Book Tour Q&A: Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz
- Fiction Fans
- Aug 27, 2023
- 6 min read
Today we're taking part in the book tour organized by Escapist Book Company for Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz! Continue reading for the book blurb and a Q&A with the author.
About the book
Steeped in blood. Ruled by those with dragons.
Cimeren is a world divided by a mysterious forest and the vast Lake on Fire. Suspicion brews on both sides, and the south has fallen into chaos as battles and quarrels rage between kingdoms.
In the border outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain is dealing with the loss of his brother and his lord as he strives to face the mounting challenges of a squire of the dragonguard.
But when Cyran’s guard-master is called to face the most powerful of the southern kings and bear witness to a secret stolen from the north, Cyran is dragged into a war that has been bubbling under the surface for centuries.
Dragons are not only weapons—they are engines of war. And even though Cyran is not trained in the ways of the dragonguard, he must adapt and learn to become one of them or his homeland and all of Cimeren will be destroyed.
But he was not born a champion.
He may break, and he will bleed.
On to the interview...!
Thank you so much for joining us for this Q&A! We’ll start off with one of our standard podcast opening questions–tell us something great that’s happened recently.
Thanks for having me!
In terms of my writing, Through Blood and Dragons was released and hit a #1 best seller spot in 6 categories. The reviews are rolling in, and most readers are loving it. Sharing and connecting with readers through story is one of the greatest experiences in writing, and this book is making that possible, far more than any other books I have written.
What are you currently reading or what’s up next on your TBR? What made you pick up this book?
I have fallen behind with my favorite fantasy authors, except for George R.R. Martin as we are all waiting on him. I keep hearing about how popular The Fourth Wing has gotten, and it is next on my TBR.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start writing?
I wrote my first 100,000 word epic fantasy novel when I was 14-16 years old, after reading Tolkien. Tolkien’s entire world made me feel the magic and wonder, and I have wanted to bring that feeling to others ever since. I’ve continued writing for decades since that time.
What are your favorite types of stories? Of characters?
Stories that bring something new to a reader and the genre. I like to be surprised and entertained and read new ideas and about novel scenes and events and characters and twists. I also like to be kept on the edge of my seat, not necessarily with constant fight scenes, but with intrigue and tension and wonder.
My favorite characters are always the nuanced ones that have difficult battles to face. After childhood, I was never too interested in the best of the best that could do anything at any time and you were never worried they were going to lose or die.
How much do you plan when you write? What’s your writing process like?
I plot out a detailed outline of the entire book. I discuss that with my brother, who is a reader’s first defense against my ideas. Then I start writing, and the outline soon starts to fall apart. The story shifts as the characters take over and choose and create the version of it they want and are struggling for.
Is this your first book? If so, what lessons have you learned from writing it? If not, what lessons did you learn from writing earlier books that you brought into this one?
I have written around 15 books at this point. I have learned so much with every book, but most of all, I think I’ve learned to give readers what they want without them knowing what it is they want exactly. That doesn’t make sense and is extremely hard to do and requires luck and perseverance, but it is what I now aim for. I tried to mash up genres I loved before and have written in a literary style I loved, but I’ve found a point where I’ve settled into my own style and try to tell a story without the rest of me and my flaws getting in the way.
How much of yourself do you write into your stories?
I try to do as little of that as possible. No one wants to read about me. But I sometimes find myself slipping in like a questionable and almost forgotten uncle who you’ve never really met.
What comes first to you when you’re writing, the world, the characters, or the storyline?
I love to imagine huge sweeping worlds and the plots and twists that go with them. I think about these for weeks or months or years. Then the characters start to evolve, and the story unfolds with the outline, which always changes when I actually start writing.
They say to never judge a book by its cover, but a cover is still a marketing tool that helps sell books. Can you tell us about the idea behind the cover of your book?
I actually had three different covers made for this book, to test them out with readers. In the past, I have always chosen options that sell poorly, and then I have to redo them and ask other people their opinions. I have zero natural or acquired talent for marketing my books. The other two options were both ones I thought would be superior to the actual current cover. The cover I am now using and that you will see got around 2/3 of the votes – out of hundreds. I was surprised, and yet again, I shouldn’t have been. The current cover is the most thrilling, unlike many traditional fantasies. You should check it out. And for anyone interested, I can show you the other two options that will probably seem boring and uninteresting. Then you can laugh at my expense.
Can you give us an elevator pitch for your book?
A Game of Thrones where dragons are engines of war, armed and outfitted like ships from Star Wars (although in a realistic fantasy way with medieval weapons).
Describe your book in 3 adjectives.
Unique, twisty, expansive – and also dragon thieves and dragon assassins! Okay, I know those are nouns, but I wanted to get them in there.
Can you tell us a little bit about your characters? What are your favorite kinds of characters to write?
I love writing the dark and conflicted characters. Those come easy. The plot for the main hero is not difficult, but making a person who most readers want to connect with and is overall genuinely good takes a lot more effort and thought on my part… I hope that doesn’t sway readers into thinking what kind of person I am.
If you could choose one worldbuilding detail (a place, ability, or creature, for example) from your book to exist in the real world, what would it be and why?
Dragons, but NOT only dragons, all the different types of dragons in this series with their flaws and strengths that must be matched up against each other with well thought out strategies.
What would you like readers to take away from this book?
I sincerely hope that readers notice the depth of the world building, the unique aspects and types of dragons, the novel additions and advancements of the simple dragon riders becoming guards, mages, knights, and archers, as well as the magic systems, monsters, and new class of dragon thieves and dragon assassins.
Do you have a favorite quote from your book that you can share with us? What about this quote in particular makes it your favorite?
"Till the end of days we soar. Till the end of nights we reign. You honor me. My soul sees yours.”
I love the camaraderie (and resentment) of the dragons and what they have brought with them from the dragon realm into the world of Cimeren.
Is there anything you can tell us about any current projects you’re working on?
I am currently well into writing and editing the second book of the series – Through Fire and Shadow – where many events will unfold and be realized.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us! Do you have any parting thoughts or comments you’d like to leave for our readers?
I would like to thank you and the listeners for your time and for having me. It’s been a pleasure. I hope you all find and read stories you love. I am always a fan of those who still dare to read and tread the worlds of imagination.
And finally, where can you be found on the internet if our readers want to hear more from you?
You can pick up the free prequel to my new series there.
