Mini AMA · Author interview
Mini AMA: Jay Krauss
By Bosloe
First published in my Dispatches from Amathera newsletter on 24 March 2026. Release dates and plans mentioned are as they stood at that time.
Jay Krauss is the author of the Will of the Immortals and The Immortals' Mask fantasy series, as well as the Privateer series.
1. You've built two major fantasy series, Will of the Immortals and The Immortals' Mask, as well as releasing the Privateer series, Book 1, in 2023, and now have the imminent release of Book 1 in The Founder's Edition. How do you manage juggling multiple ongoing storylines without losing the thread of each world?
Great question. No idea.
Honestly, I'm hanging on by a thread, which is a major reason why I am making some significant life changes next week (as detailed below). It is the hardest part of all this.
I suppose the more actionable answer is I focus on a single book at a time (except for when I started FE1 while finishing WOTI8 and learned my lesson). I alternate between the series and use them as palate cleansers for one another. It's still a ridiculous amount of effort.
2. Steel Foundations launched the Will of the Immortals series in 2024 and quickly gained a massive readership. Did you expect that kind of response, or did it catch you off guard?
I'm still shocked anyone reads my books. I am beginning to wonder if "**** it, we ball" is the motto for the successful when it comes to self publishing. I had no idea that I would gain a readership, and even less idea of what I was doing than I do now. I suppose it just proves that anything is possible through willpower and a touch of autism.
3. You write in both Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Does your brain switch modes between genres, or do the two overlap more than readers might think?
I haven't touched my sci-fi work in a long time, but I do believe I will get back to it once my two main series are finished. I want to explore the universe in Privateer more, and have an idea for a far-future WOTI tie-in that I will not be discussing yet…
4. You've released a remarkable number of books in a short period. What does your daily writing routine actually look like?
Well currently I wake up around 5am, before my work day, and write for several hours. I start work at 10am, do some writing in the afternoon and then all my social media stuff in the evening. I write 5k words a day, 5 days a week on average (though life has gotten in the way the last couple months.
Next week, however, is my last day at my day job. I'm going full time as an author, which I am certain will change my schedule dramatically.
5. You describe yourself as 'a master of no trades, but a consummate dabbler.' Is that a philosophy you'd recommend to aspiring writers - broad curiosity over deep specialisation?
That is my philosophy for life- whether that will work for you depends entirely on you. I've never been one to preach that anyone follow my path… it has been one carved from rock with blunt tools. It's gotten me far, but only because I have refused to accept defeat over and over again.
6. What's the most surprising or memorable piece of feedback you've received from a reader?
That they love my books. Im just glad anyone's reading them at all. I suppose the gentleman who reached out to let me know that my books helped him get through recovery from open heart surgery… though I still don't know how to respond to that other than being happy I could help in some way.
7. For readers just discovering your work - Will of the Immortals or The Immortals' Mask first? Is there a recommended reading order?
I usually tell people to read through book five of WOTI before starting TIM, but I have taken pains to ensure that neither is required reading for the other. You'll just have a better idea of who Sataou is before you start his origin story if you follow that order.
8. What authors or books have most shaped the kind of storyteller you've become?
I grew up on Louis Lamour, and his storytelling is all over my work. My all-time favorite book is The Walking Drum, which I recommend everyone read. Before I started writing, I was reading over 300 books a year, and each one has left a mark on my own work I have no doubt.
9. Are there any characters across your series that you feel are underappreciated by readers but hold a special place for you as the author?
Leon's Patron- which I won't go into detail on for fear of spoilers. Suffice to say he has quite a lot of backstory that some haven't picked up on yet.
10. Are there any genres or story types you haven't yet explored that you'd love to tackle in the future?
Well, I just checked off VRMMO with FE- which is something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I have a portal fantasy series in the works for when I finish one of the three I'm already writing, and so very many half-baked ideas for after those.
11. Who wears the trousers?
The cats, for sure
A huge thank you to Jay for sitting down with us. If you haven't picked up his work yet, do yourself a favour. You can find Jay and all his series via his social channels and retailer pages, well worth an evening's investigation.