Fiction or Non-Fiction: fiction and non fiction
Genre(s): specialises in thrillers but I also write in the genres of fantasy, comedy, horror, sci-fi, romance, poetry, prose, non fiction
Number of books published: Seven and around 30 non fiction pieces
Links to published work (Amazon, Smashwords, etc):
https://www.smashwords.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Karina-
WYLABWYW: Author Bio
Karina Kantas writes novels, short stories and sometimes poetry. And when her imagination is working over time, she writes thought provoking/dark flash fiction.
Karina writes in the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and thrillers, just to name a few. With an international fan base, she's only too happy to chat to her fans on Facebook and Twitter.
Her inspirations are the author S.E.Hinton and the rock band Iron Maiden.
Titles by Karina Kantas
In Times of Violence YA urban thriller/romance
Heads and Tales collection of flash and short fiction
Lawless Justice MC vigilante urban thriller
Huntress MC urban thriller
Stone Cold YA supernatural thriller
Road Rage MC urban thriller
UNDRESSED Collection of short fiction, poetry and prose.
WYLABWYW: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Something we won’t find in you author bio on your website (do you work, hobbies, what do you like to do when not writing/working, etc.)
I used to sing lead in a rock band. I still enjoy singing. Up until around three years ago I used to collect frogs. I had everything from jewelry, to underwear, keyrings to crystals. The more unusual the better.
WYLABWYW: Are you self-published, with an agency, or a combination of the two?
I started as a self publisher as agents just wouldn't take a chance on a unknown genre. I then went with a vanity publisher who ripped me off and I"m still being burnt. You think I had learned my lesson but I made yet another mistake and ended up paying a lot of money for no reason. Finally I signed a contract with a publisher but when the year was up I decided not to stay with them and became independent again.
WYLABWYW: What inspired you to become a writer?
I was always making up stories when I was younger. It wasn't until I started reading S.E.Hinton's novellas that I knew I wanted to write my own version of The Outsiders and add my experiences to it. So In Times of Violence started as an eighteen page short story. When I was 17 I picked it up again, started working on it and one page turned into fifteen. Soon I had my first book.
WYLABWYW: Do you have a mentor or mentors?
No. I've done all this alone. And it really is a lonely craft.
WYLABWYW: What do you do to prepare for a story?
Most of my storylines come from dreams, sometime nightmares. When I get into the "Zone" I can spend a day or days spent sleeping and writing. Everything else comes second. I have to get the ideas and scenes out of my head before I can function normally again. It's the opposite of writers block. I carry a note book, pen and a Dictaphone with me and as soon as anything pops in my head it gets taking out.
WYLABWYW: What do you find to be your biggest obstacle in the writing process?
Finding peace and quiet and also the time to write.
WYLABWYW: Where do you do your writing?I used to sit outside a small cafe in the village and watch the people pass. It was the perfect setting for me to come to write.
WYLABWYW: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you typically listen to?
Always. Whether I'm writing, making edits, or reading through a MS, I always listen to rock music. It doesn't matter what genre I'm writing in, it's always rock music. It's the genre of music that I have enjoyed all my life.
WYLABWYW: How much of your book(s), if any, is taken from real life events?
Nearly all. Two of them are very biographical. And there is always a piece of me in my books. I've. had a lot of closure from writing.
WYLABWYW: Who is/was your biggest support for your writing career?
My best friend is my biggest fan and supports me in all I do. We support each other.
WYLABWYW: What lead to write your chosen genre?
Having bikers around me while I was growing up, loving rock music and then singing in a band. MC thrillers seemed the obvious choice. Authors should always start by writting about what they know, and then there is the research that needs to be done.
WYLABWYW: Tell us about your book(s).
In Times of Violence is a YA thriller about a teenager who leaves her alcholic mother and heads to the city to spend he summer with her aunt. The moment she see the Tyrants she knows that is the family that she has been looking for. But Jade has no idea what she is getting in to. It's a novel about choices, love and
respect.
Heads & Tales is a collection of 28 flash and short fiction 18 of which have already been published. The collection has stories dark and light from all genres of fiction. The collection also has a horror story called Crossed which won first prize in a international short story contest.
Huntress is the sequel to In Times of Violence but is also a stand alone book. This is not a YA books it goes deep inside an outlaw motorcycle club. It's an emotional and bumpy roller coaster ride.
Stone Cold is YA supernatural thriller. This book goes through many of the traumatic times that too many teenagers go though, from bullying, to suicide, cutting and server depression. But it's not all negative. The book is chilling, emotional and also a lot of fun.
Lawless Justice. After writing two novels about male bikers, I wanted to do a book where the ladies take the leading role. This group of women had been in my head for a long time. It was the quickest, yet largest book I have written. And still remains a fan favourite.
I wrote Undressed for my fans while they were waiting for another novel. I really open myself up in this collection There is poetry, prose, excerpts and even a little sneek of the WIP. This book is free to anyone who has read Heads &Tales, enjoys my writing style and understands my warped imagination.
Road Rage is a MC thriller. Again going deep inside an outlaw motorcycle club and is violent and sexsualy explicit. Again it's about a woman with a abusive past who is still trying to feel as though she belongs some where.
WYLABWYW: Do you have muses you used for your characters?
Maybe they had some attributes from male film stars but no one in particular. I've never seen a picture of a model an thought wow you could Marcus. I know what these characters look and sound like and I hope that comes across in my books.
WYLABWYW: Time to give your support a shout out! Tell us about your crew (cover designer, photographer, editor, videographer, proofreader, swag designer, etc.)
I've never had a street team. I do all my own promoting, apart from when other authors give me a hand. We try to help each other as we know how tough this business is.
My covers have been designed by artist from around the world who have luckily become my good friends. Shout out to Stephen Bl, Melinda, Stephen Ba, Scott T. To my secret readers and my editors.
WYLABWYW: What are you working on now, and when can we expect your next release?
I'm finishing the final edit of book one of a fantasy series called Illusional Reality. The MS will then go to my secret readers and then I will work on changes and hopefully the book will be ready for release in the new year.
WYLABWYW: Do you have any upcoming signing events or appearances scheduled later this year or in 2016?
I live in a small village on an island in Greece, no libraries and no bookshops. So no where to do a signing or special appearance.
WYLABWYW: Which new authors have caught your attention?
My TBR pile is getting big. I love Paranormal romances and have a few that were given to me direct from the authors. I can't wait to read them. I'm just so busy lately.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us all.
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