Thursday 31 March 2016

Meet out featured Author, Patrick Elliott.


Sharing the same surname, it wasn't surprising that Patrick and I would make a connection. Patrick has actually dubbed us 'Clan Elliott'. Having gotten to know Patrick through the #Awethors, it was only a matter of time before I sat down to read some of his works. I started my journey with Patrick's collection of shorts, Too Dark For Televison. It's a fantastic read and I was really impressed by Patrick's use of flash fiction (writing a story in 1500 words or less is no easy task!)
The Emporium is pleased to have Patrick as our guest this month.

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So, despite, or perhaps because I write I am terrible at talking about myself. Like many who live in imaginary worlds that we share with the rest of you, I am more comfortable showing you my soul in little bits. Hidden behind the people I make up to populate these hells I sets my stories in. With that said, I think I'll let the books do most of my talking. However, there are certain protocols when a man invites you into his house, and a couple of soapbox issues I will always jump on when I have a chance, so let's start there.

I get my ideas from everywhere, and normally I have no idea what I saw or heard that festered in my brain until it became a story. When I do, it usually means the story has a political or musical theme.

I write dark because that is how my mind works. The greatest obligations of a writer, of any artist, are to touch, teach, and inspire. We do what we do to make a connection with other human beings. I believe every author falls into one of two categories. Those who shine a light on the way the world should be, illuminating the road to this wonderful future. The other kind look at a bleak future, a place we are careening towards, and throw up warning signs to help us avoid it. I'm, unapologetically, one of the second type.

I love horror but refuse to be limited. That's why I jump genres so much. There is a bit of horror in most of my writing, but I am not a horror author. To me, being limited to one genre is like eating sushi every day. It's delicious, always, but you stop noticing after a little while. Some people can do it, and I envy them, but I'm not one of them. So, if you don't see a genre you like, keep looking, I'll get there eventually.

I'm not politically correct, and I'm not for everyone. My words are my art, and good art shocks some. Additionally, we authors have a special connection to free speech. Censoring words is for dictators, writers let them flow. I'm not trying to be offensive, but everyone who creates with passion will cross someone's lines. I also don't advocate hate, just the opposite in fact. I realize that hate flows both ways and is a terrible thing in either direction.

I like to think my writing has universal appeal, but there are some basic truths here. I write for adults. There are enough people writing for kids and teens these days. Those authors do a great job, and I enjoy some of them as much as anyone. However, we need to remember that novels are also for grownups. I feel bad for anyone stuck watching the newest "reality television" show while their kids get lost in lands of make believe.

I write books that may have more appeal for men, because I am one. Also, I'm tired of hearing how books for men don't sell because men read less. I strongly believe men read less because less books are published for us. So, I hope everyone reads what I write, but we men need to take back our damn brains and remind everyone that we can be smart too.

One theme you might find is a feeling of stories that have a stronger appeal to those outside of States. Kind of funny, I guess, being that I'm unabashedly American. Right now this might appeal to those getting into the tide of people screaming for change. I've been writing this way for a while though. Because I refuse to be part of the problem. Authors have been saying it for decades now. America is allowing itself to get dumbed down. We are giving up our rights to think and read. So I'm writing for the rest of the world, and where they are. I just hope I can, in my own small way, help my own country catch back up. Because I love this place and the people here. It makes me sad that we need to catch up. I love the rest of you too though, so I'm not going to write crap that you don't want to read.

Okay, I've babbled enough. Let's let the books do the real talking.

I currently have five books out. I am working on writing a Post Apocalyptic Paranormal Dystopian that opens my first series. I am also editing a... how do I classify this? Supernatural, Urban Fantasy that follows a monster hunter who swears a lot and is as tired as I am of authors making monsters all lovable creatures that are just misunderstood kittens who want to be hugged. Give me monsters like Dracula and then let said hunter kill them. The five I have out though..


