Pump Up Your Book Chats with Horror Novelist Maryann Paige

Maryann Paige was born in Brooklyn, New York, lived in Nevada and Texas and landed back in her home state.   She resides in the beautiful Hudson Valley and uses the area as the setting for her novels and stories. She attributes the idea for Hidden Shadows to her younger son, who claims to have met the shadow people on a nightly basis.  After researching and learning of them, she decided to write a novel loosely based on her son’s experiences.

Please visit Maryann at www.maryannpaige.com to find out about her latest novel, Cemetery Gates.

Thank you for this interview, Maryann.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

A:  I definitely remember writing stories as a child.  I wrote short stories, articles, poems and even wrote my own gossip newsletter, where I put my cousin and myself in relationships with famous Hollywood Stars.  It was so much fun!  My first published piece was a political editorial in my local newspaper.  I remember how excited I was to see my name in print.  The experience was made richer because a few weeks later, I received a post card from a reader thanking me for writing the editorial.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A:  I think the most frustrating side of trying to become published is the waiting on an answer.  A new writer wants nothing more than to be acknowledged and recognized as soon as possible.  That’s simply not possible within the publishing world.

Cemetery Gates by Maryann Paige (click on cover to purchase)

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: When I’m not writing, I love reading and listening to my boys, ages twelve and nine.  They have a fresh perspective on life.  I would have to say my favorite vacation spot is Savannah, Georgia.  Between, the beautiful architecture, the amazing history and, oh my goodness, the ghosts, I can’t think of a more interesting place to be.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Anywhere in the world for an hour?  Hmmm.  I think I would have to say Tunisia.  My close friend Brianna recently moved there.   The beautiful pictures of the Mediterranean Ocean and the Tunisian coastline make me wish I could leave cold New York, even if only for an hour, to enjoy lunch with her in the sunshine.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: My biggest fan has been my close friend, Angela Florio.  She had given me a push when I was going to give up.  She read my work, commented, read again, and commented further.  She has been a great help and her support has been such a positive influence on my writing.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I enjoy writing in my bedroom after my children have gone to bed.  I turn on my electronic candles, play some scary music, and push on the keyboard of my laptop.  Sometimes, I hear noises and I look around and see a scary shadow and often think I should change my modus operandi, or at least jump into bed and put the covers over my head, but I never do either.

What’s your favorite library and why?

A: My favorite library is by far one of the world’s greatest libraries:  The New York Public Library.  The two majestic lions guarding either side of the main entrance, called Patience and Fortitude, were renamed, by then New York City Mayor Fiorell La Guardia, to remind people of the qualities needed to move past the Depression era.  The lions are only the beginning of a feast for the brain, as well as for your eyes.  To sit and read anything in the huge Rose Main Reading Room can only make your reading experience richer.    To have so much knowledge and history placed under such an architectural delight will please any visitor.  That amazing building was the reason I decided to watch the movie, The Day After Tomorrow.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

A: Sad to say, my favorite bookstore is no longer in business.  As the larger chains moved in the smaller stores were put out.  I remember it was located across the New York/New Jersey borderline from where I grew up.  It was a small store with an incredible owner, who was a plethora of literary knowledge.  I would go inside, talk with him, and browse for hours.  Although the larger chains can meet more needs, I miss the personalized attention one could have with an owner of a small bookstore.

Do you have any pets?

A: Yes, I have pets and too many of them, in my opinion.  My older son has a cat named Whiskers, and my younger son owns two white parakeets, appropriately named Blizzard and Snowflake.  It’s never dull when it comes to the animals in my home, making me realize there was much more to the Tom and Jerry cartoons than I first believed.

What are you reading right now?

A: I’m currently reading the Diary of Anne Frank because it has been a while since I read it, and have my older son studying it.  This makes it easier to discuss it with him and to verify he’s truly reading and not simply staring at the words and daydreaming.  Kids today can be pretty tricky.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: A secret no one else knows?  Well, that is a tough one.  Okay.  I’ll admit it.  I’m really afraid of the boogeyman.  I don’t want my younger son to know this, since I have been telling him for years that he doesn’t exist, but it’s true.  Possibly, my irrational fear stems from reading too much Edgar Allan Poe and Douglas Clegg over the years, but it exists nonetheless.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

A:  I believe the first thing I notice on a person is their eyes.  I think one’s eyes tell so much about a person.  I can tell if that person is happy or sad.  Sometimes, you really can see through to a person’s soul through their eyes, like the old adage suggests.

Have you ever won anything?

A: I had won a sum of money in Las Vegas once.  I was living there at the time and went inside the casino to cash my first paycheck. One could spin a wheel and triple their paycheck.  I was so excited.  I couldn’t wait to win! The casino bustled with action and noise.  I loved it!  I was grinning ear to ear, as I took my free spin on the wheel.  After winning free nachos on my spin, I shrugged and moved to the slot machines.  I needed to experience how this operated.  I found out rather quickly, because I was flat broke in a matter of minutes.  I said a short prayer, asked for some of my money back, swore I would never do this again, and indeed won about twenty dollars more than I lost.  It was a valuable lesson to learn, since I remained in Vegas for almost five years.  While I continued to cash my check in the casino, I stayed away from the machines, and gained quite a large collection of casino ashtrays, key chains, and that delicious free nacho snack with melted cheese always hit the spot.

What’s on your to do list today?

A:  It’s Monday and my to do list is always large, especially if I loafed around on the weekend, which I did this past weekend.  I must hit the supermarket so I have something to cook for dinner, complain about the fall leaves in the backyard, before asking my son to rake them up.  I must clean, vacuum, feed the cat, clean the birdcage, do homework with the kids, cook dinner, chat with them, and then finally, when the house is silent, finish editing my novel, Wolf Strap.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in December via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A:  I chose a virtual book tour because I feel it is cutting edge in today’s internet world.  In fact, when I found out about it, I was so excited and stayed up hours reading about how to partake in one.  This is truly an amazing service.

Thank you for this interview, Maryann. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A:  Thank you so much!

You can visit Maryann’s official  tour page here.