E.G. Stone's Blog, page 22

Author Interview: SL Harby

Name, please!

SL Harby but you can call me Sean!

We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

Right now, I am working on writing Shadows of the Heart, the sequel to my debut novel. Shadows of a Dream. I hope to have the first draft written by mid-summer. Shadows of the Heart and its prequel, Shadows of a Dream are labours of love for me, a lifetime in the making.

In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

Shadows of a Dream follows Stephen, a tabletop gamer whose life has not gone the way he had planned. He is trapped in a marriage that neither party wants to be in and a job that kills a little more of his soul every day. I know people like Stephen; at points in my life, I have been a person like Stephen. When a seemingly random tragedy strikes, he finds himself caught between his life and the world that he thought was only a figment of his imagination.

Within that world lives a reflection of Stephen that is everything that he always thought he wanted to be. Stephen and his reflection, Hollis, must solve the mystery of his friends’ deaths before he joins them in the grave.

As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

As far as the writing process goes, my least favorite part is the point between inspiration and getting words onto the page. That blank page can be very intimidating. I find that once I get some momentum and the words begin to flow, I can ride the wave and move pretty quickly through the story that is in my mind.

Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

I love when the mood takes you and words flow from brain to page without seeming to pass through your fingers. It is such a rush to allow the story to take over and witness as it unfolds before you. I try my best to remain in this state as often and long as possible as it is when I truly feel alive. I make liberal use of art, music as well as other media to maintain it.

If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

I would steal Steven Brust’s ability to make a character that is at the same time fallible enough to make them relatable to reader on a vicarial level but still heroic enough to make their actions seem eminently plausible. I find that characterization like that pulls the reader into their story in a way that few other things can. The world and plot draw me to a novel, the characters keep me there.

Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

That would be a hard sell for sure! Stephen is fairly pragmatic, but there are limits for sure. I would need to explain that the deaths of his friends will stop a greater amount of folk coming to harm. As Hollis likes to say: ‘For the good of the many, the few must make sacrifices.’ My fear is that Hollis has had enough influence on him that his gentle demeanour may be put aside in the name of vengeance.

You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

A poker table seating Hollis, Stephen, Aristoi, Wade Watts and myself would be interesting indeed. I would imagine that the stakes would be some sort of lore. It would have to be the right to ask ‘the cosmos’ one question, honestly answered. Stephen, Wade and I would be eliminated early as none of us have either Hollis’s gift for deception or Aristoi’s self-control. In the end, Aristoi would walk away with the prize as she would want it more. I could not swear to the fact that knowing that, Hollis would not throw the final hand for his closest friend.

Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

When it comes to Fantasy, it is so very tempting to make your protagonist a hero in the purest sense of the word: able to dispatch legions of foes with naught but his wits and a dull butter knife. As a reader, the ‘Perfect Hero’ can be thrilling but often erodes their relatability in my opinion. As I have said about Steven Brust, I feel that a fantasy author has to thread the needle of fallibility and heroism so that the reader can see themselves within the characters.

Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

I would love folks to head over to my website: www.readslharby.com. I have background materials on the world that I have built as well as prequel short stories available there to help ‘set the mood’. In addition, I have reviewed some recent books and done a couple of creator interviews with Steven Brust and James Ward.

As far as a recipe, my father made something that we always termed ‘Garbage’ as its origin lies in whatever you had in the refrigerator at the time. It is super simple and super yummy.

Sweat a whole onion and a few cloves of garlic in a wok or frying pan. In the onions, brown 1 lb of ground meat of your choice (Turkey, Chicken, Beef or Meatloaf Mix). Season as you like. I prefer: basil, oregano, salt, pepper and marsala wine. Add a half bag of peas and carrots, 1 cup of instant rice (brown or white) and a cup of water. Cove and simmer for 8-10 minutes.

It is delicious and only gets better the longer it is left overs

Book Review: Behind Closed Doors Anthology (A Red Penguin Collection)

Anthologies rarely cross my desk for review, possibly because they’re put together by so many different people. I enjoy them; it’s nice to see different stories from a wide range of people all focusing on a central theme, but for some reason I rarely get the opportunity to review them. So when Behind Closed Doors showed up on my “To Review” list, I was both excited—because stories!—and worried, because how do I review multiple different stories all at once? The truth is, I have no idea, so I’m making up this format as I go.

1. Thoughts on the theme

Behind Closed Doors is a mystery anthology featuring work from fourteen different authors, all writing a whodunnit or mystery or some variation on that theme. Now, I love mystery stories. I read everything, and enjoy everything, but mysteries hold a special place in my writery rain because puzzles are just so much fun. Searching for answers, trying to find the solution to problems…yep, love it all. So I was thrilled to read a mystery anthology. I think each writer did very well following the theme while also having unique voices. Some stories followed the more traditional style of whodunnit, i.e. a problem to solve, and others simply suggested at a solution or the problem. Both style, I found, worked very well. So yeah, a great range of mysteries.

