Today, we’re going to meet an up-and-coming author, Shane Porteous. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Shane.
You’re the author of HOW GODS BLEED and I’ve got to say that the cover is fantastic. Was it your design?
As much as I would like to take credit for the awesome cover I can’t. It was designed by a great fan of mine called Christopher Richards. He is such a fan of my work that he did it free of charge, thanks again Chris!
What is your favorite line or excerpt from HOW GODS BLEED?
Choosing a favorite line is very difficult, because I am extremely proud of How Gods Bleed. However, I think the perfect excerpt is the prologue, it should give potential readers a good idea of what How Gods Bleed is all about.
“The Rodovic war was the bloodiest and longest conflict of its age. Fought between the kingdoms of Gatavoi and Belrondia, it was a war that lasted for three decades. But it was on the fields of Marga where the most important battle of history was fought. Over one million warriors from both kingdoms waged a battle more ferocious than any other. By the 11th day the battle had come to a bloody end and only a single man still stood. Cada Varl, a soldier of Gatavoi. But after seeing so much blood and death Cada Varl had lost his humanity.
As he began to wander the land aimlessly, wolves, drawn by the smell of blood and death came to the field and feasted on the flesh of the fallen. Such a feast of human flesh made the wolves hunger for more of the same taste. The wolves followed the wandering Cada Varl attacking him upon nightfall. As the now mindless man lay there with the wolves savoring his flesh he witnessed the full moon and its light reminded him of whom he once was.
With his memories restored the desire for survival returned and using a simple spike of silver worn around his neck he injured one of the wolves. Seeing their meal was now ready to fight back the wolves stirred and fled from him. Though he now remembered his humanity the light of the moon was not enough to make it return and so he remained immortal, a shell of what he once was. Though he had been able to save himself from the wolves, their tastes remained and having fed on the flesh of an immortal they now carried a piece of him inside them.
The wolves attacked villages, cities and anywhere else where humans dwelled. Those who were attacked but survived were infected by Cada Varl’s immortality, twisted and combined with the spirit of the wolves. From this hybrid of an infection the survivors became monsters, neither wolves nor immortals, but something in between. As the wolves continued attacking villages so the monsters continued to spread until only after a few short decades they had become so numerous that the west belonged to them. The very few humans that one way or another survived the rise of the monsters fled into the east and thus the continent of Noonsva became divided between the lands of the werewolves in the west and the lands of man in the east.”
That is a fantastic teaser! Now, what is your favorite thing about being a writer?
When answering this question, I cannot help but think of a Simpson’s quote.
“Reality is for those who cannot imagine anything better.”
Now I am not delusional (at least that is what the one legged space chicken told me the other day.) But writing gives me an enormous sense of control. In my created world the nice guy can get the gorgeous girl, good can win over evil and no one is forced into a hopeless situation. There’s something very comforting about that sense of control. No matter what else is going on in my life I can make sure the right thing is done in my created world.
If you could live in any country in the world, which one would you choose?
The country I already live in Australia.
Fair enough, I’ve always wanted to visit there 🙂 What is your favorite reality show (I’m not a huge fan of any but sometimes watch American Idol with my wife)?
Unsurprisingly being a fantasy writer, I am not a big fan of reality shows. But I use to be into American Chopper and I will gladly watch the occasional episode of Pawn Stars and once in a while Storage Wars isn’t too bad. I know they aren’t technically reality shows but I enjoy those Cryptozoology specials that are on once in a while.
I forgot about Storage Wars, I like those too- and Auction Kings. So, what are you working on now?
I am putting together an anthology called “The Battle of Ebulon.” 15 authors have joined forces to write an epic crossover of our characters, placing them into a single world. I am really excited about it and am just putting the finishing touches on it. Keep an eye out for it in the upcoming weeks.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
This is a very difficult question for me to answer, because I am more a fan of individual stories than what authors wrote them. For example, Berserk by the Japanese Author Kentaro Miura is my all time favorite story.
However, the one author I would love to meet face to face is Clive Barker. In my own writing I tried very hard to be different and if possible original. Clive Barker fits that very rare mould of being alternative and yet very successful. I don’t have a specific question I want to ask him I would love to just sit down with him one and one and talk about writing.
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Definitely Oceans, I’m terrified of heights
Chicken or steak? Chicken
Bacon and eggs or cereal? Bacon and Eggs, except for fruit loops, ha ha
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Obviously depends on the novel. But I have always found the hero sacrificing themselves for the greater good to be very romantic (in a way) so sad endings.
Beer or wine? BEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cruise or cabin getaway? Ever seen Evil Dead? I would rather drown than get attacked by ancient spirits.
Baseball or football? Easy question for an Aussie, football.
Walt Whitman or Virginia Woolf? Tough choice, Walt Whitman.
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take only three things with you. What are you bringing?
Excluding supplies, such as food and water. I would bring my ebook reader, (even though I do prefer paperback.)
If I could find one, a solar powered laptop so I can write. A really well made pillow.
You’re able to sit down with any king in world history. Who would you choose and what would you talk about?
Emperor Meiji, the fact that Japan went from a land of feudal states into a world power under his control has always fascinated me, the fact that a country could change so radically in a single life time.
Shane Porteous is a master of the legendary 77 donut devouring technique. I live in a place of strange dreams and even stranger reality. I have been published both independently and traditionally. I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I pride myself on being alternative and original. The only guarantee I can give about my writing isn’t whether you’ll like it or hate it, but you will remember me. If you don’t believe me there is only one way to find out, by downloading my FREE full length Ebook.
How Gods Bleed has been called “The most original werewolf story ever told,” by more than one reviewer. Please keep in mind that it isn’t a paranormal romance, urban fantasy or horror story. It is Alternative Dark Fantasy. So please get yourself a copy and find out just how original of a story it is.
Thank you Shane for stopping by and be sure to check out his new, FREE, novel: HOW GODS BLEED.
Jackson Paul Baer 