Dead Iron: The Age of Steam by Devon Monk and 17 Jewels from Cemetery Cat Jewelry
pattepoilue who said
My favorite genre is Historical romance! I love UF and Steampunk too but I tend to read more historicals ;)
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Hunted by Others, Taken by Others, or Deceived by Others - winner's choice or 1 of these books
marybelle who said
What does it say about me that my favorite video game right now is LEGO Harry Potter?
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A Shot in the Dark (Jesse James Dawson 2)
Theresa @ Fade Into Fantasywho said
Oh my goodness, yes! I get sidetracked wayyyy too easily when searching the internet. LOL Thanks for the giveaway!
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A Taste of the Nightlife (Vampire Chef Mystery 1) by Sarah Zettel
cyn209 who said...
my favorite snack or meal??? too many choices, by i would have to say favorite snack is CHIPS!! favorite meals???? spaghetti or pizza!!!!
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Vampire Babylon series by Chris Marie Green
Gail who said
I love all westerns! Rio Bravo is one of my favs. John Wayne, Dean Martin & Ricky Nelson, it had it all :-) My current favorite postapocalytic book(s) are Faith Hunter's Rogue Mage series. I'm looking forward to reading Bloodlands!
The winners have been notified and have until Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 11:59PM US Eastern Time to claim their goodies or The Qwillery will very randomly choose a new winner or winners.
As usual... thank you to everyone who participated!
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Justin: I have a hard time getting started on a project. I put it off, agonizing the whole time, for weeks, even months. When my central nervous system finally accepts the fact that “Hey - I’ve got a book due soon!” I can go like hell. During the writing of my last book, one day I cranked out 36 fresh pages, a personal best. Mind you, I don’t say they were 36 *good* pages….
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Justin: Oddly enough, most of my favorite authors are mystery/suspense/crime writers. Maybe it’s because I read a lot of that stuff before I ever read much horror or dark fantasy. That might explain why my books are considered “paranormal mysteries.” On the mystery/crime/suspense side, some of my favorites among living writers are Thomas Perry, Robert Crais, Thomas Harris, and Stephen Hunter. Some others I like, who have passed on to that Great Writers Conference in the Sky, include Robert B. Parker, John D. MacDonald, Ross Thomas, and Raymond Chandler. Among paranormal writers, I admire Stephen King (especially his money), Kim Newman, Jim Butcher, Lili Saintcrow, and Rachel Caine, among others.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Justin: I try to get the broad outlines of a plot together, then work out the details and subplots as I go along. Plotting is one of the things I find hardest to do.
TQ: What inspired you to write Hard Spell?
Justin: The novel grew out of a short story I wrote at the Odyssey Writing Workshop called “Demons Don’t Die.” I thought it would be fun to write a paranormal police procedural, and I set it in Scranton because I grew up nearby and went to college there and, for gosh sake, the only thing the town is known for nationally was “The Office.”
TQ: What sort of research did you do for Hard Spell?
Justin: Not a great deal. That’s the wonderful thing about writing paranormal fiction: you can make up anything you want, as long as you’re consistent. Although I did a little Internet work to reacquaint myself with the Scranton area (I haven’t been back in several years), if challenged I can always say, “Yeah, well , *my* Scranton is set in an alternate universe, and in that one City Hall *is* twelve stories tall and built like a medieval fortress. Or whatever.
TQ: Who was the easiest character to write and why? Hardest and why?
Justin: I suppose the easiest one was Detective Sergeant Stan Markowski, the protagonist. The narration is in the first person, so I suppose Stan speaks with my voice, sort of. But since Stan is supposed to be a blue collar guy, whenever he started talking like a college professor I had to go back and change things.
Hardest? Probably Stan’s daughter, Christine - given the differences between us in age, gender, and, um, status. People will know what that last part means when they read the book - as well they should.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in the book?
Justin: Favorites would include Markowski’s first scene with his daughter, the scene set in Renfield’s, Scranton’s most popular “supe” (as in “supernatural) bar, the scene set in an adult bookstore that caters to “supe” customers, and, of course, the climactic scene, wherein the Fate of Humanity Hangs in the Balance (doesn’t it always?).
