Smoke Signals

Today I met Gabriel Lyannas, a current senior at East Coweta High School. While talking to him, I found out that he wrote a book. Later, I requested an additional interview with Gabriel, and he willingly shared the stories behind writing and publishing his book The Mad King. Below are those conversations:

Q: What is the title of the book? What is it about?
Gabriel: The Mad King takes place in the medieval-esque Kingdom of Wimark, where a mad tyrant murders the king and steals the throne. A brutal war breaks out between the tyrant’s forces and the Resistance as the kingdom is plunged into a reign of terror. Living a peaceful life with his family, former warrior and hero Leland Voltrane is forced to pick up his sword once more when the mad king comes to his town. Leland grapples with the choices he must make in the heat of war to protect not only his family, but also the entire kingdom. The book focuses on the war for the fate of the kingdom, the consequences of Leland’s past and current choices, and how this new war will change him as faces off against… The Mad King.

Q: When did you write the book?
Gabriel: I technically started the story Freshman year, but I didn’t pick it back up until the beginning of Sophomore year. I spent that entire school year writing the book, finishing my manuscript over the summer. I spent the next 9 months editing, revising, learning the self-publishing industry, and preparing the book release. It was released on March 1st.

Q: How did you come up with the idea of writing a book?
Gabriel: I always knew I wanted to be an author, even when my handwriting filled two wide-ruled lines, but for years, I lacked the skill to publish a book. I’d often write short stories or individual scenes from story ideas I had, but the quality of writing left much to be desired. So, I put writing aside until 8th grade, when I started writing again and honing my skills. Eventually, I felt my writing was good enough for me to write something I could publish, so I started writing The Mad King.

Q: Did you have any challenges/obstacles when writing a book? If so, what were they?
Gabriel: Writing wasn’t always enjoyable (it was often grueling to get up every morning before school and try to write), but I was enthralled by the world I entered each time I sat down to write. The realness of the story I was creating kept me going all the way until the last sentence. The biggest obstacle was figuring out how I was going to get my book out to the world. Luckily, self-publishing allows someone like me, a high school student, to publish their own book. I researched what self-publishing was, the process for it, and started working out a plan. It took lots of time, especially since being under 18 at the time brought some legal complications, but I was able to navigate through the challenges and publish my book.

Q: Was there any message/lesson you were trying to deliver through your book?
Gabriel: My book promotes two core messages: one found within the text, and the other is from the book itself. Firstly, one theme of the story is that some people can seem so evil, cruel, wicked, or bad that you can’t imagine ever being like them, but you also don’t know what it might have taken for them to become who they are, and you have to be careful that you don’t start down the same path. Secondly, the book itself is proof that anyone can achieve their goals. I knew I wanted to publish a book in high school, and with time, dedication, and persistence, I was able to. Just as how I was able to reach my goal, so can anyone else if they put their mind to it.

Q: How did you feel after writing and publishing your book?
Gabriel: To actually run my fingers along the pages of a book I had written was surreal and made all the work over the past year and a half worthwhile. I was able to look at tangible proof of my commitment to my dream: I pushed myself to adapt and see my book through to completion, and whenever I look at the copy on my dresser, I’m reminded of the obstacles I overcame. When I pick it up, I’m still shocked that I wrote so much and turned an idea I got one night into an entire novel. It’s my greatest accomplishment so far in life, and I can say with pride, “I’m a published author!”

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with our school about your book?
Gabriel: The Mad King is available on all major platforms. You can find it online at https://books2read.com/b/themadking

During the interview, I was impressed at how dedicated and hard-working Gabriel was during his sophomore year to share his own world with others. Messages that he wanted to deliver through his book also touched me, and his interview made me want to read his book and explore the depth of his thoughts. If you are a fan of medieval or epic battle stories, go check the website above and get yourself a copy of The Mad King.