Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi!
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little better.
I am a primary school teacher, specializing in Social Sciences (History and Geography). During the many lockdowns in 2020, I wrote a book hoping to get my daughters interested in reading. It’s my favorite pastime – I like nothing more than to read a good book – and hoped to introduce them to new and magical worlds.
Unfortunately, it was an epic fail. They are too much like my wife, who also doesn’t like to read.
The story, however, stuck with me and I got serious about writing. I read a lot of books on the craft, found a mentor (Joseph Nassise, who is a brilliant supernatural action adventure author. Monsters, Magic, and Mayhem!), and honed my craft over the last year.
To date, I have co-written 4 full-length novels with dark fantasy author Liam Starker, and two novellas. Another two, full-length books are in the pipeline for release before November.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stirring Embers is an urban fantasy action adventure, and is Book One in the forthcoming Light and the Void Series.
My daughters inspired me to write a modern fairytale where they would be the two main characters. The middle-grade manuscript then turned into a three/six-book series when I got together with college buddy, Liam Starker.
It just so happened that we both wanted to write books for a living and were both starting out. He had a great idea for a dark fantasy series from the point of view of the villain/monster. I was looking for a villain, he was looking for some likeable characters to kill off, and we started spit balling. Before we knew it, we had ideas for an entire series…
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does locking myself in my study for hours at end count?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to mention…
The obvious greats – Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, Terry Pratchett, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks.
Onle recently discovered (during the last year): Joe Abercrombie, Jim Butcher.
Book Series that I love: The Dark Tower (S.K.), The Passage (Justin Cronin), The First Law (Joe Abercrombie), The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher), the Bill Hodges / Mr. Mercedes Trilogy (S.K.).
Please don’t ask me about a favorite book. It’s like asking what’s my favorite song or band – it all depends on the mood I’m in.
What are you working on now?
Final edits for Books One and Two in the Light and the Void Series. I will start writing the third and final book by the end of July. It’s all planned out, I just need to get to the writing part.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m terrible with social media and technology. I’m so bad that my friends don’t even bother phoning me during the day. I tend to switch everything off and lose myself in the worlds I create.
If I had to choose, I’d say it’s either my website, or my Facebook author page.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Focus on the genre you want to write in. Then start honing your craft. There are dozens of books and courses out there to help you.
If you can afford it, get a mentor.
And then write, write, write without the internal critic looking over your shoulder. Just get the story out; worry about the spit and polish later.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
On writing:
Jodi Picoult: “You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
On Life: I tend to overthink everything, so I try t follow the KISS principle in everything you do. Keep It Simple, Stupid!
What are you reading now?
The Black Company, by Glen Cook.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books so that I can do this full 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?
1. How to Survive on a Deserted Island, by Tim O’Shei. That’s an obvious choice – you can’t read when you’re dead…
2. The Stand, Stephen King. Because it’s long and I haven’t read it for years. A re-read is in order.
3. A Little Hatred, Joe Abercrombie. I haven’t read it yet and need to continue the First Law books.
Author Websites and Profiles
Willem Killian Website
Willem Killian Amazon Profile
Willem Killian’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account