G J Styles
Kenny Gould
'The more you can do to help a world come to life, the better the story will be!'
Kenny Gould is a writer and entrepreneur from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a degree from Duke University, an MFA from Chatham University, and an MBA from NYU Stern.
Prior to writing fiction, Kenny covered food and beverage for Forbes, Men’s Health, Bon Appetit, and more. He’s also the founder of Hop Culture, an online magazine featuring stories from the craft beer industry.
To date, Kenny has written several fantasy fiction books, three of which have covers designed by Tom Edwards. If you want to see the works Kenny and Tom have done together, check out The Castle of 1,000 Doors, the first book in Kenny’s Toroth-Gol series. Kenny also recently published The Potionmaster, the first book in a new fantasy fiction series. You can keep in touch with Kenny on Instagram at @hopcultureken or join his email newsletter list here.
The Interview
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
Before I decided to start publishing my fiction, I spent a decade writing manuscripts and quietly burying them beneath the lint and unsharpened pencils in the bottom drawer of my desk.
At some point, I realized that was silly. Why write if I wouldn’t let anyone see my work? I’m a creative at heart, so I decided to go the self-publishing route, though I’m also a professional, and I wanted my books feel as much like a “real” book as possible.
This desire led me to Tom. From the very first work I saw in his portfolio, I knew he’d be able to convey the humor, action, and excitement of my series through the cover. And isn’t that the point of a cover? To set effective reader expectations?
Tom was my first choice for an artist and I’m so enamored with the work we’ve done together. I couldn’t recommend working with him more highly!
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
Prior to my career as a fiction writer, I started a digital magazine called Hop Culture, which threw beer festivals around the United States and had its own line of glassware and apparel. In that role, I worked with many awesome artists including Killer Acid, Sam Taylor, Yeye Weller, Pseudodudo, and Lauren Martin, to name a few.
Just like those artists, Tom is a professional. It doesn’t matter that he’s designing book covers while they designed festival posters or beer glasses—the best artists I’ve worked with were able to take my vision, combine it with their own, and create something greater than the sum of its parts.
You’ve had a really interesting pathway to writing fantasy fiction! How do you find yourself writing in this genre? And how do you navigate writing books in various distinct genres?
When I was seventeen, I went to a boarding school outside Boston, Massachusetts. It was an old school that dates back to 1778 and I’m pretty sure the insulation in my dorm hadn’t been updated since it was founded. At night, I liked to read in bed, but when I was done I’d have to get up, run across the frigid room, and turn out the lights.
I decided to solve this problem by buying a lamp. Only, when I went to the store, the only thing in stock was functionally a battery pack with a lightbulb. Still, it served my purposes. I brought it back to my room, stuck it to the ceiling with double-sided tape, and read from beneath the warm coziness of my comforter.
At around two in the morning, the tape failed and the whole thing dropped ten feet, where it shattered over my head. I don’t know if you’ve ever been woken up by two pounds of glass, plastic, and batteries smacking you in the face at 9.8 meters per second, but it’s quite unpleasant. After I got everything cleaned up, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I tossed and turned for about an hour, and just when I was about to fall asleep, I heard a voice: “We left for a reason.”
I’m a pretty grounded individual and I don’t believe in ghosts, spirits, or anything similar. Honestly, I think I was just tired and a little loopy from the blow to the head. But that night, I swear I heard a voice. I started to think: Who left? For what reason?
In the morning, I opened a new Word document on my computer and wrote, “We left for a reason.” And then I kept writing, trying to answer those other questions.
Sixty thousand words later, I had my first manuscript. I’ve always loved reading and I suppose it was only natural I’d make the transition to becoming a writer. For me, writing fiction and writing non-fiction are expressions of the same skill. I don’t see them as mutually exclusive. In my opinion, the goal of any story is to use the reader’s time in a way that he or she is happy they spent it with you and not one of another billion competitors for their attention. This applies to fiction and non-fiction just the same.
What role, if any, do maps play in your world-building process?
During my first year in college, I commissioned a French cartographer to design three maps: one of a world, one of a continent, and one of a city. Those are the places I write to this day!
In my opinion, anything that helps ground you better in a fantasy world is a service to the story, whether it’s models, character sketches, maps, etc. The more you can do to help a world come to life, the better the story will be!
Can you describe your typical writing routine?
