Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey! My name is Ben Spencer and I’ve been writing for nearly eighteen years. I started off writing literary fiction, but, as my reading tastes have changed over the years, I’ve transitioned over to fantasy (although I do believe it’s fantasy with a literary bent). I’ve written six books, four of which have found their way into the world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Deer King. The idea for The Deer King came to me a few years ago, but I let it simmer for a while before I began. The epic fantasy genre is awash with medieval tales, so I thought I’d try something a little different–a series inspired by the colonial era. I’m a history teacher, and I love early American history, but, like nearly everyone familiar with the era, I’m well aware of its horrors. The Deer King is my effort to revisit the time period, and then, by adding a couple of tweaks (like say, offsetting the technological superiority of the settlers with an indigenous reincarnated war god), imagine how the outcome might have been a little different.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If there’s anything unusual about my writing habits it’s that they’re so predictable. Every night from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. I do my best work when I keep to a routine.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Fate and Furies by Lauren Groff. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders. Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. And oh so many more.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on Novella Three in The Deer King series, as well as a strange literary/fantasy hybrid of a novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been trying to build reviews organically with The Deer King through goodreads and by reaching out to readers and writers that I know. I’ve had success with a couple of book review sites, and I’m eternally grateful to those kind souls who’ve read my book and written heartfelt reviews.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. As much as possible. That’s what writers do. Make sure you’re happy with what you’ve written. There’s no point in being published if you don’t actually like the work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I don’t take advice too seriously. I’m more of a “figure it out yourself” kind of guy. I like listening to Noel Gallagher interviews, because a lot of what he says is tongue in cheek, which I take more seriously than someone being overly earnest.
What are you reading now?
I like to read a mix of styles and genres at once. I’m currently reading The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, The Shell Collectors by Anthony Doer, and American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to continue working on The Deer King series for the foreseeable future. As the series is written in novella form, I have a lot of freedom from book to book. If you’re a reader looking for a smart and independent fantasy book series that isn’t afraid to take risks, I encourage you to hop on for the ride.
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?
Hamilton by Ron Chernow. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. The Winds of Winter by George R.R. Martin (Ha!).
Author Websites and Profiles
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