Author Fan Clubs:
Camille Alexa
R.A. Allen
Kevin David Anderson
Peter Andrews
Thomas Anselm
Carol Ayer
Victor J. Banis
Cynthia S. Becker
Sally Bellerose
Karen Bernardo
Venita Blackburn
Andrea Bodel
Bruce Boston
Michael Bracken
Warren Bull
Mort Castle
John Chabot
Keri Clark
T.F. Davenport
O'Neil De Noux
M.M. De Voe
Denise Dietz
McKenna Donovan
Peggy Duffy
Barry Ergang
Elrena Evans
Gail Farrelly
John M. Floyd
Sunny Frazier
Robert Friedman
Jennifer Gennari
Kaye George
Jonathan C. Gillespie
Diane D. Gillette
Beth Groundwater
Mindy Hardwick
Jess Harris
Laura Hartman
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Belea T. Keeney
Floris M. Kleijne
Gerri Leen
Laird Long
Adrian Magson
Tracie McBride
Thomas Millstead
Michael Neal Morris
Jim Musgrave
Kris Neri
Richard O'Donnell
Lydia Ondrusek
Heather Parker
Barbara Quinn
Bruce Holland Rogers
Terry Sanville
Anita Saran
Wayne Scheer
Marge Simon
Del Stone, Jr.
Loretta Sylvestre
Mark Troy
J.A. Tyler
Dennis R. Upkins
Daniel Wallace
J.D. Webb
Mike Wiecek
Bill Wilbur
Big Jim Williams
Sarah Wisseman
Tim Wohlforth
Simon Wood
Journalist, photographer, animator, freelance writer, Dennis R. Upkins has held many titles over the years, but the one universal label that he takes the most pride in is, simply, storyteller.
Dennis was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. At 15, he got a taste of publishing when a creative writing essay he wrote was featured in the Basic/Not Boring reading workbook series. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on an academic scholarship, and received a BA in English: Writing Concentration.
Dennis worked as a reporter for the Cleveland Daily Banner for two years, then relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended the Art Institute of Atlanta and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts & Animation. His focus of study was environmental CGI modeling. At the same time, he managed to produce a string of short stories. He also served double-duty as both concept artist and script writer for the online video game RodieMan by Nopanzon Games. Dennis also worked as a cleanup artist on the rock group Sublevel 3's animated music video, Illusion of Me.
Currently, Dennis is a college professor at a local college where he teaches computer animation, and he is also a freelance photographer/artist/writer. His articles have been featured in the Dabbling Mum and Art&Prose magazine, while his photography has been showcased at the Madison Art Gallery and the Front Porch art museum in Nashville.
In his spare time, Dennis enjoys working out, photography, rollerblading, martial arts, and, of course, creative writing. He is currently writing a novel.
After repeated botched assignments, the demon Zeke is given one last chance to save his immortal hide by eliminating a target on Earth. Posing as a babysitter in the target's home, Zeke befriends young VJ, but soon learns all is not as it seems. Tweens and up.
Time: 57:35 / $1.29 Sample Add to Cart
(5)
Absolutely. I’m my own worst critic when it comes to my work and I’m always berating and second-guessing my ability as a writer. I was recently blessed with the opportunity to have some industry professionals critique my work. Expecting to be ripped to shreds, I was stunned when their constructive feedback was mostly comprised of accolades. That infused me with both confidence and motivation regarding my work. Perhaps the coolest compliment I received was for a short story I wrote years back entitled As Promised. The reviewer stated that he had never had the opportunity to read a story featuring two gay men but he found the characters, compelling, well-developed and could’ve easily have worked as a heterosexual couple. That reinforced in me that stories can be enlightening and can make a profound impact.
Who most influenced your writing process, style, or technique?
Hands down that would be Joss Whedon. His work on Astonishing X-Men, Runaways, Fray and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 has been nothing short of exceptional. Whether it’s his television series, his movies, his comics or his online web musicals, you know you’re going to be taken for a ride. He entertains, he’ll make you laugh with his razor sharp wit and pop culture references, he scares you, he challenges you on a moral, philosophical and spiritual level, he inspires, he’ll piss you off when he kills off a beloved character (Kendra, Wash, Penny, to name a few). You’ll be laughing like a hyena and then five seconds later, you’re in tears, sobbing. But more than anything Joss makes you think and I don’t think you can ask for anything more from a writer. He’s definitely been a game changer and has set the standard of excellence in genre entertainment, in my opinion. Other noteworthy influences include: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, JK Rowling, Russell T. Davies, Bruce Timm and Dwayne McDuffie.
Ask Dennis a Question