TQ: How many books are planned for the series?
Justin: I have contracts for two more. EVIL DARK will be out in January, if I ever get it written (see earlier comment about procrastination). After that, it depends on whether the publisher wants more, and whether I still have ideas.
TQ: What's next?
Justin: The interesting thing isn’t so much what’s next, as what’s going on simultaneously. I find myself in the odd position of having two urban fantasy novels being released on the same date (in the US, anyway): July 26th. SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL is the third book in the “Morris/Chastain Investigations” series. In this one, occult investigator Quincey Morris (descended from the character in DRACULA) and his partner, “white” witch Libby Chastain, learn that Senator Howard Stark, candidate for President, has been secretly possessed by a demon. Hell wants to put Stark in the White House, so that he can use the President’s powers to destroy the world. They don’t like us much, those folks in Hell.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
About Justin's Books
Hard Spell
An Occult Crimes Unit Investigation 1
(Angry Robot Books, July 26, 2011)
Meet Stan Markowski of the Scranton PD’s Occult Crimes Unit
“Like the rest of America, Scranton’s got an uneasy ‘live and let unlive’ relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me.
“My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge.
“Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.”
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million
See The Qwillery's 4 Qwill review here.
Black Magic Woman
A Morris and Chastain Investigation 1
(Solaris Books, November 25, 2008)
Occult investigator Quincey Morris and his "consultant", white witch Libby Chastain, are hired to free a family from a deadly curse that appears to date back to the Salem witch trials.
Fraught with danger, the trail finds them stalking the mysterious occult underworlds of Boston, San Francisco, New Orleans and New York, searching out the root of the curse. After surviving a series of terrifying attempts on their lives, the two find themselves drawn inexorably towards Salem itself - and the very heart of darkness.
A Morris and Chastain Investigation 2
(Solaris Books, December 29, 2009)
In a story that ranges from Baghdad to Los Angeles, EVIL WAYS sees eccentric billionaire Walter Grobius attempt to unleash a devastating magical apocalypse. Quincey Morris and his partner, white witch Libby Chastain, are drawn into their deadliest case yet, but from different directions. In Los Angeles, Quincey is blackmailed by the FBI into investigating a series of ritualistic child murders. In New York, Libby barely escapes an attempt on her life by assassins armed with magical weapons. Both of these threads eventually intertwine, leading the investigators to a conspiracy so vast and diabolical as to defy belief.
The final, bloody confrontation takes place at Grobius’s isolated Idaho estate, on Walpurgis Night -- the night of the Witches’ Sabbath. Quincey and Libby, and their allies, must fight a desperate battle against immensely powerful dark forces that threaten the future of all mankind.
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million
Sympathy for the Devil
A Morris and Chastain Investigation 3
(Solaris Books, July 26, 2011) Senator Howard Stark wants to be President of the United States. So does the demon inside him. With the competing candidates dropping out due to scandal, blackmail, and ‘accidental’ death, Stark looks like a good bet to go all the way to the White House. And if he gets there, Hell on Earth will follow.
Occult investigator Quincey Morris and white witch Libby Chastain are determined to stop this evil conspiracy. But between them and Stark stand the dedicated agents of the US Secret Service - and the very forces of Hell itself. Quincey and Libby will risk everything to exorcise the demon possessing Stark. If they fail, ‘Hail to the Chief’ will become a funeral march - for all of us.
Justin Gustainis was born in Northeast Pennsylvania in 1951. He attended college at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit university that figures prominently in several of his writings.
After earning both Bachelor's and Master's degrees, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army.
Following military service, he held a variety of jobs, including speechwriter and professional bodyguard, before earning a Ph.D. at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
He was married to Patricia A. Grogan of Toledo, Ohio, from 1977 until her death in 2007. He misses her a lot.
Mr. Gustainis currently lives in Plattsburgh, New York. He is a Professor of Communication at Plattsburgh State University, where he earned the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2002.
His academic publications include the book American Rhetoric and the Vietnam War, published in 1993, and a number of scholarly articles that hardly anybody has ever read. In the Summer of 2008, he attended the Odyssey Writing Workshop.
