Questions for Valerie Lioudis
1. Hi, Valerie! Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your work.
I am a New Jersey Girl through and through, born and bred here. My husband and I co wrote Aftershock: A Collection of Survivors Tales and are currently working on book 2 in the series. Things are taking a little longer than expected because we added another human to our family since the last book was published bringing our total to 7 kids. Kristopher has a full time job in IT, but I am currently working on 3 projects; book 2 in Aftershock, an anthology called Mad Like Me: Tales from Tormented Minds, and a solo project The Many Afterlives of John Robert Thompson. Under my pen name I have written 5 children books that are all currently sitting in the slush piles of agents and publishers. So, maybe it is a little more than 3 projects. I have also started interviewing authors on my webpage aftershockzombieseries.com/ #ReanimatedWriters.
2. Which gives you more satisfaction – to write a first draft, or to finish the last round of editing?
Finishing the first draft. Finishing anything in a house this busy is amazing and needs to be celebrated.
3. What inspires you? Where do you get your ideas from?
I have spent the last 18 years with small kids. They keep you imagination alive and thriving. I am happy to say that part of me has never grown up.
4. Pick a random piece of writing that you worked on ages ago and that never saw the light of day. Now tell us about it!
I originally wanted to be a children's book author. I have been around kids for so long that it seemed like the natural progression. I have a book Kenny Barbingo Kid Cryptozoologist that is just begging to be finished.
5. Do you have a writing routine? If so, can you tell us about it?
I didn't for the longest time. Now I am forcing myself to get my butt in the chair, headphones on, and fingers on the keys.
6. What was the last book that you read and what did you think of it?
I just read L-2011 by Mark Gillespie. I loved it! It was really well written, and made me feel like I was actually visiting London. Fantastic! L-2011 on Amazon
7. Who are some of your favourite unsigned and indie authors?
I am a big fan of John Gregory Hancock. His book Roof is fantastic, as was The Mortuary Arts. I suggest going to the Facebook group Band of Dystopian Authors and Fans if you are looking for great indies. They have a great group there and there are tons of giveaways to get you started.
8. What’s the best bit of writing advice that you’ve ever received?
Write, write, write! Just keep writing. That is really the hardest thing to do. You need to find time to get pen to paper, or fingers to keys everyday if you want to build up a body of work.
9. If you could go out for dinner with any three authors, living or dead, who would you pick?
Steven King: I want to know how he writes so fast! His pace seems impossible to me.
Dante: I read Inferno in high school and was absolutely captivated. What a giant F you to everyone who wronged him. I would love to hear how was brave enough to lay it all out like that.
Laurell K. Hamilton: We have a beef, she just doesn't know it (or who I am for that matter!). I love her books, but like most fans I don't always love where my favorite authors take my favorite characters.
10. How do you get the word out about your work?
Locally, my husband and I did a library book tour and signing at free comic book day. Both were really fun!
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