2. Thoughts on the stories

I won’t mention specific stories, because I can’t remember which title went with which story (this is what happens when I read before having my tea) but I can say that there was not one story in this whole collection that I disliked. I think each was well crafted with the mystery both engaging the mind and being crafted by the characters rather than existing independently from the characters. I especially liked the variation in the stories; there were a wide range of problems from murder to scientific puzzles, and each one fit together well with the others. I liked them all quite a bit and found each of them worth the read.

3. Critique

My only critique for this anthology is that there wasn’t really an introduction. I had to discover what the anthology was about purely from the stories and the blurbs. Granted, I think the stories were cohesive enough that an introduction wasn’t strictly necessary, but it would have been nice to know how this collection came about. As for the stories themselves, all were very good.

Overall, this is one of the better, more cohesive anthologies I’ve read in a while. Each story was unique without completely turning the direction of the entire anthology. And, I really do love a mystery. Very good.

Author Interview: Merri Halma

Merri Halma

We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

I am working on my second companion novel in my Indigo Travelers Series entitled Ian Temple and the Search for the Wisdom Trees. It is about a 13-year-old teen who hears the voice of the trees. He knows they are in danger, some are disappearing. The trees is hearing are from another world. Ian learns that they, and others, are searching for the original Wood Sprite. A werecat shows up in Ian’s bedroom, tells him he is an Indigo kid. The werecat also points out the shadow in Ian’s room that is moving independently. This sends chills up and down Ian’s spine.

In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

Book 1: Indigo Travelers and the Dragon’s Blood Sword is about Xander Veh and his search for why he was created to hear other’s inner most thoughts and wishes. Early one morning, his cat brings him a griffin encased in stone. Xander, who can hear animals’ words in his mind, can hear the griffin. The griffin, named Geoffrey, tells him about the world he came from that has been torn apart by a king who wants to rule all the countries on that world. He learns they are searching for the Indigo Traveler who will wield the dragon’s blood sword that will be used to remind this errant king of what the dragon’s kindness to his ancestors so their race would survive.

Book 2: Indigo Travelers and the Keys to the Shadowlands follows the Arimaspians king, Titus, who tried to take over all of Curá in the first book. A raven comes and pretends to be a Crow Court Judge when she is really the self-appointed judge of the Shadowlands. She takes advantage of Titus’ anger at the Albagoth, the Creators of the Worlds. She encourages Titus to be angry and wallow in his regret and self-hatred, finally stealing his soul and taking it to the Shadowlands. The Indigo Travelers gang, Xander is brought back to Curá. He brings with him Milo, his adopted brother and Sarah, who wants to escape the World of Nampa for a while. Though, Sarah has her own questions- like why does she see spiders whenever she closes her eyes? Xander risks losing himself by going to the Shadowlands with his body. The danger is going crazy from seeing what he has been suppressing all his life played out.

Book 3: The Indigo Travelers and the Lost Murdoc Princess

Sarah dreamed of the circle with many divisions. A voice spoke to her of the lost Murdoc Princess bringing peace to a world where two rival spiritual paths sought to convert each other. It spoke to her of ridding their world of the third, the Murdocs, but she knew she was part Murdoc.
Could Sarah be the Lost Murdoc Princess? If so, her people and her life were endangered because of the other two spiritual groups. After the voice finished, a spider appeared to her, with the symbol on his forehead, telling her to trust him. She hates spiders. She learned they are Anansi.
Separated from her friends, Sarah must turn to is the one insect she is most fearful of, the Anansi, which look like spiders. Can she allow one to become her best friend?
Does she trust the Anansi to teach her the meaning of the symbol of the circle with the divisions?

Companion Novel 1: Lynx on Fire

Lynx, a werecat, doesn’t remember his birth world. He knows his first caregiver, Alchemist Tarrier, rescued from under a burning wagon. Lynx has no memories of that time. Until he was attending a bonfire with his new family, the Veh’s in his new home world of Nampa. Watching the bonfire brought back memories of being a cub in a world that was foreign to him. A cub, called Runt because he was the youngest and too small for his age, was being bullied by his oldest brother and taunted. The brother threw Runt against the wall, and the young cub’s spirit soared out of his body to see a bear family. The bear cub, Artois, wanted to find the spirit and return it to the body or send it to the Creator of Ohana, the world they were on. Runt soared on to the humans in the village- many- bear cub remembered Runt’s face. Bear cub knew- but his father said they, the grizzlies, were the true god of the land. Artaois remembered.

Lynx was shaken out of his trance by Geoffrey, his griffin friend- but from then on, Lynx was plagued by more memories of a fire. He heard some distant voice say he would face another fire. He had to face his true self- not the Maine Coon shape he had chosen to hide before he left Curá. Artois, remembered. He knew Lynx in the same world as him, now. Artaois would not be happy until he either gave Lynx that soul his father said werecats didn’t have- or killed him with the fire he could make with his paws- using his god gifts.

Demons are made of Fire. But Lynx swears he is not the demon others say he is. Will Lynx embrace the fire to become what he knows he can be?

