Leigh M. Lane

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In addition to writing dark speculative fiction for over twenty-five years, I’ve sung lead and backup vocals for bands ranging from classic rock to the blues, dabbled in fine arts, worked in retail management, and accrued a moderate level of expertise in animal care and behavior. I hold a BA in English and graduated from UNLV Magna Cum Laude. I currently live in the dusty outskirts of Sin City with my husband, an editor and educator, and one very spoiled cat.

My published works include traditional Gothic horror novel Finding Poe; the World-Mart trilogy, a dystopian tribute to Orwell, Serling, and Vonnegut; and the dark allegorical tale, Myths of Gods.

I also write urban and mainstream horror as Lisa Lane.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, The Private Sector, is a traditional dystopian thriller that prequels World-Mart and Aftermath. The inspiration came to me during the 2012 presidential elections, in response to some pretty heavy rhetoric about privatization versus socialism. As a moderate, seeing both sides to the issue, I felt moved to explore the side that hit me the hardest. I took the rhetoric against public and social services to its extreme, privatizing primary and secondary schools, public works like road maintenance and public transportation, police and fire rescue services, etc. Imagine your house caught fire, for example, but you didn’t have firefighter insurance (or couldn’t afford the deductible)? The novel is a cautionary tale: Be careful what you wish for.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to outline with pen and paper but do my actual writing on the computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kurt Vonnegut is my biggest influence, followed by Edgar Allan Poe, H. G. Wells, George Orwell, Rod Serling, Richard Matheson, Virginia Woolf, Louise Erdritch, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and George R. R. Martin.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing a cyberpunk novel, still untitled.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring that one out….

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Once you’ve finished your first novel, you’ll be tempted to send it out to every agent and publisher you can find. Don’t. Write another novel, then another, and then go back to that first novel and revise it. You’ll find that your writing has improved quite a bit since you finished that first novel (and if you did actually send it out all over the place, you’ll be kicking yourself in embarrassment). In addition to your own revisions, hire an editor or solicit the help of beta readers (NOT family members) to help you smooth out the kinks. Trust me, they’ll be there. This is coming from someone who’s written over fifteen novels and too many short stories to count.

Just as important: Criticism is your friend. Don’t get defensive when an editor or your beta readers point out possible flaws. They won’t always be right, but they usually are. They can see your work from an outside perspective, without the emotional attachment. It is a rare person who can write a perfect book in one or two drafts. You want your book to be as good as it can be, right? Let others help you to improve the areas that might need some work; everyone, even the most talented of authors, will have room for improvement somewhere. Ask your readers to be brutal, brace yourself for the sting, and then revise the areas that need it. You won’t grow as an author if you can’t accept critique.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There’s a difference between talent and skill–go back to college and fill your toolbox.

What are you reading now?
Shifters by Jaime Johnesee.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m still trying to see what’s just over the horizon, but I’m excited to find out what’s there.

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?
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little Big Horse by Louise Erdritch
Cat Fear No Evil by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
The Shining by Stephen King

Author Websites and Profiles
Leigh M. Lane Website
Leigh M. Lane Amazon Profile

Leigh M. Lane’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
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