Wesley Thomas
Bestselling Horror Author, Freelance Writer, Blogger & Business Owner
Website: www.wesleythomashorrorauthor.weebly.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wesley-Thomas/e/B00H9KGFNU/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
What sets your books apart from all others?
I strive to scare my readers through a captivating, original, and powerful tale.
What makes your books unique?
Scary, and they handle difficult subject matters. I don’t stick to the rules. Any of them. I want the best possible experience for my readers. I will work tirelessly to deliver a horrifying, thrilling, and unforgettable experience.
What can we expect to gain or enjoy or understand from reading your literary creations?
Scares. Mysterious. Intrigue. A well-structured and cleverly paced story. Strong characters that you will both love and hate. Twists and turns. A mind-blowing climax.
How and why is your work important?
I feel that reading in general is very important. It’s relaxing. It’s enjoyable. It’s addictive. But horror fiction allows us to travel into a dangerous world where we may feel at risk, but are safely confined to our homes or a coffee shop. Horror makes us stronger people. Horror makes us grow. Horror is a huge industry adored by billions. Whether in film of literature.
Who is your target market, who should be reading your books?
My demographic ranges from 18 all the way up to 65, appealing to both men and women. I feel this is because I include a diverse range of characters and subject matters in every piece of fiction I write. I also don’t rely on one thing to scare my readers, I give them a choice.
What authors inspired you most and how so?
Richard Laymon. His work is spectacular. It’s gory, addictive, well-written, with unique stories and relatable characters. Dean Koontz, his work is remarkable. I haven’t read a bad book of his yet. His writing is superb.
What do you admire about each one?
I admire their dedication to the craft and boldness.
What advice do you have to offer in support of other authors?
I would say always strive to develop your craft. Never assume you now know everything about writing after success. Always try and be original, even when it’s tirelessly difficult. Put your own stamp on the tale. Never give up. Take constructive criticism with a smile, but ignore haters. Don’t leave out marketing!
What is your genre of choice and why?
Horror, I have always loved being scared I guess. I love that heart-pounding feeling you get when reading a great horror novel.
How did you come to write in that particular genre or niche?
It was a natural choice for me given my complete horror obsession.
How’d you come about discovery of your writing talent, gift or ability?
I randomly started writing one night, many years ago. I had a story inside me that needed to be told. After I had finished, it dawned on me that this is something I could do. This is something I could offer to the world. I could give horror readers a great experience if I applied myself and worked hard. I wanted to give them experiences that I’ve had when reading a superb book.
What are your future writing endeavors? What’s next on your authorship agenda?
Just keep writing. Get all my books in print. And maybe consider Audio Books in the future.
Is writing for you synonymous with living and breathing, or just something you do as a hobby, and how so and why?
Writing is a part of me. It is my job. But it is my career, it’s me. I wouldn’t be whole without it. These stories come to me and I cannot get them out of my head, so I put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard and get them into the world.
What do you feel we need to hear or read more of, that is rare today in a book?
New authors. We get glued to authors we like, which as an author I completely appreciate. My readers are unbelievably supportive. But I am not one of those authors who will only suggest a reader buys my books. There are plenty of readers to go around. If your stuff is good enough, readers will keep coming back for more. Other authors aren’t competition, they are inspiration, motivation, and can be useful. Especially when you help each other out.
What changes in the literary world would you most like to see?
Just to see the industry continue to grow. This world will always need books.
Indie/Self-Published Author and/or Published?
I am proudly self-published, despite having traditional publishing offers.
What do you favor more and why?
You have more control and freedom with self-published.
How is your writing controversial, profound or mind boggling, or how would you describe it?
All I can say is, read Gore Zone. That’s pretty controversial. So much so, that I have put a warning on the book as it could offend people.
What do you hope to accomplish with your literary creation?
An escape for readers. Enjoyment. Happiness. And of course, chills!
What change or enlightenment do you want to bring about in your reader if any?
Maybe they have read too much of the same stuff. I would like to restore their faith in horror. Or for the readers who don’t read much horror, I’d love to convert them and bring them to the dark side for good!
What’s the greatest compliment that you ever received regarding your literary accomplishments and what did this remark do for you, how did it transform your life or your writing?
I received a huge praise from a reader, begging me to never stop writing. She was going through a difficult time and my books kept her company during this rough period in her life. This made me unbelievably happy. Any day when I lack motivation, which is rare, I just think of that reader, and other readers like that, who could need an escape from reality.
What’s the most memorable criticism you received regarding your literary works and how did this remark transform you as a writer or influence your writing if at all?
To ‘build it steadily’. In the early days, I wanted to get it all out there ASAP. But an author wisely told me to pace myself, give readers a little, then some more, then even more, then drown them in horror.
If you could ask a question of your favorite author of all time, what would the question be?
Where did you come up with these marvelous ideas?
How would you answer that question -yourself?
Nightmares, and by soaking up horror culture to give truly original and memorable journeys.
What have you sacrificed, if anything, to be a writer, or to write as you do?
My sanity? No, I joke. Nothing really, writing and publishing horror is one of the aspects of my life I adore.
What have you gained from writing, how has it rewarded you personally?
Widened my opinions on various subject matters. Increased my vocab. Sprouted even more creative wings. And gave me a purpose. It’s given me a gift to share with the world.