About Marilyn Peake:
Marilyn Peake is the author of both novels and short stories. Her publications have received excellent reviews. Marilyn’s one of the contributing authors in BOOK: THE SEQUEL, published by The Perseus Books Group, with one of her entries included in serialization at THE DAILY BEAST. In addition, Marilyn has served as Editor of a number of anthologies. Her short stories have been published in seven anthologies and on the literary blog, GLASS CASES. AWARDS: Silver Award, two Honorable Mentions and eight Finalist placements in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, two Winner and two Finalist placements in the EPPIE Awards, and Winner of the Dream Realm Awards.
What inspires you to write?
I’m very much inspired by the news. I’m kind of a news junkie and most of the news these days is either horrifying or depressing. I like to take real-world events and spin fictional stories from them. Much of my fiction has an angle of social justice—either pointing out situations in which social justice doesn’t exist or suggesting ways in which that could be remedied. Many of my heroes and heroines are characters who are down on their luck at the beginning of the story.
Tell us about your writing process.
I used to be a seat of the pants writer. This past year, I made an outline on my computer for SHADE, my Young Adult Mystery novel with Paranormal elements, and that worked out wonderfully for me. It made the writing process so much easier, I used that method for the very next thing I wrote: my short story, MUTATION Z: THE EBOLA ZOMBIES.
I don’t create detailed character sketches; but I do jot down lots of notes about the characters I’m developing, and I spend a great deal of time thinking about them during the entire time I’m working on a story.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Sometimes. I love language and dialogue. I experiment with the language in my novels and short stories, including the rhythm and sound of that language. I’ll sometimes say the words out loud, and that includes my characters’ dialogue.
What advice would you give other writers?
To read a lot, to practice your craft, and to never give up.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
In the past, I’ve been published through indie press and I came very close to signing with a wonderful Literary Agent. Right now, I’m self-publishing my work through Amazon because the possibilities seem limitless there. Many of the happiest and most successful writers I know are self-published through Amazon.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think that book publishing is going through huge changes right now. In many ways, we’re experiencing a Renaissance in which many great writers are being discovered because more writers have access to the tools necessary for writing and publishing. I feel very positive and excited about the future of book publishing.
What do you use?: Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Zombie Fiction, Conspiracy Fiction, Children’s, Young Adult, and Adult
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Marilyn Peake Home Page Link
