Before deciding to take writing seriously Paul had done many things, printer, caving, the SCA, Brew-master, punk singer, music critic etc. Since then he has appeared in numerous science fiction, and horror magazines and anthologies. Born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, he moved to Appalachia in his 30s  for the peace and adventure that can be found there. He has three children, two who live in his native Pennsylvania, and one interrupting his writing constantly at home. Married to his lovely wife Leslie for twenty years, they live in a fairy tale town in nestled in a valley by a river. Author of over 50 published stories, his debut novel “I Never Eat…Cheesesteak” will be in stores early in 2019

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? 

Well the bio gets a lot of it. But I guess to get to the parts that led to me writing. I had decided I wasn’t going to be a writer when I was a teenager, mainly because everyone said, “I’ll bet you’ll be a writer one day” I’m a natural born contrarian. But being the lead singer of a relatively known punk band, led to be a DJ. Being a DJ led to writing music reviews for Spark Plug Magazine amount other places. By that point I had enough life experience to decide to go for it with writing.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Cave, photograph waterfalls and URBEX… explore really. It’s an interesting world and we’re only here for so long.

 Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?

Comedy and 19th Century Russian Lit. I had a, less then ideal childhood. It left me thinking that even if everything is bleak, you should probably make fun of it. The beats, the new wave of sci fi also were a huge influence. Maybe a bit of French existentialism as well.

The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations. What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?

 To some degree I try to do just that with my short stories. I was really influenced by the new wave of sci fi, guys like Zelazny and Ballard who really pushed the boundaries of writing itself, let along the ideas in it. I was raised with the classics as far as films, I’ve always believed that horror could and should try to be art if it can. Nothing against a good old-fashioned slasher, but there’s nothing new there.

 A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years?

 I slide politics in, sort of a base idea of “do unto others” but enforced with horrible consequences. Right now it’s hard, you want to write the fantastical, and considering our current President, you tell me, what would fantastical even look like at this point?


What are the books and films that helped to define you as an author?

Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” “Roger Zelazny “Creatures of Light And Darkness” are a couple of books I always slide back to. Films are endless. You remember those big table top pictorial books on horror movies in the 70s? Remember how they would always be checked out? That was because I’d checked them out. It can go everywhere from Bride of Frankenstein, to Dracula Prince Of Darkness, to Henry Portrait Of A Serial Killer, to Dog Soldiers

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice off?

Joseph Rubas, Stephen Hernandez, Gary Murphy, Andrew Snook

How would you describe your writing style?

I often write plain jane old fashioned horror stories, and my upcoming novel is horror comedy. That being said, the short stories I enjoy of my own are sort of like “new wave of science fiction comes to horror”

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

Negative reviews sting for a minute, but you have to let those goes. What with selling your book to publishers, rejections of shorts yadda yadda, you have enough to deal with.
As far as positive, I think I would be fine with this on my tombstone. “The most enigmatic of the bunch, about the erosion of old ways of life by "progress." Equal parts Ballard and Carver.”

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?

Being your own agent. That is a major time drain with lots of mental beatings for your effort. Editing can be a drag, you go over something three times, and there’s still a typo. Enough to make you pull your own hair out.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?

I’d like to say no. As a writer your supposed to write about life, but I haven’t TRIED to write about everything yet. Maybe there is something I’ll hit a brick wall on. I don’t know I’ve been able to slide real emotions from my own childhood and that was pretty brutal, so…. But you never know, there might be a wall someday.

 How important are names to you in your books?

I try to put a lot of effort in to them, but of course, the way to know you got that right is if it sounds like it just boringly slots in to place right?

Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?

I check the age of my character, the part of the country they’re in, then I go and research what were the popular names at that time. After that, the one I look at and go, “That’s him/her!”

Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?

Well you learn your craft as you go. You shave off all the bad habits if editors point them out to you (you could always tell when I was REALLY excited at an action sequence, proper nouns went out the window) You become a better editor of yourself. You know your craft well enough that you spend less time struggling to describe what you see in your head. Your process becomes more professional.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

Word. Seriously, there are all kinds of editing software that’s available, but Word is probably the most trustworthy. When I started I used an open source word processor program (actually I still like it to write with) and then try to edit with Grammarly. It turns out Grammarly misses a TON of stuff. Just get Word if you can afford it.

 What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?

Really, this sounds trite, but the editor of Aphelion caught the pronoun/ proper noun issue. Once I saw it I was just like, “I’ve been publishing stories for over a year now like this?”

It may sound silly, but it isn’t.

