Lucky 13 Questions...The Final Chapter????

Who can tell? Who can read the future? This will, however, be the last 13 Lucky Questions for the time being. And boy, do we go out in style! Like Jason getting carved up at the end of Friday the 13th Pt. 4, we bring the goods with this one! Check it out: the lovely, the brave, the talented, Kim Curley. Enjoy the interview and then take your ass out and get some of the stuff she's got work in. You won't regret it!

Let’s do this!


1. If there was only one movie you could watch for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
“Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca” starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson. The movie is based on Daphne Du Marier’s book by the same name. Filmed in 1940, this romantic thriller takes you through the lives of widower Max de Winter (Olivier) and his young bride (Fontaine). Along the lines of a sinister Cinderella story, the new Mrs. De Winter can’t help but feel the ghostly influence of the deceased Rebecca still lingering. Although you never see Rebecca, the character’s in the story make you believe she actually existed! Circumstances surrounding the death of Rebecca resurface, and puts the newlyweds ‘…happily ever after,’ marriage in jeopardy. Does the spectral Rebecca still rule over the lives of those she left behind at Manderley? This was Hitchcock’s first American movie and I’m blown away by it every time I watch it, which is at least a dozen times a year. I like stories that are dark, with unexpected twists and turns. PS-Spoiler alert: To make the character Rebecca more real to the audience, Fontaine’s character is never given a first name! Love it!



2. Who is your favorite literary character and why?
I fell in love with Joanna Archer in Vicki Pettersson’s “Sign of the Zodiac” series. Not only is the main character a strong female lead, but the way the author took the character and put her through the wringer is incredible! I like escapism in books. I want to be taken somewhere outside the norm, and Vicki Pettersson takes you there with Joanna. The action scenes are impressive, detailed, and in-your-face. Ms. Pettersson steps outside the writing “comfort zone,” constantly putting Joanna in life-or-death situation’s that most of us would probably run away from. Although the character is super-human, Joanna Archer makes a lot of human decisions which usually plunges her deeper into a world of chaos she’s trying to protect.


3. Favorite book and author?
I poured through all of my books, and lists of favorites and I just can NOT give you an answer on favorite book. I like all books, good and bad. There are too many stories out there for me to pinpoint to one favorite book. Sorry. Favorite author: Tie between Stephen King and J.K. Rowling. Although neither can be compared to the other, both are strong writers. In my opinion, both succeed on all aspects of writing: capturing the audience’s attention and holding it!


4. What is the one implement you could not part with in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
A really, really sharp ax or hatchet. And, a sharpening stone.


5. If you had to eat your big toe or your pinkie finger, which one would go? Take this seriously; your life depends on it.
Since I need my big toe for balance, pinkie finger would go without batting an eyelash!


6. Favorite album and artist?
I’ll always be a KISS girl at heart (up to 1984). However, my favorite album and artist would have to be Queensryche and their “Operation: Mindcrime” album. I never thought I’d like a concept album, but this one still holds messages that apply to our world today. Just amazing.


7. Who could clip their toenails in your presence and you not be offended?
In the words of King Julien, ‘Not the feet, Mort. What have I told you about the feet?’ Sorry, feet are the appendages that help you wade through the daily crap. Therefore, feet disgust me. Ugh!


8. Female fiction writers tend to have their work ghettoized as being for fellow females only while fiction written by men does not. This applies to other forms of entertainment as well. For instance, I went to see the movie Bridesmaids and was lambasted by male friends for it being a “Chick Flick.” And actually, it was universally damned funny. When they saw it, they ate their words. Why, besides sexism, do you think this happens?
In 2005-2006, there was a little underrated television show called, “Commander in Chief,” starring Geena Davis. Ms. Davis’ character becomes President of the United States after the death of the acting President. My daughter watched the show faithfully, while I ignored it. When Hilary Clinton stepped down from her race as President in 2008, my daughter stated, ‘Yep, just like the cancellation of Geena Davis’ show.’ I asked her what she meant by her statement. She replied, ‘the show failed for the same reason Hilary Clinton failed: American’s are not ready for a female President.’ She was right. Although women have made great strides to overcome adversities tied to our gender, until every single person on the planet is comfortable and accepting that women can do most things men can do, sexism will be the main influence. Besides, if we get rid of titles, i.e. “Chick Flicks,” you’d have to get rid of titles like, “Action Flicks,” “Guy Movies,” “Family Movies,” “Comedies,” “Western’s,” etc. Our society has to label everything-helps them to categorize and compartmentalize.


9. What is your favorite sport?
Swimming. You can feel the genuine competition between participants in this sport.


10. Is there a story of yours that has been published that you’ve looked back on and said, “Oh, God, I wish it wasn’t?”
No, I believe we learn from our early endeavors and just forge on. I don’t have time to look back and worry about what I’ve written.


11. What story are you most proud of that you’ve written and why?
I’m proud of a WIP children’s fiction novel. It stems from a story I made up for my daughter nearly twenty years ago. The main theme is one that’s been around forever: despite diversities, tear down those barriers and help others in need.


12. Eggs. Love them or hate them?
Egg whites only, please.


13. Promote the shit out of yourself. What do you have coming up and what have you finished?






A sci-fi/apocalypse short story, “Faith,” that is being included in the Wicked East Press, “Earth’s End Anthology,” coming out January 2012. Nonfiction submission sent to Hidden Thoughts Press about my daily battle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Working on above mentioned kid’s fiction novel this year. Pouring over my many three-ringed binders for story inspirations. Hopefully get more author interviews in on my blog (looks around for volunteers!).


You can find Kim at her blog and over on Facebook



And there you go! How can you not love a lady who speaks so highly of KISS and Queensryche? Plus, she's a hell of a writer. Go forth and get her stuff and ye shall be fulfilled in life!

Another round of Lucky 13 Questions!

Here we go again! This time I'm featuring Suzanne Robb, a very talented writer who had a lot of work out there for you to dip your eager, greedy hands into! She has a bunch of new stuff out, as you'll learn below, but let me take a moment to direct you towards her novel, Z-Boat. What a terrific read! You got zombies, you got folks trapped on a sub, and you've got some really fun and interesting characters that you'll find it impossible not to root for! Plus the claustrophobia. And did I mention zombies? Oh, yeah...you know you want to do it!

First up, a slight bio, and then the Lucky 13 Questions!

Suzanne Robb is the author of Z-Boat, released by Twisted Library Press. She has over 4 dozen stories in current and upcoming anthologies with various publishers. She is also a contributing editor at Hidden Thoughts Press, and next year Wicked East Press will be releasing Read the end First, an apocalyptic anthology she edited with Adrian Chamberlin. In her free time she reads, watches movies, plays with her dog, and enjoys chocolate and LEGO’s.

Let’s do this!


1. If there was only one movie you could watch for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
One movie, that’s a tough one, but I would have to go with Clue. I never ever get tired of the performances in that movie and of course I love Tim Curry.

2. Who is your favorite literary character and why?
Thursday Next from the Jasper Fforde series. I like her best because she is strong, makes mistakes, acts like a normal woman in odd circumstances, and can take care of herself. I find that she is probably, at least for me, one of the funner literary characters. I know it should be something high caliber, but I like what I like lol.

3. Favorite book and author?
Again with a tough one. I would have to go with Fool by Christopher Moore, the man is brilliant and the book makes me laugh out loud. Actually, anything by him makes me laugh.


4. What is the one implement you could not part with in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
Well, I am assuming we have to go with what we have currently, so for me it would be my axe. That is the most useful thing I have. Cordless screwdrivers are lame and shovels you need such a wide arc to swing.


5. If you had to eat your big toe or your pinkie finger, which one would go? Take this seriously; your life depends on it.
Are you okay? Um, if I had to pick, pinkie finger, I never use it to type and the big toe is pretty essential in balance.
One more time, are you okay? Need a hug?


6. Favorite album and artist?
Andrew Bird, Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs. I love a lot of music but Andrew Bird is my go to man for any occasion.


7. Who could clip their toenails in your presence and you not be offended?
I have yet to find that person. I think it is a gross habit, and what is the deal with not picking them up? Just launching them across the room..annoying!


8. Female fiction writers tend to have their work ghettoized as being for fellow females only while fiction written by men does not. This applies to other forms of entertainment as well. For instance, I went to see the movie Bridesmaids and was lambasted by male friends for it being a “Chick Flick.” And actually, it was universally damned funny. When they saw it, they ate their words. Why, besides sexism, do you think this happens?
I think it happens for many reasons, males have a strong presence in the literary world, especially horror. Even a lot of females refuse to buy books by women writers because they have not “proven” themselves. I think that until we can look at a book and not judge it by the gender of the writer this problem will always exist.
What I do think is funny is that male writers complain that women dominate the romance areas, but how many men do you know aspire to write those? And if they did, I know they would do better than the women, it is just part of the way things are sadly.


9. What is your favorite sport?
Swimming by far, cannot swim enough…ever.


10. Is there a story of yours that has been published that you’ve looked back on and said, “Oh, God, I wish it wasn’t?”
Yes, several in fact..or not so much that it was not published, but that I did not trust an “editor” to do their job when clearly they didn’t know the difference between a comma and a period.


11. What story are you most proud of that you’ve written and why?
“The Curse of the Moonlight Killer” It is out soon in ebook format, and I adore this story because it is original in concept and idea and everyone who beta read it loved it. It was a pure moment of inspiration and one I hope to turn into a book.


12. Eggs. Love them or hate them?
Not a fan.


13. Promote the shit out of yourself. What do you have coming up and what have you finished?
I have a novel out called Z-Boat, available here.



















