Studio 3B Author Spotlight

Conversation with Author Dorlana Vann

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:45:00 +0000

Hello Dorlana, dear sister of mine! I'm very happy and proud to have the opportunity to chat with you as an author here on Author Spotlight.

Please, please tell all about your first book that's being published by Tease Tarot (as part of the Dark Tarot line), called Jaclyn's Ghost ~

The story is a fun blend of the paranormal, mystery and humor. Jaclyn Jade is a ghost who must find out the reason she didn’t make it into Heaven or she will be sent back to Hell, or worse, she could stay in limbo forever. While trying to uncover the mystery of her murder, she also goes through a journey of self-discovery. There’s a spirited romantic undertone between her and a Logan, a ghost who has lived in her apartment for the last 80 years. They’re at odds because she is a New York fashion model with a modern and worldly attitude and he still looks at women and life from a 1920’s perspective. And they also team up with a timid psychic who can speak to the dead.

I have to say that I am absolutely in LOVE with your Supernatural Fairy Tales. How did all of that come about?
I wrote my first fairy tale inspired short story, Phone Calls and Dwarfs, 15 years ago. Next, I wrote “The Guard” without thinking about pairing it with the first one. But when I wrote “Cyber Stock,” I could see the developing pattern, and soon the two other stories followed. Now I have 13 fairy tale inspired short stories and 14 poems.

What people may not realize is that your updated Fairy Tales are not children's stories, but rather grown up "modernized" tales with a touch of the Supernatural. The thing I find truly fascinating is how you leave clues throughout each story so that the reader can piece it all together to discover which Fairy Tale the story is about. What inspired this bit of genius?

I think it might be just a bit of self indulgence; I like to have fun with the stories. Until I reach that smile point, where I *think* I’ve wrote something clever or funny, I’m just not happy. One of my favorite hidden reference stories is CYBER STOCK (Jack and the Beanstalk). It has the words fe fi fo fum and all the things Jack brought back from the beanstalk, among other things, hidden through out.

There are also some very amusing stories "behind the scenes" so to speak as to how some of your Fairy Tales came about. Can you please elaborate and tell us what happened to spark some of these amazing tales?

When I was thinking up the story of Silverweed Muffins, my mother was reminiscing about her father. She was telling me how he was really superstitious and had told her about when he was a little boy and his mom told him not to shoo the black birds away that were on their front porch because it meant death. The next day, his mother died. True story. And also, around the same time in his childhood, he said he saw the devil running through the woods, pitchfork and all. There were many other stories of my grandfather, but at the time these two incidents gave me the mood for Silverweed Muffins.

Phone Calls and Dwarfs was inspired by an incident that happened when me and my family were living in an apartment. My neighbor came down to visit from the upstairs apartment for the first time. I really did have a phone that rang in the bedroom and the phone's ringer in the living room didn’t work. So, I had to listen hard for the low ring of the bedroom phone. After my neighbor went home, I became really amused at the situation. I never told her I heard the one in the bedroom ring. She probably thought I was nuts, just picking up the phone that didn't ring and talking like it did.

I know of course, that you have a very full family life with a husband, 3 children, and 2 pets. How and when do you ever find the time to write?
When my four year old son wakes up that’s the end of my quiet time, so I get up really early. But it works out well, because I don’t think I would get any writing done if I had all the time in the world. Besides, I can’t write first draft at any other time; I can edit, but the story comes from an early morning combination of coffee and quiet.

So, what does Author Dorlana Vann like to do when she actually has some free time? Any favorite hobbies or activities?
I love to cook; I like making up my own recipes. I enjoy going to festivals, the beach, and on road trips with my family. And getting together with “the gang” to play poker and to have a couple of drinks is always a blast.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and have any had a big influence on your writing?

Some of my favorites are Oscar Wilde, John Grisham, Sarah Addison Allen and Laura Esquivel. Anne Rice’s work is probably what guided me away from the family saga genre and towards the supernatural. But when I went to write horror, it came out quirky. Don’t ask me, the characters just kind of took over…

What would you consider your biggest "sinful" indulgence?

I don’t know. I might spend a bit much on shoes and purses. And just recently I had my ears repierced, after ten years of not wearing earrings, and so now I’m buying all of these fabulous earrings. So, I guess shopping. Yeap. I love the mall.

You know I'm also going to ask you "the" question that I ask of all my author friends! What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans will be shocked to know?

Professionally: I don’t like short stories. I started writing them to get started in this tough business of writing, but I really prefer (reading and writing) the novel to the shorter form. But they are beginning to grow on me a bit now.
Personally: I was married when I was 16, and my husband was 18. We just celebrated our 23rd anniversary this March and I’m not even 40 yet (but almost... yikes).

Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs? 10 yrs?
I really like expanding my supernatural fairy tales to novel length. I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month – you write 50K words in 30 days) in November and completed the rough draft of my Rapunzel inspired young adult supernatural novel – I used my short story, The Tower, as a base. I also have a Little Red Riding hood inspired young adult story brewing in my mind – I’m trying to keep it back until I’m ready to write it. Even though my stories and novels are suitable for all ages, I think I would really like to step over to the official young adult genre. So, in ten years I hope to have a gob of supernatural fairy tale inspired young adult novels.

You've been a member of a local group of writers called Humble Fiction Cafe. Tell us about your group and what you all strive to achieve together.

Writing is a very solitude activity so when you find a group of people who can relate, it’s great. Other writers also make terrific sounding boards, critiquers and motivators. Our anthology, SPLIT, is now available – Yay. We each picked dichotomies/opposites to write about. A lot of the stories were inspired by or are a continuation of other stories in the book. It was a really fun project that we are all very proud of.

Where can people find you and your work online?

Website: http://www.dorlanavann.com/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/dorlana
Supernatural Fairy Tales blog: http://www.dorlana.blogspot.com/
Supernatural Fairy Tales myspace page: www.myspace.com/sfairytales
Humble Fiction Café’s story circle: http://www.humblefictioncafe.blogspot.com/

Any new Dorlana Vann books for us to be on the lookout for in the near future?

I’m actually working on the second half of my Dark Tarot Death Card book. My second novel for the book is Isabella’s Dark Night. It’s another paranormal mystery. It’s about a woman who finds her archeologist parents murdered. Her search for a missing amulet (the reason her parents where killed) takes her back to ancient Byblos and also across the world to modern day Egypt.
It will be released by itself in Ebook around September 2008, and then it will be combined with Jaclyn’s Ghost by the end of the year for print.

Thank you very much for taking time to chat! It has been a real pleasure and you know I wish you much much success in your writing career!
Thank you! And thanks for creating such a great candle for Jaclyn’s Ghost – I love it!

A New Dawn is Breaking...

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:58:00 +0000

Conversation with Author Gia Dawn

Hello Gia! Thank you for agreeing to be the first featured author for 2008. Your tag-line is just perfect for such an occassion: A New Dawn is Breaking... (Love it!) Are you ready for the new 2008 dawning?

I am up and running for 2008! Princess of Thieves releases this month, and I can give you a hint that the final in the series will come out later this year...shhhhhhhh. And I have a couple of darker romances in the planning stages for after the Dunmore Series is finished.

You are also the newest member of Books in the Spotlight and I have to say that it was indeed a pleasure to work with you on your two candle projects. As soon as I saw your very beautiful covers and read about your stories, I was very excited and could not wait to begin! Please tell us about your two books, Lord Demon's Delight, and Princess of Theives, for which your candles represent.

First of all, let me say how much I love love love the candles. I sent a pair to my editor for a Christmas present, and she cannot rave about them enough! (Author sucking up at its finest.) Now on to the stories...
The Demons of Dunmore series revolves around three fabulous bastard brothers, their two doting and meddling mothers, and a trio of the crankiest fairy-godmothers ever--Snapdragon, Pansy, and Rose. They are set in the kingdom of Westmyre, my version of medieval Europe, and are filled with tons of magic and mayhem with the heat definately turned up.
In Lord Demon's Delight, Lord Lewellyn, the eldest brother, meets the woman of his dreams when--in a completely uncharacteristic display of chivalry--he saves the lovely Jessaline from a horrid marriage of her equally horrid father's arranging. He only asks one thing in return, that she succumb to his every sensual demand! To his delight and ???, Jessaline does all that and more.
Allard, the second brother, meets his match in Princess of Thieves, when he is kidnapped by the rougish thief, Jo, and led into a world of ancient magic and hidden evils in the Lost Blue City buried long ago.
There is also a novella, Lady Strumpet, which introduces the enigmatic and outcast Wynn...a most unusual orphan who was taken in by Finella and Samantha--the mothers extroardinaire--when he was found wandering the streets as a child.

