Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I have one published novella and my short stories are featured in three anthologies with many more awaiting publication. One of my short stories is also featured on the Dark Chapter Press website.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Tale of Sawney Bean and it was inspired by The Legend of Sawney Bean which is a Scottish legend about a cannibal family/clan living on the coast of Girvin in the 1600s. I’ve always loved the legend and Wes Craven said it inspired the original Hills Have Eyes and Jack Ketchum said it inspired Offseason so it keeps popping up. I wanted to put my own spin on the tale and tell Sawney’s side of the story for the first time.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I use a laptop that has no battery and no wifi connection so I have to sit on the floor in the corner of my living room to write. Other than that nothing I can think of.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Richard Laymon was the first author I read outside of Point Horror kids books. I tried a few others and didn’t enjoy them so read his entire catalogue. After that the internet was picking up a little and I found a message board on his website where I was recommended Brian Keene, Ray Garton, Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. They became my go to authors as Laymon passed away and I had read all his books. As I worked my way through their catalogues I found a few other authors I still love to this day. To name a few they are J.F.Gonzalez, Bryan Smith, Jeff Strand, Iain Rob Wright, John R Little, Carlton Mellick and Wrath James White. There are many more now but I’ve read almost everything these guys have written. I feel everything I have enjoyed throughout my life as a reader has inspired me to final write myself.
What are you working on now?
A short story collection and a few submissions to upcoming anthologies I’d like to feature in. I have an idea for another novella than I need to work out a few other details for and all going well will get a first draft done over the Christmas holidays.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mainly use Facebook, Blogger and Google+
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. I’ve put it off for about 19 years and when I gave it a go by sending stories away to anthologies looking for submissions they started to get accepted. It’s that simple. You will get knock backs. Everyone does. You will also need to be patient because there is often long waits for feedback but when you write something and send it off don’t wait about. Write something else and send that off too. Just keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life’s too short!
What are you reading now?
Bryan Smith’s Christmas Eve on Haunted Hill
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just gonna keep on writing lol. I have a full time job so do this for the love rather than the money. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be professional. I want my books to be a pleasure for the reader but I have no worries about deadlines or no feeling of pressure. I just write stories I would like to read and that seems to be working so far.
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?
Swan Song by Robert McCammon
Body Rides by Richard Laymon
Blood Crazy by Simon Clark
Depraved Bryan Smith
It would need to be a dire emergency for me to only have four books lol
Author Websites and Profiles
Kevin J Kennedy Website
Kevin J Kennedy Amazon Profile
Kevin J Kennedy Author Profile on Smashwords
Kevin J Kennedy’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile