Author Interview: Damian Dibben

Today I am interviewing Damian Dibben, author of the new historical fiction novel, Tomorrow.

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DJ: Hi Damian! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Damian: Tomorrow is my first novel for adults having written the children’s/young adult series The History Keepers. The books, three so far, are acclaimed internationally, have been translated into twenty-seven languages with a movie under option with Working Title/Universal. Prior to writing books, I worked as a screenwriter – and occasional actor – in the UK and Hollywood, on films as diverse as Puss in Boots, Phantom of the Opera and Young Indiana Jones. I live with my partner and three dogs half in central London – on the river opposite St Paul’s cathedral – and half in rural W Sussex. I’m a keen explorer and interested in everything from cosmology to archeology to quantum mechanics. I am patron of the Kids In Museums charity and do a good deal of work for them.

DJ: What is Tomorrow about?

Damian: The book follows the quest of a 217-year old dog who must travel through the courts and battlefields of Europe in search of the man who granted him immortality. His journey takes him from Elsinore Palace to the London Frost Fair of 1608, from the strange court of king Charles I to the wars of the Spanish Succession, the golden age of Amsterdam and to nineteenth century Venice. He befriends both humans and animals, falls in love (only once), marvels at the human ability to make music, despairs at their capacity for destruction and gains insight into both the strength and frailty of the human spirit. But Tomorrow’s journey is also a race against time. Danger stalks his path, and in the shadows lurks an old enemy. Before his pursuer can reach him, he must find his master – or lose him forever.

Tomorrow is a story of love that spans the centuries, of hope as the world collapses into war. A story of devotion and courage, and the unbreakable bond between two souls.

Author Interview: K.D. Keenan

Today I am interviewing K.D. Keenan, author of the new fantasy novel, Fire in the Ocean, second book in the Gods of the New World series.

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DJ: Hi K.D.! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

K.D. Keenan: Thank you for this opportunity to talk about my books!
For more than 30 years I worked in Silicon Valley public relations and marketing, which was fun because I always had a little window into the future and could see new technologies under development. Silicon Valley became the setting for my first book, The Obsidian Mirror.

My mother was an archeologist, and she sparked my interest in mythologies and ancient cultures.

I live in a beach town on the Central Coast of California with my husband, my daughter, my son-in-law, two granddaughters, two elderly dogs and a cat. Between taking are of the grandkids and writing, I don’t have much time for hobbies, but I do design and make sterling silver jewelry.

DJ: What is the Gods of the New World series about?

K.D.: It’s about the entirely preventable damage we are wreaking on the environment. The Obsidian Mirror points out that the people who are defiling the earth also have to live here. It’s not like they breathe different air and drink different water than the rest of us, so what can they be thinking?

Fire in the Ocean highlights the damage we are doing to the oceans with plastic waste and development.

The third novel in the trilogy, Lords of the Night, emphasizes the need to protect animals from our environmental destruction and casual cruelty.
That said, the books are intended to be fun adventures with a large dash of humor, not boring lectures. More honey, less vinegar.

Author Interview: Tessa Gratton

Today I am interviewing Tessa Gratton, author of the new fantasy novel, The Queens of Innis Lear.

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DJ: Hi Tessa! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Tessa Gratton: Thanks for having me! This is my adult fantasy debut, but I’ve been writing young adult fantasy since 2009–I have two series, The Blood Journals and The United States of Asgard, as well as two books for teen writers about writing fantasy. I have my degree in Gender Studies, and thanks to growing up in a Navy family I’ve lived on several continents and traveled all over the world.

DJ: What is The Queens of Innis Lear about?

Tessa: It’s a feminist fantasy re-imagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear, and is about the different ways love and family can be poisoned by toxic patriarchy, about different forms of strength and how we make terrible choices thinking they’re for the best. There’s war, romance, international politics, violent magic and talking trees.

DJ: What were some of your influences for The Queens of Innis Lear?

Tessa: Besides Shakespeare? LOL. I wanted QUEENS to feel both epic and intimate, where dynasties and family histories weave and tangle in tragic ways, which is something that I admire in writers like Juliet Marillier, especially her Daughter of the Forest series, everything N.K. Jemisin has done, but for this her Dreamblood series in particular, Anne Rice in The Witching Hour, and Melina Marchetta’s The Lumatere Chronicles.

Author Interview: Nathan Day

Today I am interviewing Nathan Day, author of the new multi-genre novel, Orphan: Surfacing.

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DJ: Hi Nathan! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Nathan Day: DJ, thank you so much for the honor of being your guest. I’m definitely a jack-of-many-trades and master of none. Haha. I love to write in several mediums (literature, film, music, comics), and am both an actor (film, web and television) and singer. I am what I call a “story glutton”, meaning I fiend for stories from any source (films, books, theatre, gaming, song). I’m also a lover of travel who just can’t afford to do much of it, so I like to write places I hope to visit into my work, such as Positano, Italy which appears in Orphan: Surfacing.

