Deadworld follows an ordinary boy whose life takes a turn when a mysterious globe and mirror connect him to a dying realm. Where did the idea behind this series come from?

My ideas for all my books and writing come from various places. Sometimes dreams, watching television, or a simple idea where I start to write, and the characters I create take me on their journey. Deadworld started with a ‘What if’ idea. What if a boy believes he belongs on Earth but truly belongs elsewhere? I also wanted strange things to happen to him early in the story. Events he wasn’t sure were only happening to him, but because three or four happenings occurred then, it was something he couldn’t ignore.

Did you always imagine this as a portal fantasy, or did the “other world” element develop later as the story grew?

I never used the word portal for this story, even though that’s what it is. I tend to use the word journey and a journey of discovery. The other world element was always there from the beginning. It was just a question of how many other worlds there would be. I originally thought of five worlds, but then reduced it to three. I’m not sure I could maintain the excitement and originality for writing five books.

The Deadworld has a haunting, decaying atmosphere. What inspired its visual and emotional design?

I wanted to convey a world that was dying, and has been for over a century, though, because of the slow decaying process, the people of that world never realised it until four years into its demise. The world had to be beautiful once and needs to be restored to its original state, but by someone special who has exceptional powers. The Deadworld needs to be saved because it is the lifeblood of the other worlds, too (explained in the book). If Deadworld dies, then all other worlds will, eventually, die too.

Can you give us a glimpse inside the next installment in The Child Guardian Series? Where will it take readers?

The second book is about the Oceanworld and the enemy, Zander, from the first book has resurfaced to threaten that world. Again, George and Arianwen play big parts in helping to save that world. I’m now 75% through the first draft of my second book and will be undertaking a big self-edit before it’s finished.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon