Today I have the honour of introducing Simon P Edwards, author of the fantasy novel ‘The Fallen Herald’, reviewed here only a few weeks ago. This is Simon’s first novel and if you read my review then you will see that in my opinion it is a very worthy book.
I would like to congratulate Simon on ‘The Fallen Herald’, which I believe is just the start of a career that will go from strength to strength. Simon has agreed to be interviewed here on DarkissReads. I’m sure that you will all welcome him to our little group.
Question 1
From the very start, ‘The Fallen Herald’ takes an old fantasy idea and approaches it in a new way. Was this planned from the start or did it just happen that way?
‘The Fallen Herald’ is absolute, and unabashed, epic fantasy. It is a true, light and dark, fantastical journey. Whilst I enjoy urban fantasy I would never write it, since personally, and controversially, I consider it to be somewhat less imaginative and captivating than epic fantasy.
With that epic basis in mind at conception, I took select classical fantasy concepts and re-invigorated them. Additionally, I also created the World of Rune, in which the novel is set, from scratch, as I also did with the mythos and legend that supports it and the system of belief and magic. This created a true epic fantasy background – a tapestry for the characters and plotline to then drop into. It took me two years to create that backdrop, before I even began plotting ‘The Fallen Herald’ or developing the characters. That is why I feel that the story and the characters are so ‘believable’ – because they fit into the tapestry of the world. The whole story moves with a sense of (dread) purpose, even if that purpose and the machinations are only slowly revealed.
I confess that I’ve also had some great advice along the way too. Frankly, I think any author, who wants to successful, needs support from multiple sources, both professional and social. My original literary agent, Bobbe Siegel in NY, gave me some amazing advice when she read the first draft of ‘The Fallen Herald’ manuscript. Bobbe stunned me when she said that I had ‘the talent’, and then in the same breath told me that I also needed to make significant changes to the manuscript! I had to swallow hard to take those changes on board, but I sensibly bowed to her considerable wisdom. For example, without offering any spoilers for potential readers - originally it was Alazla who killed Lorm and not the other person I changed it to on her advice…. Frankly, that turned out to be a stunning suggestion and one that then made me make even more changes! Bobbe also made me reduce some of the narrative. Sadly, Bobbe then fell ill and was forced to retire, leaving me without an agent! (So, literary agents, please do phone… J).
Question 2
The storyline of the novel deals with epic events involving Gods, Kingdoms and Magi, yet we follow these events from the perspective of ordinary people. Was it a deliberate plan to avoid the powerful players and concentrate on the average guys?
It was important to me that the readers could relate to the characters from the very beginning, so I decided to make them ordinary people. This would also make it all the more shocking with what happens to them. Thorn, Alazla and Agastalen, all embark on epic journeys that change their whole lives, and far from all of it, is for the best. Basing the novel on ordinary people, who experience something amazing, we’re best placed to share their triumphs and also sorrows. After reviewing the novel Darkiss you said that you found yourself thinking about the characters, even while you were not reading the book – which is there very point I’m making here – you came to share their journey.
In the same vein, when I’d made the changes I mentioned previously to the original manuscript, I then sent the revised manuscript off to a sample of test readers. These were people I didn’t know, but were readers of fantasy novels – friends of friends basically. One lady, a friend’s Mum, was so moved by the novel, she wrote me a letter - I still have the letter today. She adored the book, but in that letter she asked me ‘How could you do that to Thorn?’ I found myself very humbled by the question and strangely also delighted too - that lady had shared Thorn’s journey so completely, that she’d felt compelled to write to me, about the dark events that had befallen Thorn. For a writer, I believe that’s a tremendous gift to receive.
Question 3
The prologue of the novel follows two characters that don’t appear in the rest of the book. Will we learn more of the life and times of Rek and Yalk or have they fulfilled their storytelling roles?
As you say Darkiss, Rek and Yalk appear only in the prologue, which is historical. They are part of the history of the World of Rune and its original mythos – they helped me to convey the sense of scale and purpose that I worked hard to instil in the whole novel and, I hope, will do so in its successors too. I don’t expect Rek and Yalk to appear ‘en masse’ in future novels, though I have been vaguely mooting an idea that when the current series is complete, I could consider prequels, of which they would be a part.
Question 4
‘The Fallen Herald’ is the first in a series, have the other books in the series been written and do they have projected publishing dates? When can we expect them to hit our book shelves?
‘The Fallen Herald’ is a novel in its own right and hopefully leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction at the end. As you say though, some things are left unanswered though! Book 2, ‘Immortal Unbound’ is fully plotted and the writing well underway. I’m hoping that it will be published in June. I’m expecting there to be four self-contained books in the series.
Question 5
Which authors influenced your writing and why?
I’ve read fantasy all my life. As a teenager I consumed vast quantities of David Eddings, J.R.R. Tolkien, Raymond E. Feist and Terry Brooks – the poor chaps. I was even lucky enough to meet Terry Brooks at a book signing when I was about 20, and still have, and cherish, my signed copy of ‘The Druid of Shannara’ which reads ‘The best of luck with your own writing Simon – Terry Brooks.’
I must truly doff my cap to Terry and the other chaps and thanks them immensely – they’ve given me many happy years of reading and I have no doubt that their work has influenced me enormously.
Specifically, Feist taught me about pace. I can’t be doing with books that ultimately have little happening in them. Feist’s novels, such as ‘Magician’ and ‘Daughter of the Empire’ all move quickly, with rapid and compelling events, but also do not confuse. I’d not dare to draw direct parallels to my writing, with an author of Feist’s stature, but I dare to believe that ‘The Fallen Herald’ shares those select qualities of pace and clarity.
I also hope that my own writing combines the ease of reading Terry Brooks work, with some of the humour and charm that Eddings so wonderfully and eloquently conveyed - and is now so sadly missed. However, that said, there is also a sense of truly epic scale, and even darkness and brutality at times in my writing, that I don’t feel any of those authors mentioned encompassed. I hope that quality is my own.
Question 6
What was the last book you read that you would be happy to recommend to the DarkissReads audience?
Goodness, where to start!? My bookcases burgeon and my wife’s always grumbling about the amount of space my fantasy novels take up. With a three year old daughter now, rather oddly, it is also not unusual to find ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ sitting next to Tad Williams ‘Shadowmarch.’ Poor Tad.
Most recently, I’ve read Book 13 of The Wheel of Time, ‘Towers of Midnight.’ Brandon Sanderson is continuing to do a masterful job of completing Robert Jordan’s epic series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of the characters in ‘Towers of Midnight’; most especially Rand having grown into himself, and truly becoming the Dragon Reborn, in every sense. Definitely recommended!
I’m also an enormous Steve Erikson fan. I’m looking forward to the release of ‘The Crippled God’ in February, immensely. If you enjoyed the prologue to my novel, then you really must read the prologue to Steven’s ‘Midnight Tides.’ Epic is frankly an understatement. I hate him.
Question 7
Have you had much opportunity to meet your readership and how do you assess how well your book is doing?
For me it’s one of the perks of the jobs meeting fans (and prospective fans!) of my own novel, and those who are general fantasy fans too. As you know, I’ve been an ardent fantasy fan for years, so at my book signings, usually at Waterstone’s, I love nothing better than wittering aimlessly on to other fans about stuff going on in the fantasy genre or our recent favourite reads.
Being a fairly new fantasy author, it was just wonderful when signing at Waterstone’s Watford a couple of months ago, and a fan rushed in clutching the most battered and well read copy of ‘The Fallen Herald’ that I’d ever seen! She rather breathlessly told me that she’d read it four times and now wanted me to sign it for her! That for me was just amazing validation, and frankly it’s what I do this for.
Question 8
Where can the DarkissReads audience follow your books and career?
’The Fallen Herald’ is available through Amazon, Waterstones.com and all major online book stores. My future novels will be available there too. The novels’ website address is http://www.thefallenherald.com/ and fans can contact me through the site too. I absolutely read all emails personally and will reply to everything – the enquiring, the fanatical, the concerned or even the marginally mad - within a few days. Again, I love talking to fantasy fans, so all contact is genuinely welcome.
It is also well worth checking the events section on the Waterstone’s website occasionally, if you’d like to meet me. I have fairly regular Waterstone’s book signing events - on average, one a month.
Question 9
Do you solely write in the fantasy genre or do you explore other fields of storytelling?
If you cut me through the middle I expect you’d find a dragon or goblin lurking in there, somewhere.
Thus, I suspect that other literary genres, other than (epic) fantasy, will never sully my ‘house under the hill.’ My world is that of rolling landscapes, sundered by riven skies bloated with violet clouds and stalked by mythical beasts. I shall never stray.
Question 10
What project are you working on at the moment and can you share any of it with the DarkissReads audience?
Hmmm. Well, book 2, ‘Immortal Unbound’ is fully plotted and being written as we speak. The briefest of excerpts is here for you:
Like a cat bringing a mouse to its master, the avatar Terran-Assail dragged the soul of the god across the slender ivory span, its detailed carvings and patterns impervious to the cries from the golden soul of the god of song - his once beautiful voice swallowed by the impassive darkness of the void.
Veylistra’s piercing gaze followed the Avatar, as he dragged his burden across the titanic span. Reaching the apex, he dropped to one knee before his mistress, one fist keeping a firm grip upon his prize.
Her slap struck him across his cheek, barely moving his head.
Her voice was a hiss, amidst the waiting stillness. ‘What is this trivial gift that you bring me, servant?’
Terran-Assail remained kneeling, though was almost as tall as his mistress in doing so. It seemed an odd thing, for such a mighty creature to be kneeling, before one so slight.
Thank you once again Simon for giving us an insight into your world and I wish all the best for ‘The Fallen Herald’ and the other forthcoming novels in the series.
The Fallen Herald (Amazon)
The books follow the adventures of Alexia Tarabotti, a feisty and independently stubborn lady who just happens to have no soul, as she finds her way in the world. And what a world, these stories take place in a Victorian era that never was. The genre is “Steampunk”, which I will admit to being a great fan of. Gail Carriger has blended; advanced steam technology, paranormal beings and strict Victorian society and come up with a world both engaging and thrilling. There are few fantasy settings that have managed to bring together the real world with the fantastic so seamlessly. 
With her world being crammed with werewolves, vampires and ghosts it would have been easy for the setting to become dark and serious, but these books do not take themselves too seriously. I have rarely been as entertained as I have with these novels. They were a total joy to read and each page brought a smile to my face. Gail Carriger’s writing style is light and full of humour while also being full of detail and atmosphere. A lot of research into Victorian social etiquette and society just shines from the books. This makes everything believable and familiar while also keeping you enthralled with the fantasy. You get the sensation that the author fully enjoys the world she has created and enjoys writing it almost as much as I enjoyed reading it.
