explosions – and crypts, ghosts and vampires – in the same books and in a way that makes all of these topics fit with each other without causing a melt-down or an inter-dimensional rift. Surprisingly, she says she writes from experience. She also enjoys sushi.

Links:

Christina's Amazon Author Page
Christina's Author Listing on JEA
Christina's Official Author Site: The Crow Bar
Christina's Activism Blog: Sour Grapes - The Fruit Of Ignorance
Christina's column on Litnet
Christina's column on Penton Independent Alternative Media

Executive Committee Member: South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA)
Co-ordinator & Researcher for the Alternative Religions Forum

Facebook, Google+, Twitter ,Tsu , YouTube, Goodreads, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, Lulu, Hei! Books, Books Online Directory, StumbleUpon, Nothing Binding


1.       You’re the author of a great sci-fi series you’ve been working on for several years and have started publishing with JEA, could you tell us a little bit about it?


The Galaxii Series is set in what might be considered the not too distant future, perhaps in a parallel dimension, and is marked by my own special warped and twisted sense of humor and irony. It also includes some elements of the fantasy genre, such as vampires (which show up in some of the short stories and the later titles, which are still in process).  

It started out with 'Blachart' and 'Demonspawn' - both already released by JEA, with the third title 'Dead Beckoning' already in for edits and due for release sometime this year. There are still loads of titles coming, and some of my fans from the pre-JEA days will remember titles like 'Loderunner', 'Dead Man's Hammer', 'Black Sunrise' and 'The Time Saving Agency' - and others I'm still working on, all to be released in due course. Yes, I'm just as impatient!


2.       What makes your series different from the others out there? What are its quirks?


I'd have to say: "me!" Every writer is a unique person, and every unique person brings their own uniqueness to the stories they write, to the worlds they create. If you look at me as an individual, aside from the LGBT angle, aside from all the eccentricity haha - there is the detail in the stories that they are set in a sci-fi future with space ships, aliens and interplanetary travel - AND vampires, and a little comedy - and who knows what else? I am the quirk in my stories!

3.       Some of your humor and style can be compared to Douglas Adams of Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fame, would you agree with that assessment? What authors inspire you?


I would have to list Douglas Adams among my influences, yes.  I am a very strong fan of Terry Pratchett, who died earlier this year - a huge loss to the literary world - huge. Also I have to mention writers like Tom Sharpe, Tom Holt, Esther Freisner and James Blish, who used to write the original Star Trek episode from script into anthologies of short stories in the 1970's. Of course, I grew up reading sci-fi greats like Philip K. Dick, Robert Heinlein, Harry Harrison and others too numerous to mention.

4.       Tell us about a few of your favorite characters in the series. Do you share anything in common with them?


Mykl d'Angelo, the main character in 'Blachart' is probably the first one. He's a typical straight ‘good-guy’ hero type, who gets the girl and settles down and lives happily ever after… Although I wanted to be this, I never was, and so Mykl represents the ‘me’ that was and wanted to be, aspired to be – but never materialized. Mykl d’Angelo was essentially a character based on the person I was when I was in high school - which is when I started writing this story!

The characters on the planet Deanna are my more likely favorites. People like Cindy-Mei Winter, Beck the Badfeller, Peg (the Sheriff of Atrocity), General Smythe and his band of misfits from the Skegg's Valley dynamite fishing club, and of course, Fred - who all start making their appearances from about title 4 onward.

5.       Do you write in other genres? Non-fiction? If so, what topics do you like to write about?


Yes I do. For many years I've been an activist for LGBT equal rights, not just in South Africa, but also abroad on the great equalizer, the internet! As such I wrote over 500 articles for an activist blog between 2008 and 2012, which were shared and re-used and linked to by various other international human rights advocacy bodies around the world. Since 2013 I became more active in advocacy for freedom of religion, and part-wrote, part-compiled a 600 page tome intended to dispel what is called 'satanic panic hystera' called 'Satanism: the Acid Test'. 

Many scholars and academics - and numerous religious 'experts' have written around this topic for decades, but few if any have ever consulted with actual participants in various subcultures covered by the book directly - which is something that I did personally. As a result, not only did this book receive support and recognition from academics, but also lists the occult societies and organizations in subcultures discussed in the book who have given their approval of the content. This is something which, to my understanding, has never been done before.

This item has been sent out via email to numerous human rights organizations around the world, including the UN, and has received formal recognition from a modest listing of academics and scholars and human rights advocates - and represents, for now, the crowning glory in my research writing achievements.


6.       You’re an outspoken advocate for many and aren’t afraid to say what needs to be said on many things, what made you stand up and speak out?


I despise injustice and unfairness. Something in me has always wanted to set things right, rush in where angels fear to tread and to come to the aid of those in trouble. Perhaps it's my Aquarian nature, but I simply can't sit by and watch injustice in action. 

7.       Do your books allow you to address some of these political and social issues?


Absolutely. In most of my stories I use gay or transgender characters. Not always as the lead character, but where I feel it would be fitting or fun, I do. In stories like 'Black Sunrise', 'Dead Man's Hammer' and one or two others, there is a present transgender theme with at least one lead character, but I don't feel it prevents readers who don't understand transgender issues from enjoying the story. At least two of my lead characters in Blachart and Demonspawn are gay, and in 'The Last Hurrah' there is a strong lesbian character. 

When I do write about social issues I try hard not to hit the reader over the head with the issues - but I do try to reflect how gay or transgender people are not as different from 'ordinary folk' as they might think! My stories are more about typical human problems, and more about unifying society than separating people because of their differences. 


8.       You also have a children’s anti-bullying books coming out. Tell us a bit about it.


Yes, I can hardly wait to see this one! A friend told me about her friends little girl who is transgender and going through some difficulties at school. She mentioned that the only kind of children's books that addressed bullying she could get for her were books that harped on the things that made LGBT kids different from other kids, and she asked me to write a children's story about the subject taking a more reconciliatory approach. I think, combined with the beautiful illustrations, this story will touch lives and make a positive difference in a lot of little kids lives.


9.       You’ve taken part in a few anthos at JEA, Inanna was about strong women and Autumn Burning was a Halloween themed antho, what other anthos can we expect to see you in this year?


I've entered short stories into the running for a few JEA anthologies this year! I haven't heard yet if 'Midnight Station' is appearing yet in 'All That Remains',  but I do know that 'Beyond' is coming out in 'For Love of Leelah' very soon. I might have another story appearing in either 'Against The Grain' or 'Fearotica' as well.

10.   For Love of Leelah is an anthology being put out by JEA in honor of Leelah Alcorn and intended to raise money for disadvantaged LGBT kids who are at risk, how do you feel about taking part?


When I first joined JEA I was very happy to see how accepting and open-minded everyone is! Not just the staff, but the other writers as well. When Leelah's death made the news, it was extremely touching to have my publisher make public statements of support for the transgender community - of which I am a part. The announcement of the anthology was for me far more than just a chance to submit a short story and to get my name out there as a writer, but it was a gesture that reached inside of me, as a human being, as an activist, and as a transwoman. I'm hugely honored as well to have been asked to write the foreword for the Leelah anthology. Thank you!


11.   What would you like to see being done to help kids like Leelah and others who aren’t being allowed to have a voice?