Please tell us all about your Demons of Dunmore Series as a whole ~ How it began and where it's headed.

I have always wanted to write romance. But I have follow up issues, and couldn't complete a manuscript for years. In March of 2006 I decided to quit my job as a massage therapist and give full time writing a chance. My husband (who is wonderful) said go for it. I had originally intended to complete a manuscript I had started several years ago, but then I discovered erotic romance and had to try my hand. Before long, Jessaline and Llewellyn from Lord Demon's Delight were hinting at all the fun and delicious things they wanted to do to each other. I was very happy to let them tell their story. Since I have sons...the brothers became inevitable. Allard, bastard brother number two is the hero for Princess of Thieves, and Graham (the baby, lolol) is telling me all about his lady love as we speak!

Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

Inspiration...that's a toughie. I never begin at the beginning of a work. I usually get some snippet of dialog or a piece of a scene, and I run with it from there. I never actually write the book in sequence, either. If I get stuck on a scene, I leave it and move onto another. What is impossible to write one day usually flows fine on another. That's a piece of advice I give to all aspiring authors.

You've stated that you've been a Romance fan since your teens and tried your hand at it, but did not really seem to get far until you discovered Erotic Romance. Do you think your inner "diva" was finally released with a hot passion for the Erotic?

I have always been drawn to the erotic. Other traditions and cultures treat it the act of making-love as a mystical journey to the heart of the divine, and believe that when we achieve ecstasy with our beloved, we are given a glimpse of heaven. Nice, huh? Sexuality is important for the health of relationships...and we women enjoy outside stimulation just as much as men. Although, I admit, I have to have the happily-ever-after! It doesn't seem like a romance without it, and first and foremost, I am a romance writer.

Do you now write full time?

Yes. We live fairly simply. We have a very small house in a very nice subdivision. My sons learned long ago that even though we don't have all the latest gadgets and games, most of their friends do. And I have been a mostly stay at home mom all their lives. When I did work, it was part-time and geared around their schedule so I could be there when they got home from school. They have always been the priorities. It's funny, when I decided to quit my job and begin to write full-time, I had no clue that I would end up writing on the road. My father became very ill that year and I spent weekends at my parents helping my mother care for him until his death this past spring. The writing became this amazing gift that I could squeeze in around all the other things in my life.

Who, if anyone, has had the most positive impact on your life and writing career?

My husband, without a doubt. And my father. He was my greatest fan. He lived long enough to know I had contracted the first book--and see my cover art!--but passed away a month before it was released. An amazing scholar himself, he said that of all the people he had met in his life, he'd never known a published author...that was so totally special for me.

I bet your Husband is your biggest fan! Tell us about your family.

I have been married to my college sweetheart for twenty-three years. We have two sons, both teenagers. One looks and acts just like his dad, and one looks and acts just like me! They are totally great and amazing young men, and I adore them shamelessly.

So, what does Erotic Author Gia Dawn find sexy?

Romance. The seduction, the symbiosis, the whole soul-mate ideal. Fantasy at its finest.

Most sinful indulgence?

Chocolate, and lots of it. Good champagne on festive occasions.

And of course the question that everyone is asked: What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would be shocked to know?

That I wanted to be a belly-dancer, but started way too late. Before that, I wanted to be the next Barbara Streisand...of course, that was way before American Idol. And that I have a secret passion for horror novels and books about serial-killers. I just finished Hannibal Rising.

If you had a time machine at your disposal, where would you travel in time and why?

I like history in theory...don't know if I would want to see it up close and in person. The Virgo in me cringes at the thought of no running water, chapstick or toilet-paper. Not to mention the other unmentionables that make a woman's life more pleasant in the modern age. Mattresses not made of straw...air-conditioning...central heat. I am soft, I admit it freely. Not a camping diva. That said, I would love to see the world before the industrial age and I am as much an Anglophile as anyone.

What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day's work penning hot passionate love stories?

I have my favorite TV shows...Criminal Minds, Dexter, Numb3rs...see the serial killer pattern? I am alse a bit of a sci-fi geek. Love Stargate Atlantis (my youngest son is a Rodney in training) and still love James T. Kirk and Spock. My husband and I take ballroom dance lessons now and then.

Do you get a chance to meet or chat with any of your fans?

I am getting out in the world a bit. I have two booksignings coming up in February, you can check my website for details, and I will be at the Romantic Times Convention in Pittsburg this year. That is the most fun for me, when I feel that the hours of work are worth it. The rewards of planting my butt in front of the computer for months at a time.

So, what's new and exciting on the horizon from Gia Dawn that we all need to be on the lookout for?

Graham's story--no title yet, will come out later this year, and then I'm going back into real history. Roman Britain has always fascinated me. I also plan to explore some deeper human emotion. Loss and longing through the ages. Hmmmm...the Darker side of Dawn, what do you think?

Thank you so much Gia for spending time to chat and let us all get to know you and your work better. I wish you much success in 2008 and beyond!

Thank you, Jfay. Your candles are exquisite, and I can't wait to design the one for my next book!

Gia Dawn's Books in the Spotlight Features:

Welcome to Westmyre where fairy magic whispers and you can enjoy your every delight. Mmmmm...Cinnamon, sweet and spicy just like the one who comes to sweep you off your feet.

The Westmyre Candle ~ Created for author Gia Dawn's Lord Demon's Delight,
Demons of Dunmore series.

In the Lost Blue City an ancient magic wakes. It has lured you into its forgotten realm far below the world above. But wait...a light shines in the distance and the smell of peppermint and vanilla come to lead you home at last.

The Lost Blue City Candle ~ Created for Author Gia Dawn's Princess of Thieves, Demons of Dunmore Series.

Visit Gia Dawn online at: www.giadawn.com

Author Chris Jacobs

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:00:00 +0000

Conversation with Author Chris Jacobs

Hello Chris! You certainly are a busy man these days! Besides all of your other interests and activities, you've told me that you are now also attending college. How's that going for you?

Well, it is going pretty good! I am attending speech and financialclasses at the moment, but am going into the graphic design field.Hopefully I am accepted into the program.

I have so much that I want to talk with you about, I don't know where to begin! You wear many interesting hats ~ You are an artist, poet, author, and a paranormal investigator. Let's start with your stunning artwork. Where do you find inspiration for your paintings?

My inspiration comes from the "voice" within. It guides me through allaspects of my life, let alone my paintings.

Where can people go to see your artwork? Do you offer them for sale?

I do offer my paintings for sale, but unfortunately I do not have themhanging in any art galleries or homes...YET!

I am very interested in your paranormal investigation work - I guess you know that since I've asked you questions about it before, but please tell us something about your work.

I belong to a paranormal group by the name of Paranormal L.I.G.H.T.S.(Lincoln Investigations of Ghost Hauntings and The Supernatural). Thegroup was founded roughly 8 years ago by Nicholas Downs and EmilyGanz. I have been in the group for at least 4 years now and in thattime we have investigated numerous locations around the heartland.What we do is when someone comes to us and asks us if we caninvestigate their house to see if it is haunted or not, we come outwith our equipment to see it we can prove it. We use a variety ofinstruments, from a simple camera, to electromagnetic field detectors,to digital recorders. We also investigate cemeteries and historicalsites as well. Our most notable investigation was to Ball Cemeterynear Springfield Nebraska. We caught the image of a Native Americanapparition attacking the crew.

You also have said that you are an artist reenactor ~ What does that involve?

My father and I have have camped out and have been merchants athistorical reenactments since I was little. We study several defferenttime frames: Greco Roman, Dark Ages, Medieval, Renaissance, Colonial,French and Indian war, Revolutionary war, and the Mountain man era. Wesell leather goods of our own making, plus knives, candles, andironware all appropriate to the time frames depicted. We also wear theappropriate clothes for the events as well.

