An Interview with Michelle Gent

Michelle Gent - YA guru, Lycanthropist, paranormal scribbler and er, Politician?

During one of the fan sharing events I seem to spend most of my life involved in, I came across author Michelle Gent beating up an online troll and not showing any mercy. 

The troll fled the battlefield with his tail between his legs. Impressed, I reached for the Wizphone straight away to see if she fancied a natter. 

One of the new wave of  global YA paranormalists and deep seam miners of the supernatural (and soon to be a film director), Michelle is so busy at the moment, I was lucky she could spare the time. Wizardwatchers will be pleased she did. 

Michelle donned her leathers, straddled her Ducati superbike and headed down from Sutton to Southwell to have a natter with the Wizard over fruit meringue and Thor's Hammer in the Rodney. A barrel of laughs and a prolific writer, her restless energy powered the interview all by itself...

Hi Michelle.

Hi Wiz, nice to meet you.

You're a new face on the block in these parts. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’ve been working since my first paper round... age 12 or 13 I think. I then went on to the heady heights of washer-upper at a restaurant and then added to the hours by working nights at the same place - glass collecting - well before I’d left school. I think it’s illegal to employ under -16 yr olds in nightclubs these days! I’ve been a factory worker in a few factories (one of which was my own). I’ve made clothing for M&S in the 80s, I made cars at Toyota and I made merchandise for my own company. You remember Robbie Williams’ Rock DJ pants? I made them! Yes, really! I’ve been a Bouncer at a number of nightclubs, a Dining Hall Manager at one of the local schools (technically I was still the Bouncer) and I’m now an elected government official at County Hall, Nottingham.

Oh yes, and I’m also a writer, screenwriter, Editor of AWESOME Online Magazine, 

Awesomeonlinemagazine

...Movie Producer…

… and soon to be a Director of a film based on one of my books – Dusty the Demon Hunter.

I’ve been married for 26 years (I met him while I was still at school, he was one of the ‘bad lads’ and we have two children and a granddaughter.

Football? Blergh! I made my living making merchandise for footy teams but I don’t really follow or watch football. I’d rather be on my motorbike – I have a Ducati 900Monster.

Ducati 900 and mechanics near Michelle's garage

You're from Sutton-In-Ashfield.  Quite a few Wizardwatchers originate in the East Midlands and will know the area well. How does your environment affect your writing?

It’s brilliant! I live in the heart of Sherwood Forest (technically) what’s not to like?
I write about the towns and areas that I know best. Mansfield features heavily in my first and third novels and I mention Matlock Bath in the first one too. People that really know the area will be able to spot some of the places I write about. I like dropping little factual snippets in, it makes it more fun for me.

Sutton In Ashfield

Robin Hood Hideout "The Major Oak"

 Tell us about your latest project?

Just one? I have a handful of them! I’ve just finished Producing Exorcist Chronicles with Director Philip Gardiner – that was an AWESOME experience. As I said, I’m writing the screenplay for Dusty the Demon Hunter movie, coming soon.

I’m in the middle of writing my 4^th Wolf series novel – Ancients and Gods. I have a few more irons in the fire too – Diamonds and Deviants, Dusty 7, and another collaboration with Philip Gardiner – Paranormal Possession. I think that’s all of them... maybe...

Terrific cover for angry wolfy epic 

Are you a tattoo buff? What's the story behind your tattoo and what does it mean?

I have a beautiful tattoo. She’s the character from my Wolf series. Her name is Hazel (Red to her friends). I gave the wonderfully talented Tattooist, Theresa Gordon-Wade the pictures of the flowers, the necklace, the eyes and the first chapter of Deadlier... than the Male and she drew her.

Michelle's fantastic backplate tattoo

The other part of the tattoo is a large clawed hand which seems to burst from my shoulder blade to ‘ruin’ the other tattoo. That’s a representation of the dragon within me that sometimes bursts out to make its presence felt.

More Michelle Body Art

 Away from the word processor, what does Michelle Gent do to relax and take it easy?

Relax? Take it easy? I know nothing of these words... what do they mean?

This year has been literally nonstop for me. We went away for my husband’s birthday and met up with two dear friends to celebrate her birthday too but since then (January) that’s it – nose to the grindstone, nothing but work, work work. It’s really a good job that my work is so much fun!

Oh and I go to the gym J

So do I, Michelle!! A gang of hard core Mansfield hoods see the chance to make a million by taking you hostage at gunpoint while you potter in the garden. You find yourself imprisoned somewhere near Shirebrook. Derek, your gaoler, is a kindly soul and allows you three books, two CD's and a DVD to pass the time. What would you choose?

They’d have to get past Bear first (my Rotweiller) and as my husband says, they’d be bringing me back before tea-time..

Close relative of Bear - Zoltan, Hound of Dracula!
Watch out hoods!

