Bitten by Books
BBB: Which superhero could defeat any other superhero?
TS: There was this cool villain in the early days of The Fantastic Four called The Molecule Man. He basically had the power to control what makes up everything . . . he was practically God! I bet he could do a job on just about anybody, superhero or not.
TB: Death from the Sandman. Their time will come…
BBB: What drew you to writing / illustrating graphic novels?
TS: Was ALWAYS in love with Comic Books, and Comic Book storytelling. Became obsessed with comic artists and writers and basically swore that I would do something like my idols one day and BOOM!
TB: For me, comics was love at first sight. (and first sight was when I was about six) My heroes were authors, but I was better at drawing than writing, so that’s what I pursued. I spent my summers and weekends in my room drawing comics and I *knew* that was what I wanted to do for a living. At long last that’s exactly what I do! (along with the odd book cover etc.)
BBB: Would your main character win on the show Survivor by strength, cheating or not at all?
TS: Carissa from The Raven’s Child is the ultimate survivor . . . I don’t think anybody on that show would stand a chance against her. Pure cunning, strength and bravery would win over them all.
TB: Confession-I do not watch television at all, and have not done so for years and years. I do not, therefore know this “Survivor” of which you speak. I *can* say though, that Carissa is not the cheating sort at all.
BBB: If you were a survivor on a deserted island, what one person would you like to have with you?
TS: My dog, Kirby. He would be my ultimate protector against all threats-until I displeased him in some way and he tried to sacrifice me to a volcano God or something. It probably wouldn’t take much to annoy him.
TB: My wife Nimue. No contest.
BBB: Please tell us more about The Raven’s Child and the storyline that drives it.
TS: The idea for The Raven’s Child came about with the Nietzsche quote, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” I always found that quote compelling, and one day started thinking about it further . . .what if somebody NEEDED to become a monster, to fight monsters. What if it was necessary? And that sort of where the story started to gel in my head. We have our world, overrun with a threat that we couldn’t understand, or beat so all that we knew of our world/civilization is fading away. And then we have this young girl, who’s lost everything and is so angry about this that she’s willing to embrace an idea . . . a monstrous idea of a dark goddess feared by the monster species that conquered our world (the Throng) in order to destroy them. She becomes a monster to fight monsters . . . but can she truly ever be human again? Lots of fascinating thoughts were stirred up writing this one.
TB: Tom S. is going to be much better at this than I am! This a story about courage and humanity, at the end of the day I think (and monsters, naturally) Humanity is under the thumb of a motley mixture of off world beings called The Throng. They arrived suddenly and we were overpowered completely. (it probably did not help that our nightmares could have very easily been the template from which they were created) The situation is pretty much hopeless. Dire, at the very least. One young woman (with help from a member of The Throng who has become disenchanted with their decadent and decaying collective culture) has found a way to fight back. In the mythology of the Throng, there is a dark goddess of judgement, which they fear. This, is The Raven’s Child. Our heroine takes on the visage of The Raven’s Child and begins the nearly impossible task of freeing the human race from cruel oppression.
Images from The Raven’s Child (Click to enlarge)
BBB: Is The Raven’s Child a stand-alone, or will it be part of a series? If it is a series how many more graphic novels will there be?
TS: Right now it is a stand-alone, but if the sales on the book were good enough to have somebody ask for more, I’m sure that my arm could be twisted.
TB: What an excellent question! (this is what I usually say when I don’t know the answer) I think it will, at least in part, be down to how The Raven’s Child is received. Speaking for myself, I think the book leaves us with a *very* interesting situation and it is one that I would love to see explored.
BBB: What sets The Raven’s Child apart from other graphic novels in the same genre?
TS: Honestly, I think Tom Brown’s work on The Raven’s Child makes this unlike anything out there right now. Sure, I think I did a pretty good job on the story, and the characters and stuff, but Tom made this book sing. It wouldn’t be half as good without his amazing design sense, and storytelling.
TB: Tom Sniegoski wrote it, and this is his home turf. These are not Two dimensional heroes and monsters hitting each other. This is about a very three dimensional, flawed, determined young woman in a nearly impossible situation. Also- it does not fall into the trap that many books fall into with female leads. No romance here (for this is not a time for romance) Also, Tom and I worked together early on, developing the setting and the look of things. I think I threw him a few curve balls in terms of odd things that might be a part of the world he envisioned (which he then hit out of the park) It has been a great working chemistry throughout (from my point of view!)