I've always said, education and information is the key. People hate what they fear, and they fear what they don't understand. When you give them the right information you dispel the ignorance and break the vicious circle of ignorance, fear, and persecution. That's why I've always been open about who and what I am as a transwoman. If people ask questions, I give them everything they want to know. Afterwards, they aren't so ignorant anymore. Haha! 

Understanding is very important for LGBT people - but most especially when they are children. People tend to forget that children are the most brutally and plainly honest human beings. It's very important that society reaches out to, identifies and embraces children in the LGBT spectrum, to very early one give them self-acceptance that help them to grow into strong healthy adults. It's also important to encourage and educate non-LGBT children to understand what sexual orientation and gender identity ARE as concepts, and to foster caring environments in order to minimize bullying.


12.   Are there any other books and projects we can expect to see form you this year? How about in the next few years? 


'Dead Beckoning' is due to come out this year still, and I'm not sure if the fourth title will still make it out this year, but anything could happen haha. I still have at least another five previously self-published titles to follow, and a few new ones in various stages of completion.

Interview with M. Cid D'angelo Author of Dead Reckoning

Bio: "I write because I believe in literature; I believe that the art of words is louder than sound, more colorful than paintings.

My novels are written not because of the pursuit of money or even success, but in the FAITH that they exalt our experiences; that not only do they give us enjoyment to read them, but they are meant to open worlds that a reader may not ever imagine."

M Cid D'Angelo has been published in literary journals such as EUREKA LITERARY MAGAZINE, AIOFE'S KISS, LADY JANE'S MISCELLANY, THIRD WEDNESDAY, MORONIC OX (WWW.MORONICOX.COM), MIDWAY JOURNAL (WWW.MIDWAYJOURNAL.COM), MILITARY HISTORY, and LOST TREASURE.

His latest short stories can be found at decomP magazinE and The Legendary.

He was agented at one time by the WriteHigh Literary Agency (Beverly Hills, CA) and the Cherry Weiner Literary Agency (New Jersey)



Links: 


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M-Cid-DAngelo/e...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Cid-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artemusdark


1.       Your book Dead Reckoning just came out through JEA, it’s clearly a very involved novel with some twists and turns. Can you tell us a bit about the process of writing it?

There are two narratives in the story, the main plot as well as an analysis by a narrator. The novel itself is a psychological horror story, an intense study in the lives of two normal people who are subject to an intangible “evil” haunting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This meant I had to play two roles in the writing of the novel – a factual presentation as well as a storyteller. Both sides augment each other, and it was paramount to establish each section in that way, and not to wander off on tangents.

2.       Much like House of Leaves by Mark Z.  Danielewski this one involved some other bits and pieces, things that build the story up and make it more involved, did you have to do any research for it? What made you choose the style and story?

The novel is set up in two sections, actually. The main narrative is a straight-forward tale, day-to-day life, of the main characters – Annie Mitchell and Stewart Eddinger. The second section is broken up into addenda material, that is, special and “extra” material that is not part of the main narrative, but expands and enhances the tragic events surrounding the main characters and the oceanographic project they’re working on. It’s a video diary in its way. The novel is meant to be visual in a highly literary way.

Most of the addenda material is taken from a variety of sources and shaped for the use of the novel itself. There is, despite the horror/supernatural elements behind it, a scientific approach. This is a novel steeped in oceanography and marine biology. It is a novel that has seen years of my personal interest in these fields of study.

3.       Do you often write stories of the supernatural? If so, what supernatural topics interest you as a writer? Any that rub you the wrong way or you think are done to death?

There is always, at least, a slight tinge of what we would term “paranormal” or “preternatural” in my stories, even the literary ones. When I was younger, I wrote much speculative fiction, but as I’ve gotten older, these elements usually become a backdrop to the main narrative rather than the plot itself. Dead Reckoning is a straight-up supernatural/horror novel, however and was written when I was younger and still given to that phase.

I enjoy ghostly stories and hauntings mainly. I’m not big into vampires or werewolves or pulp fiction monsters; these have been trod over again and again in many forms. Some of these stories have been innovative and clever, but most are usually rehash.

4.       What other genres do you write? Tell us a bit about some of your other publications.

I am a published short story author, and I also have some nonfiction articles in hobby/special interest magazines like Lost Treasure (a metal-detecting magazine) and Military History. Most of my short stories tend to be literary, that is, sans sci-fi/horror/fantasy etc., and are closer to works written by literary authors such as Joyce Carol Oates and Dylan Thomas. These short stories can be found in a myriad of online and in print university-based literary journals.

5.       What’s your take on writing as an industry? Should authors be giving the same value to indie markets as they do to traditional publishers? Are they equal?

I have a nostalgic heart for the traditional markets. I’ve had literary agent contracts and one of my other novels, Dark Running, was slated to be picked up by Simon & Schuster some years ago. That deal fell through, however, and made me rather bitter! It made my agent at the time very bitter too. However, the Big Houses can offer substantial advances and a high profile that Indies and Small Presses cannot. This outlook is changing, though, I believe. Many small presses and Indies are gaining power and recognition.

6.       Do you find promotion and submission difficult? What do you think can be done to make things a bit better for writers like yourself? What would you tell newer authors based on your own experiences?

Promotions for me are difficult because of budgeting. Money is the main qualifier here. Some people can shamelessly promote themselves and have a good financial base (paychecks, family, loans etc) to push their books. I believe I’m too frugal to actually make a dent in effective promotion and rely on others and word-of-mouth way too much. Submissions, on the other hand, are not an issue. I submit in sprints, usually, but also during specific times of the year when markets are more open to submissions. I’ve relied somewhat on my platform as a traditionally-published short story author too – but so far, I haven’t seen any progress toward book sales or literary contracts in that vein. I’m known, but I don’t seem to be a demand! ;)

7.       How long have you been writing? Was it always something you wanted to do? Have your experiences been good thus far?

I remember wanting to write short stories when I was in my single-digits, and have written continuously ever since. I enjoy the act of writing – the creation – but I feel that I haven’t been as successful as I should be, especially when it comes to making a living.

8.       What other books do you have in progress or do you hope to be done with in the next few years?

As of late I’ve been rather aimless and lethargic. Sometimes there are periods of rediscovery and reinvention of what a writer needs to be. I am working on a martial arts/Wuxia/fantasy novel set in ancient China that is reminiscent of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, but the first draft has been hit and miss. I’m also working on a pseudo sci/fi book about modern psychic spies working in the US Government and private contractors (ala Jon Ronson’s The Men Who Stare at Goats).

Blood Moon Rising: Sam Gregory Author of After

I am the host of the Facebook event Blood Moon Rising which starts on May 1st 2015. I created the event as a way to help promote authors and showcase their work. I write horror and fantasy novels. My first series is the Daemon Persuasion series which was published in 2013. The After zombie series was published in 2014 and my new series Queen of Hell will hopefully be out soon.

I love horror stories and I was reading Stephen King from a young age. I think horror encompasses a lot of different genres. In a horror story you can have action, adventure, romance, a mystery and drama all rolled into one, along with a few monsters.

There are some very talented writers out there and hopefully Blood Moon Rising will open readers up to new worlds and give them a chance to experience new novels that they will love.

Everyone is invited: https://www.facebook.com/events/92030...

Shades of Midnight Book 3: Cool Green Waters Coming Soon!

