I was lucky to get an interview with Kian N. Ardalan, the author of Eleventh Cycle, and a semifinalist in this year’s #SPFBO9.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I have a bit of everywhere in me. I was born in Germany, raised in Dubai, and have Iranian parents. I currently live in Austria, Vienna, with my soon-to-be wife. I studied sociology, which I know use for my full-time writing career. It’s always a bit hard to answer the prompt of “Who are you?” I’m just a guy feeling lucky enough to have people read his work. I have a particular fascination with the Fantasy Genre and the Cyberpunk Genre.

Why should I buy your SPFBO9 entry?
You shouldn’t. Really. Unless grimdark is your kind of thing! Many books that fall into this genre have the peculiar circumstance of being either loved or hated. If you enjoy abstract world building, books that can be classified as murder weapons due to their size, or if you enjoy reading multi-POVs about flawed people in an unforgiving world, maybe my souls-inspired novel is just for you!

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
This is perhaps not the most humble answer but I feel I have always been rather decent at writing. Mind you, this doesn’t mean that I got it on the first try. I had talent, but had to work on it and study the craft for years. Back in school, I wasn’t very gifted in anything particularly, but creative writing exercises were the one time all other students would turn to me. In 2017, I started writing short stories on writingprompts and after seeing people being so encouraging, some even saying I have a gift and to never stop writing, I suddenly thought that I could turn this into a career.

Have you participated in the SPFBO before and where did you hear about the competition?
I have actually! Twice to be exact. The Fantastically Underwhelming Epic was in the running last year even. As for where I heard about it, I would have to say that it is the biggest competition in the self-publishing sphere. I also am a big fan of Mark Lawrence’s work. I’d assume that was where I came across it in the first place (seeing as he started the competition originally).

Cover Reveal

You have a new awesome-looking book cover that just dropped on Novel Notions.

What can you tell us about the cover and the new book?

The book deals a lot with the idea of religion being a part of state. In this fictional future, the A.I. known as G.O.D. births angels from his factories to ensure order according to the system. The cover shows one such angel standing with an uncanny visage. Even on this front cover, it stands as a threat and a promise.

I’d say that your cover artist, Fahmi Fauzi, really nailed it!
When can we buy the new book?

The book is dropping 15th of January, 2024. One can buy it on Amazon as an ebook or use Kindle Unlimited.

Anything else we should know?
One can read this work, as well as other projects, over at the Actorseverywhere Patreon where there are a lot more goodies 🙂

Why did you choose to write fantasy?
I don’t think there was ever an origin to why I was drawn to fantasy. I just enjoyed the genre, from playing renowned open world RPGs to watching anything concerning magic. It started with a desire to shoot flaming balls from my hands to where I am now. I think as I matured, I appreciated it a lot more. It annoys me when people think that fantasy is “lesser” as a genre compared to its contemporaries because it is “unrealistic”. I feel like this stems from a place of ignorance. Fantasy has the potential to be very realistic. You shouldn’t focus on the magic aspect, but rather on everything else. The politics and socio-economic consequences of power inequality due to an unequal distribution of magic is one example. When it comes to the genre of grimdark, there is not one particular thing that makes me think it is the holy grail of the genre, but it is very good at focusing on a story about hopelessness and grey morality.

Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
Hands down Mark Lawrence. He really pulled me into the genre through his Broken Empire series and I have been obsessed ever since.

If you were to win the SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
That’s a tough question. It depends on the year, the competition, and even on the pitch for my book. I do truly believe people are more drawn to a book if its premise, cover and pitch are something unique and deserving of a reader’s attention. Good books are fortunately not hard to find, but good books that are also unique in their premise are really what draw in new readers.

What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
Nothing really comes to mind. I think what I will say, is that the marketing process is something most authors are not really prepared for. It is not typically emphasised when we are told of the craft. That was definitely something I needed to study up on.

Do you have any tips or an author app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend we try?
Not in particular. Reverse dictionary is a great tool if you are struggling to remember that one word that’s on the tip of your tongue. Also, summon the courage to write an email to an author you admire. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t talked to those who already jumped through all the hoops. Some authors may not have the time, but I know first-hand of successful authors willing to give back to the community.

And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
I currently have an upcoming cover reveal for a new book, so stay tuned. (Or it may be out by the time this interview is published.) I have book 2 of my Mistland series being written, I hope to have it out by 2025 and am on track for that goal. I also have another book I am currently writing in the cyberpunk genre, a genre that I have come to wholly love. Check out the guys at Actors Everywhere. I work as an in-house writer for them so there will be many more books to look forward to.

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 don’t think I can predict so far ahead. It currently has the potential to be a great boon to writers or a big problem. Just like what happened during the writers strike for Hollywood, there need to be safeguards in place to protect writers and their jobs. Already there are writers who use chatgpt as a soundboard, or to have an idea on where they can begin their research. I have also seen there are authors who started doing midjourney competitions to see who from their fanbase can generate the best art from books and it is a great way to bring the community together.

Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
One of my biggest dreams has already come to fruition, which is doing this full time, and I feel very blessed for that. Alongside writing books, I also am a huge fan when it comes to tabletop games. In the same vein of shows like Critical Role or Dimension 20 (my personal favourite) I wish to at some point put together my own cast of people to do a live let’s play with high production value.

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
Books are a wonderful thing. As 2023 comes to an end, I hope you find just another read which touches your soul and impacts you deeply, because I feel like those books are the best things that can happen when jumping into new reads.

I wish you the best and hope lots of readers discover your writing!
Thanks for doing the interview.