Loading ...Interview and Contest with Author Anton Strout
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Anton Strout
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prize being offered up. The contest is open to readers WORLDWIDE!
NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:30 am CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments over the next two days. The CONTEST portion of this event runs for FIVE days and ends at 11:59 pm PDT 4/26/09.
Interview:
Hi Anton!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Anton’s AWESOME release book two in the Simon Simon Canderous series, Deader Still
BBB: What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of writing?
AS: Wait.. there are rewarding aspects in writing? DAMMIT! Why didn’t someone tell me this sooner???
To me the reward is in the sharing. Half the journey of being a writer is getting the story down. The other half comes from the reader in the actual reading of it. If I make someone laugh or give them a little escape or get them to go, “woah, cool!”, then I’ve done my job. It’s a powerful connection to share. Right now I’m on my couch writing these answers. Old school Iron Chef is on. When your readers see this, they’ll be doing their thing in their own place, but guess what? I’M TALKING TO YOU! YES, YOU! Well, technically typing, not talking.. but we’re engaged in a strange out of the space time continuum conversation, and that’s so powerful, it gives me the willies!
The greatest challenge I face is trying to convey something to people I don’t know. Everyone has their own life experience, and I hope I reach as many of them as I can, but.. well… how does one do that?
For me, the solution is that I write the types of books that I would like to read. With four books sold in the Simon series, I think I’m doing that and it’s terribly exciting, but it’s also work. Writing is haaaard!
BBB: What do you find most challenging about working for a publisher and being an author for the same company?
AS: Technically, I’m answering to my publisher in two different professional capacities. There’s a fine line I have to walk. Plus, I feel a huge responsibility to my colleagues to deliver a quality product every time I hand over a new book in my series. All the Penguins go out of their way to support me, and I want to live up to their sales expectations. So far, so good! Why? Have you heard something to the contrary? HAVE YOU???
BBB: How do you maintain your snarkitude in the midst of all of your projects?
AS: I cry myself to sleep at night to let out all the pain! Whee! Actually, I think the way I keep snarky is by seeing the humor in every aspect of life, even in life’s tragedies. When I was younger, I was a bit more fatalistic, but as I get older, I find more and more humor and absurdity in life. The fact that I get to share my stories with others on a national level is some strange proof of that. That, and the threat of missing deadlines keeps me rich with laughter, albeit the nervous kind.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle 2
AS: I think they are a good addition to the options of how one can choose to read a book, namely all of mine. I’m a tech nerd, so I love gizmos. The other day one of my friends downloaded Dead to Me to their Kindle 2
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
AS: I don’t see them taking away from sales, only adding to them. They’re an additional marketplace. I think that as time goes on, we’ll see more and more electronic sales, but they’re still a minor portion of the sales coming in. I think that has more to do with the state of electronic publishing than anything. Almost too many options. Publishers spend a lot of time formatting them for 18 different kinds of readers, and I can’t see how it’s profitable going off in so many different directions. I wish there would be more standardization. With that all said, I believe that all readers should own my books in every available format at all times. Go get them all.. I’ll wait right here.
BBB: Where did the idea for Simon Canderous come from?
AS: There’s a store in the West Village that sold him to me.
Actually, there’s a short story written by Garp in The World According to Garp by John Irving. It’s about a man who wears magic gloves and can heal the world, but he can’t feel anything… that got me thinking. What if there was a guy who could feel everything and had to wear gloves
to keep from absorbing it all the time? Also, I was a fan of Lovejoy Mysteries when they were on television, and then later found the books by Jonathan Gash. The idea of someone with a knack for divining antiques intrigued me.
BBB: Do you have personal experience with mounds of paperwork on your desk?
AS: All the goddamn time. Write what you know figures heavily into the red tape of corporate life. I spent enough time as a temp in NYC to get a real flair for wanting to jam my head into the copy machine, hoping my tie would get caught in the gears and end my suffering. Now that I need to be organized, it’s not the papers on my desk I worry about. It’s all my action figures.
BBB: Can you tell us what your next release (s) will be? And do you have stand alone titles forthcoming? What’s in store for Simon in the future?
AS: Book three in the Simon Canderous series is with my editor now. It should be out at the end of February 2010. And let’s see… what can I tell you about that, other than Simon dies? Oops… I shouldn’t have typed that.
Well, there’s been the long unresolved mystery of what ever happened to Connor’s missing brother all those years ago. This time around we finally get some answers about that…
I have a few other stand-alone ideas, but until I get some headway on book four contracted in the Simon series, I’m afraid those will have to wait. If I didn’t have this damn day job, I could probably do more than a book a year, but I suffer the curse of many a working author these
days. So many ideas, so little time.
BBB: There are rumors that you have a secret man crush on author Mark Henry. Are these rumors true?
AS: As fellow founding members in The League of Reluctant Adults, I think its no secret and the two of us have become comfortable with our slutty man-love. Granted, he’s much more slutty than I am, but that’s his problem more than mine (penicillin, Mark… look into it). Comparatively, I’m just a classy bitch.
BBB: Is it hard working full time, traveling for work and writing? How do you find time to write with so much going on in your life?
