THE NEXT BIG THING 2

My friend and fellow author, Emma Ennis, tagged me last week to take part in her blog tour of ‘The Next Big Thing’. I know this is the second time, but I’m more than happy to take part and talk about another project I’m working on.

What is the working title of your book?

Common Grave

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The book will be a collection of my published short fiction, now re-edited to my standard. It will feature stories of ghosts, demons, werewolves, vampires, serial killers, monsters, ghouls and other children of the night. So you have all been warned.

What genre does your book fall under?

Horror and dark fiction. Although there are a few science fiction tales.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I feel that the book would make a great homage to classic anthology films, like Creepshow and From Beyond the Grave, or The Dead of Night. As for the actors, I am not entirely fussed, as long as they can pull it off.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A book of a thousand tales for anyone who wants to be scared or enthralled, that refuses to hold back.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

The book will be self-published on kindle.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The stories have been written during a three year period, when I was writing and submitting shorts to many publications. All of them have either been accepted, with most of them already published.

But my first short story, The Interview, was written in 2006 and accepted in 2008 for BHF Book of Horrors 3. Today, the book still hasn’t been published, which is a shame.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I try not to compare my book to others, but this is my very own Books of Blood.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I wrote short stories to prepare myself for attempting my first novel. Originally, I intended to only write five short stories. Now I have written over seventy shorts and still writing them. I guess I have the short fiction bug.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

There are many flash fiction tales and also featured are a few that resonate the classic Amicus tales, The Twilight Zone episodes, Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, an Edgar Allan Poesque story and Hammer House of Horror.

That’s me done!

Thanks for reading this post.

THE NEXT BIG THING - EMMA ENNIS!

Fellow author, Emma Ennis who's a big talent has just done her piece on the 'next big thing'.

Emma and I have often had stories appearing in the same anthologies, and I'm so pleased to mention her on this blog post.

To view, please click here.

THE NEXT BIG THING - TIM MARQUITZ

My good friend and fantastic editor/author, Tim Marquitz, was tagged by me for the next big thing. Here's the link to his blog.

EXCITING NEWS!

Just learned that I have been named as one of the best new discoveries of 2012, by Ginger Nuts of Horror, a well-respected blogger/reviewer.

Here it is.

LATEST SHORT STORY ACCEPTANCE

My short tale, MAN IN THE MIRROR, will be appearing in Static Movement's DEMONOLOGY anthology, featuring tales by G.R. Yeates, Sandra Norval and Emile-Louis Tomas Jouvet. The editor, Dean M. Drinkel is a film-maker and well-respected anthologist. He's the brains behind Dark Continent's Phobophobia.

Here's the cover art.

MOVEMBER

I am thrilled to announce that I have raised £355 for Movember, which will help with prostate cancer and other male cancer and associated charities. So a well done to everyone who took part, and for their generous support and donations.

I also would like to thank the following donors:

Dolores Harrington, Peggiann Chevailler, Julie Reynolds, Martin Smallwood, Miranda Brawn, Dave Hawley, Susan Corbett, Norman J. Warren, Des Bradley, Caroline Ward,Wil Leonard, Christine Binns, Carol Finch, Victoria Cottrell, Linda Callan, Barry Knight, Marisa Beccarelli, Joe Gaffarena, Cathy Toms, Patricia Burton, Fiona Ní Éalaighthe, Anna Taborska, Andrew Bailey, Sandra Pitt, Mike Phillips, Michael Needham, Roxanne Hopper, Tom Aizenberg, Jackie Fishleight and everyone who spurred me not to shave off my tache.

Without your generosity this would not have been possible and you are part of the reason why we've raised over £65 million, making this Movember the most successful.

So a well done!

MOVEMBER - WEEK 4

This is my final week and here is my final photo.

To sponsor me, please go here.

THE NEXT BIG THING

Last Wednesday, Dean M. Drinkel invited me to take part in The Next Big Thing, and here is my offering for this week. I will be talking about my latest release, REFUGE, currently on Amazon.

1. What is the title of your book?
Refuge

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
Back in 1998, when I had this idea about a gang of robbers who’d just pulled off a successful security van heist and quickly retreat to their hideout, a haunted house, where something disturbing awaits them. It was originally a screenplay, pitched as Reservoir Dogs meets The Legend of Hell House called Hideout.

Then, in May 2010, Static Movement was looking for horror short story submissions for Creepy Things, an anthology of insect stories. Well, I had an idea about a gang of robbers who take refuge in a Hansel and Gretel style cottage made of insects.

While writing this, I found it to be too long for a short story and therefore I decided that this will be my first standalone book, titled, Refuge.

3. What genre does your book fall under?
100% straight horror.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
The lead character, Ray Blackstone, I had Ray Winstone in mind. His surrogate son, Len would have to be Noel Clarke. As for Reggie, Alan Ford or Dennis Waterman.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Fleeing from the cops, following a daring bank raid, a gang of four crash their van into hell’s worst domain.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It is self-published on Amazon’s Kindle.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
During a two week holiday, back in May 2011.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
One particular book, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge/One of the Missing by Ambrose Bierce.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The earlier works of Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont, Rod Serling, Shaun Hutson and Guy N. Smith.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The story has a fast pace and it doesn’t hold back. Also, there’s a bonus story that is just as shocking.

Thanks you taking the time to read this.

MOVEMBER - WEEK 3

Only a week to go.

MY DEBUT BLOG SPOT

The wonderful and respected horror and fantasy author Tim Marquitz has invited me to be a guest on his blog. This is it.

MOVEMBER - WEEK TWO

Looking good. But it's for a great cause. To sponsor me, go on this link.