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Showing posts from December, 2012

10 Questions with Nouveau Beat Writer Dave Louden (@davelostangeles)

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This Author Spotlight features Belfast-born writer David Louden. His debut novel Lost Angeles is a roman á clef-styled novel in the vein of 20th century beat authors. He also blogs under the name John Baxter and his film site Knifed in Venice showcases the best and worst (in equal measure) in horror, exploitation and independent cinema. When he’s not writing he’s battling fuel poverty and the weeping liver. 1. How did you get into writing? I sort of fell into it. For years I was involved in film programming as a creative outlet. I’d put on film screenings in Belfast and then all of a sudden it was gone and it was nice to have that time and head space back but eventually I got frustrated by the lack of release. I initially began working on a book about Exploitation cinema but a lot of the films were incredibly expensive and the research just went on and on and on. After a while I needed to just step back from it because I didn’t have the money or the laborious r

10 Questions with Sci-Fi Thriller Writer C.L. Davies (@cldavieswriter)

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This Author Spotlight features British Science Fiction Thriller writer C.L. Davies. Please tell us a bit about yourself, Cheryl. Born in Ashford in 1978, I moved with my family to the Isle of Man when aged five. I obtained my degree in English Lit at the University of Hertfordshire, and returned to the Island and qualified as a teacher. I've taught in a local primary school for nine years. I love the Manx countryside, and my little gorgeous garden. I'm a little obsessed with palm trees. As a demented but doting first-time mum, much of my time is spent caring for our new baby, who is beautiful and bonkers! She's the centre of my world and the reason for everything I do. I work on my fourth book when she feeds and naps. I live happily with our beautiful baby, the spirit of our much-missed cat, Pudge, and fiance Dean. Dean, unbelievably, is yet to read the book ... 1. How did you get into writing? It was as simple as a promise to my mum – I love words; pe

10 Questions with Fantasy & Sci-Fi Writer Lisa Mason (@lisaSmason)

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This Author Spotlight features accomplished Fantasy and Science Fiction Author  and Philip K. Dick Award finalist  Lisa Mason. On Twitter, she's @lisaSmason RS: How did you get into writing? LM: My mom bought me lots of great books when I was a kid. I loved reading and decided I wanted to be a writer. Stories and fantasies would pop into my head and I wrote my first book at age five. I’ve got it on my desk right now. It is 1¼ inches by 2 inches, hand-sewn, two chapters, lavishly illustrated by the author, and entitled, “Millie the Caterpillar.” Millie is despondent at being “a fat, green, hairy, little caterpillar.” Then spring comes, she breaks out of her cocoon, and “to her surprize, she found two beautiful red and black wings on her shoulders.” Happiness! The End. I’ve thought ever since surprise should be spelled with a z. So you could say I got bit by the writing bug early on, but my life has taken some twists and turns and writing hasn’t been a st

10 Questions with Writer Jen Barton (@FionaThornBook)

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This Author Spotlight features writer Jen Barton, author of FIONA THORN AND THE CARAPACEM SPELL (see above). Jen Barton was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1971 and spent much of her life on the East Coast. In 2008, at age 36, she and her family moved to California. With two cars, she and her husband moved two dogs, two guinea pigs, a cornsnake and their 10-year old daughter across the country. She counts the five day road trip, including a near escape by both dogs on Day 3, as one of her best experiences to date. In 2009, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from Millersville University, Barton realized her childhood dream to become a writer. One van full of bored kids, one long day of travel, and Fiona Thorn was born. She’s been writing ever since. When not taxiing her teenage daughter hither and yon, Barton loves reading (especially fantasy by George R. R. Martin), cooking (anything with pasta is a hit), and writing (magical worlds with obstinate teen