INTERVIEW: Lawrence Verigin

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the marvelous opportunity to chat with award-winning author Lawrence Verigin (LV). Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write intrigue fiction revolving around social issues?

LV: When I decided to write books my goal was to tell entertaining stories while writing about socially relevant subjects, so hopefully the reader would get into the book and at the end wonder if that was really happening. I think the thriller genre works best for what I'm trying to accomplish and is the most fun to write.

FU: What prompted you to write about genetically engineered seeds?

LV: It was my father who first told me about genetically engineered food and the crazy things that they doing, around 2000. He said, "can you believe that they're putting fish genes into tomato's?" I did some research and found that there were negative things that were happening that weren't being reported on in the media and that GMO's weren't turning out to be what they were advertised to be. Also, the companies doing the genetic engineering were perfect villain's, because they were notorious for developing products that were harmful to people and the environment. The manuscript I was writing at the time was going no where, so I scraped it and wrote Dark Seed.

FU: What other social issues do you think you might tackle with your fiction?

LV: So far I would like to write books that tackle fracking, the division of wealth (the 1%) and government lobbyists. There will be more ideas as time goes on.

FU: You've received some impressive accolades for your debut novel. What words of advice to you have for fledgling novelists?

LV: Yes, people seem to really like Dark Seed. My advice for a new novelist is to never give up, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and just finish the first draft. It took 13 years from when I started Dark Seed to when it was published, because I had to learn the craft. Now it's easier and I'll keep writing books for the rest of my life.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: So what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? After the second of the series comes out on 1 Nov, when will be your next new release?

LV: The sequel to Dark Seed, called Seed of Control, comes out November 1st and I'm currently writing the third book in the series that should be out in 2018. Then I would like to start a different series and maybe add more books to the "Seed" series later. LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. 

INTERVIEW: Lawrence Verigin

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the marvelous opportunity to chat with award-winning author Lawrence Verigin (LV). Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write intrigue fiction revolving around social issues?

LV: When I decided to write books my goal was to tell entertaining stories while writing about socially relevant subjects, so hopefully the reader would get into the book and at the end wonder if that was really happening. I think the thriller genre works best for what I'm trying to accomplish and is the most fun to write.

FU: What prompted you to write about genetically engineered seeds?

LV: It was my father who first told me about genetically engineered food and the crazy things that they doing, around 2000. He said, "can you believe that they're putting fish genes into tomato's?" I did some research and found that there were negative things that were happening that weren't being reported on in the media and that GMO's weren't turning out to be what they were advertised to be. Also, the companies doing the genetic engineering were perfect villain's, because they were notorious for developing products that were harmful to people and the environment. The manuscript I was writing at the time was going no where, so I scraped it and wrote Dark Seed.

FU: What other social issues do you think you might tackle with your fiction?

LV: So far I would like to write books that tackle fracking, the division of wealth (the 1%) and government lobbyists. There will be more ideas as time goes on.

FU: You've received some impressive accolades for your debut novel. What words of advice to you have for fledgling novelists?

LV: Yes, people seem to really like Dark Seed. My advice for a new novelist is to never give up, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and just finish the first draft. It took 13 years from when I started Dark Seed to when it was published, because I had to learn the craft. Now it's easier and I'll keep writing books for the rest of my life.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: So what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? After the second of the series comes out on 1 Nov, when will be your next new release?

LV: The sequel to Dark Seed, called Seed of Control, comes out November 1st and I'm currently writing the third book in the series that should be out in 2018. Then I would like to start a different series and maybe add more books to the "Seed" series later. LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. 

INTERVIEW: Lawrence Verigin

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the marvelous opportunity to chat with award-winning author Lawrence Verigin (LV). Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write intrigue fiction revolving around social issues?

LV: When I decided to write books my goal was to tell entertaining stories while writing about socially relevant subjects, so hopefully the reader would get into the book and at the end wonder if that was really happening. I think the thriller genre works best for what I'm trying to accomplish and is the most fun to write.

FU: What prompted you to write about genetically engineered seeds?

