Today I have the great pleasure of having author Michael Okon, who has written Monsterland, interviewing his main character Vincent Konrad.

Michael: Hello! And welcome to another edition of Character Interviews with Michael Okon. I would like to introduce the antagonist and star of Monsterland, the one and only Vincent Konrad.

Vincent: Doctor.

M: Pardon me?

V: Doctor Vincent Konrad. Read your notes, son.

M:(checks notes) I…I don’t see anything here about a Doctor.

V: Who is your assistant?

M: My assistant?

V: That is what I asked.

M: Um, Brittney. And uh, my mom.

V: Off with their heads.

Strange silence until.

Vincent bursts out laughing. Michael joins in the laughing, albeit awkwardly.

M: So…Dr. Konrad. A theme park with monsters?

V: Not just any monsters, Michael. The crème de la crème of monsters. Werewolves, Vampires and Zombies.

M: How did you round up all the monsters?

V: Easy. I was searching for Bigfoot in the Everglades and stumbled upon a colony of werewolves.

M: My notes say you hunted the werewolves.

V: Well your notes are wrong.

M: Vampires?

V: They’ve been living in our society for ages. I merely extended an opportunity where they can perform in a safe and secure environment, away from us humans.

M: Us humans?

V: We are just a threat to them, just as they are to us.

M: And the vitality-challenged?

V: (laughs)

M: Sir?

V: Sorry, it’s just your political correctness is what got us into this mess in the first place.

M: My…political correctness?

V: Indeed. When you mask what they are, you’re just sweeping the…the problem under the rug.

M: What did you do with…

V: The zombies?

M: I’d prefer not to call them that.

V: You can call them whatever you like. I like to call those mindless, catatonic flesh eaters – zombies.

M:(clears throat)

V: I see I make you uncomfortable.

M: Not at all. What are the attractions you put the monsters in your…monster theme park?

V: Guests can rock-out with the vamps in Vampire Village, be chased by actual werewolves on the Werewolf River Run and walk among the living dead in my suburban apocalypse, Zombieville.

M: How fascinating.

V: It is! There is no diabolical plan.

M: I didn’t say anything about a diabolical plan, I just said the rides and attractions sound fascinating.

V: Are you implying I have ill intent to use these monsters for nefarious reasons? For personal gain?

M:(rifles through papers)

V: I’m merely trying to help the world deal with the social issues that have plagued our time.

M: Very noble.

V: Are we done here? I have to continue planning the opening of my theme park.

M: Um, yes.

V: Here…

M: What’s this?

V: A presidential pass. You’ll be able to see the inner workings of Monsterland.

M: Oh! Thank you Mr. Konrad….Doctor Konrad.

V: Make sure you ride the River Run…it’s a doozy.

 Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.

Wyatt Baldwin’s senior year is not going well. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An ongoing debate with his best friends Melvin and Howard Drucker over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.

But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can interact with vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by werewolves on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.

With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?

Available 15th Oct!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lotsa love,

Lisa xx