Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Monster, May I? A COVID-19 Halloween” is my first book.
Diana Hamann worked in the Special FX industry, making monsters & miniatures & assisting animators. She puppeteered the “Beetlejuice” snake’s tongue & the Stay-Puft man’s mouth on “Ghostbusters”. She went on to work as an Emmy-nominated Set Decorator on “And the Band Played On” & as a Production Designer/Set Decorator on numerous commercials & films.
Diana co-wrote, directed & produced “YogaKitty”, one of the internet’s early multi-million-hit videos & the first-ever viral cat video. (You’re welcome.)
Diana also worked in theater, winning L.A. Weekly’s Best Direction Award for the critically acclaimed “Specter” & co-authoring the story for “Non-Vital Organs” which won L.A.’s Ovation Award & the L.A. Drama Critics’ Circle Award.
Diana graduated Phi Beta Kappa/Cum Laude from Rhodes College, with a double major in Theater & Film. One credit shy of an English degree, she managed to finish this book without it! Diana’s now writing books & scripts for the “Monster, May I?” series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is “Monster, May I? A COVID-19 Halloween”. I’ve been working on this project for years & decided to tweak Izzy & Nick’s adventures to fit the unique challenges of Halloween during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. My long-term goal is to create an edition of this book that has pop-up gif animations. Kid readers click on a word & see an animated image or hear a sound (with this gross & gooey book, the sounds are *usually* farts – ah, kids!)
This book was inspired by my years of hanging out with Special FX monster makers. I hope this book provides a fun way for kids to learn that different social groups have different social rules. Overcoming prejudices about differences is easier to discuss when learning a Witch’s rules of good conduct or trying not to offend the ghost-cats.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write lying down with a plump, elderly cat nudging my hand, demanding scratches.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Since I’ve written a kid’s book, I’ll list a few of my childhood favorites first:
A Wrinkle in Time
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Eudora Welty & William Maxwell are personal favorites for writing style.
I’ll read anything by Michael Chabon or Carl Hiaasen.
What are you working on now?
Marketing this book right now. Moving onto more books in this series, telling the continuing story from their individual perspectives. Next up: brother Nick!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Dave Chesson’s website & YouTube videos.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! It takes SO much longer than you think it will. But it’s extremely rewarding to finally publish your book!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Before you go to sleep, think of three good things that happened this day.”
I truly believe this rewires your brain while you sleep so the *next* day you search out happy moments.
What are you reading now?
Overlong articles about politics!
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books in the “Monster, May I” series.
Working on scripts for a series about Special FX work in 1980’s L.A.
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?
1) “The Complete Short Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson”
2) “The Corfu Trilogy” by Gerald Durrell
3) “Eudora Welty, the Collected Stories”
4) “The Principles of Knitting” by June Hemmons Hiatt (so I can fashion something useful from the local palm fronds)
Author Websites and Profiles
Diana Hamann Website
Diana Hamann Amazon Profile
Diana Hamann Author Profile on Smashwords
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