“History is moving pretty quickly these days, and the heroes and villains keep on changing parts.”
― Ian Fleming
Happy May, and may the 4th be with you! Today I'm delighted to have as my guest, British author Konrad Morgan. He writes thrilling adventures featuring a suave, sophisticated, and oh so deadly MC, Sir Tavish Stewart, who is on a mission to save the world from some very determined villains! His stories take you around the globe for suspense-filled adventures that will keep you turning those pages! Let's chat with Konrad:
Hello Veronica!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to discuss my writing. I have followed your blog for some time, so I am honoured to be included alongside the talented writers you have interviewed.
Q1: Every writer has an inspiration that prompted them to put pen to paper, what do you think was yours?
Ever since I can remember, I have enjoyed reading fantastic tales. When I was growing up, there was a second-hand book shop in the small town where I lived, and I would make a weekly pilgrimage to trade last week's books for the shop's latest acquisitions. In retrospect, I was probably their best customer! My local vicinity must have been disproportionately filled with readers of nineteenth and early twentieth-century literature, as I rapidly consumed the works of H. Rider Haggard, Jules Verne, Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, along with the esoteric writings of H.P Blavatsky, Eliphas Levi and Dennis Wheatley.
I mention Wheatley because, although many of my readers think Ian Fleming is a significant influence on my writing, the truth is that Wheatley's mix of the supernatural and international action-adventure is probably much closer to my own writing genre. Interestingly, both Fleming and Wheatley spent time working in British Naval Intelligence.
Q2: Konrad, your stories feature complex, riveting, global schemes, technologies, and plots--can you tell us about the behind-the-scenes research you do for your books?
I earned my living as an academic and research scientist. My interests were in complex domains, for example computerised intelligence analysis within law enforcement and other government agencies. This work honed a set of skills that lends itself to the types of narratives that I develop. The nature of my work may also partially explain my love of detail, which many would describe as obsessive!
I enjoy creating an alternative literary universe with as much real-world detail as possible when I am writing. So the reader can, if they choose, visit the locations mentioned in my story or handle the items I describe and find an exact match. If I am honest, there is also a delight in the challenge of creating places or objects that are from my imagination but have such a convincing back story that some readers write and ask if the item or location exists.
As you can imagine, this type of writing involves considerable background research, and before I start writing the story, I will have made copious sets of notes on each location, item and planned scene. These notes are several times larger than the final text, and I frequently refer to them when I finally get to write each chapter.
Q3: You have a masterful hand at creating devious villains in your tales. What do you think drives them to pursue a life of international Evil and nefarious deeds?
Thank you for the compliment! In my writing, I try and recognise that every villain has their own personal motivations for their negative behaviour and that no matter how "Evil" they are, they may not realise the extent of their toxicity. When I am writing, I am aware that what classes as "Evil" can be a very subjective assessment. Many of the behaviours or traits that society admires and finds attractive in one specific set of circumstances become classed as "Evil" in other situations. I believe this can be why highly successful business, media, or political figures can rapidly fall from fame into infamy, especially when they are surrounded by highly tolerant or sometimes sycophantic co-workers and supporters.
I base my literary antagonists on aspects of real people I have met, but I extend their ruthless behaviour into socially unacceptable situations. I also make deliberate use of supernatural and theological Evil to remove the context of my antagonist's behaviours away from any current scenarios of politics, religion and social justice, which can be divisive and subject to personal interpretation.
Q3: I'm very much looking forward to reading your latest tale, The New Republic, Book 1. What details can you share with us?
The New Republic is my first attempt to write a trilogy based on the same characters that I introduced in my first Tavish Stewart adventure, "Bridge of Souls: Ancient Prophecy Ultimate Evil". The new story follows up on what happened to the main protagonists immediately after the first story ends. The opening chapters introduce a completely different existential threat to humanity that develops in a story arc running over three books. Readers should be aware that they will need to read all three instalments to discover the final climactic outcome. In this first instalment, I introduce some new antagonists and provide additional backstories for some of the key characters featured in "Bridge of Souls".
