It’s a lovely day to reveal a cover!
FFA is delighted to bring you the cover for the third book in Samuel Gately’s Fire Eye series.
(Book 1 cover)
A detective and spy fights with wits and magic to find missing children, keep the dark corners of her city safe, and escape the noose that has followed her from her shadowy past.
This series is action-packed and sharp, great for those who like fast-paced, high-octane fantasy.
About the Author:
Samuel Gately writes fantasy novels. His stories blend epic fantasy with his other passions, as can be seen in the popular Titan Wars series (fantasy meets pro wrestling), the Fire Eye series (crime noir in a magical city), and the Spies of Dragon and Chalk series (James Bond-style espionage among dragon riders). He lives in Chicago and can often be found slinging books at local wrestling shows.
Before we get to the cover reveal, I lobbed a few questions at Samuel, and he was kind enough to respond:
1. When did you write your first story? What was it about?
I must have five different hand-written versions of an early story about a wizard running up tower stairs. They are all terrible and he never got to the top of those stairs. I don’t know why I was so fixated on that image throughout my childhood. One day I’ll attempt to rewrite it so I can look back and once again proclaim it as terrible.
2. What do you use to write; pen and paper, computer, table, or maybe a dictating device?
Most of my writing is on the computer, but I do use a lot of dictation when I’m on the move (driving or walking the dogs) for plot notes and dialogue. Sometimes it works great. Other times I’m like ‘what the hell does Toyota candle attack tries mean?’
3. How much of yourself do you put into your books?
Probably a little too much. I try to diversify the voices of my characters, but sometimes a little too much smart-ass unites them. When I’m doing better work and on my game, I’m more prone to insert people from my life into the books (or at least pieces of them). That keeps me interested and, if I’m doing it right, shows some interesting voices to the readers.
4. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I did have the name of a college friend hidden in a book but I edited it out when it kept distracting me. I don’t put too many secrets exactly, but I am partial to callbacks, so you’ll often see something in a Book 3 that ties back to a Book 1. For example, in the first book of this series (The Fire Eye Refugee), two characters meet and one of them quickly falls out of a window. I enjoyed revisiting that scene in Book 3 as an ongoing debate they’ve been having for years – was it an accident or a push?
5. What has been the most rewarding moment or theme of your writing career?
The moment I typed the words THE END in my first novel was unforgettable. I’ve been chasing that high ever since. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a book that you are proud of.
6. If you were any character from Lord of the Rings, which one would you be?
I always felt a kinship with Bilbo Baggins (thinking of The Hobbit – both the book and the animated movie featured in my childhood). I liked the idea of being a reluctant adventurer and being forced to rise to the occasion.
And now, the moment you have all been waiting for–BEHOLD!!
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