Category Archives: 15 for 15 Interviews

15 for 15 Interviews, Buzzkill Mag, On Site Guests

Catching up w/Random Evolved’s Rebekah Pruitt

Bachman: We’ve known each other for a long, but much has changed in that time. What can you tell us that has changed for TBK in the past couple of years?

Pruitt: Well, the TBK name is being dropped in a few weeks to be replaced with our main company name, Random Evolved. Outside that, we are the same random people who will post about anything each day.

Bachman: Covid has changed the landscape of publishing, podcasting, and conventions. How have you adapted to the lockdowns and recording of podcasts?

Pruitt: The pandemic changed a lot for me in terms of everything. Last year was our first-year publishing books and damn, it was like being thrown to the wolves. We had plans to do book signings with a local author signed to us, but our local bookstore was destroyed by a tornado right after places started to close. It was a weird first year. As for podcasts, I like to record in person. The dynamic is so fun but last year that had to change.

Bachman: You became a publisher with Random Evolved. How has that been for you? Everything you expected or worse?

Pruitt: Not withstanding the happenings of the pandemic, I have loved everything about it. I learned how to format, design covers, come up with marketing campaigns. A lot of which we didn’t get a chance to use…yet. You can feel the excitement throughout our staff.

Bachman: You’ve built a successful empire, is there anything you’d wish you’d learned sooner or anything you wish you could’ve changed?

Pruitt: Not to let negative comments get to me. Also, it is a marathon and not a sprint.

Bachman: What made you want to even start ‘the buzzkill magazine’?

Pruitt: This story is the main reason why the name is completely changing. When I was in high school before the days of fast internet, I was an editor with my high school newspaper “The Canine Courier.” And outside the theater, journalism became my favorite time of the day. And it was not due to having those cool-colored MACs from the early 2000s. I wrote the entertainment section for the paper. And when I hated something, I called it ‘The Entertainment Buzz Kill’ and decided to run with that name. As I have aged, I realized the name just does not fit us anymore. We cover a wide variety of subjects and changing it to Random Evolved Magazine just makes sense.

Bachman: When did you know you wanted to strengthen by branching out into novel publishing, podcasting, and all that readers can enjoy at your website?

Pruitt: Podcasting just came naturally as I have a background in radio. As for everything else, it just felt like the right move.

Bachman: Is there anything you haven’t done yet and looked forward to doing or have been wanting to do?

Pruitt: Soon. I can’t give more details just yet. But soon.

Bachman: Anything currently you’d like to share with my readers?

Pruitt: We have some great titles coming out this summer. The release of The Book of Roland by James Master with all new content. So, if you read this the first time it dropped, this is a brand-new book. Unbreakable Mind by Bryan Tann and Kindra Sowder. Third eye by Cindy Johnson. A book of poetry from Chelsea Hays and so much more. A few surprises. Plus, a launch of the company that started last year. We try to do something new each day, that is why I chose the name Random Evolved.

TBK Magazine – Random Evolved – Website

15 for 15 Interviews, On Site Guests, Releases

Interview with Janeal Falor

Bachman: You are best known for being a fantasy romance author with your Mine series, do you have any plans to change genres?

Falor: For a few years, I’ve played around writing some sweet romances, but have never been serious about them. Mostly I’ve been practicing writing them and learning the genre. I’m finally getting serious about publishing some, probably within the next year or so, but under the pen name of Jane Danforth. Under my own name, I’ll probably stick with fantasy with a side of romance. Getting lost in fantasy worlds is my favorite, with kissing of course!

Bachman: Is there anything you’re working on now you can share with us?

Falor: Yes! It’s the first book in a brand new series, The Fading Oracle. Aira, the last oracle, sees a vision of losing her powers and must fight to stop that from happening. Did I mention there are dragon gods? And a hunky love interest, of course!

It’s written, but still needs to go through some editing. I’d also like to plot out the rest of the series before I release it, just in case I need to tweak anything in this first book.

Bachman: You mentioned a box set, what can you tell us about the story you wrote that’s included?

Falor: Sure! Reader’s have often asked me for more books in the Mine series. Last year, I had a reader suggest she’d like to know about a specific character, and the idea really interested me. This year, I wrote it! I did make it so it can stand on its own if you haven’t read the Mine series, but there’s also lots of fun pieces if you have read the Mine series.

For those familiar with the Mine series, the book, Mine to Defy, is about Tawny, a Princess from another country who came to help those struggling in the Mine series. She became a tarnished in the last book, forced to become bald, had her face tattooed, and made barren. This story takes place as this princess returns to her country and to a people that aren’t ready for what she’s become. She discovers a plot against the tarnished, and fights to save those like her, discovering herself in the process. And finds love along the way, because I love kissing books!

Bachman: When we talked you named other authors, what about these authors did you like that made you want to work with them?

Falor: J.A. Culican is putting the set together. She’s a great, USA Today Bestselling author with some cool books out! When I found out she was putting together a fantasy box set, I was excited to become part of it and hopefully learn some new skills from her.

Bachman: What’s the box set going to be called?

Falor: Speed Dating with Authors: Fantasy Novel Edition

Bachman: Will it be primarily a romance box set?

Falor: It will be a fantasy box set. I know that my book has some romance in it, because kissing rocks, but fantasy is the main genre.

Bachman: When you’re not writing, what do you do to entertain yourself?

Falor: I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I also love to garden, though I’m mostly good at killing plants and not making them grow. And as long as I don’t have to cook, I really enjoy spending time in the kitchen.

Bachman: You’ve been writing for some time now, any advice you’d like to share to someone just coming into the business?