Although readers do not have to read "Bridge of Souls" before starting "The New Republic", they may miss some of the self-referential humour I include in the story. There are also new supernatural and action sequences that allow me to explore different esoteric traditions and let the protagonists explore their specific and unique skillsets to try and save the day.
Q4: Any words of advice you'd give to writers to market their books effectively?
I am probably the wrong person to ask for marketing advice, as I do not do much marketing! I write for my own personal enjoyment, so although I am aware of the techniques of social media and paid advertising to increase potential audience awareness, I am also mindful of the cost of these techniques in terms of the time, resources, and money involved. Amazon and the other self-publishing avenues have provided a fantastic opportunity for writers to publish their work, but people should be realistic in their expectations. The last time I looked, over six million authors were listed on Amazon, all trying to get their work noticed. I would therefore recommend that writers focus on their own personal enjoyment of their writing. There are a great communities of independent writers on social media, and interacting with them can be a source of delight. Engaging with other authors struggling with the same issues you are facing can help keep the creative energies flowing and overcome the dark points encountered on every writer's journey.
Q5: Enquiring minds want to know--what can we expect next in your book pipeline?
The first of the three books in "The New Republic" series will be released in May 2022 for the vacation season. We are in pre-production for the second book in the series and plan to release that in October 2022 for the Christmas holiday season. I am currently working on the third and final book, which we hope to release in May 2023. We will release all three volumes in paperback form first and then follow up with an electronic format version on Amazon Kindle.
Konrad, thank you so much for being my guest today! I cannot wait to read this thrilling new release--best of luck and many congratulations! You can find out more about Konrad's books and contact info here:
The paperbacks will be available for direct order from all good bookshops and also on Amazon. All the titles will be priced as close to cost as possible.
"Bridge of Souls: Ancient Prophecy. Ultimate Evil." By K.R.M. Morgan. Madbagus books. 500 PAGES. ISBN: 978-1-5272-2595-4
(Paperback version is currently available for direct order at good bookshops – kindle version available on amazon)
"THE NEW REPUBLIC: OLD DREAMS. NEW NIGHTMARES." By K.R.M. Morgan. Madbagus books. 395 pages. ISBN: 978-1-9164472-1-9
(Paperback version will be available at good bookshops for direct order by mid may 2022 – Kindle version will also be available mid may)
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/krmm
Twitter: @KRM_Morgan
Get those martinis chilled and be ready for a thrilling read, book lovers! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
The spooky tales continue...
The writing resumes this week for another one of my tales in Wicked Mist, Unrequited. Set in England, we're whisked away to the weekly gatherings of the Tempting Tea society. Mending hearts form strong bonds of friendship and talk all things gardening. Amazing what a good compost can do for one's blooms... Wicked Mist, with Bibiana Krall releases this #LaborDay!
Art thievery abounds this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author K.T. McGivens, The Mystery at the Mystic Museum, Book 2 in the Katie Porter Mysteries, 5⭐
Fairfield Gazette reporter, Katie Porter is on the hunt when a painting goes missing from the Mystic Museum. Her editor's cousin owns the artwork but is less than helpful when Katie wants to track down who might be behind the theft. The mystery deepens when the painting is returned, puzzling Katie and her rival reporter, turned sleuthing colleague, Jim.
As the questions behind the theft go unanswered, Katie believes there is something nefarious going on behind the scenes. She and her colleagues use their undercover techniques to sort through the clues, but will their quest be permanently stifled when they get too close to the truth?
Author McGivens delivers another spirited whodunnit, with a hint of romance in this entertaining tale. A fine read for cozy mystery fans!!
Next up in the reading queue:
Another regal addition to my series ornament tree!
Fresh in from the UK, meet Queenie, a bespoke creation from the talented Wild Willow shop on Etsy! This regal fairy was created to celebrate the Queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee and a fine job she does. I follow @wildwillowfairy on Twitter--if you're into bespoke, winged lovelies to brighten up your day check out her Etsy store here:
Welcome to my world! Enjoy your week, friends and for all the mamas, a very #HappyMothersDay on Sunday!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Wishing you a lovely Mother's Day--have fun and celebrate! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑
