The Winds of War opens with a sweeping fantasy world marked by old grudges, broken continents, and horrors that crawl out of black oceans. What was the inspiration that drove the development of the world the characters live in? 

From a literary standpoint, the biggest inspirations were George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Steven Erikson’s The Malazan Book of the Fallen. I owe so much to these titanic authors for planting the seeds in my imagination that would eventually grow into the setting and themes of The Winds of War. Beyond books, I’m a big fan of video games, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is my all-time favorite game. The grit and brooding of that game and series have undoubtedly influenced the world of The Tapestry of the Tarnished, from its characters and politics to its bestiary and scenery.

What was the chosen theme of the novel, or did it develop organically as you were writing?

I feel that choosing firm themes from the outset can lead to stiff, forced writing, and so I let themes develop organically through the course of a book. With that said, themes of oppression, religious fanaticism, and one’s journey in coping with inner turmoil are things that I feel strongly about, and I’m not surprised that all of these and more made their way into The Winds of War.

I think the story has roots in the classic fantasy genre and blends darker themes. Do you read books from that genre? What were some books or authors that you think influenced The Winds of War?

The classic fantasy roots all lead back to The Lord of the Rings. That’s a very unoriginal answer, I know, and yet I know that I would not be here today discussing my own epic fantasy story if not for Tolkien’s work. While my own books are darker and grittier than those that typically fall under the classic fantasy genre, the influence of those foundational works is irrefutable. Moreover, Tolkien was a big inspiration in showing me that an author can be more than just a writer. I designed the cover of my own book, created its world map, and drew most of the interior artwork. The confidence to embark on such an independent journey came in large part from knowing that Tolkien once did the same.

Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?

I don’t want to give away too much, obviously, but the story is going to both expand and go deeper in book two. The events of the first book set up the sequel to be highly climactic, and I intend to follow through on that. There will be new characters, new locations, and new creatures, along with all that came before. There will be deeper introspection and more thought-provoking insights than anything in the first book. The mysteries of the world will continue to unravel, and the wars will rage on ever fiercer. The stakes will be higher than ever. It’s going to be awesome.

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