How do you feel about self-publishing?
I think for the most part, self-published authors tend to sacrifice quality for cost. They don’t think spending a few thousand dollars on a good editor is worth it, hoping their friend, who was an English major, is good enough. Or they buy stock photo images for their book covers instead of something custom. It’s one of the reasons self-published authors rarely make more than $500 a year by selling their books. On the other hand, if you want to publish your book just to say you’ve published something and not try to make it a career or business, then self-publishing is a great, cost effective way to accomplish that.
Do you find the time to read?
Absolutely. I think every author needs to at least read 12 books a year, at a minimum for your own education. There have been many times when I’ve read a passage and thought, ‘Wow, I really liked how the author phrased that’ or described something. Reading is learning for authors. Just this year alone, I’ve read 70 books.
How did you come up with the title?
Each title of the Legends of Amun Ra series is chosen with the specific purpose of highlighting the theme of the book. The Soul of the World’s theme is air and the name ‘the soul of the world’ is a Greek mythological reference to the god of air, Aether.
How did you develop your plot and characters?
I usually try to put my characters in realistic situations which force them to make challenging decisions. It pushes them to the limit of their growth if I make them go outside their comfort zone.
Who designed the cover?
The cover and logo of book 1, The Emerald Tablet, was designed by Reflection Studios. The silver logo of book 2, The Soul of the World, was designed by artist Joshua Ballze.
Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?
Of course. With each book I’ve grown as a writer. Book 1, The Emerald Tablet, focused too much on exposition and internal thoughts of the characters. So I learned from those critiques and penned book 2, The Soul of the World, with an eye towards action and dialogue. If the characters wouldn’t say it, I tried to cut it out. Surprisingly, when you edit out a lot of heavy-handed exposition, the flow of the book picks up tremendously because it’s all dialogue and action.
How much of the book is realistic?
There are aspects that are inspired by history. Such as in book 2, The Soul of the World, the character Axios mentions the Serpent Column in Plataea District of the Thothian Empire. However, a Serpent Column really exists in Istanbul, Turkey and was created to commemorate the Greek defeat of the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE.
How important do you think villains are in a story?
They’re just as important as the hero. I really try hard to not make my characters one dimensional. In fact, it’s one of the things I get complimented on the most, how three dimensional my characters are and how realistic they can be. I think authors need to spend as much time thinking about their villains as their heroes.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I travel once every few months to a convention or a signing. Hopefully, as the series becomes more popular, I’ll be doing more traveling.
Can we expect any more books from you in the future?
Yes, tons. There are 7 books in the Legends of Amun Ra series, 1 book in the expanded universe, three more books coming in a trilogy and I have a second trilogy planned in paranormal/urban fantasy.
Have you started another book yet?
I’m writing two books currently: book 3 of Legends of Amun Ra and an untitled piece set in the legends expanded universe. I’m also outlining 3 more books.
Do you have any advice for writers?
Don’t be so gung ho to finish your novel as fast as possible. We live in a world where quick, low cost publishing is only a few clicks away. But that doesn’t mean you need to publish Saturday what you wrote Friday.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? In terms of writing, I’d like to think someone learned something from my series, whether it’s something historical, mythological, or just about humanity. I want people to continue growing and challenging themselves.
The ancient powers lost to Potara have returned. The Brotherhood of the Black Rose rises to bring Thoth into disorder. And, while the Brotherhood reclaims their power, chaos reigns among the survivors. Six individuals have emerged from the aftermath struggling for control over their lives and a divided land. Kem and Shirin, who abolished the five thousand year reign of the Amun Priests, rule from the golden throne of the Oracle’s Chair in the Hall of the Nine. Dio and Axios struggle to piece together a resistance worthy to challenge the ancient magic which resides in the Great Temple of Amun, and Leoros and Atlantia try to remain true to their hearts and their cause despite tragedy.
But when the Book of Breathings is discovered, the path to immortality is revealed. Leoros and Kem race to capture the Soul of the World unaware of the challenges awaiting them. This time, the gods themselves will intervene.
In a tale where boys become men and girls become women, where treachery and deception are around every corner, and where primeval mysticism finds its way back from the grave, victory is reserved for neither the good nor the evil, but the powerful.
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Genre – Science fiction, Fantasy
Rating – PG-13+
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