David W. Gammon has been a contributing columnist, novel and film critic for horrornews.net for the past six years. Delving into more creative waters in 2015 his first horror based short story The Evil That Men Goo was published in the anthology Splat by J. Ellington Press. Additional stories Keep The Change and Through The Dark were published by Lycan Valley Press in the collections Morbid Metamorphosis and Grey Matter Monsters.
In late 2017 he launched his own publishing company CanAida Publishing as a tribute to love of his life. In December he released CanAida: A Tale of Love Lost, Rekindled, Redemption and International Romance.
House of Anguish is his first horror related release depicting the Trials and Tribulations of Damien Galligher. Euphoria Historia, the second edition is slated for release in April 2018.
He also dabbles in the erotic romance genre under the pseudonym Rick O’Shea. The Neighbor: Hearts of Scorn is Rick’ s second novel slated for release by CanAida Publishing in March 2018.
Coffee?
KR: Could you tell me a little about yourself please?
Sure thing Gavin, and thank you for having me. My name is David W. Gammon. I’ve been a contributing columnist for www.horrornews.net as a novel and film critic. From time to time I cover conventions and get to meet all the cool kids in this crazy, spooky industry we call horror. Recently I’ve decided to embark upon more creative waters and published my first horror novel, House of Anguish.
KR: What do you like to do when not writing?
Writing is my passion first and foremost. But when I’m not diligently pouring out my demons to paper I like to travel, read just about any genre and engage in as much laughter as possible. It’s great for the soul. In today’s society we often take ourselves far too seriously. Good comedy is something everyone needs to keep their sanity in check.
KR: What is your favourite childhood book?
I used to positively adore the Hardy Boy Books by Franklin W. Dixon. This sort of dates me, but if any of the readers out there can recall they’d come in these really cool hardcover editions. It’s tough to pick a specific volume but if I had to pick one, it’d likely be What Happened at Midnight. It had such an ominous, foreboding cover. I just couldn’t get enough of the teenaged sleuths Frank and Joe along with their buddy Chet and his perpetual jalopy. It’s pretty amazing these books were originally penned in the 1920’s and still hold up today.
KR: What is your favourite album, and does music play any role in your writing?
Wow such a great question! If I had to pick just one, I’d say Stone Sour’s House of Gold & Bones Part 1. No question if it wasn’t for music, there would be an awful lot of time staring at a blank screen I’m afraid.
KR: Do you have a favourite horror movie/director?
My God, next to impossible to choose just one. It’s almost like choosing a favourite child. In terms of sentimental value, I’d have to say Friday the 13th Part 3. As a child this was my first induction into watching horror. I never slept for three days. The setting mirrored the farm that I grew up on. It was beyond uncanny.
In terms of directors I love John Carpenter, his work In The Mouth of Madness remains one of the most underrated films ever in my opinion.
KR: What are you reading now?
I just finished an extremely interesting read called Texas Schlock: B-Movie Sci-Fi and Horror from the Lonestar State, it’s a pictorial anthology of the history of exploitation films since the 1950’s that have come out of Texas. I’m a little behind in terms of fiction, especially King so I plan on tearing on in to 11/22/63. It’s essentially a tale about how America would progress in the event JFK was never assassinated. I think with all the political conundrum in the U.S.A. today, it could very well make for a terrifying read.
KR: Who were the authors that inspired you to write?
Where to begin, the list could be a book within its own right. My favorite go to is Robert McCammon. Swan Song was the most compelling post-apocalyptic book I’ve ever read. I recommend it often. Dean Koontz, the Odd Thomas series had me in tears upon the end of every volume. Clive Barker. John Saul. Stephen King of course.
Eric A. Shelman is an author that penned the runway hit zombie series Dead Hunger. I consider him to be a massive inspiration. He even created a character in his series after me. I’m honored to call him brother.
James Dean, not to be confused with the late great actor, also created a series called This Dying World. James harness the maximum disturbing psyche in his protagonists. I’m also beyond honored to call him a close friend.
Tina Piney has unleashed an onslaught of short stories for J. Ellington Press. Her story Chuckles has forced me to look at clowns in a whole new light. She always lifts me up, seemingly when I need it most.
Each of these authors have played a dramatic impact on my style and perseverance, without their work, I’d likely be in a rubber room staring at the walls and jabbering on to myself.
KR: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?
A little bit of both if that makes any sense. When an idea comes to me, it often comes at the most inconvenient moment. I’m very much an introvert. Surprise, surprise as an author, right? But I could be at a rare social function and literally interrupt someone’s story, so I can scribble down a line or two about an epiphany that comes to me. That likely makes me sound like a terrible conversationalist, its just always the wheels are turning.
Beyond that I like to see where stories can twist or turn. Occasionally something will even disturb myself so much I must return to reality for a break.
KR: What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I’ll be directly upfront and go on the record as stating I absolutely loathe doing research. They say the carnal rule of writing is write what you know! But for authenticity I often accentuate settings, period piece characters, etc. through the local library. Terribly old school I know, but its endearing. No real set time frame, too much research can be overkill too. Just until the story seems to suspend the plausibility factors.
KR: Describe your usual writing day?
