Charles Day

Charles Day is a talented fiction writer from New York State. His writing is diverse because it includes both YA and adult fiction as well as novels and published short stories. It was great to interview him about his books, his day job and his love of Stephen King and King's son Joe Hill.

How did you get involved with writing? Do you prefer short stories or novels in terms of telling a story?

A few years back I began writing my first novel, “Deep Within,” while working on a secured psych unit doing evening and overnight shifts. After I finished it and started sending it around, all I received was rejection after rejection, so I placed it back in my drawer. About a year later I started going on line to these small press publishers who were looking for submissions for short stories into their anthologies. So I started writing short stories. Well, in less than two years, I received a bunch of rejections, but I still managed to sell 14 short stories to various small press publishers. I also finally was able to sell my first novel, “Deep Within” to Twisted Library Press, last May.

Yet, many of the short stories that were rejected were because I put too much into my stories, and I also received information from editors that I should expand on these stories; make them longer so I could build more into my plots and characters. This made me realize that I could write a novella, and eventually novels. Now, I’m all about longer fiction because I like to get totally immersed into my protagonists and storylines, with no restrictions on word count.

Who are some of your influences?

I have many influences. The first came to me when I was young; playing out movie characters with my friends from all the fun I had watching movies. I always wanted to be an actor or director, write screenplays those kinds of things, but never really pursued any of it. As time went on, I read many books and became influenced by Stephen King, Dan Simmons, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Douglas Clegg, and so many more. My newest influence was last year at the Stoker conference, when I received an arm hug from Joe Hill. I had read his book “Horns,” but after listening to him talk about his graphic novels, I went on and read almost everything from him. He is now my biggest influence.


Over the last couple of years, my peer influences also come from my writer friends and their stories. I also get so much motivation and reassurance from my mentors, such as Peter Giglio, Gregory L. Norris, Hollie and Henry Snider. And then there are those who have taught me so much through shared conversations and their overall professionalism, such as Lisa Morton and Vince Liaguno, two board members on the Horror Writers Association, and I guess unofficial mentors for me. I truly look up to them both as they are huge inspirations with regards to writing and navigating this sometimes very complex publishing industry.

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

Well, that’s the hard part. Most of my writing is either very early in the AM, or late at night, after my three-year old goes to sleep. I’m sure many writers can relate to this. Most of us have day jobs as well. So you have to improvise!

You’ve done some dark stuff here. Why did you decide to write a YA book?

It’s funny because I never thought when I wrote “Legend of the Pumpkin Thief,” that I was writing a YA novel, it was after I submitted the story to an editor, Erika Gilbert, who was looking for YA novels, that I found out I had a true YA book here. Of course I had to change my main character from 14 to 17, and then I resubmitted and had it accepted.

What do you love most about fiction?

I love when I can get a hold of a book that just takes me to an imaginary world, holds me by the neck and doesn’t let go until the very end. I love a book full of action and suspense, great character building where I’m in love with the characters well after I finish the book. That’s what I love most about fiction.

What is your day job?

I’ve spent over twenty-five years in the mental health industry. I’ve worked twelve years on a secured psych unit, finished college with a Masters degree in Public Administration, and subsequently held positions as a director, faculty instructor, and case manager.

Currently, I’m employed with the Family Service League and work with the NYS Office Of Aging’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. I’m their Adult Home Coordinator and I’m responsible for a sleuth of volunteers who go into adult homes to advocate for residents. If there is an issue of concern and they need me to come in and do an investigation or to just help advocate, I’m there. I really enjoy my day job. I get to go up to Albany and meet with our NY assembly members and senators, and I also get to meet so many providers, consumers, and caregivers in the adult care community, many who I’ve come to know over my years in the business as friends.

How does your work environment influence your writing?

That’s simple. Being in a people driven business, I’ve met so many personalities in my career, it’s easy to pick out people I can make into interesting characters for a story I’m writing.

What are your favorite horror movies and books?

Oh man, I could name so many. I loved Aliens, Nightmare on Elm Street, the Shining, etc. As for books, everything Joe Hill and Stephen King have written, and many horror books from my writer friends.

Which one of your books would you like to see made into a movie?

Without a doubt,“The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief.” It would be so cool to use the computer animation of say, “Monster House,” and use that to create my characters from Legend

Tell us about Evil Jester Press.

EJP was born from continued conversations between myself and my executive editor, Peter Giglio, who came up with the idea to start a press based on the avatar I was using when I first joined many of the small press forums. The evil little jester became my alter ego, my muse, my best friend. EJP is a small press publisher of great horror, including our semi-annual evil jester digests. Feel free to visit our website at www.eviljesterpress.com to find out about our latest books and submissions.

Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.

I’ll give you my bio as that seems to be the best way to showcase my work and what I love to write.

Charles Day A.K.A, the evil little Jester, is the Horror Writers Association’s Mentor Program Committee Chairperson, and a member of the New England Horror Writers Association. He's published 14 short stories with various small press publishers.

His biggest successes to date are the recent sales of his first YA western horror trilogy “KYLE MCGERTT, DESTROYER OF THE INDIAN CURSES, BOOK ONE: THE HUNT FOR THE GHOULISH BARTENDER (Blood Bound Books Nov/Dec 2012) his horror novel, DEEP WITHIN (Twisted Library Press, summer 2012), and a mystery novella DEADLY WORKOUT (Dopamavoli Books, spring 2012).

