31 Wicked Days Of Xmas With Myke Cole

• What is next for you book wise in 2013?

The 2^nd book in my SHADOW OPS series, FORTRESS FRONTIER, will be simultaneously released in both the US and the UK (with two very different, very awesome covers) on January 31^st. Some time will be devoted to promoting that, then it’s back to work on the 3^rd book in the series, BREACH ZONE.

• Do you have a favorite book of 2012?

Definitely. It’s Mark Lawrence’s KING OF THORNS. It’s the second book in his BROKEN EMPIRE series. It’s more complex and ambitious than book 1, PRINCE OF THORNS, but he absolutely pulls it off. He has truly mastered the art of crafting a flawed protagonist who is compelling, sympathetic and absolutely horrifying simultaneously. He is truly pushing the boundaries of what great fantasy can do. If you want another great example of this kind of flawed protagonist, check out Daniel Polansky’s LOW TOWN series.

• What is your favorite holiday food?

Fried pumpkin seeds. Yeah, I know that’s a Halloween delicacy, so sue me. Halloween is definitely a holiday. And if stores think it’s okay to start playing Christmas music on Halloween, then by God, I can pick a Halloween food in Christmas interview.

• Least favorite holiday song?

- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Because. My Dad’s Jewish, which means she’s cheating on him.

• Do you have any holiday family traditions?

Yelling. There is an unbelievable amount of yelling in our house on the holidays. It’s not necessarily angry yelling, but if you’ve been invited to the Cole home for festivities and the windows aren’t vibrating, you’re probably at the wrong house.

• Worst gift you ever received?

An engraved pen. Dude. It’s the Internet age. Do you expect me to take this thing and then ride my horse down to my job threshing corn by hand at the local windmill?

• Worst gift you ever gave?

A US Marine Corps tie. To my agent. The hint that it was a bad call was when he regifted it to my friend at a party the next day. In front of me.

• Favorite holiday memory?

Christmas in Camp Liberty, Baghdad in 2008. Our CO came out on the floor and said: “There will not be any trees, or lights, or gifts, or any of that crap. It’s just going to make you miss home even more. Instead, there will be more work.” We responded (in one voice): “We love you, sir. Merry Christmas.” (He was kidding, of course. He wound up putting a 4” illuminated tree on his desk – Morale on the watch floor improved considerably).

• If you could share one lesser known fact about yourself to our readers, what will it be?

From my adolescence until about age 30, I had hair down to my ass.

• Weirdest thing you collect?

Accents. I’ve got this weird knack for imitating them. Once I hear someone speak, I can imitate their accent with pretty amazing accuracy.

Giveaway Details: Myke is giving away locks of his hair…I mean a UK copy Control Point. Just tell Myke what weird thing you collect. US/Canada only.