Vast Worlds Reside in This Mind
1) What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
Chris Cole
2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?
I (so far) have published adult books in Romance, Erotic Romance, Science Fiction, and Urban Fantasy/Action-Adventure Romance genres. I am currently working on a YA sci-fi fantasy series and a line of children’s books as well.
Ultimately, I just like telling stories, and have a wide range of ideas to choose from. I originally started out with only science fiction, but I first published in romance. Any genre I’m drawn to comes from ordinary people either doing extraordinary things or working to find peace in chaos. With science fiction in particular, I enjoy the idea of incorporating the current world into wild and unusual things and the commentary on how our world may adjust to them.
3) Do you challenge yourself to writing sprints? If so, how long are they?
I probably should. I have a hard time with self-discipline when it comes to sitting down and writing consistently. When I’ve done writing sprints with others, I usually do well for 10-15 minute sprints, and then the five minute break. What’s fun is when I do the sprints, I continue trying to write through the break sometimes because my creative gears are turning.
4) How did you come up with your cover design?
For Fragments: The Revelation, I had this image in my mind, and when I related it to my cover designer at MiblArt, it’s almost like they reached into my brain and turned it into art. I like how it’s similar to a movie poster, as that’s how my brain works in terms of visualizing my stories. If I were to do a second edition or a second cover, I think I would do something simpler however, as I realize it can be a little busy for some readers and not necessarily ‘on’ with current cover trends.
5) What is your favorite way to connect with readers? (Social media, newsletters or something else)
I love connecting through social media. I’ve thought about doing a newsletter, and I have a blog, but as a small and independent author, it’s hard to get traffic going there. I enjoy social media, especially TikTok, because I get to see fellow writers and interact with readers directly. I’ve had a few people interact with me on Facebook and let me know they’re reading my stuff, and hearing that just makes my heart leap in equal delight and angst. I also love meeting in person, so doing book events and signings. I met some wonderful people at a Pride event in Idaho Falls, Idaho in June and loved connecting about their desire to read more books with queer lead characters.
6) Have you ever taken a course on writing or advertising? If so, which one(s) and how would you rate them?
My bachelor’s degree is in multimedia journalism, so I have some background on advertising. I also worked as a marketing assistant for a few years and enjoyed writing press releases and articles and such.
As for writing courses, I’ve gone to a few conferences and wrapped up a video game writing course in mid-July, where I earned a certificate and learned a ton about branching dialogue, barks, callouts, and the industry. I’ve also purchased some books on writing which are currently sitting in my TBR. I’d say the writing conferences I went to are super helpful for me in terms of getting feedback on my current writing, and the courses I’ve taken have been great to incorporate into my work. For example, I went to one course on British language and writing for accuracy, and learned a lot there for my urban fantasy series. Plus, having a British editor is incredibly helpful.
7) What gives you the most satisfaction in the writing process?
I thoroughly enjoy getting out the scenes I’ve had in my head for a long time and seeing them transform. I also enjoy the process of being at point J and having to get to point L, and figuring out what can happen in point K to get me there. I also thoroughly enjoy cliffhangers at the end of chapters or books, setting up the story for where it goes next.
8) What is the one thing you wish you knew at the beginning of your writing journey?
I wish I’d known more about the process of publishing. Whether it’s independent publishing or self-publishing, getting books into the hands of readers can be complicated, and there are some people and businesses out there who unfortunately take advantage of that lack of knowledge to prey on new authors for money. While it didn’t happen to me, it was close. I know other authors who were told all these wonderful things the publisher would do for them once the author shelled out a lot of money, then didn’t. It can be scary to seek out a publisher, and I always keep an eye out for authors just starting out who may benefit from my experience.
9) Who did you dedicate your first book to and why?
My first ebook was dedicated to my now ex-husband, my family and friends, and all my supporters. My first book that went to print, Porch Light, was dedicated to Wesley and Kristen, amazing beta readers, to my parents, and my ex-husband again.
I always like to dedicate books to people who have supported me, especially on a particular book. As I’ve published more books, however, they’ve become more dedicated to groups of people experiencing turmoil.
10) Which book villain would be the hardest to defeat?
I think any villain who has a really good reason for doing bad things is hard to defeat. Like, Dexter. Saving lives is generally unquestionably good, but doing so by taking lives? That’s the hard part, and creates such a moral dilemma. Do we want to not do anything, knowing more people will be unalived? It creates discomfort, and I think that’s the sign of a really good villain. Same with any villain who takes on the patriarchy, or billionaires, or corruption in any capacity by using their own tactics against them. There’s a good movie called Promising Young Woman that also has a ‘villain’ it’s hard not to root for, but in terms of men who take advantage of women.
11) If you could take one item out of any book that you have ever read, what would it be or why?
I’d take the morphing cube out of Animorphs. To be able to turn into an animal, even for two hours, would be an amazing gift. Think of how much we could learn about animals in all aspects! Plus, if I’m running late for work, I can just morph into a bird and fly. I can go swimming without worrying about drowning if I morph into a whale or a dolphin, and I can even solve basic issues like ‘what’s clogging my laundry pipe?’ by turning into a small creature that can go into the pipe and figure it out. There are so many animals I’d love to morph into for a short time.
12) Name one book that you have reread several times.
The Animorphs series. I love that series so much, and it’s inspired me to do my own YA series of novellas. The adventures the Animorphs go through are super interesting because they address the morals of war and how youth can see things so clearly sometimes. While it’s equally unfair they have to shoulder the burden of saving the world, it’s important we remember that sometimes adults add gray to situations that should absolutely be black or white.
13) What is your favorite book that you have read this year?
My favorite book so far this year is called Dragon Age: Last Flight, and it’s a book that supplements the Dragon Age video game series. I love storytelling that happens in a variety of ways, so being able to read a book that takes place in the same universe as a video game series I love is amazing, as it helps enrich the gameplay experience for me.
14) What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.
Fragments is a series of four books that rewrites history as we know it. The story revolves around Jake West as he gets way more than he bargained for by going on a date with Jordan Bailey, a cute guy he met in the university bookstore. Jake soon learns that the power to control the elements exists, and his destiny unravels throughout the series as more secrets are discovered that ultimately bring about those who came before us. The series deals with big questions of what it means to fight for humanity, what it means to be human, and how divisions of history may be the undoing of our existence.
15) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
16) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)
I’m at ChrisColeBooks across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. I also have Threads and Twitter, but am less active on there.
17) Is there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?
I hope readers know there are authors out there who want to represent their community. For people who are looking for queer stories, there are a lot out there that tell stories without the drama we see in real life. Queer stories with happily ever afters, queer stories with people who are just living their lives, and fantastical worlds of all kinds exist in between. There are so many out there with queer representation, and it gives me hope as well as drives me to continue to generate more.
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