Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write Epic Fantasy! I’ve always loved BFEF (Big Fat Epic Fantasy), from David Eddings to Raymond E. Feist to Robert Jordan to Brandon Sanderson, so that’s what I write. My Epic YA fantasy series – The Petralist – is Big Magic, Big Adventure, and Lots of Humor. The adventure keeps building through every book, along with the magic, both deepening and broadening, escalating toward the final explosive finale in book six, due out next year.
The first four books in the main series are released: Set in Stone, A Stone’s Throw, No Stone Unturned, and Affinity for War. I’ve also released the first side novella in the series – When Torcs Fly – detailing the early adventures of a couple of the side characters who have become fan favorites. More side stories are planned in between books five and six. Book five – The Queen’s Quarry – is in the editing process and will rocket the series to a whole new level.
Set in Stone introduces the unique and intricate magic system, based on rocks, and every book in the series delves deeper into the magic and explores new concepts. One of my daughters dubbed the series the first Stone Punk because of how the magic is triggering a magical industrial revolution.
I also write time travel historical fantasy thrillers – The Facetakers. Think Mission Impossible meets Inception meets Timeline! It’s fast action, hard-hitting, super-cool history, with magic fueled by the power of human souls.
Saving Face, Memory Hunter, and Rune Warrior are released already in this series, with one more book still to come. Saving Face is a prequel novella and it introduces the main character, Sarah, in her story before she gets dragged into the time traveling adventure.
History is not what the books claim it is, and when history becomes the battlefield, there is no safe place to hide!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I recently released Affinity for War, book four of the main Petralist series. This book continues the adventures of Connor and his friends as the war they’ve long feared erupts across the continent and they get swept up into the center of massive battles and deadly intrigue.
I also released When Torcs Fly, the first prequel side novella in the Petralist world. It details the hilarious early adventures of Tomas and Cameron, and couple of deadly warriors, but who are dumber than a box of rocks.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t consider myself super unusual, although I’m an author so that already moves me squarely into the unusual category. For my last two novels, I’ve switched to dictating the majority of the first draft. That allows me to go for walks or hikes while I work. I spent a few days on the Oregon coast walking in the sand while dictating several chapters a day. I had a blast doing that, but it’s a very different kind of writing and it took quite a bit of work to re-train myself to become efficient with it. I think I’m starting to get it, though. The first draft of Petralist book Five – The Queen’s Quarry – turned out fantastic.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved reading. Influencers included J.R.R. Tolkien, David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan, and more recently Brandon Sanderson.
As a youth, I read widely, everything I could get my hands on, but I rarely paid attention to the author’s name. I’m embarrassed to say that now, but I was so eager to dive into the next story I didn’t really focus on the book title or the author, and so I’ve lost touch with some of my favorite books. I just remember them as that awesome book with that really cool character, and in my mind I see several of my favorite scenes, but have no idea who wrote them. Pretty sad really. Kids, don’t do what I did – remember book titles. You’ll thank me later.
What are you working on now?
I have tons of projects in the works. I set aggressive milestones for myself because that motivates me to work hard. I need to finish edits to The Queen’s Quarry, write another side novella in the Petralist world, finish the last Facetakers book, write the first draft of Petralist book six, start another completely new series I’m super excited about, and hopefully get around to finally publishing the first two books in my other epic fantasy series. Those are a few of the big ones.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In the past, word of mouth and Facebook helped a ton. Amazon ebooks have been my biggest seller by far, but I haven’t done my marketing in the past. Sales have been good, but I’m looking to get into the next level of audience, so I’m beginning a marketing push. We’ll see how it goes.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day! And become part of the community. Writing is tough and often lonely, but there’s tons of support out there if you’re willing to step into the light and look for it. Writers are among the most helpful and supportive group I know. We’ve all been helped by someone, so most of us are eager to help the next person in line.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sit down and write. Period.
Love what you do and be your own biggest fan. If you don’t love your work, how will anyone else love it?
Enjoy the journey. Writing is a long road – so make sure to enjoy the process.
What are you reading now?
I rarely have time to read much these days, but when I do I usually grab a Jim Butcher novel or a Brandon Sanderson novel, or a book from one of the authors I’m friends with. I’ve also started studying marketing books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing! I hope to also attend more conventions next year. I’ve made it to several different comicons, including Salt Lake City, Dallas, Emerald City, Rose City (Portland), as well as World Fantasty Con, LTUE in Prov, and the annual Superstars of Writing Seminar. In 2019 I also hope to finally make it to Dragon Con!
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?
Building a Sailboat for Dummies
The Book of Mormon
1001 Ways to Cook Fish
The Hobbit
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