AC: My first exposure to your work was The Heart of Stone. It’s about a stone war-golem with a heart of… stone, I guess. It’s like a Grimdark Pretty Woman. After reading it, I saw you’ve got an incredible, genre-spanning backlist. Can you tell us a little bit about HoSand the other books in your catalogue?
BG: “Grimdark Pretty Woman” is one hell of a tagline. I’ll be quoting you on that! And thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. The Heart of Stoneis an epic military standalone with a non-human protagonist. It’s a bloody, thundering, skull-crushing adventure through a war-torn country, but at its heart, it’s also book about war and the facets of human nature. My other books include the Scarlet Star Trilogy, a weird western, coming-of-age series set in an alternate 1876, and The Emaneska Series, which is epic nordic fantasy, the sort filled with dragons and demons and mages.
AC: You ignored my advice and did not write an erotic sequel called Bone of Stone (or, Heart of Bone – I’m good either way). I’m disappointed, but I’m also in love with the concept and visuals you’ve created for your next series, Chasing Graves. Tell us a little bit about that one.
BG: They were great suggestions, but I was just too tied up with my Benjamin Gotwoodseries! <editor’s note, zing!> <also editor’s note, if I wrote that, would you guys buy it?> Erotica aside, Chasing Gravesis book one of a new dark fantasy trilogy set in a world inspired by Egyptian mythology, where ghosts are bound as slaves for the rich and powerful. It’s coming out December 7th, and I couldn’t be more excited to release it.
AC: Speaking of visuals, as I’ve been following you, I keep stumbling across videos of you showing off other creative talents. Drawing maps, animating covers, you were in a band… What else is Ben Galley up to, when he’s not writing?
BG: When I can drag myself out of the writing cave, I’m an avid gamer, usually patrolling the wastes of Skyrim or Mordor. I also love to read, cook, snowboard, keep my bass guitar skills sharp, and yes, I enjoy the occasional spot of cartography when I get an excuse. I’ve also been vlogging about writing, indie publishing, and travelling for a number of years now, and that’s something I enjoy immensely.
AC: Is it true we drank two bottles of scotch and I beat you in darts?
BG: If the first fact is true, then I lack sufficient evidence to accept the second fact. So, a half-lie…?
AC: You run an author consulting business on the side, which is something I think a lot of new people into the business desperately need. Can you tell us your best piece of advice for someone who’s just finished a solid draft and is looking to get it into the hands of readers?
BG: Build a team of brilliant professionals about you – an editor, a cover designer, a typesetter, formatter, and whoever else you need to turn your manuscript into a highly professional, sellable product. Making the book physically attractive and polishing the story to its utmost forms the solid foundation you need to start marketing and selling.
AC: We all stand on the shoulders of giants. With books spanning multiple sub-genres of Fantasy, can you tell us who has inspired you?
BG: There are far too many writers that spring to mind, but the most notable inspirations are Neil Gaiman, Brian Jacques, Philip Pullman, Robin Hobb, and a lot of Tolkien and Lewis back in my childhood. Not to mention Greek and Norse mythology, and the Brothers Grimm fairytales.
AC: What’s your favorite writing spot?
BG: I’m spoiled for choice here in British Columbia, but I’d have to say a little corner of a pub down by the edge of Victoria Harbour. In the winter there’s a log fire, and in the summer I can watch the seaplanes and wander about the water as I type. Not too shabby for Galley!
