Title: Bishop

Author: Candace Nola

Release date: April 1st, 2022

If you’ve read enough of my reviews you’ll end up finding a few moments where I’ll sound like a broken record. Today’s review will be one of them. What does Steve like read and write? Forest based creature horror. What will you read when you read ‘Bishop’? Forest based creature horror. Will Steve like reading a novella/short novel about forest based creature horror? You bet your ass I will.

I’ve read a few things from Candace over the last number of years, but I gotta say, this felt like her writing but levelled up. As though when she started writing this she went into a trance-like state and conjured some truly phenomenal scenes set in a remote location that will have her readers shivering and believing they too are about to be eviscerated.

What I liked: Did you read the intro? FOREST BASED CREATURE HORROR. I could legitimately stop there and move on, but I’ll not be a wise ass and give this book its due.

The story follows Troy, who heads to the far North in Alaska to search for his sister and niece. Both are experienced outdoors women, but both have gone missing. Once there, Troy and a guide head into the remote forests to try and find their trail and get them home safely. But what they don’t know, is that an ancient, blood-thirsty creature is wandering the lands.

It’s here the Troy connects with Bishop, a loner who lives off the grid and in the trees, who can navigate the land like no other. He has a gift, which Candace does a phenomenal job of teasing before revealing and once this reveal happens, she turns the volume to eleven and adds in more cow bell, because the story becomes a circle pit of action. We get some truly engaging action sequences and learn the truth about Bishop and just what it is he’s battling.

The ending was really great and does leave the slimmest potential for a sequel (which I think we are getting), but also really shows the bond that Bishop and Troy made while in the woods.

What I didn’t like: If you’ve read my novel ‘Mastodon,’ some people complained (and that’s their prerogative) that a 17 yr old couldn’t survive in the woods alone. The same will most likely come up here, with the niece being an early teen girl. PFFFFTTTTT. If a kid has been exposed to these skills from birth, they could easily survive in the wilderness alone by the age of eight. They’d be able to make fire, make a small shelter and find foot and water. So, if that’s putting you off, forget that, it’s possible.

But, what I would ACTUALLY say may not work for some folks was that one character was named Troy and one was named Tony and there were times I would get them confused and wonder if I missed something, especially near the ending when the climatic events occur.

Why you should buy this: I would’ve read this in a single sitting if I didn’t have a book on the go for a blurb and a book on the go for a foreword (God, that sounds arrogant! Not my intent… sheesh… what an ass… haha!) it is that engaging. Candace has created some truly likeable characters that you want to root for and you want to see survive. Whether they do or not – you’ll need to read it, but if you like FOREST BASED CREATURE HORROR then definitely get on this one! A fantastic read and one that’ll make you seek out more books just like it, it’s that good.

5/5

I am SOOOOO excited for today’s special guest! One of THE BEST writers out there today and, a super talented musician, Ronald Malfi has created an ever growing fanbase with his consistently brutal and heart-wrenching stories.

I know there’s a few of you out there who’ve been asking if Ronald would do a 3Q’s and here it is!

Please welcome Ronald!

Steve: What does your process look like once you finish your first draft? Do you immediately dive back into it, or do you take some time away?

Ronald: I tend to edit as I go, so by the time I’ve finished a manuscript, it’s already been hacked at a fair bit. But once I get to that point, yes, I do prefer to set it aside for a bit before combing through it again. It never fails that giving myself that brief time away allows my mind to recalibrate and I truly do look at the manuscript with fresh eyes. On a few occasions, I’ve written a manuscript all the way to the end, and I kind of already know it’s a bit of a mess. My novel Black Mouth is a good example of this—I think that first draft was like 800 pages or so, and went in a completely different direction than the final version of the novel did. I knew when I finished it that it wasn’t going to work, so I stepped back from it for maybe about a week or two before tackling it again.

Steve: Do you believe cryptozoological creatures exist? If so, which one do you think has the best chance of being proven to exist?

Ronald: I don’t, but I love the idea that they might. This country is rich with these legends; it feels like every state has to have their own cryptid mascot—in fact, I think they all do. I don’t have a favorite, but living in Maryland right along the Chesapeake Bay, I’d have to say Chessie—which is the bay’s version of the Loch Ness Monster. And for the record, if they do exist, they’d be smart to keep away from us.

Steve: Of the books or stories you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why?

