Interview with K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed

Up Close & Personal with K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed

1.  What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

Crushed is about three teen witches using their powers at school to play a dangerous game. Everything is fine until one of them Crushes the wrong boy. Then the fun begins.

2.  Do you have plans for a new book?   Is this book part of a series?

Crushed is the first in a series, but each book will have a new set of characters and a new witch-game to play.  I think the girls in Crushed learn their lesson.  No way would they ever play games with their powers again.  I also have a book called Vampires Rule and the second in the series is Werewolves Rule

3. Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

I was traditionally published with Harlequin several years ago, but now I’m an Indie Writer, and I love it.  

4. Where can readers find your books?

All the links are on my blog.  My books are available at Amazon in print and as ebooks. They can also be found on Smashwords, B&N, and probably some other online retailers.

5. Do you have any advice for other writers?

The only people who fail are those who give up. I don’t know who said that, somebody famous, but it sounds good to me.

6. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I love to write in the middle of the night with the lights off. It seems like I’m the only one awake in the whole world, and I can easily slip into my other life.

7. What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I am a Supernatural-junkie.  I can’t get enough of Sam and Dean.

Patti Says:  I love Cass :)

8. Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog: http://kasi-kcblake.blogspot.com

I am also on Twitter under kasiblake, Goodreads as K.C. Blake, and I have a Facebook fan page under my author’s name and under Vampires Rule.

 

free ebook for review - Interview with Alan Parr - Author of "Renewal"

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Liverpool, England and I live in Lake Elmo, MN.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My book is called Renewal, and it is about a technology-addicted world starting over after a singularity, as witnessed by a boy called Stig and the last gadget on Earth, iFriend.

Do you have plans for a new book?   Is this book part of a series?

Renewal is the first book in a series looking at humanity’s slippery relationship with technology, with itself, and our beliefs about the way in which the world works. I’m writing the second book right now, and it’s about the revival of technology among humans and how quickly events can escalate, particularly when you have an evil piece of gadgetry pushing the buttons (so to speak). I'm also working on a book of short stories in between drafts.

What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

I actually started out writing non-fiction for business a few years ago. Seth Godin, marketing guru, wrote a blog post titled “You Should Write An eBook”, and I thought why not? I wrote a couple of short eBooks with my business partner through ChangeThis.com and then a couple more through Scribd. My foray into fiction was simply because I wanted to write a story for my kids, something that I would really enjoy writing, and that’s why Renewal is a humorous piece of science fiction and fantasy, and has a six-legged dog called Barf in it. It’s just fun, pure blue sky fun that I couldn’t find in the world of business writing.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

I would be happy to give away a copy, and would ask for a review in return. Seems fair?

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

Titles generally suggest themselves during writing, in fact it’s that kind of word play that gets my mind working on story lines. I designed the cover for Renewal myself (I’m an artist in my spare time).

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

I think every character is the author in part, and an amalgamation of real people, character traits observed in others, and any necessary ingredients to suit the plot and to add a touch of verisimilitude. We all write from experience to some extent, and that includes people, places and events. I’ve never taken an actual event and put it directly into my writing, although I’m quite willing to take an event and twist it to make it more interesting. That's one of the joys of writing fiction, creating your own worlds and events.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

Stephen King’s “On Writing” has been a huge influence in terms of helping me to form good writing habits, and I would recommend it for any writer. In terms of authors I have read who have bowled me over and made me green with envy, definitely Douglas Adams, and also Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.  Gaiman has a dark humorous side I love, and Pratchett is incredibly witty.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Stephen King. I would dearly love to meet the man and say thank you.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I'm a big proponent of the e-book revolution.  As Seth Godin said, "ideas that spread win" and ebooks (along with social media) breakdown the barriers between writer and reader.  I like paperbacks for casual reading and to throw in a suitcase, and while it is not great for the environment I do buy hardbacks for those special books that I want to collect and keep in my library.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

Smashwords (shameless plug), Barnes and Noble for my Nook, Amazon, and TheBookDepository.com

