Another one of the people who I wanted to interview for skatronixxx.com was my good friend and up and coming fantasy author and musician Anthony Ergo. We met at London Film and Comic Con, when myself and my author client RJ Truman were sat on a table next to him. I thought he was an awesome guy and he’s agreed to do a quick interview with skatronixxx.com
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1) How did you get into writing?
I have created stories, characters and worlds since before I could write (thanks to Lego, which I still bust out occasionally!) I started writing at school and won several short story and poetry contests. In recent years I decided to turn my stories into published works and I’ve been addicted to it ever since.
2) How would you describe your writing style to the casual reader?
Fast-paced, adventure-filled young adult thrillers with plot twists that you won’t see coming.
3) If I remember right, you mentioned that you had written children’s books previously
what prompted you to move into writing for young adults?
Dystopia started out as a children’s horror novel but I soon realised that its themes and intensity were more suited to young adult readers. I find the young adult audience to be some of the most passionate readers out there and I was encouraged to stay within the genre and write the follow-up to the first book.Hysteria was released on Halloween last year and plans are in place for a third book in the Dystopia series.
4) You’re also the bassist in a band called ‘Signed In Crimson’ do you find that you take inspiration from your music for your writing or vice versa?
There is definitely a connection between the two. My band is fronted by a young female vocalist who writes some powerful lyrics. I wrote Dystopia at the same time that we were writing and recording our debut album so there was a natural crossover. I have also been able to use some transferable skills, such as creating music videos and book trailers.
A video of Anthony’s band ‘Signed in Crimson’
5) Perhaps your most well-known book to date is ‘Dystopia’, how you would describe this book to someone who has not read it yet?
Dystopia is a genre-blending paranormal/dystopian novel. It’s about a superstitious young girl and how her life is affected by a catastrophic world-wide blackout which she is at the centre of (…that’s my attempt at a spoiler-free teaser!)
The front cover to Anythony’s book ‘Dystopia’
6) If a film was made of ‘Dystopia’ who would you like to play the main character and why?
Chloe Grace Moretz (Kickass) would be a nice fit for the role of Sasha. I think she could show both the character’s vulnerable side as well as discovering her inner-resilience.
7) We first met at London Film and Comic Con in 2014, do you do lots of conventions and can we hope to see you at LFCC again this year?
I do a lot of school visits but the 2014 London Film and Comic Con was my first convention. I decided to give it a try because it was the inaugural ‘Young Adult Literature Convention’ as part of the same event. It was great to meet so many people, both readers and fellow authors, and I’d definitely be interested in attending again.
8) What can we expect to see from you in 2015?
After releasing Hysteria, I decided to take a break from the Dystopia series. I’m actually working on a brand new novel called Plague Risers. It’s a zombie fiction with a twist, set in the Middle Ages. I studied the medieval period as part of my English and History degree and I want to recreate that authentic world. After reading the opening chapters, a friend described it as “Game of Thrones meets The Walking Dead”.
A preview of the front cover to Anythony’s upcoming book ‘Plague Risers’
9) Tell our readers one fun fact about yourself that they may not already know?
As well as writing and music, my other pastime is playing as a hockey goalkeeper and having rock hard balls blasted at me!
10) Finally what advice would you have any advice for an upcoming writers?
Set yourself realistic goals, no matter how modest, and stick to them. I have a target for how many words I write per day, chapters per week, etc. Some days are more productive than others (and often I’ll re-read a previous day’s writing only to delete it or completely rework it). Lots of people have ideas for a story and many will start to write a book, but not all of them manage to finish. For me, it’s all about completing the first draft. Go with the idea that you’re most passionate about and it will never feel like a chore.
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There you go readers, Anthony Ergo! A fantasy author and a bassist, what more could you want ladies??? Be sure to check ‘Dystopia’ out now it’s available on Amazon now
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dystopia-YA-Paranormal-Adventure-Romance-ebook/dp/B00LMAWUYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404841922&sr=8-1&keywords=dystopia+anthony+ergo
Follow him on Twitter he’s https://twitter.com/dystopianovel or Wattpad http://www.wattpad.com/user/anthonyergo
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