| SUSPENSE MAGAZINE'S 2007 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR:: Douglas Clegg |
I first noticed Douglas Clegg about 9 years ago after reading "The
Halloween Man." From the beginning to end, "The Halloween Man"
keeps a steady pace that makes it impossible to put down. Now
that I had discovered Douglas Clegg I was thirsty for more, and
more I got. I had to know more about this man. I then picked
up "The Children's Hour." This book was released two years after
his first novel. After reading "The Children's Hour" I could already
see that Douglas was going to be something special, because of
how diverse his writing style is. Since 1989, when is first novel
"Goat Dance" was published, he has published more than 20
novels and won the Bram Stoker Award for his "Nightmare
Chronicles." His most current series are "The Vampyricon", which
includes three books so far: "The Priest of Blood", "The Lady of
Serpents" and "The Queen of Wolves" (to be released July 2008).
To know more about this series visit the official website:
www.vampyricon.com
Douglas mentions on his website that if you want to know him,
read his books. There is not one book that you can read and
say, Oh I know what he is all about. Douglas's entire collection
gives you a great insight into his mind.
Douglas is very interactive with his readers. In 1999, he knew the
internet was the wave of future for authors, and launched the
worlds first published-sponsored eserial novel, called "Naomi." He
created a free newsletter that he sends out at least twice a
month. I ordered four books from his website and he
autographed all four. This is another personal touch he adds to
stay close to his readers.
We were very delighted that Douglas agreed to be interviewed by
us, so without further ado, I present you Mr. Douglas Clegg.
Halloween Man." From the beginning to end, "The Halloween Man"
keeps a steady pace that makes it impossible to put down. Now
that I had discovered Douglas Clegg I was thirsty for more, and
more I got. I had to know more about this man. I then picked
up "The Children's Hour." This book was released two years after
his first novel. After reading "The Children's Hour" I could already
see that Douglas was going to be something special, because of
how diverse his writing style is. Since 1989, when is first novel
"Goat Dance" was published, he has published more than 20
novels and won the Bram Stoker Award for his "Nightmare
Chronicles." His most current series are "The Vampyricon", which
includes three books so far: "The Priest of Blood", "The Lady of
Serpents" and "The Queen of Wolves" (to be released July 2008).
To know more about this series visit the official website:
www.vampyricon.com
Douglas mentions on his website that if you want to know him,
read his books. There is not one book that you can read and
say, Oh I know what he is all about. Douglas's entire collection
gives you a great insight into his mind.
Douglas is very interactive with his readers. In 1999, he knew the
internet was the wave of future for authors, and launched the
worlds first published-sponsored eserial novel, called "Naomi." He
created a free newsletter that he sends out at least twice a
month. I ordered four books from his website and he
autographed all four. This is another personal touch he adds to
stay close to his readers.
We were very delighted that Douglas agreed to be interviewed by
us, so without further ado, I present you Mr. Douglas Clegg.
Let's get the tough question out of the way. Who do you think will win the
Super Bowl this year, or better yet will the Patriots lose?
Boy, are you barking up the wrong tree with this one.
What is your favorite book of all time (not yours)? and why?
The Iliad, followed by The Odyssey. They’re still my favorites because they capture a world and
a viewpoint of life like no other tales I know.
What was your "worst" job ever?
On some level, I’ve loved all my jobs. I’ve been fortunate. My favorite was as a kid, working in
the Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian – while I began taking college courses at Georgetown in the
evening. I was about sixteen at the time. A wonderful time for me – hopping all over
Washington, D.C., and feeling as if I had finally grown up.
Plus, we got to help uncrate mummies and things in the basement of the museum now and
then.
What historical person would you like to talk to for one hour? and why?
I’d probably enjoy just listening to Homer tell his stories. I’d love to hear him speak the story
of The Iliad, even if only for an hour.
What board game did you play as a kid, that you can't find anymore and wish
you could? and why?
I was never a lover of board games. I used to play Risk and Monopoly as a little kid, but I never
really enjoyed all that conquering and money-making. My idea of a good game was playing
Cowboys with friends, with cap-guns – which I hear leads people to pick up guns as adults, but
that never happened with me. I used to have candy cigarettes, too, but they never got me to
smoke, either.
What is on your Ipod right now?
