Category: Author Interviews

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Meet Maria Devivo

Maria is the author of the Amazon best-selling series The Coal Elf Chronicles, The Altered Experience, and The Aestrangel Trinity. When not writing about dark fantasy and horror, she teaches Language Arts and Journalism to middle school students in Florida. A lover of all things dark and demented, she takes pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds. Just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.

What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.

My writing process is very structured and disciplined. A typical writing episode starts with coffee. Strong and iced with lots of creamer. I sit down at about 8am and from there it’s ‘go time.’ I’ll take a few breaks throughout the day for food or bathroom or answer a text or interact with my kid for a little bit, but once I’m in the zone, I’m in the zone. I’ll burn out around 2ish, and whatever it is, it is for the day. That’s basically my life, three days a week, for two months out of the year. 

Where do you get your best ideas? In the shower, driving, dreams, etc.

The best ideas always seem to come to me at two times: in the shower, or right before going to sleep. I think it’s because that’s when my brain is most relaxed and open to the ‘chatter’. Both not the most ideal settings to have to pause and write stuff down, but there definitely is something to be said for those ‘ah-ha’ moments! 

Favorite fan moment? Let us freak out with you!

One of my favorite “fan” moments of all time was when I did a Tampa Bay Comic Con in 2016. A guy raced up to my table and was like, “I’m so glad I found you! I came here for you and your new book!” He said he was waiting to purchase it from me directly so I could sign it for him and talk with him about writing and publishing. It was pretty surreal to see someone, a complete stranger, get so excited over something I wrote. It was my “I feel like a celebrity” for a hot moment. I’ll never forget that.  

I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.

What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?

The word happy is so subjective, isn’t it? What is happy for the spider, is misery for the fly. I am not a fan of the “traditional” happy endings where the characters live happily ever after and everyone cheers because to me, that’s not real life. Life is messy. Life is complicated. And yes, there are moments of personal happiness, but not every moment has a happy outcome. Rather than happy, I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.  

What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

My music taste is pretty eclectic. I tend to gravitate toward the heavy metal genre first and foremost. Bands like Chimaira, Fear Factory, and old White Zombie are always my go-tos to get my aggression out, but I do enjoy a wide range – 80s pop, 70s rock, 90s gangsta rap. I love to dance! Put me in a club or a dance floor at any party and I will tear that up! 

How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?

A lot of research goes into my writing because I want to keep the authenticity of the real world. I feel that’s important because if information is misaligned, it takes the reader out of the vibe of it all. Fiction is fiction, and that’s not to say you can’t bend facts and warp truths, but if I’m writing about something that happened on a particular date in 1987, and I say there was a full moon that night, well, I better be talking about the correct moment in time! Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to. Currently, my research is taking me to the 1960s and the world of Charles Manson. I’m treading very cautiously so as to have all my ducks in a row.

Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to.

Marketing! What has been the most useful marketing tool for you? (Social media, newsletters, paid ads, conferences, etc.)

As far as marketing goes, my favorite outlet is definitely going to conventions. Tampa Bay Comic Con, MegaCon, smaller shows… it doesn’t matter. If I can do em, I’m there. There is just something so electric about being with the crowds, meeting people, talking about books and writing. It’s even better to be able to do a panel because that open-mic platform becomes the building block of the reader/writer connection. Social media is great, for sure, but conventions are more personal and a great way to build your “life-long” audience.

How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends or fate aligning the stars?

I truly feel my genre chose me. From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood. Other avenues just never really interested me.

What was your very first job?

My very first job was telemarketing for a construction company. I can still recite the script! It was a good job, though. I stayed with them for seven years, moved up from telemarketer to secretary to unofficial office manager. I even used the office computer to go on an online dating site where I met my husband!

From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood.

Why’d you get that tattoo?

Because I wanted it! Seriously, though… all of my tattoos have a meaning, which I’m sure holds true for most people. I look at my tattoos as a visual representation of different times of my life, like an album of body illustrations. My first tattoo holds just as much value as my 20th. To me, it’s an art collection and a transformation into a literal body of art.

Cake or Pie? Defend.

There is only one answer: PIE. Pie is universal. It can be sweet or savory. It can be a meal or a dessert. Cake serves only one purpose. Pie is multifunctional. Give me pie ANY DAY!