Ronald: Tough question. My kneejerk reaction is to say December Park, because it’s my most autobiographical, and much of it is based on growing up with a group of friends in suburban Maryland. Come with Me is a close second because I think I just nailed the tone. Stories are doomed for inferiority the moment you set pen to paper—meaning you can never truly, perfectly capture the tone and feeling of it on the page as it exists in your head—and my books are no exception. The ones that I’m most proud of are the ones where the final product is as close to my initial concept as possible — books like Little Girls and Floating Staircase.

Steve: Bonus Fun Question – What was the best practical joke you’ve ever been involved in?

Ronald: When we were kids, I used to punk my younger sister every Halloween. One year, I put up a bunch of missing cat and dog posters around our neighborhood, then told her I had gotten involved with a gang called the Black Devils, and I was worried they were after me, and that they may have tracked me down to our neighborhood. I told her that whenever she went out, to keep an eye out for missing pet posters, because that’s how they communicated, which meant they were close to finding me. I even got my mom in on the prank, who happened to point out one of these posters to my sister (who was maybe 12 at the time). My sister freaked out when she saw the poster but forgot to tell me about it. Cut to a week or so later, I’m in a terrible car accident, flown to shock trauma in the middle of the night, and my parents are notified. They show up in the ER where I’m laid out, arm in a cast, looking like shit. They’ve got my sister in tow. After they spend a few minutes with me and before the nurses shoo them all away, I call my sister to my bedside, tell her to come closer, and mutter into her ear: “The Black Devils did this.” Well, she started bawling, and said she saw the posters and forgot to tell me about them, and that this was all her fault. I mean, it was a terrible thing to do. Terribly hilarious.

Steve – oh man hahaha! That is hilariously horrible!

Thank you so much for doing this, Ronald!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ronald-Malfi/author/B001JRXTJW

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonaldMalfi

Website: https://ronaldmalfi.com/

Today’s guest has been one of the most supportive folks over the last five or so years out there. Morton and I connected at some point on Twitter and from there, it’s grown into a long-distance friendship. I’ve loved seeing how Morton has continued to push the envelope with each of his new releases and I’m super excited to have him on as today’s 3Q’s guest!

Please, welcome Morton Leader!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

ML: Writing wise I work shifts finishing at noon, after a power nap I write early afternoon, no targets just what’s in my head, could be 200 words only or 3 chapters. I have a note pad at work which I jot notes/ thoughts on as the day goes on.

Steve: You’re riding an elevator and BAM! It gets stuck. What two authors (one living and one dead) would you happen to find yourself stuck with?

ML: I would go for James Herbert , Sepulchre is my favourite book, I like to think my books twists are as good as this books, second Dean R Koontz, grew up on his books, just wish someone would make a good effort on turning them to film.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

ML: Snakes and Ladders is influenced by the films I love, it’s a Dust till Dawn meets from Beyond with a hint of the hammer classic the reptile. I like to think it has my unique and unpredictable style to keep you guessing where it is going.

Steve: Bonus Question! If you were transported back in time, which Pop Band/Hit Band would you hope to find yourself a member of?

ML: It would have to be Sisters of Mercy, I have always had a soft spot for Goth girls and I was just a tad too young at the time but the whole vide and imagery of the mid eighties Goth scene was so cool.

Oh, great choice. As a band they certainly have a solid aesthetic!

Thank you so much Morton for doing this!

To find more of his works, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Morton-R-Leader/e/B086H1T9KF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeaderMorton

It really blows my mind the number of legendary, lauded and revered authors I’ve managed to convince to come and do a 3Q’s. I love how they’ve embraced it, just as much as the readers have. The reality is, I ask two writing questions and two ‘silly’ questions. To people who often tackle very serious and sensitive topics and subjects. And so far (fingers crossed) people have all had fun with it! Today’s guest is no exception. Matthew M. Bartlett is a legendary author who continues to devastate his readers with each new release, while also boasting a back catalog that will make even the most decorated writer long for.

I am so happy and excited that Matthew was able to do one of these!

Welcome Matthew!

Steve: What does your process look like once you finish your first draft? Do you immediately dive back into it, or do you take some time away?

