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Opening the curtains on Chris Johnson's stage.

3/9/2020

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Chris Johnson is an Australian author who lives in Brisbane with his wife and daughter. His books blend the esoteric mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, with a dash of Twilight Zone, and a twist of dry humour. He has published numerous short stories and novels, and has many more to come. 
Chris' story and book ideas come from a rich background as a stage magician, a mentalist, a psychic, and even a computer systems programmer! 
He also blames growing up in the 1980s on a diet of Atari computer games and television shows. Onstage, he used to read people’s thoughts; bend spoons, keys and forks; and he predicted newspaper headlines up to a week before their publication (including the Los Angeles Riots of 1992). 
Nowadays, he still performs, but he also entertains people through his stories, which always include an element of the weird and wonderful, the bizarre or the supernatural. 
 
His first book, Twelve Strokes of Midnight, is a collection of short stories, steeped in twists and turns, containing threads he says may lead into his other works and even each other. Each short story in the Devil's dozen coincides with a clock strike, drawing you into the witching hour and the impending horrors watching you from the shadows.



Featured book:  While He Was Sleeping 
Genre:  Speculative fiction - heavy on paranormal and supernatural 
  
Blurb:
The new supernatural thriller from the author of Dead Cell and Demon Blade. 
 
WHAT IF… 
 You were bullied constantly at school. 
Now you’re in hospital. 
Comatose. 
 
WHAT IF… 
 Your best friend and family discover your secret. 
A girlfriend you never mentioned. 

 
WHAT IF… 
 She is so loyal to you. 
She hunts each bully. 
Terrorises them. 
Mutilates them. 
Kills them. 
 
One. By. One. 
 Until... 
 
 
 
Publish date: 15th March 2020 
Publisher: Chris Johnson 
Available at all good bookstores


Author Interview:
Kasper:  Readers, let me introoduce you to one of the funniest and most genuine authors I've met in the Readers Lounge.  Welcome Chris Johnson. Settle in mate while we launch our levitating interview lounge.
Chris: 
Wow!  This is fun.

Kasper:  
What was the defining event that made you start writing?  
 I always enjoyed writing and creating stories. My earliest recollection of thinking I’d like to write a book is in the Summer of 1982/1983 and I started a book called Journey To Ekka. I was eleven. A year later, I started another called Hunter; it was about a superhero. Readers of Dead Cell will catch wind of this same hero with a different name: Predator. I "completed" the novel in 1997. Maybe I will publish it one day. 




What are you working on now? 
I’ve just finished While He Was Sleeping, a supernatural thriller set in 1986/87, which is due for release on 15th March 2020. It’s in marketing and promotion right now while I rest. 
 But after that, a few projects stand out in mind for me including another anthology, a self-help book (related to my work as a mentalist), and a few other things. One of them may involve Craig Ramsey, my psychic detective character from Dead Cell and Demon Blade.



What are common traps for aspiring writers? 
I think following every other writer’s rules and idiosyncrasies is a trap. ​
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Show, don’t tell. 
Kill all adverbs and adjectives. 
Aspire to write xxxx words a day. 
Adhere to this target. 
Blah blah blah. 


Don’t hang yourself on every bloody rule. Plenty of better writers, successful writers, too, break those same rules and more. 
 
Yes. A writer must learn their craft, study each tool and how to use it, but then learn how to change things to match. 
 
An analogy: A short guy’s kung fu is different to a lanky guy’s kung fu. Fight to your strengths. 
 
Same for writing. 


Have you ever had reader’s block? 
 
Reader’s block? Never heard of it. 
 
Neither have I had writer’s block, but there are times the “zone” locks me out like a prickly pub owner. But there’s always a reason called life. 
 
Look after your body, your health, and keep your family in order first. Writing comes afterwards... or you may end up like Hemingway. 
 
 
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? 
 I try a little of both. 
 
Having been an entertainer for most of my life, I know it’s not just about what I like. It helps, but my readers matter too. 