AS: Traveling for work helps with the writing. It’s a lot of downtime on planes or locked away in hotel rooms. That means no distractions and a perfect time to really concentrate on my latest book! Normally, I try to get a little work done every day, and it adds up pretty quick. Once
there’s a nice bulk of words, the refining starts… it’s easy to polish words on a page, versus words never put down.
BBB: How do you keep track of your world building, do you have a tried and true system?
AS: When I’m writing, I try to notate rules and facts from the Simon-verse as I go. All those bits go into a Dead To Me Bible in Word when they become canon. It’s an encyclopedic, alphabetized tome that details paranormal powers, physical descriptions, locations, events. I have pivotal events coming up in book three that started forming way back in book one, and keeping that organized through a thousand pages is a bit daunting. It seems to be working so far. Sometimes if I have questions about my books, I head over to the unofficial fansite http://www.undeadapproved.com. They seem to know more about what’s up than I do.
BBB: If you could shapeshift, what animal would you be? And why?
AS: Were-jaguar. No question. Mostly because Jim Hines and I should never be allowed to panel together where these ideas take seed.
BBB: Will we get a more in depth look at Jane in the future? She’s been almost a peripheral character in second book.
AS: Possibly. The main focus has always been Simon and as she gets closer to him (assuming she lives), we’ll see more and more of her. I’ve toyed with the idea of something solo for her or from her perspective, but so far I haven’t fallen in love with anything that has took hold in my overtaxed little brain.
BBB: What is your all time favorite paranormal/urban fantasy book?
AS: Oh, I don’t read that crap!
Kiiiiidding!
I’m gonna go with The Sandman and Hellblazer series. They’re graphic novels, but they count as books in my book. When DC launched the Vertigo line, I remember being blown away by both series’ dark and haunted quality… always with the bite of humor thrown in. I’m also a big fan of Christopher Moore.
BBB: How do you like NJ as opposed to living in NY? What exit?
AS: I am required by New Jersey state law that when I’m asked where I live in Jerz, I don’t say what town I say what exit. I’m at Exit 8. I like it because it’s still close to New York City, which I’ll always love. I spend my spare time searching for the Jersey Devil whenever I can. So far, no luck. I think I’m using the wrong bait.
BBB: What is your favorite quote of all time?
AS: There’s a whole bunch of them out there, but lately I’ve partial to from the movie The Weatherman. Michael Caine is talking to his son played by Nicholas Cage and says:
“Sacrifice is… to get anything of value, you have to sacrifice. Do you know that the harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing? Nothing that has meaning is easy. “Easy” doesn’t enter into grown-up life.”
I think that’s pretty sound advice, and as a writer, I take great comfort in it.
****************************************************
Learn more about Anton Strout here:
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
****************************************************
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. Anton will be giving away an $80.00 Amazon.com Gift Card
Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing copies of Anton’s books. Yep, it is true, if you purchase a copies of any of Anton’s books by using these links here:
You will get SIXTY entries to the contest for EACH copy you purchase. These are better odds than buying a lotto ticket! 
It is NOT mandatory to purchase anything to enter the contests, there are plenty of other ways to enter and win. Just email me a copy of your purchase receipt to racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies.
2. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is leave a comment or question. Feel free to start a discussion or ask as many questions as you like. No talking = no entries! You can come by EVERY DAY through 4/26/09 and comment for more entries. Good for 10 entries.
3. Buy ANYTHING from Amazon today THROUGH 4/26/09 by using the Amazon search box on the right hand side of our site. We will know if you used the box to search and buy, so please be sure to use it or your entries won’t count. Send me a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes or snail mail) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 25 entries per item purchased.
4. Read the Bitten by Books reviews of Anton’s books here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=58&book_author_id=Anton%20Strout
Then leave a meaningful comment IN THE REVIEW post that shows you read the review, not just a post that says “sounds good” or “nice review”, a couple of sentences would be great! Simply share your thoughts, ideas or opinions and show the author some love. Good for 5 entries per review.
5. SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only. Be sure you VERIFY your subscription, an email is sent with the verification link. Unverified subscribers will not be entered and will be deleted from the mailing list. Good for 10 entries.
6. Spread the word, the more places you post the event, the more entries you get. Post the link to the event / contest today (http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=6285) at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread. Good for 10 entries per place you post the link to this event.
NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day.
7. Add us as your friend on
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59929467915
Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/bitten_by_books
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks be SURE to tweet us after you follow so we can count your entry! @BittenbyBooks
Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! Good for 10 entries per place you friend us.
8. Be friends with Anton by joining him here:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=681048277
Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7047823850
Twitter
http://twitter.com/antonstrout
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/25405974
9. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event be SURE to include us in your tweet @BittenbyBooks http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=6285. Good for 10 entries each day you tweet it.
10. Add Anton’s website and blog to your blog roll or links page: http://www.antonstrout.com/
http://antonstrout.livejournal.com/ Good for 10 entries for each place you post each link.
11. Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry! Good for 10 entries.
12. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by this week! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get FOUR entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
13. Join the The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your user name. Be sure to post something about yourself on your blog there. Good for 10 entries
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contest ends on 4/26/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winners will be contacted the following week. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES:
1. If you aren’t interested in receiving the prize, offered please do not enter the contest.
2. You have THREE days from the day the I contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re- award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. We have the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. The prize is shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
Welcome, Anton. Thanks for joining us here today.
Do you enjoy attending fan conventions?
