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3.02.2011

Interview with Mark Henry & Giveaway


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!

Road Trip of the Living Dead by mark Henry
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Fantasy Element: Zombies
Series: Amanda Feral
Order Online:  Amazon.com | BookDepository.com
Stalk the Author: WebBlog | 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.

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:
  1. Parajunkee's View or Tynga's Reviews is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors. 
  2. Winners are chosen using a random number generator based on the comment number.
  3. You do not have to be a follower to participate.
  4. Winners will be announced on this blog on April 6th and by email if one is provided either in comments or on your profile.
  5. 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.
  6. 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:

cait045 said...

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

Andra Lyn said...

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

Unknown said...

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!)

Mandy P. said...

Amanda sounds fabulous! I'm definitely looking into this series! sounds like something I'd love!! Thanks!


mpyff AT hotmail DOT com

Mandy P. said...

I tweeted :) @pyffer

Nerissa said...

Amanda sounds like an interesting leading character. I will definitely checkout this series. Neri0724@gmail.com

Stephanie Lorée said...

Looks like an interesting series. Will have to check it out!

stephanie AT stephaniemloree DOT com

debbie said...

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

Victoria said...

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

Reading said...

This looks like such a fun read. It is nice to see a male author in this genre.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Froggy said...

new author to me..looks like a great book!

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com

Judy said...

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

Anonymous said...

This is a new one to me; can't wait to read it!!!

hnwhitlock2000atgmaildotcom

Rain Maiden said...

I love a good Zombie book and I'll be looking out for the comic version too. Glad you stoped by.

Jnmt3@hotmail.com

tetewa said...

Sounds like my kind of read! tWarner419@aol.com

Kristen - Seeing Night said...

I applaud male authors writing in such a female dominated genre. Sounds like a great read!

kcer@earthlink.net

Unknown said...

Oh pick me please!!!! I need to read these books.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/IntenseWhisper/statuses/42989136143060992

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Binah the Bold said...

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!

Anonymous said...

A very interesting interview. :) I'm interested in reading this.

Laceyinthesky(AT)live(DOT)com

Teril said...

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

KayaH said...

Wow this book looks great!
kasuranna at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Great interview. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Alisha (MyNeedToRead) said...

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

BLHmistress said...

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

BLHmistress said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/43011882029826048

wildlower said...

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

April said...

Oh awesome! I need more zombies in my life and Amanda sounds like a refreshing change.

inspector.librarian@gmail.com

April said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/csilibrarian/status/43023979572760576

inspector.librarian@gmail.com

Kristin said...

Love this author, and love this series! Great interview!

Capucine said...

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

Kaity said...

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

Book Flame said...

This book sounds good...great interview!

bookflamereviews@gmail.com

Book Flame said...

also tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/SweetKarma212/status/43081939560837120

Vivien said...

Sounds fabulous! Great interview.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Tishia Mackey said...

I haven't seen many books by males in this genre - I'm intrigued! I'd really like to read this!

paranormalopinion@hotmail.com

Tishia Mackey said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ParanormalOpin

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Fun! I wanna laugh!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BooksThings/status/43103318104473600

Barbara E. said...

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

StacieDM said...

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

Barb P said...

I have always wanted to read this book. Count me in on the contest please. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

DrkCherry said...

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.

jaymzangel said...

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

justpeachy36 said...

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

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

This looks interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!

rootml1@hotmail.com

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

I shared this on FB

http://www.facebook.com/megan.root1

rootml1@hotmail.com

WildIrishRose33 said...

OOh Zombies!
Tweeted the contest at http://www.twitter.com/wildirishrose33
Email - wilirisros33@aol.com
Thank you for the giveaway!!!

Soli said...

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

Amy said...

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

Ammy Belle said...

Hm, I think this will be an interesting character to read about! I like the difficult ones! Thanks! :)
apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com

Kyo_Fangirl9 said...

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

Kyo_Fangirl9 said...

Oh, and I tweeted =D

http://twitter.com/#!/Kyo_Fangirl/status/43389025054244864

Unknown said...

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. :)

Andrea said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/lillieblue613/status/43416202441277440

I'm not entering as I have all the books with one of them signed.

skyla11377 said...

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

skyla11377 said...

I tweeted about this giveaway on Twitter (@skyla11377).

http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/43535658517676032

skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

Crystal said...

