T.H. Morris' THE 11th PERCENT

Book Information

Author - T.H. Morris

Book - The 11th Percent

Genre - Paranormal

Print Length - 396 pages

Synopsis

Jonah Rowe, a bored accountant and aspiring novelist, is sick and tired of his job as an accountant. He is burnt out from all the office gossip, politics, and double talk, and he longs for his life to matter. Truth be told, Jonah wants anything besides the lame routine of coasting through his workday....only to psych himself up enough to do it all over again the next day. He only wishes that his life had some meaning.

Amidst the combination of writer's block and society's expectations to have a "real" 9-5 job, Jonah gets his wish.

His world is turned completely upside down one evening when his vision inexplicably turns blue for several moments. He then receives a warning from a spectral visitor that not only is he in danger, but everything in his life is about to change.

Overnight, Jonah transforms from an overworked, underpaid accountant to the centerpiece of a spectral battle. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he accept that everything he knows about life and death is completely wrong? And, most importantly, will he be able to comprehend and harness the power of the mysterious 11th Percent?

Follow Jonah's journey in this new breed of ghost story!

Buy Links

Amazon

Praise for the Author

- I am really enjoying it. T.H. Morris a gifted writer!

-Had a great time reading! I was hooked in from the start. I really like how you are letting the mystery unfold in pieces. It makes it really suspenseful and got me trying to figure out how this spirit world works. So, I was sitting at the beach, reading your book on my nook and got to the last page and kept clicking "next" because I didn't realize I was done and wanted to read more! So, long story short, I really enjoyed what I read and want to read more!

-The per center concept and the spirits were outright brilliant. Descriptive so much so I could see the characters. I would read more. It left questions which kept me reading………

-I enjoyed it. The plot was very engaging and kept my interest throughout. I found your imagery very descriptive and that really helped me get a good feel for Jonah and his surroundings. I know you have put a lot of time and effort into this and I wish continued success!

-Literally, couldn't stop reading those pages. From an author's perspecive the characters are engaging, the plot gripping. From a reader's standpoint the premise of the story is intriguing and left me wanting more...no mean feat as I'm notoriously selective about what fiction I read. I'm hardcore fantasy, with a bit of sci-fi and horror thrown into the mix to spice things up, so for your paranormal to entice me the way it did was impressive………….displays great descriptive powers…………T.H. Morris is the real deal, mate.

Author Interview

Here's an interview with T.H. Morris, Author of THE 11TH PERCENT, Book 1 of THE 11TH PERCENT Series, conducted by Patti Roberts. Let's get to know this up-and-coming author!

What inspired you to start writing, and when?

I was inspired to write at a very young age, four or five. I grew up on fairy tales, tall tales, and fables. All of those were full of fantastical beings. I couldn’t get enough of those stories. They instilled in me a love of creating worlds and situations within me that has yet to wane. I think the seeds of wanting to write fantasy fiction were planted at that time, but the moment that I knew I just had to be a writer was in the fourth grade. We had to create nine to ten page “books,” bound by yarn and construction paper, and read them to the other fourth grade class. I loved the feeling of reading to other people, and having other people peruse my work. From that moment on, I was bitten by the bug. 

What is your preferred genre?

Paranormal, Fantasy, New Adult…..anything that brings about the need to suspend my disbelief.

How many books have you written?  If more than one, are any a series…or trilogy?

The 11th Percent is Book 1 of what will eventually be a seven book series.

Tell us a little about your book:

The 11th Percent is a paranormal story that takes place in North Carolina. It follows the adventures of everyman Jonah Rowe, who is a bored, unfulfilled, and listless accountant who has literary aspirations. He simply wants his life to mean something. He is about to get his wish in a very rude fashion; he discovers that he is at the epicenter of an ongoing ethereal conflict.

I would like to say that The Eleventh Percent is a new kind of ghost story. I don’t employ the usage of some of the old tried and true formulas that we’ve seen in ghost stories in the past….all a part of putting my own original edge on a story that’s dear to my heart. I truly think people will love it!

Do you have plans for a new book?

I sure do! I’m currently at work on Book 2 of The 11th Percent Series, entitled Item & Time.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Undoubtedly! Beverly Cleary, Lynn Reid Banks, Tamora Pierce, Sharon Shinn, JK Rowling, Meg Cabot, James Patterson, Elizabeth Wyke, Nat Russo, Alan J. Garner, Matthew Arkin….and of course, Patti Roberts!

Was there an Author that inspired your writing?