Justin's Website: www.justingustainis.com
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a signed copy of Hard Spell (An Occult Crimes Unit Investigation 1) from Justin.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
What is your favorite city or town used as a setting for an Urban Fantasy?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Friday, August 5, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
The Qwillery is pleased to announce that Paul Lewis has joined the 2011 Debut Author Challenge. Paul's debut, The Savage Knight, will be published in September by Abaddon Books.
Sir Dodinal the Savage is more at home in the wild forest than in the tilting yard or the banquet hall. Keenly attuned to the natural world, but burdened with a terrible rage, he turns his back on Camelot to find peace, or a just death.
In a quiet village on the Welsh border, Dodinal believes he may have finally found a home, but the village is struck by child-stealing raiders from the hills, and he must take up arms once again in his new friends' aid. His quest will take him into the belly of darkness, as the terrible secret hidden in the hills comes to light...
Look for an interview with Paul in September 2011. You can keep up to date on 2011 Debut Author Challenge happenings on the 2011 DAC page.
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Seressia: The biggest one that I’m working on now is that it is easier for me to write at my desk at work during lunch and after hours than it is to come home and get stuff done. I definitely need to get a handle on that!
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Seressia: Hhm, I read so many different genres and subgenres that it’s hard to name a favorites. Looking at one of my bookshelves, I have Butler, Eddings, McCaffrey, Asimov, Lackey, LeGuin, Rowling, Zelazny, Stephen King, Jayne Ann Krentz, Ilona Andrews. As far as influences, I’ve never really thought about it. I can’t say that I have someone that I look to as a standard I want to achieve because my tastes and the state of writing are too diverse.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Seressia: I’m a pantser with delusions of plotting. Actually I plot to become a plotter, but it’s all in my head.
TQ: Describe Shadow Fall in 140 characters or less.
Seressia: SHADOW FALL: Kira has to stop Set, Ammit and the Book of the Dead from stealing people's souls. People fight, die and leave. Chaos ensues.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Shadow Fall?
Seressia: My favorite scene is definitely when the crew goes into the Georgia World Congress Center to battle manifestations from the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
TQ: In Shadow Fall, who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?
Seressia: Balm (Kira’s foster mother and head of the Gilead Commissions) was difficult to write because I go into her back story a bit and you see more of who and what she is and why. I could have gone deeper but then it wouldn’t be Kira’s story.
The easiest was Myshael, the Lady of Shadows. I envisioned her as a psychotic mischievous woman-child, very frenetic and having fun in her badness. Again, could have gone more into her story but it bent my brain a bit.
TQ: Who should play Kira Solomon if the Shadowchasers series was made into movies?
Seressia: Kira is loosely based on Jada Pinkett-Smith’s character from Set It Off. But I think Zoe Saldana would also bring fierce intensity to the role.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Shadowchasers series?
Seressia: I’ve long been a fan of ancient Egypt, and I’ve enjoyed the African folktales that I've heard and read through the years. I’ve always wanted an opportunity to indulge my interest in African mythology, and this series allowed me to do that.
TQ: Why did you set the series in Atlanta, Georgia?
Seressia: Atlanta is my hometown and I just enjoy setting stories here. Plus Oakland Cemetery (on the National Register of Historic Places) and Little Five Points are just wonderfully rich places to experience. There’s a lot of history, diversity, and quirky people and places in Atlanta that I think makes the city perfect for paranormal series.
TQ: What sort of research did you do to create the world of the Shadowchasers series?
Seressia: I have quite a few books on Egyptian and African mythology and history, several visits to the Carlos Museum at Emory University to visit their Egyptian and Nubian collection, and online visits to the British Museum, Osirisnet.net, and the America Research Center in Egypt.
TQ: How many books are planned for the Shadowchasers series?
Seressia: At the moment, the third book will be the last. I hope to continue it in the future.
TQ: What's next?
Seressia: I’m continuing to develop some paranormal and contemporary romance projects and another urban fantasy project. There’s nothing slated for 2012 yet but readers can keep up with me on Facebook and Twitter or at my website.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Seressia: Thank you for having me. It was a joy to be here.
