Author: Derek Ailes

Author Interview: Derek Ailes and Co-Author James Coon

Book Title and Subtitle: Musings From A Demented Mind

Genre: Horror

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a science fiction/horror author from Valparaiso, In.  I am known as one half of the Ailes Brothers of Terror. Mark Cusco Ailes is the other half.   I am the author of three horror anthologies: "Zombie Command: A Horror Anthology", "Journey Into the Unknown: Deluxe Horror Edition", and "Catfurnado, Zombies and One Killer Doll".  On Sept 7, my latest anthology  "Musings From A Demented Mind" will be released.

I’ve been writing professionally since 2012 after a lengthy hiatus from the writing field after my first short story “The Night of The Living Redheads” was published locally in 1994.

Who or What inspired you to start writing this book?

"Musings" is a collection of horror and science fiction short stories based on the conversations and details of the life of my friend who died from complications from diabetes back in March of this year.  This anthology includes stories written by J.C. from the late 60s up until a week of his death.  I have his writing folder and there are several stories which will be released in the coming years in other projects since they don’t fit with the theme of this anthology too well.  It will be split into multiple parts.  Part one is the stories written by J.C. and stories based on his life and conversations I’ve had with him over the past fifteen years.  Part two includes all the stories published on Shortfictionbreak.com since December 2014, stories based on current events from this year, plus strange stories I wrote with little or no sleep.  Part three is basically a mini biography, eulogy, and behind the scenes details about each story and the facts and the true stories behind them.  This is a collection of my best work.  My heart and soul went into these stories.

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Vintage, Horror, Anthology.

Who is your target group for this book?

People who love reading horror and watching the old Tales From The Crypt and Twilight Zone episodes.

Tell us about this book.

From the demented minds who watched every Tales From The Crypt and Twilight Zone episode and read every Vault of Horror and Strange Tales comic book comes twenty-two brand new tales of horror and science fiction. Proceed with caution as Derek Ailes and James Coon take you on a journey through madness with zombies, vampires, aliens, mutated cats, twisted twins, deadly women, killer dogs and one pissed off Elvis Presley. When you think it is safe to continue on, they hit you with another horrific tale. Musings From A Demented Mind is a gripping, suspense-filled supernatural anthology.

Do you have a favorite chapter from this book?

Elvis Presley Has Left The Dead" is my favorite story from the anthology.  My brother and I were interviewed by The Times Newspaper and when the photographer showed up at the book fair we were set up at, he took a picture of an Elvis cardboard standout that was advertising a fellow author's book and used that picture for our article.  Nothing says the Ailes Brothers of Terrror better than Elvis Presley.  After reading the article, I wrote this short story about me going on an anti-Elvis crusade forcing Elvis to come back from the dead to confront me.  Elvis goes around turning all my neighbors into Elvis impersonators.

What do you hope people will gain from reading this book?

The first part of the anthology includes six stories written by my late friend.  The reader will learn a lot about my friend and why he was brilliant from those stories.  In the third part, the biography including my eulogy, they will learn a lot about his life and how it relates to the stories.  I want the reader to have an enjoyable and frightening time through this journey of horror madness.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

It is available on paperback and on Kindle.

What advice would you give to other Writers?

Write, write and write.  Do not give up.  The marketing aspect of writing can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time.  My brother and I have had a blast the past several years.  Writing should be fun.  Once the fun is gone, it is time to move on.

Tell us the link where potential readers can buy this book.

You can pre-order the book now on Amazon http://authl.it/B013Q1BH8I?d

It will be available on September 7.

Any additional links?

My official website: http://www.derekailes.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/derekailes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorderekailes

Is there anything else you would like to share about this book?

You can learn more details about this book here: http://www.derekailes.com/james-coon---musings-from-a-demented-mind.html

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your world.

Plan2Win

Author: James Coon

Author Interview: James Coon and Co-Author Derek Ailes

Book Title and Subtitle: Musings From A Demented Mind

Genre: Horror

                                                     <In Loving Memory>

Tell us a bit about yourself.

James Coon was born on July 5, 1952 in Connersville, Indiana and passed away on March 28, 2015.  He was a serious reader and I mean serious reader.  Everywhere you turned in his house were stacks and stacks of books.  He loved mysteries, science fiction and books on haunted houses and alien abductions.  He was also one of the biggest DC comic book fans I have ever met.   His father would take him to the movies when he was a child and that is where his love for classic movies began.  Film noir was one of his favorite movie styles. 

Who or What inspired you to start writing this book?

"Musings" is a collection of horror and science fiction short stories based on the conversations and details of the life of my friend James Coon.  This anthology includes stories written by J.C. from the late 60s up until a week of his death.  I have his writing folder and there are several stories which will be released in the coming years in other projects since they don’t fit with the theme of this anthology too well.  It will be split into multiple parts.  Part one is the stories written by J.C. and stories based on his life and conversations I’ve had with him over the past fifteen years.  Part two includes all the stories published on Shortfictionbreak.com since December 2014, stories based on current events from this year, plus strange stories I wrote with little or no sleep.  Part three is basically a mini biography, eulogy, and behind the scenes details about each story and the facts and the true stories behind them.  This is a collection of my best work.  My heart and soul went into these stories.

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Vintage, Horror, Anthology.

Who is your target group for this book?

People who love reading horror and watching the old Tales From The Crypt and Twilight Zone episodes.

Tell us about this book.

From the demented minds who watched every Tales From The Crypt and Twilight Zone episode and read every Vault of Horror and Strange Tales comic book comes twenty-two brand new tales of horror and science fiction. Proceed with caution as Derek Ailes and James Coon take you on a journey through madness with zombies, vampires, aliens, mutated cats, twisted twins, deadly women, killer dogs and one pissed off Elvis Presley. When you think it is safe to continue on, they hit you with another horrific tale. Musings From A Demented Mind is a gripping, suspense-filled supernatural anthology.