Anything Terry Pratchett or Stephen King in the books, I just love those two or something on mythology – a large tome of mythology (or history) would set me right and keep me quiet and if I had a notepad and pen so I could write, they’d not be bothered by me.

Despite 873 books, still Stephen King's most famous creation
- Jack Torrance from  "The Shining"

Jack Torrance imitator from ill advised/bollocks author directed
TV remake of   "The Shining."

CDs – Aerosmith Big Ones and possibly Alanis Morrisette Jagged Little Pill are my favourites at the moment... unless it’s December, then I just LOVE blasting out the Christmas songs!

Johnny Depp on stage with Aerosmith

I can watch many movies time after time but nothing in particular. Perhaps Gone with the Wind would be a good one... excellent story and it’s long enough to keep me occupied so I wouldn’t get into too much trouble by thinking up ways to damage my captors J

Tara's Theme to Gone With The Wind

With which writer would you like to share dinner with? And what food would you suggest? Would you cook or go out?

Stephen King I think... or Terry Pratchett... perhaps Neil Gaiman...

Neil Gaiman's first US work - Sandman Number One.
If you have to ask how much this is worth, you can't afford it.

I like venison (only tried it for the first time just recently).

Me, cook? Just wait while I stop laughing...

Terry Pratchett receiving ginormous
royalty cheque for Discworld

Sweet tooth or savoury?

SWEET! Or fruit... yep, fruit and meringue and lots of cream.

I'm off to buy one of these after this!!

What do fans of Michelle Gent have to look forward to in the coming year?

Ancients and Gods, the 4^th Werewolf book in the series (see above: Ed!)

Dusty the Demon Hunter Novella

Diamonds and Deviants – Celtica Diamond’s first outing – I love this new character

Exorcist Chronicles movie www.exorcistchronicles.com

Paranormal Possession movie www.paranormalpossession.com

Dusty the Demon Hunter movie

And you never know... there are two more works in progress that I might pick back up again – ‘Daughters of Le Fay’ and ‘Biker’

Michelle, thanks for coming down the A614 to speak to us and I wish you all the best for the coming year. By the looks of it, you're going to busy!! 

Thanks Wiz. You rock!

You can contact Michelle in a wide variety of places including:

www.gingernutbooks.co.uk/authors/dmichellegent

www.dmichellegent.co.uk

Sample Michelle's scribblings here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadlier-Than-Male-Michelle-Gent/dp/1907939016/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cruel-and-Unusual-ebook/dp/B005MGU0U2/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-on-the-Moon-ebook/dp/B006889MNE/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Lover-Dusty-Hunter-ebook/dp/B005H2TVSS/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flights-Fantasy-Dusty-Hunter-ebook/dp/B006CQB37K/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trouble-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B006Q21SES/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/doppelganger-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B007857WEM/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tasks-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B007WKCVL2/

http://www.amazon.com/Deadlier-Than-Male-Michelle-Gent/dp/1907939016/

http://www.amazon.com/Cruel-and-Unusual-ebook/dp/B005MGU0U2/

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-on-the-Moon-ebook/dp/B006889MNE/

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Lover-Dusty-Hunter-ebook/dp/B005H2TVSS/

http://www.amazon.com/Flights-Fantasy-Dusty-Hunter-ebook/dp/B006CQB37K/

http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B006Q21SES/

http://www.amazon.com/doppelganger-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B007857WEM/

http://www.amazon.com/Tasks-Dusty-Demon-Hunter-ebook/dp/B007WKCVL2/

Indie Writer Lands An Agent

Suzanne Van Rooyen - talented Finnish based wordsmith and
Speculative Sci-Fi horror technician

About a month ago, I interviewed an up and coming writer from Finland, via South Africa, Her name is Suzanne Van Rooyen.

Original Suzanne Van Royen Wizard Interview

It was a fun interview to do and since then, Suzanne has become a friend of the Cauldron.

Two nights ago, she revealed to her fans that she has managed to meet and to attract a Literary Agent who is tasked to take her work to a traditional publisher.

Not missing a trick, I got on the Wizphone and asked if she wanted to talk to Wizardwatchers about it,  She kindly agreed. Many of us her in Wizardland have tipped her for big things and this is no surprise.

Suzanne is one of those classically trained writers for whom formal sentence construction, narrative, character, voice, syntax, grammar and the visual appeal of the written word is of paramount importance in the literary context and in an environment where such rigour no longer seems to matter, Suzanne deserves her success for her staunch defence of the craft.

Here's what she had to say to yours truly.

So, Suzanne. I understand you have some good news? 

I most certainly do! After a pretty intense journey, I'm thrilled to announce that I have signed with Jordy Albert of the New York Corvisiero Literary Agency. This certainly isn't the end of the journey by far, but it's a big step towards seeing my book on the shelves.