Also points to my publisher at 50/50 for figuring out why the one chapter wasn’t working.

Sometimes it’s just nuts and bolts stuff that matters.

Getting your worked noticed is one of the hardest things for a writer to achieve, how have you tried to approach this subject?

Write a LOT. One editor called me one of the hardest working writers in the business. Always go for new markets, new readers, don’t be afraid of rejection when you do it. Your stories aren’t going to appeal to everyone, you’ll find the right editor eventually.

But if you’re always publishing for the same readers who already know you, you’re going nowhere fast. 

To many writers, the characters they write become like children, who is your favourite child, and who is your least favourite to write for and why?

I liked writing Al, in my upcoming book. He’s kind of everybody in their early 20s, drifting through life with no real clue what he wanted to do, or what he wanted out of life. He feels like a fully formed human. The lead character in “Heart of The Town” which was in Schlock.UK is a total prick. It was cathartic to write as a complaint about modern life, but I hated the guy’s guts every bit as much as the reader is supposed to.

 What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

Probably something nobody but I got. Joke, maybe, sort of. I kind of forget things once they’re done. “From the Very Clay He Made Us” in Blood Reign Lit this year is quite good. “Last of The Ashiptu” made third in Editors and Preditors poll. I’m really proud of an emotional catharsis piece “Komodo Dancer” that was just in Schlock.

And, yeah, I have a novel coming out soon, and I’m pretty proud of “I Never Eat…Cheesesteak” it’s funny and has a few good creeps in it.

And are there any that you would like to forget about?

Already forgotten about them. There are some typos that out there that if everybody could pretend never happened, yeah, that’d be swell.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?

  They were silent for a second, before James said, “I wonder, when we do
get lucky. I wonder what I'm just waiting to become.”
    “What does it matter? I'll love you however you look, so what does it even
matter?”
      He leaned over, and quickly kissed her, “Nothing, it matters nothing at all.”

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

“I Never Eat…Cheesesteak” is  a horror comedy. I like horror-comedy for a full length. I prefer short story as a format for pure horror. In this case it was an homage, to both my hometown of Philadelphia, and the no longer loved, the no longer the hero, the mighty vampire hunter. Oh, and there are enough Philly Punk history Easter eggs in there to fill a basket.

The book that’s written that I’m editing is more of the same style wise and called “The Cult Of The Gator God” , it is my revenge for having to live in Florida for a year of my life.

Hopefully I’ll have a collection out at some point that will just be more or less pure horror. With over 50 stories published in one format or another I have more than enough material to choose from.

If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

Only one huh? The double clutch ending. Dude just let it end, nobody is surprised any more and at this point a successful conclusion is more satisfying then the twist “The End…or is it?” stuff.

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?

Catherine Jinks “The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group” which was a fun piece of fluff.
OK, I will try to avoid hitting any author who still has smallish sales here, the last two that really did would be there. The last BIG author to disappoint was when I finally got around to reading the Dead Zone. The dialogue was just SO hokey it was distracting. And hey, he’s not hurting for money, so me talking smack means nothing.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer?

“Do you miss being in a band”

“Sometimes, but really, my wife puts up with enough of my crap already.”
 

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PAUL PLEASE FOLLOW THESE LINKS 

Photography Page: https://www.redbubble.com/people/paullu?ref=account-nav-dropdown&asc=u

editor: Long Live The Horror https://www.facebook.com/LongLiveTheHorror/
A Touch Of Evil www.facebook.com/touchofevilhorror/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulLubaczewski

webpage: https://www.facebook.com/lubaczewskiearlsonrevpaul/

I live in rural Cumbria, England, with my partner Ann, a mad spaniel, two cats and four fish. I've also inherited two daughters and a grandson. I've had a varied career, having been a journalist for ten years, and also a designer and a retail manager in my time. The Jesus Man is my first novel, written throughout 2016 and based upon an idea I devised just under thirty years ago. Inspired by such luminaries as H. P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe and H. G. Wells, I aim to deliver stories in a classic vein, but with a contemporary slant in both style and content. I aim to remain entirely independent too, producing my works my own way, without interference from traditional publishing houses.


Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?


Six foot, Sagittarius, likes Thai food … nah, just fucking with you! Erm, I have a mischievous sense of humour, a deep thought process and a drive to push the envelope where I can. In many ways I'm old school and have a DIY ethic. I don't want anyone telling me something has to be done a certain way. That's their ego trip and they're welcome to it. Also, I don't do rules and regulations very well, very much the square peg, round hole anomaly in society which has been the fuel that's propelled my goals (basically, a pain in the arse, lol).

