Michelle M. Pillow's Blog, page 82

Michelle Pillow, Micro Talk – The Novella and eBooks Conclusion

CONCLUSION Micro Talk – The Novella and eBooks

The growing popularity of the novella in modern writing using genre fiction and e-books as an example.

Includes the differences of genre and literary fiction, e-books and print book formats explained, and a little about my personal experience as an author. This is my first attempt at using my iPad for recording, so yeah, I’m looking the wrong way, lol.

NOTE: This video was originally done as a college assignment using my iPad camera for the first time (thus the three part edit cuts).

Three Part Series

Part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVRnV...

Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ushXG4...

Conclusion – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrHccC...

More about me: http://www.MichellePillow.com

UPDATE: Ok, so just posted some links to a 3 part micro chat series I was forced to do for one of my last classes before they’d give me my degree. I almost deleted it since the class is over, but figured someone might find it useful so made it public instead. If you all like and want more of things like this, let me know or request topics.

Michelle Pillow, Micro Talk Part 2- The Novella and eBooks

PART 2 Micro Talk – The Novella and eBooks

The growing popularity of the novella in modern writing using genre fiction and e-books as an example.

Includes the differences of genre and literary fiction, e-books and print book formats explained, and a little about my personal experience as an author. This is my first attempt at using my iPad for recording, so yeah, I’m looking the wrong way, lol.

NOTE: This video was originally done as a college assignment using my iPad camera for the first time (thus the three part edit cuts).

Three Part Series

Part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVRnV...

Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ushXG4...

Conclusion – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrHccC...

More about me: http://www.MichellePillow.com

UPDATE: Ok, so just posted some links to a 3 part micro chat series I was forced to do for one of my last classes before they’d give me my degree. I almost deleted it since the class is over, but figured someone might find it useful so made it public instead. If you all like and want more of things like this, let me know or request topics.

Michelle Pillow, Micro Talk – The Novella and eBooks Part 1

PART 1

Micro Talk – The Novella and eBooks

The growing popularity of the novella in modern writing using genre fiction and e-books as an example. This is my first attempt at using my iPad for recording, so yeah, I’m looking the wrong way, lol.

Includes the differences of genre and literary fiction, e-books and print book formats explained, and a little about my personal experience as an author.

NOTE: This video was originally done as a college assignment using my iPad camera for the first time (thus the three part edit cuts).

Three Part Series

Part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVRnV...

Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ushXG4...

Conclusion – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrHccC...

More about me: http://www.MichellePillow.com

UPDATE: Ok, so just posted some links to a 3 part micro chat series I was forced to do for one of my last classes before they’d give me my degree. I almost deleted it since the class is over, but figured someone might find it useful so made it public instead. If you all like and want more of things like this, let me know or request topics.

Author Gary D. Henry Interview by Michelle M. Pillow

Author Gary D. Henry Interview

Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com

Gary D. Henry is the Vice-President of the Loudoun County Writers Association in Northern Virginia. When asked about his writing, he said, “I have always had stories swimming around in my head but never had the desire to put them to paper until recently. I have had no formal training in the literary field, other than being a technical writer in a previous career. A friend suggested that I write his life story, which was a worthy pursuit, so I wrote the introduction, and he liked it, so I decided to continue. Now, two and a half years later, I am writing my 15th novel.”

His newest Paranormal Thrillers this year, The Books of James C. Patch: Utopia (May 2012), Witchwoods (June 2012), A Father First (June 2012), The Leaving Fields (July 2012), In the Manor of Heather Black (September 2012). They’re available online and in bookstores.

* * * * *

Q: In your book, The Books of James C. Patch: The Barrier you delve into the world of spiritual life after death. What inspired you to write about this?



Gary: Actually, the genesis of this story came to me in the same way that many others get their ideas–in a dream. I remember this distinctly because it was the only dream that I had had that I could remember, in detail and well after I had awoken, every aspect of the story. I remembered the entire three-book trilogy in detail. I woke up when the story was complete, and for that, I was quite thankful. It was such a fantastic story that I immediately wrote down, in bullet points, all three books. Luckily, hours later, I had the entire dream on paper. I was amazed that I’d lived the entire story, in the dream. I glanced at the clock, and I had only slept for an hour.



Q: In your book, The Books of James C. Patch: The Barrier your heroes are authors. What inspired you to create such characters?

