Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Dublin, Ireland, but moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2009 with my wife and baby daughter. Now the proud (and active) father of two children, I pay the bills by working in my local library. I’ve only written one novel so far, The King is Dead, an epic fantasy novel recently published by Bella Tulip Publishing. I do have plans to release at least one more in 2017, including a series of short stories.
My favourite genres are fantasy, science fiction and horror.
I am a huge fan of mythology, and his future works will incorporate different legends.
I have a degree in Philosophy, with particular interest in Morality and Philosophies of Freedom.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and only) novel is called the King Is Dead. As a long time lover of fantasy, I’ve read numerous novels where ordinary Joes (and Josephines) go from zero to hero in the blink of an eye, saving the day against all odds. I like to think I put a little twist on this with a pair of heroes who could only be described as underachievers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. With two young kids and a job, getting the time to sit down and write is unusual.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien is the obvious one, but I’ve also enjoyed Steven Erickson’s Malazan Books of the Fallen, and R Scott Bakker’s Prince of Nothing series. I’m drawn to darker, morally ambiguous stories, and was a fan of grimdark fantasy before I knew what it was.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoy anything dystopian, and count 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 amongst my favourite novels.
From a non-speculative fiction standpoint, I enjoy Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare. I also read history, with a favourable nod to Anthony Beevor.
What are you working on now?
I have a bunch of projects on the go right now. I’m writing a series of horror short stories based on Irish folklore, a fantasy novel based on the Second Battle of Moytura, an Irish legend, and a dark fantasy in which I’m currently in the world-building stage.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There’s plenty out there. Facebook and Twitter are the obvious choices, Facebook has a million different book promo groups. Awesome Gang and Ebookasaurus are good. I’ve done really well out of Readers Gazette, who let you set up an author page and tweet your books on a daily basis.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sit down. Write. Just go for it. I guarantee you one thing – if you don’t write it, it will be never be published, so just do it. There is plenty of support out there on the internet, and maybe even in your own town if you’re willing to look for it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get an editor. No matter how good a writer you are, you will make mistakes when telling a story.
What are you reading now?
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, and The Destroyer by Michael Scott Earle. I usually have a “physical” book and an e-book on the go at once.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hmm! I’ve a few projects on at the moment, but my short stories are closest to completion (I’ve finished three of six). It’s just a matter of whether I publish them separately or in an anthology.
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 guess people usually go for their favourites here, so I’ll go against the grain. I’ve read the first books in Brent Week’s Night Angel trilogy and John Gwynne’s Faithful and the Fallen series, so if I could bring the remaining books in each series, that would be awesome. I’d also need sunscreen, lots on sunscreen.
Author Websites and Profiles
Al Burke Website
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