This past weekend I participated in Fantasy Fest Rijswijk in the Netherlands with my publisher Butterdragons Publishing.
It was a learning experience for sure, but so much fun. The costumes was elaborate and full of imagination. The booths was colorful and tempting. I can’t wait to try it again, I just have to account for me sleeping at least two days after lol.
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feel them moving and crawling inside of me….
When I left the house that day, I never expected to find myself in this kind of situation. A day like any other – work, casual conversation, then an exciting date with her long-time crush. What could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing much if you stay away from stray dogs and their bites, but I didn’t.
So much pain. So many weird occurrences. What was with all these strange cravings?
Trying to go through my days, as usual, ignoring what was happening to me as best I can. Will I ever figure out what is happening to me? Surely, I will find something or someone to help me before it’s too late – not just for me, but for everyone around me. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I am okay…
Will someone save me before it’s too late?
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’ve never thought my life was interesting enough to talk about. I remember taking a Speech class in college and listening in awe as some of my fellow students stood up and discussed their lives. The minute I had to stand up to talk about mine, I couldn’t think of a single thing anyone would ever want to know about me.
I married right out of high school. The most exciting thing in my life at that time were my two beautiful daughters. They gave my life meaning, but it never occurred to me that anyone else would find my day-to-day life interesting enough to sit through a five minute speech. Here I am many, many years later, and I still don’t think anyone would want to listen to a five-minute speech about my life.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
I knew I wanted to become a writer in the seventh grade. That was the same time I became interested in reading. I wanted to write something other people would fall in love with just like I had fallen in love with so many authors’ stories.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
I’m currently writing a Christmas romance. Christmas has always been my favorite day of year, so I wanted to center a love story around two people meeting and falling in love during that season.
Do you have any quirks while working?
My entire life is a quirk. Everything I do is by the seat of my pants, so I’m always just as surprised as the next guy that I ever finished an entire novel.
What are your hopes for the future?
I want to win the lottery but if not, I have several books in the beginning stages I would to finish writing.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
I’ve learned the hard way how easy it is to be taken advantage of in the publishing business. There are plenty of people who are prepared rip you off. My best advice is to you is to research, research, research.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
I’m always so pleased to hear someone has read one of my books. I know everyone’s time is so precious, so I’m honored when anyone spends their valuable time reading my books. Thank you so much.
Links
Tell us a bit about yourself…
My name is Boris Bacic and I’m a horror writer from Serbia. I’m a certified fitness coach and a former language and communications coach. In my free time, I go to the gym, I take creepy late-night walks through parks and forests, and recently I started learning more about botany (balance is important).
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Yes! Ever since I was a child, I used to write stories all the time. As I grew older, I could envision myself sitting in front of a typewriter (now computer) and making my imagination come to life. It’s a job, but it doesn’t feel like one to me.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
All my inspiration comes from daily life. I see something otherwise mundane, and my mind transforms it into something otherworldly. What if this road is on an endless loop? What if there’s a secret government lab under this abandoned house? What if this mannequin comes to life right now? We all have that kind of imagination; writers just let it run wild.
What are you working on now?
While I can’t reveal the exact story, I can say that the book is based on my hometown, which is number one in suicides in Europe. It will be full of suspense and hair-standing-straight moments that will have you clutching your flashlight like your life depends on it.
Do you have any quirks while working?
For me, it’s important to envision being in the world that I’m creating. Sometimes I listen to ominous horror music while writing to get into the element. I also need a quiet environment. It’s difficult to maintain momentum when you’re constantly interrupted by phone calls and social media notifications.
What are your hopes for the future?
My motto is “I won’t stop writing until I’m either famous or dead.” That path is paved with tiny steps, and for now, the next thing I hope for is getting more recognition for my books – either getting acquired by a major publishing company or having my book adapted into a movie.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Don’t stop writing.
When I first started publishing my stories, they barely received any recognition. I wrote one more story and told myself that if I didn’t get enough likes, I would quit. Luckily, that story boomed and that helped me launch my first book. Today, I have more than 15 published books and I work full-time as a writer. You never know how close you are to achieving your goals.
Never stop writing.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
Thank you for all your support. None of this would be possible without you. I receive emails from readers telling me how much they enjoy my stories, and for me, that’s the true joy of writing.
Get ready to lose yourself in this collection of tragic stories from our authors that will fill your heart and tear it out at the same time. Sometimes a happy ending is not the only one and despite our best hopes, things end in a way we never saw coming. Prepare to have your heart strings pulled and your resolve tested as stories of love, determination and hope leave you spinning.
These stories range from paranormal to contemporary, but no matter the genre they will fill you with hope, leave you guessing, and tear at your heart all at the same time. Get lost in this collection of incredible stories that show you sometimes the most tragic of stories are some of the most beautiful.
