Dana R. Davidson, who has worked in horror press for over six years in various outlets, recently released her first horror novel, CARNIVAL OF DEMENTIA, as a digital e-book. It’s the first in a four-part series, and Davidson spoke with Fango about how it came to be.

CARNIVAL OF DEMENTIA is about the earth’s Creator (the grand puppetmaster that he is), who instigates a war in the worst hell dimension. As in any war, only one side can win, and as punishment for losing the battle, a hell god is cast down to a futuristic Earth in human form. This media-driven society is divided into two classes—The Northern Norms and The South—separated by the Los Angeles River, which now resembles an inverted Great Wall of China. The former god must find his way back home, and into his rightful place—but what is the rightful place of such a being? The only path is through the Carnival of Dementia, under the ever-watching eyes of the Northern Norm government.

“This book began as a script,” Davidson tells Fango, “and after realizing that the story was too big of an idea, I decided to turn it into a novel. Then I decided to break that into four pieces, so people who don’t enjoy long stories can have a chance to read it as well. I wrote this specifically because I’m sick of the Cinderella-type story. I’m tired of people believing that others will save them from themselves, and their realities. CARNIVAL OF DEMENTIA explores power and control, relationship dynamics, human struggle, survival, heaven and hell dimensions, revenge, etc., all set in a future world while taking a look at the past. I think it’s time we, as a society, realize that the only people who are going to save us are ourselves.

I specifically wrote this story with a strong female lead—I love strong women—who has to go on a journey of self-exploration and figure out how to survive against all odds,” she continues. “She has to find her rightful place in the world—not the place where everyone says she needs to be, but where she believes she belongs.”

While the saga was begun over four years ago, it was over the last year that Davidson buckled down to finish it. Her fiancé tragically died in January 2010, which threw her into her own personal struggle. Luckily, she was able to channel her internal feelings and rage at the atrocities of the world, as well as her anger over human nature and life, into her work. Davidson is also a stand-up comedian and actress, and has worked every job in the television and film industries from preproduction to postproduction, from internationally acclaimed projects to the most independent bare-bones flicks. Davidson’s scripts have placed in various screenwriting competitions, and she has also ghost-written for the last few years. To purchase CARNIVAL OF DEMENTIA, click here; you can find out more about Davidson at her Facebook page and blog.

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