Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Interview with Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo



    Indie Author Interviews 
Okay, so I've done a couple of interviews with best-selling authors. It was fun and I hope to post some more very soon. But over this journey, I have met some of the best people, some who happen to be authors, too. I've made it my mission to help support other indie authors, so I'm starting a series of interviews with self-published writers. With that said, I give you...

Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo
Kandy and I met on Goodreads.com on a Self-published and indie authors, promote yourself here? Welcome during an Author's Blog Tag Challenge. Kandy's book is entitled Pie: An Old Brown Horse (That Knows What He Is Doing). Yes, it is a book about a horse, written from the perspective of the horse. I wasn't sure what to think of this concept at first, but once I caught on to Pie's voice (a couple of pages) I really enjoyed it. I found 'Pie...' to be informative, entertaining, humorous and poignant. But you'll have to get your own copy to see what I mean. (Link is available on my Indie Author Spotlight page also.)

The Interview
You’ve done other interviews. What were a couple of your favorite questions you were asked? And the answers.
Firstly, what kind of music do you listen to?
I must admit I am a bit of an enigma. I live in Texas, wrote a book about a horse, drive a ¾ ton diesel pickup truck, and spend all my spare time with my personal herd of six horses. A friend of mine had a sign made that hangs in my office giving me the title, “Horse Dive”. Considering all of the above you would think I listen to country music. You would be wrong. I am a rocker.

    
I love the rockers and their intense music. I have a playlist that includes Coldplay, Korn, Redlight King, Egypt Central, Skillet, Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Ozzie, and The Monkees. I am a very intense person and the music really blends well with my personality. Go figure, looks like I am a rocking out Horse Diva!

And your second favorite question?
If you could write any book, even if it has been written already, which one would it be? Why?
I could take the high road on this one and say Crime and Punishment, which happens to be one of my favorite books, but I would not be telling the truth. After I read Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter and George Washington Werewolf, I thought it would be all kinds of grins and giggles to rewrite history, strategically placing monsters in influential positions. (This would be much to the chagrin of my friend, the History Teacher.) I just can’t seem to make up my mind if I want to do World History or narrow it down to American History. One thing I know for sure is that The Creature from The Black Lagoon would have a starring role since he has been grossly under-represented in the monster genre. Fashionistas everywhere are saying add color, color, and more color. I think he would be a refreshing accent piece in the halls of history with his refreshing green color. Besides who can resist his cute little gills and the way the bubbles come out of the top of his head?

What advice would you give to indie authors getting ready to publish?

I would tell them to take their time and not to rush anything. I know the adrenalin is there, but slow everything down. Play around with your cover reveal. Take the time to find out what sites will advertise a prepublication book and use them to publicize your book. Find you some good reviewers and have them review your book before it comes out to build a buzz. Play with it and have a good time.
If you want to know what NOT to do, check my blog at http://www.kandykayscaramuzzo.com I can definitely give you advice in that department!

What were your favorite books/authors as a child? 
I loved the Ransom of Red Chief by O’Henry. It amused me how the kid got over on the kidnappers. The story of Ichabod Crane held a special fascination for me also. I just could not get enough of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. I ate up every little description of the Headless Horseman. I thought he made the most awesome Halloween Costume. Of course, no list would be complete without Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling. I loved all the jungle book series, but Rikki-Tikki-Tavi held a special place in my heart as the underdog wins the major battle. That little mongoose was a true inspiration!

Who are your top 5 favorite best-selling authors, now?
I really like the writings of James Patterson. His Alex Cross Series is really something I look forward to reading. I also like the writings of Dean Koontz. On the lighter sides I like Janet Evonovich and Charlaine Harris. Those ladies really know how to entertain a person. There is one author I like for inspiration, it is Mark Rashid. I can really relate to him since he writes mostly about horses.

Are there any indie authors/books you would suggest?
Bridge Ices Before Road by Sienna Rose
Dream Weaver by Su Williams (shameless plug from a friend)
The Eleventh Elementum by J. L.Bond and Val Richards
Mungai and The GOA Constrictor by Amelia Curzon
The Bridges of Death by M.C.V. Egan

       Links to all of these are on my Indie Author Spotlight page

If you could be any character in any book, who would you be? And why?
If I could be anyone, I would be C. Auguste Dupin, the detective in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Murder of The Rue Morgue. That story just absolutely fascinates me. I love the way the man’s mind works to figure it all out. I doubt that even today, an orangutan would be a viable suspect.

If I couldn’t be him, I would definitely be The Cat In The Hat. How fun would it be to run around causing all that mischief in that spiffy looking hat? (You HAVE to check out this link to Cat in the Hat! It's so cool! Things go boi-oi-oi-oing!)

Now do you get it? 

Kandy's just FUN. And I feel fortunate to have met and gotten to know her. I hope everyone who reads this interview will check out Pie: An Old Brown Horse (That Knows What He Is Doing). Horse lover or not, it's a great story.





No comments:

Post a Comment