Gary: That’s easy. I’m an author, and I know that creating a story that interests people is a difficult endeavor and that, at times, environments need to change so that inspiration can take hold. Sometimes that means traveling to secluded spots where one can eliminate outside concerns and restore focus to get the story written. Authors have wild imaginations and an investigative bent as well as a dedication to tell the masses their stories. I thought that a character in my book who is an author could best tell my story. When things occur that the author in the book can’t explain, the investigative part of him kicks in and gets to the bottom of the concern. This story is about an author, James C. Patch, living in 1905, who discovers that he has the gift of splitting his spirit, much like many reports of people’s near-death experiences when they see their spirits floating above them. His split spirit can travel to the spiritual world, and through his spirit, James Patch can see what happens to people after they die. Patch wrote three books to tell the world not to worry about dying because a new and glorious world awaits them. However, he also noted that, even in the spiritual world, evil exists in the form of a Barrier between the waiting spirits and the Utopia on the other side. The Barrier (also known as fate) has control over all living and spiritual things. Every time a spirit attempts to penetrate the Barrier, the Barrier takes its memories. The spirits need their memories in order to find their loved ones and to cluster with them on the other side. The Barrier saw that James C. Patch was about to tell the living world about the next step and knew that the people would want to live their lives to the fullest and thus create enough memories to pass through with ease. The Barrier killed Patch’s family in an attempt to stop him from writing and informing the living world. He split his spirit to assist spirits with passing through the Barrier, but his young children couldn’t pass through. Because of their young ages, they had accumulated too few memories to allow them passage through the Barrier. Thus, the Barrier would capture the children and force them to do its evil bidding. James, deeply depressed after having witnessed the horrific demise of his beloved wife and children at the hands of the Barrier’s evil minions, gave up hope, burned his books, and killed himself. However, before doing so, he split his spirit and placed it, dormant, within a painting until 100 years later, when a modern-day author and split-spirit, Jacob Masterson, moved into James’ Vermont cottage where he discovered the dormant spirit, learned Patch’s story, and decided to assist him by continuing Patch’s lost, lifelong works and efforts to destroy the Barrier.

Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?

Gary: It’s the old story of life and death. Outside of religion, many have questioned whether a spiritual world exists, a place where they would spend an eternity and exist happily among loved ones, free of the troubles of the living world. I’d like to think that such a place exists. However, I have yet to see evidence of such a world. I build my spiritual world based upon what I’ve imagined it to be. I’m also fascinated by reports that the moments before you die, a recreation of your life passes through your mind at light-speed. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced this phenomenon, but it still makes me wonder about what happens, if anything, after death.

Q: What myths or legends inspired you?

Gary: I created my spiritual world as an alternative to the Heaven and Hell worlds told in the Bible. Although I’m not the religious type, I still hold that stories within in it are fascinating and are ripe for telling in ways that make people think of alternatives. Some will hold that the Bible is truth, and I will not doubt their dedication to their beliefs, but some think that the Bible is a fictional account based on real people. Thousands of stories have been written based on the biblical passages from it, and I’m sure there are just as many stories written to debunk its passages. The spiritual world that I created has a little of both.

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?



Gary: Readers want to be taken away to a place where they would never go but always wanted to. Fantasy worlds abound within the pages of a book. The stories extend their lives beyond what they see day-to-day and take them on journeys beyond their imaginations. Paranormal stories, in particular, fascinate because it’s the last bastion of the human experience that hasn’t been explored to the point where it’s considered fact. Everyone wants to believe that a spiritual world exists because, frankly, they don’t want their existence to end. Thoughts of another step, or chance to be again, can dictate how they live their lives, and they long for answers to questions that people constantly ask. People want to experience all of their senses. That’s why we have them. They want to be thrilled, scared, sad, or happy, depending on what they are reading or viewing. It’s all about being human and testing the limits of their ability to feel the experience and, by their own imagination, place themselves into the story.

Q: Do you have any paranormal pet projects?

Gary: No, I don’t. I’m a multi-genre writer. The paranormal will always be my prime focus, but I like to write about all things and in all genres. Many authors have told me to stick to one area so that my fans will know, essentially, what they’re buying, but I choose not to be locked into one area of story building because a whole array of stories exist within my mind, and I want to tell them all.

Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?



Gary: I love watching shows that drive me to my own limits of fear of the unknown. Some television shows that come to mind are Ghost Hunters, Fact or Fiction, Paranormal State, Most Haunted, and many more. I also like the Paranormal Activity movies. Such a simple idea, and I wish I had thought of it first.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Gary: I’m a skeptic until I see something that I can’t explain first hand. Still, the shows and movies make me want to believe in the supernatural, but I must hold to my original thought. I have tried to rationalize the existence of the paranormal in my mind, and I really would like to believe it. However, the realistic side of me knows, beyond any future experiences, that it is still a sad and troublesome doubt.

Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

Gary: I thought I did at one time. A few of my friends and I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. We were high school kids who wanted to experience what it felt like to be in a cemetery at midnight. It was me and two couples, and we picked the largest and oldest cemetery we could find. As we found out, there are no lights in cemeteries at night. We each had our own flashlight, and we were creeped out right away. I flashed my light on a tree a short distance away and a face emerged from behind a tree and then disappeared behind the tree. I remembered that the eyes glowed bright as I shown my flashlight on it. I turned around, and all of my friends had taken off, leaving me alone with what was behind that tree. I took a few steps back and heard the cracking of small branches being stepped on and leaves rustling behind me. The flashlight created shadows when shown on the more ornate tombstones, causing my mind to believe that something was out there watching me, stalking me. In the distance, I could hear my friends extolling me to return to the car, and the fear of the unknown made me comply with great haste. During the daylight hours, I revisited the site and saw, within the tree, a nest of owls that had scared the hell out of me a mere ten hours earlier.

Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?



Gary: I guess I would like to believe that ghosts or a spiritual world exists. Meeting the spirit of a man or a woman would be an experience of a lifetime. Definitive proof of the afterlife would certainly answer many questions. Yes, I’d like to meet someone or something in that state.

Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?

Gary: To stand before one is unimaginable to me, but if it ever did happen, I wonder how my mind would react. Would I become freaked out and run as fast as I could, or would I try to correspond with it? It would certainly create a few more stories in my mind, though much more vivid.

Q: What does the future hold for James Patch and Jacob Masterson in the James C. Patch trilogy?

Gary: Presently, I have no plans to write additional books with these characters past the third book in the series, The Books of James C. Patch: Utopia. Should the public desire more books on the subject, I’ll of course comply.



Q: Have you ever been to a psychic?

Gary: No, I’ve never had the desire to go to a medium, but I imagine that it would be fun to have a creepy séance party designed to scare and entertain my guests.

Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?



Gary: No, but one day, who knows? I’m sure that there are people out there who, after reading this trilogy, will think that the possibility exists that I have.

Q: What have you done to market your paranormal trilogy?

Gary: I’ve given a few interviews and have placed them on all the social media sites. My primary focus is getting this trilogy in the hands of people who can deliver these stories on a movie screen. It is a very involved story with multiple mysteries and illusions that I believe will do well with the movie-going public. I contracted Legerity Entertainment of Roswell, New Mexico to create a five-minute movie trailer of the first installment of the James C. Patch trilogy. They completed and delivered it to many of the online video sites and are trying to get screenwriters to adapt the story to have a deliverable to distribute among filmmakers. This is in its infancy stage at present, but I’m sure that once it gets around, filmmakers will see the viability and potential of such a project. My website presents the trailer. I write all my stories with movies in mind.

To learn more about Gary D. Henry’s books or see the book trailer, visit his website garydhenry.com. Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com

The Pirate Prince: Lords of the Var Book Five by Michelle M. Pillow

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“5 ANGELS! Michelle Pillow has done an amazing job at incorporating multiple emotions and dangers within this plot, offering readers an explosive experience upon completion. I would highly recommend this story! …this reader is standing, applauding, & cheering Michelle Pillow & The Pirate Prince. It is definitely a keeper.” FAR

“5 STARS! A rollicking tale of futuristic adventure and romance… The Pirate Prince is one of my new favorites!”  Just Erotic Romance

“5 CUPS! Ms. Pillow’s work is wickedly funny, erotically charged, action-packed, and so wonderful it makes a reviewer hunt up the adjectives to describe it properly… highly recommend this book and give it five steaming cups.” Coffee Time Romance

