Welcome to Author Meet & Greet

All are welcome here.

Connect with authors through their social media links (if they choose to share them), learn about their writing process, and purchase their works.

The 4 most current interviews are posted here. Older ones may be found under the Archive: Author Meet & Greet on the main page of this blog by the author’s last name.

 

**Jack Ketchum’s Interview from December 2017 is PINNED at the bottom of this page**

 

 

So, without further ado, let’s get to know

Meet & Greet Author:  #140

Michael J. Moore

 

 

Name: Michael J Moore

Genre(s) of your work: Horror, Thriller, Romance, YA

 

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

After the Change – January 2019 (MKM Bridge Press)

Highway Twenty – October 2019 (HellBound Press)

 

Bio:

My books include the bestselling post-apocalyptic novel, After the Change (published by MKM Bridge Press), the horror novel placed on the Bram Stoker Preliminary Ballot 2019 for Superior Achievement in a Novel, Highway Twenty (published by HellBound Books) and the soon to be released thriller Secret Harbor (to be published by Black Rose Writing).

My work has appeared in Blood Moon Rising Magazine, Horrorzine Magazine, Schlock Magazine, Minutes Before Six, Terror House Magazine, Siren’s Call Magazine, Black Petals Horror/Science Fiction Magazine, HellBound Books anthology “Ghosts, Spirits and Specters”, The Electric Press, has been adapted for theater and produced in the Seattle area, is used as curriculum at the University of Washington and has received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest.  This year I also have short stories being released by Rainfall Books, Horror Tree – Trembling with Fear, Transmundane Press, Soteira Press and The University of Chicago, Awakenings Review.  Follow me at https://twitter.com/MichaelJMoore20
https://instagram.com/michaeljmoorewriting.

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

When I discovered I was a writer, I became instantly obsessed with writing anything. I was twenty-nine.  Where did that stem from?  In the third grade, I found a box of dusty Stephen King and V.C. Andrew novels in a closet in my Mom’s bedroom and I used to read every Christopher Pike book I could get my hands on. The entire young adult and horror genres were major influences on me from early on.  I mix them in with my writing without realizing it.

 

 

How has writing changed/altered your life?

Writing certainly hasn’t made me rich.  It really hasn’t altered my life at all, other than to allow me to write what’s in my head.  The stories write themselves and I’m just the vessel that puts them on paper. I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I couldn’t write down what my head is filled with.  It’s always been that way.  It’s only since I met my wife Cait Moore that I’ve been supported and able to send my work to publishers.  I guess you could say that maybe getting my wife to read one of my books (a good chat up line) changed my life because she’s my everything.

 

 

Who are your favorite authors and why?

 Early on, there was R.L. Stein, Stephen King, Christopher Pike. Then J.K. Rowling hit the scene and really raised the bar for YA fiction. I’m a big fan of Joe Hill also.

 

 

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

 I’d like to believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, but they aren’t popular in the UK, where my wife is from and I don’t see many people using them. My children don’t even like them.

 

 

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

Oh, I love bookstores. I think anyone who loves books does.  The problem is that they lack choice and they are so expensive compared to online stores like Amazon or The Book Depository.  Also, when authors host book launches I hear that they can be expensive if books have to be returned.  I certainly know that every time Cait goes into a store to buy a book for the boys, she enjoys the experience but often ends up buying the book online.

 

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

I feel that every writer draws on personal experience of some kind.  It plays a big part in my writing and people who know me will be able to pinpoint certain stories as parts of my life. I guess for the reader it’s going to be rather entertaining for them to try and work out what is based on experience and what is based on my dreams.

 

 

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

Absolutely not.  But I do believe that writing should be honest to the art.  If it’s journalism, it should be honest full stop. Often writers will write what they know the reader wants to read but it’s not exactly the truth.  That bothers me.

 

 

Where can people find you and your work?

People can find me either in Seattle, USA or London, England.  My books After the Change and Highway Twenty can be found on-line on Amazon.  My short stories however can be found in a plethora of magazines, both on-line and in hard form, as outlined in my bio.

 

 

Social Media

https://michaeljmoorewriti.wixsite.com/website
https://www.facebook.com/michaeljmoorewriting
https://twitter.com/MichaelJMoore20
https://instagram.com/michaeljmoorewriting
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-moore-28b800178/

Thanks for stopping by, Michael!

