Interview with Stewart Felkel

Published 2014-02-11.
When did you first start writing?
I was in my mid twenties when I decided to try my hand at writing.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has been invaluable. Their ability to put my books into various channels is obviously an incredible boon. Their style guide, marketing guide and blog are also incredible resources.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Seeing where the story goes. Honestly sometimes I don't know anymore than the reader.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm still very green as a writer and my fan base is obviously small. Each fan means support from someone who took a chance on a no name brand.
What are you working on next?
I've got a laundry list of shorts, novelettes and novellas that I'm working on. My big emphasis at the moment is my new bimonthly publication By the Fire. It will include short stories, the sequels to my novella Blackthorn Knights and two serials.
Who are your favorite authors?
Glen Cook, Stephen King, F. Paul Wilson, Michael Sullivan, Harry Turtledove. Way too many more to list them all.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Hahaha!! The same as most people. I have bills to pay! But seriously, I'm not one for sitting still. My wife will tell you I have too many hobbies. Including writing. But hopefully that won't be just a hobby forever.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Again, I have far too many hobbies. I'm a crossfitter, an amateur bowyer, I play in my area community band and recently I've discovered the joys of hunting.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I've found several from J.A. Konraths blog. I follow several book review sites such as Freda Fantastic. She reviews all the best stuff.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
That would be Offerings. I say down and just started writing one day. It was rough! I went back recently and cleaned it up quite a bit. Cut a lot if flowery speech and adverbs. I'm much more satisfied with it now.
What is your writing process?
Daydreaming my way through the story is usually my first step. Next I sit down and write out a summary of the whole thing. From there I break it into sections and flesh it out into an outline. After that is done I go through and start filling in all the blanks. I tend to float around in the manuscript editing as I go.
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Books by This Author

Carrier
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 13,120. Language: English. Published: March 6, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic, Fiction » Horror » Undead
Carrier When the zombie invasion finally came Tim was caught unprepared. Bitten and left for dead he refuses to give in to defeat. Despite all odds he recovers from the disease that is ravaging the world. But what does a man alone, even a man apparently immune, do with a second chance at life in a post apocalyptic world?
Blackthorn Knights
You set the price! Words: 37,290. Language: English. Published: December 18, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
Evil Empires. Ancient monsters. Ruthless pirates. And one man, out of place, determined to save his new home. Drawing heavily from Irish myths and history, as well as the timeless tales of Robin Hood, the story of the Blackthorn Knights is a lighthearted, fast paced fantasy tale. For fans of Terry Brook's Landover series, Harry Turtledove's Videssos Cycle, and Rick Shelly's Varayan Memoir.
Arrow in the Dark
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 5,830. Language: English. Published: October 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Historical, Fiction » Adventure » Action
A village raided by a ruthless enemy. A desperate mission to save young lives from a dark ritual intended to summon forgotten gods. A treacherous journey for three men over mountain and into the land of their sworn enemy. Arrow in the Dark is a 5,000 word dark fantasy story set during the copper age. It is perfect for a lunch break read.
Monsters
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 2,910. Language: English. Published: July 3, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction
A sequel to A Night Under the Stars. Our drifter finds himself witnessing a brutal crime in a small Texas town. When a vicious biker gang, a nameless thing and a man with no compunctions clash who is the real monster?
Vampires: A PSA
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 1,020. Language: English. Published: June 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead
(4.00 from 1 review)
Hollywood and the media portray vampires as sexy and misunderstood. Our ancestors knew them for what the really are. Brutal predators with not an ounce of humanity. What would the world be like today if vampires were reborn into it now?
Last One Leaves the Light Out
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 2,280. Language: English. Published: June 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
(4.00 from 1 review)
After years of searching the heavens an alien signal reaches Earth. But even if mankind can reach its source what mysteries lay in wait?
The Hunting Trip
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 1,560. Language: English. Published: June 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
The Hunting Trip. An Encounters Short. A man and his dog plan a hunting trip to what they think is a deserted island. What they find is a nightmare that could be hunting them. Hunting Trip is a 1,400 word short story that can be read in one sitting such as a coffee break or commute to work.
A Night Under the Stars
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 1,660. Language: English. Published: June 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
(4.00 from 1 review)
When a nameless drifter on an unknown quest and a brutal murder clash one night, who is the real killer?
Offerings
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 15,090. Language: English. Published: April 29, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
Retired, and recently widowed, FBI agent Tommy McCain moves to a small town in Louisiana in search of a missing friend. What he finds is a community of characters who are sometimes quirky and sometimes sinister. Every small town has its secrets, but this town harbors a much darker secret that confounds Tommy and might have already consumed his friend. Offerings is a 12,000 word mystery novella.