Artist of the Month: an interview with Arabella Proffer

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Justine, by Arabella Proffer

For February’s Artist of the Month, I’d like to introduce indie music mogul-ette and gallery artist Arabella Proffer. Arabella is well known for her wild but regal portraits of imaginary aristocrats from an alternate history that combine both the ruffs and corsetry of Elizabethan England and the punk rock styles of 1980s LA. She has a new book out– The National Portrait Gallery of Kessa: The Artwork of Arabella Proffer– from Cooperative Press, and she’s here to talk about her artistic inspirations and the story behind the genesis of her imaginary kingdom, Kessa.

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Hi Arabella! Where are you from? What led to you attend Art Center College of Design– and later, CalArts? Why did you leave California? Has your frequent traveling informed your artistic process?

I was raised in Ann Arbor MI, but moved to Laguna Beach CA when I was 16, and then Dana Point. I always found Orange County to be boring– aside from the punk shows– so I spent every second I could up in Silverlake and Hollywood. I always knew I was going to attend art school somewhere in California, since 7th grade really, so it was good timing!

I was accepted into a program at Art Center and did a few months there, but it was very geared toward design and I just wanted a looser environment. CalArts was better for me because I could take animation and film courses while being in the Art department; my plans were to work in the film industry because I knew I wasn’t going to get out of school selling $20,000 paintings! At the time, the program was really into installation art and uber conceptual stuff, they really didn’t like painting. I found myself taking more animation courses because it required so much damn drawing, whereas the art courses were a lot of lectures (mostly). It’s kind of funny to me that I went back to painting and dropped doing films, I totally thought I would be working at an animation studio or would have become a film editor. Continue reading “Artist of the Month: an interview with Arabella Proffer” »

Author of the Month: an interview (and giveaway) with Christine Pope!

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For February’s Author of the Month, I’d like to introduce up-and-coming romance author Christine Pope, who wrote one of my all-time favorite romance novels, Sympathy with the Devil. I’ve been a fan of Ms. Pope’s for a long time, since she was posting fanfiction on fanfiction.net; since then, she’s written an astonishing variety of short stories and novels, ranging from steampunk to science fiction to dark fairy tales to urban fantasy. Published by Pink Petal Books, Astonishing Adventures, Luna Quarterly and Dark Valentine magazine, Ms. Pope is a born storyteller with polished, witty and suspenseful prose that recalls Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden and Mary Stewart at the height of her powers. Today she will be discussing her new book, Heart of Gold– a gaslight/steampunk romantic adventure set in the opulent late Victorian era– as well as fanfic, Phantom of the Opera, E.L. James’ “50 Shades of Gray,” and the perils and rewards of self-publishing.

But that’s not all. Ms. Pope is also giving away “Heart of Gold” to one lucky person who will then have a choice between print or an ebook. All you have to do is leave a comment below, and you’ll have a chance to win!

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Hi Christine! Where are you from? When did you first decide that you wanted to write? How did you come to this decision?

I’m a native of Southern California. I’ve moved all over within SoCal, but I’ve never lived anywhere else. I think I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was really young, probably as young as eight or nine. I was such a voracious reader that I wanted to tell stories like the writers I admired so much.

Who are some of your favorite authors? How did they influence your writing?

Of course this sort of thing is really hard to narrow down, but if I have to choose, it’s the writers I go to again and again, where I know I’m going to be entertained no matter which work of theirs I pick up. The top three are Jane Austen, Mary Stewart, and Stephen King. I’m not sure exactly how they influenced my writing, but a lot of people have commented on the sense of humor that comes across in my writing, and so I’m guessing some of that comes from reading Jane Austen and absorbing the way she would comment on human foibles. From Mary Stewart comes my love of the first person (which I know some people hate, unfortunately), and– I hope– some of her detail and couples you really want to root for. Stephen King… well, I’ve been told that people have found my books hard to put down, so maybe a little bit of that Stephen King page-turner quality rubbed off. Continue reading “Author of the Month: an interview (and giveaway) with Christine Pope!” »

Heart of Gold: a delightful gaslight romantic adventure

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I’ve had good luck with books lately. First Neil Gaiman’s American Gods; then Vera Nazarian’s Lords of Rainbow; and now Christine Pope’s “Heart of Gold.” It’s put me in such a good mood, that it makes me think my lucky run probably won’t last much longer.

Anyway, I first became acquainted with Christine Pope’s writing back in her fanfiction-writing days, when she wrote fun, very well-written stories set in the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings universes. After a brief spell where we worked together on the late, great Dark Valentine magazine, I became more of a fan, and I was happy to see her writing career start to take off. Unlike her previous novels, her latest work is a historical romance; but it doesn’t have a stereotypical Regency setting and plotline. “Heart of Gold” is quite a different beast– in fact, I can’t think of any other story quite like it on the market today. It’s a splendid, exciting gaslight romantic adventure, with just a hint of steampunk.

