Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from Nova Scotia, Canada, and I write dark fantasy and horror books. I’m a big fan of science fiction, fantasy, history, myths and legends, and action movies. I’ve written over a dozen books, a mix of novellas, story and poetry collections, and I’ve had a few short stories published in various anthologies.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a poetry collection, Horror Haiku and Other Poems, inspired by the Twitter hashtag event #HorrorHaikuesday. I collected all my dark poetic offerings to social media, threw in a few more poems and photos and published.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, unless you count pacing the halls when I need inspiration, or the occasional mumbling out loud about plot points.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury is my biggest influence. He is the author that inspired my great love of short stories; his work has a way of drawing you in on an emotional level that is perfection. I am also a huge fan of Neil Gaiman, and the Canadian author, Guy Gavriel Kay. Their lyrical style has been a big influence on me.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up the first draft on a fantasy novella, called Ghosts of the Sea Moon, about an unusual sea captain (who is also a god), his ship of undead spirits, and his dysfunctional family. The tag line for that book is, Ghosts, Gods, and Sea Monsters.
I also have two steampunk books in the works. One a steampunk adventure novel, called Racing the Hellfire Club, and another horror/fantasy steampunk book, with vampires, anarchists, witches and secrets. Plus, two more fantasy books wait patiently for my attention, one revolving around a prophecy, and the other based on Arthurian legend, but set in the modern era.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Of course, I use email newsletters and this wonderful site, but I also have a fondness for Twitter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged if things aren’t perfect. Snags, roadblocks, setbacks, plot points blowing up in your face, characters not behaving, it all happens. Take a breath, roll with the punches and figure things out. If something doesn’t work one way, try it another.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever received was from an English teacher. He told me to write a story like the reader was an alien who knew nothing about life on Earth. In other words, never assume the reader knows what you’re writing about and what you mean to say. Things have to make sense, don’t take shortcuts, and never leave plot holes.
What are you reading now?
I am current reading Lizzie Borden Zombie Hunter by C. A. Verstraete, The Northern Queen by Kelly Evans and Echo from Mount Royal by Dave Riese. With many, many others waiting on my to-read list.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my novella, and then back to work on my novels. And gearing up for my appearance in the Brain to Books Cyber Convention and Book Expo in April 2017.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Any Ellery Queen mystery novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay, and From the Dust Returned by Ray Bradbury.
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