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If A Spirit World Exists
Death’s Pale Flag follows a neurosurgeon haunted by apparitions of the dead who navigates the line between reality and the paranormal while tending to patients and searching for answers to his haunting. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, to start with, several decades of practicing neurosurgery at Level 1 trauma centers. All the depictions of neurosurgical cases – from their origins, to the conduct of their surgeries, to their ultimate outcomes – although fictional were accurate and without hyperbole. And I think you can see, it can be pretty hair-raising. I wanted to give the reader a realistic taste of that world. Then, I have spent many years studying what effects constant exposure to death, dying, mayhem, tragedy, and human suffering has on healthcare practitioners, and have co-authored three non-fiction books on the subject. It feels plausible to me for someone in said environment to become untethered from reality, and start seeing ghosts. I certainly know the wreckage it can cause in practitioners’ psyches, home lives, and marriages. Finally, I grew up in a house with a Scottish mother and grandmother. They firmly believed in ghosts and had their own experiences with the undead. So tales of the paranormal are embedded in my soul. If a spirit world exists, I felt it logical for its members to be attracted to someone who so often spends his time in the no-man’s land between the living and the dead. And, I thought the juxtaposition of the supernatural world with the very “natural” world of modern biomedical science would be an interesting contrast.
Ryan Brenan is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted to portray a decent, conscientious, “normal” guy (who happens to have a knack for his craft) who must exist in the relentless, hyper-critical, hyper-intense world of a high-level modern medical center. We suspect from the losing of his fighter pilot father in his childhood, that he might be prone to trying prove himself and aspiring to a hero’s role. And acquiring such a status in war is not enough for him. Neurosurgery affords him the opportunity, however, to validate his heroism every day with every patient. But it comes at a cost. First, he must repeatedly face his inability to heal some or perhaps many of his patients. In fact, he must face that he – like all neurosurgeons – is an “accidental killer and accidental maimer” in some cases. And, he must routinely tear himself away of the true epicenter of his happiness and fulfilment, his wife and daughters. He is certainly dedicated and caring and committed to his patients, but he is far from perfect. His emotional intelligence is dramatically listing. He has completely lost track on what is most important to him in life. And, he somehow believes he’s immune to emotional (and physical) distress and injury. He’s maddeningly stubborn about attending to his own needs and ailments, and listening to the good counsel of his family and friends. And, he takes his wife and family for granted, expecting them to “patch him up” each night inpreparation for the following day’s onslaught.
What themes were important for you to explore in this book?
I definitely wanted to give the reader a peek behind the curtains of the neurosurgical world. There are great non-fiction books on this subject, but I hoped a nonfiction work by an actual neurosurgeon would be more immersive, more thrilling, and more frightening. I wanted to challenge the reader with the question of Ryan’s sanity. Could the ghosts be the real, or was Ryan simply losing his mind (or both). I wanted the book to be chilling, with some nice scares. And I wanted this to lead the reader to consider what was actually more frightening, the paranormal world, or the very real world of brain surgery. I also was hoping to distort the reader’s sense of reality, calling into question at times whether they were experiencing supposed ghosts or real life situations.
I wanted to explore the concept that many physicians – particularly surgeons – occasionally actually hurt and perhaps even contribute to the deaths of their patients through their medical/surgical administrations. And the effects this must have on the physicians.
Clearly, I was also exploring the effects of workaholism and overcommitment – even towards a noble cause – has on the practitioners AND their families and friends.
And, I wanted to underscore just how arbitrary and random (and sudden) awful events, injuries, and illnesses can be in peoples’ lives (although we all can contribute to them by foolish or unthinking acts). I wanted to reveal and celebrate the preternatural bravery and grace of our fellow beings – the patients in the book (and in the real world) who face god-awful occurrences in their lives. I also wanted to toy with the religious implications were paranormal phenomena to be real, and the interface of science and religion in the world of the mortally ill.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Well, I have a completed YA novel in the computer that I have rewritten a number of times and will be heading into another rewrite as soon as I get Pale Flag off the ground. It’s the story of an obsessive but unheralded young soccer player who overcomes some shocking, and some routine, teenage adversity to start realizing his dreams. Although I believe young women will like it (I’ve tested it on some), I am hoping to rope in some male readers. I think we really have to push our young men to get off the games and do more reading.
Then, I am laying out the framework for a kind-of post-apocalyptic novel with a unique twist – that I won’t reveal quite yet.
