Sci-fi and fantasy writer Michael La Ronn has an impressive writing manifesto – he wakes up at 6am every morning to write! With over 90 books under his belt, La Ronn has a treasure trove of novels to explore, which you can do with an all-new Pure Sci-Fi Novels Bundle with Fanatical, a collection of 15 exciting high tempo novels showcasing three full series of books.
The bundle offers up the first volume in each series with Honor’s Reserve, an expansive Space Opera where the galaxy is on the edge of war and six ordinary people band together to try and save it all.
Android Paradox is the first of a clever three-book series that asks key questions about what it is to be sentient and responsible for your own actions: The year is 2300. Humans and androids live in peace after a devastating singularity and years of war. An android special agent must hunt down an elusive murderer in this fast-paced sci-fi thriller. The future belongs to humans and androids…or is that a paradox?
Completing the lineup is the intriguingly titled Food City: A genuinely original and mind-blowingly creative look at a possible future mankind, where obesity becomes the #1 killer of humanity and the real-life solution is found in a virtual RPG called Moderation Online. Here patients live in a fantasy kingdom, trying to make better food and therefore lifestyle choices. All however does not go well when a virus is introduced that threatens to undo this possible salvation.
We sat down with La Ronn to find out more about him and his writing journey…
You’ve written stories since you were a kid, can you remember when you realised you wanted to be an author?
The pivotal moment came in 10th-grade English class when I rebelled against a dull assignment. My teacher assigned a five-page essay on an uninspiring topic. I had the highest grade in the class and wrote at a college level. I knew I could dash off an A+ essay without trying too hard. I asked if I could write a short story instead, and he agreed.
I wrote a story about a kid who dreamed of becoming a clown, but his father wanted him to be a stockbroker. The kid ran away with the circus, reflecting my own choice to reject rigid conventions and embrace the untamed world of creativity.
The story earned an A+. Even better, all my classmates read the story and wanted to know what happened to the clown. My transformation into an aspiring author was complete.
Who or what has had the biggest influence on your writing journey, and how has that impact manifested in your work?
I feel a deep connection to prolific personalities. I hold a special admiration for people who strive to “die empty.” Achieving that takes a rare kind of courage—the bravery to explore both the world and oneself relentlessly. My greatest influences include Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Michael Crichton, Elizabeth Bowen, Guy de Maupassant, Anton Chekhov, and musicians like the Japanese jazz fusion band T-Square, Brazilian jazz singer Ivan Lins, and library music composers Alan Hawkshaw. These artists share a common trait: they constantly reinvent themselves with each new creation. I strive for that same spirit of reinvention in my own work.
You’ve spoken before about productivity. Could you walk us through your typical writing day? How do you maintain consistency?
My day starts at 6:00 AM with a brisk walk in nature, where I often use a voice recorder to dictate a story as I go. After that, it’s time for the day job. Evenings are devoted to family. I squeeze in writing whenever pockets of free time appear, using a writing app on my phone. Later at night, I usually sit down at my computer and dive deeper into my work.
Balancing a hectic career in the insurance industry with writing has taught me how to create on-the-go, a skill that has served me well. My secret is to write whenever the opportunity arises—I never wait for the right time because there is no such thing. Even if I can only write a few sentences here and there, that’s a win. Seize every opportunity you can, and you’ll be amazed at how prolific you will become. For those interested in learning more about my writing methods, I share detailed insights in my bestselling book, Be a Writing Machine.
What do you do when you hit a creative block?
I believe writer’s block stems from three root causes.
The first is fear. We often fear judgment from others and doubt our own God-given talents as writers. The key is recognizing how fear manifests for you and learning to push through it.
The second root cause is a lack of inspiration, often the result of our creative wells running dry. To combat this, read widely, consume diverse media, and step away from your writing desk to seek fresh experiences—best done with friends.
The third cause is personal circumstances. Life can interrupt us with challenges like illness or hardship, and it’s perfectly okay to set writing aside to focus on these. Once you address life’s demands, creativity tends to flow again.
By identifying the root cause of your writer’s block, you can take focused action to overcome it and return to creating with clarity and purpose.
What is it about sci-fi and fantasy that inspires you to write in this genre?
Everyone on this planet searches for meaning in their own way. Some find it through service, others through religion; I find it through books. Science fiction and fantasy transform an author’s inner thoughts into reflections of the outer world. When I read my favorite authors in the genre, I feel a deep connection, as if I’ve found people like me who see the world as I do, expressing the joys and sorrows of life in ways I’ve always understood intrinsically but never been able to articulate.
In other words, I look for authors who liberate me. They give me permission to explore the uncomfortable and messy corners of my heart and soul. And when I write about those same raw and messy truths and share them with the world, I trust that I will find my “people,” just as my favorite authors once found me. And so the cycle of understanding, validation, and good vibes continues.
How do you decide which futuristic technologies or societal themes to explore in your stories?
I let life decide. One of the best skills I’ve learned to cultivate is the writer’s ear and eye. Over the years, I’ve learned to keep a lookout for things that translate nicely into a novel. I never know when I will encounter that magic spark, but when I do, I get that ineffable tingling feeling that sends my writer brain into hyperdrive. The next thing I know, I have a new series written. I try not to think about it too much—it just happens.
Of all the characters you’ve created, do you have a favourite?
That’s such a tough question! My favorite character has to be Old Dark, the antihero from my Last Dragon Lord series. He’s a bloodthirsty, narcissistic dragon lord—a blend of Smaug from The Lord of the Rings, Frank Underwood from House of Cards, and Shakespeare’s Richard III. If I had an alter ego, Old Dark would undoubtedly be the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyll.
What trends in the publishing industry excite you the most right now? What trends worry you?
I’ll tread carefully here, but artificial intelligence genuinely excites me. It holds the potential to improve authors’ (and readers’) lives in countless ways. While there are valid concerns and downsides, I believe AI will be a net positive.
What worries me most about publishing is stagnation. When I started publishing in 2014, the industry was undergoing a radical transformation with the rise of ebooks, self-publishing, and online book sales. Now, even with the rapid advancements in AI, the publishing landscape feels stale. Books demand more effort from audiences compared to Netflix, video games, or even short-form video content on platforms like TikTok.
This, I believe, is the biggest challenge publishing faces—and its fiercest competition. The authors and publishers who will shape the future are those willing to innovate, meet readers where they are, and evolve with them, rather than wishing the world would stay as it was. And for publishing, that’s a tall order.
What are you reading right now?
At the moment, I am deep into the Ray Bradbury Challenge: I am reading a poem, short story, and an essay every day for one year. Some of my highlights include the poetry of Khahlil Gibran, the short stories Shirley Jackson, and the essays of Francis Bacon.
What’s next for you?
Writing. Always more writing. More exploration into the deepest, most rugged crevasses of the soul. And more books. Always more books!
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