Interview with Ken Preston

Today I welcome author Ken Preston to the blog for a quick chat. He's a nice chap and a fine writer, and it's great to have him visit my humble blog.

How would you describe your writing style?


Flamboyant? Classical? Vivacious? No, none of these.
I always try and write a book that I would enjoy reading. Every now and then I might pick up a Man Booker winning novel that I know is going to be hard work, but mostly I read to be entertained, and entertainment is what I strive for in my writing.
So, my books are fast paced, action packed, and funny too. The humour mainly comes out in the dialogue, and my characters like to talk a lot.

Which of your books/stories would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?


I write in a broad range of genres, but for all the horror fans out there, Joe Coffin Season One is the obvious jumping in point. The Joe Coffin series is a British gangster, Birmingham set, supernatural horror series, written in episodes and seasons TV style. It’s violent, bloody, funny, profane, explicit and thunders along like an out of control express train. But make sure you start with Season One, because this is not the kind of book series you can jump into in the middle.
Season One, Episode One is currently free on Amazon UK/US for anyone who would like to try it out risk free!

Do you have a favourite character from any of your stories?


I love them all, like the children of mine that they are, even with their defects and failings. I love Joe Coffin, which is fortunate as I think I will be chronicling his (mis)adventures for some time to come. I also love Stump and Corpse from the Coffin series, too.
But I think I have to give Tom Mills, also from Joe Coffin, a special mention. Readers react so strongly to him, saying things like ‘I hated Tom’ and ‘I absolutely loathed Tom’. And I find that so interesting, because yes, he’s a reprehensible character, but I still had a little sympathy for him.


What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?


American crime writer Lawrence Block, when asked ‘How do you write a novel?’ replied:
‘One word at a time.’
Best advice ever.


Who are your literary heroes/heroines?


Lawrence Block, who has amassed a huge body of amazing work over the years. Stephen King (of course), Robert Louis Stevenson, HG Wells and JRR Tolkien for introducing me to the wonders of reading as a child, James Herbert and Guy N Smith for almost putting me off reading for life because their books were so terrifying to me as a child, and Harper Lee for writing To Kill a Mockingbird, and Ken Kesey for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, two of my all-time favourite books.


What book do you wish you’d written?


The one that’s going to sell gazillions of copies and be optioned by Hollywood.


What book are you currently reading?


The Tenth Man by Graham Greene.
I’ve just finished reading Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz, which is a YA book. That was very good.
My bookshelves are currently groaning beneath the weight of all the books I haven’t read yet. I try to promise myself every now and then not to buy another book until I have made some headway into my TBR pile, but it never happens. I just can’t resist buying books. My Kindle is similarly overloaded with books to be read. In fact, Rich, one of yours is queued up on there!


What do you like to do when you’re not writing?


Is there such a thing as not writing? I’m father to two school age boys, so my typical day starts at 6:00 am when I write for an hour or so, then I get the kids up and breakfasted and off to school. After that it’s back to the writing cave.
I do love to go trail running, but find it difficult to fit in the runs, especially the longer ones. I also love watching movies and TV. Currently loving Hand of God with Ron Perlman, and Gotham.
Oh, and of course I love reading, too.
I am in a constant quest to organize my day better, so that I can spend some of it doing stuff other than writing. But it’s difficult.


What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in the business?


Write.
And then write some more.
I know that sounds trite and overly simple, but seriously, content is king. Faced with a choice between promoting existing work or creating new work, I would say nine times out of ten you’re better off going creating new work.



What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?


I love it! And not just horror, either. We’re living in a Golden Age of books, with the digital revolution completely democratizing the publishing process. Whilst there will always be crap books being written and published now that the publishing gates have been thrown wide open, I think that the indie writing sector is maturing. Three years ago I was ready to never publish again, I despaired at the lack of quality content out there.
But now I see more and more well written, professionally published novels coming out of the independent sector, and that’s great.
And I think it’s the indies who are doing the best work in the horror genre right now.



What are you working on at the moment?


Joe Coffin Season Three is about to take over my life for the next few months, but I have also been working on a new series. This one’s for Young Adults (but with adult cross-over appeal I hope). The first book in the Planet of the Dinosaurs series will be out at the end of November.