About Shadowchasers
Shadow Blade
Shadowchasers 1
(Pocket, January 26, 2010) For Kira Solomon, normal was never an option.
Kira's day job is as an antiquities expert, but her true calling is as a Shadowchaser. Trained from youth to be one of the most lethal Chasers in existence, Kira serves the Gilead Commission, dispatching the Fallen who sow discord and chaos. Of course, sometimes Gilead bureaucracy is as much a thorn in her side as anything the Fallen can muster against her. Right now, though, she's got a bigger problem. Someone is turning the city of Atlanta upside down in search of a millennia-old Egyptian dagger that just happens to have fallen into Kira's hands.
Then there's Khefar, the dagger's true owner -- a near-immortal 4,000-year-old Nubian warrior who, Kira has to admit, looks pretty fine for his age. Joining forces is the only way to keep the weapon safe from the sinister Shadow forces, but now Kira is in deep with someone who holds more secrets than she does, the one person who knows just how treacherous this fight is. Because every step closer to destroying the enemy is a step closer to losing herself to Shadow forever....
Shadow Chasers 2
(Pocket, July 27, 2010) In a job like this, one mistake can cost you everything.
As a Shadowchaser, Kira Solomon has been trained to serve the Light, dispatch the Fallen, and prevent the spread of chaos. It's a deadly job, and Kira knows the horror of spilling innocent blood. But now she has a new role, as the Hand of Ma'at, the Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Order, and an assignment that might just redeem her.
A fellow Shadowchaser has gone missing, and so has a unique artifact imbued with astonishing magic. Unless the Vessel of Nun is returned, it will cause destruction beyond anything the modern world has seen. Kira's got a team at her back, including Khefar, a near-immortal Nubian warrior who's already died for her once. But as complicated as her feelings for him are, they're nothing compared to the difficulties of the task she faces.And the only way to defeat the enemy is to trust in a powershe can barely control, and put her life—and her soul—on the line.
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million
Shadow Fall
Shadowchasers 3
(Pocket, July 26, 2011) Truth is the most dangerous weapon of all . . .
Kira Solomon's life has never been simple. Battling against the Fallen, serving the Egyptian goddess Ma'at, becoming romantically involved with a 4,000-year-old Nubian warrior—these are now everyday realities. But something is changing. Kira's magic is becoming dangerously unpredictable, tainted by the Shadow she has been trained to destroy.
Matters grow worse when an Atlanta museum exhibit based on the Egyptian Book of the Dead turns out to have truly sinister properties. As the body count rises, even long-trusted allies start to turn against Kira. She can hardly blame them—not when the God of Chaos is stalking her dreams and the shocking truth about her origins is finally coming to light. As one of the good guys, Kira was a force to be reckoned with. But if the only way to stop a terrifying adversary is to fight Shadow with Shadow, then she's ready to find out just how very bad she can be. . . .
Seressia has always been a voracious reader, cutting her teeth on comics, cereal boxes-anything at hand. So it came as no surprise to family and teachers when she began creating stories featuring some of her favorite characters. One of her earlier works included the autobiography of a piece of bubble gum, and a short Halloween story was turned into a PTA play in elementary school.
Her proudest writing moment remains winning the first Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday “Living the Dream” essay contest as a high school senior and getting to meet Coretta Scott King. Since then, she’s channeled her belief in the power of the written word by creating rich, emotional stories of diverse people coming together to achieve the universal goals of love and acceptance.
When not working on her next story, Seressia is an instructional designer for an international home improvement company. She spends her free time people-watching, belly dancing, and watching way too much anime.
What: Two commenters will each win a signed copy of Shadow Fall from Seressia. USA Mailing Addresses only.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
What is your favorite mythology? African? Egyption? Greek? Indian? Something else?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a USA mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
The Qwillery is pleased to announce that Patricia Eimer has joined the 2011 Debut Author Challenge. Patricia's debut, Luck of the Devil (Speak of the Devil 1), will be published by Entangled Publishing in August.