BBB: What types of creatures / characters can readers expect in your world?
TS: When I started writing the Throng, and the main Throng characters that would be giving Carissa/The Raven’s Child fits, my goal was to come up with something strangely relatable and extremely disturbing. I wanted people to see these creatures and have their skin crawl. I tried to do my part with their dialogue and stuff, but Tom Brown is what made them come to life I feel. Disturbing was my goal . . .and I think Tom REALLY pulled that off.
TB: Oops! I started to answer that one above. Let’s think of it as a clever segue, shall we? The creatures were probably my favorites to design and draw. ( I *do* love a good monster) so I’ll concentrate on those. You will meet a nightmare crew in The Raven’s Child. All the way from the horrific to the strange and almost pathetic. Lord Caitiff (The leader of this invasion) has a head that looks rather like the casing of an insect larvae with eyes peeking out one end. He is mostly exoskeleton with bits showing through, and armour on top. He is driven and a complete warrior. Mr Bleak, is elegantly cadaverous in appearance. He also has more arms than you might expect. He is very focussed and takes great pleasure in his work. (He also has an unusual diet) You will also meet one member of the Throng who is based on Tom Sniegoski’s dog-Kirby. (though I did take liberties with the ears) When Tom and I were kicking ideas around in the beginning, I came up with a lot of strange things (because, that’s what I do, mostly) and emailed them to him. (poor guy!) To my great pleasure and surprise, a lot of them made it into the story. Keep an eye out for “the eater of the dead” he(?) only appears in one panel, but I am strangely pleased with him.
BBB: How would you title your autobiography?
TS: No Rest For The Wicked.
TB: Dear People (and others)
BBB: Where do you hide out when you get upset?
TS: My office. I lose myself in all my stuff (My office is filled with all sorts of toys, and comics, and books that inspire me.) Some time in there alone (or with Kirby) usually is enough to settle me down.
TB: Nimue and I go the same place (at the same time, usually) when we are upset. At the top of a nearby hill there is a prehistoric burial mound. It is the best place to sit and think and regain perspective. Also, the view from there is gasp-inducing.
BBB: If someone asked you to eat three thousand anchovies over the course of three months for $10,000.00, would you do it, or worry about the health risks or ask if another type of fish would be acceptable?
TS: I don’t care for anchovies, but for that kind of money I think I could choke down a few nasty fishies.
TB: I would ask for the vegetarian option!
BBB: What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2015?
TS: My seventh Remy Chandler novel, A DEAFENING SILENCE IN HEAVEN, will be released this October, and then it will be all about wrapping up, and starting all my new projects for 2016. I’ve got a new horror/thriller Young Adult novel called SAVAGE coming in the Summer of 2016 (it’s sort of my tribute to The Birds) and the first in my new horror series for Penguin, THE DEMONISTS will be out in the Spring of 2016. Also have a new book with Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola called GRIM DEATH & BILL THE ELECTROCUTED CRIMINAL coming sometime in 2016. Phew!
TB: I will be finishing the art for Tea Dragons by Nimue Brown (this will be coming out before too very long from Snowbooks) I’m also doing some “extras” for Hopeless, Maine in preparation for the omnibus edition that will be coming out next year from Sloth Comics. Nimue and I will be guests at the annual Steampunk Extravaganza and Yule Ball in Exeter UK. I’m looking forward to that, rather a lot!
Read a 4.5 star review of The Raven’s Child by clicking here.
Buy a print copy of The Raven’s Child from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of The Raven’s Child from Amazon by clicking here.
About Thomas Sniegoski
Author Bio:
Thomas Sniegoski is a New York Times best-selling author who had written for children, young adults and adults, who has also worked in the comic book industry. As a comic book scripter, Tom has worked for nearly every major company in the comic book marketplace and has written such characters as Batman, The Punisher, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Hellboy.
He is the only writer ever invited to work on Jeff Smith’s international hit series Bone, working with Smith on Bone: Tall Tales, and is currently writing an original Bone trilogy, Quest for the Spark, for Scholastic Books.
Tom is the author of the groundbreaking teen series The Fallen, which was transformed into three 2-hour movies for ABC Family Channel in 2007, earning stellar ratings for the cable network. His newest Young Adult thriller, SAVAGE, will be released in Summer 2016.
