J.J. White

Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a horror writer with a very warped imagination! I love everything about horror, be it books, film, art, comics and figurines too! I am the author of the novella The Possession Of Clearwater Falls, the short story The Fridge and the author of Season Of The Dead which is part of the Holiday Horror 2014 collection.

And you work for a magazine...?

I regularly contribute as an interviewer for Haunted Digital Magazine and Haunted After Dark. Haunted Digital magazine is more geared to those interested in the paranormal and for fans of Most Haunted. Karl Beattie and Fred Batt from Most Haunted are regular contributors to the magazine. You are guaranteed some great features on hauntings, investigations, demonology and crime and execution. An amazing mix of ghostly fun! Haunted After Dark is Haunted Digital's naughty sister and is my particular favourite. I can count myself lucky in being one of only 5 people given the opportunity to interview Sir Terry Pratchett. I've interviewed Dominic Brunt, MJ Dixon, James Plumb and author Ben Manning. I have many more interviews to be published very soon, but I'm sworn to secrecy. Check out Haunted After Dark as it's a totally free publication too! Issue 6 is out very soon and it's going to be awesome!

What attracted you to the horror genre?

I have always been interested in things that go bump in the night. It started from a young age when I would creep down the stairs in the middle of the night to watch my mum watching Hammer House Of Horror and scary movies such as The Entity and The Amityville Horror. Needless to say as I got older my interest developed into me writing short stories, which I kept to myself as I didn't really think my writing was that good. The horror genre is special to me there are so many different facets to it: ghosts, zombies, vampires, werewolves, psychological fear, cannibalism and torture. The list goes on! Not many genres can touch on it for it's variety alone. Plus there are more babes in horror films in my opinion. It's probably what attracted me first as a teenager full of young hormones!!!

Are any of the characters based on yourself or anyone you know?

That would be telling! No seriously, I've been told by friends that Jamie and Alex in The Possession Of Clearwater Falls are very like myself in their jokey manner and flirtation with others. I was asked by one of my friends to include her in one of my stories and I based the character of Tina in The Fridge loosely on her. She wasn't impressed by what happened to Tina in the story, but you can't win them all can you?

What was the inspiration behind your story in Holiday Horror?

I am a big fan of zombie movies and it was a territory I had not ventured into as a writer for a while. I also wanted to base the town that the story unfolds in on a holiday destination I visited regularly as a child and as an adult. It also gave me the opportunity to introduce a character who rides a motorbike, which in itself allowed my imagination free reign to come up with some totally wacky situations. I also loved the fact that having the zombie invasion take place in a seaside town meant that characters would be isolated from the rest of society and unable to have as much direct contact with help as they normally would. Give Season Of The Dead a read. It's great, honestly!

Who would you like to play as any of your main characters if your books were to be turned into films?

I would like to see Jamie or Alex from Clearwater Falls played by Michael McMillian and Nathan Head. Good looking guys like me ha ha! I'd like to see Betsy Sue played by welsh scream queen Sabrina Dickens. She's not only a stunner, but a great actress with a heart of gold too. All elements of my character Betsy Sue.

Do you prefer writing the heroes or the villains and why?

I would say I prefer writing for villains as the villains allow me free reign to release all my pent up aggression and anxiety. Whilst writing for heroes is pretty cool, which is evident when reading the escapades of my character Reverend Owen in Clearwater Falls, writing for characters such as Ashley MacGregor and Abaddon is exciting and allows me to unleash the fantasy and fear living in my depraved unhinged mind.

What made you want to become a writer and what advice/tips would you give to other writers?

I have always been interested in bringing joy, excitement and fear to others and writing has allowed me to do this to an extent. Writing allows me the opportunity to abandon reality and to create worlds where seemingly abnormal situations can exist. Writing is very therapeutic and I would recommend it to everybody. My advice would be never give up! If you're feeling like you have writers block take time out and do something other than writing. Sometimes just relaxing and having fun can release endorphins inside your brain which free up the imagination and produce amazing results. Don't be afraid to go against the grain. You will not only be coming up with original ideas, you will also gain a lot more interest in your work than if you follow the herd and write about the same things.

