SNM Horror Magazine

We will conduct 3 new author interviews per month.

                    Interviews with a Vampire!

Lilith is our hot Author Interviewer at SNM Horror Mag. She is an aspiring writer and poet and has been published in Poetry.com and was also the editor for her high school newspaper. Her passion for journalism and art of literary writing has earned her a position as Author Interviewer. Having a dark passion for vampires and the horror genre, she has added a real distinctiveness to SNM's staff. Lilith, a Native American, lives in the very hot state of Arizona. *You can visit her on her Myspace site for further details.

NOTE: Lilith is NOT accepting author's interviews directly, only those scheduled by the editors' monthly selections, and those by invite only. Thanks for your understanding! 

Thank you, Lilith, SNM Horror Mag darkly embraces you.

         LILITH       

 www.myspace.com/shinigami_vamp_Lilith

Any author interviews book/story reviews originally featured in SNM Horror Magazine may not be featured on other magazine venues without our prior permission. However, all authors may post book reviews or interviews and self-promote themselves on Myspace or their own website without written permission...

Darkest Greetings My Dears,

Welcome to SNM Horror Magazines October Halloween Issue! My favorite time of the year! As always Miss Kasandora Lilith shall take that foggy walk into the shadows for this very special month and scare the shenanigans out of the locals. *grins*

Now if you have managed to avoid landing face-first into the dreaded flu season, my hats is off to you, because I have been bitten by that nasty cold bug and the experience was not only inconvenient but made me feel very unsexy.

This month we have our feature interviews, 2 of those are SNM SOTM winners, Adrian Ludens from September and Stacy Bolli for October; also an in-depth  interview with well known writer,  Gabrielle Faust, and our last interview is with one very sexy and talented singer and our feature October Goth Covergirl, Saira B.

Now if you haven't had a chance to submit your story to SNM, please take the time to do so and perhaps I'll be able to conduct an interview with you one day. I plan on branching out more as far as the interviews go. I would love to work with some more film makers, actors, artists, models, musicians who like horror, as well as my fellow writers.

Around this time of the year, the temperature will sink a little low, so please be sure you and your loved ones keep warm and if you have kids that will be "treating" this month. Good luck in snatching up all the goodies you can and have a very happy and safe Halloween!

Loving Kisses and Embraces,

Mistress Kasandora Lilith

SNM Author Interviews

Gabrielle Faust

Adrian Ludens

Stacy Bolli

Goth Covergirl Saira B

         Pen Name: Gabrielle Faust

A traditional and experimental artist and writer, Miss Faust hails to us from Texas, she is well known in the vampire world and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Vampire Film Festival. Miss Faust also was the Guest of Honor at the 2008 Anne Rice Vampire Ball and has been invited as a Special Guest to the 2009 Tru Blood & Gold Vampire Ball in New Orleans. She enjoys jamming on the guitar, traveling, and staying true to her wiccan side. For more details please visit her page online that also includes other links to her vast variety of networking sites.

LILITH: First of all, Gabrielle, I think that your work is fantastic and I'm pretty sure others would say the same. When did you first start as a writer and what has it been like for you nowadays?

GB: I have been writing my entire life. However, I have been making a go of it as a profession for about six years now. The release of my vampire series ETERNAL VIGILANCE really launched my career to a new level about two years ago and since then it has been an absolute whirlwind of traveling, book signings and conventions. I have several regular columns I write every week, including my own site, and am a contributor to several sites such as Sci Fi Wire. I can only imagine what the future will hold! It’s all very exciting.

LILITH: What type of stories do you have an interest in writing about the most?

GB: The stories I'm interested in writing about usually revolve around an in-depth reflection on a person’s struggle through their life or the rise and fall of a city or empire.

LILITH: How deep is your love for Vampires, when do you think this first began?

GB: As far as great loves go, my passion for vampires trumps just about everything and everyone else. I am, to put it simply, obsessed. I was fascinated by vampires from about the age of six, but my true love for the genre began when my mother gave me her copy of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE by Anne Rice when I was ten. My fate was officially sealed at that point. There was no turning back.

LILITH: You are one of the guests of honor at Anne Rices' Vampire Lestat fan Clubs' Gold Ball.What was it like for you to first hear about it?

