Hollis Jo McCullum is a fantasy author, designer, podcaster, Bookfest Bellweather, and all around silly person. She writes two different dark fantasy book series: The Raashan Series and the Lost Beacon Chronicles.
With a degree in history and specializations in the ancient Etruscans and medieval Britain, history and mythology are continuous inspirations for her writing, so you'll even get some fun history to rattle off at parties when you read her books.
Tell us a bit about your most recent work.
Most recently, I published the third book in my first complete trilogy! My Raashan trilogy is epic dark fantasy with inspired romantic subplots. It opens on the world of Raashan in a state of post-apocalyptic chaos, where our heroes are striving to survive in a dying world. The first book in the Raashan trilogy, To Save a World, has won two national awards. The second book, The Queen Witch, has also won a national award and has received praise for my original take on fairies. Tear in the World, the third book in the Raashan trilogy, hasn't been entered in any contests yet, but my reader feedback has been excellent. I'm very proud. :)
What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?
On the romantic side, I live for a slow-burn romance and those little, sweet moments of nuance that speak of true intimacy and affection. What can I say? I'm a born hopeless romantic!
What happened in your life that prompted you to become a writer?
Like many writers, I love to read and have been reading since an early age. However, what really prompted me to start writing was playing D&D.
To Save a World is actually based on a campaign I played with my best friend. When that campaign was over, I couldn't stop thinking about it. It was too awesome. So, one day I sat down and began to write To Save a World.Many of my books, like my current WIP, The Key, which is the first book in the Raashan Histories trilogy, are also based on D&D campaigns and characters. I've been playing since I was 11 years old. I'm 43 now and still love D&D. Never grow up. Never surrender.
What inspires you to write?
Other than the aforementioned, D&D and influential movies from the 80s, honestly the magic of everyday life is very inspiring to me. I LOVE going for walks in the forest and imagining what fantastical creatures are lurking just out of sight, or plucking my real life friends and family out of the real world and putting them in my books as characters. I do that a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Sometimes, I don't even bother to change the name of the character from the real life person. For example, my sister-in-law (whom I adore) is named Jess. If you've read The Queen Witch and/or Tear in the World, you know exactly who I'm talking about.
Which of your works has meant the most to you?
This question is officially too hard! Haha! All of my books mean a lot to me for different reasons. As authors, we are metaphorically bleeding on paper to write our stories and important parts of us are in every one of them. If you make me choose though, of course To Save a World will always have a very special place in my heart. The story and characters were crafted through a beautiful D&D game with my best friend and prompted me to first create what has become the world of Raashan. That is very special to me.
My other historical dark fantasy series, the Lost Beacon Chronicles, also holds a very special place in my heart. Especially the origin story of the series, Spare the Swallow. That work is deeply personal to me in ways I do not share with others. Only a select few of my inner circle know why. Just understand that hidden within the pages of that book is my bare soul.
If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?
Hmmmm... I'm a very creative person, so off the top of my head there are definitely a few cosplays I would have done differently. Specifically, my Lisa Frank unicorn warrior, which was an original concept cosplay of mine. I'm still incredibly proud of it, and it was a featured cosplay for the MarksterCon Hair of the Dragon photoshoot a few years ago, but I rushed it at the end. Looking back, I would have focused more on making myself look more Roman/Greek and built the breastplate differently. No regrets though. Maybe I'll remake it someday.
Writing-wise, I can honestly say I wouldn't re-write anything I have published so far. Honestly happy and fulfilled with all five of my published novels. If you've followed me for a while though, you'll know that I re-designed my Raashan covers a few times. I do all my own covers and page layouts and it took me a while to hit my mark there. Couldn't be prouder of what I have now though.
What writers have influenced your style and technique?
I can't think of one specific author, really. The DragonLance series (various authors) had a HUGE impact on my writing and perspective as a human being in the world. Can't express in words how much that series means to me. I am also heavily influenced by the British vernacular. I spent a semester studying in the UK when I was at university and found that the British vernacular simply suited my own personal patterns of speech better than the American English. Growing up, my friends used to tell me I pronounced words differently or phrased things in a funny way, but in the UK I fit right in! Therefore, as a matter of natural inclination, I tend to be more heavily influenced by British English, even though I am an American.
Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?
I've actually never heard this prompt before. Is it a trope of some kind? All I can say is that my writing is a creative outlet and a way to share my thoughts and feelings with the world. How a reader chooses to interpret it is entirely up to them. That's part of the fun of meeting your readers. They often tell you things about your own work that you never knew before. It's brilliant.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
For me, it's about finding the time to write and create! I'm lucky in that I can get into my creative space fairly easily. I am extremely good at compartmentalizing and can shift gears like a mother fucker, but having enough time to sit down and get it on paper is challenging. I have a regular job, a husband, family, friends, adult responsibilities, etc. I long for the days when I don't need my full-time job anymore and put all of that time into my writing.
How do your writer friends help you become a better writer? Or do they not?
What does literary success look like to you?
I don't want to be rich or famous. I just want to make enough on my books and related writing activities to sustain the quality of life I have now. Success is about feeling completely fulfilled and not worrying about money for me, not necessarily having a lot of it. I already know that writing fantasy novels fulfills me in ways no job I've ever had or would have ever could. I am working toward the other half of the equation.
Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?
The first book in the Raashan Histories trilogy, The Key, is coming out in the spring of 2026! It's based on a D&D campaign and I am enjoying writing it so much! The characters occasionally run off with my plot lines like feral children, but that's all part of the creative process.
For more information, visit:
- https://www.hollisjomccollumauthor.com/ - subscribe for updates on my upcoming projects and events!
- Instagram: @hollisjomccollum
- YouTube Channel: @hollisjomccollumauthor
My 2025 event schedule is posted on my website and pinned on my Instagram. Come out and meet me in person!
No comments:
Post a Comment