Interview with Brian Asman

Congratulations on the release of GOOD DOGS, available now! 
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How did you come up with the idea for GOOD DOGS?
I’ve always loved werewolves. Ditto slashers. But I’ve never seen them mashed up in quite this particular way. With GOOD DOGS, I think I hit on the title and concept pretty much simultaneously—what if a group of wolves went off to the woods to “wolf out” in peace, but a mysterious killer began picking them off one-by-one? I’m always trying to find unique spins on existing tropes. Love or hate my books, I really hope every reader does come away feeling like I’ve shown them something new!
 
What was your creative process for writing the book?
I’m a confirmed pantser, which can be a bit painful during the editing process. I wrote the first draft in 2019 or so, set it aside, rewrote it in 2020, and then went through another big rewrite in 2023 with my editor at Blackstone, Marco Palmieri.
 
What do you think draws readers to your work?
Fun ideas and high energy writing. I’m genuinely having the time of my life when I’m writing a book and I think that comes through for most readers.
 
How did you initially get into writing?
I’ve always made up my own stories. Always dreamed of being a writer, too. When I was younger, I pictured myself being a well-known writer by the age of 35 or so. Well, when that age arrived and I hadn’t done anything, I decided to buckle down. I set a resolution to write 1,000 words/a day 5-6 days a week. I also decided to finish everything I started. I was allowed to suck, but I had to finish. That first year I wrote 16 short stories and completed a novel.
 
Could you tell us about authors who have inspired you?
There are so many I’d be afraid of leaving someone out, so I’ll just pick one: Joe Lansdale. As someone who likes to play in different genres, the way that Lansdale’s can write horror, crime, weird westerns, old school pulp, and literally anything else under the sun gives me hope I’ll be able to do the same to some extent.
 
What does your working space look like? What do you need in order to be productive?
I like to write in public places a lot. Coffee shops, bars, hell one time I was working on this story that took place at an IKEA, so I actually went to one and sat at a Lagkapten. Wrote the whole story that way. The only drawback was the customers who kept coming up asking me how to get to housewares or whatever.
 
What advice for do you have for aspiring authors?
Read a lot, write a lot, and don’t be a jerk.
 
What is your favorite scene in your book? Why?
It’s hard to choose, but there are a few flashbacks scenes set in the ‘80s, ’50s, and ‘30s where I got to cut loose stylistically, aping the tone of each era. Those were a lot of fun.
 
How will you celebrate your book release?
I’m doing a signing event with Jonathan Maberry at a very cool bookstore, Mysterious Galaxy, in my hometown the night of launch. There may also be drinks after, we’ll see!
 
Outside of writing, what do you like to do?
I love taking my dog to the park/beach, cycling, hiking, and checking out new breweries.