GB: I cannot begin to tell you just how honored I was to receive the invitation. The Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club puts on one of the most respected and world renowned vampire events of the year and to be selected as a Guest of Honor left me speechless. I felt like I was finally truly being embraced as a writer by the community. This year I am returning, along with Charlaine Harris of the SOOKIE STACKHOUSE series that inspired TRUE BLOOD, to the Tru Blood & Gold vampire ball, put on by the ARVLFC, and will also be attending the Endless Night Festival as a special guest as well.

LILITH: Have you ever attended the Vampire Ball (if so, what was it like)?

GB: It is absolutely fantastic and unlike anything I have ever attended. An evening surrounded by  hundreds of gorgeously dressed vampire fanatics, drinking, singing and dancing the wee hours away. Definitely my version of what heaven would be like.

LILITH: There are so many fans of Charlaine Harris' "True Blood" series. Are you also a fan of hers?

GB: Yes, I have great respect for Charlaine Harris and am looking forward to meeting her in person next month.

LILITH: Have you ever met Anne Rice?

GB: No, but I have always wanted to. She has been such an inspiration that it would be the greatest of honors to sit down and speak with her about her life and work…

LILITH: What else are you involved with online? Any groups, forums  or magazines?

GB: Let’s see. As far as social networking: Facebook, MySpace, LiveJournal, Twitter, BlogTV, etc. I’m a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Association of Writers & Writing Programs and Austin Visual Arts Association. I was recently brought on as the Editor in Chief of the new vampire.com website, which will be launching in October if all goes according to schedule. I am also a regular contributor to SciFi Wire and write a daily column focused on True Blood for the Examiner site. My own website, Eternal Vigilance, is a source of daily updates on all things vampire, horror and science fiction…

LILITH: Out of all the stories that you've personally written, which was your favorite and why?

GB: The ETERNAL VIGILANCE series is by far my favorite, at least of what I have crafted thus far. It is very close to my heart and so completely vast and complex on so many levels that the story, the characters are constantly surprising me.

LILITH: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

GB: I would like to have another three or four books under my belt by that time. I’d also like to have my own bookstore/wine bar, but I suppose we will have to see what happens to the country to see what is viable. Either way I would like to be happy, healthy and doing what I love: art and writing.

LILITH: What words of advice or even encouragement would you give to aspiring writers?

GB: Well if you are truly committed to writing and it is your ultimate passion, do not give up. The publishing industry is an extremely brutal one, perhaps more so than the film and music industries combined at times. You’ll need a thick skin and the ability to accept criticism. The only way you grow as a writer is to listen to your readers. Editors are, for the most part, there to make your work better so don’t battle them. Be humble. Be honest. Be true to yourself and your voice. Listen to the world. Observe the finer details of every day life. Read read read.

LILITH: Where can the readers of SNM Horror Mag find you online and worship your footsies? (sorry was being silly)

GB: Readers can find me on the Eternal Vigilance website: (www.gabriellefaust.com) on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter under @VampireFaust.

LILITH: Respectfully, I would like to thank you kindly for the interview and wish you many more successes with your writing as well as your many other talents.

GB: Thank you, as well. I appreciate the interest and support!

Gabrielle Faust

Pen Name: Adrian Ludens

Adrian Ludens lives and works in the historic Black Hills of South Dakota. He enjoys horror, hockey and hard rock. His short fiction will appear soon in the print anthologies "Bonded By Blood II," "The Middle of Nowhere" and "52 Stitches", online at Midnight in Hell and in the magazines Morpheus Tales and Bards and Sages. He has other stories under consideration and he is keeping his fingers crossed, which makes it hard to type. He won SOTM in SNM's September issue and that rightfully earned him a spot in the anthology.

LILITH: For those who cruised the interview page first and haven't checked out the September stories, could you give them an intro to what your story is about?

AL: My story "Cold Feet" came about when I saw a vintage turn of the century ad about an amazing "fat-burning supplement". It had a dark and creepy aspect that I really enjoyed. Some time later, I had a vague idea about this guy who was a little too dependent on his visits to his therapist. Eventually, the ideas began to intertwine in my mind and after many drafts and revisions, "Cold Feet" is what you see today.

LILITH: By the way, big congrats on your story being featured in the next BBB anthology in January 2010. What were your first thoughts that ran in your head when you heard about it?

AL: I was thrilled! SNM editor Steven Marshall let me know my story was "SOTM" and it took me about an hour to realize what he meant, I didn't quite grasp the abbreviation at the time. As a writer, I keep learning from my mistakes. To see a story I wrote published in an anthology makes me feel very proud.

LILITH: Have you been featured in any other anthos?