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Most definitely, it's a bad habit especially considering the number of new books out there and that life really is short.  But there are some books that capture a particular time and place, or perhaps the experience of reading a new idea or of being swept away by a writing style. I re-read books to experience these things over and over again. "The Hobbit" obviously, but also Nelson DeMille's "Gold Coast", and Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere" are good examples. I just love these books, that's all.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

I can’t think of a movie that was better than the original book. You could look at that as a sign that I don't watch enough movies, but I'd prefer to think of it as an indication that I read the right books.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

I'm always on the lookout for great books to read - I'm reading Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" in hardback after hearing Lev Grossman give it a huge recommendation on Minnesota Public Radio. If you have a suggestion, drop me a line at one of the sites listed below.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

I actually started writing the second book while taking a rest between drafts of the first book, with the intention of ensuring I had sufficient character development and had run out plot lines neatly enough in the first book to support where I wanted to go in the second. Kind of a pre-emptive strike on post-publishing regrets.

Who designed the cover of your book?

I did. I had the picture of the wave in my mind as I wrote about the wave of Renewal, and I turned that image into a wave about to wash over the Earth (it also looks a little like a hand, on purpose) because I thought it would be easier for the reader to interpret without having opened the book. You can checkout some of my other work here: http://www.coroflot.com/alanparr/illustrations

Do you have a book trailer?

No I don't.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

I’m not a fan of book trailers, and here’s why. Firstly, I believe the magic in books has to do with the connection created between the writer and the reader, and it is a magic created by words. Not pictures. Also, a lot of the trailers I have seen are not done well and they don’t present the book or the author in the best possible light. If you're going to create a book trailer, remember that this is marketing: put that thought front and center and throw yourself into selling your book. Move me, make me want to open your book. I don't think you need a trailer for that - a good description and a favorable review will do nicely. My opinion is probably old-fashioned, but it's what I believe.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read. Read as much as you can, and as widely as you can. That's hardly a painful task, now is it?

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

There is a piece in Stephen King's "On Writing" that I love: "Now comes the big question: What are you going to write about? And the equally big answer: Anything you damn well want. Anything at all ... so long as you tell the truth." That opened up the world of writing for me, gave me the creative freedom I was looking for, and reminded me to ground my fiction in reality.

Do you write under a pen name?

No. It's hard enough as it is without having to be someone else.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

I have never tried. Another one for the bucket list?

Cats or dogs?

Cats – I have a character-reformed feral cat, Cookie, the scourge of anything small, furry and squeaky, who graces us with his presence.

White wine or red?

Depends on what I’m eating, but red usually.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea at any other time.

Vanilla or chocolate icecream?

I'd actually prefer chocolate over either of them.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Granola, fruit and yogurt.  Disgustingly healthy.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Keys, wallet, glasses and pants – had one too many of those dreams to take a chance on the latter.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop – I’m a MacBook Pro user. I haven't had a desktop for a number of years now and don't miss it, particularly when I kick back in my writing chair each morning with my trusty MacBook Pro firing up.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I write early in the morning before I go to work (I'm an IT pro) with the goal of 1000 words or more, and I sit in the little library in my house - this routine is carved in stone. I like early mornings best as my mind is clear, there are no distractions, and my imagination is free to roam. Usually the words come easily, but if not I can work late at night too, although I prefer to read in the evenings.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

John Lennon for entertainment, Julia Child to provide the food and drink, and Tom Baker as Doctor Who - that Tardis would really come in handy once the food and drink ran out.

One of your favorite quotes -

My mother said to me, “If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.” Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.

-Pablo Picasso

List 3 of your all time favorite books?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Red Dwarf (All of the books, even though this is cheating) by Grant Naylor

List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

The Godfather

Play It Again, Sam

Star Wars (Part IV)

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog: http://alanparr.blogspot.com

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Alan-Parr/1061265627

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/parr_alan

Twitter: @Parr_Alan and http://twitter.com/#!/Parr_Alan

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/alanparr

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

E-book (Smashwords currently).

