Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jason Hein, and I am a self published author of medieval fantasy. I have a total of nine books published, two of which are poetry, one that is short stories and poetry, and the others full length fantasy novels.
I live in the central US and enjoy living in the country, writing my books, drinking coffee (perhaps too much) and traveling when I get the chance. I would love to visit Ireland some day, though so far I have been unable to make that happen.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is title, The Axion, A Varsian Kingdom Adventure. It was inspired by a scene in my four book saga that sparked a new story idea while I was writing. One of the characters had died and spent some time in the afterlife. While there they were able to see a great deal of things that mortals were unaware of. New lands, new realms, new species, and entirely new planets. I realized, once I opened that possibility up, I had to explore it with a new stand alone novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
my writing habits are pretty simple, really. I like to lock myself away in a dark room with all the lights out, accompanied by total silence and a warm cup of coffee. Occasionally I switch out my coffee for a cup of tea and sometimes I’ll actually take a break to get something to eat.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien and C.S Lewis are by far the greatest influences on me. I grew up with them and loved their worlds and books. Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga is an amazing set of books as well that really inspired me.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on an all new project, yet to be announced. It’s a special one, though, as it is the first book I’ve written that is not set in my fantasy world of Varsia. This book will fall more into the Paranormal/Urban fantasy genre and I’m a bit anxious to see how it turns out since I’ve never done anything quite like that before. If it goes well, however, I’ve got several other book ideas to set in that same world.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning a lot on the promotion side of writing. I’ve had decent luck with a few paid adds at places such as freebooksy and the fussy librarian, and limited success with some free options as well. The best results I’ve ever got, however, are honestly just from joining and interacting in writing or reading communities online. Mostly on Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If I could stress one thing it would be, Just Keep Writing. I can’t count the number of books I started and never finished before I finally wrote those two magic words, “The End.” After that I started and abandoned a dozen more before finishing another one. Slowly, I progressed to where I could finish the books I started, even if they were only 80 pages long. The more I wrote the better I got, and the easier it was to finish a full length book of 300 + pages.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s easy to edit a bad page, but impossible to edit an empty page. Again, Just Keep Writing. It doesn’t even have to be good. It’s practice, and editing is what makes the writing good… not writing. (As odd as that sounds) The first draft is called a “rough” draft for a reason. It needs lots of work still.
What are you reading now?
Oddly enough, I rarely read. Every time I read I feel like I am cheating on my writing. (I know, doesn’t make any sense)
I did sit down and start a book by a fellow indie author, Faction of Time by by Tilly Tiason, but have been working so much on my latest project that I have not got very far.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have more plots and plans than I’ll probably ever be able to get around to completing. I have my urban fantasy set I’d like to write, a science-fantasy series I would love to get to that will probably be accompanied by several stand alone novels, as well as another handful of books in The Varsian Kingdom I would like to write some day.
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 Silmarillion, a Star Wars book, and some of the Narnia books by C.S Lewis.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Hein Website
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