What inspired you to write in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and how does that inspiration reflect in your stories?

I always loved reading those genres, as well as historical fiction, detective mysteries, and generally good books. Anything that tickles my fancy at the time, really, but a lot of it is SF&F. I like to take a spec-fic twist on things, so writing in those genres came naturally.

At the time I started writing, I had the idea for a magical “locked room mystery” in my head for a while but was reading a lot of historical fiction set in Ancient Rome. Thus was born the “Togas, Daggers, and Magic” series – an occult detective in a background based on ancient Rome.

Why did you choose the indie author route to publication?

Looked around the publishing industry (about 10 years ago), figured what are the chances of a newb author from Oz breaking into the limelight of SF&F (don’t think it changed), then looked at what it takes to self-publish, and figured I could do it.

A short and steep learning curve later, I don’t regret this decision. I treat publishing as a business (different from writing, which is creative). I’ve also helped published other authors under the same imprint.

I’m toying the idea of hybrid publishing, where I’ll try to find an agent for a different series but keep self-publishing other novels. We’ll see, though chances are I’ll lose patience with querying pretty quick and just publish and move on.

Can you share a bit about the world-building process in your series or novel? How do you balance creativity with consistency?

I’m writing historical fantasy, so a lot of it is research into real history. Humans make the best shit up, far worse than any single modern author can imagine. From insults to cuisine to stupid laws to superstitions (which may or may not be true, in a world with magic). These add a tremendous richness to the worlds in the novels.

I track a lot of this in separate notebooks. As for creativity, I’m a plantser (somewhere between plotter and pantser). I start with a vague idea of where the novel starts and ends, but the characters tend to take over. They make my life hard, so I make their life hard in return (it’s not a proper adventure unless my protagonist ends up in the sewers).

I’ve learnt to keep track in my notes about the progression of the actual plot, and keep amending my plans. The process is vaguely: aim my characters there, see them go the other way, cackle like mad when I think of a new plot twist, take notes, rinse and repeat.

What unique challenges do you face as an indie author in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and how do you overcome them?

From talking to many other authors across many genres, I wouldn’t say any of the challenges are unique to indies or SF&F. Every author struggles with marketing, solid world-building is needed for any spec fic or historical novel, and good writing is good storytelling craft.

Who are your favorite fantasy/sci-fi authors or works, and in what ways have they influenced your writing?

I read a lot (and am influenced by everything I read), from SF&F Masters like Heinlein and Zelazny to classics like Hermann Hesse and Franz Kafka. I’ll pick a few lesser-known ones you should check out:

· Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart. As good as Pratchett, although not as prolific.

· Godstalk, by PC Hodgell. She’s been writing this epic fantasy series over the past 40 years.

· A Troll Walks Into A Bar, by Douglas Lumsden. Another indie, which absolutely nails noir urban fantasy in an intriguing alternate history world.

If you want to discover books from a different perspective, check out the blog I run that interviews the characters out of books: http://TheProtagonistSpeaks.com

What are the biggest challenges you face as an indie author?

The lack of trucks full of money showing up at my door, thus necessitating a day job and less hours to write. Then again, so do most people.

Links here –

· Blog (fortnightly): https://egretia.com/

· Newsletter (quarterly): https://egretia.substack.com

· Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Assaph-Mehr/author/B015U1F3NC

· Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14422472.Assaph_Mehr

· Facebook: http://facebook.com/AssaphMehrAuthor

· Twitter: @assaphmehr

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assaphmehrauthor/

· BlueSky: @assaph.bsky.social

· Threads: https://www.threads.net/@assaphmehrauthor