Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born, raised, and live in California. The Blue Barricade is the first part of a planned series, and I have another one planned after that. When I’m not writing, I’m cycling in 100-degree heat (Fahrenheit), or gaming.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Blue Barricade came to me about four or five years ago when I thought about the word “AI,” and how interesting it’d be if it meant something besides Artificial Intelligence. I decided on Aggressive Intellectuals and wrote the rest of the story from there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Thanks to something about my brain, whether it be my OCD or ADHD, I tend to write one sentence, and then open a new tab on my laptop and look up stuff that has nothing to do with writing. It’s very annoying, but I’ve finished about 4 first drafts in a year or two, so I guess it could be worse.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Are you ready? This one’s a shocker. You’ve never heard this before…HARRY POTTER. That’s right, I’m the first and only person to like Harry Potter. Seriously though, when I was in a bad spot, those books were there for me. They fanned my flame, and I’m grateful for that. Percy Jackson is fantastic too. The humor in my writing is directly inspired by those books.
What are you working on now?
The Blue Barricade’s sequel, and soon, the sequel to that sequel. I’m also planning the series I’ll write after The Explorer is done (the name of The Blue Barricade’s series).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Telling my parents that I’m selling a book so they can immediately brag to all their friends. I also really like Twitter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write as much as you can, because it only gets easier with time. If you get stuck, tell yourself that you’ll fix it in editing, and move on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. It’s pretty good considering that it’s the only way to finish a book before you die. Have you ever tried finishing one of those things? It’s impossible I tell ya.
What are you reading now?
Obsidio, which is part of The Illuminae Files, and Hunt (Freya Snow Book 1).
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books, and promoting The Blue Barricade.
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?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Lightning Thief, and Illuminae. Plus my own book, The Blue Barricade, so that I may be buried with it.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kesten Harris Website
Kesten Harris Amazon Profile
Kesten Harris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account