Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mark B. Gilgam is the author of the Wandering Blacksmith series. In a world where magic is another force of nature, a young master blacksmith reads about stark and beautiful lands and glittering cities and sets out to see these wonders for himself. Larger than life, he faces steep odds and powerful evil and hits hard wherever innocent creatures suffer. For that is what heroes do. There are currently four books in the series.
Wandering Blacksmith 1 Hardening the Steel
Wandering Blacksmith 2 Heavy Metals
Wandering Blacksmith 3 The Bloody Hand
Wandering Blacksmith 4 The Star Song
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Star Song, fourth book in the Wandering Blacksmith Series is not the last. Action movies, my books are inspired them. Before you judge me harshly remember that in actioners there is always a good reason for hitting out and it is goodness that prevails in the end! Highly moral, if you think about it. “The 13th Warrior”. “Bladerunner”. “Two Hands. “Hombre”, “Appaloosa”, “Silent Trigger”, “Predator”, “Red Scorpion”, “American Yakuza”, “Ghost Dog”, “Die Hard”, specially the first. The last two “Batman” specially the very last – for the Joker – he had a way to ask questions that were not answered at all. And the new James Bond, that’s one mean sonofabitch – “Do I look like I give a damn?” Phantastically romantic actioners like “Desperado”, “Crying Freeman”, “Ladyhawke”, “Flesh&Blood” “The Blood of Heroes” “A Knight’s Tale” “Bridge of Dragons” “Starship Troopers”. “Forest Gump”, yep I’m also a bit of a sap.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in bed like Mark Twain.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Russians, Aitmatov (he was Kyrgys), Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita (basically he wrote just this one book for which superb is a pale term), Garcia Marquez who makes you forget where and when you are, R.E.Howard (Conan!) and Heroic Fantasy in general, H.P.Lovecraft of the Ctulhu universe, Michael Moorcock of the Multiverse, Barbara Hambly of Darwath, Cherryh of the infuriating heroes, ultra-tough Raymond Chandler, dear Douglas Adams, The Princess Bride (“As you wish”)- just to name a few or I’d be all day – I’m a compulsive reader. Bookshelves all full and bending in the knees, storing books on the floor now, but does that keep me from getting in more? Nope. I built a small but sturdy hut to accommodate my books. After I moved them out there the main house came out of the groundwater about half a meter, and the floors have straightened out by now.
What are you working on now?
The fifth and sixth book of the Wandering Blacksmith Series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is the million $ question all Indie authors ask. I hope, this website is going to give my blacksmith a boost.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author myself, so I can only say : Finish what you start. Beware of plot holes. The craziest premise is no license to dispense with logic.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fear has never helped a man.
What are you reading now?
I often re-read the original Conan stories by Robert E. Howard.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The Wandering Blacksmith Series is not ended by a long stretch of magical adventures.
What is your favorite book of all time?
About one metric ton of books.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mark B. Gilgam Amazon Profile
Mark B. Gilgam’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile