More than 20 years ago, but it didn’t work, at first. I had the idea that I’d write some mystery short stories (since that’s what I was reading a lot of then) and get them published in some magazines. So I wrote some stories (which, looking at them now, really, really suck), sent them off to the top mystery magazines, and waited for my checks to arrive. Imagine my amazement when all I got was rejection slips. So I decided writing fiction wasn’t for me. Fifteen or so years later, I gave it some more thought – and so, here we are.
Have you always enjoyed Fantasy?
I liked fairytales as a kid. The classic Disney movies like “Snow White” and “Cinderella” were being re-released in those days, so I got to see them. Even then, I may have been a little warped. I was probably the only 9-year-old watching “Cinderella” who thought Malificent, the evil queen, was hot.
Why writing Urban Fantasy?
It’s what I like to read.
Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?
A lot of what I write can be considered paranormal mysteries or occult detective stories. I became interested in the genre after watching a couple of made-for-TV movies back in the 1970s: “The Night Stalker” about a vampire loose in Las Vegas (the movie, not the series that followed; even Darren McGavin hated the series) and “Spectre” about a couple of occult investigators seeking out demonic evil.
What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?
See above.
Favorites:
Favorite Paranormal themed Movie? “Constantine”
Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?
“Millennium”
Favorite Paranormal themed Book?
“Anno Dracula,” by Kim Newman
Favorite Author?
Harlan Ellison
Favorite Urban Fantasy Author?
Kim Newman
Favorite Genre that is NOT your own?
Lesbian porn
Favorite one of your Books?
The next one.
Who is your favorite of your own characters?
Stan Markowski. He’s the kind of cop I’d want to be, if I were a cop.
Which was the hardest to write?
The demon who is called Ashley in “Sympathy for the Devil.” I had to keep stopping
myself from making her too cute.
What would you be if not a writer?
A master criminal. I hear the pay is pretty good.
If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?
How do you know I’m not?
If you could meet any Urban Fantasy Character out there, Who would you like to meet?
Fox Mulder, so I could tell him, “No, dummy, the truth ISN’T out there.”
Quickies:
Vampires or Werewolves? Vampires
Zombies or Unicorns? Those are the choices? Seriously?
Angels or Demons? Demons
Reading or Writing? Reading
Print or eBook? Print
Hardback or Paperback? Hardback if I’m selling; paperback if I’m buying.
YA novels or Adult novels? Adult
Library or Bookstore? Bookstore (if I can find one these days)
The Movie or The Book? The Book.
PNR or UF? UF is PNR without the mush – definitely UF.
What is your favorite part of the writing process? Typing “The End”
What is your least favorite part? Typing “Chapter 1”
Can you talk about Hard Spell to us?
It’s set in an “alternate universe” where supernatural creatures are real, and everybody knows it. The “supes” are citizens now. But they still break the law, sometimes. When they do it in Scranton, Detective Sgt. Stan Markowski of the Occult Crimes Unit is the guy they call.
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on “Evil Dark,” the sequel to “Hard Spell.” Somebody in the Scranton area is making supernatural “snuff films” and selling them on the black market. Stan markowski is going to find the perp and stop him – permanently.
Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?
Somebody, I think it was Andre Norton, explained that becoming a writer is a simple, three-step process. 1. Place butt in chair. 2. Write. 3. Repeat.
Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?
I love you all. I just wish there were more of you.
Hi Justin, The more I hear about your books, the more interested I'm becoming. I love urban fantasy, and I'm looking forward to reading Hard Spell, I think it will be a fantastic read.
Hi there Justin I love Urban Fantasy. Really looking forward to reading your novel. I don't have a question just a comment. I like that you want to tell Fox Mulder what for.
Hi Justin! thanks for the awesome interview!i love urban fantasy as well because sometimes they go way overboard with the romance in paranormal books!i'm looking forward to reading hard spells:)
Hi Justin... I've not read any of your books. I'm glad to have found you visiting today as I'd love to read your book now. I love paranormals - all kinds... mysteries, romances, etc. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com
I just read my first interview with Justin a few days ago, before that he was a new to me author. I haven't had a chance to read his books yet, so no questions.
I couldn't agree more that pnr is uf without the mush. That's why I'm uf all the way! If all I wanted to read about was wooing and sex, I'd pick up a book with a shirtless dude in a kilt or ridiculous pirate get-up on the cover. Not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just not my thing. My friend called me a prude because I said I thought there were too many boobs on True Blood. I'm not offended or anything, but I feel like if there are too many pages devoted to sex scenes, those are pages wasted when I could have more, oh I don't know, plot? Dialogue?