Sniegoski is also the author of the popular adult urban fantasy series featuring angel-turned-private eye Remy Chandler, beginning with A Kiss Before the Apocalypse. The seventh book in the series, A Deafening Silence In Heaven, will be released in October, 2015. His new series, The Demonists, begins in Spring of 2016.
Tom was born and raised in the Boston area, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their French Bulldog, Kirby.
11 Quick Things About Thomas Sniegoski
Favorite Food? A Ribeye steak
Favorite Color? Blue
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Jaws
Favorite Drink? Irish Whisky
Favorite Current Book? The Troop
Favorite Season? Spring
Favorite Online Hangout? Facebook
Favorite Animal? Dogs
Favorite Band or Musician? Brandi Carlile
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) Planes
Favorite Vacation Destination? San Diego Comic Con
Connect with Thomas
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Books by Thomas Sniegoski | Reviews of Thomas’ Books |
About Tom Brown
Illustrator Bio:
Tom Brown is deeply uncomfortable referring to himself in the third person. He gets paper dirty (professionally) and has done so now for more years than he cares to admit to. Other examples of this compulsion can be found in the Hopeless, Maine series which he illustrates (and his wife and partner in crime, Nimue Brown, writes). When not imagining unspeakable monsters into being, Tom wanders the hills of Stroud (UK), digs (dirt), plays the tin whistle and drinks copious amounts of coffee (but not all at the same time).
11 Quick Things About Tom Brown
Favorite Food? Artichokes!
Favorite Color? Black.
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Spirited Away. (or anything by Miyazaki, really)
Favorite Drink? Coffee or whiskey (sometimes combined)
Favorite Current Book? Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (I liked it before it was cool)
Favorite Season? Autumn.
Favorite Online Hangout? Probably Facebook, with Deviantart coming a close second.
Favorite Animal? Live ones. (Live elephants in particular)
Favorite Band or Musician? Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys
Mode of Travel? Walking.
Favorite Vacation Destination? I have honestly never travelled for a vacation, so, yes! Anywhere would be good!
Connect with Tom
| Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Deviantart | Tumblr | Reviews of Tom’s Books |
CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Be SURE to TWEET and FACEBOOK this link using the SHARING is CARING buttons below so your friends can enter too.
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hey Minna,
Some of my book favorites are . . . Stephen King (of course!) Dennis Lehanne, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Robert Parker, Raymond Chandler . . . and I’m sure there are lots and lots more, but these are the ones that I could think of off the top of my head.
Gah! Thank you Tom! I forgot Bradbury! (My first favourite author!) Also there is this bloke named Mark Lawrence who does some amazing fantasy writing.
Hullo Minna! Lord Dunsany is one of my favourites, also Mr. Snoigoski, Nimue Brown, Neil Gaiman, Charles DeLint, Ursulla LeGuinn Jonathan Green.. I’m probably forgetting tons. Who are your favourites?
Hello! Are there any new releases that you are looking forward to?
Stephen King has a new short story collection that I’m excited about, but I think most of the things that I’ve been waiting for have already come out this summer. Christopher Golden’s TIN MEN, Joe Lansdale’s PARADISE SKY, Sara Pinborough’s THE DEATH HOUSE.
Hi Tom and Thomas! the two T’s!
Welcome back to Bitten by Books Mr. Sniegoski
and we are so happy to have you here for the first time Tom B.
My questions for you are:
Tom Brown: What are you favorite types of illustrations to do? Do you have a drawing preference (animals, monsters, people etc.). Have you ever done a fruit scape? LOL
Thomas S.: Do you find it difficult to switch back and forth between writing novels and graphic novels?
*laughing* Hello Rachel! I like to do anything dark, mysterious, strange and atmospheric. I also like things set in the victorian period, and gothic settings make me irrationally happy. As of yet… i have *not* done a fruitscape. Now i shall nervously watch my inbox in fear that one will be requested 0_0
Hey Tom!
Stranger things have happened. OH what if I issued you a challenge to do a steampunky/monsterlike fruitscape! I am officially throwing down the internet gauntlet! The more Gothic the better!
What do you say!
Would you settle for a monstrous steamed pudding…at all? http://img07.deviantart.net/1720/i/2015/232/b/6/steamed_pudding_by_copperage-d8hf9jg.jpg
Hey Rachel-What’s funny is that I find graphic story telling much more relaxing than traditional book writing. I think of my comic book work (graphic novel writing) as a kind of vacation . . . it’s REALLY fun for me. The book stuff is really hard, but the comic scripting is a real blast.
