BookView with Phoenix Elvis Nicholson, author of Unleashed Phantoms

Each outing, like any child, comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. My hope is that those who read what my hands type will get the same level of satisfaction as I did when giving birth to them.

Phoenix Elvis Nicholson – 10 October 2018

The Back Flap

The second wave. What remains…

About the book

What is the book about?

A follow-up / sequel to Appalachian Phantoms, published 2016, and great credit must be given to Penny Reilly for donating her photograph. Always wanted to put some symbol of death on book covers. Her murder of crows was perfect.

When did you start writing the book?

During the latter part of writing Appalachian Phantoms. Close to 1/3 was completed when the first one wrapped up.

How long did it take you to write it?

Five months. Released in May 2017, but a year later came back to slip in some refinements. I have a strange sense of humor and often phrase things tongue in cheek, sometimes on the nose. This has led to debate that much of the stories are biographical. I distance myself from the discussion by repeating what was taught in early years, that “The customer is always right.”

Where did you get the idea from?

A germ of the continuity arrived while asleep. Starting with the premise of an incorporated spook hunting club, the story always was intended to be a trilogy, yet the vague similarity to Scooby Doo bothered me. Then, visiting some friends in West Virginia sparked a new approach. Why not follow up with what happens after the gang splits up to go their separate ways? Not permanently, though. Or..?

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Always when writing about familiar people there’s a little nagging voice insisting that the words aren’t quite right or the personality doesn’t ring true. That’s when I have to remember it’s fiction, and the rules of etiquette are not all that important.

What came easily?

Transcribing stories told when growing up and fitting them within the framework constructed by this imaginary world. The majority of them fit seamlessly with events that my Millstock acquaintances told me of.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All of the characters I have ever written about are based on faces known, But so much has been changed that without using a detailed spreadsheet it would be a challenge for most folks to pinpoint who is who.

Do you have a target reader for this book?

Anyone who enjoys supernatural fiction should get a charge out of these adventures. Due to some conversations, I’d advise that they’re not particularly suited for the under 13 crowd

How was writing this book different from what you’d experienced writing previous books?

Everything flowed so easily. This one felt like pure dictation.

What new things did you learn about writing, publishing, and/or yourself while writing and preparing this book for publication?

For me: I scare easier than expected, and by the most unusual events. Horror films normally make me laugh, due to their inability to suspend disbelief

Publishing: It’s somewhat a mechanical process, other than designing book covers.

Writing: There is no perfect method to approach this craft with. Each outing, like any child, comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. My hope is that those who read what my hands type will get the same level of satisfaction as I did when giving birth to them.

End of Interview:

For more from Phoenix visit his website.

Get your copy of Unleashed Phantoms from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

 

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