What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
This is a collection of fifteen short stories, most of which are award winners, award finalists, or "Best of" selections. The stories are a mix of genres: fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, high fantasy, and one mainstream tale. The tone of the stories ranges from humorous to dark. It’s my third collection, and its inspiration was simply that I had accumulated enough stories that had appeared in professional markets to pull together into a book. I’m very proud of this one. It’s received an "Editor’s Pick" from BookLife, and Blue Ink Review gave it a "Starred" review, calling it "an impeccable collection … sure to delight from the first story to the last."
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
That’s tough for a collection with multiple stories. But I am a huge Springsteen fan, and have written several stories inspired by and using the titles of his songs, including two of the stories in the collection, "Gypsy Biker’s Coming Home" and "If I Should Fall Behind." I’d probably go with "Gypsy Biker."
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I write mostly urban fantasy and SF, and I enjoy reading urban fantasy, especially Charles de Lint. But I read across genres, including mysteries, detective, action/adventure, and non-fiction. I’ve read very little new SF lately.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I’m working through the six volumes of The Collected Stories of Roger Zelazny. On #4 right now. He remains one of my favorite writers of speculative fiction.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Again, a tough question for a collection. I’d pick the closing scenes of any of "Walker of the Shifting Borderland," "Gypsy Biker’s Coming Home," or "If I Should Fall Behind."
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Coffee. In a favorite mug. And music. I listen to music via headphones when I write. Despite my love of rock, I listen to orchestral pieces that are more cerebral than emotional. Bach and Corelli, but Vivaldi is my go-to. I think I have over 17 hours of Vivaldi on my phone.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Chase your dreams. Never give up, never surrender (although that one may be taken).
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That they’d found at least one of the stories that really spoke to them, at least one character who will stay with them. That they’d return to that story to read it again or to that character to spend more time with them.
Douglas Smith is the author of the new book Borderlanz: Tales From the Edges (Short Story Collections)
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