The Coffin Hop 2012 Main Event…Tim Lebbon!

Tim Lebbon, myself, Christopher Golden, and James A. Moore hanging out at Horrorfind 2011.

Good evening Coffin Hoppers!  Wait, I can’t hear you.   I said, GOOD EVENING COFFIN HOPPERS!  Ok, much better that time around.  I interrupt this year’s Coffin Hop to bring you the Main Event.  Tonight, author Tim Lebbon steps into the ring and faces off with the “10 Questions”.  Tim Lebbon is hands down, one of the best writers in the game today.  His work has been a great influence and I hope to one day be half as good as the three guys I’m standing with in the picture.  At Horrorfind 2011, I was a new author and arrived full of dreams and my first con reading slot.  The weekend became a validation for me choosing to pursue writing.  Before the con and during, I had the opportunity to speak with Tim a bit about the craft, the Hollywood horrors he’s encountered, and drink some beers. I’m going to stop blabbing and get on with what you all hopped over here for.  Ladies and gentlemen, Tim Lebbon. (Note: The interview is from a few days ago and not from 2011)

TIM LEBBON is a New York Times-bestselling writer from South Wales.  He’s had almost thirty novels published to date, as well as dozens of novellas and hundreds of short stories.  His most recent releases include Coldbrook from Arrow/Hammer, London Eye (book one of the Toxic Citytrilogy) from Pyr in the USA, Nothing as it Seems from PS Publishing, and The Heretic Land from Orbit, as well as The Secret Journeys of Jack London series(co-authored with Christopher Golden), Echo City, and the Cabin in the Woodsnovelisation.  Future novels include Into the Void: Dawn of the Jedi (Star Wars)from Del Rey/Star Wars Books.  He has won four British Fantasy Awards, a Bram Stoker Award, and a Scribe Award, and has been a finalist for International Horror Guild, Shirley Jackson, and World Fantasy Awards.

20th Century Fox acquired film rights to The Secret Journeys of Jack London series, and he and Golden wrote the first draft of the screenplay.  He has a TV series in development in the USA, and he’s also working on new screenplays, both solo and in collaboration with Stephen Volk.

Current books include the apocalyptic thriller COLDBROOK, first book in the Toxic City trilogy LONDON EYE, huge collection from PS Publishing NOTHING AS IT SEEMS, and fantasy novel THE HERETIC LAND.

Find out more about Tim at his website www.timlebbon.net

1.      Your work expands across many genres.  There are entries in horror, fantasy, and now science fiction.  Which genre has been your favorite to write in and why?

I don’t really have a favourite, as genre is never forefront in my mind when I’m writing (although see below…).  I write what interests me at the time, what floats my boat, and I’m never consciously reminding myself, ‘Oh, this is a science fiction book’ or ‘Oh yeah, this is for a fantasy publisher, needs more elves’.  I’m always aware when I begin of how the book is going to be published — for instance, The Heretic Land for Orbit was always going to be a fantasy novel — but once I have the germ of the initial idea, I always let my imagination run wild, and rarely stay within any particular boundaries.  Coldbrook could be a horror, could be science fiction, could be dark fantasy.  And it’s a love story, too.  With zombies.  Although fear not … they’re not doing the lovin’. 

2.      You have written numerous books with Christopher Golden (Jack London series and the Hidden Cities to name a few).  What can we expect from the two of you in the future concerning these series and is there anything else you two are cooking up?

We’re working on a new novel proposal right now, something quite different and very exciting.  We’re also talking about some TV series ideas, hoping we’ll get a chance to pitch them.  We work so well together –– we’re very good friends, and we seem to fire the creative spark in each other –– so we’ll always have something bubbling away.

3.      Noreela, what was the genesis for your fantasy world and are the tales from here complete?

I’d love to write more Noreela stories, but I doubt I’ll write another novel.  The name itself is an anagram of my daughter Eleanor’s name.  It was my first alternate-world fantasy novel, and the original idea for DUSK came from musing upon the magic used in many/most fantasy novels … I wanted to write one where the magic no longer existed.  The world, as you can imagine, was built gradually over the course of four novels and several novellas and short stories, and I’d love to visit again.

4.      The next genre you are taking by storm is science fiction.  I am a huge Star Wars fan and when it was revealed you were going to write a book in the series, I was surprised (in a good way).  How did the “Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi” book come about and what was it like working in the galaxy far, far away?  How did writing in an established universe compare to writing a movie adaptation?

It came about because an editor I’d worked with on an original Hellboy novel moved to LucasBooks, and they were looking for someone to write the first Dawn of the Jedi novel.  Very flattered that they chose me.  It was, I have to admit, a complete joy writing a Star Wars novel, and I enjoyed it more than any other tie-in novel I’ve done (originals in Hellboy and 30 Days of Night universes, and a couple of novelisations).  There were constraints, of course, but I created my own characters and story within those guidelines, and had a wonderful time doing so.  I’d love to visit the universe again.  We’ll see.

