Interview with Jeremiah Cain, Author of A Plague of Hatred

by grant

in Author Interviews, eBook, Fantasy & Science Fiction, News

30 Jun 2023

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Plague of Hatred: The Encroaching Chaos?

I’ve been working on Perdinok for several years, and the world has become rather intricate. I, of course, chose not to explain all the complexities of it in this first book, but I needed to know it so I could give readers a fully developed world. With a complete understanding of this fantasy realm, I could slowly unravel its details without any inconsistencies, not only in this book but also in those to come.

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

My reading list has a lot of variety. I usually stick to genres like grimdark and epic fantasy, but sometimes branch out to urban fantasy or horror–writers like Anne Rice and Clive Barker are favorites. Occasionally, some science fiction finds its way in as well.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My To Be Read list is so expansive that it’s almost embarrassing to admit, haha. But I’m pretty certain my next read will be Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns.

Booklife Reviews (which is part of Publishers Weekly) said that readers who enjoy my work will also likely enjoy Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence; therefore, since I like my own book, I figured their works would appeal to me. I’d read Abercrombie before but somehow hadn’t gotten around to Mark Lawrence until the review prompted me to take a look. Now that I have seen his work, I am convinced it is something I will enjoy.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the one involving the Harpies. While I don’t want to give away too many details because of spoilers, it was interesting to write their chaotic energy.

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

I’m not sure how “quirky” this is, but I like to handwrite my rough draft. For me, my creativity flows more freely that way. At first, all I had was a pen and paper—but then I got myself a reMarkable tablet. It lets me write by hand and it automatically converts it into text afterward, so I can refine future drafts on the computer.

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

When others use religion as a tool of animosity, decent people in the same religion cannot remain quiet—otherwise, nothing will remain of the faith but the destruction caused by it.