DJ: What is Orphan Surfacing about?

Nathan: I don’t consider this a spoiler as it is the catalyst and first event of the Orphan Saga: God is killed. The Orphan Saga follows angels, demons, normal people and everything in between in the aftermath. Angels, now lacking guidance begin to become emotional and worrisome, their reserves of “grace” now limited. The demons are becoming emboldened and more fierce. Humankind is caught in the middle, but not all are defenseless, such as the paramilitary S.W.A.R.M. teams that are throughout the world exterminating “halos and horns” (aka angels and demons) under orders from a shadowy figure named Manual Valdez.

DJ: What were some of your influences for Orphan Surfacing?

Nathan: Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness was definitely an influence on Orphan’s foundation. It paints a very vivid picture of how angels and demons war and influence mankind. Also my sister-in-law, Angela. Years ago I wanted to write and draw comics and would frequently submit to Marvel and the newly formed (at the time) Image. Angela and I were talking about my goals one day and she asked why no one makes comics about angels…so, I came up with a concept about a priest, a little boy and a guardian angel. 20 years later this idea involved into Orphan.

Author Interview: Tim Lebbon

Today I am interviewing Tim Lebbon, author of the new urban fantasy, horror novel, The Folded Lands, sequel to Relics.

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DJ: Hi Tim! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Tim Lebbon: Thanks for having me! I’ve been writing for a long time now, published for twenty years, and I’m working hard towards becoming an overnight success. I’ve had over 40 novels published (quite a few in collaboration with Christopher Golden), dozens of novellas, hundreds of short stories, and I’ve also written a few screenplays. I’ve won some awards, and I’ve been writing for a living for over a decade. I’ve also had two movies made from my books, both starring Oscar winning actors! Pay the Ghost (Nicolas Cage) and The Silence (Stanley Tucci).

DJ: What is The Folded Land and the series about?

Tim: In the first book Relics I established a version of our world in which the relics of mythological creatures are traded, much in the way that rhino horns or tiger pelts are traded now. When my characters discover that some of these relics are fresh … we realise that some of these creatures still exist. Some people want to help them, some want to hunt them. Some creatures want to hide, and some want to rise up against humanity. In The Folded Land I expand that story, with all these separate desires causing more conflict and trouble. I really don’t want to give too much away … hope that’s intriguing enough!

DJ: What were some of your influences for The Folded Lands?

Tim: I find it really difficult to pin down influences. I guess modern-day big game hunting and the illegal trades in ivory, and the depressing fact that some amazing creatures are edged towards extinction simply so that a small part of their bodies can be used in useless ‘medicines’.

Author Interview: Marshall Ryan Maresca

Today I am interviewing Marshall Ryan Maresca, author of the new fantasy novel, Lady Henterman’s Wardrobe, second book in The Streets of Maradaine series.

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DJ: Hi Marshall! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Marshall Ryan Maresca: Hi! I’m Marshall Ryan Maresca, fantasy writer. I’m the author of the multiple series that make up the Maradaine Sequence, the latest book is Lady Henterman’s Wardrobe, the second book of the Streets of Maradaine series.

DJ: What is Lady Henterman’s Wardrobe and then The Streets of Maradaine series about?

Marshall: The Streets of Maradaine follows Asti and Verci Rynax, two brothers who live in the poorer neighborhood of North Seleth. That neighborhood was the target of deliberate arson, which lost them their home and business. In the first book, The Holver Alley Crew, they learned the forces behind the fire are even wider and further reaching than they suspected, so Lady Henterman’s Wardrobe continues their investigation into what caused the fire, and going after who was behind it.

DJ: What were some of your influences for The Streets of Maradaine series?

Marshall: So much of its DNA comes from heist and crime stories– things like Firefly and Oceans Eleven. But I also found a lot of inspiration in the kinds of stories where a rag-tag team of underdogs pull together to get something done, and through that, forge intense bonds of loyalty– be that a heist, or winning the sectional championships, or tearing down a corrupt alliance. Did I mention Firefly?

Author Interview: Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

Today I am interviewing Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, co-authors of the new fantasy novel, Blood of the Four.

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DJ: Hi Christopher Golden & Tim Lebbon! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourselves?

Christopher Golden: I write fantasy, horror, and thrillers…novels, comic books, screenplays, and more. My novel ARARAT won the Bram Stoker Award just this past weekend, and I co-created two comic book series (Baltimore and Joe Golem: Occult Detective) with Mike Mignola.

Tim Lebbon: I’ve been published for 20 years, but writing all my life. I’ve written over 40 novels (8 of them with Chris), and loads of novellas and short stories. I’ve won a few awards. And I’ve had two movies made from my work, Pay the Ghost and The Silence.

DJ: What is Blood of the Four about?

Tim: Perhaps it’s easier to use the publisher’s cover blurb… In the great kingdom of Quandis, everyone is a slave. Some are slaves to the gods. Most are slaves to everyone else.

