Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To cope with disabling mental illnesses, R. Ramey Guerrero created a world of their own to explore. Their apartment in San Antonio transformed into forests, cliffs, and sea shore. With pen and paper, they filled their world with creatures and people as diverse as a world should be. Now, R. Ramey Guerrero edits fantastic stories written by amazing authors with a kitty on their lap. They live in the medical center in an apartment by the woods with their pets. Two cats: Iktomi and Katara. An Australian shepherd: Tlaloc. A box turtle: Gaia. Two red-eared sliders: Atl and Tera. And a ball python: Artemis.
I’ve written five books, and I am working on my sixth. Five have been in the same series, and I have just published my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dust of a Moth’s Wing was inspired by the need to escape an environment that was toxic and sometimes abusive. I also was not allowed to read fantasy because of my guardian’s strict religion. My teenage rebellion was reading Tolkien in my room. I soon grew tired of the European backdrop, and I wanted to create a world that had a North American-like setting. I mixed that with my love of Wonderland.
My creative gods Guillermo del Torro and George R. R. Martin have really inspired me. I loved the way del Torro integrated horror and fantasy, and I sought to recreate that in my first book. Martin taught me how to structure my novel and that I should not be afraid to kill my main characters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Haha, I’m nocturnal. As I am writing this it is 4 am. Otherwise, no.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Game of Thrones series, Hunger Games, Alice in Wonderland, and Pan’s Labyrinth (movie) have all been great inspirations to me as I write The Age of Fire series.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the fifth novel in my series, The Age of Fire. I’m about a third of the way through my draft. I think I might finish before the end of next year. Then on non-creative days, I’m editing my second book for publication.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has been my best friend.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author myself, I only can pass on advice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As a new author myself, I think the best advice I’ve seen was from Starting from Zero, when he suggested setting up a newsletter early. I’m in preorder now for my first book, and I made my newsletter.
What are you reading now?
Kalimpura by Jay Lake. It is the third book in the Green trilogy. It follows a woman named Green who had been taken as a child to please a creepy old man. She ends up toppling that oppressive system, becoming an assassin, creating a god, and now she has to fight a god to save her baby that she’s carrying right now. It’s fantastic. Very diverse, imaginative. I love it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My first book comes out on March 25, 2022. I’m so excited to finally become a published author. It was a dream I never thought I would realize. Then, of course, I’m off to write my next book.
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 to say, with all the meds I’m on, I would not survive long on a desert island. But I have a survivor’s spirit, and I would bring a survival guide, a foraging guide, and how to build a raft.
Author Websites and Profiles
R. Ramey Guerrero Website
R. Ramey Guerrero Amazon Profile
R. Ramey Guerrero’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account