His published works available now are his YA horror novel, LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF (Noble YA Publishers LLC.), his mystery novelette THE PLAN (Naked Snake Press) and his horror novella LOCKDOWN (Included in Hannibal’s Manor, Wicked East Press) which received an endorsement from four-time Bram Stoker award wining author, Lisa Morton.

He also edited his first anthology TALES OF TERROR & MAYHEM FROM DEEP WITHIN THE BOX (Wicked East Press, winter 2012) compiled with 24 terrifying stories by amazingly talented authors, including four-time Bram Stoker nominated author Jeremy C. Shipp. Includes the debut, never before told story of just how his alter ego, the evil little jester became so damn evil, titled THE GIFT, by Charles Day, edited by Hollie Snider & Jessica Weiss.

He is the founder/owner of Hidden Thoughts Press- Non fiction works where the primary focus is mental wellness collections- and Evil Jester Press, a fiction imprint.

William R. Potter

William R. Potter is a writer of thrillers and horror fiction from British Columbia. He is an accomplished independent author. He enjoys creating characters with great depth that are true to real life. His books emphasize suspense and terror rather than mere gore. The Fright Factory is his latest thriller. It's a great tale of sheer horror and it's getting some serious attention.


When did you write your first novel?
I wrote my first novel over sixteen months in 2007-2008.


How many books have you written?
I’ve written eight and have published six.


How many hours a day do you write?
Hmm, I’m not sure. I don’t keep track of the hours. When I’m going full bore on a book I try to write 5,000 words a week.


You feature a serial killer who murders people with a scythe in The Fright Factory. What serial killers in other books have inspired your villain?
I didn’t realize it as I was writing TFF, however I’m sure movie villains like Michael Myers had more to do with me inventing Jess Lawless than any I had read about.


What is your favorite book?
Hideaway by Dean Koontz.


What is your favorite movie?
The “Alien” Series.


What horror movies scare you?
Horror movies don’t really scare me. They do however, thrill, shock and entertain.


Would you ever consider writing a book outside of the horror genre?
Absolutely. Most of my books are outside the horror genre.


What are your current projects?
I’m working on a sci-fi series, a drama-suspense novel and a sequel to Dead of Knight, my police thriller.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
You could say I was bitten by the writing bug at an early age. Shortly after watching the first remake of King Kong, around the age of ten or eleven, I scribbled a few lines about a mutant crab and called it a book.


I returned to my love of storytelling in my twenties, writing numerous short stories. "Lighting the Dark Side-Six Modern Tales" represents my work from the past several years and is my first published book. The collection received the Editor's Choice Award for short stories from AllBooks Review International in 2009.


All three novellas from the short story collection "Lighting the Dark Side" have now been published Direct to Kindle as stand-alone books. They are:


Bent, Not Broken (suspense) Surviving the Fall (thriller) October 18, 2012 (sci-fi suspense)


"DEAD of KNIGHT A Jack Staal Mystery" is my first full novel. The Fright Factory (horror) was published in September 2011. New books are in the works will be published shortly.


I live in New Westminster, Canada with my wife and two children.


http://www.williamrpotter.com

Count Gore de Vol

Anne Rice's Interview With The Vampire has always been one of my favorite books. Now I finally get to interview one myself . His name is Count Gore de Vol. He was a television horror host who originally appeared on Washington DC's WDCA from 1973 to 1987 This was of course when he was not secretly sucking human blood at night. His human alias Dick Dyzel helped him disguise the true evil vampire that he is. Now 35 years later Count Gore is still very busy. In 1998, Count Gore De Vol became the first horror host to present a weekly show on the Internet, featuring streaming video of movies and shorts hosted by The Count, and interviews with celebrities. It was an honor to interiew him about his work and how the horror field has changed over the years. Count Gore, thanks for letting me interview you and PLEASE DON'T DRINK OUR BLOOD!!!!!


When did you begin performing?
As with many entertainers, I’ve been performing, in one way or another, all my life. But I started my career as a TV horror host in 1971, when I took on the role of vampire M.T. Graves on WDXR-TV in Paducah, Kentucky. However, as is the case with most horror hosts, I was also doing a lot other things that really paid my salary: News Anchor, Radio DJ, Director and I also produced and hosted a one hour long, five day a week live children’s show as Bozo the Clown. You see, small market TV gave the new performer lots of opportunities to try everything.


What was your first TV show?
My first appearance on TV was as news anchor for the 10 pm news on WDXR. But it was the Bozo Circus that was the first show that I really controlled. It was a great training ground for both producing and performing. My second show, which ran concurrently, was “Night of Terror,” which was on every Saturday night. Here I applied a lot of what I learned as Bozo.


How do you rehearse for playing this part or is this the real you?
I’ve been told that Count Gore is an extension of my real personality, that I otherwise keep hidden. I wouldn’t say I rehearse as much as I take time to put myself into the character. I do this by creating a show outline, doing research and then psyching myself up while getting into makeup.


Count Gore de Vol is an interesting character name. How did you come up with that?
There have been much speculation on this. Most people think it was a take off on writer Gore Vidal, but that may not be totally true. I hedge on this question because I don’t know the exact answer. I was in discussion about a name for the character after I got a job at WDCA in Washington, DC. The general manager finally agreed to let me do it in 1973, but he wanted a name with ‘gore’ in it. So, I said, “What about Count Gore?” He thought about it and said, “I like it, but it needs more.” So, out of frustration I blurted out, “How about something off the wall, maybe Count Gore De Vol?” He said to go for it. Now, was I influenced by the fact there was a copy of “Lincoln” by Gore Vidal on the manager’s desk or was it that I drove by the De Vol funeral home everyday on the way to work? I honestly don’t know. But I do know I trademarked the character immediately, which was a smart move.


Why did you want creature feature films to be your work?
It was not on my list of things I wanted to do in TV. As I pointed out, I was doing lots of other exciting things, but I found that I enjoyed “talking dirty to adults on Saturday night.” Once I took ownership of the character, I then had incentive get into it. After much consideration in 1998 I felt that I enjoyed the character and the work enough to bring it to the Internet to become the first horror host of the web.


Is Bela Lugosi influence on your work?
OF COURSE!! He was so cool. Dark, suave, deadly and a ladies man. How could not be influenced by the originator of the film version of Dracula. Now I liked Christopher Lee in the Hammer films, but Bela was my model.


What is your favorite horror book?
This is hard to acknowledge, but I don’t read much horror. Actually I don’t have time to read much at all, except on vacation. But, that being said, I really liked the first book in the “True Blood” series.


What is your favorite horror movie?
I HATE this question! So, I’ll answer a different question. “What is your favorite scary movie?” The answer is, “Alien!” Most people classify this as science fiction, but scares come in all genres and no matter how many times I see it, I still get chills.


What books scare you?
The Internal Revenue Service Tax Code!


Would you ever considered acting outside of the horror genre or playing a different character like you did in Don Dohler’s films?
What, you don’t think Don’s films were in the horror genre? As an actor, which I finally realized was my true vocation only a few years ago, I would be delighted to play a lot of different characters….as long as they were challenging.


What are your current projects?
I’m currently changing the focus on the web program. Because all Internet and cable access hosts are limited to showing the same public domain films, I’ve decided to focus more heavily on new, exciting horror, sci-fi and fantasy short films. There’s so much wonderful talent that needs exposure and I have a New Blood Showcase that strives to do that. I still will continue showing the classic “B” movies, but I would like to become a major resource when it comes to new short films.


I’m also introducing a new line of infants Onesies and Toddler T-shorts. I think it’s time I started introducing a new generation to the world of horror hosts.


The concept of hosting a creature features show on the internet is remarkably unique. Fans like me grew up watching Chiller and other shows on television. Do you think it’s better to watch this entertainment whenever you want or to anticipate it coming every Saturday afternoon?
That’s a thought provoking question. It was first raised by Tim Davis, a local special effects expert in the documentary about my career, “Every Other Day Is Halloween.” He really loved the anticipation and therefore was not that excited about 24/7 access. I can certainly appreciate that. But, on the other hand, a person can set up their own sense of anticipation by scheduling to watch my Internet show at the particular time that works best for them. The important this is that my show can now be seen on your big screen TV thanks to easy to use interface devices like the Roku Box and Boxee Box. We are living through rapidly changing world of media opportunities and which is best will be determined by the gods of the market place.


What do you see as the main differences between the classic horror films and the movies being made today?
The main difference is the application of technology and the ability to be more graphic in both violence and sex. But remember, as you look back at the history of all movies, they all reflected the time period in which they were made. Therefore every new generation will make and remake the old stories in ways that will relate to them. We look back and hold up certain old films as ‘classic,’ forgetting that they represent a small fraction of the films made at that particular time and only became ‘classic’ because they struck some sort of resonance with the audience. I think the same thing will happen with today’s films….a few that will be treasured and a lot the will be forgotten.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
This is where my ghost writer….if I had one…should come in. But since I don’t have one, I’ll have to do it myself. On reflection there’s not much more I can add because you’ve asked the right questions. In quick summary, I got into the horror hosting as an after thought, I enjoyed doing it and continue enjoying it as new challenges of technology and distribution appear on the horizon. I love watching the growth in horror hosting I see around the USA and even the world and feel privileged to have played a part in it’s very scary history.


www.countgore.com


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Count-Gore-de-Vol/102887969752662


My shows can be watched on Roku or Boxee Box through my Vimeo and Blip.tv channels
https://vimeo.com/channels/countgore
http://blip.tv/count-gore
Dick Dyszel


http://www.amazon.com/Every-Other-Day-Is-Halloween/dp/B0034KVTKI

Movies: Storage 24

Release Date: 29 June 2012 (UK)


London is in chaos. A military cargo plane has crashed leaving its highly classified contents strewn across the city. Completely unaware London is in lockdown, Charlie (Noel Clarke) and Shelley (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), accompanied by best friends Mark (Colin O'Donoghue) and Nikki (Laura Haddock), are at Storage 24 dividing up their possessions after a recent break-up. Suddenly, the power goes off. Trapped in a dark maze of endless corridors, a mystery predator is hunting them one by one. In a place designed to keep things in, how do you get out?




Trailer:

Eddy Eder

Eddy Eder is an occupational therapy assistant and the President/Director of The Grand Guignol Horror Society. He studies karate at the New Paltz Karate Academy.He is also a very talented artist who depicts macabre images in his drawings and paintings. He is a frequent attendee of Monster Mania and other horror convention events.


