SPFBO Interview With Steven Smith

One of the goals of SPFBO is to give a chance to self-published authors to get more exposure. This year I’m taking part in the competition as an advisor for Fantasy Book Review’s judging team. I decided to offer a spot to the authors in our group and will post them throughout the year. To see all of our content regarding the competition, check out my SPFBO page!

I am late-thirties male and what is known as an Indie Author, hailing from the not so sunny United Kingdom.
My passion for writing increased tremendously in April 2015, which led me to release my first ever self-published book late September 2016. The second arrived in June 2017, and the third, more recently at the beginning of June 2018.
And with many additions to the series yet to come, I look forward to giving my idea’s their desired form of both e-books and paperbacks.

Welcome to the Asylum! Take a seat by the fire, have a glass of beverage of your choice and tell me something about yourself!

Well, considering I cannot watch a film or tv show without deciphering every angle, I would consider my self to be very cunning when it comes to a story or plot. I try to add some of my crafty idea’s into my own stories. I ask myself how would I want this story to go? What would I NOT expect and what would draw me to a certain character? whether it be love or hate.

I am always kind to others but cannot help myself when I write, my inner imp wants to create chaos and mayhem in my fantasy worlds.

Say, you can live in the fantasy house/lair of your dreams. What would it look like?

I’d love a large modern house in the Welsh mountains, very few neighbours and a garden big enough to grow veg and have a large greenhouse, room for the kids to play football and an area for entertaining. Two big dogs to keep guard over me and my family. Perfect lifestyle for writing more and more books.

What is your favorite fantasy creature and why?

Dragons have always fascinated me, their sheer size and power makes them both terrifying and amazing, I will always root for the dragon over the knight, even if a damsel is at stake.

Why did you decide to become an author and how did you end up choosing self-publishing?

Writing has always been in my blood, I’m fairly creative, I have tried my hand at cartoon artwork and writing fictional stories has been a long time hobby of mine.

Which author would you say is your greatest influence as a writer?

Rachel Caine is a fantastic writer, a mixture of darkness and comedy brings out a wonderful collection of characters.

If you could go back in time and offer any advice to a younger Steven prior to releasing Dragon’s Reclaim what would it be?

Be prepared to slug your guts out, it’s not as easy as it looks. And ideas are much harder to plan into multiple books than just imagining an idea in your head.

What SPFBO means to you? What do you hope to gain (fame and wealth aside)?

Just a few more readers, I’d love to get a wider range of readers and opinions regarding my work, I’m still very new to all this but I enjoy every minute of it all.

What inspires you/your world?

Real life people and experiences really inspire me, I often think back to past events and people I have met, I try to make characters and environments to match my experiences.

Which character of your book do you identify with the most and why? Who would you like to live with in an asylum?

My northern leader and commander is probably the character I connect with the most, he often displays traits of mine, and even things that I wished I could do and say.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the good or the bad ones?

I only have a few reviews so far, but they inspire me to keep on improving. I also love the feedback about characters, I find my favourite characters are not necessarily other people’s.

Are there any books that have been/ are being released in 2018 that you are excited to read?

Reading is always on my long to-do list, but I have a zillion books to get through before purchasing brand new releases unfortunately.

While you are locked in here for eternity, we will allow you one book – what would you choose?

Gone with the wind, well if I’m here a long time I best make it a huge book.

Well then, we hope you’ll enjoy your stay in the Asylum! Any last words? *locks door*

Wait! This is not what we agreed to…