Interview With Author Rey Wicks
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Rey, good to meet you. I am a Fantasy/Sci-Fi writer and also a ghostwriter. I often travel and have lived in 16 states in the US. Many of my journeys have been the inspiration for the worlds I build in my books.
I studied medieval history, psychology, theology, and veterinary science throughout my college years. I am also a mapmaker that hand draws and digitally creates fantasy world maps for not only my own books but others as well.
I have written three books in total so far with my fourth coming in July of 2023.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Legion of Fire is book one in The Legend of Chaos saga. It is a story of a prince who was born with a very evil darkness that when fueled by anger, it transforms Sebastian into this villainous god named Chaos. But Sebastian wants to use his power for good, only the people of Erras fear him and plot to destroy him, including his own family.
The inspiration of The Legend of Chaos series is several little pieces of my soul stitched together. I see a lot of myself in Sebastian. I grew up always trying so hard to prove myself to my peers but it was never enough. I was always pushed down and turned away and it created this darkness inside of me that went off in a really bad way one day, and from there I have been on this personal journey to find myself and discover the things that make me the most happy, and hold them sacred.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write very well when Gordon Ramsay is on the TV in my office. I admire that man so much and he is funny. But I also like learning how to cook new things so I tend to break from writing to make recipe notes. I also come up with all my best ideas while in the shower. Very inconvenient.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
George RR Martin has been the biggest author influence on The Legend of Chaos. I am a huge Game of Thrones fan and it was after binge-watching all these seasons that I started the first draft of Legion of Fire.
I have a great deal of admiration for some fellow indie authors I have recently had the greatest fortune to get to know. They are all so encouraging and have such fun little lives out there that more so inspires my personal life outside of writing.
What are you working on now?
I am currently writing book three of The Legend of Chaos. It is not yet named! I recently submitted City of Thieves, which is book two of the saga, to my publisher, and I am currently drawing the map for book two while slowly writing book three. I am also working on a Sci-Fi novel called Destination Atlas. This one is still young in the making.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love to make book videos, especially movie trailer types. Finding those perfect faces to bring my characters to life is just magical to me, and I have fun creating them.
Goodreads has been great. I can’t say enough good things there! I use mostly Instagram myself plus my website. It’s all about exposure; when others share my work, it makes a difference.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get hung up on what mainstream says will sell. Ignore social media for a minute and just do you. If you are only writing for the money then the story is going to fall flat. Write what you love. Write what you want to read and I guarantee that someone somewhere will want to read it too!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you don’t like something, fix it.
It’s simple, yet effective, and I have been fixing things for a long time because of that.
What are you reading now?
Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Insert heart hands
What’s next for you as a writer?
To get book three written and my sci-fi complete. Once those are complete, I am not really sure. Wherever the wind takes me!
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?
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (I’m a big fan)
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Also a big fan)
One of my own!
Author Websites and Profiles
Rey Wicks’s Social Media Links