And, as always, I have some non-fiction material I want to put together in the realm of burnout. I fear we are burning out our next generation of physicians long before they get to medical school. So, time permitting, I want to joust that windmill.
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Subtle at first, but soon there’s no doubt about it, he’s seeing ghosts, spirits, the undead. Of course, he could just be going nuts, cracking under the pressure of his constant exposure to death, mayhem, and tragedy. But, he believes he has proof that the ghosts are very real, and that they are specifically haunting him.
We join Ryan as he tends to the sick and injured in his hospitals’ trauma bays, intensive care units, and operating rooms, all the while seeking to understand why he has become a target of the dead. Will he break down? Will he lose all that is precious to him? Will he be drawn to the other side of the great divide?
The unique storyline, similar to the works of Blake Crouch and Jeff VanderMeer is a chilling thrill ride, straddling the real world and that of the paranormal.
This riveting psychological thriller uniquely blends a detailed peek behind the curtains of modern day neurosurgery with a fantastical journey into the paranormal. Written by a highly experienced neurosurgeon who takes the reader on an immersive journey into the behind the scenes world of the operating room where few people have ever been.
Ripped From His Mind
From Brick & Darkness follows a young man whose life turns dark when he unleashes a sinister demon in search of his fantasies. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I always wanted to write a fairy tale retelling. As I researched original fairy tales and folklore, I stumbled upon the original Aladdin’s Lamp story from One Thousand One Nights. I loved it, so decided to tackle a retelling, but as my version unfolded, it evolved further and further from the source material. The themes are the same, but this novel became less of a retelling and more of a dark reimagining of Aladdin’s tale.
Can you discuss the themes of temptation, guilt, and redemption in the book and how they play out through the character of Bax?
Everyone has fleeting thoughts and irrational ideas that peek out every now and then before we clear our heads and move on. We are consciously aware that we cannot take action on every thought or impulse without facing real-world consequences. Society is fortunate that, as humans, we have this ability. We can’t always control our thoughts, but we can control our actions.
In my novel, a djinn pulls Bax’s wishes from the depths of his subconscious, using whatever means necessary to make those desires real. The demon brings to life the momentary impulses floating in Bax’s mind without regard for repercussions or consequences, no matter how greedy, selfish, or cruel they are. Essentially, Bax loses his ability to “clear his head and move on,” as his fleeting thoughts fuel the djinn’s actions and hurt those around him. Bax is then forced to confront the consequences of those ideas that the djinn ripped from his mind.
How did you approach world-building in the book, particularly in creating the mythology surrounding the djinn and the use of the ring as a magical artifact?
Djinn have a long and storied history. The jolly blue guy who tells jokes and sings is a rare interpretation. Most djinn—and there are many kinds—pride themselves as mischievous tricksters or dangerous demons. And because djinn legends have evolved alongside human cultures, their influence can be felt in societies around the world. Many believe a type of djinn called Shaitaan is what early Christians came to know as the devil, while another type called a ghul, is where the word ghoul originated.
With the plethora of djinn myths, legends, and stories, creating my own mythology was easy in some ways, and overwhelmingly daunting in others. However, once I read Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp from 1001 Nights, I knew I’d grounded my story. In it, Aladdin unleashes a genie from a ring, and I knew immediately that however my story turned out, the ring would be a central focus.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on a sequel that will pick up at the end of FROM BRICK & DARKNESS. There were a few plot lines I intentionally didn’t wrap up, so the next book will revisit Bax and the djinn-verse a few weeks after this book. It is still in draft form, but I’m hoping for an early 2024 release.
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The ring speaks to Bax in a dream, tempting him with a vision of a powerful djinn. Desperate to make his fantasies a reality, Bax unleashes a creature called Ifrit, but soon learns this djinn isn’t what the ring led him to believe. Feeding off the depths of his subconscious, the sinister demon fulfills what he thinks Bax wants by manipulating, threatening, and murdering. With everyone he loves in danger and a trail of crimes pointing back at him, Bax must scramble to solve the puzzle that will banish Ifrit forever.
Crafting Something Creepy
Dark Awakenings is a collection of haunting short stories that take readers into the darkness and show them the horrors that are hidden in the dark. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
Each was inspired by something different. Written some time ago, “The Awakening” was my take on the vampire genre. “Mabel” is a twist on a story I cover with my Creative Writing students. It is much darker in tone and turns the original plot on its head. “Keynote,” a twist on something I saw on television as a child, is a risky effort. Reminiscent of The Twilight Zone or The Night Gallery episodes, it can be difficult and even offensive to read if the point is overlooked. These three may be the most unsettling, with “Mabel” perhaps more so once the reader pieces together what happened.