Haunting of Powell Hall, not part of the Indigo Travelers Series

Mark Owl Eyes loves to tell stories from his Native American folklore and spiritual paths. He brings his new girlfriend to Powell Hall where his office is on campus, and begins to tell her to the story of Krystal, the ghost of Powell Hall. Krystal hears his voice and flies to him, but sees he is with a new girl. One of them has to go. Krystal believes Mark is her beloved Mike, who died in WWII. Mark finds himself caught between two worlds, one is the white man, path to blend in with that culture and the path of his ancestors. He must find a way to reunite Krystal with her beloved or risk losing the one woman he wants to give his heart to.

Table by the Window by the Caldwell Writers Group.

I have two essays and one horror story in this anthology. My Life, Thirteen Again and the Mysterious Chest.

I am a member of the Caldwell Writers Group.

As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Editing. I hate editing. It is difficult to back through a piece and painstaking decide what to leave in and what to take out. Or how to rewrite a sentence, paragraph or even a whole chapter.

Currently, the book I am working on now has had so many drafts I feel like I am editing it. I’m probably not working as hard on it as I want to. Other things keep getting in the way. So, right now, I’m planning a lesson for a local writers group. I’m researching that and including footnotes. After I get that done, I will work more on Ian’s Story, as I call it. Until I have to plan my next lesson for that group next month.

Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

Yes, when I can get my characters in the vision quest within the story, like Xander being swallowed by the tree the Wraiths tie him to and he ends up in the chamber where the Sage of the Murdoc trees begins counselling with him on why he feels he has to save Sarah instead of allowing her to save herself. In the end, he realizes Sarah has always been the one to save him whenever he gets in trouble.

Or Lynx ends in the cave deep within Ohana and he is faced with all the facets of his personality. Even the demon part of him, which he does not want to accept.

If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

I would steal Brandon Sanderson’s world building and deep character detail and construction. I’m awed by his ability to create such detailed characters that just pop off the page. They are so real, I want to pull them off the page and interact with them. I would love to sit with Shallan, watch her draw and ask her questions. Or walk with Kaladin, watch him work out with his Shardsword and listen to his stories. Or watch his spren fly around, dancing on the air currents.

Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

Ian, you were not searching deep within you for strengths nor were you willing to talk with your parents to get the truth from them. If I hadn’t taken you on the journeys so you would face down evil, and found the trees, you would never had learned you magic and can do more than turn invisible. You would never learned to trust your parents and see how much they do love you. You have grown so much surviving the ordeals.

You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

I don’t know enough about poker to answer this question. I watch Star Trek Next Generation playing poker. My characters are teens, and likely would not play that game. I can see them LARPing or playing D & D.

Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

I would say my expertise is mythical world building. I’m a pantser to an extreme, so I would say not researching enough early on and trying to imagine or create enough and then find out it isn’t as tied to real world so the readers might not accept it. I also try to write my lead characters so they sound older than their actual age. Sometimes editors dock me for that. With my current book, I’ve caught myself a couple times asked me if a teen would actually dialogue with an adult on the same level. Sometimes one teen might. So I decided Ian might not be able to track the whole story time that explains how the worlds were created. I had Ian say to the Sage, who was teaching him, he wasn’t interested and blew it off. Sage allowed the kid to do that, but it bugged him.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Plots to take over the world would be Lynx’s department (lol). Seriously, I hope to have Ian Temple and Search for the Wisdom Trees out by June of 2021.

Author Interview: Caleb Ortega

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Caleb Ortega (C. T. Ortega on book cover)

We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

Beginning on April 1st 2020 I have currently drafted all five books in the series “Warfare of the gods.” Book one is now published (Jan 2021) and each sequel will follow suit every 6 months. I am currently working on a set of children’s books that will use the same characters and locations, but teach morals and coexistence for all as I also begin another YA trilogy taking place with new characters after the events of the Pentalogy.

In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

The book is a YA fantasy that pushes different philosophies from all different cultures in a fun, respectful way. Odin, the Asgardian and fate driven gods desires to rule the heavens as he sees himself the great leader. Zeus, the King of the Immortals, and believer in free will see Odin as threat to their way of life. Osiris, the Duati and leader of various gods from Hindu to Chinese is trying to mediate with little positive results as his own people are divided.

The book pushes the idea that in war there are no good vs bad, just varying perspectives and there are people of value on all sides. This is the premise of the first book. The series will continue directly after these events.

As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Maintaining numerous social media presence. I love speaking with people in groups, or one on one, but updating a twitter or posting is like pretending to be witty instead of communication.

Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

All the rest! I love drafting, editing, marketing, socializing, and the doing it again. I plan to push this Pentalogy, 20 plus kids books, and atleast two more trilogies in the next 5 years.

If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

Beverly Cleary- As a 10 year old boy, she put in the mind of an eight year old pesty girl. Love it. Simple, yet enough to lure you in.

Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

I can’t. I am a panster writer so I would have to explain that their actions were caused by their own doing. I simply put them in the situation. Also, my book really does not have any MC, the plot is the MC and everyone in the story are subjected to its will.

You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

Control over the Heavens and Earth and all within. It would probably end in a fight…and I would have little chance against twelve foot gods.

Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

I chose an idea, say anger, then ponder the various ways anger reveals itself (Outburst, synic, sarcasm, hatred) and then assign it to a character. That character now embodies anger. Even in loving others they cannot help but be bitter or rude. They are anger, they cannot help themselves.

Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Pentalogy will be (Jan 21, Jun 21, Jan 22, Jun 22, Jan 23)

Trilogy taking place after the pentalogy will be (Jun 23, Jan 24, Jun 24)

Second trilogy in the world (Jan 25, Jun 25, Dec 25)

I spent 20 years in the Army, deployed to the middle east and asia. I learned a lot about perspective while in.

I had NO aspirations of writing until the idea of this book struck me. Now I cant stop writing. I have written on average 1k-1.5k a day, but haven’t taken a day off since 1 may 2020.

I have two amazing editors Jim Bessey and Emilie Knight who is finishing her own trilogy as two books are out now.

Children books based on in the world will be sprinkled throughout this five year stretch.

www.CTOrtega.com

https://www.facebook.com/CT-Ortega-108177974322708/

https://instagram.com/c.tortega?igshid=1c1zwclmtg23h

https://twitter.com/authorCTOrtega?s=09

Author Interview: Brand J. Alexander

Brand J. Alexander

We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

I am currently in between two projects. I am writing book 3 of my Tears of Hatsunae series, Tears of the Fallen. My main focus for 2021 is to complete it by this year. But in between writing sessions, I am prepping book 2 of my Guardians of the Tide series, Call of the Rising Deep, to hopefully publish by this summer.

In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

I have three separate series available currently, with a few instalments on the way.

Tears of Hatsunae is my debut epic fantasy series and the literal genesis of my fantasy universe. The first two books are currently available with a third in the works.

Book 1 Rise of Tears

Asahn thought he knew what to expect when he came of age among his people, the Kahn Shogal. As heir to the tribe’s chieftain, his new status of manhood granted him greater authority and standing, and he was anxious to accept his place. However, Asahn is about to discover that not even his father is prepared for the hardship and challenges his people will face.

The world of Elerea is dying, and the secrets of his tribe’s history may be the key. But those secrets have attracted a new threat. A rising religion seeks the blood of the Kahn Shogal, forcing Asahn’s people to flee into the withering harshness of their homeland. Pursued by enemy forces and struggling against a land coming undone, Asahn must learn to be the leader his people need. For the stubborn pride of his father may doom them all before they ever have a chance to challenge the threats aligned against them.

Book 2 Fall of Tears

Fall of Tears picks up right where Rise leaves off. After the clash between father and son, Asahn must leave the safety of his tribe to seek answers to the threats facing his people. With a small band of allies, he travels behind enemy lines into the city of his people’s ancient rivals in search of the truth behind the dying world and the Order of Light that is hunting the Kahn Shogal.

Every ten years the clans of Kahn Shogal gather in a sacred place for the Daharra, and Asahn must race against time to find answers and return to his people before the Order finds them first. But the answers he learns and the salvation he finds may be too great for him to accept. For the power required to save them may be the power that will destroy them all.

Book 3 Tears of the Fallen is in the works.

Guardians of the Tide is my Fantasy Novella series which explores the grand adventure of a young man becoming a hero over the course of his life by focusing on the individual struggles that led him there with each new tale. The first book Moonrise’s Call is currently available for purchase, and book 2, Call of the Rising Deep, is set for release this summer.

Moonrise’s Call introduces a young man named Aust, struggling to survive and protect a small band of orphans in a world gone mad. Nix is a world completely covered by oceans and beholden to the erratic forces of its three roving moons. Massive waves called Moontides follow in the moons’ wakes, devastating all attempts at civilization and erasing the history of a better world that once existed.

As a darkness stirs within the deep, and the moons’ destruction grows, the world of Nix will cry out for champions. And as they have for generations, the Guardians of the Tide will heed the call. Perhaps, a young orphan name Aust will as well.

Ravenfell Chronicles: Origins is my first completed series, although it is one that does not take place within my literary universe. I am a Halloween fanatic, and every year I design and construct a yard haunt for my community called Ravenfell Manor. Ravenfell Chronicles: Origins is a dark fantasy series of short story and novella length tales that follow the origins of the Ravenfell family and the manor that bears their name.

Book 1, The Peculiar Raven, tells the tale of how a curious raven peered too closely beyond the veil and was changed forever by the secrets he found there. His experience will transform him into a being known as the Raven King, the founder of the Ravenfell line.

Book 2, The Raven’s Fel, picks up in the aftermath of the Raven King’s transformation and the consequences of the bargain that granted him such power. His attempts to keep his side of the bargain will threaten the worlds on both sides of the veil and nearly destroy the wall that divides them. The Raven King’s efforts to remedy his mistake will bind him forever to the humans he despises and found the line of Ravenfells with their pact.

Book 3, The Rise of a Matriarch, is a stand-alone tale that introduces a character destined to join the line of Ravenfell, but first, she must embrace the darkness within her and the power it promises. Katerina is a young disciple of a fading religious order. As civilization wars against the forces of magic in an effort to exterminate them, Katerina’s people struggle to protect the fragments that remain. But their struggle is about to come to a violent bloody end. Only by turning from her people’s teachings can Katerina hope to save what remains of their work but doing so will forever change her fate.

