The following is an interview with writer Pete Kramer on the recent release of Chesapeake Bay Monsters. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Kramer about his creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of Chesapeake Bay Monsters! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the story’s premise?
Pete Kramer: At its core I’d say it’s a suspenseful “going into business” story with dark fantasy elements. There’s an emphasis throughout regarding the morality of engaging in certain kinds of business and the pitfalls of starting a business with friends.
BD: What can you tell us about the creative process of bringing this story (and its fantastical creatures) to life on the page?
PK: I didn’t really know what the creatures were exactly when I began. Figuring out what they were was one of the most fun things about writing the story. My primary focus when initially sitting down was the central characters and imbuing each of them with different attitudes that I thought would both clash and complement each other at different points. The interplay between the three leads is the heart of the story.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Scott, Roc, and John’s story may connect with and impact readers?
PK: Without giving too much away, I can say that the story is very much a morality tale about doing the right thing when the wrong thing looks much more appealing. All three of the central players, who are imperfect but realistic, end up in vastly different places by the end of the story.
BD: Do you have any plans to expand this story into subsequent novels or other entertainment mediums (if given the opportunity)?
PK: As an unknown commodity to most readers, it was important for me to complete a single story that had a very clear beginning, middle, and end. I know for me that I’d be very unlikely to pick up a book that’s the first of a series written by an unknown author or one that was oppressively long. That being said, there are some places I could go in a sequel if there was interest but it’s not really on my radar at the moment. As far as other entertainment mediums, I think the novel would work well as a stage play or film. There’s no audio book as yet, but I think a dramatized audio presentation would be great.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
PK: I recently finished the first draft of a steampunk-themed “aging adventurer” story. I can’t get into the plot too much, but I wanted to do something that was suspenseful and pedal to the metal from start to finish. It was important for me to do a story with completely different kinds of characters in a completely different kind of setting; however, like Chesapeake Bay Monsters, it’s a standalone novel with some sequel potential. I’ll be filing the edges off that first draft over the next few weeks before bringing in an editor for a developmental analysis.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Chesapeake Bay Monsters and your other work?
PK: The print version of the novel is available widely, while the e-book version is currently exclusive to Amazon. The best way to keep informed about me would be to follow on X (@PeteKramer29).
