Kasper's Ramblings from Kasper Beaumont - Hunters of Reloria

Hunters of Reloria

Author interview with fellow Aussie: Jeanette O'Hagan @JeanetteOHagan #FSFNet #fantasy #interview

4/16/2017

I enjoyed reading Heart of the Mountain by Jeanette O'Hagan. Luckily for me, I had a chance to interview the author herself.
Book blurb:
Twins Delvina and Retza’s greatest desire is to be accepted as prentices by their parents’ old crew when they stumble across a stranger. Trapped under the mountain, young Zadeki’s only thought is to escape home to his kin. Peril awaits all three youngsters. Will they pull apart or work together to save the underground realm?

Jeanette is a fellow member of the Intricate Worlds writing group and I'm stoked she has followed me over to the FSFNet.
We did an interview for the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network, and you can read it all here.

These are some of the highlights:
* Jeanette began the world-building of Nardva when she was just 9 years old.
* An interesting fact not in our interview is that she studied in script writing at university and helped me with my first script at a recent writers' critique meeting.
* I like the fact that her story title has a double meaning
* I'm getting the feeling that Jeanette may be a bit of a Whovian

Make sure you check out the full interview here

Title: Heart of the Mountain: A short novella
Author: Jeanette O'Hagan
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: By the Light Books
Release Date: August 2016

Heart of the Mountain is YA Fantasy Adventure in the lost realm under the mountain.

An interview with Chris Johnson: author and mentalist #FSFNet @aus_mentalist

12/5/2016

Chris Johnson is an Australian author who was born and raised in Rockhampton, Queensland. He now lives with his wife in Brisbane, where he works as a stage mentalist when he is not writing. He also has a background in sales and marketing, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

Chis Johnson joined me for an intuitive author interview at the FSFNet.
Here are some of the highlights:
*   Chris is toying with writing a new genre under a pen name.
*   He has a series of 6 books yet to be published.
*   His laid-back style makes him stand out in the fantasy genre
*   I like his sassy ghost character
*   Chris has an exciting new surprise coming in the new year

For all these details and much more, click here for the full FSFNet interview.

Chris Johnson's new release is Dead Cell

Road fatalities in Statton have jumped in a week to nearly half of Queensland's annual figures, and the authorities are concerned. They believe them to be accidents caused by driver carelessness and bad luck, but when his adopted daughter is killed, psychic investigator Craig Ramsey believes the causes are supernatural. He and his spirit companion Emily Fraser join forces with skeptic Detective-sergeant Brianna Cogan to catch the killer – but how do you catch a killer who is already dead?

Author interview with my favourite halfling: Kerry Alexander-Hall #FSFNet

11/26/2016

With a long history of writing academic papers and studying, you could be forgiven for thinking Kerry Alexander-Hall is only a serious scribe. The truth is that you couldn't be more wrong. Kerry has written a delightfully witty and massively exciting first novel, which you'll just have to read to appreciate.

Kerry took a place on the FSFNet interview throne to chat with me. Here are some of the highlights:
* She describes her protagonists as: 'magic-enhanced, ale-swilling, knuckle-busting, gag-pulling, sword-dancing, fierce warrior misfits.'
* I learned that Kerry is a third-generation writer. What a legacy.
* She alludes to a history of magic in our own world
* Kerry has detailed and useful advice for aspiring authors. Gee, my advice would be just to make a friend like Kerry ;-)
* There is a 'puss in boots' technique for developing cover artwork
* Her stated hero has been unlucky in more than one role
....There are so many more great titbits, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Check it out here.

Title: Morphids (The Tales of Cerahya- Book 1)
Series: The Tales of Cerahya
Author: Kerry Hall
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Indie-Mosh Publishing
Release Date: TBA November 2016

Blurb:
The Prophet Lailoken sighed. This would be his last vision to share. The last words he would speak. The vice like grip tightened around his heart. Wait a little longer, they must know; remember and prepare.
On the world of Cerahya, nature’s harmonious balances and checks have been disturbed; interfered with.