Book 4, The Dark Heart of Ravenfell, is the culmination of all the tales that came before. The Raven King’s pact with the Ravenfells created a weakness in the veil that divides the worlds of life and death, and a few ancient spirits, resentful of their banishment to one side, plot to use that vulnerability to unmake the veil and merge the two sides. A Ravenfell child, born within the world of death, may be the key to it all. But whether he is the force that will destroy the veil or its only salvation is uncertain.

Once more the Raven King will be called to join with the bloodline of the Ravenfells to protect the barrier between worlds.

As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

My least favourite part would definitely be all the work that goes into prepping for publishing. I love building the worlds and writing the stories. But once I start editing, designing the cover, and planning promotions, the work becomes a lot less enjoyable. I live on a very fixed income, so I end up doing most of that work on my own. Unfortunately, that takes a lot of time away that I could be using to write new stories.

Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

I love the worldbuilding. I have notebooks filled with notes that will never even make it into stories, but it helps to flesh out my worlds and the people and cultures that exist there. I have numerous worlds designed just waiting for me to write the adventures that take place there.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

I love the suggestion of Douglas Adams’ humor. Although, I don’t write a lot of funny stories. For me I think it would be Robert Jordan’s ability to create distinct identifiable cultures. In the Wheel of Time series, he fleshed out the people of the different lands so well that their descriptions and personalities often identified where they were from well before it was actually mentioned. I hope to one day create worlds so defined that readers can claim the same familiarity with the people.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

Above all else, Asahn does what he thinks is best for his people, even at his own expense. I truly believe if I imparted the danger and darkness that is coming for them and the fact that their only hope resides in him accepting the power that he fears, he would choose to do the right thing. Now he may wish to still seek a bit of revenge for everything I have put him through, and some of it is understandable. Revenge is an emotion he will be struggling quite a bit with in the next 2 books. And he hasn’t yet dealt with that darkness within him, so it could be touch and go for a bit.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

Wow, that is a difficult one. The protagonist from the last book I read would have to be Kaladin from The Way of Kings. I can’t really think of him as a gambler, although I assume that he would be wagering to save his men and gain their freedom.

I can only imagine that my own main characters would be wagering for control of their own fates. But I decide those. As the god of their universe, I have final say, so they lose no matter what cards they play. ‘

But in the end, Durn would likely win, no matter what I do. He is way too smart and good at reading people to be outmatched, even by the god that created him.

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

I definitely think that I can get lost in the world building at times. I am an old school fantasy fan and am deeply attached to those styles. I tend to fall heavily into those older methods and avoid some of the newer styles of fantasy. That is something I am trying to work on.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Definitely a few plots to take over the world. Just as soon as I finish this next book. And maybe the next one too.

This year’s goal for me is to increase my interactions with readers and fans, so I am really hoping to build my social media presence. I imagine the best thing to share would be all my links.

You can find all my currently published work on my Amazon author page.

You can follow me at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandJAlexander

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Author Interview: Sean Valiente

Sean P. Valiente

We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

I’m currently working on the marketing aspects of self-publishing my first book, The Lighting Knight, and working on the second book in the series. I’m already five chapters in, and it’s pretty exciting!

In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

My first book, The Lighting Knight, is currently out. It’s been a labour of love for a few years and I’m really excited about it. It’s a classic fantasy book the vein of an Eragon, but it really focuses on the characters and perspective around them. It’s got your dragons and elves and magic and knights, but at its core it’s really a story about that hyper focus teenage love that feels so intense but also so fleeting. And it’s about friendships and identity and a hero’s journey but flipped on its head.

As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

My least favourite part of the writing process has definitely been the editing portion with a professional editor. Not so much that it was bad, but rather my editor, in making my manuscript awesome, cut a bunch of my more flowery and puffery language that served no purpose other than I loved it. I miss my fluff, but to be a proper and professional manuscript, it needed to go.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

I love the actual writing portion, especially with a fantasy series. I’ll be writing and then think of something for book six and lay a breadcrumb about it in book one and giggle to myself and then go tell my wife who has no idea what’s going on but gives me the cursory “That’s nice honey.”

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.) I think I would steal a few things: Brent Weeks Plotting, Tolkien’s prose, GRRM worldbuilding, and Rowling’s love of adverbs.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

I would explain that in order to grow, sometimes life doesn’t always go according to plan. But in the end, it’ll be okay. Or maybe it won’t, I haven’t written that part yet 

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

The Black Prism’s main protagonist, Gavin Guile, against Oliver Quartermaine, the stakes are political control. While Gavin might be better at politics and leadership, Oliver would win in any game of poker, because he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve (or to be more precise, in his mind).

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.) I don’t know if I would say I have an area of expertise, but one trap I would say to avoid, and this goes for all writers, is to try your best to avoid imposter syndrome at all costs. It’s so hard not to think you’ve written absolute garbage but chances are, you haven’t, and you need to tell yourself that sometimes.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

My favourite youtube soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqOfP...

