Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Brandon Massey


I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon Massey in person at a Book Festival in February 2006. He is a great writer and a great person. He's given me writing advice and has helped me in ways he'll never know---and I appreciate that.

He has penned several novels: THUNDERLAND, DARK CORNER, WITHIN THE SHADOWS, TWISTED TALES, THE OTHER BROTHER, and VICIOUS. He was also an editor and contributor to a series of short stories from several wonderful writers: DARK DREAMS, VOICES FROM THE OTHER SIDE: DARK DREAMS II, and WHISPERS IN THE NIGHT: DARK DREAMS III.

Brandon has a new novel that is coming out on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. It's entitled, DON'T EVER TELL. Here's the logline:

With a new identity, a new city to live in, and a wonderful new husband, Rachel Moore believes she's finally free of the demons in her past. But nothing could be farther from the truth. For the deadly secrets she thought were long buried are now on the brink of being exposed...

If you've never read Brandon's novels before---you really should. He has a way of bringing you into his world and holding on so tight, that you won't be able to get free until you finish reading that novel.

Brandon was kind enough to grant me an interview and agree to give away a signed ARC of DON'T EVER TELL. So, to enter, you must leave a comment and tell me what you like about a particular novel by Brandon, or, if you haven't read anything by him, why you should win a copy. All entries need to be in by Monday, June 30, 2008, midnight, EST. Read my interview with my friend, Brandon Massey below.


Demon Hunter: 1.) What draws you to write in the horror genre?

Brandon Massey: I actually would say that as of my last two novels (starting with THE OTHER BROTHER) my work has less of a horror bent and more of a suspense/thriller angle, and that is the direction I'm continuing to pursue. But when I was writing flat-out horror (and I still enjoy reading it), most evident in my first two novels, THUNDERLAND and DARK CORNER, and my story collection, TWISTED TALES, I most enjoyed offering my own take on some of the genre conventions, such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. I grew up reading those kind of stories and watching those kind of movies, so it was fun to explore those traditions, in my own way.


DH: 2.) Who were/are some of your author influences?

BM: My reading is pretty much all over the place these days, but Walter Mosley has long been a favorite of my mine. I also enjoy Steven Barnes, Octavia Butler, and Tananarive Due.


DH: 3.) What advice do you have for unpublished writers? For published authors?


BM: For unpublished writers--don't do it for the money. Do it for the love, and the money will come in time.
Also, do your homework. Learn the business. Be professional, always, especially in the face of rejection.
And keep writing.
I can't really say what advice I'd offer to published writers. If they succeeded in getting published in our current marketplace they must be doing something right. :)



DH: 4.) Could you see yourself working in any other profession? Why? Why not?

BM: I could imagine myself playing in the NBA, but I'm probably about six inches too short (and fifteen years too old!) to have a real shot at that.
Honestly, writing's all I've ever wanted to do since I was a teenager. I'm living my dream.



DH: 5.) What is your favorite book that you have written thus far? And why?

BM: At the risk of sounding cliched, I will say that my books are like my children--I love 'em all, for different reasons.


Thank you so much for participating in the interview, Brandon! :-)


**Guys, don't forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of Brandon's book---DON'T EVER TELL. To enter, you must leave me a comment and tell me what you like about one of Brandon's novels. But if you've never read his work, then you need to tell me why you should win a copy. That's it. I'll draw the names randomly. All entries need to be in by Monday June 30, 2008, midnight, EST.

19 comments:

laughingwolf said...

thx for this, t... something i'll have to look up, for sure :)

Bernita said...

Suspense? With an edge?
~drooling~
Why should I win a copy?
I will read his novel and blog about it and never, never sell it on e-bay.

Charles Gramlich said...

Great interview.

As to why I should win a copy. I've never read any of his work and am not sure how I missed it since I generally try to keep up with the horror field. I wonder if he is a member of HWA. I should win the book because I love horror in all its permutations and am always looking to find a new favorite author. And because I've written horror myself I have a vested interest in the success of the field.

Tiffany S. Jones said...

Nice interview!!! By the way, it's not that I don't come to your blog, it's that I don't often comment.
I know it sounds like an excuse and just to show you how often I visit, I'm adding you to my blog roll.
And it's nice to see a fellow "Carolinian" in the blogosphere!

Anonymous said...

Nice interview. He sounds like a good guy. I will have to check his work out.

laughingwolf said...

ok t, not read any of his stuff, but i will once i win a book, then get more for sure :)

Lana Gramlich said...

Always interesting to hear about & from writers. Thanks for sharing!

cpullum said...

I love how his books keep me on the edge of my seat!! Not boring at all!

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

I sleep far too well. Like a log. I saw ZZZZ's all night. Even when my kids wake me up, I'm still really asleep when I tuck them back in. So I need to win one of these books so that I can sleep a little less well. There are people in the world who can't sleep at all. Like vampires and the undead and such. So in fairness, I think I should win so that I lose some sleep in the hope that someone else will gain it. And, um, his photo is on the jacket, isn't it? Tell me I'm in! Please?

Anonymous said...

perhaps if I read more on the subway I will stay out of trouble...although I often miss stops when I cannot take my face out of a book...his books seem like I might wind up in Brooklyn instead of the Bronx...
Reading is Fundamental. I think I will read more and observe/fight less going forward...

Tyhitia Green said...

Laughingwolf,
You won't be disappointed. :*)

Bernita,
LOL. I believe you! :*)

Charles,
Great response.:*)

Smarty,
Thanks. Good to see you here as well. :*)

Jewells,
Yes. Buy all of his books like I did. You'll love them. :*)

Laughingwolf,
Even if you don't win, buy his work anyway. ;*)

Lana,
You're welcome. Make certain he's in your county library. :*)

Cpullum,
Glad you stopped by. You're a reader of his works, eh? Cool. :*)

Kim,
Cool. Everyone is in the running. ;*)

Caspar,
You definitely need to read while you're on that subway. ;*)

Tatiana Caldwell said...

Enjoyable interview. Very nice!

I want signed ARC. I should win it because I have not read a good thriller in years (I have been too engrossed in paranormal romance). I find it interesting that Brandon wrote horror because he wanted to create his own spin on the likes of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, because that is why I enjoy writing paranormal and fantasy romance. We both like to thrill - but in a very different way...

And so this is a thriller / suspsense? Let me win - I like to be thrilled while suspended. Um, you know what I mean. *winks*

Anonymous said...

Oh this was a very cool interview, I'm going to have to put him on my list

UBERMOUTH said...

I should win because I have never won anything my whole life, and pity should get me somewhere. :)

raine said...

I've never read his work, but it does sound interesting!
I'm in...because I've never read his work and it does sound interesting, lol.

Don said...

He has a way of bringing you into his world and holding on so tight, that you won't be able to get free until you finish reading that novel.

i haven't had the good fortune of reading any of the brother's books, but he sounds like a truly great writer. i imagine i will eventaully pick up a copy. good interview.

Chris Eldin said...

Think he'll be up for a roast? I really hope so. Is it okay to contact him?

Sounds like he has several awesome books!
:-)

Tyhitia Green said...

Verbal Vixen,
Oh my goodness. I can tell you write the romantic stuff. ;*)

Q.,
Yes, put him on your list! :-)

Ubermouth,
I know the feeling. I haven't won anything either. Well, nto recently anyway. :-)

Raine,
His work is interesting and you should read it. :-)

Don,
Read his work. You won't be disappointed. ;-)

Chris,
He does! I will tell him you're interested and that you're my friend. :-) E-mail him. He's cool. :-)

Tyhitia Green said...

To everyone else---sorry, but this contest is closed. ;-)