Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve had numerous short stories published in magazines, webzines, and anthologies. I received my MFA from Seton Hill University’s program in Writing Popular Fiction, with a concentration in horror fiction. In 2013, I won first place in Crystal Lake Publishing’s inaugural Tales from the Lake horror writing competition. I have published a dieselpunk novelette, Beautiful Things, with Fox & Raven Publishing and a psychological horror/ghost story novella, Conduits, with DarkFuse. My first novel was released by Omnium Gatherum in May 2015.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Those of My Kind, and it was initially the thesis project for my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction. It was inspired by a character from a failed earlier novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I still like to write my first drafts with pen and paper. I know a lot of people consider that unusual!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Early Clive Barker, Tanith Lee, Stephen King, Meredith Ann Pierce, Shirley Jackson… I’m a big fan of dark fantasy and horror.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up a contemporary erotic romance and a couple of steampunk short stories. Then I’ll be moving on to a new dark fantasy novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Conventions. Word-of-mouth is your best friend. I just attended the World Horror Convention and brought along postcards for my new book, but actually talking about it with other convention-goers was probably the best promotion I could have done.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Learn the craft before you worry about publishing. Too many people are publishing work that either isn’t ready or, quite frankly, should never be published at all.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Probably not to listen to most advice! There’s a lot of conflicting/bad advice out there. You have to do what works for you. That said, you really do need to learn *how* to write, and it’s not as easy as simply typing into a Word document (or whatever your preferred method is).
What are you reading now?
My husband and I are in the process of buying a house/moving, so nothing at the moment–my books are all packed! But I came home with a pile of books from WHC, so next will probably be Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to do a graphic novel as well as a video game script.
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?
That’s a tough one. The Road by Cormac McCarthy, The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce, Salem’s Lot by Stephen King… There are so many more, and subject to change as I read new books!
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