Being the youngest daughter of the Devil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The days of teenage rebellion and vows of chastity made just to tick off her father are over, and now all Faith Bettincourt wants is a nice, quiet life. Unfortunately, thanks to the unexpected arrival of her demonically-downsized sister, a ditzy succubus roommate, and dear old Dad himself, Faith’s plans for a relaxing vacation spent watching reruns go up in flames.
Now it’s all Faith can do to keep the family reunion from Hell (literally) under wraps, and the angelically-inclined hottie across the hall from realizing there’s something weird about his neighbor. And, thankfully, it’s working. Until an angelic stalker shows up in a bid to steal her powers and take over the world.
Forget watching reruns. With the way things are going, Faith will need the luck of the Devil just to survive until Monday.
Look for an interview with Patricia in August 2011. You can keep up to date on 2011 Debut Author Challenge happenings on the 2011 DAC page.
I just noticed that I have 500 Followers via Google Friend Connect (GFC). I've no idea when that happened. To thank the 500 of you, I'll give one of you a hardcover copy of Ghost Story (Dresden Files 13) by Jim Butcher. So this giveaway is limited to those of you following The Qwillery via GFC.
The eagerly awaited new novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series.
When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.
But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.
To save his friends-and his own soul-Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a hardcover copy of Ghost Story by Jim Butcher.
How: Leave a comment that also includes your GFC follower name and a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth who follow The Qwillery via Google Friends Connect. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
Hard Spell Author: Justin Gustainis Series: Occult Crimes Unit Investigations 1 Format: Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages Publisher: Angry Robot Books (July 26, 2011) Price: $7.99 Language: English Genre: Urban Fantasy ISBN: 978-0-85766-115-9 Review copy: Provided by the author. I also bought the e-book since it was released ahead of the Mass Market Paperback.
Cover and description:
Stan Markowski is a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD's Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit.
Like the rest of America, Scranton's got an uneasy 'live and let unlive' relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that's when they call Markowski. He carries a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets.
File Under: Urban Fantasy [ Dial V For Vampire | Forbidden Spells | Bite Club | Scranton By Night ]
My thoughts:
Hard Spell is the first book in the Occult Crimes Unit Investigations series by Justin Gustainis. I've read a lot of books recently that include some sort of supernatural crime investigation unit - either with humans policing supernaturals, with supernaturals as police/law enforcement or both. I have not read anything quite like this.
While I am not an expert on noir, Hard Spell is definitely noirish. Stan Markowski, the main character, is fairly hard-boiled, he's got an air of desperation about him for a variety of reasons which become clear in the novel. The novel also pays homage in its way to Dragnet (a police procedural radio then TV show starring Jack Webb). I loved this element in the book. Essentially, however, this is an Urban Fantasy police procedural with noir elements. And it's a very good Urban Fantasy.
Hard Spell is set in an alternate Scranton, Pennsylvania, which I believe is a first. I learned some things from the book: Scranton is in an area of Pennsylvania called the Wyoming Valley. I also learned some slang indigenous to that area. Learning new things is always a plus for me in a book.
I like the main character Stan Markowski a lot. The story is told from his point of view. He's not a typical hero by any means. He's is a good cop though he stretches the rules here and there. His partner, Karl Renfer, makes a perfect foil for Stan. Stan and Karl work for the Occult and Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit, which is nicknamed the "SupeSquad." The police procedural elements are well done. You can tall that Mr. Gustainis did his homework, but he does not bog down the book with too many procedural details.
I really like some of the secondary characters in the book, even some of the creepy and scary ones. The SWAT team is really great. Read the book to find out what SWAT means in this instance.
This is a fast moving book with terrific pacing. Stan and Karl deal with several crimes while also trying to figure out the big mystery surrounding some interrelated crimes. The book moves towards the ultimate showdown while skillfully weaving together several intersecting plot lines. The ending surprised me a bit, but in a good way.
The language can be a bit coarse at times, but it suits the tone of the book. There are some moments that made me laugh and/or smile. For example, you reach the SupeSquad by dialing "666." That actually makes a lot of sense.
This is a very good start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Please welcome Will McIntosh to The Qwillery as part of the 2011 Debut Author Challenge interviews. Will's debut, Soft Apocalypse, was published in April 2011.