If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?


Duncan Ralston and I have talked vaguely about co-authoring something, but that’s a long way off yet. Duncan is great, and writes in a similar style to mine. If you haven’t checked out Gristle and Bone, go do it now!


Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?


I’ve always got work on the go, and ideas bubbling away.
Planet of the Dinosaurs is next up, with two more books in that series to follow quite quickly. Then there’s Joe Coffin Season Three, of course.
My zombie/cowboy mashup Population:DEAD! has been crying out to be turned into a series of novels for a long time now, so hopefully I will get around to that one day soon.
And then there are the romance novels that I write for British publisher DC Thompson.
But you don’t want to know about those, do you?


Thank you for having me on your blog, Rich, I enjoyed it.

The Last Soldier and Awards

The third and final novel in the Plague series is almost done. Well, when I say 'almost done' I mean it'll need at least two more drafts before I can send it off to the publisher. I just hope it's not a complete flop, which is always in the back of my mind when I'm nearing the end of a project. We'll see how it goes.

In other news, the past weekend at FantasyCon in Nottingham was superb and I got to meet loads of new, talented people as well as see some good friends and some literary heroes of mine. I even got to meet Joe Hill and sit on a panel with him. He's a nice guy with a great sense of humour. Unfortunately The Last Plague didn't win the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel, but it went to a worthy winner, Adam Nevill, for his novel 'No One Gets Out Alive', which is an excellent book and one I'd recommend along with his other work. Plus Adam's a friendly, humble bloke in a business which has its share of egotists and Prima Donnas, so he's really deserving of the award and sets a good example to other writers. Anyway I was just honoured to be nominated in the same category as writers like Adam, Gary McMahon, Alison Littlewood and MR Carey.

So, in summary, I really enjoyed the weekend and it's given me a kick up the arse with the writing.

I won't do a full report of the convention, because I'm lazy and today's my birthday. Now, I shall return to my unlit man-cave to continue editing TLS!

Cheers!

Interview with writer Chad Clark

I invited writer Chad Clark over for an interview. He very generously agreed. I've known Chad for a little while now, and he's a cool guy and talented author who works very hard. It was a pleasure to have him visit the blog.

How would you describe your writing style?

In terms of genre, my passions are still for horror and science fiction. I enjoy a more casual tone to the narrative and I try to keep a fairly close proximity between the reader and the point of view of the characters. The subject matter of my stories often tend heavily towards the darker side of fiction but I also try and make a conscious effort to hold back on a lot of actual descriptions. I like to take the reader to the brink of the more disturbing parts and then let their imagination fill in the gaps that I leave behind. I also tend to be very focused on dialogue, to a fault where it seems like the story is taking place within a white room.



Which of your books/stories would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?

The easiest way to get started on my style is to check out my blog – www.bakedscribe.net. Every week, I publish a work of short fiction – usually around a thousand words. New stories are posted every Wednesday. Also, on Saturdays, I re-post an older issue from the blog which has since been taken down. And starting this July, I will be introducing two new additions. Micro Mondays will feature a story short enough to fit into a Twitter post. Second, I will be posting monthly essays in a series I am tentatively calling, “Ramblings On The Craft”, which will consist on thoughts and opinions I have on the art of writing.




Do you have a favourite character from any of your stories?

I wrote a short story (Long Last Victory) about a failing writer, who is clearly full of himself and of talents that he likely doesn’t really have. In a last effort to try and find his success as a writer, he sneaks a story into a creative writing contest for children. The character was a lot of fun, over the top and absurdly offensive with his remarks – very much inspired by Ignatius Reilly.






What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?


This advice wasn’t necessarily articulated to me in this way, but one of the most important lessons I have learned as a newly published writer is the importance of patience. Publishing can be a heart breaking experience as you sit there, waiting to see reviews of your books, hoping for some sales numbers to start showing up and it’s extremely difficult to not come conclude that all of this disappointment is a result of your lack of talent. As authors, we have a tendency to look with no small amount of longing at those on the next rung up from us and wish that we could just get there ourselves. The problem is that if you ever do get to that level, you then become fascinated with the next one. And the next one, and the next. There are probably a very tiny amount of artists that have ever reached that plateau where they can feel satisfied that there isn’t really anything else they can accomplish. Don’t let the goal become too much of a source of stress and frustration. Remember that the words are what got you into this and if, in the end you do end up achieving that material level you have always dreamed of, are you really going to be happy if your entire road leading up to that has been miserable?



