Joshua will be awarding an ebook containing short stories set in the same world as the series, The Chesian Wars to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and an ebook containing short stories set in the same world as the series, The Chesian Wars to a randomly drawn host.
The Ansgari Rebellion Series
by Joshua K.
Johnson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERVIEW:
1. What or who inspired you to start writing?
I
really started writing as a way to pass the time. When I was about 11 my family
moved into the country and being homeschooled, there wasn't a lot for me to do.
I've always been a voracious reader, so it seemed to me a natural contiuation.
2.
What elements are necessary components for this genre?
Gunpowder
Fantasy is a great genre because its flexible. Everything from
matchlock/flintlock muskets up to percussion cap rifled-muskets. But I think
some of the necessary components are similar to Epic Fantasy: secondary world
setting, societies that have developed or are developing past the
medieval/feudal lordship system and entering an industrial revolution.
3.
How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
The
original inspiration for this series came from a flash fiction that I wrote
about a group of nobles out hunting mythical creatures. I was going to
originally have them be a technology regressed colony out in space, but the
story morphed into the Gunpowder Fantasy setting that I have built.
4.
What expertise did you bring to your writing?
I've
been writing in one form or another for almost 20 years, so I've had a lot of
time to hone my personal skills. I'm also due to complete a BA in English
Writing Studies next spring so I have had a lot of experience cleaning up my
writing even further.
5.
What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your
bio?
I
work 2 jobs in addition to finishing my degree and have 2 kids and a sister
that lives with me and my wife, so I'm hardworking. Despite all of that, I
manage to find enough time to work on my upcoming books.
6.
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I
have Book 3 of this series in the writing stage now and I'm simultaneously
working on another novel in this world. It's meant to be a standalone set on
the other side of the world and dealing with a completely different type of
conflict.
7.
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
I
could take the easy way out and say Raedan, because he has the Gift of Magic,
but I think that Arad Rotan, the leader of the Orcish Legion would be a cool
person to be. He is a strong leader with a wealth of experience behind him.
8.
Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?
The
Cerberus Rebellion shows the beginning of a rebellion against the King of
Ansgar after years of neglect and abuse. The western nobles are tired of his
mistreatment and decide that they could better rule their own territories. At
the same time, the Duke of Agilard (a territory that was once an independent nation
but fell to Ansgar in war) wants to break free of the Ansgari oppression and
launches a revolt.
The
Hydra Offensive continues the story and follows two different tracks. There's
the “local” track which follows two soldiers on opposite sides of the conflict
as they fight massive battles. The “foreign” track follows a group of
emissaries as they sail across the world to gather support for their cause and
run into some unexpected allies.
9.
Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your
writing?
I
don't, only because I don't really have the time. I have a couple of beta
readers that I lean on fairly heavily though.
10.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who
encouraged you to take this big step?
My
grandma was probably the biggest influence on my decision to submit my writing.
Even though she passed away some time before I finally published The Cerberus
Rebellion, she was always encouraging my writing when I was a kid.
11.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I
would say that I'm 75/25 Outline vs “Just Writing”. Before I sit down to write,
a build an outline and from there do short chapter summaries to guide my path.
However, I leave room for adjustment when the story decides to take a different
turn than I had originally planned.
13.
How do you maintain your creativity?
I
find a lot of inspiration from music. Modern rock covers of classic rock songs
especially get my mind working. I have 5 or 6 story ideas that were all spawned
from listening to rock covers.
14.
Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?
In
The Cerberus Rebellion I really like Magnus Jarmann, the duke of Agilard. He's
trying to free his people after 100 years of oppression and domination.
In
The Hydra Offensive, Tychor Chalmers is probably my favorite character. He's a
strong leader but he's hamstrung by the nobility around him as they try to use
the military toward their own personal gain.
15.
Are your plotting bunnies angels or demons?
Both.
Sometimes my plotting bunnies will lead me down a path that enriches the story
and builds more complexity into my world. Other times, the demons will just
distract me from the main story.
16. Anything else you might want to add?
Thanks the Angels
Thanks the Angels
BLURB:
War changes everything.
On the world of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist
beside rifles and railroads. The futures of two nations hang in the balance as
rebels and revolutionaries trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.
The King of Ansgar, secure in his belief that his loyal nobles and
fearful subjects answer to his every whim, seeks to gain favor with friends
across the sea. But his decision to send armies thousands of miles away will
test that fear, and loyalty.
In war, little is held back; in revolution, nothing is safe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
The crackle of musket fire drifted up from the
trenches; only a few quick shots at first, but quickly followed by full
volleys. Flashes of light marked the battle in the trenches and Raedan listened
carefully for the command to push his troops forward. He glanced behind him quickly.
The color guard stood resolute, the banners of
Arndell and the North Griffin Cliffs at the front of the formation. A
half-company of infantry had been assigned to protect the flags should they
come under attack.
Wounded began to drift back out of the trenches.
Some retreated under their own power; others were carried between two of their
fellows. Raedan tried to count the men fleeing the battle, but quickly lost
count.
Finally, the trumpets sounded again, ordering him
forward.
“How's it look in there?” he asked a retreating
officer. The man wore the gaudy orange of Sea Watch and the stripes of a
captain. He had taken a round through his shoulder and was supporting a
corporal that had taken a shot to the leg.
“The artillery did a job on them,” the captain
said. “But they've still got some fight left.”
“All right, men! Let's take it to them!” Raedan
started toward the trenches at the double time and his men started to trot
after him.
The earthworks twisted and zagged one way and
another, slowly leading the infantry closer to the fortress that loomed large
above. The sun had finally set and flares were exploding high overhead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
Joshua
Johnson is the author of "Gunpowder Fantasy" The Cerberus Rebellion
and the creator of the Griffins & Gunpowder universe. When he isn't working
or spending time with his family, he writes novels, short stories and novellas.
He
currently lives in Northern Illinois with his wife and young children.
You
can visit his website at www.gunpowderfantasy.com
https://twitter.com/authorjkjohnson
https://www.facebook.com/authorjkjohnson?fref=ts
Book's on sale for $0.99
during the Tour.
Book
1:
http://www.amazon.com/Cerberus-Rebellion-Griffins-Gunpowder-Novel-ebook/dp/B008ENOYDE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Book
2:
http://www.amazon.com/Offensive-Griffins-Gunpowder-Ansgari-Rebellion-ebook/dp/B010ITAYGC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and
RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Joshua will be awarding an
ebook containing short stories set in the same world as the series, The Chesian
Wars to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and an ebook
containing short stories set in the same world as the series, The Chesian Wars
to a randomly drawn host.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1250
