Armand Rosamilia Interview: “I’m pretty shallow when it comes to zombies”

Horror writer Armand Rosamilia talks me through his work, the books he reads and how they impact on his work.

Tell me about how you came to define your writing style. What drew you towards darker fiction?

Reading Dean Koontz books at twelve and then reading everything considered horror I could get my hands on. Luckily my mother is an avid reader and started giving me books she’d read and thought I’d like. She still does it today.

What is your career background and how did you get into writing full time?

I have had many cool jobs over the years: I booked heavy metal bands, booked a club in Asbury Park NJ, worked for a music management company, was the owner of a horror/music zine for a number of years- but those never paid the bills. Unfortunately, I was in retail management for 25+ years, which sucks the life out of a person. About 6 years ago I lost a soul-sucking retail management job and decided to try this writing thing full-time. Never been happier.

Are there any particular mediums or narrative tropes you like to use in your writing and why?

I never consciously try to write a story a certain way. I think once it begins flowing you know where the structure will be and I try to stay as close to the edges as possible. I never like to be shocked as a reader when an author does a 180-degree turn in their narrative that makes no sense, so I just try to write what comes naturally within the confines of the story I’m telling.

Why do zombies fascinate you and why do you enjoy portraying them in your works? Where did you first encounter zombies and how did it influence you?

I’m pretty shallow when it comes to zombies. I just think they’re cool to write about and mostly write about what the survivors have to deal with in a post apocalyptic world. I watched zombie movies as a kid and into my early adult years. It was when I read The Rising by Brian Keene that I decided to write zombie fiction.

What do you enjoy reading and how does this influence your writing?

I actually read a lot of nonfiction. I’d say 80% of my reading before bed is biographies and history books. I find it comforting, and it usually gives me ideas for stories or settings/situations for the future. I have a few authors I enjoy that I will always grab their latest fiction release but it’s mostly nonfiction to unwind.

If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a writing project, who would it be and why?

Robert E. Howard. I’d love to sit in the same room with him and talk about how he wrote so many great stories in a short time he was alive, especially Conan. It was another huge influence on me as a teenager.

Have you got any exciting new plans or projects coming up that you’d like to share with me?

I will have several releases coming out in 2017 including Dirty Deeds3 in January in my crime thriller series. Another two Dying Days books. Another dozen releases on top of that. I’ll be busy as usual. Recently I’ve had Green River Blend 2 come out through Devil Dog Press and Dying Days 7 on November 1^st. I also recently took over Project iRadio, which is a podcasting network. Look for the new name, new website and new podcasts in 2017 as well.

Are there any new books or writers that you are looking forward to later in the year?

There are too many. I lose track. Certain authors I will always pay attention to when something new is coming: Jeff Strand, Joe McKinney, Brian Keene, Jay Wilburn, Chuck Buda, Blake Crouch… I could list another hundred and not scratch the surface.

Anything you’d like to add?

Thank you for the great interview! Feel free to check out my books on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Armand-Rosamilia/e/B004S48J6G/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

and follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorArmandRosamilia/

and Twitter at https://twitter.com/ArmandAuthor

Thanks very much Armand for speaking with me, it has been really enlightening.