Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
1282 Victoria Ave.MJ Gardner is a web developer by day, who lays in bed at night and wonders, what if….? Her stories have been published in Mad Scientist Journal, Luna Station Quarterly, Plan B and Saturday Night Reader. She published her first novel, Evelyn’s Journal in 2015 and the sequel, Joe Vampire, in 2017. She also writes a movie review blog called Movies Off the Beaten Path.
Gardner has a B.A. in English and Classics (Greek & Roman studies) from the University of Windsor, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Waterloo. She wrote her Master’s thesis on The Vampire in English Literature.
Gardner currently lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with her partner of 17 years and her cat Zoom. She is also the virtual curator of The Suicide Museum.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Joe Vampire, was born out of the previous book, Evelyn’s Journal. Evelyn is a vampire, and Joe is her boyfriend. At the end of Evelyn’s Journal, Joe has conquered his addictions, left foster care, and is finishing high school. He’s a laid-back, sweet kid. I wanted to follow his story and see how it turned out. It surprised me to find that Joe turns out to be an asshole.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often get inspiration from dreams, especially on weekend mornings, when I can sleep in and wake naturally and remember the dreams. The end result is usually very different from the dream because, in order to make a story out of it, you need to make it make sense. One of the stories that I wrote that is very close to the original dream is Rest Stop” http://lunastationquarterly.com/story/rest-stop/
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everything I read influences me, which is why I usually don’t read novels when I am deep into my writing; when I need a break from writing a binge-read.
What are you working on now?
I have the first two books in my Darkness and Light series published, and I should be working on the third, but I am being distracted by what will probably be the fourth book, which introduces a new character and involves only one appearance by two of the characters from the previous two books. I know George R.R. Martin got away with that, but I am not sure that I can.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far face-to-face sales have had the most success. In terms of getting reviews, Goodreads giveaways have worked best, but since you have to provide a hard copy and ship it to the winners, that’s $8-$10 each, and no guarantee the review will be good, or even materialize at all.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not go into this for the money. Yes, we have heard the stories of the exceptions, like Hugh Howey and 50 Shades of Grey, but those are notable because they are exceptions. If you are going to write, write because it is what you want to do. Write because you can’t not write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Let the past go. Oh, you mean about writing? Write for yourself, not for trends. If you enjoy what you are writing, other people will too. It might take a while to find them, but they are out there.
What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment because I am writing. My most recent reads were ten Days in a Madhouse (which I found somewhat disappointing) and The Devil in the White City (which I loved).
What’s next for you as a writer?
Like Pinky and the Brain, I am going to do the same thing I do every day: carry on with my writing.
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?
Wuthering Heights, the Devil in the White City, Publish and Perish, and How to Survive on a Desert Island.
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