Description

The Earth's technology-addicted culture is wiped out during a singularity in which time is outstripped by events. The planet is recreated from scratch by the process of Renewal. Stig is the lone survivor in a new world where gods and magic have returned, where time does not yet exist, and a single piece of technology survives despite being reduced to the intellectual capacity of a hair dryer.

Extended Description

In a time born of technology so advanced it runs the planet, in a place that smells of melting plastic and weapons-grade coffee, there emerges a boy. Stig defies the iFriend technology culture and becomes the only survivor of a singularity in which time is outstripped by events and the Earth disappears in an embarrassingly small flash of light around dinnertime (but doesn't make the news). Fortunately there is a divine plan B, known as Renewal. Humanity is given the chance to start over, and Stig finds himself living in a place where gods and magic have returned, where time does not exist, and a single iFriend unit survives despite being reduced to the intellectual capacity of a hair dryer. Pursued by gods, hunted by a six-legged dog with a stick obsession, and guided by Old Father Time, Stig must stay one heart-pounding step ahead while learning to survive in a beautiful but primitive new world.

Hello! :) My name is Kathy Ann Coleman, but "Kat" is fine. :) My blog is I Write, I Read, I Review.

This is my place to talk about my love of books (mainly YA here) as a writer and a reader. It is my goal to share what I think about the things that I read and to share my 'adventures' as I write. :D Please feel free to drop by! http://kathyanncoleman.blogspot.com

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Napanee, Ontario. I live with my parents, one of my younger brothers and two mischevious little dogs -- a Schnoodle named D'Argo and a Bichon Frise named Coco.

How long have you been blogging? 

I started my blog in June 2011.

What is the name of the book you most recently blogged about?

My last post was about The Sky Is Everywhere, because I'm doing a giveaway. :)

What did you think about the cover?

It's simple, but if you read the book it makes perfect sense. I think that the cover for the paperback edition of the book is lovely, though. (And it, too, makes perfect sense.)

If you could ask the Author 3 questions what would they be?

-- How did you come up with the idea for The Sky Is Everywhere?

-- Who was your favorite character to write about and why?

-- Did you find writing Lennie's poetry harder or easier then writing the actual book? Why? 

Can you name one of your favorite chapters?

-- The book does not have titled chapters, but I will say that I love the scenes between Lennie and Joe when they are in the forest. Okay, being totally honest I liked all the scenes between Lennie and Joe, period. ;)

What was you most favorite character and why?

When I wrote my review for this book, the first thing I commented on was that I was amazed at how much I loved this book despite the fact that the hero's name was Joe. I usually read fantasy and paranormal books and you don't generally see 'average' names there. Let me tell you, though... There is absolutely nothing average about Joe Fontaine. He is quite possibly my favorite love interest in any book I've ever read. <3 

If this book was part of a series, would you read the next book?

If I had the opportunity to jump back into a story about these characters, I'd do that in a heartbeat. I'd love to know whether Lennie gets into Julliard, and whether Sara and Joe would be going with her. Alas, I don't think this *is* part of a series. But that's okay, I suppose. :)

Was this a book you were asked to review or did you buy it?

This book was recommended to me by friends on Absolute Write. I decided that I would try some contemporary YA and told people that I love romantic books. I am so glad that I read this. :)

Have you written a book yourself or are you planning to in the future?

I'm working on an urban fantasy / romance novel, tentatively titled Moon Dance. Here's a quick summary:

Sarena Lengton died and traveled to the Underworld when she was fifteen. While there she was given a mission: to make the soul of arrogant Prince Kesyl Veradayne whole back on earth. But Sara does not like being told what to do. She has avoided her mission since being revived, afraid of what might happen if she completes it.

Now 17, all Sara wants is to spend Christmas with her family, including her older brother Jayden. But Jayden is Guardian to Kesyl -- constant companion and sworn protector. He's too busy to come home. Until Sara, mistaken for an assassin, brings information about a potential threat to the Prince's life. Now the Lengton family is together for the holidays... Complete with a guest who doesn't quite share their holiday spirit.