AL: Yes. A one page story of mine will appear in an anthology of flash fiction called "52 Stitches" from Strange Publications.  A much longer story will appear in "The Middle of Nowhere" a rural horror anthology from Pill Hill Press. I was exuberant for a while with three upcoming appearances in print anthologies and then I got six rejections in the span of a week! My newer stories are getting picked up though, so I know I'm on the right track. Then came the news about the SNM Horror Athology!

LILITH: What is the daily routine for someone who works as an on-air personality?

AL: I am the Assistant Program Director for the station so my day begins checking emails and messages and then prioritizing my day. I schedule the next day's music, record and mix any commercials (we call them "spots") and prep for my show. We have a lot of features and contests for our listeners that I do while on air. But mostly I listen to great music!

LILITH: Do you have any stories that happened while working at the rock radio station?

AL: The first station I worked at part time was in Deadwood, SD. Our station was housed in an old bank, with the studio upstairs formerly a dentist's office. One night at three a.m. I heard footsteps coming down the tile hallway that stopped at the door. I turned around to see who it was and no one was there. When the next announcer came to work at six a.m., I mentioned it and he very seriously and calmly told me it was "Doc Smiley" the former dentist who used to work in that room. I took his word for it!

LILITH: Have you ever done any extreme sports?

AL: I used to hike and go moutainbike riding a lot, but I'm a couch potato these days. I'd love to play hockey, but my skating is definitely not up to par!

LILITH: What other field of work have you also been interested in pursuing?

AL: Writing full time would be nice! But since I prefer short fiction to novels, I have no plans to "quit my day job"! I spent ten years working at a retail book store, so radio is still fresh and new for me.

LILITH: Which one of your stories would you have the utmost want in seeing become a film and whom would you want as a director (and why)?

AL: Nine times out of ten, the book or story is better than the movie. But arguing with Tim Burton or David Lynch over script revisions would be a nice problem to have! I suppose this story.

LILITH: What is your costume this Halloween?

AL: I don't have a costume picked out yet this year. In years past, I have dressed as Willy Wonka, a Crazy 88 from Kill Bill, Shaggy from Scooby Doo and even metal guitarist Buckethead. Pretty tame fare as I am usually with my kids.

LILITH: What is your favorite scary story?

AL: Favorite scary story? Just one? I have such a hard time narrowing it down to a dozen on any given day! Joe Lansdale's "Night They Missed The Horror Show" had really slapped me around the first time I read it. A modern classic. Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" is tremendous as well. Very understated; and is it a horror story or a feminist statement? One of the few "I think I'm losing my mind" stories I felt was realistic and impactful. "The Ohio Love Sculpture" by Adobe James is morbid fun if you can track it down!

LILITH: What terrified you as a child and are you still afraid of it now?

AL: Everything terrified me as a child because my mother was very overprotective. I grew up thinking that every stranger I 'd encountered would try to abduct me. As a college student, I was stunned to find many of the atrocities that I believed happened in my hometown as I was growing up listed in a book of urban legends! I try to break that cycle with my kids by encouraging them to try some new things and giving them a lot of freedom. Ironically, my biggest fear as an adult is that something terrible will happen to one of my kids, so the joke is still one me!

LILITH: Michael Myers is busting down the door right now and your home alone. there is also a city-wide blackout...what do you do?

AL: Ha! Sigh with relief that my kids aren't home! I'm a flight over fight type of guy, but since that hasn't worked out too well historically with Michael Myers' victims, I'd meet him at the door with a knife of my own. If it is comedic actor Mike Meyers busting down my door...that's a whole different nightmare.

LILITH: Where can SNM Horror Mag fans find you?

AL: I'm on Facebook daily and I also keep my Myspace page updated with free links to many of my published stories, both horror and other genres. 

www.myspace.com/adrianludens

I have a self published book of weird western stories available and interested readers can reach me on Facebook quicker, but can read more free stories on MySpace.

LILITH: Thank you for your time, Adrian, and keep on rockin' out the horror! We look forward to seeing your work in print in the anthology!

AL: Thanks to Steven Marshall and the whole dark crew here at SNM for this opportunity and for such a high-quality outlet for horror, both with selection and editing!