LV: It was my father who first told me about genetically engineered food and the crazy things that they doing, around 2000. He said, "can you believe that they're putting fish genes into tomato's?" I did some research and found that there were negative things that were happening that weren't being reported on in the media and that GMO's weren't turning out to be what they were advertised to be. Also, the companies doing the genetic engineering were perfect villain's, because they were notorious for developing products that were harmful to people and the environment. The manuscript I was writing at the time was going no where, so I scraped it and wrote Dark Seed.

FU: What other social issues do you think you might tackle with your fiction?

LV: So far I would like to write books that tackle fracking, the division of wealth (the 1%) and government lobbyists. There will be more ideas as time goes on.

FU: You've received some impressive accolades for your debut novel. What words of advice to you have for fledgling novelists?

LV: Yes, people seem to really like Dark Seed. My advice for a new novelist is to never give up, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and just finish the first draft. It took 13 years from when I started Dark Seed to when it was published, because I had to learn the craft. Now it's easier and I'll keep writing books for the rest of my life.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: So what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? After the second of the series comes out on 1 Nov, when will be your next new release?

LV: The sequel to Dark Seed, called Seed of Control, comes out November 1st and I'm currently writing the third book in the series that should be out in 2018. Then I would like to start a different series and maybe add more books to the "Seed" series later. LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. 

INTERVIEW: Lawrence Verigin

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the marvelous opportunity to chat with award-winning author Lawrence Verigin (LV). Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write intrigue fiction revolving around social issues?

LV: When I decided to write books my goal was to tell entertaining stories while writing about socially relevant subjects, so hopefully the reader would get into the book and at the end wonder if that was really happening. I think the thriller genre works best for what I'm trying to accomplish and is the most fun to write.

FU: What prompted you to write about genetically engineered seeds?

LV: It was my father who first told me about genetically engineered food and the crazy things that they doing, around 2000. He said, "can you believe that they're putting fish genes into tomato's?" I did some research and found that there were negative things that were happening that weren't being reported on in the media and that GMO's weren't turning out to be what they were advertised to be. Also, the companies doing the genetic engineering were perfect villain's, because they were notorious for developing products that were harmful to people and the environment. The manuscript I was writing at the time was going no where, so I scraped it and wrote Dark Seed.

FU: What other social issues do you think you might tackle with your fiction?

LV: So far I would like to write books that tackle fracking, the division of wealth (the 1%) and government lobbyists. There will be more ideas as time goes on.

FU: You've received some impressive accolades for your debut novel. What words of advice to you have for fledgling novelists?

LV: Yes, people seem to really like Dark Seed. My advice for a new novelist is to never give up, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and just finish the first draft. It took 13 years from when I started Dark Seed to when it was published, because I had to learn the craft. Now it's easier and I'll keep writing books for the rest of my life.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: So what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? After the second of the series comes out on 1 Nov, when will be your next new release?

LV: The sequel to Dark Seed, called Seed of Control, comes out November 1st and I'm currently writing the third book in the series that should be out in 2018. Then I would like to start a different series and maybe add more books to the "Seed" series later. LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. 

INTERVIEW: Lawrence Verigin

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the marvelous opportunity to chat with award-winning author Lawrence Verigin (LV). Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write intrigue fiction revolving around social issues?

LV: When I decided to write books my goal was to tell entertaining stories while writing about socially relevant subjects, so hopefully the reader would get into the book and at the end wonder if that was really happening. I think the thriller genre works best for what I'm trying to accomplish and is the most fun to write.

FU: What prompted you to write about genetically engineered seeds?

LV: It was my father who first told me about genetically engineered food and the crazy things that they doing, around 2000. He said, "can you believe that they're putting fish genes into tomato's?" I did some research and found that there were negative things that were happening that weren't being reported on in the media and that GMO's weren't turning out to be what they were advertised to be. Also, the companies doing the genetic engineering were perfect villain's, because they were notorious for developing products that were harmful to people and the environment. The manuscript I was writing at the time was going no where, so I scraped it and wrote Dark Seed.

