With his newest book coming out this spring, P. C. Darkcliff is a new emerging author you should really check out.
He has written: The Priest of Orpagus, God of Madness and The Dead Immortal. In addition to that, his short story A Poisoned Gift, is going to be featured in the February issue of Dastaan World Magazine.
We are going to focus on: Deception of the Damned, which is coming out this spring. Deception is a dark, Sleeping Beauty-meets-Faust fairy tale where the imprisoned soul is an alchemist haunted by an infernal pact and his only possible rescuer a young woman running from outlaw bikers.
Like what you see? Reach out to him through his website @ https://pcdarkcliff.com/ if you would like to know more! He offers three short stories and chapters of his book to anyone who signs up to his mailing list at: https://mailchi.mp/c5550d315607/pcdarkcliff
His facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/darkfantasynovels/
His Twitter is: https://twitter.com/P_C_Darkcliff
Luckily, he has taken the time to give a quick peak at his book and give us a look at the talented man behind the writings. He is an interesting person who by day is an English teacher at a private language school in Cadiz, Spain. Take a moment and read about the man, the myth: P. C. Darkcliff.
What genre would you put your book in if the general genres disappeared and you had to make your own?
Since my novels usually deal with ordinary people fighting back after their lives have been ruined by malignant deities, I could perhaps call it Paranormal Struggle Fiction.
Who is your favorite author?
My biggest influence is H.P. Lovecraft, but my favorite novel is All Quiet on the Western Front by E.M. Remarque. Out of the living writers, it would probably be Ken Follet.
When did you start writing?
Probably sometime in Grade 1 or 2, almost as soon as I learned my letters. My first literary piece was a short story about a talking dog.
What do you think is the best part of writing a book?
When you read a paragraph you’ve just written and think, “This is pretty good.”
What is the hardest?
When you read the same paragraph a little later, sigh, and start pressing DELETE.
What do you smell right now?
My sister-in-law’s cigarette. She should definitely quit.
What would you say to new authors about the publication process?
Trying to find an agent or a publisher is extremely tough, lengthy, and grueling; and if you happen to get one, you usually lose control over what happens to your book in terms of editing, cover, formatting, and promotion.
Indie publishing, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to choose. It’s so much work it completely takes over your life—but it’s extremely fulfilling.
What advice would you give yourself 5 years ago? 10 years ago?
Five years ago: don’t let nineteenth-century classics influence your voice.
Ten years ago: plot your novels more carefully.
How often do you read? What do you read?
I read whenever I don’t write or work, so during meals, in the bathroom, and just before going to sleep. I love all kinds of fiction, classic and contemporary, but I try to stay away from romance.
What is your favorite quote?
The first thing I can think of right now is, “Write every day.” I learned the hard way that letting your pen rust makes your writing squeak.
If there was a battle between Pegasus and unicorns who do you think would win?
If it’s the soft and pink kind of unicorns with flowing golden manes, Pegasus would probably smash them.
In a physical man-to-man combat with no technology involved who do you think would win Ironman or Batman?
No idea, actually. I’ve never read the comics and I don’t even know what kind of powers Ironman has.
Which is better: Coffee or energy drinks?
Coffee, especially on the rocks as it is served in Spain.
What is the best moment of your life thus far?
I’ve got a lot of great moments to recall, fortunately. But the one that comes to my mind right now is from our holiday in Sri Lanka last Christmas. My wife and I rented bikes and pedaled through a beautiful, lush countryside, passing groups of locals who all smiled and waved because we were the only foreigners around. Sri Lankans are by far the loveliest and friendliest nation I’ve ever met. Being among them made us really happy.
What advice would you give anyone, whether writing or about life?
I hope I’m not old enough to hand out life advice yet. When it comes to writing, all I can do is to pass on the good old pieces of wisdom I’ve learned: beware of adjectives and adverbs, avoid unnecessary words, and—most importantly—show, don’t tell.
P. C. Darkcliff leaves us with a quick blurb about his latest and greatest book that I recommend you check out.
A clumsy, absent-minded dreamer, Hrot fits badly in his primitive, clannish times. Dying for respect and recognition, he pledges his soul to an antlered fiend from his nightmares in exchange for a decade in Renaissance Prague. There he dabs in occult studies in a desperate attempt to sneak out of the deal.
Four centuries later, young reporter Jasmin Bierce leaves Alaska for Europe to avenge the death of her husband. Facing more enemies than she expected, her quest for revenge turns into a flight for her life. As she stumbles into the ruins of a medieval castle, she meets an immortal specter who calls himself…Hrot.
Although he saves her skin, Hrot unwillingly drags her soul into a pact with the fiend who cursed him. The fiend makes her husband’s killers look like a flock of doves—but Jasmin’s heart is awakening to Hrot’s devotion, and she travels in time and skirts infernal dominions to save him.
If she ever wants to break their curse, however, she must succeed where Hrot failed: she has to outwit the Emissary of the Otherworld.
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