More Paranormal Spring Break Madness! Parajunkee's View extends a warm welcome to the highly entertaining Mark Henry, author of the AMANDA FERAL series. Mark Henry is generously offering up two signed copies of his first book in the series, Happy Hour of the Damned. {Details below} He was also kind enough to answer a few questions that I pestered him with, so take the time to read the interview and then enter the giveaway!
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Fantasy Element: Zombies
Series: Amanda Feral
Order Online: Amazon.com | BookDepository.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Blog | Twitter
PJV: Ever think about doing stand-up?
MH: I have actually, but then I realize I’d actually have to take the time and write up a set. I’d much rather just talk to folks and bullshit.
PJV: Never mind, but you are hilarious. Between the Vlogs and the comedy behind your writing you’ve had me in stitches countless time. Where do you find inspiration for your hilarity?
MH: I don’t actively seek it out. Comedy and timing is one of those things that just sort of happens over time. I think it had a lot to do with being overweight growing up and having to defend myself from ridiculous comments. I ended up becoming very acid-tongued from early on. A dangerous asset, but it certainly came in handy as I grew up and started dealing with really disturbed clients as a psychotherapist and then later, obviously, it showed up in my writing.
PJV: As a male author in a predominantly female genre do you enjoy your minority status? Any benefits?
MH: None whatsoever. It’s actually worked against me, particularly as a male writing a female protagonist. I get written off almost immediately by a good deal of female readers, believe it or not.
PJV: On the topic of gender, do you find it hard to write a female main character in comparison to writing a male character?
MH: Not really. I love women. As an only child I spent a great deal of time with my mother and her friends, listening, taking in their social interactions. And then later on, as a psychotherapist, the vast majority of my clients were women. What’s more difficult than writing a woman is defending the decision to write a very specific type of woman. Amanda is strong, irreverent and spewing with gallows humor and apathy. In other words, she’s a bitch. She’s an anti-heroine, in the sense that she doesn’t want to save the world, she barely extends herself to help her friends. The reason Amanda resonates for me is that she feels very real. I know tons of women like her and I’m infinitely interested in them. Some people have difficulty with unlikeable characters, but I’m really only interested in making mine as interesting as possible. Feel free to hate.
PJV: What drew you into the paranormal genres?
MH: I’ve always loved horror and zombies, and when I decided to take up writing five years ago, it was just a natural starting point for me. I didn’t really know I was writing urban fantasy at the time. I just thought Happy Hour was a comedy.
PJV: Which of your characters was the most fun to write?
MH: Amanda, definitely. She’s vulgar and opinionated and awful. And she can sit by me anytime…after she’s been fed, clearly.
PJV: Your books are now being reprinted, the AMANDA FERAL series in particular, what does this mean to you as an author?
MH: It means that they’ll be exposed to a wider audience. Mass-market paperbacks are much more likely to show up in grocery stores, Target and Walmart than the larger trade paperback size. It gives a struggling series a second wind.
PJV: You also announced on your blog that AMANDA FERAL is making her way into pages of a comic. Excited? How much creative control do you have on the character creation?
MH: Absolutely. I recently announced a deal with the Dabel Brothers to bring ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD to a comic series, concluding in a graphic novel bind-up. I’m ecstatic, can’t wait to see what an artist will do with Amanda, Wendy and Gil. I’ve signed on to write the scripts for each chapter and have a vote on the art. So it should be just as foul and irreverent as the books.
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Fantasy Element: Zombies
Series: Amanda Feral
Order Online: Amazon.com | BookDepository.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Blog | Twitter
PJV: Ever think about doing stand-up?
MH: I have actually, but then I realize I’d actually have to take the time and write up a set. I’d much rather just talk to folks and bullshit.
PJV: Never mind, but you are hilarious. Between the Vlogs and the comedy behind your writing you’ve had me in stitches countless time. Where do you find inspiration for your hilarity?