 
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 
 
Most research happens before I start writing, as I did for While He Was Sleeping. It contains elements of Tibetan Buddhism and mysticism. I researched it thirty years ago when I wrote the first outline. Yet it still helped to check out certain groups online and check other pieces when the need arose. 
 
My technique was similar for Dead Cell. I researched weapons, their drawbacks, and the CIA experiments on psychics. Being a psychic entertainer helped fill things more. And I even asked a doctor friend of mine about some medical instruments. 
 
Research is important but don’t wow the audience with a documentary. The story is king. 
​
 
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? 
 
Getting inside their heads is the most difficult part. But research helps there too. Ask your significant other, a friend of the opposite sex, etc. Read other stories in that voice. It all helps. 
 
 
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find? 
 
I love this question. No matter what I say, no one will believe me. 
 
No! I don’t. 
 
A couple of people might read themselves (or others) in my stories. That says something, I guess, sort of like the song. 
 
"You’re so vain. You probably think this book is about you..." 


Do you believe in writer’s block?  
 
I believe in crowded minds more than writer’s block. Like I said about reader’s block, it’s merely a sign of an overcrowded mind. Relax. Take a break. Rebalance you’re life. 
​
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What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 
Most research happens before I start writing, as I did for While He Was Sleeping. It contains elements of Tibetan Buddhism and mysticism. I researched it thirty years ago when I wrote the first outline. Yet it still helped to check out certain groups online and check other pieces when the need arose. 
My technique was similar for Dead Cell. I researched weapons, their drawbacks, and the CIA experiments on psychics. Being a psychic entertainer helped fill things more. And I even asked a doctor friend of mine about some medical instruments. 
Research is important but don’t wow the audience with a documentary. The story is king. 
 
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? 
 Getting inside their heads is the most difficult part. But research helps there too. Ask your significant other, a friend of the opposite sex, etc. Read other stories in that voice. It all helps. 
  
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find? 
 I love this question. No matter what I say, no one will believe me. 
 No! I don’t. 
 A couple of people might read themselves (or others) in my stories. That says something, I guess, sort of like the song. 
 "You’re so vain. You probably think this book is about you..." 
 
Do you believe in writer’s block?  
 I believe in crowded minds more than writer’s block. Like I said about reader’s block, it’s merely a sign of an overcrowded mind. Relax. Take a break. Rebalance you’re life. 
 
 
 Quick quiz: 
Favourite food: Vegetarian. It goes well with steak. 
Favourite drink: Milo 
Silliest saying: He who lives by the sword gets shot. 
Best holiday spot: Byron Bay 
Favourite song at the moment: Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy (ever since I wrote While He Was Sleeping, it’s stuck in my head) 
With writing, are you a plotter or (seat-of-your) pantser? Mostly a plotter, but if I have a section that I haven't planned out, I pants it out when I get to it. 
Star Wars or Lord of the Rings: Battlestar Galactica 
Best superpower: Tying knots in cherry stems with my tongue 
Number one thing to do on your bucket list: Live, not exist. 
 
Thanks Chris.  It's so cool to learn about you and your works.
Chris:  my pleasure.  Thanks for having me.


Folks, here are...
Chris' Links:


 
While He Was Sleeping 

Available at all good bookstores (personalised signed copies from the author’s website) 
eBooks: https://www.books2read.com/WhileHeWasSleeping 

Paperbacks (signed by author): https://chrisjohnsonauthor.blogspot.com/p/chris-johnsons-personal-bookstore.html#!/While-He-Was-Sleeping/p/167152019/category=0 

Paperbacks (unsigned): https://www.bookdepository.com/While-He-Was-Sleeping-Chris-Johnson/9780994523358 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisJohnsonAuthor 

Website: https://ChrisJohnsonAuthor.blogspot.com.au 

Twitter handle: @aus_mentalist 


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Magic, witchcraft, a mystery and a dragon.  What's not to love? The Dragon's Seamstress by @julidrevezzo #FSFRL #dragons

