I was lucky to get an interview with K.A. Ashcomb, the author of Penny for Your Soul, and one of this year’s #SPFBO8 semifinalists.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I have always been lousy at speaking about myself. Maybe it is due to my nationality. I’m Finnish. Or maybe it’s my introverted personality. If you give me a topic of some interesting issue or a thing, I can go on forever, but if I have to speak about myself, I usually want to run to the hills or most likely hide under my table. Currently, I’m obsessed with outdoor bouldering and have been doing it feverishly for the past six months. Yes, even when there was still snow on the ground here. All I can think now, in addition to writing and the stories I’m working on, are the moves needed for some bouldering problem I’m trying to solve. It’s incredible how our bodies are constructed. How you can teach it to link really hard and weird movements, making them come naturally. I think the same is with writing and our mind. The more you write and read, the more vivid things get, and the more you understand and see the world and people around you. That’s why I have always loved books. They open your mind and let you go into dimensions you would not have otherwise visited. What else might I add? Maybe that I’m sure that my cats sometimes do the heavy lifting with my writing. When they are curled on my lap, words come out more readily.

What was the first thought that popped into your mind when you found out you had made it to the semifinals?
Honestly? That there had to be a mistake. I think that’s again due to my personality. It isn’t because I don’t trust my writing to carry. I hope it does. But it was more out of knowing that really good books had entered the SPFBO.

Why did you initially decide to take part in the SPFBO?
The whole SPFBO concept is wonderful. It’s a good opportunity for self-published authors to get their stories out there to be seen and heard. Mark Lawrence is doing a huge favor for the fantasy writing and reading community by organizing the whole thing. I have taken part before with my first book, Worth of Luck. I think it was last year.

Aside from your SPFBO8 book getting the stamp of approval by being in the semifinals, why should I buy it?
Holy Lop, an elevator pitch. It’s the reason why I have taken to use stairs everywhere.
Joking aside, I think books should be bought if they speak to you. With Penny for Your Soul, you might buy it because it’s this odd mix of death, dying, and the commercial side of human nature. You know bankers and the world of economics have turned the whole necromancy and dying process into a lucrative industry where you don’t really have to end up six feet under. You can always work in the embalming factories or, if you are a necromancer, as a private counselor for the rich. Some already thought, “nope not for me,” and others were like, “tell me more.” So I’ll tell you more. If you are a ghoul, then maybe you get a seat at the Town Hall council and get to make Necropolis a tat nicer place to be. Just maybe as some play dirty games to obtain more power in the city where you can only lead if you are a necromancer and have killed your predecessor. And Petula Upwood, a necromancer and one of our protagonist, get stuck in the middle of all the power plays and has to survive the night alive.
Hmm, I think I’m bad at this elevator pitch thing. Maybe I should stop using stairs. That’s it. From now on, I will only use the outer walls of the buildings to enter them. I need to get a card saying that I’m not a burglar. Just a very confused person. Or maybe it should only read: Writer, and everything would be explained.

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
I have been writing methodically for eight years now. Before that, I always thought I couldn’t do it because of my dyslexia. But I had always loved reading and stories. It was my husband who pushed me to write and encouraged me to go on. He had always believed in me even when I didn’t and even when others didn’t. So I owe a lot to him. He gave me the nudge to write about things I’m passionate about. Mostly I’m fixated on the weirdness of human nature and our interactions with others. That fuels my writing, and I think the written word is the best way to explore those topics.

Why did you choose to write fantasy? And why pick this particular fantasy subgenre?
I chose fantasy as it makes the world a richer place to be, letting me as a writer explore issues, topics, and characters more deeply. It allows me to write about falling empires, the rise of nations, luck as a currency, death as commerce, the quintessence of the universe, and prejudice, hurt, and hatred through creatures like ghouls, and love and friendship even between gods and introverted humans like Sigourney and the Rabbit god of luck from my first book.

Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
Definitely Terry Pratchett. I grew up reading Discworld novels, and I fell in love with them and how he handled serious problems like poverty and alcoholism just like that. All his books are dear to me, and I revisit them every so often. They are my happy place.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Writing lets me explore people, situations, and things that are in my mind. I love it. I get to tell stories and use my imagination, giving me meaning and purpose. What else is there to ask? Okay, maybe I leap on rocks because I need to shake this meat thing my brain is attached to. Hmm, can one say such a thing? Maybe one shouldn’t?

What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
Oh, there are so many things, but I think time is an issue for me. Gnomes keep stealing it. As a writer, there are so many things you need to do nowadays. It’s not only about creating stories, typing them, and editing them. The whole marketing and being active on social media is time-consuming and can exhaust even the most tenacious person. But I wouldn’t change writing for anything else.

How do I get into the semifinals? Just kidding! No seriously, might you be willing to share a tip, a scrap of wisdom, or perhaps an app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend to authors?
I have to say a cliche here. I think it’s all about passion. You know, writing about things you love and believe in. It will show from your work whatever the subject is. After that, it’s about packaging it into the best format, meaning getting help from beta-readers (you can find them on Goodreads, Reddit, Twitter, and other social media places) and a good editor you trust.

What new projects are you working on?
I have my fourth book under my way. It’s in the editing phase. Also, I’m dabbling with a sci-fi book for fun. But currently, I’m making a redo for my first book to fix some of the mistakes I made there (I have a blog post about the whole thing on my blog, I think.) After that, I will make a relaunch for it. So please don’t get it yet.

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
Thank you so much for interviewing me. The questions were fun to answer. They made me think about my writing and writing in general. Books and stories are such wonderful things. They create realities. They were there when we sat around campfires and wondered about the mysteries of the universe. Happy reading and writing, everyone!

Congratulations on the semi-finalist spot and best of luck in the competition, K.A. Ashcomb.
Thanks for doing the interview!