An interview with IBOR entrant Ezra Ferguson
Book entered: Return to Aramon - A New Moon
Sale link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Return-Aramon-Moon-Ezra-Ferguson-ebook/dp/B0F4Y44TQ7
If you were telling a fellow fantasy reader about your book over a drink, how would you describe it?
Imagine a world, old and storied, dangerous and beautiful, where the most fantastic myths of the Cosmos are near and true, but the fruit of decadence has finally spilled its rot upon the earth. Only a decade ago, a devout order of warrior monks had rid this world of demonic power. But now, their oath-sworn prince rises to the throne, and his folly threatens to undo everything.
Our main character, Voldigar – the aging champion of these heroes – left toil and bloodshed behind, living out his few autumn years in bitter-sweet peace. He looks only to care for the soil and the suffering woman he loves. Yet now, as the shadows of his past and ancient evils loom over his dreams, he and his Brethren are all that stand against the end of days…"
What made you decide to enter IBOR, and what are you hoping this competition gives your book?
I had high hopes for SPFBO XI this year, but with only half the entrants making it through the lottery, the rest of us were left with a sigh. I saw Corey Ratliff’s heroic second-chance offering and jumped at the opportunity. I hope IBOR puts Return to Aramon - A New Moon in front of a lot of eyes, gains it some recognition, and gathers readers who will love it.
Who do you think your book is really for?
My book is not religious allegory, but more than anything I want it to please Jesus Christ. I think Fantasy, the beauty of sub-creation, is one of the most sublime forms of art and truth-telling. If Christ himself would curate this into his own library, it would be a joy beyond my most far-fetched dreams. For anyone who misses classic fantasy, Tolkien and Lewis, virtuous heroism, emotional gravity, and lyrical prose: this is your book. If you crave the nihilism, cynicism, and licentious, soulless caricatures of many of the last few decades’ books and movies: this might not be for you.
What do you think your book does best?
I hope readers find something to love in every category, but I would pick a combination of theme and immersion above the rest. Return to Aramon pulls the rope tight from the outset and orbits every word around a mature set of themes that I want to be a source of inspiration for the reader. To make it jump off the page though, I worked very hard to immerse you in an immediate, relentless, and fantastically believable adventure.
What kind of experience are you trying to give the reader?
Above all, I want to show that books with heart and virtue can cut deeper, grip tighter, and strike truer than anything written just to tickle the ears. Return to Aramon - A New Moon should leave the reader with a powerful emotional impression. Gravity, engagement, and a deep stirring. That’s the goal. By the end, I hope you are thoroughly invested in the lives of these characters and eager to see what happens next.
Are there any fantasy books that feel like a good ‘neighbour’ for yours on a shelf?
A majority of my reviewers cite Tolkien and I happily accept the comparison. I hope in some small way I’ve brought the same principles into the voice of my generation. It’s not strictly fair, but if you’ll accept movie and video game boxes on the shelf, my editor brought up The Last Samurai, Vinland Saga, Final Fantasy III, and Interstellar as “comps.”
Has the book changed since it was first released?
Not a whit. Eight drafts and a full year of editing left me completely spent.
Is this a standalone or part of something bigger?
This is very distinctly Book 1 of a series. However, there are enough powerful resolutions in the book to make the journey stand on its own.
What’s a piece of feedback you’ve had that made you stop and think, “Yeah, that’s fair”?
If you could have seen the red pen of my brilliant editor, you would know just how much that phrase was on repeat. It was all fair! One writing colleague pointed out that an anachronism I used in an attempt to separate the younger generation from the older didn’t quite work as intended. I agree with her.
Where do you find your inspiration?
The aforementioned luminaries, of course. But also, Return to Aramon - A New Moon is a fresh take on a similar story I told as a film-maker in 2005 and in many different iterations over the last 30 years. The King James Bible is a massive influence, and finally, most of the chapters in the book draw from specific moments in my life, now writ large into fantasy.
Are you working on anything currently?
Yes! Return to Aramon, Book 2 is underway and more gut-wrenching and world-shaking than the original.
Why do you think IBOR is the right place for this book?
I set out on the path of the Indie quite intentionally. We’re in the golden-age of self-publishing, and wearing all the different hats of writing, publishing, and promoting a book is a labor of love and fierce independence. An entrepreneurial competition of books born in a spark of inspiration is the perfect home for Return to Aramon - A New Moon. Corey’s rapid planning was impressive and impeccable.