Thanks to Michael Fisher at JEA I now have a very fitting cover for my book Cool Green Waters due out within the next few months. This is book 3 in my Shades of Midnight series and centers on Mateo, Zero, and Michael, who were all minor players in the first two books. Never fear, there will be plenty of goings on with Katja and Raven as well, along with a few unexpected guests along the way,all of which will play into book 4 Hollow Black Corners of the Soul.  For fans of the first two books and Eyes Like Blue Fire in its indie print,  this is where the story picks up again for you :) Click on the image below to check out the first two books and several anthologies I've edited or taken part in during the last few months. Plenty more to come! 

Interview with D. A. Roberts Author of the Ragnarok Rising Series

Bio: D.A. Roberts was born in the small town of Lebanon, Missouri. Growing up on the farm gave him plenty of opportunities to cultivate a fertile imagination. Encouraged by his mother, he dreamed of one day becoming a famous writer. An avid reader, D.A. enjoys reading more than watching television. A diverse career path has helped him create a unique view of the world. He’s worn the hats of a soldier, a factory worker, a bouncer, a lab technician, a Security Officer and most recently a Corrections Officer. He draws on all of these experiences to bring his writing to life on a very human level. He married Annette in the summer of 1993 and has been happily married ever since. Their three teenage sons Nathan, Nic and Noah keep them both busy and are their pride and joy. They have an English Mastiff named Xander, who is a big part of their lives. D.A. loves to camp, hunt, fish, hike and Geocache. He also enjoys old-school pen and paper role-playing games. When not writing or on duty as a Corrections Officer, he enjoys spending time with his family. A good cup of coffee, a warm fire and a good book are his guilty pleasures. And yes...like his character Wylie Grant...a little Bushmills Irish, once and a while. --This text refers to an alternate Paperbackedition.


Links: 


Website:  http://ragnarokrising.weebly.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DARobertsAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DARobertsAuthor 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/D.-A.-Roberts/e...


1.       The Ragnorok Rising series is a very unique take on both apocalyptic tales and zombies, it blends several elements to tell the tale and puts us in the shoes of a cop. Tell us a bit about why you chose to create this series. What started it?

Well, that's an interesting story. In addition to being a writer, I'm a Corrections Officer with the Sheriff's Department where I live. I've been doing it for eight years. Once night, several of us officers were having coffee together when we began discussing horror movies. We talked about different ones that we had seen, but before long someone mentioned zombie movies.

Well, I always loved zombie films, so I was eager to talk about those. One of my friends asked, "What would we do if it happened here?" Meaning how would our department react to a zombie apocalypse. At first, we all just laughed. Then he said, "Assuming zombies were real, how would we react?" After a few more chuckles, this group of veteran officers began discussing how we would modify our county's own emergency plans to include zombies. It didn't take long before we realized that we weren't prepared for that kind of thing.

We doubted that our department would last very long in a full outbreak. That only left me thinking about it. In fact, I couldn't get the concept out of my head. The next day, I couldn't look at a local building or car without thinking "how would we modify that?" or "could we defend that?" When I got home, I started making notes. Ragnarok Rising was born out of that late-night conversation with my fellow officers.

2.       Mythology comes into this too. Did you need to do a lot of research to be able to use it in this more modern setting? What did you like about utilizing Norse legends to create these elements?

I had to do quite a bit of research on the Norse aspects. Although I had to make some changes in order for it to fit into my story, I took the bulk of the Norse parts right out of the old Icelandic Sagas. Applying it to the modern world wasn't as difficult as I had anticipated. I mean, in Law Enforcement and the Military, a lot of the Viking ideals are still upheld. Concepts like honor, duty, sacrifice, commitment and the warrior ethic still run deep in us. It was shocking how easy it was to mold the Norse to fit into that mindset.

I loved using the Viking aspects and making them part of modern life. It has given more than one reader reason to reconsider what they thought about the Vikings of old. It also allowed me to do something very different from the norm in the zombie genre. I wanted my stories to be different enough to stand out from the pack. I wanted to be unique.

3.       You have some real life experience with being an officer of the law, what elements of your career also helped you when you were considering the plot and elements of your series? 

What I do for a living heavily influenced the story. I wanted to show that Law Enforcement was more than just people with guns when the zombies came. They still believed in holding the line and defending the helpless. They still held true to their oaths. It would be the men and women that I have had the privilege to serve with who would inspire the heroism and dedication I tried to breathe into my characters.

Real heroes keep fighting, even when the odds are against them. The men and women I have worked with showed me all that was good in people. They were brave, honorable, generous, self-sacrificing, dependable and unwavering in their duties. How could I create characters that would be any less?

4.       Do you think you would have been able to tackle a similar apocalyptic scenario if you were in Wylie’s shoes? Would you have done anything differently?

Honestly, I would like to think that if push came to shove then I would do very much what Wylie did. I'd make sure my family was safe, then put on my uniform and report for duty. That's what we do, all of us in this type of work. Be they firefighters, military, law enforcement, EMT's, paramedics or any first responders. We put ourselves in harm's way, to protect those who can't protect themselves.

I can't say what I would have done differently, either. I would have done my best, despite the circumstances…even if it cost me my life. That's why we put on the uniform. George Orwell said it best, "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." We are those rough men.

5.       Action packed, intense, and involving, this is a powerful series of books tackling some difficult territory. Did you write any scenes that you found hard to write? If so, why?

In book one, there is a scene where one of the main characters discovers that his family is dead. I don't want to give away too much because I hope you will read the scene and see it for yourself and feel the emotion of it. That scene was tough for me. I could picture it so clearly in my mind's eye. A few times, I had to walk away from the computer to clear my head. I'm not ashamed to admit it, but I cried as I wrote it. With the images that came to my mind, how could I not? They were just that vivid, to me.

There are other scenes that were just as difficult to write. A lot of emotion flows through these books. The highs and the lows that they face. Some loses you can't help but feel right along with them.

6.       Readers clearly love Ragnarok Rising, have there ever been any readers that reacted negatively to the books? What sort of things bothered them? If not, what parts did you worry might cause a stir?

Any book, no matter how well written, will have people that don't like it. I love the Harry Potter books, but some people don't for whatever reason. The fact is, you can't please everyone. Unfortunately, it happens.

Some people didn't like all of the guns and gun terminology. That struck me as odd, since it's a zombie book. You can't have zombie fiction without fighting the zombies, right? I'm a detail oriented person and writer. I had to make certain that the weapons and tactics were correct. I might have gone a bit overboard on the gun information, but I wanted it to be spot on. I wanted other officers and military personnel to read it and go, "yeah, that's pretty much it."

There are also a few, shall we say, tense scenes between Wylie and Spec-4. I don't do any vivid sex scenes and Wylie never cheats on his wife. I can't say he's not tempted, but he never breaks that vow. He does come close, though. He's only human, after all. The times he comes close are a little explicit. Not bad, but enough to warrant an R rating instead of a PG-13. But then again, the fighting and gore should get it an R rating, on their own.

7.       There have been a lot of changes between the Walking Dead comics and the TV series, some of them because Robert Kirkman felt like he made some iffy steps in the comics. Would you change anything about the Ragnarok Rising books in hindsight? Why or Why not?

Every writer or artist will look back at something they did before and think "I could have done this differently." I'm no different. Looking back, there are a few things I would do differently, but I know that's only natural. There are a few things I probably would change and might in later editions, if it comes to that. For one, I'd put in more interaction with Wylie's family.

