Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author, web developer, and sword fighter living in Upstate New York.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Art of Fear: How to Write Scary Ghost Stories that Terrify Your Readers
I’ve been writing short horror stories for ten years now, and figured it was time to share everything I’ve learned.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m horribly inconsistent.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Author influences: M. R. James, Shirley Jackson, J. R. R. Tolkien, Stephen King, Adam L. G. Nevill, Brandon Sanderson
As far as book influences, basically books by the authors above. But some of my favorite books are: The Haunting of Hill House, Dracula, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Prydain Chronicles, The Lord of the Rings
What are you working on now?
An epic fantasy trilogy with a “magic-punk” setting.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t really done much in this regard, so can’t really say.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the story you want to read. Let selling it be an afterthought.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not so much advice as motivation: when starting out, you have good taste, but you aren’t skilled enough to satisfy that taste. Growth as an artist is just the process of getting your skill up to speed with your taste.
What are you reading now?
A translation of a medieval treatise on swordsmanship. I also just finished Last Things by David Searcy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
That fantasy trilogy I mentioned earlier.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Probably either The Haunting of Hill House or Dracula.
Author Websites and Profiles
James Colton Website
James Colton Amazon Profile
James Colton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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