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Who's your favorite writer? Why?
Well that's easy - Richard Laymon. I started reading him when I was around twelve years old, Beware! being the first novel of his I read. I was instantly hooked. For my money, no one created a more realistic world as Laymon. He had the ability to hook the reader in, right from the first sentence. His rapid-fire prose and knack of being able to get into each character is, for me, what set him apart from most writers. I really could go on and on about why Dick was such an amazing writer, but I would just end up boring everyone.

Who most influenced your desire to write?
Again, Richard Laymon. I wanted to create the sort of books that other people could enjoy as much as I did Dick's. A high standard to reach, I know, but hey, we all have to dream, don't we?


Are you most influenced by American, Australian or English writers?
I'd have to say American. Most of my favorite authors are American - Laymon, Bret Easton Ellis, Stephen King, Jack Ketchum. That probably stems from having grown up with mostly American movies (especially horror movies), so they're the ones I relate to the most.

Do you think that it is so difficult for a "Dark" writer to get published?
I don't think it is - not if the material's good, no more than any other genre, anyway. Harder to get published with major publishers, like Random House, Headline, Pan Macmillan, however - definitely. I think a lot of "Dark' novels tend to push the envelope (well the good ones anyway) and most major publishers generally don't want to publish anything that may be deemed offensive. However, there are a lot of great publishers out there that will publish provocative works (like Leisure and Cemetery Dance), as well as a lot of smaller presses that are releasing some great "Dark" books (Wild Roses anyone..).

Along the lines of the last question; do you feel that the decline of the "pulp" horror magazines has hurt the up-and-coming horror writer?
In short - no. There are still a lot of markets out there for up-and-comers. A lot of these are now on the internet. Again, if the material is good enough, it will eventually find a home.

Do you see your self being a mainstream writer like King or Barker, do you want to be?
I'd love to have their bucks! But no, I don't see myself as a mainstream writer.

Some writers are strongest when writing short stories while others are happier with novels. Now that you have written "The Last Motel", which do you think you are?
No question - novels. I really like writing short stories - they're great to hone your craft (and editing skills). However, there's nothing like immersing yourself in a great big novel, where you're free to create and develop characters and worlds.

Tell us a little about "The Last Motel".
Well it's set in Australia, in and around Melbourne, and concerns a group of people who all, for different reasons, end up at this rather spooky mountain motel. The bulk of the story deals with these characters at the motel and how they deal with their various problems (and each other). It's a short, nasty, fun, violent, exciting book that's meant to evoke those tawdry B-grade horror films of the late 70's and early 80's.

Some writers refuse to read anything while writing, for fear of being influenced subconsciously by other works; do you feel this applies to you?
No. I'm the opposite. I get inspired when I read while writing. However, I do try to avoid similar type books while I'm writing - I usually read those before I start, for research.

Tell us about the title, "The Last Motel?"
This has two meanings for me. One, is reference to the story - it could be the last motel, nay, the last place these characters ever visit. The second is in reference to the horror movies that I love and were the inspiration for the novel. Films like - Last House on the Left; Last House on Dead End Street; Mountaintop Motel Massacre; Motel Hell.

How did your relationship with Wild Roses come about?
Through Richard Laymon. Well, through a Richard Laymon message board to be exact. I had been talking with Troy for a while on the message board, but had never met him. One day some of the Melbourne Laymon fans organized a get together. I had asked Troy previously if he wanted to read a novel I had recently finished (The Last Motel) and he said he'd love to, so I brought it along at that get together and gave him a copy. A few weeks later I got an email from him saying he'd like to publish my novel. This was in the early stages of Wild Roses (in fact I didn't even know Troy had started up the publishing company when I asked if he wanted to read the book). And we all lived happily ever after...