Now, to your poetry! You have a new book out called The Language of Heaven: Poetry of the Divine Volume 1. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, It was conceived back in May of 2005. It is the first book Iever wrote and it includes poems from now all the way back to when Iwas in high school. It's newest incarnation, Volume 2, was justcompleted this year and includes 100 new and old poems. All of mypoetry and other writings I attribute to that same "voice within" thatguides my every move.

When did you first begin to write poetry?

I began to write poetry back when I was in high school, but reallystarted to excel at it later in life.

On a more personal note, here is the one question that I ask all of my victims, um, I mean guests ~ What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would be shocked to know?

I see and speak to "dead people". It has been I gift of mine since long ago.

I know that you are a fan of traveling and adventure, where are some of the most interesting places you've visited?

I have been to many places around this country, but a few of the mostinteresting places would have Santa Fe, NM, Colorado Springs, Co, andSan Antonio, TX. In Santa Fe I went with my mother to Saint FrancisCathedral and saw the spiral staircase that stands on its own, we alsowent to Chamiao and collected the holy dirt in the well. In ColoradoSprings, we went to The Garden of the Gods amongst the red rocks. Wealso passed Cheyenne Mountain Military base, home of Norad and ofcourse the Stargate, LOL! Earlier this year I went to San Antonio withmy father. We saw the Alamo and went to Brakettville to the AlamoMovie set. Unfortunately, I have not been out of the country yet. :(

Who would you say has had the most positive impact on your life?

I would have to say my parents have had the most positive impact on me.

Let's take a ride in a time machine ~ Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What is multi-talented Chris Jacobs doing in 2017?

I am in a house in the country with someone I love! Hopefully! :) Ihave to fall in love first! LOL!

Who are your favorite authors to read? Are there any authors' work that have influenced your own?

Though I do not read too much, I have read Robert Frost, Robert Burns,Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Poe, ect. My work, however, is influenced bymy own experiences and soul incursions as it were. I have noticedthough, that I am influenced by the works of others that carry acertain "Vibration".

Any new inspired works that we need to be on the lookout for?

Yes, as I said before, The Language of heaven, Poetry of the DivineVolume 2, but I also have a few other projects I am working on.The Maiden's Fury - Which is done, but is going to be published in amore solid form later.Pricilla's Moon - Sequel to The Maiden's Fury. It's not quite doneyet, but close.Lonely Mountain - Continuing the story and characters of The Maiden'sFury and Pricilla's Moon, this one is in the preliminary stages at themoment. When I come up with an idea that I feel belongs in this book,I jot it down.I very rarely am inspired to write erotic, sensual/adventure stories,but these just seemed right to me.Another work that is close to completion is Sorceress of Evil, a bookthat both my father and I am working on.

Thank you very much Chris for taking time to share your work and adventurous lifestyle with us. You are certainly on your way to great things and I wish you much success and happiness!

Thank you Jfay! I wish you the best in your ventures as well!

Visit Chris' Online Book Store:
http://stores.lulu.com/chrisjacobs22

Chris Jacobs' Books in the Spotlight Feature:

The Maiden's Fury by Author Chris Jacobs offers up much exciting adventure as the battle rages against an evil slayer ~ The Maiden's Fury Candle will be there to light your way.

Author Kate Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:53:00 +0000

Conversation with Author Kate Hill

Hello Kate! Such a pleasure to get a chance to chat with you!
I must say, very nice website! Someone could really get engrossed there looking through all of your different series of books! How many series are currently out now?

Thanks very much! I have eleven series out right now and two new ones coming up.

You have many different types of books such as Erotic Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, but I get the feeling that your heart is taken with vampires!

I do love vampires. When I was growing up my mother was a huge vampire fan, so I spent a lot of time watching vampire movies with her.

What I really like is that you break away from tradition and have given your vampires new rules and a new twist on their existence.

While I love traditional vampires, I especially love vampires who break from the norm in some way. I prefer vampires who are a different species rather than the "undead."

A lot of research and thought must have gone into your Ancient Blood Series. I was in awe when I saw that you even have Helpful Terms for your readers, a sort of glossary to help them understand the terminology used in the books. Just reading their definitions is enough to get anyone hooked and wanting to see what it's all about!

Thanks very much for taking a look at the terms! One of my favorite things about writing is world building. I've been working on the Ancient Blood universe for years and it's been so much fun.

Can you describe the three different "types" of vampires in your series? From what I see, there are Hybrids, Immaculates, and Originals in your stories.

Hybrids are humans who have been turned into vampires by another vampire. Hybrids can only be created if the vampire and the human are compatible. Couples can find out if they're compatible by taking a medical test. Immaculates are vampires born to two hybrid vampires, conceived just like a human baby is conceived. These are very rare. Originals are the "true" vampires who traveled to Earth from another galaxy.

You also have a couple of series that are a "spin-off" of your other series. Can you tell us a bit about those?

Ancient Blood doesn't have a spin-off series, but I have another series called Blood and Soul that has a few spin-offs. Blood and Soul focuses on a vampire master called Zigor and those connected to him. Dangerous Cravings, Heart's Blood and The Elixir Maidens all take place in the same world as Blood and Soul.

Oh, I must tell you that I love the pictures of your pets! They are so cute! How many loveable fur balls are there in your life?

Thank you! I have a dog and three cats. I love animals.

A fact that I found fascinating is that you are a Vegetarian. How did you come around to this lifestyle choice?

I never liked eating meat, so it wasn't really difficult to give it up. There was a very short time in my early twenties when I stopped being a vegetarian, but I was very unhappy with the lifestyle so it didn't take me long to go back to it and I've never even thought about eating meat again since.

Now Kate, here's the one question that I must ask everyone, What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would be shocked to know?

I write a lot of erotic romance, so the surprising thing might be that I spend so much time writing sex that I scarcely have any time to actually have it!

I'm very interested to know what inspired you to start writing, and to start writing paranormal and vampire stories.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember, so I think it's just something I've always felt the need to do. Since I grew up on vampire movies and books, it seemed like the natural thing for me to write about.

Would you have any particular words of wisdom to share with other authors who may be wanting to start out on the path of paranormal romance. Is it very hard to get your name out there and establish your characters - especially if they are taken from the "normal" path that people would expect?

I would say the best advice would be never give up, but if a person has a strong desire to write they never will give up. Write about what you love and it will always be worthwhile for you. Also learn to take criticism but know when to follow your own path. No matter what you do you will not please everybody so ultimately you need to satisfy yourself. I feel that if I'm not connected to what I'm writing I can't possibly ask someone else to be.

With so many books under your belt and a new one out (that I want to know more about), do you get much "down time"? What do you like to do for fun?

That's funny because one of my favorite things to do for fun is write. I also enjoy working out and spending time with my family.

So, speaking of the new book, Back to Haunt You, which as you know, I think the bookcover is lovely, can you tell us a bit about this story?

I'd love to. Back to Haunt You is a paranormal (non-erotic) story that involves psychics in a small New England town. The book does have several romantic subplots, but the main focus is on a series of violent crimes that police believe have been committed by members of a psychic institute.

Any other new and exciting projects from Kate Hill that fans should be on the look-out for?

I have a new book coming soon from Ellora's Cave called Raptvyn's Rogue. It's a ménage romance focusing on shapeshifting bird people. Raptvyn's Rogue is the sequel to my gay romance novel, Windswept, in which these particular shapeshifters are introduced. Also next year from Changeling Press I have a spin-off of my Carnal series coming out, called Carnal 2. This series is about the relationship between the werewolves and vampires inhabiting the same world.

Do you ever get a chance to participate in any chat forums with your fans?

I love doing list days at my publishers' loops and also hanging out on some of the other reader groups at yahoo. The third Wednesday of every month I do a list day from 11-4pm EST at the Changeling readers yahoogroup. On my website is a list of upcoming events that I try to keep updated with where and when I'll be chatting.

Thank you so much Kate for taking time to chat with me. It has truly been a pleasure to get to know more about you and your body of work. I wish you much continued success in your writing career!

Thank you so much!

