Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stone Keye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stone, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

For my backdrop, my wife has written many scientific papers, chapters for textbooks, and has co-written a book with her sister. My sister-in-law is an author and has published several books. I’ve always been a bit jealous of their accomplishments.

Now for the story of how I came up with my idea for my first book. I’ve always had a bit of insomnia. While most people can put their head on their pillow and fall asleep, I’ve never been that lucky. It’s usually me tossing and turning while I try to turn my mind off.

One night, I’d just finished a chapter in a book about Mages and Wizards. It was late, and I decided to close the book and try to sleep. The problem was that the chapter I’d finished was early in the book, where the villain had just succeeded in one of his evil plans, and my mind wouldn’t let it go. So, I created a magical hero who stepped in, thwarted the villain, and saved the day. I fell asleep faster than I ever had.

For the next several months, Jason (my hero) had many adventures in my mind while I tried to sleep. Some nights, I’d fall asleep quickly, but not always. After many months of this, I decided to sit down and record Jason’s adventures for my book. It took me a year to get it into good enough shape to publish, but I was proud of my accomplishments.

Additionally, I found I loved writing and creating adventures.

And that’s how my insomnia helped create my Modern Warlock series. Three books later, it continues on.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I work full-time in IT, and being an author is my side gig. Eventually, I plan on retiring from IT and becoming a full-time author. I have two series out currently.

My first series is called “The Modern Warlock”. It stars Jason, who grew up wishing he was magical, but after marriage and two kids, that didn’t seem likely. But one day, he finds he is magical and a Warlock. Through the first three books, Jason attends warlock boot camp, where survival is the only goal. He then goes on to have adventures both on and off Earth.

My second series is called “The Afterlife of Kye Dodson.” Kye is Death’s number one Arbiter. Sorting souls, tracking down wayward celestials, and maintaining the balance between Heaven and Hell are all in a day’s work. Kye likes to think of himself as a celestial playboy, but his deeds reflect he’s much more than that.

My next series is about an ex-FBI agent named Adam. When he worked for the bureau, his main job was to track down serial killers, and he was good at it. If Adam was after you, he’d find you. But a life-altering event ended his career and nearly ended him. But Adam is back as a private detective with the unique ability to see the souls of those who were murdered. In the first book, after ten years, Adam returns to Los Angeles, the scene of his initial downfall, to track down the murderer of a billionaire’s son. The first book should be out late 2024

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

When my father was medically forced to retire early, he was lost. It took him a while to find something meaningful to do with his life. He tried a couple of different hobbies and careers before he found his calling.

I don’t want that to happen to me and for a long time I pondered what career would I retire to. After writing my first book, I’ve found it. While I will spend lots of time training my dogs, and doing some traveling, I will retire from IT to become a full-time author.

This has given me a purpose, driven me to publish enough books that when I retire, my new career is on its way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started writing, I was impatient. I want that story out now. To my credit, I not only edited my own work but would also hire an outside editor to review. But eventually I learned that my works, while good, could have been better if I’d taken the proper time to work through them.

Today, I spend more time on each chapter, trying to flush them completely out. I’m still learning, but getting there.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stonekeybooks.net
• Instagram: Stone Keye
• Facebook: Stone Keye
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-merrifield-pmp-ctfl-csm-author-38782a/
• Twitter: Stone Keye (@StoneKeyeBooks)

Image Credits
The covers for the “Afterlife of Kye Dodson” were done by Logan Keys. Covers for “The Modern Warlock” series were bone by Steven Novak.