BIO

Chris believes that stories should be able to transport the reader to different places, where they can experience events and dimensions that have never been considered. Chris is able to write gentle fable-like adventures (Far From Burden Dell and Logistics) as well as opening the pages into dark and terrifying stories where dimensions co-exist with indescribable evil. (Legacy, Liner, Lingering, and Latency).  

Chris Coppel was born in California and has since split his time between the USA and Europe, living in California, Spain, France, Switzerland and England. 

Chris has held senior operations positions for both Warner Bros. and Universal Studios. Chris also held the position of Director of Operations for UCLA’s Film School where he also taught advanced screenwriting. Chris and his wife Clare spent many years helping animal rescue with Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. Before joining Best Friends, Chris was President and Managing Director of the Home Entertainment Division of Testronics in Los Angeles.

Following in his father’s footsteps (Alec Coppel wrote Vertigo among many other successful movies) Chris has written numerous screenplays as well as the novels Lingering, Lifetimes and Lunacy (also published by Cranthorpe Millner), Far From Burden Dell, Luck, The Lodge, Legacy, Lakebed, Liner, Lucy, Logistics and Double Down (as C J Axlerod).

Chris is also an accomplished drummer and guitarist. He and his wife currently live in the UK.

WEBSITE LINKS

https://www.chriscoppel.com 

Facebook: Chris Coppel Author 

Instagram: @chris.coppel

Twitter: @ChrisCoppel

Amazon Author Page: Chris Coppel

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

Most of the highlights of my life are in the bio above, but basically, I have spent most of my professional life working on the technical side of film and video post-production. Though I wrote Far From Burden Dell in 1993, my consistent writing didn’t start until 2019, when I wrote Luck. My wife, our two cats and I live on the southeast coast of England, and I now seem to spend most of the time, writing or editing my manuscripts. 

Which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life?
The main character in Luck. Daniel Trapp is a narcissistic sociopath who has the power to control everyone he meets. Definitely wouldn’t like to run into the guy.

Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?

I love real crime, good detective books, some sci-fi and well written epics. I also love almost every genre of movie. The other influence has to be my father. Though he died when I was only sixteen and had no interest in writing whatsoever, he must have left some of his genes behind. Among other things, he wrote the film script for Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations.  What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?

Great question. I hate the fact that most of my work falls under the heading of horror. Horror used to mean, at least to me, movies about haunted houses and monsters. At some point in the last quarter of last century, slasher films found their way into that same genre. While some may just qualify, (Nightmare on Elm Street being a good example) most are derivative, repetitive and to me, wholly unimaginative. These films, despite my feelings about them, rake in the profits and will continue to be made long after I’m gone. As far as breaking through the assumptions, the only thing I would like to see happen is for new categories to be created so that the slasher fest can sit in its own bloodbath far away from writers who are trying hard to create original, unique material.


A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years? 

Funny you should ask that. Luck is a satirical horror story about exactly what is happening in US politics at this very moment. The sad thing is that we watch horror every day when we watch the news. Geo-political atrocities are now so common and the threat of global annihilation so omnipresent, it’s going to take much scarier events and creatures to tantalize our terror sensors. As most of us want to find a real escape from earthly troubles and horrors, I believe that sci-fi and horror will blend together. I also think that, with Marvel having oversaturated the planet with positive superheroes (well, mostly positive), that genre will morph into something far darker and more sinister.

Given the dark, violent and at times grotesque nature of the horror genre why do you think so many people enjoy reading it? 

It’s pure and utter escapism. Even if you have to put the book down to hide behind a chair at certain points, it draws you into the tale and allows little else to percolate in your head while you are reading or watching. I think that as horror is, for most of us, complete and utter fabrication, and fantasy. We subconsciously feel safe being terrorized knowing that none of it is real. 

What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre?

Sorry for the one-word answer, but…originality. Too many horror writers seem to use the same basic plot contrivances instead of trying to find a new way of telling good ghost or horror story.

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice of? 

Tony Auffret and Stacey Dighton. Tony writes sixties style British spy-craft novels and Stacey writes off the wall crazy horror. Both are definitely worth following.


Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

I can’t read my reviews. It must be the same weird insecurity you hear about when actors say they can’t watch themselves on screen. Well, I can’t read my reviews. 

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?

Sitting down and actually writing. I have no carved out a set time in the morning and afternoon where I sit at the keyboard and don’t allow myself to get up (except for the essentials) until the time period has elapsed. I used to wait for inspiration (or whatever you want to call it) before I would sit down to write. It wasn’t until I read Stephen King’s book on writing where he said the only way to get any real ideas on the story line is to sit and write. Period!

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? 

Racism. I simply don’t feel qualified having never had to live under such a dark and ominous cloud.

Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?

There aren’t that many years to extrapolate from, but I would have to say that the more you write, the more you develop your own style and become more comfortable with what it is you are trying to say.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?

Keep writing.

Which of your characters is your favorite?

Craig Edmonds from Legacy and Lifetimes. He more than any other character I’ve written had to overcome more hardship in his life, yet when his family was faced with extreme danger, he was able to reach deeply enough into his willpower to overcome any obstacle.

Which of your books best represents you?

Logistics. While not a horror story as such, it’s whimsical, time-bending, and nostalgic tone is me all over. It is a Christmas story that not only explains the origin (only if you believe in fantasy) but leaves the reader with a feel-good sensation at the end. I compare it to It’s a Wonderful Life.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us? 

This is a passage from Liner:

The doctor was sitting at a small desk off to the side of the examination room. A portable record player emitted some gentle jazz music while a cigarette burned in a cut-glass ashtray, sending a slow spiral of smoke into the air. A bottle of single malt Scotch sat next to it. It was only a third full. The doctor had a glass halfway to his mouth. He initially stared at the two in anger, then, upon recognizing them, he shook his head in defeat and downed the contents of the glass.