The story follows the adventures of Miss Lavinia Greene, a well brought up but inquisitive young lady who is called by her eccentric inventor uncle to visit him at his castle in Romania. But there are no vampires here, but a mysterious and handsome young assistant, a sparkling metal-clad airship, and danger lurking around every corner. After her uncle is murdered by a pair of nefarious Russians who are out to steal his latest invention, the assistant, Joshua Jones, helps spirit her to safety– but then he disappears off the face of the earth. Convinced of his demise, she finds solace in the arms of the roguish Earl of Langdon– but she soon discovers he is not who he seems. There’s gloomy castles, daring escapes, and more excitement than you’d find in a penny dreadful. I found it almost impossible to put down. Continue reading “Heart of Gold: a delightful gaslight romantic adventure” »

Lords of Rainbow: a colorful and romantic fantasy epic

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Back in high school, I used to read a lot of fantasy of the Tolkien-lite variety– mainly various “Dragonlance” books or anything involving dwarves, elves, or the shorts you’d read in “Dragon” magazine. It was not brilliant stuff, but it was comforting– and when I was that age, there was a certain comfort in reading stuff set in a familiar fantasy universe, where elves were snooty pretty tree-huggers, dwarves were burly gruff dudes with Germanic sounding names, and everyone started their adventure in an inn with buxom but feisty barmaids.

But after a while, I tired of the same kind of schlock, and I looked for other fantasy authors who were different, and who were not writing stuff set in the same old Ye Olde Western European D&D-esque setting. Well, I discovered Tanith Lee and later Neil Gaiman; but for the most part my fantasy reading dried up, since it seemed that decent fantasy authors with a unique voice where few and far between.

My stable of reliable fantasy authors is somewhat larger now– over the years I’ve become a fan of Jack Vance, Clark Ashton Smith, Ted Chiang, Guy Gavriel Kay, and GRR Martin. But so many fantasy books seemed inaccessibly dense and tedious, and were, God forbid, in the forms of trilogies or something even longer. It’s hard for me to keep up enthusiasm for a narrative when it continues for books and books. (I admit, I even have this problem with Martin.) Hence my love for Lee and Gaiman; they write lots of one-offs. But they don’t stint on their world-building either, their prose is well-crafted yet engaging, and their characters are always memorable, believable and with rich emotional lives.

Now, I think I’ve found another author who can write wonderful, distinctive non-cliched fantasy as well as any of my favorites; and that’s Vera Nazarian. She was giving away copies of her fantasy epic “Lords of Rainbow” on LibraryThing in exchange for a review, and I bit, because I’ve enjoyed her work in the past. It took me a while to get to it, but once I started reading, and I adjusted to her style, I devoured it in days. Continue reading “Lords of Rainbow: a colorful and romantic fantasy epic” »

Artist of the Month: an interview with Mark Satchwill

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This month’s Artist of the Month is Mark Satchwill, who is not only the artistic half of NoHo Noir, but he is a versatile and accomplished artist in his own right. He’s been exhibited by various galleries, including Adonis Art in London and the Flavel Centre in Dartmouth, and he’s worked for magazines like “Diplomat” and “Dark Valentine,” as well as for hundreds of international collectors. He works as easily with paints as he does with digital media. He’s most famous for his watercolors, but he’s also noted for his marker work: he’s even been profiled by Letraset. (As an example, this portrait here of the Doctor Who character Idris, as played by actress Suranne Jones, is one of his marker portraits). You can see more of his blog here, and his deviantArt page here.

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Hi Mark! Where are you from? Where did you to go to school? How did you get into illustration?

Hi! I’m from Watford, a small town on the outskirts of Greater London. I grew up here, then went and lived in different places all over the UK, finally settling back here a few years ago. I knew I wanted to do something in the arts from quite a young age. After my ‘A’ levels I went on to a 1-year Foundation Course at Stevenage College, where you tried different disciplines before deciding what you wanted to pursue on a Degree course. Some of my tutors thought I should do a degree in Fashion but I chose a 3-year Graphic Design Degree, with Illustration as my main focus, at Leeds Polytechnic (now Leeds Metropolitan University).

To cut a long story short I had a fairly unhappy time on the course. After graduating in 1990 I spent a few months trying to find work but eventually got a regular job. I never gave up painting and drawing completely but it was only really about five years ago I decided to pursue and art career seriously again. Continue reading “Artist of the Month: an interview with Mark Satchwill” »

Why American Gods is one of the best fantasy novels of the past decade

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Shadow had done three years in prison. He was big enough and looked don’t-fuck-with-me enough that his biggest problem was killing time. So he kept himself in shape, and taught himself coin tricks, and thought a lot about how much he loved his wife.

