A Hilarioius Yet Poignant Book About a Living Dead Girl

I recently finished reading Stuart West’s latest, a teen novel entitled Elspeth the Living Dead Girl, and I have to honestly say that this is definitely his best! He’s taken a completely despicable character, Elizabeth, the epitome of perfect mean girl, and changed her to a very decent human being by the end of the story and just how… I love Stuart West’s writing. It’s poetic, it’s clever, it’s witty, and gripping. Any teenaged girl would love this. And readers, leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of Elspeth.

Stuart, what have ye to say for thyself this time?

Well, thanks so much for having me back again, Suzanne. You rocketh, that’s what I sayeth. I challenged myself with this book. 

Elspeth, the Living Dead Girl is told through a twin, teen-girl narrative, one of them dead, the other living. Why was it challenging? Because I’m a 53-year-old male. What in the world do I know about teen girls? I watched one grow up in my house, that’s what.  (Still wondering who she is. Kidding!) My daughter didn’t realize I was secretly watching her and her friends, taking notes, formulating the book. Between my daughter’s life and my memories from high school, the characters were birthed. And you’re right...I wanted to take a despicable teen girl, turn her world upside down, try to make her likable by book’s end. I almost feel sorry for what I put her through. That’s just the living girl. The dead girl, Elspeth, is the ultimate action heroine; she takes names, takes no prisoners, walks tall and carries a dang taser.  

In a nutshell, the book’s about a girl who died in New York in the ‘80’s. She’s been given another chance from the “Limbo-Keepers” to try and right wrongs. But the catch is, she has to inhabit a living body, Elizabeth (a snooty, uptight spoiled rich girl), to bring a high school drug dealer and murderer to justice. Elizabeth has other plans. She wants to marry her Prince Charming, become prom queen and get into the Ivy League college of her choice. Heads butt, butts collide. Who is the mysterious dealer? I ain’t saying. That’s where the fun—and danger—comes in. In all of my books, I bring the mystery, comedy, supernatural, suspense, romance, danger. And tackle topical teen issues. This time out? We’re going after drugs, I hope in an entertaining manner.

I’m so amazed at how quickly you churn out these books. How long did it take you to write this one?

Probably about three months to knock out the first draft, the fun part. Then a couple months to revise, rewrite, bang my head against the wall, stress out, rethink, re-evaluate, develop an ulcer, drink a lot, then start the real work.

Hahaha! You’re making me laugh as usual. But seriously, please tell me there will be a sequel. You’ve absolutely left me hanging with what happened to Elizabeth.

Um, not sure there will be a sequel. And you’re not the first person to ask. But I thought I wrote the last word on my two heroines in this book (although you can read more of their adventures in my second Tex, the Witch Boy book, Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia. They also show up in Tex and the God Squad. Now, having said that, the characters are fun to write. So, you never know when they might show up again. I like the girls quite a bit.

Well, I’m not done with you yet on that one. I want to see what happens to Elizabeth. (Fist pounding.) Ahem…so what’s next? 

I’ve been working on a marketing plan for my books. Step one is to shoot a politician, hopefully just winging him. Sure to boost sales. Cheap and easy. Vin Diesel can play me in the Lifetime miniseries. Then again, I don’t look forward to a stay in prison. So...I’m writing. In September, MuseItUp Publishing is releasing my newest novel, Godland. It’s the darkest, most adult book I’ve written, full of twists and suspense. After that, I have my own YA take on the zombie phenomenon; a darkly comedic book about a corporation dedicated to financing serial killers; and a morbidly amusing tale about a stand-up comedian who makes the mistake of harassing a demon.

Oh my, what an imagination! I thought I had a wild brain. I guess not. Anyway, could you please give us your purchasing links so others can snap up this work?

Sigh. You’re gonna’ make me work at this, aren’t you? Okay, here we go:

The Tex, the Witch Boy series available at MuseItUp Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/search?keyword=stuart+r+west&limitstart=0&option=com_virtuemart&view=category

And Amazon:

Elspeth, the Living Dead Girl: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LBG4VKM

Tex, the Witch Boy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3U5OWU

Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E5RWBGA

Tex and the God Squad: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9HPIA4

And my adult horror tale, Neighborhood Watch: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA6ZTIO

And being a follower of your hilarious blog, give us your link so others can follow you too.

Bloggy: http://stuartrwest.blogspot.com/    Fair warning: You might just become a tad bit more immature by reading my weekly spewing.

Yeah, that kind of happened to me, but I don’t mind. So that’s it, folks. I promise you’ll love Elspeth the Living Dead Girl. So hop to and pick up a copy or leave a comment for a chance to win one.