Free Book Friday July 5: In Conversation (Revisited) – R.K. King
I started interviewing authors three years ago and I thought it was time to contact them and invite them to revisit our conversation. Here is the fifth in the series. In Conversation With: R.K. King (Revisited) Leon: We last spoke in April 20…
I started interviewing authors three years ago and I thought it was time to contact them and invite them to revisit our conversation. Here is the fifth in the series.
In Conversation With: R.K. King(Revisited)
Leon: We last spoke in April 2022, so I thought it was about time we revisited what we talked about and see what has changed since then. Sound good?
Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author R.K. King. Thanks for dropping by. Can I offer you a beverage?
Well, thanks for having me! If you've got some Jameson hidden somewhere around here that'd be fantastic.
[Leon: Have you found any new favorite beverages?] [R.K.: I'm going to sound basic with this answer, but I really like the Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew. Zero sugar, only 5 calories, and still a great drink? Yes please.]
Just so happens you are in luck. I try to do some research on my guests. Your website states you are an "Uncanny Fiction Writer". Can you elaborate?
I've dabbled in a number of genres over the years, and I always keep coming back to a similar feel in all my works; worlds that may be similar to our own, but changed in some way. Something is always a bit… off. The fearsome future of my Storm books. The dark fantasy western I'm working on, full of monsters and dark magic. The various short fiction I've done with real life mysteries but adapted for fiction. The world is usually somewhat grounded, but then there is that added ingredient. That ingredient is 'the uncanny'. A changing of reality, enough to suit the story, and to put the reader in a space of suspense or foreboding. It definitely stems from a childhood spent in a small prairie town, always dreaming of something… more.
Has anyone ever confused you with that other somewhat famous author with the same last name?
Surprisingly, no. Not for the actual writing yet, at least. That may change with some of my future dark fantasy/horror works, we'll see. But I have, on numerous occasions, been asked if we're related. (We are not.)
[Leon: It would be kinda cool to have an Uncle Stephen, but alas, even time cannot alter lineage.] [R.K.: Yeah, and although not related I still refer to him as Uncle Stevie anyway.]
What was the first book/story you wrote, published or not?
I began writing with my action figures. I'd play out some grand adventure with them, then write down what I'd just come up with, creating an ongoing narrative. I can't at all recall the actual stories, but I do remember speaking out loud "To Be Continued" at the end of each session. The earliest story I actually remember the plot of would be some Warhammer 40k fan fiction! I wrote about a squad of space marines, casting all the characters as my group of high school friends. That included one guy who was only a brain remaining within a dreadnought, defending a citadel against some invading army.
Putting "Book 1" and "Book 2" on the cover is pretty much showing all your cards. Did you plan on writing a series?
Yes and no. Book 1 was originally written as a stand alone, but with a completely open ending. Beta readers got very curious as to when the next would be released, and I realized that yes, indeed, there needed to be a further journey. I planned for a trilogy. The third book is drafted, but the timing needs to be right, so in the meantime my other books are getting the attention.
[Leon: Is book 3 getting close or you working on something else? I keep hearing a rumor of a fantasy western.] [R.K.: Book 3 is 1st drafted but that's it. The 2nd book didn't get read enough to even out how much the production cost, so it's technically still in the red. That told me to pivot to something else for now, that dark fantasy western you just mentioned. That one will be marketed this year!]
Sometimes a trilogy makes sense. My novella ended in much the same way, but I decided the characters needed to explore some more, so it will become a trilogy as well.
[Leon: And it did.]
Who does your cover art?
The Storm books covers are by J Caleb Design. He does excellent genre covers. I highly recommend him if you're doing sci-fi, no question.
Always welcome a shout out. Would you survive in a post-apocalyptic world?
I doubt it. I'd probably end up trusting the wrong person and pay the price. I'd give myself maybe two weeks. Ha!
[Leon: Have you worked on any survival skills? Cuz things are getting pretty sketchy out there, it seems.] [R.K.: The world is definitely getting more sketchy by the week. I live in a pretty safe place, knock on wood.] [Leon: On the topic of post-apocalyptic survival, have you watched Fallout yet?] [R.K.: Hell yeah, and loved it. That's a great example of letting filmmakers do their thing to keep the spirit of the IP. Maybe the best game adaptation that's been made.]
