Get Zombiefied: Interview with Author Armand Rosamilia

Armand Rosamilia

Another horror writer that impressed me is Armand Rosamilia.  His prose flows smoothly and his stories shock the senses.  Meet the gifted Armand Rosamilia. 

Here’s a brief author’s bio for Armand Rosamilia. 

Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida. When not chasing his kids, bothering his fiance' Kim or watching his beloved Bosox or listening to Heavy Metal music way too loud, he's writing about zombies. His extreme zombie novellas "Highway To Hell" and "Dying Days" are available now, and he's been featured in a bunch of cool anthologies so far this year. Go here to chat about baseball, zombies and Manowar...

Tell us about your latest book. 

"Dying Days" is an extreme zombie novella that continues the story of Darlene Bobich, who had her start in the Daily Bites of Flesh 2011 anthology (Pill Hill Press) in the flash fiction piece "Anything But Lucky" and then in the bonus story "Rear Guard" in the "Highway To Hell" extreme zombie novella release from Rymfire eBooks... "Dying Days" follows Darlene as she gets into Florida, looking for warmer climes and less zombies...

How did you get started as a writer?  

I was always a reader, and always loved horror... I wrote horrible horror stories that made no sense as a kid, but I kept at it... by high school I was dabbling but afraid to send it out and get rejected... in my mid-twenties I had a couple of short story sales, but didn't keep up the momentum... in my mid-thirties I dabbled again but got more into the publishing end of it... finally, about four years ago I got serious and started 'honing my craft' with tons of stories (most of them crap) until I hit a groove recently, and about 60% of my stories are seeing the light of day...

In your story, Obsessed with a Song, in the Masters of Horror: Damned If You Don’t anthology, you did a brilliant job giving readers a taste of psychological horror.  Do you prefer writing psychological horror over gore?

 I prefer horror, I guess... I think there are so many interesting ways to tell the same story... I tend to shun away from tons of sex and gore in my stories of horror, but in my zombie writing it's extremely sexual and bloody... no idea why... that story immediately came to me when I read the prompt for the anthology, it was one of those 'easy' stories that just flows.

What’s a typical day like for you?

 I'd love to say 'write all day' but I have a job (store manager for Dollar General) and I have kids and a fiancé and bills to pay... but I usually find at least an hour a day to write, and some days it's just enough time to get a good chunk of story done... I tend to write two or three stories at the same time (it's how I read books as well) without mixing them up.

What do you like most about reading and writing?

The escape they both offer... when I'm inside a great book or writing a new story a bomb could go off in the living room and I won't hear it... it gets my fiancé mad at times because she'll ask me questions and I'll ignore her.

Which author influenced you the most?

Dean Koontz and Robert E. Howard were the two that I read constantly... they were the two authors that got me into writing and wanting to write... later, authors like Brian Keene, Scott Nicholson, John Everson, Gord Rollo... writers like that showed me that you could have your own unique voice...

Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

Hmm... I'm from New Jersey but I'm a diehard Red Sox fan, stuck in the 80's with Heavy Metal music, afraid of dogs, and even though I look like a biker I can barely ride a bicycle...

Would you say you write specifically for the horror genre and if not, what’s your favorite genre to write?

I definitely write horror, even when I don't want to, haha... my work tends to be dark and people tend to die... I am dabbling in some erotic horror/paranormal right now, but the horror writing is my comfort zone.

Best and worst part of being a writer?

Best part is all of the friends you meet, and the big authors that you can meet at a convention and grab a beer with... and selling books and have people commenting on your work is great as well... the bad part is the solitary existence you spend when you're writing and how difficult it is for me sometimes to manage my time when I'm 'in the zone' and don't want to eat, sleep or deal with my family because I need to kill someone or a zombie horde is attacking, haha...

Advice to writers?

Write, write, write... don't ever stop... finish that book and then start the next one, and then the next... and get yourself out there, meet new people, be strong about bad reviews and not too excited over good ones, and then sit down and write some more...

Interesting story about writing.

