Today I’d like to welcome author Michael A. Ventrella to Juniper Grove! Michael is here to promote his book The Axes of Evil!
About the Author:
Michael A. Ventrella’s second fantasy novel “The Axes of Evil” (the sequel to “Arch Enemies”) was released in 2010. He is editor of the “Tales from Fortannis” anthologies, and his pirate short stories have appeared in the anthologies “Rum and Runestones” and “Cutlass and Musket, Tales of Piratical Skullduggery.” He’s currently working on a novel about a vampire who runs for President.
Michael is one of the founders of the biggest fantasy medieval live action roleplaying groups in North America and currently runs the Alliance LARP. His Rule Books and Players Guides are available in all formats.
He is also the founder of Animato which, in the late 80s, was the first major magazine dedicated to animated films. He has been quoted as an animation expert in Entertainment Weekly and in various books.
At his website’s blog he interviews other authors, editors, agents and publishers to get advice for the starting author.
In his spare time, he is a lawyer.
Michael has graciously submitted to an author interview! Check it out below:
Without giving too much away, can you tell us what THE AXES OF EVIL is about?
One barbarian prophecy says the legendary hero Bishortu will unite the three warring tribes. Another tribe has a prophecy that directly contradicts this, and they want Bishortu dead. And a third tribe, which may or may not be comprised of werewolves, refuses to let anyone know what their prophecy says. Meanwhile, the Duke on whose land the barbarians sit wants them all gone.
In the middle of all of this is squire Terin Ostler, who has been mistakenly identified as the great Bishortu. Under the Duke’s orders to get rid of the barbarians, he heads to their lands without the slightest idea of what to do.
Along the way, he has to avoid crazed assassins, fearsome werewolves, lovesick barbarian princesses, and confused goblins while attempting to figure out the meaning of the magical and mysterious Wretched Axes.
Nobody said being a hero would be easy.
THE AXES OF EVIL is my second novel and is the sequel to ARCH ENEMIES, but you don’t have to read the first to enjoy the second. The first few chapters can be read on my web page: www.michaelaventrella.com It’s available in every format possible (paperback, e-book, kindle, nook) except direct downloading into your brain, but my publisher is working on that.
What was your inspiration to write this book?
You know those fantasy stories about a prophecy where The Chosen One will save the day because he controls The Force or is the Son of a God or possesses some special power no one else has? And then he wins in the end by using the Magical Sword of Noonah that only he can weild?
I thought: Well, what if they got the wrong guy?
So my “hero” Terin is a kid who is mistaken for this Chosen One. In ARCH ENEMIES, he is thrown into the middle of a war and told he’s the one who will save the day. He has no idea what to do, doesn’t know how to use a sword or cast a magic spell, and definitely does not want to be there.
Talk about your reluctant hero!
Anyway, I really enjoy writing the kind of story where an average person with no super powers saves the day by being clever and resourceful. It says to me that all of us can be heroes by being brave and smart.
THE AXES OF EVIL continues on in that vein, only with a much more complicated and convoluted plot.
Please tell us, in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
I’ll quote from one of the reviews: “Humor, danger, and a twisted tangle of unlikely prophecies makes for a page-turning adventure” – Gail Z. Martin, author of The Chronicles of the Necromancer series.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Twists and turns. All of my novels and short stories contain numerous unexpected plot surprises. Reviewers and readers certainly have commented upon them!
They all make sense in the long run, however – when the twist happens, you suddenly realize that the clues had all been there beforehand.
This takes quite a bit of preparation and outlining. No one should ever read my books or short stories and think that I am making it up as I go along. Everything is planned, and every scene is important.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a published author?
I have lots of advice; it’s the theme of my blog (“Learn From My Mistakes!”) in which I discuss what I have learned in the business as well as interview authors, editors, and agents. The blog is here: http://michaelaventrella.wordpress.com/
What do you think makes a good story?
Too many unsuccessful authors think stories are about plots. They’re not. They’re about characters. The important thing is not what the story is about – it’s who the story is about. No one will care about your intricate plot if they don’t like your characters.
Do you have any writing projects you are currently working on?
I have a few projects:
First is my third novel BLOODSUCKERS. It’s about a vampire who runs for President. The main character is a reporter who discovers that vampires have been secretly controlling things from behind the scenes for thousands of years. He is framed for the attempted assassination of the candidate but is saved by an underground group that monitors the vampires. He goes on the run, constantly one step ahead of the vampires that want to silence him and the FBI that wants to arrest him. The only way he can clear his name is to prove that vampires exist – but who would believe such nonsense?
Like all my work, you’ll find humor, unexpected plot twists, and constant adventure. It’s currently in the editing stage and should be out later this year.
Second is a middle-grade novel involving a young lad who runs away from an orphanage and joins a pirate crew. I’m combining two of my already published stories and expanding them. It’s called GET KRAKEN!
Third is the second in a collection of short stories that I am editing. The stories are by various authors but all take place in the world of my two fantasy novels. The collection is called TALES OF FORTANNIS and the first book, A BARD’S EYE VIEW came out last spring. (Can you tell I like puns for titles?)
If you could have dinner with 1 person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
The live one, because otherwise conversations would be dull.
One food you would never eat?
I’ve been a semi-vegetarian since 1976 when I was just starting college. I still eat fish, though. I try to eat well and avoid canned food and other processed garbage but I do admit liking junk food every now and then.
Do you have any hobbies outside of writing?
Years ago, I started one of the first major Live Action Role Playing groups in America, now known as Alliance LARP, with chapters all over the US and Canada. (See www.alliancelarp.com)
Other than that, I am an attorney so that takes a lot of time, but I also get involved with political campaigns. I used to play bass in a number of bands, but haven’t been involved with that much lately.
Thank you Michael for that insightful interview!
Synopsis:
Werewolves, barbarians, and misguided goblins stand in the way of Terin’s attempt to resolve three contradicting prophecies.
If he can live that long…
Accompanied by his fellow squires, Rendal, an expert swordsman, and Darlissa, a biata spellcaster, Terin sets out to obey his Duke’s orders — orders that go against everything he believes. Can fulfilling the barbarian prophecies help him find a way to morally obey the Duke’s orders as well?
Find and Follow Michael A. Ventrella:
Buy the Book:
Arch Enemies (Book 1)
The Axes of Evil (Book 2)
Happy Reading,
Jaidis
