Interview With Author Harrison Kraus
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a chemical engineer by training, and I’ve spent the last decade balancing my work in pharmaceutical manufacturing with my passion for writing. I’ve always loved big, interconnected stories that explore what it means to be human through characters who wrestle with darkness, purpose, and identity. My debut novel, Of Gods and Men – Book 1: Men, is the result of years of worldbuilding, outlining, and rewrites. It’s the first in a planned multi-book fantasy series. I am well on my way to finishing my second book in the Of Gods and Men series, though only the first has been published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Of Gods and Men – Book 1: Men. It was inspired by a mix of things: my love of fantasy, my interest in superhero stories, and my curiosity about how ancient themes of good and evil, light and darkness, play out in a modern world. I wanted to write something that felt epic but also grounded. The story follows characters in two parallel worlds, one a modern Earth and the other a more mythical realm, and explores what happens when darkness starts to rise in both.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write in long, focused bursts. I’ll go for hours at a time when the scenes are flowing, then spend just as long editing a single paragraph when it needs to be right. I also map out story arcs across multiple books before I’ve written the first chapter. The story has to fit together in my head like a puzzle. That planning helps me plant seeds early that will pay off later.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were early influences, especially in how they grounded their stories in something deeper. I’ve always admired George R.R. Martin for the scale and complexity of his worldbuilding. A lot of inspiration also comes from comics. Writers like Jonathan Hickman and Al Ewing showed me how to build long, layered stories with emotional weight. Hickman’s X-Men and Avengers runs changed how I think about structure, and Immortal Hulk by Ewing was a powerful mix of horror and identity. I’ve also drawn a lot from biblical themes, especially in how they deal with good, evil, and redemption.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing The Soldier and the Prince, a companion novel to Book 1 that takes place at the same time but follows a different cast of characters. It explores the hidden battles happening in the margins of the main story. I’ve also been outlining the third book in the series, which brings all the characters together and starts to unravel the deeper mysteries of the world.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still figuring that out. So far, I’ve had the most success reaching out to reviewers directly and running discounted promos through sites like Fussy Librarian. Facebook has helped a little for ARC groups and indie author circles. But honestly, it’s very difficult. It takes a lot of trial and error to find what works.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t wait until you feel ready. You learn by doing. Write the book, finish the book, and then rewrite it until it actually says what you meant to say. And remember that marketing is just as hard if not harder than actually writing the book so get started on that early as well.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write the book you’d want to read.” Simple and cliche but true. If you’re bored, readers will be too. But if you’re writing something that excites you or keeps you up at night, it’ll come through on the page.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Children of Time, which was a wild and surprisingly emotional ride. Right now I’m working my way through Dune. It’s dense, but there’s something timeless about it. I’ve definitely been on a sci-fi kick lately, but once I finish Dune, I’m planning to dive back into fantasy. That’s still where I feel most at home as a reader.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I finish The Soldier and the Prince, I will start work on Of Gods and Men – Book 2: Heroes. I hope to continue marketing book 1 and building my audience.
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?
Return of the King for the sense of hope and finality it brings. Hickman’s full Avengers run, maybe that’s cheating, but if I’m stuck on an island, I’m bringing something long and layered. Eragon, because it was one of the books that made me fall in love with fantasy in the first place. And the Bible, because my ultimate hope is in Christ.
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