You can visit Kate Hill online at http://www.kate-hillcom/ or on myspace at www.myspace.com/katehillromance

Kate Hill's Sensual Dreams Candle was designed to reflect the mood of her paranormal and fantasy romances:

Author William Maltese

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:46:00 +0000

Conversation with Author William Maltese

Hello William!

I am thrilled to get a chance to sit down for a personal tete-'a-tete with you! You have to be one of the most endearing people I have ever had the pleasure to make an acquaintance, and you just happen to be one of the most talented also.

Teats to teats, did you say? Well, just let me slip off my shirt, first, and …

Ooops, got that wrong, didn’t I? What a way to start things off! Let’s blame you for lobbing that big hyphenated-French word to me.

Let’s start again, and see if I can modestly bow my head and kind of look up at you, gee-whiz-thanks like, because I’m always delighted and appreciative of nice things said —endearing, talented (considering some of the things that have been said to and about me); so, please don’t stop.

For those unfortunate folks that may not be familiar with you or your work, I'd like to bring them up to speed with the fact that you are actually an author of International fame. Please do tell in which countries your works have been published.

What do you mean: some folks may not be familiar with me? Is that possible? Surely not! Where have they been hiding, on Mars? Just kidding.

I’ve been published in England, New Zealand, Australia, French Canada, Canada. Holland, France, Brazil, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain. At least, those are the ones I can recite off the top of my head. Oh, yes, if you know anyone who can read Japanese, I still have some in-Japanese editions of LOVE’S GOLDEN SPELL.

I've noticed that you write in many different genres. What are they, and which do you feel is your favorite?

Well, Jfay, name a genre, and I’ll give odds that I’ve written it, including a children’s novel (hey, guys, Christmas is coming and a great gift for the little kiddies in your family is certainly my DOG ON A SURFBOARD AND THE REST OF THE ADVENTURE by Billy Lambert).

I’ve written so many genres, in fact, that it can, I admit, sometimes be confusing to readers who are used to one-genre authors. Possibly, I’ve been so diverse in my output, because I’m a Gemini and get antsy if I think I’m getting into a rut. For me, in just about everything, variety is the spice of life, and I need variety to keep up my interest (or keep “up” whatever), otherwise I can get bored to drooping pretty damned easily.

As for which is my favorite genre, it’s usually the one I’m writing at the time the question is asked. I have noticed, though, over the years, that I seem to have a penchant for adventure/espionage, as opposed to guy-or-gal next door. I like my characters involved in/with physical problems to be solved that are a little more complicated than what kind of bread they’re going to bring home from the bakery, or whether to date the local accountant or insurance salesman.

I really like hustler novels (AKA my short story “Wayne in Spain” in aspenmountainpress.com’s new ebook anthology FOREIGN BOYS, or my DIARY OF A HUSTLER, or my upcoming “I” series book, I, HUSTLER), because I’ve always found it fascinating that some people are so good-looking and/or so talented in bed that other people pay for the privilege of joining them.

As for sci-fi/fantasy, I don’t know whether or not that’s really a favorite of mine (although my first published book was sci-fi, and I’ve recently written GERUN, THE HERETIC and BOND-SHATTERING), or whether I’ve written so many, merely because a publisher once asked me to do one a month for about a year.

About how many books have you had published throughout your career?

Last count, over two-hundred. I’ve tried my best to keep at least one copy of everything I’ve written, and a couple of years ago, I actually started lugging all those copies out of trunks and writing a bibliography of sorts. Even I was surprised by how many books I’d written, even when realizing, of course, that there was a time, there, when I was putting out at least one book a month for literally years on end.

You seem to be quite an adventurer and have traveled very extensively. What are some of the most memorable places you have visited?

Oh, if it is one thing that I love to do it is travel, and I have been very lucky in having traveled a good deal.

Between my junior and senior year of university, a friend of mine, with more money than brains, discovered an old Inca treasure map in an old botany book (of all things) in the university archives (of all places). We did the hunt-for-Inca treasure thing that provided us, in the end, with very little to show for ourselves but a genuinely adventurous time, and serious cases of crotch-rot (because of the high jungle humidity). And since chronicling that search for Inca treasure was actually my first officially published piece (an article for the men’s magazine Argosy), I guess adventure and adventurous living simply continue to hold out their fascination for me.

While I’ve taken in the typical tourist spots around the world, like climbing the great pyramid of Cheops at Giza, and roaming the Coliseum in Rome, and visiting the Tower of London, one of my all-time favorite places has to be Brazil’s Iguacu Falls. Admittedly, I have this fetish for waterfalls, and will go miles out of my way to see one, but this one, bar none, is the world’s best, and that includes Niagara and Victoria which I’ve, likewise, seen up close and personal. There is just something about all of that water, providing so many cascades, over so many huge and small and medium jungle-environment embankments, that is simply marvelous to behold.

Of course, I’m particularly fond of New Zealand’s Milford Sound (by sea), but I suspect that has something to do with the fact that I sailed it during a pretty bad storm, and all of the cliff faces of the fjord were simply awash with rain runoff, forming one extensive major waterfall.

Machu Picchu certainly is spectacular and something to see (and has provided me fodder for several books — my m/f Harlequin SuperRomance LOVE’S EMERALD FLAME, soon to be re-issused), my m/f BLOOD-RED RESOLUTION, and my m/m BEYOND MACHU).

And, I loved Great Zimbabwe (which appears in my soon-to-be-re-issued m/f Harlequin SuperRomance LOVE’S GOLDEN SPELL and in my upcoming m/m TUSKS), mainly because I found myself all alone in those ruins, not an official or fellow tourist in site.

Zanzibar was notable for its slaving historical significance (my SLAVES soon to be re-issued), and for the inconvenience of getting there, and the inconvenience of staying there, and the inconvenience of getting off again; not one of my most pleasurable stopovers but memorable to be sure.

I'm sure that you've had many many experiences dealing with publishers throughout the span of your very impressive career. Would you have any words of wisdom to share with authors who may be just starting out, and trying to get someone, anyone to notice them?

My advice has been, and will continue to be, that an author should always write for no one but himself. When you start writing for other people, including for a specific publisher, chances are you’re not writing what you want to write, the way you want to write it, and the person you’re writing it for is going to know, in the end, that it’s half-assed and reject whatever you’ve written anyway. If you want to enjoy writing and not make it a chore, write what pleases you and then shop it around. Publishers are people and put on their underpants (and panties, since there are female publishers as well), like anyone else. Like everyone else, too, they have their likes and dislikes and biases. Just because one publisher thinks what you’ve written is shit, another one is just as likely to find it pure gold.

Gird your loins and learn to accept rejection in the writing business as not something personal, although, yes, I admit, that is sometimes hard to do. I can only tell you that I have had more one publisher, in my long career, tell me (even me, can you believe?) that something of mine just “doesn’t work”, only to have another publisher grab it up as just exactly what it was looking for.

And, for God’s sake, save each and everything you write. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a novel that didn’t sell, filed away in a deep dark trunk, only to be brought out sometime later to be appreciated and sold, My m/f SS&M just such a novel. At the time I wrote it, it scared even me, because of its violence and hard-core S&M, and it certainly had more than one editor shuddering in disbelief and sending it on back with a, “NO thanks, you sicko!”. It sat in a dark place for literally twenty years, brought out only recently for an S&M web-site whose web-master showed interest in seeing and then serializing it. At which time, it was spotted by a publisher and actually went into print. While it’s still not a book for everyone, it is proof-positive that something written not at the right place and/or not at the right time can still be resurrected if you’ve only had the foresight to have held onto it and not chucked it out as hopeless.

It really is smart, too, for a writer to have a second job; I’m one of the few authors I know who has actually been able to make a living out of just writing from the get-go (and mine has been a feast-or-famine career). With the present state of the publishing market (it has always has it ups and downs, but there have been an exceptionally large and long amount of downs, lately, possibly because each ensuing generation becomes less literate), it would behoove any author to have something, by way of money-making, to fall back on. This provides a couple of major advantages: one, you’re not starving to death while writing; two, you can write what you want and wait for a publisher to take interest, rather than scurry around trying to write something to please a specific publisher just to keep food on your plate.

