  Joey Kelly (writing under the pen name Julian Michael Carver) is a creature-feature horror author, with an emphasis on dinosaurs. He is most well-known for the novel, Megacroc, which was released by Severed Press in 2020. Megacroc is a story of a large, prehistoric crocodilian known as a deinosuchus that preys upon residents in Florida. The prequel story, Megacroc: Origins is coming out in 2021. Carver has plans for at least four additional stories set in the Megacroc universe. He also writes a time-travel sci-fi/horror saga called Triassic, also released by Severed Press. The sequel to Triassic is also set to be released in 2020. Carver describes these books as Planet of the Apes meets Jurassic Park, incorporating elements of creature-horror and alternate realities. A child of the 1990's Carver grew up on a steady diet of horror films of all types, gravitating towards the monster-based films like Creature of the Black Lagoon, Lake Placid, Jaws, and many more. By day, Carver is employed as a commercial video editor, and uses his skills in advertising to market his books. Some of his video content has been seen on on Ancient Aliens, Roseanne, Forensic Files 2, and The Sinner. Carver is married and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. WEBSITE LINKS Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulianMCarver Facebook: Julian Michael Carver | Facebook Author Website: https://JulianMichaelCarver.com Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/julianmichaelcarver Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? My name is Joey Kelly (I write under the pen name Julian Michael Carver). I work as a film and video editor by day and a horror/sci-fi author at night. Growing up, I was constantly perusing the horror section at the local video store. This eventually became my favorite film genre which soon became my interest in literature. I use my skills in film making to help market my books by creating promotional ads and book trailers. Which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life? There is a character in Triassic called Davenport – he is a wicked shaman that commands a cult of people known as Neolothics that sacrifice humans to a large carnivorous dinosaur called a herrerasaurus. He would be my least favorite to meet! Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing? Steve Alten, the writer of the MEG series has been a major influence on my works. He is probably the face of creature-horror. One day I hope to make a name for myself in the genre the way he did. I've also read most of the MEG novels and they're fantastic! 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” to me always meant something unnatural or malevolent trying to attack something else. I guess lately the term probably for the most part applies to paranormal related films/books because of the groundbreaking success of Paranormal Activity, The Conjuring, Annabelle etc. But the genre is always changing, so it seems. Five years from now, it could mean something else entirely. 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 think we're going to see independent horror films become more prominent, especially ones coming out of Sundance. Possibly a rise in more naturalistic ones too like The Witch and Midsommar. Realistically, I'd like to see creature-features return to prominence. I grew up on creature horror and I'd love to see the sub-genre become as prevalent as it was in the 1990's. Given the dark, violent and at times grotesque nature of the horror genre why do you think so many people enjoy reading it? I can't speak for other people, but I always loved old monster movies, and that's really what pulled me into horror novels. What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre? Movie deals for indie authors. There are so many good stories from independent authors and publishers that will never be told because a lot of horror films nowadays are generated from internally produced screenplays. I'd like to see film studios need to take a chance with newer authors. What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice off? M.P. Norman has written a book called Road Trip Z. I started reading it and it's pretty good! If you're looking for a fresh zombie story, this is it! Road Trip Z is also published by Severed Press. Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you? As a new author, I can't think of any good or bad reviews that have really impacted me yet. What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult? The way characters talk. When you read Stephen King's books, he excels at the subtleties in the way characters talk. I think that's what makes him such a dominant force in the genre. I've noticed that I've improved more and more with this problem with each book I write. Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? Probably paranormal stuff. The whole thing creeps me out, I actually rarely watch those types of movies, because I could totally see those plots actually happening. Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years? I have become more laxed on my own deadlines and goals. I've found if I try to make every single deadline, I'll write faster, which means more mistakes – and more editing to do after the fact when I revisit the work. However, I think making and creating deadlines is still an important part of the process and a way to combat writer's block. What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing? Forge your own path. Just because someone else tells you that 'this is the right way' doesn't mean that it is the right way. There's more than one way to achieve the same result. Which of your characters is your favourite? My favorite character would be Severine Solens from Triassic. She is the embodiment of suvivalism in a very raw form, taking on whatever Earth's prehistoric past throws at her. Not to mention that she is a total bad ass! Which of your books best represents you? Triassic probably best represents me. The novel is full of elements of both science-fiction and horror. Plus there's a lot of dinosaurs! The sequel should be out this year, which has even more thrills than the original. Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next? Megacroc is my last book. The novel is about a large prehistoric crocodile that hunts down humans near the Everglades. The novel is actually the first in a long line of intended sequels in the Megacroc universe. My next book is called Megacroc: Origins, which acts as a prequel story to the first novel. Megacroc: Origins will feature a teen cast of characters that face off against the dreaded crocodilian. The story takes place two months before the original, and reveals the events leading up to how the super predator ended up near the housing development site. If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice? Oh, that one is easy. I'm pretty tired of this same plot: Family buys a cheap house in the middle of nowhere. House is haunted. Kid sees ghosts before adults. Kid starts acting weird and gets an imaginary friend. Wife is first to believe weird things are going on. Husband says they need to stay because of his job or money tied to the mortgage. Ghosts attack, but are really just trying to warn the family that the husband is a psycho. What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you? The last book I read was totally awesome, and that was MEG: Nightstalkers by Steve Alten. The MEG novels are great! As far as a book that really bummed me out, I can't think of any that totally missed the mark, but I can remember that The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers seemed to go on and on... It was too much! Sometimes simplicity is better, Tolkien! What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer? Do you need help figuring out who has the copyright claim to that movie you want to make the novelization for? And my answer would be yes! Amazon.com: Megacroc eBook: Carver, Julian Michael: Kindle Store  Something Has Awakened In the remote stretches of southern Florida, a string of deadly animal attacks begin to surface near the borders of a housing development project. When evidence at the latest scene suggests that a massive predator may be the source of the carnage, a local crocodilian specialist is brought in as a consultant. Soon an effort is launched by the police and the coast guard to successfully locate and capture the ancient creature, which threatens the lives of everyone in the expedition, as well as the surrounding communities.    Comments are closed.
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