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.