I'd also put more of the Norse influence in book one. I tried to keep it vague in book one and planned to make it more and more prominent as the series progressed. I'd like to put in more references and details. There actually are a few instances where a reader told me that they didn't like the Norse references at all.

My only reply for that is, did you not notice the title? Ragnarok Rising. The name Ragnarok isn't there by chance. It's as much a part of the story as the zombies are. Like I said before, you can't please everyone. I just hope that people enjoy my work. After all, that's what it's all about.

8.       Do you feel like there is more to say about this world and its characters? Would you consider writing more books in the series?

Absolutely. I am currently working on book five of the series. Ragnarok Rising: Damnation is the working title. After that, I will take a break from zombies for a while. I can't say that I won't want to revisit those characters and that world, but I have other worlds to walk in as well. Other stories and characters who need to be shared. I can't wait to show you what's coming next.

9.       What are some other zombie series in film and books that you think it really got it right? Which ones do you think really miss it?

I might not make many friends here, but I'll tackle this one. While I do like The Walking Dead, I kind of agree with George Romero. TWD is more or less a soap opera with zombies. They put too much emphasis on who is angst-ing this week. While I love the setting, I get tired of the angst. I want more action and less complaining.

I hate Z-nation. There is less cheese in the state of Wisconsin than in that show. I watched the first few episodes and I really tried to like it, but I just can't. I can't watch it. Don't get me started on iZombie. That one's absolute drek. So was Warm Bodies. Just drek. Why try to make zombies relatable and cutesy?

Zombies are the villain of the piece. There shouldn't be any middle ground there. They are the dead and they want to eat you. There's nothing ambiguous about that. I loved the remake of Dawn of the Dead. The fast zombies were a big game changer for me. They put the horror back in the genre. Fast zombies are relentless, they don't get tired and they're going to keep running long after you're exhausted. They scared me. For the first time in a long, long time…the zombies scared me again. I loved that movie for that reason. It had some other problems, but overall it was a great movie.

I loved 28 Days Later. Great film. Also, not technically a zombie film, but the movie with Timothy Oliphant "The Crazies" was awesome. To me, I put it in the same category with zombies. It's one of my top picks. I have a soft spot for almost anything with George Romero involved. His movies are what made me love the genre. Well, except for Land of the Dead. That was just terrible. I guess what I look for in a zombie film or book is horror. Not kitschy pop-culture "zombies" that aren't even close to the actual word. Maybe I'm a purist, but zombies are supposed to be scary. Not cheesy, not lovable, not misunderstood. Scary. Period.

10.   Do you define yourself as a horror author or an author who often writes in the genre? Would you write things outside of it? What sort of stories?

I'm an author. I love horror, but I don't want to limit myself to only one genre. I wrote zombies, but I'm also about to release my first sci-fi novel, based on a popular video game. I have plans for more horror, but I also plan to do fantasy, more sci-fi, a serial killer story and who knows what else.

Don't limit yourself as a writer. Your only limitation should be your imagination. Write what makes you happy. If you see yourself as a horror writer and that's what you want to be, that's awesome. Write it to the best of your ability.

Writing is all about dreams. I've dreamed of being an author for as long as I can remember. I want to tell my stories for as long as I can continue to do it. Heck, I've even considered writing down the stories I used to make up to tell my children at bed time. Who knows, I just might do it one of these days.

11.   You’re recently gotten involved with JEA, are there any interesting projects ahead for your there?

Absolutely. First thing, I have a short story I wrote that will be appearing in an Anthology called "All That Remains". My story is called "The House in the Woods." I can't wait to see it in print. I get as excited as a kid on Christmas every time I see something I wrote come out in print. It's an amazing feeling and I hope I always get that excited when something new is released.

I'll also be working on a project with the incomparable Catt Dahman. Not sure how many details I should be giving away on this one, but we're co-authoring it. We've been bouncing ideas off of each other for a few days and I'm stoked. This is going to be epic.

I'm really going to be pulling out all of the stops on this one. I'll have to just to keep up with Catt. She's amazing. I was honored deeply when she asked me if I'd like to work on the project with her. I mean, I'm still just a farm kid from Lebanon Missouri at heart. To think that my writing has gone so far that amazing authors like Catt now want to work with me. I feel blessed and amazed.

12.   What other books and stories can we hope to see from you in the future?

Oh, now there's a loaded question if I ever heard one. I have so many projects in mind, I hope I live long enough to write them all. I have a Werewolf series to start with. It's ready to write. I've done the character bios, the outlines and the research. This one's ready to jump. I can promise you that no teenage girls will want to date my werewolves. They aren't cute or cuddly. I've got a working title for the series. I call it Apex Predator. As in, the very top of the food chain. I'm excited to see how this goes.

I also have a one-off, stand alone novel based near Lake of the Ozarks about a local legend. This story will be very Lovecraftian. The more research I did for the book, the creepier the legend became. It was practically begging to be turned into a horror story. I'm surprised no one has done it before now.

I have an entire series planned based on the wildly popular video game, The Infinite Black. It's from Spellbook Studios and you can download and play the game for free at Spellbook.com. A few months ago, they contacted me about doing back story for the game. After I finished, they liked what I wrote and asked if I would consider doing fiction in that universe. I jumped at the chance. I mean, an opportunity like that doesn't just fall into your lap every day. I should have the first book in that series ready to launch in about a month. Maybe less. Go check out the game and tell them D.A. sent you.

I keep a notebook in my bag that I write down story ideas in. I have a ton of them. I could probably keep three writers busy, full-time. Oh well, I'll just write what I can and keep them coming. Who knows what I might come up with next?

The Bullet and the Red Light

First, I want you to read the lyrics and listen to the song to see what I'm referencing and where I'm speaking from for this. "8 Good Reasons"

Don't know if I should quite sing this song
Don't know if it maybe might be wrong
But then again it maybe might be right
To tell you 'bout the bullet and the red light

You know I'm not from this place
I'm from a different time, different space
And it's real uncomfortable
To be stuck somewhere you just don't belong

But I got 8 good reasons to stick around
8 good reasons, well maybe nine now

I had a dream one night
About a bullet and a red light
You know it felt alright
You know it actually felt quite nice

If I could have gone
Without it hurting anyone
Like a child, I would have found me mum
Like a bird I would have been flown

You know I don't much like life
I don't mind admitting that it ain't right
You know I love to make music
But my head got wrecked by the business

Everybody wanting something from me
They rarely ever wanna just know me
I became the stranger no one sees
Cut glass I've crawled upon my knees

But I got 8 good reasons to stick around
8 good reasons, well maybe nine now

I had a dream one night
About a bullet and a red light
You know it felt alright
You know it actually felt quite nice

But I got 8 good reasons to stick around
8 good reasons, well maybe nine now
8 good reasons to stick around
8 good reasons, well maybe nine now
Well maybe nine now

I think we've all got a bullet and a red light.


 Clearly Sinead is talking about suicide, but that's not the only form it can take. These are the moments, the headspace where we decide that things might be better without us, that we want release, escape, and to stop feeling like a burden in our own lives. Misunderstood, unwanted, outright rejected, misrepresented, out of place, depressed, anxious, torn, lost, we don't quite feel like a part of the world we live in and we want to own those feelings as much as we want to reconnect. Personal identity, personal value, and the space we fill for the rest of the world both friend and foe, these places all have their own values, they all have their own cost to us, especially when that cost is more than we have the strength and the emotional state to pay for or feel that we do.