I write best in the morning. I usually get up around 5:45 AM or 6:00 AM, walk the dog, tell my cats they’re very special, make coffee, and then I write until 9:00 AM, when I get ready for my day job as the VP of Sales at a tech company.
I have to write in the morning and I need coffee, or nothing works. I don’t think I’m unusual in that way.
What books, authors, or life experiences have had a significant impact on your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?
Some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, Annie Dillard, MFK Fisher, and Michael Chabon. I love the dark, dry humor of British fantasy authors like Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Mark Lawrence.
Is there anything you would’ve done differently when starting out?
There’s a great book by Austin Kleon called Show Your Work, which is all about exposing your process to the outside world—and following through on your projects to make sure those get seen, as well.
When I first started writing, I didn’t show my work. I wrote thousands of pages and put them in a drawer. I never let them see the light of day.
If I could’ve done anything differently, I would’ve let people read those stories. Maybe they were terrible, but the only way to grow is to get feedback. Think about this—by hiding my stories, I missed out on years of growth. Where would I be now if I’d had the courage to get feedback from the beginning? So now I’m making up for lost time!
Can you provide any insights into your upcoming projects?
On the book side, I’m slowly but surely working on the the fourth book in the Toroth-Gol series, and I have a few other projects coming out this year, including a cozy fantasy. The best way to stay up-to-date on those projects is to follow my personal Instagram at @hopcultureken or join my email newsletter list here.
Meet The Authors
Meet some of the amazing authors I've had the privilege of collaborating with. In this interview series, I delve into their writing processes, influences, inspirations, techniques of worldbuilding, and the advice they have for aspiring writers.
Steve C. Eston
'In my opinion, world-building is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing. It is often associated with the fantasy genre, but it really applies to any book.'
Steve C. Eston is an award-winning author celebrated for his contributions to both fantasy and science fiction literature. His passion for crafting intricate worlds and compelling narratives is evident in his diverse body of work, which includes titles such as "The Stranger of Ul Darak," "Deficiency," and "The Conclave." Eston's storytelling is characterized by detailed environments and complex, memorable characters, often exploring themes like family, friendship, loyalty, and equality.
Growing up in the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada, Eston was drawn to the fantastical from a young age, penning his first illustrated short story at around ten. His early exposure to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and the Dragonlance series further fueled his imagination, leading him to create his own imaginary worlds. After a period of writing primarily in French, Eston transitioned to English, encouraged by his wife, Leigh, who believed in his talent and helped him establish a dedicated writing space. Now residing in Fredericton with his family, Eston continues to write part-time, immersing readers in stories that blend elements of epic fantasy, science fiction, and other genres.
Find out more here: S.C. Eston
The Interview
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
When I started looking into creating a cover for my first book, The Burden of the Protector, I had little experience in the domain. After some research, I decided to look for original art, a completely new piece to represent my book. I was hoping to find someone talented, but also willing to answer my questions, and guide me through the process of creating the cover. I reached out to many artists, exploring a wide range of styles. A few stood out, including Tom Edwards. I remember that most of his art, at the time, was aimed toward science fiction. I finally decided to contact him anyway and share with him what I had in mind. I expected him to reject my submission, because it was a fantasy cover and quite specific in what I was looking for (I had a clear image of the layout and elements I wanted on the cover). To my surprise, Tom answered quickly, accepted the project, and provided a clear road map on his process and how we would proceed. I was and still am impressed with how he took my initial ideas, and turned them into an amazing cover.
What set Tom apart from other book cover designers you’ve seen or worked with?
On top of his talent, what set Tom apart are his professionalism and generosity. He’s reliable, yet flexible. He puts an extra effort to make certain that his clients are happy and he is generous and patient with his time, always willing to answer questions. I’ve now been working with Tom for more than 8 years and I hope that we will continue working together on the many projects I have in mind for the future. One of the things I was hoping to put in place when I decided to self-publish my books was long lasting relationships with partners and other authors. I feel that I have that type of partnership with Tom, and can always count on him when it comes to illustrations and covers.
What was the best part of working with Tom to design your cover?
The best thing about working with Tom is how easy it is. Although we are on different sides of the Atlantic, communication has always been painless. As mentioned previously, Tom is very professional, but also respectful. We can have back and forth until we agree on the best way forward. He also replies quickly, and never leave you hanging. He’s extremely talented at what he does and his ability to transform my ideas into a detailed cover is unparalleled.
