Self-Publisher’s Showcase: Today we are joined by William Diaz, author of Inquisition. Welcome to the Showcase Lounge, William.

William Diaz: Thank you for having me!

SPS: For any of our readers that haven’t come across your work previously, can you take a moment to tell us all a little about yourself?

WD: I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  I work for a large printing Canadian company.  Most of my spare time outside of family life I put towards my craft.  I began seriously writing just over three years ago.  Before that I wrote a hiphop track called Warrior’s Prilgrimage, the only song I’ve recorded.

SPS:  What are your perfect writing conditions, and how often do you write?

WD: I like the quiet of my living room with some chill beats, during the early morning or any place that’s quiet.  Otherwise I’ll write during my lunch break to the sounds of Billy Talent, Foo Fighters, Metric, Dallas Green or whatever is playing the radio.  I write and edit almost everyday.

SPS: Can you put your finger on the moment where you decided that you wanted to publish your work?

WD: I suppose when I was halfway into writing Inquisition, somewhere during the first draft.  I thought, “What’s the worst that can happen?”

SPS: Why do you think it is that you have found yourself writing in the style/genres that you do?

WD: I’ve got a vivid imaginaton, I also like reading books that will take me on a roller coaster ride from beginning to end.  I also want the same for my readers, something I had discovered when I wrote my first short story in high school (we had to write our own version of Romeo and Juliet back then as one ojr assignments).

SPS: What would you say best differentiates you from other authors?

WD: I’m willing to open my stories with that kick to the face approach!  Then ease things in after the “what just happened?” phase.  I try and push  bounderies when I can.

SPS: Can you take a moment to tell us all about your debut release Inquisition

WD: Inquisition opens up with the hunt for the powerful Blood Moon Scrolls.  Inquistion then takes readers to Premia, where the hunt for the Scrolls and other dark secrets collide.

SPS: How did you find the challenge of world building and creating something from nothing? Did you ever regret the decision?

WD: I actually enjoyed the challenge of world building!  I do not regret the decision one bit.  The biggest challenge I faced was trying to piece what environments fit where and what to call them.  Other than that I enjoyed the experience.

SPS: What can you tell us about your protagonist Dean Jayden?

WD: Dean Jayden has been through a lot from a young age.  Some where in his life he was lured into the dangerous world of smuggling.  Dean is guarded and quick to dispense his brand of justice.  Dean Jayden has what I call a “take no prisoners” attitude.  I enjoyed creating this character, letting my imagination run with scenarios Dean would face.

SPS: An author’s debut work often contains a fair amount of the author, is there any of you in Dean?

WD: No, no, there’s very little of me in Dean!

SPS: Which other characters should readers be on the lookout for? Do you have a favourite?

WD: Doctor Ellis Emerson is one character to keep your eyes on.  Another would be Crown Prince Saalis of the Deimos Nomad Federation, Overlord Darius of the Clothian race and King Rogerio II of Arinia.  My favorite would be Isaiah “ID” Douglas, a tough as nails assassin.

SPS: What can we expect as the story continues in upcoming Blood Moon Chronicles books?

WD: You can expect some new characters as well familiar faces, new lands, new twists but the same old grittiness and action! 

SPS: How did you set about creating the amazing cover art?

WD: I wanted to give my readers a glimpse, if you will, of what to expect from Inquisition.  Also, the image of the villain holding the balance of justice (or in this case, injustice…hence the tagline!) was a statement I wanted to make.  For that, I hired local artist Federico Kempke to design the cover for Inquisition.

SPS: What’s next on the self-publishing horizon for yourself?

WD: The 2nd book of the Blood Moon Chronicles, Agents Of Chaos is currently in the works (editing 2nd draft) and ideas have been put down for the third and final book in the series.  Outside of the Blood Moon Chronicles, I’m working on a new dystopian fantasy.

SPS: Was the Self-Published/Indie-Published route always your preferred route for your work?

WD: You know, I had no clue about self/indie publishing until I started conducting my own research and well into writing Inquisition.  The idea of control over one’s work had a definate appeal to me.

SPS: Has the experience so far been all that you thought it would be?

WD: Well, I can tell you that the experience for me has been a good one.

SPS: If you could give one piece of advice for someone looking to get into writing, what would it be?

WD: Read.  Read.  And then read some more.  Practise your craft.  Don’t have the time?  Make the time.  I began writing Inquisition on an old Apple iTouch, then finished it on a Samsung S2, using an Office Suite app.  It’s also how I finished the 1st draft of Agents Of Chaos.  I currently have a Samsung Core, created a folder for my writing and find the time during my lunch break or in my travels to put down some words.  If you’re serious about your craft, you’ll make the time.

SPS: Before we bring this interview to a close, it’s your chance to name-drop. Anyone who you feel is deserving of more recognition at present or someone whose writing you have recently enjoyed? Now is your chance to spread the word…

WD: My wife and number one fan Stella.  She played a huge role from the moment Inquisition was conceived.  As for authors I admire, here’s my list: George RR Martin, Canadian author Jack Whyte, Glen Cook and his Black Company series, Matthew Reilly, Greg Iles, Brandon Sanderson, Brent Weeks, British author Andy McNabb.

SPS: Thank you for joining us today, William, and all the best for the future.

WD: Thank you again for having me!  It was a pleasure!

SPS: For more information on William Diaz and his work, please do visit his Showcase Author page here.