Interview with Mark Timmony

Mark Timmony was born and bred on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. He’s wanted to write for as long as he can remember and has several notebooks filled with illegible scribblings from childhood to prove it. The desire to write led to work as a bookseller and he spent almost a decade working as a genre specialist in Sydney. ‘The Blood of the Spear’ is his debut novel.

CONNECT WITH MARK

Welcome to SPFM, Mark! Since we already have your bio, describe yourself in three words.

Shy.

Kind.

Dreamer.

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Summarize your book, The Blood of the Spear, using one gif.

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If you could recommend three self-published books, which would you choose and why?

The Shadows of Dust by Alec Hutson – because it’s a space fantasy that contains all the things I love about epic fantasy but set in space! And it has a giant space turtle.

Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko – I was on the edge of my seat through most of this book, I found the characters engaging and as a gamer myself I really enjoyed the ‘leveling up’ aspect of the story.

Of Blood and Fire by Ryan Cahill – a stellar debut of epic fantasy that has a feel of comfortable familiarity yet is new and exciting!

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What is your favorite part, and your least favorite part of self-publishing?

My favorite part is working with the cover artist to come up with something that represents your story and your vision of it. I often have no idea what should go on a cover (although I have definite opinions when I do not like something!) so working with a professional whose work I already love is like being a kid at Christmas. 

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How do you approach worldbuilding?

I generally start of with a map. I set the borders of realms, look at rivers, lakes and mountains and forests. Then I start thinking about what type of society/culture inhabits each and working out a brief timeline for them and the world at large. 

I like to set my stage before I start detailing how my story will play out because much of the history of world around them will influence my characters and their journey.

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Who inspires you?

My inspiration comes from varying places. Obviously, my favorite authors play a big part in that, the likes of Robert Jordan, Janny Wurts, Peter V. Brett, Melissa McPhail, Steven Erickson – I could go on and on.

But I am also inspired by artists the likes of Felix Ortiz, Anato Finnstark, Geoff Taylor, Marcel Mercado and Kerem Beyit. I often find that a gorgeous piece of art will fire my creativity as I start imagining the story behind it. 

It is the same with video game s- specifically mmorpg’s. Playing in a fully realised world, experiencing an interactive story, and being immersed in the art and design, also sets my inspiration aflame.

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If you could go back in time, what’s one thing you would tell your younger self?

I’d tell myself to spend less time dreaming about writing and actually doing it!

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If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick and what would it be about?

I’ve actually thought about this before. A spin-off story would focus on one of the important secondary characters in The Blood of the Spear, the Starbinder, Iana Sabay and her friend and protector the Blay Shon Lihon of House Tang.

The story would be about their early days and how a Blade Master of the Black Sands came to be the bodyguard for a Shaluay Starbinder. It’s a story full of adventure, let me tell you!

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What’s your social media platform of choice, and why?

It would have to be Instagram. I am by nature, rather shy and quiet, so twitter is a challenge for me (although I am trying to get better!). But on IG I can just post pics of my favorite books, or images of art that I love or that have inspired me, or even write a piece of flash fiction, and people seem to love it. 

On TW I often feel like I have nothing to say as small talk isn’t my thing, and exposing my inner turmoil to world is a tad confronting. 

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What is the funniest typo you’ve ever written?

Durky water. Not murky water, durky water.

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Tell us what lies ahead for you.

I’m currently working on book two of The Eye of Eternity series, this is the direct sequel to The Blood of the Spear. 

And I have a side project I am working on, a space fantasy in the vein of Star Wars and Dune. I can’t give it my full focus as that needs to be on book two, but I am making lots of notes and fleshing out the universe it is set in.

About The Blood of the Spear (The Eye of Eternity #1)

Two brothers. One prophecy. A world in peril.

When Kaiel loses his chance to become part of the legendary Daemon Hunters, joining the Bronze Guard mercenaries seems like the logical alternative. It is an opportunity to put his training to use and, more importantly, as the company is currently in the employ of Prince Alesandr, it will allow him to keep an eye on his younger brother, Darien, who’s determined to follow his dream of becoming a Ciralys magic-user.

But the broken continent of Athmay still bears the scars of the war between the Summoners some three-thousand years ago, and an unexpected battle with a daemon – a remnant of that ancient war – reveals the brothers’ connection to a forbidden bloodline. Soon they find themselves on the run from the prince, daemonic hordes, and a prophecy that could break the world anew.