MB: I’m one of those writers who edits as I go. Every time I open a document to work on it, I go back through what I have so far and revise. Sometimes I do so much revising that I don’t end up writing the story further that day. Once the story is “done,” I go back through one final time to try to catch repeated words, inconsistencies, etc. So, I guess there technically is no “first draft.” One reason I work this way is that I rarely know exactly where a story is going, and at some point, I get stuck and pause to work on a different story. On the very rare occasions I have an idea for a story beginning to end, I will produce an entire first draft. Then I’ll take some time away and come back to it fresh. I don’t remember the last time I’ve done that, though.

Steve: What’s the one thing you’d change now if you’d have known it when you started writing?

MB: I started to answer that I wish I’d known there’d be an audience, because I’d have worked faster and tried to get published earlier. But the way things went, I did pretty well, so I’m hesitant to consider messing with the past. One thing of which I was truly ignorant: the contempt some people have for self-publishing. I don’t think I would have benefited from knowing that, though. So, I don’t think there’s anything I’d change.

Steve: Of the books or stories you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why?

MB: I’m torn. It’s either my debut Gateways to Abomination, written originally as Livejournal posts, when I had an audience of about 10 people and wrote without thinking of publication. Or else it’s The Stay-Awake Men and Other Unstable Entities, which has, I think, some of my best writing. Or it’s my new collection Where Night Cowers, which has work that spans my career so far. Do you like how I’m not answering any of these questions straightforwardly?

Steve: Bonus Fun Question! Would you rather be lost at sea or in the mountains?

MB: A tough choice, but I’ll go with the mountains, because I never get mountain-sick. Plus, there are a lot more resources in the woods. Unless you’re on a fully stocked boat…but once you’ve eaten everything on the boat, you’re kind of out of luck.

Definitely a solid choice!

Thank you so much for doing this, Matthew!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matthew-M.-Bartlett/author/B00M5HEX5Y

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattmbartlett

Website: http://www.matthewmbartlett.com/

Hugely fun one today! Nick Kolakowski is an author whom I had previously read, but only recently connected with. He’s prolific and ensuring his loyal fans have dark fiction frequently available to read and his stories constantly push the reader in several ways at once.

I’m super excited to have Nick join today for a new 3Q’s!

Welcome Nick!

 

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

NK: When I was a lot younger, I attempted to emulate Stephen King and write 3,000 words a day. I learned fairly quickly that one of the reasons King can hit that mark is a.) he’s superhumanly prolific, and b.) writing horror is his full-time job. I don’t hold myself to a daily word count because some days are better than others, energy-wise, and sometimes the story isn’t quite ready for a multi-thousand-word rush—although when I get closer to the end of a book, I tend to write faster.

I absolutely write every day, though, and usually at the same time in the evening. That consistency in terms of time slots makes up for not having a word count, I think. When you build that kind of habit, at least some words generally tend to come once you take a seat.

Steve: You’re riding an elevator and BAM! It gets stuck. What two authors (one living and one dead) would you happen to find yourself stuck with?

NK: I’d choose Patricia Highsmith as my dead author. She was a misanthrope and possibly a psychopath but she also had a bitter sense of humor, and I think it’d be highly entertaining to be trapped in a small space with her so long as her cigarettes held out and she didn’t try to murder me with a pen.

I’d choose Chuck Palahniuk as my living author. I’ve seen him read three times at this point, and he’s amazing in person—funny, erudite, touching. We’d be trapped in a small space but it wouldn’t be boring, and I bet he’d get along really well with Patricia. They’d come up with some great ideas for dooming the human race.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

NK: The latest novella is MADAM TOMAHAWK. It’s the next book in the long-running “Grifter’s Song” series of novellas, each of which follow two grifters (Sam and Rachel) as they variously attempt to rip people off and/or not get killed by the people they’ve ripped off. I’m particularly proud of MADAM TOMAHAWK because it takes place in DC, where I grew up, and it allowed me to write about the sections of the city that don’t often get much love in thriller fiction—there’s a whole urban life taking place well beyond the White House and the Capitol.

This was also one of my first times writing something based off IP I didn’t create, and it was fun to work from a series bible, as well as riff on previous books in the series. The previous episodes were written by great folks like Shawn Cosby, Hilar Davidson, and Paul Garth, so there was a lot to live up to.

Steve: Bonus Question! If you were transported back in time, which Pop Band/Hit Band would you hope to find yourself a member of?

NK: The Stones. Can you imagine what it must have been like to tour with them through the 60s and 70s? You’d probably end up dangling from a chandelier with a knife in your teeth and a pistol in each hand. It would’ve been amazing… if you lived through it. And if you lived through it, nothing could kill you. Just look at Keith.