Falor: Write. A lot. I know it may sound silly, but often writers want to write, but we get caught up in doing so many other things, sometimes we forget the main point is to actually write. While you’re writing a lot, read even more. There’s so much we can learn from reading other books, not plagiarizing them, but discovering what you like and don’t like about them, and then applying that to your writing in your own way.

Thank you for having me!

15 for 15 Interviews, brief words, On Site Guests

[Brief Words] 2017 Throwback Interview/WiHM Special – Lindsey Goddard

In honor of Women in Horror Month so much is going on! I just had to do a 15 for 15 to interview one woman in horror right now and I was lucky enough to snag the wonderful Lindsey Goddard!

Bachman: Tell us a bit about yourself, your work, what genre(s) you write in, and something you’d like to share about yourself that maybe isn’t well known.

Goddard: I am 33, and I’m not getting any younger, so I’m trying to get my name out there. My fiction is dark and somewhat depraved, but with an emotional twist. I’m currently working on a novel that I hope will knock your socks off.

Bachman: Is being a writer a gift or a curse?

Goddard: Well, my life as a writer has been great, during the times when I was able to write. Other times, I don’t get much writing done at all and beat myself up over it.So I’ll answer with a direct quote from one of my all-time favorite movies, Forrest Gump: “Maybe both is happening at the same time.”

Bachman: What’s your writing process look like? What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Goddard: I tend to obsess over topics I find interesting, so research is an enjoyable part of writing for me. I can spend hours reading and watching about a topic, even for a three-thousand-word story. Days and days for the longer stuff.

Bachman: If you were deserted on an island, which three people would you want to have with you? Why? Criteria:One fictional character from your book, one fictional character from any other book, and one famous person that is not a family member or friend.

Goddard: Casey Wendell, the social worker from my novella Ashes of Another Life, because she is a strong woman Peter Pan, ‘cause I would ask him to fly me away from the deserted island (is that cheating?)Jonny Craig, lead singer of the band Slaves, because I’m currently obsessed with his vocals and would make him sing to me.

Bachman: What about the genre(s) you write in attracted you to them?

Goddard: I’ve always loved horror. I’m not sure why. Some people just do. We’re a misunderstood group of people. You’d think the obsession with darkness, with blood and would indicate somebody is a psychopath, but I find the opposite is true. Horror fans tend to be fun, laid-back and open-minded. Maybe it’s an effective form of therapy to read, watch, and write horror.

Bachman: What’s your latest release about?

Goddard: When Tara Jane Brewer leaves her polygamous community behind after her family dies in a tragic house fire, she is plagued by ghastly images of death. Hunted by a member of the church who plans to bring her home to Sweet Springs at any cost, Tara Jane must fight to keep her freedom. But everywhere she goes, she sees the charred faces of her burned family, watching her, following her, all thirty-four of them, waiting for her to come home and resume her place in the family. From Ashes of Another Life.

Bachman: Do consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful?

Goddard: Honestly, no, I don’t feel successful yet. I know the more humble or likable answer would be to say, “Yes, I feel successful because people are reading my work.” But I don’t feel that way. I haven’t produced enough work, haven’t reached enough goals. Maybe the upcoming release of my new collection, Secrets of the Slain, will bring some new fans my way.

Bachman: A brilliant idea hits you, what do you do first?

Goddard: Text it to myself! I have a song I sing for my muse: “I don’t want anybody else. When I think about you, I text myself.”

Bachman: What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Goddard: Sleep. I wish I could stay up all night like I used to when I was younger. These days, even coffee won’t keep me up after 11. I would trade sleep to become a better writer, if I could control the Zzzzz’s when they hit me!

Bachman: Do you believe in writer’s block?

Goddard: I believe that some writers believe in writer’s block, which is a good way to get it. Therefore, I try not to believe in it. Take that, writer’s block!

Bachman: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Goddard: I’m still waiting for a really, really bad one. I know it will come. I’m almost eager to get it over with. So far, there have been reviews from readers who weren’t thrilled or didn’t fully connect, but nothing too terrible.  *knock on wood*  *gulp* The good ones… they always make me smile.

Bachman: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

Goddard: I saw how the editing process can rip things to shreds and form an entirely new, polished product, so I try not to dwell on the small stuff.

Bachman: Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Goddard: Well, it can surely be said that some of the biggest jerks in the world are the most successful, but personally, that depends on how you measure success. If nobody really likes you as a person, how successful are you as a human being? Big egos kill personal relationships, no matter if the book sales are rolling in. Best to avoid that.

Bachman: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Goddard: Publishers asking authors to pay for a book deal. That is not a book deal. Don’t ever do that.

Bachman: Does your family support your career as a writer?

Goddard: Yes. Quite supportive.

Bachman: How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?

Goddard: As a person reads my work, I like to make them think and figure things out along the way, but I promise, I’ll always explain what’s happening in the end. None of these “and then they woke up and none of it mattered” endings. Read my fiction, and I’ll reward you, I promise.

 

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Some links in the above interview may no longer work properly. Images may have become broken over the years as well for some interviews and older content. This is an older interview being re-posted.

15 for 15 Interviews, On Site Guests, The Archives

Interviews are Back!

With the interview of wonderful author Brian G. Murray, I’ve decided to bring back some older features back. I had originally stopped interviewing those from the industry because there seemed to be a lack of interest for them, but through Facebook I learned that there is still some interest and so an interview took place behind-the-scenes.

Check out the interview that sparked the interviews to come back!

15 for 15 with Brian G. Murray