Saturday, March 16, 2013

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: D J Lowbridge, author of Ghost Haunts- A Collection of Short Stories

Author D.J.  Lowbridge
      I love meeting new authors and welcome D.J. to my blog. I also love, I mean love Ghost stories. Who doesn't right? Well, D.J. has the perfect book for you. He has a collection of them inside of the bind titled Ghost Haunts. Oh I love it! I love the cover too!
Click the book to go to Amazon's US page for it.

 
Book description:
From the trenches of World War One to the vastness of space we meet: relentless pursuers that feed on fear; omens of impending doom and true love that goes beyond the grave.

When realms collide there is no certainty of what is to come...

     The interview:

     1. Where do you call home?
I live in Essex in the United Kingdom. I live in a small village that is not far from the sea for inspiration and quick trips down with the kids, but far enough back that during the summer that I can have some peace if I want it.

2. What is the title of your most recent book?
“Ghost Haunts” – it’s an 11 short story collection about ghosts. But instead of it being a horror fest I decided to sneak in a couple of family dramas in there.

3. What's your Genre?
Well obviously by my first book people would assume horror, but that is more of a sideline for me. Something that Ghost Haunts fell into. I think of myself more of a paranormal / supernatural author with a tinge of horror who sometimes crosses over into science fiction.

4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series?
The next book will be the first book in the Paranormal Investigation Series, or PIT for short. The series follows a military led team who investigate paranormal activity and try to protect the world from the demons. The first story came to me while I was putting my rabbits to bed one night and eventually one story has turned into six or seven ideas.

5. Are you a self published author (Indie)?
I wouldn’t have it any other way. To have total control over your work and being paid a decent rate for your work, there is really no option.

6. Who's your favorite author?
Well that is a tough question. Elizabeth Moon got me writing, but I love India Drummond (another indie author) and her Faerie series that is based in Scotland. Her characters and storylines are amazing.

7. Your favorite book?
I think my favourite book is Elizabeth Moon’s Command Decision which is her 4thbook in the Vatta’s War series. It is brilliant for military science fiction lovers.

8. What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading an indie book called Eden M51 by G. R. Paskoff

      9. A book you would recommend?
       Not at the moment, I haven’t finished it.

      10. How do you pick your books?
    Well I run a review site. So mostly I am sent books. I use to select books by the blurb and front cover but due to the sheer number of requests I know insist on looking at the first chapter. If it is good, then I will select it.

     11. Advice for other authors?
    Write, write, write.- So agree!

     12. Do you write under a pen name?
      I write under D J Lowbridge.

     13. Where do you write?
    Normally at the dinner table; facing away from the window. It can get very cold in there so sometimes I set myself a target and when I’ve reached it and can get back into the warmer rooms.

     14. What do you wear when you write?
      Whatever I am wearing at the time.

     15. Do you have a pet (s)?
    Oh yeah. I have two tanks of fish, a leopard Gecko named Steph, two Guinea Pigs and two rabbits. -I myself am a momma of Guinea pigs and rabbits. Of all my pets my Gecko is my baby, I’ve had since before I was married. A year ago her sister died which was very sad and she has not responded well to the loss either. But I have become fond of our latest edition, Elmo. Elmo is the male rabbit from a rescue centre. He was found in a field living wild yet is a domesticated albino cross breed – he was definitely abandoned. There is no telling how old he really is or how long he was left to fend for himself without any skills to do so, but according to the centre he was brought in a bad state and was probably out there months if not over a year. I feel sad because someone must have done that to him without thinking of his welfare. Now he is very wary of most people, yet he still comes to me and even likes to jump on my back for comfort.

     16. Favorite food?
    Chinese. Not even going to debate that one.

     17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
The current President of the United States because the US would spend millions trying to find and rescue him; Paul Merton because he is a funny guy and Miranda Hart, because she is funny too.

     18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why?
     I would say in Ghost Haunts I am most like Tony in some aspects (loves his wife to pieces, very protective), but he is someone who likes to spend his cash to show off, which is not like me at all. In my next project I am very much like Major Trevor Reed. He is a character who is in command of the unit, yet despite the fact that he is supposed to be strong and unwavering he turns out to be someone who is forgiving and a little soft to his colleagues.

    19. What made you want to be a writer?
     I was on holiday one day in Norfolk when I was reading a book and I put it down and in my head suddenly an idea just flowed in. That’s the day I decided to be a writer. But in truth I’ve always enjoyed writing and I would probably have gotten here sooner or later.

     20. Any weird talent?
      No...

     21. A favorite quote?
    “A life is made up of its darkest moments and destroyed when it takes nothing from them” – can never remember where that came from, but it always reminds me to learn from my mistakes. -learning from mistakes is always good advice :0)

     22. What is the one thing you never go without?
    My family; support is key to success and they are my support.

     23. Your biggest influence?
     I don’t think anything has particularly influenced me in my life.

      24. Favorite TV show?
     Stargate SG-1 – there is no finer show. It was on the air for 10 seasons and had two direct to DVD movies plus two spin off shows. Anything that has that legacy has to be great.

      25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover?
     http://twomidlistindies.com/ - its a great blog written by two stars of the indie author world – Valerie Douglas and Kai Wilson. If you want to succeed as an indie author listening to these two is a great help.
 
D.J. was so wonderful to make connecting with him so easy! Click the links below to connect with him and any or all the sites below.
 
Book Links:
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Haunts-ebook/dp/B00BDTUIU4/

Thanks so much D.J. for letting little ol' me spotlight ya! Loved getting to know you and about your Ghostly offering- Ghost Haunts. Visitors, my lovely readers, hop on over to Amazon and pick up your copy, only $2.99.

Thanks for dropping by!