My iPod is mainly for workouts at the gym, so it tends to be full of pop music and dance music
to keep my heart pumping. Too many songs to mention. But I just listened a second ago to
Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head, the Numa Numa song by the Romanian group O-
Zone, and a fun duet between Etienne Daho and Charlotte Gainsbourg called “If.” All very light,
fun stuff, but the beat’s needed if I’m going to stay on that elliptical trainer for an hour.
I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons and I miss them. What do you
miss that was on TV?
I don’t miss anything on TV because apparently – on cable – everything is still on that was on
when I was four years old.
You are an avid pet and animal lover. You have many pets and do great work
for the humane society. What can people do in their hometowns to get more
involved?
If they’re interested, they can go to their local pound or shelter and just ask what they need.
Sometimes, they just need old blankets or dry food for the animals. Often, that’s better than a
check. If somebody wants to volunteer or adopt a pet, I’m sure they can be accommodated,
too. Ultimately one of the best things people can do is just neuter or spay their own pets – and
not abandon them when they move.
If you could go back in time and solve a mystery that is still unsolved today,
what would that be? for example: stonehenge, jack the ripper, jimmy hoffa.
I like my mysteries as they are – speculation makes for a more interesting world. And wouldn’t
it be boring if all the solutions to these mysteries were just ordinary? What if Amelia Earhart just
moved to Akron and stopped being interested in flying?
Ok, last question. What is something that you keep saying you are going to do,
but haven't done it yet?
I’ve been fortunate to do mostly whatever I have set out to do. I can’t really think of anything
along these lines.
Super Bowl this year, or better yet will the Patriots lose?
Boy, are you barking up the wrong tree with this one.
What is your favorite book of all time (not yours)? and why?
The Iliad, followed by The Odyssey. They’re still my favorites because they capture a world and
a viewpoint of life like no other tales I know.
What was your "worst" job ever?
On some level, I’ve loved all my jobs. I’ve been fortunate. My favorite was as a kid, working in
the Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian – while I began taking college courses at Georgetown in the
evening. I was about sixteen at the time. A wonderful time for me – hopping all over
Washington, D.C., and feeling as if I had finally grown up.
Plus, we got to help uncrate mummies and things in the basement of the museum now and
then.
What historical person would you like to talk to for one hour? and why?
I’d probably enjoy just listening to Homer tell his stories. I’d love to hear him speak the story
of The Iliad, even if only for an hour.
What board game did you play as a kid, that you can't find anymore and wish
you could? and why?
I was never a lover of board games. I used to play Risk and Monopoly as a little kid, but I never
really enjoyed all that conquering and money-making. My idea of a good game was playing
Cowboys with friends, with cap-guns – which I hear leads people to pick up guns as adults, but
that never happened with me. I used to have candy cigarettes, too, but they never got me to
smoke, either.
What is on your Ipod right now?
My iPod is mainly for workouts at the gym, so it tends to be full of pop music and dance music
to keep my heart pumping. Too many songs to mention. But I just listened a second ago to
Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head, the Numa Numa song by the Romanian group O-
Zone, and a fun duet between Etienne Daho and Charlotte Gainsbourg called “If.” All very light,
fun stuff, but the beat’s needed if I’m going to stay on that elliptical trainer for an hour.
I loved watching Saturday morning cartoons and I miss them. What do you
miss that was on TV?
I don’t miss anything on TV because apparently – on cable – everything is still on that was on
when I was four years old.
You are an avid pet and animal lover. You have many pets and do great work
for the humane society. What can people do in their hometowns to get more
involved?
If they’re interested, they can go to their local pound or shelter and just ask what they need.
Sometimes, they just need old blankets or dry food for the animals. Often, that’s better than a
check. If somebody wants to volunteer or adopt a pet, I’m sure they can be accommodated,
too. Ultimately one of the best things people can do is just neuter or spay their own pets – and
not abandon them when they move.
If you could go back in time and solve a mystery that is still unsolved today,
what would that be? for example: stonehenge, jack the ripper, jimmy hoffa.
I like my mysteries as they are – speculation makes for a more interesting world. And wouldn’t
it be boring if all the solutions to these mysteries were just ordinary? What if Amelia Earhart just
moved to Akron and stopped being interested in flying?
Ok, last question. What is something that you keep saying you are going to do,
but haven't done it yet?
I’ve been fortunate to do mostly whatever I have set out to do. I can’t really think of anything
along these lines.
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