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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dragon Guard?

We wanted to write a book that would've kept our teenage selves up reading until 3 in the morning. We just love dragons and magic, and wanted to take our own stab at it, and found some incredibly fun characters along the way.

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

Well, for Meleya, we actually have a playlist haha. She has a couple of different mood songs, but the most likely one is actually Fight Song, by Rachel Platten.

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

Fantasy by far. So yes, our favorite genre to read is the same as our favorite genre to write. Fantasy gives you a chance to let limits melt away.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Defiant by Brandon Sanderson... just finished Murtagh, but it might be on the TBR pile to read again.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Honestly, there's a dragon corpse cleanup scene that's actually awesome, and then a REALLY fun mid point battle that was an absolute blast.

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

Well, our co-writing process could maybe qualify? We'll write big swaths on our own, leaving gaps for each other to fill in, and then go over the story together as we go... after VERY in depth outlining, of course.

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

Choose Light, Burn Bright, Drive Out Darkness, Light The Way.

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

To leave a review and buy the next one 😉

But for real, that you should recognize your gifts that you have and grow them. Basically, become the best you that you can be.

Blake and Raven Penn is the author of the new book The Skystone Chronicles Book 2: Dragon Guard

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Rise of the Republic?

I enjoy science fiction books and wanted to create a fictitious world where humans have just reached the ability to travel the stars and discover what's out there. I think SpaceX and the reality that we are not far off from beginning our journey beyond Earth is what really inspired me to dive into creating this world and series.

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

Viking battle music, yeah, that's what I think many of my characters would choose as a theme.

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

Biographies, historical fiction, technothrillers, and military SciFi!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Working on the new Elon Musk book, The Invisible Machine, Winning the War in Your Mind, and The World Played Chess.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Orbital HALO insertion that takes place in book three over the planet Intus.

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

Lots of caffeine!

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

To become the 1%. You must do what the other 99% won't. That ascribes my work ethic.

Stop caring what other's thing. That is my life motto.

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

This is fiction, an escape from the real world. Try to enjoy the ride and allow yourself to peel away the many layers to this onion of a story I have written. It will blow your mind the deeper you allow yourself to fall down the rabbit hole.

James Rosone is the author of the new book Rise of the Republic

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Hear, O Earth!?

A few years ago, I wrote a 15-book series titled Earthrise. So far in my career, I’ve written 85 books spread across multiple series and genres. Among my works, Earthrise is my longest individual series and bestselling one. After completing the 15th and final Earthrise novel, I spent a few years writing in other universes. I wrote the series Starship Freedom and Mintari and other works. But I always missed the Earthrise characters. I kept thinking about them and wondering what new adventures they might have.

So I returned to write a spinoff series: A Prayer for Earthrise. It stands alone pretty well. You can read it even if you haven’t read the original Earthrise series. It brings back three of the original characters – Marco, Addy, and Einav – for more adventures. It felt natural to write about them again. They’re probably my favorite characters to write about.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Hear, O Earth!, what would they be?

Great question! There are three main characters in A Prayer for Earthrise: Marco, Addy, and Einav. Marco’s theme song would be Lavender by Marillion. We know he listens to Marillion (he does so in the first Earthrise book), and it fits his pensive, reflective soul. As for Addy . . . she’s crazy and wild. The exact opposite of Marco. Her theme song would be “Freak Like Me” by Halestorm. Meanwhile, Einav’s theme song is “Che Gelida Manina” by Puccini. It’s mentioned in the novels as her favorite piece of music.

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

I enjoy reading in many genres, but fantasy and science fiction are my two favorites. Both to read and write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now, on my reading table, are a few novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Dave Webber, and Brandon Sanderson. And also a book by Thomas Sowell. They'll probably keep me busy for the rest of the winter.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I love writing any scene with banter between Marco and Addy. They’ve been living together for many years by now, and they have an “odd couple” dynamic. Marco is studious, serious, and thoughtful. Addy is wild, crazy, and unpredictable. They love each other a ton but clash too. Any scene with those two is lots of fun for me to write.

