Interview with Dan Rice

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Welcome back to another author interview! It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these, but I’m excited to have had the chance to interview author Dan Rice. He has a couple of releases coming up, which he talks about in our Q&A below. Enjoy!

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1) What does writing mean to you? What do you think the purpose of writing is?

First and foremost, I think the purpose of writing is to tell a story. Good writing does this, whether it be fiction or nonfiction. A secondary purpose is to inform the reader and encourage critical thinking—for example, this can mean reminding the reader of the past or challenging the status quo of the present. Although I mostly read science fiction, fantasy, and horror, I’ve always enjoyed history books, science books for the layperson, and recently banned books.

After reading The Wrinkle in Time a few months back and discovering that it has been censored multiple times over the years, banned books have become something of a passion of mine. Why are these books, many considered classics, deemed too controversial to be taught in schools? I’ve discovered two themes run through the banned books I’ve read: they challenge the status quo, or encourage the reader to empathize with a repressed person or community.

2) What particular genre do you write in? Why are you passionate about that genre?

I’ve written short stories and novels in all the speculative fiction genres. When I first started writing, I wanted to pen something akin to George R. R. Martin’s or Joe Abercrombie’s works. Eventually, I discovered that my authorial voice is best suited to young adult fiction. I’ve always loved an adventure with the touch of the fantastic or horrific, so that’s what I write.

3) What does being a writer mean to you?

Having fun.

4) Where and how do you find inspiration?

First off, inspiration is everywhere if you pay attention. I think that’s part of being an author or any kind of creative: observing things and making connections that most people miss.

Two sources of inspiration are my sons. In my YA horror Phantom Algebra, Zuri, the protagonist, is obsessed with becoming a mixed martial arts (MMA) world champion. Her entire life revolves around MMA training; her focus is razor-sharp and narrow. She discovers that some enemies, just like gnarly algebraic equations, can’t be overcome by a high kick alone. This aspect of her character was inspired by my older boy, who dreams of being a pro soccer player and is fanatically dedicated to improving his skills.

Recently, my younger son told me he wants a story about blood-sucking dragons, so you can guess the properties of the monsters in my current WIP.

5) What are some of the challenges you face as a writer, and how do you combat them when you sit down to write or even just prepare to write?

Well, I like it quiet while I write because I dictate about 80% of it. This is hard with two rambunctious boys and a dog careening around the house. My strategy is to write in the early morning before they get up. Now that the older one gets up earlier, I’ve had to adjust this strategy a bit. Fortunately, he goes to practice soccer on the weekends when he doesn’t have a game, so I have a couple of hours to fit in some writing while he’s out.

Usually, if I’m relatively undisturbed, I don’t have any trouble writing once I sit down to do it—as long as I have my coffee!

6) Where can we find some of your writing?

The easiest way to find my novels is on my Amazon Author page. For the curious, I have two fantasy short stories—The Overlord’s Trials and Scars—and the prologue of my YA urban fantasy series, The Allison Lee Chronicles, for free on my website.

7) Where can we reach you?

I’m on most of the social media platforms—bluesky, X, insta, etc.—with the handle danricewrites. The best way to reach me is the contact page on my website, danscifi.com.

8) What are some interesting facts about you?

As you have probably gathered, I am a soccer dad. Both my sons play competitive soccer and expect me to photograph them at their games—I’m also an amateur photographer. When my younger son played recreational soccer, I coached his team for a season. The older boy plays ECNL, varsity high school soccer as a freshman, and is on the radars of several MLS Academies. It’s all-consuming for the entire family—if you know, you know!

9) Can you tell us more about your latest book?

My latest novel is The Bane of Dragons, the fourth and final volume in The Allison Lee Chronicles. Finally, a complete fantasy series—whoohoo! Here is the blurb.

Monstrous forces from across the multiverse have set their eyes upon Earth to create a beachhead in the universe humanity calls home. The problem with that? Humans will be enslaved…and used as food stock for skaags, ravenous shapeshifting super soldiers.

Allison, a teenage alien-human hybrid, is humanity’s only hope. She must travel the slipstream, the super highway through the multiverse, to bring the conflict to the enemy’s turf. With a crack squad of miscreants as allies, she does just that, but the plan goes awry.

They end up as the prisoners of angry terrestrial octopi. Their attempts at negotiation only see them handed over to General Bane, the skaag supreme military commander feared throughout the multiverse. Allison discovers that to save everyone she loves, she must unravel the magic binding General Bane and his kind to their overlords. To accomplish that, she must face her greatest fear, herself.

You can find The Bane of Dragons on pre-order at Amazon and elsewhere (the rest of the series too). My website is the best place to find the deets on all my writerly pursuits and interests.

Thanks so much for your interview answers! Before you go, be sure to find Dan Rice’s books and upcoming releases, and stay tuned for another post this week! Happy reading!

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