                 Adrian Ludens

Pen Name: Stacy Bolli

Straight from SNM's homestate of Florida, Mrs. Stacy Bolli revisits the SNM Mauselum, bringing us "Behind Dark Corners," our October SOTM, following "Swamp Serenade" and her initial story, "The Rock Garden." Stacy's life is her 3 children and husband who does a terrific job supporting them. She is known to be an intense animal lover. One of her hobbies is breeding a pair of African Grey Parrots. She is currently working on a new story which I'm sure we'll be hearing about soon. Welcome back, Stacy Bolli! SNM embraces her.

LILITH: Happy to meet you Stacy, "Rock Garden" was sure a nice surprise when I heard about it, had me scared of the "girls" afterwards, lol.

SB: Thank you, Lilith, I am happy to meet you also. I think I shocked many people with "The Rock Garden." Most people have the impression I am innocent and soft spoken and they could not believe their "Sweet Stacy" could conjure up such a raunchy story. I loved writing it and loved the aftermath even more!

LILITH: The Rock Garden did get the flow going, then "Swamp Serenade" got you back in the spotlight with SNM. Now "Behind Dark Corners landed you SOTM. Can you tell us about them and what was your muse in writing the first two?

SB: Well The Turtle Man in Swamp Serenade was actually the invention of my awesome Mom. When she was a child she had a reccuring nightmare of this giant turtle creature abducting her from her bedroom at night. It would throw her on his back and carry her away to the forest. She gave me the inspiration and I just ran wild with it!

LILITH: I'm just a little bit curious *smiles* Do you yourself have a "Rock Garden"?

SB: Lol, in a way. I love to collect rocks and pan for gems when I am in the Carolinas. My fireplace mantle is lined with geodes and there are bags of stones I have collected strewn about the house.

LILITH: Tell us, if you could chose rocks that would symbolize each of the SNM Horror Mag staff, what would we be?

SB: Good question! I think that I would have to choose the beautiful turquoise for you because of your American Indian Native heritage. Steven Marshall would have to be a Banded agate, a rock of many layers united as one to form a perfect piece of beauty, much like SNM Magazine! Dave I would think a geode, a behind the scenes guy I have been told, he harbors treasures waiting to be exposed. The others I don't really know.

LILITH: Now that you've officially won SOTM in SNM, how did that feel? 

LILITH: So being a writer, mother and wife can really hold you to a tight schedule. How do you do them all?

SB:  Being a wife and a mother naturally comes first. Making sure that everyone in my family is satisfied and happy takes the majority of the day. Writing is my secret escape when the kids are at school or asleep. That doesn't leave me with much time and I wish there were more hours in the day for my husband!

LILITH: What are you, your kids, and hubby going to be for this year's Halloween?

SB: I am sure I will just be the haggard mother chasing her sugar-high kids down the street as they race from house to house. My husband prefers to sit at home and hand the candy out, he always reserves the hard stuff for me! My son did have an unusual request for a costume, though: he said he wants to be a germ.

LILITH: What allured you to contact SNM Horror Mag with your work?

SB: I had found SNM through Duotrope and saw he liked to publish new authors. My first story was rejected but Steve gave me a very encouraging rejection letter and I was touched. I was determined to create an awesome story for the magazine, hence "The Rock Garden."

LILITH: What other steps have you taken in pursuing the writers dream?

SB: I have a myriad of stories buried in my hard drive and currently waiting on a response from a couple stories I have submitted. My life is so busy and finishing a story takes some time, but I am persistent.

LILITH: Can we look forward to seeing more stories from you at SNM in the near future?

SB: I definitely intend on staying in contact with the SNM Family! SNM has been the first to publish me and will always hold a special place in my heart.

LILITH: Are you working on another project? Care to give us a little taste of what to expect?

SB: I am attempting a full length novel and what I have so far is probably atrocious. I am sure if I ever complete the book it will be about a year away. I am always at work on a short story though.

LILITH: What's your favorite time of year and why?

SB: My favorite time of year, with out a doubt, is Autumn! I love the temperature change, it always gives a burst of energy. Halloween is also a high point. What is better than munching candy and watching a horror flick on T.V.?

LILITH: What's been the most exciting event for you in 2009?

SB: The most exciting event for me has definitely been being published for the first time, thanks again SNM! But aside from that I would have to say having my Gall Bladder removed last month and getting rid of those sharp pains!

LILITH: You're trapped in a nightmare and a certain Nightmare on Elm Street character pops up and is in hot pursuit of claiming you for his collection, what do you do?

SB: Maybe throw some rocks from my rock garden at him? 

LILITH: Where can you be contacted online?

