Yeeeeeeettt another fun one today! I’ve had the pleasure of reading Kerry’s work, both novel length and short stories and I’m a big fan of the way she crafts her tales! So, what better way to share my love of her work than by getting you all to learn more about her!

Please welcome Kerry!

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

Kerry: I write between work and appointments for the family. I seize little moments here and there as I can, and I always have stories floating about in my grey matter. The only time that is specifically my “writing time” is after I’ve tucked the kids in for the evening. Since one of my little darlings has ADHD and fights sleep, sometimes I don’t get to start until quite late. However, I can check in on social media during the day even if sitting at a doctor’s appointment or whatever, so even stolen snatches of time can be productive. I try to write at least 1000 words a day, and I am committed to sending out at least one short piece of some sort every month.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Kerry: Question 2 is rough! I’ve befriended so many great Indie authors, including you. I’d want to start a production company and film many of the books I’ve read and enjoyed. If I must pick, though, Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth would make an incredible film, as would one of Nuzo Onoh’s atmospheric African horror stories.

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

Kerry: My most recent release was Spring of Spirits, which is my second YA novel. It follows an unlikely hero and her friends as they come to terms with spiritual changes they’ve experienced as the result of an autumn equinox ceremony on their school campus. This second book introduces a few new characters and, as the “big bad,” a shapechanger intent on mischief. Later this year, I’m releasing a poetry collection through Tree Shadow Press, and I’m working on a new collection of short stories. (I adore short stories!)

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Kerry: Oooh, a bonus question! Fun! I would adore a spot on the newest Creep Show incarnation. If it was still running, it would be great fun to meet Mulder and Scully or the Winchester Brothers. Alas, though I adore the show, I’m too ancient to be of use on Stranger Things. However, I would probably make a great zombie!

Oh, excellent choice! Thank you so much, Kerry!

To discover more of her work – click the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kerry-E-B-Black/e/B00IKURGVS

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackKerryblick

Website: https://kerrylizblack.wordpress.com/

It’s crazy for me to think back to discovering Tim’s work with the brutal slasher ‘Kill Hill Carnage.’ Tim has put out some truly stunning releases and he continues to deliver the goods time and time again. I’m truly honored that he agreed to do a 3Q’s!

So, welcome today’s guest – Tim Meyer!

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

Tim: For me, I like writing early in the morning. As soon as I wake up (usually around 4-5am) I get some exercise in, then hit the word processor. It’s the quietest time in my house, so I’m more productive in those early morning hours. I have a weekly word count goal of 10k, but I don’t always hit it. Anything above 5k a week and I’m usually satisfied.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Tim: This is a good one! I’ve longed for an adaptation of Robert McCammon’s novels. One of his more epic stories, like Swan Song or The Wolf’s Hour, would be awesome to see on the big screen. Both are perfect for a summer blockbuster release.

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

Tim: Sure! My newest novel is Pteranodon Canyon, and it’s about a trio of bounty hunters tracking down an infamous outlaw in an alternate Old West populated by prehistoric creatures. It’s a fun action/adventure western that’s filled with dino carnage, so if cowboys and dinosaurs are your thing, I think you might enjoy it!

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Tim: Any TV show ever? Oh, this is difficult to choose, but I’m going with one of my all-time favorite shows, LOST. Why? The show is bonkers in the best of ways, and I’ve been told many, MANY times that I’d make a pretty good plane crash survivor marooned on a mysterious island.

Fantastic choice! Awesome answers, Tim! Thank you so much for doing this!

Check the links and grab some great reads!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tim-Meyer/e/B009ISFTZ6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/timmmeyer11

Website: https://timmeyerwrites.com/

Title: Ghosts of Grief Hollow (Return to Grief Hollow Book 2)

Author: Shawn Burgess

Release date: October 18, 2022

Back in early 2020, I read Shawn Burgess’ debut novel ‘The Tear Collector.’ It was a dark, atmospheric, coming-of-age horror novel that introduced us to a group of kids dealing with something stalking the woods near their homes, in Grief Hollow. Just the other day, I read the prequel novella, ‘Sour Roots,’ which expanded upon the mythology of the location and the ‘why’ of arriving at ‘The Tear Collector.’

Now, we get to return to the town, to the woods and to the group of friends who are a group Shawn has done a stunning job with capturing that feeling of being a teenager, who doesn’t fit in, but who’ve all found a group of friends that connect with them and lift each other up.

I read this as an advanced ARC – and have saved this review until now, having read it back in late 2021. I’m super excited for this one to arrive.

What I liked: In ‘Ghosts of Grief Hollow,’ we pick up a short time after the events of the previous novel. I’ll do my best to remain spoiler free for both books, but be warned, that may not be completely possible.

