Lovers of science fiction will want to be on the watch for ‘Ghosts of Lyarra’ the second title from Yorkton author Damian Shishkin.
The book follows the story started in Shishkin’s debut ‘Rise of Aen’ which hit shelves early last year.
Shishkin said his first book found an eager audience.
“The reaction to the first book has been overwhelming, with interest in it spanning worldwide,” he told Yorkton This Week. “I have a following in Portugal, New Zealand, the United States, and even Japan.
“Reviews have been strong online, and other than a few comments about some editing issues; it was my first book and a rather big learning experience; it all has been positive.”
As for the latest book, Shishkin said it came from some of his earliest attempts at the keyboard.
“Ghosts of Lyarra is actually the title of the very first attempt at writing a book,” he said. “After penning over four hundred pages and being no closer to a conclusion, I realized that it was too much an attempt at creating a project too big for its own good. But out of that book came the storyline for my first book Rise of Aen and a good portion of Ghosts of Lyarra as well.”
While the early writing may have created a ‘storyline’ Shishkin said it was more a mindset than detailed written road map for the stories.
“I don’t tend to follow an outline at all, I just reread what was previously written and continue,” he said. “The process works well for me and although it does mean some rewriting now and then, it allows a flow in the story that I really like. It is a process that works for me, but may not be the ideal way for other writers; I can picture the story in my mind like a movie so all I have to do is write what I am watching.”
The visual aspect of writing may come from Shishkin’s earliest interest in art.
“To be honest, I was more into art for the better part of my life than writing,” he said. “What changed my focus was my Grade 9 teacher Jim Propp who after I handed in a poor attempt at a creative writing assignment, challenged me to try better and rewrite the assignment. Not only did I get top marks on the short story, I was published in the scholastic magazine as well.
“After junior high, creative writing doesn’t exist so my focus on it faded and was forgotten for a good twenty years. Out of boredom or curiosity; I can’t remember which; I discovered there was a story on my mind I wanted to share with the world.”
‘Ghosts’ continues the story of Aen, building on the first book’s foundation.
“This is a story of evolution; both of the characters and of Earth in its post attack existence,” said Shishkin. “It is a look at deals made in the shadows as the struggle to control the crown of the Empress unfolds. It takes place five-years after the first book and it is quite interesting how much has changed in that time. Humanity is no longer afraid of what is out there and is eager to show that they belong with the heavy weights of the Empire.”
That said, Shishkin added he has been drawn into the dark as a writer on ‘Ghosts’.
“I am taking it in a darker direction as I am not a fan of the prototypical happy ending; hence the sad ending of my first book,” he said.
“Reality tells us that despite wanting things to end well that the opposite is more likely so my works reflect that. At every resolution of conflict in the stories comes another twist of consequences of those actions. It will continue to get darker in the third book, as the plot gets crazier than anyone can imagine.”
As for writing ‘Ghosts’ Shishkin said he found his stride as an author.
“The second book was more enjoyable and less stressful than the first,” he said. “There is the air of the unknown with your first work, and the learning and missteps that come with venturing into something new.
“Now that I have established the characters, the story delved deeper into their past and their future evolution.
“In the first book lies a hidden key to the whole underlying story of the series, and it isn’t until the very end of the second book that everyone will realize the true villain involved.”
The result of ‘Ghosts’ has been gratifying for Shishkin.
“I am very happy with this book, it was fun to write,” he said. “It sets up the next parts perfectly while not detracting from the story itself. It stands alone as a story of its own as well as an intrical part of the series.”
And there are more books to come.
“There are four books in the series,” said Shishkin. “Rise of Aen, and Ghosts of Lyarra are of course the books completed.
“‘Thy Kingdom Come’ and ‘Empire of Ashes’ are yet to come.
“The four complete this saga, yet I may come back to add one or two at a later time. After I finish these four I have a few other individual books to write before revisiting these.”
‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is already emerging into files on Shishkin’s computer.
“I am hard at work on the third book with more than 60 pages done at this point,” he said. “Most of my books are around 300 pages in Word format when they go to the publisher. If all goes well I would hope it might be released before December this year.”
Shishkin said he will be doing a book signing at Cole’s as soon as he has book stock and they can schedule his event.
“I am booked in Saskatoon for the Blitz anime festival in June as well as Saskatoon Expo which is the science fiction convention in September,” he added.
Once it is released in a few days ‘Ghosts’ will be available online at Amazon, Google play store, Chapters Indigo, and locally at Cole’s and What’s In Store.