How did you get in contact? Did you hunt the agent down? How? What resource did you use? Did she find you? Were you recommended?

I used Querytracker and Agentquery - both fantastic websites that give you a list of agents by what they represent. I searched for an agent that not only represented my genre but one with whom I thought I would also have some common interests.

I also wanted to find a newer agent not too jaded by the industry nor entrenched in convention, someone who was growing their client list and who would possibly take a risk on a book that didn't quite conform to the norm. Queue Jordy Albert. I'd had my eye on Marisa Corvisiero for a while through various blogospheres and social networks, but when I checked out the other agents in that agency, there was just something about Jordy that appealed to me. I queried her directly as per her website submission guidelines as a member of the slushpile. She was one of about ten or twenty agents I queried back in April. Guess I did something right because I made it out of the slush :)

What work is your agent promoting? 

Daughter of the Nether, the manuscript I entered into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest earlier this year. 

My book ended up being a semi-finalist, in the top 50 for my category out of 5000 possible entrants. 

Whereabouts is she going to be hawking the manuscript? Europe? America? 

Right now we're still building a list of publishers and editors. I assume Jordy will tackle the American markets first but that certainly won't exclude European or even Australian publishers.

In the literary world, everything Scandinavian is hot right now. Do you think you've benefited from this? Riding the crime boom, is there a new wave of Scandinavian horror and Sci Fi? 

Indie Book currently on sale - potential
collectors item!

Haha, I really don't think so considering this particular story has nothing Scandinavian about it and is actually set in a post-apocalyptic America.

My work in progress however, is set in Finland and draws from Norse mythology so perhaps I'll benefit from this apparent boom with my next book.

What is this going to mean to you as a writer? 

Finding someone in the industry who is as passionate about my story and characters as I am is huge validation for me as a writer. I can be rather self-deprecating so having an agent really boosts my levels of self-confidence, and confidence in my writing. As far as a writing career goes, this is really just the first step (and one of the hardest for many writers) towards that dream of being published and seeing my book in my local store. For me personally, this also means being able to justify dedicating so much of my time to writing fiction ;)

Is this the end of Suzanne Van Rooyen as an Indie for the time being? How do you feel about that? Has it changed the way you view yourself? 

This certainly isn't the end of me as an indie. I may write books in the future that aren't a good match for traditional Big Six type publishers, which would be better placed with an indie.

There are pros and cons of both indie and traditional publishing but I want to at least try my hand at both while still figuring out my career trajectory. There's also something super special about being able to see your book, your name, on a bookshelf which sadly, most indies just can't offer.

So far as how I view myself: I'm a writer regardless of who publishes me. While my self-confidence got a major boost by signing, I'm totally realistic about the market and what it's going to take to sell my manuscript in the current publishing climate, and just look at all those amazing books my manuscript is going to be in competition with! While I certainly feel less guilty now about not working full time and spending so much time 'away with the faeries' in my fictional worlds, nothing much else has changed. I'm still new to this, still learning, and have a long, hard haul ahead of me.

A relaxed and frosty Suzanne

For budding writers and Indies out there, what advice would you give about tracking down an agent? 

Network. Join Twitter, read blogs, follow Querytracker, get involved with online conferences like WriteOnCon (happening right now) and keep a look out for the type of agent you want (personality counts more than what genre they represent and what their recent sales have been).

When querying, follow the guidelines of the agency exactly. Be polite and understand that agents are people too, and that rejection is part of life, not just part of writing. 

Also, persevere and don't give up, but also be realistic about whether or not your book will sell. There's often a difference between a good book, and a book that will sell.

That's great advice, Suzanne. I'm sure people will take notice. Thanks for talking to us and I wish you all the best.

Thanks, Wiz!

(Suzanne can be contacted on links in her original interview with Green Wizard.)

Guest Interview: R.Kyle Hannah!

It's my distinct pleasure to introduce Wizardwatchers to R. Kyle Hannah, this week's guest interviewee. He's an American new wave Sci Fi author and alternative historian and here's what he had to say to Green Wizard about himself and his current projects.

R Kyle Hannah

Tell us about yourself. Where do you live? Who are you?

My name is R. Kyle Hannah and I live in the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama.
In my real job-the one that pays the bills-I am an Officer in the US Army;
been doing that for over 26 years as a reservist or on Active Duty.  I am
married, with two kids, and I'm looking forward to retirement in three
years.  

I started writing in Jr. High (so many years ago) to pass the time because Iwas BORED!  It seemed a better alternative than to be sent to the office.
My imagination, fueled by undiagnosed ADD, leaped from space to earth to, well, to wherever!  I wrote it all down and still have those stories.  Most
are absolutely God Awful, but one day I may salvage the better aspects and write a story from all that.  It is fun to go back and read them and
remember those days...

