'Agata's Story', a paranormal tale - with Author Henry Anderson

I always find it exciting to interview a new author and to find what makes them tick. Today we’re lucky to have the approachable Henry Anderson, on the release of his second novel ‘Agata’s Story’. This is a paranormal tale linked to apocalyptical times, ideal for those long, cold, winter nights.

Henry, people generally write about what they know. With this book being about the paranormal, have you any experience in this or is it simply a genre that really interests you? Even if you don't believe in ghouls you can still enjoy a good ghost story! I'm sceptical by nature, but I think it's more fun to be open-minded. Until very recently humans believed their lives bordered the supernatural world. I researched German folklore for "Cape Misfortune" and was struck by how rich the old tales were. The stories seem incredibly human. Post apocalyptical is a favourite trope of mine. What led to you writing about this in particular? Usually in post-apocalyptical scenarios society as we know it has broken down, so I suppose for a writer it becomes a theatre of the imagination. The world of Cape Misfortune is the ground zero of a possible apocalypse but no-one knows it, or wants to believe it. Who is your favourite in this genre? I like “Ridley Walker” by Russell Hoban. The hero narrates, in broken English, his travels through a post nuclear society,

attacked and befriended by packs of wild dogs. The new language makes reading it a very immersive experience. Have you ever woken with an idea and then the next morning forgotten about it If so, how do you try to overcome that? Practical advice from writer Will Self: “Always carry a notebook. And I mean always. The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea for ever.” For me, jotting things down on my phone is helpful, particularly in a dark bedroom near to unconsciousness. Also, nowadays you can dictate into the phone - although quietly so as not to wake your bed-sharer, if there is one. What advice have you for your readers with regard to social media?

On social media, as in life, you have to try to remain positive! It's best to keep the moral high ground. There is a saying, "don't feed the trolls." What plans have you for the future? I have started on Cape Misfortune III. I'm writing a short story set on an island off the cost of Sicily in Neolithic times. I am also planning a book about vampires! Roughly, how long does it take you to write a book?

I try for a year as a vague goal, but don't always manage it! Some people knock them out every few months. I'm trying to reduce the number of drafts I do!

Author Bio: Henry Anderson is a former news reporter who has written for national UK newspapers. He spent time as a "jackaroo" (trainee farmer) working on farms in Australia before working in publishing and journalism. He likes things that include art, coffee, reading, painting, landscapes, folklore, and cinema.

Blurb:

“Welcome to beautiful Cape Misfortune. Come for the rugged coastline and unspoiled beaches. Stay for the quaint customs

and friendly welcome.” Just don’t ask about the coming apocalypse!

Sergeant Agata Dollar should have a great future – newly promoted, recently married, just moved into her first apartment, and recent winner of the ‘Venice County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.’

But this is Cape Misfortune. Mysteries are piling up, and her dead sister, Cassandra, is trying to warn her about the end of the world.

In the exciting standalone second book in the “Cape Misfortune” trilogy, Agata Dollar’s actions will decide the fate not just our world, but countless others.

Excerpt:

On the lonely roads, out on patrol, it feels like there is a presence beside me in the passenger seat, riding shotgun. A silent partner watches the road with me, looking out for me. I’ve never worked out who it is. Or what. It started as a shadow on my bedroom wall. I was seven or eight. It wanted to speak, I thought, but it couldn’t. My mother called it an imaginary friend, but it was never a friend. We didn’t really play, either. It was just there. My parents were spooked. They were okay about it, at first. They put out an extra plate at mealtimes. Later they started to get worried. “Imaginary friends are more common amongst first- born or only children,” Dr. Joachim Alvarez told my mom. “Most kids are aware their pretend friends aren’t real. It will go away when Aggie starts mixing with her real peers.” But it didn’t go. I just stopped talking about it.

Buy Links Cape Misfortune: http://mybook.to/2capemisfortune