Why the interest in horror?
I got into the genre of horror when I was a child and I developed a passion for it ever since then. I actually do not remember a time when I wasn’t into horror or monsters. I was fascinated by shows like The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, One Step Beyond as well as horror comic books such as House of Mystery, House of Secrets and Creepy and Eerie Magazine. I collected Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine and Monster Movie Books. My very first horror movie book was “A Pictorial History of Horror Movies” by Dennis Gifford.


I remember looking over and over again at the pictures. I enjoyed going to the library and reading collected horror and ghost story anthologies. There were horror sound effects albums that I would put on and close the lights in my room and scare myself while my imagination ran wild. I built Aurora Glow in the Dark Model Kits.


Back before there were DVD players and VHS players we basically caught horror movies on shows like Fright Night and Chiller Theatre. These shows hosted a collection of classic horror movies. I remember waiting up late, with a box of Oreo cookies and milk, to watch the shows. Sometimes on Sunday Afternoons I would lie down on my parent’s bed and watch horror movies that were aired then. Part of enjoying horror movies now kind of reminds me of that comfort level.


It was an interesting time when I grew up. There were all these really cool tourist traps and odd places to go to which my parents brought me to. I saw a real human shrunken head at Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum in St. Augustine, Florida when I was very young. I remember screaming and running out of the room when I recognized it for what it was. I remember a Niagara Falls museum which had a wax display of a bloody woman being led away by two men from a wooden barrel which she went over the Falls in. In Atlantic City there was a Louis Tussand Wax Museum with an incredibly brutal chamber of horrors. The scenes were a mixture of historical torture and Classic Monster Movies. I remember one display was of a man who was hanging by a large hook through his abdomen over a fire. Other influences were circuses, fairs and particularly Dark Rides. The walk-through ones were the creepiest. Growing up I went to the Haunted Mansion at Long Branch and Brigatine Castle in New Jersey. Many of these places do not exist anymore. They were the predecessors of the Modern Halloween Haunted Attractions.


On a more serious note there was a history of religious persecution in my family’s history. My father, my uncle and my grandfather were holocaust survivors and my grandmother, on my mother’s side, survived a pogrom in Russia. I was exposed to knowledge of this inhumanity when I was very young even before they taught about it in school. I remember other kids thinking I was joking when I told them about it. My father was very haunted by it as you can imagine anyone would be who lived through it. He would watch any show that had to deal with the holocaust (usually with actual footage) and he told me things they do not tell you in school. Perhaps part of my interest in the genre is a way of dealing with my early knowledge of real horror. I can certainly watch and look at the more extreme aspects of the horror genre without flinching.  


You've done some amazing artwork dealing with horror themes and the macabre. Where do you get your ideas from?
Thank you. I always loved drawing monsters and fantasy creatures. All of my school notebooks were full of doodles and drawings of some sort of monster. My ideas for my artwork vary in origin. Sometimes they are my interpretation from something I’ve read, something I’ve wrote or even from dreams. I was and still am into horror Role Playing Games and have drawn many of my ideas for them. Recently a lot of my artwork is for the flyers for my horror society events. My girlfriend Tracy actually encouraged me to draw those.  


  Who are your influences with horror themed paintings and sketches? Is Clive Barker among them?
Yes, Clive Barker is certainly an inspiration. I love the mythos he has created in his books and art. I am also inspired by such artists as Gustave Dore, Frank Frazetta, Basil Gogos, James Bama, Boris Vallejo, H.R. Giger, Stephen Gammell who illustrates the Alvin Schwartz Scary Stories books, the incredible artists of EC Comics, Creepy, Eerie and Heavy Metal Magazine.  


What is your day job?
I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I currently work in a Head Trauma Center. In the past I’ve worked in nursing homes, elementary schools, in group homes for people with developmental disabilities and a long term Mental Health Facility.  


You attend many conventions such as Monster Mania. Is it to meet the famous members or the horror community or to meet others who enjoy the same things you do?
I do enjoy meeting the guests as well as talking to people who are promoting their artwork and literature. I like checking out the costumes people wear to the conventions. In addition I also enjoy the Q and A’s and Vendor’s rooms. The conventions tend to be fast paced which makes intermingling with other horror fans difficult.  


  What are your favorite horror books?
It’s tough to pick favorites; there are so many great books out there. Authors who have influenced me are Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, Harlan Ellison, Joe Lansdale, Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Roald Dahl, Brian Lumley, Mary Shelley, David Schow, Poppy Z. Brite, Charles L. Grant, Graham Masterson, John Skipp and Craig Spector, M.R. James, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Algernon Blackwood, Robert W. Chambers, Frank Belknap Long, Shirley Jackson, Peter Straub, H.G. Wells and so many others. I enjoy horror related non-fiction books such as those written by David Skal.  


