Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a young fantasy writer from Tbilisi, Georgia. I started writing when I was 7. Thomas Mayne Reid’s book “The Giraffe Hunters” inspired me.
Currently I have published over twenty books, and written a lot more. Most of my published books are about Ogaron fantasy realm I created.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “I am Held” I published in January. It’s about a Heldic warrior tribe in Ogaron fantasy realm, who are true fighters.
I love vikings, and I wanted to create a similar tribe, that is how Helds were created. How To Train Your Dragon movie inspired me a little too.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, yes. My writing style is itself unusual. I don’t usually research everything on the web and in the libraries when I write, and I don’t think for one week about a single character. I heard that many writers do so, but it isn’t my style. I research a little about the topic I want to write, and then just go on and write, letting my imagination flow. Then I revise, correct some defects, then write again. And in the end, it turns out that I have written a big book in one week! Well, I know it’s kind of strange, but I have always been writing like that.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many classic authors have influenced me, as I love reading classics the most. One of my books, “The Composer”, which was dedicated to my favourite composer Adrian von Ziegler and his wife, Carina, was inspired by Thomas Mann’s wonderful novel, “Doctor Faustus”. In both books the main character is a composer.
Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” inspired me to write “The Herdsman of Wolves”, which was mostly inspired by Adrian von Ziegler’s music, “Part of the Pack”, too. I thought, “what if a human became a wolf pack’s part? How would it turn out?” and “The Herdsman of Wolves” was created. It’s sequel, “Wolf Blood”, was inspired by Adrian von Ziegler’s music, “Wolf Blood”.
And the main, “The Chronicles of Narnia” inspired me to create Ogaron realm. C. S. Lewis is one of my favourite fantasy writers.
What are you working on now?
Now I’m working together with my South African friend, Kathleen Dunford, on a book called “The Cyborg”. It’s a Sci-Fi book, about a bandit cyborg, who wants to get Cybernetic Piece, a special metal piece that is necessary for him to live, so he captures the daughter of the president, as the president is the one who is hiding that piece. But later, the cyborg falls in love with the girl, and they fight together to get the piece. The antagonists are another bandit gang, who want to get the piece to build a cyborg army.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books on many websites and platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, even Deviantart where I submit my artwork of my characters. I also promote my books on Goodreads.
Book marketing is the hardest type of marketing, because there aren’t many people who love reading and even less who search for new books and unknown authors. Most of the readers prefer reading famous authors’ work, so promoting books gets even harder, apart from the difficulty of reaching the audience.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author myself, so rather than giving advice I would read other writers’ pieces of advice. But I can still advise fellow writers: Don’t bother about will your book become good or not, just let your imagination flow, and write. You must be writing to get better at it, practice makes perfect.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is – you must be writing to become a professional writer. Don’t worry, just write. Practice makes perfect.
What are you reading now?
Now I’m reading Calasade: Sanguinem Isle of Mark Stone. Great book, I must admit. If you love greco-roman fantasy, then this book is just for you.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to become a professional writer, write a book that becomes a bestseller, and my dream is to have written a book which a movie is based on.
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?
Smoke Bellew of Jack London, Les Miserables of Victor Hugo and The Hunchback of Notre Dame of Victor Hugo.
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