Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, “Lord of the Rings” and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around Polish universities, he moved to London in 2007 and started writing in English. Now lives in Edinburgh, hoping for an independent Scotland.
His debut historical fantasy novel, “The Shadow of Black Wings“, has reached Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semi-finals in 2012. “The Year of the Dragon” saga sold over 30,000 copies worldwide.
His new historical fiction saga, “The Song of Ash” has been on top of Amazon’s Bestseller lists in UK for months.
Connect with James:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Wattpad | Quora
What attracted you to the historical fantasy/candlepunk genre?
I'm a history buff, and I strongly believe history is more interesting than any fiction... In my writing I skip between straight-up historical fiction and fantasy, depending on what the story requires. This one needed flying ships in the middle of 13th century Europe - and that dictated everything else about it.
Do you write in any other genres?
I also write historical fiction novels - with no fantasy elements - and years ago, I wrote a few high fantasy novellas.
What genre would you like to write but haven't yet?
I'd like to further explore the high fantasy genre one day, return to the world of my novellas and write a few full-length novels set there.
Can you give us your book blurb so others can find out what your book is about?
They killed her father. They took her ship. But nothing will stop Ikaria’s vengeance.
Forty years since Constantinople fell to the Venetian flying citadels, high-altitude Aether racing is the
favoured pastime of bored, wealthy Latin nobles. Ikaria, proud daughter of a legendary Aether engineer and one of the best racing pilots in the Aegean, is determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s mysterious disappearance at the end of the last Grande Regatta of Negriponte.
Driven by the thirst of vengeance and pursuit of engineering excellence in equal measures, Ikaria vows to win the next Regatta herself – and to find out what really happened to her father. But there’s a catch: a new Imperial edict bars her, and anyone not of noble blood, from taking part in Aether races. To her rescue comes Sire Mikhael of Chiarenza – an enigmatic handsome young Greek turncoat in the service of new Latin masters. His motivations unclear, the source of his funds and supplies a secret, Ikaria nonetheless agrees to accept his help: together, they set out to challenge the supremacy of the six Hexarchs, the infamous Flying Barons of Negriponte.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
https://jamescalbraith.wordpress.com/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/james-calbraith?list=about
https://www.wattpad.com/user/JamesCalbraith
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6426636.James_Calbraith
https://www.facebook.com/jamescalbraithauthor
Where can readers buy your book?
What’s next for you?
Books 2 and 3 of the Aether Empire trilogy - The Sky Pirates of Morea, and The Fire Rockets of Qara-qorum.
