Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am MW Sims and I am an author, music composer and soon-to-be film producer. Thus far, the majority of my writing experience came from sales letters. It was only recently I began writing fiction and have, so far, written seven short-stories and have just recently put together an anthology containing some of those stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tales of Madness: The Anthology. I had always been a fan of the horror genre and had grown tired of the redundant formula it had been following as of late—clowns, zombies, Japanese ghosts, more zombies—and therefore decided to revisit some of the more classic origins of horror such as the unknown. Basically, I felt the horror market had been under-served.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, many bad ones, in fact! I’ll usually space out for a good fifteen minutes before I write. Once I begin writing, I will let loose for about an hour, only to go back and immediately erase and re-write everything. Only kidding (a little). In all seriousness, depending on the tone of the work, I actually start my process by composing a “theme song” for the title (i.g. I will create a long, deep and bassy drone loop with ominous notes buried underneath if I am trying to convey a story about dread.).
Usually, with films, the music is done afterward or during. For me, before I begin writing a story, I immediately let the music craft the scenes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a child I got started on R.L. Stine, but always felt it was too lighthearted (I like true really bizarre and depressing works, don’t ask me why) and I recall, in the 6th grade, coming across Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”. Something about it’s bizarre and macabre atmosphere really intrigued me. I would later move on to discovering H.P. Lovecraft. I am also heavily inspired by the film-director John Carpenter.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a novel titled Portraits of Pain. I’m classifying it as a horror, however, it holds many elements of thriller & mystery as well. Most of the details are being kept scarce for now, but it involves a complex character who has been struggling, internally, with several conflicts regarding his deceased wife and ill daughter. Needing money for his daughter’s treatment, he comes into contact with an art collector who commissions him to recover (steal) an extremely-rare and obscure painting. There are several mysteries surrounding the painting and its creator, and our main character (Eric) discovers the true-horror behind the painting first-hand.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I had initially begun my self-publishing journey, I was extremely delusional. I figured all which had to be done was throw the title up on Amazon and purchase a Lamborghini the next day (or which ever expensive wealth-representative you prefer). Luckily, I learned—the hard way—and really began to explore marketing. I came across AwesomeGang and felt it to be a really valuable platform for not only authors, but readers. Because, lets face it, we’re not writing for ourselves here—it’s all about the readers!
Aside from AwesomeGang, I have found some decent success with my own platform which doubles as my outlet for music. Twitter was good, once upon a time, but has since been overrun by robots! Facebook is also great if you have deep-pockets for advertising (and a great story, of course)
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Fail fast, learn, re-structure! That is the only way you will truly advance. I am an entrepreneur and have many ventures outside of writing, the one thing I learned is no matter how many motivational books you read, no matter how much you learn “the craft” of something, nothing beats jumping in and doing it first-hand. NOTHING.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Deliver value, no matter how much (if at all) you’re being paid. Give people the best experiences and, in turn, they will give you the best experience. The rules of reciprocity.
What are you reading now?
Believe it or not, I don’t read a ton of fiction. At the moment, I’m getting through American Psycho. Most of my reading comes from non-fiction titles like “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins. I’ve also grown to love “Death By Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries” by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Books revolving around science and astronomy really help me put life in perspective as I wonder about the many mysteries of the universe which are far beyond the scale of our normal lives.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am currently working on my new novel, Portraits of Pain, and will begin a new mystery series shortly after. Some of my works from Tales of Madness are being put together for a screen play which I look to begin filming by the Summer of 2016 in Monterey, California and other surrounding areas.
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?
Well, the first (and most obvious) for me would be “Don’t Panic” by Reid Wilson, Ph. D. I feel it would be quite fitting for the situation. The second, of course, would be one of the many Lovecraft anthologies I have. The other two would likely be how-to’s regarding certain skills. After all, all of my business books would do little good if I was to be stranded on an island.
Author Websites and Profiles
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