“The Oracle Board” is a creepy story inspired by real events that occurred during Ouija Week when I was a college freshman. How this impacts the reader will depend on their faith and any experience they may have had with a Ouija Board.
“Hear More” was inspired by a number of things… people, events, and dreams. It didn’t come alive for me, though, until I was able to bring in Father David Tomassi and Joseph Carpenter. These are characters from The Forgotten Prophecy , my debut novel. “Hear More” continues their story within an already established world set in the early 1980s. I thought it would be interesting to explore the idea of hearing aids in a paranormal world. Imagine how torturing it would be to literally hear more than the average person, especially if it was the taunting voice—or voices—of evil at every turn. That the individual is an aged exorcist further complicates matters . Exploring faith and mental faculties in an aging state, I think, adds layers to this story even in its brief form.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I’ve always been intrigued by the genre because of intense dreams and past paranormal experiences. The challenge is putting those experiences into words, crafting something creepy enough that is haunting in its brief form no matter how it is unpacked and unique enough to hopefully be different from what already exists.
The thrilling part about writing short fiction is that the crafting of these bite-sized moments may bring about more questions than answers, leaving it to the reader to fill in the blanks. That’s the way I felt as a reader when I was a kid. Some of the collections I read as a youngster remained with me far longer than any novel because they were left open to my interpretation. Then again, it didn’t help that I dreaded the shadows even though I was certain there was no one in the room. Like when I’d have to traverse a dark basement in search of the light switch. Remember what that was like? That was the aim.
How did you decide on the title of this novel?
I released three short story collections in 2022. The original intent was to put them together in a larger collection, but I couldn’t think of a fitting title. I think it was because they were all so different. It was only after deciding to separate them by genre that the titles revealed themselves. For this specific collection, the title makes sense since each of the protagonists are literally awakened to some form of darkness surrounding them.
Do you plan to write another collection of horror stories, or will you branch out into a new genre?
The next horror story will most likely be a sequel to The Forgotten Prophecy, but knowing I could also revisit any one of these shorts to expand on their story and further build that world is inviting. The question is would it be as exciting as what readers come up with when they fill in the blanks?
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How Destructive Love Can Be
Haunt follows a young woman accused of murder who encounters a serial killer, and their lives become intertwined. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I think the inspiration began simply; from always being enamored by the 19th century — but as much as I love westerns, all the movies and novels of that era, I wished to include further elements into this series that don’t just limit it to a historic western.
Certainly diving into the psychology of man, something which I was intrigued and inspired by to forge a character that was different than the usual “perfect white knight in shining armor”; rather one that has been dealt mental trauma at a much deeper level instead, one beyond comprehension. I simply felt intrigued to show, as odd as this may sound and seem, that even such people are deserving of understanding first and foremost — and affection, or even love — that may change someone, which is a very controversial statement and certainly doesn’t apply to just anyone. Regarding this particular serial killer and his background, I would say it is more understandable, or encourages the reader to understand. It was an interesting concept, challenging for me as a writer, and challenging for readers in a different way.
Last but most importantly, my horse, Finn, inspired the very first characters that I created; Charlotte, and her horse. The day I started writing this novel was the very day Finn came to my life as a little colt, and both he and the novel sort of grew up together. His personality blossomed the way it did in the book, so Finn is not just a horse in the story; he is his own character.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. How long did it take you to imagine, draft, and write the world your characters live in?
To be completely honest, I simply began writing without a plot or preset concepts of any kind. A few words every day that slowly turned into paragraphs, and into pages, and before I knew it, into a lengthy novel. There was never a planned plot at any stage; even a few chapters before the very ending, I hadn’t yet decided what would happen. Nor when I would sit down to write, did I ever know which direction the characters or story would go. Reason being, I simply lived in this world alongside the characters, and truly tried to emerge myself in this fictional environment. It kept it extremely interesting, and challenging of course, but also exciting to see my own words take a hold of thoughts I hadn’t truly formed until they were already written down.
