Interview with Shannon Denton
First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com!
My name is Jen, and I'll be your server toda...oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time
out of your writing schedule--which I'm sure is busy!-and answering a few questions for your readers and
fans.
Let's get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
When I realized Charge of the Light Brigade! was easier to write than draw. Seriously though, I've made
my living for years as a professional artist for places like Marvel & DC comics, Cartoon Network,
Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Bros., etc. so I just saw writing as an extension of the storytelling I was
already doing. I love the combination of words and pictures but I'm also just as apt to sink my teeth into a
Tom Clancy, Stephen King, or Robert E. Howard novel as those guys create worlds with words.
Oh, and my name is Shannon Eric Denton.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I started off at Image Comics. After stints there and at other publishers I got a day job writing and
illustrating for tv/film. Since I had so much less time for print media I decided from that point on I was only
going to do creator driven projects. I'd still take on occasional jobs like the upcoming SPIDER anthology I
wrote a story in. Not only do I love the character but John Jakes is in the same book. So that gig was a
great "exception to the rule." My Tokyopop book ZAPT! was a great way for me to reach not only a
manga audience but it was aimed at kids and distributed by Harper Collins. I also got to work on it with my
good buddies Keith Giffen and Armand Villavert, Jr. Once again it was creatively rewarding as well as
making good business sense.
Having worked "creatively" for so many other publishers, starting our line of ACTIONOPOLIS books was a
great way to take what I've learned and actually make a product exactly how I wanted it to be. I was
involved in every detail from choosing the paper stock to the fonts used on the book spine. It was great!
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Well, I juggle a lot of projects so I'd say pick up ZAPT! if you like fun, entertaining and uplifting nonsense
in a manga format! That book has been so much fun to make and Tokyopop has been very generous in
their support. As for our seven ACTIONOPOLIS titles, I'd say that if you are interested in smart,
white-knuckle adventure stories brought to you by the top talents from the fields of film, comics, and video
games then we have something for you! Check out ACTIONOPOLIS.com to read a chapter, see what
people are raving about, and blog with the creators.
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I'd have to say it's a mix of Rod Serling and George Lucas. Those guys rocked my creative world as a kid,
among a million others, but they were the biggest.
Let's hear about your family, who I'm sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Ha! My four-year-old and one-year-old boys like the toys in my office but aren't all that impressed that
dad sits in front of a computer most of the afternoon. They could care less I got written up in
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Now if I drove a firetruck or flew a jet that'd win them over. Rightly so!
Now for some fun facts. What's your greatest comfort food?
Nachos accompanied with post-21 beverages!
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Ask my boys why they are jumping on me, open my eyes, and then proceed to demonstrate WWF moves
to said boys so they know their old man ain't no slouch. Then I drink two pots of coffee.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what's the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
Besides the endless boxes of comics? Hmmmm, probably that in each and every one of my shoes is
hidden an action figure. I have no idea how they get there.
Everyone asks the question about "if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?" so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Red. Red is racy! I'm probably more of an olive drab though.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
It used to be Speedy Gonzales (not only do I have ADD but I pole vaulted for Florida State) but now I'd
say I'm closer to Homer Simpson. He and I like all the same foods and beverages at least.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world ("Beam me up, Scotty!"), during any time in history,
where and when would it be--and why?
Wow. I love history so this is a tough one. I'd love to go help my grandpa out in World War Two or go
back and smack around creeps like Jack the Ripper. I realize neither of those is sounding very relaxing.
I'd say from just a viewing POV I'd love to see dinosaurs. This could go on forever with me so we'll leave it
at dinosaurs. It's hard to top dinosaurs.
So what's your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you're writing?
Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Foo Fighters, Beck, DeLaSoul, Marcy Playground, but mainly
Johnny Cash. I like folks who don't fit into a set box. People that try new things lyrically but at the same
time have a repetitive rhythm. I like to tap my foot while I write.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
Just saw Casino Royale. Great movie. We don't get out as much with the kids so it's great when a movie
lives up to your expectations. On TV I watch 24, Battlestar Galactica, Deadwood, Rome. Friday Night
Lights has been fun because it reminds me of my days playing high school ball in the South.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Believe in yourself and be courteous to those around you. Taking the extra half-second to actually say
thank you to the person that held the elevator, door etc. isn't that big of a commitment. Being nice has
always paid off for me even if it comes around many years later.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Many I hope! In the immediate future I have ZAPT! VOL. TWO from Tokyopop and we have plenty more
titles getting ready to debut this summer from Actionopolis! I'm personally involved in the creation of all
the ACTIONOPOLIS books so they are all near and dear to my heart. So be sure and tell your librarian,
local retailer and friends about us. It may seem goofy but it really helps. There are so many new books
each month there's no way for any librarian or retailer to know about them all so your input is priceless!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thank you!
