Author Interview: Mark Scioneaux

Mark Scioneaux is a pioneer in today's horror literature market. As a popular horror author, Mark, along with Robert Shane Wilson and Jennifer Wilson, has been able to attract top talent to his publishing company, Nightscape Press. He has recently started a zombie serial that opens with its first episode, Hollow Shell. Mark was willing to share the story behind this thrilling zombie epic.

Synopsis of Hollow Shell:

Hollow Shell follows the journey of Chris and Dawn as they navigate through a world devastated by a zombie outbreak. Chris needs to get to West Virginia to make sure his wife is okay. The problem is they are in Louisiana. They will set out on a journey where they'll encounter zombies, humans—both friendly and maniacal—and other obstacles that get in their path. They will also learn about themselves and grow closer, something which may or may not be a good thing. 

INTERVIEW:

V: You’re obviously a man who wears many hats; tell us about the most rewarding experience you've had while engineering the rise of your company, Nightscape Press.

MS: Nightscape Press has been a rewarding experience for so many reasons. For starters, my business partners Robert Shane Wilson and Jennifer Wilson are two of the most brilliant, hard-working people I know. Together, we have created a product that we are proud of and so are our authors.

What's rewarding to me is knowing I've done right by those who've trusted us with their book. When they get excited by good reviews, I get excited. I'm helping make their dream a reality, but I couldn't do it without their trust. Nightscape is taking off, but the authors we work with deserve a fair share of the credit to its success.

Hollow Shell is a very unique title for a zombie story. Can you describe how the title connects to the characters and events that happen within its pages?

I wanted to stay away from cliché titles such as "Blank of the Dead," or anything too zombie related. The words hollow shell stuck out to me because they represent two things. One is being the zombies themselves as just shells of their former life. But also, the humans who survive are stuck in the same mold. They are different, and as life goes on, they become dead and hollow on the inside. It's how I think people would become when faced with the destruction of their routine lives.

If you were to compare your protagonist, Chris, to any popular film or book characters, who would you choose? Why?

I wanted to make Chris somewhat relatable to the reader. He's just an average guy who is skilled in certain things, but in others not so much. He's your prototypical survivor. He's not a police officer, or a soldier, or some master of combat. For some reason, the image of Joseph Gordon-Levitt pops into my mind. When I created him, I used myself as the base for him. I obviously don't look like JGL, but I wanted to see what decisions would I make if faced with this journey Chris is about to undertake. I think in the end I created a relatable, but unique, character.

Popular media has convinced some people that a zombie apocalypse really could happen; how do you take an unreal scenario and make the terror your characters face seem authentic so that readers can experience it?

The unreal scenario is flesh-eating ghouls hunting you relentlessly. A very real scenario is a total collapse of society. Though my story features zombies, they are by no means the main threat. I want my readers to think about what would happen and how different life would be if all the laws and rules of society no longer applied. How would people act? Would they become total anarchist, or stick to their morals? Chris and Dawn will encounter plenty of these people, and along the way, they will both be tested morally. Sometimes the decisions will be easy, but there will be some very hard choices to make as well.

I feel what's lost on the public who fantasize about a zombie apocalypse is the dangers humans would present. I feel they would be far more ruthless and deadlier than the zombies.

A lot of zombie stories depict societal collapse and its implications, but your story seems to focus on a conflict between man and nature. Can we expect a different sort of conflict to be highlighted through the series, or will other conflicts add to the challenges that Chris will face?

I wanted to do things a bit different in showing real emotions within the main character, Chris. He will have conflict with his feelings for his parents, the outbreak, Dawn, his wife, and a deeper struggle understanding God through tragedy.

Along the way, various conflicts will arise from the many scenarios they will find themselves in. In Part 1 I focus on the zombies being dangerous. In Part 2, I focus more on the human aspect of an outbreak. Each part will introduce something new while sticking to the same plot line.

With so many zombie novels on the market, what makes your new serial stand out?

A few things, I think. The first is the attention I pay to character detail and development. I love a good "crunch and munch" zombie tale, and Hollow Shell has its fair share of gore and blood, but the main focus is the characters living in this new world. I believe this is why products such as The Walking Dead have been so successful and while I'm not saying this is the next The Walking Dead, I do think if you're a fan of one, you'll be a fan of the other.

