The Prince by Antony Soehner

 Please welcome Antony Boehner author of The Prince

Antony Soehner will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Prince

byAntony Soehner

 

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GENRE:   General/Epic Fantasy

 

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INTERVIEW:

Q: What or who inspired you to start writing?

A: I’ve always had a talent for writing and creating stories but my Mom is the one who inspired me to commit to being a writer. Like me, she wrote stories in binders growing up and after getting a bad deal with a sketchy publisher, she went on to publish 50 books over 11 years by herself and start her own publishing company.

Q: What elements are necessary components for this genre?

A: Obviously, the draw to fantasy is the escape from the real world. But in my experience, every fantasy story requires a real-life element. Whether it be a modern-day conflict or some form of inspiration from a close friend, nature, or even science, I think it's imperative that all fantasy give us something real to connect us to the unreal. 

Q: How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

A: “The Prince” has an interesting backstory. Originally titled “My Pandemic Project”, I wrote the first chapter in the middle of the night a couple of days after the world began shutting down to covid19. I was sitting in my backyard having a small mental crisis about the world around me while also in the early stages of a relationship that turned out to be manipulatively abusing me. I chose to turn my experience into writing as a way to bring light to issues that plagued me. Eventually, my characters started to talk to me and I had to put their stories to paper. It’s crazy to look back at the kid I was when I started this Saga two years ago. 

 

Q: What expertise did you bring to your writing?

A: I have never considered myself an expert and I still think I’m too young to be one in any field, but I do feel like my age is my expertise. Lots of popular fantasy work feels a tad dated to me and I respect their influence on modern culture. I think it is time for new, young voices in an industry that is dominated by middle-aged men and dead people. I wanted to bring the modern voice of the next generations to the forefront of fantasy. Language itself has changed drastically since the days of Tolkien and audiences have grown beyond George R.R. Martin’s books. I want to inspire the next generation of great writers by showing them you don’t have to wait.

Q: What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

A: Something that hides from my author bio is my passion for gardening and eco-preservation. It’s a relatively new hobby I have developed in my life but I’m very proud of my garden work in the last year. This is my first gardening season and I’ve already been able to see the fruits of my labor beginning to show.

 

Q: As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

A: Writing will always be a passion and a job for me. It’s literally tattooed on my hand to remind myself to always write. Currently, I am working on the fourth book in my “Prince Theo Saga” and don’t have a plan to stop. I’m not sure how many books will comprise this series but I’m hoping they’ll all be able to come out for readers to enjoy!

Q: If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

A: I would love to be Jeb the halfling bard. His whimsical, well-traveled personality is one I aspire to live in real life. I love his talent and way with people while also staying true to himself. He’s an unsuspecting encyclopedia of knowledge that he curated through many years of learning and travel. I think this excerpt is a great example!

Chapter 21 “Burning Eagle”:

“Have you ever eaten camp-style?” Jeb asked as the hand

gently set him on the ground before vanishing. He reached up,

taking a bowl and some bread from the tall man, “there are

some rules but nothing you’re going to get in trouble over. Stick

to my side kid and make sure you get enough.”

Theo happily tailed Jeb as he ladled the chunky, brown stew

from the clay pot into his bowl. He pinched a decent handful of

fish off the stake and plopped it into his soup.

 

“Now these babies,” Jeb smirked as he pulled a charred, rain-

bow-colored cob of corn from the fire. “This is one of many

 

contributions the Okota tribe has given to society. Forget gold

and all the treasures in the world. This—” he waved the corn in

the air, “this is what real happiness tastes like.”

Q: When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

A: I always knew I wanted to publish this book and as my tenth self-published novel, it was a no-brainer to do it all over again. Being the son of a successful, self-published author, I’ve always been encouraged to get my work out to the world by my mom. 

Q: What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

A: The best advice I’ve ever received was to “Puke it out!” Don’t hold in your ideas just write them out. The first draft is always ugly but you need to get it out before you can clean it up.

 

The worst advice I’ve had was being told to write for the reader. I understand its sentiment but I think it limits the writer’s creativity. Create whatever you want, love, and enjoy and those who share your feelings will find you. Don’t pander to what’s considered “normal” and create whatever you want! Worst case, it sucks. Who cares?