“I take it my strong-armed approach didn’t work?”

“What’s going on doctor?” Diana asked. “We have a right to know.”

“Yeah!” David added bravely.

“Had you said those words to me yesterday, I would have disagreed wholeheartedly. Today however, my sentiment has changed. You should know what’s happening. You should be given time to prepare yourselves.”

“For what exactly?” Diana asked as she stepped closer to him.

“You may want to keep a few steps away.” The doctor leaned over and lifted his right pants leg. The necrosis had consumed the entire thigh and was moving up and across the doctor’s knee.

Diana stumbled backwards.

“So, it is contagious?” David asked.

“We have no idea. It is certainly spreading, but we don’t know how. It seems random.”

“But I saw you with a passenger last night who—had whatever it is.”

“Ah. You saw that, did you mister Gross? That was the second case. Overnight there were seven more. I never came into contact with any of those poor sods.”

The doctor poured himself another drink.

“Does it hurt?” Diana asked.

“Strangely no. Not at all. There’s an odd feeling of numbness and a mild tingling, but no pain whatsoever.”

“What can we do?” David asked.

“I do have one request that you may find a bit strange. Would you mind staying here with me until it’s—over? From what I’ve observed so far, it should only take about ten to fifteen minutes more. I regret to say that I’m a tad scared of death and would feel slightly more comfortable to not have to die here alone.”

“Of course, we will,” Diana said. “David, why don’t you see if you could find us a few chairs and maybe a couple of glasses.”

David gave her an understanding nod then left the room. He found a couple of folding chairs in the next room and a water cooler with a paper cup dispenser. He returned to the examination room and set up the chairs. He poured a large scotch for the doctor and two smaller ones for them.

As they settled in their chairs, the doctor spoke.

“This was to be my last crossing. My wife, Vera, and I were going to buy a small cottage in Felpham in West Sussex. It’s a small village just down the coast from Bogor Regis. It’s a lovely spot right on the sea. We’ve been planning it for over thirty years. Now that we’re within spitting distance of our goal, I’m apparently not going make it home after all.”

“I’m so sorry doctor.” Diana looked close to tears.

“My names Percy. Percy Adams. There’s little point in using formal titles now. I’ll be before Saint Peter soon enough, and I doubt he’d be impressed with them either.”

“Is there anything we can do for you?” David offered.

“It would have been nice to let Vera know, but that’s not to be either.”

“We could send her a wire from you or tell her what’s happened. Whichever you prefer,” Diana said.

“That would be very nice except we’ve no way of communicating with the shore.” Percy advised.

“Of course, we do. The ship has wireless telegraph. I know that for a fact. My father uses it quite often.”

“It does indeed miss. Unfortunately, it’s not been working for a few days. It stopped at the same time as the bridge…”

The doctor shivered and bowed his head.

“I don’t think there’s long for me now.”

“What were you saying about the bridge?” David prodded.

Diana slapped his arm. She clearly didn’t feel it was the right time.

The doctor tried to sit up straight. They could see the necrosis rising above his shirt collar. It climbed his neck then inched up over his jay. As with the passenger David had observed, his jaw suddenly dropped open as the tendons and ligatures eroded to mush.

The doctor tried to speak.

“I’m so sorr…” His mouth was consumed before he could finish.

David reached over and took Diana, hand as they watched Percy’s last moments. The necrosis was just below his eyes. For a moment they could see the sparkle of life within them, then they turned opaque, blackened, then began to prune. 

Diana looked away as the crud reached his forehead. As it encircled the top of his head, David gave her a nudge.

“I think you should see this.”

She turned back and they both watched as all the exposed parts of him began to shimmer at the edges. Minute wisps of green matter spun off him, then disappeared. The wisps were replaced with a powdery green aura as his entire body was consumed by death. Then, in a split second, his mortal remains vanished as did the green haze. His cloths collapsed into the chair and floor almost in the shape they had held when occupied.

David turned to Diana. Her eyes were rivetted to the doctor’s chair. The only sound in the room was the portable record player as it dropped another album onto the turntable. The arm swung over to the vinyl edge and the needle lowered into the first groove. There was a hiss while the needle searched for the recorded sound.

A slow blues ballad played. The singer was soulful, a woman and black. Her voice filled the room.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

My last book (Lusas Naturae) is a horror story about a living, genetically modified weapon that was created during World War 2 by a British scientist to wreak havoc on German troops in occupied France. The creature escapes after an accident during transport and begins feasting on the population of the seaside town of Deal in the UK. The townsfolk finally manage to subdue it and the beast is placed on a trawler to be buried at the deepest point of the English Channel. 

In present day, the entire town of Deal is celebrating the finding and salvaging of the wreck of a famed tri-masted sloop that sunk hundreds of years earlier. As the wreckage is raised, parts of another, unknown boat appear to be snarled in the rigging. The other craft is located, and, on its foredeck, a stone sarcophagus is found lashed to the deck. It is brought ashore and inadvertently opened, releasing the genetic mutant upon the same town it had terrified eighty years earlier. My next book (which I have just stated) is a sequel to Latency. As for the story line…I’ll let you know what it is as soon as I know.

If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

The one where a group of people choose to stay in a haunted house, hotel, asylum etc. as part of a dare or challenge only to get picked off one by one by the ghostly inhabitants. This has been done and overdone to death (pun!).

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?

The Weight of Ink was absolutely brilliant. 

All Jack Reacher books since Lee Child handed over the writing reins are, to me, crushingly disappointing. The very soul of the character and the story telling has disappeared.

What’s the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?  And what would be the answer?

Hi Chris, would you be interested in our making your last book into a movie?

Yes, I would.