If you have a connection to That Book Place in Madison and/or with Hydra Publications, I’d love to interview you for the blog. It’s easy! Here’s all you have to do:
Send me
- an author photo
- a book cover photo
- a brief bio
- a brief blurb for your book
- links to your web site or blog and to where you book can be purchased
- answers to the Standard Interview Questions listed below
- How did you become involved with That Book Place?
- Can you say how your main character first occurred to you and how he or she evolved from that first spark to a full character?
- Did you choose your subject, or did your subject choose you?
- How do you work?
- Are you involved with email lists and/or social media? Why or why not?
- If you could have an evening with one fictional character, your own or someone else’s, who would it be and why?
Easy, eh? Here, I’ll show you.
Marian Allen writes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, humor, horror, mainstream, and anything else she can wrestle into fixed form.
Allen has had stories in on-line and print publications, on coffee cans and the wall of an Indian restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. She has a novel, FORCE OF HABIT, available through Echelon Press in various electronic formats, and several self-published books.
Allen is a member of Quills and Quibbles and the Southern Indiana Writers Group, and is a regular contributor to SIW’s annual anthology.
TBP: Hi, Marian — Welcome to That Book Place!
Marian Allen: Thanks, Marian. It’s good to be here.
TBP: How did you become involved with That Book Place?
Marian Allen: Frank introduced himself to T. Lee Harris and me at Context a couple of years ago, where we were representing the Southern Indiana Writers. We arranged to do a signing at That Book Place in Madison and found friends as well as a market for our books.
TBP: Can you say how your main character first occurred to you and how he or she evolved from that first spark to a full character?
Marian Allen: My latest book is a collection of twelve short stories, so the answer to that is longer than any of us would like. I’ll just pick one: The last story in the book, “Home on the Range”, is based on a true story I read in the newspaper. A woman called the police because she heard a noise in her kitchen. When the police got there, they found it had been a cow who escaped from a nearby pasture. And I have a daughter who is vegan. So, naturally, I had to bring a vegan and a wild cow together. I mean, naturally. Right? Am I right?
TBP: If you say so. Did you choose that subject, or did the subject choose you?
Marian Allen: Who in her right mind would CHOOSE to write a story about a vegan and a cow? The story chose me. Anyone who has read the story will tell you, you don’t mess with that cow.
TBP: How do you work?
Marian Allen: As little as possible. Oh, did I say that out loud? I work directly on computer, most of the time. If I get stuck, writing with pen and paper unsticks me, but I prefer to compose on the computer. With lots of coffee. And chocolate.
TBP: Are you involved with email lists and/or social media? Why or why not?
Marian Allen: MANY email lists. MUCH social media. You can see just about all of them at me XeeMe profile. I’m on readers’ and writers’ email lists, learning and sharing. I love connecting with people all over the world through social media. I’ve “met” some wonderful people. It energizes me. Yes, it takes time I could be using to write, but it also inspires me. I think I’m supposed to say something about it being a good way to market, which is true, but I’ve also FOUND a lot of great books I wouldn’t otherwise have found.
TBP: If you could have an evening with one fictional character, your own or someone else’s, who would it be and why?
Marian Allen: Holly Jahangiri. Holly is one of those online friends I met through an email list. She won a contest on my blog, giving her naming rights for a short story character. The character, named after her, became the star of the story. I’m writing another Holly Jahangiri story now. She even interviewed herself on my blog. I’d love to have an evening with both of them — the real one and the fictional one.
TBP: Okay. Well. Thank you, Marian. It’s been lovely having you visit with us.
Marian Allen: I’ve enjoyed talking to myself, too.
Marian Allen’s latest book is TURTLE FEATHERS. It’s available at Amazon.com for Kindle. The regular price is $0.99, but it’s FREE every Friday of April, 2012, from 12:00 am PST Friday until 11:59 pm PST Friday.
The dog Joseph’s stepmother gave him leads him away from his intended route. Disobedience puts a young mermaid’s life into the relentless claws of a crab. A penguin thinks his fortune is made when he discovers a cache of Scotch. More off-beat animal stories from the author of LONNIE, ME AND THE HOUND OF HELL.
Marian blogs daily at Marian Allen – Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes, where she also offers an ever-changing selection of free stories.