A
native of Honeoye, New York, Andrew Cratsley lives in North Carolina. Keepers of Runes and the Tower of Shadows is
his debut novel. Cratsley is a lifelong fan of fantasy books, films, and
RPG-style gaming. A champion of literacy
issues and proud supporter of the World Literacy Foundation, Cratsley will
donate a portion of the proceeds from Keepers
of Runes and the Tower of Shadows to the World Literacy Foundation’s fight
against illiteracy.
Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published. Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?
Andy: This story has been in the works for many years. I was inspired to follow through with it by one of my teachers long ago. Since I was unable to put the encouragement out of my mind I put forth the effort and loved it more with each revision.
Is this your first book?
Andy: This is the first of my five book series, Keepers of Runes.
With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?
Andy: I decided to self publish since the industry strongly prefers working with already established authors.
Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey? The pros and cons?
Andy: It’s a challenging road but an exciting one. My work has been polished many times during my literary studies, and learning the ins and outs of publishing has been educational as well.
What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?
Andy: Don’t let the major publishing houses discourage you from sharing your talent with the world. There are many wonderful authors out there who are never given a chance. I encourage anyone who enjoys a good book to join goodreads and find these excellent books, as well as meet their creators.
Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?
Andy: Self-publishing has a lot of advantages. It gives you total control over the editing, format, and artwork of the book. The thought of my vision being altered by others is something I would like to avoid.
What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Andy: Keep writing and listen carefully to your feedback.
About the Book
An
extraordinary coming-of-age fantasy tale written by a dynamic new voice in the
world of fantasy, Keepers of Runes and
the Tower of Shadows has garnered high advance praise. Kirkus
Reviews notes that Cratsley “believably and authentically develop[s] his
characters” and calls the book a “promising debut.” In a Clarion Review, ForeWord Reviews reports that Keepers
of Runes and the Tower of Shadows “has all the color, imagination, and
drama one might expect from the genre as well as emotional depth.” Moreover, the review states that the book’s
“fast pace and gaming-style characteristics may appeal to more reluctant
readers and inspire future fantasy enthusiasts.”
About Keepers
of Runes and the Tower of Shadows: At 120 years old, Corinth is young by elf standards. But even as a young elf, Corinth is haunted
by his sordid past. When he emerges
from his solitude within the eternal forest around Enzlintine, Corinth is sent
away to quell the troubled region plagued by Khalid, the Lord of Conquest. But this will be a journey like no other.
Corinth bands together with two curious companions—the human ranger Aventis and
the oh-so-spirited Nadine—until the trio is captured by an insidious
necromancer, Mortiscet. A vile dark elf who forces the group to help his
daughter Rieka find a mysterious object, Mortiscet thrusts the group into
increasingly dangerous circumstances. Can Rieka escape the clutches of her
wicked and overbearing patriarch? And
what will happen when the group launches towards a frigid wasteland in search
of the bane of the evil that stalks them?
On this perilous journey, they’ll have to battle assassins, ominous
creatures and the forces of Khalid. Expect the unexpected—because sometimes, the best intentions come from the darkest recesses of
the heart...
A
splendid and magical tale with a captivating storyline, extraordinary
characters and a plot brimming with action, intrigue and adventure, Keepers of Runes and the Tower of Shadows is
a fascinating read that captivates from page one. Resplendent with characters
that come to life within the novel’s pages, Keepers
of Runes and the Tower of Shadows is a beautifully-written, imaginative,
and inventive tale. With its strong
central female characters, Keepers of
Runes and the Tower of Shadows offers a refreshing diversion from fantasy
tales that focus largely on male protagonists and male supporting
characters.
A
mesmerizing work of fantasy geared towards young adults, Keepers of Runes and the Tower of Shadows will also appeal to adult
readers of fantasy, as well as fans of such fantasy classics such as The Lord of the Rings or the Harry Potter series. According to Pacific Book Review, “Keepers
of Runes and the Tower of Shadows has aspects to entice most any reader,
whether lover of fantasy or not…. readers of fantasy will delight in Cratsley’s
work.”
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