This week's featured author is Caleb Smith from Bangor, ME and his YA Paranormal Fantasy novel Longevity: The Wardens of Time.
By Caleb Smith
1. What message are you hoping people will receive when they read your book?
It is my hope that the viewer receives a fresh fun ride through the world of fantasy reading. These stories are all about taking the warranted eyes scanning the pages, off to another world. To create a rolling picture in their mind made of magic. The lessons in this story I think are also important including the topic of bullying, facing one’s worst fears, and fighting to prevail through our deepest challenges.
2. Why did you write this book?
I think the book wrote me. It invited me to catch its essence and disperse it to the world, I couldn’t resist. I think the story has always been there, it’s just my way of telling it. It spoke out to me and I listened, then recorded what it had told me.
3. What has been the hardest part of the publishing process?
Since this is my debut novel, I have learned a plethora of importance when it comes to publishing a title. It’s a lot of nonstop work so you have to be in love with what you are doing in all phases of the process. Marketing and promotion have been the toughest hurdle. It’s long tedious work that has taken some time to understand, as well as learning by trial and error. Paying attention to what doesn’t work all the while staying positive and believing that you are creating the biggest story of its kind for the world to see. Keeping a healthy state of mind at all times and accepting rejection as it comes is challenging as well.
4. What has been the biggest (pleasant) surprise in your publishing journey?
I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that my story was going to be produced into an audio format. Listening to someone read your words feels pretty incredible.
5. Give some advice to someone who wants to get a book published.
First, ask yourself what are you looking to get out of it? If it’s not to inspire and do good for the world then reconsider. Writing is an everyday part of learning and practicing and reading and researching and experimenting and if you’re not 100% in love with it, then it will only reflect in your work.
6. What’s the worst advice you have ever received about publishing?
That I would never be able to release the same book with two different publishers.
7. What author or book has influenced your writing?
In the novel I am currently working on, I think George MacDonald’s Phantastes has been a huge influence on the world of classical fantasy.
8. What is your philosophy about rejection?
Rejection is a healthy part of the process. It serves as a great reminder that life is but a rollercoaster peppered with peaks and valleys. It is in the valleys where we discover our strengths and will to rise. Adversity is a natural part of life. It’s the manner in which you react that makes the difference moving forward.
9. You are stranded on an island with only 3 books. What are their titles?
This is a loaded question but here we go!
Holy Bible
Igneous Rose
A Light In The Attic
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