As Sara and Kesyl become closer she is faced with a new problem: Kesyl isn't the jerk she thought he was and she wants to help him. Now she needs to find the courage to tell him the truth, or find a way to help him without him ever finding out. A single mistake could cost everything... Because Sara thinks she might be falling for him.

(I'm terrible at summaries and I made this up on the spot. Bare with me. :p )

 

Patti Says:  I would love to feature your book on my blog when it is available :)

What genre is your favorite and why?

I use to read paranormal and urban fantasy mostly, but my tastes have broadened a lot since I started my blog. I've been reading a lot of contemporary and dystopian fiction this summer. 

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island what 3 books would you want with you?

Well, that depends whether we're talking about books "So good I wouldn't want to be without them:

-- The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

-- Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

-- Bumped by Megan McCafferty

... Or books I haven't read yet that I'd like to find waiting for me until the rescue ship comes along:

-- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

-- You Against Me by Jenny Downham

-- Sweet Venom by Tera Childs

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Long before I got into YA, I was (and still am) into Paranormal Romance. The Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon is my favorite, so I think I would pick her. I really should check out the Chronicles of Nick books, I suppose. :)

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

In a perfect world, I'd get to immediately buy everything in paperback. Why? Because I hate credit cards so an ebook reader isn't much use to me, I get annoyed when the jackets on hardcovers slip when I'm turning the pages, and the price of an ebook and a paperback is often very similiar. Now I just need that library from Beauty and the Beast to house my collection. Maybe I should look into the ereader after all... ;)

 

Patti Says:  I have a kindle and I LOVE IT!

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I'm legally blind, so I don't drive. If I had my way I'd live next to a Chapters (Canadian equivelant to B&N), but if I did I think I'd be very broke very fast. I order a lot off of Amazon, but I have also been doing a lot of my recent shopping through Chapters online store. I like the fact that I can pick up cards, punch in the code and then have what I want show up in the mail. It's the most convienent solution for me.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Yes, absolutely! The first book that comes to mind is Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. In the YA department, though, I have read some of P.C. Cast's House of Night books a couple times over.

Is there a particular movie or TV series that you preferred over the book version?

I usually end up either reading a book or watching a movie. I think it's hard for a movie to represent a book well since the span of time for a movie is so much more controlled. A reader can go as fast or slow with a book as they like. 

I suppose The Princess Bride and The Halloween Tree are both examples of stories where a book was represented well through a movie or animated feature, though. I also love The Vampire Diaries, although I can't count this so much since I never read the actual books.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)? 

I am reading a paperback copy of The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. I got it in a boxset along with This Lullaby and Just Listen. I'm only a few pages in so I can't really comment what I think yet. Hopefully I like them -- I normally don't buy boxsets for authors I don't know, but I got a good deal so I couldn't resist. 

What book are you about to start reading?

Once I'm done The Truth About Forever, I think I'll read Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. After three contemporary books, I think I need a change of pace. 

What book do you know that you will never read?

Fallen by Lauren Kate. I tried ... I got 160 pages in ... But it's just not for me. Which is the reason I am weary about buying books in groups by authors I don't know. I have Fallen, Torment and Passion sitting here and looking at me like "WHAT?!" Now I need to figure out what to do with them.

 

Patti says: may have a giveaway on your blog or do a swap???

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest recently and why?

Veronica Roth's debut, Divergent, was awesome and I am dying to read the sequel. I also liked Lauren DeStefano's Wither and will be picking up Fever when it comes out. 

Have you read a book that you would like to rewrite the ending of?

Wither, as much as I liked it, lacked a true climax at the end of the book. I would have written it so that something more signifigant or difficult happened as Rhine and Gabriel escaped Linden's mansion.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

I enjoy them. I think that anything we can do that expresses creativity is a good thing. I doubt a book trailer is going to be 'the reason' I read a book... But once a book as captured my interest from reading a summary, getting recommendations or reading a sample, I have a tendancy to check if there is a trailer for it since I find them fun.

Do you have a favorite book cover? Chose up to 3 if you like.

