Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been living a double life for years.
By day I was a conservative, conventional U.S. Army officer and public high school educator.
At night I wrote short stories and worked on a very adult horror novel. Admittedly, I also produced lots of non-fiction feature article for publications, like Country Living, Military History, Career World, Canada’s History, and National Guard.
Now I’m retired so I can write all the time from our home in rural New England or our little summer cottage on the Maine coast where creepy ideas often arrive on foggy nights.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Prayers for Evil: A Novel
My concept for “Prayers for Evil: A Novel” began as a nightmare that I just couldn’t forget. The antagonist was so vivid, that I had to get him down on paper. Then I played with the possibilities. A short story idea became a novella, which finally grew into a novel, although I lost it twice on computer crashes (creepy, huh?) I hope readers have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’d like to tell you that I have a regular writing schedule, but I’m a binge writer. In fact, my first published short story was written in one sitting, from nine o’clock to four in the morning after we put our babies to bed. I fear I’m a very poor example for young writers.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I adore all things Stephen King. I also love Graham Greene because of the moral complexity of his characters. Eric Ambler and Alan Furst spy novels are great for the twists and turns of their plots.
What are you working on now?
I’m actually writing a memoir about my days in the Army. The stories range from the humor of old-time basic training to the tragedy of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang, of course!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, read, and write some more! Don’t let the evil critic in your head cause you to second guess your talents.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you face opponents and obstacles in life, the best response is to be better, be tougher, be stronger than them.
What are you reading now?
Cuba Libre by Elmore Leonard
What’s next for you as a writer?
A best seller, I hope!
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?
– Honorary Consul (Graham Greene)
– Apt Pupil (Stephen King)
– Ulysses (James Joyce – maybe I could actually finish it!)
– The Vampire Lestat (Anne Rice)
Author Websites and Profiles
P.G. Smith Website
P.G. Smith Amazon Profile
P.G. Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile