We're thrilled to be joined by JV Hilliard, a best-selling author known for his epic and dark fantasy novels, including The Warminster Saga. From his early inspirations shaped by family and Dungeons & Dragons to navigating the complexities of the publishing world, JV shares his creative journey, insights on storytelling, and thoughts on leaving a lasting legacy. Whether you’re a fantasy enthusiast, a writer, or simply someone fascinated by the art of moving from government to creative endeavors, this episode has something for you.
To learn more about JV and his work: http://www.jvhilliard.com/ Twitter: @jvhilliardbooks Insta: @JVHilliardbooks FB: J. V. Hilliard TikTok: @JVHilliardbooks Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jvhilliardcom
Here are some highlights that you can look forward to from today’s episode:
1. The Origins of a Storyteller: JV Hilliard reflects on growing up in a close-knit, blue-collar family in Pittsburgh, where his uncle, a quadriplegic Marine and writer, inspired his love for storytelling and fantasy.
2. The Influence of Dungeons & Dragons: Discover how decades of gameplay and serving as a Dungeon Master shaped JV’s narrative skills and became the foundation for his novels.
3. From Politics to Fantasy: JV shares his transition from a high-pressure career in defense lobbying to becoming a full-time fantasy author during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Navigating the Publishing World: Learn about JV’s unconventional path to publication, the role of developmental editors, and the challenges of creating a multi-book series.
5. Building a Legacy Through Creativity: JV opens up about his aspirations for his work to endure beyond his lifetime, emphasizing the immortal nature of storytelling.
As always, visit lilylist.com for more information on the podcast and platform. You can also contact us from the website, if you have questions or ideas for people or topics you’d like to see us cover in the future.
If you’d like to support the work of LilyList, you can donate using the links in the description and if you find these conversations meaningful, we thank you for liking, following, sharing, or subscribing wherever you listen.
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Outro music: Denouement by Sift - https://siftmusic.com
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