And actually, I’d have to say that I consider Star Wars as fantasy, not really science fiction.  Of course there are spaceships and other worlds, but it’s a fantasy galaxy, not our own –– it’s not a projection of how we might advance.  Maybe that’s why I loved writing it so much … I was world building again, creating monsters and lands and societies.  Great fun!

5.      Christopher Golden, Simon Clark, and Gavin Williams are a few of the authors you have worked with in the past.  What was it like co-authoring a book and how did the process with each author vary?

Processes are always slightly different.  I love collaborating, it makes writing not a lonely business, and two collaborators create a unique voice distinct from their own.  A fascinating process.  I’ll always collaborate … with Chris, of course, but there are always other projects being talked about, both screenplays and novels. 

6.      People are clamoring for follow ups to the “Assassin” series and the third act of “Naming of Parts” and “Changing of Faces”.  Are there any plans for these in the near future?

Yes, the third PS novella is contracted and I’ll be working on it soon.  As for the Assassin series, I was thinking about that only today, and I’d love to continue it.  Need to find a publisher first now that Necessary Evil Press seem to have gone away.  Watch this space!  Hmmm …. maybe I should look into Kickstarter?  

7.      Which book did you have the most fun writing and why?

Honestly don’t think I can choose one.  Maybe I should say it’s the one I’m going to work on next.

8.      How did you get started in the writing profession and what was the toughest lesson you had to learn?

I started in the same way most genre writers start … selling to the small presses (my first check was for £2.50), improving, learning my craft, getting better, finding more success, seeing my first novel published, and then year by year things better and better.  Mostly they still do.  You learn a lot about the business as you move on, and as you become more known, more things start to happen.  You have to work your ass off, of course.  And strive to keep getting better.  If ever I thought, ‘Well, I’m as good as I can get,’ that’d be time to switch off the laptop and become a plumber.  I work hard to better myself and feel that a writer’s craft is never complete.  There’s always more to learn.    

9.      “White”has been rumored to be coming to the screen numerous times as well as the Jack London books.  How have your dealings with Hollywood been and is there anything getting close to becoming a reality?

White is still in the background, and it might happen one day.  Similarly with Jack London, that’s still under option to 20th Century Fox.  I’ve had maybe a dozen other options that reached varying stages before … going away.  That’s what usually happens.  But there is some exciting news I can’t reveal yet about a potential TV series … so keep an eye on my website and Facebook for an announcement soon.

10.  Pimp yourself here.  Where can people go to find out more about Tim Lebbon?

I waste many hours on Facebook and Twitter, you can always find me there.  But best place for announcements etc is http://www.timlebbon.net

Bonus Question (This question is optional):  “War Pigs”. Where do you and Brian Keene stand on getting this going or is it dead for now?

Ha!  That one’s never dead.  We talk about it every time we meet up.  Maybe one day …

Thanks again Tim, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to sit down and pick your brain.

Thanks, Brent!

Halloween is Near, So Let Us Coffin Hop!

Here we are again kiddies, the baddest of bad, the scariest of scary, the Coffin Hop 2012.  Last year I wrote several posts about authors I dig that you should be digging too.  In my “10 Questions” feature I have from time to time, John Everson , Nate Southard, and Jeff Strand entered the arena and survived their battles.  This year I want to take it back a bit.  There is one guest lined up to step in the arena and as soon as the interview comes back, you’ll be in for a treat.  The other days, I want to focus on what music, movies, books, and such influence me and my work.

Before I begin however, there are some housekeeping things to tend to.  First, to see what other amazing authors are on the Coffin Hop go here and hit the Linky Link 2012 button, to check out the Scavenger Hunt at Melissa Smith’s website visit here, and to support the upcoming Coffin Hop anthology to benefit literacy programs by picking up some sweet Coffin Hop swag drag your mouse this way and click here.

For those who have found me here for the first time, hello.  I want you to step inside and get comfortable.  Fire up a cigar and pop open a beer.  Kick your feet up on the table, hell I don’t care.

But once you settle in and feel like everything is going to be ok, I’ll plunge you down into the dark depths of humanity and the evil lurking in the shadows of our very minds.

No, really…I’m glad your here and please feel free to roam around the site (nothing will bite…much).  This year is new to me because before I only had anthologies to promote, but this year I have my controversial novella In Memoriam.  A signed copy is part of this year’s prize package as well as an electronic copy of the Coffin Hop Anthology E.P. ( a short preview of next year’s full anthology), and a few nice paperbacks from some of my favorite horror authors.  To be entered in the drawing, you must make a comment on any blog post this week during the Coffin Hop or sign up to follow the blog (comment once-comment often).  You can earn extra entries by following me on Twitter or “liking” my fan page on Facebook (links are over on the side).  Already signed up for all the social media places to find me?  That’s fine, just comment and you’ll be entered!

Well, that does it for today.  Tune in Wednsday for the top 10 albums that haunt my dreams and me scream when I write and on Friday night, author Tim Lebbon stops by to answer the “10 Questions”!

