Today on MASTERS OF HORROR we get up close and personal with a talented newcomer who has hit the horror scene hard from day one. His debut novel ECHOES OF THE DARK SUN has steadily climbed the charts and has amassed, as of this interview, nearly 200 Amazon reviews since its release on June 3rd, 2023! That alone should tell you the guy knows what he’s doing! But there’s more…
From his picture above it would appear that at any given moment Joe is ready to rip off your arms and beat you to death with them, but in all honesty he’s probably one of the nicest guys I’ve met in the community. Outgoing, friendly and ready to answer any and all of my questions, Joe has helped me on my own writing and marketing journey more than I can say. Or will ever be able to repay!
Beyond that he’s a writing machine - producing incredible short flash fiction stories for my own FLASH HORROR FICTION CONTEST two months in a row, as well as releasing two sequels in short order for his own DARK SKIES: A KERRIGAN SURVIVAL SAGA.
The man is a military veteran, extremely talented, and built like a brick shit house on wheels, ready to roll straight to the top of the charts. But in a kind and friendly way…
I’m extremely excited he took the time to answer my questions and allow all of us to get to know him a little better, so grab a coffee and settle in…let’s get to know Joe!
Tell me about yourself.
I joined the military at 18 and did over 20 years in active duty. I did intelligence work for the SOF community. After I retired I worked for JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command) for 2 years. I now run Amazons Air Operations in Florida.
Why write horror?
The fascination of horror writing! There's something amazing about using words to construct a scenario that sends shivers down readers' spines and makes their hearts race. For me, writing horror is like diving into the deep, dark abyss to discover what disastrous wonders my mind can conjure. It's about digging into the macabre and creepy, the grotesque and the horrible, the shadows that lurk in the depths of our minds. It's an enjoyable journey through the extremes of human feeling, including anxiety, nervousness, dread, and even a strange sensation of joy. Plus, in horror, the rules of reality can be bent and twisted, giving me the freedom to unleash my wildest, most terrifying imaginings.
What’s the scariest book you’ve ever read?
The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty. Inspired by real events. It's a chilling tale of a little girl possessed by a malevolent entity that def sent shivers down my spine. It's an iconic horror novel for a reason!
What are you working on now?
I'm working on two books right now and also a short story which i'll be giving a way for free soon. My second book though will be the continuation of "Echoes of the Dark Sun". It's part of the "Dark Skies: A Kerrigan Survival Saga" The first book was a short story and the second one coming out really gets gritty. Really Gritty and deep into the post-apocalyptic world. Here's the pitch, picture this - it's "The Road" meets "The Book of Eli" with a touch of "A Quiet Place." Our protagonist is an ex-Navy SEAL, like the survival skills and raw physicality of Denzel Washington's character in "The Book of Eli." But rather than a post-nuclear wasteland, we're dealing with the aftermath of an EMP, much like the bleak, barren landscapes in "The Road." And then there's the tension of "A Quiet Place," that palpable sense of dread, and the family dynamic at the heart of it all. It's not just about survival, it's about the lengths you'd go to protect the ones you love. Add in the trust issues, neighbor against neighbor, and the dangerous promise of a safe colony, and you've got a film that's a heart-pounding, suspenseful survival thriller that'll keep audiences on the edge of their seats!
Describe the most significant success you’ve had in your writing career to date.
If I were to pinpoint a defining moment in my writing career, it'd be when my debut novel being published. It wasn't the first time I'd seen my words in print, mind you. But having a full-blown story out there, with my name on the cover, was something else altogether. My first book published so far is "Echoes of the Dark Sun: A Kerrigan's Quest" My first review was from Tim. Tim told me how my story had resonated with him, how he had seen a piece of himself in my characters.
As always I want to thank Joe for coming by to chat and for making our little horror community that much richer. He’s an amazing guy, an incredible talent and prolific author and I got a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of him in the coming months and years as continues to amass an impressive catalog of tales.
But, if you’re still on the fence about reading one of Joe’s latest books please don’t just take my word for it, here’s what a few Amazon reviewers had to say…
“In this mesmerizing post-apocalyptic saga, the author weaves a tale that grabs hold of readers from the first page and doesn't let go." - Abigail, Goodreads review ★★★★★
"The author's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters immerse readers in a visceral reality, evoking a range of emotions from fear to hope." - Sue, Goodreads review ★★★★★
"Fantastic read and would highly recommend!" - Raymond, Goodreads review ★★★★★
"I highly recommend this book, and I personally can't wait for the next books in the series!" - Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★
So what are you doing here? Go grab a copy of ECHOES OF THE DARK SUN: A KERRIGAN’S QUEST today!
If you are a horror writer who would like to be featured on MASTERS OF HORROR for some free publicity just click the link below, answer the 5 QUESTIONS as fully and completely as possible and soon, you too, will be a MASTER OF HORROR!