Dark Fiction Author Mark Anthony Smith #Interview

Mark Anthony Smith Interview

1. Congratulations on your upcoming release Keep It Inside and other weird stories! Can you please tell us a little about this collection?

Hi Nico. Thank you. ’m really pleased to be here. Yes. ‘Keep it inside and other weird tales’ is my third book. It’s published by Red Cape publishing. Some of the stories have appeared in their ‘A – Z  of Horror’ series. But there’s bags of new content too. I’ve reread them several times and they raise my eyebrows. I must have been in a very deep meditative state when I wrote them – or did I take hellish journeys? I’m not going to  say much other than I can’t wait to unleash these terrors.

2. Without giving away spoilers, do you have a story from the collection?

There’s a few. In fact, they all show my dark side. Did I mention apophallation and method acting? Ouch! I’d love to see that as a film.

3. What would you say your “brand” is? In other words, do you consider yourself a specific type of writer or write for a specific niche?

Mmm! I’ve written poetry and ‘mainstream’ fictions. They’ve appeared in The Cabinet of Heed, Spelk, Nymphs, Penumbric Speculative Fiction magazine and many others (listed on my Amazon page). But a lot of them are dark. I like to start with something fairly mundane and every day then turn the world on its head – with lots of teeth.

4. When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

I loved Shaun Hutson, James Herbert and Clive Barker in the late ‘80’s. ‘The Rats' by Herbert made me sit up with pointy ears. I’d say reading ‘Black dogs' by Ian McEwan finally clinched it for me. Sparse, exact, relevant and beautiful. The sense of mounting menace…

5. Let’s talk a little about your poetry. What is the most challenging part of writing poems?

Gosh! Yes. There’s ‘Hearts of the matter’ and several reprinted poems in ‘Something Said’ (Wolven Moon). Poetry can come in a flash, of course. But that is rare. I love the meditation of writing. It’s a higher state. I think the hardest part is not losing the original vision. By this I mean allowing the piece to evolve but not becoming too distracting by flowery lyricism. Poetry is language made strange. But there has to be some sort of shape or completeness too. Not the whole world. Just the whole world through a focused lens.

6. Are any of your poems autobiographical?

I don’t think you can write without experience or feeling. So, some started with a feeling or thought but finally became universal. There’s are glints of my own life in several yet I didn’t want to blind the reader with anything too personal.

7. Do you have a favorite author or poet?

I have lots of favourites: Adam Nevill, Richard Laymon, P J Blakey-Novis, H P Lovecraft… I have to say Phillip Larkin as I come from Hull (he’s amazing) and…and I’ve definitely left someone out. I recommend ‘The A – Z of Horror’ Anthologies by Red Cape publishing and Demain’s ‘Short Sharp Shocks!’ series for sure.

8. What’s next for you? Any projects you can discuss?

I’m writing my fourth book. It’s a second book of Horror. I’m also writing short stories with a view to giving ‘Keep it inside…’ an ugly sister.

9. Where can people find you online?

My brand new website is: www.markanthonysmith.com . There’s links to YouTube etc. from there. You can find me on Twitter: @MarkAnthonySm16

10. Last chance! Anything else you’d like to say?

Yes. Thank you for having me. Check out free reads and amazing art on my website. Support Indie Authors, eat your greens and definitely “Keep it inside.”

Horror Author Jay Bower #Interview

Jay Bower Interview

Horror Author Jay Bower

1.      Congratulations on your latest book Useless Creatures! It sounds horrifying! Can you please tell us a little about the plot and what inspired it?

Thank you so much! The story is about two college girls that receive anonymous text messages telling them their parents have been kidnapped and the only way to get them back is to commit a series of horrific acts based on the seven deadly sins. It’s a brutal piece that’s a bit outside of what I normally write, but that’s why I did it. I wanted to see how far I could go with my writing. Most likely, this will remain as the goriest piece I write.

 2.      Two of your books Soul Eyes and The Dark Sacrifice take place in small towns. What appeals to you about a small town setting? Have you ever lived in a small town?

They are both based on the small town I currently live in. I wanted to create several stories within the town and give it a creepy feel. I’m currently working on another Brownsville novel.

 3.      On a scale of 1 – 10, 10 being completely soaked in blood, how gory are your novels?

The Dark Sacrifice: maybe a 2? Soul Eyes: 7. Useless Creatures: 9-10.

 4.      Are there any horror troupes you won’t write and why?

Honestly, not that I’ve come across yet. I do find my readers lean more toward the atmospheric/paranormal horror versus the gory stuff.

 5.      When did your love of horror begin?

Early on. My mom was (and is!) a huge King fan. The first novel I remember reading on my own was Pet Semetary. I was hooked from that point on. Add in a bunch of 80’s horror movies and you’ve got my influences.

 6.      If you could co-author a book with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I’ll give you two: Stephen King because he’s the man and Duncan Ralston. Duncan has a grasp of the genre and a way with his stories that I absolutely love.

 7.      What book(s) are you reading right now?

“Ghostland” by Duncan Ralston and “Till the Score is Paid” by Gemma Amor.

 8.      What is next for you? Anything in the works?

I’m working on a dark fantasy/horror-ish novel that should be out in the next month or so. I’m also working on a novel set in the town of Brownsville. Beyond those, I’m working on several short stories hoping to gain traction in anthologies and magazines.

 9.      Where can people find you online?

My website

 10.   Thank you so much! This is your chance to say anything that wasn’t asked. Closing thoughts?

Thanks a bunch for this opportunity. I absolutely love to meet new readers and interact with them. Reach out and say hi, I don’t bite (normally!)

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