“5 STARS!” This book has everything a reader could want: action, adventure, hot sex and even a shape shifter….I loved this book and all the colorful characters in it.”Ecataromance

“The Pirate Prince rocked.” Joyfully Reviewed

Product Description

The Pirate…

Prince Jarek has no official title in space. Known simply as Captain to a misfit crew, he sails the high sky doing what he pleases. That is until one of his men is kidnapped by intergalactic drug dealers. Now he’s on a mission to save his wayward friend. But instead of a crew man, he rescues a woman desperately trying to be free of her master. Or so he thought…

The Princess…

Princess Zhang Mei has just been told her future by a seer. It seems fate has given her in marriage to Prince Song Lok–future ruler of the only other dynasty on her home planet of Líntian. She will do her duty to her family, but first she wants something for herself. And when the pirates come to steal, she knows exactly what she wants that something to be–her.

Yasmine Galenorn, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow

Yasmine Galenorn, Interview

By Michelle M. Pillow

There can be no doubt that New York Times bestselling urban fantasy author, Yasmine Galenorn, leads an interesting and magical life. Author of both the Otherworld series and the upcoming Indigo Court series for Berkley, she has written in both paranormal mystery and nonfiction. Her latest titles, Bone Magic and Inked, both release this month.

A shamanic Witch, Yasmine has been in the craft since 1980 and has been considered an elder in the Pagan community. Along with her husband, Samwise, she legally changed her surname to Galenorn, which translates from the Elvish language in Lord of the Rings to ‘Green Tree’. According to Yasmine, they wanted something, “that would be ours alone and that would mean something to us.” She is also a teacup collector, tattoo enthusiast and a theater major.

* * * * *

Q: In your Otherworld series, you have three heroines—sisters: Camille, a witch; Delilah, a werecat; and Menolly, a vampire. What inspired you to create such diverse characters?

Yasmine: Well, they sort of created themselves—they just showed up, full-blown, in front of me one night while I was watching TV and boom…new series was born. I think my background in mythology and modern-day magic (actual magic-not stage magic) is one genesis of this series, also my life-long love of fantasy and science fiction, my passion for movies & TV in this genre.



Q: When world building, do you base your story off of known myths throughout history?

Yasmine: Much of my world building has a basis in the mythology of our world, but skewed—very much—in my own warped fashion. I liken Otherworld to “the U.N. of Faerie Land.”



Q: What myths or legends inspired you?

Yasmine: Japanese—the youkai (my interest there was sparked by InuYasha and other anime series); the Celtic Sidhe, the Finnish Talon-haltija (house sprites), the banshees, the Norse light and dark elves—you name it, and I’ve probably got a version of it in my series.



Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Yasmine: I believe that people need to escape from what they perceive as a very unstable reality, into a land where common people have the power to affect the destiny of the world.



Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?

Yasmine: Far too many movies to list here! But TV: I love Buffy, InuYasha, Fringe, Medium. Authors: Charlaine Harris, Ray Bradbury, Rachel Caine, PC Cast, Jim Butcher, and many more.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural?

Yasmine: I’m a shamanic Witch, so I’d have to say…yes. But I also am firmly grounded in much of what science has to teach us—I consider myself a practical and realistic magical worker.

Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

Yasmine: Many. I’m a shamanic Witch and have been considered an elder in the Pagan community. My life has been steeped in both paranormal and mundane adventures. I tend to attract a lot of spirit kitties—our home is a magnet for departed furbabies and they pass through, I’ve seen them a number of times, and sometimes they rest for a bit before moving on.



Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?

Yasmine: Hmmm…dragon shifter (my Smoky for one). Werepanther. Owl Shifter. Full-blooded Fae as portrayed in my world.

Q: If given the chance, would you become a witch/vampire/werecat?

Yasmine: Well, I AM a witch, but Camille’s kind of witch? Sure! A vampire like Menolly? Nope—not into being dead. And a werecat, like Delilah? That might be fun, too.

Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?

Yasmine: I have. As I said, I’m very sensitive to ghosts and spirits of many different types. I’ve worked to clear houses before, I’ve been contacted by spirits—some not so nice and some just fine. My reaction, since this is an everyday part of my life, is that I’m more afraid of coping with a psycho on the physical level than I am of any spirit or ghost.

Q: What does the future hold for your writing?

