It's finally Friday!! Are as thrilled as I am that its the weekend? It felt like a marathon to get to the end of the week but we did it! Today I have something fun for you guys... an interview with a fellow Otherworld Publications author. (FYI Otherworlds Logo is over there on the right-- you can click it to visit their website).
Beth Ann Masarik is here today. Beth Ann's debut novel The World Among Us was published recently and she also has a short story published titled Murderous Regrets (don't we all have some of those? Oh, we don't? Forget I said that....). But that isn't all Beth is doing, nope. She's got numerous writing projects in the works and she also founded the earth friendly E-magazine called Literary Lunes, check it out, its chocked full of literary lunacy. (I'm going to be writing reviews for the mag and also have an upcoming interview.... yes, that means that I am a lunatic.... like you didn't know that already). You should sign up! It's free and we all LOVE free stuff.
Anywhoo, let's get on with the interview.... and after that I will post my review of The World Among Us, for your reading pleasure, of course. :)
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
The best thing about being a writer I would have to say is being able to create your own world for people to visit. Even if it’s only through imagination. I don’t know about you, but I would take being in a fantasy world over the real world any day!
If someone gave you a million dollars what’s the first thing you would buy?
I would open up a camp for kids with learning disabilities.
What do you find more inspiring writing books or reading them?
While they are both inspiring, I would have to say writing books is more inspiring. Anyone can pick up a book and read it, but it takes a special kind of person to be able to sit down and actually write the book.
The World Among Us is your debut novel, you also have a short story (Murderous Regrets) out by Otherworld Publications. You have said the short story was inspired by the novel, can you tell us how and why?
Murderous Regrets goes deep into the mind of Leon Greene, one of the villains in the novel itself. Leon, though a small character, was one that I felt needed to have his own voice. He was one of those characters that needed to be heard. So, I came up with Murderous Regrets, which shows the how and why he does what he does.
Who is your favorite character in your novel and why?
Ooh I have so many, but I would have to say that I really enjoyed writing about Damien’s character. Emily also comes in as a close second.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Happily married with two kittens, possibly a mother, and a very successful author & business woman. I’d like to have 3-5 books published by then as well.
Would you rather go through a hurricane or a snow storm?
Considering I’ve been through both, neither. BUT a hurricane isn’t quite as bad as a snowstorm in my personal opinion.
Who is the first person you told when you got a publishing contract?
My best friend, Robin Sussman. She was in the room with me when I got the contract.
What is your personal best marketing tip you can share?
Network…network…and network. It’s all about who you know and making connections with the right people in this business. Make sure you are hooked up on facebook and twitter. You will soon find that those are your best marketing tools. Also, if you don’t have a blog already, get one and use it.
You run an online magazine called Literary Lunes. Tell us about that and where to find it.
Literary Lunes is a magazine for writers. We offer literary advice for beginner writers as well as seasoned writers. We feature book reviews, poetry, short stories, and author interviews, etc. It is a totally free magazine for anyone to read. We just ask that you please spread the word. Recently, I started publishing free issues of the magazine on smashwords.com, so it is now available in all eformats. You can find out more information on the magazine by going to www.literarylunes.com
What is your favorite movie?
Oh that’s a tough one. I’d have to say The Lion King
What is the greatest challenge about being a writer?
There are several challenges that I face being a writer. The biggest one, however, is actually finding the time to sit down and write. I have so many commitments, that sometimes it’s almost impossible to write anything.
Did you go to college to become a writer or something else?
I actually went to college to become a secretary. Go figure! LOL. I do plan to go back to become a journalist or an English major eventually however.
You traveled abroad in September. What are the places you most wanted to see? Is this your first trip out of the United States?
Yes, this is my first trip out of the U.S. My aunt and I went to Prague, and saw pretty much everything. I got to see where my great, great uncle, Tomas Masaryk (it was changed to Masarik when he immigrated to America) lived. He was the first president of the Czech Republic (pretty awesome huh?). So the whole trip was awesome.
What gave you the idea to add illustrations in your print copies of the book? Was it fun to
work with an illustrator?