My own personal bullet and a red light came when I was pregnant with Sasha. 


It started well before that with my fear of death after my son was born and I learned that I had a brush with death, that a narrow bit of chance led to my still being here, it got worse after we lost Lisa and then, not much later, Aurora. I had a sort of personal relationship with death, I spent a lot of my early life burying relatives and pets, seemingly in a constant process of loss and change even when I wasn't facing a literal death. I was never exactly the girl who fit into other people's lives the way I wanted to, I didn't have the right angles, the right heart, or way of communicating. I see what other people don't see, I can be more blunt than people are prepared for, I can say things when I am hurt or not thinking that can be hurtful even when I don't meant them to be, and I can be a bit of a dreamer and a little naive. I think a lot about things, spend a lot of time on fear and anxiety that other people don't face or see as being trivial, even tedious. Constantly questioning myself and things in my life, I often feel like a burden, not enough to pay for the weight of my being.That I want too much and therefore often put my own needs beneath the needs of others. I bottle up all of that angst and need, that lack of "enough" and then I get eaten up. 


By the time I was pregnant with Sasha a lot of weight was taking me down, guilt, anxiety, inadequacies, and the fear of death. Every moment of my pregnancy with Aurora was centered around these things. I was treated as if I were an idiot, reckless,  and irresponsible by the doctors I saw, Lisa's death still affected Todd and I's relationship, and we were dealing with a lot of unresolved stress with finances,  unaddressed  personal conflict, and blame over things that had happened in those last few years. When Aurora died I had failed, I was a crap mom, I didn't deserve to be happy, to have Todd. I was a wide sea of loss and rejection. A lot of that was addressed over the next couple of years, but a good deal of it was internalized and I didn't really see that until we learned I was pregnant with our third. I loved being pregnant in so many ways, I truly felt pregnant "like a normal person", things progressed more naturally, Sasha kicked more than Nikki even did, and I felt her life growing inside me in a way I hadn't with the other two. She gave me a gift with that pregnancy and I looked forward to her birth. 


I also knew that death was a very real possibility and I was going to have to deal with that on some level. late at night, I couldn't sleep thinking about it and it only got worse when the doctors bickered over who would be responsible for the surgery and told me that they might have to make a vertical cut all the way up to my ribcage to be sure that no unnecessary risks were taken in the event that plancenta acreta had occurred again.  Frantic to address it, desperate to enjoy the pregnancy that I had, I finally looked death in the eye and decided it was going to happen and I would be ready for it. I finished the quilt I had been planning to make for Nikki since he was a baby, I got all the time I could with him, and I tried to do everything I could to make everything ready for Sasha, even making her an owl with leftover bits from Nikki's quilt.  Everything had to be ready for Todd to raise the kids, to offer them the best I could give them of the time I had left, I got frustrated and upset I did an overnight close to Nikki's 7th birthday because I was desperate to get that last birthday with him, I wanted a natural birth even if it killed me, and I was going to bring this baby into the world alive and well no matter what it took. I would sacrifice myself for her.


Except it didn't happen that way.  Instead of dying I had a c-section that was as close to the ideal as it could be, I felt them take her out of my body, I heard her cry, and then they stitched me closed. I went shivering to recovery and there we both were a little while later.  I spent the next few days feeling lost, as if maybe the perfect serenity I found myself experiencing was some illusion, the death's bed imagination of a corpse about to cool on the table, slit open and abandoned as life went on without her. I wept when we got home, terrified that we would never leave the hospital, a strange sort of purgatory, and then I threw myself into caring for her. 


So what was my bullet with the red light? After years of being afraid to die, so much so that I often failed to live life as I should, I was mourning the fact that I did not die. I was trying to make peace with not having met my end, found release from the burden of not being enough. All the while living my life as if it was bonus time in a video game and bound to end at any moment. It all had to be as good as I could manage, I had to make it all right and be ready if it ended. Except you can't live like that, you don't see the things you're missing, no one can live up to the expectations you set out for every day and there are so many things we all want to attain before we die that its impossible to really get them all lined up as I wanted to do.  Again and again I was removed from things, facing losses and changes that I had not prepared for, that I had not seen coming until, finally, I had to face what it was that was eating at me. 


How do you do that? Very, very gradually and with a lot of thought. It helps if you also see a lot of proof that there is more in your life than you saw before. You heal the harm in yourself  as much as you can every day. You make peace with the things you know about you versus the perceptions that other you sees and that other people see no matter how hard you fight to make yourself understood from the day to day  people that hardly know you, to those you have close intimate relationships with. You start seeing you, defining who that person is, and feeding her when you can with the right things. You start asking for the things you need to feel content in your relationships,  and making sure the balance is square between you. Most of all, you take your list of reasons for being here and you commit them to memory so that you can say just how many there are and remember when the days aren't always so good.  I deserve to be here, I earned the right to my life, and I am only what I answer to even in my own head. 

Interview with Anthony Crowley Author of The Mirrored Room

Bio: 
Anthony Crowley (born 1979, Birmingham in U.K). From a young age of 6, Anthony began to take an interest in English literature and Poetry from an early childhood.Then throughout his teenage years he studied music and achieving song-writing skills,whilst still creating his visions. He also achieved a diploma in creative writing with a college located in Oxford,England. Anthony has also written short stories for student newsletters,horror monthly's and he is also a proud member of (HWA) Horror Writers Association and appears on the 'A LIST' of the IDPA (International Directory of Published Authors), NFAA (Non Fiction Authors Association). The present day Anthony Crowley is also a featured contributor to 'Haunted after Dark' with his very own dark haven of 'Crowley's Crypt' and has written many works of literature & poetry for publications,such as Massacre Magazine,The Horror Zine, Sanitarium magazine, HelloHorror, Sub-Verse and Fiction Terrifica. Anthony Crowley has also appeared as an official Judge for the 'British Horror Film Festival 2014' and recently his forthcoming anthology of Horror tales 'Doomsday After Midnight' is nominated at the 'AuthorsdB' BOOK AWARDS 2014. The dark verse of 'The Fallen Angel' featured in Sanitarium Magazine,issue 14. The work itself was mentioned via a live radio podcast on the evening of Halloween 2013. The Devils Foot Soldier' was another dark verse which was inspired by the 'Slasher Icon' movie of 2011 'The Orphan Killer' which was positively recognised by the movies creators and the written piece is now featured at American based Blood Born Magazine several more features and frequent media interviews and being ranked as "one of the best Modern Authors in recent years" Horror-Web described him by the following statement 'Anthony Crowley is one of the most prolific and talented authors of dark prose and poetry During a recent interview on the 'Sinister Scribblings' Mr Crowley has been placed amongst the likes of Poe, Lovecraft and Clarke Ashton Smith. Forthcoming Novella 'The Mirrored Room' was ranked in the 'Semi-Finals' at 'AuthorsdB' Book Awards of 2013,and ranked four times in the 'Top 100' list of popular Authors and not forgetting being a trending Author for many consecutive months and a featured Author on numerous literature and Horror themed websites and more. Presently, Anthony Crowley has published best-selling Horror anthology 'Tombstones' which was described by US Horror podcast show 'The Mouths of Madness' as "Beautiful Dark Prose" and the introduction to a new dark series 'The Black Diaries' which is currently being introduced as a new edition paperback edited by Simon Marshall-Jones (Spectral Press). Anthony Crowley dubbed 'the Master of Realities' is always creating new and exciting projects within the subjects of speculative literature and Horror,Occult and Historic references..Anthony is Currently residing in England. 