FU: What other social issues do you think you might tackle with your fiction?

LV: So far I would like to write books that tackle fracking, the division of wealth (the 1%) and government lobbyists. There will be more ideas as time goes on.

FU: You've received some impressive accolades for your debut novel. What words of advice to you have for fledgling novelists?

LV: Yes, people seem to really like Dark Seed. My advice for a new novelist is to never give up, learn everything you can about the craft of writing and just finish the first draft. It took 13 years from when I started Dark Seed to when it was published, because I had to learn the craft. Now it's easier and I'll keep writing books for the rest of my life.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: So what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? After the second of the series comes out on 1 Nov, when will be your next new release?

LV: The sequel to Dark Seed, called Seed of Control, comes out November 1st and I'm currently writing the third book in the series that should be out in 2018. Then I would like to start a different series and maybe add more books to the "Seed" series later. LV: My wife and friends would be the first to tell you I'm like Nick Barnes. I tried to make him act different than I would, but many of his mannerisms are like mine. He has to toughen up as the series progresses, so either I have to toughen up or he'll become different than me :)

FU: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. 

INTERVIEW: K.J. Jackson

Flurries Unlimited (FU) was fortunate enough to grab a quick chat with paranormal and historical romance author K.J. Jackson about her work, her inspirations and love of rusty tin cans.  This is what we talked about:

FU:  There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write historical and paranormal romance? 

KJJ: There was never any question with me about what I would write--romance--as I'm a happily-ever-after girl to the bone. I come by the paranormal genre of it naturally, as my dad was a high school English teacher who loved to teach Greek mythology as part of the coursework. So I was around so many of those magical stories early on in life. So when I started publishing several years ago, writing a take on mythology in a paranormal romance held a lot of interest to me, personally. That, and to be 100 percent honest, I was juggling a full-time job and a 2 and 4 year old at the time, and I thought I'd have to do less research than I would in writing a historical. Ha, ha on me! I was somewhat right about it, but I waaay underestimated how much detail goes into world-building, and how one has to be meticulous in keeping track of powers, locales, etc.! I have never met a rabbit-hole of options that I did not go down--my own flaw. And options are unlimited when you're world-building. But the paranormal books have always been super fun for me, as I like my romance with fantasy in it--be that imaginary powers or set in a time long ago. 
And that leads me to writing my historical romance--I love reading historical romance, always have  (my favorite genre), and the common advice about writing what you would love to to read has worked out pretty well for me.  
FU:  So, what's the story of the rusty tin can picture on your website? What made you chose that? 

KJJ: Yea, it's an oddball one, isn't it? One of my favorite pictures from childhood, just because of the story it tells. (And everyone gets to let their own imagination concoct some crazy tale about it.) So I like to think of it as a little gift of a story, from me to you (she says with a wink). 

FU:  You've written so many different books.  Which is your favourite and why? Do you like paranormal or historical better?

KJJ: I am going to have to go with the common answer on this one--my favourite book is always the one I am currently working on (right now, that's a historical about Lord Newdale from books 2&3 of the Lords of Fate series). I am very much a it-is-done-and-out-the-door type of writer, and not a dweller on past works. Second question, I am, unfortunately for my paranormal readers, definitely partial to historical at the moment. Every time I release a book and then pop open the computer to start something new, I just start writing another historical, even though I have outlines for more stories in the paranormal world. That said, I am going to try to split my time over the next few months and write in both genres. But we'll see how that goes -- I lean to type A personality, and tend to want to finish things that I start as expediently as possible. 

FU:  They say that every character has some of the author in him/her.  Which of your characters is most like you?  In what way?

KJJ: Can I say all of them? I think every character either has some of me in it, or at least traits that I aspire to have. I have taken a number of the personality tests for different jobs over the years, and have learned that I am mostly a chameleon--I'll tend to do whatever is needed in the situation or in the team. I like to think that helps in creating a wide range of characters -- or at least I hope it does, and I'm not just a crazy woman!  