Book Review: The Stray by Jason Ford

One of the things I love about science fiction that speculates on the potential future is that there are so many possibilities, so many different choices that could change the future and the entire world. Whether that be post-apocalyptic sci-fi, utopian sci-fi, the rise of technology, the fall of technology, disease, famine, whatever, there are so many different ways that things could go wrong. Or, alternately, ways that they could go right. Jason Ford’s The Stray is a musing on a world following the rise of AI, and what it means to be human.

1. Thoughts on the plot

A lot of contemporary futuristic/fate of the world sci-fi is very action oriented. The character has a particular goal, either to improve the world or to get back to the way things were. This book is more about a mental journey by means of character interaction, which I think was very interesting indeed. 

This book follows Ethan, a worker at a Water Recycling Plant who gets selected to participate in a sleep study where an AI analyses his dreams. For thirty days, he lives in a house and helps the AI to learn about humanity. During this time, Ethan interacts with people from his past, memories he thought long forgotten, and the ever-present question of what it means to be human. 

While there is little direct action in this book, I think that the plot is actually very rich. The interactions between characters determine choices and push both Ethan and the AI into a sequence of events that may, in fact, change everything, or change nothing at all.

2. Thoughts on the characters

As far as characters go, I like Ethan. He is not hugely go-get-em at the beginning of the book, and starts off maybe a bit boring. He is this way due to situations in his past, with his ex-girlfriend Cameron, who was something like his opposite, but not quite. Therefore, the decision to apply for this sleep study is actually a huge leap forwards for Ethan, and leads to an ever increasing pace to discover the meaning of life as a human. He delves into philosophy, remembering character interactions, and also experiencing new things that essentially change him from someone who accepts things to someone who seeks things out. A very good main character.

The other primary characters in the novel, with whom Ethan interacts, include his ex, Cameron, a friend, Jimmy, and the scientists running the sleep study. These characters are hugely significant in terms of plot, but none of them have quite the depth that Ethan has. I think, overall, that this works out very well, since it is Ethan we’re focusing on. As individual characters, separate from the plot, I think they don’t quite fit the mold. Frankly, though, it doesn’t much matter as they suit the story perfectly well.

3. Favourite part

I liked the discussions of philosophy quite a bit. Now, I think there were some points in the philosophical musings that could have used slightly more clarification (namely in the last five percent of the book), but even ambiguous, they push the boundaries of reality and force questions of what really matters in life. I really enjoyed this, since a lot of the time, we see AI in sci-fi with single-minded focus rather than a search for greater meaning. That, and the fact that these discussions played such a large role in Ethan’s character development made this more than something incidental in the story, to something essential.

4. Critique

My only real critique for this book has nothing to do with the characters or the story, but with the formatting. There were instances in the book where dialogue spoken by two separate characters appeared in the same paragraph, sans dialogue tags. Now, I was able to generally decipher who was saying what, but it took me out of the story and required a bit more puzzling than I had anticipated. This isn’t a huge issue, since the story was clear even with this formatting quirk, but I did notice it.

I think that The Stray was a very good story about what the role of humans is in a world where we are perhaps not entirely relevant, where AI manages a great deal and people do not need to strive to reach such great heights any longer. I especially liked the philosophy, the drive that Ethan had to choose his path, and all the questions that were brought up by a world where the problems we face are all but solved. 

Author Interview: Kayelle Allen

Kayelle Allen

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

My upcoming release (Feb 20, 2021) is Surrender Love – Antonello Brothers: Immortal. In 2014 the book went out of print when the rights reverted to me. I planned a sequel called Forever Love, but had so much trouble with getting the hero and villain to do what they were supposed to do that I gave up and wrote other things. After several years, I figured out what was wrong, fixed it, and began a complete rewrite of the story. Re-releasing Surrender Love means I’m close to releasing Forever Love as well. That book comes out May 13th. In between those two books is a short story called Forbid My Heart, which will be exclusive for readers of Surrender Love. There will be a link to the story at the end of the book. Anyone who loved Luc and Izzorah’s romance will want to read that. Forbid My Heart leads directly to Ring of the Dragon. You can skip that book and go straight to Forever Love, but if you read it, you’ll have a much greater experience and see deeper into the overall story. Plus, Ring is told completely from the viewpoint of the immortal king, Pietas. It’s a don’t-miss story. There will be a sequel to that book in the near future.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

I have multiple books set in the same story universe. The Antonello Brothers: Immortal series is a spinoff from the Antonello Brothers series. Those books are A Stolen Heart, Bro, At the Mercy of Her Pleasure, For Women Only. In that series, the focus is on Senth and Khyff, half-brothers who are reunited as adults. The immortals are in the background but vital to the story. In the spinoff, it focuses on the immortals and the brothers are in the background.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Tracking everything. I do it, and it helps me, but going back and seeing how sales are going and what promotion or sale worked is a bit boring. But it’s part of the job and it’s important.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

I love plotting and figuring out how to connect various parts of the story to another part. Because my books are all interrelated, I have a chance to write in characters from one book into another. When I realize I wrote something in book C that can work in book K, it’s exciting.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

Heather Gladney and Mary Renault’s magic with words. I love their writing.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

I must say it is not unexpected. They know better than to try strong-arming me. I don’t budge when it comes to story, but I will give them what they want if they insist. When I wrote Surrender Love, it was supposed to give Luc a quick fling and heal his broken heart after a breakup. I didn’t expect that Luc would demand that I give him Izzorah forever. I know it’s weird, but characters can be so intense in your mind when you’re writing them that you know you’re not going to win unless you give them their way. I found a way to make Izzorah immortal like Luc, and the happy-ever-after was born.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

They will beat me like a dead horse. I have no idea how to play poker. It will always come out in the other person’s favor, I’m afraid.