Links: 

Main Amazon store-http://www.amazon.com/ANTHONY-CROWLEY...
AuthorsdB Profile-http://authorsdb.com/authors-director...
Authorgraph page- http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/cr...
Goodreads page- https://www.goodreads.com/anthonycrowley 
Official Facebook page- www.facebook.com/AnthonyCrowley.Author
Official Tombstones Facebook page- www.facebook.com/pages/Tombstones/742...
Official Twitter- https://twitter.com/crowley_anthony
Official Tombstones Twitter page- https://twitter.com/TombstonesBook
Official Instagram - https://instagram.com/anthonycrowleya...
Google Plus- https://plus.google.com/+ANTHONYCROWLEY


1. Tell me a little about your latest book The Mirrored Room, what inspired it and what would you like readers to gain from reading it? 

I  wrote the majority of 'The Mirrored Room' way back in 2010. I was initially inspired by psychic awareness and human personality. I watched a show on television about a psychic, it was titled 'Crossing Over with John Edward'. I had a quick thought "What if a psychic healer had somekind of a reverse effect", I was also into esoteric studies. This is the first time I spoke about this, I went to bed one night and I was hearing these surreal words being spoken to me, as I was sleeping. I immediately got out of bed and wrote these words on paper. I found it I had received an Enochian message. The Enochian language is known to be the language of the angels. I was incredibly focused at that point. It felt quite like an exploration I had to look into more of. I turned my internet on and managed to locate a well known occult author, and I mentioned to him, and he confirmed it was an angelic message I had received. I thought I would include some of these elements within the story. The rest I shall leave to the reader to conclude. I would like readers to gain an exciting read of exploration into believing and to have an understanding of certain subjects, while gaining their own conclusion. 

2. You’re a poet as well as a fiction writer; do you feel that poetry gets the light and respect it deserves in today’s market? 

I believe poetry is just as important, but rightly deserves the same recognition, fiction is widely commercial. Poetry can be more powerfully attentive than a fiction story. 

3. What tone and style do your poems take on? Do your stories share any qualities with your poetry? 

It can depend on the mood and depth of the imagination. Sometimes they have had similar qualities. One of my recent projects 'Symphony of Blood' shall feature three dark forms of poetry. The story shall be the entire literary journey, while the verses shall focus on a certain element of the story theme. But each shall express their own positive energies. 

4. You mention esoteric themes, elements of Egyptology, histories, the supernatural, and conspiratorial involvements in your poetry and prose. Do you research these elements as well? If so, is it difficult to do so? 

They are interests I have had since a child. If the story or verse shall include a deep subject, I will sometimes research, but also in some cases it was from gathered knowledge since I attended school. 

5. Do you have any particular subjects that fascinate you as a writer and poet as well as outside of your writing? 

My three passions I have always loved and felt comforted by from a young age was, writing, music, drama. I have achieved the first two passions, but I have always had an interest to act. I realised this more from my previous role as an entertainer. I also have interests in photography, art. 

5. Who would you say are your biggest influences in poetry and writing? Do you see elements of their work in your own? 

There are many. The first names which come to mind are, Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe and Jack Ketchum, Dennis Wheatley. I have been told on many occasions that my poetry verses are similar to elements of work by Edgar Allan Poe. I never read my work once it is published, I just look ahead and keep writing towards the next project, or book. 

6. You’ve been featured in magazines like Sanitarium and Massacre Magazine, how do your experiences with them compare to regular publication? Do you enjoy the collaborative atmosphere? 

I enjoy both experiences, but it is a positive stepping stone for new and upcoming authors to take on those opportunities. I have seen comments about contributors not getting paid for their first work involvement. They need to also realise that it will assist their exposure, the royalties shall come later, or sooner. The more your input shall be, the better the recognition in the long run. 

7. You’ve recently gotten involved with some of the anthologies at JEA, are there any stories or poems you’re particularly fond of and you hope to see coming out in these? 

I am honoured to be working with JEA and being part of their publications. There are a few, but I shall mention 'Infestation' which shall be featured in 'Undead Legacy'. That story was a new direction for myself, but very enjoyable to write. Recently there has been a critical uproar about a simple gay kiss in the 'Walking Dead' series. It is baffling to know that viewers would rather witness blood and death, than a simple human kiss. 'Infestation' is a homoerotic zombie story with gorey themes. Not for the fainthearted. 

8. Do you have any other works in progress you’d like to share with us? What can we expect to see from you in the coming years? 

At this very moment I am finishing three new stories. I have more literature projects throughout the year. In the foreseeable future, I will be launching a new horror publication 'Dark Realms'. It will be original in it's own right. No restrictions. I have acquired two talented team members to assist me in this venture, Alex S.Johnson, Dean M.Drinkel. They both have exceptional qualities, and each possess their own talents within our wonderful world of literary horror. Later this summer, I will be travelling to Europe to work with a model friend towards another project, this shall be a visual art involvement. My fans and followers can also check out my Facebook and Twitterfor many more future updates.

Interview with Alex Shalenko Author of Bring Out the Dead

Bio: Alex Shalenko is a science fiction, fantasy, and horror author, with the debut novel "Bring Out the Dead" due in 2015 through J. Ellington Ashton Press. A native of Ukraine and a heavy metal enthusiast, he writes imaginative stories laced with darker atmosphere and complex, realistic characters. Alex makes his home in scenic Maryland, USA.






1.      Bring Out the Dead is a very unique book, it touches on mythology, gods, monsters, the supernatural, Soviet Russia past and present, and how very lost Americans seem to be about those cultural elements in general. Could you tell us a bit about where the book came from?

Believe it or not, Bring Out the Dead started out from two things – a series of photographs, and an upcoming birthday. The photographs were posted by fellow author Bruno Lombardi (whose works I would strongly recommend), and depicted the real-life city of Norilsk, Russia in all its frozen, horribly polluted and industrialized glory. The birthday was my wife's, and knowing her taste in books, I thought I would give her a novel written with her taste in mind, outside of my normal science fiction fare. These two events went hand-in-hand – the pictures gave me an inspiration to learn more about Norilsk, its history, and the people who made that unforgiving place their home; the birthday gave me extra motivation to write, to add the elements that were both familiar and yet exotic to the American reader, and to put a personalized flair on my depiction of life in Russia.

Did I mention that the birthday was about three weeks away when I started on the novel? The deadline, in my opinion, brought out the best in me as a writer, and suitably wintery weather (it was the second half of November) made me see Norilsk, and its fictionalized alter ego Severozavodsk, every time I closed my eyes.

Bring Out the Dead was also my attempt to do something different. Most of my previous works took place in worlds far removed from our own, where histories, locales, and cultures had to be invented from scratch. For this novel, I decided to write what I know –  in this case, Russian language, history, and culture, and financial industry (which is my occupation outside of writing). The rest came together quickly; I found that drawing on my personal experiences made it easy to create the kind of interactions, speech patterns, and even environments that made it into Bring Out the Dead. From there, the book took a life of its own.

