Interview with Simon Parker & Review

I'm joined today by Simon Parker, an indie author who writes gruesome horror. I've been lucky enough to be able to review his book, which'll be included in the post below. Now, let's learn a little about Simon. Here's a bio:

I found my love of horror at the tender age of ten when I bought a couple of Tales from the Crypt comics at a jumble sale! (No sadly I don't still have them! Lol) I began writing just a few years later and tried to get published at nineteen but it only took a couple of rejections to discourage me. It wasn't until I was in my forties after I had written a lot more, that I found those early stories and was persuaded to self publish. I'd already lost my father years before that but my mother got to see my first book self published before she passed too. I got it republished by a small independent publishing house and then got signed by Foundations Books llc who have now re released Tales of the Mysterious and Macabre in an updated version that I couldn't be more proud of. 

And moving onto the interview!

What kind of books do you read for pleasure?
I tend to read mainly horror books for pleasure, but I also read sci fi, thriller, crime, adventure and fantasy. It doesn't have to be dark, just well written and engaging. I love to get lost in a book.

What kind of writer are you: plan or not?
When I start a new project, I tend to kick off with a very basic idea, expand on that a little then write a very simple chapter outline. The  comes the research part, often the hardest and most labourious but essential for making things believable. Then the exciting part, I start each chapter knowing roughly where it's heading but not a clue what is going to happen in the process.

If you had the chance to write anywhere, where would you choose?
If I could write anywhere in the world, I would probably chose a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Probably Scotland in reality as I adore the place, but I'd love to work in Canada or Alaska too. The scenery is inspire

Do you prefer to type or hand write?
My first draft is almost always hand written. I honestly couldn't tell you why, it just feels right to me, more up close and personal while writing the bones down. It's like holding the hand of an old friend when the pen is there on the page, touching the soul rather than tapping keys at it remotely. There's always typing for the next draft and editing once the heart is laid bare on the page.

Do you have a writing playlist? Or do you prefer silence?
My writing playlist is mainly ambient music. I find it difficult to focus if a song plays with lyrics but I do love music on, especially an atmospheric piece to increase the tension while I'm creating, normally halloween type soundtracks.

Do you have any hobbies?
My hobbies are many and varied but mainly focus around creativity. I love painting and drawing and sell some of my prints and originals on my etsy site ( Horror art and collectables by DarkHeartsHorrorArts ) and on my Dark Hearts website, as well as some sculpting and upcycling furniture with a horror twist of course. I also love getting out into the countryside.

Would you ever like to branch out to a different genre?
I love writing horror and dark fantasy but I would also be happy to branch out into other genres, maybe a gentle introduction to the spooky for children or maybe an adventure, maybe even a paranormal romance with a dark streak, as I love to explore the psychological and emotional aspects of people. Mostly dark things or dark angles on light things, but I do love the darkness.

Delve into the mind of a serial killer, bathe in the darkness and solitude that is Hell, fight the undead and unleash the demons. Tales of the Mysterious and Macabre will rip its way into your subconscious and mess with your perceptions, taking your mind to places unexplored and showing you the roots of your fears.

Amazon 

My review: 5 stars

A excellent collection of dark and macabre short stories. Parker is a new author to me, but the blurb caught my attention and I found myself enjoying it very much! Each story is packed with the paranormal, the mysterious and the gory details! I was hooked from the first line or the first story and all of them drew me in! Every story stands alone and they give you a different character and world to peek inside. From serial killers, to awkward people, and the zombie apocolypse, every story is told wonderfully and all of them dark as night. Very much recommended to anyone who loves the dark side of fiction!

You can follow Simon on Facebook and Twitter

Check out the blog every Friday for an interview, review or guest blog! If you want to be interviewed, or do a guest blog for Joey's blog you can contact her here.