Interview with Alan Kessler


When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
When I was ll, I wrote a story about the world opening up and creatures, called Leaks, crawling from the fissures. Fortunately, I don’t remember much else about the plot. In high school I struggled academically but had a teacher who gave me an A+ on a writing assignment. After that, I was hooked.

The teacher, Mrs. Silverstein, had a powerful impact on my life.

What genre do you write and why?
Spiritual horror. For me, horror should not only be organic to the story, moving the plot along, but contain within it a spiritual message lifting the reader beyond the visceral.

I don’t like to write stories where the spilled blood is wasted.  

Tell us about your latest book.
What does the devil really want?

Nostalgic for the Inquisition and plague, Satan feels neglected by the modern world that no longer blames him for disease and death. He plans to create a new genesis, a place where people will love him. For that, his son needs just the right soul.

And there is one—unique, powerful, able to heal. To get it, Satan has a plan that begins in Ireland in the famine year, 1848, and 180 years later traps a young girl and her family in demonic forces pushing them to kill.         

A Satan Carol is a horror story about family values--even if they originate in hell.

What marketing methods are you using to promote your book? 
I contacted review blogs, submitted copies of the novel to Kirkus and Midwest Book Review, advertised on Goodreads and BookDaily, posted interviews at websites, arranged readings, gave an interview on an internet radio station, participated in a blog tour.

What formats is the book available in?
Print, PDF, Kindle, Nook, .epub, .mobi

Available from the publisher, Wild Child Publishing, and at Amazon; Barnes and Noble.  

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I own a karate school, watch Ohio State football, walk the dog and do my best to be a good husband and father.

Who are your favorite authors?
Dickens, Faulkner, Harper Lee.

What advice do you have for other writers?
Persevere beyond the doubts and rejections; write what’s true to you, from the heart, even if that means a story where the heart is removed by something hideous. 

What's your favourite quote about writing/for writers?
What a teacher told me—“Don’t let your imagination devour the story.” This has to do with restraint, economy of language, and control at all times of the plot.

What's the best thing about being a writer?
You get to create a universe where there is justice, retribution for evil, and hope.

Where can people find out more about you and your writing?
Read the reviews, both good and bad, for my novel, A Satan Carol
and contact me at alan@askessler.com or visit my web site www.askessler.com to see a cool trailer.

As for my Bio: I live in New England, have a wife, four children, and a dog, Buckeye.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for having me. If anyone is interested in receiving a review copy of my novel, just send me an email.


Alan and Wild Child Publishing will be awarding a $10 Wild Child Publishing GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (international), and a 12 pack of Snackwells Devils Food cookies to another commenter (US/Canada only) So I encourage you to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 


5 Comments

  1. Thank you for inviting me to your blog. I will be checking back from time to time to see if anyone has something to ask or share.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The book sounds fascinating.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book is amazing!!! I loved every bit of it. As demonic as it may sound, you may find yourself rooting for Satan. Your morals will be ravaged by the end of this book. Comedic and horrific. I can't wait to read the next book by Alan Kessler.

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