Meet Rod Van Blake | Author/Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rod Van Blake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rod, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to find a way to make money while doing something I enjoyed and had a passion for so that it doesn’t feel like work. It started as a hobby and then when I saw it was viable more resources and time were put in to make it happen.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My creativity was spawned from curiosity about myself after consuming so much within the science fiction and fantasy genres. Once I began that journey, I was not satisfied to simply emulate what I was given. I knew I had to create something of my own that others like me could relate to on more than a surface level. I am most excited about where we can go from here! I got here by being consistent and by having people around me who believed in what I was attempting to do. It was not easy. Life got in the way many times and only when I decided not to let it anymore that I made significant progress. I have learned to do what you personally can and find others that can do what you cannot. When funds are lacking time equity can be your greatest asset. I want people to know that I am passionate about what I do! I thoroughly enjoy the characters and worlds I create. I am not expecting people to have a Shakespearean experience when the read my books, but I am hopeful that they can find something within them that speaks to them. For those less inclined to enjoy literary works in general we are producing illustrated works with tv/film, and gaming in mind for the future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to one of the remaining Basta Pasta location in the Baltimore area for food. This city has a lot of breweries with some interesting and exclusive beers you won’t find just anywhere, and we could perhaps end the day somewhere with an open mic for poetry or music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Moneca my wife, Jordan Purnell Jackson of JPJacksonArt, and of course Mom!

Website: https://ancientillumination.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodvanblake/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-van-blake-3a91a846/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KisonAskari

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodvanblake

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpw8ocOC7Bvwg06sPU1b5Ww

Other: Nyumbani Chronicles issue 2, via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ancientillumination/nyumbani-chronicles-issue-2?ref=android_project_share