ABOUT THE BOOK
The enchanted creatures of legend still exist, hidden away in the secret places of the world. They take refuge from an age of camera phones and government labs, from people who won’t let them live in peace. One of these last places of safety is known as the World Below.Ancient powers are at work. The Lords of Faerie seek to revenge the death of Baron Finkbeiner and recover the mysterious Blade of Caro. Hidden in the shadows, they await a chance to strike. The chance arises when an old enemy escapes the splinter realm in which he is imprisoned. Anxious to settle the debt, the Faerie Lords send him to finish the Lady Elizabeth and her Champion once and for all.
After leading the revolution against the despotic ruler of the World Below, Mitch Hardy has taken the throne. He never wanted to be king. The whole idea of a government by right of combat sits poorly with him. Growing evermore uneasy with his new position, he begins laying the framework for self-rule. The enchanted peoples have known nothing but kings, but are adapting quickly to this new idea of governing their own affairs. It goes well, but Mitch’s plans are interrupted by the arrival of old enemies. Soon he is fighting for his life against a hellish enemy, the likes of which he never imagined.
INTERVIEW WITH MIKE PHILLIPS
Mike, how did you get started writing and when did you become an “author?”
I never wanted to be a writer. I went to college, got a great job when I graduated, and was bored out of my skull. I didn’t have any money when going to school, so I was used to working forty hours a week and taking a full-time schedule. When I got my “real job” I had more down-time than I ever had in my life. Stories just started developing in my mind, and I thought it would be fun to write them down. Now I can’t stop. If I don’t write, the stories work their way into my head anyway. The only way I can get the stories to leave me alone is to write them down. Don’t get me wrong. I love writing, but it was never anything I set out to do.
What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
My favorite part about writing is the creative process. I like everything about story telling from the beginning of an idea to the final edit.
What books do you currently have published?
Hazard of Shadows, Chronicles of the Goblin King Book One
The World Below, Chronicles of the Goblin King Book Two
Dawn of Ages
Reign of the Nightmare Prince
Can you share some of your marketing strategies with us?
The toughest part about writing is marketing and staying in touch with my readers. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to all those people who have supported my work over the years. I wish I was better at telling them how much I appreciate their loyalty. I also have a sense of obligation to my publishers. Taking a chance on an unknown like me is a huge financial risk. I feel that I need to be better at supporting what they are trying to do in promotions and sales. I’m afraid that all too often I fall short of expectations in this regard.
You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write?
My real job is in the insurance industry. I’m a safety engineer. Every day I try to keep people from getting hurt. Not a bad gig.
What scares you the most?
Oddly enough, it never fails to surprise me when readers and editors tell me how scary my writing is. On more than one occasion, I’ve been credited with nightmares. I’m not typically frightened by the supernatural. Real violence, especially against women and children and animals, only makes me angry. So for me, the real thing to fear in modern society is accountants.
If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
At least three quarters full, yes. I’m far from success on that little personality flaw.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert, certainly. I love people.
What's your relationship with your TV remote?
It’s a sort of hate, hate, relationship. If the batteries are going bad but not yet in need of being replaced, I can fill up that swear jar in a hurry.
Do you spend more on clothes or food?
Great question, lost on both, actually.
What's your relationship with your cell phone?
I think my relationship with my cell is a lot like my relationship with my remote. If everything is working properly, it’s fine. If something goes wrong, I get frustrated and angry in the blink of an eye.
How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I’m jealous of my sleep. I usually get a solid eight hours. Sometimes, I even manage an afternoon nap.
Do you have a favorite book?
I have diverse reading habits. Short stories, poetry, novels, I read it all. I have an interest in science and engineering, so I read a lot of non-fiction articles as well. When I’m reading fiction, I gravitate toward stories of the supernatural. Some of the new authors you find in online anthologies are really pushing the boundaries of the genre and are worth checking out if you haven’t already. I also like historical fiction. My most guilty pleasure is the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell.
How about a favorite book that was turned into a movie? Did the movie stink?
Oddly enough, the Sharpe Series. Though Sharpe was played by Saun Beene, one of my favorite actors, the movies weren’t all that good.
Do you sweat the small stuff?
Unfortunately, yes, I can’t let anything go.
How long is your to-do list?
Yes, my to-do list both for my writing and around the house is long and getting longer. But be proud of me, I cleaned a truck load of stuff out of the house last weekend and took it all to Goodwill.
I am proud of you. That's hard to do. I guess by now you've found at least three things you wish you hadn't given away . . . Last question: What are you working on now?
Lots going on right now. Promotions have taken up most of my time lately. I’m about halfway through the next Goblin King book and can’t wait to get back to it. My fifth fantasy novel is due out next year. I was on the treadmill this afternoon and had a great idea for a new urban fantasy series. With everything else going on, it would be great if I only had the time.
Lightning round:
Cake or frosting? Frosting
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? Bill Murray
Emailing or texting? Both, but not usually at the same time.
Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors
Tea: sweet or unsweet? I love sweet tea, love it. The sugar, however, puts me kicking and screaming into the unsweet territory.
Plane, train, or automobile? The airlines stink. Amtrak is never on time and often has restroom issues, so rail is not high on my list either, though the South Shore Commuter rail into Chicago is unquestionably a good choice. That leaves the automobile. I travel by car about 50,000 miles a year for work. That’s a lot of windshield time. So, being a Michigan resident, I hope Henry Ford forgives me when I say that the automobile is one of my least favorite modes of travel. If it’s a matter of travelling for pleasure, I prefer my own two feet.
HAZARD OF SHADOWS BOOK TRAILER
THE WORLD BELOW: CHRONICLES OF THE GOBLIN KING BOOK ONE TRAILER
DAWN OF AGES TRAILER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Connect with Mike:
Website | Goodreads | Amazon