She rails against such abhorrent intrusions and struggles to regain order. Unfortunately re-establishing control unleashes deadly, calamitous events on the island continent of Sofala, catching the inhabitants of the western kingdom unaware.The High King, Gareth Beaumont calls for assistance from the Ashmourne Academy of Magic. They respond by sending their infamous 'Pace Alastriona Knights', led by Commander Atesh and Captain Ballard. Their first battalion of magic-enhanced, ale-swilling, knuckle-busting, gag-pulling, sword-dancing, fierce warrior misfits join forces with the King's personal regiment. Together with mystical allies, they race to reduce the fallout to life, love and liberty upon their homeland. As they search for the source behind the malevolent machinations at work, they uncover truths so repugnant, it will send them reeling.
Will interpreting the strange riddles and finding the ancient prophecy hold the key to the game of life; playing out before their eyes?

Author interview with FayeAnna Jones from the #FSFNet #fantasy

10/22/2016

This lovely young lady is FayeAnna Jones, who has already published two books: The Princess and A (Assassin Trilogy) volume 1.
FayeAnna lives in the United States of America and is studying to be a Veterinary Technician. She also works at Burger King and spends her free time writing, drawing, reading and watching anime.

FayeAnna boarded the FSFNet interview shuttle for an author interview with me.
Here are some of the highlights:
* She wrote her first short story in the 9th grade. I'm impressed.
* She's an action girl and loves to write fight scenes. I'm imagining James Bond meets fantasy here.
* FayeAnna says ideas can start out cheesy but often turn out well in the end.
* With 30+ book ideas, her writer's block doesn't last for long
* I love her idea on who to be stuck on a desert island with
* Her fave holiday spot sounds fun

Check out the full interview on the FSFNet website

Here is FayeAnna's latest release:

A (Assassin Trilogy) volume 1.

Gai Nightseed. The average run-of-the-mill teenager. Doesn't cause problems. Doesn't get into trouble, and is one of the rich kids. Seems okay. To the outside world. Only ONE person knows his secret. That he is the deadliest person alive. He is the feared assassin, ABC. He's killed many, but never children, not even his own age. What will happen when he's supposed to take care of his friends? What will he do?

Interview with sci-fi and fantasy author Nicholas Rossis @Nicholas_Rossis

10/15/2016

Nicholas Rossis is a rare breed of author, who can switch effortlessly between genres when he writes. Whether it is short science fiction snippets or fantasy sagas, he work is of a high standard.
He describes his abode as a cottage on the edge of a magical forest near Athens in Greece. There has been a new addition to Nicholas' life since I last had a chat with him. He has a new wee baby daughter and is now juggling nappies with his pens and paper.

Nicholas joined me for a Fantasy Sci-Fi Network interview.
Here are some of the highlights:
* Nicholas' writing has been compared to the classics such as Philip K. Dick
* He claims to the dichotomy of being both lazy and a perfectionist
* I found 12 of Nicholas' books available in Kindle format on Amazon
* He enjoys writing an antagonist character the most
* His characters sometimes disagree with his writing plans
* Nicholas' web designing company is going great guns.
* You'll never guess what's on his bucket list
Read all this and more here: http://fsfnet.com/2016/10/15/kasper-interviews-author-nicholas-Rossis/

Check out Nicholas' collection of short stories: You're in for a Ride

A force field stumps a group of intrepid explorers in desperate need of what lies behind it. Two time-travelers discover the dangers of messing with the timeline. And what happens when not one, but two dark prophecies clash head-on?
These are just a few of the stories in You're in for a Ride, a collection of speculative and science fiction short stories that explore our perception of the world around us. Is there more to the world than we can see, or can our senses deceive us?

Sci-fi and comic author interview with Gloria Wickman @Gloria_Wickman

10/8/2016

Gloria Wickman is a science fiction author who has published two short stories and is working on her first novel. Gloria has studied comics writing and creation taught by former Marvel comics editor Andy Schmidt.
She has also studied French and Anthropology. Her hobbies include: walking, crafts and playing video games.

