Please introduce yourself and tell us about your background as a writer.
I’m Robert Zoltan, a Los Angeles-based author of literary and speculative fiction. I was a Semi-Finalist in the Writers of the Future competition. My work has appeared in several magazines. I am the author of four short story collections and four novels, and also the writer and artist for the comic series, Space Happy, and the graphic novel series, Nymphonomicon. I am the editor in chief of Sexy Fantastic magazine and Sexy Fantastic comics.

What are the most prominent influences on your writing? How do you incorporate those influences without being derivative?
Classic literary and fantasy literature, travel fiction from the early 20th Century, comparative mythology, mythology, metaphysics, and ancient history. Also, some movies from the 1960s and 1970s.

I read and absorb many different influences and filter those through my own perspective, interests, life questions and emotions. The inspiration for stories usually comes from some evocative image or emotion that comes into my mind, or from something that I see or that happens to me when I am out hiking in nature or adventuring in the city, especially downtown. I have no interest in trying to copy anything I have read, especially fiction, though I may get the kernel of a story idea from some element in another writer’s story.

With self-publishing easier than ever, there are tons of books being released every day. What makes your work stand out from the crowd? What can readers get out of your work that they can’t from anyone else?
All I can do is create the absolute best work with writing and art of which I am capable, and then promote it as well as I can. What readers will get from me is my unique perspective as a unique human being and my unique style and quality of prose, and my personal imagination. Every human being is unique. If an artist or writer seeks to understand themselves and devotes themselves to their craft, they will inevitably find their unique voice. This is assumed that they have talent in that area.

Many authors say marketing is one of their biggest challenges. What tactics have you found to be most effective for getting your name out there?
Organically building a fanbase and mailing list, and Kickstarter.

How much do your audience’s expectations factor in to what you write? Does this ever cause you to hold back from experimenting?
Almost none. No.

Have you had any new stories published recently? Are you currently working on any?
I am about to release Rogues of Merth, Book 2. Both books 1 and 2 will be available as pdfs, paperbacks, and laminated hardcovers. The Kickstarter begins on February 15th, and people can sign up to be notified when it begins at my Kickstarter page.

More info on my prose fiction can be found at Dream Tower Media and by signing up for that newsletter.

Space Happy and Nymphonomicon are the two graphic series I write. Space Happy #4 and Nymphonomicon #1 will be premiering on Kickstarter this Spring/Summer. More info can be found on the Sexy Fantastic site and by signing up for that newsletter.

Name one newer and one older book you have read and enjoyed recently. (“Newer” meaning from the past year or so, and “older” meaning written before 1980.)
I assume you mean fiction. Older: The Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune. Newer: None.

Any final words?
“Final words?” Am I to be killed now?