Yasmine: Well—most likely more Otherworld books—I’m happy writing them. And also a new urban fantasy series starting next year called the Indigo Court series, which will be darker and a bit edgier than the Otherworld series.

Q: Have you ever been to a psychic or had a past life regression? What did they predict for you?



Yasmine: I have done past life regression on my own—since I am a shamanic witch and have written on the subjects of witchcraft, tarot, meditation, etc, I’m well acquainted with this topic and have discovered several interesting lives through the use of it. Was never an Egyptian princess or Queen Elizabeth, but I did lead some interesting lives—and had some pretty gruesome deaths at times.

Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?

Yasmine: No, but some of my friends qualify, I think. ~grins~

Thanks for joining us, Yasmine!



Yasmine’s latest books, Bone Magic (book 7 in the Otherworld series) and Inked (a multi-author anthology) both release Jan. 5, 2010 and are available at all major bookstores. You can learn more about Yasmine and her books at her website, www.galenorn.com.

Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is an award winning author writing in many romance fiction genres. She can be found at www.michellepillow.com.

The Dark Prince: Dragon Lords Book Three by Michelle M. Pillow

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4 STARS! “Pillow crafts a spicy, spellbinding romance in the third installment of her Dragon Lords series.. the characters are engagingly realistic as they struggle against the pain of the past and the uncertainty of the present to find happiness.” RT BOOKreviews

“5 FLAMES! Michelle Pillow’s Dragon Lords series is my favorite futuristic romance series to date. THE DARK PRINCE is the third book of this wonderful series, which seems to get better with each installment.” SIZZLING ROMANCES

“Dragon Lords: The Dark Prince is a wonderful story … highly recommend this series and I look forward to reading the fourth.” Summer Lasaire, In the Library Reviews

5 HEARTS! “An exciting story. Ms. Pillow has written two very emotional, complicated and highly loveable characters... A well-written book that flows along, this reviewer highly recommends it and feels that so far, this is the best one.“LoveRomances

“THE DARK PRINCE will captivate readers with its bewitching characters and engrossing storyline. This reader can’t wait for the next story in the Dragon Lords series.” – Sinclair Reid Romance Reviews Today

Product Description

Out of the fire…
Intergalactic thief, Olena Leyton is one of the best space pirates in history. Sailing the high skies in search of adventure is in her blood. When her crew is scattered in a run from the law and her ship crashes, exploding into a ball of flames, the injured Olena is forced to find sanctuary on a Galaxy Brides ship. Posing as a blushing ‘mail-order’ bride to elude the bounty hunters that pursue her, Olena finds herself heading to the primitive planet of Qurilixen. But, being a bride isn’t something that Olena takes seriously.

Into the flames…
Prince Yusef of Draig, Captain of the Outpost, leads a simple life away from the palace. He knows from the first moment he sees his fiery temptress that he will possess her and make her his bride for all time. However, Yusef learns that playing with fire will always leave a man burned. But, with passions as powerful as this dark Prince’s are, he is not willing to give up his bride without a fight.

DRAGON LORDS UPDATE

DRAGON LORDS UPDATE

I have some bad news for Dragon Lords readers. Last week when my computer died I soon after discovered that the next three Dragon Lords books I’ve been working on were lost, and the four back up files I’d made of them were corrupted (something about Older Windows version not playing well with Windows 7). After a valiant effort, days of trying, 50 hours of scans, including polic

e grade recovery software, the computer tech was not able to recover a single word on any of the computers. Of course, the only files affected were the one’s I’d been actively working on.

Needless to say, I’m heartbroken by the loss of word count. Since so many of you have been waiting, I thought I owed you an explanation as to the slight delay in the next release.

The plus side is I still have my notes, the transcriptions from the heroes and heroines recounting their life stories, and a new found determination to work 18 hour days instead of 12 to redo what was undone.

Thank you for your patience. I will keep you posted on updates, but right now it’s a matter of me putting in more writing hours. So forgive me if I’m not online as much.

Vonna Harper Interview by Michelle M. Pillow

Vonna Harper Interview

by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com

Under her “real” name, Vonna Harper has published more fiction than she can keep track of. As Vonna though, she writes paranormal erotica for Ellora’s Cave and other publishers and is very proud of being known as a capture/bondage writer. When asked about erotica research, she insists, “Of course I’ve time-traveled to the ancient Everglades, infiltrated bondage strongholds, done wilderness search and rescue, and spent a night trapped in a workout gym with Mr. Universe. How can I possibly write about something I haven’t experienced?”