With self-publishing came a wave of poorly written and edited zombie books. I've had my story edited twice and proofread numerous times. If there are typos or errors, I tried my best to catch them.

Lastly, I just haven't seen that many serial-type books on the market. I think this could be something people follow and get into. I hope so, anyway.

Do you often follow a process when you create one of your stories? Did you do anything differently with Hollow Shell?

I tend to outline my stories in great detail, and Hollow Shell was no exception. An outline helps me follow a path and reduces the chance of writer's block. Though the outline is thorough, I still change things up and add or delete if I feel inclined to. That's what is so exciting for me regarding this serial. I don't even know where it will end up, but I have some ideas.

Finally, do you have any advice for new writers?

Other than the normal "write every day" advice, I'd say believe in what you write and have confidence in your abilities. Also, write for yourself and no one else. Never give your work for free (unless helping a friend or donating to a charitable cause), and always proofread your work prior to submitting for publication.

Hollow Shell: Part Two is set for a January 2013 release.

BIO:

Mark C. Scioneaux is employed as an industrial hygienist by day and a horror writer by night.

He is the author of numerous short stories appearing in various anthologies by Blood Bound Books, Severed Press, Evil Jester Press, and others. He is also the author of the thrilling zombie novel, HOLLOW POINT, and the editor of the anthology, BIGFOOT TALES, under the name Mark Christopher. His smash-hit novelette, The Glass Coffin is available for download on Kindle. His newest novel, THE CITY OF WOE: THE EPIC TALE OF DANTE’S JOURNEY THROUGH HELL, is currently being shopped to numerous publishers. His zombie serial, HOLLOW SHELL, was published to Kindle in October.

He is the founder of Horror for Good: A Charitable Anthology.  Teaming up with Cutting Block Press, they will send all proceeds from book sales to amfAR, an international AIDS charity. It features some of the biggest names in horror and several stars on the rise. He is a co-owner of Nightscape Press, and a member of the Horror Writers Association.

He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his wife, Jessica.

Links:

To Buy Hollow Shell: Part 1 -

http://www.amazon.com/Hollow-Shell-Zombie-Epic-ebook/dp/B009QRX20I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350429640&sr=8-1&keywords=hollow+shell+zombies

Talk about it on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HollowShellAZombieEpic

Friend the Author :https://www.facebook.com/mscioneaux

Vampire Manga: Author Spotlight on Amelia Mah

VAMPIRE MANGA!!!!

FANGS RULE

A self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!!!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT AMAZON!!!

VAMPIRE

Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT AMAZON!!!


About the Author


The Author Amelia Mah is a 20 something snarky, sarcastic and cynical author who has a very popular blog of how she sees the world from the point of view of a modern teenage vampire Following the success of her first book "FANGS RULE A girls guide to being a vampire" she had now expanded the idea of life as a teenage vampire into a full novel Amelia has given her avatar her own name so you can see the world first hand from a very bored teenage vampire that has been forced to remain a teenager for far too long She may have very good teeth and the ability to hang from ceilings but life is far from easy. Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. 

Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).

LINKS: 

Email: amymahvampire@aol.com

Website: www.fangsrule.com

Goodreads links

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9676513-fangs-rule

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15751638-amy-mah-vampire

blog: http://amymahvampire.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/AmyMahVampire

FB https://www.facebook.com/ladyameliamah

Web http://www.fangsrule.com

Death and Literature

            I just sent in the manuscript of Necropolis Now to the editor. My fingers are still shaking, and I feel the need to type a sort of confession. A scream against the creative world. Something else needs to be said…

            I thought I knew how to cope with character deaths after writing my first two books, because the characters who died in those books… I wasn't too surprised, although I did try to save them. In this case, however, there were things I just couldn't do. I felt helpless too many times as my characters faced insurmountable odds. These characters literally died on the computer screen in front of me, and no matter how much I wanted to bring them back, to do something for them, I just… couldn't.

            Characters are not killed off. A series of events leads to their demise.

            In a good story, it happens all the time. One of my favorite shows, Boardwalk Empire, pits characters on a sure-fire collision course with doom, and as a viewer, you keep thinking these people will overcome their own flaws and save themselves, but it never happens. You are a witness to their destruction.

            Is that what Shakespeare wanted of his audience? To watch his doomed characters grasp the truth right before they realize their folly? Macbeth dreams of success and Hamlet contemplates suicide, and because we know them, we understand that there is no way out for them. We watch, horrified and captivated, as they walk the edge of an abyss throughout an entire story before plunging into it forever.        

