Interview with Andrew Akers

Who loves Drizzt's cat, Guenhwyvar?

Q: If you could have a fantasy pet, what would you have and why?
A: I LOVE that this is the first question! I’m a big fantasy nerd, so I’ve always been intrigued by familiars. Caleb in Critical Role has a cat named Frumpkin that can bamph between planes of existence. Drizzt’s cat in Icewind Dale, Guenhwyvar, is the same way. I’d love to have that… but for a dog.

Q: What type of music best describes your writing style?
A: I start all of my more intense writing sessions with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in E-minor. YouTube Music usually takes it from there.

Q: Tell us about your writing office/space and why it’s special to you.
A: I built a DnD room in my basement several years ago. There’s a comfy table and writing area there with shelves, outlets, and an embedded TV for battle maps. I don’t always use this space to write, but I’ve written some of my best work down there. Also, the library. I have two very young, very loud children, so sometimes it’s enough just to have somewhere quiet.

Q: What is the most challenging part of writing for you?
A: Getting started. There are so many distractions! (I defer to my earlier answer about having kids)

Q: If you didn’t write full-time what would your day job be?
A: I am a forest ranger by trade. Best job in the world-- I wouldn’t change a thing.

Q: What is your writing schedule and how many projects do you juggle at once?
A: I usually write from 8pm to 11pm every night, no exceptions. Currently, I am juggling a ton of very complex projects. More on that below.

Q: How do you balance your outside life with your writing life?
A: I’ve always been big into time budgeting. I set goals at the beginning of the year, come up with a schedule to make them happen, and make myself write even when I don’t want to.

Q: Write your eulogy in three sentences.
A: Was. Is. Will be.

Q: What project are you most proud of right now?
A: It’s hard to choose. I have two books, a short story collection, a literary journal, and a video game on the way. I’m particularly excited for the video game just do to how large it is (collaborating with artists, musicians, programmers), but I’m equally proud of all my work.

Q: Do you have any new projects you would like to tell your fans about?
A: Oh, man. Let’s get these listed. Tapestry – My debut science fiction novel, publishing with Baynam Books, is coming April 18th, 2026. Here’s the trailer, and here’s one of the “Space Shanties” that’ll be embedded as QR codes throughout the book. The performer is pretty internet famous, and the song itself, written by yours truly, is inspired by Bones in the Ocean by the Longest Johns. Bimble the Bear – This novella is probably the best thing I’ll ever write. It’s being published by Cosmorama on February 10th, 2026. It features illustrations, footnotes, annotations, a rap battle “riddle-off” with a snail, and a gut-wrenching third act. Illustrations by Matt Lamourt. The Ranger’s Almanac – I launched two businesses this past year. The first is an annual literary magazine that’ll feature stories, poems, artwork, music, and photos from conservation workers and nature enthusiasts across the country. It’ll largely be sold in State Park stores nationwide! The submission form can be found here. The Gatebreaker Protocol – My second business, Gatebreakers Studios, LLC, will be publishing interactive novels and choose your-own-adventure stories. The Kickstarted for our first game, “The Gatebreaker Protocol,” will be launching at the end of the month, and the demo will be available for backers in February. This has been the largest project of my life (so far) and I’m really excited to share it. *The second photo should say “flora” and not “fauna. I’m still editing, lol* Finally, I’ll be giving a presentation this year at the Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia (WCoNA) about the dangers of AI in the creative fields and how writers can adapt by “stretching the medium” of what writing can be. Tickets can be found here.

Q: Where can people find you on social media?
A: Facebook.com/AndrewAkersAuthor

You can also sign up for SMS alerts on my website, www.andrew-akers.com

Bio: Andrew Akers is a forest ranger and fiction writer from Pennsylvania, USA. He is also a full SFWA member. His work has appeared in Book XI, The Daily Tomorrow, Metastellar, and many others. His debut novel, Tapestry, is expected in April, 2026, and the inaugural issue of his lit mag, The Ranger's Almanac, will be out on Memorial Day, 2026. When he isn’t working or writing, Andrew runs marathons, plays Dungeons & Dragons, and raises his sons with his far more talented half, Kylie. More information about Andrew's stories can be found at www.andrew-akers.com or facebook.com/AndrewAkersAuthor.