Monster Attack Author Interviews: M.J. Hamblin

Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself and your work?

I’m a freelance writer and video producer… I guess. I just left an utterly unfulfilling job making sandwiches in order to make use of an above average affinity for written English and a piece of paper alleging I have a degree in Film and Television Production.

I’m trying a lot of different stuff, writing and video wise, I can’t quite judge if any of it is working yet.

Can you please describe your story in Monster Attack?

Jacob is running drugs for the mob with a bleeding stump of a pinky finger and a head full of Clint Eastwood quotes. In a bid to hide from the law he takes an abandoned back road through an untouched forest. A fateful encounter with a buck elk leaves him stranded in the woods with his drug addled wits and a .357 magnum. Limping through the night he feels the forest closing in around him. Is it the drugs, the paranoia or the forest itself that’s making his blood run cold?

It’s a psychological tale with creepy imagery and a questionably reliable narrator.

How do you think you think you would fare against the monster featured in your story?

To be honest, not well. The thing about Horn Face and its siblings is that you’d normally have no good reason to expect to defend yourself against him. Even when you step deep into the forest and you’re all alone and feeling the woods closing in you are terrified but you’re not steeling yourself against a 9ft tall eldritch abomination. You’ll tell yourself you’re paranoid, that its all a trick of the light. You should trust your instinct to flee. Despite having dreamt them up my shock at these disgusting creatures hunting me down in the night would give them the brief chance they needed. I’d spend the rest of eternity rotting in some dank, wild forest.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on some factual articles for Cracked.com and continuing to add to my YouTube channel after finishing a month of daily 60 Second horror reviews. By the New Year I’m debuting a new show Whats the Worst you Got? where I hunt down the worst films the internet has to offer and its more positive counterpart Why Aren’t you Watching..?

At some point I’ll also be finishing my NaNoWriMo, which is nowhere near 50,000 words, A Very English Zombie Invasion. Six months after the dead have wiped out most of England a quaint little village wages a cold war against their zombie neighbours across the river. It’s a powder keg; neither side can survive while the other “lives”.

Where can people find out more about you?

I pimp YouTube videos, writing opportunities and video production tips and sundry ramblings of my own at https://twitter.com/MJGHamblin

I review the good and bad of cult film, try to launch the odd meme and operate the 2nd most popular The Walking Dead themed choose your own adventure game (of the two that exist),The Sensible Dead, at https://www.youtube.com/user/HiringHamblin

 

Compile Quest

In the year 2036, solar storms batter Earth crippling electrical infrastructures across the globe. Night falls and the ensuing pandemonium claims millions of lives, catapulting the world into chaos.

In the midst of this global turmoil a hero emerges. The altruistic SUN Council intercedes, constructing enormous domes on each continent to protect the world’s population from the radioactive CME’s of the incessant solar storms.

But not everyone makes it to the domes. In an attempt to survive the deadly radiation, hundreds of thousands of people dig into the earth, living in squalor under an oppressive military dictatorship.

Now centuries later, the final stage of the SUN Council’s plan to decimate the world’s population approaches. But as victory glimmers on the horizon, two women from discordant halves of this new world start to unravel the conspiracy.

Ronel is a brand-spanking new indie author. She loves creating fantastical worlds set in the future, the mythical, and the horrific. Translate: She writes science-fiction, fantasy and horror novels.

Her life story is not particularly fascinating, but her love of technology, PC games and writing is. Beside writing, she spends her time slaying rendered baddies in the form of robots, gangsters and aliens - with any weapon that happens to be at hand.

Ronel has published her first science-fiction book, Compile:Quest. She's currently hard at work creating the second book in the Corrupted SUN Script trilogy. When she's not writing, she's gaming, and when she's not gaming she's either sleeping or eating, as these are prerequisites for a continued life on planet Earth.

truth = (trust/ignorance) * propoganda

Website Link: 
http://ronelvantonder.co.za

Social Media Links:
http://www.twitter.com/RonelVanTonder
http://www.facebook.com/Ronel.Van.Tonder.Author
http://za.linkedin.com/in/ronelvantonder/
http://www.wattpad.com/user/ronelvantonderza
https://www.google.com/+RonelvantonderCoZa
http://www.pinterest.com/ronel1014/
https://www.goodreads.com/ronelvantonder

*The author is running a Rafflecopter giveaway filled with some amazing prizes*

Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon finally delivers what her fans have been craving with Dark Bites: A complete collection of novellas from the world of the Dark-Hunters.Sherrilyn Kenyon takes readers from the Dark-Hunters to the demigods, from Dream-Hunters to demons, and everything in between. Dangerous and exciting, each story is one thrill ride after the next, proving time and again how Sherrilyn has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Now, her fans are invited to go deep into Kenyon’s rich and imaginative world—including stories previously exclusive to her website, and one that was never published before this collection—and experience the heart-racing moments that never stop coming!

