Hello Richie, welcome to Paranormalists!
Hello and thank you very much for hosting me on your fantastic blog! It’s a real privilege to share this space with yourself and your followers.
Let's get started. What is your “day” job if you are not a full-time author?
I worked as a lawyer for a few years, got fed up of that and quit to pursue writing full-time. But I quickly ran out of cash so took a job managing an Irish bar. That was a lot of fun (for a few years at least) and I met some great people, but it was demanding and ironically unsociable so I went back to the 9-5 grind and wound up in digital marketing.
Now I’m currently Head of SEO for an agency. It’s a job that involves a lot of writing, editing and analysing, but it’s fun and involves some of the things I love—writing and editing. Plus, the SEO knowledge has helped with my author website!
If you wrote a book about your life what would the title be?
An Inconsistent Man
What is the hardest thing about being an author?
Writing when you really don’t want to. But sometimes, when you force yourself to do it, you end up having some of your most productive sessions. It just proves that you can do it. And also that you should do it, because it’s a bit of a high you feel after getting those words out and on the page.
Also, the forever-present and crippling self-doubt.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Creating things and seeing other people enjoy them. That’s what motivates me anyway. One of the reasons I decided to try writing was after having a string of amazing experiences with books. At a time in my life when I felt pretty lost, I escaped into books. The authors and the stories they weaved helped me an awful lot, not to mention entertained me in ways I’d not experienced since I was a kid reading Harry Potter.
To attempt to give back the gift that books have given me to other people is a truly special thing. Definitely the best part.
Have you ever been star struck by meeting one of your favorite authors? If so who was it?
I once met Adrian Tchaikovsky at the bar at Fantasycon and was very much star struck. Unfortunately, it was off the back end of a Covid lockdown so everyone was masked up. I could barely understand him and he could hardly understand me—my Scouse accent didn’t help either. But he was a really lovely guy, and we ended up speaking properly a few months later after I stumped up the courage to ask him to guest on my podcast (The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, for curious minds).
In contrast, Raymond E Feist is one of my favourite authors—I’ve read all of Riftwar—and I met him for a book signing after an event he held in Liverpool. Unfortunately, he was turned away from me, talking to someone else the whole time he was signing my book so I never got to speak to him. I found the whole experience a bit rude. It taught me a lesson though—never, ever take your fans for granted.
What book changed your life?
A Storm Of Swords by George RR Martin. This was one of the books I referred to above as one that enraptured me at a time I very much needed perking up. No book has ever absorbed me as much as this.
One night I was struggling to sleep, so picked it up about 1am and started reading. When next I checked the time it was 7am. I’ve never experienced the passage of time like that when reading a book before. It was a bit magical.
What were some of your favorite books growing up?
I remember a few books and series that really struck a chord with me at different stages of my life. When I was very young I remember loving the Artemis Fowl books, which were very much adventure-based stories. I also liked A Series Of Unfortunate Events quite a lot too (bit morbid).
Later on I got into Harry Potter. I was around ten or eleven when the first film came out, so the books were everywhere too. And back then I found them utterly engrossing. I’d lie on my bed for hours reading away.
After that I remember reading The Hobbit which was an adventure on a whole new level, and then around the same time the Lord of the Rings movies came out. That just hooked me completely and is probably where my preference for fantasy stems from.
What books are currently in your to be read pile?
I’m very much a mood reader and like to read a mix of books at the same time. I’ve just got The Coward by Stephen Aryan which I’m looking forward to getting stuck into. His new book, The Judas Blossom, is excellent. I’ve also got The Bone Roots by Gabriela Houston lined up to read too. Also in the mix is a book by Greek philosopher Epicurus called The Art of Happiness. He’s grabbed my attention an awful lot lately so I’m hoping to learn a lot.
Which do you prefer ebooks, print, or audio books?
I think each one has their own charm. My favourite reading experience is sitting down in a chair you can sink into with a paperback. I love reading on the go though and read a lot of ebooks on my phone. And when I’m on long drives I like to throw an audiobook on.
If you could live inside the world of a book or series which world would it be and why?
I had to have a good think about this one, but I decided it would be Middle Earth. I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand to do the LOTR tour so I figured I’d like to visit the world too.
Although there are some scary bastards there, orcs, goblins and Shelob in particular, there are some truly amazing things too. And it’s a land with magic in the air, with trees that can talk and move. To be honest, I think I’d spend most of my time in Hobbiton stuffing my face or hanging out with the ents in the forest.
Of Metal and Magic Core Series
Richie Billing
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Of Metal And Magic Publishing
Date of Publication: 17/03/2023
ISBN: 1838400915
ASIN: B09H7RYS5D
Number of pages: 423
Word Count: Approx. 110,000
Cover Artist: 100 Covers
Tagline: "So often it's the forgotten who possess the power to change the world."
Book Description:
When an attempt is made on the life of Ashara, Keeper of Yurr, his young, hapless advisor Edvar must uncover and stop those behind it.
With enemies in the capital city and the belligerent Tesh, Keeper of neighbouring nation Karrabar stirring trouble in the Borderlands, can Edvar hold together Ashara's brittle reign?
The troubles ripple throughout Yurr, affecting an ancient race of people known as the Amast, who in their time of utmost need, turn to pariah Isy for salvation. Rejected by society, kith and kin, can Isy guide the Amast to safety during the greatest turmoil Yurr has known since the War of the Damned?
Pariah's Lament will take you on a rollercoaster of an adventure ‘that will keep you spellbound as you traverse the world alongside Isy and Edvar’ (Books Behind The Title). And along the way you’ll experience ‘intense fighting scenes, a little romance and flawed characters’ (Sarah Lillian Books).
If you love to explore fantasy worlds, this book won’t disappoint. Part of a shared universe populated by other authors, the setting in Pariah’s Lament has proven a huge hit with readers, with some praising the ‘insane level of detail’ (The Book Suite) and vividness of its descriptions.
Excerpt:
Like a flock of dive-bombing gulls, the great stones
of the Yurrish trebuchets and catapults twisted and turned in the air. One
jagged chunk struck the bow of a Karraban galley and splinters and shards burst
forth to a chorus of cracks and screams. Another great boulder obliterated the
masthead of a nearby ship, hurling those upon the deck overboard.
More missed than struck. The yellow tide did not falter.
Driven forward by oars, the Karraban fleet ate up the
water, moving in a diagonal line. The trebuchets were taking an age to reload.
From his vantage point, Jem could see those on the quay hurrying to winch back
the catapults. At the sound of a frantic horn, the arms of the catapults were
unleashed and clusters of iron balls, stones and rocks rained down on those
ships leading the Karraban charge, puncturing hulls, sails and decks.
Still they came.
The trebuchets, ranges adjusted, loosed again and once
more struck a destructive blow. The Karrabans still persisted. Yurrish archers
upon the quay walls unleashed their first volley. Unfortunate rowers upon the
open decks screamed, and the momentum of a number of ships waned, oars falling
slack or tangling with others. One talented, or lucky, archer struck a helmsman
and the galley veered into another, scraping its side and snapping its oars,
and, no doubt, the arms of a few oarsmen too.
The Karrabans answered with arrows of their own, their
archers placed in crow’s nests and platforms built amongst the rigging. The air
quickly grew thick with darts. The persistent shouts and cries of men were
incrementally drowned out by the great crashes of stone against wood as the
loads of catapults and trebuchets fell. The frenetic scene around the quay wall
absorbed Jem’s attention. Creeping into the top of his vision, looming behind
the chaos, came the first of the great galleons. Its rowers slowed, turned portside,
level with the quay gate.
"Sir, the galleon carries the thunder. You must
stop it!" Jem shouted.
Gundar looked to where he pointed and nodded. He
dispatched messengers to the quay and artillery stations. Jem spotted hatches
opening on the portside of the ship. Catapults continued to fire at the
galleys, though some quick-thinking engineers had turned their aim to the
galleon.
Their loads fell short. The trebuchets were still
reloading. They were the only ones who had a hope of hitting it, if any of
their operators had the presence of mind to know where to aim.
One by one, their great wooden arms swung forwards.
Huge rocks hung in the air like eagles.
Everyone upon the wall had their eyes upon them,
hoping they struck, willing them to do so, and despairing as they watched each
one splash harmlessly into the water.
Listen
to an Audio Excerpt
Richie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mostly fantasy fiction. His tales often explore real-world issues, zooming in on his characters and their troubles.
His short fiction has been widely published, with one story adapted for BBC radio. And his debut novel, an epic fantasy called Pariah's Lament, was published by Of Metal and Magic Publishing in March 2021.
Richie also hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his acclaimed craft book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook.
When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and in his home city of Liverpool.
Most nights you can find him up into the early hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.
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