My name is Jen, and I'll be your server toda...oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time
out of your writing schedule--which I'm sure is busy!-and answering a few questions for your readers and
fans.
Let's get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
When I realized Charge of the Light Brigade! was easier to write than draw. Seriously though, I've made
my living for years as a professional artist for places like Marvel & DC comics, Cartoon Network,
Nickelodeon, Disney, Warner Bros., etc. so I just saw writing as an extension of the storytelling I was
already doing. I love the combination of words and pictures but I'm also just as apt to sink my teeth into a
Tom Clancy, Stephen King, or Robert E. Howard novel as those guys create worlds with words.
Oh, and my name is Shannon Eric Denton.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I started off at Image Comics. After stints there and at other publishers I got a day job writing and
illustrating for tv/film. Since I had so much less time for print media I decided from that point on I was only
going to do creator driven projects. I'd still take on occasional jobs like the upcoming SPIDER anthology I
wrote a story in. Not only do I love the character but John Jakes is in the same book. So that gig was a
great "exception to the rule." My Tokyopop book ZAPT! was a great way for me to reach not only a
manga audience but it was aimed at kids and distributed by Harper Collins. I also got to work on it with my
good buddies Keith Giffen and Armand Villavert, Jr. Once again it was creatively rewarding as well as
making good business sense.
Having worked "creatively" for so many other publishers, starting our line of ACTIONOPOLIS books was a
great way to take what I've learned and actually make a product exactly how I wanted it to be. I was
involved in every detail from choosing the paper stock to the fonts used on the book spine. It was great!
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Well, I juggle a lot of projects so I'd say pick up ZAPT! if you like fun, entertaining and uplifting nonsense
in a manga format! That book has been so much fun to make and Tokyopop has been very generous in
their support. As for our seven ACTIONOPOLIS titles, I'd say that if you are interested in smart,
white-knuckle adventure stories brought to you by the top talents from the fields of film, comics, and video
games then we have something for you! Check out ACTIONOPOLIS.com to read a chapter, see what
people are raving about, and blog with the creators.
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I'd have to say it's a mix of Rod Serling and George Lucas. Those guys rocked my creative world as a kid,
among a million others, but they were the biggest.
Let's hear about your family, who I'm sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Ha! My four-year-old and one-year-old boys like the toys in my office but aren't all that impressed that
dad sits in front of a computer most of the afternoon. They could care less I got written up in
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Now if I drove a firetruck or flew a jet that'd win them over. Rightly so!
Now for some fun facts. What's your greatest comfort food?
Nachos accompanied with post-21 beverages!
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Ask my boys why they are jumping on me, open my eyes, and then proceed to demonstrate WWF moves
to said boys so they know their old man ain't no slouch. Then I drink two pots of coffee.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what's the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
Besides the endless boxes of comics? Hmmmm, probably that in each and every one of my shoes is
hidden an action figure. I have no idea how they get there.
Everyone asks the question about "if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?" so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Red. Red is racy! I'm probably more of an olive drab though.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
It used to be Speedy Gonzales (not only do I have ADD but I pole vaulted for Florida State) but now I'd
say I'm closer to Homer Simpson. He and I like all the same foods and beverages at least.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world ("Beam me up, Scotty!"), during any time in history,
where and when would it be--and why?
Wow. I love history so this is a tough one. I'd love to go help my grandpa out in World War Two or go
back and smack around creeps like Jack the Ripper. I realize neither of those is sounding very relaxing.
I'd say from just a viewing POV I'd love to see dinosaurs. This could go on forever with me so we'll leave it
at dinosaurs. It's hard to top dinosaurs.
So what's your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you're writing?
Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Foo Fighters, Beck, DeLaSoul, Marcy Playground, but mainly
Johnny Cash. I like folks who don't fit into a set box. People that try new things lyrically but at the same
time have a repetitive rhythm. I like to tap my foot while I write.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
Just saw Casino Royale. Great movie. We don't get out as much with the kids so it's great when a movie
lives up to your expectations. On TV I watch 24, Battlestar Galactica, Deadwood, Rome. Friday Night
Lights has been fun because it reminds me of my days playing high school ball in the South.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Believe in yourself and be courteous to those around you. Taking the extra half-second to actually say
thank you to the person that held the elevator, door etc. isn't that big of a commitment. Being nice has
always paid off for me even if it comes around many years later.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Many I hope! In the immediate future I have ZAPT! VOL. TWO from Tokyopop and we have plenty more
titles getting ready to debut this summer from Actionopolis! I'm personally involved in the creation of all
the ACTIONOPOLIS books so they are all near and dear to my heart. So be sure and tell your librarian,
local retailer and friends about us. It may seem goofy but it really helps. There are so many new books
each month there's no way for any librarian or retailer to know about them all so your input is priceless!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
Thank you!
