Debut novelist Weldon Burge is here today and we’re chatting about the first book in his Ezekial Marrs series, Harvester of Sorry.
Bio:
Weldon Burge, a native of Delaware, is the debut author of the thriller Harvester of Sorrow, the first in the Ezekiel Marrs series published by Suspense Publishing. He is also a publisher and full-time editor. Weldon’s short fiction has appeared in many publications, including various magazines and anthologies (such as Crimeucopia, The Best of the Horror Society 2013, Pellucid Lunacy: An Anthology of Psychological Horror, Ghosts and Demons, Beach Pulp, and Scary Stuff, just to name a few). His stories have been adapted for podcast presentation by Drabblecast. Weldon is also a frequent writer for Suspense Magazine, often writing author interviews.
On November 16, 2021, Suspense Publishing will release Weldon’s debut thriller, Harvester of Sorrow, the first in the Ezekiel Marrs series. He is also currently writing a paranormal suspense novel that may also be the start of another series (but he hasn’t determined that yet). He intends to stay on the novel-writing rollercoaster for the future.
In 2012, Weldon and his wife, Cindy, founded Smart Rhino Publications, an indie publishing company focusing primarily on horror and suspense/thriller books, many of them anthologies. To date, the company has published 15 books, including Zippered Flesh: Tales of Body Enhancements Gone Bad, Insidious Assassins, Asinine Assassins, A Plague of Shadows, The Box Jumper, Broken: Stories of Damaged Psyches, and Green Tsunami.
Welcome, Weldon. Please tell us about your current release.
Harvester of Sorrow involves vodoun (voodoo), tainted cocaine, murder, and the kidnapping of children. Police Detective Ezekiel Marrs and his team of fellow officers must determine how these seemingly disparate cases all relate. When the truth is revealed, Marrs must face a deadly confrontation with two of the most vicious villains he has ever encountered—a confrontation he may not survive.
“Burge’s debut thriller kicks down the door and comes at you with both barrels blasting.”
— Ronald Malfi, award-winning author of Come With Me and December Park
“Assured, gritty, expertly paced, and sleek as a bullet, Burge’s eerie and intense tale of grizzled detectives frantically searching for a ritual killer who may be far more than he seems is not to be missed. I could not put it down!”
— Greg F. Gifune, best-selling author of The Bleeding Season and Midnight Solitaire
“Harvester of Sorrow is one hell of a ride. Great pacing, well-drawn characters that positively jump off the pages! Move over, Stephen King!”
— Carson Buckingham, author of Gothic Revival, Noble Rot, and Home
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always wanted to write a police procedural/thriller on a par with one of Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct novels. I’ve been developing the characters, especially my lead character, Ezekiel Marrs, and my villain, Edouard LeBorg, for years. And I’ve also always been fascinated with vodoun (Haitian voodoo) after reading The Serpent and the Rainbow.
Excerpt from Harvester of Sorry:
“A 10-54 in progress. Man with enormous penis blocking traffic on Cheshire Avenue exit,” the New Warfield police dispatcher said without a hint of inflection. “Please respond to Adams Street, interstate north ramp to Chichester Avenue. Repeat, man with enormous erection blocking traffic. Units in area please respond. 10-54. Possible 10-81, but not verified.”
Detectives Ezekiel Marrs and Gordon O’Daniel sat in an unmarked Crown Victoria in the parking lot of the Tasty Bagels & Donuts shop on Helford Avenue, just opening their coffees, when the dispatch came over the radio.
O’Daniel looked at his partner with a mischievous, questioning grin.
“No,” Marrs immediately said.
“Aw, c’mon. We can’t pass this up.”
“The patrol cops can handle it. We need to get back to the squad room to check back in. We don’t have time for traffic-stopping erections.”
“Tell me you’re not curious, Zeke.”
“Not even slightly.”
“Aw, c’mon!”
Marrs looked at his watch. They had time.
“Okay.” Marrs sighed. “But only if we’re not late talking with D’Oro. I want to know what’s going on.”
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m about 200 pages into a draft of a paranormal suspense novel involving astral projection. (This may be the start of another series.) Then I’ll write the sequel to Harvester of Sorrow, Ezekiel Marrs Thriller #2. I’ll looking forward to revisiting those characters and learning more about them. And hopefully giving my readers even more thrills!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing all my life, writing short stories in elementary school and articles and fiction in high school. I began prolifically freelancing to magazines and newspapers in college. I’m always juggling writing projects now.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I’m currently a full-time editor and Director of Publications for an educational consulting firm. I’m also a publisher (Smart Rhino Publications) of suspense and horror fiction. Harvester of Sorrow, however, is my debut novel.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’m a “pay-it-forward” publisher, editor, and writer, I suppose, and enjoy working with other writers, particularly in my publishing ventures. I love giving excellent writers—especially those just starting in the market—a venue to display their work. There’s just something so satisfying about those opportunities to support my fellow authors.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Believe it or not, a chemist. Well, until I took chemistry in high school—I changed my mind pretty quickly after that. But, when you think about it, writing is like chemistry (or maybe closer to alchemy). You combine the appropriate elements to create something fabulous. And every writing project is an experiment at first, wouldn’t you say?
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Writers love it when readers share the books they enjoy with other readers. Word of mouth is golden! Positive reviews go so far to help us promote our work—and inspire us to write our next books. So, please share those books you enjoy with your friends, fellow workers, and family. And continue to read blogs like this to discover new writers who would appreciate your support!
Links:
Website | Amazon Author Page | Bookbub Author Page | Goodreads Author Page | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks for being here today, Weldon.