About five years ago I was asked to do a book signing in Tampa with some other authors, so I did... it turned out that Jeff Strand was there, right across from me, but I was too awestruck to talk to him... later, at someone's house, we all met and chatted and I finally got to talk to him... he was hysterical and so was his wife...

To purchase his books feel free to visit Rymfireebooks here 

Thanks Armand for visiting Knight Chills. We look forward to reading your books. 

© Copyright Armand Rosamilia 2011. All rights reserved. 

Armand Rosamilia has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills author interview.

Knight Chills is Blazing: Interview with author Blaze McRob

Author Blaze McRob

Tonight we're in for a special treat. One of my favorite writers from the Masters of Horror: Damned If You Don't anthology is Blaze McRob.  After reading one of his stories, I couldn't help but feel as if a friend came over to treat me to a gem of a tale.  His narrative voice is straightforward and eloquent.  He's also one of the nicest guys you'd want to meet. Here's a glimpse into the gifted, Blaze McRob. 

Blaze McRob is primarily a novel writer, spinning his tales of horror. For years, he was a ghostwriter, long before anyone knew they existed. The industry's changing, and so is he. No more ghosting. Blaze has arrived.

His more recent additions include a number of short stories within anthologies:

"Shredded" for the "Damned If You Don't" anthology, published by Triskaideka

"Lakota Justice" for the "I Believe In Werewolves" anthology, published by Netbound

Eternal Love" a poem which won the best "spooky love" category for the "Vicious Spirits" anthology, published by Key Publications Network

"Tides Of Chaos", a joint collaboration short story with Lori Lopez for the anthology "The ePocalypse: e-mails at the end" published by Pill Hill Press

"Snow Of Blood" for the anthology "Undead Of Winter," published by RYMFIRE eBooks

N. Knight: 

Tell us about your latest work in progress.

Blaze McRob: 

My latest work in progress is a novel to be published by Vamplit Publishing titled, " '68 Buick". It is a Grim Reaper story dealing with Satan, Azazel, and a cast of thousands. I have many twists and turns in this story. The Reaper is the protagonist, dead but immortal, caught in a battle between Satan and God but also dealing with many sub-plots. I have finished this and am in the editing stage now. While I am editing this, I am writing the sequel, titled "Bokor", another novel called "The Butcher's Brain", a novel series within my "The Devil's Tongue" brand, and some short stories. I need to keep Gaynor at Vamplit busy.


N. Knight: 

How did you get started as a writer?

Blaze McRob:

In 1986, I was diagnosed with brain cancer and given six months to live. Not being thrilled with this, I decided to change my diet, up my running to 160 miles a week, and since I had a story I needed to tell-horror, of course- I wrote it. It was published in 1988 and started off my ghostwriting.


N. Knight: 

What makes you write horror?

Blaze McRob: 

I write what I know. By releasing the demons from my soul, I am able to keep the good within me. I have been in 'Nam and had many experiences there and elsewhere. Dealing with shit as a child gives me more to write about. I have a bad stutter and took abuse from other kids as well as my own family. Part of that will be in "The Devil's Tongue." Horror writers are able to rectify wrongs with a few strokes on the keyboard.


N. Knight: 

What do you like most about reading and writing?

Blaze McRob:

When I read, I gain knowledge. I am well read and enjoy all genres. When I write, I am able to tell my tales and hopefully make people think while I scare the crap out of them.

N. Knight:

Which author influenced you the most?

Blaze McRob:
Edgar Allen Poe! The master! Who can read "The Raven" and not be moved? He bared his soul to the world. I disregard anything derogatory anyone might say about the man. It matters not to me if he was troubled. His genius shone through on the written page. That's what mattered. I was reading Poe at the age of nine.


N. Knight:

Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

Blaze McRob: 

I have eight children, ranging in age from 2 to 36. For years, I was a world-ranked ultra-marathon runner. The best part of my life is now. This fall I will be together with my Yvonne.


N. Knight:

Many horror writers tend to write stories that carry stern warnings. In your Masters of Horror Damned If You Don't story titled, "Shredded" you make the reader realize their mortality. Is that something you often think about?-- A man's mortality?