Amazon US - Amazon UK

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than thirty million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.

Her books appear regularly at the coveted #1 bestselling spot. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Chronicles of Nick and Beladors. Since 2004, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga.

Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel and her Dark-Hunter novels are now a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins, and her Chronicles of Nick series is adapted by Yen Press. Her Dark-Hunters and Chronicles of Nick series are both soon to be major motion picture releases.

Website - Facebook - Twitter

Review: I've only read a few books by Sherrilyn Kenyon before this one, so I was dubious of whether I'd be able to follow the plot lines or not but rather than confusing me, Dark Bites simply made me want to read all of the books that the shorts were linked to. I think these stories were designed to give a more in depth look into some of the favourite characters from Kenyon's novel length books and it made me keen to learn more! I have already purchased a whole bunch which I'm looking forward to reading :) 

Monster Attack Author Interview: Sharon L. Higa

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself and your work?

I was born in Anaheim, CA but traveled throughout the world with my family. I became fascinated with horror stories at 6 years old and began making up my own stories from the age of nine on. I love horror, but I also write fantasy/action, supernatural thrillers and mystery/dramas.

I was blessed with finding two publishing companies: J Ellington, Ashton Press and Sirens Call Publications who were willing to give my novels and short stories a shot, and the rest is continuing history! *chuckling out loud*

2. Can you please describe your story in Monster Attack? 

My story in Monster Attack, ‘Natures’ Turn’ is about the rest of Earth’s denizens turning on Mankind.  I came up with this story while watching a documentary about the upcoming extinction of elephants and the thought blazed through my mind, “wonder how humans would feel if the tables were turned?”. Thus, the idea for the story was born.

 3. How do you think you would fare against the monster in your story?

I may live a bit longer than most of my fellow humans, but inevitably…..Nature would win out……(I know, I know….bleak ending, but hey, what can I say?) *Wink*

 4. What are you currently working on?

I have just completed an anthology of my own short stories called ‘Horrors & Occupational Hazards’ *see book cover above* which has been released and can be purchased through Amazon.com under my name: Sharon L. Higa and….I have just finished and am in the process of proofing a novel called ‘One Night in the Eternity Of…..’ it is about an Asian Vampire with Narcolepsy. Kind of a dark comedy/action.

 5. Where can people find out more about you?

I have a website: leapingunicornliterary.com as well as any of my books can be found under my name at Amazon, Createspace, Books-a-million online, and Barnes & Noble online.  My website gives a little more info about myself, my fellow authors and the publishing companies I am involved with.

 

Monster Attack Author Interviews: Shakeem Winn

My name is Shakeem  Winn. I was born in 1974 to a single mother in Brooklyn NY. I'm an avid lover of everything horror, science fiction and fantasy. The Star Wars movies sparked my interest in writing and creating stories. In the late eighties and early nineties, I attended the high school of Art & Design. My majors were cartooning and video media. Unfortunately, I didn't graduate due to poor academics. I dropped out in my senior year and, received my equivalency diploma through a trade school called the Job Corps program. I attended Borough Manhattan Community College and majored in writing. I write and illustrate two comics for the web such as Dunkin Skids and Kasnian Star and the Legacy of Kouros. I also write story blogs such as The Killing Tales of the Chameleon, One Clear Voice and I'am Hamzah, the Lion of Al'musta'aan. You can find all of these stories on my website at www.shakwinn.wordpress.com.

The story Dana in the Monster attack Anthology was originally written and performed as a play for the Tribeca Writer and Performance Playhouse. It's a program created by Mario Giacolone. The program is great. It encourages it's participants to write little one act plays and perform them. I love horror and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to create a story that would surprise and scare the shit out of the audience. However, I didn't want to copy or do something redundant. So, I researched folktales, fairytales and the stories of old to find an antagonist that most of us had forgotten about. I found one in this ten-year old book I had called the "Encyclopedia of Things that Never Were." Within it's pages was a short creature that resembled a man. He was a tiny thing but, he was built like a fire plug with crimson eyes and eagle talons for hands. Even more interesting was the fact that, he wore a cap covered in dry blood. I thought to myself. "Wow. What the Hell is this?" Well. It was called a "Red Cap." It was a creature that was related to the goblin family. Red caps haunted old castles in Ireland and Scotland and, they would dip their caps in the blood of the slain in order to survive. However, I gave the legend a twist. In my story. The Red Cap had a daughter named Dana who used her beauty to lure unsuspecting victims into his lair. I also put the tale in an urban setting to make it more original. Oh. I would fare poorly against a Red Cap. They maybe short but, they have superhuman strength and speed. You couldn't out run a Red Cap. At the moment. I'm working on an animated series based off of the Dunkin Skids web comic as well as the other things I told you about.

