Wednesday 10 October 2012

Scott Colby

Author of: Shotgun



Book blurb:

“Shotgun” has it all. Do you like mystery and intrigue and political machinations and worldwide conspiracies? It's got all that. Elves and demons and trolls and an amnesiac pyromancer with antlers? Check, check, check, check, check. Slightly heavy-handed commentary on the evils of Corporate America? You can't possibly miss it. Magic shotguns, semi-sentient poundcakes, talking trees, and shapeshifters? Oh hell yeah. Are you an English teacher in need of content to stir a rousing debate involving fate and free will, and whether the heroes actually accomplished something or just did what the villain expected of them? Here you go!

Roger Brooks, a mild-mannered family man, is dropped head first into this world when he accidentally takes possession of the ancient magic the evil Witch hid in his silverware drawer. As he grows into his new role of plucky hero in a city of sorcery, Roger will have to determine which of the motley cast of characters he can trust to help him unravel the Witch's dastardly plot. Can Roger stop her from changing the world forever?

“Shotgun” is an urban fantasy magnum opus, the first step in the skyrocketing career of an exciting new voice in the genre. And even if it's not, it's pretty cheap.

As an introduction, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm Scott Colby.  By day I'm the mild-mannered IT guy at a Boston-area non-profit.  At night, I turn into the second coming of Neil Gaiman.  I hope.

What is your book about?

My book follows the exploits of two characters suddenly thrust into a hidden supernatural subculture they never dreamed existed.  After stumbling upon an ancient elven magic that enchants his father's old shotgun, family man Roger Brooks is whisked away to the elven capital where he's faced with unraveling a conspiracy while adjusting to his new surroundings.  Talora wakes up on a park bench with no memory of her past and is immediately recruited by the very conspiracy Roger's dealing with.  When the two finally come together, it all explodes.  It's a lot of fun, and despite that rather ominous description there's a lot of light-hearted silliness along the way.

When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing way back in elementary school.  It was a way to pass the time when I got bored.  I started with silly little stories about my friends and I fighting evil monsters.  Things spiraled out of control from there.

What genre do you prefer to write in?

Typically I write fantasy.  It's a fun genre to work with.  I don't read a heck of a lot of fantasy, so I'm not entirely sure what made me gravitate to it.

What is your biggest writing achievement to date?

Finishing "Shotgun."  This is its fourth or fifth incarnation, the first of which I wrote back in high school.  So for me, getting "Shotgun" out there is a huge deal.

What inspired you to write your book?

It's always bothered me when stories delve into the supernatural and the fantastic without explaining why most people don't know that stuff exists.  If all the vampires in "Buffy" are always causing so much trouble, why doesn't everyone know about it?  So I decided that I'd create a society of elves that keeps humanity in the dark, kind of like how Agents J and K operate in "Men in Black."

Who is your favourite author, and what is it about their work that strikes a chord with you?

Iain M. Banks.  His Culture novels deal with some pretty serious stuff, but there's always a bit of post-modern absurdity involved.

What book are you reading now, and would you recommend it?

I just started 1984.  I haven't read it before.  Prior to that I read "Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz, which I thought was just ok.

What are your current projects?

I'm trying to put more work into my website (www.istoleyourlunch.com) and I'm doing a lot with a video game humor site (www.dpaddbags.com).  I'm the editor of a very ambitious fantasy fiction project (www.baegtobar.com) and I'm about ten thousand words into a prequel for "Shotgun."

Where and when do you do most of your writing?

I get more done if I'm not in my apartment.  I like to work in coffee shops and bars.  I've started carrying a notebook and pen with me everywhere, and I typically crank out a paragraph or two during my lunch break.

What would you say was the hardest part of writing your book?

Finishing it.  There's so much more I want to do with the characters and the world, and there came I point where I had to just force myself to end this first one.  There's a lot more to come.

Who designed your book cover – and was the cover something you deemed important?

Jeremy Mohler (owner and Art Director over at www.baegtobar.com) did the cover.  He did a heck of a job.  I think it's important to have something that will catch the shopper's eye.

Did you try to go down the route of traditional publishing first – or did you feel that self-publishing was right for you from the beginning?

I didn't bother with traditional publishing.  All the bookstores around me are closing.  Self-publishing is the way things should be, and I'm a huge proponent of it.  Nowadays it seems like you can't get a foot through a traditional publisher's door unless you know someone, and to me that's a load of crap.

On the whole, how have you found self-publishing?

It's fun to be able to just put your work out there without the annoyance of finding someone to back it.  It's definitely not going to make me rich anytime soon, but I hope I can build a regular audience that regularly contributes to my beer fund.

Where can we buy your book from?

"Shotgun" is available exclusively on Amazon.com.  Amazon Prime members can borrow it for free; I still get paid when that happens, so don't feel bad about borrowing it.

Do you have a website or blog where we can keep tabs on you?

You can keep up with me at scottcolbywrites.com.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Stick with it.  It's hard and time-consuming, but finishing a piece and getting it out there where people can read it is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had.

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