Tag Archives: Interview

My interview with Kelli Owen – author of “The Neighborhood”

 This year I’ve had the fortune of discovering the writing of Kelli Owen.  In my review of her debut novel “Six Days” I called it “a claustrophobic cocktail of unease and uncertainty” that I found to be “refreshing in a very Chianti and fava beans sort of way.”  Recently, I had the chance to review her new novella, “The Neighborhood”, and found even more to like.  In that review, I said:

The comfortable and effortless style Owen imbues in her prose, her ability to make the ordinary both familiar and frightening, and the sensibility she brings to her storytelling are all reminiscent of “It” and Stephen King at his best.  The ability to instantly connect me to a new world in a single sentence that first made me a King fan then, is the same thing that’s made me a Kelli Owen fan today.

Having made such an impression on me, I really wanted to pick Kelli’s brain a bit and see what makes her tick.  She was kind enough to take time out of her day to answer a few questions recently. 

My Interview with Brad Thor – “Full Black”

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a book signing in Little Rock, AR with Brad Thor.   Brad is wrapping up a promotional swing in support of his latest release “Full Black”.  (If you haven’t had a chance to read “Full Black”, it’s one of Brad’s best books to date.  You can read my review of it here.)  It was the first Brad Thor book signing I’ve had a chance to attend and after my experience – it definitely won’t be the last.

The signing was held at Books-A-Million in Little Rock.  That meant a 3 ½ hour drive for me.  I was a bit tired when I finally arrived, but the staff at Books-A-Million were all very helpful.  The setting for the event was casual and intimate.  When Brad arrived, he greeted the crowd and thanked everyone for coming out to support him.  He then spent the next half hour talking about a wide range of subjects; everything from the inspiration for “Full Black” (“I went out to people I knew in the intelligence and special operations community and I said – I write about what keeps me up at night.  This time, though, I want to know – what keeps you up at night?), an update on the adaptation of his Scot Harvath books into films (“We signed a big deal with Warner Brothers in November.”), and his views on Islam (“I’ve never been anti-Islam.  I’m definitely anti-Islamist.  There is a difference.  If you say your religion compels you to go kill people – your interpretation of your religion sucks.”)

After a few questions from the audience, Brad jumped in to signing books.  He was genuinely excited to meet and talk to his fans.  He took time to speak to everyone personally as they reached the table, he took pictures with anyone and everyone who asked, and he was happy to sign as many books as people had brought with them.  In short, he showed true class and an appreciation for those that have read and loved his books over the years.  (In another classy move, he invited any veterans and any parents with small children to come directly to the front of the line.  That, more than anything, impressed me – and spoke to his character.)

As the evening was wrapping up, only I was left, along with quite a few active members of the Thorum – Brad’s online discussion forum.  As I sat and listened to Brad talk with them, I was struck by the camaraderie they all shared.  It was more an easy conversation among friends than a book signing between author and fans.  I realized that I was seeing the true secret to the success of Brad Thor – a desire and willingness to truly connect with people.  To have a conversation – not just give a lecture.

After the event was over, every book signed and every picture taken, Brad was kind enough to spend some time talking with me.  It was great to sit down and chat with him in person.  He has an infectious energy about him and an engaging personality.  It was late, he was feeling a bit under the weather, but he was more than gracious with his time.  I hope you, faithful reader, enjoy our conversation.

My interview with Ty Drago, author of “The Undertakers: Rise of the Corpses”

If you haven’t had a chance to read my review of “The Undertakers: Rise of The Corpses”, you can find it here.  It’s a great new addition to the young adult genre – both because it’s an incredibly entertaining story, and because it’s about zombies.  I had a chance to chat with the Ty Drago, the author of “The Undertakers” recently.  We talked about everything from his inspiration for the novel, to the role his son played in helping him get the characters’ voices to ring true, to – of course – the (real) pending zombie apocalypse.

