Interview With Author Dan O’Mahony
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve self-published four books so far, and as of this interview will be releasing two more. I write mostly middle-grade fantasy, but one the books I’ll soon be releasing, Death’s Fair Maiden, will be my first attempt at young adult, not to mention my first fantasy-romance.
I grew up in California, mostly in So Cal. Currently, I live in Phoenix, Arizona but have plans on moving back to Cali’ in the near future. Oh, and I am the proud father of two beautiful cats, Luna and Shyanne. They are in fact sisters.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have two books that I’m launching at the same time. As of this interview, I will be gearing up for a big book signing.
One of the books, Death’s Fair Maiden, is inspired by the myth of the banshee. It’s a fantasy romance, and I affectionately refer to it as “Boys Meets Banshee.”
The boy in this story isn’t the typical jock or billionaire or dangerous loner you might find in other books in that genre. He’s skinny, a bit effeminate looking, sensitive, and a musician and a songwriter. That’s not to say he isn’t courageous when the situation calls for it. This gave me a chance to look at masculinity, because he has some foils in the book that are definitely of the toxic variety.
The other book I’m currently launching is a middle-grade fantasy. I call it my love letter to the fantasy genre. It is also about the power of the craft of writing. In it, a young boy has suffered a terrible tragedy, and a mysterious substitute teacher inspires him to write fantasy stories. It proves to be very therapeutic. I include the stories “written” by the boy inside the body of the novel, and there does come a point when his fantasy world begins to invade the real world.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of my cats, Luna, loves to hang out with me when I write. I don’t know why. I must give off some sort of unique energy. We usually have to negotiate her space first, so she isn’t walking on or leaning on the keyboard. She always ends up sleeping beside my laptop and rests her chin on my hand as I type.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been a big fan of Neil Gaiman ever since I discovered The Sandman. In fact, that helped inspire me to get back into writing fantasy. I do read mostly fantasy. I love Terry Pratchett’s wit and satire. I still read a lot of mythology, mostly Irish/Celtic as well as Irish history. In Death’s Fair Maiden, there are flashback chapters that cover key events in Irish history. As a fantasy writer, and this is going to sound weird, but Chuck Palahniuk — Mr. Fight Club — had a big influence on writing, namely on how to capture a character’s voice.
What are you working on now?
I’m gearing up to start writing the second book in a series I have begun. It is middle-grade fantasy and i steeped in Irish myth and folklore. It’s about a boy who discovers he is the son of the Irish god of light and the reincarnation of Ireland’s greatest mythic hero. He is tasked with finding the Irish gods, who have been reborn as humans, and help them regain their power in time for the Fifth Cycle, a period where this world is in total convergence with the mythical Otherworld.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still a newbie when it comes to marketing and promoting. Any advice would be appreciated.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Be ready to put in the work and be patient. You also need to develop a think skin when it comes to dealing with rejection and criticism. Learn to take constructive criticism though. And whatever you do do not “write for the market.”
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Authors write HORRIBLE novels. Characters write GREAT novels.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading A Hat Full of Sky. It’s the second novel in Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series. She is a young witch who lives in Pratchett’s Discworld.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I really need to focus on balancing the creative side of writing with the business side. After all, I do want to make a living at this someday.
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?
Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, Stephen King’s It, Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men, and William Butler Yeats’ collection of Irish mythology.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dan O’Mahony’s Social Media Links