Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Leo is a pseudonym. I am 50 years of age and live with my partner Lin, my rock, and our cat Archimedes. We adore all animals, life actually, especially felines. I was also born under the star sign of Leo. We reside in Bristol in the UK.
Kandor The Warrior is the first of a fantasy saga I am working on. It was actually written in 1999 but I only published in August of 2017.
I have half finished the sequel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I cannot reveal the title of the sequel because it would be a spoiler. My books have complex and absorbing characters and
also definitely not for children. Kandor The Warrior is much of a pilot or a glimpse into the world I am building.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes indeed I do. I write in a manic way. Unfortunately I suffer from extreme emotional personality disorder and rapid cycling bipolar disorder. It is a mouthful I know. I am waiting for a full diagnosis but, I only see labels. When I am having a downward spiral I start to write. I write poetry also and have penned many of my poetic prose as reviews for books I have read on Goodreads. I have had many likes and the feedback has been encouraging. When I write for my novels I sometimes go for a walk in the woods and just stop and listen to nature. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. This boosts my hearing senses and I soak it in. When I return home I write maniacally. I create scenarios and introduce new characters. None of it really makes sense at first but then I stitch it all together.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh! Wow! So many. Tolkien. Verne. Carol. King. Straub. Wilde. Stevenson. Twain. Fighting Fantasy. Dungeons and Dragons. Lewis. Swift. Herbert. Just to name a few. I also study the esoteric, for many years, and I am fascinated with the ancient past.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Kandor The Warrior and a picture book of esoteric poetry.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads. I came into this publishing world like a child. It was like I was a four year old in a class of teenagers. I actually still feel that way now and find this self promotion daunting and emotionally draining. If not for my partner…
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Sitting on one’s laurels is not the answer. I know this first hand. I guess all authors feel the same. Getting published is like winning the lottery without the windfall. Yes one has published but, Stephen King one is not. I am learning that every day. Know that how ever good a writer you are or, how good others say you are, without recognition your book will go no where. Even running an ad campaign can be demoralizing when your balance is diminishing but you have no sales. Keep at it and don’t keep checking like I do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Joining groups on Goodreads. Since I have joined groups I have received some good advice both from readers and authors alike.
What are you reading now?
Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom
(Some of the fields below are NA but have to be filled so I copied the Amazon address in)
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope that I can sell enough books to get put of our one bedroom accommodation and write books for a living so my partner can retire. She is the sole breadwinner as I am unemployable due to my condition. We get no help from the government.
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?
Awe! So many to choose from. Shadowland by Peter Straub would have to be in there. Fluke by James Herbert. The Stand by the master King and maybe a survival book by Bear Grylls or Ray Meers.
Author Websites and Profiles
Leo – Website
Leo – Amazon Profile
Leo – Author Profile on Smashwords
Leo -‘s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account