To Answer your questions that are on the Giveaway Tools widget;
1. What scares you in a book?
Well, my first instinct was to say poor grammar and editing. LOL but for horror, I can’t really read psychological terror. My imagination is so OVER active that when I go to bed at night I often dream of the things I read. I can’t watch things like Silence of the Lambs or the films like Hellraiser (Clive Barker) that stuff scares the bajeezus out of me. LOL
What about you guys? (Tom and Tom) What scares you in a book?
What scares me in a book is mostly believable human characters behaving without conscience. The more convincing, the more upsetting.
YES! Exactly TB. I agree. People have displayed some of the most monstrous actions ever.
What scares me is the reality of a situation-if the writer is really good at what he does, and is actually capable of making me BELIEVE the situations that he’s created. I think that this is one of Stephen King’s greatest gifts-the ability to take real horror and place it in your living room.
YES exactly. I was like OH NO she is NOT going to saw off his foot. LOL slammed the book and never looked back. We have so many real life monsters. I like to read to escape those.
Hi Thomas and Tom! Congratulations! Who is your all-time favorite book character?
Hi Betty!! Thanks! Possibly Professor Elemental because he is also real (ish) Also, Salamandra, because she does not feel as though she was made up at all (though she was)
Thank you~sounds like great choices!
Hey Betty-Hmmmm, my favorite book character. That’s a tough one. Dracula immediately comes to mind, as does Hannibal Lector. James Bond, Philip Marlowe, Harry Potter and Frankenstein are also vying for my attentions. So many that feel very real to me.
Thank you, Thomas! You came up with some good ones! That’s a tough question, isn’t it?
2. Have you ever been so disturbed by a book you were reading that you had to stop? What was the book?
I am sure I have and if I recall it was Stephen King’s work. I finally had to stop reading part way through Misery and to be honest have never picked up another book by King after that. LOL
Has this happened to either of you Tom and Tom? (this could get confusing! lol)
Hello again, Rachel
Ermm… Some Clive Barker books have been pretty heavy in spots, but I don’t think i’ve ever had to stop reading. (i’m pretty much at home in the dark, really)
yeah, I like the semi dark. Though I have read some pretty gory UF books they don’t seem to get to me as badly.
Hey Rachel-Naw, nothing is that bad . . . if it disturbs me I have to keep going. I need to study it to figure out WHY it’s affecting me in such a way. It becomes kind of educational at that point.
I think that may be a guy thing. LOL hahah Kidding Tom!
3. What fictional character from books or comics would you like to have lunch with? And why?
EASY! Batman, I would have to visit the batcave, drive the car, and check out Wayne manor.
How about you Tom and Tom? Who would you have lunch with and why?
Ok… I am going to answer this by thinking of where the best cake would be, so it has to be Ono from Antique Bakery. *OR* in terms of beverages, i would gladly share a butterbeer with Luna Lovegood.
Luna is awesome! Great answer TB!
Hi. Congratulations on your new release. What is your favorite book or series that you have written so far and why????
Hi Brandy! Well, i have only co-written one, so that would have to be Hopeless, Maine.
Hannibal Lector, but he’d be behind the plexi-glass. HA!
Hey Brandy-I have a REAL fondness for my character Remy Chandler. I’ve written seven books with the character, and feel like he’s the closest to me (or who I want to be) of all the characters that I’ve written.
I LOVE Remy!!! If you haven’t read this series you MUST read it. One of my favorite UF series.
Hi Tom. Congratulations on the new book. I just wanted to say Hi, and tell you that I work with a very old friend of yours, Paul Glavin. He is the vice president of our union and tells me all the time that I need to read your work. What book would you recommend to start me out on?
Hey Lisa-Paul is an amazing guy . . . haven’t seen him in years, but would love to. As far as what I’d recommend, I’d have to say my first Remy Chandler novel-A KISS BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE is probably my personal favorite. And if you like that one there are six more for you to read!
Congratulations on the release of The Raven’s Child! Who is your favorite character created for one of your books? Was this character easy or difficult to develop?
Hey Bonnie-My favorite character that I’ve created is Remy Chandler. I’ve written seven books with him and I feel as though I’m still learning about him. Remy is tricky, I think I thought he was going to be easy, but he’s proven to be really complex.
What has been the toughest criticism, if any, given to you as an author?
