GINGER NUTS OF HORROR TALKS SEQUELS WITH DAVE JEFFERY

Today we are absolutely delighted to bring you an incredibly detailed interview with the fantastic Dave Jeffery which is themed around the subject of sequels. Dave is the perfect author for a sequel discussion as Frostbite 2: Labyrinth has just been released and the excellent A Quiet Apocalypse 2: Cathedral will soon be dropping. The interview also takes in Dave’s superb YA series Beatrice Beecham and his thoughts on other horror sequels and his future work. Read on to find out what makes him tick and why the sequel is such an important feature of the horror genre.

GNOH: You have written several books with sequels Dave, I think Necropolis Rising 2: Necromancer (2014) was the first, much earlier in your career, can you tell us a little about this early series?

DAVE: Necropolis Rising was my answer to a lifelong question ‘can I write an original zombie story?’ This was something that had been with me since watching Romero’s Dawn of the Dead in a flea pit cinema in Cradley Heath back in 1980. One of the issues for me was that I knew I wanted to do something different. The notion of setting it in an apocalypse didn’t appeal as Romero had pretty much closed the door on that with his seminal movie. So, for many years, I was waiting for a ‘hook’ that would grow the seeds of a story. After watching Michael Mann’s brilliant heist thriller Heat, the penny dropped. I outlined a story where a team of cyber criminals had to go into the city of Birmingham to interface with the National Criminal DNA Database so that it would work for an international criminal organisation known as The Consortium. As the heist is about to go down, members of an extreme animal rights group detonate a bomb in the apartment of a nefarious scientist who has been rumoured to be a proponent of animal experimentation, releasing a pathogen that creates a zombie outbreak. The criminal gang have no choice but to continue with the raid, unaware of what is going to face them. Add into this a teen (Thom) who has shown, not only immunity to the virus, but an ability to communicate and control the undead, and then I figured I had a narrative that said something different about the sub-genre. This was a good few years before the release of the Z-Nation explored similar concepts. I guess I just missed the boat based purely of the book’s lack of reach, although it did sell very well at the time.

It was the story of Thom that had me continuing the series in Necromancer (and again in book three, Dead Empire) although there was a gap of about three years between book one and book two as other projects took over. As a character, Thom is fascinating in that he starts out as someone who is determined to challenge exploitation, but his gradual mental decline means his perspectives on morality become unstable, leading him to make catastrophic decisions for the world. This series is ongoing, and I will revisit it in the future, though when exactly I’m not quite sure. These days there’s a degree of audience burnout when the ‘Z’ word is mentioned!

GNOH: I loved A Quiet Apocalypse (2019) and was delighted to hear that the sequel Cathedral was in the pipeline, was this always your intention? How early in the planning process had you decided that the location of Cathedral would merit its own story?

DAVE: A Quiet Apocalypse is another story that I had on the backburner for a significant period of time. The germ of the idea came when I was working as a mental healthcare worker with the Deaf Community back in the late 90s. A hearing person suggested that the thought of being deaf was scary and this is contrary to people who are culturally Deaf who consider their deafness, not as a disability, but as integral to their sense of social identity. The book explores this concept of fear and the ambiguities of disability and empowerment, but in an extreme manner. The book started out as a short piece for an anthology that never transpired. I lost the completed draft when my computer did a software update leaving me only with my outline, but I used my recollections of the final short story to develop the piece into the novella which, to be honest, exceed my expectations in terms of critical response.
During the writing of the first book, I liked the idea of Cathedral having an almost mythical presence, like Arthur’s Avalon, where it is merely referenced, and the motives of its people determined by its rumoured barbarity towards outsiders. There was no intention to write further books until after I received reviewer feedback. One of the questions consistently asked by reviewers of A Quiet Apocalypse related to what is going on outside the first-person view of its protagonist, Chris. This had me thinking that, since we have Chris’ perspective of what it is like being a hearing person enslaved by a deafened survivor, what would it be like to be someone who is deafened living in Cathedral, enslaved by their loss of hearing. It allows for the story universe to expand and gives more than a hint of life in a skewed, new world order of governance. Cathedral is a dark book, perhaps even darker than the first. It is true to say that this is not a series than leaves you warm and fuzzy.

GNOH: I read that A Quiet Apocalypse is a projected trilogy, was there never any intention/projection to write this as a single novel instead of three interconnected novellas? Could it have worked as a novel?

