Today’s AHOW interview is with author Sunanda Chatterjee

 

 

Title and synopsis/blurb of your AHOW story:

Jimmy’s Shadow is the story of a young mother, guilt-ridden from the death of her four-year old son who drowned in the family pool on her watch, but who has now has returned to haunt her.

 

What inspired you to write this story?

In this story, the imagery of the house, the backyard, the lawn, and the pool is from my own home. When I moved in fifteen years ago, I was always anxious with my two-year-old daughter playing in the backyard right beside the pool. I don’t write in the horror genre; I write about love, family relationships, and motherhood. Something about a mother’s love for her child, a visceral, elemental emotion that triumphs all else, haunts me. My bestselling novel is about a mother fighting for her child’s life, and I wondered about a world where she didn’t succeed. The haunting in this story is not horror, per se, but more filled with angst, regret, and guilt, and how a mother processes her feelings when faced with the memory of her lost son.

 

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for thirty years, but only in the past ten did I start to send stories and novels out for publication. I finally started publishing three years ago.

 

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

I write women’s fiction and romance, including romantic suspense. My characters are often multiracial, and many are from India, where I was born.

 

What are you working on right now?

I am working on a series right now, called The Wellington Estate Series, based in southern California. They are romantic suspense (with more romance than suspense), filled with family secrets, romantic love, and scandals, but are ultimately about female empowerment and friendships. I’m done with the first two of the series, which are now with the editor. I will start on the third book soon.

 

What else do you have available/published?

I have four stand-alone novels: Shadowed Promise, Fighting for Tara, The Vision, and The Blue House in Bishop.

A novelette: Maggie’s Farm, which first appeared in Cupid’s Bow Anthology and now is published separately. The other novelette Lost and Found, from Cupid’s Bow is based on characters from my novel, The Vision and will be published soon.

Several short stories: A White Christmas and Letters from Carmen in Holiday Heartwarmers Collection; and a few short stories in short-story.net.

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

1. Write what you love and what you love to read. You don’t realize the nuances you’ll pick up from just reading a lot on your genre: about character arcs, plot structure, dialogue and themes. Because you may write for yourself, but if you want to make it your livelihood, you must bow to reader expectations.
2. Read about how to write, take a writing course, join writer’s groups or critique groups to solidify your basics, otherwise you’ll waste a lot of time re-editing. I know this from experience, because it took me ten years and eight full edits before publishing my first book, The Vision.
3. No matter how well you write, get an editor regardless of whether you want to go the indie publishing route or traditional publishing. You know your story too well and won’t find plot holes, but an outside look by an impartial editor will help strengthen your story.

 

List links where people can find your work:

Website: http://www.sunandachatterjee.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sunanda-J.Chatterjee/e/B00YNT97AS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunandaChatterjee_Author-515705275228760/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunandajoshich1

 

 

 

 

Today’s AHOW interview is with author Donise Sheppard.

Title and synopsis/blurb of your AHOW story:

“Coalrun Road”

Jennifer’s in love with her family’s new house. Her youngest daughter copes with the move by making an imaginary friend. When objects start moving on their own, Jennifer begins to wonder if the bargain house has a secret. There’s a perfume stench in the bathroom that won’t go away, and Jennifer sees wisps of blonde hair when nobody is around. Maybe the drawings behind the wallpaper in the bedroom are just a sick joke from a previous owner, but what if they aren’t?

 

What inspired you to write this story?

Ghosts terrify me. I wanted to write something that would scare someone else just as much as it scares me.

 

How long have you been writing?

I started writing for fun when I was a little girl. I didn’t realize I wanted to be an author until I was in college.

 

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

I like to write Young Adult with science fiction and romance elements. I like the idea of incorporating real life with fantastical elements.

 

What are you working on right now?

At this moment, I am working on a Young Adult science fiction novel and another short story in the horror genre.

 

What else do you have available/published?

I have previously published six young adult novels, three of which are part of a dystopian series.

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

Read whenever you can, and write at least an hour a day, even when you have writer’s block, because writing anything is always better than writing nothing.

 

List links where people can find your work:

https://www.facebook.com/authordonisesheppard/

amazon.com/author/donisesheppard

Happy Immolation Day!

Celebrate the new edition of Flamewalker today.

Women rule in Saria.

Gifted with the Goddess’s magic, those women chosen as Flamewalkers wear Her scars and wield Her power. Seer, Healer, or Firemaiden, each must master a newfound skill and take her place in the country’s service.

When Khalira emerges from the ceremonial flames marked with all three Flamewalker powers, even her own kind shrink away in fear. An outcast at the Academy, she must learn to control three conflicting gifts like no other woman before her.

And control them she must.

Far to the north in an enemy land, blacksmith Adon Estervar watches in horror as his daughter is burned alive for the treason of wielding healing ability without the king’s authority. Wracked with despair, he stumbles upon an ancient secret, a way to steal Flamewalker gifts for himself. But women’s power is madness in a man. If he cannot control this stolen magic, his vengeance threatens to ignite a war that could burn both countries to ashes.