            We often like to think, "What if?" I think it's a rather silly proposition, because to contemplate an alternative would be to deny truth itself. For example, I watched the hapless Detroit Lions lose yet again on Thanksgiving this year, and there were too many Lions fans wondering what might have happened if a certain play had been blown dead when it should have been… but it wasn't. History cannot be changed, yet our perception of it can.

            Too many topics. Head is spinning. A book has been written, and with my shaking fingers, I have committed lives to the void of eternal literature. Before my characters died, so did Romeo, and Othello… and we cannot save them.
            The horror genre has an opportunity to transcend the accomplishments of the authors who helped establish the modern standard. In other words, a new standard can be achieved, although I would argue, in a separate and more lengthy blog post, that horror has been severely weakened by these "giants." There are too many stories that feature character death for the sake of shock value, and characters that are, themselves, relatively useless as far as plot and theme are concerned. One of the greatest elements of literature--the tragic hero--consists of a character whose flaws make them believably human, though because of their imperfection, their fate is written into the very first chapter.
              While I won't get on a rant about The Walking Dead here (I despise the show, but I will discuss that at a later date), I should mention that American Horror Story gives us a thematic enterprise that entertains while making character action, and death, relevant to the story's concept. I believe this show has both masterful storytelling and professional acting. I only mention the two television shows because they do provide opportunities to observe meaningful character death within a story. As much as I don't like TWD, I did find Shane's demise to be meaningful and well-written... I just gave the show too many chances because I was locked into the crowd mentality regarding the show's success, no matter how much I had to convince myself that it was good.
               Another popular author, George R. R. Martin, has mastered the art of character death within the fantasy genre. Yes! Genre fiction! If we may treat Tolkien's work as literature, than I believe Martin is just as relevant. The characters who die in his work do not die randomly, as many people mistakenly complain. Their deaths are inevitable from the first moment we read about them! We should not be surprised when characters die within his story; the problem is that most stories don't feature major character death until the climax or conclusion, but within a series, character death takes on a whole new meaning because the events are NOT centered around ONE character. As far as horror authors are concerned, I will give Jack Ketchum credit for writing meaningful character deaths. Of course, a book that concentrates on one major character cannot delve too far into this territory... I am mostly talking about pieces that utilize an ensemble.
             My intention was to keep this post brief, considering that I could easily write an entire dissertation on the subject with some ease. The point is simply this: horror can become a relevant LITERARY genre if we consider that characters die beyond the control of the author, and death can be significant, and not a useless mechanism for gore or action. I wanted to leave some room for discussion, and perhaps some of you might be willing to share experiences about authors whose use of character death was executed well.
             Stay tuned for further rants that are also incredibly opinionated...

Review: Hollow Shell Part 1-By Mark Scioneaux

Synopsis: 

Hollow Shell follows the journey of Chris and Dawn as they navigate through a world devastated by a zombie outbreak. Chris needs to get to West Virginia to make sure his wife is okay. The problem is they are in Louisiana. They will set out on a journey where they'll encounter zombies, humans—both friendly and maniacal—and other obstacles that get in their path. They will also learn about themselves and grow closer, something which may or may not be a good thing.  

Click here to purchase at Amazon!

Amazon Stars: 5/5 

Any  hypothetical apocalypse scenario would prove to be devastating on several levels. Indeed… that's why it's the apocalypse! The oft-maligned zombie scenario has recently come under serious fire, as thousands of books flood the market, some of them seemingly published by anyone can type a letter onto a computer screen. However this may be true, the zombie apocalypse remains a harrowing nightmare within our imaginations, and the human tragedy inherent in such a disaster is addressed in all its terror by author Mark Scioneaux.

Hollow Shell is a zombie epic broken down into several episodes, and the first one introduces us to the overwhelming emotional toll that any sudden, natural disaster might inflict upon the survivors. We meet Chris, and we are thrust into the maelstrom of emotional torment that shreds his soul. In this first episode, zombies serve as a catalyst for the conflict protagonist to realize his own horror, and the guilt of remaining alive while so many others are gone.

