Andrew Boyce Interview Published on: 02, Jul 2021
Where have you spent most of your childhood?
I grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. There are remains of Roman Forts, Roman Bathhouses, The Antonine Wall and Roman museum exhibits and so all of these started my interest in The Romans.
Which of your childhood dreams was the first to die?None. I had a happy childhood and I am very fortunate to have a wonderful family.
Your thoughts on conventional vs. self-publishing? What route did you choose and why?I didn't like the idea of having many rejections and so self-publishing is the right option for me. Perhaps when I have three trilogies, this complete works would be good for a Publisher Book Deal. By June 2021, I have seven Novellas and so two more to go before I think about that!
What is one moment in your life you thought could only happen in a movie?I never thought I would ever have a published book and so seeing my books available to buy on Amazon is amazing for me. Please Buy!
How did you begin writing The Antonine Series?With my interest in The Romans since childhood and reading roman historical fiction for many years, I hoped to write my own stories. I had the story in my head and so I decided to write it.
Did you plan all the books in advance in The Antonine Series?No, only the first. Once I had written the first, I then thought what the second story could be and then I wrote the second. It is the same process for all my Novellas: I think up the story and then write it. Also, I think what will happen in the Chapter and then I write the Chapter. I have the idea and only then do I write.
Who inspired the character of Jamis in "The Antonine Romans and The Redemption"?This is a great question because Jamis is my first basis of how "The Antonine Romans" began. My idea of writing is the native Caledonian (Scot) Jamis attacking the Roman Fort, seeking revenge for his father's death. Without this idea of Jamis, "The Antonine Romans" Novellas would not have happened.
What sparked the idea for your novel, The Antonine Romans and The New King?I was delighted to have written my first "The Antonine Romans and The Golden Torque". I found that a new idea had come to me for a second book and so the process began again!
If you could give a writer working on their debut novel one piece of advice, what would it be?Think in detail what your story will be. Once you have your story thought out, take it slowly, only writing a chapter at a time after you have thought out what that chapter will contain. Sometimes a new unexpected idea happens when writing, which is one of the joys of writing. You have your characters and a situation, let your mind figure out how to get your characters out of it.
Is it necessary to read a lot before someone writes a novel?For me, it is writing about something that I know about and enjoy and so I think it is good to have read quite a lot on that matter.
Do you ever leave book reviews on other author's books? What do reviews mean to you?Yes. Good reviews are very important to increase your self published ratings and connects you to your readers. At the end of each of my Novellas, I write "The End! Please leave a nice review!"
What should every writer know about writing a series?Not to rush. Let the idea come to you and then write once you know what the story is.
Who was the first reader that reached out to you? What did they say and how did you respond?This was a reader from Austria who wrote a review, noting that she had missed her tram stop as she was too busy reading my book! Her name is Andrea and my character Andreah followed as a result!
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new?By June 2021, I have seven Novellas of The Antonine Romans and two Compilations 'The Antonine Series (Books 1 to 3)" and "The Antonine Series (Books 4 to 6)". I have the ideas for Novellas eight and nine for The Antonine Romans, which will also generate the third Compilation "The Antonine Series (Books 7 to 9)". I plan to begin writing Novella 8 soon. To prove to people that I am not wasting my time, I urge people to buy my ebooks or books, please, which are available on Amazon!
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?AllAuthor is great and I recommend it! For example, you get access to great graphics where you can add your book covers images on various settings such as Easter, New Year and Summer. My current favourite is an AllAuthor backdrop of trees with my books images at the front. I do various promotional posts on Instagram andrewboyce.author, Twitter @andrewboyceaut1 and Facebook groups and so the trees backdrop was ideal for the line: "Out of the trees, the Romans came. The Antonine Romans!"
