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Interview With Vincent Hobbes, Author of “The Endlands”
I’m so very excited to be hosting Vincent Hobbes, author of a number of reputable, commercially-published horror novels including “The Endlands” anthology (image above). He is published by Hobbes End Publishing, a small but rapidly emerging publisher that I really like the looks of and would certainly recommend. So thank you Vincent for taking the time to do this interview and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.
1. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to begin writing?
I’ve been writing for over twenty years. I started writing as a teenager, though my writing was not that good, I’ll admit. It was scattered and without purpose. I view that time as being practice, though . . . attempting to find my style. I’ve now been writing professionally for the past four years.
I was creative as a child, and had a vivid imagination. I suppose this inspired my writing. I needed an outlet for my creativity, loved reading, so it made sense to write.
2. What is your favorite aspect of your writing? Bragging encouraged!
That’s a tough question. I think most writers are overly critical of their own work, so that’s a little hard to answer. I guess I would say the characters I create. Characters are what drive a story, what makes it enjoyable, in my opinion anyway. I like how I use aspects of people I know to create an incredibly unique character. Such as the character Charlie in my short story “The Hour of the Time.” He’s actually based off my cat.
3. What was it like to finally have your own book published? Describe the build up of emotions leading to your first publication. What was that first publication?
I was first published in 2008. It was a small release, but I was elated. To finally see my words on paper is quite a humbling experience. Later, to realize the shortcomings of my first novel was also humbling. My first publication is a book titled: The Contrived Senator.
Every time I see a new book in print it’s a feeling of relief and joy, but usually I quickly move it to the shelf and work on the next project.
4. Are there any tips/secrets you would like to share about getting published? Any advice for querying publishers that you picked up along your journey?
First, make sure your story is good. Sure, every writer thinks his or her story is the next best thing, but the first step is to make sure your book is sellable—appealing to a reader—not full of mistakes.
Secondly, realize publishers exist to make money, pure and simple. Don’t take rejection personally because, for them, it’s all about making money.
Third, publishers don’t always know best. It’s about your relationship with a publisher—the biggest isn’t always the best. Pick the right publisher.
As for queries, keep it simple. It’s a pitch, and any good salesman knows they need to sell their product in thirty seconds or less. Follow the publisher’s instructions carefully. Most queries will get deleted or thrown away if you don’t follow their format. Keep your pitch interesting, your summary short and to the point. A query is not a back of the book synopsis. Do your research carefully and have thick skin. Also, prepare for a long wait.
5. You are the author of several anthologies: what is your favorite part of creating them?
My work with the anthology, The Endlands, has been an amazing experience. My favorite part, I must say, is my love for the short story. They are rare in today’s publishing world, and the ability to produce short stories has been quite a fulfilling experience.
I’ve also enjoyed working with such talented writers. The goal of this project was simple: To showcase unknown writers, and entertain the reader. The wide variety of talent included in the first volume, and response from the fans, has been an amazing thing.
6. Have you ever felt dejected after harsh rejections, as if you were never going to get published? How did you bounce back from this?
Feeling dejected is natural, though I rarely feel that way. Rejection comes with the industry, and I’ve long ago accepted that fact. A true writer moves on—a true writer keeps trying—keeps writing.
I do not write to get published. I write because I need to, so rejections hardly matter to me.
7. If you could have one person over for dinner who would it be?
My niece.
8. What is your favorite book that you have written? Why? How did you get the idea for this book?
I personally don’t have a favorite that I’ve written. It’s like asking who your favorite child is. They are all special to me for different reasons.
As for The Endlands, the idea came long ago. I always wanted to do a short story novel, and fully intended on creating one myself. But as the project moved forward, I decided to include other writers. I felt it would bring it in a good direction, and it did. The addition of other talented writers has caused this project to evolve into something bigger and better than I ever imagined.