MH: I don’t actively seek it out. Comedy and timing is one of those things that just sort of happens over time. I think it had a lot to do with being overweight growing up and having to defend myself from ridiculous comments. I ended up becoming very acid-tongued from early on. A dangerous asset, but it certainly came in handy as I grew up and started dealing with really disturbed clients as a psychotherapist and then later, obviously, it showed up in my writing.
PJV: As a male author in a predominantly female genre do you enjoy your minority status? Any benefits?
MH: None whatsoever. It’s actually worked against me, particularly as a male writing a female protagonist. I get written off almost immediately by a good deal of female readers, believe it or not.
PJV: On the topic of gender, do you find it hard to write a female main character in comparison to writing a male character?
MH: Not really. I love women. As an only child I spent a great deal of time with my mother and her friends, listening, taking in their social interactions. And then later on, as a psychotherapist, the vast majority of my clients were women. What’s more difficult than writing a woman is defending the decision to write a very specific type of woman. Amanda is strong, irreverent and spewing with gallows humor and apathy. In other words, she’s a bitch. She’s an anti-heroine, in the sense that she doesn’t want to save the world, she barely extends herself to help her friends. The reason Amanda resonates for me is that she feels very real. I know tons of women like her and I’m infinitely interested in them. Some people have difficulty with unlikeable characters, but I’m really only interested in making mine as interesting as possible. Feel free to hate.
PJV: What drew you into the paranormal genres?
MH: I’ve always loved horror and zombies, and when I decided to take up writing five years ago, it was just a natural starting point for me. I didn’t really know I was writing urban fantasy at the time. I just thought Happy Hour was a comedy.
PJV: Which of your characters was the most fun to write?
MH: Amanda, definitely. She’s vulgar and opinionated and awful. And she can sit by me anytime…after she’s been fed, clearly.
PJV: Your books are now being reprinted, the AMANDA FERAL series in particular, what does this mean to you as an author?
MH: It means that they’ll be exposed to a wider audience. Mass-market paperbacks are much more likely to show up in grocery stores, Target and Walmart than the larger trade paperback size. It gives a struggling series a second wind.
PJV: You also announced on your blog that AMANDA FERAL is making her way into pages of a comic. Excited? How much creative control do you have on the character creation?
MH: Absolutely. I recently announced a deal with the Dabel Brothers to bring ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD to a comic series, concluding in a graphic novel bind-up. I’m ecstatic, can’t wait to see what an artist will do with Amanda, Wendy and Gil. I’ve signed on to write the scripts for each chapter and have a vote on the art. So it should be just as foul and irreverent as the books.
PJV: Are there any other series, paranormals, lurking in the corners waiting to get out?
MH: Yep. I’ve got a young adult novel about ready to go out on submission with my agent about adolescent ghosts in Purgatory and a revolution that has dire consequences for the world of the living. I’m also working on a series of erotic novellas for an ebook publisher and have plenty of ideas for adult series bubbling up.
MH: Yep. I’ve got a young adult novel about ready to go out on submission with my agent about adolescent ghosts in Purgatory and a revolution that has dire consequences for the world of the living. I’m also working on a series of erotic novellas for an ebook publisher and have plenty of ideas for adult series bubbling up.
PJV: What is your best Spring Break memory?
MH: Sadly. I don’t recall a single thing from Spring Break. Maybe I should check into a rehab center.
Contest Deets:
Two (2) winners will receive a SIGNED copy of Happy Hour of the Damned
US Shipping Only
Requirements:
Following is not required but is appreciated!
Comment to win.
1 Extra Entry {LEAVE AN EXTRA COMMENT!}
1. Tweet: WIN! Signed #book Happy Hour of the Damned by @Mark_Henry #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/h1JsAe PLZ RT
Legal Stuff:
Two (2) winners will receive a SIGNED copy of Happy Hour of the Damned
US Shipping Only
Requirements:
Following is not required but is appreciated!
Comment to win.
1 Extra Entry {LEAVE AN EXTRA COMMENT!}
1. Tweet: WIN! Signed #book Happy Hour of the Damned by @Mark_Henry #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/h1JsAe PLZ RT
Legal Stuff:
- Parajunkee's View or Tynga's Reviews is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors.
