Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 26

Achievement Unlocked: How to Celebrate EVERYTHING as an Indie Author

Old typewriters are important!

February, as some might know, marks a certain reflective time in my life. Fittingly, this last February has marked a certain new achievement in my author journey.

In the four and a half years since I launched my first novel back in September 2015, this past month marks the achievement of being the first month ever with … <drumroll> … No Sales on Amazon!

Yay! … ?

No, really, I am celebrating. (Heck, I celebrate 1-star reviews, so you...

Drake Michaelson (of Rage of the Phoenix, by Elizabeth N Harris)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a biker, telling us about his riding club and about the woman he loves.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

My world was loud bikes, loud men and brassy women. My da loved the biker life and when he and a few others created Rage MC, they created a thing of beauty. We weren’t about trouble back then, we had the rules of, brothers, club and family. My da wanted to create a club where like minded people could ride free. Rage rode...

Ancient Oddities

Cool, yet unsettling, green serpentine mask.
Details below

Hello and welcome to antiquity! Tonight, for your edification and amusement, we collect a number of heretofore unheard and unseen mysteries, and attempt to unlock the secrets of the ages! Get ready to expand your mind from the comfort of your couch, as we delve into time itself.

Pre-history

Ever chewed gum in class and stuck the used wad under the table? Millennia from now, scientists may use it to learn amazing information about you:...

Prince Ravel (of Sand Dancer, by Trudie Skies)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a prince of the Bright Solara, a graduate of the academy experienced with everything from swordsmanship to strategy. He’s here to tell us about his life — including dealing with raiders in the sandy deserts of his future kingdom.

Many thanks to our crown heir, Prince Ravel, for taking time out of his many appointments to speak with us today. How fares Bloodstone Keep, my Prince?

The honor is mine. The Keep is currently at rest whilst we await the...

Book Review: A Gathering of Ravens, by Scott Oden

A Gathering of Ravens is an intelligent, intriguing, and different kind of fantasy tale. I read it just in time for the release of the sequel, which is now high on my TBR list.

What to expect

Set at the turn of the 11th century, Oden weaves an incredible tale of historical fantasy that brings together elements of Earth’s real geography and culture together with Nordic myths like Beowulf. Having been inspired by Tolkien, he goes further still in exploring the same inspiration behind it...

Mara (of The Chronicles of Agartha, by Sherif Guirguis)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a teenaged girl, originally from 11th century Khorasan but now roaming a strange land where all the myths of our planet found a home. She and her friends must follow a prophecy that is guaranteed to change the face of the land — one way or another.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

Who’s asking? I don’t take lightly to questions about my origins, you might be a purple mage for all that I know.

But if Ethan says...

Feasting in the Shadow of Death

Profane Museum’s “unswept room” mosaic, via Atlas Obscura

This is all stuff that came up during the research and writing of In Victrix, and found it’s way in some off-hand way into the book. I’ve mentioned before how small trivia and throwaway lines make for rich world-building.

For me, I love exploring all those articles for the enjoyment in learning more about a subject I love. I then work it into my writing,

Dining Room Decorations

The above wonderful mosaic...

David Grey (of the Battle Avatars series, by Ed White)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a man on his deathbed. His only hope for a cure is to quit his job and enter a fantasy computer game full-time, where he must battle murderous invaders threatening to devastate the lands.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I grew up in Connecticut, with my older sister, mom, and dad. Winters are cold and summers are mild, full of games and adventures I played with my best bud Jonesy and our neighborhood friends. Our...

Book Review: The Grey Bastards, by Jonathan French

The Grey Bastards is a shining example of SPFBO winner, and I’m reading through them to get all the best indie voices. This novel didn’t disappoint — the accolades are well deserved!

What to expect

A classic epic fantasy, starting small and building up to a grand finale, through many twists of betrayals, revelations, and battles. Following the adventures of Jackal, a half-orc warrior that together with his fellows is all that stands between the orcish invasion and the...

Hemlock Connal and Morgan Burns (of Another Dead Intern, by Joel Spriggs)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a preternatural investigator (a private investigator specialising in the supernatural), and her latest intern.

Hemlock: Hi, I’m Hemlock Connal, Preternatural Investigator.

Morgan: I’m Morgan Burns, Professional Intern.

Hemlock: We first work together in Another Dead Intern, hopefully no spoilers, but also working together in a short Holiday ditty called Little Drummer Boy.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

Hemlock: My mother...