Of course, the disadvantage to doing writing on the side is that your other career may end up so time-consuming that you don’t have enough time to write at all. Although, that said, I always believe that a real writer always finds the time to write, no matter what else he or she may have going.

You have quite an extensive gallery of artwork on your site that I'm sure your fans pant over, called Artists "Do" author William Maltese. How many artists would you say have "done" your photograph in their artistic view to date?

Ahhh, yes. All of that wondrous artwork based upon that one black-and-white nude photo taken of me just a few weeks ago (don’t I wish it was just a few weeks back!). Surprising how much attention the collection has garnered me in its relatively short span of existence. Certainly, I think more than my writing did in as short a time-span. Leading me to wonder if I shouldn’t have followed through on the publicity photo shoot from which the original black-and-white photo originated and not nixed the whole thing because I didn’t like the way I looked naked at the time (my finding, today, that I look a helluva lot worse now than then).

Presently, I think I’ve about twenty-six artists who have graciously participated, although some of the artists, like Rick Chris, and Daniel Holz, and Kerry Dikken, have done more than one piece. So, there are more than just twenty-six pieces in the collection. “Kinrod” has done about twenty-two (and still counting), all by his lonesome, and I ended up providing him a whole separate gallery. Plus, I have pieces from three artists finished and in the line-up, just waiting for me to officially post them. In fact, I just uncrated this absolutely marvelous (in my humble opinion) stained-glass panel by Diego Tolomelli, an Italian artist, which portrays me as St. Bartholomew.

Oh, I must mention that we can add "Eye-Candy Cover Hunk" to your very long list of accomplishments! I thought this was just the tops when you told me about it (and which by the way, I am now going to make everyone jealous due to the fact that I am a proud owner of an autographed copy!). How did this project come about?

You’re referring, of course, to the cover graphic for my S&M short-story collection, LOVE HURTS. This, yes, is, indeed, a depiction of yours truly in all of my semi-nude, gas-masked, spiked, leathered glory. It’s actually the artwork of John Abrahamson who did it for my ARTISTS “DO” author WILLIAM MALTESE collection; although, yes, the dangly bits of me have been covered over in the cover-graphic for propriety’s sake.

Initially, the portrait was intended as just another important piece of my collection, until Laura Baumbach, my publisher at MLR PRESS, and the head of the collective advertising group, manloveromance.com, of which I’m a member, made the decision to attend the New York City S&M/B&D Street Fair to promote manloveromance.com m/m books and authors to the leathered elite. My having written a lot of S&M books for Greenleaf Classics, back in my pulp days, and having continued with the genre, by way of including S&M in several of my more recent books (BEYOND MACHU, THE FAG IS NOT FOR BURNING, THE GOMORRHA CONJURATIONS, SLOVAKIAN BOY … et al), I had copies of those pertinent books sent along for display at the booth. Also, I had some commissioned steel cockrings by Kerry Dikken about which I’d written a couple of S&M stories. And, I had a couple of S&M pictures by Dutch artist Johan Ekkel about which I’d written a couple of stories; all of which were put on CDs for free distribution at the fair. When Laura began looking around for an S&M-themed poster to accompany the exhibit, I told her that she could use any of the S&M-oriented works from my collection, and she selected the one by John Abrahamson. The poster came out so damned good, that it — as some person, place, and thing, so often does for me, by way of creative inspiration — had me thinking that the poster graphic would look really great as a book cover. And since I, already, had a stockpile of S&M/B&D short stories, and since MLR PRESS was willing to publish my short-story collection, the rest is history.

Since then, of course, I’ve been thinking that my “Sebastian of the Western Plains” by Rick Chris, and my new stained-glass “St. Bartholomew” by Diego Tolomelli might likewise make great covers. I feel the creative juices starting to bubble away so who knows but that I may, once again someday soon, narcissistically be displaying my half-nude body for readers’ viewing.

Ok William, I'm going to get a bit more personal with you now and ask, What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would be shocked to know?

Possibly that that I’m not very good in bed (although I have mentioned that in other interviews, and it’s not going to come as any particular shock to any fan who has been to bed with me).

I’ve been accused of being a bit too distant and analytical of the sexual process to provide the spontaneity that usually makes for good sex. Namely, I’m usually so intensely involved in the mental process of sorting out, for instance, the “why” of a partner’s particular response — for instance a mere nipple erection (did it happen because I licked, caressed, or pinched?) — that I’m very seldom, if ever, ecstatically caught up in the moment.

So, while, I’ve marvelous endurance, you’re probably far better off with someone less voyeuristic and robotic in bed.

I’ve never actually ever been overtaken by the “lust” aspect of sex, where the two partners are so caught up in the rut that they can’t think of much of anything else but doing “it”, wherever they may be at the moment.

Therefore, the best sex you’re likely to get from me is in reading my books.

Do you consider yourself a humorous person? What makes you laugh?

Well, damn, Jfay, if people aren’t always pointing at me and saying, “Now, there, is a guy who is genuinely funny.”

Oh, you mean, ha-ha funny?

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I do, at times, think I can be genuinely humorous (but then sometimes I’m delusional, too, into thinking I’m hung like a horse).

Certainly, I believe there can be a certain amount of good-time humor, even sexiness, in sex, in foreplay, in after-play; although I was once told by a publisher that sex is very serious business to most people, and humor is best kept out of the literary bedroom.

I have been told that I can be very amusing. I’ve been told that I have humor in many of my books (DIARY OF A HUSTLER, and SLOVAKIAN BOY immediately come to mind). The problem is, of course, that what one person finds funny, another person finds offensive. So, some people probably think I’m humorous, others probably think I’m offensive. That’s no better illustrated than in the entirely opposite reactions I’ve received from my recently released ARDENNIAN BOY which has some readers laughing and other readers wrinkling their noses in disgust.

As to what makes me laugh, I admit to being prone to the comedy found on BBC AMERICA, like Graham Norton. For some reason, American humor, especially American TV sitcoms, leave me stone-cold.

You're going to be impressed. I actually did my homework and read that you are indeed very adventuresome when it comes to trying new things even exotic and strange foods. Please do tell of your adventures in exotic delicacies (food-wise that is!)

Well, color me as impressed, Jfay, as someone who has just found his penis enlarger actually does the job it’s advertised to do.

And, yes, absolutely, definitely, I am seriously “into” exotic eats — any kind, anywhere, any time, at least once. (Are we just talking food here?).

I’m always looking at these contestants on these reality shows who are fed these strange and exotic things but end up puking out their guts before they’ve even have a taste. I’m always thinking, “Jeez, give me the chance.” I can’t wait to get back to the orient and eat puffer fish, although prepared wrong it can kill you. Even now, I have alligator steak in my freezer, the kangaroo, emu, and rattlesnake (yep, the latter does taste like chicken) having already been consumed.

Much as I’d hate to admit it, you’d find me hard-pressed to turn down an invitation to dine clandestinely on endangered species. Millennia-frozen mammoth makes my mouth water.

I ate monkey in South America, although having since learned that AIDS might have been transmitted from eating (or doing whatever with/to a) monkey, I’d have second thoughts about trying it again.

I remember how excited I was to eat durian, that genuinely smelly fruit found in Southeast Asia. The wife and children of my host diplomatically chose to leave the house while the fruit was being prepared.

Do you have a favorite author and do you ever have time to read others' work?

I remember having had favorite authors. Like Herman Hesse, Fyodor Dostovsky, Gore Vidal, W.G. Hardy. For a couple of years now, I haven’t really had time to read purely for pleasure. With over eight books still contracted for me to write though 2008, I find about all I get to do, these days, is proof my own stuff (boring after the second or third read-through) and/or read an occasional book to review, usually as a (big) favor for some author (Pat Nelson Childs having just promised me a harem to read and review his ORPHAN’S QUEST; and since, I do want a harem . . .).

Would you say that there has been any one person that has made a profound impact on your life?

Other than one of my parents, you mean? In that, everyone usually mentions one or both of their parents, and mine were truly supportive. My poor mother had to fend off, “What’s Billy up to these days?” questions for years on end while I was pumping out nothing but porn. I finally wrote some sweet romances, some straight adventures, and DOG ON A SURFBOARD AND THE REST OF THE ADVENTURE, so she could brag about, and pass around some of my books, without turning her face, and the faces of her friends, an embarrassed beet-red.