Vonna’s newest paranormal release, Winter of the Beast, can be seen at Ellora’s Cave Publishing online (www.jasminejade.com) or at her website (www.VonnaHarper.com).

*****

Q: In your book, Winter of the Beast, you delve into the world of primitive paranormal society. What inspired you to write about this?

Vonna:I’m fascinated by Native American spiritual beliefs and wanted to explore members of two opposing clans learning the truth about each other.

Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?

Vonna:I’m fascinated by ancient American Indians’ belief systems.

Q: What myths or legends inspired you?

Vonna:Native American

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Vonna:I see it as an escape from our everyday lives.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Vonna:I’m a skeptic, much to my mother’s disappointment.

Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?

Vonna:My grandmother, who helped raised me, died when I was 14. Years later I spent the night in her home where no one was living. In the middle of the night a sound woke me. I recognized it as the tapping sound her ring made when she clicked it against the quart jar she kept her hot tea in.

Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?

Vonna:My grandfather Homer Eon Flindt wrote science fiction for the early pulp magazines. Of course I’d love to meet some of his otherworldly creations.

Q: If given the chance, would you become a predator shifter?

Vonna:Yes. I’d love to see people’s reactions.

Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?

Vonna:If it was an ancestor, I’d love it!

Q: What does the future hold for your writing?

Vonna:I feel like a one-armed paper hanger. I have so many projects demanding my time and am excited about a shape-shifter ménage I’m doing for Samhain Publishing. I’m also working on getting some of my old stories up on Kindle now that I have the rights back.

Q: Have you ever been to a psychic and/or a past life regression? What did they predict for you?

Vonna:I haven’t but my mother, sister, and brother-in-law have. I suspect they were told what they needed to hear.

Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?

Vonna:No but if I was, I’d blame my sci-fi writing grandfather.



Q: Where would you look for communication/connection with the paranormal?

Vonna: In the wilderness. Take me away from civilization, and I have the feeling all things are possible.

Learn more about Vonna and her books at her website www.VonnaHarper.com. Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com

Author Thomas ‘MrT’ Perryman, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow

Author Thomas ‘MrT’ Perryman, Interview

Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com



Thomas ‘MrT’ Perryman comes from a long history of Law Enforcement. He investigates criminal cases, missing persons, and even the paranormal. He looks into the realm of the paranormal with an open mind, independently publishing his books to “get the correct information into the right hands.” He’s been awarded the Rod Serling Gallery Writers Award, Sci-Fi Magazine Writer of the Month, and the 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards for Horror with an honorable mention for Non-Fiction book Lake Monster in Central Pennsylvania: Leviathan in Huntington County.

His newest book projects include: Bigfoot Northeast Encounter Spring 2012, The Paranormal Chronicle Series Summer 2012, and UFO Photos: Under the Microscope Book Two Summer 2012. Readers can find his books on sale at www.awaflorida.com (click the Paranormal Projects TAB for more information and payment forms).

* * * * *

Q: Tell us a little about your experience in the paranormal field.

Thomas: It started by mistake in the late 80’s while I was on a case. To protect the innocent and all that legal disclaimer stuff, and to make a long story short, I was asked to find a missing person who got caught up with the wrong people. A grandmother asked if I could find her twenty-year-old granddaughter that we will call “Cassie”. I asked for all of Cassie’s information; friends addresses, her favorite places, old jobs. I requested old phone bills and to view Cassie’s personal affects, etc. Early on it seemed that this straight-edged young girl may have gotten sucked into a criminal element. She wanted to fit in and she wanted to be an off Broadway star and hone her craft.

