Are you for or against e-books?
I have no problem with them. If it gets more people reading my work then I think that's great. I have read a number of e-books that I later bought in paperback for my collection.

Are you a music fan? If so, what?
I love music. AC/DC, Evanescence, Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac. Any of those will do.

Do you have a favourite place to write?
With three children I only have one place to write, but it'll do just fine. I have what used to be our dressing room; we took all the clothes out. I have a desk, a computer and a coffee machine - what else would I need?

Do you enjoy book signings/conventions?
I've never been to one as yet, this is my first novel. Now that the book is out I hope to organize one and I'll update you at that stage.

Why do you like SF/F/H?
I'm not entirely sure. I've always loved the unknown, the unthinkable and the downright unbelievable so I suppose I was drawn to stories of that ilk.

What is the scariest story you have read?
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. That's the one they made the Omega Man from with Charlton Heston.

The idea of a whole city empty except for one person. Empty, that is, until night came - then it wasn't empty anymore.

I think the isolation and the constant threat in the book were managed really well, far better than the film.

What gives you nightmares?
Low sales.

Have you ever used real life horrors for inspiration?
Yes. My HMS Swift series is very much set in the real world. I pour over the history books and find little known facts in 1590 and 1791 and then blend them into the stories.

To understand fully you'll need to read the series.

Given the high quality of horror fiction available, why do you think there are so few great horror movies?
I think it has to do with the transferal of the sense of tension from the page to the screen. Zombies work well on the screen because they tap into our fears of this slow, ineluctable advance of an unstoppable force. No matter what we do they keep coming. Other horror stories that work well on the page don' translate as well because their fear works at levels that are not as easily transferred.

Is there anything more that can be done with vampires, demons and zombies?
Tons. Look at 30 days of Night and the remake of Dawn of the Dead. I mean zombies that run, we wouldn't have a chance. These same themes have been written about for decades but still someone manages to come out with a new twist that starts a whole new trend. It's great and I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Short story, single novel or novel series - which do you think is the best medium for horror?
It depends on the story. I have written all three and I always approach it with the attitude that the story is finished when the story has been told.

I have started short stories that ended up being novellas and even one that became a novel.

What book are you reading at the moment?
James Herbert's '48. It's a book set in 1948 after the world has been decimated by a virus that Hitler unleashed after the war was lost. It's set in London where a few survivors are being chased by German's who are dieing themselves and need the blood of the survivors to survive. Again a new take on vampires that works really well.

Do you enjoy collaborating?
I've never done it but if James (Herbert) is looking for a little help then I'm available.

Do You Always know a Story's Ending When You Begin Writing?
I rarely know the story's ending. I have an idea but most of what I write changes as the story develops so the ending can, and usually is, vastly different.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
Not yet but it's early days.

Is there something you are particularly proud of?
My wife and children and getting published.

Plug away - what do you have coming out?
Samples of my work are available at www.derekgunn.com.

Vampire Apocalypse is out this month and I have a new short story appearing in The Blackest Death Vol III early next year.

Many Thanks, Derek!
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