Interview With Author Antony Stanton
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an indie author, about to release book #1 from my brand-new medieval vampire thriller series, Blood of the Dragon. This is the first book of what will eventually run to nine or ten books, the first four having already been written. I’ve previously published a post-apocalyptic zombie/vampire thriller trilogy (or ‘thrillogy’, if you will), book #1 of which, “Once Bitten Twice Die”, reached the dizzying heights of #3 rank for genre on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “Blood of the Damned”. The first horror book to really inspire me when I was only a green and snotty youth, was “The Devil Rides Out” by Dennis Wheatley, a true classic. I grew up reading the likes of Stephen King, and such books made an impression. These were my schoolteachers.
Other than that, I’ve read some amazing novels over the years, and I’ve read some poor ones, too. So, I guess, in general, I was inspired by a love of vampires and the macabre, a fascination with undead origins stories, a strong proclivity for page-turning epic series with endearing characters and great plots, as much as by a distaste for mediocre writing, an abhorrence of poor structure and grammar, a dislike of lazy and obvious story telling. I see it all too often, and more and more of late.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to set an early alarm at 02.55 each day, wake up and write in the witching hour whenever possible. My family had a black cat when I was a child. When she died, we had her preserved by a taxidermist, so I sit her on my lap and stroke her while I’m writing.
No, I’m kidding. The only unusual habit is probably that my day job (or more appropriately, my night job) is as a commercial long-haul pilot, so in truth, a lot of my writing is in hotel rooms during the dark hours at very antisocial times, when jet lag keeps me awake. And I like to think that sense of being the only person awake for miles around lends my writing an aching loneliness and sense of tenebrous abandon.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As aforementioned, firstly, Dennis Wheatley and then Stephen King. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with SK’s writing. I don’t always find the plots of his stories to be entirely satisfying, but the way he crafts a sentence is close to wizardry.
Otherwise, Anne Rice and her vampire Lestat books would be a favourite, for obvious reasons, given that I’m writing about vampires, and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. In fact, I like to think my latest book series is a mix of George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” meets “Dracula.”
What are you working on now?
“Blood of the Damned” is book one of a brand-new vampire thriller/dark fantasy series. It’s about a vampire society living in the shadows alongside humanity, meddling and using us as pawns or prey, but with their own myths and lore, plots and politics, their own scheming vendettas and vengeance. And lots of blood.
It starts in 1400’s Europe, during the time of the latter Crusades. It goes right back to ancient Egypt, and eventually forwards to the present day, spanning countries and continents. It’s a true, epic and sprawling series in the true meanings of the words. It has a unique vampire origin, and I truly hope it takes small steps along the path of redefining the vampire trope.
It’s an alternative history, forbidden love, brutal and bloody coming-of-age story packed full of theme and sub-plot, intrigue and a lot of suspense. And book one is due out for Halloween this year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook and Twitter (sorry, I just can’t call it X), but I’m most active on Instagram. For me, it’s the most engaging. But the best method of staying in contact with readers is through my newsletter.
I offer a free standalone novella linked to my series to everyone who subscribes. I send out newsletters roughly once a month, and I promise, they are absolutely not one long sales push. I see that so often from other authors, where every newsletter just promotes their books.
No, I like to offer something of interest to my subscribers. I talk about real horror stories from around the world. The heinous acts of the actual Vlad Dracula, ruler of Wallachia in the 1400’s, for example. Or the thousands of reported werewolves in medieval Europe. Or the way to kill a vampire with pumpkin seeds, according to the Romani gypsies of ancient Serbia. Or my own brush with death when I was kidnapped in Kazakhstan.
So, if anyone wants to subscribe, to get my free novella, “Speak of the Devil”, (currently 38 Goodreads reviews, 30 of which are 5-stars, the other 8 being 4-stars), and embark upon their own adventure, visit my website and join us.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Lots and lots. Too much to mention here. But I answer every single email, so by all means, head to my website and get in touch. I’m always happy to help my fellow scribblers and scribes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write the alphabet with my tongue. But that’s got absolutely nothing to do with writing.
What are you reading now?
Since becoming an author, my reading list has, err, changed, shall we say. I’m currently reading “The Story Grid” by Shawn Coyne, one of those ‘must-read’ books for authors, and so far, so good. Also, “The Promise of Plague Wolves” by Coy Hall, a medieval horror story, and it is brilliant. And on Audible I’m listening to “Heart-Shaped Box” by Joe Hill, another classic, and highly recommended.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m literally one week out from publishing “Blood of the Damned”. I’m editing book two in the series, working title, “The Name of Vampire”, and I have another seven or eight books to go in the series. That’ll take me a while.
I also have a media agent who’s in the process of trying to get the books accepted for a major new TV adaptation.
So, for me, for the foreseeable, it’s Blood of the Dragon all the way, baby!
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?
I’d take my manuscript of “The Name of Vampire”, because I need to work on it, and to be stranded on a desert island without distractions would be a darned blessing.
I’d also bring along “Heart-Shaped Box”, ‘cos it’s really good, and I need to know how it finishes.
My last book would be “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: can there possibly be a better book to read when one finds oneself inconveniently stuck on a desert island?
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