Each story is accompanied by a poem by Helle Gade:
• Til Death Do Us Part by Boris Bacic
• Never Wake Me Up by Anne Samara
• Ember Aglow by Victoria Larque
• Love To Live by Ada Rossi
• The Cell by K.R. Fajardo
• Killing Love by Annelie Janssen
Please give a warm welcome to AW
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hi! I’m Alexa Wayne, aka the OCD Vampire. I’m obsessed with Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler. I am an introvert, and I do not hide it anymore. I even believe it to be an asset for someone who is like me. I am writing and drawing all day long with my little dog, Carey, by my side.
I studied graphic and web design a decade ago, along with 2D and 3D Animation. I also took online Sequential Art | Inking & Rendering | Anatomy and Comic Book Art classes with Comics Experience. I then went to Syn Studio and studied Digital Painting | Storytelling & Design | Character Rendering | Comic Book. I own a diploma in WordPress with TechUComp. I have various certifications and qualifications in Proofreading & Editing | Creative Writing | Novel Writing | Successful Self- Publishing | Social Media Marketing | Blogging Business | Virtual Assistance | Ufology | Astronomy | Cryptozoology | Wicca | Hoodoo with Centre of Excellence.
I took many art classes to help me in my development as a well-rounded artist. I didn’t wish to rely on anyone to become the writer that I envisioned in my head. I love everything when it comes to creating something. I like doing research, marketing, graphic, and web design. I enjoy the entire process of turning a piece of art, including a novel, into something incredible.
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Have you always wanted to become an artist/designer?
I grew up in the artistic world. I went to acting school for thirteen years of my life, and that included classical ballet, along with singing and various types of acting and dancing styles. If someone asked me why I love to read and watch the most, it would be Dracula or vampires in general. To me, the comic book is the most accurate form of art when it gets closer to acting. Some would argue, of course, debate it to the contrary, but acting has many faces.
Time passed, I needed something more, and that was to gain writing experience. The Geek Initiative became the first professional blog I worked for, and it was epic. I enjoy the geeky environment and the opportunity they gave me. The founder, Tara M. Clapper, and editor in chief became my first novel editor.
She gave me the backbone I needed to find my way as an artist and author. I am now the proud creator of Gothic Bite Magazine. I write paranormal suspense novels in the horror genre. It took me some time, but now I know that I am proud to be a monster nerd, and a hundred percent living in her twisted mind!
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Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I find inspiration most of the time in music, books, research, and whatever is online or on television. I love to use research and other forms of art as inspiration. It is quite amazing what one can find in the most transparent or subtle places.
I also enjoy walking outside with my dog. We live in a country town surrounded by woods, so walking is fantastic around here. It’s like being lost in nature, and I put on my music and wait for inspiration to strike.
Of course, I have my secret weapon, which is going to the esoteric stores in our small and old little country downtown. It’s peaceful and quiet. It has perfect energy all around. I enjoy it, and most of the time, it leaves me with many ideas.
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What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a personal comic book project as the penciler and colorist as well as scripter when it comes to my art. The inspiration is from one of my novels. My inker is Kendra Hale, as well as my editor and beta reader for the script.
As for writing, I am working on the new release of Lord Impaler Series #2, The Gravedigger. It comes out on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020, on Amazon in paperback and Kindle, free on Kindle Unlimited. I do my own graphic design, of course, and create the marketing merchandise for it as well.
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Do you have any quirks while working?
I forget the time, and my dog must remind me to stop and eat. I’m often in my own little bubble, and the world around doesn’t exist anymore. I must listen to music while drawing; otherwise, my work doesn’t flow well.
I listen to relaxing music such as Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Disturbed, Exit Eden, and Dance Macabre. I know people don’t consider those relaxing, but they are to me. I love them!
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What are your hopes for the future?
I would love my webzine, Gothic Bite Magazine, to become LLC and accessible enough so that we can support causes such as 4Oceans or Bats QLD. GBM is a webzine created by monsters for monsters so that gothic people have a place to go and feel welcome. We try to help the indie community as much as we can. Again, this project is possible because of my #1, Kendra Hale.
I guess, for the future, all I want is to be happy and be capable of helping people achieve their dreams. I want to be able to live off my art and writing, so I can help others. That is literally all I want.
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Do you have any advice for new artists/authors about the publishing world?
I grew up in the art and publishing world. Books surrounded me since I was born. Raised by my grandparents and mother, my grandpa worked for a binding & printing company. He would often come back with boxes of books and encyclopaedia worth so much money but didn’t “make the cut” because of small printing errors.