2.      You have a firm understanding of the culture and outlook of Eastern Europe by being from Ukraine originally, how do these things compare to American culture? Do you think this lends a unique voice to your work overall?

I think that there are many differences between the culture in much of the post-Soviet space, and the mainstream American culture, but the key aspects of differences have to do with the very disparate worldviews. Each society tends to create its own national mythos that defines its people, whether it is based on ethnicity, religion, language, or history. What do you, as a gestalt entity, look like? How did you govern yourself? Who were, or are, your proverbial natural enemies, the nations that you use to define yourself against?

Certain aspects of American cultural package are very hard to replicate elsewhere, if only because the American national mythos is so unique, globally speaking. The American history, if read at a high level, is a story of triumph after triumph, of going from strength to strength, and of retaining the same core character despite the ever-changing demographic and religious picture of the country. The Russian, and the Ukrainian history, in contrast, is the tale that ebbs and flows, that has periods of invasion, prolonged foreign occupation, unaccountable tyrannical rulers, and centuries of bad and inconsistent governance – all the while continuing to define what it means to be a Russian or a Ukrainian on the basis of ethnicity, not necessarily only based on adherence to a broad set of national principles.

In this context, I think that at its heart, American culture is optimistic. Russian and Ukrainian cultures are, on the contrary, rather fatalistic, accepting a form of spirituality to compensate for these negative expectations. That might be at the core of differences in outlook.

Speaking for myself, I am a product of that culture, even if tempered by spending more than half of my life in the United States. I think that it found a way into my literary voice, from how I structure sentences, to general moods I strive for, to certain aspects of my characters. I tend to go for many characters who occupy a very gray moral area, or who might be overthinking seemingly mundane actions in fear of the future.

Not all of these things are product of my background; after all, just as much was influenced by what I enjoy writing and reading, and what themes I find interesting. At the same time, I definitely think that coming from a very different cultural mythos helped me to develop my own voice, and hopefully to convey some unique viewpoints or ways to see the world through my writing.

3.      Jake is definitely not a nice guy in the beginning. Was it hard writing a character who wasn’t your usual “hero”? Did you know he would always turn out this way?

To be honest, Jake just happened. Early on in the story, I realized that I needed to have the kind of character that all of us might know, someone who would feel realistic. At the beginning of the novel, and even further into the story, Jake is self-centered, ambitious, and unscrupulous, which, in a certain school of thought, are considered virtues for an entrepreneur. We all met people like him, who might be driven to reach for the elusive definition of “success” as described by motivational speakers or business classes, and who might be forgetting what it means to be truly human in the process.

Therefore, Jake is not perfect, and, at least the version that you meet early on, might have qualified as a minor villain in another story. In a way, Bring Out the Dead is the tale of how he rediscovers his essential humanity, starting to look beyond career advancement, salary, and the standard definition of success, and trying to make a different choice for himself and for those who depend on him.

My real challenge with Jake was to write a nuanced character who shows some growth and progression over the course of the novel. I was trying to avoid creating a stereotype with him, and to leave him with some room for personal development. For all the qualities he tries to suppress early on (that are not conducive to our definition of materialistic, cutthroat “success”), Jake is not ultimately as much of an unscrupulous individual as he thinks he is... and I like to think that by the time his story concludes, Jake is much more in touch with who he is as a person, what his values are, and what choices might represent the right thing to do.

4.      Olga is a direct opposite to Jake, very optimistic and seeking freedom, what influenced her character?

A place like Severozavodsk has a way of breaking people, but it is also home to some. Even in the darkest places, there are little joys, there are people who live and laugh and look forward to the next day with anticipation. Olga is one such person, hopeful and optimistic and yet strong – for one has to be strong to thrive in the far north, one has to be able to put on the mask of fortitude and keep things from falling apart when needs must.

By its very nature, Bring Out the Dead includes a limited cast of characters, and as such, they had to be distinct from each other. Olga had to be strong and confident, and at the same time she had to be very, for the lack of a better word, Russian in her outlook and mannerisms. She had to be different from Jake, and to provide a catalyst for him to reevaluate his ways and then some. But most of all, she gave me a perfect opportunity to write a character who might have borrowed some traits from real people I know, but whose background and situation made her considerably different from those  people.

5.      You write an interesting blend of genres, horror, sci-fi, fantasy with a strong focus on realistic and genuine characters. Did you cultivate this style or was it always what you wrote?

While I do experiment with different writing techniques and different genres from time to time, the core of my style is very influenced by what I enjoy as a reader, and by what feels natural to me as a writer. The genre blend is a function of my interests, and is what I would consider my “natural” style of writing and plotting out books.

Of course, the specifics may vary greatly from story to story, but the core of the style tends to remain the same, whether I am writing about a body-snatching time traveler in XIIth century Constantinople, or about a futuristic soldier realizing that he is fighting on a wrong side of galactic civil war. I find a lot of enjoyment in creating characters I can believe in, whose dilemmas may make them heroes, villains, or, perhaps, a little bit of both.

6.      What inspired “The Sleeper Beneath” your story in Inanna Rising: Women Forged in Fire? Will there be more to read about Mariana Fairdale?

I have always been a big fan of Michael Moorcock's take on dark fantasy, and The Sleeper Beneath is my homage to this type of a story. What is there not to like about the world that is familiar at a glance, only to dissolve into chaotic, post-apocalyptic weirdness where remnants of old technology coexist with quasi-barbarian warriors, and monsters go bump in the night? How about a character who has a grand destiny, or perhaps trying to avoid one, haunted by hard decisions and holding the fate of the world in her hands?

Introducing Mariana Fairdale, wanderer, warrior, and many more things, whose tale will definitely not be limited to The Sleeper Beneath. In that story, we meet Mariana as she travels through the demon-infested Caribbean towards the ruins of Florida. But why is she going there? Where did she come from, and what is the significance of her weapon? How did the world end in its present state? All of these are the questions I am hoping to answer in the future stories!

7.      Your bio mentions metal is a major influence in your life, could you tell us a bit about that?

Metal, as a form of music, is very unique to me in that it harkens back not only to certain sound, but also to a certain ethos and subculture associated with it. There is passion associated with metal that no other genre of music seems to attract, at least in my experience, and the metal musicians were among the first to explore previously taboo themes in their lyrics and music, including existentialism, religion in all its forms (not just the traditional monotheism of religiously-inspired music), mythology and fantasy, and, eventually, introspection, philosophy, and politics.

As a teenager who first heard Iron Maiden and Metallica, and who eventually grew to associate with the long-haired, black-clad image, I found that metal spoke to me. It provided inspiration and guidance when I sought direction. It provided solace in times of solitude, and provided soundtrack in times of socializing. It served as a gateway to friendships I still maintain many years after the fact. It became a part of who I am as a person, and who I am as a musician and as a writer.

My long-term ambition is to create a concept metal album with a tie-in novel, or perhaps a novel with a tie-in album, which would augment each other and create one unique piece of work when combined. Who knows, it might be happening at some point!

8.      What kind of stories and books do you think we can expect to see from you in the next year or so? Any big anthos?

I currently have several novel-length projects in the works, going back to my first literary love, science fiction. In addition, I have several novels that have been finished, and might need some polish before they can be submitted for publisher consideration.

