Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am primarily an author of Young Adult Fantasy fiction and the founder of Aeonian Entertainment, my publishing arm that puts out various series in the larger Aeonian Covenant Universe. Think of it like Marvel but for teen-focused fantasy books. To date, I’ve written 10 books in two different series, with an 11th and 12th in two other series on the way.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is actually a box set of the first season of “The Night Sword Detective.” It contains six books that complete the first major story arc of the series. The cases were inspired by a mixture of Japanese comics, ancient Japanese folklore and legends, and the American TV show “Supernatural.” The characters are based on people I know in my daily life, but I can’t say who, though. 😉
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I absolutely HAVE to have earphones in with music blasting in order to get a scene going. Usually, the music matches the “mood” of the scene I’m writing, but not always. The most unusual part, I find, is that I tend to repeat the same long on a loop dozens–or hundreds–of times to get myself into a trance-like “flow” state that produces my best, most inspired writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influences are as follows…
Western authors:
-Alexandre Dumas
-Edgar Rice Burroughs
-Neil Gaiman
Eastern authors:
-Kinoko Nasu
-Eiichiro Oda
-Yoshihiro Togashi
What are you working on now?
My current project is “The Prism Wizard and the Ancient Artifice,” the first book in a new Middle Grade Fantasy series about a young boy who can’t use magic, his robot friend, and their (mis)adventures at a magic military school. It was inspired by a combination of things: Harry Potter for the magical school (of course), West Point Military Academy for the military aspect of the school, and the ruins the kids explore are inspired by various games and comics I played and read as a child.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s a great question. I’m honestly not sure yet since I’m still early in my career and trying out different things. I’ll let you know what works when I find something effective.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay focused and disciplined regardless of how you feel. Some days, the writing will feel effortless and give the greatest high you’ve ever known, while other days, the writing will feel like pulling teeth and it’ll take all your herculean might to produce a handful of decent sentences. If you hang in there during the rough parts (almost always the halfway mark for me), you’ll come out the other side just fine and have a finished novel in your hands.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Strive to be the person you want to look at in the mirror and be proud of every day.
What are you reading now?
“City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to aim to continue to put out new releases every month or so, including sequels to current series and starting new ones. I’m also eventually going to expand into print books, audiobooks, comics, and perhaps other media forms beyond that in the future.
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 Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas
-“The Mahabharata” Hindu epic, specifically the modern translation by Ramesh Menon
-“The Sandman” comics series by Neil Gaiman
Author Websites and Profiles
M.W. Arita Website
M.W. Arita Amazon Profile
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