What do you like to do when you're not writing?


In my spare time, Ann and me indulge our shared love of the mountains by scaling the many peaks of the inspirational Lake District National Park.


Other than the  horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?


In truth I'm very open to any kind of story. For me, it's all about a story well told. Provided it delivers and does what it's meant to do then I'm sold. Trouble is, I don't come across that very often, so that's a constant quest.
 
The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations.  What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?


I think now is actually quite a rich time for growth and development in this area. There's an abundance of new talent out there which is exploring the very limits of the genre and creating exciting new ways in which to present it. To some extent it's working, but like everything it depends on the game players. Some of them bring us some fascinating material and others produce results which, for me anyway, fall short of what they could've been. By that I mean great ideas that are badly executed. My own personal feeling on the term is that it's something which can play a part in lots of different works, not just a 'horror story/film' per say. I think in order to go beyond assumptions then I think creators have to make people think. Make them be immersed, not just shocked or repulsed.

A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years?


That's a very tough question to give any kind of definitive answer to, at least for me anyways. Obviously, art does mirror life and some has been resultant of certain socio, economic and/or political factors, but it isn't always so. One could think 'hell, the population is getting huge, the climate and resources are under massive strain' but that might not necessarily filter into the general creative psyche. On the other hand it might, just as easily, but in a certain sense as much as 'bad things' can be an influence they can also be things that drive a need for escapism too.

What are the books and films that helped to define you as an author?


Oh fuck, now that's a list that could easily take up the rest of this interview! Shit, where do I start? As I said before I'm pretty old school so that goes directly back to my early teens where I would watch VHS films with a pal of mine down the road. You see, he got every new thing on the market, computers, colour TV, games etc. He was an only child and I was the youngest of three in a poor area of the North East (England). It was cool for me though because his mum got him 18-rated videos from the local store and we watched them at like 14/15 at the time, so I saw stuff like The Thing, Alien, The Terminator and tons of other cool stuff like Blade Runner, Mad Max and The Exorcist. It was the storytelling behind all these which struck a chord with me. I read Wells, Poe, Lovecraft and Orwell and knew back then their works were pioneering creations which really spoke to me. There are so many more examples I could cite, which include inspiring actors and directors, but I'll leave that for another time.

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice off?


American author K K Edin is a sure-fire success in my eyes before he's even had any success. That's simply because his debut The Measurements of Decay is an effortless piece of exciting literature. His style and tone is accomplished and the delivery is clever. It's not a work of horror, but it's fantastic sci-fi.

How would you describe your writing style?


Left field. Mine is like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it. If you enjoy it then that's great, I've done my job. If you don't, that's really ok too, but in truth I don't give a fuck because I'm not out to write diluted mainstream piss designed to please the masses.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

To date it's been about 99% positive. But I read the reviews to try understand what worked and what didn't for the reader. I think it's important to know that and see it from a different perspective, otherwise you'll just be absorbed in your own mindset. Can I say it will make me write any differently? I doubt it. It will simply make me realise that you're not meant to be a fan of my writing if you leave a negative review, and I really don't have a problem with that. I've never been the most popular person in the room, so I'm not about to start in my late forties, lol.
 

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?


Those days where you've simply got to grind it out. When inspiration is totally elusive. It becomes work then but you can't shy away from that because it's part of the process.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?


Probably politics … yawn, I just nodded off at the thought of it. It does, however, amaze me that the least interesting people in the world get so much media coverage. If you were at a party with these drips you'd be drawing on their foreheads, pouring the contents of ashtrays down their pants and just generally giving them the kind of short shrift they deserve. I'm sure there are a minority amongst them who have genuine aims with a social conscience but, for me, I can't see them as anything other than self-serving rats in suits.

How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?


Names are very important because a reader has to have a kind of comfort with that. I'm more inclined to choose a name based upon the way it sounds as opposed to its meaning. I think the ultimate aim is to create a memorable character so, inherently, a name is part and parcel of that.
 
Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?  

I've developed 'off grid' so to speak. I waited a long time to get the right set of circumstances to put out my first novel. So, I feel I was fully developed as a writer by the time I did that. I haven't, like many, put out work and then used the critique as a way of improving. I waited until I was developed in most aspects before showing people what I can do. I find a lot of it comes naturally to me anyway, but I think a good approach is to not be in a rush to get to market.
 

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?


A deeply creative mind, good solid insight and a drive to be the best you can be.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?