Fantastic interview! I love someone who has a sense of humor!
Can’t wait to read your books.
Friending you on facebook
Already friends with bittenbybooks on facebook, myspace, and twitter-tweet tweet!
Good morning Anton,
What type of bait are you using for Jersey Devil hunt? I heard a rumor of dog ear with a coating of ketchup is good bait.
What is the title going to be for the third book?
Wow, I can’t wait to read these books. I hadn’t heard of the series before but they sound terrific. I’m a big fan of Simon R. Green’s “Nightside” series so this sounds like something I’d enjoy.
Hi Anton
Fun to see you here. So my question is:
Any authors that have made a big impact on through out your life?
Carol- I love going to conventions and talking about writing. It’s still strange to talk about the content of my books with people, but it’s always nice when it happens. I think the next big con I’m going to be at is Gencon as I am an avid gamer, although my writing time cuts into that quite a bit these days.
Hmmmm, snarkitude!
A question about your childhood (which I think will be very revealing to us all) In the Hall Kurpiel 5th grade class of 1980, what animal did you make out of paper mache?
beet- the title is up in the air, although I am leaning towards Dead Matter. Deader Than the Rest makes me giggle too much as one of my runner ups.
Linda- I’m a big Douglas Adams fan, which I think is fairly evident in my books. I also love most things that the mighty Joss touches.
I’m also gonna throw Stephen King out there, because I think what he does really has a broad appeal, which is a gift unto itself if you can tap that in what you write.
Aimee- damn, I have no idea. I vaguely seem to recall making a manta ray once for a giant ocean display, but I can’t remember if it was for them. Then in 7th grade I bought a raccoon for my sewing project but the poor little guy never was finished.
BUT… Ms. Kwazny (of my 4th grade portables class) came to my reading in Pittsfield last March and I got a little weepy as it was her retirement year. I had even brought the Newbery-Caldecott story I wrote to it!
Hi Anton!
Welcome to BBB! Thanks so much for the laughs today! I needed that!
What a great interview! And I love the quote! It hits just the right spot today.
Okay-my question. If you were immortal, where would you choose to spend the first part of your immortality? And if you had to spend the rest of your life chained to one member of the League-who would it be?
Thanks again!
(Rach-twittered, FB, JAPM, Mark and Dakota’s groups)
beet- also, White Castle seems to work best for Jersey Devil baiting. It helps if you have Neil Patrick Harris at your side… and possibly a unicorn.
Darn it, I already own all of Anton’s books and am his facebook friend and … yep, I follow him on Twitter, too. Alas for my lack of contest options!
So, Anton, aside from the were-jaguar story (which I’d really like to hear in full sometime — did anyone tape that panel and put it up on YouTube?), I’d really love to hear why Pez is so important. Is it just something you like? Did it come about as important due to Simon’s need for sugar after using his power? Why Pez?
(As always, BBB is on my blog roll.)
Virginia- first part of my immortality would be spent riding every rollercoaster in every park in the United States. I’m a fiend for them. I can’t get enough.
I know you want me to say I want to be chained to Mark Henry in the League, but sadly, it’s not the case. Hmmm… I’m gonna go with Richelle Mead, cuz she’s tiny and I could probably just put her in my pocket so no one would notice. That and she’s cuter that Mark (sorry, Mr. H!)
Hola Anton!
Do you find that work is pretty flexible about your online engagements during the week?
Alana-
I appreciate yer dedication! Which room will you mount my severed head in? Over the shrine?
I pray to God that no one has taped our panels, although I am inclined to make sure podcasters come next year. Chances are they’ll break Jim and I up so we don’t bring the con to its knees.
I just love Pez. Lemon, preferably. I can’t help it. It’s why I try to eat my verbena soap, too. Now, Simon goes for Life Savers simply cuz he can get them anywhere to boost his sugar, whereas you have to look around to find PEZ sometimes and he’d be long unconscious by then.
Hi Anton,
Dead To Me is in my TBR stack. I’m looking forward to reading it:)
Bridget H.
Posted link:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1084897775&ref=profile
http://www.myspace.com/bridgetlaprairie
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Tweeted & asked to RT http://twitter.com/bridget3420
Added Anton’s blog to my blog: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
BBB is already on my blogroll
Rache- shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
*hides under desk*
LOL, okay your secret is completely safe here on this internet website.
Okay next!
In the spirit of some upcoming videos here on the site. What Boozy Drink best describes YOUR writing?
Rachel- I think it’s safe to say that I’d go with a Zombie. Or a Headhunter, considering both of them have appeared in my books…not the drinks, mind you.
Zombies ARE quite tasty. What’s in a headhunter (besides heads lol)
Speaking of raising one’s blood sugar, jelly beans are better than Life Savers. Mentos even better. Life Savers get stuck in your teeth unless you suck on them, and no one wants to take the time to do that when their blood sugar is low.
Plus with Menots, you can explode Diet Coke. Just a side benefit, there.
Hey Anton! Enjoyed your post! As a Jersey girl, I can tell you, you’re too far north. Gotta go south to the pinelands, though frankly there are scarier things in Jersey! (kidding, kidding, really just kidding)
Do you have a favorite character? One that’s more vivid in your head than the rest? Or one that intrigues you more?
Rach, BBB’s on my blog roll and I’m part of the Blood Bank.
