Welcome to I Love My Authors
Today we have the talented Tabitha Short on the Blog. Welcome Tabitha, I am so glad you are here. As I usually do, I would like to introduce Tabitha's book to you before we get on with the interview.
The Please DO Feed the Animals ZOO
Excerpt:
The other patrons had struck up conversation with one another, but Robbie and I sat quietly by the door. No one noticed what happened next, except for me. In a moment the door opened and the soldier slid out of the room and back into the introduction room where we still waited. He shut the door tight behind him, but not before I saw them. The door had only opened briefly, and only opened enough for the tall, slender man to slide through. But out from what I had mistaken as a window, flew three large Black Panthers into the room next door. I listened for shrieks and screams, but heard nothing.
The soldier stood with his back to the door, his eyes wide, his breath coming in short choppy spurts as the fear settled and washed away. Did I really just see three Black Panthers released onto unsuspecting people? The soldier breathed in deep and then looked down at me. He straightened his uniform and then made his way back to the front of the crowd.
“Everyone who chose the Siberian Tiger, please line up at the door,” He said coolly, again extending his arm to lead the way.
That was us, but I was quite hesitant. Was it part of the show that the panthers be released onto the people? There was no warning of that from the intro we had just watched. The intro showed people feeding the animals through an artificial arm from a safe place. What was going on? I know I saw what I saw, and the reaction of the soldier confirmed it.
“Sir,” I said to him when I got closer. “I just saw those panthers jumping into that room,” I started, but the soldier let out a loud, shrill laugh that caught everyone’s attention and interrupted me.
“It’s 3D,” he whispered, patting my shoulder. “You better get in line, you don’t want to miss it,” he added, pushing me toward the door and disappearing into the line of people. It seemed legitimate. Right?
Now for the Interview
I started writing when I was in grade school. The first time I received recognition for my writing was in the fourth grade when my math and writing portfolios received one of the only proficient and distinguished (respectively) ratings for my grade. Throughout middle and high school I received many awards for writing and for my time as Editor-in-Chief of the high school newspaper and yearbook.
What inspired you to do it?
I grew up in a very rural area and both my parents worked a lot, so I had to find ways to entertain and occupy myself. Creating new worlds through writing provided that escape for me. In addition, I was suffering from manic depression, a mental disorder. Writing became my therapy.
What projects have you done?
Over the years I’ve done many projects that showcased my writing. I’ve done copywriting for advertising and marketing projects in college, I’ve written magazine and newspaper articles, I’ve dabbled in ghostwriting and have many years of freelance editing experience. My current projects include a series of short stories in the horror fiction genre and a young adult fiction novel.
Any new projects coming up?
Right now I’m working on the first of a series of short stories that will be titled The Corpses of Old Farm Hill Road, which will be about a mother-daughter serial killer pair.
Are you an independent artist or are you represented by an agency?
Over the years I’ve been published by a few magazines and newspapers. I have a horror short story titled The Roller Coaster of Death that is contracted through Mystic Press to be published in a collection of dark short stories titled Misery Loves Company. It will be out in December. My young adult fantasy fiction novel will also be published through them sometime in 2013. I have self-published The Please DO Feed the Animals ZOO and intend to self-publish many more horror short stories.
Any favorite bands? Do you use music to inspire you as you write?
I love just about every genre of music there is, I do not discriminate. Every type has its place with me. For my young adult fantasy fiction novel I have found that Celtic music has been inspirational. When writing the horror stories, I don’t listen to music.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
Join as many online writing communities as you can and gobble up all the information you find. Don’t be afraid to self-publish and enter a lot of contests. Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published, your biggest hurdle will be promoting and selling your work. It will not sell itself. Develop a plan, talk to others who have been successful, take from their ideas and find out what has worked for them and what has not. And for goodness sake, hire an editor. Even if you have an extensive background in editing and writing, get an editor. I’ve worked in journalism and been writing for years, but I still send my stories through an editing service. Even editors have to be edited. Trust me on this one.
8. Anything you would like to share with readers on a personal note that would allow them to get to know you better?
You can find me on Facebook and Twitter. I love hearing from fans, especially on my author page. I am easily accessible.
Do you find it hard to share your work with others?
No, definitely not. I put it out there, tell others about it and hope they decide to try it. I offer my work for free sometimes in order to promote it.
10. Did your writing come from just a need to express yourself or a particular experience that you had?
Neither, really. I received praise for some things I had written when I was young and that told me I had a talent. You got to capitalize on your gifts and that’s what I’m trying to do.
WHERE TO BUY LINKS:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/206023
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Please-Feed-Animals-ebook/dp/B008PDAWN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344260381&sr=8-1&keywords=the+please+do+feed+the+animals+zoo
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/please-do-feed-the-animals-zoo-tabitha-short/1112317917?ean=2940044726284
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/please-do-feed-the-animals-zoo/id549912681?mt=11
As always Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you so much for your time today Tabitha, Have a great week!
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