Well, this week, we are making on last post. We've had the privilege of interviewing horror author David Bernstein, author of the new horror story collection A Mixed Bag of Blood.
I of course, had the chance to read A Mixed Bag of Blood prior to the interview. I can tell you now, if you are a fan of 80s style horror you are going to love this book.
A Mixed Bag of Blood has a wide variety of stories within its pages. From something as simple as a booger gone wrong, to samurai warriors fighting off zombies. This collection has a little bit of everything any fan of strange or goofy horror might like. It almost perfectly balances comedy with horror.
Now, we were able to learn more about David Bernstein and his inspirations for his work. So, let's have him tell us about himself and the new book in his own words.
I love to write a variety of horror fiction just as I enjoy watching and reading slasher horror, atmospheric horror, dark psychological horror, sci-fi horror . . . Hell, I like it all, and that’s why I write in all these subgenres. My first drafts all wind up in a notebook—I write longhand. Then, when I transfer it to the computer it becomes the second draft. I only use one beta-reader who also proofreads and edits. I have a lot of time to write at my job so I’ve learned to write in short snippets as well as for long periods of time. There is no excuse not to write—even if it’s just a little each day.
Tell us a little about your latest book release: A Mixed Bag of Blood.
It really is a mixed bag of tales. I threw every kind of story into this one, from atmospheric, to gory and blood-filled to zombie, to historic, to funny, and then flat out gross. A Mixed Bag of Blood is a smorgasbord of my work and shows the variety of stories I like to write.
How did A Mixed Bag of Blood come to fruition?
John Foley was the short fiction editor at Thunderstorm books and contacted me asking if I had a novella or short story collection that I’d like to submit for possible publication. I’d had a number of short stories published over the years so I picked the ones I hoped would represent the kind of stuff I like to write and would appeal to a broad audience. Luckily for me, Thunderstorm liked the collection and published it in two limited editions. Then, Sinister Grin Press published the paperback and e-book, adding an Intro from author Kristopher Rufty.
It seems obvious, by the diverse amount of stories in A Mixed Bag of Blood, that you have many inspirations and tastes. What are a few of your main inspirations for your writing?
I really do enjoy a variety of genres. I’d say horror and action are the two most influential in my writing. They go together quite well, but I’m not opposed to anything. It’s almost as if I can’t decide what I enjoy the most so I delve into it all. I mostly read horror and thriller, but when it comes to viewing a TV show or movie, I’ll watch almost anything. I do watch a ton of horror and sci-fi, but recently I watched the movie Brooklyn and loved it. The Intern was great too. There might be snippets of these types of genres in my writing, but mostly I get an idea and let it take over. People make fun of Lifetime movies, but I really get into them. It’s like once you sit down and start one you can’t stop. I consider my novella, Surrogate, to be a Lifetime movie on crack. So bottom line, I think I take a little inspiration from all over.
Do you have a favorite story from A Mixed Bag of Blood?
That’s a tough one. I think my top three are The Booglin, Potty Mouth and Samurai Zombie Killer. But if I HAD to pick one, I’d say Potty Mouth because it’s such an outrageous story and it falls back to the old “soap in the mouth” threat from moms, only this tale is much, much, much more severe.
What other projects are you currently working on?
A novel called Episodes of Violence for Sinister Grin Press. It revolves around a group of older teens who take mailbox baseball to the next level by going after bikers, joggers, and whoever using machetes, bats, crossbows, and whatever else. Then also, a novella called The Sludge for Great Old Ones Publishing. That one is a B-movie horror book about a bank robbery, toxic waste being dumped, backpackers, and a bloodthirsty creature. And finally, a novella called Retch from Bizarro Pulp Press about a man who is cursed to vomit every time he has sex.
Any new releases horror fans should look for in the near future?
All the titles I listed above. They will all be out this year, but I believe The Sludge will be out very soon.
Anything else you want to tell readers?
I’d like to thank everyone who’s ever read any of my books whether they’ve liked them or not. And leaving reviews is like giving an author gold! I will be attending Scares that Care again this year so bring your books and get them signed by yours truly!
You can learn more about David and follow along with each new release at the following his author website, his Amazon author page, and on Facebook and Twitter.