What are your favorite horror movies?
Again it’s a tough question because there really are so many and I own so many. Starting off I like the classic Universal Monster Movies, Hammer Horror Films, AIP films and Amicus Anthology Horror Movies, Val Lewton Films, movies by Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Mario Bava, Tobe Hooper, George Romero, just about anything starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre Films. I love Santa Sangre and really everything else by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Classic Japanese horror movies such as Kuroneko, Kwaidan and Onibaba. I like modern Japanese horror movies like Uzumaki and Battle Royale. I like the classic silent films such as Nosferatu, Faust, The Golem as well as the films of Lon Chaney Sr. I love the staple horror movies such as The Exorcist, The Haunting, Eyes Without a Face and The Shining. I am a big fan of An American Werewolf in London. Again there are so many I am not mentioning. I could probably write an entire book on my favorites.  


  What is Grand Guignol Horror Society of the Hudson Valley?
The Grand Guignol Horror Society is group of people who share the love of the genre of horror and the many ways it is expressed though the arts. We are based in Highland, New York in the Mid Hudson region. We have monthly events from May to October where we present classic horror films as well as creative activities and interactive exhibits for Adults and Children. We often conduct shows outdoors however we also have alternative locations in case of inclement weather. This current season we are beginning our contests which will initially kick off with a short story contest. We have a pretty cool first place trophy which I designed and was sculpted by my friend Giovanni Zorloza. We will follow this with short film contests, art contests, etc.  


What is your ultimate goal in terms of your artwork and the Grand Guignol Horror Society?
Mostly my artwork is currently focused on promoting The Grand Guignol Horror Society. I have been asked to make prints of my work as well as T-Shirts which I eventually will. It would be fun to do some illustration work. The ultimate goal for the Grand Guignol Horror Society is to create an interactive and immersive Horror Faire somewhat like a cross between a Carnival and the Renaissance Fair but geared towards the Horror Genre.  


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
I am not sure what else I can write about myself. I live with my sweetheart Tracy, two cats who are Ultima and Fry and two ferrets who are Fergie and Banshee. I study Karate at the New Paltz Karate Academy. In addition to drawing I also enjoy building model kits particularly figure kits. In addition to my passion for horror movies, I also enjoy Comedy, Fantasy and Sci Fi movies.


We are currently working with my friend Giovanni Zorloza on his horror/revenge movie called Jeffreak. I just played a delivery doctor in it and Tracy plays a major role. Tracy and I met on a paranormal investigation weekend in Western Pennsylvania. We continue to enjoy doing paranormal research.

Donna Galanti

Donna Galanti is another talented author from my native Bucks County, PA. Her novel A HUMAN ELEMENT is an exciting thriller and first rate debut novel. I spoke with Donna about what inspired her to write this critically well received first book.


What is "A HUMAN ELEMENT" about?
One by one, Laura Armstrong’s friends and adoptive family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next.


Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite–her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a mad man, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test.


With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices–redeem him or kill him.


Why did you choose that theme for your first novel?
I was inspired to create the world of Laura Armstrong in A HUMAN ELEMENT on her idealistic belief that we all have a redeemable human element inside us, no matter the evil we’ve done – or that’s been done to us. Being adopted, parentless, and raised alone runs through three characters in my book. These are threads from my own life. The characters all react in different ways, so is it their genes that shape who they are or their environment? Ultimately it’s revealed that if we can overcome our genes and thrive through love, we can conquer our obstacles and achieve anything. But without love, we are lost.


How did you get involved with writing? Do you prefer short stories or novels in terms of telling a story?
I’ve written since I could put words together. I wrote short stories and poems in my youth, but prefer the depth of writing a novel. It allows me to get deep into a character and take them through life changing events.


Who are some of your influences?
Early on it was Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis. Later it became Dean Koontz, Stephen King, John Grisham and Robert James Waller.


Why?
Because they create endearing characters that suffer but transform through some change.


How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I’m not always able to get a creative word quota in each day so I look at the week as a whole which can average 3,000 to 5,000. The days I do write it’s anywhere from one hour to four. Does writing interviews and guest posts count? I seem to be doing a lot of that lately!


You’ve accomplished writing a well received first novel. What would you like to write about next?
I am already deep into the sequel, A HIDDEN ELEMENT. This book is grittier and darker with an evil villain who shatters the life of one family. This book happens over a much shorter span as well, about a month. However, I’m also getting ready to shop out a middle grade adventure fantasy that is a fun romp.


What do you love most about fiction?
That we can create stories as movies in our mind. That words on a page can make us feel strong things – loss, pain, hope.


How does your environment influence your writing?
I have woven my experiences through my writing. Being adopted, being in the Navy, having lived in many places in the U.S., including Hawaii, and England. I relate to the nomad and I think that comes across in the characters I write. They aren’t bound by any one environment, like me. I get restless in the same spot for too long.


What are your favorite horror movies and books?
For a novel, it’s The Stand by Stephen King. It changed my life one summer as a teen. I also enjoy his short story collections. His images stay with me. I am fearful of the garbage disposal thanks to his story, The Mangler. Horror movies that terrify me are Nightmare on Elm Street and Hellraiser. More recently The Ring and The Blair Witch Project (I made the mistake of watching this last one home alone and slept with the lights on all night).


What would your book be like if it was made into a movie?
Phenomenon meets The Dead Zone. Could I please get Hugh Jackman to play the hero, Ben Fieldstone? Hugh?