No real set routine but I find my most compelling work comes in the early morning. We tend to be at our most revived states then. Some days I could pound away at my laptop for eight hours, on other days I’m lucky to fill a page. But in both circumstances, I try to undergo hypnosis for a minimum of thirty minutes a day. It’s great for decluttering the mind and freeing the spirit too.
KR: Do you have a favourite story/short that you’ve written (published or not)?
They’re all like your babies. And it may sound odd but when a story is complete sometimes it’s a huge relief to leave it behind. I published a short story, my first, titled The Evil That Men Goo in an anthology titled Splat from J. Ellington Press. It’s a tale about a clerk in an Adult Video store that is visited by seven demons, each representing the seven deadly sins. I think it’s one of my finest.
Of course, House of Anguish, my first full length horror novel will always be dear to me too. It was sort of art imitates life and vice versa and extremely therapeutic for me to complete.
KR: Do you read your book reviews?
I do! And in fact, I enjoy the ones that have criticism as well. I think the day we stop learning about how to improve our craft is the day we may as well hang it up as well.
KR: Any advice for a fledgling author?
Keep writing! Never let anyone deter you from your dreams. I think it was Ray Bradbury that once said, do anything for ten thousand hours and you’re a master. If that’s the case, I still have a lot of apprentice hours to fill.
KR: What scares you?
My main phobia is vermin if you can believe that. Something about rats has me scrambling and screaming like a school girl. And of course, failing to make an impact. That may very well be the most horrific epiphany of all time.
KR: E-Book, Paperback or Hardback?
I’m most drawn to paperbacks. I love the texture, the scent the versatility. I don’t think any level of evolution will change that for me. Hardbacks are nice, but I often lose or significantly damage the dust jacket.
KR: Can you tell me about your latest release please?
House of Anguish is now available in paperback or E-books on Amazon. They’re slowly becoming more readily available in brick and mortar locations as well. It tells the tale of Damien Galligher, whom at the tender age of seven accidentally murders his abusive father. Haunted with guilt, shame and sorrow, he somehow copes with growing up without a father. Thirteen years later he’s invited to his hometown of Seagrave for a wedding. He decides to put a halt to his torment once and for all, visiting his childhood home and confronts his demons in one last stand.
I was so very blessed and honored to have writer, director, producer and actress Brooke Lewis pen the foreword. I often reflect on that passage if I’m having a down day and it lifts my spirits without fail, every time. I’ll be indebted to her until the end of days. She’s a very, very dear friend.
They say home is where the heart is….Damien Galligher is a tortured soul. Tormented with the memories of his father’s untimely demise at the tender age of seven, he grows up looking for so many answers. Thirteen years later he’s invited to his hometown of Seagrave for a wedding. Damien makes a solemn oath to put his demons to rest once and for all. Embarking upon a journey for enlightenment, House of Anguish is a tale that challenges the very parameters of love, the meaning of life and good versus evil. Welcome to the Trials and Tribulations of Damien Galligher. Relax. Take a load off. Stay a while….if you dare.
KR: What are you working on now?
So many irons in the fire where CanAida Publishing is concerned. I just recently finished an erotic thriller titled The Neighbour: Hearts of Scorn. Not the sort of coffee table book you lend to your family or even a lot of friends for that matter. It’s about an author named Rick O’Shea, newly divorced that moves to the country to finish his latest book. A voyeuristic encounter with the girl next door leads to some most sensual of soirees. But Rick soon learns there is much more to his Neighbour Anita than meets the eye. It’s scheduled for release August 2 under my pseudonym Rick O’Shea….but sssshhh you never heard that from me.
My second horror release is titled Euphoria Historia. It’s loosely a prequel to House of Anguish. We see our boy Damien at the age of seven. He accidentally ingests narcotics after his sisters have a party. Not long after the boy realizes he has psychic visions while under the influence. His older sister is abducted by an elusive serial kidnapper. Damien may be the only key to unlocking her whereabouts. That’s scheduled for release October 2.
KR: You find yourself on a desert island, which three people would you wish to be deserted with you and why?
You can choose…
a) One fictional character from your writing.
Hands down Anita Miller from The Neighbour: Hearts of Scorn. Our past time would essentially be responsible for repopulating our society. I’ll leave it at that.
b) One fictional character from any other book.
Odd Thomas. His communication with the dead would give us hope for the future or at very least place us within position to fully prepare for what’s to come.
c) One real life person that is not a family member or friend.
Maria Brink, lead singer of In This Moment. She could entertain us from sunrise to sunset and spiritual energy would provide hope for tomorrow.
KR: Thank you very much David.
I thank you very much Gavin for this highly thought provoking and fun interview. All the best to Kendall Reviews!
You can follow Dave on Twitter @slamsta
You can visit Dave’s author page here
You can visit Dave’s HorrorNews.net page here
They say home is where the heart is….Damien Galligher is a tortured soul. Tormented with the memories of his father’s untimely demise at the tender age of seven, he grows up looking for so many answers. Thirteen years later he’s invited to his hometown of Seagrave for a wedding. Damien makes a solemn oath to put his demons to rest once and for all. Embarking upon a journey for enlightenment, House of Anguish is a tale that challenges the very parameters of love, the meaning of life and good versus evil. Welcome to the Trials and Tribulations of Damien Galligher. Relax. Take a load off. Stay a while….if you dare.
You can buy House Of Anguish from Amazon US & Amazon UK
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