1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE CRACK IN THE CRYSTAL
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
At the heart of the volcanic city of Kyber lies a secret that has been hidden for centuries. The clues surrounding this mystery begin to unfold when five strangers are recruited by a shadowy organization. As covert missions lead to more questions than answers, the increasingly desperate heroes seek help from unexpected sources. The key to Kyber’s secret and the truth behind each of their pasts can only be found by facing fierce stone storms, unlocking dormant fantastical abilities, and confronting past mistakes.
Caught up in intrigues beyond their understanding, the ragtag band of adventurers must learn to trust themselves and each other as they reach for the stunning conclusion. This adventure fantasy
— inspired by a D&D campaign—is filled with magic, missing identities, and daring escapes. Be ready for surprises at every turn with a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
In the months after our campaign was concluded, I found myself constantly thinking about everything that transpired. It was a very emotional campaign for all involved, and it really stuck with me.
After clearing it with them I started writing the manuscript, with no thought of publishing. It was based on the heroes’ personalities as I perceived them from our game, and used a few of the story components I had crafted for them (such as the dreams!). I then transformed it into a new, much richer story with complex ideas (like the shocking final twist) I have had for decades… a dungeon master finally having their way.
But in order for the new story to work, I needed a new setting. Thus, was created Pt. Kyber, the volcanic port city and all its oddities, and the world of Corrantha (“the one watched by Kuuri and Anni”) was born.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Most of them. First of all, Garrett’s a hoot. Lormek’s a total sweetie, the guy everybody wants as a friend, and Nyelle is a really cool chick and softer when she’s around him. Aidan is a bit awkward, sort of a Ted from How I Met Your Mother, and you’re happy to have him around even when he’s being a dork. When it comes to Sollis, though… she scares me a little.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Authentic. Distinct. Evolving.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
That I am all my heroes. They each represent an aspect of me, which is what makes this book so goddamned vulnerable (and has me shaking in nervousness because it’s now out there which means it’s me out there and there’s no taking it back.)
Also, that I am apparently crazy; when I was writing all that dialogue – of which there is a lot – it was as if I was simply transcribing what they were saying…in my head. And if I wrote it wrong, they would stop, look at me, and demand that I fix it. Especially Nyelle. She did this a lot. Like, in my head. I guess she scares me a little, too.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both? I write pretty fast, 1000-1500 words an hour or so, and it ends up being pretty decent quality, but I also can’t let things be. So I will typically write a chapter (2000-3000) in an hour or two, then go back and fix any problems I see before I move on to the next one. Typically, by the time I’ve written the next one, I’ll have thought about things to fix in earlier ones, so it’s a bit of back-and-forth. Then when the manuscript is done I’ll have an entire read-through, out loud, at which point I’ll catch a bunch of other issues.
And then, of course, editors get involved...
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Ooohh. I am going to treat this as two separate questions. My favorite food indulgence, which I don’t allow myself often because I try to maintain my svelte, girlish figure (ha), is an Israeli dish called Bourekas, which is essentially baked, cheese-filled puff pastry. It’s my ultimate comfort food, but it’s also incredibly caloric (aren’t they always?)
My favorite foodie indulgence is a restaurant called Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. It’s not one any mere mortal can afford with any regularity. You have to save for it like you do for a vacation. But it’s oh so worth it…the experience is so remarkably, impossibly indulgent that I am at a loss for words to describe it.
Just think about that last bit for a second.
Yeah.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My treehouse! My office is built from redwood that survived the 1906 great San Francisco fire, which gives an amazing ambiance. It’s on a hill and is surrounded by trees, kind of giving the effect of being in a treehouse.
10--Who is an author you admire?
The phrasing of the question is interesting. I am going to take it literally, as opposed to “author whose body of work I admire”. Call it a quirk (or my training in cybersecurity), but for me, admiring a person’s work is different than admiring the person. For example, Chip Conley seems like a cool guy and I love his books, but I don’t know him so can’t validate for myself.
