Interview with Alec John Belle
Published 2014-12-24.
How do you approach cover design?
My cover designer, Nikki Rae, and I usually talk about what we think will look good on the cover. I give her a basic idea and she kind of just goes with it.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Oh, that's a tough one. I honestly can't choose give, but I can give five favorite authors.
1. Ellen Hopkins
2. Kim Harrison
3. Jennifer L. Armentrout
4. Julie Kagawa
5. P.C. Cast
What do you read for pleasure?
Mostly paranormal young adult or contemporary young adult fiction.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
None. I prefer paperback books.
Describe your desk
A complete mess. I have a little bookshelf that sits on my desk, on the left side, full of my reading books. I have a manuscript kinda just thrown all over right now, and a few binders, cups and bowls, a candle, a desk calender, a lamp, and anything else that fits.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in South Carolina, and this influenced the homophobic aspect of the south in my book Before I Break.
When did you first start writing?
In 5th grade after reading Goosebumps. Surprisingly, I started out writing horror, and will be going back to it soon enough.
What's the story behind your latest book?
My latest book, Forbidden Darkness, was a concept that was conceived in 7th grade. I was on a hayride and suddenly had this whole world just pop into my head of Monster Hunters. It was actually kind of school.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Lots of different things. I can control the covers (which I really wanted to do), I can control the release dates, I can control what stays in the books and what doesn't.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fans mean EVERYTHING to me. Seriously, without them, being an author would be pointless. I love you guys.
What are you working on next?
The second book in The Forbidden Darkness Chronicles, titled Shadow's Wings. That book will hit Amazon and hopefully Smashwords in May 2015.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