OLD ODD ENDS 

Genre: Horror, very dark Suburban Fantasy.
Every child knows, monsters lurk in the woods when it gets dark. What they don't know yet is the hamlets along the road are not safe havens. Darkness dwells in communities separated from the rest of the world. Darkness and a quiet acceptance that allows men like Mr. Edward to do business.
Mr. Edward is a regal, kindly old man who takes his bookstore from town to town. There is something off about him, but not enough to defy trust, which allows him to enlist children into the program, looking for the greatest author of each generation. His plans don't stop there though, and his motives are nefarious enough to thrill the devil himself.
Thomas, the shining star of this class has a life surrounded by his mentor. Even the woman he will one day marry is offered to him, like a present, from the old man. When things go bad will he have anyone to count on?
No heroes, only monsters. Two masters of words and magic do battle for one soul. Dark destiny against shameless free will. A war from a different age rages across pages and places as Thomas finds himself pitted against the man who taught him everything. Trying to challenge a great truth of this world, that no one can write their own happy ending.

 

 
Too Dark for Television


 
Genre: Varied (mostly horror and political commentary)
This is the second in a set of two collections of short stories, flash fiction, and novellas/novelettes. This is the set for those who like to flip off, yell at, and eat the corpses of those who read Half Flashed. Pick up a copy of that too though, it will lure your victims in. Specially spiced for those with no souls and/or people who love barbed political commentary in their fiction.

 

 
Greycoat Blueback


 
Genre: Dystopian
Welcome to Canada, she may look different.
A short ten years from now, America as you know it no longer exists. Her citizens live in fear and the world looks on her with hatred. Despite being an ally of the States in most conflicts, Canada is viewed differently. Neither reviled nor revered. The liberal and politically correct of two great nations find one solution to both problems. Join the countries under the banner the world knows and loves then make people get along.
The new Canada forms. A haven where drugs are accepted. A place of free, and paid for, love. A Union of peace and equality. Fear is all but gone from the hearts of citizens. Even in this utopia the need for detectives exist. Even in paradise some choose to do wrong. Even in the future evil hides in plain sight.
Embark on a specially approved ride along with Tamlin Long, a detective of the Peace Covenant in the city and province of New York. A loveless marriage, a call to duty, these are just two things that keep him going. With retirement quickly approaching he must clear the heaviest caseload in the history of the Union. The greatest deviant produced by the young nation is Detective Long's problem. Leaving the criminal to someone else is not acceptable.

 


A Brief and Literal History of the World


 
Genre: Satire, Blasphemous Humor
Have lunch with gods and prophets. See the words of the Lord in new and interesting ways. See, for the first time ever, the world through the eyes of the most complicated and enigmatic prophet to ever (maybe really) live. Narrated in his own words and voice.
Sit down with Jesus and hear him recount how his father created the worlds, including where he got the idea and sections missing from all other known holy texts, even the made up ones. Listen to a harrowing tale of addiction and redemption as he recounts the missing years of his life, on record for the first time in all time.
Walk the dark streets of the youth of the first child star. Learn of the first band of apostles and their inevitable break up. Is there a woman who drives a wedge between Jesus and his first favorite? Perhaps a greedy record executive who convinces Jesus to dump the boy band lifestyle and venture out on his own? Most likely none of that happens as this is back cover material, which never really has anything to do with what's inside the book.
So what does happen? Pick up this brilliantly faux-faux-leather clad tome and find out. Jesus will tell you in his own time and his own way. You are the priest to the Lord's confession, but only for a Brief and Literal History of the World.

 

A Final Word From Patrick....

 

That should keep you going for a while. Go! Buy all of them, and if you can afford it buy them more than once. Get the paperbacks for your friends, or people you don't like. Old Odd Ends gave a friend nightmares. A Brief and Literal History has been described alternately as, "a book with something to offend everybody" and "One of the funniest things I have ever read." So, you should find something that suits your fancy.

Oh, and one last thing. If you're on social media, stalk me!

 
Twitter: @patrickewrites
 
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