FU:  So what is on the horizon?  What are your new projects? When is your next new release? 

KJJ: Next up I'm going to try to split my time and write both a historical and a paranormal at the same time (we'll see how that goes). 

The historical will be a regency romance featuring the story of Lord Newdale. He was engaged to marry the heroine, Lily, in my latest book, Marquess of Fortune (just released Feb. 1). But something prevents that, something he does that is atrocious (can't say much more without a spoiler). But -- ah-ha -- things are never as they seem in my crazy imagination! He actually is a hero for the ages! I'm jazzed so far with it and it'll be out in late spring/early summer.

The paranormal book I'm starting is the flip side of the Flame Moon series (if one read it, those characters are very much on the good side of the coin), and this next set of books will explore the flip side -- the darker characters. That is, if I can force myself to get on it!!! It's outlined, and it will be a super fun story for me to write.

FU:  Thank you so much for chatting with us!

KJJ:  Thanks so much for hosting, me. It's fun to take stock in question like these on occasion

INTERVIEW: C.A. Verstraete

The folks at Flurries Unlimited (FU) were lucky enough to catch up with horror author and miniaturist C.A. Verstraete (CAV) for a one on one chat.  Here's what we discussed.

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write about zombies?

CAV: I’ve always enjoyed a good scare, and what’s scarier than zombies? I started watching The Walking Dead like everyone else and I admit I got hooked!

FU: And how do miniatures fit in with that?

CAV: Only that I love to create! If I’m not writing, I’m usually working on something in miniature. It’s my artistic and creative outlet. But as for miniatures and zombies, I haven’t created that scene… yet. I have built a miniature Haunted House with strange inhabitants and a butcher in the back room. That’s all I’ll say. Ha! (The photos are on my website, http://cverstraete.com, click miniatures and Haunted House)

FU:  What kind of crossover potential have you seen between the two? Miniature zombies? Zombies who enjoy dollhouses? ;-)

CAV: See above answer. Actually there are quite a few spooky or horror books and short stories that have involved dollhouses and dolls. Maybe I’ll write a haunted dollhouse story some day. You never know.

FU:  You've written so many books. Which is your favourite and why?

CAV: Not that many. I have contributed short stories to quite a few anthologies, though. I like writing those as I get to explore different ideas, but I have to admit writing about Lizzie Borden has to be my favorite. It was a challenge, but fun, to work the story around her real life and add in some strange background events.

FU: They say that every character has some of the author in him/her. Which of your characters is most like you? In what way?

CAV: I think as a writer you can’t help but put a little bit of yourself in each character. But just a little… I sure wouldn’t want to be like Lizzie! Maybe I’m a bit like Becca in GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie. High school can be a time of adjusting and trying to find your way in life. Add becoming part-zombie and it makes that even worse. Not that I’d know about that, of course. Ha! (Except on those real late writing nights!)

FU:  So, what is on the horizon? What are your new projects? When is your next new release?

CAV: Getting Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter out has been my top priority for over a year now, so it’s almost hard to think beyond her! Actually, I like her enough that I started writing some short mystery stories with her. I’m also outlining the next book. There are quite a few issues I can address in the next book and I’m not quite ready to let go of Lizzie yet.

FU: Thank you so much for chatting with us.

INTERVIEW: Michael La Ronn

Flurries Unlimited (FU) had the great opportunity to sit down for a chat with fantasy and science fiction author Michael La Ronn (MLR) about his writing, his life and his philosophy of being.  Here's what we talked about.

FU:  There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write science fiction and fantasy novels? 

MLR: I have a big imagination and I love to tell stories. Science fiction and fantasy let me explore my imagination. When you read good SFF, you always walk away with a different perspective of the world, even though you've just been reading fiction. 

FU: And how did the non-fiction books come about?

MLR: The nonfiction books are more for me, honestly. It's me documenting my growth as an author, and passing along what I've learned to help people who have started after me. They're fun to write and nice buffers between novels. 