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Cait Moore

 

Name: Cait Moore

Genre(s) of your work: Romance, YA

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

Lake City Way – Ninja Girl (2020)

 

Bio:

Cait Moore, studied commerce and law in Australia and pursued her career in the capital markets in London.  Since she was knee high to a kangaroo, she’s harboured a deep love for the written word.  Her fervent belief in the “one” has led her to explore in her fiction, what binds two hearts and souls.   Hers, belongs to her husband, author, Michael J Moore.   Follow her at www.facebook.com/cait.moore.5477 and caitmoorewriting.wixsite.com/website.

 

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

Actually I write because my husband Michael J Moore writes. He started me on this path and it’s not one that I would have thought I would pursue a few years ago.

 

 

How has writing changed/altered your life?

Writing has given me the ability to be a Mother and have a job that I enjoy. I now feel like I’m learning and growing as a person. Writing is one of those wonderful jobs that can be fitted in and around young children. Hence, I feel like I’m a young person again.

 

 

Who are your favorite authors and why?

That’s easy, my favorite author is my husband, Michael J Moore. His most recent book Highway Twenty was placed on the Preliminary Ballot for Superior Achievement in a Novel in the 2019 Bram Stoker Award.  I’m so proud of him.

 

 

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

I love audiobooks. I used them a lot when I was pregnant with my children as I was nauseous and found it difficult to read. I really like that they can be paused and easily continued, unlike the days of cds when I was constantly falling asleep and having to find my place.

 

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

I’m not very fond of mainstream bookstores because I don’t have time to walk in and not find what I am looking for.  I buy all of my books on-line as it’s quick and I can browse very easily.

 

 

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

Actually, there is no personal experience in my writing. It’s all my imagination or ideas I’ve discussed with my husband. I don’t even used names of situations I’ve encountered. I like to live a different life through my books because as a Mother, I don’t get much time for myself and certainly not for entertainment.

 

 

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

I do believe writing should be censored but not heavily.  There are some topics which I believe are private and should be aired in certain places but not in every medium. That being said, I believe in freedom of speech so the question of censorship pulls me in two directions.

 

 

Where can people find you and your work?

People can find me in London, England and if I’m on holidays in Australia with my family on their sugar cane farm.  My book Lake City Way – Ninja Girl has just been published by Floricanto Press.

 

 

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/cait.moore.5477  
https://twitter.com/CaitMoore7
https://instagram.com/caitmoorewriting  

 

 

 

Thank you, Cait, for sharing with us!

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Bill Mathis

 

 

Name: Bill Mathis

Genre(s) of your work: Everything I write deals with family, warts and all, and usually includes a LGBTQ character(s). Genres include: Fiction, LGBTQ fiction, Historical fiction, Family saga with Psychological Mystery, LGBTQ plus disability fiction.

 

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

Face Your Fears – 2018

The Rooming House Diaries – Life, Love & Secrets – 2019

The Rooming House Gallery – Connecting the Dots – 2020 (June)

Revenge is Necessary – 2020 (December)

All published through Rogue Phoenix Press

Bio:

The oldest of seven children, I was raised a PK (Preacher’s Kid) in a tiny town in Michigan filled with large families. I spent 23 years directing YMCA camps for the Chicago Metro YMCA which included working with diverse families, children and the disabled. Following the Y camps, I directed and worked at SOS Children’s Villages Illinois, a foster care agency, in Lockport and Chicago, Illinois. I earned Associate degrees and a Bachelor’s from Northwood University and a Masters in Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University.

My writing won the 2015 Jade Ring Contest for the Wisconsin Writers Association and the 2019 First Chapter Award from the Chicago Writers Association, plus other local and state awards. I have also won local and statewide awards for my photography. I have 2 daughters, a step-daughter and 3 grandchildren, 20 nephews and nieces and approximately 40 great nephews and nieces. And people wonder why I write about families…I retired and began writing at age 65. I live with my partner in Beloit, Wisconsin and enjoy writing, reading, photography, volunteering and traveling. I have visited 42 states and over 25 countries and hope to travel more. I have 2 more books in progress and several more kicking around in my feeble mind.

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I started out writing nonfiction. I thought I should write what I know. I’ve had an interesting life and have tons of stories to tell. I was working on a memoir, writing about how I came out as gay in my early sixties (not the 1960’s), how hard it was for some family members to accept, when the massacre at the Florida nightclub, The Pulse, occurred. It triggered some things I’d been told supposedly based on the Bible, so I set the memoir aside. I do have plans to finish it. However, in the process, I realized I could work a lot of events from my life into fiction. Writing what one knows isn’t necessarily telling the same thing with different names and places, but can be using the experiences, the underlying issues, sentiments, atmosphere, and people’s traits. Plus, making things up is fun! Side note: I told my then 89-year old mother (since deceased) how much fun writing fiction was and she replied, “That’s how we raised you seven kids. We made it up as went along.”

