I am a science fiction & horror writer from Valparaiso, Indiana. I also love to write horror stories about zombies and cats. I am also a political satirist. In 1985 I wrote my first short story: "The Day It Rained Candy." I also started writing a science fiction series called "Power Force." In 1994 I published my first short story: "The Night Of the Living Redheads." I am currently writing horror short stories with my brother, Mark Cusco Ailes, for the horror collection: "The Second Journey Into The Unknown."
My writing influences are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Ira Levin, Terry Brooks, R. Karl Largent, Zombie Fiction Writers. I started reading heavily at the age of five and by middle school I had read close to 200 books or more. I'm not talking just thin children's books. I mean Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Star Trek and Star Wars novels and more
Smashwords Interview
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I wrote the Day It Rained Candy in 1985. I was in elementary school and won a ribbon.
What is your writing process?
An idea pops in my head. I work out the outline and all the scenes in my head and then sit down and type it all out.
A zombie outbreak at a horror convention, a Zombienado and a gargoyle terrorizing a small town in Texas are the latest tales from the demented mind of Derek Ailes. Will there be any survivors? It's a fast pace horror thrill ride from beginning to end.