An old school teacher from way back told me recently, after he read my debut novel, to 'keep my unique voice' as I pen new works. I understand clearly what he means and intend to do just that.
 

Getting your worked noticed is one of the hardest things for a writer to achieve, how have you tried to approach this subject?

There's quite an exhaustive list of things I've done to bring attention to my debut. It's been entered into competitions. But only a select few in truth. I've emailed agents who represent famous actors. I've also emailed the production companies of well known movie directors (Ridley Scott and John Carpenter for example).  I did get a reply from Mr Carpenter's assistant, but that was a 'polite no thank you, he can't accept material for legal reasons' – whatever that means, lol. I've had interviews and articles in local media. Approached independent book shops to see if they'll stock my hardbacks or paperbacks (an ongoing process). Most of all I've simply tried to connect, on a genuine level, with folk on social media. I think that just being myself and being honest is the only real way of doing it.
 

To many writers, the characters they write become like children, who is your favourite child, and who is your least favourite to write for and why?


Christ, some of these questions are tough! Well, at this point, I've only got one completed novel and I'm about halfway through my second so it's early days. I'd have to say I don't have favourites or, by the same token, a least favourite character. To me, they all serve their purpose and their interactions and what they bring to the story are what's important. I do enjoy creating them though and making them come to life with their own agendas and reasons for being integral pieces of a story.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?


It could only be my debut The Jesus Man. When I've got six novels under my belt I'll maybe have to re-evaluate that.

And are there any that you would like to forget about?


Not yet.

For those who haven’t read any of your books, which of your  books do you think best represents your work and why?


See above, lol.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?
 
Damn, another hard question. There's quite a few lines and whole passages I'm rather proud of and, in truth, sort of dropping them here (or indeed anywhere) kind of puts them out of context, so it's not easy for a reader to feel their impact. I think it best just to say they'd be better enjoyed for what they are, which is part of the whole experience of reading the story.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?


Well obviously the last one was the first one and it's a post-apocalyptic horror story. The breaking of the world was long ago and those who live in what is left of it have a very different daily existence. There are colonies here and there, but slowly, over decades, they've all fallen by the hand of an unearthly horror which has waged its celestial strategy in the pursuit of Earth. The last surviving colony must now face this evil, which unravels its society from within and lays low the last of men with a crushing malediction, which will claim their souls, their homeworld and ultimately their Godhead for all time.
 
My second novel, and current WIP, is titled Nexilexicon. A young Dutch aristocrat embarks on an expedition to the Amazon interior in 1847. For this, he engages the services of an Italian skipper who has recently ran a shipment to Amsterdam. With additions to the crew, the 'Eva Contessa', a three-masted schooner, puts to sea only to suffer a string of strange occurrences en route. Eventually landing at Macapá, Brazil, the surviving crew are now fractious and close to mutiny. The smaller expedition party heads up river where eventually they meet an indigenous tribe that grants them time among them. During their stay, the aristocrat records aspects of their rituals in his journal and makes hand-drawn copies of the tattoos applied to the chosen males by their shaman. On the return journey, the Eva is captured and the fate of her crew is established. The journal is taken, along with other possessions and valuables and eventually lost. The time line jumps to the 1960s and wreck hunters discover the book on a Caribbean island. It is taken to America and eventually sold as a historic artefact. Subsequently, a friend of the buyer is shown its contents and, being a physicist, recognises the meaning of the tattoo designs copied in the journal. It makes no sense, atomic equations penned, albeit in a disjointed manner, in a 19th Century expedition journal. In a series of events, including murders, the book disappears once again, only to surface inside a secure facility in 2012, as the heart of a covert black op titled: Nexilexicon. A team, a particle accelerator and the upper echelons of government are about to punch a hole through to another dimension. What could possibly go wrong?
 
If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

Zombies.

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?


Last great book: A Scanner Darkly – last disappointment: Strange Weather

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer?

What would you like to be when you (finally) grow up?
 
Answer: Lifeless, in a pine box.
 
Thank you for giving me the chance to prattle on, it's much appreciated. Keep doing what you do Jimbob, there's a great number of folk out there respect what you do ;)
 
 
 

Luke Walker has been writing horror, fantasy and dark thrillers for most of his life. His new novels, The Unredeemed and Dead Sun are now available as is the novella The Mirror Of The Nameless. Hometown is published by Caffeine Nights in print and ebook. Die Laughing, a collection of short horror is also available. Ascent and The Dead Room will be published by Hellbound Books in 2018/9. The Day Of The New Gods will be published by Kensington Gore. Several of his short stories have been published online and in magazines/books.