My interview with Lavinia Ludow, author of “alt.punk”

I’ve said before, one of the reasons I enjoy this blog so much is the opportunity it affords me to meet and interact with authors and artists.  One of the people I’ve had the pleasure to chat with is Lavinia Ludlow, author of “alt.punk”.  (If you haven’t had a chance to read my review of “alt.punk” – you can find it here.)  It’s one of the more engaging interviews I’ve done – Lavinia really made herself emotional accessible in her answers.  We talked about the process of editing the novel and getting it published, some of my criticisms of the book, what the future holds for her, and – of course – the impending zombie apocalypse.  Enjoy!

My interview with Carolyn McCray, author of “30 Pieces of Silver”

If you are a fan of historical thrillers and haven’t read “30 Pieces of Silver” by Carolyn McCray – well, you need to fix that.  It’s one of the more entertaining and original takes on the genre I’ve read in a long while (you can find my review of it here).

I was lucky enough to have the chance to chat with Carolyn recently.  We covered everything from how she approaches writing, her experience in self-publishing, the shocking ending to the book, and – of course – the impending zombie apocalypse.  Enjoy!

My interview with Sarah and Stephanie Snyder from Deer Park Avenue

I recently had a chance to review the debut E.P. from Deer Park Avenue – “City Streets”.  (If you haven’t had a chance to check out my review, you can find it here.)  At the time, I said one of the things I love most about this blog is the opportunity it affords me to meet new authors and artists.  Sarah and Stephanie Snyder from Deer Park Avenue are no exception to that rule.

After I published my review of “City Streets”, Sarah and Stephanie were kind enough to sit down and chat with me.  We covered a wide range of topics; from musical influences, to pop European bands, to – of course – the impending zombie apocalypse.

My Conversation with Brad Thor

New York Times Best-Selling author Brad Thor is one of the most accomplished thriller writers of our day.  His signature character, Scot Harvath, has been entertaining audiences since his debut in 2002.  This year, Brad took the all female covert operations team he introduced in “Foreign Influence” and spun them off into their own book – “The Athena Project”.  I called this team a “lethal combination of beauty, brains, and bullets” in my review (which you can read here).

Brad has spent time as a member of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Unit, is a fellow of the Alexandrian Defense Group, and is a frequent contributor to the Glenn Beck program.  He can now add to his resume – an interviewee and friend of thewordzombie.com.  Just before Christmas I had a chance to talk with Brad about a wide range of topics.  We covered “The Athena Project”, how veterans could help secure our airports, the things that scare him most, why gun owners should be allowed to fly armed, the best non-fiction book he’s ever read, teleportation, why Eric Holder is a coward, and – of course – zombies.  It was one of the more engaging and interesting conversations I’ve had in long while.  I hope you enjoy it.

My interview with Bill Bowen, author of “The Target”

If you have not had the opportunity to read my review of “The Target” by Bill Bowen, you can find it here.  “The Target” is a fresh perspective on the nuclear thriller, and asks questions about the nature of the war on terror and what role, if any, deterrence will play in that conflict.  I had the chance to talk with him recently about the motivations of his characters, the things that scare him most in the world, and – of course – his plans for the coming zombie apocalypse.

My interview with “Planning to Live” author Heather Wardell

If you haven’t had a chance to read my review of “Planning to Live”, you can find it here.  It’s a book about real people, real problems, and contains a message that I think we all need to hear.  I was fortunate to have a chance to chat with Heather Wardell, the author of “Planning to Live”.  There is a little someting for everyone to be found in our talk – from serious to sublime to silly.   We discussed her experience with self-publishing, the importance of “lovely little things” in your life, polar bears, squirrels, and – of course – zombie preparedness.  Enjoy!

My Interview with “Exponential Apocalypse” Author – Eirik Gumeny

When I was asked to review “Exponential Apocalypse” by Eirik Gumeny, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  What I found was a thoroughly entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny book that hit on so many familiar pop culture references, I felt right at home.  How funny was it, you ask?  Check out my review here to see for yourself.

Eirik was kind enough to chat with me recently, and put forth one of my favorite interviews to date, here at The Word Zombie.  It’s a veritable cornucopia of useful information on topics including the mission of Jersey Devil Press, the unlikely savior of Timmy the Super-Squirrel, gang-wars between Munchkins and Ewoks, and  – of course – the impending zombie apocalypse.  It a fun ride – buckle up and read on…