Author Interview: Sam Campbell - Part 2

by - 8:00 PM


Every now and then, I like to take a moment to introduce an author to all of you! With this interview series, I've come to know an amazing group of writers and I want you to know them too!

For today's installment, I've had the pleasure of interviewing author Sam Campbell! According to his website, he's a YA and a Multi-Genre author who specializes in "creepy and twisted."

Of course, I know we all want to know more than that! That's why I've sent him an in-depth questionnaire with 75 of the most intriguing questions I could come up with! And since Sam is an incredible interviewee, he took the time to answer almost all of them! So not only do we get one interview with Sam, but we actually get two!

In case you missed the earlier segment of Sam's interview series, you can check out Part 1 here!

About the Author:
  • If you could put any book in the high school curriculum, what would it be? Why? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Not only is it a great example of world-building for creative writers, but it also has some beautiful themes as well: loss, friendship, character, right vs. wrong. It’s deep!
  • If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why? Again, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I would happily take the credit! It’s what started the entire HP success and phenomenon. It also means so much to so many readers. I’d love for people to be that passionate about my work.
  • What do you think your biggest accomplishment has been? Writing and publishing Doll House. Creating a book is no small task. It’s work! YEARS of work. And now I’m officially an author, which has been my dream since I was 14!
  • What’s your next big goal? To see Doll House spread like wildfire and be made into a film. (Shooting for the moon here!)
  • What’s something that no one knows about you? Well, most people didn’t know I was a writer! They got the hint when Doll House came out :)
  • Do you have any hidden talents? I sing and play the piano. It’s pretty much a secret outside my church’s four walls.
  • What’s one thing that you think you’re horrible at? Math! And underwater basket weaving.

About Being an Author:
  • What is your ultimate author goal? What are you doing to make it happen? Or is something awesome already in the works? As I’ve mentioned before, my ultimate author goal is to see Doll House gather a huge following and be turned into film. I’d love to see this story and these characters on the big screen!
    I’m constantly promoting and thinking of ways to promote. I believe that if Doll House gets in front of enough eyes and the right people, big things can happen. So lots of promotion!!
  • Do you read your book reviews? If so, how do you react/cope with them? I do! I know a lot of authors advise against it, but I honestly can’t help myself. I’ve put so much time and energy into this project, I want to see people’s reactions. 
  • Do you Google yourself? What’s the funniest thing you’ve found? I have, and Google said I was another author named Sam Campbell who died in the 1800’s…
  • If you could be mentored by another author, who would it be? Why? J.K. Rowling. She obviously has so much wisdom about storytelling and creating wonderful characters. I need to learn her ways!
  • What advice do you have for other writers? If at all possible, unplug from the internet when you sit down to write. Seriously. Two minutes on Twitter turns into two hours REALLY quickly!

About Your Book:
  • If you had to compare your book to another published work, what would it be? Why? I always compare the tone of Doll House to Coraline. That may be pretty presumptuous, but I think it’s true! They both have that dark, children’s horror aspect to them. Both creepy!
  • If you could get your book reviewed by anyone in the world, who would it be? Why? J.K. Rowling. Or maybe R.L. Stine.
  • Did you base any of your characters on real people? If so, who? None of the characters are based on real people. However, certain characters have characteristics and mannerisms that resemble people in my life.
  • If your book was turned into a movie, who would be your ideal cast? As much as I want Doll House made into a movie, I have no clue! I will say I can see Ben Kingsley playing the role of Armonzo Delaney. Maybe a young Hailee Steinfeld (with blue eyes, of course!) as Emma?

About Your Writing:
  • Do you have any new projects coming out? The prequel to Doll House.
  • Do you try to include a moral or lesson in your writing? I don’t purposefully include any lessons or morals, but after the book is finished, I can look back and see that some did weasel their way in. Which is perfectly fine!
  • What's the hardest scene you've ever had to write? I just finished an intense action scene for my current project, and it was hard work! It left me physically drained and exhausted!
  • How many unpublished/unfinished books do you have? I completed my first full manuscript when I was 20. And it was AWFUL. That book will remain hidden in the depths of my closet.
  • Do you struggle with writing your own story versus writing what you think will sell? I used to struggle with this all the time. In fact, that first manuscript was a complete Harry Potter/Chronicles of Narnia knockoff. Now that I’m older and more experienced, I write the story that’s important to me. I write the story that’s inside me. It’s pointless to copy something that’s already been done. If you’re not completely passionate about the project and simply trying to write the next bestseller, you’re going to burn out and start to hate the writing process.
  • If you could co-author a book with anyone, who would it be? Why? I think Neil Gaiman (author of Coraline) and I could put something together! We both seem to enjoy the creepy and strange things of literature. Although I’d feel completely inferior trying to write alongside of him…

About the Process:
  • How often/how much do you write? I do most of my writing on the weekends. Since the week is so busy with my other job, I try to devote most weekends to writing!
  • Do you have a special writing routine or playlist? I always have some kind of caffeine, whether hot coffee or a frappuccino! And I personally don’t listen to music while writing. I know many writers do, but it just distracts me. I start to sing along and forget about writing!
  • How long does it take you to write a book? Way too long. I spent two years writing the first draft of Doll House. The next book will not take that long! PROMISE.
  • How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? It motivates me to write faster! I have people waiting for the prequel, so I need to stay off Twitter and get those words down!
  • What’s the craziest or most successful thing you’ve done to market your book? Facebook writer groups are amazing. I joined several groups, and everyone is so encouraging and interested in your work. I highly recommend! They’re great places to discuss your book and get feedback.

Author Bio:


Sam Campbell began writing his first novel at the age of fourteen, which was (surprise surprise) total garbage. He hopes he has improved since then. When he's not writing, he likes to read, waste time on Twitter, and watch movies with his family. He also suffers from a terrible addiction to McDonald's frappes. Mocha, of course.


If you want to follow up with the author or purchase a copy of her book, please follow these links: 

Have another question for the author? Ask it in the comments below!

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