How do you think you would cope if you were put in the horrible situations you write about?

I would crap myself! Honestly, if you've read what I write about you definitely would not want to be in any of the situations I put my characters in. I have been told I have a very bleak outlook on life and this is reflected in my writing. I'm sorry but not all stories have happy endings and don't expect them from me either!

Can you let me know about anything your working on or future projects?

I am currently working on expanding my original novella The Possession Of Clearwater Falls into a full length novel, which whilst daunting, is also amazing and allows me to come up with even more wacky and freaky shit! I also have been asked to contribute a short film script to a horror short film collection being filmed in 2015. I also have forthcoming novels to work on about a serial killer called Cut And Slash and my first venture into young adult horror Night Fiends. Being a writer in the horror genre allows me the opportunity to write and research on everything spooky, supernatural, demonic and also historical and it has opened up an amazing world which has given me opportunities I could never have dreamed of previously. I love horror and will continue writing horror for many moons to come.

Find out more about J.J. at https://www.facebook.com/officialjjwhiteauthorpage

Tabitha Baumander

1.    Please tell me about your new book In The Name of Mother.

The concept in general came as I was increasingly becoming aware of “feminist” fiction which was supposed to illustrate how bad women had it using various kinds of science fiction and dystopian plots. They were the sorts of things that tended to be very off putting to younger women whose eyes tend to glaze over when you use the F word. The only thing I saw that wouldn’t do the same thing would be to take an extreme example of one sex dominating another in a culture but instead of women on the bottom make it men.

2. Where did the inspiration to write about a cult come from?

Culturally the one way behavior lasts from one century to the next is religion. In general it’s the go to reason for a lot of bad behavior from women getting stoned in Afghanistan, to Orthodox Jewish women not being able to marry again because their first husbands won’t give them divorces out of spite, to Catholic women being unable to access birth control.

3. What inspired you to start a writing career?

It’s the one thing I do very well.

4. Can you tell me about other writing projects you have worked on, such as script writing and any other books.

I have five other books and a novella available on Amazon.com with a lot more sitting on my computer hard disk waiting for their turn. I have a play that may be done this coming Christmas down in Texas. There are also a couple of scripts getting interest from small scale producers but no real progress on that score yet.

5. What have you got lined up for the future?

I’m working on a book right now that’s an adaptation of a screenplay I wrote last year. Other than that my focus is getting my books that are already done published and submitting scripts to everywhere and anywhere.

6. How would you describe your writing style in three words?

No clue. I’m self taught I don’t analyse well.

7. How has working with Inspired Industries treated you so far?

This dance just started kids. Ask me again two years from now.

8. Where can people find out more about you?

My amazon.com page is a good place

http://www.amazon.com/Tabitha-Baumander/e/B00F6GJCZ2

There’s also my facebook authors page

https://www.facebook.com/TabithaBaumanderCanadianWriter

Girl Z

1. Can you please tell me a bit about yourself and Girl Z?

I’m an award-winning journalist and author. GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie is my own take on a zombie outbreak on a smaller geographical scale. Becca and her cousin, Carm, find out about it firsthand when Carm’s brother, Spence, comes home to Wisconsin carrying a deadly secret—he’s becoming a zombie. After being infected by him through an accidental scratch, Becca wakes in a hospital and finds her life completely changed. She’s a part-zombie with a new diet (no, not “that”), all kinds of odd quirks, and a hope to find some kind of “cure” before it’s forever too late…

2. What inspires your work?

A twisted mind? ha! I like to put odd quirks in my stories so you never know what may come out!

