Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up with a police officer father and an artist/bar-owning mother, which generated quite a few interesting stories. I’m originally from a small town out in the middle of nowhere, Louisiana, and I fled with my tail tucked in between my legs after Hurricane Katrina. I’ve lived in some cool places: the Bay Area, Austin, Los Angeles and Kutaisi, Republic of Georgia. I settled back in New Orleans, Louisiana and I live with my partner and our cat, Dexter. I’m a librarian and I’ve been actively writing since I was about three years old.
I’ve ghost-written several erotic novels and have hundreds of short stories published in men’s magazines and on the web. I have horror published in a zine called “The Horror Library” and an anthology titled “The Big Book of Bizarro” and I’ve written horror and sci-fi scripts for a public access show based out of Santa Cruz, California.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Five Little Deaths is a collection of erotica and horror. I’ve always been fascinated with how these two genres overlap and blend together, and I tend to be inspired by my dreams. I tend to have very vivid, colorful dreams where I’m transported to other bizarre places or live in someone else’s shoes.
A couple of the stories are strictly creepy erotica, a couple are just sexy horror. I’m highly influenced by my surroundings, so readers will see a lot of Southern elements juxtaposed with images of the West Coast.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write very sporadically. I know you’re supposed to have a writing schedule, but I don’t. I don’t like adhering to any sort of schedule, really; it’s hard for me to even keep my day job. So I write whenever the mood strikes me: on napkins, loose leaf papers, receipts…
I do take walks to find my muse. I find New Orleans to be an especially inspirational city: just the right blend of beauty, decay, and a sensual vibe you can’t really find anywhere else.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many. Clive Barker, Joe Lansdale, Nancy Collins, Stephen King, Marquis de Sade, Anais Nin…I’m sure I’m leaving someone out. All writers influence me and I even read the back of shampoo bottles. I like how Poppy Z. Brite’s work can transport you to a place and I really appreciate how when I read something by Norman Partridge, it’s like it’s really HIM reading to you. I’m also highly influenced by music and often write to Portishead, Dax Riggs, Tom Waits and Nick Cave.
What are you working on now?
The last story in “Five Little Deaths” is actually an excerpt from the book I’m working on now, called What Lies Within. It’s basically about a female serial killer. I’ve been working on it for ages and the plot has changed several times. I’m hoping to finish it up within this lifetime.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m terrible at marketing myself, but I do have a great group of supportive friends who spread things via word of mouth.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write as much as you can and don’t get into this business for the money. If you feel like you HAVE to write, you’re a writer.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was fortunate enough to get to know Norm Partridge personally, and he stressed the importance of the “Joe Job” and health insurance. Nothing wrong with logging in those hours for a steady paycheck until you get your career established.
What are you reading now?
I just finished “And I Don’t Want to Live This Life” by Deborah Spungen. It’s a essentially a biography about Nancy Spungen and how her relationship with Sid from the Sex Pistols formed and deteriorated. Fascinating reading.
I’m also reading “The Bottoms” by Joe Lansdale and “The Mystified Magistrate” by Marquis de Sade.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just to keep clickity-clacking away at my keyboard.
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?
Hmm. I think I’d bring “Nightwood” by Djuna Barnes and “American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis; I can spend hours analyzing those two. I’d probably also bring “Books of Blood” by Clive Barker because it’s fun re-reading those. Can I bring a set? I’d also bring “In Search of Lost Time” by Proust because it’d keep me busy.
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