I first heard the opening lines of “American Gods” read by Neil Gaiman himself about twelve years ago, at a CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) fundraiser held at my old college. At the time, I attended Art Center College of Design in sunny Pasadena, and when I heard that Gaiman– who wrote “The Sandman,” one of my favorite comics ever– would be speaking, I was thrilled. I made a point of attending, and being the budding artiste, I sketched him in one of my old sketchbooks. While I drew, he read from his new book, and I was immediately hooked: it sounded like the coolest thing ever. I knew I would love this story– what was it called? Oh yeah… “American Gods.” Awesome!

Anyway, after the talk, I gave him the sketch, thanked him, and went off, pleased as punch. I figured I would get the book when it came out, so I would find out what happened to Shadow.

But things didn’t quite work out that way. I got distracted by school and later by work, and I never got around to reading “American Gods,” even though all of my friends assured me it was great and I would love it. But I wasn’t sure whether I should believe them. After all, I had been disappointed by Gaiman’s film “Mirrormask”– what if “American Gods” disappointed me too? It would be so depressing!

And as the years went by, and more people told me how great it was, I resisted reading it more and more. I thought I would read it eventually, but I never felt like it, and I always figured I could get around to it later. Continue reading “Why American Gods is one of the best fantasy novels of the past decade” »

Author of the Month: an interview with Katherine Tomlinson

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Katherine Tomlinson-- illustration by Mark Satchwill

For this month’s Author of the Month interview, I’d like to present Los Angeles screenwriter, author and blogger Katherine Tomlinson, who is not only an old hand in the movie biz, but a fresh new voice in the horror and urban fantasy genre. Reminiscent of both Shirley Jackson and Stephen King, her stories are evocative, disturbing, sharp as a knife and hard to forget. She’s been featured in the St Martin’s Press anthology “What Was I Thinking?,” as well as by ThugLit, Shotgun Honey, A Twist of Noir, Luna Station Quarterly, and the late great Astonishing Adventures Magazine, where I first met her as one of the on-staff illustrators.

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Hi Kathy! Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get into writing?

I’m an army brat. I was born in Washington DC but brought up all over the place. I knew I wanted to be a writer from the time I was pretty young—before high school for certain. I used to share a room with my little sister and I would tell her bedtime stories every night. In high school and college I wrote for the “literary” magazines but then I graduated and got a job as a reporter and stopped writing fiction for a long time. (The first professional byline I ever got was for writing a non-fiction piece for my grandmother’s hometown newspaper. It ran the day before I turned 17. I’m very proud of that.)

I began writing fiction seriously when John Donald Carlucci hired me to edit Astonishing Adventures Magazine in 2007. We hooked up through a Craig’s List ad. Through him I’ve met so many people who have mentored me and supported me—Cormac Brown, Sandra Seamans, Patti Abbott, Paul D. Brazill—the list is long. Continue reading “Author of the Month: an interview with Katherine Tomlinson” »

Why I don’t like “The Hunger Games”

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The History of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why and Where phases. For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question “How can we eat?” the second by the question “Why do we eat?” and the third by the question “Where shall we have lunch?”

–Douglas Adams, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”

Even though food and hunger are a big part of “The Hunger Games,” I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was written by someone who had never been without a meal in their entire lives. “Where shall we have lunch?” seems about right. It’s rural poverty, starvation, and survivalism as imagined by someone whose biggest food decision for the day is whether to eat lunch at Panera or Starbucks.

I have skimmed through this book in the past, but Megan at the PoseySessions blog convinced me to give it another chance. I have read it in its entirety; I have given it another chance. This book would be fine for twelve year olds– I might have liked it well enough when I was twelve– but I am surprised that so many adults find Collins’ work to be so amazing. It’s not.

It was a struggle to get through this book. The bones of the story is good, but the writing is inept and clunky, the characterization is flat, and the world-building is unbelievably bad. “Games” in fact features some of the worst dystopian worldbuilding I’ve ever seen… it’s like Caprica on Valium. Continue reading “Why I don’t like “The Hunger Games”” »

Artist of the Month: an interview with Alan Ayers

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Song of the Nile illustration, by Alan Ayers

Sorry about the holiday delay, everyone! We have a special treat for you this New Years’ Eve– December’s Artist of the Month is the amazing and talented Alan Ayers, a high-profile cover artist who does some of the most gorgeous and vivid covers to be seen on the NY Times bestseller list. His style is cinematic, as well as being simultaneously painterly and photographic; he’s worked on some of my favorite covers, and I’m delighted to welcome here on my blog.

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Hi Alan! Could you tell us where you’re from? What led you to get into art?

