Amazon Author Interview

Adam Joseph

The Arcannen Chronicles: Magicom

Congratulations! Your book’s available to buy on the Amazon bookstore. How did you feel to see it there for the first time?

After so many years and edits, it feels like a relief to finally get the ball rolling.

Can you tell us about your book and why you wanted to write it?

Magicom is a fantasy adventure story about a corrupt company who sell and control magic throughout the Island of Blake, and those who fight against their unethical practices.

I love fantasy and have always written stories, ever since I was little, so it felt natural to write this one. It was inspired by many other forms of storytelling – including Les Misérables, Terry Brooks’ Shannara series and the Final Fantasy games series.

Have you always been a writer/wanted to become an author?

I have always wanted to be an author, ever since I was little. When I was very young I wrote picture book stories – I remember there was one called The Thunder, which was actually about a group of characters exploring the inside of a lightning bolt (I got the lightning and thunder mixed up at that age!). I tried writing a few things in college/my early twenties but it wasn’t until I wrote Magicom that I felt I had something I wanted to share with the world.

What made you take that leap and publish your book?

I had been planning it for years. I wrote an original version of Magicom that I ended up discarding because it just didn’t work on a plot and word-building level. When I wrote it a second time, it all came together in a way that made more sense to me. That, along with having financial security, encouraged me to go down the self-publishing route.

Have you any more books in the pipeline?

I have almost finished writing the first draft of Magicom’s sequel, and I have lots of ideas for future books in the series. I also have ideas for other stories, including an urban fantasy and an epic one.

Excellent! What advice would you offer other aspiring authors who are thinking of self-publishing their books?

I would get lots of eyes on it but in parts. I would get beta readers to help with the development of the story (websites like Fiverr are good for this).

It’s better if these are people you don’t know and people who are your target audience. Bear in mind you don’t have to follow every bit of advice they give you – only the advice that helps you improve your version of the story. However, if several beta readers are saying the same thing that’s likely something you’ll want to pay attention to! I would also get a copy editor to work on the manuscript at a line-level, and a proofreader to find any final errors.

Thanks so much, Adam. 

Very best of luck! It’s been a pleasure working with you and seeing your excellent book come to life.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!