Welcome back to part 2 of our in-depth interview with author Chantal Noordeloos! Part one can be found here  In this post, we talk about more stories from the ‘Deeply Twisted’ collection, as well as getting a sneak peek into what 2015 has in store for Chantal…

Adrian W. Lilly is the author of the novels The Devil You Know, Red Haze, and The Runes Trilogy: The Wolf at His Door, The Wolf in His Arms, and The Wolf at War. His short fiction and poetry have been published in Hello Horror, 69 Flavors of Paranoia, Nervehouse and The Weekly among other publications. He can be found online at www.adrianlilly.com.

He is a fan of Gothic suspense movies and novels, which greatly influence his writing. Adrian's writing focuses on strong character development and the nuances of fear that build toward horror. The mansion in his first novel, The Devil You Know, was inspired by the grand mansions in the Victorian neighborhood where he lives.

Adrian writes novels, short stories, and poetry and has spent many years as a copywriter in the advertising industry. In addition, Adrian has directed two short films and co-directed a feature-length sci-fi comedy.


You can read an exclusive excerpt from his book here  

MJ Wesolowski is a horror/crime author from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, his short stories have been published in Ethereal Tales magazine, the Midnight Movie Creature Feature anthology (May December Publications), the ’22 More Quick Shivers’ Anthology (Cosmonomic Multimedia) and the 'Short Not Sweet' anthology (Iron Press/Red Squirrel/Tyne Bridge Publishing).

His debut novella ‘The Black Land’ a horror set on the Northumberland coast, was published by Blood Bound Books in 2013.

James Michael Rice is the author of Rebel Angels, A Tough Act to Follow, The Still, and For Those Who Worship The Sun. He began writing at a young age, completing an early draft of his first novel, Rebel Angels, while he was still in junior high school.

In addition to writing, he is also an avid traveler. In 2011, he visited the Peruvian Amazon, a breathtaking experience that would later spawn the idea for his new novel, For Those Who Worship The Sun.

He grew up, and has lived much of his adult life, in Southeastern Massachusetts. He also appears in a feature-length documentary titled "The Bridgewater Triangle", which investigates paranormal reports in the region.

For more information on James and his books, visit the "James Michael Rice Author Fan Page" at https://www.facebook.com/jamesmichaelrice.

Mark All is the author of the horror novel Death Metal and paranormal thrillers The Spellcaster’s Grimoire and Mystic Witch.  He has won two international writing awards and contributed to Computer Legends, Lies & Lore.

Death Metal received 4.5 stars from PRG Reviews. The Spellcaster’s Grimoire got 4.5 stars and 4 stars from dual reviews by the Paranormal Romance Guild, where it was nominated for the 2013 Reviewer's Choice Awards in the Urban Fantasy category. Mystic Witch received a 5 Star review from the Paranormal Romance Guild, and 3 stars (out of 4½ possible) from RT Book Reviews.

Mark is a full-time author after a career as an instructional systems designer. He also held jobs ranging from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist, and still plays in a working band. Mark earned a Masters degree in computer-based education and a Bachelor of Music cum laude.

Tim Dry is what might be called a true 'Renaissance Man'. His work spans a multitude of disciplines and outlets, from his acting work on such high profile genre films as Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi and XTRO, to his musical and mime endeavours with the 80s group Shock and the duo Tik and Tok. He is an award-winning photographer, has written two autobiographies offering insights into his film work and his upbringing and life so far and of course, he has written and published a number of short horror stories in various anthologies. With the recent release of the novella Ricochet through Theatrum Mundi at Spectral Press, he joins an impressive array of genre writers to grace that prestigious small press' roster.

Biography -  Matthew M. Bartlett is the author of Gateways to Abomination, a fragmented novel in the guise of a collection of short weird fiction and The Witch-Cult in Western Massachusetts, an illustrated chapbook. His short stories have appeared in Resonator: New Lovecraftian Tales From Beyond, Faed, and High Strange Horror. He is a member of the New England Horror Writers. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with his wife Katie and five cats. You can follow him on Facebook and visit his oft-neglected blog at www.matthewmbartlett.com.