In the meantime, my short story Inherit the Earth will be included in the upcoming Undead Legacy anthology of zombie stories from J. Ellington Ashton Press, and another short story (The Great Bear) will be in the upcoming Altered Europa anthology from Martinus Publishing. I am working on several other short stories for possible inclusion in other anthologies, and hope to revisit Mariana Fairdale some day soon.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me!

Links: 


Blog: https://alexshalenko.wordpress.com/

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Interview with Todd Misura Author of Divergence: Erotica From a Different Angle

Bio: Born in Orlando, FL Todd Misura has lived everywhere from major cities to his current home in rural Ohio. He has a wife and two children.

Misura is an author who's not easily classified. A writer of genre bending books that are an interesting blend of science fiction, horror, action, and drama, his novels carry you through places we see every day only to discover new wonders hidden in the ordinary.These books are also about self discovery, understanding the dark heart of humanity and the inherent good we have in all of us.






Links: 
Website: http://toddmisura.weebly.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seekingparadigm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToddMisuraAu...
Bright Nights, Dark Days Blog: https://toddmisura.wordpress.com/
Rope Bites BDSM Blog (18+ only) : http://ropebites.tumblr.com/post/1116...


Divergence: Erotica From a Different Angle is clearly meant to be a coy title, but what was your intention with the book overall? What makes it different? 


My intention for Divergence was to introduce readers to my brand of writing, not just erotica, but my storytelling in general. My book is different from other erotica on the market because while they have story to go along with the sex and erotica, the focus isn't the storytelling aspect. My short fiction is a great introduction into the worlds that inhabit my mind, almost all of my stories are connected. Novels and short stories have a multiverse they belong to, and if you read this short collection you'll see how they all eventually tie together.

There are some different themes here Submission, tulpas, black eyed monsters, polyamory, bisexuality, futanari and all of them are set in very real literary backgrounds. What made you choose these topics? What inspired some of the stories in Divergence?


 My stories come from my real world interest in the esoteric and majickal. One of the stories in Divergence that I love the most is probably BEG, and that was born from my intense interest, but not fear, of the Black Eyed Kid or BEK phenomenom that was popular about three years ago. The stories from real life usually entail a child coming to you, either at the door or your car and asking to be let in. They act strangely, in monotone voices and an almost complete misunderstanding of modern things like cell phones. The victims claim that they are full of fear and terror at the meeting of these kids, and eventually you notice their eyes are all black. Nothing but pitch black. Most people eventually end up hiding until the children leave, sometimes hours of knocking from the BEKs can occur before they leave.

Which ones were your favorites? Why? Did you learn anything while writing them that you hadn't before?


 I have to say that the bondage stories are some of my favorites like Figure 8, which came to me after I was randomly thinking about setups that I would love to personally own that might not exist in the real world. Block Party was a neat idea that I had originally had as a novel idea, of a man whose world is constantly changing and morphing around him, but I couldn't quite get it to work. With Block Party I was forced to minimize the alterations and timeline changes, so it crafted a shorter and more unique tale. 

 What makes Divergence's BDSM themes different than something like 50 Shades of Grey? 

The reason why the BDSM themes of Divergence are different from 50 Shades is because the relationships shown in the collection are real BDSM relationships. From what I can tell about 50 Shades, its a tale of a woman who falls for a man who's dark... almost abusive in ways. In my BDSM stories its representations of not just the sex, but in many ways the entire relationship that occurs in BDSM. As a male submissive, its not often you can find stories that the men are submissive and the female or even male Doms are not abusive or a psychotic version of BDSM. Yes, there are times where there is pain involved, but there is a purpose for the submissive and dom involved. Let me give you an example: There are times where I want to feel my Domme's nails digging into my flesh just enough to sting, but there are other times where I crave a harder pinch or squeeze and its up to her to understand what level I want or need it at. Googling BDSM will result in horrible misrepresentations of the practice, and my shorts aim to convey the real aspects of BDSM.

 What do you hope readers get out of reading Divergence? Can we expect to see more erotica tales in the future?

My largest dream is that readers get enjoyment out of my stories, as tales of erotica and as stories. I'm a storyteller first and erotica writer second.


Do you write regular fiction as well? If so tell us a little about what you have out there or will soon.

 I write fiction outside of the articles and reviews I do for Front Towards Gamer, and all my stories are stories with realistic characters and reactions. Right now I have a short story called Drift in Rejected For Content :Splattergore and another short with my wife in Inanna Rising: Women Forged in Fire. I'm currently working on several novels, in the pre-planning stages for them to be honest, and have decided to start working on the short stories for the Divergence sequel. 

 Do you think it will affect your other writing to have erotica tales out under your real name as well? Do you have a reason you chose not to use a pseudonym for your erotica? 

If my erotica affects my other writings that are out or will come out, its the reader's fault, not mine. I have a sense of pride in the well done stories written by me and any other author who publishes all their work under their names. If you don't want to read my erotica, don't. But you are missing out on real stories that just happen to have sexual themes and encounters in them, and that means you're missing out on my writings. For me, writing is an exercise in understanding that I have a gift, and that I need to use it, so hiding behind a moniker or pseudonym isn't going to give me satisfaction. I want to know that people are picking up any of my writings because I've intrigued them enough based on my writing in the past to see what I have to say in anything that I write.

 Where do you hope to be with your writing in the next few years? Any big plans? 

 I hope to be recognized for my writing in a fashion that doesn't need to be an award, even just good reviews of my stories would make me happy. The next thing I'm working on is the sequel to Divergence, and getting me and Amanda M Lyons' Jennarator comic up and running with a publisher would be awesome to have too. 

Of Vast Oceans

You see that great big sea up there? I know the angle isn't perfectly logical, but it gives you an idea of the perspective taken by my lost astronaut in "Vast Oceans".  Lost and abandoned on a planet with no more than a small spit of land and vast oceans all around, there is very little she can do but think, remember, feel claustrophobic, and lose hope. There is no sun here, only one great moon and the movement of the great green and black oceans all around her, that and the inkling that she is not truly alone.  I drew the idea from a few things, images in my head, a dream I've had since I was small about being killed by a tidal wave, a few songs and the idea of writing in my favorite sci-fi genre where horror and sci-fi meet in the isolation of space.  This one has been eating up my brain off and on since it hit me and I've not had a lot of time to work on it with a lot of editing work to do. This is also why I have not had much time for updates on my writing of late. I'm happy to say this is one of many stories you can expect to see from me this year in various anthologies from JEA :) This in addition to Cool Green Waters of course! 
Here's a sample from the story: 


I used to have dreams about a very old city of bright white walls and warm earthen streets. I was a child in that city, not more than 6 or 8 and I was alone, happy and utterly safe. But then it was dark and the bright blue green sea I knew and loved was above me. Higher and higher it rose, one great and terrible god crashing down so hard and so fast that I did not even have a moment to gasp in a breath before it was in me, was me, took everything that was and could ever be in my small life and snuffed it out. In that dream, that memory, I remember the great warm sea swallowing me up and then I was at the bottom of it, watching as the world came crashing down in that place, the thud and whoosh of great statues, great stones coming down through the water as I ceased to be.

I knew the bottom of that great sea, I know the sound of vast oceans from an impossible dream and now...

Now, here I am, lost and alone on a planet in the midst of another galaxy, a planet made up of vast oceans and me, only me, in the middle of the only spit of land on the entire planet.


And yet...somehow I know that I am not truly alone... - from Vast Oceans from Fearotica

Below check out some of the songs that inspired this one.