- Winners are chosen using a random number generator based on the comment number.
- You do not have to be a follower to participate.
- Winners will be announced on this blog on April 6th and by email if one is provided either in comments or on your profile.
- There is no limit to the amount of giveaways you can enter during Paranormal Spring Break but you can only enter each giveaway once (main entry and any extra entries available), if it is found that a person has entered the same giveaway more than the allotted entries those entries will be disqualified.
- If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to Parajunkee's View.
114 comments:
I can see why writing a character thats vulgar, opinionated and awful would be fun to write. Can't wait to read about her.
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
Ha This sounds like a fun book :) I can't wait to give it a try! Thanks for being part of Paranormal Spring Break (great idea by the way Parajunkee :))
hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu
I love characters that aren't "natural born heroes" and sort of bitchy - it always seems like the author had more fun writing them and really shows in the book. Add that to zombies, and it equals a great series. (His twitter avi is great, by the way!)
Amanda sounds fabulous! I'm definitely looking into this series! sounds like something I'd love!! Thanks!
mpyff AT hotmail DOT com
I tweeted :) @pyffer
Amanda sounds like an interesting leading character. I will definitely checkout this series. Neri0724@gmail.com
Looks like an interesting series. Will have to check it out!
stephanie AT stephaniemloree DOT com
I enjoyed the interview. It's kind of funny that he knows alot of women, like his main character. I am not sure if that is good or bad for him. I would love to read the book, I bet it would be really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I have often wondered how difficult it would be for a man to write this genre. Sorry that we women are so biased.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Jovial_1/status/42960312969867264
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
This looks like such a fun read. It is nice to see a male author in this genre.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
new author to me..looks like a great book!
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
This really looks like a fun series. Your character Amanda really is someone I want to read more about. I will check out the series!!
Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com
This is a new one to me; can't wait to read it!!!
hnwhitlock2000atgmaildotcom
I love a good Zombie book and I'll be looking out for the comic version too. Glad you stoped by.
Jnmt3@hotmail.com
Sounds like my kind of read! tWarner419@aol.com
I applaud male authors writing in such a female dominated genre. Sounds like a great read!
kcer@earthlink.net
Oh pick me please!!!! I need to read these books.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/statuses/42989136143060992
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Hahah I RTed that Tweet before I read the entry. :P Whoops. Anyway, I've read the first book but it was borrowed from a friend. So count me in!
A very interesting interview. :) I'm interested in reading this.
Laceyinthesky(AT)live(DOT)com
ohh I have seen this book on reviews and I would love to read and review it. that was a great post, how could I have passed by this author and not seen the awesomness>
terilhack at yahoo dot com
Wow this book looks great!
kasuranna at yahoo dot com
Great interview. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
I look forward to reading this book. I must admit, while I don't outright avoid female protags written by male authors, I can't think of any that I have read off the top of my head. Shame on me.
Cheers,
Alisha
schalazeal @gmail.com
This book sounds great, though I admit I haven't read too many paranormal books that were written by a male. But I am finding that the ones I have read have been great- one I can think off the top of my head was Spiral X by J.J. Westendarp and I really liked it.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/43011882029826048
Great interview. It is amazing how many woman write off a male author where the protag is a female.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/wildlower/status/43021332656562177
wildlower(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh awesome! I need more zombies in my life and Amanda sounds like a refreshing change.
inspector.librarian@gmail.com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/csilibrarian/status/43023979572760576
inspector.librarian@gmail.com
Love this author, and love this series! Great interview!
huh, this series seems interesting. Amanda seems like an interesting character. Since the author is male and the main character is a girl, I think it would be interesting to see his view on women. I would defenitly check it out!
capumegard(at)yahoo(dot)fr
LOVE the Q&A on writing a female character as a male author. I'm always interesting in this question.
bittenbooks at gmail dot com
This book sounds good...great interview!
bookflamereviews@gmail.com
also tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/SweetKarma212/status/43081939560837120
Sounds fabulous! Great interview.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I haven't seen many books by males in this genre - I'm intrigued! I'd really like to read this!
paranormalopinion@hotmail.com
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ParanormalOpin
Fun! I wanna laugh!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BooksThings/status/43103318104473600
I've been wanting to check out Mark's books, but haven't had the chance yet. I follow on Twitter and I'm kept endlessly entertained by all the snark and silliness.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
GFC follower
I've enjoyed reading Mark's tweets so I think I would love reading about Amanda. Gotta love a bitchy heroine!
