Here's your chance to get up close and personal with Canadian crime fiction and horror writer Beau Johsnon as only the Ink-Quisitive crime writer Jesse "Heels" Rawlins can present him. This zany expletive-riddled interview humorously explores Johnson's published story collections A BETTER KIND OF HATE and THE BIG MACHINE EATS--which feature his larger-than-life anti-hero Bishop Rider--while also giving us some insights into the author who pens his tales. This Ink-Quistion interview first appeared at Southern crime mag Story and Grit, courtesy of crime writer and publisher Mark Westmoreland. So naturally I'm pleased by this chance to feature the work of both Rawlins and Johnson here at Center Stage. You can find them in all their crazy splendor by clicking or tapping the Magic Box below. Photo: Jesse "Heels" Rawlins Publisher, Editor & Crime Writer Cheers and thanks for Visiting! Amazon Author Mick Rose (Crime writer & reluctant Poet) And Your Host at Center Stage Photo: Crime Author & Editor Mick Rose
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Dedication. Perseverance. Passion. Patience. Four sometimes tough essentials for any writer anywhere. Just ask Canadian crime and horror writer Beau Johnson. If there’s anything Beau knows, Beau knows waiting. For quite some time, he’s been counting down the days. Because his second story collection, The Big Machine Eats, is scheduled for release by Down and Out books on November 26th. Prior to this countdown, Beau’s been steadily penning tales for about a decade now. A neat one hundred of his stories have kindly been given published homes—many finding residence on the darker side of town. If urban whisperings ring true, some of these haunts might include: Flash Fiction Offensive, The Molotov Cocktail, Southern Crime mag Story and Grit, Shotgun Honey and England’s Spelk Fiction. One whispering I know to be true? Beau enjoys both Beckys from Roseanne equally. But I imagine Beau’s countdown is easy compared to the waiting he once did. He spent roughly three years toiling before his first story was accepted by the Carnage Conservatory in 2011. In Beau’s own words: “Oh, what a day!” Dedication. Perseverance. Passion. Patience. Four sometimes tough essentials for any writer anywhere. While a writing life can prove taxing, writing’s nowhere near as painful as the traumas that many people experience every day—sometimes every day … year after year. For as long as evening campfires have burned upon this planet, and stories have been told around these fires, there have been predators in our midst. And these predators look just like us. Abuse takes many forms. Betrayal does as well. But for those who have been bitterly abused or betrayed true justice and remedy can never exist. Beau Johnson understands this. And his principal recurring character is a man named Bishop Rider, a former policeman who’s seen too much … and suffered some traumas of his own. Mentally twisted by his experiences, driven by his demons, Rider suddenly spends his days dispensing his unique hell-bent brand of justice. The hard working folks at Down and Out books helped introduce Mr. Rider to a larger audience with the release of Beau’s first published book and story collection A Better Kind of Hate in July 2017. Like many suspense writers, Beau begins his stories in medias res—a Latin phrase which means “in the middle of things.” (Hey, lawyers aren’t the only ones who can toss archaic terms around.) While the action stays continuous, Johnson unravels his stories slowly: two strands at a time. He doesn’t cram “backstory” down our throats. Instead he spoon feeds us the past, as present events take place. And his recipes for recompense suit the original perpetrator’s crimes. Some of Beau’s inventive recipes prove gruesome without doubt. But Johnson’s skillful with his ink. He doesn’t spatter arterial blood spray recklessly cross the page. He gives just enough details to spark our imagination—leaving our stunned wide-eyed minds to quickly picture the outcomes. So at least in fictional reams, Rider will again serve up some justice on Monday, November 26th. Just as readers did in A Better Kind of Hate, they will find stories involving other characters in The Big Machine Eats as well. But the song, as they say, always remains the same. Wrongs have been committed: and some folks are going to pay. If you chance to live in or near Brantford, Canada—also known as Telephone City—Beau will host a book release party for The Big Machine eats on Saturday, November 24th from noon to 1 p.m. at the Brantford public library. And hell yeah, he’ll be signing books. Like many quality writers, Beau’s yet to earn the distinction of becoming a so-called “household name.” But’s he’s certainly a Celebrated name here at my house, which I call The Rising Sun. So take a bow, my friend Beau Johnson. Hope you’ve enjoyed this spotlight. A pleasure and an honor to host you here at Center Stage. Heartfelt thanks to our great audience also for attending this opening show. Dedication. Perseverance. Passion. Patience. May they treat us all well. Sincerely, Mick Rose Crime Writer & Reluctant Poet #bishopriderlives
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Whether fifteen seconds, or fifteen minutes, most of us enjoy some warmth in the spotlight. So readers and artists alike, welcome to Center Stage—where writers, poets and illustrators will all duly shine in this House of the Rising Sun—as due for their loving labors. Please grab an elixir; make yourself at home, and enjoy the shows. Other than the Weebly Banner at the bottom of most browsers, they are commercial-free. Provided, of course, you don't accept the Cookie Policy—which includes an offer for "tailored promotions."
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