BAM Writes A Blog: December 2024

Sunday, December 29, 2024

A Literary Journey with M. Kelly Peach: From Poe to Personal Triumphs

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

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

How to be Interviewed

If you were an author in the anthology, or artists, or judge, or editor, or critique partner, or involved at all, I'd be happy to interview you. The Interview can be live on Zoom or through a blog.

Instructions:

Copy this text and add it to a document, fill in your responses, and email your document to 42storiesanthologysubs@gmail.com. Please save the title to include your name.

Also, kindly include a photo of yourself or a related image for the blog, any promotional materials you'd like to highlight, and images you'd like featured. If you have questions, email me at the same address.

Types of Interviews:

A - Zoom only: [Zoom]
B - Blog/written only [Examples]
C - Both

Vlogs are posted on the anthology website and YouTube Channel

[Link]

For Zoom interviews, schedule an appointment here: [ZCAL].

PLEASE DO SAVE YOUR QUESTIONS WITH THE ANSWERS

Information Needed:

Full Name:
Pen Name in the Anthology (if applicable):
Award-Winning Stories in the Anthology, title in CAPS:
Title(s) in the Anthology, title(s) in CAPS:
Location:
Writing Space (e.g., home, café):
Social Media/Published Work Links:
Short Bio (e.g., 42 words or the one in the anthology):

Choose Four Short Questions (32 options) by answering them.

What are some of your favorite books/authors?
Who are your favorite artists or favorite paintings?
What foods or drinks do you love?
What songs, bands, or music inspire you?
What movies, shows, or actors do you enjoy?
What’s your favorite place in the world?
Do you prefer beaches, mountains, or cities? Why?
What’s a country you dream of visiting?
What’s your favorite sweet or dessert?
What’s the best animal, and why?
How do you relax after working?
Do you have a creative circle or group? Tell me about it.
Who do you picture as your audience when you create?
What do you drink (coffee, tea, etc.) when working?
What’s your greatest creative achievement?
Do you edit alone, or do you have someone help?
What’s the most drafts you’ve done for one project?
What distracts you most while working?
What’s your biggest pet peeve in writing/art?
A reader who likes ______ will enjoy my work ______.
What inspired you to start writing or creating art?
Name some books you’ve recently read.
Who is a writer or artist you admire most, and why?
What media (music, shows, etc.) inspire your work?
Is there another writer/artist in your family? Who?
Who is one writer or artist you’d love to meet?
What’s the greatest creative award you hope to win?
Do you have writer/artist friends? How do they influence you?
Have you been in a creative group or workshop? Tell me about it.
Which author or artist do you dislike, and why?
What’s one thing you wish people would stop doing, which might appear in your writing?
While writing/doing art, do you play music, or watch shows/movies? Or, has anything like that inspired your work? What?

Choose Two Long Questions (10 options)

What inspires you to create, and what keeps you going?
How do you handle rejection and celebrate success?
What’s your process for outlining or planning your work?
How do you overcome creative block?
Tell me about the first story or art piece you made.
How do you balance creativity with other aspects of your life?
What are your creative goals for the future?
If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be? Answer it!
Where can people find your work online?
What 42 words of advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Email your copy to 42storiesanthologysubs@gmail.com.

Please include your name in the title of your document.

Thank you.

Website: 🌐 Merch Store: 🛍️ Anthology Social Media: 🕺

Find me here

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