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Will: I write lying down. I’m stretched on either a couch or bed, propped with pillows. I can write sitting up, but I’m not comfortable that way.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Will: More of a pantser. Until a few years ago, when I was writing short stories exclusively, I was a total pantser. I still have plenty of short stories that I’ve never finished because I got stuck at some point with no idea how to continue. With novels, I’m closer to the middle. Large sections of the story are complete blank spaces when I start writing, but I like to have some idea what the beginning, middle, and end will look like so I know I’m not going to work on it for six months then realize it’s not going to work. The stakes are so high with novels; to just jump in and have faith that I’ll figure out the story as I go is unnerving. The problem I struggle with is often I just can’t figure out what should happen until I’m actually writing. Often I have to be immersed in the story to see the characters clearly. I’m working on my third novel right now, and the entire last 1/3 is pretty much unknown at this point. I’m not thrilled about that, but it’s just not revealing itself yet.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Will: Robert Reed, Vonda McIntyre, Kim Stanley Robinson, Dan Simmons, Stephen King, Richard Russo, Pat Conroy, Nick Hornby, Michael Chabon, Johnathan Lethem. I think Stephen King has had a big influence on my writing, because I’ve been reading him since I was a kid, so his influence has permeated all the different periods of my life.
The most direct influence on my writing has been the writers who served as my teachers, first at Clarion, then at Taos Toolbox: James Patrick Kelly, Kelly Link, Walter John Williams, Maureen McHugh, Nalo Hopkinson, Richard Paul Russo, Howard Waldrop. I’m so grateful to them for the guidance and insights they gave me.
TQ: Describe Soft Apocalypse in 140 characters or less.
Will: Civilization slowly collapses. People cling to the lives they used to live and try not to notice. Terrible things happen to them.
TQ: What inspired you to write Soft Apocalypse?
Will: Reading the news each day. There is such an astonishing disconnect between what scientists are saying about the dangers facing us, and our response to their warnings. I wondered how people who are totally unprepared for a true collapse, who have no skill with weapons, don’t know how to cure meats, and would go into a deep depression without television and the Internet (people like me) would respond.
For the core of the story, I wanted a character who is clinging to some aspect of our world that would seem out of place during the collapse of civilization, something that would underscore his denial of what was really happening. I made it a guy who’s worried about his love life--sort of if Rob Gordon from Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity was working out his relationship issues while having to step over corpses.
TQ: What sort of research did you do to create the world in the novel?
Will: My father, a retired Brigadier General who also worked for the New York State Emergency Management Organization, helped me quite a bit with military and emergency response technical details. The collapse itself was based to some extent on James Howard Kunstler’s book, The Long Emergency, along with tons of articles I’ve read on overpopulation, peak oil, global warming in recent years.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Soft Apocalypse?
Will: Some of my favorite scenes are the ones that readers either love or hate. There’s the art gallery scene, where Jasper is swept up with innocent gallery-goers who are executed by Dada terrorists. When it’s his turn the terrorists see that he’s not from that upscale part of town and they let him go, but only after forcing him to do something horrifying and humiliating that haunts him throughout the rest of the novel.
The Wal-Mart scene is another of my favorites. Jasper’s date, Deirdre, incites a riot over price-hikes by throwing fruit at a manager. The riot escalates, and by the time it’s over, Savannah, Georgia’s Wal Mart is permanently closed.
TQ: In Soft Apocalypse, who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?
Will: Deirdre, the personality-disordered singer was probably the most difficult. She was the most extreme character--angry, bitter, lacking a core sense of self--so I was often afraid I was letting her spin out of control into a cliché of the Bad Girl. (My wife, for example, thought there were too many instances where Deirdre exposes her breasts, so some of those had to go in the final draft).
The easiest character was Cortez, because I understood what made him tick. He was a tough but insecure guy, the only central character who pretty quickly grasped the new reality they were living in and figured out how to survive, even thrive, in it. When things get truly awful the other characters have to lean heavily on him because they don’t know what the hell to do, because they’ve been clinging to their cell phones and deodorant while he’s been learning how to make jerky out of squirrel meat.
TQ: What's next?
