Author J.S.Smelker
Q&A
Q: How can I get an autographed book by Jerrod S. Smelker?
A: You want an autographed book? Well, gee thanks. I’m humbled. We’ll have options in the “Haunted Market” soon
Q: Will any of Jerrod's books or stories be made into movies?
A: HA!! Well, one can hope, right? Many times when I write, I see the scenes played out in my head like a movie, then I start writing. Personally I can see my stories as movies...good movies, but Hollywood...well, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Please feel free to send any of my stories or books to a Hollywood agent. J
Q: Is it true that Jerrod writes horror?
A: Oh it’s true. I didn’t always start out that way (see “How did Jerrod get his start writing” below) It’s hard for me to say that I write horror because that word used to define movies, stories and books is so broad. As in, I prefer to use the word spooky or scary because the majority of my stories don’t have all the gore, blood and guts that other’s do (granted some of my stories do involve a little). Plus, I’m more of a monster, creature, weird stuff rather than actual crazy people committing crimes of torture and murder. Give me the classic Dracula, Frankenstein and paranormal types rather than the Saw, Devils Rejects, Chainsaw Massacre type. Don’t get me wrong, those blood and guts movies and stories have their place and I have watched the movies or read the books, but I guess for me, I generally prefer just the scary spooky stuff, the spine-tingling suspense and thriller type stories.
When I started writing, I never envisioned myself as a horror or scary story writer…and then, I decided to write one the fall of 2017 (Stone Hollow from Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre – Series One). Once I did, I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing them.
I do write more than just horror though…I’m working on a number of short stories and books that have nothing to do with the spookiness of monsters and creatures of the night.
Q: Does Jerrod prefer eBooks or Paperback?
A: Well to be honest, I am still the “Gotta hold it in my hands, feel the cover and pages and smell the paper” kind of guy. Perhaps someday I will embrace the digital aspect of books. I know a lot of people do and love it. I guess I just like to look at my bookshelf and see the book itself. I like the looks of old books that have been around awhile with every rip, tear and stain.
Q: What’s Jerrod’s writing area look like?
A: Well, currently I have been writing wherever I can…on the couch, porch, table, and living room desk with the laptop. I also write down lots of ideas on my phone, a leather bound journal and lots of note pads scattered everywhere.
Q: What does Jerrod like to read?
A: It’s strange, by my reading habits change quite a bit. I have gone years without picking up a book and reading it, then again, sometimes I read a book or two a month. It comes and goes. Currently (2024) I’m reading a lot of paranormal, ghost and Halloween books. I’ve been hooked on writing spooky stories so I guess naturally, I am hooked on reading them as well…that goes with movies also…I’m gravitating towards the horror and strange selections more and more.
Q: How did Jerrod get his start writing?
A: I honestly don’t remember the exact date I got started. I knew I enjoyed writing when I was in my high school’s English class…although to be honest, I didn’t retain all of the writing rules like adjectives, pronouns, comma splice and so on. In fact, I didn’t retain much of it during my college creative writing classes either. Most of my life I have always enjoyed writing, but when it comes to knowing exactly how to write…well…that’s a different issue. It’s basically like me playing the drums; I can play all kinds of songs on the drums, but I don’t know exactly how to play the drums…I don’t know rudiments, how to read music, etc. For writing, all I can say is thank God for Spellcheck, a Thesaurus and a great editor!
Q: What does Jerrod do when he’s not writing?
A: Usually when I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing or jotting down notes about story ideas, titles, plots, and characters. Or I’m talking to people about writing or trying to pick their brains on story ideas. Otherwise, I’m constantly on the laptop working on my website and blog. I also try to accomplish household projects and “must dos” around the house. I relax by sitting on the porch with my wife and drinking coffee in the mornings or an ice cold craft beer, hard cider or cocktail at night. Sometimes a nice cigar from my humidors or enjoying some smooth aromatic pipe tobacco in a pipe is in order.
Q: Where did Jerrod grow up? What was his childhood like?
A: I was blessed to have been born in the great state of Michigan (Thank you mom and dad). Born in Hastings, but then when I was about 2 years old, after my parents divorced, my mom, older sister and I moved to Ionia (where my mother was originally from). My mother’s parents owned a bicycle and locksmith shop there and had since the early 1940’s.
We lived here and there in Ionia and eventually settled on a farm outside of town when I was about 4 years old. I lived there until I was 10. Farm living wasn’t the easiest, especially as a young kid, but it did help me build character and learn what hard work was all about. Every morning before school; feed the cows, feed the chickens, collect the eggs, bring in firewood for the wood burning stove, and on and on. And guess what I did when I got home from school? Yup, same chores. I did have some fun there though. We had a large pool, rode bikes, had Halloween parties and I had a tree fort.