Oh sure! Even though I do not recall the author’s names, the fairy tales of my youth shaped my imagination. Beyond that, let’s see……Beverly Clearly was a huge inspiration for expounding family dynamics. Tamora Pierce was all about flouting limits and antiquated notions. Stephen King has always been an inspiration to write what you want, regardless of other’s opinions.

Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants?

I don’t really care for outlines; they always seem to chafe me. What I like to do is use bullet points. I make a bullet point for each thing I want to see, each thing I want to remember. The main idea of the bullet is then turned into a full chapter. And sometimes, the chapter will go into a completely different direction, and I just go along for the ride. So, I suppose I would say largely by the seat of my pants.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

For the longest time, I was heavily into paperbacks and hardcover. I adore the smell of a new book and the turning of pages. But then, I came across indie authors some years back and was unable to access their stories unless I had access to ebooks. That got me into that avenue. Nowadays, I love all three.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

Don’t have a preference, to be honest. I will go with whoever will have them!

Are you a self- published (Indie) Author?

 I will be on Halloween 2014!!

What books would you like to read again?

The Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn (particularly Dark Moon Defender, which is Book 3), anything by Rick Riordan, The Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce, and the Pendragon series by DJ Machale.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

Most movies don’t do the books justice, my opinion.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

I am currently reading Fortune and Fate by Sharon Shinn in a hardcover format.

Who designed the cover of your book?

The superbly talented Patti Roberts!

Do you find yourself intrigued by the cover of a book enough to buy it?

Oh, most definitely!

Do you have any advice for other writers starting out?

Always remember why you love writing. Know it, have it in your heart, and keep it close. It will help you when people try to discourage you by remarking on how “tough” the business is. It will reassure when you come across people that aren’t fond of your work (and you won’t please everyone. It’s simply not going to happen). Never, never lose the excitement that you have for creating. And lastly, just write. Write all the time. Write, and keep writing, until your story is finished. And when you have written all you possibly can, write some more.

Do you write under a pen name?

Yes. TH Morris. The “TH” are the initials of my first and last name, Terrick Heckstall. The Morris piece of it is to honor my late grandmother, whose passing, in several ways, served as the catalyst for The 11th Percent series.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

 PJ’s, athletic shorts…..you name it!

What are your pet peeves?

Unfounded accusations, bullying, stupid people, and individuals who make decisions based on partial information.

You are trapped on a tropical island - who would you like to be stranded with?

My wife!

Pick one - Wine, Chocolate or shoes?

Chocolate!

Cats or dogs?

Cats! And you will be seeing them in The 11th Percent Series!

Tell us about someone or something that just made your day

I’m a substitute teacher by day. Last semester, I was doing lunch duty with the first grade children, and paid a compliment to a boy who had just shown me a crayon depiction of WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan. He made it for me because he knew I was a fan. He was so happy when I praised the drawing that he said “You know what, Mr. H? I want you to work here for real, not be a sub.” Made my day AND my week.

What is your favorite food and beverage?

Favorite food is my wife baked spaghetti with turkey burger in it. Favorite beverage is any mixture of tea and lemonade.

How many hours per day do you try to devote to research and writing?

5-6

What are 3 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?

Glasses, hematite necklace, and wedding ring.

Sleep in or get up early?

I’m a morning person, so I’ll say get up early. I try to wake up every day like I did it on purpose.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop!

Your favorite gadget?

My game console, the PS3!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

As soon as I get up out of bed and have worked out, and right before bed at night. In the daytime, I actually like writing in the car! At night, I write on the floor next to the bed.

One of your favorite quotes

“We are all sculptors chipping away at the marble until we’ve reached the masterpiece.” Eddie Murphy

List 3 of your favorite movies?

Kung Fu Panda, Hot Fuzz, Casino Royale

What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed?

House of Cards

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

When it is released, it will be both.

Where can your readers stalk you?

On Twitter (@terrick_j), facebook (facebook.com/authorthmorris), and my website (www.thmorris.weebly.com)

Author Bio

T.H. Morris is a lifelong writer who was born in 1984 and raised in Colerain, North Carolina. He has been living in Greensboro, North Carolina for the past twelve years. He is an avid reader, primarily in the genre of science fiction and fantasy because he enjoys creating people, situations, and worlds. He holds hold a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and spent several years as a therapist and mental health clinician. He has been writing in some way, shape, or form ever since he was strong enough to hold a pen or pencil, but the expectation of securing and maintaining a traditional 40 hour job was the expectation of all around him. The call of writing never diminished, though, and soon became too powerful to ignore. Morris began writing The 11^th Percent in 2011, and is currently working on its sequel. He still resides in Greensboro, with his wife of six years.