Will: My second novel, Hitchers, will be published by Night Shade in early 2012. It’s about a cartoonist who becomes possessed by his dead alcoholic Grandfather. He has plenty of company, because a half million others in his city have also become possessed, including an aging rock star and a woman who may be possessed by the cartoonists’ one true love. The cartoonist is in a race against time to figure out how to evict his grandfather before Grandpa manages to push him out of his own body and into the land of the dead.
I’m at work on my third novel, Faller, and I’m co-writing a Sci Fi thriller screenplay with Ted Kosmatka.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery
Will: Thanks for having me!
About Soft Apocalypse
Soft Apocalypse
(Night Shade Books, April 2011)
What happens when resources become scarce and society starts to crumble? As the competition for resources pulls America's previously stable society apart, the "New Normal" is a Soft Apocalypse. This is how our world ends; with a whimper instead of a bang.
New social structures and tribal connections spring up across America, as the previous social structures begin to dissolve. Soft Apocalypse follows the journey across the Southeast of a tribe of formerly middle class Americans as they struggle to find a place for themselves and their children in a new, dangerous world that still carries the ghostly echoes of their previous lives.
Will McIntosh is a Hugo award winner and Nebula finalist whose short stories have appeared in such venues as Asimov’s (where he won the 2010 Reader's Award for short story), Strange Horizons, and Science Fiction and Fantasy: Best of the Year. His first novel, Soft Apocalypse, was released in April from Night Shade Books. It is based on his 2005 short story of the same name, which was nominated for both the British Science Fiction Association and the British Fantasy Society awards. His story “Followed,” which was published in the anthology The Living Dead, has recently been produced as a short film. Will is a psychology professor at Georgia Southern University; in 2008 he became the father of twins.
Will's Website: http://willmcintosh.net/
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: Two commenters will each win an e-book of Soft Apocalypse generously provided by Night Shade Books.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Dystopias or Utopias?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 2, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
It's the last Monday in July. The month seemed to go very quickly. This week The Qwillery has interviews with:
Will McIntosh, author of Soft Apocalypse (part of the 2011 Debut Author Challenge interviews);
Seressia Glass, author of the Shadowchasers series. Shadow Fall, the 3rd book in the series, is out tomorrow.; and
Justin Gustainis, author of the Morris and Chastain Investigations series and the new Occult Crimes Unit Investigation series.Hard Spell, the 1st book in new series is out tomorrow as is Sympathy for the Devil, the 3rd Morris and Chastain novel.
A book shopping list in PDF format may be found by clicking here. Click "File" on the left and then "Print (PDF)." Remember to set your printer to Landscape mode. Anthology covers and book trailers are below.
July 26, 2011
Restorations
Adams, Guy
F - The World House 2
Spell Bound
Armstrong, Kelley
UF - Women of Otherworld 12
After America**
Birmingham, John
SF/AH
Bearers of the Black Staff**
Brooks, Terry
F - Legends of Shannara 1
Ghost Story
Butcher, Jim
UF - The Dresden Files 13
The Seeker
Carmody, Isobelle
YA - Obernewtyn Chronicle
Den of Thieves
Chandler, David
F - Ancient Blades Trilogy 1
Bloodlands
Cody, Christine
F/SP/W - Bloodlands 1
Monster Hunter Alpha
Correia, Larry
UF - Monster Hunter International 3
Wolfsbane
Cremer, Andrea
YA - Nightshade 2
Resistance: A Hole in the Sky
Dietz, William C.
SF
The Infinity Gate
Douglass, Sara
F - Darkglass Mountain 3
The Devil's Diadem
Douglass, Sara
F/AH
When the Great Days Come
Dozois, Gardner (ed)
SF - Anthology
Seduce Me in Flames
Frank, Jacquelyn
PNR - Three Worlds 2
Bound By Moonlight
Gideon, Nancy
PNR - By Moonlight 4
Shadow Fall
Glass, Seressia
UF - Shadowchasers 3
Sacred Evil
Graham, Heather
H - Krewe of Hunters 3
Hard Spell
Gustainis, Justin
UF - Detective Sgt. Stan Markowski 1
Sympathy for the Devil
Gustainis, Justin
UF - Morris/Chastain Investigations 3
Vampire Rising**
Henderson, Jason
YA - Alex Van Helsing
Voice of the Undead
Henderson, Jason
YA - Alex Van Helsing
Black Night
Henry, Christina
UF - Black Wings 2
The Last Viking
Hill, Sandra
PNR
Claire de Lune**
Johnson, Christine
YA
A Soldier's Duty
Johnson, Jean
SF - Theirs Not To Reason Why 1
Smoketown
Johnson, Tenea D.
