#Interview With Andy Peloquin!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got a new interview for you today! I know, two in one week, what's the world coming to? ;-)  Today Andy Peloquin is joining us!  Andy, will you tell us about yourself and how many books you have written?

Andy: My name is Andy Peloquin, and I've written five books. Two are published (one in 2015, one Aug 19th, 2016), one self-published, one in the final stages of editing, and one on submission to agents. My self-published novel is fantasy/sci-fi/historical/metaphysical, but the other four are dark fantasy and grimdark. I've been an avid reader since a VERY young age. I have a memory of six-year-old Andy poring through an encyclopedia and devouring stories of the Greek and Viking gods. Books have been a constant in my life since I could turn a page.

Me:  I agree, mythology is excellent fodder for fantasy! :-)  What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Andy:  The title of the latest book is Lament of the Fallen, Book 2 in The Last Bucelarii series. This series follows the journey of a half-demon assassin as he tries to find answers about his forgotten past, his demonic heritage, and the voices in his head that drive him to kill. It's a grim, visceral story of a man who is as much a victim of his mind as he is a killer. I've always loved the darker side of human nature. Serial killers, thieves, assassins, and other criminals make for the best story subjects. My martial arts history made me want to write an action/adventure story, but this quickly became a story that focused on a killer with just enough good in him to keep him from being a villain.

Me:  Nice! The tortured antihero is almost always interesting. What are you working on now?

Andy:  I've submitted the third book in the series (titled Gateway to the Past) to my publisher, and I've begun work on polishing up the rough draft of the fourth book for submission in early-to-mid 2017. I'm also shopping around a side trilogy set in the same world, following the journey of a young, innocent girl to a hard-bitten, ruthless thief. It's a fascinating look at what would transform the former to the latter, yet also an epic fantasy adventure.

Me:  Congratulations! :-) What authors, or books, have influenced you?

Andy:  I’d have to say my two greatest influences have been Brandon Sanderson and Scott Lynch. Brandon Sanderson's writing is complex, structured, and incredibly profound. On first glance, it's epic fantasy, but once you delve into it, there are so many layers to each story. Scott Lynch has made me fall in love with his characters, and I feel challenged to do the same for others. I want to write characters as memorable and unique as his, with the same amount of "heart" he puts into his writing. You can tell that he labors over each page and word to ensure that everything is as good as it can be.

Me:  Cool! What are you reading now?

Andy:  I'm working my way through David Weber's 2 million-word (rough estimate--that's how long it feels!) Safehold series. SUCH good books that blend historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction together. I have never read anything like them, and I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys a more literary style of SFF.

Me:  Classics are often worth the effort. ;-)  For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?

Andy:  Chills and feels! My books involve plenty of heart-pounding action, but there are moments of sorrow, loss, betrayal, death, and inner conflict. I've done my best to make sure you will not be able to put the books down.

Me:  Sounds great! :-)  What is your favorite part of being an author?

Andy:  Being able to share a part of myself with everyone. I've always been an outcast, and writing this unique character (a half-demon assassin) is a perfect way to showcase some of the things I've been struggling with my whole life. It's also an interesting way to portray mental illness, and how profoundly it can affect people.

Me:  I agree, getting to explore things that are scary in real life is a fantastic aspect of writing. :-)  Do you have a day job as well?

Andy:  I do. I am a freelance writer, and I'm fortunate enough to work with companies that keep me supplied with regular work. I've managed to streamline my schedule so I can divide it fairly evenly between day job, writing, and the other activities of daily life.

Me:  That's awesome! :-)  What are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?

Andy:  The hardest part: consistency, even when the last thing you want to do is edit another damned page or write another word. The easiest part: writing, especially when you get into the flow and the story just washes over you. It doesn't happen often, but it's an intensely addictive rush you can't help but want over and over.

Me:  I agree, when the muse is a siren, it's an amazing experience! :-)  What genre do you place your book in?

Andy:  Dark fantasy/grimdark. The story is dark, grim, gritty, and there's no happily ever after. It also deals with monsters, demons, mental illness, tragedy, murder, mayhem, violence, and death. Not suitable for minors, but a book worth reading even for those who aren't huge fantasy fans.

Me:  Exciting! Is there anything else you'd like to tell your readers?

Andy:  Buy my book! (Heh, all authors want to say that, right?) I will say this: give it a chance. Pop over to Amazon and check out the "Look Inside". Give it a few pages to draw you in with the world, the character, and the ambience. Dark fantasy may not be your genre, but I guarantee there is something innately human about this half-demon character that you will identify with.

Me:  Definitely, please give indie books a chance! ;-)  And so these find people can do that, are there any links you'd like me to post?

Andy:
Amazon Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Bucelarii-Book-Lament-Fallen/dp/1535388668/

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Bucelarii-Book-Lament-Fallen/dp/1535388668/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30973111-lament-of-the-fallen

Me:  Wonderful!  Thank you so much for stopping by today, Andy, and best of luck with your upcoming release.  And thank you everyone else who joined us! Also, don't forget to check back tomorrow for the latest in Mistral Dawn's musings! :-)