DAVE: Well, I can tell you that the third book - The Samaritan - is already written and with my publisher at Demain. As it currently stands this is going to be a trilogy however, I do have one more story to tell, but it is going to require some thought as to the format it will take. A Quiet Apocalypse was never meant to go beyond one book but the ease in which I have been able to expand the universe has shown me that there is a big, conflicted world out there that readers are keen to explore. Had I approached the story as a novel I don’t think that I would have done it differently. The first-person point of view is a deliberate device to alienate each protagonist and have the reader trapped in their worldview alongside them. This is important as it is a reflection of what it is to be deafened, what it is to be a slave, what it is to be a survivor in this cruel new world; the sense of isolation is a key antagonist and part of the experience for the reader. I can see the trilogy as a single volume, three-part omnibus in the future, and I would be comfortable with that as a format.

GNOH: Frostbite (2017) is a few years old now, why decide to tackle a sequel three/four years later?

DAVE: To be honest, Frostbite was sold to Severed Press as a series. My original intention was to have stand-alone books, all of which would feature a yeti story. But as is always the case at planning stage, the story took over and suddenly I wanted to do something very different to the standard survival-against-the-monster type of thing. The idea that yetis are not some savage species of mindless killers but highly intelligent and victims of the other creatures who have invaded their realm appealed to me more than a simple monster story. Frostbite 1 is a straight-forward pulp fiction yarn but with a twist, the yetis are, for once, the good guys. As the writing process kicked in, ideas for a second book were flowing nicely and I am now at the point where I am back on track with Frostbite as a series, but rather than being stand alone, it is a continuation of one bigger story. Reviewers and readers either accept the science fiction aspects or reject them, but I simply couldn’t write the same, snow-trodden path. At the time of writing, Frostbite 3: Earthfall is on the cards next year before branching out into a pure science-fiction adventure that intends to take the characters truly leftfield and off-world.

In terms of timing, the gap in between the first and second book is indicative of other commitments around at the time. I had contractual agreements for two other books as well as holding down a full-time job. These days things are very different. I have retired and now write full time. This means I can tackle more than one project. This year, for example, I have written two novels and one novella, as well as numerous magazine articles and literary review pieces. I simply love what I do.

GNOH: I have read Frostbite 2 and Cathedral and congratulations for producing two very different books at roughly the same time. Were you physically writing them simultaneously? How did that work? You didn’t almost slip a Yeti into Cathedral by mistake, did you?

DAVE: Thank you so much for the kind words! They are two very different types of book and, in terms of order, I wrote the Frostbite 2 first and then sent the draft to my beta readers for comments. As I waited for the draft to return, I began Cathedral. It’s an interesting process writing in this staggered way, but I found it highly effective and, to my surprise, it aided rather than impeded creativity.  Can you imagine a yeti loose in the world of A Quiet Apocalypse? That’s a book in itself!

GNOH: Your werewolf romp Tooth and Claw (2019) is crying out for a sequel, there are so many ways that story could evolve, do you have any plans?

DAVE: Ooh, then I guess you’ll be pleased to know that Grinning Skull Press have already accepted a pitch for a second book which I plan to write next year. It will focus on the relationships of Alana and Ian and takes place two years after the events of Tooth & Claw. The two are now married and have established a small company originally dedicated to finding and destroying the werewolf clan, with no success. This has now expanded into hunting down all malevolent supernatural creatures which will bring them into contention with sinister forces, including the wolf pack who are tasked with executing our tenacious protagonists. It is also a vehicle to give the reader background on the wolf-pack and its origins. It looks as though this is a bigger story so don’t be surprised if there’s a third book at some point!

GNOH: If a publisher gave you a wedge of cash in advance for a quartet of novels, if you could choose the direction, would you go for yetis or werewolves?

DAVE: I think it would have to be werewolves as they are my favourite supernatural creature based purely on the scope they offer to stories. You can have a straight horror piece, or a tragic love story, a philosophical tale, a comedy - there are many routes that you can take.

GNOH: When it comes to the sequels I have mentioned above, do you write them on spec, or do you already have publisher interest?

DAVE: With the exception of the Frostbite series, the ideas for follow up stories tend to come during the writing phase of the original books, and I tend to approach publishers if I get a decent idea for another. This is how it was with both the Necropolis Rising series and Tooth & Claw. The idea of writing Cathedral came after A Quiet Apocalypse had been out a few months and reviewers and readers were voicing how keen they were to know more about what goes on in that world. I pitched to Demain Publishing the concept of another book and this was accepted very quickly. The Samaritan was a natural progression and I’d decided on writing a third title when Cathedral was in its second draft phase. It is the first time that I have ever written two books set in the same universe back-to-back. Emotionally, it was a gruelling experience, but I guess I’m finally learning after all these years!