So, my advice would be if you wish to become a graphic/web designer or illustrator, do not be afraid to stand out. I mean by that to not fit in any cookie cutters. Look at the latest trends yes, but also; don’t be afraid to find inspiration in the past. Myself, I am more of a European stylist in design than American simply because I prefer certain aspects of it. Put together your portfolio and a professional website. Don’t be afraid to pay for a professional website if you must. Graphic and web design require a certification because of the complexity of the rules and printing industry as well as online industry.
When it comes to authors, do not stop writing because people tell you that you cannot make it. It is NOT true. Do not listen to those voices. Keep writing and again, stand out. When everyone goes right for the style of writing or book cover, don’t be afraid to go left. Do not settle for anyone but yourself and how much you believe in your story. Another common mistake, do not do everything yourself. Do not fear your limits and hire a graphic designer or illustrator for your book cover. The phrase “do not judge a book by its cover” is a good lesson to learn but sadly, every one of us bought at least one book just because the cover was amazing. So, investing in editors, graphic designers and web designers are crucial parts of being an indie author. It is in those details that one can stand out from the sea of indie authors.
In conclusion, do not let fear and peer pressure dictate what you wish to become or do with your creation. Just keep going and you won’t regret it.
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Do you have anything to say to your fans?
I don’t know that I have any fans. Haha! But, to anyone reading this, this phrase helped me a thousand times over, “Because you are afraid doesn’t mean that you’re not strong.” Whatever it is you dream of is worth your time and effort, and if you feel anxious, do not worry, your anxiety is lying to you, and you are going to be okay.
Happy release day, ladies 🎉🎉🎉
The Horror Emporium by Poppy Woods K.A. Knight, Kendra Moreno
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Welcome to the Horror Emporium…
We have something for everyone but choose wisely.
There’s no turning back…
Brought to you from the minds of the 3way, your Halloween is about to be a little bit scarier. Fate is controlling. Things lurk below. The devil wears a pretty face.
Are you afraid? You should be…
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Please give a war welcome to author Wendy Potocki
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Yup, sure did!
It was a secret desire and I never told anyone because I never thought I would never be good enough—or have the ideas that spark good stories. Since I was a booklover, I thought authors were magical in their ability to keep me spellbound. So for more than half of my life, it remained a dream … something tickling my fancy … but nothing more. Then one day, my muse whispered an idea in my ear. Once started, I’ve never stopped.
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What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
Okay, so this is actually kind of interesting. I wrote a short story for a writing competition hosted by J. Ellington Ashton Press. The short was entitled “Fate Worse than Death,” and was about zombies. The lead character was a teenager who had to write a story for her English class using stream of consciousness. That method of writing has always fascinated me as there’s no filter on what comes out. One night, the concept got the better of me, and I decided to give it a try. I sat down and just wrote the first thing that came into my head. It was:
A liquid night.
A lucid dream.
A one-eyed girl buried in the rain.
I loved the words and the mood struck, and before I knew it, the three lines burst into an entire novel. It’s what I’m working on now and I hope it’ll be finished by Halloween. At least, that’s the plan.
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Do you have any quirks while writing?
I don’t think so. I do like to write in the daytime which is always a surprise to me given that I’m such a night owl. I guess the only things that would pass for quirks are: (1) I do not like to talk about ideas I’m working on, and (2) I design covers for any new work I’m about to write. The cover allows me to establish a mood and feeling. It also helps consolidate or ground the visualization so there’s a tangible representation of the creative process going on in my head. I suppose one could liken it to a mood board, but for me, it’s designing covers.
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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
My main advice is: WRITE. In personal training, there’s a concept known as “ exercise specificity.” What it means is that if you want to swim, at some point, you have to get in the water and swim! Running, lifting weights, eating healthy all might contribute to conditioning the body to swim, but swimming is the key in learning to swim. And it’s the same with writing.
Just write. Write anything, everywhere, and anything. If you write novels, try a short story … or poetry. If a friend needs to write a letter, write it for them. Also, write for blogs or other outlets that require you meeting a deadline. It’s the only way you’ll get good at firing out a paragraph or two. It comes in handy when you get an opportunity—like this one, for instance.
The next piece of advice would be to continue to hone your craft. Don’t get stuck in the notion that you can’t improve or that there’s a limitation on what you do. The best way to accomplish this is to distance yourself from what you’re doing, and be as objective as you can about your work. It may require putting your work away for a few weeks or months and looking at it with a fresh eye, but stagnation is the worst sin so don’t stay where you are. Continue to flex your muscle—and wings. Yes, they’re there waiting for you to use. Never be afraid to fail; it’s in the failing you’ll learn and eventually transform.
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Do you have anything to say to your readers?
Yes, thank you so much for supporting me and my work. I love writing so much and I hope that it always shows.
I’m also very happy to announce that, after a long absence on the horror scene, I am coming out with two new chiller-dillers so please look for it them this fall. In the meantime, love to you all.
