Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been working on the GrailChase Chronicles series for over 20 years, off & on. It is a series of 6 books, of which The Impossible Lover is the first to be published. I intend to publish at least 2 books a year until they are all out.
I teach philosophy and humanities in the American Southwest, where I live with my mother, husband, young son, 2 old cats and a rat dog. I hold a ph.d. in philosophy, specializing in ethics, social-political philosophy and the philosophy of the self
I have many interests, which have been folded into my writing, including subjective reality, the evolution of consciousness, history, culture, and art. Prior to teaching, I have held many strange jobs and done lots of bizarre things, including actor, costumer, artist, sales, calligrapher, renaissance fair director, wedding officiant and event planner. I am very fond of classical/ancient culture and asking the hard questions.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Impossible Lover, Book 1 in the GrailChase Chronicles.
Back in the late 1980’s, I read Holy Blood Holy Grail, by Baigent, Lincoln & Leigh, as well as the Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels and was intrigued by the idea of another, hidden form of Christianity. Around the same period, I also re-read Frank Herbert’s Dune books, and became fascinated by the idea of a runaway messiah.
I started writing the series in the early 1990’s, as I went through a major life crisis and essentially changed everything. The series was a way for me to explore and release the intense feelings I was experiencing at the time. I fiddled with the book for over 2 decades, considering it more of an inner exercise than something publishable.
In 2010, shortly before his death, my father extracted a promise from me to publish my stories, as his one regret in 86 years of life was that he had never had the guts to pursue his dream of being a writer. So, I dug out & dusted off the old photons on the files, and discovered the writing and story was much better than I remembered. I added the Steampunk elements for fun. I also beefed up the metaphysical material (which is based on true events) at the suggestion of David Morrell, who says that your books should be the autobiography of your soul. I can honestly say that this series fulfills that description
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to listen to the same song on repeat for hours when I’m writing. Each book has its own playlist.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Frank Herbert, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Robert Heinlein, Anya Seton, Ursula K. LeGuin, G.I. Gurdjieff, John Lilly, Richard Bach, Tom Robbins, Hermann Hesse, Plato
What are you working on now?
I am editing Book 2, Herald of the Dawn, for release sometime this spring (2014).
It’s been a lot of fun, as I have cameos from a young Oscar Wilde and Madame Helena Blavatsky in this book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, my best results have come from doing giveaways & posting on as many free ebook sites as possible. I do purchase a few well-chosen ads from time to time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make your books the autobiography of your soul. From David Morrell, author of Rambo, and Murder As A Fine Art.
What are you reading now?
The 11th Element, by Robert Scheinfeld – nonfiction
Stardust, by Neil Gaiman – fiction
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am looking very forward to beginning work on Book 3 this summer. In this book, we go to Egypt with Madame Blavatsky, as well as delve deeper into the mysteries of subjective reality.
Oodles of fun!
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?
The Course in Miracles.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
Plato’s Republic
The Dune Trilogy by Frank Herbert (I know, this is cheating…)
Author Websites and Profiles
Dara Fogel Website