FU:  Your Amazon bio mentions a life-threatening illness that changed your life.  Can you give us a little bit more insight into that? How are you different now as compared to before?

MLR: I was ill with a stomach virus and while I was in the hospital, I caught another infection. What should have been a 2-3 hour hospital visit turned into a month-long visit where the doctors didn't diagnose the infection until it was almost too late. On that hospital bed, I realized that I had done nothing with my life. Sure, I had gone to college, gotten a good job, was ready to be engaged---but something was missing. Art was missing. I swore right then and there on that hospital bed that I would become a world-class storyteller and nothing would stop me. 

Most people who know me very well will tell you that I'm fearless. I'm willing to write the stories I believe in, even if they're a little off-kilter, and I'm willing to fail HARD and embarrass myself in public, and I have no problem with it because I also know how to balance that with good business sense and marketing. Life is short. When I'm gone, I'd rather leave it all in my books than have regret about what I didn't write. I definitely didn't have that attitude before I got sick. 

FU:  You've written a lot of books.  Which is your favourite and why?

MLR: Such a tough question! I love all of my books. Each one has a different spot in my heart. But Festival of Shadows will probably always be my favorite. It's about a headstrong teddy bear facing all odds to rescue his owner from the boogie man. Life throws everything at him--sadness, despair, evil villains---but he perseveres and never gives up. But at the same time his heart opens up in ways he never imagined, and he learns what it really means to be brave. That's my own personal, story, too. 

FU:  They say that every character has some of the author in him/her.  Which of your characters is most like you?  In what way?

MLR: X from Android Paradox is most like me. Aside from the fact that he's a seven-foot tall, African-American android who has no problem cracking skulls, he's quiet, introspective and always taking in the world around him. He's always asking questions, always trying to get to the heart of who he truly is, that's how I am, too. If only I had his muscles and strength!

FU:  So what is on the horizon?  What are your new projects? When is your next new release?

MLR: More science fiction & fantasy is always on my horizon. I'll be publishing Book 2 in The Last Dragon Lord series by the end of the year, as well as a new series about necromancers that I am super excited about. 

FU:  Thank you for chatting with us.

TMLR: hank you very much for the interview. I appreciate the opportunity!

INTERVIEW: Kat Ross

Flurries Unlimited (FU) caught up with jack of all trades author Kat Ross (KR) for a one on one chat about her work, inspirations and plans.  Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write in at least three different ones?

KR: As an author, I like trying my hand at different kinds of voices and stories, and as a reader, I've always loved multiple genres, so it seems natural to experiment. While I'm a great fan of pure fantasy, cozy mysteries, alien invasions, etc., genre mash-ups are my favorite right now. Books that may not be easy to classify (Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle, for example, or David Wong's John Dies at the End), but that are so well-written and have such memorable characters, it really doesn't matter. Both of those books had me utterly horrified and laughing out loud on the same page. That's where my current Fourth Element series is headed. Gaslamp mystery with elements of fantasy, sci-fi and romance—all the best bits!

FU: Which of your books is your favourite? Why?

KR: Oh, hard question. The two that are out right now are very different. My first (Some Fine Day) is pretty straight dystopian, while The Midnight Sea is epic fantasy with an historical twist. In time, they're set a couple thousand years apart: 2090 versus 330 B.C. Half the action in Some Fine Day takes place deep underground in a world that's flooded from extreme climate change, while The Midnight Sea is set in an alt Persian Empire at the time of Alexander's invasion. I did a massive amount of research for both stories, which fortunately is something I enjoy. And they both have strong female leads I wouldn't want to get into a bar fight with.

That said, my favorite is probably the one that's coming out in October. It's called The Daemoniac and I'm thinking of it as Sherlock Holmes meets The X-Files in Gilded Age New York, circa 1888. The voice is a bit more sophisticated than my other books, and I loved going deep into the Victorian rabbit hole of quackery and spiritualism and bizarre party attire. I'm a huge fan of Caleb Carr's The Alienist, and it definitely inspired me while I was drafting this book.