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

Don’t worry about how the opening sounds until you’ve written most of the book. Chances are, your first few chapters will end up somewhere else. Even when outlining, writers don’t always see the right structure for a story. It takes delving into it a ways to figure that out. So if you can’t think of a hook for that opening line, write anything and just get started. Remember, you will edit the living daylights out of this thing anyway! Give yourself permission to write a rotten first draft. The point is to get it onto the paper / screen. You can edit in your head but no one can read it there.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Subscribe to my newsletter and you can take part in a brand new adventure: the Citizen’s Journey. Once you go through all the steps of the journey (reading inside secrets and picking up freebies along the way), you can then take the Immortal Journey and be declared an official immortal. That gives you access to a different part of my website plus membership to an exclusive Facebook group. The immortal king himself interacts with readers there. Pietas has his own Facebook page, and readers get to ask him questions.

To sign up, visit my website and click on Free Starter Set in the menu. Readers choose between my romance titles and my strictly science fiction titles. If you join the romance side, you get everything. https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups/

Book Review: Rhoda by Poppy Kuroki

https://www.amazon.com/Rhoda-Diamond-Origin-Character-Stories-ebook/dp/B0922VM55V

I like novellas. I rarely read novellas because I go through full length books so quickly that I’m usually just jumping from book to book without really reading smaller pieces in between. It seems counterintuitive, but just go with me on this one. When I got a chance to read Poppy Kuroki’s Rhoda, I was thrilled, because it is a novella and also by an author I really like. Instinct was definitely correct on this one.

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book deals with Rhoda’s backstory. We first meet Rhoda in Oath, the first in the Black Diamond series, as a member of a group of assassins, spies, and all the things that need doing in the shadow. This book explores with her backstory, following her transformation from a girl who wants to marry and have children to the assassin. I won’t give a huge amount away here, because this is such a concise plot and I don’t want to spoil it for anybody, but I can say that it was stunning to see the change in Rhoda’s dreams based on her experience, and on reality being so very far from expectation. I found it heart wrenching to see her hopes fall to pieces, but also conversely really enjoyed watching her make something of herself rather than just accept everything as it was.

2. Thoughts on the characters

It was definitely interesting to see Rhoda, as known in Oath, be something other than what we knew her to be. I think the transformation and character development on this worked out really well, keeping elements of her strength that we saw later throughout her earlier development. She is definitely a relatable character, though the horrible things that she had to endure were not easy to read. I really appreciate that the author went down those dark holes to explore how these things came to be, but also to allow Rhoda to rise above her circumstances.

3. Favourite part

As always with Poppy Kuroki’s books, I loved the world descriptions. They are done in such a way that the world is seen through the character’s eyes without providing information dumps. The character simply interacts with the world and this allows the reader to learn and see the world as it is seen by the characters. This book describes the differences in climate from Rhoda’s homeland to her new home, and I just loved how the simple addition of rain or lack of rain could be such a defining piece of the story.

4. Critique

My only real critique for this novella is that I wish it were a full-length book. While I love the smaller, concise story and the ability to portray such groundshaking events while not extending into unnecessary lengths, I think this would have been a good story to sink my teeth into. Either way, I really enjoyed it.

Overall, Rhoda is a fascinating exploration of a character who was somewhat mysterious in a larger piece. It explores the world and illustrates the complexities of the characters, of the world that makes up the Black Diamond series, and provides hints and stories for future events. An excellent novella!

Author Interview: PD Alleva

PD Alleva

1. We’ll skip the “tell us about yourself” because coming up with something on the spot is, truly, the bane of an author’s existence. So, let’s start with something a little easier! Tell me what you’re working on at the moment.

I just started writing The Rose Vol. 2, the second instalment in my dystopian science fiction series. I’m about two thousand words into the story, setting up the infrastructure for what’s to unfold and getting ready for the first battle between Phil (a rebel freedom fighter) and Sanos (the main alien vampire). Then I’ll be creating the alien vampire city in hollow earth. I’m stoked and can’t wait to discover those little unexpected turns and character twists they seem to enjoy throwing my way. I’m shooting for a July 2021 release. And then there are my horror novels, Golem and Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect. I finished writing Jiggly about a month ago and he’s waiting to be sent off to my editor soon. Golem is a bit further along in the editing process, I’m just about to complete the content edits and send it off for a line edit. Golem takes place in late 1940’s and early 1950’s New York City, and follows a young detective, John Ashton, on a missing persons case whose only lead is a psychiatric patient, Alena Francon, who tells Ashton how she incarnated a demon into a statue she created named Golem whose infiltrated every aspect of New York’s infrastructure in an attempt to take over the city. It really is disturbing how far across the line the imagination can go.

