Alex Gates Interview

Alex lives, according to his wife, in LaLaLand. It’s a land full of heroes and demons and magic. Sometimes his world spills into our world. 

He is working on the Joseph Hunter series, which features an angry, sarcastic wizard avenging his daughter’s disappearance against monsters, demons, and gods. 

He is also writing the Academy of Alternative Magic.

1. What is your book about?

Joseph has given up on his life. When his daughter is kidnapped and his powers are taken from him, he must learn how to rediscover himself and fight back.

2. Every author does something different with urban fantasy, what is your twist on the genre?

I stole a little from Deadpool in this story. Joseph breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the reader on multiple occasions. Also, I wanted to create a character in a dark place, having him stand more in his way from achieving a goal than the bad guy. ALSO! I created my own mythology and magic system, combing mythologies and religions to fit within the world.

3. What inspired you to write this book?

I had the character, Joseph Hunter, in my head for a long time, I just needed a story. Then I watched Love, Death, and Robots on Netflix. There’s a werewolf episode in there, and it takes place during a war. I had Joseph’s background after that, and the rest is history.

4. What attracted you to Urban Fantasy?

I read Harry Potter in college. When I finished the series, I was so distraught about what to do next, I researched adult books like Harry Potter. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files kept popping up. His protagonist even had the name Harry. I’ve hooked on Urban Fantasy ever since.

5. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

I want to say something ferocious, like a lion or a shark or a dragon. But honestly, I’m a monkey. And I’m proud of it–even the poop-throwing part