Best of luck with your release, Anton!
Cate- Since moving to New Jersey, I’ve boarded up the doors and windows and sit there typing with my shotgun next to me, awaiting the onslaught of all the Jersey terrors.
My favorite character is Gauntlet archivist Godfrey Candella. In my head, I picture John Hodgman, the PC from the PC vs. Mac commercials. Godfrey is just this guy, you know? He’s a bit bookish, does his job, loves what he does… something about him speaks to me. He’s usually not in the thick of the action (much), but he takes his role as an archivist just as serious as if he were surrounded by the undead.
Hi Anton. My question for you is how many books do you have planned for the Simon Canderous series? Do you have any other books/series in the near future?
Stef
Anton,
May I ask a follow up question? Favorite Roller Coaster? and have you ever ridden the Thunderbolt and Kennywood in Pittsburgh? (Kennywood is the amusement park used in the current movie release -Adventureland
Anton, Can you tell us what has been your favorite place you ever visited?
Since its Earth Day.. What are you doing to Go Green?
Great interview, thanks.
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you like to have there with you?
Anton is a fantastic writer. I’ve seen him at GenCon and he’s just as hilarious in real life.
My question: Anton, have you ever had a real life paranormal experience? If so, please tell us about it.
Anton, you’re so funny! I needed some laughs today, so thanks! Pez is hard to find, I totally agree on that.
Estefanie-
I have four books planned out for the series so far, with ideas for a few more rolling around my head, including one detailing the life of Ben Franklin, Necromancer, which is mentioned several times in passing in the two books out. I have a few ideas that are also paranormal, but they are neither written, sold or part of the Simonverse.
My favorite place I’ve visited? Hmmm… other than Disney World? Let’s see.. I’ve been quite taken by my trips to Taiwan and Malaysia, but since Malaysia lacks that sulfur smell, it wins!
As far as what I’m doing to be green? Well, I’m proud to say that my publisher, where my day job is also, has several green initatives, and I will point you there:
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/aboutus/greenpenguin.html
Rachel,
I am subscribed to BBB, I am part of The Blood Bank, I have BBB blogrolled at http://nightdweller20.livejournal.com and http://nightdweller20.wordpress.com, I am friends with BBB on Myspace and Facebook, and I also have Anton’s blog on both above blogrolls.
Virginia- my favorite coaster is probably Millennium Force in Cedar Point, which boasts something like three of the top steel coasters in the world. It was one of the early giga-coasters, heightwise. It’s smooth, and just the climb up for the first drop terrifies me.
I also love The Incredible Hulk at Universal Studios Orlando…
If I kick it old school, it’s the one at Coney Island. It’s so rickety and jerks you around that just living through it is very life affirming.
Rach- if I was stranded on a desert island and could only have three things, they would be:
a boat with an oar
a water purifier
someone to row it until I eventually get hungry and eat them
Christine- I am told, and have a vague memory of two things from my early childhood. My mom swore our old house had a poltergeist and I seem to recall toys flying around my room, but then again, that may have been the movie Poltergeist.
Second, I remember a distinct force slamming into my at the top of a set of stairs when I was about ten. I rolled all the way down, but I question whether this really happened.
As an adult, I have not encountered anything paranormal, but I am open to the possibility.
Nice answers in regards to the desert island especially the 3rd lol
Do you like horror movies and if so which is your favourite and why?
ohh, GenCon, I wanna go! I might have to make the oh so long trip this year, lol.
What are your favorite games? do you play your favorites over and over or are you always looking for something new to grab your attention?
Thanks for the great interview, I needed a laugh today
Rach- I like some horror movies out there, but I’m all over the place in my viewing. If I had to go with a favorite, it would be The Shining. I can watch it over and over again, and at it’s heart, it’s just a haunted house story, really.
Hey now, it’s no good making a girl feel all creepy and stalkery… and besides, severed heads go on the pikes *outside* the house. If they went over the shrine, I’d totally have to clean the carpets more often.
Please definitely do shanghai some podcasters — particularly if you and Jim do manage to get back together on a panel. The hilarity that must ensue! Speaking of public performances/panels/etc., what types of events do you have lined up for this summer? GenCon again?
Sarai-
It’s worth going no matter what kind of gamer you are.. they’ve got something for everyone. And the writing seminars, which I’m part of, are worth attending if writing is your thing.
As for games, I love the Resident Evil series, the old school ones more than the new ones and the Zelda franchise. Ocarina of Time was the first time I cried in a video game. Also, Peter Molyneux’s Fable. What do they all have in common? Great stories!
Alana-
Definitely Gencon. Also, now that I’m settled in New Jersey and have a car once again (rarely needed one in Queens), I’m going to try to set up more events within reasonable driving distance.
And I didn’t mean to imply stalking was bad!
I read that you are a fan of Buffy. Who’s your favourite character and what did you think of Angel (the show)?
Thanks for the great interview. I haven’t read any of your work, but maybe when I finish the other 10 books on my kindle, I’ll wander over and check yours out.
See, that would definitely be a new reader for ya with ebooks. LOL.
Hi, Anton! I was wondering where you got the idea for the oubliette?
As you know I’m a huge fan of Simon’s. Oh and you too!
Happy Earth Day!
