| Interview with Harry
Gallan |
In a world
akin to Paradise, the tribes of Alemar have struggled through
the years to maintain a peaceful co-existence. The Phoenix tribe
has played a large part in the harmony that now exists, and
the tribes have grown and prospered together.
The sudden and mysterious re-appearance of the barbaric and
exiled Leopard tribe shatters the peace and brings death and
destruction upon the peaceful allies, who are forced towards
a future that they could never had imagined. |
 |
Reena, daughter
of the Phoenix Chieftain, unravels a secret that verifies the
existence of an unknown force working covertly in the background
to destroy everything that the allies had worked so hard to
achieve. Narrowly escaping death, Reena follows the path of
her warrior ancestors in an effort to find and challenge the
might of this hidden unknown force, and avenge the suffering
of her people.
Her quest culminates in the most incredible and unforeseen discovery;
a discovery that results in a new alliance whose fight for justice
can only be described as impossible. |
| Robert Mullin
of The Wee Web talks to Harry Gallan- 10
August 2004 |
Robert
This is the first book you have written - is writing a book
something you always wanted to do?
Harry
Only recently, it hadn't crossed my mind that I was actually
capable of writing! I have been an avid reader most of my life,
and so I thought 'why not give it a go?' Because I read so much,
I occasionally came across some right 'stinkers', and I kept
thinking that if this person can get a book published then maybe
I could too.
Robert
What gave you the inspiration to write "Full Circle"
Harry
That is a long, boring, and controversial story. To keep it
brief, I wrote a short 2-page synopsis in early 2002, and thought
that it would make a good novel. I decided late last year that
it was time to see if I could pull it off, and Full Circle was
the result.
Robert
How long did it take to write and did you suffer from writers
block at any stage?
Harry
I started the novel in December 2003 and finished it in March
2004, with a four week break in between due to Christmas and
work committments, so in all about 3 months, which isn't too
bad really. I was lucky not to suffer from writers block, but
I'm sure my turn will come one day!
Robert
Have you started writing book number two yet, and if so are
we allowed to know what it may be called?
Harry
It will be called 'From the Ashes'. I have finished all the
notes I need, and have almost completed the chapter layout.
All I need to do now is sit in front of my PC and get cracking!
I will not start though until I know what the future holds with
book 1, as it will be difficult to get it written in my current
job. I am keeping my fingers crossed that one of the four Publishers
will take a gamble and sign me up, which will free me from my
current job long enough to complete books 2 and 3, as well as
another very exciting project that I have begun. Writing book
2 will not take me long, as most of the preliminary work has
already been done.
Robert
The cover art for "Full Circle" is fantastic - when
can we expect your second book to be released, and will it see
another contribution from Fred Katz?
Harry
That again will depend on what happens with book 1 in terms
of a major publisher. If I sign a contract before Christmas
then book 2 will be finished within a few months. Fred Katz
has already agreed to paint the covers for books 2 and 3, much
to my delight, as I think that he is one of the best artists
in the UK.
Robert
I believe that there has already been some interest from one
of Los Angeles' biggest film companies - is this quite solid
and if so can you reveal any more details?
Harry
I can tell you that the rumours are true, we were contacted
by e-mail by one very large company from the US who expressed
an interest in buying the rights. If anything comes from it
you will find out. We also have a meeting with another equally
large company in October, so fingers crossed on both counts!
Robert
"Full Circle" is a well made book with the use of
high-quality paper and printing and all-in-all is a very stylish
volume - was this something that you were in charge of or did
you leave the physical aspects of the book to someone else?
Harry
My Manager and agent Sam Salmon has to take most of the credit
for the quality of the book, as he did all of the work with
the printers. It was something that we set out to do from the
begining. We wanted a very high quality collectable book that
would stand the test of time and would be much sought after
should it become successful. We took a bit of a gamble with
costs etc but I am absolutely delighted with the results, and
almost everyone has commented on its quality.
Robert
Your book appeals to both children and adults - is this something
you diliberately set out to achieve?
Harry
Most definitely. I want anyone of any age to be able to read
and enjoy it. I want anyone from anywhere around the world to
be able to pick it up and relate to it, which is why I was deliberately
vague with the character descriptions. It was basically written
for a worldwide audience.
Robert
Did you read a lot as a child and if so what books did you enjoy
reading?
