Another week and another exciting author chit-chat. Happy Wednesday Scribblers. This week I’m thrilled to bring you fellow NineStar Press Author Casey Wolfe. When Casey isn’t writing they describe themselves as a history nerd, film buff, avid gamer, and full-time geek. Casey is the author of One Bullet (a Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention – congratulations) and the Inquisition Trilogy A Mage’s Power and A Vampire’s Redemption, with book three yet to be named. Let’s get into the conversation.
Welcome Casey, before we get started why don’t you tell us something about yourself. Something not in your standard bio.
I’m a space nerd, on top of my other geeky interests - as though there aren’t enough. I love all things space - whether it’s studying the science of it, admiring the infinite beauty, or pondering that age-old question of “where does alien life exist out there?” I pretty much stalk NASA’s Facebook page (and mission pages) and watch their live streams whenever I can. I may also talk to Curiosity as though it’s actually the one answering posts - so sue me! - and cried when they had to call off the search for a signal from Oppy. I cheer for JPL like they’re rock stars. Basically, if NASA asked for volunteers to go to Mars tomorrow, I’d be the first to sign up.
That is great. I’m a total NASA nerd myself. Space really is amazing and I that we get up and start exploring sooner rather than later.
Okay, enough geeking out, so, when I was reviewing your books and bio I see that you write contemporary drama and contemporary fantasy, both are amazing genres to write in, what excites you about these genres?
Honestly, One Bullet was my first ever take on straight-up contemporary. I typically stick with paranormal and fantasy, so that was very different for me. It was fun, but I’m not sure I’ll be taking a trip back there any time soon. I’m much too happy playing with the supernatural and fantastical. If anything, I’ll go historical before that - which is another love of mine.
Anyway, what excites me about the fantasy genre? I guess it’s just the mythic, the unseen. It’s that idea that anything could be possible. Sure, I have this desire to make that thing believable in the sense that it follows some kind of “rules” for the world I created, but it still leaves a whole slew of possibilities. It’s intoxicating just thinking about it.
For your Inquisition Trilogy you had to create your own world tell us about that. What is different? What is familiar? What can we expect to read?
Because of the political elements involved, I didn’t want to just take fantasy/supernatural races, plop them into our world, and then weave their history in with ours. Besides, that would have been the easy way out. No, I wanted something I could make my own, alter the timelines as I needed, make my own borders, my own cultures, write my own history, and everything that came along with that. Sound daunting? It was. And most of what I have in my head about this world, which I named Eiocha, won’t ever make the page.
That said, it’s still taking place in a modern time period instead of being some atypical fantasy questing story. You’ll have people using cars, cell phones, the internet… One of my favorite things was figuring out all the different ways having magic impacted technology and how technology would impact magic. It’s a super fun balancing act and nothing is more fun than seeing the two combined in some really neat ways that advance society - particularly in the medical field.
And that’s the thing. I wanted it all to just feel so easy and natural. Society has had hundreds of years at this point to integrate magicae and mundanes (magical and non-magical races, respectively), and it shows. It’s like someone pulling out a smartphone. No one would look twice because technology is so ingrained in our daily lives. In Eiocha, it’s the same way with magic, which is just as common and integral to society as their tech is.
Without spoilers why don’t you tell us about The Inquisition Trilogy.
Well, the trilogy’s conflict centers around our titular bad guys, the Inquisition. They’re an organization that has risen to power, found in multiple countries around the world. Once famed dragon killers - thanks for making them extinct, jerks - they’ve become experts in all things magicae and weaseled their way into politics by becoming the policing force for magicae in their respective countries. And, like any power-hungry entity with no real government oversight, well, things have gone...bad.
In each book, the POV gets passed between couples but we stay within the same group of friends that are fighting back against the Inquisition. While there’s an overarching plot that carries out over the course of all three books, each has their own individual subplots happening within them as well. So, there’s plenty going on.
We’ve talked quite a bit about your contemporary fantasy series, let’s switch gears and talk about your other novel, One Bullet. Tell us about it? What inspired you to write this story? What was it like to get the Honorable Mention from the Rainbow Awards? That had to feel good.
One Bullet follows the story of former police officer, Ethan Brant, and Detective Shawn Greyson, who met the night Ethan was shot. Shawn not only saved Ethan that night, but continues to help him in his recovery. During that time, the pair inevitably become close friends...and then something more.
It was really exciting to get an Honorable Mention on my debut novel. It was an unexpected surprise, to be sure!
As far as the inspiration goes...I remember being inspired by the amazing artist known as Yuumei, and a particular illustration they had done for their Fisheye Placebo webcomic entitled “Rise.” For some reason, it percolated in my head and formed into this idea of a first meeting between two characters - one being shot and the other that saved their life. Funny enough, as the plot of the novel actually took form, the reason behind the shooting and way it takes place is completely different to how it was originally envisioned - which involved a protest. But, that art is still the source for the entire project, despite the changes.
As I read your bio you have quite a few different hobbies, tell us about them. Why do you call yourself a full-time geek? And since you are a gamer what is your favorite game to play?
Oh, I am happy to call myself a geek. The “full-time” part comes from the fact that basically all my hobbies can be considered geeky/nerdy. I’m always happy - and never more content - to talk about anything and everything geek with someone, even when that thing isn’t something I’m personally into or knowledgeable about. It’s just nice to share that kind of love over something that really only fellow geeks and fandom nerds share.
