Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a coffeeholic and a cat-lover. I live in a fun and beautiful ocean-side town in Maine that is an endless provider of inspiration. I’m the author of three books. My first two (“Vox” and “Aequitas”) are from my horror/mystery/thriller series “The Monstrum Chronicles” and the third is an indie travel comedy titled “Night Time, Dotted Line”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My upcoming novel, “Memento Mori”, due out in December, is the third book in my Monstrum Chronicles series. This was a book that I had started writing about six years ago. The entire plot revolves around a mysterious house on the outskirts of the city and a room in its basement with no doors. All of the characters are propelled, for various reasons, to get into the room and the book follows their efforts and interactions to do so. I was inspired by many different things while writing it, most notably music. I listen to anything and everything, particularly lots of instrumental ambient, in order to fully immerse myself in the story. Other notable influences have been H.P. Lovecraft, Silent Hill, Mark Danielewski’s “House of Leaves”, and Jeff Lindsay’s “Dexter” series.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When working on a scene, I’ll usually listen to the same song on repeat for a long time. While writing “Vox”, I listened to “Il Dolce Suono” for 11 hours straight one day (don’t judge me!). For one scene in “Memento Mori”, I listened to Gyorgy Ligeti’s “Requiem” for several hours at a time while writing it. It’s a very unsettling piece of music and it helped me really feel immersed in the scene and the terror that the character was feeling.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Crichton is probably my biggest influence and my favorite author. I’d also count Richard Matheson, Anne Rice, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Anthony Bourdain, Joss Whedon, and Arthur Conan Doyle into that mix.
What are you working on now?
I’ve got a couple of books in play right now, namely the sequel to “Night Time, Dotted Line” which will hopefully be done by next summer. I’m also working on an apocalyptic thriller novel called “Cold Walls”, which is about an ex-cop dealing with a miscarriage who has to survive a catastrophe with the help of her ex-partner’s ghost. And to top it all off, I’ll begin work on Book 4 of the Monstrum Chronicles as well.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve personally found that my blog is one of the best places to post things. Twitter and Facebook can be helpful in certain situations but where my blog doesn’t have specific targeting and doesn’t limit who can see specific posts, it reaches a broader audience and has more of a chance of being seen.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is cathartic. It’s something that is always there and something you can do no matter how turbulent things are in your life. Writing can be as much of an escape and a release as it can be work. It’s good to stay busy and have fun doing it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke.” -Joss Whedon
What are you reading now?
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
The Call of Cthulu and Other Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Monster of God by David Quammen
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m really working on broadening my events schedule. I’ve done a lot of readings and signings in my home state and I’d like to stretch that a little more. I have several out of state events this fall that I’m really looking forward to. I’m also keeping my mind open when it comes to new ways to market and write (in terms of style). I don’t ever want to stop learning from the successes of other writers.
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?
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Demon In My View by Amelia Atwater Rhodes
Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter by Josh Gates
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Author Websites and Profiles
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