It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to Samuel Knox, author of How to See a Man About a Dog: Collected Writings.
About Samuel Knox:
Samuel Knox is a writer, blogger, and father of two. He worked as a ghostwriter for several years. He has been working on a collection of fiction over the last eleven years. His first work under his own name, How to See a Man About a Dog is a surrealist, genre-bending collection of darkly humorous prose and poetry. He enjoys experimenting with media, collecting obscure indie video games, and collaborating with other writers.
About How To See A Man About A Dog:
How To See A Man About A Dog is a collection of experimental short stories, powerful poems, and pulp fiction prose that will take you on a wild, hilarious, and heartbreaking journey. Surrealist short stories, memoiristic poems, and haunting jokes guide you through the wild imagination of emerging writer Samuel Knox’s mind.
“In the light of the moon, a stack of diet pancakes glisten on the dining room table. ‘Steven!’ The kitchen erupted! ‘It is five past your 3 AM Pre-Breakfast Dunch.’ Stephen knew all too well that he was late for his self-imposed good therapy, the latest in in-home, trans-fat free therapy.” – Holy Cannoli, How To See A Man About A Dog
For the reader looking for a wholly original and experimental mixed-media approach to stories, How To See A Man About A Dog is a much-needed fever dream tour-de-force.
“One size fits all never fits me. Hell, what a size. I supposed, sometime once in my early childhood, that it was all a curse.” – My Girl Lately, How To See A Man About A Dog
How To See A Man About A Dog is a kaleidoscopic collage made of equal parts delight and despair. Samuel Knox blends sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and non-fiction into a single enrapturing vision of what it means to be human in the modern age. With over 100 pages of frenetic yet layered experimental fiction, every reader will surely find something to latch onto and enjoy.
Author Interview with Samuel Knox:
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- What are common traps for aspiring writers?
For me, it’s up to two things. Trying to fit your writing to what’s popular when “what’s popular” really isn’t one cohesive theme or something that’s easily repeatable. The other extreme is trying to reinvent the wheel. For me personally, it was overthinking. Sometimes you just have to put pen to paper and get it out there.
- Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
Certainly. I worked for several years as a ghostwriter so I was definitely ready to pen something under my own name for this go-around. That being said, working as a ghostwriter or under a pseudonym can be great for your writing. The personal detachment from the work can allow for a greater exploration of the writing process and craft.
- Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I want to give people relief in their life. I use writing as a tool to do that. Often I’ll start with a pretty basic, boilerplate idea like a murder mystery or a sci-fi scene. The idea ends up transforming as I refine it. I think originality ends up being a byproduct of editing and refining an idea until it’s ready for readers.
- If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Write when you’re sick. Write when you’re healthy. Write when you’re happy. Write when you’re sad. Each perspective matters.
Just write. Put it out there. Get the feedback and don’t be dissuaded by it. Push yourself to keep writing and evolve.
- What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
James Joyce’s work was a slog for me at first. Then I grew to understand that he was playing with language and telling stories in the form of memories and dreams. The more time you spend with his writing, the greater appreciation you have for the metaphysical aspects of language.
- How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Easily over twenty. You have to play hardball with yourself even when you’re really attached to an idea or a story. Sometimes it just isn’t going to work for you.
- What is your favorite childhood book?
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Conceptually, thematically, the characterizations, the humor. Everything about that book is perfect.
- Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you?
You can find me on Twitter (@samknoxwrites) as well as on Goodreads. Readers can email eponymous@samuelsknox.com as well. I love talking with readers. They are the most important people in this whole process so it really means a lot to hear from them.
- Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Don’t demand perfection from yourself. Just demand the truth. Write as you feel it in the moment. Don’t force it and fake it later. Let it be as painful as it has to be in order to work the demon out.
- Where can readers purchase your books?
Right now you can get How to See a Man About a Dog: Collected Writings on Kindle through the Amazon store. The book is part of Kindle Unlimited so it’s free for those subscribers. We’re working on a print version and an Audible version that will also be available through Amazon.
To learn more about Samuel Knox, here’s where you can connect with him:
Website: samuelsknox.com
Twitter: @samknoxwrites
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/21648721.Samuel_Knox
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