Aside from my parents, however, there was an absolutely delightful lady friend of mine who took me in tow, at just the right age, and spent a good deal of love, time, and money (a whole lot of money, in fact) literally showing me the world. She introduced me to ship cruising while it was still dress-up-for dinner and first- versus second-class. She was generous, she was sweet, and she had an adventurous spirit that saw her still hopping into truck cabs for harrowing rides up the mountainside to Machu Picchu when she was in her eighties.

If you could travel back in time, is there anything that you would like to change, such as a decision that swayed an outcome in your life?

Nah! I’m a firm believer that there’s little sense in crying over spilled milk. Things are what they are. I am today, because of what I was and did (right or wrong) in the past, and, frankly, I’m quite content and rather pleased with the way I turned out. Anyone can always over-analyze in retrospect (I’m no exception) and wish that he were kinder to someone when he could have been, or wish he’d taken advantage of a situation he let slip, but life ain’t perfect, and I wouldn’t have it that way. Perfection, as you can observe by taking a look at some of those Greco-Roman statues sculptured according to mathematical formulae, can be downright boring.

I have another "If" question for you ~ If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be? Let's say you had a magical genie at your command!

Rome, Italy. I’d be wandering the corridors of the Vatican Museum with special permission for hands-on as regards the really extensive and extraordinary collection of Greco-Roman statues on display (and in not-available-to-the-general-public storage) there. You can’t imagine (anyway I couldn’t) what it’s like actually to touch a Michelangelo statue until you touch it. To do so provides a delight to the senses that I find … well … on occasion … downright … arousing.

After a hard day at work typing your masterpieces, what's your favorite way to relax and unwind?

Give me a pair of European-cut skimpy swim trunks, a comfortable and well-padded chaise-longue, a private tropical beach, a bottle of chilled Veuvre Cliquot champagne with Baccarat ice bucket and Baccarat flute (maybe throw in a good book), and you’ll likely see me content enough to purr. I might, on occasion, ask for an almost naked beach boy or Hooter gal to pour the champagne, but probably not. I’ve had some of the greatest times in my life with just myself and a bottle of Veurvre Cliquot. Although there was that exceptional bottle of vintage Chateau Lafite Rothschild and a hamburger that is still pretty damned hard to beat.

Any wicked indulgences you'd care to share?

I like exceptional wine. I like exceptional liquor. I like exceptional liqueur. I like exceptional food. I have been known to spend exorbitant amounts of money on any and/or all of the above.

I have a thing for “artwork”, and I’d own more of it if I could afford to do so (and not just for my ARTISTS “DO” author WILLIAM MALTESE collection). I think a lot of really exceptional artists, these days, are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet (or, has that always been the case?).

Oh, yes, I take great pleasure in seeing really attractive and well-put-together men and women stark naked. There’s no greater piece of aesthetically pleasing artwork in my book (pun intended) than a well-toned and naked homo-sapiens physique.

You recently joined ranks with some of your fellow authors at Man Love Romance. How's that going for you?

It’s an advertising cooperative, and my joining it was one of the best things that could have happened to me, or, in my personal opinion, could happen to any other writer. It has at its head, guiding light and human Alpha-female dynamo, Laura Baumbach, who is a real go-getter and does all the right things someone should be doing to promote writers and writers’ works. She does them, does them with real gusto, and obviously enjoys the doing, while some authors (like I) can find promotions tedious and boring and don’t do them (even though they should be done to get our names and works out there before the always dwindling buying public).

Laura is a social animal. She interacts well with people. She makes friends easily. She knows how to meet and greet and promote, and she does it. She researches her markets. She attends conferences. She’s always on the outlook for new ways to put the authors in her group, and their works, in the all-important spotlight.

As someone with a marketing/advertising degree, I can tell you that it costs an arm and a leg to advertise in the media, these days, and the only people who normally can afford do it, and who normally do it, are the big publishers, and even they’re not inclined to do it all that much any more. An individual author, even one, like I, who has achieved some success in the business, often finds it too expensive to advertise in, say, The Advocate, or Instinct, or reFresh. Manloveromance.com takes a bit of money from each of us, puts it all together, and buys the ads we can’t buy individually (or won’t buy, because of the expense), and promotes the Devil out of us as a group. Great exposure. Big bang for comparatively very few bucks!

Any new and exciting works that fans should be on the look out for in the near future?

I’ve always something new and exciting for my fans to look out for in the near future. In fact, every time I drop my….

Okay, so I won’t go there.

Do let me say, that readers should definitely be aware of my ARDENNIAN BOY which finally hit the book stands this month. It was a long time coming (no pun intended), and is about the infamous m/m relationship between the mainly gay French poet Arthur Rimbaud and the closeted bisexual French poet Paul Verlaine. Granted, not a book for everyone, but certainly different, in that I think the only other historical I ever wrote was my novel GAIUS MAXIMUS (and my short Roman Emperor Hadrian short story Paen to Pain in LOVE HURTS). Historicals are not easy for me to do, which is why I usually steer clear of them but, in this case, college professor Drewey Wayne Gunn had done some extensive translations, real gems, of the poets’ genuinely risqué poetry from the original French, and he wanted an erotic literary setting in which to place them. I only hope I did them justice.

Of course, look for my contribution to the scary anthology SCARED STIFF, written with three fellow MLR PRESS authors. It’ll soon hit the book stands, if it hasn’t already. The book, also, of note because of the three commissioned absolutely wonderful candles you did to represent each of the stories in the book.

Very soon, Wildside/Borgo Press will be re-issuing ten of my out-of-print books, including my three m/f Harlequin SuperRomances (LOVE’S EMERALD FLAME, FROM THIS BELOVED HOUR, and LOVE’S GOLDEN SPELL), my m/m books SLAVES written as Alex von Mann, YOUNG CRUISERS written as Cort Forbes, and WHEN SUMMER COMES, as well as my short-story collection SUMMER SWEAT.

MLR PRESS will shortly be re-issuing my m/m sci-fi epic BOND-SHATTERING (November 2007), and my m/m short-story collection CALIFORNIA CREAMIN’ (November/December 2007). There will be my upcoming m/m anthology (with Laura Baumbach) WET SKIN (December 2007), my m/m South African novel TUSKS (February 2008) and my m/m “I” series books (I, DEBAUCHEE in March 2008, I, HUSTLER in April 2008), my m/m Aussie epic SNAKES in May 2008, my m/my NAZI BOY in July 2008, and my my/m ARMY BOY: A ONE-HAND READ® in September 2008).

Thank you so much William for spending some time to let all of us get to know you a little more. You are truly a unique and fascinating person that I'd say is a one of a kind work of art!

Ah, “unique”! Ah, “fascinating”! Ah, “one of a kind”! Ah, piece of art! Ah, “William”! All mentioned in one and the same Jfay breath, it’s enough to make a grown man blush (see jaded me holding my breath to achieve the stereotype effect?). Really, though Jfay, favorite candle-maker of mine, it’s always a pleasure to join you — for a chat or whatever. Thank you for the opportunity to be a participating author in your conversation forum.

Speaking of you as a candle-maker, I was wondering if you couldn’t, now, provide me with some insights as to the best ways to dip my wick?

Be sure to visit William online and check out all of his very exciting works as well as his art gallery:
(18 and older ~ mature content)
http://www.williammaltese.com/

You can also visit William on myspace:
www.myspace.com/williammaltese

The following are William's Books in the Spotlight Features:

Stud Draqual Mystery Series:

Stud Draqual Candle

Scared Stiff from MLR Press includes ghostly short stories from Author William Maltese as well as Authors Sarah Black, Josh Lanyon, and Laura Baumback. The "A Rendering of Souls Wedding Candle" is the candle that was designed for William's story in the book. The other 3 candles can be found on Books in the Spotlight.