What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?
I started writing, or at least creating stories, at a very early age. Neither of my parents were writers, so I’m not sure where my interest came from, other than possibly books and TV shows. I still have some of the books I created as a young boy. Some were about a tiger-masked ninja fighting some monsters. I even created the illustrations for these stories.
That said, I didn’t discover my passion for writing until much later in life. For some reasons, I never believed I could become a writer until my wife, Leigh, encouraged me to give it a try. It quickly became evident to me that writing was something I enjoyed greatly. I’ve always loved to immerse myself in stories, and with writing, not only could I adventure in mystical and new worlds, I now had a say in what could happen. Although I enjoy the process of writing from start to finish, my favorite part remains the sense of wonder I feel as I experience the story and live its events with the characters.
Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone?
I wish I had a routine! Before having children, I would get up early in the morning and write between 6 and 7. It is a good time of the day, when most of the world is asleep and standing still. I would put headsets on, select music that aligned with the story I was writing, and write for a good 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes more.
Now that we have four young children, that routine doesn’t work so well anymore. Actually, having any kind of routine is a challenge. So, I try to write whenever I can. Over the past several years, I’ve had to adapt greatly to find that time to write. More recently, I started writing late at night, once everyone is in bed and asleep. It works, although I find that my mind is sometimes tired that late in the day.
Music remains a great way for me to shut out the world and immerse myself in the story I’m writing. I usually select instrumental music, like movie or video game soundtracks, since lyrics tend to distract me.
What obstacles have you encountered in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
The first challenge I faced when I started writing more seriously was the fact that I didn’t know anything, or very little, about writing or publishing. I knew how to put a sentence together, and I had a decent vocabulary, but I had very little knowledge of scenes, chapters, points of view, hooks, building suspense, pacing a story, building a plot, or character arcs. I started researching and reading about it. One of the first books I read was ‘On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft’ by Stephen King. This might have been a stoke of luck, because it contained some of the best tips I’ve read, even to this day. More particularly, he speaks about the importance of learning the craft of writing, and the rules and guidelines of building a strong story. He basically confirmed that I was on the right track in wanting to learn more about how to write.
This encouraged me to continue learning and reading about writing, which I did continuously over the years and continue to do. I love writing and I also love the craft of writing.
My newest biggest obstacle is finding the time to write. With working a full time job and being the father of four young children, it’s a challenge I have yet to solve.
You mention that you prefer not to limit yourself to fantasy writing alone; what other genres do you gravitate towards in your writing?
My writing path, as it relates to genres, is quite similar to the path I followed as a reader. Growing up, I almost solely read in the fantasy genre. It is still the genre that I gravitate toward the most when selecting a new book or the section I go to first when visiting a bookstore. In my twenties, I branched out into science fiction, and nowadays, I read a little bit of everything, enjoying biographies, and a wide array of fiction genres.
One of the things that I like the most about fantasy and science fiction is that although they have elements that make them standout from other genres, they can also easily include all other genres. For example, my first published novella, The Burden of the Protector, is a fantasy with dystopian and philosophical elements. My second book, The Conclave is a fantasy and a mystery. My third book, Deficiency, is a science fiction, but also a thriller and mystery, with dystopian elements. My upcoming series, ‘The Baneseeker Chronicles’, is a combination of dark fantasy, horror, and classic high and epic fantasy elements, while touching on more serious themes like acceptance, friendships, depression, and addiction.
How do you approach world-building in your novels?
In my opinion, world-building is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing. It is often associated with the fantasy genre, but it really applies to any book. Even a story set in today’s world requires the writer to develop a setting, selecting the places, characters and rules he or she will follow and present in the book.
In my case, I usually learn about the world at the time of writing, with the characters as they progress in their own life. It is a time consuming approach, but it is also much more fun. It allows me to enjoy the mystery of the world, at least for a while. It is more time consuming, because it means I have to come back, and review the story once I know more about the world, to make certain everything aligns and that I’m not breaking any rules or going against any history detail. From what I understand, many authors write a long first draft and then have to come back, and cut it down, remove the fat. I work in the opposite direction. My initial drafts are short, often with little background details or without a conclusion. With every revision, I add details, background information, and layers to the story.