Those would’ve been crazy times indeed!

Thank you so much for doing this, Nick!

To find more of his work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nick-Kolakowski/e/B004G5A67W

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkolakowski

Website: http://www.nickkolakowski.com/

PURPLE! PURPLE! It’s PURPLE the crowds scream and cheer and dance and all is MERRY AND BRIGHT!

That’s right. New 3Q’s color for a new batch of 3Q’s folks. I realize now I had a lot of red. A few blue. A LOT of green. And now we’re on purple. My planning wasn’t so great ha!

And to kick this off, we have a fantastic friend dropping by today for the inaugural PURPLE 3Q’s – none other than Pamela Morris!

Please welcome Pamela!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

PM: My writing time is very limited as I also hold a 40 hour/week job + commute time. If I’m lucky, and coherent enough, I may sneak in an hour or two after dinner and before bedtime. As I’m not a night owl by any stretch of the imagination, that doesn’t happen often. I’m a morning writer which pretty much leaves me with just Saturdays and Sundays to try and work in some writing time. When I do get some time in, I shoot for 1000 words minimum. Despite time being against me, I’ve managed to write eleven novels and five children’s books. I’m not sure how, but there it is.

 

Steve: You’re riding an elevator and BAM! It gets stuck. What two authors (one living and one dead) would you happen to find yourself stuck with?

PM: I would love to meet Tanith Lee, who passed away in 2015. Her collection of short stories from Red As Blood – Tales from the Sisters Grimmer had such a profound impact on my writing. I’d never heard of such a thing as a twisted fairy tale before I found her work in the late 1970s. Her writing style can be challenging to read for some, but I love it. It’s so unique and she didn’t limit her genres. She wrote Horror, Sci-fi, and Fantasy with equal skill.

As for a living author, I think maybe Andy Davidson, author of In The Valley of the Sun – one of the most unique and memorable vampire novels I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot! I once had a collection of 200+ vampire novels. I don’t know a lot about Mr. Davidson, and think he’d be an interesting one to sit down and chat with for as long as it takes for them to get that elevator going again – hopefully a few hours.

 

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

PM: In June 2022, I released my own collection of twisted fairy tales, Not Your Grandma’s Fairy Tales: A Twisted Treasury of Tales Retold. As mentioned earlier, I discovered this type of writing back in the late 1970s. Following Lee’s lead, you’ll find a little bit of Sci-Fi, a touch of Fantasy, and of course, Horror. These aren’t just re-creations, but completely different tales that may take a bit of effort to recognize the origins of. I mean, last I knew, none of the original fairy tales took place in a prison on the moon! I’ve already started a second collection, which hopefully won’t take as long to complete as the first.
Also in 2022, my short story, Of Donuts & Demons was part of Crimson Pinnacle Press’s anthology Old Scratch: Demon Tales & Devil Hells. It’s a great collection of demonic weirdness.

 

Steve: Bonus Question! If you were transported back in time, which Pop Band/Hit Band would you hope to find
yourself a member of?
PM: As I’m not in the least bit musically talented, I don’t think I’d add much to any band. Not that I haven’t tried to be musical, mind you. I took three years of piano, but never followed through much and recently gave my piano away to a future hopeful player. As a five-foot, three-inch female, I doubt very much I’d have fit well with the whole image KISS was going for either.

Hey – they all wear platforms anyways!

Thanks so much for doing this, Pamela!

To find more of her work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pamela-Morris/e/B00BCJTNP6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pamelamorris65

Website: https://pamelamorrisbooks.com/

Title: Smithy

Author: Amanda Desiree

Release date: April 27th, 2021

Honestly, this novel wasn’t even on my radar until Clay McLeod Chapman posted about it maybe a month or so ago? I’m not sure why I’d never seen it or heard about it, but when he posted that it was about a group of research students trying to teach a Chimpanzee sign language, only for the Chimpanzee to begin using the sign language to communicate with the ghost in the house, I was hooked. LIKE COME THE FREAKING HELL ON! HOW COOL IS THAT! I’m not sure (I suspect it has been done before) I’ve ever heard of this concept being put down on paper for a horror novel before! SIGN LANGUAGE! WITH A GHOST!!