GNOH: I am a huge fan of the Beatrice Beecham novels which are aimed at the younger end of the YA audience, but I doubt they have sold the number of copies they deserve to. What would you pinpoint at the reasons? I would suggest the change in publishers as a factor and the lack of clarity in the order in which the books should be read. Perhaps they need a rebranding? Your thoughts….

DAVE: Thank you so much. Coming from someone I consider to be the guru and a true champion of the YA horror scene, that is a massive compliment! I think the Beatrice Beecham series has been a victim of multiple issues over the years. You’re right in that having multiple books listed through multiple publishers doesn’t help matters, but it is not the only issue, so I shall attempt to clarify things as I see them
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The first book (Fearsome Feast) was written and released as a self-published title back in 2007 and was very much a whodunit in the vein of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. By the time I had written the second book (Fete of Fate) I was in two minds about self-publishing again or trying to reach out to independent, small presses.

Through my mental health work, I became aware of Chipmunka Publishing who specialised in mental health books, and had approached them with my second novel, mental health themed Finding Jericho (2008) which they accepted. Out of interest I asked if they did books that were not overtly mental health related and they said they would consider it if the title had a strong massage of empowerment. As this tenet is central to the Beatrice books, they took on both Fearsome Feast and Fete of Fate, although the second book was released in two parts, this fragmentation a portent of what was to happen to Beatrice over the coming years.

The series was met with favourable reviews, there was interest from several county council libraries in the UK but only if the covers changed to make them more appealing to a younger readership. Due to ‘brand’ issues the publisher was reluctant to do that and we lost out on expanding the reach of Beatrice and her friends. It was at this point I parted company with Chipmunka, and Beatrice sat in limbo for a while until another fledgling small press (who went under after some significant controversy so will not be named here!) took on the concept of Beatrice but this time with a supernatural aspect. So, rather than Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, Beatrice leaned towards Scooby-Doo, Monster Squad and The Goonies, battling supernatural forces in a series of chapbooks. As I say, this publisher went south but not before I pulled all my titles from them.

Then came the wonderful Dark Continents Publishing who had already signed up the Necropolis Rising series and my Campfire Chillers YA collection, and put all the chapbooks into one volume that became Houseful of Horrors. In my mind, this is the bridging book between the Beatrice series as whodunit and her transition to supernatural adventure when she was finally taken on by Crystal Lake Publishing for the next two books, Cryptic Crypt and Ship of Shadows. When Dark Continents sadly folded, Crossroad Press took on Houseful of Horrors and, at my suggestion, Fearsome Feast and Fete of Fate, so at least all three books had stability in terms of publisher. Getting back to the question, I guess, with the constant flux in publishers, Beatrice has lost her sense of identity, and how to clearly identify the chronology of the books is a part of this, as well as what the future holds for her and the townsfolk of Dorsal Finn. Not helped, of course, by the next book The Devil Device, being back with Crossroad Press because of their digital and audio slant that has proven to be effective for Houseful of Horrors. I think we’re not going to know the true outcome for Beatrice until things consolidate, but as to when that might occur, your guess is as good as mine! But I’ve had the firm belief that Beatrice and Co. will have their day; it just isn’t for now.

GNOH: Of recent horror fiction you have read what would you love to see have a sequel? I appreciate some authors never do sequels!

DAVE: Difficult one this, because the strength of Paul Tremblay’s Cabin at the End of the World comes from its wonderfully ambiguous ending. But, for purely selfish reasons, I’d love to see where Tremblay takes those characters, and what lies beyond those woods, if was given opportunity to do so. 

GNOH: When it comes to the bestselling authors of the genre do you think the sequel is predominately about the cash advance? For example, there was an argument that Stephen King’s sequel to The Shining, might have started out as a different story which was shoe-horned into the Shining universe…..

DAVE: I guess this is one for those ‘bestselling’ writers, but for me, I couldn’t write a sequel unless I truly had something else to say about either the story or the characters. I’m not in this for money, I barely make any from writing, and it’s never been the reason why I do it. For me it’s about transporting others to another world, to entertain them and, in some instances, to make them think. I know that may sound pious but it’s 100% true.

