Bennytown by Matt Carter

Posted: July 20, 2020/By: achristay@aol.com

Please welcome Matt Carter author of Bennytown

Matt Carter will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Bennytown

by Matt Carter

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GENRE: Adult horror/thriller

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NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99.

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INTERVIEW:

What or who inspired you to start writing?

Ever since I was little, I was mesmerized by the power that stories seemed to have, and was a voracious reader. Later on, that translated into an interest in writing stories as a child, a fascination that never truly left me. It was a passion that I had for most of my life without realizing that it was actually what I wanted to spend my life doing before I finally started to follow that path in my 20s.

How did you come up with ideas for your books?

I have an eclectic array of interests, and whatever one holds me at the moment is often finding its way into evolving into a new story. When it comes to my horror novels, as with Bennytown, I often find a setting or an idea that interests me, and then try to figure out how it might actually scare me instead. The story’s theme park environment proved a fertile ground for things that go bump in the night.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

My field of study in college was History, and I find that often finds a way of working into my writing works. It has helped me in building worlds that are vivid and alive and have a history unto themselves so that no world I write in is brand new the moment it hits the page.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

In short, to keep on writing. Writing is about as natural and necessary to me as breathing is, so as long as I still can, I imagine I will always be working on my next story.

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

Generally, I would advise against wanting to be a character in one of my books. Things… don’t always tend to go so well for them.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

Bennytownis an odd and eclectic piece of horror fiction, so if it were to be adapted to film I’d want a similarly eclectic yet genre familiar cast. For the lead role of new hire Noel Hallstrom, I’d probably pick Tom Holland, as much because I enjoy his work as I would love to see him try something darker. For the imposing Wilbur Walrus/Dewey Farmer, I’d go with John Carroll Lynch, while Kathy Bates would be my top choice for restaurant manager Kathleen. As for the charming yet sinister park creator Fletcher Dorian, my top choice would be Kurt Russell, because he could bring a lot of what the role would need, and can really rock a beard.

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I was… wow, probably 21 or 22 when I first wanted to try, I think? It was a long strange road getting there, getting out of writing stories for myself or for fanfic audiences and deciding to actually give writing books that I meant to put out into the world. There was no one thing that did it, I think it just took building up my courage and giving it a shot. It’s not been an easy road, but it’s one I’ve been happy to have taken.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

Outlining, all the way. I obsessively outline my work before I get started, while leaving room for things to change some on the fly.

Do you have an all time favorite book?

There are too many good choices, and asking me to pick one would be like asking me to pick a favorite child, so instead of one, I’ll give a three-way tie between The Stand by Stephen King, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and World War Z by Max Brooks.

Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

I am currently about 85% through the first draft of a gothic ghost story that I’m co-writing with my wife and frequent writing partner-in-crime, Fiona J.R. Titchenell. It’s so far looking like it’s going to be a fun, spooky ride, and we hope readers will enjoy it as much as we have.

BLURB:

For nearly sixty years, Bennytown has been America’s most exciting family theme park destination. Under the watchful eye of cultural icon Benny the Bunny, the park has entertained generations of children with its friendly atmosphere and technologically innovative rides, acting as a beacon of joy and wonder, where magic is real and dreams come true.

Bennytown once saved sixteen-year-old Noel Hallstrom’s life, and to repay it, Noel has applied for a summer job. Though the work is messy and the hours are bad, Noel is happy to be a part of the Bennytown family, until he sees the darkness beneath the surface. Strange, mechanized mascots walk the park perimeter. Elegantly dressed cultists in wooden Benny masks lurk in the darkness. Spirits of the many who’ve died in the park roam freely, and every night the park transforms into a dark dimension where madness reigns and monsters prowl.

Noel is about to find out more about Bennytown than he ever wanted to know, and that its darkness might have designs on him.

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EXCERPT:

“I believe in Bennytown,” Adam sniffled.

You weren’t supposed to cry at Bennytown, since it was a magical place where dreams come true. Bennytown was a themed wonderland of rides, shows, and fantastical worlds that let you escape from real life.

His parents and commercials repeated that to him on a regular basis, so it had to be the truth.

It didn’t feel really magical right now, though.

Adam sat on the curb in Happy Hollow, whimpering and wiping away tears. Bits of vanilla ice cream and chocolate smeared his chin. He wanted to kick Shawn for ruining everything. Mommy and Daddy always took Shawn’s side and barely listened to their other son. Even when Adam was right.

He wasn’t supposed to cry, but he did anyway.

“I believe in Bennytown,” he repeated.

Repeating the phrase helped ease the pain a little. The words had a power he found comforting, like saying he believed in Santa or the Easter Bunny. Unlike any of those mythical figures, these words had extra power because Bennytown was real.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Matt Carter has used his lifelong love for writing, history and the bizarre to bring to life novels like Almost Infamous: A Supervillain Novel, Pinnacle City: A Superhero Noir, and the Prospero Chronicles young adult horror series (all co-authored with Fiona J.R. Titchenell). Bennytown,is his first solo horror novel.

He is represented by Fran Black of Literary Counsel and lives in the usually sunny town of San Gabriel, CA with his wife, their pet king snake Mica, and the myriad of strange fictional characters and worlds that live in his head.

Bennytown

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Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bennytown-Matt-Carter/dp/1945654538/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bennytown-matt-carter/1136895043?

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bennytown

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781945654534

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