Know the Author: J.E. Shook

Know the Author: J.E. Shook

Meet J.E. Shook, a North Carolina native whose imagination runs as deep as the Appalachian Mountains and as wide as the Carolina coast. Shook is the author of several chilling and thought‑provoking titles, including Unit 731, Papa Gumbo, and The Dogman.

When he’s not crafting stories that blur the line between science and horror, he’s soaking up the sun on the coastal beaches, exploring the mountain trails, or catching a late‑night horror flick. His work reflects that mix of curiosity, grit, and Southern storytelling that keeps readers turning pages long after midnight.

Let’s dive into the mind behind Amadeus Creed: The Mad Butcher and find out what drives his dark creativity.

Interview

ZM:  What first inspired you to write this book, Amadeus Creed: The Mad Butcher, and what kept you motivated through the process?

JS: The inspiration for Amadeus Creed: The Mad Butcher was from a very bad time and place in history, Nazi Germany. The idea of an evil dictator and a mad scientist came from there and also from Captain America when you look at the Red Skull and Hydra, a scientific branch that goes on to do what it wants with very little control from the dictator. I keep my motivation while writing this book by researching historical facts in order to make the story feel real to myself and to my readers. Sometimes the best fiction comes from real life.

ZM: Was there a moment during your research or writing that surprised you or changed the direction of the book?

JS: I thought I knew my history, but after researching war crimes and other things that have been done in the name of “science,” I realized that reality is much scarier than fiction. My direction of the book changed several times while I wrote this book as I learned new things about history that I added and changed over time, which shaped the characters and story of this book.

ZM: Do you have a writing routine, or do you work whenever inspiration hits?

JS: I am on the road a lot, so I like to write when I am in my hotel room at night. I also get random ideas about everything throughout my day, and when I get an idea, I write it down before I forget it, which is why I keep a pen and paper close by. I currently have over a hundred ideas for characters and books written down, more than I will ever be able to write about.

ZM: What part of this book challenged you the most creatively?

JS: The most challenging part of writing a larger book to me is creating enough words and dialogue to keep the story interesting. I do a lot of research to find scientific and medical terms and lingo to try and make it believable. This is a challenge because I am not an expert in any field, and it's hard to make it sound like I know what I'm writing about. Google is such a great tool for this.

ZM: When readers finish your book, what’s the one thing you hope stays with them?

JS: After reading my book, I hope the readers are entertained but also realize that the things I wrote about in this book have really happened to people in the past and that kind of suffering should never happen again; we must learn from our mistakes and never repeat them. This can make for a good horror story, but in reality we can always do better, and we must build instead of destroy.

-End

J.E. Shook’s passion for storytelling runs deep, from the eerie shadows of Unit 731 to the supernatural tension of The Dogman and the dark mystery of Papa Gumbo. His love for North Carolina’s beaches and mountains, paired with his lifelong fascination with horror, gives his work a unique blend of grit and imagination. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering his books for the first time, Shook’s stories remind us that fear, curiosity, and wonder are all part of the same human experience.

Ready for more? Check out Amadeus Creed: The Mad Butcher and experience Shook’s storytelling firsthand. Amazon Link - https://amzn.to/3TsxCeq

ZMP

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Know the Author: Russell Easterbrooks

Know the Author: Russell Easterbrooks

The History of Mason Barney’s Shipyard and Swansea, Massachusetts brings to life a remarkable piece of early American industry. This Q&A offers readers a closer look at the inspiration behind the book, the research journey, and the fascinating details uncovered about Mason Barney, his shipyard, and the unique token system that shaped everyday life in colonial Swansea. It’s a chance to step into a world where craftsmanship, community, and maritime history all meet.

Interview

ZM: What first inspired you to write this book (The History of Mason Barney's Shipyard), and what kept you motivated through the process?

RE: My late dad was a coin/token collector. He was always interested in Mason Barney's shipyard and the coin that Mason Barney had used to pay some of his shipyard employees. Then these coins could be used to buy goods at Mason's Barney.

The coins were only good at Mason Barney's store.

The search for information kept me motivated.

ZM: When readers finish your book, what’s the one thing you hope stays with them?

RE: It is hoped that the reader will get a view of a large shipyard in a small colonial town like Swansea. As well, the use of a token/coin that was made for the purpose of paying only for goods from the shipyard store.

ZM: What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most — and which part challenges you the most?

RE: The search for information on your topic and getting the information down on paper. The challenging part is getting the most information from good sources and backing it up.

ZM: Was there a moment during your research or writing that surprised you or changed the direction of the book?

RE: Getting interesting side work on your topic. Like shipbuilding, with side parts like, mermaids, cannons on ships, pirates, their flags, Davy Jones' locker, krakens, life on board ship, the use of rope, a ship's anchor, a ship's name, etc.

ZM: What advice would you give new writers who want to publish their first or next book?

RE: Write some articles for some magazines, 300-500 words. Then, when you start your book, put together some of your mag. articles and then branch out with each article for side work, adding interest, with more info. But keep researching your topic, as you will find other facts about the history you seek. Use some Latin to get the reader thinking early on; sapiens erit sapientior, meaning "the wise person will become wiser," etc.

- End

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a maritime buff, or simply curious about the stories tucked away in small New England towns, this book offers a detailed and engaging look at a shipyard that played a surprising role in early American industry. The past leaves clues, and through careful research, those clues come together to tell a story worth remembering.

The History of Mason Barney’s Shipyard and Swansea, Massachusetts is now available on Amazon in eBook, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover editions.

Link - https://amzn.to/4vzlpC6

ZMP

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