When did you first decide to become an author?

I have been blessed, or perhaps cursed, with an overactive imagination. Embellishing real-life scenarios is something I do almost without thinking. As soon as I learned to read and write, I started creating my own stories.

I was the only first grader invited into a special Creative Writing class at school. There I was learning storytelling techniques and submitting short stories alongside high school students. From that point on, writing became a constant part of my life.

As I got older, the dream of becoming a published author became a major goal. I’m 42 now, and that dream has finally become a reality. I’m proud that I waited until I had the experience, resources, and skill set to create the best book I possibly could.

What else have you written?

My co-author, Christopher X. Ryan, and I have spent seven years building the Underground series. So far, we have written twenty novels set in the world of Terrus, with Orphans of the Sea serving as the introduction.

The other stories include origin novels for the twelve remaining main characters, along with larger novels where their paths collide, clash, and occasionally work together. We view these books as the first saga of a much larger story.

We have also been fortunate to work with a fantastic developmental editor who constantly challenges us to improve. Christopher has a remarkable ability to bring scenes and characters to life, making the stories stronger with every revision.

What excites me most is that this is only the beginning. We plan to release these books over the next six to seven years while continuing to write and refine the larger series. Along the way, we hope to bring the stories to readers around the world through translations and audiobooks, including narration by the incredibly talented Rupert Degas.

What do you do for work when you’re not writing?

Charles R. Cooke is my pen name for a reason! I prefer to keep my writing life and professional life separate, but I will say this: the Underground series is funded by money I earned in the construction industry.

Construction is honest work. It is challenging, occasionally frustrating, and impossible to fake your way through for very long. At the end of the day, buildings either stand or they don’t. I have a great deal of respect for the women and men who build the world around us every day. I have been fortunate to build a career in that world, and now it allows me to chase a lifelong dream of telling stories.

What does your writing process look like?

I didn’t realize how unusual our process was until I started discussing it with other authors.

I begin by creating the characters, outlining the plot, and writing a rough but structured version of the story. My co-author, Christopher X. Ryan, then transforms that foundation into a polished first draft. From there, our developmental editor does what great developmental editors do: she tears the story apart, challenges our assumptions, and makes it better. As two stubborn guys, we occasionally need that reality check.

Christopher then revises the manuscript, and I take another pass to add humor, breadcrumbs, and easter eggs for future stories in the Underground series. We also rely heavily on a fantastic team of beta readers who provide feedback and help us strengthen the story even further.

After one final revision, Christopher and I both sign off on the manuscript and prepare it for publication. It’s a collaborative process from beginning to end, and every stage makes the story stronger.

What does being an indie author mean to you?

Being an indie author means freedom. Freedom to write the story we want to read and tell.

It means having the ability to write the stories we want to tell without having to chase trends or fit neatly into a particular box. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a time when authors can independently publish their work and connect directly with readers who share their interests.

The Underground series is not designed to appeal to everyone, and that is perfectly okay. We are writing for readers who enjoy our particular blend of action, dark humor, worldbuilding, and character-driven storytelling. Rather than trying to reach every reader, we want to build a community of passionate readers who genuinely connect with the world of Terrus and its characters.

For me, being an indie author is about creative freedom, ownership, and the opportunity to build those relationships with readers over the long term.

What do you wish you’d known before you published?

I wish I had known that writing the novel is the easy part.

Creating the story, building the world, and spending time with the characters is the fun part. Publishing the book is an entirely different challenge. Marketing, cover design, editing, formatting, distribution, audiobooks, translations, websites, newsletters, reviews, and a hundred other details all demand time and attention.

This has been one of the most exciting chapters of my life, second only to becoming a father, but it has also required a lot of late nights and weekends. I have been incredibly fortunate to find a talented team of publishing and marketing professionals to help guide me through the process. I honestly don’t know how authors manage to do all of it alone.

Before this journey, I naively assumed you wrote a book, designed a cover, uploaded it to a website, and called it a day. I have since learned that publishing a book and writing a book are two very different jobs.

What’s a great piece of advice you can share with fellow indie authors?

This may sound cliché, but I genuinely believe it: finish the manuscript.

So many people dream about writing a book, but very few actually complete one. If writing is your passion, give yourself permission to pursue it and see it through to the end.

One of the most memorable moments of my life was receiving my first printed Advanced Reader Copy and holding it in my hands. After years of planning, writing, revising, and doubting myself, the story had become something real. There are very few feelings in life that compare to that moment.

My advice is simple: keep going. Finish the manuscript. You can edit a rough draft, improve a story, and learn the business side of publishing. But none of that can happen until you write “The End.”

What are you reading right now?

I read a lot of personal development and leadership books. Right now, I’m reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

One of the themes that resonates with me is the idea that we spend too much energy trying to control things that are ultimately outside our control. It’s a simple concept, but one that can have a profound impact on both personal and professional life.

What’s next for you?

What excites me most is continuing the Underground series and giving all thirteen main characters the stories they deserve. We have spent years building this world, and I’m eager to see readers experience the journeys, triumphs, failures, and collisions that lie ahead.

I’m also looking forward to connecting with readers around the world. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been meeting people who are passionate about stories and storytelling. My hope is to build a community around Underground where readers can share theories, favorite characters, and memorable moments from the series.

At the end of the day, stories bring people together. If these books can entertain readers while creating meaningful connections along the way, I’ll consider that a tremendous success.