I was lucky to get an interview with N.R. Gravel, the author of Opanumbra, one of this year’s #SPFBO9 entries.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m an American from Rhode Island who has relocated to Merida, Mexico with my wife. I’m currently the owner / operator of a collectable card game store and we export the products from the U.S. In my spare time I study Spanish and practice speaking it on a daily basis. I served in The Iraq War as an Air Force T.A.C.P. At Rhode Island College I obtained a B.A. in History.

Why should I buy your SPFBO9 entry?
I’ve experienced a lot of different extremes in life and by my mid 30’s I had a lot to say. I’ve worn every type of work collar you can wear and been to places few people have tread. This was all funneled into creativity. This novel wasn’t my first, and it was well thought out.
The novel is fast paced and written so the reader doesn’t get bored. Some of the villains are things never written into a fantasy trop. And my use of the four basic element system is offbeat from the norm. I stuck to ambiguity as often as possible, leaving the rest of the series to explain some things while others are answered by the end of the first book. The book is an adventure I want to share with the reader.

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
The need to create something out of the dark place my mind was in. I first put my pencil to the paper somewhere around 2014.

Have you participated in the SPFBO before and where did you hear about the competition?
No, I have not competed before now. I hear about it from all the Indie books I’ve read. Daniel Jackson (Illborn) was a big influence.

Why did you choose to write fantasy?
Because it’s my favorite genre.

Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
Tolkien may have influenced me joining the military, writing, and studying Spanish. Dan Abnett, Steven Erikson, and R.A. Salvatore are other notable influences.

If you were to win the SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
An immense impact and a huge confidence boost.

What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
Finding beta readers. I reach out to people and offer to read their work if they read mine.

Do you have any tips or an author app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend we try?
Pro writing aid is great for finding commas.

And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
I’m currently writing book two in the Temporal Catharsis series. It’s the novel after Opanumbra.

Apps that are based on artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGTP and Midjourney, along with apps aimed specifically at authors, have caused quite a stir. Do you expect these new technologies will make your life as a self-published author easier or harder, and do you expect that they’ll mean you’ll earn more or less?
I think AI is horrible for writers. It needs to be boycotted and stolen work shouldn’t be published.

Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
Having the small shop I run grown and prosper and having a small following for my novels.

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
I appreciate this awesome opportunity.

That was some interesting answers. I wish you the very best in the SPFBO. I hope a lot of readers discover your writing. Thanks for doing the interview.