| Name: Edward P. Cardillo Titles: “Legend”, “Feral Hearts”, “The Creeping Dead”, The “I Am Automaton” Trilogy Down and Dirty Questions: 1. If you had one image/idea to represent you, what would it be? Originality. I know that that word can make marketing a nightmare, but from an artistic point of view it is very important to me. I want to tread where no other author has tread before, take the road less travelled. I want to buck the trends and start new ones. I want to look back and say to myself, “I was the first to do that.” 2. What s one theme you cover and explore within your writing? Family. Who says horror fiction can’t have values? Seriously, family is something that is paramount to me. My wife and son are my life, my inspiration, my heart. I like to have characters use the bonds of family to find strength against unfathomable odds. In the fight between good and evil, family is an advantage that evil doesn’t have. 3. Give us one (or 2) character (s) (tell us the book(s)) and tell us why you admire/hate/ love that person. Mike Brunello from “The Creeping Dead” and Lingus Woods from “Legend.” Mike Brunello is a retiree working the carousel on the boardwalk at Smuggler’s Bay on the Jersey Shore. He’s been there, done that, and has perspective. I feel for him because he and his late wife were never able to have children, but he’s able to bring the children joy at the carousel. Mike is the comic relief, the voice of reason, and the one you worry about getting eaten. Lingus Woods is a nasty old curmudgeon, but when you peel back the layers of the onion that is him and survive the ensuing tears, you find a vulnerable man who has some very admirable qualities at his core. He, too, offers perspective, but his delivery is thorny and at times terrifying. 4. Pick one of your covers and tell us how that represents your book. Who did the cover? How was the experience? What was the planning like? I’m fortunate in that I love all of my covers. I particularly love the cover for “Legend,” composed by the extremely talented Michael Fisher. Michael captured the wonder and whimsy of dark fantasy with a captivating figure, an immersive environment, and an eccentric color palette. The stories within captivate the reader, much as the cover does, with color and drama. 5. What is publishing like? Is it difficult? Easy? Why? Two years ago I would’ve said publishing was very difficult. Now that I have six (going on seven) novels under my belt, two which were best sellers, and multiple awards, I’ll now just say it is capricious. I’ve tasted success and struggled with challenges (mostly in marketing—why one book sells much better than another), but I’m definitely enjoying the ride and don’t plan on getting off any time soon. 6. In 10 years, what do you want readers to say about your work/you? “Man, that Cardillo is different. He did some unique stuff.” 7. Do you have favorite words to use in writing? What are they? I try not to have favorite words, as editors dread authors’ favorite words. 8. What is the funniest writing experience you’ve had? At a recent book signing, I had someone snatch one of my books and make a break for it without paying. I followed her, calling to her as she ignored me. When I finally caught up with her, she said, “Oh, I have to pay for this?” She paid me. |   9. How do you title a book? Where does it come from? I try to find a word or phrase that captures the book’s essence while drawing a prospective reader in, grabbing their curiosity. 10. What are your strongest abilities in writing? At this point, currently and looking back, I would have to say character development is probably my strongest ability as a writer. As a clinical psychologist, I find it imperative to construct characters that are realistic, believable, and relatable. While character-driven tales are not everyone’s cup of tea, I’ve received very positive feedback on what I’ve done thus far. I’m also told that I’m facile at blending humor with social commentary and terror, which isn’t always an easy cocktail to make or consume.  |
 
| Name: Tabitha Baumander Titles: THE POND, CASTLE DOOM, WARRIORS, REALITY GAMES, Down and Dirty Questions: 1. If you had one image/idea to represent you, what would it be? A figure standing alone. 2. What s one theme you cover and explore within your writing? I tend to write characters that are different or alone in some way. 3. Give us one (or 2) character (s) (tell us the book(s)) and tell us why you admire/hate/ love that person. I’m not an English major. I’m a story teller. I am no good at analyzing things. I also tend to not judge. Judging is a terrible habit we all get into. My characters are my characters they do their best with the situations given and really now this is fiction why would I hate them? 4. Pick one of your covers and tell us how that represents your book. Who did the cover? How was the experience? What was the planning like? My covers were done I think primarily with photo shop on my suggestion. Castle Doom is a stock photo of a crumbling castle wall. I can’t remember right now who did it but it represents the plot well. In fact all of my covers to date do that very well. 5. What is publishing like? Is it difficult? Easy? Why? It’s taken me years to get published. I don’t write the sort of thing big publishers want. By that I mean I don’t write what sold last year. I’m original. It takes a long time to find a home if you’re original, if you ever do. 6. In 10 years, what do you want readers to say about your work/you? No clue. I don’t know what they say now. I don’t have a large readership. 7. How do you title a book? Where does it come from? I try and pick a symbolic word or set of words that embodies the primary theme of the book. 8. What are your strongest abilities in writing? No clue. It’s not spelling or grammar that’s for sure and I’d never win any awards for my research. I like to think I can make people feel things. |
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