There was never really a writer’s block, to this day — even eleven books later in the series — and I owe that to this, perhaps unorthodox, method of writing. In this peculiar way, I finished writing the first draft of Haunt within a period of three months. I simply loved the whole experience, and I couldn’t stop writing what happens next, which is why there is a whole series of it now. It was never planned. I thought H[A]UNT would be the end of it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
That is a very interesting question, for this series covers a lot of different themes that you will find later on. But in this particular book, I do cover the aspect of religion viewed from an extremist’s point of view that was particularly interesting and common in that era. It can also be very controversial for readers, but I tried to stay as neutral as possible, for I don’t wish to influence characters or plot biased on my own beliefs.
Certainly, the theme of friendship and betrayal comes up; how easily trust can be infringed. Love; how oftentimes you don’t choose the person you fall in love with, for any sense leaves your mind the moment it happens. But with love can come enviousness, and even revulsion, and we see that in the story…how destructive love can be.
The concept of mental trauma is very prominent throughout the whole series; showcasing how it is able to morph a person, but also how a person is capable to change even having been dealt the wrong hand in life. I think it is an important subject to dissect, for many of us are able to relate to it and perhaps get encouraged for change. But overall, this psychological aspect is a leading element throughout the whole series and it touches on many different traits that challenge a character.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Book two is filled with new characters that will be extremely important later on; ones who certainly will confuse the reader, or perhaps even stir their curiosity. The story will be a lot darker than Haunt, a lot more challenging, and honestly, frustrating (in a good way). Haunt has a few hints in the story that will tie in with book two, but I guarantee it will be an entirely different form of journey readers will be taken through. As with all my books, it will start slow in the beginning for the sake of character development and world building, but there is going to be tension that will keep on building upon itself. Book two is titled CUR[S]E, and will be available on the 14th of February for Valentine’s Day, in caustic taste.
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A young woman who learns to become strong in the face of impossible circumstances, and a man who finds light in the midst of overwhelming darkness. Prepare yourself for the first book in a haunting new series…Loveletting.
Fleeing from her home after escaping the murder of her mother, inexperienced and petrified by reality with her horse as her only companion – Charlotte is met by the most notorious serial killer of the nation. His dark past and her dark future collide, in a world filled with dangers far greater than him.
Set in the rugged Victorian west at the end of the 19th century with a myriad of complex characters, all intertwined in a brutal environment that examines the conflicting nature and morality of humanity. Charlotte may be innocent at heart, but the world she lives in is not. Filled with dangers from gangs to cults and a mysterious horror element that persists throughout – the overarching gothic love story fills this thrilling, dark adventure up until the haunting end…leaving the reader with an existential dread so deep that it must be read to be understood, yet craving for more.
This novel is definitely for an adult audience, as the content is very heavy and challenging. It will appeal to those interested in a gothic romance with undertones of psychological horror. Most importantly, this book is a form of literary fiction; as character development is the most crucial factor in telling this story and it does not follow the typical tropes of a genre book. Subtle hints to the dark machinations behind the scenes, and interweaving characters who gradually change and grow over time, all work together to create a living world – filled with the unexpected – in which to lose yourself within.
If you want something to read on autopilot, and wish for the plot to follow a certain expected pattern, this is not the book for you. This experience will challenge you; a gripping story that will invade you, heart and mind, long after reading.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award Feb 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award February 2023
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Thomas Edison and the Lazarus Vessel
Thomas Edison and the Lazarus Vessel by David Church is a gripping page-turner. The main story follows John Dawkins, a man who, following the death of his former mentor Thomas Edison, is given a mysterious device that seems to grant him the ability to speak with the dead when he first activates it.
Two years pass, and the device never offers such a display again, leading John to think it was all in his head. That is until one day, when it unexpectedly begins to move, carving out a message telling John to find a former associate of Edison’s who has been kidnapped. This leads John on a thrilling journey to discover the secrets Edison left behind before they fall into the wrong hands.
This creative historical fiction book offers an entertaining alternate history starring many of the big names of the 1930s. Edison is, of course, a major character, but we’re also introduced to such memorable personalities such as George Gershwin, Groucho Marx, (both of which I feel don’t show up enough, if at all, in historical fiction novels) and the Roosevelts.
I would call this a historical thriller with some sci-fi and fantasy here and there that twist the story in fascinating directions, but so much is encompassed that it frankly seems to defy the traditional genre. The comedic moments sprinkled throughout earned a fair amount of chuckles from me, and there were even a few scenes I would classify as being genuinely effective horror. This occasionally creates some tonal issues, but nothing that diminishes the quality. I appreciate the writer’s ability to move between those moments and include them in one story.