StacieDM
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
I have always wanted to read this book. Count me in on the contest please. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net
I have never read any of Mark's books. For the longest I thought Mark was actually female. I finally added him on Twitter because I got tired of seeing all the female authors RTweeting his messages, and decided I wanted to get them firsthand. I have to say, Amanda sounds like my kind of girl, except you know, living.
Amanda sounds like a refreshing addition to a world that has far too many heroines who are TSTL & that I frequently want to smack around a little. I love a good bitch ;)
jaymzangel (at) hotmail (dot) com
To be honest.. I'm not much on zombies. Most paranormal creatures I really get into, but the undead are little hard for me, However you are almost making me a believer with this interview. I definitely will give this one a try.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
This looks interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
rootml1@hotmail.com
I shared this on FB
http://www.facebook.com/megan.root1
rootml1@hotmail.com
OOh Zombies!
Tweeted the contest at http://www.twitter.com/wildirishrose33
Email - wilirisros33@aol.com
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
I can't wait to read this one. I love heroines that are misunderstood and bitchy. If it's filled with comedy, I'll probably most likely enjoy it, too.
artificial-sweetness@hotmail.com
Would love to read this! I haven't read an urban fantasy book with a female protagonist that's written by a male author yet.
angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com
Hm, I think this will be an interesting character to read about! I like the difficult ones! Thanks! :)
apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com
Henry is hilarious and I can't wait to read his book! I also can't wait for your YA book, it sounds good =)
stickchic_brittany18@yahoo.com
Oh, and I tweeted =D
http://twitter.com/#!/Kyo_Fangirl/status/43389025054244864
I tweeted this under dana19018
Love Mark Henry's work. He is so funny and I don't mind that he is a guy writing from a woman's point of view. Honestly, he is right though. It does make me not want to buy some books because I have found that most men can't capture the emotional depth of a woman. Not true in this case. Dude has got it! With style and extreme humor I might add.
I even put one of his books on my zombie blog. :)
Tweeted http://twitter.com/lillieblue613/status/43416202441277440
I'm not entering as I have all the books with one of them signed.
Amanda Feral is a fierce character. I love the fact that even though she's a zombie she still acts like nothing has changed for her and tries to live her idealic life with as much snarkiness as she can.
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
I tweeted about this giveaway on Twitter (@skyla11377).
http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/43535658517676032
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
This series sounds great would love to win a copy! ;-)
californiablue17@aol.com
Tweeted! :-D
http://twitter.com/#!/MadiganHeart/status/43757112354017280
californiablue17@aol.com
I would love ot read this book! Hope I win :)
Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity
PelicanJL@hotmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PelicanJL/status/43936654158860288
I would love to win a copy of Happy Hour of the Damn!
chicareader(at)gmail.com
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/Lilixtreme/status/44110791150022656
chicareader(at)gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win this. juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I really enjoyed Happy Hour of the Damned. It's definitely one of the snarkiest books I've ever read.
Sara M
sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com
Amanda sounds really interesting and it's a nice change. Looking forward to reading this.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Lindadao2060@yahoo.com
Tweeted: http://mobile.twitter.com/linda2060/status/44518541726191616
Loved the interview.
