Interview - Jeremy Shipp author of "Fungus of the Heart"

 

Today at Bibliognome we have author Jeremy Shipp.  Jeremy is here as a part of his Gnomic Blog Tour to support his newest work Fungus of the Heart.  I haven't read his newest work yet but I've read a lot of his free stories that he has posted online.  Jeremy seems like a weird yet funny guy if his interview answers are any indication :).  I know I plan to read more of his work in the future.

 

Bibliognome:  I love your title Fungus of the Heart, so what is your favorite type of fungus? 

Jeremy Shipp: I’m a big fan of Laetiporus sulphureus, especially the anthropomorphic variety that sings show tunes.

 

 

Bibliognome: Which character that you've written about has been your favorite?

Jeremy Shipp: I love Cicely from my novel Cursed. She’s weird, silly, passionate, and brave. I also quite like Never the Mold Fairy from my short story “Ula Morales.”

Bibliognome:  What's the shortest short story you've ever written?

Jeremy Shipp: This one: Once upon a time there was a guy who died. The end.

Bibliognome: What's a good name for a gnome, do you prefer fairy tale sounding names like Lan Thistledown or plain names like Gus or Bob?

Jeremy Shipp: I love classic gnomic names like Feather Thundersoul, but I also enjoy the more exotic names such as Charlie the Gnome.

Bibliognome: When is your favorite time to write?

Jeremy Shipp: I love writing during the witching hour, when attic clowns nap and Vaudevillian ghosts dance a jig and chicken mushrooms sing songs from The Music Man.

Bibliognome: Do you prefer gnomes in traditional red hats or more along the lines of fedoras or football helmets?

Jeremy Shipp: There’s nothing quite as beautiful as a yard gnome wearing a tri-cornered hat. And under the hat is traditional red hat. And under the traditional hate is a tiny yard gnome. And under the tiny yard gnome’s hat is a tinier yard gnome. And so on.

Bibliognome: What are you writing currently or percolating in your mind to write soon?

Jeremy Shipp: I’m writing a new horror story collection and a middle grade fantasy book. I also have a few new novels scratching at the inside of my skull trying to work their way out.

Bibliognome: What is your favorite word to say or write?

Jeremy Shipp: Some words I love: rigmarole, flapjack, chthonic, hullabaloo, agowilt.

Bibliognome: Who is your favorite author to read?

Jeremy Shipp: I have many favorites, including Haruki Murakami, Lois Lowry, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, Gregory Maguire, Amy Tan, Arundhati Roy.

Bibliognome:  Anything else you would like people to know?

Jeremy Shipp: The best part about being in a pickle is eating your way out.

Quick Questions:
   1.) zombie or vampire?

Zombies. Especially zombie polar bears.
   2.) penguin or puffin?

Penguins. Especially when they’re wearing tuxedos.

   3.) polka dot or stripes?

I like to wear stripes, and I like to eat polka dots.
   4.) Starbursts or Skittles?

Starbursts. Little known fact: starbursts taste like attic clown spleens. Don’t ask me how I   
            know.
   5.) pen or pencil?

           Pens. Especially when they’re zombie pens wearing tuxedos.