War of the Twin Swords

Prequel to “Amy’s Rebellion”

Julia Goldhirsh has published another Arthurian fantasy novel in her Gemstone Massacre Series. Here’s a brief synopsis:

On the night before Argentum’s Choosing ceremony, she overhears talks of a potential war. In a desperate attempt to gain more power for her clan, she goes after Clarent but gets more than she bargained for. Her clan rejects her because of her cursed familiar. When she goes off into the woods to blow off some steam, she runs into the enemy’s leader, Joan. But Joan warns her their enemy is not who they think it is.

You can purchase this novel on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, or as an audiobook for Apple. You can find out more about this Arthurian fantasy novelist on her website or ask her questions at Goodreads Author Julia Goldhirsh. She is also on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. You may want to join her YouTube channel or newsletter.

Julia’s Interview

Do you consider yourself (1) an introvert OR (2) an extrovert?

People always assume this is a binary decision, but that’s just not the case for me. You can be and I am an ambivert meaning you’re introverted in some ways and extroverted in others. This just means I feel equally fulfilled being at home reading a book or being out and about in a crowd. I often get clocked as an extrovert, but I have qualities of both an introvert and extrovert.

A bit of both for you!

Science has advanced, and we can now colonize other planets. Do you (1) sign up to be a colonist OR (2) remain on Earth?

Okay I had to answer this because my Nymph’s Revenge series talks about colonialism and industrialism and the harm it does. I don’t want to be a colonist. I’d love to visit other planets, but colonize them? No thanks. How about let those other species live their lives and don’t trample all over whatever society and culture they might already have in place.

Not a colonist, just a visitor!

Do you find it (1) easy to give a witty retort OR (2) think of what you should have said after the conversation is over?

I find that pre and post conversation is generally when I come up with witty retorts. Generally, I have a hard time thinking of something on the spot or if I do think of something, I usually feel way too awkward to say it aloud unless I really want to ruin that relationship with the person. I have 2 settings sunshine nugget and savage there’s really no inbetween.

Witty retorts are not your style!

Are you (1) a morning person OR (2) a night owl?

I’m a night owl, but not entirely by choice. I just have a hard time focusing during the day time because of constant interruptions and work obligations. I also have a hard time falling asleep, so I generally lean into that and use late night times to get work done even though it’s not really good for my health. Plus I always worked in the evenings, so up until now I’ve mostly been able to get away with late night work and reading sessions.

Interesting perspective!

What provides more inspiration to you: (1) art OR (2) nature?

I’ve never been a big fan of art, but tried to be interested in it because my mother went to art school and my whole family loves art. I’d say I’m more inspired by natural phenomenon the most. I especially like places like Blue pond in Hokkaido and the Beppu no Jigoku aka the Beppu hells (hot springs).

Nature lover!

(1) Can you name just one favorite novel OR (2) you love too many to just pick one?

I can name several favorites, but not just one. That’s like asking me to choose between children. I have favorite novels for certain things like favorite novels to get over a breakup or favorite nostalgia re-read (Inkheart).

Can’t say just one!

Thanks for being interviewed, Julia!

Tales of Mundus

Puppets

Fantasy author Chris Sifniotis’s debut novel is now available on Amazon.  Here’s a brief synopsis:

It’s amazing what you can find when you least expect it.

By the babbling brooks of the Great River, the halfling Ceannte finds a mysterious piece of gold hidden under the water. He quickly tries to cash in his fortune, but soon discovers an even bigger find. At the center of the world, he learns of a deeper history untold, and the golden coin he holds turns into a quest to find the others. And so begins Ceannte’s quest to find the Pieces of Eight, and he starts at home.

His quest quickly takes a backseat, however, as a sudden change of heart from the Merchant Queen renders him penniless and stranded. He finds a friend, the seasoned hero Capall Beag, and their partnership leads the fisherman headfirst into a world of magic, piracy, and intrigue. In the first book of the Tales of Mundus, who controls who?

