42 Stories Anthology Presents: Michael Kelly Peach Interview
Featuring: Author of The Sad, Grievous Death of Edgar Allan Poe under the name M. Kelly Peach in the Macabre & Morbid Chapter.
Biography
M. Kelly Peach is a versatile writer, dabbling in poems, plays, essays, short stories, novellas, prose poems, and novels. His play BiPOElar, a tragedy inspired by the life of Edgar Allan Poe, embraces the premise that Poe’s life was so tragic no scenes needed fabrication.
Background and Writing Space
BAM: Where are you located?
Michael: Escanaba, MI, USA.
BAM: What’s your writing space like?
Michael: A writing desk in my library/office.
Icebreakers
BAM: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Michael: Edgar Allan Poe (obviously), Zadie Smith, Cormac McCarthy, and Lord Dunsany.
BAM: What are some of your other favorite things?
Michael:
- Bands: Moody Blues, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young).
- Actors: Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Tom Hardy.
- Sweets: Chocolate chip cookies, tres leches cake, butter pecan ice cream, and rice pudding.
BAM: Do you have a preferred beverage or ritual to start your writing process?
Michael: Hot tea—usually Red Rose—every morning.
BAM: Are there any animals that inspire your work?
Michael: The cheetah, for its beauty, running across the savannah.
Reading Habits
BAM: What books have you read recently?
Michael:
• Shavetail by Thomas Cobb – Very good.
• Wittgenstein 2.0 by G. R. Tomaini – Some weird stuff.
• Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.
• The Tremor of Forgery by Patricia Highsmith – Not as good as the Ripley novel.
• The Mere Wife by Maria Devana Headley – Very good.
Currently, reading Time’s Arrow by Martin Amis—it’s promising.
Writing Community and Style
BAM: Are you part of any writing circles?
Michael: I facilitate Ink Society meetings at the Escanaba Public Library and participate in the Great Lakes Area Horror Writers (GLAHW) group.
BAM: Who is your target audience?
Michael: I usually have a vague picture of nameless, nebulous adult readers.
BAM: What is your creative process when beginning a new piece of writing?
Michael: Just start! Turn on the computer, pick up a paintbrush, fire up the forge—whatever works for your medium.
Personal Insights
BAM: Is there an issue you feel strongly about that appears in your work?
Michael: I’ve written some anti-war pieces.
BAM: What’s your greatest writing achievement?
Michael: After fifty years of writing, I’ve finally published two books with my name on them.
BAM: What got you into writing?
Michael: It felt like a natural evolution from my avid reading as a child.
BAM: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Michael: My wife and children.
On Writing
BAM: How do you handle rejection and celebrate acceptance?
Michael: After over a thousand rejections, I’ve grown calloused to the disappointment. I move on to the next market. To celebrate, we might go out for dinner, share a banana split, or I’ll enjoy a cigar with my cousins.
BAM: Which stories of yours should new readers start with?
Michael:
• The Adventures of ArgyLe Sock for fans of Toy Story.
• The Death of Tintagiles Death for fans of The Twilight Zone.
Contact Information
Website: mkellypeach.com
Twitter (X): @MichaelPeach
Now that you're more familiar with the writer, why not check out their works? Start with the one in the 42 Stories Anthology.
What is the 42 Stories Anthology?
The 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² is a groundbreaking literary project. 📚 It’s a novel structured into 42 chapters, each containing 42 stories—totaling an astounding 1,764 stories. Every story has approximately 42-character titles and roughly 42-word bios, making it a truly unique reading experience. ✨
In addition to its innovative format, each chapter features 42 unique covers and highlights 42 Stories of Excellence Awards 🏆, judged by a panel of 42 experts. The anthology is more than just a novel—it’s a platform that brought together over 1,000 authors, from world-famous writers 🌐 to first-time published talents 📚. Contributors were limited to four acceptances, ensuring a rich and diverse collection of voices. Few authors reached that maximum, adding to the anthology's distinctiveness. 📝
Beyond the book itself, the project includes 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Interviews 🎥, an engaging interview segment where I aim to connect with as many of the participating authors as possible. These interviews amplify their voices 🎤, shining a spotlight on their craft. The goal is to celebrate and share the incredible talent behind the anthology, giving the world a chance to discover these remarkable wordsmiths. Too many great writers remain unknown, and this initiative strives to change that by showcasing 1,764 stories in a single anthology. 🌟
Where to Watch, Read, and Connect: 🔗
Blog Interviews: Find written interviews on Blogger: https://bamwrites.blogspot.com/ 🔄
YouTube Channel: Watch the interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bamwrites42 📺
Stay Connected: 🔗
Mailing List: Subscribe here to stay updated. ✉️
Anthology Social Media: 🕺
Find me here
Final Note:
Thank you for supporting the 42 Stories Anthology! ❤️ Your likes, shares, and comments help spread the word about these amazing stories and their talented creators. Together, let’s celebrate the art of storytelling and give these authors the recognition they deserve. 🎉
Until next time, remember to remember! ✨
~ Bam and the 42 Stories Anthology Team