Buy link
Author links
Please give a creepy welcome to C L Raven
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Tell us a bit about yourself
We’re identical twins from Cardiff, Wales and we write horror novels and short stories. We’ve just started writing comics and film scripts and are enjoying the change. Most of our time is spent looking after our animal army, who are all rescue or rehomed pets. There is currently 15 of them. In our spare time, we love doing polefit and are training to become instructors. We also do gymnastics, but the less we say about that, the better. We somehow ended up with lead roles in our friend’s horror film, School Hall Slaughter, so we’ve been rehearsing stunts for that. We’re hoping to start directing our own short horror film after summer. We love travelling and find the creepiest places to visit. We’ve just returned from a book signing in Sweden.
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Have you always wanted to become authors?
Originally, we were obsessed with horses and wanted to be either professional showjumpers, or riding instructors. But not being able to afford a horse was quite an obstacle. We started writing novels when we were 12, so as we became teenagers, we decided we wanted to become authors and nothing else. By then, our depression had forced us to give up horse riding so we needed a new career plan! Our teachers were less than happy, and we often got detention for not doing our homework – we were too busy writing!
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What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
Our most recent release, Empty Graves, is about the body snatchers in Edinburgh in 1828. We love history, and learning about body snatchers Burke and Hare (they were really murderers, not body snatchers) made us interested in Edinburgh. We were fascinated that it’s two cities in one – Old Town and New Town. We fell in love with it before we visited. Now we go back every year and get inspired by each visit. We now have three historical books set in Edinburgh. The Malignant Dead is about the plague in 1645, and The Devil’s Servants is about the witch trials in 1649. They are a series, in a way, as they’re linked by minor characters, or descendants, and are all set in Edinburgh. Edinburgh itself inspired them, as all three are based on true events. We have plans for a fourth one, based on the legend of Sawney Bean and his cannibal family.
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What are you working on now?
We’re currently writing a new novel about a woman who gets possessed by a demon, but she likes the effect the demon has, so allows it to stay. Her demon is after an object that will give it ultimate power, but it’s not the only demon that wants it, so together, they exorcise other peoples’ demons to stop them from getting the object first. We’ve just finished writing a gothic novella about a cursed castle that drives people to insanity, and we’re editing a novel about a necromancer who helps the police by resurrecting murder victims to interview them. Our first comic is due to be published at the end of the year.
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Do you have any quirks while writing?
Does falling asleep at the laptop count? If not, then no. We usually have the company of a cat, Theo. He’s not ours, but every time his owner collects him, he returns after a few days. Before Theo arrived, our tortie, Mina, would sit on our laps. She also isn’t ours but has been living here for a year now. Before Mina arrived, our youngest cat, Ripley was our writing buddy. So we guess having a feline writing buddy is our quirk. The other cats. Storm and Phoenix have no interest in helping us.
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What are your hopes for the future?
To be successful, and to make a proper living from our writing, so people will stop telling us to get a ‘proper job’. Not sure they think teaching polefitness counts as a proper job either! Neil Gaiman is our inspiration and we’d like to switch between books, comics, and other projects with the same success that he has. We once tweeted him to tell him it was his fault his publisher turned our book down (they loved but it didn’t want another funny apocalypse book). Neil tweeted us back, apologising.
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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Don’t expect overnight success. It’s incredible tough to get success in writing. You have to have the courage to keep submitting work, despite all the rejections. (We’re nearing 500 with our short stories/novels/articles). We often feel like giving up, particularly when our depression is bad, and at times we wish we could quit. But we can’t. You’ll always see writers posting about their success and it will feel like you’re the only one failing. You’re not. They’re only showing you the highlights. Nobody likes to look like a failure, so nobody posts about their rejections. We do, because we want people to know how hard it is. Plus only posting about your success is like a kick in the boobs to someone getting nothing but rejections. But you have to keep going. If you don’t put your work out there then it can’t be accepted. It’s terrifying, but it’s worth it. And if someone tells you to get a proper job, punch them in the teeth. Seriously. Punch them hard. Then hit them with a book. Those same people would be the first to complain if there were no books, no comics, no TV shows, no films. For those things to exist, you need writers. Also, things change so quickly. A couple of weeks ago, we did a signing in Sweden’s oldest book shop and were on the front page of two newspapers and a large spread in a third. People came up to us in random places, recognising us and came to the shop just to meet us. This week, we’ve had nothing but rejections from publishers! It’s a fickle world.
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Do you have anything to say to your readers?
Thank you so much for reading our work, and making what we do matter. It often feels like nobody cares, but then we’ll get a message from a reader, saying they loved one of our books, and it makes all the heartache worth it. So thank you. You’re the reason we keep fighting.
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Helle Gade 