You can find out more about this fantasy author on his website and blog or on Facebook. You may send him a Tweet. Chris also blogs at Goodreads Author Chris Sifniotis.

Chris’s Interview

Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

I reckon I’m a solid 85% introvert. I do like to socialize at any opportunity, and I like to meet new people. But I’m also very aware that people are not super into history, mythology, mathematics, or the sort of media I watch. So it can be very difficult to maintain a conversation.

“Oh, you like Thor Ragnorok too? That’s cool! I like how Loki is portrayed in the Marvel movies, he’s a proper Chaotic Neutral trickster and not just an analogue for Satan……….Yeah, Tom Hiddleston’s a good actor…”

I used to be very much more disinclined to talk as a young adult, so I know that had a real affect on my ability to be sociable. I am still quite shy, but I am more willing to just chat to anyone who listens.

Striving to become more extroverted!

What is your most favorite thing to do or least favorite thing to do?

Listen to music. Quite frankly my entire experience is surrounded by music. My creative career centers around my ability to translate music into other forms of art, even my written work is inspired by the music I listen to. Beyond creativity music conjures images and dreams as I listen to it, certain music can affect my mood, and thus what I think and write, specific music can even influence my body temperature. Gorillaz’s ‘We Got the Power’ and Zedd’s ‘Clarity’ are the only examples I know that give me an energy boost simply by listening to them. Music is, has been, and I suspect always will be an ever present influence on not only my experience in general, but how I experience life.

I encourage new authors with an interest in surrealism to listen to Jean Michel Jarre, anyone with an ear for an alternative sound should check out the Fourplay Electronic String Quartet, and anyone that wishes to enhance their high fantasy experience should have a look for the composers of the Age of Wonders series of computer games; Michel van den Bos and Mason B. Fisher.

Music is inspirational!

Your novel brought you fame and fortune. Do you spend approximately $2 million on an expensive car on a Hollywood-style RV?

Livin’ the dream…

Let me answer this question with a gigantic caveat in saying that I would honestly do neither of those things, but let’s entertain the idea. If given the choice between a hyper car and an RV, gimme the Koenigsegg SSC Tuatara!! I want to experience the closest I can get to the speed of light.

My real answer is much less interesting. I’d keep a million for myself for financial security and to fund my writing career, and the rest would be donated. I want to emulate John Green and his positive effect on the world. Nerdfighteria forever!

Making donation to charity instead!

The most important event in the past century was the moon landing or the Berlin Wall coming down?

Undeniably the moon landing. I am currently at university and I recently learned about the 20th century broadly. What genuinely sets the last century apart is the sheer scale of the violence, the ideological fervor, and the legacies of the World Wars and the politics within them. Despite the fact that I currently live in a world that survived the existential crisis that the Cold War both developed and at times encouraged, it genuinely shocks me that the world still exists as it does. Yes, the destruction of the Berlin Wall is a very important piece of history, signifying the end of totalitarian communism and reaffirming unity and the global community. But the fact that during this period the space race was not only in full swing, but also that for the first time in our nearly three million year history of civilization building we left our home and traveled to a new celestial body; the moon landing is the event that defines humanity at its best.

We can hate each other. We can decide to let our differences define us, create the fences that encircle our tribes, and partition the community into individual camps that fight each other. Of course, this is a thing we can do, and have demonstrated to have done in the past. Or we can combine our forces, build upon the shoulders of our ancestors together, and propel ourselves into the future. I much prefer the latter.

Interesting insight!

Do you write when the mood takes you or at a set time?

Kinda neither, but I do write better and quicker while I feel inspired and in the mood to write. I make the effort to write everyday, either on a story or just a random idea. I work in hospitality, so most days I tend to come home tired. I would need to spend some hours simply to recharge and gather energy to write. The weekends are precious to me, I have the time to spend time writing and coming up with new ideas for interesting settings and characters.

In the mood!

Thanks for being interviewed, Chris!