Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a longsword fighter, a book-binder, a crafter of all kinds of things, and a web programmer. I’ve written too many books, but I’ve only published two – my first novel, and a smaller book about online marketing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Meldling – First Novel of the Daemonva. It was inspired by the epic fantasy stories that I grew up with, like the Belgariad by David Eddings, or Lord of the Rings. I love the adventure of fantasy – great magics, sword and sorcery, and vast world-building.
A lot of fantasy that I loved as a kid was about a character discovering themselves and rising to do great things, and I wanted to recapture that with The Meldling.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Although I like to write on my laptop on my couch, I can write literally anywhere and on any device. I’ve written chunks of stories in bathrooms, on buses, in airports and on planes, or while waiting for a movie to start in a cinema. I have to sync it all up using Evernote afterwards.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Eddings, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan. I love the style and imagination of Terry Pratchett, and I developed a sense of rigor in world-building by reading Anne McCaffrey and Isaac Asimov.
What are you working on now?
The next book in the Daemonva Trilogy, called The Nameless Knight, and the first book in another trilogy called Fire Eyes, Shadowblade.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. My articles on swordfighting and bookbinding are pretty popular, especially when I go off on a rant about lightsabers. (Hint: lightsabers are ridiculous and they were overused in the prequels.)
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Spend money on two things first: the cover and the website! A hundred dollars spent on a quality cover and a professional site will form the bedrock of your marketing efforts. Marketing is hard, much harder than actually writing a book, and you need to talk to other writers and figure out what will work for you. Once your first book is published, split your time between writing the next and marketing your work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“When someone gives you a bad review, it’s not personal. It’s their reaction to the story, not the author. It’s not going to connect with everyone, and that’s okay! Just let it go, accept the criticism if you think it’s merited, and work on making your next book as great as possible.”
What are you reading now?
Knight’s Shadow, by Sebastien be Castell. I’m also re-reading Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to write all the things. ALL OF THEM. I’ve spent years improving my writing to the point where I’m confident enough to be published. Now that I’ve released my first story, I’m excited to finally live my dream of being a fulltime author.
I have always been a storyteller, and I have dozens of stories itching to be told.
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 bring If You Want to Write, by Brenda Ueland, and three books with blank pages. And all the pens I can carry, of course.
All I need is one book to inspire me to write, and the means to do so, and I will be happy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Claire Ryan Website
Claire Ryan Amazon Profile
Claire Ryan Author Profile on Smashwords
Claire Ryan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account