Gloria joined me for an author interview on the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network

Here are some of my favourite bits:
*  You can read one her Gloria's comics for free on her website: gloriawickman.com
*   She has a life-long love of all things science fiction
*   Gloria gives some good advice for aspiring authors
*   Her tip for curing writers' block will make you laugh
*   I was impressed with the books Gloria would take through an interstellar portal

Read all these and more on the FSFNet website.

Here's Gloria's latest release:

Title: The Sun Never Shines on Ariadne VI
Author: Gloria Wickman
Publisher: In the Hopper
Release Date: 2016
When Commander Alexis Riley crash lands on an alien planet, her biggest regret is that she didn’t die with her crew. Along with the only other survivor, an android named TOMAS, she must travel across hundreds of miles of barren wasteland to have any chance of survival. But just as Riley finds her will to live, the planet finds new ways to try and kill her.

Steampunk author E.A. Hennessy stops by for a #FSFNet interview @ea_hennessy

9/18/2016

Ever since she was a child, author E.A. Hennessy has wished for adventures. Now's she's all grown up, her love of travel and adventure hasn't dimmed. It has morphed into adventurous fantasy writing in her Steampunk adventures and also a love to travel.
Now EA works as an environmental engineer (which sounds very Steampunky) too, and she lives in Buffalo, New York.
EA cites her hobbies as making nerdy candles and dancing.

We got the cogs in motion and reeled E.A. in for a Fantasy Sci-Fi Network author interview.
Here are a few of the best bits:
*   Grigory's Gadget came out of a previous story of EA's called The Necklace of Time with the addition of pirates.
*   There are some real-life inspirations for some of her steampunk ideas.
*   EA enjoys listening to soundtracks such as The Pirates of The Caribbean while writing.
*   American Tribal Style dancing is not what I had thought it would be.
*   I had no idea EA's favourite food was a thing. Lesson learned.
*   We'd better duck if she gets her superpower wish

You can read all of this and more at our interview here.

EA's latest release is Grigory's Gadget

Lodninsk, Morozhia is a frozen, industrial wasteland. Isolated by steep mountains and ruled by an authoritarian government, it isn’t anyone’s idea of home-sweet-home.
Zoya and her friends Demyan, Lilia, Anya, and Nikolai decide to leave their freezing home to start a new life. They set their sights on the tropical paradise of Mirgorod, Vernulaia, where they can study at its prestigious university while taking in the sun and sand…but nothing ever goes so smoothly.
When pirates attack their passenger ship, the friends are shanghaied and forced to be part of their crew. What’s more, the pirates have a particular interest in Zoya’s family heirloom: a small gadget of compacted wires and gears. Unsure what power the gadget holds, Zoya knows she must protect it with her life.
Trapped with pirates, caught in the struggle for the mysterious gadget, will Zoya and her friends be able to make it safely to their new home?

Bonnie Ferrante surprised me with her interview answers @BonnieFerrante #FSFNet

9/10/2016

Bonnie Ferrante describes herself as a hybrid author, having published both traditionally and self-published in a variety of media including: novels, short stories, newspaper articles, columns and picture books.
Bonnie lives in the awesomely-named Thunder Bay in Canada and has hobbies of illustrating, sewing, reading and being with her family which includes great-grandchildren.

Being one of our most experienced members at the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network, I was very keen to interview Bonnie and uncover the details of her career and what makes her tick.

Here are some highlights of our interview:
* I was surprised to discover that Bonnie has Parkinson's Disease and is soldiering on with her writing and illustrating with some adjustments to accommodate her condition. Total respect from me to this brave lady.
* Bonnie's reason for using a pen name made me chuckle
* I'm not sure what a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Lay Leader does, but she sure sounds very zen and knowledgeable
* Bonnie is currently working on 4 new books. Wow!
* Total silence is required for Bonnie's writing and she has a very good explanation
* The story of Leya: Sphere of Vision Book 1's cover was a good lesson in genre-advertising
* I am totally on-board with Bonnie's idea of her book club being a wine club.

