Henry Corrigan interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

Henry Corrigan is a bisexual, omnivore author, poet and playwright who writes every kind of story. Whether it’s horror or science fiction, erotica or poetry, high fantasy or children’s books, he writes it all because every story matters to him. They’re what keeps him going. Always an avid reader, Henry started writing poetry in middle school but it wasn’t until he started writing erotica in high school that he really learned the mechanics of writing. What started out as private stories and love letters, soon became publications in anthologies.

To date, he has the rough drafts of two science fiction books, one horror novella, one play, four children’s books, numerous poems and several song lyrics waiting in the wings. Above all, he wants to be known for not staying where he’s been put. To always surprise people, especially himself. Because that’s what makes it fun. The feeling that even he doesn’t know what he’s going to do next.

When did your love of books begin?

I have been in love with books ever since I was small. I can clearly remember stealing my mother’s copy of Night Shift by Stephen King at far too young an age because I was enamored by the cover art. I wouldn’t actually start reading the book until I was much older but to this day it’s still one of my favorites.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember but it’s only been in the last couple of years that I’ve been scratching and clawing my way towards it. I can remember being in high school and telling my parents and my guidance counselor that I wanted to be an author and everyone said I needed a fallback plan because if I didn’t make it, my only other option was teacher. Because of that advice, I spent too many years and too much money figuring out what I could do if things didn’t go right, and after all this time, it’s just made me heartsick. As of right now? It’s full-time writer town or bust.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

Wonderfully frustrating. I’ve met a lot of really great people and beaten my head against a number of truly thick walls. Ironically, both experiences have only made me want to do this full-time even more 😊 I love this. I love being able to craft my own stories and send them out into the world. There is nothing I want more than this.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

Get ready to make a ton of mistakes. You will screw up your first query letter. You will overwrite and underexplain. You will do a lot of telling before you finally figure out how to show. You will receive a ton of rejections which make absolutely no sense. You will become frustrated and angry and you will doubt your own talent. This is normal. Ridiculous. But normal. Becoming an author is a lesson in patience, perseverance, and faith. Faith in yourself, above all. I hate to use the phrase ‘just hang in there,’ but it is the literal truth. Hang in there. Keep trying. Keep improving and writing and reading. The rest will come, in time.

Tell us about your book/books:

A Man in Pieces is my first novel and definitely my most personal work to date. I wanted to write down everything that scared me and I ended up creating a story that I think will resonate with a lot of people. There’s a reason I call it an American Nightmare. Because that’s what it is. A contemporary horror story about desperation and the American Dream. It's available for preorder now and is set to launch on 7/29/22! The description is below. Hope you like it 😊

Driven by bad choices and worse options, a desperate father-to-be must battle his abusive boss for the last slot at a dead-end job, but the fight may lead one of them to murder.

Mike Harper would like nothing more than to burn his dead-end job to the ground. But with a wife on bed rest and a son on the way, discovering that the company is downsizing couldn’t come at a worse time. Now, struggling to stay afloat, Mike is forced to fight for the last remaining spot to secure his family’s future. It’s too bad that Tom, his obnoxious boss, is in the same boat.

Tom Downes is a man with few friends and even fewer prospects, but the aging veteran has never gone down without a fight. Now, with his health failing and his marriage falling apart, Tom is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his job.

With a blinding snowstorm closing in, these two desperate men will battle each other on a long and twisted road fraught with heartbreaking losses – and murder.

For when it comes to staying afloat, the American Dream can break anyone…

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

How incredibly supportive it is. I’ve been able to make a lot of wonderful connections, and had my work boosted by writers I really admire. It’s been an absolute godsend for me and I really can’t say more good things about it. The Internet can feel like a place of doom at times, so having the writing community out there, ready to help and support, has been a real joy. Truly.

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

Thank you. For real. Full stop. I wouldn’t still be here, still be doing this without your support and encouragement and the occasional shoulder to cry on. I really can’t thank you all enough but will find a way to repay you, I promise.

Where can people connect with you?

People can find me all over, but I’m most active on Twitter. I’m going to be hosting a blog swap with a number of wonderful authors in the coming months to help us all promote our work so keep your eyes peeled for an announcement on that. I also regularly produce articles on Medium and my shorter fiction can be found on Amazon.

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HenryCorrigan

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/HenryCorrigan/e/B09QLF8CCJ/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Check out my latest articles on Medium: https://medium.com/@HenryCorrigan

Friend me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henry.corrigan.35

Subscribe to my website: https://henry-corrigan-y0m6k8.mailerpage.com/

Blog: henrycorrigan.blogspot.com