Who are your literary heroes/heroines?

If I look back over the years at the various reading stages I have gone through, Stephen King and Anne Rice are probably the two most consistent names that I have had on my shelves and have looked up to. I love King for his dialogue and the incredible depth he gives to his characters. I love that he takes the time to devote backstory to a character that has maybe a few pages of relevance to the story. Some likely see that as story in need of an edit but I love it when you get that extra depth to a book. And Anne Rice’s early works were regular parts of my reading rotation from about the seventh grade and on. I grew less interested in her more recent books but I loved her use of language and setting and how beautifully she could weave a story.

In general, I am a huge fan of independent writers who put their art out themselves, or via small press publishers. There’s a great feeling of connection with these people who are just trying to get their words out there in the world. It takes a lot of passion and drive to be able to do something like this so my hat is off to anyone who undertakes the adventure.




What book do you wish you’d written?

This is a tough one because I think that I would be slightly full of myself to suggest that I, in all my brilliance would be able to execute a book better than the original author. But I don’t think I would put a book that I love as an answer to this because then it wouldn’t be the book I love anymore – the idea would be there but it would be something else entirely. So I guess my answer would be a book called House Next Door. I found the concept of the book to be a very interesting take on the haunted house genre but I thought the execution was a little lacking. It just wasn’t a storytelling style that I am a fan of – where a great portion of the story is told second hand, with one character relating what happened to another, instead of putting the reader into the action.





What book are you currently reading?

The Stand, by Stephen King. It isn’t the first time I’ve read it by any means but it still is one of my favorites. Any writer who has any inclination of writing post-apocalyptic fiction should use this as their starting point. I think it’s the perfect metaphor showing how in a world fallen apart, most people will fall down one of two paths, the ones who decide to carry on, devoting their lives to each other and the community and then there will be those who choose to move on, devoting their lives to themselves.




What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Besides being a jungle gym for my two sons, I love to read. I also enjoy cooking. I am a baker by trade and I have been teaching classes on making pizza from scratch for fifteen years.





What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in the business?

First of all, I think it’s important to not think of it as “getting into the business.” I think that it’s important to be a passionate writer before you try and become a successful author. I also think that it is very important for you to have realistic expectations regarding what you would consider success. It’s a very small percentage of people who have the talent and fortitude to write a book. Of that, it is an even smaller percentage who have the good fortune to be able to support themselves on their writing and no other source of income. Within the last year or so, I read a survey that showed 80% of self-published authors and over half of traditionally published authors were making less than $1000 a year. That’s a sobering statistic and one that flies in the face of the get-rich quick scheme that many people seem to mis-perceive in the ability to self-publish. So first and foremost, you need to make it about your passion for the words, as opposed to the income. Second, you need to take your responsibility as an author very seriously. Do your due diligence and make sure you are putting out the best product you can, don’t simply publish for the sake of getting product out there. Publish with humility, publish with fear and publish with gratitude.



What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?

Like anything else, you are going to find less positive elements that are hard to work through. There are some that are determined to just bolster themselves and do whatever it takes to achieve what they perceive as success. But there are some you come across that are genuine, amazingly generous and kind people. I think that a lot of horror writers out there are looking out for each other and I am very proud to consider myself a small part of that.





What are you working on at the moment?

The blog is usually top on my to-do list, keeping up with as regular a schedule as I can manage for putting out those stories. I’ll soon resume work on what will end up being my first full length novel. I am also starting to outline what will likely end up being a four book series although there is no time frame on that one – still in the very, very early stages.






If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?

My instinct would be to say Stephen King, but being completely realistic, when would I ever be comfortable enough to look into his eyes and work up the gumption to say, “Well, why don’t we try this instead….” I think that I would like to work with authors who have achieved greatness in the profession but not so much that everything I try to say just ends up being an awkward, ejaculatory expression of how awesome I think they are. I think that Neil Gaiman would be a good author to work with, simply because he seems to have such an abstract mind and creativity that I think would be fun to work off of. And I’m sure he would have a plethora of wisdom that I would be able to benefit from as well.



Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?

Within the next year, I should be putting out my next collection of short stories from the blog, tentatively titled Walking Yesterday’s Memories. I am also working on my first full length novel, titled Behind Our Walls. Last year, I published my debut book which contained a short story titled, Tomorrow’s Memory. Behind Our Walls is set in the universe of this story and several peripheral characters from the short are more central to the novel. I currently have a revised draft out with readers and with any luck, I will be able to have it out by the end of the year or early next.

Interview with writer Jonathan Wood

I asked horror writer and top bloke Jonathan Wood over to answer some questions about his work. He kindly agreed. Read on, gentle reader...

How would you describe your writing style?

I think my style is constantly changing, and I think it's also an intrinsic element of being a writer that it inevitably changes as time progresses. It can also depend upon the type of story you are trying to tell. I suppose recurrent practices in my own style are to rely upon slow burning and dread techniques. I myself am much more frightened by slow dread being cranked up in a novel or story rather than out and out shocks, so I try to replicate this in my own style. I just try to give it “my voice”. My aim is always to try and unsettle a reader for what they don't see.



Which of your books/stories would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?

I would suggest my debut fiction collection “Urban Chiller” because it would give a reader a chance to see my wares in their uncut format. Although many of the tales within Urban Chiller had been published in anthologies beforehand, the book gave me the opportunity to return to the originally intended vision I had for many of the tales and offer them in a one-off collection.

Do you have a favourite character from any of your stories?

I think it would be the narrator of my short story “Harlequin”, Jeff Devers. Although Jeff's character is fractured, developing how he sees the outside world was a particular challenge to execute.



What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?

I think the best advice I've had is to be brave and not be afraid to “just write”. I've seen many fine writers become almost paralysed with self doubt and I often worry about this affliction myself. I'm trying to stick to that maxim and not be too self critical, these days. I think to have a trusted and constructive support network around you is also vital. You need that objectivity of your peers to draft changes and develop ideas.



Who are your literary heroes/heroines?

Oh, that's a hard one. There's so many authors I admire and seek inspiration from. I have a great deal of respect for Adam Nevill. Not only is Adam one of the finest authors working in the genre right now, but I also admire the journey he's been on to reach where he is now, and it's richly deserved. I've managed to meet Adam a few times at conventions and so forth and he's also offered me some personal advice with my own work.



What book do you wish you’d written?

The Ritual Adam Nevill
The Books of Blood Clive Barker




What book are you currently reading?

Blood Kin by Steve Rasnic Tem. It's fantastic.



What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I have a number of hobbies. I play guitar(badly), but I have one of the best tutors on the planet, enslaved with the task of getting me up to scratch. He keeps putting up his fees in the hope that I'll go away but I keep coming back for more! I also like to read and dabble in a little photography and fitness training.



What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in the business?

It's a tough old game. Be prepared for the long haul, the rejections and develop a thick skin. Start by writing what you know. If it's easier to begin cutting your teeth on short stories, then do that. Play to your own strengths. Learn how the publishing industry works, both in digital and paper formats. Network with as many people as you can via social media. This can be invaluable. Above all, be brave and determined.


What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?


I think it's in safe hands. It's a competitive genre again and that's a good thing. Apart from the heavyweights, there are some great new writers coming through in amongst the plethora of self published stuff and there are some real gems out there if you know where to look. There is still a rather elite snobbery going on in my opinion in some quarters with better known authors always making the bigger anthologies because of their marketing appeal, but it's the way the biscuit breaks. I'm not suggesting the bigger authors don't deserve it, they worked bloody hard to get where they are, but in my opinion, there are some fantastic lesser knowns putting out some great stuff too and not getting the recognition they perhaps warrant because they lack marketing appeal on an anthology line-up.


What are you working on at the moment?

I'm working on two novellas and my debut novel. As usual, I have a ton of short stories and flash fiction floating around in my head waiting to be plucked.

If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?

That's a difficult one. Me being me, I'd probably worry about being the evidently weaker link in a collaboration with one of my favourite authors. But..I'd love the chance to work with Gary McMahon, John Arne Lindqvist or Joe Lansdale.



Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?

Mmmm, ok. I hope to have at least one of the novellas completed this year and also a few short stories published in an anthology or magazine. A personal goal is to be accepted by Black Static. The bar is very high for this magazine and doubly difficult when you predominantly a more pulp horror author than a literary one. I see this as a personal challenge to impress Andy Cox enough at Black Static to get in there one day!

INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL MARC CHANT

I recently had a chat with up-and-coming writer Daniel Marc Chant, author of BURNING HOUSE and his latest release MALDICION, which I've just finished reading and enjoyed very much. Dan's a good lad and another of the new wave of horror writers hitting the scene. It's a pleasure to interview him.












How would you describe your writing style?

I think I’m a to-the-point writer. I don’t like to waste paragraphs on empty dialogue or exposition. This probably comes from cutting my teeth doing screenplays as opposed to novels. In a screenplay description is a premium so that no doubt colours my approach to writing prose. I’m under no doubt that sometimes it’s to its compliment, others it’s detriment.



Which of your books would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?

Personally I’d say my second book Maldicion. My first book, Burning House, was the culmination of me desperately wanting to do something like this and get it out there. The idea for Burning House had fermented for years in my head through conversations with my best friend and countless viewings of The Thing by John Carpenter (still my number one film). Therefore my first book suffered because of that eager inexperience. There are countless things I’m proud of in it – for instance the action and the pace when it truly kicks off – but there’s the lack of decent characterisation and substantial plot that’s a hallmark of a newbie.

Maldicion on the other hand (hopefully) captured my adoration of Lovecraft and survival horror.











Do you have a favourite character from any of your stories?

I love animals (not in that way you sicko) so the titular cat in Mr. Robespierre (my upcoming third book) is probably my favourite. I’ve always had felines in my life and despite having huge respect for all of evolution’s marvels none can capture the majesty of the humble housecat for me.

Mr. Robespierre is – what I think – a cat should be. Elegant. Mysterious. And full of secrets.



What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?

Never sub your own work. Has to be that. We all like to think we know English and grammar, and for the most part we do, but when it’s your own story and you’re personally invested you’ll miss things. I guarantee it. I know I did.

My first book suffered from me being over protective with it and not letting people read it and critique too much before release. I won’t make that same mistake again.



Who are your literary heroes/heroines?

Firstly it has it be Howard Phillips Lovecraft. While the man is famous for his reprehensible and backwards views on race his fiction resonates with me like no other. I don’t agree with his point of view but I adore his catalogue of work for the most part.

Secondly it’s Danny King. He’s a writer specialising in comedic British crime fiction but every word he writes vividly comes to life. His dry sense of humour, and observation skills, are second to none.



What book do you wish you’d written?

Hitman Diaries by Danny King. One of the best reads ever.



What book are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Gristle & Bone by Duncan Ralston. It’s a collection of seven horror stories. Duncan is a prolific supporter of all things horror and all round awesome human but he’s also a deranged sick puppy when it comes to writing. I love it.

After that I have Reinhart by Thomas S Flowers and Black Friday by Jeffery X Martin.



What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to watch films, regardless of genre, as well as cook and play games on my Xbox One. I’m a huge fan of gaming and think it’s one of the most unappreciated media types currently.



What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in the business?

Just do it. The hardest thing you have to accept is that while you care about your work nobody else does. That may sound harsh but it’s true – especially for a newbie. Nothing is a statement of intent like you sacrificing your own time and effort to put your work out there.

The world doesn’t owe you anything. But you can show the world a thing or two.



What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?

Muddled. The proliferation of the digital age has meant that horror is a cheap commodity now. Horror films cost less than other types. Horror books rarely have a place in modern bookstores. But online horror is a burgeoning genre of talent and need.

Horror fans are nothing but embracing of horror. I personally think what’s lacking is a sense of community and collectiveness amongst horror fans.










What are you working on at the moment?

I’m compiling a charity anthology called The Black Room Manuscripts. My friends and I managed to snag short stories from Danny King, Duncan Ralston, Adam Millard, A. S. Chambers, Jeffery X. Martin, D. K. Ryan, Thomas S. Flowers, Kit Power, Madeleine Swann, J. R. Park, Duncan P Bradshaw, Daniel Marc Chant (me), Vincent Hunt, Craig Anderson-Jones, Martin Jones, Paul Townsend, D. K. Ryan, Ian Caldwell, David James, Leo Stableford and Kayleigh Edwards.

As if that amazing list wasn’t enough there’s an afterword by the fantastic Jennifer Handorf, producer of British horror films like The Borderlands and a foreword from Jim McLeod from Gingernuts of Horror.

Besides that my third book, Mr. Robespierre, is finished and preparing for launch at Horror Con in Rotherham in July.

Book four, titled Devil Kickers, is about a third of the way through and is collaboration between me and my brother from another mother Vincent Hunt. I’m excited about that one as he’ll bring his fantastic comic book sensibilities and experience to (hopefully) make a fun and different take on the exorcism genre.



If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?

Besides Rich Hawkins? Haha.

Warren Ellis. That man is a literary titan to me.



Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?

I’ll soon fling open the door to The Black Room and reveal its secrets (which is for charity so please get involved!) but besides that I’m currently plotting book five which, based on inspirational conversations with my girlfriend could involve a vet, an experimental lab, rednecks or teenagers in log cabins.





Check out Daniel's website at:http://danielmarcchant.com/




https://twitter.com/danielmarcchant





https://www.facebook.com/danielmarcchant

Interview with David Moody

I recently had a chat with one of my literary heroes, David Moody, author of the HATER trilogy, the AUTUMN series, and his latest release STRANGERS. He's a great writer and a top bloke, and it's an honour to interview him for my humble blog.

How would you describe your writing style?


Straight and to the point. I know I’m no literary genius, and that really doesn’t bother me. I just want to tell good stories with strong characters which appeal to a wide audience. Sometimes I think people try too hard to be clever with their writing; overly flowery language, overuse of a thesaurus, metaphor after metaphor after metaphor... I’m always conscious that the more layers of detail you provide, the less there is for your reader to imagine, and the less opportunity you have to surprise them. I want people to identify with my characters and the situations they find themselves in, so I like to leave enough room in my novels for readers to imagine the fine details for themselves.



Which of your books would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?


I’d recommend either the first AUTUMN or HATER novels, or perhaps the re-written version of my debut novel STRAIGHT TO YOU (which was released this year... avoid the original 1996 edition at all costs!). As I’m in full-on promotional mode at the moment, I’d also have to suggest my latest novel, STRANGERS.

Do you have a favourite character from any of your novels?



Good question! I’d have to say Danny McCoyne from the HATER series. He’s become outrageously popular, actually, and people ask me about him all the time. I think of HATER as his story, first and foremost: the story of a faceless nobody who’s all but given up on life but who, through no fault of his own, is forced to live through hell and play a pivotal role in a series of events which will decide the course of the entire human race (what’s left of it, anyway!). A close second would be Scott Griffiths, from STRANGERS. In the few weeks the book has been out, I’ve had a load of feedback about him. He’s neither the hero or the villain of the story, and I really enjoyed writing about him in layers. What I mean by that is, whenever you think you’ve got a handle on who and what he is, he wrong-foots you.




What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?



Keep writing. I don’t know who first said it to me or when, but there’s no more important rule. If you want to be a writer, you just have to keep writing and writing and writing...





Who are your literary heroes/heroines?



John Wyndham, HG Wells, Richard Matheson and James Herbert. The first three because they wrote some of the most important novels in the genres I love (and I’m thinking specifically about THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, WAR OF THE WORLDS and I AM LEGEND). James Herbert’s DOMAIN changed the way I thought about horror fiction, and set me on the path to writing it myself. I was fortunate to meet Jim a couple of times before he died, and in the short time I spent talking to him (both one-to-one and in front of large audiences at events to celebrate the release of his last novel, ASH), he pulled no punches and told me in no uncertain terms what it takes to succeed as a writer. And as he’d sold over fifty-six million books by that stage, I listened attentively to every word!






What book do you wish you’d written?



