Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a speculative fiction writer from northeast PA. My idea of the best day ever would include watching Lost In Austen in the morning, visiting Bavaria for castles and HofbrÀuhaus Munich in the afternoon, and going to either a Rush concert or a Blind Guardian show that night. (If anyone knows how to make this happen, tell me!) Because I spend so much time wishing for the impossible, I write all sorts of fantasy. I’ve written six novels, a novella, and hundreds of pieces of poetry and short fiction, which have been published in magazines, literary journals, and anthologies.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest project is an urban fantasy series called The Demon Whisperer. The first book, CHARM CITY, came out in August 2016. The sequel MURDER THE LIGHT is under going edits. These stories are about an exorcist mage named Simon Alliant who make demons his business. Unfortunately, there’s one demon he’ll never banish: his addiction to magic. I’ve always loved stories of magic in the real world–both fiction and non-fiction–and wanted to create a realistic mage with a problem that doesn’t go away with the swish of a wand.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I read aloud passages during editing (I can hear problems better than I can read them) I always end up reading with an accent. Usually Australian. I don’t normally write Australian characters. And I don’t have an Australian voice. I have no idea why this happens…but it means I don’t get much editing done when my family is home.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King and Michael Moorcock, because they created places I want to be even if it means I wouldn’t last very long once I got there. Laurell K. Hamilton because I loved her story mechanics as well as Anita Blake’s voice. Charlaine Harris because she made glorious work of the little touches that place me firmly in her worlds.
What are you working on now?
Once I pass MURDER THE LIGHT off to the editor, I’ll begin focusing on getting ready for a box set project in which I’ll participate in the screen. I’m also pulling out the notes for the third Demon Whisperer book, dusting off an old NaNoWriMo project to see if I can finish that book, and add to my pile of musings about a companion book to THE HEARTBEAT THIEF, a Victorin Fantasy. The companion book will focus on the back story of one of the characters and will definitely have a Greek Mythology flavor.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth and friend sourcing! I use a long of ebook promo sites (I have a list of twenty sites or so that I hit up when planning promo). If I’m lucky enough to get a BookBub deal, then I breathe a huge sigh of relief…but then I work all the harder to book those other sites. But, most of all, I depend on readers passing on what they hear to their reader friends. That’s where the biggest results come in.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. Never fool yourself into thinking that all you have to do is write a book and BOOM you’re there. Get involved in writer’s communities (in person, on line, or both!), go to writers conferences, take online classes and workshops, join sites like QueryTracker.net. Yes, it’s work. But making your book get to where you want it to be is work. Don’t give up, don’t settle. Just persevere.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Open your eyes before you open your mouth.
What are you reading now?
The Pirate’s Lady by Tricia Schneider, from The Wild Rose Press.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books, more promo, more writers conferences with my good writer friends.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Kate Elliot, and Jennifer Roberson. I own several copies, each in a unique state of being read to death.
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