8/16/2019

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Blurb:
Since Caitlin and Trevor vowed to assist the Otherworld and opened their enchanted antique shop, they’ve seen many strange things. But now, someone comes in asking for a mundane item: kitschy “witches” brooms. Has their magical life returned to normal?As the couple prepares to host a family gathering, fate intervenes and something they’ve never seen before roars into their life: A creature out of Welsh legend and fantasy: A blundering, somewhat underdeveloped dragon—not at all the type of dragon they ever expected to meet. Forced to undertake his unique challenge, Caitlin and Trevor are perplexed by his demands, but the magical beast is certain they are the only witches who can help him.Doing so might unlock an ancient hidden secret. Refusing might destroy them.
My review:

​Recommended for fans of the Antique Magic series, and those who like a gentle fantasy mystery. 
This is the first book in the series I have read, so the regular fans will know a lot more about the magic shop and characters than I did.  Saying that, Caitlin and Trevor make a nice couple and I kinda hoped there would be a smidge more romance for them, but it's not that type of book.  Probably they are more affectionate in earlier books in the series. 
The Dragon's Seamstress is a a slow-reveal mystery with some magic spells and fantastic beasts added for good measure.  There are clues scattered all over town, including their home.  Caitlin becomes detective which is enjoyable and you uncover the mystery with her.
On the whole I find there is a lot of standing around and talking, which is something I don't prefer to read.  I like action. 
I read a beta version and found it got off to a slow start, but I have been reassured my concerns were noted, the plot tightened, and the dragon makes a much sooner appearance.  Yay!  The story improved tremendously after the dragon was revealed.  I quite enjoyed it from there.  I mean, there's a dragon, so of course I'm hooked.

It reads well as a stand-alone, and I'm sure the rest of the series would be equally fun.
As to why there's a dragon, you'll have to read it to find out...


Here's the series for you.  Check it out and let me know what you think.
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Meet this cool supernatural author: Woelf Dietrich @Woelf20 #FSFNet

5/23/2016

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Author Woelf Dietrich
Woelf Dietrich is a New Zealander who writes dark fantasy and supernatural novels.  He began writing short stories at the age of 12 and has now published Seals of Abigal: book one of the Guardians of the Seals Tales.
Woelf also has an interest in drawing and enjoys drawing fantasy comics of musclebound warriors and scantily clad vixens.  He has also been a cartoonist.
​His interesting career includes: being a lawyer, living in a Kibbutz is Israel and selling pots and pans in Africa.


Woelf popped by to talk to me about his writing in a Fantasy Sci-Fi Network interview. 
Here are my favourite points:
​*   Woelf borrowed his pen name from the German hero of fantasy writing
​*   The mythology in Woelf's writings is borrowed from many cultures
​*   There are dragon bones in Poland (I must check those out)
*   Woelf lists 6 works in progress in the interview (wowsers!)
*   Listing just five favourite authors is a tough challenge for this guy
*   He has the best answer to the Star Wars vs Lord of the Rings question

​You can read the full interview
here.

The Seals of Abigal
Bookstore owner and novice antiquarian, Sebastian Kaine is proud of his new profession and even prouder still of the collection of antique books on the occult that he keeps locked away in the basement of his bookstore.
But his little utopia is shattered one night when he wakes up in that same basement, bound and bloodied, and his prized collection all but destroyed.
As he tries to stay alive, Sebastian discovers The Seals of Abgal is far more than just an ordinary grimoire for it holds powerful secrets.
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    About Kasper

    Kasper Beaumont was born and raised in Australia and lives a quiet life with the family in a seaside town.  Kasper has combined a love of fantasy and a penchant for travel in the Hunters of Reloria series.

    Starting to write on the urging of friends and family, Kasper enjoys watching readers become immersed in the world of Reloria.

    We hope you enjoy 
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    Kasper enjoys sharing this blog with other authors in the fantasy / sci-fi and paranormal genres.  You'll also discover interesting facts about Kasper writing, as well as Relorian art, book and movie reviews.  We hope you like it and feel free to leave a message.

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