I love science fiction and fantasy.

Kindle

LinkedIn has been a very effective tool for getting the word out, be it directly or by making contacts with radio shows or podcasts. Twitter has also been huge for generating traffic to my Web site.

It's not tidy. I like having things where I can see them. Out of sight out of mind? Absolutely.

I grew up in West Jordan, Utah, USA. It was a farming community (not anymore, of course), which made for a lot of freedom to go out and live out the lives of heroes in imagined fantasy worlds.

I love to cook. I do all the cooking in my house. I love Cajun flavors (although I don't eat fish). I also love Greek and Italian. I love Asian food, but I'm not as good at it as the others.

I also enjoy projects. I built a large deck out back. My wife and I did a lot of work remodeling out house during the lockdown. I have been doing a lot of work at my parents cabin: repairs, updates, etc.

I've been telling stories all my life. Before I could write, I drew pictures. I was published the first time when I was 9. I was hired to write professionally at 15. That job was limited, particularly after I had to admit that I didn't have a driver license yet.

In the absence of the Guardian of Maarihk, the Usurper’s venom has extended beyond the Gulf of Braag, seeding unrest and hatred for all things. Maarihkish. Natharr and the Knights of Ril must overcome malice and the ramifications of Ellis the Elder’s boundless past that even Sight cannot reveal. The Rilari stand alone in a world in turmoil as they discover the tremendous reach of the Usurper’s vizier. Even the endowments of the Daemons of Order are unable to withstand the ravages of fighting to survive on Rilari loyalties.

Meanwhile, Nathan and his summoned companion must rely on the teachings of both Natharr and Quiet One to carve out their place in the Maarihk Empire. Skill with a sword is only the beginning of their treacherous path, as fraught with peril as Darshelle’s as she flees the animus of the ancient wood.

I think that mainstream publishing has become formulaic. If something fits in a box, then it's OK. If not, then it gets passed over. That being said, I think that mainstream publishers will look more and more to indie writers for projects, particularly if they are doing well. It's that much of the process that the publishers may not have to do, because it was already done.

Since this is my first book on Smashwords, I can't really say. However, I hope to increase my exposure, sell more books, and continue the journey.

Creating worlds that no one has seen, with people and cultures that are new and interesting. I love taking elements from history that most people wouldn't recognize and using them in my worlds, showing not only how brilliant humanity can be, but giving it a spotlight that might have been forgotten otherwise.

I love it when people send me photos of themselves holding my books! Really fires me up. It's even better when they join the Knights of Ril and send me videos of themselves reciting the vows of a Knight of Ril. It's really humbling and gratifying. It's a lot of work writing a novel, and takes a lot of time. Having people express their appreciation makes it all worth it.

Just finished Rilari: Book Four of New Blood, so I will be putting some focus on scripts for a two-season sci-fi series that we hope to see on one of the streaming services, called 7Seas.

I love science fiction and fantasy. My influences include Homer, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Stephen R. Donaldson, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Piers Anthony, Robert Holdstock, Robert Adams, John Norman, Melanie Rawn, Shakespeare, Aristotle and Robert Frost. The most inspirational writers would be Homer, Tolken, Martin and Artistotle.