Hey Lisa! I think the funniest one was that we were nearly as bad as Neil Gaiman. (that one did not sting so much, really) Toughest was probably “I have nothing good to say about this book” Ouch. We *do* remember all of the harsh criticisms and memorise most of them. Oddly it’s frequently harder to take in the good ones.
I think it’s always tough to hear somebody say anything negative about something you’ve spent a LONG time developing. It’s like telling a parent that their child is ugly . . . but, as a creative person one needs to develop a very thick skin. Not everything that one does is for everybody.
I am a huge fan of Thomas S.’s books, so the combination of 2 Toms sounds like a winner! Can’t wait to read it.
Me too Sarah! I *especially* love the Remy Chandler books. Hope you enjoy this one!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it!
I like murder mysteries and if I am reading a book with heinous crime, it scares me.
I try an avoid books I have to put down because they are disturbing.
I would like to have lunch with wonder woman and find how she became wonder woman
What scares you in a book?
I would say something that isn’t completely described but something that I have to use my imagination to bring to life. I think that what you can imagine yourself is scarier than something that is shown or described in too much detail.
My answers:
The things that scare me in a book are the ones that could happen. For example, a burglary gone wrong, an abduction, an escaped murderer… When I’m reading books like that and it’s dark and I’m alone and I hear an odd sound, well, you know the rest….. My imagination runs wild and I’m looking for a weapon but really how much damage could a book, even a hardcover, do?
Yes, I have been and the book was The Dollmaker by Harriet Arnow. This is a story of the Nevels family who are forced to move from rural Kentucky to Detroit in order to make a living. They are like fish out of water and even though the mother, Gertie, is a strong woman, this change takes its toll on her and her family. Gertie was self-reliant enough to perform a tracheotomy on her dying son in order to save him but after the move she’s afraid to trust her instincts. It’s really a heart-rending story and I had to stop reading it because I was crying too hard to see.
There are any number of characters I would like to have lunch with but I would choose Jane Marple (Agatha Christie books). Jane is an old maid living a quiet life in a small village but she is such a keen observer of mankind that she can solve mysteries quicker than the experienced detectives. I would like to sip a cup of tea with her and learn to become more observant and improve my ability to reason and deduce.
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give?
And I have a son that is into art… He really enjoys it and is talking about taking Game Design… If you could give him ONE piece of Advice any newbie artist or illustrator, what advice do you think is the most important? (he’s on cloud nine, his art teacher put oodles of programs on his laptop to play with.)
Hey Raonaid-If I had to give one piece of advice to a newbie author it would be . . . WRITE! Write all the time, and read everything that you can get your hands on . . . comics, magazine, novels (of all sizes and shapes!). These things will shape your style as you practice your growing craft.
1.What scares you in a book?
—- One that can easily mess with my head. I have a very active and fertile imagination, hence why I refuse to watch horror movies (much to my husband’s displeasure because he loves them). They play too much with my mind, and my brain likes to replay things over and over.
Perhaps, that is why I am trying my hand at writing, to get all that imagination out of the head to give me a moment’s peace. LOL.
2. Have you ever been so disturbed by a book you were reading that you had to stop? What was the book?
— I am certain there is one or a few, however, I cannot think of a single one at the moment. My brain remains blank. But, I feel that there was one but it is hovering on the edge of my thinking process, refusing to reveal itself to me.
Now I have read books, where the situation a particular character was in, that upset me or engaged my emotions to the point where I had to stop for a moment… to come to grips with my chaotic emotions… The ending of the last book in The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey did that to me. And the last book in Anne Bishop’s Tir Ailainn books.
Oh! I remember one… mostly it was a practice done to men in the book… and I remember being so grossed out and disturbed, I had to stop. It was in Anne Bishop’s The Black Jewels trilogy (dark series but loved it) where the witches would shave men… And not shave as in the face, hair, or what not. Basically eunuching men.
3. What fictional character from books or comics would you like to have lunch with? And why?
—- Not much for comics but would manga count? I know there are a couple characters from You Higuri’s mangas (two separate ones) I would love to meet.
Cesare Borgia (yes Higuri did a manga about the Borgia family called Canterella) and Chiaro.
Laures from Higuri’s Seimaden
I would love to speak with Ashura from Clamp’s RG Veda..
As in books… TOO MANY to possibly mention here. Vanyel, Firebird, Tamra from Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar.
Daemon, Luicivar, and Saetan from Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels
Hello Thomas & Tom!
