Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written three books, but only published one. The second book in the Protectors of Pretanni, “To Speak With Elders” will come out in the summer. Recently I’ve gone back to the first book I ever wrote, a coming-of-age SciFi set on Mars in the future. This book means a lot to me because it’s how I’ve learned to write. I’ve dusted off the cyberdust from my hard drive and I’m going to try and publish it early next year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“To Speak With Elders” is the second book in my Protectors of Pretanni series. Like the first, it is roughly set in the British Isles in 100BC. The first book introduced my world, but this book expands it greatly. In total, there will be four books in the series growing to a clash between civilizations. So there are a lot of people to meet and places on the map to explore.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I get stuck, I like to go walking and let mind wander. It inevitably goes to the root cause of my problem. By the time I get back home, I have a path forward.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Of course Tolkien and Asimov are up there, but the series that I loved while growing up are “The Belgariad” by David Eddings and “The Book of Swords” series by Fred Saberhagen. Eddings made his character come to life and I would laugh out loud while reading their banter. Saberhagen’s concept for the swords was amazing, but I always feel cheated reading his books. His world is big and the storylines abound, yet he only wrote 240 page books and left most of the world undiscovered.
What are you working on now?
I’m getting the first book I wrote, “The Halley Traveler” rewritten and ready for professional editing. I hope to have it out Q1 of 2022.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have literally just begun. I would love to have a definitive answer to this question.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Three pieces of advice:
1. You can’t edit a blank page, so write and then write some more. Then look at rule 2.
2. No one can write 100000 words down in perfect order on their first try. First drafts are meant to be terrible. You are just getting ideas down on paper. The editing is what makes or breaks stories.
3. I got this off the internet, write what you like rather than what you think will sell. You will end up reading it 79 times, so you better like it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When writing a first draft, do not keep going back and making what you wrote better. You will get in an endless loop of perfecting a small number of chapters and the rest will never be written. Write it all straight through. Leave the editing for when you have a (mostly) coherent story.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just started “Magic’s Genesis, The Grey” by Rosaire Bushey.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning the business side. I feel like I have a handle on writing. It was quite the surprise to discover that the business side must be learned as well. I’ve started my guerilla marketing and I enjoy it. Now balancing the writing with the business and my full time job, that’s the conundrum.
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?
I have a soft spot for epics, as in the really old epics. So I’d bring Gilgamesh, Beowulf, The Iliad and The Odyssey. It’s my island, and you can’t stop me, so I would also take the Aeneid (which needs to become a movie!) and Dante’s Inferno.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mike Mollman Website
Mike Mollman Amazon Profile
Mike Mollman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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