Spotlight Saturday: Author Interview and Giveaway with Steven Shrewsbury

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another edition of Spotlight Saturday at Darlene's Book Nook, where we feature authors and their books!

We will be joined today by Steven Shrewsbury.

About Steven:

Steven L. Shrewsbury is a fantasy and horror author who has well over 300 tales published online or in print.  He is the creator of  Dack Shannon and the Majestic Universe, as well as the novels Tormentor (Lachesis Publishing), Hawg (Graveside Tales) and Stronger Than Death (Snuff Books). 

He has appeared in many anthologies, most recently Harlan County Horrors from Apex Publications.  Other anthologies include Deathgrip: Legacy of Terror from Hellbound books; Blackest Death-Vol I from BDB; the high fantasy epic Grimoire De Solace from iUniverse, the hardback Cemetery Poets, Scary, Atrocitas Aqua from DDP.

For more information on Steven L. Shrewsbury, please visit his website at www.stevenshrewsbury.com.

Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, Steven!

Please tell us a little about yourself. 

I’m a blue-collar guy from Midwest America who shoots from the hip and connects. I love my family and work hard to make everyone happy. I’ve been telling stories since I can remember. I’m not very PC, but the world needs a helmet, anyway. I’m happier reading about folks that died thousands or years ago or never existed than the current news. I adore cold beer, action movies, weird history and redheads. 


Do you have a specific writing style? Is your ending clearly in your mind as you write, and do you build your story towards that? Or are you open to exploring where the story will take you as a writer? 

Writing in first or third person dictates different strokes in the telling, but I try to get a story out and down, then dress it up in revises. I usually have a clear ending in mind to start with, but at times, the yarn tells itself a bit differently. There’s usually a DANG! moment as I go where things dictate, in a great new direction. 

Do you discipline yourself to write a certain number of words daily, or does your writing ebb and flow? 

I try to write every day, but I’m not a slave to word counts. If it isn’t gonna come out, it won’t. 

What is your ideal writing environment? Do you prefer music or  solitude? Is there a time of day (or night) that you prefer? 

I can write anywhere. While I usually am at the big computer at home, in my front room at the desk, I can write on the lap top in a laundromat, an airport or in my mother’s chemo sessions. Silence is ok but at times I have the news, sports radio or kids shows in the background. No biggie, either here or there. Better in the day. 

I see from your bio that you have well over 300 tales published online or in print. Wow! Where do you get your inspiration? 

Tales can come from anywhere: Offhand comments by folks, lines in songs, the weather, a news report, or real life weirdness. I get inspired easily I suppose. Some ideas develop over time but other appear crystal clear. 

What was the hardest part of writing Thrall? 

The next to last chapter. It proved emotional and I never get that way in writing. I’m very fond of the character of Gorias and he’ll return. 

Are any of the characters based on someone you know? 

A few body types sneak into the works, or maybe a personality here & there. Sometimes, I need a form or frame to work on. No one would ever really know. Do I kill people I don’t like as bad folks in my tales? ‘Course not. Did I mention I’m sarcastic sometimes? 

Can you tell us a little about your current and upcoming writing projects? 

A prequel to THRALL called OVERKILL will be released by Seventh Star Press in 2012. Be on the look out for some eBook short stories from Seventh Star featuring Gorias La Gaul from THRALL, too. A reconstruction era horror/mystery novel HELL BILLY will come out from Bad Moon Books next year. In time, they’ll release a horror western of mine called LAST MAN SCREAMING. Also, my collab with Peter Welmerink, BEDLAM UNLEASHED, about a crazed Norse Merc will soon see the light of day. I’m currently revising or redrafting a couple books and writing a brand new one. 

What do you like to do when you are not writing? 

I work a great deal, but I’ve been known to play war games with my kids using foam darts. I’m a huge football fan, too. Plus, I enjoy being outside, unlike many trolls these days. 

Who is your favourite author and what really strikes you about their work? 

Robert E. Howard. His pure storytelling ability still rules the roost. I’m not even talking Conan. Read his horror tales, too. He told the tale, simple and to the soul. 

What book are you reading now? 

Joe Abercrombie’s BEFORE THEY WERE HANGED, Norm Partridge’s JOHNNY HALLOWEEN: Tales of the Dark Season and ENGLAND UNDER THE TUDORS. 

If you could jump into a book and live in any fantasy realm, what would it be? 

Perhaps Narnia. I could survive there. In Hyboria, I could be King. Perhaps Burrough MARS. 

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers? 

Wait until you see what happens next. 

*Fun Facts*

Favourite food? Steak, potatoes, apple pie. 
 
Dog-lover or cat-lover? Dog; have a miniature Schnauzer. Not a cat dude really. 

Vanilla ice cream or chocolate? Chocolate out of the bowl. Vanilla off the body. Oh my! Did I mention that I have a pail of vanilla in the freezer? ;)

If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be? Karl Edward Wagner. I think we’d get along great.

Your worst vice? Beer after work or food late at night.
 
The craziest thing I ever did was... Oh, how much space do I have here? One might be jumping in a tank of water after midnight at a traveling carnival…then being pursued by a half dozen midget carnies down a dark street. That was pretty bright.

If I could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, I would go to... Israel or maybe Alaska. I think I’d dig both places.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Steven! It was a lot of fun getting to know you better, and I'm looking forward to reading Thrall! 

Giveaway: 

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Steven's book, Thrall!

This giveaway is limited to entries from Canada and the United States only (sorry international folks).

SYNOPSIS:

Set in the mists of ancient times, Thrall tells the story of Gorias La Gaul, an aging warrior who has lived for centuries battling the monstrosities of legend and lore. It is an age when the Nephilum walk the earth, demonic forces hunger to be unleashed, and dragons still soar through the skies … living and undead.

On a journey to find one of his own blood, a young man who is caught in the shadow of necromancy, Gorias' path crosses with familiar enemies, some of whom not even death can hold bound. Thrall is gritty, dark-edged heroic fantasy in the vein of Robert E. Howard and David Gemmell. It is a maelstrom of hard-hitting action and unpredictable imagery, taking place within an incredible antediluvian world. In Gorias La Gaul, Thrall introduces an iconic new character to the realms of fantasy literature.

Thrall invites the reader to go on a perilous journey where it is not a matter of whether one has the courage to die, but whether one has the courage to live.

To enter the giveaway, you must complete the Rafflecopter entry form below.

This giveaway is limited to entries from Canada and the United States only, and it will close on Saturday, October 29th at 12:01 AM EST.