Rick McQuiston Talks About Reviews

This week we’re going to find out a little about author Rick McQuiston. Rick will be talking about reviews. He’ll also tell us a little about himself and his writing, and answer some fun questions.
Rick McQuiston is 49-year-old father of two who loves anything horror-related. He’s had nearly 400 publications so far, and written five novels, ten anthologies, one book of novellas, and edited an anthology of Michigan authors.
Rick is also a guest author each year at Memphis Junior High School. 
He’s currently working on his sixth novel. 

Beverley: How important are reviews for your book?

Rick: I feel that they foster an interest in potential readers that otherwise might pass the book by.
Beverley: How do you get reviews?
Rick: I don't actually seek out reviews.
Beverley: Do you pay for reviews?
Rick: Never.
Beverley: How many reviews does an author need? Why?
Rick: Only enough to glean some creative changes for their work. Although a little ego stroking never hurts.
Beverley: If you get a bad review, how do you handle it?
Rick: I take it with a grain of salt and try to extract improvements from it if I can. An objective viewpoint always helps.
Beverley: Anything else you’d like to add on the importance of reviews?
Rick: They are a good way to let readers know something about you, which will help them relate to your work.
Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write?
Rick: Mostly horror, but I also enjoy sci-fi and fantasy.
Beverley: What prompted you to write in the genre/s you do?
Rick: I saw "Jaws" as a kid and realized that I enjoy being scared (although from the safety of my couch).
Beverley: What genres do you enjoy reading?
Rick: Horror, of course.
Beverley: I’d love to hear what you think of the present genres, how they’ve been affected by self-publishing and where you think they might be headed.
Rick: I think all genres are enjoying popularity. Horror usually resides in the back recesses of people's choices, but quality writers such as King, Barker, and Little have brought it to the surface, rivaling others such as romance, mysteries, and westerns.
Self-publishing has been both good and bad. Good because it allows people without the means to display their work, and bad because it allows people without much talent to saturate the market. 
Beverley: How long have you been writing?
Rick: Over twenty years now.
Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?
Rick: Lovecraft. Although long-winded, I can relate to his characters, settings, and of course, the monsters.
Beverley: What obstacles did you have to overcome to begin creating your work?
Rick: The same as most writers: working full-time, cleaning the house, paying bills, etc. In short: finding the time.
Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?
Rick: A simple idea is the easiest to twist into something macabre. I found that is what gets my imagination rolling: taking something mundane and making it frightening.
Beverley: What will stop your creative muse the quickest?
Rick: Bad music or a headache.
Beverley: What do you have for breakfast?
Rick: Typically, a bowl of whole-grain cereal, lots of fruits and veggies, orange juice, a protein drink, and a cup of hot green tea.
Beverley: What do you wear when you are writing?  
Rick: I like to be comfortable. Sweatpants and a T-shirt do the trick.
Beverley: Where do you do most of your writing?
Rick: Anywhere I can, although my favorite chair in my living room has helped to spawn its fair share of good ideas.
Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?
Rick: Probably Bugs Bunny because he always outsmarts his adversaries
Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?
Rick: Lovecraft. He was a weird one but I'd love to hear the formulative process of his ideas.
Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?
Rick: Spend it in my basement. I have everything I need there: my books, computer, music studio, and endless DVDs.
Beverley: What are you working on now?
Rick: Currently, I'm putting together research for my next novel, as well as the finishing touches on two anthologies.

Blurb for Eat the World:

In picturesque Mackinac a growing army of rats are beginning to seep into the community of tourists. They seemingly appear out of nowhere, and it is up to ordinary people to gather their courage and battle the hordes.

But there is something more frightening beneath the surface, something that was born from the accumulated depths of Earth's creatures, something that can threaten the entire world. 

Buy Links:
Publisher’s website:  www.classactbooks.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eat-World-Rick-McQuiston-ebook/dp/B01MY8PU2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485900821&sr=8-1&keywords=eat+the+world+by+Rick+McQuiston

You can find Rick at:

Publisher's website: www.classactbooks.com
Author's website: http://many-midnights.webs.com/

Don’t forget to check back next week for another author interview.