FAQ

Will there be a fourth Andrew Mayhem novel?

There just was! Lost Homicidal Maniac (Answers to “Shirley”) was published at the very end of December 2011.

Will there be a fifth Andrew Mayhem novel?

Not unless you buy the fourth.

What was the process of collaborating with James A. Moore on The Haunted Forest Tour?

Mostly it involved me being annoyed that Jim writes approximately 8000 times faster than me. Jim wrote about 60% of the first draft (not in any particular order; there are parts where I did three chapters in a row, and parts where we shared a chapter), I did the revisions, and then we both proofread and nitpicked each other’s contributions. We brought out the wicked worst in each other–the book wouldn’t have been nearly as gory as a solo effort!

What was the process of collaborating with J.A. Konrath on Suckers?

Much like Jim Moore, J(oe) writes 8000 times faster than me. The divison of labor is a little more obvious in this one–I wrote the “Andrew Mayhem” chapters, and he wrote the “Harry McGlade” chapters. However, there was plenty of rewriting of each other’s work, so the jokes that you found particularly amusing in Joe’s sections are probably mine, and the plot holes you found in my sections are probably his fault.

How much of Out of Whack is autobiographical?

Lots of people assume that Out of Whack is autobiographical, but aside from very tiny bits and pieces, the entire book is completely made up.  Yes, the comedy skits that Seth Trexler writes are in fact comedy skits that I wrote, and “The Private Diary of Leonard Parr” was my first published story, but the circumstances under which they were written in the book bear no resemblance to real life.

What’s up with the movie version of Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary)?

The option with Local Talent Films expired. There was other interest, but we were unable to come to contract terms [Translation: They wanted to produce a remake of Deliverance with me in the Ned Beatty role]. Then there was other interest, followed by a bit of a roadblock, but not a roadblock that necessarily means that these particular individuals won’t make the movie. And then more interest that might have been legitimate interest or might have been “We want free books” interest. Stay tuned!

What is your all-time favorite book?

Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon. Followed closely by Swan Song by Robert McCammon. McCammon rocks.

If I mail a book to you, will you sign it for me?

If you include return postage, sure!  Please note that I absolutely SUCK at mailing stuff out (I mean suuuuuuck), and you may have to send me a friendly “Where the hell is my autographed book?” follow-up.  If you’d like me to sign something, just send me an e-mail.

What is your all-time favorite movie?

Shaun of the Dead.

Do you have an agent?

Yep. I’m represented by Stephanie Kip Rostan of the Levine Greenberg Agency. If you’re a deranged billionaire looking for somebody to write your memoirs, she’s the one to contact.

Will there ever be a sequel to How to Rescue a Dead Princess?

I actually did write the first chapter of How to Avenge a Squished Jester a few years ago, but the odds of my returning to it are pretty close to non-existent. Would you write a sequel to How to Rescue a Dead Princess? I didn’t think so.

Do you really love gummi bears, or do you just keep mentioning them all the time because they have a funny name?

I really love gummi bears–but they have to be Haribo brand gummi bears. And they’re better when they’re a little stale.

More FAQ coming soon…

15 Responses to “FAQ”

  1. Angie Says:

    Swan Song is an awesome book. I try to read it once a year :)
    And Shaun of the Dead rocks!!!
    :D

  2. Cathy Says:

    Jeff,
    I was thrilled to read another Andrew Mayhem book is coming, favorite books of ALL time! Have to tell you, loved Suckers. I hope you and Konrath collaborate in the future in a full size book, it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all your great stories,

  3. Nikki Says:

    What’s up with nobody posting here since 12-4-08?
    Jeez… that’s almost a year and a half. Well… this fixes that little problem doesn’t it. Your job Jeff, is to get the next Mayhem novel out to us ASAP… OK? OK! I really am a big fan of yours. I’ve been up since 3am and after too much coffee, probably need to get the hell off yourwebsite for awhile. Have a great day… keep up the great work.

    • jeffstrand Says:

      The lack of people posting might be directly related to the author being a total slacker in responding to website comments. But I’ll do better! I promise!

  4. Horrordude Says:

    Jeff, would you care to detail any ‘actual’ research you did for the story Werewolf Porno?

  5. Carl Says:

    BOYS LIFE is indeed an amazing book. Hairbo Gummi Bears are without a doubt the greatest candy in the world. Heck man, not only can you write really snazzy like, but you also have fine taste in life.

    • jeffstrand Says:

      Absolutely. Honestly, if you eat Haribo gummi bears while reading BOY’S LIFE, you will enter a state of bliss that will cause you to float right out of your recliner for a full sixty seconds.

  6. RedSoxFreak67 Says:

    Wanted to let you know that I just finished The Haunted Forest Tour and loved it! And because of this FAQ I started reading Boy’s Life and am really enjoying it.
    One of my favorite authors is the late Richard Laymon. Have you read his stuff, and if so, were you at all inspired by his writing? He had a fantastic sense of humor and mixed it in well with the rest of his twisted stories…love it!

    • jeffstrand Says:

      RedSoxFreak…there are only a couple of authors that I would consider a direct influence, and Laymon is one of ‘em. I haven’t read everything that was published after his death, but until then I’d read all of them. (With IN THE DARK, SAVAGE, and BITE being my favorites.) Glad you enjoyed THE HAUNTED FOREST TOUR!

  7. susan crockett Says:

    My daughter also loves gummy bears so much she got a tattoo of one on her leg but because shes as twisted as me hers is hanging from a noose. You should of been at the tattoo shop for that conversation,how can we depict a dead gummy bear???thumbtack?knife?gun? I LOVE your writing keep up the great work!!!!

  8. Joe Says:

    I found about you by looking for The Strand bookstore merch on eBay. I really really really want to read your stuff but it seems most of it is for e-readers. Where can I buy hard copies of your books?

  9. jennifer eaton Says:

    Jeff, I think I am your biggest fan! I love all your books. I want to thank you for being so creative and entertaining. I love when you and Konrath write together also. I have almost all of you fine authors books and my question is : when is your next book coming out and what will it be about? I’m hoping for more horror!

    • jeffstrand Says:

      Thanks, Jennifer! Up next is A BAD DAY FOR VOODOO (unless you count the hardcover limited edition, which is already out), a young adult novel about the bad things that can happen when you make a voodoo doll of your history teacher. That’ll be out this June!

  10. Ilkar Says:

    I liked the voodoo story, though i usually don’t check out voodoo stuff. made me cheer up, in a morbid sort of way. How did u find an agent? I really want to get published in fantasy any advice? I write short stories.


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