SF
Tattoo
Kasai, Kirsten Imani
SF
The Fire King
Liu, Marjorie M.
PNR - Dirk & Steele 9
Ghosts of War
Mann, George
UF - The Ghost 2
The Goblin Corps
Marmell, Ari
EAF
Dangerous Waters
McKenna, Juliet E
EF - The Hardrumal Crisis 1
Another Kind of Dead
Meding, Kelly
UF - Dreg City 3
Heroes at Odds
Moore, Moira J.
F - Hero 6
Citizens: Military Science Fiction by Military Veterans
Ringo, John (ed)
Thomsen, Brian M. (ed)
SF - Anthology
Heart of Iron
Sedia, Ekaterina
F
His Darkest Salvation
Stone, Juliana
PNR - Jaguar Warriors 3
Shadowflame
Sylvan, Dianne
UF - Shadow World 2
Mission of Honor
Weber, David
S - Honor Harrington 12
Paranormalcy**
White, Kiersten
YA - Paranormalcy 1
Do Unto Others
Williamson, Michael Z.
SF
The Black Lung Captain
Wooding, Chris
SF - Tales of the Ketty Jay 2
July 31, 2011
Mortality Bridge
Boyett, Steven R.
F
Adjustment Team: The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Volume Two
Dick, Philip K.
SF - Collection
Grimscribe: His Lives and Works
Ligotti, Thomas
H - Collection
Troika
Reynolds, Alastair
SF
** Paperback of Hardcover
AH - Alternate History
EF - Epic Fantasy
EAF - Epic Action Fantasy
F - Fantasy
H - Horror
PNR - Paranormal Romance
SF - Science Fiction
SP - Steampunk
UF - Urban Fantasy
YA - Young Adult
Anthology covers
Book Trailers
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Heather Graham - Krewe of Hunters
Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis
Sympathy for the Devil by Justin Gustainis
Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson (for the hardcover release)
Voice of the Undead by Jason Henderson
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson (for the hardcover release)
His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (for the hardcover release)
Here is my list of books coming out in August 2011. If there is something that I've missed, please leave a comment below. Any genre mistakes are mine. Leave a comment if you feel that the genre is wrong. Also note that this list is always under revision. Please note that publication dates change. I try to keep this as accurate as possible. Anthology covers are below.
Please note that I am no longer including YA books in the release lists. YA is not the main focus of The Qwillery, and I rarely read YA. Having said that I may from time to time include a YA book in the lists. I've also changed the way I mark books as debuts, reissues, trade to mass market, etc. See the new key to the abbreviations below.
d - Debut
e - Ebook
h2mm - Hardcover to Mass Market Paperback
h2tp - Hardcover to Trade Paperback
ri - Reissue
tp2mm - Trade Paperback to Mass Market Paperback
AF - Adventure Fantasy AH - Alternative History DF - Dark Fantasy EF - Epic Fantasy F - Fantasy FM - Fantasy Mystery FR - Fantasy Romance GF - Gaslight Fantasy GT - Gothic Thriller H - Horror HF - Historical Fantasy HiF - High Fantasy HR - Horror Romance HT - Historical Thriller MU - Mashup PC - Parnormal Comedy PER - Paranormal Erotic Romance PHR - Paranormal Historical Romance PM - Paranormal Mystery PNR - Paranormal Romance PT - Paranormal Thriller S - Suspense SF - Science Fiction SFT - Science Fiction Thriller SM - Supernatural Mystery SN - Supernatural Noir SP - Steampunk ST - Supernatural Thriller TH - Twisted History TTR - Time Travel Romance UF - Urban Fantasy
