Interview With Author Guy W Nettleton
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing off-and-on for years between bouts of life, and my debut fantasy will finally see the light of day on August 14, 2025. It’s been a long, eventful, and sometimes overwhelming road to get here, but I’m excited to finally “start.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Last Eye of Time. It’s a science fantasy but leans general fiction. Think Final Fantasy, Dune, Star Wars; a story that has some fantasy and/or science fiction but is really more about the story than the setting–or the magic.
Ironically, it was the first Final Fantasy that stoked the fire. I used to spend all day every day for months on end in my neighbor’s basement, playing the game on his Nintendo. It was what a stick figure is to the Mona Lisa in terms of narrative, but filling in the story’s details with our minds was its own adventure. Over the years, that story took on a life of its own, always threatening to be written down but pulling back at the last moment, and when the newest AI wave hit my company and I knew it was time. I had my villian.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would guess that it’s not usual–or productive–to write in the bursts I do. I’ll write 10k words in a day and a half and then take the next week off to think about what happens next. It evens out in the end, perhaps, but what I like about it is that it gives my story time to breathe a bit and my brain time to unravel itself. I like to put the characters in their setting and then set them loose to let them tell their story naturally. Sometimes that takes a bit of time to unfold and transpire.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rather than be inspired by my favorite authors’ words or styles, I look up to those who knew their values and upheld them. Those who didn’t sell out just for money or fame but kept their art pure. Who didn’t chase trends but created them, defying norms and expectations.
In that light, Hemingway, George Orwell, and Bill Watterson stand out. Two novelists and a cartoonist, they inspired me forge my own path, which ultimately led to The Last Eye of Time. It’s not quite like anything else out there. You won’t find many neat, contemporary tropes in its pages. And no intricate magic system to guide its narrative.
To my great pleasure and in absolute, utter humility, those who’ve read it have consistenly remarked how it’s unlike anything they’ve read before, and–whether that’s a good or bad thing (that’s up to you!)–it tells me that I followed my own story and not someone else’s.
What are you working on now?
The sequel, coming in 2026! But getting a book ready for publishing is almost a full-time job in itself, so my writing bursts now are more like mini-bursts!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is something that I’m still trying to figure out. On X I find lately that bots and scams overwhelm the actual people and are especially intent on preying upon indie authors. Dabbling in other social platforms is also a long, hard road.
My own website, newsletter, and Discord seem to be my best bets. Oh, and Goodreads! Which is like the wikipedia of books and authors.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be what inspired me: be true to yourself. Tell YOUR story. Writing to trends to get sales sometimes does that: gets you sales. And if what you want is trendy stories, then that’s actually perfect for you, so go for it!
But the only way to satisfy yourself is to write what you feel, so do that, unerringly.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Mind like water — Bob Ross
What are you reading now?
East of Eden. Is my heart broken, or am I full of hope?
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing The Last Eye of Time trilogy.
This story has been swimming around in my head for so long that if I don’t get it out I won’t be able to focus on any other.
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?
1984
Dracula
The Lord of the Rings (Yes, I’ll count the whole 3 volumes as one book, thank you.)
The Count of Monte Cristo
Author Websites and Profiles
Guy W Nettleton Amazon Profile
Guy W Nettleton’s Social Media Links
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