60-Second Spotlight: Horror Author, E. M. Kaplan

Welcome to the 60-Second Spotlight on Someone Cool, in which I ask a bunch of goofy questions and then a couple of real ones. This week, it's...

Horror Author, E. M. Kaplan

Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it? If not, what do you want it to be? 

Not a nickname per se, but friends often say “Oh, he pulled a Kaplan,” which basically means I blew everyone off to stay home, read comic books and watch Bogart movies.

If your life were a movie, who would you want to play you?

Well, since Bea Arthur and Bogart are dead, I’d have to go with Sam Rockwell. If I ever wrote an autobiography, I’d happily go further into debt to have Christopher Walken narrate the audiobook.

Do you have a favorite snack, dessert, or drink?

I always thought I would love to dine on ladyfingers, but was severely disappointed when I learned they were small sponge cakes. So I would have to go with three pieces of toast: Two with butter and one with butter and jelly. 

What famous person, dead or alive, do you want to punch or hug (or both)?

I’d love to give a big hug to my personal Mt. Rushmore of influences:  Hunter S. Thompson, Quentin Tarantino, Larry David and Tom Waits. I’d punch Bob Dylan, not because of any beef with the ancient troubadour, but because he would probably recall the guy who punched him in the face more than millions who say they love his music. Got to make them remember you.

Give us your public name.

I’ve been called a lot of names publicly, both good and not so good, and they all fit. Most nights I go back Eric M. Kaplan. Not to be confused with the juggernaut that is Emily M. Kaplan, our fearless host and the person who I can count on to answer all my asinine questions regarding publishing.

Tell us about your writing--that awesome thing you do.

I’m not sure if I’m awesome at it, but the thing that makes me feel awesome is sitting in front of the blank screen and creating something (for good or bad) out of nothing. I may never be a household name or crack the Amazon top ten, but after finishing a chapter in whatever I may be writing, I feel like a million bucks. But then the next day arrives and I realize “shit, I have to get back at it.” It’s the fleeting moments of triumph we must hold dear.

Last year I released my first novel, “The Safe House,” and I just released “Back in Crime.” It takes place in my hometown of Chicago, features a hard boiled detective Bogart would be approve of, centers around unrequited love and has two tablespoons of a sci-fi twist added for flavoring. In the future I plan on returning to my  “Safe House” protagonist, Marissa Okison, and write up her next occult-inspired adventure.

Where can we find out more? 

Check out my blog at emkaplanstories.com. Thanks Emily for letting me do this.