Discover FEAR: An Interview with indie author Brandon Swarrow
I'm thrilled (as in bone-chilling 'thriller' - you see, it's to do with FEAR!) to host Brandon Swarrow, one of the 60 wonderful horror fiction authors who are part of the FEAR Halloween charity anthology published by Crooked Cat. Just in time...
FEAR: A Modern Anthology of Horror and Terror is available in paperback and electronic formats in two volumes, and features creepy, spooky, and horribly terrifying short stories. ~hides~
As the FEAR Blog Tour is well under way, Brandon tells us a little bit about his story, Disturbance of the Natural Pecking Order, published in Volume 1. See what he has to say... and make sure to check out the story!
1. Without going all spoilery on us, can you tell us a little about your short story?
Disturbance of the Natural Pecking Order is the story of an evolutionary uber-bully preying on a new victim.
2. What was the inspiration behind this story?
Public schools continue to spend countless hours campaigning to put an end to all bullying (and cyber bullying). I believe this may actually be harmful over time as individuals do not learn the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with adversities in life. Thus, society just pumps out timid weakling after weakling, while the predators who are consistently denied their quarry get more creative.
3. How did you become involved in the FEAR anthology?
I subscribed to duotrope weekly and Crooked Cat Publishing was advertising for horror submissions.
4. Describe your protagonist in three words.
Upbeat –Toilet – Seat
5. What is your favourite part of the writing process?
I love the challenge that exists in trying to create something that has not been done.
6. Who is your favourite author? And why?
Chuck Palahniuk, he proved that there is a place for innovation and creative freedom in literature.
7. Did anyone ever tell you not to quit your day job? If so, is there a special message you'd like to send them now that you're a published author?
No message for the haters…yet. Perhaps when The ThrillPlex Theater is the number one movie in the world I will address them.
8. If you could have dinner with any one of your characters who would it be? And what on earth would you say?
“Hey Hugo Brody,” from the novel Hugo Read This! “Keep doing what you’re doing. Your sinful behaviour is just a joy for all of us to watch.”
9. If you could choose just one book to leave for future generations, what would it be?
The Catcher in the Rye – There is just something about that book.
10. Is FEAR your writing debut? If not, can you tell us a little about your previous work? What can we expect from you in the future?
I’ve self-published three short fiction novels. All I can say about them really is they are very much different. I’ve also had some other flash fiction published through online magazines. One in particular was titled Toy Stormy, but the publisher feared the almighty Disney machine so much that they made me change the title to Toy Stormy and the Forbidden Closet.
I am currently working on a book of humorous short stories, though I’m finding out exactly how difficult it is to WRITE funny.
11. And finally, the Apocalypse is here. The world has been overrun with Zombies or Vampires or some other freakish thing that wants to chow down on humanity. Before the human race is completely eradicated you get to save two literary legends (don't ask me why you can only save bookish people, I don't make the rules) who do you save?
Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne – I guess I’d have to bring them back first, but hey this is literature…there are no rules.
Brandon Swarrow Bio:
Brandon Swarrow is a high school English teacher who attempts to create works that provoke some type of profound thinking. In addition to a few poems, he has published several short stories via online magazines.
He is also now the creator of three different/deranged fiction novels; The Barn, Hugo Read This! and most recently The ThrillPlex Theater. Brandon currently resides near Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Michelle and two children.
Website: http://authorbrandonswarrow.webs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugo.brody?ref=tn_tnmn
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be very afraid...
FEAR: A Modern Anthology of Horror and Terror is available in paperback and electronic formats in two volumes, and features creepy, spooky, and horribly terrifying short stories. ~hides~
As the FEAR Blog Tour is well under way, Brandon tells us a little bit about his story, Disturbance of the Natural Pecking Order, published in Volume 1. See what he has to say... and make sure to check out the story!
1. Without going all spoilery on us, can you tell us a little about your short story?
Disturbance of the Natural Pecking Order is the story of an evolutionary uber-bully preying on a new victim.
2. What was the inspiration behind this story?
Public schools continue to spend countless hours campaigning to put an end to all bullying (and cyber bullying). I believe this may actually be harmful over time as individuals do not learn the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with adversities in life. Thus, society just pumps out timid weakling after weakling, while the predators who are consistently denied their quarry get more creative.
3. How did you become involved in the FEAR anthology?
I subscribed to duotrope weekly and Crooked Cat Publishing was advertising for horror submissions.
4. Describe your protagonist in three words.
Upbeat –Toilet – Seat
5. What is your favourite part of the writing process?
I love the challenge that exists in trying to create something that has not been done.
6. Who is your favourite author? And why?
Chuck Palahniuk, he proved that there is a place for innovation and creative freedom in literature.
7. Did anyone ever tell you not to quit your day job? If so, is there a special message you'd like to send them now that you're a published author?
No message for the haters…yet. Perhaps when The ThrillPlex Theater is the number one movie in the world I will address them.
8. If you could have dinner with any one of your characters who would it be? And what on earth would you say?
“Hey Hugo Brody,” from the novel Hugo Read This! “Keep doing what you’re doing. Your sinful behaviour is just a joy for all of us to watch.”
9. If you could choose just one book to leave for future generations, what would it be?
The Catcher in the Rye – There is just something about that book.
10. Is FEAR your writing debut? If not, can you tell us a little about your previous work? What can we expect from you in the future?
I’ve self-published three short fiction novels. All I can say about them really is they are very much different. I’ve also had some other flash fiction published through online magazines. One in particular was titled Toy Stormy, but the publisher feared the almighty Disney machine so much that they made me change the title to Toy Stormy and the Forbidden Closet.
I am currently working on a book of humorous short stories, though I’m finding out exactly how difficult it is to WRITE funny.
11. And finally, the Apocalypse is here. The world has been overrun with Zombies or Vampires or some other freakish thing that wants to chow down on humanity. Before the human race is completely eradicated you get to save two literary legends (don't ask me why you can only save bookish people, I don't make the rules) who do you save?
Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne – I guess I’d have to bring them back first, but hey this is literature…there are no rules.
Brandon Swarrow Bio:
Brandon Swarrow is a high school English teacher who attempts to create works that provoke some type of profound thinking. In addition to a few poems, he has published several short stories via online magazines.
He is also now the creator of three different/deranged fiction novels; The Barn, Hugo Read This! and most recently The ThrillPlex Theater. Brandon currently resides near Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Michelle and two children.
Website: http://authorbrandonswarrow.webs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugo.brody?ref=tn_tnmn
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a Kindle e-copy of FEAR Volume 1 or 2,
or a $50 AUD Amazon gift voucher.
Open internationally!
a Rafflecopter giveawayor a $50 AUD Amazon gift voucher.
Open internationally!
FEAR: A Modern Anthology of Horror and Terror is now available on Amazon UK and Amazon US, and in a range of electronic formats on Crooked Cat Books!
Be very afraid...
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Fab interview, Brandon! Me, I'm not a horror story person. I hide behind cushions and just peek out long enough to get the drift...
ReplyDeleteFab to be part of the FEAR blog tour!