#CMCon18 Beach Bonfire Q&A with Sean Michael

As one of the #CMCon18 featured bloggers, I get to have a little fun with a few of the fabulous authors who will be hitting the beach for Coastal Magic 2018 by showcasing their many stories.

Writing short stories, even mini-fiction, can’t always be worked into a writing schedule; so for those authors who may not be able to let their characters play in the sand, I’ve invited them to a nighttime beach bonfire to have a drink, listen to the crashing waves, and answer a few questions of my own.

Joining me in the sand is Sean Michael, author of Daddy Needs a Date, Unlikely Hero and more!
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Sean Michael

Can you tell us a little about yourself, something readers may not have heard before?
Something readers may not know about myself… I play Pokemon Go. I am a level 40 trainer.

Official Bio: Often referred to as “Space Cowboy” and “Gangsta of Love” while still striving for the moniker of “Maurice,” Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and pursuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to “Chicago.” A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys. Barring any of that? He’ll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
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Can you introduce us to the world(s) that you have created?
Yes! I have a number of universes, but the one I’m really jonesing on right now is my Dragon Soul series world. This is a paranormal/urban fantasy series feauring five dragon shifter brothers who each find their soul mates – one per book. They live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but it’s a world where beasts like dragons exist. Each dragon brother is associated with a different element — fire, water, earth, air and spirit. I’ve put an easter egg in each book as well – a mention, whether brief or more detailed, about another mythical creature who exists in this world. Each mythical creature shares an afinity for the element associated with the brother whose book it is. For instance in Seduced by the Tide, Deke’s element is water, so the mythical creature mentioned in his book is also associated with water. Once I’ve finished with the five brothers (I’m currently working on the final book) I hope to go back and do at least one book per mythical creature introduced.

Will this be your first Coastal Magic or are you a veteran? What was it about Coastal Magic that drew you to it? Why have you continued to return?
I guess technically I’m a veteran as this will be my second Coastal. I went to it in the first place because I had never been to a con before and not only did I have author friends going to this one, but it was a fairly small con and I figured it would be better to break my convention cherry, so to speak, at a smaller con than say RT. I am going back because I loved my first Coastal very much. I loved meeting the readers and having time to talk to them.

Is there any part of your series, any of your series, world(s) that you would like to expand on in the future?
As mentioned above, I’m hoping to expand my Dragon Soul series to include the other mythical beasts mentioned.

How do you take our world and build something fantastical from it? How do you turn our reality into fantasy?
Adding shifters, or magical creatures makes the every day fantasy. Add in magic itself as well does the trick. I like to think of the shifters and fairies and others as living just out of sight, that if you look in the shadows or catch that slight movement out of the corner of your eye, that’s the fantastical.

Which do you find is more central in your writing: the characters or world creation? Why?
Characters, characters, characters. For me it always about the characters. Now, in the right frame of mind, and with the right characters, I do also enjoy world creation, but character is always king.

If you could be one urban fantasy creature/person/magical thing, what would you be and why?
Oh man, just one? I’m notorious for not being able to pick favorites or narrow down choices. But I think I would go with dragon shifter. Dragons are gorgeous, they’re big and powerful. They can fly, they can breathe fire. I even have a dragon who can breathe underwater, which I would love to do.

Don’t miss your chance to meet over 50 fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic next February! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach, and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.

REGISTRATION is now open! If you haven’t been to Coastal Magic yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Be sure to keep up with all things Coastal Magic, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | RSVP at the Facebook Event.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.