I play mostly video games, though I’ve been getting more into tabletop and board games these days. But, pass me a controller and give me an open-world RPG and I’m the happiest person ever. I also love a good shooter or a choice-based narrative game like Life is Strange and Detroit: Become Human. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to survive until Cyberpunk 2077 releases.
Is there something special you and your partner like to do together?
Well, he’s a geek, too. I mean, we met at a Halo LAN party (no joke). HAHA. So, obviously we enjoy playing video games together. We’re co-op people. We don’t like playing against each other. Typically. We’ve just never been competitive that way.
We also have started playing board games that have story elements to them. Fallout the Board Game and Dead of Winter are our personal favorites at the moment. The latter has been good at testing my resolve of whether or not I would use him as bait in an actual zombie apocalypse.
LOL. Bait for an actual zombie apocalypse… that is a tough question to ponder. Sadly I have no doubt I would be one of the first victims, so I’m off the hook on having to think about survival.
So, what are you currently working on? What will be seeing from you in the future?
Book 3 of the trilogy, naturally. But, I’ve also been mapping out a new-ish project, because my muse hates me. It’s a prequel story to the trilogy, which can be read as a separate entity, although fans of the trilogy will get dropped some great Easter Eggs and background. It’s about Arthur, Merlin, and their Knights of the Round Table. Yes, I went there. I mention them briefly in A Vampire’s Redemption, and again in Book 3, so when I was creating the backstory for all of that in my head, I ended up with more and more ideas until I went: Why don’t I just write the thing? And here we are.
I’ve also been playing around with a couple historical novels, both in different plotting stages. One is a Western, which I always said I would do one day. The other is a magical realism WW2 novel.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
Honestly, I’m just really excited to get more content out to everyone. I mean, I’ve got the audiobook for A Mage’s Power out now. Both books in the trilogy are on the list to be translated into Spanish. So many awesome things I’d never thought would ever happen, and I just can’t wait for more of it.
So, thank you so much for having me, my friend. Hopefully, the next time we talk, I have a lot more fun and exciting things to share with you.
You are welcome anytime.
I want to thank Casey for taking the time to swing by. It was magnificent learning more about you and your writing. Remember Scribblers if you love Contemporary Fantasy or Contemporary Drama check out Casey’s books and don’t forget to share this post with family and friends who may enjoy their works as well. If you have questions for Casey leave them below and I’ll ensure they swing by to answer, or you can find them on Social Media, see the links below. Until next time have a great week.
About One Bullet, A Mage’s Power, and A Vampire’s Redemption:
One Bullet:
When Ethan Brant was shot, he found himself dealing with severe PTSD and unable to do his job as a police officer any longer. With the aid of Detective Shawn Greyson, the man who saved his life, Ethan not only finds himself again but discovers love as well.
Shawn’s life growing up was less than ideal, however, he overcame that to become who he is today. That doesn’t mean he isn’t missing something in his life. What Shawn hadn’t realized, upon first meeting, was that Ethan could give him all that and more.
One bullet changed both their lives.
A Mage’s Power (The Inquisition Trilogy, Book 2):
Built on the bones of an ancient city, modern-day Everstrand is where master mage, Rowan, has set up his enchantment shop. When not hanging out with his werewolf best friend, Caleb, or studying, he dabbles in herbology and the controversial practice of blood magic. A prodigy who has already earned two masters, Rowan’s bound and determined to reach the distinction of grandmaster, a mage who obtains a masters in all five Schools of Magic.
Shaw works for the Inquisition, the organization charged with policing the magical races collectively known as magicae. Recently, it has come under scrutiny as magicae begin to disappear and reports of violence increase. With secrets of his own on the line, Shaw is willing to risk everything to find out just what is going on behind all the locked doors.
When Rowan and Shaw are entangled in each other’s worlds, it becomes evident that their hearts are as much at risk as their lives. They must find the truth and stop a conspiracy before it’s too late.
A Vampire’s Redemption (The Inquisition Trilogy, Book 2):
Marcus was likely dead, killed by the Inquisition, or so it was believed. Then the vampire was found, broken beyond words, in an isolated prison fortress. Marcus had never expected to see daylight again, let alone be rescued by his mate. Now he worries he’ll drag Caleb into his darkness.
Caleb was the one who pulled Marcus out of his prison cell, and he’s determined to drag him from the nightmares of his mind as well. After all, that’s what mates are for, and Caleb had lost hope at finding his. And if he can help destroy the entire Inquisition? Well, all the better.
Dealing with Marcus’s physical and mental healing from his trauma is difficult enough, but Inquisition holdouts are causing chaos everywhere, and sinister plots are rampant. Marcus and Caleb have no choice but to fight back. It’s a good thing they are not alone.
Where to Buy Casey Wolfe’s books:
Buy their books on NineStar Press here.
Buy their books on Amazon here.
Find the audible novels here.
Buy their books on Barnes & Noble here.
Also available on Smashwords, Kobo, iTunes, and other major retailers. Check your local library, or make a request!
About Casey Wolfe:
History nerd, film buff, avid gamer, and full-time geek; all of these things describe Casey Wolfe. They prefer being lost in the world of fiction—wandering through fantasy realms, traveling the outer reaches of space, or delving into historical time periods. Casey is non-binary and ace, living with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, all of which informs their writing in various ways. Happily married, Casey and their partner live in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio with their furry, four-legged children.
Where to find Casey Wolfe:
Find Casey’s Website here.
Find Casey on Facebook here.
You can check out Casey here on Tumblr.
Find their author page on Goodreads here.