Diving into Fantasy: An Author Interview with Epic Fantasy Author Colin Darney

Step into the gritty, heart-pounding world of Colin Darney, the brilliant mind behind The Chronicles of the Troop and The Book of Ghaan. Drawing on his experiences as a trauma nurse, soldier, and lifelong reader, Colin brings a rare authenticity to his emotionally rich fantasy stories. Get a glimpse into what fuels his writing—and what’s coming next in The Book of Ghaan, Part Two, arriving summer 2025.

Title Of Book: The Book of Ghaan
Series: Part One
By: Colin Darney
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Sub-Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy Combat

About The Book:

Herein lies my memories and recounting of our order’s initial encounter with the survivors from Lehntarn, and their leader, one Rahdimus Ghaan. From this point forward, I fear the Monachi Spirae have been unknowingly altered, and dare I say, inexorably and unwittingly changed. For good or ill, I do not know.

May the Pantheon grant us mercy through their wisdom and grace.
Abbot Makun Derring
1547 a.f.

I write these words with trembling hand, and pray the Pantheon will forgive what I have become…

Long hidden within the walls of the Tower of Knowledge, the monks of the Spire believe themselves to be the last guardians of truth in a world shattered by the Fall. For Makun Derring, life in the order has always meant certainty—certainty of the gods, his duty, and of the evils of what magic did.

But when a mysterious group of armed survivors arrives from across the world, pursued by monsters and shadowed by a lost tongue and forgotten gods, everything Makun believes begins to unravel. Among them is a man named Rahdimus Ghaan—sickly, mysterious, and undeniably dangerous.

As Makun Derring seeks the truth, what he finds will test not only his faith, but the foundation of everything his order has sworn to preserve. And as buried power stirs once more, he must confront the possibility that what the monks have feared may not end in the world’s ruin… but ultimately its salvation.

The Book of Ghaan, Part One is the beginning of a new epic fantasy saga—told through the voice of a dying abbot whose memories weave divine mystery, philosophical reckoning, and the terrible weight of a secret kept too long.

What readers are saying about The Book of Ghaan

“Nothing short of amazing”
— Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

“If I could give this book 6 stars out of 5 I would.”
— Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

“I highly recommend this latest tale by the author. If you are like many other readers, you’ll discover how well the author works his magic and you’ll be seeking out his earlier stories to carry you over until part two comes along.”
— Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

“In one fell swoop, the author not only sets the stage, but hangs a proverbial sword of Damocles over the entire narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat during what should’ve been boring chapters.”
— Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

Interview With Colin

What are you reading now?
Magebreaker, by Declan Court.

What book is currently on your bedside table?
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, which I unfortunately know nothing about. I recently decided to participate in a local book club, and it’s the next book on the list.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
My love for fantasy came from J.R.R. Tolkien, which I read for the first time when I was in second grade. My father bought The Hobbit, An Illustrated Edition, which I fell in love with as soon as I saw the picture art. Then I read a plethora of other authors including C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Melanie Rawn, C.S. Friedman, Raymond Feist, the various Dungeons and Dragons series, John Conroe, and then C.J Cheryl, David Weber, the entire Battletech universe, and then the Star Wars novels. I also have a guilty pleasure reading Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Tom Keller, and a slew of other books along those lines, so the things that influence my writing spans a wide range of genres.

What do you like about audiobooks?
On long drives I can enjoy various stories.

What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?
Melanie Rawn.

Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
Melanie Rawn.

Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing the story?
Ironically, no. I’ve discovered my writing style is labeled as ‘pantser’ to various people; or that I write by ‘flying by the seat of my pants’. I come up with a vague idea of a story, then I simply sit down to write. The story either comes or it doesn’t.

Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
It is now, and I love it. I’ve reached the point after three years where I break even, which I understand is a massive accomplishment for a new writer. I feel blessed I can do this every day full-time.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
Anywhere from four to eight hours. I don’t set a fixed amount of time to write or a set-in-stone schedule like I’ve heard some authors do. I set a scene or a chapter goal to strive for, then work to accomplish that before I quit for the day.

What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
Write for yourself and ignore all the haters. There are a lot of people out there who will tell you “this is the only way …”, and then badger or shame you for going your own direction. You’ll never make everyone happy, so don’t bother to try. One of the best things I ever read is a quote by the chief editor of the style guide I chose, which summarizes said “The things in this book are guidelines. Ignore them entirely if you need to ensure the reader understands.” It tickled me, and ticks off the “know-it-alls” every time I reference that.

What comes first, the plot or characters?
The Characters. I always imagine the characters reacting to an event first, then the story and plot evolve from that.