#12DaysofCreepfest: Author Interview with Ash Krafton

WELCOME:Welcome to the 12 Days of Creepfest; a celebration of Christmas spooks and horror and an opportunity to introduce you to some wonderful horror and Dark Fairytale writers. Firstly thanks to the wonderful Rebecca Treadway (@creepywalker) for organising this fun trip.
Today I am happy to welcome the brilliant Ash Krafton, author of

Bio: Ash Krafton is a speculative fiction writer whose work has appeared in journals such as Absent Willow Review, Expanded Horizons, and Silver Blade. Ms. Krafton resides in the heart of the Pennsylvania coal region, where she keeps the book jacket for "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" in a frame over her desk. Visit the Spec Fic Chick website at www.ashkrafton.com for updates on the release of her debut novel, Bleeding Hearts, forthcoming in 2012 through Pink Narcissus Press.

INTERVIEW:

In 140 characters, describe your private self.
I love boots so much I developed an addiction. I mean, each pair has its own name. (They tried to make me go to rehab, I said No, no, no.)

In 140 characters, describe your writerly self.
I compose on paper but revise in pixels. I write in thick gel pen but edit in fine-point. I break computers, usually with Darjeeling.

Tell us more about your current work and projects?
I’ve a thick notebook full of poetry and short fiction in various stages of completion. I’ve also a thick MS Word folder full of novels, also in various stages of completion. Most days, I just work on whichever project clamors the loudest.

One of the things I’ve actually completed is my urban fantasy, BLEEDING HEARTS. It’s due out in March 2012. Lately I’ve been working on its sequel. I’ve an editor to keep happy.

What is your favourite book / story of all time?
My favorite book is the Golden Key by Melanie Rawn et al. but, this close to Christmas, I tend to reach for Hogfather. Can’t help myself.

How do you like to bring the 'dark side' into Christmas?
I don’t have to bring the dark side into Christmas. Santa does it all by himself. Fat dude that slides down chimneys, inspiring all sorts of copy-cat crimes that often lead to horrific entrapment and, sometimes, death of the burglar? That’s pure genius.

Describe your perfect fantasy Christmas day.
I wake up wearing magic armor, lying next to a sleeping dragon. If it wakes up before I make it out the door, things may get rather dicey (but in a good way.) The rest of the day is more traditional, except Santa’s reindeer are replaced by chimeras. They are *so cool.* Later, when I open mounds of presents, I find many, many pairs of boots and a Dragon Naturally Speaking program that actually understands what the hell I’m saying.

Which six famous figures (dead or alive) would you love to have sitting at your Christmas table?
Cameron Diaz, Mel Blanc, Geddy Lee, Hansi Kursch, Ben Franklin, and Jane Austen.

What are your New Year wishes?
People everywhere find peace within themselves and peace surrounding them. I wish a prosperous New Year to all my writerly friends and maybe a nice review or two for my novel. I also hope for a painless income tax filing season. (Why not wish big, right?)

Just for fun: TRIVIA

Christmas pudding or Stilton Cheese?
OMG Stilton is a CHEESE? Who knew? I’m lactose intolerant and I love pudding, so let’s go with that one. Hope there is whipped cream on it.

Bing Crosby or The Pogues?
Uncle Bing.

The Queen's Speech or Taking out your own eyeballs?
I like to daydream that the Queen is my grandma. I know she has a duty to behave stoic and reserved in public but, deep down inside her, there is a real hugger inside. (I also pretend my other grandma is Julie Andrews. And that we do shots of peach schnapps at family weddings.) So please, easy on the references to torture. She’s absolutely lovely and I wish we had a queen here. *crosses arms and stamps foot*

Turkey or Ham?
Ham. My mother-in-law makes a fabulous ham gravy that I could drink right out of the ladle. mmmmmm

Brussel Sprouts or Carrots?
I’ve never eaten a Brussel Sprout, dammit, and I shan’t start now.

Jolliness or Bah Humbug?
Jolly with a twisted twist. I fancy myself one of the cheerfully depressed. It’s a good time.

Links to my portals:
Http://ashkrafton.com
Http://facebook.com/ashkraftonauthor
Http://twitter.com/ashkrafton
Http://ash-krafton.livejournal.com
Http://ash-krafton.blogspot.com
Http://goodreads.com/ash_krafton
Http://pinknarc.com