Craig J. Black Author Interview

Craig J. Black is a previously self-published author of dark fantasy novels. Now he is publishing with us, starting with the first book in the Bloodline series, Forbidden Hunger – a vampire novel with a unique bite. We took the opportunity to ask him a few questions.

How would you describe Forbidden Hunger, and who would you say it is aimed at?

Forbidden Hunger focuses around Zanette Amelia, the first of her kind, in a bid to control and understand her identity as she grows from birth. Her understanding is that something not quite normal is happening to her, and the older she becomes the more dangerous she is. Born into a loving family in 16th Century, not only does she need to survive as a young peasant French girl and take all the trouble her youth and beauty brings. Now she must deal with her ever growing abilities. Struggling to be normal, she has little time left before thirst inside becomes too much to control.

This series is ideally suited to readers wishing to experience a fresh take on things that go bump in the night. After much research, this book appeals to almost everyone who loves to get lost in the environment that they are reading.

This is the first in a series entitled The Bloodline. Without giving too much away, can you let us know what to expect in the next instalment?

The next instalment is called Blue Moon. After striving to obtain her role in society and becoming the most feared predator, things take a turn for the worst as her newly built empire is in jeopardy. The question here is who can she trust and where will this new battle lead her?

What would you say sets The Bloodline apart from other series about vampires?

This story starts before birth, before the name Vampire was created. Taking the story back to the drawing board, here we discover how and why this has happened, long before there was a name for Vampires. Within my pages, you will see several references which ultimately becomes known as the legendary title of “Vampire”. Wrapped in a well written story and complex characters, we walk every single step together and experience every human emotion, betrayal and passion as the story unfolds leading to a series of events.

What inspired you to write about vampires, and to write Forbidden Hunger in particular?

From a young age, science fiction and horror were my favourite genres to watch and read. My imagination would always act out scenes from a story line I would think up, becoming extremely vivid in my mind. Forbidden Hunger, along with other writings I’m currently progressing with, is all part of dreams I have. My imagination becomes quite vivid during sleep; at times I will wake in the wee hours and scribble down my dream which I then work on to form a story. As I scribble, I can still clearly see the details from my dream, from here I am able to describe every detail as if I where once again back in the environment when my story starts to take hold.

The book starts in 1589. What research did you undertake into the time period?

Fortunately, I have friends with degrees in English Literature, French Literature and of course the power of the internet. Spending a lot of my time reading in a cosy chair in my local library. I could compile enough knowledge in which to set my scene.

If Forbidden Hunger was to be made into a movie, who would be your ideal cast for the main characters?

There a lot of characters in my book and the main characters do tend to change, all expect Amelia. I would love Amelia to be played by Charlize Theron, I think she is an amazing actress and would suit the role perfectly. My first film of her was Devil’s Advocate. Since then I have followed her career. Catherine, who later becomes a very strong part to story, would ideally suited for Laura Vandervoort (Bitten TV Series). Male characters I have yet to decide as I can’t quite find someone who matches my image of them.

Do you have a favourite fictional vampire? Or a favourite book about vampires? If so, which ones and why?

My, this is not an easy question to answer. I suppose Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Anne Rice and many more. I find it a hard question to answer if I’m honest. However, I was besotted for a while with Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire series. I simply could not put those books down.

Other than The Bloodline, what other plans do you have for writing?

I’m currently writing a couple of stories entitled “The Light”, an alien abduction story situated around an 18-year-old boy. And “Angels of Earth”, an ancient battle between and good and evil involving twin girls with the powers of light and dark. Also, I’m working on a horror novel about a creepy hotel situated in the middle of nowhere. My ideas come fast and furious and so far, I have filed 17 potential ideas.

What book are you currently reading?

Currently I am rereading Kelley Armstrong’s Stolen. I am huge fan of the Hit TV Series Bitten, on Syfy, based on her wonderful novels.