Thomas- Do you dress up when you attend ComicCon. What is the best costume you have seen on the floor?
Tom B- are there any existing or classic novels/stories you would like to illustrate?
I honestly don’t read that many straight horror books- so I like the build-up. Atmosphere, the little bumps, all the ticks that make me question what is going on in my own home while I am reading.
The book that sticks out most to me- the only that really disturbed me was Lasher from the Mayfair Witches series. The first time I read it- I was just profoundly disturbed. I had to put it down and walk away for a few days. Of course I went back to it- but it got to me.
Sticking with Anne Rice- Marius- I just want to spend a day with him. I think I’d also like to have lunch with the characters from the Belgariad series by David Eddings.
Hey Kristin — I go to Comic Con dressed as a writer . . . jeans, button down shirt, black sneakers . . . yep, that’s my costume. The best costume I’ve seen lately was a medieval Iron Man which was just incredible. The armor was ultra detailed, and ornamental and just incredible. Couldn’t believe how much work was put into it.
Hi Kristen!
I would dearly love to do Under Milk Wood as a graphic novel. Anything by Lord Dunsany would be good too. The Arthurian legends might be fun…
If you could vacation in any country in the world, where would you like to go?
Hey Rita-Here’s a scary fact about me. . . I hate to travel. Can’t stand the process of getting anywhere and being away from my “stuff”. I know, I know, it’s all pretty crazy but I grew up in a household where my parents didn’t even drive so going anywhere was a really big deal.
Ghosts scare me in a book.
No, I have never stopped reading because I was disturbed by a book. I have stopped reading because it is boring.
I would like to have lunch with Superman.
Please share 3 unique things about yourself — thanks
3 unique things about me . . . Hmmm, that’s good. Let’s see . . .
Okay, here goes . . .
1. Even though I’ve written over forty books, and hundreds of comics I still think of myself as kind of an amateur. My confidence isn’t all that great . . . I hate just about everything that I do and often think it’s the last thing of mine that anybody will ever want to read.
2. I’m a huge softy. Doesn’t take much to bring a tear to my eye.
3. I hate to travel. Can’t stand to be away from my home, and my “stuff.”
How’s that?
1. stalkers
2. not yet - pretty much have to find out how it all ends
3. Beethoven (the dog) or Benji — love dogs and would just have a blast sharing time with one of them, they were so happy go lucky
TB- Did you watch the Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell mini-series adaptation? If so, what did you think?
I *did*, Bethany! After reading the book, i didn’t see how they would be able to pull it off, but they did a beautiful job. No substitute for the book, but gorgeous, and Norrell was *perfect*!
Tell us 5 things we may not know about your writing life…
Hey Lisa-All right, here goes . . . .r
1. I’m up at 5:00am every morning writing.
2. I’ve hated just about everything I’ve written . . . and thought that it would end my career.
3. I often read my dialogue out loud, doing the characters voices, to make sure that it sounds right.
4. My wife reads and edits everything that I do before anybody sees it.
5. My pets have inspired some of my best/favorite work.
How’s that?
I absolutely love Remy Chandler and can’t wait for the new book. Would I love the other things you’ve written too?
Hey Nancy-If you enjoy my Remy books, then you’ll probably enjoy my The Fallen books. They deal with similar, angelic themes.
Is there a genre you have not written in yet that you would like to?
Hey Mary-Nope, not really. I’ve written in just about every genre that I have any interest in-which in retrospect is pretty freaking amazing.
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
Hey Lindsey-Out of all the horrific/apocalyptic/action packed goings on in all of my work, my most favorite thing to write is normal, everyday conversation. A simple back and forth that illustrates how important a relationship between characters. I LOVED writing the scenes in my Remy Chandler books between Remy and his wife, or Remy and his best/assassin friend Francis.
Do you have a fave stand-alone novel?
Hey Fox-A stand alone novel of my own? If that’s the question, I’d have to say that the first Remy Chandler novel-A Kiss Before the Apocalypse-is the book that I’m most proud of.
Hi Thomas,
if you could go back in time, where would you go?
Hey Dina-Good morning! Okay, if I had a time machine where would I go . . . Hmmmmmm. Well, I’m fascinated in a way with the 1920′s and 1930′s . . . I love the whole gangster thing. Maybe I’d try that time period for a bit. I also love the movies, books and comic books of that era as well.