 

High Fantasy at its very best.     –Nikolas Everhart, author of Cee is for Clone

 

If you enjoy fantasy, treat yourself to being engulfed by Flamewalker!  –Timothy Attewell, author of  Carry On: Stan Zuray’s Journey from Boston Greaser to Alaskan Homesteader

Vogel has spun an unforgettable, intense tale that I could not put down.  –Jennifer Reinfried, author of Grim Ambition

 

 

 

Today’s AHOW interview is with…me!

 

Title:

“Rowdy” is the story of an old dog’s last day on earth.  It’s a quick piece to remind us that love never dies, and best friends are forever.

What inspired you to write this story? 

I’m a veterinarian.  The story comes from twenty years of wielding the needle that sends beloved pets on to their eternal rest.  It’s an honor to be trusted with that final moment, and it’s so important for the pets and their families.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing seriously for about five years.  An avid reader since forever, I was always one of those people who said, “I can do that.  Someday I’m going to write a novel.”  In 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and suddenly “Someday” became a huge question mark.  I realized I might not have too many “Somedays” left, and if I wanted to write a novel, it was time to sit down and write it.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

My science fiction series is going strong, with book two due to release at the end of June.  I also had a fantasy novel published which is currently out of print due to publisher closing.  My agent is currently shopping a couple of mystery/thrillers and we hope for great things in that genre.

What are you working on right now?:

I’ve just finished the first draft of a really fun project that my publisher put together.  Five of Future House Publishing’s authors are writing a series together, based on a board game world.  It’s a collaboration with the game’s publisher, and I was given book two of the series.  The concept of writing in someone else’s world, and working with other talented authors has been a big challenge and I think the final product will be amazing.

What else do you have available/published?

I’m the author of Horizon Alpha: Predators of Eden (2016, Future House Publishing), Horizon Alpha: Transport Seventeen (2017, Future House Publishing), Horizon Alpha: High Wire (short story set in the Horizon Alpha world, 2016), Flamewalker (2015, Word Branch Publishing, out of print), and I’ve contributed short stories to several other science fiction anthologies.

What advice do you give to new writers? 

The best advice is to read.  Read everything.  Read in the genre you want to write, and read in genres you never thought you’d like.  I can teach you how to put words on a page.  I can teach you how to use commas, why you should eliminate filters, and why “then” should be cut whenever you see it.  But I can’t teach you the kind of instinctive flow that comes from a lifetime of reading well-written novels.  I can’t teach you rhythm.  I can’t teach you pace.  You can only absorb that by immersing yourself in the works of the masters, absorbing their skill with their words.

List links where people can find your work:

www.wendyvogelbooks.com

 

 

 

Today’s AHOW interview is with author Suanne Kim

 

Title and synopsis/blurb. 

Objects in Motion

The last four years have been difficult for Miles. In a stroke of luck, he finds love under the most unlikely circumstances–while rescuing strangers in a subway station.

 

Mattie is everything he’s ever wanted: witty, beautiful, intelligent. Or is she?

 

What inspired you to write this story?

 

I had no intention of submitting. I was engrossed working on my novel, “Prism.” But the sheer challenge of writing about a haunting called to me. And I liked the supportive camaderie of the Fiction Writing group so I decided to throw my hat into the ring last minute.

 

How long have you been writing?

 

Like most writers, forever.

 

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

 

I write mostly poetry, lit fic, women’s lit, crime fic and romance. But like my many of my main characters, I enjoy a challenge so I don’t limit myself to genres or styles. I’m always up for trying new things.

 

What are you working on right now?

 

I’m working on a novel called “Prism” about a woman who wakes up in a hospital and has no memory of being viciously attacked along with her boyfriend. The man who calls 911 for help disappears and the detective tries to piece together the mystery surrounding the event. Is the caller the culprit, accomplice, witness or another victim?

 

I’m also working on a short story about a Korean woman–a former thief and assassin–who’s out for revenge.

 

What else do you have available/published?

I’ve had poems published with Newtown Literary and Nomad’s Choir.

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

Hone your craft, keep reading, and develop a thick skin when asking for critiques. All are lifelong endeavors.

 

List links where people can find your work. 

www.facebook.com/SuanneKim.author

 

 

 

Today’s AHOW interview is with Laura Ings Self

 

Story Title: Home

Synopsis: After losing the love of her life in a car accident, Nicky can’t bring herself to leave the flat they shared together. She is convinced she still sees flashes of her lost love, but lately the sightings are becoming less frequent.

 

What inspired you to write this? 

I find the best ideas come when I’m not looking for them. I was focusing on other projects, although I was aware of the open submissions for AHOW, when the idea of Nicky and her traumatic bereavement just took root in the back of my mind. The story came to me pretty much fully formed and I wrote it in just a few hours.

 

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first “book” aged 7 and have dabbled on and off my entire life, blogging and attempting novels and short stories, but I didn’t really throw myself into it until 2012, when I figured I would write a children’s novel during my maternity leave (hahahahaha!) and eventually finished that book in 2015. I have since written another novel and am working on getting both published.