I was born in North Carolina, and was raised in Gainesville, Florida. I’ve always had an interest in drawing and painting. I was one of those kids in school who was always called upon to do the holiday murals, although it wasn’t until my mid-20s that I pursued art/illustration as a career.

Tell us a bit about your interests growing up. Did you draw a lot as a child? What about high school?

I was always drawing and painting as a child. It was an interest that continued right through high school. Other interests were gymnastics and skydiving. (Today I no longer skydive, but I do enjoy hang gliding.)

Where did you go to school?

I graduated from P.K. Yonge Laboratory School in Gainesville, Florida, and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia.

What brought you to illustrate book covers? Have you ever done traditional painting, or has digital always been your first love?

After graduating from Tyler (in 1981), my wife and I moved to Connecticut where I was an advertising illustrator until contacting a representative in New York in 1987. It was then that I began illustrating book covers. I had always known that my style was well suited for book covers. Originally I illustrated with airbrush, acrylics, and oil, until switching to digital in 1995. I very much enjoy working digitally, and feel that I’m able to use much of my traditional training in my work. I am represented by Peter Lott at Lott Reps in New York.

What are your favorite artists– both past and present?

Of course, there are many artists (both contemporary and non-contemporary) whose work I admire, but here is a short list of my favorites:

Past artists:
John Singer Sargent
Edmund Blair Leighton
The Dutch masters

Present artists:
John Jude Palencar
Larry Rostant
Steve Stone

Your style– a combination of digital illustration and photography– is remarkable, and it’s always easy to spot an Ayers cover in the bookstore. Many authors have told me they feel incredibly lucky to get a cover by you. How did you come into your style?

My work has always been very “photographic”, even when working in traditional media. I always attempt to bring a feeling of realism to my covers, and use a number of techniques. In a single image, I will frequently use a combination of multiple photographic elements, and 3-D structures (usually architectural), all brought together with traditional painting skills. Of course, I’m not using actual paint and brushes, but am working with a tablet and stylus. I often forget I’m not “pushing paint around”.

There’s something gorgeously cinematic about your work. Did film influence you? What are your favorite movies? TV shows?

(Thanks for your kind words!) I feel like film has definitely influenced my work. When we’re doing photo shoots, the topic of film often comes up — we feel as though we’re doing a single frame, out of the best part of a movie. My taste in movies is varied. For instance, two of my all-time favorites are “Gladiator” and “Pride and Prejudice.” Although the visuals of a movie are important, the story and dialogue are definitely what makes a movie memorable. As for TV, I enjoy many of the HBO, Showtime, and AMC series.

One of my favorite illustrations of yours is for Stephanie Dray’s “Song of the Nile.” Could you take us step by step through the process of what it was like to create this cover? How do you find the costumes, the models, etc? How much did you change in Photoshop?

“Song of the Nile” was a very enjoyable cover to work on! The art director (Judy Murello) gave me direction of how she envisioned the cover. The talented Toni Busker was our model. We rely a great deal on the acting skills of the models. She was photographed at Shirley Green’s Photography in New York. The costume was provided by Sharon Spiak. (Occasionally the photographer or I provide the costuming.) Of course, when I go to finish, I usually enhance the costumes a great deal. This particular image was a combination of photomontage and 3-D rendering, finished using digital painting. The three programs I rely on the most are: Photoshop, Cinema 4D, and Painter.

How would you say your style has evolved over the past decade?

I have tried to simplify my compositions as much as possible, which I believe creates a stronger image. Any “style” changes have happened very gradually.

What are some things you’d like to try in the future? Are there any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?

As mentioned above, my primary goal is to simplify my compositions as much as possible, and continue to learn the programs I work with.

I’m currently working on covers for (among others) Elizabeth Hoyt, Cara Elliot, and Maya Banks.

Presenting Linda LaRoque: or, what dreams may come

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Today our guest blogger is Linda LaRoque, one of my favorite time travel romance authors: she’s here to talk about her new futuristic romantic suspense, “Born in Ice,” which was inspired by a dream. Comment here for a chance to win a copy of her fantastic time travel romance “A Way Back”– and you’ll also be entered into the drawing for an awesome new Kindle!

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This futuristic romantic suspense story grew from a dream, one of a woman frozen in a block of ice and found by fishermen from an undersea world. She’s taken to their home and with the help of advanced medical technology, fully recovers. In time she learns she must learn to fit into their social system, one different from what she’s known.

Women are scarce. She’s encouraged to marry and has several men vying for her attention, but marries a community leader who needs someone to care for his two small children. At first it’s a business arrangement, he still loves his deceased wife, but over time their relationships grows into one of love. Continue reading “Presenting Linda LaRoque: or, what dreams may come” »