Running through the stack of papers I had on hand I ended up finding her at a warehouse that she partied at and met with friends. I saw her from a distance and entered the location. At this time I had a colleague working with me. We hit the building and entered from different points. We could not find her, or anyone for that matter. As I checked more into the warehouse I found there was a fire in previous months, which attributed to many deaths, a few bodies were not identified. I went back to the grandmother and reported to her that I saw Cassie at the warehouse and did the grandmother know of the past deaths there. The grandmother stated “Oh yes, Thomas, I just was wondering where my Cassie was placing herself. I want to visit with her. I have such news from our family.” After I left the grandmothers I found that she asked the local police departments to find out where she is so the grandmother can visit her. The local police say that I got caught up with the “Cassie Casper” Case. The grandmother’s check and funds cleared my bank and years later I went back to the warehouse and I could clearly see her again. The photos I had in my possession match the person in the warehouse perfectly. The grandmother stated that Cassie did not just come out for anyone, she had to trust them. I had many other experiences over time and I still have a friend in Holyoke, Massachusetts that has a haunted or infested house of spirits. We strangely make jokes about it and assemble at that house during certain times of the year, for a sort of reunion.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Thomas: Definitely a believer but sometimes I come off as a skeptic. If I have debunked something then I am regarded as a skeptic, if I support a theory with information or facts then I would be regarded as a believer. You get labeled or typecast at times but at the end of the day I am a believer.

Q: Tell us about some of your other unexplainable experiences.

Thomas: Well oddly enough I had an encounter with an unidentified flying object at an early age in the state of Kentucky. This is the first time I have mentioned this event in detail. I was an avid crossbow-and-arrow person and I was out on my family’s 200-acre farm outside of Louisville. I had an odd sense around me. I had a “weirdness” that could not be explained. All of a sudden I looked up and above hovering was… something. This “something” was silent and this “something” was of immense size. I didn’t think because my mind was in a fog. I just shot my arrow at the intrusive object. The arrow went up yet it seemed to just stop, hover, then the arrow was gone, or I might have lost sight of it but I would really be surprised by that.

This being the early-mid 1970s the only report was on a Saturday TV Creature Double Feature program which took calls, stories, and movie requests. Without the invention of the Internet the public was not aware of Mufon (founded in 1969) or the demise of Project Blue Book in 1970. The National Enquirer was an avenue but not a legitimate one. With The National Enquirer there is a UFO by every town’s square clock tower or a lake monster in every town’s retention ponds.

I am very familiar with Hot Air Balloons. They are very popular in Kentucky. Hot Air Balloons are silent and only makes noise when it is time to have heat or flame (thermal air) enter the balloon canvas (or envelope) to gain more height, speed, etc. This was metallic and I did feel heat all around me. I felt a fog or cloud, not a physical fog or cloud we can see day to day. A negative void is the best way for me to describe it in detail. The experience did not change my life or alter it in anyway. As they say “Stuff Happens!” or some explicative of that nature.

Q: In your book, Lake Monster of Central Pennsylvania: Leviathan in Huntington County, you explore the legend of the Raystown Lake Monster. What first sparked your interest in investigating Raystown Ray? How did you first hear about the monster?

Thomas: I must have been at the right place at the right time because I heard of the 2006 Raystown Ray pictures while I was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania weeks after the rumors started. I decided to get in on the ground floor of this investigation. I have always wondered if I could add to the investigation of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. Could I make a difference or discovery there, as I have visited the Loch before? I decided to make Raystown my new project and investigation. We can only try to make a difference and I intended to do this in the Hesston, PA area. My interest was sparked because this was pretty much in my backyard and had the drive and tenacity to see the project through.

Q: Is this comparable to the famous Loch Ness legend?

Thomas: No, honestly nothing compares to the Loch Ness legend. I think the Loch Ness incidents are more honest or believable than any other Lake creature on God’s green Earth. In my book I mention the lack of sighting in 2010 and 2011, I do bring up a Loch Ness encounter from November 26, 2010.

Q: Where does the lake monster live? What challenges are there in doing field research?

Thomas: The biggest challenge is the people’s perception of the Raystown Lake or Dam. First off, a lot of people think this is a manmade lake or dam and it really is not. Yes, it is a dam, yet there were creeks and rivers before the course changed the flow of water within those local water bases. This is not a grand retention pond or a dam made from nothing (or cement pond, lol). There was water activity before the dams’ creation. There are many tunnels, caves, and pits within the lake for an unknown to live or hide.

One of the challenges was time. Many investigations are done within a few days or a weekend. I decided not to have any time constrains and worked on this Lake Monster Investigation book for nearly four years. I even moved to the area to be available to do hands on research the Lake and the claims.