18 and older ~ mature content

Horror Author Jackie Coupe

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:29:00 +0000

Conversation with Horror Author Jackie Coupe

October 07

Hello Jackie!
I have to tell you, I was really moved when I read your bio, and you are right that it explains much. I sometimes wonder what brings a person to write very dark tales, especially when they seem to be a very cheery and upbeat person like yourself.
Your "saying" at the beginning of your bio says a lot about how your fascination with books began. I'm going to quote you ~ "I can't remember the first book I read. I just remember feeling quite clever that I could see what was being described to me." How did your fascination turn itself into you wanting to write?
Well, it grasped me at books had a lot of power. That they could make people feel, think and sometimes become uncontrollably moved. I had the utmost respect for the authors I read, Stephen King, Shaun Hutson, James Herbert. They were like wizards, conjuring up magical and horrifying times and people for my young mind to digest.
Some of my best memories of growing up included books. Reading when everyone else in the house was asleep, reading on the bus on the way to town to see a film, going to my grans and reading out on the back garden. Bliss. I wanted to have that power over people.

You also love to write poetry. Is it very dark as well?
HAHAHA!! I’d say 90% of it is dark yes, there are a couple of slightly romantic pieces, but not many, I am after all, The Evil Lord!! It would never do for me to get gushy. Having said that I am finding myself doing all kinds of things lately I wouldn’t normally do!

Are your stories and poems born from both imagination and emotion?
Imagination gives the spark, passion is what the fire then burns. Its nice to have a wicked and nasty little idea only to see it grow and take shape.

I see that you have a new book out called The Girls Club, please tell us about that!
Well. The Girls Club is a lesbian fiction noir that isn’t your typical romance. It follows a British girls travels to America where she seeks to live a new and open life. She comes across a secret club, high power lesbians and butch bruiser babes. Its funny, sexy and also down right evil in places. I’ve had some good feedback on it, notably from Sage Sweetwater who is an established name in the genre. I’m having fun with it and like to think it’s a book that appeals to anyone really - as long as they don’t mind a little blood that is!!

So, how was your recent visit to the US? You went to Colorado, right?
I had such an awesome time in Castle Rock. I mean, most people know that Stephen Kings earlier books centred around Castle Rock and its people so it was my inspiration for visiting. I didn’t know there was more than one Castle Rock and I didn’t know it would be so small! The place was vast, you could see the Rockies and thoughts of ‘The Stand’ filled my mind. The sun was bright and we did many things. Saw the Seven Falls, we rode the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, we did lots of walking. The Garden of the Gods was absolutely mind blowing!! The people were open and warm, more than once we were offered assistance when we were lost and I say to anyone now, small town America is worth the visit. Forget the hub-bub of a big city, get yourself to a place like Castle Rock and soak up the atmosphere!

Did you take any graveyard photos during your visit? I saw your collection on your website, they're really good!
I love cemeteries. I make no bones about it, (I know I know!). I think to see how a culture treats its deceased. You can pretty much guarantee that a well tended and looked after graveyard is supported by a friendly and caring community. I’m happy to say Castle Rock was no exception. The graveyard itself was only about 100 years old, the Castle Rock we visited is a relatively young town in that respect. There were some very beautiful and touching monuments. I enjoyed them a great deal.

Do you sell a lot of books here in the US as well as the UK?
I tend to sell more books here. I think its mainly because when I’m up the USA sleeps!! But I am working on it.

Is it difficult to promote and sell in two different countries and would you have any advice to offer other authors who may be trying to do the same?
It is difficult at times, the main advice I would give is this, build as many darn websites as you can, each will give you rankings on web searches. Get in touch with people, use Myspace and Facebook, don’t be afraid to answer questions and remember, your readers are your friends! Treat them with respect. Get yourself a profile on Amazon too, both UK and USA, that’s another great way to meet people.
Join www.authorsden.com - you can showcase your work there and the interaction with other writers and readers is cool. I recently met a couple of people I met first on there and had a blast!

What is your favourite Horror Novel or Movie and has any particular Author or Movie Maker influenced your work?
My favourite horror movie has to be ‘Ichi the Killer’ - its not the best ever movie and its maybe not everyone’s taste because it is rather extreme. I like extreme, fiction allows us to be extreme. When I write I think of how far I can push both myself and the reader. Ichi makes me go to extremes and for that I will always thank Takashi Miike, he isn’t afraid to put on film what some people would perhaps call taboo.

This is my "must-ask" question! What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would love to know??
Well. I write horror yes. But my most favourite thing in the world is to make people laugh!! On Halloween last year I wore a Jason Style hockey mask all day at my desk at work, I love to raise a smile. It feeds my soul.

So, what does Scary Horror Author Jackie like to do for fun besides visit graveyards??
I enjoy playing pool and am a fairly good bowler. I enjoy nights out with my girl Ali who boogies like its going out of fashion. I enjoy taking photos of scenery and cycling the canal paths near my house.
There are some other things but the law forbids me from mentioning them!!!

Do you find that story-telling becomes easier the longer you write?
Absolutely. After a few jerky stories you really do find the flow comes more naturally. Your style sets in and your pace steadies. I am very comfortable with what I can produce now. I would say to potential writers keep at it, even if you bin the first ten thin you write. It DOES get easier!

You have done all of your own book submissions and promotions and have been quite successful! What has been your driving force?
Fierce ambition! Gut determination. Self-belief. This is my dream and I have taken control of it, its very liberating I can tell you. I will succeed, one day at a time ;)

Who has had the most positive impact on your life?
Hard to say. My mum mainly, then my girlfriend. There is a cast of many characters involved in my life, some good and some bad. Even the bad characters have their impact and sometimes I can make that into a positive thing.

It seems like you're heading for a very bright (and scary!) future. What's new and on the horizon for you?
I am working on a few things. A full length novel that a bit old school, ‘Between the devil and the deep blue sea’. I want to visit a tale that subtly terrifying and I am having a lot of fun with it. There’s my sci-fi horror series RazorFace/ScissorLips that I have self produced. You can grab the first segments of that tale now at Lulu. I am also toying with the idea of a collection of photos to submit to the museum in Blackburn for an exhibit they are putting together. I am also going to be collaborating with Preditors & Editors prize winning horror novelist Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc on a project this December.
Busy times indeed, but you know what they say, no rest for the wicked!

I wanted to tell you also that I enjoyed listening to your SCfm radio interview with Roger Kennedy! Everyone needs to stop by your website for a listen!
OH NO!! I sound terrible, hahaha! Yes, its there for the whole world to hear how much I sound like Theodore Chipmunk!!

Thank you Jackie for being you. You are truly an inspiration and even though you write very scary stories, you are quite the opposite. I've enjoyed getting to know you better. Keep writing crazy lady!!

Be sure to visit Horror Author Jackie Coupe online: http://www.jackiecoupe.com/

Jackie's Books in the Spotlight Feature:

The chap, a boring everyday chap at that, is finding that ordinaryness is no defence to the inexplicable. Everyday he gets up and a piece of the wallpaper in his room has been moved. Does he ignore it? Would it be best to let sleeping dogs lie in the unlikely event that perhaps it'll blow over? Or does he embrace whats happening and attempt to put a stop to it? The latter would mean accepting his madness though.

Can you Smell the Desperation in the Air?
Wallpaper Gremlins driving you out of your mind? Well, then this Desperation Candle is for you ~ Created for the unhinging work of Author Jackie Coupe, this candle will not drive you into madness, but rather possibly chase those Gremlins away!

Mistress Rae

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:00:00 +0000

Conversation with Author Cinsearae Santiago

October 07

Hello Lovely Cinsearae, or do you prefer Mistress Rae?
Oh, Mistress Rae is more fun.....(evil grin)

Oh, I bet you're very excited, it's your favorite time of year! Any big plans?
Oodles. Plaguing all the Halloween stores for one! This is also the time of year I give away Halloween goody bags just for the asking. Folks can just go to my site for the details! I love playing "Mrs. Claws". LOL!