The friends, the police and the town itself have even had time to process what has taken place a short time ago, when suddenly odd things begin to happen again and strange things are seen.

Burgess does a great job of keeping the same dread throughout this book that was in the first, while also using previous set pieces to the reader’s advantage. We get a return to a certain house, which allows for some truly unnerving moments and of course we get a return to the woods and Shiner’s Gorge where nothing good ever happens.

Throughout, we get some new relationships, more inter-group dynamics, which works really well when some beloved members leave us and we get to see, once again, the belief they all have in each other as they band together to try and destroy this evil which has found its way to them.

What I didn’t like: Three things I found, personally, really stuck out for me this go-around. The first was, the police make a stunning discover below a place early on. It’s kind of completely glossed over after that and we never really go back or hear any more about it. That may be purposeful, in the event of a follow up, but boy did I want to read more about that. The second – and this is a completely personal thing – I’m typically not a fan of the specific evil the ‘bad guy’ practices within. It’s never something I actively seek out to read and it’s turned me off previously while watching movies or TV shows it the past. Burgess does a great job with it, but not my cup of tea. And lastly, and again more of a personal thing, I got a bit annoyed with the POV change between chapters. I’m an odd reader, in that sometimes it just doesn’t bother me and other times it grinds me. Not sure why!

Why you should buy this: If you loved ‘The Tear Collector’ you’ll absolutely love what Burgess has done with the follow up. This has a ton of emotions, lots of dark, dreadful scenes and ultimately the group shows why they’re better when together and have the support of each other than apart.

This ticks off a ton of boxes for why horror can be so amazing and I think this will make many people very happy.

4/5

Hey friends! Welcome back!

I hope you’re still loving all these 3Q’s. It’s funny because I’m scheduling these at the end of July, and over a month later along they come! So, it’s like I’m predicting the FUTURE! I’m like Nostradamus! The winning Lottery numbers for this week are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21!! (Imagine if these actually are and I didn’t buy a ticket!!!)

Anywho – today’s guest is a always here to deliver the goods!

Please welcome, Julie!

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

Julie: My writing time – Usually I write in the mornings when I first get up. I make a cup of coffee, head into my writing office, and write for a while, usually a couple of hours. I am most creative during this time. If I am deep into a book or story, then I might do another push in the afternoon. If I am doing a Nana or writing boot camp, I will set word counts. Usually I simply try to get in a couple good, focused hours.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Julie: Wow. Great question. Slash – the book. To my knowledge, this in depth account of what it was like through his eyes has not been brought to life on the screen. I would love to see a visual version of him stealing snakes from pet shops and facing demons in a heroin haze.

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

Julie: My newest release is Back Track. This is book 3 in my #80sMetalMurder series. Heavy metal horror. Psychological serial killer thriller series. The first book is infused with 80s metal. The second book still has a solid 80s metal baseline, but also digs deep into 70s Acid Rock. This third book, Back Track, is laced with Gothic Rock.

BACK TRACK: It’s 1989. The moon is full. Rock is Gothic. A detective haunted by a cold case. A serial killer with a taste for gothic rock and blood – both in the vein of Type O Negative.

This delight was brought into the world with an epic 80s metal party (live band and lots of head bangs).

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Julie: I would have LOVED to have been an extra on either Mind Hunter (so I could meet John Douglas – one of the creators of criminal profiling) or True Detective season 1 because it seethes the type of atmosphere and characters that I strive to write.

Fantastic! Keep crushing it Julie and it looks like if you enjoy music with your dark fiction, Julie’s work will be right up your alley!

As always – visit the links and discover more!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Hiner/e/B073DBC4YR

Another fun one today (but ain’t they all?!) and I’m excited as today’s guest is a fellow Canuck!

Andrew McManaman may only have a debut novel out, but I suspect we’ll see more from him coming soon!

So, let’s dive deeper into what makes Andrew tick!

Welcome, Andrew!

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?

Andrew: During the week, I write in the very early morning, and on weekends, late morning. During early hours( after a coffee, of course), my mind is fresh, and my environment is quiet. It is a great environment to be creative if you’re an early bird: just you, your coffee and the story.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Andrew: Wow, what a great, tricky question. I don’t think I can choose at the moment. But here is the list I’d have to choose;

-The Hunger by Alma Katsu (Historical Horror)

-The Whisky King by Trevor Cole (Canadian True Crime)

-Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (Western)

-The Forgotten Island by David Sodergren (Horror)

-The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn (Horror)

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

Andrew: My debut novel is out, and it’s called Dollhouse. It’s a horror-thriller mystery that’s a love letter to the 80’s horror films I grew up watching. Its brutal violence, menacing characters, unputdownable pace, and clever mystery with nerve-shaking scares will have you up at night turning pages until the following day.