2. In as much detail as you would like, tell me about your book(s) that are already out/on the way.

The Rose Vol. 1 is a dystopian science fiction thriller novel released worldwide on October 7, 2020. The Rose features a sophisticated although primal species of underground alien vampires who have conspired with elite human beings and telepathic evil greys to turn the human population into chemically altered zombies in order to achieve planetary and interstellar domination. But there’s a glitch in their matrix, a fly in their ointment, and a bat in their belfry. The rebellion, shrouded in mystery and led by the even more mysterious Robyn Winter, has dispatched the youthful Phil to seek out and find WW3 safety camp survivor Sandy Cox before the unholy trinity is able to secure her unborn child for genetic experimentation. When Sandy is captured and taken to an underground genetics lab, Phil is forced to enter the compound. Armed with The Blades, a sacred alien martial arts weapon, and the rose, a superpower with the ability to transform chemical structures, suspend gravity, and move objects with a thought, Phil battles through the compound against genetically mutated monsters, aliens, and humans. But the elusive Sandy has a plan of her own, finding her stolen child is all that matters. But nothing is as it seems in the underground complex. Sanos, the leader of the vampire faction tasked with overseeing military operations, gets a taste of the New Blood concocted from the pharmaceutical that turns human beings into the zombies the unholy trinity desires, turning Sanos into a primal ravaging vampire. And he’s grown weary of the unholy trinity, pitting vampire against vampire, grey vs human, and Phil against the world. Joined by a crew of rogue soldiers, Phil and Sandy must escape the underground compound in order to keep the rebellion hope alive. Will they achieve their mission? Will the new blood destroy the vampires? Will hope survive? Get ready. Strap in. And be warned, the Alien Vampires have landed in an action adventure unlike any other.

3. As far as the writing process goes—including such things as conception of idea all the way through to money in the bank—what is the least favourite bit? (Everyone has one!)

Getting there, those months just before a new book is published. Working for sometimes years on a project, it can be a real nail biter tying us loose ends and making sure everything is just right. Perfection being an attribute so few have mastered, if any.

4. Conversely, what is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

Everything else. I love what I do and wouldn’t change any part of it.

5. If you could steal any author’s ability to improve your own work, who would you steal from and why? (e.g. Tolkien’s language skills, Douglas Adams’ humour, etc.)

Ernest Hemingway’s minimalistic style. He’s the master with providing information with character depth and a play on words where the reader understands there’s so much more happening beneath the surface. For a long period of time my favourite writer, my family even nicknamed me Hemingway. Not bad at all.

6. Now for some fun! The main character of the book you’re working on (or have recently finished) has kidnapped you for ruining their life. How will you explain that what you’re doing is for the best?

I’ll choose Jigglyspot for this answer. Jigglyspot being the main character in Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect, a horror thriller novel. Jiggly’s a four foot nine half human half warlock lackey for the demons of Xibalba, so I’d have a difficult time convincing him that what I’m doing is for the best. More than likely he could give two shits and would whether he agreed with me or not he’d cut off my skull and devour my brain (while I’m alive). Jiggly can’t help himself; it’s a true character flaw he’s been grappling with for centuries. Plus since it’s better not to leave any loose ends, he’d hack me up and turn me into hamburger for the next neighbourhood gathering. Mmm! Tasty.

7. You, your main character(s), and the protagonist of the last book you read are playing poker. What are the stakes? Who will win and why?

The Players: Charlie Parker (from author John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series), Phil, the rebel freedom fighter from The Rose, Golem, Jigglyspot, Sanos, and myself. The stakes are high; winner takes control of the planet and decides the fate of the human race. Golem wins of course, he’s just too clever and his way of cheating is always grounded in the art of manipulation, for which Golem is a true mater; works like a literal charm for that damnable demon.

8. Let’s face it, writing is hard. What do you think are some traps to avoid in your particular area of expertise? (Whether that be your genre, your knowledge of plot, your character building, your world building, etc.)

Is it passed or past? and all those little grammatical concerns we learned about in middle school. Thank the gods for a good editor, that’s for sure. Also, be careful with old tropes, actually to hell with that, do what comes natural, with 8 billion people on the planet chances are a few million will love what you do.

9. Anything else you’d like to add? Plots to take over the world, for example. Upcoming release dates, links and things, maybe even your favourite chocolate cake recipe.

Yes, once my alien brethren arrive, we will release the human race from the ever constricting vibrational frequency that is wrapped around the earth and continually suppressing human intelligence, squeezing a third dimensional reality onto the human population. In doing so we will release magic back into a world of wonder, freeing the human mind and catapulting human evolution into the stratosphere. Stay tuned. But in the meantime follow me on social media; links are below including a link to an awesomely massive Alien Vampire Contest and Giveaway with over $1k in prizes. Enjoy.

Contest Link: https://pdalleva.com/the-rose-contest-and-giveaway

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