The only exception to this approach are the stories taking place in the world of Arvelas, like my novella The Conclave and my upcoming dark fantasy series The Baneseeker Chronicles. This is because I first created the world of Arvelas as a teenager, while playing and hosting tabletop role-playing games. It is a world I’ve travelled to a lot over the years and that I know very well. There is still a world-building element to any story I write in Arvelas, but it has much more background information to draw from than the settings of my other stories.
What role do maps play in your world-building process?
I love maps, and they play a huge role in each story I write. They help immensely in defining the world, and any given location. They also help better understand a city or village, as they often present the resources available in the surrounding areas. Finally, a good map can also determine or help determine the actions or events that will take place.
Having a map before starting to write is a big help, but more often than not, I jump into the writing, and create the map later. This means that I have to come back and make adjustments or corrections in the story, because it’s not always possible to produce a map that aligns with everything in the text. I’m no expert in geography, but there are basic rules that any map needs to follow.
That means that with each story I write, I draw several maps on the side. Some are of villages or cities, some of countries, some of the whole world, and some of a building or a clearing in the woods. For example, for my latest epic fantasy book, The Stranger of Ul Darak, I have a map of the village of Valdur with its houses and buildings, another of Valdur and its surrounding areas, one of the building dedicated to the god of ice, one of the main character’s house, including its first and second floor. I have a world map, with all the countries, and the Final Horizon, the barrier protecting the world. I also have one of Tar’Halia, which is where the Sentinels, powerful wizards in this story, live and study. Many of these maps made it into the book, because I think they can provide value to the reader as well.
Before I go, I’d like to take a moment to thank Tom Edwards for this interview and for all the great work he’s done for me so far. I wouldn’t be where I’m at in my writing journey without people like Tom.
Steve C. Eston’s passion for storytelling shines through in his richly detailed worlds and character-driven narratives. With a deep love for fantasy and science fiction, he continues to craft stories that explore themes of loyalty, friendship, and adventure.
As he looks ahead, Eston remains committed to writing immersive fiction that resonates with readers. Whether through epic fantasy or thought-provoking sci-fi, his work is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of great storytelling.
If you'd like to learn a little bit more about my own process, Steve interviewed me back in 2023! You can find the interview here
G J Ogden
'It may not seem so, considering I already have 45+ books in the bag, but I only began my publishing journey in late 2018'
G J Ogden is a sci-fi author who loves to write action-adventure space sci-fi stories with real heart, humor, and drama. He has published over 45 sci-fi books with a combined 13,500+ 5-star ratings, including several Amazon Best-Sellers, and is the winner of the Kindle Storyteller Award 2023.
Visit G J Ogdens site
Click here to check out Forsaken Commander, the winner of the Kindle Storyteller Award 2023!
Click here to check out Master General, Book 6 in The Aternien Wars Series! Out June 24
The Interview
What initially sparked your interest in writing, and how did you discover your passion for storytelling?
From as early as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to tell stories. Star Trek played a big part in this, as I mentioned elsewhere, but I fell in love with alien worlds and epic fantasy settings even before learning about the Starship Enterprise.
I was a kid during the early days of computer gaming (BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum and up) and RPG games really helped to drive my interest in storytelling, along with the wonderful “Fighting Fantasy” novels.
I was also a role-playing nerd and gamemaster (Paranoia and Role Master mainly), which is the perfect outlet for someone who loves to tell stories.
I tried to write my first novel in my early 20s, but I didn’t have the patience or discipline back then. I did eventually finish that book (and series) more than 15 years later. It’s called The Planetsider Trilogy, and it’s still popular today, having held No.1 slots in Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction on Amazon US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Age and experience have their benefits, I suppose!!
Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the creative zone?
I’m extremely organized when it comes to planning and writing. I create detailed notes about the characters and the world they inhabit, and I always have a series arc in mind before I start. That means I have 5-6 books worth of story in my head before I begin.
When it comes to writing, I create a detailed outline first, using a three-act structure. And I mean detailed! I go chapter by chapter and the outline itself usually ends up being 15-20,000 words. I keep trying to trim this down, but never succeed.
The benefit of having a detailed outline is that I can write a chapter a day, every day, when I’m in writing mode. I sometimes take a day off writing (if something else is pressing – marketing work etc.) but generally, I don’t. That means I have a 1st draft done in four weeks. And because of the outline process, it’s usually pretty clean, because I’ve made sure to include all the important elements from the three-act structure.
It can be quite intense, especially at the start of a five or six book series, knowing how much work is ahead, but the routine is important for me.
Why did you choose Tom Edwards Design to create your cover?
I was shopping for covers and cover designers one afternoon, as authors often do, and part of that process (for me) is checking the Copyright pages of books with covers I liked. Tom’s name kept appearing, which led to his website and an awesome list of pre-mades, which were sold out! That was a good sign (though not for me), but by that point, I’d decided I wanted a series of "Tom Edwards" covers, so I bit the bullet and got in touch. That was a great decision.
What set Tom apart from other book cover designers you've worked with?
In a word, it’s quality. I’ve worked with some great cover designers, but Tom’s art style and creativity elevated the books and I think definitely contributed to their success. I’ve even adjusted my written descriptions of some of the characters depicted on the covers to match Tom’s designs because they were so on the money.
How do you engage with your readership? Do you actively seek feedback, and if so, how does it influence your future writing?
I have a bunch of social channels but I’m terrible at posting content and updates. I’m just not a very ‘social media’ sort of person, in general. I have a newsletter, which I’ve curated over many years, and the membership of that is ~7,000 strong. That’s my main method of communicating with readers.
I do encourage feedback and I get a lot of comments, particularly on the adverts I run to promote my books. I engage with everything, even the snarky comments! However, I think it’s important to take these comments with a pinch of salt, and the same goes for reviews. I read the bad reviews and the good (thankfully, most are good!), in case there’s anything I can learn (common mistakes or peeves, for example), but ultimately, it’s my story and my decision. I write what I would want to read.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting their journey or facing challenges in their creative pursuits?
It may not seem so, considering I already have 45+ books in the bag, but I only began my publishing journey in late 2018, so I’m still relatively new. I remember finishing my first novel and putting it out there to very little success. I read a bunch of “how to publish” books and marketed it in the best way I knew how back then, but the launch went off with a whimper rather than a bang (or even a fizzle).
I remember being really discouraged by that. All that work and effort and… nothing. I asked myself, what’s the point of carrying on? As a new writer watching their first book vanish into the quagmire that is Amazon, you’ll probably ask yourself the same thing.
My advice is to stick at it. Chalk it up to experience and keep writing and learning. Both are really important. Learn your craft, learn what sells and why (tropes, genres, covers), and learn how to market your books. A lot of authors don’t want to mess with that side of the business, and if that’s you, then go the traditional route instead and find a publisher. Indie publishing means being a writer and a marketer. It sucks, but to succeed you have to advertise, or be a social media genius. Since I’m not the latter, I have to do the former!
Over time, you’ll build a following. There’s an oft-quoted saying that “nothing sells your last book better than your next book” and I think that’s true. Keep writing good stories, make sure people know about them, and you’ll steadily climb the mountain.
Character Development: What unique challenges do you face when developing characters in a futuristic or otherworldly setting, and how do you ensure that they remain relatable to readers?
For me, good sci-fi is a good story first and foremost. I like to think you could take all of my books and put them in another setting and the stories and characters would still work.
Forsaken Commander, for example, would work in the age of sail, or modern times. It would only require adjustments to who the antagonists are and where they are. For example, they wouldn’t be post-human in the age of sail, but could be another minority group, and the setting could be remote islands instead of planets. The elements of story and character I think would remain the same, because they’re universal.
I create documents that include important elements like a character’s wants and needs, their conflicts (internal and external), how they change as a result of the story, what impact they have on people and the world, and so on. I flesh all this out in advance so I know who they are and how they would react in given situations.
I use a tool called Scrapple to create massive scrap books of character or worldbuilding notes, which then becomes my master reference. After a while, you get to know the characters and settings well enough that it becomes second nature, but just as I like to outline my books in detail, I find that the initial work of piecing the characters together is invaluable.
Inspirations and Influences: What specific works, authors, or real-world events have influenced your approach to writing science fiction, and how do you incorporate these influences into your own unique voice?
I would say that I’ve been most heavily influenced by Star Trek, in particular The Next Generation. I’ve watched pretty much everything from Farscape to Buck Rogers, but TNG sticks with me. I love the camaraderie of the crew, the moral quandaries they face, the impossible odds they always manage to conquer, and the dignity with which they conduct themselves. I think my stories and characters owe a lot to TNG, even if they’re generally darker, grittier and harder-hitting.