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Meet D. Lambert

At a young age, Deborah’s rampant imagination kept her up, lending great detail to all the terrible things lurking in the night. In desperation, her mother suggested she invent her own stories to distract her brain. She has been doing that since, channelling her ideas into mainly sword and sorcery-style fantasy novels and shorts. In her other life, Deborah is a veterinarian. She lives in Sooke with her husband of 12+ years, their two sons, and three demanding felines.​

Which are you: Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser? Why?

Pantser all the way! My brain loves to get away from the day job, which is very logical and scientific. Playing and random musing are a must. I absolutely adore the high of writing something and finally seeing how it all comes together in a way I didn’t anticipate. Maybe it was there all along in my subconscious! Planning all the twists and turns takes the fun out of discovering it alongside the characters.

Favorite book and author? Why?

I’m still enamored with Patrick Rothfuss’ “Name of the Wind”. It took the idea of the hero and made them mortal, prone to errors, and very relatable. Plus it looked at how a legend forms around otherwise normal happenings. I have been fascinated with the idea of learning the true story behind the legend since, which inspired a lot of my writing.

I’m still enamored with Patrick Rothfuss’ “Name of the Wind”. It took the idea of the hero and made them mortal, prone to errors, and very relatable.

As a reader, do you have a pet peeve? Certain words, too much description, “alabaster skin,” or too many arms and legs in a fight/sex scene?

The ‘mirror trick’ just kills me; when the character pauses by a reflective surface and assesses their appearance to tell the reader what they look like. It often shows up right at the beginning, so it can toss me right out of a book early. I find horribly contrived! Who looks at their reflection and suddenly decides to comment about their short, boyish haircut and high cheekbones??

What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

Music is a HUGE part of my writing, as inspiration, motivation, and comfort. I go through phases but have lately been leaning towards epic music. I’ve purchased most of Tommee Profitt’s music so far! A good place to start is the Volume 1. Cinematic Songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCNEs8ij9g&list=PLDcAKor7_HojFbFSm3T2qyb2jQC_6ZQ6r

You’ll feel like you can move mountains after listening!

Share your favorite character from your stories. What made them your favorite to write?

I love Shimmer Weaver. I had to write a side story just so I could hang out more with her! She’s sexy and smooth, yet devoted and intelligent! While I like my powerhouse women, Shimmer is a nice balance of strength and vulnerability. I have so much fun getting her in over her head and seeing how she figures it out! No one else can make Kitable panic quite like she does.

I used to want publication as a final acknowledgement of my skill, but in the end it’s really the people who say they enjoyed my book that denote success in my eye.

Hardest scene you have ever written: What made it difficult? How did you get through it?

This seems petty now (I’ve killed so many characters now…) but when I first wrote Celebrant, I wrote my first death of a character. He was a fairly minor character, and he died without great battle or epic sacrifice. He just died, because people die in war. And he left a younger brother behind, which broke my heart. I grieved after losing him and still feel guilty for doing it. I often wonder what would have happened if he’d lived. I got through it by writing the brother’s grief. I was there, grieving with him. And through the story, he slowly moves on, so I could too.

What does “writing success” mean to you? How do you define your success?

Writing a story someone enjoyed. I used to want publication as a final acknowledgement of my skill, but in the end it’s really the people who say they enjoyed my book that denote success in my eye. Writing a book is hard, but if you put enough words on the page, you’ll get there eventually. Writing a good book is much, much harder.

How did you learn what you know about writing (formal education, self-taught, etc.)?

When I was young, my brother managed to delete my spell checker on the computer. I loved stories and wanted to write, so I wrote with a thesaurus on one side of the screen and a dictionary on the other. After that, it was feedback groups. While I’ve not done courses since university English, I learned a lot from conferences and presentations by other authors and editors. I love to pick up new things and improve. But more than anything, it’s the act of doing it that has gotten me to where I am.

When I was young, my brother managed to delete my spell checker on the computer. I loved stories and wanted to write, so I wrote with a thesaurus on one side of the screen and a dictionary on the other.

Why’d you get that tattoo?

I was living in Scotland, but was home briefly to, of all things, get married. I told my fiancé I was getting a tattoo of the Canadian maple leaf on my arm to honor my homeland when abroad, but I didn’t tell anyone else in my close-knit family. There was quite a shock when, three weeks after getting married, I was sporting a tattoo!