I also have a blog here with all my current and upcoming anthologies here

In the end of December a great anthology titled Live and Let Undead edited by Hollie Snider will be released by Twisted Library Press. It has one of my stories in it and is a fantastic collection; highly recommend it to any zombie fan.














I also have an anthology that I co-edited with my friend Adrian Chamberlin called Read The End First, it is apocalyptic in genre and has a TOC of great and talented writers, right now it is out for blurbs, to be released in 2012

I have an ebook coming out on January 2, 2012, it contains 3 of my short stories and will be done via Dark Continents publishing.














In April 2012 Hidden Thoughts Press will be releasing a collection of non-fiction essays I compiled and edited called Anxiety Disorders.















Lastly, Earth’s End will be released in January 2012 via Wicked East Press, and has one of my short stories in it.






















And there it is, folks! The wonderful Suzanne Robb! Hope you enjoyed it and again, go get her books! You won't be sorry!

Top 5 Horror Films of 2011

So here's the list. Take as you may, but there's not a bad movie here. Some will amuse you, others will disgust you. Let's get going:

5. Kidnapped and
Stake Land
Yes, I'm cheating. I don't care; it's my list, dammit! Anyway, Kidnapped is a grueling film about a home invasion made in Spain and it's as brutal as a movie can get. Terrifying drama and stunning suspense. But be warned, it will turn your stomach at the end, not only with a bit of the old red stuff, but mostly because you really feel for the characters. Stake Land, on the other hand, is more stuff of fantasy, about an apocalypse brought on by rabid vampires. Yes, these vampires don't sparkle in the sun. They kill. And feed. And mankind is on the ropes. Imaginative and full of some great action, this is a definite see if you like your horror more on the monster side.

4. Troll Hunter
Speaking of liking monsters, this one is for you! A Norwegian film about a group of documentary filmmakers stumbling on a man who actually, yes, hunts down and kills trolls. There is a lot to love about this movie, from it's humor to the suspense, but it's the main character of the troll hunter himself that wins the day. Excellent movie, and not as silly as you would think.

3. Human Centipede 2
And here we go. Lots of people hate this movie, lots say it's the worst film of last year. Screw them. This movie is disturbing and gross and everything the original wasn't. The first was a great satirical horror film that had some black humor that made you chuckle. This one is satirical as well, but it ain't very funny. In fact, this movie seems to be a response to the critics who lambasted the original. Anyhow, see it and decide for yourself.

2. Insidious
Yes, this is practically a remake of Poltergeist, but it's a much scarier movie. Yeah, you heard me right. This movie is scary. It has chills, it has jumps, and it has creeping dread. Oh, and some nice humor, too. The best way to see it is in a crowded theater, but since that probably can't happen now, put out the lights and enjoy!

1. Paranormal Activity 3
I'm a big fan of this series and by now, you know whether you love them or hate them. If you like them, this is the best one, in my opinion. They play with you just like in the other two, but this one takes it to a new level. Plus, I really liked the boyfriend/step-dad character. This is scary stuff, and coming from a guy who's as jaded as it gets, that's saying something. Again, best seen in a crowded theater.

Best (non-horror) Movies of 2011

Okay, I always want to do this, but get lazy and let it fall by the wayside. I am going to list my favorite movies of 2011 below. You can agree or disagree, but I don't think, if you watch these films, you'll be bored!

5. X-Men First Class
I know you think I've lost my mind, but this movie was a lot of fun. Was it historically accurate? Uh, no, but who cares? It had mutants fighting, a great script, some fantastic actors, and a really cool style. I think it's the best of the X-Men movies, easily.

4. Super 8
This maybe could have made my horror list of top fives, but I chose instead to put it here. So if you don't like that, you can stuff it, because this movie was all I love about films. It was warm, funny, quirky, scary, and mostly, fun. Great direction, great story, and the acting was terrific. Just a really, really good time.

3. 13 Assassins
Oh, hell yeah! This was something else. First hour, all plot and set-up, introducing the characters and their cause. The second hour, pure carnage. This was a classic Samurai film, if you like yours bloody. And I do. Just an excellent movie, all the way around, and could easily be my number one.

2. Drive
My, my, yes! Stylish, engaging, thrilling...man, I could go on and on. If you like noir, you'll love this. If you like crime movies, you'll love this. If you like movies, period, you'll love this. Like my top 3, depending on the day, this could be my favorite of the year.

1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
A lot of folks have a problem with this film. Some say it shirks the human characters, making it unengaging. Some find fault with logic and plot points. Well, they just don't get it. This movie tickled the eight year old boy in me pink. The humans aren't the point, are they? They are used to bring us into the story, but once Caesar makes his first appearance, it's his movie. And the ape's. Lots of subtle setting up for the future, including the dribbles of info about the astronauts that go missing, make this a geeky delight, as well. If you didn't like it, give it another try, and if you did, well, you're alright in my book.