3. Who would you want to play as your book’s main characters in the film?

Ooh! Becca says she’s no “Selena Gomez,” but I think that Naya Rivera from Glee could play her perfectly. Seychelle Gabriel (Weeds, The Last Airbender) looks like she’d have the perfect mischievous side to play Becca’s cousin, Carm (short for Carmella). (See 25 Brightest Latina Stars under 25 – http://www.latina.com/entertainment/celebrity/25-brightest-latino-stars-under-25#15)

4. How would you describe your writing style, for someone that has not read your work, in three words?

Quirky. Funny. Different.

5. What do you think makes your writing stand out from the crowd?

I try to take a different approach. While most zombie books involve a lot of fighting the zombies and are more male-oriented, I wanted to show it from the other side—that of a girl not only fighting zombies, but fighting herself, outside prejudices, and dealing with the fear of turning into what she fears most.

6. Who is your favourite author and what is your favourite book?

I have so many favorites! I enjoy reading historical novels, to mysteries and of course, zombie stories and horror. My favorite is probably the book I’m reading at the moment. An old favorite may be Jack Finney’s Time after Time. I try to reread it every now and then. I love the idea of going back in time.

7. How long do you think you would survive in the zombie apocalypse?

Honestly? If I could hole up somewhere I might be okay. (I thought Rick’s old friend in The Walking Dead had the perfect hideout in that second floor with all the booby traps out front to stop the zombies.) Outside, well, I’d need some strong-arm protection.

8. Do you have any future projects you’d like to discuss?

I have many projects going, some involving zombies yet, some in the mystery area, some in the thinking process. I hope to be done with a couple soon. I like to write short and flash fiction too and am coming up with more horror-oriented stories.

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-My-Life-Teenage-Zombie/dp/0979478898/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393239139&sr=8-1&keywords=girl+z

The Work of Kevin S Hall

Tell me about the books you are currently working on.

I am working on Thirteen – a collection of horror stories that I have been working on for a long time, but so far they are coming along nicely. I am also writing a novel called Raven’s Edge too, which is a ghost story set in Scotland. It is going to be a planned trilogy – I hope!

What is the inspiration behind your work.

For Thirteen it was my love of horror, especially books by Stephen King and James Herbert. I had lots of ideas for novels but the idea hit me to make them into short stories instead. It’s been a challenge but a fun one! For Raven’s Edge, it was inspired by real life ghost towns and the horrors that could have gone on there, as well as nods to Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

How do you think you’d cope with the horrible situations you write about.

Haha, I am not sure… Some of my characters get into really bad situations but there is always a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. I guess I would just run away!

What attracted you to the horror genre and how do you think your stories differ from others?

I guess it started with watching all the video nasties in the 1990s, such as Evil Dead, Texas Chainsaw and The Exorcist. My favourite film is Pet Sematary but I also love the Japanese horrors like Ringu and Ju-On: The Grudge. I hope people like my stories – I tried to make them dark funny and scary as well as a little gory, so hopefully they feel original too!

And then tell me about any future projects you are planning?

I plan to do a sequel to Raven’s Edge and a prequel, and I am working on a comedy fantasy called The Last Wizard and a horror comedy Death Wants To Die, so watch this space!

Find out more about this fabulous author at https://www.facebook.com/groups/269963769794806/?fref=ts

Introducing Martha Fleming

1. Hi Martha Fleming, can you please tell me a little about yourself?

Martha: I’m just a small town country girl, a mother, grandmother, I enjoy reading & of course writing. I also enjoy pool & bowling.

2. Can you tell my readers a bit about your upcoming books Guardian Angel & Danny and the Temple?

Martha: Guardian Angel is a true story that I wrote when I was 10 years old. Danny and The Temple is just one of my loves behind the stories of Jesus & the money changers.

3. What is the inspiration behind your work? Martha:

True life & love of the bible.

4. What makes your books stand out from the crowd?

Martha: I believe my writing to be inspirational, interesting & entertaining. I believe my books are good for any reader.

5. I have just done an interview with Inspired Industries, so it would be nice to get the perspective from one of their authors - how have you found their service so far?