Tea or Coffee or Wine: Defend!

Tea. I’m already high strung so caffeine is a terrible idea! I’ve yet to find a wine that I enjoy more than a hot cup of herbal tea. And wine doesn’t warm your hands as you sit with a book by the fire!

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Meet J.B. Moonstar

J.B. Moonstar moved to Florida in her early teens and has lived there ever since, enjoying the mild weather and abundance of wildlife.  She even spent several seasons raising orphan squirrels.   She graduated from the University of Central Florida and has spent her working career in the legal profession.  Her novels are inspired by her family and nature, as well as her need to escape from the real world once in a while.

How much do you write in day? Week? Month? Year?

At this point, I work full time at my “day job”, so writing is something I do either at night or in the morning. I find myself getting up at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning to spend a few hours writing before work.

Where do you get your best ideas? In the shower, driving, dreams, etc.

The main plot is many times based on nature/conservation magazines that discuss the plight of animals who are being pushed to the brink of extinction because of human greed or ignorance of what their actions do to wildlife. Since the purpose of Ituria’s Islands on the moon is to rescue endangered animals, I get ideas from these types of magazines for the plot or theme.

However, a lot of my stories are based on one thing, or one memory, and I build a story around it; and some even have a hidden agenda.  The Russ book was an adventure to show how Jenna’s grandpa met Ituria many years ago as a teen, and it was also to rescue a “hidden voice” that I found trapped in the outdoor bathroom. I felt so sad that the small frog had somehow gotten into the bathroom and had not been able to get out, that I wanted to make sure that he finally got back into the sun again. I found him on a windowsill behind the blinds just as I started working on the Russ and the Hidden Voice, and Granger is still with me on a shelf. I have him in a glass box, just like in the book, and he is out in the light all the time, just like he asked.  In the first Taylor book, Red Wolf Rescue, I had just lost my dog to cancer, and I wanted to get her to the moon to be safe – that is why Kali is in the book. In the Jan books, I used as inspiration some small figurines, and they were used as the driving point to connect the various stories together.

I will say that Michelle came to me in a dream, inspired by the beautiful artwork of my cover designer and illustrator, Jenn Kotick, who had created a wonderful mermaid and manatee portrait; I liked it so much she has agreed to let me use it for the cover of the book. Michelle was persistent, and I wrote her first book in a few weeks also (early mornings and weekends), and I am getting that finalized and to the publisher now.  You will most likely be seeing Michelle again.

Which are you: Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser? Why?

I’m not sure. I try and plan the facts out, but facts don’t tell the story. Sometimes you just don’t know what is going to happen. When writing the Jenna and the Eyes of Fire, I remember getting about three quarters of the way through and everything was stacked against Jenna. I thought to myself – how is she going to get out of this, and I just stared at the computer screen for a few minutes. My character (in my head) realized she had to do something now – time was running out.  She couldn’t wait for me to figure it out, so Jenna wrote the rest herself, letting me know how she would handle things and how the book would end.  Now that Megan is in Ituria’s world, she loves adventure, so I just put her in a situation, and she takes it from there.  As I was telling my publisher, Taylor and Megan really wanted to be in a book together, so they basically wrote Taylor and the Final Nine themselves in just a few weeks.  I learned early on that I should listen to what my characters want to do, because if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do, whole chapters fall apart, and I have to start over. They are in control, and if they don’t get what they want, the story doesn’t work.

Do you work well under pressure? How do you handle deadlines?

Working in the legal profession for many years, I have learned how to handle pressure and to meet deadlines. Sometimes deadlines even help, so you don’t think – well, I’ll get to it later, no rush.

I learned early on that I should listen to what my characters want to do, because if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do, whole chapters fall apart, and I have to start over.

Favorite video game. Why?

I like playing Pokemon, I know it’s a kid’s game, but I like running around and not having to kill anyone like most video games. I also like to raise my Pokemon through their different forms, sometimes until they are so powerful that no one can defeat them.  When your Pokemon reaches level 100 or more, you can beat most anything that comes your way. Then you go to your box and get some smaller level Pokemon and start again.

How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?

