Author Interview: Sebastian Schug

Sebastian Robert Schug/Nicolas M. Parker (born February 25th, 1998) is an independent American author, illustrator, publisher, and novelist currently residing in suburban Burbank, California. Beginning his illustrative career at the early age of fourteen, jumpstarted by author Rene Ghazarian's The Adventures of Daniel, he has since gone on to become the main author, illustrator, and publisher of numerous works, series, as well as further collaborations with other individuals. Currently, he attends California State University, Northridge, studying Communication Studies, Political Science, as well as Art and Law. He is the founder of Sebastian Schug Publishing at www.sebastianschugpublishing.com

Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?

Currently, I reside in Burbank, California with influences to my writing coming from a variety of different sources – mainly from individuals I’ve known, locations I’ve frequented as well as experiences coming from growing up it.

When did you first become passionate about writing what attracted you to it?

I arguably became first (and most) passionate with writing when I began to realize how my initially contracted “illustrator” position could be combined to effectively create my own stories, characters, etc. What most attracted me to the craft itself, however, was the overabundance of satirical/sardonic literary perspectives that had helped shape my overall lifestyle.

What inspires you to write?

What most inspires me to write are the different people, experiences, and social situations that help translate into my own stories accordingly.

How do you market your books?

When marketing my books, (as well as my respective clients’/authors’ books once contracted to do so) I often prefer to either standard online marketing procedures through various social media aggregates, or through physical means of traditional advertising, such as billboards, banners, etc.

What is your favorite Genre and why?

My favorite genre currently is satire, as well as all subgenres surrounding its literary effectiveness, such as humor, intentional political incorrectness, etc. Personally, the shift in countercultural representation, story-making and the multiple aspects involved in creating a standalone story from scratch interests me incredibly, and managing to find a way to do so within a satirical manner is what I love to focus in.

Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with stories and how do you edit your books them?

My writing process is, on a surface level, incredibly cut and dry. Most of the time, I simply draft a rough outline of the basic components of what the story will contain, edit out any inconsequential story arcs/distractions, and figure out which cover image looks best once designed. I frequently come up with stories based upon combinations of – as previously mentioned – personal experiences, and specific plot elements previously implemented into stories in an attempt to adapt them further through my own manner of storytelling. 

Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?

Currently, I have a plethora of different “day jobs” and means of passive income, ranging from production specialization to transcription to contracted authorial, illustrative and narration positions. 

How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?

Per day, I approximate between one to two hours is spent writing, drafting, illustrating, or editing any previously needed projects in queue for publishing. This process is often very sporadic in there being multiple projects in need of distribution at once, however is incredibly rewarding once completed, and is more often than not what gets me in the writing mood to continue.

And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your writing career so far?

Arguably my best moments within my writing have been through meeting new clients, appearing on various podcasts when invited, and discovering new and interesting genres at first not even remotely considered. Crafting and cultivating an artistic community throughout this past half-decade from the start of my initial publishing career has been nothing short of life defining.

How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?

Whenever writer’s block does happen to present itself, I find myself working on other standby projects, or others that I have been negligent in finishing. Frequently, I often place myself in a situation of “non-Euclidean procrastination” where once tired, uninspired, or unwilling to work on a particular project, I will then shift over to another in need of distributing.

What are you working on next?

As of now, I am currently working on an book-adaptation entitled, “Rules to Teach Your Son,” which is directly pulled from a wide variety of internet sources, pop-culture forums and parenting blogs – all of course, free to utilize.

Where would you like to see yourself in three years time.

In three years time, I intend to see myself either continually pursuing independent publishing work and/or being employed at a publishing firm.

What is your strategy you to grow your audience?

In order to grow my audience, I attempt to offer my authorial, illustrative, narrative, or publishing services whenever possible, and to whoever I believe may be seeking artistic representation. Within the vastly artistic social demographics of Los Angeles as a whole, it has generally not been too difficult in finding new individuals looking to do so. Publishing new and unique genres through either independent or collaborative means has, for the most part, been successful in capturing new readers.

What advice would you give young writers just starting out?

Start. As blunt, overt, and otherwise simplistic as it may invariably sound, beginning one’s literary journey is as simple as it sounds when physically applying pen to paper, but incrementally difficult when actually allowing oneself to break interpersonal boundaries and barriers in order to actually publish something one feels confident with. Not starting through either lack of confidence, fear of humiliation, or worriment about not becoming an “imminent success” are all emotions that can be justified, sure, however, not beginning to at least attempt one’s breakthrough in storytelling is far worse.