Meet the Author: Marquis Bey

Enjoy getting to know, Marquis Bey.

You’re the first poet I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing. 

Thematic, volatile, and iconoclastic (I guess that’s technically four words, haha)

Share your favorite passage from your book in one paragraph or less.

That’s a difficult question, but I guess I would say my favorite is a line from the middle of the story: “1,369 lights and still a man bereft of light.” It really captures what I am trying to get at throughout the entire story and is also an allusion to one of my favorite books, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author but can never write again or write forever but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

The opportunity to write forever is much more tempting for me. Writing is how I organize my thoughts, how I determine what I want to say and how it must be said. It’s therapeutic. Screw writing a bestseller. I write primarily for me; I write the stories I want to read. As the brilliant, phenomenal, kickass author, critic, and scholar Toni Morrison has said: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I write the books I wish to read. I don’t write to be famous.

If you could live on a college campus, and never leave, or in a small town, but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

This is tough. I mean, I live on a college campus right now and I don’t mind it at all; however, I do see a great benefit in traveling and seeing the world. I’ll go with living in a small town and traveling because my primary concern is gaining knowledge. I can accrue so much knowledge by traveling and yet still have a sense of place.

Okay, how about in an amusement park or an airport?

Amusement park, hands down. Roller coasters are awesome.

And how about Australia or Scotland?

Australia. Their accents are pretty cool 🙂

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

I’m not a band person (nor was I anywhere near music savvy in the 90s—I was born in ’92! Lol).

Ouch 🙂

Is there any good band out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?

Sadly, not that I know of. I’m a hip-hop kind of guy. I love hip-hop because I love language, and the way hip-hop artists mold and shape words, how dexterous they are with similes and metaphor and wordplay is phenomenal to me. If it were up to me, I’d love to see people like Brother Ali, Childish Gambino, and Common Market world famous and legendary in 50 years.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is The Office)?

South Park, no doubt.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

Yeah, grad school apps lol

 Me too!

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

TONI MORRISON!!! (I’m sorry, I get excited every time her name comes up.) I only have one question for her: may I hug you?

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Mountains

Yogurt or ice cream? Ice cream

M & M’s or Skittles? Skittles

The Daily Show or The Colbert Report? Colbert Report

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Sad, I hate happy endings and happy people in novels (misanthropic much?)

Beer or wine? I don’t do the whole alcohol thing

Flying or driving? Driving

Hemingway or Twain? Twain

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

Two things: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (my favorite book) and a fan (I imagine it’ll be pretty hot on the island. Two people: my wonderful girlfriend and whoever else wants to come lol

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?

One, I resent you assuming the male pronoun when referring to world leaders (sorry, that’s what ya get when you interview a feminist), but I don’t think my pick would be considered a “world leader” by many people. I would want to sit down with Sojourner Truth and just listen to her. I don’t even have to talk, I just want to listen to her speak. And certainly I’d have her over my house.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be? 🙂

I’d wish to never stop learning.

Marquis Bey is a Philadelphia native finishing his senior year at Lebanon Valley College studying philosophy, American studies, and English. This feminist, social justice advocate, and scholar plans to attend graduate school to pursue his Ph.D. in African American literature as well as obtain a graduate certificate in women and gender studies. His scholarship  and research is in the field of African American culture/literature, race, and gender/sexuality, and he posts regularly on his blog: http://reademandteachmarquisbey.wordpress.com/about/

You can purchase his latest work “Incredibly True Tales of Make Believe People” here right now! https://www.createspace.com/4243461

Meet the Author: Peter John

Today, we’re talking to our friend from the UK, Peter John. Now, besides having two first names, Peter is a talented writer and a social media guru. Sit back, relax, but don’t let your guard down too much as his characters just might come to life.

You’re the author of DEAD MEDIUM. How would you describe the book in only three words?

Grumpy Old Ghost

Share your favorite passage from the book in one paragraph or less.

“I think we should start by lighting some candles,” Barbara suggested.

“Always with the candles, I don’t see how they help?” Victoria groaned. Barbara pulled four small, red tea-light candles from her bag.

