Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a epic fantasy author and love weave politics and intrigue into my tales of perilous adventures and tumultuous battles. I’ve published two novels, Dead letter and Dragon Choir. I had some fun with a lighthearted fantasy adventure in a short story called, The Devil is in The Potato, and also wrote a Sci-fi flash fiction called Seeded which is perfect for a quick read. I was born in Australia, but I have lived and worked through Europe and Asia. All the travel has been great for developing dramatic landscapes and I trawl museums and old cities to soak up any medieval flavour I can add to my stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book I like to promote is called Dead Letter. It was inspired by the interest of a many readers in Calimska, a prominent city state in my bestselling novel Dragon Choir. I decided to write a novel that just centred around a few key characters working on a mystery in this magical city. I loved the idea of fusing fantasy with mystery and wanted to describe the advent of formal investigation into crime. Police and Detectives are quite a modern invention as far as history goes. I wanted to show how my fantasy world of Oranica would handle the introduction of an Inspector delving into the mysteries of a City filled with lies and politics. Thus we meet Kettna, a sorcerer with failing magic, but a strong intelect and follow her as she confronts the criminal mastermind, Bloody Agnus. Keeps you guessing till the end, just like a modern mystery, but it is jam packed with swords and sorcery.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write whenever I can find the time. I am also a freelance copywriter at ethicalwriter.com and an all round house Dad. There are plenty of distractions to my writing, so I do what I call ‘sprints’. Essentially, I write as much as I can in 30minute chunks. If I hit over 500words in a sprint I am happy. The more sprints I do the better. I still get scared of a blank page even though I’m writing my third book now. I find that 30 minutes and 500 words is small enough not to scare me and I don’t procrastinate. Many bricks build a strong wall.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am inspired by classic writers Sci-fi and fantasy authors like Ursula K. Le Guin and Asimov. Orson Scott Card blew me away with his take on Sci-fi and his magical alternative history in The Tales of Alvin Maker had me hooked. I am also in awe of a modern fantasy genre bending author, China Miéville. I grew up reading all the Dragonlance saga, so hats off to the many authors who showed me heroism in that fantastic world.
What are you working on now?
I am currently writing the third book in my series called, Blood Monsoon. Buckle you bandoliers and bracers, because it is a wild ride! Dragon Season has come!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub has been the heavy hitter for me so far. Although there is the ‘catch 22’ of needing reviews to get advertised there and needing advertising to get those reviews. It is a bit of a contradiction to navigate. Positive reviews welcome here, please!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are indie, your life and success depends on reviews. I’d take a positive review instead of a sale any day of the week. When you work out a way to get them consistently and positively … let me know. Just kidding. Support from a fan base simply takes a hell of a long time, unless you have buckets of money to throw at advertising. So for me, patience and focus on a long term plan has been really important in keeping my spirit alive to keep me writing. But seriously, if you like my writing, give it a good review! Half my stuff is free. You’ve got nothing to lose.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write faster. Produce more.
What are you reading now?
Mort by Terry Pratchett … again.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books, many more books! I have started narrating audio versions of my books too. My supporters on Patreon get that special content and when it is all compiled, I’ll offer that as an audio book. You can see what I’m doing now if you join me at www.patreon.com/dragonchoir I’ve recently released Seeded as an audio book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d make sure they were all blank and I’d use the time away from distractions to write 3 new epic fantasy novels and another book on how I did just that.
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