Today I’m talking to James Wymore. Best known for The Actuator series. He recently released Salvation. He is about to release Exacting Essence, The Immortal Nightmare Cycle Book 1.
Hello James. Thanks for agreeing to this short interview. Firstly, congratulations on the release of Salvation. I just want to say I’m looking forward to the release of Exacting Essence.
James: Thanks! It’s been crazy having two books coming out so close together.
Tell us a little bit about Salvation. To someone who doesn’t know your work, how would you best describe it?
James: It’s a high fantasy. Reptilian monsters have taken over the ocean, forcing humans inland. The book starts when scavengers find a soldier still alive after a lost battle with the monsters where the rest of his regiment all died. The town is cut off by snow on the pass. The soldier realizes when the spring thaw comes, the monsters will come for the townsfolk before they can escape to the mainland.
You’re best known for The Actuator series. What’s on the horizon for you? A continuation of your recent work, or something new?
James: I’m working on the second Actuator book now. Between them, I edited a short story anthology with other authors writing stories set in the Actuator world. The Borderlands Anthology will be out before the second book.
If you were to talk to your readership in person, and you only had one shot at it, what would you say?
James: I wouldn’t say anything. They know me from my books. However, I’d really like to hear what they have to say. I would just ask questions about what they liked or didn’t like and what kinds of things they want to see in the future. I’ve gotten really great suggestions from readers in the past that I used in my books.
There’s a lot of discussion, both online and in the press, about the ‘state of publishing,’ and the ‘rise of amateur writers.’ What do you think? Has the advent of independent publishing really just handed a loaded weapon into the hands of amateur hobbyists, or is it all about empowering authors more than ever? What are your thoughts?
James: Readers, agents, and publishers all want the same thing—awesome books. Anybody who can consistently produce great writing will eventually find their way to the people who want what they write. The system is not as important as the content. I believe Stephen King would have thrived in the present as well as the past. The focus should be on making the best stories with the most impact first. The rest will come out in the wash.
Getting away from books for a moment, what else are you up to at the moment?
James: I made a role playing game for The Actuator series. It’s free on my website. I’m also an acquisitions editor for Curiosity Quills Press. When I’m not writing my own books, I find the good ones other people have written and get those published.
For the other writers reading this, what advice do you have to offer them? What works for you when it comes to setting pen to paper?
James: Adapt. If you get something to work, like a time of day or specific place to write, milk it for all it’s worth. However, don’t let your progress hinge on a single setting or schedule. Humans are incredibly adaptable animals. Use that to your advantage if your ideal situation is no longer available.
Lastly, I used to do something like this a few years ago in my interviews. I’ve adapted it for this latest batch.
I have five questions for you. Ready? Here we go. Give me your honest answers.
1. If there were to be a film of your life, who would play you in the lead role?
James: Brendan Frasier
2. Following the same line of thought, if there were to be a film made of any of your work, who would you cast in the roles of the main characters?
James: I’ll choose Salvation for this. The main character, Elwood, would be Karl Urban. Jewel would be Emily Browning. For the rest of the cast I’d want Nathan Fillion, Jude Law, Will Smith, Jessica Alba, and Tony Shalhoub.
3. What are you reading at the moment?
James: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
4. What are you listening to at the moment?
James: Proof of Life by Scott Stapp
5. This is stolen directly from James Lipton, but what the heck. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
James: Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Lastly, where do you see yourself in twelve months time? What will you be doing? Where will you be in life? Where do you hope to be?
James: I want to have two more books published and get one of them to rank well on Amazon.
Well, that’s the end of our little interview. Thanks for participating. I’m sure everyone will love Salvation.
Bio: On a lifelong search for fantastic worlds hiding just out of sight, James Wymore writes to explore. With three books and six short stories in print after just one year, he continues to push the boundaries of imagination. Journey with him at http://jameswymore.wordpress.com
Link to Site/Blog: http://jameswymore.wordpress.com
Link to Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/James-Wymore/e/B00BI1FZI2
Tony Healey 
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