INSIDER AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

An Interview with Author T.J. Perkins - Art of the Ninja: Earth

April 2011

The Insider is a Silver Leaf Books sponsored feature that allows the readers to gain additional information about the authors, books, and projects. This section will consist of live interviews with the authors, and their direct responses.

This Insider interview is with T.J. Perkins, author of the upcoming release, Art of the Ninja: Earth.

SLB: Your debut novel with Silver Leaf Books will be released this upcoming May. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about what got you started with writing and how you came up with the idea for Shadow Legacy?

PERKINS: The art of storytelling was engrained in me from a very young age.  When I was little I used to sit and listen to my grandfather tell spooky/mysterious stories about strange things that would happen to people he knew.  Though they were mostly superstitious tales, I was mesmerized by them.  I then tried my own hand at telling scary tales at birthday parties and sleepovers.  It was a blast capturing the attention of anyone that listened to my stories.

I was a straight ‘A’ student in writing, creative writing and English and took typing and business classes in school.  Other than that I had no formal training.

I started off getting Star Wars fanfiction published on websites. I then moved on to original short stories, some of which I got paid for.  I learned the publishing business and published 8 mystery books for YA, many of which have become very successful.

Shadow Legacy was born in the dark recesses of my mind while taking my son to martial arts classes.  I took an interest in my son’s love of Japanese martial arts because I had taken Kung Fu for 2 years in my early 20’s and loved it.  He started at the age of 5 and by the time he was 11 I had found a traditional Ninjitsu school.  For 1 ½ years I sat and watched the training and how his abilities grew.  With it came teenage anger issues and frustration – thus the basis of Duncan was born.

SLB: How was the process of taking your initial manuscript and getting it to the point where it is now?

PERKINS: Shadow Legacy started off as one thick book.  It was divided into sections, each section represented an element.  Originally it was a book for YA and told in third person.  A good friend, and my old editor, suggested I make it a series for adults, turn each section into a separate book and expand on each while writing it in first person.  It shows in Art of the Ninja: Earth that the YA flavor is still lingering amongst the pages.  It’s very hard switching from writing for YA for years to writing for adults.

It took me 2 years to write the original version.  It has now taken an additional 3 years to change, rearrange and put in first person point of view and I’m not even close to being finished with the series yet.

SLB: Why don’t you tell us a little about the book?

PERKINS: The story is set in modern day Japan and involves Duncan, a teen assassin in training.  Something is growing and developing within Duncan and it’s feeding off his teen anger, hormones and frustration.  He doesn’t understand it and is under a great deal of pressure to keep control for when he gets mad it’s not a simple anger fit – it’s fatal to all those around him and his own people could turn against him to stop it.  All ninja of the Chiao have special abilities and they are at an age to tap into everything they are capable of.  The Shimoshuki are a rival clan that hate the Chiao and a foreign power has enlisted their assistance to take possession of a great artifact Duncan’s village keeps hidden, while hopefully killing of the Chiao in the process.  Among the rivals is a kunoichi that decides to take matters into her own hands.  She wants Duncan’s powers for herself and will go to great lengths to be the victor.

This story is alternate reality fantasy and is for ages 16+ due to violence and graphic killings.  You’ll witness the beginning of magic skills, touching on the boarders of the Dark Ninja Arts and forbidden magic, and watch Duncan tap into the unknown entity that wants to take him over.

SLB: Even though the print book isn’t officially being released until May, the book has been available on the Kindle already. Have you heard any early feedback about it?

PERKINS: Yes, and I have a few reviews.  I have a 4 out of 5 rating so far and reviewers are saying the book reads like a good manga/anime, that it’s a great adventure story and my flare for writing in vivid detail helps paint a picture in their minds bringing the story, the characters and what is really happening, to life.

SLB: Why don’t you tell us a bit about what you were thinking when you came up with the concept for the cover art for your book? Who is the artist?

PERKINS: My cover designer for this book is Ryan Dumas.  Awesome guy to work with!  Ryan and I collaborated on the cover art.  I wanted to portray the main character of the first book on the cover, but also wanted to display the special ability.  Duncan’s angry eyes are on the cover and behind him is the mystical dragon of the waterfall, the ancient spirit that controls fire and watches over the Chiao village.  And, by the way, Chiao means fire in Japanese.  Ryan sent me 8 design ideas and I chose the current one.  Then he came up with the parchment background and I wanted the traditional Japanese painting on the back, which will be the basis for all 5 books

SLB: For those readers who would be interested in meeting you, are you planning on doing any signings and/or conventions?

PERKINS: My book launch will be May 7 at Constellation Books in Reisterstown, MD.  I will also be at Balticon May 28 & 29 all day, participating in panels, author signings and doing a reading of Art of the Ninja: Earth.  There will be discussions and chances to purchase the book.  I have tentative signings set up throughout the year, library appearances and school appearances are tentative for the fall.  Check my website often to see where I’ll be next!

SLB: What are the links that people could go to for more details?

PERKINS: www.authorsden.com/tjperkins

www.silverleafbooks.com

http://tj-perkins.blogspot.com/

SLB: Will there be further adventures of Shadow Legacy for readers to look forward to?

PERKINS: Yes!  This is a 5 book series.  Book 2 is complete and expands more into all of the character’s magic abilities and ends in a shocking way.  Book 3 is almost complete and once finished I will begin book 4 immediately.

SLB: Other than writing, what are some of your interests and hobbies?

PERKINS: Gardening, archery, fencing, hiking, reading and exercising (lift weights, etc).

SLB: Is there anything else that you would like to add about yourself or your book before we leave?

PERKINS: I’m very approachable and open to attending any type of session – just ask!  You can email me on my website or contact me through my publisher.