When I was 10 we moved to a trailer park even farther outside of town. Now, let me preface this with saying that the trailer park was extremely respectable. The people who lived there really took care of their places, their lawns and each other. There were lots of rules on what you could and couldn’t do. Anyway, I lived there until I graduated high school (Ionia High home of the Bulldogs). It’s funny, because for 4th grade through 6th grade I attended a one room school house (Spaulding). You know like Little House on the Prairie type. One teacher, 25 students of all age groups, brick building with an awesome enormous bell on top.
I’d say I was pretty much a typical kid growing up. I played out in the woods all the time, played Army with my friends, rode bicycles, explored new places, watched movies, listened to rock music, put model airplanes and cars together, played the drums, and repaired my vehicles over and over again. I had parents and step-parents who loved me, lots of grandparents and great family and friends.
Q: What’s Jerrod’s favorite season and holiday?
A: Simple; Fall (or Autumn) and Halloween.
Q: When it comes to writing, what are Jerrod’s future goals?
A: Too many to write down. HA!! I’m proud that I have multiple books and a few short stories that are published…that was quite the journey from writing to self-publishing and the journey is on-going with that. I have a few novels I’m working on as well as stories for the third installment of the Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre series. My plan is to also write and publish more series books within Wicked Harvest as well as many other short stories and books. I really hope to still be writing a lot in the years to come.
Q: What else can we learn about Mr. Smelker?
A: I consider myself pretty much an open book (no pun intended…or maybe)…
I carry a handkerchief in my back left pocket at all times…and yes it hangs out.
I have chapstick or lip balm all of the time. I have some in my pocket, in my desk, my car, briefcase, etc. …and it’s always Blistex.
I have note pads and pens everywhere…my bathroom, car, bedside, shirt pocket…I never know when an idea will pop in my head so I have to be ready to write it down for later…because if I don’t…I will forget.
I have a few cigar humidors full of around 120 cigars. I love the infused ones like coffee, honey, vanilla and whiskey.
I have 30+ jars and tins of pipe tobacco ranging in aromatic flavors like Crème Brulee, chocolate nougat, chocolate mousse, Christmas Spice and I have 12 pipes...one which is a Peterson pipe known as a “Dracula”.
I have a woodworking and craft shop in my basement with a side-business called “Smelker’s Craftsmith Co.” I make lots of things from holiday signs and bottles to toy boxes and custom pieces.
Both of my arms have several tattoos and eventually both will be full sleeves of ink.
I live with three cats: Tuesday, Voodoo (black cat) and our newest cat Bourbon.
Q&A
Q: How can I get an autographed book by Jerrod S. Smelker?
A: You want an autographed book? Well, gee thanks. I’m humbled. We’ll have options in the “Haunted Market” soon
Q: Will any of Jerrod's books or stories be made into movies?
A: HA!! Well, one can hope, right? Many times when I write, I see the scenes played out in my head like a movie, then I start writing. Personally I can see my stories as movies...good movies, but Hollywood...well, I guess we'll have to wait and see. Please feel free to send any of my stories or books to a Hollywood agent. J
Q: Is it true that Jerrod writes horror?
A: Oh it’s true. I didn’t always start out that way (see “How did Jerrod get his start writing” below) It’s hard for me to say that I write horror because that word used to define movies, stories and books is so broad. As in, I prefer to use the word spooky or scary because the majority of my stories don’t have all the gore, blood and guts that other’s do (granted some of my stories do involve a little). Plus, I’m more of a monster, creature, weird stuff rather than actual crazy people committing crimes of torture and murder. Give me the classic Dracula, Frankenstein and paranormal types rather than the Saw, Devils Rejects, Chainsaw Massacre type. Don’t get me wrong, those blood and guts movies and stories have their place and I have watched the movies or read the books, but I guess for me, I generally prefer just the scary spooky stuff, the spine-tingling suspense and thriller type stories.
When I started writing, I never envisioned myself as a horror or scary story writer…and then, I decided to write one the fall of 2017 (Stone Hollow from Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre – Series One). Once I did, I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing them.
I do write more than just horror though…I’m working on a number of short stories and books that have nothing to do with the spookiness of monsters and creatures of the night.
Q: Does Jerrod prefer eBooks or Paperback?
A: Well to be honest, I am still the “Gotta hold it in my hands, feel the cover and pages and smell the paper” kind of guy. Perhaps someday I will embrace the digital aspect of books. I know a lot of people do and love it. I guess I just like to look at my bookshelf and see the book itself. I like the looks of old books that have been around awhile with every rip, tear and stain.
Q: What’s Jerrod’s writing area look like?
A: Well, currently I have been writing wherever I can…on the couch, porch, table, and living room desk with the laptop. I also write down lots of ideas on my phone, a leather bound journal and lots of note pads scattered everywhere.
Q: What does Jerrod like to read?