Luke welcomes comments at his blog which can be read at www.lukewalkerwriter.com and his Twitter page is @lukewalkerbooks. Sign up to his newsletter at www.tinyletter.com/LukeWalkerWriter

He is forty and lives in England with his wife and two cats.

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

I’m a horror writer (yet another one) who also writes dark thrillers and dark fantasy. I started out with short stories and wrote my first book when I was about 21. It was utter crap as were the few that followed it. Eventually, I worked out what I wanted to say and what I’m best at, so I’ve been focusing on dark fiction since then. I’m now 40 and have written another 18 books since that first one. A few have been published along with several short pieces and I’m always working on something.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
 
I’ve got a 9-5 so that obviously takes up most of my day. Outside the job and the writing, it’s time with my wife and friends, reading good books and watching (usually pretty ropey) action or horror films. To be honest, even when not actually writing, I’m kicking about ideas for plot problems or character issues.

Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?

Music definitely has. I’m a big fan of industrial acts like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry as well as atmospheric work such as the soundtracks to John Carpenter’s films. Outside that, it’s people, events in the news or something as simple as a sudden change in the weather that can spark off an idea. I don’t look for inspiration, but when it comes, it’s always nice.
 
The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations.  What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?
 
Horror gets a bad rap.  I think it’s the most maligned genre alongside erotica. In the same way a lot of people see all erotica as exactly the same as hardcore or violent porn, horror to those same people is nothing but one of the Saw films – unpleasant, gory and just an excuse to kill people in painful ways. There’s nothing laudable about it.  I don’t think it takes much to see there’s a lot more to horror than that and to understand how horror can hold up a mirror to reality as well as showing people at their absolute best. After all, it’s when the situation is the worst that we are often at our best.

A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years?
 
Horror really needs the big publishers and agents to support it in order to get it noticed again. At the same time, it needs the writers and film makers to keep on treating it honestly and with the respect it deserves. So what if it goes into unpleasant places? Real life is always worse than any fictional terror. I think over the next few years – if the global situation continues down the same path – horror fiction will become more grounded in reality. I can see supernatural horror being taken less seriously as time goes on.

What are the books and films that helped to define you as an author?

I read Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado and a few of Lovecraft’s short stories when I was a kid which opened my eyes to adult horror. Ditto James Herbert’s first novel The Rats which (at the time) was modern and familiar and very British. It could have been happening in my city and that definitely set me on a course to writing my own fiction. The original Night Of The Living Dead had a similar effect along with the first Elm Street film. And, of course, Stephen King’s books – IT being the main one. I read it when I was 12 and knew writing that sort of horror was my goal.

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice off?
 
I’ve recently read Rich Hawkins’s The Last Plague which was great. Christina Bergling’s The Waning; anything by Kealan Patrick Burke; David Owain Hughes; Kit Power; Bracken MacLeod; James Brogden; Cate Gardner; Simon Bestwick; Alison Littlewood and Gary McMahon. There are so many people writing superb stuff at the moment. I’d advise anyone to check them out. Go and look for recommendations online or in a library.

How would you describe your writing style?

I come up with a basic plot outline before I write a word and try to do as much research as I can. Both help to keep me focused. Often, the plot and characters go their own way which is fine, but I do need that outline as a guide. Writing is a second job, so I have set times and aim for a certain number of words each session – usually about 2k. Some days, it’s more which is fine. Less pisses me off so I always aim for that goal.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

A review of my first novel Hometown mentioned the emotional core at the centre of the story which was nice as the group friendship in that book was important to me. A negative review focused on the supposed military horror aspect of another piece which was a surprise as there wasn’t a military aspect.
When it comes to reviews, I’d rather get a load of negative ones than nothing at all. Always better to know the book has been read and not just ignored.

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?
 
I often struggle at around the halfway point mainly through a lack of energy but also because that’s when I start thinking about whether or not anyone will like it. Obviously, the only way through that is just keep going and keep focused on the story, not the publishing side of things.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?
 
I’m not sure. It’s never really come up. I’ve killed men, women and children without much thought; I’ve wiped out the universe and given people a hell of their most personal making. I’m not a free for all, anything goes type of writer. I know when to hold back, but I don’t really consider something being too much as long as it’s honest.

How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
 
Funny you should ask. I’ve recently decided to change a character’s name because it just doesn’t feel right. Most of the time, I figure if it fits their background and age, then that’s fine. And when I’m stuck, I’ve been known to combines names of people I know.

Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years? 

Speed-wise, I’ve improved. A draft now takes me about two months instead of two years as it did in the beginning. I also know (most of the time) what not to say as well as what to say. I try to leave out the boring bits. I don’t take myself seriously, but I do take writing seriously.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?         

An interest in words, writers and stories obviously. Ditto an interest in people and their stories and personalities. The ability to listen to feedback on their work. Determination. A supportive family or friend network. Attention to detail especially when it comes to submitting stuff to publishers and agents as well understanding that everyone gets rejected and the publishing world owes you nothing. You owe it your best tale.

Getting your work noticed is one of the hardest things for a writer to achieve, how have you tried to approach this subject?
 
A social media presence is essential. On Twitter, I follow a lot of people in the publishing world and try to be myself while bearing in mind the importance of being professional. I also pay attention to markets and opportunities and make sure I’m available to push myself when needed.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?
 
My recent novel The Unreedemed is up there for me. I nailed the main character – a total bastard who knows what he is and is fine with it – and think I did a good job of balancing the horror with the everyday. I’m also really happy with my novella The Mirror Of The Nameless and its upcoming prequel The Day Of The New Gods because they’re both pure story which is what I wanted to achieve.

And are there any that you would like to forget about?
 
Several short stories failed so I didn’t send them anywhere. My first couple of books are awful. Thankfully, they’ll never see the light of day.

For those who haven’t read any of your books, which one do you think best represents your work and why?
 
I’m not sure if it best represents me, but I’d suggest my first – Hometown. Action, horror, violence and a lot of heart. A dark fantasy, Dead Sun, shows my less horrible side. Which is rare.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?

From The Unredeemed:
“If I killed a man who provided for his family, then the family had no income. They starved, maybe to death. Perhaps the children would have become thieves or worse. Anything to survive, after all. Perhaps they would have become great writers and thinkers. And if they did survive, they grew up in a family without a father. They were marked by that. It affected their friendships and relationships. They might have had their own children and been a worse parent for it. If they died young, they wouldn’t have been there to change life in their own tiny ways. The people they would have influenced, the mark they would have left on the world, however small, it’s all gone. Just by killing one person, the knock-on effect is huge. You can’t measure it. And it’s all because of my actions. It’s all down to me. That’s power.”
“You’re. . .”
Cooke’s voice dries up and he raises his fists. I lift a hand to pacify him.
“What I did wasn’t just random acts of violence. I chose my kills carefully. I decided whose death would have the utmost impact on the world. Businessmen; prostitutes who serviced the clergy; farmers who made the food the people ate. When I took them out of the world, then there was no way of knowing how far the effects would go. Even now, four hundred years after my death, who’s to say the effects aren’t still being felt? I kill a man all those years ago, his family are left without a husband and a father. His children, they have their families, and those families have their children. All the way down to now. And all those descendants in some way touched by my actions four centuries ago. So many years between now and then. More time than the human mind can understand because it dwarfs the average life. More time than the living have any chance of understanding, and it’s mine. That gives me a tiny bit of forever, Cooke. Think about that. I perform one action, one little murder, and that takes a single person out of the world.” I hold up my index finger. “A solitary person; a knife in the throat as quick as you like or a rock right here.” I tap my forehead. “No work at all. Not really. But the effect. . .well, that’s beyond reckoning. It’s beyond time. I killed for that time, you see. I killed to last in time. My own little piece of forever.” My pause spins out between us. “Of course, others I killed just because I could.”

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

The Mirror Of The Nameless is my most recent. It’s an action horror novella which goes into a Lovecraftian world that meets Mad Max. There will be a prequel novel next year which takes place in the mid 80s. I’m very happy with how both turned out. Next is a fresh draft of a futuristic thriller which is sort of 1984 meets The Purge. No idea if anything will happen with it publishing-wise, but I think it’s a strong book, so fingers crossed.
 
What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?
 
Songs Of Dreaming Gods by William Meikle was extremely impressive. And while I don’t like to publicly slate books, I have to admit to being disappointed by two recent novels – The Girl With All The Gifts and Bird Box. For me, both were a little overrated, but I’m in the minority.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?  And what would be the answer?

Why don’t big publishers and agents give horror the energy and investment it deserves and the readers want?
 
As for the answer, I don’t have a clue, sadly. Hopefully, things will change soon.

 
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luke-Walker/e/B007A3033E
https://www.amazon.com/Luke-Walker/e/B007A3033E