I enjoyed reading your bio and realized that you began writing at a very young age. How old were you, and how did you know that's what you wanted to do?
Let's see, I was 8, so that was 3rd grade. It all started with a writing assignment our teacher had us do to use our vocabulary words for the week. Just a small, 'finish the story' kind of thing, and we only had to fill in just six blank lines. Well, I scribbled some sentences down, filpped the paper over, and just kept going until I felt the story was done, and I was already past using the vocabulary words! LOL! The next day, I saw my paper on our hallway bulletin board, and the teacher had actually hand-written my whole story down on those huge pieces of paper for everyone to read, with "A++ Superior!" written on top. I was embarassed and happy at the same time. Needless to say, I was called a 'nerd' after that. Afterwards, I was always writing something. I had a little baby-doll that I used to pretend was my 'little sister', and her and I would go on adventures in my stories. (of course, I made her 'alive' in them!)

Tell us a bit about your Gratista Clan, and how you came up with the series.
The Blood Touch series started in the late '90s, and the characters were based on a few acquaintences I knew while I was attending a trade school. I was very much into the Goth scene and Vampires (still am!) and for some weird reason, a couple of the guys in my class inspired me to create vampire characters out of them. I started out drawing them, altering their looks slighty to give them a more Gothier look-- but then those drawings started 'speaking' to me. It quickly turned into a full-blown story!
The Gratista Clan is a solitary bunch, sort of a "don't mess with us and we won't mess with you" kind of group. Their clan name is derived from the Spanish word for "free" (gratis)--they are a clan free of human rule, free to live their lives how they want, and without bothering anyone.

So, will there be any more books to look forward to in the Gratista Clan series?
Oh, definitely! My main antagonist, Sallos, has his own book, telling of his life before and after he became a vampire, and the Clan's second-in-command, Antonio, will be coming out with a book along the same lines. I had put the series aside for a bit to finish a book (not of the series) this year, so now I will go back to my "old friends" and have more of the Blood Touch series out by next year.

What are some of your other works?
My latest release "In The Beginning" is an apocalyptic story with our well-known Archtypes (St, Michael, Gabriel, Jesus, Lucifer, etc.) having the most unusual quirky pesonalities and in a situation most odd, as Lucifer is trying to 'force' the apocalypse to come sooner than God deemed it, to try and 'prove a point' to Him....

You always have the most beautiful photos of yourself in costume. Do you attend many formal events?
I try! LOL! I LOVE to play 'dress up' any chance I can. We have the Dracula's Ball and Libertine Ball here in Philly, so I usully go to those. Every now and then just for the fun of it, I'll dress up and have my finace' take pics, especially around Halloween!

I wanted to ask about the latest photos of you with the beautiful face paint artistry. Did you do that yourself? It is gorgeous and I love those eyes!
Yes, I did (and can you believe I did it out of boredom? ) I never painted my face entirely like that, so I was 'experimenting' one night. Now I'm tempted to do more with different colors...lol!

Now, I'm going to try to make a point to ask every featured author this next question! What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would love to know?
I hate, Hate, HATE spiders. Not scared of them, just don't like them. I've been bitten one too many times by small ones. The bigger and stranger looking they are, the more they creep me out. And just for laughs, I always wanted to be Lily Munster when I grew up. HA!

Is there anyone who has had a truly positive effect in your life?
My first crush experience was when I saw Frank Langella in the 1979 version of "Dracula". I was ten years old! Then there was Vincent Price too...those guys more or less enforced my dark side, whch was a good thing! LOL!

What's your favorite sinful indulgence???
Honey-roasted Almond Godiva truffles. To DIE for!!! Oh, and Moose-Tracks icecream too....

So, what does a fabulously ravishingly beautiful vampiress do in her down-time?
Take my two crazy-ass rat terriers, Hades and Chaos out to the park so they can bark at everyting. LOL! While I'm there, I might take photographs of nature. If not that, I'll be reading or watching horror movies!

You now have a zine that you send to your fans. What is it about and how can people subscribe?
Dark Gothic Resurrcted is (naturally!) Goth/vampiric in theme, full of short stories, poetry, artwork and articles. I do my best to get a few good interviews on folks that are pretty well known in the scene somehow, or will showcase 'new blood' too. Folks can go to the storefront http://www.lulu.com/gratistavampires and find past issues there. I always list who's in each issue!

Anything new or upcoming that you'd like your fans to know about?
Well, "In The Beginning" was just released, and in the "Store" section of my Blood Touch website, folks can find gothic and fantasy art prints, postcards, Blood Touch mini-prints, stickers, buttons, magnets and handmade jewelry all done by yours truly for purchase! I'm always adding things monthly!

What a pleasure it's been chatting with you. I wish you much continued success in your writing!
Thank YOU, Jfay! This was a lot of fun! Hugs!

Please Visit Mistress Rae Online at http://www.bloodtouch.com/ to find out all the latest on the Gratista Clan Vampires. You can even join the Clan!

The Fall 07 Issue of Dark Gothic Ressurected is now available: http://www.lulu.com/content/1294997

The following are Books in the Spotlight Features for Mistress Rae:

Bloodtouch Candle

Gratista Bat Candle

Paranormal Romance Author Stella Price

noreply@blogger.com (Candle Artist Jfay) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:55:00 +0000

Conversation with Paranormal Romance Author Stella Price

September 07

Hello Stella!
You are the obvious choice for Studio 3B's first author to be featured in the Author Spotlight. You are, after all, the person who helped get Books in the Spotlight started! Hey, it just happened that we had the same idea at the same time. LOL. Im happy to do it, athough it's your candles... they call to me.

Please share with us how you started writing and how you and your sister actually managed to become such a super-charged writing team that spans two continents! See that's a really normal story. Audra and I wanted to do something together, and it was seemingly impossible because she lives over the pond so to speak. So, we decided to start writing together. It worked out to our benefit.

You and Audra have seemed to break barriers in the Romance Genre, bringing Romance and Paranormal together in an exciting and cutting edge way. I'm sure it hasn't been an easy road, what challenges have you faced and overcome? I think our biggest one has been finding a stable and credible publisher. With so many rejecting us and the Eververse Series, it was really hard to keep our chin up. But it all worked out and we have done fantastic with the book. Almost every publisher told us it wasn't anything special and would never sell.

Any advice you'd like to share with aspiring authors who want to break away from tradition and get their work noticed? Don't let any publisher change what you write! Stand by your work, and keep plugging. Your work is the only validation you have as an author to put you ahead of the pack.

On a more personal note, what makes Stella tick? What drives you to write your stories ~ your inspiration? The Characters. I really have NO SAY on anything we write. They tell me, we write it. It's that simple. I have no idea where most of it comes from either.

You are such a dynamo and I really do not know how you find the time to do all that you do - What do you like to do for fun? Fun? LOL Fun.. I read, and I go to concerts. OOh and I bake. Baking is fun.

I know that you have a beloved and comical pet ~ tell us a bit! Ah the Moo. Self serving little bastard. Moo is our Chihuahua, and he's got a personality you couldn't write. But he is pure evil... LOL.

What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would love to know?? Hmm... OOH I think it would be that all our stories, ALL of them, are related in some way. Each series has characters from other series' involved in them, and the only way to really get the full scope of the Eververse is to read it.

You are such a force to be reckoned with when it comes to promoting your work ~ Any promos in the near future? Booksignings or appearances? Lord the next 8 weeks is a flurry of them. NY, NJ, PA, MA... its wild. I can't wait for it all actually, and 2008 is going to have several more amazing signings and events set up. OOh and hopefully some new opportunities on the horizon as well.

What about new projects you may be working on? Aud and I are hard at work on two series we are going to submit out next year. I'm going to keep them both a surprise though. But right now we are almost finished with Eververse book 3. Thats due out in January.

Of all of your work, which book or series is your favorite (to date)? The Eververse series, because it was our first, and the one that has really exceeded our expectations and shown the world that it really was a viable series.

Thank you Stella for your talent and endless energy, and your constant support of Books in the Spotlight. It is an honor to know you and I've enjoyed our conversation today!
Hey thanks for having me Jfay!

Be sure to visit Stella and Audra online at www.stellaandaudra.com and add them to your myspace friends, www.myspace.com/eververse to keep up with all of their exciting news and latest books!

The following are Books in the Spotlight features for Stella and Audra Price as well as Tease Publishing with which Stella is a founding member:

Astrid's Candle for Sugar And Sin:

Snow Candle For Silk and Steel:

Decadence Candle For Tease's Dark Tarot