Welcome to the 2023 ARIA Author Showcase and Giveaway Event! 

  

  

How to enter – Comment on the daily showcases to enter the daily Giveaways. Comments close one week after the initial Showcase post. GRAND PRIZE drawn on Dec 8th (1 -$250, 1 -$100, or a 1 -$50 Amazon gift card. One grand prize pp) – For every showcase you post on, you automatically gain one entry to the grand prize. 30 Authors = 30 entries.    

 Paul will be at the Rhode Island Author Expo

On to the Showcase! 

 

What name do you like to write under? Paul Magnan 

Where do you call home? The wilds of Rhode Island 

What genre(s) do you write? Dark Fantasy/horror 

What genre(s) were you drawn to when you were younger? I always loved horror and fantasy with an edge. Not sure why, that's just how I rolled. 

What were some of your favorite books growing up? Why? The first book I fell in love with was Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Then, I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe in the 7th grade. I fell in love with his short stories. I also loved anything by Ray Bradbury and the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson. I've also loved anything by the late, great Peter Straub, with whom I was lucky enough to get acquainted with over the course of several Readercons. 

What are some of your favorite books today? I've been extremely fortunate to not only get to know, but become friends with, several contemporary horror and fantasy writers, such as Gwendolyn Kiste ("Reluctant Immortals"), John Langan (The Fisherman"), C. S. E. Cooney ("Saint Death's Daughter"), and Zin E. Rocklyn ("Flowers For the Sea"). 

What inspired you to become a writer? This is a hard one to answer, but I think the seed for this desire was planted when I was in the 6th grade, when some of us were assigned to write a short story for our English class. After that, I knew this would be my dream. 

 

 

The Coming of Dis 

On an alternate world, the Four Territories are surrounded by the Disian Curtain, a poisonous, misty world where horrors called Infernals consume human bodies and souls. With the help of an arena fighter who has a connection to both worlds, can the Territories populace cease fighting amongst themselves and prepare for the threat that is closing in on them? 

Tell us a little about how The Coming of Dis came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else? Interestingly enough, it started with a comic strip I created in my high school art class. My classmates loved it and demanded more, so it was a natural leap to put the character of Kyu, The Unknown on the printed page. Thirty-five years later, I realized this dream. 

Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book? No particular scenes changed. The character of Kyu changed quite a bit from his genesis in high school (including his name), but I always had an idea concerning his character arc. Same with the plot. I had several wonderful beta readers, and my first publisher, Writers AMuse Me Publishing (now, sadly, defunct) provided much-needed editing suggestions. 

Which character was the most challenging to create. Why? Probably Erenia. She is a woman with untapped courage and ability who absolutely loathes the main character, Kyu, and is just as instrumental as he in uniting a contentious population to face the Infernals. I love this character, but I'm always afraid readers might find her grating. 

What do you like best about being a writer? The act of creating something that is not only yours, but belongs to everyone who reads it. I'm always amazed and delighted by the sheer number of interpretations different readers have, no matter what I write. stivals and fairs. 

If you could collaborate with any author past or present, who would it be? What would the title of the book be? (If possible) - Give us a one sentence blurb. Wow, this is a tough one. Probably Shirley Jackson. Her writing is understated, but devastatingly effective. For title, maybe "The Underneath". Blurb? I'll need to get back to you on that one. ;) 

Find Paul Magnan here - 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-Magnan/author/B01LIONK9E  

Paul is giving away the first volume of the "Kyu, The Unknown" series, titled, "The Coming of Dis" 

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