Now, I will say, my biggest reservation about going into this novel is I am not a fan AT ALL of Epistolary story telling. For those who don’t know what that is – it’s a way of telling a story by only using letters/journals/diary entries and sometimes other mediums such as notes or descriptions of film footage and interviews. I always find it falls flat and isn’t as engaging. And the only reason I pushed through my trepidation over that aspect, was because recently I read AND LOVED Craig DiLouie’s newest novel ‘Episode Thirteen’ which was told through the Epistolary method.

What I liked: The story is set in the early 1970’s. A professor has secured funding to do a research experiment where they attempt to teach sign language to a primate to show they have the ability and intelligence to communicate. To do so, the research group moves into an old, neglected mansion, where they won’t have any outside interference and can freely work with Webster the Chimpanzee. Webster is very intelligent and because of his ability to pick up words, he’s been given the nickname Smithy.

Throughout the story, we get to see how the rational, science based students miss/ignore or mistake Smithy’s odd moments and unexpected interactions, until strange things begin to happen. Things go missing. Fires start. Smithy escapes from locked rooms. As all of this add up, Desiree does a great job of showcasing how those who don’t believe in the paranormal continue to find answers for what has happened, even if it doesn’t seem like a possibility. I loved the character of Smithy, even when things take a turn, Desiree does a great job of never anthropomorphizing him, even when the characters themselves do.

The story relies on building dread throughout the journal entries and memo’s between the characters and when a few of them have sightings of the ghost and learn more about who this haunting figure might be, Desiree continues to reel them back in and not let their rational mind completely go off the railings.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t like the means of how this story was told. This is a prime example of when Epistolary just doesn’t work. I wanted to love this one so much, but time and time again, the events fell flat because it was told through a journal entry or a random video and then it would simply end and we would move on to another entry. And the ending was the biggest bust for me because it alludes to something and literally just ends. I turned the page and flipped back, unsure if I’d actually got to the end or not. There was so much potential here to be a page-turning, compulsive story, but ultimately for me, the way it was told didn’t work.

Why you should buy this: Look, I fell hard for the hook. ASL, Chimpanzee, ghost communication. If that sounds like something you want to read, do it! Dive in! If you like or love Epistolary, then this one will absolutely be your cup of tea, it just didn’t get the job done for me.

3/5

Title: Woe to Those Who Dwell on Earth

Author: John Lynch

Release date: January 10th, 2023

I’ve had the pleasure of watching John progress through his writing over the last few years. It first started with beta reading some of his short fiction, and has now moved to reading his debut novel and now this, his debut collection.

One thing that has become evident through his continued development, is that much like in his real life, the military will play a large role in his fiction. This is showcased by the prime narrative of his novel, as well as a number of the stories within this collection and even the cover.

What I liked: The collection opens up with three solid stories, the first ‘Blood in the Sand’ being my personal favorite of those. It was a military based story with a really great creature angle. John does action sequences and aspects really well, making it feel more cinematic than just something described. Other highlights for me were;

‘Stasis’ – my favorite story within the collection. A solid, sci-fi/horror story about Lynne, who wakes up from her long-term sleeping or stasis pod, only to discover carnage and some fantastic wiggly creatures creating chaos. John has a keen eye for the sci-fi/horror angle so I’m hoping to see more of this type of stuff in the future from him.

‘The Hale Koa Incident’ – two military members ignore dire warnings and still go kayaking in an area they’re not supposed to. Once they get in the water and go snorkeling, things take a turn and the consequences are life-changing.

‘Open the Window, Tommy’ – a really great and creepy Halloween story. Normally, this might feel out of place being a ‘seasonal specific’ story, but seeing as how there was an early Christmas story (The Tree Farm), it fits. This one involves two kids, a scary event and a lifetime of purgatory. Great stuff.

‘The Newlyweds’ – this is a really fun, totally bonkers story that follows two older newlyweds as they go on vacation. Of all the stories, I’d say this one is the most splattery of them and is just a ton of gut-churning fun.

What I didn’t like: The reality is, I’m not a huge fan of military stuff. It doesn’t matter if it’s books or movies/TV shows, it’s just not something that has ever really grabbed me or super intrigued me to watch/read. So, if you’re in the same boat as me, you may struggle with that considering more than half of the stories are military based in some regard.

