If you or a friend has always dreamed of writing the Great American Novel... well, this interview is probably not for you. But if you or a friend has always wanted to write a fantasy/horror series requiring the creation of an entire world, multiple cultures, at least one language, violent death, aggressive sex practices, and a sense of fear for and about every new character introduced, I think you’ll feel right at home with my friend Jim Melvin. JIM MELVIN podcast excerpt: "My imagination started as a boy and was sparked by J.R.R. Tolkien. I picked up 'Lord of the Rings' as a teenager and it just blew me away. It changed me as a reader and eventually as a writer for the rest of my life. We all have genres we prefer--certainly epic fantasy is my favorite. I also like horror and science fiction and thrillers. And I'm a big fan of John Updike. In high school I decided I was going to become a bestselling novelist, that I was going to write this series--'The Death Wizard Chronicles'--and make millions of dollars. I even told people I was going to make $75 million! Not quite there, yet." Jim is the author of the six-book series The Death Wizard Chronicles. Five of the six books have been published to date and book six, Healed by Hope, is just a few months away. The Death Wizard Chronicles has been a story alive in the Melvin brain for many years before it ever hit bookshelves for the first time in 2007. I can still remember Jim describing what he hoped to write one day and being awed by how detailed his imagination truly was. When the first book – a massive tome, even for the horror and fantasy genre – was published, his friends and family were impressed by the sheer accomplishment and what it said of Jim’s determination. I suspect most of us thought that might be as far as he got. JIM MELVIN podcast excerpt: "When you translate English words into the ancient language of Pali, it has a very erotic sound. I hired a professional translator to translate certain key passages, so the few people in the world who can speak Pali and read Pali will see my language in the series is real." Jim never let go of his dream, however, even as one publisher evaporated and he moved to another. Would anyone really published thousands upon thousands of pages of The Death Wizard Chronicles to see Jim’s vision fully realize? Hell, yes! I first had Jim on this show when Book One: Forged in Death was published and, while many years have passed and at least one of us has picked up some grey, I’m thrilled to have him back to discuss the approaching completion of the series.   Jim Melvin • • • • • • Is Pali real?