Tweeted also: http://twitter.com/#!/jgravino/status/44571710372052992
http://twitter.com/#!/amethystprincss/status/44621355928391680
Love it, love it
samijomiks@comcast.net
Awesome!!!I want this!!!!:)
Lis
life_is unpredictable29@yahoo.com
I LOVED Happy Hour of the DAmned. Amanda is one of my all time favorite characters...she is the queen of snark. I'd love to win this just so Mark can write something nasty & fun in my book. :)
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
tweeted too
http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/44928451358113793
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Amanda is my kind of girl :)
USA sstogner1@triad.rr.com
I'm always looking for new (to me) authors and books. This sounds like a good one.
izzyq@bellsouth.net
Would love to win! thanks for the giveaway. m.ramey@ymail.com
Amanda sounds like my type of character.
wedgeheadlove@yahoo.com
Nice!!! Zombies! I have a hard time finding a whole lot of Zombie books! I posted the Tweet!
You can find me on twitter as bookluvrmindy or my blog is http://bookluvrmindy.blogspot.com/
This book sounds right up my alley! Amanda sounds like my type of girl!
Thanks! mmafsmith@gmail.com
I Tweeted... http://twitter.com/#!/Maria_Smith_76/status/46290682817683456
Thanks! mmafsmith@gmail.com
I would love to win this. I hate to admit, but I am probably one of those who may see the book and possibly move on because it's not written by a female. What is wrong with me??? I'm so used to my books being by female authors, but I am intrigued and would love to read this. I love having comedy in my books and there is nothing better than when an author get's a laugh out of me
june111(at)att(dot)net
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/joleneallcock/status/46354906797457408
june111(at)att(dot)net
I tweeted your contest
http://twitter.com/#!/Lora1967/status/46524638880206848
chaarmedone1512(at)aol(dot)com
Please sign me up for your contest, If won it will read and given to the staff at Middletown High school.
chaarmedone1512@aol.com
The book summary sounds like this would be a great read
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/47409876112125952
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I've heard great things about this author from a local indie bookstore so I really want to read this now.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I've never really read a book about zombies.
rootml1@hotmail.com
Thanks for the chance to win!
shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/manyoceans/status/49035391281537024
shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz
Great giveaway!!! GFC follwer
vidishamun@gmail.com
Love your giveaways!!
komalsankla1@yahoo.com
Also blogged for a +1
http://pearlangelbooks.blogspot.com/
thanks for the giveaway.
flaka.077@gmail.com
tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/50790896551211008
thanks for the giveaway.
flaka.077@gmail.com
tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/50790896551211008
Amanda sounds awesome. I'd love to read about her.
light_spinner at hotmail dot com
Happy Hour of the Damned sounds like a fun book! I'm checking these out for my wishlist. TY for the chance to win.
Patrice
islandgirl33774 @ yahoodotcom
The book looks awesome, I would love to win!
Morganlafey86@aol.com
tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/51416008421941248
Morganlafey86@aol.com
This looks like a really good read. Great giveaway
chaarmedone1512@aol.com
I tweeted your contest
http://twitter.com/#!/Lora1967/status/52435391311122432
This book sounds really good!
officiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie
I also tweeted this contest
http://twitter.com/#!/officiallyjewel/status/52523494793162752
officiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie
Sounds amazing! Enter me please! amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com
I tweeted about it! http://twitter.com/#!/alli_cat_08/status/52558740913786880
amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com
I loved your interview. Your books are on TBR list & would like to win a copy. Thanks, Carrie Bernard My email is carrieab77@hotmail.com
Count me in the giveaway.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
Thanks for the chance at the giveaway. carrieab77@hotmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
My name is Mollie
moll89@sbcglobal.net
I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Have to say zombies are my least fav paranormal being to read/watch, but this series sounds great :)! Ty for the chance to win.
pams00 @ aol.com
Just popping in to say how happy we are to see that Mark's series is being republished. It really deserves a wider audience and it is a shame that just because he is a guy, he is getting overlooked. My husband was able to meet Mark at a signing event and got our trade paperback version of "Happy Hour" signed, so don't enter us in the contest. Now if Mark can be persuaded to switch to a different title in the series, then count us in. DaSwee94(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've never heard of this series. It sounds really good!! I can't wait to read this series. Thank you for another great giveaway!
PelicanJL[at]hotmail[dot]com
<3 Happy Reading
Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity
I have not read any of your books yet but they look like I would enjoy them.
Chllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com
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