Interview with Jon Sprunk – Author of SUN AND SERPENT

Author Jon Sprunk has two fantasy series under his belt, and today I’m thrilled to welcome him to the blog to talk about his latest book, which came out in December from Pyr Books, Sun and Serpent, Book #4 of The Book of the Black Earth series. Please give a warm welcome to Jon!

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The latest book in your Book of the Black Earth series has recently been published by Pyr Books. Sun and Serpent is Book #4 in the series. Can you give readers who aren’t familiar with it a little background about the story?

Thank you for this chance to speak to your readers!

The Book of the Black Earth series is about a world at war. A young man is taken captive by his county’s enemies—an empire ruled by sorcerers and sorceresses of vast power—only to find out that he possesses latent magical abilities. Due to this discovery, he gains his freedom and finds himself in the service of an ambitious queen, who seeks to use him in a scheme to free herself from the machinations of the empire’s religious cults.

As kings and queens, and cult leaders and rebel slaves, vie for hegemony, a new force arises to challenge them all. An agent of chaos and ancient evil, weaving its own schemes behind the scenes.

Your series is described as falling in the “epic fantasy” and “sword and sorcery” subgenres of fantasy. What is it that draws you to these genres?

I was drawn to fantasy when I was a kid. I suppose it was the wonder of discovering new worlds where almost anything was possible. The idea of battling monsters with a sword or a magic spell seemed so much more fun than doing homework or chores.

Even as an adult, I crave escapism. I love Star Wars and superhero movies, and roleplaying games and cosplay conventions.

I’d love to hear about your journey as a writer. How did you get started, and what led you to working with Pyr Books?

I have always been making up stories in my head. I think I started writing them down sometime in middle school, mostly to amuse myself and a small circle of friends. In college, I finished my first full-length fantasy novel and sent it out to every publisher and agent I could find, and received a heaping pile of rejections.

I continuing plugging away for about fifteen years before I got my first real publication credit, for a short story in fantasy anthology. I got a couple more stories published, but none of my novels were getting anywhere. I was on the verge of giving up on my dream when I sent a query letter to Lou Anders, who was the Editor-in-Chief at Pyr Books at the time. He asked for the manuscript and liked it enough to offer me a contract. And that’s how my first novel, Shadow’s Son, was published, along with a second and third book. That series has been published in more than a dozen countries.

After the Shadow Saga wrapped up, I started working on a new series and pitched it to Lou. That became The Book of the Black Earth series.

Really, I owe so much to Lou Anders and the wonderful people at Pyr Books, including the current Editor-in-Chief, Rene Sears. They have been very good to me.

Rumor has it you collect ancient weaponry. Can you tell us about your collection and why you started collecting weapons?

Well, I have small collection of swords and knives. The only real antique in the bunch is a saber from the U.S. Civil War era.

Being a fantasy reader and writer, I just love medieval weaponry and armor. Part of it is the sense of history found in such pieces. Also, they are just cool to display.

I personally love to get book recommendations from writers! Can you tell us some of the writers who have influenced you? And have you read anything really good lately that you’d love to shout about?

I would say most of my influences come from pulp writers such as Robert E. Howard and Fritz Leiber, with healthy splashes of Tolkien, Moorcock, and Lovecraft.

As for recommendations, anything by Glen Cook or Stephen Erikson. Also, the Vampire Empire series by Susan and Clay Griffith is completely wonderful.

What’s next for you? Is Sun and Serpent the end of The Book of the Black Earth series?

Yes, Sun and Serpent is the final volume in the series. I’m working on a few things right now. I don’t know which one will be the next to find publication. As much as I love writing, it’s not my main occupation. (Being a novelist is a tough way to pay the bills.) So, I have to make time to write, and read, and dream. But I keep plugging away, because it’s so very fulfilling.

Finally, can you tell us three things about you that can’t be found on the internet?

That’s a tall order these days. Let me see….

I have a Dungeons & Dragons room in my home, complete with fantasy artwork, decorations, and a massive table.

My favorite band is Iron Maiden, whom I have seen four times in concert. The latest time was this past summer, when I took my 11-year-old son along for his first Maiden show.

I am the front man for a garage band called Certificate of Destruction. And I’m terribad, but my friends are so awesome they keep letting me assault their eardrums anyway.

I love that you’re in a band! Thanks Jon, this was a lot of fun:-D

About the author:

JON SPRUNK is the author of Sun and Serpent (Dec. 17, PYR), book four of The Book of the Black Earth fantasy series. Although he has always been an avid reader of speculative fiction, it was during his college years that he developed a broader passion for literature and began his foray into fiction writing.

Sprunk also wrote the Shadow Saga (Shadow’s, Son, Shadow’s Lure, and Shadow’s Master). Shadow’s Son was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award and also a nominee for the David Gemmell Award in two categories. Jon lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife and son. When not writing, he enjoys travel, collecting medieval and ancient weaponry, and pro football.

Find Jon & His Books: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter