Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer of fiction and non-fiction from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I published my first book of fiction in 2009, and have published three others since. I have also published a considerable amount of as yet uncollected short fiction. In addition, I have written about the history of American television animation in a survey history called “America ‘Toons In”, first published in 2014 and available online from McFarland and Co.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Honey and Salt” came about chiefly to provide a centralised fictional hub so that I can work with all the super hero characters I have been working with in the past few years in a single narrative. It is designed to introduce the lead characters to a potential readership, so that they may seek out their past adventures in various markets and hopefully encourage me to write more about them in long forms like this in the future. Also, I wanted to make sure that there was a place for super hero narratives based within around my homeland, and ones whose copyrights were owned neither by Disney or Time Warner.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend not to write for long periods of time when I don’t feel like it. When I do, I mostly write in longhand, to iron out the problems before I start typing so I don’t have to spend so much time typing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Among many: Robert Bloch, Jack London, Mark Twain, Frederik Pohl, Philip Jose Farmer, Philip K. Dick, Joe Lansdale, Charles Dickens, Lawrence Block, F. Scott Fitzgerald and, most recently, Isaac Bashevis Singer.
What are you working on now?
I am working on an encyclopedia of American television animation for Rowman and Littlefield, which is in the final stages of editing and will hopefully released either late in 2017 or early in 2018.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Tumblr accounts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, and even if you get rejected once, it doesn’t mean you will get rejected every time.
What are you reading now?
The collected stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer in the three volume Library of America addition.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Wherever I can find an editor or publisher who needs a writer right now.
What is your favorite book of all time?
“The Call of the Wild” by Jack London.