“They work I tell you!” Barbara said as she placed the candles on the table. She put coasters underneath them to protect the wooden surface.

“How do you know?” Victoria asked, “Have you ever tried without them?”

“We have never had a reaction from the spirit world without them,” Margaret pointed out. Victoria looked over at her.

“We have never been without them to know!” Victoria said. Deborah put her hand in the air.

“I quite like them; I think they’re rather pretty,” she announced.

“They calm the spirits and make them more amiable and approachable”. Barbara explained as she begun to light the candles. May watched the candles burn and felt no calming effects; she was more worried about them becoming a fire hazard. Penny seemed to like them, however, so maybe Barbara did have something there.

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author but can never write again or write forever but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

This one is a bit tricky. I would love to become a best selling author if only for the opportunity to spend more time writing. Obviously this question wouldn’t allow me to do that so I guess I would have to go for the other option. Becoming a best selling author is not the be all and end all for me. As long as there is someone out there enjoying my books then I feel that I have achieved what I set out to achieve.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave or in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

I would choose the small town. I live on the outskirts of London but I would be much happier living in a small town or village that nobody has ever heard of.

Okay, how about America or Canada?

Canada. I always envision beautiful open countryside when ever I think of Canada.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

Blur. I love their punchy tunes and humorous lyrics.

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (I love The Office and Seinfeld)?

The list goes on! Red Dwarf, Only Fools and Horses, Black Books, Spaced, The Big Bang Theory, The Vicar Of Dibley to mention a few. 

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

My Current WIP is called ‘Just Medium’ which is a spin-off/sequel to ‘Dead Medium’. I am also working on extending ‘The Trump Diary’ which is the diary of May Elizabeth Trump’s life before ‘Dead Medium’.

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Piers Anthony and my question would be: Is Xanth real and would I need a visa to go there?

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Ocean

Peaches or plums? Peaches

Skittles or M & M’s? Peanut M&Ms, hold me back!

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy every time. There is enough sad in the real world.

Beer or wine? Beer. Silly question.

Flying or driving? Flying. It’s faster and I don’t have to concentrate. I used to like driving but now I avoid it if I can.

Edgar Allan Poe or Walt Whitman? Edgar Allan Poe. Creepy and suggestive horror. Atmospheric, chilling and no more gore than it needs.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

For a start, I would only bring one person. It would be nice to get some time alone with my wife. We live with my elderly mother and are constantly surrounded by other people’s children. Don’t get me wrong, we love them all to bits, but sometimes it would be nice to spend some time alone, just the two of us. As for what I would bring. I guess food and water would be the most sensible answer but a pen and some paper always comes in handy.

You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at their place of royalty

Winston Churchill. I would like to meet with him at No.10 and would mainly talk about his experiences as an author. Obviously WW2 would enter the conversation but he was a writer before and after he was prime minister.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?

Immortality, I would love to see how the future turns out.

 

Peter John was born in Bromley Kent, England in 1973. He gained an interest in creative writing at the age of 14 and was published during the 1990’s in several poetry anthologies. Happily Married to Jo since 1996 and currently living in Sidcup Kent, not so far from the tree.

Dead Medium

The deathly silence is about to be broken. She disliked the company of others and death did little to warm her spirit. She had led an independent life and she faced death in much the same way. She was finally alone, finally free from the mindless babble of others, at least that’s what she thought. May Elizabeth Trump was the rarest of spirits and she was none too happy about it either. She was a dead medium, a ghost who can speak with the living, and her services were to become in great demand. Flung into the limelight and smothered with unwanted attention, May soon discovers that it is not only ghosts with long awaited messages that have taken an interest in her. Something dark was lurking in the shadows, stalking her. Even the dead are not left to rest in peace. Dead Medium: A humorous, character driven story and a unique vision of life after death. Not your average ghost story.