I got lucky. 

I was 18 when I wrote to Richard Laymon. A film buff and horror fan with no friends who shared my passion to quite the same degree, I'd just written, edited, designed and published the first issue of FRENZY, a fanzine created under the influence of DEEP RED, GIALLO PAGES and Pauline Kael; mostly using scissors and glue. 

It was an outlet for all the thoughts and ideas I was generating, my way of reaching out and talking, trying to connect (it would be another 20 years before I had the money and the sense to attend a convention). A way of expressing myself and my love for the genre.

It was well received, not that it sold many copies. But it was well reviewed by Steve Green in THE DARKSIDE’s 'Fanzine Focus', and John Martin called it: 'An Adrenalized Atrocity With Attitude' (he also told me that DARK WATERS director Mariano Baino nicked his original copy, which seemed a great review in itself).

Emboldened, but still hugely naive, I wanted something more for issue 2. I was a big fan of Laymon's writing at the time, but hadn't seen too many interviews with him. So I wrote one. Or rather, I wrote a list of questions, and a cover letter explaining who I was and what I was doing with FRENZY, and sent it to him; care of Hodder Headline, whose address I got from the front of one of his books (probably Endless Night, though I like to think it might have been The Stake, chosen for good luck since it was my favourite).

It got to him.

I can't remember how long it was before I heard back, but I did; in spades.

12 pages straight from the man himself, from the very typewriter on which he'd hammered out some of my favourite writing. Stories that had gripped and thrilled me.

And a letter - to me! - from the man himself telling me it was one of the best interviews that anyone had ever done with him (oh, how I wish I could find that letter, but it looks as if it might have been lost when my parents were clearing their attic).

It was one of the most thrilling moments of my early life. A confirmation, that what I was doing was worth while. That what I was thinking had value and meaning...

It's only now, that I realise how lucky I was that it even got to him. I owe someone at Headline Books a debt for even forwarding it on. That isn't usual - as I discovered when I tried the same with Shaun Hutson later.

I like to think they responded to the same thing that Richard did: the purity of my youthful passion and enthusiasm, he heartfelt manner in which I spoke; naivete and all.

There was no ulterior motive, no thought or concern except a simple love for this man's work and for the genre, and a desire to share that love with others, turn them on to what I saw as really great writing.

I read the whole thing now, and I smile at the person I see reflected in my questions. They're the questions of a young man looking for advice as he approached his own writing, and validation (or maybe reassurance) about all the weird ideas inside him; someone to sit him down and tell him all this stuff that he was thinking, was okay. That there were other folk out there just like him and some that really didn't think the same. That it was alright to be weird and maybe just a little twisted in your thinking... 

I like to think that's what Richard was responding to. It seems to me - in reading his answers today - that he was reaching out a hand to me. Encouraging and reassuring and validating by the simple fact that he took me seriously. What I see is someone willing to help a newbie, and that makes me grin.

I never spoke to Richard again. A problematic period at University almost killed that simple, singularly focussed passion and it took a long time to find my way back to the path. But I've spoken since with his widow, who was generous to a fault and does sterling work with her daughter Kelly to keep Richard's writing in print.

What you're about to read is the uncut text of my interview. I never edited it; I was so pleased with what Richard had sent. I've not changed a word here, not tried to make myself look better. This is 18 year old me. The only thing I've done is to correct spelling and typos so as not to piss you off.

An innocent young horror fan talks to a generous, seasoned pro... I hope you enjoy it.

Micah Ackerman is a Horror and Science Fiction writer from Connecticut. He has worked in the medical field for the past 10 years giving him unique insight into the interior workings of the human animal. His first full length novel "Wormwood" was released in the Spring of 2014. The book is about a full scale nuclear war and how one man strives to save his small town. Micah also just released his second novel "The Third Gender" which has been dubbed visionary and groundbreaking. Micah loves to chat with his fans so if you have any questions or comments please visit him at his website MicahAckerman.com