Just in time for Halloween – Local Writer collaborates on a Sensual Sequel to Mary Shelly’s Classic Story

Martin Powell and L.R. Barrett-Durham

L.R. Barrett-Durham and Martin Powell are co-writing a story together for Halloween. Durham is a local independent author that has written and co-wrote, with E.G. Glover, nine books. Durham is a Jane-of-all-Trades and her novel genres vary from epic fantasy, paranormal romance, horror and also a children’s book. She is known mainly for The Trust Series and her Geeky Stained Glass business.

Martin Powell is from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Powell has been a professional freelance writer full-time for 27 years. He has been published nearly 400 times by many major industry publishers. Powell has written every conceivable genre from mysteries, science fiction, horror, comedy, westerns to children’s books. “Remaining flexible is crucial in order for a writer to survive,” Powell explains. He is versatile with his works. He has written everything from novellas, short stories, comic books, comic strips, graphic novels, kid’s books, nonfiction and this year he will be writing his first stage play.
Powell has been writing and telling stories since grade school, “There hasn’t been a time in my memory when I wasn’t a story-teller, having made up and illustrated my first book (in crayon) in the second grade.”

Being a writer means everything to Powell, “I suppose it’s more a question of who I am, rather than simply what I do, if that makes any sense. It’s a compulsion, really. I doubt I could stop even if I wanted to.”
Powell is always writing. He recently finished a graphic novel of “Robinson Crusoe” for young readers, he is currently writing five weekly online comic strips for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., his new novel “The Jungle Tales of Tarzan, published by Dark Horse, should be out later this year. Powell does not usually write with other writers but he made an exception for this new project because, “Back in April 2013, I met author L.R. Barrett-Durham at a convention in Arkansas. She is extremely prolific, having written and published nine books in the last couple years, and has gained a very loyal international audience. We clicked right away, and quickly became good friends, and it wasn’t long before we starting talking about writing a novel together, The Heart of Frankenstein is the result, something that is practically composing itself. It will be a dark, scary, sensual sequel to Mary Shelley’s classic book.”

Martin Powell

Powell never thought he would ever work with another writer but, “Leia and I are both very excited and this has been a very fun, creative adventure for both of us.”
Powell travels regularly for his fans. Recently, he was the Guest of Honor at Brit Con 2014, and his next stop is at the Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan Convention in Fargo, ND. “There always seems to be something going on, and somewhere else to be,” said Powell.
Powell has great advice for writers starting out, “Well, if they are serious, they need to take the time to learn their craft. Just because you have access to a keyboard, and Microsoft Word, doesn’t make you a writer. It takes effort and dedication. The best way to begin is to read everything you can, including novels, short stories, comics, poems, plays, essays—everything. Next, you need to write. Write every day. Don’t worry so much about the quality, at first. Challenge yourself. Don’t give up. If you do, then you didn’t want it badly enough.”
Powell himself has been influenced by many writers, but one stands out above the rest, “Ray Bradbury. Years before I was ever published I wrote to Ray, who was extraordinarily accessible. He always responded with such enthusiastic encouragement, and gave me the added fuel I needed at a very lonely time, when such support was a very rare thing, indeed. Ray Bradbury made my professional career possible. I’d be nothing without him.”