9. You have gotten offers from several other publishers: who are they? How does it feel to all of a sudden be wanted by these publishers? What is it that makes you stay at Hobbes End?
It probably wouldn’t be appropriate to list the publishers I’ve turned down. It’s a great feeling to have your work looked at, and offers made.
I’ve stayed with Hobbes End for certain reasons, the first being the company was my creation. I founded Hobbes End Publishing, later selling it to a publisher who knew much more about the business than I could ever imagine. His promise was to convert it into a fiction press, and he’s done a wonderful job. I’ve worked with them on many projects, and their efforts and loyalty to me is met with loyalty in return. I’m not opposed to publishing with others, but for now, my publisher keeps me happy.
10. Any new books in the works?
I have a handful of projects I’m working on. I’m currently finishing two books; one is a horror novel set in the wild west. The other is a futuristic novel—dystopian. Both are nearly complete and I’ll begin the game of finding the right publisher to produce those works.
I’m also currently producing the second volume of The Endlands. I’ve received hundreds of submissions, and just last night made my final decisions. This volume promises to be even better than the first.
Finally, I’m working on a novella. Again, horror. Not sure if it’ll go into publication, but it’s something I feel compelled to write.
Wow. Thank you so much for the interview, Vincent! I certainly enjoyed it and I hope everyone else will too! I agree about shaping your characters after a pet. In my WIP, one of the characters is based off of my dog, or at least what I think my dog would be like as a human.
BOOK REVIEW: Playing With Fire by Coral Russel, Chryse Wymer and Many More…
First, I would like apologize to Coral for taking a couple of weeks to read and review this book. It should not normally take nearly that long, but I found myself blindly searching for free time. School, HW, tests, sports, blogging, reading and writing really takes it out of you…
Title: Playing With Fire
Authors: Coral Russel, Chryse Wymer, and many more.
Genre: Horror
Blurb:
Scare easily? Are you often frightened out of your sleep? Does the mere mention of ghosts prickle your skin? These seven authors’ imaginations are fired up by the scariness of the unknown. Find a comfy spot, sit back and enjoy nine tales to tickle your taste for terror.
What I Have To Say:
In case you don’t know, it is very difficult to review an anthology. You need to take into account each story you loved and each story that you found okay. Even more so with an anthology of horror, because the frightfulness of the stories vary depending on what frightens the reader. I had a hard time deciding on a rating, but I feel that this best represents my overall experience with the book.
Contrary to what it may say on the right sidebar, this 3 stars is better than simply “ok”. I would give it a “good”. Playing With Fire is a good, thought-provoking collection of horror stories. Many of the stories were entertaining and pulse-pounding though one or two I found to be dull and couldn’t understand why it was horror. My favorite two are Widows of the Night by Robynn Gabell and Devil of a Ghost Tour by Coral Russel. Widows of the Night is a chilling tale from the point of view of an abused child. I found it very interesting and entertaining, and the end literally sent a shiver down my spine. Devil of a Ghost Tour is one of those horror stories that makes you want to scream, “DON’T DO THAT! DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!” It gripped me from the ironic beginning and wouldn’t let go until the end. I enjoyed the uniqueness of these stories, many of which were told from the perspectives of people or creatures you don’t ordinarily hear from.
I find stories that have a more realistic basis to be more horrifying, because it feels as this could happen to you and that doubles the terror. Ghosts are good, but a little overdone. Stories that revolve around unworldly elements, I find to be less terrifying because they are so far from reality that you know it will never happen to you. And I tend to tune out when it comes to black magic since to me, at least, they are slightly redundant and uninteresting. Harsh? Maybe, but I am just stating my humble opinion. As I said before, what makes a good horror story varies depending on who you ask.
Overall, this is a good collection of horror stories – well worth the dollar – and I would recommend this to horror fans who would like to read some fresh, innovative horror stories.
Get the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Fire-Anthology-Horror-ebook/dp/B005CDD4IK
Or here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/73001
