Interview With Author M. J. Lau
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former middle school English teacher and I have written five books so far. My first book, The Buried Few, is a standalone dystopian novel. The next three books are part of a series (The Virtual Realms), and they blend sci-fi and fantasy for a middle grade audience (particularly teen boys who tend to choose video games over books).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Unburnt, is the first in a new fantasy trilogy, The Firebrand Chronicles. I have always been a huge fan of fantasy, so this story has been percolating in my brain for years. When I finally got around to writing it, I was a dad with three kids, so the importance of family quickly became a key theme in the book. Unlike most of the fantasy I read, which is epic and filled with a huge cast of characters, Unburnt is much more focused on one family and their struggles against the backdrop of empire-wide turmoil. I wanted to explore all the elements of fantasy that I love — magic, exotic locations, a different pace of life — but also bring in the timeless struggles of a father trying to do what’s best for his wife and kids.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write standing up. I do much better when I write by hand first, then type (typing usually makes me think my writing is “finished,” so I’m less likely to make changes). I always write in blue ink — in fact, I try to always use the same kind of pen: a Pilot G-2 .07. I’m sure their sales will skyrocket now from my unpaid endorsement! Oh, I also do a lot of voice-to-text, especially if I’m on a walk or driving when an idea hits me. Like many people, my thoughts tend to move faster than my hands, so I love being able to capture my ideas through speech so I do lose them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first author I followed consistently was Piers Anthony; I read all his Xanth novels, plus his Incarnations of Immortality series. I’m currently most eager to read more of George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss, the two titans of fantasy right now. I also love classic literature; I’ve read everything by Steinbeck and Hemingway, plus I’m a lifelong Shakespeare fan. My favorite novels include The Catcher in the Rye, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Slaughterhouse Five, and The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. These books stand out to me because of their unique styles and storylines, as well as their powerful and distinctive voices. More than anything, I strive to match their creativity and ability to hook a reader.
What are you working on now?
I tend to bounce around between writing projects so that I don’t burn out by focusing too much on one of them. That said, I do have to buckle down and put in the work on a given book for a while or I’d never complete any of them! So, I will soon be dedicating my time to the sequel to Unburnt, tentatively titled Undrowned.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Despite writing for six years now, I’m new to the promotion/marketing game. I’m working my way through Nick Stephenson’s excellent “Your First 10K Readers” program, and I’m starting to dip my toes in the marketing strategies. So far, I’ve used some Amazon ads, Facebook ads, and Substack. I’m hoping to soon begin cross-promoting with other authors so that I can build a bigger email list and reach interested readers more directly.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write something every day — it doesn’t have to be anything great, but maintaining that practice helps the good stuff come to the surface. Make sure you balance your time between writing and reaching an audience; writing can be a very lonely task, and you need to stay connected to people to remember who you’re do it for (and what they respond to). Lastly, read as much as you can. Read in your genre to absorb techniques, and read about writing and publishing to gain the best insights from those who have already achieved what you’re trying to do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can’t edit a blank page.” Get something — anything — down on paper so you can move forward. Writing is really a series of processes: drafting, revising, editing.
What are you reading now?
Just like my writing, I tend to bounce between several books at the same time. I am currently reading Cultural Amnesia by Clive James, The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson, and I just picked up Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am dedicating these next six months to finishing my next novel, while also trying to grow my fanbase for my existing work. It will be a while before I have another book out, but I’m always publishing something on my blog, Substack, or Kindle Vella, which helps keep me motivated, productive, and connected with readers.
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?
This might seem like cheating, but one of the books I would bring is my huge “Collected Works of William Shakespeare,” which has all 37 of his plays. Practically speaking, I’d also bring “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook,” so I’d know how to find food, water, and shelter. I’d also bring “A Wise Man’s Fear” by Patrick Rothfuss, with the hopes that he would have the sequel done by the time I got off the island! Lastly, I’d bring a big empty notebook so I could write everyday (with a blue ink pen, of course!).
Author Websites and Profiles
M. J. Lau’s Social Media Links