Why you should buy this: Over the course of a novel and a collection, John’s certainly demonstrated that he is a solid, deft writer who has the chops to grab the reader and not let go. I think this one’s going to connect with a ton of people who like this style of writing and will set him up well for his further releases and having people anticipating what’s next from him. A really solid collection that will have horror fans squirming while they read.

4/5

I’ve had a number of folks DM me to see if today’s guest would be doing a 3Q’s! Sometimes it’s about timing and sometimes it’s about deadlines, and sometimes it just works out!

Today’s author is both a master at short fiction and long reads. She’s quickly become a sought after contributor for exciting anthologies as well as releasing her own novels and novellas that leave readers scared for their lives. She’s a Bram Stoker Award winning author and I’m so happy she is today’s 3Q’s Special Guest!

Welcome Hailey!

Steve: What does your process look like once you finish your first draft? Do you immediately dive back into it, or do you take some time away?

Hailey: I try to take some time away, but usually I fail. By the time I’m finishing the first draft, I have a pretty good idea what the story’s about and where I synced up with that plus where I failed to, so the urge to jump in and fix it is strong. I can usually leave it for a day or two at least before the itch to start moving things around and writing revision notes wins over. The second draft is the hardest for me; there are expectations of quality that a first draft doesn’t have to care about.

Steve: What’s the one thing you’d change now if you’d have known it when you started writing?

Hailey: Not to worry what people will and won’t accept. I learned that pretty fast, thankfully, but it’s never too early to learn. The art has to be an expression, or it doesn’t have a true purpose.

Steve: Of the books or stories you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why?

Hailey: Oh dear, I never know! I love different ones for different reasons. “Feast for Small Pieces” is where I feel I really solidified my voice, while “Toad Man, Toad Man” has scared people, and that means a lot. Or “The Turning” as I got to do a really personal story that was also about teenagers turning into pterodactyls. I’ll go with that one; nothing’s sweeter than a B-movie concept written with social commentary and thematic purpose.

Steve: Bonus Fun Question! Would you rather be lost at sea or in the mountains?

Hailey: Definitely the mountains. I think at least then you have a chance, but the sea has made it pretty clear that it doesn’t like us.

Hailey, I think you’re right!

Thank you so much for doing this!

To find more of Hailey’s work, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Hailey-Piper/author/B07HDYFL2C

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaileyPiperSays

Website: https://haileypiper.com/

I think, I think, today is the last 3Q’s with the GREEN logo! Say whhaaatttt!! And who gets the honor of being the last Hulk version? Why, it’s not other than Colt Skinner! Colt is a super nice guy, putting out some great dark fiction and I am so very happy he was able to stop by and do a 3Q’s!

Welcome Colt!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try and write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

CS: I try to write everyday, but I have two little kids, so my time is chaotic. I write in the early morning sometimes, other times I write late at night. If I can sneak in an hour during my lunch break, I will do that too. I never worry about word count, just getting something down.

Steve: You decide to host a writer’s retreat. One weekend in a luxury house on an island. What three other authors do you invite to come along?

CS: Stephen King and Niel Gaiman for sure. I have read most of their work, and love what they have to say about writing as a craft, so I think they would be fabulous instructors. My third choice would be Michael Muhammad Knight, who wrote one of my all-time favorite books-the Taqwacores- and has had a truly fascinating life.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

CS: My first novel is coming out in October 2023, from D&T Publishing, but in the meantime, folks can check out my story While the Cicadas Scream, in their Dark Town charity anthology, which supports the families affected by the Uvlade shooting. In While the Cicadas Scream, an elderly man with dementia struggles to understand why he despises a new resident in his long-term care facility. Once he understands the reason though, getting revenge is all that matters to him.

Your English is Good (Emerge #1) by Colt Skinner

Steve: Bonus Question! You receive an invitation in the mail from one of these two people. The invitation invites you to have dinner and spend the night in their home. Do you accept the invitation from Victor Frankenstein or Dracula and why?

CS: EASY! I love me some Dracula-goodness, but I have been a Frankenstein fan my entire life! My grandmother bought me a copy of the Universal movie when I was a kid, and a documentary about Frankenstein on VHS, which I watched CONSTANTLY. I read Mary Shelly’s novel every couple of years, have a Frankenstein ring which I wear almost everyday, and have clothing with Frank on it! So, I guess that I’m a bit of a Frankenphile! Without a doubt, I would be off to dine with Victor and see his newest experiment!

Great choice, Colt!

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