{Author Interview} Daniel Cohen - Masters of the Veil

I'd like to welcome Daniel Cohen, author or Masters of the Veil, to Better Read Than Dead for a quick and fun interview. His novel releases March 1, 2012 and is published by Spencer Hill Press. Be sure to pick up a copy. Also, check back here for my review soon.

About the Author:

Daniel A. Cohen was just your average business student. Microeconomics, finance, marketing… you name it, he had to do a PowerPoint presentation on it. One dark and stormy night, he was bitten by the radioactive realization that memorizing business jargon could possibly be the most boring activity known to man.

After gaining eagle-eye vision, abs that could grate cheese, and a talent for imagining things (including his cheese-grating abs), he wrote his first novel and began his epic battle against the formidable business jargon. He continues to fight the good fight by playing saxophone and writing YA fantasy, forever hoping his Veil trilogy will help inspire others to join his cause.

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Life can't get much better for Sam Lock. Popular, good-looking, and with a future as a professional football player. every guy at Stanton High School wishes he were Sam. That is, until his championship football game, when Sam accidentally links with an ancient source of energy known as the Veil and reveals his potential to become a powerful sorcerer.Sam is whisked off to Atlas Crown, a community of sorcerers who utilize the Veil as a part of everyday life. Once there, he trains beside a mute boy who speaks through music, an eternal sage who's the eyes and ears of the Veil, and a beautiful girl who's pretty sure Sam's an idiot.As it becomes clear Sam's meant for power magic-the most feared and misunderstood form of sorcery-people beyond Atlas Crown learn of his dangerous potential. An exiled group of power sorcerers are eager to recruit Sam, believing that he is destined to help them achieve their long-held goal. If they succeed, they could bring about the downfall of not only Atlas Crown. but all humankind.

Here's what Daniel has to say about Masters of the Veil and other things.

~Kristin:  Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live?

Daniel:  I just moved to Austin to pursue my love of playing rock and r&b sax, which I’ve been doing for about 15 years now. Austin is the live music capital of the world and I can’t even begin to tell you how much music there is here (although it’s quite a competitive scene). 
***I love Austin…in fact, I plan to live there someday. My sister lives there now and her significant other is in a band. I wish you the best of luck in your musical and writing endeavors.***

~Kristin:  What is the name of the book you are currently promoting?

Daniel:  “Masters of the Veil.” The first book in the Veil trilogy.

~Kristin:  Where did you come up for the idea for your book?

Daniel:  I actually remember the moment the idea hit me. I was pondering how much I love and respect the Harry Potter series when I thought to myself, “What would a fantasy book be like if the main character was a popular, sociable character instead of an unloved outcast? And what would it be like if he/she was taken from his/her awesome, comfortable life in our world and thrown into a magical world?

The idea took off from there.

~Kristin:  Tell us a little about your main character(s).

Daniel:  Sam Lock is (or was) the king of Stanton High School. He’s good-looking, very popular, and has a bright future as a football player. He’s brash and comes off as arrogant, but he actually has a good heart. 
***I loved Sam, even with his arrogance. LOL***

~Kristin:  Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Daniel:  My favorite character is a young sorcerer named Glissandro Thicket. I know I talked about him in my guest post, but I want to talk about him all the time. He’s a lanky, curly-haired sorcerer on the brink of adulthood. He was born without the ability to talk, but he somehow found a way to speak through playing music on his horn.

He’s based on a type of person that I feel like happens all too often. He’s talented, has a kind heart, plenty of wisdom, but because of certain life circumstances, he’s shy and lacks the self-esteem to shine as bright as he could.

~Kristin:  Do you feel like you put parts of yourself in your characters?

Daniel:  Absolutely.

~Kristin:  Will there be a sequel or do you have another project in the works?

Daniel:  I’m actually working on the sequel right now. It’s called, “Children of the Veil,” and I’m on the tail end of the first draft. I don’t mean to sound pompous (like a certain football player), but this book is so awesome! It dives further into the magical world and reveals some pretty crazy stuff about the Veil and the characters.  
***I doubt seriously that you sound pompous. I have read Masters of the Veil and you have reason to sound confident. J***

~Kristin:  How long did the entire process from writing your current work to getting it published take?

Daniel:  About three and a half years. From the plants and animals, to the magic, I wanted my world to be completely unique. Since I had to come up with everything from scratch, it took a long time, but it was 100% worth it. 
***You created some of the coolest and yummiest sounding plants and animals. I wouldn’t mind a taste of the Dreckler cotton.”

~Kristin:  Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Daniel:  I read a ton, which definitely helps drum up some creativity. Patrick Rothfuss is my current literary hero. Everyone should do themselves a favor and pick up, “The Name of the Wind.” (After “Masters of the Veil” of course) 
***”Masters of the Veil” first guys…remember that.”

~Kristin:  Do you have any “rituals” when you write?

Daniel:  Besides staining every shirt I own with coffee? No, not really.

~Kristin:  If you couldn’t be an author, but anything else…what would you be?

Daniel:  The saxophone player for the Dave Matthews Band. 
***LOVE the Dave Matthews Band***

~Kristin:  Independently published or commercially published?

Daniel:  Independently. Spencer Hill Press is PHENOMINAL! I advise any YA paranormal/ fantasy author (agented or otherwise) to submit to them.  
***I’ve heard this about them and I have to say that I have enjoyed working with them from the blogging end of life also. I know a lot of my readers are familiar with The Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Half Blood and Pure). Same publisher.***

~Kristin:  Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

Daniel:  Keep pushing. All it takes is one ‘Yes’ to change your life. 
 ***Wise, wise words.***

~Kristin:  When did reading and writing become important you?

Daniel:  My father instilled the importance of reading in me from a very young age, although I didn’t inherit his superhuman reading speed (More than 100 pages an hour!). I didn’t start writing until I was a little older. 
***Wow. 100 pages an hour. Crazy.***

Fun Stuff

~Kristin: What 5 things are within your reach right now? No cheating?

Daniel: Haha, dang. Ok, well I’m at a coffee shop so… a cup of coffee, a copy of my book (give me a break! I just got the advance copies!) Scrabble, a copy of Fahrenheit 451, and Candlyland (It’s on the other table. I SWEAR!)
***Oh, I have a copy of your book in my reach also. I love Fahrenheit 451 – awesome read.***

~Kristin:  Favorite Food?

Daniel:  Chicken wings.

~Kristin:  Favorite TV show?

Daniel:  Entourage.

~Kristin:  Favorite Song?

Daniel:  New York State of Mind, by Billy Joel. The sax solo is what made me become serious about my instrument.

~Kristin:  Favorite singer or band?

Daniel:  The Dave Matthews Band.

~Kristin:  One food you would never try?

Daniel:  How about a food that I WISH I never tried. That would be the vegan turkey jerky that my brother was eating at Thanksgiving. He gave up meat and he’s been trying to convert me… let’s just say that the vegan jerky was not the best argument.
***I cannot imagine vegan turkey jerky. I can’t see it being a good argument for anything positive – just saying. LOL***

~Kristin:  Health nut or junk food junkie?

Daniel:  Both if you believe it. It depends on how often I make it to the gym, and if I can keep my momentum going.

~Kristin:  Two books you think everyone should read. (Yes, you can and should include yours.)

Daniel:  “The Name of the Wind,” by Patrick Rothfuss.

               “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho.

~Kristin:  Places my readers can stalk you?

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