Ashes of Aldyr by Russell Archey

Please welcome Russell Archey author of Ashes of Aldyr

Russell Archey will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Ashes of Aldyr

by Russell Archey

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GENRE: Dark Fantasy

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

Simply my love for stories. I like creating worlds and characters. It’s amazing to look at a finished story or novel and see entire worlds where once there was only a blank sheet of paper (or word document).

2. How did you come up with ideas for your books?

Sometimes, I come up with an idea I’d like to try by turning something on its head. Other times, I simply have a spark or idea and go, “Yep, I’m going to write about that!”

5. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I’m definitely going to be finishing up The Obscured Throne trilogy first. Readers are anxious for more! I have a few stand-alone novels and novellas I’d like to write, but I may move on after this trilogy to a full dark-fantasy series I want to work on. I can write the stand-alone titles in-between those releases and I’m very excited to work on said series!

6. If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

Definitely no one in ‘Ashes of Aldyr.’ That’s not a setting you’d want to live in at all…

Possibly the Warrior from my previous book, ‘The Seven Spires.’ ***Spoiler Alert*** He’s tough, found the love of his life, has good friends, and lived peacefully. What’s not to love, there?

7. If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

I prefer unknowns in a lot of what I watch and like. I think casting famous actors can detract from the character in many cases. There’s also so many great unfamiliar faces out there in acting that you can find anyone to play the role you need! Casting as close as possible to book descriptions is also a plus.

9. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I tried independent publishing and that just didn’t work for me. I was afraid to put myself out there, but after networking and meeting people that knew what they were doing, I pitched them my first idea and they decided to take the risk on me. Sometimes, just going for it when you think you have a solid idea and taking that risk is key.

10. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

The best advice was from my publisher: puke it out (in reference to keep writing no matter what). I can get hung up on so many aspects that my ideas and pace can stall. They really, truly helped me get my writing moving my telling me to just keep going.

Worst advice? Anything from an Instagram promotobot.

11. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I have key points in my books that I want to get to and sometimes those are even the events that make me start writing a story. I’m very much a pantser, though, and like my writing and characters to flow organically in the way that form of writing offers. It definitely helps to plan out some things, though, especially an overall beginning, climax, and ending.

12. Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you’ve gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

Oh, definitely. I love board games and video games. My favorites are story-driven and RPG-style games. There’s a lot of inspiration you can get from story-driven gaming and it even helps keep you sharp when you’re involved in those campaigns.

14. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

The next book in this trilogy! It’s ‘Ghosts of Alda: Book Two of The Obscured Throne Trilogy.’ The next volume will be the same format as the first, with multiple stories and characters. However, there will be some familiar faces return to drive the core plot forward as we barrel toward the fate of the word of Alda.

15. Who is your favorite actor and actress?

My favorite actor is probably Sean Bean. Love that guy. My favorite actress is probably Claudia Black. I think she deserves to be in so many more movies.

BLURB:

The world of Alda is broken, destroyed by an event the survivors call “The Rupture.” The aldyrs, magical trees connected to the soul of the world and once grew in breathtaking groves, are dead. Elf-kind, who shared a close bond with these trees, are dying off due to shortened life-spans as a result. The dwarves have retreated into their mountain homes. Humans gather in crumbling settlements. Sinister, god-like beings, each uniquely horrific, exert their influences over the world. Each story is a different thread forming a larger tapestry that shows the scope of the horror and insanity brought by the elusive and mind-numbing entity known as the Obscured Throne. The world was once saved from this threat and Alda was hidden and sealed away. Now, an ancient and shadowy cult called the Black Gnarl have broken enough seals to expose Alda to the Obscured Throne…and It’s coming.

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EXCERPT:

He looked over his shoulder, and his mouth fell agape in a silent scream. A face, a dark-as-midnight face with soulless, shark-black eyes and no mouth stared back at him. The smooth skin had a wet gleam; the limbs were too long for the shoulders they were attached to. The fingers ended in sharp, vicious claws and Edwin began to feel their sting as they flexed against his skin. The creature gripped effortlessly onto his ankle. Another one of them appeared from the roiling edge of the tear in reality and grabbed him with its hooked, elongated fingers. Edwin howled in pain and terror as they dragged him up into the inky blackness with the strange, out-of-sight glow.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Fantasy and horror have always been Russell’s preferred genres. Some of his favorite stories often combine them–and the grittier the better. His eclectic tastes in this genre originated when he discovered Lovecraft’s stories of beings so vast and incomprehensible that just thinking about them will melt your brain. Later, he would discover the more sinister but equally unfathomable creations of Laird Barron and, combined, these two influences would create Russell’s desire to fashion his own story of cosmic horrors, but with a fantasy flair. Fantasy often holds many horrific aspects of its own, but Russell enjoys finding ways to take those facets and run with them.

Social Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RSArchey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russellarcheyauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russarchey/

Website: http://www.5princebooks.com/russellarchey.html

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Russell Archey will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3942