An Interview with J.W. Webb: Author of Blood Feud

J. W. Webb is an English writer living here in Georgia. Mostly he writes fantasy, though sometimes diverts in even stranger directions. His epic saga titled the Legends of Ansu blends the mystic grandeur of JRR Tolkien with the gritty realism of GRR Martin. Webb’s characters are three dimensional and flawed, their world a tapestry of vivid color and constant motion. All the books feature beautiful bespoke sketches by the late Tolkien Illustrator Roger Garland.

Tell us about your book.

Blood Feud is the ninth novel in my ongoing epic fantasy series, Legends of Ansu. This story is set 1000 years after the conclusion of the last book, The Emerald Queen. It can be read as a standalone, continuation, or an introduction to the series. It stars three new rebellious characters who are thrust together by fate in a desperate fight for survival.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I wrote my first novel – The Shattered Crown – way back in 2003. Back then there was no such thing as Self Publishing. I got an agent and dreamed big. Nothing happened. Frustrating! life moved on. Then when the option to self publish arose I was quick to jump on it. I like to be proactive. Life is too short to spend waiting years for a traditional publishing deal. I self published the first novel in 2012 and haven’t looked back.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing! It’s so hard to crack. I’ve struggled with this over the years and made a lot of bad mistakes. Author versus marketer means using opposite sides of your brain. There is a ton of Bad Advice on this topic and it’s very easy to run aground. To be a successful indie you have to conquer your dread of marketing, or else find good people to help you. I feel that I’ve achieved that at long last.

What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?

Keep going! You have to be tenacious and believe in yourself. Seek out honest reviewers for feedback. And get a good editor––that’s crucial. You need patience in buckets––this is a slow burner. You won’t make much money from your first book. And that self published masterpiece has to look as good (preferably better) than a traditionally published novel. That means a great cover, clear formatting, and all the right trimmings. Don’t skimp on anything. And stay well away from Vanity Publishers!

What was your steepest learning curve during the publishing process?

I think it was people. By that I mean trusting in proper professionals and not chancing on grifters. There are some glib characters in the shifting sands of self publishing–– it’s hard to know who you can trust. There be sharks in these murky waters––I’ve been chewed. It hurts. Fortunately nowadays there are some decent reputable folk giving good advice to indies like: Joanna Penn, David Gaughran, and Mark Dawson.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

I don’t plot much––it just happens. I let my characters write the story then leave it well alone, returning after a week or so to join the dots together. I drink wine on my porch and listen to prog rock on Spotify––that brings the stories to me. When I lived in England I was working 60 hours a week hauling trucks. I scribbled when ever I could and penned my biggest book, Gol, in a tiny caravan while my late wife was convalescing from cancer. Now I’m spoilt, have a nice office complete with cat and coffee, and combine my writing with dog walks and gardening, and more wine drinking :).

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

I grew up reading epic fantasy. It’s where my head’s always been––especially in my hazy youth. Back then, I was a huge JRR Tolkien fan. That led to other fantasy books by such legends as Michael Moorcock, Jack Vance, Guy Kay, to name a few. I’ve always had a rampaging imagination, so fantasy was the right genre for me. I wanted to create a complex world with three dimensional characters. A place that had an air of Tolkien’s magic fused with GRR Martin’s earthy grit – the result was my Legends of Ansu series. I have diverted once, penning a small ghost story called “The Haven.”

Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?

CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Guy Gavriel Kay, Michael Moorcock, and Poul Anderson. There were others, but these remarkable authors influenced me most.I’ve already mentioned, Tolkien. It was The Hobbit and Narnia which got me started. Poul Anderson was mostly known as a SF writer, but he penned some classic fantasy books back in the 70’s. My favorite, The Broken Sword, is a gem. Moorcock’s Eternal Champion series was a vivid dazzle of color and action, and much darker in content, but I loved it. And Guy Kay’s Tigana oozed a passion I’ve seldom come across elsewhere.

What are your plans now your book is published?

I’ve nearly finished the next book which follows on directly after Blood Feud. The Giants’ Dance will be published later this year, followed by the conclusion of this trilogy early 2021. After that I have two more novels planned featuring another character from the series, and then – onwards!

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

There’s a great deal more to it than just writing! Especially if you are independent and determined to succeed. You have to wear several hats. I’ve had to learn patience and deal with criticism – both were a challenge, but I’m a better writer for it.