By: Chris Stead

Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc is a bestselling author, award winning writer and she has just released a new work, Michael. Michael is already selling very well on Amazon and is already becoming popular with fans of Andrea’s previous books. It is our pleasure to introduce you to the author and we encourage you to look into Andrea’s particular brand of horror.

Q: When did you start writing?

A: I started writing at age 13, so it’s been over twenty years. I didn’t get serious though until about eight years ago.

Q: How long have you been writing professionally?

A: Well, being as I didn’t consider myself a professional until I became a best seller, I would say one year.

Q: What are the greatest pitfalls that you have encountered since you’ve started writing?

A: Scams…beware of “reading fees,” that was a big one for me. A “publisher” in New York took me for $125 for a reading fee (which is always a scam–unbeknownst to me at the time) when I first started getting a feel for the world of getting published. I was naïve and was so excited…until I realized it was a scam, but it was too late by then. I found them years later on the Preditors and Editors website as a publisher not recommended. Wish I had known that before I submitted to them. Many people ask me about writer’s block. I have only had writer’s block once since I started writing so I am grateful for that.

Q: What have your greatest successes been so far in your career?

A: Becoming a best seller in just two months of my novel The Two being on the market and then winning, the Preditors (spelling intentional) and Editors 2005 Horror Novel of The Year. I would be remiss as well if I didn’t mention that having a production company ask to make A Man of Two Worlds into a movie was one heck of an honor as well.

Q: Without giving too much away about it, what is your new book about?

A: Michael is about a young man with no friends. Although he’s very athletic everyone on his lacrosse team hates him and his roommates aren’t fond of him either so he spends a lot of time alone. He meets a young man in the cemetery one night and befriends him but the man is not who he…it…claims to be.

Q: How long has it been on the shelves?

A: Since October 1 and it is selling like wildfire, much to my delight. J

Q: Where can people buy it?

A: Amazon.com:

Click here

And through any bookstore in America and abroad. If for some reason it is not carried in your local bookstore, they can order it. Just give them this ISBN number: 0977100391

Q: I know that you have won awards for writing horror. What awards have you won, and for what works?

A: My second novel A Man of Two Worlds came in first for the Preditors and Editors Horror Novel Of The Year. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/vote0510a.htm

Q: What inspired you to pursue the horror genre?

A: I have always loved horror–always. I have a really cool Aunt and Uncle who got me started watching horror when I was about 5 and I have been hooked ever since. The weird, the creepy, the macabre…they have always held a fascination for me and always will.

Q: Have you published in any other styles aside from horror?

A: Not yet. My pirate drama The Grounds of Nachmasheeghan is being considered for publication now and I just recently submitted a science fiction novella for publication, but I tend to stick to horror…at the very least the horrific. ;)

Q: When can we expect to see more work from you?

A: My two-novella creepy collection Poison’s Treasure will be available November 11 and then I am hoping to hear news by the beginning of next year on The Grounds. It has been twelve years in the making and will be a very happy day for me when it is finally released.

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions!

Thank you for having me today! I had a blast! To all of my fans, new, established, domestic and abroad I’d like to take the opportunity to say “THANK YOU!” Without your love and support, I would not be who I am today. Shadowed Graces and Darkened Embraces to you all…