I worked incredibly hard over four years to get this book right and am so fortunate and thankful for those who supported the project and took the time to read and review it. It currently holds a 4.3 out of 5 on
Amazon, and words can’t describe how grateful I am to the horror community and those who supported me.

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Andrew: The show just finished, but it would have been Peaky Blinders. It’s one of my all-time favourite series, and I would have loved to be on set in a world dressed and placed in the 1920s-30s Birmingham.

Thanks for this, Steve, and those who took the time to read. Happy writing, reading and creating. Cheers!

Cheers, thanks for doing this Andrew!

As always, if you want to stay up to date on Andrew’s adventures, click the links!

Website: https://www.popcornpaperbacks.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-McManaman/e/B09KQ71CC8

As these 3Q’s move along, one of the best things about this feature, is I get to have a brief chat with so many amazing authors!

Today’s author is no exception and a truly fantastic writer.

Please say hello to Sarah Budd!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try to write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?
Sarah: Hi Steve, thanks for having me. I do try to write in the mornings and any other snippets of time I can get! I’m not super strict with myself, I don’t have any word counts to hit per day and I don’t like to force it. I feel that if I’m not having fun writing something then readers won’t have fun reading it! So, if I hit a stumbling block in my work, I find what’s best is a good long walk where I usually have my eureka moment and figure out the solution.

Steve: If you could write a story for another author’s fictional world/series, which would it be and why?
Sarah: Oh, this question has had me pondering for days! For years I’ve been obsessed with Daphne Du Maurier’s gothic masterpiece Rebecca. It’s the tale of a young woman marrying a richer older widower. She is quite literally swept off her feet and brought to Manderley a stately home haunted by her husband’s dead wife. I’ve read this book so many times and would love to write a tale exploring Rebecca’s side of the story. I would love for the wives to meet each other, even from beyond the grave, and form an alliance, that would be wild! Can’t say too much without giving spoilers away but I’m dying to know more about her.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!
Sarah: I still can’t believe it, but Brigid Gate’s Press will be publishing my debut novella, Enter the Darkness in September 2022. They have been putting out so many amazing anthologies and other tales I’m dying to read so I’m very excited to be working with them!
I was inspired to write Enter the Darkness after a visit to Chislehurst Caves in south London, not sure why but I’ve always been fascinated with caves and just knew I had to write about this place. I had so much fun writing this and hope people will enjoy reading it!
Enter the Darkness starts off with Garth a young man who has lived by the caves all his life. Since childhood he’s had a strange connection with the caves and jumps at the chance to work there as a tour guide. However, these aren’t ordinary caves, even the darkness behaves differently, it has a mind of its own and will draw you in if you’re not careful!
The worst thing that could happen to someone in the caves is to get lost, which is exactly what happens in my tale! On the eve of the Spring Solstice, four people go into the cave but only one will come out unscathed.

https://brigidsgatepress.com/upcoming-releases

Steve: Bonus Question! Do you have a cherished book?
Sarah: Another really hard question. I have my nose stuck in a book so much I get told off for it! I have so many favourites but one book I really love is The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Reading this during my twenties made me fall in love with books all over again and inspired me to start writing again.

Fantastic! Thank you so much for doing this, Sarah!

As always – check the links to discover more of her work!

Website: http://www.sjbudd.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SjbuddJ

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/S-J-Budd/e/B06XR9Q8SK

A fun one for sure today! In the past I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Kealan Patrick Burke when his fantastic novella ‘The House on Abigail Lane’ released.

Now, today, he enters the fray and answers the 3Q’s! Kealan is an award winning author, sought after cover artist and one of the nicest guys in the Dark Fiction community!

Please welcome, Kealan!

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

KPB: I write whenever I can, whenever I feel the ink in my blood. What I don’t do is feel bad when I can’t or don’t write. That’s wasted energy. For me, the work is always better when I’m in the zone, and the quality usually suffers when I force it. So I don’t have a set schedule or word count limit. I just write when the words are there, and that process has served me well so far.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

KPB: There are so, so many books that deserve solid movie adaptations, but off the top of my head, either Queen of Teeth by Hailey Piper, directed by Axelle Carolyn, or Westlake Soul by Rio Youers, directed by Chloé Zhao.

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

KPB: The latest one is the Sour Candy graphic novel, released by Storm King Comics as part of John Carpenter’s Night Terrors series. It features art by the brilliant Jason Felix and lettering by my wonderful friend Janice Chiang.

Direct Link: https://stormkingcomics.com/sour-candy/

Amazon link for standard Novella;

Amazing! Congrats again, Kealan and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

As always, check out the links for even more Kealan reads!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kealan-Patrick-Burke/e/B002BLW1IU/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KealanBurke

Website: https://www.kealanpatrickburke.com/

Got a really exciting one today for you 3Q’s readers!

Gemma Amor is an author who has done it all. Indie author to agented and trad published, Gemma continues to scale the heights of writing and inspiring so many of us. And let’s not forget about her cover art and audio production. Gemma is always on the go! So, let’s find out a bit more, shall we?

Welcome, Gemma!

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

Gemma: At the moment, non-existent because the school holidays have just started and I am on mum duty, which means a lot of juggling, and I can’t write too well in those conditions. When it isn’t holiday time I am usually shacked up like a giant cliche in my favourite cafe, where I write from 9am to 1pm, every day (almost, or at least when I can afford it). I don’t fix on word counts, because any words on the page are a win, and my brain is very all or nothing- sometimes it’s a struggle to get out 50 words, on other (rarer) days, I can put down anything from one to six thousand, so I try not to worry about it too much. I do log it on a spreadsheet though because I need a system to keep on track. Evenings don’t work as well for me, I’m burned out by then. Plus that’s martini time, and I cannot write a word on alcohol. Perhaps I’m only 99.9% giant cliche.

Steve: If you started a series and for some reason had to have another author finish it, who would you choose?

Gemma: OOoh it would definitely be a crime thriller series (cough cough, massive hint) OR a fantasy epic series, and I’d rather burn in the fiery pits of hell than let someone else finish it- I suspect I’d stubbornly delay dying in order to do so. Fine, fine, maybe not. I grew up with Robert Jordan’s the Wheel of Time series, and as an avid fan it meant so much to me that the story was handed to an author who definitely did the arc and characters justice after Jordan’s untimely death. I wonder if it brought him comfort knowing the series would end properly and the characters would have some resolution. I’m not sure who I would choose, though. Perhaps V Castro, although she’s usually writing ten books at any given moment in time so I’d have to get in well in advance.

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

Gemma: My newest release is FULL IMMERSION, coming out on September 13th from Angry Robot books, which makes it my traditional debut. Which is weird, as I’ve brought out tons of other books but this one really does feel like a landmark for me (I say that with each new book). It’s intensely personal, mostly autobiographical (which is extremely scary to admit) and is centered around a young woman called Magpie, who has amnesia. She discovers her own dead body one morning on the banks of a river and has to go on a multi-reality odyssey to uncover the mystery of her own death. There’s some dubious VR technology, various points of view (standard for me) and a lot of slime and goo. Beyond that, it deals with mental healthcare provision and post-natal trauma. Which is a lot. I’m incredibly nervous about it, and also very proud. I hope at the very least it might, in some quarters, start a dialogue about what care and support mothers can access when they are struggling.

Steve: Bonus Question! If they made a movie about your life, what actor or actress would you suggest they get to play you?

Home: Nicholas Cage. I reckon he could pull it off. Failing that, Jenny Agutter.

Ha! He is a chameleon! Thank you again, Gemma and best of luck with the Full Immersion launch!

To find out more about Gemma, check the links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gemma-Amor/e/B07DNGYLNV/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/manylittlewords

Today’s guest is a fun one! I’ve been a fan of Christy’s work for a bit now and I’m super excited to see that she’s been doing cover art lately as well. (I actually have a cover from her for an upcoming release in 2023!)

Please welcome the multi-talented, Christy Aldridge!

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

Christy: My writing time is always in the morning. I have a routine I try to stick to because it helps me keep writing and stay consistent. I usually go outside and write with the birds and squirrels. With a word count, I’d say I try to at least do 1000, but honestly, I just write until I’m done now. It’s more about a set time than a word count.

Steve: You win the lottery and the only condition is that you need to fund another author’s book to be made into a movie. What book would you choose to be filmed?

Christy: There are so many! Especially when it comes to the indie scene. I know it’s kinda cheating, but I have three in mind. So, I’m breaking the rules.

Anthony Create (Terrorfiction): Mister Music Man
John Huber: Road of Bones
Judith Sonnet: Chainsaw Hooker

All three are so different, but truly amazing stories that deserve so much love.

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

Christy: My newest release is ALL THE PRETTY HELLS YOU SEE, a short story collection that mostly deals with Hell and the many variations of the words. It’s got everything. Zits, cows, killer fridges, and so much much more. From weird and silly, to heartbreaking and dark, it really is a collection with something for everyone.

Steve: Bonus Question! If you could be an extra on any TV show, which one would it have been and why?

Christy: Lucifer, hands down. One of the best shows in existence and honestly, I just want to be close to Mazikeen’s perfection. I’d die to be in the same room with her.

Awesome! That’s a great choice!

Thank you so much, Christy! As always – check the links for more information!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christy-Aldridge/e/B016OTPN66

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristyA_Horror