Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
About me, huh?
Well, I am a first and foremost a mother to a tiny terror of a toddler. Although my dream would be to write full time, I currently work full time for a travel agency (travel being another one of my passions)
I live in Vancouver, Canada and was born and raised here. I have been an avid reader since I was a kid (and when I say avid, I mean it. For example, in 2018 I read around 240 novels) In the start of 2019, I decided to finally pursue my dream of being a published author.
Written versus published books? Very different questions!
I have my debut series beginning its rapid release in August and September of 2019. Several anthologies have accepted my work for fall 2019 and I have several other works written and just waiting to be edited, or in various stages of completion. The story idea’s are always flowing, and I can’t wait to share more of them!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dead Aware: A Zombie Journey
This was based on an idea I had in high school, which was basically that I wanted a story from a zombie’s point of view about how these two zombies had to cross the country to find each other again.
That idea grew, but the novel is still based on the same principle. I really wanted to speak more to the ‘prejduice’ against poor, misunderstood zombies. I am really happy with how it turned out, and have a whole series of Dead Aware novels planned out.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find some of my best words flow when I am transiting on a bus to get to work. It is about a 40 minute ride, and on a good day, I can get 500-1000 words typing on my phone!
I also find my best ideas come between 11pm and 3am. Inconvenient, yes. However, it has led to me having a small messy notebook of some cool ideas and late-night thoughts.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I said, I am an avid reader so this is a BIG list.
A few that I would say are noteworthy would be Brian Keene (I adore his style. Easy to read, fast-paced and brutal with some super unique ideas) Mark Tufo (One of the modern Gods of the zombie world.) Tillie Cole (Who writes dark and dirty romance. I suck at writing sex, but if I could I would wish I could be her.) and Richard Laymon (His brutal, no-nonsense novels are also fast-paced and incredible)
What are you working on now?
A few different things but one of my personal favorites is a story about what I might call a female Ed Gein. Think psycho artist lady who uses torture to create art. She kidnaps a child at a young age and keeps him in a cage while she works. The story takes place when the child is now in his late teens and is forced to watch this woman’s continued and escalating madness.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As I am still a new author a lot of my readers are coming from word of mouth and social media. I interact within the horror community, meet other authors and generally just try to be a ‘good’ citizen in the horror and indie writing world.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up.
Build your support network. (Other authors, beta readers, friends, etc)
You can’t edit a blank page, so even if it sucks just keep writing.
You can do this.
It’s a long journey uphill, but the satisfaction is unlike anything else. Just keep going.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you don’t try, you’ll never do.
Put yourself out there, follow your passions and it will all fall into place.
What are you reading now?
I am reading an ARC called the Mating Season by Yael Maree. Dystopian novel that, so far, is quite interesting.
Also have a few others on the go, including Genital Grinder by Ryan Harding and The Troop by Nick Cutter.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of this! Keep writing, sharing words. Next year I hope to attend a few conferences including Scares That Care and some others.
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?
This is a very evil question, first of all.
I think I would mix up my genre’s and bring a selection.
Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel (historical fiction)
The Stand by Stephen King (end of world horror, also that word count is epic!)
Sick Fux by Tillie Cole (insane revenge story, sort of romance-horror cross)
Ghoul by Brian Keene (horror, coming of age story)
Did I already mention this question sucks?
Author Websites and Profiles
Eleanor Merry Amazon Profile
Eleanor Merry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile