Today I'm excited to have an interview with two authors!! They wrote Osric's Wand, a Young Adult Fantasy novel. I've bought it and had hoped I'd be able to read it before today's interview. Unfortunately life got in the way, and I'm about 25% through. So, you may be wondering, how do you know that their novel is worth your time? And why did I ask them if they'd be willing to be interviewed here? Osric's Wand made it into the semi final round for best indie sci-fi/fantasy of 2012 at the kindle book review!! CONGRATULATIONS to both of you!! Quite an accomplishment!!.jpg)
1. What do you look for in the books you read?
Ashley: Creativity, passion, and individuality. If an author can create something new and make me feel an emotion then I’m sold.
Jack: Personally, I get most of my reading ideas from personal recommendations. I love to get the basic idea behind a story, and I get excited about a book before I ever open a page. I have an amazing group of people who are great at giving me just enough info to get me interested and not give away anything.
2. Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?
Ashley: This is truly impossible to answer. I will say my favorite genre is fantasy, and I have read hundreds of phenomenal books by dozens of authors that vie for my top spot. Depending on my mood, any one of them might be claimed as my favorite at any given moment.
Jack: My favorite author is Brandon Sanderson. He gives the reader the best finish, the end makes you happy you picked up the books, and sad that it is over. So many authors tend to phone in the climax of the book, or at least they don’t put as much thought into the end as they do the journey there. I think Brandon Sanderson starts his thought process with the end of the book, and writes the book around it. He is the best author there is, if you ask me.
My favorite book, however, is not written by him; Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card! Those who love this book will be happy to know that it appears the movie is finally being made!
3. What is the best part about being an author?
Other than getting to make up reality all day long? Hmmm, that is a tough question. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
4. What is the worst part about being an author?
Jack: I don’t think there is a bad part to being an author. There is the constant drive to build on your success, and the pressure to give the reader everything that they want from a book. The pressure can be a bit daunting at times, but I don’t think I can actually label it a bad thing. The cost of making sure you have a professional product and paying to promote is another thing that adds pressure. That, in my mind, is the only real “bad” I can think of. But it comes with the territory, so we always find a way.
Ashley: Probably the pressure I put on myself. I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I expect my writing to be flawless, on time, and well accepted by everyone who reads it. My expectations can be unrealistic and I am pretty hard on myself when I fall short of the mark.
5. What do you want others to know about you?
Jack: That I am thankful for the support that all of our readers have shown us. We would never have made the Kindle Bestseller lists without some amazing readers telling others about the book. We are currently in production to bring Osric’s Wand to the world in audiobook form as well. We were contacted by an the amazingly talented S. Allen Wilcox, who auditioned for the part. He has been doing textbook narration for several years, and we are lucky enough to be his first fiction title. His audition showed a great deal of talent, and he has an amazing voice so I can’t wait to hear what he does with Osric’s story!
Ashley: I am just blown away that the first book in the Osric’s Wand series has been so well accepted by the fans. I assure you, we are working hard to bring the next book in the series to the shelves this fall. We can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of The High-Wizard’s Hunt.
6. What is the last book you read?
Ashley: Between textbooks and bedtime stories, my recent reading list is perhaps not what you would expect from a fantasy author. However, the last novel I read was Darkwitch Rising by Sara Douglass from her Troy Game series.
Jack: I finally got around to reading the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, and I just finished the first book yesterday. His is the only book that we could not dethrone in the Dragon category on the Kindle bestseller list, so I thought it was time to check it out. It is an amazing book, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
7. Where do you see yourself in 1, 5 and 10 years?
Ashley: Completing the Osric’s Wand series, completing my Masters degree, and ideally having the opportunity to travel, expand my family, and watch my dreams come true! I am an eternal optimist...
Jack: With several more books out in this series. I don’t have any immediate plans for another series, and this one can go for a long, long time. But by this time next year I hope to see The Wand-Maker’s Debate, and The High-Wizard’s Hunt both holding their own on the bestseller lists!
8. Who is your favorite Book Blogger?
Jack: I follow so many blogs that I can’t answer this.... There are a ton of great bloggers! I have to keep myself away from the blogs if I want to get any writing done!
Ashley: Jack is my favorite blogger. If it were not for his hard work and dedication to market and promote our book, I have no idea where we would be.
9. What project are you working on now?
Jack: We are getting close to finishing The High-Wizards Hunt! Now, If only our schedules would free up a little time for us to complete it. I had to give up sleep already, but I won’t give up showers!
Ashley: Thank goodness! I was a little concerned that was next.
10. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead) at Starbucks for a cup of White Mocha Latte, who would it be?
Jack: Fist, I would insist that I get a venti caramel frappuccino or I won’t go! But, on the serious side, if I got my drink rather than yours, I would have to go with Brandon Sanderson. I would have him so inundated with questions that he would probably walk out on me before the condensation from his cup hit the coaster!
Ashley: Socrates
Thanks so much, Jack & Ashley for letting me interview you!! Congratulations on your selection as a semi-finalist and hope to see a finalist badge for you in September!! You can learn more about their book here:
1. Twitter ID: http://twitter.com/jackdalbrechtjr
2. Link Jack's profile at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5163509.Jack_D_Albrecht_Jr_
3. Link Osric's Wand Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Osrics-Wand-The-Wand-Makers-Debate/201464756575335
4. Link on B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/osrics-wand-jack-albrecht/1034208349?ean=9781466269477
5. Link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JQ9D8A
6. Link Osric's Wand blog: http://www.osricswand.com/
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