(BBB is perma linked at The Qwillery: http://qwillery.blogspot.com)
Hi, Anton. Where did you get the idea for the oubliette?
As you know, I’m a huge fan of Simon’s. Oh and you too!
(BBB is perma linked at The Qwillery - http://qwillery.blogspot.com)
My fave character? Hmmm… toughie! I like Giles a lot, because he’s got that badass past but he’s now in his mellower years, but still badass when need by, albeit in a librarianish kind of way. I think Xander is one of my faves as well. There are hints of him in Simon, in that they are both somewhat normal people in the grand scheme of all the paranormal around them… The Zeppo episode really struck a chord with me, I guess.
I was down with Angel as well. It had it’s own style and town, but there are also gaps in my watching history of it, which I tend to rectify in the near future!
Hi Anton!!
I gotta say, love your sense of humor. Reading the interview you got chuckles out of me!
Do you insert some of that humor into your book? Those books tend to be keepers with me, especially if they can make me laugh (and cry and a wide of emotions)
I added Anton to my facebook
Joined his facebook fan page
Followed him on twitter
Added him on myspace
Twitted it on twitter
added him as a friend on livejournal (Morriga)
I posted it on my facebook
I try to write a mix of humor and heart in what I do. I think book by book I get closer to achieving that balance without going too morose or too slapstick.
It’s kinda why I like Hamlet. Despite it being a tragedy, it’s terribly funny at the same time…if it was too heavy, it would be unwatchable.
Several authors have turned their hand to YA writing. Is this something you’d be interested in later along the line?
Hello!
This interview was hysterical. I love your sense of humor! Most of the questions I would want to ask have already been answered so I’m just going to be all voyeur-y until I think of one
I have Dead to Me on my TBR pile, but I haven’t quite managed to find the time to read it.
7 - Friend of BBB on twitter and facebook.
8 - Friend of Anton on twitter and facebook.
9 - Tweeted URL for contest/interview.
10 - Anton’s website is on my blogroll.
11 - BBB is on my blogroll.
13 - Part of the Blood Bank as HZilionis.
Hey!! Those books sound really cool. Saving my money, but when i get enough i’ll go buy them! Anyway, i added Anton as a friend on facebook! and commented here. Yay!
Anton, what’s your favorite show EVAH?
And your current fav show?
How did the League of Reluctant adults begin?
I like the title Dead Matter it is short and to the point.
For the Jersey Devil meet-n-greet; I’ll see your White Castle/Harris/unicorn and raise you a Hammer, Grimm and Elf. >:)
6. 10. 11. http://beetsbooks.blogspot.com/
Ash- fave show evah? I’m gonna go with Buffy. It was long running, didn’t jump the shark too often… which is why Xena wasn’t my answer. It hit some bad times there.
Fav show now? Lost. I love the multi-layered story telling… the mystery and science fiction elements…lot of good going on there. I’ve learned a lot about worldbuilding from watching, actually.
Jackie- The LRA began when Ilona Andrews invited a bunch of us to group blog with her, if memory serves me. Mark and I were there at the beginning, and despite his making us a low brow enterprise by associating with him, we foolishly banded together. There were five or so of us at first. Now I think we have about 18 members to keep things fresh and frankly, I’m relieved that I don’t have to blog every Monday now. Believe it or not, it was quite a weekly commitment. With more members, it lets us switch it up a bit more. Besides, there are a lot of hotties in the League Lounge, so I get some pretty regularly now!
I must admit after reading this interview I want to buy one of your books. I love your mix of humor, world building, and apparent strong characterization.
Thanks for sharing your views…I’m off to Amazon.
Twittered, Facebooked and shared: http://realitybypassbooks.com/2009/04/22/wednesday-book-promo-two-for-the-dough/…folks be on our blog roll there too.
As for Anton and Mark, we know they’re all freaky like. It’s easier not to think about it. I personally want to know if Anton has his own personal Black Stacks from which he draws evil inspiration?
Jana
Hello Anton,
Hate to say it but I’ve never read your books. Shame on me. You sound like a funny guy. Love your sense of humor in this interview. Does it carry over into your books? Have a great day.
Every damn day, Jana, every damn day. I sent a carnivorous bookcase after your last review of Deader Still, but it seems to have sadly gotten lost on the way.
Stupid semi-sentient piece of no good wood…
Roberta,
I’d like to think so! I vomit prose and unicorns all over my pages, so you’d think some of it would stick.
I think the tone of my interviews and answers show the demented turn my books take towards the funny or bizarre.
I highly recommend checking me out, but PLEASE NOTE: I may be partial.
Anton, you are a hoot!
Do you have any hobbies, or any sports you enjoy as a player or an observer?
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Inquiring minds want to know: What prompted you to start writing? Have you been writing fiction just forever (Essays for the WRHS English department DON’T count!), or did you just decide one day “Hey, I should write a book!”?
Sports… sports… I have heard this word before from my youth…
Does Quidditch count?
Hobbies- D&D miniature painting, RPGs, video games… don’t really follow sports, unless y ou count watching the SuperBowl and pretending I’m rooting for one team…
Did you become a writer for the love of writing or for the career opportunity?
Aimz-
I’ve always written, but I didn’t really think about it as a career until maybe 8 years ago.
