Guest Post: Gregory Thompson

How did I get so lucky to have a guest post on Valentine’s Day? I imagine it was all luck since
what I write has nothing to do with romance, dating or showing affection. My stories have more
to do with monsters, fear, dread, the universe, zombies, dystopian societies; pretty much the
opposite of anything to do with Valentine’s Day.

Before you check out a little paragraph on me, I want to talk about reading. The mantra “if you
write you must read” is a common one for writers and it’s very true. For me, I usually have
multiple books going and keep at least one in my car, one upstairs, one downstairs and hundreds of to-reads on my e-reader. I am never without a book and the reason is because independent publishers and independent writers have increased the amount that’s out there. Before e-readers, when I was ready for a new book, I’d go to the bookstore and browse the thousands of writers who have multi-book contracts, who have been writing for years and big names who have built- in audiences and pick one. My book queue would maybe be two or three deep.

Now, with e-readers, my queue is (embarrassingly) over 100. Okay, it’s over 200 and I have
independent writers to thank for that. I just did a count. Of the 230 books on my e-reader alone,
102 are from independent writers and I am just as excited to get to them as I am to read the next Stephen King or Jodi Picoult.

My point is simple: give independent writers a chance. There is no better time to try out these
writers since their books are usually sweetly priced from 99 cents to 2.99. It’s rare to find one
more than 4.99. Another advantage is the writers are typically very accessible and are very
willing to talk with readers and fans. I love interacting with my readers and fans: what they liked,
what they didn’t. Maybe they can tell me something I can take to my next book or story!

By trying out independent authors, you may find a book you love you wouldn’t have otherwise
tried years ago; a series you can’t believe isn’t represented by a major agent or publisher; or a
science fiction trilogy that you think is much better than even some of the popular writers.

I can hear some of you groaning: there’s just so much out there with bad grammar, unchecked
spelling, horrible covers, cliché plots, etc, etc. Yes, there is plenty of bad to go with the good.
I’m the first to admit that a bad cover is a huge turn off. Once one grabs my attention, the blurb
is next and then I’ll check out a couple of reviews, both on the bookseller’s site and reviews
across the Internet and make my decision then. Bad grammar and spelling? Spelling mistakes
should be nil, I’ll give you that. Bad grammar? Unless the bad grammar completely destroys the
sentence or chapter, I can overlook it. The argument can be made that even the big authors have mistakes in their books. So if the cover draws you in and the blurb interests you and the price is right, why not go for it?

So a quick paragraph on who I am and what I’ve written. I have been writing for over 20 years;
from screenplays to short stories to poetry to radio plays: I have written nearly any style and
have enjoyed every minute of it. For the past three years I’ve been focusing on short stories
and novels in the speculative fiction genres. In 2011, I released two novels and the first two
novellas in a zombie trilogy. Nightcry is a supernatural thriller about a man who comes back to
his hometown to run the small newspaper. When the curse of his past comes back and bodies
start piling up, he has to clear his name while figuring out who the real killer is. The Golden
Door is a coming of age monster tale about two boys trying to escape the mean actions of their
abusive father while dealing with the recent loss of their mother. Horde is a zombie trilogy
about a group of survivors who must move on from their current home to something that at first
appears safe and serene, but ultimately houses something extremely sinister. Something worse than zombies. Currently, I am working on a science fiction dystopian novel called Unit 55. 


For more information on me and my works, visit http://www.nightcrynovel.com.