Introduction

At All in the Edit, we love celebrating authors who bring unique perspectives and creative brilliance to their work. This month, we shine our Author Spotlight on Chuck McKenzie, a writer whose storytelling spans horror, sci-fi, and even conversations with his cat. Let’s dive into Chuck’s journey, his latest book, and what keeps his creative fires burning.

Author Fact File

📖 Author Name: Chuck McKenzie
📍 Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Humor
🖋 Writing Style: A mix of the macabre, the whimsical, and the outright silly
🎯 Goal as a Writer: To entertain, provoke thought, and maybe even exorcise a few personal demons along the way

Meet Chuck McKenzie

Author Bio:
Chuck McKenzie was born in 1970 and still spends much of his time there. He writes science fiction, horror, and the occasional silly cat-related story—sometimes people even publish it, which is nice. His ultimate goal? That his neighbors describe him as having seemed like ‘such a nice man’.

📖 Author Website: daftnotions.com/chuck-mckenzie
📸 Instagram: @chuck.mckenzie.author

Conversations With My Cat

Chuck’s latest book, Conversations With My Cat, is an entertaining and witty exploration of life’s greatest mysteries—through the lens of conversations between a man and his cat.

🔍 Book Overview:
What does Schrödinger’s Cat have to do with a chewed computer cord? How do you fit work around a cat’s napping schedule? Why do cats change their minds the second you open the door? These and other conundrums are tackled in this hilarious and thought-provoking collection of discussions. Covering topics like politics, human rights, culture, history, and—yes—poop, this book promises to make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely question your cat’s true motives. (Warning: Not for kids—this cat has a potty mouth!)

📚 Grab your copy here:Chuck McKenzie on Amazon

Fun Stuff

Five Faves with Chuck McKenzie

📖 Fave Book? The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
✍ Fave Author? Stephen King
📺 Fave TV Show/Movie? Doctor Who
🏡 Fave Place? Home
🍦 Fave Ice Cream Flavor? Caramel

Fun Facts About Chuck

🎶 Worked full-time as a club DJ from 1989 to 2001.
💃 Huge fan of ’70s and ’80s disco music.
🎨 Wanted to be an artist as a kid (also a writer, but mainly an artist).

Author Q and A

1. Why do you write?

Therapy. Much of my horror and sci-fi is semiautobiographical, and gives me a place to exorcise my personal demons. 

2. What is your writing process?

I tend to have basic plots in mind regardless of what I'm writing, along with key scenes. The dialogue and flesh of the story come as I write. I don't write as often as I should, but once I get into a routine of writing regularly I can get pretty obsessive about it. When I get writer's block, I get around it by writing whatever fills my head, even if it's utter dross. Eventually the dam breaks and the real story flows again. 

3. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Too many other authors to mention, but Ramsey Campbell, Ray Bradbury and Terrance Dicks are among those who made me want to be a writer. My family, friends and fans also motivate me to keep writing. And my cats. 

4. What do you want your readers to know about your book?

That the comedy works are very silly, and the horror (ideally) is whimsical and macabre. 

5. What is coming next for you?

I'll be attending Metro Conic Con and Oz ComicCon in Melbourne this year, selling and signing copies of all my books. I'll also be at Asylumfest in Beechworth in October.

Connect with Chuck

📖 Website: daftnotions.com/chuck-mckenzie
📸 Instagram: @chuck.mckenzie.author
📚 Buy Chuck’s Books: Amazon Author Page

Final Thoughts

Chuck McKenzie is a storyteller with a flair for the unconventional—whether he’s weaving spine-chilling horror, crafting quirky sci-fi, or engaging in hilarious philosophical debates with his cat. His ability to blend humor, darkness, and authenticity makes his work a must-read for fans of the weird and wonderful.

If you love stories that challenge the ordinary and embrace the absurd, Chuck McKenzie is an author you’ll want to follow. Keep an eye out for his upcoming events, grab a copy of his latest book, and dive into his world of eerie, hilarious, and thought-provoking tales.

Stay tuned for more Author Spotlights from All in the Edit—where we celebrate the creative minds shaping the literary world!