Interview With Author K. R. Solberg
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a northwoods (Wisconsin) wordsmith who really just wants to sip coffee in front of a fireplace while the snow piles up outside. I’m a lifelong fantasy reader and day dreamer who has been writing with my mom (C R Jacobson) since I was 15 (so, so long ago). Our co-writing started as an attempt for a frustrated mom and an angsty teenage girl to understand each other better.
We ended up with The Palimar Saga, an epic flintlock fantasy series centering on a family of smugglers caught up in a conflict between a cult of immortals and a mysterious godkiller. Book one, Remnant, and a prequel novella, The Smuggler’s Deal, are available now, with book two coming in early 2025.
We have the other two novels in the series written or outlined and several companion novellas planned.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Remnant, The Palimar Saga: Book One is a flintlock fantasy inspired by our desire to feature a family in an epic story and to subvert the immortality trope by exploring the consequences of flawed mortal people cheating death. The world and stories of Palimar draw inspiration from unique series like The Powder Mage Trilogy, classic masterpieces like The Lord of the Rings, and incorporate intrigue, mystery, heists, romance, and epic battles.
It’s been described as Castlevania meets the French Revolution, but with immortals instead of vampires.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This is possibly the one area of my life where I’m incredibly normal. I will occasionally spring out of bed at odd hours to write down an idea or dialogue thread. But as I progress in my writing career, I find I don’t need to stress over losing that great idea at 3am because the good inspirations tend to stick around.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was raised by Tolkien nerds, so Middle Earth lives deep in my heart. I’ve always been enamored with the sparce prose of Hemingway and the deep symbolism and moral ponderings of myth and fairy tale traditions. I love the character voice in Joe Abercrombie’s writing and the unique fantasy worldbuilding of Brandon Sanderson and Brian McClellan.
I draw much inspiration from spy thrillers by authors like John Le Carré and the literary depth of classics like The Divine Comedy, The Black Cauldron, The Once and Future King, and A Wizard of Earthsea.
What are you working on now?
As of the fall of 2024, I’m working with my mom/co-author to implement feedback from our editor on book two of The Palimar Saga. I’m also drafting a companion novella that takes place between the end of book one, Remnant, and the beginning of book two.
These are my deadline-driven projects. I’m always chipping away at the manuscripts for the other two books in the series, outlining possible novellas to go with them, and even brainstorming a future series set in the same universe.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We have a beautiful website, palimarsaga.com, where you can find all things related to our books. To my great surprise, and despite my lackluster efforts, I’ve made great reader connections on social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. But of course, word of mouth has and will always be an author’s greatest friend.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Please, for the good of your story and the joy of your reader, get your work professionally edited. I have a degree in writing. My co-author is a college English professor of 41 years. We’re very good at producing polished writing, and we still need an editor—because we’re human. No one is an exception. The level of editing will vary, but you’ll thank yourself down the road.
Also, decide early on what success means for you, put together a written (but flexible) marketing plan, and don’t fall into the comparison trap, especially on social media.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’re not an exception to the rule until you’ve understood the rule and earned your right to break it well.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Paragon Exordium by Mikel Milwasel, a fellow indie fantasy author, and am utterly enthralled. It’s an apocalyptic fantasy centering on a town in southern Georgia and has been described as Lord of the Rings meets Band of Brothers. The comparison tracks. The characters are engaging, and world building is beautifully bizarre, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Other than continuing to write books, I have two main goals as a writer: (1) to work out a sustainable marketing plan that engages readers but doesn’t drain all my time and sanity, and (2) to give back to the author and reader community in a meaningful way out of the overflow of my passion for stories and the lessons I’ve learned as a creative entrepreneur.
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?
Not that I would last long enough on a dessert island to read these, but here’s what I would bring: (1) a bible—not just because it’s the “Sunday school” option, but it’s one of the largest and oldest collections of literature with just about every genre, including narrative and poetry, that have shaped the course of human history, thought, ethics, and culture around the world. (2) I’d take Gary Paulsen’s The Hatchet because Brian’s journey of survival in that book might be comforting…and maybe helpful. And (3) I would have Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, because being trapped and starving in the sun with any amount of grace and sanity on my part would require a little absurdity, and I’d rather die laughing than crying.
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