I think the prettiest cover award goes to Wither, as far as books I have read and reviewed. The Special Edition for Delirium has a nice cover as well. (I have that sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.)

Do you ever blog in your PJ’s?

At times. My computer is in my bedroom so it's pretty easy to hop out of bed, log on and get writing (either one of my books or a blog post) without too much fuss or muss. 

Sleep in or get up early?

I'm a total night owl most of the time. I can hop out of bed bright and early if I have to, and when I do I'm one of those annoying perky people who are instantly happy even at 7 a.m.

Pet peeves? 

-- People thinking their opinion is the only opinion. Choice is good, embrace it! 

What is on your Christmas wish list?

-- Books

-- Monster High dolls (They are so strange and different. I love them!)

-- DVD sets (Desperate Housewives usually fits here)

-- Games (Generally for the Xbox 360. This year I'm eager for Gears of War 3, Batman: Arkham City, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

If you could plan the perfect holiday, what would it be?

Going somewhere warm this winter with my boyfriend, Jay. We're long distance so doing anything together is always like a holiday to me, but getting out of the cold is always welcome, too. I do know my family is aiming to go to Florida for two weeks in February.

How often do you blog?

I tend to blog when I have a book that I'm ready to review. I also do my best to participate in Road Trip Wednesday over at YA Highway every week. I'm hoping to write a few more articles this month and my posting habits should improve a bit now that I know blogger has scheduling. :)

 

Patti Says:  feel free to copy and paste any Author interviews you like off my blog as a guest post on your blog - Give the Authors some blog lovin!

How many books do you read in a month - roughly?

I read and reviewed 11 books in August. It's very hard to give an estimate how many books I read a month, because it depends how interested I am in what I'm reading, as well as what issues come up outside of reading and blogging. I try to write two reviews a week, but it's not written in stone. 

Favorite color?

Pink. Although I doubt that surprises anyone who visits I Write, I Read, I Review. *laughs*

What are 5 items you never leave home without?

-- Wallet

-- Lip Gloss

-- iPod

-- Tums

-- Gum (Preferably Trident Splash Strawberry Kiwi)

What is your most favorite electronic gadget?

Eek! How do I choose? I love my computer because I designed it and selected all the parts for it myself. I love my Xbox 360 because it saves Jay and I hundreds of dollars we'd otherwise spend on long distance. And I love my iPod because I hate being without music.

Favorite book character or film character crush.  Yes you can pick 2 :)

Gonna stay with stuff I've recently read or watched.

1. Joe Fontaine from The Sky Is Everywhere. 

Most of the guys that I like tend to have super powers, or be more then human, or be from a story where an epic struggle for the fate of the world is happening. Joe is an ordinary guy who happens to have an extraordinary amount of joy and appreciation for life. I couldn't imagine any reason I wouldn't want to be around a guy like that.

2. Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

I love how complex Zuko is as a character. He grows a lot over the three seasons of Avatar and by the end is definitely someone that I would be interested in. I liked watching him struggle to figure out who he is, to gain the courage to choose his own destiny. I think the writers for the show did a fantastic job of making sure that his path was never easy or straight forward. I also liked watching him and May. 

A character you love to hate.

Eric from Divergent. I loved the parallel between him and Four. I always gave a bit of a cringe when he was around because it was never certain what jerk thing he would make someone do next.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs. D'Argo and Coco would bite me if I said anything else. :D

White wine or red?

Depends on what food is being served. White wine with turkey, red with roast beef.

Coffee or tea?

Tea. I like Earl Gray, Chai and Orange Peacoe.

Favorite food?

Breakfast: Seseme begal with cheese whiz

Lunch: Bacon cheeseburger and fries

Dinner: Cheese Capaletti (East Side Mario's... I need to go there again soon.)

Vanilla or chocolate icecream?

Chocolate all the way!

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I just finished watching all three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I loved it and I really loved Zuko. *laughs*

Where can we STALK you?

My blog: http://kathyanncoleman.blogspot.com/

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691015163

My Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5630416-kathy-coleman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/katallina

Other:

My name on Absolute Write is Katallina

My Xbox Live GamerTag is rN Katallina

My PlayStation Network ID is Katallina

Thanks so much for inviting me to be interviewed. :) Have a great day! 