The characters were written in such an engaging way that I wish we had gotten to spend more time with a few of them, which I think would have helped eliminate any trace elements of tropes and alleviate any issue with ‘fridging’ readers might notice. This is a sequel, but the story definitely stands on its own. The author also included just enough background information that readers will be able to follow the general setup, though not in a way that would be intrusive to anyone who has followed the series from the first amazing book.
I highly recommend Thomas Edison and the Lazarus Vessel to anyone looking for a fun and action-packed romp through 1930s America.
Pages: 270 | ASIN : B0BT4874XW
Even After The End Of The World
Descent of the Vile follows a photographer and mysterious woman who barely escape death and must figure out a way to survive together and save humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This was the first time I used a dream to create a novel. I’d watched all three films in the Three-Flavours Cornetto Trilogy consecutively, and although the films have comedic elements, I had a nightmare that night that became the opening sequence to Descent of the Vile. When I woke, I had the feeling that an epic journey would come of it, and I wanted to write it down. Originally, I wrote it as a novella, but I had to cut too much out to keep it at the shorter length. So, I revised it to add the missing part of the story, and it became this short novel. I liked the idea of an antagonist that changes throughout the story and a hero who is flawed, but learns from his past mistakes. I also wanted to have Jackson’s perspective, even if a flawed one, the only perspective we see throughout the story, watching the events unfold through his eyes. His journey isn’t only the one he takes with Nadine, but a journey of discovery as he learns that life still holds possibilities for him, even after the end of the world.
What was the inspiration for the relationship that developed between the characters?
Originally, I thought I didn’t want to have it be a romance at all. And I think there is a romance that isn’t quite a romance between them. They bond with each other beyond any level of attraction. I also didn’t dwell on it, but there is an age difference between them, so I did consider that they might separate at the end, but the further I got into writing it, that seemed unlikely due to the personalities of the characters of Jackson and Nadine both. Although they might not have met if not for the apocalypse that occurs, I thought they would at least find comfort in not being alone through the traumatic experiences that they endure. It was important to me that Nadine save Jackson’s life, in more ways than one, and that Jackson opens up to her, learning that together they are stronger than they are apart. But I didn’t want her to remain as someone Jackson has to protect, that they evolve to working more as a team. It was also difficult to write from a male perspective, while creating a character who might be at once hurt but not broken. He is healed by Nadine’s presence and discovers that he can evolve as a person, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I definitely wanted to write a story about an older protagonist. Jackson is in his forties at the point of this novel, although it isn’t mentioned. He has an established career. Nadine was a student who dropped out of college, so she is younger, but she’d been in a stable relationship before she meets Jackson. It was important that they both learn to accept each other for who they are and to grow as individuals. But the main thing is that there is never a point of no return, when someone can’t make a new start. I feel like there are few older protagonists in genre fiction especially, and older people still have valid contributions to make. Also, making the point that being established doesn’t mean that a person can’t make a change and start over was important to me. It’s never too late to learn a new skill or to make a career change or to move across the country to your dream house. Life isn’t static ever, and finding your own peace is something you have to work at, but you’ll never know what you’re capable of if you never attempt anything new.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
The sequel was signed by my publisher last summer, so it should come out this year. It’s titled The Blood Hotel, and it takes place five years after the events in Descent of the Vile. Jackson and Nadine have settled into a comfortable routine when the return of a familiar foe uproots them and sends them fleeing once again. This time, the enemy has changed tactics, and they wonder what they can do to end the threat forever. There will be some themes that do come up again, like the fear of change, but it’s a new story with a different setting, so hopefully readers of Descent of the Vile will enjoy it. I think it’s a bit darker in tone with historical correlations, but you can simply read it as an action adventure if you prefer. I want it to be an enjoyable read, but there’s something more if you look for it.
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He barely escapes horrifying peril on the shuttle and races away in his car, only to rescue an enigmatic woman named Nadine who barely speaks to him. In doing so, he wonders what strange new terrors he’s discovered. Seeking to uncover the answer to the mystery, he drives away from the city and hopes to outrun any danger while also keeping his new companion safe. Eventually, however, he is no longer sure that running for the rest of his life is enough. To end the threat, he thinks he may have to return to the starting point but wonders if Nadine is too traumatized to face it again. Facing the choice of what to do with the mysterious woman he supposedly rescued, he must decide if he will protect her at all costs or if he will put her at risk to save the last of humanity.
LITERARY TITAN 