BooksChatter: ℚ Grimm Woods

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author D. Melhoff to talk about Grimm Woods (17 December 2016, Bellwoods Publishing, 293 pages), a Psychological Thriller.

"The literary equivalent of a slasher movie" - Kirkus Reviews

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to D. Melhoff; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter on the opening date of your blog tour!

What was the inspiration for Grimm Woods?

"Truth be told, it's been so long that I can't remember where the initial inspiration for GRIMM WOODS came from. Most likely it was one of those random “what if” games that writers play with themselves. In this case, “what if there was a serial killer who killed based on the gory endings of the original Grimm’s fairy tales?”

Given the moral element of fairy tales, it seemed like a interesting idea to play around with."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Not much, really (unless you count the string of vicious murders I’ve committed…kidding). I never went to summer camp as a kid or as a teenager, so I had to rely on friends’ stories and pop culture references to paint that part of the picture.

I suppose parts of myself are reflected in Scott, the main character, but I'm admittedly less brave and (hopefully) more likeable."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Grimm Woods - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover artist of GRIMM WOODS is the amazing James T. Egan over at Bookfly.

We discussed some ideas, and he sent me two different versions. I liked them so much that I polled my friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else I could corner about which they liked better.

Ultimately the red cover won, but I still liked the runner up so much that I used it as the cover image inside the book."

Why should we read Grimm Woods and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"You should read this book if you like fast-paced thrillers with new twists. Think of it like a roller coaster: a steady buildup in the first few chapters followed by a high-octane drop that'll throw you through a few unexpected loops."

Can you tell us something quirky about Grimm Woods, its story and characters?

"There are a few fairy-tale-themed parks that actually exist, although none of them are quite like Camp Crownheart (to my knowledge, they operate more like theme parks than summer camps).

As a kid, I'd visit a place in British Columbia called the Enchanted Forest, which may have influenced a few minor details in the book -- particularly their recreated dungeon."

Who would you recommend Grimm Woods to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Anyone who enjoys a good slasher story and isn't turned off by a bit of blood, sex, and drugs."

If you could / wished to turn Grimm Woods into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I'd probably prefer a cast of unknowns over famous actors for this type of story. When I write, I don't typically cast people in my head. Director-wise, maybe David Fincher? I love “Seven”, and this is in the same realm."

I love Fincher and his work (yes, even Alien III which he repudiated).

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like reading all genres, but when it comes to writing, I usually stick to horror/thrillers. For some reason, whenever I have an idea, my first thought is, “how can I make this as dark as possible?”"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I have a collection of Playbills from all the Broadway shows I've been too, so that's pretty special. Should my house burn down, I'd try to grab those on my way out."