I won like awards in high school and stuff like that, but I thought I was going to act, play music and teach. but writing started to appeal to me more. The rejection cycle is much nicer to me. In acting, you audition, you either get it or don’t, on to the next audition. Lots of rejection mixed in there with the occasional hits of success. With writing, you can write for a gooooood lonnnnng time until you send it out for rejection. That’s like only once cycle of rejection a year! Sweet deal.
Although, and some readers will hate me for this, Dead To Me was rejected by one publisher before it sold.
Rachel- I think I wrote because I’ve always wanted to entertain others, be it acting or music or writing. Writing to me seemed like the most long term, as far as that goal went. I remember books I sat in the library reading when I was a kid that are still with me today.. The Phantom Tollbooth, all the early Xanth novels, The White Mountains.. it seemed like the greatest legacy for future enjoyment for others.
Several authors have turned their hand to YA writing. Is this something you’d be interested in later along the line?
I’m pretty sure the Department of Extraordinary Affairs has a juvie division… just sayin’…
Your books are on Storycasting, so you and your fans can try to “cast” the movie-that-might-be (or TV show). Is a clear picture of the characters important to your writing, or do you see and write them more by their motivations, emotional responses, and the ways they talk or move?
Anton - I LOVED Deader Still, which quite frankly surprised me as just how much so! Don’t send the vamps out yet…I have a reason I don’t generally like reading from a male POV. (not the case here)
The book is just great I just wish there was more of it to read … now I need to read the first one and I am dying to read the 3rd.
I love the paperwork the characters constantly have to do — you should see my desk at the moment.
Okay ….
1)Who is your cover model? He is hot and just what I pictured.
2)Where did you get the idea for the telescopic bat?
3)Will we see more of Goodfrey?
Hi Anton! Awesome contest! My question is:
What do you think the main difference is between male and female authors’ writing in the urban fantasy/paranormal genre?
Hi Anton-
I was wondering, since you work for the publisher as well as are a writer, what advice would you have for aspiring writers?
-Belle
Great interview. Have filled in all the blanks…. LOL BBB is already on my FB, and Twitter as well as a card carrying member of the Blood Bank. I have added the fan page, added friend request, and following on twitter. RT’d the link on twitter and posted on FB…… Now do you ever feel that being a male writer that you draw mainly from the male readers predominantly or have in a large female base too.
Something that has been bothering me all day (well, at odd moments when I wasn’t out having a life):
Why an eighty dollar prize? Not $75. Not $100. Eighty. What’s up with that? Not that I’d mind winning a GC from Amazon for ANY of those amounts; eighty just seels a little . . .different.
Signed,
Someone Who Clearly Has Too Much Time ON Her Hands
Anton–Thanks for coming by. But you are a tease–I have read both the books in a gulp and now I have to wait until February??? for number three??
I know it’ll be worth the wait.
Dear Too Much Time ON Her Hands,
Excellent question.
I have an answer for you as long as you like the number 10.
$80 prize offer allows the winner to buy 10 books at $7.99 with 10 cents left over. Of course that is excluded sales tax.
Signed,
TTM (Thinking Too Much).
Well, from a mystical standpoint the number 8 could be interpreted as:
“The Number Eight
Power, executive, professional, strength, strength, money; problem solver, organiser, achiever, judgment.
The number Eight symbolises the principle of domination, control, and achievement. It is the executive decision-maker. The Eight tends to be rather formal, stern and hard-headed. More comfortable in the realm of material, tangible facts, the 8 will be truly exceptional as soon as it develops its spiritual connection and intuition. A natural leader will a good grasp of how to accomplish any goal, it must learn compassion. The keywords for Eight read like an ad to fill a position of a stock broker. It is responsible, powerful, financial and business sense, authority and [the ever popular] KARMA. You probably have worked out that the element of Earth is involved here. Four doesn’t come close to the hyper-responsible Eight. Ambitions and possessing the good business judgement to achieve what it desires. the Eight sets out to rule the world. It will be no surprise that Eight is the number of government, big business, executives and other assorted people in positions, whether real or assumed. The good old Karma comes along when Eight gets a little carried away. If power and authority is used in a responsible and just fashion it gets a big OKAY from the universe. Someone has to be the boss, get things organised and keep it that way until the job is done. Doing this noble and time-consuming job is a long way removed form abusing others in your position of authority. Like a cosmic punch in the nose? Use your power and authority in a way which deprives others the right to choose their own path and see what happens. Eight teaches about the proper use of power, and what can happen to us if we abuse it. These are important lessons for those in leadership positions, either in government or in a family. Eight has great gifts of decisiveness, courage, focus and delegation.
The One said “I am” the Two says “I am not alone”, the Three says “I create”, the Four says “I am safe”, the Five says “I discover”, the Six says “I stand up for myself”, the Seven says “I am mature”, the Eight says “I master”.
Eights make good professionals, business owners, publishers, contractor, engineer, financial analyst, judge.
Eight is the Material number.
Colour - Pink
Gemstone - Diamond
Planet - Mars
Element - Earth
Musical Key - high C “
So, if 1 is the loneliest number, 8 is a kick ass swanky party. LOL
WTMTOHH
(way too much time on her hands)
Rach
Great interview!
Great humor!
Great sounding books!
Congratulations!!!
ello, Anton.
so my question is really dumb and generic, but considering im only a few chapters into “Dead To Me”, you’ll have to forgive me. my question is, where did you get the idea for Simon to be “cursed” with the powers of psychometry? it’s a really neat idea, btw. 