I love writing about families, dysfunctional, secrets, problem children, big families. I work in observations from all my years, plus issues I conjure up. I include diversity, DNA, and non-DNA in my families. I think that’s where most families are at or will be soon. Of the 40-some great nephews & nieces in my family, 25% are of mixed race. I like dealing with the situations families face, disability, homosexuality, religion, race, late in life kids, small towns, big city living, employment and historical issues.

Not sure that answers the question, but right now, I’m writing fiction in various genres.

 

 

How has writing changed/altered your life?

It’s been fantastic. I had two wonderful careers and writing is like starting another one, though not a financial supporting one! Thankfully, I have a comfortable retirement plan that allows me to write without worrying about having to earn my support from book sales. I have met wonderful writers and readers. I keep in contact with them through social media, conferences and my own book events. Writing keeps me off the streets and out of the bars. It keeps my mind working and occupied. I’m continually learning new things in the process of doing research. Did you know that the pebbles of deer scat (poop) are smaller than those of a rabbit? I keep waiting for that question at our trivia group, but it hasn’t been asked yet. Someday…And I’ll be ready! No, I didn’t write a book on deer scat, but it is mentioned in my upcoming one. I have better examples of things I’ve learned. If I can remember them…

 

 

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Whatever book I’m currently reading and loving is my favorite author. I don’t keep a list. Suffice it to say, it’s a diverse group as I’m quite eclectic in what I read. My website has a list of books I’ve read, reviewed and an out of date list of some of the authors I’ve read. Prior to becoming an author, I read mostly nonfiction. Now, I read mostly fiction. There are so many wonderful books available today. My To Be Read shelves and Kindle are jammed. Yes, I read hand held books and eBooks. Love them both.

 

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

Somewhere in between. I have friends who love them and have the ability to focus while doing something else, like driving. I’d end up in a cornfield if I was listening while driving. Guess I’m not too adept at multi-tasking. I have used them on long flights and enjoyed them. I think they’re hear  here to stay and are an important piece of book enjoyment.

 

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

It seems that lately, independent bookstores are making a strong comeback, as some of the brick and mortar chains shrink. Hopefully the economic issues related to Coved-19 don’t ruin the independents. The online stores control the industry for most of us. Rogue Phoenix Press, my publisher, links to Amazon for Print On Demand books. So, I’m indirectly tied in with Amazon whether I like it or not.

 

 

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

A tremendous amount. I work in some of my personal experiences, but more than that I write the atmosphere, the traits of a character, the issues I’ve encountered either directly or indirectly or that come to mind. Some of the pain I’ve experienced in some situations is important in my writing, as are the joys, the highs and lows, the flat spots. Being raised a PK in a tiny town during the peak of the baby boom where any family with only two children were thought to have fertility problems, working with all the diversity of the Chicago YMCA in their camps, working in foster care, two divorces, kids, step, grandkids, supervising staff and volunteers, hiring/firing, nonprofit boards, and more has warped my mind to the extent that I’d be institutionalized if I didn’t write…Does that sound too dramatic?

 

 

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

No. Trigger Warnings should be used if the work is something that might be offensive to some.

 

 

Where can people find you and your work?

My website: http://billmathiswriteretc.com

My author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillMathisWritersEtc/

My ‘normal???’ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william.mathis.984

My blog: http://billmathiswriteretc.com/blog/

My email: billmathiswriter@gmail.com

Twitter: I do very little on it, trying to save the planet from excess verbiage – @billmathiswrit1

Thanks for sharing, Bill!

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Eli Steele

Your Name: Eli Steele

 

Genre(s) of your work: Fantasy

 

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):

Blood & Iron (ongoing series) 2019-2020.

 

Bio:

I’m a husband, father, and fantasy fiction author. When I can get away, I like to kayak fish from my Hobie.

 

Why do you write in the genre that you do?

I try to write things I enjoy, and I’ve always loved a good fantasy book.

 

How has writing changed/altered your life?

I tend to take in content – books, shows, etc. – differently now, and find myself considering the plot and story arc more. Writers also daydream differently – we tend to spend our free time thinking up more lies. 😉

 

Who are your favorite authors and why?

