Our SPFBOX interviews continue with Anthony Halligan, author of The Best of Us is the Last of Us.
SPFBO (the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off) is a free online contest run by author Mark Lawrence. 300 authors compete across ten judging teams to see who will be the winner! You can read more about the contest [HERE]].
INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY HALLIGAN
Tell us a little about yourself and let our readers know which blog you’ve been assigned to for SPFBOX!
What inspired you to write this book?
I have been wanting to write since I was 9 years old, and at this point in my life’s journey I was finally able to buy out the time to make this happen. This book is a metaphorical biography of my life essentially, with elements of my own life turned into fantasy. I have been wanting to write since I was 9 years old, and at this point in my life’s journey I was finally able to buy out the time to make this happen. This book is a metaphorical biography of my life essentially, with elements of my own life turned into fantasy. There are some tragic and traumatic elements in the story that did happen to me personally. Part of my motive for writing about them was to promote my own healing and to create a platform for having conversations with and for men who have experienced the same trauma but maybe don’t feel the psychological safety to talk through those experiences to get to a place of greater healing for themselves. When I was going through the outline process of this book, my dad was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer and died just before it was published. He was an avid and voracious reader and reading my book was his favorite thing to do while he was going through treatment. Going through that saga with him also became part of my inspiration to put something out into the world that he would be proud of and that would stand the test of time, a legacy if you will, in his honor. It shifted my focus from writing a novel to wanting to write an epic. I centered strong women in the book to inspire my daughters. I also wanted to show my daughters first-hand what hard work and dedication to a purpose looks like. I wanted them to see me working hard at something in which there are no guarantees-people aren’t guaranteed to like it, its not guaranteed to be successful, but it was important to me that they see what it looks like to be in alignment with yourself pursuing your passion and putting yourself in miracle territory. When I was going through the outline process of this book, my dad was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer and died just before it was published. He was an avid and voracious reader and reading my book was his favorite thing to do while he was going through treatment. Going through that saga with him also became part of my inspiration to put something out into the world that he would be proud of and that would stand the test of time, a legacy if you will, in his honor. It shifted my focus from writing a novel to wanting to write an epic. I centered strong women in the book to inspire my daughters. I also wanted to show my daughters first-hand what hard work and dedication to a purpose looks like. I wanted them to see me working hard at something in which there are no guarantees-people aren’t guaranteed to like it, its not guaranteed to be successful, but it was important to me that they see what it looks like to be in alignment with yourself pursuing your passion and putting yourself in miracle territory.
Can you tell us a little bit about your writing or editing process? What’s most exciting to you about writing or editing?
“Many readers have so far told me the book is very vivid and real and that they can picture themselves there watching it all unfold.”
Who or what have been your major literary influences?
What makes your SPFBOX book unique?
Do you have a favourite character from your SPFBOX entry? Tell us about them!
“There are some tragic and traumatic elements in the story that did happen to me personally. Part of my motive for writing about them was to promote my own healing and to create a platform for having conversations with and for men who have experienced the same trauma but maybe don't feel the psychological safety to talk through those experiences to get to a place of greater healing for themselves.”
How does your work fit into (or challenge) its genre?
What do you hope readers take away from your SPFBOX entry?
What are you currently working on?
The Best of Us is the Last of Us
Enter a world where forgotten magic thrums in the very air and danger lurks around every corner.
Awakening in a realm tinged with mystery and wonder, a spirited young woman finds herself at the heart of an extraordinary journey shrouded in secrets, prophecies, and ancient powers waiting to be unleashed.
As she navigates through perilous quests and unexpected alliances, her quest for self-discovery intertwines with the fate of realms on the brink of chaos. A chance encounter with an enigmatic wizard sets her on a path rife with trials and revelations, leading her to confront not just her past but a future enmeshed with destiny itself.
Beset by dragon fire and shadowy betrayals, her metamorphosis heralds the resurgence of forgotten magic and the awakening of a long-dormant legacy. With each step she takes alongside a magnetic rebel leader and his formidable father, she uncovers truths that will shake kingdoms to their core.
Amidst a tapestry of love, sacrifice, and treacherous intrigue, she finds herself torn between conflicting loyalties while harnessing powers beyond imagination. As she embraces her legacy, the stage is set for an epic clash that will test the very fabric of existence.
Prepare to embark on an odyssey where bonds are forged in fire, destinies are rewritten in blood, and the battle between light and darkness reaches its crescendo – for in this realm of magic and mayhem, our mysterious and courageous heroine will discover that her true power lies not just within her, but in the choices that she makes when faced with the ultimate test of courage.
Anthony Halligan’s debut book series, the Drakaina Blood Saga, is a tale of fantasy, mystery, intrigue, and inspiration, and is centered on the power and transcendence that comes from great resilience in the face of life’s greatest tragedies. The impetus to write from this perspective has been drawn from his own journey of overcoming life-altering challenges to achieve post-traumatic growth. He holds a Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology & Injury Rehabilitation from California University of Pennsylvania, and a double major Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology & Sociology from the University of Oregon. He lives with his family in Oregon.
Prior to his writing career, Anthony excelled as a dynamic fitness professional, passionately transforming lives through exercise, education, and community engagement.
His roles as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach for a local high school basketball team and as an exercise physiologist at Boeing, along with owning his fitness center Halligan Elite Athletic Development, reflect his dedication to youth development, community contribution, and physical and psychological rehabilitation. Anthony’s passion for psychology and the humanities drives him to use writing as a powerful tool to spark meaningful conversations and foster greater empathy on both personal and societal levels.
His mission is to use storytelling as a means to build a better world by inspiring and empowering others to lead more honest, authentic, and fulfilling lives.