GNOH: Which are your personal favourite horror novel sequences?

DAVE: The Exorcist and Legion by William Peter Blatty spring immediately to mind, as does James Herbert’s The Rats, Lair and Domain. More recently I have enjoyed David Moody’s Autumn and Hater series.

GNOH: Can you think of any occasions when the sequel has topped the original?

DAVE: Personally, I think Legion is a better book than the Exorcist, and Domain is a better book than its prequels. But the important thing is that the original books laid the foundation for that greatness, so I prefer to look at a series as a whole.

GNOH: What are your feelings of authors carrying on the series of others? It is more common with thrillers, science fiction, fantasy than horror I guess…..

DAVE: For me, if there is a solid affiliation with the source material and its creator, then it makes sense. I’m thinking particularly of Frank Herbert’s Dune series and those that followed his death. There was a such a demand from fans that the continuation - in prequel form at least – with his son, Brian Herbert, and writer Kevin J. Anderson at the helm, was an obvious way forward. My understanding is that Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books are going to be continued by his son, too. Again, keeping it in the family with people who have intimate knowledge as to how the character and stories developed over the years, and therefore respectful when continuing the franchise.

Where this kind of loses me is when books become public domain, and anyone can stake a claim. I find this creates a climate where, for good or ill, original material is plundered by those who see a chance to make a quick buck or capitalise on their own lack of originality. I’m sad to say, this is something I have seen in writers irrespective of their ability. There’s no escaping the reality that it is often the originality of the story that hooks people into investing in a book, and its characters. People will have other views, of course, but this is mine.

GNOH: If you were knocked over by a bus tomorrow (heaven forbid!) which author would you like to see complete the Cathedral series in your sad absence?

DAVE: I guess the previous response is a lead-in to my answer to this question. This is something that I have already discussed with my son, Thomas and we have an agreement that, should the demand be there and I’m not, he will continue with it. He’s been there from day one and is completely aware of the story, how it came to be and what direction it should go in.  He’s a great writer in his own right. I can’t say too much at this point but expect something from him next year!

I also need to point out that there are plenty of writers out there that I admire and would have no issue continuing the series should it ever be needed. But, just like the arrangement with Herbert and Anderson, it would need to be a collaborative approach with my son.

GNOH: Of all your books which are you most proud of?

DAVE: I have two, and for very different reasons. First – Cathedral, based purely on how ‘right’ it felt as I was putting it together. Sometimes, as a writer, you kind of know when things are clicking, and the ease in which this story developed and flowed told me I’d hit on something of value.

Secondly is Finding Jericho (Demain Publishing), my contemporary mental health novel that explores the societal stigmatisation of the mentally ill. This is an important book for me as it is a culmination of a life’s work in mental health and my drive to raise awareness of mental illness in wider society. As a book it has been well-received, and this is perhaps my greatest literary achievement to date.

GNOH: Do you have other projects in the pipeline not connected to your ongoing series?

I have a novel that I intend to complete next year. It is called Hymns for Dead Stars (Demain Publishing) and can be described as ‘Event Horizon meets Midsommar’. This will be my first true foray into sci-fi horror and, as the premise suggests, I’m planning on having horrific fun walking around in that particular world. What I can tell you is that it is definitely not going to be a series!

GNOH: Which author (living or dead) would you most like to see reading A Quiet Apocalypse on the bus?

DAVE: Hopefully, this isn’t the same bus that runs me over!

Gosh, so many authors, but given the post-apocalyptic premise and the consistent reviewer comments likening the tone of A Quiet Apocalypse to The Road, I’d have to say Cormac McCarthy. I consider The Road to be an incredible, humane piece of work and it would be a jaw-dropping honour to have him reading what I do.

GNOH: Dave Jeffrey it is always a pleasure to have you on Ginger Nuts of Horror and thanks for answering our questions so fully, you are a tremendous ambassador for the horror genre. The very best of luck with your two current projects and good fortune going forward into 2021.

Tony Jones

CATHEDRAL ... The world has changed. So have the rules.

In the silence of a quiet apocalypse, there is Cathedral. It is a city like no other, sanctuary for the survivors of a terrible plague that has deafened the world. The walls protect the small community. Rituals and laws maintain order to prevent a return to chaos.

But Cathedral is a dangerous and complex place. For citizens like Sarah and newcomer Paul it can be either home or prison.

They just have to decide where their loyalties lie…

(cover by Adrian Baldwin; central art piece by Dark Artist Roberto Segate)

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