With that in mind, I’ll name an author I know personally: Allison Landa. She was a stranger (to me) who came to one of my public workshop readings for The Crack in the Crystal, and stayed, and later was instrumental in my decision to try and get this “properly” published. Her life story, as narrated in her memoir Bearded Lady, is...well, you can decide that for yourself. But we became friends, and I got to know her, she’s really awesome, and now that I know her, I sure admire her guts for putting herself out there the way she did.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
So, so many! Let me name one that might be surprising. It was a supplemental D&D rule book released in the 80s called Unearthed Arcana, and I ran a character using the Cavalier Class from that book. It all arrived at a time in my life that especially dark, and full of many suicidal thoughts (and, in retrospect, perhaps some ideation).
The Cavalier, in the book, had a code of conduct, similar to the code of chivalry, and as I read it, I discovered an anchor I could not find anywhere else. So I adopted it as best I could in my every day, and it helped me deal with those horrible emotions.
In at least some measure, I think it saved my life. Does that count as “changed”?
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I actually share this story in the acknowledgments. It’s down to Allison. She’s the one who convinced me it was worthy.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
SF/Fantasy. What a shocker, huh?
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I love so many movies, it’s hard to name just one. Let me narrow it down a bit – my favorite classic movie is Casablanca, a masterpiece of acting, writing, and directing that also inspired so many common phrases.
As I was writing this, smiling privately at his enormous performance, I couldn’t help but then recall my favorite Humphry Bogart western – wait, you didn’t know Bogart did one? It’s called Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and if you’ve ever heard the phrase “badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!” then this movie is where it’s from.
15--What is your favorite season?
Spring.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I don’t, usually. Most of my friends don’t even know what it is.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Recent, or recent to me?
For the former, Mythic Quest is beyond fantastic – and as an easter egg for your readers, it even inspired one of the minor characters in the book.
For the latter, I recently discovered How I Met Your Mother (thank you Facebook algo!) and binged the hell outta that thang. What an incredible show. I may or may not have cried my little eyes out when it ended.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Israeli, duh… it’s where I’m from, and the food of your culture is something that gets, uhh, charred into your soul.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Boardgames, role playing (tabletop and live), video games…gaming in all forms is a big part of my life.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I am working on two books in parallel right now – Ascendance 2, and a mid-life memoir. I’m not sure which one I’ll finish first.
Five unlikely heroes, one buried secret
At the heart of the volcanic city of Kyber lies a secret that has been hidden for centuries. The clues surrounding this mystery begin to unfold when five strangers are recruited by a shadowy organization. As covert missions lead to more questions than answers, the increasingly desperate heroes seek help from unexpected sources. The key to Kyber’s secret and the truth behind each of their pasts can only be found by facing fierce stone storms, unlocking dormant fantastical abilities, and confronting past mistakes. Caught up in intrigues beyond their understanding, the ragtag band of adventurers must learn to trust themselves and each other as they reach for the stunning conclusion. This adventure fantasy—inspired by a D&D campaign—is filled with magic, missing identities, and daring escapes. Be ready for surprises at every turn with a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The Crack in the Crystal is Barak’s debut novel, inspired both by his love of role-playing and his career in cyber security. He is the author of award-winning books such as Why CISOs Fail and The Security Hippie, which have found a global audience and are recognized as leading texts in the field.
Science Fiction | Fantasy [Greenleaf Book Group, On Sale: October 22, 2024, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9798886452440 / eISBN: 9788886452457]
Barak is the world's first "virtual CISO" and authored two cyber security books - Why CISOs Fail, a Cybercannon inductee, now in its 2nd edition - and The Security Hippie, full of real stories from his decades of work in the field.
The Crack in the Crystal, his debut fantasy novel, is slated for release in late 2024. He considers it his most important written work to date.
Barak is a massive fantasy/SF fan, gamer, tabletop and live action role player, and proud dad.
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