We would like to welcome Benjamin Rogers here to That Book Place today for an Interview. Ben is the author of Faith and the Undead.

That Book Place:  Did you always want to be an author?

Ben Rogers: Not always. My brother was in the Air Force so I had that idea I was going to be a fighter pilot, but my eyesight didn’t help. It wasn’t until I was much older that I got into writing fiction. Actually within the past five years. I read a lot of free stuff online and knew I could write just like they did. Or at least I thought I could. So far it is turning out well.

TBP: What made you decide to write in the Horror field?

BR: I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, Zombie Capital USA, and actually met George Romero a couple times when I was little. Many authors I know have an obsession with things that go bump in the night. My obsession though is with our reaction to those things. FEAR. It is a driving factor in everyday life and I have this weird fascination with why we all react differently. Plus I’m a zombie junky.

TBP: Can you tell us who your favorite author is and what your favorite book is?

BR: I have a lot of ‘favorite’ authors including Jonathan Maberry, David Dunwoody, Kim Paffernoth, Stephen North, and Patrick D’Orazio. It’s been my fortune to not only meet these guys but to also talk shop with them as my career has advanced. At Horror Realm in Pittsburgh, PA this September I’ll be on an author’s panel with Dunwoody and Paffernoth along with getting to hang out with all those mentioned.

Favorite book is a very difficult question. When it comes to buying novels or anthologies I’m very stingy. Typically I purchase books that have been recommended to me by others such as the novel I just finished, ‘A Canticle for Leibowitz’. I absolutely loved that book and it ranks up there in my top ten.

TBP: Do you have any interesting experiences that have happened to you?

BR: When it comes to writing every experience is interesting from having your publisher give you a blank slate for your next work, talking with your fellow authors, or just getting to hang out with fellow horror enthusiasts.

TBP: What is your favorite thing that has happened to you as a writer?

BR: Obviously the first novel you get published is huge, but probably the most favorite thing was writing my father, who we

lost this past December to cancer, into FAITH & THE UNDEAD. His character plays a vital role in the story and after my mother finished reading it she said that when she was done reading it she just laughed because I hit my dad’s personality right on the head!

TBP: Where do you get your inspiration for your novels from?

BR: Much of my work is based on Faith. This is not to be confused with religion but the true meaning of Faith. The ability to believe in something greater than you. As for the components of the story they come from actual happenings in my life. As a Navy Veteran and having t

raveled the world I have a lot of sights and occurrences to draw upon in my stories.

TBP: Do you do a lot of research for your novels?

BR: Some of them I do. I have a story novel that I’ve been working on for a long time that takes place during travels from Northern Ohio to Eagles Nest, New Mexico. For that story I purchased a top quality road atlas and actually used Google Maps to ensure I had the routes and town names correct.

I guess it just depends on what type of story you are working on. Is it set in this realm? This yes you have to do some research to ensure accuracy in the work. If it is completely in this realm or in the future then I don’t believe you have to do research unless you are referencing ‘true’ things.

TBP: What can we expect in the near future from you?

BR: I’m currently working on multiple projects at once! OH, MULTITASKING! We are turning FAITH & THE UNDEAD into a multi-part graphic novel and I’m working with my cover artist David Naughton-Shires who will be doing the illustration. The plan is to do all three books in the Trilogy of the Undead once the trilogy is done.

At the same time I’m working on my second novel that has to do with a time traveling zombie hunter. I’d share more info but I’m trying to keep some of this under wraps at this early stage. I am currently hoping for a December release on this work.

You can find Ben online at http://benjaminrogers.wordpress.com/ where you can follow what he is currently working on and where he will be at for signings and conventions.