In this book, the dialogue is well-delivered, although I would have liked for a lot of the expository information to be spread out over a longer period of time. I almost felt like I was forced to know everything there is to know about these characters in a short amount of time, leaving little to mystery. However, the author brings Dawn and Christ to life so that might be able to experience the remainder of the thrill-ride with people we're going to care about… which will only enhance the sense of dread that hangs over every word on the page.

Anyone who has ever survived or endured a difficult, life-changing event will be able to relate to "Hollow Shell," which makes its power over the reader much more poignant. This is a story of real horror, even if there are imaginary monsters. "Hollow Shell" promises a dramatic, action-packed story that will leave you wanting more. 

Review of Hitchers by P.A. Douglas

Review for Hitchers by P. A. Douglas
Publisher: Severed Press

Synopsis:

Grayson, Louisian is such a tiny place you would never think twice when passing on highway 165. That's what Greg Teeter wishes he had done when a series of unfortunate events leave him stranded in this quaint town. In a fight for survival, plagued by dreams, there is on one to trust. Parasitic invisible monsters from another realm have been unleashed. The Hitchers aren't the only thing trying to break into this world. Something much worse is trying to force its way through. Something ancient and carnal. Will the dark secret be revealed in time, or will it be too late?

Available in Kindle and Paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/Hitchers-ebook/dp/B008G1BS92/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1350407560&sr=8-3


Amazon stars: 5/5

When you buy a book from P. A. Douglas, you should expect B-movie, grindhouse-style characters, plot, and gore. This author delivers on his work's promise—you get exactly what you pay for. This is escapist horror at its best.

There's no need to describe the plot because the synopsis tells you exactly what's going to happen. There are no surprises. Douglas maintains a consistent story with characters that are described adequately; no character is wasted. It's not a stretch to compare Douglas to Jonathan Maberry, simply because the novel's structure is masterful; the expository information ever seems forced, and the pacing is always maintained well. The characters are developed without providing erroneous details, and the integrity of the plot is never sacrificed to simply make the characters seem more "real," as some authors attempt to do. Every detail is important to the story and its characters. 

The most interesting thing about Douglas, as with Maberry, is that readers may be inclined to feel a sense of loath OR sympathy for any one of these characters at any given time. Each character is presented as a flawed person who is forced to deal with the terrifying circumstances, which allows Douglas to actually IMPROVE upon the grindhouse formula to make his book a more interesting read.

I am also pleased the novel provides a subtle social commentary that doesn't ever take center stage, although it helps serve as a catalyst for the novel's conflicts. The downtrodden little hamlet of Grayson actually complements the horrifying creatures that are terrorizing its denizens. I also enjoyed the metaphoric nature of the monsters in their connection to human nature.

My only complaint about the work is the writing style. I prefer more detailed, poetic writing, but this isn’t actual criticism of the book itself, because the writing suits both the genre and tone of the book. Thus, my own personal hang-ups with the sentence structure does not detract at all from what the novel achieves, nor does it mean that the work isn't suitable for its intended audience. In fact, if this book were written any differently, it wouldn't work. The writing is clear and concise, and I was rewarded by remaining open-minded throughout the entire experience. I would read more of Douglas's work.

Dream Walking

Well...

This is the first blog post here. If you're reading this... I thank you kindly.

This is that blog post that is announcing the presence of the blog. The blog has been born. I intend to review horror films and novels. In addition, I hope to share author interviews to promote the latest talent of the growing horror industry. I hope to include my own ruminations on the nature of horror itself, and in addition, I will share the musings of my subconscious.

I live in Michigan, and I happen to love our unpredictable weather patterns. I live with my wife, Lindsay, and Cecelia, our daughter who is nineteen months old. We're expecting our second daughter, Lydia, at the end of January.

By now, I'm sure you know I've written two zombie novels. The most recent release is Nightmare of the Dead from Severed Press. The novel takes place during the Civil War and involves an amnesiac outlaw who must eventually confront....zombies, of course. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Dead-Rise-Zombies-ebook/dp/B008WA9O0W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349652896&sr=8-2&keywords=nightmare+of+the+dead

As much as I love to talk about myself, I will end this by promising you that I will do whatever I can to post topics that are interesting and relevant. Otherwise, what's the point?

If you're an author interested in an interview, or maybe even a review, contact me via email. I will advertise your appearance here on Facebook, and I will drop several Twitterbombs.

vincenzobilof@yahoo.com

And now, the chamber of horrors opens its doors....