Thomas Ward
asked
Jonathan Maas:
Just started reading Hellenica. So far seems very interesting. How did you come up with this idea?
Jonathan Maas
Thomas, first of all - it's an honor to end up on the bookshelf of such an accomplished author such as yourself! I would love to share marketing tips with you one day - that's how I give back to the author community, by sharing marketing tips.
How did I come up with the idea?
It probably started with D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths so long ago:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
I have always loved this book, and it has stayed with me through the years!
City of Gods: Hellenica was my first book, and inspired by those like JK Rowling, I wanted to take this to the 'next level,' ie not just a single concept. So I contemplated a fully robust world where: 1) All the gods have come back, from Zeus to Dagon, from Loki to Lugh and 2) That is not all, i.e. there is more.
From that 2nd part came the other parts, like the Conurbation, the politics, the Academy, the cultures, the students, Hellenica and everything else!
Note that 'City of Gods II: Horsemen' should be out soon - we are waiting on the cover art from the inimitable Manthos Lappas (he drew Kayana on the cover of Hellenica, and all my other books), but for now temp cover art can be seen here:
https://www.risingshadow.net/library/...
So that's it Thomas - thank you so much, and again, it's an honor to be on your bookshelf!
How did I come up with the idea?
It probably started with D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths so long ago:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
I have always loved this book, and it has stayed with me through the years!
City of Gods: Hellenica was my first book, and inspired by those like JK Rowling, I wanted to take this to the 'next level,' ie not just a single concept. So I contemplated a fully robust world where: 1) All the gods have come back, from Zeus to Dagon, from Loki to Lugh and 2) That is not all, i.e. there is more.
From that 2nd part came the other parts, like the Conurbation, the politics, the Academy, the cultures, the students, Hellenica and everything else!
Note that 'City of Gods II: Horsemen' should be out soon - we are waiting on the cover art from the inimitable Manthos Lappas (he drew Kayana on the cover of Hellenica, and all my other books), but for now temp cover art can be seen here:
https://www.risingshadow.net/library/...
So that's it Thomas - thank you so much, and again, it's an honor to be on your bookshelf!
More Answered Questions
Jonathan Spradlin
asked
Jonathan Maas:
Hi Jonathan the writer. Jonathan the other writer here. I wonder if you might tell me a little about your writing environment. Do you write at home? Do you listen to music or sound effects? Do you seal yourself off from others while you write, or are you accessible? Do you work differently for first drafts than for re-writes/editing? Take your time. (If in the first five I'll take that book, happy to trade for mine.)
Joe Tankersley
asked
Jonathan Maas:
Jonathan, just read #EOTW and really enjoyed it. Not often you find a book that so smoothly covers such broad range of intellectual thought and is fun and fast paced. As a futurist, and fellow writer, I'm particularly interested in your publishing choices. It seems to me that you've developed an interesting hybrid. More than just self-published. Would you be willing to share your thoughts on the future of publishing?
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