Q: Today’s guest is horror author Mike Salt who was introduced to us from another author interview that we’ve done. Word of the site is spreading my friends! Mike, welcome, I’d love to start things off if you could share a little bit about yourself and what types of stories you enjoy writing as well as which genres you write in?
A: Thank you for letting me chat! My name is Mike Salt. I’m a horror author from southern Oregon. I have 4 kids and a beautiful wife that like to interrupt my writing.
Q: I’d love if you could tell me a bit about your latest novel in print?
A: The Valley was published last November. It takes place in the cave mountains and follows a group of couple-friends who discover a ghost town that has a deadly secret. It was inspired by my own group of couple-friends. We get together every year for a retreat and most the characters in the book have an actual link or likeness to one from my real group.
Q: It sounds like you are also pretty far into working on your third novel, what can you tell me about that?
A: Well, it is called The House on Harlan. It was just picked up by Bloodrites Publishing for a late August/early September release. It’s centered around a stay at home father who discovers a little black door in their basement. It isn’t a haunted house story, though it definitely gives off that vibe.
Q: You were the winner of the 2018 Inkshares Horror competition. What can you share about that?
A: It was fun. I really met some amazing authors and was given the opportunity to chat with authors whose books were sitting on my shelf. I learned a lot about marketing and how to drive sales. However, inkshares and I were never able to see eye to eye on the publishing side of things, so I had to step away.
Q: How does being from Oregon affect your writing?
A: If at all possible, I try to set my stories in Oregon. Especially once you get out of the cities and enter the forests and mountains. There is an eerie vibe you get walking alone through trees and hiking alone. It can really lead to some really fun ideas!
Q: You are a member of the Horror Writers Association. What can you share about the HWA and how has it benefited your writing to date?
A: So far I’ve had the opportunity to connect with other authors and it’s kinda been a good ice breaker. They have a list of editors that work with HWA, but my publisher and I already had someone in mind with my latest release.
Q: What are your favorite author resources online, from websites to tools?
A: I don’t really use a lot online resources. My favorite way to learn about the trade is to just network with other authors. Ask them questions. Learn from someone that has already gone down that road. I’ll follow people on Instagram and read their interviews or listen to a podcast they are on. I love the community on Instagram. I found myself a nice little group of people who are supportive and passionate. It’s been really fun.
Q: How supportive is your family when it comes to your writing?
A: My wife has been a freaking all-star. She has helped me flesh out and create so much of my work. She helps chisel away time in our day so I can get at least an hour’s worth of work in. My kids… They are supportive. They are just too young to know how to show it!
Q: What advice would you share with your younger self who was just starting to write?
A: I’d just make sure he knows it turns out alright. I wouldn’t change my journey so far, even the rough period with inkshares. It has been a lot of learning and relearning along the way, but I’m happy with the things I’ve done to get me where I’m at and hopefully where I’ll be someday.
Q: What does literary success look like to you?
A: I am no longer in the USAF and I get to write from home. I’ve also worked it out with my wife if I’ve ever made it that far in my career we get a pet tortoise… So, fingers crossed.
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