I am not a religious man. Spiritual, but with no church ties. My faith is that we control what happens to us in this life and the next. Mortality lies within us. If we have been evil in this life, our mind will impose a sort of hell on us in the next. The people who try to do good will go to the next stage with no guilt and will be happy. I look around me and see a lot of evil within a lot of religions. There will be no groups mentioned here. In my novels: yes.


N. Knight: 

Best and worst part of being a writer?

Blaze McRob:

The best part is the release from within, the joy of sharing, the community of writers. There is no worst part.


N. Knight:

Advice to writers?

Don't strive for perfection in your first draft. Sit down and tell your story; let it flow. Forget about outlines: they make for a stilted, structured piece of shit. Your first draft is your outline. Edit and fine tune in your second draft. Don't allow anyone to tell you that you should forget about writing. If you want to write: write.


N. Knight:

Interesting story about writing.

I once wrote a novel that came to me in my sleep. Okay, a lot of novels are born within my sleep, But this one was different. Everything was so vivid, and word after word flowed forth onto my notebooks. A few years after it was published, I was out on a run and was traipsing through an old cemetery with stones dating back to the 1600s. One name caught my eye: he was the protagonist in my novel. I did some research and discovered that a lot of this man's life paralleled my story. A forgotten man, long dead, coming back to life once more. Does it get any better than this? I don't think so.


Thank you Nomar for allowing me to spread some tales about my tales. It has been fun. People can find out more about me on Facebook and my blogs:

blazemcrob.com

angelicknightpress.com

There you have it Knight Chills readers. Blaze is very candid and a classy man! Thank you Blaze for allowing us to get to know you better.  

Yes folks, go visit Blaze at his blog and purchase whatever book you see his name in because his stories never disappoint. 

© Copyright Blaze McRob 2011. All rights reserved. 

Blaze McRob has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills author interview.

A Knight Chills author interview.

Step Into the Shadows: Verland Lives! Interview with Author B.E. SCULLY

It's not every day Knight Chills gets an opportunity to greet an excellent horror writer when their vampire novel debuts.  Not only do you have the privileged of meeting B.E. SCULLY, but you'll also get the lowdown on one sizzling Gothic vampire novel.  Like the vampire character, VERLAND, the author manages to maintain an aura of mystery throughout our interview.  What follows is the blurb for the above book.  Afterwards, feel free to click on the photo and the links I'll provide to order this hot novel.  For now, enjoy the fact that Verland Lives! 

True crime writer Elle Bramasol is drawn into a macabre mystery when incarcerated Hollywood producer Eliot Kingman asks her to write a book about his case. As she delves deeper into Kingman’s murder conviction, she discovers that he possesses a centuries old diary written by an elusive vampire named Verland. Uncovering the transformative secrets held within the diary’s pages, Elle is drawn deeper into both Kingman’s deadly schemes and Verland’s dark world of shadows. When the two finally collide, the stage is set for a climactic battle over mankind’s ultimate prize: eternal triumph over death. But will the Holy Grail of immortality turn out to be the cruelest curse of all?

Exploring the allure of the shadowy places between life and death, between fantasy and reality, and the ultimate power of belief, Verland: The Transformation is a gothic-inspired tour de force, a brooding return to the roots of the vampire genre that goes for the throat from page one until the final, bone-chilling climax.

And now, without further ado, meet the gifted B.E. SCULLY

N. Knight: Please tell us a little about yourself.

B.E. SCULLY: When I’m not rambling around the world in my vardo, you can find me in the woods of Oregon hanging out with my weird posse of human and animal companions.

N. Knight: Tell us about your latest book.

B.E. SCULLY: Verland is an exploration of the transformative power of belief—our fear and fascination with the darker aspects of our existence, the mysteries of death and whatever comes next, and how all of these powerful forces can come together in ways that fundamentally change and shape our lives. Plus, it’s got a lot of cool vampire action.

N. Knight: How did you get started as a writer? 

 B.E. SCULLY: I think I’m still getting started as a writer, actually!