Blessed by the gods with lives of comfort and splendor, the royal elite routinely perform their duties, yet some chafe at their role. A young woman of stunning ambition, Princess Phela refuses to allow a few obstacles—including her mother the queen and her brother, the heir apparent—stand in the way of claiming ultimate power and glory for herself.

Far below the royals are the Bajuman. Poor and oppressed, members of this wretched caste have but two paths out of servitude: the priesthood . . . or death.
Because magic has been kept at bay in Quandis, royals and Bajuman have lived together in an uneasy peace for centuries. But Princess Phela’s desire for power will disrupt the realm’s order, setting into motion a series of events that will end with her becoming a goddess in her own right . . . or ultimately destroying Quandis and all its inhabitants.

Author Interview: J.T. Nicholas

Today I am interviewing J.T. Nicholas, author of the new sci-fi novel, SINdicate, second book in The New Lyon’s sequence.

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DJ: Hi J.T. ! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

J.T. Nicholas: Hi, there. Thanks for having me. I never know what to tell people in the “tell me about yourself” section, but here goes. I’m an Army brat (child of a career military family) which means I moved around a lot as a kid and got a bit of a taste for the nomadic lifestyle (I’ve moved, at last count, something like 30+ times in my life). That’s great if you want to be an author, because you get to see lots of different slices of the world, and see how different, and how the same, people are wherever you go. I spent most of my professional life before making the jump to being an author in data analytics, which is exactly as exciting as it sounds. But I’ve always wanted to be an author and as far back as I can remember, have been writing stories of one kind or another. Gotta be honest, it took a long time to get here, and I’m not quite sure I believe it yet. 😊

DJ: What is SINdicate and then The New Lyon’s sequence about?

J.T.: I like to think of the entire series as telling two stories. The first is a pretty classic detective whodunnit, but set in a dystopian, cyber-punkish future. The hero, Jason Campbell, is a Detective who is trying to solve a series of serial murders. Only, the victims aren’t human, at least in the law’s eyes, and that’s really what the second story is about. What it means to be human and the complacency that we allow to creep into place that keeps us from standing up against things we know are wrong. And what we can do about it. It’s about murder and investigation and revolution and genocide, too. So, you know… the usual.

DJ: What were some of your influences for The New Lyon’s sequence?

J.T.: A lot of the sci-fi I read as a kid. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. A ton of Phillip K. Dick’s work, with obvious homage to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. L.E. Modesitt Jr.’s work. William Gibson. Neal Stephenson. The list is pretty endless.

Author Interview: Rowenna Miller

Today I am interviewing Rowenna Miller, author of the new fantasy novel, Torn, first book in The Unraveled Kingdom trilogy.

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DJ: Hey, Rowenna! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Rowenna Miller: I’m a novelist, living historian, and mom of two from Indiana, and have been a stationer, college administration lackey, and college writing teacher and tutor. I have my Master’s in English—Film and Literature—and I currently use this to annoy people who watch movies with me.

DJ: What is Torn about?

Rowenna: The story follows a seamstress whose business is built on a traditional magic practice from her immigrant family—she stitches good luck charms into couture. Her business is blooming, but political unrest in her city is growing, spearheaded by her idealistic brother. As it becomes clear that revolt is likely, her attempts to remain neutral will be challenged.

DJ: What were some of your influences Torn and the series?

Rowenna: One of my hobbies is living history and historical sewing, so my real-world experience with needles, thread, and draping fabric show up in the story. In developing the plotline of political upheaval, the history of eighteenth- and nineteenth century revolutions, riots, and reforms was a major influence—not just our American Revolution, but the messier French Revolution and the fear of riots and subsequent reforms in England. How do the political elite deal with discontented citizens, and how do discontented citizens face political injustice? In a lot of different ways, it turns out.

Author Interview: Christina Bauer

Today I am interviewing Christina Bauer, author of the new epic fantasy novel, Thrax, fourth book in the Angelbound Origins series.

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DJ: Hi Christina! Thanks for agreeing to do this interview!

For readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

Christina: I’m an author, mom, wife, tech worker (for my day job) and all around smartass. In other words, I’m either your jam or you want to take me out and punch me in the throat.

DJ: What is Thrax and then the Angelbound Origins series about?

Christina: Growing up, I felt like there were tons of role models if I wanted to be a mom, nun, or saint (yes, I went to Catholic school!) But outside of mom, nun and saint? Not so much. So today I write stuff for young adults where girls kick butt and take names. The good news is that there is a HUGE market out there for this kind of storytelling.

DJ: What were some of your influences for the Angelbound Origins series?

Christina: I would not have survived adolescence without JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. As a child, I also loved Grimm’s fairy Tales. Not the homogenized version, either. I’m talking the action adventure-slash-horror stuff. Today, I’m all about trying to reimagine those stories for a modern audience. So Angelbound Origins pulls a little from all of those sources. And Catholic school; let’s not forget that!