Kathy

 

It was my pleasure, Patti :)

My name is Fran. And I am a blogger! This is my blog Vampyre Gurls Book Club

Where were you born and where do you call home? I was born in East Norwalk CT & home is still in CT

How long have you been blogging? Off and on for about 2 years. I wish I had more time to commit to my blog. I feel bad neglecting it. 

What is the name of the book you most recently blogged about?

 EVE by Anna Carey 

What did you think about the cover? 

It was beautiful and haunting. I understood it by the end of the book. 

If you could ask the Author 3 questions what would they be? 

Why did the main character Eve seem very "cold" on occasion? Where did the main idea of the book come from? Did you intend to make the ending so frustratingly cliff hanger-ish? 

Can you name one of your favorite chapters?

 One that stands out is near the beginning. Chapter 5. She has been on the run for a little over a week and runs into a girl she knew from school & the realization of her actions is finally sinking in. 

What was you most favorite character and why?

 Eve, the main character. I have mixed feelings about Eve. I saw her as the one who would go back and save her classmates from a horrific nightmare, strong, friendly, a bit naive. BUT a few things happened that maybe me scratch my head. I thought "Hmmm..Is she TRULY that cold and insensitive, was I duped? or is it easier for her to cope holding it all in and presenting a strong front to protect herself in this wild, crazy, strange, new world without rules?"  These questions in my head keep me wanting to learn more. 

If this book was part of a series, would you read the next book?

MOST DEF! I hope it there is a part 2. 

Was this a book you were asked to review or did you buy it?

I found it on Net Galley and gave it a shot. 

Have you written a book yourself or are you planning to in the future?

I would LOVE to but i have horrific grammar so I would need a great editor..lol..

What genre is your favorite and why?

As of now I dig YA BUT I am not closed to all of the other genres out there. I have discovered INCREDIBLE books by going outside of my "book comfort zone" 

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island what 3 books would you want with you?

Only 3? Hmmm... One would be a book of short stories so I could pace them out and have something new to read more than once in the same book after the other 2 books were finished. The other 2 would be Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume & One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? VC Andrews! Her books got me through middle and part of HS and adulthood too..

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? I am terribly hard on PB's so I guess hardcovers or e books. 

Where do you prefer to buy your books? Amazon.com, Smashwords, stores, paperback swaps, used book stores, etc. 

Have you ever read a book more than once? A lot of them I have read more than a few times..

Is there a particular movie or TV series that you preferred over the book version? 

Vampire Diaries. I tried and tried to get into the book series but something never clicked. I absolutely adore the show. 

 

Patti says:  Me too! (Damon)

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?  I am reading a book an author sent me called : Blood Calling by Joshua Grover- David in e book form

What book are you about to start reading? I honestly have not figured that out yet. 

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest recently and why?

Quite a few: Joshua Grover-David, Patti Roberts, Evelyn LaFont, JL Bryan, M Boyd..to name a few..The titles I  have read by these authors are fresh and offering something new and exciting to the genre they represent. 

Patti Says:  Well that is nice to know - thank you!

What are your thoughts on book trailers? Properly done a book trailer can hype up a book that otherwise would of gone unnoticed. I enjoy a good book trailer. Plenty have gotten me happy and anticipating a books release. 

Do you ever blog in your PJ’s? Doing it now ;) lol..

Sleep in or get up early?

 

 SLEEP IN! Nothing better than getting up late & chilling in bed reading b4 you have to wake up for good. Dog by your feet, cat by your side, Fall season air & sun streaming in the windows, or watching the flakes of snow dance about outside while laughing at the cold wind as you snuggle under your blankie. 

Pet peeves? 
Oh boy..lolz..Well..I honestly can put up with a lot. I guess it would have to be rumor spreaders & ppl that make nasty, snide remarks, etc. really upset me.