 

Q: Do you outline your books or just start writing?

A: I tend to do a little of both when it comes to writing. I used to just write and let it come through but as I’ve grown in my writing, I’ve developed what I call “Planting”. Like seeds in a garden, I place plot points in my head and then give my characters control of how they get from A to B. I like knowing where the story should be headed but also enjoy the unpredictable part of storytelling on the spot.

Q: How do you maintain your creativity?

A: If you ask my parents, I’ve always been creative. But to me, that creativity comes from two places, consuming storytelling of all kinds and observing the world around me. When I’m stuck for ideas or things to create for my stories, I like to read books and watch movies or TV with a critical eye. Seeing how other storytellers portrayed their trope/arc/etc. And if that doesn’t work, I have a backyard that most times of the year is alive with birds, squirrels, bugs, and even the occasional fox. Sometimes all it takes is watching two squirrels chase each other to find creative ideas. 

Q: Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why?

A: Each character holds a spot in my heart, but I think Cheif Ta’goda is my favorite character. His inspiration comes from my own life and experiences. I actually have a tattoo on the inside of my right arm that inspired his looks and demeanor. But the character himself is actually based on someone I knew my senior year of high school. There was a dad I knew who introduced me to Native American culture for the first time but also changed my perspective on life in the short time I knew him. I’ve always wanted to honor those lessons he taught me and when I created Ta’goda, I created him with just that purpose.

BLURB:

 

Destiny will always test the greatest of leaders.
Theo never imagined life outside the king’s castle. But when the queen’s funeral reveals the king’s true colors, Theo must rely on his sister, her allies, and his friends to get him to safety. With the help of mercenaries and the native tribes of the plains, Theo must learn to face his destiny and open his mind to the diverse world he’s been thrown into.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Dad!” Rhan burst out.

 

Ta’goda turned his intense focus to his daughter and suddenly his entire body deflated.

 

Without another word between the two, Ta’goda stood up from his fighting stance, faced whatever was hiding from view of the other three, and he closed his eyes.

 

Around the towering orc, three snarling wolves made of green flame formed from the ground up. Ta’goda raised his axe in the direction of his fight and the wolves took off.

 

Once the wolves were out of sight, Ta’goda rushed to his daughter and wrapped her in his arms.

 

“Rhan,” Ta’goda choked out.

 

“I’m okay,” she cried into his shoulder.

 

The chief pulled away and looked her in the eyes.

 

“What happened?” Rhan asked as she wiped away tears from her cheeks.

 

“We are under attack,” Ta’goda gritted his teeth, “I must get back to the battle. Our tribe needs me.”

 

“And me—”

 

Ta’goda shook his head at Rhan’s protest.

 

“What?” Rhan blinked at her father.

 

“You have a new duty,” Ta’goda swallowed. The chief’s eyes peered over his daughter’s shoulders and locked onto Theo. “I cannot leave our people and get the prince to the rivers—”

 

“I’m not leaving you here—”

 

“Rhan’takono, this is not the time to argue—”

 

“There is nothing to argue over! I’m fighting beside you—”

 

“I can’t—”

 

“I am to be chief one day! How can I stand before my people after running from this?”

 

“If you don’t go now, there won’t be a tribe for you to be chief of!” Ta’goda snapped. “This is not a command as your chief. I am begging you as your father—” the words caught in the back of his throat, “please.”

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Geek by heart, author by trade.

Raised on a healthy diet of geek and pop culture, Antony has come to share his love and appreciation for role-playing games, geek culture, and fantasy adventure. If it’s random comic book facts, Star Wars trivia, or just the measly obscure movie reference, Antony is there!

 

Website: Antonysoehner.com

 

Twitter: @AntonySoehner https://twitter.com/AntonySoehner

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonySoehner/

 

Instagram:@AntonySoehner https://www.instagram.com/antonysoehner/

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17220779.Antony_Soehner

 

Bookbub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/antony-soehner

 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Antony-Soehner/e/B075Z3GM57/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

 

The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Antony Soehner will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4052