I did a lot of research for the first book in The Ituria Chronicles – several months of reading about the moon, and how I could create islands under the surface of the moon. Learning about the volcano flows, caverns, the moon’s relationship with the earth, all were taken into account to make a place that could actually exist.  In my research, I learned people are now talking about making human habitats in the moon’s caverns. It would keep humans safe from the 500-degree difference in temperatures and meteor impacts on the surface. However, should they attempt this, I do need to tell them that Ituria got there first!

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

When I am writing a story, I always start by reading it from the beginning, or at least the past three to four chapters, so I usually catch many mistakes in spelling or punctuation as I reread them. If something doesn’t fit in the beginning because of what happens near the end, I can change it. As far as final editing, I try and focus on each word to make sure it is spelled correctly and fits. A printer once told me that to avoid typos, he would read the entire page backwards so he would only see words and wouldn’t be “reading”, since when you are reading your mind completes a sentence or adds a word that isn’t there.  I don’t read it backwards, but I do still try to focus word-to-word rather than reading for context when checking for spelling and punctuation. Then I read it again at least two or three times to make sure there isn’t something missing or a loose end that needs to be resolved.

All my characters are compassionate and really care for their families and the animals that live around them.

Share your favorite character from your stories. What made them your favorite to write?

All my characters are my favorites, each in their own way.

I do admit I love working with Knocker, he has such a confident air about him, and being a very large fire-breathing dragon allows him to control any situation, even when he is in human form. He has had many years of experience dealing with humans and doesn’t get upset when confronting them anymore, he knows he has the upper hand even though the humans may think they are in control.

I like the girls – Jenna, Jan, Megan and Michelle; because they are ready and willing to stand up for themselves and not take orders from anyone; they are the ones in charge – even if they are only about 12 years old. I guess it is how I wish I would have been at 12 – when I was 12, I was told that I could either be a nurse or a secretary – that was the only thing girls could do.

Russ and Taylor also have their own backgrounds, and I have enjoyed seeing Taylor grow in confidence as he realizes that while he may have what some consider a handicap, he also has many strengths that outweigh this perceived weakness.  All my characters are compassionate and really care for their families and the animals that live around them.

How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends or fate aligning the stars?

My daughter was an avid reader in grade school, always one of the top readers in the class. When she was in 4th grade, she was reading at a much higher level. However, as a 4th grader, I didn’t want her to be reading some of the books that are out there for high school students. So that is how the first book was written, I wanted to write a story with lots of adventure but still okay for grade school students to read. My first attempt at writing was to write a story with dragons and unicorns and magic and adventure, but still safe for a 4th grader to read.

Tell us a little bit about your life growing up. Did any of those experiences make it into your writing?

I grew up in a military family – moving every summer. So, I was kind of a loner, even though I had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. No long-time childhood friends when you move every summer. Most of my characters are loners, although Jenna’s sister does cover for her when she goes out on adventures.

I work in the legal profession, which by nature requires accuracy and ability to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to be organized, at least in your head, to know the status of numerous matters at all times.

What’s your background and how did that influence your work?

I work in the legal profession, which by nature requires accuracy and ability to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to be organized, at least in your head, to know the status of numerous matters at all times. Writing fantasy fiction is fun and allows me to get out of the fact-filled legal world, but each of the characters, even a dragon, must work within the facts surrounding them.  In the first Jan book, once Megan was freed from her chains, she still couldn’t leave the cave because she was a giant dragon and couldn’t fit out the small stairway to get to the top!

How does where you live inspire your writing?

I live in Florida, where it is summer most of the year. Even in winter it doesn’t get too cold, and I don’t even own a heavy coat. I raised orphan squirrels for several years and started because in 2004 we had three hurricanes within a six-week period and numerous squirrel nests were blown from the trees. I rescued two of them and contacted a local wildlife group on how to raise them.  While I don’t raise the babies anymore, I have “my squirrels” now whom I feed and provide water out in the back yard. One is a character in my books (Sedric from the Jenna series). I also have two red-winged hawks that perch on my fence and screen on a regular basis, we can hear them calling to each other all the time. (Taylor’s hawk from first Taylor book) We call the two hawks Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.

Have invisibility or flying?

