Series: BlackMyst Trilogy
By: Kelly Hess
Genre: YA/MG Fantasy
Expected Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Published By: Booktrope Publishing
The price of his newfound powers, however, may be higher than he ever imagined.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Eyes of the Enemy is the first book of the BlackMyst Trilogy. We are introduced to twelve-year-old Beynn Firehand who lives in a remote village with his father within the giant BlackMyst Forest, which blankets the kingdom. When his village is attacked by a band of Sorak, the neighboring white-eyed people from the east, his father helps him to escape in order to find help. With his best friend in tow, Beynn undertakes an adventure of magic and peril.
What inspired you to write it?
My son and I read together every night. At one point, we were between books and I decided that I would write a little something that I thought he’d like. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I’d written a trilogy. Go figure.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
The dark forest of BlackMyst is a major backdrop throughout the books, almost its own character, and I wanted to see it on the cover. Adding the ominous figure of a Sorak ties directly to the story and relates the mysterious feel of the books.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
I have to go with a young Asa Butterfield, (Hugo, Enders Game) simply because I think he’s a great actor and I’m unfamiliar with very many other child actors. However, Asa is now 17 and likely too old to pull off a twelve-year-old. I mean he’s good, but…
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I grew up reading Science Fiction and Fantasy, so I naturally gravitated to those genres. Anything is possible in these genres, through technology in Scifi, and through magic in Fantasy.
What made you want to become an author?
I’ve always loved writing short stories but I never really thought about becoming an author until I finished writing my first book.
How do you come up with character names?
I really just start putting letters together until I find something I like. My main character, Beynn, is an anagram of my son’s name. (Hint: “ _____ and the Jets”)
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
Ender’s Game. I first read it when I was about fifteen and I’ve reread it a hundred times since.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Other writers. All writers. When someone can fuel my emotions and fill me with awe just by arranging words on a page in a certain order, it makes me want to do the same.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Honestly I haven’t written in too many other places than our boxy little office at home. It’s quiet and boring and leaves me free from distraction.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies based on one of my all-time favorite books.
Name two of your favourite authors.
David Eddings, whose Belgariad series hooked me on fantasy forever.
Ben Bova whose science fiction kept my head in the stars.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and William Shakespeare. Because how crazy would that be!!?
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
My left side was affected after a brain aneurysm in 2008, so my entire BlackMyst Trilogy was typed with my right hand.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Eyes of the Enemy is the first book of the BlackMyst Trilogy. We are introduced to twelve-year-old Beynn Firehand who lives in a remote village with his father within the giant BlackMyst Forest, which blankets the kingdom. When his village is attacked by a band of Sorak, the neighboring white-eyed people from the east, his father helps him to escape in order to find help. With his best friend in tow, Beynn undertakes an adventure of magic and peril.
What inspired you to write it?
My son and I read together every night. At one point, we were between books and I decided that I would write a little something that I thought he’d like. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I’d written a trilogy. Go figure.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
The dark forest of BlackMyst is a major backdrop throughout the books, almost its own character, and I wanted to see it on the cover. Adding the ominous figure of a Sorak ties directly to the story and relates the mysterious feel of the books.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
I have to go with a young Asa Butterfield, (Hugo, Enders Game) simply because I think he’s a great actor and I’m unfamiliar with very many other child actors. However, Asa is now 17 and likely too old to pull off a twelve-year-old. I mean he’s good, but…
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I grew up reading Science Fiction and Fantasy, so I naturally gravitated to those genres. Anything is possible in these genres, through technology in Scifi, and through magic in Fantasy.
What made you want to become an author?
I’ve always loved writing short stories but I never really thought about becoming an author until I finished writing my first book.
How do you come up with character names?
I really just start putting letters together until I find something I like. My main character, Beynn, is an anagram of my son’s name. (Hint: “ _____ and the Jets”)
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
Ender’s Game. I first read it when I was about fifteen and I’ve reread it a hundred times since.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Other writers. All writers. When someone can fuel my emotions and fill me with awe just by arranging words on a page in a certain order, it makes me want to do the same.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Honestly I haven’t written in too many other places than our boxy little office at home. It’s quiet and boring and leaves me free from distraction.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies based on one of my all-time favorite books.
Name two of your favourite authors.
David Eddings, whose Belgariad series hooked me on fantasy forever.
Ben Bova whose science fiction kept my head in the stars.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and William Shakespeare. Because how crazy would that be!!?
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
My left side was affected after a brain aneurysm in 2008, so my entire BlackMyst Trilogy was typed with my right hand.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
 |
| photo credit: vagueonthehow via photopin cc |
Josh Radnor (pictured), Noah Wiley, or Zach Braff
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live in Vacaville, California, which is midway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. Although it continues to grow and grow, there’s still a small town vibe that I like. For years, our most notorious resident was Charles Manson, who lived at CMF, our hometown prison.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I definitely will write more books. I’ve yet to decide what age range or genre, but the ideas are in there.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I want to visit New Zealand. Looks so beautiful.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Hansel and Gretel – I guess it’s the dark forest bit. And I’ve always been fond of Robin Hood. Again- dark forest.
Who did you want to be when you were a kid?Olivia Newton-John was my first crush as a kid and I wanted to be Danny from Grease.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live in Vacaville, California, which is midway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. Although it continues to grow and grow, there’s still a small town vibe that I like. For years, our most notorious resident was Charles Manson, who lived at CMF, our hometown prison.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I definitely will write more books. I’ve yet to decide what age range or genre, but the ideas are in there.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I want to visit New Zealand. Looks so beautiful.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Hansel and Gretel – I guess it’s the dark forest bit. And I’ve always been fond of Robin Hood. Again- dark forest.
Who did you want to be when you were a kid?Olivia Newton-John was my first crush as a kid and I wanted to be Danny from Grease.
Kelly Hess grew up with a love of reading science fiction and fantasy that inspired him to write his own fantasy trilogy. He lives in Vacaville, California with his wife and son, and is putting the final details on the last two books of his BlackMyst Trilogy: The Green Dagger and The Third Power.
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Thanks Suzy for hosting an interview with Kelly Hess :)
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