FU:  You have two books slated to be released this Autumn less than a month apart.  How do you manage such a tight schedule?

KR:  It might look like I pound out 10k words a day, but sadly, that's not the case. I doubt I'll have two releases so close together again, but I wrote The Daemoniac last year and then got seduced by the Next Great Idea, which turned out to be The Midnight Sea. So the manuscript sat for a bit (which is a good thing anyway), while I wrote the first two books in the Fourth Element series. But I always knew I'd publish it, and once I had the cover in hand, I couldn't resist scheduling a release date just ahead of Halloween. It's the perfect spooky tale to curl up with under the covers while the autumn winds are howling outside…

FU:  You have a very diverse work background. How have your bike messenger, coat-check girl and UN experiences influenced your writing?

KR: The short answer is everything we do in our lives has some usefulness in our writing. But I doubt I would have written Some Fine Day if I hadn't been following the climate debate as a journalist and editor since the mid-2000s. I sat there watching the predictions of very smart scientists get worse and worse, and actually start coming to pass.

I'd already decided to write a YA thriller, and there was so much terrifying stuff in scientific journals that I didn't have to look very far for a white-knuckle plot. Climate change is different from most other challenges humanity is facing in the sense that it affects every corner of the globe and it's basically irreversible. A lot of that carbon will stay up there for thousands of years. And I couldn't help wondering, what if the worst case scenarios come true? I'm just naturally optimistic like that.

FU:  They say that every character has some of the author in him/her.  Which of your characters is most like you?  In what way?

KR: Honestly, both my protagonists are way, way out of my league. They're basically James Bond to my Johnny English. Likewise the villains. I only wish I could be that magnificently evil. So yeah, I'd be one of the extras. The middle-aged waitress who asks, "How d'ya like your eggs, sweetheart?"

FU:  So what else is on the horizon for you?

KR:  I'll be wrapping up the Fourth Element trilogy this December with Queen of Chaos. No spoilers, but the end does leave the door open to the next series, which I'm calling Dominion Mysteries, after the sort of purgatory where the Undead and other nasty creatures come from. The books will be standalones, with magic, murder, demonic entities, tea, consulting detectives, rare books, grave-robbing, cavernous English country homes and other gothic delights.

I also still want to write the sequel to Some Fine Day, and I've promised fans of that book that I'll get around to it next year. So when I'm sick and tired of living in the 1880s, I'll just zip forward a couple hundred years. Writing in multiple genres can feel a bit like time travel, in the best way.

FU:  Thank you so much for chatting with us.

More information about Kat Ross can be found at:

Website http://katrossbooks.com/index.html

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kat.ross.3382

Twitter https://twitter.com/katrossauthor

Tumblr http://katross.tumblr.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7426942.Kat_Ross

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katross2014/

INTERVIEW: Kat Ross

Flurries Unlimited (FU) caught up with jack of all trades author Kat Ross (KR) for a one on one chat about her work, inspirations and plans.  Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write in at least three different ones?

KR: As an author, I like trying my hand at different kinds of voices and stories, and as a reader, I've always loved multiple genres, so it seems natural to experiment. While I'm a great fan of pure fantasy, cozy mysteries, alien invasions, etc., genre mash-ups are my favorite right now. Books that may not be easy to classify (Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle, for example, or David Wong's John Dies at the End), but that are so well-written and have such memorable characters, it really doesn't matter. Both of those books had me utterly horrified and laughing out loud on the same page. That's where my current Fourth Element series is headed. Gaslamp mystery with elements of fantasy, sci-fi and romance—all the best bits!

FU: Which of your books is your favourite? Why?

KR: Oh, hard question. The two that are out right now are very different. My first (Some Fine Day) is pretty straight dystopian, while The Midnight Sea is epic fantasy with an historical twist. In time, they're set a couple thousand years apart: 2090 versus 330 B.C. Half the action in Some Fine Day takes place deep underground in a world that's flooded from extreme climate change, while The Midnight Sea is set in an alt Persian Empire at the time of Alexander's invasion. I did a massive amount of research for both stories, which fortunately is something I enjoy. And they both have strong female leads I wouldn't want to get into a bar fight with.

