Featured Interview With Thomas Anthony Lay
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Hi there,
My name’s Thomas and I hail from the rural areas of Somerset, UK. I was raised in Street but moved to Glastonbury in 2016. It’s the perfect town for fantasy inspiration as the entire place is like stepping into a medieval village. I have a cat called Zelda and two rats called Ciri and Yen.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
It may sound a little odd, but I didn’t get into reading until AFTER I got into writing. In school, my English teacher always praised me for my creative writing skill, often using my work as a positive example to the rest of the class. It was around here I felt a passion for world-building and storytelling. The more I wrote, the more I read!
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite author is Douglas Adams. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was one of the few books I read in my youth and I’ve reread it so many times. It keeps me laughing the whole way through! My favourite genres are fantasy and comedy, but I also like sci-fi. My biggest inspirations are those around me. Other authors and fans who are a part of my writing journey showing great support and constructive criticism that ultimately makes me a better writer with each passing day. I love the community and always make an effort to be an active part of it.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is also my debut novel. It took a total of ten years (!) to write. It has taken many shapes and forms, been scrapped and reworked from the ground up several times until I crafted it into something I was truly happy with. Fortunately, not all my works take this long – book 2 is almost complete already! It’s the first part of a trilogy set in the Naeisus universe and it’s called The Age of Reckoning. It’s an immersive, lore-rich, character-driven dark fantasy featuring completely unique races and an action-packed plot that is sure to keep you gripped from page one. Early readers have praised the character building and the drive behind them, one, in particular, being Captain Levana. She’s a ruthless, psychopathic killer who enjoys what she does. She’s cocky and badass and for some reason, readers fall in love with her. She has an allure despite her nature and it’s a great feeling being able to give an inherently evil character enough charisma to still be adored.
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