Monday, March 26, 2012

Interview With Author Charles O'Keefe

Today I'd like to share an interview with fellow Penumbra author and friend, Charles O'Keefe. I will be reviewing his debut vampire novel here at Paranormal Wire in the very near future. Enjoy!


Q: Who are you, and why should readers read therest of this interview?

A: Wellthat’s an easy one, at least the first part ;). My name is Charles Rex RenoufO’Keefe, I prefer Charles O’Keefe, my parents gave me two middle names but likemost people I don’t use them. I am hoping that readers will read the rest asI’m someone who loves to meet new people, both online and in person, especially if they have similar interests and not to brag but I have been told that I’mfascinating ;)

Q: Tell us a little about the work you are herepromoting.

I havealways loved vampire books/stories/movies and about 10 years ago, I had an ideafor one. Life got in the way but in 2010 I finally got serious and the resultis my first vampire book that will be out in April of this year. It is aparanormal/romance/horror novel where I put my own spin on vampires and imaginehow my own life could have turned out if I had become a vampire at 23.

Q: As awriter, do you have plans for world domination, or do you have a day job aswell?

Worlddomination would be fantastic but for now, I do hold down a mundane day job as an inventory manager. Maybe someday I will be able to write/gamble full timeand spend my winters somewhere warm.

Q: Self-published, traditional, indie or part of anindie collective? If not yet published, what are you doing to make it happen?

As youknow I am with Penumbra Publishing, I signed a contract back in September of2011 and I will be published in April of this year. For me I think semi-traditional publishing was the way to go (as you know Penumbra is asmaller company that specializes in Ebooks) because I just don’t think myediting skills are good enough to make a book publishable and I wanted ajumpstart with promotion (and I didn’t want to pay for printing).

Q: How do you handle bad reviews? If you have nothad one...would you be willing to grant me permission to trash your writing,just to see if you cry?

I haven’thad a bad review as my book hasn’t come out yet. I imagine I will take thefirst couple a little hard. I give you permission but I know you won’t trash mywriting (at least not now), you were kind enough not to do it when you had thatfirst ARC copy of my book.

Q: Are you nervous yet and do you prefer white orwheat bread.

Hard tobe nervous when I do these questions ahead of time (and we are already friends). Whole wheat certainly please, I am something ofa health nut. It serves me well as I have not been sick more than once in almost 4 years.

Q: Do you blog? If so, don't you wish you were ascool a blogger as I?

Yes I blog and yes I wish I was as cool as you or more precisely had more guest bloggers, just kidding. My blog is http://p45crok.wordpress.com

Q: Ah yes, most bloggers wish they were as cool as I ;) What is your favorite creature, monster, orfantasy based thing you write about?

Come on now Tasha you know this one! ;) But since the readers may not it’s vampireswithout a doubt. For me the idea of living forever, with powers, eternal youthand the ability to make others like you is worth any price…or so Joseph thought, you’ll have to wait to find out more (well YOU won’t but everyone else will).

Q: I did know that but asked the question to humor everyone else. Any advice for aspiring writers?

Yes, work hard and do not give up. Also be prepared for criticism both constructive and otherwise, finally be ready to revise and edit A LOT. For other detailed advice please visit my blog (above) or yours at http://paranormalwire.blogspot.comI’ve been known to do a few guest posts there.

Q: Tick off a few indie authors you look up to.

I’m stilla little unsure exactly what “indie” means but first you, Natasha Larry, a friend of mine DarrenHann, another friend ShannonPatrick Sullivan, and Joanne-SoperCook another Newfoundland vampire author (though her style/setting is much different than mine).

Q: Awww, its sweet and unsettling that you look up to me. That might be dangerous. :)
Are you, or are you not a douche bag? Heh, youdon't have to answer that. That's just for my enjoyment.

A friend of mine once said “everyone is an asshole sometimes” and I think that is verytrue. I would think about 80% of the time I am not a douche bag, the other 20%...:)I am fairly certain I’m OCD (though not diagnosed) so that can lead to some annoying behaviour on occasion.

Q: Sell your book, right now, to your host withoutonce mentioning your book, blog or twitter handle.

Easy,imagine you had sex with the man/woman or your dreams and discovered a few dayslater you had been turned into a vampire. How would you cope with that? More importantly what would you do with your creator/sire and how you would dealwith other vampires in the world? I answered a question with a question buthey, that’s just how I roll.

Q: Alright, where can readers find you on the web?

Easy-peasy,www.charlesokeefe.com. This includes buttons/links to my blog,e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and Skype.

Authorbio:

CharlesO’Keefe currently lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundlandwhere he works as an Inventory Manager at O’Keefe Agencies.He is happily married and has two furry children named Jude and Esther . Heenjoys many hobbies such as walking, Pilates, writing, reading, movies, gaming, television,pokerand of course vampires(not the sparkly kind!). Lately he has been very focused on writing blogposts and his first book “The Newfoundland Vampire” which will be out April2012. He believes in animal rights and has been a strict vegetarian for many years. He also believes in helping to save ourplanet and trying to helppeople whenever he can. He would also describe himself as Agnostic.He has a BA in English along with Masters in education that provided him with abrief teaching career.

4 comments:

Charles O'Keefe said...

Thanks Tasha! :) That was fun and there were interesting questions. I always enjoy talking about myself and vampires ;)

Natasha Larry said...

I know. I'm glad you had fun :)

Penumbra Publishing said...

Charles - unique as always. :-D

Pat

Charles O'Keefe said...

Thanks Pat :) I think doing or giving an interview is a great exprience for anyone. I'm an honest guy and I do have an unusual take on the world (for most things anyway :-)