I have always wanted to fly, ever since I was a child. That’s funny though because I hate being in airplanes – I avoid flying in an airplane at all costs, would much rather go by car. I want to be able to just take off into the air and fly somewhere, but I want to be in control. Maybe I got this from my dad – he was a pilot in the Marines for many years, yet he would not get into a commercial plane – he would drive across the country rather than take a commercial flight. He had to be in control of the airplane, or he wouldn’t get in. Sounds like a trust issue that I inherited from him.

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Meet Dominic Ashen

Dominic N. Ashen

Dominic N. Ashen is an author and avid reader, with a heavy focus on gay, BDSM-themed erotica. After spending his youth in search of books with characters who were more like himself – queer ones, specifically – he decided to start creating some of his own. His stories star queer protagonists, most often gay and bisexual men, and feature heavy themes of dominance, submission, and all sorts of kinks. Dominic loves the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres, with a penchant for writing longer stories where he is able to weave in the sex and kink right alongside the plot.

What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.

I try to write a little every day. Since I have to work during the day, and I tend to write longer books, that means blocking out a few hours a night. I try to outline new chapters on Sunday, and then work on the rough draft Monday through Thursday. I spend Friday turning that rough draft into a first draft, and then usually do some editing on the weekends. I try to finish one chapter a week!

Have you considered/do you write under a pen name? Why or why not?

I do write under a pen name. Given the genre I work in, I think the reason why is fairly obvious. Who I am as “Dominic” isn’t all that different from my normal self, but I still have to maintain a day job and the public persona that comes with it. I really love doing this, and maybe one day when I’m able to support myself off my writing alone I’ll be able to be a little more open.

“Who I am as ‘Dominic’ isn’t all that different from my normal self, but I still have to maintain a day job and the public persona that comes with it.”

What are your feelings on happy endings? As a reader? As a writer?

That’s actually one of the reasons I started writing. When I was younger, almost every book I read that featured a gay protagonist seemed to not have a happy ending. A lot of times they would be really dark. I enjoy a good tragedy as much as anyone else, but the world is already bleak enough as it is. I like to leave the stories I read feeling good, and as a writer, I want my own stories to leave people feeling good.

As a reader, do you have a pet peeve? Certain words, too much description, “alabaster skin,” or too many arms and legs in a fight/sex scene?

This isn’t necessarily a pet peeve, but I often notice a lack of accuracy when it comes to male-on-male sex scenes. I think we have porn to thank for most of that. For example, there number of writers who don’t seem to know what a prostate orgasm actually is or how they work. That, to me, is a little telling. Though maybe complaining about that is telling on myself?

“When I was younger, almost every book I read that featured a gay protagonist seemed to not have a happy ending… I want my own stories to leave people feeling good.”

What’s your favorite Podcast? Why is it awesome? Drop a link.

Only one? Alright let’s see… Urgent Care, by Joel Kim Booster and Mitra Jouhari. It’s an advice podcast hosted by two friends who are entirely unqualified to give advice. It’s very chaotic and over the top, and somehow just the right thing to soothe some of the stressful moments in life when you need a good laugh.

Urgent Care with Joel Kim Booster and Mitra Jouhari

How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?

Too much, and almost all of it for world-building stuff. I know I spend way too much time worrying about whether or not stuff feels authentic. I have so many spreadsheets filled with made up animals, plants, entire fictional countries. Character and plot stuff is a little more fun – I just get a little stoned, put on some good music, and work through the problems in

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

After I finish a piece of writing, I let it sit for three or four weeks before coming back to do any editing. In the time since – especially if it’s a book chapter – I may have made some new choices or come to new conclusions on where I am taking the story. Sometimes I’ll get ideas for things to foreshadow or that would benefit from an early mention. As I read through it again, I can make the appropriate changes, adding new sections or taking out old ones that no longer work.

“I spend way too much time worrying about whether or not stuff feels authentic. I have so many spreadsheets filled with made up animals, plants, entire fictional countries.”

What advice would you give to new writers?

Don’t stress out so much about your first draft. Just focus on getting what you want to say onto the page – you can always come back later and fix it. Sometimes the thing you need to work through some writer’s block will only come to you if you keep moving forward.

Did you always want to be a writer? What has your journey to becoming an author been like?