SB: I can be contacted by email at stacybolli@yahoo.com, or on myspace.com/stacybolli and I also have a Facebook account.

LILITH: The Mausoleum always welcomes you, Stacy and your story. We hope to read yet another fun tale from you in the near future.

SB: Thank you Lilith! I have enjoyed doing this interview and you have asked some excellant questions!

LILITH: Aww, thanks Stacy!

SB: You're welcome, keep up the great work!

                 www.myspace.com/stacybolli

Stacy Bolli

Miss Saira B

OCTOBER GOTH COVERGIRL AND MUSIC ARTIST

Our little wicked miss comes straight out of Indiana. She's got a wide range of music talent and is currently making her mark in the world through expressing her vocal expression. You may have also noticed that she's also SNM Horror Magazine's October Goth Girl, and a well deserved one at that! One thing I can say about Saira is that she is down to earth yet in your face; ya just gotta love that. *wink* Visit her Myspace page and check out her video to get more familiar with her work and unique style. I am sure Saira will be well received in both the music and modeling community and SNM is proud to showcase this young and tantalizing R&B and Hip Hop artist of dark desire and haunting allure.

LILITH: Its great to be able to interview you Saira and its nice to meet you.

SB: My pleasure...Nice to meet you as well!

LILITH: What's it like for you to be SNM Magazine's October Goth Cover Girl?

SB: Exciting! I live and breathe Darkness... I'm always finding ways to spread my Wickedness. I'm especially happy to be SNM October's Covergirl. I LOVE Halloween...it is everyday for me!

LILITH: Where did you first start out with modeling and what kind of experience was it for you?

SB: I've been passionate about photography for years, I take photos whenever possible...part of a daily fix I need. This is my first time being a Covergirl!

LILITH: I hear you're a singer, who inspires you?

SB: Yes, I am! I also write ALL my own lyrics. My inspiration is not simply any person...but life itself. Growing up, I ADORED Mariah Carey! (I still do. Her range is INCREDIBLE)

LILITH: Whom have you worked with as far as vocals in the past and do they still keep in touch?

SB: As far as vocals, I taught myself to sing...it came naturally. I felt compelled to pursue it professionally and here I am!

Some local artists/producers that I have worked with include...

*KRUSHO

*STEVE DICKSON (SIGNAL)

*ROB ELLIOTT  (NECRODEMON)

*BRYON DEVOLDER

LILITH: What turns you on?

SB: Oh, a lot of things! Thunderstorms, being in the studio, photography, art( in all forms). Graveyards, The Woods, The Moon...BLOOD.

LILITH: What are your pet peeves?

SB: Haters! Fake people, nay sayers.

LILITH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

SB: Well...my debut album will be out this year on X Records! I expect it to sell VERY well! I'LL definitely have another album out by then! (5 years)

I see a lot of COLLABS, a lot of Interviews! Hopefully more modeling...I'd like to be in a Horror Movie ( I want to be the one killing all of the bitches). I see myself spreading the Dark Word in as many ways as possible...

LILITH: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?

SB: The craziest thing I've ever done...I honestly can't tell you, or I will be locked up in a cell for years!

LILITH: You awake one morning and you're 10 years old again. Someone who reversed time asked if you would like to relive your life over or would you remain the same Saira? What do you choose and why?

SB: I would remain the same. If I changed ANYTHING.then I wouldn't be me.

LILITH: If you could choose any celebrity to be your slave for the day, who would it be and why?

SB: OH, shit!!! I want Dani Filth TO BE MY SLAVE (CRADLE OF FILTH). He and his band are BEYOND amazing! When I'm a rich and famous Bitch one day, I will buy them and keep them in my bedroom.

LILITH: Is there any major news that you would like to share with SNM readers?

SB: My debut album is called 'DARKNESS FALLS'  That will be out this year! (I just got a Major Record Deal with X Records).

LILITH: That's fantastic Saira! Is there any other type of work that interests you?

SB: I want to design clothes and shoes. Publish my poetry in a book. I also want to kill everyone who made it on"my list!"

LILITH: Where can you be properly stalked online?

http://www.myspace.com/sairabmusic

http://twitter.com/IAmSaira_B

LILITH: It's been a pleasure interviewing you, Saira, you have a great voice and I wish you all my best.

SB: Thank you and SNM, it was my pleasure. Love & Respect! You guys have a great horror magazine! I actually met Steven on The Dark Fiction Guild and I have been a glutton ever since! 

Miss Saira B