Well Guys & Gals, 5:00am comes mighty early here on the East Coast so I’m going to call it a night. Feel free to keep asking questions here, and I’ll answer them in the morning when I get up.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and asking some pretty cool questions, and for supporting my latest-THE RAVEN’S CHILD.
Best,
Tom Sniegoski
Are there any other genres you would be interested in writing ?
Hey Michelle-Good morning! Would love to do more kids stuff. My material has a tendency to be very serious, and often quite dark. A chance to do something lighter-funny-goofy, would be a real breath of fresh air. Yeah, would love to do more kids stuff . . . or even more all ages.
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Hey Trix — Favorite Muppet . . . Would have to say Kermit. And the reason why? He’s freakin Kermit, that’s why? He is the ultimate Muppet . . . and seems like a really, nice guy . . . for a puppet.
Really visceral stuff bothers me, and I can’t handle post-mortem stuff since my dad passed away…
Evan Gilbert’s BROWN-EYED DEVIL has a terrifying sequence, but I finished it. I was pretty disturbed by Ryal Woods’ short “Undone” and couldn’t finish…
I love Griff and Dante from Damon Suede’s HOT HEAD, and would love to see them banter at lunch! Maybe Lucky from Eden Winters’ DIVERSION, too…he’s so witty!
Do you like to read books ? If yes , that types of books ?
Hey Alexandru - I read constantly . . . and I read all sorts of things. I primarily read horror, and thrillers. I also do some Young Adult books as well. I’m willing to pretty much read anything if I hear good things about the work.
I love Remy! Is there a possibility of a spin off?
How did you start working together? Do the publishers make suggestions?
Hey Ann-Thanks so much for the kind words about Remy. I love the character as well. I would LOVE to do a spin off series featuring Francis, the Guardian Angel assassin. Maybe some time in the future . . . we’ll just have to see.
I found Tom Brown’s amazing work on line, reached out, and made a promise that sometime down the line we would work together on something. The Raven’s Child is that something! I always keep my promises.
Yes. Yes he does!
1.What scares you in a book?
My imagination is too active and , hence why I refuse to watch and read horror.
2. Have you ever been so disturbed by a book you were reading that you had to stop? What was the book?
Yes! Steven king..Brrrr…
3. What fictional character from books or comics would you like to have lunch with? And why?
There are too many but the there is one that I just finished and loved it - Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1)
by Susan Dennard - I loved the both heroins so any of them….
Are any of your characters inspired by real people?
Hey Laura-Good morning! Most of my characters are kind of an amalgam of the people I know, mixed with my basic observations of the people in the world around me. All my animal characters (dogs) are based on my own, and their unique personalities.
Have your job experiences ever found a way into your books? What was the worst job you ever had?
Hey Dovile-Was a Financial Aid Assistant Director for a few years before starting to write full time. That was a pretty tough job, but also quite rewarding helping kids go to school. It could also be quite frustrating, because with some people, you could never make them happy-you could never give them enough.
And as far as job experiences making there way into books . . . Yes! I worked in an animal lab for a few years taking care of the animals there . . . something to that effect made it into my first Remy Chandler novel, A Kiss Before the Apocalypse.
who is your favorite author?
Hey Thomas-If I had to pick somebody, I’d have to say Stephen King. He’s just amazing and very rarely does he disappoint . . . Even the worst of his books is pretty darn impressive.
1) demon possessions and similar creepiness
2) I don’t I ever was so disturbed as to stop reading. I usually avoid really serious horror genre books, and the rest doesn’t scare me that much.
2) a lunch at the Wayne Manor would be awesome, because I just love the family that lives there and some others who visit from time to time:))
Wheres your favorite place to write?
Do you have any current favorite shows or books?
1. What scares you in a book?
really awful realistic situations that could actually happen to me or just serial killer thrillers that freak me out but i love to read
2.Have you ever been so disturbed by a book you were reading that you had to stop? What was the book?
Misery by Stephen King or America Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis…most recently books by Karin Slaughter and Kathy Reichs but i still finished them lol just needed to take a break for a bit and read a nice cozy mystery or chick lit
3. What fictional character from books or comics would you like to have lunch with? And why?
Bruce Wayne…mostly because I’ll know for sure he can cover the bill lol and he’s just such a badass…or maybe Minerva McGonagall because she’s also a badass and I bet she’s got so many awesome stories about the golden trio
what is your favorite Paranormal Creature?
If you could only read or write on genre what would it be?
What is your favorite food?