If John Wick Was Set in a Dark Fantasy...
1) What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
Andy Peloquin
2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?
I’m a die-hard fantasy writer (with the occasional dalliance with sci-fi). Fantasy is my favorite genre because it allows me to explore the human condition through the lens of a great action-packed story. There’s also a lovely dissociation between the “real world” and the fictional worlds I create so no one gets offended, but the characters and situations are still a mirror that I can hold up to showcase real life people and circumstances.
3) How far along are you on your current work-in-progress?
I’m just beginning work on a new project (details are still under wraps) and still finding my feet. But I just finished Darkblade #9, which was an absolute blast to write!
4) Which character of yours was the most challenging to write and why?
The characters of the Sage and Warmaster from Slayer (Darkblade #3) were probably the hardest—but also the most fun. The Sage is a sociopath and the Warmaster is a psychopath, and the distinctions between the two are often minute but just noticeable enough to make them different. It was fascinating walking the line between both personality disorders and creating characters that have their own twisted outlook toward the world, but still make good points that could convince the protagonist, the Hunter, to consider aligning himself with them.
5) What is your favorite way to connect with readers? (Social media, newsletters or something else)
Facebook and my newsletter have been my go-to methods for years, but I’ve begun really enjoying being on Instagram and TikTok. I find I can get creative, display my humor, and engage with people who love the same books that I do.
6) Did you ever feel like giving up? If so, how did you overcome that?
I think most authors face the struggle of wanting to give up when things are challenging, or when you don’t find the success you hope for. I know I’ve been tempted to walk away from writing altogether a handful of times over the past few years. What’s stopped me the knowledge that I couldn’t exist or be mentally stable without writing, so I keep deciding that if I’m going to do it anyways, I might as well work hard at it to make it work. I’m a heavily logic-driven person, and it’s certainly been the thing to keep me anchored even when the going gets tough.
7) Do you read books in your genre, or do you prefer reading other genres?
I read primarily fantasy, though I’ll dive into sci-fi, the occasional horror, some romance, comedy, and once in a blue moon a thriller or murder mystery. Really, anything that can make me FEEL strongly. I’ve found that fantasy just tends to be heavier on the feels I’m looking for. Plus, all the stories are wrapped up in my kind of action and excitement.
8) In your opinion, can a book series be too long?
It can be too long if the story is being dragged on or “filler” is being used to stretch things out. But as long as the emotional journey remains true to the characters and the stories are exciting, I’ll be along for the ride.
9) If you could live in any “book world” what would that be?
The Shire from Lord of the Rings. Second breakfast aside, there’s something so appealing about their calm, laid-back lifestyle.
10) Villain, hero or “show stealing” side character? Which would you be?
I’m 99% certain I’d be the overly friendly and deeply complex grunt who gets his ass kicked in the opening seconds of any fight scenes.
11) What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.
I have six series, but the one I’m best known for is Darkblade. It’s basically “John Wick in a fantasy world”. A criminal organization kills the wrong people—people under the protection of the best assassin in the world—so he goes rampaging to destroy them utterly. It’s action-packed in the best ways, but it’s also a fascinating look at the psychological complexities that would drive someone to become a killer for hire.
12) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
13) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)
I’m on Instagram and TikTok as “AndyPeloquinAuthor”, and on Facebook and Twitter as Andy Peloquin. I’m not on YouTube…yet.
14) If there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?
I’d say that with an Andy Peloquin book, you are in for a WILD RIDE. Action is the vehicle that keeps my interest in a character and keeps me moving deeper into the world, but always it’s used to frame their deeper motivations, emotions, and growth. You’ll come for the action but stay for the very human, very relatable characters.