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Thomas: We are all thinkers whether we notice it or not. We barely use our brain to its fullest extent. We only use a small percentage. We are drawn to the unknown and the paranormal. Is that our next footstep in our walk of evolution? Some in the media think paranormal equals crazy and it does not in anyway. Paranormal equals the unknown or undefined. Are there ghosts, can we astroplane from our consciousness, can we be reborn? The World’s armies have been interested on the subject. The CIA has followed the subject and still practices its applications like remote viewing. A past ruler of Germany wanted the secrets of the paranormal. On the other side of the paranormal are other factions like Cryptozoology ; Are there unknown creatures or life forms, is there one universe or many in a single time stream? Only time will tell. We have time to discover these possibilities, well, until 2029 when

Asteroid 2004 MN4 gives us earthlings a bit of a visit or scare.

Q: What other myths or legends inspire you? Are there more investigative books in your future?

Thomas: I was inspired by Native Americans whom I have grown up around and their lore, which I see as pretty much fact at times. I have always been interested in the plausible or tangible legends like Loch Ness or Bigfoot. I have a Bigfoot book coming up and I have to tackle the “Champ” of Lake Champlain legend in the summer of 2012. I do have a Lake Monster book (not the Raystown Ray Book) that just destroys a certain lake monster lore, but I do not want to put out a book that slams a certain area or group. Also who would buy a book of general negativity? (again this not my Raystown book I refer to) Decisions a writer must make at times.

Q: Tell us a little about UFO Photos: Under the Microscope.

Thomas: My inspiration may have been my encounter with a UFO at an early age. I’ve viewed almost every UFO photo released, that itself is a full time addiction. I am an amateur flyer and have had many pilots in my family. Many of these pilots worked for our militaries armed forces or for our commercial airlines. I decided to take these photos to this group of my family and friends to narrow the group down to a few handfuls. A certain group of photos for book one (now on sale) and a certain group of photos for book two (TBA). I decided to get an FBI analysis into the mix who also worked on my Raystown Ray investigation, and then I decide to get a legend in UFO field, Dr. Bruce Maccabee, to work on this book as well. One thing I have learned in my travels; Use Your Resources! Get The Best Of The Best! During this book I discovered a few inconsistencies through my own investigations. This book was a first for me and another learning experience. An American Optical Physicist, a FBI photo expert, and a Private Investigator with Aeronautical contacts made this book one of my most favorite projects. The second book will be far superior I guarantee it.

Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?

Thomas: No I have not but I heard of a case of abduction shortly after my young encounter of a UFO in Kentucky. I have had a vision of “Them” from time to time but I attribute that to lack of sleep from late night texting, exhaustion, drinking Jack Daniels, bad seafood, etc.

Q: Do you have any paranormal spots online?

Thomas: The Paranormal Page on my website: www.awaflorida.com

I very much enjoy the magazine Paranormal Underground and find it to be an informative document, and a project that needs to be accessible to others throughout the world. I invite readers to look up my forum name: Thomasmrt.

If Paranormal Underground is the best in the United States then I would have to say my favorite for the United Kingdom would be Paranormal Magazine.

Q: Do you feel you could do a better Paranormal TV Show than what’s out there?

Thomas: Well I would like to think so. I have acted in a few minor films and TV so I could take a gig…lol

Regarding my Lake Monster book I was approached by a Paranormal DVD production company and asked to do a DVD. Well they wanted me to film there-on my own, write the DVD-on my own, and they would edit and add music. OK why do I need them? So readers, I plan a DVD documentary that will be featured at my Lake Monster website and I’ll do it with my own production company. Obviously I’ll hire a crew of professionals, but I can put my money where my mouth is or do better than I have said others have not. Success or failure, it is all on me.

Q: Do you feel you will be in this field of the paranormal for a long time?

Thomas: Oh I do plan to be in this field for a long time or as long as the public will have me. I love being called to appear at conventions or media events. I challenge anyone who says that they could not do this, I challenge anyone to get out there and investigate then put pen to paper. If time permits in the future I would like to have a group investigation and bring your talents if you have them and you are welcome if you do not. Let’s get people out there to find the truth. Find the investigator in you!

Thank you for joining us, Thomas!

To learn more about Thomas and his work, please visit the following websites: www.raystownrayexposed.com ; www.ufophotosanalyzed.com ; www.turnedthenovel.com ; www.awaflorida.com

Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com