Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for many, many years but I’ve only just recently published my first book. I have finished a number of others, two of which are releasing later this year to complete the Oblivion’s Galaxy trilogy. I studied history in university, and have a master’s degree in international relations & conflict, which has been almost as useful in my writing as my lifetime of watching and reading sci-fi!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I came up with the concept for Oblivion’s Cloak during a time when I was feeling particularly pessimistic about the future of humanity. I tried to imagine a universe in which we destroyed ourselves, but the galaxy kept on spinning without us. The human characters emerged as uprooted people struggling to survive in an indifferent and alien world, something I think most of us can relate to at one time or another.
Writing Oblivion’s Cloak and its upcoming sequels helped me work through my feelings on that subject and I do feel much more optimistic now. But the story still stands on its own as an exploration of those ideas, and of how we can try to find the light even in the deepest darkness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. It’s the first thing I do every morning after breakfast, and when for whatever reason I have to miss a session, it’s a struggle not to let that ruin the day for me. I put on some music that fits the tone of whatever I’m planning to write that day, and just get to it.
I have a thinking couch in my office that I lie down on when I need a break from pacing to figure something out; I don’t know if that counts?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
#1: The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
This one’s easy; its significance to me is basically biblical. I got the White Tree of Gondor tattooed on my arm with “The Road Goes Ever On” written beneath it in Sindarin.
#2: Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield
The best work of historical fiction I’ve ever read. Like The Lord of the Rings, I have to read this one once every few years to keep myself centered. Really makes history come alive, and mean something.
#3: Good Omens, Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Brilliant blend of strong characters, interesting ideas, excitement, and most importantly it’s hilarious. Great showcase for each author’s unique style.
#4: The Armada, Garrett Mattingly
The best single-volume history I’ve ever read. It’s an example of a nearly-lost style of writing truly artistic narrative history. Check it out if you’re interested in the Spanish Armada, or 16th century European history in general.
#5: Oathbringer, Brandon Sanderson
I could pick The Stormlight Archive in general for this slot, but Oathbringer is the high point of the series so far. I don’t want to say too much more, but if you like epic fantasy, check this out.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on finalizing the next entries in the Oblivion’s Galaxy series; in addition, I’m working on a rewrite of one of my earlier unpublished novels, planning to release it after Oblivion’s Galaxy is completed. It’s another science fiction story set in a universe I’ve been working on since I was 14, so I’m excited to finally get that series started in earnest!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still pretty new to the game, so it’s hard to which has been the most effective just yet, but I have had good luck with promotions through sites and newsletters like this!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Set aside time every day or as close to it as you can manage that you devote solely to writing. It’s an art, and it can be your passion, but if you want to make it work you also have to treat it like a job and be disciplined about it.
How precisely you write, what kind of goals you set for yourself each day, week, etc, will depend on you and your particular writing style, which you’ll have to figure out as you go. But the above is the key thing.
I got that advice from Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art, which I highly recommend.
What are you reading now?
I’m in a bit of a re-reading phase right now, which I go through every once in a while; I’m currently re-reading The Silmarillion, and then I plan to re-read Gates of Fire.
After that I’ve got a book in The Lost Fleet series that I received for my birthday last year that’s waiting for me.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dylan McFadyen Website
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