Martha: I believe for their services to be wonderful. I’m happy with everything so far.

6. What have you got line up for the future?

Martha: Danny and The Temple will most likely have a sequel. I also have a story of my life I’m working on that will be coming in the future.

7. What advice would you give to new authors or what advice have you found most useful?

Martha: Don’t underestimate yourself, there are people out there that will give you encouragement so never give up on yourself.

8. Where can people find out more about you?

Martha: www.inspiredindustries.net & https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martha-Fleming/263559160472455

http://www.inspiredindustries.net/

Inspired Industries - Get YOUR Book Published!

1. Tell us about your new business venture Inspired Industries.

Inspired Industries is a publishing company for authors out there. We provide a complete edit, format, book covers, marketing & promotional ads.

2. What drew you to setting this business up alongside your writing?

I’ve seen a lot of talent that has gone unnoticed & I feel all they need is a little help getting out there.

3. What can authors expect from your services?

They can expect professionalism, fast working speeds, a build of their fans, more sales & more interaction with the public (book signings)

4. What sort of authors/books are you looking for?

We’re not setting on a specific genre, we accept all genres. Of course as most know I write psychological suspense/thriller, but most authors know I’ll help them no matter what the genre is.

5. What platforms will you be offering to authors?

Our company publishes your work to every platform to include: Kindle, Amazon, BooksAMillion, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Paperbacks & we’re also offering the sale of each author’s manuscript from our personal website. So there is no reason any potential reader can’t find a way to read your projects.

6. What makes Inspired Industries the best choice for authors?

Inspired Industries is run by myself & family. I have been an author for right at 20 years & have seen the ins & outs. We’re not trying to get rich or even make a living off of other authors; I have my own projects & a job for that. We simply want to help others get their work out there to help with their goals & dreams.

Check out http://www.inspiredindustries.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/inspiredindustriesbookpublishing for more details.

Wendy Won't Go - Amanda M Lyons

1. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and your writing style?

I’m a horror writer who lives in small town Ohio with my fiance and two kids ages 8 and 18 months. While I’m a horror writer I do tend to have other elements in there fantasy, fairy tales, urban legends, paranormal tales- all kinds of stuff. Most of what I write is story driven, usually the characters and the circumstances they’re living through are the central part of the story. It’s horror, but it’s also a story with some weight to it.

2. What inspires your writing?

Lots of things. Reading a great book, reading a bad one, having a moment where I ask myself what if?, dreams, news a piece of art, just a lot of stuff.

3. Do you base any of your characters/plot lines on yourself
or anyone you know?

Yes, but it’s never exactly based on that person or life experience, it’s always just a little to the side of being that direct about it. For instance Wendy Won’t Go a novelette I have out is a bit of a twist on the what if scenario of my son’s birth. We didn’t know until they had me open for the c-section that I had septate uterus and placenta acreta. If I had tried having him naturally there was a very real sense that I would have died like Wendy did. In a lot of ways many of my characters have slivers of me in them.

4. What advice would you give to a writer starting out?

Read, write and find readers to read your work. Do everything you can to develop your voice and your ability to hone your work.

5. Are there any of your books you'd like to plug or any
future projects you'd like to tell us about?

Wendy Won’t Go is currently out on the market and you can find it on Amazon it’s a ghost story about a family locked in grief that is so powerful it’s tearing them apart. There are other elements to it as well, it’s got little bits and pieces you can pull out and think about. It’s a long short story but it’s got a lot of impact.

I’m working with some of the author at JEA on a collaborative novel called Feral Hearts about a singles tour that runs afoul of some really nasty vamps and also a short story collection with my brother Robert Lyons II, it’ll be called Apocrypha and features some stories from both of us.

Keep up to date with Amanda M Lyons on her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-M-Lyons-Author/357528661024257?fref=ts

...and get Wendy Won't Go on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Wont-Go-Amanda-Lyons-ebook/dp/B00HCYBKYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391675033&sr=8-1&keywords=wendy+wont+go