What authors influenced you?
Richard Matheson. If I could cut and paste a writer's career into my own, it'd be his. Speaking of uncanny fiction, he's a great example, and his works span novels, short fiction & screenplays, which is my motivation.
I'll have to look him up. Do you have a favorite book?
That's a bit of a tie between Matheson's I Am Legend—
Oh, that Matheson. Sorry, continue.
Frank Herbert's Dune, and Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos. Three-way-tie.
[Leon: I tried to watch the new Dune, but for some reason I couldn't get into it. You?.] [R.K.: Oh, I loved it. Both of them. Loved the world design and vibe. But I can see how it's not for everyone.]
Lovecraft was a brilliant writer. He is the only horror writer who can give me chills. He does that without the gore and disturbing content.
Yeah, he really figured out how to put the imagery into the reader's mind. It's on you, the reader, to visualize the things he dreamed up. It's also pretty cool he outright invented new sub-genres of horror. Before him it was all gothic and ghosts. Most works of fiction today wouldn't be around if it weren't for him.
What do you do when you are not writing?
Reading, video games, movies, TV shows. In that order. I really feel that absorbing stories is the only sure fire way to grow yourself as a story teller. I also paint miniatures as a de-stresser.
[Leon: Have you developed any other pastimes?] [R.K.: I try not to stretch myself too thin, I already feel like I distract myself from writing too often! Just sticking to those.]
What was your last binged series, or favorite?
Midnight Mass. Holy moly did I love that show. I'm a Mike Flanagan fan for life.
[Leon: I finally looked that up but haven't watched it.] [R.K.: Watch it! And House of Usher. Flanagan seemed ready to adapt Dark Tower based on those recent works.]
I do a feature on my blog introducing some of my favorite bands. Are you a music aficionado? What are some of your favorites?
I have a very wide range of music tastes. My go-to is epic movie soundtracks, the likes of Hans Zimmer or Klaus Badelt. I'm also into highly theatrical rock, like Alice Cooper or Meat Loaf. And Metal when the need arises.
[Leon: What else have you been listening to the last two years?] [R.K.: I've got down a bit of a synth wave rabbit hole actually. The more 80s horror/arcade sounding the better.]
Ah, Meat Loaf. A sad day when we lost him. I'm sure there will be a Broadway show about him.
I can picture it. Paradise By the Dashboard Light.
[Leon: I forgot there was a musical, not based on his life, but on his album, Bat Out of Hell, but it had ended it's NY run in 2019.] [R.K.: I remember doing the monologue about the guitar as one of my earliest teen auditions. The one about 'killing a boy with a fender guitar']
Are you ready for the lightning round?
Hit me.
[Leon: Did you know that the most challenging part about doing these interviews, other than the overly demanding guests (not you, of course) is coming up with the lightning round questions?] [R.K.: Seems like a skill you've developed well! Maybe it can be used in that proverbial apocalypse!]
Are you a nerd? Oh yes. Does R.K stand for anything? Just initials of my first and middle names. To set apart search results from my child acting days. Woah, whoa. Hold it there. Do we need to talk about that? I dabbled in my youth. A few bit parts. But my true love has always been writing. Ever met a famous person? A few; Arnold. Tom Welling. Ian Mckellan. Patrick Stewart. Halle Berry hugged me once. I don't know if I'm more impressed with you meeting Patrick or Halle. It's Patr—no, Halle—aw, hell. Moving on. Favorite city? Providence, RI. I really love the area around Brown. Android or iOS? iOS Scariest animal you have encountered? Childhood; an angry, mauling turkey. Adulthood; an equally angry, though thankfully lazy, alligator. Main streets or off the beaten paths? Off the beaten path, especially when travelling.
I've met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can't do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don't just read one author - they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other's sales? Why not. It's called karma.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnel
StoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other's audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
Note: After this month, I will be offering promos from StoryOrigin only as I am trimming my budget this year.
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Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
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