A Nation of Dreams: Q & A with author Kaleb Nation

by Joy Smith

Author Kaleb Nation corresponded with Reality Check Girl Magazine via email to talk about his new book, Bran Hambric: The Fairfield Curse, which was released on 09/09/09. The book’s summary, posted on www.branhambric.com,  leaves a captivated reader pining for more:

“Bran Hambric was found locked in a bank vault at six years old, with no memory of his past. For years, he has lived with one of the bankers, wondering why he was left behind — until one night, when he is fourteen, he is suddenly confronted by a maddened creature, speaking of Bran’s true past and trying to kidnap him. Bran finds that he is at the center of a plot which started years before he was even born: the plot of a deadly curse his mother created…and one that her former masters are hunting for him to complete. Haunted by the spirit of his mother’s master and living in a city where magic is illegal, Bran must undo the crimes of his past…before it is too late.”

If you just cannot wait until the release to get your hands on this, the book’s first four chapters are available for preview online. Kaleb also composed an entire playlist of songs to accompany his first novel, as well as a promo video, both found on his website.

As a well-known vlogger and web-presence, Kaleb has a huge following already. Often known as The Twilight Guy for his recorded e-journey through the series, or simply “Hey, Nation!”, his fans are already clamoring around the new book, and a sequel is already in the works.

Kaleb spared a few minutes of his busy time to answer our burning questions about life and literature.

As the publication date of Bran Hambric draws near, are you more excited or nervous?
I’m feeling a little bit of both! I’m nervous because so far, few people other than my friends and family have actually gotten to read the book. I’m excited because it’s always been my dream to be an author, and very soon I’ll be able to see something I wrote in a real store! It’s a lot of fun.

Do you plan to do any book signings or readings that we can look forward to?
I certainly plan to do book signings and readings in the months following 9/9/09. I’m also planning a midnight release party and reading online, which I’ll be posting about at my website.

What was the most difficult part of this whole process for you and why?
I think that waiting for the release has really been the hardest part! I’m a naturally impatient person. I want things to happen now, and when it takes over a year for the book to go through the publishing process and editing, I’m just ready to see it in print! But the great thing is that all the waiting eventually pays off when I get to hold the final book in my hands.

We’ve heard you are currently working on a sequel to Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse, what can you tell us about it?
I am certainly working on the sequel right now! I was just writing on it this morning actually. I’m not exactly sure about when it will be available or if I will be able to post previews of it online yet, but hopefully I’ll have some more news soon.

Bran Hambric inspired you to compose several beautiful scores that are available on your website. It’s obvious that you have a talent in digital music/composing as well as writing, is that something that you think you might pursue later?
I’m not sure. I enjoy writing music, but only when I have a specific inspiration to do it. It would take a lot more practice to turn it into something I do regularly or for other people!

You are moving to LA, and are you settled? What are your plans right now, and is school in the picture?
I’m really excited for my upcoming move to California! I’ll finally have a car and my own apartment, and I’ll be able to write more often than before. Because of my move I’m taking a break from college for now so I can tour and write the sequel, but there are so many great schools in California that I can pick from when it’s done.

Who are the major influences on your life and your writing?
There were a lot of influences of my writing style, mainly the books that I enjoyed growing up. I really liked Lemony Snicket, and I think that some of his writing influenced my voice. I’m also a huge fan of Eoin Colfer, and growing up reading his books helped teach me how stories are written and how to have lots of great action!

You are twenty years old, published, and you carry a very large fan base. To other young, aspiring writers out there, what advice can you give?
Never give up! Publishing is a very, very long journey, and there were so many times when it seemed that something wasn’t going to work out for me. But by sticking to it, and getting help from a lot of great people, I was able to accomplish my dream, which seemed pretty much impossible back at the beginning!

Are you working on anything outside of Bran’s world? If not, what genres/types of stories do you see yourself writing in the future?
I am writing on a story that is outside of Bran’s world, and not a fantasy story. I’m not sure how long it will take me to write it, but it’s my little side project I work on every few months just because I really enjoy it.

What are your career plans at this point? Are you going to continue vlogging, blogging, and writing novels?
That’s the goal! I love being able to connect with readers on YouTube and Twitter and all my websites, so I hope to keep all that up as I continue writing the series.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
A determined dreamer

It looks like Kaleb Nations dreams are coming true, one book at a time. Make sure to look for Bran Hambric: The Fairfield Curse, hitting shelves this month!