Rachel : twitter, facebook, my blogroll has both BBB and Anton’s site linked. :D. posted a link to this in my livejournal and anton is a friend on livejournal.
Anton,
Like the others, I love your books and definitely can’t wait for the third.
My question…Jane Clayton-Forrester…any relation to a certain mad scientist that sent a poor, humble janitor up into space to watch cheesy movies? Just curious…and seriously, thanks for such great reads!
Ooh, I love Lost! It is such a great show! Who’s your favorite character?
Love the interview! Has me intrigued and wanting to read Anton’s work - electronically or otherwise.
Jeff- I think it’s a bit of both… sometimes someone I see on the street inspires me. Sometimes its character traits that drawn me into exploring what someone with those would do. There’s no one straight answer… inspiration comes from every… but mostly from a store on Christopher Street.
Marnie- The cover model is slightly different on the two covers as the guy they used for book one moved. Sorry, I can’t have them delivered to you. I think they both vaguely look like Jerry O’Connell. The telescopic bat? It’s part Biff’s weapon from Back to the Future 2 and a running gag from my old Call of Cthulhu campaign. Since bullets don’t seem to affect a lot of paranormal things, blunt trauma always seems to be a good way to go. Will we see more Godfrey? Most likely. He even has a short story all his own this fall in the anthology Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies by DAW Books.
RachelfromNJ- I find that as a male writer, I have to take a different approach to how I see and feel things, since I write through Simon’s perspective. As a guy (and I’m generalizing here), he’s more likely to see a painting and wonder it’s price than, say, about the flowers in it. Also, he doesn’t have to worry about fighting in high heel boots (as most women in UF seem to do, oddly enough).
Belle- When submitting your work, be professional. Follow guidelines. Don’t try to be eyecatching by writing your query letter in the Star Trek font or perfuming it. It’ll catch an eye, all in the wrong way. And the editor who turns you down today may be the one who buys you later on… network. Be gracious.
Shell- I find a draw a lot of both. Guys want to be Simon.. girls want to do him! Actually, I think some of the guys want to do him too!
Jennzah- I explain where the psychometry idea came from in the interview.. hehe… skimmer!
Kent- thank you for getting my homage to my favorite of the Mads on MST3K, and thusly, War of the Worlds too!
Ahley- Benjamin Linus is my fave Lost character. Anyone who can creep you out, feel sympathy for, despise yet keep coming back to is one hell of a dynamic character. I just wanna love him and squeeze him and call him Benry.
yes, guilty of skimming, totally. also had very busy day including a hospital visit, so can’t blame me. thanks for the snarkitude, though
I live to serve, Ms. J!
Hey Anton!
Thanks for joining us today!
So… if you had to have another job not related in the publishing/writing field… what would it be and why?
Btw, I think another author already took lion-tamer. *^_^*
I think I would like to be a professional assassin. I mean, yer getting paid and legitimized for killing. It’s just a job and people say, “Yeah, go kill that guy” and it’s no big.
Or a chef. Probably chef.
I dabbled in acting and music, so those would be fine too.
But man, to kill for a living…! sigh…
Anton!
I have a new slogan for your fan t-shirts….
When in doubt STROUT it out!
My friends want to make shirts that say:
Write, monkey, write!
It’s what I usually scream at writing seminars where I panel..
Professional assasin eh?
:: Crooks her eyebrow ::
Were you picked on as a child???
Do you have some grudges that need to be taken care of lol?
I like mine better! Though I do have a thing for monkeys. Mark said you had a BIG thing for monkeys. Is that true?
Lyda-I was an only child who played Dungeons & Dragons.. you tell ME if I was picked on.
Rachel- That things with monkeys is really based on Mark’s back hair.. perhaps I’ve said too much…
Nice interview, thank you for sharing all your thoughts with us today.. I have to admit have not read anything by you yet but after seeing all the info on your book series about Simon am going to Barnes and Noble site and clicking you in and ordering some books…..
no, really do enlighten us….what are your feelings and thoughts about the mysteriously hilar Mario Acevedo?
Any man who can get away with the word “nympho” in their title is a man I take my hat off to…
Hi, Anton! I just read Deader Still and really liked it. I’m looking forward to the next Simon book, how’s it going?
Dude, seriously. LOL, now where IS Mario? I know you had to have invited him and some of your league friends to come spar. Come out come out where ever you are…..
Don’t tell me they are ALL at RT??? well we do have a little video expose on a few of them. I think you will enjoy one video of your man love in particular.
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=6299
Wendy- Book three is with my editor as we speak. I’m embarking on book four and in a few months I’ll get book three back from my editor with comments. Then I pretty it up, hand it back, and get back to book four again..
All around my day job.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
So what would your code name be as an assassin?
Werejaguar.
And I would probably go around introducing myself as Kevin Werejaguar, Professional Assassin. No one would believe someone calling himself an assassin actually is! Genius!
[...] Interview & Contest with Author Anton Strout at Bitten by Books. [...]
