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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Augury of Blood?

Augury of Blood was born from my deep love for the history, myth, and heritage of Europe’s ancient and medieval cultures. As an Anglo-American, I’m deeply conscious of my Germanic and Celtic roots, and I’m fascinated by the cultural and mythic connections between them and other Indo-European-speaking peoples in Europe and elsewhere. One story in particular inspired me, and that was Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle (Der Ring des Nibelungen). It’s a mesmerizing story of mythic heroism as well as a tragedy of greed and betrayal, all set to some of the most incredible music ever created. Wagner taught me that epic fantasy could again become a space for the numinous and a means of evoking the gods of my folk, and from those deep waters of inspiration, I drew forth what became Augury of Blood.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Augury of Blood, what would they be?

For Leukon, a heroic young warrior determined to create a world free of Titans, I’ll go with “I Feel the Breath of Ragnarok” by Ukrainian folk metal band Nokturnal Mortum, from their Weltanschauung album. The longing for heroism in a callow age would appeal to him.

For Windarra, a king’s daughter with a terrible secret, I’d have to go with “Nemo” by Nightwish, from their album Once, a song that expresses a deep yearning for belonging and comfort.

For Verthokar, a warrior lord burdened by the weight of his concerns for his people’s loss of warrior virtue— a consequence of their reliance on Titans— I’d go with Bathory’s “Song To Hall Up High” from the album Hammerheart for his more melancholy and contemplative moods, and “A Fine Day to Die” from the album Blood Fire Death for when he’s riding into battle.

For Proytamnes, a psychopathic warrior prince allied with the forces of darkness, the song “Night’s Blood” by Dissection, from the Storm of the Light’s Bane album: it’s anti-cosmic black/death metal created by Satanic nihilist weirdos, and he’d eat it up with a proverbial spoon.

And finally, for Nelmari, an enslaved former priestess trying to rescue her sister and herself from Proytamnes, I’d have to go with Nightwish again, this time “Sleeping Sun” from the Decades album: a beautiful, mournful song I think would profoundly move her.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My two favorite genres to read are epic fantasy, which is what Augury of Blood is, and historical non-fiction, which is part of what Augury of Blood is inspired by.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR pile is huge and constantly growing, and books migrate in and out. With that said, I recently finished Virtue’s End by my friend Joseph Sale, an incredible epic poem that should be mentioned in the same breath as Paradise Lost, and I’m determined to read many more of his books. I’m also reading and greatly enjoying The Price of Power by Michael Michel, and I intend to read more of his books as well.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I’d have to say probably Interlude V when a certain wandering god undertakes a journey to the realm of the great goddess Mother Night: it features mythic spectacle, an original song, and a bargain between gods.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Yes, I only write at my standing desk, after I’ve exercised, had breakfast, caffeinated, and I always drink black coffee (iced in summer, hot the rest of the year), followed by mushroom coffee and mushroom chai (same pattern of iced and hot).

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Life is struggle, pain, and glory. I believe in family, folk, and faith, in seeking excellence and honoring the gods and the ancestors.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

My hope is that the reader will find Augury of Blood a story of boundless adventure and heroism in a mythic realm of gods and numinous forces. And for some, I believe, it may well provide an experience of transcendent significance.

Michael R. Schultheiss is the author of the new book Augury of Blood

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