Urban Fantasy
Date Published: November 2013
Samantha Chablon is a self-proclaimed “gadget girl”. She runs the family watch repair shop while her eccentric old father spends his days researching fantastical stories of elves. Sam loves her father, but his odd habits have always been a mystery and a burden on the family. But that all changes after her father dies, and she discovers what he left for her.
Sam has inherited a real elf.
Piv is his name, and he is far older than his boyish face and personality would imply. But he's also wise, and as an elf he is gifted with a preternatural proclivity for making things. Sam's father taught Piv everything he knows about making watches, and he works faster than human hands could ever move. Sam, being much more enterprising than her father, sees opportunity in Piv's talents. Soon Piv is not the only elf working for Sam as she goes about building a luxury watch empire powered by secret elf labor.
But the elves have remained hidden from humans for good reason, and it's not easy to keep a factory full of territorial elves secret in the middle of a metropolis. One night when someone attempts to break into the factory, the elves take matters into their own hands. The incident gives Sam a glimpse of a dark and twisted side of elves that no fairy tales ever mentioned. Samantha will soon discover that great ambition often comes with great risk, and although her elf partners have agreed to work without pay, there are other costly consequences involved in striking a deal with elves.
Sam has inherited a real elf.
Piv is his name, and he is far older than his boyish face and personality would imply. But he's also wise, and as an elf he is gifted with a preternatural proclivity for making things. Sam's father taught Piv everything he knows about making watches, and he works faster than human hands could ever move. Sam, being much more enterprising than her father, sees opportunity in Piv's talents. Soon Piv is not the only elf working for Sam as she goes about building a luxury watch empire powered by secret elf labor.
But the elves have remained hidden from humans for good reason, and it's not easy to keep a factory full of territorial elves secret in the middle of a metropolis. One night when someone attempts to break into the factory, the elves take matters into their own hands. The incident gives Sam a glimpse of a dark and twisted side of elves that no fairy tales ever mentioned. Samantha will soon discover that great ambition often comes with great risk, and although her elf partners have agreed to work without pay, there are other costly consequences involved in striking a deal with elves.
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Writing is certainly a career for me. I’ve been writing
articles for online magazines for years, and my novels are the next step in my
progression as a professional writer. I still can’t say I make a living solely
as a writer, but even if that never happens I’ll always be writing and honing
my craft.
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
As a fantasy/sci-fi writer, for me the primary challenge is
making sure the concepts and the worlds I create consistently make sense and
hold up to logical scrutiny. I despise plot holes and under-developed world
building, but I can understand when writers fall into those traps because it
can be quite tedious to track all of those things and you really have to be
dedicated to it. But no one ever said good writing is easy, and I gladly accept
the challenge because it makes my work better.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with
Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
I’ve always been a loner when it comes to my writing, so I
can’t say I’ve had any direct personal help in my writing. But I do have good
friends that beta read my work and let me know their honest opinions so I can
make sure I’m on the right track.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
I'm currently working on a new series of short novels. The
topic? Magic! I’m planning on putting a sci-fi spin on magic. It’s kind of a
mix of Harry Potter, The Prestige, and even a little Ghostbusters vibe. Look
for the first book to be out this summer.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing?
If so, what are you currently reading?
Absolutely. I am an insatiable writer, and my reading list
is always expanding. Right now I’m reading several books: Tears in Rain (which is essentially Blade Runner fan fiction), A Coven of Witches, and Homeland by Cory Doctorow
This or That?
#1 - iPod or Mp3?
MP3
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?
Mashed Potatoes
#4 – Comedy or Drama?
Drama
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?
Nicholas Sparks
#6 – Fantasy or Reality?
Reality
#7 – Call or Text?
Text
#8 – Public School or Home
School ?
Public School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate
#10 – eBook or Paperback?
eBook
Ramsey Isler is an author, software developer, and designer who lives in Los Angeles. He currently writes feature articles and media reviews at IGN.com, an entertainment site that focuses on TV, movies, and video games. Ramsey loves books, anything with circuits and wires, and cats.
For fiction, Ramsey usually writes urban fantasy that blends elements of science fiction and suspense. His stories feature young protagonists that are often unsure of themselves, but they find the strength to persevere when faced with extreme circumstances. Ramsey does not write traditional "evil" villains or black-and-white morality tales; he instead opts for antagonists and anti-heroes who have viewpoints and ideals that pose difficult moral challenges for the protagonists, and the worlds they inhabit.
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