You can find me at www.shakeem@facebook.com,thielden@twitter.com, www.shakwinn@gmail.com, www.shakwinn.wordpress.com,www.kasnianstar.wordpress.com.   

 

Monster Attack Author Interview: Stefan Vucak

1. Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself and your work?

As a kid, I liked doing things all other kids liked doing – until I discovered books. After that, I was gone, lost in the universes those books opened for me and dreaming of writing my own novel. I had a great time at school, even though English and its convoluted grammar rules did give me some trouble, but those rules gave me a grounding how to write. My first effort was pretty awful and I am glad it will never see the light of day. That thing went through two rewrites, but it still isn’t something I want to share. Call it my training wheels.

 My first successful book, although not perfect, a science fiction work, was presentable and I tried for a long time to break into the traditional publishing market while holding down a demanding job in the IT industry, which kept me very busy. But writing has always been a passion and a drive, and I kept at it in my spare time. When e-book publishing took off, I had a chance to get my books to readers. These days, I am no longer in the IT industry and I spend my time writing, reviewing and being a hardnosed editor. It hasn’t been a bad journey, enabling me to produce eight sci-fi books and five political drama/thriller novels. As long as that fire of creation burns within me, I will keep writing.

2. Can you please describe your story in Monster Attack?

Hanging around in a bar, Frank meets Dan, a fellow traveler looking for action. A seductive woman approaches them and Frank gets a tingling of warning. Before he can act, she and Dan wander off. Frank forgets the incident, until a few days later, Dan shows up at the bar – an old man, and Frank knows what had happened. Like him, in the act of love, that woman takes some of the life force from ordinary mortals, but she took too much. Frank decides to pay her back in her own coin by taking her life force!

3. How do you think you think you would fare against the monster featured in your story?

Well, all women take something from a man – and vice versa. As with all thing, there must be a balance in any relationship or one person ends up drained. I know how that feels.

4. What are you currently working on?

I have just finished a political drama/thriller novel ‘Proportional Response’. The Chinese populist faction, the Tuanpai, plan to trigger a global disaster that will devastate America. In the aftermath, the FBI identifies China as the culprit, but don’t know if this was a rogue operation or a government plot. Fearful of American retaliation, China invites U.S. investigators to find that proof. Under a cloud of mutual suspicion, America readies itself for a military confrontation. The effort has left me somewhat drained and I am taking some time off to recharge. I have a few ideas for my next novel and I need to decide which one I want to nourish.

5. Where can people find out more about you?

Website: www.stefanvucak.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StefanVucak

Linkedin: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/stefan-vucak/60/723/655/

 

Monster Attack Author Interviews: Vered Ehsani

1. ​ Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself and your work?

​I'm culturally confused: born in South Africa, raised in Canada and (for the past 14 years) living in Kenya . Writing helps ease the confusion. While I'm an engineer and environmental consultant by profession, I'm a storyteller by passion. Most of my books include diverse cultures and a paranormal aspect. The diverse culture part I understand, but I'm not sure what a fixation on the supernatural says about me; my two kids sometimes worry about that. ​

 

​2. ​Can you please describe your story in Monster Attack?

​The Shongololo is extracted from the first book in The Society series, "Ghosts of Tsavo" (release date: early 2015). While out on a lion hunt, paranormal investigator Miss Bee wakes up to find a supernaturally enhanced shongololo (giant millipede) hovering above her face. She's not too impressed with the sight, and when her dead husband floats through the tent wall, that only aggravates her further. ​

 

​3. ​How do you think you think you would fare against the monster featured in your story?

​Fairly well, as I know the trick to dealing with such beasts: a handful of cinnamon. That spice also works wonders against ants, by the way.

​

​4. What are you currently working on?

​The fourth book in The Society series: 

A​rmed with Victorian etiquette, a fully loaded walking stick and a dead husband, Beatrice Knight arrives in colonial Kenya desperate for a pot of tea and a pinch of cinnamon.But she’ll need more than that if she’s to ​survive all the paranormal and supernatural creatures that await her. What is a ghost-chasing widow to do?

​

Think “Pride & Prejudice” meets “The Parasol Protectorate” in an “Out of Africa” setting 

​5. Where can people find out more about you?

​You can visit me and ​my​ world at http://veredehsani.co.za​;​ ​while you're there, pick up a free book ​about African paranormals and supernatural creatures.​ You never know when that information might come in handy.