See my previous answer. THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS. My favourite book of all time. Wyndham managed to make a completely ridiculous premise (most of the population go blind and are menaced by seven foot tall carnivorous walking plants) feel uncomfortably plausible. Terrifying and ground-breaking. Everyone working in the genre should read TRIFFIDS at least once.

What book are you currently reading?



Now this will seem like a set-up, but I actually just finished reading THE LAST PLAGUE by some young upstart called Hawkins! I’m on a JG Ballard kick at the moment, so after reading a few new novels I’ve promised to blurb, I’ll be diving into HIGH-RISE.






What do you like to do when you’re not writing?



Films! I have a ‘to watch’ pile which is almost as high as my ‘to read’ pileI I’m fortunate to live in walking distance of a multiplex, and have a daughter who works there from time to time and brings home free tickets... I also love live music and comedy. My real passion, though, is running. I train several times a week and take part in a number of races each year (anything up to half-marathon distance). Weirdly, I also manage to get a lot of work done when I’m running. It’s the only time my thinking doesn’t get interrupted!





What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in the business?



See my earlier answer – keep writing! It’s as simple as that. I had many false starts to my writing career, and I only managed to finish my first novel when I got strict with myself and imposed a few rules (I will write at least a page a day, I will not go back and revise until I’ve finished a draft...). Just keep going and remember you’re likely to jettison most of your first draft. Finally, take all feedback on the chin. Don’t get angry, don’t get defensive... LISTEN. If someone’s taking the time to tell you what they thought about your story – no matter how hard it might be to take – you should hear what they have to say. Console yourself with the knowledge that your writing had an impact on them (so big an impact, in fact, that they’ve felt the need to tell you!).

What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?



Pretty good, actually, but it has one hell of an image problem. It always has had, and it probably always will do. I have a problem with labelling horror as a genre, if I’m honest. It covers such a wide range of stories and situations, don’t you think? To classify something as just ‘horror’ is often doing a book or film a real disservice. Horror is more an emotion than a category. Think of it this way... if you write a Western, you know there’ll be cowboys and sheriffs and shootouts and the like. If you write Horror, though, you could be writing about anything happening anywhere at any time. Some of the most horrific books of the last decade (I’m thinking of THE ROAD, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, books of that ilk) would NEVER be classified as horror!






It’s well-documented that you’re a big fan of the nightmarish ‘Threads’, which still haunts me to this day. If you were approached to write a remake of it, regardless of money, would you be tempted to give it a go? Or would you feel it’s a needless remake and turn the offer down?



I’d turn it down. No question. THREADS is a seminal piece of film-making which I don’t think could be bettered. It’s also a product of its time, so would be very different today. That said, I’ve often said that one of the things I most admire about THREADS is that it begins in a very CORONATION STREET style... everything’s very twee and personal. You invest in these ordinary characters and then (quite literally) BOOM! Their world is all but destroyed. This would never happen, but I’d love to create a series which starts out as a soap opera kind of thing but then, after about six months or so, completely without warning, there’d be a nuclear attack or alien invasion or similar. Christ, that’d be great viewing!






What are you working on at the moment?



More projects than I’ve got time to finish, unfortunately! I’m writing my first middle-grade novel which I’m describing as a cross between GODZILLA and ET. I’m also working on a new four book horror/ science-fiction series called THE SPACES BETWEEN, which looks at the huge gulf between our perceptions of reality and our actual reality in the 21st century. I’m also planning another novel for 2015 called FOCUS, which I’ll not say anything about just yet!






If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?



I’m going to be an obnoxious arse here and say no one. I love writing, but I don’t have any desire to share the process with anyone else at the moment. Maybe that’ll change in the future. As I just said, though, I’ve got too many ideas to cope with at the moment, and I’m keen to get all of them written and released first!






Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?



Revealing that my middle-grade book will be a cross between GODZILLA and ET was probably a nugget I should have kept to myself! I do like describing current projects in terms of influences, though, so I’ll leave you with a description of THE SPACES BETWEEN: Think BREAKING BAD meets THE BRIDGE by way of QUATERMASS and CHILDREN OF MEN!







