An Interview with Nathan Keys

Nathan is an award-winning, best-selling epic fantasy author based in Southern Idaho. His mission is to write empowering stories that will bring readers hope and purpose. Nathan truly believes that every person has a story, and every story is a part of something greater.

Nathan has been fascinated with storytelling from an early age. As a child, he invented worlds and creatures, played pretend, and told stories to anyone who would listen. He completed his first “novel,” an 85,000-word fanfiction, at age thirteen. He spent high school summers creating plotlines for role-playing games on a forum site, where many concepts for characters, creatures, and kingdoms in The Epic of Marindel were first developed.

Nathan is also a vision lead for the Kingdom Writers’ Association, an international group that serves to empower and encourage Christian writers to publish award-winning material within all genres for the purpose of reaching people for Christ.

During his free time, Nathan enjoys time outdoors, traveling, playing with cats, and visiting coffee shops, breweries, and wineries with good friends.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title for the series, The Epic of Marindel, is an homage to the first short story I’ve ever written, based on The Epic of Gilgamesh. As for “Marindel,” which I knew would be a kingdom of elves with powerful ocean magic, I used the words “Marine” and the Spanish phrase “Del Mar,” meaning “of the sea.” Some people have also pointed out Marindel’s similarity to the name of Tolkien’s elven city of Rivendell. That was not intentional on my part, but it’s a happy coincidence nonetheless!

Book 1’s title, Chosen, comes from the theme of three POV characters realizing and accepting their roles in the Great King of the Sea’s plan to challenge dark forces and bring back the Kingdom of Marindel.

Book 2’s title, Redemption, comes from the theme of overcoming present adversity and past traumas by making everyday choices to reconcile, heal, and grow (“the path of redemption”) over bitterness, rage, and violence (“the path of vengeance”).

Book 3’s title is still in the works…

Describe your dream book cover.

I love the types of covers that Star Wars and Marvel movie posters use, with an array of characters in action poses. I would love to have something similar for my books, but with the characters drawn in an anime style.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I’ve been deeply inspired by music from The Legend of Zelda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Octopath Traveler. My favorite themes from each franchise, respectively, are “The Great Sea,” “Toothless Found,” and “Battle at Journey’s End.”

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I’m currently reading This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. A friend who just finished my first book (Chosen) said it reminded them of This Present Darkness, and when I told them I actually haven’t read it, they immediately lent me their copy!

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My résumé is like a box of chocolates. I’ve worked as a church office janitor, college-level biology tutor, biotech research associate, liquor store clerk, spin studio front desk receptionist, real estate leasing agent, and a thing or two for the U.S. Navy.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

My greatest inspirations are C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote during a time when moral relativism and postmodern thought were prevalent, and the World Wars were leaving Europe in shambles. In the midst of this darkness, Lewis and Tolkien used their literary talents to revitalize themes of good vs. evil, the hero’s journey, and ultimately, the gospel of Christ. A hundred years later, as I see fear and hopelessness running rampant on a global scale, I want to be the Lewis and Tolkien of this generation. I want to write stories that will help people discover hope for themselves, their families, their nations, and humanity as a whole.

Where is your favorite place to write?

A coffee shop is my preferred go-to, where I can focus on writing without the distractions of home.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My hopes for my readers are best summarized by the taglines of my books, which are as follows.

Chosen: “Every person has a story. Every story is a part of something Greater.”

Redemption: “Every person has a choice. Every choice is an opportunity to walk the path of redemption.”

The Great Story of Marindel: “Encounter Jesus through the art of storytelling.”

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.