Author Interview ~ E.A. Copen, Author of Guilty by Association

Everything’s bigger in Texas…Including the monsters. When a young werewolf is murdered on the Paint Rock Supernatural Reservation, the local cops think it’s a drug deal gone bad. BSI agent Judah Black knows better. An occult expert, she knows magick is at work from the beginning. Using only her wits, knowledge of the supernatural and her limited magickal abilities, she must untangle a web of cover-ups and lies before the killer finds his next victim. Universal Book link (based on location) I swallowed and forced my fingers to flex out of the fists they'd formed. “Are you implying that I'm not a good person?” “Both of us know that to be standing where you are, knowing the things that you know...You have seen dark things, Agent Black. You have taken them into your mind and body and made yourself one with evil in ways that no human can truly understand. Does that make you a bad person?” He shrugged. “It makes you alive. It makes you fierce and it makes you powerful, more powerful than any fool hiding behind a gun and a badge. The people of Paint Rock don't need another gun.” “What do they need, then?” “Hope,” he said simply and slid a small box across the counter to me. “Supernaturals and Humans alike. I see the spark of that in you yet, girl. Do not lose it.” Website / Facebook / Twitter E.A. Copen is the author of the Judah Black novels. She's an avid reader of science fiction, fantasy and other genre fiction. When she's not chained to her keyboard, she may be found time traveling on the weekends with her SCA friends. She lives in beautiful southeast Ohio with her husband and two kids, at least until she saves up enough to leave the shire and become a Jedi. My Review of Guilty By Association I recently caught up with D.R. Perry and had the opportunity to ask a few questions. Carol Ann: What genre would you say the book falls into? E.A. Copen: Urban fantasy Carol Ann: Are there any trigger warnings and/or explicit content readers should know about? E.A. Copen: There is some blood/gore Carol Ann: Do you have any upcoming events? E.A. Copen: Not at the moment. Carol Ann: What is next for you? Do you have anything in the works? E.A. Copen: Right now, I have three different novels at three different stages. The second Judah Black novel, Blood Debt, is with beta readers. The first book in a series of space operas, Broken Empire, is going through a first draft and I’m plotting a dark epic fantasy. As for the Judah Black series, I plan on doing at least 16 of those. Carol Ann: Is there anyone special you would like to acknowledge? (Editor, cover art etc...) E.A. Copen: Whoever said never judge a book by its cover never worked in publishing. My cover artist, Ravenborn deserves so many thank yous for all her amazing work, both for the first and second cover. Carol Ann: What was your favourite book when you were growing up? E.A. Copen: That’s a hard one. I’d have to say it’s a toss up between Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities and Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, depending on my mood. Carol Ann: If you could meet any character from any book, who would it be? Why? E.A. Copen: Samwise Gamgee. He’s the best friend we all wish we had. He goes to Hell and back with Frodo and he has an appreciation for books. How do you not love Sam? Carol Ann: When did you realize you were meant to be a writer? E.A. Copen: I tried to escape it for most of my life, actually. Everyone told me writing was a hobby and that I should be working a real job. I worked a lot of so-called real jobs and hated every single one. It was only after I failed at a lot of other things that I found my passion for writing. Carol Ann: If your life was a book, what would be the tag line? E.A. Copen: Well, I’m going to steal one from a movie and say, “Never give up! Never surrender!” Bonus points if you know the movie. Carol Ann: What advice would you give new writers? E.A. Copen: Write. Stop talking about writing or dreaming about writing or reading about writing. There’s absolutely no replacement for practice. Stop caring how much it sucks. You sucked at walking when you first started that, too. Carol Ann: What has been the worst mistake you have made in your writing career? E.A. Copen: Comparing my writing career to everyone else’s. I spent too much time looking at everyone else’s success and asking myself what I was doing wrong instead of actually asking people, “Hey, what am I doing wrong?” Most people are more than happy to share tips if you ask. Reach out and connect with other writers. You might just find a friend. Carol Ann: What is the best moment you have had with a fan? E.A. Copen: The first time someone posted something about shipping two characters in Guilty by Association, I almost fell over. Several people have asked me when they’re going to hook up. I’ve got to say, this opening trilogy is going to be kind of mean to my shippers. Thank you for your time! Have additional questions? E.A. Copen will be available online from 2:00 P.M. To 3:00 P.M. (EST) May 22, 2016, for a Facebook takeover event. Authors Support the Fort ~ A Fort McMurray Fundraiser – Facebook Takeover