Anton;
Here a humdinger of a question…
Favorite romance comedy?
damn, Lyda! you stoled my question.
but my eyebrows also raised at the assassin answer…. i think you should write a book about that, Mr. Strout. especially since you like American Idol… you should write a book about a very highly trained assassin who likes American Idol and Lost. one half deadly, the other half highly domestic! oh, man. i’d read that. it’s making me giggle tremendously. there aren’t enough awesomely awesome farce books in the world, in my opinion. 
So my pretty purple paper with white rose border that is scented with vanilla won’t do???? Drat it all!
What if I just slip in a benjamin?
JK
Thanks for the advice Anton.
Anton Strout:
Hi! I’ve really been enjoying your books. Keep up the great work
Paranormal mysteries has been a favorite sub-genre of mine for a while and your books are among the ones to watch out for.
Amy T.
BTW: I hope that you make it down here to Houston for a signing sometime. My favorite place to haunt is the independent bookstore called Murder by the Book.
Amy T.
I have another question for you, if I may. Did you find that writing your second and third books in the series more difficult…more challenging for you than the first? In my own experience, I feel a great deal more pressure writing my second book than the first…to the point of almost complete paralysis. Does this sound familiar? If so, any tips on overcoming it?
Hi Anton. Great interview! I have to admit, both “Dead to Me” and “Deader Still” are still on my TBR pile—I heard great things about the series way back. My question for you is: what is your favorite word? And have you had any unusual jobs before you became a published author—that you’re willing to share here?
Oh, I forgot to say: I tweeted and became a fan and a friend on facebook (nice use of alliteration, huh?). Thanks!
LOL Kim….
I now am hearing this in my head…
Oh what a freind we have in facebook (sung to the tune of what a friend we have in jesus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ8kC9yo4ng)
LOL
Hey, Anton! Great interview, I’ve read your first book and Deader Still is in my TBR pile.
I posted this contest on my myspace blog (myspace.com/ice_83) and I’m already signed up for the bitten by books newsletter and I’m a member of the blood bank.
I forgot to ask my question, oops. Anton, where did you get your inspiration for your books?
Okie dokie, I added to my Blogger page at my site, http://home.comcast.net/~loismerritt1013 and click on Blog/What’s New.
Lois
Oh duh, forgot my LJ page posting too at http://ov-099.livejournal.com/
and the link is still up on the side. . .
and me, twitter, @OV_099, both posting and still a’following.
Lois
I replied to all 3 reviews
I blogged here:
~ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=484982384
~ http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profiles/blogs/anton-strout-is-at-bbb
~ http://nicholandria.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/anton-strout-is-at-bbb/
BBB is on Blogroll at wordpress and google
~ http://nicholandria.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/anton-strout-is-at-bbb/
Already friends w/ BBB
made friends with Anton on myspace and following on twitter now
I twittered
Any questions I had have been asked! LOL! Good Luck everyone!
I love your humor in your comments. You are just so funny. I have Deader Still on my to be read pile but I can see it now reaching up to the top of the pile. Soon…..
Will you ever write anything involving a Shakespearean tale? You know how they have fractured fairy tales. Like Skewered Shakespeare? I think it would be right up you alley.
Anton thank you and Bitten By so much for the awesome interview.
I am sorta a techy person too - wow I know what you mean on the different voice overs when they start reading the books to you.
I really like your sense of humor :).
I think everyone has asked most of the questions here that I would have liked to ask you. Except for Paper or Plastic?
I so look forward to read more stuff from you.
Best Wishes!
Kent- Writing book two and three were in some ways easier. I knew most of my main characters going in, so I wasn’t coming up with them from scratch. Yes there is the pressure to deliver as good if not better a follow up book, but it wasn’t terribly overwhelming to me.
As for tips? Sit the hell down and write, even if it sucks… it’s called FIRST draft for a reason, as I’ve mentioned. It implies you’ll do several others. Feel free to fail, as long as you’re failing on the page. Having SOMETHING to fix is better than trying to fix what never got written…
Kimberly B.-
My favorite word? I’m fond of asshat. Deep, huh?
Other odd jobs: Musician, actor, model builder on the Back to the Future ride, teacher, male prostitute.. scratch that one.
Heather F.-
My inspiration from the books comes from me missing Buffy on the air. Nothing really had that nice blend of funny and dark out there for me, so I decided to write what I thought was lacking in what I wanted to read or watch.
Gayle-
I have toyed with the idea of messing with Shakespeare… Of course Christopher Moore’s Fool may have cornered the market on that, but the right idea just hasn’t struck me yet.
Pam- Paper or plastic? Well, frankly, have you ever tried to smother someone with a paper bag?
Plastic all the way, baby!
Sorry Jennzah!
Didn’t mean to steal your question lol.
And Anton why not both paper AND plastic?
That way at least you won’t have to look at the person while smothering them. LOL
See, that’s what separates the pros from the noobs. It’s all about the looking!
LOL, Anton, that is so gross….but fascinating like a train wreck.
Can we ask you some deeply personal questions?
Rachel- you can try!
Hello and this sounds like something I would enjoy.
*eyes ever growing stack of TBR’s and expanding list of to be purchased’s and waits for head to explode*
Has been RT’d
It’s an important question, one that I believe you answer to will be earth-shattering.
Were you Team Aniston or Team Jolie?
Added Anton to my “Awesome Authors” section of my blog.
Tweeted
Crystal- thinks I am Team Aniston-Jolie, cuz I think the two of them making out would cause my head to explode in glee!