Author Jackie Coupe
Conversation with Horror Author Jackie Coupe
October 2007
Hello Jackie!
I have to tell you, I was really moved when I read your bio, and you are right that it explains much. I sometimes wonder what brings a person to write very dark tales, especially when they seem to be a very cheery and upbeat person like yourself.
Your "saying" at the beginning of your bio says a lot about how your fascination with books began. I'm going to quote you ~ "I can't remember the first book I read. I just remember feeling quite clever that I could see what was being described to me." How did your fascination turn itself into you wanting to write?
Well, it grasped me at books had a lot of power. That they could make people feel, think and sometimes become uncontrollably moved. I had the utmost respect for the authors I read, Stephen King, Shaun Hutson, James Herbert. They were like wizards, conjuring up magical and horrifying times and people for my young mind to digest.
Some of my best memories of growing up included books. Reading when everyone else in the house was asleep, reading on the bus on the way to town to see a film, going to my grans and reading out on the back garden. Bliss. I wanted to have that power over people.
You also love to write poetry. Is it very dark as well?
HAHAHA!! I’d say 90% of it is dark yes, there are a couple of slightly romantic pieces, but not many, I am after all, The Evil Lord!! It would never do for me to get gushy. Having said that I am finding myself doing all kinds of things lately I wouldn’t normally do!
Are your stories and poems born from both imagination and emotion?
Imagination gives the spark, passion is what the fire then burns. Its nice to have a wicked and nasty little idea only to see it grow and take shape.
I see that you have a new book out called The Girls Club, please tell us about that!
Well. The Girls Club is a lesbian fiction noir that isn’t your typical romance. It follows a British girls travels to America where she seeks to live a new and open life. She comes across a secret club, high power lesbians and butch bruiser babes. Its funny, sexy and also down right evil in places. I’ve had some good feedback on it, notably from Sage Sweetwater who is an established name in the genre. I’m having fun with it and like to think it’s a book that appeals to anyone really - as long as they don’t mind a little blood that is!!
So, how was your recent visit to the US? You went to Colorado, right?
I had such an awesome time in Castle Rock. I mean, most people know that Stephen Kings earlier books centred around Castle Rock and its people so it was my inspiration for visiting. I didn’t know there was more than one Castle Rock and I didn’t know it would be so small! The place was vast, you could see the Rockies and thoughts of ‘The Stand’ filled my mind. The sun was bright and we did many things. Saw the Seven Falls, we rode the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, we did lots of walking. The Garden of the Gods was absolutely mind blowing!! The people were open and warm, more than once we were offered assistance when we were lost and I say to anyone now, small town America is worth the visit. Forget the hub-bub of a big city, get yourself to a place like Castle Rock and soak up the atmosphere!
Did you take any graveyard photos during your visit? I saw your collection on your website, they're really good!
I love cemeteries. I make no bones about it, (I know I know!). I think to see how a culture treats its deceased. You can pretty much guarantee that a well tended and looked after graveyard is supported by a friendly and caring community. I’m happy to say Castle Rock was no exception. The graveyard itself was only about 100 years old, the Castle Rock we visited is a relatively young town in that respect. There were some very beautiful and touching monuments. I enjoyed them a great deal.
Do you sell a lot of books here in the US as well as the UK?
I tend to sell more books here. I think its mainly because when I’m up the USA sleeps!! But I am working on it.
Is it difficult to promote and sell in two different countries and would you have any advice to offer other authors who may be trying to do the same?
It is difficult at times, the main advice I would give is this, build as many darn websites as you can, each will give you rankings on web searches. Get in touch with people, use Myspace and Facebook, don’t be afraid to answer questions and remember, your readers are your friends! Treat them with respect. Get yourself a profile on Amazon too, both UK and USA, that’s another great way to meet people.
Join www.authorsden.com - you can showcase your work there and the interaction with other writers and readers is cool. I recently met a couple of people I met first on there and had a blast!
What is your favourite Horror Novel or Movie and has any particular Author or Movie Maker influenced your work?
My favourite horror movie has to be ‘Ichi the Killer’ - its not the best ever movie and its maybe not everyone’s taste because it is rather extreme. I like extreme, fiction allows us to be extreme. When I write I think of how far I can push both myself and the reader. Ichi makes me go to extremes and for that I will always thank Takashi Miike, he isn’t afraid to put on film what some people would perhaps call taboo.
This is my "must-ask" question! What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would love to know??
Well. I write horror yes. But my most favourite thing in the world is to make people laugh!! On Halloween last year I wore a Jason Style hockey mask all day at my desk at work, I love to raise a smile. It feeds my soul.
So, what does Scary Horror Author Jackie like to do for fun besides visit graveyards??
I enjoy playing pool and am a fairly good bowler. I enjoy nights out with my girl Ali who boogies like its going out of fashion. I enjoy taking photos of scenery and cycling the canal paths near my house.
There are some other things but the law forbids me from mentioning them!!!
Do you find that story-telling becomes easier the longer you write?
Absolutely. After a few jerky stories you really do find the flow comes more naturally. Your style sets in and your pace steadies. I am very comfortable with what I can produce now. I would say to potential writers keep at it, even if you bin the first ten thin you write. It DOES get easier!
You have done all of your own book submissions and promotions and have been quite successful! What has been your driving force?
Fierce ambition! Gut determination. Self-belief. This is my dream and I have taken control of it, its very liberating I can tell you. I will succeed, one day at a time ;)
Who has had the most positive impact on your life?
Hard to say. My mum mainly, then my girlfriend. There is a cast of many characters involved in my life, some good and some bad. Even the bad characters have their impact and sometimes I can make that into a positive thing.
It seems like you're heading for a very bright (and scary!) future. What's new and on the horizon for you?
I am working on a few things. A full length novel that a bit old school, ‘Between the devil and the deep blue sea’. I want to visit a tale that subtly terrifying and I am having a lot of fun with it. There’s my sci-fi horror series RazorFace/ScissorLips that I have self produced. You can grab the first segments of that tale now at Lulu. I am also toying with the idea of a collection of photos to submit to the museum in Blackburn for an exhibit they are putting together. I am also going to be collaborating with Preditors & Editors prize winning horror novelist Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc on a project this December.
Busy times indeed, but you know what they say, no rest for the wicked!
I wanted to tell you also that I enjoyed listening to your SCfm radio interview with Roger Kennedy! Everyone needs to stop by your website for a listen!
OH NO!! I sound terrible, hahaha! Yes, its there for the whole world to hear how much I sound like Theodore Chipmunk!!
Thank you Jackie for being you. You are truly an inspiration and even though you write very scary stories, you are quite the opposite. I've enjoyed getting to know you better. Keep writing crazy lady!!
Be sure to visit Horror Author Jackie Coupe online: www.jackiecoupe.com
Jackie's Books in the Spotlight Feature:
The chap, a boring everyday chap at that, is finding that ordinaryness is no defence to the inexplicable. Everyday he gets up and a piece of the wallpaper in his room has been moved. Does he ignore it? Would it be best to let sleeping dogs lie in the unlikely event that perhaps it'll blow over? Or does he embrace whats happening and attempt to put a stop to it? The latter would mean accepting his madness though.
Can you Smell the Desperation in the Air?
Wallpaper Gremlins driving you out of your mind? Well, then this Desperation Candle is for you ~ Created for the unhinging work of Author Jackie Coupe, this candle will not drive you into madness, but rather possibly chase those Gremlins away!