Connect with Peter Below:

Peter on Facebook

Dead Medium Site

The Trump Diary

Peter on Twitter

Peter on Goodreads

Get Dead Medium on Amazon (US)

Get Dead Medium on Amazon (UK)

 

Meet the Author: Shannon A. Thompson

Today, we’re talking with the young adult author who has already written two books and a collection of poems. She’s smart, she’s talented, and she’s an English major- just like me. For that reason alone, I already like her 🙂 Enjoy getting to know an emerging star in the literary world.

You’re the author of two different novels and a collection of poems. Share a line/passage with us that the world needs to read and your favorite piece of work.

November Snow: I saw something I could never forget. I saw lifetimes of acknowledgement, fear, wisdom, questioning, and understanding in a child’s eye. It was the worst thing I would ever witness.

Minutes Before Sunset: One moment of true happiness was worth all the moments of pain.

My favorite piece of work: “The Stranger” by Albert Camus

You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author but can never write again or write forever but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?

Write forever but never have a bestseller. Writing is what I do, and it’s an intrinsic part of my soul. It allows me to express myself and enjoy the world. I couldn’t stop writing even if I wanted to. I’m too passionate about it to give it up.

If you could live on a college campus and never leave or in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?

Small town but be able to travel. I love traveling, and I have since I was very young. I’ve already moved over 15 times, so I’m used to a change of setting often. I’m not sure how to stay in one place for too long. I want to see the world.

 I feel ya! 🙂

Okay, how about England or France?

England unless it was like the movie “Midnight in Paris.” That would be my dream.

Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?

I generally listened to country in the 90’s like Shania Twain or Toby Keith, but in regards to bands…I really liked Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Goo Goo Dolls.

Yes, I love the Goo Goo Dolls!

And what about your favorite comedy on TV (I love The Office and Seinfeld)?

I don’t watch a lot of television, but I enjoy The Big Bang Theory. Sheldon is my favorite, and I’ve loved Penny since 8 Simple Rules.

Is there anything you’re currently working on?

I’m working on the editing process of “Seconds Before Sunrise” (Book 2 in a Timely Death series.) It’s scheduled to be published this fall, but I’m also writing more books. 

Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?

Right now I have an obsession with Cassandra Clare, but I’ve always loved Meg Cabot. If I could ask them anything, I would ask them what their favorite piece of writing they’d done was and why. I’d also love to find out how their imagination works. In regards to more adult writing, I love Kazuo Ishiguro. I really respect his way of revealing characters without ever saying what you’re thinking, and I’d love to ask him how he came up with such a graceful way of writing as if from an in-depth subconscious manner.

Lightning round:

Ocean or mountains? Depends on what ocean and what mountain.

Strawberries or blueberries? Strawberries

Skittles or M & M’s? Skittles

Happy or sad ending to a novel? Preferably happy—but sad can be the right one.

Beer or wine? I’m a wino.

Flying or driving? Driving (unless I’m literally flying like a superhero!)

Mystery or fantasy novel? Fantasy

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?

Objects: Journal and camera, so I can record my life in the hopes others will grow from it one day.

People: My dad and brother, because family means more to me than anything else.

You’re able to sit down with any president in United States history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him over to your house or meet at the White House?

Lincoln, because I find it interesting how he was so hated by the people from his time but loved from people of our time. I’d like to hear his thoughts on that, because of the basics of philosophy. And I’d rather meet up in the White House, because I’ve never been inside although I’ve seen it in person.

You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes!), what’s it gonna be?

To be successful at inspiring others to follow their dreams and spread happiness through that. 

At sixteen, Shannon A Thompson became the young-adult author of “November Snow.” In 2012, Shannon became a published poet. Both of her published works are dedicated to lost loved ones, her mother and her roommate. Her latest novel, “Minutes Before Sunset,” released May 1st by AEC Stellar Publishing. The young-adult, paranormal romance is the first novel in A Timely Death series, and the second book is expected to release in Fall, 2013.

Currently, she’s finishing her senior year at the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Shannon spends her free time writing, but she loves spending time with her father and brother. She also has one black cat named after her favorite actor, Humphrey Bogart.

Connect with Shannon below:

Shannon’s Website

Shannon on Facebook

Shannon on Twitter

Minutes Before Sunset links: Available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Diesel, Sony, and Apple.