This week I'm interviewing four writers about how they cut their teeth on the horror scene, and how to be a horror author in the 21st century.

A few words about today’s featured writer, Mario Acevedo….

Mario’s a star on the urban fantasy writing scene. Then again, how could he go wrong when his books have titles like The Nymphos of Rocky Flats and X-Rated Bloodsuckers? He seems to have risen to prominence quickly and effortlessly. The guy’s just as quick with the one-liners, as you’ll see below. In a recent interview with Urban Fantasy Land he was asked if he owned a copy of the Kama Sutra. His response: “My copies of the Kama Sutra were worn out doing research for my book. My favourite had scratch-and-sniff inserts.” Read on, if you dare….

What motivated you to become a horror writer?

I backed into the genre.  After years of trying to get a "serious" book published, I decided to write the most ridiculous story I could think of: a vampire-detective investigates an outbreak of nymphomania at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant.

How long did it take before you made your first pro sale? What was it?

From the time I sat down to write a book and the time I actually sold something, it took 17 years.  It was for The Nymphos of Rocky Flats.

Where did it lead from there?

I got a contract for three books which was renewed for two more.

How did you go about promoting yourself and your work at the outset? Do you still do those same things or have you modified your self-promotional approach?

Website, blog, signings, thousands of postcards, random phone calls.  I'm doing more of everything except for the random phone calls (due to a restraining order).

First big break toward becoming a published pro?

The first contract.  Now it's all up to me.

Any good rejection stories?

When I had sent a partial manuscript, an agent called me to say he loved the story and wanted the rest of the book.  After that, I never heard from him again.  He even changed his voice mail to say: If you're Mario Acevedo, you suck.  Leave me alone.

Any advice for writers who are starting out?

Don't give up and keep learning.

Mario Acevedo became a fantasy writer by entering the process backwards.  After years of trying to get a "serious" novel published, he wrote the most ridiculous story he could think of: a vampire-detective investigates an outbreak of nymphomania at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant.  His most recent novel is The Undead Kama Sutra. Vampire-detective Felix Gomez continues his undead noir adventures in the forthcoming Jailbait Zombie.

JOHN PICACIO is currently one of the finalists for the 2008 World Fantasy Award in the Artist category. He has won two International Horror Guild Awards, the Locus Award, the Chesley Award, and the 2005 World Fantasy Award, all in the Artist category. He’s been a Hugo Award finalist (Best Professional Artist) the last four consecutive years. Cover Story: The Art of John Picacio, a lush, 200-page hardcover collection of his work, was a 2007 Hugo Award finalist. This year, Ballantine/Del Rey released a major trade paperback edition of Michael Moorcock’s Elric: The Stealer of Souls, debuting Picacio’s all-new cover and interior illustrations. He and his wife Traci live in San Antonio, Texas. For more info, please visit http://www.johnpicacio.com/index2.html, or his blog, http://johnpicacio.com/blog.html.