Today, I’m pleased to welcome Victor Kloss, author of The Royal Institute of Magic: Elizabeth’s Legacy, that is so reminiscent of Harry Potter’s delightful adventures. Just look at this whimsical cover!
Two years ago, Ben Greenwood’s parents walked out the door and never returned. The police have all but given up finding them when Ben stumbles upon a peculiar letter addressed to his dad. “You are the most wanted man in the Unseen Kingdoms. Unless you come to us, we cannot help. For your child’s sake, tell us what you know.”
The letter is from an organization called the Royal Institute of Magic and is dated a day before his parents disappeared. Like most people, fourteen-year-old Ben hasn’t the faintest idea what the Royal Institute of Magic is, but he has his first clue: the logo on the letter.
Armed with nothing but his wits and the help of his good friend Charlie, Ben sets out to find the Institute and, through them, his parents. To succeed, he will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and Spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the Institute has been fighting for the last five hundred years.
FIND IT NOW ON:
Hello Victor and welcome to my blog!
Hi Fros, I am so pleased to be here today!
What has inspired you to write this book?
There are two things I enjoy writing about: I love putting my main character into a scene, world or situation that I would love to experience. I think something like Harry Potter does that really well. The other concept that excites me is putting a character into a completely surreal situation – like a fish out of water – and seeing how he would cope. I use both those concepts a lot in Royal Institute of Magic.
Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?
I have to confess, I am a bit of a sports freak. I’m not sure how many writers fall into this category, but I have three brothers, and growing up, we were football crazy. I don’t play that much anymore, but I follow it closely. I also enjoy golf! As I’m on the computer all day, it’s nice to get outside and get some exercise.
What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).
I’m working like crazy on book 2 of the Royal Institute of Magic, and am hoping to publish around the end of May.
For those of you who have read book 1, book 2 starts off just a week or so after book 1 finishes, and is basically a continuation of the story. Ben and Charlie start their apprenticeship at the Institute and continue searching for Ben’s parents. Obviously it’s not as straightforward as that! But I don’t want to give too much away (*smiles*)
It will be a five-book series and I’m not one of those people who can write several different projects concurrently, so I will be sticking with this one for a while.
Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?
When I was a child, I absolutely loved Enid Blyton. She wrote some fantastic children’s fantasy stories, such as The Faraway Tree (which will soon become a movie). She had such a great imagination.
I also really like Jeffrey Archer. He writes these epic sagas, often depicting two characters who are connected in some way and their lives constantly intertwine. He is a fantastic writer, one of the few who can keep me turning pages regardless of the novel length.
Then there are children’s fantasy authors, such as J.K. Rowling, and also another English author called Jonathan Stroud. I like his sense of humor – I feel it resonates with my own.
Do you have any advice for other indie authors?
Never stop learning your craft. The best way to become a good writer, is to keep writing. That should be combined with some basic instruction, whether it’s picking up a book or joining a critique group, so you can see where you are strong and where you need to improve. Writing a million words is all well and good, but if you’re unaware of your mistakes, it’s not going to be that helpful.
Probably the best advice I could give is to be professional. There is a lot of competition and you need to stand out. Regardless of the cost, make sure your work is professionally edited, and invest in a really good cover. These things will make your money back and more.
Wonderful advice, Victor. Are there any sites or writing tools that you find useful and wish to recommend?
By far the best website I use is KBoards – Writers’s Cafe
It is full of indie authors, from those just starting out, to others who make five figures a month. It is such a helpful group and the marketing knowledge I gained there has been invaluable.
Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?
I sit at a fairly ordinary desk, but I have a nice view into my garden. I am a big tea drinker, and I find that helps me get in the groove!
I’m married to a Brit and know only too well you all run on tea, LOL. Actually, so do I (*giggles*). Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?
Yes, I listen to music, though it’s just background noise to help free me of distractions. I’m a bit of an oldie and enjoy listening to bands such as The Eagles and David Bowie. I really like Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits.
Oh, they’re all amazing musicians . . . If you could choose another profession, what would that be?
Something to do with sport. Failing that, I enjoy my current profession, which is Web Development.
Have you brought any pictures to share with us today, Victor?
Yes Fros, as a matter of fact I have! In these two snapshots you can see me with my family; my beloved wife and little daughter.
Oh, what an adorable family you have! Thank you for being here with us today, Victor. It’s been a pleasure to have you.
Thank you Fros, the pleasure was all mine!
Victor Kloss was born in 1980 and lived his first five years in London, before moving to a small town in West Sussex. By day he builds websites, by night he writes (or tries to).
His love for Children’s Fantasy stems from Enid Blyton, Tolkien, and recently, J.K. Rowling. His hobbies include football, golf, reading and taking walks with his wife and two-year-old daughter.
Visit Victor’s Amazon page
Visit Victor’s Website
Other links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vkloss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalinstituteofmagic
Nice interview, and Victor’s advice to indie authors is spot on.
Thank you for your visit, Ray 🙂
Interesting intervew, Fros – as always! I was a great fan of Enid Blyton, especially the Secret Seven and Famous Five books – always wanted to go on such adventures.
I can’t say I’ve read any books by Enid Blyton, but as a teenager I used to be hooked on a British TV series of Blyton’s Famous Five, so I can imagine the books must be fantastic too. Thank you for your kind comments dear Mary 🙂
Victor’s advice should be etched on a gold plaque! It captures the essence. Fun interview. Thanks, Victor and Fros!
What a lovely thing to say, Maria, thank you for stopping by 🙂
Thanks everyone! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. The questions Fros posed were so interesting and thoughtful I found it easy to respond.
Mary – did you know they are making a feature film of The Faraway Tree? That excites me almost as much as the new Star Wars movie. =)
Thank you for your kind words, Victor, it’s been an immense pleasure to have you and your lovely book on my blog 🙂