That said, my favorite is probably the one that's coming out in October. It's called The Daemoniac and I'm thinking of it as Sherlock Holmes meets The X-Files in Gilded Age New York, circa 1888. The voice is a bit more sophisticated than my other books, and I loved going deep into the Victorian rabbit hole of quackery and spiritualism and bizarre party attire. I'm a huge fan of Caleb Carr's The Alienist, and it definitely inspired me while I was drafting this book.

FU:  You have two books slated to be released this Autumn less than a month apart.  How do you manage such a tight schedule?

KR:  It might look like I pound out 10k words a day, but sadly, that's not the case. I doubt I'll have two releases so close together again, but I wrote The Daemoniac last year and then got seduced by the Next Great Idea, which turned out to be The Midnight Sea. So the manuscript sat for a bit (which is a good thing anyway), while I wrote the first two books in the Fourth Element series. But I always knew I'd publish it, and once I had the cover in hand, I couldn't resist scheduling a release date just ahead of Halloween. It's the perfect spooky tale to curl up with under the covers while the autumn winds are howling outside…

FU:  You have a very diverse work background. How have your bike messenger, coat-check girl and UN experiences influenced your writing?

KR: The short answer is everything we do in our lives has some usefulness in our writing. But I doubt I would have written Some Fine Day if I hadn't been following the climate debate as a journalist and editor since the mid-2000s. I sat there watching the predictions of very smart scientists get worse and worse, and actually start coming to pass.

I'd already decided to write a YA thriller, and there was so much terrifying stuff in scientific journals that I didn't have to look very far for a white-knuckle plot. Climate change is different from most other challenges humanity is facing in the sense that it affects every corner of the globe and it's basically irreversible. A lot of that carbon will stay up there for thousands of years. And I couldn't help wondering, what if the worst case scenarios come true? I'm just naturally optimistic like that.

FU:  They say that every character has some of the author in him/her.  Which of your characters is most like you?  In what way?

KR: Honestly, both my protagonists are way, way out of my league. They're basically James Bond to my Johnny English. Likewise the villains. I only wish I could be that magnificently evil. So yeah, I'd be one of the extras. The middle-aged waitress who asks, "How d'ya like your eggs, sweetheart?"

FU:  So what else is on the horizon for you?

KR:  I'll be wrapping up the Fourth Element trilogy this December with Queen of Chaos. No spoilers, but the end does leave the door open to the next series, which I'm calling Dominion Mysteries, after the sort of purgatory where the Undead and other nasty creatures come from. The books will be standalones, with magic, murder, demonic entities, tea, consulting detectives, rare books, grave-robbing, cavernous English country homes and other gothic delights.

I also still want to write the sequel to Some Fine Day, and I've promised fans of that book that I'll get around to it next year. So when I'm sick and tired of living in the 1880s, I'll just zip forward a couple hundred years. Writing in multiple genres can feel a bit like time travel, in the best way.

FU:  Thank you so much for chatting with us.

More information about Kat Ross can be found at:

Website http://katrossbooks.com/index.html

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kat.ross.3382

Twitter https://twitter.com/katrossauthor

Tumblr http://katross.tumblr.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7426942.Kat_Ross

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katross2014/

INTERVIEW: Kat Ross

Flurries Unlimited (FU) caught up with jack of all trades author Kat Ross (KR) for a one on one chat about her work, inspirations and plans.  Here's what we talked about:

FU: There are so many different genres to choose from, what inspired you to write in at least three different ones?

KR: As an author, I like trying my hand at different kinds of voices and stories, and as a reader, I've always loved multiple genres, so it seems natural to experiment. While I'm a great fan of pure fantasy, cozy mysteries, alien invasions, etc., genre mash-ups are my favorite right now. Books that may not be easy to classify (Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle, for example, or David Wong's John Dies at the End), but that are so well-written and have such memorable characters, it really doesn't matter. Both of those books had me utterly horrified and laughing out loud on the same page. That's where my current Fourth Element series is headed. Gaslamp mystery with elements of fantasy, sci-fi and romance—all the best bits!