Harry
I have always loved reading and couldn't bear the thought of
not having a book near me at all times! I loved the likes of
C.S.Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien as a kid, amongst others. They basically
defined my taste in books as an adult, where I favoured fantasty
and science fiction novels.
Robert
Can you disclose which part of the country you are from Harry,
and did your local area give you inspiration for places in your
within your story?
Harry
Well, I can say that my local area most definitely did not inspire
anything in the book! I am happy where I live, but look forward
to living somewhere quieter in years to come, and I'll leave
it at that!
Robert
I have to ask this question Harry - there seems to be a bit
of a rumour within UK book collecting circles that you are actually
someone that has already found fame - I am also aware that you
are not answering any questions about your true identity but
believe there are going to be clues throughout your trilogy
that should lead us to the answer - does this not imply that
you are actually a recognised celebrity or could this be a clever
marketing ploy for you book?
Harry
I'd be disappointed if you didn't ask such a question. There
are the odd clues in the book but you would have to be very,very
good to find them! As for the rest of the question, I'm afraid
you will have to wait a little longer for the answer, sorry!
Robert
If you were to pick 7 words to describe yourself as best you
can, what would they be?
Harry
Hard working, loyal, imaginative, decent, and generous.
Robert
What star sign are you Harry and do you believe in astrology,
ghosts, aliens and other dimensions etc?
Harry
You'll have to wait a bit longer for my star sign, Robert, but
nice try! I do believe that there is more to our world and universe
than we will ever understand or appreciate, and words such as
'aliens' and 'ghosts' etc do not sufficiently describe many
of the unanswered questions we all have. I think it would be
foolish to discount them, and brave to present any evidence
supporting their existence. I for one would rather be brave
than foolish, and look forward to any new evidence that those
other brave sould provide us with.
Robert
What is your favourite kind of music, food and drink?
Harry
I am a big rock fan, I love sea food, and beer!
Robert
Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing with your time?
Harry
I am a huge sports fan, and have a season ticket to Arsenal
Football Club (the Champs!). I also read two or three books
a week, just to keep my mind ticking over!
Robert
When you write do you use a pen, typewriter, keyboard or something
else, and what's the longest time you have written for in one
sitting?
Harry
Initially I make my notes in a couple of notebooks, put everything
together in some sort of order, organise the chapters, and when
I am happy I start typing on my PC or lap top. I set myself
a limit of words per day, and the most I have written is 6000
in one sitting. I wouldn't like to keep writing until I fall
asleep, as I'd want to keep fresh for the next day. When I was
working on Full Circle I wrote the last 40,000 words in 8 days
at an average of 5000 words per day, which I was quite pleased
with.
Robert
If your book is taken on by a large publisher will you release
your true identity then or do you always mean to be known as
Harry Gallan?
Harry
At the moment I do not wish to be known by my real identity,
and to be honest I am hoping to stick with Harry Gallan for
as long as I can, so as not to cloud the issue. We will see
how things pan out.
Robert
Some of your books are selling for a lot of money on the internet
- are you excited about the stir your book is creating within
the book colectors market, and are you suprised at the money
and interest the book is attracting?
Harry
I am over the moon at the stir it has caused, we were hoping
and confident that it would do well, but not as quickly as it
has done. I am surprised at how much the books are fetching,
but if you compare them with some other recent titles such as
Shadowmancer and Valley of the Secrets, then Full Circle hasn't
reached its expected peak yet. As it stands though I am a very
content writer, no matter how well it does, and anything that
comes from now is just a massive bonus for me.
Robert
Whats the most exciting thing that has ever happened in your
life?
Harry
My current profession has provided me with many years of excitement,
too many to mention, but if I had to choose one then it would
be the birth of my child, which turned me into a quivering wreck!
Robert
And finally Harry, what would you say to people reading this
interview about your own book, "Full Circle"?
Harry
I say THANK YOU, for reading my debut novel. I hope you enjoy
it and ask only one thing from you: keep an open mind and a
fruitful imagination.
The Wee Web would like
to thank Harry Gallan for taking the time
to answer our questions! Wee also wish Harry every success with
his writing.
Wee would
also like to thank Martin Thomson at
Markosia.com for giving us the oppurtunity to talk
to Harry.
For information regarding The Lexian Chronicles
please visit the official website: http://www.markosia.org.uk
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