Tell us about why you love to write.
I love that we can create stories that no one else in the world can create. Then I get to share them with others and hope they enjoy as much as I do.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.
I now do freelance copywriting for an advertising agency part time while writing novels. If I couldn’t write I would bike, hike, and kayak my days away. I was a photographer in the U.S. Navy before completing a degree in English. After working in corporate communications and marketing for years I launched a resume writing service for some time. I closed up shop to find time to write and lean towards writing dark fiction for adults. I like to call it dark with a dash of hope – and steam. However, I did challenge myself to write a middle grade novel last year, inspired by my son.

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PRAISE FOR A HUMAN ELEMENT
“A HUMAN ELEMENT is an elegant and haunting first novel. Unrelenting, devious but full of heart. Highly recommended.” –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of ASSASSIN’S CODE and DEAD OF NIGHT


“A HUMAN ELEMENT is a haunting look at what it means to be human. It’s a suspenseful ride through life and love…and death, with a killer so evil you can’t help but be afraid. An excellent read.” –Janice Gable Bashman, author of WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE, nominated for a Bram Stoker Award.


“A thrilling ride full of believable characters, a terrifying villain, an epic battle for survival, and a love worth killing for. A page-turner filled with fascinating twists and turns!” – Marie Lamba, author of WHAT I MEANT and DRAWN.


BIO:
Donna Galanti is the author of the dark novel A Human Element (Echelon Press). Donna has a B.A. in English and a background in marketing. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, and Pennwriters. She lives with her family in an old farmhouse in Pennsylvania in the U.S. with lots of nooks, fireplaces, and stinkbugs. Visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com


http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor
Donna’s Author Facebook page for news and updates!


Connect with Donna here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaGalanti Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor Blog: http://blog.donnagalanti.com/wp/


Purchase A HUMAN ELEMENT here:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/A-Human-Element-ebook/dp/B007IIIZUO/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2





Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-human-element-donna-galanti/1109435439?ean=2940013900530&itm=1&usri=donna+galanti


Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/139981

Movies: Nazis At The Center of the Earth

Researchers in Antarctica are abducted by a team of masked storm troopers. They are dragged deep underground to a hidden continent in the center of the earth. Here Nazi survivors, their bodies a horrifying patchwork of decaying and regenerated flesh, are planning for the revival of the Third Reich.

Release Date: 24 April 2012 (USA)

Trailer:

Movies: The Divide

Opens in UK cinemas 20 Apr 2012


Synopsis:
As an onslaught of nuclear missiles from an unknown assailant falls on New York City, a small group of tenants and the caretaker of an apartment building manage to find refuge in the building’s bunker-like basement. But as the days and nights slowly tick by, their sanctuary starts to resemble something more akin to a living hell. Adding further terror to the situation, the shelter is unexpectedly attacked by mysterious armed assailants wearing hazmat suits, their motives unknown but their merciless method of assault all too clear. This new threat forces the trapped victims to unite against a common enemy but it is a unity that proves to be short-lived.


With little chance of rescue and only unspeakable horrors and almost certain death awaiting them on the outside, the survivors slowly begin to descend into madness as food and water supplies dwindle, tensions flare and self-preservation becomes the only option. The ensuing power struggle leads to physical, psychological and sexual torment among the group as each member loses touch with his and her humanity. Despite this, one individual holds on to the hope of some form of salvation beyond the thick concrete walls of what may soon become nothing more than a tomb.


Trailer:

Lucas Mangum

Lucas Mangum is another talented horror author from my native Bucks County Pennsylvania. His novel GOBLINS is a gothic story receiving high praise. It is currently in e book form availiable from Smaswords. I asked Lucas about his writing goals and future plans.


Lucas's novel GOBLINS is described as follows:
Connor and his sister, Christine, go driving to the town of Yester Castle, TN looking for Christine’s wayward husband, Jack. Instead they find the town completely abandoned and signs of a struggle. Soon, Connor and Christine are in the fight of their life when they uncover that Yester Castle has been overrun by a cult of goblins and their high priest, Christine’s husband, Jack.


When did you write your first novel?
I wrote a few novels when I was in my teens, but since I was still young and naive, they were mostly unpublishable. I have since written pieces that I feel much more comfortable shopping around.


How many books have you written?
Not counting my earlier attempts, 3 and half!


How many hours a day do you write?
I try to write two to three hours a day if I can. On the weekends, I generally get four hours in. Some of my writing is done at ungodly hours of the morning before I go to my day job. If it's a slow day there, I try to outline, and then I write some more when I get home. I don't usually set a schedule. I just make sure I reach my word quota every day and I'm almost always writing in my head.


What is your favorite book?
Out of all the books I've read, I would have to say either It by Stephen King or Clive Barker's Imajica would be my favorite. Hard to pick between the two. If comics count, Garth Ennis's Preacher beats them both.


What is your favorite movie?
Of all time? Jeez... it's really hard for me to narrow it down to just one. A Clockwork Orange, Oldboy, Night of the Living Dead... I could go on and on and on. I'm a huge movie buff.


What books scare you?
Bryan Smith's The Killing Kind, and anything by Jack Ketchum are good for scares. As much as I enjoy supernatural horror, it isn't going to really do much in the fear department for me. Goblins, ghosts, and werewolves are my friends. The human monsters (serial killers, terrorists, sociopaths) are what's really scary. I have to admit that when I found out Ketchum's Girl Next Door was based on a real case, I lost a little faith in humanity.