Oh my gosh, I LOVED the show Millenium! I was so upset when it was canceled. What an awesome interview! Thanks for such a great giveaway as well :) jwitt33 at live dot com
Justin - I have heard great things about your books! My friend Kathy read this one and went straight to amazon and bought a bunch more! Hope I win. Thanks for the giveaway! bsharp88@gmail.com
Thank you so much for sharing with us today and for the wonderful giveaway opportunity. It certainly brightened my day to find another Millennium fan out there :) I have been staking your tour a bit and I am becoming more and more intrigued. I would love to read Hard Spell.
Great interview! Oh my gosh, another Millenium fan!! That show was so good, and Lance Henriksen was so good!
I think your books sounds great! I was curious whether you think you might switch genres to write a mystery novel, or have you left that genre forever?
My email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.
Thanks for the interview. Justin definitely sounds like an author after my own heart. Not sure if he's published in Australia but I'll have a look and see if I can track his stuff down. It sounds great!
The books all sound really good. As for the interview, I have to say that even if the author did say that to Mulder (from X-Files), I think he wouldn't listen. :)
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway! I just downloaded this book to my kindle and can't wait to start it :)
efender1@gmail.com GFC ~ erin
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Hi Justin,
The more I hear about your books, the more interested I'm becoming. I love urban fantasy, and I'm looking forward to reading Hard Spell, I think it will be a fantastic read.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Hi there Justin I love Urban Fantasy. Really looking forward to reading your novel. I don't have a question just a comment. I like that you want to tell Fox Mulder what for.
vbarton24 at gmail dot com
I admit I haven't read any of your books (yet) but it's only a matter of time, because Hard Spell sounds real good to me :-) !
And needless to say, I love the three step advice for writing :-D !!
danaan at gmx dot at
Hi Justin!
thanks for the awesome interview!i love urban fantasy as well because sometimes they go way overboard with the romance in paranormal books!i'm looking forward to reading hard spells:)
GFC-Janhvi Jagtap
justjanhvi at gmail dot com
Loved the interview. Great Q & A. A Master Criminal - I am still laughing. Is there a book in there?? I could do without some of the mush in PNF too.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hi, Justin
I can't wait to read your books. They sound very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I've been seeing this book popping up a lot on the web. It sounds interesting. juliecookies(at)gmail.com
Hi Justin... I've not read any of your books. I'm glad to have found you visiting today as I'd love to read your book now. I love paranormals - all kinds... mysteries, romances, etc. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com
thanks for the interview ! i'm very curious to read Hard spell !
delhia_1(at)hotmail(dot)fr
I just read my first interview with Justin a few days ago, before that he was a new to me author. I haven't had a chance to read his books yet, so no questions.
Would like to give Hard Spell a try!
acm05atjuno.com
The book sounds really cool! How did you decide to write in this genre? edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
I couldn't agree more that pnr is uf without the mush. That's why I'm uf all the way! If all I wanted to read about was wooing and sex, I'd pick up a book with a shirtless dude in a kilt or ridiculous pirate get-up on the cover. Not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just not my thing. My friend called me a prude because I said I thought there were too many boobs on True Blood. I'm not offended or anything, but I feel like if there are too many pages devoted to sex scenes, those are pages wasted when I could have more, oh I don't know, plot? Dialogue?
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh my gosh, I LOVED the show Millenium! I was so upset when it was canceled. What an awesome interview! Thanks for such a great giveaway as well :)
jwitt33 at live dot com
Justin - I have heard great things about your books! My friend Kathy read this one and went straight to amazon and bought a bunch more! Hope I win. Thanks for the giveaway!
bsharp88@gmail.com
I love urban fantasy. This story sounds very interesting and I'm looking forward to reading it.
ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thank you so much for sharing with us today and for the wonderful giveaway opportunity. It certainly brightened my day to find another Millennium fan out there :) I have been staking your tour a bit and I am becoming more and more intrigued. I would love to read Hard Spell.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Great interview! Oh my gosh, another Millenium fan!! That show was so good, and Lance Henriksen was so good!
I think your books sounds great! I was curious whether you think you might switch genres to write a mystery novel, or have you left that genre forever?
My email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the interview. Justin definitely sounds like an author after my own heart. Not sure if he's published in Australia but I'll have a look and see if I can track his stuff down. It sounds great!
Thanks for posting this interview, Larissa! I've heard much about Justin's book and I'm looking forward to reading it!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Larissa thanks for the interview. Someone recently recommended this book to me and I have added it to my tbr list. I love the trailer.
kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
The books all sound really good.
As for the interview, I have to say that even if the author did say that to Mulder (from X-Files), I think he wouldn't listen. :)
anacorvonunes[at]gmail.com
This books looks awesome! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance! Im really looking forward to Hard Spell, sounds like a great book. And Those Who Fight Monsters sounds great too.
I have read the first two Quincey books and liked them already. So looking forward to more.
Thanks for sharing!!
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway! I just downloaded this book to my kindle and can't wait to start it :)
efender1@gmail.com
GFC ~ erin