This series sounds great would love to win a copy! ;-)

californiablue17@aol.com

Crystal said...

Tweeted! :-D
http://twitter.com/#!/MadiganHeart/status/43757112354017280

californiablue17@aol.com

Patricia's Particularity said...

I would love ot read this book! Hope I win :)

Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity

PelicanJL@hotmail.com

Patricia's Particularity said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PelicanJL/status/43936654158860288

Lilixtreme said...

I would love to win a copy of Happy Hour of the Damn!

chicareader(at)gmail.com

Lilixtreme said...

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/Lilixtreme/status/44110791150022656

chicareader(at)gmail.com

Julie S said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win this. juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Sara M said...

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

Linda: Book Ninja said...

Amanda sounds really interesting and it's a nice change. Looking forward to reading this.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Lindadao2060@yahoo.com

Linda: Book Ninja said...

Tweeted: http://mobile.twitter.com/linda2060/status/44518541726191616

Joyce said...

Loved the interview.

Tweeted also: http://twitter.com/#!/jgravino/status/44571710372052992

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/amethystprincss/status/44621355928391680

Unknown said...

Love it, love it

samijomiks@comcast.net

My thoughts on anything and everything said...

Awesome!!!I want this!!!!:)

Lis

life_is unpredictable29@yahoo.com

heatwave16 said...

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

heatwave16 said...

tweeted too

http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/44928451358113793

heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

Sharon S. said...

Amanda is my kind of girl :)

USA sstogner1@triad.rr.com

Melissa said...

I'm always looking for new (to me) authors and books. This sounds like a good one.

izzyq@bellsouth.net

Maria said...

Would love to win! thanks for the giveaway. m.ramey@ymail.com

Natasha Zaleski said...

Amanda sounds like my type of character.

wedgeheadlove@yahoo.com

Bookluvr Mindy said...

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/

Texas Book Lover said...

This book sounds right up my alley! Amanda sounds like my type of girl!

Thanks! mmafsmith@gmail.com

Texas Book Lover said...

I Tweeted... http://twitter.com/#!/Maria_Smith_76/status/46290682817683456

Thanks! mmafsmith@gmail.com

Jolene and Family said...

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

Jolene and Family said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/joleneallcock/status/46354906797457408

june111(at)att(dot)net

Read for your future! said...

I tweeted your contest
http://twitter.com/#!/Lora1967/status/46524638880206848

chaarmedone1512(at)aol(dot)com

Read for your future! said...

Please sign me up for your contest, If won it will read and given to the staff at Middletown High school.
chaarmedone1512@aol.com

Tabathia B said...

The book summary sounds like this would be a great read

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/47409876112125952
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Julie S said...

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

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

I've never really read a book about zombies.

rootml1@hotmail.com

CJ said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

CJ said...

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/manyoceans/status/49035391281537024

shortcut_2_mushrooms(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

Vidisha said...

Great giveaway!!! GFC follwer

vidishamun@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Love your giveaways!!

komalsankla1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Also blogged for a +1


http://pearlangelbooks.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

thanks for the giveaway.
flaka.077@gmail.com


tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/50790896551211008

Anonymous said...

thanks for the giveaway.

flaka.077@gmail.com

tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Ronyka7/status/50790896551211008

Anonymous said...

Amanda sounds awesome. I'd love to read about her.
light_spinner at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

The book looks awesome, I would love to win!

Morganlafey86@aol.com

Anonymous said...

tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/51416008421941248

Morganlafey86@aol.com

Read for your future! said...

This looks like a really good read. Great giveaway
chaarmedone1512@aol.com

Read for your future! said...

I tweeted your contest
http://twitter.com/#!/Lora1967/status/52435391311122432

Amosette said...

This book sounds really good!
officiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie

Amosette said...

I also tweeted this contest
http://twitter.com/#!/officiallyjewel/status/52523494793162752

officiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie

Unknown said...

Sounds amazing! Enter me please! amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

I tweeted about it! http://twitter.com/#!/alli_cat_08/status/52558740913786880
amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

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

Julie S said...

Count me in the giveaway.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the chance at the giveaway. carrieab77@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
My name is Mollie
moll89@sbcglobal.net

debbie said...

I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Pam S (pams00) said...

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

FurryReaders said...

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

Patricia's Particularity said...

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

StacyUFI said...

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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