Good morning, SG Land.
So, you might've noticed that I've been posting some interviews with other authors. I hope to make this a somewhat of a regular thing. I also want to make it a point to share more of the awesome books I've been reading with something that will probably include Storytime in the title. With so many books out there, it's super tough to keep up with what's happening in the literary world, so let me help!
Now back to the regular scheduled programming.
Let me introduce you to the final installment of this year's New Bizarro Author Series. Brian Auspice!
Tiffany Scandal: Brian, how's it going?
Brian Auspice: Very well. Thank you for asking.
TS: You're a part of this year's New Bizarro Author Series. How'd you come across bizarro? And how'd you find out about NBAS?
BA: I came across Bizarro some years ago through the website Duotrope, or maybe Ralan, back when Eraserhead had an application process to be considered for publication. If I remember correctly, this would’ve been circa 2008 or so. I applied and never heard anything back, which isn’t all too surprising. I was writing straight horror around that time and nothing I had produced would’ve been construed as irreal/surreal/Bizarro. Between then and 2011, I had a handful of short stories published in a variety of publications, mostly POD, all of which belonged to endeavors that eventually folded. Some of my pre-irreal/surreal/Bizarro fiction may still be out there in cyberspace somewhere. I don’t recall how, specifically, but in November 2011 I discovered a short story collection entitled “They Had Goat Heads” by D. Harlan Wilson. In the subsequent six months, I read that book from cover to cover ten times. Something about the themes, the methods, the style, the delivery – everything about it, really – struck a chord with me. I decided that Bizarro would be my genre. I started work on Deep Blue in May 2012. While writing the book, I began to shop around for potential publishers. I was already aware of Eraserhead Press, so when I looked them back up, I found that they had moved from an application process to the NBAS.
TS: Tell me about your book DEEP BLUE.
BA: DEEP BLUE is a short novella that takes place in the final days of a surreal city of color. The protagonist, John, who is vaguely aware of an impending cataclysm, spends what little time he has left searching for answers to fundamental philosophical mysteries. What is reality? What is life? The different sections of color in the city represent different aspects of the human condition. John ventures into all of them to face whatever he may find, including his own personal demons.
(You can pick up your very own copy HERE. Available in Kindle and paperback formats.)
TS: What inspired the story?
BA: It’s very difficult to pinpoint a specific inspiration. As previously mentioned, “They Had Goat Heads” certainly prompted me to start writing in the genre of Bizarro, and I’m sure one could trace certain similarities between that book and mine in terms of style and language. To be honest, I just started typing the first chapter on my phone one night and the rest followed.
TS: NBAS is intended to be a huge learning experience for new authors. What do you hope to get out of this opportunity?
BA: I look forward to meeting new people and learning about the business side of writing. I think understanding the art of networking and promotion will also be beneficial.
TS: If this book could make it into the hands of anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
BA: This might be an obvious and/or typical answer, but I’d definitely have to say H.P. Lovecraft. I had never considered becoming a writer until I encountered Lovecraft’s work almost a decade ago. Even though DEEP BLUE isn’t true horror, or Lovecraftian, I’d be interested to hear what he would have to say about it.
TS: Any final words?
BA: I greatly appreciate you giving me the opportunity to talk about my novella. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 01001010 01101111 01101000 01101110 00100000 01110011 01110101 01100011 01100011 01110101 01101101 01100010 01110011 00101110
There you have it, loves. Brain Auspice from this year's New Bizarro Author Series. If you like any of what he had to say, check his book DEEP BLUE, which is out now. You can also check out his website: http://bauspice.wordpress.com
Keep it creepy!
-Scandal