Would you ever consider writing a book outside the horror genre?
I'd love for my career to be pretty eclectic, because I read a lot of different styles. While horror is my first love, I would love to write some urban fantasy or military science fiction sometime down the road. I'm up for anything!


What are your current projects?
Right now, I'm getting ready for the release of my experimental horror, Welcome to Video Babylon, as an e-short story through Trestle Press. I'm also shopping Flesh & Fire, a horror novella about a man who's life is turned upside down when his 30-years-dead ex comes to him seeking his help in her escape from hell. Depending on who picks it up, it could be the first of a trilogy or a stand-alone story. Last but not least, I have another novella that will be released early next year in a zine put out by Video Horror Show.


Please in your own words write aparagraph about yourself & your work.
When I'm not writing, I can best be described a pretty average guy. I have a day job at a local, community bank. I'm married to an extraordinary woman. I just got a cat. I love spending time with my family. However, my gift (curse?) is that I have a fascination, sometimes I'd even call it an obsession, with the darker side of things. Nothing is more interesting to me than people's fetishes and fears. I believe that putting them on the page (or on a screen, a canvas, or in a song) binds them so that we can observe and experience them safely.


About lucas Mangum
Lucas Mangum is the author of “Abhorrent” (Death Head Grin, February, 2011) and “Welcome to Video Babylon (Splatterpunk is Not Dead, forthcoming). Read his blog, The Dark Dimensions, at http://www.lucasmangum.wordpress.com or find him on Facebook or Twitter @LMangumFiction. He lives in Bucks County and holds the bi-monthly Awesome Reading Fest in Doylestown.

Interview with Chris LaMartina

Chris LaMartina is a talented young filmmaker from the Baltimore area. He’s already made five independent feature films. Chris has worked with horror icon George Stover on several projects. His current movie WITCH’S BREW is getting great reviews. It was great to talk to Chris about his passion for independent filmmaking. 

What inspired you to make movies?

I've always been interested in storytelling. Some of my earliest memories are demanding my Aunt sit down at her typewriter (this is the late eighties), and I would dictate goofy 'scary' stories to her. We found some these tales a few years back, and they don't make much sense... half of them start with "It was a dark and stormy night"... but they were good foreshadowing of things to come.

When I was 11, I stumbled across the family camcorder and began producing little shorts, trying to emulate the films I love (mostly horror). As I got older and more interested in micro-budget horror, I realized that making cheap features was a reality and I figured out a game plan on how to produce my own.

What are some of your favorite films?

My favorite film of all time is "Harold & Maude". That might be a little shocking to hear looking at the films I produce, but that's the truth. Outside of that, I love eighties American cinema (especially horror flicks) because that's what I grew up on. Some of my favorites are "Monster Squad", "Fright Night", "Return of the Living Dead", "Night of the Demons", and "The Blob" (88)... stuff like that. Besides genre stuff, I greatly enjoy social satires, political documentaries, and a good romantic comedy (totally not joking).

Why horror?

I've always been attracted to horror. Exploring the unknown, the dark, and mysterious has always been a vice of mine. Plus, there are a million different avenues to tell scary stories. Horror is such a broad genre that has somehow been 'ghettoized' by popular culture... perhaps because it's primal and exploitation. That's why I love it, though. It's honest... in a world where most things aren't. I love the ugliness. Usually, I inject my horror with humor as a coping mechanism. Horror takes real world anxiety and filters them through a lens of escapism.

What was your first feature length movie?

My first feature, which I shot during breaks in college, was an uber cheap (total budget - $300), horror anthology flick called "Dead Teenagers". It was produced as an attempt to see if I could finish a long term project that could get distributed (which it did). It was definitely a learning experience more than anything else. It's not the best flick, but there are some cool moments. It's just so cheap to me now (which is fine, really, but I don't generally talk about it anymore). I'm happy with a lot of the ideas we pulled off at such a low budget, but my storytelling is primitive in comparison and a lot of the acting is painful... which is mostly m y fault as a director/producer is. We shot it on a consumer camcorder, lit with Home Depot work lights, and recorded audio in-camera. It's definitely uber-cheap, but it still makes me smile when I think about the experience of making it.

How many movies have you made?

To date, I've produced five features: "Dead Teenagers" (2006), a horror anthology, "Book of Lore" (2007), a mystery-thriller, "Grave Mistakes" (2008), a campy EC-comic style anthology, "President's Day" (2010), an eighties-style slasher comedy, and "Witch's Brew" (2011), a gory horror comedy about cursed beer.

I produced "Dead Teenagers" by my lonesome, but all of the rest of which were co-produced by my best friend/business partner, Jimmy George. Jimmy also co-wrote "Book of Lore", "Grave Mistakes", and "President's Day" with me. He's the unsung hero of Midnight Crew Studios (our production team).

How did you come up with the idea for WITCH'S BREW?

Right before "President's Day", Jimmy and I realized the power of a 'high concept' synopsis (a one-sentence pitch that sells your story). From that point forward, every idea we pursued HAD to be describe in a single sentence. It was crucial to selling the film to a distributer and ultimately: an audience. So, we started coming up with titles first and then, when we had a title that sounded cool, we'd come up with a log line to support it.