N. Knight: What’s a typical day like for you?

B.E. SCULLY: If it includes caffeine, furry companions demanding things, good food and good art, and--if the liver is in an agreeable mood--something with an alcohol content, then that’s about as typical as a day gets for me.

N. Knight: What do you like most about reading and writing?

B.E. SCULLY: I love everything about reading! It’s probably the most consistent love of my life, not to mention the one that rarely suffers performance anxiety and always calls back the next day. Writing is more of a love/hate thing, really; I love bringing the story and the characters to life, but writing is a lot like wrestling a giant hydra-monster onto the page one word at a time, only to have the next word-head pop up and attack you again.

N. Knight: Which author influenced you the most?

B.E. SCULLY: So many artists have influenced me: writers, musicians, even people whose ‘art’ is simply in the way they live each day…really, all of the dreamers and rebels and harum-scarums out there influence me every day.

N. Knight: Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

B.E. SCULLY:

One: I dream of an androgynous future.

Two: I practice mind control, sometimes even on myself.

Three: To quote Scarface: “I always tell the truth, even when I lie.”

N. Knight: Would you say you write specifically for one genre and if not, what’s your favorite genre to write?

B.E. SCULLY: Apart from the necessities of how the book will be marketed and tagged, I don’t think of genres one way or the other. You name it, I’ll write it and read it.

N. Knight: Best and worst part of being a writer?

B.E. SCULLY: If ya gotta write, ya gotta write, but I would much rather be a rock star, no way around it. Writing requires all of the blood and guts of artistic endeavor with much less of the glory. I mean, do writers get to stand up on stage and have thousands of people scream and throw underwear at us?

N. Knight: Advice to writers?

B.E. SCULLY: Stock up on the Pinot…lots and lots of Pinot.

N. Knight: Interesting story about writing.

B.E. SCULLY: That’s a tough one—sat and wrote! The story at the end of a lot of long and solitary hours is the only one that counts.

Thank you B.E. SCULLY for visiting Knight Chills. I can't wait to read your book. 

And for my wonderful readers, don't forget to visit the 

website: http://verlandlives.com

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Verland-Transformation-BE-Scully/dp/1460907000/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306363860&sr=8-3

CafePress: http://www.cafepress.com/VerlandTheTransformation

Follow the author on Twitter @ScullyBE

Special thanks to A.S. Promotions for making this interview possible. You may follow them on Twitter 

@AS_Promotions

© Copyright Verland: The Transformation 2011. All rights reserved. 

Verland: The Transformation and author B.E. SCULLY has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills author interview in association with A.S. Promotions.

Touched

Touched

Before you think today's blog is about something inappropriate, erase those awful thoughts off your mind.  In the past few days I've been touched...by kindness.  First, I found out that Knight Chills won another award, of which I will provide details tomorrow.  My good friend and writing partner, T.F. Walsh gave me something called the versatile blogger award.  That was very kind. 


Today, an interview I did with a wonderful woman from South Africa, the gifted poet, Biola Olatunde, hosted me on her great blog, Ephesus: Center Stage.  If you'd like to learn more about me, visit her blog here.


Biola asked some probing questions and as a result, some of my readers have been enlightened in finding out what motivates me to write horror, poetry, dark romance, suspense and supernatural thrillers. 


This wonderful poet, Biola, connected with me through Facebook and we have become good friends.  There were times when either one of us was feeling down, thanks to life's roller coaster ride, and after reading each others words, we felt our spirits lift to new heights.  She has been a wonderful influence on me as have a number of amazing writers/people.  


Thank you Biola for being the wonderful person you are.  And thank you Knight Chills readers for sticking with me even when there were many negative elements swirling around you. I leave you with this quote and then please feel free to read my interview at Ephesus. 

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

Thank you all for your support.


Catch you on the dark side. 


Nomar Knight


© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved.

More Than Luck: An interview with Author Alex Knight

Author- Alex Knight

Please welcome the talented and versatile Alex Knight. 

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I enjoy writing about murder and horror. Born in Toronto, I have lived in a number of cities in Canada and the United States. Currently, I live in a small city outside of Toronto with my partner. I love to travel and if I'm not reading I'm writing. Oh yes, I hate research. I love reading about all sorts of things - for entertainment purposes. If I have to memorize dates and details - it becomes work.