My website is www.rkylehannah.com Your readers can follow me on twitter @rkhannah or on Facebook at R. Kyle Hannah - Writer


Tell us a bit about your book?

Time Assassins is published through a variety of retailers shortly. 

My latest novel is called TIME ASSASSINS and you could say its a cross  
between Quantum Leap and Time Cop.  The famed Assassins Guild is now in the 23rd Century and has time travel at its disposal.  The new charter of the guild is to ensure that the best possible history for mankind exists; so if it means going back and stopping a dictator-or maybe even saving one for the greater good-then the Assassins go back in time.

Time travel and alternative history books have been done before, but I wanted to do something unique.  I researched actual historical events-like JFK, Lincoln, the Magna Carta signing-and then sent the Assassins back toensure that history turned out as WE know it; the alternative history is the other timeline.  So, I got a little historical fact in there and also had fun creating a completely different timeline.

TIME ASSASSINS is my second novel.  My first novel is TO AID AND PROTECT,
I wrote it in AFghanistan in 2003 and its a good first effort.  Lets just say I've learned quite a bit since then and I'm getting better with each project.  

That's a lovely cover!  Have you a writing routine? A set wordage per day? Or do you binge until its all out?

 I wish I did have a writing routine, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.  My goal is 1000 words a day and for a while I hit that pretty regularly, that's before work set in.  Do I binge?  If I'm  on a roll and the words are coming, then yeah, I'll write til the keyboard is smoking, or my hand cramps if I'm writing with pen and paper.

Neal Schon of Journey with amazing 'fro.

What would you rather be? A best selling writer or a major rock
musician?

Funny you should ask.  I started writing silly little stories in Jr. High, but really honed my skills by writing lyrics.  I play a little guitar and piano, so in High School I got together with a few friends and wrote a few songs...I still have those old silly stories and the lyrics to many many
songs. But honestly, I think I'd rather be a best selling author...the hours are better.

I think I'd rather be the lead guitarist in a rock band! Haha. Who are your influences as a writer? Who are your favourite authors?

 I've read Heinlein, Clark, and Asimov and was always blown away at the worlds they could describe; Starship Troopers was fantastic and Childhood's End is still one of my favorites.  The movie Starship Troopers was horrible but the book...I've read it at least a dozen times.  Today, I read everything by John Scalzi and William C. Dietz...they are definitely my
favorites.

Arnie and the amazing JLC

I really enjoyed Starship Troopers! Take three books, two CD's and one DVD away with you. What would they
be?

Three books? hmmm.  There is an old Buck Rogers book I've read a dozen times, I can't remember the author...but its the classic tale (not the outer space TV show) and I absolutely love it!  (great, now I want to go and drag it out again).  Starship Troopers would be the second and Old Man's War by
Scalzi would be the third.  Old Man's War is such a unique perspective and
story that I could read that (and the entire series) over and over.
Two CDs...thats a little easier.  Anything by Journey (preferably a greatest hits compilation) and the early stuff from Night Ranger.  Yes, I'm a child
of the '80s and I love it!


The DVD is easy, TRUE LIES.  That is one of my favorite movies...James
Cameron did a fantastic job!

E-publishing boom toy

How are you finding e-publishing? What do you see as the major
challenges?

I find myself going back and forth between ebooks and paper books.  I love
the convenience of having several books on my iPad, but there is nothing
like holding a book in your hands- especially your own!
The major challenge I see is the flooding of the market.  Anyone these days-talented or not-can write and publish a book.  The problem is-and I did this for my first novel-they rush to get it out there without going through a lot of necessary steps; editing, proofing are good examples.  eBooks are cheap and easy to obtain, but sometimes you get what you pay for...something you get into a few pages and then just delete it because the editing is horrible or non-existent.   

Now, on the flip side of that, you could find a masterpiece because I'I've started marketing TIME ASSASSINS...you learn so much the more you immerse yourself in the world of writing.Ive met some really talented people since.

What are your plans for the future?

 I have three years left in the Army then I'm going to find a job in the
private sector and maybe, just maybe, realize its time to grow up.  Ha ha, I
doubt that!  Seriously, I'm going to write when I can, get my kids grown
and out of the house, and enjoy life.  If, somewhere along the way, I get my
15 minutes of fame, then I'll enjoy that too!

Lost City of Atlantis

Tell us about your current work in progress?

I have several story lines in various stages, including a sequel to TIME
ASSASSINS.  What I've been working on is called ATLANTIS FALLING, its
another time travel story mixed with all of the myth and mystery of
Atlantis.  I've written a few rough chapters of that and the story is coming
along.  I'm also branching out and I've begun work on a screenplayadaptation of TIME ASSASSINS.  Its very different from the steps of writing
a novel and I've already learned why the movies are so different from the
books. We'll see how that goes.


Mr Hannah, thanks for speaking to Green Wizard today.

Thank you, Wiz.