As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the cozy scent of pumpkin spice fills the air, we embark on a captivating journey into the world of Sean Frazier, a writer who claims to be “made of crunchy leaves and pumpkins.” With a penchant for fantasy and a talent for crafting compelling stories, Sean has taken the literary world by storm. In this exclusive interview, we’ll delve into his creative mind, explore his unique writing process, and discover the delightful blend of humor and wisdom that defines his work.
From hoodies and sweaters to navigating the treacherous waters of self-promotion, Sean shares his experiences, his hopes for the future of the industry, and the heartwarming moments that remind him why storytelling is his true calling. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind Sean’s success and find inspiration in his journey from childhood daydreamer to accomplished author.
So, grab your favorite chair, a warm cup of coffee, and settle in for a conversation that’s sure to spark your creativity and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the magic of storytelling.
TW: What is your favorite season?
SF: Fall. I’m probably made of crunchy leaves and pumpkins. Apparently, I’ve loved fall since I was a kid, though I don’t really remember being that into a season when I was little.
TW: What is your favorite genre to read?
SF: I read primarily fantasy, but if I see something interesting in another genre, I’m absolutely going to read it. Horror and Sci-Fi would be my other preferred genres.
TW: Hoodie or sweater?
SF: Hoodies first—especially during fall. Once winter hits, I’ll usually add sweaters to the mix, because my wife knits and she has made me some really nice, comfy sweaters.
TW: What inspired your craft, and how did you get started?
SF: I’ve always been a daydreamer and, when I was a child, I would play for hours in my room with action figures or Legos, making up stories. I didn’t realize I could channel this energy into storytelling until middle school (junior high at the time) when I dove head-first into writing short stories. I never intended anyone to read anything I wrote and, frankly, was mortified at the very thought. Now, however, telling stories is literally all I want to do.
TW: How do you handle creative slumps?
SF: If I find I’m having trouble with the process and things just
aren’t working out, I simply walk away for a while. I find other things to do that will hopefully feed my creativity. This could mean something as simple as going for a run and letting my mind wander or shut off entirely. Sometimes it’s listening to music, watching movies, or reading a book. Even when I’m not actively trying to write, my brain seems to subconsciously keep churning. Sometimes it’s only a couple of days, others it’s a couple of weeks. But if I try to force the creativity, it doesn’t happen.
TW: How do you balance the need for creative expression with the
need to meet deadlines and produce work on a regular basis?
SF: I don’t do deadlines if at all possible. The moment I have a deadline—even if self-imposed, what once was fun creativity now switches over immediately to “this feels like work.” My publisher does present me with deadlines but they’re very generous and, if I’m being honest, I don’t pay attention to them. I simply keep doing my thing on my own schedule to make the magic happen. To date, I’ve finished every task well before the deadline.
TW: What do you think is the future of your industry?
SF: Unfortunately, it’s looking like AI-written books is in the future of writing. It may not become the majority (and I truly hope it never gets anywhere near that) but I sadly don’t believe AI is going to go away. The publishing industry is already a dumpster fire for many reasons, but I also believe indie and small presses are grabbing a larger piece of the publishing pie.
TW: Can you describe your experience with self-promotion?
SF: Self-promotion is … hard. And that’s an understatement. It’s a constant slog that never lets up, and it entails something I’m horribly uncomfortable with—talking about how great I supposedly am. I’m immensely proud of my
books and I want people to enjoy them but it feels unnatural for me to hype them up. It’s necessary for all artists and creatives, but it’s difficult and exhausting.
TW: What is the most memorable feedback you’ve received on your
work?
SF: I once had a reader tell me he read my Forgotten Years books to his eight-year-old daughter and she couldn’t get enough of them. Then he told me that she and her friend pretended they were MY characters when they played
together. This never fails to make me smile. I never thought, in my wildest dreams, I would ever impact a reader or even any young mind like that.
TW: How do you handle rejection?
SF: Rejection is a part of life for everyone. How I feel about it often depends on the day. Most days, I look at rejection, shrug, and I’m onto the next opportunity. Repeated rejection isn’t the easiest thing to handle but, at the end of the day, I’m the captain of this ship, and I ultimately decide how my books get out in the world. Self-pub isn’t a fallback—it’s a viable alternative and I would not hesitate to go down that road again.
TW: Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult
decision about your craft?
SF: When I finished the first draft of The Call of Chaos, I was only a couple years out of college. Back then, publishing was a clunky, near-impossible process involving physical query letters sent through the mail. I tried my hand at it and got nowhere. I made the decision to shelve the writing dream and focus on a career instead, unsure if I had the intention to ever try again. A decade later, I tried my hand at it again, rewriting the entire book twice until I finally felt like it didn’t suck. I found my writing had improved and matured and I was overjoyed with the end product. But making the decision to walk away was like losing a limb.
TW: What is your favorite part about your craft?
SF: I think it might be going to book and author events. Connecting with other authors and geeking out with readers is so much fun. Sure, I’m talking up my books when I can, but the interactions are real. I’m not just self-
promoting; I’m hearing stories from authors and readers and learning about all kinds of subjects—stories about struggles and victories, and getting to know people in the writing community. I tend more toward being an introvert, and I usually end the day completely exhausted, but I wouldn’t trade these events for anything. I wish I could do more of them.
TW: What does the future hold for you?
SF: My next book, Mage Breaker, debuts in November and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s a completely new adventure and my first foray into urban fantasy. I have another book coming out next March that is also a new endeavor—fantasy humor. I’ve also got two other projects underway that are new challenges since they’re darker and grittier than anything I’ve ever written. I can’t wait to show them off! I’m also looking to attend more events and get myself out there to learn about publishing, and the state of all things books.
TW: Where can my readers find you?
SF: I’m literally all over the place. It’s impossible to avoid me!
Website: https://SeanRFrazier.com
Twitter (until it implodes): @TheCleftonTwain
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/SeanRFrazierAuthor/
I’m on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky all as
“seanrfrazier” and I’m even on TikTok, usually trying really
dubious foods.
TW: Anything else you would like to say?
SF: I thank you for the opportunity! I’d like to encourage everyone not to give up on their art and creativity. It’s never easy, but if it’s your passion, then it’s absolutely worth it.