Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a fantasy adventure writer with three books in print. My writing began in high school, but my first book wasn’t published until 20 years later after I returned from Afghanistan. The first book (Protectors of the Vale) parallels my combat experience fighting the Taliban. As the men in my 12 man team and I trained, fought, and in some cases experienced hardships so too do the characters in my book. Obviously the setting is more Lord of the Rings/Forgotten Realms than modern times but the feeling of being there…in the thick of it…is visceral! Book 2 and 3 followed and since then I have had a heck of a lot of fun sharing my stories with fantasy readers.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Book 3 Guardians of the Mountain was inspired as the epic grand finale by a dream. I had been thinking seriously about writing a 3rd book and wrapping up the series. One night it came to me. A long forgotten prophecy, fear of the end of times, betrayal, and a myriad of twists and turn really got me excited about writing. It took well over a year to get it all together, but in the end is was my best work. I had learned so much since my first published work that this book captures the essence of who I am and nicely wraps up the loose ends of the previous episodes.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am addicted to shock and awe in my writing! I love to astound and even mislead the reader only to reveal an unexpected twist or turn that blows their mind. I have written and re-written countless pages just to get the reader perfectly poised for the excitement I want them to feel. By all reports this is what keep my readers turning pages well into the wee hours.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
R.A. Salvatore’s Dark Elf Trilogy, Cleric Quintet, and well pretty much his entire collection have been my go to books since high school. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was a huge influence (for almost all fantasy lovers I bet). I read a dozen Piers Anthony novels and most of the Dragonlance books by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. more recently I have enjoyed the “I am number four” series by Pitticus lore and the dystopian novels like Maze Runner and Divergent. The books are better than the movies but I enjoy the movies as well.
What are you working on now?
My latest novel is under construction at about 50k words. It is a very dark, modern day fantasy about a former Soldier working as a detective who stumbles into a government conspiracy. This is a tricky book because there have been many books written in this genre and style but much like my fantasy adventure novels…I take life and remake it into fantasy which gives it a personal and undeniably real feel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon is the best way to find my work. My books can be found in kindle, softcover, and hardbound varieties by searching my name (Curtiss Robinson) or by title (Protectors of the Vale, Defenders of Griffon’s Peak, and Guardians of the Mountain). My publisher is Beau Coup and the series title is “The Heroes of Daerun” for specific searches on google. I also have a personal page, author’s page, and book page on Facebook. Come find me…I am very available and enjoy chatting with avid readers and writers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Of course I have advice 🙂
1. Never give up…easier said than done for most
2. Write often and read you own work. If you love it then so will others
3. Never go cheap! I have the best artist, editor, and publisher so my work will stand out
4. Have fun…if you write for fun it is never work
5. Pay it forward! No one really wanted to help me when i got started and that sucks so i try to help new writers get the ball rolling. Do the same and pay it forward.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My publisher (Sable Hunter) told me there are literally thousands of books in digital format that are free online. Few people will just give a new author their hard earned cash when they can get free books so be prepared to give your book away for free to establish a following. If they love your style they will want more. You make money on the second and third books once they are hooked. This is digital marketing 101.
What are you reading now?
I spend most of my reading time online. I love articles and personal growth. I always have my eyes peeled for a new novels and nothing beats the “dead tree version” but right now I am all digital until something incredible comes along.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I love writing but I do it as a hobby. I retired form the US Army a year ago and now I run a clinical counseling practice where I help good people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and grief. I have written dozens of articles on stress, anger, and coping. Who knows, I might make it into one of the journals of psychology in the future.
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?
OK…seriously? If I am stranded on a desert island I would bring the 3-4 largest books on tax law or politics I could find so I could have plenty of paper to wipe my butt and what better book to use than tax law or politics! That would be enjoyable and practical.
**If I had unlimited toilet paper then I would bring the 3-4 best books on how to survive or escape the desert island**
***If I had unlimited toilet paper and I was on a desert island in need of good reading (unable to escape) then I would bring scripture and get closer to God. Yeah I know everyone expected me to say something a little more whimsical but I am a practical guy. What can I say?
Author Websites and Profiles
Curtiss Robinson Website
Curtiss Robinson Amazon Profile
Curtiss Robinson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile