Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write mostly fantasy and science fiction, sometimes crossing the two. I’ve been writing for decades, mostly for free online, and only started self-publishing about a year ago. Back then, I wound up here and did an author interview. Not sure if interviews stay up here forever or if they get purged once a year. But I feel like I’ve learned so much about self-publishing in the last year, I might as well be a new person. So why not fill this out again?
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last book I published is called Spherical Knives and it a bizarro fantasy about a world dominated by robots. I was inspired to write when I stumbled across a writing prompt that challenged the author to write a story where the zombie is the main character. I wrote Spherical Knives, except while the main character is indeed falling apart, she is not a zombie. She is just falling apart due to a robot conspiracy to turn her into bio-fuel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I place a chicken on my head and cluck three times before writing each book. Just kidding.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Off the top of my head, I love Clive Barker’s fantasy novels.
What are you working on now?
Another book in my Chronicles of Omicron series. It’s not really a series, though. It’s a bunch of books from the same universe. Only one is published right now, The Thieves of Nottica.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t been wildly successful promoting my books yet. I’ll get back to you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot. And don’t give up trying to reach readers. You can. It just takes time.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The writing advice I ever heard came from Neil Gaiman, which is hilarious because I’m really not a fan of his. He once said that he always tries to finish every book he starts because each book is a learning experience. I sort of adapted that advice and have learned a great deal from all the books I pushed myself to finish.
What are you reading now?
Clive Barker’s Abarat, the first book. I never did finish reading all of them, and I stumbled across a copy in the thrift store, it felt like a sign. Or something weird like that.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Saving up to get better covers for my books, pushing for reviews, promoting, writing more.
The usual.
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?
Moby Dick has some truly beautiful passages. The Thief of Always by Clive Barker. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K Le Guin.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ash Gray Website
Ash Gray Amazon Profile