by 
Interview – Sam Russell
Interview
– When did you start writing, what moved you to start writing?
I started my writing journey in comedy. I started doing stand-up in 2014. I wrote two hour-long solo shows and 20-minute club sets. I always thought the performing was more important to me than the writing, but I found out the opposite was true. That’s when I started writing my first book, Evergreen.
– Tell us about your book. Why should everyone buy it?
I’ll start by saying you don’t actually have to buy it! We are releasing it as a free audio serial, bringing out a new chapter every two weeks. But why should you add it to your podcast schedule? Fantasy usually takes itself very seriously (unless it’s Pratchet). My stories are fantasy first, but there is a thick vein of humour running through all of them. I write my books so they can be as deep as the audience wants them to be…you can get into the lore, mythology and history behind every word or just enjoy a romp of a hero with a gold coat having fun with humanity, monsters and gods.
– What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It’s special to me because we read it every year in my family. We all take turns, all do similar voices for each character, and all cry at exactly the same bits.
– Tell us a bit about your writing process.
I wake up, attempt exercise, quickly tire, then sit down on the couch and don’t move until 1000 words are written. It’s important to remember to pee before you start writing.
– What author would you love to have dinner with?
Neil Gaiman. He was the author that taught me how existing myth, religion and fable can be interpreted into something beautiful…or terrifying.
– Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.
I like to cook, so Neil is in for a treat. I am going back to stand-up, I have a few dates booked in. I have also recently got into pipes, pipe time is very relaxing.
– We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first book, any advice for these brave people?
Do 1000 words a day, even if it’s terrible. There will be something in there, I promise. If you get really stuck go for a walk and the solution will usually come.
– How often do you write, daily, every other day or?
When I’m writing a book I write 1000 words a day, unless there is a big thing on, like Christmas .
– What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just started the Shadow and Bone series. I have to admit I watched the Netflix show first, but I’m being good now and going back to read the book.
– How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?
In the UK, it’s pretty good. After we released the first chapter of Evergreen, a local literary festival got in contact and asked us if we wanted to be involved. We’ve felt supported.
– Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.
I do podcast work for this magazine in the UK called The Spectator. The Editor had asked someone on the Books team to write an article about #BookTok, which he knew nothing about. As an avid BookToker I offered to put an information pack together for him. He then said ‘Oh, why don’t you write it?’ We ran in past the Editor. I was expecting her to say ‘No, are you crazy?! He’s the podcast boy,’ but she gave me a shot! And a week later it was in the magazine. It even got picked up by The Times newspaper, and I got to plug my book in both of them. I learnt a lesson from that: always try to be helpful, you never know where it might lead.
– A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.
Please listen to Evergreen! It’s available on all the platforms listed here: https://linktr.ee/evergreen_book
And if you have any questions, or just want to chat fantasy, come find me on Twitter @samrussellcomic
Thank you Sam Russell. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!
Click here to visit the author page here on Circle of Books.
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