Check out this author spotlight for Matthew Davenport!
You can find all his links furthest down the page, and don’t forget to check out his books!
1. Hi! Welcome to my humble blog of all things bookish! I would like for us to start by getting to know you. Give us a short bio, please!
Grew up in upstate NY. Graduated college with a degree in archaeology. I followed that career to Iowa. Met the love of my life, started writing, had the most awesome daughter ever, and tend to focus on writing a lot of Cthulhu Mythos related fiction.
2. To get to know you just a little bit better, I’d like to ask you some this or that questions. Answer 5 (or more!) of these and explain why you chose this or that, or maybe an entirely different alternative!
Winter, spring, summer or autumn?
Autumn most of the time. I like being able to wear a coat. I like the smells, the breeze, the crunch of leaves. I don’t like snow or heat, but I do enjoy a good chill. Fall is the best.
Cat or dog?
Dog. I grew up with dogs and the only cat I have ever loved acted more like a dog than anything. I enjoy both, but cats also trigger my allergies.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee. MUST HAVE COFFEE.
Morning or evening?
Evening. I’m a grump in the morning and have never been a fan of the entire “Before 8” world. I have a toddler, so, “Before 8” is the world I live in, but it takes a lot to get me motivated that early in the day.
Library or museums?
They both have their places. This is like asking me if I prefer wrenches or hammers. They do different jobs. I have worked in several museums in my life, and was a curator in one. I thoroughly enjoy a good tour, and artifacts are my bread and butter (former archaeologist). Plus, you’re encouraged to socialize in a museum, but Libraries are the backbone of modern education and help people have access to books, the internet, and their local communities. I have done a ton of book signings and classes at libraries and library-folk are some of the best kinds of people.
Hunter or gatherer?
I am adaptable. I have been a hunter, I have been a gatherer, and I have been many things based on what the needs of the situation require. If we’re talking just enjoyment, I guess hunter would be the best. I will find it, and I tend to not surrender until it is found.
Witches or wizards?
Wizards! Eccentric, bat-shit crazy wizards, every time.
Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates! Ninjas are too quiet for my tastes. I want loud singing, explosions, and parties!
Mountains or beaches?
Oh man! This is the hardest question. I grew up in the mountains and there’s nothing quite like home but my mind palace has an entire area labeled “PEACE AND TRANQUILITY” that’s just a beach in Cancun. This one is a draw.
Plotter or pantser?
I am a proud plotter, who tends to pants whenever a scene doesn’t workout as I thought it would.
Pen and paper or computer/phone?
My happiness is pen and paper, but computer makes it so everyone can see it.
Standalone or series?
Series. I love diving into someone’s whole world, not peeking through the window.
Book or ebook?
eBook! Give me as many books in my pocket as you can. Someday I will control the world from my pocket.
Hero or anti-hero?
Either or. I care more about their journey, than their flavor.
3. When you look for books to read, what trope or type of story will always catch your attention?
Action-packed stories grab me really well. Or any story that sounds like an entirely new concept or deals with multiple worlds/environments.
4. What do you write? Tell us about your current projects and the latest happenings!
I mostly write Cthulhu Mythos related fiction. My newest novel, coming out in October 2021, is the third full-length novel in my Andrew Doran series. Andrew Doran is an Indiana Jones-styled pulp adventurer who focuses his energies on keeping the world safe from the things that go bump in the night. Including short stories there are about 10 Andrew Doran stories out there, spanning the late 30’s and early 40’s.
5. What is your most recent release? Give us a short presentation, cover, and a link for where to buy it!
Unfortunately, it isn’t out yet, and won’t be until October 2021. It is the third in my Andrew Doran series. You can get the first one here: https://amzn.to/3xlVqA8
The synopsis: Andrew Doran – celebrated archaeologist and wisecracking warrior against enemies beyond human imagination – faces his greatest challenge, this time the fate of the world is at stake. Doran’s colleague Nancy Dyer has located the Book of Eibon. Its vast power is a magnet for foes from all over the world. Miskatonic University soon finds itself besieged by dark forces whose victory would mean the end of Earth as we know it. Join Doran and Dyer for another exhilarating adventure battling monsters with magic, machine-guns, and Doran’s own brand of panache.
6. What real-life inspiration do you draw from, and what are your primary fictional sources of inspiration (books, authors, films, music, etc.)? Name a few!
Real life inspiration comes from Neil Gaiman, Catherine Webb, and Stephen King. I thoroughly enjoy their styles and their work schedules.
Fictionally, I tend to pull from tons of Lovecraft, Conan-Doyle, and Asimov. Additionally, just about any action flick I see encourages me to write more adventure scenes.
7. What is your writing routine? If you have one, give us the run-down!
Sparse and barely ever the same day-to-day. The things that remain the same are my notebook and the process for that. I like to write out my basic notes for everything I want to happen in my notebook. Once I have at least a few pages of notes, I’ll start typing on the computer. Then I return to the notebook for more notes. Rinse, lather, repeat.
8. If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice as you started out on the path to becoming an author, what would it be?
I have never been a fan of changing things. My path has been pretty awesome so far. If I had to say anything it would be “Don’t be so discouraged, you’re doing great!”
9. Last but not least: where can we find you? Drop those links!
