Mysteries by Black Authors

Author Kenya Moss-Dyme joins me to discuss her horror short story collections. When I read Kenya's short stories, I was so impressed by her effective use of surprise in her horror stories (Horror with a mean left hook). I had such a great time talking with Kenya and learning about her writing process and discussing her books.

• Kenya shares a bit about the first story she created and how it sparked her interest in writing.
• We explore why Kenya likes the horror genre.
• Kenya tells us about a project she is currently working on and the challenges this novella has presented.
• We talk about the difference between creating short stories and longer works. We look at how the writing process differs for each format.
• Kenya explains why she likes to write about people who bring horror instead of creatures.
• Kenya and I talk about her "mean left hook" she delivers in her stories and the element of surprise.
• "A Good Wife" is Kenya's three book series that has an interesting origin. We talk about how the genre of this series is so different from her horror series.
• We follow up with a brief description of the "The Pulpit Chronicles: Prey for Me". A dark story that is one push away from horror.
• In her story "The Devil Inside" Kenya uses her life experience as the catalyst for this horror story.
• Kenya share a touching story about how she recovered one of her first stories she ever wrote over 30 years ago. This story is included in her short story collection "Mix Tape".
• We wrap up with Kenya telling us how the Facebook group "Colors in Darkness" has affected her writing life.

Kenya's Website: Kenyawrites.com

Kenya's Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Kenya-Moss-Dyme/e/B00JXLJIB4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1509412355&sr=8-1

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenya.mossdyme?ref=br_rs

Twitter: twitter.com/KenyaMossDyme

Author Mya Lairis brings a new perspective to paranormal romance and dark fantasy. By telling stories from the viewpoint of characters that are usually in the background or sidelines, Mya brings new energy to story lines that have been around for a long time.

• We talk about the diversity in Mya Lairis' characters
• Mya tells us about her history with paranormal and fantasy and why she is interested in characters that are not usually focused on.
• Mya talks about her novel Love Stoned and the world of Gargoyles
• Mya talks about the realities of what relationships between a paranormal being and a human would be and why she is committed to writing books about relationships between paranormals.
• We do talk about the one exception in Mya's "Challenging the Darkness" series where a model develops a relationship with a Were-Octopus.
• Captured of a Heart is Mya's romantic fantasy work that looks at the relationship between a warrior and a sorcerer. Mya tells some interesting facts about this book.
• We discuss Mya's methodology for building her worlds.
• I ask Mya about one of my favorites "Darkness Bound".
• We talk about the challenges faced by a novel writer when taking on the task of producing a short story.
• We talk about the genesis of the Colors in Darkness group.
• We talk about the book world and the challenges black authors who write in the paranormal and horror genres face.
• We talk about the dangers of flying cars and how people are not ready for that technology.
• We learn about a new work Mya is developing and the challenges of building a very large world in literature.

Website: www.myalairis.com

Amazon Page: www.amazon.com/Mya/e/B0084SKL3Q/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5?qid=1509311004&sr=8-5

Facebook (Mya's Den): www.facebook.com/MyasDen/

Facebook (Mya Lairis): www.facebook.com/mya.lairis

A self-proclaimed genre hopping author, Dahlia DeWinters, joins us to share her fantastic stories of relationships in the fantastic worlds she creates. From taking the zombie genre and turning it around to showing the world of horror that existed during the time when slavery was the norm in the Americas.

• The intense emotions that are captured in Loving Among the Dead.
• The motivation behind the creation of "Loving Among the Dead". What Dahlia wanted to explore in this book.
• How the desire for normality and basic human elements will survive even in a world filled with zombies.
• The detailed research required to build a realistic world for the characters.
• We talk about the sequel "One for The Road" and how it expands on the world created in the first book.
• We then talk about La Belle Bête where Dahlia takes the classic Beauty and the Beast story and turns it totally upside down Dahlia DeWinters shares her other works including "Tea and Tomahawks" and "Rum and Redemption".
• Dahlia helps me realize why zombie stories are so depressing for me so much.
• We discuss Dahlia's use of different genres as backgrounds for relationships between people.
• We finish up by discussing the impact of the Colors in Darkness Facebook group.

https://www.amazon.com/Dahlia-DeWinters/e/B00613T2IQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1508676198&sr=8-1

Websites:

darkindigohearts.com

bohowriterchick.com

Social Links:

Facebook: @authordahliadewinters

Twitter: @dahliadewinters

Eden Royce creates horror short stories that will have you looking at everyone and everything with a suspicious eye. Eden Royce brings a fresh new voice to the Gothic Horror. As a writer and an editor of anthologies, Eden has an impressive body of work you can explore. Eden has also brought her creativity to the science fiction / fantasy world by taking the supernatural and placing it in the most normal of worlds. It was a great pleasure to talk with Eden Royce.

Interview Highlights

• Eden Royce shares her motivation for writing and in particular the horror genre
• Eden share a very interesting fact about her family history that has provided a rich source of stories that have influence her writing
• We talk about what Gothic Horror is and how it differs from other forms of Horror
• Eden shares why she has favored the short story format for many of her works
• We get a hint about a new project Eden Royce is working on
• Eden paints a picture of the feeling readers will get when they read her short story collections "Spook Lights Vol. 1" & "Spook Lights Vol. 2"
• We shift gears and talk about Eden's science fiction/fantasy collections "Containment Volumes 1 & 2"
• We talk about the central character who is a Devil/Human Hybrid and he works at the power plant
• Eden shares her experience as the editor of the anthology "The Grotesquerie". A collection of 22 horror short stories written by women.
• We discuss the Facebook group "Colors in Darkness". Eden shares why this group was created and how it is helping writers develop their works.
• The story behind creation of the "Forever Vacancy" anthology published by the group is shared.
• Eden shares two of her other stories that have been accepted by Podcastle and FIYAH Magazine
• We learn how people can join the "Colors in Darkness" Facebook group
• Eden share one more great anthology of black women horror authors and poets, "Sycorax's Daughters". You need to get this book just for Eden's short story.

Eden Royce's Links

Website: http://www.edenroyce.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eden.royce

Twitter: @edenroyce

Eden's Amazon Author Page

Author Steven Van Patten takes a new and creative approach to the classic vampire tale in his "Brookwater's Curse" series of books. We also discuss his thriller "Killer Genius".

Interview Highlights

• I explain how I almost miss our interview time
• We talk about Steven's motivation for creating the Brookwater's Curse series
• Steven describes the history of African Americans in the horror genre and how he is changing that in his books
• We talk about how different the life of an African American vampire would be if they lived in the 1800's, 1900's and today
• Steven helps us understand the root cause of the beef between Werewolves and Vampires and how we can draw parallels to today
• The process of developing the extensive world in the Brookwater's Curse is explained
• We switch gears and talk about Steven Van Patten's book "Killer Genius"
• Steven explains what motivated him to create "Killer Genius" and how he brings a new flavor with his novel.
• We discuss the process Steven used to write this story from the viewpoint of the female protagonist
• We learn about Steven's readers reactions to the books and his very special Beta reader
• We talk about the "Colors in Darkness" Facebook group and how the group has affected and help Steven in his writing process

Website: www.laughingblackvampire.com

Steven's Amazon Page

Facebook: Steven Van Patten

Podcast: Beef, Wine and Shenanigans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SVPThinks