Click here for the full interview.

Title: Leya: Sphere of Vision Book 1
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Publisher: Single Drop Publishing
Release Date: October 19, 2014

In a world where eye color may determine your future, Leya is born with one green and one blue eye. Will this diminish her potential or provide the exceptional opportunity to become a Double Vision Mistress? Even if she fulfills her gifts, Leya must learn to control her impulsiveness and quick temper or she will be stripped of her powers in a painful and crippling ritual.

Fantasy Sci-Fi Network interview with the hilarious Will @macmillanjones #FSFNet

9/3/2016

Author Will Macmillan Jones lists his hobbies as: hunting for dragons; getting lost with the aid of his SatNav and filling his home office to the ceiling with books.
Will is the author of the popular series of fantasy comics: The Banned Underground. The series begins with The Amulet of Kings and The Mystic Accountants, then running on to The Vampire Mechanic, Bass Instinct, The SatNav of Doom, and Have Frog, Will Travel.

Will dropped by the FSFNet and chatted with me about his writing.

Here are some of the best bits:
* Will comes across in the interview as funny as he sounds in his books...and that is seriously funny.
* He's a self-proclaimed authorholic. I don't think there's a cure for that.
* Will says he wrote another book because there were so many good jokes left over from the previous book.
* There's such a thing as a Wolverine frog, who knew?
* His planned title for the next novel is ludicrous. I bet he'll do it though.
* Will also writes Gothic horror and has managed to freak out his own family.

Read the full interview here

Will has a new release coming very soon, but in the meantime, you can read Will's latest instalment: Have Frog, Will Travel

"Tolkien Meets Spinal Tap!" More speculative fiction from The Banned Underground collection: Grizelda the off-white witch is forced to speculate about her future in fiction when the Dark Lord tempts her with his cookies, and threatens her with eviction from her cottage if she doesn’t join The Dark Side.
Tempted, Grizelda sets off on a journey of self-discovery, but whatever is she likely to find, apart of course from a few frogs?
Is it Good to be Bad? Or is it Bad to be Good? Or could there be a Third Way? Frogs, Vampires, and assorted Witches all have a different view on her predicament; and the only certainty is Grizelda’s uncertainty … and the usual stream of gags, one-liners and slapstick jokes provoked by her thoughts on philosophy.

A zombie author on the loose: E.E. Isherwood @eeisherwood #FSFNet

8/27/2016

Author E.E. Isherwood lives with his family in a bunker in St Louis, Missouri, where he avidly awaits the zombie apocalypse. Not a bad introduction, I must say.
Luckily for me, I managed to unearth E.E. for an interview for the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network. He has written two books about post-apocalyptic driving, five books about zombies, and several short stories from both genres

E.E. and I put our brains together (zombie pun intended) and came up with an entertaining interview for you all, which I posted on the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network.
Here are some of my favourite snippets:
* E.E.'s inspiration for zombie writing was born on the unfortunate day of a funeral.
* I love the idea of a 104-year old heroine
* E.E.'s daily word count of writing would put even the most prolific of authors to shame.
* Scouting scene locations for his books is a treasured family activity
* I enjoy the way he writes the Missouri accent
To read more of E.E.'s exciting interview, click here.

And look what we found in the paper this week:

E.E. Isherwood has a great zombie series to entertain us called Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse. Book 1 is Since the Sirens

As the tornado sirens drone for an hour, it heralds the end of civilization and the start of the Zombie Apocalypse. Those who can, run. Others, like 104-year-old Martinette Peters, figure they'll soon be dead. However, her 15-year-old great-grandson has other ideas. Together they head out into the chaos of the plague-infested city. They'll need a miracle to escape. But when society itself is collapsing, is one miracle going to be enough?