Liberty Bound received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Nathaniel M. Wrey.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Liberty Bound. Published June 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
On a cloudless, still night made alive by a Ferral moon, an inhuman shriek broke the silence, echoing down the valley, causing a shiver for all those in earshot.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Liberty Bound is set in the distant future, at the end of civilisation, and explores how fear and ignorance lead us to imprison ourselves as a society and as individuals. The ‘free’ live behind walls; the ‘imprisoned’ in the wide open spaces beyond. It follows a young guard, Finbarl, who epitomises the oppressive system, only to discover the lies and corruption forming its foundation. As he challenges the system, his world collapses, and only then does he discover the path promising true freedom.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was inspired when visiting some changing rooms on a sports field surrounded by oppressive barbed-wire to prevent vandals. It made me question what lengths society might go to protect its freedom, but in doing so rob itself of freedom. I started to see other examples in the news, a garden nursery with a moat to prevent thieves, people not visit town centres at night through fear of feral youths, individuals arming themselves with weapons to protect themselves from others with the freedom to arm themselves. I took these themes and stretch them to the extreme for the world of Liberty Bound, creating a people called the Ferrals and placing walls and natural barriers throughout to build a claustrophobic, imprisoned world.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
While it is a fast moving adventure story with twists and turns, and strong lead characters, it has much to stir the reader into thinking about our own world and time.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Finbarl is the main character, a guard in the isolated town of Athenia, and it’s his journey of discovery and growth which makes him compelling. From a compliant, uncaring guard, he has his eyes and heart open when he meets Aminatra. Their unravelling worlds eventually come together to form a new perspective on life and a new Finbarl.
When did you first decide to become an author?
2019. When the words started flowing.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
Civil servant in central government.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I’m a peak and trough writer.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Best: receiving a great review. Worst: trying to market your book.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
You may be an indie but you can’t do it alone. You always need someone to tell you how to improve.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Possibly, if it reduced the need to market my own books.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Just ideas that lie within that need to come out. Although, it is inspiring to know you have given enjoyment to strangers on the other side of the planet through your writing.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
George Orwell. He observed society and managed to bring lessons and warnings to the page through both wonderful memoirs and fiction. His essays and letters also capture a thoughtful man, examining all parts of life with a considered eye, without overt preaching.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. A concept that runs big through space and time.