Indie Fantasy Author Spotlight: Tom Barczak

Welcome to the weekly Indie Fantasy Author Spotlight. Today we feature Tom Barczak, author of Awakening Evarun. Thanks for stopping by, Tom! I enjoyed your interview! Yes, write on!

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Beth: What got you into writing this book in the first place?
Tom: Awakening Evarun is a six-part illustrated fantasy serial novel of which the first two parts are now published on Amazon for Kindle and Kindle apps. It’s the story of a fallen prince named Talus who is raised from the dead to become the savior of his fallen world. Against him are the wizards and dragons of the Gorondian Empire which now rule it. It is essentially the back story for a larger novel I’ve already written called Veil of the Dragon. The more I got into the novel, the more I realized that this was a story that needed to be told as well.

Beth: Sounds like your imagination is on fire! What was the most fun thing to do during the writing, producing or marketing of your book?
Tom: Hard to say, because I know I can’t say all of it. Honestly I really like the way I get to write, and I say that because I know everyone doesn’t get to. I illustrate my stories as I write them. One ends up kind of feeding the other and sometimes I find they don’t even always match up exactly. Which I think is good, because it reminds me the story isn’t necessarily mine. It’s what the reader gets from it, which is going to be different with every person who reads it. What’s also fun is this whole serial novel thing. I’m writing Part III right now, so it’s kind of like getting to discover it just as the readers do, just hopefully a little bit ahead of them.

Beth: Wow! Writing a serial does seem like fun. What are readers saying about your book?
Tom: Honestly, so far I’ve gotten only great reviews, which I am thrilled by. I don’t take it for granted though. The best ones have been from those who don’t normally read fantasy. Fantasy can create such stereotypes. So if I’m writing in such a way that I can get past those and still hold a reader, then I think I’m doing pretty good.

Beth: That’s great! So, why did you decide to Indie publish?
Tom: As I mentioned, the genesis of Awakening Evarun was in another story, called Veil of the Dragon, which I’ve been pursuing publication for through more traditional means. Over the past year or two, in platforming for the novel, I have developed a considerable base. Indie, or for me Self-publishing, is a way I could give something back to my base more immediately while I waited. It also allows me to illustrate them, which I don’t think I would get to do out the gate with a big publisher.

Beth: That’s savvy how you’re using self-publishing what is essentially the prequel to develop the platform for your series. I’m curious — what advice do you have to authors just starting out?
Tom: Write. And write consistently in whatever way that you can, but just write. In my life, I don’t get huge blocks of time to write. But I can write for 15 minutes, several times a day. Mostly don’t quit. Once you get past the craft of it, I really believe publication is a numbers game. Just don’t quit before the miracle happens.

Beth: Thanks for your advice! Anything else you’d like to share?!
Tom: For those interested in Awakening Evarun, the first 2 parts are available on Amazon for Kindle and Kindle apps. The apps are free from Amazon for Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc.

Mostly, I’d like to say that I really appreciate the opportunity to be on your blog, Beth. Thank you very much. It’s a privilege.

Beth: You’re welcome, Tom. It’s been my pleasure!

About Tom, in his own words: My background is an Artist, turned Architect, turned Writer who is finally getting around to finishing those stories I started when I was sitting on my front porch as a kid. My website is www.tombarczak.com, my blog is http://www.tombarczak.com/blog/.