What is on your Christmas wish list? a winning lotto ticket

Patti says: Hey mine too :)
How often do you blog? not as much as I should


How many books do you read in a month - roughly? 5 or 6

What are 5 items you never leave home without : cell phone, tablet w/fully loaded ereader apps, lip gloss, medicines, hat

What is your most favorite electronic gadget? Right now it's my Tablet. I love love my tab. It's Flash enabled so I can do sooo many cool things & it's the ultimate e book reader! 

Favorite book character or film character crush.  Yes you can pick 2 :)

Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel (vampire with a soul) Sammy Winchester from Supernatural. Oh yeah Damon from Vampire Diaries and Cass from Supernatural..

 

Patti Says: A Supernatural episode without Cass is just not the same!

A character you love to hate. Angelus (Angels vampire persona before he was rein-souled by the gypsies)

Cats or dogs? I ADORE kitties but I love doggies too. I think both. 

White wine or red? A LOT OF BOTH! lolz..

Coffee or tea? Pumpkin Spice Latte's 

Vanilla or chocolate icecream? Mint Choco Chip

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Planet of The Apes (the new 2011 one) & a scy fy show called Being Human & Sons of Anarchy & The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad..I love tv..

Where can we STALK you?

My blog: http://vampyregurlsbookclub.blogspot.com

My Goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/user/show/2953794-fran-coleman

Twitter: @VampyreGurlsBC

Other: www.blogaholicnetwork.com/profile/FranColeman

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your blogging world. 

Thank you for sharing and thank you for blogging.  Patti

Up Close & Personal with Author - Sean J Quirk (The Betrayals of Grim's Peak)

Where were you born and where do you call home?:

I was born in South Africa, but call Los Angeles home now. 

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?:

It's called The Betrayals of Grim's Peak and it's about a boy called Augie who was found floating in the ocean when he

was just a baby and the book explores his amazing origins.

Do you have plans for a new book?   Is this book part of a series?:

Yes, it will be part of a series.  There will be two or three more books set in and around the world of Grim's Peak.

What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?:

I've been writing since I was a teenager actually.  When I was 13 or 14 I used to drag around this really ugly, really

heavy blue typewriter around with me just in case inspiration hit, so I knew back then that being a writer was what I wanted to be 'when I grew up'.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?:

Yes, absolutely.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?:

The official cover is still in the works. 

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?:

I think it's safe to say that the characters are based on all of my collective experiences.  Bits of everyone, you know. 

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?"

The Harry Potter series, and all of Dean Koontz's books.  Opposite ends of the spectrum I know, but both authorshave traits that I admire. 

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?"

The ones I mentioned above.  Stephen King too.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?:

I'm a bit of a traditionalist.  I like the smell of a book.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

Yes.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Hundreds of times!

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?:

The Bourne movies came close, although they were quite different from the books.

Patti says: I love those movies!

Do you have any advice for other writers?:

Be persistent and practice as much as you can.   

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?:

A simple little rhyme - "When in doubt, cut it out"

Do you write under a pen name?:

No.

What are your pet peeves?:

Bad drivers. 

Cats or dogs?:

Dogs.

White wine or red?:

Neither.

Coffee or tea?:

My diet consists mostly of coffee!

Favorite food?"

I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

Vanilla or chocolate icecream?:

Both.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?:

Coffee.

Laptop or desktop for writing?:

Desktop.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?:

Bob Marley so he can sing some tunes.  Jay Leno so he can tell some jokes.  And Bear Grylls so he can hunt for food.

List 3 of your all time favorite books?:

Dean Koontz's Lightning.

Stephen King's Needful Things.

All of the Harry Potter books.

 

Where can your readers stalk you?

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Betrayals-of-Grims-Peak/224401250944677

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/seanjquirk

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?:

Both.  You can get in print from Amazon, and in electronic format on Kindle, NOOK, Sony and Apple i-books.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word. 

Other books by Sean:

Catch Kindle Edition: $0.99

Summary

A woman abducted by a mysterious organization. A troubled man trying to outrun his past. A power so terrible it possesses the ability to rip away the very fabric of the universe itself… Read more