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Everything a Civilization Needs
Magic Compendium: Tales of Illuminaria is an intriguing fantasy work that introduces readers to the system of magic that your series is based on. What was the inspiration for this world and its magic?
I’ve always wanted to write a story set in a world where the magic system can be explained scientifically. This won’t become clear until book three, but it’s a foundational principle of the story.
The nine schools are designed to encompass everything a civilization needs to thrive.
Can you share a bit about your writing process? What was the methodology like to create and write your world and the magic system used in Illuminaria?
I start with the illustrations. Once the story’s outline becomes clear through the paintings, I begin the writing process. I’m not a big fan of long, boring descriptions, so the images take care of that. From there, I let the story flow naturally.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing or illustrating?
Probably the flight of the Telekinator-1. I’m a huge fan of steampunk, and that painting was the perfect excuse to sneak a bit of it in.
Can you tell us a little about the story’s progression in book three and when the novel will be available?
The third book will completely flip the table. It is actually a sci-fi story that will explain the zodiac legion and the magic of Illuminaria. Already available: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DX38CGNZ
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Filled with stunning illustrations, this book invites you to step into the magical world of Illuminaria and join the Zodiac Legion. Your training begins now!
The gods have chosen only the most promising individuals to master the power of magic, and the guardians of Illuminaria have deemed you worthy to stand among them.
Like every great mage before you, your journey begins as a novice. To prepare you, the Zodiac Legion has built nine schools to hone your skills and awaken your arcane potential. Within this index of ancient knowledge, you’ll uncover Illuminaria’s timeline, the nine arcane disciplines, and the secrets buried by the gods.
Dive into mysteries such as:Telekinesis—command objects with the sheer force of your will.
Nature—control the essence of life that sustains Illuminaria’s balance.
Death—peer beyond the veil separating the living from the dead.
But magic has not always existed. Long ago, in a time before magic, the Precursors—a forgotten civilization—constructed awe-inspiring cities and artifacts. Through ingenuity and discovery, they unlocked the first magic, turning frailty into unimaginable power. Then, they vanished, leaving behind only their secrets.
Now, it’s your turn to unearth those secrets, master your craft, and claim your power bracelet—the ultimate symbol of your mastery.
Your magical education begins here. Are you ready to answer the call?
A Recipe for a Psychedelic Freakout Novel
In Many Arms Enfold Us, a young girl, her brother, and her mother move to a remote area of Montana and discover the horrifying truth about what lies beneath the town. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
As a teen in Portland, OR, I discovered there was a network of tunnels under our downtown, and that was the case in many cities. I’ve always been intrigued by cephalopods, jellyfish, and bioluminescence, and I spooked myself pretty hard thinking about encountering a floating, oxygen-breathing version in the Ape Cave lava tubes in Washington. Add to that my former religious upbringing, and my wariness of cults and groupthink–this election notwithstanding–and I felt I had the recipe for a real psychedelic freakout novel.
What intrigues you most about the horror genre?
When I was a boy, I saw the short film Amelia starring Karen Black. I had nightmares for a month, and my mom forbade me to watch horror films ever again. My rebellious nature ensured I’d be devoted to scary stories from that moment on. Then I discovered Stephen King and HP Lovecraft, and I was hooked. I steer away from splatter–I think it numbs us to violence. I prefer characters that discover their resilience and bravery through some supernatural trauma.
Is there anything from your own life you put into Kara and her family?
I was raised on a religious commune in the old growth redwoods of Humboldt, CA. My experience was fairly tame, but we were definitely a cult. We believed in demonic possession, and I saw my share of drifters hitchhiking through our camp, having drug-related episodes that we were convinced was the Devil. I spent hours peering into the forest with only a kerosene lantern, listening to the scuttle of unknown creatures, creating horrors for myself. In regards to cults—I think many people with only a faith-based education will have a difficult time criticizing their leaders and practicing independent thought, because obedience, fear, and arrogance are cooked into their unassailable belief. My church was dismayed when we moved to Portland and I attended public school, and for good reason. Evidence, scrutiny, scientific method, citations, and a curious mind are all enemies of religion. Worshipping imaginary friends is unwise–imposing them on others is abuse.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I recently finished an autofiction called The Devil Wand. The first half mirrors my upbringing, but the second half is fiction. The protagonist discovers from watching the opening scene in Kubrick’s The Shining that a VW bug driving through beautiful scenery can be made terrifying by adding scary music. He later becomes a preeminent avant-garde composer for horror film soundtracks, much like Joseph Bishara and Mark Korven. The novel will be published next year. Meanwhile, the book I’m currently writing is tentatively called Silverlake Demon. It’s about a young man living in LA who winds up homeless, and discovers a wealthy alchemist is using an experimental serum to eradicate the indigent population, mutating them and making them commit suicide.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Website | Instagram | TikTok | Book Review
A terrifying novel that explores feminism and consent, religious fervor, and the dark history of American asylums—filled with kaleidoscopic wonder and cosmic terror.
Confront the Darkness Within
Forever Boy follows two high school students intrigued by a new student whose origins are a mystery and whose demeanor is most unsettling. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Without giving away any spoilers, I envisioned an orphan boy outside of time and place who wants, more than anything else, what we all want—friends and a family—while at the same time hiding his true self for fear of rejection.
Do you have a favorite scene in this story? One that was especially enjoyable to write?
