International Book Promotion is currently working on Erik Nelson’s book trailer and it is going to be really special as we are using the skills and expertise of many professional artists. The illustrations for Erik’s book is done by an artist from the Rhythm and Hues studio. He has worked on movies like Life of Pi and many other Hollywood animated movies. The voice over for the trailer will be provided by an American voice over artist with more than 26 years of experience. We have also hired a music composer to compose a music for the trailer. 

It is our pleasure to work with Erik for his book SomnAgent: The Snake and The Fox. While reading his book, we can only say that Erik has weaved his story so well that it will even hook you into the story even if you are not a fan of fantasy books. He has planned everything very wisely. We will also have a video and written review published on our blog later. 

Meanwhile, check out what Erik says when we interviewed him.

• Where are you from?
I’m from Southern California, and though I’ve traveled, I always come back to my home.

• Why do you write?
I started writing when I was 13 to help me sleep. I had a mind that would not rest. Ideas would keep flowing into my head, so to sleep at night, I’d write them down to get them out.

• What do you write about?
I write whatever is in my head. It’s almost always fantasy related and growing up I was kind of a day dreamer. Many times it’s just short stories or characters that I come up with that I might use for later.

• Do you have a specific writing style?
I like writing from a character’s point of view. I purposefully leave out detail that the character wouldn’t be aware of and include detail specific to how that character sees the world.

• What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
For me staying disciplined in writing is always my biggest challenge. I am not a full time writer and mostly do it for fun. It was only a few years ago that I decided to take my writing a little more seriously. Since then I’ve tried to set a schedule for when I write, but I rarely stick to it.

• What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
I was surprised by how some people related to my characters and how one character in particular changed a person’s point of view. A fan, after reading my first book The Snake and the Fox, said that she hated Fippa when first reading about him. She didn’t like how deceitful he seemed. But by the end of the book she said he turned out to be her favorite, because she realized that if put in his shoes, she might have done exactly what he did.

• When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I think ever since I started writing that I’d always wanted to be a writer. It was always a dream of mine that I never followed until recently.

• What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
The only schedule I really maintain is that I write on the weekends. I make sure to say that I’m writing so that I don’t get disturbed, but also to hold me accountable to make sure I write. Occasionally I write on weekday afternoons after my day job if I feel like it or if a new idea comes up while I’m at work.

• What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
It’s hard to talk about interesting quirks about yourself, but I suppose I’d say that I never really turn off the writing in my head. I’m always thinking of stories and characters and that never really goes away. So sometimes when I’m with family, I’ll randomly tell them about a character or something when in a conversation, just to help me stop thinking about it.

• How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)
For me it takes about a year to write a 500 page novel (more or less) and a few months for editing. I know that’s because I’m not a fulltime writer, and if I was that time would be much shorter.

• Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Yes, as some of my fans have already heard. I tell them, “Just write it! It doesn’t matter if it’s good or not, because it hasn’t even been written yet!”

•What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
One of my biggest challenges is trying to be as smart as some of my characters. In one story, a character is backed into a corner, and I had to come up with a way out for him, but I couldn’t right away. I really had to think about his predicament and how HE would find a way to escape. That took a lot more effort than I usually care to admit.

• What do you think makes a good story?
I always know a good story by how jealous I am after reading it. After reading a good story, I usually tell myself “I wish I had written that!” To me it’s the best compliment and I hope to hear that someday about my own stories.

• What does your family think of your writing?
They have been more than supportive and patient, especially when I want to talk about a character or plot line. I’m always appreciative of them for that!

• Do you see writing as a career?
I hope to make it a career someday. It would absolutely be my dream!

• Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
My new book is titled The Shadows and the Innocence and is the sequel to The Snake and the Fox. While The Snake and the Fox focused on the characters Slider and Fippa, The Shadows and the Innocence will focus on two other characters, Pitt and Lilium, even though the other characters will still be present in the story.

• When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I often go to videogames or movies to relax when I’m not writing. However, I find that the more I do those things, the less creative I become, so I try to limit those activities. However, I know that many of my characters or stories have been inspired, even if a little, by video games or movies so I likely will never stop those activities completely.

• What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
If anything, I hope they find my writing engaging and thought provoking. Ultimately, I write about the human spirit and human capacity. I want my readers to identify with the characters, but also ask themselves would they do the same thing if put in the same situation. In any case, I hope my readers enjoy my stories most of all and feel hungry for the next one!

Thank you so much Erik! We value your patience in working with us! 

Join our book trailer release events: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/641794832544758/?ref=22&source=1

https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/101473417525569897883/events/cp35qul5pedk8fl0re002mohs6g

Blurb:
Slider, an assassin in training, and his manager Fippa are simply trying to survive in the cracks of society in a realm where each city is run by fierce and corrupt Gangs. The land is struggling under economic pressure and the Royal House has weakened. This has made survival for everyone all the more difficult. However, one of the gangs proposes an offer the two cannot refuse. The terms: Slay the King. The reward: Wealth and Glory that would lift them out of the cracks of society forever with failure leading to death. As Slider and Fippa journey towards the castle to find their destiny, what was once a clear goal becomes clouded along the way as they come to realize that perhaps they have bitten off more than they can chew for not everything is as it seems.

Links to buy the book:

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-Snake-Fox-SomnAgent-ebook/dp/B00ACNAEWY

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-snake-and-the-fox-erik-nelson/1113844186?ean=2940015780284