Goodnight…

The Year That Was 2011

Well, this is it.  Here we are at the end of 2011 and it was one hell of a year.  When the year first started, I had just  finished out 2010 with a fun reading at Mo*Con IV and a few rejection slips from editors.  That was pretty much my writing career till 2011.  Considering I didn’t start writing until mid 2010, I didn’t expect much.  I heard all the stories and such about, ‘doing your time’.  Well, I guess I did enough time, because 2011 was a very good year.  The first half was slow, but once April hit, all bets were off.

It started in February when I was given the chance to read at Horrorfind 13 in September.  It meant I had to skip Mo*Con, but I was ok with that for this chance (and to the guy who does the selecting - thank you, I still say I owe you more and you know who you are).  I now had a conundrum…what should I read since I didn’t have anything published yet?  April brought what I thought was the answer when my first acceptance came for “Stonewall” (that anthology has been cancelled and brought back from the dead to be published at some point in 2012 I hope).  It was followed closely in May when “A Winter’s Feast” was accepted.  Stories went out and rejections came back for a few months.  Late summer and early fall would prove to be a storm.

I tried to spend most of the summer working on my novella, “In Memoriam” (I am preparing to get the first three chapters out based on the synopsis I sent out).  The short stories were on the back burner, but some didn’t want to be buried.  Through the next three months I had eight more stories accepted.  I only set myself a goal of five.  Come on, let’s be realistic, it was only my first full year.  So, if you want to see what’s coming or what is out to buy, check out the Biblio page.  There is even a nonfiction piece that will be out in January and I will give you more info when I get it.

That brought me to Horrorfind 13.  It was the most fun I could have had.  I drove with my partner in crime Wesley Southard to the great state of Pennsylvania for a weekend of books, booze, and good friends.  I learned tons from people I hadn’t seen in a year and from some new friends as well.  Then I had the reading.  I wish I would have done better, but I was nervous and it showed.  I decided to read “A Winter’s Feast” for my time in the ring.  I picked it because it was my first story to see print and because it was the only thing I had the book for.  It was sweet to be up there and read from the book.  I highly recommend it!

The year ends and I’m gearing up for 2012 with the work on the novel and another novella or two.  The short stories will keep coming and ten is the goal for 2012.  I will take some of the stories plus some new ones for a collection or two in the fall (I hope if things go well).  I have not forgotten the blog followers, you guys have a story coming just for you.

The thank you’s for 2011- My wife (my pre-pre-reader who busts me up before Troy gets me), kids, and pug: you guys are the greatest family a man can have.  To the following for their advise: Wesley Southard, Brian Keene, James A. Moore (who told me to stop screwing with “In Memoriam” and get it out there), Tim Lebbon, Bob Ford, Kelli Owen, Christopher Golden, and to John Everson and Jeff Strand for the interviews.  Troy Green for being my pre-reader from hell (and kicking my stuff in the teeth – you make it better) and to Armand Rosamilia (Rymfire Books), Jessica A. Weiss (Wicked East Press), Eric Beebe (Post Mortem Press), and Jessy Roberts  (Pill Hill Press) for trusting my work and putting it in print.  Lastly, I want to thank all who have read and followed the blog this year, 2012 will be even better! 

The top ten books of 2011 will be up on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day for you to take a look at.  If you haven’t read some the books on the list, go get them and enjoy the rides they will take you on.

Goodnight…

Happy Halloween Coffin Hoppers!!!!!

Well, tonight is the night boils and ghouls!  This night is the real most wonderful time of the year, it is Halloween.  Now that the kids have gotten their fill of candy and I prepare to take the ‘daddy tax’ from their bags, it is time to settle in for the evening.  First off, I’d like to thank Jeff Strand and John Everson for their time in helping me make your Coffin Hop in my world an exciting one.  I now want to thank you, the Hoppers, who have stopped in, commented, and joined the club.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from joining in the Coffin Hop.  I was amazed at the number of new Facebook friends, Twitter followers, and blog subscriptions happened over the past week.  It has been a pleasure hearing from each of you!  Tuesday night, I will have drawn the winner of the prize pack consisting of a signed copy of New Dawn Fades with my story “Spot Shoot”, a signed and numbered hardcover of Jeff Strand’s Fangboy, and a hardcover of Peter Straub’s Pork Pie Hat. 

So, to end the Author’s of the Day, I need to play catch up since life got in the way of the last few night’s posts.  The four authors I was going to cover are Douglas Clegg, Graham Masterton, Tim Lebbon, and Simon Clark.  To make it up to everyone, instead mailing it in and giving you a BS post about them, I am going to focus on each one on their own in the coming weeks.  I do have questions for them tonight so more people can take a shot at the prize pack.  Remember, just go to the comment section and post your answer.  When the evening is through, I will see who answered first and put their name in the hat for the prize.  There are four questions for tonight, so four chances to be entered.

1.  What pen name did Douglas Clegg write under and what three novels did he write using that name?

2.  what nursery rhyme was the basis for Graham Masterton’s novel The Doorkeepers?

3.  Tim Lebbon writes about a character named Temple who is one of my favorite fiction characters.  What four novels or novellas feature Temple?

4.  Simon Clark made vampires cool by returning them to their savage roots.  Name one of the novels to star these creatures of the night.

Well goodnight, American Horror Story beckons, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!