 

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book is my 2010 NaNoWriMo 'winner', which is yet unnamed. It is the back story of my character, bodyguard Anya Orlova (The Bodyguard, The Mermaid and Dolphin) and her continuing adventures.

How did you get started as a writer? 

I started out by taking an online writing class, winning a writing contest and getting published in the local paper before the class was over. It encouraged me to continue writing humorous essays for newspapers. I was able to earn several bylines while working on what I really wanted to do, which was write fiction.

What’s a typical day like for you?

I start the day on the computer, then head out for my day job, which is accounting. While I'm crunching numbers I'm thinking of the latest works in progress, writing dialogue in my head, etc. When I get back home it's time for dinner and another couple of hours on the computer - writing, catching up with friends and other writers on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

What do you like most about reading and writing?

I enjoy the escapism reading provides, there's nothing like curling up with a good book. When I write, I can say and do all the things I would never do in real life - especially since more often than not I write about murder.

Which author influenced you the most?

It would be impossible to say one writer influenced me more than another. There are a number of writers who inspired me for many different reasons. The short list would be topped by Edgar Allan Poe, Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, John D. MacDonald & Agatha Christie.

Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

 

I have to admit that this question stumped me and I asked my partner to help me out. He immediately came up with a half dozen things. I told him there was no way I was admitting to any of that much less putting it in writing. On a serious note I think interest, like art, is subjective. Would your readers find it interesting that I'm into archaeology, that I'm a silversmith or that I used to teach ballroom dance? Probably not. They might be interested in knowing that I do believe in paranormal experiences having had a number of them myself. I once saw a person days after he died, only at the time I didn't know he was dead. When I read about his death I was shocked, thinking how I had just seen him - then I discovered the newspaper was already several days old. If I have the same or similar dream two or three times, I know it's a warning to be taken seriously. A couple of dreams have literally saved me from physical danger and possible death. Fortunately, I haven't had any lately. Also, I have had several psychic readings (Tarot, palm & tea leaves) that were so accurate it was eerie. I'm still waiting for the last prophecy to come true, lol.

Would you say you write specifically for one genre and if not, what’s your favorite genre to write?

I try not to think of genres when I write because the lines tend to blur for me. A story might appear to fit one genre when I begin but as it unfolds it can often end up being something totally different. While I usually write about crime and murder, I also cross over into horror, paranormal and chick lit. I would really like to write more horror novels, but find it difficult because more and more I'm finding things scare me less and less. I can generally write enough horror to fit the short story category, but can't stretch it out to a full blown novel.

Best and worst part of being a writer?

The worst part is that it doesn't (yet) pay the bills. However, like most writers I write for the love of writing. The best part is that I love the creative process and watching where the characters take me as their stories unfold.

Advice to writers?

Write - I can't stress this enough - thinking about it isn't doing it. And never listen to your inner critic or the advice of family and friends (unless they happen to be famous authors.) Never stop to edit as you go, otherwise you will never finish the project. When you finish a project put it aside for a while - let it rest. Then go back and read it again, out loud. If you stumble over the words so will your readers. Mark those passages with a high lighter and keep going. Once you're finished you can start the editing process. But be careful, self-editing can become a perpetual task. You will always find something you think you can improve upon. Any author who thinks he's nailed it and could never improve upon his work is only kidding himself, but you have to know when to stop.

Interesting story about writing.

 

I can create a story around a word heard randomly, and usually that word will figure into the title somewhere. Also, whenever I start a larger project, if I don't already have a title in mind, I usually come up with one after the first few pages. At the very least I have a working title until something else comes to mind. This time around I'm drawing a blank. I keep referring to the story as the Bodyguard WIP and I really need a title before I send it off into the world. I think I need to have a 'name the ebook' contest.

Thank you Alex Knight for a wonderful interview.  

You can catch more of Alex in her website here

Click on the What Luck Cover to order the outstanding book. You won't be disappointed. 

  

© Copyright Alex Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

Alex Knight has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills author interview.

M