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

I collect coins and like having some coins as "desk toys" while I write. I also always have a cup of tea or coffee. Finally--music. I need music playing, ideally music that fits the mood of whatever I'm writing that day.

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

As trite as it sounds... follow your passion. Do what you love. I feel grateful that I get to spend so much of my time with books. Collecting books, writing books, reading books. I don't know exactly why, but I've always enjoyed books, and any time I get to spend in the book world (whether reading or writing) feels like time well spent.

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

I hope they remember the characters. When I read a great book, the characters remain in my memory forever. I can forget plot details and worldbuilding details, but I remember great characters for life. If readers remember my characters, that's a huge honor.

Daniel Arenson is the author of the new book Hear, O Earth!

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Ark of Ascension?

Let me begin by outing myself as an epic fantasy author who discovered Christopher Ruocchio’s Sun Eater and Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, and decided to branch into space opera! For all their differences, I admired how character-oriented both of those series are, and I went into Ark of Ascension with a desire to create a fast-paced, character-oriented action and adventure story with some fun and (I think) very trippy world-building! The other aspect of this is that I had just released books four and five of my epic fantasy series, The Rosteval Saga, and my wife challenged me to write a stand-alone (I failed: this is book 1 of a new series!) and a shorter book (and on that I succeeded!).

Another influence came from the fact that my wife and I were (and as of this writing, still are) anticipating the birth of our first child, a daughter. Facing parenthood is exhilarating and terrifying, and I wrote Ark of Ascension as a way to confront and try to reconcile with some of those feelings, particularly surrounding my upbringing in a very strict religious household and my own spiritual evolution as an adult. I’m happy with the result: this is a story that certainly takes religious fanaticism to task, but it’s also a celebration of the beauty and sense of wonder that religion can help us to find in the cosmos.

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

For my protagonist, bounty huntress Evalla Taryu, I’d say something from Attack on Titan: “Guren No Yumiya” if she’s having a great day, and the OST featuring Mika Kobayashi if she’s having a hard day.

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

I’m an epic fantasy/sword & sorcery fan through and through, but I also enjoy space opera (of course!). I’m also partial to historical non-fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR is a monster that never stops growing. Right now, I’m currently working on a re-read of The Warrior Prophet, by R. Scott Bakker, and I’ll continue the series with The Thousandfold Thought after that. I’m also reading The Blackest Heart by Brian Lee Durfee, and I’m planning to continue with The Lonesome Crown after that.

Funny thing, I’m also reading The Black Echo by Michael Connelly, and The Black Crown by John A. Douglas! In the new year, I plan to read Theft of Fire, by Devon Eriksen, as well as We Are the Dead by Mike Shackle, and The Hellborn King by Christopher G. Brenning.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I’m going to have to go with the finale: I really enjoyed the action, as well as what it meant for Evalla’s character!

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

I’m all quirky writing habits! First, I have to complete my workout before I can write, so that my mind is keen. Second, I drink regular coffee, followed by mushroom coffee (yes, really), from my special mugs that I put together on Shutterfly using promotional art from my books. And then third, I listen to melodic techno and progressive house mixes while I write! This one is really funny, because I’m actually a metal-head. Techno and house music mixes provide the right balance of mental stimulation so that I’m energized to write without being distracted by the music.

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

Take responsibility and seek excellence.

That’s the philosophy I used to rebuild my life in my late twenties to thirties, and now I have a beautiful wife, a daughter on the way, and a life brimming with meaning, purpose, and a sense of identity and belonging. I try to live in a way that honors my ancestors and the archetypal folk-spirit of my people.

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

My hope is that they’ll gain an appreciation for the mystic sense of beauty and wonder that the religious-aesthetic mode of human experience grants us. We’ve lost sight of this core truth in modern times, but the ability to appreciate the transcendent is vital for lifting our spirits and giving them wings.

Michael R. Schultheiss is the author of the new book Ark of Ascension: A Space Opera Adventure

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