In literature, I read a lot of classic sci-fi, and while elements of these 50s, 60s, and 70s novels have aged badly (especially in how they treat women), the stories and characters have stood the test of time.
I love Alfred Bester, for example, and The Stars My Destination and The Demolished Man are books I can re-read over and over again. In terms of modern influences, I think John Scalzi is great. He has great style and humour.
As I write this, I’m currently reading the Silo series by Hugh Howey, after falling in love with the Apple TV show and… wow, wow, wow! What a set of books. Absolutely fantastic stuff. And Hugh Howey is an indie author too, which makes the series all the better in my eyes!
Storytelling Formats: Science fiction can be presented in various formats, from novels to short stories to episodic series. How does the chosen format influence your storytelling, and what advantages or challenges do you find in each?
I like structure and having a plan, so my writing is heavily influenced by the sort of episodic sci-fi shows I grew up watching, such as Star Trek, Babylon 5 and their ilk. I use a three-act structure and think of each book as a ‘season’ in a wider story arc. Each book / season tells its own story, but builds toward an over-arching conclusion.
This allows me to put the foundations in place for long-term storytelling, while ensuring that each book stands alone, and contains all the juicy story beats, tropes and hooks that readers expect and love. Moral Ambiguity: Science fiction often explores moral and ethical ambiguity.
How do you navigate the grey areas of morality in your stories, and do you believe it's important for science fiction to challenge conventional moral perspectives?
Navigating thorny moral and ethical considerations is a common element in all of my books, some more than others. The Omega Taskforce series and its follow up, Descendants of War, cover these aspects perhaps more than in my other series. It’s serious ‘needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few’ stuff.
I love the idea that achieving the best outcome sometimes requires making a truly terrible choice. And I love dark, conflicted characters, who struggle with their own humanity, but are at their core good people. Commander Dalton Reeves from Descendants of War is perhaps my darkest character in this regard. His moral compass points in the right direction, but his dark side and explosive temper can lead him to take extreme measures. You might not agree with what he does, but deep down, you’ll probably cheer him for doing it!
Do the ends justify the means? I let the reader decide!
Technology's Impact on Humanity: How do you explore the transformative effects of technology on humanity, both positive and negative, and what cautionary tales or optimistic visions do you present?
The Aternien Wars series was actually inspired by Elon Musk’s Neurolink chip, and questions of where human augmentation might eventually lead us. We’re just at the beginning of this ‘post-human’ age now, which is scary and exciting.
In this series, post-human experimentation leads to the creation of the god-like leader of the Aterniens, Marcus Aternus, who styles his empire on the myths of ancient Egypt.
I wanted to explore how an advanced, post-human branch of humanity might co-exist with the old-fashioned flesh-and-blood kind. It turns out not so well.
Prejudice and fear of change and technology are central themes throughout the series. In the books the Aterniens are considered perversions of nature and a threat to human purity. It’s because of this that they’re persecuted and exiled, eventually leading to two bloody wars.
The prejudice the Aterniens face is mirrored in the way the central character, Carter Rose, is regarded. As a post-human soldier created to combat the Aternien threat, he’s ironically treated with the same fear and intolerance as the enemy. He’s forsaken by the very people he fights to protect. Real history shows us that soldiers are often treated poorly by the governments who use them, and sometimes even by society, as was the case with those who fought in the Vietnam war, for example.
It’s not a very optimistic vision of the future, but as in all of my books, there are strong themes of hope and redemption, camaraderie and of the value of remaining principled even in the face of extreme adversity and intolerance.
For me, there’s nothing more cathartic than someone overcoming seemingly unconquerable odds to win the day!
What did you enjoy most about working with Tom to design your cover?
It’s a really easy process, which is important when you’re pressed for time, as authors often are. I can describe what I’m looking for, and Tom will nail the brief first time. After that, it’s just about details and revisions to get to a finished cover. It’s a hassle-free process.
Forsaken Commander & Master General - Available on Amazon
Click here to check out Forsaken Commander, the winner of the Kindle Storyteller Award 2023!
Click here to check out Master General, Book 6 in The Aternien Wars Series! Out June 24
Important Notice
All images copyright Tom Edwards, please see my Copyright Notice for more details.
No AI is used in my creation process 