The Ring of Mann received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author David Thomas Kay.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Ring of Mann, Book 2 of the series Circles of Time, published August 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
Brother Joseph was impatient to commence his commission.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
The R.O.M. is a historical fantasy thriller, a family saga, set in the Lake district of 17th century England. The presence of an ancient runic ring and the spirit of a female Viking warrior effect the life of its inheritor, and three teenage cousins become entangled in the mystery of a missing woodcutter
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was inspired by ancestral research, a Quaker forgeman in the 17th century and the discovery of my mother’s Norse descent.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The reader will be entertained because the history is interesting. They will gain knowledge of the religious and political turmoil of the times and enjoy the folk tales and dark humour, the romance and conflict, the mystery and suspense.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The main character, Thomas, has habitual faults but an inner strength that drives him forward. He reminds me of a younger version of Russel Crowe.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
A movie would have a cast of British actors such as in the series Downton Abbey.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I became an author in retirement after completing a professional writing course.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
I have written three novels in a series ‘Circles of Time’.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am on the committee of the local writing association and help with organizing presentations, and I have recently been writing reviews for Goodreads.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
My writing time on a novel varies from zero to non-stop but I would average thirty hours per week. A minimum of 250 words per day is a habit that can reach 3000.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
As an Indie writer the best part is that there is only a self-imposed deadline. The hard part begins after publication with the selling and media promotion.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Readers want to live the part and escape the rigor of their workday. They want to be entertained, amused, inspired, and they want to fantasize. As writers, we travel with them and need to know how far to go without losing realty. Don’t forget to love, laugh and cry, and always use the five senses, and a story based on fact.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would listen to a traditional publisher with trepidation. There will be more exposure and more sales but not necessarily monetary value. The bottom line would be weighing the advantages against the loss of freedom.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
My motivation is my love of writing and this increases with the development of new plots and new characters, and being a progressive historical fiction write, a new environment in each novel.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
There are so many legendary authors but I enjoy historical fiction writers such as, Ken Follett and James Mitchener.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I would like to have written, Hawaii, by James A. Mitchener.