It's Raining Books: The Prince by Antony Soehner

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

The Prince by Antony Soehner

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Antony Soehner will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre?

I’ve always loved fantasy stories and the escapism that they bring. Stories like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and American Gods where the rules of our world are bent or totally thrown away are super enticing. Worldbuilding and exterior lore are especially my favorite part. I find that my writing is always better when I make the rules.

What draws you to it?

There are a lot of things about fantasy that I love and would attribute to being the draw, but I think world-building would be at the top of my list. There is just something about sitting at my computer for hours mapping, bullit-pointing, and creating characters that constantly pulls my attention from everything else I need to be doing. It can be a bit distracting while I’m working or cleaning but if it turns into a book or story, I would say it's worth it.

What world-building is required?

In “The Prince”, readers are taken into my fantasy world of complex politics, imperialism, and magic. When I was creating the world, I wanted to step away from the typical euro-centric fantasy we normally see and open the realm to other cultures. The influence of Native American traditions and culture was always at the base of my story. I wanted to trade the round table of knights for tribes dancing and singing around a campfire. Many of the lessons taught by characters like Ta’goda came from my own personal experiences. But those led me down the greatest rabbit hole of research I’ve ever done. In the end, I wanted to make characters and cultures that will bring either positive or progressive conversation to our own world.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

One of the largest lessons I learned from my character Theo was to question and oppose abuse. When you know something is wrong, being silent only helps the abuser. There are a handful of moments when Theo decides to stand up to the king and even places himself in danger to protect others from getting hurt. At first, I wrote those situations as a no-brainer reaction to injustice but after discovering my own experiences of abuse, I learned that it takes a lot to do what Theo did and I now strive to uphold my own character's values. It's funny when your art imitates life and inspires you to create change.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

Something I learned from playing Dungeons and Dragons is that you can write using dice. When I first started writing, I would use twenty-sided dice as a way to help move my story along. I could write myself to a forked road and if I was stuck with indecision, a single roll would help me decide left or right. Now I tend to write less without the dice’s help, but from time to time when I need to break a writer’s block, I pick a color and roll.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I used to proudly say I write as a pantser, but in the last year I have adopted the term “Planter” as a hybrid between pantser and plotter. I tend to create and plan certain scenes in my head that I use to map my story. Then I let my characters take over and tell the journey between plot points. I’m a hobby gardener outside of writing and I like to think of my writing as a garden. You plant the seeds and water them, but inevitably you have to let things happen naturally and you can’t force it.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My Hydroflask is always at my side. I carry that thing everywhere I go and make sure it’s always filled with water. It was a gift from my youngest brother a few years ago and is covered in an eclectic collection of stickers. It’s a little silly but I consider it like a security blanket of sorts.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Currently I am working on book four of the “Prince Theo Saga.” If this summer goes well, I hope to begin publishing book two this fall for release next year. There is a lot of work to go until then, but you can catch me at things like FanExpo Denver where you’re likely to get early access to things like beta reads.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What cultures and traditions do you wish to see in fantasy stories that you feel are underrepresented?

Destiny will always test the greatest of leaders.

Theo never imagined life outside the king’s castle. But when the queen’s funeral reveals the king’s true colors, Theo must rely on his sister, her allies, and his friends to get him to safety. With the help of mercenaries and the native tribes of the plains, Theo must learn to face his destiny and open his mind to the diverse world he’s been thrown into.

Read an Excerpt

“Dad!” Rhan burst out.

Ta’goda turned his intense focus to his daughter and suddenly his entire body deflated.

Without another word between the two, Ta’goda stood up from his fighting stance, faced whatever was hiding from view of the other three, and he closed his eyes.

Around the towering orc, three snarling wolves made of green flame formed from the ground up. Ta’goda raised his axe in the direction of his fight and the wolves took off.

Once the wolves were out of sight, Ta’goda rushed to his daughter and wrapped her in his arms.

“Rhan,” Ta’goda choked out.

“I’m okay,” she cried into his shoulder.

The chief pulled away and looked her in the eyes.

“What happened?” Rhan asked as she wiped away tears from her cheeks.

“We are under attack,” Ta’goda gritted his teeth, “I must get back to the battle. Our tribe needs me.”

“And me—”

Ta’goda shook his head at Rhan’s protest.

“What?” Rhan blinked at her father.

“You have a new duty,” Ta’goda swallowed. The chief’s eyes peered over his daughter’s shoulders and locked onto Theo. “I cannot leave our people and get the prince to the rivers—”

“I’m not leaving you here—”

“Rhan’takono, this is not the time to argue—”

“There is nothing to argue over! I’m fighting beside you—”

“I can’t—”

“I am to be chief one day! How can I stand before my people after running from this?”

“If you don’t go now, there won’t be a tribe for you to be chief of!” Ta’goda snapped. “This is not a command as your chief. I am begging you as your father—” the words caught in the back of his throat, “please.”

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