A: It’s strange, by my reading habits change quite a bit. I have gone years without picking up a book and reading it, then again, sometimes I read a book or two a month. It comes and goes. Currently (2024) I’m reading a lot of paranormal, ghost and Halloween books. I’ve been hooked on writing spooky stories so I guess naturally, I am hooked on reading them as well…that goes with movies also…I’m gravitating towards the horror and strange selections more and more.
Q: How did Jerrod get his start writing?
A: I honestly don’t remember the exact date I got started. I knew I enjoyed writing when I was in my high school’s English class…although to be honest, I didn’t retain all of the writing rules like adjectives, pronouns, comma splice and so on. In fact, I didn’t retain much of it during my college creative writing classes either. Most of my life I have always enjoyed writing, but when it comes to knowing exactly how to write…well…that’s a different issue. It’s basically like me playing the drums; I can play all kinds of songs on the drums, but I don’t know exactly how to play the drums…I don’t know rudiments, how to read music, etc. For writing, all I can say is thank God for Spellcheck, a Thesaurus and a great editor!
Q: What does Jerrod do when he’s not writing?
A: Usually when I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing or jotting down notes about story ideas, titles, plots, and characters. Or I’m talking to people about writing or trying to pick their brains on story ideas. Otherwise, I’m constantly on the laptop working on my website and blog. I also try to accomplish household projects and “must dos” around the house. I relax by sitting on the porch with my wife and drinking coffee in the mornings or an ice cold craft beer, hard cider or cocktail at night. Sometimes a nice cigar from my humidors or enjoying some smooth aromatic pipe tobacco in a pipe is in order.
Q: Where did Jerrod grow up? What was his childhood like?
A: I was blessed to have been born in the great state of Michigan (Thank you mom and dad). Born in Hastings, but then when I was about 2 years old, after my parents divorced, my mom, older sister and I moved to Ionia (where my mother was originally from). My mother’s parents owned a bicycle and locksmith shop there and had since the early 1940’s.
We lived here and there in Ionia and eventually settled on a farm outside of town when I was about 4 years old. I lived there until I was 10. Farm living wasn’t the easiest, especially as a young kid, but it did help me build character and learn what hard work was all about. Every morning before school; feed the cows, feed the chickens, collect the eggs, bring in firewood for the wood burning stove, and on and on. And guess what I did when I got home from school? Yup, same chores. I did have some fun there though. We had a large pool, rode bikes, had Halloween parties and I had a tree fort.
When I was 10 we moved to a trailer park even farther outside of town. Now, let me preface this with saying that the trailer park was extremely respectable. The people who lived there really took care of their places, their lawns and each other. There were lots of rules on what you could and couldn’t do. Anyway, I lived there until I graduated high school (Ionia High home of the Bulldogs). It’s funny, because for 4th grade through 6th grade I attended a one room school house (Spaulding). You know like Little House on the Prairie type. One teacher, 25 students of all age groups, brick building with an awesome enormous bell on top.
I’d say I was pretty much a typical kid growing up. I played out in the woods all the time, played Army with my friends, rode bicycles, explored new places, watched movies, listened to rock music, put model airplanes and cars together, played the drums, and repaired my vehicles over and over again. I had parents and step-parents who loved me, lots of grandparents and great family and friends.
Q: What’s Jerrod’s favorite season and holiday?
A: Simple; Fall (or Autumn) and Halloween.
Q: When it comes to writing, what are Jerrod’s future goals?
A: Too many to write down. HA!! I’m proud that I have multiple books and a few short stories that are published…that was quite the journey from writing to self-publishing and the journey is on-going with that. I have a few novels I’m working on as well as stories for the third installment of the Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre series. My plan is to also write and publish more series books within Wicked Harvest as well as many other short stories and books. I really hope to still be writing a lot in the years to come.
Q: What else can we learn about Mr. Smelker?
A: I consider myself pretty much an open book (no pun intended…or maybe)…
I carry a handkerchief in my back left pocket at all times…and yes it hangs out.
I have chapstick or lip balm all of the time. I have some in my pocket, in my desk, my car, briefcase, etc. …and it’s always Blistex.
I have note pads and pens everywhere…my bathroom, car, bedside, shirt pocket…I never know when an idea will pop in my head so I have to be ready to write it down for later…because if I don’t…I will forget.
I have a few cigar humidors full of around 120 cigars. I love the infused ones like coffee, honey, vanilla and whiskey.
I have 30+ jars and tins of pipe tobacco ranging in aromatic flavors like Crème Brulee, chocolate nougat, chocolate mousse, Christmas Spice and I have 12 pipes...one which is a Peterson pipe known as a “Dracula”.
I have a woodworking and craft shop in my basement with a side-business called “Smelker’s Craftsmith Co.” I make lots of things from holiday signs and bottles to toy boxes and custom pieces.
Both of my arms have several tattoos and eventually both will be full sleeves of ink.
I live with three cats: Tuesday, Voodoo (black cat) and our newest cat Bourbon.