Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Dead Book Interview: E. J. Stevens (She Smells The Dead)

graveyard

 

 

Today I have E.J. Stevens, author of She Smells The Dead, here on mu blog! She was so nice as to do an interview for my Dead Books celebration, so everyone enjoy the interview!
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Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a novelist and poet with a lifelong love of the paranormal, fascination with cryptozoology, Edgar Allan Poe obsession, and a wardrobe that has been deeply entrenched in the goth aesthetic since 1987. The upside to all of this is that my friends and family always know where to come for a chilling story, I am prepared to identify and classify a Wendigo, though admittedly he will likely eat me before I can reveal my discovery to the public in which case I will exist nevermore, and it is very easy to sort my closet by color.

How did you get into writing?

I grew up in a family of eccentric storytellers. Throughout my childhood we would sit together and tell stories, many times taking turns and picking up where the other left off. We were always competing to tell the most frightening or most entertaining tale. Writing became a later extension of my love for storytelling.

Where did you get inspiration for your book?

The idea for She Smells the Dead came to me as I was walking my corgi past an overgrown graveyard. A sudden breeze carried a strong, pungent smell and I suddenly wondered what it would be like to sense the dead through smell rather than by sight or sound.

What do you think makes a perfect horror/fantasy novel?

I feel strongly that a novel must have strong characters in order to be a truly wonderful, engaging read. Fantasy characters should be believable with at least some core characteristics derived from the real world. While my characters may have supernatural abilities, may not even be human, their physical reactions and emotional responses are based on my own experiences and observations. It is my hope that these characters seem tangible and relatable to readers.

If you could write a novel with any other author in the world who would it be?

I do believe I mentioned a bit of an obsession with E.A. Poe? I never entirely outgrew my affinity for this amazing master of the macabre. I am afraid that we would have to employ the services of a voodoo priest to resurrect Mr. Poe. Sorry dear, a bit too messy? Perhaps a medium could assist Mr. Poe in speaking beyond the grave, though I had been looking forward to working on our novel over tea.

So I hear you have plans for complete world domination. Do tell.

Now how, pray tell, did you learn of my plans? Oh dear, I do believe I have some minions to punish. Mwahahahaha!

What’s one of your greatest Halloween memories?

Halloween is my favorite time of year. I have so many wonderful memories. Many years ago, I was strolling through Salem just before Halloween and a group approached me asking when the tour began. Tour? They had mistaken me for one of the Haunted Salem tour guides. I was tempted to give them a bit of misdirection, my Halloween trick for the day, but ended up admitting that I was not a tour guide. I’m still not sure if it was my long black cape, bustle skirt, or make-up that led to their assumption, but it was all very amusing.

What are some books you have recently read and/or recommend?

As some of you may know, I have a book blog with a paranormal focus. My review pile is absolutely towering at the moment (just how I like it!). I recently read and would highly recommend Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton, and The Hollow by Jessica Verday. I also recommend the Vampire Academy, Iron Fey, and Mortal Instruments series to YA paranormal and urban fantasy fans.

Thank you so much for doing this interview! Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Thank you for having me here today at the Scarrlet Reader!

Please visit me at my blog (http://www.FromTheShadows.info). Want to learn more about She Smells the Dead? Stop by the official Spirit Guide series website (http://spiritguideseries.blogspot.com)where you’ll find links to reviews, giveaways, and more!

~E.J
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Thanks again so much to E.J.! Hope you all enjoyed the interview and look out for a chance to win a copy of She Smells The Dead tomorrow ;D

Also check out my review for She Smells The Dead HERE.

Where to find E.J.
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Website     Blog

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23 comments:

TheBookGirl said...

Great interview Caitlin :)
I particularly enjoyed the Halloween story, lol.

VickyTinky said...

Awesome intereview! I agree with TheBookGirl! The Halloween memory was fun!

M.A.D. said...

Mary D

That's a fabulous interview - E.J. seems like a very interesting author, especially with a love for E.A.Poe!!!
I perked right up when she mentioned the Wendigo, as I'm fascinated by the Indian mythos written about them.

Amber said...

Thanks for posting this interview. I loved the question about writing with any other author in the world and the answer is so interesting! I also really like how this novel came about. What a fascinating premise!

Sophia said...

Great interview! Haha, it must've been really funny being mistaken as a tour guide in Salem :)

E.J. Stevens said...

Thank you Caitlin for having me here at Scarrlet Reader and thank you all for the lovely comments!

Being mistaken for a tour guide was definitely amusing. I will be visiting Salem again next week and wonder what surprises await! ;)

xx,
E.J.
From the Shadows
Spirit Guide Series

AmburHostyn said...

Loved the interview, thanks for sharing it! :D

E.J definitely sounds like a fun person to hang out with, and I have no doubt that I would be scared witless if I asked her for a scary story. I like horror, but I tend to get paranoid after I hear the stories lol

Thanks again, I really enjoyed reading it :D

Ambur

Jessi E. said...

I love hearing about how EJ came up with the idea for this book! It seems so original. Also, I love the idea of a whole family telling stories together! So awesome!

Darlyn said...

I love reading the review and urban fantasy is actually new to me but i'm not hesitating to try ;p

Misha said...

Thank you for the interview! I have been interested in the book ever since I read about it

PinkStuff28 said...

Is the smell of the dead awfull ??
Just asking ....


Great interview...

Kai Agito said...

Oh EJ likes the Mortal Instruments series. I am so happy! XD And count me in on the world domination thing :)

E.J. Stevens said...

PinkStuff28,
In She Smells the Dead Yuki suffers from clairalience, a psychic connection to spirits through smell rather than sight or sound. These smells are not of dead corpses, but are a smell impression unique to the individual ghost. Her ability isn't always pleasant, but it really isn't gross or disturbing either. :)

xx,
E.J.
From the Shadows
Spirit Guide Series

Taffy said...

What is a wendigo??

Great interview!!

E.J. Stevens said...

Taffy,
The Wendigo is a terrifying creature from Native American myth that is associated with the taboo of eating human flesh. Much of the folklore says that during harsh winters, when food is scarce, some men turn to cannibalism rather than face starvation. These men turn into the horrifying Wendigo who is cursed to eat human flesh for the remainder of his days.

xx,
E.J.
From the Shadows
Spirit Guide Series

Anonymous said...

Great interview! I could never walk near a graveyard but it's a unique idea for a book!

Fi-chan said...

It would be omgosh-scary if the smell was really the smell of the dead. *shivers*

whitewolfreads said...

Awesome interview! She Smells the Dead has a very interesting premise that I'm definitely going to check out. It is such a novel and exiting idea and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the book!

Becky said...

Thanks for sharing this interview! I love the Halloween story, haha. And I have read and loved almost all of the paranormal books E.J. recommended, so I shall have to go check out the paranormal book blog she mentioned >:D

Braiden said...

Graveyard inspiration? Scary! Awesome interview!@

Jolene and Family said...

Great interview and I love how you came up with this story, personally I could never walk through a graveyard unless I was running at incredible speed and screaming the whole way :)

Unknown said...

Awesome interview!

Jen Bigheart said...

Great interview!

Jen @ I Read Banned Books.

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