It was very fun to work with an illustrator because she is my best friend. Robin was the one who actually suggested I put them in, and offered to draw them herself J
Please share the links to buy your book here:
I want to thank Beth Ann for being here today!!! Here is her book and short story:
Nice covers, huh? :)
Here is my review for The World Among Us
Title: The World Among Us (Prince of Darkness #1)
Author: Beth Ann Masarik
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Otherworld Publications, August 2011 www.otherworldpublications.com
Format: Hardback, Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: 1936593165 Hardback
Hades is one bad dude. (Well he most certainly isn’t the tooth fairy!) So what does a bad dude do when at his most vile? Try and take over the world of course. (You didn’t think I was going to say bake cookies, did you?)
Unfortunately for Hades, his son (and only heir) Damien is not too cool with Big Daddy’s plan. But when you are the son of Hades nothing but the most evil will do, so Damien finds himself being manipulated to kill the only woman he has ever loved, Selene.
Selene isn’t just a girl, though. She’s a goddess. The goddess of the moon to be exact. Damien cannot live with the fact that he has destroyed the light of his life and he leaves the underworld, vowing to never return. But where can the son of evil go, where does he fit in? With the Gods? With the creatures of the night? Will anyone trust him?
Meanwhile, Hades is doing everything in his power to set in motion his plan of world domination. Having Selene killed was just the beginning, a stepping stone to bigger kills. You see, Selene was the favorite granddaughter of Gaia, head deity. Because of her power and strength, Gaia is the natural enemy of Hades and this is just one way that he can weaken her on his quest for power.
Next on Hades hit list is another close ally of Gaia’s, Jason Aysel, the leader of Creatures of the Night. And who better to kill Jason but his own best friend, Leon.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hades.
When all of these plans are set into motion a violent war is sure to take place on Earth between the creatures of the night and the gods. When better to take over the world? Muh ha ha ha ha ha
But Hades is in for a few surprises because Damien has been busy…busy working for the other side. He’s been protecting a secret weapon that is sure to help tip the scales in favor of the gods. Only one question remains. Can the gods and the Titans put aside all their differences and work together to stop Hades and his villainous plans? Or will dark shadows fall over the world as we know it?
The World Among Us is a debut novel from an author (Beth Ann) that I am sure we will all be seeing more of. Her novel is a great smash-up of all the great creatures and characters in every paranormal book we have come to love. There is something for everyone in this book. Like mythology and Gods and Goddesses? Check. Like vampires, good and evil? Check. Like wizards? Check. How about my personal favorite: werewolves. Yup, there’s some of them too. They all co-exist in this book separately, yet together. It’s great!
The Gods and Goddesses are really done well in this book because even though they are really, really old they are current. They talk in current lingo and they behave in current fashion. And something else that made me smile (and maybe this is just me) but they all have like abazillion kids (yes, that is a number) but they act like they only have two. Lol. Can you imagine how big your dinner table would need to be to seat fifty kids? Wow.
I like the love story between Damien and Selene as well. It is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet because they are from complete different families yet they are pulled together in spite of their differences. I really didn’t expect Damien to kill Selene, I thought he would make a stand and they might run away together (cut to a beautiful beach scene where they run hand in hand in the glittering sun….oh wait. Vamps can’t go out in the sun.) But that isn’t what happened. What happened was original and cool. It brought a new love element to the story. Can love survive even death? Can it survive the ultimate betrayal?
You want to know, don’t you. Buy the book. Read it. You won’t be sorry.
Beth Ann Masarik has a great writing style that is easy to read and follow. Getting lost in her imaginary world is easy and before you know it you will be closing the book and wondering when Prince of Darkness #2 will be released.
You will never be bored while reading because something is always happening. The story moves right along with a series of events and there is never a lag in the plot. The setting is fabulous as well. The reader gets to experience the underworld, earth and the world of the gods all in one tale. We even get a little trip to the moon. J
I recommend this book to any fantasy, paranormal lover that wants to go on a ride. I would suggest grabbing a copy and settling in with your favorite snack and beverage and then jetting off into a world like never before.
So there you have it. My opinion.
Have a great Friday!!!!
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Love Love Love your blog!
Great interview and I really dig those covers esp the novella!