FU: Which of your books is your favourite? Why?

KR: Oh, hard question. The two that are out right now are very different. My first (Some Fine Day) is pretty straight dystopian, while The Midnight Sea is epic fantasy with an historical twist. In time, they're set a couple thousand years apart: 2090 versus 330 B.C. Half the action in Some Fine Day takes place deep underground in a world that's flooded from extreme climate change, while The Midnight Sea is set in an alt Persian Empire at the time of Alexander's invasion. I did a massive amount of research for both stories, which fortunately is something I enjoy. And they both have strong female leads I wouldn't want to get into a bar fight with.

That said, my favorite is probably the one that's coming out in October. It's called The Daemoniac and I'm thinking of it as Sherlock Holmes meets The X-Files in Gilded Age New York, circa 1888. The voice is a bit more sophisticated than my other books, and I loved going deep into the Victorian rabbit hole of quackery and spiritualism and bizarre party attire. I'm a huge fan of Caleb Carr's The Alienist, and it definitely inspired me while I was drafting this book.

FU:  You have two books slated to be released this Autumn less than a month apart.  How do you manage such a tight schedule?

KR:  It might look like I pound out 10k words a day, but sadly, that's not the case. I doubt I'll have two releases so close together again, but I wrote The Daemoniac last year and then got seduced by the Next Great Idea, which turned out to be The Midnight Sea. So the manuscript sat for a bit (which is a good thing anyway), while I wrote the first two books in the Fourth Element series. But I always knew I'd publish it, and once I had the cover in hand, I couldn't resist scheduling a release date just ahead of Halloween. It's the perfect spooky tale to curl up with under the covers while the autumn winds are howling outside…

FU:  You have a very diverse work background. How have your bike messenger, coat-check girl and UN experiences influenced your writing?

KR: The short answer is everything we do in our lives has some usefulness in our writing. But I doubt I would have written Some Fine Day if I hadn't been following the climate debate as a journalist and editor since the mid-2000s. I sat there watching the predictions of very smart scientists get worse and worse, and actually start coming to pass.

I'd already decided to write a YA thriller, and there was so much terrifying stuff in scientific journals that I didn't have to look very far for a white-knuckle plot. Climate change is different from most other challenges humanity is facing in the sense that it affects every corner of the globe and it's basically irreversible. A lot of that carbon will stay up there for thousands of years. And I couldn't help wondering, what if the worst case scenarios come true? I'm just naturally optimistic like that.

FU:  They say that every character has some of the author in him/her.  Which of your characters is most like you?  In what way?

KR: Honestly, both my protagonists are way, way out of my league. They're basically James Bond to my Johnny English. Likewise the villains. I only wish I could be that magnificently evil. So yeah, I'd be one of the extras. The middle-aged waitress who asks, "How d'ya like your eggs, sweetheart?"

FU:  So what else is on the horizon for you?

KR:  I'll be wrapping up the Fourth Element trilogy this December with Queen of Chaos. No spoilers, but the end does leave the door open to the next series, which I'm calling Dominion Mysteries, after the sort of purgatory where the Undead and other nasty creatures come from. The books will be standalones, with magic, murder, demonic entities, tea, consulting detectives, rare books, grave-robbing, cavernous English country homes and other gothic delights.

I also still want to write the sequel to Some Fine Day, and I've promised fans of that book that I'll get around to it next year. So when I'm sick and tired of living in the 1880s, I'll just zip forward a couple hundred years. Writing in multiple genres can feel a bit like time travel, in the best way.

FU:  Thank you so much for chatting with us.

More information about Kat Ross can be found at:

Website http://katrossbooks.com/index.html

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kat.ross.3382

Twitter https://twitter.com/katrossauthor

Tumblr http://katross.tumblr.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7426942.Kat_Ross

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katross2014/