The Monsters Among Us – Book Tour and Giveaway

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about your book and the characters?

The Monsters Among Us a genre defying work of literature, packed with neurodivergent representation and anti-religious themes. A multi-epochal narrative with a complex magic system tethered to the story’s deep philosophical core. A nihilistic, yet hopeful action-packed epic which reveals the machination of grotesque gods which began before the beginning of time—yes, you heard me right. Before. The world of The Monsters Among Us is vast, endless, and I cannot wait to share it with everyone.

The cast is large and full of neurodivergent representation. Leading the charge through this emotional tale is Seth, a bipolar twenty-six-year-old whose entire life has been orchestrated by monsters. Think The Truman Show but with demons. As the reader joins Seth along his journey, the narrative will rise and fall alongside his tempestuous mood swings, as The Monsters Among Us weaves the very essence of the bipolar experience into the narrative structure.

That’s not all though. Along with bipolar disorder, there is representation for depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and more. Essentially, if it’s a neurodivergence, it can be found in The Monsters Among Us!

What are you working on now?

            I just finished and contracted the sequel to The Monsters Among Us, Book 2 in The Abyss Borne Gods series, In the Wake of Gods. But I can’t allow myself any rest, yet, as I’m about to throw myself deep into the writing of Book 3. Each book in the series may be self-contained, complete on their own, but there’s still an overarching narrative looming at large, and I cannot wait to introduce the world to its many twists, turns, and genre-defying surprises.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

            Just the main character, Seth. I like to think of him as a conglomeration of the first thirty years of my life—though of course fictionalized and set into a narrative unlike anything I’ve experienced! Though that should be obvious to all who read it. Really, it’s the abstract feelings of my childhood, twinged in a bipolar haze, which inspired Seth and his struggle.

Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

            Seth was the most personal character I’ve written, but as a result he was, at times, my least favorite. His troubles and emotions too familiar, too close to home. But otherwise I don’t have a least favorite. I love them all as if they were my children.

            My favorite, however, as to be the co-lead, Sasha. She’s immediately likable, in her charm, strength, and vast array of emotional potential. Despite being very similar to Seth, she’s composed, balanced, and in control. The icon for everything that, according to the book’s philosophy, a person to strive to be. Also, her backstory never fails to elicit empathy—I’ve read through the book upwards of twenty times or more and never have I gotten through her personal history without crying. To go through the horrors she has, but to rise up as strong as she is—it’s inspiring to say the least.
 

What is your favorite passage/scene in your book?

            I would paste the passage here, but it’s the literally the climax of the story and therefore would be too much of a spoiler. But I can describe it a bit, however it will still be a bit of a spoiler:

            It’s the emotional climax where Seth finally comes to terms with his bipolar disorder, finding balance when he truly needs it the most. And another character, quite an important spoiler of a character, describes the act of living in an empty, nihilistic world in a way that is more fruitful than the idea may seem at first: “For what does a painter do with an empty canvas but fill it with beautiful colors!” It’s very much a Sisyphean moment for Seth, where he understands that the world is nihilistic at its core but that’s no reason not to try and create his own happiness anyway, despite how much he has suffered at that point. A beautiful moment for him, and one I’m quite proud of.

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

            Some historical research, like about colonial Massachusetts during the Salem Witch trials. Other light cartographical research, as the book takes the readers to various places around the United States, as well as Japan. While I have my own personal experiences with mental illness to take inspiration from, I of course did some psychological research for that as well. But mostly, I spent two years reading philosophical texts: Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Will to Power, Beyond Good and Evil, and Thus Spake Zarathustra.

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

             I’m currently reading through both The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann and Swallows by Natsuo Kirino.

Favorite social media site?

                       None of them! I exist on social media merely because being an author demands I do. Honestly, I’m not a fan of how the internet has evolved, and the heavy role social media has in our lives. There’s a piece of humanity missing from us now—a certain liveliness, personability, wholeness. This is a topic too large for this space, but I prefer to just speak to another human being, face to face.

Favorite Superhero or Villain?

 Venom! I enjoy that he is neither a hero nor a villain, and has a host of troubles, mostly psychological. As an author who writes literature centered around dark, morally grey philosophy, Venom’s blend of good and evil speaks to me.

Sweet or Salty?

 I’m going to cheat a little here: Sweet AND Salty. Because much like how that combination brings out the best of both its parts, I think this answer encapsulates who I am as a person and author quite well; someone who sees the value in both positive and negative emotions, in not just being one thing while damning the other. To be truly whole as a complex human being, one must invite both sides of the spectrum into oneself.

Any Phobias?

             I suppose being alone. Not a very interesting answer, I know. No one likes being alone. But it’s the impetus for how I came up with Seth’s plight and core modus operandi. He cannot stand being alone and he desperately wants to feel whole.

Do you play video games? If so what are some of your favorites?

            Yes, I do! This is one hobby I still make some time for. I’ve been playing video games for the last thirty years, and my favorite would have to be the Xenoblade Chronicles series. My fiancée and I also love playing video games together, and lately we’ve been playing Kirby and the Forgotten Land!