I had always been making up stories in my head, but putting them to paper didn’t start until my teen years. I’ve been writing online on and off for years, but I didn’t know where to start as far as getting published went. A friend of mine had just published his first book, and sent me 4 Horsemen’s link! Having a place to submit my story and then finding out someone actually liked it was surreal, and after that everything just started moving so fast! I’m still not entirely sure it feels “real” yet.

“Don’t stress out so much about your first draft. Just focus on getting what you want to say onto the page – you can always come back later and fix it.”

How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends? Was it fate aligning in the stars?

Choice but also accident? I knew I wanted to write fantasy/sci-fi stories, and I knew I also wanted to write erotica, but I never really considered mixing the genres. It wasn’t until I had been kicking around the idea for a story in my head for a few years that I finally had some inkling that I could combine the two. I still have those other stories I want to write, but right now this fantasy adventure/kinky gay erotica series is just so much fun!

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Meet Leo Sparx

Leo Sparx is a digital artist who is bringing his fascination with the history of queer sex to the literary erotica world. Inspiration for his work is often found during virtual orgies, trips to offbeat museums, or classic—occasionally spooky—literature. His unique blend of steamy sensations and dark passion takes the reader on a kinky exploration and allows them to experience encounters in unexpected locations.

What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.

My writing routine consistently involves either a soft rainbow blanket and a cat on my lap or balancing my phone dangerously over the bathtub water with a glass of wine. There is no in-between.

Have you considered writing under a pen name? Why or why not?

Gay vampires included Anne Rice has done quite a bit correctly as an author. So, I don’t mind following in her footsteps and using a pen name for my queer dark BDSM erotica collections. The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name (which are not erotica.) The more observant readers may notice some of the same characters have crossed over into both worlds. Happy hunting 😉

“The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name”

What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?

As both a writer and reader I like endings that make me feel something. If that means a happily ever after, great, but I never start a book expecting every character will make it to the other side unscathed. In my books, the kind of happy endings readers can anticipate may happen on a massage table in a private room, but they’ll never cost extra 😉

What should we watch on Netflix? Why?

My favorite thing to do on Netflix is find an indie movie I’ve never heard of before and give it my full attention. Independently made films are so often labors of love and I highly recommend letting the writer take you on their journey. The stranger the better. You may even discover a classic before anyone else has had a chance to appreciate it.

“The stranger the better.”

What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

When I’m writing certain scenes, music is essential. A lot of times I find myself with the same song on repeat because it captures the exact mood I’m trying to get on the page. For the House of Otter series I made a playlist that doubles as a great soundtrack for reading the books.

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

As far as editing goes, picture me clicking my tongue and rolling my eyes at my characters telling them they sound stupid or are taking the wrong action and them saying, “Well you wrote it, honey.”

“Well you wrote it, honey.”

How much of the real world do you place into your writing? Are your friends in your stories? Your family? Do you take revenge in your stories? What about research? (Names can be removed to protect the innocent.)

Dark magic elements aside in a few of my stories, almost everything I write is something I’ve experienced in some capacity. Like the beach where young men proposition older men for money, the backroom with mystery built-in tunnels, and even the BDSM dungeon where things get a little too dangerous—I’ve seen these places and met the people, that’s how I know how to write about them.

“I’ve seen these places and met the people”

What advice would you give to new writers?

If you’re just starting out, my best advice is to connect with other writers. Whether you join a virtual group, perform at open mics to share your work, attend conferences, or use a meetup app to find critique buddies– the most valuable asset I have in my tool set has always been talented people who appreciate the written word. That sort of networking and support system continue to be essential for me every step of the way.

“…connect with other writers.”

How does where you live inspire your writing?

I tend to be a bit nomadic and every place I’ve ever called home has found its way into my stories. Gay bars on the beach, bath houses in the desert, clothing optional queer resorts deep in the forest– they all have a special place in my heart and inspire me to explain their lore for people who may have otherwise never had the opportunity to experience it.

“My appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories.”

Why’d you get that tattoo?

This could out me as far as secret identity pen names go, by my appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories. On the space above each of my knees I have symbols inspired by his tales: so far, a black cat and a raven sitting on a book with a skull. The plan is to add a few more: a wine bottle, a heart with an eye inside, a beetle, and anything else I can fit into the blank skin I have left on my body.