Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi all, I’m an Aussie journalist, formerly of Sydney, now from the amazing Darling Downs in Queensland.
I’ve been a fencer for many years, spent too many holidays wandering around remote castles around the world and I love everything medieval.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The 19th Bladesman. I wrote the first three books in the Shadow Sword series together, which meant I could dangle little threads in the early books and hold off pulling them until the third (or fourth). Fantasy readers are very clever and they’ll pick them up for sure.
I guess I write what I want to read and just really wanted to share my characters and stories.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual, but writing has to fit in around the day job. I’m lucky enough to be a journalist still working as a journalist!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved the Narnia series as a child – which probably put me on the fantasy path. I remember how Frank Herbert’s Dune astounded me; at uni we all went around saying, “fear is the mind killer” and thinking that was pretty cool. I love Michael Moorcock – I mean who can go past a soul-drinking sword? and lived, rather than read, Rhinegold by Stephan Grundy.
Away from the fantasy world, I’m obsessed with Gregg Hurwitz’s Evan Smoak from the Orphan X series. The character is so wonderfully vulnerable and I was hooked from page one of the first book.
I was mentored by the amazing Dr Kathryn Heyman so her books, particularly Storm and Grace, have been a big influence.
What are you working on now?
The second in the series, The Last Seer King, is with the editor, so I’m playing with the third, The Sword Brotherhood. I hope it’s not too dark …
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping Awesome Gang is pretty good!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I guess don’t rush it! My friends were jokingly suggesting I might like to leave them the publishing rights in my will, given how long it took to bring out the first in this series! But I think it takes time to learn to write. I have some practice manuscripts floating around in some dark part of the computer …
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was an early reader of GRRM and remember asking myself, “what do you think you’re doing writing fantasy!” Then someone (so sorry can’t remember who) said in a Qld Writers Centre magazine that you write the book that only you can write.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Madeline Miller’s Circe.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Releasing The Last Seer King. I hope I know what I’m doing this time!
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?
Tough question. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell. The Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz (yeah I’m cheating as that’s three in the series so far) and Storm and Grace by Kathryn Heyman.
Author Websites and Profiles
S.J. Hartland Website
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