Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two books so far, “Shadow Beneath the City – Book 1 of the Secrets of Shadow series”, and “The Lion’s Roar – The Wisdom of Buddhism”. The second book of the Secrets of Shadow series is currently in production. I am also an English teacher of adult immigrants and refugees, so I write a lot of the resources I use, and I’m always working on something. I previously published a novella “Devil of Dark Dreams” and two parts of an epic fantasy, “Hodmim’s Hold”, but I have brought them offline to work on them a bit more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadow Beneath the City. I remember reading an article about homeless people and how many of them (especially women) have a dog for company and protection. Sometimes, they will prioritize feeding their pet over themselves. So, I thought this was interesting and I wondered about a homeless vampire who uses a dog to guard them during the day when they sleep. The rest of the story developed form there but there are other twists in this story including a novel look at werewolves.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to listen to different music depending on what I am writing. For Devil of Dark Dreams, I listened to Dark Country and Southern Gothic music, especially Colter Wall, the Dead South, and Builders and Butchers. For Hodmim’s Hold, I listened to Mongolian throat singing. For Shadow Beneath the City, I listened to classical music, especially piano, violin, and cello.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible, the Dune series, Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Dark Tower series, Wolf Totem, Norse Eddas, Celtic mythology, Buddhist sutras, the Long Ships by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson, Dracula, Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, the Journey to the West, Riders of the Sidhe, Beowulf, and the Song of Ice and Fire.
What are you working on now?
Working on the finishing touches on the second book in the Secrets of Shadow – Working Title – Shadow Before the Dark Night, then moving on to the third book by Christmas 2023. Then, I intend to finish the changes I wanted to make to Devil of Dark Dreams over the Christmas break. Also working on my YouTube channels and social media.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Buy Me a Coffee, and Pinterest, and am working on a webpage but I am no expert in this area and still learning. Amazon advertising is responsible for most of my sale, I think.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do it for the wealth or fame, they might never happen. Do it because you have a passion to tell a story that matters. I write because I feel I have to. I find it relaxing and enjoyable. If I didn’t write, I have no idea what I would do with myself, I’d probably drive the people around me crazy.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Embrace the journey, not the destination.
What are you reading now?
The Witcher – Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowskil; Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche; and Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Go back to work and make some money so I can pay my beta readers and line editors. Work on my webpage. Try to lose some weight and exercise more. I really, really want to move forward with Hodmim’s Hold. I have been writing it for 30 years and it is my magnum opus. It is a complicated epic sprawl, a will probably be the death of me.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I don’t have one favorite. Lord of the Rings is certainly the closest that I have to a favorite though. The Mists of Avalon was also good but not as epic. The Dune series by Frank Herbert was fantastic. The Táin Bó Cúailnge or the Cattle Raid of Cooley, and the Irish book of Invasions had a deep impact on me. I read some version of the Eddas every couple of years.
Author Websites and Profiles
Joel Hopkinson Website
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