Today I am welcoming Anthony Lavisher into the Indie Spotlight.
Since reading The Lord of the Rings at an early age, and later, the works of his favourite author, David Gemmell, Anthony has been inspired to write his own stories.
When he is not forging tales and filling blank pages, Anthony spends his time working in his local library, reading, gaming and enjoying adventures of his own.
Anthony lives in Wales with his wife, Amy, and their cat, Mertle.
What made you decide to publish your books independently? What was your path to publication?
When I finished the first draft of my first novel Whispers of a Storm in 2009, I had no idea of how to proceed. So I picked up a copy of the Writers and Artists Year Book and spent the next year or so sending out my manuscripts to literary agents and publishers.
In all that time I heard back from probably one of them out of 20, the usual, cursory ‘thanks, but no thanks.’
I did what all writers need to do and that was to carry on writing, and in 2010 my wife, then my girlfriend, was flying back from Inverness and she read an article about a company who would publish the book for you, at a price, of course.
Deciding that it might be the first step I needed, to get myself out there, I went with Author House, and in April 2011, my first novel was published.
What made you decide to write in your specific genre rather than other genres? Have you ever written in other genres?
I grew up reading everything fantasy, and nothing else, really past the age of 9. From Tolkien and Gemmell, to Feist, Weis and Hickman, and also getting heavily into Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager, my first novels were naturally steered towards the fantasy genre.
I have never really thought heavily about specific genres with my writing. If I have a burning need to write a story, it needs to be told, no matter where it would appear on the shelf.
My recently released novel, The Last Tiger, is a contemporary thriller – it is set in India, after I was inspired by my first visit to that wonderful country, way back when now, long before I started even writing fantasy.
Do you only read the genre that you write?
I only read fantasy, as I mentioned previously, growing up, though I started to deviate into other genres, particularly Historical fiction, and Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe Books (thanks to the tv adaptation, with Sean Bean in the lead role).
When my favourite fantasy author David Gemmell passed away in 2006, I never found another author to capture my imagination as much as he had, and my reading suffered greatly. In fact, it was about the time I started writing myself, started having the idea for what would one day become the Storm Trilogy.
Nowadays I work a few days a week in my local library, and I try anything that catches my attention. Yes, the book’s cover really is the first thing I see and judge. I find myself picking up books I would have never tried in my youth, and my inspiration and imagination is all the richer for it.
What are you currently reading? Watching on TV? Is there a type of music you listen to for inspiration?
I am currently reading Kiss Me When I’m Dead by Dominic Piper, which is an absolutely fantastic read, and also, Roman Political Life by TP Wiseman (which may give a clue to what genre my next novel is in).
After that, I have Hope, by one of my favourite authors of the last few years, Terry Tyler.
I am currently watching Money Heist (Part 1) and The Gift (Season 2) on Netflix and The Handmaids Tale (Season 3) on Dvd.
I write in silence these days, though, when I writing my first novel, I used to listen to a lot of movie soundtracks – Braveheart, Gladiator and The Last of the Mohicans (a particular favourite of mine).
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Keep on writing, and write for yourself, first and foremost – if you are loving what you are writing, so will others who read it.
For me, personally, I keep going forward with a manuscript, allowing it to evolve naturally. I don’t plan it meticulously, as for me that would not work, though it does very well for other writers. Once I have finished the first draft, I can then worry about the editing process, and all that comes after that.
And I don’t write on days I don’t feel like it – I never force myself to write, though I love what I do and seem to have settled into a nice routine of writing in the mornings on the days I am not in the library.
What are you working on right now and what can we look forward to seeing from you next?
As hinted at before, I am currently putting the finishing touches to a novella, that returns readers to The Four Vales, the land where my fantasy trilogy is set. Beyond that, I am about 75% finished with Rise of Eagles, the first part of a four-book historical series set in the Roman Republic, around the time of the Spartacus Rebellion.
Thank you so much for taking part in the Indie Spotlight, Anthony, and good luck with your future projects!
Whispers of a Storm
The inhabitants of the Four Vales have enjoyed over fifty years of relative peace, since its armies defeated the Reven Hordes threatening their homeland. Under the fair rule and guidance of the high duke, its people have thrived and prospered, free from the shadows of war. The Vales are peaceful and the capital city Karick is quiet. But in the gardens of the high duke’s keep, dark plots are whispered and fell deeds being planned. A humble stonemason falls asleep whilst working in the gardens and upon waking, inadvertently overhears a conversation that plunges him deep into the heart of the coming storm. A young noblewoman is to be kidnapped and used as a pawn in this dark game…
Whispers of a Storm follows the stonemason and noblewoman’s fortunes as they unwittingly become involved in a dangerous game of survival, as they try to find out what dark storm is about to break out across the Four Vales. Who would seek to unsettle this harmony? Why would they want to? How can the stonemason and noblewoman discover what is going to happen and more importantly, expose those behind the plot, before it is too late?
A tale of political intrigue and high adventure, Book One of The Storm Trilogy follows the fortunes of two individuals, whose personal journey of survival may yet help to save and shape the future of their homeland.
Shadows of a Storm
A dark plot to kidnap a Valian noblewoman has been thwarted, her life spared by those who would seek to fight against the rising tide of violence that threatens to shatter the stability and peace of the Four Vales.
Saved by those with agendas of their own, Cassana, daughter of the Lord of the North Vales seeks the sanctuary of her home. Danger chases after her ever faltering step, the shadows filled by those who will not allow her to escape a second time.
With dark storm clouds gathering over the capital city Karick and the shadowy menace of betrayal lurking in its marble halls, one man has the knowledge that could stop those seeking change, before it is too late.
Pursued by those that would silence him the stonemason Khadazin flees southwards, seeking the protection of a monastery, a place where he believes he will be safe, where he can recoup and plan his revenge.
With increased Reven attacks and brittle unrest in the capital, sides will have to be chosen and stances made. Who will rise to stand against those wreaking havoc, who will seek the storm and embrace the chaos starting to take hold?
A gritty tale of political betrayal, Book Two of the Storm Trilogy picks up where Whispers of a Storm left off, plunging the reader, once again, deep into the midst of the action, the danger and the adventure.
Vengeance of a Storm
The Four Vales stands on a knife-edge and its people hold their breath as the threat of war looms. With their hopes failing, can those with enough courage and strength left stand firm against the tide of madness that threatens to wash away the fragile peace of the land?
As the shadows deepen and the bloody grip of the Brotherhood begins to tighten, the capital city Karick is plunged into chaos. With its streets running with blood and the hatred of those orchestrating it, the storm clouds gather, readying the Valian people for war.
Far north, Cassana, daughter of the Lord of the North Vales is beset by danger, the shadows full of blades and her ears full of treachery. To the south, the renegade stonemason Khadazin hides in his sanctuary, nursing his wounds and his desire for revenge, unaware of what is happening in the wider world, uncertain of the knowledge he has and the allies that will stand with him.
Seemingly thwarted at every turn, can those still cherishing peace stop the madness? Will they have the strength to rise up and thwart the promise of war before it is too late?
Vengeance of a Storm is the thrilling conclusion to the Storm Trilogy, a gripping tale of treachery, intrigue, courage and sacrifice that thrusts the reader once again, deep into the heart of this epic adventure.
The Last Tiger
Jon Galnia is a husband, a father, a Mafia Don, a man who believes that Fate and Destiny are two sides of the same fickle coin. Rich beyond his wildest dreams, his inherited empire expands beyond America, far beyond the streets of his bloody playground, currently far beyond the reach of the authorities desperate to pin even a traffic violation on him.
Fate is about to intervene.
Plucked from the sky by those who hate him, or perhaps by those who want what he has, Jon’s private jet crashes in central India, sabotaged by fate, though, perhaps, guided by destiny. Unbeknownst to him, Jon is about to play a daring hand in an even bigger power struggle, one that will shock the world and, perhaps more importantly, the self-centred, ruthless Don.
A tale of corruption, of adventure and heroism, The Last Tiger is a thrilling tale of one man’s quest for survival and his uncertain hand on the pages of history.
Who is next on Indie Spotlight?
Jamie Jackson likes to think she sprang into being fully grown, with books in both hands.
Alas, this is not how her life began.
It involved a very long, winding trail of school where she never paid attention to her teachers and probably should have. Somehow, she managed to graduate college with degrees in both English and Theater. She then fell into jobs that had absolutely nothing to do with either of those (other than the brief period of time where she got to work in wardrobe on traveling Broadway shows).
She got married, had kids and took a ten year hiatus from writing anything at all. But she never stopped reading.
And then, one day, she made a New Year’s resolution to sit down and actually finish a project.
It was fanfiction. But from there, she then went on to write a book, and that turned into an eight book series. Which she intends to publish in its entirety.
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Sue's Musings 
Lovely interview chaps, and thank you for the mention, Ant! I am also dying to hear what you think of Money Heist/Handmaid – I am sure you will blog about it!!!
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Thanks for visiting, Terry!
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