I was interested in writing a film about witchcraft and had the title, "Witch's Brew". So, I asked myself: what would a movie called "Witch's Brew" be about? Cursed beer, obviously! The possibilities for story lines were endless because of the wide range of avenues when it comes to alcohol consumption. Hell, most people watch horror flicks with a cold six-pack by their side. I could see the DVD drinking game already! It made sense.

WITCH'S BREW is getting great buzz. Do you prefer to make something different than the average horror flick?

Like most artists, we want to stand out. We've always valued our stories above all else. I don't care what the "it" camera is or what format you're shooting on. The most important part for us is the story and I think that's what we do try to differently than other filmmakers. Sure, we understand the value of the sex/violence content, but excessive gore and nudity isn't enough to make a flick stand out anymore.

At the same time, I also borrow a lot of energy/aesthetic from the films I grew up on (mostly eighties-style horror flicks). So, I can't say we're completely original because we pay homage whenever it's appropriate. Generally, however, we try our best to reverse expectation when it comes to familiar territory. The job of every good screenwriter is to reverse expectation... when it makes sense.

You are on a limited budget. How do you get so many people to act in your films?

Very rarely do we get to pay folks who act for us, and usually it's only people who do nudity. In all honesty, there's little money for us to budget on talent. We don't make much money off of these films (making films does NOT pay my rent) so we can't afford to squander the dollars we could be spending on catering, props, equipment, and f/x. Plus, plenty of actors will work for free for the exposure factor and usually we do a favor trade or two (i.e. cutting an actor's demo reel or getting them work on a "bigger" or "pay" project). The most important thing, however, is to still find talented actors. We always hold casting calls and value the auditioning process. We're not just giving roles to our friends. That's one of the biggest problems with micro budget productions.

How did the premiere of WITCH’S BREW go?

The "Witch's Brew" premiere went fantastic. It was a huge premiere, the audience response was great, and I had a wonderful time. We showed some Lost Trailer Park: Never Coming Attractions (my faux-trailer web series) installments before the flick and everyone ate it up. It was fun night out. I always find premieres especially inspiring because you can finally see an audience feast on the fruits of your labor. I love coming out of the theater and hearing folks talk about their favorite moments or characters. That's what keeps me going.

What's it like working with horror movie icon George Stover?

I lovingly refer to George Stover as my "third Grandpa"... a moniker he dislikes because it makes him feel old. He's a very sweet, funny, and warm man. His support for our films over the past few years has been unrelenting and I literally ask him every time I write a script what "kind of role" he’d like play. I have a lot of respect for him and I know that's mutual. He reached out to us initially, after catching a screening of "Book of Lore". What a lot of people don't realize about George is that he is a huge genre fan. His house is full of movies, posters, and memorabilia. He even collects 35mm and 16mm film prints. As a former projectionist myself, I have a special kinship with George. He rules.

Baltimore has produced some great independent filmmakers like Don Dohler and John Waters. Do you think you are following in their footsteps?

I wouldn't say I'm following in their footsteps per se. I think my films are departures from the tone of a Waters film or Dohler flick... but that's not to say I don't love those guys. I definitely grew up watching both artists tell their type of stories, and I respect them immensely. The affection for Dohler films over time is especially interesting to me. I loved them before it was ironic or hip to love them.

Speaking for myself, Baltimore is my hometown (I was born and raised here) and I love it. It's so weird, strange, and charming. You can walk down the street and run into a dozen genuine characters (not just young people trying to be eccentric) and I find that very inspiring. I value the history of exploitation and horror films here because I see those filmmakers as spiritual ancestors. There’s immense cultural significance in using the same places and actors that my heroes used before me. When all is said and done, I'm happy to be a footnote in the enormous book of low budget filmmaking.

What's next for you?

Man, I wish I could tell you. We have two horror screenplays we're developing for ourselves (can't give out names/concepts just yet), and we're writing a more serious horror screenplay for a buddy of ours in L.A. The big problem for us right now is our lack of financial resources. We can't continue to make micro-budget films without getting real investors (up until this point, most of our films have been self-funded), and that's a bit intimidating to us. Still, if we make another feature (and trust me, even if it KILLS me, we're going to do another), we're going to have get investors behind it. It's a matter of time, really. We have to find the financial backers. So... on that note.... would you like to invest in our next feature?

I kid, but if anyone reading this has deep pockets and love for horror comedies, holler at us.

Teaser trailer for the upcoming splatter flick, "Witch's Brew" - written & directed by Chris LaMartina. Synopsis: Two microbrewers screw over a coven of witches and in turn, the coven curses their latest batch of beer. From that point forward, anyone who drinks the cursed alcohol meets a gruesome ironic demise.

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Novelist David Kempf
About the interviewer:
David Kempf has written over fifty short stories, many of which deal with themes of horror fiction. He has won several writing awards including first place in the short story competition of Millersville University's Lemuria magazine. Two of his short stories were selected in the 2007 publication of The Grackle, his graduate school's literary magazine. David is featured on two short fiction websites, one American and one British. He holds an M.S. from Chestnut Hill College and a B.A. from Millersville University. David resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his wife and his son. Dark Fiction is his first novel. His latest book The Petsorcist mixes humor and horror.

You can find out more about David Kempfs new book and also buy at the following links http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11733557-the-petsorcist

US.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Petsorcist-ebook/dp/B0055WY7XO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308321782&sr=1-1

UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0055WY7XO?ie=UTF8&tag=jonscelebworl-21