Interview with L'Poni Baldwin

Published 2014-08-19.
Why do you write short stories?
I write short stories and poetry because its more fun. I've tried writing novels in the past and failed miserably (The Dragonboys is the only exception). Short stories and poetry are easier, more fun and straight to the point. I also get to add my own bits of Clusterfudge (my made up word for distorted poetry) to my writings.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The Rebirth of Heaven (not currently out yet) will mark my return to the publishing world. Its release will mean something grand. I can't say much, yet.
Why are your ebooks so short?
I don't know. I love making them short, and they are poems and flash stories so they have to be short. It makes them easier to read and you don't have to navigate through a huge table of contents like the one inside Dragons and Cicadas (my subscription book). Plus, I can release as many as I like because they are so short. I kinda wish I could charge fifty cents for them.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything.
I don't have that many fans yet, and I haven't received any fan fictions or fan art, but the people that read my stories and poems mean everything to me. I get a certain joy when I know someone is enjoying my stories and they tell me how much they love my writing. Its a feeling that never gets old. My fans remind me of how much I love writing and publishing my work for them to see and read.
What are you working on next?
The 13th update of Dragons and Cicadas and (hopefully) a new issue/story file for the TSODR series.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Nope.
What is your writing process?
Type, read, proofread and publish. TRPP.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Doing nothing. Really. Doing nothing. Just writing and publishing is effective itself.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Being able to publish what I want and how I want. I don't have to hire an agent or any of that technical stuff and I can do anything I want. Yaaaay for DIY~!
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
It has taught me about publishing and has led new readers to my works. It also looks cool and I love seeing my stories listed on my author page.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Finishing a good story that makes me feel many emotions. Like The Dragonboys. It is at a point where I consider it complete. It makes me feel many things and I love how I was able to Clusterfudge history and add my own flair to it. Finishing a story is like birth (minus the pain and everything else that precedes it): I get to look at my pride and joy and feel proud.
Why Dragons?
Y'know, a user on Goodreads asked "why do we love dragons?" I replied with this response that sums up why I love dragons and why dragon fans in general love dragons:

"Because they're powerful, big scaley lizards that nobody knows about. We can shape them in any way we want from the perfect pet to the most awesome friend. There's something appealing about them in every form, even if its a tiny dragon, a dragon disguised as a human or an epic-sized space dragon of Draconizica, and they are varied. Because nobody on Parallel Earth knows about them historically, we can make them into our image of what a dragon should be. Sure. there are unicorns and zombies, but somehow we just can't make them as awesome as a big, powerful (or tiny) dragon. They can also be our opinions personified. We can make them warlike gods bent on our destruction, or gods whom refrain from killing us with their mighty power (thus making them vulnerable).

And they're just dang awesome."
Why do you love Sci Fi?
My love of Sci Fi began ages ago. I think The Matrix is partly to blame for my love of the genre. Being thrown into another world full of futuristic buildings and high level technology is awesome. Being stuck on a planet with an Alien Queen is just plain terrifying. Having your mind projected into a virtual world with the weight of mankind on your back is scary and impressive. Sci Fi has so many possibilities. Don't get me wrong I love Fantasy, but the Fantasy genre seems too...I don't know how to say it but to me Sci Fi is better than Fantasy. Sci Fi has captivated me in many ways.
What is your favorite Sci Fi movie and why?
Aliens. Hands down. Aliens.

Aliens has that creepy feeling of being alone, outnumbered by bloodthirsty aliens and their homicidal mother, and your only weapon is a ragtag gang of military soldiers, yourself, a handgun, a scientist, an android and a little girl. That unfortunate mixture makes everything feel like a lost cause.
Alien 3 never happened. I liked it but it never happened.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Latest books by This Author

Universe Didactem
Price: Free! Words: 320. Language: English. Published: November 23, 2023 . Categories: Poetry » American poetry » African American
immortality sucks, especially when humans are your only friends.
Ashuton’s Domain
You set the price! Words: 300. Language: English. Published: April 1, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Dark
a very short flash story about ashuton encountering humans
Virus_Infect
Price: Free! Words: 1,440. Language: English. Published: September 1, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban
This flash story is about the zombie dragons who infected a detective and his ally.
Thorn (An Empire of Dragons Military Sci-Fi Story)
Price: Free! Words: 5,860. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
This story introduces Vampire Team 6, a team of draconic vampires, and tells their last mission into the territory of a Crotonian hive queen. Shaw reminisces the moment he joined them.
Stacy’s Letters: An Empire of Dragons Story
Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 2,590. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
Stacy, a friend of Nari, lives in Carver Dan, a town that subjects its people to experimentation. She chronicles her suspicions and final standoff against the Misery Virus.
Transcending Neptune
Price: $1.20 USD. Words: 1,790. Language: English. Published: November 1, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic, Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
Nibiru is on approach to Halimede and the inhabitants of Halimede are doomed to die.
Dear Hayden
Price: Free! Words: 490. Language: English. Published: September 10, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
A woman constantly sends text messages to her adopted dragonson
Found Family: Captain Mervak’s Origin Story
Price: Free! Words: 1,070. Language: English. Published: May 13, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
This story outline details the life paths of Captain Mervak, a dragon captain who was Jaune’s rival, and his experiences with his crew—his family.
What To Do With Your Pregnant Male Dragon: A Handbook For Draconizican Dragon Owners, Dragon Spouses And Dragon Friends
Series: Rin's Life ยท Alien Health, Physiology & Psycology. Price: $1.50 USD. Words: 2,600. Language: English. Published: May 13, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
"What To Do With Your Pregnant Male Dragon: A Handbook To Male Dragon Menstruation and Pregnancy." This handbook teaches about what to look out for and do for your dragon if he is pregnant (or on the verge of pregnancy). Content warnings for medical talk about pregnancy, menstruation and mating methods.
Dragons of Atlanta (Flash Fiction)
You set the price! Words: 2,810. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Urban
Darell Kingman uses his camera to record what goes on during the dragon apocalypse. With two survivors and his friend Kim they catch a glimpse of the frightening dragons that ravaged the earth. This is Flash fiction based in the TSODR world but can be read as a standalone story. L'Poni returns to the publishing world with this release!
View their profile to see all of their books