Check out David's website at: http://davidmoody.net/



http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Moody/e/B001JSCGOU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418933869&sr=1-2-ent




http://www.amazon.com/David-Moody/e/B001JSCGOU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1418933912&sr=1-2-ent

Interview with Craig Saunders

I recently had a chat with awesome writer and all-round good bloke Craig Saunders, author of 'The Estate' and 'Deadlift', among others. He's one of the nicest guys in the business and it's a pleasure to have him here to talk about his writing.

How would you describe your writing style?

Short. Terse. Interspersed with the occasional long, unwieldy sentence to accentuate a point and break up the pace a little, in order, largely, to allow the reader to catch their breath or make a cup of tea.

Like that.



Which of your books would you recommend as a good starting point for someone who hasn’t read your work?

Deadlift, a novella with DarkFuse, seems to have been pretty well received. I'd suggest that, for beginners. If a reader likes it, it's a good jump off point - novellas, by and large, are my favourite medium. Short enough to blast through, long enough to build a little tension.

Do you have a favourite character from any of your novels?

Probably a guy called Frank Leibowicz, a heavy/enforcer who survives the early days of an apocalypse in a forthcoming story from DarkFuse called 'Left to Darkness'. It's due 2014. He's a good character. A bad man, doing the right thing.



What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?

Don't assume the reader knows what you know - my wife told me this early on. It's good advice I've tried to heed since. Plenty of times I want to be vague, let the reader fill in the gaps...but they won't always make the connection, because they're (obviously) not you...



Who are your literary heroes/heroines?

Vonnegut, Murakami, Banks, Pratchett, King, Gemmell. Probably a lot more besides, too.



What book do you wish you’d written?

The Stand...I'd still be raking it in, and it'd be nice to have a steady income. ;)



What book are you currently reading?

Last book I read was King's Doctor Sleep. Now? Nothing. I'm writing a book, and I don't read at all when I'm mid-story. Can't multitask for toffee. I remember reading King's 'On Writing' years ago, about how he reads a thousand million books a year (I might be exaggerating...). Fine, I think, if you have a ton of time to read and write. Personally, I don't have the time or dedication to read much while writing a story. It's one or the other. I read when I'm between stories. It's just what works for me.



What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Write more. I don't really enjoy not writing. I suppose I watch films, or play games, or read, in between stories. But I vastly prefer making stuff up.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out in this sordid business?

It's a job. Approach it as such. And, like any job, I think for most you have to work hard to get anywhere. Don't expect a bolt of lightning like a massive three-book deal with a New York publisher, or a million-pound movie rights sale...work and do some more work while you're waiting and hoping for that, instead. Hmm...yeah, that's it for advice.



What do you think of the current state of the horror genre?

Don't honestly know - I read a fair few 'newer' authors, McMahon, Curran, Nevill are my current go-to guys. I like horror, still. Maybe the 'bigger' names are feeling a little tired, to me. Doesn't mean horror's better or worse...just different. And, as my wife always say, different isn't wrong.

I don't really know what that means, mind you.



What are you working on at the moment?

I've got three on the go, but I haven't decided, and three sequels to write for series. Probably a standalone about an old couple killing people. That's the front runner.



If you could swap bodies with any ‘famous’ writer for a day, who would it be?

Abercrombie. I'd like to see the inside of his head. He's one of my current favourites.



If you had the chance to co-write a novel with an author of your choice, who would it be?

I'm not sure I'm capable of being a co-author - I don't play well with the other kids, nor do I ever leave my shed. But...I don't know. I'd have to be someone I got on with personally, I think. I like Matt Shaw. He's a nut.

Finally, are there any nuggets of info about future works you’re willing to share?

Bloodeye, a novella, is out in September. 'Masters of Blood and Bone' and 'Left to Darkness' (novels) both out 2014. My suggestion would be either or both of the novels...they'll be more set in both (different) worlds… novellas, if, like me, you enjoy a short, sharp read - I've two of those out next year ('Flesh and Coin' and 'Unit 731'). Left to Darkness is the one with Frank Leibowicz...

Cheers, Rich!




Check out Craig's blog at:http://craigrsaunders.blogspot.co.uk/p/deadlift-by-craig-saunders.html

And his books on Amazon :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Craig-Saunders/e/B003TYAKFO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409943464&sr=1-2-ent


http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Saunders/e/B003TYAKFO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409943512&sr=1-2-ent