Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an Australian journalist who grew up in north Queensland. It’s laid-back, cyclone-central tropical country. I now call the Darling Downs home. In comparison, it’s high up and cold, which is tricky for a north Queenslander who thinks it’s the new ice age when it drops below 30 degrees Celsius.
I’m also a fencer, which is useful for all those sword fights in epic fantasy. Can you have two many sword fights? Surely not.
The 19th Bladesman was my first published novel, though there are some practice ones in the computer version of a drawer.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Last Seer King, the second in the Shadow Sword series, should be out very soon. Beneath the sword fights, the dark plots, dark magic and the machinations of the gods, it’s at its heart about the redemption found in swordplay.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wish I could say I only write when there is a full moon or something equally peculiar. However, as a journalist, I try to snatch every spare moment for writing whenever I can.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I fell in love with fantasy through the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Then as a teenager, the world-building in Dune blew my mind.
What are you working on now?
The third in the Shadow Sword series and the first in another series which has a pretty cool premise that I hope I can bring off.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s been a combination of websites, reviews and free promotions.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s sounds sort of trite but you really do learn to write by writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the book that only you can write.
What are you reading now?
The Silent Patient. I’m enjoying it. But if the world was the way I want it to be, Gregg Hurwitz would release an Orphan X book a month to satisfy my need to follow Evan Smoak and live in his world. It’s a cool world and I hate leaving it.
I’ve also just picked up C.S. Pacat’s three short stories that are part of the Captive Prince world.
What’s next for you as a writer?
It’s nerve-racking bringing out a second novel for some reason. I think once The Last Seer King is out, I’ll hide under the bed for a while until it’s safe to come out…
Then onto the third…and the fourth… and the fifth.
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 Count of Monte Cristo would be one. I lived Edmond Dantes’ journey when I read that book.
The first couple of Orphan X books, too, would be on the list. I was an Evan Smoak fan after the first page of the first book.
Then there’s Rhinegold by Stephan Grundy. It’s a hard book to read because I was shattered by the dark fate awaiting certain characters.
I’d probably miss the Captive Prince series by C.S. Pacat if those books weren’t on the desert island, as well.
Author Websites and Profiles
S.J. Hartland Website
S.J. Hartland Amazon Profile
S.J. Hartland’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
that would be the redemption found in FRIENDSHIP (in swordplay? what the! clearly I didn’t have coffee).