First off, congrats on the new release, Brett. Thanks for taking the time to come by and enlighten the readers about your new novel, The Last Motel. Where did the idea originate? This book is not one I'd read without the light on.

Well thanks for having me here Steve. The idea for the novel came about a few years ago while I was lying in bed watching TV. I thought about this idea that had to do with a traffic jam, during the course of a sweltering day, and introducing a set of characters. I thought it would be interesting to go back and see how these diverse groups came to be in this traffic jam on this particular day. When I sat down to start brainstorming the novel, I found a few major problems with that particular setting, so after running through a few different settings, I decided upon a lonely motel in the middle of a large mountain and having the story take place at night, rather than during the day.


When did this passion for writing come about? From your skill it must have happened at an early stage in your life.

I started writing towards the end of 1999 - after I had finished my University course (in music). I had always been a lover of books - horror mainly - but hadn't really given writing any serious thought until around mid '98 when I was really despondent about my life as a musician. I wasn't being fulfilled, wasn't totally happy while studying, and I thought there had to be more in life than this. That's when writing started rolling around in my head. It started off as something purely recreational; I wasn't sure if I could even write a cohesive story, but for nothing more than fun, I started thinking of ideas for stories, and when I finished my course and had the time, began writing a novel. The moment I sat down and started writing, I knew I had found my calling. Sure, what I wrote was crap, but I had never enjoyed anything so much in my life - It felt amazing to create this world.


The Last Motel, how did it fall into the hands of Wild Roses Productions?

I had talked with Troy (head honcho at Wild Roses) over at the Richard Laymon message board for awhile (this was back in 2000-01), and one day a bunch of Melbourne Laymon fans got together for lunch (to commemorate Dick Laymon's passing the year before) and there I met Troy for the first time. I had asked him if he wanted to read a novel I had finished and was showing around various publishers and he said he'd love to, so I gave it to him that day, not even knowing he had started up a publishing business (I really didn't know much about him other than he was a huge Laymon fan and seemed a really nice guy over the net), and he sent me an email a few weeks later saying he'd love to publish the novel (The Last Motel).


In your own words, Brett, will you tell the readers what this novel entails?

It's set in Australia, and is about a group of people (husband and wife, two petty criminals, a serial killer and a teenager) who all meet, by coincidence (or perhaps fate), at this desolate mountain motel. The novel deals both with these peoples current stories and also their backstory relating to how they all came to arrive at this place. It's very fast-paced, gruesome and in the tradition of Laymon and old b-grade horror films like Motel Hell and Mountaintop Motel Massacre.


I read your short story, The Coffin, at Biting Dog. Doug found himself in extreme circumstances in this chilling tale, what brought about this story, and how did Biting Dog come into the picture? In fact, I think Biting Dog will some day be the leading publisher on the net.

Well I certainly have them to thank for some great exposure, and yes, they'll go a long way. As far as the story goes, I've always had a fear of being stuck in an enclosed space, not being able to move. Just the thought of the slow, painful death gives me goosebumps. So naturally, since writing horror is all about confronting your own fears, I wrote a story about this guy who gets stuck in an air vent in an abandoned hotel. Dave at Biting Dog got in contact with me, asking if I would be interested in being interviewed and did I have a short story he could put up. I immediately thought of The Coffin.


Where can horror fans find The Last Motel, Brett, and your short story, The Coffin?

The Coffin can be found at Biting Dog Publications website. As far as the novel, I believe it's sold out. It's not out yet, but it's going to be a limited edition hardcover, so there wasn't a huge number of copies to begin with. I'm hoping a publisher will want to release it in mass-market paperback, so fingers crossed.


When does Brett McBean sit down to spin his web? Is there a certain time you find the words coming effortlessly for you?

I prefer to write in the mornings and afternoons. At the moment I'm only working part time, so I have a few days during the week where I can sit down for the whole day and write. The days that I work, it just depends on what time I get home as to when I write (in some cases I write before work). Writing's a funny thing, in that there are some days when the words spill out and I write chapters and chapters; then there are the other days when I can't seem to write a single good sentence - either can pop up on any given day.


Who do you read today for a good scare? What authors have really influenced you the most, Brett? In fact, you've even been assembled with some of the largest voices in dark fiction today. How does that make you feel?

Have I? Well flattered. In regards to who I read for a scare - anyone from Laymon to Poe; King to Lee; McCammon to Keene; Bloch to Ketchum. The authors who have influenced me the most are Richard Laymon, Stephen King and Brian Keene.


Where can your fans reach you, Brett? Do you have a homepage or e-mail. If so, where?

No webpage as of yet, sorry. However I can be reached at brettmcbean@hotmail.com  


Where can fans meet the author behind the novel? Any personal appearances in the future, Brett?

I live in Australia, and there's not much call for horror authors outside of King, Koontz and Rice. So the local bookstore isn't banging down my door just yet. But people can come into my work and hassle me or come over to my house and have a drink with me (just no Fosters, okay?)


(Laughs) Whats next for , Brett Mcbean? Is there another book in the wings? If so, can you make clear to what it will be regarding?

At the moment I'm working on the first part of a projected trilogy dealing with races of vampires, werewolves and zombies. It's set on another planet, where human's are kidnapped from Earth and taken to this planet where they're kept as prisoners for food. This particular part deals with an insurrection by the humans and zombies (who are slaves) against the vampires and werewolves. It's a very different type of book than to what I usually write. So far I'm very happy with it and can't wait to see what the readers think of it.
I've also got some stories in a few anthologies - one in the In Laymon's Terms antho, called The Genius of a Sick Mind (by Cemetery Dance Publications) and another in the Family Plots antho called Stolen Lives (by Wild Roses).


Brett, I want to thank you for stopping by and letting us get to know you. I wish you the best of luck in your writing and hope to see you on the bestsellers list in the future. Is there anything you want to add before leaving? The floor is yours.

Just that it's cool that you had thirteen questions. My lucky number ;-)
Thanks again Steve.

 

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