Interview with Dustin Lee, Author of West of Nowhere

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write West of Nowhere, Book 1 of The Aether Gun — Ashes & Desire?

FAILURE! My failure became my fuel for West of Nowhere. I even wrote a blog post about it recently. My twenties were a bust—really, they were a pretty dark time for me, looking back. Not because I wasn’t trying, but because every path I took felt like a detour from who I wanted to be. I meandered through space and time, but here’s the light at the end of the tunnel: I carried notebooks everywhere and did a lot of brooding. All that time spent in high emotion and quiet observation became part of the creative process for this book. I’ve since become extremely grateful for the very moments I once thought were lost.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of West of Nowhere, Book 1 of The Aether Gun — Ashes & Desire, what would they be?

Great question! I actually have a playlist for the book on Spotify. Music is such a launching point for my writing—it’s how I learn my characters’ walks. The theme songs evolve as the story unfolds, but from the beginning of West of Nowhere, Jake’s theme is “Black River Killer” by Blitzen Trapper, Sloane’s is “Metal and Steel” by Bob Schneider, and Lys’s is “La Llorona” by Ángela Aguilar. And we absolutely take suggestions—send me your picks!

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

I have such a deep-seated love for classical literature. If I’m ever blessed enough to be accused of channeling the classics, I’ll wear it as a badge of honor.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Currently on my nightstand: Galaphile: The First Druid of Shannara by Terry Brooks. He’s a demi-scribe, and since he announced his retirement from the Shannara series, this one’s topping my stack. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller, because more than a few people have told me I’ll feel right at home in the world he created. I re-read something by Stephen King a few times a year—because nothing soothes a sleepless night like worrying about s-weasels, balloon-cutters, or a man in a yellow coat standing at the end of the hall. And my wife is filling up the rest of my reading time with the sequel to her Western, The Daisy Chain, called Bury My Name. So I’ve got some catching up to do!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

How do I answer this without giving away spoilers? I cannot! Alright, I’ll give you my runner-up. I like to write episodically, and occasionally I introduce a character who refuses to be shaken—one who deserves their own storyline. The Ghost in West of Nowhere is one of those characters. You will definitely be seeing them again.

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

I snack. A lot. The amount of Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars and barbecue chips that must be stocked in our house is embarrassing—along with lots of coffee and energy drinks. No judgment—everyone has a process.

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

Never, ever, ever give up. My mother drilled that into me during my formative years. There have been times it didn’t serve me well—particularly in relationships that should have ended years earlier—but for the most part, it’s taught me to go after what I want with passion and vigor.

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

I want to linger in your mind and bloodstream long after the last page—like a revelation you can feel but never quite explain. And if it does, maybe you’ll come back for more. Beyond that, I hope the sense of place stays with you in West of Nowhere. It’s the main character of the book—and the series.

Dustin Lee is the author of the new book West of Nowhere, Book 1 of The Aether Gun — Ashes & Desire

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