Welcome to the Round Table. Today I would like to welcome author Heather Keuhl, as we talk about her book Malevolent Dead.
Thank you so much for taking time to stop in Heather. Please tell us a little bit about yourself....
Thank you for having me. Well, I’m a stay at home mom for an adorable son and the wife of a wonderful man. When I’m not writing I am either reading or attempting to keep my garden alive.
1. Have you always considered yourself a writer?
I’ve considered myself a writer since I started writing stories back in sixth grade, but I didn’t really take the title of “writer” seriously until I got my first book published in 2009. I mean, I had over 40 short stories published at the time, but to me a writer wrote books and that was my goal; to get a book published.
2. What inspired you to pen this novel?
Malevolent Dead was inspired from the events that took place in Fade to Black. I was inspired by Sarah and the decisions she had to make. I just had to know more about her and more about her world.
3. Why werewolves?
I figured it was time for something new. I mean, vampires have been a bit over-done and while some of my secondary characters are vamps, I wanted a different creature in the lead role. And lets face it, thanks to movies and literature werewolves don’t have a very good reputation.
4. How do you keep your writing different from all the other stories in this genre?
I think the fact that my lead character is a werewolf is what sets my writing apart. I try to do new things with my world, not the same old stuff that everyone else seems to be doing.
5. How difficult was plot development?
Not very. I usually know how it begins and ends when I sit down to write. I have fun with the middle, letting the characters do what they want and seeing where it takes us.
6. What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?
The problems with writing Malevolent Dead was that Fade to Black was already published. I had a lot of feedback, most of it positive, and it seemed that everyone wanted certain things to happen in the sequel. I finally had to tell myself that I was writing to please myself.
7. Who is your favorite character and why?
Even though she is a secondary character, I love T.D. Drake. She’s a bad ass witch who loves to play with guns. She’s everything I wish I could be; strong in mind and in body.
8. How did you come up with your title?
Malevolent Dead is the name of the vampire owned night club in Charleston, SC. Since most of the events center around its owner, the born vampire named Damian, I decided that the club name would also work as a title.
9. What was the publishing process like for this particular novel?
I submitted Malevolent Dead to Eternal Press first, since they are the press that accepted the first book in this series (Fade to Black). I was pleased to discover that they were interested in the sequel and accepted it. Of course there was some editing to be done, but I love the way it turned out. And I just love the cover art. Amanda Kelsey is the artist and she has done such a beautiful job.
10. What is one thing you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I’ve created a world where you can walk outside during the day and see a dragon fly by, get bitten by a vampire that night, and fall in love with a werewolf under the light of a full moon. I want readers to feel like anything is possible.
11. What is one thing your readers can always expect regardless of the cover?
My books will always have nonstop, edge of your seat action and breathtaking romance.
12. What is one thing your readers might not know about you?
I collect coins. I have a lot of different coins from various countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Uganda.
13. What do you like to read when you're not writing? Who is your favorite author?
I like to read the same genre that I write. Some of my favorite authors are Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Kayden McLeod.
14. Are you currently working on any new projects?
The third installment of the Sarah Vargas Series, Blood Moon, has been recently contracted with Eternal Press and will have a March 2011 release date. I have two other novellas submitted to publishers and I’m currently writing a YA paranormal romance set in the same world as my previous books.
15. Where can readers connect with you?
Readers can visit me at
http://www.heatherkuehl.com or
http://www.heatherkuehl.blogspot.com or even follow me on
Facebook and
Twitter
16. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to share with us?
Like I said earlier, Eternal Press has accepted Blood Moon for publication in March 2011. And with Malevolent Dead’s release on September 7th, I will be visiting a lot of blogs and even doing a live chat. For a complete list of dates just visit my website and click on “Events.”
17. Where can your book(s) be purchased?
For ebook copies of my books, please visit
Eternal Press. For readers that are interested in print copies,
Amazon has those available.
Thank you again Heather for stopping in. It has been such a pleasure to learn about you and your book. Please be sure to keep us updated and stop back anytime. Wishing you much success in the future.
