Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name’s Paul Gaskill and I’m a fantasy author from Derby, England. I worked in financial advice until I decided to put all my eggs in one basket and pursue my writing career. I’ve written the Oracus Series, which is a young-adult fantasy trilogy, and I’ve also written several short stories, some which are published and some which are not.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Well I’ve just completed the Oracus Series. The inspiration? My joy of writing. I’ve always enjoyed reading fantasy more than other genres, and when I picked up a pen (opened my laptop) I wanted to help my readers feel that same way. I had a creative idea and I developed it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure how unusual it is but I tend to have my laptop on my lap on the sofa. I don’t use a study because I can’t keep my backside on an office chair! Also, I like listening to music while I write, but it has to be instrumental, any songs with words confuse me and I find myself accidentally typing the words I hear.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The obvious one is J.K. Rowling. She influenced so many people with the Harry Potter ‘world’. I guess that sparked some of my creativity. Following that, Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle had a direct impact on me jotting down my ideas.
What are you working on now?
Until you become an author, it’s very difficult to understand how much time and effort goes into promotion. Promoting Oracus is taking up a lot of time, but I am working on a new fantasy series. More details will be available soon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads is a fantastic website. That’s my favourite because it’s specific to books and the author-reader relationship is more intimate. Away from Goodreads, I use Twitter and Instagram. And the sale of my books is mostly through Amazon and Smashwords.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy writing. If you don’t enjoy it then you should take up another project. If you do enjoy it then you’ll strive for you work to be the best version of itself, and you’ll therefore be more successful. Plus, if your book doesn’t quite make it, then at least you’ve had fun anyway!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was once told not to let the doubters get me down. Writing a novel takes up a lot of time and many of those closest to you will believe that it’s just a fad. I’ve been warned against writing by a few but I ignored them and used their pessimism to drive me forwards because of that little piece of advice.
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. The Wise Man’s Fear is the next in the series so I’ll be moving on to that.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More fantasy, whether writing it or reading it. And, hopefully, millions of readers and millions of five star reviews! Maybe my books will be made into films too! We can all dream.
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 biggest encyclopedia I can find – this is my intelligence book.
War and Peace – this will take me days to read and use up some of my abundant spare time.
The Wise Man’s Fear – this is the next book on my to-read list and it’s a fantasy so should keep me happy.
An A4 notebook (and a pen) – so I can continue to write my own work.
Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Gaskill Website
Paul Gaskill Amazon Profile
Paul Gaskill Author Profile on Smashwords
Paul Gaskill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account