And now, to kick off the excitement for the impending publication of the epic Canadian zombie novel Bath Salts! I interviewed my co-author: The fantastically fabulous, furiously talented An Tran! Here are her responses to my hard hitting questions:
1. So An, let's get down to business. Why zombies?
Why not? Yes, why not Zombies? Excuse me while I drink some more Pimms.
2. You're from Calgary. Any truth to the rumour that you're an expert hunter?
Expert Hunter of pastries, steak and booze. I can spot a delicious cheesecake brownie from 50 paces.
3. What other monsters would you consider writing novels about?
Cthulu, but he's more of an old god rather than a monster.
4. Is this the first book you've ever written? What did you think about the experience? Want to write more?
Yes. It was hard because I don't write fiction. I’m a non fiction writer.
Write more? Sure, why not! If people like reading about me fantasizing about zombie killing, who am I to tell them no?
5. Is it true there's a sequel in the works?
There’s a sequel?
6. What did you think about the co-author experience?
It was fabulous because I had never written fiction. I couldn’t have done it on my own, so it was so so helpful to have someone to work off of as a jumping point.
7. Favourite writers, and why:
I read mostly nonfiction so anything by Jacob Burckhardt the historian for one. I also love reading the Doctor Seuss propaganda cartoons. He had this thing about drawing Hitler as a mermaid with a huge rack and sparkly tiaras. I’m on a big apocalyptic and epidemic kick still, so most of the books I read are like that. About how to create horrible viruses, zoonoses and basically how to end the world. I hope the library doesn’t think I’m a terrorist.
Oh, fiction-wise, I like the Fables series by Bill Willingham. I also thoroughly enjoy Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami. It’s about a little gray and white kitten who is really really sweet, but incredibly stupid. It could have been written about my own cat! I’m also obsessed currently with Days Missing, the compilation about a Roddenberry idea. I don’t really read much fiction except for graphic novels.
8. What is your favourite part about soon being able to call yourself a published author?
Hopefully free tables at restaurants and candy...free candy, and access to great scotch. Authors get that, right?
9. What sorts of things got you inspired to write?
Imagining the zombie apocalypse and how I’ve been preparing for it for years. Real friends kill friends who become zombies!
10. What are your top three zombie movies of all time: Not in any particular order and this could change at any time, but Shaun of the Dead, Outpost (the first one, not that piece of crap second one. Though this is really about Nazi zombie ghosts), and Cockneys vs. Zombies. I’d say Night of the Living Dead, but that’s implicit.
1. So An, let's get down to business. Why zombies?
Why not? Yes, why not Zombies? Excuse me while I drink some more Pimms.
2. You're from Calgary. Any truth to the rumour that you're an expert hunter?
Expert Hunter of pastries, steak and booze. I can spot a delicious cheesecake brownie from 50 paces.
3. What other monsters would you consider writing novels about?
Cthulu, but he's more of an old god rather than a monster.
4. Is this the first book you've ever written? What did you think about the experience? Want to write more?
Yes. It was hard because I don't write fiction. I’m a non fiction writer.
Write more? Sure, why not! If people like reading about me fantasizing about zombie killing, who am I to tell them no?
5. Is it true there's a sequel in the works?
There’s a sequel?
6. What did you think about the co-author experience?
It was fabulous because I had never written fiction. I couldn’t have done it on my own, so it was so so helpful to have someone to work off of as a jumping point.
7. Favourite writers, and why:
I read mostly nonfiction so anything by Jacob Burckhardt the historian for one. I also love reading the Doctor Seuss propaganda cartoons. He had this thing about drawing Hitler as a mermaid with a huge rack and sparkly tiaras. I’m on a big apocalyptic and epidemic kick still, so most of the books I read are like that. About how to create horrible viruses, zoonoses and basically how to end the world. I hope the library doesn’t think I’m a terrorist.
Oh, fiction-wise, I like the Fables series by Bill Willingham. I also thoroughly enjoy Chi’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami. It’s about a little gray and white kitten who is really really sweet, but incredibly stupid. It could have been written about my own cat! I’m also obsessed currently with Days Missing, the compilation about a Roddenberry idea. I don’t really read much fiction except for graphic novels.
8. What is your favourite part about soon being able to call yourself a published author?
Hopefully free tables at restaurants and candy...free candy, and access to great scotch. Authors get that, right?
9. What sorts of things got you inspired to write?
Imagining the zombie apocalypse and how I’ve been preparing for it for years. Real friends kill friends who become zombies!
10. What are your top three zombie movies of all time: Not in any particular order and this could change at any time, but Shaun of the Dead, Outpost (the first one, not that piece of crap second one. Though this is really about Nazi zombie ghosts), and Cockneys vs. Zombies. I’d say Night of the Living Dead, but that’s implicit.
An drawn as a pirate.
So there you have it. A glimpse into the wonder that is An Tran. She is truly awesome. Now stay tuned to find out when Bath Salts! will be available for all you lovely readers to buy!
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