 

What genres do you most associate with your writing?

Primarily drama/realism. I like exploring psychology and the human condition. I like writing flawed protagonists.

 

What are you working on right now?

I have put my novels to one side so I can approach them with fresh eyes at some point in the near future. Currently I am working on a stage play called ‘Fear Itself’ about a team of security guards working the night shift at a pharmaceutical company and an as yet untitled ‘Black Mirror’-esque short story that I hope to submit for ACOW involving a reality TV show.

 

What else do you have published/available?

‘Home’ is my first published work.

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

Find a decent editor and a good group of beta readers/critical partners. There is so much more to writing a good story than telling it efficiently and with good grammar (although those things help!). I thought I knew what made a good book (I can certainly point out what makes an awful book) but I have learned so much from people in the Fiction Writing group and Facebook pages like The Writers’ Circle as well as feedback I have received from editors and agents.

 

 

 

Today’s AHOW interview is with author Dawn Taylor

Title and synopsis/blurb of your AHOW story:

 

What inspired you to write this story?I have always had a fear of clowns. They emit an eerie presence and must never be trusted. The thought of one hiding under my bed, waiting to torment me is a nightmare.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing as a child, but my first short story titled “The Double Nickel Tour,” was published in 2016 in Scout Media’s A Journey of Words.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

I like to write psychological horror and stories with a twist ending.

What are you working on right now?

Currently, I have written a debut novel, which I hope to publish by the end of the year.

What else do you have available/published?

I have published a few short stories. In addition to “Pepe” and “The Double Nickel Tour,” I have published “Katey,” “Dirty Gypsy Girl,” and “The Price of Admission.”

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

My advice to new writers is to study the craft. Learn grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and all the necessities of writing, and then allow your imagination to soar.

List links where people can find your work:

I can be found at https://www.facebook.com/authordawntaylor/ or dawnmtaylor.com

It’s almost time for the return of Flamewalker!

 

Many of you will remember my first published novel.  It’s been out of print for over a year now, since the publisher went out of business.

But now it’s almost time to walk the sacred fire again.

At the end of this month, Flamewalker will return.

Get ready for Immolation Day.

 

 

Title and synopsis/blurb of your AHOW story:

Plastic Boy

After the death of her husband, Linda struggles to keep her difficult son happy. When he insists on a strange toy castle for his birthday, she watches her son’s defiance grow into obsession with terrifying results.

 

What inspired you to write this story?

It was just one of those things that pops into your head when daydreaming I guess. I can’t tell you what inspires most of my stories, they just sort of happen most of the time. I think everything in life inspires a writer. I do know that after I finished the story there were some similarities to Jimmy’s stick horse and hat and my son’s.  So I guess I pulled pieces of my life into the story without knowing it.

 

How long have you been writing?

I was around 24 and attending college when I found my love for writing. I was attending MSC working on my basics for nursing. I took a writing course as one of my required arts. The class was asked to write a short screen play, around two or three pages I believe. Seven pages later my screen play was still unfinished. I handed in the assignment, positive it would receive an F since unfinished. The professor loved the story and suggested I take a creative writing course. I never thought writing would be something I would enjoy before that. I took the creative writing course and several literature courses. I fell in love with writing and literature. I looked forward to attending my classes. I had been a nurse aide for years before that and thought being a Nurse was my calling. It had never occurred to me I could be a creative person. Once I finished my Associates degree I went on to try for my Bachelors in English and Writing. I met my husband, got married and pregnant, so school went on hold. After I had my son I stayed at home with my son. I was thirty two when he was born.  An idea for a horror novel hit me while driving one day and I thought, “I’m going to sit down and write this book.”  I wrote day and night and three months later I had the first draft of “Hitchhiking with the Devil” written.  Somewhere along the way I joined a writing group, Fiction Writing. I wanted to learn more about writing, and since I wasn’t in school I thought the best way would be to research it on the internet. An article I read suggested joining a writer’s group.  The “A Journey of Words” anthology was open to submissions. I had one written that fit the theme, so I polished it and had it edited and it was accepted into the anthology.

 

 

 

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

I write horror, dark fiction/weird fiction, although I hope to expand into other genres.

 

What are you working on right now?

I just finished a short story titled, Night of the Eye. Also I am still working on my first horror novel, Hitchhiking with the Devil.

 

What else do you have available/published?

My short story, Creepers, is featured in Scout Media’s, “A Journey of Words” anthology. It is about a greedy and bitter old woman who will stop at nothing to win a gardening contest. She stumbles across an unusual green house. Violet purchases seed that will give her what she “needs”.

 

What advice do you give to new writers?

Read and write a lot. It takes time and practice. Watch out for vanity publishers, and hire a professional editor.

 

List links where people can find your work:

www.PatriciaStover.wix.com/PatriciaStover

www.facebook.com/authorjkenedy

www.Scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-journey-of-words

www.Scoutmeiabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words