Ask the Author: Simon Williams
Answered Questions (12)
Simon Williams
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, the books with the "symbol" covers are all part of my five-book Aona series, which I completed earlier this year. I deliberately went for a more stark, abstract feel for the covers as the books are certainly not "traditional" fantasy and I think my readers often prefer to have their own ideas about what a certain area or character should look like- also they fit in with the more sci-fi elements of the series.
My YA fantasy / sci-fi "Summer's Dark Waters" is however illustrated throughout, by Ankolie (www.ankolie.com) who managed to visualise my ideas for the illustrations so perfectly it was scary!
Yes, the books with the "symbol" covers are all part of my five-book Aona series, which I completed earlier this year. I deliberately went for a more stark, abstract feel for the covers as the books are certainly not "traditional" fantasy and I think my readers often prefer to have their own ideas about what a certain area or character should look like- also they fit in with the more sci-fi elements of the series.
My YA fantasy / sci-fi "Summer's Dark Waters" is however illustrated throughout, by Ankolie (www.ankolie.com) who managed to visualise my ideas for the illustrations so perfectly it was scary!
Simon Williams
First and foremost, do it for the love of writing- and if you don't love your writing... find something better-paid to do. We only get one shot in this world. :-)
Simon Williams
Thank you for the comment! That's an amazing journey you will have been on and quite possibly worthy of a book- but you don't need me to tell you that! Well done- I'm sure few people have what it takes. If you get a copy of Summer's Dark Waters, I hope you enjoy it! Sequel will hopefully be out this year. :) Many thanks again.
Simon Williams
Thank you for the comment, Colm. I like to think I'm a bit of both ;-) Funnily enough I don't think the Aona series is as dark as many people think (certainly not compared to the things that go on in the "real world") but then I don't see it as others see it. As you already know, The Spiral Heart deals with a lot of themes along the lines of possession, innate powers... the nature of the Kin and the Descendants (and how they're maybe not so different after all)... but by the end of Book 5 (almost completed!) you'll also see there's a twin thread of damnation and redemption. To an extent there's room for the reader to find a lot of what they happen to be looking for :)
Actually I've just asked a few people- they've confirmed that actually- yes, I *am* a tad morbid!
Actually I've just asked a few people- they've confirmed that actually- yes, I *am* a tad morbid!
Simon Williams
Probably the journeys through the Green Road which happen in the Aona books. You could think of it as a hidden dimension, a place where incredible, seemingly impossible things are commonplace... the tough thing for me is giving rules and structure to a place like that. Fun though!
Simon Williams
In many ways the horror aspects are buried into the more fantasy elements of my work, but the opening chapter of Aona Book IV "The Spiral Heart" is pretty full on- an exploration of what it is to be possessed- no spoilers though!
Simon Williams
Hi Peter, thanks- I've sent you a message with my email.
Simon Williams
Probably the fact that only fans of your work, and other writers, take you seriously. If I was a senior director in some blue-chip company life would be very different. But I've never been interested in headbutting the corporate glass ceiling and I enjoy answering mostly to myself- being largely in control of your destiny is very satisfying :)
Simon Williams
(1) The Spiral Heart, which is the fourth and penultimate Aona book (2) the sequel to Summer's Dark Waters (3) my short story anthology... oh and there are other projects in very primordial stages.
Simon Williams
Dreams or daydreams, or little ideas that just pop up from nowhere...
Simon Williams
I have multiple projects on the go at any given time, so if I'm finding one of them a bit slow I switch to another. Invariably I'll find inspiration with one of them sooner or later. :)
Simon Williams
People don't know what to say when you tell them. The first word that they say is usually "Oh!"
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