Interview With Author Deon Ashleigh
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a sci-fi writer who envisions a world where love is as plentiful as insects and science fiction books fall from the sky. Bran Flakes are my favorite cereal, and I’m a spreadsheet nerd. I was birthed in Michigan but moved away when the cold became too much.
So far, I’ve written six books, published one of them, a short story collection, and contributed to a dystopian anthology.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My sci-fi debut is The Price of a Beating Heart. It’s the first book in The Price of a Heart series. There will be eight books after this one, all set in the same far-future, dystopian world.
I wrote The Price of a Beating Heart because I was heartbroken over Trayvon Martin’s murder. And in a rage. And feeling somewhat helpless. There have been many murders of Black people, but Trayvon’s prompted me to start writing this book in 2016. I needed to bleed out my feelings so I could start conversations about the world and how we choose to treat each other.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know. Humans do many unusual things. Maybe.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Orwell (1984)
N.K. Jemisin (The Fifth Season)
Neal Shusterman (Unwind and Bruiser)
Octavia Butler (Various stories)
Hannah Moskowitz (Break)
Daniel Keyes (Flowers for Algernon)
George Orwell started my road to sci-fi. These other authors finished that road.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing a non-fiction book called 100 Ways To Save 1,000 Hours Self-Publishing Your Book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I will do a lot of promotion on my YouTube channel, The Sci-fi Space. I’m going to interview sci-fi readers and read my new writing aloud.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Don’t tie your worth to your book, writing, or sales. None of these are related.
2. Write the story your soul’s telling you to write. Don’t compromise on your story.
3. Don’t chase someone else’s voice. With more writing and time, your voice will emerge.
4. Know that you’re born a writer. It’s a calling. You don’t have to prove you’re a writer to anyone.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Leave your book above the ground. No one can read it when it’s six feet under with you.”
I made this up while reading this question.
What are you reading now?
Gap Selling by Keenan. I’m learning how to market. It’s a different skill than writing and editing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After finishing my non-fiction book, I’ll begin editing the second book of The Price of a Heart series.
The second book’s called The Price of a Broken Heart.
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 empty books so I can write new stories in them.
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