I like my authors with four letters, like JRRT and GRRM. John and George are incredible world builders; I enjoy getting lost in their writing.

 

Do you believe that audiobooks are the wave of the future, more of a passing fad, or somewhere in between and why?

In a world as busy as ours, audiobooks are an opportunity to reach an audience that may otherwise never pick up a book. They’re here to stay.

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

Several years from now, I don’t know if any of our opinions will matter. Bookstores in general are a round peg in today’s square world.

 

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

I’ve never manned a shield wall or stood down a cavalry charge, but my emotional experiences certainly influence my work. I think that’s what we mean when we say things like, “Write what you know.”

 

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

Perhaps they should, but the bigger problem is – who decides? Today’s censorer is tomorrow’s censored, so I think it best to let the market decide for the most part.

 

Where can people find you and your work?

Find me on Amazon! Part 1 of my series is currently free: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XCTWXLH/

Website: https://elisteele.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @Elisteele17

Reddit: u/elisteele000

Email: elisteele000@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by, Eli!

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Jack Ketchum (PINNED – Interviewed in December 2017)

 

Name: Dallas Mayr

Pseudonym (if you use one): Jack Ketchum

Genre(s) of your work: Horror and Suspense (and the occasional Black Comedy.)

Titles/Year of Published Work(s):  Writing professionally since 1970, first fiction 1976, first novel, OFF SEASON, 1981.

Bio: see my website http://www.jackketchum.net/and add to that, Most Recent Novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF SOULS, written with Lucky McKee and Most Recent Collection, GORILLA IN MY ROOM.

Why do you write in the genre that you do?  

I grew up loving fantasy, and horror is the dark side of fantasy.

How has writing changed/altered your life? The usual perks of self-employment — no punching the time clock, no damn bosses hovering over your desk.  But in addition to that, writing mandates continual periods of self-examination.  You don’t easily get away with lying to yourself on the page.  It requires you to scour your history and your present for your deepest faults and pleasures, to reveal and revel in them, to find the strengths in your life and work from there, reaching outward.

Who are your favorite authors and why?

Far too many to list here.  I read all over the place and consequently my favorite writers come from all genres and backgrounds, from Henry Miller to Gabriel Garcia Marquez, from Raymond Chandler, Elmore Leonard and John D. MacDonald to Thomas Hardy, Philip Roth, Michael Chabon, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter Straub and Stephen King.  Why?  Because they’re smart, empathic, courageous.  Because they’re good!

What is your opinion of mainstream/corporate bookstores?

I wish we had a lot more mom-and-pop, brick-and-mortar bookstores.  I seriously miss browsing.

What do you hope your readers will take away from your work?

The need for empathy and tenderness in the world, that the souls of beasts and humans matter.  And a few hours of just plain fun.

How much does personal experience play in your written work?

Depends on the piece.  Some, like THE GIRL NEXT DOOR and RED, are highly personal, others…?  I don’t know where the hell they came from!

How do you find the motivation to complete a book/story?  

Finishing a piece is almost always easy.  It’s getting started that’s hard.  Getting all your ducks in a row and then having the balls and suspension of disbelief  to say to yourself, this is really going to work.

What makes you NOT finish reading a book?

I give books a first paragraph test.  If it passes, then a first chapter test.  If it passes that, I’ll almost always finish the book — I can tell from there that I’m going to want to.   If it fails I scuttle it immediately.  Very occasionally, too much repetition will make me dump it.  I don’t want to waste reading-time.  Too much good stuff out there.

Do you believe writing should be censored – that some topics should remain taboo?

Nothing should ever be censored.  Everything is worth discussing.  How long a discussion is another matter entirely.

Any pet peeves in writing? In reading others’ work?

 Life’s short.  I don’t bother with peeves.  If I’m bored, I just close the book.

Where can people find you and your work?

Website, see above. I have a list of published works there.   Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/jackketchumofficial/ Twitter, https://twitter.com/jackketchum Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ketchum

 

What can I say?

I am honored to have snagged a bit of Jack Ketchum’s time, for him to share his thoughts and words with me (and my readers), and for his participation in a blog such as this one. Thank you so much – for the interview as well as your writing. It has and continues to be an inspiration.

Readers, I implore you to look into Jack Ketchum’s work, especially if you are a horror/suspense fan. From the mouth of Stephen King – “Who’s the scariest guy in America? Probably Jack Ketchum.”