I loved writing the scenes with Isaac and the others filming their movie, harking back to my own experiences making low-budget horror films in my youth, but my favorite sequence is the film festival because this disparate group of teens who, when the book begins, don’t speak to one another, finally become the tight-knit found family that each of them desperately needs.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by what makes some humans monstrous and others not, and I wanted to explore that theme. Do we choose to become monsters and commit monstrous acts, or is monstrosity somehow thrust upon us against our will and we have no control over it? Growing up, I loved the old Universal horror films of the 1930s and 1940s that often explored this very notion of man/monster, and I wanted my teen characters to confront the darkness within themselves, and within the seemingly ordinary people of their small town.
Can you give us a peek inside the next book in this series? Where will it take readers?
The newfound friend group will be forced to split up in Book 2, but readers will still experience all of their lives, despite the separation.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Outcast Isaac and popular Stephanie have barely spoken in all their years in school. Now, in the ninth grade, their lives become intertwined with a strange boy from Eastern Europe named Drágan Albescu.
Everything about Drágan is exotic, from his vintage style of dress to his flowing long hair and delicate features. But he’s also shrouded in great mystery.
He reveals that he’s a fashion model, so Stephanie searches his image on the internet and discovers modeling photos dating back to the 1920’s. Then there’s the valise Drágan carries that’s so heavy Isaac can’t lift it.
Drágan also possesses more knowledge and wisdom than all the teachers at school, coupled with the uncanny ability to discern what others long to keep private, a power that particularly frightens Stephanie due to her own dark secrets.
Who is this enigmatic boy who becomes the best friend Isaac ever had? Why do bullies at school suddenly stop their bullying? And what about the dead deer found torn to shreds in the woods?
When Isaac and Stephanie learn the full truth about their new friend, they’ll almost wish they hadn’t.
Many Arms Enfold Us
Many Arms Enfold Us, by Diavolo Ray, offers a gripping horror novel tailored for young adult and teen readers, but it’s unsettling enough to leave anyone with a lingering chill. The story follows Kara, a young girl who moves with her brother and mother to the remote woodlands of Montana, where her mother plans to establish a local internet hub. But from the moment they arrive, it’s clear that something is horribly wrong beneath the town’s surface… literally. Hidden underground, parasitic creatures thrive, feeding on unsuspecting humans. Even more disturbing, the town’s residents seem eerily indifferent to the lurking danger.
From the very first page, Diavolo Ray masterfully keeps readers guessing. The suspense is palpable, with each twist and turn as unpredictable for the reader as it is for Kara herself. Her fear, disgust, and determination radiate through the narrative, creating a tense atmosphere that gradually builds to a state of dread. Rather than relying on traditional monsters or grotesque violence, the antagonists in this novel are far more sinister. They subtly manipulate, coaxing their victims into willing submission. The result is a science-fiction-horror hybrid that feels fresh and deeply unsettling.
Ray’s descriptive prowess immerses readers fully in Kara’s experience. Every scene is vivid and haunting, making you feel as though you are right there, fighting to escape the town’s suffocating grip. And then there’s the ending, which is far from offering a neat resolution. It leaves you with the unsettling realization that the danger is far from over. I won’t give the ending away, but it leaves the reader with the chilling implication that all of humanity might be at risk.
Many Arms Enfold Us brings a refreshing twist to the horror genre, combining sci-fi elements with a creeping psychological tension that leaves an impact. By the time you close the book, you might find yourself pondering just how real the threat of mind control could be.
Pages: 325 | ASIN : B0D42N6LSD
The Power To Help People
They Know When the Killer Will Strike follows a film crew that finds themselves hunted by a deadly presence, forcing the cast and crew to unravel the mystery before the final cut becomes their last. What inspired you to meld the worlds of Hollywood film-making and serial killer mysteries?
I’ve made or worked on a number of low-budget horror films, so having an unknown killer stalking members of a movie cast and crew seemed a natural extension of my experience (not to mention a fun scenario.)
The character Leo’s supernatural ability adds a unique twist to the narrative. How did you come up with this particular gift, and how do you see it shaping Leo’s journey across the series?
The saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul” always intrigued me, so I began to imagine someone who had the ability to look into the eyes of another and “see” how and when that person will die. It’s a plot device that could go in many directions, but I chose to give this gift to a decent, extremely shy teen boy who hates looking into other’s eyes anyway. Leo has overcome some of his shyness since Book One, but given his discomfort with seeing people die, I don’t foresee him looking into the eyes of strangers unless it’s by accident. I picture him continuing to use the power to help people in his life who may want his help.
Throughout the book, you sprinkled tantalizing clues. How do you strike a balance between giving enough hints to keep readers engaged while not revealing too much too soon?
I read a fair number of mysteries, and it’s necessary to sprinkle clues and red herrings throughout such books to keep reader engagement. I think the trick is balancing out those moments with engaging character development, and I hope I succeeded in both arenas with this book.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have another Film Milieu Thriller story percolating, but I’m currently working on a sequel to my superhero-without-powers novel, Like A Hero, taking my main character and his blended family into thrilling new adventures.
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Cassie’s police officer dad and his detective girlfriend come aboard to thwart the murderer’s plans, but how do they stop someone whose identity remains hidden? With their death date rapidly approaching, Leo encourages the intended victims to turn the tables on their would-be killer, but when the plan goes horribly awry, all bets are off.
They Know When The Killer Will Strike concludes the stories begun in I Know When You’re Going To Die and The Horror Film Killer.
LITERARY TITAN 