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.