Do you have a favorite chapter from this book?

"Sirens of Lake Station" is the short story that JC wrote back in the 90s.  When I spoke with his sister, I asked her to find this one so I can include it in the anthology.  In the story, Lake Station is plagued by sirens who appear once a year to take a male sacrifice.  If a man didn't have sex the night before their appearance, he would fall victim to their entrancing song.  The story has a Twilight Zone atmosphere to it. 

What do you hope people will gain from reading this book?

The first part of the anthology includes six stories written by my late friend.  The reader will learn a lot about my friend and why he was brilliant from those stories.  In the third part, the biography including my eulogy, they will learn a lot about his life and how it relates to the stories.  I want the reader to have an enjoyable and frightening time through this journey of horror madness.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

It is available on paperback and on Kindle.

What advice would you give to other Writers?

When you lose somebody close in the writing field, make sure the person's legacy continues on.

Tell us the link where potential readers can buy this book.

You can pre-order the book now on Amazon http://authl.it/B013Q1BH8I?d

It will be available on September 7.

Any additional links?

My official website: http://www.derekailes.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/derekailes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorderekailes

Is there anything else you would like to share about this book?

You can learn more details about this book here http://www.derekailes.com/james-coon---musings-from-a-demented-mind.html

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your world.

Plan2Win

Author: Kevin Troupe

Author Interview:  Kevin Troupe

Book Title and Subtitle: Strength to Care - Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs

Genre: Non-Fiction

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a husband to Theresa, father to five children, two of whom have special needs. I am master to Q, Luigi and Ty (the dogs, when they listen). I love spending time with my family, fixing things my destructive boys break, problem solving to keep them safe and when I am not writing or speaking about our journey of raising two special needs boys I enjoy hunting, fishing and creating things in the garage workshop with my kids.

What is one of your favorite positive sayings or quotes?

The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's not about the circumstances, but rather about what you are made of.

Who or What inspired you to start writing this book?

At first I started to write and blog about our journey and the funny and hurtful things that have happened along the way to help people who are on a similar path. What I have found though is that when you reach out to help others it puts your own struggles into perspective and helps me just as much.

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Inspiring, True, Helpful

Who is your target group for this book?

Parents, grandparents, siblings or caregivers in general of those who are medically challenged or have other special needs.

Tell us about this book.

Strength to Care - Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs is a collection of blog entries over a five year period that are centrally themed around a hospital stay, a surgery or just plain old "life is really hard right now". It is a look into our family journey of raising one, now two children with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE Syndrome. Although we experience many joys and sorrows it is our hope that as you read about some of our struggles and how we have overcome them you are encouraged along your journey.

Do you have a favorite chapter from this book?

Our Two Special Needs Kids Have Wrecked Our Lives (note: it is not what you may be thinking).

What do you hope people will gain from reading this book?

If you have days when you do not have the strength to continue "caring" you are not alone. There are many who are on a similar path as yours and it is okay to have days when you do not feel like caring. This book will help you through those days.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

Strength to Care - Reflections for Parents of Children with Complex Medical and Special Needs is available in both print and digital formats.

What advice would you give to other Writers?

Write. You can always go back and edit, move and refine your words. But, you have to write and start putting your thoughts down to be a writer.

Tell us the link where potential readers can buy this book.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011M3I16S

Any additional links?

www.strengthtocare.com

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your world.

Plan2Win

Author: Lili Porter

Author Interview:  Lili Porter

Book Title and Subtitle: Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Series Book 1)

Genre: Romance 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I began reading and writing at an early age. I could always be seen with a book in my hand. I began writing, because they naturally go hand in hand. I had my first poem published in the local paper when I was 9 years old. Today, I'm an educator, and hold a master's degree. I hope to be able to write full time, I'm having a blast rediscovering writing!

What is one of your favorite positive sayings or quotes?

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.-Maya Angelou

Who or What inspired you to start writing this book?

My kids were the inspiration for writing this book. I want them to finish what they begin, so I had to lead by example.

What three words would you use to describe this book?

Fun, Exciting, HOT!

Who is your target group for this book?

Women over 18 who love romance and can read the erotic moments without blushing.

Tell us about this book.

Karisma Montgomery is known the world over for her beauty and talent, and certainly no stranger to men longing to have her. Paolo Montovani is an assured businessman with a secretive life that is inexplicably drawn to Karisma. Enough so that he’s willing to go against tradition and his family’s expectations to be a part of her life.

With instant chemistry and passion, Karisma and Paolo learn quickly that when two people connect who were meant to be together, that you can handle more than you’d ever imagined—especially when every emotion is made stronger through an inexplicable desirable and intense sexual attraction. They are tested plenty with jealous ex’s and influences from the world around them. Yet, they both keep a few secrets, fearful of how those secrets might conflict with their commitment to each other.

In the end, can intense sexual energy and a connection of the souls overcome their secrets? Will Karisma and Paolo be able to handle everything that has become a part of their lives?

Do you have a favorite chapter from this book?

The whole book is my baby.

What do you hope people will gain from reading this book?

This book is entertaining above all else.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

It's currently available on ebook, but you will soon be able to purchase a print copy.

What advice would you give to other Writers?

If your dream is to write, then don't let anything deter you. Make the time. Just do it.

Tell us the link where potential readers can buy this book.

Amazon for 3.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011YP4KCS

Any additional links?

My website is http://www.lilipadpublishingcompany.com

My facebook is http://www.facebook.com/liliporterbooks

My twitter is https://www.twitter.com/Lili_Porter1

Is there anything else you would like to share about this book?

It is the first in the Music and Mayhem Series.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your world.

Plan2Win